First. Congratulations to Joesplace who batted a perfect 500 on the Spoilers. I’m not surprised. Now, on with the recap!
The show opens with Hayden Christiansen (??!?) and Ryan Seacrest sitting in front of a green screen pretending to be in Egypt. I don’t get it. Oh, OK. Hayden is pimping his new FOX show, Jumpers. Get off my Tee Vee, now, please. Thank you.
The Top 50 start the day with breakfast. Who could eat under these circumstances? Micheal Johns has a plate full of food!
Next, we see fake footage of Randy, Paula and Simon making “last minute” cisions. Right.
It’s 9 am in Pasadena, and the final eliminations begin. If you’re wondering, the final elimination episode hasn’t changed one bit. Since Season 4, when the format was changed radically, the contestants gather in a holding room on the first floor of the Pasadena Civic Center. They are called up one-by-one to the judges chambers on the second floor. The cameras follow them up the elevator and down the hall to the judges seated at a table, where the contestants learn their fate.
Starting off with…
Ronald Hodge - NO - Who? One of the poor souls who make it all the way to the Top 50 with absolutely no camera time to show for it. Poor guy. We see a clip of him butchering “Only You”, which makes it worse. In the elevator he says, “This is probably the worst fucking bleep day of my life.”
Nina Shaw - NO - Remember her from Dallas? She’s from Kelly Clarkson’s hometown and had an uneven, but interesting first audition. At least she got a little screen time during the initial auditions.
Mycale Guyton - NO - Never saw her, never knew her.
Lisa Aukerman - NO - Ditto.
Carly Smithson - YES - Carly says that if it’s a no, she may not continue singing, because “you get so hurt in this industry.” Seated in front of the judges, Paula begins babbling her typical nonsense to Carly. Carly starts to cry. Paula made somebody cry! Paula finally tells her that she made it. “You tortured her!” hisses Simon. What? Nice little twist on Simon and Paula’s good cop/bad cop routine. Nevertheless, the pimping continues for Carly, as we see extensive clips of her auditions, and her sobbing in the holding room afterward.
David Cook - YES - After clips of Simon telling David that he’ll be lost without his guitar, Paula tells him that he’s made it through. “I don’t have to go get a job!” David exclaims as he leaves the building. Well. Not at the moment.
Amanda Overmeyer - YES - We hear her sing “Light My Fire” during Hollywood as she walks to the judges table. “We talked it over and we were worried about whether or not this is the right place for you…and…we’ve decided yes,” says Paula. “Thank you very much,” says Amanda, as if somebody had just offered her a sandwich. She’s either confident, or took a handful of Valiums with her breakfast that morning.
Brandon Greene - NO - He’s the rocker who auditioned in Dallas who collects his own peeled fingernails? I’m pretty happy I’m not going to have to hear more about that. We see a clip of him in Hollywood with a guitar singing “Love the One You’re With.” Not every dude with a guitar was going to make it through. Brandon is a casualty.
Amanda Hawkins - NO - She sings “I’m the Only One” in her brief clip. I hope she enjoys her 2 minutes of fame. That’s more than some got.
Buck Smith - NO - He’s the guy who forgot the words to “Stuck in the Middle of You” in Hollywood. We see a tiny clip here of him singing “Dock of the Bay”. His raspy vocals might have struck a cord with the audience if we’d heard more.
David Archuleta - YES - “Is this any place for someone like David Archuleta?” asks Ryan. Because, you know, he’s only 16!!??! Ugh. David explains that he’s always doubted his own talent, and that he thought people were only nice to him because “he was little.” Like literally? Simon says, “I thought your first audition was very good, I thought your last audition wasn’t as good as your first one.” Hm. I thought the opposite. Despite Simon’s reservations, he tells David that it was a unanimous decision. He’s through to the next round.
Kristy Lee Cook - YES - We learn that Kristy Lee was FORCED to sing for her life in Hollywood, after stinking it up on her first day. We see her playing it safe in her second shot, repeating her a cappella performance of “Amazing Grace”. Paula reminds her that she fell apart in Hollywood. Randy says it’s about being consistent. Oh, hell, you know they are going to let her through. Paula says, “The truth is…you made it.”
