Shmuel's Soapbox: American Idol Annex http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/ Idol chatter, not to mention a pool. en-us shmuel@syaross.org Copyright 2010 2010-03-10T22:02:39-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Semifinals: Top 8 Boys http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/000285.html And the semifinals are coming to their blessed conclusion. I never quite remember how much this stage sucks, relative to the first and third stages of the show.... 285@http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/ And the semifinals are coming to their blessed conclusion. I never quite remember how much this stage sucks, relative to the first and third stages of the show.

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]]> 2010 2010-03-10T22:02:39-05:00 Semifinals: Top 8 Girls http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/000284.html Eight singers, one hour. Whee! Ellen's snuggling with Simon. Uh huh.... 284@http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/ Eight singers, one hour. Whee!

Ellen's snuggling with Simon. Uh huh.

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]]> 2010 2010-03-09T21:02:36-05:00 Semifinals: Top 20 Results http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/000283.html I was off escorting my sister to a bus to Canada, so I missed seeing the results live, but I'm watching the recording now. (This'll probably happen again next week, when she returns.) Let's see what happened...... 283@http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/ I was off escorting my sister to a bus to Canada, so I missed seeing the results live, but I'm watching the recording now. (This'll probably happen again next week, when she returns.)

Let's see what happened...

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(tekay on Mar 4, 2010 11:58 PM) america's really not loving on the minority tip this year. jermaine and john (i love john) were way better than tim, alex or aaron. mein gott. i wished i could have heard what jermaine said, i fastforwarded as well, i saw him talking and couldn't bear to stop. and then repeat with michelle and hayley. wow. w0w.

]]> 2010 2010-03-04T21:54:50-05:00 Semifinals: Top 10 Girls http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/000282.html This was up in the air all day, but Crystal Bowersox has been cleared to perform! (Good thing, too, 'cause word was that she'd be cut otherwise, with one other girl going home this week.)... 282@http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/ This was up in the air all day, but Crystal Bowersox has been cleared to perform! (Good thing, too, 'cause word was that she'd be cut otherwise, with one other girl going home this week.)

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(Pam on Mar 3, 2010 10:39 PM) You liked Katie? I thought she was boring. Also? Kind of a jerk. These people are not very good this year, although the girls were better than the guys last night. Not by much. My faves were Crystal, Katelyn and my girl Siobhan. I love Didi, but she wasn't good tonight. Lilly - meh. Creed girl is toast tomorrow.

(Shmuel on Mar 3, 2010 10:44 PM) I will grant that Katie didn't knock my [Bower]sox off, but I thought she was good, and the judges' criticism of her for not seeming young enough annoys me. Probably I should throw a couple of votes Siobhan's way as well; it was a good enough performance if you ignored the fact that it was Aretha. (And yet, it was Aretha. Unless you're, like, Kelly Clarkson, you don't touch Aretha.)

]]> 2010 2010-03-03T21:57:36-05:00 The Seventh Annual Idol Annex Pool! http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/000281.html I was going to wait to post this, but I've just gotten my first query on the subject, and I suppose there's no good reason to delay. Just note that this won't actually start until the finals, a bit less... 281@http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/ I was going to wait to post this, but I've just gotten my first query on the subject, and I suppose there's no good reason to delay. Just note that this won't actually start until the finals, a bit less than two weeks from now.

Welcome, one and all, to the...

seventh annual Idol Annex pool!

(I just blew the entire year's special effects budget on that logo. Hope you liked it!)

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]]> 2010 2010-03-03T07:22:33-05:00 Semifinals: Top 10 Boys http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/000280.html They're putting the guys on tonight because Crystal Bowersox is sick. In related news, it's still fun to type "Crystal Bowersox." I want her to make it to the top just on grounds of euphony. This week's theme: Billboard hits!... 280@http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/ They're putting the guys on tonight because Crystal Bowersox is sick. In related news, it's still fun to type "Crystal Bowersox." I want her to make it to the top just on grounds of euphony.

