Why is Ryan Seacrest dressed like he’s going out to play golf? The technical glitches seem to be fixed. Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace and Michael Sarver, the three contestants already in the Top 12, are sitting in the audience.
Like last week, the kids are singing songs from the Hot 100. The video packages review the kid’s Idol journey so far.
Simon Cowell is back on the right. Ryan mentions today’s USA Today article–he asks Simon how he likes the lighting. Har. Jasmine Murray is going first…Adam Lambert has the pimp spot…
They’re mixing up the judges critiques tonight– Simon isn’t necessarily last–the change livens up the pace.
Also, the contestant’s friends and family are back in the audience where they belong. Interviewing the fam after the performances? Not compelling TV. Instead, Ryan chats up the contestants from center stage after their performances.
- Jasmine Murray “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles – VIDEO
- Matt Giraud – “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay – VIDEO
- Jeanine Vailes – “This Love” by Maroon 5 – VIDEO
- Nick Mitchell – “And I Am Telling You” – VIDEO
- Allison Iraheta – “Alone” by Heart – VIDEO
- Kris Allen – “Man in the Mirror”- Michael Jackson – VIDEO
- Megan Joy Corkrey – “Put Your Records On” by Corinne Baily Rae – VIDEO
- Matt Breitzke– “If You Can Only See” by Tonic – VIDEO
- Jesse Langseth – “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes – VIDEO
- Kai Kalama – “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” by Jimmy Ruffin – VIDEO
- Mishavonna Henson – “Drops of Jupiter” by Train – VIDEO
- Adam Lambert – “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones – VIDEO
Live Blog after the JUMP…
Jasmine Murray – “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles – That was all over the place. She’s got the right look and all, but the vocals aren’t there. Randy says “Good moments and bad moments…pitchy all the way though. Don’t know if it’s the right song.” Kara thought is was all over the place, “There were moments, not your best.” Paula says she gave it her all, but she agrees with the others. Simon is disappointed, he says she’s got everything but a great voice. “A couple of years too early, ” he says.
Matt Giraud – “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay – I’m not loving this. I think he needs to stick to soul music rather than straight-up pop. His vibrato is unpleasant here. Really off phrasing, and ill-advised use of his falsetto. Oh dear. He tried to hit some big notes, and went terribly off-key. Kara said, “Tonight, I’m just not blown away…you’re a bluesy soulful guy.” Paula says he was one of her favorites, and that at least he was better than rehearsal. Simon says he was verging on a horrible performance. “You turned into a wanna-be popstar…jerky, uncomfortable.” Randy says, “You have mad talents….the simple songs, stay away from them.” Matt tells Ryan the Coldplay stuff is the kind of music he wants to record. Ruh rho.
Jeanine Vailes -“This Love” by Maroon 5 – Oh dear God. Somebody PLEASE sing in tune? Again, the wrong song. Lots of weird pointing and wacky faces. What does it matter? She’s cannon fodder anyway. Paula tells her she’s got great legs. Simon says it was terrible. “Painful, an effort a struggle…wrong song.” he says. Everyone is complimenting her legs. “The WRONG song, ” says Randy. “So overdone, ” says Kara. Nice knowin’ ya for 3 minutes Jeanine. She mentions her lack of screen time, and that she had to come on strong to make up for it. Simon said, “You blew it.” As if she ever stood a chance.
Nick Mitchell – As “Normund Gentle” “And I Am Telling You” from Dreamgirls – LOL. OMG. I wish he’s picked another song, but I think he knows he doesn’t have a chance in hell of making the next round. He’s just having fun up there. Look! It’s Nick’s mom and dad! Simon says, “I pray you do not go through to the next round…it was arguably one of the most atrocious performances we’ve had at this stage.” “Entertaining!” says Randy. “At least we remember you, ” says Kara, “You wear the same shirt like Simon every week.” Paula compares him to Olivia Newton John and Jerry Lewis. Ryan “That’s the first time a contestant went to second base with our logo.”
