MTV Newsroom » Idol In Iraq

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

MTV News — Fri, 23 May 2008 22:30:19 +0000

In honor of the holiday, here's a collection of stories we've done in recent months on U.S. troops and the issues affecting them.

· We've followed the GI Bill, from the debates on the floor of Congress to its approval in the Senate, from the soldiers' gripes to our own.

· We set up an intimate Q&A session between the Democratic presidential candidates and a group of soldiers.

· The cast of "Stop-Loss" told us how their perceptions of the military changed over the course of shooting the movie.

· Some Obama-supporting vets explained what their candidate is doing to address their concerns.

· We looked at a virtual-reality game that's helping soldiers with PTSD.

· We cheered when gay and lesbian soldiers won right to sue the military over unlawful dismissal.

· Our Choose or Lose Street Team '08 members have run several stories about young soldiers, including Iowa correspondent Nathan Leigh's piece on Spc. Nicholas Maranell's take on our presence in Iraq.

· And on the lighter side, four "American Idol" fans — who also happened to be soldiers stationed in Iraq — found the time to write up their opinions about the show. Now that's going above and beyond the call of duty.

'Idol' In Iraq: Our Soldiers React to the Season Finale!

MTV News — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:42:23 +0000

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 sent us their review of each “Idol” installment. And here, at last, are their reactions to this season’s finale!

So an MTV News salute goes out to the soldiers who’ve made “Idol In Iraq” possible: (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). They have been helping give us the freedom to watch “Idol” in the first place.

And before you read their thoughts on the battle of David vs. David, here’s a note from Nathan, the soldier behind “Idol In Iraq.” It sounds like our friends are coming home this summer…

"So I guess this is the last “Idol In Iraq,” 'tear 'tear. It's been a really fun experience doing this with you guys. I had a blast in New York when I came to visit. You and your fellow workers were so much greater than my expectations, and the city was pretty awesome, too. I will definitely be making another trip to New York when I get back from Iraq. I didn't get to spend much time in the city or go sight-seeing, so I will be looking forward to doing that. We finally got orders saying that we are leaving here in July, so I am getting ready to go home.

Thanks for everything,
Nathan"

Nathan, Joshua, and Steve’s play-by-play of the “Idol” finale, after the jump.

David Archuleta, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me” by Elton John

Steve: Awesome job. He really nailed it at the end.
Nathan: He started off kind of weak, but finished the song great.
Joshua: Perfect song for his voice.

David Cook, “I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For” by U2

Steve: He did really awesome on a U2 classic.
Nathan: I think he outdid Bono on this song.
Joshua: Great performance, really starting his night off right.

David Archuleta, “In This Moment” by Ryan Gilmore

Steve: He did really amazing on this song, and I have to agree with Simon: I think David Archuleta has taken both rounds so far.
Nathan: I think he picked a good song for his voice.
Joshua: He really did well with an unknown song. I could hear it on the radio now.

David Cook, “Dream Big” by Emily Shackleton

Steve: Not a great song, but he still did pretty well on the song.
Nathan: He picked a song that was more of a rock song and more in his element, and I liked that.
Joshua: I didn’t like the beginning, but he did well after that.

David Archuleta, “Imagine” by John Lennon

Steve: He is really on his A game today. Really showed up David Cook today.
Nathan: He did a great job just like he did last time he sang this song.
Joshua: It was expected that he would do amazing on this song.

David Cook, “The World I Know” by Collective Soul

Steve: He could have picked a better song to end his “American Idol” career on.
Nathan: It’s really good to hear him singing this type of song. It’s really in his element.
Joshua: He did well with the song, but should have picked something to show his voice off more.

The final debate:

Steve: David Archuleta really showed David Cook up on the last night of the competition, but I still believe David Cook should win. I don’t think he will -- but I believe he is the more deserving contestant.
Nathan: The winner of “American Idol” should be David Cook! He outdid David Archuleta all year. Tonight was not the best night for David Cook, but I think throughout the year he has proved himself over and over.
Joshua: I can’t wait to buy an album from David Cook, who should be the American Idol!

And, as we all know by now, the wishes of our soldiers –- in line with those of a whole lot of Newsroom readers -- ended up coming true.

'Idol' In Iraq: Awkward Song Choices Hurt Syesha, Cook Ready to Grab the Crown

MTV News — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:16:28 +0000

Editor’s Note: It’s crazy serious and difficult for the U.S. 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.

