Originally Posted By Inspector 57 Previous episodes had led me to believe that the judges' comments were pre-determined. This episode [finally! duh!] made me realize how much MORE influence than that the producers have in shaping how the competition is presented to viewers -- everything from which contestant gets big vocal backing to which shots of audience members are screened. This episode seemed like a very biased presentation to me.
Originally Posted By Labuda ^ Same thing I thought, Heinz. It's just like Casey was filler this week and the judges REALLY want Lee & Crystal for the final two. Then again, that's what I want, too! hehe BTW, y'all - back in post #s 264 & 266 (made on 24 March), TXDISNEYNERD and I called the current top 3 as the best. Oh, and 18 Feb was when I first mentioned liking Lee a lot - though the first couple/few posts mentioned that I'm a dirty old woman who wants to see him without a shirt on. heh
Originally Posted By SFH Yes, the producers of the show can manipulate things. Mamasox will have a career either way. She has a distinct look and sound already. Lee needs the title more. I really hope things get switched up big time with Simon leaving. Ellen can do better in Ryan's role. Make Ryan a judge. Bring in new judges to replace not only Simon, but Kara (why does she keep referring to Randy and Ellen as "the guys"?) and Randy. Perhaps a former Idol finalist can be one of the new judges? They need replacements who can critigue and mentor, but also be good on TV.
Originally Posted By Rsey103 I hope the girl with the yellow teeth gets voted off tonight. I can't stand looking at that mess.
Originally Posted By Labuda You realize her teeth have been whitened, AND she's easily going to be top 2 unless Vote for the Worst made a miracle happen, don't you, Rsey?
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I think they waaaay overpraised Lee (he was good but not "Wow!! That was a moment!!") and underpraised Crystal. A few weeks ago I thought that was just to tighten up a competition that Crystal seemed too far in front of. Now I think they're essentially pimping Lee to win. I'm not sure why. He comes off as very shy and not assertive, so maybe they think he'll be more pliable for 19 Productions to work with? Due to his non-assertive nature, I think he DOES need the title more than Crystal, as 19 makes a lot of decisions FOR the winner, whereas second-place has to fend more for him or herself. Unless Lee gets a real good agent, he probably needs the win more. Crystal seems very nice, but at the same time like someone who will stand firm and won't be pushed around. So maybe either because they think he'll be more pliable, or to save him from himself, it seems like they're really pushing for him to win, and thinking Crystal will be fine in the real world without the win. Also, I think they like the "storyline" of "from way back in the pack, shy Lee grows by leaps and bounds as the competition goes on to win the title!!" They may think that's more compelling than "Longtime and early frontrunner Crystal wins," which might seem kinda blah to them. Also, they really went out of their way to say Lee was having "moments." AI has been woefully short of them this season, so I guess they had to manufacture a couple. But although I love the song "Hallelujah," Lee simply did NOT sing it all that awesomely. And I don't mean the pitchiness (which was there), but the interpretation. It's NOT a heroic song. Anything but, in fact. If you listen to kd lang, or Leonard Cohen (the writer, who doesn't have a great voice, but who understands what his own song is about), you see that the whole point of the song is the irony between that quintessentially joyful word and the world-weariness of the singer singing it. Maybe I'm Amazed was far, far better.
Originally Posted By Labuda "I think they waaaay overpraised Lee (he was good but not "Wow!! That was a moment!!") and underpraised Crystal. A few weeks ago I thought that was just to tighten up a competition that Crystal seemed too far in front of. Now I think they're essentially pimping Lee to win." Nice to see I'm not the only one who thinks so. When I saw Crystal do the first song last night, I thought it was quite good. Then found Lee a bit yawn-tastic in his first song, and was amazed at how the judges fell all over each other pimping him. Then, as you can see on the page before this one, in the second round I heard Crystal do the Paul McCartney song and my socks were knocked off. If Ellen picked that song all on her own, I think she's got more hope than I previously thought to be a good judge for this show. Then came Lee's final song - yeah, it's a great song, and he did a darned good job of it, but, again, I felt like the judges were pimping him to NO end. It just amazes me how blatantly pro-Lee they were. Wow.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 OMG. So far I'm finding tonight's [Wednesday's] episode painful to watch. The opening segment was excruciating. Okay, okay. I know they're all nervous. And Ryan's questions to them are inane. Still... could there have BEEN a less articulate group than these three?!
