Brian, I just have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed reading through your weekly analysis of the show. Right on the mark every time. We "skim" watch the show with DVR and skip most of the segments but the best performers smile (some of the bottom few are just too painful for us to put time into watching)... so I hadn't noticed Stephanie's personality being a factor.

We still have to watch this week, but you bet I'll be looking for the staged crying-girl. Guess they have to do SOMETHING to prop the guy up... it's only obvious. The sad thing is, from the look on his face a time or two it seems he's aware he doesn't belong there anymore either. But what do you do?

My random thoughts (and then I'll get back to work, I promise!!):

Count me in the Melinda Doolittle fan club!! She is a consummate performer, and the funnest thing about her is watching how quickly she shifts from that "performance" mode back to her more reserved self. I'll be devastated if she's manipulated out of winning--and if so, I hope she recognizes it for what it is, and still is signed somewhere, so I can buy her CDs. Her singing gives me chills. She could sing a grocery list and make it heavenly.

Blake is the Official Cool Dude at our house. Dad & the girls are all rooting for him to go far, and have to skip forward to see what Blake did. We're proud he's from Seattle.

My girls can't stand Phil, and think he's being a terrible father, missing the first few months of his baby's life to be on Idol. They think he should just go home. (I didn't stuff that in their mouths, either.) I think he should grow hair.

Jordin is terribly cute and amazingly talented. She'll grow into controlling her voice as she matures. Shoot--Madonna didn't have 10% of her vocal skills at the same age. (I invite anyone to go back and replay "Holiday" if you're not sure I'm right.)

I love LaKisha too, but I'm afraid Brian may be right about the styles she can sing. She does sort of sound the same more or less. But she does have a big, powerful voice, drive, and personality.

While I'm here, does anyone know how they do wardrobe & makeup on this show? Do they send them out shopping? Give them a closet to dress from? Or do they have to provide all their own outfits? Who's footing the expenses? Just curious...

And we felt Sabrina should be there instead of Hayley. Sundance should be there instead of Sanjaya. That kind of weirdness seems to happen every year, at some point, and I wouldn't be surprised to find out they're fixed just for the shock factor.

Kinda reminds me of the 2006 Super Bowl, which also had a huge "fixed" feeling all the way through the game. I almost didn't watch that again this year, either.
Well--will we ever know the truth?

I would not be surprised to find it's all scripted out once they have the audition tapes in hand. I'd bet it's not known to the performers, though--then their reactions wouldn't be genuine.
If that's true, it's sheer cruelty to the people whose lives (and potential success) they're playing with here.
Anyone up for a video night with "The Truman Show?"
(For which Carrey SHOULD have been up for an Oscar... but that discussion belongs on some other board! sorry...)

OK, goodnight. I miss you guys!!

Linda








Linda
[Linked Image]

@lindasingsit on Twitter
Click here for Classic Rock Humor & Eye Candy on tumblr