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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > May > 22 > Entry
5/22: Annual thank you note to the loyal readers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear loyal blog readers,
As a mostly David Cook crowd, we’re warmly buzzed this morning, not hung over. But this blog entry won’t be about the show per se, but about you.
Thank you for supporting this blog for a fourth season! And I want to remind folks that I am such a psycho. I actually keep this blog alive the other seven months of the year! With 82 “Idol” alums, the “Idols Live!” tour, auditions for season eight, three peripatetic judges, the ubiquitous Ryan Seacrest, offshoot reality shows, et. al, there’s always something to write about in “Idol” country.
So keep this site bookmarked if you need your fix, say, on a lazy August day. Or come back any day and talk with the regulars. This was a bit of a rough year in “mushblog” land. We have insanely slow comment posting and we lost our one-year effort at social networking. I hope we’ll be using some sort of new software by 2009 that will be faster and better in many ways. And I’m still sorry to have seen the “Idol Exiles” leave the scene, but, alas, communities build and they splinter. That’s the natural progression.
Now I’d like to thank the regulars by name (or at least the names they use on the blog): Deirdre and Linny stuck with me through thick and thin, my two lieutenants in “Idol” arms, keeping the conversation flowing and egos (more or less) in check. War Eagle, JTesla and Flats provided a surprising dose of testosterone for a show not known for studly appeal. Thanks to Mike S for his insights, though I can tell by his busy schedule, he hasn’t been able to “break” as much news as he has in the past. Thanks to Negativo for his brilliant, cutting remarks and amazing predictive powers. Thanks for past regulars such as Songluvr, Harmony and Lara for stopping by, even on occasion. And welcome to newcomers such as Harrieth, Justin, DawnH, Menana, and mvt. I also appreciate y’all who merely lurk and any other regulars I may have missed.
It’s a pleasure and a privilege to serve you all.
Cheers,
Rodney
P.S. Some of you have intimated I should blog about “So You Think You Can Dance.” There are other reality shows I can write about too but naturally “Dance” is the closest kissing cousin to “Idol.” Unfortunately, my knowledge and ability to critique dance is far weaker than singing. Not sure what I can add per se there. But I might throw my two cents when on occasion.
P.S.S. I lied about this not being about Idol. I just got the early ratings and it appears despite lower ratings most of the year, the show ended on a high note thanks to the most compelling final two in years. It drew about 32 million viewers, up from last year’s 31 million. The only episode this year that did better was the premiere. So congrats all the way around! Even in the younger 18-49 demo, it was flat, which is a victory in this day and age.
Comments
By Deirdre
May 22, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
Oh NO!!!! Rodney…tell me you did NOT just use the words Negativo and brilliant in the same sentence…we’ll never hear the end of it!!!
Thanks for the thanks. I’m not going anywhere, why would I? After the super human effort it took for us all to keeping the blog floating after a double disaster(exiles and being returned to mush-land)this place is our baby as much as it is yours!
Thanks Rodney for everything including a surprising and interesting phone-friendship! :-)
By Making Sense
May 22, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Rodney - Thanks for your awesome commentary throughout the season. To all the readers/regulars, thanks for all the chuckles. Helped get me through what would typically be a pretty ordinary day. I’ll miss it!
By flats
May 22, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
3RD!!!!!!WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!D,I WAS 1ST ON THE PREVIOUS BLOG!Are you mad because i’m not the reason for the drop-off in posts?
By Lara
May 22, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
You are welcome, and thank you, Rodney. For some reason, I have a funny picture in my head of Rodney trying to do the posse double (how do you spell that?!).
Any news on Rock Star or Next Great American band making a come back this summer? I know one show that is coming back that I am excited about….THE MOLE!!!
By Deirdre
May 22, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Nobody is mad today, flats…we’re all happy.
And to correct you…you’re not the ONLY reason for the drop-off in posts!
By flats
May 22, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
LOL!!!!!Your welcome rodney..D,I need for you to wach the dawgs @ 2 today agianst alabama!!!!if we lose we go home.PLEASE???
By Menana
May 22, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
Thanks Rodney for the commentary and for welcoming me into this wonderful family of friends. This is the first time I have ever been on a blog. AI is such a relaxing part of my busy schedule life. It gave me a joy to be able to talk with “friends” about it. In 7 seasons having only missed 2 shows, I am an Idol freak.
