CliqueClackAmerican Idol: My love/hate relationship with Harry Connick, Jr.
He’s just as annoying as he is insightful on this season of ‘American Idol’ … which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But is his specific brand of critique aiding the contestants? Is it doing anything at all?
Hokay … so maybe it’s not exactly a “love/hate” relationship I have with Harry Connick, Jr.
To be more precise, it’s more an “annoy/enjoy” sort of thing. Because there are plenty of instances when the guy is dead on when he critiques some of the American Idol contestants.
And then, moving around to various performers, he might do a complete about-face — sometimes he gets too technical to the point a review can go over a contestant’s head. Other times he’s exactingly critical and it appears he out-and-out hates a performance. Still other times, he regresses into the usual judges’ go-to M.O. of kowtowing … because there isn’t anything really to say about what was just played out by an Idol on the stage.
And here’s the thing: I get all three modes of feedback. But in the first two instances:
When He’s Too Technical: Harry should be talking to them in specifics when a glazed look comes over a performer’s face. They’re not “getting” it. The information he’s imparting just isn’t comprehended. You know that saying “You can’t fix dumb?” This isn’t that but in the same vein you can’t hand somebody something meant to assist them if they have no point of reference. Right? Right. Remember: Many of these kids are kids, they’re not seasoned. (Case in point: Alex Preston will understand the technical stuff out of the sheer abundance and familiarity he has with the bevy of instruments he manages. MK Nobilette probably will not.)
When He’s Pointedly Critical: Nothing wrong with being pointed with regard to what an Idol-wannabee puts out an act. But such assessment would be better served if, again, it was given a point of reference. Tell him/her how to infuse that criticism into future performances in a manner which might benefit him/her positively. Explain it in such a way it doesn’t just hang there in the air with no purpose other than to appear as a put down. As an Idol observers, don’t you believe a contestant would better receive such pointed critique and might better adapt with such instruction? I do.
Here’s another thing: Want to know what I really hate about the judges this season? They’re wimping out when it comes to hitting the contestants where it hurts. Crappy performances result in a judgments which oft-times ring out with some innocuous comment about how good they look that evening. Or one of those “You know what I really like about you?” lead-ins resulting in follow-up blather. Or some other throw-away quip on how they “like the energy of a performance.” (Don’t misunderstand me: This is something that’s been going on for a long, long time, way before the current line up of Urban, JLo and HCJ graced your flat screens.)
Where’s the harm in socking it to them? Tell’em their performance was as bad as a wrong turn away from an appointed destination. Then follow it up with an explanation on why that can’t or shouldn’t happen in future outings. That would be refreshing … and more honest than “those shoes are so cute with that outfit!”
The truth hurts sometimes. But, as I’m apt to repeat: “You learn from your mistakes not from your successes.” Right? Right. Additionally for kids who simply don’t know any better, there has to be definitive direction, a solid game plan put in place for them to shoot for. Judge them that way.
Don’t get me wrong: I love HCJ as a performer and (a lot of times) as a judge on American Idol. But the corny comments he makes either at the expense of or in camaraderie with Keith Urban can get tedious … and it has time and again. But, overall, he’s (mostly) been a breath of fresh air on the show.
One last thing a lot of you may have noticed that I’d like to call out here (my “a little bit of jaw drop” moment during last Thursday’s telecast): Remember Harry calling out about what he would do if he were a mentor on the show?
“I was not hired as a mentor. I am envious of Randy (Jackson). If I were a mentor … guys? I would be at the hotel ’til 5:00 o’clock in the morning working with you. I would give everything to that …”
How did you read that comment as HCJ talked to all the contestants at the start of the elimination show? Because I read it as a direct slap to the puss of Randy Jackson. Granted … Jackson is pointless as a mentor. The kids might look up to him, but there was immensely more direction given by his predecessor Jimmy Iovine in the couple of years he held the mentor position. So the mentoring “doled out” by Jackson isn’t worth much. And Harry called Randy out on that fact. That was a kick and a half.
Additionally, a few other statements included:
“I think you’re all incredibly talented … I think this is the best group of talent since the first season (and) I’ve watched every year …”
I call horse puckey. Did he really dismiss Idol seasons 2 through 12 and their groups of talent? It could be summed up that way. I took it as exactly that, though I know he didn’t precisely intend it as such.
The female contingent this season? There’s not a single girl who is tripping my trigger. With the exception of Sam Woolf (who needs to be dismissed soon), there is no female contestant who can stand toe to toe with any of the males. (Several girls can out perform him without problem.) But this season is an all guy shindig. My point? It’s a year where I’m completely at odds with HCJ’s statement above, that “this is the best group of talent since the first season.” No … it is not. It’s not the best group since Season One, not as a whole.
And not by a long shot. Want proof? Two elimination shows thus far without a single guy being included in either of those airings’ Bottom Three contestants. Enough said.
Yeah … I’m glad Harry is in the mix. But he annoys me week in and week out more than I enjoy him so far …
One Comment on “American Idol: My love/hate relationship with Harry Connick, Jr.”
I love harry co nick jr. But he look is terrible. Can someone tell him to clean up his look and shave it’s not fun. I would also like Keith to look better. Why such sloppy looks for both men?