Allison Iraheta – “Alone” by Heart – Wow. Allison is incredibly inarticulate in front of the cameras. Nerves? But once she hits the stage, she lets loose. This is the best performance of the night so far. Not incredible, still kinda pitchy. But I’m kinda starving right now. Randy says, “You just blew it out the box right there, ” says Randy, “Might be one of the hottest tonight.” “You don’t even know how good you are, ” says Kara, “You have serious chops, I can hear you on the radio.” Paula pulls out the ole telephone analogy. And compares her to Kelly Clarkson. “You’re the best tonight by a clear mile, ” says Simon, “You may be one to watch in this competition.”
Kris Allen – “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson -Uh oh. A Michael Jackson song is a big risk. It’s not bad, but I can’t help thinking there was a better song out there for Kris. Nice glory note though. This song isn’t showing off his vocals to best effect, I don’t think. Kara says it was the wrong song, and that the end was better than the beginning, but didn’t show his soulful side. Paula disagrees completely, “You nailed it.” Wow–Simon agrees with Paula! Simon says Danny is a better singer (no he’s not) but that Kris has got great presence, and the girls will like him. “You may have put yourself in the running, ” he says. Randy says, “Nice jump off, baby.”
Megan Joy Corkrey -“Put Your Records On” by Corinne Baily Rae – This contestant picked the right song. She’s quirky and fun. So refreshing! Love this! A little pitchy things here and there (yes, she did oversing the end a bit), but I think she’s great. “You did everything right, ” says Paula Simon says, “It started off really well but you oversang the end of the song.” And, “I hope actually, America votes for you tonight.” Randy says, “Nice nice job.” Kara calls her a “package artist…you could be a break out artist with the right song.”
Matt Breitzke – “If You Can Only See” by Tonic – A straight-up rock song from Matt. But, yikes, That was underwhelming. Zz. No charisma whatsoever. Simon says, “I really like you, but I absolutely hated that song…boring, didn’t suit you, uncomfortable…I wanted you to do well.” Randy says, “It’s a great song…but it’s boring…it was just OK…wanted more edge more energy.” Kara says, “It didn’t show any side of you…it fell really flat.” Paula says, “Every note was in key, the song didn’t celebrate everything we loved about you.”
Jesse Langseth – “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes – Oh wow. Interesting song choice, and she’s pulling it off. I really like her tone and phrasing a lot. She intrigues me, I want to see more. Randy says, “I thought the song was cool, it was OK, not exciting.” Jesse actually gets Randy to be more specific “I want to see more than a 5 note range.” “You definitely had issues with a few notes…you took some risks…there were some moments I liked, ” says Kara. “I have found you captivating, “says Paula, “You’re cool…you just got it.” Simon says, “I think you’re forgettable. It was too cool for school.”
Kai Kalama – “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted” by Jimmy Ruffin – Hm. This isn’t terrible, but like his audition, he isn’t giving off scads of charisma, and his vocal chops are just so-so. Kara says, “I think you had some pitch issues and the song was a little old fashioned for me.” Paula says, “You’ve got a lot in you, you’ve got the chops to make it in this business if you work on it.” Simon calls it corny and old fashioned and pulls out the wedding/hotel analogy. Randy says is was safe. “Not what I’m looking for, ” says Randy.
Mishavonna Henson -“Drops of Jupiter” by Train – The girls are so much better than the boys tonight. Two girls should go through, if you ask me. I thought the song pick was good and I really like her cool, husky alto. Paula doesn’t like the song choice, but likes her voice. “You’re very serious…something left me really cold about that performance, ” says Simon, “You act like a 50 year old, ” Randy agrees with the age thing. “I didn’t mind the song…you’re very put together…shake it out!” says Kara, “Where do you fit in the music industry?”
Adam Lambert – “Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones – Wow. Adam is out there. In a really good way. Great vocals, stage presence. He picked the right song to show off his range. Paula says, “I don’t even have words to express…you’re in a league of your own…you’re leaving some in the rear view mirror.” Simon thought parts were brilliant, but others were excruciating. “I think you’re going to get through, ” he says. “I loved it.” says Randy, who compares his to a whole host of rock acts. “Your vocal technique is outrageous…who has a range like that?” says Kara.
