That was quite an American Idol 2008 performance show last night. I was not disappointed that they played down the home town visits this year. That’s kind of cool but I can take it or leave it. There were some really great performances last night. The biggest problem I had with last night’s show was not the performances, it was the judging.
It seemed to me as if, irrelevant of the actual performances, the judges had decided who they liked and were going to support. I really thought David Archuleta’s performances last night were just OK. The judges gushed about them. I thought Syesha beat him hands down song for song last night and yet the judges gave her a hard time. I was starting to wonder if they were watching the same show I was. The conspiracy Theorist in me believes that this was a concerted effort on the part of the judges to influence the fans to vote for particular idols (or should I say idol) because the producers think he will bring the biggest ratings in the finale next week. The producers even cheated Syesha on their song choice. They gave her a song from Happy Feet for goodness sake! If my theory were true, it would be a really bad idea. The biggest complaint this season is that the show has been too predictable. If the favorite from the start of the season wins, why watch the show. Seriously, if David Archuleta wins, I could have stopped watching 8 weeks ago. I will be really disappointed if it is a David-David Finale.
My wife actually has an interesting take on this. Her favorite is David Cook (as is mine). She keeps hoping that he gets voted off. She would rather he lose and have a little more freedom to become another Daughtry, rather than win and become another Taylor Hicks. Of the three remaining finalists, David Archuleta needs the most guidance if he is going to become a star. I’m sure that the AI producers and his Dad will be more than happy to provide that.
I really like Syesha. I spent a good part of the season putting her down. Since she has been coming on strong at the end, I can’t help but like what she is doing. The last few weeks she has really started to feel comfortable on the stage and let it all hang out. My one real criticism of her is that she has not figured out what kind of performer she wants to be: Pop Artist, Diva Songstress, or Broadway Star. I think she could do any of the three and would do great at which ever one she picks but she needs to pick. Likewise if she were to lose she would have more freedom to find herself. However, while I think that the best outcome for the stars would be for Archuleta to win, I also don’t think that is quite fair because I really believe that Syesha and David Cook are better artists than David Archuleta.
Based solely on the judges comments last night, my guess is that Syesha is going home tonight and we are looking at a David-David Finale.
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Posted on: Wednesday, May 14, 2008
May 14th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I agree that the performances were not the problem, the song choices were. Also, the musical direction for the show could improve. The back-up singers were too loud and one of them made ‘Longer’ worse by sticking to the melody instead of following Archie’s lead, forcing him to sound more robotic than usual.
May 14th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Do you really think the actual votes count? It’s a show in business to SELL MUSIC…be it CD’s, the AI tour, and now Itune singles. The top contestant (like Daughtry) rarely wins, as the producers know that they will sell a million records with that artist. So why not award another contestant the AI award and sell 500,000 more Cd’s than they would have if that person came in second.
May 14th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I am hoping David Cook wins, he should win, he is most talented by far…..
and yet I still think he will go far even with the title, just as Kellie, Carrie and Jordin have. It’s a shame Daughtrey didn’t win, he should have too!!!!
May 14th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
I never did get all the hoopla over the 2 Davids. Jason was my American Idol after he sang Over The Rainbow. I think the judges were all against him and helped to get him voted off. I hope Syesha wins.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I totally agree with your comments. I also felt that the judging last night was a set-up. Jackson was assigned to be positive on Archuleta while Simon was for Cook. But, as usual they were overrating Archuleta again even when his only good performance of the night was the first song chosen by Paula.
David Cook has become my favorite these past weeks but I want him to win. Being second-place doesn’t get you much freedom as well. Just look at Bo Bice, the producers pushed him to make this uninteresting un-Bo record after the AI Season 4 show. At least, being the winner you get to demand things. Archuleta can try maturing some more before making out record deals or he might turn up a la Britney— jaded.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Oh yeah Rica, I agree with you too. I felt Randy needed to OPEN HIS EYES DAWG and see how predictable David A was, how dare he say David C. was predictable!!! total set-up!
I didn’t think David A. did that well in the first song, he sang it ok, but it was boring. He is a cutie, and he can sing…………..but,but, but!
David Cook rocks! He’s been my favorite to win since top 24. Thought he was ok in Hollywood, but from top 24 on, he couldn’t do wrong.
Talent, talent, talent!!!!
May 15th, 2008 at 9:22 am
yea 2nd place for David Cook doesnt give freedom.. so better he wins, which he deservingly should…