If any one watches the Bachlorette that started Monday night, this may be a good topic for a few weeks. Also the Bachlor when it comes back on next season. These are just a couple of suggestions, but I’m up for any decent topic. Just as long as we keep talking to each other.
By Negativo
May 22, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
Rodney, thanks again for the great job you do of hosting this blog. I have completely enjoyed this season, both from Idol delivering its best products in years, to the fantastic comradery on this board.
Ironically, in some ways the slow format may have been a blessing in disguise. The slower format allowed for more thoughtful responses and less senseless drivel.
I also felt this season had a more welcoming and less “clicky” core that made new posters feel more welcome and comfortable than last year. Deirdre especially deserves the bulk of the credit for being the unofficial hostess with the mostess.
Finally, while I am far too humble to let my brilliance you cited go to my head, thank you for recognizing it nonetheless, Rodney. After all, brilliant minds think alike.
By JTesla
May 22, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
Rodney thanks again for all the information and commentary you have provided throughout the year. This year you were able to dominate exit interviews with some of the best questions, and you showed why this is the best of the AI related blogs by providing undistilled first hand Idol information.
As for SYTYCD, let’s call it something else like Dance, I won’t be watching it, but since it will be on in my household I should be able to glean enough information to keep up with the conversation.
By Deirdre
May 22, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
Damn…why does Negativo keep making Deirdre faint
Neg…I think you’re absolutely right about the ‘blessing in disguise’. While I hate waiting so long for whatever brilliant idea I’ve come up with to be read by the group, it probably has saved most of us from ‘lunch talk’.
Thanks for your kind words but I’m just one cog in a well oiled machine.
I personally would like to thank all those who defended linny and I earlier in the season when we were being blamed for everything from flats to global warming. You opened yourselves up for attack on our behalves and we appreciate the kindness.
By DawnH
May 22, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
This really HAS turned into a “mush”y blog. Between DC winning AI and Rodney’s heartfelt message today, everyone is very mellow.
It has been a lot of fun reading and participating in the blog this season. While I would lurk around, I never posted. You all provided unexpected giggles on even the most trying day!
I really appreciate the job Rodney does. I like that he is informative, descriptive, and also tosses in some opinion along with the videos and links.
I’m sure there will be plenty to discuss over the next few months. I’m looking forward to whatever is next!
By Menana
May 22, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
I have just read and re-read the posts. They all sound as if we are saying our final goodbyes. OMG, it totally freaked me out and the comments will make a glass eyeball cry.
Lets get back in a funny, happy and joyful mood, because we are not going to be final.
By Menana
May 22, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
I have just read and re-read the posts. They all sound as if we are saying our final goodbyes. OMG, it totally freaked me out and the comments will make a glass eyeball cry.
Lets get back in a funny, happy and joyful mood, because we are not going to be final.
By Menana
May 22, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
I have just read and re-read the posts. They all sound as if we are saying our final goodbyes. OMG, it totally freaked me out and the comments will make a glass eyeball cry.
Lets get back in a funny, happy and joyful mood, because we are not going to be final.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
May 22, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
Let me please add my gratitude to Rodney for holding on despite the strangenesses of the past year. Thanks for the thanks, as Deirdre said. And thanks to the regulars who stuck, the lurkers who not only lurked but braved the waters and dove in with thoughts, words, and crazinesses that helped make this blog interesting for yet another year. To those who still lurk, come on in, the ‘water’ is fine! To those who’ve drifted away but still peek in occasionally, we miss you, and would love to have you drift back once in a while to visit! Reiterating D’s thanks for the support in rough times.
Rodney, the blog-email-phone friendship we’ve developed is important to me as well, and regardless of what you do with the blog, i’d like to think this will last!
It’s spelled “paso doble” (essentially “double pass”) — it’s from the bullfighter’s routine where he whirls the cape to infuriate the bull — the woman is the “cape”, the man is the bullfighter. you see it used a lot in ice skating as well as ballroom.
Rodney and mushblawgers, I’ll be around usually once or twice a day, work days, because it’s a nice break from work!
Dancing, Surviving, Moles, Cooking, lord knows there are plenty of “reality” shows to talk about … and maybe even in the off season, on Fridays we can be Lost a little bit!
By Negativo
May 22, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
Three times a charm, Menana.
