Quick spoilers for tonight's "American Idol" results show coming up after the jump...Okay, I didn't watch at all, as I was very into tonight's "Lost" and my other tuner was grabbing "Life" (which I'll get to tomorrow), but I have Fienberg's trusty minute-by-minute recap to tell me that A)The "bottom three" (or, at least, the three singers sent to center stage) were Allison, Michael and Alexis, B)That Allison was sent back to safety first, C)That Alexis was the lowest vote-getter, and D)That the judges declined to use the vaunted Judges' Save on her.
Now, on the one hand, I never expected the judges to use the Save this early in the season. That would suck all the drama out of the gimmick, and it would also give them no safety net if a front-runner/judges' fave like Danny or Adam got the lowest vote totals. On the other hand, going into this week I assumed Alexis was one of the front-runners, and the only person with a realistic shot of beating either of those two guys this season. Though she was mediocre on "Jolene," she had previously come across as one of the season's most talented and versatile singers, and struck me as the type who would do well in almost any theme. Going into the finals, Fienberg pegged her as the second most-likely winner, while I had her fourth. Clearly, we both overestimated her, but at the same time I can't think of anyone to go home this early in a season who at one point looked like they belonged in the discussion of potential winners.
So, discuss. Are you outraged that the judges didn't save Alexis? Can anything derail the Adam/Danny final? If it had been Top 10 week (and therefore a spot on the tour wasn't an issue), or if Alexis hadn't this week been named as one of the Top 4 finalists in the latest bit of fodder for the conspiracy theorists, might she still be around?
What did everybody else think?
26 comments:
"Are you outraged that the judges didn't save Alexis?"
They told her she was one of the ones that they would consider saving before she performed, then she choked on the performance. Can't be surprised after that. I was hoping that the "shocking" elimination that Seacrest was promising might be Adam, but no such luck.
Last week I was sort of "meh" about the new twist in having the judges possibly "save" the contestant but now - after watching poor Alexis twist and squirm and go down in flames while desperately hoping the judges would save her made me want to vomit. I didn't catch all of it as I was flipping back and forth between it and Lost but the part I did see was wretched. Alexis and, to a lesser degree, the other two contestants last week, end up looking and singing with such a horrifying combination of terror and desperation that is incredibly painful to watch.
I guess I'm the minority -- I think Alexis has been overrated all season. The pink stripe in her hair did not take away from her bland, vanilla vocals. Next up on the chopping block should be Michael and Scott....
They told her she was one of the ones that they would consider saving before she performed, then she choked on the performance.
They may have said that, but that doesn't mean we have to believe them. I don't think there's any way they were using the save this early in the season on anyone but the big three.
I can't say I'm outraged the judges didn't save her because while I like Alexis, I can't now pretend I am a fan of overturning the vote of the people because it would lead to a pleasant result. However, I am also assuming the judges never felt Alexis could possibly ever get into trouble this early in the season. But when you add up the fact that she got bad reviews two straight weeks, and that others, most notably Megan and Scott, have been either mysteriously praised by the judges or treated gently, the fact that she was voted out looks less shocking.
I'm with the above anonymous. I didn't think Alexis was all that great. Jolene, to me, was an awful choice and not sang that great. Dirty Diana, another horrendous choice that was so screechy. I really didn't think she'd end up that far in.
I did think she'd go farther than Michael C., though.
They told her she was one of the ones that they would consider saving before she performed, then she choked on the performance.
C'mon, there is NO WAY that they are making a decision in those 3 minutes based on the performance. NO. WAY. They know well ahead of the "save yourself" performance whether the person will be saved for it, having them squirm is just part of the theatrics.
ALso, if you're a conspiracy theorist, what better way for Idol to quell the rumors of the show being fixed than to immediately kick off one of those named as the fixees? (I don't actually believe this)
What bothered me about the 'save' process was that Simon told them ONE of them they were considering saving...and then when we find out it was Alexis, how is that supposed to make Michael feel or the rest of America for that matter?
They are manipulating the vote by making it apparent to everyone who they believe is the 'better' singer and who deserves to stay.
They should've said NOTHING before the bottom person was revealed.
Michael now has a negative hanging over his head that no one else in that group has...I think that is BS.
OK...they have to say that they are prepared to save one of the two or there is NO drama. And when the one with the least votes is named, they have to say that this is the person they might be prepared to save or there is NO drama. They would have said the exact same thing if it had been Michael at the bottom. And the only way they will save someone like Alexis or Michael at this early date is if they want to be free of this whole scenario and use saving any contestant as an excuse to be free of this ghastly device!!! The whole thing is ridiculous and cringe-worthy.
I personally never loved Alexis, and when this performance was bad I was not at all surprised that she was kicked out this week and that the judges didn't save her.
I actually doubt that Adam will be in the final, unless he can be as stunningly consistent in his creativity as David Cook was last year. His voice is amazing, yes, but I don't know very many people that LIKE him - he's just controversial. That will get him towards the end, but I don't think he's popular enough to make it all the way unless he suddenly becomes more likeable.
I don't think a Danny vs. Adam final is a forgone conclusion. I think Adam is very polarizing -- he has an amazing voice, but I just don't see him as an American Idol -- he's way too dramatic and "Broadway" for my taste.
I think Adam is very polarizing -- he has an amazing voice, but I just don't see him as an American Idol -- he's way too dramatic and "Broadway" for my taste.
On "Idol," polarizing is good, because the people who hate you can't vote against you (at least not until the finale), while the people who like you tend to really like you. Adam annoys a lot of us, but I also could see him having a huge passionate fanbase who hate every other contestant and will dial for this guy till their fingers bleed.