This week's theme: Billboard hits!

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(Shmuel on Mar 2, 2010 10:48 PM) Incidentally, it's worth noting that they're out in California, so the performances began at 5 PM local time. Which is to say that the boys found out less than 7 hours before showtime that they were going on tonight.

]]> 2010 2010-03-02T21:56:17-05:00 Semifinals: Top 24 Results http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/000279.html 24 semifinals go in! 4 go home! Over 24 million votes came in this week. Allison Iraheta's gonna be performing, and Kris Allen will be doing some sort of Haiti benefit thing.... 279@http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/ 24 semifinals go in! 4 go home!

Over 24 million votes came in this week. Allison Iraheta's gonna be performing, and Kris Allen will be doing some sort of Haiti benefit thing.

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(Shmuel on Feb 25, 2010 10:05 PM) In Tyler's defense, Ryan did ask him what went wrong, which is a question he hadn't put to the other three. (Which doesn't change the fact that he chose a really bad answer.)

]]> 2010 2010-02-25T22:01:07-05:00 Semifinals: Top 12 Boys http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/000278.html "This... is American-- Simon, stop talking." Cute.... 278@http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/ "This... is American-- Simon, stop talking." Cute.

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]]> 2010 2010-02-24T21:57:49-05:00 Semifinals: Top 12 Girls http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/000277.html We're live! And, thank goodness, we're back to the semifinal format that works best: not picking the top three from various groups, but whittling them down gradually. Two girls and two boys to be cut each of the next three... 277@http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/ We're live!

And, thank goodness, we're back to the semifinal format that works best: not picking the top three from various groups, but whittling them down gradually. Two girls and two boys to be cut each of the next three weeks.

Ellen is now on the opposite end of table from Simon, and claims that's because Simon can't keep his hands off her. This is followed by alleged tape of just that. Cute.

On to the performances!

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(Shmuel on Feb 23, 2010 10:13 PM) For my part... hmm. I dunno. Nobody really stood out as being way better than the pack. Lilly, Michelle, Didi, Siobhan, Crystal, and Katie would be the better half, but I could easily see anybody going home this week. It's kind of a crapshoot.

]]> 2010 2010-02-23T21:58:57-05:00 Season 8: Finale! http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/000276.html Y'know, I honestly have no idea which way this is going to go. Last week, all three contestants were separated by only one million votes. This week, by all accounts, all the lines were jammed, suggesting that the winner may... 276@http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/ Y'know, I honestly have no idea which way this is going to go. Last week, all three contestants were separated by only one million votes. This week, by all accounts, all the lines were jammed, suggesting that the winner may be determined by text votes and more random factors. This may be season two all over again.

Personally, I cast a few dozen votes for Adam... but I've gotta hand it to Kris. I counted him out early on, and he really stepped up. Yes, he's benefiting from the "anybody but Adam" vote, but that in itself wouldn't come close to sufficing; he's given people legitimate cause to rally around him.

Over in my pool... whatever happens, kudos to Mo Pie for leading the pack most of the way (she's the only one of us not to go a week without scoring so far) and for sportsmanship; to Pam for sticking to her guns regarding Adam; and to TeKay for almost pulling off the gutsiest strategy of any of us. As for Jesse and I... we didn't suck, and there's always next year.

Finally (before getting to the show), Snark of the Week goes to "American Idol virgin" Ed Masley, a music critic for the Arizona Republic who's watched Idol all this season for the first time. It's been fun getting his take, and I'll be interested in seeing whether he decides to come back next year. Anyway, with regards to the single, he notes that Kris "stripped it of its roots in silly, lighter-waving, '80s power balladry and gave it some substance and soul just by virtue of not being Adam or Kara." Heh.

(All of that said, I still think Adam is way better. So there!)

Anyway. On to the finale!

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(Pam on May 20, 2009 10:53 PM) How the heck did that happen?

