AMERICAN IDOL Year 10: Our attempts to deal with the post-Cowell era and the new (probably) worse than ever contestants.

http://www.fancast.com/blogs/2010/tv-news/idol-lowers-age-limit-to-15-reveals-season-10-audition-sites/

‘American Idol’ Lowers Age Limit, Reveals Season 10 Audition Sites

Fox’s ‘American Idol‘ will open its doors to crooners as young as 15 when it kicks off its Season 10 try-outs on July 17 in Nashville.

“A lot of young, talented people are now seeking careers and representation before they turn 16,” ‘Idol’ executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz explains to USA Today. “Lowering the age limit allows us to tap into this talent pool.”

Previously, the age range for ‘Idol’ wannabes spanned 16 to 28.

As noted by America’s newspaper, this tweak might not shake up the eventual outcomes too much, seeing as the last teens to make the ‘Idol’ finals were Season 6 runner-up David Archuleta and Season 7 winner Jordin Sparks.

Instead, the lower age limit could play right into the hands of ‘Idol’s text-happy younger fan base – a group already being catered to by the coming season’s MySpace audition option.

Speaking of Season 10 – which is to be judged by Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, Ellen DeGeneres and…. who knows?! – here is the complete list of audition cities and dates, courtesy of RyanSeacrest.com:

Saturday, July 17: Nashville, TN (Bridgestone Arena)
Wednesday, July 21: Milwaukee, WI (Bradley Center)
Monday, July 26: New Orleans, LA (Site TBA)
Tuesday, August 3: East Rutherford, NJ (IZOD Center)
Wednesday, August 11: Austin, TX (Frank Erwin Center)
Thursday, August 19: San Francisco, CA (AT&T Park)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, at least six Justin Biebers this year?

Yeah, because American Juniors worked out so well for them. This is at least as dumb as hiring Kara and Ellen to be judges.

http://www.fancast.com/blogs/2010/tv-news/american-idol-eying-chris-isaak-to-replace-simon/

Chris Isaak? He's proven to be a pretty funny guy over the years, and has plenty of on-air experience both as an actor and interviewer. I dunno, though. This option just doesn't seem to *pop* enough for me. I still think Harry Connick would fit this show like a glove (and would hopefully keep some of the questionable talent out of the top 12).

The great news? Bret Michaels is really no longer in the running. HOORAY!

the best news: I somehow no longer give two shits about American Idol

YAY MORE TIME FOR WOW wait ;_;

Ellen's out.

thank god

If Nigel Lythgoe does indeed come back as exec producer, and wipes the judging panel clean, it's about the only way the show can move on in the right way I think. Ellen, eh...can take or leave her. Kara and Randy, though...they can't be let go soon enough!

I hope he does. Yesterday he had a Freudian slip and said "American Idol" while he meant "So You Think You Can Dance"

um guys

jennifer lopez

jlo

http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/breaking-ellen-out-of-idol/

Also a rumor about Steven Tyler? I'll reserve judgement.

Still hoping Randy and Kara get booted, and Harry Connick and Sheila E take their places. But MOST IMPORTANTLY, STILL HOPING RANDY AND KARA GET BOOTED.

Randy, Steven Tyler, J Lo

Dawg, for me, for you, that trio doesn't look good even on paper.

I kind of like the J Lo move. Less interested in Steven Tyler. Grumpy that it looks like Randy Jackson is hanging around.

If they wanted to hire a dancer who can't sing they could've just brought Paula back.

I think J Lo has real potential to bring the bitchiness. And I mean that in a good way.

Randy Jackson's contract runs out after the next season, so I assume this will be his last one.

Kara and Ellen had contracts too, so that's not what's keeping Randy from being booted. Sure, Ellen asked to be let out of hers, but afaik Kara was fired.

That's true. It would make more sense to completely start fresh at this point and replace all of them.

Oh no, not Steven Tyler please!

JLo >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Paula

Steven Tyler :(

when this show finally gets cancelled, does that mean the music industry will be officially dead?

i'm stoked about jlo

has she ever been a guest judge on the show?

She mentored a couple seasons ago, but I really don't remember if she was any good or not.

Yeah, mentor is what I meant.

I guess I'm not sure what everyone's J Lo enthusiasm is based on.

haven't watched american idol in a while; jlo piquing my interest

american idol will probably get cancelled after next season if X-Factor USA realy takes off.

I guess I'm not sure what everyone's J Lo enthusiasm is based on.

Well, personally I can't imagine her being any worse than any of the female judges that have been on the show so far. Somehow she doesn't seem completely clueless about things.

I used to have some respect for Randy until I read about his comments on Paper Tongues.

Isn't Seacrest signed on for another two seasons at least? This show isn't going anywhere until 2012 at the earliest.

I'm excited about JLo, it's not like it'll turn the show around or anything, but she's obviously 100000000X more interesting than the other judges on the panel.

lol, was this already posted on another thread?
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/07/why-not-hire-a-music-critic-as-an-american-idol-judge-ten-contestants-for-the-job.html

Welp, no J Lo after all: http://www.avclub.com/articles/jennifer-lopezs-out-of-hand-demands-get-her-droppe,44045/

Aw, I might have tuned in to see J-Lo.

J-Lo would have been interesting, but as a few people have written in various places, I think it might be nicer if they retreat from uber-famous judges and get some personable, knowledgeable people and shift the attention back to the contestants.

That doesn't mean I don't want Harry Connick, Jr. on the panel, though. Because I do.

the panel should be Jesse Ventura, Tila Tequila and Andrew Lloyd Weber

An all-male panel would be lame though.

xpost I didn't mean to imply that Tila is a man.

aw that's too bad because I'm over here lolling

Joe Perry reacts to news of Steven Tyler's new gig.

Official: J-Lo & Steven Tyler are the new Idol judges

http://images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/2010822//560.ai.lc.092210.jpg
http://uk.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b201708_official_jennifer_lopez_steven_tyler.html

Yuk.

Just looking at Steven Tyler these days is a hard thing to do, so seeing him on tv two nights a week isn't really something I'm anticipating. And Randy...oh, Randy, you're still the useless judge at the far end of the table. Less "feelin' it"s and "dawg"s and more actually coherent judging may have moved you to the other end, but it's not your style. I get it. And Jennifer Lopez, sweet Jennifer Lopez. I actually have no complaints here. She might do okay, even as (what I presume will be) a pale imitation of Sheila E's role on Next Great American Band.

Tyler looks like a shaved muppet.

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media/imagebrowser/view/imagecache/53285/Full

skeee bop dee bop elevator hhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey

Randy Jackson, still the weak link.

http://www.fancast.com/blogs/2010/tv-news/lopez-will-put-american-idol-hopefuls-through-the-wringer/

The members of ‘American Idol’s Season 10 judging panel – Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson – have revealed their individual mindsets for when it comes to assessing the coming crop of singers.

Describing her style as “tough” but “fair,” ‘Idol’ newcomer Jennifer Lopez says, “I really want to put them through the wringer in the sense that I don’t want to let anybody who’s really great go.”

As auditions got underway this week, “We worked with them a little more than maybe you’ve seen in the past,” she told reporters at a press conference. “We give them more of a chance.”

J.Lo’s favorite ‘Idol’ champ to date? Season 1’s Kelly Clarkson, whom she hails as “a real artist.”

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, the other new addition to the panel, says, “I try to judge them fairly.” He then boils his advice to wannabe Idols thusly: “Don’t get mad at what we say. Get better.”

And then there’s Randy. Now the old warhorse at ‘Idol,’ his directive to the singers heading their way goes a little something like this: “Whatever you do, make it hot.”

Dawg.

Lee DeWyze has the worst opening sales of any "Idol" winner. His debut album, "Live it Up," sold just 39,000 copies, debuting at No. 19 on the Billboard chart.

HA!

I hate that dude. But sadly, I bet Crystal's sales would actually have been worse.

Here's a tidy rundown of what changes in S10.

http://www.fancast.com/blogs/2010/tv-news/report-another-american-idol-change-voting-system-altered/

‘American Idol‘ is not just getting a little nip and tuck. It’s going for the full body makeover.

The latest change for Season 10 of the television juggernaut is a biggie. Viewers will reportedly be able to vote online now. At least that’s what ‘American Idol’ fan site, votefortheworst.com, reports. Fox gave Fancast the obligatory, “no comment,” when asked to verify the report. In past seasons, voting was handled only by phone and text message.

So what does this mean for ‘Idol’? It could mean that Internet hackers can wreak havoc on the results. Or it could mean that a whole new audience who didn’t vote before will now vote. Only time will tell.

In case you haven’t been keeping up, here’s a rundown of the other key changes previously announced:

*The judges table, of course! Randy Jackson will front the revamped panel, featuring the addition of Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez.

*No Top 24 round. Straight to the more talented Top 12. They better not do away with the really bad auditions in the beginning of the show. That would be blasphemy!

*The minimum age has been lowered even further to age 15. Cue the braces and judges’ comments like, “You have an old soul.”

*The singers will move into a house together and cameras will be rolling. While we’re hoping for some ‘Jersey Shore’-like drama here, it’s probably going to be a bit more G-rated than that.

*Contestants compete in challenges, or contests, including creating a music video, self-promoting, creating an awards show-level performance, and more.

*Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Interscope/Geffen/A&M Records, will act as the mentor for the finalists.

I would just like to add "I WANT LESS OF THE REALLY BAD AUDITIONS PLZ AND MORE OF THE GOOD ONES"

yes

I haven't been paying attention; this is the first I've heard of any of these changes, and none of them sound like good watching to me. They live together, oh hey, like "The Real World." They compete in challenges, like "Top Model." 15 year olds, great, maybe they can find the next Justin Bieber.

*Contestants compete in challenges, or contests, including creating a music video, self-promoting, creating an awards show-level performance, and more.

oh fuck no

http://10minuteramble.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/fonzie_jumps_the_shark43.png

This is going to be so awful.

So, while we all eagerly await season 10, here's Siobhan singing The Star Spangled Banner. C/D?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym1MRwugPdo&feature=player_embedded

I kind of want to smack her for the excessive rubato. Lingering that much over EVERY SINGLE ornamentation is massively self-indulgent.

On "gave proof through the night" she is total butter though. Her "O'er the land of the free" would have been much more impressive ad she not farted around for the entire song but by the time you get to that point it's basically like "OKAY WE GET IT, YOU CAN ORNAMENT A MELODY, HERE IS YOUR COOKIE"

Yeah, like many of her Idol performances, it's a little showoffy (she didn't go for the scream though!) but I liked this. I know you have a vocal background (I had to look up rubato) so you may be interested in the critique that accompanied the clip from Blast magazine:

For those who enjoy seeing people merely because they have been television, her appearance may have been a treat. But as soon as she began her rendition of “Star Spangled Banner” it was evident that her voice — at least today — was neither powerful nor pretty. Worse, she chose an over-ambitious arrangement whose glides and turns would still have been a challenge to a singer of far greater talent.

The crowd showed appropriate appreciation for her willingness to perform and to support their favorite candidate. But even as people put their hands together for applause, many were turning to the person next to them to whisper a critical remark. She wasn’t “Rosanne bad” but it was pretty terrible for someone who is supposed to be one of the best young vocalists in the United States.

Totally disagree. In other news, I'm still flying the flag for Megan Joy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGWaPJ_gep8

That's kind of a dumb critique; basically they're just saying that because she didn't scream, she doesn't have a powerful voice. The bigger, more accurate critique is that she doesn't know what to do with songs and has the musical instincts of a bulldozer.

Megan Joy has become like a bazillion times better since being on Idol and being forced to sing bullshit that makes no sense on her.

