Wednesday, March 11, 2009

AI 8 3/10/09 Let The Fun Begin

The semi-final rounds are over and the wild-card episode, we now have our Top 13 and everything starts tonight on the big stage – THIS IS AMERICAN IDOL!

I totally was digging the new stage set up for Season 8, it was spectacular and I am down on my knees in thanks that they got rid of the “mosh pit.”

What was up with the big announcement (by someone other than Ryan) for the judges, come on it was ridiculous. The big opening and the judges coming out like the second coming of a deity. Give me a break. We then get an announcer announcing our host. This was just way too over the top for me.

Ryan then asked the judges what they were expecting tonight from the contestants.

Randy – you have to bring it hard every time

Kara – we are going to have to be tough, we need to pick the best (hey you do not get to pick – maybe but more about that later).

Paula – you must not be afraid to use the stage

Simon – you can’t forget the words, you have to prove you will not be swallowed up by the stage.

Ryan then asks Simon what will be happening. Simon explains two contestants will be going home so there will be more pressure on you to deliver. What a surprise there will be two eliminations – NOT! There are only so many weeks and the season finale was not pushed back.

Tonight’s theme is the Michael Jackson song catalog. My first thought is Michael is hard up for cash baby! Cue montage about Michael and the amount of records sold. Enough all ready, let us get to the heart of why we are here.

Lil Rounds

Lil is going with “The Way You Make Me Feel”. She starts out on the stairs and before we get to her singing let us discuss her outfit. Where did that top come from, did she cut it off an old prom dress, it was ridiculous and was not very flattering. Do not get me started on the way too tight white pants which from the rear made her look like she has one hell of a caboose. Totally digged the killer shoes though. In the end, there were some good vocals but I was not blown away. My first problem was her enunciation, which was poor. My second issue was it appeared she was shouting the entire song, not singing it. My third issue is she seemed to be working so hard to hit the notes she totally lost the connection to the song she was not selling it. I will give her credit for the energy she was giving and the last note was exceptional. This was just okay.

Randy – this is the way to kick off a new season, you made the song new again, you have it

Kara – perfect, wow, you stepped it up, you are great, the end note was beautiful, good job girl

Paula – I love the softer palette color, kudos to the glam squad (Paula you need to take something); you are a force to be reckoned with. Your falsetto is like angels singing.

Simon – it was good, it was a lazy song choice, the second half was better than the first, I hate what you are wearing (I second that emotion).

Scott MacIntyre

Very interesting that Scott’s sister is also visually impaired. I loved that Scott used the word practically blind when talking in his video while he parents refer to him as visually impaired. Scott chooses “Keep the Faith” which is an interesting choice but what a statement and pull to the audience. Scott is playing the piano and this clearly gives him much more comfort and loosens him up a bit. I do not think he is a good singer; there were some really harsh notes and severe pitch issues. He managed to hit the last high note but there was still something off about it.

Kara – she asks if he just learned the song this week and he answers yes. She is happy to see him behind the piano again, it shows us a different side of you, this was a great message, very hopeful, it was not the most dynamic vocal performance but you stay true to yourself every week.

Paula – it is really magical to see you at the piano, she then gives a shout out to the composer of the song who is in the audience

Simon – I apologize then to the composer because I hated the song, no one knew it (not true Simon I certainly knew it), Scott says something about wanting to show an artistic side and Simon retorts “not on this show” – what the f*^k? I like you, you are a good singer (excuse me), the song choice did you no favor.

Randy – he tells the composer he likes her “Man in the Mirror” better. It was a very safe old-fashioned song, I want to see more sparks

Danny Gokey

How many different colored frames for his glasses does this guy have? He has been wearing a different color every time he has performed. Danny has gone with “P.Y.T.” (Pretty Young Thing). I totally loved how he started the song out and then mixed up the tempo and the entire arrangement. Danny is very comfortable on the stage and he sold the song, he had a few bum notes but he covered it up and moved on. I love how his energy is so infectious. He has a very powerful voice. The ending note was spectacular. His dance moves on the other hand were ridiculous.

Paula – way to go, the true mark of an artist is if you can close your eyes and hear who they are, you have a gift, way to go

Simon – the vocals were brilliant, you are one heck of a singer, you are like Michael McDonald a white guy with soul, the dancing was hideous, but it was terrific.

We then get Danny saying he knows he has trouble singing and moving and asked if they could have a choreographer to help them with their movements and Simon offers Paula. LOL!

Randy – I am looking to see different sides of you each week to see your range and this up-tempo worked, I loved it all even the dancing because it had passion and was not choreographed

Kara – you have joy on the stage

Michael Sarver

Michael wants to show off his sensitive side and goes with “You are not Alone”. Michael started sitting down and for me this was boring, he did not do much with the song. For the most part, he had good vocals. The first half was better than the second was. There were some off notes and he had problems with the key change. In the end, he was also having breath control issues. I will give him credit for his passion. He sold the emotion of the song. He did much better than I thought he would.

