American Idol Week 3: A Horseplayer's Perspective

[ArlJim78]

I think you're pretty spot on this week Brian. Yeah it was a little more ho-hum. Glad to see that you're feeling it a little for Chris S. I think he is underrated but real solid and might be one of those that you really see growing during the course of the season. I think with more confidence he might really shine.

Otherwise yeah, not a big separation top to bottom, no home runs I guess.

Not being musically inclined myself, but I do know what you mean about the lower register issue with Phil.

So thats my future, Idol night in Chicago hosted by Bri? You know, if you market this correctly with say an Idol/ponies theme, you might bring in some crossover types like Dell, scavs, mera? perhaps.

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Yeah I voted for Taylor Hicks 583,119 times last year.

Well that explains the third worst night of my life perfectly.

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

So thats my future, Idol night in Chicago hosted by Bri? You know, if you market this correctly with say an Idol/ponies theme, you might bring in some crossover types like Dell, scavs, mera? perhaps.

Sadly there is no racing on Tuesdays at AP or we'd have post-racing Idol nights. I'm still convinced that there is some way to draw people. Beer is how I get through the bad ones, there's gotta be something there.

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

Sadly there is no racing on Tuesdays at AP or we'd have post-racing Idol nights. I'm still convinced that there is some way to draw people. Beer is how I get through the bad ones, there's gotta be something there.

you don't need the live racing. Its easy, split screen with Idol on one side and Mountaineer on the other. Fun for everyone. Oh yeah, beer is a good idea also.

[brianwspencer]

Jordin
I just love her. Still. That song choice was perfect for her. That’s the kind of song that makes me want to have an entire record of material by Jordin Sparks. I get the feeling that she’s going to be one of the ones to fall by the wayside as far as votes are concerned getting overshadowed every week by the huge voices -- but she better be back next week. She’s spunky and charismatic, and far too talented for only being seventeen years old. Still my personal favorite, even if she's not the best singer in here.

Final Score: 9.0 phone-in votes

Sabrina
Her voice seemed a bit vacant in some of the quieter spots, like something was missing. It may have been emotion, but it just didn’t make me hot. I think she’s one of the better singers left, but she’s not very endearing as far as her personality goes, and will just have to do better to factor in during the round of twelve.

Final Score: 8.0 phone-in votes

Antonella
She was off and on and off and on and off and on and off and on for the first half of her song, but I should just keep that in my notepad and paste it into my review every week. She can’t handle herself consistently. With that said, she (like her vocal bottom dwelling partner in crime, Sanjay) was exponentially better this week than her first two weeks combined and multiplied by fifty. What does that all add up to? Still not good enough.

Final Score: 6.5 phone-in votes

Haley
Simon echoed the sentiment that I noted here last week about how I wouldn’t know her from a Price is Right contestant. She’s not memorable in any way. She’s vocally passable but I still think she’s in the bottom two as far as talent goes in this female bunch. Get the feeling she’s a cut below the best in here.

Final Score: 6.5 phone-in votes

Stephanie
I want to see her loosen up a bit and let go vocally and with her song choice. It’s no secret that she’s one of the most vocally consistent finalists, but I wish she would establish herself outside of the impressions of already famous musicians she’s gone with so far

Final Score: 8.0 phone-in votes

Lakeisha
That’s the little bit of “yo” factor that I missed last week. Obviously she is in the upper echelon in this competition. I think that going into the Final 24, she was the one to beat, but more on that later…..

Final Score: 9.5 phone-in votes

Gina
I love that she went with a song that was very much her style. She was a little bit shouty/whiny/screamy. I thought she was on the cusp coming into this week, and I think her performance separated her from what I consider to be the two very obvious worst singers on the female side. I hope that being third worst is enough to get her past eliminations this week. I really enjoyed myself though, for what it’s worth.

Final Score: 8.0 phone-in votes

Melinda
STRICTLY THE ONE TO BEAT.

Final Score: As many phone-in votes as one can manage to complete before the lines close.

[ArlJim78]

My rankings;

1) Melinda - Classy, beat her to take the title
2) Lakeisha - talented and working well, not ideal post position
3) Jordin - steps up against elders, has shot
4) Stephanie - consistent grinder type, must show more
5) Sabrina - off form last few tries, can rebound
6) Antonella - gorgeous looking filly, steps up in class
7) Haley - in deep, must do more
8) Gina - doesn't have the class for this

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

My rankings;

1) Melinda - Classy, beat her to take the title
2) Lakeisha - talented and working well, not ideal post position
3) Jordin - steps up against elders, has shot
4) Stephanie - consistent grinder type, must show more
5) Sabrina - off form last few tries, can rebound
6) Antonella - geogeous looking filly, steps up in class
7) Haley - in deep, must do more
8) Gina - doesn't have the class for this

LOL! Excellent! I agree that Melinda now sits at the top, she was simply a star tonight! Lakeisha still has the big voice, Jordin is far too talented to ignore, both Stephanie and Sabrina dropped a bit tonight I think. I liked Gina and yes, I liked Antonella. Haley is a sweetheart but I think she's gone. This could be the week that race plays a factor...I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Haley and Sabrina leave!

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

My rankings;

1) Melinda - Classy, beat her to take the title
2) Lakeisha - talented and working well, not ideal post position
3) Jordin - steps up against elders, has shot
4) Stephanie - consistent grinder type, must show more
5) Sabrina - off form last few tries, can rebound
6) Antonella - geogeous looking filly, steps up in class
7) Haley - in deep, must do more
8) Gina - doesn't have the class for this

Juxtapose 6 and 8 and I am in total agreement. I find that I am, while I'm trying to be serious, using horseplaying terms in talking about the competition.

Like Melinda, strictly the one to beat....beat her to cash.

I'll throw you a bone even, I'd take 6.) Gina 7.) Antonella 8.) Haley

Any ranking that leaves Antonella out of the bottom two is inherently flawed, especially if it is an overall ranking as yours claims to be AJ.

I could see putting her #6 tonight, but not overall.

[MaTH716]

It is a three horse race Jordin, Lakisha and Melinda. It's that easy. All the guys suck compared to these girls. And if Antonella makes it through to the top 12 watch out, because the guys will start to drop like flies! What STRAIGHT guy in America will vote for one of those shleps over her! (especially if she is going to wear hooker boots and mini skrts every week!)Goodbye to Haley and Gina and for the guys, who really cares.