Kathy, I disagree with this:
"they have to say that they are prepared to save one of the two or there is NO drama"
They didn't say anything about being prepared to use the save last week. The lowest vote getter just sang, and then we found out if that person would get a 'save.'
This week was much different by claiming they were considering using it. I still stand behind the fact that they just added a negative vibe to Michael that none of the other contestants have. Which is completely unfair and manipulative.
KJ, how is that any different from when Seacrest asks the judges which of the bottom 2/3 deserves to go home, and they pick the person who stays?
I don't find myself caring too much about this season, but I can't resist gaming it.
I think the producers are so focused on recovering ratings this year (though it's not working) that they've glommed on to the idea of a controversial final two (the colorful gay theater guy vs the sad-story, sings-about-Jesus guy) to the exclusion of all else.
One pitfall is that if either of their Totally Dramatic Finale Opposites gets booted, they'll most likely be left with a lopsided race with very little suspense.
By the way, since Alexis is now gone and Megan Joy no way goes this far, I'm totally on Adam's side against Gokey. I still really dislike him, but his meeting with the Country Dude (TM) was one of the highlights of this whole TV season. For the entertainment factor alone, I really think I prefer a world with the Adams as the winners against the grown-up Archuletas of the world.
Of course all of this means that he'll be gone by the time we enter May.
I haven't really been watching much of AI this year, but when everyone complained about Adam's performance this week, I watched a clip, and it wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be. Viewed in isolation, his version of Ring of Fire was creative and far more interesting than the rest. I was a Cook fan last year, so maybe why this appeals to me, but I prefer to watch someone like him, than the boring drones that normally populate the show.
You know what? You are right, Alan. Okay, I take my statement back. LOL.
Here's my prediction: Adam Lambert, shock-boot at Top 4. He's not going to expand his fanbase, so as other contestants drop out, their fans may migrate to someone else, but few will migrate to Adam.
Like Alan said in his comment on the Top 11 performances, I admire Adam's technical skill and range, but I don't actually like what he does with his voice. I especially hate his upper range.
I also don't think he really has that much variety in his performances. Yeah, there was the middle-eastern thing going on this week with Ring of Fire, but really? Each of his performances has felt like a rock opera diva performance---start in an okay range, go into extreme upper range, give Constantine-like looks, etc. He's unique within the context of the show, and he seems like a unique person, but there is a similarity betweem his performances such that, even if his upper register didn't cause me pain, I think would make him get old to me.
Please Alan or someone help me - how in the name of all that's right in the world can anyone be impressed with Megan? My wife and I look at each other and cringe when she sings. Put aside the spastic movements which Simon would zero in on and ream her for if she wasn't blond and buxom. What is it that people actually like about her singing? I really don't get it because to me she can't even enunciate correctly let alone carry a tune, maintain a melody or hit any notes outside of the monotonic range she's stayed in.
Anonymous 3:23, most of the people I talk with about the show don't get Megan either. In fact, most find her laughably bad---not so much her voice as her herky-jerky, unbelievably awkward movements on stage. However, it's obvious the judges and/or producers think she's "marketable"---the gorgeous girl made "edgy" by the tattoos. I think they are also afraid that there will be six guys and one women left in a few weeks (and they may get it anyway. So, they keep telling us she's very talented to 1) keep male viewers 2) keep some variety. But I agree, even as beautiful as her face is, she's uncomfortable to watch.
I actually thought Megan's best performance was her original audition -- she is quirky, different, weird AND stunning. Lots of singers have had successful careers with those qualifications. No way will she win Idol, but I think someone will sign her up and who knows?
I like Megan's voice. Yes she can't dance but I don't really see how that's even relevant to anything. And while I'm sure my opinion of her is enhanced by her looks, I still like her voice. It's different. It gets boring hearing the same crooners and divas, no matter how good thier voice is, sometimes it's nice to hear someone with a new flair. May not be your thing, which is fine, but there are some of us who do enjoy her for her actual singing (and no I do not produce Idol).
I'm a middle aged housewife and I love flamboyant Adam and weird, dance-disabled Megan.
I hate that so many sites (not this blog) constantly state how the middle aged house wives keep the Archulettas and Gokeys around. I don't hate Gokey, but I like the originals and the weird :O)
Anyone who's been to a drag bar anytime in the last 30 years has seen an Adam before. The slit eyed looks, the heavy makeup, the tortured hair, the seductiveness that never stops, and even the voice, the transgendered high notes that transmute into sobs, the whole take that changes the meaning of the song, the "making it his own" that turns everything into drag high concept.
He's not new. Come to New York. There are Adams here everywhere.
I'm also a middle-aged housewife and I kind of love Megan. I totally agree with Bobman that she's a nice change from all the "divas" (and I wish that word would go back to the opera house where it belongs) we see every year. I can see why she doesn't appeal to everyone, but I like her weirdness and I love her voice. Her dancing just makes her more endearing to me. And, yeah, it's completely inconsequential in relation to her singing talent, in my opinion.
I wasn't much of an Alexis fan, but I am shocked that she went so early. She's pretty appealing, overall, and I thought she would stick around for a long time, although maybe not the top 4.
Anyone who's been to a drag bar anytime in the last 30 years has seen an Adam before. The slit eyed looks, the heavy makeup, the tortured hair, the seductiveness that never stops, and even the voice, the transgendered high notes that transmute into sobs, the whole take that changes the meaning of the song, the "making it his own" that turns everything into drag high concept.
He's not new. Come to New York. There are Adams here everywhere.
I absolutely believe that. Forget about whether he's unique. He's not even that different. He even has the same walk as lot of guys who fit into the "drag, transgender, oversexualized, maybe he's gay, maybe he's not" box. I haven't broken up with him yet, but after this week's disrespectful trainwreck of a performance, we're certainly having a tiff. :)
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