'American Idol' chat
Are you caught up in this season of "American Idol"? The Boston Globe's Joanna Weiss was online Wednesday, May 2, at 1 to talk all things "Idol."
Weiss is the Boston Globe's pop culture reporter and critic.
Read Joanna's previous chats in the archives.
Read the transcript below.
kgg__Guest_: BLAKE!
Joanna_Weiss: Ha! I agree completely. And according to Dialidol, he and Jordin are safe tonight.
Joanna_Weiss: So I'm curious: who else shares the love for Beatbox Boy, and who - like Simon - wants to kiss LaKisha?
go_team_go__Guest_: in kissing simon did kiki seal her fate?
Joanna_Weiss: Do you mean, send herself home? Who knows. I thought it was kind of charming, but out of LaKisha, Melinda, and Jordin, I think LaKisha's in the most trouble.
Joanna_Weiss: I loved LaKisha's performance last night, but I thought Melinda was really good, too.
go_team_go__Guest_: I'm sticking with the observation that black makes everything a cure song even when he does his beatbox routine.
Joanna_Weiss: True. The extended club mix of a Cure song. But it's really creative, and really impressive, and so different from anything anyone's ever done on Idol.
kgg__Guest_: it's not even the beatboxing - just the fact that he changes things up, and brings a new energy that no one else has
Joanna_Weiss: Right. He's unpredictable, and he takes risks, and he's great fun to watch.
go_team_go__Guest_: either way with regard to kiki's fate.
Joanna_Weiss: I can't help but think she's in trouble - particularly if Phil's fan base still rallies. It makes me a little sad, but then, we are getting down to the top 4.
go_team_go__Guest_: i think melinda is too much acting and not enough feeling. jordin on the other hand is all feeling -- even last night it was obvious she wasn't feeling it -- couldn't act otherwise
Joanna_Weiss: I've been thinking that for awhile, too, g_t_g. I think Jordin picked a song that was in a bad key, but you're right, she probably couldn't get the emotion right, either.
Joanna_Weiss: I liked Phil in the beginning, but less so as the night went on. He's not a bad singer, but he's not up to the league of some of the others.
Joanna_Weiss: Chris R should have gone home weeks ago, in my book. I'd gladly replace him with Chris Sligh (though I'm not sobbing that he's gone.)
Joanna_Weiss: And it was interesting that Jordin, who clearly had the momentum, did so horribly this week. (And nice to see that the judges didn't sugarcoat it too much.)
Joanna_Weiss: But it was Blake's performance that I turned to and watched a couple more times. I'm eager to find out if he arranged it himself, because it was a terrific arrangement.
go_team_go__Guest_: when i think of the remaining 6 i never remember phil or chris......
anon_2__Guest_: What is it with Phil's eyebrows - tweezed to within a inch of their lives - that I find so off-putting?
Joanna_Weiss: The stylists aren't quite sure what to do with him, I think. And if you don't have hair on top of the head, I think it's nice to see hair elsewhere. He has very feminine eyes; maybe the makeup crew gets carried away.
Summer__Guest_: I think Kiki will stick around after that kiss from Simon. She deserves it.
Joanna_Weiss: She did a terrific job. But would you want to see Melinda go instead?
crbernie__Guest_: Was Jordin really that horrible? It wasn't great, but I didn't think it was as bad as everyone is making it out to be.
Joanna_Weiss: I suppose part of it was the surprise factor - so good for so long, and then suddenly not good. It was basically the same performance Gina did for several weeks in a row.
anon_2__Guest_: I, for one, would like to see Melinda go.
Joanna_Weiss: Interesting. Why? Is it the false modesty? The professionalism? (I'm serious; I understand those things don't feel exactly in the spirit of "Idol.")
Summer__Guest_: Yes, I think Melinda should go before Kiki because she appears to fake sincerity and it's getting old.
Joanna_Weiss: Here's one answer. Simon tried to warn her off this a couple of weeks ago, but I had a feeling it would catch up with her.
go_team_go__Guest_: i want to see phil and chris eliminated tonight
Joanna_Weiss: Me, too. That would really be the right order. And then the next three weeks would be really high-quality, and really tough.
anon_2__Guest_: What was up with Simon telling Lakisha he could kiss her...then when she walks down, he adds "on the lips."
Joanna_Weiss: I think Simon is kind of, um, a dog. (And I don't mean "dawg.")
crbernie__Guest_: Clearly, Melinda has the best overall voice, but that isn't the only factor. So doesn't that make Jordin the favorite?
