Archive through March 26, 2003
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: American Idol (FOX): Tonight's show 3/25: Archive through March 26, 2003

Fluff

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 10:49 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I saw the lady from Mad TV in the audience! What is her name? Black lady, with the gold dreads? She was cheering for Ricky and she said "Hercules, Hercules!"

Grooch

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 11:00 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Ryan said that Simon's girlfriend was in the audience. Is he dating Finola?

Laura11103

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 11:17 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I thought Corey looked very cute last night, love the new hairstyle, can't stand his singing though, it's pretty bad, don't know how he got this far.

Ruben is so fabulous, for me, the contest is over, Ruben wins hands down.

Kim L (the blonde) was great last night IMO. Finally she did a song that showed off her talent.

I always laugh when the judges say (like to Julia) how it's the best performance they've done, is that supposed to be saying much?

Somebody had mentioned earlier (Tabbyking?) that Kelly looked bad last week. I thought she looked a bit different also, not as cute as she used to be, who knows...

As for Josh, I'm no country fan, so I don't really get his appeal.

I also don't feel Rickey... he's nice and all personality wise (as Simon always says) but I'm just not into those higher octave voices.

I've been noticing that Randy has been so much nicer this season. He pretty much has told everyone they're good. It's annoying that the only judge with a real opinion is Simon. I feel like (and have always felt this way) that Paula just agrees with Randy. Sometimes I feel the show would be better with just Simon.

Olivia looked great. I have been wondering with the guest judges if they know in advance that they're gonna do AI, and therefore have watched all the previous performances, Olivia did make a comment which implied that she has watched the previous performances, so that's good.

Webkitty

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 11:28 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I just got to review my tape of last night and I realized I missed a few things regarding the judges and performances.

Josh, he was even more "rough" than I remembered him. I did not enjoy that performance at all. I'm sure he's a stand-up guy and a great marine, but he seems out of place for this competition. Plus, he is still doing that thing where he folds his lower lip over his lower teeth and drawls his chin up when he sings and it drives me nuts.

Trenyce, her voice was weak and wobbly when she tried to sing "soft" and she looked scared out of her witts. She seemed very unhappy with the last minute change to country and it showed with her interaction with the judges. She seemed disgruntled and pouty. She did look the best I have seen her, though. Great makeover.

Kim L. Her voice was lovely when she was singing "soft" and it showed up Trenyce's weakness in this area even more, since she was on right after Trenyce was. I noticed that Simon made a comment about her song not being country "rock", that there was no "rock" to it. I usually agree with Simon, but I got the impression he was baiting her to cop an attitude or give him some lip about that comment, and she took a breath for a second, and caught herself before she did. She has toned down her 'tude, but its still there, ready to come out, and I think he knows this about her.

Corey - His shirt was just bad, I admit it, but his vocals were much better this week. His voice is not the strongest in this competition, and I doubt he will win, but he does have the "it" factor. His "moves" are natural and he seems to radiate joy when he sings. There is just something about him that is special. I notice that he gets criticized by at least one judge every week, and he always takes it in good graces. He has never copped an attitude, and has always been respectful.

Carmen - She always looks like she's having fun when she's singing, and she doesn't seem to take herself soooo seriously like some of the others. Her voice is most sutied to county, and I can see her making it big in this area. She's just so darn cute and pretty, too. Great kid with a great attitude, very refreshing.

Ricky - he always hits the notes, and seems like such a nice young man, but his song choice was dreadful last night. I also get the impression that when he sings, he is into his own voice too much and it takes away from his connection with the audience.

Kim C.- great song choice, and she does better when she is not prancing all around the stage. She is another one who takes criticism well, and she seemed so genuine in her pleasure at Simon's praise last night. She looks like she has lost weight, (probably due to Simon's puppy fat comment) I hope she doesn't lose anymore, she's fine where she's at. I get the impression that she is like a sponge and willing to absorb contructive criticism to adapt and make changes where needed. I think she was probably told going into this competiton that she was in the lead to go all the way, and then she got voted out. Instead of letting this throw her off her game (like Julia did) she rose to the occasion with good graces, and I have to give her kudos for that.

Ruben - He connects with the audience without showboating, he is a natural performer, and always hits the notes. Love that twinkle in his eyes.
Perfect song choice last night.

Julia - I thought the song was a good choice, and she sang it well, but I don't like the facial contortions she makes when she sings. She trys too hard to be sexy, and it just doesn't work for her, it comes across as smarmy instead.
I also get the impression that the judges just don't like her. I noticed that they all get a deadpan expression to their faces and in their voices when they address her.
I think almost getting voted off threw her and I don't think she has what it takes to get back in the game.

