Blake Lewis performed his new single “How Many Words” - Video
The Top 12
- David Cook
- David Archuleta
- Jason Castro
- Brooke White
- Syesha Mercado
- David Herandez
- Michael Johns
- Ramiele Malubay
- Carly Smithson
- Amanda Overmyer
- Kristy Lee Cook
- Chikezie Eze -
Kady Malloy - Eliminated - Video
Luke Menard - Eliminated - Video
Asiah Epperson - Eliminated - Video
Danny Noriega - Eliminated - Video
Thanks Lawrence for the Videos!
If I could trade Danny Noriega for Chikezie and Asia’h Epperson for Kristy Lee Cook, I’d be deliriously happy with this Top 12. The fierce and fabulous Danny Noriega would have added much entertainment to this year’s cast. It’s too bad we’ll never see his break-out performance. It would have come. The boy can sing.
Asia’h Epperson is a talented singer who suffered from mundane song choices. Kristy Lee Cook pretty much coasted into the Top 12 on her looks and the good graces of TPTB, who seem to love her. Once the boys and girls are competing together, I predict she’ll have a tough time.
Overall, however, I’m happy with the cast and look forward to the competition, and more break-out performances from David Cook, Jason Castro and Brooke White. Carly Smithson is winning fans (well, maybe not the Fanjayas. Heh.) and will go deep. If Micheal Johns steps up his game, he’ll go far as well. Danny Archuleta, the Boy Wonder, will no doubt march his way right up to the Top 3 and beyond.
I dig Blake Lewis’s new single.
My recap, after the JUMP.
“TONIGHT…the Top 12 are revealed,” says Ryan, gesturing toward the shiny, shiny silver seats awaiting the contestants who will make the Top 12.
It’s the American Idol ceiling cam! As we get a birds-eye view of the 16 contestants sitting on the circular couch awaiting their fate, Ryan helpfully does the 2nd grade math for us. Sixteen contestants - 12 spots = 4 will be eliminated.
Blake Lewis takes the stage to perform his new single “How Many Words” Me likey! Confession time… I heard this song when it was a demo back in August. I loved it then, I love it now, particularly the beautiful, soaring harmonies in the chorus. Blake wrote this one. It’s good. So is his performance. Here’s hoping the new single does well.
After the break, says Ryan, “It’s time to build the Top 12.”
According to Ryan, there were over 36 million votes this week (37 million, Season 6, for comparison). The judges are introduced. Paula is wearing a jaunty hat. She’s probably hoping to keep her brains from falling out of her head. Ryan congratulates her for having the #1 download on iTunes, for her track , “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow”, from Randy’s upcoming albu.
Ryan turns his attention to the guys. First, highlights of their performances from Tuesday. Micheal Johns, “Don’t You Forget About Me”, Chikezie, “All The Woman That I Need”, David Hernandez, “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now”, Luke Menard, “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go”, Danny Noriega, “Tainted Love”, David Archuletta, “Another Day in Paradise”, Jason Castro, “Hallelujah” and David Cook, “Hello”. yes, i’m pimping iTunes. shutup! 5 cents a download!
Ryan: “Eight faces, six places. How will this all go down?” Whoa. Clever McCleverton! I want a gig writing for a reality show. Um.
“Dim the lights,” says Ryan. David Cook, would you please stand up. David looks really nervous as Ryan runs off the blahdeblah of what he sang and what the judges said, “…Lionel Richie, I spoke with him today on the phone.” THAT got David’s attention–he performed a rock version of Richie’s “Hello”. “He loved it,” says Ryan. David beams, almost forgetting he’s about to hear some very important news. “America voted, and David…you’re in the Top 12. Congratulations.”
“Now, let’s turn to…David Archuleta. Would you please stand up.” David giggles. “…America voted…and you put a smile on their faces. Congratulations David Archuleta, you are in our coveted Top 12.” David is so excited, as he heads to the stools he begins wheezing. Seriously, I think he’s going to pass out.
Jason Castro is next. “Alright,” says Ryan, “Jason, would you stand up….after the nationwide vote…you’re in the Top 12. Congratulations.” Jason looks blissed. But then, he always does.
Three seats filled, and it’s time for a break.