TONIGHT

OK, a few minutes into the auditions, and it seems pretty obvious what the problem is: there's no alpha judge. If there were one, it'd be Randy but that's just because of seniority, he's definitely not a leader.

I want to see more bad singers!! Didn't the bad singers/early part of the show receive the highest ratings throughout the season until the finale?

oh, i could use a little more ridiculous but on the whole i'm happy they're focusing on the good ones.

bonus points for steven and randy's gross high-five as they stared at that one girl's ass

i'm happy they're focusing on the good ones.

^ this!

Steven Tyler is much more in touch with his surroundings than I thought he'd be, which is a good thing. I really don't care if an alpha judge emerges.

i fucking adore that last kid, he was beautiful. almost 100 percent except for the jason mraz (but, going off what a friend told me about the audition process, i don't really think that was his choice)

I love how they still, after everyone in the country knows how it works, perpetuate the fallacy that the cattle call auditions and the callbacks all happen in the same 48 hour period.

Oh, and this guy clearly doesn't make it past Hollywood, considering he has shows booked on his site over the next few months: http://calebhawley.com/

they shouldn't have lowered the age requirement. it's really weird all these fifteen year olds competing for this reality show

let them try out Disney Idol

Uh oh. Forgot this was even on. Guess my attention's flaggin already.

Gawd, even the bad singers are not all THAT bad. zzzzzz

Love that Vanilla Fudge/"Eleanor Rigby" joke of Steven's, though!

here's the one i like (i also dig that dude w/ red hair from last week, though i can see him sucking outside of idol):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1qN0lixYzM

Steven Tyler is SO MUCH more likeable than I'd imagined (I know I've said this already, but during that last audition when he went over to meet the girlfriend...agh. It turned me to mush).

I think having the judges meet that one contestant's wheelchair-bound fiance (in what was a genuinely moving story) was the single most exploitative thing I've ever seen on television. Especially since the judges said "hi" to her as if she was a cat that had entered the room.

It was exploitative of the show to set that up, but I think the judges were probably genuinely interested in meeting her. I dunno. Maybe I'm gullible.

Oh, I don't doubt their sincerity in wanting to meet her; it's just that they talked to her as if she was a child, and I think that was equal parts discomfort and hyperawareness that cameras are rolling.

oh damn, they just let go of my dude. but tbf he was v unimpressive in hollywood :(

still cute tho!

Group rounds were FUN.

My new favorite is Ashton Jones, because...DAMN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATjkkCekH8M

She's already got stuff out too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YewIFPMF0eE

(sorry, she's the only contestant so far I feel like rooting for)

Randy is much more likeable in the company of Steve and J.Lo than he ever was with Simon & Co. Plus he has only said "pitchy" once so far (although this could be wrong because I only watched about 25% of the pre-Hollywood auditions).

I am agreeing with the judges a lot more this year. Tyler is a very good singer underneath all the bluster, and JLo has good taste.

Agreed. Everything about this season so far is giving off good vibes. Except letting the fat kid through out of pity. There were other singers who should've gone in his place (like the dude who overslept).

The chubby kid needs to go to college first.

Ugh, I guess they're going to keep sending Jaycee and Ashley through until they can't possibly justify it anymore, right?

I can't remember wanting to see a conestant go home during Hollywood week like Ashley Sullivan.

Except letting the fat kid through out of pity. There were other singers who should've gone in his place (like the dude who overslept).

He kind of reminds of the kid from Bad Santa.

Rickey.org just posted a list of 7 contestants who, reportedly, make it to the Top 24. Not gonna spoil it in this thread, but here's the link: http://www.rickey.org/?p=58070

I'm a tad bit embarrassed to say that I'm really loving this season. The old judges were really starting to stink the show up w/their cynicism. The positive energy J-Lo & Tyler bring is refreshing. Plus, the talent is 1000% better than last year.

Don't be embarrassed. This is best season since #7 and—I don't think I'm being hyperbolic here—the best pool of contestants EVER. Love the judges. Love the kids. I realized last night that watching the main competition weeks is going to be hard, because I'm going to be mad whenever anyone gets sent home.

going to be mad whenever anyone gets sent home

Even the people I don't like personality-wise are good singers. The only people I don't want to see on a regular basis are Jacee and that other guy who's Adam Lambert w/ Tourettes.

Yeah, it's a incredibly solid bunch of singers and Jennifer and Stephen seem truly invested emotionally. Even Randy seems to be stepping up his game and getting off autopilot.

fantastic season so far

Rachel Zevita is on some Fiona Apple shit, maybe my favorite

Jacee
Adam Lambert w/ Tourettes

One down, one to go.

also also I feel like we've seen multiple contestants who resembled Casey in the past (both the look and the sound) and i've always hated them. But Casey is incredible and attractive, I keep rewatching his "Georgia On My Mind," A+

Rachel sings "Speechless" @ 1:20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmADBL_uG7k&feature=player_embedded#at=80

I remember Rachel from her 2006 audition! She's great - I hope she sticks around.

Rachel should sing "Bette Davis Eyes." Also, I love her Grandma.

Yay, new comments! Kinda felt like no one else was caring this year. Agreed: J-Lo and Tyler are surprisingly good judges, and now that we've gotten past the endless "DRAMA!!" of auditions, Hollywood week and the first shock cuts, this is where I actually start to associate some names with faces and their respective talents.

Yeah, no use for Tourettes Lambert, baritone country dude and a couple of the pageant princesses, but I was digging Rachel too. Kinda seems like this season's Siobhan, maybe?
And I don't Jacob Lusk is going to get super far, but can he (over)sing!

Oh, and Imissed the very end of last night's show, so I'm just watching this this morning, one of my very favorite parts of each season: Ladies and gentlemen, YOUR TOP 24!

Cue dance of dorkiness:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpIpRTAEIYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qByOOlj8fMY

^^^ news anchors should start their broadcasts like this

I want to start each work day like this!

okay holy shit guys i dont watch idol but saw this online and wowowowow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ov-dV-9Tw4

Yeah, as long as that guy doesn't oversing every single time, it's going to be a fucking blast watching him this year.

Yeah, that's what I've been sayin'...
And I don't think Jacob Lusk is going to get super far, but can he (over)sing!

My favorite of the guys by a pretty wide margin.

I like the Paul guy from Nashville (who wore the elaborate Nudie Suit for his final solo performance) and Jacob and I like Casey too, even if I don't think he'll hang around too long (assuming he's out of the hospital and on set today, even).

Plenty of girls this year I really like, but especially Ashthon and Rachel. I think Pia has a really great voice too. Gonna have to see a few more episodes before I can really associate names with faces/voices, though.

Yes to Paul, Jacob, and Casey. And even though he's a serious cheeseball, I kind of have a thing for Brett's voice. (His singing voice, just to be clear.)

Ashthon and Haley are my favorite girls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz6cuilR4jY

I haven't liked a single performance from Thia.

okay the quote at the end of this is one of those things where the reporter must have dropped the tape recorder and did a little jig:

http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/25/idol-introduces-its-top-24/?hpt=T2

The song, "What Are Words," and the video debut today. Medina told The Hollywood Reporter, "Rodney Jerkins was too cool. He made me do things I didn't think I was capable of."

http://www.rickey.org/?p=58858

Update: Michael Slezak says a source tells him that Casey will perform tonight. (I have a spy who will watch the taping tonight so I will let you know if he performed or not).

From TMZ:

We’ve learned he’s still in the hospital and will receive a blood transfusion this morning.

For Casey to continue in the competition, he must participate in tonight’s taping of the top 12 males.

Sources connected with the show say it’s up to Casey to decide, but producers will let him rehearse with the band at 4:30 PM today if he’s able … and then tape the show.

http://www.joesplaceblog.com/2011/02/american-idol-10-top-12-boys-song-spoilers-performance-order/

^ not spoiling it here for people who don't want to know, but that blog is reliable.

Ugh... I wish they'd put a limit on how many times they'd let contestants sing certain songs. I mean, Christ, how many times has Superstition been sung now???

um... Superstitious that is.

They're using the big stage for the Top 24 this year, btw. No more little hideaway studio for this round.

How many contestants are supposed to be eliminated this week. I've read they're going from 24 to 12 in one shot, but that seems crazy!

¿...?

I think the top 5 of each sex is determined by voters, and then the judges each get to put one through, making it a top 13. But I could be wrong.

Wikipedia page echoes that suspicion: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Idol_%28season_10%29#Semi-finals

Jacob Lusk blows my goddamn mind!

yeah he is fucking incredible

imo

Clint - Way over the top, but I guess he has a good voice. Still can't figure out his taste in eyewear.

Jovany - Would be a shoe-in most years, but probably the dullest performance of the night.

Tim - I've heard this guy do much better. He's toast (considering how few spots there are).

Jordan - Doing Usher when Usher isn't even your style is a bad idea. He'd be nice to keep around, but it probably isn't going to happen.

Brett - I don't get why the judges (or anyone else) like this guy. His take on "Light My Fire" was an abomination, and I don't even stan for the Doors EVER.

James - Don't like him, but I didn't like Lambert either. He's soooo in with that Judas Priest song.

Robbie - Poor kid. That Sarah Maclachlan song is forever associated with shelter animals now, and his wimpy performance wasn't enough to make people forget that.

Scotty - Country to the bone. Would never buy his record, but I hope he sticks around for a while. Love watching him perform.

Stefano - Could have a great voice in time, but he's not there yet. Still, he's really likeable and will probably get some teenage girl votes.

Paul - Singing Rod Stewart was probably a double-edged sword and I hope he doesn't do that again, because he sort of gave away one of his identity secrets. I had a hard time pegging his voice before, but now I realize it's half Rod Stewart soundalike.

Jacob - Like I said, he blows my goddamn mind. The only one of the guys who I really feel like I want to see more from.

Casey - Dude's a ham, but he always reels it back in in the right ways. Immensely likeable.

dear robbie, you aren't supposed to "have fun" when you sing "angel"

(not that you should be singing that song to begin w/)

brett has serious sanjaya potential

Maybe? Not sure we need another one though.

Jacob Lusk blows my goddamn mind!

^^^ this (but no profanity, please, he's gettin' his abilities from a higher power.) Seriously, tears-in-my-eyes great, this was so amazing.

Clint had more firepower than I was expecting, and Scotty's quite good in his wheelhouse but I don't know what theme weeks are going to do to him. Paul and Casey pretty good too, I guess, but I really don't want Casey to be a novelty act every week. After watching Jacob I pretty much forgot what every other contestant did.

anyone got a yootoob link for jacob's performance? didn't tune in this wk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDcajjq5J0M

he's really good!

played "god bless the child" for my wife the other night, she said he sounds like Antony Hegarty lol

Scotty's quite good in his wheelhouse but I don't know what theme weeks are going to do to him

No theme weeks this season iirc

Really?! I'm still not clear on all the new rules (apparently contestants making music videos was nixed?) From Hollywood Reporter in January:

THEME WEEK MAKEOVERS Theme weeks will also get a makeover. "We’re not going to ask a country singer to sing an R&B song, or an R&B singer to do Led Zeppelin,” Iovine explains. “If the theme is ’80s or Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, every song will be customized to that contestant.” What's most important, he adds, is that the song suit the finalist's voice.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/idol-worship/8-big-coming-american-idol-68187

Oh, I guess the themes are just looser than in the past. Yeah, I have no problem with Hall of Fame Week or something like that, but hearing Scotty sing disco would benefit no one involved.

He might be able to pull off Barry White, but yeah.

It seems pretty much a no-brainer that Casey, Jacob, Paul, Scotty and... um... somebody stick around I think. Is the usual voting bloc going to go for one of the cute boy balladeers? Rocker with sad back story? (Personally would kind of like to be done with James, sorry...) Who would the judges wild card?

