S14.E13: Showcase #1

[Tara Ariano]

The singers perform in showcases. Also: Some contestants discover their fate.

[radiochik]

This show is THISCLOSE to losing me.  That Idol Sing Off was complete and utter crap.  I was fine w them letting Maddie go.  She's young. She'll come back next year.  But then they have a "change of heart" while Rachel is on her way in.  Then they actually tell  Rachel that she WAS in but HOLD UP.  Now you have to sing.  You could tell when she saw it was against Maddie that she knew she had no chance.  Part of me thinks we haven't seen the last of Rachel because this show always has something up it's sleeve. But for now, those shenanigans just left a bad taste in my mouth.  I couldn't even enjoy the rest of the episode. 

 

The funny thing is I didn't really have an opinion either way on Maddie or Rachel.  Now I feel that Rachel got completely hosed.

[kechara]

Perhaps pageant girl was a bit more telegenic?  Judges got last minute instructions from the producers?

 

I wish they hadn't put the little boy through. I knew they would but still...

 

And I wonder what I'm doing watching this show, except for the little girl who dresses like Janelle Monae...I like her

[nutty1]

I agree about the sing off. It was just wrong to tell Rachel it was originally her spot. Just wrong. 

So were the judges basically saying you 2 were on the bottom, so we are figuring out which one to let through? Or was it all for drama?

[LotusFlower]

Plus, Rachel was better. She has more stage presence and ease, and a stronger voice. Maddie seemed liked a ball of nerves.

Also, I noticed during the auditions that they weren't telling anybody to "come back next year." I said the time they always use this line is when they make cuts to the top 24, which are their hardest cuts, and of course, the last cuts for the judges. So far, they haven't said it once. I think there's no "next year." This is the final season.

[BogoGog24]

I personally like Maddie but that sing off was stupid and totally producer driven just for drama. They should not have told Maddie no and have her get upset then be like "Oh wait never mind" or disclose to the other girl that that was her spot. Now it looks like Maddie took her spot. I agree she is young and could come back but this is already her second time so I think she deserves a chance. She reminds me of a cross between Danielle Bradbery and Carrie Underwood.

I read the spoilers a long time ago so I knew Daniel would be put through but WHY? I seriously think he is getting by on cuteness and nothing else because that is the only word I ever hear the judges utter about him. I'm sure he'll be really good in a couple years but right now he just looks like a precocious kid who thinks he's cute performing for his parents in the living room, not America's next star.

I also knew Loren would get through but again WHY? She isn't a bad singer but she is so obviously made for Broadway, not Idol. Simon would have described her as self indulgent, pageanty, Broadway, etc. Skyfall was a fluke. It appears only theatrical songs work for her. And My Heart Will Go On was a bit rough on those high notes.

Jax is starting to bug, if she wasn't already. I think she is buying into her own hype. I'm so glad the judges were honest with her and told her that performance wasn't her best because it wasn't. She needs to stop trying so effing hard and just sing. Jena 2.0

I like Adam E but he seems like a parody of a rock singer like a Jack Black type. So many people hated Caleb last season but you have to admit he was at least a genuine rocker. Adam seems goofy to me.

Now on to those I loved:

Clark! That is how you do a dramatic pause, Jax. 2 seconds, not 2 minutes. Clark reminds me of a cross between PP and Michael Johns. He needs to sing Its All Wrong But It's Alright.

And last but not least- Tyanna.... Holy shit. I don't want to jinx her but she may just win this whole thing. SIXTEEN, most likely little or no vocal training because of finance issues, and she nailed that Beyoncé song better than most others twice her age who have tried to sing it. Tyanna and Clark finale, please.

Plus, Rachel was better. She has more stage presence and ease, and a stronger voice. Maddie seemed liked a ball of nerves.

Also, I noticed during the auditions that they weren't telling anybody to "come back next year." I said the time they always use this line is when they make cuts to the top 24, which are their hardest cuts, and of course, the last

cuts for the judges. So far, they haven't said it once. I think there's no "next year." This is the final season.

