Originally Posted By Lisann22 So far, two episodes in I like what both of them bring to the show. I've noticed we are seeing less of the awful and more of the talent. For me personally, I like this much more than the past years!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo What I really love is because all three are accomplished and diverse, and they gel well, the focus is on the auditions much more than the egos! Fantastic. though with synergistic Disney, it could be funny if the Rock N Roller Coaster Fast Passes at DHS suggested you see the American Idol Attraction while waiting. Lol
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I thought I was going to miss Simon Cowell. Not so. We're actually really enjoying the new line up of judges. I had no idea Jennifer Lopez is such a sweet person. She has a super cute personality that really suits the show. It takes a lot of guts to walk into the 'American Idol' auditions and 'put it all out there' for these judges. And it's easy for us out in TV Land to just bag on them. Lopez, Tyler and Jackson -- they are providing a much more pleasant experience -- both for the contestants and for us the TV viewers. Now...if only we could replace Seacrest.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Exactly Jim! It's more of a nuturing, giving advice, trying to calm and encourage the contestants to do well. That used to be Paula's role but she was so wacky sometimes it got lost. It's going to be interesting to watch them pick the final contestants and then the critiquing as the weeks go on. Excited to see what's going to happen.
Originally Posted By gadzuux I agree that we're getting less of the freaky ones and more of the people that are voted through to hollywood. What we're not getting, at least so far, are the "close calls" - people that are good but not great - the tough calls where the singer eventually gets told 'no'. For the most part, the singers that get the 'no' are clearly terrible. Another mild concern I have is that Steven Tyler is making a lot of comments about the looks and sexiness of the women singers. It leads to the impression that he's likely to be favorable to a knockout beauty with so-so singing chops over a more plain girl with a better voice. It's early still, so we're just watching early trends, but I'm watching to see if he's going to be a sexist pig.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 It's not just the judges, remember - it's the editing. We see a fraction of what went on. So it seems to me the producers have decided to emphasize the idea that Idol will be "kinder and gentler" this year. And while I appreciate that they are showing fewer train wrecks for the amusement of the masses, from the one show I saw I thought they were letting TOO MANY people with marginal talent through. People I thought were good-but-not-great they were praising to the sky.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I like Steven Tyler so far-- unsure on J Lo-- is she new Paula ? Hope not. However do miss SImon..
Originally Posted By Labuda I'm not really missing anyone who's gone, and so far, at least, I am *totally* digging Steven & Jennifer.
Originally Posted By gadzuux After last night, I'm liking Steven Tyler even more than I thought I would - he's the real mccoy, and earning my respect. I'm also warming to J-Lo - She's frequently unintentionally funny. I loved it when the civil war guy finished his weird take on 'Lion Sleeps Tonight' and Steven Tyler started in about how much he liked it. Jennifer looks at him with a silent "are you crazy?" expression, then says "it's a no from me". Her other laugh out loud moment came when she was introducing herself to the 'fiance' in the wheelchair. This poor girl had no idea where she was or what was going on, when J-Lo leans in and says "hi, I'm Jennifer . . . Lopez". Randy is Randy - at this point he's like part of the furniture, there's just not much more to be said about him. But I like both of the new judges muy more than either Ellen or Kara. I also like the guy with the really deep Travis Tritt type voice. The blonde from Harvard and the white house was also a pleasant surprise, and I predict she'll be a comer in the week's ahead. The guy with the fiance in the wheelchair got better as he want along, but I'm automatically suspicious of contestants that have any kind of maudlin backstory that the producers can mine for cheap sentiment. Finally, I'd be willing to bet a quarter that we see the civil war guy singing the 'weeem-o-weps' on the finale show this spring.
Originally Posted By csgoofygirl I have been pleasantly surprised by this season. I didn't think I would like the new judges, but I really do. I like the fact that they aren't spending so much time mocking people. It will be interesting to see how it goes the rest of the season.
Originally Posted By Rsey103 That last girl in Nashville had confidence and charisma. Hard to believe she is only 15. Randy seems to be trying to take on the role of Simon with some of those remarks...
Originally Posted By Labuda Yeah, after the Nashville shows, I'm liking Randy less, but loving Steven & J-Lo. Oh, and being who I am, I <3 Steven more for having corrected whoever called him Steve.
Originally Posted By SFH "but I'm automatically suspicious of contestants that have any kind of maudlin backstory that the producers can mine for cheap sentiment." And now, if your own backstory isn't "bad" enough, you can always bring your "best friend" with you... if your friend has a bad backstory. That was the case with one of the people last week. Looks to me like a lot of people are getting sent to Hollywood as sort of a validation that they do have some talent, even though it is obvious that unless they have some major coaching between the auditions and Hollywood week, they're going to be cut for sure.
Originally Posted By Labuda I love that they got 50 people from Austin! Especially since I remember seeing less than 20 sent through on a previous location this season. We're the live music capital of the world for a reason, ya know. Oh, and they didn't get the essence of Austin AT ALL. It was weird to see my city portrayed that way. And, since this wasn't their first visit here, I'm surprised we haven't seen Leslie pop up on an episode of AI.
Originally Posted By gadzuux I have to admit, I really enjoyed the nauseatingly in-love couple - these two are total comedy. Yeah sure, they were hamming it up for the cameras, but the underlying schtik seems real - they're a goody-two-shoes couple, and both can sing reasonably well. I hope they go far - just for the entertainment value. This year's Spencer and Heidi!
Originally Posted By Labuda Well, being me, I was driven crazy by how lovey dovey they are (PUKEFEST), but I will agree that she's a reasonably good singer despite having some of the ugliest hair I've ever seen - that sideways braid drove me crazy! The boy in that couple, though - WOW, I totally dug that little guy's voice!
Originally Posted By gadzuux He had a Bobby Darin/Harry Connick Jr kind of croony vibe to him - fun, but waaay outta step with current sounds.
Originally Posted By gadzuux And another thing . . . J-Lo and her "looks". Sometimes she's really gorgeous and smokin' hot, and other times she's too over the top. The first half of last night's show she was at her best - hair down and tousled and makeup dialed back. But on the second half hour - the second day - she showed up with her hair pulled back in a severe bun, poofy blouse, harsh makeup and glow in the dark lipstick. I thought she looked terrible, and too overdone for just sitting through auditions. Funny how much difference there can be for the same person.
