Vegas Girls Part 2

Melinda Ademi - We find out was part of season 10 for a while...I don't really remember his story of te family immigrating from Kosovo. I'm not feeling her song at all...its too jerky, although at times I could her potential in her voice. Nikki - Angela sang it better last week? I don't have ANY recollection...need to go back and check my notes. Candice Glover - Cut in Vegas last year. Takes on the Queen of Soul and nails it. Juliana - Father sings in Arabic. She comes from a family of musicians. She has a beautiful voice. I was bothered by the deep breaths that she kept taking. It distracted from her performance for me...but overall I think the beautiful almost innocent quality to her voice puts her through. Nikki called it a "signature sound". Mariah called it "Celestial". Jett - Only girl in the world. I get where she was trying to go wwith this, but I didn't love the arrangement. I think she has a great voice, but the arrangement didn't give her the chance to really show it off. I'm zfraid that she is likely to get lost in the mix tonight. Cristabel - God spoke to her on a plane and told her that she deserves to me in the top 40. Her story made her come across a little freaky. She is a worship leader...ok...now that makes sense. She's playing the Jesus card. Onto the performance. I thought she brought some nice energy to her performance, the voice isn't up to the level of many of the others though. Randy gives her the standing O. Aubrey Cleland - Wow...she looks stunningly beautiful. She seems so very controlled of the song. Taking it exactly where she wants each step. I thought this was an awesome performance. Once again...I agree with Nikki completely. Rachel Hale - She's got great country potential. I like that she took it uptempo and I liked the energy that she brought along with it. I didn't think it was the best song to show off her voice, but I do like the mid-alto tone to her voice and think that she has a lot of potential in the competition. what is it with the Prayer stuff? I'm not anti-religion, but it has a time and place and I hate it when it infiltrates into idol. Its almost like they want to use AI to proselytze and I know that it sells with Southern voters and some other voters...but it turns me off. Breeana - I liked her stage presence. She had a nice attitude which helped sell the song. Nice look and I like the jazzy tone to her voice. She brought the entire package tonight. Janelle - The second of the Country divas and I think that Janelle definitely topped Rachel tonight. I'm a little surprised that the judges kinda trashed her. I thought she could have sold that record easily in the country market. Zoanette Johnson - Sings the Lion King -Great theatrical performance, but I don't know that it positioned her as someone who is marketable. It definitely showed off her talents though. Gets a standing O from everyone except Mariah. Keith calls her the "Queen of the Jungle". Rankings Candice Glover Aubrey Julianna Breeana Zoanette Janelle Rachel Hale Cristabel Jett Melinda Ademi Based on Judges comments Definitely in: Candice, Aubrey Probably in: Julianna, Breeane, Zoanette Cusp: Cristabel Probably out: Janelle, Rachel Definitely out: Jett, Melinda It is going to be interesting to see where the judges go tonight? Are they going to eliminate BOTH of the country Divas? They loved Cristabel, but did Zoanette just knock her out of the competition? Was Zoanette's performance enough to get her through or was it too broadway/theatrical. There are only two definite outs...after that, its anybody's game. First up...Zoanette. She's through. Melinda is out. Julianna I had her as 3rd best tonight, the judges say no. The first disagreement which I suspect puts Cristabel in. Aubrey is in... Nikki did a great psyche out. Cristabel - is out. I wouldn't have put her through either. I think this means one of the country divas makes it in....I didn't think that AI had the backbone to cut both of them. Candice is in. Jett is out. I bet they do Breeana next so leave the country diva drama battle for the last spot. Yep....and I have to say that it was great classic AI drama. I would give it to Janelle but I bet the judges give it to Rachel...I'm right and wrong...the judges go with Janelle....

Blake Lewis upcoming album....

Ran Across this info on Blake Lewis and his upcoming third album. I thought he was great and its good to see him get a third shot at hitting it big.

Ran across this info on Blake Lewis...I thought we was really good and its good to see him getting a third chance at hitting the big time: http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/reality-rocks/exclusive-blake-lewis-signs-republic-records-teases-tune-154631681.html

What happens in vegas part 2 - the Boys

A little of girl pimping by Mariah leaving them that the boys have to be on their best because the girls were just soooooo good. First up Paul Jolley - Works retail in a small rural town...and he starts with a slow country ballad. He's got a good voice, but the almost "whispering" quality of it I don't think does him any favors. Good...but didn't wow me. Next up, resident hunk Johnny Keyser...and another slow ballad. Starts off very very weak. Weird...almost like he is singing out of the back of his throat...gets better as the tempo picks up. He doesn't have much stage presence. If he goes on..he is going to have to really work on building some charisma to go along with his good looks. Personally I think he is in trouble, but AI is going to want him to go on. Jda- The artist of his own life. He is definitely different than any Idol contestant before. I'm not sure that I guite get him yet. He's got some talent but i'm not sure if he is gimmicky or unique. I'm just not sure whether to take him seriously. Keith called it "Counting Steps". He says that he is representing the gays...really JDA...THAT doesn't represent every gay person and I think THAT is part of his disconnect and what he doesn't get. Randy says that he felt "no originality"...and strangely I know exactly what Randy means. Kevin Harris - aka "Butta". Cute "Family Man"...with another slow ballad. I don't LOVE his voice. Its strangely in the upper register and not what I would have expected. Overall I would say just an Eh...performance. Nikki loved him. Randy disagrees 100%. Mariah didn't love it but she is afraid to say it. Chris Watson - Waiter from Dover Delaware. Bow Boy. I really kinda dig his voice. I think he could be kinda fun if he were to go on, but his vocals, although I dig his voice are not that strong. For me...it was kind of a strange performance. Devin Velez - 18 year old from Chicago. Start is weird for me...seems like he is singing below his register. Once it gets into his register..much much much better. I love the Spanish/English combo in the song. I think he has potential to be really good in this competition if given the chance. Elijah - 18 half Mexican/half Chinese. Another slow ballad. I'm not sure that I love his high register voice and I don't love the look that they gave him. For me..this was by far the worst of the night. I would say he's a goner for sure. Nikki wants to have his baby...she is obsessed with him. I'm not connecting with Nikki on this one. Charlie Askew- Aspergers Boy. Glorifies Weirdness...been singing for birds his whole life. Excellent song choice for him. He looks extremely nervous. He can sing...but not good enough for this competition. Worst of the night. I thought it was funny that he went to JDA for fashion advice. Nikki gives him a standing O. Love Keith's comment..its like Freddie Mercury had a love child out of Woodstock. Several Short jokes from Ryan tonight. Is he finally embracing his Short stature? Jimmy Smith - He has a surfer dude Southern Country charm look about him. Sings...what? Another slow ballad. Wow...I thought he was one of the stronger guy voices of the competition, but this song goes Nowhere for me...and worse yet, I think it went nowhere for him. I think this song may have completely sabotaged him. I really think that he came in as a front runner and got creamed. Kind of a creepy stare into the camera before the commercial break. Curtis Finch - Raised in a church with gospel music in his blood. He definitely has the vocals, but is sooooo overly dramatic. He's got the talent but this isn't the right competition for him. Ruben sang this song 1 million times better in season 2. Ranking them: Devin Velez Curtis Finch JDA Johnny Keyser Chris Watson Paul Jolley Kevin Harris Elijah Jimmy Smith Charlie Askew. This is a tough one...I think the Judges are going to go on overall rather than tonight and surprise us. Safe: Johnny Keyser, Devin Velez Also in: Elijah, JDA, Curtis Finch On the cusp: Chris Watson Out for sure: Kevin Harris, Charlie Askew, Jimmy Smith, Paul Jolley The judges decision....no surprises yet. Elijah goes through even though I thought he was the third worst of the night. Jda goes home....THAT was a big surprise for me. I thought he was the third best of the night. I think he was shocked himself. Paul is a split decision....Jimmy puts him through...so how does this work? What about who had to be the other split decision? Chris Watson is out too...not a huge surprise..but a little bit. Charlie stays on? Seriously...wow...worst of the night. What is going on. Johnny and Devin left and only one stool. why do I get the feeling that this is a bad attempt at an Idol Psych and they are going to put them both through. I can't imagine that one of them will go home while Charlie and Paul stayed. Nope....Johnny goes home. I'm a little surprised. Did he go because Paul stayed? Did Jimmy know that Johnny would be cut if Paul stayed? I have to believe that he did. This was a strange strange night.

What happens in Vegas....determines whether you stay in Vegas!

