Did anyone watch this over the holidays? I missed the first show on Christmas Eve but caught the results show on New Year's day. I thought Kelly Clarkson would be a shoe-in until I heard the Norweign guy sing...AMAZING! I hope to hear more from him in the future. He certainly didn't look the role but he sure put any of the winners from all of the other countries, including Rubin and Clay, to shame...IMHO.

By Babysitbarb on Sunday, January 4, 2004 - 11:25 am:

We only saw when they had started showing the results. Everytime the Norweign guy got first we were like he must have sang really good because he looks like a dork. Dork looking or not but, when the show was going off and he sang we were amazed. He was really a good singer. It sure was different then the American Idol.

By Boxzgrl on Sunday, January 4, 2004 - 11:29 am:

I only saw the results show and I was annoyed that such a funny looking person would win. Winning American Idol was about their voice AS WELL as if they had that "pop idol" look. This guy surely doesn't. I give him credit that he has an amazing voice but i'm still on Kellys side all the way!!!

By Paulas on Sunday, January 4, 2004 - 01:49 pm:

I would respectfully disagree that American Idol was all about looks because Rubin and Clay certainly didn't look the part. I've never been a HUGE fan of Kelly. I only saw the final show of the first season and I liked her performances there but that Miss Independance song....I just hate it. Maybe I'm just too old.

I would certainly buy a CD put out by Kurt Nelson (I think that's his name) over Kelly any day.

By Boxzgrl on Monday, January 5, 2004 - 10:50 am:

Paula, I didnt mean to say the whole American Idol thing is based on that. I think I worded it a little wrong. The thing I remember Simon saying the most on Season 1 and some of Season 2 throughout auditions is ..."you just don't have that Pop Idol look..." over and over and over again so I figured it had to do with looks as well. The second one changed things but that was the original impression I got from the show.

By Mommyathome on Monday, January 5, 2004 - 12:03 pm:

I didn't watch...didn't know it was on. I like Rueban and Clay. I don't care for Kelly. Maybe I'm too old for her style too LOL (26) My kids think she is pretty, and dance around when she's on TV.

By Jodie on Monday, January 5, 2004 - 04:36 pm:

Kurt Nilsen ,the world idol winner . I watched both the shows and Kelly generated a lot of hype. I haven't really liked her from the start. Don't know why. Just one of those things.World idol was focusing a lot on Kelly and casting assumptions that she was a sure win etc etc. Kurt is an AMAZING singer. I mean the control, the range and the confidence !! I'm sure he knows he's funny looking but he still sang with total self assuredness. I'm glad. I think the best person did win.
I thought Ruben was phenomenal but Clay was just a little bit better !!Sorry Ruben fans.