'American Idol' chat
It's down to the final two contestants. Who will win the title? The Boston Globe's Joanna Weiss was online Thursday, May 17, at 1 p.m. to talk all things "Idol."
Read Joanna's previous chat transcripts.
The transcript of today's chat follows.
Joanna_Weiss: Hey there, chatters - welcome to Thursday's installment.
dan__Guest_: i am disgusted with this program, it is a talent show, not a comedy show, i will not be watching again
Joanna_Weiss: I suppose this is a disgruntled Melinda fan. I have to admit, I was surprised at last night's results. But I don't think it spells doom for the show.
Joanna_Weiss: And I don't think Blake and Jordin are unworthy.
Joanna_Weiss: And I think Blake and Jordin actually have the more promising potential recording careers. "Nutbush City Limits" was cool, but who's going to buy that record today?
DartCatch14: Do you think the judging is too teen-ager based?
Joanna_Weiss: I think the voting is very teenager-based. Because teenagers still text.
Joanna_Weiss: Or, I should say, teens text more than the rest of us.
kbc_2__Guest_: So is Simon Cowell going to leave 'American Idol' and wander the earth now looking for an honest man? He looked totally done with it all last night. I guess he's finding that Peter Noone was right.
Joanna_Weiss: Simon, of all people, should know how it goes by now.
Joanna_Weiss: Write this on the blackboard 1,000 times, Mr. Cowell: "This is not a singing competition."
Spanky__Guest_: how come the Globe only uses AP stories for Idol coverage?
Joanna_Weiss: We don't. We file dispatches weekly in the "Celebrities" column, I blog and host "Idol" chats, and I've written several stories about "Idol," largely about the Sanjaya phenomenon.
Ozzie__Guest_: It was great to see Shrek voted off last night. Although she is a great singer, I had a problem with her being called The American Idol. I think she will go on and have a great career but I think for the the viewers Blake and Jordin fit more than any of the previous winners what this show is about.
Joanna_Weiss: Heard about this Shrek comparison. Ouch. I think Melinda will do just fine, probably end up on Broadway. In fact, I think this is a problem with the show by now: There's not a lot of suspense, because we all know it doesn't matter who actually wins.
everyonesacritic__Guest_: Sadly, I think Blake and Jordin ARE unworthy. The first thing I thought last night after the results was that I didn't think I'd bother watching next week. And I've been a FAN for years!
Joanna_Weiss: You're entitled to your opinion, of course, but I've got to disagree. They're both really talented in different ways. And, honestly, I would buy a Blake album before a Melinda album, and my 11-year-old niece would download the Jordin singles.
soxfan__Guest_: Of the three, who do you think will end up having a career that lasts? Will Blake's beat-boxing still get fans when he's 40?
Joanna_Weiss: That's a really good question. I think Jordin has the most chance to be a mainstream (and verrrry produced_ pop star. I think Blake will do well within a dance/electronic niche.
Spanky__Guest_: well consider me spanked.
Joanna_Weiss: No worries...
laura__Guest_: People are so harsh! Melinda was far from Shrek; she is attractive and had a wonderful voice....And from past seasons, it almost doesn't matter whether you come in 6th or 1st on the chart!
Joanna_Weiss: Exactly! I actually think that hurts the show a bit, though I suppose most people will tune in for the finale spectacle.
Joanna_Weiss: So does anyone want to wager a guess on who will win? Not that it really matters?
Joanna_Weiss: I think I'd put money on Jordin, since she's more likely to get the Melinda spillover vote.
everyonesacritic__Guest_: Blake's talent is thin at best, though he is charming. Jordin is either shrill or sappy. She has no idea what she is doing musically or how to channel her gift.
Joanna_Weiss: Charming counts for a lot in the pop-star world. My issue with Jordin is that she seems to want to behave like a 45-year-old. Or at least sing like one.
