Category Archives: The men

Underdog Kris Allen wins Idol crown

May 20, 20099:26 p.m.

Kris Allen, the ultimate underdog, has made one of the biggest comebacks in television history! After 620 million votes, 19 weeks, 100,000 auditions, an extra judge and a bikini girl, Kris Allen is your new American Idol. The all-American, married boy next door defeated the glammed-out, leather-clad rocker and is now the eighth reigning champ in the Idol kingdom. Although Adam was an early favorite with his huge vocals and in-your-face style and confidence, Kris Allen never gave up and came from obscurity in the early rounds to win it all. I am shocked but think America made the right choice!

Before the results were given, Adam and Kris highlighted their polar opposite styling in perfect fashion. Kris paired up with Keith Urban and gave us a radio-worthy version of “Kiss A Girl.” I think this performance is exactly why he is the American Idol. Even with Keith Urban on the stage with him, the song sounded like it should be on his album.
Adam gave us a bigger-than-life collaboration with Kiss, platform boots, space-shoulder pads and all. It was everything you want from Adam.

As one last gift to the Idol fans, both guys joined together for what we have been waiting for all season: Adam singing Queen’s “We Are the Champions.” And surprisingly, Kris holding his own!

As always, the three minutes it took to give us the results were crammed at the end of a two-hour celebrity binge of self-promotion, an opportunity I wouldn’t pass up but found admittedly annoying. Highlights included Kara DioGuardi showing up Bikini Girl in a vocal duel and then adding salt to the wounds by stripping down to a bikini as an inside joke/charity bet among the judges and Ryan. The Top 13 had lots of face time with each Idol getting at least one feature spot – something my season did not get, oh well.

Tomorrow the real work begins for Kris and the rest of the crew. They are joining the real world of the music industry and will start doing everything they can to parlay this amazing experience of American Idol into a huge lifelong career. But I hope each of them savor tonight as a very special moment in their lives. I want to give my congratulations to Kris and all his fans. He is a worthy Idol and I am truly excited for his CD. Adam and his fans should also be very proud. He is a superstar in his own right, and we will be seeing lots from him.

Thanks for sharing Idol with me this season and until next year, please keep in touch on Facebook, Twitter and www.philstacey.com – I should be coming around Ta-town soon! And don’t forget to check out my new album, “Into the Light” on Aug. 25. Peace out and be blessed!

By Phil | Tags: , , , Filed under The men, Uncategorized | Comments (26)

Lucky 13

March 5, 20099:34 p.m.

We had a “shocker” tonight … our beloved Top 12 is now Top 13. I think this is an olive branch the producers have given us after putting us through the horrid wild-card process. I’ll take it. I personally prefer contestants being voted out instead of in the finals. I think great talent didn’t have the face time needed and fell through the cracks this year. Also, I don’t like the judges handpicking 30 percent of the Top 13. I feel gypped! And who are we kidding – the judges/ producers already knew who was going through before tonight began. Do they really think we believed they picked almost a third of the finalists during the last commercial break?

Now to the good stuff … Jasmine Murray, Megan Joy Corkrey, Matt Giraud and Anoop Desai have been added to the Idol roster rounding out our Top 13.

Matt Giraud’s performance was great. He picked a great song that really showed his personality but more importantly what kind of record he will make. Before the judges begin critiquing him I was confident he would be in the Top 12. I only doubted myself after Matt came head-to-head with Anoop for the final spot.

Anoop has been a shoo-in the moment he was passed over by voters. I believe he has a huge fan base and will go far in the finals. That being said – WHY did he repeat the same song? I think the judges’ comments telling him it was OK to repeat a song after just cutting on Tatiana for the same thing was unfair. I think it was just their way of covering the bases knowing he was going to sail through. Anoop will go far- I predict Top 3.

I didn’t love Megan Joy’s performance. There was nothing really bad about it; it just felt strained or that she was fighting for her life. I completely understand this and as a former contestant can only say I’ve been there! But the judges loved it and sent her through. I think she could go far. She reminds me of the edgier Brooke White.

Jasmine Murray did a nice version of my daughter’s favorite Mulan song, “Reflections.” Showing the judges a bigger voice really paid off. The finals need more girls, and young is always a plus so she is in!

I couldn’t leave you all tonight without mentioning Tatiana, back in all her glory! The drama queen brought the same Whitney and I think the same disco dress with her. I talked to some of my sources at Idol and they LOVE her. Don’t worry, my sources are more middle management, thus not responsible for her amazing staying power. They say she entertains them to no end and can actually sing. Her appearance tonight was not a surprise as was her theatrical reaction to not making it.

Well, we are done with all of the characters and on the real competition! Let the games begin!

