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Editor’s Note: It’s crazy serious and difficult for the US Armed Forces in Iraq, but our soldiers still find time for a little fun and escape: just like many of you, they love their weekly dose of “American Idol.” We made friends on the Internet with some members of the Army’s 82nd Airborne division (Fort Bragg, what up!), who will be sending us their review of each “Idol” installment.
They get “Idol” a day later than we do, and their reports might not arrive until well after the show has aired (because, of course, things like communications blackouts do happen when you’re in the military taking care of URGENT BUSINESS). But you don’t mind because they are helping give you the freedom to watch “Idol” in the first place.
Our soldiers each week (L-R): PFC Joshua Miranda, 22 (Orlando, FL); PFC Nathan Puckett, 19 (Cynthiana, KY); SPC Cory Combs, 21 (Plymouth, MA); SSG Steve Cody, 27 (Los Angeles,CA)
Major label reject, Kristy Lee Cook, has been teetering on the brink of elimination all season long, though she hit a high note this week performing Lee Greenwood’s red-state-rousing “God Bless the USA.” Randy, Paula and Simon lauded the “smart” song choice, with Cowell calling it Cook’s “best performance by a mile.” But how did the patriotic anthem play with our judges in uniform? The song resonated with the troops but Kristy’s rendition did not. “We did not really buy it… We were more motivated by [Michael Johns’] “We Are the Champions,” 19-year-old Nathan wrote. “I think after hearing that song we were all ready to go fight.”And they came gunning for early “Idol” favorite David Archuleta, whose confusing song choice left the military men at a loss, though they had little trouble finding some strong words in their curt condemnation – “hate” being the one that stands out the most (we suspect they won’t get caught up in David Archuleta PromGate 2008).
Find out what the guys thought of Jason Castro, Carly Smithson, Brook White, show-stopper David Cook and all your other favorites, after the jump.
Ramiele Malubay, “Alone” by HeartCory: “Yet another boring song from her.”
Joshua: “I keep thinking she is going to blow us away but she never does.”Jason Castro, “Fragile” by Sting
Nathan: “A very safe song to pick. I think this is his worst song choice so far.”
Steve: “Sweet. It was pretty awesome.”
Syesha Mercado, “If I Were Your Woman” by Stephanie Mills
Nathan: “She is becoming one of my favorites.”
Cory: “She hit all of the notes. I think she has one of the best voices.”
Chikezie, “If Only for One Night” by Luther Vandross
Steve: “Excellent, he really nailed the song.”
Joshua: “It wasn’t as good as his last couple of performances.”
Cory: “I don’t like when he does the ballads. I wish he would keep doing fast songs and putting his own twist on them.”
Brooke White, “Every Breath You Take” by The Police
Nathan: “How could you mess up a Police song??”
Cory: “She really didn’t do it for me this week.”
Michael Johns, “We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions” by Queen
Steve: “His best so far. Queen is awesome and so was his performance.”
Joshua: “He showed off his amazing vocals in this song.”
Carly Smithson, “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler
Joshua: “I love the song but I didn’t like the way she sang it.”
Cory: “Another great vocal performance for her.”
David Archuleta, “You’re the Voice” by John Farnham
Nathan: “I had no clue what the song was.”
Steve: “This song sucks!”
Kristy Lee Cook, “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood
Nathan: “A very popular song and I didn’t think she did badly but she is still the least talented.”
Cory: “She did a great job with the song. She might have saved herself from getting eliminated.”
David Cook, “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
Steve: “Awesome rendition. Better than Jackson’s version. That’s my boy!”
Joshua: “The best performance of the season.”
After this week’s performances, the consensus among our commentators was that David Cook is the man to beat and David Archuleta should be sent packing. Only SPC Cory Combs picked Chikezie as the one to get the boot. Let’s see if he’s right again next week.
(Last Week’s “Idol In Iraq” entry can be found here).
Filed Under: Idol In Iraq, American Idol
some archuleta fans really go overboard.
I stand by our soldiers, while overseas,
or on the Home-front.
**
I'm with you, in your opinion of David's Song Choice.
**
(I must say, I'm quite surprised, and shocked to read what comes out of some peeps head's. American Idol is a good distraction, and passes the time, for those who love our country & those who serve.
Our Freedoms are truly taken for granted. This does not mean we can spout hateful comments, without expecting a response just as free in it's expression.
God Bless our Troops. Let's see that they get the care & understanding they need, upon their return from Iraq & Afghanistan.
