American Idol 2006

[Nikita]

Anyone watching this season? They sucked me back in last season with Constantine. *swoon*

Now I've got a new crush this season....Chris. And he can sing too!


We have a pool going at work. (yes, I work with other AI addicts)

[EZMOHR]

I've never watched the show until this year. I can honestly say that weird gray headed dude, Taylor, is the only person ever on the show that I would buy a CD of their music.

[Nikita]

Taylor is really good.


But this one has my heart...

http://www.idolonfox.com/contestants/chris_daughtry/


Mmmmm.....mamma like.

[EZMOHR]

Yeah, me and my wife were talking about him. She thought it was amazing, and sexy that he would marry his wife, and raise her kids as his own. Then I heard him sing and I turned to my wife and said...

"You know, once he gets further on this show, he'll forget that woman's name, and will never talk to those kids again."

My wife lost a little faith in humanity that day. (And I stand by my prediction.)

[marshal99]

Nobody mentioned the guy ace ? That guy got movie star looks , sure would have a lot of ladies voting for him. I dare say he would probably sail all the way to at least top 5.

I like the ladies better than the guys. Guys got some freaks in there. :D

[Waffles]

Katherine Mcphee and Taylor Hicks are the top two as far as I'm concerned. It's theirs to lose.

[Deathstroke]

Anyone watching this season? They sucked me back in last season with Constantine. *swoon*

Now I've got a new crush this season....Chris. And he can sing too!


We have a pool going at work. (yes, I work with other AI addicts)

Normally, I'd make fun of Nikita for watching a reality series, but I can't since I've started watching Knight School on ESPN.

(Basketball players compete for a walk on spot on Bobby Knight's Texas Tech Red Raider basketball team.)

And yes, I'm suitably embarrassed to find myself watching it.

[Glaucon]

This is actually the first time I've watched American Idol, while I don't think it's the best thing on television, it is pretty entertaining.


And I'm rooting for Taylor Hicks. I would love someone who is actually humble to win this thing.

[The Humanist Hero]

Normally, I'd make fun of Nikita for watching a reality series, but I can't since I've started watching Knight School on ESPN.

(Basketball players compete for a walk on spot on Bobby Knight's Texas Tech Red Raider basketball team.)

And yes, I'm suitably embarrassed to find myself watching it.
Normally I would make fun of her for it too, but she's just so damn cute that I want to stay on her good side. :)

[JohnPopa]

I'm watching. I don't think the guys are especially good (Taylor and Chris are pretty good singers, the rest are uniformly mediocre at best.) A couple of the girls are pretty strong, though and a good mix of being good singers and good performers.

I think it's going to come down to Lisa, Paris and Katherine and then Chris and Taylor.

I still think a girl's going to win again. They tend to adapt to the different styles better. Chris sounded pretty foolish in that group number last night. I can't see him singing big band or country or some of the more stylized genres.

[Deathstroke]

Normally I would make fun of her for it too, but she just so damn cute that I want to stay on her good side. :)

Yeah, there's that fact too!

[Nikita]

Well, Chris did another great job on Wednesday. I was sad to see Jose go because he was just so sweet. But I was glad they finally got rid of Brenna. What is it with shows like this? There is always one drama queen diva.

Bucky is actually kind of growing on me. And some of the other guys sounded better this past week because they weren't as nervous. Nerves can really goof up a voice.

I'm kind of bored with the girls this year.

[EZMOHR]

As long as that Paris girl doesn't win, I'll be ok. I mean, I've heard some annoying voices in my life, but that voice (speaking voice) is like King Kong scraping his fingers on the world's largest black board. My ears litterally bleed when she talks. And she is about as interesting as reading the bottom of a brown paper bag. I half expect her to kill Baby Jane. Someone tell this girl she ain't in the first grade, and that she is 16 years old. I mean her most common phrase on the show as been...."aww gooo-gooo gaaa-gaaa. I wuv yoo Pawla!"

[riotgear]

Katherine Mcphee and Taylor Hicks are the top two as far as I'm concerned. It's theirs to lose.

I agree. They're my favorites, as well.

[CaptainAwesome]

Actually, McPhee and Hicks are my favorites too. Hicks is the best singer bar none, but McPhee is pretty good to, and way better looking. Way better. :D

[Faded]

Kelly Pickler. MUST. Di...err...be voted off.

Great to see Ace finally go. Damn you VoteForTheWorst for keeping him on this long and now keeping Kelly on.

I have an unconditional love for Paris--at times her voice is really akward but I love her. She is just adorable and still, very talented. Also really starting to like Elliott and Katharine. Taylor is awesome and I predict he'll be in the final two with Katharine.

Chris is okay...I guess. I was very impressed with him at first, but I can start to hear weaknesses in his voice. He changed it up nicely in this week's song, although it was quite boring.

Next to go...Elliott, though it should be Kelly(-ie, -i, -e or whatever).

[marshal99]

Katherine should be the winner this year , she is the next Kelly Clarkson in the making , she has the looks and the voice to match.

Taylor is a freak , with his white hair and his spastic dancing like mr bean. He shouldn't win this ahead of Kat who is in a different class to the rest.

