Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Here We Go Again

OK. I have been sucked in to the American Idol No-Sense-Of-Reality warped-judgement phase of the year once again. We watched tonight with a friend and had a great time. I've picked the winner:

Kara DioGuardi.

She is the best thing to happen to this show since...well, since they had me in the audience.

I love her. She says very smart things and uses like complete sentences with subjects and verbs and even some conjunctions and adverbs and stuff. It's quite a welcome thing. She is going to be refreshing to hear week after week.

I'm not going to drudge through all of the characters, er, contestants tonight. I will start doing that later. But I will give you my favorites. First of all let me say that it's the year of the guy singer (again). Some of the guys are flat out GREAT singers. 3 or 4 great ones just tonight. The girls are lacking a little. And by 'little,' I mean A LOT. Where are the Kellys? the Carries? The Mandisas, for crying out loud? No, literally, for crying out loud?

About tonight:

Great voice+humble spirit+amazing back story=American Idol winner. Congratulations, Danny Gokey. It's yours to lose. Danny rocked it.

Another favorite of mine is Anoop. This dude had me from his first audition. I love that kind of soulful voice. I wasn't totally crazy about his song choice tonight. But still, dude can sing. He's the kind of singer where you aren't nervous for him...you just know he is going to be good.

Favorite girl tonight: Alexis Grace. Not completely thrilled with her trying to sing Aretha. But she has some chops.

I also gotta give props to Ricky Braddy, who has a GREAT voice, and just so happens to be from my alma mater, Belmont University. I hope he can make it through, although it will be hard for him the way they are doing the groups this year. BOO on this way of doing groups, where only 3 make it through. They have stacked this first group with too many people deserving of getting through. BOOOOOOOOO.

I feel sad for Stephen Fowler (Rock With You) and Ann Marie Boskovich (Natural Woman), who are both better singers than their songs allowed them to show. I guess the same could be said for Michael Sarver and Brent Keith, too.

Note to A.I. contestants: Stay away from Michael, Aretha, Celine, Mariah (except for you, Danny), Whitney, Sting. It's a mine field you don't want to try to make it through. Just trust me on this one.

One funny story: Lily Kate was convinced that one of the contestants looked like "the blue fish on Nemo." And she wasn't being critical. She was speaking as if it were fact. And possibly even as if it were a compliment. Funny.

So who was your favorite?

40 comments:

Daniel Semsen said...

Danny will go through. FOR SURE...but mostly because of his awesome Daniel-Semsen-ish good looks.

Just ask my wife.


HAHA

Anonymous said...

After vowing for the one millionth time not to get sucked into it again, alas ... here we go. Lots of nice people and nice voices tonight, but not a lot of WOW for me. Amen on the Daniel Gokey thing. Love, love, love the guy. The only girl that did it for me was Alexis Grace. And Tatiana ... it just keeps getting weirder. "She must and shall go free." (Is it okay to get spiritual about AI? Seems almost sacriligeous!)

Renee

Anonymous said...

Uh, Travis you do realize that there are 24 more contestants for us to see, right?

Billie said...

definately Danny!

Anonymous said...

I loved Danny!!!! He was definitely my pick for best of the night. Also loved Alexis...hope she goes through. As for Tatiana...enough is enough, please...I don't think I can stand to watch her again. She wasn't that bad of a singer but I just can't stand to watch her.

By the way...I love AI and actually look forward to it every year. It really is ok to admit it people.

Alison said...

Guy to go through - Danny
Girl to go through - Alexis
Next highest "vote-getter" - Anoop or Michael Sarver (he has a better "story" than any of the others)

Melinda said...

The way it should be:

Danny
Alexis
3rd Vote getter: Anoop or Brent

The way it probably will go:
Danny
Alexis
3rd Vote getter: Tati-Sybil-ana

Amye Jo said...

Love, love, love Danny, picked him from his first audition. The only other time I have had a favorite this early on was when Mandisa was on AI.

JenB said...

LOVE Danny. Already declared him the winner. Done. Shouldn't really even watch it anymore. And can I also say it would be a good idea to STAY AWAY from the spandex pants and old school Air Jordans. I'm just sayin'.

Tiffani said...

Oh, Melinda! Tati-Sybil-ana??? I'm dying here!!!! HYSTERICAL!! But, she wasn't as bad as some of those other girls--I was surprised, surprised, surprised!

I cannot stand this method of voting either, Travis--it's absolutely too hard to have so many good choices...and Kara and pristine use of grammar? love her too!

I am going for Danny and Alexis....and I'm hoping that Anoop Dog can pull it through for third place...

He wasn't on last night but my fave other than Danny is Adam Lambert (kinda funky flat ironed black hair...with a theater background)!

Bridgette Jencks said...

Haven't watched it yet. We DVR-ed it for later viewing when Hubby and I can watch together. I'll get back to ya! :) But thanks for the pre-cap!

Sitesx6 said...

DANNY GOKEY FOR PRESIDENT!

He has been my favorite from DAY ONE. I think he is a very humble man, has a fantastic voice and is a cutie-pie!

I love his story and that he is a church worship leader.

Please go away Tatiana.

Jamie said...

Travis...

You TOTALLY picked my top 3 (and top 4, if you include Kara Dioguardi. haha) I think you're 100% dead-on when you say the female talent is a little lacking. Perhaps Angela should try out. Then, you could be in the audience all the time...Just sayin'. :)

beckyjomama said...

