American Idol's Season 8, Top 7 Results Show

I have not blogged the past two weeks about Idol. Life just got in the way. Sorry about that! This week, I have watched both the performance night and the results show and I'm here to tell you what I think! Aren'tcha glad???

My notes! My notes! Where are my notes!?

Quentin Tarantino was the guest mentor, even though he has no musical background. This, I found to be very interesting and looked forward to seeing what he would say. I wasn't so sure about some of the advice he gave, as I suspect some of the contestants weren't either, but it was interesting.

Idol just keeps getting weirder and weirder. This time, due to the show running over last week, they are only going to allow two judges to speak, giving the people not being judged by Simon an advantage (I would think).

Allison sang first. She sang "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith, from the Armageddon soundtrack. Paula and Simon critiqued the first performance and they both liked it. Simon told Allison that she was the "girls' only hope". Personally, I didn't care for it.

Anoop sang a Bryan Adams song, "Everything I Do, I Do For You". I thought the vocals were excellent, though I have to be honest, I'm not so crazy about Anoop. I like him okay on a personal level, what I can see, but he just seems boring. Randy thought it would be really rough, but thinks he's found his zone. "Dude, I think you did a really good job. Congrats." Kara thought it was one of his best vocals. She said she felt connected to his singing.

Adam sang the Steppenwolf song "Born To Be WIld" from the film "Easy Rider". As always, Adam rocked it out!!! Wow, what a performance. You can't not like him. Okay, at least his talent. I don't always care for his song choices, but he knows what to do with it when he gets a hold of a song. I sure do appreciate his talent and vocals. The crowd went wild! Paula said "You dare to dance in the path of greatness". "One of the greatest contestants I've ever witnessed". Simon said "Adam, you need to learn to express yourself better". Everyone laughed. He did say that the song/performance reminded him of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Matt Giraud sang the Bryan Adams song "To Really Love a Woman", from Don Juan DeMarco. I have never seen the film, but I really love that song! His performance was okay in my opinion. I love Matt more and more each week, but between this performance and the growth on his forehead, it's getting to me. Randy said his performance was okay. He commented that it was pitchy at the bridge and that it wasn't one of his best. Kara said that she appreciated the changes but that it took away some of the core qualities that makes it a great song.

Danny sang "Endless Love" by Lionel Ritchie from the film "Enless Love". Danny said in his interview before the performance that he bought a guitar and has never played before. I was thinking that he was going to do a Jason Castro and buy an instrument, learn it and use it in the same week (ukelele for Somewhere Over The Rainbow). Danny didn't. He said he bought it for the travel they will be doing over the summer for the tour, so he doesn't get bored on the bus. Danny's performance was sans glasses. Paula's comments were that she wasn't sure that the key shouldn't have been lowered. "But you pulled it together. A beautiful rendition." Simon said, "We know week on week that you're a brilliant singer." He was disappointed that he didn't do more to change it from the original version. Simon notes that he could tell that it meant something to Danny, so he congratulates him for that.

Kris sang "Falling Slowly" from the movie Once. He left the guitar and did a great job. I don't really notice Kris all that much, but really appreciated the way he performed that song, which I have never heard before. He seemed very emotionally connected to the song. Randy said "It never quite caught on." "It was pitchy from note one". Kara wholeheartedly disagreed (as did I) and said, "One of your best moments".


Lil Rounds sang "The Rose" by Bette Midler. I love Bette, but couldn't have thought of a song further from what I would have Lil perform. Midway through the song, Lil gave it a gospel sound that I enjoyed (my husband did not). I thought that the small changes she made to the beginning and the end would have made the middle part sound better if she had kept the beginning and end original. More of a contrast, I think. Anyway, Paula spoke, but said very little about the actual performance. I actually have no clue what she thought of the song. There were a lot of compliments, but I don't think they were referring to the song and her performance. Simon had this to say: "The song is too soft". "You're not the artist we met originally". He thinks Lil is getting it completely wrong.

Hmmm. Well, after the performance night last night, I was really looking forward to the results show tonight. Not sure who will go home. I know who I would like to see stay, but.....

