tracking the trio...
Judge's Song Selections
(added here as we hear them)
Paula for Elliott: What You Won't Do For Love (Bobby Caldwell)
Randy for Taylor: You Are So Beautiful (Joe Cocker)
Simon for Katharine: Somewhere Over the Rainbow (reportedly)
__________________
The three remaining hopefuls are still making the rounds of the hometowns, doing all things Idol in preparation for Tuesday's Top Three showdown.
Taylor met up with his dad this morning for a television interview, and will have three separate live performances, two of them free, after parading later today. And yes, he hung out with Rick and Bubba. Hopefully there will be photos soon.
Yaminmania has swept Richmond, Virginia, as Elliott also hit the airwaves, answering viewer questions, and plans to spend more time at the ballpark, where it's expected he'll get the #1 jersey from the local baseball organization.
And still no word on Katharine. One would suspect that while Taylor and Elliott's appearance on the top-rated show on television would be big local news, in Los Angeles, well, not so much. "Local girl on television," is not the lead story in the land of television. But I'll keep looking for any scrap I can find. (And if anybody does find out anything, tips with links are appreciated.)
Dang, I miss Snellville and Checotah. We simply must have a new rule from now on. At least one of the three finalists must hail from a town with fewer than 5,000 people.
Still anxiously awaiting first word of song assignments.
UPDATES!!
(Friday updates will be added here. Keep checking back!)
**Thanks Birmingham in the comments! Taylor's judge-choice song title is expected to be announced by Alabama governor Bob Riley today at 5 p.m. CST.
**Elliott will take the stage at noon EDT today with Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder. Presumably that is when he will be informed of his judge-choice song title.
**Okay, it's not much, I know, but Katharine, after an appearance on Good Day LA, is reportedly performing a mini-concert at her high school this afternoon, which, by school rules, is closed to the public and, according to the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce, will be driven "around the block." Poor kid. She's really getting the shaft, if one considers that the Virginia State Department of Tourism has officially changed its state slogan from "Virginia is for Lovers" to "Virginia is for Elliott Lovers" for the day and that Taylor's meeting up with the governor. Katharine gets to ride around the block. Bummer.
Note to Idol aspirants: if you live in LA, MOVE.
**Julie, I love you. Thanks. Paula has picked a perfect one for once. Elliott's judge's choice, according to Julie in the comments, will be Bobby Caldwell's What You Won't Do for Love, a magnificent selection for him, and a song I was rooting for on birth year night. He will kill on this one.
**Gotta love Birmingham. They've had so many Idols, they just know how to satisfy the rest of us. Taylor's visit is completely documented, including his performance on Good Day Alabama (in multiple parts) and his parade (also in multiple parts). Still waiting on word about his judges song.
**Finally some decent Katharine stuff. She popped into KROQ to spend some time on the radio with Kevin and Bean. [I wonder if they know Rick and Bubba?] And, of course, we're still waiting for news on her judges selection, but it's still early out there in the non-South.
(added here as we hear them)
Paula for Elliott: What You Won't Do For Love (Bobby Caldwell)
Randy for Taylor: You Are So Beautiful (Joe Cocker)
Simon for Katharine: Somewhere Over the Rainbow (reportedly)
__________________
The three remaining hopefuls are still making the rounds of the hometowns, doing all things Idol in preparation for Tuesday's Top Three showdown.
Taylor met up with his dad this morning for a television interview, and will have three separate live performances, two of them free, after parading later today. And yes, he hung out with Rick and Bubba. Hopefully there will be photos soon.
Yaminmania has swept Richmond, Virginia, as Elliott also hit the airwaves, answering viewer questions, and plans to spend more time at the ballpark, where it's expected he'll get the #1 jersey from the local baseball organization.
And still no word on Katharine. One would suspect that while Taylor and Elliott's appearance on the top-rated show on television would be big local news, in Los Angeles, well, not so much. "Local girl on television," is not the lead story in the land of television. But I'll keep looking for any scrap I can find. (And if anybody does find out anything, tips with links are appreciated.)