Joanna_Weiss: She's been the favorite now for several weeks running, I'd say. And I'm nearly certain she's safe this week. She's very appealing. But I've turned to the Blake side, myself.
go_team_go__Guest_: I'd like to see Jordin win especially after an older Idol won last year
Joanna_Weiss: Well, she's very different from Taylor Hicks, that's for sure!
anon_2__Guest_: A bit of everything...I don't even know if I can classify the modesty of Melinda as false modisty. She seems like some kind of "rainman" character. Sorry I don't know the name of the disorder (autism?). She very good at one thing but that's it. She really looks very flat at most times when she's not singing and even often when she is.
Joanna_Weiss: Wow. This is not the first time I've heard someone wonder if Melinda has some sort of disability. I never saw it that way; I just thought she was a very good actress with a less-sparkling actual personality.
crbernie__Guest_: I think he got caught up in the moment, and then regretted it. He was wiping off his lips on camera several times.
Joanna_Weiss: I think he got covered with lipstick!
interested__Guest_: I have one thing to say...BLAKE RULES!
Joanna_Weiss: Oh, I so agree with you. I hope there aren't enough purist BonJovi fans out there to turn on him, but honestly, I don't think there are.
Joanna_Weiss: That said, I don't think that, as Paula said, Jon Bon Jovi himself liked Blake's version of the song. I think it was pretty clear that he didn't!
Glenn__Guest_: Blake S_cks
Joanna_Weiss: Oh, dear. Please: spell out the dissenting view.
idolfan__Guest_: Do you think Simon is biased and says good things about people that he likes and wants to continue on even if they don't sing well?
Joanna_Weiss: I think he tries to be strategic in his commenting. He tried out a couple of strategies with Sanjaya (remember him?), once offering that his song would make his fans happy, in the hopes of actually making his fans complacent.
actuarygirl__Guest_: I image Jordin is safe especially since the votes from last week count as well as the votes from this week. She was amazing last week. I think Lakisha may still be in trouble because of the poor performance from last week.
Joanna_Weiss: I think that's probably true, and important to remember: this week's eliminations are based on aggregate votes from the last two weeks. I also think Jordin drummed up a lot of sympathy with her admission of badness this week. And that her fans will have tried to save her, just because.
go_team_go__Guest_: My 5 year old was singing all the songs after the show last night -- at least he hasn't asked to vote for anyone yet.
Joanna_Weiss: Ha! My two-year-old still wants to learn the words to "Besame Mucho." Fortunately, she doesn't know how to text.
actuarygirl__Guest_: What does g_t_g mean?
Joanna_Weiss: I'm referring to the name of a chatter, just above: go_team_go. Trying to be personal, actuarygirl.
crbernie__Guest_: My 15yo daughter loves Blake (He's so Hot), but I really don't think he is in the same league vocally as the ladies, do you?
Joanna_Weiss: He's not a master belter, he doesn't have an incredible range, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't make a fabulous pop star. (As another TV critic has pointed out, he'd also make a fabulous producer.)
anon_2__Guest_: But it all seems so rehearsed...over rehearsed. Like she practiced one thing over and over and never varies the routine. Now she just kinds of stands there with almost the same look on her face when she was "playing" modest. But just doesn't say anything or lower her eyes as much. If it's acting, she only learned one set of lines.
Joanna_Weiss: This is Melinda again. So here's the question I'll put to everyone: If we assume that Jordin is safe, who do you want to go first: Melinda or LaKisha?
Glenn__Guest_: Personally, I like the three woman.........Lakisha, Melinda and Jordin. Sentimentally, I am pulling for Lakisha
Joanna_Weiss: One vote for LaKisha.
idolfan__Guest_: nice lips
Joanna_Weiss: I suppose this might be a LaKisha vote, too...
laura__Guest_: Joanna, you are so right about Blake! Last night's performance showcased his overall talent and how he can be such a standout in this competition!
Joanna_Weiss: He's not a professional-caliber singer like Melinda, but he's the one in different league when it comes to creativity and boldness. Which are important pop-star qualities, too.
Lurking__Guest_: I wondered last night why they don't just give the title to Melinda now
Joanna_Weiss: A vote here for Melinda...
Glenn__Guest_: Do you think there is any chance one of the guys might win?
Joanna_Weiss: Blake is clearly the only one with a shot. And yes, I do think he has a shot, though I wouldn't call him the favorite.
Something__something__Guest_: I agree that the 3 ladies are the best singers, but Blake seems to be the real 'star in the making'. I am pulling for LaKisha though...
Joanna_Weiss: The nice thing about "Idol" is that they'll all do fine. But I'll mark down another vote for LaKisha.
anon_2__Guest_: I have questions for people who vote? Do you vote every week and if so, do you vote for the same person?
