American Idol Results Recap, Thursday March 8: America’s Hair Must Smell Like Poo Because We All Have Our Heads Up Our…
As many readers have commented over the past couple days, Rosie O’Donnell can lately be counted on to put her two cents in on everything from Donald Trump’s affinity for young women, to the war on terror, to Kelly Ripa’s homophobia.
She does occasionally shoot herself in the foot (which must please Tom Selleck to no end) with jewels like her imitation of the Chinese language, "Ching, chong, ching", which enraged Asian leaders, but her ranting is harmless enough.
And while I do think she goes out of her way to be more abrasive than a steel wool thong when stating her opinions on The View, she is entitled to them, and as long as ABC wishes to give her daily access to a microphone and a time slot, they can be expected to continue.
I have watched The View enough times to understand that the opening portion is a completely unscripted conversation. Sure, they may have topics and graphics cued up to get the ball rolling, but the appeal of the opening is that the ladies are talking off the cuff, comments are flying fast and furious, and yes, sometimes things get said that are incredibly easy for the media to take out of context and turn into a hideous soundbyte.
My advice to those who don’t appreciate her "take" on the world? Love her or hate her – she has dramatically increased the ratings on The View, so if she is not your cup of arsenic, exercise your right to not watch, by voting with your remote control, and when online, don’t click on the links which refer to her lastest pissfest. Your blood pressure will thank you.
Now, as if the entire Antonella White vs. Frenchie Black issue raised late last week by activist Najii Ali wasn’t disconcerting enough, Rosie has waded – well, actually this was more of a belly flop, into the waters.
Not only does she believe the decision to kick Frenchie to the curb and retain Antonella is a racist one, she went on to coin the term "weightist" as well, meaning Frenchie got shown the door because she is full figured and Barby girl is, well, a Barbie Girl.
Yes, it seems, American Idol discriminates against black people, and they also have no stomach for those who, well, do.
I’m sorry, but this is as ridiculous as revisionist history expert, Jennifer Hudson, making the rounds, clutching her Oscar, and whining that Simon never liked her. During a recent interview with LA’s Fox 11, she justified her position with, "Someone should rewind the tapes."
Well, someone did. And what they reveal is that Simon was actually in her corner.
Performance 1: You were great
Performance 2: You proved why you are in the final 12.
Performance 3: You’ve put yourself in the position to be the front runner.
Performance 4: You’ve created something we’ve never had before … the battle of the divas.
Performance 5 (which was uncharacteristically bad): Out of your depth on that one.
And when she was voted off for that poor showing? All Simon could muster was "Tongue. Floor." meaning he was completely speechless (not that he was licking Paula’s shoes).
Which brings me back to Rosie’s accusations about blacks and overweight folk not getting a fair shake on American Idol.
One look at the season six contestants simply does not bear her assertions. (Not to mention the names Ruben Studdard, who has yet to be approached to be a Playgirl centerfold, and Fantasia Barrino, who will never be confused with Nicole Ritchie. Oh, yeah…both of these title holders are black too.)
In the final group of 24 kids, we have one of the most diverse casts yet. White, black, white and black, Asian, Hispanic, Indian… And as for weight? Chris Sligh and Sundance Head make fun of their own poundage issues. On the girls’ side, they are all beautiful, but Lakiska, Gina, Jordin, and Melinda – all front runners – don’t wear a size 2.
Nigel Lythgow, who typically stays behind the scenes and quiet, actually came forward to refute Rosie’s allegations, "Ms. O'Donnell has, once again, spoken without thought or knowledge. Viewers need only look at the show tonight to realize that 'American Idol' constantly confirms to America that talent has nothing to do with weight or color."
And that’s what I have always loved about American Idol. Sure, we go through certain points where the "popularity contest" portion of the voting wears thin, weeks when The Website Which Shall Be Nameless causes our heads to burn like Harry’s when Voldemort is close by, but in the end, the talent - fat, thin, black, white, tall, short, male, female - wins out.
Listen, I am a professional cynic when it comes to taking something at face value, but I really believe it breaks down this way: Frenchie was a paid porn model, however brief was that career. Antonella made poorn judgment calls while partying among so called friends. (No, I am not defending her penchant for underage drinking and half naked carousing.) One profited. One didn’t. Both have paid at the Bank of Public Humiliation.
American Idol doesn’t discriminate any more than Rosie O’Donnell does. And she’ll take on anybody.
Now, how about some results?
Lined up like kids in a sixth grade spelling bee, the kids smiled, but you could read in their eyes, they were secretly praying they would draw a simple word like, oh, I don’t know…SAFE?...and that the kids standing next to them would pull a rough one like…obscurity?...oblivion?...dispossessed?
Ryan was suitably serious in his Wednesday night wardrobe of pinstripe suit, crisp dress shirt and dark tie (the same one he wore last week – surely the budget is bigger than this?) as he intoned, THIS. IS. AMERICAN. IDOL.
