Last night, American Idol finalists enjoyed an open book of song possibilities. Adam Lambert and Danny Gokey shined as usual while dark horse Kris Allen made another step toward the top of the pack with a brilliant arrangement of “Ain’t No Sunshine.”
After the votes were counted, it was Megan Joy who received the lowest number, becoming the latest elimination from American Idol Season 8.
Megan, the 22-year-old single mom from Sandy, Utah, ended her Idol run with a performance of Bob Marley’s “Turn Your Lights Down Low.”
Megan was not the only contestant who received criticism during last evening’s performances. Allison Iraheta was given good comments on her musicality, but was reproached on her appearance, which landed her a spot in the bottom three with Megan and Anoop Desai.
Contestants on American Idol enjoy the help of stylists when creating a “look” for the show. But the stylists are not allowed to create a look or demand a specific look. Instead, they help the contestants attain the look each individual is trying to achieve. Therefore, each contestant is ultimately responsible for his or her own appearance on Idol.
Next week, the finalists return to battle it out using songs from the year they were born.
Wichita, do you think America got it right? Who would you go see in concert, maybe at Riverfest?
18 Comments
Megan did not live up to her promise. Her complete lack of performing experience did her in. I would love to see someone take her under their wing (*Caw Caw*) and develop her talent. She does have nerve though. Telling Simon she didn’t care was not a smart move but she knew she was going home. (As an aside, apparently it was Megan’s brother heckling Kara last night and during the breaks Kara and her bodyguards approached him not once but twice to discuss his breach of Idol protocol. For details go to votefortheworst.com…no way was she going to be saved after that stuff) I did like her final positive comments about Idol, the judges and her fellow contestants.
It was wonderful seeing David Cook perform and sadly he makes the current crop pale in comparison. So great his album went platinum…I contributed to 2/1,000,000 of that so yay for me!
Is Lady GaGa Adam in drag? I was Ga Ga Gagging at her song but she can sing and dance. Just wish she didn’t have to be so weird about it! Sort of a Madonna/Liza throwback with other influences I’m sure but I’m also sure its not that original just attention getting. I know..I’m an old lady so I don’t get it but that #1 song sounded like #2 to me. Can I say that on this blog?
I wonder if Phil reads these comments.
If i heard one more Caw Caw i was going to vomit. The right person did go home! Can we send Kara packing too?
Monica, I too contributed to that platinum record!! I totally agree…David is miles above the others. Granted he’s no longer an “amateur” but even during his competition days he showed much more promise than I see in any of the current contestants. I think what really strikes me about him is his demeanor. He seems so humble and so grateful for all that he’s experienced. Yay David! Now…Megan…I thought I’d fall off the couch laughing when Simon told Megan she wasn’t going to get a second chance. Talk about a slap in the face. Whoa! I loved it! Bye bye birdie!! I suppose I’m really out of touch too but I did not enjoy Ga Ga’s performance. But I didnt totally hate it either. Just not my thing.
What a relief to have Megan eliminated. I’m out of the country and unable to watch the shows live, but I did see them later with our laptop slingbox device. I can’t believe Allison was in the bottom three. Sure her outfit was out there, but it’s not the “What Not to Wear” show. I loved Danny again this week but I’m equally loving Kris Allen and I’ll always think Matt is incredible. Adam L is going to be star no matter what happens on Idol. He just is. He deserves to be…the dude is mega-talented.
I for one think Scott will do some great things with a music career. Give him some time. Maybe not the next Stevie Wonder of course. But music is his future. Lil, on the other hand, is another story. And I like her a lot but every week her voice gets scarier.
Phil, I’d definitely enjoy a Danny Gokey or Kris Allen or Allison Iraheta or Matt Giraud concert. And I’d go see Adam on Broadway in a New York minute.
I think everyone is relieved that Megan went home. She just isn’t in the same league as the majority of the remaining Idols. I loved David Cook and his return to Idol but what the heck is this Ga Ga creature, or as I referred to her as GAG GAG. Good Grief. Next week should be interesting to see what they pick.
AMERICA
America you finally got it right!!!!!!!!!!
Megan was a real nut when she was in the bottom three.
And Lady Gaga – what planet is she from?????
I agree with Monica, if someone were able to take Megan under their wing and develop her unique sense of sound, she could be brilliant. But possibly Simon will see to it that she never gets to tinsel town after her comments etc…But I really thought the last two shows were weird to even watch. Something is missing??? I think Scott needs to go home, but he also could be brilliant in his own genre, but I just can’t see young Idols screaming at him while on stage…maybe an older crowd, anyone agree?
I have to agree that Megan needed to go. At first I just thought she had a unique voice, until I realized that it wasn’t unique, it was just terrible. Terrible!
Agree with PegO’myheart on Scott, he should just pursue his style of music, get a following through MySpace etc, and settle in in his genre. This type of competition is wrong for him, just as it was wrong for Jason and Brooke last year. They’re all niche singer/songwriters and this AI emcompasses all styles. Just think of successful perfomers today that would have falled flat on their faces on Idol!
Matt and Lil have both shot themselves in the foot by not staying true to themselves, they’re trying too hard to please the judges, and don’t feel genuine anymore.
Kris is the dark horse this year, he just needs to move his mouth more, and gain some confidence.