Ozzie__Guest_: I think all of you have it wrong. This show originally was about creating a teenage idol, similiar to the David Cassidy and Bobby Sherman's of my sister'sera. It became more than Idol producers ever thought so they actually raised the age limit because they msicalculated the demographics they were targeting after their first year.This show has such broad appeal among all sectors
Joanna_Weiss: That's a good point, Ozzie. So are you saying that Jordin is the rightful winner because she's still a teenager?
laura__Guest_: I think the right four people ended up in the final 4 and I've vested all this time all season long, I will watch the finale. Although I must admit since I tivo the show, I watched tuesdays show wed morn and the vote-off show this morning!
Joanna_Weiss: TiVo is a beautiful thing...
soxfan__Guest_: If Ozzie's right, then Sanjaya should've been in the finals too (shudder)
Joanna_Weiss: Another good point. I think he'll get some bump out of this, but not forever. I know Ava will be thrilled to see him next week.
laura__Guest_: I wager Jordin will win. I think the Melinda votes will end up going to her!
soxfan__Guest_: I'd bet on Jordin too -- I don't see people who'd voted for Melinda going for Blake
Ozzie__Guest_: Laura......She is far from attractive. The comparison to Shrek could not be anymore accurate. It got to the point she became painful to watch with her fake act and look.
Joanna_Weiss: This is some counter-Melinda thinking. I do think there's something to be said for viewers thinking of her as fake.
Live_T__Guest_: Hello?
Joanna_Weiss: Hello, we're here...Who are you voting for next week?
Live_T__Guest_: Not sure. Whoever performs better?
Joanna_Weiss: Now, this raises a big "Idol" question for me. I've always wondered what percentage of the viewers pick a favorite and stick with him, and what percentage truly shift from week to week.
Joanna_Weiss: I suspect there are more of the latter.
Ozzie__Guest_: Yes Joanna...Jordin will win it because of her marketabilty among teenagers. I guarantee she has the support of Teen Magazine and 17 magaizne readers. She is hands down what the show producers were looking for when they created this machine.
Joanna_Weiss: I don't feel so bad about that, because she's a big talent. She can sing circles, squares, and octagons around Britney Spears. Or Jessica Simpson, for that matter. Or most of the teeny-pop stars out there.
Live_T__Guest_: I think Jordin clearly has the better voice. But I get so frustrated with her teenage giggling and melodramaticism.
Joanna_Weiss: I give her a bit of a pass, since she is, after all, "only 17." (Thanks, Randy for reminding us every week.)
Joanna_Weiss: What I like more about Blake is that he's got some original vision. Jordin is young, but you get the sense that she'd always sing whatever anybody put in front of her.
Ozzie__Guest_: I wanted Blake to win from the beginning but will have no problem with Jordin taking the title. If it had been anyone else I would have been upset.
Joanna_Weiss: Even Melinda?
laura__Guest_: I was glad to see someone pick a Police song for Blake; I heard a Police song this week on the radio and immediately thought of Blake's voice. Wondered why he never tried one before on his own.
Joanna_Weiss: 'Roxanne' was actually my least favorite of his performances, though. I think the original is just too iconic. I prefer when he reinterprets something that doesn't seem to fit him at all (Bon Jovi!) or does something clearly up his alley (311).
Live_T__Guest_: Exactly. But so were Paris Bennett and Lisa Tucker. None of them seemed to be as likely to pass notes in study hall. If she didn't get to talk or make little facial expressions all the time, I'd vote for her. I'll probably go with Blake because of his originality.
Joanna_Weiss: This is about Jordin being 17. I actually have heard people say they're prefer to set the minimum age limit at 18 or 20, and I don't think that's such a bad idea.
everyonesacritic__Guest_: votefortheworst has been pushing blake for weeks. think that had any impact on melinda's ouster, or is that website irrelevant at this point?
Joanna_Weiss: At this stage, with voting so consolidated, I doubt votefortheworst has the power to move significant numbers.
Ozzie__Guest_: Yes even Shrek.......I wanted her to go after I got tired of her surprised act after every compliment. It must of been around week 4.
Joanna_Weiss: I do think that ultimately hurt Melinda somewhat.
Live_T__Guest_: I think that the producers giving Melinda Nut Bush City was a very bad choice. it's a boring song and i don't think the audience could related (although a different Tina Turner song would've been interesting). Also, why did Melinda sing the W-O-M-A-N song again. As a huge fan of hers, I was disappointed by that.
