Coming into the vote last night (so, I suppose, in the previous week's vote), the finalists were separated by less than two percent.

Continue reading Finale!...

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(Jesse on May 26, 2010 10:28 PM) That PotG bit made me giggle like a crazywoman. So, so , sooo glad about Paula. I totally tweeted the Abe Lincoln quote because that was funny. The rest of that bit, not so much. I am so happy to see Bret looking healthy. I am not a huge Posion fan, but I remember he was on the cover of one of the first issues of "Diabetes Forecast" I ever got when I was a child, and it was a whole "it doesn't have to cripple you" sort of thing, which really, at that time, was important for me, so I have always been fond of him for that reason. AAAANNNNYWHOOZLE.... I love Janet. Joe Cocker looks terrible. It breaks my heart. Lee's acceptance speech brought a sweet end to a crappy season... and this is from a Crystal girl. That was the most genuine thing I have seen for anything, ever. Awesome.

(Pam on May 27, 2010 9:33 AM) Congrats, Suzanne! How good did Ace look? Yummy!

The past year has seen a devastating earthquake in Haiti, flooding in Rhode Island and Tennessee, an oil drilling disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, and the most boring season of American Idol in its nine-year history.

How have things come to this pass? I'm not entirely certain, but that's not going to keep me from rambling about my pet theories.

Continue reading A few words before the finale...

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(tekay on May 27, 2010 1:15 AM) astute as always.

Three rounds: contestant's choice from songs performed earlier this season; Simon Fuller's choice; and the single.

Continue reading Top 2: Performances...

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(Pam on May 25, 2010 9:12 PM) I think Crystal kicked Lee's ass tonight, but I still think Lee will win somehow. Hoping Crystal pulls it out, but much like you, who really cares? Bring on X Factor! 1. Crystal 2. Lee

(Shmuel on May 25, 2010 10:37 PM) I think a win by Crystal is marginally more likely, but on strategic grounds (and for the chance of a top 3 placement) I'm gonna go with: 1. Lee 2. Crystal A word on the two pool participants who haven't checked in here themselves seems in order. Shlomo is my younger brother. He's in high school, and (as far as I know) doesn't know this journal exists. I'd rather keep it that way, because it's a short hop from the Idol Annex to the Soapbox proper. As far as he's concerned, this is a pool I've been running with a bunch of friends on the Internet. Brieanne is a friend from elsewhere on the 'Net. She does know this place exists. Sadly, her picks have been on autopilot for the past few weeks because she hasn't been able to see the show... on account of her home and everything in it being destroyed in the Tennessee floods earlier this month. (The good news, such as it is, is that she and her family are safe.) Why the flooding hasn't been a Major News Event is rather hard to fathom. The Army Corp of Engineers claims one of this severity happens there only once in a thousand years. Roughly half the state has been declared a federal disaster area. Damages in Nashville alone are estimated at $2 billion. I know the oil thing is a bigger story, but still.

(tekay on May 26, 2010 12:03 AM) thanks for bringing up the flood. We in Memphis had a lot of damage as well...cars overwhelmed and stuff. But nothing for weeks in the national news. wow. I'm traveling to Nashville this weekend to visit friends and for a TV audition (maybe you'll be able to do a pool about me in the near future. LOL). Everyone I know was lucky lucky lucky in the flood. Crystal owned this show, but I think that was also her downfall. I think i'll get more points this way so... Lee (would be a crying shame as a winnah) Crystal

(tekay on May 26, 2010 12:11 AM) just looked at the spreadsheet -- going Crystal, Lee

(mo pie on May 26, 2010 2:11 AM) Both the oil and the flooding makes me feel so helpless... beyond donating money, I wish there was something more I could do. Anyway, this season sucks. Going to go with: 1. Lee 2. Crystal Because why not?

(Jesse on May 26, 2010 8:59 AM) I can see it going either way, but I am going to stick to my guns and go with: 1. Crystal 2. Lee

(Pam on May 26, 2010 10:12 AM) We also had flooding like that here in April. Why isn't Taylor Swift doing a concert for us? :-) My mall won't be open again for months after being underwater. This has been a crazy year, disaster-wise.

