AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 8

MargaretB

Thanks for the recap!  I would have quit watching too if Tatiana had made it to the finals.

Anonymous

Pretend Judging on 'American Idol'

Thursday is Wild Card night on "American Idol." Tonight the judges will listen to performances by eight ousted Idolettes who have been brought back to compete for three Wild Card spots in the final round of competition. Tonight we will pretend we don't already know that two of the three Wild Card spots are going to go to chicks, because the list of nine Idolettes already chosen by viewers for the final 12 is very guy-heavy. The judges will pretend to critique tonight's performances, faux make up their minds, and then announce their foregone conclusions.

Does anybody really think they're seriously considering Tatiana Del Toro? Do we think Ricky Braddy will finally get a break? I rest my case.

First up. Jesse "Hasn't Got a Prayer" Landseth. She growls and purrs her way through "Tell Me Something Good" and is at least entertaining and looks great. Judge Randy Jackson pronounces it "just a'ight." Judge Kara DioGuardi compliments Jesse on her swagger. Judge Paula Abdul says it's going to be a hard night. And judge Simon Cowell declares Jesse's performance "self indulgent" because she thought more about herself than him. Paula and Kara try to explain to Simon that Jesse's performance was very sexy which, in theory, means she's trying to appeal to him, but Simon will have none of it and is inconsolable.

Matt Giraud is now dressed like Coldplay lead Chris Martin at a coffee house in the Village. But at least he's not singing Coldplay any more, and for that we are grateful. He's singing "Who's Loving You" and he's much improved if somewhat over the top. Kara says he can riff. Paula calls it a much better song choice than the Coldplay number. Simon keeps interrupting Paula, which means he hasn't been the center of attention for at least four minutes. Simon doesn't care about Matt's singing and wants instead to talk about Matt's outfit which he finds dreadful. Simon also slams Matt for having bits of Taylor Hicks in his performance. Simon hated Hicks on "Idol."

"You mean Justin Timberlake," Kara interrupts, leaving millions of viewers at home wondering what she's smoking and how they get some. Randy says Matt just made the nine Chosen Ones scared that he's maybe going to be in the final 12 and give them a run for their money. Matt's in.

Megan Joy Corkrey sings "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" which, mercifully, bears no resemblance to the Katharine McPhee rendition of this tune. For starters, Megan's version involves her trademark Regular Wash Cycle dance. I'd like to see McPhee try to pull that off. Paula declares it "the right song." Simon assures Megan "it wasn't the best vocal we're ever going to hear but it doesn't matter -- you were terrific" because, of course, she's "current." And, he forgets to add, the all-important "female." Kara notes they "need" Megan because "you give some variety to what's already up there" indicating the nine Chosen Ones. Count Megan in.

Poor Von Smith, who hasn't the remotest chance of surviving the night, sings a pretty good version of "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word"-- if you like that sort of tune -- but, of course the judges will savage him by way of explaining why he's not going be picked.

Simon goes with "boring" and Randy notes Von once wore a hat and had a "whole different vibe," and Kara called it "dark," and Paula says she's been "studying" Von and he has not let his "pure essence" out yet. The American Idol Decency Police are given orders to put their tasers on "stun."

Jasmine Murray, who's a shoo-in because she's a teenager and pretty -- and the all important not-a-guy -- performs that dreadful tune "Reflections" quite badly. Reaching for positive things to say, RanKara settles on "I'm confused but it was way better than last time" -- a ringing endorsement. Paula says she looks lovely and picked a beautiful song. Simon says that with "the greatest respect" to Paula he thinks Jasmine deserves "more criticism than what you're wearing," assuming viewers at home have forgotten he'd just done exactly the same to Matt.

Simon calls "Reflections" a "very brave song choice" which renders everything else he says about Jasmine null and void.

Ricky Braddy is DOA because, at some point way back, some producer decided to give him virtually no on-camera time, during the flyover audtions or in Hollywood Week. Sure Kara says he sang his "butt off" and Paula says he "nailed it." But Simon knows he has to say Ricky did not make an impression on them and was disappointing. And Randy will use the new expression he's learned tonight, telling Ricky it was "self indulgent."