Seems kinda weird to me that after all the weeks of auditions and Hollywood, one bloodbath will reduce the field by half.

If James doesn't get the votes, Steven or Jennifer will wild card him in I think. I've had enough of him, but better he stay than someone who will ultimately be boring every week like Jovany or Robbie.

Casey, Jacob, Paul, Scotty, and James seems likely. If any of them falls short on votes, the judges will totally play wild cards to carry them through.

Stefano might get through on the preteen teddy-bear vote. I'd rather see it go to him than to Jovany or Robbie or Tim. None of these guys are really contenders vocally.

Brett might get through on the VFTW vote. He's a better singer than Sanjaya ever was, but he seems to fill the same role. I'm less keen on him now that I've figured out the appeal of his singing, for me, rests almost entirely on the cool way he pronounces his final r's. (This makes last night's song choice seem strategic, btw: liar - higher - fire - mire - pyre...)

Ha! I noticed that r's thing! I didn't dislike him, really. A shade better than the sappy balladeers, but that's just a personal preference.

Prior to Rachel's first note, Randy should have rolled out a gong and put a hole through it.

Yeah, Rachel really blew it in spectacular fashion. Too bad.

ladies imo

Ta-Tynisa — Seemed okay at the time, seemed terrible when played back. Kind of like the Usher thing from last night, in that it's not a singer's song.

Naima — Have been a fan. Liked "Summertime" okay, but not sure it will be enough.

Karen — She seems maybe a little too restrained, but that may have been the song's fault. Good, but snoozy.

Kendra — Good, but her voice is a little thin. Would advance any other year, but I'm not sure she will this time.

Rachel — Oh Rachel Rachel Rachel. What the hell were you thinking?

Julie — TOAST. If there's one thing Idol voters don't like, it is singers who do songs by previous winners and make them suck.

Ashthon — Love her. Wasn't wow'ed by her tonight, but more of those wow performances may come in time if she's lucky.

Lauren T. — Powerhouse vocals, but incredibly indistinct. It's one thing to be a really forceful singer, but you've got to sign your name on it and I don't think she did.

Haley — She has talent, but MY GOD with the vocal runs already. If I weren't already familiar with the song, I'd have just thought she was warming up her voice.

Thia — That was absolutely beautiful. Bold too, considering how little accompaniment she used.

Lauren A. — When she was performing, I was thinking she's the perfect Clarkson/Underwood storm...and then Randy said that exact same thing. She's a sure bet.

Pia — That was one of the best semi-finals performances I've ever seen EVER. If the voting hadn't skewed so heavily male in the past few years, I'd guarantee her being the champ already.

Julie should have been hit with a bat for that performance. Too bad because she is super hot.

I would unambiguously pick Naima, Karen, Thia, Pia, and Kendra. Lauren and Haley fight for the last spot.

Voters send through five men and five women, then the judges send through three more to make a top 13. It's entirely conceivable that the final turns out to be 5 men and 8 women, because tonight had many more great performances. It would almost be a crime if it doesn't end up that way (as long as the right 5 men make it in).

For me it went Ashton > Pia > Kendra > Thia > Lauren > Naima > the rest

Shame about Rachel, but the judges were totally otm w/her song choice. What was she thinking???

>>>Rachel — Oh Rachel Rachel Rachel. What the hell were you thinking?

Maybe she's been reading her own press:

Rachel Zevita is on some Fiona Apple shit, maybe my favorite

― maybe i'm just gay (Tape Store), Friday, 25 February 2011 03:44 (6 days ago)

I was honestly not wowed by anyone. Some of the song choices were so zzzzzzz.... Other than Naima, it really seemed like they stacked the deck toward the end of the show.

Frontrunners: Pia> Thia > Lauren A.
The middle: tie between Naima and Ashthon, tie between Haley and Lauren T.

Mad props though to Lauren T. for singing Etta James. I like her.

oh btw my Lauren was Lauren A

YES!!!!

It's as if the American Idol producers came directly to me and asked who the top 13 should be (except for James).

Pretty predictable results overall, although I thought Kendra might get through. That version of "Georgia' was oversung, but she's got skills. Stefano does too I guess, but his song choices are just totally not my thing. Knew Naima would get a wildcard if the voters didn't put her through.

Gotta confess, I'm not yet hearing what you're hearing in Ashthon. Maybe she hasn't found the right song. Re-singing "And I'm Telling You" not really a convincing argument for me.

I don't think Ashthon's had a signature performance yet tbh. I see her more as a work in progress person who may (or may not?) come out one week and just flat LAY IT DOWN.

I tend not to get behind people who already have it all together, rather contestants like Kris Allen or Syesha Mercado who have a high ceiling and room to improve.

Same here. I would have liked a few more weeks of seeing what Rachel and Lauren T might come up with. (But Rachel just needs to give up on Idol dreams and start some sort of Dresden Dolls-like band, stat.)

I watched this last night. happy that that fucker with the round glasses got sent packing.

I think if he'd gone any further in the competition, he might have had a heart attack one week when waiting to find out his fate.

My wife loved him and was FURIOUS that he wasn't picked

Also you all are on crack, Kendra was fantastic and Ashthon is basically there as VFTW fodder

Ashthon would easily win a lip-syncing competition.

I totally get why she's there (a: she isn't unforgivably terrible; b: she looks like a mutant hybrid of Beyonce and Rihanna) but when THE CONTESTANT HERSELF recognizes that she didn't deserve to be picked, that's kind of a huge sign; she was visibly upset by the end of her performance, and not in an "overwhelmed by emotion" way a la Naima but in a "goddammit I just fucked up on national TV" way, and her body language when they were all standing together broadcast that she expected to go home, and when they called her name she was genuinely shocked. She knew that Kendra had done better than her and couldn't believe her name had been called.

She would have been above average on any other season (basically she's Vonzell Mk II) but there's no way in hell she deserved to make this year, not with this talent pool. I would have taken the burly blues singer or Kendra over her any day.

I missed a lot of Hollywood week so I have no idea why you guys are so into Rachel beyond the similarity to Ellen Page.

Rachel was not that good, but she was the sole quirky gal this year, and I was hoping she'd sing Bjork.

http://www.rickey.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Rachel-Zevita-American-Idol-Top-24.jpg

in what universe is Naima not quirky

oh right she's black and black trumps quirky, my bad

Realized last night that Rachel looks like a very young Elizabeth Taylor, actually.

The thing about this season is that the objective is to find and mold a chart pop star again, and I think Ashthon is the most moldable (though I could see Pia shifting gears and doing dancefloor stuff). Throw her in the studio with Iovine and his gang of producers and you'll probably get something great.

The other guy I have high hopes for is Scotty. Don't like 80s/90s country that much, but he seems fully capable of stepping right into the country charts and bringing that style back and I think he might get a long way season.

I really need to hear all of the guys before I make predictions, but from what I've heard so far and taking into account external-to-singing factors, this seems like Thia's contest to lose.

xpost - Quirky in the sense of turning Fiona Apple into the musical "Chicago." I like Naima a lot, but her quirkiness (aside from the fierce look) is in channeling Donny Hathaway in 2011.

Who I'm pulling for: Ashthon
Who I enjoy watching the most: Jacob
Who (at this early stage) I think will be in the finals: Lauren Alaina and Stefano

B-b-but Broadway is the ONE THING she's never done!

She was certainly irritating enough to start a Dresden Dolls-type band, I'll give you guys that.

Ashthon has tons of charisma and spontaneity - that's why I voted for her.

Plus, a good balance of rasp & lungs.

She was certainly irritating enough to start a Dresden Dolls-type band, I'll give you guys that.

LOL forever.

Maybe I need to go relisten but Ashthon struck me as being about as raspy as a tub of cream.

IMO, if you can't do the climactic "there's no way I wiiiiiiill/Aaaaaaand Iiiiiii aaaaaaaaam" phrase in one breath, you have no business singing the song. I might give you one breath, but she took two. Instant fail.

It reminded me of the time Kelly Ripa sang it on the Regis & Kelly show, and that is in no way a compliment.

(It was definitely a better performance than Wednesday, I should add; it just wasn't anywhere near as good a performance as what Kendra did.)

I'm not familiar with the Monica song she covered, so I admit that may have something to do with why I enjoyed it and you guys didn't.

I admit I laughed long ans hard at Randy's cluelessness re: "you're a BIG VOICE singer, you should be doing Diana Ross!"

dude stfu, both Jennifer and Steven are doing enough to show you up as the clueless windbag you are that you don't need to shoot yourself in the foot as well

also re: that Monica song, I will freely admit that I was spending a lot of time laughing my ass off at the lyrics

"to prove I should be the next American Idol, I'm going to sing a song about being covered in cum; that'll get votes!"

Am tempted to make a Clay Aiken joke right now.

Song spoilers for tonight: http://popdust.com/2011/03/09/american-idol-spoilers-top-13-perform/

If anyone else besides Jacob had attempted what he's attempting, I would've rolled my eyes 360° around in my head, but I'm actually looking forward to him tonight.

there is so much great talent this season

Was bummed by Jacob's performance, actually.

Was wowed by Casey's performance, surprisingly.

Pia had my fave performance so far

Karen creeps me out at this point, like she wants to *be* Selena/JLo. nagl

Ranks for tonight imo

Lauren — Shania Twain fits her like a glove, but zzzzz...so boring.
Casey — This guy continues to surprise me. I never think I like him as much as I do when he's actually performing. Great job on the Beatles/Joe Cocker song.
Ashthon — Still waiting for her to nail it. Didn't happen this week, but I suspect she'll survive.
Paul — Still think Paul is cool, but it wasn't anything special tonight.
Pia — While I won't discount the quality of her voice (it's good!) I think she's been buoyed so far by excellent song choices.
James — Was expecting this to be a trainwreck, but it actually worked well.
Haley — Seemed like she was on autopilot tonight. As Simon would say, "pageanty."
Jacob — Thought this would be phenomenal. It so wasn't.
Thia — Judges were right. Was good until the beat came in, then it stank. Also, "Charlie Chapman."
Stefano — Loved the arrangement. This guy sounds great when he can use all of his voice, but during verses and such he's still a little weak.
Karen — See my comment above. She's beginning to creep me out.
Scotty — Wasn't the best he's done, but he's very safe.
Naima — Loved the WTF breakdown in the middle! Thought she sounded out of breath for the rest of it, though.

BEST:

Casey, Pia, Scotty, Stefano

OKAY:

Ashthon, Paul, Lauren, James

DISAPPOINTINGLY OKAY:

Jacob, Naima

DON'T CARE IF YOU GO:

Haley, Thia, Karen

didn't stick around to end, but Paul was hilariously terrible

Best
Pia: Can't wait to hear her sing the anthem at next year's Super Bowl.
James: Ideally this guy would be in a band.
Naima: Faltered in the middle but some very strong moments.
Stefano: He is going to be great in Moving Out someday.
Jacob: Even when he misses, he still puts on a show.

Worst
Ashthon: Simon would've said "forgettable."
Paul: Ryan Adams could've worked but not that song.
Karen: Boring.

Didn't watch last night. This morning I've watched clips of the contestants I'm moderately interested in.

Best vocal, but dull: Pia
Pretty good: Casey and (surprisingly) James
Okay-ish: Naima, Thia, Haley, Paul
Pretty disappointing (both song choice and performance): Jacob and Ashthon

I'll get around to watching sometime, but I don't much care: Scotty, Lauren, Karen, Stefano

The more Lauren talks, the less I like her. The aw shucks Pickler routine irks me.

I thought Jacob sounded great, but bleech what a terrible song.

I've done a complete 180 on Ashthon. She's out of her league with this group.

I had no idea anyone still listened to Ryan Adams.