Don't you think if this was the final season that they'd have advertised that LONG before the auditions even started and that they'd have made a giant deal about it?

Forgot to mention I hated Lovey. She seemed too pageanty and fake. But of course she's through.

[LotusFlower]

Don't you think if this was the final season that they'd have advertised that LONG before the auditions even started and that they'd have made a giant deal about it?

It's possible they didn't know when they started filming. Or maybe the decision still isn't final, but they told the judges not to talk about "next year" since there's a high probability.

[limecoke]

Michael, Clark & Tyanna. That's about it for me. Everyone else sort of runs together. Jax looks better without the silly X on her face but the burnt-out hair and orange face kind of ruin her looks. Daniel is a cute kid (I still think he's 13), but his voice isn't cooked yet. He's mumbly with his words and doesn't finish phrases. Doesn't belong in top 24. The sing-off was cruelly handled. Bad move, show.

Just for fun, I cranked up the tally counter on my phone and counted 59 JLo close-ups. Probably isn't completely accurate but it's close. Didn't count Harry and Keith but didn't have to. Nowhere close.

[yourpointis]

If there was a theme for tonight's episode, I feel it should have been mediocrity. I do/did not like any contestant showcased tonight. Not one. Luckily I've read the spoilers and do have three maybe four contestants that I do like that will be in the top 24, but if tonight was the first time I tuned in this season, it would have been the last episode of the season for me. The girls are mostly nasal singers and a few were advanced only for their looks. The guys have a bit more variation, but not much. The front runners are a blur of beige. Michael and Clark; who right now I cannot tell apart, remind me of the type of singers you would see perform during a late night telethon. Rayvon (sp?) is too dull to even be considered beige. He's a wanna be John Legend and that is way out of his league. Adam is a clown and not an entertaining one. Until I saw Shannon actually move her left arm tonight, I was hoping the producers were going to seek a physical therapist due the immobility of said left arm. Has she or Clark(?) performed any song that was written within the last twenty years? I honestly can't remember. 

 

JLO and Harry should be ashamed of themselves for their subpar acting performance leading to the sing off. Yes it is obvious that is producer driven, but this isn't the first time those two judges have acted so I expect better from them. I will say that if this is the last year for Idol, I will not be unhappy with that prospect like I did in years past. 

[WhineandCheez]

Maddy is the worst dressed, coiffed and made up contestant ever on this show.  Everything she does style wise is TERRIBLE.  Great voice, just great.I will enjoy seeing what the stylists do cause she's very pretty. Sucked what they did to her contender.  WTF are you supposed to do with that info??  Ugly dress though.

 

Tianna for the win.  There is a situation where the backstory was ok, and adds to the poignancy of her performance.

[Jextella]

This show is THISCLOSE to losing me.  That Idol Sing Off was complete and utter crap.  I was fine w them letting Maddie go.  She's young. She'll come back next year.  But then they have a "change of heart" while Rachel is on her way in.  Then they actually tell  Rachel that she WAS in but HOLD UP.  Now you have to sing.  You could tell when she saw it was against Maddie that she knew she had no chance.  Part of me thinks we haven't seen the last of Rachel because this show always has something up it's sleeve. But for now, those shenanigans just left a bad taste in my mouth.  I couldn't even enjoy the rest of the episode. 

 

The funny thing is I didn't really have an opinion either way on Maddie or Rachel.  Now I feel that Rachel got completely hosed.

I didn't even see tonight's show but this sums up what I've been reading.   This kind of screams disingenuousness which weakens credibility.  It also makes me dislike the judges for going along with such a ploy.  Nothing is real in Hollywood, is it?  They are acting more than judging and it pisses me off that they pass themselves on to American as something they aren't.  All frauds, IMO.

 

Normally not a big deal, but when you have kids and careers at stake...and a public investing time into the show, it's a huge injustice to all involved.

