Let me christen the first "American Idol" 2008 thread

[imjustagirl]

Smarmy is if you think it's an act. I don't think it is, and have never seen or read anything to the contrary. I just don't get disliking someone because there's nothing against them. I think that would be a shirtty position to be in if you were that person -- how do you counter that?

Where did I say I disliked him because there's nothing against him? It's a gut feeling. I just don't like him. I didn't categorize all of his actions to tell you at which point I felt that way.

I'm sorry to fail you.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

OK, the Archuleta kid annoys me to a level that is borderline irrational, but this killed me:

The Messiah David Archuleta: I was driven to fits of laughter and glee when he botched the lyrics repeatedly. He'll probably win this thing, but I'll be rooting against him every week.

Just out of curiosity, what is your (and you are not alone) problem with him?

He comes from a humble background, seems like a sincere, nice kid and can really forking sing. What's with the hate-on? Do you just hate front-runners on principle?

Like I said, this is not necessarily rational...

(a) He has been wildly praised since day one, and while he's a very good singer, the praise has been completely over-the-top. His voice is a little weird and breathy. He also breathes like Darth Vader when he sings, and the judges would have crushed someone else for that. He never gets a slight mention.

(b) He giggles and "aw shucks" like Goofy every time they praise him, and it strikes me as phony as heck. Maybe it's legit, but the kid won on Star Search, so it's not exactly like no one's ever told him he can sing before.

(c) Despite his life revolving around singing he is completely unfamiliar with the Beatles. That's inexcusable.

(d) And this one drove me batshirt... On 80s week he did an incredibly boring version of a really bad Phil Collins song, "Another Day in Paradise." And when they pointed out that it was a lousy song choice, he explained that he sang the song to raise the public's consciousness about the problem of homelessness. Oh, that sweet little angel!!! Seriously, it's a singing competition. Save that bullshirt for Miss America. Next he can do "She Bob" to raise awareness for abstinence programs.

Look, I'm sure he's a nice kid and he's a good singer. He just bugs the crap out of me, and I've felt from day one that the producers are desperate for him to win.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

I guess smarmy can be just a vibe you get, and I've had it plenty, but to me the inference is that they're being disingenuous, and I don't get that from him. Maybe I'm being naive, but I buy what he's selling.

I guess I just have a reporter's curiosity about how a legitimately decent person would fare in the reality TV environment. I think the whole enterprise has created such cynicism that we can't believe someone can be who they say they are.

 

[imjustagirl]

No, see, here's the difference. Last year? I bought it from Melinda Doolittle. I thought it was annoying, but I thought she was honestly thrilled whenever anyone complimented her.

This year? I think it's all a big Central Casting acting job by the precocious teen.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Just curious, how do you feel about Brooke? She seems like the female equivalent.

See, I think Brooke is the polar opposite. She's in her mid 20s and seems to have a real love and understanding for music, and left home to try to make a career of it in LA. I'm guessing it hasn't been easy. She was moved to tears by the opportunity to play and sing "Let It Be" with a full string arrangement.

He's a kid with a really good voice and seemingly no interest in great music beyond his ability to sing it. He's been singing on TV since before he hit puberty.

(Apropos of nothing, really, but one thing they do have in common -- they've both got to be Mormon.)

 

[ArnoldBabar]

Maybe. But it doesn't mean he's not a good guy or a talented guy.

And really, how do you feel about Brooke? She's like a slightly older Archuleta. Same previous exposure, same earnestness.

(ED note: this was to IJAG's post)

 

[imjustagirl]

I agree with PCLL. WFW. Brooke shows her respect and love for music. David's there to show what HE can do with it.

 

[ifilus]

I agree with PCLL. WFW. Brooke shows her respect and love for music. David's there to show what HE can do with it.

No doubt, the kid's talented. But I think the old tape they showed of the young(er) Archuletta ambushing/serenading the Season 1 Idol contestants in a hotel lobby spoke volumes about his ambitious nature, and raised questions as to the sincerity of his polished and obviously well-rehearsed on-camera humility routine...causing some to peg him as something of a phony.

That said, Jacuzzi won the night by a long shot. Who'd have figured?

2- Irish tat girl
3- Brooke

 

[Tripp McNeely]

I want to do holy unmentionables to Brooke, who just forkin killed, BTW.

WFW my friend. She's got that pureness, while still looking very sexy. I wanna do very, very naughty things to her.

 

[BYH]

I want to do holy unmentionables to Brooke, who just forkin killed, BTW.

WFW my friend. She's got that pureness, while still looking very sexy. I wanna do very, very naughty things to her.

She's the first person I've seen on that show who makes me go "I'd buy her album." And it's only a little bit because she's awe-inspiringly hot. It's mostly because she's an actual musician who, as noted earlier on the thread, has lived a little and is far more the out-of-nowhere person who needs this type of break as opposed to one of the precoucious little turds who has been groomed for this from day one.

Along those lines, has anyone noticed how many of these contestants, beyond Dolores O'Riordan (that was awesome, BTW), have professional pasts? Actors, actresses, models. heck maybe Brooke is one too, I pay little attention to the cloying interviews, but it seems like every one I see mentions the contestant's past experience in another field. More and more this feels like anything but an amateur competition.

And once again: Brooke should be in the final for "You're So Vain" and "Let It Be" alone.

 

[Rex Harrison]

I'm not sure why I keep watching this show. I'm a rock guy, and often don't have appreciation for fine singers. While many of these should have some kind of recording contract, I'm not interested in the shirt they're shoveling.

That said, David Cook is the only guy with the remote chance of selling me an album.

However, Brooke White really floored me tonight. The Irish chick was a favorite at first, but she's starting to get on my nerves.

Otherwise, fork the black girl, fork the black guy, fork the Aussie, fork the blonde, fork the Asian, fork Mr. Dreads, fork the biker chick, fork the gay stripper, and fork the Mormon kid.

 

[dooley_womack1]

That reads like a negative review of a sequel to The Breakfast Club