60 replies to this topic

[TWoP Tennison]

I'll let forum posters start all the episode threads after this one. I just wanted to get the ball rolling and post a quick reminder to keep the discussion on topic. In-depth talk about past seasons or performers should go in other threads. As usual, we won't start official performer threads until the final 12.

[Chrissytd]

My fave of the night was the girl who was last, her name escapes me. I think the blueberry girl sang Super Bass better than Nicki.

Anyone else find Nicki's hair distracting during the 2nd half of the show?

[orangeslice]

I don't think more than three judges was needed for this season. There was some really good talent that came through. Randy really thinks he's running this thing now, so good for him. Having Nikki on the show makes me not want to watch it. I don't really care about having drama on the show with the judges, just here to see the talent, but this chick had a attitude from jump(and since she basically confirmed on Ellen that she acted like a psycho on purpose because she thought that Mariah didn't like her)and it shows through in such a bad way. I want less drama and more of the first season idol back

Edited by orangeslice, Jan 16, 2013 @ 10:11 PM.

[rustyspigot]

Is this American Idol or a "reading" lesson from RuPaul's Drag Race? The lady judges had their reading glasses on.

I liked it. I was so sick of the love fest and the constant agreements of last season.

The contestants? So many. Israeli lady stood out for me with her Amy Winehouse ways.

Lots of Mariah devotees. The one that wants to bring that back? I'm surprised Mariah didn't say "Its still here, 'dahling'.

Also, drink whenever someone says "Darling". Two if in a British accent.

Did I see a screen shot of awful Josie from Top Chef in the new Idol "Grab someone from obscurity" youtube video gimmick they have going? I don't need that crossover."

Oh, and Mariah will "rebuke" you for calling her a bitch. HA!

OH! And the Mean Girl segment. Pure shade. "Do you know who said that, Nikki? Do you know her name?" Mariah's thoughts: (The Queen Bee, that's who)

Edited by rustyspigot, Jan 16, 2013 @ 10:29 PM.

[kems28]

I was very pleasantly surprised by the judges. Despite my annoyance towards Mariah and Nicki's cat fighting, I actually was really impressed by who they decided to send through. That guy with the amputated leg was not ready, and I feel like past years would have sent him through based on his story alone. I'm a bit wary though, because I remember really liking Steven and J.Lo's judging at first too. Hopefully these judges will stay strong and not let the Idol machine get to them!

[jvermeer5]

I'll go out on a limb here and say that this may be my favorite judges' panel. I like how Randy is in the elder statesman role. Mariah has a really nice smile. Keith is very likeable and knowledgeable. Nicki brings the comic relief. No singers were standouts for me yet. I'm picky.

[contessakitty]

The two hours actually flew by for me tonight. I decided to watch at the last minute and I really enjoyed it. I liked how kind they were to the bad singers but put through the right people. Hopefully it's a good omen.

[awaken]

I liked tonight all right. Not thrilled, still checked email during the show but I'll be tuning in to see how the season shapes up. No one really stood out for me yet or had me laughing hysterically. Liked the blueberry farm girl, and turbinator, but not blown away.

I felt like I didn't even notice Keith Urban, he was not memorable at all although not annoying! While I liked both Nicki and Mariah, it seemed redundant to have two divas. Nicki stole the show I thought- it was almost like she was in charge. I'm probably in the minority, but I like Randy Jackson :) He toned down the "dawgs" and was pretty understated tonight I thought!

[tuco6]

I've never been a fan of Nicki Minaj, but I rather liked her here. She was very good with the contestants, and I liked what she said about not having to choose. Hopefully she'll keep to that in the live rounds!

[Petunia]

Wow, Mariah looks so pretty when you can look at her face instead of all boobs.

[kelbel]

Nicki surprised me as a judge. I thought she was pretty good. She articulated her critiques well and seemed thoughtful in her decisions. I kind of felt like she dominated most of the decisions on panel. Like that girl who sung Superbass. I felt like Randy and Keith were leaning towards no until Nicki started fighting for her to go through.