OK...first ever Sudden death rounds. First 10 women of the top 40 and half will go home tonight. Ryan tells us...get ready for the most brutal cuts ever. More women pimping by Ryan First up - Beth Willis. Don't remember ever seeing her. Oooooo the song is really pitchy and she seems to lack complete energy. Nikki was right in her critique, the audience was feeling more energy than she was. First one up and first one out. Teena Torres - Sang a very slow ballad...it really went nowhere for me and she seemed to be forcing the emotion. Pretty voice though. Randy was way over the top in his admiration. "This is what becoming the next AI is really about"....seriously Randy. Adrianna Antonio - First top contestant from Alaska. She look gorgeous...absolutely stunning. Gets a standing O from the guys. Keith "Now the night has started Randy". I agree. This one showed honest true and unforced emotion. Brandy Hotart - Psych nurse from Louisiana. I Love her look. She is very very pretty too. I loved how you brought power to the ballad. I don't think her voice was as good as Adrianna. Judges rip her for emotional inconsistency. I guess I didn't pay attention to the lyrics so it didn't register with me. I thought she was good..but sounds like she is in trouble based on the judges Shuba Vidula - Man...another slow ballad. What is up? First one on the piano. Oh....this is Lady Gaga...ok...now she's bringing it up tempo. Weird rendition of song. Not sure that I love the outfit and she seems a bit overly hyper. I want to see her hang on...but this performance was just weird....very strange. The judges describe it as very confusing. I agree. But she's safe. Kamaria Ousley - Wow...she looks very well put together. But is really really really pitchy. First half of the song seemed about a full step off key. She pulled it together near the end...but too little too late. That was a mess. Once again...I agree with Nikki (this is getting scary) Kree Harrison - Has been the recipient of extreme Idol Pimpage so far. Another slow ballad. Hate the outfit. She looks like she is wearing a maternity top. She can definitely sing though. I would say best vocal performance of the night so far. She gets a standing O from Nikki and Keith. Nikki is funny...."You make love to the song...there is something very sexy about you". I kinda get where she is coming from. Angela Miller - I didn't remember her, but I do now remember that she was the one that the judges loved on the piano last week with her original song. Another slow ballad. Love the outfit/look...it works for her. She is good. She is good. I definitely see potential in her. Second best of the night. Isabelle -She's a big girl..but beautiful. God Bless the Child....how many times have we heard this on Idol. She's got a really nice soulful bluesy voice combined with a power ballad touch...I thought it was really good. I would definitely put her through. Amber Holcomb - Got cut in Vegas last year. She's cut a great smile and a cute personality. Loved the look except for the blue shoes...what was up with that? Love the Jazzy Funny Valentine. Man...she's making this tough. I would say one of the top 3 vocal performances of the night. I would even rank her a very close second to Kree. I just became a HUGE Amber fan tonight. Ranking them tonight: Kree Harrison Amber Holcomb Angela Miller Isabelle Adrianna Antonio Brandy Hotart Shuba Vidula Teena Torres Beth Willis Kamaria Ousley Who's safe: Amber Holcomb, Andrianna Antonio, Kree Harrison, Angela Miller, Isabelle, On the cusp....Shuba Vidula...I wouldn't put her here but the judges liked her. Will she steal a spot that belongs to one of the others? If she does, it will be from Isabelle. Lets see what the judges do......... So far no surprises Beth and Brandy are out...until Tenna Torres...WHAT? Seriously...I wonder who's spot she stole. No surprise that Kree is through to the next round. Isabelle looks like she knows that Tenna stole her spot and she is right. Seriously Isabelle is out and Tenna is in...that is ridiculous.

Interesting article that gives some insight into a few changes in the format. Looks like we will have two weeks of Vegas. Two groups of 10 from the boys and girls each week. It will then be cut down to the top 10 boys and top 10 girls which will then be whittled down by votes to the overall top 10 (instead of 12?) maybe two wildcards? Who knows...but it looks like they are not going to make sure that it is equally split boys/girls in the top 10 or 12...maybe continuing the Idol push for a girl this year? http://www.examiner.com/article/american-idol-2013-season-12-the-top-40-idols-go-to-las-vegas-this-week

Predicting the top 12 girls

OK...I thought it was just the major pimping of the women...but when I sat down to do the top 12 girls, I was amazed at how many of them I have no clue about? I think there were more women than men. Maybe it is that AI is majorly pimping a half dozen women at the expense of the others? Not really sure...but there are many who I don't remember at all. Could it be that AI is hiding some of the really good talent for Vegas to surprise us? I think they have done that in the past. Anyhow...on to the list. Adriana Latonio - Who? I'm serious.....who? Amber Holcomb - another who? Angela Miller - yet another who? Aubrey Cleland and still another? Who are these people? Brandy Hotard - I really like her. She's a dark horse in the competition. I think she makes it into the top 12 girls. She was one of the stronger ones in Hollywood. Breeana Steer I have zero memory of her Bridgett Hermano - or of her Candice Glover - She is actually really really awesome and the exception to the rule this year. She was passed over in years past. Not really sure why because she certainly has proven herself worthy of the top 12 girls. Cristabel Clack - The only memory I have of her is that she went through on a group that I didn't think any of them should go through...so I am going to say no. Isabelle - Really? The single name is just a little bit pretentioius don't ya think? Seriously. Until you have reached the status of Cher or Madonna, it is really just plain silly and annoying to use one name. C'mon even Celine Dion doesn't do that and honey...you aren't even CLOSE to being in the same league as many on AI let alone those women. I think she gets in because AI loves her and has been pimping her. But I wouldn't put her through Janelle Arthur - She is definitely in. For two reasons....MEGA pimpage by AI and she can actually sing. AI wants to push the Janelle Rachel country fight. She was a bit of a diva in Hollywood and I don't think she is as good as she thinks she is, but that said, she is pretty good. Jennie Beth Willis - who? Julianna Chaayed - who? Kamaria Ousley who? Another trio of who are these people? Kree Harrison - She is in the top 12 for sure. AI has been majorly pimping her since the auditions. I don't think that she is all that...in any other year she would have been lost in the masses. Which leads me to once again question the "Best Females ever in the entire world history of American Idol" push this year. Melinda Ademi - She's good....doesn't really stand out to me. She's a fence sitter Rachel Hale - The other half of the country divas. I have gone back and forth over which one I like better out of her and Janelle. I am leaning much more to Rachel these days. No worries....they both get through. Shuba Vidula - The girl with the cool name. She has one of the best voices in the competition. She gets through for sure and I think is a strong contender for the top 5 overall. Tenna Torres - No. She shouldn't be in the top 20, definitely not in the top 12. Zoanette Johnson - She can sing...but she is just waaaaaay waaaaaay waaaaaay too freaky madeeky. She is a goner fer sure! Definitely in (6): Candice Glover, Brandy Hotard, Isabelle Whateverhernameis, Janelle Arthur, Kree Harrison, Rachel Hale Definitey out (3): Zoanette Johnson, Cristabel Clack, Tenna Torres On the cusp (1): Melinda Ademi Who are these people? (10) : Adriana Latonio, Amber Holcolmb, Angela Miller, Aubrey Cleland, Angela Miller, Brianna Starr, Bridgette Hermano, Jennie Beth Willis, Julianna Chaayed, Kamaria Ousley, I guess we will have to wait for Vegas to give a more accurate ranking of these people. But it is fun to do a pre-season slightly educated guess!