[dougputhoff]

Normally, I'd make fun of Nikita for watching a reality series, but I can't since I've started watching Knight School on ESPN.

(Basketball players compete for a walk on spot on Bobby Knight's Texas Tech Red Raider basketball team.)

And yes, I'm suitably embarrassed to find myself watching it.

DEAR GO, NO!!

You've gone over to their side, 'Stroke!

Say it ain't so!

SAY IT AIN'T SO!

[dougputhoff]

Katherine should be the winner this year , she is the next Kelly Clarkson in the making , she has the looks and the voice to match.



Bruce Spingsteen's underwear stains have more talent than Kelly Clarkson.

The biggest star to come out of Idol this--or any other season, will be the guy who sings "Bad Day."

[marshal99]

Bruce Spingsteen's underwear stains have more talent than Kelly Clarkson.

The biggest star to come out of Idol this--or any other season, will be the guy who sings "Bad Day."

Yes , i'm waiting for the day that Bruce Springteen's underwear stains produce a platnium album and 2 grammy awards. ;)

[marshal99]

Bruce Spingsteen's underwear stains have more talent than Kelly Clarkson.

The biggest star to come out of Idol this--or any other season, will be the guy who sings "Bad Day."

Yes , i'm waiting for the day that Bruce Springteen's underwear stains produce a platnium album and 2 grammy awards. :rolleyes: ;)

[marshal99]

Edit : Double posting ...

[dougputhoff]

Yes , i'm waiting for the day that Bruce Springteen's underwear stains produce a platnium album and 2 grammy awards. :rolleyes: ;)

That has a better chance of happening than Kelly Clarkson writing and recording the next Born to Run, not to mention a boatload of other great LPs.

[Glaucon]

The final three look pretty obvious: Chris, Katherine and Taylor. Chris or Katherine will win the entire thing.

I liked Chris at first, but he sort of does that 90s rock thing over and over again - it's kind of annoying.

Katherine is alright, but I think she is extremely overrated. She made that Queen song very boring and making Queen boring is hard to do. :D

Taylor needs to keep the level of excitement up to do well.

[CaptainAwesome]

Taylor wont win. Simon doesnt like him and what simon says goes. I love taylor, but his style of music is just too different and hard for simon to sell. Cris wont win, he is too hardcore. I know that sounds wierd talking about american idol, but its true. Paris might win. She is young yes, but simon seems to love her and so do all the musical guest stars plus she seems to have one of the most modern styles. Eliot is a very good singer, but he tends to over sing the song, and he is funny-looking, so he wont win. My moneys on Katherine. She is good looking and simon loves her. And what simon says goes.

[Nevets F]

I am afraid Taylor will win, which would be a horrible mistake.

Chris is far and away the best choice, and after him it would be Katherine.

[Nikita]

Finally, Ace is GONE! Yay!!!! But why was Chris in the bottom three??? Ok, so he's kind of boring but he can sing. I can't decide between him, Taylor and Catherine. They all get better and better with each show.

[Chachi]

Paris must go! She is annoying as hell, and its obvious that the show is pushing her more than any body else. And her family being freinds with Randy Jackson should be a conflict of interest and disqualify her.

[Faded]

I don't see how Paris is being pushed more than the others. :confused:

If anything, Chris has been getting a better deal as far as arrangements go. He got to totally run past the themes the first couple of weeks.

As a whole, this group has been awesomely diverse. I don't think I see a huge star though (well I thought Mandisa was hot until I found out she was homophobic). I think its hard to find stars because they judge on vocals and not really on creativity or the ability to produce something new. The best vocalists don't always make the best stars.

[Faded]

Soooo last night's ep...not very good.

Katharine at first I thought was good, but had painful moments.
Elliott had the best performance IMO. I love his voice and his soul.
Paris was alright. Not great. She's improving on her occasional nasal singing.
Taylor's wasn't at his level, but our cable kinda messed up during his performance so I didn't get a full listen.
Chris...I actually don't remember his performance, honestly.
Kellie actually is improving, but still she's not on par with the others.

Predicted Bottom three: Taylor, Paris*, Katharine
Who Should Be Bottom three: Taylor, Kellie*, Chris

*Who will go

[Nikita]

Ya know, Kelli is very sweet. I liked her personality, but she had to go.

Paris is good but I find her boring.

I really loved Elliott last night. I thought he had the best performance of the night.

Catherine was pretty good and quite stunning in that dress.

Taylor was kind of "off" last night actually. I still dig him but he was just ok last night.

Chris has grown on me with each show. I thought he did well last night but Elliott stole the show for me.

[marshal99]

I think the voting for the last show will be for who is going to be in the final 2 - kat & chris.
Taylor is a freak , with hair and looks like jay Leno and dances like Mr Bean. While he might have a distinct voice , he's still a freakshow to me.

Elliot always looks like he just woke up with his puffy eyes and unshaved looks and most of the time he sings like he just woke up though in that last show , he rose above his usual bland standard.

Paris changes her hair and clothes every each week but unfortunately she can't change her face , she's still too young.

