Where's the excitement at this season's competition?

I don't know about you, but I am getting a distinct feeling that this year's American Idol contest lacks a certain oomph.
Overall, the competition is okay but that's just plain okay. Nothing exciting has happened so far. The guys in general are a lost cause. Some of them can sing but not in a heart-stopping fashion.
Blake Lewis is okay. His voice is not astoundingly good. Chris Sligh is comical at times but he won't make you demand that he cut an album immediately. Phil Stacey is all bald and no stunner.
I like Phil. I think he has some potential to earn a decent living as a singer even he were to leave the US army tomorrow. But among the guys, honestly, there's no big winner.
Everybody and anybody who has been following the American Idol for several seasons know that to be true. The men are "just not in it" this season.
The girls or women, however, are more fun to watch. We have rock Gina Glocksen. We have an eyeful of Haley Scarnator who delighted us last week with her bare-back blouse and hot pants.
Most of us can't remember what song Haley sang but never mind, we enjoyed watching her prance around the stage. So did Simon Cowell who couldn't resist saying: "You naughty little thing!"
Like most people, I am aware that the two frontrunners are Lakisha Jones and Melinda Doolittle. But then, this is the American Idol. For all I know, one of them could be kicked out next week.
Such is the fickle-mindedness of the TV viewers. Having said that, I hope Doolittle wins the title because she's clearly way ahead of the others. I know she's not as cute as Haley or an physically imposing as Jordin Sparks. But in the vocals department, none of them, girl or guy, can even come close to her level of singing.
I am sure Simon and Randy are privately saying that it's going to be Doolittle's title this year.
They haven't announce the next mentor for this coming week. It is more interesting if they pick a unconventional but talented chap, male or female. Sometimes, an exciting personality can help to spice things up a little.
American Idol is currently in its sixth season. That's not a secret but if this year turns out to be a "bummer", it may just not survive next year.
You know how it is with TV viewers. People's expectations are very high. The various networks are or have gone into overdrive to stimulate the imagination of viewers.
Sometimes, they overdo it. Sometimes they fall flat on their faces but the secret is always to keep the excitement on the ascent. If a TV network falters, the show will be soar pass the first hurdle the following year.
This season's American Idol is clocking at 5 on the 1 to 10 excitment scale. May God help them next year.

12 men, 3 judges and Ryan Seacrest

MEMORISE these names: Philip Stacy, A.J. Tabaldo, Sanjaya Malakar, Paul Kim, Christopher Sligh, Sundance Head, Jared Cotter, Nicholas Pedro, Blake Lewis, Brandon Rogers, Chris Richardson and Rudy Cardenas.

They were the 12 American Idol guys who sang last night, or yesterday, depending which side of the international time zone you are in.

First, I beg to differ from the opinions of all three judges on the performance of Sanjaya Malakar. I thought he did rather well. Simon said the band players were falling asleep and Randy commented that Sanjaya did not do Stevie Wonder's song justice.

Hogwash, I say. It is my humble opinion that Sanjaya did rather well. He has a nice voice and he was certainly NOT as bad as the judges had made him out to be. I thought it was a travesty of justice. And I normally dislike to use phrases like that.
Sanjaya is one of the better singers. Yes, he's just a kid in the eyes of his seniors but as far as singing is concerned, age is not a barrier or a standard by which we wll subscribe to.

Having said that I am not altogether confident that this young boy is capable of reaching the final 12 but I certainly like to see him survive the next two rounds. Come one, give the kid a break.

The other Asian guy, Paul Kim, wasn't exactly at his best yesterday but his no-shoes performance didn't impress the judges or me. But I am willing to give him a chance but will the TV viewers.

It is my guess that at this early state of the elimination rounds, it is particularly vital that the contestants, male or female, establish a rapport with the audience, at the venue or at home.

If people like you, they are going to support you as much as they can and as long as they can. Take for example, Taylor Hicks. Hicks was off the block when the gun fired, and he let his personality shine through.

The fact that he came across as genuinely sincere worked wonders for him. He lost no time in setting up his "soul patrol". Few AI contestants ever learn the lesson that ultimate victory depends as much on your likeability as well as your vocal prowess.

Both work in tandem with each other. If one were to follow the forums that dwell on American Idol from year to year, one will see and learn that how much mileage that a contestant is going to get out of the competition is how much popularity that contestant has generated for himself or herself.

Humans are by nature fickle and sometimes loyal to a fault. They will find excuses for your "bad hair day" if they like you a lot. If you are not in their good books, one wrong move, and the masses out there will just lynch you at the nearest oak tree.

That's life, brother. The American Idol 2007 is no different. It is different this year in the sense that there are new faces, that's all.

The attitude of the majority of the TV viewers and voters has not changed. First, you must be able to sing well, then they have to like you for all kinds of reason,even if some of them are illogical and unreasonable.

Having said all that, out of the 12 men I heard and saw yesterday, two names stuck out: Blake Lewis and Brandon Rogers. But then, the ball game has just started. Someone has hit a home run but the game is far from over.