Choosing no sides on the Nicki/Mariah catfight. Although, the faces Nicki kept making at Mariah throughout the night were funny.

I totally thought the guy with one leg was gonna get sent through. Last season, with JLo and Steven, he would have for sure. They wouldn't have been able to resist that sob story.

Angela Miller, the hearing loss girl, was really good. I thought she was the best audition of the night actually. She seems likeable. If there's even a smidgen of a chance that a girl can win this season, right now I'm hoping she's one of them.

Edited by kelbel, Jan 17, 2013 @ 4:02 AM.

[LingLing26]

My two cents.....I thought that Teena (first audition?) was lovely, but a mediocre singer, at best. Also, I felt that the kid who survived bone cancer was amazing, and was shocked that he did not move forward.
In addition, I (unexpectedly) truly enjoyed Nicki as a judge.

Edited by LingLing26, Jan 16, 2013 @ 11:13 PM.

[Madpoot]

Nicki reminds me of every girl I've ever disliked. Who wants to re-live Mean Girls every week? She needs to go. She was so full of herself, disrespectful and bitchy. Truly a train-wreck. Mariah might be okay if Nicki wasn't there. I had to fast forward through all of the judging.

I feel sorry for the guys. Can you imagine Nicole Kidman coming to visit Keith on the set & have to hang with those women? Ugh.

As far as the singers--I really liked the girl with the hearing loss, the guy who sings on the subway and the skinny guy with the mustache (hope he gets rid of that thing). Oh & the girl with the foster siblings was good too.

[MarkHB]

I've never cared for the 4-judge format on Idol (it works better on The Voice and TXF, where the judges are supposed to have a stake in the contestants); it takes too much time away from the singers. Biggest surprise for me was that Nikki was in the "I hate to say anything mean to the auditioners" place that Steven was in; I expected that from Mariah, but I thought Nikki would bring more of an edge. I think that the only reason they went with 4 judges this year is so that the two ladies would fight, because otherwise these judges' comments would be permanently stuck on "boring". (At least for the last two years, there was always a chance that Steven would go completely off the rails.)

Someone mentioned liking ST and JLo at the beginning; I liked JLo in her first season, because she seemed like the first judge who actually gave the contestants useful advice and things they could work on. That completely went away for some reason in S11, though, and instead she spent all her time pimping Deandre and Joshua.

I can see how the guy with bone cancer wouldn't make it through; I thought he had way too many breaks in his first song. Some of these singers were so overboard with the runs and tricks (probably trying to impress Mariah IMHO); I was hoping that someone would tell them "less is more" but no such luck.

One more note: I did like the Phillip segment they opened with, complete with a shot of the Fierce Five (NBC using that song is what really launched it IMHO). Considering he was too overcome to sing "Home" on the finale last May, it was fitting that this year should open with him performing it.

[azure4]

Nicki reminds me of every girl I've ever disliked. Who wants to re-live Mean Girls every week? She needs to go. She was so full of herself, disrespectful and bitchy.

This. Her shit-stirring jabs at Mariah got old. Also her wild wigs are distracting. I could only take a few minutes of the show here and there.

[corvus13]

I'm prejudiced against the Israeli girl because she's had her shot.

How come Randy asked the guy in the Halloween costume if that was his own hair, but he didn't ask Nicki if that was her own hair?

I didn't like the country girl from New Jersey when she sang the country song, but I liked her Nicki song better. It's the judges' problem if they don't know who she is, it's not her problem. She should sing what works for her.

I liked the Turbanator, but I don't think he'll go far, unknowledgeable prejudice will do him in.

The last girl was the best, but nobody really blew me away.

At the end in the melange of those who got yellow tickets, wasn't the girl with the red hat told no before?

And why were they switching chairs?

Edited by corvus13, Jan 17, 2013 @ 1:01 AM.

