Wed, Jan 19, 2011
"American Idol" - "Auditions #1" - Jan. 19, 2011
The tenth season of "Idol" kicks off with a grand-- and long-- introduction of new judges, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, and mentor Jimmy Iovine. And, oh yeah, Randy's back too dawg.
Ryan tells us that 125,000 people auditioned and claims that winning "American Idol" is the country's "most illustrious prize in music." Um, okay. I think the Grammys might have something to say about that.
Eventually, we get to the actual first audition in New Jersey. Constantine Maroulis introduces Ryan at the Meadowlands. We get lots of Jersey-related stuff in terms of lingo, fashion, and hairdos.
And the singing begins.
We start with Rachel Zevita whom JLo claims she remembers from her season 6 audition. It was oddly operatic but she was put through, only to get cut on the first day of Hollywood. She sings Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," and again gets put through with three yes's.
Next up Caleb Hawley a mopt top young man from New York. He sings "Hallelujah, I Love Her So" and Steven Tyler provides percussive back up and sings along and gives one of patented screams. He goes through with three yes's.
Kenzie Palmer a 15-year-old musical theatre fan who goes to performing arts high school sings Carrie Underwood's "We're Young and Beautiful" and impresses JLo but Steven and Randy think she needs more pizazz. Ultimately she gets three yes's and a golden ticket.
We get a quick montage of three golden ticket winners to whom we are not introduced.
Then a woman named Achille Lovle comes in and sings a very unwieldy, Grace Jones-ish version of Madonna's "Dress You Up," that falls way flat and the no's are unanimous.
During a break Jennifer admits that it's hard saying no, especially to the ones who "really, really believe."
We get a lesson in how to tease hair from Tiffany Rios JLo's biggest fan. She cries when she gets in the room with her and starts talking about the inspirational "Selena." JLo hugs her. She finally sings, a goofy original song about getting put through to the next round and unveils mirrored stars on her bikini top. She sounds so-so but the gimmicky stuff is awful. She gets a chance to sing another song- Celine Dion's "Power of Love"-- and is marginally better and hits some decent notes and some horrific ones. She gets a unanimous golden ticket with the caveat that it should be less about gimmicky boob stuff and more about singing. Steven likes her energy.
We get a montage of a bunch of bad singers and people begging, especially the softie JLo. She finally starts getting the hang of "no."
We meet 16-year-old Robbie Rosen who was afflicted by a disease that put him in a wheelchair for a period of time as a toddler. He's always dreamed about being on "Idol." He sings "Yesterday" by the Beatles, and impresses them all, especially Steven, and gets a unanimous put through.
We get a montage of contestants talking about being excited to meet the various judges. And then a montage of 62-year-old Steven Tyler ogling young, hot contestants.
Chris Cordeiro is up next. He's an 18-year-old Boy Scout, excited about becoming an Eagle Scout. He comes in very sort of preppy and goofy-looking and then he sings a bizarre version of Frank Sinatra's "My Way" that does not work. Oddly, they intercut it with his mother singing the same song at the prompting of Ryan outside the room and she sounds a lot better than her son. JLo asks Randy how he did this for ten years and Steven makes sad trombone noises.
We get a montage of the judges finally getting a handle on saying no.
We meet Michael Perotto who burps when he gets nervous. He's also not a good singer and gets three no's for his "Proud Mary." Tyler quotes "Cool Hand Luke" about a "failure to communicate." He walks out saying "ouch" and saying he's not going to give up even though he got three no's.
The world's biggest Britney Spears fan Ashley Sullivan is full of spunk and is very brassy, if overpowering the room. JLo says she belongs on Broadway. Ashley wants to be the first "showtune pop star." She begs and pleads and cries. And, JLo and Steven put her through. Randy calls them insane. Steven says he's going to personally work Ashley into something good.
A sweet southern 16-and-three-quarters-year-old named Victoria Huggins charms the judges with her twang, pageant enthusiasm and version of "Midnight Train to Georgia." That's three yes's.
We get the dramatic story of Kosovo native Melinda Ademi and her refugee parents, who escaped the war-torn nation. She sings Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Go You" and gets the unanimous golden ticket.
We move on to the second day of New Jersey auditions.
Devin Rush, a singing waitress in Times Square sings "God Bless the Child" and gets pretty funky and groovy with it. Steven calls it delicious. Randy says she has the right amount of sauce. JLo says her voice is the star and she needs to start acting and dressing that way.
Then a montage of a couple of bad singers. And then a full audition from a really bad singer and former Michael Jackson-impersonator named Yoji "Pop" Asano. He does a disastrous version of "Party in the U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus. And then we get a montage of bad singers singing "Party in the U.S.A."
Another montage of terrible singers.
Staten Island native Brielle Von Hugel really loves her dad who was in a doo-wop group. He had cancer and she helped him through it. Apparently, her "Endless Love" is enough to get her through after the judges ask her to bring her dad in.
We get a montage of the sad and rejected.
The final contestant is, of course, a heartwarming story about a teen. Travis Orlando grew up in a gang/crime/drug-infested part of the Bronx and he spent time in a shelter. And of course, he sings the Beatles "Eleanor Rigby" and Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" well enough to get put through with three yes's.
We get a montage of some of the 51 others who got golden tickets.
The tenth season of "Idol" kicks off with a grand-- and long-- introduction of new judges, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, and mentor Jimmy Iovine. And, oh yeah, Randy's back too dawg.
Ryan tells us that 125,000 people auditioned and claims that winning "American Idol" is the country's "most illustrious prize in music." Um, okay. I think the Grammys might have something to say about that.
Eventually, we get to the actual first audition in New Jersey. Constantine Maroulis introduces Ryan at the Meadowlands. We get lots of Jersey-related stuff in terms of lingo, fashion, and hairdos.
And the singing begins.
We start with Rachel Zevita whom JLo claims she remembers from her season 6 audition. It was oddly operatic but she was put through, only to get cut on the first day of Hollywood. She sings Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," and again gets put through with three yes's.
Next up Caleb Hawley a mopt top young man from New York. He sings "Hallelujah, I Love Her So" and Steven Tyler provides percussive back up and sings along and gives one of patented screams. He goes through with three yes's.
Kenzie Palmer a 15-year-old musical theatre fan who goes to performing arts high school sings Carrie Underwood's "We're Young and Beautiful" and impresses JLo but Steven and Randy think she needs more pizazz. Ultimately she gets three yes's and a golden ticket.
We get a quick montage of three golden ticket winners to whom we are not introduced.
Then a woman named Achille Lovle comes in and sings a very unwieldy, Grace Jones-ish version of Madonna's "Dress You Up," that falls way flat and the no's are unanimous.
During a break Jennifer admits that it's hard saying no, especially to the ones who "really, really believe."
We get a lesson in how to tease hair from Tiffany Rios JLo's biggest fan. She cries when she gets in the room with her and starts talking about the inspirational "Selena." JLo hugs her. She finally sings, a goofy original song about getting put through to the next round and unveils mirrored stars on her bikini top. She sounds so-so but the gimmicky stuff is awful. She gets a chance to sing another song- Celine Dion's "Power of Love"-- and is marginally better and hits some decent notes and some horrific ones. She gets a unanimous golden ticket with the caveat that it should be less about gimmicky boob stuff and more about singing. Steven likes her energy.
We get a montage of a bunch of bad singers and people begging, especially the softie JLo. She finally starts getting the hang of "no."
We meet 16-year-old Robbie Rosen who was afflicted by a disease that put him in a wheelchair for a period of time as a toddler. He's always dreamed about being on "Idol." He sings "Yesterday" by the Beatles, and impresses them all, especially Steven, and gets a unanimous put through.
We get a montage of contestants talking about being excited to meet the various judges. And then a montage of 62-year-old Steven Tyler ogling young, hot contestants.
Chris Cordeiro is up next. He's an 18-year-old Boy Scout, excited about becoming an Eagle Scout. He comes in very sort of preppy and goofy-looking and then he sings a bizarre version of Frank Sinatra's "My Way" that does not work. Oddly, they intercut it with his mother singing the same song at the prompting of Ryan outside the room and she sounds a lot better than her son. JLo asks Randy how he did this for ten years and Steven makes sad trombone noises.
We get a montage of the judges finally getting a handle on saying no.
We meet Michael Perotto who burps when he gets nervous. He's also not a good singer and gets three no's for his "Proud Mary." Tyler quotes "Cool Hand Luke" about a "failure to communicate." He walks out saying "ouch" and saying he's not going to give up even though he got three no's.
The world's biggest Britney Spears fan Ashley Sullivan is full of spunk and is very brassy, if overpowering the room. JLo says she belongs on Broadway. Ashley wants to be the first "showtune pop star." She begs and pleads and cries. And, JLo and Steven put her through. Randy calls them insane. Steven says he's going to personally work Ashley into something good.
A sweet southern 16-and-three-quarters-year-old named Victoria Huggins charms the judges with her twang, pageant enthusiasm and version of "Midnight Train to Georgia." That's three yes's.
We get the dramatic story of Kosovo native Melinda Ademi and her refugee parents, who escaped the war-torn nation. She sings Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Go You" and gets the unanimous golden ticket.
We move on to the second day of New Jersey auditions.
Devin Rush, a singing waitress in Times Square sings "God Bless the Child" and gets pretty funky and groovy with it. Steven calls it delicious. Randy says she has the right amount of sauce. JLo says her voice is the star and she needs to start acting and dressing that way.
Then a montage of a couple of bad singers. And then a full audition from a really bad singer and former Michael Jackson-impersonator named Yoji "Pop" Asano. He does a disastrous version of "Party in the U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus. And then we get a montage of bad singers singing "Party in the U.S.A."
Another montage of terrible singers.
Staten Island native Brielle Von Hugel really loves her dad who was in a doo-wop group. He had cancer and she helped him through it. Apparently, her "Endless Love" is enough to get her through after the judges ask her to bring her dad in.
We get a montage of the sad and rejected.
The final contestant is, of course, a heartwarming story about a teen. Travis Orlando grew up in a gang/crime/drug-infested part of the Bronx and he spent time in a shelter. And of course, he sings the Beatles "Eleanor Rigby" and Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" well enough to get put through with three yes's.
We get a montage of some of the 51 others who got golden tickets.
Thu, Jan 20, 2011
"American Idol" - "Auditions #2-New Orleans"- Jan. 20, 2011
New Orleans is the second audition city and we get lots of montages of stereotypical NOLA/southern stuff: Mardi Gras, the French Quarter, alligators, outtakes of Ryan from a previous season in NOLA being goofy.
Jordan Dorsey a charming piano teacher from Louisiana, impresses the judges with his jazzy rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and gets three yes's and gives JLo goosebumps.
We get a couple of awful singers and arrive at Sarah Sellers who impresses Tyler with her mouth and her version of Bob Dylan's "To Make You Feel My Love" and is through to Hollywood.
Going with the body parts theme Jovany Barreto is the next golden ticket winner based not only on his singing but his love for JLo, her husband Marc Anthony, and his "melodic sensibility" according to Tyler on the Luis MIguel song he sang. So excited to get his golden ticket Jovany takes off his shirt to show off his abs to JLo, and Randy and Tyler needlessly join him.
Hoping to have an in with Randy Jacquelyn Dupree brings along his old football coach, to the audition. Her singing on "I'll Stand By You" was fine so the combination gets her through.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a gutsy song to sing at an audition but Brett Loewenstern's version is enough to impress the judges, they also enjoy his well-conditioned hair and childhood tale of bullying.
A geeky sorta Mick Jagger/Steven Tyler lookalike Gabriel Franks has none of the talent of those two famous men and his not totally tuneless take on Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" gets him the congenial boot.
Montage of bad singers.
Next up is Jacee Badeaux a cherubic, unassuming 15-year-old with a lovely voice who bowls the gang over with his sweet rendition of Otis Redding's "Dock of the Bay." The easiest golden ticket of the night.
As is the show's custom, it ends with an up and close and personal story, this one of Paris Tassin, a single mom of a special needs child from New Orleans. JLo gets choked up as she sings Carrie Underwood's "Temporary Home." That's three yes's.
All told 37 folks got the greenlight to Hollywood.
New Orleans is the second audition city and we get lots of montages of stereotypical NOLA/southern stuff: Mardi Gras, the French Quarter, alligators, outtakes of Ryan from a previous season in NOLA being goofy.
Jordan Dorsey a charming piano teacher from Louisiana, impresses the judges with his jazzy rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and gets three yes's and gives JLo goosebumps.
We get a couple of awful singers and arrive at Sarah Sellers who impresses Tyler with her mouth and her version of Bob Dylan's "To Make You Feel My Love" and is through to Hollywood.
Going with the body parts theme Jovany Barreto is the next golden ticket winner based not only on his singing but his love for JLo, her husband Marc Anthony, and his "melodic sensibility" according to Tyler on the Luis MIguel song he sang. So excited to get his golden ticket Jovany takes off his shirt to show off his abs to JLo, and Randy and Tyler needlessly join him.
Hoping to have an in with Randy Jacquelyn Dupree brings along his old football coach, to the audition. Her singing on "I'll Stand By You" was fine so the combination gets her through.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a gutsy song to sing at an audition but Brett Loewenstern's version is enough to impress the judges, they also enjoy his well-conditioned hair and childhood tale of bullying.
A geeky sorta Mick Jagger/Steven Tyler lookalike Gabriel Franks has none of the talent of those two famous men and his not totally tuneless take on Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" gets him the congenial boot.
Montage of bad singers.
Next up is Jacee Badeaux a cherubic, unassuming 15-year-old with a lovely voice who bowls the gang over with his sweet rendition of Otis Redding's "Dock of the Bay." The easiest golden ticket of the night.
As is the show's custom, it ends with an up and close and personal story, this one of Paris Tassin, a single mom of a special needs child from New Orleans. JLo gets choked up as she sings Carrie Underwood's "Temporary Home." That's three yes's.
All told 37 folks got the greenlight to Hollywood.
Wed, Jan 26, 2011
The "American Idol" auditions landed in Milwaukee, Wisc., for the first time in 10 seasons (yes, that's "ever"). And Season 8 favorite and Milwaukee native Danny Gokey was on hand to help excite the crowd.
But the first big audition of the night was a 16-year-old baseball player from Garner, N.C., named Scotty McCreery gave some good, old-fashioned, deep-voiced country vibes that made Jennifer Lopez smile. Scotty's audition prompts Steven Tyler's previously teased quip, "Will hellfire save matches, (bleep) a duck and see what hatches." Steven is surprised to learn he can't say that on TV, while Scotty moves on to Hollywood.
An awkward-looking fellow in a red polo shirt, khaki shorts and sandals named Joe Repka is an aspiring radio disc jockey and gets some pointers from Ryan Seacrest before his audition. He's a charming enough guy who seems to be up for a beating from the judges. And he is. After much buildup, he gives a wildly off-key rendition of Billy Joel's "For the Longest Time." He's panned, but the judges encourage him to stick with the radio gig.
A 15-year-old girl from Littleton, Colo., drove her family most of the distance from her hometown to Milwaukee. She recalls being 5 when she watched Kelly Clarkson win Season 1. Emma Henry sings Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" with a bit of a raspy, bluesy voice that seems to captivate the judges. Steven doesn't know why, but says he loves it because it's "got a lot of character." Jennifer tells her to keep working on her "special quality" and "tone that nobody else has." Randy isn't sure she's yet ready, but doesn't make an official vote. Jennifer says no, but Steven says yes. When it's down to Randy, she cries and he tells her he's worried she'll "get swallowed up" in the competition. With a bit of encouragement from Steven, Randy tells her she's got another shot and send her on to Hollywood. After Emma leaves the room, Jennifer tells Randy his first instinct was right and that Emma will "get eaten up in this competition."
A montage of four awful singers, including a guy who did a little martial arts routine to his version of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" and later asked Randy for a sip of his Coke Zero.
Apparently, Milwaukee is home to one of the world's biggest music festivals, called "Summerfest." Singer Naima Adedapo, 25, works maintenance at the event, cleaning up the grounds, but hopes to one day grace a stage and provide for her daughter with a singing career, crying as she talks about this dream. She sings Donny Hathaway's "For All We Know." A strong, smooth voice, Jennifer and Randy like her, and Steven says she's "all that." She's through to Hollywood.
We got a little glimpse into the "rift" between J.Lo and Seacrest as they joked about how they can't stand each other and their ways, just before watching a cameraman gets stomped in the face while trying to film a guy doing a backflip over him. What followed was brief montage of two singers, including a 54-year-old dentist with an oversized toothbrush.
A bar mitzvah singer from New York named Jerome Bell, 27, put forth a smooth, soulful rendition of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On." The judges were excited and completely in agreement that he's going to Hollywood.
A 15-year-old name Thia Megia flew out from California to Wisconsin because she couldn't stand waiting until the auditions hit the west coast. She tells Randy she's been seeing him on TV since before she knew how to read. She sings Adele's "Chasing Pavements." Steven and Jennifer give dreamy smiles while she sings and both say yes, along with Randy, and Thia's going to Hollywood. Ryan then tells us that every 15-year-old who walked into the judges' audition room walked out with a ticket.
A Civil War re-enactor named Nathaniel Jones strongly shares his feeling that his father is "not a hippie" (despite his long beard and bandana) because "hippies believe in sex." Dressed in his full Civil War regalia, Steven says it was "outstanding," and after Randy laughs Steven says he isn't sure it's right for "American Idol." Jennifer says no and Randy agrees, saying, "We kind of got the measure of what you are."
Mason Wilkinson, a 23-year-old construction worker, has trouble facing the judges before he starts singing. He turns his back to them for a moment -- a long moment, which doesn't let up ... for a while... and then... after much delay... he... finally... starts singing. And he's terrible.
Molly DeWolf Swensen, a White House intern and Harvard graduate from Seattle, tells Randy he punched her in the face (and there is video evidence, which is quite hilarious and shown twice). She sings Otis Redding's "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay." Steven loves it and Jennifer says she loved Molly's lower pitch. With three yes votes, she's off to Hollywood and Randy tells her to "tell Obama we need you!" Even more good fortune: They show the replay of Randy punching her in the face once again.
After a successful Day 1 in Milwaukee, the judges happily bounce into the audition room for Day 2. Haley Reinhart, an 18-year-old who was bounced by the judges last season, Randy, the only judge on hand to send her packing last year, is the first to say yes this time, and he's followed by an enthusiastic Jennifer and Steven, and Haley is Hollywood-bound.
Tiwan Strong, a 29-year-old day care teacher, gives an energetic rendition of "Twistin' the Night Away." Steven says he sees a sparkle in Tiwan's eyes, Randy likes it and Jennifer is thinking about it for a moment before voting yes.
A certified public accountant and auditor named Steve Beghun, 27, says he doesn't have many friends because of his occupation. Steve hits a high note that reverberates and Steven says he's "disturbingly great," just before the rest of the judges agree to send him to Hollywood. He tears up as he walks away looking at his golden ticket.
Vernika Patterson, 20, tries to sing "Loving You" but trips up because, as she says, "the lady's looking at me." She's talking about Jennifer, who agrees to look away. Jennifer and Steven tell her it isn't going to work, and Vernika gets upset and asks whether it's because she's "not skinny like these other girls." She walks right by Seacrest outside the audition room and continues to insist she can sing better than half of the contestants (still, that leaves roughly 50,000, right?).
Albert Rogers III, 24, does a half-decent Barack Obama impression before stepping in front of the judges. Steven tries to be nice, saying he likes it but it's not for the show. Randy says it was "terrible, and a joke."
Scott Dangerfield, a 22-year-old student teacher, is mocked a bit by the judges for his vivid red lips. He's a somewhat awkward looking dude, but his bluesy voice earns praise from Jennifer, who says he might be one of her favorites. Randy and Steven say yes and Scott is heading to Hollywood.
After a quick ode to the Green Bay Packers, Megan Frazier proves she's not quite as good of a pop singer as she is a Packers fan. She sings an operatic version of Justin Bieber's "Baby." Randy admits he's long been looking for a self-composed opera version of Justin Bieber.
A rocker chick named Alyson Jados, 26, walks in and Steven is in awe, saying, "You look like you could be one of my ---" He stops himself before adding, "nope, can't say it." Before going into the room, she said she'd lose it if Steven sent her to Hollywood. Steven gives her a hug. She says she's singing "Come Together" by The Beatles (and it's worth noting Aerosmith did a pretty famous cover of the song, as well). Steven asks her to sing more and she launches into "Dream On," while admitting she can't do the final high notes -- so he does them for her. Getting a bit serious, Steven says she's "very pitchy" and jumps all over the place. Jennifer seems to like her. Randy says no, Jennifer says yes. Suddenly, it's down to Steven, and he let's Ally's dream live on.
Chris Medina, 26, from Chicago is the last audition, but it's clear his story was saved for last (the judges are wearing the clothes their wore on Day 1). He talks about his fiancee, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident in 2009 and was in a coma for a month and a half. Since then, he's been caring for her with her mother as she still needs constant care. He sings nicely and the judges ask him to bring his fiancee in so they can meet her. In one of the sweetest moments you'll ever see, Steven bends down and tells Chris' fiancee, who seems mostly unable to speak, that Chris sings so beautifully because he's singing for her. He's going to Hollywood.
But the first big audition of the night was a 16-year-old baseball player from Garner, N.C., named Scotty McCreery gave some good, old-fashioned, deep-voiced country vibes that made Jennifer Lopez smile. Scotty's audition prompts Steven Tyler's previously teased quip, "Will hellfire save matches, (bleep) a duck and see what hatches." Steven is surprised to learn he can't say that on TV, while Scotty moves on to Hollywood.
An awkward-looking fellow in a red polo shirt, khaki shorts and sandals named Joe Repka is an aspiring radio disc jockey and gets some pointers from Ryan Seacrest before his audition. He's a charming enough guy who seems to be up for a beating from the judges. And he is. After much buildup, he gives a wildly off-key rendition of Billy Joel's "For the Longest Time." He's panned, but the judges encourage him to stick with the radio gig.
A 15-year-old girl from Littleton, Colo., drove her family most of the distance from her hometown to Milwaukee. She recalls being 5 when she watched Kelly Clarkson win Season 1. Emma Henry sings Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" with a bit of a raspy, bluesy voice that seems to captivate the judges. Steven doesn't know why, but says he loves it because it's "got a lot of character." Jennifer tells her to keep working on her "special quality" and "tone that nobody else has." Randy isn't sure she's yet ready, but doesn't make an official vote. Jennifer says no, but Steven says yes. When it's down to Randy, she cries and he tells her he's worried she'll "get swallowed up" in the competition. With a bit of encouragement from Steven, Randy tells her she's got another shot and send her on to Hollywood. After Emma leaves the room, Jennifer tells Randy his first instinct was right and that Emma will "get eaten up in this competition."
A montage of four awful singers, including a guy who did a little martial arts routine to his version of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" and later asked Randy for a sip of his Coke Zero.
Apparently, Milwaukee is home to one of the world's biggest music festivals, called "Summerfest." Singer Naima Adedapo, 25, works maintenance at the event, cleaning up the grounds, but hopes to one day grace a stage and provide for her daughter with a singing career, crying as she talks about this dream. She sings Donny Hathaway's "For All We Know." A strong, smooth voice, Jennifer and Randy like her, and Steven says she's "all that." She's through to Hollywood.
We got a little glimpse into the "rift" between J.Lo and Seacrest as they joked about how they can't stand each other and their ways, just before watching a cameraman gets stomped in the face while trying to film a guy doing a backflip over him. What followed was brief montage of two singers, including a 54-year-old dentist with an oversized toothbrush.
A bar mitzvah singer from New York named Jerome Bell, 27, put forth a smooth, soulful rendition of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On." The judges were excited and completely in agreement that he's going to Hollywood.
A 15-year-old name Thia Megia flew out from California to Wisconsin because she couldn't stand waiting until the auditions hit the west coast. She tells Randy she's been seeing him on TV since before she knew how to read. She sings Adele's "Chasing Pavements." Steven and Jennifer give dreamy smiles while she sings and both say yes, along with Randy, and Thia's going to Hollywood. Ryan then tells us that every 15-year-old who walked into the judges' audition room walked out with a ticket.
A Civil War re-enactor named Nathaniel Jones strongly shares his feeling that his father is "not a hippie" (despite his long beard and bandana) because "hippies believe in sex." Dressed in his full Civil War regalia, Steven says it was "outstanding," and after Randy laughs Steven says he isn't sure it's right for "American Idol." Jennifer says no and Randy agrees, saying, "We kind of got the measure of what you are."
Mason Wilkinson, a 23-year-old construction worker, has trouble facing the judges before he starts singing. He turns his back to them for a moment -- a long moment, which doesn't let up ... for a while... and then... after much delay... he... finally... starts singing. And he's terrible.
Molly DeWolf Swensen, a White House intern and Harvard graduate from Seattle, tells Randy he punched her in the face (and there is video evidence, which is quite hilarious and shown twice). She sings Otis Redding's "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay." Steven loves it and Jennifer says she loved Molly's lower pitch. With three yes votes, she's off to Hollywood and Randy tells her to "tell Obama we need you!" Even more good fortune: They show the replay of Randy punching her in the face once again.
After a successful Day 1 in Milwaukee, the judges happily bounce into the audition room for Day 2. Haley Reinhart, an 18-year-old who was bounced by the judges last season, Randy, the only judge on hand to send her packing last year, is the first to say yes this time, and he's followed by an enthusiastic Jennifer and Steven, and Haley is Hollywood-bound.
Tiwan Strong, a 29-year-old day care teacher, gives an energetic rendition of "Twistin' the Night Away." Steven says he sees a sparkle in Tiwan's eyes, Randy likes it and Jennifer is thinking about it for a moment before voting yes.
A certified public accountant and auditor named Steve Beghun, 27, says he doesn't have many friends because of his occupation. Steve hits a high note that reverberates and Steven says he's "disturbingly great," just before the rest of the judges agree to send him to Hollywood. He tears up as he walks away looking at his golden ticket.
Vernika Patterson, 20, tries to sing "Loving You" but trips up because, as she says, "the lady's looking at me." She's talking about Jennifer, who agrees to look away. Jennifer and Steven tell her it isn't going to work, and Vernika gets upset and asks whether it's because she's "not skinny like these other girls." She walks right by Seacrest outside the audition room and continues to insist she can sing better than half of the contestants (still, that leaves roughly 50,000, right?).
Albert Rogers III, 24, does a half-decent Barack Obama impression before stepping in front of the judges. Steven tries to be nice, saying he likes it but it's not for the show. Randy says it was "terrible, and a joke."
Scott Dangerfield, a 22-year-old student teacher, is mocked a bit by the judges for his vivid red lips. He's a somewhat awkward looking dude, but his bluesy voice earns praise from Jennifer, who says he might be one of her favorites. Randy and Steven say yes and Scott is heading to Hollywood.
After a quick ode to the Green Bay Packers, Megan Frazier proves she's not quite as good of a pop singer as she is a Packers fan. She sings an operatic version of Justin Bieber's "Baby." Randy admits he's long been looking for a self-composed opera version of Justin Bieber.
A rocker chick named Alyson Jados, 26, walks in and Steven is in awe, saying, "You look like you could be one of my ---" He stops himself before adding, "nope, can't say it." Before going into the room, she said she'd lose it if Steven sent her to Hollywood. Steven gives her a hug. She says she's singing "Come Together" by The Beatles (and it's worth noting Aerosmith did a pretty famous cover of the song, as well). Steven asks her to sing more and she launches into "Dream On," while admitting she can't do the final high notes -- so he does them for her. Getting a bit serious, Steven says she's "very pitchy" and jumps all over the place. Jennifer seems to like her. Randy says no, Jennifer says yes. Suddenly, it's down to Steven, and he let's Ally's dream live on.
Chris Medina, 26, from Chicago is the last audition, but it's clear his story was saved for last (the judges are wearing the clothes their wore on Day 1). He talks about his fiancee, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident in 2009 and was in a coma for a month and a half. Since then, he's been caring for her with her mother as she still needs constant care. He sings nicely and the judges ask him to bring his fiancee in so they can meet her. In one of the sweetest moments you'll ever see, Steven bends down and tells Chris' fiancee, who seems mostly unable to speak, that Chris sings so beautifully because he's singing for her. He's going to Hollywood.
Thu, Jan 27, 2011
"American Idol" - Auditions: Nashville - Jan. 27, 2010
Auditions in Nashville start in a high note, literally as an aspirant is asked to hit a high one and does, if not exactly well or pleasantly.
We get an opening package focused on "Idol" champ and country star Carrie Underwood. Auditions are being held at the Ryman Auditorium.
We start with a terrible but perky, cartoon-voiced auditioner named Christine. Steven goes cross-eyed as JLo and Randy giggle. She is sent packing after a rendition of Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance." Her mom is proud of her anyway.
We meet a couple of ex-es Rob and Chelsee who are auditioning together. Her new boyfriend has come along to show support. They sound really nice together on the Bee Gees "To Love Somebody." They both have a nice smoky quality. They sing separately also-- he does Marvin Gaye and she does Brandi Carlile- and do nice work. The relationship might not happen but they're both going to Hollywood.
We get a montage of the bad, the costumed and the freaky, and a bunch of screams from Steven, and a funky tattoo artist named Allen who does Skynyrd passionately if not excellently. But that's a no, in fact he knows it and takes off himself.
Next up is Stormi Henley, a former Miss Teen USA. Of course, Steven leers at her. She sings "Father, Can You Hear Me." She's not country strong but country average. Steven and Randy say yes, JLo says no, saying she's beautiful but the voice isn't there.
We get a montage of "nos" without hearing the singing.
Adrienne Beesley is a farm girl from Kentucky, she's a black girl adopted into a sweet white family, we meet them and see their farm. She sings well enough in a country/gospel vein to get her golden ticket and she chokes up and impresses them all. She calls her dad and he's tickled.
Day 2 begins with the less-gifted-then-she-thinks Kameela who wails her way through Chaka Khan painfully. That's a no. Steven tells her to practice, Randy tells her to just stop singing because she's horrible.
We get another montage of the bad/weird/freaky, including a guy in a full body suit. We get lots of tears and hugs for the rejected, including Ryan comforting one very depressed cowpoke.
Next up Jackie Wilson, though she's not as good as her namesake she does a nice version of Aretha Franklin's "Until You Come Back to Me" and gets her golden ticket.
We meet Letoya, one of those delusional types who can't say enough about themselves but can't actually sing that well. That's three no's for her version of Tamia's "When I Close My Eyes." She sings her way out and gets another no.
They however do enjoy the finger-snapping Paul McDonald and th soulful Jimmie Allen and the raspy Danny Pate who they all sing along with on the Temptations' "Papa Was A Rolling Stone."
We meet Matt Dillard, whose backstory including a family full of special needs foster children-- 700 in 23 years-- we meet his family. He's got a lovely gospel/country voice as well as he sings Josh Groban, very earnest and sweet. He gets yes's from Randy and Steven.
The final auditioner is country girl Lauren Alaina. She's 15 and we meet her cousin Holly, who has a brain tumor. Lauren did fundraisers for her. She tells the judges about Holly. Randy asks to meet her. She comes in. Lauren sings, she's very poised and sounds lovely. They call her the best they've seen today. Everybody cries and she gets three yes's in unison. The family comes in to say hello and she sings Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" and gets Steven to singalong.
Auditions in Nashville start in a high note, literally as an aspirant is asked to hit a high one and does, if not exactly well or pleasantly.
We get an opening package focused on "Idol" champ and country star Carrie Underwood. Auditions are being held at the Ryman Auditorium.
We start with a terrible but perky, cartoon-voiced auditioner named Christine. Steven goes cross-eyed as JLo and Randy giggle. She is sent packing after a rendition of Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance." Her mom is proud of her anyway.
We meet a couple of ex-es Rob and Chelsee who are auditioning together. Her new boyfriend has come along to show support. They sound really nice together on the Bee Gees "To Love Somebody." They both have a nice smoky quality. They sing separately also-- he does Marvin Gaye and she does Brandi Carlile- and do nice work. The relationship might not happen but they're both going to Hollywood.
We get a montage of the bad, the costumed and the freaky, and a bunch of screams from Steven, and a funky tattoo artist named Allen who does Skynyrd passionately if not excellently. But that's a no, in fact he knows it and takes off himself.
Next up is Stormi Henley, a former Miss Teen USA. Of course, Steven leers at her. She sings "Father, Can You Hear Me." She's not country strong but country average. Steven and Randy say yes, JLo says no, saying she's beautiful but the voice isn't there.
We get a montage of "nos" without hearing the singing.
Adrienne Beesley is a farm girl from Kentucky, she's a black girl adopted into a sweet white family, we meet them and see their farm. She sings well enough in a country/gospel vein to get her golden ticket and she chokes up and impresses them all. She calls her dad and he's tickled.
Day 2 begins with the less-gifted-then-she-thinks Kameela who wails her way through Chaka Khan painfully. That's a no. Steven tells her to practice, Randy tells her to just stop singing because she's horrible.
We get another montage of the bad/weird/freaky, including a guy in a full body suit. We get lots of tears and hugs for the rejected, including Ryan comforting one very depressed cowpoke.
Next up Jackie Wilson, though she's not as good as her namesake she does a nice version of Aretha Franklin's "Until You Come Back to Me" and gets her golden ticket.
We meet Letoya, one of those delusional types who can't say enough about themselves but can't actually sing that well. That's three no's for her version of Tamia's "When I Close My Eyes." She sings her way out and gets another no.
They however do enjoy the finger-snapping Paul McDonald and th soulful Jimmie Allen and the raspy Danny Pate who they all sing along with on the Temptations' "Papa Was A Rolling Stone."
We meet Matt Dillard, whose backstory including a family full of special needs foster children-- 700 in 23 years-- we meet his family. He's got a lovely gospel/country voice as well as he sings Josh Groban, very earnest and sweet. He gets yes's from Randy and Steven.
The final auditioner is country girl Lauren Alaina. She's 15 and we meet her cousin Holly, who has a brain tumor. Lauren did fundraisers for her. She tells the judges about Holly. Randy asks to meet her. She comes in. Lauren sings, she's very poised and sounds lovely. They call her the best they've seen today. Everybody cries and she gets three yes's in unison. The family comes in to say hello and she sings Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" and gets Steven to singalong.
Wed, Feb 2, 2011
"American Idol" - Austin Auditions - Feb. 2, 2011
The night starts with a joke that Steven Tyler's outrageous behavior in previous auditions and assures it won't happen again and then show us a rhymes with "duck" moment he has with a contestant.
Marc Anthony comes and gives J.Lo a kiss. Steven wonders where his kiss is. Marc is working up the nerve.
First up Corey Levoy is at the audition with his sister, whom he met after years of not knowing her even though they grew up 15 minutes from each other. They're best friends and she's very supportive. The judges ask him to bring her in so she can judge alongside them. He sings "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt well enough to get everyone's approval. Hollywood-bound.
Next is Hollie Cavanaugh she's 17 and her version of Etta James' "At Last" is pitchy and they think she's not quite ready. Randy says no. She starts to cry. JLo gives her a second chance and she sings "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus. It's much better. JLo and Steven say yes. Randy changes his mind and says yes too.
We get a montage of no's and tears.
Next is a scary take on "The Circle of Life" from a boy named Rodolfo. That's three nos.
We get a montage of the silly and delusional cowboys.
John Wayne Schulz is a 23-year-old cowboy from Texas, he's a rancher, his mother has cancer. JLo likes his version of "I Believe." Randy feels him. They have him bring in his parents for the big "welcome to Hollywood."
The next contestant is Courtney Penry who thinks Ryan Seacrest is the sexiest man alive. She sings Sugarland's "Stay" well enough to get put through by Steven and J.Lo, even though she does a goofy chicken impression and makes a kissy face at Steven.
We get a montage of yes's for Shauntel Campos, Alex Carr, and Caleb Johnson. Then we get a montage of yes's where we don't learn the person's name.
We meet a cutesy couple who met in choir in Arizona. They hope to be "American Idol"'s power couple. Jacqueline sings "Mercy" and kills it. Her boyfriend, the smiley Nick Fink sings Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning." The judges like them both and they both get put through.
Janelle Arthur opines about being a "country" person. Her family put her up to this. She does a couple of country songs. They dig her vibe and she's going to Hollywood.
We get a montage of bad people.
Casey Abrams is the last contestant. He plays the melodica and is scruffy. He scats and sings his way through Ray Charles "I Don't Need No Doctor." They love it. Going to Hollywood baby.
Ryan tells us 50 people got through and we get a montage of yes's of people we never saw.
The night starts with a joke that Steven Tyler's outrageous behavior in previous auditions and assures it won't happen again and then show us a rhymes with "duck" moment he has with a contestant.
Marc Anthony comes and gives J.Lo a kiss. Steven wonders where his kiss is. Marc is working up the nerve.
First up Corey Levoy is at the audition with his sister, whom he met after years of not knowing her even though they grew up 15 minutes from each other. They're best friends and she's very supportive. The judges ask him to bring her in so she can judge alongside them. He sings "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt well enough to get everyone's approval. Hollywood-bound.
Next is Hollie Cavanaugh she's 17 and her version of Etta James' "At Last" is pitchy and they think she's not quite ready. Randy says no. She starts to cry. JLo gives her a second chance and she sings "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus. It's much better. JLo and Steven say yes. Randy changes his mind and says yes too.
We get a montage of no's and tears.
Next is a scary take on "The Circle of Life" from a boy named Rodolfo. That's three nos.
We get a montage of the silly and delusional cowboys.
John Wayne Schulz is a 23-year-old cowboy from Texas, he's a rancher, his mother has cancer. JLo likes his version of "I Believe." Randy feels him. They have him bring in his parents for the big "welcome to Hollywood."
The next contestant is Courtney Penry who thinks Ryan Seacrest is the sexiest man alive. She sings Sugarland's "Stay" well enough to get put through by Steven and J.Lo, even though she does a goofy chicken impression and makes a kissy face at Steven.
We get a montage of yes's for Shauntel Campos, Alex Carr, and Caleb Johnson. Then we get a montage of yes's where we don't learn the person's name.
We meet a cutesy couple who met in choir in Arizona. They hope to be "American Idol"'s power couple. Jacqueline sings "Mercy" and kills it. Her boyfriend, the smiley Nick Fink sings Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning." The judges like them both and they both get put through.
Janelle Arthur opines about being a "country" person. Her family put her up to this. She does a couple of country songs. They dig her vibe and she's going to Hollywood.
We get a montage of bad people.
Casey Abrams is the last contestant. He plays the melodica and is scruffy. He scats and sings his way through Ray Charles "I Don't Need No Doctor." They love it. Going to Hollywood baby.
Ryan tells us 50 people got through and we get a montage of yes's of people we never saw.
Thu, Feb 3, 2011
"American Idol" - Auditions: Los Angeles- Feb. 3, 2011
We start with a montage of singers who were put through in other cities before we touch down in L.A.
First up is Victoria Garrett who is a true believer in both the lord and herself. That faith is misplaced, at least the latter half.
Tim Halperin is JLo's biggest fan. She likes him too and his rendition of Maroon 5's "She Will Be Loved." She and Steven say yes and put him through.
We get a montage of the good and the bad and a litany of technical and catering issues.
We meet friends Daniel Gomez and Isaac Rodriguez. Daniel goes first, unimpressively. Randy calls him relatively tone deaf. Isaac has dropped out of college. This was a bad idea. They both get dismissed. Isaac promises to keep on practicing. Randy tells him this is also a bad idea. They keep their good attitudes though.
On Day 2 we get the invited Myspace auditioners.
