First night of ‘Idol’ Hollywood Week ruined by Josiah (rhymes with Sanjaya)
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- February
- 13
The first night of “American Idol” Hollywood Week featured two hours of decent talent that was ruined by the polar emotions and even more polarizing vocals of Josiah Leming (right).
It’s too much of a coincidence that his first name rhymes with both pariah and Sanjaya.
I wanted to start this post off by praising previously unheralded David Hernandez, who, despite some annoying hand gestures in his initial audition footage, might have had the best male vocal of Season 7 with “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” on the Hollywood stage. But no, Leming’s complaint of “I don’t know how to make (a song) my own” made me quip, “Warble it with a lame British accent and a sheep’s vibrato.”
I could have continued to sing the praises of other favorites—Syesha Mercado, Carly Smithson, Kristy Lee Cook, David Archuleta, David Cook and Michael Johns (in that order)—but no, we had to watch Bratty McPrecious complain about, and then dismiss, the “Idol” back-up band.
I might have followed by stating that I was a little bummed, but understood, when Jeffrey “Ow! Factor” Lampkin, wedding singer Angela Martin and perky abstinence-awareness champion Amy Flynn headed home after, at best, borderline performances. Yet, seemingly, the only person to make it through on the supposed merit of “past performances” (read: puff pieces about living in his car) was Leming.
All of this would have been slightly more tolerable had the judges followed their pointed and accurate criticism of his baffling “Stand By Me” with a long-overdue kick out the door. But no, viewers for at least one more night must be subjected to the Sanjaya sequel. Even farm boy Drew Poppelreiter’s better than this nonsense.
This might be one of the reasons “Idol” champs have faltered in recent years: The show’s heavy-handed emphasis on story—especially the stories of contestants who, um, aren’t very good—takes opportunities away from more talented contestants and results in inferior finalists. “Top Chef” and “Project Runway” prove that casting talent is far more important than bringing on pure divas: The drama happens organically in the reality TV competition format anyway, so why dilute the talent?
Quick thoughts on the contestants I felt compelled to say something about:
Syesha Mercado—I still think she’s the one to beat, especially after her riveting take on “Chain of Fools.”
Lorena (I no longer use Ilsy as my first name) Pinot— Can’t stand her vibrato. I just don’t get her.
Amanda Overmyer—Her “Light My Fire” was good, don’t get me wrong. But I’d shoot myself if I had to hear a full concert set with her screeching at the helm. Find a softer side, or at least some layers, or go home.
Asia’h Epperson—The contestant known for her father dying two days before her “Idol” audition had her best song yet, as Simon Cowell correctly stated.
Cardin (I no longer use Lee as my middle name) McKinney—Stunningly gorgeous. As a result, I’m going to pretend her first Hollywood song was fine.
Suzanne Toon and Perrie Cataldo—Single parents who performed worse and better Hollywood songs than their initial auditions, respectively, and correctly were halted from continuing.
Kyle Ensley—The politician-geek bit is wearing as thin as his voice.
Brooke Helvie—Despite boasting one of the best female audition songs of Season 7, I contend that if the pageant queen had just kept quiet while Paula Abdul deliberated, she’d still be in the competition.
David Archuleta—When this otherwise fantastic 16-year-old is not wheezing into the microphone every time he inhales to drive me up a wall, I am happy to praise his singing voice. This conundrum presents him with three options:
1. Pick a 10-second song that doesn’t require a second breath.
2. Don’t breathe.
3. Inhale away from the microphone.
I’m hoping he’ll have the sense to adopt No. 3 and become a force with which to be reckoned.
(Photo courtesy of AmericanIdol.com and Fox.)
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 at 12:05 am by Chris Serico.
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I loved tonight. Especially Michael Johns. I think the judges loved him. Who else was good… David Cook, David Archuleta, and Brooke White. Can’t wait for the Top 24 to start!
excuse you buddy, but josiah is amazinggggg. and yerr just jealous. so what? he cries…woop de doo. he’s got a sensitive side. =] i
you tell him!!! Josiah’s Grace Kelly was AMAZING
I just found this blog. Obviously you haven’t heard any of Josiah’s original music. Check out his MySpace page or go to accesshollywood.com and watch the two videos they have of him performing live on their stage. He’s amazing!