Simon – you are not the best singer but you made up for it with passion and heart, you gave it 110 percent

Randy – you returned a little to the R&B side, best we have seen from you

Kara – tonight you showed me you can really sing, great job

Paula – you are likeable, regular guy, extraordinarily talented, you picked the right song and colored it up, you sounded lovely

Jasmine Murray

I so hated her dress. Jasmine goes with “I’ll Be There”. Let us just say Jasmine sounded very nasally. There were some really horrible sharp notes she was just not consistent. This was also boring because she labored over each word, which helped her diction but made the song plod along. She hit the one big money note but it was still sharp.

Randy – I know they will hate when I say this but I produced this song for Mariah, you mixed both her version and Michael’s and I am impressed, it is a tough song to sing, you did a pretty good job

Kara – I think you should have used a ½ key lower, you sold it, you have stage presence

Paula – you showed poise, there were some bright moments but when going into the chorus you were under the notes, overall way to go

Simon – good attempt at control, the end was good, it was way too robotic, you need to lighten up and act your age, you were like a little girl trying to be a grown-up

Kris Allen

Kris looked comfortable and natural on the stage. He is playing the guitar. Kris goes with “Remember the Time”. I really liked this upbeat rendition. Kris was having fun, there was energy and he has charisma. Kris has a strong voice but he had some pitch issues. Overall, I enjoyed the performance.

Kara – the girls love you, I am happy to see you with the guitar, it brings out a whole other side of you and helped your performance, there were a few notes which were off. She adds how cool was it you were helping all the other contestants this week, props, it shows what a great guy you are

Paula – you were engaging, adorable, sexy (Paula keep your hands off the contestants)

Simon – I am not sure the song choice was good for a guitar, interesting performance, the vocals were okay but your movements a little clumsy. You are likable. I probably would not have shared information about my wife so soon in the competition

Randy – interesting song choice, it was very Jason Mraz like

Allison Iraheta

Allison is going for the rocker look. I am not sure I really liked how she was put together but her vocals on the other hand were pretty awesome. Allison chose “Give In to Me”. It was an interesting choice. I realize it was the whole rocker thing but her enunciation was horrible but she has a powerful voice. There were some sharp notes but had great stage presence. I think at the beginning the band was overpowering her.

Paula – it is mind boggling you are only 16, you have such poise, you are a rock star, your hair looks great

Simon – it was a good performance, we know who you are but you need to lighten up a bit, good

Randy – when you got it, you got it, you could sing anything, you are one to watch

Kara – you have distinguished yourself

Anoop Desai

Oh, my Anoop is going with “Beat It”. I found this to be bland, bland, and bland. It was a totally karaoke version up to and including the jacket he was wearing, come on. I will give him credit for his energy, however his dance moves bordered on childish. Anoop also had some very sharp notes in there. The whole thing turned me off.

Paula – I love you, this is one of those untouchable songs, this was a bit karaoke – audience boos and Paula seems to be thrilled she was booed.

Simon – I thought it was horrible, there was no aggression, it was lightweight, you looked stupid, it was like a bad impersonation

Randy – it was the wrong choice, karaoke, you have more to give

Kara – there was no variation, not riffing, you seemed disconnected

Jorge Nunez

Jorge is going with “Never Can Say Goodbye”. This is a very interesting song choice especially given the title please do not tempt fate. I hated this entire performance. Jorge was trying so hard to sing without an accent, every note was labored, he had no stage presence because he was not there, and there was no connection. The song started bad and there were some very sharp notes. Jorge did nothing special with the song. It was not memorable.

Randy – this is not the song I would have chosen, you have the vocal chops, you have a nice upper range, there were pitch problems, it was old-fashioned

Kara – you were not emotionally connected, I did not feel it, a better song choice for you would be “She’s out of My Life”.

Paula – I have mad love for you (no Paula you are just mad – let us say it together sexual harassment), this was not right for you. She asks him why he chose it and he said he didn’t want to sing “Bad” and Simon retorts “you sorta did”.

Simon – it was corny, you were out of your depth, the arrangement was awful, it was so old-fashioned, I couldn’t wait for it to end.

Megan Corkrey

Megan just does not know who she is. She is dressed like a very sweet young thing, the hairstyle and the little red sun dress with the white straps as if she was off to a spring church function and then we are faced with that tattoo on her arm. I am so distracted by it. Please wear a dress with a sleeve. Out of all the songs, possible Megan goes with “Rockin Robin”. Give me a break! Once again, Megan is all over the place, I do not think this girl can hit two notes in a row right. The ending note was my fingers down the blackboard moment of the night. I am truly disgusted with her stupid dance movements give it up girl. The best (LOL) moment is her “cawing” at the end, yes “cawing”. Megan this was stupid and Robins do not make that sound.