Tonight Anoop got sent over to the bottom three chairs on the left side of the stage. Jennifer Hudson sang (it was beautiful) and Miley Cyrus sang as well. She was pretty darned good too. I like that girl. A lot of confidence, but not haughty and full of herself. Lil Rounds got sent to the bottom three chairs as well. That didn't surprise me. What did surprise me was that Matt Giraud got sent there too. Right away Ryan said he was going to send one of them back to the sofa, where they would be safe. Surprisingly, Anoop was sent back. Drum roll please....... Matt was voted off. I was surprised. So, he sang again. It was without the piano, and I thought a bit better than last night, vocally. The judges talked, the girls (Paula and Kara) danced and we got a decision. They are going to keep him. Matt wept, the Idols hugged him with joy and then there was Simon with the buzzkill. You know, could you wait two full minutes of joy before ruining it??? He says that there are two pieces of bad news and not to congratulate Matt too much. Why? Oh, because number one, two people will be voted off next week and number two, it's disco week. HA! Pretty funny. I hate disco.

See you next week!

American Idol's Season 8, Motown Week Results Show

This show aired on March 26th. I am late in getting this blog out. Sorry about that!

According to Ryan Seacrest, there were over 36 million votes that came in. It was the most they ever received in the top 10 in the history of AI.

Ruben Studdard, Joss Stone, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder were all guest entertainers this evening.

The Top 10 performs a medley of Motown songs. I don't care what others say, but I usually enjoy the group performances. They're fun to watch and this year I enjoy trying to figure out how they are going to make it work with Scott not being able to see. They seem to be doing great with that and some creative camera work.

Ruben sang a new song of his called "Together". It was a nice song. Not my thing, but a nice song.

Ryan begins calling down the Idols to let them know whether or not they are safe. Right away, here is what we find out:

Adam is safe. We kinda figured that, didn't we?

Matt is in the bottom 3. Whaaaat?! How can that be? I am just now really getting to like this guy.

Kris is safe. I like Kris alright, as he really seems to be improving as he goes, but I still can't believe that he wouldn't be in the bottom 3 and Matt is. I think Matt is better than Kris. I wonder if the order of the performances made a difference here.

Lil finds out she is safe.

Michael is in the bottom 3. This is no surprise to me and I recall thinking that I hope he is the one to go home and not Matt. (sorry Michael!)

Smokey and Joss do a duet together. It was really sweet. Called "You're The One For Me". I loved Joss's hair and dress. So hippy-ish. It struck me how much she sounded like Megan Joy. Did you notice that? Actually, I think Megan is a bit more unique in the sound of her voice, but very similar none-the-less. I didn't particularly like the song though. It sounded disjointed or something. Their individual voices were really good, it was just a weird song.

Ryan again begins to announce some more of the Idol's status:

Allison is safe. (whew!)

Anoop is safe.

Danny is safe.

Scott is in the bottom 3. Again. He really needs to improve, become amazing, or more recognizable for something other than the fact that he is blind (and charming).

Despite the bad comments from Simon the day before, Megan came in safe.

All of the bottom 3 are gathered. Michael, Scott and Matt. Right away Ryan tells Scott he is safe and can go and sit down. I was blown away! I thought for sure they would have told Matt he could sit down and it would be Scott or Michael up there.

Matt and Michael have to wait for a performance by Stevie Wonder, a Motown medley.

We resume our anxiousness with Ryan, Michael and Matt on the stage. Ends up that Michael goes home and Matt is safe. I'm so glad!!! I think Michael is a sweet guy and I really wish him the best, but I'm glad it was him and not Matt.

Michael re-performs "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" for the "save" vote by the judges. He continues to smile, like the evening before, even though it's in direct violation of the song's theme. Totally wrong song choice. His mood didn't match his song - at all.

So that wrapped up the evening of fun and tension!

Oh, and I'm waiting for a Ford commercial with Scott in the driver's seat. I'm just saying. That would be funny, no?

Until next week, when they perform again but no one seems to know the theme. There are rumors, but we'll have to see!

American Idol's Season 8, Motown Week - Top 10

Motown's own Smokey Robinson (wrote over 4,000 songs) and Berry Gordy (Founder of Motown) represented Motown Week on American Idol tonight. I LOVE Smokey. He's just a beautiful person. I'm glad to have been a part of Motown my whole life.

So the show begins with a weird exchange between Paula and Ryan, making a date for after the show. I wonder if they went anywhere! haha

The producers showed a nice short film honoring 50 years of Motown, featuring the top 10 (or top 9, as we later learned) visiting Detroit's Hitsville USA. Awwww man! Had I only known they would be there!

Smokey was the mentor this week for the Idols. He tells us that Berry Gordy said back at it's inception, "We are not going to make black music. We're going to make music for everybody." And they have.


Starting off the night was Matt Giraud, who I have to say is quickly becoming my favorite. Matt sang "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye.

Smokey said that he thought Marvin would love it. When I heard the clip of Smokey and Matt working together, I thought "Wow! This is gonna be great!". And it was.