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 "The Inability To Express A Coherent Thought" turns out to be the theme of tonight's entire episode. Upon the crowning of the winner, will 19 immediately assign that Idol a Personality Coach? or is "duh" considered attractive these days? To be fair, Crystal did come off a bit better than both of the guys in this regard.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 <<I hope the girl with the yellow teeth gets voted off tonight. I can't stand looking at that mess.>> [Memo to self: If ever charged with a serious crime, have attorney use one of those free challenge-things to make sure that Rsey103 is not seated on my jury.]
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 <<So maybe either because they think he'll be more pliable, or to save him from himself, it seems like they're really pushing for him to win, and thinking Crystal will be fine in the real world without the win.>> Snap out of it, Dabob!!! The AI producers aren't in this for altruism. I can't picture them having a hands-wringing debate over what would be the best overall outcome for the remaining contestants. They're in this to make money off the winner. If they're pimping Lee -- which they clearly are -- it's because their team of marketing researchers says that Lee will sell more downloads for them than would Crystal or Casey. Business. Show business. Case closed.
Originally Posted By onlyme Regarding the yellow teeth...diabetics are prone to excessive tartar. That could be the reason.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I don't think there is any doubt that Lee is the most mainstream of the three (and now two.) While I'd like Crystal to win...IMO she's the most naturally talented, authentic, and comfortable with herself and her music...I'd be _very_ surprised if she did.
Originally Posted By Labuda Well, it's freakin' LATE here, but I am just now finishing up watching tonight's episode. Overall, a total yawnfest. Glad that Crystal and Lee are top 2, and unless things change in a big way next week on performance night, I'll be voting my rear off for Crystal next week.
Originally Posted By Labuda BTW, the hideously-dressed little girl that Casey picked up isn't his, is she?
Originally Posted By SFH "If they're pimping Lee -- which they clearly are -- it's because their team of marketing researchers says that Lee will sell more downloads for them than would Crystal or Casey." Crytal and Casey have some contractual obligations, too, right? I think there are cetertain stipulations for anyone who makes it ti Hollywood, anyone who makes it past "Hollywood", then more for the top 24, more for the top 10, and so forth. It may be a matter of "Crystal can sell more than Lee if she wins. However, if Lee wins, the number of sales he'll gain will outweigh the number of sales Crystal won't get because she came in 2nd instead of getting the title." Daughtry proved you can come in FOURTH and still end up doing much better in the long run than the top three.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I don't care what Idol did or didn't do my two favs are still in it. I just wanna hear some good music. LOL
Originally Posted By Dabob2 < Business. Show business. Case closed.> Maybe. But "business" does tie in to my "more pliable" remarks, actually. The vibe I get is that Lee will say "yes" to whatever 19 suggests - and they like that idea. "We want you to put 5 mediocre songs that Kara wrote on your album, Lee." "Sure!" "We want you to be the "special guest" on the attempted comeback single by MC Hammer. We just signed him." "Sure!" I can see Crystal standing up for herself and saying "no" sometimes - perhaps repeatedly if it's something she feels strongly about. They wouldn't like that idea so much.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I don't get that vibe from Lee at all. I think he pretty much stuck to what was comfortable for him the whole season. Shy - yes. A bit overwhelmed right now - yes. But I think he knows who he is and what he wants to do. I don't think he's a complete push over. I love Crystal but something about her makes me thing - future diva. A bit stubborn. I think Crystal is going to make it and I also think we are going to be seeing her on People; the ups and downs of Crystal Bowersox.
Originally Posted By Rsey103 >>Regarding the yellow teeth...diabetics are prone to excessive tartar. That could be the reason. << Can they have a comb run through their hair? To get the chicken feathers out? That girl looks like something they pulled out from under a bridge.