Tatiana Del Toro is brought back to be tortured one more time. But first, she must set a new world record for most uses of the word "love" in one breath:

"I am in love with everyone and everything that has happened; I have found love and, god, I love what I do and I love to sing so much and I just want to show the world how much I want to sing and how much this means to me and to get a second chance -- nobody gets a second chance -- is once in a lifetime," she says, adding "I'm ready to sing for you, America. Thank you so much."

Tatiana sings "Saving All My Love For You," and she does have a tremendous voice, and were she a teenager and not such a weirdsmobile they'd put her through in a shot. But she's not, and she is, so they won't. Instead, Paula notes "you grew an accent I've never heard before" during her Love Speech. Tatiana's manner of speaking (she's from Puerto Rico like Jorge) seems to wax and wane based on the degree to which she thinks Jorge is getting through to the final-12 owing to his accent.

Simon slams Tatiana for picking a song she's sung for them before giving her a "you're dead to me" look as he asks how many more times she planned to sing it if she's put through. Which is of course hypothetical, since they have no intention of doing so. Randy and Kara fall into step, critiquing everything except her voice. This is followed by a sex joke at Tatiana's expense performed by Seacrest and the judges who ought to pick on someone their own size.

And, finally, Anoop Desai delivers a fun college fraternity interpretation of Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative."

Simon calls him an "enthusiastic dog" and admits "we've got to cast this next stage" so as to "not just put the boring singers through," but people who have "personality" of which Anoop has "a lot." He congratulates Anoop on his performance.

Immediately after which Randy lets slip that Anoop also had sung this song previously. But, Randy offers lamely, Anoop did it better this time. Kara goes even further, saying this is the very best "My Prerogative" Anoop has ever done. Paula liked his "nasty" dance moves and congratulates him on going back to the same song again.

One commercial break later, it's time to announce their decision. That was fast!

Jasmine gets a 'yes,' Ricky gets a 'no.' Megan moves to the finals and Tatiana, rejected, kneels down in front of the judges' table while Paula assures her she has an incredible future as a singer and an actress.

With two chicks through to the next round, they can do away with Jesse. Von's out too, leaving Matt and Anoop.

Simon tells Matt he's getting the third spot and Anoop starts to leave the stage when Simon calls out to him and says they have decided to have the finals start with a Top-13 this year.

"An 'American Idol' first!" Seacrest says, on cue.

spar2

I am loving Adam and Scott. Who is everyone else loving?

Joviangeldeb

I'm really lovin Adam, Alexis and Scott.  I voted for those three.

Anonymous

I liked Adam the best; I think Matt and Danny also did very well tonight. as much as I like Anoop, I thought he was terrible tonight,

Anne

artsee

Adam, Danny,the guy at the end on piano, the red head. In that order for me. Anoop sank big time tonight for me.......and I do think

Scott is so sweet.

Artsee

MargaretB

I'm watching it now.  Just saw Danny - he did well.  Haven't seen Adam yet.  I'm just grateful that Tatiana is gone.

Anonymous

Okay......

I didn't think Lil was all that amazing.  Booooring......

Scott stunned me-WHAT a difference tonight!  I thought he did really well.  I was also irked that the judges lavished praise on Lil (who I thought was a snooze-fest), and said Scott went way safe.  Bah! 

Danny-He's been a favorite since the beginning!  I stick with my original prediction that the top two are going to be Danny and Adam (not sure which order!)

Megan-I was disappointed in her.  Too forced in the "quirky" category! 

Anoop-He at least admitted that his "energy" was what made everyone love him, and it totally didn't work tonight.  He looked silly. 

Jasmine-she's beautiful.  That's all.

Adam-Love him!  One of the top two!  I rewound his and watched it again! 

Alexis-I totally agree with Simon.  I think it wasn't as good as she thought.  I think she took the whole "dirty it up" advice from Kara and over-did it. 

I think _____ Iraheta (stupid chemo brain is blanking on her first name) is going to be third.  She can SING! 

Michael Sarver-is stinkin' cute as a giant teddy bear, but I don't think he is going to go to the top. 