Back. “We’re turning our attention now to the girls…” And a recap of the girls’ performances: Asia’h Epperson, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”, Carly Smithson, “I Drove All Night”, Syesha Mercado, “I’m Saving All My Love For You”, Kady Malloy, “Who Wants to Live Forever”, Ramiele Malubay, “Against All Odds”, Kristy Lee Cook, “Faithfully”, Brooke White, “Love is a Battlefield” and Amanda Overmyer, “Hate Myself for Loving You”.
“Good luck to the ladies….Brooke White, would you please stand up.” Ryan pauses, “How you doin’?” Great time to make chit-chat Ryan. “You just want to know…” No Ryan, she’d rather stand there and be tortured by you. “…after the vote, Brooke…you’ve made it into the Top 12.” A relieved Brooke takes her seat.
“Syesha Mercado, would you please stand up for us.” Ryan asks the judges if they think she’ll go through. Simon and Paula say yes. Randy emphasizes, “100% yes.” Syesha smiles. She’s smug. I hate that. “…after the vote, America agrees with the judges. Syesha, take a stool.”
“Now, to Kady Malloy, would you please stand up.” The first elimination tonight? Big sigh from Kady, she just wants to get this over with. “…America voted, and Kady…I’m sorry tonight is the end of the line. Ladies and gentleman, leaving us tonight, Kady Malloy.”
“C’mon down Kady…let’s hear it for Miss Malloy…It’s been an incredible trip, an amazing trip, hasn’t it?” Kady nods. Kady’s goodbye package rolls to KT Tunstall’s “Suddenly I See”. Odd choice, KT wrote the song with her tongue in her cheek. Or at least I think she did. Cut to Asia’h who is really weepy. Kady says she doesn’t regret a moment. She sings out and… Oh. She might regret that. It’s pretty terrible. She’s randomly in tune. Well, once or twice maybe. Danny and Ramile are now crying. Bye Kady. Try acting. You have great comic timing.
Ryan announces Big News. Next week Idol will be opening up their phone lines to talk to AMERICA live on the air! I don’t quite understand what this means, but Ryan says to log onto americanidol.com for more information. I wonder if they’d talk to me? They probably already have my phone number banned. And yes, it’s a long story, but TPTB do have my phone number…
Back to the guys. “David Hernandez, please stand up.” Another elimination? Ryan says,”You sang…blah blah bah…” David holds his breath. And then Ryan says, “..David, take a stool, you’re in the Top 12.” David lets out a huge sigh of relief. Gay strippers for the win! tm pj.
And now to, “Michael Johns, would you please stand up…America decided, you are in the Top 12″ Ok, Michael. You made the Top 12. It’s time to stop coasting, or you’ll end up a middle packer at best.
“Luke Menard, would you stand up please.” Bye Luke. “…America voted, and Luke, I’m sorry to say that you are leaving us tonight on American Idol.” Time for Luke’s video. His back drop is “Wonderful World” by James Morrison. Paula’s advice to Luke is, “This is the first day of the rest of your career…you will see…you will see.” My advice is more practical. Try Soap Operas. He sings out with Wham! and it’s every bit as ridiculous as it was on Tuesday. I can’t believe this guy is straight.
Speaking of which. Cut to Danny Noriega looking like Dead Man Walking.
There are 5 girls left awaiting their fate.
“Ramiele, would you please stand up…America voted…you are in the Top 12. Congratulations.” Pinoys unite!
“Carly, would you please stand up…” Ryan doesn’t waste any time playing with Carly Smithson. Of course, she’s in. “Take a seat, you’re in the Top 12.”
“And, Amanda. Would you please stand up…Congratulations, America said you deserve a seat in the Top 12.” She even smiles.
Kristy Lee Cook and Asia’h Epperson are left. “Will you ladies please join me at the center of the stage…Asia’h, Kristy…I hate to do this to you.” Sure you do, Ryan. “Gotta take a break, we’ll be back with the results.” I’ll bet he pulled the legs off spiders when he was a kid, too.
Back from the break. Randy says he thinks Asia’h will stay. Paula interrupts. She must feel bad that Kady stunk up the joint on her sing out, because she says, “…it is so hard to hear any heartbreaking news and then sing…nobody has to do that.” Then she refuses to say who she thinks will go or stay. Simon thinks Kristy Lee will make the cut. Ryan continues, “…America has decided…that Asia’h…you…are going home 
tonight. Kristy Lee Cook has made it into the Top 12.” A few boos can be heard from the crowd.
