Is anyone else watching American Idol this season?

[undeterred]

I know, I know, lots of AI bashing around here.

This has got to be one of the best groups I've ever seen. Lots of really unique people who are ready for a career right now. Like Pia. I just LOVE her voice.

[nolabear]

1. Yup. I'm a total AI sucker.

But I don't really much like any of the women this year, talented as they are. I'm a Casey nerd; I just like his unique style and personality (and the resistence to being made cookie cutter). Much as I'mnot a country fan, the country kid is stunningly professional too, as is the guy who sang While My Guitar Gently Weeps (I have totally lost control of the names though I swear I know them.)

So yeah, it's a not-at-all-guilty pleasure.

[chollybocker]

2. I watch the audition shows, for the occasional lulz.

Then I catch up at the end, when they're down to the last three or four singers.

I have no interest in watching the other episodes, when even the judges say that the singers are "not very good," "trying too hard," "a disaster," or "pitchy." Why would I want to subject myself to an hour-and-a-half of that?

[undeterred]

17. There hasn't been as much of that this season because

the performances have been so good. And Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler are very classy judges. It makes the show much more enjoyable to watch. I think they have better people working with the contestants too.

[AngryOldDem]

3. Yep.

And already I'm confused by one of tonight's final three. I'll say no more because of spoilers.

[ecstatic]

4. Who is the awful topless guy?

I'm rooting for Casey, but I'm officially bored. Will no longer watch this season, except for the finale (if Casey or Pia survive).

[AngryOldDem]

6. Iggy Pop. n/t

[chollybocker]

16. It was the ghost of Johnny O'Keefe!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0a-ATQZY0k

[Chiyo-chichi]

5. I WAS watching it. I'm done with it after tonight's result..

I won't post a spoiler... but the best singer just got voted off.

[AngryOldDem]

7. As am I.

This is just total bullshit.

[driver8]

13. I agree -- I'm done.

I picked the person voted off tonight to win. No reason to watch anymore -- the best singer is gone.

[Hawaii Hiker]

8. I did enjoy Idol this year until tonights shocking, and insane result

One of the best looking AND best singing girls ever on the show was eliminated tonight...Grant it, they have alot of good singers this year, but tonights reasult was as shocking as if Obama would lose to Alan Keyes in a presidential race...

[Chiyo-chichi]

9. Absolutely gorgeous and more talented - by far - than any of the others.

I like Casey, but I'll bet the judges are sorry they used the save.

[undeterred]

12. OMG I didn't watch the show and I just saw the result.

She is so much better than the rest. Well she doesn't need the competition. Ready to start her career right now.

[femmocrat]

10. Yes, I watch it every year.

I think this is the most talented group --- although they say that every year!

I really like the new panel of judges. I don't miss Simon at all.

[undeterred]

11. I never even knew who Steven Tyler was before

what a nice guy.

[driver8]

14. You can tell that he really loves music, and has respect for these people and their talents.

I know some complain that he is "too easy" on them, but I like his comments. I think he is doing a good job.

[graywarrior]

15. I only watch it for Steven Tyler

[Love Bug]

18. I'm amazed how quickly this group got on their game

The first week was pretty awful and the second almost as much. But since then (I think it has to do with them learning how to use their earpieces) they've been singing much better -- not so pitchy and they actually started listening to the judges's advice.

HOWEVER... The judges need to stop giving everyone a virtual tongue bath every. single. time and give them more constructive criticism. For instance, "Folsum Prison Blues" is not a happy song yet Paul sang it with a big grin throughout. "Piece of my Heart" ain't exactly a happy song, either. I don't think some of these 'kids' really understand the words they are singing. Yes, they are young, but if they don't have the life experience to fully appreciate heartbreak, then they need to learn to act as if they do.

I'm not a huge country fan but Scotty sings like he sprouted fully-formed from Randy Travis's forehead. I'm just sayin...

Oh, and Stephen Tyler is the new Paula. Some of his comments only make sense on his planet, whatever that is! I almost hate to say it, but I miss Simon.

And last night's result? WTF? I can think of several who should have gone home first.

[undeterred]

Scotty is freaking amazing.

Too bad I'm not a country fan, but I can take one song a week. Steven Tyler makes you feel good. Randy tells you that you're pitchy.

If they were smart they wouldn't let the audience votes determine who goes home.

[undeterred]

19. Scotty is freaking amazing.

Too bad I'm not a country fan, but I can take one song a week. Steven Tyler makes you feel good. Randy tells you that you're pitchy.

If they were smart they wouldn't let the audience votes determine who goes home.

[AngryOldDem]

20. What they need to do...

...is let the audience determine the bottom 3. THEN let the judges say who goes home.

This would take care of one of the biggest problems I have with this season: I agree this group is perhaps one of the strongest in recent AI history, but I've been disappointed in the judges' feedback (or lack thereof) these kids are getting week in and week out. Everybody is great, fantastic, an inspiration, a megarock star aborning, (fill in your tongue-bath adjective here). At times I wish Simon were there to add a little dose of reality to the lovefest. Paul needs to go. His version of Folsom Prison Blues was an outright travesty, and he gets worse every week. Stefano is on very thin ice, too, and I really don't care if his feelings got hurt when everybody got angry about Pia going. Standing next to her, he should have been gone. Scotty, for me, is a one trick pony. If the judges had the final say, that would take care of a lot of the laziness I see in their critiques.

It's also telling to see who's gone home so far: Women, especially minority women. Going into week four (?) and just TWO women left? That's another drawback to the way the voting is handled, and why the judges need to do their job and justify who stays and who goes.

If I had to guess right now, with this show's history, I predict Scotty and either Paul or Stefano in the final.

(I didn't catch this, but on another discussion board someone pointed out that at the end of the show, Seacrest said something to the effect, "Please stay with us for the rest of the season." Even he knows last night was a big-time mess.)

Right now the only upside for me is watching Steven Tyler. But even he is looking like he's bored with it all.

YMMV.

[undeterred]

21. I'm usually disappointed with who ends up in the final.

But then, I don't vote and I suspect its millions of teenagers who do vote.

[Divameow77]

22. I'm a big AI fan

and I am finding this year boring. While I don't believe the elminiated contestant deserved to go home yet (especially above a few others) I still don't think she should win. She's boring and I haven't seen anything creative come out of her at all. There's alot more to being a musical artist then just a good voice.

Everytime Steven Tyler says something I'm like "huh?"