(Next year, the typical performance show is expanding to 90 minutes, and the results show is shrinking to 30. Good call, I'd say.)

Continue reading Top 3: Results...

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(mo pie on May 20, 2010 6:02 PM) I've lost my lead, damnit! Go Crystal go! You're my only hope!

Also, my internal clock once again thinks I ought to be asleep by now. This is gonna be interesting.

Continue reading Top 3: Performances...

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(Pam on May 18, 2010 10:38 PM) It's not you, no one cares anymore. :-) Lee will probably win, but at this point, I can't, so I'm sticking with the status quo. 1. Crystal 2. Lee 3. Casey

(Shmuel on May 18, 2010 10:52 PM) Honestly, I can see final outcome going either way, but I'm gonna stick with "Lee is this year's Kris." Especially given that, tactically, it's my only hope. 1. Lee 2. Crystal 3. Casey

(Suzanne Lambert on May 18, 2010 10:59 PM) Going to go with 3)Casey 2) Crystal 1) Lee

(mo pie on May 19, 2010 1:37 PM) I can see Lee taking it, but I'm still backing Crystal. I think they're going to really try to make her win. Also, yeah, this show sucks this season. 1. Crystal 2. Lee 3. Casey

(Jesse on May 19, 2010 2:09 PM) I can see it go either way, but I am sticking to my guns, I guess. 1. Crystal 2. Lee 3. Casey I think that the fact that Crystal didn't go switching the gender of "maybe I'm Amazed" gives points in her favour. I mean, AI seems to set on making everything heterocentric and umm... hello? Ellen? (also, I think I gave kara the finger when she told Casey his audience was mothers & daughters or whatever, and then again when Ellen came back afterward with "or fathers or.." (something like that)

That said, I got curious, and ran the numbers on the spreadsheet for all six of the possible outcomes left at this point. I realize that releasing the numbers might alter people's tactics... as is the case in quantum physics, observing something changes it.

Still, having worked all this out, I don't feel as if I can keep it all to myself with a clear conscience. So if you wanna see the scenarios for yourself, proceed to the rest of the entry!

Continue reading Pandora's Box: Here Comes the Math...

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(tekay on May 15, 2010 3:17 AM) is this my worst season ever? damn you lee, tim, aaron and mike!

Continue reading Top 4: Results!...

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(mo pie on May 13, 2010 12:49 AM) I'm winning?! Yay! I will savor this moment. Also savor Mike being out. Yay!

(tekay on May 13, 2010 2:02 AM) DANG, all kinds of sucky. i even plummeted in rickey.org poll with Casey being Safe. I just knew that Lee was going to be the first person called and that the bottom two (but not really) were going to be two guys (mike and casey). yeeeeesh.

(Pam on May 13, 2010 9:06 AM) Guys, how in the world is Casey James still there??

(Shmuel on May 13, 2010 9:23 AM) I blame the tween-cougar alliance.

Continue reading Top 4: Performances...

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(Pam on May 11, 2010 9:19 PM) I really can't even look at Big Mike anymore. LOVE that he was the only one who didn't get the artist shirt. But then refusing the other one? Ass. 1. Crystal 2. Lee 3. Casey 4. Mike

(tekay on May 12, 2010 1:30 AM) Comcast must DIE! No Idol taping for me tonight, for some random ass reason. GAH. Crystal Lee Mike Casey But I don't know.

(mo pie on May 12, 2010 1:55 PM) 1. Crystal 2. Lee 3. Mike 4. Casey I hope Mike goes just in principle, but I'm putting my money on Casey!