Predicting the top 12 guys

So...I'm attempting to do a break down of the top 20 guys...but I'm finding it difficult. Could it be because Idol has been doing a mega-pimp of the girls and we don't know much about the guys? Hmmmmmm...I kinda think so. There are so many guys that I don't remember much of...but here goes: Curtis Finch - He has a great powerful gospel voice...but he seems pretty limited to that genre. I don't think he is even close to being as versatile as Joshua Ledet from last year Cortez Shaw - I actually really like this guy. I'm not sure that he gets through because he doesn't really stand out and they haven't really pimped him much. He's a borderline for me. David Willis - Don't remember him Bryant Tedao - Hilo Hawaiian guy. I'm not sure on him...he's been hot and cold. He was not all that strong in Hollywood...but AI loves Hawaiians, we've had a couple females, no males...so I give him an edge on getting through Burnell Taylor - Nope. Not strong enough. Doesn't have the range. Chris Watson - This is the big hair bow guy. I don't think he gets much further. I'm surprized that he is even in the top 20 Elijah Liu - Don't remember anything about him. Devin Veliz - The only thing I remember about him is that he does WAAAAAYY too many runs when he sings. But they usually love that kind of thing Gurpreet Sarin - He's got a good voice...I'm not sure its top 12 material and I think that because he doesn't fit within the AI mole he's not likely to be in the top 12. Johnny Keyser - He is a shoo-in for the top 12. Maybe not on voice, which is good, but not one of the best...but based on combination of looks and talent...primarily looks. AI will want him in the top 12. Jimmy Smith - Another shoo in for the top 12. This time based soley on voice. Josh Holiday - Nothing stands out in my mind about him Josh Davila - This is the mega queen that we didn't even see until Hollywood week. The guy is there simply for comic relief. He doesn't have the talent to go much further. Definitely will not be in the top 12 Kevin Harris - Don't know who he is Charlie Askew - This is the ginger boy. He's had a great ride, but his time is up in Vegas. He doesn't have to voice to go on. Nick Boddington - I didn't like him last year...and I really don't care much for him this year. I think he gets through this time...only because there has to be at least one Phil Stacey type that annoys me for at least a couple of weeks...and probably 3-5 weeks longer than they should. Paul Jolley - Don't Remember him Vincent Powell - Don't even remember even seeing this guy Lazaro Arbos - This is the cute guy with the severe stutter. I doubt he will make the top 12. He's cute and he's got a great story, but his lack of confidence and lack of familiarity with a lot of the music is going to sabotage him. I expect him to self-destruct in Vegas. He was on the verge in Hollywood and I think he's nerves are going to do him in Mathenee Traco - The only thing I remember is that I didn't think he was very good. So the breakdown: Don't Remember at all (7): Kevin Harris, Vincent Powell, Mathenee Traco, Paul Jolley, Josh Holliday, Elijah Liu, David Willis, Definitely Out (5): Charlie Askew, Burnell Taylor, Chris Watson, Josh Davila, Gupreet Sarin, Definitely In (4): Nick Boddington (boo), Bryant Tadeo, Johnny Keyser, Jimmy Smith On the cusp (4): Curtis Finch, Cortez Shaw, Devin Velez, Lazaro Arbos Next: Predicting the Top 12 Women.

Idol should be charged with pimping and pandering

Wow...can Idol be any more obvious that they are going to pimp and manipulate all season to get a woman AI? They aren't even trying to pretend that they are going to neutral...starting with the fact that there are many more women that made it through to Hollywood than men. As much as I would like to see a woman win, I don't like the feeling that we are being manipulated. First round....Anorexic girl, Mariah Pulce is out.... Also out...Ashley Smith, Ann Difanni, Sarah Verpuccio. I don't remember but I don't think I am surprised by any of them. Rachel Hale - The Happy girl v. Janell Arthur...the Country girls....they are both really good. I think Rachel is a little stronger. They are both through. Before the break...more mega pimping..."The best girls we've ever seen in this competition"....really Idol? Really? Candace Glover is in...Megan Miller is out. Isabelle...I don't recall seeing her before. I'm not blown away but the judges seem to like her. She's through. Kez Ban - screamed, hooted and hollered for other contestants and blew what little voice she had to start with. Brianna Oakley - I didn't think she was great in the auditions...and I still don't think she is that great. They both go on....wow...Is this the best talent AI has ever seen Ryan? First group...They sound great...Kamaira is weak....Melinda ademi is good...Candace Glover is great.....Denise Jackson is also great. They are all through. Morgan Boberg, Lauren Mink, Brandy Hotard...I really like her....They were all really good..but Brandy stood out above them all. The next group "Almost Famous"...they all look a mess. Savannah Notion, not feeling it. Lizz Weiss...harmony off, Daysia Hall...she's the best of a bad bunch. J'leigh something...never say her before. The singing was as bad as they looked. Daysia is the only one through. Kirss Mincey, Janell Stinney, Cristabel Clack....Cristabel is the only one that I would put through. Janell was such a drama queen. They all go through....not sure what the judges were thinking there. Shuba Vedula, Sarina Crowe, Aubrey Cleland all through. Sertha Guinn..good but not up to her audition, Tenna Torres...I'm not digging her, Kiara Lanier....that's a no. Seritha I would put through...the rest I wouldn't. Seritha is the only one that goes home? What? I'm definitely not agreeing with that one. Erin Christine, Zoanette Johnson looks like she's ready to walk the Boulevard...but she can sing, Lauren Bettes, Isabelle. I would put all of them through. Lauren goes home..thr others go through. Shira...horrible....Alisha..Slightly better but not much.....Liz Bills..weak weak weak. Courtney Calle...Best of the bad lot. Liz goes through...everyone else goes home. Shira asks for an explanation and they actually give her one....seriously...I would have told her to hit the road. Stephanie Schmiel...not feeling it. Alex Delaney...not good. Kalli Therinae, nothing special...Holly Miller. Wow...none of them should go through. What was this about the best girls ever Idol? I get the feeling that AI is trying to sell us a $5 street ho and tell us that it is a high price call girl. Stephanie and Holly go through. Britness Kellogg- she's good, Kree Harrison, ok....Brandy Neely, she sounds great, Kaley Davis..reading the words on her arm...she's good but she should be better. I would send everyone but Kree through. Nikki reads Kaley the riot act...but she is right. Brandy goes home. Again...I'm not getting it. She sounded better than any of them. Kez Ban, freaky just for freaky sake, Breanna Steer...not good, Angela Miller not bad...Janelle Arthur, good enough to go through. I'm afraid that they are going to put kez Ban through...I think they want her on for train wreck reasons. They all go through.

Hollywood...cutting it to 28

Tonight is guy solo night. and Ryan tells us "Prepare yourself for the most shocking eliminations yet". First up Paul Jolley - He sounds great. For some reason I am thinking 80's by his sound..not sure why. Nikki told him that he walked out defeated and it completely irritated her. She is absolutely right in her criticism. Lazaro up next - he doesn't sound as good as we've heard him before. Curtis Vince - he's got a good voice but his mannerisms bug me. He is waaaaay to dramatic and animated. Its so "Telethon". They are all through to the next round. We don't get to see the give who are cut Deven Velez - He sounds good...too many runs for my taste. Gupreet - good.... Cortez Shaw - Sounded really good. Matheus Fernandez - does Kelly Clarkson Stronger but he starts out in key too low for him. That was a mess for me. Nikki once again was right in her criticism. He doesn't need to milk his height in every setting. Devin, Gupreet, Adam and Cortez are through. Mattheus is cut. Nicholas Mathias -sounds completely off key. Papa Peaches - Horrible Jimmy Smith - Not good either Nicholas and Peaches are cut....Johnny Keyser and Vincent Powell make it through. Nick Boddington - Cut in Vegas last year. I remember the name...I don't remember him though. He sounds pretty good. I'm not jumping up and down, but he should make it through this round. Charlie Askew - Aspergers boy. He's just average. Not good enough to continue on in the competition. The judges seemed to like him...I'm confused. Nick, JDA, Matheny and Charlie all go through. Couldn't tell again who got cut. Burnell Taylor - Doesn't sound good enough until the tempo picks up, Marvin Calderon - sounded ok...both through Michah Johnson - Does a Randy Travis song. He sounds great....but they send him home...wow. I'm not really sure where that one came from. Gone...Dave Brown the baker, Sonny from San Antonia and Nick the sign language guy. Now the big twist....8 more guys still have to go to get it down to 20. Wow...that was anti-climatic.

