Erika Van Pelt was the latest causality of the continued disasters was made over and done in by American Idol voters - (FOX photo)

American Idol's in house mentor Jimmy Iovine doesn't always get it right with his critiques - (Angela George - photo)

Video Beat SPECIAL EXTRA EXTRA Part 2 - ERIKA VAN PELT ELIMINATED FROM AMERICAN IDOL

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

The days of American Idol trying to find the best singer in the competition are OVER. It's now about the look the WHOLE PACKAGE as the judges repeatedly insist. As some of the best singers fall by the wayside the question is who will survive the auditions to be managed by the shows creator Simon Fuller in his televised auditions for 19 Management. The scam is on… - Recommended TV Listings

Saturday March 24, 2012

PRETTY IS IN... TALENT IS OUT

American Idol is a circus already only three episodes into the season. The saying if it ain't broke don't fix it obviously doesn't apply with AI.

Erika Van Pelt was the latest causality of the continued disasters of Season 11. Changes have been made and one of the new looks is on the results show Idol's in-house mentor Jimmy Iovine giving his opinions of the contestants performance on performance night. This works as an OK given his track record of producing hit records. It also works when his opinion is dead wrong showing the world that those key players that run the business make mistakes as well.

Simon Cowell wasn't the only wrong critic when it came to telling Jennifer Hudson that she was out of her depth in the Idol competition. Iovine gave rave reviews to Van Pelt and deservedly so when he critiqued the Rhode Island native's performance in saying, "She deserves to be at the top of the batch."

Obviously America doesn't value Iovine's opinion as Van Pelt was voted off the show in the 10th position. Unfortunately that is a poor reflection of the way the show is going that whoever is voting doesn't know a thing about talent. It appears it's the pimply faced Coke drinking generation who have nothing more to do than text/SMS with their time. They appear to be young and dumb about talent going for the look and who the judges are promoting with their over the top compliments.

Van Pelt has an outstanding voice that is too mature for Idol's youth audience the COKE generation. She on the hefty side but has a pretty face, She's also older at 26 then those more popular. She's the 2nd oldest in the competition to Elise Testone 28.

Idol's other change is bringing in designer Tommy HiIfiger who is responsible for image making and applying makeovers. Van Pelt was the most done over having her blond locks chopped off and replaced with short black hair in a Liza Minnelli kind of look. Obviously not hip or young enough for the teenage type Idol voters.

Last season was an aberration with so much talent that all were pleasant to listen to except on who had a gimmick irritating voice. Casey Abrams is not the one as he was enjoyable to watch and listen to just to see what he would do next. Again he does not have a great voice.

This season we chose our Top, Middle and bottom voices. Two of them are gone Van Pelt and Jermaine Jones. That leaves only Jessica Sanchez and Hollie Cavanagh from out top four.

As promised prior to the Jermaine Jones chaos we said we would explain our decisions. Most notably the choice is made of the voices that as Iovine commented about Jones, a voice that one could listen to an entire album. Our middle four include Skyler Laine, Heejun Han, Colton Dixon and Shannon Magrane.

Magrane is gone eliminated last week at number 11 and won't go on tour. She has a good easy to listen to voice with nice texture. Her downfall is she's young and her voice is still developing. She tries too hard to please, doesn't know the center of her talent still in development. One high notes she strained and her voice broke several times. As she matures, ages and becomes more confident she will be fine but we doubt will be a professional singer. She will do well in the business world and sing for enjoyment.

Country Skyler Laine 18 is a pepper pot. She has a strong voice and is animated in her performances. Though Iovine says she's not improving we disagree and feel she's gaining in confidence and strength every week. Song choices are the issue. This week she had to sing a Billy Joel song that was popular before she was born. She has the talent to win it all and come on strong as did Lauren Alaina. Win or not as a country singer she will do well in the business she has talent and a sweet personality.

Colton Dixon is one of the pretty boys in the hunt and a strong favorite of the teens. He's never been in the bottom 6 or 3 category. He has the look and a good voice. He's a pop rocker who could win it all given the number of rock fans that vote. Rock and country are the two major categories that win the Idol contest and Dixon is on line.

Heejun Han is the answer to the NBA's Jeremy Lin Chinese American Idol contestant. American is finally getting it and catching up to progress in accepting Asians as major forces in talent such as the popularity of K-Pop. Han has a nice sweet voice and given the right songs does a nice job. Song selection is his main problem. His popularity is largely due to his playful personality. He likes to joke around and appears to be in it for the fun. He won't win but is entertaining to watch. This week he was in the bottom three so his days and fun on the show could be numbered.

NOTE:

Idol ratings have dropped by 25% since the first audition in Savannah, Georgia on January 18th which drew a viewership of 21.93 million. On the Top 11 show which aired March 15th the Jermaine Jones assassination show it only attracted 16.2 million viewers.

NEXT: THE BOTTOM FIVE VOICES

AMERICAN IDOL'S FINAL 9 Finalists

* DeAndre Brackensick (born October 21, 1994) is from San Jose, California, he is 17 years old. He auditioned in San Diego, California. He originally auditioned for American Idol season 10, but he was cut in the Sing for Your Life round.

* Hollie Cavanagh (born July 5, 1993) is from McKinney, Texas, she is 18 years old. She auditioned in Houston, Texas. She originally auditioned for season 10, but she was cut in the Sing for Your Life round.

* Colton Dixon (born October 19, 1991[40]) is from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, he is 20 years old. He auditioned in North Charleston, South Carolina. He originally auditioned for season 10, but he was cut in the Sing for Your Life round.

* Heejun Han (born April 20, 1989) is from Flushing, New York, he is 22 years old. He auditioned in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

* Jermaine Jones (born November 3, 1986) is from Pine Hill, New Jersey, he is 25 years old. Portland, Oregon. He was called back after the top 24 selection filming, making him the 25th semi-finalist and thirteenth male semi-finalist. - Disqualified @ # 12

* Skylar Laine (born February 1, 1994[41]) is from Brandon, Mississippi, she is 18 years old. She auditioned in Houston, Texas.

* Joshua Ledet (born April 9, 1992) is from Westlake, Louisiana, he is 19 years old. He auditioned in Houston, Texas.

* Shannon Magrane (born October 21, 1995[42]) is from Tampa, Florida, she is 16 years old. She auditioned in North Charleston, South Carolina. - ELIMINATED @ # 11

* Phillip Phillips (born September 20, 1990) is from Leesburg, Georgia, he is 21 years old. He auditioned in North Charleston, South Carolina.

* Jeremy Rosado (born March 24, 1992) is from Valrico, Florida, he is 19 years old. - ELIMINATED @ # 13

* Jessica Sanchez (born August 4, 1995[43]) is from San Diego, California, she is 16 years old. She auditioned in San Diego, California. Before Idol, she was first known for her appearance on the first season of America's Got Talent.

* Elise Testone (born July 29, 1983) is from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, she is 28 years old. She auditioned in North Charleston, South Carolina.

* Erika Van Pelt (born December 12, 1985[44]) is from South Kingstown, Rhode Island, she is 26 years old. She auditioned in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - ELIMINATED @ # 10

MARCH EXTRA Part 2 - AMERICAN IDOL CHANGES GIVE JUDGES TOO MUCH POWER

SPECIAL - AMERICAN IDOL EXPLOITS JERMAINE JONES

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