I was a very early adopter on Ashthon, but yeah...I'm only giving her another couple weeks to earn it before I defect to someone else.

lol I didn't even see her performance this week but seeing as I totally hated her in comparison with some of the ppl who weren't picked last week... VINDICATION

I just hated how last week Randy told Ashthon he could see her as a Diana Ross, and this week *poof!* here she is with a completely outdated diva routine.

She's too contained. Like, if she'd ever just chill the fuck out and let go of voice, it could be rad as hell, but she's too restrained and, honestly, is picking unflattering songs.

let go of her voice

Literally haven't watched a second of the show this year. Here's my impressions, having never heard of any of these people nor read this thread at all:

Naima: Interesting arrangement to be sure, but a very bland vocal. Can't imagine she's gonna be sticking around for long
Scott: Really good old school country vocal. This was slightly bland, but he's a good singer! Pleasantly surprised. (Would imagine he's picking up the dorky teen votes, so he'll be around for a while)
Karen: Horrible. Forgettable chaff. Incredible to me that this late in the game singers like this still slip through the cracks into the finals.
Stefano: It was a little boring, but he did have good vocals. Wouldn't think he's any sort of threat to win, but he'll provide blandly pleasant entertainment until he gets eliminated in about 5th or 6th.
Thia: Very nice understated vocal at first, tried to do a bit too much towards the end. If she can avoid the temptation to try to go big I suspect she's got some real good performances in her.
Jacob: He's got a good very full voice with a unique sound. Wasn't the best performance ever but I liked it.
Haley: To be honest, I thought this was horrible. She is so totally outclassed. I hope she gets eliminated. Nice dress though.
James: This guy has one of the most annoying looks I've seen in an Idol contestant in a while, but he gave a really good vocal.
Pia: This is a type of idol contestant I never need to see again, but to be fair she's as good as any of the Celine style divas in prior seasons have been and she has nice legs. I really liked this but find it hard to get too excited.
Paul: This was really boring. I'd be shocked if anybody above on this thread is repping for this. Though he wasn't the worst of the night, so that's something.
Alaina: Cannon fodder. She's like a way worse version of Pia. She might have done fine in like season 2 but stuff like this just doesn't cut it any more.
Casey: So this is what's come of American Idol these days. Seriously though, it was fine.
Lauren: Wasn't really looking forward to this, but it was actually probably my favorite of the night.

Pretty good set of performances I thought, though nothing was incredible. Hey, what was the theme this week, just seemed like a random assortment of songs.

is "Alaina" supposed to be Ashthon? if so, OTM

xpost, They were singing songs by their "personal idols," in which case a hearty WTF to R. Kelly, Rihanna, and if Haley is idolizing Leeann Rimes rather than Patsy Cline with that choice, then her too.

Alaina was Ashton, yeah. That was a weird typo.

it is kind of odd how you gave her an actual real name instead of what her parents saddled her with, I agree

I feel a little bit bad because she's crying so much

but still.... YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

;_;

Should've been Karen, but I think Ashthon would've been out before the top 10 anyway, so it really doesn't matter.

Karen wasn't that great either but she wasn't terrible last week

I'm down to splitting my enthusiasm between Casey, Stefano, Pia and Scotty now, I guess. Maybe Lauren too, if the preciousness subsides.

Paul's from my hometown, though, so I kind of have to root for him too even though I'm starting to get annoyed by his voice.

I will say that the bottom 3 was pretty clearly the 3 people who gave the worst performances yesterday. Can't really remember that happening all too often.

I think it helps that there's no tween-girl favorite who's here on looks alone this year.

This just in! Casey is singing "Smells Like Teen Spirit" tonight.

Uh, yeah, I don't think that's really going to change my "interesting novelty" assessment of Casey.

Right-o.

The full song list hasn't leaked for this week, except for that and the fact Thia is singing a song from Disney's Pocahontas.

I remain impressed by Thia's voice, while also remaining baffled by her song choices.

I think of all the things from 1995 she could've sung and that's what she picked? (I've not ever seen Pocahontas and don't know the songs, but imagine they're typical 90s Disney mushy gushy slop.)

I've never seen/heard it either. Here it is. (Didn't Michael Lynch get booted last year after singing a song from Free Willy?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbuzskVs6rc

There are people who haven't heard "Color of the Wind"?

^this...not thrilled about the song, but hoping Thia knocks it outta the park!

I have hazy memories of seeing that video, but didn't remember the song at all.

There is an almost endless list of pop songs from the past 20+ years I haven't heard.

that one was kind of massively omnipresent though, esp. since it won an Oscar

I dunno about DP, but in 1995 I was kneedeep in being an elitist 21 year-old indie rocker who wouldn't know a Top 40 hit if it pinched me on the ass. It's my own fault for not knowing it and I'll fess up to that.

Me too but I still had to go to Walgreens sometimes.

(I was working at a chain music store that summer, though, but the clientele was split between rap consumers and country consumers and nobody was buying Disney movie soundtracks or Vanessa Williams singles...it was all Bone Thugs and Shania Twain.)

in 1995 I was mostly spinning breakbeat and trip-hop but still knew most of the hip-hop and adult contemporary hits of the time and DEFINITELY knew the songs from the Disney movies

also Vanessa Williams is mad hot, how could you NOT pay attention to her

I ALWAYS pay attention to Vanessa Williams, but that one slipped through the cracks.

holy shit casey was terrible tonight

I liked him a lot!

You know who was terrible, was Elton John dude. He was awful.

Just started watching this episode now. Lauren rocked the house I thought.

I have never seen Jacob before now

He really is almost exactly like one of my friends, from look to demeanor, only my friend is a low baritone

You've never even watched Jacob's Hollywood week performance? OMG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op79hYvqkEw

Tonight's 12 imo

Best — Jacob, Pia, Lauren

Almost best — Stefano

Okay — Thia, Scotty, James

Passable — Paul (because he would sound better on record)

Bad — Naima, Casey (like the guy, but AYE so bad tonight), Karen, Haley (plz to go home next!)

Is it just me, or did ALL of these singers seem better and/or more exciting BEFORE the finals competition began? What looked early on like it would be a really strong field of contestants has been a little bit on the boring side.

Pretty much echo Mr. Fever's rankings.

Pia really has been virtually faultless, and even on that cheeseball song, she brought it. Wish Jacob would have put a little more "Lusk-y stank" and a little less overkill on "Alone," but the parts he nails, good God he nails. Still not a big fan of Lauren or Stefano, but both were very good.

Everyone else, yeah, a little to a lot boring. There's something in the basic timbre of Haley's voice I kinda like, but her song selection and performances have not been very good at all. She's my guess to be going home, although Naima was horrible tonight. (So was Casey, but he'll do okay for being the wacky risk taker.)

Best:
Stefano, Pia

Good:
Lauren, Scotty

Likable:
Jacob, Haley

Not Bad:
Naima, Paul, James

Oops:
Casey, Karen, Thia

Taking a trip through rickey.org.

Jacob: I actually saw this on the show. I hated it on first listen, but re-listening to it now I think I get it. Not sure what I think of this, but it seems to be good.
Lauren Alaina: As I said above, really good. Best of the night.
Casey: Arguably the worst performance in Idol history. Is there any way in which this guy isn't a total joke? Like, a Norman Gentle level joke except not as funny.
Karen: Insanely boring.
Scotty: I really like this guy's voice and his performances, but I'm curious to see what he does if they ever pick a more specific theme week (i.e. one that forces him not to do a country song). Also he's given virtually the same performance every time out, but it's a good one so I don't mind.
Pia: This was great and, actually, probably better than Lauren. She nails the high notes as well as anybody I've heard on Idol, and has the subtlety to handle the non flashy parts too.
Stefano: I like this guy's voice and all but I find something inherently boring about him. Possibly biased because I hate this song. Still, clearly one of the better performances of the night.
Haley: This was better than last week but still not very good.
James: This was fine but a lot worse than last week. I think that "pretty good" is basically his ceiling.
Thia: I like her well enough but her song choices have been horrible. She takes a song Pia would have nailed and seems to hit passable.
Paul: It seriously sounded like he was losing his voice. His performing style is absolutely ridiculous. This was OK I guess but very karaoke.
Naima: Once again she comes out with a wacko arrangement and really weak vocals. She should probably spend more time practicing vocals and less time arranging. (though actually, I suspect she will be eliminated)

I think that there were some monitoring problems on Tuesday. The only one who wasn't pitchy was Stefano, and he was wearing an in-ear monitor. Am I crazy?

Randy took his incessant name-dropping to a whole new level last night. Ugh!

@schwantz - maybe? were the little speakers atop the judges' table new last night? never noticed them before

one of the many ways that AI manipulate the voting process...

(j/k)

(I mean, maybe there were monitoring problems. Not, maybe you're crazy!)

Okay, never mind, those little speakers were on the judges' table last week too.

Oh, I think there's definitely a problem with the contestants hearing themselves in the monitors...except it never seems to happen to Pia. I guess it's possible she has perfect pitch, but it's more likely that the monitors just happen to work better when it's her turn.

all of them had in ear monitors btw

Ah. Ok, nm.

Who I want to get voted off: Haley

Who I think will get voted off: Naima (much to my dismay)

Who my mom thinks will get voted off: Thia

Why I disagree: I think the judges will save her if that happens.

My new & improved top 4 prediction: Jacob, Pia, Thia, and Scotty.

Won't miss Karen at all, but sad it means I have to hear Haley for at least one more week.

I'm starting to come around on her actually

Not enough for me to make me want her to stay at the expense of any other contestant, but still coming around...

(Karen seemed really nice, but I'm way glad to be wrong about Naimi!)

I think Haley does some cool stuff w/her voice and is sort of an interesting singer. At the same time, some of her blues affectations make me feel like I'm watching a pub band on free chicken wing night.

I kinda would rather hear blues affectations than any more Whitney/Mariah/Celine diva stuff. I do think Haley has a good/interesting voice, and just hasn't found her right song, but she'll be gone in a week or two anyway. Would prefer her sticking around to James tbh.

I thought Karen did an excellent job on "Hero" -- not that that's a song I ever need to hear performed on Idol again, but I'm sure it's hard as hell to sing.

@ Drugs A. Money - Jacob in the top 4, really?! I'm super interested in what he's gonna do each week, but I'm not sure much of America is. I'm predicting Stefano is going to make it way far in this thing; pretty sure Lauren is too.

So far the only certainties I see are Stefano and Pia; Lauren is a possibility, as are Scotty and Jacob. It's going to be really interesting to see if ppl are willing to do Taylor Hicks 2.0 re: Casey.

Kind of want to reiterate that pretty much everyone on this season would have been a top 3 contender in a previous season, even awful James.

Casey needs to quit smirking and grimacing and actually sing a song. (He came close on "A Little Help From My Friends.") He's seeming more like a cabaret comedy show to me. Taylor Hicks was a better singer.

yeah well that kind of goes without saying

besides, smirking through songs seems to be working a treat for Scotty so maybe Casey is getting bad cues from that

Scotty gets away with smirking through songs because he can sing through his smirk.

Casey and Jacob are sort of opposites. Casey has great control of his voice -- he's always on pitch -- but it's not a pretty sound. Jacob has a gorgeous instrument -- reminds me of Jessye Norman, actually -- but it gets away from him. Jacob's problem is more fixable, but maybe not in the scope of a ten-week show.

How Casey went from his performance of Georgia on My Mind to that horrible Nirvana cover in a matter of a few weeks astounds me. Dude needs to seriously temper his hammy impulses.

Casey seems like a smart guy, and knows that even if he were to play it safe right into the finals and a win, he'd never sell any records. So I figure he's using this opportunity to do all the weird things he ever conceived of doing given the chance and will keep doing them as long as people keep voting for him.