And then, in what made it obvious that time was of the essence tonight, as soon as the Idolbot was out of the elevator and through the neon slinky, BOOM! – THE. GROUP. SONG.
Chris Sligh kicked off Stuck In The Middle With You, and he didn’t seem to mind – after all, it is a pretty cool song (the original, at least). But then Haley’s lyrics were very telling, "I’m so scared in case I fall off my chair." You could see it in her eyes – pure petrification.
The song moved on to Blake, who with the exception of those white sleeves which made it look like he had casts on both his wrists, looks extremely hot in black. The entire group really fell apart on the chorus – like a bunch of clowns and jokers stuck in the middle of a really bad pageant number. Then Phil managed to bring it back around by actually nailing the falsetto of "Plee-eee-eee-eee—eeeeease.", which is kind of what I what whining at the TV… Plee-eee-eee-eee—eeeeease, get this over with.
A quick recap of the past two night’s performances (ahhh…the joys of the fast forward button) and a brief hello to the judges – Randy, who must be reading my blog comments about how dismal the guys’ wardrobes have been, for there he was in a bright orange shirt with sequins?!? Paula wore a black floral blazer and if she was wearing a top under it I never saw it. She was the Grand Canyon of cleavage tonight, with gems dripping down her boulders. Simon was dressed for a dismal night in gray.
Ryan then quickly began the results. All of the kids were collected in one large quivering blob on one side of the stage, while the official American Idol egg carton beckoned on the other.
The lights went down, Ryan called Lakisha and Blake to the stage, tried to fake them out with, "One of you will work with Diana Ross next week, and the other is in the Top 12.", but not a soul in TVland was surprised when they were the first to take their places in the carton.
Chris Sligh was then called down alone, and Ryan asked, "Do you think you made it?" Chris answered, "For fear of looking stupid, I’ll say ‘I hope so.’"
Lights pulsing, ominous booms coming from the audio system, Ryan then said, "Chris … You … Are … Not ….….……goingtofindouttill AFTER.THE.BREAK.
OK, I oozed out of my seat – a wild mixture of relief and anger. Poor Chris, however, lost all the color in his face, and you know every ounce of liquid in his body had rushed to his bowels – seriously, the poor guy looked like someone had slipped him a Drano enema.
Back from the break, Lord Ryan was merciful and quickly placed fragile Chris into the egg carton.
Jordin, looking lovely in a black and white silk dress, was next to join Ryan alone, but it was fairly anticlimactic when she was deemed fit for human consumption and placed with the other good eggs.
So something bad had to be coming, right? Enter Phil Stacy, stage right, working another ill fitting flop of a hat.
Ryan: Tell me how you feel right now.
Phil: Like I want to punch you in the head.
OK, he actually said, "A little worried", but this has got to be pure torture for these kids.
Phil must have been more than a little worried because he was truly floored when Ryan deemed him SAFE – he was in tears.
Jared came center stage next and Ryan was brief, "The journey ends for you tonight." Jared was "surprised and shocked", but I was only half of each. I really thought, face melting hand moves aside, that he was enough of an eye Twinkie to have a solid fanbase – I was wrong. Damn that Atkins diet!
He managed to sing one more time and his lyrics, like most of those who are ejected, should have foreshadowed his demise, "Then I won’t have to be hanging around."
Another break and we were afforded the opportunity to spend some money! Yippee! Another American Idol Challenge question! Only 99 cents to answer this brain teaser:
Which of these AI contestants currently has a Number 1 album?
A. Ace Young (who actually co-wrote a song on this number 1 album)
B. Kanye Covais (I hadn’t heard that his rap album dropped already! Boy, I’m out of the loop! Now, who is 311 again?)
C. Chris Daughtry (Duh)
Listen, if anyone on this planet deserves to win a trip to the making of a Ford commercial, you know it’s me – but I just could not bring myself to reach for the cell phone tonight.
The lights again went down and Melinda and Brandon were called to the stage. Ryan asked, "Is there room for two back-up singers?" Ryan answered, "YES." Both were SAFE.
I was a little surprised that Brandon made it, but at this point in the show, it gave me hope that Sanjaya and Antonella were indeed heading home.
Next duo to the stage – Gina and Chris R – no real tension or build up, just SAFE – yes, both of you. (I’m happy about Gina, will shed no tears when Chris’ expiration date is up in a few weeks.)
That meant nine spots in the carton filled - leaving Sanjaya, Antonella, Haley, Sundance, Sabrina, and Stephanie gazing longingly across the stage.
But who cares about their internal angst? It’s Carrie Underwood!
