Movin' Right Along

Congratulations to:

Kris Allen


Allison Iraheta


and
Adam Lambert


They are joining Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace and Michael Sarver
in the Top 12!

Honestly, the competition is quite boring at this point. There aren't that many good performances, which makes it very easy to pick who is moving on. Here's to hoping that next week brings some good talent!

Comments? Agree? Disagree?

When Does the Real Competition Start?

Okay, I love the fact that now it's America's time to vote, but I also hate it when they're whittling it down to the Top 12 because you're still getting the "why are they on here" vibe from some of the contestants.

Tonight's show was better than last week's, but still, not fantastic. It was really hard to even pick three, much less an alternate, in my opinion. Oh well. Let's break it down:

Jasmine Murray, 17- "Love Song" by Sara Bareilles
Not a great performance. I like "Love Song", but it lacks a performing quality to it. It's a pleasant song to hear on the radio, but not one I would choose to sing in front of millions to help keep me on the show. She's got a pretty voice, but this song didn't showcase her.

Matt Giraud, 23- "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay
Why a Coldplay song on American Idol? Again, pleasant to hear on the radio, maybe even cooler to see Coldplay perform it, but not one I would sing on national television. I don't think he did that great of a job. Just not a song for him.

Jeanine Vailes, 27- "This Love" by Maroon 5
Weird song choice...I feel like I keep repeating myself. When are these people going to realize that just because you like the song, doesn't mean that A) you sound good singing it and B) it's a song that you would sing in a competition. She did a horrible job with this song. She was off-key...like (and I sound like Simon) horrible karaoke.

Nick Mitchell, a.k.a. Norman Gentle (or however it's spelled), 27- "And I Am Telling You" by Jenifer Holiday
SERIOUSLY? Should I even be commenting on this? Why bring an alter ego to the stage? And why is he singing this song? Maybe a comedy show would be more suited for Mr. Gentle...

Allison Iraheta, 16- "Alone" by Heart
16 years old, people! 16! Did I sound like this at 16? Okay, invalid question!! Anyways, Wow! She blew me away! Great vocals...Heart is hard to sing and she nailed the song. She was my #2 pick for the night!

Kris Allen, 23- "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson
Not another MJ song! I like this song a lot, but really? Anyhow, he actually did a good job on this song and has a really nice voice. He's my alternate pick for the night.

Megan Corkrey, 22- "Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae
This performance was interesting for me. I liked it a lot; her phrasing was unique, but she sounded pitchy at times. I think she did alright.

Matt Breitzke, 27- "If You Could Only See" by Tonic
This song totally reminds me of high school. Anyways, I thought he did a pretty good job, nice vocals. Sure, it's not a song that takes risks, but he sounded good to me. He's my #3 pick of the night.

Jesse Langseth, 25- "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes
She has almost a bluesy voice, but definitely a good song for her. She's not one of the more commercialized contestants this season, so I don't think she'll be in the Top 12, but who knows...maybe she'll make it through the Wildcard Round.

Kai Kalama, 26- "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" by Jimmy Ruffin
Ooh, so smooth of a voice, but I think he played it safe this week. This is not a hard song to sing. The ending wasn't very good, kind of shaky.

Mishavonna Henson, 18- "Drops of Jupiter" by Train
I think this was the wrong song for her; I think her voice would be better suited for some Lauryn Hill. It just didn't work, but I like the timbre of her voice.

Adam Lambert, 26- "Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones
What a range! What a voice! Definitely the best of the night. Honestly, a little over the top, but he's destined to be in the Top 12, what with his uniqueness and all. He was my #1 pick of the night.

My Picks:
Adam Lambert
Allison Iraheta
Matt Breitzke

Alternate Pick:
Kris Allen

Comments? Agree? Disagree?
Make sure you vote on the sidebar!

Who Made it Through?

Congratulations to:

Danny Gokey


Alexis Grace


and
Michael Sarver


They are in the Top 12!

I was a little shocked about Michael Sarver actually making it, even though I called him as my alternate. I think Anoop has a good shot at making it in the Wildcard Round. Maybe even Tatiana, but we'll see.

Comments? Disagree? Agree?

Let The Eliminations Begin...

Tonight, the first group of 12 sang their hearts out for 3 spots in the Top 12. And let me say that there were so many horrible performances, it was easy for me to pick them out.

Jackie Tohn, 28- A Little Less Conversation by Elvis Presley
Seriously, you wear spandex on national tv? Poor Jackie. Poor outfit choice and seriously poor song choice. It was a horrible performance; this song was not for her. She sounded like she was shouting for some of it. Two thumbs down.