Each eliminated contestant gets their own song. Asia’h’s is “Hollywood is Not America” by Ferras. Paula says, “This is one beautiful, talented, brave star…there’s nothing, nothing that’s going to stop you.” Paula’s optimism is kind of charming in the face of her complete denial. The truth is, most of these kids who don’t make the Top 12 will fade into obscurity within a few weeks. After her video rolls, Ryan asks Asia’h if she wants to sing out. She bucks up and says yes. She performs–significantly less peppy than the night before. She looks so disappointed.
Ryan asks Danny Noriega and Chikezie to take center stage. Ryan asks Danny why he’s so upset. Why do you think Ryan? Danny is close to both of the eliminated girls. “Chikezie and Danny…” Danny fiddles with his fingernails, “One completes our Top 12, the other unfortunately leaves us tonight…” When Ryan says Simon didn’t like anything about Danny’s performance, Danny flips him the half-moose again. It’s funny. “…America voted, Chikezie, take a seat. You’re in the Top 12. Congratulations. Which means Danny leaves us tonight.”
DAMN! Ramile, safe in her shiny Top 12 chair, completely loses it. Cut to Chikezie’s mother who is all “Praise God, Praise God.” Eh. Danny is crying while Chikezie comforts him. Paula is crying. Geez. Ryan says, “One of our most courageous performers ever on American Idol.” I would agree with that. Danny wasn’t afraid to let his freak flag fly. He opened a door for others to walk through. He is awesome. Danny’s goodbye song is Graham Colton’s “Best Days“.
Danny sings out. Even Simon is smiling.
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we’re turning this into a chat thread!
(I know where Al Gore is from, Tenn. And they didn’t vote for him. Wonder why!)
I like Jason the best too but I’m’ telling you, dreadlocks falling off in your soup gives me the heebie jeebies.
We are, and I have to work in the AM, so night.
TN voted Gore into the Senate, so they must have liked him at one point. My mom loves Al Gore. Bless her heart. I like him too. He’s no Jimmy Carter (ducks and runs).
Anyway, back to Jason, he was smart to make his story about a date. The awkwardness is working for him, I think.
Really surprised about Asiah’s elimination. I don’t think it had anything to do with her singing Whitney however. Many have attempted it and although Simon didn’t like it, she did a damn good job on it. She had a vibrant personality as well, as did Danny. I will miss them both and the points that they cost me because I could not foresee them leaving this week.
I think Danny may have been too OTT for the voting public and that is sad. It’s about time to allow kids to be who they are without recrimination. I feel really good about Danny staying true to himself when he could have played it butch and planted a girl in the audience as others have done in the past. Danny is a role model for every kid who feels different for whatever reason. Having him on the tour would have been a wonderful thing. I know being gay is a horrible thing to alot of people, but that is who he is, and even though I don’t think he had a shot to win, he should have survived at least another week or two. I would sacrifice most of the girls left for him.
I must say that this is a very diverse group we have this year. Country, rock, pop, soul, RnB, alt rock, blues. I mean it may turn out to be one of the most entertaining years. I can honestly say there is some gold to be mined from these guys. I mean seriously.
I will miss Danny. He is the only one of the ones eliminated that I will miss. I hope Kristy leaves next week and Chikezie or Amanda the week after that.
My Ideal configuration would be 4 girls and 6 guys for the tour. If a guy must go, I hope that it will be Mr. Eze.
I’m mostly happy about the Top 12. If Danny had still been there, I would have been happier.
I think that Danny’s video did him in. I know that it was just a teenager being Goth and that it was probably made for just a small group of his friends but it was a big mistake. It was pretty out there. I wonder if he’ll find out which friend sold him out by making the existence of the video known. In an interview a few days ago, Frenchie said that the one thing that she has learned was to trust no one. Sad but useful lesson.
The songs available at Itunes-are they the whole song or just the portion sang during the show?
I agree Abbysee, in fact, I’d like to see all six guys on the tour. They are stronger singers.
Since Season 3, has it been banned to having lopsided results? Does it have to be 5 girls and 5 guys on the tour?
I agree 100% with that and it was the reason I picked him this weeek tho I didn’t want him to go. I found him entertaining and the boy could sing. We didn’t get to hear him at his best
I was surprised at Asiah’s elimination, didn’t see that one coming!
The first 2 contestants cut from the top 12 of Season 4 were Mikalah Gordon and Lindsey Cardinale, so unless something has changed since Season 4, I would guess no, it does not have to be even.
