American Idol X

Clearly, I haven’t given up on this show yet.

Well, I was going to. I wasn’t that much invested in last year’s run, plus with Simon Cowell leaving the show, season ten didn’t strongly appeal to me. Oh but what can I do, I can’t not watch American Idol! It’s not my most favorite show anymore — frankly, I don’t mind watching it mid-show and just catching the reruns or watching it online. A few years ago I made it a point to promptly watch every episode from start to finish. Now, I’m okay with just seeing every performance. But yes, the show’s got a hold on me!

Okay, now the bullet points:

  • I’m fine with this new set of judges. I’ve always maintained that the panel should consist of only three members. Aside from repetitive critiques, the show tends to go overtime with too many cooks in the kitchen (see seasons eight and nine). Randy’s still Randy; glad he hasn’t felt the need to be the brutal judge, if only to fill Simon’s void. Y’know, JLo actually gives good critiques, especially in the recent weeks. She reminds me a bit of Paula Abdul — a more coherent and sober version of her. Both of them are performers and it shows that they really do care about the contestants (such warmth was absent in Kara and Ellen). I have to say, I expected a little more from Steven. Week after week, all he throws the contestants is praise — if it’s not “beautiful!” his default critique is “I loved it!” I do like that his instinct is to compliment the contestants, because I’d initially made him out to be the asshole judge.

    • For the most part, I like this season’s batch of finalists. Oh sure, it’s not the BEST TALENT EVER, as the show touts it to be (or is it just Randy?). But it’s definitely not a dull group, unlike last year’s! And I have to say, the new Hollywood week format was a big step forward. It allowed the viewers to really get to know the contestants. Plus, having multiple rounds ensured that no talent slipped through the cracks. The revelation of the Top 24 spanned two episodes, which seemed a little too long, but then I realized that EACH of the semi-finalists was featured, unlike in previous years. This was another smart and fair move. At least the audience got to know everyone before the actual voting episodes.


    • My favorites from the remaining guys and girls include: Scotty McCreery, Paul McDonald, Naima Adedapo, Haley Reinhart, Thia Megia, Lauren Alaina, and Pia Toscano.  I’m ambivalent about: James Durbin, Casey Abrams, and Stefano Langone. I do not like: Jacob Lusk.
      • I was glad the judges picked Naima as a wildcard but they must have seen something in Ashton Jones that most of us viewers didn’t — not when Kendra Chantelle and Robbie Rosen seemed more deserving of that spot. I didn’t get Stefano at first but lately he’s been stepping up his game. From the other eliminated contestants, I liked: Tim Halperin, Brett Loewenstern (but not his hair whipping), Lauren Turner, and Karen Rodriguez. My mum and sister pointed out that Karen looks like Candy. I could easily post side-by-side photos of the two for comparison, but Candy might kill me, and I mean it literally as she’s been in a not-so-swell mood lately hehe.
        • I haven’t seen all of tonight’s performances yet (Motown hits) but my favorite is Haley’s. I am so happy she’s back in top form tonight. That was such a soulful number dripping with the blues. Interesting to note that Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward have their own downtempo take on this song, which I also love. Anyway, Haley Reinhart reminds me a bit of season six’s Haley Scarnato. It’s not so much the voice as it is the overall demeanor/presence. Without question, this season’s Haley is more talented, vocally. I don’t think she’s going to win though.

          • I didn’t know Thia was Filipina! I found out just last week. Funny because a few episodes back, I thought she reminded me of season three’s Jasmine Trias. Right now, I think she’s confused with what kind of artist she is. Though I like her best when she showcases that glorious tone to her voice, as she did in Chasing Pavements. Thia pulled it off, but it must be mentioned: just because you can sing Chasing Pavements doesn’t mean you’re an interesting/different/unique vocalist. There, I said it. (Oh, maybe I’m just not a fan of the song.)
            • Pia is superb, but Randy was right to call her out for doing ballad after ballad after ballad. She’s my Carly Smithson of this season — the contestant that has mad vocal skills, does everything right, yet still leaves something to be desired. I like her a lot (as I did Carly) and she has what it takes to win but I’m not sure she’s connected with the voters yet.
              • I have a feeling Scotty’s southern charm and country swagger are going to get old after a few more episodes. He’s not going anywhere though, as Dialidol has had him pretty high in the rankings. Like Pia, he has to change it up a bit.
                • And finally, Jacob Lusk. The guy’s a huge talent, but god is he so over the top. I also think he doesn’t need to lay it all out every performance. I guess it just comes down to taste.