The wildcard predictions I made this afternoon came totally true. I’d pat myself on the back, except the judges are so predictable, it’s ridiculous. And congratulations to the folks like Kirsten et al who called the Top 13. Yep, peeps have been chattering in comments about “the twist” for a few days now. A few different theories were tossed about, but lots were on board for the Top 13/14 scenario.
I feel bad for the kids like Ricky Braddy, Jesse Langseth and Von Smith who put their hearts and souls into new songs. At least America got to see them one more time. Otherwise, the performances were pointless–there’s no way tonight’s results weren’t already a foregone conclusion, decided way before any of the contestants opened their mouths to sing. The judges comments sounded less like critiques and more like an attempt to justify what would go down later on in the show.
Bah. Season 8 is shaping up to be my least favorite Idol season ever.
- Jasmine Murray is in the Top 12
- Megan Corkrey is in the Top 12
- Matt Giraud is in the Top 12
- AND SO IS ANOOP DESAI
It’s a Top 13 (But Mike Darnell told us back in January)
Update: Kelly Clarkson and Kanye West will perform on next week’s results show. Kanye will sing “Heartless”, Kelly will perform “My Life Would Suck Without You”
- Jesse Langseth – “Tell Me Something Good” by Rufus and Chaka Khan – VIDEO
- Matt Giarud – “Who’s Loving You” by the Jackson 5 – VIDEO
- Megan Corkrey – “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” by KT Tunstall – VIDEO
- Von Smith- “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” by Elton John – VIDEO
- Jasmine Murray - “Reflection” by Christine Aguilera – VIDEO
- Ricky Braddy – “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder – VIDEO
- Tatiana Del Toro – “Saving All My Love For You” by Whitney Houston – VIDEO
- Anoop Desai – “My Prerogative” by Bobby Brown – VIDEO
- Results Pt 1 - VIDEO
- Results Pt 2 – VIDEO
Tonight, 8 contestants come back for a second chance performance. After, the judges choose the last 3 contestants to round out the Top 12.
The judges will announce the 3 who advance to the Top 12 at the end of the show. Also, the band and backup singers are in full view tonight!
Jesse Langseth -”Tell Me Something Good” by Rufus and Chaka Khan – Didn’t like this as much as “Bette Davis Eyes”, but still good, very soulful. I love her musical instincts. Randy says, “It was an interesting song choice…It wasn’t great.” Kara calls her Sasha Fierce and likes her swagger. Paula is really impressed. Simon stresses she was totally last minute, and a lot better than the last time. He calls her indulgent, though.
Matt Giraud -”Who’s Loving You” by Jackson 5 – He oversang it in spots, but still about 5 million times better than Coldplay. This would have gotten him through the first time. Kara says, “You can riff amazingly.” Paula says, “This is the right zone for you, this is you…amazing.” Simon says, “A billion times better…I hate what you’re wearing…I saw bits of Taylor Hicks coming though.” People are booing like it’s a bad thing. Randy thinks he scared everybody else in the competition.
Megan Corkrey – “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” – She’s still doing her floppy arm dance. A little pitchy, but she does have great tone. Did a couple of little interesting things with the melody at the end. Paula says, “You picked the right song.” I’ve always liked you…you’re terrific…you are current, original, quirky…not the best vocal, but it doesn’t matter.” Randy says, “Nice choice.” Kara says, “I think that we need you…I hope you stay.” She is so f**king in.
Von Smith – “Sorry seems to be the hardest word” by Elton John -Kinda pitchy at first. The soft part of his voice is lacking, he’s better in full voice. Simon says, “It didn’t start very well…you are beginning to become a bit boring…too earnest…I’m not crazy about that.” Randy says, “I’m not crazy about the song choice.” Kara said, “It got very dark…you have what it takes, but you haven’t dialed it in yet.” Paula says, “You’re thinking too hard.” Wow, first they told him to tone it down…now they don’t like it. Typical technique to throw a contestant under the bus.
