American Idol

My take on the two "scandals" is that a rebellious gay teenager went through a phase where he thought it was cool to be very ordinarily shocking; a grown man made a living for several years in the sex industry. I didn't like Danny's video, but even he has been dismissive of that period - last week he talked about being in a really bad band. It was a kid's prank. No biggie.

David Hernandez? That's a problem. Actually, given that Frenchie went home for dirty professional pictures, I am beginning to wonder about AI's inconsistency regarding the sex trades.

Since Hernandez actually made headlines with his career, and Danny did not with his prank, I'd say Hernandez is more likely to feel the blast. Danny's going to take more heat probably just from being so obviously gay.

Performances:
Well, Luke's purdy, but he can't sing. Bye.

I am shocked at how poorly Michael Johns is singing.

Chickeze - big old meh.

Danny - I had heard so many bad reviews of his performance on the web before I saw it (I was out trying to caucus - God, that was a mess) that when I finally saw the thing, I was surprised. I thought he actually sounded pretty OK. Now, he carried himself like a drag queen, but the vocals were better than I was expecting. I don't know how much longer this act is going to play in Peoria, however.

Archie - saw this cyber nickname for Archuleta and found it helpful - You know, this is a really lovely kid with a beautiful voice. He would really be one of my favorites if the corporate push to inform me that he was the runaway winner (Simon casually said he would be top 2 last night )did not annoy me so much. Archie - Good. Hype around Archie - bad.

I was initially put off by David Cook' s "Hello" . That was one of my favorite songs from that period and I had to lower my guard to appreciate that he really did make it his own.

Jason Castro - Sigh. In a competition that is made up of kareoke singers showing off vocal hystrionics and plastic delivery. Jason gave us some real honest, heartfelt artistry last night. He is much too authentic for this. Now, somebody tell me why it's a gold-plated done deal that Archie is going to outlast him? I am not upset that Archie MIGHT win, but it's so annoying that they've engraved the crown with people like Jason Castro floating around.

Uh... I've forgotten somebody...

I listened to the guys again and I like the same one I liked the same one i liked last week. Jason C. He has no bloody chance of winning since the winner has already been declared. I just don't get David A. I mean he's cute and all , but ... So are Luke and Michael.

I finally listened to the girls and the only one I remotely liked was Brooke. again she won't win.

I agree that David A. has already been declared the winner. 19E must sitting back with their feet up already knowing this kid is coming into their stable. Even as cynical as I am about this, I'll buy something from David A.

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Danny's going to take more heat probably just from being so obviously gay.

I don't think it will be the gay aspect that will give the heat, its his attitude. I think we would have another Sanjaya going if he makes Top 12. But Sanjaya had some sweet aspects to him. I don't know if Danny will display that or not.

I thought David A. dropped the ball big time last night. He had a few nice moments on that song, but I have decided I don't like the way he/they change up the arrangements for him. I thought part of it worked last week, but this week came off cheesey to me. It made me almost think he was not staying in tempo with the music or something. Simon and the crew can definitely keep someone around with the gushy, biased praise, but unless David starts choosing better songs, and nailing the vocals every week -he can't make him win. That teen naive, awkward cuteness can only take him so far without some major improvements.

Jason's performance really impressed me, and dude has some major kahunas choosing that song. Like Abrahammy said, he rose to the top for me after that. Most of the others are so karyoke. What has happenned to Michael?... His fate is doomed if he does'nt snap out of it by next week.

I don't even know if I can stomach watching the girls tonight.

I don't think the girls stand a chance of having a winner this year, there are way too many good guys. Michael is so easy to watch, but he has to start 'bringing it'. Luke is even easier on the eyes, but he's not going to last. My favorite is David Cook, he just sings in the style I enjoy. Jason also is my favorite.

FWIW, I heard last year that Kimberley Locke said during a radio interview that the real reason Frenchie was let go was because in one of the pictures she was masturbating with a Coke bottle and the Coca-Cola people pretty much told them she had to go. Remember in Season 2, AI wasn't quite the juggernaut it is today.

I thought Jason Castro and David Cook were the best last night. In fact, I think David pretty much earned himself a spot in the top 12. I don't think David A. was as good last night as he has been, but he's pretty much a lock for the top 12 any way.

I just went to rickey.org and listened, not watched all the guys. I must say that as a group they are lightyears ahead of any other season in terms of the number of them with pretty gorgeous voices.

