BuzzSugar

Whose Post-American Idol Album Are You Most Interested to Hear?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 08:15:25 -0700

As I watched all of those sparkling song and dance numbers during the American Idol finale, I couldn't help but remember the good old days when Michael Johns had a shot at winning and Carly Smithson was surely destined for the top three. It was good to see them again!

The producers of the show proclaimed all year long that this was the most talented group on Idol ever. I don't know how much I agree with that, but while watching the finale I realized there were more contestants this year whose albums I would be interested in hearing - and perhaps even spend money on. Despite Brooke White's implosion on the show (starting and stopping her song, etc.) I think she has the potential to make the kind of music I might dig. Does anyone think Chikezie could make an interesting contemporary album? And what about Kristy Lee Cook? Do you see a country album in her future?

Of the this year's top ten, whose album are you most excited to hear?

Photos courtesy of Fox

American Idol Rundown: Who's in the Top Five?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 05:30:46 -0700

There comes a point in every American Idol season when it begins to occur to me that America and I must not be watching the same show. And in this season, that point came Wednesday night. Anyone else feel like they were in bizarro world? To see who's safe for Neil Diamond week and who headed home, just read more.

There were weeks - like, say, last week - when I would have said it was no surprise had Carly gone home. But this week? After one of her best performances of the season, when she finally seemed to be relaxed and rocking and having fun? Carly obviously had a tough time connecting with voters; she was ending up in the bottom three when there were far, far worse singers still in the competition. But her personality was finally starting to show through, and she was looking cute and acting delightful. So why now, America?

In fact, everything that happened after the Davids were proclaimed safe made no sense to me. Syesha (whom I liked for the first time on Tuesday) and Brooke (of the False Start Heard 'Round the World) paired together - and Brooke's the one who was safe? And Carly's adorably up-tempo "Superstar" got trumped by Jason's warbling "Memory"? All of my predicted bottom three were safe, and the two performances I liked best landed in the bottom. Did this make anyone else feel a little out of sorts?

Carly seemed like such a wreck any time she'd ended up in the bottom earlier this season, but she handled her departure with class on Wednesday - and she should be proud of herself. At least she went out with a strong performance, and I honestly hope her second real crack at a music career works out better than the first.

Some other thoughts:

Does anyone else think Syesha has been trained to know exactly where the camera is at all times?
This week brought in 38 million votes, which I think is the highest total we've heard this season.
Some of the harmonies on the "All I Ask of You" group sing were awesomely bad. There were some notes that I don't know if any of the six of them could hit individually - and they were being asked to hit them together. Disaster!
Ryan called Brooke's false start the first time anyone had ever stopped and started in all of Idol history. Except that's a lie, cause Brooke did it a couple of weeks ago.
While the show was really mostly filler (why on earth are they still an hour long?), I actually enjoyed the chat with Andrew Lloyd Webber, especially when he called Jason's decision to sing "Memory" the "most curious song choice" of his career.
Why does Young David always get the most boring role in the Ford Pimpomercials?
Hey, that was President Bush's second appearance on TV this week! But it didn't do much to boost ratings for Deal or No Deal.
If that was your first time hearing or seeing Leona Lewis, did you think she lived up to the hype?
I totally crack up every time I see a scene from season one that has Dunkleman in it.
I think I prefer the sing-out ending to the awkward standing around that happened last night. Why diminish the last moment in the spotlight?

So, are any of the rest of you baffled by America at large? Can anyone take out the two Davids? And who's going to sing "Sweet Caroline" next week?

Photos courtesy of Fox

American Idol Rundown: The Top Six On Broadway

BuzzSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:38:55 -0700

You know how Simon often cuts down American Idol contestants by telling them their song was "too cabaret"? This week, that would have been a compliment. The top six had the unenviable task of having to take on songs by musical theater legend Andrew Lloyd Webber, and while I can't say I understand what singing Broadway has to do with being a viable, chart-topping pop star, I'm willing to make the stretch. Well, sort of - to be honest, listening to bad Broadway is actually lower on my list of things to do than listening to bad Mariah Carey imitations.

That said, it was interesting to see which contestants made the most of Lord Andrew's catalog - and which were swallowed up by the theme. Don't forget to vote for the singer you think is going home, and to check out my thoughts, just read more.

Syesha Mercado - Syesha's so theatrical anyway that a Broadway theme should have played to her strengths - and sure enough, "One Rock And Roll Too Many" brought out the shiny, slinky, diva-licious side of her. It was hilarious to see her turn on the "Showtune Syesha" switch the second Lord Andrew asked her to. She took command of the stage for the first time, and she sounded pretty great for most of the song (though am I crazy or did she lose some steam leading up to the big ending?). Randy said it was her best performance to date, Paula said this style was "her happy place," and Simon said it was sexy and one of her best.