(Lisa on May 12, 2010 3:45 PM) I'm not watching any more, but I might as well play here. Let the one week off be my protest week. 1. Crystal 2. Lee 3. Casey 4. Mike

(Lisa on May 12, 2010 3:47 PM) I'm not watching any more, but I'll resume playing here. Why not. 1. Crystal 2. Lee 3. Casey 4. Mike

(Shmuel on May 12, 2010 3:47 PM) (Welcome back, Lisa!) 1. Crystal 2. Lee 3. Casey 4. Mike

(Jesse on May 12, 2010 8:22 PM) Trying to vote via phone. Haven't seen a TV or a computer in days. 1. Crystal 2. Lee 3. Casey 4. Mike

(Pam on May 12, 2010 10:35 PM) FINALLY! 4 weeks too late, but still.

Continue reading Top 5: Results...

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(Jesse on May 5, 2010 10:05 PM) I want to punch Harry square in the nose and then step on his nuts. Oh, was I thinking out loud there? *ahem* Anyway... I swear I saw nip on Gaga.

(Shmuel on May 5, 2010 10:08 PM) Ah, good, not just me. :-) (Re: Harry.)

(Jesse on May 5, 2010 11:24 PM) Nope! Not just you! :-P I probably have enough dislike for Harry for about a dozen people....

(tekay on May 6, 2010 2:15 AM) argggghhhhhhhhhh. i mean happy aaron's gone. but damn i wanted the points. I really hate that Lee's going to win. really really hate that. i

I assume that's Harry Connick, Jr., saying "This... is American Idol."

Continue reading Top 5: Performances...

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(Shmuel on May 4, 2010 9:02 PM) 1. Lee 2. Michael 3. Crystal 4. Aaron 5. Casey

(Jesse on May 4, 2010 9:07 PM) Worst. episode. ever. Excuse me, but Mr. Shu is singing and dancing. I will vote later.

(Jesse on May 4, 2010 9:13 PM) Ahem... anyway... I don't think Mike was the worst of the night, but I think he is WAY too cocky about still being there. Casey was just downright terrible. 1. Crystal 2. Lee 3. Michael 4. Aaron 5. Casey

(Pam on May 5, 2010 5:26 AM) So who is more annoying, Big Mike or his wife? Tough call. Anyway, I've gotta disagree with you about Harry, Shmuel. I love that he did all that and I kind of want to hang out with him all day. I watched this episode during a vile bout of insomnia at 4 AM, so I don't know how much sense these picks will make, but hey. 1. Crystal 2. Lee 3. Aaron 4. Big Mike 5. Casey

(tekay on May 5, 2010 11:50 AM) Crystal Mike Lee Aaron Casey I'm torn about wanting Aaron Gone gone and how much power votefortheworst has in keeping someone on.

(Suzanne Lambert on May 5, 2010 12:31 PM) In retrospect, I'm liking Crystal better than Lee, but Mike wore the Fedora of Sinatraness, putting him at No. 1: 2: Crystal 3: Lee 4: Aaron 5: Casey

(mo pie on May 5, 2010 2:25 PM) 1. Crystal 2. Lee 3. Aaron 4. Mike 5. Casey

Continue reading Top 6: Results...

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(Pam on Apr 28, 2010 10:03 PM) Boo! Although she has gone downhill the last few weeks. Thanks for wasting the save on Big Mike, jerks.

(Lisa on Apr 28, 2010 10:08 PM) "America" sucks.

(Jesse on Apr 29, 2010 2:52 AM) WTFFF? So wrong. "Gypsy" as in the Fleetwood Mac (Stevie Nicks?) song? Hmm... As for Siobahn's swan song... Aretha? I don't think there's a "You Better" on there... I could be wrong.

(Shmuel on Apr 29, 2010 2:57 AM) No, "Gypsy" as in the Shakira song. You're correct about the swan song; it's Aretha's, and is actually just named "Think." Usually I double-check such things, but I was too busy cursing at the time.

(tekay on Apr 29, 2010 3:26 PM) YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! the biggest atrocity is that crazy neutered Aaron is still in this.

(tekay on Apr 29, 2010 3:43 PM) seriously, who has aaron been @#$@# to still be on this show?

(Jesse on May 1, 2010 1:34 AM) Ohhh.... I don't think I have heard that Shakira song yet. I feel like a bad fan. Eh.

