Video Beat EXTRA EXTRA Part 2 - AMERICAN IDOL'S UNTOUCHABLES

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

The point of the show s we know it is to DISCOVER UNSIGNED TALENT and make them into recording artists. AI blurs the lines in this instance whereas they have included on the show several contestants who have already been discovered and had record contracts. - Recommended TV Listings

Wednesday March 18, 2009

SOME HAVE TALENT OTHERS THE JUDGES SUPPORT

When American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi said on the Jay Leno show last week that she liked Megan Corkery that endorsement is the type of statement that should never be made by an American Idol judge. It should be in the AI bylaws.

Biased remarks such as that tend to influence voting and this season and last those types of remarks and endorsements are becoming commonplace. Prior to Jorge Nunez being eliminated last week Paula Abdul said that he belonged on that stage. In reality he most certainly does. Abdul's positive statement was deserved and not overbearing. She didn't go on and on about it and she made a poignant point that was ignored by the voters after Simon Cowell crucified Nunez with his derogatory comments.

Nunez's voice is there but his experience isn't which is becoming a glairing issue for the contestants on the program.

Joanna Pacitti, who was originally selected as a semi-finalist, created controversy due to her being previously signed to A&M and Geffen Records. Later, she was found to have been having a "private relationship" with 19 Management. She was later disqualified, and replaced by Felicia Barton who was eliminated in the top 36.

The point of the show s we know it is to DISCOVER UNSIGNED TALENT and make them into recording artists. AI blurs the lines in this instance whereas they have included on the show several contestants who have already been discovered and had recording contracts. Given their professionalism and previous experience to include them on a supposedly armature talent show isn't fair to those who are still trying to make it and be discovered.

Last season some flack was raised about Carly Smithson when it was discovered after she was on the show that she previously had a recording contract. She was eliminated in the sixth spot but since that time has had success performing with Michael Johns on several TV programs.

This season Danny Gokey is receiving a lot of deserved praise for his voice and courage. His wife died a few weeks prior to his audition. Another major talent is Adam Lambert who as we know it at present had been working in theater productions since he was a youngster. He has a tremendous voice and stage presence. His stage presence is far above the rest but has never had a recording contract therefore should be permitted to compete.

Allison Iraheta, 16 has a voice reminiscent of Janis Joplin. She was doing talent shows since she was a child and could be the second 16-year-old to win the title. She has a stronger voice than 2007 season six winner Jordin Sparks. Lil Rounds, 24 a mother of three children is also another strong contender.

These four we consider Untouchables and given their talent should be in the final 5. The judges can save one contestant if America votes them out up to the final 5. These four are the only talents who we qualify for the save rule. As in sports this show has it heavyweights, middleweights and lightweight talents. Appropriately we have rated them while we also included the eliminated Jasmine Murray and Jorge Nunez. Nunez has the voice to win but lacked the stage experience as well as being treated unfairly by Simon Cowell with his derogatory comments.

The final 11 are:

Kris Allen, 23 (born June 21, 1985) from Conway, Arkansas - a college student who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. He's best known for his group performance of "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5 during Hollywood week with a group called White Chocolate. "Man in the Mirror" (Michael Jackson)

Megan Joy Corkrey, 23 (born August 5, 1985) from Sandy, Utah - a font designer/single mom who auditioned in Salt Lake City, Utah with the song "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man." Cowell has expressed numerous times that Corkrey is one of his favorites. "Put Your Records On" (Corinne Bailey Rae) "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" (KT Tunstall)

Anoop Desai, 22 (born December 20, 1986) from Chapel Hill, North Carolina - a college student who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri. He impressed the judges when he auditioned in Kansas City. While at school he was one of the lead singers of the UNC Clef Hangers, an a cappella vocal group that covered multiple genres of music. Desai was announced as the 13th finalist after the judges increased the finals into a Top 13. "Angel of Mine" (Monica) "My Prerogative" (Bobby Brown)

Matt Giraud, 23 (born May 11, 1985) from Kalamazoo, Michigan - a dueling pianist who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. For his audition, he sang "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin Degraw. His rendition of "Georgia on My Mind" in Hollywood made him a judge favorite. "Viva la Vida" (Coldplay) "Who's Lovin' You" (Jackson 5)

