Thursday, February 21, 2008

Top 24 initial impressions

Okay, it's time for this year's reprise of last year's American Idol Contestants I Like post. First of all, let me just lodge an official complaint that this year's photo background is blue, which is a HUGE step down from last year's gorgeous purple background. This needs to be rectified. Pronto.

Now, let's start with the guys, since they went first. And can I just say as a general complaint to approximately nine out of the twelve of them? Come on, guys, what is with the camera fucking? Seriously. SERIOUSLY. Please, stop it. And especially stop it with the accompanying "aw, shucks"/"I am outside your window with binoculars RIGHT NOW" smiles. Kthanxbai.


David Archuleta is just cute. I thought his voice sounded a little weird during the song, and I've come to the conclusion that it's because he could hardly breathe from nerves. But it was so sweet how he was all breathless afterward. I think he'll be around for awhile.


Danny Noriega is very, very androgynous, but at least his pants were tight enough to make it clear that he is actually male. He's an interesting, fun performer, but his singing wasn't nearly as good last night as it has been earlier. The only reason he's really on my list is that he didn't look directly into the camera once during his performance, and that was SUCH a refreshing change.


Jason Castro was so cute and nervous and excited during the judge reactions. And I thought he was great. And I was so impressed with the guitar and the singing and the way that he did the pacing. He made it his own, as the judges are so fond of talking about. And he's so sweet and overwhelmed, like Melinda last year except that he has more than two total facial expressions.


Michael Johns
was good, but I thought his rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody during Hollywood Week was better. Still, he's cute and a good singer and very charismatic. Though I didn't like the scarf. And why, why, WHY does he have to be a camera fucker? I mean, come on. Stop STARING like that. At least there were no awkward sideways smiles like some of the other guys.

Now, the girls. Let me note that I thought there were a lot more good, interesting girls than there were guys. So I was a bit more selective with the girls than I was with the guys. Therefore, honorable mentions here go to Joanne Borgello, Alaina Whitaker, and Syesha Mercado. That said, here are my personal favourites.


One of the guys last night, I think the faux punk rock one, sang the same song as Brooke White, but hers was much, much better. I don't want to like her because I don't usually go for that innocent good-girl thing, but I just think her voice is great and interesting. And I like how relaxed she is on stage. Also, thank god she appears to be growing out those heinous bangs.


Alexandréa Lushington is totally gorgeous (though I was NOT a fan of that semi-pigtailed look she had going on last night), and her voice is just really effing great, and she has all this personality. I heart her. This was the first time this week that I completely disagreed with Simon's assessment.


Asia'h Epperson has a really cool voice. I like that sort of hoarse aspect she's got going on. I heard that in her audition and thought it was the whole overcome with emotion due to the recent death of her father thing, but apparently not. She has personality too, although I didn't like that weird dance thing she did when Simon said she was his favourite of the night.


Ramiele Malubay is just really fucking good. That's all there really is to say. Oh, and also I hate her hair.


I did not like the song choice with Carly Smithson tonight, at all. I thought it was boring and the performance wasn't that good. She clearly chose it just to showcase her voice. And her voice is great. But the song sucked. However, I just discovered that she used to be Carly Hennessey before she got married, and now I've finally figured out the story behind a song that someone put on a mix CD for me awhile back, "I'm Gonna Blow Your Mind." I used to really like that song and now I'm totally startled at the connection. I hope she comes back next week with an interesting performance and a less sack-like outfit.

What did you AI lovers out there think?

37 comments:

  1. I feel so left out. I have read several posts elsewhere about this. I haven't watched since the first season.

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  2. michael johns is my favorite and david is close behind. i also think brooke is super, super cute.

    i'm not a fan of the whole 60s theme...i look forward to them singing more recent songs. i think they all struggled with it.

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  3. Man... I don't get the station that shows AI here so no AI for me this season.
    :(
    I expect to live vicariously through your AI updates though, so keep em coming!

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  4. Am I seriously the only person left on the planet who doesn't watch American Idol? I've never watched it. Not once.

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  5. Jason, David and Michael are my top three guys. The rest of the guys are just "meh" to me.

    Alexandrea, Asia'h, and Ramiele are really good. None of the white girls wowed me. I think Amy will go home. Her performance was sooooo sub par. (At least I think her name is Amy?)

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  6. I like the ones you mention as well. I do have an issue with the apostrophe H in Asia'h's name. See how freaking WEIRD it is? Can't even do a proper possessive apostrophe with it.

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  7. Carly Smithson really disappointed me. I hope that she'll be better on different songs, b/c i really liked her in hollywood week.

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  8. I didn't watch any of the girls and only saw a bit of the guys, so I'll have to go with you on your assessment of the performances.

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  9. I want to contribute to your comments, but but but, I don't watch American Idol. So, have a great weekend - I'm off tomorrow and won't return until next week!

