In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« Cheers & Jeers
Jeers: A Punch-Drunk Idol
American Idol by Michael Becker/Fox
Jeers to American Idol for hitting the boxing imagery too hard. True, it was the first all-male finals since Season 2's Ruben-Clay smackdown, but both David Cook and David Archuleta seem like lovers, not fighters, so the pugilistic imagery didn't connect. It was bad enough to give MIchael Buffer one more chance to roll out his tired "Let's get ready to rumble!" shtick. But did they really need to introduce each "round" of the competition by bizarrely juxtaposing ringside analyst Jim Lampley and random boxers with not-so-tough guys Clive Davis and Andrew Lloyd Webber? And Simon Cowell's comments usually pack more of a punch than "What we've witnessed is a knockout." To me, it seemed more like David Cook threw the fight. Maybe he knows for a rocker, it's cooler to lose Idol. Hello, Daughtry!
• Share your own raves and rants about other shows on the Reader Cheers & Jeers discussion board.
• We may feature your Cheer or Jeer on TVGuide.com or in TV Guide magazine!
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
May 20, 2008 11:38 PM
|
|
The ONLY redeeming part of that whole "boxing" filler was that I was able to watch the show much quicker thanks to a fast-forward button on my TiVo. My husband and I watched AI in record time tonight!
|
|
May 21, 2008 8:34 AM
|
|
I'm with ya, Bruce. Cutting from tough-talking Lampley to... genteel little Andrew Lloyd Webber was a bit jarring. ALW really was the oddest choice of a mentor this season, a fact only magnified by his omnipresence last night. ugh.
|
|
May 21, 2008 9:09 AM
|
|
I completely agree that David Cook threw the fight. It was sad watching him take such a blatant dive, but I understand - in preparing for the finale, he probably looked around, took a breath, and said to himself, "Am I gonna use this as my own springboard like Daughtrey, or am I gonna be left with no choice but to have them try to turn me into the next Taylor Hicks?" It's nice that the judges followed his lead - Archie is in a cookie cutter shape that's easy to sell to the teenieboppers, but the old fogey corporate types wouldn't know how to promote Cook.
|
|
May 21, 2008 9:10 AM
|
I agree Cook wasn't completely on his game last night but he may still have the fan numbers to win! He has been on top of the polls for weeks and weeks, so you never know. I thought his U2 song had a really great start and the second he made an unknown fairly likeable....third was obviously a meaningful song to him and his emotions shined through.
Archie only has his one awww shucks emotion and that is it. Boring and bland. All the past singers and/or winners who only sing the type of melody songs he does have not made a very good album or career for themselves. Personally Archie did good but not as great as they made it out. The one note wonder got really pitchy in places and off key a few times too but did the judges ever say a word about it?? Of course not, they are trying to sway the votes.
Maybe the AI execs just don't want a rocker to win so it doesn't open the door to a bunch more rockers in the comp, even though Randy has said many times to some extent "its time for a rocker to win this thing". Guess I vented MY OPINION out enough. Time for the crazies to try and bash my comments now!
|
|
May 21, 2008 9:33 AM
|
Yeah, I think David Cook tried to throw the night. As bad as I hate to admit it, Archuleta was the best singer. I think Cook knows he'd be better off on his own and not tied to Idol. Let Archie have it. He is a puppet and that's what the Idol producers want. Although Daddy Archie might have a thing or two to say about it.
I, too, thought the boxing schtick was too much. Where in the world did that come from? Is FOX about to host a heavyweight bout or something? They are the kings of cross-promotion, so that makes sense to me.
|
|
May 21, 2008 11:25 AM
|
I don't know why everyone is debating whether or not Cook threw it, when in the end he was still better last night - even if the judges are doing everything in their power to make us think otherwise.