I’m liking Alison a lot more as the weeks go by, initially I just thought she was another
Amanda Overmeyer, but she’s proven her versitality. She’s just too young to have the experience to go up against the grown-ups. Still think she’ll be in the top 4-5.
Adam has it all, but somehow leaves me cold. Too polished maybe? I have no doubt that he’ll be in the finals.
Danny has disappointed me. He was my fave early on but I don’t see the spark/magic anymore. He’s a great singer, but David Cook spoiled me with his musicianship (is that a word?), and just being a great singer isn’t enough anymore. It’s the difference between a news anchor and a journalist.
Speaking of journalism, here’s a little advice for you, Phil. I was really excited to hear that you would be covering the Idol column, even though I loved Denise I thought you would have some great insight due to your experience. I have to agree with the other commenters that you’ve really fallen down on the job! Since you’ve committed to this, please please put some effort into it.
Absolutely the correct choice. She should have gone weeks ago in my opinion. Onward and upward. Caw Caw!!
I do agree with you PegO’. Scott will never have hoards of youth craving for more of what he does. And he’ll never win Idol. But I think he’s been given an incredible gift that can provide him with a successful musical career of some sort.
I totally agree that Phil is putting about as much effort into this blog as he would say shining Simon’s shoes.
Let’s really say what needs to be said. Adam Lambert is a freak. If anyone would like to research this just go to youtube and search his name. You will find all kinds of interesting things. Best of all his version of the Star Spangled Banner is not only disturbing but, makes me want to slap a good ol’ U.S.A. beat down on his abnormal *&^%$.
If anyone would seriously consider buying an album of his then good for you. I hope you and your Goth children are happy being unhappy.
Kris Allen was definitely the best of the night by using advice from Kara “broken record” Diguardi and being artistic. I will not dive into the Kara issue at American Idol other than to say I would be extremely surprised to see her back next year.
Until we meet again.
Gravy Train out.
Phil’s lack of effort may be b/c he’s posting to several other blogs like LA Times and his own. He personalized this one a tad by adding the Wichita question at the end. That said, I DVR and watch the show, so I’m not really looking for a recap. The former contestant behind-the-scenes perspective is more interesting. Signed, Team Adam
Hey Phil great to see you blogging about Idol 09, cool to read opinions from someone who lived AI and not just some critic!! I totally agree with your take so far, though I think I like Adam more than you do, I just think his style and voice are very current in today’s market. Especially the tween to twenty crowd, and we all know that’s where the most album $$ are these days. Danny Gokey had a hot performance and he, like Lambert, has been my pick for finals since the auditions, and I haven’t been wrong since Idol started, I think like David Cook of last year this is Adam Lamberts to loose, if he keeps going the way he has been it will be him as the last man standing. I hope they do a Queen night I would love to hear Adam, Kris, Danny and Allison interpret one of my favorite bands and best rock vocalist EVER!!
As for Allison, WOW!! I know it has been said by the judges but for 16 years old that girl has such a raw power in her voice and her soul which really shines in her performances, (she is my 12 y/o daughters favorite). I love to watch her expressions when she sings too, I just think she needs more polish to out-shine the rest, who knows maybe she can. I thought her outfit was appropriate for her style and song, so bla bla Simon and Randy!
Kris was surely the dark horse of the night and really the season ( I liked him and thought he could be a serious contender if he can come out of his shell), his performance and interpretation of the song were excellent! So depending on what Lambert and Gokey do in the next 3 weeks I could be off by one for the first time and he could be one of the last 2 on finals night.
I so agree, Matt shot himself not only for his performance but the whole set-up with the little girls around him and all, was just distracting and uncomfortable as Randy said. If he doesn’t kick it up next week I think he might leave before Anop’ does.
Lil rounds has some pipes but she sings flat at times and her song choice is horrendous!
I look for Anop to leave next week unless Lil Rounds can finally pic a song to shine out on.
I’m Out!
Having a blind brother and 5 blind grandsons, they all find music a form of self-develpement and is kind of a seventh sense to them. My oldest grandson can play the keyboard like it’s going out of stye – so awesome. My brother is a wiz on the organ – as for the rest of us in the family – I guess we were behiding behind the door when God was passing out music talent because we have none. So all in all – I highly praise Scott for getting as far as he has and am sure he will be the Stevie Wonder of the 21st century.
Sorry – meant to say “hiding” behind the door not “behiding.”
I completely agree with practically ever thing hawkmama said. And Megan last night…haven’t seen anything that obnoxious since Tatianna. Good riddance!
Someone please tell me how Allison keeps ending up in the bottom three??
I laughed out loud when Megan did the *Caw Caw* over to the stools because she was laughing at herself and the fact that Vote For the Worst had been mocking her *caw caw* after she sang Rockin Robin for weeks. She could have refrained from saying she didn’t care that Simon trashed her performance but you know….I think her grovelling before Simon’s greatness would have been just too much for me. And..when Ryan basically says to someone…you know the judges think you are trash you have two choices: say oh yeah I’m trash or say well you know I’m not going to care about that. Let’s face it, she worked her tail off for weeks for Idol and I think she has a right to say I’m happy with myself even if Simon isn’t.
I read that she told her fellow contestants that she knew she was going home and was going to have some fun with it. I’m glad she did.
At least she didn’t cry and beg like Tatiana and she spent a good portion of her time on that stool cheering up Allison (who she is very close to).
And if any contestant can be forgiven for some drama and odd behavior surely it would be on the night they are sent home.