Clay - he had a bad night last night. He actually looked like he didn't feel well to me. I agree with Simon, his song choice was bad. If he didn't already have such a strong fan base, I would really fear he would be in the bottom three this week. His voice was still as pure as it always is, but he just sat there like a limp dishrag. I was really shocked.

I noticed Finola in the audience, and, I couldn't get throught to vote for ANYONE last night! (whats up with that?)

Beachcomber88

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 11:29 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Kellsma, thanks for the intel on the Marine. I don't like him and don't think he belongs on this show, but I do give him props for serving our country. Godspeed and prayers for a safe return.

However, I don't agree with the decision to allow him a free pass into the final ten next year. The show is about being the best of the competition at that very moment. This year's bunch are as a whole clearly more talented than the first season. Will this trend continue and it get even better for the third? He should at most be allowed to "come to Hollywood" and audition again with the first cut. What would happen to a contestant if they fell extremely ill or had a family emergency? Would this warrant a free pass into the final ten also? I seem to think it would not. Josh's situation, although patriotic and deserving of applause, should not be treated any differently.

Grneyedladye

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 11:37 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I have to say that Josh & Reuben were my fav's tonight. I was taping the show (cooking dinner)and I actually thought that Garth was singing so I had to stop and go look and sure enough it was Josh. I am from Oklahoma and I love Garth anyway. Not a big country fan though. LOL JMHO

Crazydog

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 11:37 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I agree with you beachcomber. He entered the competition knowing full well that he might get called away at any moment. I think it should be treated just like any illness or emergency. When Michael fell into the fire on Survivor Australia they didn't bring him back at the same point in time for Survivor Africa.

Being in the Marines is a job. I think it would be extremely unfair to the current contestants - I just don't think they would be given the same second chance if something came up for them. What happens if one of them their boss says, you have to come back to work now. Or if someone can't miss any more school? It's also unfair to next year's finalists as well - many people would be much more inclined to vote for him if he came back as a war-tested Marine veteran (even if he is only a supply officer).

I thought I was one of the only ones who thought this whole "Joshua's second chance" thing was unfair. I am glad to see that others feel the same way and are willing to say so. Thank you BC.

Grooch

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 11:37 am EditMoveDeleteIP
War in Iraq is an 'Idol' threat
A finalist on the show might have to join his Marine Corps unit, if it's called to active duty.


By Greg Braxton, Times Staff Writer

Complete Iraq coverage

"American Idol" finalist Joshua Gracin wowed the show's frenzied audience last week with his rendition of the Aerosmith hit "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing." But the war with Iraq may force the singer to miss the rest of the season.

Gracin, 22, is with the 1st Service Support Group of the U.S. Marine Corps, and he is on 24-hour notice to leave the show and return to Camp Pendleton if the unit is deployed for active duty, giving up his position among the final 10 "American Idol" hopefuls vying for stardom and a recording contract.

"Joshua has been very upfront with us from the very beginning that he might have to leave us," said Ken Warwick, a co-executive producer on "American Idol."

"He's in contact with his commander, and he might have to go. He's got a lot to lose."

It's a cloud that has hung over Gracin, considered one of the favorites among the finalists, since the second season of "American Idol" started in January.

But so far, the chances of Gracin's going off to war are relatively slim. Marine officials said Gracin belongs to a section of the support group that might not be deployed.

"Within each unit is a section that might not be called up, and Joshua belongs to one of those sections," said Staff Sgt. Chad McMeen of the Marine Corps television and film liaison office.

But producers have told Gracin that if he is called for duty, he can return next season and automatically be placed among the 10 finalists without having to undergo the "American Idol" audition.

If the Marines don't yank Gracin, "American Idol" viewers still might. Gracin, who was scheduled to perform along with the other finalists Tuesday, could be voted off by viewers tonight during the series' weekly elimination round.

If he is, he will return to his unit.

However, Gracin isn't likely to get pulled tonight. The contestants last night performed in a country-rock style, which is Gracin's specialty.

The Marine, who is married and has a young daughter, is living with the other finalists in a luxurious secluded location and could not be reached for comment.

He has said that if he doesn't make it on the show, he will return to the Marine base and "continue to work on my music career."


0,7536388.story?coll=cl-home-more-channels,Link

Fruitbat

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 12:02 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Crazy and Beach. I am with you too. Not on board with the conspiracy theory though. Simon does not want to sign a country singer, no way.

Grooch

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 12:05 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Is Simon even planning on doing a third show? I thought he said he wouldn't.

Wcv63

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 12:15 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Grooch...he will but there are conditions. He won't do the show if they insist on starting in September. He wants to wait till January. He said the schedule as is doesn't give the winners enough time to cut their album, drop it and take advantage of their winning status. Everything is so rushed because the winner's "reign" lasts only a few months before they are supplanted in the public eye by a new idol.

