Chinese American singer Heejun Han is American Idol's answer to the NBA's Jeremy Lin in representing the Asian community in the world's most popular television talent show - (FOX photo)

Musician/jazz singer Reed Grimm was thought to be another Casey Abrams as an excellent musician that could sing. Grimm failed to impress in the final 24 and was eliminated from the show - (FOX photo)

Video Beat Part 3 - AMERICAN IDOL'S ASIAN EQUATION HEEJUN HAN

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Han is Idol's equivalent to the NBA's Jeremy Lin in representing the Asian community in the world's most popular television talent show. Han has a good voice and sense of humor resulting in a mixed opinion from Idol mentor Jimmy Iovine - There won't be a Casey Abrams clone this season as musician/jazz singer Reed Grimm was eliminated - The Top 13 American Idol finalists LIST - IDOL'S NEW DEAL LOOK WORKS - JAY-Z & HENRY KRAVIS on GAME CHANGERS - Recommended TV Listings

Sunday March 04, 2012

IDOL'S NEW LOOK WORKS with FRESHER APPROACH

American Idol stated that this season would have the same format as last season. That didn't happen and in the world of believe it or not... THAT'S A GOOD THING.

The quick chop from the Top 24 to 13 in one fell swoop of a program denies the viewers of three extra shows in eliminations from Top 24-20-16 to the Top 12. The good news is this season 13 contestants won't have to stress out for several more weeks hoping to make it thorough to the regular season. You can look at it as a MERCY KILLING or MERCY SLAUGHTER.

The reality is that's SHOW BIZ and those eliminated their first lesson of the brutality of the entertainment business. Whitney Houston's unfortunate death is one perfect illustration of what can happen in show biz.

The other nice touch is having the Top 25 filming their lives back home. Having an insight to their home and family life adds color and flavor to the show.

The Wild Card format was a bit shocking but works. The TV viewers selected the Top 10 with their votes. The judges then selected six of the remaining 15 contestants to sing for their lives and qualify for three spots on the show. Each judge selected their favorite singer after their performance. In essence each had a save similar to the BIG ONE that saved Casey Abrams last season.

This season the lineup is strong and pruning it down to a Top 10 will be difficult. It's a strong ethnic and music genre mix. The voters for those 13 eliminated will shift their allegiances to someone else. Country usually stays with country. This season there are a number of female singers that have sung Grammy winner Adel's songs. There are a number of underdogs in the seven male six female Top 13 finalists. One of the standouts and underdogs.

The Asian community is represented by Heejun Han who has a tendency to joke around such as when asked by Ryan Seacrest what are you sweating and Hun replies, "MOSTLY WATER." Han was criticized by in house mentor Jimmy Iovine who stated that the contest is for singers NOT comedians. "This guy completely confuses me," he noted.

With that said Han is the NBA's Jeremy Lin of this American Idol season. For sure the Asian community will be rooting for him. He qualifies as he is a good singer but does not possess the quality of voice to win the title. We figure him to make it to 8th at best. He's an interesting character.

The surprise was the elimination of musician/singer Reed Grimm. Grimm has an off beat personality. The 26-year-old called his mother during the Las Vegas audition stage asking if he should quit or go on due to a conflict with AI regulations. He decided to go on and without preparation he played drums and sang well. It was his drumming skill that prompted judge Randy Jackson to comment that Grim was another Casey Abrams.

Grimm was a wild card choice after America failed to vote him in to the Top 10. During the wild card six chosen to sing for their lives of survival on the show he sang Bill Wither's "Use Me" which failed to convince the judges that he had the right stuff for the show. Grimm is a throwback to former Grammy winning vocalist Al Jarreau who sings with a Jazz styling.

It's not clear if AI will permit contestants to play instrument this season. Some have played at the beginning of their song but then get up and hold the microphone for the remainder of their performance. Stay tuned....

AMERICAN IDOL'S TOP 13 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.

* 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.

* 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.

* 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

Part 1 - JESSICA SANCHEZ ROCKS AMERICAN IDOL TOP 10

Part 2 - AMERICAN IDOL CHOPS QUICKLY TO TOP 13

EXTRA - IT'S ON!!! - AMERICAN IDOL'S TOP 24

JAY-Z & HENRY KRAVIS on GAME CHANGERS

One may think that RAP music is not about business but if you follow the story of rapper Jay-Z you would change your mind. Born in the ghetto in New York City in 1969 the now 41-year-old left the neighborhood to evolve into being recognized a highly respected businessman. His rags to riches story if featured this week on Bloomberg Television's Game Changers program televised in the Eastern Asian region.

The half hour segment is the second half of a two part one hour presentation. The first half hour features businessman Henry Kravis who was a major business investor player in the mid 80's and is characterized in the film Wall Street saying "Greed is good." He was the central figure in the infamous Nabisco Corporation buyout that went sour as well as the junk bonds scandal.

NOTE:

Bloomberg is losing the plot. On their 4:30 PM airing of the show yesterday they eliminated the second half with the Jay-Z profile. For a company that represents what goes on in business they are negligent. One thing is for sure they are as dependable as those crooked Wall Street stock market gangsters they report on as being good guys in white hats that will do anything to steal your money. The bottom line is... THEY ARE NOT DEPENDABLE.

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