topic American Idol in Community Chat

American Idol

AnikaBrodie — Thu, 08 May 2014 13:59:12 GMT

With only four contestants left my favorite performanes last night were Jena "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You" and Caleb "Maybe I'm Amazing". Both were beautiful performances IMHO but I give a slight edge to Jena. I'm still waiting for Caleb to sing a song without screaming but think he doesn't know how to do that. Come on, Caleb, give us soft and beautiful.

Who do you think will leave tonight? I'm thinking Alex or perhaps Jessica.

Re: American Idol

focksie — Thu, 08 May 2014 14:25:35 GMT

AnikaBrodie, I agree completely with the first half of your OP. Those were definitely the best two performances of the night with Jena's being absolutely stunning. She made me cry. I get a little frustrated when people say Caleb is screaming. That is a rocker's voice. It's what hard rock and roll is all about. Just listen to all the hard rock groups of the '70s, '80s and 90s. They all sing that way. Caleb is amazingly on pitch almost 100% of the time and that is extremely difficult to do when you're rasping and blowing out your voice like a rocker. I don't personally care for hard rock but I definitely appreciate his talent. Maybe I'm Amazed showed he can tone it down but then he used dynamics near the end to make for a great performance.

Poor Alex. Well not really poor. He will have his audience. The judges were trying to tell him outright that he cannot win this competition if he sticks to his own style. I really don't know if he is intentionally not wavering from his style or if it's because he's clueless that his understated songs and performances cannot compete with the dynamic performances of the others. He certainly has the talent to win but I don't think he's capable of performing in any other manner.

Re: American Idol

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 08 May 2014 14:34:16 GMT

I haven't been fond of Alex, from the beginning, so he can go. I think it's going to come down to Caleb and Jena - they're my two favorites. No matter who actually wins, the other will probably get picked up by a label as well. Both are really talented.

Re: American Idol

Emma bunting — Thu, 08 May 2014 14:40:59 GMT

Alex is good...........for one song. And that's because ALL of his songs sound exactly alike. I like him, but I've gotten bored by him.

Jessica has an awesome voice........but she really lacks any kind of emotion in her singing. So therefore, I'm bored by her too.

Caleb.......great performer. Great rocker......but so far he hasn't really "moved" me emotionally. Though last night's Maybe I'm amazed came really really close.

Jena.....for some reason I just don't care for her or her singing. YET.......her performance of I Can't help falling in love with you was one of the best, most emotional, most connected performances I've ever heard on Idol.

Jena will win. But I'm still just not wowed by any of them this year. This really might be my last year watching Idol.

(edited by me because my spelling is absolutely atrocious!)

Re: American Idol

straykatz — Thu, 08 May 2014 15:03:26 GMT

Emma...good sumary.

I don't know if the backlash from last week will hurt Alex and Jena....and Caleb apparently used the ""R"" word in a recent interview so that could hurt him too.

At this point I'd be happy with any of them winning but of the 4 the only 2 I can imagine being heard on my radio station is Alex or Jessica.

I was extremely moved by Jena's performance on the piano last night...beautifully done....and for once she enunciated her words without osunding like she had a mouth full of cotton balls.

Re: American Idol

gidgetgh — Thu, 08 May 2014 15:36:05 GMT

To be honest, I really don't care for Jena and I didn't like her performance of "I Can't Help Falling in Love With You". I thought it would never end. I didn't care for Heartbreaker either and can't remember her other song. I also feel like she screams a lot of her songs and I don't care for her tone on a lot of songs.

Jessica is just "ok"- she has zero stage presence. She sounded really out of tune and low on her first song. She has a nice voice on some songs, but I just don't see her winning.

Caleb needs a band and I feel like he's shouting all of his songs.

My pick is Alex- has been from the beginning.

And..... I absolutely couldn't believe that Jennifer rushed up to the stage at the end of Jena's song. A judge really shouldn't do that. Such blatant favoritism.

Re: American Idol

straykatz — Thu, 08 May 2014 15:42:44 GMT

JLo showing Jena how to move while wearing heels....too funny.

Re: American Idol

Fashionista17 — Thu, 08 May 2014 16:14:58 GMT

From the start I have liked Alex and Jena. Caleb screams too much, although I realize he is a rock singer and that's what rock singers do. Yet when he tones it down and does something softer, I like him more. Jessica will most likely go home tonight. I thought her first number (the Kelly Clarkson song) was one of her worst; she was so out of tune! Her last song was her best of the 3. I guess I like Alex because I gravitate to that "coffee house style" of music that he does. I like Jena generally, but when she does a ballad like the Elvis song, I think she shines best.

I wonder whether Caleb's comments of last week will have any effect on the vote this week? Besides using the 'R' word, he said he looks forward to cocaine and hookers on his hometown visit!! I hope he was just kidding, but some people take these things literally.

Re: American Idol

Shorty2U — Thu, 08 May 2014 20:56:02 GMT

I like Alex the best then Jena. I don't care for Caleb even though I like rock. To me he yells and screams too much when he sings. As far as Jess she sings well but she has zero stage presence. And by the way I get sick of them picking on Alex at times. What he does is his style just like the judges all have their style. At least Alex is a singer song writer (like Jena) and he makes the songs his own and isn't some cookie cutter. Well it doesn't matter who ""wins"" I believe the best ones (Alex and Jena IMO) will get record deals no matter what.

Re: American Idol

straykatz — Thu, 08 May 2014 21:05:04 GMT

Shorty.....do you remember a few seasons ago how they comlained about Phil Phillips when he didn't conform to their style...they even tried to change the way Phil dressed...exact same thing happening with Alex this season.

