Althouse: Forget Mississippi, "American Idol" is doing The Beatles.

March 11, 2008

Forget Mississippi, "American Idol" is doing The Beatles.

We'll see what travesties ensue.

56 comments:

nina said...: It cannot go well. It's doomed. I'll hold out hope, but I may have to switch to CNN.; 3/11/08, 7:36 PM
MadisonMan said...: I bummed that I can't watch tonight -- I'll have to visit youtube tomorrow morning to see what I missed.

At least most of the remaining contestants are good singers.; 3/11/08, 7:44 PM
Anthony said...: Travesties ensue whenever "American Idol" does anything ... such as going on the air.

To paraphrase Gerald Ford, when will our long National nightmare be over?; 3/11/08, 7:47 PM
chuck b. said...: At first I thought you wrote "We'll see what transvestites occur."

I was like, "I need to start watching AmId again."; 3/11/08, 7:55 PM
Chris Althouse Cohen said...: I can't stand how Simon keeps resting his arm on Paula's chair. He's been doing it for weeks and it's incredibly annoying.; 3/11/08, 7:56 PM
Ann Althouse said...: Hi, Chris. Your favorite is up now.; 3/11/08, 8:04 PM
Peter V. Bella said...: Throw down with Bobby Flay is on. Food fights are so much more entertaining.; 3/11/08, 8:09 PM
Ann Althouse said...: Brooke is adorably sincere...; 3/11/08, 8:10 PM
Rick Lee said...: I love Brooke. That was great. Most of them have been pretty good so far.; 3/11/08, 8:26 PM
Bill_45 said...: chuck b. said...
At first I thought you wrote "We'll see what transvestites occur."

I was like, "I need to start watching AmId again.

Ditto. Except erase "again."; 3/11/08, 8:29 PM
titussplitleap said...: I havent been following AI much this year but am watching tonight.

David Hernandez has got to be the guy who is the gay stripper though. I can smell that a mile away.

When are they going to sing Madonna songs?

I don't know any Beatles songs. This was before my time. I wish I experienced the 60's-although I probably would be dead if I had.; 3/11/08, 8:30 PM
EnigmatiCore said...: It's apparently easier for them to sing McCartney than Lennon-- only the Irish lass did a John vocal well out of those I have seen so far (I'm about a half hour behind).; 3/11/08, 8:32 PM
Chris Althouse Cohen said...: I'm not watching it live. David Cook is just starting. I thought Ramiele was great and I don't like that they criticized her just for doing it straight, when it's a ballad that's best done like that. I like that they're letting people do different kinds of arrangements.

Still can't stand David Cook. Boo. I guess my favorites are Brooke, Ramiele and David A.; 3/11/08, 8:33 PM
titussplitleap said...: For those of you who were 60's chicks was it fun?

I was an 80's-90's chick-not fun-very new wave and then grunge. Speaking of New Wave all of you need to watch the documentary Nomi Sings-amazing.

What are they going to call this decade I wonder?; 3/11/08, 8:33 PM
Chris Althouse Cohen said...: Yeah, they should have a Madonna week. I think Madonna doesn't want them doing her songs, though, because I don't think they've ever done a Madonna song, even in 80s week or 90s week.; 3/11/08, 8:34 PM
titussplitleap said...: The Australian lives in Buckhead GA-that's the gay area.; 3/11/08, 8:35 PM
titussplitleap said...: I'm watching this and I haven't heard any of these songs.; 3/11/08, 8:36 PM
titussplitleap said...: OH The Australian has a wife.; 3/11/08, 8:38 PM
Ann Althouse said...: David Cook is kinda my favorite.

Ramiele was cheesy.

Madonna week would be hard on the boys.; 3/11/08, 8:38 PM
Thud said...: I,m liverpool born and bred...the beatles are nearly a religion...so I watch with great/low expectations.; 3/11/08, 8:40 PM
titussplitleap said...: The wife may be just for his VISA though-we can only hope.

I have a couple of gay friends that married ferners for money so they could get their green card.; 3/11/08, 8:40 PM
titussplitleap said...: Iggy Pop sang Ray of Light this week so I think those boys could sing Madonna.