Jasmine Murray – “Reflection” by Christine Aguilera -Boring. Pitchy. Very pitchy. A much better song choice than last time, though. Randy says, “The song is still too big for you, but some bright spots.” Kara says, “Actually, I didn’t know you had a big voice. I’m confused.” Paula says, “You were determined up there…wonderful job” Paula says, “That was pretty special to what came before,” says Simon Fake fight with Paula! “Brave song, huge improvement…I just think you put yourself back in the running.” Hm.
Ricky Braddy – “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder – This dude can SANG. The best so far, no contestant. OMG this is totally hot. He deserves a spot on the Top 12 y’all. If Simon calls him boring, I’m going to throw something. Kara said, “You can sing your butt off…you held your own, good job.” Paula says, “I love the way you loosened up…you nailed it.” Simon says, “A bit karaoke and a bit lightweight…clumsy…I’m a bit disappointed.” Randy says, “That song was not the one for you…it felt self-indulgent” Are Simon and Randy F**KING HIGH? This is TOTAL BULLSH*T!
Tatiana Del Toro – “Saving All My Love For You” by Whitney Houston  – Tatiana is completely out of her mind. She’s singing Whitney. Again! Paula says, “You grew an accent I’ve never heard before….started off shaky and then…man you can sing.” Simon said, “We’ve heard you sing that song 3 times.” OMG Simon is confronting her about her song choice Randy said, “It started off really rough…it’s a mixed bag with you.” It’s kind of a judges free-for all right here. She’s definitely giving them the drama they wanted.
Anoop Desai – “My Perogative” by Bobby Brown – He sang this in Hollywood. He’s working the stage. Pretty good, but he’s nervous, some pitchy things in there. He’s trying too hard. The crowd loves him. Simon says, “You’re like an enthusiastic dog…not the best singer, but people like you, that’s important…we have to cast the next stage….not just put the boring singers through…but the personalities too.” Randy says, “I think you sang that better than before.” Kara says, “I wanted to get up and dance.” Paula says, “You’re whipping out moves that are a little nasty there…I’m glad you picked the same song.” Shout out to Eve was Annop’s late friend, Eve Carson.
Taylor Swift is not so great of a live singer, but her albums are good, and she is mega popular….so I guess it isn’t always about the voice.
“Well, you knowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’YMMV. And if people want to hate, they can do that here, without the lecturesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦”
Uh – that wasnt even close to a lecture, I also said hate if it is what makes you feel good and I do too at times, hate myself when I get that way though, hate and anger is such a waste of good energy but to each his own, it would be a boring place if we all agreed actually.
I am just disgusted with this season. This show and Simon more than anyone, have spent the past seven years stating that this was a singing competition and they wanted to find the best singer. Then, this year they throw that out completely and decide if you have the correct image – the “package”, if you will – it doesn’t matter that your vocals aren’t great. What a farce they are turning this show into. I don’t listen to a package when I buy music. I care about the vocals and I don’t want them drowned out with electronic synthesizing because you can’t stand to listen to the person’s actual voice. Right now, I can’t imagine wanting to buy any music from this group.
Since when has TPTB been worried about keeping the fans happy? Ha ha. Actually, a 3 person finale actually sounds like a good idea, a change up from year’s past. Plus with 3, they can stretch that performance show into 2 hours. More ad dollars!
Sorry if I misunderstood you…
LOL whoa, I am so used to Kirsten being cool and evenhanded in the sales threads that the Megan-rant was surprising – but fwiw I TOTALLY AGREE. Quirky and (arguably) cute? okay…but one of the best out of hundreds of thousands who auditions? Puhleeze.
I ended up watching on dvr after all cause this show apparently owns my soul (THANKS seasons 6 and 7). I liked Matt a lot more than I did before but it’s worrisome that he sucked so badly the other night. I also feel bad for other semifinalists who may ALSO have improved if they had gotten a second chance. Wildcard bugs me cause no way did Matt deserve a second chance based on his Viva La Vida and yet there he got one and now he is in the Finals.
I’m not sure about Anoop. He reminds me of some fratboys I knew. Let’s see if that annoying strut translates into personality (although if he’s smart he’ll just play the nice guy while the cameras are on.) I’m glad he’s in cause I find him less offensive than some others who made it into the Finals but…not inspired to cheer for him yet.