I’m really sorry about Asia’h and Danny leaving. Both of them had great personalities and brought a lot of fun and energy to the show. Kristy and Chikezie were not good trade-offs for them, imo.
Since the headlines thread isn’t up yet, I’m gonna put this here. Will someone please take it over to headlines when that one goes up??
From a bulletin the Clark Brothers posted last night:
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! What a great way to start off my Friday!! Two years running on IGB, for Ashley. :)
I know I am very late to the party here, but I guess I am the only person in America who really liked Break Anotha. Glad to see Blake’s sense of fashion hasn’t changed. Somehow it works for him.
I miss my cute little red tomato already. I really wish he had been born to Parentzilla because I think he has more natural talent than Archuletta and coulda been a contender.
Although I can’t understand why Asia’h picked DANCE!, I did feel really bad for her. Heartbreaking backstory. I actually felt relieved for Kady because she would have been Simon’s punching bag had she continued.
I agree with the people above who said that Carly is jaded. She must have been kicked hard with the last record deal, because you can see her ducking when they call her name.
Really think they need to stop this 5 boys 5 girls thing and just make it the best 10 singers.
And yahoo! for David H. Boy looks just fine in that moss green and I really like his voice.
miss my cute little red tomato already. I really wish he had been born to Parentzilla because I think he has more natural talent than Archuletta and coulda been a contender.
Good Lord NO! That Relief Society Sister would have had poor Danny in a re-education camp by the time he was three.
Cat — BWAH!! You’re right!
I had forgotten that Asia’h was the one who’s dad died just prior to her audition. I do think Kristi should have gone before her, and I think Danny should have stayed over Chikezie. The other eliminations I expected. I just thought that Danny brought something fresh & fun to the show & I wanted him to stay a little longer. The kid can sing - I remember from Hollywood rounds. I do think he did better on Tainted Love last night than the first time.
Listening to the radio this AM - they had a reporter staying at the hotel w/ the idols who has been talking to them back stage. She said that Chikezie & his Dad just hugged & cried after the show, and that she said she felt bad because he could very well be going home next week. She said that she asked Jason Castro who he was close to/friends with, and he said nobody. He’s concentrating on winning. She said she was rendered speechless by Michael Johns’ “hotness”, and that David Archuleta is pretty much revered as the second coming. Just thought that was interesting to share.
I agree with you, carolina, Jason Castro’s version is much better than Buckley’s or Cohen’s. As a matter of fact, I listened to several recorded versions of Hallelujah on youtube yesterday, including the one done for Shrek by Rufus Wainwright. I think Jason’s is the best.
You know who Jason reminds me of? You know those iPod commercials during the breaks, he sort of has a similar voice and singing style to that guy.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI0eW3q8cMc)
His voice and his style are light and charming. I enjoy him a lot. If you’ve seen his video, he says he hasn’t been singing or playing for that long really. He’s very charming. I hope he does well.
I was shocked about Asia’h also. I thought for sure that because Kristy was supposedly so forgettable that she would be going home. Funny how Simon called it anyway! “Based on the song, I think Asia’h’s going home.”
I didn’t care for Danny but I think I’m actually going to miss him smarting off to Simon. I might just start doing the half-moose whatever myself! Funny that VFTW wasn’t strong enough to save him.
Luke - good luck with your a capella band.
Kady - I hope she gets a job doing impressions. She’s actually very good at it!
I had noticed that Jason doesn’t seem as friendly as the others on elimination night. It may just be shyness too.
Ahh. Count me in with those who were sorry to see Danny go. I loved what he said about wanting fans (and making the little frowny face). What would they have been called? Fanny’s? Faniega’s? Oh well. Not to be. He truly would have been entertaining on the show for a few weeks. I looked forward to his song choices and what he was going to do onstage.
In other news regarding last night. Blake reminded me of why I was on Team Indifference last year. I will say no more.
Kady was meant to go but I hated for Asia’H to go. She had a great, light-up-the-stage personality. I think Syesha does too, but hers is much more studied and rehearsed.
Luke. It was time, you hunky boy you.
Eze needs to go soon. He does nothing for me. He reminds me of many of the players from S 6. Good but boring.
I think this year’s top 12 will definitely entertain, which is a good thing, since I watch regardless.
So. Is the Half-a-Bullwinkle going to be the symbol of this year? Just askin’.
In other, other news (peripherally Idol-related). “Randy Jackson’s America’s Best Dance Crew” is some of the best teevee that isn’t Idol. A REALLY good, well-run show.
