It's all over: IDOL packs it up for another year. — Page 3

I can't imagine any of these singers really connecting with any of Manilow's songs other than cheeseball Diana and I Write the Songs. I was thinking that Jasmine would tackle Could It Be Magic. Big Red may try and snap his way through Copacabana.

George has to do the bounce again this week. The judges got all over him last week for not showing "his true self" or whatever Paula and Randy said. So I expect him to bounce away to Barry tonight, unless he chooses Mandy. I think the bounce wouldn't work with that song. And Mandy might be too close to last week's Against All Odds.

I wonder what Simon thinks of Manilow? I read that Barry will be performing with the remaining 7. What would Simon say about THAT performance?

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Whether I like it or not, George and John are BOTH bottoming for me tonight.

The girls were all good. It's going to be tough to pick who came in last of the girls... I guess I would say Jasmine but I wouldn't bet on it.

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My review (1 being best):

1. Jennifer Hudson -- we are getting the performances we had hoped to see from Frenchie!!
2. Fantastia -- fierce, but not her best
3. Latoya -- gorgeous, but a little boring tonight
4. Diana -- best yet--deserves a career with more improvement
5. Jazmin -- like Diana--needs more time to grow and learn
6. George Huff -- poor tonight, starting to REALLY hate the frog in his throat
7. Jon Stevens -- PLEASE LET HIM BE GONE TONIGHT!!

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JRB, you nailed it. I'm with you on all evaluations. I think the songs chosen were odd, with most of the women (Jennifer the excedption) picking lesser melodies. Fantasia, still our frontrunner, clearly had no interest in Manilow's sound, and just did her own. She can raise the roof, but I would've liked her to use her Natalie Cole approach rather than the scream n'shout. But George's escalating problems are odd and self-destructive. You singers who post, tell us: What is it? The wrong key? The low sounds all seem stuck in his throat, as if he's suddenly got no technique, not enough breath to support them. As said on the show, he's not experienced enough to embellish these melodies -- which, love him or hate him, are Barry's strength -- and his efforts to embroider notes are painful.

This has been a lousy year for men; none of them were contenders, and look at the two we're down to. Last year, they wouldn't have come close to being in the top 12. I still think it's Fantasia's to lose, but Jennifer could be the wild card.

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Updated On: 4/21/04 at 09:44 AM

I'm on that page, too.

George seems to be having self-confidence, not vocal, problems. The final four is shaping up to be: Fantasia, LaToya, Jennifer and maybe Jasmine or Diana?

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Simon's decided that it's LaToya's to win and he told her so last night. She's good. I like her, Jennifer and Fantasia, but Fantasia only seems to have the one style, and it's a little too "screamy" for my taste. I can't think of when I heard her actually sing a melody. I say it's between Jennifer and Latoya.

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By the way, why was Paula's arm in a sling?

(JRB, have you ever been in a sling?)

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THIS SHOW IS RIGGED. That result was disgusting.

I mean, COME ON, people!

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"THIS SHOW IS RIGGED. That result was disgusting."


I agree! I thought it was a joke when they told George to go to the top group, and he went to the one with the most talent!! This thing is so rigged! Why isn't Jon gone????? Ugh!!!! I'm so mad!

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America has lost its mind. If Red wins it, all hope is lost.

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Disgusting is the right word. Ugh! Maybe John Stevens can win and then Fox will have to cancel next year's show since it will be seen as a big joke.