We shall just have to wait and see. May the best of the best finally emerge. And then, you need to have a bit of luck. Again, if Life's a personality, he's most probably a big joker!

See ya another day. Have fun with life.

Last stop, San Antonio, Texas

I never expected San Antonio in Texas to upstage the other cities like Minneapolis, Seattle, New York, Los Angeles and Birmingham, Alabama in terms of singing talents. And I was right.

Yes, out of the 11,000 there were a handful who displayed some promise that they may eventually make it to the last 12. Now, if I were a betting man, I would put my money on first, Baylie Brown from Krum, Texas.

There are several reasons for looking a bit longer in her direction. First, she comes across as someone who may just have a reservoir of talent yet unrevealed. I know one audition, two-minute long, does not qualify any person for going the distance, but Baylie Brown has got something that others don't have - innocence.

She claimed that she's basically a city girl stuck in a small town. That's kid talk and we the adults know it. The way she said it though made her an almost instant darling among us who can spot someone who is likely to endear herself to us in future elimination rounds.

If Baylie continues to use her vocal chords to their maximum effect, she's going to win over the judges' hearts, and maybe even their minds. Right now, I don't really care if she sounds "commercial".

This is television land and "baby looks" can win prizes. Baylie Brown has that wide-eyed look that most of us like very much because most of us have lost that look years ago.

If she makes it to the last 12, I am going to root for her.
The other contestant who caught my eye was Haley Scarnato. She sounded loud but it was her first audition in front of Hollywood big names, so she might have accidentally tuned up her voice box a little too tight.

But she definitely sounded much better than most of the others who came to entertain us at home. Haley at 15 exhibited an awesome set of vocals. Normally, the moment a participant opens his mouth, you will know within 10 seconds whether that person is going to make it.

In Haley's case, it was obvious she will make it despite the fact that the three judges were a little reserved in their judgement. I suspect once she gets going, she's going to be better than all right.

American Idol contest is also a test of nerves for most people. Those who can keep her anxiety in check would have won 40 per cent of the "battle". A good singer sometimes falters because sheer, uncontrolleable nervousness spoils a good voice.
Confidence is a precious commodity. Haley Scarnato will go far, depending on how Fate plays the game with her.

Jimmy McNeal comes across as a very likeable person. With seasoned music record producers Simon and Randy Jackson, this quality is very important. If you have the misfortune of being crass or haughty, it's not going to help your cause.

Jimmy was clearly having some fun of his own when he walked into the audition room. Yes, he may come across as a little Ruben but as far as TV viewers are concerned, he just obtained a high scoring mark. Kudos to him.

I would not like to pronounce that the chances of Jimmy McNeal going right to the last 24 are high, because in his case I am not sure. Perhaps. Who knows? But among the three names I have just mentioned, the one who has the most potential to sight the finishing line will be Baylie Brown.

Let's hope I am not wrong. Hollywood is not easily pleased or amused by people who stumble and falter in the early, crucial stages of the contest. The American Idol contest is as much a singing competition as it is a PR campaign.

It's how you project yourself. If you don't give off the right vibes, you can pay a heavy penalty when it comes to the important stages. I am sure Katharine McFee knows all about it.

Singing for your next meal - American Idles!

APPARENTLY, one of the easiest things to do in America is to join the American Idol auditions. Hey, that was some time ago. By the time, you have read this blog, you are too late, brother!

Judging by the number of participants who cramped the stadiums across seven US cities, you have a fairly good idea, how many youngsters out there are hungry for fame and fortune.

OK, everybody wants to be famous, rich and have more than a million bucks. That's the trouble with society. They all want to walk down that instant road to fame.

The hitch is only one get to sit on the American Idol throne. The rest are what you call "also-rans". But still, that doesn't stop thousands of people from trying their luck.

I am amazed on a weekly basis by the amount of passion and confidence that so many contestants have in themselves. There's nothing wrong with having self-confidence but when you have it in spades and up till your eyeballs, that's where you get separated from reality.

If you think you are good, that's one thing. If many others think you are atrocious, that's quite a different story. Even the best does not get chosen. It could be due to a combination of factors.

American Idol contests run on a chain of selected criteria that are determined by the television head honchos. Of course, they won't tell you what they have already pre-determined. Hey, that's showbusiness.

If they are going to share their secrets of success, there's not going to much a pie to share around.

Anyway, it's nice to know that people have ambitions, maybe ridiculous at times, but ambitions nevertheless.

This week, I believe, will show the last of the auditions. After this, it will be a straight, wide road to Hollywood where lives are altered in a big way, or ambitions crash and burn.

For every thousand hopefuls, there are about three successful candidates. The others will have to take a raincheck on success. Life is not built on one single American Idol platform.

If San Antonio, Texas reflects generally what has already taken place in other cities, then we are in for another two-laughs-a-minute episode. I know it's cruel to laugh at others but most of us cowards can't help it.

We know we don't have the voice even if our IQ was last measure at 160 (that's genius level, by the way, or close to it). If it's any consolation, voice isn't everything. There are other ways to be successful.