Karen Rodriguez impresses with her take on Whitney Houston's "You Give Good Love." She's coming back to Hollywood!
The start of the wacky begins with Tynisha Roches who is very limber and full of personality-- and has her own microphone! What she doesn't have is a good voice. But she's one of those that won't stop singing. She chases Randy around the set singing "And I'm Telling You." Train wreck. She has to be escorted out of the room.
We meet belly dancer Heidi Khzam who Steven and Randy particularly like. She sings Alicia Keys' "Superwoman" competently enough to be put through.
Oddball Matthew Frankel calls himself a force to be reckoned with. Mostly he's actually a bad rapper and singer. He ill-advisedly sings "Jenny From the Block," very poorly. He begs for a chance. JLo tells him to let it go. He promises to come back.
Next up is William Roberts who is also not good in his own special screamy way. As is Jeannette Manning. Will they ever show us someone who can sing? Not judging by Daniel Hall, Anthony Granger, or Arista Pemberton.
Finally, we meet brothers Mark and Aaron Gutierrez. They do a duet of Bill Withers' "Lean On Me." They're a little too cutesy with their banter, but they sound great. Everybody loves it, Steven thinks it was "God-like." They're both going to Hollywood.
We get the nightly montage of no's and tears.
We're introduced to the night's wackiest aspirant Cooper Robinson. He's 59 and clearly out of his mind. He "sings" James Brown's "I Feel Good" and is kind of scary. They're speechless. He leaves. He then rants and is even scarier.
We start with a montage of singers who were put through in other cities before we touch down in L.A.
First up is Victoria Garrett who is a true believer in both the lord and herself. That faith is misplaced, at least the latter half.
Tim Halperin is JLo's biggest fan. She likes him too and his rendition of Maroon 5's "She Will Be Loved." She and Steven say yes and put him through.
We get a montage of the good and the bad and a litany of technical and catering issues.
We meet friends Daniel Gomez and Isaac Rodriguez. Daniel goes first, unimpressively. Randy calls him relatively tone deaf. Isaac has dropped out of college. This was a bad idea. They both get dismissed. Isaac promises to keep on practicing. Randy tells him this is also a bad idea. They keep their good attitudes though.
On Day 2 we get the invited Myspace auditioners.
Karen Rodriguez impresses with her take on Whitney Houston's "You Give Good Love." She's coming back to Hollywood!
The start of the wacky begins with Tynisha Roches who is very limber and full of personality-- and has her own microphone! What she doesn't have is a good voice. But she's one of those that won't stop singing. She chases Randy around the set singing "And I'm Telling You." Train wreck. She has to be escorted out of the room.
We meet belly dancer Heidi Khzam who Steven and Randy particularly like. She sings Alicia Keys' "Superwoman" competently enough to be put through.
Oddball Matthew Frankel calls himself a force to be reckoned with. Mostly he's actually a bad rapper and singer. He ill-advisedly sings "Jenny From the Block," very poorly. He begs for a chance. JLo tells him to let it go. He promises to come back.
Next up is William Roberts who is also not good in his own special screamy way. As is Jeannette Manning. Will they ever show us someone who can sing? Not judging by Daniel Hall, Anthony Granger, or Arista Pemberton.
Finally, we meet brothers Mark and Aaron Gutierrez. They do a duet of Bill Withers' "Lean On Me." They're a little too cutesy with their banter, but they sound great. Everybody loves it, Steven thinks it was "God-like." They're both going to Hollywood.
We get the nightly montage of no's and tears.
We're introduced to the night's wackiest aspirant Cooper Robinson. He's 59 and clearly out of his mind. He "sings" James Brown's "I Feel Good" and is kind of scary. They're speechless. He leaves. He then rants and is even scarier.
Wed, Feb 9, 2011
"American Idol" - Auditions #7: San Francisco - Feb. 9, 2011
The cold open is a tearful woman who claims she was rejected because she farted.
Ryan says the judges claim they'll be tough.
First up is a very confident young girl from the Ukraine whose belly dancing and yoga poses and cutesy girlishness impresses the judges but her version of Air Supply's "All Out of Love" does not. She is all dramatic and tearful on the way out.
We get a montage of the rejected and people being pooped on.
We get snippets of several auditioners who were put through Brittany Mazur, Lara Johnston, Matthew Nuss.
Our first up close and personal story tonight is that of Stefano Langone who survived a horrible accident in 2009 that put him in a wheelchair for a few months. He overcame the ordeal faster than expected and the accident did not injure his voice which bowls over the judges when he sings "I Heard it Through the Grapevine." He gets three yes's.
Next is karaoke host Clint Jun Gamboa. He's been told he should do more with his singing. He does when he wows the judges with his rendition of Travie McCoy's "Billionaire." He's going to Hollywood.
We get a montage of the "crazy" folks hanging at the auditions and a quick montage of some awful auditions. Taking the cake is a young man who has made himself a very impressive looking "Transformers" outfit but clearly isn't serious about singing.
Next is snippets of five California girls who get put through, none of whose names we learn.
That's because we needed time to hear the story of Julie Zarilla whose parents fled war-torn Colombia when she was 8. The judges love her shoes and the producers love her story. It's her birthday. Her version of "Summertime" is good enough to get her the best birthday present ever: a golden ticket. Randy is especially impressed. They speculate she might even be good enough to win.
Steven Tyler likes Dave Combs' long hair but not so much his take on the Beatles "Oh Darlin." This is the start of a montage of bad singers who drive Tyler crazy prompting him to be the "mean" judge.
For a change of pace we get the truly sad story of Emily Anne Reed whose house burned down the week before the auditions. Her jazzy, Blossom Dearie-like version of "You're Getting to be A Habit With Me" is very charming. Steven says no but Randy and JLo put her through.
As is custom the final auditioner has a touching tale to share as well as a song. James Durbin never really knew his dad and then he lost him to a drug overdose when he was 9. He ended up being diagnosed with Tourette's and Asperger's and was bullied at school. His girlfriend changed his life and they have a baby son. He's unemployed and doing the best he can. He's worried about his Tourette's in front of the judges even though he hasn't had any problems with the interview. He sings and shows off a very big voice in the Adam Lambert mode. They ask for another song and he asks Steven's permission to sing "Dream On." They love it. He's going to Hollywood.
The cold open is a tearful woman who claims she was rejected because she farted.
Ryan says the judges claim they'll be tough.
First up is a very confident young girl from the Ukraine whose belly dancing and yoga poses and cutesy girlishness impresses the judges but her version of Air Supply's "All Out of Love" does not. She is all dramatic and tearful on the way out.
We get a montage of the rejected and people being pooped on.
We get snippets of several auditioners who were put through Brittany Mazur, Lara Johnston, Matthew Nuss.
Our first up close and personal story tonight is that of Stefano Langone who survived a horrible accident in 2009 that put him in a wheelchair for a few months. He overcame the ordeal faster than expected and the accident did not injure his voice which bowls over the judges when he sings "I Heard it Through the Grapevine." He gets three yes's.
Next is karaoke host Clint Jun Gamboa. He's been told he should do more with his singing. He does when he wows the judges with his rendition of Travie McCoy's "Billionaire." He's going to Hollywood.
We get a montage of the "crazy" folks hanging at the auditions and a quick montage of some awful auditions. Taking the cake is a young man who has made himself a very impressive looking "Transformers" outfit but clearly isn't serious about singing.
Next is snippets of five California girls who get put through, none of whose names we learn.
That's because we needed time to hear the story of Julie Zarilla whose parents fled war-torn Colombia when she was 8. The judges love her shoes and the producers love her story. It's her birthday. Her version of "Summertime" is good enough to get her the best birthday present ever: a golden ticket. Randy is especially impressed. They speculate she might even be good enough to win.
Steven Tyler likes Dave Combs' long hair but not so much his take on the Beatles "Oh Darlin." This is the start of a montage of bad singers who drive Tyler crazy prompting him to be the "mean" judge.
For a change of pace we get the truly sad story of Emily Anne Reed whose house burned down the week before the auditions. Her jazzy, Blossom Dearie-like version of "You're Getting to be A Habit With Me" is very charming. Steven says no but Randy and JLo put her through.
As is custom the final auditioner has a touching tale to share as well as a song. James Durbin never really knew his dad and then he lost him to a drug overdose when he was 9. He ended up being diagnosed with Tourette's and Asperger's and was bullied at school. His girlfriend changed his life and they have a baby son. He's unemployed and doing the best he can. He's worried about his Tourette's in front of the judges even though he hasn't had any problems with the interview. He sings and shows off a very big voice in the Adam Lambert mode. They ask for another song and he asks Steven's permission to sing "Dream On." They love it. He's going to Hollywood.
Thu, Feb 10, 2011
"American Idol" - First Day of Hollywood- Feb. 10, 2011
Ryan tells us 327 people made it through.We see many of them arrive, very excited to "live the dream."
Randy informs the assembled that this is "make it or break it" time. Everyone is nervous backstage.
They come out in groups of ten, sing individually a cappella and get no feedback. They are then informed that they are in or out.
Red-headed Brett Lowenstern starts us out. He's very nervous. We learn about his sad backstory of bullying. He sings "Let it Be." The rest of the line sings but we don't hear them. Brett and a girl named Symphony and a couple of others are put through.
We see more put through in a montage: Rachel Zevita, Thia Megia, and Casey Abrams.
We visit again with chipper Victoria Huggins. She keeps talking about how she's staying for awhile which means that... yup, she's going home. She's sad. Her mom puts on a brave face in the balcony.
We're re-introduced to James Durbin and Paris Tassin who are here for their kids. She does Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" and he tackles "Oh Darling" by the Beatles. And two Steven faves Stormi Henley and Lauren Alaina who do "Stay" by Sugarland and "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers respectively. James, Paris, and Lauren make it through but for Stormi it's over.
Chris Medina the one with the wife who got in the terrible accident is up next. He makes it through with two other guys we aren't introduced to.
A montage of nervous people. Steven gives a quick pep talk.
We get another trio mash-up this time of youngsters Jacee Badeaux, Robbie Rosen, and Holly Cavanaugh all of who get put through.
Up next Steve Beghun the CPA who was a surprise with his high,sweet voice. He gets sent home, sadly.
A montage of goodbyes, some to people who were highlighted in the auditions, some of them are very, very sad.
Day 2
The remaining 163 give it a shot.
We get a montage of flubs and clunkers and people being sent packing.
Next up is the ex-couple Chelsee Oaks and Rob Bolin who are each rooming with one half of the happy loving couple from Arizona Jacqueline Dunford and Nick Fink. They've all become friends which has been hard for Rob. Chelsee and Rob both make it through. But only Jacqueline makes it in her couple. They are understandably upset. Nick actually begs for another chance and sings his way up the aisle.
The charming young man from North Carolina Scotty McCreery with the deep voice. He charms JLo especially. He gets put through as do other "early favorites " with a repeat of their audition song Jackie Wilson and Jerome Bell.
Up next is the girl who had the stars on her boobs Tiffany Rios who says she's tired of seeing other people doing what she knows she can do. This does not make her popular with the other contestants. And also Travis Orlando, the young man who had lived in a shelter at one point. Tiffany goes through but Travis gets sent home.
The final line gets put through in its entirety including Clint Jun Gamboa, the Gutierrez Brothers, Naima Adedapo, Julie Zarilla, Molly Dewolfe, Emily Anne Reed, Stefano Langone, and Ashley Sullivan[b/].
168 total made it through to the group round.
Ryan tells us 327 people made it through.We see many of them arrive, very excited to "live the dream."
Randy informs the assembled that this is "make it or break it" time. Everyone is nervous backstage.
They come out in groups of ten, sing individually a cappella and get no feedback. They are then informed that they are in or out.
Red-headed Brett Lowenstern starts us out. He's very nervous. We learn about his sad backstory of bullying. He sings "Let it Be." The rest of the line sings but we don't hear them. Brett and a girl named Symphony and a couple of others are put through.
We see more put through in a montage: Rachel Zevita, Thia Megia, and Casey Abrams.
We visit again with chipper Victoria Huggins. She keeps talking about how she's staying for awhile which means that... yup, she's going home. She's sad. Her mom puts on a brave face in the balcony.
We're re-introduced to James Durbin and Paris Tassin who are here for their kids. She does Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" and he tackles "Oh Darling" by the Beatles. And two Steven faves Stormi Henley and Lauren Alaina who do "Stay" by Sugarland and "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers respectively. James, Paris, and Lauren make it through but for Stormi it's over.
Chris Medina the one with the wife who got in the terrible accident is up next. He makes it through with two other guys we aren't introduced to.
A montage of nervous people. Steven gives a quick pep talk.
We get another trio mash-up this time of youngsters Jacee Badeaux, Robbie Rosen, and Holly Cavanaugh all of who get put through.
Up next Steve Beghun the CPA who was a surprise with his high,sweet voice. He gets sent home, sadly.
A montage of goodbyes, some to people who were highlighted in the auditions, some of them are very, very sad.
Day 2
The remaining 163 give it a shot.
We get a montage of flubs and clunkers and people being sent packing.
Next up is the ex-couple Chelsee Oaks and Rob Bolin who are each rooming with one half of the happy loving couple from Arizona Jacqueline Dunford and Nick Fink. They've all become friends which has been hard for Rob. Chelsee and Rob both make it through. But only Jacqueline makes it in her couple. They are understandably upset. Nick actually begs for another chance and sings his way up the aisle.
The charming young man from North Carolina Scotty McCreery with the deep voice. He charms JLo especially. He gets put through as do other "early favorites " with a repeat of their audition song Jackie Wilson and Jerome Bell.
Up next is the girl who had the stars on her boobs Tiffany Rios who says she's tired of seeing other people doing what she knows she can do. This does not make her popular with the other contestants. And also Travis Orlando, the young man who had lived in a shelter at one point. Tiffany goes through but Travis gets sent home.
The final line gets put through in its entirety including Clint Jun Gamboa, the Gutierrez Brothers, Naima Adedapo, Julie Zarilla, Molly Dewolfe, Emily Anne Reed, Stefano Langone, and Ashley Sullivan[b/].
168 total made it through to the group round.
Wed, Feb 16, 2011
"American Idol" - Hollywood Week - Feb. 16, 2011
It's group round time and Ryan promises drama.
It's 8:30 and the 168 people who survived the first cuts are celebrating.
But now it's time to split up into groups and learn a song from a list of 20, devise choreography, and rehearse for tomorrow's next "one shot" in front of the judges. Some have already formed groups but they're told by producer Ken Warwick the groups have to be made up of Day 1 and Day 2 contestants so it will be fair.
People are wandering around with signs freaking out. Tiffany, the brassy girl from New Jersey of the famous star boobs, is looking for a group. No one wants her after her snotty comment about being better than everyone else. She goes to teen country dude Scotty McCreery to join forces. He asks her to sing for him and he says he doesn't know. He walks away and calls her crazy. She goes to one group and poaches a member.
Then Scotty starts a bidding war between two groups. Then he goes to Jordan Dorsey's group and they have him sing and they turn him down.
But now Jordan's group needs someone and he keeps turning people down.
Tiffany and Jessica go onstage and grab a microphone to look for a group member and there are no takers. Scotty and others are also losing hope while some groups are already busy rehearsing.
It's now 10:30 and things are still looking dire for some.
Scotty finds Jacee and Clint's group and joins up.
Emotional Ashley has also found a group and we watch a montage of her various meltdowns.
Tiffany and Jessica are given a pass to perform as a duo after all the groups are assembled.
The groups begin rehearsing and it's an overload. Some go to the bathroom and others to the parking garage to get some space.
A group of teens has banded together and they think they have a youthful advantage. Their mothers watch and give them coaching. Then they all start singing.
James Durbin is having friction with his group and is also annoyed at the teenagers who are also singing "Somebody to Love."
The group that has 3/4 of the couples -Jackie, Chelsee, and Rob-- we got to know in auditions are talking about the loss of Jackie's boyfriend. Rob is still sad about working with the ex he still loves Chelsee. But they have other problems in terms of presentation since Rob is "not a dancer" and they're fighting over control.
We meet up again with melodramatic Ashley who is now unraveling due to the pressure. She talks about quitting. She says she's done, disappointing her group who now need another member. She wants to talk to someone about going home. She tearfully talks to a producer. She goes to talk it over with her boyfriend. Her remaining group members wait with bated breath.
Scotty's group is now having second thoughts about letting him in. And then Clint kicks out cute Jacee Badeaux. Who's really nice about being let go. Clint says he's a good singer but bad for choreography.
Jacee tearfully goes in search of a group. His parents try to console him and tell him it wasn't meant to be.
Jordan is now worried about his group's song choice and is thinking about leaving his group after being all demanding earlier. He does leave and joins another. He is confident in his group change.
It's now 2:30 a.m. and Ashley returns to her group, but they've been rehearsing without her. They do welcome her back.
Now Brett's group has to find a new member or break-up. He goes and signs up Jacee, even though he doesn't know the song they're singing, Duffy's "Mercy."
At 3 some folks head off to bed. Others keep rehearsing, Rob is struggling with the lyrics and choreography. He's worried he's not prepared at all.
After a few hours of sleep the 39 groups start rehearsing again.
The judges address the contestants, giving them a pep talk about pressure and not forgetting the words.
The first group, a trio is very good and poised singing "Grenade." The judges dig it and all three are through to the next round.
The group the very confident Jordan Dorsey joined and the group he left are having a weird rivalry.
Jordan's group does "I Want You Back" pretty well. All five of them are through as well.
The group he left does "Forget You" by Cee Lo, reasonably well, and they're all put through as well.
The duo of Tiffany and Jessica are next. They sing "Irreplaceable" by Beyonce but Tiffany hits a lot of clunkers and Randy stops them. Neither of them gets put through. Tiffany starts to beg and Jessica tries to stop her.
One member of a Latino group overslept. The judges are left waiting so Steven Tyler mans the drums to entertain. As the member gets his act together they go straight to the stage. They sing Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are." It's not dazzling and there's a bunch of clunkers. The guy who overslept is one of the better ones. Three get put through by Steven and then they realize he screwed up and only two get put through.
Lauren Alaina's group of four girls asks to have Steven on stage, they're going to serenade him. And they do with "Some Kind of Wonderful." He even joins in. He admits he is partial when he returns to the judging panel. Lauren's the only one who gets put through out of all four. Her friends are very supportive.
The country kids who auditioned in Nashville have joined up. They sing "Just the Way You Are." They sound sort of awful and one guy goofs the words. Only one out of the five is put through.
We then get a montage of bad singers: clunkers, forgotten words, bad choreography. Some argue with the judgements.
We get a montage of people getting the bad news and that we were introduced to in the auditions, including one of the Gutierrez brothers.
Before the next group starts Randy says they're in a group but they need to shine individually.
This is the group with Ashley, who quit and and joined up again. They do "Oops Hit 'Em Style." They're sassy and fun and sound great. Randy says they were the best harmonized group and they all get put through. Now Ashley is ecstatic that she stayed.
The teen group keeps getting coached by their moms. The group that was annoyed by the mom's coaching continue to be annoyed. They're both doing "Somebody to Love" by Queen.
James Durbin's group does their version and it's rough. The judges call the harmonies painful. Only two get put through, including James. The moms give them the thumbs down and say their kids are going to be awesome.
The kids come out and they're pretty great. Their moms agree. As do the judges who give them a standing O. Steven says this is the reason he joined "Idol." All five are put through. They're moms come running out to hug them.
We see a group doing "Grenade" and it's kind of rough, forgotten words, bad performance style, clunkers, and a cheater who put the lyrics on their arm. The people they put through go through based on previous performances. One guy tries to argue and he was one put through. He wises up and gets off stage.
Two groups have chosen to perform a cappella, including Naima Adedapo's group and Julie Zorilla's group.
Julie's group does "Get Ready." And they sound pretty good and the boys are rocking the low a cappella backing vocals. Only Julie and Casey are put through.
The next a cappella group fares a little better, they're a lot more energetic and have a groovy gospel breakdown. The judges loved it. All five are through.
Chris Medina's group is next, the guy with the wife who was in an accident and disabled. They sing "Forget You.' Carson from the Cali auditions is funny. All but one of them get put through. The girl who got cut is really upset, especially since they said they were considering previous auditions. But it's the end of he road.
We get a montage of people goofing up and Steven being goofy and rude.
Jacee's group is next and he's worried about goofing the words. They do "Mercy" and Jacee goofs the words but covers with a funny ad lib on the melody about not going home. The judges ask him what happened, and he explains that he got cut from his group. They're all going through. Jacee is tearful and emotional and Ryan corners him.
The group that cut him is next. Randy asks them about cutting Jacee before they sing. (Which is incredibly unfair to them). Scotty apologizes and says he feels bad for not sticking up for him. They sing "Get Ready." They're pretty good, their girl is the weak link. All four are going through. (They were right though, Jacee didn't fit.) Scotty gets very emotional about the "whole Jacee thing."
Ryan tells us that to this point 67 people were cut.
The final group is Rob, Chelsee, and Jacqueline. Rob still doesn't know the song and has submarined himself by believing he doesn't know it. They flame out pretty badly. Rob adlibs about not knowing the words and being really tired. It does not work like him for Jacee. He gets sent home and both the girls get put through. So now Rob and Chelsee are really breaking up. She says they'll always be friend.
It's group round time and Ryan promises drama.
It's 8:30 and the 168 people who survived the first cuts are celebrating.
But now it's time to split up into groups and learn a song from a list of 20, devise choreography, and rehearse for tomorrow's next "one shot" in front of the judges. Some have already formed groups but they're told by producer Ken Warwick the groups have to be made up of Day 1 and Day 2 contestants so it will be fair.
People are wandering around with signs freaking out. Tiffany, the brassy girl from New Jersey of the famous star boobs, is looking for a group. No one wants her after her snotty comment about being better than everyone else. She goes to teen country dude Scotty McCreery to join forces. He asks her to sing for him and he says he doesn't know. He walks away and calls her crazy. She goes to one group and poaches a member.
Then Scotty starts a bidding war between two groups. Then he goes to Jordan Dorsey's group and they have him sing and they turn him down.
But now Jordan's group needs someone and he keeps turning people down.
Tiffany and Jessica go onstage and grab a microphone to look for a group member and there are no takers. Scotty and others are also losing hope while some groups are already busy rehearsing.
It's now 10:30 and things are still looking dire for some.
Scotty finds Jacee and Clint's group and joins up.
Emotional Ashley has also found a group and we watch a montage of her various meltdowns.
Tiffany and Jessica are given a pass to perform as a duo after all the groups are assembled.
The groups begin rehearsing and it's an overload. Some go to the bathroom and others to the parking garage to get some space.
A group of teens has banded together and they think they have a youthful advantage. Their mothers watch and give them coaching. Then they all start singing.
James Durbin is having friction with his group and is also annoyed at the teenagers who are also singing "Somebody to Love."
The group that has 3/4 of the couples -Jackie, Chelsee, and Rob-- we got to know in auditions are talking about the loss of Jackie's boyfriend. Rob is still sad about working with the ex he still loves Chelsee. But they have other problems in terms of presentation since Rob is "not a dancer" and they're fighting over control.
We meet up again with melodramatic Ashley who is now unraveling due to the pressure. She talks about quitting. She says she's done, disappointing her group who now need another member. She wants to talk to someone about going home. She tearfully talks to a producer. She goes to talk it over with her boyfriend. Her remaining group members wait with bated breath.
Scotty's group is now having second thoughts about letting him in. And then Clint kicks out cute Jacee Badeaux. Who's really nice about being let go. Clint says he's a good singer but bad for choreography.
Jacee tearfully goes in search of a group. His parents try to console him and tell him it wasn't meant to be.
Jordan is now worried about his group's song choice and is thinking about leaving his group after being all demanding earlier. He does leave and joins another. He is confident in his group change.
It's now 2:30 a.m. and Ashley returns to her group, but they've been rehearsing without her. They do welcome her back.
Now Brett's group has to find a new member or break-up. He goes and signs up Jacee, even though he doesn't know the song they're singing, Duffy's "Mercy."
At 3 some folks head off to bed. Others keep rehearsing, Rob is struggling with the lyrics and choreography. He's worried he's not prepared at all.
After a few hours of sleep the 39 groups start rehearsing again.
The judges address the contestants, giving them a pep talk about pressure and not forgetting the words.
The first group, a trio is very good and poised singing "Grenade." The judges dig it and all three are through to the next round.
The group the very confident Jordan Dorsey joined and the group he left are having a weird rivalry.
Jordan's group does "I Want You Back" pretty well. All five of them are through as well.
The group he left does "Forget You" by Cee Lo, reasonably well, and they're all put through as well.
The duo of Tiffany and Jessica are next. They sing "Irreplaceable" by Beyonce but Tiffany hits a lot of clunkers and Randy stops them. Neither of them gets put through. Tiffany starts to beg and Jessica tries to stop her.
One member of a Latino group overslept. The judges are left waiting so Steven Tyler mans the drums to entertain. As the member gets his act together they go straight to the stage. They sing Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are." It's not dazzling and there's a bunch of clunkers. The guy who overslept is one of the better ones. Three get put through by Steven and then they realize he screwed up and only two get put through.
Lauren Alaina's group of four girls asks to have Steven on stage, they're going to serenade him. And they do with "Some Kind of Wonderful." He even joins in. He admits he is partial when he returns to the judging panel. Lauren's the only one who gets put through out of all four. Her friends are very supportive.
The country kids who auditioned in Nashville have joined up. They sing "Just the Way You Are." They sound sort of awful and one guy goofs the words. Only one out of the five is put through.
We then get a montage of bad singers: clunkers, forgotten words, bad choreography. Some argue with the judgements.
We get a montage of people getting the bad news and that we were introduced to in the auditions, including one of the Gutierrez brothers.
Before the next group starts Randy says they're in a group but they need to shine individually.
This is the group with Ashley, who quit and and joined up again. They do "Oops Hit 'Em Style." They're sassy and fun and sound great. Randy says they were the best harmonized group and they all get put through. Now Ashley is ecstatic that she stayed.
The teen group keeps getting coached by their moms. The group that was annoyed by the mom's coaching continue to be annoyed. They're both doing "Somebody to Love" by Queen.
James Durbin's group does their version and it's rough. The judges call the harmonies painful. Only two get put through, including James. The moms give them the thumbs down and say their kids are going to be awesome.
The kids come out and they're pretty great. Their moms agree. As do the judges who give them a standing O. Steven says this is the reason he joined "Idol." All five are put through. They're moms come running out to hug them.
We see a group doing "Grenade" and it's kind of rough, forgotten words, bad performance style, clunkers, and a cheater who put the lyrics on their arm. The people they put through go through based on previous performances. One guy tries to argue and he was one put through. He wises up and gets off stage.
Two groups have chosen to perform a cappella, including Naima Adedapo's group and Julie Zorilla's group.
Julie's group does "Get Ready." And they sound pretty good and the boys are rocking the low a cappella backing vocals. Only Julie and Casey are put through.
The next a cappella group fares a little better, they're a lot more energetic and have a groovy gospel breakdown. The judges loved it. All five are through.
Chris Medina's group is next, the guy with the wife who was in an accident and disabled. They sing "Forget You.' Carson from the Cali auditions is funny. All but one of them get put through. The girl who got cut is really upset, especially since they said they were considering previous auditions. But it's the end of he road.
We get a montage of people goofing up and Steven being goofy and rude.
Jacee's group is next and he's worried about goofing the words. They do "Mercy" and Jacee goofs the words but covers with a funny ad lib on the melody about not going home. The judges ask him what happened, and he explains that he got cut from his group. They're all going through. Jacee is tearful and emotional and Ryan corners him.
The group that cut him is next. Randy asks them about cutting Jacee before they sing. (Which is incredibly unfair to them). Scotty apologizes and says he feels bad for not sticking up for him. They sing "Get Ready." They're pretty good, their girl is the weak link. All four are going through. (They were right though, Jacee didn't fit.) Scotty gets very emotional about the "whole Jacee thing."
Ryan tells us that to this point 67 people were cut.
The final group is Rob, Chelsee, and Jacqueline. Rob still doesn't know the song and has submarined himself by believing he doesn't know it. They flame out pretty badly. Rob adlibs about not knowing the words and being really tired. It does not work like him for Jacee. He gets sent home and both the girls get put through. So now Rob and Chelsee are really breaking up. She says they'll always be friend.
Thu, Feb 17, 2011
"American Idol" - Hollywood Round - Feb. 17, 2011
The remaining 100 sit in a holding room "emotionally exhausted" and "physically drained" according to Ryan. we see the judges go over the pictures on the table.
Folks rehearse for the final solo audition. They can go a cappella or use the band. This time they won't find out until later their fate.
Up first is Haley Reinhart who sings "God Bless the Child" with the band. It's very bluesy and growly and a little shouty but the judges love it. JLo calls it redemption.
Next is Ashton Jones who sings "And I'm Telling You." The judges compliment her.
Back is Thia Megia is back and she works "What a Wonderful World" to the judges pleasure. And she really is very poised.
We get a montage of people who were less successful working with the band, remembering the words, singing in the right key.
Not a problem for Clint Jun Gamboa who wails is way through "Georgia on My Mind" in an incredibly overwrought manner that the judges clearly enjoy.
Kendra Chantelle and Sophia Shorai also do "Georgia on My Mind" in ways that seems to make the judges happy.
Chris Medina decided to do Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative" thinking it would be very unlikely to be done by others except the goofy surfer boy Carson Higgins decided to do it too. They're using different arrangements. Carson goes classic. Chris goes acoustic. They intercut them but mostly show Carson, because he is much more entertaining and he sounds good.
Now the "we play instruments" gang gets a shot.
Julie Zorilla sings Sara Bareilles' "Love Song" with piano. Caleb Hawley does Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke" with acoustic guitar.Colton Dixon does Daughtry's "What About Now" with piano. Brett Lowenstern sings with an acoustic guitar.Robbie Rosen does Bareilles' "Gravity" with piano. They're varying degrees of good, from competent to great. I bet they all go through.
Casey Abrams hoped to shine with his stand up bass. He does a fun, slow, version of "Georgia on My Mind" and the band kicks in. The judges find it funny and pleasing.
Jacqueline Dunford bowed out of the competition after getting very ill. Her friend and roommate Chelsee Oaks is shaken but manages to make through Kelly Clarkson's "Because of You" with a few bumps. She's upset with her performance.
Lauren Alaina does "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith which she sang with Steven during her audition. Steven is clearly smitten as are the other judges.JLo muses on her being 15.
Jacob Lusk does a jazzy, gospel and way oversung take on "God Bless the Child" that also clearly pleases the panel who give him a hooting, standing ovation. He breaks down outside the audition, clearly exhausted.
John Wayne Schulz follows that with a very understated take on "Landslide" playing his guitar, that's quite lovely. It moves JLo to sing along.
Melodramatic Ashley Sullivan is freaking out again. She starts out nicely and messes up the words and psychs herself out. She starts melting down. Randy tells her to go to the chorus. She does, but messes up again. The judges seem to give her a pass. She walks off tearfully. She apologizes to her boyfriend who tries to console her.
We get three guys combined Stefano Langone who does a nice "Sir Duke." Jovany Barreto who does an a cappella take on "She Sang to Me" by JLo's husband Marc Anthony. And finally Jacee Badeaux who does David Cook's "Time of My Life." The judges like them all.
The final two are Scotty McCreery and Tatynisa Wilson both doing a song they are unfamiliar with "I Hope You Dance" by Leann Womack. Both sing okay, he a little better than her, but both struggle mightily with the lyrics. Scotty says if he was a judge he'd cut himself. Tatynisa calls someone and explains she messed everything up.
We watch the judges go over the photos again.
The aspirants are split up into the three rooms of doom and salvation. The judges go through the annual fake out routine with the rooms going through.
Room 1 including Ashley, Brett, Jacee, Lauren, Robbie and others get the word that they are, of course, going through.
Of course Room 2, including Corey and Brielle whose final auditions we didn't see so you know what that means, now worry that they are on the chopping block when they hear the cheering. And they were right. Steven lowers the boom. Randy tells them to pick themselves up and keep going.
Room 3 includes Mark Gutierrez and Chelsee Oaks and the news is equally bad for them. JLo says each one of them is very special.
Heretofore unseen Room 4, including Carson, Julie, Jovany, and Scotty get good news. The ones who made it through run into the hallway and hug each other.
The judges announce a new challenge: the remaining competitors will take on the Beatles, with only 24 hours to learn their songs, and perform them on the Beatles "LOVE" Cirque du Soleil stage.
The remaining 100 sit in a holding room "emotionally exhausted" and "physically drained" according to Ryan. we see the judges go over the pictures on the table.
Folks rehearse for the final solo audition. They can go a cappella or use the band. This time they won't find out until later their fate.
Up first is Haley Reinhart who sings "God Bless the Child" with the band. It's very bluesy and growly and a little shouty but the judges love it. JLo calls it redemption.
Next is Ashton Jones who sings "And I'm Telling You." The judges compliment her.
Back is Thia Megia is back and she works "What a Wonderful World" to the judges pleasure. And she really is very poised.
We get a montage of people who were less successful working with the band, remembering the words, singing in the right key.
Not a problem for Clint Jun Gamboa who wails is way through "Georgia on My Mind" in an incredibly overwrought manner that the judges clearly enjoy.
Kendra Chantelle and Sophia Shorai also do "Georgia on My Mind" in ways that seems to make the judges happy.
Chris Medina decided to do Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative" thinking it would be very unlikely to be done by others except the goofy surfer boy Carson Higgins decided to do it too. They're using different arrangements. Carson goes classic. Chris goes acoustic. They intercut them but mostly show Carson, because he is much more entertaining and he sounds good.
Now the "we play instruments" gang gets a shot.
Julie Zorilla sings Sara Bareilles' "Love Song" with piano. Caleb Hawley does Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke" with acoustic guitar.Colton Dixon does Daughtry's "What About Now" with piano. Brett Lowenstern sings with an acoustic guitar.Robbie Rosen does Bareilles' "Gravity" with piano. They're varying degrees of good, from competent to great. I bet they all go through.
Casey Abrams hoped to shine with his stand up bass. He does a fun, slow, version of "Georgia on My Mind" and the band kicks in. The judges find it funny and pleasing.
Jacqueline Dunford bowed out of the competition after getting very ill. Her friend and roommate Chelsee Oaks is shaken but manages to make through Kelly Clarkson's "Because of You" with a few bumps. She's upset with her performance.
Lauren Alaina does "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith which she sang with Steven during her audition. Steven is clearly smitten as are the other judges.JLo muses on her being 15.
Jacob Lusk does a jazzy, gospel and way oversung take on "God Bless the Child" that also clearly pleases the panel who give him a hooting, standing ovation. He breaks down outside the audition, clearly exhausted.
John Wayne Schulz follows that with a very understated take on "Landslide" playing his guitar, that's quite lovely. It moves JLo to sing along.
Melodramatic Ashley Sullivan is freaking out again. She starts out nicely and messes up the words and psychs herself out. She starts melting down. Randy tells her to go to the chorus. She does, but messes up again. The judges seem to give her a pass. She walks off tearfully. She apologizes to her boyfriend who tries to console her.
We get three guys combined Stefano Langone who does a nice "Sir Duke." Jovany Barreto who does an a cappella take on "She Sang to Me" by JLo's husband Marc Anthony. And finally Jacee Badeaux who does David Cook's "Time of My Life." The judges like them all.
The final two are Scotty McCreery and Tatynisa Wilson both doing a song they are unfamiliar with "I Hope You Dance" by Leann Womack. Both sing okay, he a little better than her, but both struggle mightily with the lyrics. Scotty says if he was a judge he'd cut himself. Tatynisa calls someone and explains she messed everything up.
We watch the judges go over the photos again.
The aspirants are split up into the three rooms of doom and salvation. The judges go through the annual fake out routine with the rooms going through.
Room 1 including Ashley, Brett, Jacee, Lauren, Robbie and others get the word that they are, of course, going through.
Of course Room 2, including Corey and Brielle whose final auditions we didn't see so you know what that means, now worry that they are on the chopping block when they hear the cheering. And they were right. Steven lowers the boom. Randy tells them to pick themselves up and keep going.
Room 3 includes Mark Gutierrez and Chelsee Oaks and the news is equally bad for them. JLo says each one of them is very special.
Heretofore unseen Room 4, including Carson, Julie, Jovany, and Scotty get good news. The ones who made it through run into the hallway and hug each other.
The judges announce a new challenge: the remaining competitors will take on the Beatles, with only 24 hours to learn their songs, and perform them on the Beatles "LOVE" Cirque du Soleil stage.
Wed, Feb 23, 2011
"American Idol" - Las Vegas Round- Feb. 23, 2011
We pick up where we left off last week with all of the happy folks celebrating their continued survival and then the judges inform them that they're headed to Vegas the next day. There are 61 folks still standing.
Ryan informs us that it will be, wait for it, "their toughest challenge yet" and the teasers promise lots of drama on the way to the unveiling of the top 24.
The contestants ride buses to Vegas. The previous evening they divided themselves into duos and trios and picked Beatles songs. They arrive at the Mirage at the site of the Beatles "LOVE" stage.
We watch them rehearse to get their songs together and get tough love coaching from the vocal coaches, one of whom is especially mean, Peggy Blu. In one group, judge favorite Lauren Alaina starts to crack under the pressure.
We get a montage of folks saying they're not familiar with the Beatles. Jimmy Iovine shows up to school them in the Fab Four. They take in some auditions including Lauren's group, who sound pretty terrible. Iovine tells them to pick a different song. Others are equally bad judging by Jimmy and his entourage of producers' reactions.
The contestants get a break and go to see the actual "LOVE" show.
First up are Stefano Langone and James Durbin doing "Get Back." The judges seem to dig it, even James' screaming.
Then it's Pia Toscano and Karen Rodriguez friends from high school doing "Can't Buy Me Love." JLo feels like they "get it." The other judges like it too.
Jacob Lusk, Naima Adedapo, and Haley Reinhart are next. The day earlier the group was told by Iovine to not oversing. They did not take his advice but the judges seem to enjoy the overbaked, overwroughtness of it all, especially JLo. The judges go over the top in their praise, Randy tells Jacob to never hold back.
Rachel Zevita is singled out in her group doing "Eleanor Rigby."
Lauren Turner is singled out in her group doing "Let it Be."
Tim Halperin and Julie Zorrilla do a piano duet of "Something" that works really well. And is nicely understated.
Lakeisha Lewis, Jerome Bell, Tatynisa Wilson do a sassy take on "I Saw Her Standing There." The judges liked it mostly with specific compliments and complaints to each contestant. Steven liked it unequivocally.
Kendra Chantelle and Paul McDonald tackle "Blackbird" in a very quiet, warm manner. There are some clunkers in the harmonies but it's pleasant. The judges loved it.
We get a montage of others showing "flair" including Clint Jun Gamboa, John Wayne Schulze and others.
We go on a shopping rip with drama-prone contestant Ashley Sullivan who has decided to get married while she's there, just like Britney did. The camera guys serves as the witness.
It's the next day and the second group of contestants are hitting the stage.
Thia Megia and Melinda Ademi do "Here Comes the Sun." After all that evil coaching they are perfectly fine and cute. The judges were a little disappointed in the combo seeing as how they like them both alone.
Ryan chats with Ashley and Sophia Shorai before they do "We Can Work it Out.' They sound pretty good but they're sort of lifeless. The judges think it was "not hot."
Lauren Alaina, Denise Jackson, and Scotty McCreery are next and have switched to "Hello Goodbye." They're really cute. Not any of their best vocal performances but good enough to get them all through. They get a "good try" from the judges.