(Shmuel on May 21, 2009 11:06 AM) I stand by "America loves an underdog." I guess this is the flipside of Adam appearing to have no competition for most of the way. We resist foregone conclusions, and we like seeing somebody blossom over the course of the season. Adam and Danny peaked too early for that, while Kris and Allison had upward trajectories. (On the other hand, I still maintain that had Danny made it to the finals, Adam would have creamed him.) I strongly suspect that the other major factor was that the phone lines were overloaded. If all the lines were at capacity for the entire voting period, the results would be pretty much random. As far as I know, the margin of victory hasn't been reported.... I'm betting it was razor-thin. Otherwise... Kris did win the coin toss, and he did manage to make this year's vapid generic single sound better than Adam did. I thought the first round was a dead heat; Adam took the second; Kris took the third. Last impressions count. But I think that's a relatively minor factor. The four top-selling Idol alumni are Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Clay Aiken, and Chris Daughtry. And-- --sorry, I just got my train of thought derailed by the observation that every last one of them has a name starting with a /k/ sound. Maybe Adam is doomed, while Kris is destined to hit it big. :-) But more likely my intended point stands, which is that only two of the above actually won. The season is over. For Kris and Adam, the real challenges come next.

(Jesse on May 21, 2009 3:19 PM) I was actually disgusted with the KISS thing. When he wore that... thing, but sang my favourite KISS song, Beth, which really doesn't go with... that thing... I knew they were bringing them out and it was just bad, in my opinion. The whole thing. Adam was not at all gracious last night, EXCEPT at the end, he did give Kris a little pat on the shoulder or a hug or something- that was okay I guess. When Adam high-fived or shook hands with Santana DURING THE SONG that was so not cool in my book. Adam and Kris were equidistant from Santana, just sing your song, be on stage, do your thing, no need to touch the legend. Seriously. That made me want to yell at him. Okay, I did yell at him. Anyway, I missed Latifah. Had no idea she was there. Rod Stewart doesn't look so hot. :( There are so many songs that could have worked well with others singing with him... I dunno. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Adam isn't talented, he is. But I don't like his attitude and I don't think it is fair that someone with a wealth of training is ALLOWED to be up against the others. (and the training didn't teach him not to be... well, you get the point) ;)

(Jesse on May 21, 2009 6:47 PM) You may want to remove your tweetstamp thing if you deleted your idol twitter. The "no such tweet" black box is blocking some text in your actual blog.

(Shmuel on May 21, 2009 11:27 PM) Hmm. I haven't touched the Twitter account, and the twitstamp's displaying normally for me... must have been a temporary glitch?

]]> 2009 2009-05-20T22:10:25-05:00 Top 2: Performances http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/000275.html This is it: Adam vs. Kris! And I'm thinking the performances are actually going to matter this time...... 275@http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/ This is it: Adam vs. Kris! And I'm thinking the performances are actually going to matter this time...

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(Shmuel on May 19, 2009 10:11 PM) Well, I'm trying to vote for Adam, but the lines are jammed... Anyway. I'm gonna stick with the horse I've been riding all season. 1. Adam 2. Kris

(Pam on May 20, 2009 9:32 AM) You know who I voted for, and it sure as hell wasn't Adam "Stop yelling at me for one second, geez!" Lambert. I have no doubt that he's going to win, but hey. He's just not my cup of tea. Talented, but not for me. Did anyone love Blindy looking the other way during the group gather as much as I did? No? I cannot WAIT to go see him at the concert. That being said, I am going to lose this thing by miles, but I don't care: 1. Kris 2. Adam

(Jesse on May 20, 2009 7:29 PM) I voted for Kris as many times as I could in the 4 hours I had. Just kept hitting end/send end/send while I watched Glee and such.... Anyway, I think it is pretty much set that Adam will win it. I do think he is talented, but I really just don't like him. 1. Adam 2. Kris

]]> 2009 2009-05-19T21:05:43-05:00 State of the Pool http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/000274.html Current standings: Mo Pie: 25.00 TeKay: 19.75 Jesse: 18.50 Shmuel: 18.50 Pam: 16.25 Spoilers after the jump!... 274@http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/ Current standings:

Mo Pie: 25.00
TeKay: 19.75
Jesse: 18.50
Shmuel: 18.50
Pam: 16.25

Spoilers after the jump!