Our soldiers each week (L-R): PFC Joshua Miranda, 22 (Orlando, FL); PFC Nathan Puckett, 19 (Cynthiana, KY); SPC Cory Combs, 21 (Plymouth, MA); and SSG Steve Cody, 27 (Los Angeles, CA)

Only two of our soldiers caught this week’s “Idol” performances (Joshua and Steve), and even halfway across the globe, they could see Syesha Mercado’s elimination coming a mile away. For their money, our boys in camo are betting that the “Idol” crown will be placed on the noggin of David Cook on next week’s finale. Here are their impressions of this week’s renditions, after the jump.

ROUND ONE

David Archuleta, "And So It Goes" by Billy Joel

Cody: I think he did really good –- there was feeling.
Miranda: Really good.

Syesha Mercado, "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys

Cody: One of her best performances ever.
Miranda: That was awesome. She is awesome.

David Cook, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" by Roberta Flack

Cody: I think he did a really good job.
Miranda: I liked it. He did good, and I like that song, too.

ROUND TWO

David Archuleta, "With You" by Chris Brown

Cody: I think his song choice was brave and wise. His fan base is young, so he needs to connect with them by singing a more modern song.
Miranda: He did OK, but I didn’t think that song was good for him.

Syesha Mercado, "Fever" by Peggy Lee

Cody: I thought it was fun, but probably not good enough to make it through elimination.
Miranda: It was OK. She was hot.

David Cook, "Dare You to Move" by Switchfoot

Cody: He did OK, but I honestly expected a little more out of him.
Miranda: I think he did great.

ROUND THREE

David Archuleta, "Longer" by Dan Fogelberg

Cody: I think he sang it well. The song itself is terrible. It was like a clichéd Hallmark card, with the word “love” for every fifth word.
Miranda: I didn’t like the song, but he did good.

Syesha Mercado, "Hit Me Up" by Gia Farrell

Cody: I liked her performance a lot. She had a lot of energy, too.
Miranda: I liked it, but I don’t think she is right for that type of music.

David Cook, "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith

Cody: Best of the night. He really made it his own.
Miranda: I think David Cook should be our next “American Idol.”

'Idol' In Iraq: The Soldier Behind the Series Visits MTV HQ

MTV News — Fri, 09 May 2008 20:33:09 +0000

This in from MTV News exec producer Jim Fraenkel:

For those of you who’ve been following our “Idol In Iraq” series here at Newsroom, here’s a little bit of backstory about Private First Class Nathan Puckett -- the 19-year-old soldier who made our weekly “Idol” installments happen.

Nathan came to the attention of MTV News strictly by chance…through my Facebook account.

About three months ago, I received a friend request from Nathan. We had no friends in common, so after accepting, I asked why he’d reached out to me. He told me that I looked like someone who had been in “a military class” with him. “Looks like I’m wrong,” he concluded. “Anyways, how’s New York? I’ve never been. After I get out of Iraq, I’m probably gonna try to visit one of my friends up there.”

The two of us struck up a friendship online. Our stations in life, it seemed, couldn’t have been farther apart, geographically or otherwise: I was the executive producer of MTV News, while Nathan had enlisted in the Army “right out of high school.” But we soon discovered common ground…

As it often does, my Facebook status back in early March reflected my views on “American Idol,” a show I’ve followed obsessively since Season Three. “Jim is kind of in love with Brooke White,” it read the day after the Arizona native’s raspy take on Pat Benatar’s classic, “Love Is a Battlefield.” I got an email from Nathan the following day: “Brooke White did awesome this week!!” This threw me off: “Do you guys get to watch over there???”

As you all know now, it turns out they do watch “Idol” in Iraq, albeit a day late and in conditions far less cozy than most Americans. “Haha, we have ‘American Idol’ days,” Nathan wrote, “where a bunch of us get together around our small TVs…We also bet on who we think is going home after each week…I've been pretty dead-on so far.”

And so our recurring “Idol In Iraq” series was born.

The feature was a quick hit. The soldiers certainly generated a lot of attention with their second installment and, after criticizing one of David Archuleta’s wobblier performances, had to endure the wrath of the young frontrunner’s intense online fan base.

But PFC Puckett got a friendlier welcome last week when we here at MTV News had the privilege of meeting the young soldier face to face. After serving nearly eleven months in Iraq, Nathan was granted a three-week leave, allowed to return to the States to see his family and his friends. After a short stay in his hometown of Cynthiana, Kentucky -- sometimes referred to as Cyn City -- Nathan hit the road with his younger brother in tow. Destination: the Bamboozle fest. A trip to the Meadowlands in New Jersey (a ten-hour drive) was a birthday gift for brother David who had just turned 18, and a welcome change of scenery for PFC Puckett.