(Shmuel on May 1, 2010 1:38 AM) Eh, that's why she was on Idol, to promote it. :-) Here's the official music video (in which she's wearing considerably less than she did on Idol).

(Though, once again, I hate single-artist weeks. They shoulda had her as mentor, and kept the theme as "country.")

Continue reading Top 6: Performances...

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(LisaLou on Apr 27, 2010 10:30 PM) I dunno, I thought Aaron didn't suck as much as usual this week. But I wouldn't be sorry to see him go. Or Mike or Casey. I wish the judges wouldn't go so ga-ga over MediocreLee, cuz if they didn't I might could like him more. He just ain't all that, is the thing. Can we just cut to Crystal and Siobhan? And can we see Siobhan in the un-made-up rehearsal mode? She's way hot then. And what's with this rerun Lost with subtitles for the slow-witted? 1. Siobhan 2. Crystal 3. Lee 4. Aaron 5. Casey 6. Mike

(Shmuel on Apr 27, 2010 10:34 PM) And can we see Siobhan in the un-made-up rehearsal mode? She's way hot then. I second this request.

(Suzanne Lambert on Apr 27, 2010 11:03 PM) 6. Aaron 5. Mike 4. Lee 3. Casey 2. Crystal 1. Siobhan

(tekay on Apr 28, 2010 1:23 AM) hmmmm for shitz and giggles lee mike crystal casey siobahn aaron

(Jesse on Apr 28, 2010 1:07 PM) 1. Crystal 2. Lee 3. Siobhan 4. Casey 5. Michael 6. Aaron I am just carrying over my previous list here, because I haven't seen ANY of these, and don't have time to. *sigh* I have no idea. None. This week's rundown did not really excite me in the least. I agree about having a "Country" week, as opposed to the Shania Twain week. Also, third for the un-made-up Siobahn. All this time they've been forcing her to change, while telling other people to be themselves. It irks me to no end.

(mo pie on Apr 28, 2010 2:28 PM) 1. Crystal 2. Siobhan 3. Lee 4. Casey 5. Aaron 6. Michael

(Pam on Apr 28, 2010 4:28 PM) ARGH!!!! How DARE Big Mike sing my favorite Shania Twain song? HOW DARE HE? And not even that well? He left out all the good lyrics with his improv at the end and he was all smiling about being broken-hearted. What an ass. PLEASE go home. Although I fear he may skate through tonight, but will be quite pleased to not get a point if he goes. Last week when I heard the theme, I said to my brother, "Crystal is going to sing 'No One Needs To Know.'" It was her weakest, but I hope that doesn't hurt her. And I agree about Lee. What's the big deal about him? Anyway, here we go: 1. Crystal 2. Siobhan 3. Casey 4. Lee 5. Effing Big Mike 6. Aaron

(Shmuel on Apr 28, 2010 6:37 PM) My assumption is that Siobhan's on-stage look has little to do with anybody forcing her to look a certain way... it's how she wants to present herself. Which is a pity in this post-Tina Fey age, but then I refuse to wear glasses unless I have to myself. [wry smile] Anyway, here goes: 1. Crystal 2. Siobhan 3. Lee 4. Casey 5. Mike 6. Aaron

[Warning: I am unusually cranky in the entry that follows. You might wanna skip to the end.]

Continue reading Top 7: Idol Gives Back!...

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(Jesse on Apr 22, 2010 12:43 AM) I am kind of glad I missed the actual show... but the rundown was quite the good read. :D

(tekay on Apr 22, 2010 4:21 PM) i agree, i didn't see it either with trivia tourney and a real actual to g-d date last night! So CASEY and TIM were the bottom two? damn, i thought I'd gotten the whole triplet correct.

(Shmuel on Apr 23, 2010 2:38 PM) In the interest of strict accuracy, we don't know who the bottom two were, only that the bottom three were Aaron, Casey, and Tim. (Aaron got sent back first, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he got more votes than Casey.)

The mentor is Alicia Keyes, and the theme is inspirational music. Here we go...