Edited February 19, 2015 by Jextella

[Rick Kitchen]

Michael Simeon raps like a white boy.

I like Loren Lott but she's a little screechy.  I thought her "next day" hair was so much better than her performance hair.

Go, Adam E.  Like him a lot

Damn, I like Cody Fry.

Damn, Adanna was THERE!

Maddie Walker sings through her nose. But she's a pretty little blonde and Rachel is a woman of girth. Not that I thought she was any better. And what was up with the weird red tips on her hair?

Well, Clark was ... interesting.

Daniel's too young.  He would have had a chance to win in a couple of years, but even making it to top 24, I don't see him having a chance of winning.

Damn, Tyanna!  16!?

Ugh, I hate Jax. I think Harry disagreed about putting her through.  He didn't seem happy.

[BensBritches]

I'm not paying that much attention, but has there been a female contestant over the age of 20 chosen for the top 24? They all seem too young and trying too hard. Jax is killing me with her fried hair, orange glow and cutesy drawn on 'X' tattoo. But I do like Tyanna, so there's that. Oh and really that 12 year old boy has got to be the first to go.

Based on tonight, I may not watch this season. None of these contestants speak to me in any form.

[Prairie Fire]

I keep getting Jax confused with Jaq, the 15-year-old who sang "Cool Kids" earlier (not sure if she's still in the running). If they wanted to do a sing-off, it should have been between Jax and Jaq. Maybe Jax would attempt another way-too-long dramatic pause and the judges would interrupt her to put Jaq through.

 

I do like some of them: Clark, Rayvon, and Shannon, who looks kind of like Emma Stone and is a beast on vocals.

[PhD-Purgatory15]

Jaq is still in the running. There's another Maddie who is also really young left and I wonder if we might get a sing off between the two of them. Or maybe they both get in and the oldest girl in the top 24 ends up being like 21 or 22.

 

Clark is fine and all, and absolutely deserved his spot in the 24....but man can we get a moratorium on Georgia on my Mind? I don't want to completely crush the contestants without knowing what was actually on the cleared lists during each stage of Hollywood week they had to choose from, but when you get moderately happy and excited that somebody went with Classic by MKTO I think that tells you how unwilling and tone deaf AI is to change towards more what's actually happening in pop music these days.

 

Adam E. apparently is a Caleb Johnson tribute artist now. Maybe that bodes well for the actual competition, but it almost guarantees total irrelevance whenever his time on the show is up. 

 

Apparently Maddie W. is trying to go w/ hair straight out of Xtina's "Come on Over" video. The sing off was ridiculous, and the fact that it was set up w/ her going against one of the lonely 48 who didn't get a single second of airtime during the entire season made it extremely clumsy and seem preordained. Rachael (?) had to know the jig was up the second she saw Maddie walking back into that room. Besides, in the unofficial YBCF rankings (Young Blonde Country Females) it was pretty clear from her initial audition that the show had Maddie first with Alexis Gomez, Emily Brooke and Ellen Peterson in a desperate battle to grab 1....maybe 2 more slots.

 

If Shi makes it tomorrow night.....I'm not sure I'll be able to handle the three-headed monster (along w/ Jax and Loren Lott) of pretentiousness. And if Joey Cook somehow joins in, I may just have to tap out and waive the white flag all together. 

 

Can somebody explain how Adanna didn't get the same critique that Naomi got in the previous round? Whatever song she was wailing on, it was 80% unintelligible.

Edited February 19, 2015 by PhD-Purgatory15

[Lonesome Rhodes]

If they were gonna cram all of this as they did, it would have been much, much, much better to have cut to the chase with all the reveals instead of listening to the blather and litany of 19E reasoning as individuals were notified.  More performances, please!  I'd give them the exception of the 180 they did on Maddie/Rachel, so long as that was genuine and not planned.  Speaking of, Rachel definitely was more polished, but she smiles through all lyrics, regardless their meaning. Ex:  MymanischeatnigonmeandImustbestrongandIhatemysituation (all the while with a big ol' smile planted across her face).  That drives me to distraction.  I'm pleased she got cut.  