Joanna_Weiss: I wonder if they had rights issues in getting a better-known Ike and Tina song. That said, I like the sassy side of Melinda much more than the diva side.
Live_T__Guest_: i don't think the age minimum should be there. if the talent is there, it's deserved. she's the only young person to really rub me the wrong way
Joanna_Weiss: I actually could have done without Paris and Lisa...didn't love the precociousness. Sanjaya, on the other hand...
LWhitt58: You said that many will watch the finale spectacle. That, in and of itself, has become beyond "too much" for me. Two hours of absolute nothing (including Ryan saying we'll find out "after the break" for a 30 second reveal. Thanks to Melinda being voted off, I can watch the full two hour finale of LOST without having to switch back and forth.
Joanna_Weiss: It's always a tough night for finales. But I have to admit, I enjoyed the parade of talent last year, and I thought the medleys were entertaining, in an "Up With People" way.
laura__Guest_: I agree, Joanna - prefer the sassy side....we know she can sing; the sassy side showed some spunk!
Live_T__Guest_: me too. but to do the same song again was disappointing
Joanna_Weiss: Agreed that I wish both Melinda and Jordin had chosen something different.
laura__Guest_: I repeat - TIVO!!!!
Joanna_Weiss: With a dual tuner.
Live_T__Guest_: That's fair. I agree with the precociousness comment when it came to Chicken Little, etc. but i thought Lisa Tucker, in particular, carried herself well. Anyway, last year's finale was great. I enjoyed seeing Chris with Live, Prince, etc. Good times. I have been getting tired of the fluff they throw in to kill time.
Joanna_Weiss: My two-year-old really enjoyed the Kellie Pickler/Wolfgang Puck comedy schtick. Me, not so much.
LWhitt58: LOL! "Up With People." Perfect description. :-) (Lordy - am I dating myself?)
Joanna_Weiss: I guess I am, too. Though I'd like to think I know them mainly as an academic concept.
laura__Guest_: Both Melinda and Jordin repeated songs....I don't know why. And especially those songs!! And yes to the dual tuner - or a second cheaper TiVo on another tv...
Joanna_Weiss: It's life-changing, for sure. And it's great for the results show. Because I really have no patience for the Ryan Seacrest man-on-the-street stuff.
everyonesacritic__Guest_: They have to reprise a song at the end, otherwise the band would have to rehearse a new song for every contestant.
Joanna_Weiss: But the band rehearses nine new songs when there are nine contestants...And Blake did not repeat.
kbc__Guest_: Ditto LWhitt58 - I won't be watching any more of AI either (and for the record, I would buy a Melinda album! I loved how she could handle any genre or style)
Joanna_Weiss: Are you guys signed off of "Idol" forever? Or just for this season? Because I don't think Taylor was the best pure singer last year...
laura__Guest_: OMG...man on the street crap has got to go. Of course, we could do without 99.9% of all the fluff...sing, vote, results! a little background stuff on each contestant and that's it! But we all know that's clearly not going to happen.
Joanna_Weiss: I think the hour-results-show idea has been awful. Awful! The reason TiVo was invented!
whywhywhy__Guest_: I want to vote for Katharine McPhee again! She has the best voice! Tho i understand why she didn't win Idol. Any idea what she is up to now? Does she have a long-term career hope do you think? VIVA SIMON!
Joanna_Weiss: Katharine has an album out. My colleague Sarah Rodman thought it was OK, but not great. The single I heard made me think, "Poor man's Kelly Clarkson."
LWhitt58: Oh no - I'm WAY too sucked into the fun part at the very beginning watching people embarrass themselves on national TV. As well as watching up-and-coming singers. And neither Taylor nor Kat should have been Final 2 last season. There was ONE winner last year, and he was voted off at #4 position -and is proving himself with a best-selling album. Chris Daughtry.
Joanna_Weiss: Which is why the results don't matter. Once you get to the top 6 or 7, at least. Not sure Chris Sligh has a giant career ahead of him.