Brooke White - YES - Oh, so it turns out she “stalled” at one point during her first audition in Hollywood. We didn’t see THAT part in Tuesday’s Hollywood footage. Editing–it’s a powerful tool! As she makes her way to the judges, she starts falling apart in the elevator. Simon says, “I think it’s safe to assume at this stage, that if we say no, it’s pretty much over.” If she doesn’t make the cut her career is over? WTF? Randy, saver of careers says, “Some days I hate having to say this…you’re going to be seeing a lot more of us. You made it.”
Danny Noriega - YES - As Danny heads up the elevator, we see him and his tics performing in Hollywood. “You made it Danny,” says Randy.
And now…it’s the parade of the cannon fodder!
Jason Castro - YES - Randy: “The answer is Yes, Yes, Yes!!!”
Luke Menard - YES - Simon: “Luke, you made it.”
Alex Lushington - YES - Randy: “You made it baby.” I think we know more about her grandma, at this point.
Good luck in the Top 24, guys. With little to no camera time, you’re going to need it.
Ramielle Malubay - YES - Paula says, “You made it.” “Thank yeww!” chirps Ramielle, once again, channeling her (unfortunate) role model, Jasmine Trias. “Sweet little thing, isn’t she?” says Simon. The little girl with the big voice makes the cut.
Shaun Barrows - NO - He’s the piano player from Hollywood who sang Billy Joel. Simon says, “We’ve made a decision, and it’s bad news. You haven’t made it.”
Lorena Pinot - NO - Simon: “Lorena, you haven’t made it.” “Almost,” adds Randy. I’m sure knowing that helps. Not.
Drew Poppelreiter - NO - Best line of the night: “Well there’s one good thing about this,” says Drew, “I don’t miss turkey season.” Har. Such a hayseed. I really think he’s sincere.
Natasha Blach - NO - After she’s cut, she takes off with her super-hot husband and cute kid. She doesn’t look too disappointed.
Michael Johns - YES - Michael says there isn’t anything he would have done differently during the competition. “It’s an emotional one here,” says Paula. “We don’t like having to say no to people.” “This was unanimous,” Simon says gravely. “Yes, you are through,” says Paula. “That is RIDICULOUS,” says Michael. Some Aussie slang I’m not aware of? “Now a whole new set of problems start,” he says. True, dat.
Syesha Mercado - YES - We see Syesha lose her voice during the first days of Hollywood, then make a triumphant return on the last day. What a trouper! Paula says, “I’m curious, how do you spell your name?” I really hope, we are seeing the permanent return of wacky Paula, ’cause this is good stuff. Paula closes her eyes, “What word is inside of your name?” Syesha is all WTF? Until she gets it. Oh Paula, You are so funny!
Robbie Carrico - YES - “Did this rocker prove himself in Hollywood?” asks Ryan as we listen to Robbie “rock out” with Bryan Adams. I think that answers the question, don’t you? “It wasn’t unanimous, Robbie,” says Simon, “But Randy and myself decided to put you through.” That Simon is such a kidder.
More cannon fodder for your pleasure. Don’t blink, or you’ll miss it…
Garett Haley - YES - Ryan says, “The judges make quick work of Garett Haley.” They sure do. Who the hell is he?
Kady Malloy - YES - Randy, “You’re going to be seeing a lot more of us.” I dunno, her initial audition aired way back in January. Does anyone remember who she is? Just to refresh your memory–She’s the blond from Dallas who does an amazing Carrie Underwood impression. Yeah.
Chikezie Eze - YES - “You made it, you made it, you made it” sings Paula. Not for long, at this rate.
Amy Davis - YES - Simon says yes to her boobs (she’s the sexy part Japanese, model/singer, who auditioned in Dallas). One would assume, since she was only flashed on the screen for a few seconds.
Alaina Whitiker - YES - Blond cannon fodder.
Jason Yeager - YES - Randy says, “You made it baby.” Jason, “Are you serious?” Ryan, putting himself in charge of creating good Tee Vee, makes Jason cry.
Asia’H Epperson - YES - Asia’H retells the horrible story about her dad passing away a few days before her initial audition. We see Asia’H ripping it up during her Hollywood audition. For dad. Paula says, “We are happy to say you’re on board…for an amazing ride!” Oh, that Paula!
