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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2006 > May > 16
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
5/16: Soaring over that rainbow
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Clive made life tough for all three of them in the opening trio of songs. The judges handed them songs on a platter and all three delivered, though Katharine probably solidified her chances to get into the final two over Elliott. And in the personal round, Taylor easily finished off the strongest. His slot in the final two is solidified though he’s going to lose some votes for constantly yelping “Soul Patrol! Soul Patrol! Soul Patrol!”
So my gut reaction is the bottom two will be Kat and Elliott and Elliott will go home. His final song choice did him in. It was almost like Chris picking another Creed song if he were still in the competition.
Dialidol as of 10:15 p.m. is showing Taylor in the lead as usual and a close race between Kat and Elliott, with Kat just barely ahead. Could this be a photo finish? Or will Kat’s text messaging friends and West Coast Buddies give her a comfy lead and put away Elliott?
Katharine (Simon’s pick “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland & others) — Kimberley Locke rocked this song. We’ll see if Kat can do it, too. She’s on the floor again! A camera from above. Something wrong with her ear? What did she just do during the start of the chorus? She’s doing it in a very sexy, sultry way, which is her strength. It’s a theatrical song and she’s theater all the way. She doesn’t try to blow it out, thank goodness. She even hits the last note well. This is easily her best performance in ages, if ever. Thank you SImon! Randy: “Finally! Finally, this is what I’ve been waiting for. This is the best vocal for you this season. That was brilliant.” Paula: “Soak in this moment. Your element and your magic is when you don’t go overboard.” Simon: “I’m very happy for you tonight. It proves the point you don’t need to lay it too much. You have a very special talent. That was the single best performance in the competition to date.”
Taylor (Randy’s pick Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful”) — Randy couldn’t have picked a better song but the comparisons to Joe Cocker may not necessarily be a good thing. We’ll see. Taylor is taking the subtle route and he hits a home run. Thank you Randy! Randy: “A great tender moment from Taylor. You did the song proud.” Paula: “You not only look like a star, you are a star.” SImon: “That was far and away your best performance.” But the soul patrol shout outs—getting annoying!
Taylor (Try a Little Tendernessâ€? by Otis Redding) – He gives the umpteenth to “Soul Patrolâ€? before jumping in and swim in the soul. A delight. He’s playing to win! Randy: “I got a new name for you. Your new name from now on is have a good time funky Taylor.” (Uh huh). Paula: “I chose this and foudn out you picked it yourself. You did an incredible job.” Simon: “Smart choice of song. Good performance. Hideous ending. But I’ll see you next Tuesday.”
Elliott (Paula’s pick “What You Won’t Do For Love” Bobby Caldwell) — This is much better for Elliott than Journey. And he’s feeling this one much more. It fits him like a glove. Thank you, Paula! A solid performance all the way around. Randy: “It was a good song choice. You were a little sharp most of the song.” Paula: “This is the kind of artist you are. You have amazing soul, amazing R&B tone. You just pierce to the heart. You’re solid.” Simon: “It wasn’t the song in the world but the style suited you well. I thought you sang that pretty good.”
Katharine (Personal choice: “I Ain’t Got Nothing But the Blues” by Ella Fitzgerald) — She really goes old school but picks a song that’s all slinky and she wears a decent dress, too. I’m sure she’s sung this many times and figured it’d be an easy one to slide in. It’s a far more fun sung than what Elliott chose. Not quite “Rainbow” but better than R. Kelly. Randy: “The last song was the one for me. It was okay. I understand what you’re doing. I don’t know.” Paula: “Over the Rainbow is in your element but you still did a great job.” SImon: “Overall, you’ve had a good night tonight. You go five steps forward, one step back. I just wish we had reversed the order and ended up with the songs in the middle round with all of you. It was okay.”
Elliott (Clive’s choice: Journey’s “Open Arms”) — The very first Journey song ever cleared for “Idol”! High school proms, dates at the roller skating rink, that first kiss. And “Open Arms.” Elliott does a very truncated version and does it well. I expect good marks from the judges though he’s not quite as comfortable as he is with the R&B songs he usually sings. Randy: “That song is near and dear to my heart. I was in Journey… At first, when I heard about that choice. But you worked it out. You had a little problem with the chorus but take chances. Do your thing!” Paula: ” You are in excellent voice tonight. You did a great job.” Simon: “It was a good choice of song. It wasn’t a great performance. You are a little stiff. You have to got to loosen up and have to believing you can make the finals next week. You can do better than that.”