Hollywood...errrr...Northridge week

Sorry...this blog is all over the place. Hollywood week is so fast paced that its hard to keep up... Hollywood...First round Sudden death eliminations - brutal Wow Mariah's booty sure looks big in that blue dress Micha Johnson in the first group - tonsil guy. Gets a standing O from Keith Hes on to round 2 along with some others that I didn't know. Nate Tao - Sign language boy...goes through Gabe Brown - Gupreet as well... Carl Skinner - He was the strange farmer like Midwestern ginger boy. He gets cut...As well as Dustin Watts the firefighter and Calvin Peter the singing Dr. Cortez Shaw - Sings Always love you. I don't remember this guy. Split between the Divas. They give him another shot. Curtis Finch Jr. - a little too much of a gospel type singer. Frankie Ford. I remember I loved this guy...and he goes through Lazaro - The stuttering boy. He's super super nervous...but he pulls it through. Trevor Blankley...don't remember him Bryant Tadeo - From Hilo...saw his profile on FB today. He makes it through after a psyche out from Nikki Brian Rittenbery - guy with cancer survivor wife...he doesn't go through...and I agree I would have cut him too. 1/2 of the guys get cut in round 1....wow...brutal. On to Group night....but with a twist this year... This year the producers are grouping them First up...the mathheads with Matheus...Nick Boddington is good....meathenee as well. Gabe Brown....all of these guys are good. I'm digging Gabe Brown's voice. all four are through Normal Hills - Johnny Keyser, He's cute..but forgot the lyrics and voice is weak Kareem clark is waaaaaay off key. Very bad. 1/2 of them say they never heard the song before...really? Kareem gets cut...the others go through. Next Group...with Charlie Askew - socially awkward guy. Aspergers? Curtis Finch...Gospelly and theatrical...but he clearly shines in the group. They all go through though. The four tones with Micha Johnson. Vincent Powel Marvin Calderon and David Willis. They are all through. Young love ...Zach, Nate Tao, Cortez Shae, Elijah Liu....Cortez is the strongest here...They are all through B-side with Gupreet, ...they are all horrible...but they all go through. Devan Jones, Devin Velez, and the rest go Acapella....Adrian...go through Moflow - Burnell Taylor, Tony Foster...he's good...Mario Jose, Burnell Taylor good too....Darien Moses....great voice too. Weakest was Mario. Darien and Mario get cut. I'm a little surprised about Darien. Super 55 with Lazaro. , Josh Stephens, Scott Fleenor, Christian Lopez, ...they all sound pretty good. Obviously the judges didn't think it was as good as I did. Joshua and Scott get cut. Joshua feels that Lazaro stole his spot, but he takes the high road and congratulates him. I was glad to see that. Country Queen - Don't know who the queen is? I don't remember him in the auditions. Lee Pritchard ok...but not strong, JDA...Boy George wannabe....weak, Joel Wayman....weak....Trevor Blankley...I don't really like him, but he is the best of the group, voice wise, except he forgets all the words. In my opinion they should all be cut. Trevor and Lee are cut...JDA and Joel go on. DKSK...the young guys. David Leathers- Guy who got eliminated in Vegas (I don't remember him from last year).....Kevin Quinn... Caden...sounded like a little little boy....David Leathers makes it through as well as Sanni....Kayden and Kevin go home. Cut....were favorites...Griffin Peterson...the super hot guy Clifton Duffin who's parents had never heard him sing Last group - Frankie Ford...my favorite...Papa peaches, Adam Sanders, Charles Allen. They are horrible. Frankie is falling apart. Charles Allen goes a great breakout solo. Papa peaches is a freak.....Nikki calls him too complacent. Frankie goes home..the others go through. I'm so bummed...as usual. My favorite gets cut early on. The last two minutes broke my heart. I really hope that he does come back.

Oklahoma's OK

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOk-lahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the plain... Last auditions before Hollywood? Seems like auditions were shorter this year? Maybe I'm wrong but I'm not complaining...I'm always glad when the auditions are over and we can get on with the competition. Carl Skinner - Looks like the stereotypical Midwest boy...he's actually better than I expected, but I'd be shocked if they put him through...but they have put through worse....surprisingly they put him through. Nate Tao - Deaf parents....ASL teacher. Cute guy...I like his personality and his spirit...and he can sing too. I like him, but am not sure how far he can go. Next up Oscar and Halley - They are confused by the puppet...what? She could definitely sing and was as good or better than some of the fools they put through...and her solo performance showed it as well. Randy was going to say no? Really Randy...Really? Zonette Johnson - If she wasn't a complete freak...she actually probably could sing, but she was so gimmicky and all over the place and ridiculous that you couldn't really take her serious. I'd be afraid of her in Hollywood...but she goes through. It will be interesting to see if she is more serious in Hollywood. Anastasia Freeman - I knew from the first second she was going to be bad. I kinda like the bad ones that are serious...but the ones like this that are just staged are just irritating. Cayden - 16 years old? Really....he looks 11, because he has cystic fibrosis. Life expectancy 35. Wow. I hate to be cold...but he can't really sing, but they are going to put him through...and I'm glad. Give him a chance and an experience for his short life.

Two Queens and a Glee project star

First up Vincent - Another one from last year. I don't remember him, but I do remember Randy sucking his soda during the Hollywood Audition. He has a great voice. Great runs and musicality. Then...the two brother who just couldn't understand that they weren't really good. When they show this type of thing, I always wonder if it is real or staged. These guys seem serious though so hmmmmmmm who knows Savanannah - typical AI single young mother story. Been there, um....about 100 times before. She has a super raspy voice. Of course she makes it through to Hollywood. I don't see her going much beyond that though. Ok...So my new computer just erased half of what I posted....this is REALLY beginning to irritate me. There was some singer...can't remember her name...but I didn't think she was that great...and then there was the Arkansas Razorback husband who was so oblivious to their comments.(she is so ready to be away from her husband for months on end.....) Victoria Acosta - Mariachi singer. I think she has a lot of potential. I like the fact that she brings a little mexican ethnicity to what is often a rather bland idol. I want to see her make it into the top 12 and I think that she could. Not sure what she was thinking with the audition outfit though. Super short shorts. Pappa Peaches - A big black woman trapped in a little white boys body. He's doing "FABULOUS". He's just too freaky. Nikki really likes him, Randy puts him through to Hollywood. I can't believe it. This is like that Norman guy from a couple years ago. He isn't going to last long in Hollywood. Didn't catch his name....Mom from Tanzania, dad from Kenya...speaks Swaheli...Both he and his brother come across to me as fairly butch lesbians, even though they are both boys...kinda interesting. He sings and dances with his church group. Good enough for Hollywood, but unless he gets a big church vote like so many AI's do...he isn't going to last long... Adam Sanders - OMG this guy is a SUPER QUEEN. He CAN sing though. So theatrical though. Incredible power and range though. Surprised the entire panel. From one Queen to another...second half moves to Long Beach and the Queen Mary.... Shuba Vidula - Love that name!!!! Wow...where did that voice come from? She sings so differently than she talks. Mariah arrives...and she is literally busting out of her dress...beautiful dress though.... Brian Martinez - Singing in the restroom and a producer heard him...he is so nervous he is making me nervous. Take a breath dude....as expected...he is horrible. Matt Farmer - Cute guy with his daughter. Served in Iraq..hit an IED and has diagnosed with a traumatic brain disorder that was supposed to make him sterile. Brings his daughter on stage. Sorry, don't wanna be cold but that just doesn't seem fair. Seems a little manipulative...especially with the tattoo of his fallen friends. Good enough for Hollywood, not sure that he has what it takes to go far, but this is the type of guy who might get through on his story. Stephanie Sanson - Purple hair girl. Ok....screaming freak...ok that was just stupid. Jesiah Baer - Sets the fire alarms off. Shes got one of those gimmicky retro voices that we hear every year. Not going to go far. Mikka Johnson - Had tonsils taken out and Doctor left him with a speech impediment - Wow...he can SING. What is it about speech impediments that people can sing...but they have trouble talking? I'm going to have to ask my Speech Therapist friend. Beautiful....Beautiful. Mariah said it best....moved by story but even absent the story would have been moved by the voice. Kimberly Rachel Hale - Good enough for Hollywood but I don't see anything special here.....except she is the happiest contestant ever.... Brianna Oakley - Bullied severely for being on Maury's most talented kids. She's 16 but looks 26. She can definitely sing. However, she was eating something yellow green and every time she opens her mouth wide you can see it on her tongue....lesson to be learned...if auditioning don't eat before your audition...but this girl has potential. Mattheus - This is the guy from the Glee project. I knew it when I saw him last week in the preview. I LOVED him on the Glee project. He's a cutie. He'll make it through to Hollywood. I know this even before he opens his mouth. I'm amazed that he is this emotional because he went far in the Glee project so this isn't the first time he's been given and gone far with a chance.