[angelita100]

I didn't think Nicki was a mean girl but they do need to drop the shtick. They don't need it.

I only liked two sings tonight. I do like the judging panel.

And yay for Phillip Phillps. I'm happy for his success.

[whee whee piggy]

I liked the Turbanator, but I don't think he'll go far, unknowledgeable prejudice will do him in.

The guy that looks like Osama Bin Laden. Don't remember his name.

A Sikh temple in Michigan was shot up for just such insanity.

After all histrionics, and riffing and up and down the scale, I found him refreshing. Most of the songs I didn't recognize, as the 'singers' noodled through, up and down, up and down the scales. And with Mariah on the panel, it's not like that's gonna get criticized! The only one who seemed to earn it was Subway Singer and his about to have breakdown manner.

Nicki needs her eyes checked. Lost His Leg was super cute and his voice was okay. Just as good as PeePee. That's what passes for 'star quality' on American Idol.

[Lizard Queen]

The insufferable Nicki Minaj may finally cure me of my shameful addiction to this stupid show. Thanks, Nicki!

[Cherry Wire]

I must be hearing things. I would have put through the one-legged guy and not put through Israeli Girl and the Turbanator. In fact, when they said the Turbanator's voice was "light", I thought they meant he was a lightweight.

[backformore]

I must be hearing things. I would have put through the one-legged guy and not put through Israeli Girl and the Turbanator. In fact, when they said the Turbanator's voice was "light", I thought they meant he was a lightweight.

Yeah, Cherry Wire , you ARE hearing things. You are hearing the same things i am.

[Dragoonster]

Ugh, Nicki Minaj.

What happened with that "win an audition" contestant (and btw, what? Aren't auditions open to everyone?) and her guitar? She said "sorry" several times but I thought she sang well. Was she hitting wrong guitar notes? I had no idea.

Agreed though with an above poster that both she and the leg amputee guy would've gone through in prior seasons due to story/personality reasons. But I think they both have a lot of potential and should reaudition in future seasons.

[Submarine]

(and btw, what? Aren't auditions open to everyone?)

Not an audition in front of the "celebrity" judges. The contestants you see on the show are NOT first round audition contestants. The producers screen contestants to see who's good for TV first and then they send a very select group of really bad and good contestants to the celebrity judges we see on TV. Where do you think American Idol gets all the contestant background footage (esp. for reject contestants)?

Edited by Submarine, Jan 17, 2013 @ 3:47 AM.

[kelbel]

What happened with that "win an audition" contestant (and btw, what? Aren't auditions open to everyone?) and her guitar? She said "sorry" several times but I thought she sang well. Was she hitting wrong guitar notes? I had no idea.

Yeah. She hit a wrong note on the guitar. I thought she sounded fine too. When the judges asked her what type of artist she was and she said "I don't want to label myself" I had a feeling she wasn't gonna go through. They made such a big deal for her to come out and audition just for them to say no.

[flodence]

If the win an audition girl had walked in saying she was a country girl and sang an appropriate song she would have gotten through.

I don't get the Israeli girl love at all, can't believe they sent her through.

Loving Nicki, and I hope Keith fires up soon, he was great on the Voice in Australia.

[Dragoonster]

Not an audition in front of the "celebrity" judges. The contestants you see on the show are NOT first round audition contestants. The producers screen contestants to see who's good for TV first and then they send a very select group of really bad and good contestants to the celebrity judges we see on TV. Where do you think American Idol gets all the contestant background footage (esp. for reject contestants)?

Thanks! I get that now.

I don't get the Israeli girl love at all, can't believe they sent her through.

Yeah, she was meh. Even if deserving of further listens, she sure wasn't deserving of such accolades and fawning from the judges. Compare her with that grade-school heavyweight who lost 50 pounds and it's not contest. <---that contestant was the most impressive today imo. And thus her accolades and fawning should've shown that much brighter.

