Comments on: The NGH Report – Thoughts on American Idol 9’s Top 16 Results

By: Jimmy Boyd

Jimmy Boyd — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:53:45 +0000

I doubt Lilly would have won, anyway. She was starting to seem more like Megan Joy every week. No diversity at all. Why would you ever sing a Patsy Cline song like that? It doesn’t work. Period.

After 9 years, contestants should know they need to mix it up. Those who do well tend to introduce more variety into their performances instead of trying to shove one style down fans’ throats on a weekly basis. And Lilly’s style isn’t even a popular style, so that’s a Double Whammy.

Now, I personally think Lilly deserved to make it at least a few more weeks. But she just had a poor strategy.

By: rk349097

rk349097 — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:57:53 +0000

Bill Mitchell: THE LILLY ELIMINATION IS TOTALLY UNSURPRISING:People often forget the demographic that watches this show.Indie and Rock performers always struggle down the line because that audience is small compared to the tweeners and pop fans.Face it, how many huge indie or rock fans do you know that would confess to watching Idol?That’s why Daughtry got bumped but has sold so many records.His fans buy albums but don’t watch Idol.That’s why Hick’s career has been a flop.His fans watch Idol but don’t buy records.The rock and indie fans who do watch Idol probably don’t power-vote for hours like a 15 year old female pop-fan does.One fan like that can cancel out 100 rock/indie fans come voting time.Lilly was great, but she was splitting a small piece of the pie with Crystal who is better.Katie was getting the young teenage girl vote as she is their representative.That’s the biggest block that votes on this show.Another reason ab man is still around.So bummer?Yes.Unfair?Yes.Surprising?No.

You're mostly correct here, Bill, but I think that you're a little off with your assertion that tween girls make up the dominant "Idol" voting bloc. That might have been the case a few years ago, but I think things have become a bit more complicated now. If that was- indeed, the case- then David Archuleta would have beaten David Cook two years ago. I honestly think that the total "Idol" audience is a bit more diverse than you think it is, with middle-aged women playing almost as big a role as their tween daughters do. No offense, but if you think that the "Soul Patrol" was mostly composed of tween girls, then you're kidding yourself. The reason Lilly came up short last night was due to her failure to attract ANY voting bloc of the "Idol" audience. Part of this was due to the fact that, of any performer in the cast this season, Lilly was the only true "indie-style" singer. I've heard the term "indie" tossed around a lot this season, but I really don't think it applied to anyone with the exception of Lilly. Crystal is a retro-styled folk-rocker, Didi and Lacey are contemporary singer-songrwiters, and Katelyn and Siobhan- while certainly quirky- are more traditional pop-rock singers (more than anyone, Siobhan reminds me of Sinead O'Connor, and- no- it's not just because of her Celtic first name). Bill is spot-on here with his assertion that most indie rock fans don't watch "Idol" (trust me, I live in a hipster commune, I know), which put Lilly in a difficult position to begin with. Unfortunately, she also failed to attract many fans from many of the other voting blocs with her oddball song choices, which went over the heads of the relatively conservative, mainstream audience. That, more than anything, is why Lilly went home last night.

By: JJ

JJ — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:11:04 +0000

I read the posts and appreciate your insight. A lot of times I lurk and don’t comment.
I was VERY surprised by last night. Especially Lilly and Katelyn. Alex has a pleasant voice. Todrick was meh, but he deserved a spot over Aaron and Tim imo. Will be a weird season, that’s for sure.

By: Rico

Rico — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:59:41 +0000

Please listen to Lily over again. Her perfomance of I Fall To Pieces was awful. She missed more notes than she hit. People were judging her image over her substance. Her vocals were sub-par. The only mitigating factor for a poor voice on AI is to be physically attractive. She didn’t have that either.

By: Grace

Grace — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:57:41 +0000

Really, all upset over Lilly? American Idol, like it or not, is more than just a talent show. The people (mainly kids) that take the time and effort to vote, want to vote for someone they like. And, Lilly was just not likable. She was smug and aloof, and her closing remarks that basically insulted her fellow contestants, were confirmation she didn’t need to be going on in this competition. And, while she’s talented, I know lots of very talented singers — she’s not all the unique. Her style is everywhere now adays. And, that last performance of Patsy Cline was absymal. The judges had to have known that and they glossed over it pimping her in an effort to keep her.

Finally, she didn’t lose to Katie. She lost out to all the 6 girls. Pitting them at the end was for dramatic effect, not to say who were the closest in votes. For all any of you know, Katie — with her relatable teen audience — could have been the top vote getter among the girls!

By: Jane

Jane — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:26:57 +0000

Peter: I was also surprised that Lilly went and Katie stayed but I was also surprised that Paige is still in. I don’t think she should have even made the semi-finals. Lastly I think Siobhan should go b/c she is just too weird.

You think Siobhan should go because she is "weird"? That is ridiculous. Grow up.