I love Madonna so much.; 3/11/08, 8:41 PM
titussplitleap said...: OH the country version of this song, which I do know, Christie Cook just sang-was absolutely awful.; 3/11/08, 8:42 PM
titussplitleap said...: I also know Yesterday-has anyone sang that yet?

I love Yesterday.; 3/11/08, 8:42 PM
Chris Althouse Cohen said...: Ok, just watched Brooke. I still think she's the best of all of them. Doesn't necessarily have the biggest voice but is by far the most authentic, puts real feeling into the song, and connects with the meaning of the song.; 3/11/08, 8:44 PM
MadisonMan said...: Have they done anything sane with David Cook's hair yet?

I like Brooke and Irish Chick on the female side -- without listening yet tonight -- and David A and Jason on the guys side. I think the Aussie is one of the next to go. He's just too forgettable.

Madonna week would be great. I can totally see David Hernandez singing Cherish. And one of the guys could change the words to: And I made up my mind, you're keepin' my baby!; 3/11/08, 8:45 PM
titussplitleap said...: OK, I just switched back to CNN and Jamal Simmons is on CNN.

Did I tell all of you how hot Jamal is.

WOOOW!

Look at that shaved head.; 3/11/08, 8:47 PM
titussplitleap said...: These Moment of Truth ads on Fox are absolutely awful.

I want them to ask them if they ever did a guy.; 3/11/08, 8:51 PM
titussplitleap said...: Oh that David guy from Honduras through Salt Lake is adorable.

He's screwing up but he is adorable.; 3/11/08, 8:53 PM
Ann Althouse said...: Hey, it's American Idol and 1/6 of them aren't American. "What's the Irish girl's name?" Simon just said, trying to think of something he wanted to say to the Australian guy. But we are a nation of immigrants, so it's nice that there's and Australian and an Irishwoman.; 3/11/08, 8:53 PM
Chris Althouse Cohen said...: I think Madonna week could be good for the guys. A guy singing Like A Prayer, or any number of other Madonna songs, could give it a nice twist. And only a few of her songs (Papa Don't Preach, Material Girl) can't be done from a male perspective.

Anyway, I'm glad they criticized David H. I'm sick of him doing all these songs about how heterosexual he really is.; 3/11/08, 8:53 PM
Ann Althouse said...: The arrangement on "8 Days a Week" is ridiculous and actively unfair to the singer.; 3/11/08, 8:54 PM
Ann Althouse said...: Suddenly, I want to hear a guy sing "Papa Don't Preach."; 3/11/08, 8:57 PM
titussplitleap said...: OK, they are showing the recap and David Cook needs to do something with his hair.

Were an immigration Althouse.

You know that walking around NYC.

Brown is the new white and I like it!; 3/11/08, 8:59 PM
Peter V. Bella said...: titussplitleap said...
I wish I experienced the 60's-although I probably would be dead if I had.

Only if you did a lot of drugs and drank a lot of booze. I do not think it was possible to screw yourself to death unless you have a congenital heart condition.; 3/11/08, 9:00 PM
Nickname unavailable said...: This is the first time I have ever watched American Idol. I had to turn it off. They were murdering my favorite songs.; 3/11/08, 9:00 PM
titussplitleap said...: Doesn't Madonna have great songs?

She really is the best.

She did an amazing version of La Isla Bonita at the Al Gore concert.

Watch it on youtube or post it here.

It is brillant. And she never misses a leg position or free hand-pure perfectionist. That is why we love her.; 3/11/08, 9:01 PM
titussplitleap said...: Middle class guy if I was apart of the 60's scene I am sure I would of made an easy transition into the 70's and we know what the 80's brought us.; 3/11/08, 9:03 PM
Chris Althouse Cohen said...: Michael Johns is doing the Kady Malloy facial expression throughout Across The Universe. No likey.; 3/11/08, 9:05 PM
titussplitleap said...: OK, here is the link to Madonna doing that concert:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw15lCZK3Iw

AMAZING!; 3/11/08, 9:12 PM
Chris Althouse Cohen said...: Poor Kristy Lee Cook. It almost seemed like it could work as a country song, but it never really came together. Maybe someone could make it work in that style, but not her or not that particular group of people.