Joanna_Weiss: Great question. I'll put it to the masses, since I don't vote. (I feel like it would compromise me in some way as a critic. But I do vote in actual civic elections!)
adam__Guest_: I don't see what other people see in Jordin - I find her rather boring.
Joanna_Weiss: I think she's got an appealing personality and a very good singing voice. She is a safe choice for pop star. Blake is a more counterintuitive choice (within the safe confines of "Idol.")
laura__Guest_: I have liked Melinda all along but was starting to go off her because of the modesty thing but also because she didn't really pick a lot of mainstream songs. But last night she finally did an outstanding job.
Joanna_Weiss: So, here's a vote for Melinda.
koil__Guest_: last night was my 1st time voting this season
Joanna_Weiss: And who did you vote for?
laura__Guest_: If Melinda doesn't make it through to the top 2, she'll be this year's Chris Daughtry, don't you think?
Joanna_Weiss: It would be a *shocking* early exit, yes. And it's not outside the realm of possibility, though, as someone mentioned earlier, LaKisha will be hurt by last week's vote.
laura__Guest_: I vote on a regular basis but don't vote every week for the same person - it all depends on who did well in my opinion that night. Last night I voted for Melinda for the first time. I also voted for Blake and LaKisha.
Joanna_Weiss: I have a feeling you're like a lot of "Idol" voters - which is why the results fluctuate a lot over the course of the season.
Lurking__Guest_: I don't understand the dislike of Melinda for the modesty act. Isn't this a singing competition, not Miss America?
Joanna_Weiss: It's a pop-star and a television show. Singing ability is one factor, but not by any means the only one.
jsfan__Guest_: tell me there's a prayer for Jordin - she's so sweet, I'd hate to see her go tonight
Joanna_Weiss: This is exactly why Jordin is safe tonight.
laura__Guest_: I would agree! Now, if you were a political analyst/critic, I hope you would still vote in the civic elections!
Joanna_Weiss: I was political reporter for many years, Laura, and yes, I always voted! : )
go_team_go__Guest_: I've watched season 2 to the present and have only voted twice in the final rounds for Ruben and the one that is now on broadway in the Color Purple, i think.
Joanna_Weiss: That would be Fantasia. Interesting that you chose the last moment to vote. I suspect you're not alone, either.
D_Wayne_Johnson__Guest_: After hearing Daughtry version of Wanted Dead or Alive, Chris Richardson's came off as incredibly weak to me... He's gone tonight I think.
Joanna_Weiss: I think it would be a travesty if he didn't go.
adam__Guest_: I definitely hope Phil goes tonight and I could see Chris going (although he's a wonderful piece of eye candy for the show.) I'm hoping for a Blake-LaKisha finale. While I love Melinda's voice, she's also a little boring for me.
Joanna_Weiss: I think a Blake-Jordin finale is more likely, but you never know. I do wonder, the more I think about it, if Melinda will be the big Daughtryesque surprise.
chatty__Guest_: He's definitely out.
Joanna_Weiss: This is Chris R., I hope. And I think it's likely. He wasn't so great the week before, either, if I recall.
laura__Guest_: After last night, it's hard to remember what they sang LAST week!!! But I think it'll be Phil & Chris, even though I thought Phil did a lot better than he has!!
Joanna_Weiss: Agreed, and agreed, and agreed.
Lou__Guest_: It's time for Chris to go!! He took a huge risk by singing the song that everyone now associates with Chris Daughtry, and, unlike Blake, his risk did NOT pan out.
Joanna_Weiss: I suppose it was a risk, but not a creative risk. He's overstayed his usefulness. And I don't even think he's eye candy!!
go_team_go__Guest_: I'd like to see a Blake-Jordin finale too. VERY different talents. I'd have to vote for Jordin though.
Joanna_Weiss: Ooh, that's a good one to put out to the crowd. Who would you vote for there? Blake or Jordin? (I think I've already made my preferences clear.)
D_Wayne_Johnson__Guest_: Was not kicking anyone off last week planned or did they not like the results they got last week....hmmm...
Joanna_Weiss: Interesting conspiracy theory. In my heart, I believe they just wanted to stick with the spirit of charity. It would have felt a little strange to end with a goodbye.
actuarygirl__Guest_: Do we know who's safe according to Dial Idol?
Joanna_Weiss: According to Dialidol, Jordin and Blake are safe this week.
Lurking__Guest_: I thought Chris should have done Runaway.