Jason's tone is most pleasing to me, even though he was a little breathy on the Leonard Cohen song. I suspect I will be interested to hear his music for many years. I just like the sound and his attraction to Woodstock era vibes and music..

All the Davids have very nice to listen to voices. None of the Davids are likely to sing songs I will be interested in (or they might butcher the meaning of ones I do like), but they are all very good singers.

Even Cheezy sounded pretty good (not fab, but pretty good) on the mp3.

Luke's sound is my least favorite, but even he does it beautifully in tune.

And then there is Danny. If I did have a son, he would probably be like Danny. WHat can I say, I hope he has a most adventurous and satisfying life. His singing is not so great, but I really like him....assinine obnoxious home video notwithstanding. Gonna have to take that boy and give him a VERY stern talking to.

Badger!!! Make that image go away!!!!!!!!!!!

I read that Danny had to attend a special school for kids at risk. That he had a really rough time during his "goth" years. I would really like to see the kid make top 10 and get to go on tour. I think it would be a lot of fun for him and a wonderful adventure.

I thought the girls were really good tonight! Amanda was awesome and my fave of the night! Karly was also excellent! I really enjoyed Brooke's take on the Pat Benatar song. I think this was Kady and Kristy's best night. The others were good - but like Simon said "predictable" on the Whitney songs - good but so "Idol like". Sweet little Rami hasn't quite lived up to her first performance in my opinion, but I still love the little thing!

I think Kady is a goner for sure. The other one going home is a mystery for me.

Well, Kady was easily the weakest of the night, without question. Ramiele, Syesha, and Asia'h were cookie-cutter, unexceptional. Amanda was as good as she's probably capable of being. She's not great, but tonight she didn't suck and she is unusual, so she will stay.

Brooke's actually an artist. She reinvents songs, and does it well. She's really good. Carly does ordinary pop diva stuff at a very professional level.

Kristy is country. Well, nice she's gotten herself an identity. 10th place would be a good result for her. Tour makes money. She won't go much higher.

I would know a boy was winning this thing even if they hadn't taken out billboards advertising which boy it was going to be. Most of the men are better than most of the women, and every boy except Luke is better than at least one woman. Seriously, in the article announcing the boy's singing this Tuesday, my paper ran a picture of Archie all by himself. This is ridiculous. Such a nice kid. Such a nice voice. Such a vile situation.

There were 4 women that I really enjoyed tonight: Carly, Brooke, Rami, & Syesha. I hope they all stay. I can't even guess who might go home tomorrow as I haven't been following the girls much at all.

My guess is that the "at risk" thing was about his sexual orientation. When you're as "out there" as Danny is, kids can be very very cruel.

My prediction about Amanda is that she makes it through but either leaves fairly quickly or that she's the person left standing in the "shocking elimination". You know, every odd numbered season, the number 4 slot's been reserved for that.

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Danny's going to take more heat probably just from being so obviously gay.

Abrahammy, you couldn't be more right about this. Did you read the comments? 90% of them ignored the video and just gay bashed. It was horrible. I am still amazed at how people can be so openly prejudiced. I think homosexuality and obesity have become acceptable to openly bash. It makes me sick.

Abrahammy, I agree with you about Jason. I really really like this guy. I think if he stays on AI a while longer, his personality will flourish and he could make it further than they're predicting.

FC, I've said it before: the more uptight and moralistic somebody is. The more they shout from the rooftops about how bad somebody else is, the more freaky deaky they are. Like they're trying to find someone they feel is doing something worse than what they're doing, so they can loudly point the finger at the other person and take the camera off of them and at the same time feel better about what they're doing. I think we see THAT time and again.

So, I think it's good Danny has not represented himself as a choir boy so when this stuff comes out, everyone's all "yeah, I would expect that from him...moving on" as opposed to if he tried to make himself some apple pie guy. They'd be haivng a field day.

If this is true, things could get interesting, especially with all us conspiracy theorists who think the fix is in with TCO, etc.

The two Davids

I saw that earlier today. Honestly, since the first night David A. performed, ladies on Clay Boards have predicted, win or lose, this kid is going to be HUGE. He has Disney Kid star written all over him! Just made for Tiger Beat covers. Plus he has the added bonus of actually being able to sing (unlike certain Disney stars who shall remain nameless *coughDuffcough*)So I would not be one bite surprised if there are not labels chomping at the bit to get him!

