AI 8 5-12-09 or what is up with the judges

They are heroes in their hometowns but who can gain the support of the nation, it is one week to the finale, these are your top three AND THIS IS AMERICAL IDOL!

Time just seems to fly by as this is the 300th episode of American Idol and I have watched every single one.

I normally dislike doing all of my bitching at the beginning but I cannot hold it in. We heard several times during the episode this is a singing competition yet there was very little singing. We wasted so much time on senseless bickering by the judges, a visit to Africa (there was no Idol Gives Back this year so why remind everyone of it’s’ absence), interviews with the contestants there was no time for them to sing. At this point in the competition, they should get more then a minute and a half to sing, some of these songs and performances could have gone on all night and I would have been happy but instead we had to get snippets of songs. What is up with this picture? The show went over time because of this ridiculousness. The producers of this show need to sit up and take notice and I am the person to tell them what to do. While I truly detest Nigel Lythgoe, he knew what was important and the show never went over during his watch. I had to mention him because he was in the audience last night to pimp for “So you think you can Dance”.

Enough of my bitching and moaning let us get to the dish.

Round One - judge’s pick.

Danny Gokey – “Dance Little Sister” chosen by Paula

I thought this was a stupid song choice and was a very weak performance by Danny. What is up with the scraggy hair on the face, it looks ridiculous on him. Danny was severely off key when the song started but he did shortly fix it. This was just plain boring. There was nothing special about it. There was no wow moment for me. The back up singers were not required and in some places was overpowering Danny. This was not a great way to start the show. I was disappointed. I will blame Paula for the hideous song choice.

Randy – you had a lot of energy, this was your zone, the hoarse tone of your voice, it was dope for me

Kara – Paula this was a good choice because it was in the money spot for Danny’s voice, the dancing was a bit gyrating for me, you are a great singer but will I remember this performance in the morning, I am not sure.

Paula – I am a choreographer and the dancing was really good (I don’t think so), this did fit the “magic part” of your voice, fantastic

Simon – this is a singing show not a dancing show, the dancing was desperate, the vocals were great but the saxophone player wasn’t necessary, I would have gone with just a piano, this was the wrong song choice.

Kris Allen – “Apologize” chosen by Randy and Kara

It was an interesting song choice because it would allow Kris to show his vocal range. I have to say Kris is a true musician and he knows what works for him. I loved his use of the piano; it allowed his showmanship to come through. Even the most experience singers can throw a few bum notes and Kris had a couple mostly in the transitions but it never fazed him and I thought he showed extremely great nuances in his vocal tone and pacing. Kris’s attempt at using his falsetto was a little flat but overall I truly enjoyed the performance. Once again, I have to say the back up singers were not needed and they overpowered Kris during the chorus as well.

Randy – we are getting down to who is going to win, I think this could be on your album, I like you as this type of artist, nice, very nice

Kara – it was a competent performance, at this point you need to swing it out of the ball park, you normally give such a unique interpretations to songs but you didn’t make this song your own, I would have preferred a more acoustic take with just a guitar.

Paula – this was the right place with your voice, there were a few bum notes but I am proud of you, you are all worthy

Simon – Paula how can you say there were bum notes and then say you are proud of him, Kara it is a cop out blaming Kris for doing the song after you picked it. You and Randy should have specified how they wanted Kris to perform the song and given him a specific arrangement. I think it was competent but not quite as good as the original.

Adam Lambert – “One” chosen by Simon

I had to laugh when Simon explained he had to get permission and received it directly from Bono. I thought this was an inspired song choice. I absolutely loved the arrangement and once again, Adam should use his lower register more often, the beginning of the song was beautiful in that register. I found this to be a truly heart felt performance. Adam definitely made the song his own. This was another hot performance with Adam’s usual style and flair. The only think I did not like was the back up singers singing the same line as Adam at the beginning, it was distracting and they were overpowering him as well. Was it just me or did Adam’s ears look like Spock’s?

Randy – dude, let me say it, you are in the zone, unbelievable, the arrangement wasn’t my favorite and it caused you to go off the melody, it was a great song, you are really a terrific artist

Kara – you are a great strategist, you take a song, you change the melody, the instruments, and you make it your own, unbelievable, see what I mean Simon.

Paula – Adam you don’t know how much I hate sitting next to Simon while he is gloating, this was brilliant, see you in the finals

Simon – I may be biased but this was a brilliant song choice. All kidding aside, you did what you should have done, you took a great song and figured out what you wanted to do with it, if you aren’t in the finals next week it will be the biggest upset ever.

Round Two – contestant choice

Danny Gokey – “You Are so Beautiful”

Of all the songs he could possibly choose, he chooses this one. I found this to be a lame choice, there was a bizarre arrangement, and it was boring. It just plodded along. Some songs have a good melody you do not need to work so hard to change it up. I thought Danny was trying to out Adam, Adam. I will give Danny kudos for being so restrained, the most restrained he has been all season and his falsetto was excellent but other then that I was not crazy about the performance. Back up singers were not needed and they were irritating me.

Randy – amazing song, you can really, really, really sing, mad vocals

Kara – what you didn’t do in the first performance, you did here, stunning, amazing

Paula – you left me breathless, the song allowed you to do magic, you nailed it, beautiful performance

Simon – it was a vocal master class (oh please, you have got to be kidding)

Kris Allen – Heartless

When Kris indicated he was doing this song I just shook my head saying are you trying to be voted off but then when he performed I was very much surprised. Kris made me like a Kayne West song and that took some serious magic. This was truly Kris at his best. The choice of the guitar and doing the stripped down version was inspired. This performance left me speechless in a good way. This song is ready for the radio. Kris’s vocals were mesmerizing and he was truly charismatic on that stage. Kris pulled together a story and there was a beautiful beginning, middle and end. I wanted to hear more. This was his best performance easily and what a way to try to win.

Randy – this is going to be a tough night for voting, I liked this, it was better then the original and better then the Fray’s version.

Kara – why didn’t you do that with Apologize, this was bold, brave, fearless, kudos, this was perfect, the tone, pitch, and phrasing, terrific

Paula – that was very brave singing a song about Simon Cowell, this is the type of song which keeps you relevant, bravo

Simon – after the first lame song choice you were given I had literally written you out but all that changed after that performance

Adam Lambert – “Cryin’”

Wow is all I can really say. This was a very hot performance. Adam knows how to sell a number. He owned this song and as always has great stage presence. My, only complaint is those damn back up singers were drowning him out. They needed to be put out to pasture last night.

Randy – you are the most charismatic contestant we have ever had on this show, I liked this better than "One". You need to put out a rock album you are a rock star.

Kara – how can you hit those high notes and then talk the next day, it was amazing, see you in the finals

Paula – if Steve Tyler had been the mentor tonight, he would not have anything to say, you have set the bar so high, we will be seeing you in the finals

Simon – he accuses the other judges of sucking up because Adam might not necessarily sail through to the final two, this show is about finding a star and the audience should vote for him based on talent, it was a great vocal but no one is truly safe.

There were no rehearsals last night since the play has opened so I had the entire two hours to vote and vote I did. Many will hate me but all of my votes went to Adam and Kris. Adam deserves to win while Kris proved he is a great musician and in my mind should be in the top two. Danny was coasting and really did not shine for me. I managed to get in 2,324 votes last night.

America is very fickle and at this point, I must agree there is no safety for any one contestant.

I am hoping for an Adam/Kris finale yet predict a Danny/Adam final two.

Jordin Sparks and Katy Perry are singing tonight.

Until tomorrow…