You should be Katie’s replacement. Seriously, this is the best idea ever. How do we make this happen?

I agree with you on the louder thing. They never tried to change Alejandro and make him sing different.y. I get tired of belting and runs and yelling. Sometimes quieter is beautiful in and of itself!

The reason why I was so blown away by Julia is because she appears so shy and unconfident in nature but when she sings it’s like she transforms into this superhero , sounds corny but that’s how it feels lol.

I loved the mechanic versus driving instructor analogy. As for the "Can you sing louder?" comments, have they never heard of people like James Taylor, John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot, Karen Carpenter, or Anne Murray? All non-belters!

Clark, you actually make me feel so much better about my voice. I have never been a belter and have always felt less than others. As soon as you started throwing out names like Carole King and Norah Jones, I felt seen and heard! (Even though they are amazing and I am average😂!

Yeah, last time I was trying to be chill about this whole "volume" stuff and look on the bright side, cause I was so annoyed I thought people might call me a Karen or sth if I commented on it. But then they kept doing it!!! When Lionel said "you can't lalala"! Man, that also felt disrespectful, on top of absurd!! I really cannot understand how and why professionals like them are saying this kind of things, they should know better than that! Unless it's a request from producers. Cause, as I commented last time then deleted it, this is subtly teaching the audience to take the abilitity to belt as sinonymous with good singing and vote with that in mind. Anyways... Thank goodness you're shedding light on that, cause this nonsense on a TV show is the kinda thing that miseducates people's appreciation of music, I feel.

I agree about the loud thing. That has nothing to do with quality and I personally don't want to listen to people who belt all the time. I like quiet quality. That will leave people feeling bad about themselves when the reality is they are better singers than many who are louder.

Can we also talk about how Luke put through the Bachelor’s daughter even though she was young and may not be ready yet but “with the right producer” she could make it..then be wishy washy about Mia & Jacy?? 🙄🙄🙄 Whatt????

Did they not learn anything from Iam last season? Never heard them ask him if he had a fifth gear. He didn't do anything "special" but everything he did was special! smh

Jayna made the hairs on my arms stand up. I LOVED her audition. Id buy her album.

You forgot about Camila Galavis, she got the ticket. I was looking forward to your critique because she was really bad in my opinion but has a parent who was in The Bachelor

Julia Gagnon literally had THE best audition the show’s ever seen. That was perfect, in every way. Da Vinci made the Mona Lisa, Julia Gagnon made THAT. Wow…

Julia, Jayna, Mia and Jordan were by far my standouts! Julia is easily top 5 of the season and could win it all, Jayna was incredible as always

I felt like Julia might be the next Kelly Clarkson success story. She brought tears to my eyes almost immediately. ❤

You have the best critique ..really enjoy your brilliant smart outlook on the singers. I agree alot with your judgement...cheers

Thanks! Love what your doing. Can’t get it together to watch live. Keep the faith.

“Hollywood week gon be pretty loud. Are you gon be loud?” 😂

Abi Carter still my fav. That was an outer body experience my god. Julia was next level as well.

Nailed it again Clark!

I totally agree with everything you are saying about the judges

So happy you showed your reaction to Julia. Priceless.

Aww, I got an honorable mention. Very sweet, thank you!

😂 I just love the way you say the truth! Keep in the good wook.

Great assessment s! Spot on.

💯 agree with respect to Jacy and Mia. Two of my favorites.

I miss the clips on all to remind me of the audition but love you Clark!

Was mentally applauding every time you expressed frustration with the whole, “But can you be louder” feedback from the judges. It is quite aggravating and ultimately unhelpful. It’s so vague and one dimensional.

My favorites of the night were, Julia, Jayna, Mia, Jordan, Liliana, Cate, Bethany, and Jacy! Loved them.

you make me laugh out LOUD lol

I knew you were gonna have a melt down on Jacy and Mia because I did haha. I could listen to their tone all day every day

I fast forwarded to the sisters Jacey and Mia - I knew you were going to think that! WHY DOES IT HAVE TO HAVE GRIT OR DIRT OR VOLUME. Hello, Allison Krause? Sarah McLaughlin...Norah Jones.... UGH. Why....tone, voice quality... tasteful choices!! I just can't.

Yes!! Why do they ALWAYS want them to "belt"???!!!

Btw do you all also think this season there are not that much country singers ?

I was confused with the Judges this whole season. I am so frustrated to the point that I don’t trust them anymore. That Jacy and Mia audition, they were delusional. SO FRUSTRATING.

