The Top 13 of American Idol took to the stage and vied for America’s votes tonight singing songs made famous by Michael Jackson. The stakes are very high. Two Idols will be voted off in order to compensate for the extra finalist added during the wild-card round. And to top it off, new rules that will change Idol will be announced tomorrow. Interesting … I wonder if it is going to a system much like “Dancing with the Stars” – giving the judges more power. I wonder if they are going to change the name of the show to “American and Judges’ Idol.”
I am actually in L.A. and was able to watch the show live with my soon-to-be tour mate, Season 7’s Chikezie. It was very surreal to experience American Idol sitting in the audience instead of on the stage. I felt like I was returning to high school a couple of years after graduation. I loved my time on Idol but would not want to trade places with any of the contestants! I still get nervous when I hear the show’s theme music.
I did have a chance to meet some of this year’s group. As expected, they all were class acts.
Tonight’s shining stars included Lil Rounds, the mother of three from Memphis. She continued to dominate and started the night off by belting out “The Way You Make Me Feel.” It was no surprise that the judges gave her rave reviews.
Danny Gokey, one of my early favorites, brought the house down with “PYT” (Pretty Young Thing). I thought this was a soulful and energetic performance. He knocked it out of the park and I agree with Paula saying he is well on his way to the finals.
Allison Iraheta, the spunky red-headed 16-year-old, turned “Give In to Me” into a great rock anthem. She is really carving out a place for herself on the show.
I also really enjoyed Matt Giraud. I think he is a contender and steadily earning new fans.
The judges absolutely loved Adam Lambert, the rock-goth “Wicked” star, who performed “Black and White.” This was too theatrical for me. The energy was amazing, but I do feel like it was over the top. He obviously has a great voice and will stay around for a long time.
There really wasn’t a complete dud performance but Louisville auditioner Kris Allen and Anoop Desai should be worried tomorrow.
Kris Allen, the newlywed from Conway, Ark., sang, “Remember the Time.” He has a nice voice but his performance really got lost in the crowd tonight. I don’t think he has enough momentum to carry him on in the competition.
Anoop Desai, the son of Indian immigrants and an early favorite, sang “Beat It.” This was a bad song choice. It bordered on gimmicky, like watching an “American Pie” character perform for Idol. But, I would not be surprised if his fans pulled through for him and he makes it through.
With two finalists getting axed and no major flops, each Idol should be worried about going home.
What do you all think? Was Adam as great as Paula thought?
20 Comments
I never got Michael Jackson. The Jackson 5 yes…Michael alone no. So, I am not familiar with his *catalogue* and except for Beat It, and the Jackson 5 songs, I had not heard any of those songs before. And after hearing them tonight I know why I was never a fan.
Lil is getting to me. I want to hear her sing all different styles. Scott was back at his piano and I like him even if he is blind and some terrible people on the Idol website say he is only there because he is blind.
Danny Gokey was good too and Michael Sarver surprised me as he had to follow Gokey and aquitted himself well. Jasmine had about 4 bars where I see her potential. Other than that *yawn*. Chris Allen will be here awhile because he has the pink cell phone votes but I thought that guitar with that song and stuck out like a sore thumb and took away from his performance.
Allison is cool. Sure she is a prodigy like Archie and has been singing since aged 2 but I like a rocker girl. Anoop…well…OMG that was bad. I know his personality attracts fans but that had to be the very worst performance of the night.
And, now that Jorge is in the top 13, the judges suddenly are pointing out what I thought all along. He is old fashioned even if he is a sweetheart and has a good voice. I liked him better tonight but the judges threw him under the stage.
I thought Megan picked about the only song she could pick for her. Simon hates perky performances so he hated the song. She moved about the stage a bit tonight and I thought she did pretty well. Certainly not worse than Jasmine or Anoop.
Matt G is rapidly becoming my not so favorite of the pretty good ones. I thought tonight’s performane was awful. The judges loved it.
And, I guess they have decided that Alexis is the sacrificial goat because they gave her the *new* number which those who have autodial may have to reprogram. I liked her tonight but are we sure that song shouldn’t be called *Dirty Tatiana?*
Adam is in a league of his own. I don’t know that song so don’t know if he did it in a *new* way or not. But, he has a boatload more experience than the rest of them so he should have better stage presence. I’m not voting for him though. At least not yet.
