I am honored tonight to be hosting Felicia Barton (who was a semifinalist this year on Idol) at my home with her husband and 2-year-old son. As our kids are running around the house screaming and making messes together, she is giving me the scoop on the contestants that are still in the competition.
The theme for tonight is songs from the year of each contestant’s birth. Usually I would be complaining about how it is impossible to be current with songs from the early ’80s, but as these contestants showed us last week, they LOVE singing songs this old.
Danny Gokey opened the show reminding me why I am such a big fan of his. He gave the song “Stand By Me” a gospel feel – which I loved. I am a big Danny Gokey fan and Felicia confirms what a great guy he is.
Kris Allen sang “All She Wants To Do (is Dance).” The judges weren’t quite as keen on this performance as they have been the past few weeks, but Kris is in no danger of leaving. He is a star and is still capable of pulling out an upset.
Allison Iraheta tore herself up some “I Can’t Make You Love Me If You Don’t.” Early in the season, people were really only talking about Danny and Adam, but between Allison and Kris, we have a serious competition. Simon questions her likability and he is right in doing so. She has a hard time showing her personality, but she is definitely one of the best talents there. She reminds Felicia and her husband a great deal of Kelly Clarkson. I’m not exactly there because I think Allison has such a distinct style, but she is definitely in the same league.
Matt Giraud also showed up ready to impress. He nailed “Part-Time Lovers.” To me, it was his best performance of the season so far. He needed this performance tonight because he was starting to shift to the “No-Chance-To-Win” group, but he definitely proved he deserved to stay another week.
Adam Lambert performed “Mad World.” It was my wife’s favorite performance from him. He has amazing vocal control. Simon Cowell gave him a standing ovation – the first I have ever seen in 8 seasons.
Anoop did well, but I can’t imagine a bottom three without him this week. To me, Scott and Lil are both on the chopping block unless a surprise elimination occurs. What do you think?
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I still say: Matt, Adam, Allison all the way.
Scott could be the one to go this week.
If Allison is in the bottom three it is strictly because of her personality. That girl can flat sing. And if she were eliminated this week I would hope the judges would pull out their magic save option. Either Scott or Lil should be eliminated, but has Lil even been in the bottom three yet this year? She should have been there every week instead of Matt G or Allison.
Kris Allen wasn’t horrible, but it was his weakest performance tonight I thought. Matt G was on top of his game. Danny Gokey was as good as ever. And then there’s Adam, who is always a dependable performer. But if personality is a criteria for winning, Adam should be in the same boat as Allison.
Whoever was managing the time element of the show tonight must have called in sick or something. Why was it so messed up?
I hope Lil or Scott are eliminated. We’ll see.
Once again I was blown away by Adam, his vocals were fantastic. Alison and Anoop were the runners up in my opinion, next came Danny and Matt. I always enjoy Kris but this week I believe he will be in the bottom three, along with Lil & Scott. Scott had just a horrible night and if he stays for another week, it will be a small miracle. I do wish that Lil would have done better on the Tina Turner classic, but she was just an imitation of her and I really didn’t enjoy the performance. I believe this has got to be one of the strongest seasons and after Scott leaves each week will be much harder to choose the top vocalist!
Well be prepared for some blasphemy. I’m really starting to loathe Danny Gokey. I thought he was flat several times tonite and just over the top…dare I say *indulgent*? At least he didn’t sing about losing the love of his life and we were only subtlely reminded that he has no one to stand by him.
What was Kris thinking with all those tweens smothering him and his performance. I had never heard that song before because I am old. Maybe the original artist did it better. I was surprised completly by him tonight and not in a good way.
Poor Lil cannot seem to find a diva to sing that will please the judges although I agree she is not performing well. Will she just sing Mary J Blige already so they will stop telling her she ought to sing Mary J?
Scott made the mistake of listening to Paula. But, frankly, he could have been the second coming of Elton John, Bill Joel, Ray Chales and Stevie Wonder tonite and still been panned because they gave him his good review last week and they are done with him.
I heart Allison. I want her to win. I don’t usually like teen idols but she can really sing and she is funny and acts her age and well..I just heart her.
Matt’s appeal continues to escape me.
Adam….well he deserved the pimp spot tonight. I have almost forgiven him for Ring of Fire. If its him and Gokey in the finals I will vote for Adam.
Phil, wish Felicia well. I’m fully convinced the producers wanted Joanna Pancitti to win or go very far and stacked the top 36 with mediocre women singers to protect her. If it hadn’t been for the new format, I think Felicia would have made the top 10.
