American Idol Jibber Jabber

Staff
Published: April 18, 2008

Every week, one thing is certain in the Star-Exponent offices — American Idol dominates the water cooler convo every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning. So we thought we’d share our thoughts on the show this year, and invite the public to share your views online. So sit back and get ready to argue with our panel of judges — Mr. Big (Rob Humphreys), the self-proclaimed king of useless knowledge (Ray Finefrock), the self-proclaimed clown prince of useless knowledge (Jeff Say), the DVR Diva (Allison Brophy Chamion) and the karaoke queen (Catherine Amos.)

PRINCE: I’ve always liked David Cook. His style of music appeals to my taste, he seems like a likeable guy, and he’s got my sympathy vote (his health is unstable and his brother has cancer.)

But last Saturday, I discovered an even better reason to like him.

He’s my brother.

No, we weren’t separated at birth, and he wasn’t taken away by gypsies in the night from my house. In fact, since we’re just two of 115,000, I doubt he would ever know who I am. (Before you read any further, hold your jokes about my mother.)

But he’s my brother nonetheless — my fraternity brother that is. Cook and I are both members of Phi Sigma Kappa, which I think highlights the diversity of our brotherhood (one that is usually stereotyped as “meatheads.”)

I would have never known Cook was a Kappa until one of my brothers informed me (sheepishly I might add, it’s apparently not “cool” to talk Idol when we should be talkin’ sports) at a get-together last weekend.

It just goes to show that not every fraternity guy is a “Neanderthal” (yes, I’ve been called that before, but since I knew what it meant I countered that the statement must be false.) Cook is now one of the national fraternities’ “stars” joining (my favorite) the late, great Don Knotts, Cheech Marin (so much for helping shatter the stereotype, Cheech my boy), Dan Patrick, Frank Gifford (Kathie Lee’s husband, for those who weren’t NFL fans in the 1960s) the Smothers brothers and John Sununu.

So now I’m much more confident that DC (as I will now call him, I feel as though he needs a cool nickname) will stick around a while longer. I know at least 115,000 other guys that will feel proud to cheer him on.

Damn Proud.

King – American Idol can drop the pretense of being “a singing contest” as Simon is so fond of saying. It’s not. It’s more like voting for homecoming king and queen in high school … it’s a popularity poll. With Idol, the singing is simply thrown in to give Seacrest something to do between his gleeful “after the break” pronouncements and endless self promotion of the AI franchise.

The one thing the brains behind Idol need this year is a winner who can ring the cash registers. It’s an embarrassment when Chris Daughtry, who finished fourth, is a huge star and a winner like Taylor Hicks has his record company cancel his recording contract. Those cruise ships and piano bars are looking better and better, huh Taylor.

That being said, let’s look at who could make some money for the Idol honchos by selling CDs or filling concert venues:

Syesha – there’s nothing original about her. I wouldn’t buy her CD or go see her perform … for free.

Jason – Does a good job of channeling Jack Johnson. I wouldn’t pay to see him perform unless I needed something to put me to sleep. I Will probably buy his first CD if the ukulele version of “Over the Rainbow” is on it, but after that he has nothing more to say. Like Paula, I would enjoy hearing him at a luau.

Brooke – nice girl, pleasant personality…cute and borrrrinnng. Wouldn’t pay to see her or buy a record.

Carley – May sell a few CDs, but can you honestly see her filling Nissan or Wolftrap? Maybe Brandon’s Place…

David Archuleta – Johnny one note. The only upbeat song he tried he botched. Why buy his CD when Harry Connick Jr. does it so much better. And he’s the male counterpart of Jordan…a nice 17-year-old with a big voice and nothing original to offer.

That leaves…David Cook. Idol needs to have a rocker win it much more than Cook needs to win it. With this weeks pop-rock offering he proved he could do more than just hard stuff. He already is a polished performer and has a way of seeming humble without being fawning or obnoxious. If American Idol has any credibility left (yeah, I know, it’s the fans who make the decisions … right) then Cook will win it all.

Guest Idol fan Margaret Butler: I was not an American Idol watcher for the first few seasons. Then my sister got me hooked on it and now I never miss it. I even vote occasionally. I’ll admit I have my favorites and even when they goof up I still vote to keep them in. David Archuleta’s voice just melts my heart. I have a feeling that it’s coming down to a David or David finale.
David Cook is just plain good! I know Jason Castro is probably the dark horse in this race but the sincerity in his face makes you love him. In his kind of music, he’s a winner but I don’t think it will get him the title of “American Idol”. Although, I have heard a lot of 12-14 year-old-girls talking about how many times they voted for Jason. Who knows? The girls have all had good weeks and I’ve enjoyed all of them but I’m not sure I would buy a CD of theirs. Brooke doesn’t seem to have her heart in it anymore. Kristy Lee went this week although she had a great week and has been coming on strong. However, taking into consideration all the weeks of Idol and her performances, it was the right choice. If David, David or Jason recorded a CD, I would buy it without hesitation. I’m unashamed to say “I sure did miss Michael Johns this week”, but I feel like we’ll be hearing from him again.

DIVA: Kristy Lee is finally off to Nashville now to be with Bucky, though her performance the other night was one of her best. I actually enjoyed it.
But DAMN David Cook! Someone get that kid in the studio, Randy.

Hated Brooke: sang way too fast, couldn’t hit the big notes.

Mariah said it best: “I like Brooke. I think she was really genuine as a person,” or in other words — she can’t sing R&B.

Jason Castro, likewise, singing “I Don’t Want to Cry” was “very interesting and different,” Mariah said, and it means she didn’t like it. Me neither.
Thought he was out for sure. Damn those eyes.

Syesha can sing and so can Carly though she needs to take it down a couple hundred notches.

In the end my heart remains with little David A. who can’t help but shine week after week.