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(Pam on May 14, 2009 5:32 PM) Of course, you know my pick next week is already going to be: 1. Kris and 2. Adam just to spite that mofo and go down in flames. Light it up!

(mo pie on May 20, 2009 2:10 AM) I was actually going to put Kris first tonight but you're right, that would be no fun! I'm sticking with Mr. Lamberr. Incidentally, I've been trying to vote off and on for two hours, and have only managed to get in ONE VOTE for Adam. The lines are busy tonight. It's going to be really close.

]]> 2009 2009-05-13T22:26:33-05:00 Top 3: Results http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/000273.html I've long maintained that one reason for the long string of successful artists to come out of Idol is that they essentially go through boot camp in the course of the show. USA Today has a good article about that,... 273@http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/ I've long maintained that one reason for the long string of successful artists to come out of Idol is that they essentially go through boot camp in the course of the show. USA Today has a good article about that, with this year's top three.

Meanwhile... if the top three end up being Adam, Danny, Kris -- in that order -- TeKay's gonna wipe the floor with the rest of us. I haven't run all the math, but at first glance I think Mo stands to win if it's Adam, Kris, Danny. If Danny actually wins this thing, Pam should as well. I'm not really sure what would happen if Kris pulled an upset, though I actually find that more likely than the Danny scenario; it'd probably depend on the order of the other two.

This should all be much more clear cut after we find out who leaves tonight. Read on!

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(tekay on May 14, 2009 12:55 AM) G-D DAMN IT! it's actually how I wanted it to "end", but didn't get a chance to vote because of points. I'm so sick of being a bridesmaid. YOU XTIAN MUSIC LOVERS PISS ME OFF! LOL. I actually thought that Danny was horrible last night, as was Adam's second song. Sucks to have never been in the bottom and get shanked at the last minute huh danny boy. I actually think Kris may pull it off as being the MOST relevant Idol since....kellly. I mean, his two songs were solid pop and accessible.

]]> 2009 2009-05-13T22:05:39-05:00 Top 3: Performances http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/000272.html It's episode #300! And we're down to the top three! Who will be singing... two songs apiece. Hmmph. So, which judge doesn't get a pick? Are two going to share? This... is American Idol!... 272@http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/ It's episode #300! And we're down to the top three! Who will be singing... two songs apiece. Hmmph.

So, which judge doesn't get a pick? Are two going to share? This... is American Idol!

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(Jesse on May 12, 2009 9:34 PM) Oy... I still have to think about this. I really have seen Adam winning this thing all along because nobody else has really come close, despite the fact that he irks me... but he just... tonight was terrible.

(Pam on May 12, 2009 10:45 PM) Since Adam has basically been a lock, I'm going to see just how far in last place I can come. 1. Danny 2. Kris 3. Adam In a perfect world, I'd have a Danny/Kris finale, but hey. Also? Ugh on Randy and Kara.

(mo pie on May 13, 2009 1:09 PM) It's all about Lambert for me! 1. Adam 2. Kris 3. Danny

(Shmuel on May 13, 2009 2:44 PM) 1. Adam 2. Kris 3. Danny

(Jesse on May 13, 2009 6:54 PM) Is it really this late already? Okay... 1. Adam 2. Kris 3. Danny I have no idea. Meh.

]]> 2009 2009-05-12T21:26:02-05:00 Top 4: Results http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/000270.html Three out of five of us have Kris going home this week, while TeKay stands to pick up five points if Allison goes instead. What will happen?... 270@http://www.babeltower.org/soapbox/idol/ Three out of five of us have Kris going home this week, while TeKay stands to pick up five points if Allison goes instead. What will happen?

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]]> 2009 2009-05-06T21:59:07-05:00