American Idol Final 11

Thursday, March 31, 2011

American Idol Final 11

 Like most American Idol fan's I get frustrated with the show and swear not to watch again, but like most fans I always come back. This year was no exception as I felt it wouldn't be worth watching since Simon left. I did without Paula though she did bring some amusement to the show wondering if she was going to be drugged out with slurred speech and unusual behavior. The end of last season we had Ryan who wasn't quite acting himself but not Simon. How could the show ever survive.

When I tuned in the first show of the season to see Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez I was in awe. Not growing up an Aerosmith fan but hearing their music I really had no feelings about Steven Tyler at all and J Lo's music wasn't something I could pick out just by listening but they won me over.

Steven is honest and sweet with the contestants. You can tell he doesn't want to hurt their feelings but does offer some good, constructive criticism when needed. He's got a sense of humor and can laugh at himself. J Lo has earned a new respect from me. She's a beautiful woman but very smart in what she says and will stand up for the contestant if she believes in them. Even Randy is different this year. I feel he's not trying to compete with Simon and isn't as critical or doesn't come up with the cutting remarks that were becoming his staple the last 2 seasons. I'm glad they're back to 3 judges and never understood why they felt the need for 4.

Now the contestants this year are outstanding. Is it because we had better judges picking them? We didn't have Simon throwing his hissy fits when someone got through that he didn't like and you have to admit a lot of what Simon didn't like wasn't always based on musical talent but on appearances. He's said he didn't think overweight or fat people couldn't become the American Idol. He's let his dislike for country and gospel (religious) music be known and he would just be out and out rude to some people.

Now that we're down to the final 11 and 2 are going home this week I sure hope one of them is Paul.  I'm sorry but I just don't know why the guy makes it through each week without at least being in the bottom 3, he sings like he's on helium. I'm getting a bit tired of Jacob. The guys got a great voice but he gets to theatrical in his performance and looks like he's going to cry at the end of each song.  I don't know if he'll be able to make it through a 2 hour concert on his own. He also needs to unbutton his blazer because it's pulling too much in the waist and riding up on him. Either that or get a new tailor. I'm agreeing with the judges that we need to hear more than ballads from Pia and Thia. I felt that Pia pretty much told the judges or Randy in particular "up yours" last night when she said she knew he told her to do something other than a ballad but she was doing one anyway. I'm glad they gave Casey their only save and he didn't disappoint last night, he was great. I have mixed emotions about Haley. She's a good singer but maybe I'm not liking her choice of songs too much. Naima is a unique individual with a great voice but there's just something I'm not too sure about.  I like Stefano but don't think he's strong enough to make it through to the end. Lauren is my favorite female contestant.  At first she reminded me a bit of Kelli Pickler with the doe eyed naivety which I thought was an act but then realized that's the real her.   Scotty and James are my favorites of the entire group. Scotty has a great voice and even though I feel he'll be in the final 2 if he got voted off tonight (not going to happen) he'll have a record contract come sunrise tomorrow. That's how good he is. I just love how he can take any genre they've been given so far and knock it out of the park. James just has fun and it shows in his performance. Last night with the fire coming out of the piano was excellent.  I'm hoping for a Scotty/James finale but would be happy with Scotty/Lauren.

Have you noticed since Simon's been gone we haven't heard "bad karaoke" or "you can hear that in any lounge in vegas" once this year.

I really think this is the most excited I've been any season of American Idol so far.

Photo Credit:  AmericanIdol.com