Last night, on Eyewitness News on Fox Providence I said that Ricky Gervais could be the next judge on Idol.  I still feel that.  He’s got the pedigree.  I also mentioned that Ryan Seacrest would fill the seat well….but then you would need another host.  Seacrest is the glue to that show, and that could actually be more difficult to replace.  There are other names being tossed around….

Could Madonna replace Simon?

This came across my desk (actually Katherine Sotnik’s desk….I don’t have a desk, but I digress)… according to Perez Hilton, Simon Fuller (executive producer of Idol) is desperately seeking Madonna to replace Simon.  The marriage seems perfect.  She knows music and she has a fake British accent.  What more could you want? I’ve also seen a report or two that no one will fill the chair  and Season 10 will be filled with no one or guest judges.  I don’t think the “guest judges” would be fair to the contestants at all. 

Here are a few articles about Madonna possibly replacing Simon:

Examiner

The Sun

Just a quick post on the Idol Finale….

American Idol: It's a Beautiful Day for Lee Dewyze, the newest American Idol.

Momentum and the young vote….that’s what won it for Lee Dewyze.   It was definitely an upset and probably the biggest upset in Idol history.   I truly do feel that Crystal was the more talented of the two, but like I said on the Rhode Show this morning, when you are peaking in the Top 8 or 9, the only place you can go is down.  That’s what happened to Crystal.

Congrats Lee!

It was quite the duel last night on Idol.   I think it was fairly obvious who won the night, but just for the heck of it, let’s dissect the show and Season 9 to figure out who is going to win this thing.   

In usual Idol fashion, there were three rounds:  contestant’s pick from the season; Simon Fuller’s (executive producer) pick; and the contestants’ first Idol single release.  Here’s where I wonder about stuff.  Which songs do they get handed to them first?  If you know you’re singing a slow song, like Lee did in Round 2, wouldn’t you pick an upbeat, get-the-crowd-on-their-feet song? That would be the winning strategy.  Apparently, that’s not what happens…or the contestants didn’t think about a winning strategy. 

American Idol: Crystal and Lee answering questions at the American Idol press conference.

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Lee or Crystal?  Geesh I remember Kelly or Justin and Rubin or Clay.  The years fly by!

This is a tough one this year.  Last year, it was fairly obvious to me that Kris was going to win despite my feeling that Adam should have won.  This year, I have absolutely no idea at all. 

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Aaron Kelley is gone, and I have to admit, that was a bit of a shocker.  I’m not disappointed, however, because I thought he should have left a little bit earlier.   

What is more of a shocker is that Season 9 is already winding down!!! Where did the weeks go? We started out with “Pants on the Ground”, Bikini Boy, a couple of local hopefuls,  Hollywood Week and here we are….near the end of the season.  Whew….time flies! Last night was only so-so.  With what should be the best 4 of the season performing, it should have been a breathtaking night.  Well, it was breathtaking, but my breath was taken by Lee Dewyze, who laid an egg.  It was movie night on Idol and each singer performed a solo and a duet….and Jamie Foxx was in everyone’s grill again this  year.  I kinda found that annoying, but that’s me. 
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My father e-mailed me to tell me I sang “Summer Wind” better than Crystal.  I’ve got to strongly disagree with that, but thanks Dad.   Outside of a few off notes and seemingly lost melodies, I thought the night went well for the remaining five.   

American Idol: Top 5 with Harry Connick, Jr.

I thought Harry Connick was the best of all the mentors this year…a little better than Usher, who was also very good.   I also liked how he played the piano/organ with the contestants.  Harry practiced with them and he was able to bring those rehearsals to the performance.    I thought that helped the Idol hopefuls. 

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American Idol is coming to Southern New England again, but this time, they’re at the Comcast Center on July 18th.  I said the same thing….where’s that? Great Woods or the Tweeter Center.  I still call it Great Woods.  I had to search a few times for Providence, but didn’t find it.  I searched for Boston, but didn’t find it.  It’s at Great Woods….that’s why.

Here is the complete set of dates for the 2010 Tour including when the tix will go on sale….

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I know the judges praised everyone…and at this point, everyone should be putting up strong performances….but I just found last night….booorrrrrrrrinnnnng.  My wife actually kept waking me up.   Maybe it was because I’m not familiar with all of Shania Twain’s songs.  Maybe it was because I’m not much of a country music fan.   Maybe I was just tired.  Maybe it was because I took some cold medicine before the show.  Maybe it was just boring.  I think it’s a combination of all three with a strong emphasis on that last one.