Kris-he is very Dave Matthews.  I think he is really good, but I think he will be about the same as Michael. 

Piano guy (sorry, too late for me to scroll and look up names!)-I think he is definitely a Timberlake-type, and I see him in the top 5

Who the heck am I forgetting?!?!? 

PS-I am just not a Kara fan.  

shelloz1

I didn't see the last show yet (I live in Israel and we only get it on Friday) so I can't base anything on that.  From what I have seen, I love Danny, think Lil is great and Adam is very good. 

 I'm with whoopsiedoo, not thrilled about Kara, and I think Paula is drunk most of the time.

shelley

Anonymous

Shelley,
OMG, that cracked me up.  DRUNK!!!!!  hahahahahahahahhah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry I gave it a little away, though! 

marejo

I think too that it will come down to Danny and Adam....then again....Lil might be their too.  It should be interesting. 

MJ

Anonymous

I'm pretty satisfied with the results.  How 'bout you guys? 

MargaretB

I love Danny because he is so likeable and he sings so well.  I changed my mind about the order though - I think Adam can't lose no matter what happens - he will either win or if he gets booted off early, he'll definitely get a recording contract.  I think he will win - he has the entire package - looks, he can definitely sing, he can dance, he's got a look.  Christa (is that her name - the 16/17 year old redhead) can also sing.  I think they will be in the top three.

PattyS

Yeah, I am also satisfied with the results. However, I just don't think the contestants this season are as good as the previous seasons. I like Danny and Adam and that is about it. Maybe they will all greatly improve as the season progresses. Anyone else feel this way?

Anonymous

Adam definitely has charisma!  I like Danny too.  The right two were eliminated this week as far as I'm concerned.  I like Jasmine but she didn't stand out with her performance.  She should do well in a singing career, she just needs to polish her stage presence.

shelloz1

I don't like Adam (booh me I know), he's cute and has stage presence, but I think he screams.  Personally, I like Danny and I like Lil, Michael also has a chance.

Anonymous

Jasmine just sang on the Ellen Degeneres show--she was awesome; if she had sung like that the other night, I think the judges would've voted to save her.

Anne

Anonymous

I just watched her, she was great! 

shelloz1

I think that Chris should have gone home instead of Jasmine, he sings ok, but I'm not overly impressed. 

Anonymous

I agree, I think he was kept on the show because "the girls love him," just as Simon predicted. 

PattyS

I just don't see the judges using the one save they have until late in the contest.

badboob67

Did anyone else hear a railroad conductor holler, "Get outta the way!!!!!!!!!" as Adam Lambert took the stage tonight?  HOLY. COW.  It was like seeing a dog in pants.....

Anonymous

Okay, I had NO idea what that meant.....until I saw the show!!!!!  HAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!!!  I love Adam, but that was just.....whack! 

I dunno, I don't really have a favorite this week!  I think they all did well......weird, I usually am insisting how fantastic someone is. 

Mary-Lou

Don't know , but I think Michael will be going home this time. And Adam was , well I really don't know what to say on that one...

MargaretB

I think Adam's song was different, not bad, just different.  I totally missed that part about Adam coming on stage, I TIVOd it so will check it out.  I don't think Scott is that great either.  Anoop did really well.

PattyS

I think the guys definitely out performed the girls. Predicting it will be a girl going home tonight. Although, it could be the first guy who performed last night, I can't remember his name.

Estepp

Ok.. I am terrible with names.. Did Adam do the Johnny Cash song?

LisaF

Yes, he did do that weird version of the Cash song.  While he has a great voice, he seems so much like a poser who wants to look like a cool skater boarder, punker dude.   I know I'm not into the fashion scene, but he's over the top for me.... 

Estepp

Thank Lisa!

I thought that was his name. I myself, after raising a boarder into adulthood... ( )... do not see him as a poser to the gig.

I think he is the one to follow.

We'll see....

I will be the odd duck... I LOVED the Cash song. eeeekkkkk shoot me now!

Estepp

To save myself... Danny is awesome.. He would rock in my Church!