Chris always sings the same style but he has a good voice and clear vocals. He started strongly in the beginning , faded off and now seemed to be coming back strong again.

Kat i predict will be the winner , she has the vocals and looks to go far.

[Faded]

Man oh man Kellie is gone. She was cute but her vocals just were not up to par with everyone else.

First time where I honestly can say I wouldn't mind any of the final five winning. All five singers are at the very least good in their craft and have some kind of edge to them.

Doesn't look too good for Paris. She's my girl, so maybe I should actually vote sometime. :p

[KenK]

Man oh man Kellie is gone. She was cute but her vocals just were not up to par with everyone else.

First time where I honestly can say I wouldn't mind any of the final five winning. All five singers are at the very least good in their craft and have some kind of edge to them.

Doesn't look too good for Paris. She's my girl, so maybe I should actually vote sometime. :p

Yeah, keep her out of the bottom group for once!! I'm astounded how she could end up in the bottom two this week!

[marshal99]

Why not ? Elliot & her are probably the next 2 to go since it's now down to the fine line of top 3. I can't see Taylor the freak going yet , Chris should be safe and Kat most definitely should belong in the final 2.

[Faded]

Katharine--I love ya--but that first song was...stinky. :o
Paris worked it out (the only one who I liked both of her performances) and Elliott had a great second song.

Predicted Eliminated: Paris, though I hope its Taylor

[Royal]

Mike Bisping by armbar.

[Nikita]

This is getting hard. Everyone left is so good. I missed the elimination show tonight because I watch Lost. Who got booted? (hoping Paris)

[bert]

This is getting hard. Everyone left is so good. I missed the elimination show tonight because I watch Lost. Who got booted? (hoping Paris)


yeah. .

Paris was booted (tho the bottom two were correct: Paris and Elliott, between the two, Paris was the one who was worse).

Kat's first song last night was horrible, but her second was phenomenal.

[marshal99]

yeah. .

Paris was booted (tho the bottom two were correct: Paris and Elliott, between the two, Paris was the one who was worse).

Kat's first song last night was horrible, but her second was phenomenal.

I think Kat , because of last week criticism that she sticked too closely to the source and hence will be compared to the original singer , doesn't want that again and tried to sing it differently but unfortunately her arrangement was bad , hence why the first song failed. Her 2nd was more like her old self.
I said it again , she'll win this and even if she don't , her album will outsell any of the top 5.

[Phil Clark]

I predict that Elliot will be the next to go, but after that I have no idea. Chris, Taylor and Kat are so close in skill level that it will likely come down to song choice and performance. I am pulling for the one who has never been in the bottom throughout the competition....

GO TAYLOR. Soul Patrol BABY!

[dougputhoff]

I'm hoping they bring back Mary Roach

[Faded]

I think this top 5 is one of the better we've had (maybe ever--Kelly Clarkson was a star from the beginning, but had stinkers with her in the top 5), but for some reason I'm left a little underwhelmed.

[Nikita]

yeah. .

Paris was booted (tho the bottom two were correct: Paris and Elliott, between the two, Paris was the one who was worse).

Kat's first song last night was horrible, but her second was phenomenal.


Yay!

I actually like Elliott a lot but I think he will go next.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

F-ckin b.s. I love how people booed angerily at this. Talk about a lackluster f-ck fest. I really don't feel anyone on this and AI ends for me. Chris Daughtery was the best part of this show.

And when Simon supported him ...pff there he goes. Everytime Simon supports someone the voters go in a 180% direction. Freakin sad. If I was Chris I'd forget the AI tour and go hook up with a rock band ASAP.

[mattbib]

While I'm hoping Elliot wins, I too am in shock that Daughtry was voted out before McPhee...she was awful last night.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

While I'm hoping Elliot wins, I too am in shock that Daughtry was voted out before McPhee...she was awful last night.


I'll wish Taylor luck but McPhee and Elliot do nothing for me. Elliot's just bland and his music does nothing for me. Chris should go find a rock band ( Fuel since they want him ) and put this in the " f-cked up " cabinet of life.

[JohnPopa]

I was surprised Chris got booted, just because all the women in my office are wetting themselves about him constantly. Granted the did the same thing about Bo and he lost too. Maybe amped up office women aren't pulling the 'American Idol' sled as much as I think they are.

Chris is a barely mediocre singer. He'd make it if he was with a good band of songwriters (no, not freaking Fuel) and they created their own real band vibe and came up through the trenches. But just programming him into stuff from hit factory songwriters? Nah, it just wouldn't work.

[HomerJay]

And with tonite's show...

I'm done.

[i_mmmchocolate]

I haven't watched it for a couple weeks, so I was shocked to hear that Chris was voted out tonight.

He was my favorite.

Meh.

[marshal99]

I can't believe Elliot scraped through , yes he did step up somewhat in the last one but overall , he has been extremely bland and boring.

Oh well , Kat is still my overall fave to win it.

[Mysterio]

And with tonite's show...

I'm done.


I second that! Now I have 1.5 hours of my life back in which I can be a productive member of society.