Dang, I miss Snellville and Checotah. We simply must have a new rule from now on. At least one of the three finalists must hail from a town with fewer than 5,000 people.
Still anxiously awaiting first word of song assignments.
UPDATES!!
(Friday updates will be added here. Keep checking back!)
**Thanks Birmingham in the comments! Taylor's judge-choice song title is expected to be announced by Alabama governor Bob Riley today at 5 p.m. CST.
**Elliott will take the stage at noon EDT today with Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder. Presumably that is when he will be informed of his judge-choice song title.
**Okay, it's not much, I know, but Katharine, after an appearance on Good Day LA, is reportedly performing a mini-concert at her high school this afternoon, which, by school rules, is closed to the public and, according to the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce, will be driven "around the block." Poor kid. She's really getting the shaft, if one considers that the Virginia State Department of Tourism has officially changed its state slogan from "Virginia is for Lovers" to "Virginia is for Elliott Lovers" for the day and that Taylor's meeting up with the governor. Katharine gets to ride around the block. Bummer.
Note to Idol aspirants: if you live in LA, MOVE.
**Julie, I love you. Thanks. Paula has picked a perfect one for once. Elliott's judge's choice, according to Julie in the comments, will be Bobby Caldwell's What You Won't Do for Love, a magnificent selection for him, and a song I was rooting for on birth year night. He will kill on this one.
**Gotta love Birmingham. They've had so many Idols, they just know how to satisfy the rest of us. Taylor's visit is completely documented, including his performance on Good Day Alabama (in multiple parts) and his parade (also in multiple parts). Still waiting on word about his judges song.
**Finally some decent Katharine stuff. She popped into KROQ to spend some time on the radio with Kevin and Bean. [I wonder if they know Rick and Bubba?] And, of course, we're still waiting for news on her judges selection, but it's still early out there in the non-South.
posted by jennifer at 9:26:00 AM
32 Comments:
I just read Chris' exit interview, and man, that boy was just getting too big for his britches!
I actually cried when he was eliminated Wednesday night. He wasn't even a favorite of mine, but the poor guy looked so shocked, I guess I felt sorry for him.
HOWEVER, after reading his exit interview, I have lost most of my sympathy.
Apparently, Chris really believed he was THE chose one and that EVERYONE expected him to WIN (his words). I don't know what altered reality the contestants live in, but from out here in the real world, I would say he was a contender, but no sure thing.
Apparently, in that bald head of his, dillusions of grandieur manifested beyond rational thinking.
I'm sorry Chris, you had fans, you are talented, you had a shot...but as my favorite blogger Jennifer says,
"This is American Idol!"
Did I mention that Chris also called this the "biggest shock in AI history?"
Thank goodness he got blown down off his high horse before he started hatching plots to rule the world!
(hehe)
I read it too. Disappointing.
You are not alone in that opinion. Another reason those judges need to shut the hell up. These kids start believing the hype. And on a scale of "most shocking" eliminations, frankly, I would rank Wednesday's about fifth, no where near "the most."
On the subject of song assignments, Taylor is supposed to get his judge's choice via Alabama Governor Bob Riley at 5:00 Central today.
ok Jen, so what are your top 5 "shocking" kickoffs! :)
JJ
Oh, I hope Taylor does Tenderness. But I was holding out hope for Georgia, too...
Hey JJ, thanks for asking!
1. Tamyra, because it was the first and she was booted after just one bad performance throughout season one over a far lesser performer in Nikki.
2. Constantine last year, because his fan base was thought to be untouchable, despite the fact that he had a weak performance the night before, over Scott Savol, whose time had really come.
3. LaToya, who everyone expected to be F2, over Jasmine, who couldn't hold a note in a paper bag.
4. Jennifer Hudson getting booted in seventh after John Stevens completely destroyed My Girl. (That thoroughly convinced me that a crappy performance will guarantee safety for at least one week.)
5. Then Chris, who was in the most evenly-matched F4 ever but we expected would be B2 (most every blogger predicted it pre-performance) because his fanbase was being swallowed up and he wasn't gaining many new ones.