I am LOVING Danny! called for him many times last night (fell asleep with the phone in my hand!) and only got though a couple!

But I do NOT understand this new system, not only do I not find it fair (one off night and you're out?!?!?!) but it does not add up.

36 total, 3 groups of 12, 3 from each group ... ummm, hello! Is that not NINE?!?!?! Where are they gonna come up with 12 finalists? I am so confused!

Sunny Sue said...

Love, love, love Danny!!! I hope some of you who like him so much are voting! I don't want it to end up like Chris Daughtry! I am also pulling for Michael Sarver since he is from Texas. Don't know about the girls yet...my family kept turning the channel every time they would sing because they were so awful! Except for Alexis, of course.

Inksstillwet said...

I was at bible study last night, but my family was home watching AI. When I got home, the kids were in bed and my husband told me that my son (5) was watching with them and when one of the girls was singing he said, “She’s really beautiful, but she can’t sing AT ALL.” Maybe we should have some brutal honesty posts from the kid’s point of view! Wouldn’t that add a totally new dimension to the AI experience?!

Jennifer Goodwin said...

My favorite hands down, was Danny Gokey. That boy can sing, ya know what I'm sayin??? I also LOVE his story. I just WANT him to win b/c he's such a likeable guy. He's sleepless in seattle without the Jonah. I love him. My sister and I went nuts over him last night. I liked the girl with the blond/pink hair. Can't remember the name, though.

Mary H. said...

Danny for sure was my favorite. Did you see his best friend that got cut in the audience? I thought that was great.

Jenny said...

Tatiana kinda weirded me out last night. She was trying super hard to be more calm but she just came across as creepier!

So, Casey Carlson is cute as a button, but homegirl has no breath support! Even in her audition when she sang "A Thousand Miles"- she didn't hold out anything longer than a half note. Bless her heart. Who on earth let her choose The Police?!

I like that Randy Braddy guy- "A Song for You". I like the Buble version better, but he was good. I like him alot so far. I'm excited to see more of my faves tonight!

Jami said...

Danny is my favorite :). By far. Anoop and Ricky Braddy get my next vote...plus they are from North Carolina :).

Waiting to hear Adam Lambert-he's also one of my top choices!

Sandy said...

Of course, Danny and Alexis. I feel sorry for Ricky, who didn't get profiled in the earlier shows... I think that will really hurt his chances, and he seems very likeable.

Patty said...

Danny is my favorite! I also thought his friend should have made it through but it was nice to see him in the audience.

Anonymous said...

I am sure they are going to pick 4, that would make the top 12 (not 9)....Wildcard picked by the judges?

Ashley said...

Definitely Danny Gokey. He can sing! I really like Ann Marie, but her song choice wasn't that great. Hmm...guess we'll see tonight...

Dionna said...

I'm still getting familiar with all the contestants but Danny Gokey has been one I've really liked from the beginning. We'll see who I like in the second group.... which is not tonight right? I have church and I don't wanna miss!

Anonymous said...

well i atleast feel good about myself that my 4 were your 4. it was a BRUTAL night. Brutal. Nerves got the best of #4-11. (Glad it's not me!)

Yes, Daniel. He does have a Semsen-ish look to him ;)

AMENMom said...

Danny, he rocks AND he's a church music director! I admire your restraint in not discussing Tatiana.

Anonymous said...

LOVED the last guy. (Danny)I've liked him from the start. I don't like the group thing either.

Sheila, TN

AbbyLane said...

danny.
i bet HE would sing 'living on a prayer' for me.


anoop and ricky--battle of our alma maters (i'm too young to use that word.) may the best man win. :)

angism said...

Danny is awesome. He's been my top pick since I first heard him.

I'm thinking the judges will pick 3to come back and complete the 12.

Heather said...

I love your AI blogs as much as I love the show itself...which is ALOT! I loved Danny! And I posted the exact same thing about not to sing Whitney, etc. on my blog today! But the thing I most agree with you on is Kara. What a GREAT addition! She gave great feedback and it is needed and appreciated! Looking forward to this season with you and Boomama breaking it down for us!

Anonymous said...

Danny is my fav!!! I have been saying it since the beginning! He is so sweet.

Julie Temple said...

I'm pulling for Danny, for sure!

Anonymous said...

Every time I hear Danny sing - from his first audition until now -I cry. He's got the most amazing voice (he's right up there with you Trav!)and he's got my vote for the win.

Mary Chandler (6) loves Tatiana (sp?)! I can't believe it! We recorded last night's episode. I can't tell her she doesn't get a yes - she'll be crushed...but something tells me she's not gone forever. Hmmm...

Mendy

HIS Child said...

Danny will go far! Travis I think the contestants need to check out your blog for a heads up.

Be blessed and enjoy your family.

Terrie and Carley said...

It seems all of us are on the same page here. I want to share something with all of you. I went to the eye doctor today only to discover that there are other people in this world who have the same laugh as Tatiana. I am thankful I go to the eye doctor once a year.

Terrie

Pamela Johnson said...

Danny rocks. I picked him to win from the first audition!!

lavonda said...

DEFinitley Danny!
Love his story and his demeanor. and then when I heard (did I hear this?) that he was a music minister I jumped all in. Go Danny Go!

Stephanie said...

YES YES.. Agree!! I didn't know you had a blog!

Anonymous said...

I am with you...Danny is my top pick. My heart breaks for him...having lost his young wife just a few weeks before A.I. Plus the guy can SING!! I think he will go all the way!!

mariel in NC