Ryan introed a video montage of her winning moment, her bad hair, good hair, too much hair days, Simon’s prediction that, "Not only will you win, you will sell more records than any previous Idol.", and then footage of her well on her way to doing just that. Her album, Some Hearts, has yielded four number one singles so far, has gone platinum x5, and has garnered her awards from the AMAs, CMAs, Billboards, and Grammys.
I’d say she is doing pretty well for a small town girl from Oklahoma – and believe me, I have driven through Chekotah on many an occasion – it is the definition of small and rural.
Carrie then came out to sing Wasted, and Kellie Pickler needs to have been watching. THIS is what a young, beautiful girl looks like. Carrie still looked like Carrie – a bit thinner, yes, but she was gorgeous – long, shiny hair, stylish outfit of black leggings, heels, and an abstract print tunic, and make-up that did not make her look like a refugee of Dollywood.
She sounded great and when she was through, I wish they would have allotted time to actually chat with her for a moment.
But kill some dreams we must – so here we go…
Stephanie and Antonella were pulled down next – Stephanie looking glorious in a bright yellow, lowcut satin top, white skirt, and heels; Antonella looking, well, awfully drab next to her in jeans and an ill fitting black top.
Ryan made it quick – Stephanie SAFE, Antonella, pack up and call Girls Gone Wild.
She was truly upset, but did you see the look of shock on Phil’s face? Come on.
She managed to sing, messed up once along the way with "the more things stay the same, the more things stay the same" – um, no, not anymore Barby. I’m afraid we just could not allow them to stay the same any longer when it comes to you and Idol.
Take THAT, Website Which Shall Be Nameless.
Next to face the firing squad, Haley (working a seriously 80s pouf of hair tonight) and Sabrina, stunning as always in a teal halter dress and heels.
Sabrina was already crying over Barby’s ouster when she walked down, but boy did those tears dry up when Ryan announced that it was Haley, not her, who had made it to the Top 12. Did you see the look of "kill" on her face? I Tivod back and I swear she looked like the creature from Predator for a moment.
And who could blame her? This was wrong in so many ways. I would almost, almost have rather seen Antonella stay, if it meant kicking Haley out and keeping Sabrina. Even the judges were staring openmouthed at the injustice playing out before them. And Randy? Man, he was PISSED.
Sabrina sang again, and I was so glad she shoved her talent in America’s face instead of tearing up. I defy Haley to touch any of those notes – she couldn’t reach them with free ticket on the next Space Shuttle.
PLEASE – someone out there in Musicland – RIGHT THIS WRONG SOON.
And God help us all because The Website Which Shall Be Nameless surely just filed adoption papers on Haley (and took some extras just in case HAIR makes it through).
This left Sanjaya and Sundance vying for the remaining spot in the carton – and I could just smell the stinking sulfur of rotten egg beginning to rise…
But that would have to wait – tonight was Idol episode #200 and it was time for Ryan to put us out of our misery and announce the "special project".
And you know what? It IS.
As I said earlier this week, this show does not embrace hyperbole, so I was banking on this groundbreaking announcement to truly be huge.
Ryan began with, "American Idol is the most talked about television show in the world" went into "time to give something back" and then explained, "we are going to use the power of this show to raise millions of dollars and bring the issues of extreme poverty, both in Africa and America, into the hearts, minds, and homes of us all."
The project? IDOL GIVES BACK.
What better way to get this nation to finally, collectively, confront Darfur, Sudan, the festering remains of Katrina, and the like? I could almost hear George Clooney, Mia Farrow, and Angelina Jolie weeping.
I’m serious.
Millions of people have been slaughtered abroad, and untold numbers in this country go to bed hungry each night, unsure of what tomorrow holds, still living in FEMA trailers, stuck in an abyss of poverty and governmental inertia.
We CAN help.
As Simon said about the footage of he and Ryan recently in Africa, "It was something I’ll never forget. Seeing some of the most appalling conditions I’ve ever seen in my life, and then we met some of the nicest people I’ve ever met." (I loved that Simon was wearing what was obviously an old tshirt and jeans while playing with the children. Ryan, however, had an Abercrombie goes to the delta look about him.)
Randy and Paula will be heading to the southeast soon to turn the spotlights back on the devastation which still remains from Hurricane Katrina.
Simon summed this program up best, "We are making sure we help people, because at the end of the day, we have all done very well out of this show."
And then some.
The upshot is this: On April 24, when we cast our votes for our favorite six, Ford, Coke, and the assorted other sponsors will contribute cash (love how the amount was unspecified) to the project. And on April 25, American Idol will be turned into a Jerry Lewis telethon, complete with celebrities like Gwen Stefani, Josh Grobin, Pink, Michael Buble’, Annie Lenox, even Borat will show up to appeal for pledges.
And then Ryan mentioned Bono who has said, "We’ll see worlds collide when Africa appears on America’s most watched television show." He also called it "Pop history."