David Hernandez - YES - “It wasn’t unanimous, I must say,” admits Randy. We see Paula and Randy enjoying David’s performance of “Love the One You’re With” in Hollywood. “We fought hard over this decision…but it’s a yes, congratulations.” Then, Simon admits that he didn’t say yes. He tells David he’s going to have to work a heck of a lot harder to even have a remote chance of winning. Perhaps David is too “Broadway” for Simon.
Josiah Leming - NO - Josiah says, in his odd half-Southern half-British accent, that this day is probably the most important of his life. They recap his final performance in Hollywood, where he ditched the band, went solo, then crashed and burned. He thinks he’s made the cut. I’m thinking he proved he can’t work with people, and he’s too fragile to handle pressure. I’d be surprised if they put him through. And they don’t. Randy says it’s a no. Josiah slowly falls apart. By the time he makes it to the holding room, he’s pretty emotional. It’s a little heartbreaking. I really like this kid. He has tons of potential as a songwriter and performer. Idol is not the place for him. I’m hoping this isn’t the last we’ve heard of Josiah.
Colton Berry - YES - and Kyle Ensley - NO - Aw. I kinda like Kyle Ensley. He was inconsistent, and probably would have outstayed his welcome, but his adorable geekitude is endearing. Simon, interestingly, admits that he fought to keep Kyle in the competition. “You’re not the best singer, but I really think you have something that people would have enjoyed.” Simon must be disappointed that his potential whipping boy is out of the race. Heh. Colton? Well, we haven’t seen much of him so far. Time will tell.
Cardin McKinney - NO - and Joanne Borgella - YES - Cardin and Joanne are pitted against each other on looks and race. Will it be the pretty, thin white girl, or the overweight black girl? What do you think? Joanne is put through. It’s interesting, that with all the advance buzz about Cardin, we hardly saw her during the competition. Hm.
We haven’t seen the entire Top 50. I spot Colton Swon, Marsha Hancock, Neyshia Go and some other random people who are never mentioned… Hollywood is not America!
And now, it’s time for the annual Top 24 Dork Dance! Hooray! It means the competition has truly begun…
I’m ready! Are you?
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You didn’t miss much with the dances. Really. Two seconds a piece. The one boy, the 16 year old dark haired one, didn’t even know how to dance. Awwww…
Sniff…none of them knew how to dance…and that’s was makes watching it a thousand times so desirable….T2 sneaks off in search of a life…
awwww. the 16 yr..old.. my David A…my favorite… now I love him more for not knowing how to dance.. LOL
This is most of the dork dance (it’s missing the group dork dance):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq_-Kl_BEBc
The Sphinx got more face time last night than some of the contestants did all season.
Sphinx for the win!
Kirsten - I heart you.
Jason Castro–well, there’s laid back and then there’s Jason Castro.
Kristy Lee Cook. I thought I wanted Carly Simonson to go first, but after that dance, I’ll settle for Kristy Lee.
Just a big fat ole BWAH to the dork dancers. Life is good.
For those interested in hearing more Josiah Leming, visit his MySpace and hear several of his songs. You can also purchase them through a verified site. I did choose the option to purchase all his songs for $15.00, to show him a little support, but one warning….all the songs sound the same. He really needs to stretch more as an artist, but he’s got tons of talent and potential.
Hmmmmm I don’t know if those two are country at all. They don’t look like. I was rooting for Colton Swon to fill that spot. I wonder what happened to him? After an impressive audition he was never shown again.
He was really good IMO with that Boondocks song.
At least one of the “cannon fodder” will turn out to be an amazing singer and within a few weeks, a favorite.
While it definitely helps to get screen time (especially if you give a so-so performance), the best way to survive in the early rounds is to pick a good song and give a confident performance. Oh, and if that fails, cry when Simon is mean…
I’m so excited for next week!
Please! Oh Pleeeeze! Let Carly and Kristy Lee be the first two females sent home!
I wonder what “America” will think of finalists they are seeing/hearing for the first time? Is this holding back done on purpose? Well. We know everything on Idol is, you know, like, spontaneous, so….
I am already WAY more interested in this year than last. Looks like I may have to revoke my membership to Team Indifference. That may change, and I may have to re-apply, but, for now, Season 7 looks like a keeper.
Yeah, what was up with Kristy Lee Cook’s stripper-worthy booty shaking during what is really supposed to be the DorkDanceParade? Amazing Grace, indeed….