Danny Gokey, 28 (born April 24, 1980) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin - a praise and worship music director who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri along with best friend Jamar Rogers. Both made it to the Hollywood rounds, but Rogers was eliminated at week's end. Four weeks before the audition, Gokey's wife, Sophia, diagnosed with a congenital heart disease, passed away. His wife had motivated him to try out before she died. He is a judge favorite. "Hero" (Mariah Carey)

Alexis Grace, 21 (born June 9, 1987), from Memphis, Tennessee - a stay-at-home mom who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. Has a young daughter and is engaged to marry the child's father. After her Top 36 performance, Cowell compared her to Kelly Clarkson. "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" (Aretha Franklin)

Allison Iraheta, 16 (born April 27, 1992) from Los Angeles, California - a high school student who auditioned in San Francisco, California. In 2006, she won $50,000 and a recording contract after competing in a Telemundo reality show, Quinceañera. After her top 36 performance, Cowell declared Iraheta as "one to watch in this competition". "Alone" (Heart)

Adam Lambert, 27 (born January 29, 1982) from Hollywood, California - a stage actor who auditioned in San Francisco, California. Before auditioning for American Idol, he was in the touring and Los Angeles casts of Wicked. His renditions of "Some Kind of Wonderful" and "Believe" made him a judge favorite. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (The Rolling Stones)

Scott MacIntyre, 23 (born June 22, 1985) from Scottsdale, Arizona - a visually impaired pianist who auditioned in Phoenix, Arizona. MacIntyre plays several instruments including the piano. Classically trained, he has been Internationally profiled on various TV affiliates such as CNN, national and local news, radio, and print media as pianist, vocalist, and songwriter. "Mandolin Rain" (Bruce Hornsby and the Range)

Lil Rounds, 24 (born November 14, 1984) from Memphis, Tennessee - a stay-at-home mom who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri. Her house in Memphis was previously destroyed by a tornado on February 5, 2008. Since her audition, Rounds has been a judge favorite. "Be Without You" (Mary J. Blige)

Michael Sarver, 28 (born February 9, 1981), from Jasper, Texas - an oil rig roughneck worker who auditioned in Phoenix, Arizona. Is married, and has two children. "I Don't Want to Be" (Gavin DeGraw)

ELIMINATED

# 13 --Jasmine Murray, 16 (born March 14, 1992) from Starkville, Mississippi - a high school student who auditioned in Jacksonville, Florida with the song "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie. She was Miss Mississippi's Outstanding Teen 2007. "Love Song" (Sara Bareilles) "Reflection" (Christina Aguilera)

# 12 -- Jorge Nuñez, 20 (born May 12, 1988) from Cidra, Puerto Rico - a college student who auditioned in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, and is the first Puerto Rican finalist in American Idol history. His idols are Luis Fonsi and Marc Anthony. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (Elton John)

The list is in no particular order

Part 1 - THE SAVE RULE

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TV SCHEDULE

Note: The shows listed are for the Cambodia - Thailand time zone. Check your local listings for time in your area.

NOTE TIMES AT OF THE SAME TELECAST IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES

11:45 AM to NOON - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel V

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

8:00 PM - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel V

8:00 PM - AMAZING RACE - AXN Channel

10:30 PM - CLICK (Internet Technology program) - BBC

12:00 MIDNIGHT - AMAZING RACE - AXN Channel

4:00 PM - AMAZING RACE - AXN Channel

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

12 NOON - FRONTLINE - Australia Network

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

11:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 AM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

12:00 NOON - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

11:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 AM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

??? - STAR SPORTS - NBA GAME - CHECK ALL of NBA TV SCHEDULE for Southeast Asia

12:00 NOON - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

4:30 PM - CLICK (Internet Technology program) - BBC

8:45 PM - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel V

??? - ESPN SPORTS - NBA GAME - CHECK NBA TV SCHEDULE for Southeast Asia

7:30 AM - CLICK (Internet Technology program) - BBC

3:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

4:00 to 4:15 PM - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel V

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 PM - AMAZING RACE - AXN Channel

7:00 PM - THE BEST OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - (1 1/2 hr) Star World channel

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

11:00 PM - THE BEST OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - Star World channel

9:00 AM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

3:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 PM - AMAZING RACE USA - AXN Channel

7:45 PM - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel V

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

10:45 PM - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel

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