[Deathstroke]

What a surprise, the one guy in the contest with any musical balls is off the show.

You know Katherine McPhee is gone next week so they can have the American Idol showdown between The Leprechaun and The Fat Drunk Businessman In A Karaoke Bar.

Simply BS.

[JohnPopa]

What a surprise, the one guy in the contest with any musical balls is off the show.

You know Katherine McPhee is gone next week so they can have the American Idol showdown between The Leprechaun and The Fat Drunk Businessman In A Karaoke Bar.

Simply BS.

No one who intentionally sang a Creed song should ever be defined as having 'musical balls.'

[Deathstroke]

No one who intentionally sang a Creed song should ever be defined as having 'musical balls.'

He sang a Creed song? I don't really watch the show, I just tuned in for the Queen night.

He sang a Creed song?

I think I have to take back everything I said.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

No one who intentionally sang a Creed song should ever be defined as having 'musical balls.'


He also sang a Bon Jovi song and kicked ass , a Fuel song which had the band calling him up ! Now thats f-ckin talent when the band you cover wants you in the band just from that 1 song. He also covered other artists as well.

Lets just put it this way..the man had musical balls for his song choices at times.

[JohnPopa]

He also sang a Bon Jovi song and kicked ass , a Fuel song which had the band calling him up ! Now thats f-ckin talent when the band you cover wants you in the band just from that 1 song. He also covered other artists as well.

Lets just put it this way..the man had musical balls for his song choices at times.

His 'Dead or Alive' was OK (and, really, I'm a huge Bon Jovi fan but does anyone really say 'man, that Bon Jovi, they're BAD ASS,) Fuel's the sort of pussy-whipped 'edgy' material one would expect the producers of 'American Idol' to think is edgy and, well, they haven't had a hit in a while and could use having their name mentioned on 'American Idol.' "Hey, we should get that show that's the most watched show in the country to talk about us! Fifteen minutes and five seconds here we come!"

I can't imagine any male who doesn't have his private area professionally waxed would consider Fuel remotely heavy. Really, even Creed probably thinks Fuel's sort of pussies.

Being heavier than Clay Aiken does not constitute 'musical balls.'

[SUPERECWFAN1]

His 'Dead or Alive' was OK (and, really, I'm a huge Bon Jovi fan but does anyone really say 'man, that Bon Jovi, they're BAD ASS,) Fuel's the sort of pussy-whipped 'edgy' material one would expect the producers of 'American Idol' to think is edgy and, well, they haven't had a hit in a while and could use having their name mentioned on 'American Idol.' "Hey, we should get that show that's the most watched show in the country to talk about us! Fifteen minutes and five seconds here we come!"

I can't imagine any male who doesn't have his private area professionally waxed would consider Fuel remotely heavy. Really, even Creed probably thinks Fuel's sort of pussies.

Being heavier than Clay Aiken does not constitute 'musical balls.'


Chris was about as far from Clay Aiken as possible. He covered songs that really weren't sung much from what I remember on AI. And I never saw Fuel clamering to have thier songs covered eithor.

I can see Fuel stepping up persuit since he's gone from the show and will only have 1 year unless Cowell signs him to an album deal. Which if Cowell wassmart he could put some good muscians around him in a rock/pop band and have something.

[dougputhoff]

While I'm hoping Elliot wins, I too am in shock that Daughtry was voted out before McPhee...she was awful last night.

Idol is a popularity contest. It has nothing to do with musical talent whatsoever.

[Phil Clark]

I disagree. American idol is about the whole package. You have to have a voice, be able to use it, and be a bit of a personality. And you should be able to perform. Taylor has all of that. Cat has shown that she has all of that some times too. Elliot, he is at his best when he just stands there and sings. But even then he forces vibrato.

Me, I am pulling for Taylor, and will keep watching AI until he is gone.

[titanfan]

This was the best episode ever! There have been shockers before, but this is the *first* time that the pre-packaged pimped-to-win favorite has actually been eliminated.

Watching AI scramble to and desperately back their new horse in Taylor was hilarious. I had a feeling Chris was gone when Taylor got his "special request".

If anything, Elliott is the new Clay. At least that's what I would guess based on the message board fan base.

[Shade]

I can't believe Elliot scraped through , yes he did step up somewhat in the last one but overall , he has been extremely bland and boring.

Oh well , Kat is still my overall fave to win it.


That's crap. Elliot is the only one that has adapted and stayed strong with any style of music they've laid out. Chris has taken every style and made it into edgy rock. Taylor has made every style sound like Joe Cocker doing a cover of that song. Elliot has actually BEEN versatile with his selections AND how he delivered them.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

This was the best episode ever! There have been shockers before, but this is the *first* time that the pre-packaged pimped-to-win favorite has actually been eliminated.

Watching AI scramble to and desperately back their new horse in Taylor was hilarious. I had a feeling Chris was gone when Taylor got his "special request".

If anything, Elliott is the new Clay. At least that's what I would guess based on the message board fan base.


There was an anger there from those in attendance. Watching them back Taylor seemingly on that show should have showed me how things were gonna go.

