It’s just about 24 hours later and I’m still reeling from Billboard’s New Year’s Eve Show on FOX.
What exactly did I watch? Tuned in just to see performances by Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta, but I got so much more.
Frankly, I don’t know where to start. I am no TV critic. Don’t pretend to be. Just like you. Kick back with a sip of champagne to toast the New Year, some munchies and figure a little music will pass me off onto another page on the calendar.
So, Wednesday night, 11 p.m. sharp Carmen Electra enters my family room. Her hair is a mess, half the time she is having difficulty reading the script, new batches of odd-looking people continually surround her, performances switch back and forth from live to taped from years gone by and lists of Billboard’s top songs, artists, etc. are woven into the tapestry like a very bad Christmas sweater.
The longer I watched, the more ill I became. I just don’t know what the producers could have been thinking. Well, they weren’t. I mean Vegas is out there to begin with, no sense in making it look even worse.
And then there was the segment showing Eva Longoria cooking in her new Vegas restaurant. Talk about a show-stopper. Just about put me to sleep. This was supposed to be a rockin’ New Year’s Eve show, not Rachel Ray in the evening.
But back to the music. Kris and Allison did two songs. Kris was what you have seen in the past. First of all, he is not Mr. Vegas. I like the guy’s personality and I keep trying to like his music. Really. But watching him in front of the Mandalay Bay performing “Live Like We’re Dyin’” was painful. Those in the crowd who were swaying back and forth with cell phones in hand appeared to be doing so either because A) they were prompted to; B) they had a bad connection; or C) they, too, were just trying to stay awake. Vegas is not the venue where Kris should be trying to kickstart a musical career.
Allison came on last and just managed to squeeze in two numbers before the programming went to the next show at 12:30 a.m.
Bless her little L.A. heart, Allison tries, but I was so distracted by her hair I could hardly figure out the song. The flaming red hair was all over the place and mostly over her left eye all night. Sometimes it simply covered her face and you couldn’t tell if she was facing the camera or headed backstage. Maybe the name of the song should have been “Annoying” cause that would have fit the ‘do.
Then there was the outfit. She called it a “zipper-dress” and yes, it had a zipper up the front but the wardrobe looked like something that Cyndy Lauper used to wear or that Lady Gaga rejected.
Allison simply needs to concentrate on her considerable singing talent and as she says “be true to yourself.” Allison, don’t try to be Lady Gaga or any other outrageous act out there these days. Just sing. Belt it out.
Kris, don’t go back to Vegas anytime soon. To your credit you are doing the right thing – singing and not trying a theatrical performance on-stage. I don’t quite know where your niche is. It’s not the college circuit or Christian rock or pure folk music. This may sound blasphemous, but with a lot of work, some luck and the right songs you could become a latter day Jim Croce.
And Carmen … please, don’t host anymore New Year’s Eve shows.
Randy
Agree with your critique; show was very meh.
Allison tries way too hard and shouts instead of singing- more singing, less hair tossing please.
Kris is sweet but voice and range very limited. Better for small intimate venues.
January 2nd, 2010 6:59 am
jackson
Kris Allen is absolutely amazing artist who will be just fine. I’m sure Vegas would be happy to have Kris Allen back.
January 2nd, 2010 8:21 am
kelsey
Kris was very well received in Vegas. The night before the NYE Fox Billboard show, he played BB King’s club, and was asked to do an encore at the end of his set. He has gotten strong crowd responses from all of his various JingleBall type appearances. And his single continues to move up the charts — it is currently #32 on the Billboard chart and is in the Top 15 on the Hot AC and Top 30 on the Pop radio charts. It will go gold by mid-January, so obviously people like it. His album isn’t selling as well as it should, but maybe once he goes on tour and a 2nd single is released, those numbers will pick up. However, he already has a niche — hhe’s very radio friendly. And it helps that most people really like him as a person. He’ll probably never be a big star, but he will likely be in the business for a long time.
