Chaska Herald - American Idol: The neon lights are bright on Broadway - Comments

I've been singing "Sweet

Ruth Anne Maddox — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:14:56 -0500

I've been singing "Sweet Caroline" since last week -- bom-bom-bomp -- and scaring the dogs, I must say. I'm also still belting out "Music of the Night," though, so I'm not sure I'm ready for tonight.

Here's a novel idea for next week -- just in case they haven't got another suckfest planned: Maybe the contestants can sing a song from the genre that they would be singing if they actually were to record a CD. Then, maybe, people could vote for them on the merits of their talents based upon what would sell?!

And will anyone dare tackle

Mollee Francisco — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:58:21 -0500

And will anyone dare tackle the karaoke queen "Sweet Caroline" or what about the ET-inspired "Heartlight"?

(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)

Ten songs tonight (two a

Mollee Francisco — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:55:56 -0500

Ten songs tonight (two a piece). I don't know about you but I'm crossing my fingers for a little "I Am, I Said" and "September Morn." I'll pass on the "Crunchy Granola Suite" though. Who do you think will excel with Neil Diamond?

(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)

I just got an e-mail from

Ruth Anne Maddox — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:18:02 -0500

I just got an e-mail from the Xcel Energy Center regarding Neil Diamond's appearance in July -- they've added a second show! I'm guessing it's not because you've ordered a large block of seats?

Not yet. Until they form a

Mollee Francisco — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:04:45 -0500

Not yet. Until they form a tribute band (a la Saving Silverman) I think you're safe :)

(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)

My husband and three of his

Ruth Anne Maddox — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:44:01 -0500

My husband and three of his buddies went to see Neil Diamond together a couple years ago. Should I be writing to Dr. Phil?

I LOVE Neil Diamond. He's

jennyjean4 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:06:52 -0500

I LOVE Neil Diamond. He's the thing my mother-in-law and I first bonded over. We both enjoy his music. It'll be interesting to see some of the Idols perform Neil Diamond songs. The songs are great, when Neil sings them, I hope no one tries to sing like him. Although, that would be very amusing.

"Cracklin' Rosie," "Sweet

steinie — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:43:39 -0500

"Cracklin' Rosie," "Sweet Caroline" or "September Morn" - hmmm, which is the least irritating Neil Diamond song?

I pick "September Morn" - the song my friend Sue and I wanted for the Prom theme. We had it ALL figured out back in the way early 80s!

I read somewhere that

Ruth Anne Maddox — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:19:42 -0500

I read somewhere that Carly's facially tattooed husband might have scared some folks and contributed to her demise.

I cannot believe that Brooke did not make the bottom two (I'm pretty sure she couldn't believe it either). And, as much as Syesha has given me that fingernails-on-a-chalkboard irritation all season, I didn't think she deserved to be at the bottom based on this week's performance.

My sister predicted this morning that it would be a David duo at the finale and that David A. will win (that's not her choice, just her prediction).

Nothing could get me ready

Mark Olson — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:48:47 -0500

Nothing could get me ready for Neil Diamond ... "not even the chair!" (Sorry. I had to get in that lyric reference in one more time.)

Get ready for Neil Diamond

Mollee Francisco — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:00:57 -0500

Get ready for Neil Diamond tunage next week. Woop woop!

(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)

Too little, too late? Carly

Mollee Francisco — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:00:17 -0500

Too little, too late? Carly Smithson heads home this week. I'm sad to see her go after such a wow performance last night. I guess maybe we are marching toward a David-squared finale. What do you think?

(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)

Agreed. Lord Andrew Lloyd

Mollee Francisco — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:59:24 -0500

Agreed. Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber was actually one of the best mentors they've had. He gave constructive criticism! Imagine that. I suspect that his experience in working with young people helped - as did the fact that he's a lord - what does he care if people like him or not?

(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)

I agree about the disasters

Ruth Anne Maddox — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:29:54 -0500

I agree about the disasters and I hope those are the bottom three. I also was jumping out of my chair when Brooke said this was her first screw up!? I am so done with her.

My husband thought David A. was painful to listen to but is sure that he'll be voted through regardless whether he's in the bottom three. He also thinks that there is some finagling going on somewhere with the choices of those still standing and isn't entirely convinced that the voting has everything to do with who's remaining. Hmmm...

I love, love, loved David C. -- and not just because "Phantom" is my very favorite of the Andrew Lloyd Webber shows. And wasn't Sir Andrew a hoot to listen to with the contestants?

Upon review, I remember

ChicChick — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:17:50 -0500

Upon review, I remember thinking last night that it sounding a little too muffled at that point to be the proper line. But he recovered much better than his first flub earlier this season, so it was hardly noticeable. And didn't Brooke, just before him, make sure to point out that last night was the *first* time she flubbed her words this season. Foreshadowing? Hmm...

American Idol: The neon lights are bright on Broadway

Mollee Francisco — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:18:44 -0500

If you are a fan of musical theater, this was an exciting night for you. Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the kings of Broadway and has created some of the most memorable, and longest running, musicals of all time, so it was nice to hear some of those tonight.

Big voices reigned supreme and danced all over the singer-songwriter-style competition. If you could read and comprehend a lyric, you excelled tonight- even moreso, if you actually saw the production the song came from.