AI 10 2-23-11 Hello-Goodbye

Cue video of all the excited contestants who made it through to the next round and their learning they will be heading to Las Vegas for “Beatles Night”. They will face their toughest challenge yet because they must learn and perform a Beatles song all within 24 hours. They will have one chance, some will go through and others will be going home. In addition, it appears we will also be revealing the top 24 as the contestants make their way for the final judgment. This is AMERICAN IDOL.

There are 61 singers left, down from the original 327 who came to Hollywood. Right after receiving the news of their Vegas visit, the remaining contestants immediately became forming into groups of two or three for the upcoming performances along with picking their song. They will be performing at the Mirage where the Cirque du Soleil’s “Love” is playing which just happens to feature Beatles music. They will have one chance and at the end of the day, the judges will be cutting 1/3 of the remaining contestants.

Wow the American Idol producers are cheap bastards as the contestants travel to Vegas on a bus. Really, what is up with that? Give me a break!

Gracious I feel old given how many of these contestants had never heard a Beatles song, what is the world coming to? The musical education in this country is sorely lacking in substance.

There is no time to waste as the contestants arrive in Vegas they must immediately begin working. American Idol has multiple vocal coaches helping.

Thia Megia and Melinda Ademi are practicing with Peggi the “vocal coach from hell” at least according to Ryan. The woman was doing her job. Peggi was helping them when she yelled they should know their words. After listening to them butcher “Here Comes the Sun” she was exactly right when she tells them they are going to die on stage. I was laughing when she said she would deny having anything to do with them when they crack. She was providing motivation for them to be great indicating she would be happy to eat crow if they prove her wrong.

Vocal coach Ken remains tough on Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina and Denise Jackson. This is a gig not a rehearsal. Lauren is crying because she cannot go home, this means everything to her.

Several of the contestants get a chance to practice before Chairman Jimmy Iovine and a bunch of men from his Interscope record company. Jimmy interrupts the rehearsal with Scotty, Lauren, and Denise explaining “you are not gonna win singing that song” and they need to pick a new one. There are quick clips of him generally dishing most of the contestants we hear explaining they are clueless.

After watching Mr. Iovine, I am looking forward to his being the mentor for the top twelve. This man will take no prisoners and tell the contestants what no one else will. This season is getting better and better.

I see the Idol producers are business savvy given how the contestants get to watch a performance of “Love. They now receive advertising dollars from the Mirage and Cirque du Soleil. Who wants to bet the Mirage provided the rooms gratis?

Ryan tells us it is performance time and we should expect a “spectacle” unlike anything we have ever seen. I doubt it Ryan but perhaps I will give you the benefit of the doubt – NOT!

Day One

First up are Stefano Langone and James Durbin who perform “Get Back”. I must admit their voices sound great together and their performance skills were good. I still think James has to tone down all the vocal gymnastics. Steven tells them it was “unreal”, “I do not think I have ever heard two higher voices together” and “a great kick-off.” He told James, “you went up into the way-out-opshere, you went to squeakland”. Randy thought Stefano was a little timid at first but he got it together.

Pia Toscano and Karen Rodriquez went to school together and were even in a singing group. They perform “Can’t Buy Me Love”. Karen was the better performer but I have to agree with Karen’s comment about their voices gel well musically. The harmonies were spectacular. Jennifer feels like they “get it” and know what it means to be a professional. They put on a show. Steven thought it built well worrying at the beginning that they were in too low of a key but they made it work.

Jacob Lusk, Naima Adelapo, and Haley Reinhart are up with “The Long and Winding Road”. Gracious I am old this was our class song when I graduated from high school 34 years ago. Jacob is wonderful, this kid can sing and it seems like he is a pro, it was seamless. Haley has an okay voice but the other two overpowered her. Naima has soul and she sold the emotion of the song.

Jennifer really enjoyed this performance explaining the three made the song their own. A singer needs to be able to sing anything and they proved they could. Steven says it was “stupendous.” Randy tells Jacob never to hold back.

We then see quick clips of Rachel Zevita performing “Eleanor Rigby”. Lauren Turner and Jovany Barreto kick some ass with their performance of “Let It Be.” Tim Halperin and Julie Zorrilla accompany themselves on keyboards with “Something in the Way” and they blow the roof off this song. I thought their harmonies were beautiful and soulful.

Lakeisha Lewis, Tatynisa Wilson and Jerome Bell go with “I Saw Her Standing There”. This performance was terrible. I think Lakeisha had the best vocal but their voices just never really blended well. Randy indicates it was a little painful, crazy. Randy tells them they can sing. Jennifer thinks Lakeisha was holding back and this was not Tatynisa’s best performance. Steven disagrees with both and tells them they nailed it.

Kendra Chantelle and Paul McDonald choose “Blackbird” and this was a wonderful performance as well. I liked their choice of an acoustic guitar, their phrasing, and the way they were able to sell the song. They both had fantastic enunciation. Jennifer tells them they sang beautifully together. She tells Paul, “The power of a soft, beautiful tone cuts through” and “you have a kind of Kenny Loggins/Jack Johnson/James Taylor laid-back crooner who doesn’t necessarily fit the American Idol model.” Steven says having a “different” voice is not always good but in Paul’s case, it is. Randy loved their choice of harmonies, which showed off both of their voices.

We have another quick clip of other performances. Clint Jun Gamboa and a girl I did not catch the name of or remember go with “Help Me” and it was fine. Ashton Jones and another girl sing “Ticket to Ride.” John Wayne Schulz and two other guys sing “With A Little Help from my Friends.”