Live_T__Guest_: I'll still watch. I couldn't stand Taylor last year and still watched to see just how ridiculous America can be. I'll do the same again. By the way, I thought Elliott looked absolutely ridiculous last night.
Joanna_Weiss: More ridiculous that Kellie Pickler looked a couple of months ago?
kbc__Guest_: Definitely this year anyway, it'll be good to have my life back! Didn't watch last year, but based on his post Idol career, gotta agree about Taylor!
Joanna_Weiss: It is amazing how much time will open up in our lives (mine, anyway) once "Idol" finishes next week. I'm not a big fan of the mean auditions, but I know they do swimmingly in the ratings.
everyonesacritic__Guest_: Katharine is making the rounds on celebrity-gossip shows like "entertainment tonight."
Joanna_Weiss: All of the "Idols" get a boost around finale season. I thought she was a terrific singer, but never loved her persona.
laura__Guest_: I'll be back next year....my problem is getting sucked into the show in January and having to last til May! I liked to watch the really horrible people; makes me laugh on those long dark winter nights.
Live_T__Guest_: the single was for kat was mediocre.
Joanna_Weiss: I was over it before it was even finished...
laura__Guest_: I wondered what happened to last year's number 2 person! I don't see anyone this year really having a giant career ahead of him/her.
Joanna_Weiss: I think Jordin will put out a very-produced and fairly successful album. I think Melinda will wind up on Broadway. Blake will do something interesting, I hope.
LWhitt58: No, and I'd bet LaKisha will be on gospel charts or on Broadway. But they WILL make some money off of this.
Joanna_Weiss: It's an amazing gift they get, really. Instant name recognition. Instant fan bases. No lugging of amps to clubs.
Live_T__Guest_: Well, i'm a man, so I'd prefer seeing Kellie's fake attributes than Elliotts fake teeth
Joanna_Weiss: On the Internet, everyone is an Elliott fan.
kbc__Guest_: Am I the only one who can't get Phil's "Blaze of Glory" out of my head from a few weeks ago? I wasn't a Phil Stacey fan, but that cover was one of the better parts of this season
Joanna_Weiss: I'll put it out to the crowd. I can't say it made a giant impression on me.
sue__Guest_: Joanna: Please allow me to vent: Last night proved again that American Idol is not about singing - it's about a popularity contest. My husband who never watches the show, ended up watching on Tuesday and said that based upon singing it should be down to Jordin and Melinda, with Melinda winning the whole thing. When I told him she was voted off, he said the whole thing is a waste of time. I hate when he's right. Let's all hope Jordin has a great week next week b/c Blake is a fake :)
Joanna_Weiss: It's a common vent. But where I disagree is with the premise that it's bad for the show to NOT be a singing competition. It's a TV show. Its first obligation is to be entertaining. And a pure signing contest would be dull. I promise.
soxfan__Guest_: No sleeping on people's floors while touring ...
Joanna_Weiss: It's good to be an "Idol."
LWhitt58: I liked it - although it wasn't much different than Bon Jovi's original. I thought his voice was best on that sone and the country week.
Joanna_Weiss: This is "Blaze of Glory." And there's more...
soxfan__Guest_: I liked Phil's cover, but overall he was not going to stick
laura__Guest_: It was one of Phil's better performances!
Live_T__Guest_: yes, kbc, you are the only one
Joanna_Weiss: And now, here are some competing thoughts on my boy Blake...
GO_SOX__Guest_: I think Blake is completely horrible and a bore
Live_T__Guest_: i agree with joanna. blake will put out something interesting. he could be a nice asset to a group too.
GO_SOX__Guest_: Melinda will sell more albums than Blake and Jordan. She may appeal to the "older" crowd who can't text, but can spend money.
GO_SOX__Guest_: Blake just spits alot
laura__Guest_: Joanna, do you get to pick the order our responses are posted? that was funny!
Joanna_Weiss: Yes, I have total control. The power is getting to my head.
Live_T__Guest_: Actually, it seemed like Melinda spit a lot too.
Joanna_Weiss: Newsflash: singers spit!
kbc__Guest_: Maybe they should have two Idols, Senior and Junior. Honestly, I hate to think that at 29 Melinda has one foot in the grave!