Ok, I Tivo’d back three times – Ryan did not say Bono would be on the show. I’m sure he will appear via the big screen, and it certainly would be cool if he did walk out on the stage, but Ryan did NOT say he would be there.
I truly think this is great – but allow the cynic in me to say one thing – If this is true, PURE philanthropy, how about the producers get the cash fires burning by throwing all the millions they have collected from this stupid text message contest the past three weeks on the pile?
One more break and it was time for Sanjaya and Sundance, who, I’m sure, on a regular day, care greatly about poverty, but tonight could give a rat’s ass, to find out their fate.
As I mentioned earlier, the stink of Haley’s triumph was in the air, so I was not at all surprised when Sanjaya trumped Sundance for the last spot.
Now, it’s not like any of us thought Sundance was going to beat Melinda or anything, but come on. Even Paula was staring daggers at Sanjaya.
And when Ryan asked Simon, "What happened?", all he could muster was, "The volume was turned down?"
Sundance took it well, even joking before singing, "Someone give me a job, I need a job."
After he finished, we got to watch the requisite Adios video of the departing kids’ Idol journey. And all I could think was – We only got one and a half right. Antonella had to go, and Brandon could just as easily have been Jared, but Sabrina and Sundance? Whoa.
Oh well, at least it makes it an easy, albeit boring, next couple weeks as we all know who we are duty bound to send home.
Yes, Haley – you, with the really uncomfortable look on your face as you stood behind Ryan knowing full well that a travesty has occurred and America has just ordered a phone hit on you.
And Sanjaya? Take a page from Kevin Covais’ Idol journal – nothing this aberrant lasts forever.
Tune in next week as we watch our final twelve pretend to know who Diana Ross is! Talk to you then
Linda, I love your recaps! You make me laugh and I always feel as if you're reading my mind as you write your reviews.
It was a good thing that I was home alone tonight to watch the show, because the yipppeeee! I let out when Skankanella was given her walking papers would have woken up the dead.
I wasn't surprised in the least to see Jared go this early...the *face melt* was just too icky to endure again. But to still have Sanjaya standing there is just a travesty. I thought he was harmless during auditions and actually got suckered into thinking he might have a singing voice (compared to the rest of the crap we were assaulted with during that time). But now, compared to the talent surrounding him...he's so out of his league, good grief! he's not even playing the same sport!...arghhhhhh...(Thank God I throw like a girl...I completely missed the TV when heaved the remote at it).
Continuing on with the travesties...I can't believe that Sabrina had to give her much deserved spot to Haley...another argh...knowing that it's going to take at least two more weeks to rid ourselves of these two dead-weights (Sanjaya and Haley) so that we can truly start the real competiton.
Posted by: Amy | Thursday, March 08, 2007 at 10:29 PM
Linda,
Great recap as always. My wife and I have become big fans of your snarky wit. :) There are some questionable eggs in our dozen for sure and if they aren't fully rotten yet, they spoil quickly. However, I have faith we shall pluck them from the carton and hurl them at the houses of those who put them there in the first place.
Sidenote: has anyone else come to the conclusion that Jarred Cotter looks like a black Bull from Night Court? Or is it just me?
tta
Arlington, TX
Posted by: tta | Thursday, March 08, 2007 at 10:42 PM
ARGH! I was yelling at my TV almost the whole hour (the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT and Carrie's appearance gave my vocal chords a little break.)
NOT ANOTHER GROUP SUCK-FEST!
PHIL-Enough with the hideous hats!
RYAN! Quit torturing Chris Sligh!
FINALLY! An-ho-nella's journey ends tonight! YESSS!!! (She can head on back to DC Gone Wild and face her former friends! I almost felt bad for her, but it passed very, very quickly as she promptly reminded us of her less-than-stellar singing resume thus far. I did Put My Records On - anything to drown her out...)
Phil made it? HUH?!
Sabrina is GONE? WHAT?! That's BS of the highest order! She went out in style, though, with only that small crack in her composure as she shot the Death Rays at Haley Who-natto.
NO WAY! San-YAWN-ya is staying over Sundance? Crazy. Sundance is at least a grown-up, and managed to carry a tune in a bucket a couple of times over the last few weeks. The only thing San-yawn-ya did was exercise the Idol hairstylist's imagination. I'm telling you - mohawk next week!
It was an exhausting night!
The AI Gives Back Project has the potential to be huge - why not shine their considerable spotlight on some serious issues and throw some cash at these monumental problems?! And Linda, you're right, as always. They should totally donate the Idol Phone-in "Contest" fees. Geez, those questions are pathetic. Even if you lived in Afghanistan with Osama as your cavemate, you'd know the answer.
Haley, Haley, Haley. WTF?!! I think Simon's meanness may have backfired this time. I think people felt bad for this cute, little perky girl who wasn't THAT bad but kept getting slammed every week. I guess people forgave her the "clocking in, doing her job" nonsense. Her days are numbered - I'd advise her to live out of her already-packed suitcase.