So too was MTV HQ, in the heart of Times Square. Nathan had never been to NY before and when we found out he’d be less than ten miles away, we sent a car for him and his brother. We wanted the chance to shake his hand and thank him for his service -- both in Iraq, of course, and in Newsroom!

Watch the clip above to see Nathan’s first visit to NY, and MTV.

PFC Puckett returns to Iraq in just about a week, in time to review the “Idol” finale for us. We here at MTV News, once again, want to thank him and his fellow “Idol In Iraq” soldiers -- PFC Joshua Miranda, SPC Cory Combs, and SSG Steve Cody -- for their service to our country.

'Idol' In Iraq: Sweet on Syesha, Saw Castro Elimination Coming

MTV News — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:40:11 +0000

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.

So, not all of our soldier pals got to catch this week’s “Idol” performances (SSG Cody was the only one who did, and he only caught the last half of the episode), because they were off doing what our nation’s servicemen and women do -- real classified-type stuff. That means there isn’t a complete briefing from our Iraq-based “Idol” hounds this week. But even though he’s halfway around the globe, in one of the world’s most unstable countries, Cody still could tell that dread-head Jason Castro’s number was going to be the one called.

Surprisingly, SSG Cody didn’t even mention Paulagate in his report, but it does seem he’s got a little thing for dark horse Syesha Mercado -- but that’s something he’s got to work out himself.

SSG Cody’s impressions of this week’s “Idol,” after the jump.

David Cook, "Baba O'Riley" (The Who)

Steve: “Really good performance. His vocals were great. He is my favorite, and I hope he wins this year.”

Syesha Mercado, "A Change Is Gonna Come" (Sam Cooke)

Steve: “She, as always, was the embodiment of beauty. Her performance was great -- one for the ‘AI’ history books. You could tell that every word in that song came from her heart.”

Jason Castro, "Mr. Tambourine Man" (Bob Dylan)

Steve: "Good. Even when he screwed up, he did it without stopping and with a kind of grace. With that being said, at this point in the competition, I don’t think that this song is powerful enough to make it. He better pack his bags.”

David Archuleta, "Love Me Tender" (Elvis)

Steve: "The song he sang is not familiar to me at all. With that said, his performance was one of the best in this season. I think that in a few years, after David gets some more life experience and maturity, he will become a superstar.”

This Week's Installment of 'Idol In Iraq': What Happened?

MTV News — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:02:07 +0000

We here at MTV News want to let the "Idol" fans out there -- and specifically the "Idol In Iraq" fans -- know that we have not forgotten you. There will indeed be another installment of "Idol in Iraq"...it's just that, well, our friends in the Army’s 82nd Airborne division were a bit too caught up with the very serious business of serving our country this week to catch the last round of the show. They did, however, share with us that their unanimous reaction to Brooke White getting booted off was: S'about time!

No worries. Our friends will return later this week with their reactions to the competition as we near the final three. And what's more, PFC Nathan Puckett (Cynthiana, KY) recently visited with us in Times Square, so we're looking forward to posting some footage of that very soon. So check back with MTVNews.com for more.

'Idol' In Iraq: Soldiers Slag Off On Brooke, Castro; Think Syesha Was 'Hot'

MTV News — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:13:52 +0000

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.

As President Bush would freely admit, it’s not always possible to meet deadlines when you’re living and working in a war-torn area -- and that’s something we here at MTV News learned last week. With PFC Puckett, who usually emails us the soldiers’ “Idol” commentary each week, taking some much-needed R&R, the rest of the troops slacked, having failed to “make a contingency plan” for Puckett’s time off. So the soldiers sent in their impressions of last week’s performances over the weekend.

While they didn’t comment -- at all -- on Kristy Lee Cook’s ouster the previous week, our soldier pals did think Carly Smithson had redeemed herself, and would be spared elimination. Of course, that didn’t happen. So, how did our valiant troops feel about the “Idol” hopefuls tackling the songs of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber? SSG Cody said that “ever since my mother took me to see my first play as a child, I have loved the theater. I was happy to see ‘Idol’ take a step in that direction.” After seeing the performances, the guys definitely thought Brooke White or Jason Castro would be sent packing -- which they weren’t.

So, who did they love this week? Who do they want to go all the way? Find out after the jump.