Taylor (Clive choice: Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing In the Dark”) — This is Bruce’s 37th best song. Was this the only Bruce song you could clear? How about “Born to Run”? Or “Brilliant Disguise”? Or “Hungry Heart”? Taylor tried but man, there’s nothing he could do with this unless Courtney Cox came out from the crowd or something. Well, he used Paula instead. Randy: “What I love about you? You know how to have a good time. Dancing with Paula was hot!” Paula: “I had fun with you. You’re incredible!” Simon: “That was okay. It was a bit pale in comparison to the original.” And Taylor yelps “Soul Patrol” again. Yeesh!
Katharine (Clive choice: R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly”) — At least she doesn’t sound anything like R. Kelly. She’s got that grin on her face as always. It doesn’t quite soar but it’s okay. She wants so much to be Celine and Whitney but she’s not. She looks great as always. Randy: “You look amazing. But you know my problem still is. These songs you want to be that singer. But you aren’t that one just yet. It wasn’t quite the right thing for you.â€? Paula: “You look beautiful. This is difficult.â€? Then Kat jumps in: ” You’ve been rough on me the past couple of weeks.” Someone in the crowd says “You’re incredible” and Paula never gets around to critiquing. Simon: “I think you’re being a bit unfair. I think apart from a couple of bum notes toward the end, you created a bit of a moment for yourself.â€? Randy: “I disagree.â€? You have to wonder if her talking back will help or hurt her.
Elliott (Personal choice: “I Believe To My Soul,” the Donny Hathaway version of the Ray Charles song) —It’s got a gospel edge to it and he seems comfy but the song is sort of dull in the end. It was just okay. Randy: “I don’t believe this was the perfect song for you but you can definitely sing.” Paula: “I agree with what Randy said. It’s not a song people can connect with because they don’t know it but the thing about you Elliott nobody can sing songs like that, like Ray Charles, it’s difficult to sing that song. You’re a funky white boy.” SImon: “Your songs are not going to carry you through next week. However, you’re a great guy. You’re a great singer. You will make your mom very proud in what you’ve achieved in this competition.”
5/16: Diana drives Broadway tix sales
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This LA Times story shows that after Diana joined the “Hairspray” cast, receipts went up sharply, which is probably why they asked her back in the fall.
Here’s the key excerpt:
Last February, the 19-year-old DeGarmo joined the cast of the 2003 Tony Award-winning “Hairspray,” playing not the leading role in the ’60s-era musical based on the 1988 John Waters film, but the smaller part of Penny Pingleton, a perky and slightly clueless teen. Just before DeGarmo signed on, “Hairspray’s” net receipts were about $465,000, reported Variety. Her first week in the show, box-office figures jumped to $530,000, then $673,000, topping $855,000 for the second week in April.
Amy Adams, a finalist from the 2004 season, is making her theatrical debut in a touring production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” which opens July 11 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Jennifer Hudson, an “Idol” finalist last year, is in the upcoming film of the Broadway hit “Dreamgirls.” “Rent” continues to audition “Idol” contestants. A production of “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” with former “Idols” is in the works. And producers of “The Color Purple” have also shown interest in contestants.
And when Season 2 contestant Frenchie Davis joined “Rent” in 2003, sales went up 20%.
Plus, the LA Times got one of the best quotes I’ve ever heard from Diana about “Idol”: “A lot of people in the industry don’t think you can back it up. I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of having to prove myself. There comes a point where you have to stand on your own two feet rather than use that show as a crutch. I’m glad I didn’t win ‘American Idol.’ It wasn’t meant for me to win. And I think I’ve paid my dues. If anyone wants to challenge me on that, tell them to bring it on.”
“Idol” vocal coach Debra Byrd told the LA Times that she is recommending to Katharine McPhee to pursue Broadway, too, after the show is over. “She’s got real potential,” says Byrd, adding that after first hearing McPhee sing, she told the contestant that she sounded “like a gifted theater singer.”
5/16: Youtube videos of homecomings
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This is news coverage of the Elliott Yamin homecoming in Richmond last Friday
Here’s a news report of Taylor Hicks’ homecoming parade in Birmingham
A “:Good Day LA” interview with Katharine McPhee is here.
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