Diana Ross next week. Ain't No Mountain High Enough...to keep Melinda and LaKisha from holding a Seminar called Diva-in-the-Making 101...
Posted by: Sandy in NC | Thursday, March 08, 2007 at 11:17 PM
noo...That Website has picked Sunjia, I just hope they have as much luck with that as they did this week, as both Antonella (yay!) and Sundance (not fair!) went home. I am VERY happy that P!nk and Bono are going to be on the show though :D Two right departees (Antonella and Jared, TG no more Jared!), and two wrong. Sabrina and Sundance should have beaten out Sunjia and Hailey. Nameless Website sucks though, "This girl has choir dork since age 5 written all over her". Choir DORK? f-them. If being in choir makes you a dork, then I am a PROUD dork then.
Posted by: Rowan | Thursday, March 08, 2007 at 11:21 PM
I burst into tears. Not at the fact that Haley Scarnato and Phil Stacey are still on the show (seriously, what kind of freak says, "Hey, I'm gonna vote for Haley!"), but because their announcement that they will be focusing attention on the poverty issues in Africa and America floored me. I'm as cynical as you, but the fact that the most popular show currently running will be focusing on helping children around the globe made me cry. Literally.
It's a good thing they are doing, all sarcasm and snarky jokes aside. And reading your comments on it almost made me cry again.
I'm so glad I came across your site!!!
Posted by: Tommy Marx | Thursday, March 08, 2007 at 11:32 PM
Once again, great recaps Linda!
Looks like everyone was thinking the same thing I was when Sabrina and Sundance were shown the door. Big upset, especially Sabrina who can REALLY sing, unlike Haley who REALLY can't.
Sundance hasn't been perfect, but I think he would have come into his own given some more time. I hope Sanjaya is the FIRST to go!!! I thought he was adorable when we first saw him, but he has since become just plain old annoying!
Loved the announcement about helping those in need. I couldn't believe it and AI actually made me cry with joy. What a great thing for them to be doing. Wish it had started sooner, but better late than never.
Thank God we're onto our final twelve. Sheesh, this whole process makes me feel like a pregnant woman that finally gave birth! :)
Posted by: Shawna | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 12:05 AM
I hate to be ignorant, but what is the Website Which Shall Be Nameless??
Linda, I love your columns!!!
Posted by: Glinda1956 | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 07:25 AM
The Website Which Shall Be Nameless: VoteForTheWorst.com dedicated to rallying around the worst contestant on American Idol and mass voting in order to mess with the show outcome. (So named for perpetrating as much evil as Lord Voldemort in a Harry Potter book!)
Glad you enjoy the recaps Glinda!
Posted by: Linda Sharp to Glinda | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 07:36 AM
America giveth, and America taketh away.
That's exactly what I said the minute Haley got to stay and Sabrina was sent home.
Why, oh why, fellow AI voters, have you forsaken me [and Sabrina]? I mean, seriously, HALEY?? Over SABRINA?? And San-yawn-ya over Sundance? Really? San-yawn-ya still being on Idol has to be a sign of the apocalypse, right?
All the judges were in shock about the results last night, as was I. When Simon made his comment about the volume being down, I nearly split a gut laughing. That has to be one of his best this season. Even my daughter was shell-shocked. All she could say was "at least Cant-onella went home." Yeah, at least we got that one right.
Great recap as always Linda.
Posted by: DeDe | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 07:48 AM
Hey Linda, loved your recap as always, but I do have one small point of disagreement: I'm not disappointed that Sanjaya made it instead of Sundance. Don't misunderstand -- I think Sanjaya (and Haley) should go home in the next two weeks. (Can't really see him on the tour.) I don't feel that way because he can't sing -- he actually has an ok voice (and if the kids are singing Diana Ross songs for Diana Ross next week, don't be surprised if he does well. The original diva has a THIN little voice, which might work very well with Sanjaya). I feel that way because, as a package, he's so completely outclassed by everyone else on the stage that it is embarrassing. I mean seriously, the judges have been crapping over Sanjaya for weeks now, saying that he was singing poorly, but he wasn't -- Sanjaya, unlike most of the other guys, sings mostly in tune and on pitch. Moreover, he has a purity of tone that is actually quite pleasing to hear. Finally, he has moments of bravery when he lets the purity of that tone ring out, and it is quite beautiful to hear. Unfortunately, he is deeply, deeply, dull, and is too shy and unconvincing to be taken seriously.
Sundance, on the other hand, benefited from some serious revisionist history from the panel last night. Sundance has sounded decent exactly twice: during his audition, and during Mustang Sally, and for my money, he hollered his way through both. Every other time we saw/heard Sundance, he sounded like a pure heap of dripping @ss, and Jeremy summed up everything that was wrong with Sundance -- he is a karaoke bar singer who is best when he gets to howl the blues. His rendition of Jeremy hurt my ears, eyes, and heart, and sent me scrambling for my ipod so I could put Eddie Vedder's voice back in my head. Sundance deserved to go home.