By flats
May 22, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
LOL!!!!!D….Thanks for being they’re for me!!!
By Deirdre
May 22, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Relax menana, it’s just end of the season talk, not end of the blog talk. gives us a chance to let everyone know how much we’ve enjoyed their company. We’ll get back to arguing tomorrow! :-)
By Menana
May 22, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Neg: Sorry on the triple post. I promise I only hit the post button once. I do know how to not hit it more than that. After I hit the post button, the computer did something funny that I have never seem it do b4, but I swear, I only hit it once. Sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By DawnH
May 22, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
It’s OK Menana. We agree with you all 3 times!
By Negativo
May 22, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Menana: What D said.
By JTesla
May 22, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Menana, just wait until tomorrow, a bunch of people will engage in Lost talk, which will irk Flats who will engage in sports talk, I’ll try to egg both sides on and revel in the ensuing chaos, War Eagle and Negativo will provide some comic relief and it will make for a great Friday.
Linny, going back a little to the last thread, you are welcome to get my e-mail from Rodney as well.
By Menana
May 22, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Whew!!!! I feel better now. You all are just plain good for the soul.
By Menana
May 22, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
Whew!!!! I feel better now. You all are just plain good for the soul.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
May 22, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
JT - thanks! But it looks like we’ve been scooped in the “Automated Response” department. That was, btw, Negs, absolutely brilli…. um … that was really good!!!
~¿@
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
May 22, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
OK….
{{{{{{{{{{{MUSHBLOG HUG}}}}}}}}}}}
By Negativo
May 22, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
Menana, you’re a double threat.
By Deirdre
May 22, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately there will be no Lost talk tomorrow. Tonight is the 2 hour season finale of Grey’s Anatomy, preempting Lost. NEXT Friday the Lost talk(after the 2 hour season finale) will be staggering!
By Negativo
May 22, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Linny, thanks for the hug and the brilli…er…really good compliment.
By babs
May 22, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Just wanted to let everyone know how much I enjoyed the blog this season. I’ve lurked every season and even commented a few years back but mostly just love reading your thoughts about the show. Y’all make me LOL all of the time. I am so glad that DC won!! Thanks Rodney for keeping it going, too.
By Menana
May 22, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
UGH…..UGH…..UGH…..
Gosh darnit! Don’t know why my posts are being duplicated. I don’t mean for them to. Again, I do apologize. if this one does a double or triple, I will throw in the towel!!!!!!!!
By Lara
May 22, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
I feel like I am reading someone’s yearbook from the end of high school or something…
Thanks D for the correct spelling. Not much information on the whole dancing thing!!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
May 22, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
dang! that’s right! i forgot about the Lost week off, LOL!
um Lara, that was me, LOL!!! I’m REALLY into the Dance thing, maybe even more ultimately than the Singing thing…. i even watched Randy Jackson’s production of Americas Next Great Dance Crew or something like that on MTV!!!! once upon a time i studied dance, but my … shall we say … physique … is not particularly suited to the kind of dancing i WISH i could do, LOL!!! so now it’s studying in appreciation, not actively participating!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
May 22, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
oh yeah, and bowing to D … right … Adam was the first brother, of COURSE, that’s how i’d planned to remember it, LOL!!! and of COURSE i got it backwards, because i thought, yesterday…wait, it’s Aaron first (alphabetically) so i screwed up and you’re right, and thank you! BUT … it was the younger brother that DC was talking to when he said it’s all your fault, right? the one who was trying out, not his sick older brother. sheesh. why couldnt they have different initials?????
LOL!!!
By Justin
May 22, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Yo I’m a new comer? I was here last season ! Remember, I was the one who apparently called blake a “you know what that f word ya don’t like”.. which actually had been posted by someone else.. but anyway maaaan why’s american idol oveer!?
By Deirdre
May 22, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
LOL!!! Apparently, when the Cook family was naming it’s boys, they had no idea they were going to confuse an entire nation!!!
Lara…I wouldn’t know how to spell posse double(that fancy dance)!
It must be because it’s so close to graduation time in these parts that we all sound like we’re writing in a yearbook.
By Menana
May 22, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
I need an answer to a question and am hoping one of you can help.
Did anyone notice the ring on Kristy Lee’s left ring finger? I noticed a rather large one and I can’t figure out if it was an engagement ring or a set of wedding rings. If anyone else saw it, let me know your thought. I know that she was engaged and getting married, but I don’t know if she’s already married. I do know that is was big.
