American Idol Season 6 Finale: The Top 2 on DVD
Season 6 of American Idol was one of the most memorable seasons in the show’s history. The final showdown between the Top 2 finalists, Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis, presented America and the world with two artists of immense talent and creativity. It’s fitting, then, that fans of American Idol have the chance to own the Season 6 Finale on DVD.
The official 2-disc DVD release of the American Idol Season 6 Finale show is packed with features; not only does it present the finale in its entirety (and free from commercials), but it comes with a special bonus disc full of interviews, recaps, and more.
The first disc gets straight to the point, presenting the show that featured Jordin’s and Blake’s final performances live to America. The episode is presented in widescreen, and is divided into chapters by performance. You can see all three of Jordin Sparks’ performances, as well as all three of Blake Lewis’, plus the presentation of the Songwriter’s Contest winners and special performance by Chris Daughtry singing “Home”.
The second disc is packed with Bonus Features. Here you’ll find a look into the journeys made by both of the Top 2 contenders, including interviews and a look into their American Idol experience. You’ll also find a special feature called “How to Audition for American Idol Guide”, which includes interviews with the show’s producers and other contestants from Season 6. There’s also a Bloopers chapter, which takes a humorous look at life in front of the camera.
The American Idol Season 6 Finale DVD is available in stores May 13. The brilliant and original performances by two of the most talented artists to grace the stage of the Kodak Theater, plus an inside look into the show and its contestants, make it a must-own for fans of the show.
© Copyright 2007 Blindigo Magazine | Article written by admin
American Idol Top 7 Recap: All That Glitters Isn’t Gold…Unless You Are a Guy!
As Mariah Carey songs loomed in the distance I wondered if the night’s show would be boring and low key. Not that Mariah Carey songs were lame but most of her songs I can think of are soulful and well, slow. I had a feeling we wouldn’t be having anybody dancing around on the stage or crowd surfing. Besides that, I still couldn’t believe that Michael Johns was gone. It was painfully apparent when they showed the final 7 and Syesha was staring back at me instead of Michael Johns. The contestants better not have an “off” night tonight or another one of my favorites might end up having to go home! Most likely though a girl will get the boot when all is said and done…Mariah Carey is a hard act to reproduce and the ladies are destined to be compared.
As the show opened Ryan pointed out the obvious, that the crowd and we at home were still reeling over the loss of Michael Johns and that we had better all vote! Staring at the final 7 I noticed the girls looked amazing in their dresses but what was David Archuleta wearing?? Were those leather pants? Then Mariah Carey was introduced. She has sold a crazy 160 million albums and has had 18 number one hits!!! That girl is amazing. On a side night I found out on Oprah that she has a 3,000 square foot closet. Hello! I’m praying that maybe my HOUSE is that big when we purchase this fall. I just don’t know what to think about that. That is a big closet. For shoes. And clothes. My family of five would fit in there. With room to spare.
Then before David Archuleta took the stage Randy said he was looking for identity in the contestants as they try to tackle Mariah and Paula and Simon had really nothing to say. So with that we were off and running to hear everyone’s versions of Mariah’s big ol’ hits.
David picked the song “When You Believe” from the movie “Prince of Egypt”. I LOVE THAT SONG!!!!! Well, he was amazing and made it his own. It was David up there singing it and he certainly was not imitating Mariah. However, the song is so powerful I kind of wish he would have stuck to the melody because that melody is what was so moving about it. Randy said it was the bomb and he could sing anything. Paula said David must have made Mariah proud. Simon knew he would pick that song and thought it was very, very good and that he performed it very well. He also pointed out that he thought the girls were going to have a tougher time because they would be compared.
Next up was Carly Smithson who sang “Without You” and Mariah thought she would do it more than justice. Mariah loved her…now would Simon? Her outfit was lovely and very flattering too. I loved the lighting and her standing by the piano. The presentation was great. Carly has a great voice. She made the song sound different though and not different in a way I would like it. She changed the chorus somehow and I just didn’t get it…as Simon would say. Randy liked that she challenged herself with the song but thought her lower range wasn’t the best. It was just pretty good. Paula liked that she showed some vocal restraint and then soared and that she made it her own. Simon said he really wanted to hear her sing the song and then said she just didn’t pull it off. He thought she was capable of it but that she was holding back and that she was still too wound up and that it was just okay. I agreed that Carly could sing it well, she just didn’t do it as well as she could.
After Carly was Syesha Mercado who picked the song “Vanishing”. She looked gorgeous in her gown. I mean gorgeous! She looked very comfortable on stage too. She did awesome! Syesha more than likely just made it into the Top 6 with that performance. It was moving, it was heartfelt and I believed her. She just kicked Carly to the curb unfortunately. Randy liked that she was bold and picked tough songs week after week (something I can’t stand personally) but she did a really good job on the song. Paula told her she was extremely smart to pick a song not too many people knew so she wouldn’t be compared. Overall her performance was magical for her. Simon thought that once again technically it was very, very good indeed. Simon didn’t know though if she ran a risk picking a song people might not know but Randy and Paula disagreed and thought it was a smart move. I agreed with Randy and Paula. I didn’t know the song and I loved the performance. Simon then said that David Archuleta so far had the best performance of the night.