Like him or not. If you can honestly say that you don’t think Adam has an AWESOME voice, I feel very sorry for you because you obviously don’t recognize true talent when you hear it….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF4wOCWP92Y
I am beginning to get very irritated at the time management on this show. Surely someone is in charge of this?? Its bad enough to sit and watch someone get nailed to the wall because the judges hated their performance, then you get someone like Adam and Allison who ripped it up and they get brushed aside quickly because of lack of time. GET ON WITH IT ALREADY!! Whew…got that off my chest. I really dug Allison this week. I thought Adam did well but now I’m going to have to go back and watch it again as I want to see exactly what it is that brings Simon out of his chair. The kid can sing, no doubt. I was really distracted by all the people swarming around Kris while he was singing. That was just kinda stupid and I’m surprised the producers went for it. Anyway, he picked the wrong song for sure. Just once wouldn’t you just love for the judges to tell them what they “Should” sing…instead of telling them…”wrong song dude”. Poor Lil, she just can’t get it right. Sure she can sing but I am thinking the judges have had enough of her.
Last night Danny Gokey showed exactly who he is, a Michael Bolton wanna-be. I could not stand it.
Scott, Lil and Kris really stunk the place up. Matt was ok. Allison has quite the talent for being 16, but if she was 23 I don’t think everyone would think she’s so brilliant. She may have a future in music, but in this over hyped mainstream music scene we are in I don’t know what genre she could really shine in.
So let’s talk about Adam. Can we give the whole “Ring of Fire” thing a rest? A mediocre singer, Jason Castro, sang a very nice cover of Jeff Buckley’s version of “Hallelujah” and he is praised as amazing. The best singer to ever appear on American Idol sings a Jeff Buckley cover of “Ring of Fire” and Cash is “spinning in his grave”. Give me a break.
I have not seen Phil Stacey say one thing positive about Adam Lambert. It’s Danny, Danny, Danny. Maybe you can parlay this adoration into being the opening act for you two when you headline Central Christian.
I stated this back in February: Adam Lambert is the most gifted talent since Freddy Mercury. I didn’t think I would ever see talent like that again after Freddy’s passing. I consider myself fortunate, and look forward to Lambert being a mega-star, in multiple venues.
And like Mercury, Lambert has been a target of some pretty vicious statements and innuendo because of his sexuality. I think last night’s performance and song choice was a direct response to that, hence Simon’s standing ovation to a brilliant performance.
Since I can’t find great music playing in Wichita, I’m off to see Ben Folds live in Manhattan tonight. He’s amazing and I encourage anyone to see him if you get the chance.
Bottom 3 is Lil, Scott and Allison. Buh bye Lil.
As usual Adam was a show stopper. He IS the next American Idol. I think Scott & Lil will be 2/3 of the bottom three. Adam has the whole package, looks, stage presence, talent, vocal range and personality. He could easliy be an Elvis impersonator.
Oh Monica…you can’t be THAT old? You’ve never heard of Don Henley??? (The Eagles?) OH maybe it’s just that Kris butchered the song so bad even Don Henley didn’t recognize it! In any case good bye Scott, he shouldn’t have made it to the top 10, time to leave. Top Two Allison and Adam.
It’s the first time ever in the history of this show that Simon Cowell has ever given anyone a standing ovation. There is a nice side to this guy…..I knew it!
Jerry, I agree with you on the similarities between Adam and Freddie Mercury, except for one important point. I believe Adam is a better singer than Freddie Mercury (I know, blasphemer…) But if you remember, Freddie was at times an inconsistent performer and was known for throwing a few sour notes out. Have not seen anything but consistently great performances from Adam.
So yes, he has the charisma, charm and presence of the great Freddie Mercury. But he is a much better singer. My opinion.
I didn’t weigh in a couple weeks ago, but I LOVED Ring of Fire. (But then I enjoy NIN and some of those weirdos.) Gosh, they asked a Goth kid to sing CnW, what did they expect?
and JERRY, RE: GOING TO SEE BEN FOLDS: can you please update us on this blog sometime??? I would love to see Folds… I am envious.
I thought Matt and Allison were the best last night. Didn’t get to see Adam..my DVR cut him off. Saw the kiddie pix then….show over!!! I haven’t been a big Adam fan through most of the season, but have thought the last couple were better, and from the postings here maybe I would have liked last nights performance as well. I’ve over and done with Lil and Scott. Either one can go and I won’t be upset.
The judges spent three-fourths of the show belittling Lil, poor girl. She is on her way out, I agree she should be. But dang, they would not let up on her! And Scott, those vampirish like teeth, and were you really playing the guitar? It didn’t look like it to me, did it even have strings?? Top three in this order– Adam, Matt, then Danny….
