May 2007 Archives

From the Jan. 16 start to May 23's Jordin Sparks' win, season six was a lot of fun.

The Top 24 contestants started out being -- females: Alaina Alexander, Amy Krebs, Antonella Barba, Gina Glocksen, Haley Scarnato, Jordin Sparks, LaKisha Jones, Leslie Hunt, Melinda Doolittle, Nicole Tranquillo, Sabrina Sloan, and Stephanie Edwards. males: AJ Tabaldo, Blake Lewis, Brandon Rogers, Chris Richardson, Chris Sligh, Jared Cotter, Nicholas Pedro, Paul Kim, Phil Stacey, Rudy Cardenas, Sanjaya Malakar, and Sundance Head.

They all got voted off over the weeks. Sanjaya was the season's most talked about contestant and he survived for several weeks, bolstered by radio personality Howard Stern's push. But on April 18, Sanjaya was voted off.

The season also included the Top 6 singers performing inspirational music as a part of the first ever "Idol Gives Back" telethon raised more than $60 million. None of the singers were eliminated, and the votes from that week were added to the votes from the following week to eliminate two singers.

The following week, the show caught Disco Fever. Contestants were coached by Barry Gibb, who performed "To Love Somebody."

The top 3 each performed 3 songs each the next week. Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson predicted that Melinda Doolittle and Jordin Sparks would advance to the final 2 and that Blake would be eliminated. For results night, Ryan said over 60 million votes were cast. And Melinda was booted.

In the last heat Tuesday, Jordin and Blake started strong. But Jordin was stronger in the end and she won the contest Wednesday.

JORDIN DOES IT!!!! 74 million votes told the story. poor blake.

bette midler singing "my hero." wow moment.

jordin and ruben singing "you're all i need to get by!!!!"
green day doing john lennon's "working class hero."
and a very pitchy tony bennett, dawg!

the show has already has smokey robinson, kelly carkson and a blooper reel to fill time but the highlight so far has been the six girl finalists - kicked off by jordin -- singing a medley of heartbreak ballads, opening with "heard it thru the grapevine." yay!

The show opened with Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis dueting on the Beatles song, “I Saw You Standing There.” It opens with the line “Well, she was just 17,” which is how old Sparks is. Great opening!

Jordin and Blake are here...Paul, Randy and What's-His-Name are in place and everyone's anxious for the "Idol" finale to finally get off the ground. Half hour to go until the last show of the season starts, a two-hour special where the big winner will be crowned. The crowds outside the Kodak Theatre lined the red carpet for a glimpse of the stars and ... the countdown has begun.

We just watched a blowout.

Of course, the only winners i got right were Kelly and Carrie, so who knows what will happen.

And I agree with the judges: We are all winners.

A bit pitchy (had to say that just for fun)......

Jordin is clearly the better singer. Sang that song way better than Blake.

This wasn't close.

very good for a 17-year-old. and it helps that she doesn't rub anyone - girls or boys - the wrong way. likeable. is she the youngest idol ever? the youngest contestant? probably. holds herself well. we place our bet on jordin.
we will see tomorrow.

blake had to cover a so-so middle-of-the-road number written by the winner of the songwriting contest. it was an awful song and blake did his best.

Ok, that wasn't bad. I admit it. Song was sappy, but he did it as best he could. I guess there's room for another Nick Carter.

But how can they criticize it as not his genre after they force him to sing that?

Either way, Jordin is winning late 4th quarter with the ball.......

Started off slowly, but ended real strong. She just got the victory.

But man, Paula's whole face is swollen. It's like she got hit in the face with a Magic pass while sitting with the Laker girls.

Ok, I admit it. I don't like Blake. I'm biased. This reminds me of Kelly vs. Justin tonight. Too one-sided.

Say what judges???? Am I missing something here? That was good?

I must be old.

that country song was terrific. she's sounding better every time she gets on stage. vote for jordin!

she's turned into something....the contest has done wonders for her. it will be a wonder if she doesn't win.

Round one to Blake?????

Jordin's fighting for the victory! Hands down the winner of the first round.

What the heck is Randy wearing on his jacket? Dawg leash?

paula tripped over the dog the other night and hurt her nose. tonight it's a bit swollen and her voice is all thin and whiny. breaking nose news.

What happened to that guy who made noises in the Police Academy movies? Bet you can't remember his name. Neither can I.

blake did that beatbox thing pretty well. must've taken some rehearsal to get it right. he's pretty good. his first song: "shot through the heart."

i was surprised that both finalists - jordin & blake - are from seattle....that's strange because it wasn't one of the most memorable audition cities.