So right now, who I do like in the Top 13: Allison, Kris, Alexis
Rooting for but will need to see better/more consistent vocals: Matt, Anoop, Scott
Indifferent: Lil, Jorge
Don’t like: Jasmine, Adam, Michael
Actively rooting against: Danny, Megan
Holy shit!!!! How did I miss that Kanye is performing next week!!!
I love me some Kanye…he has an ego bigger than the grand Canyon but he has the talent to back it up!
I suppose when looking back at the past idols and runners up, the producers are maybe feeling like some of the “singers”, who don’t have the package haven’t been so successful, so they have to look at more of the package.
I would argue that the ones who have been successful (i.e. Underwood, Daughtry, Cook, Archuleta) do have the package, as well as the singing. See disclaimer:
Disclaimer: I know that everyone has a different idea of success and I am sure I left some out, and I also know that you can’t totally call Cook and Archuleta successful until we see them a few years down the road.
I would also argue that some who haven’t been as successful also have the package, including the singing, but that it is a tough industry.
I guess I hope that TPTB push people to win who CAN actually sing as well as have the package. At the same time, I think it is pretty hard to judge someone’s singing voice totally yet until we have seen them for a few weeks with vocal coaches, etc.
Let me start by saying I am not surprised at all that it is a Top 13 this year. First of all, that’s an unlucky number and they will probably have terrible ratings this season. Second of all, this has got to be the weakest Top 13 ever. This group has no David Cooks or Kelly Clarksons. Hey, maybe there are a few “stars” in this group. How will I ever know? I’ve only heard them sing ONE SONG so far. I don’t know these people at all. I feel disconnected and unaware of the contestant’s personalities and musical style.
Can I say that the way the show treated Tatiana was DISGUSTING. They lead her on for another week for the drama, without any intentions of putting her through. I don’t blame her for singing the same song. Simon is a hypocrite (like the other judges). If she had sung any other crappy song that Idol had laying around, he would’ve said “this was a terrible song choice.” But this week she sings a song very well that she also sang very well a few weeks ago and all of a sudden it’s all about “repeating the song”. Anoop sang the same song in Hollywood and we heard barely anything about that. I closed my eyes and listened to Tatiana sing and it was a flawless performance. The producers obviously told the judges to shake her up and bash her performance but it came across as cruel because she was actually very good. I am liking Simon less and less this year.
How can anyone with ears put Megan C in over Ricky B? He was miles better than she was which proves that this show isn’t about the singing at all. I think one of the judges even admitted that last night while talking about “personality”. The thing is, Idol had no good looking women in the Top 13 and they needed SOMEONE and chose Megan (who ain’t that pretty) even though her voice is terrible. I predict 9th or 10th place. I tell you, the women are going to be the first ones gone.
I don’t remember actually disliking a contestant like I do Megan. She really annoys the hell out of me. I can’t imagine what she can do faced with a number of genres to sing. I think they should forget the different genre/ theme thing anyway. How does that predict their future musical recordings or live performance selections? The concept of AI should be better defined if all they want is the best recording artist. The reality is the show is about the best TV performing artist but TPTB are trying to manipulate the audience into thinking you are picking the best TV performing artist when they want the best “relevant recording artist” They would have loved Taylor Swift on this show and although I will give her kudos on her songwriting skills I am not sure that any one person in the top five of AI in all it’s years is as poor a singer as she is.
How can you possibly know that yet? Neither David or Kelly were thought to be a sure winner by this point in their seasons.
I read a rumor that Anoop was told that his choices were either “My Prerogative” or “Angel of Mine” last night. Interesting if true.
———-How can you possibly know that yet? Neither David or Kelly were thought to be a sure winner by this point in their seasons.————
By this point in their seasons, (well at least David’s, I don’t know about Kelly’s) we had heard 3 songs and David had had his moment with “Hello”. We knew he was going to do well in the future because of the past 3 weeks. With these people, we have only heard one song. Two for the wildcard contestants, even though their first performances were terrible.
please stop being rude