Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Review: Televised MGM Grand show stuck in ‘Idol’

Before I dive into this review of "American Idol in Vegas," I have a confession. And it's a whopper, considering I cover pop culture for the Las Vegas Sun.

I have not watched a single episode of "American Idol."

I've missed out on "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell's brutal tell-it-like-it-is assessments. Other than magazine covers, I've never seen contestant Justin Guarini's Sideshow Bob 'do. Nor have I ever frantically picked up the phone to cast my vote for any of the participants, such as Kelly Clarkson, Nikki McKibbon or Ryan Starr.

After receiving pressure from friends and co-workers addicted to "American Idol," however, I channel-surfed to the show to see what the fuss was about.

Sixty seconds later I could stomach no more of whoever it was shredding his vocal cords as he belted out some ill-chosen pop song.

I admit, I had no use for "American Idol" at that time. Pop music's ultimate talent audition seemed nothing more than a sleek, sexed-up version of "Star Search."

And after attending Wednesday's concert at MGM Grand Garden Arena, which will air nationwide Monday on Fox, I like the show even less.

Imagine a two-hour Super Bowl halftime show -- without inventive commercials -- and you have some idea of what to look forward to when the "American Idol in Vegas" airs locally at 8 p.m. on KVVU Channel 5.

It was -- and remains, with its subsequent nationwide tour -- a group of talented and talentless teens and early twentysomethings vocally strutting their stuff, usually with little conviction or soul.

For example: Tamyra Gray, a sentimental favorite of the audience because she was booted from the show despite her impressive singing ability, completely missed the point on her rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

With a lone guitar as accompaniment, it seemed as if Gray was trying to evoke the ghost of the late songstress Eva Cassidy and her heart-rending cover of the Judy Garland classic. Instead, the "American Idol" performer's powerful pipes simply overmatched the song, strangling its warmth and delicacy.

That's not meant to suggest Gray cannot sing.

The elementary school teacher from Atlanta clearly owns one of the better voices among the final 30 contestants, along with EJay Day and eventual "American Idol" champion Clarkson.

But the majority of the performers, including runner-up Guarini, seem nothing more than a mix of attractive faces and chiseled bodies with passable vocal talent.

The songs performed often seemed inconsequential to who was performing them.

Whether it was a solo turn or a group effort by the 30 "American Idol" finalists featured in the concert, the songs were often shortened and strung together in musical medleys of disco, R&B, country and pop hits.

This gave the concert the feel of a variety show -- circa 1975 -- except the singers' choreographed routines seemed more like the '80s "Solid Gold."

Much of the blame for the lackadaisical proceedings can be attributed to the selection of songs: "Midnight at the Oasis"? "Joy to the World"? "Footloose"? The vanilla choice in tunes reminded me of "The Muppet Show."

It didn't help that the production was thrown together in eight days, as the show's executive producer informed us, which is not enough time to put together a two-hour show of any kind and still do it justice.

The grueling rehearsal schedule also seemed to have taken a toll on some of the performers, especially Clarkson.

Used sparingly throughout the night, the genial Texan performed admirably with guest Reba McEntire on the country singer's "Does He Love You?" Clarkson filled in for Linda Davis.

A few minutes later, though, when she sang her just-released single "A Moment Like This," Clarkson was clearly losing the strength in her voice, even grimacing with an "Owwwww" after missing a high note.

That was indicative of the night, which was a series of misfires.

Certainly, the mostly school-age audience members seemed to enjoy themselves during the show. But more often it appeared they were attending for a chance to be on national TV, rather than to watch their favorite idols perform in person.

Plus, there were noticeably empty patches of seats throughout the arena, which grew more noticeable as the concert labored on into the night. Arena ushers and "American Idol" assistants hurried to fill some of the chairs, transplanting those from the upper decks -- and out of camera range -- to the open seats on or near the floor.

The already waning interest in the show, which obviously is at its peak, probably does not bode well for "American Idol's" future, when a new installment begins early next year.

There is no denying the popularity of Fox's "American Idol," and that the show has been the network's cash cow all summer.

But after "American Idol in Vegas," it's painfully clear the cow is all but milked dry.

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