Of course, Minaj is too busy fawning herself and needling Carey to anti-fawn to have much objectivity.

[getawayjordan]

I thought Lost A Leg was more than good enough to be put through. I was even willing to overlook the fact that he was technically just another WGWG with a physical impairment. I kinda wanted to see him tap dance tho'.

Didn't love the Turbanator. Personally, I think they need to take a harder look at his birth certificate, but he'll get swallowed alive in Hollywood - turban and all. No chaser.

Still don't care for the really bad auditions. Never did. The practice of putting bad singers through to the TV auditions is cruel and no longer funny.

The "Win An Audition" girl was actually decent, but she had no heart. She should have left the guitar and all her apologies at home and just sang the damn song.

The give and take between Mimi and Barbie is ok when done in moderation. A little goes a long way. That said, if they want to have a fight where wigs are snatched off and clothing is torn, I won't stand in their way.

The contestants you see on the show are NOT first round audition contestants. The producers screen contestants to see who's good for TV first and then they send a very select group of really bad and good contestants to the celebrity judges we see on TV.

Correct. The auditions are winnowed down long before any of them see the Big Four Judges. From what I understand, the TV judges actually see less than 200 auditions per city.

I'm not a big fan of backstories. Personally, I think you should you should earn screen time with your talent, but of course, IDOL sees things differently. That said, Foster Care Girl was very good. I hope she goes far without the foster care card being overplayed.

Angela Miller, the hearing loss girl, was really good. I thought she was the best audition of the night actually. She seems likeable. If there's even a smidgen of a chance that a girl can win this season, right now I'm hoping she's one of them.

Hearing Loss Girl was good, but she’s going to have problems with Bandzilla going forward, if she makes it that far.

Number One Hit Chick (Israeli Girl?) wasn’t all that good. She should have been disqualified for being too much of a professional IMO.

Edited by getawayjordan, Jan 17, 2013 @ 8:02 AM.

[losterizo]

Number One Hit Chick (Israeli Girl?) wasn’t all that good. She should have been disqualified for being too much of a professional IMO.

There's no such thing on Idol. If they don't have a current recording contract they qualify, full stop. If being a professional was the criteria, half the contestants over the years - Kelly, Ruben, JHud, Cook - wouldn't have qualified.

[marketdoctor]

I'm glad they're nicer to the bad auditions, and I hope they figure out that you can create suspense another way, by having more "good but are they good enough?" auditions.
That way, contestants who are usually good but had a bad audition in front of the judges, or aren't what they like (like Colbie Callait, though YMMV), could still get some exposure and move forward with their careers, or make the hometown proud, or what have you, but if you have no business singing in a competition, maybe you have no business being on my TV either.

And I like all four judges, but if one of them leaves, I hope they go back to a 3-judge format. Also, I think TPTB ARE hoping Nicole Kidman shows up at some point, but Keith Urban is famous enough and brings in country fans enough that they're satisfied either way.

[bluwater]

Poor Keith Urban was getting swallowed up by the Nikki/Mariah back and forth. From what I saw of him on The Voice Australia, he was so great. I hope he can break out from those women and get his voice heard.

That Asian kid that Nikki fawned over....complete plant, if you ask me.

I wasn't crazy about the Israeli gal either, but my mom liked her voice. Meh. Amy Winehouse, she ain't.

I liked the girl who lost the weight, mostly deaf gal and the very last girl with the foster family. Lost Leg Guy was definitely not good enough to go through and I'm glad they all felt the same.

As for the judges, I really wish they'd cut Nikki. Mariah/Keith/Randy would suit me okay even though I don't care for Randy. 4 is really 1 too many. That said, I did agree with Nikki about not putting that one country gal who sang Super Bass in a box. A lot of people these days (especially younger people) listen to lots of different styles of music, so it makes sense she'd love country but also enjoy rap/hip-hop. Why do you have to only love one type? Kelly Clarkson sings various styles and does it all well.