Thanks.
By Deirdre
May 22, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Kristy Lee got engaged right after she got booted. Don’t know when the wedding is…it might have already happened.
By JTesla
May 22, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Justin, American Idol is not over it will live on forever in our hearts… Try typing that with a straight face, that takes skill ;)
Menana I was distracted and missed the ring. She seems to have dropped off the radar here in Oregon, unless I missed a small blurb about her wedding it didn’t get much local press if it did happen.
By Alabama
May 22, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
Where was Taylor Hicks this season? All the previous idol winners (except Kelly C.)performed during one of the shows this year. I missed his showmanship.
By flats
May 22, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
It’s safe to say that I won the blog championship points!!!!!
By Tami
May 22, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Hello, All! Thanks first to Rodney for keeping the AI blog going. And, to Mike S., Deirdre, Linny, etc for always being dependable and participative. I always look for your comments first whenever I can come take a quick look at this blog.
In fact, I think this blog is becoming somewhat famous by those outside our geographical area. It says a lot about our regulars. I’ve been part lurker and part participant this season due to my hectic schedule. But, I always use what I learn from the blog to discern what to expect each week during AI’s season.
I thought you’d all enjoy this “epilogue” type article I just read from cnn.com about AI on “How David Cook Won”:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/05/21/american.idol.ap/index.html
I’ll be back from time to time. Everyone, enjoy your holiday weekend!!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
May 22, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Tami that was sweet of you! glad to see you’re still semi-lurking!!!
Justin you weren’t forgotten on purpose, dear…. some of us are so old we tend to forget things, like names, but never the people behind the names…. right guys? um….
right guys????
hey!
right guys???!!!
~¿@
i think they’ve forgotten — or are ignoring — me sniff sniff
LOL!
By Tami
May 22, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
It’s never forgotten, per se, Linny. Always at the very tip of the brain’s synapsis waiting for that electrical shock (and waiting, waiting, and…still waiting) to take hold before the name is recalled. LOL.
I’ve even forgotten family’s names before. Depends on how much I have to juggle in my memory from week to week…LOL.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
May 22, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
true enough Tami!!!
y’all have a great weekend….I still have to work tomorrow, but i would bet some of you are taking the day off to make it 4-in-a-row, eh?
peace!
By War Eagle
May 22, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
Rodney, thanks for the thanks.
By KPH
May 22, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this
Thanks again Rodney for giving us a place to play. Justin sometimes it is best not to be remembered on here. It means you didnt ruffle any feathers. Good night all. :-)
By Menana
May 22, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
D and JT: Thanks for the info on KLC’s ring. I was just wondering if any one knew if she had gotten married yet. DC is supposed to be on Leno tonight, at least that’s what I heard. Wonder how long it will be before his CD will be produced. Hope he includes The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face on it, and some of the other great songs he performed. I bet the AI producers will not allow any remakes of the songs. However, something entirely new will be great. Have any of you heard anything about how Archie’s dad took the lost? I know that Archie will be signed, but dad had his heart set on the big win. Like anything else, there is only one winner.
To change the subject, I guess you all heard about the 25 year old man that fell last night at the Braves’s game and died. What a tragedy. He was in the upper bleachers and fell over the bannister onto the club level seats, about 150 feet.
Gotta run for now, but will be back on later.
By Ss
May 22, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
Rodney, I may be new to posting on this blog,but I was an avid reader and I looked forward to reading your comments after the show. I have been a faithful AI viewer and even though there were times this season that I wanted to give up watching, I am glad I stuck through it and saw that David Cook who in my opinon, was the deserving singer to win. I will look forward to reading your future blogs. Thank you once again, SS
By kathy
May 22, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
this is just for a project. it is not relevent to the topic
Idol Interview K.M.: What did you think of the contestants and of the show this year? A.C.: Well, I thought this year’s American Idol contest had very talented contestants with great potential. I found it very entertaining and I felt like the competition was very tight. I feel that the competitors in the show have become better since the last season because last season, I felt, many competitors who made it far did not deserve to have gone as far as they did. I thought many Americans were voting on people on reasons other than singing talent or performance reasons. This year, however, I felt that many of the contestants who did go far has great musical potential.
