thoughts on July 2 episode

Fame Forum

Hey all -- I had to TiVo Fame but stayed up until 1 am to watch it so I could find out what happened.

Just so you know, I am coming from a very strong musical background - I've been trained classically and I currently sing with two a cappella groups (I direct one of them) so I have a good sense of pitch and tone. I also choreograph dance moves (studied ballet and some hip-hop) so I can tell when someone is out of step or isn't as comfortable moving around. I totally respect everyone else's opinions and favorites, but let's just say I know a little bit about what I'm talking about. The main reason I did not try out for the show is that I work full-time, and have a family.

Last night's episode was very interesting - people who were weak last week came out very strong and vice versa. I have to confess that it was high about time Raymond Lee left the show. I don't think he's horrible, but I do think that he pales in comparison to the others. I also thought it was not surprising that Jamisen left as well - again, I think she is pretty, has a nice voice, but she doesn't compare well with the stronger performers. She had some bad song choices and didn't seem to know which songs showcased her the best.

In fact, song choice was a big issue last night. Here's my rundown:
I did not like Allyson's performance of "We Are Family" - she exhibited some cool dance moves, but she had some pitch problems. I understand that she probably wants to diversify her repertoire, but there are better songs than that one for her in the disco era.

I don't like rap, so I don't like Justin Jacoby - it would be nice to have more music in his rap pieces, but I do admire the fact he writes his own stuff. I'll let a rap enthusiast/expert discuss JJ at length.

Alex Boyd chose "Sir Duke", which I love, BUT he picked a key that was too low so he couldn't be powerful, I didn't like his interpretation of the song, and he is starting to get LAZY in his dancing. I see him doing George Michael, Sting (has anyone done a Sting song?), and maybe some more jazz standards.

Moy also picked a key that was too low, but she did well - sang in a very strong voice but the black fur earring was really distracting me.

Serena Henry is good, but I am starting to agree that she does a lot of the same stuff and comes across as kind of lounge singer-y. I'd like to see her do some Janet Jackson and pull some serious dance moves while singing.

Shannon Bex really surprised me. She came across as being really angry in the song, which was appropriate. I realize her voice is similar to Christina Aguilera's - maybe she should do Lady Marmalade next? Very strong performance, and she deserves to stay on next week.

Harlemm Lee - all I have to say is that he projects emotion really well and I got a bit misty-eyed when I saw his mom crying. I am really liking this boy, and I agree with the panel that his consistency is going to buoy him through this competition.

Brandon O'Neal - I can't really figure him out. I didn't like the song too much but it did showcase his vocals pretty well. Maybe he should do some Stevie Wonder.

What do you all think?

I agree with the Harlemm part.. he made me tear up too.. that was one my favorite songs, and he did it soo well!! he is too good!!

GOOD POINTS GUYS!!!!!!

I do not agree with the MOY appreciation above. She cannot sing at all. She needs to find songs that hide that fact...

On the other hand Alex cannot dance at all. That was not fully apparent until yersterday... And what bothers me is that the panel didn't pick that one up. I don't know if suddenly they have received some orders to shove their honesty back in their throat but it sure looks like it.

As for JJ i've said it before, he is a perfect pitch for confused middle america that thinks that now it's cool to like rappers especially if they look like justin timberACHE... It's only a recent phenomena datin g to when eminem went selling himself as good little white thug in 8 miles!!!!!!!!
anyone but me believed that one????????

Alex-Ive said this in other replys, but i too realized about Alex's dancing abilty this episode. I am getting tired of hearing very similar pieces.

Shannon- i think she did the right thing to tone back on all of the strenuous dancing. it made her much better, and i enjoyed her performance. She is one of the few still incorporating dancing in her performance.

Serena does have an awesome voice. But, she is not on American Idol. She should have tried out for that, she would of done well. I also think she still considers dancing and singing to be two separate elelments, and cant really incorporate them together well.

I agree with baron-- Allyson did not jive well with "We Are Family." It was good of her to try to put an element of suprise in for us viewers.

Harlemm again showed us a good show. Consistancy is key.

Brandon's song choice wasnt my favorite, but i loved his performance. He seemed on the verge of tears when he got chosen to stay and i sensed emotion in his voice during the song. I have wondered why he doesnt do more Stevie Wonder. He needs something to draw us to him. Afterall, Stevie Wonder is blind and an amazing pianist. Brandon has a lot of potential.

Moy was strong, but i dont paticularly like her.

Justin-I have already stated my opinions on him. I plain just dont like him, in additon to other negatives.

allyson in "we are family" was plain embarassing...I think she looks like a great girl next door...with a good back up dancer future...As I said before for those who see her on broadway, I think you lost sight that on broadway in NY, there are right now 2 billions allysons trying to get a few cent from comuters in the subway, to pay for a crum of food. She only looks like a broadway star because there ain't any in this show!!!!!!!!!!So stop the nonsense please.

that's just like JJ being the only rapper-contestant on this show and suddenly because they present him as such, he becomes de facto a rapper???? I too, believe in the power of words but if calling him a rapper make him one, then I call myself the pope, please adress me only as YOUR HOLINESS or I'll excommunicate you!!!!!!!!!!

Baron - if you've been "trained classically" and have any sense of pitch you would'nt be singing the praises of those that were off-key, namely EVERYONE except Serena, Harlemm and Brandon.
Everyone else was so awful I could barely watch their entire number.
Moy cannot sing, period. She can dance well and did ok on a couple songs because they hid that fact if you were'nt paying close attention.
Shannon, whom I love, I'm saddened to say sang flat the entire time. Her nerves seem to get the best of her voice control.

Allyson sang terribly. Chorus line dancer yes, Broadway yes,
gettin' funky - NO girl! Usually her moves pull her through - not this time.
Justin -boring, boring. boring. Bad performance, poor song choice.
Serena, a vocal gymnast, but it's tiresome.
Harlemm, very talented. Couldn't listen or watch him for long.
Brandon, smooth baby. Probably the only musical natural in the group. I could be happy if he won.
Insofar as Jamisen, even in her not so great rendition of "Miss You Much" when she couldn't hear herself, wasn't ever off-key and was never hard to watch. She could dance too.
Raymond had a beautiful voice if not the moves to match.
Understandably the judges in the audience can't hear as well during the taping because of the band but I couldn't beleive my ears at some of the praise gushed on those painfully bad performances.
Fame has just hit the"Cheese Factor" UGH!

WTH are you talking about Bonnie?
Classically trained my eye!!!!!! If you can't hear that both Jamisen and Ray that i love too, can't hold a note, then I am worried that the cheese might actually be in your ear!!!

Yes ray has a nice texture of voice but not a lot of ear to match that...
As for Jamisen I already said it she hides her lack of technique with a feline gutural sound that makes me want to cough for her...It must be painful to constantly sing with a sore throat!

speaking for ray...his first two songs weren't exactly his no. 1, 2, 3 or 4 choice to sing on national television so give him a break...he had some crazy circumstances and did pretty well concerning he went through a lot of crap....and he was finally going to do a song with a dance break to show off his real dancing but got eliminated before he could do it.

jamisen also has a really sweet voice, comparable to artists such as aaliyah and I thought she was a finalist that could've gone farther if America had given her a second chance.

once you PROVE that you have a knack for musicality, tone, pitch, choreography instead of just SAYING you do....then I'll take your opinion seriously