Syesha Mercado, “One Rock & Roll Too Many” (from “Starlight Express”):

PFC Puckett: She was great.
SSG Cody: Her performance was great. It was smart, classy, and still as sexy as that part is intended to be.
PFC Miranda: Her performance was as hot as she was.

Jason Castro, “Memory” (from “Cats”):

Puckett: It wasn’t his best, but he did all right.
Cody: His worst performance yet. If the rest of his performances are like this, he better hope his pretty face can carry him.
Miranda: I’m not sure how that’s supposed to sound, but I’m pretty sure it’s not like that.

Brooke White, “You Must Love Me” (from “Evita”):

Puckett: Her performance was horrific, on a Biblical scale.
Cody: I think she showed real emotion and feeling in what the song meant. With that being said, I don’t know why she stopped -- maybe lost lyrics, beat, or whatever -- but the show must go on. Never stop.
Miranda: Terrible. I hated it.

David Archuleta, “Think of Me” (from “Phantom of the Opera”):

Puckett: He did OK…I think he could have done better.
Cody: I was unsure how he would sing this song. I was surprised. I thought he would have done a little better, but it was OK and definitely not the worst of the night.
Miranda: I thought it sounded good.

Carly Smithson, “Superstar” (from “Jesus Christ Superstar”):

Puckett: She was very good.
Cody: Awesome. Great! I loved her energy -- one of the best of the night.
Miranda: She rocked.

David Cook, “The Music of the Night” (from “Phantom of the Opera”):

Puckett: Awesome. His was the best performance of the night.
Cody: Once again, David shows he can sing any style, with talent.
Miranda: Definitely one of tonight’s best.

'Idol' in Iraq: Syesha, David Cook & Archuleta Get Carey-ed Away; Carly Not Cutting It

MTV News — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:57:07 +0000

Last week’s elimination of Michael Johns from the “Idol” crop stunned our valiant troops, and from the looks of it, Kristy Lee Cook’s ouster Wednesday night will be just as shocking -- considering our judges in Iraq felt she’d done a good enough job to stick around for yet another week. And signs in the studio audience, calling for Simon Cowell’s appointment to the nation’s highest office, made them shudder. But they all agree that the contest is coming down to the wire, and it's getting just too close to call. (Unfortunately, SPC Cory Combs missed this week’s “Idol,” as he was occupied doing “Army stuff.”)

After tackling Mariah Carey’s impressive catalogue, our judges still feel David Cook’s the one to beat, but they haven’t totally discounted David Archuleta -- or his pants – from the running. Much like America, and the show’s judges, our troops came away from this week’s “Idol” feeling as though the dudes brought down the house, while the ladies dropped the proverbial ball.

Who did they adore? Who took their breath away? Who fell flat during Mariah week? Find out after the jump.

David Archuleta, “When You Believe”

Nathan: “He did very good…He really hit the long notes and the high falsetto.”
Steve: “Not only did he sound great, but he rocked the leather pants while he did it.”
Joshua: “Another very good performance. One of my favorite songs of all time, and he did an awesome job with it -- but I still think he is trailing behind David Cook.”

Carly Smithson, “Without You”

Nathan: “It was just OK. She really didn’t step it up this week.”
Steve: “It wasn’t bad, but at this point in the competition, she really needs to step up or she is going to be watching ‘American Idol’ from home next week.”
Joshua: “She has really been off the past few weeks. I think she has one of the strongest voices, but she really isn’t showing it off.”

Syesha Mercado, “Vanishing”

Nathan: “She did great on this song. She is the best female vocalist in the competition.”
Steve: “I think that Simon is wrong about David Archuleta…Syesha did better than him this week. She was awesome this week.”
Joshua: “I think she showed the best vocals of the night -- she really isn’t scared to pick the big songs, and she really does all the songs justice. I think she was the best of the night.”

Brooke White, “Hero”

Nathan: “Not a good performance. She did great on the piano, but really lacked on the vocals.”
Steve: “It wasn’t terrible. With that being said, it was probably the worst performance of the night, and it was boring.”
Joshua: “I normally like when she does stripped-down versions of the songs, but she really didn’t do anything great this week, vocals-wise.”

Kristy Lee Cook, “Forever”

Nathan: “Surprisingly, she did very well with a Mariah song. I was quite impressed.”
Steve: “I agree with Simon completely…Good but not great.”
Joshua: “The past few weeks, she has really been on it, and she is being smart about song choice. I think she saved herself from elimination again this week. I think she is getting used to the underdog position and is really coming to life.”