Joanna_Weiss: Would have been better, I suppose. But wouldn't have made me like him, if he continued to believe that "nasally" is a form of singing.
jsfan__Guest_: My tivo messed with me last week, so I only saw Jordin's performance. I heard Blake was pretty bad. Personally I don't like Melinda at all. So phony. And if it's for real, then it's icky. "Oh, I like church". Give me a break. Ugh
Joanna_Weiss: I guess I'll count that as a vote for LaKisha over Melinda.
g0r3y2__Guest_: Blake
Joanna_Weiss: One for Blake over Jordin!
laura__Guest_: That is a really tough one but after last night, I'd have to go for Blake
Joanna_Weiss: And another...
adam__Guest_: At times I get a bit of an "attitude" from LaKisha. Do you get the same feeling? If so, do think this could be her downfall?
Joanna_Weiss: I think she's impressed with herself, yes. And it could factor in to her ultimate demise. I do think one of the things that helps Jordin is her appealing personality. She's young, and she knows she's good, but she's also just excited to be there, and it comes through. (Though I still prefer Blake in a final.)
laura__Guest_: Off AI topic - did Mrs. Bush look totally botoxed???
Joanna_Weiss: Yes, though hard to know if it was just the way she held her face as she read the TelePrompTer.
Melindahasnoneck__Guest_: I honestly don't see as much from Jordin vs. Melinda. Does anyone think Jordin is a better singer than Lakisha or Melinda? Jordin has better upside though whereas Melinda might be at/near her peak. Bottom (pun intended) line with Jordin is they can make Jordin into another female artist selling music with looks.
Joanna_Weiss: One thing I like about Jordin's looks, though, is that she's not a wispy little waif, the way so many pop stars have been. In that sense, I think she'd be a good role model for girls.
Lou__Guest_: Does anyone else ever think of a young Howard Jones when they see/hear Blake perform? Am I showing my age? :)
Joanna_Weiss: I'll throw that out to the crowd, too. We did age confessionals last week.
adam__Guest_: Definitely Blake over Jordin.
jsfan__Guest_: Jordin!
Lou__Guest_: I love Blake, but I would vote for Jordin. I think she'll need more support when all this is over. Blake is versatile enough that he will do well regardless, either as a performer or as a producer.
Joanna_Weiss: "Idol" will give both of them the break they need. But Jordin will come out of it with an overproduced CD by a lot of handlers, and Blake will (at least try to) take a much more active role.
Joanna_Weiss: In fact, an argument could be made that what's better for Blake himself is to be knocked off early - so he can launch a career without as much obligation to the post-"Idol" song factory.
g0r3y2__Guest_: i get a little hit of Morrissey from Blake
Joanna_Weiss: I feel that, too...
laura__Guest_: I'm not fessing up to my age 2 weeks in a row; however, Blake does remind me of Howard Jones!
jsfan__Guest_: Blake is definietly good, but I think he had to beatbox last night - if he just sang, there's no way he could compare vocally. He doesn't seem to have that strong a voice. But he's great, and I honestly did like his version. Just not what I picture as an AI.
Joanna_Weiss: If an "Idol" winner has to be a big, over-the-top singer, then no, I suppose he doesn't fit. But then, neither does Taylor, really.
go_team_go__Guest_: Lou -- if not Howard Jones then Robert Smith!
Joanna_Weiss: Now we're getting somewhere!
koil__Guest_: who is howard jones?
Joanna_Weiss: I'm glad we're getting a broad demographic here on the chat...
D_Wayne_Johnson__Guest_: If Jordan wins, she will become a wispy waif you can bank on that... that's what happens see Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, McPhee, Pickler...
Joanna_Weiss: She's the daughter of an NFL player. She's taller than Ryan. I don't think she has "waif" in her, and I mean that in the best possible way.
go_team_go__Guest_: Blake's parents must be 40something -- children of the 80s! zoiks!!!
Joanna_Weiss: Yes, it's possible to watch "Idol" and feel really old. Jon Bon Jovi is old enough to be some of these guys' dad...
adam__Guest_: Morrissey!!!! You're both whack!!! Morrissey is a pop music GOD. While I like Blake, he's nowhere near Morrissey. I was even insulted by the Cure comparison, but I could kind of see that. Howard Jones? Sure, maybe.
Joanna_Weiss: I think perhaps what everyone's getting at is that Blake feels "alternative," in the old-school sense. Like, you know, classic alternative.
go_team_go__Guest_: www.howardjones.com
Joanna_Weiss: This is educational. (Also, I just glanced at Wikipedia, which says Howard Jones was born in 1955.)
Lou__Guest_: I was not a fan of Blake's hair, last night, I prefer the blond! And did anyone else think that Jordin's red streaks were a shout-out to Gina??
