I can excuse American Idol for featuring disposable pop mediocrity. What annoys me, however, is...

[Tommy_Carcetti]

...its "theme weeks", i.e. how they force the contestants to sing songs exclusively from one artist. Why not allow the contestants to sing whatever damn song they want to sing? Not to mention the fact that if its a singer I don't particularly care for, I have to sit through a bunch of songs that bore the hell out of me. Like Michael Jackson--honestly, I just never really liked him, and don't really have much interest in having his songs being sung by anyone else, either.

[begin_within]

1. I think those are stupid too. They should just let the singers pick whatever songs they want.

It's ridiculous to have themes like country and force singers like Trenyce or Melinda Doolittle sing country songs, or themes like Broadway and make Chris Daughtry pretend he's Ethel Merman for a night. The theme nights made sense in the early seasons, where they actually had the guest in person whose songs they were singing (and that guest sat in for the night as a guest judge., i.e., Gladys Knight or whoever). But they have taken the theme night concept way beyond its natural lifespan. I think they should let the singers choose whatever damn song they want to sing (provided the show can get clearance for the song.) The show would be far better if they did.

[bluethruandthru]

2. I love when the judges tell the contestant that

the original song was so perfect that no one else should attempt it!! Then why are the contestants being told to perform that artist's songs??

[begin_within]

3. Yes, how many times have they told someone that a Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey song is

"too big for you?"

[Shell Beau]

14. Well there are certain songs that do remain untouchable.

Michael Jackson has many to choose from. I wouldn't have picked Bad, Beat It or Thriller.

[LostInAnomie]

4. Theme night can only end in one of four ways.

1. They will say the song was too safe of a choice and pan it.
2. They will say the song is so uniquely (fill in artist's name) that no one should ever attempt it, and they pan it.
3. They say it was horrible.
4. They love it and the phrase "made it your own" will be thrown around with complete abandonment.

[undeterred]

5. No song is too big for Adam, apparently.

If you can sing Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson and not face criticism for attempting it, you're going to be the next American Idol.

I think Adam is very talented, but I think the judges try too hard to sway the votes. Either America votes or the judges pick, but the judges shouldn't be telling America who to vote for quite so forcefully.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

7. Here's the thing about Adam: He's a professional effing singer!

He gets paid to sing on Broadway. So of course he's going to come off more talented and polished than the rest.

All that being said, I hope the blind dude wins.

[Shell Beau]

16. I like that guy, but he isn't the best one up there.

[Shell Beau]

15. Not just him. Danny Gokey gets rave reviews all of the time. As does

Lil. And they are there for that reason because they don't vote.

[jobycom]

6. I like what they do.

By hearing a number of singers try to do the same artist's work, the audience can better hear what the original artist did, and often what the contestants are not doing. Also, by hearing them sing, and hearing the judges' comments, the audience is slowly being educated to hear better, and appreciate talent more, and to see through appearance.

Not that I watch it much, but the few times I have, I've liked it.

[Rabrrrrrr]

8. I think they should make the singers write their own goddamn songs. Anyone can karaoke.

I'd be curious if they actually have the capacity to be musicians, or if all they can do is offer shitty xeroxes of other people's work.

[Shell Beau]

17. I think some of them have that capacity. Most probably don't.

[meegbear]

9. From The Onion, Entertainment section ...

TV Listings
American Idol
FOX
8 p.m. EDT/7 p.m. CDT
An episode devoted entirely to the music of King Crimson has the remaining contestants shrugging and shaking their heads slowly.

[pnutbutr]

10. :rofl: nt

[jakefrep]

11. I'd prefer that the contestants be judged on the basis of original material

I don't particularly care if the songs were written by the contestants or another songwriter, but I just want to hear something I haven't heard before.

[Shell Beau]

18. A lot of people don't care to hear music that they don't know.

At least that is what I think. I didn't take a poll or anything! ;)

[MilesColtrane]

12. I'm still waiting for Schoenberg lieder week.

[Shell Beau]

13. I LOVED Michael Jackson's music. Not so much when others did it though.

Some did well with it though.

I don't mind the theme weeks. They see if they can take someone else's song and make it their own.

[Bake]

19. I'm so glad I'm NOT watching it this season!

I don't think I'm missing a single thing.

Bake

[Shell Beau]

20. Hey are y'all performing anywhere after the Paddy's Day Parade?

[Bake]

21. I'm so out of it ... when's the parade?

We're at Kathryn's Too in Clinton (used to be the Archestratus Grill) on the 20th, and Hal & Mal's on the 28th.

Bake

[Shell Beau]

22. It is the 21st! I didn't know there was a Kathryn's Too.

I guess it is part two of the one on Old Canton?? I also didn't know the Archestratus Grill was gone. It has been a while since I have been to Clinton.