4.17.14 LMD official OZ single, RS: QAL is HOT SUMMER TOUR!!

The judges have a piece of paper in front of them during the audition. Adam's probably had 'theatrical' on there.

Contrary to what is often reported, Simon only said this to Adam in the audition. He did not harp on that anymore later. Here is what I believe.
In the audition, Simon was not sure yet about Adam. He  knew immediately that Adam had enough to go through to Hollywood, but as far as his overall prospects for the show, he was not yet sold at that moment. Here is what I saw: He was taking him seriously, i.e. he looked away to get a vocal impression without the visual (that is assessing radio worthiness  in a contestant). He pointed out the theatrical (because Adam was labeled as that by the off-camera pre-audition process), to get Adam's reaction. Adam's reaction was to immediately acknowledge it, so Simon knew that Adam was expecting it, and therefore had watched the show and also done a reasonable amount of self-assessment, and then Adam fought for it. 'Can I work on that'. That showed that he was willing to learn or listen. All important things to find out about a contestant.

Tbh, to me, who was not familiar with idol, this whole portion of the conversation did not even make any sense, when I first saw it. Not only did I not know what all the supposedly baggage of being theatrical was about, I also did not understand Adam's answer.

To me it sounded like:    S: you are blue eyed
                                   A: But do you think I could work on that

It made no sense to me.

How do you work on something that is essentially yourself, and why would you, and why is blue eyed a bad thing?

We also know from Adam that in one of the auditions,  he was so nervous that he started on a completely wrong key and had to start over again, and I think it was in front of the judges. They just edited it out.

I think Simon saw a guy with theater background, who could clearly sing, had a nice appearance, and pleasant personality and somebody who came prepared (had reviewed previous shows, had a game plan), new what he needed to do

but he also saw (or heard)

not a typical radio voice,
openly gay (Adam had written that on his application)
theater background and theatrical style, which in Simon experience does often not transition over to pop

So, he was quite willing to put Adam through to Hollywood, but not overall sold on his prospects for the show as a whole.
To me, that is fair.

Btw. Simon never again used that theatrical label for Adam  (I'm not counting when he responded to Randy with the mooing cow comment). Once he had seen a bit more of Adam, he knew that Adam could climb out of that 'musical theater kid'-box with no problem, and so this topic was over for him.

Kara on the other hand was a new judge and still holding on to every lifeline she could find. Once Simon had thrown out the theatrical comment, she latched on to it, used her own interpretation of what that meant (acting a feeling instead of really feeling), and ran with it for a while, and probably for a little too long. Until the finals started, then she realized just how natural Adam's theatricality looked on the big stage, and then she was done with that topic too.

And the only other time it came up was during FG, courtesy of Randy, and he was right, that was a very theatrical performance from Adam, it was not out of place for that situation.

Looking back, I can understand those judges comments much better that I did at the time, and boy were these comments more useful than what is served up as judges comments these days.


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Got to make one comment about present idol season, and yes to everything you guys are saying:
-  boring contestants
- Harry thinking this is a high school talent show and about developing basic skills - nope, this is not HS, Harry
- JLo thinking this is a Snow White performance where she is the evil stepmother who has to trash any female who is pretty and talented

What a mess...

But just noticed something. Look at that tour for these kids:

7/12/14 Bethlehem, PA Sands Bethlehem Event Center
7/13/14 Durham, NC Durham Performing Arts Center
7/15/14 Philadelphia, PA Mann Center for the Performing Arts
7/17/14 Sarasota, FL Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall


Are you kidding me? Who planned that one? Hello, I-95 here we come. Let's spend the maximum number of hours on this freeway, because it is such a wonderful one. Yikes.

Don't know how to do it, but I think it would be a good idea if someone checked Adams instagram and brought a photo here...

Edit: link on page 5!

OH MY GOD WHITE HAIR DON'T CARE HOLD MEH

HIS HIAR IS WHITE LIKE A FUCKING SIBERIAN HUSKYYYYY AWWW GOD I WANNA FLUFF UP HIS HAIR I JUST UGH I WANNA FUCKING PET HIM BRB SOBBING

C'mon, yer insulting I-95!  Its got rest stops...more rest stops...and some more rest stops.  All with your choice of Starbucks, Popeye's, Starbucks, Popeye's, Burger Kings, and Starbucks!

Plus overpriced stuffed animals emblazoned with your state-of-the day, available at all locations!!