We then get a montage of two groups that include Chris Medina, Carson Higgnins and Casey Abrams that are kind of manic but we don't see the judging.
The finale comes from Robbie Rosen, Jordan Dorsey, and Aaron Sanders on "Got To Get You Into My Life." Nice work from all. They all get good marks.
The judges deliver the results and familiar faces going home include Carson, Ashley, Denise, and others.
So the six singled out to the next round are: Thia Megia, Scotty McCreery, Jordan Dorsey, Ashton Jones, Robbie Rosen, Lauren Alaina. The rest are told as a group including Brett Lowenstern, Chris Medina and others.
We head back to L.A. for the final cut from 40 to 24 as the final aspirants audition in an airplane hangar for some reason. They intercut this final audition moment with the final judgement itself.
First up is Naima Adedapo who made it through. Even though she was inconsistent the judges think she deserves a shot.
Next is Hollie Cavanaugh the girl who cried in her first audition and got a second chance. But she doesn't make it. Jennifer tells her she was outvoted and that Hollie belongs and JLo says she can come back in two years and win the the whole thing. They tell her to make sure she comes back.
We get a pair of of nos including Lakeisha and one guy I swear I never saw named Alex Ryan. Others are broken up on their behalf.
Next is Clint Jun Gamboa who is through after another grilling about dumping Jaycee.
And then Hailey Reinhart gets the good news.
It's a no for Deandre Bracken and the judges say they're sad to see him go.
Paul McDonald gets the good news.
Ashton Jones gets a yes.
But Chris Medina gets a very tearful no. He takes it very well. Randy and Steven have to talk JLo down, she feels bad about the way she told him no. She says she doesn't want to do this anymore. We get a "to be continued" and Ryan telling us that Jennifer may make Randy and Steven do the rest of the eliminations alone.
So the five members of the top 24 revealed tonight were: Naima Adedapo, Clint Jun Gamboa, Hailey Reinhart, Paul McDonald, and Ashton Jones
We pick up where we left off last week with all of the happy folks celebrating their continued survival and then the judges inform them that they're headed to Vegas the next day. There are 61 folks still standing.
Ryan informs us that it will be, wait for it, "their toughest challenge yet" and the teasers promise lots of drama on the way to the unveiling of the top 24.
The contestants ride buses to Vegas. The previous evening they divided themselves into duos and trios and picked Beatles songs. They arrive at the Mirage at the site of the Beatles "LOVE" stage.
We watch them rehearse to get their songs together and get tough love coaching from the vocal coaches, one of whom is especially mean, Peggy Blu. In one group, judge favorite Lauren Alaina starts to crack under the pressure.
We get a montage of folks saying they're not familiar with the Beatles. Jimmy Iovine shows up to school them in the Fab Four. They take in some auditions including Lauren's group, who sound pretty terrible. Iovine tells them to pick a different song. Others are equally bad judging by Jimmy and his entourage of producers' reactions.
The contestants get a break and go to see the actual "LOVE" show.
First up are Stefano Langone and James Durbin doing "Get Back." The judges seem to dig it, even James' screaming.
Then it's Pia Toscano and Karen Rodriguez friends from high school doing "Can't Buy Me Love." JLo feels like they "get it." The other judges like it too.
Jacob Lusk, Naima Adedapo, and Haley Reinhart are next. The day earlier the group was told by Iovine to not oversing. They did not take his advice but the judges seem to enjoy the overbaked, overwroughtness of it all, especially JLo. The judges go over the top in their praise, Randy tells Jacob to never hold back.
Rachel Zevita is singled out in her group doing "Eleanor Rigby."
Lauren Turner is singled out in her group doing "Let it Be."
Tim Halperin and Julie Zorrilla do a piano duet of "Something" that works really well. And is nicely understated.
Lakeisha Lewis, Jerome Bell, Tatynisa Wilson do a sassy take on "I Saw Her Standing There." The judges liked it mostly with specific compliments and complaints to each contestant. Steven liked it unequivocally.
Kendra Chantelle and Paul McDonald tackle "Blackbird" in a very quiet, warm manner. There are some clunkers in the harmonies but it's pleasant. The judges loved it.
We get a montage of others showing "flair" including Clint Jun Gamboa, John Wayne Schulze and others.
We go on a shopping rip with drama-prone contestant Ashley Sullivan who has decided to get married while she's there, just like Britney did. The camera guys serves as the witness.
It's the next day and the second group of contestants are hitting the stage.
Thia Megia and Melinda Ademi do "Here Comes the Sun." After all that evil coaching they are perfectly fine and cute. The judges were a little disappointed in the combo seeing as how they like them both alone.
Ryan chats with Ashley and Sophia Shorai before they do "We Can Work it Out.' They sound pretty good but they're sort of lifeless. The judges think it was "not hot."
Lauren Alaina, Denise Jackson, and Scotty McCreery are next and have switched to "Hello Goodbye." They're really cute. Not any of their best vocal performances but good enough to get them all through. They get a "good try" from the judges.
We then get a montage of two groups that include Chris Medina, Carson Higgnins and Casey Abrams that are kind of manic but we don't see the judging.
The finale comes from Robbie Rosen, Jordan Dorsey, and Aaron Sanders on "Got To Get You Into My Life." Nice work from all. They all get good marks.
The judges deliver the results and familiar faces going home include Carson, Ashley, Denise, and others.
So the six singled out to the next round are: Thia Megia, Scotty McCreery, Jordan Dorsey, Ashton Jones, Robbie Rosen, Lauren Alaina. The rest are told as a group including Brett Lowenstern, Chris Medina and others.
We head back to L.A. for the final cut from 40 to 24 as the final aspirants audition in an airplane hangar for some reason. They intercut this final audition moment with the final judgement itself.
First up is Naima Adedapo who made it through. Even though she was inconsistent the judges think she deserves a shot.
Next is Hollie Cavanaugh the girl who cried in her first audition and got a second chance. But she doesn't make it. Jennifer tells her she was outvoted and that Hollie belongs and JLo says she can come back in two years and win the the whole thing. They tell her to make sure she comes back.
We get a pair of of nos including Lakeisha and one guy I swear I never saw named Alex Ryan. Others are broken up on their behalf.
Next is Clint Jun Gamboa who is through after another grilling about dumping Jaycee.
And then Hailey Reinhart gets the good news.
It's a no for Deandre Bracken and the judges say they're sad to see him go.
Paul McDonald gets the good news.
Ashton Jones gets a yes.
But Chris Medina gets a very tearful no. He takes it very well. Randy and Steven have to talk JLo down, she feels bad about the way she told him no. She says she doesn't want to do this anymore. We get a "to be continued" and Ryan telling us that Jennifer may make Randy and Steven do the rest of the eliminations alone.
So the five members of the top 24 revealed tonight were: Naima Adedapo, Clint Jun Gamboa, Hailey Reinhart, Paul McDonald, and Ashton Jones
Thu, Feb 24, 2011
"American Idol"- Top 24 Semifinalists Announced- Feb. 24, 2011
We continue JLo's meltdown and get back to the long walks, the fake-outs, and the devastation, in the airplane hangar tonight.
First: Karen Rodriguez She sang her final song in Spanish and she's in.
Next: Robbie Rosen who the judges haved liked all along. He does Elton for his final number and is in.
Next: Tatynisa Wilson who wowed with her final audition of Toni Braxton's "Unbreak My Heart." She's in.
Next: We get a quick "no thanks" one two punch to Brittany Mazur and Jimmie Allen.
Next: Tim Halperin who does an original for his final song and gets a qualified yes. He's in.
Next: Julie Zorilla who has been a judges favorite from the beginning and, of course, is in.
Next: Scotty McCreery how could they turn him down. You knew they wouldn't.
Next: John Wayne Schulze who gets a no because the judges didn't think he quite measure up.
Next: Jovany Barreto gets a yes.
Next: As does Lauren Turner.
Next: The news is less good for Tiwan Strong and Erin Kelly who both get the see ya smackdown.
Next: Rachel Zevita for whom the second time's the charm because she's in.
Next: Kendra Chantelle who sang "Blackbird" last night. She is in but we don't see her "yes" and instead she does a fake out of the room.
Next: Jordan Dorsey the one who caused a lot of drama on group night by ditching his group and was very confident is, in.
Next: Judge favorite Lauren Alaina who got Steven Tyler to sing with her way back at the beginning. Unsurprisingly, she's in.
Next: Stefano Langone who sang an original song at the piano for his final audition. He is in.
Next: Jackie Wilson who forgot her lyrics during her final audition. JLo says she fizzled out at the end and she is out.
Next: Jacob Lusk the big showy oversinger that the judges love. (Yes he's incredibly skilled but man he way overdoes it, witness his "God Bless the Child.") An easy yes, they think he's one of the best ever. He's very happy.
Next: Pia Toscano who impressed the judges all along and with her final song gets a yes.
Next: James Durbin tried to show control on his final song Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" and not scream so much. Apparently, it worked, even though he totally screams from the midpoint to the end, because he's in. Tyler thinks he's going big places.
Next: Casey Abrams the groovy guy who plays bass and melodica. His final song was an attempt at "sexy" with a voice and bass version of "Do Right." He's in.
Next: We get the final two girls going at once for the final slot. Unsurprisingly, again, it's a yes for judge favorite 15-year-old Thia Megia and a no for Jessica Cunningham which is tough since it's her birthday and it's her seventh time auditioning. Of course it's hard for Thia to celebrate.
Next: The final three guys Jacee Badeau, Brett Lowenstern, Colton Dixon compete for the final slot. The judges say they loved them and all the final slot goes to Brett in the night's very first surprise. They ask Jacee and Colton to please come back.
Top 24 Naima Adedapo, Clint Jun Gamboa, Hailey Reinhart, Paul McDonald, Ashton Jones, Karen Rodriguez, Robbie Rosen, Tatynisa Wilson, Tim Halperin, Julie Zorrilla, Scotty McCreery, Jovany Barreto, Lauren Turner, Rachel Zevita, Kendra Chantelle, Jordan Dorsey, Lauren Alaina, Stefano Langone, Jacob Lusk, Pia Toscano, James Durbin, Casey Abrams, Thia Megia,and Brett Lowenstern.
We continue JLo's meltdown and get back to the long walks, the fake-outs, and the devastation, in the airplane hangar tonight.
First: Karen Rodriguez She sang her final song in Spanish and she's in.
Next: Robbie Rosen who the judges haved liked all along. He does Elton for his final number and is in.
Next: Tatynisa Wilson who wowed with her final audition of Toni Braxton's "Unbreak My Heart." She's in.
Next: We get a quick "no thanks" one two punch to Brittany Mazur and Jimmie Allen.
Next: Tim Halperin who does an original for his final song and gets a qualified yes. He's in.
Next: Julie Zorilla who has been a judges favorite from the beginning and, of course, is in.
Next: Scotty McCreery how could they turn him down. You knew they wouldn't.
Next: John Wayne Schulze who gets a no because the judges didn't think he quite measure up.
Next: Jovany Barreto gets a yes.
Next: As does Lauren Turner.
Next: The news is less good for Tiwan Strong and Erin Kelly who both get the see ya smackdown.
Next: Rachel Zevita for whom the second time's the charm because she's in.
Next: Kendra Chantelle who sang "Blackbird" last night. She is in but we don't see her "yes" and instead she does a fake out of the room.
Next: Jordan Dorsey the one who caused a lot of drama on group night by ditching his group and was very confident is, in.
Next: Judge favorite Lauren Alaina who got Steven Tyler to sing with her way back at the beginning. Unsurprisingly, she's in.
Next: Stefano Langone who sang an original song at the piano for his final audition. He is in.
Next: Jackie Wilson who forgot her lyrics during her final audition. JLo says she fizzled out at the end and she is out.
Next: Jacob Lusk the big showy oversinger that the judges love. (Yes he's incredibly skilled but man he way overdoes it, witness his "God Bless the Child.") An easy yes, they think he's one of the best ever. He's very happy.
Next: Pia Toscano who impressed the judges all along and with her final song gets a yes.
Next: James Durbin tried to show control on his final song Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" and not scream so much. Apparently, it worked, even though he totally screams from the midpoint to the end, because he's in. Tyler thinks he's going big places.
Next: Casey Abrams the groovy guy who plays bass and melodica. His final song was an attempt at "sexy" with a voice and bass version of "Do Right." He's in.
Next: We get the final two girls going at once for the final slot. Unsurprisingly, again, it's a yes for judge favorite 15-year-old Thia Megia and a no for Jessica Cunningham which is tough since it's her birthday and it's her seventh time auditioning. Of course it's hard for Thia to celebrate.
Next: The final three guys Jacee Badeau, Brett Lowenstern, Colton Dixon compete for the final slot. The judges say they loved them and all the final slot goes to Brett in the night's very first surprise. They ask Jacee and Colton to please come back.
Top 24 Naima Adedapo, Clint Jun Gamboa, Hailey Reinhart, Paul McDonald, Ashton Jones, Karen Rodriguez, Robbie Rosen, Tatynisa Wilson, Tim Halperin, Julie Zorrilla, Scotty McCreery, Jovany Barreto, Lauren Turner, Rachel Zevita, Kendra Chantelle, Jordan Dorsey, Lauren Alaina, Stefano Langone, Jacob Lusk, Pia Toscano, James Durbin, Casey Abrams, Thia Megia,and Brett Lowenstern.
Tue, Mar 1, 2011
"American Idol" - Top 12 Male Semi-Finalists Perform - March 1, 2011
Ryan asks Randy how it feels to be sitting at the table with Steven and JLo. Randy unsurprisingly loves it and is very excited.
No theme this week. The contestants could pick any song they wanted.
Contestant: Clint Jun Gamboa (The karaoke host)
Song: "Superstition," Stevie Wonder
Performance: Clint tries to work the stage but the movement is making his voice shaky and the band is swallowing him up. He seems nervous but gets off some shouts that will undoubtedly win him some points with the people who like that kind of thing.
Steven: Thinks it was beautiful and started and ended strong. Brilliant, he says.
JLo: Knew he had jitters but thinks it didn't affect his performance.
Randy: He loved it and says there's no karaoke singer in the world that's got that kind of talent.
Contestant: Jovany Barreto (The shipyard worker who showed his abs with Steven and Randy)
Song: "I'll Be," Edwin McCain
Performance: He sounds mostly fine, with a few clunkers, on an awful song. Not a lot of charisma beyond some sweet smiling. He hits the bridge nicely and finishes well.
Steven: "Holy Shipyard," says Steven. Calls it beautiful.
JLo: Is happy because people got to really see him for the first time.
Randy: He didn't really get it and thought it was very karaoke.
Contestant: Jordan Dorsey (The music teacher who quit his group in group week).
Song: "OMG," Usher
Performance: He tries to get modern with a newer song and work a sexy thing by throwing off his coat but this is not a singer's song really. And when he finally gets a chance to sing he muffs his falsetto. Not a great performance.
Steven: It wasn't an OMG over the top for him.
JLo: Has loved him and she isn't sure that's who he is as an artist. He admits it's not. She wants him to be Nat "King" Cole.
Randy: Reiterates that he has to bring something new to it and that his falsetto was "pitchy" and agrees with me that it's not a singer's song.
He promises Ryan, and America, that he can and will be better.
Contestant: Tim Halperin In stool chat Tim says everyone is really supportive of one another and the guys are like his brothers.
Song: "Streetcorner Symphony," Rob Thomas
Performance: He has pitch issues right out of the gate but recovers pretty well but it's not really working, it's a weird fit, kind of monchromatic.
Steven: Says the song didn't do him justice.
JLo: Says he did it well but it didn't show America who he really is an artist.
Randy: Thinks he's been much better before.
Contestant: Brett Loewenstern (The redhead)
Song: "Light My Fire," the Doors
Performance: He does this weird finger-pointing thing that's kind of creepy. And he keeps tossing his hair and shaking his hips. He sounds okay I guess, it's an odd performance. Unique for sure.
Steven: Thinks he did it again and brought it home.
JLo: Says it was more hair tossing than her and Beyonce in the past ten years together. She likes that he is who he is.
Randy: He says the vocals had some pitch problems but got it together at the end but he likes that he's bold and is going to do what he's going to do.
Contestant: James Durbin (The guy with the hair metal scream)
Song: "You Got Another Thing Coming," Judas Priest
Performance: There's a lot of Vince Neil squeals, over the head clapping, and "rock" guitar squalling in the background. He has a few pitch issues and makes sure to get in a couple of big screams. It's like he's auditioning to be in "Rock of Ages," not be an actual rock star.
Steven: Swears in service and says he's crazy good and loves that he's over the top.
JLo: Loves the way he performs and that it's an organic. She says that's the way everyone should perform.
Randy: Says this is how you do it. Says he was nice and tasty with the "high thing."
Contestant:Robbie Rosen (The likable kid from Long Island)
Song:"Angel," Sarah McLachlan
Performance: This seems like a weird choice and the arrangement and the way he's rushing it make it feel awkward. It's a very soft performance, there's little vocal heft to it. He goes to a falsetto place that's a bit rough.
Steven: Says he can sing a ballad like nobody's business and calls it a beautiful thing.
JLo: Says that he's the special type of singer that can tell a story and she loved the different choices he made.
Randy: Dissents and says the chest into the head slide didn't really work and it didn't quite settle in.
Robbie says he had fun with it. Randy tells him when he listens back he'll hear what Randy's talking about.
Contestant:Scotty McCreery (The Southern teen who kept singing that one country song)
Song:"Letter From Home," John Michael Montgomery
Performance: He sounds great, it's a savvy song choice. The only drawback is he's sort of working a cheeseball leaning thing but the girls love him.
Steven: Doesn't think he could've picked a better song.
JLo: She says he was born to sing country music.
Randy: He likes that he's a throwback country guy, he's a big fan.
Contestant: Stefano Langone (The guy who was in a car accident)
Song: "Just the Way You Are," Bruno Mars
Performance: He also goes the modern route but he picked a much better song as a singer. He may not be amazing, but it's a great vocal, with just one minor -- if loud-- clunker.
Steven: Loves how his voice cuts through the air, thinks he's so good.
JLo: Thinks he's very consistent. She says there's nothing awkward about him and calls him a beast.
Randy: Agrees that they were all rocking like they were at a concert and they believed him.
Contestant:Paul McDonald (The soft rocking guy with the raspy voice).
Song: "Maggie May," Rod Stewart
Performance: He sounds fine and seems happy but his movements are kind of awkward and pteradactyl-esque. It's simultaneously kind of goofy and boring. But the vocal was lovely.
Steven: He calls the movements the "McDonald two-step" and loves his character onstage.
JLo: Calls his movements very unique and even though he's wearing all black but his smile lights up the whole place. She calls it a "good" performance.
Randy: Says he's different from anyone that's ever been on "Idol" and hopes that the show can embrace his quirkiness.
Contestant:Jacob Lusk (The guy with the technically amazing voice who oversings everything).
Song:"A House is Not A Home," the Luther Vandross version
Performance: He starts off soft and velvety and restrained enough. His sly little smile seems a bit self-satisfied but he's doing a fine job. He impressively keeps his melisma monster under control until the very end.
Steven: Thinks it's great that America gets to hear him, he's honored to be in his presence, and he makes him cry.
JLo: Luther was JLo's favorite singer of all time and even though he's gone now they have Jacob.
Randy: Agrees and thinks that he's the best, like Luther but different with a little something else.
Contestant: Casey Abrams (The sweetly goofy guy who played melodica and upright bass).
Song: "I Put a Spell on You," "Screamin'" Jay Hawkins
Performance: It's pretty shouty but he's very endearing and committed and he ends on a sweet, clean tender note.
Steven: "In your mind good, out of your mind unreal" Okay. Loves his notes and melodic sensibility. Calls him crazy good.
JLo: Says he's sexy. Says it's clear he wants it bad. She loved how he "ate it all up."
Randy: Loves that he's so different and unique and says "more, more, more, yes, yes, yes."
Ryan asks Randy how it feels to be sitting at the table with Steven and JLo. Randy unsurprisingly loves it and is very excited.
No theme this week. The contestants could pick any song they wanted.
Contestant: Clint Jun Gamboa (The karaoke host)
Song: "Superstition," Stevie Wonder
Performance: Clint tries to work the stage but the movement is making his voice shaky and the band is swallowing him up. He seems nervous but gets off some shouts that will undoubtedly win him some points with the people who like that kind of thing.
Steven: Thinks it was beautiful and started and ended strong. Brilliant, he says.
JLo: Knew he had jitters but thinks it didn't affect his performance.
Randy: He loved it and says there's no karaoke singer in the world that's got that kind of talent.
Contestant: Jovany Barreto (The shipyard worker who showed his abs with Steven and Randy)
Song: "I'll Be," Edwin McCain
Performance: He sounds mostly fine, with a few clunkers, on an awful song. Not a lot of charisma beyond some sweet smiling. He hits the bridge nicely and finishes well.
Steven: "Holy Shipyard," says Steven. Calls it beautiful.
JLo: Is happy because people got to really see him for the first time.
Randy: He didn't really get it and thought it was very karaoke.
Contestant: Jordan Dorsey (The music teacher who quit his group in group week).
Song: "OMG," Usher
Performance: He tries to get modern with a newer song and work a sexy thing by throwing off his coat but this is not a singer's song really. And when he finally gets a chance to sing he muffs his falsetto. Not a great performance.
Steven: It wasn't an OMG over the top for him.
JLo: Has loved him and she isn't sure that's who he is as an artist. He admits it's not. She wants him to be Nat "King" Cole.
Randy: Reiterates that he has to bring something new to it and that his falsetto was "pitchy" and agrees with me that it's not a singer's song.
He promises Ryan, and America, that he can and will be better.
Contestant: Tim Halperin In stool chat Tim says everyone is really supportive of one another and the guys are like his brothers.
Song: "Streetcorner Symphony," Rob Thomas
Performance: He has pitch issues right out of the gate but recovers pretty well but it's not really working, it's a weird fit, kind of monchromatic.
Steven: Says the song didn't do him justice.
JLo: Says he did it well but it didn't show America who he really is an artist.
Randy: Thinks he's been much better before.
Contestant: Brett Loewenstern (The redhead)
Song: "Light My Fire," the Doors
Performance: He does this weird finger-pointing thing that's kind of creepy. And he keeps tossing his hair and shaking his hips. He sounds okay I guess, it's an odd performance. Unique for sure.
Steven: Thinks he did it again and brought it home.
JLo: Says it was more hair tossing than her and Beyonce in the past ten years together. She likes that he is who he is.
Randy: He says the vocals had some pitch problems but got it together at the end but he likes that he's bold and is going to do what he's going to do.
Contestant: James Durbin (The guy with the hair metal scream)
Song: "You Got Another Thing Coming," Judas Priest
Performance: There's a lot of Vince Neil squeals, over the head clapping, and "rock" guitar squalling in the background. He has a few pitch issues and makes sure to get in a couple of big screams. It's like he's auditioning to be in "Rock of Ages," not be an actual rock star.
Steven: Swears in service and says he's crazy good and loves that he's over the top.
JLo: Loves the way he performs and that it's an organic. She says that's the way everyone should perform.
Randy: Says this is how you do it. Says he was nice and tasty with the "high thing."
Contestant:Robbie Rosen (The likable kid from Long Island)
Song:"Angel," Sarah McLachlan
Performance: This seems like a weird choice and the arrangement and the way he's rushing it make it feel awkward. It's a very soft performance, there's little vocal heft to it. He goes to a falsetto place that's a bit rough.
Steven: Says he can sing a ballad like nobody's business and calls it a beautiful thing.
JLo: Says that he's the special type of singer that can tell a story and she loved the different choices he made.
Randy: Dissents and says the chest into the head slide didn't really work and it didn't quite settle in.
Robbie says he had fun with it. Randy tells him when he listens back he'll hear what Randy's talking about.
Contestant:Scotty McCreery (The Southern teen who kept singing that one country song)
Song:"Letter From Home," John Michael Montgomery
Performance: He sounds great, it's a savvy song choice. The only drawback is he's sort of working a cheeseball leaning thing but the girls love him.
Steven: Doesn't think he could've picked a better song.
JLo: She says he was born to sing country music.
Randy: He likes that he's a throwback country guy, he's a big fan.
Contestant: Stefano Langone (The guy who was in a car accident)
Song: "Just the Way You Are," Bruno Mars
Performance: He also goes the modern route but he picked a much better song as a singer. He may not be amazing, but it's a great vocal, with just one minor -- if loud-- clunker.
Steven: Loves how his voice cuts through the air, thinks he's so good.
JLo: Thinks he's very consistent. She says there's nothing awkward about him and calls him a beast.
Randy: Agrees that they were all rocking like they were at a concert and they believed him.
Contestant:Paul McDonald (The soft rocking guy with the raspy voice).
Song: "Maggie May," Rod Stewart
Performance: He sounds fine and seems happy but his movements are kind of awkward and pteradactyl-esque. It's simultaneously kind of goofy and boring. But the vocal was lovely.
Steven: He calls the movements the "McDonald two-step" and loves his character onstage.
JLo: Calls his movements very unique and even though he's wearing all black but his smile lights up the whole place. She calls it a "good" performance.
Randy: Says he's different from anyone that's ever been on "Idol" and hopes that the show can embrace his quirkiness.
Contestant:Jacob Lusk (The guy with the technically amazing voice who oversings everything).
Song:"A House is Not A Home," the Luther Vandross version
Performance: He starts off soft and velvety and restrained enough. His sly little smile seems a bit self-satisfied but he's doing a fine job. He impressively keeps his melisma monster under control until the very end.
Steven: Thinks it's great that America gets to hear him, he's honored to be in his presence, and he makes him cry.
JLo: Luther was JLo's favorite singer of all time and even though he's gone now they have Jacob.
Randy: Agrees and thinks that he's the best, like Luther but different with a little something else.
Contestant: Casey Abrams (The sweetly goofy guy who played melodica and upright bass).
Song: "I Put a Spell on You," "Screamin'" Jay Hawkins
Performance: It's pretty shouty but he's very endearing and committed and he ends on a sweet, clean tender note.
Steven: "In your mind good, out of your mind unreal" Okay. Loves his notes and melodic sensibility. Calls him crazy good.
JLo: Says he's sexy. Says it's clear he wants it bad. She loved how he "ate it all up."
Randy: Loves that he's so different and unique and says "more, more, more, yes, yes, yes."
Wed, Mar 2, 2011
American Idol Top 12 Women Perform March 2, 2011
Theme: Any song they want
Contestant: Ta-Tynisa Wilson The girl with the big fluffy hair
Song: Only Girl in the World, Rihanna
Performance: The belting parts are good but a few of the quieter passages are iffy from a breath control standpoint. The low register notes are also a bit rough. She looks cute though.
Steven: Says she sang the song and the song sang her.
JLo: Says she really brought it home.
Randy: Disagrees and says he thinks this is going to happen a lot to him this season. He thought it was just okay and that she didnt bring anything special or different. JLo interrupts with her disagreement. He calls her on the pitch issues.. He says he didnt quite get it. JLo chimes in you did a good job, baby. She says that being a performer is about moving the crowd. Randy retorts that he was part of the crowd and wasnt moved. Ryan says it takes a lot to move him.
Contestant: Naima Adedapo The girl who worked at the outdoor amphitheatre. Naima designed her own dress.
Song: Summertime, from Porgy and Bess
Performance: She does a slightly more uptempo, cocktail lounge version. Her voice sounds good, but shes a little busy with her movements. Head and shoulders above Ta-Tynisa with a flawless vocal.
JLo: Calls her an exotic flower in a rose garden and loves that she nailed last note.
Randy: Thinks it was a little lounge act-y and brings up Fantasia's stunning version from back in the day. He thought she made it into an interesting thing for herself and enjoyed the second half more than first half.
Steven: I take you personally, says Steven, likening her to early Ella Fitzgerald, and saying thats what America needs a new old-timey thing.
Contestant: Kendra Chantelle
Song: Impossible, Christina Aguilera
Performance: Dressed in black leather with her loose blond hair it seemed like she was poised to rock but she did a nice, understated, well-sung version of this ballad, belting where appropriate.
Randy: Loved the vibrato. She reminds him of Lauryn Hill which makes him feel warm and close to her.
Steven: Thought her voice, clothes, and style were hot.
JLo: Says Kendra fought her way in and thinks she has more in her and wants to see it.
Contestant: Rachel Zevita The girl who auditioned in a previous season.
Song: Criminal, Fiona Apple
Performance: Does a theatrical, jazzy, strutting version of Fiona's bad, bad girl jam. She takes a walk around the judges table. She doesn't show off her big range but its a fun, sassy performance.
Steven: Loved her strut and swagger but says it was a little too Broadway for him. Not that its a bad thing, he thinks it could be her niche. She says she's never actually sung that kind of music. (Which is surprising).
JLo: Is confused as to what kind of artist she wants to be? She wishes that she'd shown off more of her range.
Randy: Thinks it wasn't great or good and it didn't work. He says he didn't even half-recognize the song. She looks a little stunned. She tells Ryan she was having a good time.
Contestant: Karen Rodriguez The Myspace girl.
Song: Hero, Mariah Carey
Performance: In a pretty teal gown she gives a perfectly adequate if pageant-y performance showing off a nice tenderness and range on Mariah's snoozer, with a little Spanish thrown in for good measure.
JLo: Wow, she says. She got goosebumps. Loved the English to Spanish quick changes and that she showed her flavor.
Randy: Liked that she figured out a way to make it her own. Thought the Spanish was even better than the English.
Steven: Calls her a one-of-kind singer and she should get together with Jacob Lusk. He thinks she's fantastic.
Contestant: Lauren Turner The girl who used to be a housekeeper, apparently. (Dont remember her from auditions/Hollywood)
Song: Seven Day Fool, Jully Black
Performance: Fun and sassy with dash of gritty rhythm and blues. Not overdone but well-sung. [
b]Randy: ''That's how you do it, man,'' he says. He loves her power and says she's like Amy Winehouse meets Florence & the Machine.
Steven: Calls it spectacular and loved the way the end of the song went upstairs. Calls it a complete sentence.
JLo: Thinks her voice undeniable, thinks she's holding back physically and thinks letting loose would've put her over the top. Ryan, in a very quick aside, tells us the judges will be choosing wild card picks tomorrow.
Contestant: Ashthon Jones The girl who was very consistent.
Song:Love All Over Me, Monica
Performance: Unfamiliarity with song is sort of killing interest in the performance even though its a decent vocal, if a bit wavery in places. Ultimately, the song itself is kind of limp.
Steven: Says she's got the confidence of a queen and she sings so sweet. He says we found one!
JLo: Says she has all the makings of a diva. Thinks she's amazing.
Randy: Likes her and likes her confidence. Didn't love the song and thinks she's better than that.
Contestant: Julie Zorrilla The girl from Colombia.
Song: Breakaway, Kelly Clarkson
Performance: She looks beautiful as usual, but she's got a lot of arm gesturing and knee-bending going on that's undermining her elegant look. The band is also burying her a bit and that may be a good thing since the pitch is iffy in more than a couple of places. She ends nicely.
JLo: Didn't think it was the best thing she's ever done. It didn't seem heartfelt all the way. She wants her to connect more to the words.
Randy: Says she didn't bring anything different or new to it.
Steven: Calls it the wrong song for her and maybe she should've taken it up a couple of keys.
Contestant: Hailey Reinhart
Song: Fallin', Alicia Keys
Performance: She sounds and looks great, but again doesn't really wrest the song away from Keys. She's a little writhey but she's got obvious natural talent and a lot of poise.
Randy: Says the song didn't do anything for her, and he misses her husky Janis Joplin-esque quality.
Steven: Heard just the right amount of style and sexiness and liked it a lot.
JLo: Agrees with Steven and feels like she heard a lot of different colors in her voice. She tells her to get out of her head.
Contestant: Thia Megia The likable teen.
Song: Out Here on My Own, Irene Cara
Performance: She starts out a cappella and there are a few rough notes. She's great in the belting pre-chorus. Okay, now the notes are getting rougher. But I like that she's taking an understated approach.
Steven: Sometimes a person's pitch can be so perfect that it doesn't matter what song they're singing. He compliments his fellow judges and himself on putting such great talent through.
JLo: Says it was a beautiful, a quiet moment and very captivating.
Randy: He says the quality of the tone is the most important and that this is what hot singing is about.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina The other likable, if more mature-seeming teen who loves Steven.
Song: Turn Up the Radio, Reba McEntire
Performance: She's cute, its a fun, uptempo and she's got good personality.
JLo: Says she doesn't even have to try, that the voice and personality are effortless.
Randy: Says she has a natural gift, and he doesn't even think she knows how good she is. Tells her that she reminds him of Kelly Clarkson meshed with Carrie Underwood.
Steven: Says there's room between those two former winners where Lauren should live and that they haven't seen the best of her yet.
Contestant: Pia Toscano
Song: I'll Stand By You, The Pretenders
Performance: Great performance from beginning to end: it built nicely, had big notes without too much showiness, a good emotional connection. Classy and controlled.
Randy: Notes it's the first standing O of the season, tells her she just put herself in the top.
Steven: Calls it unbelievable, so over the top, gorgeous.
JLo: Knew she was a standout and thinks she was saving that performance for when it counted and says it was out of this world.
Theme: Any song they want
Contestant: Ta-Tynisa Wilson The girl with the big fluffy hair
Song: Only Girl in the World, Rihanna
Performance: The belting parts are good but a few of the quieter passages are iffy from a breath control standpoint. The low register notes are also a bit rough. She looks cute though.
Steven: Says she sang the song and the song sang her.
JLo: Says she really brought it home.
Randy: Disagrees and says he thinks this is going to happen a lot to him this season. He thought it was just okay and that she didnt bring anything special or different. JLo interrupts with her disagreement. He calls her on the pitch issues.. He says he didnt quite get it. JLo chimes in you did a good job, baby. She says that being a performer is about moving the crowd. Randy retorts that he was part of the crowd and wasnt moved. Ryan says it takes a lot to move him.
Contestant: Naima Adedapo The girl who worked at the outdoor amphitheatre. Naima designed her own dress.
Song: Summertime, from Porgy and Bess
Performance: She does a slightly more uptempo, cocktail lounge version. Her voice sounds good, but shes a little busy with her movements. Head and shoulders above Ta-Tynisa with a flawless vocal.
JLo: Calls her an exotic flower in a rose garden and loves that she nailed last note.
Randy: Thinks it was a little lounge act-y and brings up Fantasia's stunning version from back in the day. He thought she made it into an interesting thing for herself and enjoyed the second half more than first half.
Steven: I take you personally, says Steven, likening her to early Ella Fitzgerald, and saying thats what America needs a new old-timey thing.
Contestant: Kendra Chantelle
Song: Impossible, Christina Aguilera
Performance: Dressed in black leather with her loose blond hair it seemed like she was poised to rock but she did a nice, understated, well-sung version of this ballad, belting where appropriate.
Randy: Loved the vibrato. She reminds him of Lauryn Hill which makes him feel warm and close to her.
Steven: Thought her voice, clothes, and style were hot.
JLo: Says Kendra fought her way in and thinks she has more in her and wants to see it.
Contestant: Rachel Zevita The girl who auditioned in a previous season.
Song: Criminal, Fiona Apple
Performance: Does a theatrical, jazzy, strutting version of Fiona's bad, bad girl jam. She takes a walk around the judges table. She doesn't show off her big range but its a fun, sassy performance.
Steven: Loved her strut and swagger but says it was a little too Broadway for him. Not that its a bad thing, he thinks it could be her niche. She says she's never actually sung that kind of music. (Which is surprising).
JLo: Is confused as to what kind of artist she wants to be? She wishes that she'd shown off more of her range.
Randy: Thinks it wasn't great or good and it didn't work. He says he didn't even half-recognize the song. She looks a little stunned. She tells Ryan she was having a good time.
Contestant: Karen Rodriguez The Myspace girl.
Song: Hero, Mariah Carey
Performance: In a pretty teal gown she gives a perfectly adequate if pageant-y performance showing off a nice tenderness and range on Mariah's snoozer, with a little Spanish thrown in for good measure.
JLo: Wow, she says. She got goosebumps. Loved the English to Spanish quick changes and that she showed her flavor.
Randy: Liked that she figured out a way to make it her own. Thought the Spanish was even better than the English.
Steven: Calls her a one-of-kind singer and she should get together with Jacob Lusk. He thinks she's fantastic.
Contestant: Lauren Turner The girl who used to be a housekeeper, apparently. (Dont remember her from auditions/Hollywood)
Song: Seven Day Fool, Jully Black
Performance: Fun and sassy with dash of gritty rhythm and blues. Not overdone but well-sung. [
b]Randy: ''That's how you do it, man,'' he says. He loves her power and says she's like Amy Winehouse meets Florence & the Machine.
Steven: Calls it spectacular and loved the way the end of the song went upstairs. Calls it a complete sentence.
JLo: Thinks her voice undeniable, thinks she's holding back physically and thinks letting loose would've put her over the top. Ryan, in a very quick aside, tells us the judges will be choosing wild card picks tomorrow.
Contestant: Ashthon Jones The girl who was very consistent.
Song:Love All Over Me, Monica
Performance: Unfamiliarity with song is sort of killing interest in the performance even though its a decent vocal, if a bit wavery in places. Ultimately, the song itself is kind of limp.
Steven: Says she's got the confidence of a queen and she sings so sweet. He says we found one!
JLo: Says she has all the makings of a diva. Thinks she's amazing.
Randy: Likes her and likes her confidence. Didn't love the song and thinks she's better than that.
Contestant: Julie Zorrilla The girl from Colombia.
Song: Breakaway, Kelly Clarkson
Performance: She looks beautiful as usual, but she's got a lot of arm gesturing and knee-bending going on that's undermining her elegant look. The band is also burying her a bit and that may be a good thing since the pitch is iffy in more than a couple of places. She ends nicely.
JLo: Didn't think it was the best thing she's ever done. It didn't seem heartfelt all the way. She wants her to connect more to the words.
Randy: Says she didn't bring anything different or new to it.
Steven: Calls it the wrong song for her and maybe she should've taken it up a couple of keys.
Contestant: Hailey Reinhart
Song: Fallin', Alicia Keys
Performance: She sounds and looks great, but again doesn't really wrest the song away from Keys. She's a little writhey but she's got obvious natural talent and a lot of poise.
Randy: Says the song didn't do anything for her, and he misses her husky Janis Joplin-esque quality.
Steven: Heard just the right amount of style and sexiness and liked it a lot.
JLo: Agrees with Steven and feels like she heard a lot of different colors in her voice. She tells her to get out of her head.
Contestant: Thia Megia The likable teen.
Song: Out Here on My Own, Irene Cara
Performance: She starts out a cappella and there are a few rough notes. She's great in the belting pre-chorus. Okay, now the notes are getting rougher. But I like that she's taking an understated approach.
Steven: Sometimes a person's pitch can be so perfect that it doesn't matter what song they're singing. He compliments his fellow judges and himself on putting such great talent through.
JLo: Says it was a beautiful, a quiet moment and very captivating.
Randy: He says the quality of the tone is the most important and that this is what hot singing is about.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina The other likable, if more mature-seeming teen who loves Steven.
Song: Turn Up the Radio, Reba McEntire
Performance: She's cute, its a fun, uptempo and she's got good personality.
JLo: Says she doesn't even have to try, that the voice and personality are effortless.
Randy: Says she has a natural gift, and he doesn't even think she knows how good she is. Tells her that she reminds him of Kelly Clarkson meshed with Carrie Underwood.
Steven: Says there's room between those two former winners where Lauren should live and that they haven't seen the best of her yet.
