American Idol 8 - The Backdrop... and a few choice comments

When the final countdown starts in January for Taylor's brand new CD (which will drop February 10 - and the Warfield DVD on February 17) and the national 'Grease' tour is well under way, American Idol will be starting up again, for the 8th damn time. Can you believe that? Well, not to be outdone by their nastiness toward Taylor last year, they decided to put the smallest of pictures of him up on the backdrop - almost behind the ugly-ass stupid fake plastic plant in the corner of the auditon room - with a leaf almost covering up his face. I guess I shouldn't complain too much - at least we see him - last year was a rarity. Anyway, here's one of the promos for the show. I dunno about you, but this stuff is just not funny to me anymore. Man, the show needs cancellation in a seriously major way.



This makes me wonder if anyone can airmail this 6 story, 60 foot poster of Taylor (see below) to Simon and Simon on AI to show them how he needs to be displayed - the way the producers of 'Grease' on Broadway saw fit by proudly hanging it in Times Square, in the Big Apple, all summer long. I mean *really* people - if it wasn't so pathetic it would be really sad at the vindictiveness they continue to exhibit 3 years later. How does one flip the bird in writing?

Taylor Hicks - #4 Top Audition According to TV Guide

According to TV Guide, Taylor Hicks is #4 on their American Idol's Best Auditions List! Woo hoo!! The following is their complete list of the Top 5 men and Top 5 women. See if you agree!

This Wednesday's American Idol is a "Best of the Rest" recap of the Season 7 auditions we didn't see throughout each city. That got us thinking about some of the best auditions we've seen, regardless of whether the candidate went on to Idol greatness. Instead of a top-10 list, we thought we'd have a battle of the sexes: the best women's auditions versus the best from the men. — Erin Fox

Top Five Men's Auditions

5) Chris Sligh, "Kiss from a Rose" | Watch on YouTube
Not only did Chris crack us up with his "wanting to make David Hasselhoff cry" comment, he wowed us with his soulful rendition of Seal's hit song. Paula even stood up and clapped at the end.

4) Taylor Hicks, "A Change Is Gonna Come"/"Swanee River Rock" Watch on YouTube
The funny thing about this is that Simon clearly didn't like Taylor from the get-go. You can tell his vote is a no, but Randy and Paula are really impressed by his soulful, funky voice. When Simon says he should stay in the background and will never get to the final group, we wish we could have fast-forwarded to the moment of Taylor's victory and shoved it in Simon's face.

3) Justin Guarini, "Who's Lovin' You" | Watch on YouTube
We know what you're thinking: "Justin? Seriously?" But take a look at the video, and you'll see why the judges went nuts for this unknown. Why he didn't excel as a crooner after Idol is anyone's guess, but it's fun to look back at his raw talent.

2) Chris Daughtry, "The Letter" | Watch on YouTube
Though poor Chris looks like a dear caught in headlights, his voice speaks for itself. Again, Simon thinks Chris isn't ready and gives him a no, but thank goodness Paula and Randy step in to send this mega-hit-producing rocker to Hollywood. That's right, Simon, you were wrong!

1) Clay Aiken, "Always and Forever" | Watch on YouTube
Clay looked like the elf from Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, but he sounded like a superstar. The judges didn't know what to make of his dorky style mixed with his insanely good vocals. But they voted him through and Clay went on to sell millions of records. Frighteningly enough, he also became the object of affection for thousands of "Clay-mates."

Top Five Women's Auditions

5) Frenchie Davis, "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" | Watch on YouTube
Holy crap, we think our ear drums just burst listening to her amazing vocal power. Randy and Paula gave her a standing ovation (Simon, of course, stayed seated but clapped as enthusiastically as he could), and if she hadn't been kicked off the show for those naughty pictures, there's no telling how far Frenchie could have gone.

4) Carrie Underwood, "I Can't Make You Love Me" | Watch on YouTube
Who knew this farm girl who sported the '80s wardrobe and glamour-shots makeup at her audition would become the Idol winner and sell a bazillion country records? Well, check out this video and you'll see why this country girl's star rose so quickly.

3) Paris Bennett, "Cowboy Take Me Away" and "Take Five" | Watch a Clip
Yes, that's right... Paris got to sing two songs because the judges were so impressed. She did a fine job with "Cowboy" but really blew us away by singing a Billie Holiday song with the grace and depth of someone much older than her 17 years. My one question is, "Where is she today, and why isn't she way more famous?"

2) Katharine McPhee, "God Bless the Child" | Watch on YouTube
Paula had goosebumps, we had goosebumps; Kat cried, we cried.... This was one of the best and most natural voices in the show's history. Now this Idol runner-up is filming movies, singing with Andrea Bocelli, and just married her boyfriend of several years. She's on a roll.

1) Melinda Doolittle, "For Once in My Life" | Watch on YouTube
For such a shy little thing, boy could she rock the house! Melinda proved that she was not only talented but also that she was a unique and refreshing addition to Idol. Can you believe she was a backup singer for so long?

Taylor Hicks Backup Singer Auditions for American Idol7

I wasn't going to watch this season of American Idol. Just wasn't in the mood for another round of snubbing the most prolific, dynamic and popular singer/songwriter/musician this series has ever had. BTW, why did they cut Taylor's head off during the opening credits? That was him, wasn't it? Well, that must be what you get for dissing 19E. You not only get ignored, slighted and dissed, you get decapitated as well. Oh hum.

Anyway, I heard that Ms. Melanie Nyema, Taylor's terrific back-up singer on his Spring '07 tour auditioned. Well, this I had to see and to my surprise, there she was!!! So cute and talented, not to mention a great singer! And high fives to her for giving kudos to her 'boss' in front of the judges, saying that Taylor was a 'nice southern gentleman" (well of COURSE he is), and that he was terrific and best of all, informing the judges he had not muttered a single word about them. Why does that not surprise me? And judging by the looks on their faces, Simon and Randy were not surprised either.

I have my 'dawg' in this race and I'll be watching the show for as long as Melanie survives. If, at any point she must go home, that will my cue to go as well. I cannot stomach this show anymore and it's manipulate tactics. And most of all, the disrespect it gave, and continues to give, it's Season 5 winner.

Here is her audition:



Here is Melanie and Taylor at the last show of his Spring tour singing a duet of Do I Make You Proud/Dancing Queen. Priceless. And shake that bootie, Tay!