 

Adam Ez is ridiculously talented.  Given his image, he had to be.  I'm gonna root like crazy for him but I will be stunned if he makes the tour.  After Caleb's win last year there is no way he will be supported by TPTB to go much further.  

 

Jax, on the other hand, is clearly a chosen one.  She may not withstand the pressures, but 19E will do whatever they can to prop her up.  Her talent is in no way my cup of tea, but I do see she is talented and she has a clue. 

 

So far, i can't complain about any of the revealed keepers and discards.  Color me shocked.

[crocosmia]

I don't like any of the women except Tyanna.    Tyanna's talent is pure without all the artificiality and theatrics that some of the other little girls are parading around.  

 

The sing-off was cruel.  I didn't think either of those two girls were very good, but to tell one she has a spot and then snatch it away and give it to a cuter package is just plain mean-spirited.    

 

Loren Lott is back to screeching off key.   She's beautiful, but she oversings, and that isn't pretty.     Most of the rest are just a lot of nasally blondes that I can't tell apart at this point.

 

The men were better, but I don't have a favorite yet.   I was sorry to see Cody Fry go.   His voice is pretty terrific, and he's certainly more accomplished and polished than Daniel, who is too young and growing too cutesy for his own britches.    He's already wearing thin.    

 

The big rocker guy seems more a cover act than a serious singer.    The two blonde guys look too much alike, and I can't remember which name goes with which body, but I thought the one who played the piano was better.   He's very good, in fact.  

 

The guy with the hat has a nice voice, but it's not particularly remarkable, at least not in the few seconds that we saw him sing.    I'm kind of looking forward to hearing what he can do with a longer bit of airtime.   

 

I'm already tired of the close-ups of Jennifer's mug.    I'd much rather see the talented people.  

[radiochik]

Does anyone know if Big Machine Records is tied in with Idol this season?  I had an exchange on twitter with Scott Borchetta during the show last night and I knew the name sounded familiar so I looked and saw that he is the CEO of the label.  Apparently he discovered Taylor Swift?  Anyway, the exchange looked like this:  https://twitter.com/luvlyreada/status/568226117275881472

 

It seemed like a bit of a childish statement (even with the smiley face) for a label head especially since I wasn't particularly mean. I called it like I saw it.  And I wasn't the only one. Yet I was the only one he replied to and then he retweeted others speaking favorably of the show and the whole Maddie thing.  Either way, I thought some people on here might find it interesting.

 

Back to the show, I usually get annoyed with the quirky singers but I've liked them this season - a lot of the ones most of you don't seem to like such as Jax, Joey and Shi, I like.  Of the 3, I think we'll get Joey along w the already in Jax.  However, Jax will wear thin on me soon.  She looked so orange last night and I wasn't that thrilled with her HOB performance.

 

The 2 I haven't been on board with that made it in are Adam Ez and baby Daniel.  Is it once you make the Top 24 that you can't try out again?  If so, it's the whole reason why I wanted them to boot Daniel early and give him time to develop his voice.  But Miss Goosies thinks he's so cute that they keep putting him through.  As for Adam,  he's entertaining but  more for comic relief.  It's not that he can't sing - it's that I'm having a problem taking him seriously

[BogoGog24]

Out of the girls I remember them putting through so far, yes Loren is over 20. She's 22 I think.

Yes Scott and Big Machine will be involved with Idol this season. The winner will be signed to Big Machine, regardless of genre, but that means they'll probably try to push the country singers. Yes Scott discovered Taylor and he will be the in house mentor this year.

No there is a new rule since season 12 that any contestant who doesn't make the tour can come back. So basically 11th place and beyond can come back.