As for the Haley thing, I think that two things happened: (1) Simon was unnecessarily mean (if correct) the other night with the whole, "I don't know your name" comment, and (2) she sang a Faith Hill song. There are no other females singing country songs, so she made a savvy pitch toward red state America, and it paid off. I'm not happy about it, but I can't be mad at her, either -- it was smart.
You know how to really solve the Sundance/Sanjaya/Antonella/Haley problems of the show? Make the judges stop filling out the top 24 with cannon fodder. Then, we'll have fewer regrets when the wrong people make the finals.
Posted by: Tiffany | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 07:48 AM
Oh, one more thing -- Sabrina's departure wasn't unexpected. I expected Antonella to be staying, rather than Haley, and I also expected Gina to stay, which meant that one of the other black women would get picked off (I refuse to say "diva" -- they're NOT all divas, and it's starting to irk me when I see that "diva" has become the new code word for "black." Therefore, I'll just be straightforward). Melinda and Lakisha were obviously safe, and I thought Jordin would be, too -- she doesn't seem likely to pick songs from the Whitney-Celine-Mariah playbook (heck, has anyone else in the history of the show pulled out Tracy Chapman? Interesting choice from a 17 year old), and she's just as cute as a button. Lots of moms were dialing for her, I bet. So that left Stephanie and Sabrina, both of whom were slightly indistinguishable, with Stephanie having a slight edge -- her sound is FAR more contemporary R&B/radio friendly than Sabrina's sound (b/c she can do that weird, vocal syncopation thing that I really hate -- I shudder for the day when someone pulls out Mariah's "Don't Forget About Us," or whatever the song is called, which I hate). This would have lifted her in the rankings for a lot of people, I think. Sabrina has a lovely voice, but of the five black women, she distinguished herself the least. Stephanie, at least, could make a record tomorrow, put it on the radio, and make it fit right in.
Posted by: Tiffany | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 08:03 AM
It's pathetic when one leaves a high school band concert early to make it home in time for Idol...that = me; sorry to my little brother!
Hmm...I, for one, am somehow glad for a little bit of "shocking!" last night. Granted, some real talent may have gotten kicked off, but it makes for great TV, haha. And really, Sabrina can sing, but I just don't *like* her, so no real loss for me. (Even if she sings circles around Haley...but, then again, don't care for her either.) Sundance v. Sanjaya obviously shows Sundance being the stronger singer, but I can't keep hinging my acceptance of him on his audition; other than that, he's only been quite good once. And I knoooow, Sanjaya really isn't that good. He probably was the best in his high school choir, but he doesn't belong here. However. Did you see the look on the poor kids face when he made it through? He knows he doesn't belong there and he looks like he would rather leave than stick around to be abused some more. Not to mention the behavior of the judges, talking that harshly while he had to sit there, knowing he should've been going home. (There is no false bravado there, unlike Egg Head from last season.) I realize that's "the business", but we all know he's going home soon anyway and he's a very young 17. I feel bad for him, regardless of his sub-par (for this show) singing ability.
Posted by: Holeigh | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 08:36 AM
Love your blog. I'm totally curious about your reference to driving through Checotah many times...do you live in Oklahoma?
Posted by: jalynn | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 09:15 AM
I believe Sanjaya is staying for two reasons. Based on a poll taken at the office, those with 10 year old girls say that age group loves him and, now that a child is given a cell phone at birth, must be dialing frantically.
There is also a large continent of Indian/Pakistani/Southeast Asians here and everyone supports him. Remember how the girl from Hawaii stayed longer than she should have because the whole island was voting?
Also, I don't understand the malice towards Haley. We really liked her - ok, not a big country fan - but she had a good voice and really nailed some notes. We were very surprised at the judges response, just as we were unprepared for their favorable comments about Stephanie.
Haley may not be Carrie but she's definitely better than many others.
Posted by: Barb | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 09:20 AM
Ahhh yes - the Jasmine Treas effect. I was explaining that very thing to my husband this morning. Sanjaya comes from a culture which is very family oriented - and whether they are related by blood or not - Sanjaya is "family". Much like Jasmine hailed from Hawaii, and I can tell you from having lived there for a couple years, it is very insular, and everyone bands together to help everyone else.
We went through Hurricane Iniki when we lived on Kauai back in '92, and to watch the people come together and help one another was awe inspiring.
So, no, it was never truly surprising to me that the entire state of Hawaii was power dialing for their girl Jasmine.
Sanjaya is a truly sweet kid, and I have a feeling he will endure for a few more weeks (I , too, have a 10 year old, and while she admits he is not the best singer, is loyal in wanting to vote for him because he is cute and sweet)
Thanks for your comments!
