American Idol

The first Results Show of American Idol’s season seven sent four hopefuls home, leaving only 20 finalists behind to stay on FOX’s hit reality TV talent search. After singing their hearts out, two male and two female were eliminated from the show. They males were Garrett Haley and Colton Berry , while the females were Amy Davis and Joanne Borgella.

The episode started with all the 24 contenders belting out a medley of songs, all from the 60’s. One segment of the show also featured Paula Abdul’s newest music video.

The first elimination was a fast and easy one. Host Ryan Seacrest asked Haley to come to the stage and then bluntly told him that he’d be heading home. Haley can be remembered as the one who sang Niel Sedaka’s “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” during the Top 12 Male Performances episode. His rendition of the song didn’t impress any of the judges that night. Simon even told him that he needs some fresh air and sunlight. And in a very rare event, Randy agreed with what Simon just said.

Colton Berry, on the other hand, was pitted against Chikezie Eze first before he received the news that it was also his time to bid the show goodbye. Simon frankly told him that he doesn’t see a musical career in Colton ’s future. Simon also advised him to find a day job instead and just sing for fun. On the top 12 Male Performances episode, Eze sang Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds.”

The first female to receive the bad news was 25-year-old Amy Davis. She sang Connie Francis’ “Where the Boys Are” on the Top 12 Female Performances episode.

Joanne Borgella and Amanda Overmyer stood beside each other until the second female to leave the show was announced. Plus-sized model Borgella was the unfortunate one. Her rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “I Say a Little Prayer” on the Top 12 Female Performances episode certainly didn’t please anybody at all.

Watch the remaining 20 finalists as they all compete for the title American Idol.

For more resources about American Idol or for the full story of American Idol 7: Top 24 Results Show Recap please review http://www.buddytv.com

I am based in the UK and we get the X factor, which is the same as American Idol except for the age limit. With the X Factor, there is no age limit. In the UK, we also get to watch American Idol on ITV2. The best part of these programs has got to be the auditions. Here you will find some of the finest comedy ever seen on television, but does it produce the finest singers. In my opinion defiantly not.

Yes, there are some good singers, but no better than I have seen in clubland over the past thirty years. As a keyboard player I have worked with thousands of singers some totally rubbish some are ok, you know, a nice singer. Then you have the good singers, well rehearsed, and well dressed a bit of polish to the act. Then you have the WOW what a singer. I can count them on one hand in over thirty years of working in clubland.

Now this is just my humble opinion of course. I am not a singer; I’ve just worked with lots of them. Granted I work in back street clubs and pubs and American Idol has the best equipment, musicians, producers, promotion and the whole world to sell it to, but a singer is a singer right. The only difference is the environment one is a pie and a pint the other is caviar and champagne.

So maybe the title of this article should read, “Does the X Factor and American Idol Produce Great Television?” absolutely, one hundred percent YES. Now be honest, how many of you are not that bothered about watching or don’t bother to record the show once the auditions are over. All right some of you, but that’s only because Simon Cowell is dishing the dirt.

I know some of the singers that applied for the X factor and they didn’t even reach the auditions stage. Not because they are bad singers, if they were bad they would probably reach the auditions. The reason is, they are not good enough to make it all the way and they are not bad enough or funny enough to make good television.

I certainly wish all the singers that have won these competitions the very best. Will they be top selling artist? I haven’t seen much evidence of that in the UK. I must conclude that the X factor and American Idol create great television and make millions of pounds/dollars and give an extraordinary opportunity for a few not great, but good singers.

American Idol continues to set new records each week with the number of votes garnered from viewers when the time comes to selecting which contestant they liked best and preferred to have them stay in the competition. It is astounding as that interest remains in a talent show that is now into its seventh season, and while television ratings might have dipped slightly this year, it is undeniable that fans still love the show, and would remain devoted as long as there are willing contestants. And the latter numbers in the tens of thousands each year when American Idol auditions are held in the various cities across the United States.

With its seventh season now nearing its climax as one contestant gets eliminated each week until the final two pit their singing talents against each other, there has been a general lack of controversy and scandal this year, unlike that of previous seasons when many American Idol fans tagged onto every news bit that emerged from the show. Even the three judges of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson got into the act at times which drummed up even more media hype. This season’s contestants appear to be genuinely interested in singing and having a chance to establish themselves in the music industry, rather than generating fanfare and interest from other sources.

However, there has also been a noticeable lack of personalities this year. The initial drama generated from the likes of Asia’H Epperson, Kristy Lee Cook and Amy Davis has quickly dissipated as two of them were eliminated early in the competition, while Kristy Lee Cook has been shown to lack any performing abilities and vocal range. The men themselves have looked shy or apprehensive on stage, with the exception of David Cook, whose overbearing confidence can be easily construed as overriding arrogance by many.