I was really hoping he was going to do "Come As You Are"

or "Negative Creep"

Jacob's interview really cemented that he's my friend's doppelganger

If Jacob can find the right songs (Heart def. wasn't it imo) and yeah learn to dial it back some, he could be a force to be reckoned with. I think he could have done a version of "If You Don't Know Me By Now" that would have crushed Stefano's, for starters...

I thought Casey might base his Teen Spirit cover on this, which might've worked better for him:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM_xvTaYavw

HAHA, 30 "terrifying" stills of Casey performing Teen Spirit:

http://www.bestweekever.tv/2011-03-17/the-30-most-terrifying-stills-of-casey-abrams

I was really hoping he was going to do "Come As You Are"

Suggest Ban Permalink
― ancient, but very sexy (DJP), Friday, March 18, 2011 1:33 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark

otm^ This would've been a much better & much more palatable way to break the Nirvana barrier

Just catching up on this now. What the hell has happened to Steven Tyler over the past few weeks? He was much more animated and opinionated in the earlier stages. Now he's all "that was beautiful, thank you" and not much else.

also he seems to have mixed up his wardrobe with jlo's

Previous reports of "no theme weeks" to the contrary, they're evidently singing Motown tonight.

Yeah, disappointed they couldn't stick with a no theme season. Why don't they just let these people pick the best songs for their voices?

because then everything they do sounds exactly the same

Some of these people will make Motown sound like everything they've sung this far.

Biggest possibility for crash and burn: James

I for real thought James was horrible. Hope I'm not alone here.

James was James...still not a fan, but did better than I thought he might.

Actually thought everyone was pretty good tonight except for Haley, who as usual is the epitome of oversinging.

Jacob REALLY sounded like Antony Hegarty tonight.

One of the better nights on Idol I can remember. Lots of strong performances.

I agree this was the best night of the season. Here's my official rankings, exactly like you've all been waiting for:

1. Lauren Alaina: Always does a great job of making the songs her own while retaining the originals at the same time. Nice vocals too.
2. Naima: By far the most polished performer of the finalists, but this was the first performance of her's I've actually liked.
3. Thia: First Thia performance I've liked too. When she ditches her attempts at big voiced diva crap, her voice really is lovely. This particular performance was a little stiff and wooden, particularly for an uptempo number.
4. Pia: Yet another flawless performance, but getting a little boring. Though I will say that out of the many, many big voiced divas in Idol history she may be the best.
5. Scotty: This is almost outside the ranking scheme. While I can't really endorse this, it was at least interesting and Scotty does have a good voice.
6. Jacob: Has an interesting voice but still lacks vocal control.

(Dividing line between performances that were at least pretty good and those that weren't)

7. Paul
8. Haley: These two were basically competent, which is I think their ceiling right now.
9. Stefano: Thought this was really, really boring.
10. Casey
11. James: I have an irrational hatred for these two that probably isn't fair.

I like Pia tons but she is in no way, shape or form better than Jennifer Hudson.

Hey that's true. Arguably the second best.

Scotty: This is almost outside the ranking scheme. While I can't really endorse this, it was at least interesting and Scotty does have a good voice.

I liked this MUCH more than that. I don't know if he came up with the idea or found some old Glen Campbell-era cover somewhere, but I thought this was a perfect song choice/arrangement for him.

Scotty was sabotaged (not that I think he's in danger of leaving) by the mix. Band was way too quiet and his vocals were way too forward. A proper mix of that song done Glen Campbell-style would've been fantastic. I may even check out the studio version on iTunes to see if my suspicion is right.

I haven't listened to any of the iTunes recordings this season (actually very few ever.) I've read mixed reviews; sometimes contestants can do a way better job in the studio than they managed live (I can sewe where Paul might be like this) but other times a hokey band arrangement that the singer managed to rise above on camera gets preserved for posterity.

Nigel Lythgoe tweets, “#Spoiler Alert: Shocking #AmericanIdol news tonight!!!”

First shock elimination?

This year, pretty much every Top 10/11 elimination has the potential to be a shock elimination.

Outstanding:
1 -- Jacob (for staying in control, mostly)
2 -- Pia (for letting loose, a bit)

Very good:
3 -- Lauren
4 -- Scotty (although a couple of moments really exposed the limitations of his voice; strangely they picked one of these spots for the end-of-show recap)
5 -- Paul
6 -- James

Not good:
7 -- Naima (she put on a great show, but the singing was nothing special -- turn off the picture and you're left with pretty dull audio)
8 -- Thia (thoroughly competent singing, but it's so bland, so devoid of expressive intent)
9 -- Haley (I think what H needed this week was the freedom to choose a blues-rock number so she could do what she does best vocally and be on-target stylistically; instead we got yet another mismatch of song choice and vocal stylings -- can see her going home even though it was neither her worst nor the evening's worst)
10 -- Stefano (he emotes but has little emotional range; if he could tell more of a story in his performances no one would care if his big brown eyes were open or closed)
11 -- Casey (I was so impressed with some of his early performances, but it's finally sinking in for me that he's a well-rounded musician with a seriously limited voice)

Other highlights:
Jennifer's critiques, except when she interrupts the other judges
Scotty's three-point shot

Other low points:
Gordon Ramsay shitting on Stefano's mom

The only thing that stands between Pia and victory, really, is teenage girls.

She's way talented, and I can see her being successful with the same people who love Celine Dion, but teenage girls will ALWAYS vote for teenage boys (or slightly older boys).

It's a weird year for getting the girl vote though. I mean, maybe I can see Casey because he's cute/funny, but James? Jacob? Even Stefano is going to have to do better than that dire Lionel Richie cover.

FWIW, Dialidol's bottom 3: Casey, Lauren, Paul

BTW, Dialidol has full length iTunes songs on it too.

FWIW, Dialidol's bottom 3: Casey, Lauren, Paul

Any of those would be a shocking elimination, but only Lauren's would be "wrong". She would surely get a save. Casey might get a save, which would be a waste of the save.

Haunted mansion

http://www.tmz.com/2011/03/23/american-idol-contestants-move-out-house-hollywood-hills-mansion-ghost-spiders-leaking-haunted/

Dialidol has had Paul and Casey in the bottom 3 the past two weeks as well, it appears, and that didn't actually happen.

http://ll-media.tmz.com/2011/03/24/0324-american-idol-house-of-horrors.jpg

Good work, TMZ.

Haha, yeah, haunted house, THERE is probably our shock for tonight! This show...

The house band formed by James, Stefano, Casey and Paul is revealed to be a satanic cult!!!

Okay, I've listened to about half of the iTunes versions. None are great (they kinda sound like cheap demos) but some are pretty good for what they are (Pia, Paul, surprisingly James.) Scotty's didn't come out as well as I thought it might. Stefano's is godawful.

y'all are mad, lauren is not good--boring and sexless (fyi she was singing "keep me hangin on")

i bet casey is at the bottom. and i bet they save him.

You were right.

So 11 of them go on tour this year, but two leave next week. Fun!

Aw man, I wish they had just let Casey go.

Shenanigans!

It boils down to the fact that they don't have the guts to cut people themselves, which is essentially what they're doing when they choose not to save someone, and it's easier to just say "hey, that's what America wanted!"

I really thought Casey was going to throw up onstage.

It's Elton John week. hm.

And two people go home, probably Haley and...I dunno, Naima maybe???

I'm guessing they'll lean heavier on 80s and newer, not the 70s Elton I prefer. Pia can probably knock this out of the park, though if she does "Candle In The Wind" I'm gonna puke. Same for Thia, and no "Lion King" soundtrack either, please. I'm trying to think of a gospelly-sounding Elton song for Jacob. Paul has already squeaked out a version of "Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues." Scotty and Lauren can countrify something.

For James: Can they sing "The Bitch Is Back" on Idol?

After last week's comments you'd assume Pia will do an uptempo song, but an Elton ballad just seems perfect for her. I'm nearly certain at least one Lion King song will make an appearance.

my predictions (which will all be wrong, I'm sure):

Jacob - Circle of Life
Pia - Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
Lauren - Honkey Cat
Scotty - Levon
Paul - Daniel
James - Saturday Night's Alright for Fightin
Naima - I'm Still Standing
Thia - Can You Feel the Love Tonight
Haley - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Stefano - Candle in the Wind
Casey - Bitch is Back

Your guess is as good as any, but this—Haley - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road—makes me want to preemptively cut off my ears in case it actually happens.

I want Scotty to do "Holiday Inn" but that's not going to happen.

Stefano - Candle in the Wind
Casey - Bitch is Back

Pretty much a ticket home in either instance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsC3g3N_qUQ

And Haley should do this (but she'd get docked for doing a song nobody knows and go home anyway...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYelRP3MzEw

I think "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me" has to be the most done song ever on Idol, or at least close to it.

Casey could do "Rocket Man"

"Alone" and "Stand By You" are catching up fast for sure.

Yeah, "Alone" for sure.

Just this moment discovered Lesley Duncan got sole writing credit for "Love Song," although it sounds for all the world like an Elton song.

I never knew anyone this side of 1990 tolerated "Alone" until AI set me straight.

Anyway, I have a bad feeling that 75% of tonight's song choices will be Disney fodder.

James will bring the rock.

odds are Scotty will do Your Song instead of Levon--the Jesus refs will turn off his core audience.

Just tuning into the show now, nobody else seems to be commenting. Hey, good thing the judges saved Casey so we didn't have to miss out on that! That sure would have been a shame.

I thought Casey was alright. Don't love him as much as the judges do, clearly, but it was nice-ish. Really don't understand why the judges were so down on Naima's reggae arrangement of "I'm Still Standing." I though it fit that song like a glove and, even though she still has a few breath control issues, she did a fine job tonight.

BEST

Naima, Jacob, Pia, Lauren

MID-PACK

Casey, James, Scotty, Haley (don't typically like her, but didn't hate her tonight)

BOTTOM THREE

Paul, Thia, Stefano

Best = Jacob, Haley, Casey
Totally fine = Thia, Stefano
Worst (GO NOW) = Pia, Paul, Lauren

Mostly strong performances again tonight. I missed the first half, need to watch online, but Naima's reggae thing sounded promising to me in the end snippets. Wow at Haley getting the pimp spot (and going all Fabulous Baker Boys) -- I didn't love it, but she may be safe this week. Of what I saw:

Yay: Lauren (pukey song but I thought she was strong on it) and Jacob.
Decent: Casey (exactly the ham-free performance he needed tonight), Haley and James (could there BE any more pyro and gimmickry though?)
Meh: Thia

Based on edits at the end: Scotty, Pia and Stefano looked to be safely in their respective wheelhouses, and Paul is really starting to bug me.

Best: Haley, Jacob, Lauren
Good: Pia, James, Paul
Meh: Naima, Stefano
Go Away: Thia, Casey
No really, go away: Scotty

Not surprising that the only person we all really agree on is Jacob Lusk.

REALLY GOOD
Lauren: Started out pretty weak, but by the end I was really loving it. Great arrangement. Continue to think she's best.
Jacob: Had a lot more control over his voice this week.

JUST FINE
Pia: I still admire the control she has over her voice and ability to hit high notes, but this wasn't the best song choice.
Naima: The verses were a lot better than the chorus, and overall it was interesting but not particuarly great
Haley: This was a good arrangement and an almost good performance but it just didn't quite all come together.

DECENT BUT FORGETTABLE
Scotty: I still really like his voice, but dude at least do a different type of country song.
Casey: Like I said above, thank god the judges allowed us to see this incredibly average performance. (But seriously, the vocals were fine and this was his best performance)
James: At least he didn't really even try to sing this week.

BAD
Thia: I've liked her in previous weeks, but the vocals just weren't very good this week.

WORSE THAN JPL:
Stefano: Very average and forgettable.
Paul: I thought the singing, such as it was, was pretty bad.