Posted by: Linda Sharp to Barb | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 09:41 AM
EXCELLENT POST.... I did think seeing Sundance lose out to Hairboy was sad.. Sundance had great potential for the show.. and I think losing Sabrina was wrong too.. oh well.. you nailed it as usual Linda..
Posted by: honi | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 09:45 AM
To Tiffany - Ditto and double ditto. You are spot on.
To Barb - I also agree that Haley doesn't deserve the nasty comments regarding her singing. She's got a voice that could land a vocal in a Disney animation. She's quite good but not star material. Give her a break people and don't make it seem as if she sounded like Anatella.
Posted by: Lee | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 09:51 AM
Linda, I am also very glad that I stumbled onto your site. Your writing is such a fun style. I emailed the first article that I found of yours to my sisters and they are hooked on your site as well.
About last night.....What is the HELL?!! (to quote my husband when he was tongue tied recently. The whole family and friends are saying it now. LOL!) Can't tell you the number of times we said it last night, calling back and forth to one another! I won't rehash my opinion here since you jumped into my head and said it for me. :) Thanks, and keep up the good writing!
Posted by: Joan Higginbotham | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 10:16 AM
Hey Sis, Just wanted to say I love your writing but my point about the "picture" has been proven. Multiple, multiple comments on AI, but very very few on something as serious as that. We be a very SPOILED nation! Love you
T.J.
Posted by: T.J.McCue | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 11:14 AM
Actually - the number of personal emails that I receive far outnumber the actual comments here on the blog. The one with "the picture" of the child and the blood kept me busy for a couple days in terms of answering and discussing with folks.
Personally, I enjoy a good debate, especially here in the comments - there are some extremely articulate people out there!
Posted by: Linda Sharp to Teej | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 11:25 AM
Tiffany-
"I refuse to say "diva" -- they're NOT all divas, and it's starting to irk me when I see that "diva" has become the new code word for "black."
I beg to differ. When I wrote "divas-in-the-making" referring to Lakisha and Melinda, I meant it using this definition:
"a female singer who has enjoyed great popular success : a chance to create a full-blown pop diva."
There are actually three other definitions:
1. a famous female opera singer
2. I mentioned above.
3. an admired, glamorous, or distinguished woman
4. a haughty, spoiled woman
I think these days, the word has come to have the negative connotation of definition 4. But that's not what I meant.
Posted by: Sandy in NC | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 11:27 AM
P.S. to Linda - I forget to mention that your title cracked me up! So THAT's where the word shampoo came from!!
Posted by: Sandy in NC | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 12:20 PM
Yes, it derives from the Greek "shampoopus maximus", loosely translated: I have a lot of crap in my hair and need to wash it.
Posted by: Linda Sharp to Sandy | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 12:47 PM
seriously, like simon cares about those kids in africa!? hah! idol has made so much money, why dont they just quietly donate 20 mil instead of this self promoting time wasting announcement? this is a talent show ppl, not the jerry lewis telethon!
Posted by: jamie | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 01:34 PM
Of course, another great summary!
Why, just when I think justice will be served, do I-D-10-T's learn how to dial a phone?!? I can add nothing that hasn't been said about Sundance leaving, or Haley staying. She is pretty, has some talent, but, after her comment Wednesday, I can't believe her heart is in it still.
Thanks for bringing me back to planet Earth on the Rosie thing. You and Lori in TX have excellant points, and perhaps I should view The View in full before I run my pie hole again. At least, that's what my wife, two sisters and others say... Lori, no hard feelings? Thanks for helping open my eyes. Linda, you are a great and graicous umpire!
Posted by: John | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 01:53 PM
John - Absolutely NO hard feelings whatsoever. I don't live my life that way. Thank you for engaging in a pleasant, civilized exchange of ideas! So refreshing for the internet, as it rarely happens.
Posted by: Lori in Texas | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 02:27 PM
A very cool thing about this blogsite is that the commenters here are, more often than not, an incredibly civil, intelligent, humourous bunch. Thanks to all for keeping it that way!
Linda, as always - fabulous recap.
I gotta say I got a little choked up about Antonella leaving. I know it was her time to go, but there's something there that has yet to blossom - and she deserved better from the media. I have made stupid decisions in my past, and would be horrified if any of my so-called friends from those days posted pictures of me (and yes, they do exist). Granted, I did not try out for AI, but I have often thought to myself that things I *would* like to do (run for government office, for instance) will never be possible for me because of those stupid, immature days in my early 20's. And to be honest, when she was in tune, her tone was really quite pretty. She should have had some training before auditioning. She could have done better.