Matt left the piano shortly after he started singing, giving us the best of both worlds. This song is so him.

Kara commented that Matt came out of his shell but could have pushed it more. A solid performance.

Paula said he seemed comfortable coming out from behind the piano and that he didn't "over-riff".

Simon said it was a brilliant song choice "other than the corny bit where you came up" (to the judges). "You are one of the front runners".


Kris Allen was next with "How Sweet It Is" by Marvin Gaye.

Smokey says that, "Kris blew me away. It was wonderful."

Kris was on guitar. I liked it okay. He had a unique take on the song and it was enjoyable, but sometimes I think, Would I want to buy an album of his based on this song? and the answer at this point is No.

Randy's take? "It's all good right now baby".

Kara said, "You didn't do James Taylor, you didn't do Marvin Gaye, you did Kris. You did everything right."

Paula, as always was encouraging with, "Really nice seeing you come into your own" and "It was brilliant. I'm proud of you."

Simon was also encouraging (for once) by telling Kris that he's having a good competition right now. He tells Kris that he doesn't have the confidence he needs to succeed though. Simon claims you need to be conceited to be a star (whaaat?), which just leads into a weird conversation between the judges and Ryan about the comment Simon made on a previous show about the Idols needing to watch video of him (Simon) to see how they should be. Talk about conceited. Hmmf.


Scott MacIntyre was next with "You Can't Hurry Love" by Diana Ross and The Supremes.

Smokey said that Scott brought the song right up to date and that it was very contemporary. I don't agree. I'm by no means anything near a song expert, but as someone who enjoys music immensely, I don't see that as being contemporary. Anyway, Scott decided to stay at the piano, despite the comments from Paula from last week. The song started slowly and then it was jazzed up nicely. I like what he did with it, (and I love him), but unfortunately I wasn't blown away by his style or anything. I did think he was creative with the song, but I guess I just wasn't crazy about the song choice.

Paula thought that Scott did something to please both Simon and her, by taking the criticisms from last week and working it into this week.

Simon didn't like the version and thought it sounded like "honky tonk piano playing". Thinks it sounded cheap and that he's a better artist than that.

Randy said he doesn't agree with Simon often, but thinks Simon was right that Scott is a better performer and the song was just wrong.

Kara disagrees on the song -- she thought he "brought tempo". He "took liberties with the melody and when you do that, you have to nail it!" I think she was saying that he didn't nail it.

Paula was mad at Simon for being childish, so she reached down below the table and came up with a pad of paper and a box of Crayola Crayons and gave it to him. They goofed around a bit, Simon was laughing and poor Scott was up there with no clue what was going on until Ryan told him what they were up to. We did find out, however, that Scott didn't know he was wearing pale pink pants until 10 minutes before the show. Wow, what a bummer.


Megan Joy chose to sing "For Once In My Life" - a Stevie Wonder song.

Smokey said that she is half jazz, half cabaret and that it's refreshing. He told her, "You are so different, I like it".

I liked it more when we saw the clip of her singing for Smokey. It was livelier, jazzier and more "Megan". While she sings tonight though, the camera gets a shot of Simon and you can tell that he doesn't like it almost from the beginning.

Randy said he likes the outfit. "Dude, song was a trainwreck for me. Needs more vibrato. Too rushed, hectic. Something."

Kara told her that "My Guy" would have been better. She told her the song was dominating her and that she needs to dominate it.

Paula told her that she was a stunning beauty and that it takes her breath away. The whole time she's speaking, Simon is saying, "tell the truth, tell the truth, tell the truth" and she's hitting him, telling him to stop and attempting to ignore him. It doesn't work. She then tells Megan that the camera loves her.

Simon tells Megan that the good news is that she does look good. The bad news is that it was horrible. He told her that whoever it was that was advising her, he would fire. (Noice one Siiiimon)


Anoop Desai is up next with "Oooh Baby Baby" by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles.

Smokey told Anoop that it is a sensual song and that he felt so much when Anoop sang it. He told him that he wouldn't change a thing.

I thought it was too slow of a song to be something contemporary, even though the vocals were great. You just can't fake that kind of voice, you know?! I really struggle with Anoop. I want him to do well, but he doesn't do anything for me as far as a current artist goes. I guess with him it's a wait-and-see.

Randy tells him that next week he should give us energy with the vocals and not be just a balladier.

Kara tells him how it's one of the hardest songs to sing. She says, "Overall, that was very hard to do and you did a good job. Just now, seeing what you can do - push it more. Be more creative."

Paula wants to see more confidence. "Your phrasing, delivery and falsetto is not only spot-on, it's sweet, tender."