K.M.: Who was your favorite contestant and why? A.C.: I had many that I liked, actually three in particular. I really liked David Archuleta, David Cook, and Jason Castro. I think David Archuleta has such an amazing voice for being so young. He is so talented and has such a genuine and pure voice. David Cook also is a great performer. It comes to him naturally. He is such a great entertainer and can keep the audience in awe. I also thought Jason Castro had a beautiful voice. He has such a soft and calming voice that can soothe a person. I really loved his singing his unique person.
K.M.: Who was your least favorite contestant out of the top twelve and why? A.C.: I didn’t really like David Hernandez. I thought his voice was amateur and many times it was pretty pitchy and unprofessional-like. I think he thought he was at many times better than he actually was. I also thought Syesha was a mediocre singer. I don’t think she was as good as she thought she was. She thought she had strong vocals but they were not as strong as other contestant’s.
K.M.: Who do you wish went further in the competition than they actually did? A.C.: I really wish Brooke have gone further and have taken Syesha’s place in the top three. She had beautiful vocals with much variety. Her voice was pure and hippy-like. She was very talented with her voice and piano-playing and she would make a wonderful Idol. She also had great stage-presence and a great personality. Many people would easily relate themselves to her because of her down-to-earth stage presence.
K.M.: How do you judge the voting process and the fairness of it? A.C.: I believe the voting process is somewhat unfair. Because of experience, I think that many people who call in don’t have their votes counted because of the busy lines that you often hear. I also think that it is unfair that people who have text messaging have a better chance of casting their vote than people who call in. Also many people like to mess with American Idol so they vote for the worst contestant and last of all many people abuse speed-dialers to cast an unfair amount of votes for one contestant.
K.M.: What do you think of the spin-offs compared to American Idol? A.C.: I think many spin-offs of American Idol are very entertaining and I think they are good because they are like American Idol but for different areas of talent. I really like the spin-off Dancing with the Stars because it is fun to watch celebrities trying to keep up with professional dancers. Many of the spin-offs are pretty good but they are not as successful as American Idol.
By War Eagle
May 22, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
Who the hell is K.M. and A.C.?
By JTesla
May 22, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
I can think of a few meanings for K.M. and A.C., but I can’t share them here.
By flats
May 22, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
LOL!!!!JT AND EAGLE!YOU GUYS ROCK!
By Harmony
May 22, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this
Thanks Rodney!!!!
I am so happy that I made the shout-out list!
The Cook haters seemed a little bitter on here today, didn’t they?
I’m going to go watch Cook on Leno now.
DAVID COOK!!!!!!
RODNEY HO!!!!!!!
By Harmony
May 23, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this
I may be MIA tomorrow, I’m going to try and visit the blog if able. My daughter is going to Florida and I’ll be caring for the three needy grand-dogs the entire weekend. Wish me luck, I’m gonna need it!
By JTesla
May 23, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this
Meow
By Harmony
May 23, 2008 12:42 AM | Link to this
No cats allowed,except for the two that already live outside.I forgot to mention that I have three dogs and I help my mother with her four that live next door to me.That makes a total of ten dogs and two cats.yes, I think you need to wish me luck!
By JTesla
May 23, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this
Do you want another cat? I have one I could ship to you.
Good luck, I hope your weekend is storm free.
By Harmony
May 23, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this
NOI am over run with pets already!!
The weekend is supposed to be storm free and hot!
You all have something to discuss,will Harm keep her sanity this weekend?
By kathy
May 23, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this
Idol Interview K.M.: What did you think of the contestants and of the show this year? A.C.: Well, I thought this year’s American Idol contest had very talented contestants with great potential. I found it very entertaining and I felt like the competition was very tight. I feel that the competitors in the show have become better since the last season because last season, I felt, many competitors who made it far did not deserve to have gone as far as they did. I thought many Americans were voting on people on reasons other than singing talent or performance reasons. This year, however, I felt that many of the contestants who did go far has great musical potential.
K.M.: Who was your favorite contestant and why? A.C.: I had many that I liked, actually three in particular. I really liked David Archuleta, David Cook, and Jason Castro. I think David Archuleta has such an amazing voice for being so young. He is so talented and has such a genuine and pure voice. David Cook also is a great performer. It comes to him naturally. He is such a great entertainer and can keep the audience in awe. I also thought Jason Castro had a beautiful voice. He has such a soft and calming voice that can soothe a person. I really loved his singing his unique person.