Okay, I watched the ones I missed last night.

Scotty really does have an ability to tailor unexpected songs to his style (especially since he had never heard this song before.) I liked this a lot.

Naima: The reggae arrangement was genius, her vocals were average, the accent was a little wtf coming from her, but it worked overall.

Paul: This was okay I guess, he is what he is, but when his voice goes from sandpapery to squeaky I find it unpleasant.

Pia: Her voice is unimpeachable (and even found a previously undisclosed country element tonight.) I just wish she wouldn't pick the most treacly and overexposed songs every week. (I don't need her to go "uptempo" per se, just loosen up a bit, and find a song with a pulse. I would love to hear her take on "Nature Boy.") "River Deep, Mountain High" bodes well too.

Stefano: Has really failed to live up to his wild card imo. He has a strong natural instrument, but something about his pronunciation, his runs, and his stage presence are just offputtingly cheesy to me. Could easily go home tonight.

television without pity's recap this week is hilarious

Pia's "River Deep" comment shattered an A.I. illusion of mine. I thought the song-choice process, including the announcement of a constraining theme, happened less than a week out from the next performance.

Is the next theme going to be "Songs of the 60s" then?

No idea, they keep changing themes. I think this week was slated to be 80s Hits at one point.

And yeah, I remember when Megan Joy was voted off she already had her next week's song planned, so I think they have a little bigger window than a week.

Thank you Haley Reinhart for my new screen name!

BOTTOM THREE

Paul, Thia, Stefano

― Johnny Fever, Wednesday, March 30, 2011 10:12 PM (Yesterday)

This is actually the bottom three on Dialidol right now, but that hasn't proven accurate so far this season.

That's the most logical bottom 3, but I would expect some sort of surprise entrant, like Lauren or somebody.

Most logical may be: Thia, Stefano and Naima. Paul would actually surprise me a bit, but I still think he's sticking around, and I think Stefano will too.

My predictions to go home: Thia and Naima.

Well, Naima got eliminated. That sucks.

Yeah, it does.

The way teenage girls dominate the voting now, I'll be surprised if another female singer ever wins this show (see Stefano not even being in the bottom three tonight).

:o

Who else went home?

Thia.

:(

Pro tip for Paul: don't sing "Folsom Prison Blues" like it's your fucking birthday.

Overall, it was a decent show this week. Pia's still a fantastic voice in an uncharismatic shell. Jacob has done better, but bonus points for Siedah Garrett being his stage partner on "Man in the Mirror". Lauren did better than I thought she would with "Natural Woman". Scotty might have been my favorite of the night.

BEST

Scotty, Jacob, Lauren

OKAY

Pia, Casey, James, Haley

POOR

Stefano

UGH PLZ LEAVE

Paul

I'm still LOLing at the end of night dance party.

Did exactly what they needed to do tonight, really well: Jacob, Haley, Pia, Scotty, Lauren (In order of preference, more or less)

Did what he needed to do, but I didn't like it much: James

Treading water, safe: Casey

Treading water (enough to keep afloat?): Paul

Blech: Stefano

Scotty was fantastic tonight! Liked Jacob, Haley and Casey, too.

Pia and Lauren are safe because they're girls. Paul is probably safe, though he was horrible. This has to be Stefano's last night, yeah?

We're getting to a point where eliminations are going to feel or, at the very least, be labeled "shocking," since nearly everyone receives super positive feedback from the judges (a first in Idol history, right?). Now is when we'll start to learn A LOT about the voter demographic.

(also, I love how they've brought in all these producers--both great (tricky) and terrible (ryan tedder)--to handle the arrangements...this is an expensive season!)

Thought the girls were much better than the guys overall tonight.

Jacob came across super douchebaggy with his "if I'm in the bottom three tonight it's America's fault, not mine" wtf? Also, Man in the Mirror is a fucking terrible song.

Casey was serviceable at best.

I loved how they gave Pia a million pointers about stage presence and completely ignored Scotty's bizarro mic handling and awkward Constantine-esque attempts at wooing the camera.

Guessing we'll be saying goodbye to either Stefano's jazz hands or Paul's death rattle tomorrow night.

Very strong night. James was my least favorite.

Pia and Lauren are safe because they're girls? Tape Store, are you aware that all 4 contestants eliminated so far this season have been girls? Lauren has been my favorite almost every week, but I thought she was just OK this week. I didn't think it was a good song choice.

REALLY GOOD:
Scotty (Finally changed it up and was better than ever!)
Casey (First time I liked him)

JUST FINE:
Lauren (Lacked emotion)
Jacob (A little bit of a mess)

DECENT BUT FORGETTABLE:
Pia
Haley
Stefano (Just like every week)

IRRATIONAL HATRED ZONE:
James

REALLY BAD:
Paul (I agree, seemed like he did this way too happy)

I play in a country/rockabilly band, I'm used to seeing local singers pummel "Folsom" (hate doing it myself, but it's a crowd pleaser,) and I think Paul may have pleased enough people with it to stick around, although he could easily be bottom three again.

I rewatched Jacob this morning, and while I still think it was a pretty smart performance stylistically (sing something up and poppy, and rein in the pathos and overkill) I probably overrate him a bit based on my personal liking of gospel and supperclub soul. And I missed that that intro quote last night, wtf? I think he WILL be in the bottom three.

Stefano has had three pretty dire performances in a row, if he doesn't go home tonight it's due to the cute boy factor.

Okay WHAT THE FUCK

They have got to reform the way votes are cast on this show, because teen girls are ruining it for everyone else.

This bullshit just goes the show the incredible shortsightedness of using the save on Casey two weeks ago.

Nigel should've come out and said, "Nuh uh, this isn't happening. I'M saving Pia this week and the viewers better wisen the fuck up."

This bullshit just goes the show the incredible shortsightedness of using the save on Casey two weeks ago.

yup. you could almost see the regret in the judges faces. idiots.

haha wait, did Pia get sent home???????

lol viewers

Still makes me angry that Pia goes home while Stefano, the way worse male version of Pia stays. And Pia's not even my favorite!

so basically vftw has this show on lock?

I just hope Jacob grasps that his placement in the bottom 3 doesn't mean "America refuses to look itself in the mirror," it means "no one likes a sanctimonious queen."

VFTW is voting for Paul not Stefano so even that doesn't explain it. Also, VFTW is contributing a max of something like a few thousand votes which really can only swing the results so much when several million votes are cast total. I think it really is just teenage girls who have the show on lock.

Pia does seem to be that particular type of sweet, talented girl that teenage girls just despise.

You could not have scripted better reality TV! Crazy, shocking night.

As mentioned above, who is a texting tween girl going to vote for 500 times though, left or right?

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh310/yodelagogo/pia.jpg

(Can I just say, on behalf of red-blooded males everywhere, that I wish Pia had ditched her pageant queen gowns for ensembles like this earlier in the competition.)

omg major lolz from television without pity:

A moment later, Stefano is safe and Pia is going home, and the entire place goes insane.

Jackson: (Screaming swears.)
Stefano: (Poised to repeat Casey's vomiting palpitations from before.)
Casey: (Staring, boggled.)
Lauren: (Finding it harder than usual to squeeze out her usual single tear.)
The Crowd: (Pants-shitting rage.)

Ryan: "Personally I am shocked. Also, Pia are you okay?"
Pia: "I am fucking fine, Ryan."

Lopez: "I am NOT FINE. I have NO IDEA WHAT JUST HAPPENED HERE."
Jackson: "I have never in my life been SO FUCKING DISGUSTED WITH AMERICA."
Durbin: (Twitches like a little bunny.)
Jackson, still processing: "I'm like, What? I'm like, What is going on?"
Lopez: (Cartoon freakout sweat drops flying sideways from her head, which is about to explode, like she's watching Inception stoned.)
Tyler: "You know what, America? Fuck America. More like Amerika!"
Ryan: (Shivering with how out of control they are getting.)
Tyler: "When she sings she's a bird! A BIRD! FUCK AMERICA!"
Jackson: "In the FACE!"

Even Pia is a bit taken aback by this nonsense. Even Casey is like Oh Missy try to maintain about the Judgery meltdown. Even her dead grandfather is like, "Y'all, it's just a game show." Down at the desk, Randy pulls J. Lo onto his lap and she just collapses into his arms like a toddler up past her bedtime, hot tears streaming down her face. Steven Tyler pulls out an American flag and sets fire to it, screaming Pia's name.

Ryan produces emigration papers and all three judges become Canadian nationals right then and there; he realizes once again he's kept us on track too well and there's time to vamp.

Please, please for the love of God and Wonderwall, please do not let the children dance onstage again. Last night is something I'm never going to be able to unsee. It is burnt onto the inside of my eyelids like tattooed chola eyebrows.

Ryan: "Well, this unholy mess is not how I'm going to leave things. Fuck it. Pia, do you want to sing a song?"
Pia: "Whatever. This bizarre display is tasteless anyway, I see what you're saying."

Ryan: "Randy -- stop crying, Randy -- Randy, what song should she sing?"
Jackson: "I d-d-don't care! I-I-I-I she can sing whatever she w-w-wants, it doesn't matter anyway. This is stupid! Pia is stupid! Just leave me alone!"
Ryan: "Other Judges, do you have a..."
Pia, grabbing the mic: "-- Oh, for fuck's... 'I'll Stand By You.'"

And that is, awesomely, how we leave things: J. Lo having her J. Lo version of feelings, Lauren sucking it up finally after getting that one tear safely onto her cheek, Stefano losing it in Durbin's arms, a standing ovation, Steven Tyler looking like boobs were just outlawed, Scotty the first ballsy enough one to lead the rest of them out onstage to surround her, carefully and hesitant at first like a haunted house, Ryan grabbing her roughly as she screams her last note and collapses onto him, J. Lo fully losing it with her head in her hands like What is going on in the world, Tyler's flag catches the Judges' desk on fire and everybody is screaming and running and the place is filling up with smoke and a catwalk comes crashing down onto the stage narrowly missing Stefano and there's a broken water pipe somewhere and the sirens are going off and a child has been separated from its mother and then slowly, sloooooowly Ryan turns, surrounded by wreckage, Pia's lifeless body in his arms, as the lightning crashes and the place comes down around their ears, like the last thirty seconds of Do The Right Thing Ryan Seacrest turns slowly and directly to the camera -- face as serious as the sins they used to feed Paul, back in Appalachia -- to stare into your home and your soul, straight out the camera, at you.

At you, and what you have done.

omg who wrote that

ah Jacob! yes, he is hilarious

yeah, all of his recaps have been A+ this season

I just hope Jacob grasps that his placement in the bottom 3 doesn't mean "America refuses to look itself in the mirror," it means "no one likes a sanctimonious queen."

― Dim the lights (Paul in Santa Cruz), Friday, April 8, 2011 7:20 AM (3 hours ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

^^This. That was one freaking obnoxious speech.

We haven't even gotten to Iggy Pop. WAHT? He must've been the only R/R HOF inductee they could convince to do the show, so he comes out and does a 25 year old single (shirtless, as usual) and finished off by singing right in Jennifer Lopez's face.

And therefore CLASSIC!

on the flip side, was anyone able to stomach their way through the entirety of Constantine's performance?

QuickSkipped the shit out of that mess.

^otm

Aaaaand Pia signs with Interscope!

http://www.businessinsider.com/american-idol-pia-toscano-record-deal-jennifer-lopez-2011-4

Awesome.

If you'd bet me before the season started that someone would sing "Heavy Metal" with Zakk Wylde as the special guest on guitar, I'd have bet the entirety of my future earnings against it. Good thing I don't gamble, I guess.