Edited February 19, 2015 by BogoGog24

[yourpointis]

Adam E. apparently is a Caleb Johnson tribute artist now. Maybe that bodes well for the actual competition, but it almost guarantees total irrelevance whenever his time on the show is up. 

 

I just realized that Adam is for me probably what Taylor Hicks were to others. I can recognize his vocal talent, but I just can't get on board with his clownish (for lack of a better word) nature. Although, Taylor definitely knew how to play the game back then, but the rules may have changed by now. 

[goodbyeglittergirl]

Hated the sing off. I feel really bad for the girl in the chevron dress. I don't think either singer would have lasted long going forward but still, how terrible to say ooh, you had the spot but now it's a SINGOFF!

[Guest]

Does anyone know if Big Machine Records is tied in with Idol this season?  I had an exchange on twitter with Scott Borchetta during the show last night and I knew the name sounded familiar so I looked and saw that he is the CEO of the label.  Apparently he discovered Taylor Swift?  Anyway, the exchange looked like this:  https://twitter.com/luvlyreada/status/568226117275881472

 

It seemed like a bit of a childish statement (even with the smiley face) for a label head especially since I wasn't particularly mean. I called it like I saw it.  And I wasn't the only one. Yet I was the only one he replied to and then he retweeted others speaking favorably of the show and the whole Maddie thing.  Either way, I thought some people on here might find it interesting.

 

I agree, it was childish and annoying and now I dislike him.  And I agree with you that whole segment was BS and unfair.  There is NO WAY that was a spontaneous thing (the sing off).  Please, don't treat the viewers like they're stupid, this far in.

 

So 19E is admitting they suck at promoting winners, I guess?  It looks like Big Machine owns a lot of The Voice's country singers.

[proserpina65]

I would've ditched Loren Lott; the Hollywood week performance of Skyfall was her only really good one and she completely lost me with that dreck from Titanic.

 

I wasn't keen on Tayonna's performance, but I've really liked her previous ones so I'll give her a pass.

 

Rachel Hallem was robbed.

 

Most of the rest I was fine with, although I probably wouldn't have kept the really young seeming kid, Daniel?

[cinsays]

   Well, I may be in the minority here, but I am not digging Michael Simeon all that much.  Talented, yes, but I just find him to be insincere. Maybe the dance with JLo is what turned me off.  I think she is looking at him like her next boy toy and he's working that as hard as he can. The multi-genre take on the song was a bit much.

   Agree about the sing-off.  Totally a staged event that made no sense to me.  And, yeah, the girl that got thru really needs a makeover.  Her look is just distracting.

  I personally did not care for either of them, nor Lovey with the lovely hair ornamentation (is that still an IN thing?). 

  Tyanna was talented and I am glad she made it.

   Jax can just leave soon.  The hair, the face tattoo, the strange performance last week caressing her parents.  Just no. 

 

[proserpina65]

Michael Simeon raps like a white boy.

 

Now, now, that's not fair.  Some white boys can rap.  Well, Eminem can, anyway.  Michael Simeon, not so much.

[Guest]

I did think Michael Simeon's and Jax's performances were just too affected.  A lot of these kids come across like they're doing an impersonation of what they envision as a star.  I think Harry sees through it all.  

 

I was laughing at the phony audience in the House of Blues.  I guess it was sorority night, like all their phony, poorly-swaying, close-to-stage audiences are.  I imagine their instructions to the college girls they hire are "wear a solid color sundress, straighten your hair, wear extra makeup, be prepared to stand up for 12 hours straight and make expressive faces at the stage when the camera pans over.  Do not talk to each other, pull out a phone, sit, hold a drink or do any dancing besides lightly swaying.  Powder your face, touch up your lipstick and comb your hair between songs."  

[Qoass]

 

Do not talk to each other, pull out a phone, sit, hold a drink or do any dancing besides lightly swaying.

 

Can we make this the rule for all concerts I attend?

[yourpointis]

I did think Michael Simeon's and Jax's performances were just too affected.  A lot of these kids come across like they're doing an impersonation of what they envision as a star.  I think Harry sees through it all.  

