A lot of people are getting excited about the 2010 Winter Olympics in BC, not surprisingly. I’m not really into sports mind you. I’m more interested in who the singer of our theme song I Believe is: Nikki Yanofsky.
She’s the 15-year old vocal prodigy from here in Montreal, already a winner of trophies at our Jazz Fest.
It comes from just one radio station here in Montreal (93.5 FM, Q92), so it’s not gospel – but host Aaron Rand agreed with his entertainment hostess Maureen on Kara DiGuardi just lacking something as a judge. she isn’t growing on them.
After 9 seasons I can guess who will sound bad before they even open their mouth!
I’ve also felt that some folks know that they’re bad, but try out anyway just to get a few minutes on TV. Last week one of the failures said outright that she just wanted to be famous.
Every week now has shown us a loon who requires a security escort out.
Most of the guest judges have been fairly harmoneous with the others, but Kate Perry…! For a moment I thought she would come to blows with Kara DiGuardi!
So far this year we’ve also seen many singers who survived great illnesses. One girl this evening survived leukemia. A good friend died from that in 2008, so this story hit me hard.
The timing is bad though. Not the fault of the producers of course; they have no control over the elements.
It’s hard for me to comment on a silly TV show when Haiti was just devastated by a storm.
You may be thinking “Who?” Here’s a news report.
The loss is very sad, but it’s also fortunate for him. It’s like the death of an SF author at Worldcon in the UK years ago: he died doing what he loved, surrounded by others who also loved jazz.
I haven’t yet posted about American Idol 2009. I wasn’t terribly impressed with Lil Rounds, who just imitated whoever she sang. At first I cheered for Scott MacIntyre, but he really never changed his performing style at all. He became comfort food for the ears.
I do however have to speak up about the recent kerfuffle about front runner Adam Lambert. Much ink has been devoted to the fact that he’s gay.
To quote judge Randy Jackson: “This is a singing competition!” What does Adam’s sexuality have to do with that? If you didn’t answer, “Nothing.” you’re reading the wrong blog.
I graduated from the Fine Arts in University. We quickly learned that all that mattered about anyone was their talent.
I’m way late for commentary in full on week one, but I have to say I was really surprised at Michael Sarver winning over Anoop Desai, who I thought was much better.
At least the most annoying contestant yet, Tatiana Del Toro, didn’t advance! Man…. I’ve never yelled, “Shut up!” at my TV before like I have at her antics. Simon pegged her right as the Drama Queen!
Week 2 was actually disappointing. Most of the performances were dull, or the singers were too sharp. Two of the three winners really stood out as great singers: Allison Iraheta and Adam Lambert. They both blew me away. Kris Allen winning over Megan Joy Corkrey was a surprise though. She seemed much stronger.
This week’s nutjob, Nick Mitchell / Norman Gentle didn’t advance either, fortunately. He never seemed willing to drop his dumb act in favor of, I don’t know… actually competing?
One interesting thing was the revelation this week that the wildcard group will be composed of people from the three groups that didn’t make it the first time. There have been a few each week so far that seemed deserving of another shot. I do wish they went outside of the Top 36 though. I actually hoped David Osmond would get another try. Us PWMS stick together!
Now for week 3. Scott Macintyre is the one I’m rooting for already!
The 36 folks for live YV were picked an hour ago. Some were a sure thing: I like Danny Gokey; he reminds me of Joe Cocker without the body tics. Also Scott MacIntyre, who I’d pick as the eventual winner.
A few puzzled me until I guessed they would be cannon fodder: “Nick Gentle” / Norman Whatever is not in any way talented. Tatiana Del Oro… I just kept yelling “Shut up!” at my TV every time she opened her mouth. She’s just been irritating from the moment she was first introduced.
She’ll be in the first group of 12 next week. I have 6 days to steel myself!
Wow, they had so many tragic stories on this show! They seemed to have more than 12 great singers though, yet that’s how many tickets they gave out.
I’m surprised they gave the girl who sounded like Amy Winehouse a ticket though. She had a great voice, but she really imitated someone else.
I took great interest in the Osmond guy to start. Like his father Alan he has MS. Anyone who has read this blog for years knows that I do too. My case is progressive, unlike the remitting form he has. I lost my singing voice many years ago.
I’m proud of this guy, but I know how stress can make things flare up for us — and Hollywood Week is nothing but sheer stress. I’m concerned what it’ll do to him, and if he’ll make it.
The show deviated slightly from its developing formula Tuesday. After Scott MacIntyre in week 1 (the performer I’m most rooting for) the show has targetted a “tragic life story but great voice” for every show. They didn’t focus on it as such last night, but they did go into how one auditioner and her mom could have died from thalasemia.
There were some real standout singers in Jacksonville; some were incredible, some truly awful. What always amazes me is how some of the awful ones think that they’re great anyway.