The surprise? If it is to *save* a contestant that America has voted off I will say AI has jumped the shark. New Coke anyone?
Phil, I agree with you 100%!
I loved the show tonight. But poor Anoop has been reduced to eye candy with that performance. Oh but he is easy on the eyes. Actually I liked Kris Allen’s performance, Phil. I love his voice. The guitar kind of got lost in the song but his vocals were great. I agree with you on Matt Giraud. That was a beautiful performance. Adam Lambert is a performer for sure but his last few notes sounded pretty scary. I’m sure he’s safe though. He does have star quality. Not that he’s my favorite. Danny Gokey is still my favorite.
The girls were outdone by the guys IMHO. Lil sounded great. Didn’t like her wardrobe at all. Put some dark colors on that big ol’ booty puhleeze. The red-headed 16 year old is simply amazing. Is she really only 16??? Hard to believe. The other girls were lackluster at best.
As far as the judges go, Paula was remarkably lucid and intelligent tonight. Okay, Phil, a question for you. What is the deal with Paula on those nights when she is barely coherent? What’s in that red Coke glass she drinks from?
I thought most of them had a good night. Sorry Jasmine, I think you sing a pretty song but…yawn, certainly not idol exciting in any way shape or form. I thought Scott did great but there again…the others really outshone him I feel. Another pretty song but nothing to write home about. I didn’t get much from Anoop but I too feel his “fanbase” will keep him around a while. I really like Adam Lambert but I can definately see that he is a “love him” or “hate him” type because some people might think he’s a bit of a “screamer”. I personally dont mind a little bit but I know alot of people dont like that. Megan sounded almost “Country” to me tonight. But thats not why I didn’t enjoy her performance. She just doesn’t impress me. Go Danny! I really liked him tonight. What was all over his back? Surely he wasn’t sweating through his jacket?
Let’s rate the judges:
Randy is still addressing women as “man,” “dude” and dawg,” and males as “baby,” so I don’t see him going through to the final rounds.
Kara again tries to use the word “ridiculous” as a term of praise, and it doesn’t work this time either.
Paula remains unable to complete a coherent sentence, but comes close in a murky come-on to that guy with the guitar.
Simon has become, as he would say, a bit boring. A bit predictable. And those T-shirts are simply atrocious.
I don’t get Adam Lambert. Since when is screaming the equivalent of talent? If he has Idol potential, so does every other person on this planet. I just don’t get the screaming….yah, stage presence, ok…screaming, no. Needless to say, I fast forwarded through his yelping because I couldn’t handle it. I do think I saw him in Wicked when I saw the performance and thought the same thing then…loved Wicked, hated him.
I still can’t listen to Jorge over his eyebrows. But I did manage to release the fast forward button for about 15 seconds of his song and I couldn’t understand what he was singing. Coming from a choir veteran–annunciate home skillet! I need to know you know the words!
And I don’t get the fascination with Lil Rounds. Yeah, she’s got a good voice, but she was definitely dragging the dead horse last night. That song is way more upbeat and I felt like it was taking forever for her to get through it.
My favorites were Danny Gokey–I honestly don’t love his voice, but I do love him. And Allison is probably my favorite. I do love her voice. I also really love Alexis. I think I’m the only person in America that thinks the girls out perform the guys this season. I just don’t like screamers, eyebrows, and awkwardness.
I didn’t think any of the performances–that I managed to listen to–were too awful, but I’m hoping that the season gets better. At this point, I don’t forsee being excited about this season at all. I don’t know if I’ll ever make it through an episode without the fast forward button.
I think Adam & Danny Gokey will go far in this competition – if not in the finale. That little Allison reminds me a tad of Rachael Ray.
I think that Allison Iraheta looks like a 1970’s comedienne and Spanish singer “Charo” she’s a little different. (Yes, I am dating myself, but if you Google her you can see what I’m talking about). I think Adam Lambert has potential, and he has nice teeth and nice eyes, oh, yes he has talent also. And Kris Allen is a doll, I did like Simon’s comment about the fact that he shouldn’t of brought his wife into the picture just yet, meaning all the young girls would vote for him more if he were single:) I think the surprise tonight has to do with one of the judges bowing out???? Just a thought.
