AI 10 3-3-11 The Finalists Revealed

What has America decided? Whom will the judge’s choose as wildcard picks? The results are in and this is AMERICAN IDOL!

Ryan announces that 40 million votes came in over the previous two nights. After the top five of each gender is announced the judges will choose some of the remaining 14 to sing again for their shot at being a wild card pick.

The results shows are never my favorite when they are a half-hour, I dislike them even more at an hour but we have two hours to fill tonight. We filled the time with exceedingly boring videos and the illusion of heightened importance of the announcements of who will go and who will stay.

I will cut to the chase and indicate I believe America made interesting choices and agree for the most part with the top ten who are:

Scotty McCreery
Jacob Lusk
Casey Abrams
Paul McDonald
James Durbin
Pia Toscano
Lauren Alaina
Karen Rodriguez
Thia Megia
Haley Reinhart

I think the first time in ten seasons have I predicted this many of the top 10. The only difference between my picks and America is I predicted Ashthon would move forward as opposed to Haley.

Now it is time to critic the contestants the judges selected for a second chance to advance via the wildcard picks. The judges indicate they will be picking six contestants for a chance and it will be an even split between the genders.

Ashthon Jones is up first with “And I am telling you” and I am thinking with all the songs you can chose from you take this one. While I realize you may want to be a diva so many other great singers have nailed this song. The performance was fine but she did not shine, as she should have.

Steve – “You brought it.”
Jennifer – “I felt your passion.”
Randy – “I love your attitude.”

Stefano Langone is next with “I Need You now.” I was disappointed in this performance, there was something off I cannot put my finger on it. I thought his performance on Tuesday was better. I thought it was funny that Stefano left even before the judges provided their feedback. This cannot be a good sign.

Steve – “You gilded the lily of your own passion.” Ronald thinks WTF.
Jennifer – “I am shaking because you did so well.”
Randy – “You did the song justice.”

Kendra Chantelle chooses “Georgia on My Mind.” I am not fond of this song choice and she sang better than last night except for the horrible high note.

Randy – “You started low but then you rocked it.”

Jovany Barreto comes out with “Angel.” Now this was a kick ass performance and probably his best. I thought everything worked and for once, he showed some passion and really sold the song.

Jennifer – “You did all you could do.”

Naima Adedapo is up next and she goes with “For All We Know.” Naima is really beginning to shine. She made different choices then last night and kept the performance simple. It was a beautiful rendition.

Steven – “You came from way deep and brought it.”

Robbie Rosen is the last contestant and he chooses “Sorry seems to be the Hardest Word.”. I am not sure it was the best choice of song but his choosing to sing mostly a capella was impressive but he stumbled at the end with some incredible bum notes.

Randy – “This will be a really hard choice to make.”

Prior to our learning who will be the two-wildcard picks we have to watch J Lo’s new video, “On the Floor” where the lucky voting audience picked the ending. The song and video did not impress me. I found the entire thing boring.

The judges are ready and we learn there will be a top 13 not a top 12. The wild card picks are Ashthon, Stefano and Naima.

Overall, I am fine with the choices for the top 13. I think I would have preferred Brett having a chance over Jovany and Lauren Turner having a chance over Kendra.

One of the top 13 will be the next American Idol. Let the fun begin and I will see you all next week.