I totally agree about Jacy and Mia! They were absolutely aamaziing ;O ;O and they are getting on anyones nerves with their "can you be louder"!! aaand Julia daamn slayed!!

You are not a scrooge. I hate those scripted judge shenanigans…on location or in the studio. Like whyyy is Luke’s dog there?!? Just show me the singing!!! We shared alot of views on this one! Loved it as always!

Clark, how about you comment about 'volume' issue in Idol instagram, and then we like it ! 🔥

Love Sophia Ava Marie! She’s my sister 😂❤

Last night ranks up there with the 2nd week. Some really good ones and of course some “what were they thinking “?

Go Jana Go!

I think the reason why the judges are saying it, so that they can differentiate who among the contestants are singer-"singer" and those that can only carry a tune but not a singer-"singer". If the contestants just hum or whisper then their vocals can't be challenge and American Idol is a singing competition.

What is being a "hay maker"? subscriber question . I thoroughly enjoy your vocal coaching expertise informing your thoughtful critiques of idol singers. SHADELLE!

I agree with you I thought the guy on roll skates was good and I was disappointed the judges didn’t give him a pass .

So wholeheartedly agree with you on Liliana!!! I mean Iam certainly wasn’t a belter!

The judges seem so different/off this season

Girl, the judges don’t hold the bar high.

Marsha Anderson ​​I totally agree with your loudness comments. If you yell or sing loudly the whole time, there isn't any emotional contrast and it makes the song boring and sounds screechy. Why are they doing this?

American Idol is a carnival show. Luke wants it louder because that’s what he does when he sings , to make up for his really average voice! Every song that is performed in a concert doesn’t have to be a maximal Guinness Book of World Records performance!

It definitely seems like the judges are told who they need to send through or not. I definitely agree that the judges need to let go of the “louder” gimmick! It’s like Katy started it and now they all are talking about it. I totally agree that not every singer has to belt it out to be a good singer. I think that is a deterrent for this show for singers and watchers. I don’t want to watch a belting competition. I want to watch a singing competition.

what a beautiful analyis of Julia Gagnon

Jacy is a 🌟

Julia is the Queen!

Am I missing out on the Q&A? Not sure how to find that.

Anthony Jordan was a finalist on The Voice Australia when he was 14 years old. Check out his audition

Does Singing Success have anyone delivering the program in Spanish? My Niece is a great 12yo aspiring singer and I'd love to get it for her one day.

Check out Jordan on The Voice Australia when he was 15/16. Talk about BEAST!!! I’m guessing he’s adapting to an adult voice

Jacy and Mia are great

The piano player for Jayna stated on his instagram that they arranged 30 minutes before they went it

Excited about this breakdown! SO many notes on this episode, and now that Raghugate is out there, we're now paying attention to a lot of other details.

The judges really act like microphones don't exist. Like this is the one of the only situations where they will be singing acoustically

Question this might be but how do people from different countries able to compete on idol. It’s great they can it’s interesting I mean I get Canada and Mexico. But how someone like Jordan from Australia can try out!!

When Jacy and Mia came in, they were smoking something…I can’t believe Lionel said no to Mia…what was he on???… PS: Only 1 person that made the top 24 didn’t get their audition shown…

The judges' and show's minimized reaction to Jayna....a missed opportunity! She was UNBELIEVABLE and they had a muted response to her. Nah. They didn't even say anything like "you could win this" or "Top 10 material." She was stunning. I can't stop replaying her performance!!!

They will have a microphone!!!!! Yes, amen Clark!!!! Also, anytime there’s a chocolate Lab, I’m there for it. Brett Manning method is outstanding!

Wish they would switch the celebrity judges to American idol alumni, like Clark, J Hud, & Scotty.

16:37 16:38 ❤

I'm way more of a fan of dynamics than belting.

A lot of AI winners aren’t belters.

They keep alluding to Hollywood week being different. Perhaps they are making loudness a check mark they have to cross off. 🙈

Yeah the skater was talented, unlike others

Do you think the harping on being louder is because they feel they Have to critique something and they do this when they can't find anything to critique? Seems Katie should have quit after last season... I think she's burnt out. I also sense Luke is tired of this too. I feel the connection to Julia that I do to Yebba.

Isaiah Case sounds like Corey Kent

If a singer like Justin Timberlake auditioned and sang just like he does, would you tell him to sing louder and belt, NO, cus that’s not what his voice can do or how it sounds good and at it’s best. His strength is his softness, pitch, tone, runs and falsetto.

