The Wildcard Round – Idol Mixes it Up
There has been so much confusion around the wildcard round, I thought I’d do my part to clear up what I can.
Check out the American Idol schedule for the next few weeks HERE.
Tuesday at 8/7c pm is the live two hour performance episode featuring Group 3 of the Top 36. The 3 contestants moving straight to the Top 12 (girl and boy with the highest votes, plus the next highest vote getter of either gender) will be revealed during Wednesday’s live 1 hour results show at 8/7c pm.
Then, on Thursday at 8/7c pm, 8 or 9 remaining contestants will be called back for the live 1 hour wildcard show. This is where it gets confusing. MTV confirmed some details with the producers:
- Each judge can pick two contestants from those remaining in the Top 36. There will be 8 or 9 contestants competing in the round.
- Those chosen for the wildcard will perform a song on the show. (There’s no clarification whether the contestants can sing a brand-new song or not.)
- The judges will vote on each contestant at some point during the hour, with Simon breaking the ties–same rules as the audition phase.
- By the end of Thursday’s show, three singers from the group will be chosen by the judges to round out the Top 12–added to the 9 contestants already voted through by viewers.
- The LA Times has confirmed that the Top 12 will NOT have to be gender balanced.
Speculation ahead: If the singers can perform brand new songs–and really, with many of them criticized for picking the wrong song, it’s pointless to dole out second chances only to have them crap the bed with the same damn song–the round will likely have the 8/9 contestants performing either be a’cappella or maybe with Michael Orland accompanying them on piano. There just wouldn’t be time for the kids to rehearse new tunes with the band.
Reasonable scenario: The kids perform their songs, the judges meet for a big pow-wow afterward (the cameras spying on some of the proceedings), the three advancing to the Top 12 are announced at the end of the show.
My picks for wildcard after the jump…what are yours?
My personal picks for the wildcard round so far would be: Anoop Desai, Ricky Braddy, Jesse Langseth, Mishavonna Henson or Megan Corkrey. I wouldn’t be opposed to giving Matt Giraud a second chance. I kinda hope Nick Mitchell/Normund Gentle gets picked for that 9th spot, just for the entertainment value.
I believe the judges will pick: Anoop Desai because votewise, he just missed getting in, he’s so damn likable plus he adds diversity to the group. Megan Corkrey, because the judges keep yammering on about how commercial she is. Tatiana Del Toro–maybe–because she had a decent vocal and they won’t be able to resist the dramz.
They’ll surely give buzzworthy contestant, Matt Giruad, an opportunity to redeem his Group 2 trainwreck (everybody loves a triumphant comeback!). And maybe Ricky Braddy. Because, how could they deny his fantastic vocals? Well they could–Lisa Leuchner was denied a wildcard spot Season 3, despite being hailed the best vocalist of the season by Randy–there is precedent.
I also think Ann Marie Boskovich–an early judges favorite–and Jesse Langseth (I hope!) may have a shot. Stephen Fowler also is a possibility–he faltered in the semis, but showed some serious vocal chops in Hollywood. He could be a comeback story, as well as add to the group’s diversity. If the judges are looking for a male contry singer–Brent Keith from group 1 would be the way to go.
Who would you like to see advance to the wildcard? Who do you think the judges will advance? Discuss!
Posted in Uncategorized
87 Responses to “The Wildcard Round – Idol Mixes it Up”
That’s a good reason for just the piano or perhaps sole guitar with a singer, but I bet the performances themselves will be taped earlier that day, and it will be presented to us as if it is live, like when Neil Diamond or Natasha Bedingfield sang on results night last year.,
I’m hoping it’s Ricky. Three out of the four judges adored his vocals and even Simon had to admit that he has a great voice.
I would prefer Jesse and Anoop, also, but if I get Ricky, I won’t be complaining.
I downloaded his song from I-tunes and IMO, he is the best singer on the whole show.
It’s hard to pick 8 worthy wild cards when most of the 6 elected finalists are themselves forgettable. The most memorable, talented guy and girl disqualified so far are Normund Gentle and Jesse Langseth.
I think Anoop and Megan are wild card locks. I still like Anoop and hope he follows the trajectory, if not the songbook, of AI’s most successful wild card ever, Clay Aiken. If you saw Jason Castro on Idol Wrap, you know that he and show co-host Justin Guarini agree with Simon that Megan’s got something pretty special.
I actually think Matt G. blew it so badly that he might not have a comeback coming. Paula is probably the only one who would bring Jesse back, but I can imagine her going for a cute boy and/or a diversity pick.
I think Mishavonna, Kai and Stephen Fowler were better than most.
Did I mention that this is hard?
Double word. I’m trying to figure out my picks for WC round and I’m pretty indecisive right now. Is this part of the pool?
anoop has a studio recording..voice sounds fantastic on record…the acapella group he sang with recorded a version of “be without you” by mary j blige…i hope he sings this on the show
I just found another studio track where he sings “bring it on home”..awesome…if you want to hear his soulful voice sing a bluesy song …guitar & piano
wrong thread..
Not only will Anoop be picked for the WC, he should be on the tour. I wish Simon hadn’t pushed for Michael because he’s not a strong singer, IMO. I can’t see them passing up on Megan.
I know I’m late to the party but from group 1, I’d give the wild card to Anoop and from group 2, I’d give it to Jesse.
A lot of people seem to think Megan should get one but I thought Jesse’s vocals were far superior, plus she didn’t wiggle around like a hypnotized robot.
I DEFINITELY want to see Anoop in the final 12. He got screwed over Week 1. I thnk that Megan and Ann Marie also have a shot. And there are others that could make it through based on what judges have said, but none of them really impress me.
I am seriously not liking the new format. We don’t get to know the contestants. We don’t have the same connection to them. I started loving David Cook at top 24 week and could follow him through top 20 and 16 before he reached top 12. That was three weeks of songs and little video clips. By week 12 I was totally gone on him. This year I don’t feel like I know anyone very well. Of those that have not made it to top 12, I am rooting for Ricky Braddy and Megan Corkery and I had to go back and look at their clips to remember their names. They were the two who stood out for me in their top 36 performances and did not get voted in yet. I hope they get another chance. Maybe I’ll be wrong, certainly happened before, but I don’t see the investment in these contestants when we get so few chances to get to know them. Maybe it will come later. But in past years, by Top 12 I have already committed to a singer I want to see win. Not this year.
Just wanted to add the other one I would really like to see return is Kai Kalama. He reminds me a little bit of Anwar Robinson. I really like his voice, not so much his song choice. It is a shame that one weak song choice can cost them the whole competition this year. I really hope he gets another shot.
The strange part of all this is that I felt both Anoop and Kai gave GOOD performances! I think it is a matter of preference in genre selection. To me, Anoop ranks over all the guys voted in with the exception of Adam.