David H. - well, I think the guy has a great voice, but I don't see any real "X Factor". But maybe they see potential.

That was a surprising TMZ thing. I saw the results of the iTunes downloads for Idol. Jason Castro had two songs ahead of Hernandez. I should think that iTunes sales would be an indicator that the industry would look at.

I agreed with all but 1 of the results tonight. This is the one I was surprised at:

Spoiler:

ETA: I typed the wrong number in originally! I should just go to bed.

I would have kept Danny over Chikezie but neither one of them was going to challenge for the win so I suppose in the end, it doesn't make much difference.

I am majorly bummed . 3 out of 4 I couldn't have cared less about really. But I will so miss my sassy boy. I knew he was screwed after that video

I find something very endearing about Chikezie - but I agree, he won't be in contention for the winning spots.

firecracker wrote:

I am majorly bummed . 3 out of 4 I couldn't have cared less about really. But I will so miss my sassy boy. I knew he was screwed after that video

I don't think it was the video. Most people who watch AI (the majority) don't look on the internet.

I agree with Abrahammy. It was the gay thing and the sassy thing. They already had a young boy who could sing and is a good boy. Danny was totally expendable. He had no chance.

Honestly GE, I think he was screwed in that AI didn't want him after that. There's a lot of other stuff out there about him and his family. I think they thought he would be more trouble than he was worth. At least that is what I was thinking. That plus Simon is a homophobe and clearly wanted him gone. Could he have used more insulting adjectives when commenting on his performances? I just don't know if I believe Chickadee got more votes. He is so uninteresting IMHO. Seems like a truly nice fellow though. Simon never had one nice thing to say about any of his performance in the last 3 weeks.

BTW, Kady seems to have a ton of personality off stage. I wonder why she can't bring it while performing? Her Britney impressions crack me up She is another Simon couldn't seem to say one good thing about.

Eliminations - quick recap.

Asia'h - She is now the second contestant to lose to that song. She went first. She wasn't wonderful beyond compare. She's forgettable. I think I would have sent home Kristy instead, but this one doesn't bother me.

Kady - 100% the right call.

Luke - 100% the right call.

Danny - Brain says it was justified. Brain says he's not an outstanding singer. Brain says he's pretty bratty. Brain says he wasn't going to last long, anyway. Brain says the queen act was going to get old fast. Heart is bummed as hell and going to pout for a day or two.

In two months I'd love to hear that this kid got a job as a V-Jay or something - just that he landed on his feet. We'll never know.

Yep. That's the thing. I am worried about the kid. Just like Josiah. I need to know if they will be OK, and I fear we won't know. That, plus for some reason I enjoyed the heck out of him He is so pretty too! Loved his eyes and smile so much. For all his sass and divaish "act", I think there is a real soft hearted kid in there who wants nothing more than to be loved and accepted . I wish I could give him a big hug That is why I so wanted him to make the tour. So he could preform without having to be judged. Feel some love from the crowds and not have to take Simon's abuse when he is done preforming

Heh. I was hoping that touring with AI would give this troubled boy some MONEY that he could use to go to college or something. I thought that being a low-level AI finalist could turn his life around and make it more productive.

You can't help but hope that these kids do okay. I do wonder about Josiah and if he's doing okay. Danny has a lot to bear and I hope he does well.

Danny Noriega was voted off American Idol Thursday night — but he may already have his first gig, courtesy of Rosie O'Donnell.

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The
former talk show host took to her blog to rave about Noriega's
performance and offer the 18-year-old one amazing consolation prize: a
free cruise to Mexico on O'Donell’s R Family Vacations.

"I don’t know if you have to sit around the American Idol
studio and look sad for the next few weeks — because I think that’s
part of the contract," joked O'Donnell. "[But] you got a free cruise.
You and a friend."

But O'Donnell expects the young singer to
work for his vacation. "Come on there, and I want you to sing 'Tainted
Love,'" she says. "I think you’re fantastic. And I think you’re a
bold and brave and beautiful young man. And I admire you, Danny
Noriega. You have an amazing voice. And your hair looks good straight."

Also on the cruise: O'Donnell’s pal and True Colors Tour partner Cyndi Lauper.
The combination, O'Donnell says, would make a perfect duet — or trio!
Says the comedienne: "You can sing with her — and me — onstage."

Source:
http://tvwatch.people.com/2008/03/07/danny-noriega-gets-his-first-job-offer-from-rosie-odonnell/