Wait did you react to juan Pablo/the bachelor’s daughter??? I don’t see her here at all :(

make stew y'all like the video

Alejandro never sang out loud volume

My range is butt! 27:03

I believe they are confusing the words volume with energy, they want to know the contestant can project a certain energetic power range with confidence.

Julia IS the best singer of the season.

By putting Julia last, our patience was rewarded. Sure there were a couple of interesting people, but for pure singing prowress, Julia rules. Speaking of repeating observations, your explanation of how you teach students, is starting to sound defensive. I'm the one who thinks most singiers need to be grounded in fundamentals. I'll shut up now, and say thank you for your observations of Idol shows. I enjoy being here...

AI always saves the best for last…

Why do so many girl contestants use their middle names as their last name?

Iam was not a belter last year. The judges need to stop with the belting loud notes stuff. I think the judge panel needs a change. They think everyone is great and seldom give criticism. Simon was brutal. It's a brutal business.

Belting isn't the only type of "5th gear." I thought he was saying "what about your artistry is going to make you stand out in a singing competition." That's a valid concern. That standout thing can be gorgeous or unique tone, songcraft, exceptional playing of an instrument, crazy runs and riffs... whatever. I thought Liliana had a nice voice, but the song was unformed and didn't go anywhere. I'm not sure people would be excited by that at home, or be moved to vote.

I always appreciate your commentary and the judges is annoying me also with their loudness-focus. My favorites this episode was Jayna and Julia and with Jayna part of me is rooting for her based on her kindness during last year's Hollywood week (she was both the girl immediately helping out Fire during duets and the girl on the team that immediately was like "yes, he can absolutely sing with us" when guy with Autism that I don't remember the name of at the moment, sorry, lacked a partner to sing with) and knowing of that kindness made the warmth when she was singing seem even more genuine if that makes sense. And wow, Julias voice

Great video, just wish you were a little louder

why choose unfinished singers? Just to fill the show?

This is getting ridiculous. Who is telling these judges to focus on volume and belting- I really don’t get it?!? Each singer is an individual and does what their voice can do. Completely pointless. Producers behind this maybe??

Did Julia Gagnon just win this whole season?

Agree with you about Keegan.

The judges were outside of their minds, trying not to take Jacy and Mia. Disgraceful ! Full stop. Their harmony displayed their musical knowledge to succeed in Hollywood week; isn't that always the first step? Can you sing with someone else, be an artist, harmonize, work out and arrangement? Real musicians always have an advantage during those days. They forget : Maddie Poppe SANG with Kermit the frog; not YELLED at him like Katie Miss Piggy!! Good enough for the finale in 2018 and the win! How do you " more grit, yell, scream" a song like that!! You are not wrong Clark; pathetic critique. I'm pretty sure , Harry Connick Jr., like him or not as a judge, told you something other than louder?

Let me state right up front, you could put my musical talent, i.e. singing or playing an instrument, in a tiny thimble and still have room in the thimble. Okay, after making this statement should I continue with my comment? Why not? I do know what I like to hear, I know what I find appealing, and if all music was appealing to everyone then, well the world would have one type of music and only one; how boring would that be? I concur with Clark, he is by far a greater expert than I, yet; what is going on with all of the judges? Why do they simply state up front, okay if you cannot "belt" out the tune do not bother showing up. Of course if they make this statement the number of contestants would be pretty small. Perhaps the judges should go back to how to push a song 101 - okay they are well known professionals perhaps they can fast forward to how to push a song 202. Listen to the greats, oh the genre of your preference, see how they came up into the music world, see how they have continued with decades of a career that has grown. If the artist is still being honored, listened to even long long after they have passed on, then they are ones to try and emulate along with finding your heart and soul in the music. So said she who loves to listed to music but has not musical talent.

I’m convinced that these “judges” are just puppets controlled by the producers. Either way, replace them! Bring the OGs back! 🙄🤦🏻‍♂️ ..and why does Luke make that stupid face everytime a contestant sings a ballad?? 🥴🥴🥴

Sabrina carpenter also doesn’t belt

I found most singers are okay this year. I recon judges, probably thinking is this it. Looks like the judges are bored

Alison Krauss doesn't yell sing. Luke can't really sing, not sure y he's a judge. Kinda sounds bullfroggy'ish

The judging is coming across as lazy and just for show.

Jacy and Mia are adequate. They will be leaving soon.

Why does it always seem like you're targeting Katy in your videos? The only reason those contestants advanced is because Katy said yes to both of them. Luke and Lionel said no, yet you always find a way to shift the focus back to Katy. Where did Katy hurt you? SMH

For the love of gawd Please stop saying “kay-po” It’s pronounced “cop-o”