Ricky Braddy, 26- A Song For You by Leon Russell
If you're asking who, then you're right...I don't remember this guy either. Um, he has a nice voice and good control, but I think based on popularity, he may not make it through to the Top 12. It was a good song choice for him, in my opinion.

Alexis Grace, 21- Never Loved a Man by Aretha Franklin
Aretha songs are hard, but Alexis seemed to pull of a not-so-strong version of it. Personally, it wasn't my favorite, but it wasn't horrible either. The judges loved it, she has cool pink hair and she's cute, so she may make it through. I've liked her from the beginning for sure. She's my #2 pick of the night.

Brent Keith, 29- Hicktown by Jason Aldean
Nice country tune to croon to, but it wasn't remarkable. With that said, again based on popularity, he may not make it through. But the country fans out there may pull through.

Stevie Wright, 17- You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift
Traaaaain wreck...total train wreck. Her low vocals were awful, she sounded nervous...what happened? She's got a snowball's chance of making it through.

Anoop Desai, 22- Angel of Mine by Monica
Odd choice, but I liked it a lot. Very smooth vocals and a good delivery. I thought it was a kind of safe song, but you're going to hear a lot of those in the next few weeks. His voice totally doesn't match his body, but it worked. He is my #3 choice of the night.

Casey Carlson, 20- Every Little Thing She Does is Magic by the Police
Horrible, awful, ginormous mistake...need I go on? She sounded totally nervous, facial expressions were silly...bad, bad song choice. And does she look too made up to be 20? I think so. Did anyone think of The Office episode when Phyllis gets married and Karen sings this song during her reception???

Michael Sarver, 27- I Don't Wanna Be by Gavin DeGraw
I love, love, LOVE this song and I thought his delivery was pretty good. He's a very likeable guy, good looking...I wonder how he would do with country. He is my alternative pick for the night.

Anne Marie Boskovich, 22- Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin
I didn't think she had the chops to pull of this song. Aretha is hard. It was okay, but really, too big of a song for her voice.

Stephen Fowler, 26- Rock With You by Michael Jackson
This is one of my favorite MJ songs and I just don't think Stephen pulled it out of the hat. It was kind of corny, but at least he was energetic. Very forgettable, to quote Mr. Cowell.

Tatiana Del Toro, 24- Saving All My Love for You by Whitney Houston
DQ all the way. She was weird tonight. She can actually sing, which is surprising, but was she good enough to go through? Based on her DQness, I hope not. But hey, there's always someone up for some drama, right? Not a bad performance.

Danny Gokey, 28- Hero by Mariah Carey
Not a song I would have chosen for him, but he pulled it off. And with me thinking of how he just lost his wife last year, almost made me cry. Definitely my favorite of the night...#1 pick of the night for sure. I knew he was destined for the Top 12 and I will be absolutely shocked if he doesn't go through.

The last performance by Danny was special because...Paula did her special clap. Oh Lord. And to anyone that was watching, "sold-out arenas", hyphen or no hyphen, is THREE words, not two.

My Picks:
Danny Gokey
Alexis Grace
Anoop Desai

Alternative Pick:
Michael Sarver

Comments? Agree? Disagree?

Hollywood Week, Part Two: Top 36

Finally, the show is about to get down to business. Of course, my favorite part of AI is when the Top 12 are revealed because you know they are the best of the best (at least, they usually are...I think Sanjaya, Scott Savol, Kellie Pickler, to name a few, made it for who knows what reasons).

So, last night I was excited to see some of my favorites make it through. I have to admit that there were only a few disappointments on my part (Tatiana anyone), but overall, this is going to be a good season. I will predict right now that this year's winner will be R&B because I don't see a huge variety of singers as we've had in the past (Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice, David Cook, Carly Smithson, Constantine, Blake Lewis, etc.). But I could be wrong.

Anyhow, here's the Top 36 for your enjoyment (in order as they were shown last night):