It's not about money for him. He just doesn't want his management contracts to become "old news" before they even have a chance to drop their album.

Grooch

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 12:18 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks, Wcv!

Beachcomber88

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 12:28 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Crazy and Fruit, thanks for the support. At least I know I'm not alone.

Webkitty, I think the thing Josh does with his mouth is how he gets that country twang. I tried it myself in the mirror. Try singing "I Will Survive", normal and then twangish. Just did so in the mirror. During the cowboy rendition, my lips unconsciously move to my left side, so I'm singing out of the side of my mouth. I find it hard to get that country twang sound without shifting my lips to the side. Maybe he's doing something similar?

Crazydog

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 12:32 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
LOL Beach.

I think I read somewhere, maybe tvguide.com, that American Idol 3 will air next January.

Fruitbat

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 12:39 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Would have paid ten bucks to have seen that Beach.

Brenda1966

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 12:50 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Beach, I agree about letting the Marine in next year. At first I thought it was a cool idea, but you're right it isn't fair. I wouldn't have a problem with putting him in the final 30+ and then seeing if he could make the cut to the top ten, but he shouldn't get an automatic "in" because his job pulls him away.

Bandit

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 12:55 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
lol Fruitbat! I bet that was pretty funny. If only someone could have walked in as Beach is singing "I Will Survive" with a twang, in a mirror!

JMO, but I agree with letting Josh in next year's group of the final 10 if he gets deployed. He shouldn't be penalized just because he's got to defend his country.

Grooch

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 12:57 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
They increased the amount from 10 to 12 this year to even out the boy/girl ratio.

Would you guys not mind it as much if he did the first 10 the regular way and then made Josh the 11th?

I have no problem with Simon doing this with Josh. I think it gives Josh something positive to think about over there and help with his moral.

Besides, who knows if he will even want to be involved with this show next year. He will have been away from his family for a very long time, so I doubt he would want to be away from them again for the show and everything so soon after getting back.

And hopefully he will come back, intact.

Crazydog

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 01:07 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Bandit, if, say, Julia DeMato came down with that Hong Kong flu and had to drop out. Would you support her coming back and getting an automatic pass into the top 10? After all, she shouldn't be penalized because she came down with this unknown disease.

I think it should be like any other reality show. If circumstances prevent you from continuing, then so sad too bad. Several of the Amazing Race contestants had said they were so sick at one point they thought they would drop out. This is just part of how these shows work. Allowing anybody to drop out and then come back is just not fair.

Plus, assuming Joshua makes it to when there are 5 contestants left before he has to leave. Then they bring him back at the same point in time next year, when there are 5 left? That's just absolutely unfair to next year's group. We saw last year that Tamyra and Kelly got so exhausted near the end. It wouldn't be fair to bring Joshua back, all rested, vocal cords completely 100%, and fresher than everyone else.

Grooch

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 01:11 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
No, I wouldn't think it would be fair if he came in when they were down to 5. I took the offer to mean if he got back in time for the beginning of the contest.

Car54

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 01:11 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
ITA, Grooch. Well put.

Tabbyking

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 01:13 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
i think he should maybe make the cut of 32, then he is on his own with whoever else makes the cut. i don't make the rules, though!
if i did, abc wouldn't be allowed to cut half their reality shows halfway through showing them! dorks.....okay, tabby feels better for venting.....lol

Crazydog

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 01:22 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Grooch, the article you posted is a little unclear as to what "placed among the 10 finalists means". I thought I had read somewhere else some time ago that he would get to continue at the point where he had to leave. Meaning that if he makes it to when there are five left he is brought back at the same point in time.

If he indeed is called away, I'm sure the last thing he would be thinking about in Iraq is American Idol. He has plenty of positive things to help him with his morale - his wife, his child, his family. He doesn't need Simon giving him this pass to help him with his morale.

Beachcomber88

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 01:44 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Guess if Celine's getting $200, I thought I'd be worth more than $10. I've also received compliments on my country twang renditions of "Celebration" and "Dancing Queen".

Sounds like this discussion will continue for a while. Glad to see Brenda and Tabby on the no free pass bandwagon.

Crazy - LOL - heaven help us if Julia gets the Hong Kong flu and gets to come back. She looks like she needs an enema when she's singing.

Bandit

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 01:54 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Crazy, very well put-I didn't think of it that way. I just feel bad for the guy having worked so hard to get this far, and then having to quit because of unforeseen circumstances. I guess he could take solace in the fact that, having been in the Top 12 could open some doors for him, even if he had to drop out close to the end of the competition.