When you have reached your fourth decade on earth, you will realise that there are other important things that you have overlooked.

I won't tell you about them here because that will spoil all the fun.

Living the American Dream

What does the American Idol tell us? It basically reveals our deep-seated need to be noticed, to be appreciated for something that is completely our own.
The American Idol phenomenon opens that Pandora Box that uncovers the human desire to be applauded, to be recognised as being an unique individual with a gift that is held in awe by millions.

I am not sure if any behaviourial scientist has embarked on a project to understand the mega success of this TV reality show. For example, why is it for the past five years that the American Idol had met phenomenal success despite it being televised on the same old format year after year.

Surely, TV viewers are not so easily to please as to accept in toto the "same, old stuff" from TV producers. The secret of American Idol's success can be seen from the fact that it gives hope to every individual who ever exists.

It is one show that you don't have to be a rich person, or have an IQ of 150 to qualify. It is a contest that anyone can join. That means you have about 120 seconds to show more than 300 million people (America's populated accounted for) the kind of stuff you have in you.


We all know we can't sing as well as Josh Groban or even half as well as Barry Manilow, but many of us are not afraid to try. Just think of the career opportunity of coming onto television and practically make a fool of yourself in two minutes' flat.

On the way through the portal of dubious fame, you can dressed up like a clown, dance like a maniac and croak like a wounded hound. The worst that you can do is to be told: "That was horrendous. Your voice will be the death of you!"
And then you make your exit. If you are the type who revel in abject failure, just chalk that oneup as one stumbling block on your way up the clobbled path of career enhancement.

One of the reason why Taylor Hicks won last year's American Idol contest was because his persona was a mirror to many individuals' personal hope and wishes. Taylor wasn't that phenomenal a singer.

Yes, he could sing adequately to merit an applause of unimpressive proportion, but more importantly, his successful ascension to the American Idol's throne was akin to us the Ordinary Joes making it through to the CEO's office.

The majority of his supporters saw in Taylor an aspect of themselves that we would like to appreciate and exploit.

This year's contest is no different. The show was founded on these principles, a winning formula I must add. With this win-win situation, I guess American Idol will continue to grow in strength until such time when another show with a more impressive formula of arresting viewers' attention show up in our living rooms.

Meanwhile, we continue to allow ourselves to be fascinated and enthralled by the braver ones among us. In the process, there might be a handful of truly talented people being able to impress the most cynical among us.

We wish these people all the luck in the world. If there's one thing the world needs is hope and a undying fascination with the one-in-a-million chance of making it right to the top, against all odds.

It is a love affair that doesn't seem to go away.

OK, let's get the show on the road!

I have just seen two nights of American Idol 2007 auditions. They were held in Minnesota and Seattle. As usual with these early stages auditions, it's a laugh a minute.
I do apologise for laughing at people who can't sing but it's a very human thing. We do not do it out of malice but when you just can't sing, you really shouldn't.
But then, in this world of the 2-minute fame, everybody wants to give it a go. What astounds me no end is the utterly over-the-top confidence that some of these candidates have. It is literally scary.
Imagine, you actually do sound like a frog with a bad sore throat and the tragedy of it all is that you are totally convinced you can sing. Then, you find yourself before Jewel, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson.
There's a momentary blackout for five seconds when you open your mouth. They shake their heads in disbelief. You too are shaking yours at home, in front of the telly.
Life just can't be funnier than that moment. To the one who was laughed at, it wasn't so funny. Sometimes, Simon passed some nasty remarks. He did that quite honestly. He didn't mean to be blunt.
It's just the way, you hear it. If you are the one with no talent, there are two options - you may get mad or you may just feel hopeless. Whatever the feeling, your 120 seconds to fame are up and you have been bombed.

There were a number of candidates who looked like they have the potential to move to within the last 24 candidates of the 2007 American Idol contest. But it's too early to place your bets because you haven't heard from the thousands of others from the other cities. God help us all!

American Idol is now in its 7th year. Its rating has driven producers bonkers with joy and financial delight. Imagine, the viewers are the oness making the network rich and somehow they have managed to convince everybody that it is the right thing to do.

Again, miraculously the viewers will joyously tune in when the show is on. None of the viewers are getting richer by doing so but tell that to the guys at the network. This, my friends, is the world of mass entertainment in the 21st century.

I wish I could bottle it up and keep it in my bank vault. But I digress. Back to the auditions, so far the going is reminiscent of previous years' auditions but the people are different. They looked different anyway.

I believe the drawing power of the American Idol show is its ability to make people want to laugh at others. We are mean people. Most of us can't sing to save our own lives but we are most happy to learn that there are millions of others who are just as spectacularly untalented as us.

We root for the ones who we think can go the distance but then again, this depends on the psyche of the viewers. Public opinion help shape the identity of the ultimate singer.

Good luck to them all, I say. My life is so unexciting at the moment that I need to watch the American Idol 2007 so that I can put my evening hours to good use. Again, that is debatable.

What the heck, this is fun. And life's should be fun and at times funny.