Territorial Bloggings

Eh, at least I’m getting these out before the 2nd semi-final performance show tonight…

In short, I think America got things pretty much right with who they put through into the finals from the first group of 12 semi-finalists.

Alexis & Danny were the only two who stood out as being good enough to have a viable shot at winning the whole shebang at this early stage. In fact, if I’m being reckless enough to tag someone as a winner this early, I’d say it’s Danny – he’s got the whole package: looks, presence, personality, likability, sincerity, backstory, maturity, and (oh, yeah) voice. He’s been a featured player because of the backstory of his wife dying, and that’s helped a lot in terms of building fan base; although there is a bit of a backlash starting to build (I don’t see that being a long-term problem, however — he’s too genuinely likable for it to grab hold & gain any real traction…). Alexiscould also be a good story, as she is cute as a button, has a good story, a cute kid, and can sing. I don’t quite buy the comparisons to Kelly Clarkson, though…

Michael Sarver is a feel good story, and a welcome third addition to the finals. I hope he makes the tour, and can make a viable career out of the music biz for himself and his family. Besides, he didn’t crumble under the spotlight & pressure of performing on the live stage…

Too many of the other 9, however, did. This semi-final structure that the producers have revisited (hearkening back to early seasons) is a fairly merciless one. It exposes these singers quickly and without a safety net, when compared to the more gradual elimination process of the past few seasons. It’s rather more brutal and representative of the “real world”. I wouldn’t say it’s cruel, necessarily, but it’s certainly not gentle. What it does do, however, is show us quite clearly who is ready and who is not ready for the rigors of the grind that awaits in the Bataan-like march that is the AI Finals. Spotlights. Pressure. Exposure.

What will be most interesting, then, I think, is to see who gets brought back for the “Wild Card” show, as well as just how the wild cards get chosen. Will the judges choose those brought back, and then America chooses the winners? The producers, then the judges? Some strange combo? And can we avoid prolonged exposure to Tatiana? (’cause you know we’re going to see her again — there’s just no way the producers will not make that bear dance again for our morbid enjoyment & the potential of a meltdown on live TV, no matter how much the poor girl might try to keep her dignity intact (and I actually think she really did try to keep her dignity intact on the results show…))

My last thought: I’m glad that they added Kara as the fourth judge. She’s added a nice dynamic to the festivities, even beyond some actual, you know, competent judging & contemporary credibility.

-ghp