Sincerely,
Will.
DAVID ARCHULETA is the most talented and cute contestant in american idol!
KEEP SUPORT DAVID ARCHULETA NO MATTER WHAT!! HE IS THE BEST!!
Thank you for your service and your bravery. I respect and am proud of all of you. We are all praying for your safe return to your homes and families. I avoided writing to anyone of you because I am very much older. But then, I realized that is the kind of narrow minded thinking that no one among you deserves. PFC Joshua Miranda, SPC Cory Combs, PFC Nathan Puckett, SSG Steve Cody or any soldier in the war zones or in the home front, I'll be happy to receive and respond to your emails or letters. I authorize MTV to release to them my email address. Our soldiers are good role models for the youth. I also think that David Archuleta is a good role model for the tweens and the teens. He is talented, humble and unpretentious. Americans should be very proud that the youth are relating and identifying with our soldiers and a wholesome kid like David and not, repeat not, being drawn to those singers, actors and actresses who get in trouble with the law and are thrown in jail for it.
Oh well too bad they don't have good taste & will have to endure watching David A become the next AI!!
No matter who wins, I know for sure that Brooke, both Davids, Jason, and probably like everyone else will get signed to some record label.
God bless our troops!
1. The soldiers didn't like the SONG by DA. They don't hate DA.
2. Just because they've gone off to war, doesn't make them Gods (Michelle!) Hence Paul P's comment was a general comment about men who are uber-macho to prove their manhood, because a lot of them DO have trouble with their sexuality. This is a fact, dear Michelle, and Paul's comment was not against them as soldiers. And yet, after the circle w*nks and mutual "helping outs" in dark lonely night, a military man needs to prove his straightness during the day. So I guess YOU, ghrtt3, have also not served in Iraq, otherwise you would know.
3. And dMan: if Paul's gay or not - who cares? I like David C. So I suppose in your world - without you knowing me - that doesn't make me gay just because he's a "tough rocker" and doesnt appear as young and innocent as David A, hm? So any guy liking DA would be gay then, right? Welcome to Absurdistan!
I love David A. with all of his youthful optimism. Although a part of me wants him to go home and live a good life away from the intense scrutinies of stardom, I fear that his talent is simply too bright. He has many fans who want to see him in the finale.
Whatever. The most important thing is to bring these troops home, not some overhyped teenager who has absolutely no range and has no clue about good music. His only fanbase is teenage pre-teens. Compare him to David Cook or Brooke or Carly, who can sing any genre WELL and believably. Archie needs a permanent gig at Six Flags. Perhaps a mall tour, or anywhere where his teenage audience can appreciate him AWAY from everyone else (read: all adults) who find his Disney schtick absolutely fake and annoying.
The camera cuts to his scary stage dad are hilarious. This kid is so manufactured!
Hey guys - keep up your spirits, have fun watching AI and reporting your opinions back!
If David Archuleta (My friends & I call him Artichoke) wins, I would bet the reason why he won was because of 30% voice, 70% looks. He really isn't good looking. He looks like a baby duck to me. Teenies all around the world will vote for him cause he 'melts their hearts' and is 'just so amazingly adorable/cute!!!!".
I favour Jason Castro, but I'll admit he isn't that good to win it all.
So I'm guessing either David or Michael might win. "We Are The Champions" was very very impressive.
Good luck to all except Kristy. :)
God bless and protect all of our troops!!
special. sings from his heart. we tend to judge base
on familiarity therefore it was deemed wrong choice.
even the judges was caught off guard with this one.
brilliant! we need someone to inspire us for peace.
will it take a 17 years old kid to wake us up? Based on this, I decided he is my pick.this song grows on you when you listen couple of times. peace is all we
need. I hope someday,I will meet this awesome kid.
AI is another great show in the Greatest Free Country on earth. A heartfelt thank you to all of the men and woman who protect us from Iraq and around the world.
Glad you take a little time off to enjoy American Idol...too bad you did not like 'You'the Voice" because you were not familiar with it, actually Heart sang that song probably before you were born...:) If you actually listen to the words and download the studio version you too might get to like this song ad can probably relate...You are also are our voice. Good luck and stay safe
On the other hand, I will buy CDs by David Archuleta (great voice), Brooke White and Michael Johns. I agree with the positive comments I have read about David Archuleta. I know a lot of people (including me), not in his main demographic, who think he is the best singer in the competition.