LIVE IDOL! The Overmyer Era Begins...
I'll be pulling for Amanda Overmyer tonight, when the top 12 Idol gals commence battle. And yet, I'm getting a bit concerned about my bittersweetheart. Sure, I like 'em smoky and whiskey-soaked, preferably with a rap sheet and a homicidal ex-boyfriend hellbent on revenge. But at 22 years old, the Rock 'n' Roll Nurse is starting to look like someone unhappily married to Elvis. Or is it Elsa Lanchester? I don't know. Something's not right.
As for the rest of the girls, let's hope they're more memorable than last night's dudes. Oy, with the milquetoast. I vaguely remember someone named Noriega and Castro. I think Johnny Stalin sang, too. MICHAEL JOHNS is so far better than most of those dopes, it's silly. That said, goofy-grinned virg DAVID ARCHULETA is supposedly scoring huge in the next-day polls. (CLICK HERE FOR THAT.)
Anyway, I'm expecting good performances from several ladies tonight, including Irish sobber CARLY SMITHSON, leggy belter SYESHA MERCADO and plus-size super goddess JOANNE BORGELLA. The madness starts at 8 p.m.
Join us in the Comments section tonight. Just jump right in. Don't worry if you don't know anyone. You'll be loved and embraced and, if you prefer, maybe even cuddled. Have fun!
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
Milquetoast is right, I gave up after the first hour and deserted for other reality TV delights. I hope the girls are more exciting tonight, I'm sure I've mentioned this but Ms. Overmyer, she of the horribly unfortunate hair, if from very near my birthplace in north central Indiana and is an occasional special event singer at the local mall. How's that for a near brush with greatness? Almost as exciting as the men singing last night, I think.
Posted by: Sherrie | February 20, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Ah yes, time to fire up the nickname machine for another evening.
I've locked onto "R'n'R RN" for Amanda over "Florence Nightenmare". Apart from that, I'm still waiting to be inspired.
I've got my fingers crossed that tonight will be more nickname-worthy than last night. Both my internet connection and my Fox affliate have been hit or miss lately, but I'll try to play.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Her hair needs to reach a wee bit higher for Elsa Lanchester status... but I digress. It will be interesting to see what the AI stylists do to her as the season progresses.
I'm hoping Joanne gives a great performance tonight, as well as that-chick-whose-name-escapes-me-at-the-moment-who-Simon-said-reminded-him-of-Carole-King. How's that for vague.
And Jeff, I eagerly await your nicknames. They were a total highlight last evening.
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 03:36 PM
With Aussie wildlife references all the rage (e.g. "Love Kangaroo"), I had one lined up for Carly. However, the spam filter didn't like it, and I've decided it was a little too mean-spirited, so I'm back in the market for a new one.
If you're curious...
"Blue-Tongued Sk@nk"
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Having been fighting with a cold and throat issues all week, I'm got lots of empathy for the sick ones in the bunch tonight. It's hard for me to talk (which is like not being able to breathe for me), much less sing. Here's hoping this doesn't make for a sub-par evening...
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 08:08 PM
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
The crowd's bored, I'm bored; this is not good.
If I had to throw down a nickname, it would be:
Vanilla Nice
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 08:14 PM
Ok, where is everyone.... First one out of the gate tonight, Kristi... blah! I agree with Simon... wrong song choice for her.
Posted by: Carla | February 20, 2008 at 08:16 PM
That. Was bad. Wait -- not even bad. Bland. Which is worse, honestly.
She doesn't have the pipes to tackle Fontella Bass. Song choice done her in.
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Where's Sean?
It's go-time for Joanne
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Better song choice for Joanne.... but she needs to be more into the performance.
Posted by: Carla | February 20, 2008 at 08:18 PM
What's with the crowd?
They can't seem to muster even the illusion of excitement. Someone needs to fire them up.
And Joanne's dad looks like he'll be waiting for Simon in the parking lot.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Oh damn. I wanted Joanne to hit that one out of the park -- and she ended up on base on balls.
Love her song choice -- can never go wrong with Bacharach as far as I'm concerned -- but her nerves just got the better of her. She's better than we saw, I do believe.
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Oh -- I noticed the lack of enthusiasm in the crowd too, Jeff. Especially in the boy contestant section. That David Cook could not affect a more bored countenance if he tried.
This does not bode well for the rest of the evening. I hope I'm wrong about that...
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Is it me, or is Alaina screaming the song out??
Posted by: Carla | February 20, 2008 at 08:29 PM
Alaina, Alaina, Aliana...
If only this competition was held at the mall. You'd like totally win.
And if those F-me shoes are the only ones you brought to LA, you better hope to get some more for your birthday.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 08:30 PM
Ok.. according to the judges... I guess it was me?? LOL
Posted by: Carla | February 20, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Sean's girly is up next... where oh where are you Sean??
Posted by: Carla | February 20, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Alaina. She was kinda Carrie Underwood lite -- with a charming Lauren Hutton-esque gap in her teeth. Hated her top -- that one sleeve thing was very distracting.