I love Allison, she’s such a fierce rockerchick. But so far she seems to be the one having a hard time finding a niche. Her album isn’t selling much and her single isn’t being played on the radio. Jive really needs to get a 2nd single out quickly and then book her on a tour with some established artist who has the type of fans that might be interested in hearing Allison’s style of music. I think in a couple of years, if marketed properly, she could be a big star. It may be that she is simply too young right now to appeal to or be taken seriously by the audience that would normally be most interested in her music. She doesn’t fit into the Disney type teens like Miley, Demi, Selena, so it’s been a struggle to market her. Hopefully Jive realizes this may be a long-term project.
It’s hard to judge crowd responses watching on t.v. because the sound is deliberately muted to begin with. On New Year’s Eve, people are more concerned with having a good time than cheering lously, anyway. But I thought the people looked like they were responding well to both Kris and Allison.
January 2nd, 2010 9:43 am
Truth
I am a huge Allison fan, for the same reason’s you are. I have to agree with the hair and dress assesment from this show. The poodle hair needs to go, and the dress is not her style. Her style is crushing vocals. Holiday was better, but FIBOU just plain sucked. I’m getting to hate that song. Her album is so much better than that one pop number.
January 2nd, 2010 9:57 am
Truth
Spot on about the rest of the show too. This had to be the most disorganized network TV show I’ve seen.
January 2nd, 2010 9:59 am
Trisha
You should have headed on down to the Pechanga, Bill, and caught David Cook’s show. Now THAT’s how to ring in a New Year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRzbU3G8_K4
Looking forward to your blog again this season. Happy New Year!
January 2nd, 2010 10:24 am
kino
If it was so forgettable – why did you write about it?
January 2nd, 2010 10:32 am
Ana
I agree with you over a hundred percent with this two Idol singing in Vegas. I saw the you tube video. Kris is not a Vegas gig style, not really sure what to make out of his song, I think the most Boring NYE’s show I’ve ever seen.
And Allison Iraheta, you got that right on the money. I saw her outfit and stupid hair, I couldn’t even watch the video, what the hell is she thinking? She need someone to dictate her outfit and she need a new stylist. I couldn’t even listen to her song one line of her song I turn off the you tube. She doesn’t need to dress trashy at all , she need to be like a young teens doing a great music. I’m sorry but Allison can’t get my attention to listen to her music. She is wasting her talents by dressing trashy at all. She probably think it’s cute, but that girl need a grown up to guide her outfit, it doesn’t work for her.
January 2nd, 2010 10:52 am
kiana
You’re funny. The show was pretty much a train wreck! I switched back and forth between channels but saw enough to be annoyed. Kris bored me and Allison gave me a headache! Thanks a lot Fox!
January 2nd, 2010 1:48 pm
Dan
I can’t believe people are judging Allison yet again on her looks… get over it please. She has real talent, and that’s all that’s important. I like her style anyway, and I would imagine it would appeal to the type of fans she is trying to grab.
The bottom line is that the girl has talent, and AMAZING stage presence (sorry but Adam and Kris, while great in their own ways, do not even compare)… I don’t even like her FIBOU single that much, but when she sings it live, there’s no way you can’t like it… she has so much energy and just makes it fun.
And yeah, FIBOU isn’t that great, but I love most of her album… so good job to her. Hopefully her album sales pick up, cause it really is good. And hopefully Jive realizes she has long term potential to be a big star.
January 2nd, 2010 2:08 pm
Morgan
So, Mr. smartypants =), who is a Vegas singer? I guess you wanted Adam to perform! Sorry, not me. Who should Fox have invited? Another rapper…oh please!!! I would take Kris or Allison any day over all of the lip syncing artists!! While Allison’s outfit might have been a little OTT, I thought she and Kris both did really well!
January 2nd, 2010 2:09 pm
Patio
Didnt see the show, but know for certain that Kris and Allison are extremely talented and good looking but INEXPERIENCED. They need smart management to market them, and thats where Idol let them both down. Neither knows how to present themself, to sell themself! Underneath the wild dyed hair, Allison is quite beautiful and striking, I’ve seen videos of her before Idol. And Kris wore a red plaid shirt for the entire Idol tour. He is extremely attractive, and his album would’ve been good, but the accompaniment is way over produced. His band just slams out the music with no tenderness or sensitiivity trying to be a good band. His voice is very sexy and dreamy under all the noise. Its a tragedy, these are two beautiful, talented people.