Archie was off-key, monotone, and for the second time this season decided to rape Imagine with his ridiculous, emotionless runs. Blech.
|
|
May 21, 2008 12:42 PM
|
|
I agree Cook may benefit more if he lost, much like Daughtry and others. I just want him to win so Archie doesn't. I don't think it was a knockout at all and it seems as though Randy and Simon want Archie to win. Although Randy doesn't know what year it is. Archie is so boring and I can see him standing in the same place when he puts on a concert. Anyways, the boxing metaphor was really annoying and over played. Why bring ALW back? So weird. It was just so blatantly filler it was ridiculous.
|
|
May 21, 2008 1:24 PM
|
I'm glad AI will end tonight. It has been a boring, uninspiring season. The dueling Davids were predictable very early on, and proved to be the most bland finalists ever.
I want DC to win, for a couple of reasons. First, I think he has more talent. David A has a pure voice, but everything he sings sounds the same. David C. can mix it up, and seems to better connect WITH the audience; David A. closes his eyes, looks away, and basically sings TO the audience.
David A. is young, and his song choices are too old/mature for him; he needs to be more upbeat and youthful if he wants to sell tickets to see him perform.
David A. also has a Daddy Dearest, who will be a HUGE hinderance to his career. No producer is going to want to deal with Daddy - I think David A. needs to wait a few years before trying to strike out on his own.
David C. probably has a better chance of success if he doesn't win -- he won't have to play by the AI rules, and can define himself and be who he is.
David A. would be another Taylor - a crooner with 15 minutes of fame. He doesn't have the "it" factor - having a good voice isn't enough.
So, I think David C. can handle winning AI more, will probably be a more profitable winner for AI, but David A. will win, and in 6 months he'll be a distant memory.
|
|
May 21, 2008 1:32 PM
|
|
Listen, what makes a great singer is the ability to connect with the emotions and story of a song and convey it convincingly. For example, Billie Holiday is a poor technical singer, yet is treasured as one of our best. Archuletta is simply to young and sheltered to do that in any real way, and a lot of the songs he did were so bland and boring because, though technically very good, were empty of emotional resonance. I find him pretty much unlistenable because of that. I dread think about an album of that crap. OTOH, David Cook is the opposite as far as emotional connection. I could listen to him all day, and I'm happy to report that I'm sure I'll be able to -regardless whether the tacky hordes of teenaged girls win out tonight or not.
|
|
May 21, 2008 1:39 PM
|
Actually on Ellen yesterday Simon said he thinks/wants Cook to win. Also, after Simon got done telling America Cook is one of the most genuine, nicest, sincere contestants ever etc., he gave him one of those winks like its all an act.(hubby's opinion)
I for one have never really know Simon to put up an act for the contestants benefits. But for the public sure!
Arch is a sweet kid but Cook is an Entertainer!
|
|
May 21, 2008 1:39 PM
|
Even though online polls are calling it for Cook, I'm betting Archie wins, just because he has the teen vote -- and let's face it, those are the ones who are going to stay up for four hours sending in repeat calls.
Archie definitely had more enthusiasm last night, but I personally preferred Cookie's deliveries, even though I admit they weren't as powerhouse-worthy. Still, all in all, Archie gave me the impression of someone who's out to win, Cookie reminded me of someone who already had.
Archie really should win, because his daddy would probably beat him if he didn't. We already know who's really going to be driving the Ford.
|
|
May 21, 2008 1:41 PM
|
|
I thought the boxing theme was HORRIBLE! The Davids looked so uncomfortable with it, especially when they had to come out in robes and gloves. Shame on American Idol for doing something that stupid when it's so obvious that the Davids' personalities clearly didn't match the "theme."
|
|
May 21, 2008 1:52 PM
|
|
I do not think DC threw the competition. I thought they were both GREAT last night! The boxing thing was a little weird though...especially since Simon made the comment that DC is one of the "nicest and most sincere contestants" they've ever had on the show. With DA almost in tears and DC in tears...they are fighters...they are not boxers...so that was just weird. But I thought they were both great!
|
|
May 21, 2008 4:15 PM
|
|
mmph I took the wink more as a wink to David on his comment of doing a new song instead of doing an old song. That Simon understood what Cook was saying on moving forward with something new rather than staying with a song that has already been done.
|
|
May 21, 2008 4:26 PM
|
|
|