Joanna_Weiss: Eek. Who would want to be named "Senior Idol"?
LWhitt58: Blake should definitely think group vs. solo. He's just too "one note" with the beat-boxing stuff to last doing just that.
Joanna_Weiss: One of the musical highlights of the season, for me, was that brief audition clip of "How Deep is Your Love" from Hollywood week, featuring Blake, Chris Sligh, Rudy Cardenas, and someone else whose name I don't remember.
Joanna_Weiss: I was in New York yesterday at the CBS upfront, and they started out with a beatboxing a capella group singing an original song about CBS (I'm serious; it was weird) and I kept thinking about Blake.)
LWhitt58: Joanna - do you think Simon's comment on Tues. night "I want my girl, Melinda, in the final" would have had any effect on her being booted off?
Joanna_Weiss: At this stage of the voting, it's hard to say. Perhaps it mobilized the Blake fans even more.
everyonesacritic__Guest_: maybe in mexico: "senor idol" ??
Joanna_Weiss: Cute...
sue__Guest_: Joanna - What do you think about the "battle of the bands" they are setting up for next season?
Joanna_Weiss: It depends how derivative of "Idol" it turns out to be, in terms of form (three judges, one British and mean, etc.) I start to bore with this stuff, though I admit I got sucked into "America's Got Talent" late in the game last summer.
kbc__Guest_: haha - I meant two shows. "Junior" would be for those who can text, "Senior" for those of us who are sending results by pony express
Joanna_Weiss: I'm trying to think of clever names...
soxfan__Guest_: Spitting happens ... I was more bothered by the fact that Elliott hardly ever opened his eyes while singing last night, it was a little off-putting.
Joanna_Weiss: He never had the greatest stage persona. Though he might have had the greatest voice last season. I rest my (oft-repeated) case...
GO_SOX__Guest_: What is up with the list of guests on the show? The average age of the contestants is probably 21, if that, while they have people that haven't had a hit single in 20 -30 years, if not more as guests. I don't understand it. The Bee Gee's thing was very odd and donna Summer? Bon Jovi was one of the younger ones and he was popular 25 years ago.
Joanna_Weiss: I'm not sure there's a scientific process, though I expect more washed up stars than ever are lining up for the exposure. They did have Gwen Stefani and JLo this year, though, don't forget. Both had albums and tours to promote.
laura__Guest_: Blake doesn't have a lot of range to his voice and how old will be too old for beatboxing...it's more of a fad, isn't it?
Joanna_Weiss: I think Blake could have success as a producer and arranger. With actual instruments making the beats. (Or computers and synthesizers, you know. Whatever.)
GO_SOX__Guest_: I forgot about Gwen, she was a good one.
Joanna_Weiss: It was a fun week, in retrospect. A very different and fun Jordin performance - perhaps the only one where she wasn't trying to morph into Celine Dion.
kbc__Guest_: I loved the look Simon had when Jordin said she had never heard "Wishing on a Star"
Joanna_Weiss: How about the way she pretended to be excited when she heard that was the song he'd chosen?
LWhitt58: And Maroon 5 isn't exactly an 80s band. :-)
Joanna_Weiss: True! They're hot, but I suppose they've still gotten a bump from this.
laura__Guest_: Is Bon Jovi no longer popular?
Joanna_Weiss: They've got, um, generational appeal...
everyonesacritic__Guest_: i agree, the list of rock elders as guests is scary. like watching a fundraiser on PBS.
Joanna_Weiss: Oh, my! On the other hand, I loved Peter Noone...and Barry Manilow last year...
laura__Guest_: then that must speak to my fondness for Bon Jovi still!
Joanna_Weiss: OK. I, too, have fond memories of "Living on a Prayer."
everyonesacritic__Guest_: agreed: the best song that jordin performed was the gwen stefani night. wish she had gone that way with her last song choice, rather than the melodramatic schmaltz.
Joanna_Weiss: I was pretty underwhelmed with her on Tuesday. The diva stuff bores me, no matter who does it.