And even though someone made the boys stand up, they still looked bored. Oy.
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 08:33 PM
Hey cool kids, juggling daughters right now. Wheeee!
Posted by: Sean Daly | February 20, 2008 at 08:33 PM
Come on, Sean. As your Idol partner in crime, I know you were curled up in the fetal position in a corner after the lovely Joanne performed without a pulse.
Posted by: SharonF | February 20, 2008 at 08:35 PM
If R'n'R RN can't shake this crowd out of a coma, they might as well wheel in the meat wagon!
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 08:37 PM
My TV needs a penacillin shot.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Pass that needle around Jeff... lol
Posted by: Carla | February 20, 2008 at 08:40 PM
R'n'R RN -- rather what I expected. I was underwhelmed, much like the audience, apparently.
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 08:42 PM
So far the women are shaping up as a Goth Nurse, a plus-size model and 10 blond twinkies I can't tell apart.
It's like a party at Hef's!
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 08:43 PM
You gotta like the R'n'R RN plan:
Pick a song with less than a dozen words so you won't forget any of them.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 08:46 PM
SharonF! Good to see you in the 'hood. Indeed, Joanne was lame. I'm over her. But c'mon, Amanda Overmyer was rashtastic! So dirty, so angry -- so in love.
Posted by: Sean Daly | February 20, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Rashtastic -- I'll give you that. Or she will.
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Spiral Staircase? How did Paula know that?
Posted by: Tom Scherberger | February 20, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Where The Boys Are?
The coma crowd will be flat-lining.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 08:50 PM
I had to leave the room when Amy Davis, Model and Grad Student, was singing. Was it the sound on my TV or did she pretty much miss the mark on keeping that song in key?
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 08:51 PM
Sean,
You need to hire a nanny.
Like now.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 08:54 PM
Most likely to be caught in a sex video scandal if she makes it through: Kristy Lee.
I've seen thatlook before, usually grabbing a pole.
Posted by: Steve Persall | February 20, 2008 at 08:56 PM
I'm thinking the happy nanny will go by:
"Mary Poppins"
At least until I think of a really good "dirty nanny" double entendre.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Aw, little Brooke. All happiness and sunshine and puppies and rainbows. I like her. LOVE her hair (why, oh why won't mine do that) and her attitude. Not sure she can go the distance, but she's refreshing.
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 08:58 PM
My money on sex video scandal culprit: Amy Davis, Model and Grad Student. She reminds me a bit of the s*k*a*n*k from last season, one Antonella something-or-other.
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Persall! Scherberger! Now it's a party. If it weren't for these meddling kids, I could hang out more. Stupid fatherhood.
Kristy Lee would no doubt be a lot more comfortable working the pole. She was like a Madame Tussaud's Kate Bosworth statue.
Posted by: Sean Daly | February 20, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Having never seen a pole performance, I defer to the opinions of those of you who have... Kristy Lee it is.
And Alexandrea was adorable. Start to finish. Wasn't she the one with the saucy great-grandma?
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Sean, I know you weren't there so I don't want you to get the wrong idea about the '60s: the music wasn't this bad!
Posted by: Tom Scherberger | February 20, 2008 at 09:10 PM
Alexandrea certainly is cheeky.
Did you catch her reading off of Ryan's teleprompter?
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 09:11 PM
Sorry, I'm on TiVo and re-running the "Rescue Me" chick Joanne's face melting after the perfect, dissing logic Simon laid on her. He is my British Idol.
Posted by: Steve Persall | February 20, 2008 at 09:12 PM
Didn't we already see this woman?
Twice?
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 09:14 PM
I think you're right, Jeff. It's like Return of the FemBots tonight.
I may not bother to learn their names, since chances are one or two of them will go home soon enough.
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 09:16 PM
Kady's certainly got the pipes, but I can't get past her Britica Simpspears looks.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 09:17 PM
Yikes!
You can't sing Janis with a toothy Osmond grin!
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 09:21 PM
If she keeps that silly grin on her face, Asia'h will end up "Joanie" to David's "Chachi".
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 09:24 PM
I totally missed watching Asia'h -- but I heard it from the other room -- Janis with a toothy grin? Heresy.
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Princess Di and I are gasping at that last comment, Jeff. Very funny. Haven't even seen her yet but now we're TiVo-ing ahead.
Posted by: Steve Persall | February 20, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Shorty Spice goes down-tempo too.
You can't bring down the house with a finely tooled cocktail fork.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Hey, Sharon, what's up with all the hoop ear rings?
Posted by: Tom Scherberger | February 20, 2008 at 09:34 PM
How short is she anyway?
Even in 4-inch heels she's only chest-high on Seacrest, and he's like 4' 11".
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 09:34 PM
I alternate between feeling like I've spent the last hour and a half with American Idol: Stepford Wives and on the Lido deck with Isaac not refilling my glass nearly fast enough.
Posted by: SharonF | February 20, 2008 at 09:35 PM
Mr. S: Hoop earrings are hot. Not just a trend, a classic. Unless they have peace signs in them, and they they're cheesey.
