Friday, April 15, 2011

American Idol: Personality Counts!



I was a little surprised with all the outrage last week when singer Pia Toscano got the boot on American Idol. Pia was a great singer but great singers get the boot early every year. In fact great singers also rarely win American Idol. The winners usually have great vocal talent for sure, but with the exception of first year winner Kelly Clarkson, most winners could arguably be seen as great performers who sing rather than great singers who perform. Pia was not the greatest performer. Like past early evictee Jennifer Hudson, her personality did not exactly leap out of the tv screen and give you a big hug. The best example of this was season one's Tamyra Gray. Tamyra is one of the shows best singers but she came off arrogant and distant. Her inability to connect with an audience has still prevented her from getting her career off the ground. Idol tried it's best to help her for years, dragging her back to sing but although her brilliant vocals remained, so did her coldness. I am by no means saying Pia was cold, but pure talent has never been the main reason for an Idol win.



I guess I was surprised because Idol, although still a show I watch and enjoy has sort of become a background show in my life. I watch, or DVR, but don't really invest in it any more. I think it was years of disappointment and frustration. I remember season 2 in particular rooting for a Kimberly or Clay win (I liked Rueben but never saw him as able to really pull off stardom). Jennifer Hudson, and maybe for me even more Latoya London's departures in season 3 were disappointments. Add to that Scott Savol and Sanjaya's ability to last longer than far more talented singers taught me American Idol was a show to enjoy, not to invest or waste any emotion in.

Despite all the outrage, Idol usually ends up picking up a decent winner. Except for Season 5 when Chris Daughtry, or to me Elliott Yamin, should have taken the crown I have been ok with most winners. I know many believe Adam Lambert should have won his year but I liked both he and Kris Allen so it was a toss up. Even though this year, like every year critics claim the teenage girls are pushing the vote, those girls have rarely actually produced a winner.



Like each of the past 9 seasons or so the show pushes this group as The Best Group Ever!!! It of course is not true. If there were a group who should have that title I would give it to Season 2 or Season 5. I never really enjoyed Rod Stewart wannabe Paul who left last night, and I don't get the fuss over Casey. Scotty McCreery made me smile for about one week and now bores me to tears and Jacob's over emoting is cringe worthy. Jiimmy Lovine might be a talented producer but is creepy and only brings down the show. My main smiles each week come from watching Stefano Langone. Yeah Yeah he is cute but I also love his voice (when singing more than speaking...) He was really great this week and although will not make it to the end, is the only consistent part of my DVR recording that does not get the ole FF.

Krunnch Photo: Overt Imaginations

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Favorite Pic of the Day for April 15th

Above:
Incredible shot of R.J Moon by Krunnch Photo.
More of Krunnch Photo's work tomorrow, be sure to check back!

Happy Birthday today April 15th to:

Celebrating Birthdays today April 15th

Rugby's Yann David turns 23 today.




The talented and adorable Seth Rogan turns 29 today.







Model Shaun De Wet turns 29 today.




Was surprised how little there is on the net on the beautiful Daniel Pino from 'Cold Case'. Daniel turns 37 today.

Birthdays: Yeah...or Nay?


Above:
Jean-Michel Villette (Playgirl, March 2001)

I have asked this question before and am asking readers again to let me know how they feel about the birthday posts. Somedays I find doing celebrity birthdays a nice way to anchor the blog and give it structure. On days like today when I don't have time to put together full feature posts I kind of like being able to post the birthdays. On other days when I have wonderful content I find they get in the way. Curious if readers will help me decided what to do by leaving a comment below:

Yeah: Keep em as they are!
Nay: GET RID OF THEM ALL TOGETHER!
Stay: Keep them, but just post sometimes when you feel they fit.
? I could care less

Thanks! Of course I am leaning towards a Stay, but want your thoughts. Some days I do certainly want to turf them all together!