Mom: It's not unfair to her. She made the decision to do it that way. Or at least that's how they're presenting it. It could've worked, it just didn't.; 3/11/08, 9:15 PM
Chris Althouse Cohen said...: Oh no, David A is messing up. Oh well, his legions of fans will push him through anyway.; 3/11/08, 9:20 PM
Ann Althouse said...: The band was terrible. The song wasn't in there in any coherent way. It was as if she was struggling to sing one song while they were playing another. She didn't do the arrangement. It was insane.; 3/11/08, 9:23 PM
Ann Althouse said...: It will only make him more lovable. He was just doing a Stevie Wonder imitation (on Beatles night).; 3/11/08, 9:24 PM
Ann Althouse said...: If you're at all concerned about David Archuleta, check Dial Idol -- he's ridiculously ahead of everyone else.; 3/11/08, 9:25 PM
Chris Althouse Cohen said...: Well, that website sort of spoils the show. I'm glad Brooke White could be a frontrunner. I said he'd still get pushed through. Seems like he'll win. I'm worried about my other favorite, Ramiele. Them saying you're boring hurts you a lot more than them saying you're horrible.; 3/11/08, 9:38 PM
Modern Otter said...: My first visit to Idol-land this year, and I missed the first hour. The Australian guy has great pipes, but (as a result?) over-sang "Across the Universe." I sensed no awe in a song that's about awe. Have too many decades intervened?

Oooh-- that "Eight Days a Week" arrangement was a mess. If there was a beat to be found (and I'm not sure there was), she didn't find it.

Kinda liked the scary looking woman who sang "You Can't Do That."

It looks like there's less disgrace this year than in the past that a contestant might actually know how to play an instrument.

Still wish it was Sheila E. in the middle judge's seat.; 3/11/08, 9:51 PM
titussplitleap said...: OK,this is Madonna's most famous and well received performance. Yes, she was lip synching but dam she was incredible. I was 17 years old, in Boston, and at the club Avalon, when I saw this and I was fricking amazed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjOLh2s-o3M; 3/11/08, 9:51 PM
Ann Althouse said...: This is the first year they've let contestants play an instrument. I think it helps a few of them who are used to signing that way.; 3/11/08, 9:52 PM
Peter V. Bella said...: titussplitleap said...
Middle class guy if I was apart of the 60's scene I am sure I would of made an easy transition into the 70's and we know what the 80's brought us.

Christ titus,
Don't tell me you would have been a disco dummy. Pleeeease do not go there.; 3/11/08, 10:21 PM
Jake said...: Peut-être quelques travestis?; 3/11/08, 11:25 PM
Anonymous said...: It was not as bad as I feared.

I also like Brooke more each week. Alas, poor Kristy, she's just not ready. That song was awful!

Syesha is not too strong, either. And David A was forgetting lyrics, what's up with that?

I think the band is great if they use them right-- either the contestant or whoever is doing the arrangments. Chikezie with the band was fab!; 3/12/08, 12:41 AM
Patm said...: Chikezie! Chikezie!

Jason has a John Travolta vibe to him; he even sings like him.

Ramiele has a pretty voice. Close your eyes and you realize, she should be singing Belle or Ariel on Broadway.

Carly and David C were ok - his hair is awful. I like Brooke's earthy voice a lot, and she has a nice presence.; 3/12/08, 2:16 AM
Anonymous said...: MCG-

I experienced the 60s as a university student.

What was your question again?; 3/12/08, 6:53 AM
knox said...: I like this year's contestants. I wasn't going to watch the year, but I got sucked in to the vortex, so to speak. Can't resist Simon.; 3/12/08, 12:40 PM
MadisonMan said...: I finally watched the results on youtube. David A sounded fine -- if you weren't really paying attention (and by the 12th contestant, who does?), you couldn't tell the words were mangled. I didn't mind Kristy Lee Cook's countrified version -- I give her credit for singing along when the band was either two steps ahead of or behind her.

David Hernandez and Syesha Mercado were both forgettable. I think they're in danger of leaving, and I don't mind.; 3/12/08, 2:20 PM