Contestant: Pia Toscano
Song: I'll Stand By You, The Pretenders
Performance: Great performance from beginning to end: it built nicely, had big notes without too much showiness, a good emotional connection. Classy and controlled.
Randy: Notes it's the first standing O of the season, tells her she just put herself in the top.
Steven: Calls it unbelievable, so over the top, gorgeous.
JLo: Knew she was a standout and thinks she was saving that performance for when it counted and says it was out of this world.
Thu, Mar 3, 2011
"American Idol" - First Results Show - March 3, 2011
Ryan informs us we are live and tonight will have the largest cut ever made at this point in the season. He also says 40 million votes came in.
The top 24 is introduced alphabetically, from Casey Abrams to Julie Zorrilla.
Ryan reminds us that after the top 10 is picked by America, the judges will have some of the folks who are cut sing again to compete for one of the wild card spots.
Ryan starts with the guys and intros the video recap of Tuesday's performance show.
Ryan banters with the guys and then intros a video recap of behind the scenes guy outtakes/bloopers and confessionals.
Finally he brings up the teenagers Scotty and Robbie. Scotty is in, Robbie is out for now. Ryan reminds the boo-birds that he might have a wild card spot.
He calls up Clint, Jordan, and Jovany next. Clint and Jordan are out, as is Jovany but Ryan waits to tell him after he sends the other two away. Annoying.
Now Ryan throws to a video recap of ladies night.
Now he chats with the ladies about how hard this is.
Now we get the behind-the-scenes video stuff.
He calls up Pia and Lauren A. They're both in and join Scotty on the couch of glory.
Up next Ta-Tynisa and Julie. They're both out.
Kendra, Ashton, and Karen hit center stage. Ashton and Kendra are out and Karen is in.
Ryan calls up Tim, Casey, and Jacob. Casey and Jacob are in. Tim is out.
Next is Naima, Thia, and Lauren T. Naima and Lauren are out. Thia is in.
Up next Brett and Paul. Brett is out and Paul is in.
And then Hailey and Rachel. Hailey is in. Rachel is out.
And finally we're on to Stefano and James. And James is the winner of the final slot in the public vote.
Now it's time for the wild card sing offs.
Six aspirants, three girls and three guys will get to sing.
Ashton is up first and sings "And I'm Telling You, I'm Not Going" from "Dreamgirls." It's full of attitude and sounds pretty good. It's not a knockout punch though.
Steven thought she brought it like she brought it before. Jennifer felt her passion. Randy still loves the attitude.
Stefano gets the next shot and sings "I Need You Now," by Smokie Norful and it sounds pretty great.
Randy loves Smokie Norful and loved that he picked that song. Jennifer says he came through and there's no way to not get it right or wrong with these kids. Steven says he brought it again and gilded his lily with passion.
Kendra is next and sings "Georgia On My Mind." She starts in a low, sultry place and then belts out the chorus and ends with a nice growl.
Randy thinks she rocked out. Only time for one judge now since they're running long.
Jovany gets another shot and sings "Angel," Jon Secada. He sings in Spanish and English and really goes for it.
Jennifer says he did the best he could do.
Naima gets the final shot for the girls. First Ryan brings the other girls-- Lauren T, Ta-Tynisa, Julie, and Rachel-- down for a goodbye first. Naima sings "For All We Know," by Donny Hathaway. Her nerves are pretty raw but she does pretty well but cries at the end.
Steven says she came from way deep down inside again and brought it to him.
And Robbie gets the last potential spot for the guys. Ryan brings the others- Clint, Brett, Tim, and Jordan-- down for their goodbye. He sings "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word," Elton John. It's a huge improvement over his take on "Angel" on Tuesday.
Randy says it was very nice and tender and says the Robbie he fell in love with is back. Randy says this is the toughest night ever.
Ryan brings all the wild card contenders to the stage.
The judges confer during the break and when we return they make the kids wait and show JLo's new video for "On the Floor."
And then another break.
The wild card picks are: Ashton, Naima,and Stefano
The Top 13 Naima Adedapo, Lauren Alaina, Casey Abrams, James Durbin, Ashton Jones, Stefano Langone, Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery, Paul McDonald, Thia Megia, Haley Reinhart, Karen Rodriguez, Pia Toscano,
Ryan informs us we are live and tonight will have the largest cut ever made at this point in the season. He also says 40 million votes came in.
The top 24 is introduced alphabetically, from Casey Abrams to Julie Zorrilla.
Ryan reminds us that after the top 10 is picked by America, the judges will have some of the folks who are cut sing again to compete for one of the wild card spots.
Ryan starts with the guys and intros the video recap of Tuesday's performance show.
Ryan banters with the guys and then intros a video recap of behind the scenes guy outtakes/bloopers and confessionals.
Finally he brings up the teenagers Scotty and Robbie. Scotty is in, Robbie is out for now. Ryan reminds the boo-birds that he might have a wild card spot.
He calls up Clint, Jordan, and Jovany next. Clint and Jordan are out, as is Jovany but Ryan waits to tell him after he sends the other two away. Annoying.
Now Ryan throws to a video recap of ladies night.
Now he chats with the ladies about how hard this is.
Now we get the behind-the-scenes video stuff.
He calls up Pia and Lauren A. They're both in and join Scotty on the couch of glory.
Up next Ta-Tynisa and Julie. They're both out.
Kendra, Ashton, and Karen hit center stage. Ashton and Kendra are out and Karen is in.
Ryan calls up Tim, Casey, and Jacob. Casey and Jacob are in. Tim is out.
Next is Naima, Thia, and Lauren T. Naima and Lauren are out. Thia is in.
Up next Brett and Paul. Brett is out and Paul is in.
And then Hailey and Rachel. Hailey is in. Rachel is out.
And finally we're on to Stefano and James. And James is the winner of the final slot in the public vote.
Now it's time for the wild card sing offs.
Six aspirants, three girls and three guys will get to sing.
Ashton is up first and sings "And I'm Telling You, I'm Not Going" from "Dreamgirls." It's full of attitude and sounds pretty good. It's not a knockout punch though.
Steven thought she brought it like she brought it before. Jennifer felt her passion. Randy still loves the attitude.
Stefano gets the next shot and sings "I Need You Now," by Smokie Norful and it sounds pretty great.
Randy loves Smokie Norful and loved that he picked that song. Jennifer says he came through and there's no way to not get it right or wrong with these kids. Steven says he brought it again and gilded his lily with passion.
Kendra is next and sings "Georgia On My Mind." She starts in a low, sultry place and then belts out the chorus and ends with a nice growl.
Randy thinks she rocked out. Only time for one judge now since they're running long.
Jovany gets another shot and sings "Angel," Jon Secada. He sings in Spanish and English and really goes for it.
Jennifer says he did the best he could do.
Naima gets the final shot for the girls. First Ryan brings the other girls-- Lauren T, Ta-Tynisa, Julie, and Rachel-- down for a goodbye first. Naima sings "For All We Know," by Donny Hathaway. Her nerves are pretty raw but she does pretty well but cries at the end.
Steven says she came from way deep down inside again and brought it to him.
And Robbie gets the last potential spot for the guys. Ryan brings the others- Clint, Brett, Tim, and Jordan-- down for their goodbye. He sings "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word," Elton John. It's a huge improvement over his take on "Angel" on Tuesday.
Randy says it was very nice and tender and says the Robbie he fell in love with is back. Randy says this is the toughest night ever.
Ryan brings all the wild card contenders to the stage.
The judges confer during the break and when we return they make the kids wait and show JLo's new video for "On the Floor."
And then another break.
The wild card picks are: Ashton, Naima,and Stefano
The Top 13 Naima Adedapo, Lauren Alaina, Casey Abrams, James Durbin, Ashton Jones, Stefano Langone, Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery, Paul McDonald, Thia Megia, Haley Reinhart, Karen Rodriguez, Pia Toscano,
Wed, Mar 9, 2011
"American Idol" - Top 13 Peformance Show - March 9, 2011
Theme: A song by my idol
Contestant: Lauren Alaina
Song: "Any Man of Mine," Shania Twain. Lauren thinks Shania was the first female performer to mix country and pop. She worked in the studio with Don Was and she liked him. Jimmy Iovine showed up and it made her nervous but she tried to keep her focus. Jimmy and Don think Lauren is going to have a big career.
Performance: She's cute and easygoing and she does a nice job with a very straightforward cover but it's not really a singer's song.
Steven: Loves her voice but wishes the song was a little more kickass.
JLo: Says she always sounds amazing but wants her to kick it into high gear.
Randy: Loves Shania and Mutt Lange but was hoping to see more of the girl they first saw, something that lets her shine beyond belief.
Contestant: Casey Abrams
Song: "With a Little Help From My Friends," Joe Cocker's version of the Beatles song. Jimmy instructs him to sing the first lines of the song-- about singing out of tune-- directly to the judges. Casey says he was inspired by Cocker because he made it cool to be a not so hot looking guy with a growly voice. Jimmy tells him to perform the song physically.
Performance: He starts seated on the stairs and starts walking center stage as the song ramps up and some "friends" in the form of a choir join him onstage. He does nice work with the dynamics having nice fluttery moments and growly passages. He also doesn't exactly mimic Cocker's vocal cadences which is nice. It all works. The crowd digs it.
JLo: Says she grabbed Randy in amazement and truly felt him. He blew her away.
Randy: Says he's excited every time he comes up to sing and says he was unbelievable and perfectly in tune and he loved it.
Steven: "You are a rainbow of talent," he says. "You are a plethora of passion."
Contestant: Ashthon Jones. Diana Ross is one of her heroes and she got to work with Rodney Jerkins in a studio. She's nervous about how high she's singing. Jimmy was nervous but he was so inspired he wanted to invite Berry Gordy to hear it.
Song:"When You Tell Me That You Love Me," Diana Ross
Performance: She looks elegant in silver but her start is a bit breathy and the whole thing sounds a shade flat, long before she gets to the big note. It doesn't help that it's not a very well-known song. It's not awful but it's not inspiring either.
Randy: Liked it and points out Berry Gordy in the crowd. Says he was a little worried about the song and thought it was safe but he saw her grow as a singer as she worked on pulling herself back from bad pitch moments.
Steven:Has confidence in her and thinks there's a lot more in there than is showing.
JLo: Thinks she's showing great professionalism. Wants her to start singing songs that the audience can sing along with her.
Contestant: Paul McDonald. His idol is Ryan Adams. (Yay, Paul!) He got to work with Don Was also. Jimmy tells him he has to nail the chorus. Jimmy says Paul's voice is understated and powerful.
Song: "Come Pick Me Up," Ryan Adams
Performance: He starts lightly and there's some nice fiddle in the background. (The band seems less intrusive this week.) He also has to adjust the lyrics of the chorus from "screw all my friends" to "lose all my friends." Again this isn't really a singer's song and he has a couple of pitch issues but he's having fun.
Steven: Loves the character and the rasp in his voice, calls it a little pitchy and tells him to nail it next time.
JLo: Enjoyed watching the audience watch him, he thinks he's very unique. She doesn't know Ryan Adams or that song. She hopes America gets it.
Randy: Says it wasn't the most exciting thing but likes his vibe and he also hopes America gets it because he loves him for this show.
Contestant: Pia Toscano. In stool chat Ryan asks her about the behind the scenes action. She details press, photo shoots, premieres, rehearsal and living like one big happy family in a mansion. Her hero is Celine Dion. She works with Ron Fair in the studio. She hopes to make her dad proud. Jimmy is already proud.
Song:"All By Myself," Celine Dion's version of Eric Carmen's song.
Performance:She is also in a glittery silver dress, mini in the front but long in the back. It's like a dress mullet. The opening part in the lower register is fine but the big belting chorus is where she really shines. So she mostly does that. She does a lot of arm gesturing that doesn't add much to the moment but she sounds great.
JLo: Is at a loss. She says she topped last week.
Randy: Says we always tell people not to sing Celine-Whitney-Mariah, but thinks she slayed it and has such a natural gift. Hot, dope, cool, it was.
Steven: He says that was the sum total of all the work she's done up to now. He wishes her happy international woman's day. He says she slammed it.
Contestant: James Durbin. Paul McCartney is his idol. He worked with producer Jim Jonsin in the studio. Jimmy likes that a voice like James' can be heard on "Idol."
Song:"Maybe I'm Amazed," Paul McCartney
Performance: He starts off softly and keeps it simple in the more ramped up second verse,does a bit of controlled screaming, takes it down to a nice, icy piano place at the end. Easily my favorite performance of his so far.
Randy:Thinks he slayed it and can sing anything, loved that he showed he had a sensitive. He says James Durbin is dangerous.
Steven: Took everything he had and kicked it into the middle of next week. Loved it.
JLo: Tells him to get used to the applause because he such a great melodic quality to his voice, she says he has everything.
Contestant: Haley Reinhart. Apparently Leann Rimes is her hero, or at least the song "Blue" was important to her life. She worked with the duo Rock Mafia in the studio. Jimmy calls it a tough song to take on but that she sings it really well.
Song: "Blue," Leann Rimes
Performance: She nails the yodeling bit, she sounds good but it's not a very thrilling performance and again lots of arm movements. Nicely done.
Steven: Says it was beautiful and says the country and western part of America is roaring for her. He thanks her.
JLo: Says America is getting to know her and likes that she can do special things with her voice.Says she did a good job.
Randy: The good part is that her range is big, but for him it was a little sleepy and boring. JLo counters that Haley's very sensual and not everyone has to run around the stage. He says that wasn't it. It was just boring.
Contestant: Jacob Lusk. R. Kelly is his Idol. He works with Rodney Jerkins. Jimmy thinks Jacob has an incredible gift, he tells him to breathe.
Song: "I Believe I Can Fly," R. Kelly
Performance: He also gets the gospel choir treatment, he hits a lot of bad notes on his way to a nice run mid-song.
Steven: Says it's pure passion, says he can't even judge him, he's just that good.
JLo: She says it is hard to judge because he makes them feel it so much. She thinks everyone is good but he's at the top/
Randy: Compliments the judges on how well they did picking, notes that he fell off on one of the verses pitch-wise but thinks he's great.
Contestant: Thia Megia. Her idol is Michael Jackson. She worked with Ron Fair and Jimmy.
Song: "Smile," Michael Jackson's version of Charlie Chaplin's song.
Performance: She sounds and looks sweet and changes it up with a little tempo halfway through, but again, not very exciting.
Randy: Loved the beginning more than the end.
Steven: He calls her Pia and says it was a little pitchy and agrees that the beginning was better.
JLo: Agrees and wants to see her move more. Says she sings like an angel.
Contestant: Stefano Langone. His idol is Stevie Wonder. He worked with Polow Da Don and he really enjoyed it. Jimmy wants him to keep his eyes open.
Song: "Lately," Stevie Wonder
Performance: He starts out with a traditional cover but switches to a thumpy disco rendition halfway through. The good parts are pretty great and the rest of it is fine, with a couple of clunkers.
Steven: Says he pulled it off and by the end it was soaring like a volcano.
JLo: Says he had him dancing and she loved that it wasn't a copy but it was really him.
Randy: Says he slayed it by the middle of the song and that Stevie would be proud.
Contestant: Karen Rodriguez. Her idol is Selena. She works with Jim Jonsin in the studio. Jimmy tells her to conserve her voice.
Song: "I Could Fall in Love," Selena
Performance: The beginning is a bit rough as her lower register is a bit raspy but when she gets to the belting parts it sounds okay but again kind of boring.
JLo: Says she could tell that she was a little uncomfortable with the low and high register and wonders whether she can hear herself. She says she had a little trouble. JLo knows she's normally better than this and hopes she makes it through to next week.
Randy: Agrees it felt like she was fighting the song but says it wasn't exciting.
Steven: Thinks her energy was lacking and hopes she's better next week.
Contestant: Scotty McCreery chats about missing his high school baseball team. (They're 2-2). He works with Don Was in the studio. Garth Brooks is his idol. Jimmy can't argue with Scotty's desire to stay true to himself.
Song: "The River," Garth Brooks
Performance: He's adorable, charming, poised, and sounds great.
Randy: Loved it and loved that he didn't switch it up and this is exactly where Scotty belongs.
JLo: Thinks he's taking us all on the ride with him.
Steven: Says he did "the Garth" justice and quotes an Elton John song as a way of proving it.
Contestant: Naima Adedapo. Rihanna is her hero. (Really?) She's working with Tricky Stewart who actually produced Rihanna's version. Tricky thinks it's going to be amazing and Jimmy is confident she could go right to the top 5.
Song:"Umbrella," Rihanna
Performance: She switches it up big time from last week getting more urban and edgy, seh breaks down into dancehall break and then after the bridge she bust a few moves.
Steven: Thinks she's crazy good, a little pitchy, but thought she brought flavor that no one else has.
JLo: Doesn't care if it was pitchy, she thought she was hot like a real artist. She needs to work on control.
Randy: He does care about the pitchiness, but loved the whole reggae thing and wished she'd done the whole thing all the way.
Theme: A song by my idol
Contestant: Lauren Alaina
Song: "Any Man of Mine," Shania Twain. Lauren thinks Shania was the first female performer to mix country and pop. She worked in the studio with Don Was and she liked him. Jimmy Iovine showed up and it made her nervous but she tried to keep her focus. Jimmy and Don think Lauren is going to have a big career.
Performance: She's cute and easygoing and she does a nice job with a very straightforward cover but it's not really a singer's song.
Steven: Loves her voice but wishes the song was a little more kickass.
JLo: Says she always sounds amazing but wants her to kick it into high gear.
Randy: Loves Shania and Mutt Lange but was hoping to see more of the girl they first saw, something that lets her shine beyond belief.
Contestant: Casey Abrams
Song: "With a Little Help From My Friends," Joe Cocker's version of the Beatles song. Jimmy instructs him to sing the first lines of the song-- about singing out of tune-- directly to the judges. Casey says he was inspired by Cocker because he made it cool to be a not so hot looking guy with a growly voice. Jimmy tells him to perform the song physically.
Performance: He starts seated on the stairs and starts walking center stage as the song ramps up and some "friends" in the form of a choir join him onstage. He does nice work with the dynamics having nice fluttery moments and growly passages. He also doesn't exactly mimic Cocker's vocal cadences which is nice. It all works. The crowd digs it.
JLo: Says she grabbed Randy in amazement and truly felt him. He blew her away.
Randy: Says he's excited every time he comes up to sing and says he was unbelievable and perfectly in tune and he loved it.
Steven: "You are a rainbow of talent," he says. "You are a plethora of passion."
Contestant: Ashthon Jones. Diana Ross is one of her heroes and she got to work with Rodney Jerkins in a studio. She's nervous about how high she's singing. Jimmy was nervous but he was so inspired he wanted to invite Berry Gordy to hear it.
Song:"When You Tell Me That You Love Me," Diana Ross
Performance: She looks elegant in silver but her start is a bit breathy and the whole thing sounds a shade flat, long before she gets to the big note. It doesn't help that it's not a very well-known song. It's not awful but it's not inspiring either.
Randy: Liked it and points out Berry Gordy in the crowd. Says he was a little worried about the song and thought it was safe but he saw her grow as a singer as she worked on pulling herself back from bad pitch moments.
Steven:Has confidence in her and thinks there's a lot more in there than is showing.
JLo: Thinks she's showing great professionalism. Wants her to start singing songs that the audience can sing along with her.
Contestant: Paul McDonald. His idol is Ryan Adams. (Yay, Paul!) He got to work with Don Was also. Jimmy tells him he has to nail the chorus. Jimmy says Paul's voice is understated and powerful.
Song: "Come Pick Me Up," Ryan Adams
Performance: He starts lightly and there's some nice fiddle in the background. (The band seems less intrusive this week.) He also has to adjust the lyrics of the chorus from "screw all my friends" to "lose all my friends." Again this isn't really a singer's song and he has a couple of pitch issues but he's having fun.
Steven: Loves the character and the rasp in his voice, calls it a little pitchy and tells him to nail it next time.
JLo: Enjoyed watching the audience watch him, he thinks he's very unique. She doesn't know Ryan Adams or that song. She hopes America gets it.
Randy: Says it wasn't the most exciting thing but likes his vibe and he also hopes America gets it because he loves him for this show.
Contestant: Pia Toscano. In stool chat Ryan asks her about the behind the scenes action. She details press, photo shoots, premieres, rehearsal and living like one big happy family in a mansion. Her hero is Celine Dion. She works with Ron Fair in the studio. She hopes to make her dad proud. Jimmy is already proud.
Song:"All By Myself," Celine Dion's version of Eric Carmen's song.
Performance:She is also in a glittery silver dress, mini in the front but long in the back. It's like a dress mullet. The opening part in the lower register is fine but the big belting chorus is where she really shines. So she mostly does that. She does a lot of arm gesturing that doesn't add much to the moment but she sounds great.
JLo: Is at a loss. She says she topped last week.
Randy: Says we always tell people not to sing Celine-Whitney-Mariah, but thinks she slayed it and has such a natural gift. Hot, dope, cool, it was.
Steven: He says that was the sum total of all the work she's done up to now. He wishes her happy international woman's day. He says she slammed it.
Contestant: James Durbin. Paul McCartney is his idol. He worked with producer Jim Jonsin in the studio. Jimmy likes that a voice like James' can be heard on "Idol."
Song:"Maybe I'm Amazed," Paul McCartney
Performance: He starts off softly and keeps it simple in the more ramped up second verse,does a bit of controlled screaming, takes it down to a nice, icy piano place at the end. Easily my favorite performance of his so far.
Randy:Thinks he slayed it and can sing anything, loved that he showed he had a sensitive. He says James Durbin is dangerous.
Steven: Took everything he had and kicked it into the middle of next week. Loved it.
JLo: Tells him to get used to the applause because he such a great melodic quality to his voice, she says he has everything.
Contestant: Haley Reinhart. Apparently Leann Rimes is her hero, or at least the song "Blue" was important to her life. She worked with the duo Rock Mafia in the studio. Jimmy calls it a tough song to take on but that she sings it really well.
Song: "Blue," Leann Rimes
Performance: She nails the yodeling bit, she sounds good but it's not a very thrilling performance and again lots of arm movements. Nicely done.
Steven: Says it was beautiful and says the country and western part of America is roaring for her. He thanks her.
JLo: Says America is getting to know her and likes that she can do special things with her voice.Says she did a good job.
Randy: The good part is that her range is big, but for him it was a little sleepy and boring. JLo counters that Haley's very sensual and not everyone has to run around the stage. He says that wasn't it. It was just boring.
Contestant: Jacob Lusk. R. Kelly is his Idol. He works with Rodney Jerkins. Jimmy thinks Jacob has an incredible gift, he tells him to breathe.
Song: "I Believe I Can Fly," R. Kelly
Performance: He also gets the gospel choir treatment, he hits a lot of bad notes on his way to a nice run mid-song.
Steven: Says it's pure passion, says he can't even judge him, he's just that good.
JLo: She says it is hard to judge because he makes them feel it so much. She thinks everyone is good but he's at the top/
Randy: Compliments the judges on how well they did picking, notes that he fell off on one of the verses pitch-wise but thinks he's great.
Contestant: Thia Megia. Her idol is Michael Jackson. She worked with Ron Fair and Jimmy.
Song: "Smile," Michael Jackson's version of Charlie Chaplin's song.
Performance: She sounds and looks sweet and changes it up with a little tempo halfway through, but again, not very exciting.
Randy: Loved the beginning more than the end.
Steven: He calls her Pia and says it was a little pitchy and agrees that the beginning was better.
JLo: Agrees and wants to see her move more. Says she sings like an angel.
Contestant: Stefano Langone. His idol is Stevie Wonder. He worked with Polow Da Don and he really enjoyed it. Jimmy wants him to keep his eyes open.
Song: "Lately," Stevie Wonder
Performance: He starts out with a traditional cover but switches to a thumpy disco rendition halfway through. The good parts are pretty great and the rest of it is fine, with a couple of clunkers.
Steven: Says he pulled it off and by the end it was soaring like a volcano.
JLo: Says he had him dancing and she loved that it wasn't a copy but it was really him.
Randy: Says he slayed it by the middle of the song and that Stevie would be proud.
Contestant: Karen Rodriguez. Her idol is Selena. She works with Jim Jonsin in the studio. Jimmy tells her to conserve her voice.
Song: "I Could Fall in Love," Selena
Performance: The beginning is a bit rough as her lower register is a bit raspy but when she gets to the belting parts it sounds okay but again kind of boring.
JLo: Says she could tell that she was a little uncomfortable with the low and high register and wonders whether she can hear herself. She says she had a little trouble. JLo knows she's normally better than this and hopes she makes it through to next week.
Randy: Agrees it felt like she was fighting the song but says it wasn't exciting.
Steven: Thinks her energy was lacking and hopes she's better next week.
Contestant: Scotty McCreery chats about missing his high school baseball team. (They're 2-2). He works with Don Was in the studio. Garth Brooks is his idol. Jimmy can't argue with Scotty's desire to stay true to himself.
Song: "The River," Garth Brooks
Performance: He's adorable, charming, poised, and sounds great.
Randy: Loved it and loved that he didn't switch it up and this is exactly where Scotty belongs.
JLo: Thinks he's taking us all on the ride with him.
Steven: Says he did "the Garth" justice and quotes an Elton John song as a way of proving it.
Contestant: Naima Adedapo. Rihanna is her hero. (Really?) She's working with Tricky Stewart who actually produced Rihanna's version. Tricky thinks it's going to be amazing and Jimmy is confident she could go right to the top 5.
Song:"Umbrella," Rihanna
Performance: She switches it up big time from last week getting more urban and edgy, seh breaks down into dancehall break and then after the bridge she bust a few moves.
Steven: Thinks she's crazy good, a little pitchy, but thought she brought flavor that no one else has.
JLo: Doesn't care if it was pitchy, she thought she was hot like a real artist. She needs to work on control.
Randy: He does care about the pitchiness, but loved the whole reggae thing and wished she'd done the whole thing all the way.
Thu, Mar 10, 2011
"American Idol" - Top 13 Results - March 10, 2011
Ryan tells us that 30 million votes came in last night. He tells us that the save is back in effect, it can be used one time before the top 5.
Ryan informs us that Casey is sick in the hospital so he's missing from the group formation.
We get a video package of the gang arriving and moving into "Idol" mansion and being very excited and overwhelmed.
Group Sing: Medley: "Wannabe Startin' Somethin'"/"Rock With You"/"Black and White"/"Man in the Mirror," Michael Jackson. It's weird some of it sounds live and some of it sounds lip-synched? Maybe live microphones over recorded tracks? There's a lot of elaborate blocking for this one and the gang execute it pretty well. (Wonder how glad Casey is to have missed that.)
Ford Commercial: "The World," the group is in a cut and paste/collage world and they "build" a stage to sing on.
We get a video package of the gang going to the premiere of "Red Riding Hood." They meet some of the stars including Gary Oldman. Star Amanda Seyfried is in the audience and Ryan chats with her briefly. We actually see video of them watching the movie in the theatre. We then get their very positive reviews.
Results: Ryan brings up Stefano, Karen, and Jacob and tells them they're all safe... except Karen.
Performance: Adam Lambert. He does an understated, seated, acoustic version of "Aftermath." He's rocking a short 'do and light make-up. Ryan and Adam and JLo banter after the performance.
Results: Next is Lauren, Ashthon, and Haley. Only Lauren is safe.
Bottom three: Karen, Haley, Ashthon
Performance: Diddy Dirty Money, featuring Skylar Grey. "Coming Home."
Going Home: Ashthon Jones as the judges decline to use their save after she gives Diana Ross another whirl.
The show debuts the new going away song: David Cook's version of Simple Minds' "Don't You Forget About Me"
Ryan tells us that 30 million votes came in last night. He tells us that the save is back in effect, it can be used one time before the top 5.
Ryan informs us that Casey is sick in the hospital so he's missing from the group formation.
We get a video package of the gang arriving and moving into "Idol" mansion and being very excited and overwhelmed.
Group Sing: Medley: "Wannabe Startin' Somethin'"/"Rock With You"/"Black and White"/"Man in the Mirror," Michael Jackson. It's weird some of it sounds live and some of it sounds lip-synched? Maybe live microphones over recorded tracks? There's a lot of elaborate blocking for this one and the gang execute it pretty well. (Wonder how glad Casey is to have missed that.)
Ford Commercial: "The World," the group is in a cut and paste/collage world and they "build" a stage to sing on.
We get a video package of the gang going to the premiere of "Red Riding Hood." They meet some of the stars including Gary Oldman. Star Amanda Seyfried is in the audience and Ryan chats with her briefly. We actually see video of them watching the movie in the theatre. We then get their very positive reviews.
Results: Ryan brings up Stefano, Karen, and Jacob and tells them they're all safe... except Karen.
Performance: Adam Lambert. He does an understated, seated, acoustic version of "Aftermath." He's rocking a short 'do and light make-up. Ryan and Adam and JLo banter after the performance.
Results: Next is Lauren, Ashthon, and Haley. Only Lauren is safe.
Bottom three: Karen, Haley, Ashthon
Performance: Diddy Dirty Money, featuring Skylar Grey. "Coming Home."
Going Home: Ashthon Jones as the judges decline to use their save after she gives Diana Ross another whirl.
The show debuts the new going away song: David Cook's version of Simple Minds' "Don't You Forget About Me"
Thu, Mar 17, 2011
"American Idol" - One Voted Off - March 17, 2011
Ryan expresses thanks to the viewers for their support of the Red Cross for relief in Japan.
In the audience: Marc Anthony, Pitbull
Group Sing:"Born to Be Wild," Steppenwolf/"Born This Way," Lady Gaga It's a mash-up with the boys singing the former and the girls singing the latter.
Ford Commercial "Val Kilmer." Bowling for Soup. It's like a movie trailer.
Ryan pimps the "Idol" 10th anniversary CD which everyone in the audience is getting.
We get a video package of the "Idols" talking about what America doesn't know about them. Example: Scotty McCreery can wiggle his ears.
Results: He calls up Jacob, Lauren, and Casey. They are all safe. Next up are Haley and Paul. Haley is in the bottom three.
Performance: "Beautiful Like You," Lee Dewyze. It's a mid-tempo pop rocker. He sounds good but the song isn't much. Lee tells Ryan it's good to be back. He tells the folks on the couches that they'll be fine no matter happens.
Results: Up next Pia, Scotty, and James. They're all safe. Up next Stefano and Naima. Naima is in the bottom three and Stefano is safe. Finally comes Karen and Thia. Karen is in the bottom three and Thia is safe.
Performance: Black Eyed Peas, "Just Can't Get Enough." Will.i.am dedicates the song to the people of Japan.
Ryan sends Naima back to safety.
Going Home: Karen since the judges decline to use the save after her rendition of "Hero" by Mariah Carey. (Randy says it was not unanimous).
Ryan expresses thanks to the viewers for their support of the Red Cross for relief in Japan.
In the audience: Marc Anthony, Pitbull
Group Sing:"Born to Be Wild," Steppenwolf/"Born This Way," Lady Gaga It's a mash-up with the boys singing the former and the girls singing the latter.
Ford Commercial "Val Kilmer." Bowling for Soup. It's like a movie trailer.
Ryan pimps the "Idol" 10th anniversary CD which everyone in the audience is getting.
We get a video package of the "Idols" talking about what America doesn't know about them. Example: Scotty McCreery can wiggle his ears.
Results: He calls up Jacob, Lauren, and Casey. They are all safe. Next up are Haley and Paul. Haley is in the bottom three.
Performance: "Beautiful Like You," Lee Dewyze. It's a mid-tempo pop rocker. He sounds good but the song isn't much. Lee tells Ryan it's good to be back. He tells the folks on the couches that they'll be fine no matter happens.
Results: Up next Pia, Scotty, and James. They're all safe. Up next Stefano and Naima. Naima is in the bottom three and Stefano is safe. Finally comes Karen and Thia. Karen is in the bottom three and Thia is safe.
Performance: Black Eyed Peas, "Just Can't Get Enough." Will.i.am dedicates the song to the people of Japan.
Ryan sends Naima back to safety.
Going Home: Karen since the judges decline to use the save after her rendition of "Hero" by Mariah Carey. (Randy says it was not unanimous).
Wed, Mar 23, 2011
"American Idol" - Top 11 Performance Show - March 23, 2011
Theme: Motown
Video Package: A retrospective on Motown history
In the audience: Liv Tyler, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith, Gordon Ramsay, Jennifer Beals
Contestant:Casey Abrams. Tells the producers he feels comfortable with Motown. He gets counseled to not get to screechy/growly.
Song: "I Heard it Through the Grapevine," Marvin Gaye
Performance: He has slicked his hair back and he starts off with a slow growl and eases into a more recognizable version. He takes a walk down into the audience. It's pretty good, a little shouty/too growly at the end but fine.
Steven: Calls him the perfect entertainer with perfect pitch and crazy ass ego. Calls him beautiful.
JLo: Says people already know who he is and he's very unique.
Randy: Calls him a true original. He says he can only do you and that you is great and they love him.
Contestant: Thia Megia. She wants to show her uptempo side. Jimmy thinks it's the right record for her and is pleasantly shocked.
Song:"Heatwave," Martha and the Vandellas.
Performance: She's wearing a kicky dress and moving around with a bit of a strut. It's cute and sounds fine and she's working really hard but still kind of lacking a certain something.
JLo: Thought it was great to see her let loose. She wants her to dig in deeper each week. She thinks part of performing is acting and to bring it.
Randy: Agrees this new thing is a good thing but thinks she could take more vocal chances. Happy to see her do something different.
Steven: Agrees that she's taken a step out and he's good with it.
Contestant: Jacob Lusk. He has a gospel background and he has to sing songs with meaning. Jimmy thinks he's a natural for this week but he wants him to control his voice and use his power more judiciously. Jacob agrees he needs to relax off of it a bit.
Song: "You're All I Need (To Get By)," Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Performance: He starts off nice and gentle. As it builds, the background singers drown him out a bit but he's doing a good job with his control. My favorite performance of his so far. Steven is so moved he goes up to hug him when it's over.
Randy: Thinks Berry Gordy is somewhere saying oh my god. Calls it his other best performance in his history and the history of the show.
Steven: Applauds that he held it back.
JLo: Says he made them beg for the notes. He moves them.
Ryan starts inviting people on stage to hug him.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina. The producers Rock Mafia picked her song, and Jimmy approves. She talks about how the meaning of the song resonates with her.
Song: "You Keep Me Hanging On," the Supremes
Performance: She starts out slow and ballad-y with cymbal rolls and piano. The beat kicks in and she works it, walking up on Randy and around the judges table. She sounds good and ends with a nice bit of sass.
Steven: Thinks she doesn't listen to anybody about anything and he likes it. Thinks it was just beautiful.
JLo: Thinks she looks beautiful. Loves that she threw some attitude in.
Randy: Thinks she has her swagger on high and is ready.
Contestant: Stefano Langone. In stool chat with Ryan we learn that Stefano's mom came by to cook for the gang at the mansion. He'd never heard of the song he's singing but when he heard it he knew he could connect with it. Jimmy warns him to not oversing and is worried about the song choice and the emotional content. The urge him to keep his eyes open to connect with the audience.
Song: "Hello," Lionel Richie
Performance: Seated he starts off creamy and tender and is working really hard to keep his eyes open. He takes some liberites with the melody but they work, although he starts to lose the battle with keeping his eyes open. He hits some big money notes at the end. Then he does a cheesy spoken, "I love you" whisper into the camera.
JLo: Says he's fine and sings like crazy, she doesn't want his intensity to come from him doing well she wants it to come from the fact that his heart is breaking. She thinks he can fly out of the building when he gets it right.
Randy: Agrees and says that's the only thing that's missing, he can soar but there was no real emotional connection. Tells him to take his time.
Steven: Thinks he ramped up too soon, he tells him his voice is so beautiful though, he just needs to pull back a bit.
Contestant:Haley Rinehart. Her goal this week is to not be in the bottom three. Jimmy tells her to go for it like she's got nothing to lose. He says she's got to connect this week.
Song: "You Really Got a Hold on Me," Smokey Robinson & the Miracles.
Performance: She seems a little nervous on the steps in her heels but she sounds good and she tosses in that growl that Randy has wanted to hear so badly. She hits some nice high notes too. Her body is a little awkward but maybe that proves she's really into it.
Randy: Says by the middle the girl they fell in love came roaring back and he's so happy to see her return.
Steven: Says it was beautiful and it touched his heart. "You don't look a day over fabulous." JLo: Admires her effortless control and says she's most definitely the most soulful on the girls' side.
Contestant: Scotty McCreery. In stool chat we learn he's a great basketball player, sort of, at least with a trick shot. He's a country guy but his dad was a big Michael Jackson fan. He and the producers try to country it up. Jimmy's worried it's going to come off lounge-y and wants him to keep up his intensity.
Song: "For Once in My Life," Stevie Wonder (for Motown)
Performance: It's lounge-y because he does that lounge-y finger-pointing thing that's hokey and a little pose-y. He sounds great though and the retrofit, if a little too hopalong, sounds fine. He really starts to feel it toward the end.
Steven: Says it was just beautiful and compares it to Glen Campbell. He knows you can't make a three point shot from under the net.
JLo: Calls it a great version of the song and says he made it his own even though it wasn't his strongest vocal so far.
Randy: Agrees it wasn't his strongest performance and it needed to peak a little sooner but smiled all the way through and calls his low notes the "young ladykiller" note.
Contestant: Pia Toscano. She worked with Harvey Mason, Jr. who thinks she's in the category of other great singers. Jimmy thinks it's time to take her influences and turn it into her own voice. He tells her to get out of her head when she's onstage.
Song: "All in Love is Fair," Stevie Wonder.
Performance: In a black gown and with a backing string ensemble Pia does a big ballad. It's a little different from week's past in that she uses a bit more of her head voice and she works her way up the big notes. Well done but not exactly sizzling.
JLo: Says she killed them with one of her killer ballads. Checks off beauty, image, and great vocal. And she says she had feeling but she needs her to own the stage like Celine Dion owns her stage, be more of a performer.
Randy: Agrees with Jennifer says she's phenomenal, beautiful, talented and glad that she incorporated more falsetto. His criticism is too many ballads, he needs a mid- or uptempo. Says she can't live by ballads alone.
Steven: Thinks she's the closest star in this "American Idol" universe, if stepping out and kicking some ass is what she needs to do by them he knows she can do it.
Contestant: Paul McDonald. He's going to play his guitar and go in a more folk-rock direction. Jimmy tells him to feel the song as if he wrote it. Calls his voice a rare gift. Says he needs a "moment" on the show.
Song: "Tracks of My Tears," Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
Performance: He does a pretty straightforward version with just a little acoustic surge. He's a little smiley for such a keening song. His smile does in fact look out of place.
Randy: Asks if he had a good time. Paul says he did. Randy likes he wasn't dancing around and likes that he has a distinctive different voice. He was worried at first but thought he took it to a cool place and liked how he sang tender at the end. He tells him to bring more of that out.
Steven: Calls his voice... beautiful. Shocker.
JLo: Calls him a well-seasoned performer and she says all he needs is a good producer and he's ready to go.
Contestant: Naima Adedapo. She's honored to be singing a song by the pioneers who blazed the trail. Jimmy calls it one of the great good time feel-good songs to sing he wants her presence to be contagious fun. She wants to add some African dancing. Jimmy is worried about her breathing.
Song: "Dancing in the Street," Martha and the Vandellas
Performance: Her vocal is strong if a little monochromatic and she seems to be having fun. Maybe a little too intensely but she's hitign the notes. And then she busts into some African dance moves with the aid of some African drummers.