I think Jerry needs to get over himself. This is just a reality show. Nothing to get nasty over.
BTW. I think Lil, Scott and Anoop are the bottom 3.
And I love Danny!
Im tired of people saying that this is a good group of talent, I think last year was the best! Im not saying there not good, cant compare them to last year.I think Lil or Scott should go! I agree with you Jerry why is it always Danny Danny Danny! he wasnt that good last nite. I love Allison and Chris.
I still don’t get the fascination with Adam. He screams?!?! How is that singing? I don’t get it. I mean, his tongue hangs out of his mouth because he’s screaming so loudly. And let’s not forget that this guy has some serious experience pushing him along unlike most of the other competitors. He has stage presence because he was on Broadway. If you’ve seen ANY show on Broadway, you’ve seen a million Adam Lamberts. This season is my least favorite.
Well I am not sure about Fox anymore. I think Kara needs to go. She takes up too much time with her blah blah artistry blah blah. It gets old and then there is no time left for the pimp spot… but then… maybe that is the point?
Kris has been “my” dark horse in this. he did not do well last night but he is still very good. Scot should have been gone weeks ago. And whats up with his constant back chatter to the judges. He comes off as an arrogant lil crapper.
I am going to go out on a limb and agree with Jerry and say if Allison was not 16, people would not be so blown away. I did not care so much for Danny tonight and Im a big Danny fan. He is just getting boring now.
People on the Am IDol Facebook were screaming last night about their DVR’s cutting off the end of pretty boy’s performance. Easy fix but still, someone needs to shut Kara up.
Anoop… *sigh* I still really like him. Even more so when he snarked Kara. Odd though, he reminds me of Dr. Kutner on House. Another *sigh* that was a real shock on that show
Matt…. still trying too hard to be Timberlake.
Adam. Oh my how everyone was freaking out about how awesome his “Original” version of that song was (check out youtube and Donny Darko’s verseion)and how he is the second coming. Yeah he is a good singer but he is a professional singer. He SHOULD be good. He has been in performances on stage for years. Just once, I would like to see a “discovered” talent on this show!
I dunno.. just kinda going along the flow now to see how it pans out. I dont think it really matters. The judges have it figured out who will win.
Adam blew me away last night! I’m glad he’s proven me wrong and stepped away from the screaming and is finally showcasing his vocal control and ability, albeit, he does come across as theatrical. Still, he was absolutely fantastic and I’ve never even heard the song “Mad World” but I was glued to the tv during his entire performance! I don’t know what’s up with Lil, maybe she doesn’t want it as bad as the others. She’ll be in the bottom three tonite. Alison is he real deal! That girl is outsinging every female vocalist they’ve had on this season. She can S-A-N-G!! I’m looking for Scott and Anoop to join Lil in the bottom three. Hate on Danny all you want, that guy is soulful, skillful, and can sing his $@# off!!!!
Small correx for Kari–Adam has never performed on Broadway. He’s done musical theatre and was an understudy in a touring production–but not on Broadway. He has said it’s how he paid the bills but that he’s not a big musical-theatre geek listing to show tunes all the time. (I have two friends who are classically trained opera singers but they take $ however they can–weddings, whatevs.) Also, I think there’s a difference between screaming and singing high/loud falsetto–it just doesn’t appeal to everyone. This was part of Jeff Buckley’s trademark but he died before his time–he was amazing. I think Lil–although she can be good–overdoes it and screams lyrics at times.
Adam is second-oldest contestant and prob has the most experience, so while he does have an advantage having made a living as a singer, it doesn’t seem unfair to me. He had not been discovered and had only worked the LA area–he was not a nationally recognized pro like this makes of many contestants.
~Team Adam
BTW–are the producers TRYING to ruin things for DVR/TiVo users? Seven minutes over? Come on.
Well, I think we all agree FOX brought in Kara to make Paula look normal, and IT WORKED!
I think either Lil and Anoop should be eliminated…they do nothing for me. Scott pulls at my heart…he sings with such heart. I know he won’t win the competition…but I enjoy his singing.
Bottom three – Scott, Anoop, & Lil
The two headed for the finale – Adam & Allison
So booboo, it doesn’t concern you that Allison has been in the bottom three so often? I can’t see her making the finale unless people start voting for her.
SO hawkmama – did it ever occur to you that Fantasia made the bottom three and she won???
I was not aware. Did it ever occur to you that some people haven’t watched Idol every year since it started??
I’ve only watched since the Carrie Underwood season, and faithfully since then. So your information is encouraging news to me! Thanks!