I wish Taylor luck but unless he's singing Micheal McDonald numbers....then I really don't feel him.

[marshal99]

I can imagine Taylor having a good career as a wedding singer/entertainer because his wacky body movements is just hilarious , even when he's sitting down singing , his facial expressions and hands movement are wacky.

Elliot vocals is the weakest of the lot , can imagine him singing bluesy numbers but that's all. Like Simon said , he has step up for the last 2 episodes but if he wins , he'll be the weakest idol winner yet.

Kat has the strongest vocals but for whatever reasons , for the past 2 episodes , she does her own arrangement to be original and comes off worse. She needs to stick close to the original song and don't oversing it.

[JohnPopa]

As a trained singer I can assure you Elliott's vocals aren't remotely the weakest of the lot. Volume does not equal better singing. He may not be the most charismatic perfomer but in terms of raw vocal technique and talent he's doing some really incredible stuff (and his style's more jazz, not blues.) Katharine's got the biggest voice but she tends to riff when she'd be better served sitting on a big note.

[CaptainAwesome]

Based on "Elvis night" alone, I would have said Kat was going. She did terrible. I think Elliot probably did the best followed by Taylor then Chris. Overall I would say the best singer now is probably Elliot, but the most entertaining is definately Taylor, who doesnt get the respect he deserves. He is a great singer. Not a good singer, a great singer. You can see that when he sings songs like "Sometimes" and "In the Ghetto." Yes he does have some funny dance steps when hes having fun, but he is also a very talented preformer.

[DDM]

I was listening to the radio today. A nurse called in to say Elliot needs more protein in his diet. Otherwise, he looks...constipated while singing.

[titanfan]

I was listening to the radio today. A nurse called in to say Elliot needs more protein in his diet. Otherwise, he looks...constipated while singing.

Well...yes...because he's diabetic. I'm sure he knows this too....

[Nikita]

I know everyone is upset about Chris and it is a bit of a surprise but Elliott has grown on me a lot. I'm kind of hoping he'll be in the top two. He's the darkhorse of the competition. Chris was good but he was starting to get a tad arrogant. And maybe the fans noticed that.

[grrr23]

am disappointed about chris. maybe he was getting a big arrogant, but he was versatile too. that bryan adams song wasn't made into rock - but showed that he has a stunning voice even for ballads... remember that the idol also has to have mainstream appeal...i dont qui see elliott in that role...:confused:

[marshal99]

Oh well , as expected , Elliot is gone.

Well , the final is Kat to lose now. I just wish that she doesn't have to overdo songs and go way over the top which she has done for the last couple of weeks hence why some of the judges negative comments , she should keep it easy and simple like the song she did for the album.

[Phil Clark]

If cat pulls off a performance next week like she had last night... we will have a MAJOR battle for the winner. If not, Taylor will walk away with it all.

[titanfan]

I'd say it's random right now.

If you notice--all 3 of the contestants received in the 33% vote range. This tells me that all the phone lines are clogged and not enough votes are getting through. If the phone lines stay clogged again anyone can win this.

Katherine is now the first person west of Texas to make an American Idol finals.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Wow....Taylor vs Kat. I'd laugh if this wasn't so funny. Good luck Taylor. But unless your doing Doobie Brothers tunes...I'm not interested .

[marshal99]

If cat pulls off a performance next week like she had last night... we will have a MAJOR battle for the winner. If not, Taylor will walk away with it all.

Freakazoid Taylor to win ? He might have a unique voice but i can't see it . his spazzing on stage is entertaining - his facials during singing is like someone is giving him an anal probe, his hands and legs are all over the place and looks like having a fit , elvis he most certainly is not. He's too much of a freakshow and his vocals doesn't have enough conviction for me.
I still maintain that he's better suited to be a wedding party singer/entertainer where he can spaz all he likes and people will laugh and be entertained.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Freakazoid Taylor to win ? He might have a unique voice but i can't see it . his spazzing on stage is entertaining - his facials are like someone having a stomach ache , his hands and legs are all over the place and looks like having a fit , elvis he most certainly is not. He's too much of a freakshow and his vocals doesn't have enough conviction for me.
I still maintain that he's better suited to be a wedding party singer/entertainer where he can spaz all he likes and people will laugh.


This is funny if it wasn't so true. I just can't see Taylor on MTV selling Pop videos doing his wierd dancing , arms flailing all over ect ect. :p

[DDM]

Freakazoid Taylor to win ? He might have a unique voice but i can't see it . his spazzing on stage is entertaining - his facials during singing is like someone is giving him an anal probe, his hands and legs are all over the place and looks like having a fit , elvis he most certainly is not. He's too much of a freakshow and his vocals doesn't have enough conviction for me.
I still maintain that he's better suited to be a wedding party singer/entertainer where he can spaz all he likes and people will laugh and be entertained.

Natalie Merchant, formerly of 10,000 Maniacs, does weird dance moves on stage. Siouxsie Sioux does some strange dance moves on certain songs. Taylor Hicks is really no different.

[marshal99]

Natalie Merchant, formerly of 10,000 Maniacs, does weird dance moves on stage. Siouxsie Sioux does some strange dance moves on certain songs. Taylor Hicks is really no different.