LWhitt58: OMG - Barry STUNK giving his feedback! As did Tony Bennett this year. Jon and Peter Noone had really constructive criticism.
Joanna_Weiss: I thought Barry was terrific, myself. He had real insight into arrangements.
laura__Guest_: The diva act is definitely old. Lakisha played it up quite well.
Joanna_Weiss: She has a good gospel-diva persona. And I never thought she could pull off the uptempo stuff. She always looked out of breath.
kbc__Guest_: Maybe that's why "older" viewers don't enjoy Jordin as much - for her all of the songs we are familiar with are classic hits. And she makes little comments that remind us of this!
Joanna_Weiss: How about Blake? Do you think older voters appreciate beatboxing? Or Maroon 5?
Joanna_Weiss: Or do you think there's something aspirational about liking the "modern" guy?
LWhitt58: I think Jordin has it heads and tails over Blake. If she can avoid being over-produced, and grows into herself as she gets older, hopefully she can avoid the Whitney-esque styling of songs.
Joanna_Weiss: My worry is that she seems to gravitate toward the Whitney stuff. But, again, she's young.
MG__Guest_: Well I'm 34 and I like Blake because he's actually musical - I think he has a lot of talent, even though he isn't the best singer. And "Idol" is about a total package, not just a straight singing ability.
Joanna_Weiss: I'm with you, MG, on several levels. I think he's got his own vision. He knows who he is. Though I was a bit stunned to hear that his stage name in Washington State was "BShorty."
LWhitt58: She's following the Mariah School of Singing Style.
Joanna_Weiss: This is Jordin.
jk__Guest_: What do you mean by "overproduced?"
Joanna_Weiss: That's what we're talking about, I think. Very cluttered productions, and being steered toward oversinging.
kbc__Guest_: I think conversely why Blake does better is that he brings something new to the "old" songs (most of the time)...it's more homage than curiosity factor (and I'm not totally a Blake fan.)
Joanna_Weiss: That's a really good point. I always like hearing reinterpretations of old songs.
MG__Guest_: Well he is awfully short. That's why Seacrest, likes him I think. Jordin makes Seacrest look like an 8th grader.
Joanna_Weiss: Here's to short people.
everyonesacritic__Guest_: I'm an "older" voter, and I liked it when Jordin did the younger genre. I also like beatboxing, I just think the rest of Blake's talent is thin.
LWhitt58: I just think Blake is too one-note, as I said before.
Joanna_Weiss: I suppose "distinct vision" and "one-note" are two sides of the same coin. Perhaps it depends how much you like the note. Or notes, as the case may be.
Live_T__Guest_: When is your next chat, Joanna?
Joanna_Weiss: Next week, we're back to our regular chatting time, on Wednesday at 1, to make predictions for the finale.
Joanna_Weiss: Thanks again to everyone for bearing with the rescheduling!
Joanna_Weiss: Have a great week. Looking foward to chatting again. (And perhaps we'll find something to dish about in the long, dark, months before Season 7 starts. Or maybe we'll just go out and get some fresh air.)
MG__Guest_: But how is Jordin not one-note? She sings big dramatic ballads every week. Personally, I think her "pop" numbers have been very high-school talent show, although the judges never threw that comment out with her. Her Donna Summer number I found particularly sterile.
Joanna_Weiss: Wanted to add a coupple of these for people reading the chat after the fact. I'm with you on Jordin being one-note thematically, though she really and truly has pipes.
sue__Guest_: But Joanna was it you who mentioned a few weeks back that every time Blake sings he sounds like the lead singer of the Cure and that all of his "interpretations" sound like their songs? Maybe it was osmeone else. And I'm 37 (and short too) but Blake does NOTHING for me. I wouldn't buy his record if they gave it away for free. The beatboxing overstayed it's welcome but then again did everyone notice how he kept the beatboxing to a minimum after the judges mentioned that he was overusing it the week before?
Joanna_Weiss: That was me. But that was before "You Give Love a Bad Name" made me fall in luuurve. I sort of like that he follows direction. And, again, I guess "one-note" is OK if the note is pleasant on the ears.
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