Steven: He says it was E to the Z ooh tweedledee dee. He thinks it was... beautiful. And loves that she cames up with the drums, the dancing, and the arrangement.
JLo: Calls her an exciting performer and says it was her first goosebumps of the night.
Randy: Says finally tonight that all of Naima showed up, the dancer, the singer, the performance artist, he's glad that she took her time to sing. (Nigel gives her dance moves a nice hand off to the side of the stage).
Contestant: James Durbin. Jimmy thinks it's important for James to be singing this since it follows in the tradition of classic rock singers like Mick Jagger, Robert Plant, and Steven Tyler, being inspired by soul musicians.
Song: "Living For the City," Stevie Wonder
Performance: He sounds good, a little tight in places and his jaunty little skip is a bit odd but overall it's good enough. Judging by the audience reaction it must've sounded better in the room than it does on TV.
JLo: She calls him serious business and admires his "back step." He leaves her speechless.
Randy: He says when it started it was a little bit rough. JLo interrupts and Randy asks to be let finish, he says when he hit his pocket he made it happen, loved it by the end.
Steven: Sometimes it takes a little bit of crazy to make a difference in the world and James has it. He thinks the song was perfect for his voice and he nailed it.
Theme: Motown
Video Package: A retrospective on Motown history
In the audience: Liv Tyler, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith, Gordon Ramsay, Jennifer Beals
Contestant:Casey Abrams. Tells the producers he feels comfortable with Motown. He gets counseled to not get to screechy/growly.
Song: "I Heard it Through the Grapevine," Marvin Gaye
Performance: He has slicked his hair back and he starts off with a slow growl and eases into a more recognizable version. He takes a walk down into the audience. It's pretty good, a little shouty/too growly at the end but fine.
Steven: Calls him the perfect entertainer with perfect pitch and crazy ass ego. Calls him beautiful.
JLo: Says people already know who he is and he's very unique.
Randy: Calls him a true original. He says he can only do you and that you is great and they love him.
Contestant: Thia Megia. She wants to show her uptempo side. Jimmy thinks it's the right record for her and is pleasantly shocked.
Song:"Heatwave," Martha and the Vandellas.
Performance: She's wearing a kicky dress and moving around with a bit of a strut. It's cute and sounds fine and she's working really hard but still kind of lacking a certain something.
JLo: Thought it was great to see her let loose. She wants her to dig in deeper each week. She thinks part of performing is acting and to bring it.
Randy: Agrees this new thing is a good thing but thinks she could take more vocal chances. Happy to see her do something different.
Steven: Agrees that she's taken a step out and he's good with it.
Contestant: Jacob Lusk. He has a gospel background and he has to sing songs with meaning. Jimmy thinks he's a natural for this week but he wants him to control his voice and use his power more judiciously. Jacob agrees he needs to relax off of it a bit.
Song: "You're All I Need (To Get By)," Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Performance: He starts off nice and gentle. As it builds, the background singers drown him out a bit but he's doing a good job with his control. My favorite performance of his so far. Steven is so moved he goes up to hug him when it's over.
Randy: Thinks Berry Gordy is somewhere saying oh my god. Calls it his other best performance in his history and the history of the show.
Steven: Applauds that he held it back.
JLo: Says he made them beg for the notes. He moves them.
Ryan starts inviting people on stage to hug him.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina. The producers Rock Mafia picked her song, and Jimmy approves. She talks about how the meaning of the song resonates with her.
Song: "You Keep Me Hanging On," the Supremes
Performance: She starts out slow and ballad-y with cymbal rolls and piano. The beat kicks in and she works it, walking up on Randy and around the judges table. She sounds good and ends with a nice bit of sass.
Steven: Thinks she doesn't listen to anybody about anything and he likes it. Thinks it was just beautiful.
JLo: Thinks she looks beautiful. Loves that she threw some attitude in.
Randy: Thinks she has her swagger on high and is ready.
Contestant: Stefano Langone. In stool chat with Ryan we learn that Stefano's mom came by to cook for the gang at the mansion. He'd never heard of the song he's singing but when he heard it he knew he could connect with it. Jimmy warns him to not oversing and is worried about the song choice and the emotional content. The urge him to keep his eyes open to connect with the audience.
Song: "Hello," Lionel Richie
Performance: Seated he starts off creamy and tender and is working really hard to keep his eyes open. He takes some liberites with the melody but they work, although he starts to lose the battle with keeping his eyes open. He hits some big money notes at the end. Then he does a cheesy spoken, "I love you" whisper into the camera.
JLo: Says he's fine and sings like crazy, she doesn't want his intensity to come from him doing well she wants it to come from the fact that his heart is breaking. She thinks he can fly out of the building when he gets it right.
Randy: Agrees and says that's the only thing that's missing, he can soar but there was no real emotional connection. Tells him to take his time.
Steven: Thinks he ramped up too soon, he tells him his voice is so beautiful though, he just needs to pull back a bit.
Contestant:Haley Rinehart. Her goal this week is to not be in the bottom three. Jimmy tells her to go for it like she's got nothing to lose. He says she's got to connect this week.
Song: "You Really Got a Hold on Me," Smokey Robinson & the Miracles.
Performance: She seems a little nervous on the steps in her heels but she sounds good and she tosses in that growl that Randy has wanted to hear so badly. She hits some nice high notes too. Her body is a little awkward but maybe that proves she's really into it.
Randy: Says by the middle the girl they fell in love came roaring back and he's so happy to see her return.
Steven: Says it was beautiful and it touched his heart. "You don't look a day over fabulous." JLo: Admires her effortless control and says she's most definitely the most soulful on the girls' side.
Contestant: Scotty McCreery. In stool chat we learn he's a great basketball player, sort of, at least with a trick shot. He's a country guy but his dad was a big Michael Jackson fan. He and the producers try to country it up. Jimmy's worried it's going to come off lounge-y and wants him to keep up his intensity.
Song: "For Once in My Life," Stevie Wonder (for Motown)
Performance: It's lounge-y because he does that lounge-y finger-pointing thing that's hokey and a little pose-y. He sounds great though and the retrofit, if a little too hopalong, sounds fine. He really starts to feel it toward the end.
Steven: Says it was just beautiful and compares it to Glen Campbell. He knows you can't make a three point shot from under the net.
JLo: Calls it a great version of the song and says he made it his own even though it wasn't his strongest vocal so far.
Randy: Agrees it wasn't his strongest performance and it needed to peak a little sooner but smiled all the way through and calls his low notes the "young ladykiller" note.
Contestant: Pia Toscano. She worked with Harvey Mason, Jr. who thinks she's in the category of other great singers. Jimmy thinks it's time to take her influences and turn it into her own voice. He tells her to get out of her head when she's onstage.
Song: "All in Love is Fair," Stevie Wonder.
Performance: In a black gown and with a backing string ensemble Pia does a big ballad. It's a little different from week's past in that she uses a bit more of her head voice and she works her way up the big notes. Well done but not exactly sizzling.
JLo: Says she killed them with one of her killer ballads. Checks off beauty, image, and great vocal. And she says she had feeling but she needs her to own the stage like Celine Dion owns her stage, be more of a performer.
Randy: Agrees with Jennifer says she's phenomenal, beautiful, talented and glad that she incorporated more falsetto. His criticism is too many ballads, he needs a mid- or uptempo. Says she can't live by ballads alone.
Steven: Thinks she's the closest star in this "American Idol" universe, if stepping out and kicking some ass is what she needs to do by them he knows she can do it.
Contestant: Paul McDonald. He's going to play his guitar and go in a more folk-rock direction. Jimmy tells him to feel the song as if he wrote it. Calls his voice a rare gift. Says he needs a "moment" on the show.
Song: "Tracks of My Tears," Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
Performance: He does a pretty straightforward version with just a little acoustic surge. He's a little smiley for such a keening song. His smile does in fact look out of place.
Randy: Asks if he had a good time. Paul says he did. Randy likes he wasn't dancing around and likes that he has a distinctive different voice. He was worried at first but thought he took it to a cool place and liked how he sang tender at the end. He tells him to bring more of that out.
Steven: Calls his voice... beautiful. Shocker.
JLo: Calls him a well-seasoned performer and she says all he needs is a good producer and he's ready to go.
Contestant: Naima Adedapo. She's honored to be singing a song by the pioneers who blazed the trail. Jimmy calls it one of the great good time feel-good songs to sing he wants her presence to be contagious fun. She wants to add some African dancing. Jimmy is worried about her breathing.
Song: "Dancing in the Street," Martha and the Vandellas
Performance: Her vocal is strong if a little monochromatic and she seems to be having fun. Maybe a little too intensely but she's hitign the notes. And then she busts into some African dance moves with the aid of some African drummers.
Steven: He says it was E to the Z ooh tweedledee dee. He thinks it was... beautiful. And loves that she cames up with the drums, the dancing, and the arrangement.
JLo: Calls her an exciting performer and says it was her first goosebumps of the night.
Randy: Says finally tonight that all of Naima showed up, the dancer, the singer, the performance artist, he's glad that she took her time to sing. (Nigel gives her dance moves a nice hand off to the side of the stage).
Contestant: James Durbin. Jimmy thinks it's important for James to be singing this since it follows in the tradition of classic rock singers like Mick Jagger, Robert Plant, and Steven Tyler, being inspired by soul musicians.
Song: "Living For the City," Stevie Wonder
Performance: He sounds good, a little tight in places and his jaunty little skip is a bit odd but overall it's good enough. Judging by the audience reaction it must've sounded better in the room than it does on TV.
JLo: She calls him serious business and admires his "back step." He leaves her speechless.
Randy: He says when it started it was a little bit rough. JLo interrupts and Randy asks to be let finish, he says when he hit his pocket he made it happen, loved it by the end.
Steven: Sometimes it takes a little bit of crazy to make a difference in the world and James has it. He thinks the song was perfect for his voice and he nailed it.
Thu, Mar 24, 2011
"American Idol" - Top 11 Results - March 24, 2011
We open with another video package on Motown and a recap of last night leading into the credits.
Ryan tells us that 30 million votes came in and the results might be shocking. He also reminds us that the cut this week is important because only the top 10 go on tour.
Video package: We get a look at Marc Anthony, aka JLo's husband, giving the kids advice on working with in-ear monitors and helping with their pitch. He swears a couple of times. He then judges the judges and their feedback, including some disagreement with his wife. He calls the whole thing a treat.
Group Sing:"Ain't No Mountain High Enough," Marvin & Tammi/The Supremes. As it ends the back walls open up and reveal Stevie Wonder singing "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" behind a keyboard as the kids sing along. And then as a treat for Steven Tyler he sings "Happy Birthday" to him. (His version of "Happy Birthday" not the traditional song). And then they present him with a cake. He's adorably surprised.
Ford Commercial:"All This Beauty," the Weepies. The Idols plant a tree in the rain, it's made of biodegradable trash. (I think?)
Results: Ryan cals up Lauren, Pia, and Scotty. They're all safe.
Performance: Sugarland performs "Stuck Like Glue"
Video Package: Apparently, we need to know all about James,' love of wrestling. Apparently, Paul and Stefano enjoy it also. Then they all "wrestle" at the mansion. James tells Hulk Hogan to watch his back.
Results: Ryan calls up James and Paul. Ryan says they're both "not safe" and then Hulk Hogan emerges and informs them that they are in fact safe. Then he fake punches Ryan and rips his shirt. James is thrilled.
Results: Next up are Jacob, Thia, and Stefano. Jacob is safe, Stefano and Thia are in the bottom three. He then calls Naima, Haley, and Casey. The girls are safe, Casey's the final member of the bottom three. Performance: Jennifer Hudson sings her new single "Where You At." Ryan and JHud have a little chat and point out George Huff is one of her back-up singers. Bottom Three: Stefano, Thia, and Casey.
Results: Ryan sends Thia back to safety.
Ryan reveals that Casey in the one potential on the chopping block. He starts singing and the judges cut him off and tell him that he's getting the save. Casey looks like he's going to vomit or have a heart attack. He goes to thank the judges, he can't believe with 11 people left they save him. He apparently swears a lot about it because they keep dropping the audio.
Going Home: No one, because Casey won the save. Next week two will go home.
We open with another video package on Motown and a recap of last night leading into the credits.
Ryan tells us that 30 million votes came in and the results might be shocking. He also reminds us that the cut this week is important because only the top 10 go on tour.
Video package: We get a look at Marc Anthony, aka JLo's husband, giving the kids advice on working with in-ear monitors and helping with their pitch. He swears a couple of times. He then judges the judges and their feedback, including some disagreement with his wife. He calls the whole thing a treat.
Group Sing:"Ain't No Mountain High Enough," Marvin & Tammi/The Supremes. As it ends the back walls open up and reveal Stevie Wonder singing "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" behind a keyboard as the kids sing along. And then as a treat for Steven Tyler he sings "Happy Birthday" to him. (His version of "Happy Birthday" not the traditional song). And then they present him with a cake. He's adorably surprised.
Ford Commercial:"All This Beauty," the Weepies. The Idols plant a tree in the rain, it's made of biodegradable trash. (I think?)
Results: Ryan cals up Lauren, Pia, and Scotty. They're all safe.
Performance: Sugarland performs "Stuck Like Glue"
Video Package: Apparently, we need to know all about James,' love of wrestling. Apparently, Paul and Stefano enjoy it also. Then they all "wrestle" at the mansion. James tells Hulk Hogan to watch his back.
Results: Ryan calls up James and Paul. Ryan says they're both "not safe" and then Hulk Hogan emerges and informs them that they are in fact safe. Then he fake punches Ryan and rips his shirt. James is thrilled.
Results: Next up are Jacob, Thia, and Stefano. Jacob is safe, Stefano and Thia are in the bottom three. He then calls Naima, Haley, and Casey. The girls are safe, Casey's the final member of the bottom three. Performance: Jennifer Hudson sings her new single "Where You At." Ryan and JHud have a little chat and point out George Huff is one of her back-up singers. Bottom Three: Stefano, Thia, and Casey.
Results: Ryan sends Thia back to safety.
Ryan reveals that Casey in the one potential on the chopping block. He starts singing and the judges cut him off and tell him that he's getting the save. Casey looks like he's going to vomit or have a heart attack. He goes to thank the judges, he can't believe with 11 people left they save him. He apparently swears a lot about it because they keep dropping the audio.
Going Home: No one, because Casey won the save. Next week two will go home.
Wed, Mar 30, 2011
"American Idol" - Top 11 Performance Show... Again- March 30, 2011
We start with a recap of the dramatic save and some behind-the-scenes stuff.
We then get a video package on the career of Elton John and how awesome he is.
We then get a video package on the contestants going to an Entertainment Weekly photo spread.
Theme: Elton John
In the audience: Brittany Morris; Howie Mandel
Contestant: Scotty McCreery.
Song: "Country Comfort" Jimmy says if he's a one trick pony, it's a great trick.
Performance: Scotty plays his guitar and sounds good on one of Elton's forays into country music. He shouts out to his grandma in the crowd. He gets a nice pedal steel assist. It's not much of a stretch but it's solid.
Steven: "There's nothing I can say to you that an old-fashioned pair of high-heeled cowboy boots wouldn't fix." (???) He loves everything about him and that he tips a hat to grandma.
JLo:Thinks he has great instincts and tells him to keep grounded and never doubt himself and says it was good.
Randy: Thinks he has seasoned so quickly on this show and is so comfortable. Says very nicely done.
Contestant: Naima Adedapo.
Song:"I'm Still Standing" Jimmy thinks it's brave that she's turning it into a reggae song. He counsels her to dedicate the song to people around the world who are suffering. He points out the rearrangement will make it harder to stay in tune.
Performance: She does the dedication in a faux West Indian accent. It sounds a little like a parody of those old "come back to Jamaica" commercials. She doesn't seem to be having too many pitch problems and the rejiggering totally works, the accent's just a little goofy.
JLo: Thinks that's she's supposed to be still standing but doesn't think it totally worked, it was a better idea than a performance, but she liked the way she performed.
Randy: Says it came off kind of corny and that's not who she is since she has mad flavor.
Steven: He says it's good for her that she picked a song that fit her.
Contestant: Paul McDonald
Song: "Rocket Man" Jimmy says he needs to sing it like his encore, like he owns it.
Performance: He asks the audience how they are. He starts off gently and acoustic and monkeys a bit with the rhythm and cadence of the lyrics a bit. It's soft and seepy, he sounds good but the rhythm thing is weird. He's got no sustain and not much range and this song isn't great for disguising those issues.
Randy: He points out pitch issues but likes his soft/tender voice but also wonders if he's holding back. JLo thinks he hasn't gone all the way there. He says he's got it and they believe.
Steven: Asks if he's watering his suit. He points out that there are going to be some songs that people don't like and that's a good thing. The day when he hits every note Steven won't like him anymore.
JLo: That's why she's encouraging him to push. (Then Steven starts making Lamaze breathing noises.)
Contestant: Pia Toscano
Song: "Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me" She was worried about doing another ballad but Jimmy says she has to go somewhere between Fergie and Axl Rose on that song and will knock Randy out of his chair.
Performance: She's very sparkly in her short silver dress. She sounds typically great. The crowd is already hooting. She tries to rough up her voice a bit and then she gets a backing choir for the chorus. She's very impassioned for sure and she put a little more soul into it.
Steven: Says she's done it again. Says this goes to prove that some of the judges might've been wrong to ask her not to sing ballads anymore. Says it was a complete and full sentence.
JLo: Agrees that the notes take them to an otherworldly place. She says she felt her more performance-wise as well.
Randy: Calls it unbelievable, and says she was great once again.
The judges agree they still want to be surprised.
Contestant: Stefano Langone. Jimmy thinks it's going to be a difficult night for him since the chorus was written specifically for Elton. Jimmy cracks the whip on him on pronunciation, rhythm, pitch.
Song: "Tiny Dancer"
Performance: His voice is nice and open at the beginning. He's very earnest but he's keeping his eyes open. There's a nice lightness to it, not so big and dramatic like last week. He takes the end of the song to JLo. Nicely done.
JLo: She says she could really feel him taking their notes about connecting with the audience. She thought it was really good.
Randy: He agrees that he connected and was glad to see his eyes open and that he was moving around and that he was right on pitch-wise.
Steven:Thinks he nailed it, and that he's not Broadway.
Contestant:Lauren Alaina
Song: "Candle in the Wind" Jimmy thinks she sounds magnificent and she's got the emotional connection. He thinks Elton plays to her strengths.
Performance: She's going simple voice and piano. Her pitch is good but her timing is really sloppy at first. Her emotions also seem all over the place, smiley, nervous, serious. It's odd though because the vocal is pretty great lots of fun country-style vocal squeaks/yodels at the end of phrases.
Randy: Calls it one of her best performances, very sensitive and very pro.
Steven: You know I've loved you since you first laid eyes on me. Calls it perfect. You keep singing like that and you'll be able to afford the rest of that dress.
JLo: Says it was amazing and gorgeous and hearkens back to her first audition.
Contestant: James Durbin. Jimmy is a little concerned about James' idea for staging the song by starting in the audience.
Song:"Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting"
Performance: His plan is kind of corny in actual execution because of the way they're shooting it but he hits the stage at the right point and then he runs some more through the audience. Considering how much he's moving his pitch is excellent. He takes a walk on the piano and hops off of it. Then the piano catches on fire. Then he basically just screams through the end of the song.
Steven: Says he brought the heat. Says he's got a really good rock voice and tells him to not wear out his welcome and that it was beautiful.
JLo: Feels like she was at his show and loved how he got the audience into it.
Randy: Loves that he enjoys himself and calls it a great, great, great performance.
Contestant: Thia Megia
Song: "Daniel" Jimmy tells her it's very poignant and to get away from the dramatic and to think about the lyrics and to sing from her heart.
Performance: This is my favorite performance of hers, it's grounded and quiet but not boring. The song may make it but she's singing it really well.
JLo: Calls it really beautiful and loves that she was internalizing it and very well-suited to her melodically.
Randy: Loved her beautiful voice, thought it was pitchy, and it felt safe.
Steven: Thinks when you find the right song the voice appears, thinks she sang a great Elton John song well.
Contestant: Casey Abrams
Song: "Your Song" He wants to do more interpreting of the lyrics and Jimmy likes it. Rodney tells him to cut the beard. He goes to get a trim.
Performance: It's nice to hear him actually singing, not growling so much, but still injecting some soul into it. It's a very mimicky peformance in terms of the vocal cadences but he sounds nice. His demeanor is very sweet as well. It's a very charming, understated performance. He growls a bit at the end and finishes on a nice falsetto. It's very dynamic, probably the night's most dynamic performance.
Randy: Says it was so nice and tender and brilliant and well done.
Steven: Concurs that one of the finest moments was putting him through, he loved the final two notes and that he sings different every time.
JLo: She didn't lose sleep over saving him and says he proved why tonight. She thanks him for the performance.
Contestant: Jacob Lusk
Song: "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" Mary J. shows up during his studio session and it was her version of this song he first heard. Jimmy likes his confidence and hopes he doesn't overdramatize it and blow the whole thing.
Performance: Shrouded in dry ice Jacob starts tenderly and plaintively. He looks like he's on the verge of tears but he's keeping a lid on the drama, until the modulation and then he lets it fly. The final note is held impressively.
Steven: Watches how far out there and how in there, was blown away by first half and second half was equal. Jacob slayed him.
JLo: Loved Tricky's arrangement and how he tailored it to Jacob, says we don't see a note like his last note all the time.
Randy: Liked the first half and his restraint but wanted him to pick a "Jacob spot."
Contestant: Haley Reinhart
Song: "Bennie & the Jets" Jimmy tells her to bring all her parts together in one car and drive to the show.
Performance: She starts off with a jazzy arrangement sitting on the piano. She then growls a bit and gets into a more rocking space. She does a nice job on the chorus. She gets off the piano and bounces and swings her arms but she starts to hit it a little too hard vocally. It's in tune but she's not earning the grit of it somehow.
JLo: Says that was it and that's what they've been talking about: the voice, the moves, the confidence.
Randy: Calls it the best performance of the night, very excitedly.
Steven: Says she sings sexy.
Bottom Three Prediction: Naima, Thia, Paul
We start with a recap of the dramatic save and some behind-the-scenes stuff.
We then get a video package on the career of Elton John and how awesome he is.
We then get a video package on the contestants going to an Entertainment Weekly photo spread.
Theme: Elton John
In the audience: Brittany Morris; Howie Mandel
Contestant: Scotty McCreery.
Song: "Country Comfort" Jimmy says if he's a one trick pony, it's a great trick.
Performance: Scotty plays his guitar and sounds good on one of Elton's forays into country music. He shouts out to his grandma in the crowd. He gets a nice pedal steel assist. It's not much of a stretch but it's solid.
Steven: "There's nothing I can say to you that an old-fashioned pair of high-heeled cowboy boots wouldn't fix." (???) He loves everything about him and that he tips a hat to grandma.
JLo:Thinks he has great instincts and tells him to keep grounded and never doubt himself and says it was good.
Randy: Thinks he has seasoned so quickly on this show and is so comfortable. Says very nicely done.
Contestant: Naima Adedapo.
Song:"I'm Still Standing" Jimmy thinks it's brave that she's turning it into a reggae song. He counsels her to dedicate the song to people around the world who are suffering. He points out the rearrangement will make it harder to stay in tune.
Performance: She does the dedication in a faux West Indian accent. It sounds a little like a parody of those old "come back to Jamaica" commercials. She doesn't seem to be having too many pitch problems and the rejiggering totally works, the accent's just a little goofy.
JLo: Thinks that's she's supposed to be still standing but doesn't think it totally worked, it was a better idea than a performance, but she liked the way she performed.
Randy: Says it came off kind of corny and that's not who she is since she has mad flavor.
Steven: He says it's good for her that she picked a song that fit her.
Contestant: Paul McDonald
Song: "Rocket Man" Jimmy says he needs to sing it like his encore, like he owns it.
Performance: He asks the audience how they are. He starts off gently and acoustic and monkeys a bit with the rhythm and cadence of the lyrics a bit. It's soft and seepy, he sounds good but the rhythm thing is weird. He's got no sustain and not much range and this song isn't great for disguising those issues.
Randy: He points out pitch issues but likes his soft/tender voice but also wonders if he's holding back. JLo thinks he hasn't gone all the way there. He says he's got it and they believe.
Steven: Asks if he's watering his suit. He points out that there are going to be some songs that people don't like and that's a good thing. The day when he hits every note Steven won't like him anymore.
JLo: That's why she's encouraging him to push. (Then Steven starts making Lamaze breathing noises.)
Contestant: Pia Toscano
Song: "Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me" She was worried about doing another ballad but Jimmy says she has to go somewhere between Fergie and Axl Rose on that song and will knock Randy out of his chair.
Performance: She's very sparkly in her short silver dress. She sounds typically great. The crowd is already hooting. She tries to rough up her voice a bit and then she gets a backing choir for the chorus. She's very impassioned for sure and she put a little more soul into it.
Steven: Says she's done it again. Says this goes to prove that some of the judges might've been wrong to ask her not to sing ballads anymore. Says it was a complete and full sentence.
JLo: Agrees that the notes take them to an otherworldly place. She says she felt her more performance-wise as well.
Randy: Calls it unbelievable, and says she was great once again.
The judges agree they still want to be surprised.
Contestant: Stefano Langone. Jimmy thinks it's going to be a difficult night for him since the chorus was written specifically for Elton. Jimmy cracks the whip on him on pronunciation, rhythm, pitch.
Song: "Tiny Dancer"
Performance: His voice is nice and open at the beginning. He's very earnest but he's keeping his eyes open. There's a nice lightness to it, not so big and dramatic like last week. He takes the end of the song to JLo. Nicely done.
JLo: She says she could really feel him taking their notes about connecting with the audience. She thought it was really good.
Randy: He agrees that he connected and was glad to see his eyes open and that he was moving around and that he was right on pitch-wise.
Steven:Thinks he nailed it, and that he's not Broadway.
Contestant:Lauren Alaina
Song: "Candle in the Wind" Jimmy thinks she sounds magnificent and she's got the emotional connection. He thinks Elton plays to her strengths.
Performance: She's going simple voice and piano. Her pitch is good but her timing is really sloppy at first. Her emotions also seem all over the place, smiley, nervous, serious. It's odd though because the vocal is pretty great lots of fun country-style vocal squeaks/yodels at the end of phrases.
Randy: Calls it one of her best performances, very sensitive and very pro.
Steven: You know I've loved you since you first laid eyes on me. Calls it perfect. You keep singing like that and you'll be able to afford the rest of that dress.
JLo: Says it was amazing and gorgeous and hearkens back to her first audition.
Contestant: James Durbin. Jimmy is a little concerned about James' idea for staging the song by starting in the audience.
Song:"Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting"
Performance: His plan is kind of corny in actual execution because of the way they're shooting it but he hits the stage at the right point and then he runs some more through the audience. Considering how much he's moving his pitch is excellent. He takes a walk on the piano and hops off of it. Then the piano catches on fire. Then he basically just screams through the end of the song.
Steven: Says he brought the heat. Says he's got a really good rock voice and tells him to not wear out his welcome and that it was beautiful.
JLo: Feels like she was at his show and loved how he got the audience into it.
Randy: Loves that he enjoys himself and calls it a great, great, great performance.
Contestant: Thia Megia
Song: "Daniel" Jimmy tells her it's very poignant and to get away from the dramatic and to think about the lyrics and to sing from her heart.
Performance: This is my favorite performance of hers, it's grounded and quiet but not boring. The song may make it but she's singing it really well.
JLo: Calls it really beautiful and loves that she was internalizing it and very well-suited to her melodically.
Randy: Loved her beautiful voice, thought it was pitchy, and it felt safe.
Steven: Thinks when you find the right song the voice appears, thinks she sang a great Elton John song well.
Contestant: Casey Abrams
Song: "Your Song" He wants to do more interpreting of the lyrics and Jimmy likes it. Rodney tells him to cut the beard. He goes to get a trim.
Performance: It's nice to hear him actually singing, not growling so much, but still injecting some soul into it. It's a very mimicky peformance in terms of the vocal cadences but he sounds nice. His demeanor is very sweet as well. It's a very charming, understated performance. He growls a bit at the end and finishes on a nice falsetto. It's very dynamic, probably the night's most dynamic performance.
Randy: Says it was so nice and tender and brilliant and well done.
Steven: Concurs that one of the finest moments was putting him through, he loved the final two notes and that he sings different every time.
JLo: She didn't lose sleep over saving him and says he proved why tonight. She thanks him for the performance.
Contestant: Jacob Lusk
Song: "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" Mary J. shows up during his studio session and it was her version of this song he first heard. Jimmy likes his confidence and hopes he doesn't overdramatize it and blow the whole thing.
Performance: Shrouded in dry ice Jacob starts tenderly and plaintively. He looks like he's on the verge of tears but he's keeping a lid on the drama, until the modulation and then he lets it fly. The final note is held impressively.
Steven: Watches how far out there and how in there, was blown away by first half and second half was equal. Jacob slayed him.
JLo: Loved Tricky's arrangement and how he tailored it to Jacob, says we don't see a note like his last note all the time.
Randy: Liked the first half and his restraint but wanted him to pick a "Jacob spot."
Contestant: Haley Reinhart
Song: "Bennie & the Jets" Jimmy tells her to bring all her parts together in one car and drive to the show.
Performance: She starts off with a jazzy arrangement sitting on the piano. She then growls a bit and gets into a more rocking space. She does a nice job on the chorus. She gets off the piano and bounces and swings her arms but she starts to hit it a little too hard vocally. It's in tune but she's not earning the grit of it somehow.
JLo: Says that was it and that's what they've been talking about: the voice, the moves, the confidence.
Randy: Calls it the best performance of the night, very excitedly.
Steven: Says she sings sexy.
Bottom Three Prediction: Naima, Thia, Paul
Thu, Mar 31, 2011
"American Idol" - Two of 11 Voted Off - March 31, 2011
Ryan tells us 55 million votes came in.
In the audience: Kris Allen
Group Sing: It happens in small groups tonight. First up are Lauren and Scotty, who sing "I Told You So," by Randy Travis and Carrie Underwood. It's live and lovely.
Results: Ryan brings these two up for results and both of them are safe.
Ford Commercial: "Kryptonite," Three Doors Down. There are sci-fi movie style calamities from which several super-powered contestants save their fellow singers.
Ryan chats with the contestants. James shows off some of his fan mail, a custom-made WWE championship belt.
Group sing #2 Naima and Jacob sing Ashford & Simpson's "Solid." They work in a little choreography. It's snazzy and fun if not exactly a vocal knockout.
Results: Naima is in the bottom three and Jacob is safe.
Performance: Fantasia Barrino sings her latest single "Collard Greens and Corn Bread." She has apparently jumped on the retro soul bandwagon. Ryan leads her over post-performance to chat with the aspirants. She tells them to always love the music and surround yourself with good people not just sycophants.
Group Sing #3 Haley, Thia, and Pia and sing Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream." They have no snazzy choreography. It is much less interesting. Thia doesn't get a lead vocal.
Results: Pia and Haley are safe, Thia is in the bottom three.
Video package: A behind the scenes look at a day in the Idol's life from recording in the studio to a performance at Muhammad Ali's Celeb Fight Night in Arizona to the Ford commercial shoot to moving ouf of their leaky house to picking songs to styling to rehearsals with Marc Anthony.
Group Sing #4 The debut of the "band" formed by Stefano, Casey, Paul, and James singing "Band on the Run" by Paul McCartney and Wings. Stefano's on keys, James and Paul on guitar, and Casey on bass. It's pretty fun. Casey's even playing a Hofner bass like Macca. Steven tells them they can open for Aerosmith on their next tour.
Results: Casey, James, and Stefano are safe. Paul is in the bottom three.
Bottom Three: Thia, Paul, and Naima
Performance: Jamie Foxx and will.i.am do a new song called "Hot Wings" from the soundtrack to a movie called "Rio." Hot mess with cool choreography by a cast of dozens of dancers.
Going Home: Thia and Naima
Ryan tells us 55 million votes came in.
In the audience: Kris Allen
Group Sing: It happens in small groups tonight. First up are Lauren and Scotty, who sing "I Told You So," by Randy Travis and Carrie Underwood. It's live and lovely.
Results: Ryan brings these two up for results and both of them are safe.
Ford Commercial: "Kryptonite," Three Doors Down. There are sci-fi movie style calamities from which several super-powered contestants save their fellow singers.
Ryan chats with the contestants. James shows off some of his fan mail, a custom-made WWE championship belt.
Group sing #2 Naima and Jacob sing Ashford & Simpson's "Solid." They work in a little choreography. It's snazzy and fun if not exactly a vocal knockout.
Results: Naima is in the bottom three and Jacob is safe.
Performance: Fantasia Barrino sings her latest single "Collard Greens and Corn Bread." She has apparently jumped on the retro soul bandwagon. Ryan leads her over post-performance to chat with the aspirants. She tells them to always love the music and surround yourself with good people not just sycophants.
Group Sing #3 Haley, Thia, and Pia and sing Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream." They have no snazzy choreography. It is much less interesting. Thia doesn't get a lead vocal.
Results: Pia and Haley are safe, Thia is in the bottom three.
Video package: A behind the scenes look at a day in the Idol's life from recording in the studio to a performance at Muhammad Ali's Celeb Fight Night in Arizona to the Ford commercial shoot to moving ouf of their leaky house to picking songs to styling to rehearsals with Marc Anthony.
Group Sing #4 The debut of the "band" formed by Stefano, Casey, Paul, and James singing "Band on the Run" by Paul McCartney and Wings. Stefano's on keys, James and Paul on guitar, and Casey on bass. It's pretty fun. Casey's even playing a Hofner bass like Macca. Steven tells them they can open for Aerosmith on their next tour.
Results: Casey, James, and Stefano are safe. Paul is in the bottom three.
Bottom Three: Thia, Paul, and Naima
Performance: Jamie Foxx and will.i.am do a new song called "Hot Wings" from the soundtrack to a movie called "Rio." Hot mess with cool choreography by a cast of dozens of dancers.
Going Home: Thia and Naima
Wed, Apr 6, 2011
"American Idol" - Top Nine Performance Show - April 6, 2011
Ryan tells us that Gwen Stefani styled the contestants and will.i.am helped coach them.
Theme: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In the audience: Christian Slater; Todd Rundgren
Video Package: We get a history on the Hall narrated by Hall of Famer himself Steven Tyler.
Contestant: Jacob Lusk
Song: "Man in the Mirror," Michael Jackson, which he switched from "Let's Get it On," Marvin Gaye. He claims if he's in the bottom three it won't be because he sang the song badly but because people weren't ready to look in the mirror.
Performance: It's gentle and straightforward with a couple of pitchy moments at the beginning. He does a little back and forth with a back-up singer who looks like Siedah Garrett. He takes it a little higher on the chorus but never gets really get crazy on it.
Steven: Calls Garrett back out for a curtain call as the co-writer of the song. Says each time he sings he brings another piece of himself to the party and calls it beautiful. Twice.
JLo: Says he makes everybody know that if you believe in yourself you can do anything. Calls it perfect on every emotional level.
Randy: Loves that he switched songs over his moral convictions and the deeper message of the song and he's also proud that there were "Jacob moments" all over it and calls it hot.
Contestant: Haley Reinhart
Song: "Piece of My Heart," Janis Joplin. She says the judges have been throwing the name around all season. Will says she sounds like an artist not a singer but he wants her to feel something when she looks in the camera, to look at it as if it were he boyfriend that messed up her head.
Performance: She's doing that rough up thing on her voice that sounds like it hurts. It sounds fine but feels affected but she hits a great, gritty last note.
JLo: Says they're off to a strong start and she's showing people that she's a contender.
Randy: Says what she did was what they wanted not so much Janis specifically but to get bluesy and gritty.
Steven: Couldn't find nothing wrong with that. Says Janis gave the voice to rock and roll back in '68 and Haley did it again tonight.
Contestant: Casey Abrams
Song: "Have You Ever Seen the Rain," Credence Clearwater Revival. He was going to sing "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" by the Police but Jimmy didn't like it.
Performance: He plays his upright bass and does a fun, swinging, laid-back almost tropical version with charm and grit.
Randy: Says he made CCR proud and that he's making the upright bass cool and calls it revolutionary.
Steven: Thinks he should put some wheels on it and ride it around town. He calls him a true musician and he brings something every time.
JLo: Says that's exactly where he belongs and she's paying top dollar to be in the front row.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina
Song: "(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman," Aretha Franklin. Jimmy and Will love that she's combining country and soul and tell her to be in the moment.
Performance: It's all fine and good if a little stiff until the final third when she lets loose a little. Again she sounds fine but I'm not sure she's really "feeling" what it feels like to be made to feel like a natural woman.
Steven: Says he loves her and says she came in a little girl and tonight she became natural woman.
JLo: Agrees with the crowd that she's amazing.
Randy: Says she picked one of the most difficult songs and he wasn't jumping up and down but she did a good job.
Contestant: James Durbin
Song:"While My Guitar Gently Weeps," The Beatles. He wants to do something unexpected and slow it down. Will respects the danger of it but says he has to make sure his energy is high as the other people who are doing rock songs.
Performance: Seated with slanted mood lighting over his face he takes it slow and easy, hitting a few rough pitch patches. It's very Lambert-lite. He throws a big scream on the end that doesn't fit the song at all. He didn't butcher it but it was kind of boring.
JLo: She liked to see that other side that makes the rock and roll thing work, she likes that he's vulnerable to share with them.
Randy: Really loved seeing the real true emotional side of him, he liked that he wanted to take a chance.
Steven: Loved that he gently wept as well and called it a proud moment for him as well. (He notes, oddly, "Not only did the Beatles write great songs but George Harrison did as well." Um, yeah, George Harrison was a Beatle.)
Contestant: Scotty McCreery
Song: "That's Alright Mama," Elvis Presley. Will tells him to combine country and rock as if this is some kind of news when an Elvis song. Scotty says he's going to switch it up this week.
Performance: Ack, that weird microphone to the right thing is back. He sounds great, walks around a bit, scats, and gets a bit gritty. He's having fun which is nice to see. They then let a bunch of girls run onstage and hug him, screaming.
Randy: Says Scotty is in it to win it. Says anybody who thinks he's a one-trick pony is wrong, liked that he was having fun.
Steven: He thought he was all hat and no cattle but Scotty made it cool and he hopes Scotty brings that kind of music back into vogue.
JLo: Also loves that he was having fun, being funny, and bringing a little flavor to it.
Contestant: Pia Toscano
Song: "River Deep, Mountain High," Tina Turner. Will and Jimmy worry about Pia being compared to Tina and want her to turn on her personality and wow people. She says she can't wait to show that other side of her.
Performance: She sounds great, is rocking a cute ponytail, a bizarre polka dot jumper. Honestly, it feels like a ballad peformance in an uptempo wrapper since she's not really moving too much. (That could be the shoes). But she sounds terrific and the song has momentum of its own.
Steven: Calls her a murderer because she killed it. Says there's a million guys in a million bars having a million drinks over her.
JLo: Calls it amazing and calls her special, and wants her now to study great performances so she can become more amazing as a performer.
Randy: Says she showed that she could definitely do the uptempo thing and now she does need to work on the performance.
Contestant: Stefano Langone
Song:"When a Man Loves a Woman," Percy Sledge. Will gives him some tips on performance and building anticipation. Ryan Tedder tells he can own the song or be owned by it. Stefano thinks it's going to be a big week for him.