David Cook, “Always Be My Baby”

Nathan: “I loved the arrangement. This is my favorite Mariah song, and he really did it justice. By far best of the night and [he] is taking the front-runner position from David Archuleta.”
Steve: “I have never been a huge fan of Mariah Carey’s songs, but David Cook made me a huge fan of ‘Always Be My Baby.’”
Joshua: “He did an awesome job. I will definitely be buying a David Cook CD, whether he wins or not. He really shows his own style off every week. I’m really glad he did so great while his brother was in attendance.”

Jason Castro, “I Don’t Wanna Cry”

Nathan: “Hard to follow David Cook on this day, but he did pretty good. I was hoping he would have picked one of her more popular songs and put his style on it. All in all, I really liked what he did with the song.”
Steve: “I always like the relaxing style of his performances.”
Joshua: “It was an OK performance. It didn’t really stick out as anything special to me.”

Only SSG Steve Cody predicted Kristy Lee Cook would be relegated to the bottom three -- and he had her getting the third lowest vote count after this week’s performances -- with our other commentators pegging Brooke White as the one who’d get the boot. All of our soldiers picked Jason Castro and Carly Smithson to round out the bottom three. Will they have better luck next week calling the cut? Stay tuned to find out.

'Idol' In Iraq: Frontrunners, Surprises, and Impossibility

MTV News — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:45:22 +0000

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)

After our soldiers got down on David Archuleta -- Hey, it WAS a horrible performance for him that week -- they welcomed him right back with open arms last week. And boy, like Paul Wall said, they had the Internet goin’ nuts the whole time. (Paul Wall? Rapper from Houston, chunks the deuce, real big a couple of years ago? Nevermind).

Well, now it's a race. And the soldiers feel we’ve gotten to the part of the season where it’s probably impossible to pick who the bottom three are going to be. In this season of superior talent, this was a week where the only two people they felt had absolute, 100%, certain for sure immunity were David A and John Norris’ favorite, Jason Castro. Everything else is up for grabs.

So who'd they love? Who surprised them? Who do they think let them down this time???? All that - and a special tribute to Elliot Yamin - after the jump.

Michael Johns, “Dream On,” Aerosmith

Nathan: “A very solid performance. He nailed all of the notes.”
Steve: “Sweet. He even matched the high notes. Ryan had a nice shot at Simon.”
Joshua: “One word: awesome.”
Cory: “Another great song choice. He is doing great picking great songs.”

Syesha Mercado, “I Believe,” Fantasia

Joshua: She is showing that she is one of the best singers in the competition.
Cory: “It started off kind of bad, but she came alive towards the end. Overall it was a very solid performance.”

Jason Castro, “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

Nathan: “Very good performance. I really liked the ukulele playing while he sang.”
Steve: “I didn’t like it very much. It was only ok.”
Cory: Awesome song choice.

Kristy Lee Cook, “Anyway,” Martina McBride

Nathan: “She picked the perfect song for her voice.”
Steve: “Where did these great vocals come from?”
Joshua: “She had a very good vocal performance.”
Cory: “Her best performance yet.”

David Cook, “Innocent,” Our Lady Peace

Nathan: “He didn’t show off his vocals at all. I’m sure he could have picked a better song for his voice this week.”
Steve: “Not his best performance, probably the worst one of the night.”
Joshua: “Not a good song choice.”

Carly Smithson, “The Show Must Go On,” Queen

Nathan: “One of her worst performances yet.”
Joshua: “Very disappointing week for her.”
Cory: “I wasn’t really feeling it this week.”

David Archuleta, “Angels,” Robbie Williams

Nathan: “A very good week for David. I really enjoyed his piano playing while he sang.”
Steve: “Great, I didn’t know the song but I felt it when David sang it.”
Joshua: “He is definitely holding the front runner position after this week.”
Cory: “It was a very good performance and I laughed when I saw the young girl holding up the ‘Lick Those Lips’ sign.

Brooke White, “You’ve Got A Friend,” Carole King

Nathan: “She’s been off the past few weeks but I hope she makes it through so she can show how good she really is.”
Steve: “I am a fan of Brooke but I think that she can do much better than this weeks performance.”

