Posts filed under American Idol

"Idol": Defining moments

The tenth season of “Idol” premieres today, and it’s prompted plenty of insightful coverage on the show’s past, present and future. It’s always fun to dig into the show’s history by exploring the defining moments of each season – but what about the moments that define your own journey as an “Idol” fan? Here are a few of my own:

Season 3: Camile Velasco, “Ready or Not”

I didn’t start watching “Idol” until its third season, and Camile was the first contestant I ever rooted for. The 18-year-old IHOP waitress from Hawaii had an admittedly flawed run on the show, thanks to uncontrollable nerves, but her first audition embodied all the stuff that’s kept me coming back for more on “Idol”: humility, genuine passion and promising, uncultivated talent.

Season 4: Carrie Underwood, “Angels Brought Me Here”

Although she’s grown into an explosive performer in the five years since she won, in many ways, this finale night performance is a perfect representation of Carrie’s persona as an artist: poised, polished yet emotionally raw. It’s a combination that makes it easy (and understandable) for critics to mistake her as one-dimensional, but as someone whose personality is freakishly similar to hers –flaws and all–, I just get it. And in turn, I’ve been able to connect with her and her music on a very special level.

Season 5: 

Hands down, my favorite season to date. It didn’t have the most talented Top 12, but it certainly had the most memorable – a somewhat amateur bunch of characters, bubbling over with distinct personalities and skills. A good chunk of my all-time favorite “Idol” performances come from this season, including Katharine McPhee’s “Until You Come Back To Me,” Chris Daughtry’s “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” and Elliot Yamin’s “Somebody to Love.” The season also began during a trying time in my life and, in its own small way, helped pull me through.

Season 8: “Kradam”

This hug is heart-melting on its own, but it’s representative of a larger lesson Adam and Kris weaved through Season 8: tolerance. They were an unlikely pair –the church music director from Arkansas and the then sexually ambiguous hipster from California– and the media relentlessly pitted them against each other. But they forged ahead with a genuine friendship, even making a point to highlight it ininterviews by explaining that you can always find common ground if you look hard enough. It’s stuff like this that cuts through the commerciality and glitz of “Idol” and reminds me that there are real people with real stories at its core – and you never know what you might learn from them.

 

Posted on January 19, 2011 and filed under American Idol.

"Idol" fan bus heading to a city near you

“USA Today” is reporting that a tour bus filled with “Idol” memorabilia –the “Idol Across America Mobile Experience”– will visit 16 cities over the course of four weeks, beginning Jan. 19. Among the goods, you’ll find framed platinum records,David Cook’s guitar and Ryan Seacrest’s…suit? You’ll also have the chance to pose for pictures with lifesize cutouts of the judges and record your own twist on “This is ‘American Idol.’”

Actually, this is ridiculous. And hilarious. But who am I kidding? I’ll be checking out the bus on Feb. 2 when it stops in Houston.

Posted on January 11, 2011 and filed under American Idol.

Friday flashback: *NSYNC, "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays"

If you don’t love this unapologetically cheesy song even a smidge, you’re probably in denial. 90s kids: who remembers this “Holidays in Concert” special that aired on the Disney Channel circa 1998?

“Idol” Season 8 finalist Matt Giraud put his own spin on the pop song last Saturday at a holiday concert he performed in Rockford, MI. Watch his cover below, complete with a local high school choir rocking crazy holiday sweaters. Come to think of it, the sweaters kind of capture the essence of the song…

Posted on December 17, 2010 and filed under Music, American Idol.

Let's "Idol"

Two new “American Idol” commercials aired last night, the first spotlighting judge Jennifer Lopez, and the second flashing through the audition madness. So far, I’m on board with everything I’ve seen and heard from Lopez, who not only has the insight to pull off her new gig, but seems awfully genuine and focused about it.

Check out the commercials below, via mjsbigblog.com. (Oh, and also check out this great “USA Today” piece on the new judges that I was lucky enough to be a part of back in September.)

Posted on December 8, 2010 and filed under American Idol.

RIP "Idol" semifinals

TV mogul Nigel Lythgoe”s return to “American Idol” has brought a slew of controversial changes, including the elimination of the semifinal rounds.

When you”re showing viewers 34 people and asking the country to judge 34 people, you don”t know who”s talented — you only know the ones who”ve had a bit of their stories shown in the auditions. It”s much easier to say, “Here are the Final 12, now here are their stories, and start figuring out who you like.
— Lythgoe

Easier? Yes. Better? No. The Top 24 (or, to a lesser extent, Top 36) rounds afford viewers the opportunity to soak on contestants, to put Valkommen till casino nline. together for themselves the puzzle pieces of their personality and artistry. Sometimes viewers make bad choices (I”m looking at you, Season 9), but at least it”s their choice.

In memoriam of the axed semifinal rounds:

Posted on November 20, 2010 and filed under American Idol.