Best tonight: James

Alright: Haley, Jacob, Lauren, Casey

Meh: Scotty, Stefano

Ugh: Paul

Weird night. I didn't think anybody was amazing, and some were pretty awful.

Best: Jacob
A bit better than usual: Stefano (!)
Autopilot: Lauren, Scotty
Okay, but seriously there are a bazillion dudes in mediocre metal cover bands doing this every night of the week: James
Bad song choice, passable performance: Haley
If you think this can sell Norah Jones type numbers you're on crack: Casey
Ridiculous on every conceivable level: Paul

This was one of the worst nights I can remember for a while.

1. Jacob: He's really improved over the course of the show.
2. Lauren: I still love her, but this was pretty boring. Disappointing to see her play it safe like this. Only #2 by default.
3. Stefano: Even though the vocals still aren't really there, he managed to find a song where his overwrought emotions are a plus.
4. Scotty: I like his voice, but I really really hope he can't just skate through the whole show like this. He put in 0 effort this week.
5. James: Totally generic
6. Paul: Decent vocals, but pretty silly, even for a Paul performance.
7. Haley: Karaoke
8. Casey: Not sure what he was thinking.

Lol sounds like nobody wants to do a good job bcz they don't want to get voted off...

The internets say that Paul was kicked off. YAY!

Stefano, Haley, and Paul bottom 3 with Paul going. Accurate bottom three and elimination. Good work America.

Paul seemed like pretty likable guy overall, but I don't get the impression he was ever going to work very hard at improving anything (and probably just did his cheeseball stint on AI to get exposure for his band career.) Definitely his time to go.

Meanwhile, assuming neither Casey nor Haley can ride this all the way to the #1 slot, they could form a Louis Prima/Keely Smith styled jazz cabaret act that I would actually pay money to see. I absolutely loved this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UKUZc-5ZoSc#at=128

I really enjoyed all of the results show performances. Lauren and Scotty sound good together! Actually, I thought everybody was significantly better there than on the actual show.

HAHA, just saw in my local entertainment rag this was at a bar in my city last night:

IDOL REJECTS 2011
feat. Caleb Hawley
Chris Lawrence
Chris Medina
Carson Higgins
& Jerome Bell

my mom went nuts for the Casey/Haley jazz duet

...it was pretty good!

Scotty screwed the pooch tonight, methinks. On top of the fact he squeezed a 30 year old song into the "21st Century" category just because someone did a cover it, he was sleepwalking through it. Casey...ew, Casey. You have to think the judges are seriously regretting wasting a save on the guy now, even if they'd never admit it publicly.

The only singer they really beat up tonight was Jacob, which makes no sense, because that was his best performance since Hollywood week. After the initial mishap with the in-ear monitor, he was locked into his zone and KILLED IT.

BEST: Haley (!), Jacob, James (grudgingly)
OKAY: Lauren, Stefano
BLECH: Casey, Scotty

Yeah, unless that was some master plan to get Jacob more votes, I don't understand the criticism. He was fantastic.

Haley, Lauren and Stefano all very good. I don't even know if can I critique James anymore, he seems to be Teflon, and operating in his own genre/world. So, good for what it is.

Scotty: Yeah, song selection and performance both cornball. (200% less eyebrow waggling please.)
Casey: ditto on song and performance. (Could they BLOW any more smoke up his ass?)

Fuck, Haley was AWESOME tonight.

With James out of the way as a Rob Halford stunt double and Scotty tied up as a Tea Party mascot, I'm starting to imagine a Haley/Jacob finale.

I'm just kidding! It will totally be a Judas Priest singer/monster truck announcer finale!

I thought this week was pretty good! Other than Casey and Scotty everybody did a good job. Agree with consensus above that Haley was the best.

I've almost given in on James. He's just an extremely generic rock singer and his high register bugs me, but you have to appreciate how much he seems to want it and how hard he tries.

And hey judges, thanks for allowing us to watch that Casey performance instead of Pia. That's really what America wanted.

Interesting to me that after the Nirvana debacle, and the widely hyped jazz duet with Haley, Casey would return to alt-rock shouting. It's not what he's good at, and it's not what the judges seem to want from him. His instincts for self-preservation are poor.

Nice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xb53x7pPWc

holy hell

ooh bad join there

I had a really bad feeling leading up to the elimination, but FINALLY THE STEFANO REIGN OF TERROR HAS COME TO AN END!

Would have preferred to see Casey in the bottom 3 after a horrible performance, but it's pretty hard to complain about this result.

Some 2 out of Lauren/Scotty/James has to be an overwhelming favorite for the final 2 this year, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone like Haley sneaked in. Lauren and Jacob are my 2 favorites, personally

Lauren and Jacob are my 2 favorites, personally

Same for me.

My fantasy two would probably be Haley/anyone else. There's something I sort of dislike about every other contestant. Jacob seems unlikeable. Scotty and Lauren have limitations as singers. James is not my thing aesthetically. Casey annoys me.

Honestly thought cute boy votes would keep Stefano in longer than Jacob, but imo Jacob has had several moments of greatness, Stefano has had none. As someone said way upthread, he'll probably do well in a touring company of "Movin' Out."

Really liking Haley more and more. She's the little engine that could (and if you spend any time reading Idol blogs seems to be picking up a ton of buzz, most of it positive.) Other contestants are more polarizing (Jacob, James, Scotty, Casey.)

Which leaves poor Lauren, whom few are even discussing on the blogs. I don't necessarily buy the whole "lacking confidence" storyline Idol is peddling, but I do think she's hit a safe country-pop ceiling. Really needs a breakout moment with Carole King week next week.

What Carole King song can James screech through?

Oh, I didn't know that was next week's theme. Will be interesting and perhaps enjoyable as long as no one sings "I Feel the Earth Move" (but of course someone will...probably Haley).

Casey should do "Jazzman." (Sarcasm emoticon.)

There are way better songs among the ones she wrote for others than her own hits imo.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Songs_written_by_Carole_King

I will vote seven million times for whoever does "Porpoise Song."

o_O omg

Hard for me to type this, but best tonight: James. It helps that "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" is one of the best songs ever, but going quiet at the beginning was a great move for Mr. I Don't Have An Indoor Voice. Needlessly amped up at the end, but still, a moment. Hats off JD.

Second best: Haley. I honestly didn't remember this song, and it's kinda not what I would have chosen for her, but it was really well sung and not overly growly.

Tie for third: Lauren and Scotty. I thought both had better performances than last week. Giving the edge to Lauren; I thought "Where You Lead" worked surprisingly well as a country pop song.

Okay: Jacob. It seems like he's TRYING to be less bombastic and have some fun up there, and I liked this -- just not as much as I wanted to.

GTFO: Casey. If you can out-ham David Clayton Thomas, you're a REALLY big ham. This was awful.

I think Casey finally goes home, but I have a hard time guessing the other singers in the bottom three. Jacob (probably) and Scotty (maybe).

I know we didn't start a thread for The Voice, but I watched it last night and, even though it's clearly not the best contest show ever, it did succeed at making American Idol look outmoded and tired as an entire concept.

I'm predicting Jacob will go home.

Best: Scotty and James

Worst: Casey, by a mile

This was a really good episode. Everybody (except, naturally, Casey) did really well, though the duets were a waste of time.

holy shit haley was AWESOME

i still like casey, though last night wasn't great

like he really needs to stop grunting

One of the Idol blogs had recommeded this Carole King/Mariah Carey song for Haley, and I can hear her OWNING this (although it's a slow burner, kinda tough to edit to 90 seconds.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX3gbxmFMik

She was great last night regardless. Still not sure how Randy was more impressed with Mr. Grunt 'n Grimace than Haley.

I feel pretty secure in saying I am WAAAAAAAY more interested in watching The Voice than AI at this point.

I wasn't actually prepared for a singing competition where the contestants presented to America didn't contain trainwreck laugh-at fodder, plus the fact that there's no age limit was inspiring. Also, Frenchie is on The Voice.

I missed the debut, need to check this out.

I turned it off after the first five minutes (an embarrassing performance from the judges)

I didn't like The Voice's presentation. So generic and boring.

I turned it off after the first five minutes (an embarrassing performance from the judges)

lol

if that performance was "embarrassing", I don't see how you could sit through any given episode of American Idol or, really, any performance by any popular musician of any genre

It wasn't special or amazing; nobody EMBARRASSED themselves, though.

Yeah, that was just a corny network idea that was predictable given they had 4 popular musicians all together in one place. It was bad, but the show immediately got better once it was over.

I really like that the risk is shared between the coaches and the contestants. It makes for, if not "tense," at least a heightened viewing experience.

Also, Adam Levine is kind of funny.

it would have been funnier if they'd done a medley of their big hits, only not sung their own material, mostly because I would have laughed my ass off at Blake singing "Genie in a Bottle"

I was bummed that no one picked the 51-year-old Jersey woman; the look of panic alone on the mentors' faces after they turned around would have been amazing

I'm also quickly forming the opinion that "Rolling in the Deep" can make anyone sound good.

Goodbye Casey.

like he really needs to stop grunting

― maybe i'm just gay (Tape Store), Thursday, April 28, 2011 7:44 AM (Yesterday) Bookmark

yeah i liked him too but every time he grunted i just shuddered

tbh i thought fer sure the dude was going to go home in Pia's stead (not that she didnt turn out fine), but for whatever reason he didn't...I don't think he ever really had a chance of winning it, and knew it, i always got the nagging feeling that he stuck around just to try to make time w/ j-lo...

i did really like his duets w/ Haley though

Yeah, I was happy to see him go. Actually, seems like Jacob goes home next week, then I could see any order of finish for the other 4. Seems close this year.

Could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure Ryan never specified a bottom 3. I would assume the Scotty thing was just a fakeout.

Ryan said over and over that is was random order.

Yeah I was watching it in the background while cleaning house, so I just wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything there.

Jacob blew it tonight, right? "Love Hurts" ended up better than I was expecting, but he sealed his fate with "No Air".

Haley has returned to that growly thing I hate about her. When she's not belting (which she does well), she's either growling or hanging around in her really shallow lower register that sounds like a pageant contestant.

James was totally blah both times tonight, but I bet more people would disagree than agree with me. The single tear at the end of "Without You," which I'm sure was genuine, just seemed like a Hollywood ending.

Scotty was too little for the first song and too, hmmm...I dunno. His tone was right for the second song, but he made it schmaltzy.

Lauren seemed star-ready on the first song, and I expected her to really KILL "Unchained Melody," but she went low on the best part of the song that has traditionally gone high ("I neee-eeee-eeed your love...") and that was more disappointing than anything else that happened tonight imo.

Still, Lauren wins the night for me.

Haley took the night for me, I hope she wins the whole thing.

I like Call Me/Rolling in the Deep Haley, hate corny bluesy Haley. More of the former, less of the latter plz.

Love the "suck it" look Haley shot J-Lo at the end of the show

Haley > Scotty > Lauren > Jacob > James

I'm not even any sort of Sheryl Crow stan, but her little a capella "Love Hurts" was gorgeous. Jacob's went off the rails. He has moments of greatness, but I think this was his swan song(s.)

RIDICULOUS sympathy pimping for James' "Without You," which had some pretty spots, yeah, and also some extremely pitchy ones. What a manufactured "moment."

Thing about Lauren for me is she's been state-fair stage-ready since day one. Like her a lot, really good voice, really good performer, always solid but also totally predictable. I would forget how young she is if they didn't keep reminding me; seems like she's been doing this 10 years longer than she has.

Scotty's still just too cornball for me when he goes uptempo, and his ballads, while remarkable for a youngster, are really getting zzzzzz......

And Haley, wtf:

Jimmy Iovine: Here's an *unreleased!!* Lady Gaga song!!
Haley: (sings really well)
All 3 judges: You shouldn't have sung a song noone recognizes.