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  10. Out of my element here since I don't watch. Based on your photos and babe factor I pick Michael Johns because he looks like Tim Daly and I heart Tim Daly. Very scientific reasoning.

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  11. Okay I think we can still be friends, but that "androgynous" kid?? he's got to be totally 100% gay and I just can't stand him. AT ALL. BUT I do love the 16 year old and the aussie. I also love Syesha, and Brooke got on my better side last night. I was underwhelmed by Carly, and Ramiele is so adorable! k bye!

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  12. i don't really like watching ai until it gets down to the final 6 or so and i didn't see the guys but i agree with you on the girls.

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  13. I love David the most. So cute.

    I think Ramiele is my favorite girl for now.

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  14. All things to do with AI go WAY over my head. I stopped watching after the first season, lol.

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  15. I was slightly disappointed because one of the guys is from a town just a few miles from ours, and I was rooting for him, but he basically sucked. Suffice it to say he was NOT on your list, and for good reason.

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  16. I don’t care one bit about any of the guys—none of them have impressed me, but I LOVE Brooke, Carly and Alexandrea. I don’t watch it religiously at this stage though—too time consuming. Once they hit the top 12 I put it on my TiVo.

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  17. this is the time of year i always NEARLY start watching AI just so i can participate in these conversations. sigh.

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  18. Last night was the first full episode of AI I've watched this season. My impression was that there were some really bad, unenthusiastic singers who shouldn't have made it this far and that someone really needs to pat Cady Whatserface down for weapons because I think she's going to go ballistic and just start shooting up the joint. She needs to learn more about stage presence, by which I mean "Don't Look Like a Crazy Psycho on Nationwide TV"

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  19. I love that you love purple enough to notice that they changed the background of the pictures! I wish I had a color that I loved that much.

    I agree with your assessment of the boys, and I almost always agree with Simon's opinions. I can only handle Paula Abdul in small doses so I didn't watch the girls last night.

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  20. I've been reading your blog for a while now, but I don't think I've ever commented. So I guess this is me de-lurking?

    Anyway, I really enjoy your blog. Especially this post. I looooove American Idol. My favs this season are definitely Brooke White and David Archuleta. I can't wait for Monday night!

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  21. I love Jason Castro and Brooke White. And thank you for mentioning the camera fucking. It gives me the creeps.

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  22. I just can't vote for Carly Smithson. In addition to just not liking her last night, I really feel that she had a chance, she's had the connections. I think Ramiele is my top favorite right now. I have to say, overall, I was not blown away by anyone.

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  23. I have yet to see a SINGLE SECOND of any American Idol episode. And I am just not feelin' it, you know?

    But love that you put such a great post together!

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  24. Don't usually watch till the last few epi's but I liked your synopsis.

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  25. I love this post! My favorite so far, male or female is Jason Castro. To me, he seems like one of the only ones who just loves what he does.

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  26. I tried to get on the AI bandwagon this season, but I just can't sit through 5+ hours of it each week. I'm so glad you wrote this recap so I can catch up and still maintain my sanity.

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  27. This is a great post! I recap Idol every week too:

    www.newlyweddedwife.com

    I'm a fan of Michael Johns, Carly and Asia'h! Really I think the girls have the edge this year:)

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  28. I missed the guys. Of what I remember from the week before, the girls this time are way more powerful. right?Right? I really liked Alexandrea and Asia'h (who puts an apostrophe in their name? So pretentious). Brooke is on the weighing scale, she's super cute though.

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  29. I never (okay not never but...) watch this crap anymore BUT for some reason (laziness, nothing else on) I watch!
    AND I agree! I missed most of the boys but I did see the guitar dude. He rocks! I'm pretty impressed with people with actual musical ability!

    I also hated that girls hair and loved Asia! Go girl! How cute is she really?!

    And what is up with Paula's hair? Is is a dead cat? Is it a bad wig? Is it an old rug? YIKES!

    Oh and everyone is sooooooooooo YOUNG! I am old old old! How did this happen to me?!

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  30. Huzzah for Archuleta! Utahans Representin'!

    xox

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  31. I have to confess that I haven't watched a minute of Idol this year! That first guy looks like an itty bitty baby boy, though! How old is he?

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  32. American Whaaaa?

    Damn I don't follow that show. I have no idea who's who. All the pictures sort of looked the same to me though.

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  33. Ooooh, the last boy you picked is supercute. But I've never watched AI, so I'll have to trust your judgement.

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  34. That Danny guy with the dreads is hot. Erm don't have American Idol so I can't add anything valuable to the conversation.

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  35. I think David A. has some kind of asthma/breathing issue, although no one has mentioned it yet. He is my favorite guy though. I love how Chikezie smiles while he sings. My favorite girl is Ramiele Malubay...but you are right, her hair sucks.

    I thought that it was good that they let go the four last night, none sang their best, so they would have gone anyway.

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