Following Syesha was Brooke White who sang “Hero”. Oh, a big Mariah Carey tune I think the whole world knows. Brooke took to the piano totally unplugged and what I loved about Brooke was her conviction. She had a few flubs on the piano toward the end but hey, I loved her anyway. Would it be the best of the night? No. But Brooke was Brooke and that in itself was a rare thing sometimes on the Idol stage. Paula pointed out that every part of her was truly authentic. Paula thought the unplugged version was brave of her to do. Simon didn’t think she had much choice in what to do with Mariah Carey tunes and what she did was really all she could do. Simon didn’t think her voice was strong enough for the song. Then he said it was like a hamburger without the meat. Ahhh!! Simon. It wasn’t THAT bad. Maybe it was missing some pickles and mayo like Randy and Paula chimed in but there definitely was some meat in there. As Ryan gave out her numbers I couldn’t help but think that Ryan and Brooke looked like they were going on a hot date with their totally matching outfits.
After Brooke’s sort of rocky performance Kristy Lee Cook was up and she chose to sing “Forever”. Mariah said she liked it better than her own version and that Kristy Lee Cook gave her chills. Wow! So Kristy Lee Cook took me back to prom I think with her performance. For some reason the way she sang it made me go slow dancing under the disco ball in my mind. She did a really, really great job. Maybe it was the little bit of country flare she gave it but I really liked her version a lot. It suited her quite well. I think Kristy Lee Cook is safe once again. Randy said she stepped it up toward the end but had some pitchy notes. Paula said she was super smart as she stepped it up, picked the right songs and basically Paula was blown away. Simon said that Kristy Lee Cook didn’t give him chills like she gave Mariah chills. Booooo Simon. I thought she did great. Poor Kristy Lee, she can’t even smile after Simon rained on her parade. In fact, I thought she might cry. What a big jerk! I think Kristy Lee Cook gets better and better each week and this week was no exception. What Simon needed to do was go back and listen to it again! Maybe he will apologize on the results show to her. He should!
Oh boy, next up was David Cook…oh what would he do with Mariah Carey?!! I always, always cannot wait to see what he does with a song each week. He chose “Always Be My Baby”. Oh man, that was good. Oh stand up and clap all ye people! That was hot, moving, chill making, inspiring kind of crazy. David Cook delivered. Randy said he was ready to make an album and that he had to stand up because it was the most brilliant performance all season. Whoa, standing “O” from the dawg! Paula said the song could be on a movie soundtrack and that David was IT!!! Simon said it was like coming out of karaoke hell into a breath of fresh air. It was original, it was daring, it stood out by a mile, and it was the sign of a great potential artist…someone who takes risk! Go David! Wow. David Cook is going to win American Idol me thinks. As Ryan gave out the numbers to vote he and David were dressed almost the same. How cute was that? Then David Cook was in tears after that song and assessment from the judges. His brother was in the audience too so I’m sure it was an emotional and gratifying night for him.
Finally my favorite from the beginning, Jason Castro sang “I Don’t Wanna Cry”. It was hot too. He just continues to be hot, hot, hot!!! He sticks to who he is, sings it with emotion and just keeps on keeping on!!! I love that he doesn’t stray from what he does best. Randy didn’t really love it. He felt like he was at a weird beach luau. Oh Randy, you were so wrong! Paula said she would love to be at the luau listening all night long. Hooray Paula! Can I come too? Simon agreed with Paula. He wanted to be at the luau with her. He said it wasn’t the best vocal but it identified with him and it was a very cool version and the guys completely won the night. So with that here were the night’s best performances (in my opinion of course).
1. David Cook
2. Jason Castro
3. David Archuleta
4. Syesha Mercado
5. Kristy Lee Cook
6. Carly Smithson
7. Brooke White
The men obviously did amazing but I did feel bad for the girls having to sing Mariah Carey. Now Idol needs to have a Josh Groban night or something so the guys can be compared instead of the girls having to measure up. With that being said Brooke flubbed through her song, Carly just didn’t connect and Kristy Lee got a bad review from Simon. The rest will more than likely be safe, but how can I even say that after Aussie Michael Johns hit the road packing last week! Anybody could go…even David Cook. That’s why I got out my phone and voted for David Cook and Jason a lot last night (which amazingly I got through, usually its busy signal after busy signal). Ryan’s warning put fear in my heart! I had to keep my beloved favorites safe. Well, I did my part, hopefully the rest of America did there’s. Sadly, I have a feeling Brooke White will be going home. I hope for her sake she gets at least one or two more weeks to make up for the fact that she missed her sister’s wedding. But if not, millions up on millions have seen her perform and have fallen in love with the lovely Brooke White. I think that it would be safe to say that an album deal will come her way and me, like many others who faithfully watch the show will buy her record or download her tunes. Brooke White will do just fine.
