35 replies to this topic

[Kromm]

A whopping $18m dollars in her pocket, she's the first confirmed new judge after the mass exodus.

She's a better choice than Britney Spears, I guess. Although its interesting that BOTH XF and Idol will now have panelists (XF two of them) who have gone through total meltdowns at some point in their careers (kinda makes us curious who will break down first in the pressure cooker of a reality show).

Mariah has a five octave vocal range, and some actual good technical knowledge, so she hopefully can impart something useful. Then again, as we know, all she'll have is around a 20 second block per contestant during judging. Hard to say anything substantial, especially using terminology America won't know--because on the non-live shows that'll just get edited right out.

[Kitty Bac]

It's time that we subjected Mariah to all the Mariah-Wannabees. Most of whom weren't even born when her star was rising.

[Kromm]

Wow. Consider this Home Shopping Network footage Mariah's virtual "audition tape" in a way:

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=Am7fOLdZL2s

I think we're going to get some Paula-level crazy out of this woman. This might turn out to be worth every cent of that $18m.

[emeybee]

I used to work for Mariah-- she can be a bit of a nut (goofy more than crazy) but she should be a good judge. She's calmed down a lot since she's been with Nick Cannon. Most importantly, she's practically unmatched vocally and learned from her mom who is a classically trained opera singer. So we finally have someone with a little credibility to their critiques.

[sandrajane]

It's going to be interesting to see how she deals with the camera's. She is still demanding to be shot from one side of her face (even on the red carpet). And for years now, she always has two or three people helping her walk or sit.

[StillTheSame]

sandrajane -

It's going to be interesting to see how she deals with the camera's. She is still demanding to be shot from one side of her face (even on the red carpet). And for years now, she always has two or three people helping her walk or sit.

Just curious, why does she need help walking and sitting? How will she handle the walking down the steps in the beginning of the show?

[sandrajane]

Just curious, why does she need help walking and sitting? How will she handle the walking down the steps in the beginning of the show?

She doesn't need it. But for some reason, she seems to require some lackey to hold her arms walking two steps down the street. In the past few years, she's been having either her husband or bodyguards escort her onstage during award shows or even interviews. It's stupid.

[getawayjordan]

I wonder: will Randy still name drop Mariah even if she's sitting right next to him on the judge's panel? Just sayin'.

[MsGram]

I really cannot see Randy returning as a judge. Idol wants to make new changes and there have been many complaints about his judging. Maybe he'll be a mentor instead?

[nicole8705]

I may tune in to this show for the first time ever just to see the subtle shade Mariah is known for throwing in action.

[rollerblade]

She was fabulous as a mentor-of-the-week back in David Cook's season. Hopes she brings the same stuff as a judge, and not having to conform to some type-cast judging as producers/media wishes.

[joyfulbunny]

mariah is such an inspiration, she has succeed alot and taht is enough for an idol judge. she is the reason why i watched american idol.

[OakGoblinfly]

So far Mariah has been over-shadowed by loud mouth Nikki. I hope as Mariah becomes more comfortable in her role as judge she will speak up more.

I do like the sense of warmth and affections she appears to have for the contestants and I love how her face lights up when she hears something that she real likes (she has the prettiest smile).

I simply adore hearing her sing little snippets of songs during the breaks …… while she might not be everyone’s cuppa, there is no denying that Ms. Carey has a stunning voice.

[SnarkyTart]

So far Mariah has been over-shadowed by loud mouth Nikki.

Absolutely agree with you. We've gotten to hear very little from Mariah yet, or anyone else not named Nicki Minaj for that matter. From the little bits we've been shown of Mariah, my only concern at this point is whether, like XTina on The Voice, she's going to favor shouty belters with tons of overdone melisma and tons of predictable shrieking at the the upper limits of their vocal range. I hope not, but I've got my eye out for it.

I really like her husband Nick Cannon's TV persona. He comes across as warm, engaged, likable, and very very funny. If some degree of all that is true in real life, then I'd guess that Mariah at least appreciates someone with a sense of humor. I hope she has one too.