That's how I rank them. Oh, how I love this show! :D
Tracy, it's so strange, but this is the first year that I have had such the emotional attachment that I swore I would never have! And I LOVE the top 3 nights, because the judges (usually) choose well and Clive always does and it's usually all or nothing and the best show of the season. Downside, it really makes the finale pale, though. I can't wait! This is gonna be an all-out dog fight. I'm loving this!
And I'm working on that Taylor spoiler....gotta get it confirmed.
And I made a mistake in my list up there: Hudson was booted on Manilow night and Stevens had butchered My Girl weeks before. But I don't feel like deleting and redoing it so I'm going on the record here.
Long time reader, First time poster.
I have to say, that after seeing that video clip of Elliot on NBC 12 just touched me. He is so humble, and eager to spread the love. He realy didn't take full credit for anything, but gave all the support staff and cast and crew the credit they deserved. That, to me, is a true Idol. Someone to look up to. Not only can that boy sing, but he's humble, fun and thankful. He's not the most handsome or beatiful, and as my 7 year old said on Tuesday, "Mom, he's HARD to look at!". But he does embody the qualities that an idol, in our dazed and confused time, should possess. I was never a huge Elliot fan. In fact, I liked Katherine better, but week after week this boy is getting to me. I say GO ELLIOT!
By the way Jennifer, I don't know what I will read at work now while I'm pretending to work! Your blog has kept me afloat for weeks! I will miss you when AI is over! Great JOB!
californiatrinity
"Everybody's somebody in Snellville."
Gotta love that. I'm from a small town, too. I think our population was around 5,100 or 5,200 last I checked.
Hi - I get tired of people thinking they have to make comments concerning Elliots looks - I personally find the guy really cute - he's a beautiful person inside and out -a true American Idol just because of the way he would never look down at anyone else.
Connie
I saw Katherine this morning on Fox's Good Day LA.
Well, at least they're giving her airtime. Did she mention her plans? She's not getting any publicity.
I'm a first time poster, but an avid reader of this blog. Elliott came to the downtown area of Richmond around noon today, was given the keys to the city, and performed "Home." The mayor announced that he had received a fax from Paula stating that Elliott's song would be "What You Won't Do For Love" by Bobby Caldwell. There were rooughly 5,000 people surrounding the make-shift stage, and Elliott sounded awesome. It was a great lunch hour! Go Elliott - we love you!
Hi, I thought Mandisa's elimination also deserves to be there among the top shocker eliminations. I miss her...sobs. I can't believe Chris' overconfidence. Anyways, thanks for this great blog Jennifer. Has been a great source of addiction to idol for me.
Al
Hey Connie, sorry about the Elliot looks comments some of us make. it's just, if I'm AI, the first thing we do with him, especially if he wins, is send him to a Dentist/Oral Surgeon and get those teeth fixed (as i recall, Fantasia needed that trip too). He'd be a lot more marketable if it didn't look like he'd just finished a hockey fight (oh i mean game) when he smiles :)
He's looking a lot better overall as his hair grows out, but AI also uses some bad camera angles at times with him, and they should be going for most flattering shots, not least flattering shots at this point.
and Jen, I'm with you this year. usually I have a preference. Clay for most of S2. Diana the latter half of S3. Carrie for S4. But this year, until some starting falling apart, I would have been ok with any of the Top 6. None of the other seasons seem to have had a good a top 12, with 8 good performers, and heck, Gideon should have been there too, he would have been a lot better than Kevin.He just didn't get enough pump time during auditions for people to get to like him, which isn't fair to him. he's someone I'd love to see have the chance of coming back next year, if it weren't against the rules ;(
JJ
I get tired of everyone thinking they can read people's minds. When I read Chris's interview, I just thought he was being honest and I agreed with him. He *was* supposed to win this thing - according to Vegas odds and Simon's own words. He expected to do well and he certainly deserved better than he got.
I'm a registered card-carrying Yaminion, but the Chris bashing is immature and unnecessary. He is damn good, just admit it and go on.
You can sign a petition for Chris to be back in AI on
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/541145038
A petition??? Dude, you GOTTA be kidding me.