January 2nd, 2010 2:50 pm
Idol8fan
Carmen’s hair was a mess? Go watch that back. I think you may not have been sober if you call that a mess or maybe how good is your TV picture?
Have you watched Billboards program before? Check out the Ryan Secreast Dick Clark New Years broadcast. I watched both and Billboards wins. Sure Billboards program was weak as it is every year but the Idol performances have been the highlight of it.
Allison’s Holiday performance was the best performance of the night. The only true rock on the show. Her dress and hair style were totally Vegas which was the point you missed.
If you follow what Allison has been doing her fashion has been hot. She is stylish and trend setting and has not had Vegas hair like that before. There are tons of photos on the web of her new looks. Did you know she has an album out? You have never mentioned it in any of your blogs but you have mentioned Kris and Adam. Her album is extremely good and critically acclaimed. It has a variety of sounds on it. Friday I’ll be over you is not a track popular with the middle aged but most tracks on the album are. There is a variety of sounds on the album.
Allison is true to herself and has always been true to herself. It’s you comping with artists she is nothing like and has never tried to imitate.
Kris is doing his thing also. Why shouldn’t he go back to Vegas? Vegas supports all types of performers. I’m glad you have tried to get into his sound. Have you tried to get into Allison’s Album? Music is a very individual thing but I’m not sure you gave any of the performances a chance.
January 2nd, 2010 3:51 pm
Annie
Now THIS is the way to ring in the new decade !!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovp8CAPoN2A
January 2nd, 2010 4:59 pm
Mari
Meh, Allison’s hair and dress may have been a little OTT but it’s better to be remembered as the crazy looking chick with the killer voice than to not be remembered at all. Allison is young and energetic, let her dress as crazy as she wants while she still can. Besides, she certainly has the legs for those short dresses. I would’ve liked her hair less in her face just because she’s such a pretty girl but it’s not a deal breaker for me. The double standard for new artists is really marked. She wears a red puffy dress and people say it was a Gaga reject. Is Lady Gaga the only one allowed to do bizarre things on stage and wear colorful outfits then? Give me a break.
Obviously in this market, awesome singing alone isn’t cutting it or we wouldn’t have so many mediocre “singers” doing so well in the charts.
January 2nd, 2010 5:04 pm
NOT a Glambert
I, along with a few million other people, totally DISAGREE with you on Kris ~ but why bother ~ you’re totally a Glambert, I’m sure. Though I’d have to agree with you on Allison’s hair ~ it WAS very annoying! But not more annoying than YOU! Why didn’t you just cover Lambert’s NYE and keep yourself awake, since I’m sure that’s the type of music (???) you LOVE! Thanks for nothing!
January 2nd, 2010 6:25 pm
Mary S
I’ve not been able to love Kris’s singing yet–as much as I love HIM as a person and a fellow Arkansan. He hit it off with a good first single, but the album is boring. Couldn’t bring myself to buy it. Wanna see him succeed and I think he will–later. In the meantime, he can ride high on the success of his single. But the live performances–BORING!
January 2nd, 2010 9:23 pm
evelyn
As a giant fan of Jim Croce I agree with you. I have said from the beginning of this crazy Kris Allen chapter that he is firmly in the tradition of Croce and Jackson Brown and James Taylor and with Cale and Andrew DeRoberts they have a little Allman Brothers thing going on. Thank goodness because we need more music in that direction. I absolutely HATE all that pop glop coming from the never-ending stream of Gaga et al and it is a breath of fresh air to hear Kris and his band. Kris and the boys were fantastic in Vegas at BB Kings – people can see the video on youtube – Overall Kris is amazingly talented whether it is Red Guitar (which he wrote before AI)
http://www.youtube.com/user/scoobyld#p/u/9/gmYQtMMHU68
or my personal favorite “Is it Over?” (You MUST See this clip – skip to .45 to avoid the excessive screaming – the band really gets going — guitar player Andrew DeRoberts is fantastic – the fact that this music came out of AI should be held against it – the guys rock here and I hope they will grow in this direction)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RIrEmN5ep8
or an acoustic version of same which is awesome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4COh0CI218
or just plain Kris at his best “Ain’t No Sunshine”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3ifX1NGHrU
and if you never heard his original album please listen to “Beautiful Moon” which shows that the terrible arrangements on his current record are not his fault. The guy has very good taste but he was forced by 19 Records into all that over-production. Cannot wait for the next record – let Kris and Cale and Andrew be in charge this time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bErXVBLpkB8
January 2nd, 2010 9:36 pm
josh
Kris has a single, it is selling really well. When he appears on TV, he sings said single. He sings it as it is sung on the album, That is the way it’s done. This was a New Year’s Eve show, it sould have been broadcast from anywhere. It was not in a casino and was not supposed to be “Vegas.”