By: A

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:16:58 +0000

While getting diabetes under control, a person can become fatiqued quickly. The seat(box) on stage was probably for that reason. If what ails Crystal is her diabetes, once back under control she should be fine, which is undoubtedly why she is still in the competition. Several have had colds over the last few weeks, possibly she is mildly ill . She did look a tad pale. Or, what I surmise, Crystal is a tad under the weather and then having to do her best to control her emotions on the stage (harder to do when not feeling well). Crystal, Katelyn, and Lilly became good friends since Hollywood rounds. Crystal looked ticked to me. The way she reacted to Paige sitting beside her spoke of disapproval, and then again to Katie. She didn’t seem all that warm to Siobhan either. While Lilly was singing Crystal made a hand jesture seemingly to Katelyn, like “don’t get this one.” I agree with her, I don’t get the Katelyn instead of Paige or Lilly instead of Katie either. But, it is what it is and like Crystal we all move on.

By: Ohh Noo

Ohh Noo — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:11:33 +0000

Looked to me like Crystal is not feeling well at all. I think she is going to have a tough time making it to the end. Too bad, she is probably the best. Lily leaving (that shows how dumb the voters are)? Paige staying? Alex going? Ellen hugging? Kara crying? VFTW? The show is a joke. Its not the talent anymore, its the following. They need a show that has professional judges and leave America out of it. Its a singing show not a popularity contest.

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:41:00 +0000

I’m reading… It’s all good… Casey and Didi for the final i think, have Casey at +1200, +1400 & +900 and Didi at +3400, +3100, +2800, +2600, +1750, +1700 and a chunk at +1600. Crystal Bowersox is fantastic sure, but she won’t stay the course

Let’s see what happens!!! – A question for you – what do you mean by TIP do you mean gambling tip?

By: Lauren

Lauren — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:10:23 +0000

I *was* wondering if Crystal sitting on the amp was because she’s still unwell. But if she’s not well enough to stand up for 6 or 7 minutes straight, how can she win this competition? How can she tour? I’m not being snarky– I’ll be really upset if she has to drop out. But part of me thinks she just won’t be able to go the distance.

By: Sam.the.Man.I.am

Sam.the.Man.I.am — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:46:52 +0000

John in KC: RE: Crystal – it had nothing to do with a cold personality or not showing excitement.I’m surprised that you missed the news that she was in the hospital last week – was all over the Internet.I am diabetic also and I could see it in her face tonight (pale, unsmiling, unsteady, dizzy, etc.)It was also the reason she sat on her amplifier right after her performance last night to hear the judges’ comments (hint – so she wouldn’t fall down).She caught flack from the same amateur Internet critics about that also. If you are going to criticize a contestant because of her illness, at least act like you know what you are talking about.

Couldn't have been stated better. There are so many idiots posting garbage about Crystal it makes me sick!

By: Bill Mitchell

Bill Mitchell — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:43:53 +0000

THE LILLY ELIMINATION IS TOTALLY UNSURPRISING:

People often forget the demographic that watches this show. Indie and Rock performers always struggle down the line because that audience is small compared to the tweeners and pop fans.

Face it, how many huge indie or rock fans do you know that would confess to watching Idol? That’s why Daughtry got bumped but has sold so many records. His fans buy albums but don’t watch Idol. That’s why Hick’s career has been a flop. His fans watch Idol but don’t buy records.

The rock and indie fans who do watch Idol probably don’t power-vote for hours like a 15 year old female pop-fan does. One fan like that can cancel out 100 rock/indie fans come voting time.

Lilly was great, but she was splitting a small piece of the pie with Crystal who is better. Katie was getting the young teenage girl vote as she is their representative. That’s the biggest block that votes on this show. Another reason ab man is still around.

So bummer? Yes. Unfair? Yes. Surprising? No.

By: john

john — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:02:45 +0000

tim urban has been bad every single week… this week he chose the safest song in the history of idol since every time someone sings it they move on that week. it’s impossible to not have a “moment” when you sing that song but he came as close as i’ve ever seen on idol to someone ruining that song. he just doesn’t have a very good voice and alex lambert may not have been ready emotionally but he was in the top 3 for the guys on vocal talent and based on his past 2 weeks he should have made it easily into the next round, the problem is that the judges focused solely on his nervousness rather than ignoring it and talking about his amazing voice which is what he deserved at the very least. imo alex going home was a worse choice than lilly going home since i saw her getting annoying really fast.

By: John in KC

John in KC — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:08:39 +0000

RE: Crystal – it had nothing to do with a cold personality or not showing excitement. I’m surprised that you missed the news that she was in the hospital last week – was all over the Internet. I am diabetic also and I could see it in her face tonight (pale, unsmiling, unsteady, dizzy, etc.) It was also the reason she sat on her amplifier right after her performance last night to hear the judges’ comments (hint – so she wouldn’t fall down). She caught flack from the same amateur Internet critics about that also.
If you are going to criticize a contestant because of her illness, at least act like you know what you are talking about.

By: Sara.C

Sara.C — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:25:53 +0000

I won't say she can't sing, but the song choices are crucial too in this competition. And she even made Breakaway sounded like a 60s' song... Maybe she just can't sing contemporary songs...

Vanessa Green: Why are there so many Katie haters??? I knew she was going to make the top 12! She can sing!! She’s choosing songs that are too old for her but she can sing!