Continue reading Top 7: Performances...

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(Pam on Apr 20, 2010 9:09 PM) Why do the judges hate on Siobhan so much? I thought that was much better than Casey, Aaron and Tim. And I know I'm in the minority here, but I'm still not sold on the whole Lee thing. Big Mike was insufferable as usual - I hate that he sings so well. Crystal is just on a whole other show. You know what? Even though I don't think she will win, I'm going to rank her there to try to will it to happen. Maybe my Lambert-not-winning mojo will come over to this season. 1. Crystal 2. Lee 3. Mike 4. Siobhan 5. Aaron 6. Tim 7. Casey I actually think Tim will probably go home, and should - I'm going with the chance of a surprise ouster.

(Shmuel on Apr 20, 2010 9:14 PM) It's possible that the judges' critique of Siobhan is along the same lines as what they put Carly Smithson through: they're harsher because she's better. To hold Tim or Aaron to the same standard would be like kicking a puppy.

(Shmuel on Apr 20, 2010 9:25 PM) I waffled over Tim vs. Casey for the bottom spot myself... I can see it going either way. But here goes: 1. Crystal (y'know, it might happen after all) 2. Lee 3. Siobhan 4. Casey 5. Michael 6. Aaron 7. Tim [Edited because I forgot to move Casey up after swapping him out of the bottom spot. Either he goes this week, or further along.]

(LisaLou on Apr 20, 2010 9:25 PM) Tim sucks, and the judges hating Siobhan sucks even more than Tim sucks. And Aaron isn't any good either. 1. Crystal 2. Lee 3. Siobhan 4. Mike 5. Casey 6. Aaron 7. Tim I looked away from Mike some this time, and he didn't sound nearly as good as he looked. I think we're seduced by his excellent visuals.

(tekay on Apr 20, 2010 10:39 PM) Crystal Bowersox -- i dont care what america thinks anymore, this is my Idol. Michael Lynche Lee Dewyze -- i don't like lee Siobhan Magnus Casey James--Acestantine where are you headed? Aaron Kelly Tim Urban

(Jesse on Apr 21, 2010 2:46 AM) I have rehearsal for the rest of my life, so I have not seen a thing and won't see tonight's either. *sigh* 1. Crystal 2. Lee 3. Siobhan 4. Casey 5. Michael 6. Aaron 7. Tim Tim's had a couple of good moments, which probably means he's likely gone... though if I were going on song choice alone, I would give the 7 spot to Aaron because I hate that song. Meh, what can you do? So yeah.. those are my guesses.

(Pam on Apr 21, 2010 10:00 AM) When Aaron started singing that, I was all, "Of COURSE he is singing this damn song." One song I like even less? The Boxer. That song goes right up my ass. I was so happy to hear Simon say he was never a fan of that song.

(Suzanne Lambert on Apr 21, 2010 10:53 AM) Best part of Inspiration Night? No one sang that $@%! Wind Beneath My Wings. OK. So ... 1. Bowersox 2. Lee 3. Casey 4. Tim. Yes, I said it. America freaking loves this guy. 5. Siobhan. Because admit it. You're getting tired of her, aren't you? 6. Mike 7. Aaron

(mo pie on Apr 21, 2010 4:07 PM) I don't even know what I'm doing anymore... but here goes! 1. Crystal 2. Lee 3. Siobhan 4. Tim 5. Casey 6. Aaron 7. Michael

(Jesse on Apr 21, 2010 9:17 PM) Oh, Pam... I am checking in from rehearsal, and telling you that I love you to bits. :-)

Every one of us has predicted that Andrew will be one of those departing; about half of us think the other will be Aaron, with other possibilities being Tim, Michael, and Katie.

This... is American Idol!

Continue reading Top 9 Redux: Results...

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(Jesse on Apr 15, 2010 12:58 AM) I did not see the show, as I often don't due to rehearsals, so thanks for typing these all out in such detail as you always do. It makes it easier to follow along. That being said... wow. I did not see that coming. Wow.