Simon said it was a great vocal but that he looked half asleep. He commented on how Anoop has had two good weeks in a row and that he has to find that balance.


Michael Sarver sang "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by The Temptations.

We find out that Michael had been so sick the previous week that his doctors told him that it was better for him to stay back from the trip to Detroit, so he didn't get the chance to go. He's glad he listened to them, as he ended up really sick.

Smokey said Michael has a big voice and needs to use it more for this song. "Pound it more". "Tonight needs to not be sweet talk."

I don't think he listened to Smokey enough. He smiled too much for the theme of this song. He also has quirks in his face and head movements that just bug me. He's not one of my favorite contestants, even though I personally like him alot.

Randy said that it's "an unbelievable song that has been sung..." "It's just too big for you". "You're not an R&B dude". "You made it a little bit corny because you tried to do too much with it."

Kara said that "at this point in the competition, it's not about the singing. It's about artistry. Who are you as an artist?"

Paula said that for her it was a tough performance. "It was a little Las Vegas, loungy for me." "You need to dominate the song, not let the song dominate you." (didn't we just hear that from you, Paula?)

Simon: "I couldn't wait for it to end. You have no chance of winning it based on that vocal. That was below par."

Wow, could you be any more direct?


Lil Rounds sang "Heat Wave" by Martha and the Vendella's.

Smokey said she could sing the phone book and really seemed to enjoy his meeting with Lil.

Lil did a great job looking the part. From her hair to her earrings and dress. All of it. Her vocals were awesome. Her performance, however, doesn't show what she is going to be when she leaves AI. I'm still not sure after all this time. Perhaps I missed it.

Randy said her vocals were unbelievable. "But the wrong song for me, for you. Rushed." I hate when he says the, "for me, for you" thing.

Kara said she looked great and that she was the diva tonight but that she didn't think Lil picked the right song. She said, "You stayed true to the song and we need more."

Paula said she doesn't agree. "You look great. I think you own that song."

Simon's take on it was, "I think you did an authentic tribute to the sound of Motown. You are one of the best singers we have in this comptetition. I'm dying for you to do what you did a few weeks ago, blow everyone away."


Adam Lambert. Whoa!! What a surprise there! He sang "Tracks of My Tears" by Smokey Robinson. He didn't just perform that song, he became the song. What a transformation! If you have been following Adam thus far, and have not seen this performance, you must! Go here and be blown away by what you see. (click the little picture)

Smokey said he kept it tender, sweet and soft and it impressed him how he kept it so soft.

Adam blew me away and really knows how to fit the part! He had excellent vocals (as usual) and great emotion. He came on stage with no black nail polish, but a clean look with a pompadour hair style! I loved it! What a chameleon he is. The only thing I think there is to criticize is his lack of "being him", as the judges like to point out.

Randy said it was "unbelievably hot" and that he "used everything in your arsenal".

Kara said he was "one of the best performances of the night."

Paula said he was "handsome and classy. An element of surprise. You are exciting. You are it!"

Simon said that he disagrees with Kara. "It was THE best performance. You have emerged as a star tonight."

As I said before the judges rendered their verdicts on the performance, I am surprised that they didn't say anything about not being true to himself like they have to others. Perhaps because he has already established who he is as an artist and we have absolutely no doubts about that.


Danny Gokey sang "Get Ready" by The Temptations.

Smokey thinks that people are gonna love it.

I didn't like this song choice at all. I think I was hoping for something soulful, bluesy or jazzy like Matt did. Of all the Motown songs to choose from, I'm surprised he didn't find anything else he could have done that was more true to his talents. It was an okay performance, but I expected more from him.

Randy said it "wasn't the best performance but I loved the energy and feel of it." (the judges were rushed due to a continuing lack of time as the night went on)

Kara told him that it wasn't great but that she's a huge Danny fan.

Paula told him how he has a first class performance every week.

Simon told him that he is a good singer but that this performance was clumsy and amateurish.


Finally, we have Allison Iraheta singing "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" by The Temptations.
Smokey thought she would "do it really, really great."

I think she nailed it, personally. I think it was a great song for her to do. As always her vocals were great. It's amazing to me how mature she is for her age.

Randy told her that she was "blazin' hot!".

Kara said "Oh my God! America, you gotta vote for her. You sing like you've been singing for years."

Paula told her "you're amazing."

Simon said that she was a "survivor" and "that was really one of your best past performances".