[Suck it Trebek]

Sometimes, when she's fake smiling at some of these contestants, she looks like she's taking a dump.
That is all...

[Asari]

She's vapid and "confused" all of the time. She's even more useless than Randy.

[Kromm]

She's vapid and "confused" all of the time. She's even more useless than Randy.

As a judge? Sure. As a human being, at least plays the role of "inspiring" a lot of these contestants, which is a valid, if inactive, way to be useful to someone.

Randy, on the other hand, is useless in both departments.

[Ohwell]

Mariah needs to put a verbal, off-camera smackdown on Nicki because right now, Nicki thinks she's got the upper hand. It's too bad because I think the trio of Mariah, Keith and Randy is a good one--no need for Nicki.

[OakGoblinfly]

It seems like Mariah has checked out and has decided not to engage Nicki; smart move on her part. I couldn’t believe it when Nicki rudely interrupted Mariah’s critique of the constant who sang the Whitney Houston song to state her “disgust”. I think Mariah doesn’t want to waste any more time or energy fighting with Nicki so she doesn’t (again smart move).

It’s a shame, because I think she’s a lovely person. Yes, she’s certainly a diva; however I do think she’s earned the right to diva status. Still, when I’ve seen her on talk shows and when she’s on Home Shopping she comes across as a bit shy, warm, and a little goofy (in a fun way). I’m sad that we haven’t seen any of that personality shine through yet.

[getawayjordan]

Mimi doesn't even seem to be trying. She's worse than Stephen Tyler in that respect. 18million bucks. Nice work of you can get it, I guess.

Edited by getawayjordan, Feb 28, 2013 @ 7:31 PM.

[toddthomas]

Her "why me?" about eliminating someone from the show last night was met with a lot of rolled eyes and "$18 million bucks" answers in our house.

I'd cut my mother for $18 million. With a knife.

[getawayjordan]

Her "why me?" about eliminating someone from the show last night was met with a lot of rolled eyes and "$18 million bucks" answers

I'm sure TPTB were rolling their eyes too - and maybe cussing under their breath as well. Mimi is not cut out for this kind of work. She is too busy trying to be loved.

[BitterApple]

Mariah has disappointed me this season because out of all the judges she is the one who could provide the most valuable feedback for the contestants. Like her or not, she is undeniably a phenomenal talent. I'm tired of hearing her generic catchphrases. Why not give the contestants specifics about what was good, what was bad and what they should do going forward? The fact that she doesn't do this tells me she's just mailing it in and collecting a check.

[getawayjordan]

Mariah has disappointed me this season because out of all the judges she is the one who could provide the most valuable feedback for the contestants. Like her or not, she is undeniably a phenomenal talent. I'm tired of hearing her generic catchphrases. Why not give the contestants specifics about what was good, what was bad and what they should do going forward?

Singing and giving oral critiques in real-time are two different skill sets that don't always exist in the same person. It seems like Mimi doesn't have what it takes to evaluate talent or doesn't care enough to try.

Edited by getawayjordan, Mar 1, 2013 @ 3:45 PM.

[OakGoblinfly]

Singing and giving oral critiques in real-time are two different skill sets that don't always exist in the same person. It seems like Mimi doesn't have what it takes to evaluate talent or doesn't care enough to try.

I respectfully disagree. While Keith makes general observations regarding performance, song choice, and musicianship; and Nicki talks about a variety of things (some of them relevant, most of them not); and Randy is Randy; Mariah is the only one on the judges' panel who gives technical critiques, mentioning range, tone, key, and how the contestant did (or did not) modulate their voice within the song. Where we see Mariah falter is when she has to state a negative critique, I think we see her struggling to form her words carefully as as to help the contestant while not shredding the contestant to bits (which sees to be Nicki's M.O.).