Calling Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge.... First up...Megan Miller - is going to Hollywood...but first going to surgery. Good strong contender. Next up..Charlie. First WGWG.....but no guitar on stage. Suffers from something like Aspergers....he's more than a bit strange. My guess is that they are going to put him through....I wouldn't, but I think they will. Randy says seeming dark and strange but cool. Nikki says Mystery man. He's on to Hollywood. His sister has clown hair. Strange family. Maddie Asael - Nominated by her grandmother, who is decked out in Mardi Gras garb. She can sing,but uses too much "gadgetry" in her singing, which is going to get out really really fast. She is going to have to recognize that she needs to control her style more and not throw in the kitchen sink if she is going to get past Hollywood. Paul Jolley - Sings better than I expected. Got a little too much of the WeHo going on for AI, so I don't anticipate he'll make it far. But we shall see.... Mushroom - I loved Keith's comment "I loved the keys that song was in". He has a girlfriend? More like a "Girlfriend". Calvin Peters- Resident physician. Cute Cute smile. Not the best voice in the world, but good enough for round 1 and I would have put him through based on looks and charisma alone. Michelle Monterzerri - Breanna Starr - Brandy Hotard....all through to Hollywood. Next up...Fireman Dustin - Kind of a strange country voice. Hunky guy, but he'll be gone quick. Bernelle - Lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. He was awesomely animated and I loved watching him. I want to see more from this guy. Cute Smile and Cute spirit from this guy. Nikki said it all "While everyone else auditioned, you entertained us".

Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte...

Sorry we have not posted our diatribes about the latest Idol auditions, Dr. L & I have a bit of a family emergency we are attending to -- but we recorded the eps, and will post ASAP when we get back!

-- K

Dun Dun In Charlotte

Charlotte Ok....so after 1/2 way through...I hit something on my computer and complete deleted my entire blog. I can't really recreate it...only to say that I am not loving the forced Diva Drama. I think is is soooooo unbecoming of AI. I think they are over exploiting the mentally ill tonight. I completely did not "get" the Isabelle girl from the High School that Randy surprised. I thought her voice was weird and would never have put her through. I'm afraid she might be the "I don't get her" contestant of 2013. I loved the "I did the country thing girl". I completely agreed with Nikki. I though she was absolutely 100% right on with her comments regarding the other judges. Blondie.....looks like a complete train wreck...but she is the surprise of the night. Sings Carrie Underwood. Oh...and I just remembered...I really like the Jimmy Smith guy. I think he is going to be around for a while. LOVED the collage of Nikkis nicknames. I thought it was fun. Janelle Arthur - I LOVE this girl. Cute and a great voice. I wanna see what AI does with this girl in the top 12....because I'll say it now. She's a shoo-in for the top 12. Rodney Barber - Street Singer - Voice of Charlotte. Takes 1/2 of his street profits and gives it to homeless....he was homeless once himself. Good voice. Good for Hollywood, but I think not much beyond that. Candace Glover - Got cut in Hollywood last year. I don't really remember her. She definitely has the pipes. Randy gives her a standing O. Mariah and Randy both say absolute best so far. Nikki says she should make it to the final. JaBria Barber - the Frog Killer. Great soulful voice with an attitude. I LOVE this girl. Seritha Guin - Very unique voice....I like her because she's interesting and a little bit different.

The Divas, Dawg, & Dude from Down Under Do Chi-Town

Premiere part Two, Chicago. 

I like how they toss around Jennifer Hudson's name like she WON Idol LOL.

Nikki looks even more ridiculous -- how will she keep this up in the weeks ahead? I guess she'll be nude, on fire, or both.

The opening -- continuing the theme of ridiculing the delusional. 

Mackenzie from Tennessee -- sweet voice, pretty girl. Makes the inclusion of Ms. Minaj even more absurd here -- what world does her "talent" match up to this girl's natural ability? Something else to think about -- Dr. L wondered if this girl was a plant.

OMG -- Kiara from Chicago continues the in-your-face lovefest for Mariah!!! I love it! Nikki has to be seething inside. This girl can sing, and has a nice stage presence. 

Stephanie -- nervous but had a pretty, breathy voice. Good lord, the crazy comments from NM. I'm sick of this psycho already. The season has barely begun!

Shiny Massage Therapist -- Dr. L wonders if the contestants have to sign a waiver that says you may potentially be humiliated. I'm sure they do -- but they don't read it. One of these days, I fear one of these savaged folks is going to go postal.

Nigel alert! First time we've seen at these? Dr. L said he's really a puppet master :)

Gabe the Baker/Rocker -- could have gone the other way. The shrieky rocking actually had a good voice behind it. I wonder how he will fare In Hollywood?

Kevin the spaz animator. Wow, the cavalcade of the delusional has begun. It really seems like Idol is shooting for the lowest common denominator Idol viewer this season. I'd like to hear the good singers, not watch the (obviously planted) bad singers crash and burn. 

Isabelle -- this is what I'm talking about. Nice, can sing and is a pleasant person. She could be a contender. OMG 15!!! They have to love that. But --Why would Randy say no to a girl who can actual sing? wtf.

Lucky Keith gets to skip town. He will be missed the rest of the day...

Griffin -- eye candy -- and an Aiiight voice. He gets the pass because the ladies like him. I thinks some guys will too!…

Curtis -- charter school tutor. Seems like a nice guy. One of those "hope he can sing" intros, because he's so nice. Wow, he took them to Church! Good for him. 

Mariah -- recovering from anorexia. A sad story, but damn Idol, how they love to pimp the pain. She's though to Hollywood -- Dr. L said Nigel's back there pushing stories like this. I wonder how these fragile people will handle Hollywood.

Day Two --

Sob story Brandy from KY. She didn't need it -- she can really sing. We think she can go far. Is it me or have we NOT seen a White Guy With Guitar yet?  Maybe this is the year to break the cycle.

Josh from TX -- Singing Brian McKnight. I liked it up to the falsetto. And his hair looked like a raccoon. But he's through anyway -- we didn't get it.

Courtney -- Nice voice, boring performer. Knock on Wood guy is the opposite. They both go thru.

Clifton -- parents never heard him before. Could have been the setup for a train wreck. But he was good. Nice to see Keith tear up for the family angle. It's almost like KU is too nice for this insanity. 

Iesha -- when she said she was a professional dancer I think it's clear that meant -- stripper. Wow -- that was painful singing. I like how Randy has done this so long he's just brutally honest. 

Hey -- Hunky Johnny Keyser from last year! This was not the best song choice. I remember him sounding better than this. But they seem to like him. My memory is Hollywood killed him. If J was here he'd remember. Dr. L wondered, do THEY come back or does Idol go GET them?

Kez Ban -- she's a freak, but the kind of freak whose CD I would probably buy and love. I hope this gives her the attention she needs to get a break. She'll never go far on Idol, but I liked her sound a lot. I love that she was so self-aware of her strangeness.

Another stupid montage of bad singers. Then they fake us out with the twin Ashley. I thought they were setting us up for good singing -- but hell no. Holy crap, they had to kick her out. 

AAANnnd -- the incredible Idol moment. Hey, have you seen Hunger Games? I feel like Idol has become that. It's not enough that you can sing, you have to have a flaming dress, and some incredible sob story, that you can pander for votes with? This guy is a stutterer, with an angelic voice. But we all know he'll get ripped to shreds down the line. 

Next stop -- Charlotte! And NM has another meltdown. Sigh.

Can't wait to hear what RT thought of Chi Town!

Dr. L & K out :)