He played BB Kings’ Blues Club in Vegas the night before and from all accounts the patrons loved the show, and from all the video we’ve all seen, it was fantastic. That seems to indecate he played Vegas and succeeded.
I’ve seen Kris live a couple of times and he is a dynamic, moving, funny, all-around great singer, performer, and musician. Those who call him boring, in my opinion, don’t know what good is.
Please don’t argue with my post because you won’t change my mind. Thanks.
January 2nd, 2010 9:37 pm
evelyn
TYPO – – I meant to write that the fact that this music came out of AI should NOT be held against it. Excuse me everyone.
January 2nd, 2010 9:50 pm
evelyn
Forgot this amazing performance – great hot licks at the end by Andrew
http://www.youtube.com/user/SusanH2016#p/u/10/Tb1LR_S5x-w
January 3rd, 2010 12:27 am
Macie
Can always count on you Pinella to go out of your way to diss Kris… It’s curious that you wrote about him and even tuned in to see him if he is such a nonentity… I mean, there were so many other musicians to watch that night… The fact is, Kris’ musical career is already “jump-started” with a growing fan base including the new ones in Vegas. I love his album, but it’s watching his performances that has me coming back to YouTube night after night. He was more in his element at BB Kings where he could really interact with the crowd. But even within the confines of television, he did great!
January 3rd, 2010 3:41 pm
Idol8fan
The performances were much better from the crowds perspective. Checkout these recordings from the crowd. The crowd was going crazy but Billboard choose not to mix in the crowd for the TV broadcast. FAIL
Allison
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7dos494FPw&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhZLfDS8FEk&feature=player_embedded
Kris
Still looking fro something recorded from the crowd at Kris’s performances.
The Idols did a great job in Vegas and the crowed didn’t care about hair, dress or suit. They just enjoyed the music.
January 3rd, 2010 4:55 pm
Maxine
Liked a lot Kris performances.
Always dissing Kris isn’t it? … find another subject please. We now know he’s not your cup of tea but a lot of other people love him.
January 3rd, 2010 7:00 pm
Sonja
Well Bill Pinella, looks like your article is a complete FAIL. Kris Allen (the guy you called not suited for Vegas) was invited back to perform for a SECOND gig at BB King’s Blues Club, because the first on WENT SO WELL. Kris will not be taking your crappy advice, and will return to Vegas this week, to the delight of many.
January 5th, 2010 11:58 am
Joy
Check out this review of a NYE gig ——-http://www.rockstarweekly.com/content/view/1352/204/
January 5th, 2010 5:31 pm
KA
@Bill Pinela!!! You should always play your card nice and not much of a judgemental person. What are you going to say now? Kris Allen is going back to Vegas to perform at BB King this weekend. Do you honestly believe that if his performance is forgettable that BB King will invite him to come back again? SHUT UP! Please put your feet where your mouth is.
@Adam Lambert fan – if you do not like Kris, please do say nothing bad about a great gay. Adam Lambert said himself that all you guys should cool down because you are making him look bad. Kris is Kris…. there is nothing you can do about that. His music is not for you.. His music is for people who appreciate legacy…. Lady Gaga, Beyonce, no brain cell.
January 5th, 2010 9:36 pm
Kano
Is this blog written by a twelve year old girl?! It’s like Mean Girls…ALLISON IRAHETA CAN SING HER ASS OFF…like her outfit or hair or whatever…the girl is gooood and she rocked it out NYE! Well done Allison!
January 6th, 2010 4:59 pm