Glad she was able to redeem herself (in the judges' eyes) with "Rising Sun." I agree with Johnny, she can get a little too Joplin-y, but that quiet intro (while reminiscent of Siobhan's last season) was really powerful and uniquely Haley. LOVED.

so ILX is backing Haley, which likely means that Scotty or James is going to win, right

I'd totally put money on James

AI is obviously trying to engineer a Scotty/James final 2, but Vegas odds are actually Scotty/Lauren right now.

Y'know, I don't think I give Lauren enough props. Despite the hackneyed song choice, this is pretty great:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1Ecy3Hi4_Y&feature=related

Best:

Scotty and Lauren did well on both of their songs, I thought, whereas everyone else had one stinker and one great one.

I thought Haley was fantastic on both songs. The "don't do songs America doesn't know" critique is depressing and undermines how great her performance was.

Yep. Let's just post this one too then:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l7Hy4ViG30&feature=related

Really don't get the overwhelming Haley love, especially after last night.

Maybe something's wrong with the sound on my tv?

Haha, no I'm kinda with you on the over-growling (esp on the Gaga song) but she's the most unpredictable and fun each week for me live, and I think she records very well.

She just sings like child talent imo. I might like her voice better in another five years or so, and would definitely like it more sans all the runs and growling. Her lower register is really shallow and "girly," not "womanly", and that why whenever she's doing anything even remotely blues-based I see a figurative blinking neon arrow over her head that says "MISS TEEN CONTESTANT".

The weeks she did "Call Me" and "Rolling in the Deep", where she could mask that pretty well, were her best performances.

It struck me a little bit ago that when AI gets to the Top 5 over the last few seasons, I really just don't care anymore. This show just goes on too long, evaporating the excitement I had in the early weeks by beating me over the head with dumb themes and too many performances. As much as liked Jacob throughout the competition, I just really don't care if he goes home tonight at all. Or any of them, for that matter. I've had enough of all these people.

If Idol comes back next year, after The Voice concludes and after X Factor debuts and concludes, it REALLY needs to be revamped. Not just the promise of a revamp like they did this year, but a REAL restructuring of the show and the way it works.

I'm enjoying this season quite a bit. And I like Haley. I don't have any illusions that she can sell records, because she definitely can't, but I would rather listen to her do karaoke than listen to Lauren bore me with her sturdy competence.

Bye Jacob, I'll miss you.

I've had enough of all these people.

Totally. I checked out when Pia was voted off. Democracy has failed us.

So is it just me, or has the energy level on the show completely dipped in recent weeks? I mean, it must just be me because they're getting many millions of votes each week, but I don't feel motivated to care much who wins among those contestants who are left. Each of them is good, almost equally. There's no frontrunner to beat each week, so all the drama is gone.

The show really WANTS a frontrunner, though, and that's probably why James Durbin both opened AND closed the show this week. WTF WAS THAT? Idol has always tried to manipulate circumstances, but I've never seen them do it so openly before.

I liked Lauren's "Anyway" and Haley's "I Who Have Nothing" and was pretty indifferent to everything else—except Scotty's cover of "Young Blood" which was ridiculous and awful, and Haley's "The Earth Song" which I didn't like either, but not for the reason 2 of the 3 judges didn't like it. I would LOVE it if contestants did less familiar songs on a regular basis. I just wish Haley wouldn't force that growly thing she does into places it doesn't belong.

that's what happens when you vote off all the good singers

JF you are p much otm about everything. I wish Scotty would stay away from the more brazen honkytonk stuff; it really plays up his Alfred E. Neuman similarities...

Scotty was terrible tonight. The pandering w/that dead Bin Laden rally song was lame, esp. coupled with the selection requiring no singing chops.

Agree that this show becomes less entertaining as the season wears on. If Pia would have stuck around, things might have stayed more interesting.

Really, really hope that at least one of the girls makes it to the finale.

Haley seemed really familiar to me for some reason, and I realized the other day that she is a total doppelganger for Canada's "Metal Queen", Lee Aaron. Evidence -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgl_9ZVTQKk

Oh wow, that's freaky.

Amusing how Scotty got all Jesused-up after dancing with the Devil last week.

I thought Gaga was a smart and effective mentor, even though most of the night's performances were underwhelming.

Gaga was a bit difficult to look at; it looked like her makeup was done solely with a charcoal pencil

There was something very "Norma Desmond" about Gaga last night, yeah.

wau I didn't expect James to leave tonight, but you bet I'm not sad about it at all.

Odds are 2:1 we get a female winner this year.

Yeah, that was moderately shocking, but I think America got it right; of those 4, the most talented 3 remain. I actually got a little misty at the end. James obviously wanted badly to win, and battling ADD and Tourette's certainly can't be easy. He fought the good fight for metal.

Okay I know everyone's basically off the Idol train, but if you care: (reputable) spoiler alert re Haley tonight. (First song.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuPACw167s8

Oh hell, I forgot it's just gonna embed! Oh well...

I'm still on the train and that is awesome. I'm a little worried about that Zeppelin song showing off her strengths tho.

^yeah, Zep may not work as well as she (& I) hopes but Darin is otm; I like Haley more and more every week, and I can't believe I was gunning for her to get booted off in the early rounds...

It's tough to edit to 90 seconds, plus there's a chance to oversing. Seems she's giving up on any "Moanin'" -type jazz and going full on rockerchick (with the aid of the judges/Iovine's picks.) Don't know if that's gonna help her with voters or throw her under the bus, but she's got moxie!

Holy hell! Haley's performance of "Rhiannon" was maybe the most professional-quality AI performance I've ever seen in any week before a finale. Can't believe I was ready to send her home a few weeks ago. Now I'm hoping she wins.

Haley > Lauren >>> Scotty

That Beyonce song was a serious M.I.A. ripoff. Like, lawsuit-worthy ripoff.

Welcome aboard Team Growl, Johnny! I just voted for her a bunch, for the first time ever.

oh god, fuck you america

new (definitely) worse than ever results

Well, okay then. (Didn't see the show, just read the results.)

At least James Durbin isn't in, so...yay?

I was holding on hopefully that Lauren and Scotty would be splitting votes but fuck I guess there's a LOT of chaw-spittin' birthers out there seeking retribution for the white house or something.

Enh, this show is always going to vote safe over edgy, Faith Hill over Alanis Morrisette. Haley had a fun arc over the the season, and picked up a lot of buzz and recognition. She'll do something outside the Idol machinery. (And this frees up two TV nights for me next week, as I have zero interest in a country/country top 2 where the winner is preordained.)

dude Lauren is going to win it

Says the dude who was totally putting money on James two weeks ago!

I'd prefer Lauren over Scotty, but he's never been in the bottom 3 and she has multiple times so....

LOL xp true nuff

Scotty had twice as many votes as Lauren on dialidol last night. I would rather see her win too, but it's gonna take a ginormous upset. (I think she's only been in the bottom once, though?)

actually tbh I think Lauren winning Idol this year would epitomize the whole "something went wrong" vibe of the results this year

New Siobhan Magnus single. The screamy bits at the end are amazing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdqF4wYCHtk&feature=related

I remember the first time she unleashed that scream and my jaw dropped to the floor. Then it got old.

But I've missed it, tbh.

"Idol" finale will feature U2's Bono, The Edge and their "Spider-Man" musical. The U2 bandmates will perform alongside the cast of their troubled musical, "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/update-u2s-bono-edge-perform-191156

I hope Spiderman falls on Scotty.

TMZ sez Lauren Alaina may not sing in Idol finale due to laryngitis. If that happens 3rd place Haley Reinhart would sing.

Drudge is saying something about the outcome...I won't spoil it here, though. If you're curious, look around.

Ugh. Hate when Drudge is right.

I like Scotty fine, and he'll probably be the first winner of the show in several seasons to actually sell records. Good for him.

i don't know anything about this guy or if he's gonna be doing anti-gay marriage PSAs or w/e but i heard a clip of him singing on the radio and it was kinda O_O

So they sang "Born This Way" and excised the LGBT stuff, but then Durbin comes out dressed like an extra from Cruising while singing with Rob Halford. Kind of a push, I guess.

I missed the first ten minutes (came in halfway through the Priest/James performance). Good call on my part, I guess.

Bono and The Edge are just flat embarrassing now, yes? There was a time when I'd not dare speak ill of them, but that time was many albums ago.

fuck this nerddddd

I can't get mad about Scotty's win. Country is a genre I mostly ignore, but he seems to do it well.

The contestant/celebrity pairings were fun, but instead of teaming up Jacob with Kirk Franklin and (the still-amazing) Gladys Knight, they should have hooked him up with RuPaul.

Yeah, mostly don't care, except I feel like he coasted through the entire season doing some minor variation of either a ballad or a corny uptempo tune like "Swingin'." I never saw much stylistic depth, or even depth within the country genre. (They even gave him "Green, Green Grass Of Home" during the Tom Jones medley, because it sounded like every other song he ever sang, and he couldn't have pulled off any of the other ones.)

^in that regard he wasn't much different than Crystal Bowersox

Smirking, pandering douche.

Crystal came in with her act/genre pretty much formed, yeah, but in between the Tracy Chapman and Melissa Etheridge she covered CCR, Gladys Knight, Curtis Mayfield and Kenny Loggins (thank you, wiki!) in addition to the artist theme nights. Scotty chose straight Josh Turner/Travis Tritt/Garth Brooks/Montgomery Gentry throughout.

Enjoyed Mike Slezak's analysis of the finale with guest Melinda Doolittle:

http://www.tvline.com/2011/05/idoloonies-american-idol-season-10-finale-scotty-mccreery-haley-reinhart/

And an interview with Scotty:

http://www.tvline.com/2011/06/idoloonies-scotty-mccreery-american-idol-season-10-winner-interview/

That guy who sang and played drums at the same time tonight is the WORST.

Is that Reed Grimm? I have no idea, I haven't watched a moment of AI this year. Here's the Top 24 fwiw:

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1679860/american-idol-top-24.jhtml

Yeah, I didn't watch ANY of the auditions, but I just caught up with some video of the top 24 and may dive back in as they slim it to 12 to see if I wanna commit for the long haul. I feel mostly done with Idol and Idol-type shows at this point, though.

Top 24 Dance of Dorkiness:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9vYW2ZRUmzg#!

Jessica Sanchez is dope, son

Deandre is pretty fucking sweet too.

Just got through watching them all online, much quicker and easier. The drummer is indeed Reed Grimm, he's semi-local so he's been shown on my evening news. Yeah, dorkus malorkus.

Not much stood out to me. Jessica's got mad skills; that kind of singing is massively not my thing, though. Deandre's got something; liked that, didn't love it. I kinda liked the piano playing Adele-singer, maybe? Think I'm gonna be following this season pretty casually.

Dude. That super smooth-jazz version of Moves Like Jagger was fucking nauseating. I take it the judges decided to just blow smoke up everyone's asses for the first episode...

Okay, wait, I hadn't seen this one yet. Wow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lddGLxASYU&feature=player_embedded

Not much stood out to me. Jessica's got mad skills; that kind of singing is massively not my thing, though. Deandre's got something; liked that, didn't love it. I kinda liked the piano playing Adele-singer, maybe? Think I'm gonna be following this season pretty casually.

Yeah I haven't been watching it for the most part. Thought I'd check in now that it's live.

I didn't like the piano lady (although she started pretty strong), but I did like Joe Magrane's daughter, and Skyler Laine.

Didn't watch the dudes sing.

No new thread for this year?

I was feeling really apathetic about this season (I watched only two or three episodes last year), but I saw most of the top 24 and was impressed. Almost all of them would have been good enough to make the top ten in most other seasons.

The top 13 is pretty solid. Didn't really lose anyone I was attached to.