The difference is that they didn't appear on a manufactured public show like American idol , god , i really hope Taylor don't win. I can't take Taylor and his "Soul Patrol" , ugh ! His spazzing on stage is equvalent to star wars kid. Amusing at best.

[mattbib]

After tonight I hope Taylor wins.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Considering Taylor wins....how do they market this guy to a new era of fans ? Bo Bice was marketed wrong and we saw the result. How do you market him to a MTV Crowd ?

[JohnPopa]

Considering Taylor wins....how do they market this guy to a new era of fans ? Bo Bice was marketed wrong and we saw the result. How do you market him to a MTV Crowd ?

Well, they probably don't, they go for the adult contemporary crowd and hope he gets spun alongside Phil Collins and Journey.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Well, they probably don't, they go for the adult contemporary crowd and hope he gets spun alongside Phil Collins and Journey.


Ok besides the fact that Journey and Phil Collins haven't really made a dent sales wise , hows this help AI as a pop making , album selling business ? Carrie Underwood was lucky because she had a country fanbase to pander to. Artists like Paul McCartney , Journey and Mick Jaggar don't sell the albums that AI wants.

I see big clusterf-ck ahead If Taylor wins.

[titanfan]

Ok besides the fact that Journey and Phil Collins haven't really made a dent sales wise , hows this help AI as a pop making , album selling business ?

Clay Aiken sings mostly adult contemporary and he does fine. Ruben and Fantasia had no pop in their albums and their albums still went Platinum.

Frankly, AI always has gone out of it's way to make sure their winner has different styles so they aren't in competition with each other.

Next year, the Rocker will win!

[marshal99]

It doesn't matter who wins , both of the finalists will get record deals , i can see Kat beating Taylor album sales by a mile though.
In a studio , all her flaws of oversinging live can be ironed out and refined and her best vocal qualities enhanced.

[Faded]

That's crap. Elliot is the only one that has adapted and stayed strong with any style of music they've laid out. Chris has taken every style and made it into edgy rock. Taylor has made every style sound like Joe Cocker doing a cover of that song. Elliot has actually BEEN versatile with his selections AND how he delivered them.

I totally agree, though my response is really late.

I give props to the other singers (though I don't see the appeal of Chris and think Kat has a lot of vocal issues to work out), but Elliot has really been most improved IMO.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Clay Aiken sings mostly adult contemporary and he does fine.

I thought he did generic Pop music. The kind you see Nick Lachey do to sell albums.


Ruben and Fantasia had no pop in their albums and their albums still went Platinum.

Ruben's album actually went platinum ? Wow....that is a shock. I thought he dissapeared to eat more. And I never really saw Fantasia anywhere even when she won. What kinda music did she sing ?

Frankly, AI always has gone out of it's way to make sure their winner has different styles so they aren't in competition with each other.

Next year, the Rocker will win!

Yeah I can see them wanting to exploit newer styles. But besides Underwood , Kelly Clarkson and Aiken , they really haven't really expanded the horizens. Underwood does country and Aiken & Clarkson do generic pop stuff.

[JohnPopa]

Clay Aiken sings mostly adult contemporary and he does fine. Ruben and Fantasia had no pop in their albums and their albums still went Platinum.

Frankly, AI always has gone out of it's way to make sure their winner has different styles so they aren't in competition with each other.

Next year, the Rocker will win!

Exactly. Taylor's best bet is that bland A/C pop, what else is he going to do? That stuff sells fine.

All those acts like Journey had days when they sold numbers the Idols will probably never reach (although Clarkson's getting in the vicinity with her current record,) the fact that their sales have plateaued over time hardly makes them an unattractive model to follow. And they all still sell well on the road and get as many spins on radio as they did back when their albums were released -- which is no small feat given the glut of music that comes out each year.

I imagine the AI producers would sell their souls to produce an artist with the sales and staying power of a Journey or Phil Collins, who had massive sales early in their career and who's catalogues perennially sell more and more units to new audiences.

The top touring draw in the country this summer is Bon Jovi, after all. The old dogs still have the best tricks.

[marshal99]

It's kind of silly to compare well established singers/band with a manufactured artist.

Still , Kelly Clarkson is still young and she is doing very well for herself.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I imagine the AI producers would sell their souls to produce an artist with the sales and staying power of a Journey or Phil Collins, who had massive sales early in their career and who's catalogues perennially sell more and more units to new audiences.

The top touring draw in the country this summer is Bon Jovi, after all. The old dogs still have the best tricks.

Journey's old hits sell and if they re-united with Steve Perry , can ya imagine the heat that would come from that ? Thier next album would take a good sales bounce upward . Fans love seeing a re-united band.

If they collect what the artists get on Tours then yeah....its a great stratehy. But if its album sales then...getting current " New " Journey sales won't be what AI wants.

I can see Taylor doing generic pop stuff that will sell to the crowd AI wants if he wins.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

It's kind of silly to compare well established singers/band with a manufactured artist.

Still , Kelly Clarkson is still young and she is doing very well for herself.