A talent showdone in Chi-Town

Night 2 starts off with a really stupid skit. I don't know what they were thinking there....Lame attempt at humor. AI is in Chicago...one of my most favorite cities in America. McKenzie Wasner - cute girl. Pretty voice. Kinda sounds a little like a young Dolly Parton. I think she is a great possibility for a top 12. The judges agree! Kierra Lanier- Sang for President Obama. She looks like a giant next to Ryan. I don't think that she is all that. I don't know how she got picked to sing for the President. I wouldn't even put her through to Hollywood...but the judges seem to disagree with me on this one. Stephanie Schmiel - We get our first "Throwback" singer...we get one of these every year and they never go too far. I agreed with Nikki on this one. They put her through. .....and then we get more Diva Drama. Boooooorrrrrring. Melissa Bush - This is going to be bad. You can tell by the pink costume and she seems slightly mentally ill. Yep.... Gsbe Brown - Baker from Iowa. He's a screamer...but surprisingly screams with at least some musicality....but when he turns it down, it definitely shows his weaknesses. They surprisingly put him through...but we won't last past the first round in Hollywood. Kevin - Ninja Rap....another freak show....and a collage of broken hearts, which at least showed a little heart. Isabell Parell - Voice is too wispy and weak....and he outfit is hideous. She's a trainwreck. Nikki told her she is like a star...what? All the judges liked her, except Randy. Randy is the only one who got this one right. She won't last past Hollywood round 1. Griffin Peterson - HELLO....I would put him through before a note came out of his mouth. He isn't much of a singer. He has some musicality to his voice, but it was weak. With Keith gone to do a concert in Vegas....the chicks put him through. Curtis Finch Jr. - He has a good gospel voice, but I don't think he has what it takes for AI, but he's a shoo-in for Hollywood. Mariah Pulce..... anorexia recoverer.... decent voice but not likely to go far. She sings with a lot of feeling, but the she doesn't have the package. Brandy Neely - Backgrownd story...adopted by her aunt. very strong and powerful country voice. I like her a lot. Gotta little bit of a raspy undertone to it. Josh Holiday - Good voice, but nothing special. Good enough though Courtney Williams - Good..but not likely to go far Clifton Duffin - Neut he isn't going to ever sang for his parents. Decent but not strong enough to make it far in Hollywood. Johnny Keiser back from season 11 - I remember him being better than this. Good enough for Hollywood...but I'm curious to look back and see what I thought of him last year. Kesban - Fire performer. - She can actually singing.....unique performer for sure. Not AI material, but talented. In a squirrel nut zippers kinda way. I would say yes. Is it me....or has Ryan been hitting the gym....seriously. He's look kinda Buff. Ashley - whenever people say "my voice is like something people haven't heard before" it usually means it is going to be really bad. and it once again proves to be true. Lazaro from Cuba. Really cute guy. Serious stuttering. Pretty good singer...but I'm not sure that he is good enough to go very far. I wanted him to be a little bit better than he was. I love the story and he's obviously had such a hard time in life. I was happy to see him make it through.

Letter to AI producers

Dear American Idol Producers: I am writing this letter to say, PLEASE cool it with the manufactured drama. We don't tune into AI to watch fake diva fights between the judges. We tune in because we LOVE the REAL drama that is always created by the show. We tune in to watch the REAL zero to hero journeys of the contestants. We tune in for the talent, not the "stars". If you haven't learned this after 12 seasons, then I'm afraid that all of your efforts to keep the show "fresh" and to keep viewers from dropping off are in vain. Stick with the unscripted talent and leave the manufactured stuff out of it. There are plenty of other X-Factors out there for those who want that type of stuff. But please leave American Idol to us fans. Sincerely, Rubbertoe.

I'm Back.....

So, Season 12. AI starts in perfect AI fashion. I always look forward to the season opening montage. This is what we have been waiting for for the last 7 months. I loved the Phil Phillips audition to star story...although I was remind why I didn't like Philllip very much last year. We we finally get to the auditions one thing becomes Crystal clear. They are trying waaaaaaaaaay too hard to play up this Mariah/Nikki diva drama. It was so obviously stages....and yet, it continues after the commercial break. I hope to God that they don't continue this all season long. Staged drama is just not attractive and it doesn't sell with most of us. Tenna Torres - Good enough for Hollywood, but a little too much fluff without substance. Some of the runs were good, others were not and it lacked depth for me. Shane Spade or was it James? - America wants a character. Justin Bieber meets William Hung. I knew this was going to be bade when we was wearing Real 3D glasses. Christina Isabelle - Struggled with weight. This girl has some serious pipes. Definitely heading to Hollywood and probably quite a bit further. Evan - one legged tape Dancer, diagnosed with cancer. First Cancer story of season 12. Had to have his leg amputated. Weird choice of audition song...I'm yours. I would have said no based strictly on voice...much better with Bon Jovi. Good enough for Hollywood with Bon Jovi dead or alive...but couldn't get past the first impression. Jessica Kartalis - Better singer than guitar player. They should have let her sing another song. THEY are the ones who pushed her to play an original on guitar. I think she might have been ok, but they never gave her the chance. Shirah Gavrio;ov - From Isreal. I really like her voice. Very nice tone to her voice. She's through to Hollywood. Frankie Ford from Brooklyn New York. Sings on the train to make money. Sweet Dreams...sounded awesome to me. My favorite of the night so far. Mariah says he has an inner glow that can't be reproduced because it is so honest. I agree. Frankie Goes to Hollywood.....I love it. We get a Michael Jackson clown. Rosanna - sings for her parents, but not usually for other people. Now we know why. Knew it was going to be bad strictly by the parents. Sad thing is, with people like this, is that they are not obviously clowns...they really think that they can sing well. Next up...Jersey Girl - Sarah Restuccio - Decent voice. Don't know if it is good enough to go far. But good enough at this stage. Albert Chang - Phantom of the opera....better range than Mariah....according to Nikki. This time Mariah looks honestly a bit peeved. Angela Miller - Hearing loss girl. She is really good. One of the better singers tonight. Brent Home - Knows more about America Idol than anyone in America. Has auditioned 7 times... Maybe 8 is the charm? Maybe not. The Turbinator - Gurprit Sareen - He has a pretty good voice. Better than a lot, they put him through barely. but he isn't going to last very long. Ashley Feliciano - Family adopts medically complex children. Wow...great story. I like her...I really like her. Nice quality to her voice. Nice balance of tone, range and power. I was skeptical at the beginning of tonight....but tonight was AI at its best. I have great expectation for season 12.

Season Twelve is off (its rocker) with a bang

Random notes from Premiere Part One:

Of course, they play up the catfights between Mariah and Nikki. It's having the opposite effect on me -- this shit is getting old fast.

Keith seems like this year's nice guy, the rock in the insanity.

The Dawg, as usual, is almost a non-entity.

Dr. L said, only Nikki M. can wear that shade of lipstick, what a shame.

Seems like last year, maybe last two years they didn't show as many freaky failures? Well, they're back now. 

Christina from GA seems like a contender for the "pipes" that get knocked out way too early. It's got to kill Nikki that everyone worships Mimi.

Annnnd -- the sob stories begin. Cancer Boy gets the extensive backstory. Meanwhile, outside Ryan says he's been tired for ten years -- must be exhausting buying yachts. Wow -- they said no -- cold-hearted bastards.

WTF -- Dawg is on the Staten Island Ferry to punk some girl? What kind of lame stunt is this? Then they ambush her to play guitar, and she's off-key. It's a special kind of torture -- this is like some of those high-school nightmares where you find yourself on stage naked. Idol is off to a twisted start.

And now -- the WTF love-fest for the Israeli girl. Idol does this every year -- they gush over somebody that sounded meh on TV. These are the ones that make me wonder, did they sound better during the REAL judging, with the producers, before the "audition" on-camera? 'Cause it didn't really happen here.

Frankie from Brooklyn -- 2nd sob story. He's so likable -- I really want him to sing well. He has a shaky start -- and pulls it out big time. If he holds it together through the cauldron of Hollywood Week, he could go far. 

Day 2 -- seems to be full of Nos. But isn't that the way? They set it up so that the end of the day has some SPECTACULAR singer. Let's see if my theory holds up…

Sarah the Jersey country girl -- is she an OMG 17 contender? Idol has to have them. She's cute and she can sing.

BTW I love how Mariah rocked the mega-boob look Day One, and then Nikki came in Day Two to compete -- and Mariah covered the puppies up. Funny.

Holy shit, now we have a montage of crappy singers and Nikki's British accent. 

Wow, Deaf Girl can really sing. Mariah actually said "cool beans" -- her stock just rose in my book.

Sleepy Idol Trivia Guy -- Dr. L said, one year they should just let a whole batch of these crappy guys go to Hollywood and battle it out. How cruel is it to show him fantasizing that he made it? Idol is really bizarre this year.

Turbinator -- nice guy with a Lite Jazz voice. No way in hell he goes past Hollywood, but should be fuel for some more mildly racist Muslim humor.

Ashley -- great backstory. What a sweet family. I hope she can sing! Of course she can -- is she the last of Day Two? Hell yeah! 

HA! Made it through the first ep. More insanity to come. We saw a couple of the Final 24, maybe? Let us know what you think.

Dr. L & K

Dr. L & K checking in!!!

Hey RT!

This should be a so-bad-it's great drama-filled Idol season!

J, are you out there? Earth to J!!!

BTW, has anybody read this book:

It's supposed to be the dirt on the Scotty McCreepy season. I would love to

hear if anybody has checked it out.

Dr. L and K reporting for duty!

2013 check in

15 days away.....checking in.....hopefully more than just Dr L and K and I this year....!!!!!!