© Copyright 2007 Blindigo Magazine | Article written by Niki Tschirgi
American Idol Top 10: The Evolution of a Pop Culture Phenomenon
Sitting here in my living room with David Cook’s breath taking, bone chilling, can’t get over it, make me stop everything I’m doing and stare performance in the background I threw all my preconceived ideas of writing a recap of the show out the window. It’s about time we talked about the evolution of American Idol.
We the people aren’t satisfied with what it used to be and the judges and producers have, and I’ll quote Simon from the Top 10 performance of David Cook, done an insane or an amazing thing by picking who they picked for this season of Idol. It means we can’t go back to what we used to know, Idol must stay at the standard they set this season. They picked quite a few original and unique contestants that have changed American Idol forever. We, the voting public cannot and will not go back to what we once knew. That is why Ramiele Malubay (this seasons Jasmine Trias but with a bigger voice) and even extremely talented Syesha Mercado cannot win this competition. An original with unique flavor has to win it and most certainly will.
The obvious frontrunner after the Top 10 performed was David Cook in all of his rock and roll impassioned glory. Just think he was a bartender a few short months ago! Watching him sing “Billy Jean” was like watching a polished professional and still when I play it back I get chills up and down my legs. David Cook has got “it”. David Cook raised the bar so high the others might not be able to jump over it.
So what does this new season of American Idol mean? It means that people like Jason Castro, Michael Johns, Brooke White, David Cook, and David Archuleta will be what we demand to see in the future. Gone are the “old” ways of the show. We’re tired of seeing the same “types” of singers each time and that is why an original is going to win it all. It doesn’t matter how amazing Syesha Mercado sings each week. She doesn’t have that different pop of Jason Castro or even Brooke White. We won’t allow her to win. We’ve already voted for the Jordin Sparks, Tamyra Gray’s and Latoya London’s of the show. We want to vote for something we’ve never seen or heard before and vote we will.
Watching the Top 10 perform you could almost feel the hunger from the crowd cheering them on. They were yearning for something new, something edgy, and something that was going to tidal wave over them overwhelming every sense they had. America wants there Cinderella moment with a brand new funk and twist and I am confident that we the people will vote fresh and new because we have an idea of what we want and what we want is change.
So after the Top 10 did their thing it was obvious who we’ll be seeing for some time. Ramiele Malubay finally showed her big voice but it was may have been too little too late (plus her wardrobe choices put her in junior high). Didn’t she remember that Carrie Underwood sang “Alone” with her big hair and black outfit causing Simon to confess that she would win the competition and there were still like seven weeks to go? There are just some song choices you should not touch when a previous Idol winner or Idol success story has already had a golden moment with it. She may not be going home on results night this week but her time will soon be up on that stage. Jason Castro did excellent as usual but if he wants a chance at winning he has to up his game. We can’t see the same thing from him week after week if others are pulling out all the stops.
We are a demanding America and so far the only one feeding our demands each week is David Cook. I don’t think I need to say anything more about him. He was amazing, fantastic, phenomenal…you fill in the blank with any other synonym. He blew everyone out of the water by miles and miles. The rest of the crew has some serious catching up to do! Syesha Mercado was spot on, beautiful and really raised her game. She will need to keep it there too if she wants to stick around awhile longer. We finally saw Michael Johns do his thing and I was glad to see that while David Archuleta again picked a poor song choice. Who is picking those songs for him? It must be him, right? Or do they have someone “helping” them or is his dad “helping” him (seems like Simon alluded to that). He has had defining moments so far with “Imagine” and I really liked “Another Day in Paradise” too. David A. has got to pick the right songs or he WILL get to go to his prom.
Then there was Brooke White who was great and unique and back to her own thing but I agreed with the judges that the arrangement wasn’t the best and Carly Smithson was just too forced and the rock edge did not suit her well on “Total Eclipse of the Heart”. I totally 100% felt what the judges felt that something just didn’t jive. Maybe it was because Carly was in the bottom 3 last week that she tried too hard this week? I don’t know but hopefully she’ll have another week to prove herself. Then there was Kristy Lee Cook who did a fine job but we all know she won’t win the competition and Chikezie who two weeks ago blew me away and now this week just slightly breathed on me. His forgettable song choice that really had me quite bored may be the performance that sends him packing on results night.
So with that being said if you want to wear the Season 7 American Idol crown you have got to be unique, original, and you have got to bring it every single week. Yes David Cook is the dark horse and could easily win the competition but if he falters even one week and Jason Castro, David Archuleta, Michael Johns or Brooke White nails it? Well then they could be the one wearing the crown. As Randy says all quite often, you have to be great every time. It really is going to be about who is the best the most number of times and these contestants have got to bring it each and every week. They need to sing like it’s the finale even though they’ve got weeks and weeks to go and that person who sings like it’s their last time every time? Well, that person will be our next American Idol.
© Copyright 2007 Blindigo Magazine | Article written by Niki Tschirgi
More Articles →