She's the barometer to which every AI winner will be judged from here to Eternity . Or the show gets cancelled for declining ratings. ;)

[JohnPopa]

I thought he did generic Pop music. The kind you see Nick Lachey do to sell albums.




Ruben's album actually went platinum ? Wow....that is a shock. I thought he dissapeared to eat more. And I never really saw Fantasia anywhere even when she won. What kinda music did she sing ?



Yeah I can see them wanting to exploit newer styles. But besides Underwood , Kelly Clarkson and Aiken , they really haven't really expanded the horizens. Underwood does country and Aiken & Clarkson do generic pop stuff.

Idol wants to create artists that sell records. That's it. The fact that they're smart enough to see what niche their winners will sell to is what makes them successful. Fantasia did an R & B record, it's not my style of music but I know some people who love it. Yes, Reuben's album went platinum, it just didn't generate any big hit singles and he hasn't followed up with much.

Nick Lachey does adult contemporary, what I call 'office pop.' He, along with Aiken and Clarkson (although she has a bit more youth cred), are played on the stations that are played in offices and workplaces, with predominantly female listeners. This is also where less edgy rock goes when it and its audience get older.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Idol wants to create artists that sell records. That's it. The fact that they're smart enough to see what niche their winners will sell to is what makes them successful. Fantasia did an R & B record, it's not my style of music but I know some people who love it. Yes, Reuben's album went platinum, it just didn't generate any big hit singles and he hasn't followed up with much.

They seemed to know the niche but they can fail. Ruban's album didn't have the hit singles AI wants and he hasn't followed up as you wrote. They must have known they had to make Fantasia's album work for her since she won the damn thing lol.

Bo Bice was marketed wrong , and instead of having him get backed by a big rockin band , he was pushed towards the pop crowd. Bad mistake there.

Nick Lachey does adult contemporary, what I call 'office pop.' He, along with Aiken and Clarkson (although she has a bit more youth cred), are played on the stations that are played in offices and workplaces, with predominantly female listeners. This is also where less edgy rock goes when it and its audience get older.

I've seen Lachey and Clarkson's videos on MTV and VH1. I haven't seen Aiken in years as he's dissapeared for awhile. Lachey even did a MTV " Making the Video " deal a few weeks back I saw.

I do think Lachey and Clarkson can drift back and forth from Adult Comtemporary to Generic pop for the MTV crowd and thats what helped them sales wise. ( It shocked me Nick's debut solo CD premiered #2 on the Billboard chart behind RHCP's ne album!)

[JohnPopa]

Bo's record's gone gold already though -- not mega platinum but it's not totally in the tank either. Trying to put him over as a legit rock act would be tough too. That crowd's a harder sell and more resistant to what they'd see as a processed thing.

There was an article a year or so back -- before Kelly's album really took off -- about how Idols weren't getting spins for their singles but their albums were still selling really well. But those one or two hits will give a record a longer shelf life.

If there was a foolproof way to do this, there'd be a lot fewer duds out there, I imagine.

[titanfan]

Ruben's second album sold around 500k (Gold). For a purely gospel album, it sold well. It looks like that's going to be his niche. He won't be be a big star like Kelly or maybe even Carrie, but he'll make a decent living doing what he does. Plus Pop Music has the shortest longevity in terms of artists.

Carrie Underwood's debut album actually outsold Kelly's debut album. (Kelly's first CD was not very good though)

[The Punished]

Ms. Independent was awesome.

Carrie played it safe going the country route.

Ruben has a strong gospel following & a very healthy appetite

Bo is living in Nashville last I heard doing his recording & touring from there as a base of operations.

[JohnPopa]

Most everything's coming out of Nashville nowadays.

[marshal99]

Carrie Underwood's debut album actually outsold Kelly's debut album. (Kelly's first CD was not very good though)

Then Kelly fired Simon Fuller as her manager and her following albums soared since then. :D
One thing you have to say about Kelly is that she knows what she wants and she's bold enough to step out from the shadow of AI to pursue her own choices.

[KenK]

I haven't seen Aiken in years as he's dissapeared for awhile.

I think that's more his choice than anything. I think he'll stick to live performing and make his money there, rather than push albums.

One thing you have to say about Kelly is that she knows what she wants and she's bold enough to step out from the shadow of AI to pursue her own choices.

Yeah, she seems like the one to really stick around for a while. How many singles have come off her second album? Must have been about four, last I counted. She's definitely made it past the point where people see her just as an American Idol winner.

[dougputhoff]

Did Taylor Hicks play the albino in the "Da Vinci Code" movie?

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Bo's record's gone gold already though -- not mega platinum but it's not totally in the tank either. Trying to put him over as a legit rock act would be tough too. That crowd's a harder sell and more resistant to what they'd see as a processed thing.

.


I think Bo has the pedigree to sell himself as a rocker. He did get arrested for drugs a few years back. He could really sell that pissed off southern man act and he too should fire Simon as well.

I could see him as a country outlaw type. His next album has to have more of what made him .