By Phil | Tags: , , , Filed under The men, Uncategorized | Comments (8)

Boyz rule

March 4, 200810:45 p.m.

Here’s what’s nice about the early part of an “American Idol” season.

You know who’s good, and you know who’s not so good. But every once in a while, the guys in the middle surprise you.

That’s what happened for me tonight with David Cook. Thus far, I haven’t been a big fan. I’m confused by that forward comby thing he does with his hair, and the dude’s been a bit of a dud. But his (as Randy so aptly put it) emo rendition of Lionel Richie’s “Hello” was about the most awesome, most original cover of a song I’ve seen on this show since the days of Blake Lewis. And David didn’t even have to employ beat boxing to wow us! He had me from “Hello,” or at least from that first hard rocking guitar riff. That’s a song I might actually download from iTunes.

But his wasn’t the only standout performance of he night. I continue to be impressed by Jason Castro — though I’m still a little mystified by his interview awkwardness. How can a guy who seems so OFF and emotionally disconnected when talking on camera come across as so sincere and right on when he’s singing on camera? I’m ashamed to admit I wasn’t familiar with the song “Hallelujah,” so I had nothing to compare it to. But to me, Jason hit every single note perfectly, both musically and emotionally. Hate the dreads. Love the guy.

I also liked Michael Johns’ salute to “The Breakfast Club” with Simple Minds’ “Don’t You Forget About Me,” though it stabbed my heart to hear him insist that his OLDER SISTER had forced him to watch that movie. Surely I’m not old enough to be that manly man’s older sister. Am I? AM I?? That’s no way to win my vote, Mikey. At any rate, his performance was a bit odd at points, but in the end, he hit some impressive high notes and hopped around the stage with just the right degree of rock star conviction. I’m sorry, ladies, but I’d watch him sing the phone book. Five nights a week.

Please don’t hate me, because I sure do hate myself for what I’m about to say, but I actually thought Danny Noriega’s rendition of “Tainted Love” was vaguely rocking. Danny Boy perplexes me because as much as I can’t hardly stand to watch at him sing, I also can’t tear my eyes away. He’s so bizarre and awful that I think he might actually be good. Does that make sense? NO? Well neither does Danny. TMTH!

As for last week’s favorite, David Archuleta… I dunno. He was good enough, even if he did need to potty. But his performance of “Another Day In Paradise” was sort of ho-hum and forgettable. He’s not going anywhere, but I wasn’t wowed.

That leaves paper-thin voiced Luke Menard and sweet but too safe Chikezie as the odd men out. Luke’s performance of “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go” was just not good, and although Chikezie was decent on “He (She) Fills Me Up,” he just wasn’t as good as his competitors.

Oh, I’m sorry. What’s that you say? I missed someone? David Hernandez? Oh, you mean the male stripper? I’m sorry. It’s too soon. It’s going to be weeks before my brain will be able to stop applying the lyrics of every song he sings to the daily travails of a male lap dancing. Don’t get me started on “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now.”

So what do you think. Could you concentrate on David Hernandezes’ performance? Will the girls even come close to delivering so many quality performances? Is it even possible for Paula Abdul to utter a complete sentence? And which of the guys will go?

By Denise Neil | Filed under The men | Comments (12)

THIS… is Archuleta Idol

Feb. 26, 200810:26 p.m.

Apparently, we all are wasting our time with “American Idol” this season, and not just because we’re all — deep down in our hearts — just a tad bit sick and tired of it.

No, the reason we are wasting our time is because, according to the judges, sweet little David Archuleta has it all wrapped up. His show-closing performance of “Imagine” was so dern moving, Randy summonsed the fire department, Simon declared it all but over, and a weepy, visibly snotty Paula wondered aloud if she could possibly “squish you, squeeze your head off and dangle you from my rear-view mirror.” Yes, aloud.

Sweetie Pie’s rendition of (the third verse of) “Imagine” was quite nice, I’ll admit, and though it didn’t make me want to squish, squeeze, or dangle anything, it was certainly the best of the night. The kid’s got a future, even if it’s a Josh Groban kind of future. Plus, he entertains me. I love that little “aw shucks aw geeze aw golly” thing he does when he’s being showered with praise. It seems genuine, and it’s cute. And squishy.

As for the rest of the male finalists, well…

Really only a few stood out on Tuesday, and they were kind of surprises. After boring us to death last week, David Hernandez cartwheeled his way to the front of the pack with an entertaining and in-control version of “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone.” Who WAS that guy, and where was he last week? Also fairly awesome was good ole Chikezie, who helped his cause with a casually cool outfit and a song that guarantees Simon won’t be calling him jacuzzi again anytime soon. Or Stevie.

