The Weekly Media Monitor 03.11.04: American Idol Season III Spectacular

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American Idol Commentary

Let’s face the facts. We all have our guilty pleasures in the spectrum of popular culture, from owning the Saved by the Bell soundtrack to having a wet dream about that skanky redheaded chick from The Golden Girls. (Rue McClannahan, I love thee!)

Since its debut in 2002, American Idol has captured my attention. I first became hooked on the show because I couldn’t believe that some of these people actually thought they could sing, and I loved seeing the judges – especially Simon Cowell – tell these people striking truths about their slim chances of becoming actual pop stars. Then, as the show progressed, I had a revelation: some of these people can really sing, and I just might enjoy a record or two with their voices should they win the competition.

To this day, I still have a bit of a crush on Season I winner Kelly Clarkson, and my mother is one of the millions of Clay-mates (fans of South Carolina crooner and Season II runner-up Clay Aiken) who have proven that American Idol is more than just a passing trend. After all, has there ever even been another television show that has spawned three double-platinum recording artists – Kelly, Clay, and Season II winner Ruben Studdard – in just two years?

Because of my ongoing obsession with Idol, I have decided to offer up my Season III predictions. The top 12 finalists are finally set in place, and a little later you will see my pre-rankings for the upcoming final rounds.

Before I get to the finals, let me just make one comment on Wednesday’s wildcard results show. There were some very interesting candidates on this particular program, and in fact they had all been rejected in the previous four weeks of competition. This was their last chance to make it to the top 12 (the remaining four spots were open), and, as the note below indicates, I just so happened to go four for four in my predictions:

I just had that gut feeling that the checked off names would make the cut over the other participants, and I will elaborate on my reasoning for this in the enclosed commentary:

American Idol Season III: Top 12 Predictions

12. Matthew Rogers: Matthew, a former Rose Bowl football champion, should probably have stuck with playing games on the gridiron. He has a likable personality, but there’s just something about him that reminds me more of Al from Home Improvement than the next platinum-selling pop singer. The only reason he’s made it this far is because he was part of the notoriously mediocre Group 2, whose members will be quickly eliminated quickly in these final proceedings.

11. Camile Velasco: Camile was also a member of Group 2 during the semi-final rounds. The only thing I can recall about Camile thus far is that she cried every time the camera was panned on her. While I think her emotional reactions are authentic, her voice leaves a lot to be desired. She will teeter out at #11 due to nerves and by being with more talented singers this time around.

10. Leah LaBelle: Even though I predicted this 17 year-old redhead to make the cut in the wildcard show, I have not been impressed with Leah at all. She was handpicked by Paula to make the finals, most likely because of her potential to develop over the next few weeks. I just don’t think she will be able to grow quickly enough.

09. Amy Adams: Every year, the fans vote in a mauve- or cherry-haired songbird into the final round. Amy has much more talent than her pink predecessors Nikki McKibbon (Season I) and Vanessa Olivarez (Season II), but her true calling seems to be along the lines of Broadway and not Britney or Beyonce.

08. Jennifer Hudson: Jennifer has a strong, powerful voice. However, she will not be able to control it enough to stay consistent throughout the remainder of the show. I would still get her into a studio, despite my predicting an early exit for her.

07. Jasmine Trias: Jasmine has become everyone’s favorite flower-in-the-hair Hawaiian. She possesses both an exotic look and a serviceable vocal range, and it will get her nearly halfway through the competition. There’s just more talent ahead of her.

06. John Stevens: John could probably get ousted quickly, but he could just as easily win the whole competition. He’s a throwback artist with a soothing voice that sounds like a cross between Frank Sinatra and Billy Joel. Is he the next pop star? Probably not, but I would certainly watch out for this kid if I were Harry Connick, Jr.

05. George Huff: George is the second-most likable person in the competition, and this will bring him far. He has a voice that is controlled yet booming, as well as a solid rapport with his audience. The remaining four ahead of George have that extra intangible “It” factor that will prevent him from winning.

04. LaToya London: LaToya was way under anyone’s radar, until her incredible performance during Week 3 of the semifinals. She is delightfully humble in her interviews, and she’s proven that she knows how to leave an audience speechless with her talent. I love the fact that she is such a passionate vocalist, yet modest.

03. Jon Peter Lewis: This is definitely my sleeper pick for the final round. Jon shocked a lot of people in the wildcard round by accumulating the most votes from the audience to become the fans’ pick for the top 12. With that said, the reason I picked him to win the wildcard show was that Jon Peter did something that no other Idol participant had previously done: exhibited an authentic sense of humor. His performance of Elvis’ A Little Less Conversation was both vocally sound and genuinely lighthearted, and he proved that you don’t have to sing ballads to win votes and build a fan base.

02. Diana Degarmo: Diana was part of the powerhouse group that performed in Week 1 in the semifinals. She reminds me of Christina Aguilera before she discovered ass-less chaps, and as one can recall, Christina Aguilera sold a lot of albums before she stripped down and got dirty. In other words, it’s Ms. Degarmo’s voice that puts her towards the top of my list.

01. Fantasia Barrino: Fantasia Barrino was also part of the formidable Week 1 contingent. The thing is, she had the performance of the night – and perhaps the performance of the season – with her soulful rendition of Bonnie Raitt’s Something to Talk About. Fantasia, like Jon Peter Lewis, has a great sense of humor. And, like Diana Degarmo, she has a fabulous voice. And, like LaToya London, she has a potent confidence that she is able to harness. And, like George Huff, she is awfully exuberant and therefore likable in character. Basically, Fantasia is the one performer that has the entire package already in place. She has the same exemplary qualities that make me want to root for the other predicted top 5 finalists, but she combines them into one star-quality entity.

So, there goes another American Idol predictions list. I hope that Season III provides fans of the show with another great run, and I’ll be sure to check in on these predictions from time to time as the final round progresses.

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The Next Topic for The Weekly Media Monitor Readers’ Sound Off Will Be Steroids In Major League Baseball

Next week, I am looking to post another Weekly Media Monitor Sound Off feature. This will be your chance to have your thoughts and opinions about the red-hot steroid scandal in Major League Baseball and other sports as well. Feel free to sound off as much as you like by emailing me at chris411wrestling@yahoo.com. If your responses are interesting and articulate, you just might be able to make the cut inThe Weekly Media Monitor.

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The 411: Staff Link of the Week:

Matthew Poffel’s Black Book examines the latest scandal to befall the National Hockey League. This one – where all-star Vancouver Canuck Todd Bertuzzi gave the Colorado Avalanche’s Steve Moore a broken neck during a game – just might leave permanent scars.

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That’s all for now Peace.
-Chris Biscuiti

Chris Biscuiti also writes for 411’s wrestling zone.

CB is an Editor for Pulse Wrestling and an original member of the Inside Pulse writing team covering the spectrum of pop culture including pro wrestling, sports, movies, music, radio and television.