Dawg Days Are Over!!!

http://www.tmz.com/2012/08/31/american-idol-randy-jackson-judge-nicki-minaj-mariah-carey/


Check out this article from TMZ, it says Randy Jackson will no longer be a judge on Idol, but will instead be a "mentor".  Not that he's got any credibility as a judge, but compared to the incoming judges he's a freaking genius.

From what I have read of the new judge lineup this year, it seems to me that Idol will suck even harder than any year before, which is saying a lot. Mariah Carey? Could be OK, but she's the best of the bunch -- how much empathy could she have? Nicki Minaj? Hopefully that's a scary rumor with no basis.  Kanye? He's out, thank God, but it shows the bottom-feeder direction Idol is going. Flash and bullshit, to try and grab ratings.

We'll be back again to give it one more go, but maybe we should join J and start watching/blogging the Voice instead?

--- K

ARGHHH!!!!

Just got an email from Idol saying we have tickets for the Finale: but we have to be there @ 2:30 PM Pacific Time. It's 12:55  now...WTF, Idol? Even if we hauled ass up the 110, found parking, and got in line, it would be a mile long and... screw it.
We've been trying to get tickets all season, and the one day we absolutely can't go, we get 'em. Oh well, it should be a fun show.

-- K

Season 11 - Please Remember me? Sorry....this is a season that I want to forget

Round 1 - Whitney v. Stand by me Jessica - I thought it was probably one of her best performances of the season. Perfect song for her to show off her range and her power Phillip - Classis Phillip. Destroying the melody of a classic song Phillip style. If you like Phillip you'll love this. If you are a fan of music, it wasn't anything special. Round 1 - Jessica by a mile Round 2 - Jessica - The Prayer. Boring. She sang it beautifully...but it was just a plain boring song. Did nothing for me. Phillip - Oh...no....not his trainwreck Movin out. Horrible. Again....the fools that like Phillip probably love his mutilation of a classic song. Me? I'll take Billy Joel's version a million times before I would ever choose to listen to this garbage. Round 2 - Jessica by an edge (only because Phillip was utter garbage..Jessica was just boring) Round 3 Jessica - "Change Nothing" - At least it was a better song than "This is my now"...or "Do I make you proud"...but not much. It sounded screechy to me. Not a great song and Jessica sound sharp on a number of the high notes Did they just throw Jessica under the bus? Jessica wanted to do something more Urban? God...I hope not. Phillip - "Home" - Song written perfectly for him....hmmmmmmm I wonder who is going to win? But Good luck AI...selling this single and selling this clunker of an Idol. He MIGHT sell more records than Taylor or Lee...but probably not by much OK....really AI? Really? Can you be any more over the top predictable...a marching drum line? Round 3- Phillip. Overall...Jessica was better...but Phillip will win. Jimmy looks defeated I hope AI pulls it out better in Season 12.

Worst Idol Finale Ever

Hey Dr L and K....you got me thinking....is this the worst Idol Finale ever? So I decided to rank the Idol finales from Best to worst Starting the the Best Season 2 - Reuben v. Clay Season 4 - Carrie v. Bo Season 1 - Kelly v. Justin Season 8 - Adam v. Kris Season 7 - David v. David Season 10 - Scotty v. Lauren Season 3 - Fantasia v. DiGarmo Season 6 - Jordin v. Blake Season 9 - Lee v. Crystal Season 11 - Phillip v. Jessica Season 5 - Taylor v. McPhee So, no...this isn't the WORST idol finale ever...but its awfully damn close *emphasis on DAMN"

Is It Me, Or...

Is it hard to care who wins this season on Idol at this point?

I feel like there were a few contestants in weeks past that were Lil Taster favorites, but they're gone and
we're left with these two.

RT, if you are still out there, let us know if you are tuning in! We would love to hear how you think it came down to these finalists.

-- K

No More Drama is right

Flying Solo tonight -- Dr. L is at a conference in another time zone! I'll try to represent.

2 Hrs again?!! This is just abuse, Idol. So you can have three contestants take the same time to perform as 12? No wonder ratings are down.

Phil Phil looks like a PA next to Bb Chez and Joshua, they are all dolled up. Ironic he will win. Top 12 in the crowd. HeeJun acting a fool -- I kind of miss all these people. Can we get a Re-Do?

Is that Pricilla Presley with Nigel? She looks like a wax figure.

ROUND ONE: JUDGE'S CHOICE

This is the point where the "judges" pick a song for the Idols to coincide with the trip home. Randy can't even read his script Nigel wrote for him, what a numbskull. But he "picked" Etta James for Joshua:

This is Joshua's go-to vibe, old soul. He can sing, but this gets as old as any of the other one-note Idols. At least Adele, Wineheezy, Duffy etc. put some kind of modern spin on the old classics. This kid is kind of a simple-minded singing Savant, he'll never be original, just someone's puppet.

JLo picked BB Chez' first song: Mariah Carey? Smoke pimpin' on stage. Smart of them to slow BB Chez down --and yet, is she ahead of the song? A little off-key? It sure sounds like nerves to me. I am not loving this… Joshua was better. It got better in spots, but it was too freaking' melismatic to me -- it sounded like Elise. 

They are trying to put a positive spin on it, but I am beginning to LOVE how Steven Tyler infuses double meanings in his critique. "People hang on (Jessica's) every note" -- yeah, they do, especial when they are cringe-worthy.

I was not familiar with Steven T's pick for Phillip. Wow, this actually sounds like a song we'd hear on the radio, imagine that. This was the most entertaining of the three, to me. He's going to win, no doubt, right? How funny he gives the finger to them week after week. After Taylor Hicks and Phil, Idol is going to ban the color Gray.

ROUND TWO: CONTESTANT'S CHOICE

Joshua goes home to Louisiana. All he talks about is his dad (a preacher), his Church, and Son of a Preacher Man plays behind it. Then he sings "Imagine"? WTF? It's a song about humanism/atheism at it's core, Joshua. Regardless, it's another cookie-cutter performance, good but forgettable. Now it's Randy's turn to couch the truth ("what does this song mean to you?) in a rambling critique. Is Idol Punking us?

Jessica hasn't seen her friends and family in months? Frickin' San Diego is a two hour drive from LA, tops. At least she had a better turnout than Katherine McPhee. She's doing a lame 90s Aerosmith tune. Did she flub the lyrics up front? Wow, this devolved into a shrieky mess to me. The judges should all win Emmys for the bullshit they're selling.

Phillip: irony here is, the guy with the rotten-gut medical condition gets a greasy plate of Nachos free for life. Love how they have his fans corralled in a Dog Run at the airport. Love that his Dad is packing heat in the Pawn Shop! Hot Sax Chick alert! A Matchbox 20 song. Again, a FAR better fit than the others. How out of touch are the judges? The AUDIENCE gave him a standing O, then they want to slam him. So contrived and scripted.

JIMMY'S CHOICE

Joshua gets Mary J Blige. Thank you Jimmy, this FINALLY sounded like a modern song. Too bad Joshua seemed lost for most of it. Do people really just want to see him go batshit on the end of a song? It was a bit anticlimactic. Even the judges couldn't muster the fake standing O. Still, they heap praise on him. What I don't get is, what do TPTB hope to achieve? 

Jessica, with the plug for A T & T. This time, Jimmy goes old school, Jackson's I'll Be There. The song is right in her range, no doubt. Best of the night for her. She needs sing these melodic songs! Jimmy just bought her a few million votes. Jessica gave Randy a great Bitch Face.

Phil: Jimmy picked Bob Seger. Wow, another great pick. Phil truly surprised me -- that was amazing. So tender, and he had a kind of moment. I think he has this thing sewn up. Not much to say, for whatever it's worth, he was consistently good tonight.

Watching the recap, it looks like the Phillip - Jessica show. I don't know if she has the votes, but it's my bet Joshua is gone. 

