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http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/medi...gepublisher.com
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"American Idol" is better on TV
By Alex Navissi
Those ear-piercing shrieks coming from the Erwin Center Sunday night weren't the latest weapon combating global terrorism. Several thousand pre-teen girls and their parents stormed the venue to watch the Austin leg of the "American Idol" tour.
The "American Idol" tour is the culmination of the fifth season of the hit Fox program. With no signs of slowing down, "American Idol" is the most popular show on television, where tens of millions of viewers vote for their favorite unsigned singers who compete for fame, glory and a lucrative, albeit restrictive, record contract. The show is entertaining escapism at its finest. Unfortunately, the concert doesn't carry that same level of enjoyment.
It can be difficult to watch a group of performers with the knowledge that most of them have no future. Some reeked of mediocrity, namely Ace Young, who spent more time flexing his biceps than his vocal chops. Bucky Covington also fit in this category; nice a guy as he is, his dull routine was not appropriate for a major concert tour.
Then there was Miss Calamari, Kellie Pickler. It was hard to make her out over the screams of the kiddos, but every once in a while a second-rate Melissa Etheridge impersonation could be heard.
Not to say that all of it was awful. A more slender Mandisa opened the evening with her powerhouse vocals. Paris Bennett donned a "Kinky Friedman for Governor" T-shirt, and performed her little heart out. As long as she remembers she isn't Beyonce, this young artist may have a chance. Of course, she sang a Beyonce song, had Beyonce hair, and did some Beyonce booty shaking. Maybe she should take a page from Lisa Tucker's book.
As the lowest ranked performer at the concert, Tucker had the most to prove to the audience. Sitting behind a keyboard, Tucker belted out two Elton John classics, earning her thunderous ovation.
After a giant dancing Pop-Tart roamed the arena during intermission, the top four performed, starting with rocker Chris Daughtry. The audience was rioting before a single note was heard. His version of "Dead or Alive" was the night's high point. Daughtry has the best chance of life after Idol. Then came the humble Elliott Yamin. Despite a great jazz and blues set, Yamin still doubted his incredible potential.
Finally Katharine McPhee and winner Taylor Hicks sang. Their reactions may have been tepid compared to Daughtry, but the winner and runner-up gave solid performances.
Despite some strong moments, the "American Idol" tour is not worth it. The biggest show around can't spend some more money on better sets? Giant reams of tin foil and Windows 95 screens avers are not fitting for a ratings behemoth.
The singers are prisoners of "Idol." Every song, every wardrobe choice, every breath they take feels like it is afforded to them by the "Idol" machine. Talent doesn't matter when there is no creative freedom allowed whatsoever. The tour will end, most will fade into obscurity and a new group of 10 will bide their time until yet another group replaces them.
Some advice: watch them on TV, wait until they're free from 19 Entertainment's clutches, and then go see them when they're performing on their own terms. Until then, it's just the most expensive episode of "American Idol" you'll ever watch.