 

I was laughing at the phony audience in the House of Blues.  I guess it was sorority night, like all their phony, poorly-swaying, close-to-stage audiences are.  I imagine their instructions to the college girls they hire are "wear a solid color sundress, straighten your hair, wear extra makeup, be prepared to stand up for 12 hours straight and make expressive faces at the stage when the camera pans over.  Do not talk to each other, pull out a phone, sit, hold a drink or do any dancing besides lightly swaying.  Powder your face, touch up your lipstick and comb your hair between songs."  

According to Zap2it the audience at the HOB was made up of family, friends, and press. Also, during group rounds, four or five groups will perform one after another, then after a few minutes of (judges) deliberations, each group comes out separately to hear of their fate and not directly after like its shown on tv. 

[Guest]

According to Zap2it the audience at the HOB was made up of family, friends, and press. 

I would bet money that there were also several dozen paid college girls to surround the stage on foot, like on the live shows.  All the close-in audiences look the same on this show and SYTYCD.  Mildly disinterested, pretty, thin, early 20s, usually blonde and white, females in solid color dresses.  I think if those were the actual friends and family up close in the standing mob, some would be older, uglier, non-white, less dressed up and male.  I did see family further back, in seats.  

 

I read some of the hired college girls passed out in a SYTYCD taping because it takes all day, they don't have seats, and they aren't given water.  They did this Idol taping in one day, in two sets of 24 singers each.  I think they would have to give the actual friends and family seats and water.  

[yourpointis]

I wasn't trying to discredit what you said Winston9-DT3. I was just posting what was reported by the press. I understand they hire local school girls (be it college or high school) to feign interest in these wanna be stars (Nigel let that cat out of the bag years ago). I read a report a couple of years ago that before taping begins, audience members that don't fit a certain look are made to sit the farthest away from the stage and out of camera shots. Until the newest judges came on board, audience members were not allowed to have their cell phones with them during taping as well as purses. They were also made to spit out their gum and not allowed to leave their seats once the show went live. Signs were also distributed out to the audience highlighting certain contestants that the show wanted to promote and any homemade signs were inspected before being allowed in the building. (The Voice audience members are instructed not to boo the coaches/judges whereas Idol it is (or was) the opposite)

 

If true, I would never want to be an audience member even if I had a loved one competing. I would have to give all my support from the living room couch. 

[WhineandCheez]

It seems like most of the ones who did not make it were not so great looking. I know that's the norm, but it seems so sad.  I felt bad for the one guy who had like 20 people there for him, with a sad little home made sign, and he didn't make it.  The girl for whom it was the first  time singing in front of anyone (if true?), had a horrible twitchy stage presence. Her arm kept jerking in front of her li,ke she was convulsing.

 

Farmer Boy I no longer like.  He came off as smarmy and a pure practiced professional. I dont know if he came from a farm in someone's back yard, but I no longer like him.

[viajero]

My favorites of the night include Tyanna, Rayvon and Clark.  There`s also something about Shannon that makes me think she could go far.  But so far the only contestant who I see having any kind of post show star potential is Jax.   She can be overly dramatic at times - like with that overly long pause - but she really is the complete package.  Her problem is that I can´t see her actually winning Idol because she´s too quirky and self-confident for the voters on this show.  Fortunately for Jax, she doesn't have to actually win to turn this into a chance at a career.

[Qoass]

 

the one guy who had like 20 people there for him

 

Is it my imagination or do more contestants have full fledged entourages this year?  I may be remembering incorrectly but when I think of previous seasons, the under 18 kids would have one parent as a chaperone while adults would maybe have friends or family in the audience only once the live shows began.  I wonder how they all afford the hotel tabs.

[LBFilmBuff]

Maddie really needs a makeover.  The hair is ridiculous but that doesn't bother me as much as all the heavy makeup. She looks like Courtney Stodden (that IS the name of the 16 year old girl who looks like she's 50 trying to pass for 40, right?).