Joanna_Weiss: I thought Jordin's whole performance was a shout-out to Gina, but I'm not sure any of it was intentional.
actuarygirl__Guest_: Blake isn't nearly as depressing as Morrissey or Robert Smith. I like the Howard Jones comparison.
Joanna_Weiss: But if Blake were to put out his own stuff, how darkly ironic would it be. (I actually think Morrissey, in particular, is a fantastic dark comedian.)
go_team_go__Guest_: Isn't Jordin a "plus" size model?
Joanna_Weiss: She has done some plus-sized modeling and won some plus-sized modeling competitions, I believe.
jsfan__Guest_: Kelly Clarkson is pretty far from a waif - she looked pretty bad last week
Joanna_Weiss: I didn't love her outfit, I agree. I do think Carrie Underwood looks quite good. And this is different, I know, but my colleage Sarah Rodman recently interviewed Taylor Hicks, and said he has lost a lot of weight.
adam__Guest_: I don't think I'd call Kelly Clarkson a "waif" these days.
Joanna_Weiss: Second one to make this observation. Look out, Kelly.
anon_2__Guest_: Off topic here but is there going to be another Rock Star this summer?
anon_2__Guest_: And do people here watch and vote for that show too?
Joanna_Weiss: Latest I've seen is that RockStar has yet to be officially renewed, but there is a letter-writing campaign on to encourage CBS to renew the show.
Joanna_Weiss: But the ratings weren't great...
Joanna_Weiss: I'm curious if you all think a Blake CD would sell. I know Jordin would be packaged in a Clarkson/McPhee sort of way. Blake's a different kind of artist, obviously...
D_Wayne_Johnson__Guest_: There are a ton of Bon Jovi songs that would have been better for him than that one. Chris Daughtry knocked that one out of the park last year and people will compare his version of the cover to Daughtry's from last season..
Joanna_Weiss: Back to last night's show...anyone think Chris Richardson has a career after this? I can see Phil Stacey putting out a country album, maybe.
Lou__Guest_: Saying that Jordin is "Taller than Ryan" isn't saying much. He can't be more than 5'8," maybe!
Joanna_Weiss: True. But he towers over the other women. Even when they're wearing high heels.
j__Guest_: kelly clarkson, who i think was great last week, did not look like a waif! in fact, i was searching the gossip rags to see if she is pregnant. was it just me?
Joanna_Weiss: I think that's what some other people noticed, too. Though I can't say I looked at the gossip sheets.
Melindahasnoneck__Guest_: No one ever is to blame. I think Blake needs Chris gone to stand out a little more. He's entertaining but doesn't seem like a star to me.
Joanna_Weiss: Thank you for the Howard Jones reference! To me, Blake sticks out far more than Chris, but I know Chris has his fan base...
go_team_go__Guest_: Sing "I will always love you, I will always love you" and hear Blake's enunciation?
anon_2__Guest_: I have to agree, Adam. Morrissey!!! God, yes, but pop? I always thought he was too dark for pop.
Joanna_Weiss: Does that mean Blake isn't "pop" either?
go_team_go__Guest_: Totally! ;-)
koil__Guest_: Oh that Robert Smith...Blake is no comparison to him. Smith is a true classic.
Joanna_Weiss: We haven't heard any of Blake's writing...who knows what he can do! (Or maybe I'm just too hopeful.)
adam__Guest_: I don't get the classic alternative from Blake. I get the "late-nineties DJ re-interpreting classic alternative" feel from Blake. I do like him though.
Joanna_Weiss: Good point.
actuarygirl__Guest_: Jordin will probably just go on Celebrity Fit Club like her Kimberly Locke.
Joanna_Weiss: Oh, dear. I sincerely hope not!!
go_team_go__Guest_: Blake did go for the near shoe polish black hair a la Robert Smith!!!
Joanna_Weiss: I sort of preferred the Sun-in blonde streaks, myself, but I know there are dissenters.
go_team_go__Guest_: I wonder when the smudged red lipstick is going to appear?!?!?!
Joanna_Weiss: Now that would be an interesting turn for "Idol."
Joanna_Weiss: Which makes me think: wouldn't it be nice to see, say, Morrissey as a guest mentor? (Though would he ever, ever do it?)
Joanna_Weiss: Well, this has been a great spin through music history, and lots of fun, as usual. Here's hoping Phil and Chris go this week, so the LaKisha v. Melinda battle can continue. (I haven't yet tallied up the votes, but I'll let you know.)
Joanna_Weiss: Hope you all come back next week. Until then, happy watching...
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