You go, daknadler, I love your rating of the judges! The thing that bugs me about Randy is how he always “boo’s” Simon during the introductions. It might have been funny the very first time he did it, but now he is like a 5th grader looking for a laugh. Grow up dawg. Also, I liked Kara at first but she really grates on my nerves lately. Paula…what can we say…she must never watch herself on tape…it borders on embarassing. Simon is kinder and gentler this year…he’s still getting paid, so why should he care? The only contestant that I don’t like is Megan. How did she make it into the top 13? She either sings or dances, she cannot do both at the same time, very awkward. Also, don’t you think she should pick clothes that don’t clash with her hideous sleeve tatoo??
Adam was every bit as good as the judges said – he really is the star of this season for me – the rest are just there to give him someone to sing against. He is out of this world fantastic….
didn’t agree with the judges on Megan though, I liked it! Didn’t agree on Scott either, he was pretty awful. As usual, I wasn’t feeling either Danny or Matt, just don’t like those two at all, but I know they will be around for many weeks.
Adam is talented but lacks personality. He seems plastic. Scott was actually very good. I don’t think he will or should win it all, but he out-sings a lot of the other 13.
daknadler – loved your comments. I’m done with Anoop and Jorge…the rest can stay to sing another day.
What a stupid theme choice. I really cannot stand Michael Jackson… Never understood it.
Anyway, I also didn’t care for Anoop and Jorge. They are both too gimmicky for me. Its like they are the tokens on the show.
Lets just move on to finding a great performer.
What the ell was Anoop thinking? Did he just have a meltdown prior to taking the stage? Talk about draggin’ a dead horse – Just Beat It!
I thought it was going to be another bonk to the forehead when Adam Lambert started with Blackk or White but, he really BANGED that one!
Paula – stop with the BOTOX already. She couldn’t move the upper 3/4ths of her face. No wonder she was incoherent. She did have some really good moments of constructive criticism with positive input. And really Simon should just keep his hands to himself.
Did anyone else catch the look that Simon shot behind Paula’s head when she was talking about Scott getting his hands on his ‘instrument’? Luckily he didn’t say what mukked through his pea brain.
Go Go Gokey!
I don’t “watch” American Idol. I have the TV on, and I listen to it. So whatever they do on the stage, I don’t see it. I figure I don’t watch the radio when a song is playing, so I should just listen.
With that said, Anoop did pick a bad song. Personally, I think he should have sang “Ben”. That would have shown his range, and not be critiqued as a Karoke singer.
Personally, only 2 songs that I heard last night were worth mentioning. That girl who sang Dirty Diana. That was good!
And… Adam!! He was the only one that really, really stood out. Like others have said in here… he was in a league of his own last night.
Ah, the 13…….well, let’s see. Danny Gokey is definitely a well-rounded vocalist. I believe he can sing anything, funk, pop, rock, jazz, blues, country (i.e. “the phonebook” – very marketable guy. Anoop disappointed me with his song choice – that surely bought his ticket home. Adam the Screamer may have a good voice, but you’ll never know because he feels he has to scream in every song he does. He limits his marketability. Jasmine needs to come back next year after she gets a bit more stage experience. She’s truly out of her league with this group of contestants. You can tell all of them have performed on somebody’s stage, somewhere, for some time. Anyway, I agree with Phil on this one. I think Lil and Danny had a good night. Can’t wait to see what America thought and what tonight’s “surprise” will be!
Adam has the entire package. Good looks, vocals, talent, stage presence. He has it all!!!!!
I pretty much agree with Dak on the judges. Am I the only one that feels like they are totally wasting my time when they let the judges sit there and act so childish towards each other…slapping and punching and booing? Cmon, gimme a break. This is not the entertainment I’m looking for. They want the contestants to take the competition so seriously, then when they do, they jump all over them and tell them not to act so “morose” or drss so “old”. Then they sit and act like bratty children while they either fawn all over thier favorites, or slam the others into oblivion. Why don’t they take thier judges jobs as serious as they expect the contestants to? whew..I guess I just needed to vent.
I keep thinking about this time last season, when it looked like David Archuleta was the obvious future winner. And then Cook began to shine brighter and brighter. Archuleta kept doing what he did, really really well, but there was no progression for him as a performer. Just like Archuleta, Adam is polished, already a pro. Will he evolve, or be the same performer at the finale?
I hope someone will emerge from the background to shock us, stun us with their brilliance and growth. If not, it looks like it will be a repeat of seasons 1 and 3, because right now, no one is even in Adam’s league.
Oops! Put this in the wrong post!