JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum American Idol and the wet t-shirt girl

Well, if the songs are going to be presented as originally recorded then the best production will win. But that is pretty much what you said all along. That means that Tammy's song which has a few flaws probably will not win because just like American Idol itself, it becomes a popularity contest and human nature will dictate that the voters will be listening for a prefectly recorded song. I could be wrong. Perhaps there is a common discernment that can sort out production from structrual content. I know when I vote, I will try my best to try to seperate the song from the production.

And perhaps there is a collective mind that picks the best song. I normally think a crowd is a little dumber that the average but I heard of this experiment that confimed that there is a collective accuracy in the masses. In the experiment- jelly beans were stuffed in a jar and the one who guessed the the closest to the actual amount wins the prize- Fine so far, but the researchers did something else. They recorded ever guess and then averaged all the guesses. In experiment after experiment, they found out that the average of all the guesses were often precisely the actual number in the jar; and that the larger the sample of guesses, the more likely that the average would be precisely the actual number. Spooky.

I thought that it was really mean that they made Jordan think she was leaving the show. I mean the girl is only 17! They should have done that to Melinda instead. She would probably have been able to handle it better than Jordan.

i too was not impressed by the Elvis thing. i didn't really care for the song much.

i also did not like how they tricked jordin (and everyone else too). it was a cheap stunt.

as far as the top 20 picks, i am guessing they will choose 20 well produced songs, or 20 vocal/instrument types of songs.

I did notice that Jordin was all choked up during their final song. It clearly had her rattled and it's pathetic they did it. It's not like we weren't going to watch the entire show, why even have the charade. But the show does love to be sadistic and this was just another example. I also found the segement of Simon Cowell feigning deep concern from those dying kids and adults to be a little too much. It's been said he's going to make around 200 million dollars this year alone off the AI stuff. I'd like to see him state he's giving 20 million of that each year to this specific cause. Then I'll buy his sincere concern. I think he might be able to get by this year on only 180 million until the next 180 million rolls in next year. He's the reason that some starve while others roll in luxury. I am all for people working hard and have success. 200 million a year (or more by some others extimation) is just stupid. Even Bill Gates and Warren Buffet finally realized it and they are giving away nearly all their money to African aid. Those guys, especially Gates, have long been villified but are putting up in a big big way. Let's see Simon do the same.

Brian

Brian.... we just finished watching tonight, and are waiting on pins and needles to hear your review.

Chris should be voted off... please.
Phil completely surprised me (again) and did a good job.
Blake went out on a limb and it was cooooool. It worked for me.
Jordin struggled and it was so hard--she knew it too. I don't know why she didn't choose an easier song to sing.
Lakisha was very, very smart in her song choice. She nailed it--and she had the advantage that it was an unfamiliar track for most listeners.
And Melinda has a job with Bon Jovi if she by any freak of nature *doesn't* win. Man... can't say enough about her professionalism and versatility. She ROCKED.

So... your turn, Brian!

Linda

I was sweatin' it this this week... but YES... they sent home the right two people this time.
WHEW

Linda

Hi Folks,

Predictably, the final four are exactly what everyone knew they would be from before Week 1. When the masses vote they often usually get it right. There's a dynamic that has been studied that shows this to be true. People will err a certain percentage range on either side of the right answer.. but when you average them together, those to the left and right of the answer cancel each other out and zero in on the right one. Sure, there's always exceptions, but that's often due more to misinformation (like political outcomes, fixed voting systems, incomplete facts etc...) than actual mistaken answers by the masses. To date, all the right AI's have won. The only questionable finish was the Clay/Rueben finale, but they were neck and neck and frankly, neither of them has made a serious musical impact. Sometimes when you have 2 weak candidates to vote for, it's a crapshoot and you lose either way. (Sound familiar anyone in the US?).

The Remaining 4:

1. Melinda: It's clear she's simply the best and most professional singer they've ever had on the show. It doesn't make her the best candidate to win however. She's so good that she almost becomes boring. Sort of like the same team winning the superbowl 12 years in a row (assuming she keeps up her undefeated streak on the show). That might make her ripe to be picked off by

2. Jordin Sparks: Jordin had a weak week. (Say that over and over.. ). She's had other ups and downs, but she's the most charming contestant AI's ever had. And that is dangerous to the most polished contestant AI's ever had just above her. Everyone has agreed that for her age she's just ridiculously good. Sure, there's been other young singers as good or better (Christina A. for example), but not many and certainly never one on AI. This trial by fire she's had for the last several months has really sped up her progress. She was an early performer in American Idol's Juniors (in case anyone didn't know) so like Christina A., she's been in serious development for many years, and it's not all natural. But it doesn't take away her charm and raw talent. I expected her to be better in the rock night because I thought she might translate better than Melinda, but instead, Melinda found a way to nail it (and she always does) and Jordin was a fish out of water. It's sad because I hoped her career would head off more in a Kelly Clarkson direction than another tired old R&B singer. And that's the danger of Melinda too. I hope they make her a Tina Turner style artist rather than an R&B singer. Jordin's a star regardless of what happens. Melinda would benefit greatly by winning.

3. Blake: He's back. He was smart not to use the beat boxing all season. He's coasted (and frankly last week he was the WORST performer.. it was terrible..) but now he's bringing out the big guns at just the right time. You gotta know when to peak and I think we're going to see his best performances in the next 2 weeks. If we REALLY is over the top good and Jordin slips, he may sneak in when the girls split the votes. (I suspect Jordin is getting the most votes right now by the way.. I have these ranked by where the deserve, not by votes).

4. Lakisha: Not surprising that she is still around, but now she must go. She's got really good control of a voice that isn't half as good as she makes it sound. Seriously.. listen to all her performances.. she has a definite limi and gets right up to it without losing it but can't push past it. Last night was a cop out Blues performance just like she copped out earlier in the year with a donna summer song. All in all, she'll be forgotten in the dustbins of AI history after the season is over. But I hope she can have a career none the less. She seems like a nice hard working woman.

So that's my feedback on the final four. Again, no surprises. But it should be a fun last few weeks. Too bad I will miss the last 2 on the road! Argh!

Brian

Thanks Brian!
Yep, sums up my thoughts pretty well too.
I hope each of the four of them can have a successful music career after this.
And maybe somebody you're staying with will have DVR!
Linda