Yeah, the only person Jason got super excited about was Ramiele.
Trade out Syesha or Kristy Lee for Alexandrea and Michael Johns for Danny and I would be happy. David Cook has my rocker vote and I still think Alexandrea was cut before she should have been.
Amanda, Kady and Kristy were given a gift of another week to give them the chance to have a break out performance, which Amanda did and how Kristy is still there, I’m not sure. It was a good performance by her on Wednesday but the two before were not on par with the others. I think if Alex would have had that extra week, she would have made it into the top 12.
I have switched my votes to the guys now.
Time to pick songs for next week! Since Brooke and David A are my favorites, and they both need to be a little more peppy next week, how about All You Need is Love for Brooke and Day Tripper for David A? Please, oh please no one sing Hey Jude or I will toss up whatever dinner I have next Tuesday :)
I wonder if they are allowed to sing any Beatles song ever recorded? I’d love to hear someone sing Blackbird, IMNSHO the best Beatles song ever, but it’s too “folksy” and not flashy enough. Jason Castro singing With a Little Help From My Friends would be appropriate. Beatles songs don’t have a lot of glory notes, and they are fairly subtle, for the most part. It should be an interesting show.
Songs I’d love to hear:
Paperback Writer
Day Tripper
All You Need is Love
Eleanor Rigby
Blackbird
Norwegian Wood
Let it Be (depends on who does it)
Something
Here Comes the Sun
We ( Danny Fans that is) need to do something to keep him remembered and his spirit alive…im thinking something involving the moose hand or TMTH Forever…i dunno, somebody creative think of something please…and fast, Im having withdrals!!!
I’m just curious - why does everyone seem to hate Kristy Lee so much? It’s not like she personally knocked Asia’h out of the competition. Though I agree Asia’h had a great voice, I thought Alexandrea’s was better.
One nice thing about Kristy is, if she goes the country route, it will provide another different sound.
Also, and I think someone else may have mentioned it, one thing that really hurt Asia’h was the dropping of her back story. She just became another belter in a sea of belters in this group of girls. Kristy’s voice was different - while her songs may have been forgettable, it was probably easier for the general public to match her voice to her name because it isn’t belty.
TPTB made Asia’h 2-dimensional by dropping her back story. Plus, KLC was on the 1st audition episode (yes?), and her clip got played a million times, and people remember that. That made her 3-D, even though her personality didn’t help.
I don’t know if people really “hate” Kristy, she just hasn’t sung as well as the others so far. The best I heard her was on Amazing Grace - twice - and I’ve been looking for her to sing half as compelling since then, to no avail. She seems to be coasting on backstory and looks right now. That’s my opinion, anyway.
beckhorne - I think I read somewhere that the Lennon/McCartney stuff will be only the early years - through Revolver or Rubber Soul. So anything from the later years, Let It Be, White Album, etc., would not be covered. Am I correct in that folks? I thought I read that here. I bet Archuleta sings “In My Life” because he doesn’t have it in him to sing anything lighthearted or without some serious message behind it. Johns will do “Got to Get You Into My Life” unless David Cook grabs it first. Nobody should sing anything Ringo recorded because he has an extremely limited range, and these folks are supposed to be showing off.
I could have gotten my wires crossed, but I thought Beatles night was going to be Top 11 week, and next week would be songs of the 90’s? Could someone straighten my ass out?
I couldn’t watch the show, but got emailed the results. At first I was shocked about Asia’h over Syesha and Danny over Chikezie, but after reflecting, I think Syesha was really helped by the pimp spot and Asia’h going first then accepting being a “second rate Whitney” couldn’t have helped. I wanted Danny to make the tour, but I guess not enough people had connected with him yet.
Performing early can’t have helped them. Luke and Danny performed 1st and 3rd respectively (David A went second but you know he’d advance no matter when he performs).
On the girls side, Asia’h and Kady performed first and second and both are gone. I have to think that if Asia’h had performed later, she might’ve stayed on.
Yay for the Clark Brothers!!!! (I’m a big fan, if you can’t already tell).
Perhaps if Simon leaves and Idol continues, they’ll have the NGAB judges on Idol I thought they were fantastic judges.
I wasn’t all that disappointed with the eliminations. They were the 4 I thought would go. I would trade Asia’h for Kristy though.
I was happy Chikezie made it. I think he has potential and I was not a Dannie fan.