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« Cheers & Jeers
Jeers: They Call the Wind "Mariah"
Jason Castro, Mariah Carey and Brooke White by Michael Becker/Fox
Jeers to American Idol for turning itself into an infomercial for Mariah Carey — whose new album just happens to be coming out. More so than most mentors, Mimi (or should that be "Me-Me"?) set the tone with her empty gushing over every contestant. Most fawned right back. (I feared the grinning, Chauncey Gardiner-esque teen-pop savant David Archuleta's head was going to melt.) The ensuing onslaught of soul-numbingly syrupy ballads was interrupted only by David Cook's typically magical transmogrification of "Always Be My Baby" into something angsty and compelling. Can we just give him the Idol title now and be done with it? Nope, we've got to suffer through tonight's results show with musical guest... Mariah Carey!
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Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM
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There was a 'Hero' tonight in the form of Brooke White. Despite the judges comments, Brooke continues to win my vote with her authenticity and originality.
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Apr 16, 2008 12:53 AM
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At first I was nervous. When I heard that David A. will sing: When You Belive and I know this is a dificult song plus this is a duet by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston and its a girl song I cannot fathom how he will do it in a male version. I was completely shocked, David Archuleta sung the song and performed it very well and delivered the song beautifully like Randy was saying, this was a tough song. I cannot believe that this boy can really sing anything plus the way he uttered his lyrics it's so clear that is the reason why he connects with his audience so well - as if he is painting his word to a song and comes out so beautiful that is his best quality. That really makes him a great, great singer that was Dolly Parton was saying. Simon Cowell was right his the one to beat. If you observe and listen to the other contestant like David Cook - you cannot understand his lyrics that is the big comparison between him and David Archuleta.
You really did a good job, David.
You are the EPITOME OF THE REAL AMERICAN IDOL !
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Apr 16, 2008 6:40 AM
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I thought Mariah Carey was a better guest mentor than most people they've had on the show. She actually gave advice to the contestants instead of the empty "oh they're all so wonderful!" gushing that most mentors usually give. That said, it was clearly a plug for her new album. Also, 'Mariah Carey songs' was a poor pick as a theme since the judges discourage the contestants from singing songs by Carey, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion.
I agree about David Cook. He is clearly the best performer in this competition and the only one who is ready to record and release an album tomorrow. No need to go through 6 more weeks until the finale.
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Apr 16, 2008 9:27 AM
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Couldn't disagree more. Almost everyone who comes on the show is promoting something when they do, Mariah just happens to be more currently relevant than all the others so it seems more blatant. But that is what made the night so compelling to watch, she has old hits AND she's still gonna have more hits this year, as opposed to a legend who is already said and done. She came across as genuinely down to earth and helpful. It seems like Cheers & Jeers was just looking for something to swing at, most other pubs have praised the night.
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Apr 16, 2008 10:26 AM
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Hey, it could've been worse... remember when Diana Ross mentored last season ">
Seriously, Mariah didn't do too badly as a celeb mentor... and (of course) David Cook stole the show!
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Apr 16, 2008 10:57 AM
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I disagree with your jeer; I thought having Mariah on American Idol was very relevant in light of her recent jump past Elvis to number 2 in record sales, just behind the Beatles. And she gave articulate, specific advice, not just "go out there and sing your heart out" (although she did resort to that a time or two in some of the clips they showed us). I'm not her biggest fan but she was sweet and approachable and a good boost for AI.
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Apr 16, 2008 12:17 PM
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How was last night any different from any of the other nights with mentors? They all have something to sell and they all go on to get boosts in sales.
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Apr 16, 2008 12:38 PM
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Gwen Stefani (or was it Fergie?) was way worse than Miss Ross.
They need to get Cher, Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle on this show. Like Aretha and Patti, who both received and taught singing lessons, Mariah actually knows a little something about vocal coaching. She actually gave advice. Cher and Bette would be better at giving them some stage presence. The one thing they all lack is performance skills. Maybe that's a good part of why Taylor Hicks one a few years ago.
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Apr 16, 2008 12:43 PM
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Well, I for one am disappointed that nobody went for the whistle-register. What's Mariah-oke night without an attempt at the high note on "Someday"?!??! Still, it seems she was an OK mentor, obvious shilling aside. But they really need to bring back Lulu. (I never thought I'd ever utter those words...)
Once again, the magic of David Cook was lost on me. He has no concept of his vocal range, either reaching too high or low every week. Still, I want to see Carly gone ASAP, though Kristy and Brooke will round out the bottom 3 along with her.
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Apr 16, 2008 1:29 PM
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I totally disagree. I thought Mariah did a great job mentoring and I didn't doubt for a second that her comments were genuine. I also thought the Idols really stepped up to the plate for Mariah Carey night. It could've been a total disaster, but the contestants made interesting choices and sang very well for the most part. I look forward to Mariah's performance on the results show tonight. She has a fabulous voice and is a talented songwriter.
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Apr 16, 2008 3:06 PM
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It wasn't as good as Dolly Night, but it was OK. I loved David Cook's perfomance, and I'm with Paula on the Jason Castro thing, but why, oh why did no one mention Harry Nilsson (the brilliant man who WROTE and originally performed the song) when Carly screeched out "Without You"? If she'd at least listened to the original Harry version, she could have given a much better, more inflected performance. (climbs off soapbox)
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Apr 16, 2008 3:45 PM
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what david cook give him the title? i don't think so. although he made a nice arrangement archuleta blew him away with his vocals. from singing from the bottom, bringing it way up, and back down, and his growls. please archuleta did it all last night.
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Apr 16, 2008 5:52 PM
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Everything Idol does is self promotion. The show itself is self promotion. So, although I sort of agree, it is par for the course with Idol. They're all about building fan bases for hit makers. I though Mariah was a pretty good coach in comparison to many of the past.
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Apr 16, 2008 5:53 PM
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I'm not a Mariah follower but she did just as good a job as any other mentor on Idol (from what we can see). David Cook was the shining star last night & is the only one truly ready to wear the Idol crown. If for any reason he does not nab the title, he's still a star. Like Daughtry - no crown but a huge success and the only Idol CD I've ever purchased. Simply put... I heart David Cook! 
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Apr 16, 2008 6:42 PM
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