Ok. Here we go. I'm ready.

But where's Melinda? I wonder if she's sitting home tonight with Al Gore, wondering "What the heck happened???"

After weeks of good singing and bad singing, Doolittles and Sanjaya's, we're finally down to the final two. Beat-boxer Blake versus young, innocent Jordin. The two go head-to-head tonight in the American Idol finals. Who are you pulling for? Use the comment space below to tell us who you think will win.

In one of the biggest surprises of the current "American Idol" season, onetime favorite Melinda Doolittle was voted off the show Wednesday, leaving just two contestants to battle it out for the 2006 crown next week.

Doolittle was considered the best singer of the bunch, but began to draw criticism in recent weeks. The remaining hopefuls are Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis.

"Congratulations to you two," said judge Simon Cowell, who covered his face when the announcement was made. "My commiserations, Melinda, `cause you are one heck of a singer."

Doolittle, 29, has worked as a professional backup singer before her "Idol" run. Seemingly resigned to her fate, she belted "I'm A Woman" before leaving the stage.

It's anybody's guess who will win at the two-hour finale May 23.

Sparks, 17, has gained considerable traction recently and rose from the bottom ranks to gain momentum.

But Lewis, 25, also has been winning fans lately by taking risks with song choices and arrangements.

MELINDA, TAKE 1

Fred she's got a voice but the personality is lacking.
Josh she's coming on strong now though
Sem she's trying too hard...but it's a Whitney Houston song, you're screwed anyway.
Sem what was THAT???
Fred she believes in you 'n' meeeee....
Josh she had a good run in the middle and killed it with the high note
Sem this whole performance gave me goosebumps...in a bad way.
Sem like, a rash
Fred i just grew an enormous bunion on my foot.
Sem randy, are you on crack? the best??
Fred randy is desperately trying for credibility.
Sem i think randy's a robot
Sem "that was hot. that was hot. that was hot. that was hot. dawg. dawg. dawg."
Josh can you imagine a conversation between randy and paris hilton?
Fred yeah - hot dawg.
Sem she was NOT the best guys. i'm very distraught.
Josh i'm mad as hell and i'm not going to take it anymore!
Fred i am enjoying my guinness.

MELINDA, TAKE 2

Fred can i watch forensic files now? you kids have fun.
Sem she changes her hair every second.
Josh ryan and i think alike. scary...
Fred tina turner did this so well.
Josh OK, if Ryan beats Simon, how about Ryan-Ty Pennington?
Fred that guitar is horrible. 99 cent store.
Sem Still Ryan.
Josh even if ty has a bullhorn?
Fred the guitar on this song.
Josh he could shout ryan down...
Josh she can do a lot of different types of music..but her lack of personality is going to get her voted off this week
Fred i hope so. she's a bore.
Josh wow, did randy just actually give an opinion?
Sem THANK you. she IS boring
Fred no -- what did i say. i like her more than birdman.

MELINDA, TAKE 3

Sem ok, it's Mel again. whatev.
Josh melinda doolittle way? jesus ass...
Fred it's a great song but the arrangement is terrible.
Sem it was a *yawn*...oh shit, Simon i smiling...
Sem dont say it
Sem simon
Sem dont...say...it!

BLAKE, TAKE 1

Josh: i thougth he was going to the beat box right there
Fred: he's got that mouth thing again - like a baby bird reaching upwwards for the worm delivered by the mommy bird.
Fred: ...but that's for another blog.
Josh: check it out dog
Josh: yo
Josh: yo
Josh: pitchy
Josh: yo
Fred: little bird mouth but sharp little pointed tongue. strange.
Josh: again - excellent performance for a karaoke bar.
Fred: and tiny sharp teeth. i don't know whether to vote for him or feed him.
Fred: i wonder if he builds his own nests.

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BLAKE, TAKE 2

Sem: i like this song :-(
Josh: it works for him
Sem: (i cant watch the mouth....the bird mouth)
Fred: who does this song in reality?
Sem: Maroon 5
Josh: here it is
Sem: the
Sem: beat
Sem: box
Sem: (shrieking)
Josh: pretty good. would've been better with the lyric change
Sem: (confession: I muted the TV during his first performance)
Fred: that mouth. it really is a strange thing.
Sem: i think all the judges are robots today
Fred: she says that every week.
Sem:: even simon is LESS HARSH. wtf?
Fred: they're down to three ans the ratings are going down, too. they know their days are numbered.
Josh: i'm telling you, one way to solve that: Ryan-Simon Celebrity Death Match
Sem: my money's on Ryan
Sem: he's a firecracker, that one.

