American Idol 2013

[Haleylvr4evr]

The only thing I dont like (besides Nikki) is the format of tonight's elimination. I've always liked how they did it in the past with the couches and all the suspense and everything. Maybe that was just for tonight and go back to the normal next week!

Funny, I liked this format SOOOO much better !

But Now I understand why they do that suspense thing.. some people like it!

to each their own... I know you're coming from a good place about it 4ever

my preferences are just that personal preferences, but

I 'd actually prefer that they didn't have the kids on camera when they were announcing the results... I wouldn't enjoy being treated that way....but I guess that's where my mind goes.. how would I like to be treated and I get kind of mad when they make the contestants uncomfortable.

I guess I feel for them more than I want it exciting (or I feel their pain so much I can't enjoy the excitement...

I guess I know myself personally I'd get angry and give them a disdainful look of shame for their behavior if someone started taunting me with a treat dangled over my head.

I guess I'm just used to the other way after watching the show for so long! Both formats are good in their own ways

[cherelann]

edit: if Janelle sings the way she did last night, she'll once again be my pick as winner.

Conspiracy theory: The producers messed with her microphone for her previous two performances. She definitely sounded better last night while Amber seemed to have problems with her mic... My belief is that AI has an agenda and that they manipulate the outcome to a large degree. After all there is not a lot of transparency in their voting system.

[mercfan3]

Also, about Candice..

along with always being on pitch..I love that her runs are beautiful. Jessica for instance (who I love), was always on pitch..and her runs were always on pitch..but sometimes they were a bit Beyonce-ish, and they didn't sound great.

Haley's runs are always flawless.

And speaking of...I love that Candice has added a bit of growl to her voice. It's not as pronounced as Haley's..but it just adds a little bit of roughness to her normally sweet and smooth voice.

[cherelann]

^^Agree with you 100% merc!!

[My Alter Ego]

Also, about Candice..

along with always being on pitch..I love that her runs are beautiful. Jessica for instance (who I love), was always on pitch..and her runs were always on pitch..but sometimes they were a bit Beyonce-ish, and they didn't sound great.

Haley's runs are always flawless.

And speaking of...I love that Candice has added a bit of growl to her voice. It's not as pronounced as Haley's..but it just adds a little bit of roughness to her normally sweet and smooth voice.

Oh my goodness -- yes!! I can't stop listening to -- or wanting to listen to -- her rendition of "Ordinary People." There was nothing "ordinary" about it! And, while from the standpoint of the lyrics, I can understand why the song's considered a ballad, from the arrangement/rhythm, I struggle with that classification.

I mentioned in an earlier post in this thread that when recently re-watching the Vegas group song that Candice participated in last year, I finally understood why she didn't make it to the next level (while vocally terrific, she lacked the spark that Jessica and DeAndre had). When I think of the group that went through last year to the live rounds, I'm even more glad that she was cut when she was -- as harsh as that may sound.

Last year, there were some majorly "outsized" performance personalities -- and I don't mean that in a bad (i.e. Curtis Finch/Jacob Lusk) way. I just mean that there were a number of people who commanded the stage/audience attention (i.e. Jessica, Joshua, Skylar, Elise, even Phillip, in his own way, Hollie, etc.). I think Candice would never have registered to the public if she had made it to the finals last year. And what a disservice that would have been.

In the past year, she's matured and found an ability to project herself, without turning into someone she's not. And that's remarkable -- commendable even. And, if what I've seen on Mr. Slezak's TVLine blog and bits and pieces elsewhere, she seems to have captured people's attention in a mostly positive way. I do have hope that she will be in the "show" for awhile, if not the eventual winner (and while she certainly deserves to win, I still suspect a guy will.)

And, lastly, yes, the similarities between Candice and Haley are: a.) always being in tune (despite what the idiot Randy claimed about Haley from time to time); b.) fabulous (as in "they know what they're doing") runs; and c.) growls.

Not bad, eh?

[mercfan3]

oh my goodness, I'm the same way with "I'm Going Down." I love that song, and hers is my favorite version.

I'm glad she was cut last year too, for the purely selfish reason of...there was so much talent last season...this season needs her. And I do think when she sings she sounds much more mature. And I think she's found herself in her performances too. Slezak said she "sings songs like a mature woman." And I agree with him. She's emoting, but it comes from a very mature and even subtle place.

Coming into the season, she was an early favorite for me...but I didn't even realize how great she was.

if you haven't seen this, Jessica, DeAndre and Candice did a reprise of "Doesn't matter anymore" when she visited them on tour. Fantastic version. And I love how the room slowly quiets. (Jessica is adorable in this video.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zCSIZZ2gmA

I think for me, it's not that she reminds me of Haley. It's just, after the past two seasons and especially Haley...I have very high expectations for the singers on idol. Haley and her perfect pitch and soul and uniqueness spoiled me. And for me, Candice and Kree (even though I really like Angela Miller) live up to that standard that the past two seasons, particularly Haley, set.

And I'm glad Candice is getting the attention she deserves. I can't see her getting the "hate" that some of the other really talented female singers have gotten (for instance, I think Angela is going to get it.).

[Tusk]

The most entertaining part for me was Ryan having to catch up with the kids running towards the stage. Paul looked like he was shot out of a cannon as soon as he was named and Ryan had to practically sprint to keep up

[Babbs234]

I agree with MAE and mercfan about Candice. And I feel she is humble and likable, and appreciative of the opportunity given to her.

[Tom22]

edit: if Janelle sings the way she did last night, she'll once again be my pick as winner.

Conspiracy theory: The producers messed with her microphone for her previous two performances. She definitely sounded better last night while Amber seemed to have problems with her mic... My belief is that AI has an agenda and that they manipulate the outcome to a large degree. After all there is not a lot of transparency in their voting system.

It was quite odd that Amber had so much trouble . She was holding the mic right. I think it could have been a pretty enjoyable performance if we heard her whole voice throughout but it was pretty mediocre having the sound come in and out.

Conspiracy or not, it was unfortunate for sure.

[My Alter Ego]

I agree with MAE and mercfan about Candice. And I feel she is humble and likable, and appreciative of the opportunity given to her.

Plus -- she can actually sing! What a concept!

---

The most entertaining part for me was Ryan having to catch up with the kids running towards the stage. Paul looked like he was shot out of a cannon as soon as he was named and Ryan had to practically sprint to keep up

Yes, Ryan got his workout that night -- and it was pretty funny.

And speaking of Ryan: he really does his job well. In comparison to the disasters that the US version of X Factor have had, he's light years ahead (of course, he has had 12 seasons to practice ).

I'm stilled impressed with how he handled Charlie Askew's meltdown. And I suspect that meltdown had a great deal to do with how the 10 finalists were revealed Thursday night.