K.M.: Who was your least favorite contestant out of the top twelve and why? A.C.: I didn’t really like David Hernandez. I thought his voice was amateur and many times it was pretty pitchy and unprofessional-like. I think he thought he was at many times better than he actually was. I also thought Syesha was a mediocre singer. I don’t think she was as good as she thought she was. She thought she had strong vocals but they were not as strong as other contestant’s.
K.M.: Who do you wish went further in the competition than they actually did? A.C.: I really wish Brooke have gone further and have taken Syesha’s place in the top three. She had beautiful vocals with much variety. Her voice was pure and hippy-like. She was very talented with her voice and piano-playing and she would make a wonderful Idol. She also had great stage-presence and a great personality. Many people would easily relate themselves to her because of her down-to-earth stage presence.
K.M.: How do you judge the voting process and the fairness of it? A.C.: I believe the voting process is somewhat unfair. Because of experience, I think that many people who call in don’t have their votes counted because of the busy lines that you often hear. I also think that it is unfair that people who have text messaging have a better chance of casting their vote than people who call in. Also many people like to mess with American Idol so they vote for the worst contestant and last of all many people abuse speed-dialers to cast an unfair amount of votes for one contestant.
K.M.: What do you think of the spin-offs compared to American Idol? A.C.: I think many spin-offs of American Idol are very entertaining and I think they are good because they are like American Idol but for different areas of talent. I really like the spin-off Dancing with the Stars because it is fun to watch celebrities trying to keep up with professional dancers. Many of the spin-offs are pretty good but they are not as successful as American Idol.
By DawnH
May 23, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this
Kathy - who are KM and AC?
By Deirdre
May 23, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
Morning mushblogians! Maybe by next season the blog won’t be so mushy.
I seriously don’t get this KM and AC stuff.
My day off has arrived and hubby and I will be going to the new Indiana Jones movie..IF we can get tickets.
I will chat with linny and Rodney about a good day for us to catch up on stuff during the off season. Obviously Friday is bad for me but we’ll figure something out. It won’t be mandatory or anything just something to stem the blog withdrawal.
Harm…that’s too many dogs!!!! And I LOVE dogs. Have 3 myself. :-)
Have a good day.
By Lara
May 23, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
Good Friday morning. No LOST talk this week - looking forward to the finale. I hope everyone has a wonderful (and safe) Memorial Day weekend. Take a moment to remember why we take the day off, though….
By Negativo
May 23, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
Randy: How about a thread where we make suggestions on changes to improve the show.
By Negativo
May 23, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
Sorry Rodney for the “Randy” thing…I can’t seem to break that habit!
By flats
May 23, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
I’m on my way to the 600!!!24 needs a win so badly it makes my booty hurt!!!Thanks to all MUSHDAWGS that make this thang happen!!!!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
May 23, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
Negs…we did that a few days back, week or so maybe? But in the spirit of your request, I’ll enter a few items I’d like to see changed for next year:
1 - FIRST and foremost in my mind is to return the Band/Orchestra/Backup Singers to Stage level (or only SLIGHTLY elevated on a dias behind the stage, as in previous years and as at the Kodak. I absolutely HATE the “penthouse” bandstands!!! I think they REALLY hurt the TV viewing/listening.
2-In conjunction with #1 above, GET A BETTER MIXING ENGINEER FOR TELEVISION AUDIENCES. I don’t KNOW how it sounded in-house, but for me EVERY week either the Backup Singers, the Band, or BOTH were mixed too loud to even, at times, HEAR the contestant, much less be able to truly evaluate their talent for striving to hear them at ALL. The first BIG example of this problem, i think, was Kristy Lee Cook’s “country” rendition of 8 days. Partially her fault for approving the arrangement, perhaps, BUT the Band overpowered her singing entirely, making her look and sound pretty bad. But it continued with others as well, throughout the season, so often i would see a comment about the band being too loud, or the backup singers overpowering the lead vocals … and i felt that way myself at LEAST 30% of the performances on average!!!
3-get rid of the freaking so-called ‘mosh pit’ — First of all, as my 21-y/o says, “that AIN’T a Mosh Pit” He said he’d be happy to go out to LA and show those wannabes what a REAL most pit is like. Funny mental picture THERE!