We’ve already told you who the soldiers liked, and how hard it was to pick a bottom-three, but here are their picks (in order of 8-9-10):

Nathan: Carly Smithson, David Cook, Brooke White
Steve: Carly Smithson, Brooke White, David Cook
Joshua: Carly Smithson, Brooke White, David Cook
Cory: Brooke White, Carly Smithson, David Cook

Will David Cook be the one to go? Will the soldiers be right? Stay tuned…

ALSO THIS NOTE FROM OUR SOLDIERS:

To the family of Elliot Yamin-

Dealing with death is never an easy experience. Being a soldier serving in a warzone we learn that all too well. We also learn that life must go on and we have to move past and remember all of the great times we shared with those who have fallen. Our deepest condolences are with Elliot Yamin and his family for their loss.

Previous 'Idol' In Iraq Entries:
’Idol’ In Iraq: Welcome Back, David Archuleta! - April 3, 2008

'Idol' In Iraq: Soldiers Slam Archuleta - March 28, 2008

'Idol' In Iraq: 'Baghdad Idol' Is Off The Air So 'American Idol' Will Have To Do - March 25, 2008

'Idol' In Iraq: Welcome Back, David Archuleta;Also, We're Not Haters

MTV News — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:51:50 +0000

Hey, so what'd you think of the soldiers' last entry? Wow, we haven't seen such spirited "discussion" in a while. First we have to make one thing very clear: Our soldier-reviewers DO NOT hate David Archuleta. In fact, as Nathan pointed out, “He has been a front-runner in our minds for a while.” What they didn’t like was Archuleta’s song choice last week, a song none of them had even heard of, “You’re the Voice” by John Farnham.

“The song did not allow him to show off his great vocals,” Nathan wrote. But Archuleta redeemed himself this time around in the Dolly Parton hour, and it seems that all is forgiven. “This week was a lot better and he moved back in to the top three in my mind,” said Joshua.

But even with all the good feeling toward the young “Idol” contender, there was one note of caution from Cory: “I think he will make it big even if he does not win 'American Idol.' I am just not sure what audience he would appeal to, but right now I can see him selling millions of records to kids 10 to 17 (years old).”

Take a look at what our Iraq-based panel had to say about Jason Castro, Brooke White, Michael Johns and more after the jump.

All songs by Dolly Parton.

Brooke White, “Jolene”

Joshua: “She missed a few notes here and there but it was still a decent performance.”
Nathan: “Not her best performance, she should be in the bottom three.”

David Cook, “Little Sparrow”

Cory: “Another amazing performance, I think he is taking this show.”
Nathan: “I always look forward to his performance to see how he makes each song his own and he did not disappoint this week.”

Ramiele Malubay, “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind”

Steve: “It was not bad but she needed to step up this week after a few disappointing performances.”
Cory: “Very boring song choice, I just did not like anything about it.”
Nathan: "Even though she was my early favorite I do not think her great looks are going to keep her in this competition much longer."

Jason Castro, “Travelin’ Thru”

Steve: “I was feeling his song this week.”
Joshua: “It was a very good song for him. Forget Simon.”
Nathan: “One of the best vocalist and performers in the competition. I think its going to come down to Jason and the Davids.”

Carly Smithson, “Here You Come Again”

Steve: “Awesome, she really nailed it.”
Cory: “One of the best vocal performances of the night.”

David Archuleta, “Smoky Mountain Memories”

Steve: “Much better than last week. He really nailed the song.”
Nathan: “He definitely showed he can sing and why he is the front-runner of this competition.”

Kristy Lee Cook, “Coat of Many Colors”

Cory: “Another very boring performance but not the worst of the night.”
Joshua: “Once again she probably saved herself from elimination.”

Syesha Mercado, “I Will Always Love You”

Joshua: “An awesome performance, one of - if not the best - of the night.”
Nathan: “Gorgeous girl, great song choice and she really nailed it this week.”

Michael Johns, “It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right”

Steve: “He is really stepping up to be a great singer.”
Cory: “It was ok, not quite as good as other performances tonight.”

The consensus for Dolly Parton week was that David Cook rocked once again, and Ramiele Malubay was the one who had to go – with Kristy Lee Cook not far behind on the hit list. They totally got Ramiele correct, but since they get the episodes one day later than we do, we guess they'll be finding this out sometime later today. Keep up the good work, boys!

We're also curious as to what the soldiers think about a fallen Idol family member. Boys?

Previous 'Idol' In Iraq Entries:
'Idol' In Iraq: Soldiers Slam Archuleta - March 28, 2008

'Idol' In Iraq: 'Baghdad Idol' Is Off The Air So 'American Idol' Will Have To Do - March 25, 2008