American Idol Alum Check-In - 1/18/12

[Mac]

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1677437...elle.jhtml

Quote:The Goofy One: Taylor Hicks got some love last April when Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert invited him to appear on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" during Colbert's cover of Rebecca Black's "Friday," a performance that instantly went viral and showed that Hicks is still as charmingly offbeat as you remember. The other goofy alum of season five, Kellie Pickler, is ready to show her mature side with a traditional country album, 100 Proof, out next week.

The goofy one?

[tishlp]

Yeah, I didn't like that word either

[Freebird]

Really? I thought he was very goofy on AI -- especially when goofy here is described as "charmingly offbeat". The bigger challenge is to get the wider audience to see that that is not ALL he is -- that there is a wildly talented musician in there as well.

[Mac]

(01-18-2012 10:29 AM)Freebird Wrote:  Really? I thought he was very goofy on AI -- especially when goofy here is described as "charmingly offbeat". The bigger challenge is to get the wider audience to see that that is not ALL he is -- that there is a wildly talented musician in there as well.

I always thought that Kellie was way goofier. Maybe because I didn't think she had the talent to back up the act.

And you're right about the challenge. Which is why I see things like this as a problem. The uninformed are only going to see that word, and then match it up with the description of him as still charmingly offbeat and say, oh yeah, just what I saw on Idol, I'll pass.

I think Sue said something in another thread about what kind of project would he have to do to change minds. I think that is a very, very good question. I'm not sure I have an answer.

[Freebird]

It is interesting to note the "projects" that are seen by a wider audience on television or on Broadway --- I think all of them are "charmingly offbeat"....AI, Grease, Don't Forget the Lyrics, the Friday spoof. None of them dispel the "goofy" image. Don't misread that as me saying I don't think he should have done these things -- all of them have helped him along in some way or another. I do think the "goofy image" is a double edged sword in that it has brought him both acclaim and derision, and has cemented people into having a one-sided expectation of who he is.

I think that's why I would love to see him do a drama, if he is able to make a go at acting. Something out of character from what people expect to see from him. And of course, watching him build his musical connections over the past couple of years (Jam Cruise, the Nashville contingent, Keb Mo, etc.) will hopefully reap the benefits of getting his music out there to wider acclaim.

[Mac]

(01-18-2012 11:17 AM)Freebird Wrote:  It is interesting to note the "projects" that are seen by a wider audience on television or on Broadway --- I think all of them are "charmingly offbeat"....AI, Grease, Don't Forget the Lyrics, the Friday spoof. None of them dispel the "goofy" image. Don't misread that as me saying I don't think he should have done these things -- all of them have helped him along in some way or another. I do think the "goofy image" is a double edged sword in that it has brought him both acclaim and derision, and has cemented people into having a one-sided expectation of who he is.

I think that's why I would love to see him do a drama, if he is able to make a go at acting. Something out of character from what people expect to see from him. And of course, watching him build his musical connections over the past couple of years (Jam Cruise, the Nashville contingent, Keb Mo, etc.) will hopefully reap the benefits of getting his music out there to wider acclaim.

I agree. I know many have mentioned a sitcom. I would love that because it seems that it would suit him since he has such a great sense of humor. But maybe after he's done something "against type". I personally don't think something dramatic would be completely against type, but it would be something people wouldn't expect.

[Wait4it]

Bingo. That's what I think, also. I've been throw the words edge and edgy around lately. Granted, it's mostly about the scruff, but it also applies to his potential projects. He needs to do a drama on cable that allows him the freedom to roughen his image. Not only would it be something people wouldn't expect, as Tricia said, but it would also be hot as hell. Win-Win.

[UHadMeAtWooHoo]

lol the minute I saw the word cable I thought unrestricted hotness

I agree, it's going to take something different to shake the image people have in their heads. Things like the Clint Eastwood thing come to mind, and acting where he can show his serious side, and more acoustic slower ballads without dancing,etc.

Freebird Wrote: It is interesting to note the "projects" that are seen by a wider audience on television or on Broadway --- I think all of them are "charmingly offbeat"....AI, Grease, Don't Forget the Lyrics, the Friday spoof. None of them dispel the "goofy" image. Don't misread that as me saying I don't think he should have done these things -- all of them have helped him along in some way or another. I do think the "goofy image" is a double edged sword in that it has brought him both acclaim and derision, and has cemented people into having a one-sided expectation of who he is.

Very well said! It's like he's the "go to" guy for goofy and fun
entertainment. We just wish they'd see the whole package...

[tishlp]

Very good points from everyone. Only those who have made the effort to go see Taylor in concert realize the extent of his talents.

[beetle]

I don't want him to act, in a drama or otherwise. I want him to put out a KICKASS album that will make people stand up and take notice. And if he wants to do country, put out a full country album. Don't remix one song and expect it to get played. I think he would find a lot of success in country music, but it just doesn't seem to be his style.

And I think that if he had been allowed to play instruments on the show (like they are now), he would be much more respected as a musician by nonfans. JMO.

I've never really understood why musicians want to act and actors want to be musicians. Why isn't one or the other enough? Because rarely are they successful at both, so what's the point?