Kara – you have your signature style, you are so Megan (Randy adds She’s so Megan), you have personality but you need to show more range

Paula – I love the quirky unique tone of your voice, you are gorgeous

Simon – we like you, it was a stupid song choice, the dancing was ridiculous, the whole performance was clumsy, if this was the first time you were seen America would say we were nuts to put you here (as far as I am concerned you are nuts, she should not be here)

Randy – this was not the right song choice, it didn’t allow you to be Megan

Adam Lambert

I said after his audition in San Francisco he was one to watch and tonight Adam blew the roof off this competition. This performance was bar none the best of the night. I am not totally enamored of Adam’s look as it is a bit Goth for me but the man can sing. I thought Adam’s choice of song was very inspired. Given the gossip and speculation about his sexual preference, this song was so perfect given the message. I loved the arrangement and Adam was confident, energetic, and smooth. The way he casually went over, shook the hands of the rapid female fans in the front row, and then seamlessly moved back - cool! Adam has charisma and he owned that stage. He nailed this number. I have already downloaded this from iTunes. There was real passion and connection in selling the number. I loved it, loved it, and loved it. Unless something goes horribly wrong, we might be building up to the Danny and Adam show.

Paula – shouts to Adam over the very thunderous applause from the audience – “Take it all in!” This is my opinion but in the history of the last 7 seasons, we have never had a contestant who is so comfortable, so seasoned step on the stage, I didn’t even see the stage I was so transfixed on you, you have an innate ability to mirror fashion and music, you have the whole package, we will see you in the finals

Simon – this was in a different league then what we have heard here tonight, you are comfortable, original, the vocals were terrific

Randy – you are the most current, you could go in and record a record right now and it would soar to the top, loved it, you got it

Kara – what more can I add except you hit notes I didn’t even know were possible, I hope Michael is watching tonight

Matt Giraud

Matt has ditched the hat – yeah! Matt is going with “Human Nature”. Matt is also playing the piano and he really looks comfortable. I really liked what Matt did. He has a very cool falsetto. There were a few bum notes but again he is a great performer because he moved on without any issues. I have to agree it was like being at a concert. He reminded me of Billy Joel.

Randy – good performance, there were some pitch issues. You have that Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake vibe

Kara – you are a talented guy, I hope to see you for weeks to come

Paula – talented, sexy, authentic, you blew me away (Paula rein it in)

Simon – good solid performance, it was like good meat and potatoes – what?

Alexis Grace

Oh my, is Alexis channeling Haley Scranato with those short shorts. She also had killer shoes. Alexis definitely looked hot. She is going with “Dirty Diana”. I think she is taking the judges comments to dirty it up just a bit too far. The background singers and the band were overpowering her quite a bit. I think she started way too low. Her performance was hot but she had some problems with pitch and she lost control towards the end, it was as if she ran out of breath. I also had problems with her diction. Alexis though knows how to sell the song and so overall, I enjoyed the number.

Kara – you are back, you are a naughty girl and I like it

Paula – fantastic, watch the over singing

Simon – over the top, not as good as you think it was

Randy – good, not great

I went out to dinner with a friend and I loss track of time so I did not get home until almost 9:30. I came in just before Megan started singing. Once the show was over, I had to rewind my tape to watch the beginning. This affected the number of votes I was able to make.

I have to say this was one of the best opening shows for the final contestants in a very long time. There were some missteps but overall some great talent.

The reason they had to pick a different number for the 13th contestant is because 1 866 IDOLS 13 is a phone sex line. You have to love the irony of this and all the effort they made to ensure people remembered to call the right number!

I am somewhat concerned about the whole announcement where the rules are going to change, changes, which involve the judges and could turn the competition around. The novelty of this show is America is picking the winners but if the judges are going to start having a say it will change the tone of the show.

I was thinking perhaps they will be able to give immunity one week and then the next week two have to go but that would get complicated. I am truly worried about this.

I managed 525 votes with the majority going to Adam and Danny along with Kris and Allison.

We have been told already that two contestants should be getting the boot so I am anticipating a bottom 4 to up the suspense.

Based on performance alone I would put in the bottom 4 Scott, Jasmine, Megan, and Jorge.

I cannot imagine America kicking out a blind singer the first week so I am going to predict a bottom 4 of Jasmine, Megan, Anoop and Jorge. I am worried about Kris but I believe his performance should give him at least another week.

I am predicting Jasmine and Jorge will be heading home tonight.

The results show is on at 9:00 p.m. so we can compete against “Lost”. Kayne West and Kelly Clarkson are supposed to be on the show. I am hoping they are not doing a duet.

Until tomorrow…

1 Comments:

Blogger anthony said...

can you tell me what color shirt was simon cowell wearing last week (3/10/09)?

7:31 AM PDT  

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