Colton is starting out the competition from under the bus, so he has my sympathy. Sheesh, did Simon really have to roll his eyes when he shook Colton’s hand?
I thought it was just the song choice for her audition, but I have decided that Joanne Borgella has an extremely unpleasant voice. She’s way high-pitched and screechy to my ears. And Syesha Mercado is shouty. Her voice is another one I think I could listen to for only so long before getting hugely annoyed.
Nothing on God’s green earth will make me vote for Carly. Ever.
On the other hand, I’m intrigued both by Amanda’s voice and by her demeanor so far. She comes off so poised and mature. I found that so refreshing after seeing all the blondes and the plants cry their eyes out.
Edited to add: When I saw Ryan and Random Actor From Show Getting Promo’d on top of the Sphinx, all I could think was “American Idol, meet shark. Shark, meet American Idol. Now let’s get jumping!”
Kirsten…You are da bomb
Thank you!
Ditto on the “shouty” note. If Simon gave a lot of singers that critique last year, this year will be a goldmine of shoutiness….
The guys at FOXES ON IDOL have already categorized the Top 24 into groups. See if you agree with them :
What?! I got NO screen time? Just because my life’s not tragic?” Group:
Jason Castro
Luke Menard
Garret Haley
Alexandrea Lushington
The “Pretty Girls Who Can Also Sing” Group:
Alaina Whitaker
Amy Davis
Kady Malloy
The “Potential” Group
Chikezie Eze
Colton Berry
Joanne Borgella
The “Middleground” Group
Brooke White
Ramiele Malubay
Kristy Lee Cook
Asia’h Epperson
David Hernandez
Robbie Carrico
The “Almost Sure Things” Group
Amanda Overmeyer
Danny Noriega
Syesha Mercado
David Cook
The “Frontrunners” Group
Michael Johns
Carly Smithson
David Archuleta
Link, please.
Please don’t rip off other sites. Post links.
If I found my stuff in a comments section of another blog without linkage, I’d be pissed.
Dork dance is at the end of this video:
http://www.dailymotion.com/igrecman/video/x4dcg5_ai7ep10part6-top24-revealed_music
Complete videos from the EP here:
http://www.dailymotion.com/igrecman/1
:)
Dear TPTB, please shoot cannon fodder Luke Menard my way.
Sounds like Kristy Lee will be the Katharine McPhee of this year. The ladies are obviously a little put off by her sexy looks and dance. This is one guy who will vote for her based on her voice–her looks help as well.
My favs:
Asia’H Epperson
Ramielle
Kristy Lee
Brooke White
David Cook
Michael Johns
Danny Noriega
Please no Amanda “one dimensional” Overmyer or Syesha “conceited The One” Mercado
You’ve got a line in front of you Purple.
This is American Idol? We have Carly, an Irish gal, and, Michael Johns, from Australia. Both being pimped, pimped, and repimped. Shouldn’t they change the name of the show? I think that Paula and Randy saw Kevin Covais (?) in Kyle, however, Kevin was also very adorable. As I stated before, ABC - anyone but Carly.
LOL, jersey. I hate my timezone. Gah!
However, TPTB might not be a sharp shooter, you know… ;B
It would be so funny if the Australian and the Irishgirl were the first 2 voted off!!
Poor Kristy Lee, I felt so sorry for her when she went into spasms.
I hope she didn’t throw her back out or displace a hip. :(
I have several favorites this year already! I love it because last year I didn’t feel anyone. I canNOT wait til Tuesday!
I was disappointed Cardin didn’t make it. I was hoping the spoilers were wrong on that one. Oh, well, she did choke in Hollywood. :s She is still gorgeous, though, and talented and I hope she makes it big somehow.
I hope this isn’t a repeat post…In her myspace, Cardin posted a blog answering questions posted by “friends”/fans, such as…
She keeps adding (answers) to the blog as questions are posted.
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=45242959&blogID=357733622
Finally Indiana gets to show that we are not all about corn fields, and car racing. Proud to say that we have three Hoosiers on board for this season…Amanda Overmyer
, Amy Davis,and Luke Menard.
I really enjoyed watching Hollywood week this year.
