Judgement day for 'Idol' Amy Davis

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BY PHILIP POTEMPA
ppotempa@nwitimes.com
219.852.4327 | Thursday, February 21, 2008 | (14 comment(s))

DYER | Amy Davis' camera interview time Wednesday on "American Idol" told viewers how her experience on the hit Fox talent competition has been "like 100 Christmases."

Just minutes later, the Lowell native's holiday elation disappeared, as judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson gave her several lumps of coal with their combined commentary after she took the stage as the fifth singer of the night during the two-hour live broadcast.

But despite the perspective of the judging panel, it's the supportive call-in and texting votes of viewers and the 25-year-old singer's fans that will decide if she is one of the two female contestants sent home during tonight's one-hour telecast at 7 p.m.

The theme for this week's episodes, which began Tuesday night with performances by the 12 male contestants, featured song selections from the 1960s, which each of the 24 finalists had to perform.

Davis, sporting high heels, form-fitting jeans, pulled back hair, hoop earrings and a casual untucked blouse, sang "Where the Boys Are," the Neil Sedaka title song so famously performed by Connie Francis in the 1960 movie of the same name.

"I think she's great," said Pattijo Porter, who owns Finnegan's Pub on U.S. 30 in Dyer with her husband, Roger.

The Porters hosted a viewing party Wednesday to help rally votes for Davis, with "American Idol Season 7" streaming and screaming across every screen and speaker in their bar, to help rally votes for Davis.

"Amy has been performing here on the weekends for years and she's always very popular with all our audiences," Pattijo Porter said.

Davis appeared sanguine, waving to the camera following the harsh remarks from the "American Idol" judges:

"It wasn't great for me," said Jackson, referring to Davis' song rendition.

"There were pitch problems."

Abdul tempered her criticism with the promising words "I will say the camera loves you, Amy," and then continued with "I think the nervousness hurt, because it was a little lackluster."

Living up to his reputation, Cowell delivered the coldest comments.

"It was very boring ... dull," he said.

"It felt like that song went on for 10 minutes."

Following the judges' remarks and quick pan to Davis' parents, Jeanette and Barry, seated in the audience, Davis told show host Ryan Seacrest her experience Wednesday night performing on live television "felt somewhere between shaky and not exactly terrifying."

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Idol Fan wrote on Feb 21, 2008 7:34 PM:

" Goodbye Amy! "

hmmm... wrote on Feb 21, 2008 5:31 PM:

" if you didnt think her performance was good why would you vote for her? I personally think ALL of the girls suck this season and they have issues too. I think this years idol will be one of the guys. Im sick of idol already. Now they have to play it everyday so now i dont get to see dont 4get the lyrics? "

boo wrote on Feb 21, 2008 3:58 PM:

" She sounded VERY nervous last night. However, I did vote for her, hoping maybe she'll make it to next week and turn it around. If she does make it to next week and continues to give performances like last night, I will no longer be voting despite the fact that I went to school with her. Sorry Amy, still love you, but you gotta step it up girl! "

Jones wrote on Feb 21, 2008 3:21 PM:

" That was BAD. Easily in the bottom 2 performances of the night. "

To: Katie wrote on Feb 21, 2008 2:33 PM:

" I wish Amy would have been good but the truth is, she switched keys half a dozen times during her performance. She did sound the worst out of all the female singers. Maybe it was nerves, maybe she chose a song out of her range but it doesn't really matter, she's a gonner. "

Bob wrote on Feb 21, 2008 2:31 PM:

" I was at Finngegan's last night & I wouldn't exactly call it a "viewing party" It was maybe about a dozen people in a bar and American Idol just happened to be on tv. Most people were not even paying attention to her mediocre performance. Not quite sure why the Times is giving her all this attention. She'll be gone after tonight. "

To 60 seconds of fame: wrote on Feb 21, 2008 1:57 PM:

" Her fame will live on!!

She will continue to sing at the Northwoods and the people there will continue to believe that she is the best because they will be three sheets to the wind!!

For a local artist she is probably good - but to be signed to a record label????

She should have given up after she failed at "Nashville Star". "

60 seconds of fame wrote on Feb 21, 2008 12:18 PM:

" Amy's 60 seconds will end tonight. I was hoping to see something special after all the hoopla in the Times about her but, she sucked! "

Katie wrote on Feb 21, 2008 10:15 AM:

" I am proud to say I am from Northwest Indiana after Amy's performance. She did sound a lot like the singer, Connie Francis singing "Where the boys are". But, I think she would have done a lot better if she had chose another song. I hope Amy stays around much longer! "

Good Luck, Amy wrote on Feb 21, 2008 9:52 AM:

" But, based on your performance last night, you were one of the 2 worst female singers. If you survive, you had better do MUCH better next week. I predict Amy will be voted off the show tonight. "

Unbelievable!! wrote on Feb 21, 2008 9:32 AM:

" The web site Vote For The Worst is actually encouraging people to vote for Amy!!

Sad but FUNNY. "

So Sad wrote on Feb 21, 2008 9:11 AM:

" I was looking forward to hearing Amy sing since there have been so many comments on this site about voting for her and how great she was.

I was NOT impressed. Although she is not the worse singer on the show - she most certainly is not the best either. I personally don't think she will even make it into the Top 12. There are 6 others who blow her out of the water.

At least this is an experience she will never forget - and NO I did NOT vote for her - there were others that deserved my vote.

"

Valpo Rez wrote on Feb 21, 2008 8:52 AM:

" This is why the best singers don't always win. Cindy admits this girl didn't do well, but is still going to vote for her? Sorry Amy, I'm sure you're a nice girl, and you're definitely a cute girl, but you were WAY pitchy. It's the first I've heard you sing, and I know that YOU know that you didn't sing well... probably one of the bottom performances of the night, actually. My vote went to the last girl, Carly, who is BY FAR the best female vocalist. This is the least talented group of singers I've ever seen on Idol. I wonder what gives. "

Cindy wrote on Feb 21, 2008 7:53 AM:

" Technically, and I hate to say this, it really wasn't all that great. In fact I can't really say even one of the female singers stood out. I hope she sticks around to do better next time. :) I'm still going to vote for her though!!! :) "

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