As far as Sanjaya goes, the kid has potential. He has a nice voice that needs developing. He also is totally unsure of himself on stage. His natural tendency is to be effeminate, and it seems like he's aware of the message to "butch it up". I think he wants to "bust a move" on stage, but seems fearfully restrained because he doesn't really have the confidence to do it in a masculine, sexy way.
I think the reason that Phil looked so shocked (as others may have during certain results) last night is due to the rumors on the Internet that DialIdol.com had predicted (innacurately) he would go home, along with Stephanie, Sundance and Haley. Did you notice when he took the stage that everything about him already looked defeated? Same was true for Stephanie and Haley. By the time it got to Sundance, DialIdol.com had obviously been proven very wrong, so he didn't look as worried. Just my perspective...
So, the good news is that some awesome singers made it through!! I love Melinda (LOVE HER)...buuuut (dare I say it) I wonder if her classic "old soul" will take her through to the end. I kinda think that Jordin is the dark horse to beat...
Posted by: Scott | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 04:07 PM
The Big Unprecedented Idol announcement? SIMON HAS A HEART!!! Watching them in Africa definitely made me tear up a little, but really made me happy. I really like that AI is doing this, even if, as some have mentioned, AI could quietly donate instead of the self-promotion. But in the end, AI is giving airtime to important issues, and millions of people are watching. Motives aside, that is still a good thing.
Thanks so much for your recaps! I read them as soon as possible.
Posted by: Rachel | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 05:15 PM
And another great recap Linda!
We still love AI but have some serious remarks on the outcome yesterday evening.
What a shame for Sabrina, although hearing her performance once again I have to agree with Simon, she sounded a bit robotic.
When hearing LEGS was going back to that 'big old fountain in DC with a lot of unknown names on marble plates' I felt relieved.
Maybe someone could send here the Band of Brothers dvd box?
Then she can see what can happen if Guys Gone Wild.
Sundance never gave me a pleasant feeling when performing, aside from his impressive and memorable audition.
But all his performances from that moment on just reminded me of a really really really big pressure cooker on his way to explode.
However, that doesn't justify Hula Hoop's entrance in the Top 12 at all.
Idol Gives Back is truly a great initiative.
I think when a TV Show allows itself to initiate a project like this... well then you know that the show itself has become a sort of statue in TV land.
Now I understand the firm critique Simon gave on Britney Spears and Robbie Williams walking in and out of Rehab like it's buying bread in a bakery.
Thanks Linda for some good laughs and even more YO's!
Hope my English still stays okay.
Greetings from The Netherlands!
Posted by: Dolf | Friday, March 09, 2007 at 05:49 PM
An aside to John - very cool of you to agree to get more info on Rosie. If you still don't want to be a taper of Daytime TV (it's ok, we have support groups!), you can watch just the Hot Topics at abc.com. Go to Daytime, The View, then videos. They're usually 3-to-5-minute clips. You'll be surprised at how what Rosie actually says and what is reported on those entertainment "news" shows is like watching the same show in two different languages.
Posted by: Sandy in NC | Saturday, March 10, 2007 at 11:00 AM
To Rachel:
"Sundance pressure cooker waiting to explode???....LMAO!!! That is soooo true!!!
Linda: Great Recap. I love to read it "the day after "
Posted by: Jacquie | Saturday, March 10, 2007 at 10:29 PM
I, too, enjoy the recaps. I hear/read a lot about "karaoke" singers, like labeling Sundance as nothing BUT a "karaoke singer". I read it in other comment sections, and I hear it a lot from Simon. Trust me, they are ALL karaoke singers. Even those very few who front bands have done karaoke. It is simply pre-recorded music. Most of the Vegas shows are pre-recorded music, as are most of the "live" acts (Ashley Simpson, Britney, Wayne Newton, etc.) At the end of his fabulous career, Frank was singing off of monitors accompanied by LIVE musicians. Karaoke is here to stay, and shouldn't be used as a derogatory reference. Trust me, every single Idol winner, contestant, auditioner has done karaoke.
Posted by: genuinegeno | Sunday, March 11, 2007 at 04:51 PM
If anyone wants to see the aol interview with Barby about her pics:
http://television.aol.com/tv-celebrity-interviews/american-idol-exit-interviews
Posted by: Katannette | Monday, March 12, 2007 at 12:07 PM
Linda, I swear you also read my mind! We all knew that Antonella needed to go home and I said the same thing about Jared/Brandon, even though I thought Jared would last longer than Brandon just because it's hot! But even though Sundance was not a fav I can't believe his place went to Sanjaya. Having said that since I thought that Sabrina was a top 6 contender I was really upset when Haley got her spot. I think the judges should have input on who goes home like they do on Rock Star. And way to go Chris Daughtry! I love you and knew you'd be successful (especially since you didn't win)!
Posted by: Terrie Bruce | Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 11:08 AM
I love this article because I like read things that are very important.
Posted by: Veronique Davis | Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 08:17 AM