 

Tyanna and Rayvon are the only ones I think I'd want to hear on my ipod.  Not sure if they're dynamic enough performers...yet.

[Packerbrewerbadger]

How could they dump the very interesting and talented Cory Fry for that little boy??? And the judges " acting performances" in that sing off fiasco were sad. Just keep them both like the two girls suggested.

[Sentient Meat]

The sad part about the Maddie/Rachael sing-off was that not only did they screw over Rachael by telling her that it was her place and then cruelly taking it away... but they turned a lot of fans/viewers against Maddie who isn't very talented and cannon fodder to begin with.  So they have two victims instead of one... Unless of course this was all a publicity stunt and they resurrect Rachael in the first live show... in which case it gives her an unfair boost and still screws over Maddie.

 

I don't know why with all the stunt casting and drama that the idol producers continue to shoot themselves in the foot.  They have a steady dedicated core audience like Survivor... and all they really need to do is find good singers and get rights to more songs.  Whoever produces/runs this show is an idiot... smh.

Edited February 19, 2015 by Sentient Meat

[BogoGog24]

Guess I'm in the minority because I like Maddie's red dip dyed hair. She could tone down the makeup though. I think she's a pretty girl but the heavy makeup ages her. I like the hair though.

 

Yes most people who made the Top 24 are attractive but Adam E isn't necessarily the most conventionally attractive looking guy (nor exactly the greatest singer) and he made it. They pick those who will make great TV, whether that means looks, entertainment, personality, whatever.

 

Let's be real. A girl won't win this year. A girl will never win unless TPTB manipulate the competition again like Season 12. Jax is beginning to grate my nerves but she could easily be one of the most successful winners from this show if she won. They were clearly really pushing for a Jena win last year, so having a Jax win would make up for that. But I have the feeling another guy will win this year.

BTW, Vevo has uploaded FULL performances from last night: https://www.youtube.com/user/VEVO/videos

[Guest]

I liked Maddie's red tips in prior rounds but in this one they were too bright, harsh and abrupt.  Paired with the heavy makeup, spider lashes and too-tight LBD she had to keep tugging down, she looked horrible.  Even my edgy teen thought so.  And it sounded like the judges decided to give her a second chance based on her look.  WTH.  So if Rachael had skanked out for the green mile and was a size 0 instead of 10, she might be there now?  Ugly message, Idol.  

[Sparkling Beth]

I can't stop feeling that Maddie's red tips are her hair soaked in blood, which brings up all kinds of unpleasant images as my mind explores ways that it happened.  It's just icky.

 

They should have given Daniel's spot to Cody Fry.  Maybe the judges were thinking, "Yeah, he's not the greatest singer, but he's pretty good for twelve!" except he isn't twelve, he's fifteen.  The fact that he looks sooooo young makes his flirting with Jennifer even more uncomfortable for me.

 

This is a guy's year and should be, because there are more talented guys this year than girls IMO, although Tyanna continues to stun me with her natural talent.  She sounds amazing.

[Shades of Red]

They should have given Daniel's spot to Cody Fry.  Maybe the judges were thinking, "Yeah, he's not the greatest singer, but he's pretty good for twelve!" except he isn't twelve, he's fifteen.  The fact that he looks sooooo young makes his flirting with Jennifer even more uncomfortable for me.

Thank you for putting that into words for me.  I couldn't figure out why it was giving me an icky feeling and you've summed it up.   I also think it's double standard time.  If the situation was reversed and it was a young girl doing the same with Keith or Harry I'm sure someone would have put a stop to it already or wouldn't have shown it.  I'm not sure if it's due to Jennifer being single, a woman or the fact that she dates younger men that so far all this hitting on her has made it onto the episodes.  It could be cut out with no problem.

