Jim Cantiello reacts to Tuesday's 'American idol' broadcast. (5.18.10)
Thats so true
I agree with you
Crystal is by far the best performer, Lee is ok but he always sounds the same, Casey is a great guitarist.. Sorry I didn't see Lee's moment, but the judges aren't gonna say anything bad about their song choices are they... Crystal by a mile
I agree with you about the finale week...I have been worrying about it, too. I also think Lee actually kinda had a look in his eyes when the choir started in like "yea, you're not seeing things, there is a choir behind me" like he would have preferred it not to happen. But maybe I'm reading into things. I thought he sang the song well.
The American Idol is downhill. The Judges were annoying and the contestants were so so for AI9. I stopped watching the show, and just came to watch your summary video.
I totally agree with you. They pimped Lee so much that it made me dislike him even more. And NO, he did not have a moment. His performance was mediocre at best...they tried to make it look like a moment, but failed so hard. I just hope Casey makes the top 2 and pisses everyone off. I'd like to see Lee leave...he shouldn't even be in the Top 3.
I thought Casey's first song was bahhhhd and the rest of the songs...anywhere from meh to okay. I enjoyed Lee's Hallelujah but he's no Jason Castro, just like Lee's and Crystal's Falling Slowly duet was not Kris Allen. Bring back Season's 7 and 8. Season 9 is about one step better than Season 3 and Season 6. Worst seasons ever.
Jim, I believe your disgust over the judges' and producers' pimping over Lee has clouded your assessment over the contestant's performance which was heartfelt, sincere, and in tune. I'm very much with you that Lee has had pitch issues in his past performances (even in his Simple Man rendition), but his emotion was apparent in Hallelujah. Try listening to it without the video because that's how I came across his performance initially at rickey.org. I just listened to the audio and I got goosebumps! When I looked at the video, I could see where you're coming from with all those lights and camera angles, but I'm giving Lee credit for a moving performance, nevertheless. Yeah, I would agree with you on you being a cynical jerk because Lee deserves some props this time! I kind of expected that from you, actually! I like you, your clips, and reviews, nevertheless, so no big harm done! But I still want you to say that Lee had a moment with Hallelujah! For REAL! LOL... P.S. I loved Crystal's Maybe I'm Amazed as well. P.S.2. Say it. Lee had a moment. And mean it! LOL. :p Peace Jim! ;)
Totally agree with you Jim. I still think he deserves to go top 2 but his hallelujah left me cold. Loved Simple Man though.
Sick and tired of this bs about Lee being the underdog and Crystal being a pro. Dude already had two failed CDs released AND a recording contract - does not sound amateur to me! What's emotional is unscripted "moments" like Kris Allen's HEARTLESS or Adam Lambert's MAD WORLD last season not the producer's deliberate attempt to yank heart strings last night. A choir for God's sake! Gimme a break! I was tempted to spend two hours voting for Crystal because I resent being manipulated. All I want is something new and exciting on the music scene, something that shakes it to its foundation or core, and Lee DeWyze is more of the same flannel-coated, trivial garbage. That's not to say that Crystal is any better or different - just female.
Yes, the pimping to performance quality ratio (the P/PQ ratio) was at an all-time high last night. I agree that Crystal's Maybe I'm Amazed was the performance of the night. Two friends who watched with me for the first time both said, "the girl" will win. So that makes me feel a little better. Two things I don't like about Lee: 1) constant pitch problems; 2) he gives off a jerk vibe (there were a few "tells" this season that I saw but too long to explain); and 3) (oh wait, I said only two) he's self-satisfied and doesn't shut-up (the Gokey factor).
Aloha Jim! First time to comment this season ... this season sucks so bad. Haven't voted once. But I still check in with you, Slezak and mjsbigblog. Love all your work! This season can't end fast enough! Will you be covering XFactor? Please say yes!! Oh, wait ... Lee had a moment ... (yawn)
I agree that the show tries to manipulate the audience and pimps certain contestants, and Lee definitely has benefitted this year from some pimpin. But I have to admit, I loved the Hallelujiah performance. It brought me to tears, which is rare for me. I love that song anyway, and loved Jason Castro's take on it, too. But Lee really sang with raw emotion for the first time in that song last night (Simple Man, also), and I loved it. BTW, Matt Giraud was going to sing Simple Man the week after he was voted off.... would have loved to hear his take on it, too.
I happen to think that the reason they pimped Lee so hard is that they still want their chosen one (Crystal) to win. Therefore, make it look like Lee is going to take the crown and make those who think Crystal has it in the bag feel a little nervous and vote like crazy. They have a way with treating America like children and use the ole reverse psychology a lot on this show!
I realize you resent feeling like you're being manipulated by the producers. That being said: Just because a performance is praised to the skies by the judges/spotlighted by the producers doesn't mean it's bad and you need to bash it. It feels like you're blaming Lee for the way the producers treated Crystal and Casey without actually saying anything substantive about the "Hallelujah" performance itself.
100% agree with the jim this week. Lee: 1st song decent [i am still finding it odd that singing on key is a big step] 2nd song Tim had more of a moment with that song than lee did seriously, saw right through the smoke and mirrors, moments are not manufactured, they are spontaneously created, don't hate Lee but the judge pimping has got to stop. Crystal: 1st meh 2nd quite decent, love the none change of pronouns her voice seemed like it struggled this week. Casey: 1st Meh 2nd Sounded good, he obviously worked on his goat vibrato [on both songs], boy deserves credit for that, but his voice is still not powerful tho. neither was Kris's, but he had more range, Casey seems confused why he is still in the competition at this point. i am bias, don't hate casey, but i still wish it was tim there.
Wait, was that your cat talking at the 52 second mark? Right after you said schmaltz? i swear that was a kitty sound. Anyway, I totally agree with everything you said here. I am so sick of the line of BULLSH!T the judges/producers have fed us this season. I voted for Casey tonight in protest. It would make me ridiculously happy for them to get stuck with Casey as the winner this season. They deserve it.
PS. Jim, you forgot to mention the trumpets & other horns on Lee's "Hallelujah", along with the strings, background choir & tympani! Love ur cynical jerkness ;) ...... Can't wait to see Crystal on Idols Tour this summer..
Yes, Lee had a moment. And I loved it. Hallelujah was alright, too.
...don't forget the "unbelievable" Randy comment on Lee ... *roll eyes* ..love Crystal on McCartney song tonight. (Crystal seems to me a tad less confident than at the start of the season and it shows... still want her to win. .. )