Posted by Renee Allemand
Even though none of this year’s crop of “American Idol” finalists hailed from Louisiana, local residents will be paying attention to the show’s Wednesday night finale.
So will the rest of America. The two-hour season five finale pits energetic crooner Taylor Hicks against polished diva Katharine McPhee. Expect drawn-out performances from former contestants and lots of nail biting beginning at 7 p.m. on FOX.
Finalist Hicks’ popularity points to an “Idol” trend that began in 2005 with Ponchatoula native Lindsey Cardinale, runner-up Bo Bice and winner Carrie Underwood. Those three contestants challenged the idea that a successful American Idol should be a pop singer. Cardinale and Underwood’s small-town, country roots resonated with the American public to gain them votes. Meanwhile, Bice’s brand of southern rock proved that the “Idol” stage could be as diverse as its audience.
Hicks is expected to win on Wednesday. (In fact, his odds are 1-2 compared to McPhee’s 9-5, according to online betting sites.) He is an old soul with gray hair at the age of 29, which is ancient for an “Idol” contestant. His heroes include Ray Charles and Van Morrison. His eccentric dance moves bewildered the judges. He calls himself a “funky white boy” on the “Soul Patrol.” Cowell has doubted that Hicks is the definition of an “American Idol,” yet Hicks has been the perennially popular underdog for the duration of the show.
“American Idol” is different from other singing competitions in that the audience is allowed to form opinions about the contestants over such a long period of time. We get to know them on a personal level, and their personalities can either help or hinder their chances of winning.
Increasingly, our idols are more like us. They’re untrained underdogs from small-town America. They’re unique and unfiltered. Singing is still an important part of the competition, but if Cardinale, Bice and Underwood have taught us anything, it’s that personality is guiding voters as well.
12 comments:
Absolutely! Taylors style reaches every generation, which is probably how he's gotten so many votes and gotten this far. McPhee? She forgets her lines to much. How she made it this far I have no clue. Unless her hometown of Hollywood has those call centers put together so they can have dozens of people speed dialing at once.
Honestly, I didn't like either of the two finalists. Taylor is a spaz and he doesn't have a very strong voice. At least Katherine has been trained vocally. Although after last night's performance, I would say Taylor looks like he will win cause he did pull off that last song in comparison to her. Plus she looked like a wide load in that dress.
Is it 8 o'clock yet? C'mon guys, I'm breaking a sweat and chomping at the bit here. This has GOT to be Taylors night! Like Tammy66 above, I was sold on Taylor when he made his entrance with the harmonica on that loooooong walk to the judges table. 4 1/2 hours and counting ....!
Hey Tammy! I'm from right here in Tangi. I, too, will have to force myself to stop watching idol if he doesn't win! This guy has reminded me of Elvis from the beginning. And who cares about the silver hair?!? I once heard rumor he may dye it - no way! Every poll I've seen predicts Taylor, but we all know how innacurate these polls can be, so we just have to wait and see. Taylor is just a small town guy like most people. he has fantastic style, energy - and that voice! I am just a bit concerned that as fashion conscientious America can be, it might be McPhee after all, due to her Hollywood birthright and voice training. Taylor never had an ounce of Hollywood training, and look how far he's gotten!
helllllooooo.....this is alissas daughter!!!! TAYLOR ROCKS!!i mite dye ny hair silver....odnt tell my mom tho...im just kidding,,i doubt shed let me....again..TAYLOR ROCKS!!!!
As Napoleon Dynamite would say:
"YEEEEEESSSSSSSSS !!!!"
Soul Patrol! Soul Patrol! Soul Patrol!
You people really need to get a life.....
Dear Anonymous - my daughter says "No wonder you're anonymous". What a sad day it is in this world when having just a good, decent, fun conversation means one has no life in your opinion. Lighten up anonymous.
I LOVE TAYLOR ALSO ,HE IS VERY UNIQUE & THATS WHAT WE NEED AS AN AMERICAN IDOL !!! I LOVE THE WAY HE MOVES & DANCES & JUST HAS FUN HE MAKES ME SMILE & WANT TO GET UP & DANCE AROUND & THATS WHAT BEING A PEFORMER IS REALLY ALL ABOUT & SO IM VERY GLAD HE WON & I HOPE HE COMES TO LOUISIANA TO PERFORM CAUSE I WANT TO SEE HIM IN PERSON !!!!!!!! RHONDA
Hey Rhonda and Tammy - I'm already a step ahead of ya :-)! Yesterday I went searching at Ticketmaster.com, and so far the AI are not coming anywhere near La. or Ms. Yet. The closest areas are in Texas, and of course, Birmingham, Ala. We definetly plan on going to see the whole AI crew, or just Taylor himself either way.
Okay, better late than never... Taylor definitely deserved to win -especially when he was against Katharine.. I got so tired of hearing how gorgeous she was - how well dressed she was - how stunning she was - this WAS NOT a beauty contest.. it was a battle of the best voice and Taylor definitely had it... The outcome was just as it should have been - Taylor taking home the title of American Idol... he so deserved it..
I would like to see the return of J.C. Penney's and a top of the line cafeteria.
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