Well, you guys, I have to agree with TPTB that the quality of this year’s talent has stepped up a notch from last year. I don’t care about previous experience, old contracts, old releases, etc. I just want to see and hear some good talent and I think that we’re in for a treat this season. There is a variety of styles, a variety of “looks”, and yet, there appears to be a pretty high standard of music coming our way.
I am impressed with MJL, but I wonder what kind of career is really available to a 29 year old in this business where youth holds all of the cards. I think that Kristy Lee Cook has great potential. I’ve listened to her songs on myspace, and I like the timbre of her voice. I think that with the right song choices she could be very entertaining. And, I thought that her geeky dance moves were cute!!
I am kind of over the belters. I have had my ear drums assaulted too many times during the past seasons. For that reason, Brooke appeals to me, also. Actually, I am impressed with quite a few of the performers, and I CAN’T WAIT until next week.
Oops. My bad. I forgot to make sure there was a link to Sharon Leming’s blog on my comment. I’m sorry!
I watched the video’s on Americanidol.com. Loved Jason Castro– hopefully, he can sing.
LA Times blogger predicts Top 7:
Alaina Whitaker
Carly Smithson
Ramiele Malubay
Michael Johns
Syesha Mercado
Kady Malloy
Colton Berry
Colton Berry, the last guy picked. I like Ramiele too.
Little Boy Blue, I think you left out Jason Yeager. He must really be forgettable. I don’t think I saw him except where they told him he made the top twenty four. He’s been performing in Branson so he may have some talent and stage presents. I’ll be watching the ones I haven’t seen and kind of formed an opinion on next week. He was cute too, and a little older which I like. Go Jason…..
Please God, let Carly Smithson and KKKristy be the first ones out. Thanx.
Wow…I haven’t posted here in months and just had to log in and say something about Josiah’s mother. I read a little of her blog and it is heart wrenching to read her words. Josiah sounds like a wonderful person. Those pages will be difficult for her family to read when she’s gone…but such a treasure too! I hope this young man can make a career for himself. I was sorry they didn’t keep him around. I didn’t think he’d ever win but I did enjoy him and wanted him to get a bit more face time on tv.
Over on the AI website they have a page on the top twenty-four. Under the picture and banner,More About The Top 24, are four catogories you can select. The second one is Interview Videos and I went in and listened to Jason Yeager and Luke Menard. Both are great looking guys who seem at ease during the interviews. I only wish the would show videos of them singing. I feel like I at least know something about them now. Going over and listen to a few more.
Sorry if this has been addressed already but…
are Carly and Michael Johns actually citizens of the US? or just here on a visa? If they’re aren’t a citizen or in the process of becoming citizens, then I dont think they should be on American Idol, as there is Irish Idol, and Australian Idol they could be on. However if they are in the process/or already citizens ok. Just visas no.
Hey…I liked that Buck Smith’s voice! Darn! Would’ve liked to have heard more.
I think it’s unthinkable for idol to not show every contestant, as it gives all those who have had screen time a fan base right off the bat. boo boo booo
They do it every season. I can’t remember who we didn’t see last season although I do know they didn’t show Blake singing at all, just beatboxing. Most of the time they have to make an impression later but I agree that it puts them at a disadvantage with viewers.
Hello, all!
I just found out something really interesting!!!
I was talking to my friend Nicole, who currently lives in Tulsa, OK, and works in a hair salon…
About two weeks ago, this young girl comes in who wanted her hair more blonde, and Nicole said “OK.”
Somehow, the conversation got onto AI, and Nicole said that she heard that a girl from Tulsa got onto the show, and the girl whose hair is going blonder, said “That’s me!”
Nicole asks what her name is, and it is ALAINA!!!
I know that Nicole asked her name before she started doing her hair, but I just had to leave that out until the end, for the dramatic effect, even though I know that all of you are such detectives, and could have figured it out just by the fact that I mentioned Tulsa, OK…
So when we see Alaina on either Tuesday or Wednesday, that is Nicole’s work!
Just watched the Hollywoods and Chair episodes again. All I gotta say is, man alive, that Buck Smith got robbed! He would have brought a true rocker edge to the guys this year. If only they’d have gone with Buck over Robbie, who oddly resembled him, if only in that please-forget-I-was-a-boybander-cuz-that-don’t-sell-CDs-no-more way.