American Idol Season 8 – Semis – Group 2 Results – VIDEO

With little screen time under his belt, and a less-than-stellar performance of Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” Wednesday night, Kris Allen advances to the Top 12 in an upset, along with front-runners Allison Iraheta and Adam Lambert.

Could it be the power of Cowell? “I think you made an effort, I think you look good, I think the chicks are going to love you, I was actually quite proud of you tonight, and you may have put yourself back in the running here, ” said Simon after Kris’s uneven performance Wednesday night.

At least Dial Idol was off this week, and Matt Giraud did not advance on the back of week 2’s worst performance.   Regardless, Matt does have fans willing to vote for him.   Expect to see him in next week’s wildcard, where he still stands a good chance to be hand-picked by the judges for the Top 12.

Although his was one of the better male performances this week (that’s not saying much), there were several girls–Mishavonna Henson, Megan Joy Corkrey and particularly Jesse Langseth who outsang him and should have moved on instead.

Once Kris advanced into the Top 12, the suspense was over.   Adam Lambert and Nick Mitchell were paired up at the end of the show, similar to the Danny Gokey/Tatiana Del Toro let’s-pair-up-the-joke-with-the obvious-front runner deal from last week.   Gee, I wonder who is going to move on? Zz.   Although, unlike last week, the last two standing had the most entertaining (and outrageous) performances the night before.

And what’s with the recycling of old footage?   A smelly old video retrospective that aired during the auditions a few weeks ago popped up for no good reason.   It’s official–TPTB are producing Idol on the cheap this year.

In a nice respite from the tedium, Brooke White appeared to sing her brand-new single, “Hold Up My Heart”.   Very nice Brooke!

  • Group Number “Closer” by Ne-Yo – VIDEO
  • Allison Iraheta advances to the Top 12 – VIDEO
  • Kris Allen advances to the Top 12 –VIDEO
  • Brooke White Sings – VIDEO
  • Adam Lambert and Nick Mitchell are called to the stage – VIDEO
  • Adam Lambert advances to the Top 12 –VIDEO
  • Group 3 DANCE! – VIDEO   (Arianna Afsar, Juno Joyner, Kristen McNamara, Nathanial Marshall, Lil Rounds, Jorge Nunez, Kendall Beard, Scott MacIntyre, Felicia Barton, Von Smith, Taylor Vaifanua and Alex Wagner-Trugman.

Twenty-five million votes were cast last night, according to Ryan Seacrest.

More re-cap after the JUMP…

Alexis Grace, Danny Gokey and Michael Sarver sit on the stools of safety waiting for some company…

After the obligatory chat with the judges and “Idol journey” recap, the kids perform this week’s group number–Ne-Yo’s “Closer.”   Nick Mitchell appears as himself.   Damn, I was hoping for some pointy pose action from Normund Gentle.   Too much bland, not enough awful this week – VIDEO

Ryan Seacrest announces that an “unseen audition” would be hidden in the commercials…some chick warbling “The Shoop Shoop Song” in a mediocre fashion? Not worth missing a snack break.

After, it’s time for a video recap of the kid’s performances from the night before.   Shots of Normund Gentle crying and clutching the American Idol logo never get old.

Next, Ryan chats with the kids. He asks Matt Breitzke if the judges were too hard on him, and he diplomatically says, “At this stage of the game we’re all so new, we all have a lot to learn.” The diplomacy didn’t last, “One of your opening lines Simon…it’s too late for advice…I don’t know in my lifetime where it’s going to be too late for advice.” Word’s from a contestant who knows he’s toast.   Jesse Langseth insists she picked the right song.   Jeanine Vailes admits that less could have been more last night.

After the lights dim, Ryan calls Allison down to the stage, does her recap and moves her to the side of the stage.   Jesse Langseth is next, followed by Matt Breitzke. Randy says he thinks one of the girls will move on to the Top 12, but hopes it’s Allison. And it is.

Allison Iraheta is the first to move on to the Top 12. In a daze, Allison begins to head back to her seat. Ryan calls her back to reprise “Alone”. – VIDEO

Megan Corkrey and Kris Allen take center stage. Kris says he’s “freaking nervous, ” and has “no idea” if he made the Top 12. Matt Giraud and Jeanine Vailes are called to center stage next. Matt hopes he gets the chance to show the judges what he can do.   Jeanine says she’s scared.   Ryan says only one of the 4 goes into the Top 12.

Paula, with Simon egging her on in the background (“Just answer the question, ” he keeps repeating) waffles on who she thinks will advance. “Simon, you are a gnat, ” she says.

Ryan tells Jeanine the bad news first. Matt is eliminated next.   Kara explains that she gave Kris a hard time because he’s so good. “Oh she’s just rambling on, ” says Simon, in a rude mood tonight.   She tells Megan she’s really unique, and with the right song, could be a big recording artist.

And the person going through to the Top 12 is Kris Allen!   Looking absolutely shocked and deleriously happy, he sings “Man in the Mirror.”   And it’s still the wrong song. – VIDEO

After the break, the producers break out a smelly old clip already aired during the auditions.   The seven-season retrospective makes no sense within the context of the show, and proves (along with the hidden band and crappy directing) that Idol is totally operating on the cheap this year.

Brooke White is in the house! She’s sitting behind the piano, ready to perform her new single “Hold Up My Heart.” “It’s a trip to be back here, ” says Brooke. She points to the kids and says, “I’m really glad to be done with this part, to be honest…you guys you did great, keep going and stay true to yourselves…don’t google your name!” It’s nice to see an Idol sitting behind an instrument. She looks great, she sounds great. – VIDEO

After the break, Mishavonna Henson,   Kai Kalama,   Adam Lambert, Nick Mitchell   and Jasmine Murray are asked to take the stage. Mishavonna, Kai and Jasmine are dispatched with quickly (Ryan stops at Nick as he walks down the line, but then walks right on by to get to Jasmine Murray, who insists she feels confident) – VIDEO

Nick Mitchell and Adam Lambert, are left, predictably. “So that leaves us with these three–Nick, Normund and Adam, ” says Ryan.   Nick looks around for his alter-ego but does not find him.   Simon says he prayed for 5 or 6 hours non-stop the night before. “I’m hoping me and God has a good relationship, ” he says, before Ryan leads us into a break.

And OMG surprise, surprise. Ryan eliminated Nick–Adam Lambert is in the Top 12! SHOCK! Not. Adam says he didn’t know what was going to happen, because Nick was hilarious. “I’m really excited, thank you guys so much, ” he says before he sings us out.

But before Ryan signs off, Simon mentions the wildcard, “We’re going to bring back a selection of people who we think deserve a second shot…maybe even a couple from tonight.”   – VIDEO

The show ends with next week’s group dance of dorkiness! – VIDEO  

Joining the Top 12:

  • Allison Iraheta
  • Kris Allen
  • Adam Lambert

Not in the Top 12

  • Jesse Langseth
  • Matt Breitzke
  • Jeanine Vailes
  • Matt Giraud
  • Megan Corkrey
  • Mishavonna Henson
  • Kai Kalama
  • Jasmine Murray
  • Nick Mitchell
About mj santilli 34832 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!