Performance: He starts seated and a feathery falsetto. For the first time he seems more connected to the words as opposed to just the notes. He has a couple of nice quick runs and has a decent sense of dynamics. This may be his best performance.
JLo: She says she knew he had it in him and calls it beautiful and that she loved it and says she felt it had another layer of emotion.
Randy: Wasn't jumping up and down because the start was a little jerky.
Steven: Like the old-timey part in the beginning and liked that he played with it, liked the passion and thought he nailed it.
Contestant:Paul McDonald
Song:"Folsom Prison Blues," Johnny Cash. Jimmy tells him to sing it like he's out of his mind. He vows to sing it like he's crazy.
Performance: He seems less crazy but just really really cheerful even when he's talking about wanting to stay in prison. It's a good, strong vocal though and he's very engaged and energetic yelling at the crowd to make some noise. Randy: Has three words: "I loved it."
Steven: Also loved it.
JLo: Thought it was a perfect way to end the show. Right in his lane.
Bottom Three Prediction: Haley, Jacob, Stefano
Ryan tells us that Gwen Stefani styled the contestants and will.i.am helped coach them.
Theme: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In the audience: Christian Slater; Todd Rundgren
Video Package: We get a history on the Hall narrated by Hall of Famer himself Steven Tyler.
Contestant: Jacob Lusk
Song: "Man in the Mirror," Michael Jackson, which he switched from "Let's Get it On," Marvin Gaye. He claims if he's in the bottom three it won't be because he sang the song badly but because people weren't ready to look in the mirror.
Performance: It's gentle and straightforward with a couple of pitchy moments at the beginning. He does a little back and forth with a back-up singer who looks like Siedah Garrett. He takes it a little higher on the chorus but never gets really get crazy on it.
Steven: Calls Garrett back out for a curtain call as the co-writer of the song. Says each time he sings he brings another piece of himself to the party and calls it beautiful. Twice.
JLo: Says he makes everybody know that if you believe in yourself you can do anything. Calls it perfect on every emotional level.
Randy: Loves that he switched songs over his moral convictions and the deeper message of the song and he's also proud that there were "Jacob moments" all over it and calls it hot.
Contestant: Haley Reinhart
Song: "Piece of My Heart," Janis Joplin. She says the judges have been throwing the name around all season. Will says she sounds like an artist not a singer but he wants her to feel something when she looks in the camera, to look at it as if it were he boyfriend that messed up her head.
Performance: She's doing that rough up thing on her voice that sounds like it hurts. It sounds fine but feels affected but she hits a great, gritty last note.
JLo: Says they're off to a strong start and she's showing people that she's a contender.
Randy: Says what she did was what they wanted not so much Janis specifically but to get bluesy and gritty.
Steven: Couldn't find nothing wrong with that. Says Janis gave the voice to rock and roll back in '68 and Haley did it again tonight.
Contestant: Casey Abrams
Song: "Have You Ever Seen the Rain," Credence Clearwater Revival. He was going to sing "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" by the Police but Jimmy didn't like it.
Performance: He plays his upright bass and does a fun, swinging, laid-back almost tropical version with charm and grit.
Randy: Says he made CCR proud and that he's making the upright bass cool and calls it revolutionary.
Steven: Thinks he should put some wheels on it and ride it around town. He calls him a true musician and he brings something every time.
JLo: Says that's exactly where he belongs and she's paying top dollar to be in the front row.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina
Song: "(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman," Aretha Franklin. Jimmy and Will love that she's combining country and soul and tell her to be in the moment.
Performance: It's all fine and good if a little stiff until the final third when she lets loose a little. Again she sounds fine but I'm not sure she's really "feeling" what it feels like to be made to feel like a natural woman.
Steven: Says he loves her and says she came in a little girl and tonight she became natural woman.
JLo: Agrees with the crowd that she's amazing.
Randy: Says she picked one of the most difficult songs and he wasn't jumping up and down but she did a good job.
Contestant: James Durbin
Song:"While My Guitar Gently Weeps," The Beatles. He wants to do something unexpected and slow it down. Will respects the danger of it but says he has to make sure his energy is high as the other people who are doing rock songs.
Performance: Seated with slanted mood lighting over his face he takes it slow and easy, hitting a few rough pitch patches. It's very Lambert-lite. He throws a big scream on the end that doesn't fit the song at all. He didn't butcher it but it was kind of boring.
JLo: She liked to see that other side that makes the rock and roll thing work, she likes that he's vulnerable to share with them.
Randy: Really loved seeing the real true emotional side of him, he liked that he wanted to take a chance.
Steven: Loved that he gently wept as well and called it a proud moment for him as well. (He notes, oddly, "Not only did the Beatles write great songs but George Harrison did as well." Um, yeah, George Harrison was a Beatle.)
Contestant: Scotty McCreery
Song: "That's Alright Mama," Elvis Presley. Will tells him to combine country and rock as if this is some kind of news when an Elvis song. Scotty says he's going to switch it up this week.
Performance: Ack, that weird microphone to the right thing is back. He sounds great, walks around a bit, scats, and gets a bit gritty. He's having fun which is nice to see. They then let a bunch of girls run onstage and hug him, screaming.
Randy: Says Scotty is in it to win it. Says anybody who thinks he's a one-trick pony is wrong, liked that he was having fun.
Steven: He thought he was all hat and no cattle but Scotty made it cool and he hopes Scotty brings that kind of music back into vogue.
JLo: Also loves that he was having fun, being funny, and bringing a little flavor to it.
Contestant: Pia Toscano
Song: "River Deep, Mountain High," Tina Turner. Will and Jimmy worry about Pia being compared to Tina and want her to turn on her personality and wow people. She says she can't wait to show that other side of her.
Performance: She sounds great, is rocking a cute ponytail, a bizarre polka dot jumper. Honestly, it feels like a ballad peformance in an uptempo wrapper since she's not really moving too much. (That could be the shoes). But she sounds terrific and the song has momentum of its own.
Steven: Calls her a murderer because she killed it. Says there's a million guys in a million bars having a million drinks over her.
JLo: Calls it amazing and calls her special, and wants her now to study great performances so she can become more amazing as a performer.
Randy: Says she showed that she could definitely do the uptempo thing and now she does need to work on the performance.
Contestant: Stefano Langone
Song:"When a Man Loves a Woman," Percy Sledge. Will gives him some tips on performance and building anticipation. Ryan Tedder tells he can own the song or be owned by it. Stefano thinks it's going to be a big week for him.
Performance: He starts seated and a feathery falsetto. For the first time he seems more connected to the words as opposed to just the notes. He has a couple of nice quick runs and has a decent sense of dynamics. This may be his best performance.
JLo: She says she knew he had it in him and calls it beautiful and that she loved it and says she felt it had another layer of emotion.
Randy: Wasn't jumping up and down because the start was a little jerky.
Steven: Like the old-timey part in the beginning and liked that he played with it, liked the passion and thought he nailed it.
Contestant:Paul McDonald
Song:"Folsom Prison Blues," Johnny Cash. Jimmy tells him to sing it like he's out of his mind. He vows to sing it like he's crazy.
Performance: He seems less crazy but just really really cheerful even when he's talking about wanting to stay in prison. It's a good, strong vocal though and he's very engaged and energetic yelling at the crowd to make some noise. Randy: Has three words: "I loved it."
Steven: Also loved it.
JLo: Thought it was a perfect way to end the show. Right in his lane.
Bottom Three Prediction: Haley, Jacob, Stefano
Thu, Apr 7, 2011
"American Idol" - Top Nine Results - April 7, 2011
Ryan tells us it may be a shocking result tonight.
Group Sing: It's a medley of rock songs including "I Love Rock 'n Roll," "The Letter," and "Sweet Home Alabama."
Ford Commercial: "Love Gun," Paul and Pia are working on a heist where Jacob and Casey work and then Scotty, James, and Lauren foil them, or do they?
Video package: Russell Brand came in the night before as a "charisma coach," i.e. to promote his new remake of "Arthur."
Results: Casey, Stefano, and Lauren are brought to the center of the stage. Stefano's in the bottom three, the others are safe.
Performance: "Unchained Melody," the Righteous Brothers. For some reason Constantine Maroulis, star of the Broadway hit "Rock of Ages" has come to sing this song, which is not in the show.
Video Package: We get a look at Gwen Stefani "styling" the ladies.
Results: Paul, Scotty, and Pia are brought to center stage. Pia is in the bottom three, the other two are safe.
Video Package: The gang went to TMZ to get some "media training." (Some in the crowd booed the mentioned of the tabloid show's name.)
Results: Haley, James, and Jacob go to center stage. Jacob rounds out the bottom three.
Bottom Three: Pia, Jacob, and Stefano
Performance: Iggy Pop and his bare chest and neck veins performs "Wild One."
Ryan sends Jacob to safety.
Going Home: Pia Toscano. The crowd boos, the judges look shocked; even Stefano, who appeared to have been bracing himself for elimination, is stunned. Pia keeps it together. Randy shouts "No!" and starts to mouth a profanity; Jennifer is crying and has no idea what just happened, she's shocked and angry. Randy reminds people to vote and he says he never gets mad on the show but he's mad. Steven tells America that their lack of passion is unforgivable. Ryan makes her sing again. She does "I'll Stand By You."
Ryan tells us it may be a shocking result tonight.
Group Sing: It's a medley of rock songs including "I Love Rock 'n Roll," "The Letter," and "Sweet Home Alabama."
Ford Commercial: "Love Gun," Paul and Pia are working on a heist where Jacob and Casey work and then Scotty, James, and Lauren foil them, or do they?
Video package: Russell Brand came in the night before as a "charisma coach," i.e. to promote his new remake of "Arthur."
Results: Casey, Stefano, and Lauren are brought to the center of the stage. Stefano's in the bottom three, the others are safe.
Performance: "Unchained Melody," the Righteous Brothers. For some reason Constantine Maroulis, star of the Broadway hit "Rock of Ages" has come to sing this song, which is not in the show.
Video Package: We get a look at Gwen Stefani "styling" the ladies.
Results: Paul, Scotty, and Pia are brought to center stage. Pia is in the bottom three, the other two are safe.
Video Package: The gang went to TMZ to get some "media training." (Some in the crowd booed the mentioned of the tabloid show's name.)
Results: Haley, James, and Jacob go to center stage. Jacob rounds out the bottom three.
Bottom Three: Pia, Jacob, and Stefano
Performance: Iggy Pop and his bare chest and neck veins performs "Wild One."
Ryan sends Jacob to safety.
Going Home: Pia Toscano. The crowd boos, the judges look shocked; even Stefano, who appeared to have been bracing himself for elimination, is stunned. Pia keeps it together. Randy shouts "No!" and starts to mouth a profanity; Jennifer is crying and has no idea what just happened, she's shocked and angry. Randy reminds people to vote and he says he never gets mad on the show but he's mad. Steven tells America that their lack of passion is unforgivable. Ryan makes her sing again. She does "I'll Stand By You."
Wed, Apr 13, 2011
"American Idol" - Top 8 Performance Show - April 13, 2011
Ryan notes that JLo has been named the "World's Most Beautiful Woman" by People magazine.
In the audience: Hank Azaria, Rob Reiner, Elvira
Theme: Songs from the movies
Contestant: Paul McDonald. Will.i.am thinks he should slide in like Tom Cruise. Jimmy thinks there should be beatboxing in the middle. Will thinks this is wrong, the opposite of what the song is about. They had a great time rehearsing so Jimmy hopes Paul brings that.
Song: "Old Time Rock 'n Roll," Bob Seger
Performance: Paul skips down the stairs in his fancy suit and then shimmies around the judges' table. It's a very energetic performance. He rocks a tambourine during the sax solo. Paul's voice just seem suited to the song, not big enough in some way. But, he had fun as did the audience.
Steven: Steven wants to borrow his suit and he loves his crazy, wild abandon.
JLo: Thinks he's going a little further each time and getting more polished. She thinks he killed it.
Randy: Says America just witnessed the first song at a Paul McDonald concert, he loves that he's not typical.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina
Song:"The Climb," Miley Cyrus. Jimmy says Lauren is a much stronger singer than Miley Cyrus. She picked it because she can relate. Jimmy tells her to go get Pia's votes. (He knows that's cold but it's the reality). Will says not to steal them, but invite them with spaghetti and cupcakes.
Performance: She's fine, starts off a little emotionally in the right way, then she telegraphs the chorus, has a little trouble climbing to the big note but finishes off just fine. The crowd loved it.
JLo: She loved hearing her sing it and the tear in her voice. She says she doesn't need to steal anyone's votes since she's getting plenty of her own.
Randy: Says the Lauren of Nashville is roaring back. Calls it amazing.
Steven Says she was the first one they thought might be the "Idol," he loves what she brings to a song and what it brings to her. He says it was beautiful and she moves him beyond tears.
Contestant: Stefano Langone
Song: "End of the Road," BoyzIIMen. Jimmy and Will pump him up and want him to bounce back from the final three spot. They love his choice. Stefano wants to start fresh.
Performance:He sings it well but if his goal was to take his performance to the next level, well he doesn't quite make it. It's a fine vocal but there's not a lot of sizzle. Although he does ramp things up at the end.
Randy: Says Wanya is going to text him and tell him he slayed the song. Randy likes that Stefano now believes. Calls it his best vocal to date.
Steven Says he proved tonight that he knows how to milk a song, he says this is so not the end of the road for him tonight, it's just the beginning.
JLo: Says it's like he's finally got it and she knows he's singing to win instead of singing to stay. She says that was the shiz, although I think she said the other word.
Contestant: Scotty McCreery
Song:"I Cross My Heart," George Strait. He switches to this one mid-stream for "Everybody's Talkin'" by Harry Nilsson. Jimmy think it's fine.
Performance: It's pretty perfect. Aside from the microphone thing of course.
Steven Just loves his voice and that all of America has fallen in love with his voice.
JLo: Says everybody wants them to be tough but she thinks he was "wow, really good." She says it wasn't her favorite song choice but he performed it beautifully.
Randy: He loves that he did that song and that he's following the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" model. Says he's grown greatly.
Contestant: Casey Abrams
Song: "Nature Boy," Nat "King" Cole. Jimmy and Will thinks it makes him small and if he whispers he'll get lost. So they try to make him switch to Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight." But Casey says he doesn't want to lose himself in this process. Jimmy wants him to think about winning. Casey says he was torn. Jimmy thinks it's a mistake that he didn't take his help.
Performance: Playing his upright bass and does a groovy, low-key bossa nova take. He throws in a bit of a growl and mugging but it works. He scats a bit over his bass solo and shows great control over his voice during runs at the end. He finishes up a sweet blue note. Jimmy was wrong.
JLo: At the beginning she was nervous but as it went on she liked it and how he's crossing boundaries like Norah Jones, and she hopes America got it.
Randy: Agrees and also hopes America gets it, he can see him as a Buble-type, he thought it was genius. He says the world can not to live by pop stars alone, we need art for zen balance.
Steven Loved it and that he did was in his heart, not what Jimmy said he should do and that's the truest sense of artistry. He also liberally quotes a Nat Cole song that has goofy lyrics. "Ke-mo, ki-mo spare-o-spare Ma-hi, ma-ho, ma-rump-sticka-pumpernickle, sup-bang, nip-cat, polly-mitcha-cameo." (Or something to that effect.)
Contestant: Haley Reinhart.
Song:"Call Me," Blondie. Says it's crazy that there's only two girls left. Jimmy tells her to show off her pipes and to transform into a character that embodies the song.
Performance: She's going the "sexy" route with her very short dress and high boots and the come-hither looks. She growls and writhes. She sings in French, she walks awkwardly she applies her voice to emphatically.
Randy: Didn't love the beginning and that it felt karaoke and says it wasn't a singer's song to really showcase her.
Steven Agrees with that but says when she nails the just right chorus she's got it going on and he loves her dress.
JLo: She says she's afraid to say anything negative about the girls because she doesn't want them to go home. But, she agrees with Randy that she didn't love the song for her.
Contestant: Jacob Lusk. Jimmy tells Jacob it was a mistake to preach to people last week. Jimmy tells him not to be corny.
Song: "Bridge Over Troubled Water," Simon and Garfunkel
Performance: Jacob starts off under control. He hits one big note in the chorus and brings it back down. He does a nice job, especially in terms of restraint and creating dynamics.
Steven Pounds the table and swears and is bleeped and is astounded by how angelically he sings.
JLo: Asks who does that? About his last note. Calls him a gifted vocalist and glad that it comes from another place. He pulled the chills out of her.
Randy: He believes every word Jacob sings and is glad that he took his time and blew it up at the end.
Contestant: James Durbin
Song: "Heavy Metal," Sammy Hagar. Jimmy doesn't like it, he wonders where the hook is. James disagrees and tries to make his case. Jimmy isn't hearing it. He tries to dispute Jimmy. Will sort of backs him up. James asks America to give metal a chance.
Performance: He brings out Zakk Wylde to play guitar with him. He sings it well enough. Zakk plays better, which seems like an unfair advantage. This is the first time I've believed that he's really metal, so that's something.
JLo: Says it felt really, really real. She says the performance are killing it dead in the studio tonight.
Randy: Says we were just at a James Durbin concert and gives big ups to Zakk. He's glad he stuck to his guns and says he can see him on the next Ozzfest.
Steven Says it was outstanding. Glad he gave Jimmy some lip.
Bottom Three Prediction: Paul, Haley, Jacob
Ryan notes that JLo has been named the "World's Most Beautiful Woman" by People magazine.
In the audience: Hank Azaria, Rob Reiner, Elvira
Theme: Songs from the movies
Contestant: Paul McDonald. Will.i.am thinks he should slide in like Tom Cruise. Jimmy thinks there should be beatboxing in the middle. Will thinks this is wrong, the opposite of what the song is about. They had a great time rehearsing so Jimmy hopes Paul brings that.
Song: "Old Time Rock 'n Roll," Bob Seger
Performance: Paul skips down the stairs in his fancy suit and then shimmies around the judges' table. It's a very energetic performance. He rocks a tambourine during the sax solo. Paul's voice just seem suited to the song, not big enough in some way. But, he had fun as did the audience.
Steven: Steven wants to borrow his suit and he loves his crazy, wild abandon.
JLo: Thinks he's going a little further each time and getting more polished. She thinks he killed it.
Randy: Says America just witnessed the first song at a Paul McDonald concert, he loves that he's not typical.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina
Song:"The Climb," Miley Cyrus. Jimmy says Lauren is a much stronger singer than Miley Cyrus. She picked it because she can relate. Jimmy tells her to go get Pia's votes. (He knows that's cold but it's the reality). Will says not to steal them, but invite them with spaghetti and cupcakes.
Performance: She's fine, starts off a little emotionally in the right way, then she telegraphs the chorus, has a little trouble climbing to the big note but finishes off just fine. The crowd loved it.
JLo: She loved hearing her sing it and the tear in her voice. She says she doesn't need to steal anyone's votes since she's getting plenty of her own.
Randy: Says the Lauren of Nashville is roaring back. Calls it amazing.
Steven Says she was the first one they thought might be the "Idol," he loves what she brings to a song and what it brings to her. He says it was beautiful and she moves him beyond tears.
Contestant: Stefano Langone
Song: "End of the Road," BoyzIIMen. Jimmy and Will pump him up and want him to bounce back from the final three spot. They love his choice. Stefano wants to start fresh.
Performance:He sings it well but if his goal was to take his performance to the next level, well he doesn't quite make it. It's a fine vocal but there's not a lot of sizzle. Although he does ramp things up at the end.
Randy: Says Wanya is going to text him and tell him he slayed the song. Randy likes that Stefano now believes. Calls it his best vocal to date.
Steven Says he proved tonight that he knows how to milk a song, he says this is so not the end of the road for him tonight, it's just the beginning.
JLo: Says it's like he's finally got it and she knows he's singing to win instead of singing to stay. She says that was the shiz, although I think she said the other word.
Contestant: Scotty McCreery
Song:"I Cross My Heart," George Strait. He switches to this one mid-stream for "Everybody's Talkin'" by Harry Nilsson. Jimmy think it's fine.
Performance: It's pretty perfect. Aside from the microphone thing of course.
Steven Just loves his voice and that all of America has fallen in love with his voice.
JLo: Says everybody wants them to be tough but she thinks he was "wow, really good." She says it wasn't her favorite song choice but he performed it beautifully.
Randy: He loves that he did that song and that he's following the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" model. Says he's grown greatly.
Contestant: Casey Abrams
Song: "Nature Boy," Nat "King" Cole. Jimmy and Will thinks it makes him small and if he whispers he'll get lost. So they try to make him switch to Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight." But Casey says he doesn't want to lose himself in this process. Jimmy wants him to think about winning. Casey says he was torn. Jimmy thinks it's a mistake that he didn't take his help.
Performance: Playing his upright bass and does a groovy, low-key bossa nova take. He throws in a bit of a growl and mugging but it works. He scats a bit over his bass solo and shows great control over his voice during runs at the end. He finishes up a sweet blue note. Jimmy was wrong.
JLo: At the beginning she was nervous but as it went on she liked it and how he's crossing boundaries like Norah Jones, and she hopes America got it.
Randy: Agrees and also hopes America gets it, he can see him as a Buble-type, he thought it was genius. He says the world can not to live by pop stars alone, we need art for zen balance.
Steven Loved it and that he did was in his heart, not what Jimmy said he should do and that's the truest sense of artistry. He also liberally quotes a Nat Cole song that has goofy lyrics. "Ke-mo, ki-mo spare-o-spare Ma-hi, ma-ho, ma-rump-sticka-pumpernickle, sup-bang, nip-cat, polly-mitcha-cameo." (Or something to that effect.)
Contestant: Haley Reinhart.
Song:"Call Me," Blondie. Says it's crazy that there's only two girls left. Jimmy tells her to show off her pipes and to transform into a character that embodies the song.
Performance: She's going the "sexy" route with her very short dress and high boots and the come-hither looks. She growls and writhes. She sings in French, she walks awkwardly she applies her voice to emphatically.
Randy: Didn't love the beginning and that it felt karaoke and says it wasn't a singer's song to really showcase her.
Steven Agrees with that but says when she nails the just right chorus she's got it going on and he loves her dress.
JLo: She says she's afraid to say anything negative about the girls because she doesn't want them to go home. But, she agrees with Randy that she didn't love the song for her.
Contestant: Jacob Lusk. Jimmy tells Jacob it was a mistake to preach to people last week. Jimmy tells him not to be corny.
Song: "Bridge Over Troubled Water," Simon and Garfunkel
Performance: Jacob starts off under control. He hits one big note in the chorus and brings it back down. He does a nice job, especially in terms of restraint and creating dynamics.
Steven Pounds the table and swears and is bleeped and is astounded by how angelically he sings.
JLo: Asks who does that? About his last note. Calls him a gifted vocalist and glad that it comes from another place. He pulled the chills out of her.
Randy: He believes every word Jacob sings and is glad that he took his time and blew it up at the end.
Contestant: James Durbin
Song: "Heavy Metal," Sammy Hagar. Jimmy doesn't like it, he wonders where the hook is. James disagrees and tries to make his case. Jimmy isn't hearing it. He tries to dispute Jimmy. Will sort of backs him up. James asks America to give metal a chance.
Performance: He brings out Zakk Wylde to play guitar with him. He sings it well enough. Zakk plays better, which seems like an unfair advantage. This is the first time I've believed that he's really metal, so that's something.
JLo: Says it felt really, really real. She says the performance are killing it dead in the studio tonight.
Randy: Says we were just at a James Durbin concert and gives big ups to Zakk. He's glad he stuck to his guns and says he can see him on the next Ozzfest.
Steven Says it was outstanding. Glad he gave Jimmy some lip.
Bottom Three Prediction: Paul, Haley, Jacob
Thu, Apr 14, 2011
"American Idol" - Top 8 Results Show- April 14, 2011
Ryan tells us 53 million votes came in.
In the audience: Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, Pia Toscano
Group Sing #1: Lauren and Scotty do Lady Antebellum's "American Honey"
Video package: We get a behind the scenes look at the Ford commercial in which Stefano, James, Haley, and Scotty get made-up as zombies.
Ford Commercial:"Animal," Neon Trees. We see the video.
Group Sing: Casey and Haley sing "Moanin,"" sung by many but well known by Sarah Vaughn. They both get to show off some serious scatting chops. They get a standing ovation from the audience and the judges. Randy says that's what he's talking about and wonders where this Haley was. JLo calls it beautiful. Steven says they just summed up what they always knew.
Results: Casey, Haley, Scotty, and Lauren are called center stage. Scotty, Lauren, and Casey are safe. Haley is not.
Video package: We get a look at Rob Reiner talking to the contestants about music from the movies. He does some shtick on the lyrics he wrote for the "Chariots of Fire" theme song. He's apparently a huge fan of the show and is pretty funny and he thanks them for listening to an old fat Jew..
Performance: Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson perform his hit song "Don't You Wanna Stay." She looks and sounds great. Seems like she finally got a good stylist.
Group Sing: Jacob, Paul, Stefano, and James sing a medley of "Sounds of Silence" and "Mrs. Robinson." They take turns harmonizing, and sound pretty great. James and Paul play guitar.
Results:Now those four come center stage. James and Jacob are safe and Paul and Stefano make up the bottom three.
Performance: "California King Bed," Rihanna It's a very awards-show performance with a troupe of dancers.
Bottom Three: Haley, Paul, and Stefano.
Going Home: Paul
Ryan tells us 53 million votes came in.
In the audience: Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, Pia Toscano
Group Sing #1: Lauren and Scotty do Lady Antebellum's "American Honey"
Video package: We get a behind the scenes look at the Ford commercial in which Stefano, James, Haley, and Scotty get made-up as zombies.
Ford Commercial:"Animal," Neon Trees. We see the video.
Group Sing: Casey and Haley sing "Moanin,"" sung by many but well known by Sarah Vaughn. They both get to show off some serious scatting chops. They get a standing ovation from the audience and the judges. Randy says that's what he's talking about and wonders where this Haley was. JLo calls it beautiful. Steven says they just summed up what they always knew.
Results: Casey, Haley, Scotty, and Lauren are called center stage. Scotty, Lauren, and Casey are safe. Haley is not.
Video package: We get a look at Rob Reiner talking to the contestants about music from the movies. He does some shtick on the lyrics he wrote for the "Chariots of Fire" theme song. He's apparently a huge fan of the show and is pretty funny and he thanks them for listening to an old fat Jew..
Performance: Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson perform his hit song "Don't You Wanna Stay." She looks and sounds great. Seems like she finally got a good stylist.
Group Sing: Jacob, Paul, Stefano, and James sing a medley of "Sounds of Silence" and "Mrs. Robinson." They take turns harmonizing, and sound pretty great. James and Paul play guitar.
Results:Now those four come center stage. James and Jacob are safe and Paul and Stefano make up the bottom three.
Performance: "California King Bed," Rihanna It's a very awards-show performance with a troupe of dancers.
Bottom Three: Haley, Paul, and Stefano.
Going Home: Paul
Wed, Apr 20, 2011
"American Idol" - Top 7 Performance Show - April 20, 2011
Theme: Songs of the 21st Century
Group Sing: Naima, Thia, Pia, Ashthon, Karen, and Paul return to sing Pink's "So What." A glimpse of a future tour number?
Contestant: Scotty McCreery, Jimmy is worried that voters will get complacent.
Song: "Swingin'," Leann Rimes (But really a John Anderson song from the '80s.)
Performance: It's a more uptempo, playful number for him this week. The band threatens to drown him out near the beginning but the mix improves. He does the first verse in a more tenor place and goes to baritone for the second verse. Even though they mocked his cock-eyed microphone style in the clip, he clings to it and the goofy eyebrow-raising. But, he's Scotty, so he kills it vocally
Steven: Loves him and his voice but wishes he would boot-scoot around a little more.
JLo: She loves the storytelling quality to his singing but she says it's time to pull out the big guns, she was expecting more.
Randy: Tells him he needs to bring it hard, he thought it was too safe and almost boring. With this many songs to choose from he could've picked a better one.
Contestant:James Durbin. Jimmy wants him to stay true to himself but move him forward. He thinks the song has substance.
Song: "Uprising," Muse
Performance: James gets led to the stage but a drum corps in full regalia. There's something vaguely Meatloaf-y about the melodrama here. He sounds mostly fine and throws in one of his patented screams on the choruses.
JLo: Says she's going to go out on a limb that that is going to be the best theatrical performance of the night.
Randy: Loves Muse and that song and thinks he was unbelievable.
Steven: Calls his look "Mad Max meets storm troopers on Melrose." Calls it crazy good. Loves that he's beautifully out of his mind.
Contestant:Haley Reinhart. Jimmy asks Haley what the song is about. She says rejection. He tells her to bring that.
Song: "Rolling in the Deep," Adele
Performance: This is a great song for her, it lets her use her full range and power. This is her best performance, simple, direct, well-sung. And also, great dress. Randy: Thinks she chose a perfect direction for herself and it was a great performance.
Steven: He thought it started a little slow but she brought it up.
JLo: Thinks it takes guts to sing such a popular song right now and she thought she brought herself to it in moments and thought it was good.
Contestant: Jacob Lusk. In stool chat he tells Ryan singing a Luther song is scary. (It also happens to be the late great soul singer's birthday). He tells Jimmy he's singing the song because his father passed away when he was 12 years old. He cries during his rehearsal. He dedicates the song to those who have lost their fathers.
Song: "Dance With My Father," Luther Vandross
Performance: He gets emotional right away on the piano ballad. It's clear he's trying to control himself. He pulls out his in-ear monitor abruptly. This seems to help somehow. He's showing restraint, simply singing the song. The song builds and he throws in one big note and brings it back down.
Steven: Says it was a beautiful thing and that his daddy was up there listening.
JLo: Says it's hard to learn the control of sharing the emotion of the song, she says emotionally it was a beautiful performance but that the vocal maybe wasn't perfect because of it.
Randy: He agrees that it was emotionally beautiful but vocally it didn't make him jump up and down. He wants him to go through the roof and not hold back anymore. He tells him he needs the church kid back.
Contestant: Casey Abrams. Jimmy's on board with Casey's choice this week. He's really proud of him too.
Song: "Harder to Breathe," Maroon 5
Performance: He starts out like Jimmy suggested, voice and guitar, low-key. The band and his own guitar kick in on the chorus. It's a tricky song lyrically and he's doing a nice job. It doesn't have a ton of range but it's funky and fun. He takes a walk during the second half to slap hands. He scats over the instrumental break. He gets a little growly and screamy at the end but again, funky and fun. He kisses JLo at the end.
JLo: Says Casey's not playing fair and has soft lips. She loved it.
Randy: Loves that it was surprising as always and he really enjoyed it and hopes he continues to take chances.
Steven: Says he's already a cult hero to people who he pissed off because -- gets bleeped out, there is an F word in there but I'm not sure what he said besides that, it looked like "so effing good." He loves him.
Contestant: Stefano Langone. Jimmy tells him not to whine or beg, but to be sexy.
Song: "Closer," Ne-Yo
Performance: He's got the eyebrows rocking. He's also got some early pitch problems. He unveils a few simple dance moves. He does one big eyes closed note. It's a weird song vocally, not bad but herky jerky. He tries to smolder and the audience in the room is buying it.
Randy: He thought it was going to be bad karaoke but he liked it and that he smoothed it out and took his time singing the verses.
Steven: He says he was all up in it, and thought it was a good job.
JLo: Thought it was good and that he had his swag going on. She thought he owned it.
Contestant:Lauren Alaina. Jimmy wants to give her confidence and he brings in Miley Cyrus' producers and he watches her pull back as he expected. He wants her to get over her confidence hurdle.
Song: "Born to Fly," Sara Evans
Performance: It's a cutesy uptempo country number. She does seem a little more sassy this week. And her vocal is spot on. Good choice for her.
Steven: Loved it. Wants her to sing Alison Krauss/Faith Hill/Shania Twain for him next time.
JLo: Agrees she has a lot of character and color in her voice. She tells her to reach out for those big notes that she said she was afraid in the package. She tries to build her confidence also.
Randy: Agrees with JLo and tells her to go for it also.
Bottom Three Prediction: I actually thought everyone was pretty good tonight so I'm going with people who have been in the bottom three before Haley, Stefano, and Jacob
Theme: Songs of the 21st Century
Group Sing: Naima, Thia, Pia, Ashthon, Karen, and Paul return to sing Pink's "So What." A glimpse of a future tour number?
Contestant: Scotty McCreery, Jimmy is worried that voters will get complacent.
Song: "Swingin'," Leann Rimes (But really a John Anderson song from the '80s.)
Performance: It's a more uptempo, playful number for him this week. The band threatens to drown him out near the beginning but the mix improves. He does the first verse in a more tenor place and goes to baritone for the second verse. Even though they mocked his cock-eyed microphone style in the clip, he clings to it and the goofy eyebrow-raising. But, he's Scotty, so he kills it vocally
Steven: Loves him and his voice but wishes he would boot-scoot around a little more.
JLo: She loves the storytelling quality to his singing but she says it's time to pull out the big guns, she was expecting more.
Randy: Tells him he needs to bring it hard, he thought it was too safe and almost boring. With this many songs to choose from he could've picked a better one.
Contestant:James Durbin. Jimmy wants him to stay true to himself but move him forward. He thinks the song has substance.
Song: "Uprising," Muse
Performance: James gets led to the stage but a drum corps in full regalia. There's something vaguely Meatloaf-y about the melodrama here. He sounds mostly fine and throws in one of his patented screams on the choruses.
JLo: Says she's going to go out on a limb that that is going to be the best theatrical performance of the night.
Randy: Loves Muse and that song and thinks he was unbelievable.
Steven: Calls his look "Mad Max meets storm troopers on Melrose." Calls it crazy good. Loves that he's beautifully out of his mind.
Contestant:Haley Reinhart. Jimmy asks Haley what the song is about. She says rejection. He tells her to bring that.
Song: "Rolling in the Deep," Adele
Performance: This is a great song for her, it lets her use her full range and power. This is her best performance, simple, direct, well-sung. And also, great dress. Randy: Thinks she chose a perfect direction for herself and it was a great performance.
Steven: He thought it started a little slow but she brought it up.
JLo: Thinks it takes guts to sing such a popular song right now and she thought she brought herself to it in moments and thought it was good.
Contestant: Jacob Lusk. In stool chat he tells Ryan singing a Luther song is scary. (It also happens to be the late great soul singer's birthday). He tells Jimmy he's singing the song because his father passed away when he was 12 years old. He cries during his rehearsal. He dedicates the song to those who have lost their fathers.
Song: "Dance With My Father," Luther Vandross
Performance: He gets emotional right away on the piano ballad. It's clear he's trying to control himself. He pulls out his in-ear monitor abruptly. This seems to help somehow. He's showing restraint, simply singing the song. The song builds and he throws in one big note and brings it back down.
Steven: Says it was a beautiful thing and that his daddy was up there listening.
JLo: Says it's hard to learn the control of sharing the emotion of the song, she says emotionally it was a beautiful performance but that the vocal maybe wasn't perfect because of it.
Randy: He agrees that it was emotionally beautiful but vocally it didn't make him jump up and down. He wants him to go through the roof and not hold back anymore. He tells him he needs the church kid back.
Contestant: Casey Abrams. Jimmy's on board with Casey's choice this week. He's really proud of him too.
Song: "Harder to Breathe," Maroon 5
Performance: He starts out like Jimmy suggested, voice and guitar, low-key. The band and his own guitar kick in on the chorus. It's a tricky song lyrically and he's doing a nice job. It doesn't have a ton of range but it's funky and fun. He takes a walk during the second half to slap hands. He scats over the instrumental break. He gets a little growly and screamy at the end but again, funky and fun. He kisses JLo at the end.
JLo: Says Casey's not playing fair and has soft lips. She loved it.
Randy: Loves that it was surprising as always and he really enjoyed it and hopes he continues to take chances.
Steven: Says he's already a cult hero to people who he pissed off because -- gets bleeped out, there is an F word in there but I'm not sure what he said besides that, it looked like "so effing good." He loves him.
Contestant: Stefano Langone. Jimmy tells him not to whine or beg, but to be sexy.
Song: "Closer," Ne-Yo
Performance: He's got the eyebrows rocking. He's also got some early pitch problems. He unveils a few simple dance moves. He does one big eyes closed note. It's a weird song vocally, not bad but herky jerky. He tries to smolder and the audience in the room is buying it.
Randy: He thought it was going to be bad karaoke but he liked it and that he smoothed it out and took his time singing the verses.
Steven: He says he was all up in it, and thought it was a good job.
JLo: Thought it was good and that he had his swag going on. She thought he owned it.
Contestant:Lauren Alaina. Jimmy wants to give her confidence and he brings in Miley Cyrus' producers and he watches her pull back as he expected. He wants her to get over her confidence hurdle.
Song: "Born to Fly," Sara Evans
Performance: It's a cutesy uptempo country number. She does seem a little more sassy this week. And her vocal is spot on. Good choice for her.
Steven: Loved it. Wants her to sing Alison Krauss/Faith Hill/Shania Twain for him next time.
JLo: Agrees she has a lot of character and color in her voice. She tells her to reach out for those big notes that she said she was afraid in the package. She tries to build her confidence also.
Randy: Agrees with JLo and tells her to go for it also.
Bottom Three Prediction: I actually thought everyone was pretty good tonight so I'm going with people who have been in the bottom three before Haley, Stefano, and Jacob
Thu, Apr 21, 2011
"American Idol" - Top 7 Results Show - April 21, 2011
Ryan says 52 million votes came in last night.
In the audience:
Group Sing #1: "Hey, Soul Sister," Lauren, Haley, Stefano, and Jacob. Ouch.
Ford Commercial: "World," The kids drive through the desert, corral a cloud, some mountains and some grass and turn it into a peaceful oasis.
Group Sing #2: Coldplay, "Viva La Vida" as performed by James, Casey, and Scotty. Ouch.
Ryan does some chatting with contestants.
Results: Ryan has Casey and Jacob stand at the couches. Casey is safe, Jacob is in the bottom three.
Performance: David Cook, "The Last Goodbye" After his performance he introduces his mom to Steven Tyler.
Video Package: We watch the gang go to a Dodgers game and meet Tommy Lasorda; go bowling; and to the spa
Results: Ryan has Lauren, James, and Stefano join him at center stage. He sends Stefano to the stools. Lauren and James are safe. He then calls over Haley and Scotty. He's safe, she isn't.
Bottom Three: Jacob, Stefano, and Haley
Ryan immediately sends Haley back to safety.
Performance: "E.T.," Katy Perry. Kanye West shows up to help out.
Going Home: Stefano
Ryan says 52 million votes came in last night.
In the audience:
Group Sing #1: "Hey, Soul Sister," Lauren, Haley, Stefano, and Jacob. Ouch.
Ford Commercial: "World," The kids drive through the desert, corral a cloud, some mountains and some grass and turn it into a peaceful oasis.
Group Sing #2: Coldplay, "Viva La Vida" as performed by James, Casey, and Scotty. Ouch.
Ryan does some chatting with contestants.
Results: Ryan has Casey and Jacob stand at the couches. Casey is safe, Jacob is in the bottom three.
Performance: David Cook, "The Last Goodbye" After his performance he introduces his mom to Steven Tyler.
Video Package: We watch the gang go to a Dodgers game and meet Tommy Lasorda; go bowling; and to the spa
Results: Ryan has Lauren, James, and Stefano join him at center stage. He sends Stefano to the stools. Lauren and James are safe. He then calls over Haley and Scotty. He's safe, she isn't.