Anyone remember last season how they picked and picked on Kree Harrison because she was so reserved and uptight on stage...but she had a beautiful voice....the treatment towards Jessica this season is terrible!!.....Keith is my favorite judge but he seems to really come down hard on anyone remotely country and he's kind of mean to them always!!...week after week.....even when she does good they don't give her credit.

It seems like every season there in one person the judges beat up on week after week.....and there is always one golden child they all goo and gush over.

I think Alex is very marketable....I could see me listening to him on the radio....and Jessica with a little help and the right mentor could blossom...really blossom!!....

At this stage I think Jena is favored to win.

Re: American Idol

yellowBeetle — Thu, 08 May 2014 21:10:05 GMT

Since Season Five I always think of tonight's show with four contestants left as "Daughtry Elimination Night!" Remember what a huge surprise that was? I guess it gives the contestant who goes home tonight the hope that - like Daughtry - they still have the chance to make it "big!"

I loved Jena's Elvis song - just beautiful. She has been my fave all along. Hope she wins the whole thing.

Caleb's "Maybe I'm Amazed" was his personal best ever, imo. Wish he would cut back on the screaming - last night's "Amazed" proved he can be great without so much of that.

Really like Jessica and Alex lots, too and wouldn't mind it a bit if either of them were in the finale with Jena - but it will probably be a Jena/Caleb contest.

I think they all have a real shot at great musical careers.

Re: American Idol

gazelle77 — Thu, 08 May 2014 21:42:08 GMT

Last night I watched for the first time this season(nothing else worth watching) and I think Alex has the best voice overall. Problem with Alex is that he is so BORING and totally unattractive. Caleb just screams and yells , it is not good music. He is over weight, not good looking, and his hair is dirty/greasy..he looks like a young version of a Meatloaf. The two girls are just good. That is all....nothing special and no personality..just Young, and it shows. None of them are American Idols.

Re: American Idol

MickD — Thu, 08 May 2014 22:43:18 GMT

I thought Caleb rocked that Wings song (my fav by them)....and surprisingly I bawled like an idiot when Jena sang the Elvis song....pmsing for sure....all four did the best last night in their #3 song. Jessica is going home.

Re: American Idol

Gooday — Thu, 08 May 2014 22:51:56 GMT

On 5/8/2014 gidgetgoeshawaiian said:
To be honest, I really don't care for Jena and I didn't like her performance of "I Can't Help Falling in Love With You". I thought it would never end. I didn't care for Heartbreaker either and can't remember her other song. I also feel like she screams a lot of her songs and I don't care for her tone on a lot of songs.

Jessica is just "ok"- she has zero stage presence. She sounded really out of tune and low on her first song. She has a nice voice on some songs, but I just don't see her winning.

Caleb needs a band and I feel like he's shouting all of his songs.

My pick is Alex- has been from the beginning.

And..... I absolutely couldn't believe that Jennifer rushed up to the stage at the end of Jena's song. A judge really shouldn't do that. Such blatant favoritism.

My sentiments exactly. I thought Elvis would be rolling in his grave. Hated it. I did however, love Caleb's "Baby I'm Amazed".

Re: American Idol

milly1 — Thu, 08 May 2014 23:11:00 GMT

I might have been crying too because Jena butchered a beautiful song. J-Lo was very inappropriate carrying on and rushing the stage. Caleb screams and needs a make over. Alex is boring, boring, boring. Jesse has a good voice but needs to learn how to perform. This is the WORST Idol ever by a landslide.

Re: American Idol

Emma bunting — Thu, 08 May 2014 23:44:24 GMT

On 5/8/2014 milly said:
I might have been crying too because Jena butchered a beautiful song. J-Lo was very inappropriate carrying on and rushing the stage. Caleb screams and needs a make over. Alex is boring, boring, boring. Jesse has a good voice but needs to learn how to perform. This is the WORST Idol ever by a landslide.

Boy do I ever agree with you! I blame the judges! Out of all the people who auditioned there HAD to be more talent than this.

And I agree about Caleb needing a makeover. Didn't they used to do makeovers on the contestants in previous seasons? Maybe because it's ratings are down that was the first thing cut from the budget!

Re: American Idol

BecauseCats — Thu, 08 May 2014 23:49:01 GMT

Caleb all the way!!!!!! Jessica needs to go. She doesn't belong there. To me she sounds like someone singing along to a song on the radio. No better than that! Jena is great. Alex is good has a unique sound. Caleb knocks my socks off! His voice is unparralleled. GO CALEB!

Re: American Idol

pommom — Fri, 09 May 2014 00:08:17 GMT

I watched Jena perform this song again on the tube, and still came away feeling cold.

For the life of me, I can't figure out what was so great about her performance. This is a tender love song and the screaming did nothing to enhance the song and didn't move me. Just a blah performance IMO.

Re: American Idol

SydneyH — Fri, 09 May 2014 00:17:02 GMT

Could we just crown Caleb the winner, the girls are dreadful imo.......

Re: American Idol

HisElk — Fri, 09 May 2014 00:32:00 GMT

On 5/8/2014 SydneyH said:
Could we just crown Caleb the winner, the girls are dreadful imo.......

Works for me! If Jessica doesn't go home tonight, there's something wrong. As for Jena Irene's version of the Elvis song, I liked it until she did the screaming part.

If Caleb doesn't win, he'll do just fine as many of the others who didn't win have.