[blackdragon6]

ruben needs better writers i expected more from him.but j records seem to keep him tied down to standard R&B but thats not ruben's fault.

[marshal99]

That fat guy can't sing on stage too long without passing out from sweat , i can't see him being too bothered about his musical career since he sure can't promote a lot of it as it will probably be too much work and too strenous. He'll sing whatever they write for him.

In fact , Ruben should join that reality show "The biggest loser" to lose some weight.

[The Punished]

Big props to Taylor Hicks. Another Birmingham AL dude doing it awright!

[The Punished]

I see everybody's point about not wanting to make Simon money for nothing. He has made the finalists sign longterm contracts with him. Look at who has made history since finishing a season.

Kelly who dumped the bum.







I don't blame Ruben for not wanting to rush & make Simon more money.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I see everybody's point about not wanting to make Simon money for nothing. He has made the finalists sign longterm contracts with him. Look at who has made history since finishing a season.

Kelly who dumped the bum.







I don't blame Ruben for not wanting to rush & make Simon more money.


I've heard Simon has a control thing where he wants his vision on what the AI people do. That he sees them in what he feels is right. Clarkson its said wanted a more rockish approach and dumped Simon who wanted an album like she had done earlier.

Maybe this is part of the reason Clay Aiken , Bo Bice , Fantasia and Rueben aren't running back into the studio. They want the control Kelly Clarkson had & won.

[marshal99]

Not everyone is like Kelly , it could easily gone wrong but she hooked up with the right person and she has the vision and determination to go through with it , can you say the same about the rest ?
There are some who are gifted and can make the hard choices for their own career to go further , there are some who are perfectly happy to be the manufactured superstar that they are.

[Deathstroke]

Congratulations America, you've made it that much easier for drunk businessmen in karaoke bars to think they have a shot of being famous.

[Phil Clark]

Taylor was the better performer. His style harks back to Joe Cocker and (dare I say it) Elvis. And he can sing. The better performer won. Get over it and stop regurgitating Simon Cowel-isms.

Soul Patrol, Soul Patrol! WOOOOOO!!!!

[KenK]

I'm happy for the man! Unlike the other Idol winners, I actually saw Taylor's initial audition to see if he'd go to Hollywood, and I've been somewhat pulling for him ever since. Like Clay Aiken, I thought he was gonna be another gawky-lookin' dude who would make an ass of himself(well, that would come later for Taylor), but I was happy to be proven wrong. He's a cool cat.

[JDogindy]

My favoirte scene in the finale was Rhonetta winning the award. Something IS wrong with that woman!

[marshal99]

Taylor was the better performer. His style harks back to Joe Cocker and (dare I say it) Elvis. And he can sing. The better performer won. Get over it and stop regurgitating Simon Cowel-isms.

Soul Patrol, Soul Patrol! WOOOOOO!!!!

Whether he is the better singer is certainly debatable , he got the larger fanbase and he won , so congrats to him but i'll wager that Kat is the more marketable artist and she will sell more than him.
I don't deny that he has a unique voice but whether they will give him the right songs to sing is another matter.

[Phil Clark]

You are absolutely right about the better singer angle. Both are good, both could have won. Taylor pulled ahead simply because he was the better performer. He is entertaining to watch, not just nice to listen to. Kat will probably do better with record sales, but Taylor will play to bigger crowds and probably have more staying power.

[Ontir]

Congratulations America, you've made it that much easier for drunk businessmen in karaoke bars to think they have a shot of being famous.

Stroke, you rock!

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Taylor was the better performer. His style harks back to Joe Cocker and (dare I say it) Elvis. And he can sing. The better performer won. Get over it and stop regurgitating Simon Cowel-isms.


Don't spit on Elvis Presley and compare him to Taylor. I like Taylor and he does have a lot of natural talent ( can play a great harmonica) but he is nothing like Elvis. Unless Elvis got drunk in a bar and did bad moves .

I think Taylor is a Micheal McDonald type . Thats his niche.

[blackdragon6]

I don't deny that he has a unique voice but whether they will give him the right songs to sing is another matter.
wich is the problem ruben and fantasia suffered from.they marketed them as typical R&B artists and not making them sound unique (especialy fantasia)

[Deathstroke]

Taylor was the better performer. His style harks back to Joe Cocker and (dare I say it) Elvis. And he can sing. The better performer won. Get over it and stop regurgitating Simon Cowel-isms.

Soul Patrol, Soul Patrol! WOOOOOO!!!!


Actually, I came up with that one before I ever heard Simon Cowell say something similar. Keep in mind I've only watched the Queen night.

I heard one guy on TV today mention that Hicks sounds like Joe Cocker. He also remarked that if people wanted to by albums that sounded like Joe Cocker, they'd actually by Joe Cocker albums.

[Nikita]

I'm glad Taylor won. He rocks. Katherine choked big time.

[marshal99]

wich is the problem ruben and fantasia suffered from.they marketed them as typical R&B artists and not making them sound unique (especialy fantasia)

Sorry , i can't stand Fantasia with her donald duck voice and her "yeh yeh yeh" at the end of every song , doesn't matter how they marketed her , i still can't stand her.