 

I thought the sing off was cruel and unnecessary.  Then you put a camera on Rachael and ask her how she feels.  How do you think she feels?  Now she looks like a poor sport and rude because of the comments she made.  I know the music business is a tough one, but I don't anyone who would be a good sport after being put through what she did.

[Mertseger]

 

Jax can just leave soon.  The hair, the face tattoo, the strange performance last week caressing her parents.  Just no.

 

Aw, I was glad to see her going through as a representative of the Oompa-Loompa-American community. Beneath all the Avril Lavigne-derivative attitude and faux bad-girl pretense and misguided styling and the stupid intentional pause and a seeming inability to perform anything other than ballads (and etc. etc. etc.) there might even be a voice there. 

[Padma]

They should have given Daniel's spot to Cody Fry.  Maybe the judges were thinking, "Yeah, he's not the greatest singer, but he's pretty good for twelve!" except he isn't twelve, he's fifteen.  The fact that he looks sooooo young makes his flirting with Jennifer even more uncomfortable for me.

 

I was so disappointed he got it over Cody. I'm tired of hearing how "cute" Daniel is because I personally can't stand him. (Doesn't help that I've worked with that age group and hate to see someone with an unrealistic idea of his talent being reinforced. He's cute until he starts talking and then I found his attitude toward J-Lo disrespectful and kind of obnoxious.

 

Maybe I'd be less annoyed if I thought he was legitimately in top 24 because he's just that talented. But I don't. His guitar playing is weak and his vocals are bad (sorry, it's not an excuse for advancing if people are discussing "he's at that age now where his voice is cracking."

 

I think you could go to any large high school in Los Angeles and find many students with better musicianship than Daniel. I wish he'd leave early, but I think they 're trying to get the younger viewers and will want to keep him around, giving him good placement and comments while better singers get booted.

 

Also annoying? How obvious it was that the "intangibles" Harry and Keith kept talking about were "your looks". They have a couple of "average" people, but they eliminated so many who sang better than many of the ones they kept.  Disappointing.

[Sentient Meat]

I don't hate Jax as much as some here because she seems a bit dull witted... an alternative artist version of Kellie Pickler if you will... and she actually sings pretty well.

 

So I don't look at her package as calculated so much as cobbled together from an amalgamation of parroted social media memes and cues... an strange sort of savant like Chauncey Gardner from Being There or Jake Gyllenhaal's character in Nightcrawler.

 

Also she will be handily defeated by at least four or five of the male singers as well as perhaps Tyanna or Katherine Winston, so I'm not particularly bothered

[PamelaMaeSnap]

I'm just relieved to see I'm not the only one who finds Jax to be unbelievably irritating. From the first time I heard her, I thought two things simultaneously -- I will hit mute every time she opens her mouth, and she will probably win the whole thing and be Final 3 at the very least. I respect that she is probably good at what she does, but I just cannot stand that whole raspy/whispery/angsty style that seems to be so current. 

 

I seem to be in the minority as far as Shannon goes, though ... I thought she was the weakest of the girls. A lot of meh.

 

LOVE LOVE LOVE Tyanna. Loved her before I knew her backstory and love her even more now.

 

I'd say that going into the "Final Judgment (dun dun dunhhhhhhhh)," my three favorite girls were Tyanna, Joey and Katherine Winston (who is getting SO little pimpage that I suspect she's cannon fodder but Oh My God what a golden voice). 

 

 

 

[TheGreenKnight]

JLO and Harry should be ashamed of themselves for their subpar acting performance leading to the sing off. Yes it is obvious that is producer driven, but this isn't the first time those two judges have acted so I expect better from them. I will say that if this is the last year for Idol, I will not be unhappy with that prospect like I did in years past. 

After seeing HCJ's awful taste put on display last year, combined with bringing JLO back and the worst cast of the series, I've been okay with the show being cancelled for at least a year now. I don't think it's salvagable at this point, so best to put it out of its misery. And the sooner, the better.

Edited February 22, 2015 by TheGreenKnight