Bottom Three: Jacob, Stefano, and Haley
Ryan immediately sends Haley back to safety.
Performance: "E.T.," Katy Perry. Kanye West shows up to help out.
Going Home: Stefano
Wed, Apr 27, 2011
Ryan reminds us the 125,000 have been winnowed to six. We're introduced. Casey looks like he just woke up.
The judges stroll out. Ryan tells us we're less a month away from the finale. Tonight's theme comes from Carole King, who wrote "Will You Still Love Me tomorrow" and songs sung by Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin and Rod Stewart among others. She and James Taylor recently collaborated on the DVD "Live at the Troubadour".
The mentor this week was Kenny "Babyface" Edmunds, a 10 time Grammy winner who has worked with pretty much everybody, including Carole King.
Jacob is up first with "Oh no, Not My Baby," which Jimmy counsels him to riff on. In rehearsals, we see him sing it like "65 times" he says. Jimmy thinks he's an incredible singer, but is in jeopardy. He sings and struts.
"We all knew you could sing, we were all wondering when you were going to shake your tail feathers," Steven tells him, saying it was beautiful. Jennifer sees a couple "spaces" where it wasn't perfect, but he "killed it." Randy, who is wearing a varsity sweater with a big R on it, liked the scatting. "Hopefully America will give you some votes and you'll stick around baby," he says.
"It feels good, I went out there, I gave it my all. I think I gave the judges what they were looking for, I gave them that 'rrrr'," Jacob says.
In rehearsals, Babyface tells Lauren to go for the high notes. Jimmy brings out Miley Cyrus, who says she's a big fan of Lauren's music and advises her to sing for herself and not worry about the criticism.
Lauren sings "Where You Lead, I'll follow" and picks a boy out of the audience to sing to and walks around.
Randy isn't sure he loved the song for her, "it was a little safe and boring." But he says she came out with a vengeance.
"I saw you shine tonight when your voice broke," Steven tells her.
"When those people with talent manifest the light, they sometimes can become dartboards for other people's doubts, fears and insecurities -- don't let it in there. You keep shining the way you do," he says. Lauren wipes away tears.
Ryan pulls the boy back out of the audience. Brett is 19, Lauren is 16. Back in the audience he goes.
Lauren calls the experience "emotional."
Ryan tells us Bruno Mars and Crystal Bowersox are visiting tomorrow. Haley and Casey are next with "I Feel the Earth Move".
"Hey Weird Beard, how much in love with Haley are you?" Steven asks Casey. He tells them there's nothing he didn't like about the performance.
After a week when the judges told him to raise his game, Scotty works on "You've Got a Friend." Jimmy and Babyface counsel him to start soft.
Randy says he liked him starting with a "buttery" tenor instead of baritone. He advises him to not fall off the high notes. Steven says he's never sung better. "When we hear you sing a song like that, that's why we couldn't let you get away with what you did last week," Jennifer says.
Ryan sits down with James. He's singing "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," which people requested on the website.
In rehearsal James sings alone, accompanying himself. Babyface says he was blown away. Jimmy think he's 100 percent the child of rock and roll. He says what happened in rehearsal was so "intense and exciting" that he hopes it happens on the show. James starts out a capella then the rock n' roll comes in.
Steven thinks the beginning was great. "That's the first song I ever made out to a girl with. I was in a bowling alley - and no, Randy, I didn't strike out," he says.
Jennifer thinks he'll be the star of the night and points out he's been great every week since the top 13.
Randy thinks he proved he wasn't just a great rock singer, but a great singer. "That was one of the performances of the last couple months," Randy says. "This guy might just win the whole thing!" he predicts.
Backstage, James says the performance was for Heidi.
Lauren and Scotty prepare for their third duet. "Is there more than a musical connection here, Lauren?" Ryan asks. "We're like brothers and sisters," Scotty says.
They perform "On the Roof."
Jennifer tells Lauren she sings her (she pauses for a long time to avoid cursing) "brains" off.
After the break, we return with Steven with a little girl on his lap. Ryan says hi to Carole's daughter, Sherry. Casey works on "Hi-de-ho", made popular by Blood, Sweat and Tears, and jams with Don Was. Jimmy gives him credit for taking risks. Casey starts out at the piano, then wanders around riffing off horns and harmonica.
Randy says the song took him back to his New Orleans. "I'm excited every time you're up there because I know I'm going to see something different and entertaining," Randy says. Steven likes the performance. "You made my scalp itch it was so good," he says.
Jennifer urges him to loosen up his legs a little bit.
Ryan wanders around the audience and says hi to Penny Marshall, who is sitting next to Lorraine Bracco. Haley is singing "Beautiful."
Babyface helps her with the flow of one section and says she caught on pretty quickly. Before she can perform, there's a brief technical glitch while she makes sure she can hear herself in her ear. Then, after Ryan checks, she starts right in.
"I just saw God, I heard God in your voice," Steven says. "You've got one of the best voices in this competition," Jennifer tells her. Randy didn't love the beginning, but the end was great.
Next up is a duet with Jacob and James, singing "I'm into Something Good." They both wear white pants. The song choice is as odd as their wardrobe.
Steven says he doesn't think it was the award-winning performance it should have been. "Man, where were you going with that?" he asks.
And with that, it's time for the numbers and the recap.
The judges stroll out. Ryan tells us we're less a month away from the finale. Tonight's theme comes from Carole King, who wrote "Will You Still Love Me tomorrow" and songs sung by Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin and Rod Stewart among others. She and James Taylor recently collaborated on the DVD "Live at the Troubadour".
The mentor this week was Kenny "Babyface" Edmunds, a 10 time Grammy winner who has worked with pretty much everybody, including Carole King.
Jacob is up first with "Oh no, Not My Baby," which Jimmy counsels him to riff on. In rehearsals, we see him sing it like "65 times" he says. Jimmy thinks he's an incredible singer, but is in jeopardy. He sings and struts.
"We all knew you could sing, we were all wondering when you were going to shake your tail feathers," Steven tells him, saying it was beautiful. Jennifer sees a couple "spaces" where it wasn't perfect, but he "killed it." Randy, who is wearing a varsity sweater with a big R on it, liked the scatting. "Hopefully America will give you some votes and you'll stick around baby," he says.
"It feels good, I went out there, I gave it my all. I think I gave the judges what they were looking for, I gave them that 'rrrr'," Jacob says.
In rehearsals, Babyface tells Lauren to go for the high notes. Jimmy brings out Miley Cyrus, who says she's a big fan of Lauren's music and advises her to sing for herself and not worry about the criticism.
Lauren sings "Where You Lead, I'll follow" and picks a boy out of the audience to sing to and walks around.
Randy isn't sure he loved the song for her, "it was a little safe and boring." But he says she came out with a vengeance.
"I saw you shine tonight when your voice broke," Steven tells her.
"When those people with talent manifest the light, they sometimes can become dartboards for other people's doubts, fears and insecurities -- don't let it in there. You keep shining the way you do," he says. Lauren wipes away tears.
Ryan pulls the boy back out of the audience. Brett is 19, Lauren is 16. Back in the audience he goes.
Lauren calls the experience "emotional."
Ryan tells us Bruno Mars and Crystal Bowersox are visiting tomorrow. Haley and Casey are next with "I Feel the Earth Move".
"Hey Weird Beard, how much in love with Haley are you?" Steven asks Casey. He tells them there's nothing he didn't like about the performance.
After a week when the judges told him to raise his game, Scotty works on "You've Got a Friend." Jimmy and Babyface counsel him to start soft.
Randy says he liked him starting with a "buttery" tenor instead of baritone. He advises him to not fall off the high notes. Steven says he's never sung better. "When we hear you sing a song like that, that's why we couldn't let you get away with what you did last week," Jennifer says.
Ryan sits down with James. He's singing "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," which people requested on the website.
In rehearsal James sings alone, accompanying himself. Babyface says he was blown away. Jimmy think he's 100 percent the child of rock and roll. He says what happened in rehearsal was so "intense and exciting" that he hopes it happens on the show. James starts out a capella then the rock n' roll comes in.
Steven thinks the beginning was great. "That's the first song I ever made out to a girl with. I was in a bowling alley - and no, Randy, I didn't strike out," he says.
Jennifer thinks he'll be the star of the night and points out he's been great every week since the top 13.
Randy thinks he proved he wasn't just a great rock singer, but a great singer. "That was one of the performances of the last couple months," Randy says. "This guy might just win the whole thing!" he predicts.
Backstage, James says the performance was for Heidi.
Lauren and Scotty prepare for their third duet. "Is there more than a musical connection here, Lauren?" Ryan asks. "We're like brothers and sisters," Scotty says.
They perform "On the Roof."
Jennifer tells Lauren she sings her (she pauses for a long time to avoid cursing) "brains" off.
After the break, we return with Steven with a little girl on his lap. Ryan says hi to Carole's daughter, Sherry. Casey works on "Hi-de-ho", made popular by Blood, Sweat and Tears, and jams with Don Was. Jimmy gives him credit for taking risks. Casey starts out at the piano, then wanders around riffing off horns and harmonica.
Randy says the song took him back to his New Orleans. "I'm excited every time you're up there because I know I'm going to see something different and entertaining," Randy says. Steven likes the performance. "You made my scalp itch it was so good," he says.
Jennifer urges him to loosen up his legs a little bit.
Ryan wanders around the audience and says hi to Penny Marshall, who is sitting next to Lorraine Bracco. Haley is singing "Beautiful."
Babyface helps her with the flow of one section and says she caught on pretty quickly. Before she can perform, there's a brief technical glitch while she makes sure she can hear herself in her ear. Then, after Ryan checks, she starts right in.
"I just saw God, I heard God in your voice," Steven says. "You've got one of the best voices in this competition," Jennifer tells her. Randy didn't love the beginning, but the end was great.
Next up is a duet with Jacob and James, singing "I'm into Something Good." They both wear white pants. The song choice is as odd as their wardrobe.
Steven says he doesn't think it was the award-winning performance it should have been. "Man, where were you going with that?" he asks.
And with that, it's time for the numbers and the recap.
Thu, Apr 28, 2011
Open with Ryan explaining the nature of elimination shows, followed by giving us his uber-dramatic "this . . . is American Idol. "
The judges are introduced and Ryan walks onto the stage. Ryan assures us that a lot of fans will be disappointed with tonight's result and brings out the final six contestants.
The finalists are sent to the couch and Ryan speaks with our judges. Ryan points out Steven is on the cover of several magazines this week and tells us Bruno Mars and last season's runner-up, Crystal Bowersox, will both perform tonight.
Ryan then kicks it to a vignette of the finalists visiting the British consulate. Scotty and Casey affect accents that might cause the Revolutionary War to resume.
Next we have a medley of Carole King hits. All six finalists help perform pieces of "It Might As Well Rain Until September," "One Fine Day," "Go Away Little Girl" and "It's Too Late."
After the break we see the gang in a music video for an American car company.
Ryan then introduces Bowersox. She plays guitar and sings her new single, "Ridin' With the Radio."
Ryan reads a few fan questions to the finalists. Casey is asked who he would most like to perform a duet with. He goes with Candian jazz pianist (yes I had to look him up) Oscar Peterson because it would be "so fun" to play with a "musical genius." Jacob is asked when he discovered his vocal range. The answer is when he was "six or seven." A fan wants to know what Lauren feels is the hardest thing about being a finalist. She says "missing friends and family back home." Scott is asked if he ever had a pre-Idol job. He worked at a grocery store. James tells us before Idol he's played with "a few" bands. Haley is asked her favorite past Idol contestant and mentions four or five different people.
The lights dim as the results portion of the show begins. Ryan calls out the finalists in random order. We will flashback to their performance last night, recall a few judge comments and get a thought from Jimmy Iovine.
Steve told Haley ("Beautiful") he saw God in her voice and Jennifer said she has one of the best voices in the competition. Jimmy basically agreed, but said he doesn't think Haley knows who she is as an artist. After listening to the comment from Jimmy Haley says something that has to be bleeped. Ryan then tells her she is safe.
Up next is Scotty who sang "You've Got a Friend." Jennifer said his strength was storytelling and Randy thought the beginning of the song was flawless. Jimmy calls Scotty a "phenom" but wonders if his subtlety will be missed by voters. Scotty agrees with Jimmy, just before Ryan tell him to "hang tight for a second."
Lauren, who sang "Where You Lead," is next. Jennifer was "so proud" of her. Jimmy thinks she doesn't do a good job of hearing the positives in the judges' critiques. Jimmy thinks she's "here for the long run." Ryan tells he to "hang tight" without saying she's safe.
Casey ("Hi-De-Ho") is next. Randy called him "different and entertaining" and Steven said his performance made his scalp itch. Jimmy was disappointed that Casey growled the night before but thinks he will be safe. Casey is also told to take a seat.
James ("Will You Love Me Tomorrow") is called up after the break. Randy thought he proved his was a great singer. Jimmy thinks James is more believable he sings a melody with a rock feel. Ryan tells James that he is safe.
Jacob ("Oh No Not My Bab") is the last finalist on stage. The judges weren't blown away. Jimmy points out that Idol is more than just a voice and thinks he could possibly go home.
Jacob is told to stay on stage and Ryan brings up Casey, Lauren and Scotty. Ryan next announces that Lauren is safe and has her take a seat. The means Casey, Jacob and Scotty are the bottom-3.
Bruno Mars performs "The Lazy Song."
After the break Ryan gives us the results "in random order." Jacob is told he is safe tonight and takes a seat. Down to Scotty or Casey. Ryan gives us a "The person who leaves the competition tonight on Idol is . . . Casey Abrams."
We look back at highlights from Casey's season, starting with his first tryout. Ryan then points to Casey and says "This is what talent look like." Casey sings "I Put a Spell On You." as the show ends.
The judges are introduced and Ryan walks onto the stage. Ryan assures us that a lot of fans will be disappointed with tonight's result and brings out the final six contestants.
The finalists are sent to the couch and Ryan speaks with our judges. Ryan points out Steven is on the cover of several magazines this week and tells us Bruno Mars and last season's runner-up, Crystal Bowersox, will both perform tonight.
Ryan then kicks it to a vignette of the finalists visiting the British consulate. Scotty and Casey affect accents that might cause the Revolutionary War to resume.
Next we have a medley of Carole King hits. All six finalists help perform pieces of "It Might As Well Rain Until September," "One Fine Day," "Go Away Little Girl" and "It's Too Late."
After the break we see the gang in a music video for an American car company.
Ryan then introduces Bowersox. She plays guitar and sings her new single, "Ridin' With the Radio."
Ryan reads a few fan questions to the finalists. Casey is asked who he would most like to perform a duet with. He goes with Candian jazz pianist (yes I had to look him up) Oscar Peterson because it would be "so fun" to play with a "musical genius." Jacob is asked when he discovered his vocal range. The answer is when he was "six or seven." A fan wants to know what Lauren feels is the hardest thing about being a finalist. She says "missing friends and family back home." Scott is asked if he ever had a pre-Idol job. He worked at a grocery store. James tells us before Idol he's played with "a few" bands. Haley is asked her favorite past Idol contestant and mentions four or five different people.
The lights dim as the results portion of the show begins. Ryan calls out the finalists in random order. We will flashback to their performance last night, recall a few judge comments and get a thought from Jimmy Iovine.
Steve told Haley ("Beautiful") he saw God in her voice and Jennifer said she has one of the best voices in the competition. Jimmy basically agreed, but said he doesn't think Haley knows who she is as an artist. After listening to the comment from Jimmy Haley says something that has to be bleeped. Ryan then tells her she is safe.
Up next is Scotty who sang "You've Got a Friend." Jennifer said his strength was storytelling and Randy thought the beginning of the song was flawless. Jimmy calls Scotty a "phenom" but wonders if his subtlety will be missed by voters. Scotty agrees with Jimmy, just before Ryan tell him to "hang tight for a second."
Lauren, who sang "Where You Lead," is next. Jennifer was "so proud" of her. Jimmy thinks she doesn't do a good job of hearing the positives in the judges' critiques. Jimmy thinks she's "here for the long run." Ryan tells he to "hang tight" without saying she's safe.
Casey ("Hi-De-Ho") is next. Randy called him "different and entertaining" and Steven said his performance made his scalp itch. Jimmy was disappointed that Casey growled the night before but thinks he will be safe. Casey is also told to take a seat.
James ("Will You Love Me Tomorrow") is called up after the break. Randy thought he proved his was a great singer. Jimmy thinks James is more believable he sings a melody with a rock feel. Ryan tells James that he is safe.
Jacob ("Oh No Not My Bab") is the last finalist on stage. The judges weren't blown away. Jimmy points out that Idol is more than just a voice and thinks he could possibly go home.
Jacob is told to stay on stage and Ryan brings up Casey, Lauren and Scotty. Ryan next announces that Lauren is safe and has her take a seat. The means Casey, Jacob and Scotty are the bottom-3.
Bruno Mars performs "The Lazy Song."
After the break Ryan gives us the results "in random order." Jacob is told he is safe tonight and takes a seat. Down to Scotty or Casey. Ryan gives us a "The person who leaves the competition tonight on Idol is . . . Casey Abrams."
We look back at highlights from Casey's season, starting with his first tryout. Ryan then points to Casey and says "This is what talent look like." Casey sings "I Put a Spell On You." as the show ends.
Wed, May 4, 2011
"American Idol" - Top Five Performance Show - May 4, 2011
Theme: Now and Then
In the audience: Anthony Hopkins; Kelly Preston;
Video Package: We get a rundown on tonight's guest mentor Sheryl Crow, invited by Jimmy Iovine. She promises we're going to see different sides to people.
Contestant: James Durbin
Song: Now: "Closer to the Edge," Thirty Second to Mars. Sheryl sings along with him during his performance.He and Jimmy agree that he fits into this kind of contemporary music.
Performance: It starts in a low register and then bumps up into a more power area for James who takes to the crowd to high five people. He's going flat here and there, perhaps from moving around. The song is just okay. He throws a big old Durbin scream in the middle and gets some onstage pyro.
Steven: Thinks he kicked the song's ass and thought it was beautiful.
JLo: Says he's been showing America that he wants it.
Randy: Loves the song and thinks he fits well there in that genre and thinks James is in it to win it.
Contestant: Jacob Lusk
Song: Now: "No Air," Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown The actual writer/producer Harvey Mason is in teh house. Jimmy and Sheryl think it's challenging, especially since it's a duet and he's singing both parts.
Performance: He immediately has breathing issues, just like the song says. He's also singing in a weird key that makes him sound strident.
JLo: Thinks he has great showmanship and is a good singer and tells him to keep going in this direction to define who he is.
Randy: He doesn't think that's the direction for him and he thought the whole thing was corny and that most of it was sharp. He sees him more as a Luther/church singer and he doesn't think it wears well. Jennifer argues with him.
Steven: Says they're waiting for him to find a niche and that certain something that's 100 percent him.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina
Song: Now: "Flat on the Floor," Carrie Underwood. She says it's a hard song, Sheryl tells her to stay put and stay strong.
Performance: Lauren counts it off confidently. She stays put and does put some power into it. She moves about a bit and shimmies with the fiddler. She's controlling her breath well and really getting into it. It sounds good and looks confident.
Randy: Says that is the direction for her and says Lauren is in it to win it.
Steven: Says she's as good as it gets and the sky's the limit.
JLo: This is what she likes to see, and says she ate it up.
Contestant:Scotty McCreery
Song: Now: "Gone," Montgomery Gentry. Jimmy likes that it's got grit and a rock feel to it. Sheryl likes it's got a big range.
Performance: Scotty starts off in the audience down in his lower register. He hits center stage and then hops down to the judge platform. He is using a lot of his range and he sounds great. and he isn't doing the microphone thing the whole time! It's very energetic and fun.
Steven: He says up to now he's been a Puritan but tonight he danced with the devil and it was beautiful.
JLo: Says she lost it because she was so excited and says he owned the stage. Says that's some "American Idol" stuff right there.
Randy: Felt like he was a Scotty concert and loved that he rocked the stage and that Scotty is also in it to win it.
Contestant: Haley Reinhart
Song: Now: "You and I," Lady Gaga It's an unreleased song and Gaga gave her blessing. Sheryl thinks it's super-bold. Jimmy thinks she kills it.
Performance: She starts on the stairs. It's a midtemp piano number in an Elton John vein, which Haley is giving jazzy undertones in her vocals. She's raspy and growly but she sounds good. She seems more confident than ever and like she's actually having some fun.
JLo: Loved how she sounded especially at the end. Isn't sure if it was a great idea to do an unreleased song. Thinks Jimmy might've given her bad advice.
Randy: Agrees and isn't sure it was that great of a song although it was a good vocal.
Steven: Thinks she put all of her range into it and said it was risky but is one perfect song away from being the "American Idol."
Contestant: James
Song: Then: "Without You," Harry Nilsson. James tears up listening to the song before rehearsal. He goes to have a good cry about missing his family before he can start. We never actually see him rehearse.
Performance: It's a classic piano ballad, and James starts off nice and gently and shows off the nice tender side of his voice and hits a nice falsetto note. The chorus is a little shaky pitch-wise but gets better when it reaches his power zone. He falls apart a bit again on a big note near the end but he's tearing up so it's an emotional moment. He gets a long ovation.
Randy: Says he could feel the emotion and is impressed by the vocal, even though it wasn't technically perfect it was emotionally perfect. He says the competition is his to lose.
Steven: He says it was a beautiful as it gets, pitchy, but beautiful.
JLo: Says he's not just a screaming rocker but a true artist with heart and soul.
He tearfully tells Ryan he leaves everything on the stage every week.
Contestant: Jacob
Song: Then: "Love Hurts," Nazareth. He does it on Jimmy's recommendation. Sheryl models the song for him. Jacob is nervous but thinks he needs to take a risk.
Performance: He follows Sheryl's tender lead, which suits him, even though it's pitched really high. he takes it a little lower on the verse and then heads for the heavens near the end-- hitting one big clunker along the way-- and testifies, ending with a big run and a scream.
Steven: Says he's a sucker for a passion, and calls it beautiful. Says he got lost on the song but that was okay.
JLo: Says everyone probably heard the bobble in the middle but he took it home in the end.
Randy: Says he redeemed himself on this one and that might have been the highest note sung on this stage.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina
Song: Then: "Unchained Melody," The Righteous Brothers. It's her mom and dad's song and she sings it for them. Jimmy and Sheryl seem a little nervous but feel like people will be impressed.
Performance: In a pretty blue and white gown Lauren is very precise in her singing. It's a nicely measured performance with lots of nice tender parts balanced with blasts of power.
JLo: She says it was a beautiful song sung beautifully.
Randy: So happy to see this other side of her.
Steven: Says her voice is so ripe and so there, says it was perfect, and agrees with JLo that there's nothing to judge.
Contestant:Scotty McCreery
Song:Then: "Always On My Mind," Elvis Presley. Jimmy tells him to stay true to himself. Sheryl loves him and can't wait for him to move to Nashville and be part of his career.
Performance: A quiet piano ballad that Scotty handles nicely. The wire from his in-ear monitor is hanging out distractingly but Scotty is convincingly grave.
JLo: She says he's shown what a well-rounded artist he is. It's beautiful.
Randy: Says sometimes the quietest things get the best reactions and basically he loves him.
Steven: Says it's going to be so hard for America to vote and calls Scotty's rendition perfect.
Contestant: Haley
Song: Then: "House of the Rising Sun," the Animals. Sheryl suggests starting it a cappella. Sheryl thinks people are going to love it.
Performance: She takes Sheryl's advice and starts a cappella and seated. It's very powerful and shows off her way with phrasing. The band kicks in as does her growl. It builds and builds and she hits some nice notes along the way to a big finish, earning a standing ovation from all three judges.
Randy: Says the award for tonight's best performance goes to Haley.
Steven: Sweet and sour, raspy, he can really relate, says she really sold it.
JLo: Thinks she did a great job.
Elimination Prediction: Jacob
Theme: Now and Then
In the audience: Anthony Hopkins; Kelly Preston;
Video Package: We get a rundown on tonight's guest mentor Sheryl Crow, invited by Jimmy Iovine. She promises we're going to see different sides to people.
Contestant: James Durbin
Song: Now: "Closer to the Edge," Thirty Second to Mars. Sheryl sings along with him during his performance.He and Jimmy agree that he fits into this kind of contemporary music.
Performance: It starts in a low register and then bumps up into a more power area for James who takes to the crowd to high five people. He's going flat here and there, perhaps from moving around. The song is just okay. He throws a big old Durbin scream in the middle and gets some onstage pyro.
Steven: Thinks he kicked the song's ass and thought it was beautiful.
JLo: Says he's been showing America that he wants it.
Randy: Loves the song and thinks he fits well there in that genre and thinks James is in it to win it.
Contestant: Jacob Lusk
Song: Now: "No Air," Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown The actual writer/producer Harvey Mason is in teh house. Jimmy and Sheryl think it's challenging, especially since it's a duet and he's singing both parts.
Performance: He immediately has breathing issues, just like the song says. He's also singing in a weird key that makes him sound strident.
JLo: Thinks he has great showmanship and is a good singer and tells him to keep going in this direction to define who he is.
Randy: He doesn't think that's the direction for him and he thought the whole thing was corny and that most of it was sharp. He sees him more as a Luther/church singer and he doesn't think it wears well. Jennifer argues with him.
Steven: Says they're waiting for him to find a niche and that certain something that's 100 percent him.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina
Song: Now: "Flat on the Floor," Carrie Underwood. She says it's a hard song, Sheryl tells her to stay put and stay strong.
Performance: Lauren counts it off confidently. She stays put and does put some power into it. She moves about a bit and shimmies with the fiddler. She's controlling her breath well and really getting into it. It sounds good and looks confident.
Randy: Says that is the direction for her and says Lauren is in it to win it.
Steven: Says she's as good as it gets and the sky's the limit.
JLo: This is what she likes to see, and says she ate it up.
Contestant:Scotty McCreery
Song: Now: "Gone," Montgomery Gentry. Jimmy likes that it's got grit and a rock feel to it. Sheryl likes it's got a big range.
Performance: Scotty starts off in the audience down in his lower register. He hits center stage and then hops down to the judge platform. He is using a lot of his range and he sounds great. and he isn't doing the microphone thing the whole time! It's very energetic and fun.
Steven: He says up to now he's been a Puritan but tonight he danced with the devil and it was beautiful.
JLo: Says she lost it because she was so excited and says he owned the stage. Says that's some "American Idol" stuff right there.
Randy: Felt like he was a Scotty concert and loved that he rocked the stage and that Scotty is also in it to win it.
Contestant: Haley Reinhart
Song: Now: "You and I," Lady Gaga It's an unreleased song and Gaga gave her blessing. Sheryl thinks it's super-bold. Jimmy thinks she kills it.
Performance: She starts on the stairs. It's a midtemp piano number in an Elton John vein, which Haley is giving jazzy undertones in her vocals. She's raspy and growly but she sounds good. She seems more confident than ever and like she's actually having some fun.
JLo: Loved how she sounded especially at the end. Isn't sure if it was a great idea to do an unreleased song. Thinks Jimmy might've given her bad advice.
Randy: Agrees and isn't sure it was that great of a song although it was a good vocal.
Steven: Thinks she put all of her range into it and said it was risky but is one perfect song away from being the "American Idol."
Contestant: James
Song: Then: "Without You," Harry Nilsson. James tears up listening to the song before rehearsal. He goes to have a good cry about missing his family before he can start. We never actually see him rehearse.
Performance: It's a classic piano ballad, and James starts off nice and gently and shows off the nice tender side of his voice and hits a nice falsetto note. The chorus is a little shaky pitch-wise but gets better when it reaches his power zone. He falls apart a bit again on a big note near the end but he's tearing up so it's an emotional moment. He gets a long ovation.
Randy: Says he could feel the emotion and is impressed by the vocal, even though it wasn't technically perfect it was emotionally perfect. He says the competition is his to lose.
Steven: He says it was a beautiful as it gets, pitchy, but beautiful.
JLo: Says he's not just a screaming rocker but a true artist with heart and soul.
He tearfully tells Ryan he leaves everything on the stage every week.
Contestant: Jacob
Song: Then: "Love Hurts," Nazareth. He does it on Jimmy's recommendation. Sheryl models the song for him. Jacob is nervous but thinks he needs to take a risk.
Performance: He follows Sheryl's tender lead, which suits him, even though it's pitched really high. he takes it a little lower on the verse and then heads for the heavens near the end-- hitting one big clunker along the way-- and testifies, ending with a big run and a scream.
Steven: Says he's a sucker for a passion, and calls it beautiful. Says he got lost on the song but that was okay.
JLo: Says everyone probably heard the bobble in the middle but he took it home in the end.
Randy: Says he redeemed himself on this one and that might have been the highest note sung on this stage.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina
Song: Then: "Unchained Melody," The Righteous Brothers. It's her mom and dad's song and she sings it for them. Jimmy and Sheryl seem a little nervous but feel like people will be impressed.
Performance: In a pretty blue and white gown Lauren is very precise in her singing. It's a nicely measured performance with lots of nice tender parts balanced with blasts of power.
JLo: She says it was a beautiful song sung beautifully.
Randy: So happy to see this other side of her.
Steven: Says her voice is so ripe and so there, says it was perfect, and agrees with JLo that there's nothing to judge.
Contestant:Scotty McCreery
Song:Then: "Always On My Mind," Elvis Presley. Jimmy tells him to stay true to himself. Sheryl loves him and can't wait for him to move to Nashville and be part of his career.
Performance: A quiet piano ballad that Scotty handles nicely. The wire from his in-ear monitor is hanging out distractingly but Scotty is convincingly grave.
JLo: She says he's shown what a well-rounded artist he is. It's beautiful.
Randy: Says sometimes the quietest things get the best reactions and basically he loves him.
Steven: Says it's going to be so hard for America to vote and calls Scotty's rendition perfect.
Contestant: Haley
Song: Then: "House of the Rising Sun," the Animals. Sheryl suggests starting it a cappella. Sheryl thinks people are going to love it.
Performance: She takes Sheryl's advice and starts a cappella and seated. It's very powerful and shows off her way with phrasing. The band kicks in as does her growl. It builds and builds and she hits some nice notes along the way to a big finish, earning a standing ovation from all three judges.
Randy: Says the award for tonight's best performance goes to Haley.
Steven: Sweet and sour, raspy, he can really relate, says she really sold it.
JLo: Thinks she did a great job.
Elimination Prediction: Jacob
Thu, May 5, 2011
"American Idol" - Top Five Results Show - May 5, 2011
Ryan says 60 million votes came in, the highest of the season.
Ryan holds up Steven's new book.
In the audience: Former contestant Rachel Zevita;
Group Sing: "Happy Together," The Rascals.
Ford Commercial:"Be Yourself" The kids do sleights of hand.
Video Package: The kids do an "American Idol Chef" competition with Gordon Ramsay.
Performance: Lady Antebellum sing their latest single "Just a Kiss"
Video Package: The contestants talk jokingly about the agony of song choice and wardrobe.
Results: The contestants get video playback of response from Jimmy. He thought James was so-so and that Lauren's fear overcame her going for the big note in "Unchained Melody" and that she'll be in the bottom three tonight. He sends them to different sides of the stage.
Video Package: We return to the Gordon Ramsay shtick. Lauren wins a head-to-head taste-off with Jacob.
Performance: "On the Floor," JLo with Pitbull. We also get a tease to her next ideo "I'm Into You" that seems like an homage to Janet Jackson's "Love Will Never Do Without You," Madonna's "Cherish," and Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game."
Results: Jimmy's response to Jacob is that he was off on both songs, he thinks he lost confidence. Ryan sends Jacob to join Lauren. Jimmy's response to Haley was that she was a lioness and that she won the night. Haley joins James. So you know what time it is? Time for Ryan to ask which group Scotty thinks he belongs with, even though Ryan tells him he's safe. But first Jimmy says he thought Scotty was incredible. Scotty says he won't do it. Ryan leads him over to Haley and James and tells them they're all safe. So Lauren and Jacob are the bottom two. Lauren is already crying.
Going Home: Jacob
Ryan says 60 million votes came in, the highest of the season.
Ryan holds up Steven's new book.
In the audience: Former contestant Rachel Zevita;
Group Sing: "Happy Together," The Rascals.
Ford Commercial:"Be Yourself" The kids do sleights of hand.
Video Package: The kids do an "American Idol Chef" competition with Gordon Ramsay.
Performance: Lady Antebellum sing their latest single "Just a Kiss"
Video Package: The contestants talk jokingly about the agony of song choice and wardrobe.
Results: The contestants get video playback of response from Jimmy. He thought James was so-so and that Lauren's fear overcame her going for the big note in "Unchained Melody" and that she'll be in the bottom three tonight. He sends them to different sides of the stage.
Video Package: We return to the Gordon Ramsay shtick. Lauren wins a head-to-head taste-off with Jacob.
Performance: "On the Floor," JLo with Pitbull. We also get a tease to her next ideo "I'm Into You" that seems like an homage to Janet Jackson's "Love Will Never Do Without You," Madonna's "Cherish," and Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game."
Results: Jimmy's response to Jacob is that he was off on both songs, he thinks he lost confidence. Ryan sends Jacob to join Lauren. Jimmy's response to Haley was that she was a lioness and that she won the night. Haley joins James. So you know what time it is? Time for Ryan to ask which group Scotty thinks he belongs with, even though Ryan tells him he's safe. But first Jimmy says he thought Scotty was incredible. Scotty says he won't do it. Ryan leads him over to Haley and James and tells them they're all safe. So Lauren and Jacob are the bottom two. Lauren is already crying.
Going Home: Jacob
Wed, May 11, 2011
"American Idol" - Top Four Performance Show - May 11, 2011
Theme: Leiber & Stoller and Inspirational Songs
Mentor: Lady Gaga
Contestant: James Durbin
Song: Inspirational: "Don't Stop Believin,'" Journey
Performance: He has the cojones to ask if anybody in the crowd "knows this song." Oy. Starting on the steps and moving downstage, James takes it pretty straight. There's some pyro. The vocal is fine.
Steven: Says he did it right.
JLo: Great song, great job, great performance.
Randy: Reminds everyone that he was in Journey for a time, compliments Steve Perry's vocals and James going all in and says he had the highest degree of difficulty and James did it.
Contestant: Haley Reinhart
Song: "The Earth Song," Michael Jackson
Performance:It starts out great with Haley just sitting and singing, in a lovely clear voice. She's joined by a choir. She kicks into the growl for the second half of the lament. JLo: Really felt that she picked a song that inspired her. Basically tells her the song has a beautiful message but she needed to compete more with James by choosing a hit song.
Randy: It confused him about who she is as an artist and thought she was screaming at the end. Haley tries to defend herself. He says the song needed to have runs and higher notes. He says he didn't like it, he thought she was screaming. Haley sasses him back and says she didn't realize she needed to change the end.
Steven: Says they're both wrong, to ignore them. (Casey is in the audience clapping). He says that song showed him that she can.
Contestant: Scotty McCreery
Song: "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning," Alan Jackson
Performance: Wow, what a savvy choice. Scotty plays the guitar and is accompanied by a fiddler. The band threatens to drown him out at the end but he sings it well enough that he's definitely going through to next week.
Randy: Calls it a great song that is the perfect song choice for where we are as a country and says he's ready for superstardom.
Steven: Calls it beautiful and dittos what Randy says and loves that he sees the passion in Scotty's eyes.
JLo: She says she's in love with him and what he stands for and what he brings to his music.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina
Song: "Anyway," Martina McBride. She dedicates it to the recent tornado/flood victims in the South.
Performance:In a pretty burgundy gown she sings the song like she believes it, nice job.
Steven: Says she did it again and broke his heart, says she delivers a song like a blue plate special.
JLo: Is so proud of her and feels like she's listening to what they're telling her and says that's exactly what she has to do and a great vocal performance.
Randy: Says last week he was worried but now thinks she's back in it to win it, yo.
Video Package: We get a recap of Lady Gaga's career thus far.
Contestant:Haley
Song: "I, Who Have Nothing." Gaga thinks Haley is a great singer but wants her to bring the psychodrama.
Performance: She kills it with help from a dramatic string arrangement and a calmer, more focused stage presence. It sounds great and is very dramatic without being psycho. The judges and audience give her a standing ovation.
JLo: Says this is why they will never take it easy on her because this is what she's capable of, and she's amazing. She also says it was one of the best performances of the year (from any contestant).
Randy: Says she was probably mad but that she just hada moment that put her in it to win it.
Steven: Says she just Reinhart-ed herself into the middle of the next week.
Ryan makes Haley hug Randy
Contestant: Scotty
Song: "Youngblood," the Coasters. Lady Gaga loves the humor in his voice and personality. She finally addresses the microphone issue and tells him to keep his mouth on the microphone and to make love to it. Iovine are worried about the emotional content. He says he felt like he needed to kiss his cross. Gaga says she just wants to open him up a little bit.
Performance:He has fun with it. He struggles with the microphone advice at first but seems to keep it straight. He takes walk through the audience and high fives his dad and hangs with Casey. It's a great, relaxed performance that is also good vocally. Now someone needs to talk to him about the constant eyebrow raising.
Randy: Asks if he had a good time. He says he did. Randy says it was great he did something serious and then something fun, it was like two sides of a Scotty concert.
Steven: He said he made Gaga's yaya go lala. Loved the humor.
JLo: Thinks he's really hitting his stride and it's about his sprint to the finish line. She says next week she wants to see a whole different side.
Contestant: Lauren
Song: "Trouble," Elvis Presley. Jimmy tells her to play a character, to get into the funky "evil" persona of the song. Lauren is worried about calling herself "evil" like it says in the lyrics. Gaga says it's not that big of a deal. She tells her to find the humor in it.
Performance: She gets into it and has fun playing with the harp and ketyar players onstage. She then takes a run around the judges' table. She really lays into all the "I'm evil"s. It's fun.
Steven: Says it was well-done and says he just love her.
JLo: Says she saw a mature performance out of her that she hadn't seen before and really liked it.
Randy: Says he liked her singing out of her pop-country thing and liked that she was working it.
Ryan interviews Mike Stoller who says he loves the performances.
Contestant:James
Song: "Love Potion No. 9" Gaga tells him to get into his body more. She gets up behind him and physically moves him. He wants to do a Bad Company/Paul Rodgers feel to the song.
Performance: It's a rocking arrangement. He walks down the steps, drops to his knees and runs through the crowd and does some moving, but it's not really in his hips. He ends on one of his big metal scream runs and a hop down to the stage on the last beat.
JLo: Says that showed her that he can sing anything.
Randy: Says he's peaking at the right time and thought it was hot.
Steven: He says "what you can't do with your voice you did tonight."
Theme: Leiber & Stoller and Inspirational Songs
Mentor: Lady Gaga
Contestant: James Durbin
Song: Inspirational: "Don't Stop Believin,'" Journey
Performance: He has the cojones to ask if anybody in the crowd "knows this song." Oy. Starting on the steps and moving downstage, James takes it pretty straight. There's some pyro. The vocal is fine.
Steven: Says he did it right.
JLo: Great song, great job, great performance.
Randy: Reminds everyone that he was in Journey for a time, compliments Steve Perry's vocals and James going all in and says he had the highest degree of difficulty and James did it.
Contestant: Haley Reinhart
Song: "The Earth Song," Michael Jackson
Performance:It starts out great with Haley just sitting and singing, in a lovely clear voice. She's joined by a choir. She kicks into the growl for the second half of the lament. JLo: Really felt that she picked a song that inspired her. Basically tells her the song has a beautiful message but she needed to compete more with James by choosing a hit song.
