I've been watching this US equivalent of Pop Idol/X Factor and I have enjoyed it, although the presenter is dire - no wit or personality (Ryan Seacrest) and yet he tries to outwit Simon Cowell! The Americans just don't get Simon Cowell either, which is hilarious as are his arguments with suck-up-to-everyone Paula Abdul, who was a terrible singer anyway! :D Best interaction fo rme was when he said a singer sounded like an act at an American theme park. Paula asked simon if he would go to one and go on a rollercoaster, and if he woudl SMILE on it. Simon said "Yes, if you fell off it!" roflmao The audience never laughed though...

There have been some amazing singers on there, but most of them have been voted off! Soul singer Mandisa was AWESOME, a favourite but got voted off for no good reason when much weaker singers were left. I wondered if America had ears! Paris had a great talent for a 16yr old, and I hope someone signs her up now she has gone, and Kelly the country rock singer was excellent too, funny and mad with great stage presence and a beautiful voice. Chris who went last week when he should have stayed was a rock singer who could be recording right now or fronting a band. Elliot who went this week ,just missing out on the finals had a lovely rich voice and a great warble that really put the idiot Shane who won our X-factor to shame. Oh and Ace was very good looking if nothign else, much better looking than that Shane! Logn hair and huge shoulders - Pebs I'm sure you woudl love him! :D Anyone see it and have any favourites?

We are left with Taylor, a Southern boy who looking at him would NEVER get on the X-factor, but he has some talent. Looks like Father Ted, dances like Elvis (or more Shakin' Stevens of you are a Brit) and has grey hair. He can really do soul though, very fly for a white guy as they say :D he is great fun a bit like our Chico without the looks, but with the vocal talent. The other, who I think is a shocker considering the talent that has gone is Catherine. She is form California, and whilst she does have a great vocal, it is not unique and it is not consitent. She tends to go OTT blending Mariah, Whitney and Cleine Dion all in one and kills loads of songs as a result. I think she would be good in stage shows, but I think she should not be in the final. Too many others were better.

What is funny to me is how before getting voted off, they all sign together in a cheesy friendly way, and the person who gets voted off is NEVER upset like over in the UK, and they sing again too. I guess most of them have recording contracts lined up though, unlike here where it is only the winner so good luck to them.

Also what is wierd to me as a Brit, is how they all go on about "AMERICA has voted" and "AMERICA will decide" all the time. I know it is in the US, but us Brits just say the public. Tis different and fun though, and unlike over here where funding is less, they have some top recording artists on there training the singers. Legendary Stevie Wonder was on, and they have had Rod Stewart and Queen too.

I bet no one watches it except me though - it is on digital guys, so you dont; need Sky in the UK. Final next Friday I think aroudn 8.30pm ITV 2. :)

soory i don't wathc American Idol, from what i hear the voting is more corrupt than eurovision

Is it? I have no idea about the voting, but i have to say at times I've been surprised. Then again, out first Pop Idol when Will Young beat Gareth Gates was a fix. When you voted, Will's message lasted less tiem than Gareth's therefore it was impossible for Gareth to win. The lines were chocka so not everon ewho wanted to vote coudl get through anyway, so it was all down to maths! There have been some problems with X factor too, the switches on the tele exchanges go down in some areas due to the sheer volume of calls, so if most of your voters live in say Liverpol and that crashes, you'll get less votes than the act whose main votes come form say London, which did nto crash. I knwo a person who works in that and they tell me what si going on. i also get to see the percentages voted for soemtimes which they dont; give on TV. Fun stuff eh? :D

I take it no one watches it then, or is completely disiniterested if they do. And those that viewed it though, arrgh not that nutter SB again and ran off! roflmao

i watch it.... i've been constantly disappointed this year though.

My first fave was Kinnik Skye.. she got chucked out week 3 after a really bad week.

Then i liked Mandisa, who got booted by the 'pink' vote.

Then i liked Paris :wacko:

Then Chris :blink:

And now i cant stand taylor but despise catherine.... I'll cheer for Taylor (SO HE LOSES!!!) :D

I haven't really been paying attention to it, but I saw the winner announced last night. I won't spoil it for anyone who wants to wait and see it themselves, but if you want to know who won, I'm sure it's not hard to find on the net.

BTW, I don't really think the voting is "corrupt." Where does that comment come from? But anyway, I haven't really watched it since season 1, and I think this latest one was number 5.

I know who won too ;) They gave it away on the tv this morning....great if you didn't WANT to know until the next airing of the show :blink: :blink: :(

I can;t remember Kinnik? But Mandisa was THE best and was robbed. Paris was good, but a bit rough around the edges but potential in bags. I like Taylor but I don't think that the best two are in the final. Cant; stick Catherine at all. Chris was excellent, if you liek that sort fo thing, but great singer. I developed aliking for Elliot after a while. Nice guy.

How annoying! It i snto televised until tommorrow night, you think they woudl keep their mouths shut eh?

Anyone watch the final?

I enjoyed it, as they had plenty of variety - the old contestants came back and sang too, and they had duets with very famous people and the contestants, which was interesting to say the least! The legendary Dionne Warwick was on! But Meatloaf sang terrible and Toni Braxton coudl not be heard!

I think taylot deserved to win, he was much better than Catherine, especially on that night. Well done. :D

Take a hint SC! roflmao

Nah, I used to watch AI before, but not this season, I liked the one where Fantasia won, she was great, did you see that one?

I never saw all of it, but i saw her and she seemed pretty good. This guy who won though was not the likely pick, and he really is funny!

I watched it all the way through ... until I missed the final :(

Kat McPhee :wub: http://www.americanidol.com/videos/?vid=408

I thought she'd walk it, although Taylor is good to watch.

We have a theory that Paula has rye with her coke, and that's why she gets funnier and funnier as the show goes on. sometimes I cringe listening to her, but it's a good laugh. Simon - he's the only who has anything relevant to say. Even though the audience boos, it's mianly for tv. Most people know that he's right, just harsh.

I agree totally about Simon, although they boo because they probably don't understand either his accent or what he's saying...

I didn't watch much of it at all, but I wasn't that impressed with McPhee, the couple of times I heard her sing. The voice wasn't bad, but it just seemed a little flat.

Yeah, I wanted her to win, but she was flat. Don't like Hicks either though - seems like a caricature of himself. Seems constipated all the time.