Did anyone stand out above the rest? No.  Were some better than others, of course.  Casey James was good, but a little forgettable.  I actually liked Michael Lynche.  I thought Crystal Bowersox put up another solid performance, but it was just there..the status quo for her.  I thought Aaron Kelley was good, but his voice still needs to mature more.   Lee Dewyze sang well, but I thought it was a little awkward.  And, our local Idol hopeful, Siobhan was okay, certianly not great.  Siobhan, for me, screams her big notes, unlike Allison and Adam from last year.  

I’m going to chalk it up as an off week for all the contestants.  I wouldn’t peg any of them for country singers.  Now, I know, Shania Twain made the cross-over to pop/rock, but she’s still a country singer.  All of them had about an equal showing last night. 

American Idol: Aaron Kelley performs on American Idol during Country Week

So who’s going to get the boot this week? Tough one.  I frequent the site DialIdol.com.  They measure the busy signals of the contestants.  The theory is if you get more busy signals, more people are voting for those people.  The less amount of busy signals should mean someone is getting less votes.  Makes sense…right?  This weel DialIdol has Michael Lynche as leaving us and Aaron Kelley as the only one completely safe.  This makes perfect sense.  It’s the 12-year old girl rule.  Tim Urban is gone now….all of those 12-year old votes for him are now going to Aaron.  He’s safe this week.   At this point in the competition, it becomes a popularity contest.  That’s why Aaron is safe.  He was not the best performance last night….I’d argue that he was the worst.  It’s all in the voters, and 12-year old voters could carry Aaron a few more weeks. 

So who  is going home, already?   Someone has to go this week…and there’s only 6 people left.  Lee and Crystal should be safe.  Aaron is definitely safe.  Casey has a good following.  I think the two who are in danger of going home are Siobhan and Big Mike.  Mike has been in the bottom three frequently…and he was actually voted off the show, but saved.  

American Idol: Siobhan Magnus....my pick to leave the show this week.

This morning on the Rhode Show, I said Siobhan was leaving this week. Amadeo said Aaron.  Aaron should go home, but he won’t….sorry Amadeo.   If I could change my vote, I’d say Big Mike….but I guess I’ll have to stick with Siobhan.  Why did I pick Siobhan? Like I said, someone has to go.  I don’t think she should go…that award goes to Aaron.  The Cape Cod native belongs on the show a bit longer.  With that said, I don’t think she’s going to win, and it comes down to popularity, not performance right now.   I read  a ton about American Idol, and most ‘critics’ don’t particularly like Siobhan.  I do, however, I don’t think she can win this thing.  Especially head to head with Crystal…maybe against Lee, but not Crystal.  I hope she stays another week or two.   We’ll find out tonight at 9pm on Fox Providence. 

By the way, in the competition between Amadeo and I, the score is TJ: 3  Amadeo: 1.  Maybe Amadeo can pull off a Shawn Tempesta comeback….we’ll see.  I feel confident.

I definitely did not come out of the American Idol show feeling inspired last night.  Tonight, perhaps I will after “Idol Gives Back”. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of last night’s show.  Casey James was solid, but not great.  Lee Dewyze may find himself in the top 2 because of performances like last night.  Aaron Kelley sang a song he sang when he was still in 14 Slims.  He sang it well, but it reminded of a pre-teen singing it.  Tim showed moments of greatness, but singing off-key notes at this stage is bad.  Siobhan was so-so this week, but I liked the more contemporary look.  Michael Lynche was okay, but not my hero.  Crystal was obviously the winner for the night and will likely end up in the top 2, as well.  I think Tim will finally go home this week.  We’ll see.  Enjoy “Idol Gives Back” tonight!

Caseyhad a strong performance but he has not wowed me in quite some time. He has so much potential but he needs to step out of the box.

Leewas really good tonight. Actually my favorite song of him so far. I really liked the rendition, but I just do not dig him. Hes really boring to me. He was better then Casey tonight, but definitely not my favorite to say the least.

Not quite what happened to Tim today. I could probably count how many notes he actually hit! AWFUL tonight!

Aaron is just OK for me. This song was better then usual but I would not vote for him. As a matter of fact, I would vote for him to go home!

I think Siobhan needs to go home….a long time ago! This girl has no business being here. Her vocals were better this week then normal, but shes just odd! I find her mouth very distracting, and she has no style to her. Shes just all over the place and she actually sounds the same every week!!!!!! Please send her home! I cant take any more of her.

Wow big Mike! Not too impressed. It was ok……I guess……Im not loving him any more. He used to blow me away, now he just blends.

Bowersox just smoked every contestant! Seriously folks, take some lessons from her. Shes taking it all the way!

And just to re-cap, America had it all wrong last week with letting Katie go! Craziness!