Told ya. ;D
Sign a petition? I've had several people leave over the years that I am sorry to see go, but, we have to accept peoples voting. I think the last 5 contestants this Season were awesome singers and to be honest with you - I could have watched the last 4 contestants sing every Tuesday for the rest of the year and not gotten tired of them.
Elliot fan
For crying out lound, a petition to get the man back in a compition that he was not voted to stay in on? He's fin..let the man go.. J thanks for the link to Elliot's song, I couldn't figure out but that is a perfect choice for him! I sure hope Katherine does more like Black Horse and Cherry Tree or blues NOT screeching ballads..She's great when she does the right song. I'm for Taylor doing Tenderness and Georgia. We sure that boy doesn't have a little african-american blood in him. The girls at work think he must since he has so much soul.
Elliott is adorable and I am going to continue to vote for him until the end!
Kevin and Bean said something very nasty to Katharine about Elliott. They referred to him as Snagletooth. Don't they realize that she spends all her time with Elliott and that she probably thought they were jerks for saying such mean and hurtful stuff about him. I sent them a scathing e-mail and you should do the same.
Hey Jennifer, I have not posted this season, but am a faithful reader (makes work less boring) and as an IDOL FAN I appreciate what you do here. Esp after the whole Chris thing...good job at keeping everyone respectful. I love Elliot and Taylor, Kat has a great voice, but I hope Elliot takes the title.
A couple people in the comments over at mj's blog are saying "You are so Beautiful" - Joe Cocker picked by Randy as Taylor's judge's pick. No net reference as backup though.
- Allen
i, for one, predicted chris' demise, (along with dave).....so it was no surprise....and can't understand what the big fuss is about....chris was a boring performer...but it looks as if most folks bought into the hype by simon and randy.....the rocker craze is soooo limited, to so few
people....soon it will be gone, like, like grundge, like rap, like the twist,....if you get my gist...elliott's singing will be compared to sinatra, billy joel, springsteen, and yes, rod stewart...i heard it best on one program...chris sounded like creed,,,,,no matter what he sang. and that pretty much says it all.....go elliott
You are not the only one who, in my case, publicly predicted that Chris would go home. I hear they're making a sequel to Jaws, and they want Chris to be a stand in for Bruce the shark. Dead eyed Dick is gone, and goodriddance to someone who conveniently forgot to thank his fans.
And that interview? The guy got a tad carried away with his own press, after reading what he said, I am EXTATIC god's gift to rockers everywhere has been left in the dust.
The only person who has never once gotten a break from any judge, let alone Paula's simpering over ElEEEOT and Simon's favoritism over Chris and Katherine, and Randy's "It's hawt dude" to Chris...is who?????
Drumroll: Taylor
He just lets his fans speak for him, and that seems to be quite sufficient, thank you very much!
Sail on Taylor let the good times roll from your ever-loving Soul Patrol
oops make that exstatic
I agree with you to a point about the judges. Simon hates Taylor. Anybody who can't see that is not paying attention. But I think Randy has championed Taylor all along. (And does anyone really pay attention to Paula?) But sometimes I think Simon's overt dislike can really work in reverse, so if I were Taylor, I wouldn't be too upset about it. And I, personally, think he chooses some of his songs just to piss Simon off. Which I love.
On merit, for the good that will be accomplished as a result of selecting any particular idol, we have to look at Elliot:
He is mostly deaf in one ear. That will give some recognition to the hearing impaired.
He has been a spokesperson for diabetes for some time now, and will go very far in raising awareness for this very debilitating disease.
He may not be the handsomest guy out there, but he gives those without matinee idol looks, some hope that maybe if they dream hard enough, it just may come true.
And he's a nice Jewish boy....something I would never HOPE to entertain as a serious contender on American Idol.
Go Elliot
And with respect Tribesman, you forgot one thing: the boy can SANG like nobody's business.
Go Elliott!
He can definitely sing.... AND he's a nice Jewish boy....what more could you ask? Oy he's SUCH a mensch
I am kvelling here
Idol Brain said...
"oops make that exstatic"
*cough* make that ECSTATIC. ;)
Post a Comment
<< Home