Wow, how lucky we all are to be here for Ashley Sullivan’s Vegas wedding – NOT! Is she really going to be wearing pleather pants and a white top, yes, she is – how classy! Even more wonderful because she is going to be married in the same Vegas chapel of her hero, Britney Spears. I believe this was the marriage, which existed for a mere 56 hours. Ashley certainly knows how to comfort her future husband telling David that if he gets cold feet she will kill him in his sleep. Clearly, Ashley is following in the right footsteps. I certainly hope you can hear the sarcasm dripping in my voice.

Day Two

First, up are Melinda and Thia with their performance of "If I Fell." While it was not a total train wreck, it did not move past being a mediocre performance. The best part of it was watching Peggi's reaction in the stand with her "I told them look", clearly, she will not be eating crow. Randy says Melinda was shaky but not better and tells Thia she kept her phrasing intact the whole time. Jennifer says it was "cute" but their pairing was not as strong as she had expected. Steven thinks Melinda was behind in her phrasing and Thia was "just all right."

Ashley and Sophia Shorai are up with “We Can Work It Out” but sadly, they are unable to do so. This was just a load of crap. Steven tells them it was not their strongest performance. Steve tells Ashley he always liked her but he is not sure if she “sang it good”. Randy says, “It just was not hot. I do not get it."

Our next group is Lauren, Denise and Scotty with their new song "Hello, Goodbye" which I thought was a better choice. They were having fun performing. I thought Denise and Lauren sounded good; Scotty did his usual low voice thing. Jennifer says they sounded good but Denise was not as strong as usual. Steven thought the running around was like a Marx Brothers routine. Randy indicates it was "nice" and "entertaining."

We briefly hear Carson Higgins and Caleb Hawley and it did not sound that great. Casey Abrams and Chris Medina choose "A Hard Day's Night" and do a good job as well although the jumping on the bed was a bit over the top.

It is now 10:00 p.m. and there is one final group to perform. Aaron Sanders, Robbie Rosen and Jordan Dorsey are up with "Got to Get You into My Life." This was a freaking awesome performance. They really sang well together and added a little R&B flavor to their version of the song. Randy indicates he was very impressed with their range and harmonies. Jennifer tells Jordan that they have high expectations of him and indicates Aaron was a surprise. Steven liked the group and said you "nailed it."

The judges must now cut the remaining 61 down to 40. They ask Thia, Scotty, Jordan, Ashton, Robbie and Lauren Alaina to step forward. They are all going through. Ryan then tells us through video montages that some of those cut are Molly DeWolf Swensen, Carson, Caleb, Denise, Melinda and Ashley (oh joy!).

The final 40 are heading back to LA for one final chance to wow the judges before they have to walk to the chair of doom for the final judgment.

Our final judgment takes place in a hangar this year which sounds strange but I liked the whole set up, the lighting, the walkway up to meet the judges. The 40 will be cut to 24, 12 men and 12 women. Those who make it through will begin the start of something wonderful.

Everyone is waiting in the holding room for the decision of their lives. Naima Adedap is up first and how exciting we get to see a clip of her final performance before the judges where she sang "Put Your Records on." Naima is crying as she sits. Steven says they fell in love with her because she shows her emotions so well in song. Jennifer says she has not been the most consistent but they really like her. Steven tells her she is going through as she leaves says, "you are a flower, now bloom!"

Hollie Cavanagh is up next and her final performance chose "No One." Jennifer praises her for standing out in Hollywood and showing she belongs here but explains she is not going through. Jennifer says she wanted to put her through because you belong in the top 24 but the other judges disagreed.

Lakeisha Lewis is cut along with Alex Ryan.

Clint is up next and his final performance was "Hello" and I really did not like it, however, the judges did. The judges call him out again about Jacee and he manages to spin it in a more positive tone. It really does not matter because Clint is going through.

Haley Reinhart is next and her final performance was with "Baby It's you." Haley has a good voice. Steven tells her she is going through.

DeAndre Brackensick is next. Randy tells him he should be proud for making it into the top 40 but his journey ends tonight.

Paul McDonald is our next victim to make the walk to the chair of doom. Jennifer says they have liked him from the beginning but is not sure he fits with the competition. Randy says they are looking for great, unique, and talented people, which he is. Paul is going through to the top 24.

Ashton Jones is next to make the walk. Her final performance was with "I Wanna Dance with somebody." I thought it was okay. I did like the choice of accompaniment with only an acoustic guitar. Jennifer states she has been one of the most consistent singers but they were not sure if she could handle all the pressure. Jennifer indicates we are looking for "the whole package" and guess what she is going through to the top 24.

Chris Medina takes the next journey up to the chair of doom, his final performance was with “Fix You”, and it was not good. The song was out of his range and he was shouting very loud not singing. Chris tells the judges that his fiancée is now more popular than he is. She wanted him to tell them that their meeting was the best moment of her life. Jennifer praises his love and conviction. You started out strong but this competition is about vocal talent and while they love him, they only have 24 slots and he will not be filling one of them. Jennifer wishes him the best and says she will miss him. Chris says he was not going to continue with music but he has started to find his voice and he will keep singing.

After Chris leaves Jennifer breaks down saying it was really hard to tell him no. She is not sure she told him in the right way while Steven and Randy comfort her and says she did. Jennifer says she does not want to do this anymore. Call me Mr. Cynical but I did not believe that breakdown and felt it was totally put on. The producers just know how to manipulate all their video footage.

We cut to Ryan who indicates we come to the end of the show and tomorrow we will reveal the final 24. We have five of the top 24.

I am not sure how they will stretch out the reveal to two hours but that is what is in store.

Until tomorrow...