Anoop Desai
Von Smith
Alex Wagner-Trugman: This was the self-taught closer singer. Although he was forced to sing for his life against Cody-the-horror-film-maker, he deserved it.
Adam Lambert: He should be in "Rent".
Taylor Vaifanua: From Hurricane, UT, only a 15 minute ride from my house.
Jasmine Murray
Arianna Asfar: Remember her? The clean-cut HS student who is a granfriend?
Casey Carlson
Megan Corkrey
Mishavonna Henson: Made it to Hollywood, Season 7, but was cut before they picked the Top 24.
Stevie Wright
Joanna Pacitti: This girl has been causing nothing but trouble with AI gossips. She's had label offers, was recognized by Kara at her audition, yet she forgot her words twice during Hollywood week. Okay, so she's in the Top 36, but that doesn't mean she's going to make it all the way. It doesn't matter to me either way only 'cause I don't think she'll win.
Kendall Beard
Kristen MacNamara: Yah, I agree Paula, her outfit was horrible.
Alexis Grace: Love her, love her, love her...I predict Top 12.
Scott MacIntyre: No surprise here, but we'll see how he does outside of his comfort zone.
Lil Rounds: Tornado victim, but a typical R&B/hip hop singer to me.
Jesse Langseth
Allison Iraheta: Only 16, but there have been contestants that young before in the Top 12.
Danny Gokey: He has the most amazing voice! I definitely predict the Top 12; he's a shoe-in.
Ricky Braddy
Matt Giraud: The dueling piano player...definitely digging his style. I'd love to see him make the Top 12.
Ju'not Joyner
Jorge Nunez
Brent Keith
Stephen Fowler: Not sure if I agree with this one since his last performance wasn't that great. I guess we'll see how far he makes it.
Nick Mitchell (Norman Gentle): Didn't really agree with this one, but there always has to be something, right?
Jackie Tohn
Tatiana Del Toro: Is she for real? I don't think she'll make it past all the voters, but who knows...Sanjaya did. But he didn't start to get annoying until after he made the Top 12. I DID NOT agree with this one at all.
Nathaniel Marshall: Almost reminds me of Danny Noriega a little bit. I liked his headbands though.
Jeanine Vailes
Kai Kalama: From HI and cool style. I've liked him from the beginning.
Anne Marie Boskovich
Kris Allen
Matt Breitzke: The welder...okay voice, but I didn't want to see him go either.
Michael Sarver: The oil-rigger...if they were going to pick between Michael and Matt, Michael should have been the pick, but I'm happy. He's got an amazing voice.

Some disappointments:
Why oh why didn't Jamar Rogers make it through? I liked his version of "Hey There Delilah" better than Ju'not's. I was very sad to see him go and I think Danny Gokey was too.

Obviously the fact that Tatiana will still be "gracing" my tv screen next week. Shall I start a "No More Screaming" fan club? "Ohhh, I'm aliiiive! Aaaaahhhh!" Sheesh.

The fact that Nathaniel made it past Jackie Midkiff...Nathaniel is too much drama for me.

Will Nick be performing or will it be Norman Gentle? Anyone remember the season where Dave made it through to Hollywood Week simply because the judges were tired, cranky and he was just standing there screaming and shaking his body? Okay, so "Norman" can sing, but is he going through because of Norman or Nick? Pick a persona please and "shtick" to it.

But wait, there's more: Just saw on MSN.com that Joanna Pacitti has been disqualified for unknown reasons (hmm). Felicia Barton will be taking her place...interesting.

Here's how it will go: The Top 36 have been split into three groups of 12. The first group will perform next Tuesday, we vote, then the vote-off is Wednesday. Repeat second week and third week. I will be posting a poll each Tuesday night for you to vote who should go home. I don't remember who is in the first group of 12 except for a few names (Tatiana, Danny, Stephen...).

Comments? Agree? Disagree?

Hollywood Week, Part Two: Down to 54

Before I begin, I realize that I didn't post about Hollywood Week, Part One. This is because I only saw about 10 minutes of the first night and nothing of the second night. Sigh. We need DVR or Tivo.

Anyhow, I was pleased with the format of last night's show. They showed a lot of performances and only a little drama. Speaking of drama, I seriously hope that Tatiana Del Toro gets the boot tonight. She doesn't deserve to be in the Top 36, Top 24 or the Top 12. I don't think she even deserved to go onto the selection for tonight, but whatever. I don't think she sings that well either.

I LOVE Jamar Rogers (Hey There Delilah) and Danny Gokey (I Hope You Dance). Both of them have the chops to make it to the Top 12, in my opinion. Does it make a difference if I said I really like the song "Hey There Delilah"??

I didn't like Scott MacIntyre's version of "Home" by Daughtry. I don't think the vocals were as good as his audition. The funny thing is, every news piece I've read with him mentioned in it (strictly speaking, last night only), says that he did a great job. Hmm. Don't agree with that at all.

Not a big Norman Gentle fan either. I think that says it all.

I've got to give Stephen Fowler props for trying with "Time of My Life" (don't own the David Cook CD yet...you should...totally rocks). I was glad to see he made it through to tonight's round simply because he has the chops, but nerves totally got the best of him. Hey, if Brooke White can restart a song on live tv, what's wrong with restarting during Hollywood Week? Oh, maybe the chance that you won't even make it to the Top 12? We'll see.

Overall, I really enjoyed last night's show. I'm anxious to see who our Top 36 will be. Tune in tomorrow to find out!

Comments? Agree? Disagree?