Tomorrow we find out who will leave the top 10 performers. I wouldn't be too terribly sad to see Michael or Anoop go. Even Kris Allen. I like them all personally, but they do very little for me as far as being excited to see them each week. The ones that interest me from the top 10 and who I look forward to seeing each week is Adam, Scott, Matt, Megan, Danny and Allison. Lil I'm on the fence about. I think she could be good, but if she went now, I don't know that I'd be too torn up about it. The boys are definitely much better than the girls this year. I keep holding out for Scott to do something profound. Gonna have to go and pray about that one!

Till tomorrow!

American Idol is back! Season 8's top 36 - Group 1

Okay, so a lot has been said about the contestants this year and I don't agree with all of it. I will say, I have not heard one person say something about Tatiana Del Toro that I didn't agree with! She's such a flake and a fake. I have a difficult time just looking at her because I'm so embarrassed for her. Sad.

For those of you who are remotely interested and have not been keeping up like the die hard fan that I am, I will fill you in on the basics.

They mixed things up a little over there at American Idol. Why? Who knows. This year, instead of a top 24, they have a top 36 and are separating them in groups of 12 each week, eliminating 9 each time. They are keeping the highest voted male, highest voted female and the next in line for highest votes. Three in all each week. Confusing.

(pics of AI finalists above from http://www.americanidol.com/top_36/group_1)

Group 1 (first set of 12): Tuesday was performance night and Wednesday was results night. On Tuesday we saw Jackie Tohn, Anoop Desai, the infamous drama queen Tatiana Del Toro, Stevie Wright, Casey Carlson, Stephen Fowler, Alexis Grace, Ricky Braddy, Michael Sarver, Anne Marie Boskovich, Brent Keith and the Robert Downey Jr. look-alike Danny Gokey.

Jackie was first up and even though her vocals weren't all that, I did like her performance. She was fun to watch and it definately made up for the vocal.

Ricky Braddy was next. His vocals were great, but his performance was forgettable, as the judges would say. I didn't care for it. It's a package deal, when you come right down to it.

I don't recall who came next, but it was mostly downhill from there. Stevie Wright is so cute and I wanted her to do well, but it was a poor song choice. It made her look dorky.

Anoop Dog was okay. I like him, but the performance wasn't really memorable. There's still the Wild Card thing that I'm still not so sure I understand. What it means is the ones who are eliminated from each group of 12 still have a chance to come back and be included in the top 12. So, I guess that means that there willb e three Wild Cards, huh? Is Anoop one of them?

Casey Carlson bombed out on that song choice. She picked Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, by the Police. I LOVE that song, but it was so blaaaah! She stayed in one tight little spot, singing in a bland way. I like her but she has to go.

OH! I forgot Alexis Grace! How could I?? She was AWESOME. I love her and her style. I think she will go far in this competition.

Michael Sarver, though he made it through, was not all that. I was actually surprised he made it.

Danny Gokey sang Mariah Carey's Hero. I love Mariah, so this was a good choice in my opinion! :-) Anyway, who can blog without mentioning Danny? He was criticized on someone's blog for several things. One, it was mentioned that he was being pretty shallow when Tatiana lost and he won (they were standing together, waiting for Ryan to give the results). What I think happened is that Danny was as put off by her previous antics as the rest of us were and was afraid to hug her or get too close to her. I felt his pain. I would be the same, I think. Torn between wanting to comfort and not wanting to appear too sympathetic to The Strange One. Who wants to be associated with someone who is that unpredictable anyway? We'll be seeing more of him, so the truth about whether or not he's as self-centered as some may think will come out in time. My bet is he's not. As for his glasses....well, I think that AI will polish up his look and make him look shnazzier than he does already. Heck, look what they did for David Cook? I didn't care for this week's white spectacles choice, but that's okay. He has more, I'm sure. Perhaps he will wear a different pair each week. I still like him, his music, his voice and everything so far.

As for the rest of the contestants that I did not mention, they were either unforgettable in their performance/song choice or I just didn't like them. I'd really rather not dwell on the negative.

Who made it through on Wednesday's results show? Danny Gokey (of course), Michael Sarver and Alexis Grace.

My fear is that I will like no one like I liked (loved?) Jason Castro of last year's AI. I've become totally Cougarized with that boy! That's a whole 'nother blog about reliving my teen years. There has to be group therapy for people like me somewhere, right??

Next week's Group 2 finalists are: Megan Corkrey, Kris Allen, Matt Breitzke, Allison Iraheta, Mishavonna Henson, Kai Kalama, Nick Mitchell (aka Norman Gentle), Matt Giraud (from Michigan), Jasmine Murray, Jesse Langseth, Adam Lambert and Jeanine Vailes.