I wasn’t as offended by Jason Castro’s performance of “I Just Want to Be Your Everything” as the judges were. But he’s going to have to find a solution for his interview awkwardness… and fast. I’ll also admit that Danny Noriega was much better than last week, though I still have a little trouble taking him seriously. He’s just so, so, HELLo!

The rest of the guys were unremarkable, even last week’s leader and established pro Michael Johns, who delivered an uninspired and slightly off key version of “Go Your Own Way.” The guy looks totally blazing hot quite nice doing it though, so, carry on.

And now for the dudes I don’t care if I ever see again, and really sort of wish I didn’t have to because this thing would sure get moving a lot more quickly: Luke Menard (too flimsy), Robbie Carrico (too distracting), Jason Yeager (too earnest, and also too awful) and David Cook (too vocab geek.)

So what do you think? Was David Archuleta really all that? Do we need to deduct points for his embarrassing hotel lobby vocal assault of Kelly Clarkson? And which of these two doods needs to be shown the door on Thursday?

By Denise Neil | Filed under Archuleta worship, The men | Comments (12)

I’m baaaa-aaaack

Feb. 19, 200810:46 p.m.

And if you think you’re happy, you should just see me, sitting here in my pajamas at 10:03 p.m. on Tuesday night, about to launch into another season of “American Idol” recaps, knowing that once I hit “publish,” there’s no turning back, no escaping the weeks of “comments,” the months of ups, downs and pitchy notes, the dizzying complication of trying to juggle “Idol,” “Big Brother,” and, pretty soon, “Dancing With the Stars,” too.

But enough about me. We are here to discuss “American Idol,” and that’s exactly what we’ll do after every night’s episode. I’ll try to have my brief thoughts posted by 10:30 at the latest each night that the show’s on, and then you can chime in, adding your own critiques of the show, and probably of me and the Eagle and the City Council and Hilary Clinton and Wichita drivers and whatever other off-topic is bothering you today. Although I’d prefer if we could limit our discussion to “Idol.”

Now that we have those ground rules out of the way, let’s get to it. Tuesday night was the first night of real competition, when “Idol” rolled out its top 12 guys. Over the next three loooong weeks, they’ll pare it down to six. Girls start singing tomorrow, and the same rules apply.

Did you know we have another local guy on “Idol?” Well, sort of. Those who thought Phil Stacey’s ties to Wichita were tenuous are gonna hate Chickeze. (Google wonders, “Did you mean chicken?) No, Google, I mean Chickeze, formerly Chickeze Eze, though he seems to have recently misplaced his last name. Chickeze went to Bethel in Newton for a whole year, back in 2004/2005. So even though he’s from California, he’s the closest we’ve got to a hometown guy. And he played the lead in Bethel’s “Faust.” Opera!

Sadly, Chickeze did not impress the judges, either with his killer orange suit or his rendition of “I Love You More Today Than Yesterday.” We might have him around for a while, though, because the guy is lippy and appears ready to antagonize Simon all season. Can you blame him? The Britwit did call him “Jacuzzi” on live television. I’d stick with “Chicken.”

As for the rest of the top 12, they all fit neatly into a few easy-to-remember categories.

FAVORITES: There’s no denying that they’re good. So it’s too bad that both baby-faced David Archuleta and Aussie-turned-Atlantan Michael Johns are two of the semi-pros “Idol” fans are complaining about this week. Their experience was hard to miss and really set them apart. Others who earned their votes on night one: Popper-turned-rocker Robbie Carrico and adorable sparkly eyed dread lock boy Jason Castro. Those are my four favorites so far.

TOO OLD: I have a hard, hard time believing some of these guys are really under 29. Luke Menard? David Cook? Class of ‘89, much?

TOO CREEPY: I’m sorry, but a few of these guys are just hard to watch. The leader on that list has to be Garrett Haley, whose crunchy 70s mane is only slightly less yucky than his upper lip fuzz, lilty voice and overall pastiness. I’m also quite creeped out by Danny Noriega, who’s enthusiastic to the point of unwatchable. And although I’m only 49 percent creeped out by Colton Berry, he didn’t do himself any favors by pointing out his own resemblance to Ellen. (Kinda dances like her, too.)

ALL THE REST: Can’t remember a thing about them, even when I consult my notes. Not a good sign.

On Wednesday night, the girls sing, then we’ll lose four contestants on Thursday.

So what do you think? Who were the standout men? Who whitens Jason Yeager’s teeth? Is Chickeze more chicken or jacuzzi? And who will be the first two to go?

Gotta go. “Nip/Tuck” is on, and I’m hungry for fruit cake.

By Denise Neil | Filed under The men | Comments (6)