4-I know they will not get “rid” of Ryan or any of the Judges. However, (a) tone down the so-called repartee between Ryan and Simon, (b) have Simon keep his freaking hands OFF of Paula, and (c) in the off season, teach Randy some new adjectives and terms to use on the show. Dawg and Dude and DaBomb are just getting a little bit OLD. (d) i don’t think there is anything we can do to help Paula, so just leave her alone, LOL.
how’s that for starting a discussion, Negs?
By woodpappy
May 23, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
Hey Flats, Sorry about the Dawgs man.
By woodpappy
May 23, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
Linny, I agree wholeheartedly about the sound mixing…..I thought most of the time it was my HD TV screwing up ?????
By harrietth
May 23, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
Rodney and everyone, thanks for welcoming me to be a part of your blog family this season. It has brought, and hopefully will continue to bring, me endless hours of great fun and information, too.
I look forward to continuing, even though the Idol season is finished. The tour is not coming to Columbia, SC this year, so I won’t be able to see them unless I travel to Atlanta or Charlotte.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
May 23, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
pappy, it wasn’t you, i swear it. Hubby would be doing something out of the room, come in and stare at the tv (ours ISN’T HD) and go…. “they REALLLLLLLLY need to turn down the backup, both vocals and instruments! can’t even hear the singer!”
By DawnH
May 23, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Get rid of the Ryan / Simon irritating comedy hour. Separate Simon from Paula. I want to see him feel up Randy all evening.
If it is, in fact, a singing competition - let’s hear them sing! Not 30 seconds for each song, but enough of the song that we actually recognize it.
Linny - AMEN - get rid of the mosh pit.
Throw in a few more commercials -35 minutes of advertising in a 60 minute show just isn’t enough for me!
Again, per Linny, FORBID Randy from using the terms “dawg” “dude” “dabomb” and “you can sing the phone book”. In fact, insisting that he only speak English works for me.
Give Paula a short list of critiques to use so that we actually know what she is trying to say. They could list them in columns with headings “good” “bad”.
Just off the top of my head…
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
May 23, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
oh, thanks Dawn… one more from me … well more than one…
5 - results show - cut out the BS with the “phone calls” — it’s INSULTING to the viewers, IMHO.
6 - Cut out a lot of the BS talk during the competition shows — let them sing more (as Dawn says) so we can actually recognize the song — just eliminating the bickering between the judges and between the judges and ryan would allow at LEAST 30 seconds MORE per contestant!!!
By First
May 23, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
There’s a new post —
By mvt
May 23, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
I agree with all those comments..especially about the back up singers trying to outshine the contestant….who do they think they are? the Dolittle chick?
By Negativo
May 23, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
Great job, Linny. Now for (drum roll)…
Neg’s BRILLIANT suggestions:
1. Fire the judges, and keep the host. Quite frankly, the trio have grown complacent, self-absorbed, old and lazy. They offer absolutely nothing original, intelligent or constructive to say whatsoever, and are now almost characatures of themselves. They are the biggest reason that Idol looks, feels, smells and sounds mothballed. Ryan still is current, does a nice job, and is the real face of the show, but we need a house cleaning of the judges. Just can all three and start over with new judges who are still big in today’s music industry.
2. No more mentors over the age of 50. Come on…who really believes that 60-something former stars like Dolly Parton or Neil Diamond are relavent to young, aspiring stars who never heard their music before. Mariah was a great choice this year to mentor because she’s young enough to connect, but old enough to have been around the block and give meaningful advice.
Dump the insipid “Idol Gives Back” garbage. Self-indulgent, tedious telethons do not interest anybody under the age of 60. It needs to go.
Involve the Idol song coach more in the show. Have some “behind the scenes” looks, and add segments where she expresses insight and opinions about the contestents.
Shrink the age gap. There is something creepy and uncomfortable about seeing 16 and 17 year olds competing with 29 year olds. Let’s make it 18-27 so it looks more like contemporaries competing and less of a child vs adult contest.
That’s enough for now. What say you?
By Kathy
May 23, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Although I haven’t lived in Atlanta for three years (boo! hoo!), I love this blog and read it each and every week here in Texas. This is the BEST blog there is for die-hard American Idol fans. Rodney, keep up the great work! Your insight, as well as that of the regular posters, are what keeps me coming back. Have a wonderful weekend!