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BLAKE, TAKE 3

Sem: if blake wins, i'm throwin a fit.
Josh: it may be worth it just to see your hissy-fit, sem
Sem: i'll throw it i tell ya!

JORDIN, TAKE 1

Fred: i loved jordin. very good. adventurous.
Josh: wasn't wowed
Sem: i liked her!
Josh: solid, but nothing spectacular
Sem: i've been liking her
Fred: you and a lot of people.
Fred: i have been monitoring the beat of the street - and people are going for jordin.

JORDIN, TAKE 2

Sem: ok, need to focus, it's jordin
Sem: vocally, she's the best tonight...i just hope she doesn't fall in those platforms.
Josh: this is not good...she's flat
Josh: doesn't have the energy the song needs
Sem: she's wearing platforms, she's scared she's gonna fall
Fred: now the blog degenerates into Who Are You Wearing.
Sem: oh come on, there! she sounded good there! right?
Josh: she got better... there was a middle stretch where it was just eh
Sem: ha! i'm wearing you down
Fred: at least they're dolce gabanas.
Josh: i'm actually rooting for jordin b/c i grew up rooting for her dad - which i didn't realize till last week
Sem: wait, who's her dad?
Josh: phillipe sparks
Josh: football player
Sem: weeks and weeks of Idol and i dont know all the little details of these contestants. SHAME!
Josh: played for the giants back in the day
Fred: never heard of him. is he on steroids?

JORDIN, TAKE 3

Fred: great. "i who have nothing." dedicated to me.
Sem: this song is hot!....GET IT Jordin!
Josh: wow...that was really good
Sem: that's the way to end it.
Josh: take that melinda
Sem: yeah!
Fred: yes she was OK. they are grooming her to win.
Sem: shut up simon!
Sem: ryan's there to reassemble their confidence.
Josh: Phillipe'll kick Simon's ass
Sem: who's Phillipe?
Josh: her dad
Josh: the football player
Sem: oh, yes.
.

(Getty)

You may not be able to sing like an Idol, but you can certainly attempt to dress like one. When it comes to style, this season has given viewers much to admire (and fear, see: Sanjaya po-hawk...er, whatever it's called).

Whatever the case may be, American Idol season 2 finalist Kimberley Locke is banking on there being more admirers as she (in partnership with the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation) works to give back by auctioning off clothing and accessories worn by America’s favorite IDOL contestants and participants. (With all this good-samaritan-ness, one wonders if American Idol is competing to take the Save-The-World-One-Underpaid teacher/low-income family/self-loathing cheerleader-At A-Time crown away from Oprah).

A week from today (May 21), we'll see how much Sanjaya's bandana* or Phil Stacey's ski cap* (was it that cold in the studio??) will go for. Paula, Simon, Randy and Ryan are also gettin in on all the philanthropic action, donating items from their closets as well (Simon tees*? Oh goodie!).

*It has not been confirmed that these items will be a part of the auction. Sor-ry!

When Cowell simonized LaKisha last week with an eww-gross lip smack, it turned out to be the sort of omen only a mummy could love. Tonight, America - which has nothing better to do or worry about - voted the big gal off the stage. LaKish, we imagine, was instantly limo'd to the airport and strapped onto the redeye., kicking, screaming and tearfully singing "Stayin' Alive" all the way back to Flint, Mich. Why Flint? That's where she's from - duh.

Most everybody is sure Melinda's gonna win - except for the girls in our Woodland Hills mailroom, who believe strongly in the unseen powers of Jordin.

If they don't win IDOL...
they'd be great at:

sem: i like jordin! she has more personality then melinda
fred: see, it's about showing the feeling. and she's got the feeling. yes, kiss tonight.
fred: i often think about her friends and family...and there they are!
sem: wow, fred, you called it! who knew the camera would pan to the family...
fred: yup, it never happens but i thought they might.
sem: and do you predict that randy will say "dawg" tonight?...

If they don't win IDOL...
they'd be great at:

fred: "stayin' alive," the new fresh scent kitty litter.
sem: haha
fred: oh the head thing. i hate that.
fred: oh the screeching. make it stop.
fred: her friends and family are OK.
sem: i...i dont know...
sem: do you think simon and her will kiss again?
fred: simon says, "no kiss tonight baby"
sem:....guess not then.