Jason Castro - If there's one thing to say about Jason, it's that his Sir Andrew footage was the funniest of the night. I loved the lukewarm endorsement of Webber saying Jason "kind of got what ['Memory'] was about . . . I think," especially when paired with Jason's "I didn't know a cat was singing it!" Unfortunately, "Memory" taken down to the five-note Jason Castro range is just pretty boring; it's not the kind of song that's meant to be strummed on a guitar or crooned in the college quad. Randy said the song was (still!) too big for him, Paula liked that he still put his spin on it, and Simon said it was like Jason was forced to sing at a wedding he didn't even want to attend.

Brooke White - Brooke also got a talking-to from Lord Andrew about the meaning of her song, and the footage, which showed her sincerely appearing to get it, got me so excited to hear what she'd do with "You Must Love Me." Unfortunately, it was a disaster. The starting and stopping at the beginning might have been forgivable if it hadn't rattled her so much; the rest of the song just seemed desperate, like she was using the lyrics to plead with voters. The thing is, I thought she sounded pretty good in parts, and it could have been a big moment for her if she'd been able to keep it together. Randy said it wasn't great but he appreciated the vulnerability, Paula chided Brooke for the false start, and Simon said that all the drama made him uncomfortable.

David Archuleta - Sorry, Lord Andrew, but Young David's eyes look closed even when they're open. Maybe he should have picked on the false humility or lip-licking instead. I was expecting David to sing "Think of Me" straight, but instead he delivered the adult contemporary radio edit, complete with relatively cheesy arrangement. His voice is undeniably good, but he didn't make this song particularly special. Randy anointed him the one to beat again, Paula said it was absolutely perfect, and Simon was more on my side, saying it was pleasant but one of his weakest.

Carly Smithson - Carly has Lord Andrew to thank for making her stop with the "All I Ask of You" and bust out some "Jesus Christ Superstar" instead. I love Rocker Carly, I really do, and she came out looking relaxed, actually moving around the stage and seeming less stressed about hitting every note perfectly. I wish she'd taken control of the chorus more, rather than leave much of it in the hands of the backup singers, but I think it's proof that Carly should stick to the up-tempo stuff. Randy said it was good but not her best, Paula loved the surprise of it, and Simon said it was one of his favorites of the night, which is kind of weak praise when you think about it, but it was enough for Carly to bust out a custom-made "Simon Loves Me" T-shirt.

David Cook - I admit, I was distracted throughout this performance because I just realized that "Music of the Night" is all about sex. I saw Phantom when I was 10 years old, OK? Jeez! Anyway, if I'd been asked to name a contestant who would do a traditional Broadway arrangement, Cook would have been at the bottom of my list, but hearing him sing the song straight with no frills was an important revelation: He can't just rock - he can also sing. I think that was a wise choice for him. Randy called it "a molten hot lava bomb," Paula praised him for being well-rounded, and Simon didn't like this side of him but said he made the most of it.

My favorites: Carly and Syesha, followed closely by David Cook.

Bottom three: Brooke and Jason, for sure. I'd actually like to see Archuleta get his first bottom-three scare, but I doubt it will happen, so I'll say Syesha will end up there (but be safe).

Going home: Brooke. Honestly, I feel like I'm watching her nervous breakdown.

Photos courtesy of Fox

Which American Idol Contestant Is Going Home Next?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 05:30:17 -0700

It's really starting to feel like crunch time on American Idol. The six final contestants (remember way back when we still had 24?) did their best Broadway impressions on Tuesday, belting the show tunes of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Which contestant will be only a "Memory" after tonight? Make your choice below!

Photo courtesy of Fox

American Idol Snap Judgments: Pop and Buzz Pick the Top 12

BuzzSugar — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:30:21 -0800

American Idol announced its top 24 last night, and that can only mean one thing: It's time for irrational predictions! Last year, Pop and I faced off with our snap judgments about which of the 24 semi-finalists would make it to the finals, and we had so much fun taunting each other about it that we decided to do it again this time around.

This year's a little tricky because we've hardly seen half of these guys, and a few of the girls haven't had much screen time, either. But no matter - that's what gut feelings are for, right? To see which guys and girls we each think will make it through, just push play:

For our full lists plus pictures of all the contestants, just read more.

View 24 Photos ›

The Guys
Chikezie Eze - Buzz & Pop
Colton Berry - Neither
Danny Noriega - Buzz & Pop
David Archuleta - Buzz & Pop
David Cook - Neither
David Hernandez - Pop
Garrett Haley - Neither
Jason Castro - Buzz
Jason Yeager - Neither
Luke Menard - Neither
Michael Johns - Buzz & Pop
Robbie Carrico - Buzz & Pop

The Ladies
Alaina Whitaker - Neither
Alexandrea “Alex” Lushington - Buzz
Amanda L. Overmyer - Buzz
Amy Davis - Neither
Asia'H Epperson - Buzz
Brooke White - Buzz & Pop
Carly Smithson - Buzz & Pop
Joanne Borgella - Pop
Kady Malloy - Pop
Kristy Lee Cook - Neither
Ramiele Malubay - Buzz & Pop
Syesha Mercado - Pop

Photo courtesy of Fox