Weedy_Speedy

I thought Abi clearly did the best with "Bring Me to Life", though Sonika's version is a close second. Angie is a distant third, her version was good but not her best imo. Jena's version was a shouty mess. Objectively, I think "Here Without You" was the best performance of the season, but "Coal Miner's Daughter" is definitely in the top 5. "Somebody That I Used to Know" was clearly the best #mess performance (and my personal #1). I forgot KBlocks was even a thing that happened. Agreed that this is the best ABC season.

I'd add a few other names to this list, but Jax wouldn't be one of them lmao. The show treated her more than favorably. If she wants to be bitter, than I wish we could take some of that nonstop pimping back.

It's been 10 years, and we're still considering Jax to be good outside the context of season 14? Neil Diamond Jr. will be brought back at this rate.

Some of his performances were alright, and he was definitely at the right place at the right time, being a marine on national television in a post-911 world. He's better than some of the country singers they let through the door these days, but imo he never should've lasted over people like Trenyce/Rickey/maybe Kim Caldwell. He also had a really stank attitude whenever the judges criticized him iirc. Didn't he nope out of the AI15 finale when he found out he couldn't sing his original music?

Meh, I couldn't care less about an "overzealous fanbase" because these days, that's tame as sh*t compared to IDF of yesteryear. I cut my teeth arguing against It-Girl fanbases that Abi's most passionate supporters could never begin to compare to. People like Katharine, Siobhan, Pia, Haley, Hollie, Angie, Jena... I could go on. Anyway, Abi was just alright for me in the semifinals (I hated "Black Parade"), but she picked better songs in the later weeks that slowly converted me into a fan. The light switch fully turned on for me with "Bring Me to Life", that was a sensational performance that on paper, shouldn't have worked for Abi, but it did. Major kudos to Luke for the song choice, because in my books? The momentum that performance gave propelled Abi to a different level compared to her competition and ultimately cinched her the crown. The It-Girl can win every now and then, so congrats IDF.

Josh Gracin was the original mediocre country-singing white person who lasted too long, just FYI. You young'uns should look up his "Celebration" performance. It's so bad!

Oh Walker was definitely a theater kid, but like... did you see the other contestants that season? Also, pairing him with Alejandro for the top 8 duets and forcing Walker to whisper-sing was the most blatant producer hatchet job since the Sugar Pie Honey Bunch fiasco we recently discussed. And lol Kendra Chantelle... I'll bite my tongue for now, since FrogLenzen was kind enough to cut Stefano and save Jacob.

I actually liked Walker. After Jeremiah and Laci, he's probably my 3rd favorite from season 17.

Nikko I'm fine with him going here, but he's one of the most underrated finalists of all time.

Burnell tweeting "God is good!" after Lazaro finally bit the dust. Curtis sounded off on him too iirc.

I still say Burnell & Devin (plus Paul to a lesser extent) are way better than any of the guys in S13 minus Caleb.

I thought Burnell was the best, but Devin was the second best. They were both really good in the semis before the hatchet job came after them

I thought damn well every contestant gets pimped these days. The judges are so easily impressed, it's ridiculous.

I enjoyed Will a lot. I know the barrage of mediocre country singers they insist on putting through each year (Marybeth, Colin, the KKK kid, etc.) sours people's opinion on the genre, but I personally enjoy a good soulful country singer, and that's Will in spades. He's a deserving runner-up for the best season of ABC Idol. As for performances, I'm surprised "Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde" didn't get a shout-out, that was easily his best imo. Agreed that "Folsom Prison Blues" was also very good. I dug the arrangement for "Rolling in the Deep", but his singing was flat as a pancake, so meh lol. "Lonesome Cowboy" would've been alright if he hadn't messed up the lyrics.

I'm pretty much in agreement with your thoughts on Jack, with one exception: he actually grew off on me as time went on. He was so corny and self-indulgent, like it still cracks me up how he performed "All My Ex's Live in Texas" in the AMERICAN IDOL FINALE with people trying to pretend he was robbed. Not in my world tyvm, not even Will chose a country song this season that horrid. Triston did, though Agreed that he could've left at any point and I wouldn't have cared. I personally would've kicked him off after his mediocre cover of "Believe", but that would mean losing out on "Always on My Mind", which was indeed very good. Ehhhh lol.