If they don't win IDOL...
they'd be great at:

sem: he frosted his tips again
fred: this one's just frosted all over. again with the baby sparrow's mouth.
sem: i can't look at his mouth now...thanks fred
fred: call the vet and put him out of our misery.

If they don't win IDOL...
they'd be great at:

sem: uhh, not exciting
sem: she was better last week
fred: bland. no edge.
sem: that face...stop actin scared Melinda!
fred: she's a fake. she knows she can sing and she's acting all "i'm scared and goofy."
sem: or that might just be her face. period. a look more suited for a kindergarten teacher or something...

The tween (deep down) inside me wanted cuite patootie chris r. to stick around another week. but he, along with phil stacey (whatever), was axed in the double elimination episode last week.

Ok, so now we have Melinda, Jordin, LaKisha and...Blake the Beatboxing Brunet (hey, I thought the frosted tips were working for him, don't you?).

Bottom line: Only 4 left. This should be, what, a 15 minute show, tops?
(I'm an optimist; so sue me!)

*NOTE: that's a sad face over Chris R.'s face (above image), NOT a vampire....we here at Idol Chatter do not belive in any form of vampirism...unless it's during an election year.

mizrock: mmmmm, bon jovi offering to teach me to rock.......
mizrock: there's a fantasy
sem: he's so cute!
mizrock: oooh, jon KISSED her, that trumps the Lakisha-Simon kiss. You GO girl!
sem: i'm hatin.
fred: ok, this is my fave so far.
mizrock: she's got the walk now
fred: yeah- this is the stuff.
sem: she got the attitude!
fred: yeah-she's so relaxed up there. if you're gonna do that sort of thing, she's doing it.
mizrock: THAT'S my karaoke move!
sem: aren't they all??
mizrock: Mint chocolate and peanut butter/chocolate skinny cows smushed together!

sem: oooh, Ryan called him Justin Timberlake....faulty.
mizrock: that's such an EASY song!...this ain't karaoke, chris
mizrock: i can tell he's gonna suck
sem: but i SOdont want him to.
mizrock: there's a breath between the two wanteds, chris
sem: haha, no mercy.
mizrock: why does he look like a constipated cowboy?
sem: i'm just gonna let you rate this one.
mizrock: it's like being stuck at Starbucks with a new dyslexic barista who doesn't drink coffee.
sem: well ok then.

sem: i dont know if my rating system goes with this sort of comment but.....you get the point.

He beatboxed.
The whole time.
Surprise surprise.

sem: Like simon said, either you hate it, or you love it.
mizrock: i LOVED it. my daughters were screaming down the hall...
fred: blake was merely adaquate.
sem: he was wack!

'Nuf said.

mizrock: she did NOT get that from victoria secret.
fred: suddenly i want to go to Del Taco
mizrock: mmm, i'm hooked
sem: Not feeling it.
sem: I'm not believing she's in love.
sem: not FEELING it.
fred: i can do without the electric guitar for beginners in the background.
fred: those jeans is gonna split, baby.
sem: haha, that's why she didn't sit with ryan.
sem: what???. simon liked her??
mizrock: holy crap!
sem: they kissed!
mizrock: i think ryan is jealous.

fred: she moves like a hobby horse.
mizrock: ok, girl, show em
mizrock: dang, she borrowed my karaoke move of leaning on the guitarist...she's not at her best tonight.
sem: straining....it hurts. it hurts to say it hurts. (i love jordin!)

mizrock: my prediction: Phil goes for sure
sem: why's he in the crowd...wow, ok, not bad Phil.
fred: i'm buying this guy's voice. it seems to be working.
mizrock: is that jacket country or skater?
sem: Kid Rock's garage sale?
mizrock: the swirly parts on the sleeves look Tim McGrawish
fred: and that knuckle touch with randy was revolutionary.
sem: that was awkward...were they connecting over that song?
fred: i'm going with skinny cow on this one. i liked it. and the knuckle touch pushed it over the edge.
mizrock: ok, i found it. Money on the street good
sem: i dont like the cockiness...he's having a Sanjaya moment right now. (minus points)

They "gave back" last week.
But now it's time for Idol to taketh away the dreams of not one but TWO Idol hopefuls this week.
Who will it be?
At this point, it can be anyone. But one thing we do know, it's not as painful to watch now that we're in the Top 6.
Right guys?.....
Right??

Oh screw it.

In faith (or in denail), I give you...

The Idol Pleasure-O-Meter (feels good not to hurt anymore)