Without a doubt, the remaining contestants such as David Cook, David Archuleta, Michael Johns and Brooke White have showcased their vocal talents. But the lack of a performance edge has dulled the show on many occasions. Proponents of the show would applaud this development as they would now be able to concentrate on the genuine singing abilities of the finalists, but this could easily alienate the other fans of American Idol who are genuinely enamored of the star qualities from previous editions such as that of Katherine McPhee’s, who is now a regular feature in celebrity gossip columns. Whether this would lead to a stronger show in the long run is anybody’s guess, but American Idol is as much about show business as it is about singing, and it remains to be seen if the producers’ decision to go mainly for talent this year would be worth the risk.

Another year, another American Idol competition. For contestants, it’s a chance to capture the attention of the American public and hopefully be the last performer standing. Even a second place finish can make a career, as evidenced by season two winner Clay Aikens moderate success. Still, where do the remaining contestants end up in their quest for fame and fortune? To answer that question, one need only look to past contestants to get an accurate idea of what the future holds.

Without question, participating is more of a positive than not, and I would suspect that many past contestants are grateful for their 15 minutes. Additionally, some former contestants who didn’t place in the top two spots have been able to establish themselves. Take the 2004 seasons sixth runner up, Jennifer Houston, who recently won Golden Globe and a SAG award for her performance as Effe in the motion picture Dreamgirls.

On the whole however, those who have finished third or beyond traditionally haven’t fared well. Who among us can name even last seasons top twelve, much less the top twelve from seasons past? The truth, it seems, is that American Idol has a lot in common with American sports. Most avid football fans could tell you the last five Superbowl winners, but could they name the losers? Probably not. Unlike football, however, the performers who didn’t make the top two rarely merit our continued attention because they are often never heard from again. At least your favorite team gets to try again next season

Even winning or being first runner up on American Idol is no guarantee of a successful career. Aside from Kelly Clarkson, no other past Idol contestants have been able to parlay their experience into a career with real staying power. Yes, Clay Aikens, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice, Katherine McPhee and Taylor Hicks have all released material that has received radio airplay, but who among us would really consider them recording stars in the truest sense of the word?

Part of the blame lies with Idols greediness. It’s not enough for them to make millions off the television rights. They also control their artists careers by writing and producing their material, often to their detriment. The music industry has changed significantly over the last two decades, and while American audiences certainly enjoy the bubblegum laced carnage of watching Simon Cowell pan performances, we are not so easily amused when it comes to manufactured pop.

Just ask Justin Guarini

Antonella Barba is currently a contestant on the sixth season of American Idol. At the time of the writing of this article, she is in the top 16.

Barba is 20 years old, was born on November 26, 1986 and is from Point Pleasant, New Jersey. She is a 2004 graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School in Red Bank, New Jersey where she was a member of the school concert choir and a member of the school’s doo-wop group.

In addition to singing, her other musical talents include playing the piano and the violin.

Before appearing on American Idol she was a junior at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C studying architecture, but has had to temporarily withdraw from school to be in California for the show.

Like Clay Aiken’s fans during season 2 of American Idol who called themselves the Claymates, Antonella’s fans have dubbed themselves the “Fantonellas.”

As she performs each week, she can count on support and votes from her fellow students at college who gather in the college’s University Center to watch the live episodes that feature her. Antonella also has the unwavering support of her parents, two younger sisters, and younger brother.

She hasn’t been without controversy though. First, during Hollywood week tempers flared between Barba and friend Amanda Coluccio (they tried out together.) It started to look a little like the movie “Mean Girls” as Amanda got sick of working on their group performance and instead started hanging out with the male contestants which resulted in Barba getting angry and saying a few “less than complimentary” remarks that the cameras caught and, of course, showed on national television.

Then, several unflattering photos of Barba surfaced on the Internet and were quickly the topic of conversation on websites, in newspapers, on the radio, and on television. The photos that were of Antonella were private photos taken when she was with friends and at parties. The x-rated ones were later found out to be fakes. There has been speculation that an ex-boyfriend first posted the picture.
The American Idol producers officially stated they wouldn’t disqualify Antonella from the competition and the judges came out in her defense, most notably Simon Cowell who said the photos were her private business and that people should leave her alone.

Although Antonella has been singing since she was in 6th grade and did well during her auditions for American Idol, her two performances on the show so far have been weak. She has admitted to being very nervous and will need to get those nerves under control if she wants to continue on the show.

She may be avoiding elimination by a popular website that encourages voters to cast their votes for the contestant they think is the worst one in an effort to sabotage the outcome of the show. Currently, Antonella is their choice.

Her life has certainly changed since she became an American Idol contestant. Last summer she was like any other college student on summer break – working a summer job and hanging out with friends and family. Now she says things are “totally surreal…..I was home for a couple of days (a few weeks ago) and I took my sisters out to lunch….and there were people asking for my autograph.”