[Kromm]

I respectfully disagree. While Keith makes general observations regarding performance, song choice, and musicianship; and Nicki talks about a variety of things (some of them relevant, most of them not); and Randy is Randy; Mariah is the only one on the judges' panel who gives technical critiques, mentioning range, tone, key, and how the contestant did (or did not) modulate their voice within the song. Where we see Mariah falter is when she has to state a negative critique, I think we see her struggling to form her words carefully as as to help the contestant while not shredding the contestant to bits (which sees to be Nicki's M.O.).

This is mostly true (at least the parts about Nicki, useless Randy, and how stealth-relevant Mariah actually is). But Keith actually does mix in some small amount of practical advice, just not as much as Mariah. He's mentioned what key someone is singing in, given more relevant critiques of people being off-pitch than Randy and his douchey generic "yo, pitchy dude!" and most importantly, he does appear to know the musicianship behind most songs, unlike Nicki (Randy does too, but Randy is such a douchebag, and so arbitrary that knowledge rarely makes a positive difference to his critiques).

But back to Mariah, since this is her topic. I said it over in the thread for Nicki, since I was doing a compare/contrast between the two at the time. Mariah is a let down in some aspects of the season, but not in terms of whether or not she's giving actual technical (therefore useful) critiques. The time constraints and the way the momentum of the judging (towards gladhanding or grandstanding) doesn't allow her to always do it, but she'd definitely put that technical commentary in, on at least dozen occasions I noticed, through the aired auditions, Hollywood and Vegas rounds.

This is actually a bit of a takeback from my comment upthread five weeks or so ago, I know. I was disagreeing with someone who implied she was useless and at that point only cited her ability to inspire the contestants. But in the weeks since then I really did start to take notice of what she's actually been saying. There's still a major letdown in terms of how listless and passive she is, but at the same time what she's saying IS useful. She's not being a Paula (irrelevant), or a J. Lo (lots of energy, but set dressing). She's actually saying stuff that matters somewhat, but its not TV friendly, and its weighed down under Hurricane Nicki, which isn't allowing anyone to notice.

[denimsky]

I am enjoying Mariah Carey as a judge on American Idol. I enjoy hearing her speak at the end. She has a nice speaking voice. She's always beautiful and elegant looking. I know- all that low-cut stuff...but still the last couple of nights she's covered up more and looked really classy. She emits an air of class to me always anyway. I don't expect any great words of wisdom from her or any of the judges. And I really haven't heard superior critiques from any of them. But I like to hear what she has to say. I love that singers are inspired by her; and they should be.

I guess I just really respect her as a singer because of her voice. Mariah Carey is on my list of favorite female singers over my lifetime. I loved her early albums the most. I thought there should be a performance video of her great voice here- so here is one of my favorite songs from the past when Mariah's voice was in its prime.

1992 "If It's Over"
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=9q3Rg0xKmpM

[OakGoblinfly]

What I like about Mariah as a judge is that you know exactly what she's thinking just by looking at her face. I also respect the fact, that while she may not like a particular performance or singing style, she is kind and generous to all the contestants. Sometimes I wish they'd let her speak first so she doesn't have to struggle to find something that the other judges have not already said.

[Kromm]

I know- all that low-cut stuff...but still the last couple of nights she's covered up more and looked really classy.

Heh. A bit less so on the Top 10 reveal show. She was all Boobs-A-Poppin on that one.

[getawayjordan]

What I like about Mariah as a judge is that you know exactly what she's thinking just by looking at her face. I also respect the fact, that while she may not like a particular performance or singing style, she is kind and generous to all the contestants. Sometimes I wish they'd let her speak first so she doesn't have to struggle to find something that the other judges have not already said.

I mentioned upthread that I didn't care for Mimi's judging style myself, early on. However, she has improved somewhat and seems to be making an honest effort to give useful critiques without browbeating the contestants. To your point, OakGoblinfly, I also wish they would mix up the speaking order of the judges and give everyone an opportunity to have the last word, especially since they don't have a designated Simon-like closer on the panel. Mimi (while gracious and thoughtful to the contestants), shouldn't always be the closer unless she is able to deliver tough commentary (in a respectful manner) when needed.