And I have to reinforce your earlier comment that '60s music isn't this bad, for all who weren't around for it. I have very vivid womb memories.
Posted by: SharonF | February 20, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Syesha needs to pick a camera. If she whips her head around one more time that big earring is going to knock Seacrest straight.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 09:39 PM
With a whole decade to choose from, you'd think she could find a better showcase for her monster pipes.
And how thrilled is that dude going to be when he finds out he's been labeled "Syesha's Friend"?
Next week it will read "The Guy Syesha Will Dump Before The First Ford Commercial".
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 09:43 PM
As usual, I'm oblivious on the fashion front. Syesha rocks, btw. Gonna be a local obsession, I fear.
Posted by: Tom Scherberger | February 20, 2008 at 09:46 PM
Hola, mi amigos!
Posted by: Steve Spears | February 20, 2008 at 09:48 PM
For the record, Isaac is filling my glass very nicely tonight, hence I'm just now showing up.
My idea for next week: James Bond Night for American Idol.
Gooooold-FINGER!!!!
Posted by: Steve Spears | February 20, 2008 at 09:49 PM
I laughed my tuchus off at "Syesha's Friend." Nice.
And Tom, Syesha did rock. Plus I think I have those earrings she was wearing or something very similar.
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 09:50 PM
Carly goes mellow as well.
I was hoping she'd fire up something sportier, because I've got a great nickname for her, and it works on several levels:
"Sham-rocker"
I slay myself sometimes.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Anyone who sings a song about Tobacco Road or North Carolina gets black-balled in the Stuck in the 80s book.
Posted by: Steve Spears | February 20, 2008 at 09:53 PM
To explain, I have bad memories of all previous trips to North Carolina, including going into restrooms, where there was graffiti that read, "Make a Hillbilly happy, Go back to Florida!"
No problem, I'm back in Florida to stay.
Posted by: Steve Spears | February 20, 2008 at 09:55 PM
HA! Good one, Jeff. "Sham-rocker" indeed.
I liked the mellow interpretation of "Shadow of Your Smile" -- interesting choice, actually.
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Did Simon seriously never hear of Baby Please Don't Go? How can that be?
Posted by: Tom Scherberger | February 20, 2008 at 09:57 PM
Pretty bland couple of hours.
I couldn't distinguish Kristy from Aliana from Brooke from Kady with a trashcan full of used kleenex and my CSI Jr. Home DNA Kit.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 09:58 PM
I must have blacked out or something, because I'll be damned if I remember Tobacco Road being sung tonight. Unless one of the interchangable blondes performed it -- then I can understand why I missed it.
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 09:59 PM
I'm already searching for "Beer Fest" on the pay channels.
Posted by: Steve Spears | February 20, 2008 at 09:59 PM
And another thing -- I would be power voting for Carly right now had she sung the Astrud Gilberto version of "Shadow of Your Smile." But she didn't. So I'm not.
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 10:00 PM
I'm totally underwhelmed by this evening's show. A whole big passel of MEH.
And now I'm debating on whether to roll the DVR back to watch "Company" on PBS/Great Performances or the Project Runway reunion show. Decisions, decisions.
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Mr. Spears, send Isaac my way with a bottle of Cuervo.
Mr. S, Simon has this British filter through which he runs a lot of music. He has the same problem on Broadway week ... and country week ... and Tony Bennett week ... and ...
I see Mr. Persall has abandone the boards to hunt down Joe Redner to book Kristy Lee Cook's first post-Idol gig. which may not be next week, but maybe the week after.
Posted by: SharonF | February 20, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Syesha sang Tobacco Road, which is also a bar in Miami, where she now lives, a rock
'n roll landmark that claims to be Florida's oldest bar. Not sure about that, though it does smell like it.
Posted by: | February 20, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Well, damn... my GG&Ts must have been stronger than I realized, since I remember Syesha singing -- but I don't remember her singing that.
Perhaps it's time for bed.
Posted by: jane | February 20, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Rock 'n' roll nurse. ZZZZZZZ.
Blonde girls. ZZZZZZZ.
Most of the women fizzled, but having '60s night right off the bat was a bad idea. "Where the Boys Are?" Please.
Posted by: JanetK | February 20, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Janet!!
yeah, if the point was to have a theme night so the audience would have a better chance of recognizing the songs for the top 24, then you really can't go beyond '80s. and then danny could have done his boy george act. it would have worked much better than elvis.
Posted by: SharonF | February 20, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Wow! I just skimmed over the comments. It appears my boring night at work didn't interfere with Idol excitement with the ladies.
The Irish chick didn't blow the judges and America away? It's okay,I think I've made it clear who I'll spend my Diet Coke money on (in text voting).
Posted by: Marissa | February 20, 2008 at 10:46 PM
By the way, Amanda Overmyer's photo up top makes it look like she's wearing a Darth Vader Helmet with strands of poorly bleached hair sticking out of the front. Jeeez!
Posted by: Marissa | February 20, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Riss,
At least you got paid for those two hours. Mine are gone forever!
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 20, 2008 at 11:16 PM