Randy: It confused him about who she is as an artist and thought she was screaming at the end. Haley tries to defend herself. He says the song needed to have runs and higher notes. He says he didn't like it, he thought she was screaming. Haley sasses him back and says she didn't realize she needed to change the end.
Steven: Says they're both wrong, to ignore them. (Casey is in the audience clapping). He says that song showed him that she can.
Contestant: Scotty McCreery
Song: "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning," Alan Jackson
Performance: Wow, what a savvy choice. Scotty plays the guitar and is accompanied by a fiddler. The band threatens to drown him out at the end but he sings it well enough that he's definitely going through to next week.
Randy: Calls it a great song that is the perfect song choice for where we are as a country and says he's ready for superstardom.
Steven: Calls it beautiful and dittos what Randy says and loves that he sees the passion in Scotty's eyes.
JLo: She says she's in love with him and what he stands for and what he brings to his music.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina
Song: "Anyway," Martina McBride. She dedicates it to the recent tornado/flood victims in the South.
Performance:In a pretty burgundy gown she sings the song like she believes it, nice job.
Steven: Says she did it again and broke his heart, says she delivers a song like a blue plate special.
JLo: Is so proud of her and feels like she's listening to what they're telling her and says that's exactly what she has to do and a great vocal performance.
Randy: Says last week he was worried but now thinks she's back in it to win it, yo.
Video Package: We get a recap of Lady Gaga's career thus far.
Contestant:Haley
Song: "I, Who Have Nothing." Gaga thinks Haley is a great singer but wants her to bring the psychodrama.
Performance: She kills it with help from a dramatic string arrangement and a calmer, more focused stage presence. It sounds great and is very dramatic without being psycho. The judges and audience give her a standing ovation.
JLo: Says this is why they will never take it easy on her because this is what she's capable of, and she's amazing. She also says it was one of the best performances of the year (from any contestant).
Randy: Says she was probably mad but that she just hada moment that put her in it to win it.
Steven: Says she just Reinhart-ed herself into the middle of the next week.
Ryan makes Haley hug Randy
Contestant: Scotty
Song: "Youngblood," the Coasters. Lady Gaga loves the humor in his voice and personality. She finally addresses the microphone issue and tells him to keep his mouth on the microphone and to make love to it. Iovine are worried about the emotional content. He says he felt like he needed to kiss his cross. Gaga says she just wants to open him up a little bit.
Performance:He has fun with it. He struggles with the microphone advice at first but seems to keep it straight. He takes walk through the audience and high fives his dad and hangs with Casey. It's a great, relaxed performance that is also good vocally. Now someone needs to talk to him about the constant eyebrow raising.
Randy: Asks if he had a good time. He says he did. Randy says it was great he did something serious and then something fun, it was like two sides of a Scotty concert.
Steven: He said he made Gaga's yaya go lala. Loved the humor.
JLo: Thinks he's really hitting his stride and it's about his sprint to the finish line. She says next week she wants to see a whole different side.
Contestant: Lauren
Song: "Trouble," Elvis Presley. Jimmy tells her to play a character, to get into the funky "evil" persona of the song. Lauren is worried about calling herself "evil" like it says in the lyrics. Gaga says it's not that big of a deal. She tells her to find the humor in it.
Performance: She gets into it and has fun playing with the harp and ketyar players onstage. She then takes a run around the judges' table. She really lays into all the "I'm evil"s. It's fun.
Steven: Says it was well-done and says he just love her.
JLo: Says she saw a mature performance out of her that she hadn't seen before and really liked it.
Randy: Says he liked her singing out of her pop-country thing and liked that she was working it.
Ryan interviews Mike Stoller who says he loves the performances.
Contestant:James
Song: "Love Potion No. 9" Gaga tells him to get into his body more. She gets up behind him and physically moves him. He wants to do a Bad Company/Paul Rodgers feel to the song.
Performance: It's a rocking arrangement. He walks down the steps, drops to his knees and runs through the crowd and does some moving, but it's not really in his hips. He ends on one of his big metal scream runs and a hop down to the stage on the last beat.
JLo: Says that showed her that he can sing anything.
Randy: Says he's peaking at the right time and thought it was hot.
Steven: He says "what you can't do with your voice you did tonight."
Thu, May 12, 2011
"American Idol" - Top Four Results Show - May 12, 2011
Ryan says 72 million votes came in last night, the highest top four vote ever.
Group Sing: James and Scotty perform Brad Paisley's "Start a Band"
Group Sing: Haley and Lauren sing Miranda Lambert's "Gunpowder and Lead"
Video Package: The gang got video chats with their family.
Results:Lauren is safe.
The gang watches a live clip of Gaga singing "You and I," that Haley sang on the show.
Performance: Enrique Iglesias performs "Dirty Dancing (And I Like It)"
Ford Commercial: The gang does "Fireflies" as they paint the screen with neon colors.
Performance: Jordin Sparks sings her new single "I Am Woman." Apparently, that woman is Beyonce. She gives Steven a little smooch.
Video: Premiere of Steven Tyler's new music video "(It) Feels So Good." It has a circus theme. And hot chicks. Including Nicole Scherzinger.And stuff melting. The studio audience gives it a nice ovation.
Results: Haley is safe.
Bottom two:James and Scotty
Going Home: James
He and Scotty share a nice hug. He tells the judges and folks in the crowd that it's okay. He watches his "journey" video emotionally. As the judges clap and JLo cries he sings himself out with "Maybe, I'm Amazed."
Ryan says 72 million votes came in last night, the highest top four vote ever.
Group Sing: James and Scotty perform Brad Paisley's "Start a Band"
Group Sing: Haley and Lauren sing Miranda Lambert's "Gunpowder and Lead"
Video Package: The gang got video chats with their family.
Results:Lauren is safe.
The gang watches a live clip of Gaga singing "You and I," that Haley sang on the show.
Performance: Enrique Iglesias performs "Dirty Dancing (And I Like It)"
Ford Commercial: The gang does "Fireflies" as they paint the screen with neon colors.
Performance: Jordin Sparks sings her new single "I Am Woman." Apparently, that woman is Beyonce. She gives Steven a little smooch.
Video: Premiere of Steven Tyler's new music video "(It) Feels So Good." It has a circus theme. And hot chicks. Including Nicole Scherzinger.And stuff melting. The studio audience gives it a nice ovation.
Results: Haley is safe.
Bottom two:James and Scotty
Going Home: James
He and Scotty share a nice hug. He tells the judges and folks in the crowd that it's okay. He watches his "journey" video emotionally. As the judges clap and JLo cries he sings himself out with "Maybe, I'm Amazed."
Wed, May 18, 2011
"American Idol" - Top Three Performance - May 18, 2011
Theme: Three songs: contestants' choice, Jimmy's choice, judges choice
In the audience: Elijah Wood and his "Wilfred" co-star; Priscilla Presley; Neil Sedaka
Mentor: Beyonce on whom we get a video package on her super-mega-international awesomeness.
Contestant: Scotty McCreery
Song: "Amazed," Lonestar. Beyonce loves Scotty and thinks he can show off his range.
Performance: Leaning on a piano Scotty delivers the ballad simply and cleanly. And he holds the microphone straight.
Steven: Thinks he just keeps getting better and better and likes that he saw that he get a little angry. He also thought it was beautiful.
JLo: Thinks he's grown a lot as a performer and thought it was a great way to start the show.
Randy: Thinks it was a great song choice but thought there were a couple of pitchy moments but the ending was money.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina
Song:"Wild One," Faith Hill. Beyonce tries to give her confidence to be a fearless diva and leave her nerves behind.
Performance: It seems a little speedy for her breathing but she's holding on. It's a little jerky, there's a couple of pitch problems but it's mostly okay. It's no home run but she seems happy.
JLo: Says she has to attack it like that every time and it was good.
Randy: He agrees with Beyonce's advice about fearlessness and liked that she showed she was having fun.
Steven: He also likes that she was having fun and thinks she's ready for America to be all over her.
Contestant: Haley Reinhart
Song:"What Is and What Should Never Be," Led Zeppelin. Beyonce thinks it's a fearless choice. Haley hopes her dad can play guitar with her.
Performance: She starts off at the top of the stairs singing sultry and slow in a higher part of her register and then kicks into the rock part of the song. And, yup, her dad is there onstage playing with her. It's really sweet and he can play. It may be a risky choice but she's doing a great job with each part of the song. Until she trips on the stairs on the way back up the stairs to the stage. She recovers instantly and kills the end of the song with some dancing and scatting. She's going for broke. She gets a big ovation.
Randy: Says this is what it's all about. He calls her fearless and calls her choice that's not for faint of heart. Calls it one of her best performances ever.
Steven: He says it's not about how many times you fall, it's about how many times you get back up. He calls it superb. Randy jokes he thought the fall was planned.
JLo: Says everyone has fallen onstage and you keep going and that's a sign of a professional. Says it was a good, good round for her.
The judges say that Haley won round one.
Contestant: Scotty. During stool chat with Ryan, we see his audition again. "Baby, lock them doors..." Scotty says it seems like it was ten years ago. Scotty likes Jimmy song choice.
Song: "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not," Thompson Square
Performance: Scotty plays guitar. He plays a very playful song kind of serious at first. It seems a little slow and a tiny bit generic but it's good enough and he seems like he's having fun.
Steven: Says he was living that one and sang it really good.
JLo: Liked several moments where he was in the zone and says to capture those moments. She asked him to shave his head for the finale, or as short it was in the final.
Randy: Randy liked the short hair. Says Jimmy picked a good song for him and compares him to Garth Brooks on a performance level. He felt like he was at Scotty's concert again.
Ryan says they have trimmers backstage and they can cut Scotty's hair right now. He says he's game.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina. She's getting some make-up put on her legs because her pantyhose ripped. We get a look back at her audition, which was pretty great. Out on the stools, Lauren can't believe she's here. Jimmy picks "If I Die Young," The Band Perry. Lauren knows and likes it.
Song: "If I Die Young," The Band Perry
Performance: Lauren definitely seems more confident tonight and it's translating to this performance. It's a slow-to-midtemp one but she's holding on to it and keeping it spirited and crisp. She seems to goof near the end but she recovers quickly and finishes with passion. Nice job.
JLo: Says she has the most beautiful tone of the finalists and says she had a moment in the song where she got caught up and it was beautiful.
Randy: Says she realized that she goofed on the modulation but she also recovered instantly and thinks it was a good choice.
Steven: Says he also saw the goof up but thought she recovered great as well.
Lauren admits she goofed the key change. Ryan asks Lauren's mom what it's like watching her daughter sing, she says it's crazy and it's aged her 20 years.
Contestant: Haley. We see Haley's audition. Jimmy picks "Rhiannon" by Fleetwood Mac. Haley likes it.
Song: "Rhiannon," Fleetwood Mac
Performance:She starts off slowly in a stage full of mist, the tempo picks and she gets a Stevie-esque wind machine.This is a very odd performance. It was a weird edit of the song, it didn't hit the best parts of her register, she didn't seem that enthusiastic about it. Randy: Thinks she's having fun up there and did a good job but it was kind of somber.
Steven: Thought it was so beautiful and reminded him why he fell in love with Stevie Nicks.
JLo: Thought it was beautifully shot and thought it was a nice contrast to her last song and thought she was going to go a little further.
Steven gives round two to Lauren, Jennifer and Randy gives it to Scotty. Jimmy , who is in the audience, thinks they were great and feels Scotty is the offspring of Bruce Springsteen and Garth Brooks, Lauren was amazingly poised and that Haley did a dark, difficult moment really well.
The contestants get their song selection at their hometown visits. Scotty gets his and it's pretty obvious he doesn't recognize the title.
Contestant: Scotty
Song: "She Believes in Me," Kenny Rogers
Performance: He sings it well, it sounds a little dissonant in parts but when he ramps up the end he nails it and ends on a sweet, high, tender note. (JLo sings along).
Steven: Says he hasn't sung a chorus like that yet and he put it over the top.
JLo: She says they all wanted to see if he could hit that big chorus and he showed them.
Randy: Seeing him believe in himself in hitting the notes was great and he thought it was nicely done.
His dad is really proud of him and humbled by the support he's getting. Ryan makes him sing "baby lock them doors." It's pretty cute.
Laurent gets her song choice at her AT&T store appearance at her home visit.
Contestant: Lauren
Song: "I Hope You Dance," Leann Womack
Performance: This time she gets the mist treatment and is wearing a Disney princess dress. Her confidence remains intact and she sounds good but it's kind of a yawn. She tries to jazz it up at the end a bit and it's fine.
JLo: Got "goosie's" from head to toe and calls it beautiful and dares to say she won the round already.
Randy: Thinks Leann, his close personal friend, probably thinks Lauren slayed it. He thinks she's in it to win it.
Steven: Says she walked out like she owned the Grand Ole Opry and he's also friends with Leann and thinks she'd like it too.
Haley gets her news in the car ride home.
Contestant: Haley
Song: "You Oughta Know," Alanis Morissette
Performance: go out with you to the theatre? The opening is snoozeville, she's not putting much energy into it. But when she gets to the chorus she gets a little more ferocious. She directs the "scratch my nails down someone else's back' line right at Randy.
Randy: Thought they were amazing choruses and that Haley is in it to win it even though she had some problems with the fast rhythms.
Steven: Thinks it was perfect.
JLo: Says no one can match her in terms of range and power and noticed the rhythmic bobbling but that it was strong in the choruses.
Theme: Three songs: contestants' choice, Jimmy's choice, judges choice
In the audience: Elijah Wood and his "Wilfred" co-star; Priscilla Presley; Neil Sedaka
Mentor: Beyonce on whom we get a video package on her super-mega-international awesomeness.
Contestant: Scotty McCreery
Song: "Amazed," Lonestar. Beyonce loves Scotty and thinks he can show off his range.
Performance: Leaning on a piano Scotty delivers the ballad simply and cleanly. And he holds the microphone straight.
Steven: Thinks he just keeps getting better and better and likes that he saw that he get a little angry. He also thought it was beautiful.
JLo: Thinks he's grown a lot as a performer and thought it was a great way to start the show.
Randy: Thinks it was a great song choice but thought there were a couple of pitchy moments but the ending was money.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina
Song:"Wild One," Faith Hill. Beyonce tries to give her confidence to be a fearless diva and leave her nerves behind.
Performance: It seems a little speedy for her breathing but she's holding on. It's a little jerky, there's a couple of pitch problems but it's mostly okay. It's no home run but she seems happy.
JLo: Says she has to attack it like that every time and it was good.
Randy: He agrees with Beyonce's advice about fearlessness and liked that she showed she was having fun.
Steven: He also likes that she was having fun and thinks she's ready for America to be all over her.
Contestant: Haley Reinhart
Song:"What Is and What Should Never Be," Led Zeppelin. Beyonce thinks it's a fearless choice. Haley hopes her dad can play guitar with her.
Performance: She starts off at the top of the stairs singing sultry and slow in a higher part of her register and then kicks into the rock part of the song. And, yup, her dad is there onstage playing with her. It's really sweet and he can play. It may be a risky choice but she's doing a great job with each part of the song. Until she trips on the stairs on the way back up the stairs to the stage. She recovers instantly and kills the end of the song with some dancing and scatting. She's going for broke. She gets a big ovation.
Randy: Says this is what it's all about. He calls her fearless and calls her choice that's not for faint of heart. Calls it one of her best performances ever.
Steven: He says it's not about how many times you fall, it's about how many times you get back up. He calls it superb. Randy jokes he thought the fall was planned.
JLo: Says everyone has fallen onstage and you keep going and that's a sign of a professional. Says it was a good, good round for her.
The judges say that Haley won round one.
Contestant: Scotty. During stool chat with Ryan, we see his audition again. "Baby, lock them doors..." Scotty says it seems like it was ten years ago. Scotty likes Jimmy song choice.
Song: "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not," Thompson Square
Performance: Scotty plays guitar. He plays a very playful song kind of serious at first. It seems a little slow and a tiny bit generic but it's good enough and he seems like he's having fun.
Steven: Says he was living that one and sang it really good.
JLo: Liked several moments where he was in the zone and says to capture those moments. She asked him to shave his head for the finale, or as short it was in the final.
Randy: Randy liked the short hair. Says Jimmy picked a good song for him and compares him to Garth Brooks on a performance level. He felt like he was at Scotty's concert again.
Ryan says they have trimmers backstage and they can cut Scotty's hair right now. He says he's game.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina. She's getting some make-up put on her legs because her pantyhose ripped. We get a look back at her audition, which was pretty great. Out on the stools, Lauren can't believe she's here. Jimmy picks "If I Die Young," The Band Perry. Lauren knows and likes it.
Song: "If I Die Young," The Band Perry
Performance: Lauren definitely seems more confident tonight and it's translating to this performance. It's a slow-to-midtemp one but she's holding on to it and keeping it spirited and crisp. She seems to goof near the end but she recovers quickly and finishes with passion. Nice job.
JLo: Says she has the most beautiful tone of the finalists and says she had a moment in the song where she got caught up and it was beautiful.
Randy: Says she realized that she goofed on the modulation but she also recovered instantly and thinks it was a good choice.
Steven: Says he also saw the goof up but thought she recovered great as well.
Lauren admits she goofed the key change. Ryan asks Lauren's mom what it's like watching her daughter sing, she says it's crazy and it's aged her 20 years.
Contestant: Haley. We see Haley's audition. Jimmy picks "Rhiannon" by Fleetwood Mac. Haley likes it.
Song: "Rhiannon," Fleetwood Mac
Performance:She starts off slowly in a stage full of mist, the tempo picks and she gets a Stevie-esque wind machine.This is a very odd performance. It was a weird edit of the song, it didn't hit the best parts of her register, she didn't seem that enthusiastic about it. Randy: Thinks she's having fun up there and did a good job but it was kind of somber.
Steven: Thought it was so beautiful and reminded him why he fell in love with Stevie Nicks.
JLo: Thought it was beautifully shot and thought it was a nice contrast to her last song and thought she was going to go a little further.
Steven gives round two to Lauren, Jennifer and Randy gives it to Scotty. Jimmy , who is in the audience, thinks they were great and feels Scotty is the offspring of Bruce Springsteen and Garth Brooks, Lauren was amazingly poised and that Haley did a dark, difficult moment really well.
The contestants get their song selection at their hometown visits. Scotty gets his and it's pretty obvious he doesn't recognize the title.
Contestant: Scotty
Song: "She Believes in Me," Kenny Rogers
Performance: He sings it well, it sounds a little dissonant in parts but when he ramps up the end he nails it and ends on a sweet, high, tender note. (JLo sings along).
Steven: Says he hasn't sung a chorus like that yet and he put it over the top.
JLo: She says they all wanted to see if he could hit that big chorus and he showed them.
Randy: Seeing him believe in himself in hitting the notes was great and he thought it was nicely done.
His dad is really proud of him and humbled by the support he's getting. Ryan makes him sing "baby lock them doors." It's pretty cute.
Laurent gets her song choice at her AT&T store appearance at her home visit.
Contestant: Lauren
Song: "I Hope You Dance," Leann Womack
Performance: This time she gets the mist treatment and is wearing a Disney princess dress. Her confidence remains intact and she sounds good but it's kind of a yawn. She tries to jazz it up at the end a bit and it's fine.
JLo: Got "goosie's" from head to toe and calls it beautiful and dares to say she won the round already.
Randy: Thinks Leann, his close personal friend, probably thinks Lauren slayed it. He thinks she's in it to win it.
Steven: Says she walked out like she owned the Grand Ole Opry and he's also friends with Leann and thinks she'd like it too.
Haley gets her news in the car ride home.
Contestant: Haley
Song: "You Oughta Know," Alanis Morissette
Performance: go out with you to the theatre? The opening is snoozeville, she's not putting much energy into it. But when she gets to the chorus she gets a little more ferocious. She directs the "scratch my nails down someone else's back' line right at Randy.
Randy: Thought they were amazing choruses and that Haley is in it to win it even though she had some problems with the fast rhythms.
Steven: Thinks it was perfect.
JLo: Says no one can match her in terms of range and power and noticed the rhythmic bobbling but that it was strong in the choruses.
Thu, May 19, 2011
"American Idol" Top Three Results Show May 19, 2011
Ryan says 95 million votes came in.
In the audience: Previous season 10 contestants Stefano, Casey, Karen, Jacob, Paul, Naima, Pia, Ashthon
Video Package: James, Lauren, Haley, and Scotty went to a private screening of scenes from "Super 8" and met with director J.J. Abrams. It's basically an ad for the movie. He then gives them all Super 8 cameras to help film their hometown visits. They play with the cameras. Ryan then interviews one of the stars Elle Fanning and talks about how her cousin's favorite is Scotty.
Hometown visit: Haley headed back to the Chicago area. She's worried the rain will keep people from her parade. It doesn't. She thanks a girl for freaking out. The Mayor proclaims it Haley Reinhart day. Seh shoots the crowd with her Super 8 camera. She heads home to hang with her family and friends. There's a pep rally at her old high school. Then it's off to Arlington Park for a concert, she says there are 30,000 people there. She plays and her dad plays along with her.
Ford Commercial: "Smile." The gang heads to the beach and flies a kite, builds a sandcastle, toss the ball around and film it.
Performance: Il Volo perform "O Sole Mio." It's in Italian. They're Italian. They're a pop-classical vocal trio.
Hometown visit: Scotty heads back to Garner, N.C. Scotty heads out for a radio interview at which he's mobbed screaming girls. He heads home to see his family and friends. He heads to his high school and throws a few pitches from the mound. He cries when he gets back in the car, it's very touching. He goes tot he grocery store where he used to work, throws on an apron and is greeted by hundreds of folks. He shoots the crowd with his Super 8 camera. His parade is very well-attended. He has an outdoor concert, also very well-attended. Josh Turner shows up and surprises him when he starts into his song "Your Man" aka "baby lock them doors..." Scotty freaks out and hands him the microphone. Scotty promises to bring a win home to Garner. Performance: Nicole Scherzinger and 50 Cent perform her new single "Right There." Lots of feathers and hip shimmies. And then 50 Cent raps.
Hometown visit: Lauren heads back to Georgia. She does her radio show, her AT&T store appearance, Lauren Alaina day, high school visit, screaming fans etc. etc. She also tours some tornado damage and is overwhelmed by the devastation. She visits with a young boy who rescued his family from tornado wreckage. She heads to her concert at Coolidge Park in Chattanooga. It is very well attended.
Going home:Haley
She gets a nice round of applause and sings herself out with "Bennie and Jets."
Ryan says 95 million votes came in.
In the audience: Previous season 10 contestants Stefano, Casey, Karen, Jacob, Paul, Naima, Pia, Ashthon
Video Package: James, Lauren, Haley, and Scotty went to a private screening of scenes from "Super 8" and met with director J.J. Abrams. It's basically an ad for the movie. He then gives them all Super 8 cameras to help film their hometown visits. They play with the cameras. Ryan then interviews one of the stars Elle Fanning and talks about how her cousin's favorite is Scotty.
Hometown visit: Haley headed back to the Chicago area. She's worried the rain will keep people from her parade. It doesn't. She thanks a girl for freaking out. The Mayor proclaims it Haley Reinhart day. Seh shoots the crowd with her Super 8 camera. She heads home to hang with her family and friends. There's a pep rally at her old high school. Then it's off to Arlington Park for a concert, she says there are 30,000 people there. She plays and her dad plays along with her.
Ford Commercial: "Smile." The gang heads to the beach and flies a kite, builds a sandcastle, toss the ball around and film it.
Performance: Il Volo perform "O Sole Mio." It's in Italian. They're Italian. They're a pop-classical vocal trio.
Hometown visit: Scotty heads back to Garner, N.C. Scotty heads out for a radio interview at which he's mobbed screaming girls. He heads home to see his family and friends. He heads to his high school and throws a few pitches from the mound. He cries when he gets back in the car, it's very touching. He goes tot he grocery store where he used to work, throws on an apron and is greeted by hundreds of folks. He shoots the crowd with his Super 8 camera. His parade is very well-attended. He has an outdoor concert, also very well-attended. Josh Turner shows up and surprises him when he starts into his song "Your Man" aka "baby lock them doors..." Scotty freaks out and hands him the microphone. Scotty promises to bring a win home to Garner. Performance: Nicole Scherzinger and 50 Cent perform her new single "Right There." Lots of feathers and hip shimmies. And then 50 Cent raps.
Hometown visit: Lauren heads back to Georgia. She does her radio show, her AT&T store appearance, Lauren Alaina day, high school visit, screaming fans etc. etc. She also tours some tornado damage and is overwhelmed by the devastation. She visits with a young boy who rescued his family from tornado wreckage. She heads to her concert at Coolidge Park in Chattanooga. It is very well attended.
Going home:Haley
She gets a nice round of applause and sings herself out with "Bennie and Jets."
Tue, May 24, 2011
"American Idol" - Top Two Performance Show- May 24, 2011
Ryan reminds us this is the youngest finale match-up ever. Ryan talks to the show doctor about how Lauren blew out one of her vocal cords but she's going to do great.
Theme: Three songs: contestants favorite song from the season, songs chosen by the contestants idols-- Carrie Underwood in Lauren's case, George Strait in Scotty's-- and their potential singles should they win.
In the audience: The season 10 contestants; David Archuleta; Camryn Manheim;
Contestant: Scotty McCreery
Song: "Gone," Montgomery Gentry
Performance: Although the walking around in the routine has him a bit breathless in places, it's a great, natural, fun, performance that the crowd seems into.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina
Song: "Flat on the Floor," Carrie Underwood
Performance: She's a little raspier than usual and all her power isn't there, hence the disclaimer at the top of the show and she seems nervous about the blocking. It was fun but felt a little cautious.
Contestant: Scotty
Song: George Strait picked his own song "Check Yes or No"
Performance: The song is a cutesy schoolyard crush number, midtempo, that isn't particularly exciting. Scotty does what he can with it.
Contestant: Lauren
Song: Carrie Underwood picked "Maybe It Was Memphis" by Pam Tillis
Performance: Another sort of midtempo, vanilla pop country number. Aside from a few breath issues, she sings it fine. There are some high notes that she goes breathy on the end but hits the last note hard and strong.
Ryan goes to the judges.
Randy:Says America is going to have a tough decision and that it's very even. He loved both of their performances but gives slight edge to Scotty in round one and to Lauren in round two.
JLo: Agrees with Randy's assessment of the rounds and thought it was an explosive start.
Steven: First and second rounds to Lauren only because she's prettier than Scotty.
Performance: Taio Cruz performs the perfectly average song -- "Positive"-- that was written as part of this year's songwriting challenge. Halfway through his microphone goes out. It comes back. The song is fine and he performs it in green fog surrounded by faux marching band dancers miming banging drums.
Contestant:Scotty
Song:"I Love You This Big," Jimmy tells him to make it big, that this song plays both to his emotional qualities and his vocal gifts.
Performance: As video of his "Idol journey" plays behind him he sings a boilerplate country ballad about being young and in love. He sings it well enough and the audience sways along with him.
Randy: Is marveling in the two youngest finalists and although he didn't love the song he thought it showed off his range and he's, um, yeah in it to win it.
JLo: Says he's the show's great storyteller and thinks he did an amazing job with the song.
Steven: Says he's come a long way and repeats the thing about not being able to take a three point shot from under the net.
Scotty says he's enjoying himself and can't believe he's there, but he says it very calmly.
Contestant: Lauren
Song: "Like My Mother Does" Jimmy thinks this captures Lauren's journey and it will showcase her in her best light and that mom's will be moved.
Performance: As her journey plays on the video screen, Lauren sings about how awesome her mom is while she wears a white gown and her mom sings along for the audience. She's doing fine, she stumbles a bit on going for one big note, but it's more raspinesss than a clunker. She goes and hugs her mom in the audience.
Randy: Loves it, loves it, loves it and gives her a standing ovation and says she's arrived.
JLo: Says it's a tight race but Lauren may have just won.
Steven: Predicts she's going to win and is the winner in his eyes.
Randy and Steven say Lauren took round three and JLo says it's too close to call.
Performance: David Cook sings this season's sing-out song, his version of Simple Minds "Don't You (Forget About Me)"
Ryan reminds us this is the youngest finale match-up ever. Ryan talks to the show doctor about how Lauren blew out one of her vocal cords but she's going to do great.
Theme: Three songs: contestants favorite song from the season, songs chosen by the contestants idols-- Carrie Underwood in Lauren's case, George Strait in Scotty's-- and their potential singles should they win.
In the audience: The season 10 contestants; David Archuleta; Camryn Manheim;
Contestant: Scotty McCreery
Song: "Gone," Montgomery Gentry
Performance: Although the walking around in the routine has him a bit breathless in places, it's a great, natural, fun, performance that the crowd seems into.
Contestant: Lauren Alaina
Song: "Flat on the Floor," Carrie Underwood
Performance: She's a little raspier than usual and all her power isn't there, hence the disclaimer at the top of the show and she seems nervous about the blocking. It was fun but felt a little cautious.
Contestant: Scotty
Song: George Strait picked his own song "Check Yes or No"
Performance: The song is a cutesy schoolyard crush number, midtempo, that isn't particularly exciting. Scotty does what he can with it.
Contestant: Lauren
Song: Carrie Underwood picked "Maybe It Was Memphis" by Pam Tillis
Performance: Another sort of midtempo, vanilla pop country number. Aside from a few breath issues, she sings it fine. There are some high notes that she goes breathy on the end but hits the last note hard and strong.
Ryan goes to the judges.
Randy:Says America is going to have a tough decision and that it's very even. He loved both of their performances but gives slight edge to Scotty in round one and to Lauren in round two.
JLo: Agrees with Randy's assessment of the rounds and thought it was an explosive start.
Steven: First and second rounds to Lauren only because she's prettier than Scotty.
Performance: Taio Cruz performs the perfectly average song -- "Positive"-- that was written as part of this year's songwriting challenge. Halfway through his microphone goes out. It comes back. The song is fine and he performs it in green fog surrounded by faux marching band dancers miming banging drums.
Contestant:Scotty
Song:"I Love You This Big," Jimmy tells him to make it big, that this song plays both to his emotional qualities and his vocal gifts.
Performance: As video of his "Idol journey" plays behind him he sings a boilerplate country ballad about being young and in love. He sings it well enough and the audience sways along with him.
Randy: Is marveling in the two youngest finalists and although he didn't love the song he thought it showed off his range and he's, um, yeah in it to win it.
JLo: Says he's the show's great storyteller and thinks he did an amazing job with the song.
Steven: Says he's come a long way and repeats the thing about not being able to take a three point shot from under the net.
Scotty says he's enjoying himself and can't believe he's there, but he says it very calmly.
Contestant: Lauren
Song: "Like My Mother Does" Jimmy thinks this captures Lauren's journey and it will showcase her in her best light and that mom's will be moved.
Performance: As her journey plays on the video screen, Lauren sings about how awesome her mom is while she wears a white gown and her mom sings along for the audience. She's doing fine, she stumbles a bit on going for one big note, but it's more raspinesss than a clunker. She goes and hugs her mom in the audience.
Randy: Loves it, loves it, loves it and gives her a standing ovation and says she's arrived.
JLo: Says it's a tight race but Lauren may have just won.
Steven: Predicts she's going to win and is the winner in his eyes.
Randy and Steven say Lauren took round three and JLo says it's too close to call.
Performance: David Cook sings this season's sing-out song, his version of Simple Minds "Don't You (Forget About Me)"
Wed, May 25, 2011
"American Idol" - Finale - May 25, 2011
The opening reminds us that 125,000 people auditioned.
Ryan says a record was set last night with 122 million votes.
In the audience; Previous contestant Michael Johns and winners David Cook and Lee Dewyze; Lori Loughlin, Harold Perrineau,
Group Sing: The Top 13 performs "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga.
Performance: James Durbin and Judas Priest perform a medley of "Livin' After Midnight" and "Breakin' the Law." James is in full metal regalia.
Video Package: A tribute to Randy and all of his "what kind of blank is this?" questioning and his endless "in it to win it"-ness. Ryan points out that Randy needs a new writer.
Performance: Jacob Lusk performs "I Smile" with Kirk Franklin and Gladys Knight.
Performance: Casey Abrams performs Queen's "Fat Bottomed Girls" with Jack Black. Girls ride in on bikes and Casey and Jack have a scat off.
Performance: The ladies of the top 13, minus Lauren, perform Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," "Irreplaceable," "Get Me Bodied," "If I Were a Boy," and "Deja Vu," giving them all a nice solo. Ashthon and Haley in particular sound good together. Beyonce shows up to sing "Crazy in Love" with the girls.
Video Package: A tribute to Steven Tyler and all of his nutty jive talk. Yet, oddly, in light of Randy's "tribute" not all of his endless "beautifuls."
Performance: Haley Reinhart performs "Steppin' Out" with Tony Bennett. They're adorable. He is, unbelievably, 84 years old.
Video Package: The tribute to Jennifer and all of the people who called her "beautiful." Which is perhaps why they didn't string together all of Steven's.
Performance: TLC performs with Lil Jon and Thia, Karen, Ashthon, and Naima. For some reason they don't let Chilli say "broke ass" during the "No Scrubs" portion of the medley that also includes "Waterfalls."
Performance: Scotty performs "Live Like You Were Dying" with Tim McGraw. (Not to be confused with the Kris Allen/Script song of the similar name "Live Like We're Dying.") Scotty starts out just holding his own just fine but he really gets into it and kills the last chorus.
Video Package: A collection of the delusional contestants and mishaps from the auditions.
Performance: Marc Anthony performs and is joined by Sheila E. on drums and his wife on dancing-- along with a bunch of fan dancers.
Video Package: The eliminated contestants talk about the eliminations and debate which was "most shocking." He and James joke back and forth about their eliminations and how they were both supposed to win it. And then Pia shows up with a tiara and a "most shocking elimination" banner around her.
Performance: The top 13 guys perform and each gets a little solo: Stefano on Prince's "Kiss," Paul McDonald on Tom Jones "She's a Lady," James on Jones' "What's New Pussycat," Scotty on Jones' "Green Green Grass of Home," Jacob on "Love Me Tonight," (yes I'm cluing in to the fact that this is a tribute to Jones), and Casey on "Delilah." And of course, Sir Tom himself shows up to sing "It's Not Unusual." Jack Black is dancing along happily in the audience.
Video Package: Ford gives money to Lauren and Scotty's schools and also gives them and their teachers' cars.
Performance: Lady Gaga performs her new single "The Edge of Glory." She is wearing a nutty drapes/hanging beads headdress. Her dancers writhe around her on a faux rock formations. She then takes off her outer cape to reveal one of her leather bikinis, dances with a hot shirtless guy while Clarence Clemons bleats his saxophone down on the stage near the dancers.
Performance: Lauren sings Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" and Underwood joins her onstage. Lauren seems like she's having fun and a little awed at the same time.
Video package: The other contestants pick fun at Scotty and Lauren being teenagers.
Performance: Beyonce debuts her single "1+1." It's a big piano ballad. It's not terribly melodic but she's killing it vocally with a lot of soul, a little growl and a dash of gospel.
Performance: Bono and the Edge and Reeve Carney, the star of "Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark" perform the song "Rise Above" from the musical. A Spider-suited actor flips around the air above the audience. It's one of those gauzy, electro-beat heavy U2 songs. It's fine but it's not really a musical-type song. There's a big spider web backdrop and lots of dry ice drifting over the stage.
Peformance: Steven Tyler performs a truncated version of "Dream On" sans the rest of Aerosmith.
The Winner Is!: Scotty McCreery
The opening reminds us that 125,000 people auditioned.
Ryan says a record was set last night with 122 million votes.
In the audience; Previous contestant Michael Johns and winners David Cook and Lee Dewyze; Lori Loughlin, Harold Perrineau,
Group Sing: The Top 13 performs "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga.
Performance: James Durbin and Judas Priest perform a medley of "Livin' After Midnight" and "Breakin' the Law." James is in full metal regalia.
Video Package: A tribute to Randy and all of his "what kind of blank is this?" questioning and his endless "in it to win it"-ness. Ryan points out that Randy needs a new writer.
Performance: Jacob Lusk performs "I Smile" with Kirk Franklin and Gladys Knight.
Performance: Casey Abrams performs Queen's "Fat Bottomed Girls" with Jack Black. Girls ride in on bikes and Casey and Jack have a scat off.
Performance: The ladies of the top 13, minus Lauren, perform Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," "Irreplaceable," "Get Me Bodied," "If I Were a Boy," and "Deja Vu," giving them all a nice solo. Ashthon and Haley in particular sound good together. Beyonce shows up to sing "Crazy in Love" with the girls.
Video Package: A tribute to Steven Tyler and all of his nutty jive talk. Yet, oddly, in light of Randy's "tribute" not all of his endless "beautifuls."
Performance: Haley Reinhart performs "Steppin' Out" with Tony Bennett. They're adorable. He is, unbelievably, 84 years old.
Video Package: The tribute to Jennifer and all of the people who called her "beautiful." Which is perhaps why they didn't string together all of Steven's.
Performance: TLC performs with Lil Jon and Thia, Karen, Ashthon, and Naima. For some reason they don't let Chilli say "broke ass" during the "No Scrubs" portion of the medley that also includes "Waterfalls."
Performance: Scotty performs "Live Like You Were Dying" with Tim McGraw. (Not to be confused with the Kris Allen/Script song of the similar name "Live Like We're Dying.") Scotty starts out just holding his own just fine but he really gets into it and kills the last chorus.
Video Package: A collection of the delusional contestants and mishaps from the auditions.
Performance: Marc Anthony performs and is joined by Sheila E. on drums and his wife on dancing-- along with a bunch of fan dancers.
Video Package: The eliminated contestants talk about the eliminations and debate which was "most shocking." He and James joke back and forth about their eliminations and how they were both supposed to win it. And then Pia shows up with a tiara and a "most shocking elimination" banner around her.
Performance: The top 13 guys perform and each gets a little solo: Stefano on Prince's "Kiss," Paul McDonald on Tom Jones "She's a Lady," James on Jones' "What's New Pussycat," Scotty on Jones' "Green Green Grass of Home," Jacob on "Love Me Tonight," (yes I'm cluing in to the fact that this is a tribute to Jones), and Casey on "Delilah." And of course, Sir Tom himself shows up to sing "It's Not Unusual." Jack Black is dancing along happily in the audience.
Video Package: Ford gives money to Lauren and Scotty's schools and also gives them and their teachers' cars.
Performance: Lady Gaga performs her new single "The Edge of Glory." She is wearing a nutty drapes/hanging beads headdress. Her dancers writhe around her on a faux rock formations. She then takes off her outer cape to reveal one of her leather bikinis, dances with a hot shirtless guy while Clarence Clemons bleats his saxophone down on the stage near the dancers.
Performance: Lauren sings Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" and Underwood joins her onstage. Lauren seems like she's having fun and a little awed at the same time.
Video package: The other contestants pick fun at Scotty and Lauren being teenagers.
Performance: Beyonce debuts her single "1+1." It's a big piano ballad. It's not terribly melodic but she's killing it vocally with a lot of soul, a little growl and a dash of gospel.
Performance: Bono and the Edge and Reeve Carney, the star of "Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark" perform the song "Rise Above" from the musical. A Spider-suited actor flips around the air above the audience. It's one of those gauzy, electro-beat heavy U2 songs. It's fine but it's not really a musical-type song. There's a big spider web backdrop and lots of dry ice drifting over the stage.
Peformance: Steven Tyler performs a truncated version of "Dream On" sans the rest of Aerosmith.
The Winner Is!: Scotty McCreery