 -- K

California Dreamin

So...I'm a little unsure of the theme tonight - Songs about California or done by people from California? That seems like a real stretch, I just get the feeling that you can manipulate any song to fit one of those two. Wow...have we really run out of themes? First up - Phil Phillips doing CCR AND he's doing "Have you ever seen the rain", one of my favorite songs..and surprisingly enough I don't hate it. I like the fact that he actually stuck to the melody for the most part...although he was stretching in parts, showing that he doesn't have much of a range. However, the song really showcased his personality which is his #1 selling point. Second - Hollie - Journey - Faithfully. My initial though was this is a great song chice for her, however, when she starts singing, it sounds shaky to me and way under her range. She's struggling. It gets better when we get to the more power ballad elements but overall it was not great. The judges LOVED it....I didn't Third - Joshua - Josh Groban "You lift me up". Total AI type song, although I"m not sure if its been performed before, allthough I have to believe it has. This is a great song and a great choice by Joshua. Perhaps because it is such a Groban iconic song, I don't love Joshua's version...it comes across waaaay too gospelly for me. Fourth - Jessica doing Etta James. Really stupid song choice for her. AI is not a venue for this type of bluesy/jazzy song. She sang it great, but it is going to get lost by most of the AI crowd. I actually thought that she was great, but I'm going to place her second in Round 1. Round 1 rankings - Phillip (Yes....believe it or not, I'm giving round 1 to Phillip), Jessica, Joshua and Hollie Duet #1 - "This love" - Joshua is perfect for this song....not so much for Phillip. Duet #2 - What is this? Reminds me of Dolly Parton in the 70's from her variety show with the swings on the stage. Not as good as the guys. I thought it was quite funny when Joshua and Phillip came out and got in the swings. Round #2 - Phillip - It was good...but not as great as the judges wanted it to be Hollie - By and large I agreed with the judges...it was classic personality-less Hollie doing a big ballad song. I disagreed with Randy though...I thought the song choice was perfect...I just wasn't buying it. In many ways the song told the story of Hollie's journey "I can't make you love me....if you don't". In THAT sense, I think she sold the song. Joshua - absolutely outstanding....THAT was an Idol moment. Jessica - a bit oversung...but still pretty damn good.... Round 2 - Joshua, Jessica, Phillip, Hollie Overall - Edge to Joshua, Jessica, Phillip and Hollie. Hollie is a goner... America's bottom 2 - Hollie and Jessica Computer about to die....so I gotta rush the end here....Rubbertoe....out!

Sing Hard With A Vengeance

Songs from California/Songs You Wish You Wrote? Again with the wacky nebulous themes. Just sing anything, OK? Don't pretend this is a theme. Otherwise, what would Phil and Josh sing?

Phil: CCR , Have You Ever Seen The Rain. First a shout-out to Hot Sax Girl LOL. This arrangement sucked. Phil was Phil, so his core couldn't care less. What's up with JLo's hair and Randy's jacket? Scary. I love how week after week Steven makes back-handed compliments to Phil that actually slam him.

Hollie: wait--did they pull a fast one on us in her audition? I recall the crying rejection was played THIS year, and Dr. L did not remember her wearing a hat. That's some blatant manipulation, Idol, jeez. 

She's doing Journey, Faithfully. When will Idols stop picking these songs that waste half the time on no build? This was shaky and boring for 80 percent, then decent for the end. They praised her, why? JLo is totally reading a script-- and I swear, her emotion is knowing Hollie just blew it.

What's with everyone wearing a "6" pin?

hm, BB Chez gets pimp spot again? Also, what's with Jason D's neck brace? His Coke song still sucks, regardless. 

Joshua: clueless, I suspect, when it comes to real music bizness. He talks like a 10-year old kid, with "feelings"-- get busy winnin' or get busy goin' home, Joshua. A Grobin song. Maybe the best thus far but that ain't saying much. They praise it-- again, weepy JLo and script reading.

Jessica: Hm, over singing even at age 5. Etta James Steal Away. Hot Sax Girl alert!

Incomprehensible lyrics. And, holy shit, could she pick an older song? I think this was a bad choice. They WANT her to stay, but apparently aren't going to help in any way. Now it's Randy's turn with the back-hand compliment: the sing the phone book comment--doesn't that mean 'this song is crap but remember the voice'?

Round Two:

Duet 1: couldn't say, we FF'd past it. I'm tired of the padding.

Duet 2: they slam them? Idol, you won't have a girl win if you don't pimp them.

Adam Shankman seems like a tool. Seacrest's GF has a big part in his film? Then he's a corporate tool! I do want to see this film, though. 

Great fake out with Ryan and the note!

Group song-- FF'd.

Phil: Volcano. Jimmy loved it. I have to agree. The closest to a real moment, maybe all year. I think Phil just won this thing. Randy even spoke wisdom: sometimes the smaller moments speak louder.

Hollie: I Can't Make You Love Me. It was good-- and we cant tell what she's doing any worse than BB Chez-- but they're throwing her under the bus. So, she's gone.

Joshua: yeah he's wacky. HOT SAX CHICK! Ha. James Brown song. Good song choice. He's definitely a throw-back guy. Phil & Josh definitely got the memo this week. He's like a musical savant.

BB Chez: something from Dreamgirls. Oh Jesus, this looks like it could be awful. Parts are good, but a whole lot was shouty. I've heard 3-4 versions on Idol better than this. It would be my dream come true if she DID go home after singing this LOL. But she won't.

B2: Hollie and Jessica. Going home: Hollie.

Gimme A Ticket For An AeroPLAAANe

Idol -- what the hell is the theme? They used to pick easily recognizable ones. This was something about British Pop and whatever.

Little Steven was so fun with Jimmy. I always expect him to whack somebody now, though.

First Round

Hollie: River Deep, Mountain High. Usually, I hate this song, because Idols like it and usually butcher it. I actually liked Hollie's take on it a lot. She really showed the stamina that is lacking in virtually all the remaining contestants, because she shook her money maker and never lost breath (see Jessica). But they put her in the KOD spot, so even though they praised her, she could get forgotten.

BTW, do we have to have this be TWO HOURS, Idol? Didn't they start paring it down by now in seasons past? This is a lot to ask of us, assholes.

Phil: The Letter. We actually liked this. It was in Phil's groove. Funny how Little Steven responded to his don't-give-a-shit attitude as "artistry". But here it clicked.

Skylar: Fortunate Son. She was working her ass off to over-perform a song that she had no idea was about. Total disconnect for me. I told Dr. L she could have been singing the alphabet, and it would have sounded the same. I didn't like it, but maybe it resonated with the Southern voters. She worked it like it was a hoedown, not a protest song.

Jessica: Proud Mary. Ha! This sucked, but was entertaining in the way she hopped around like she was stepping onto a bed of blazing hot coals in those ridiculous heels. It was screechy, and she was completely phoning in a Tina Turner dance thing. Just laughably bad, and you know it when Randy tries to throw the first comment to someone else.

Joshua: Ain't Too Proud To Beg. God Almighty, that outfit is crazy. It's a totally Karaoke performance, not especially bad, but completely forgettable. I will never forget that jacket, however. They praise him as if he's the second coming of Marvin Gaye or something. I don't get it.

BTW, I got a good look at what was on the judges tables, that they read every night now. It's typed up, so it's definitely not "notes". It's Nigel's script, no doubt.

Round Two:

Hollie: Some Leona Lewis song. Dr L says this is very popular, so maybe it's a great choice. I think she did another fantastic job. If the award goes to consistency, then Hollie wins the night. But we all know it's down to personalities now, and she'll be hazily forgotten after the "big" moments coming after this.

Phil: Time of the Season. This is not one of those moments. I applaud Phil for actually toying with a melody for once, but holy crap that was uncomfortable when he tried to hit the highs. The judges were trying not to comment on it it but, I think everybody felt the pain. If he didn't pull the usual Phil faces when he did it we wouldn't be grimacing as hard. Mostly a Fail.

Skylar: You Don't Have To Say You Love Me. The first part was actually good. She can sing, damn it. But then she couldn't stand it, and had to screech out the "power" section. Ironically, she had more real power when she was restrained. Still, far better than her first number. Some medium pimpin'.

Jessica: You Are So Beautiful. Wow, reminded me that she can actually sing. Even though she tried to ruin it at the end with the overblown melisma, she built up so much good will on the front end, it was forgivable. Great song choice TPTB made for her. She should forget the stupid Beyonce/BB Chez bullshit and just try to sing. JLo tried to do a mea culpa about using the save on her, as if this justified it. Yeah, this was great, but we had to suffer though weeks of shitty songs from her to get here again. This, with the smoke, candles, and the reclining pose wins the pimp award of the night.

Joshua: To Love Somebody? Another attempt at a "moment". MUCH better than the first song, but he's been better than this. He and many of the Idols this year degenerate into predictable tics at the end of songs, the same runs, etc. This was no exception. He just throws some generic soul-scat on the end and calls it a day, as his eyeballs get red from the strain. Then they fawn all over it: best singer of the last 50 years? I want some of that crack you're smoking JLo, it's powerful stuff.

Bottom three? Should be Phil, Josh, and BB Chez.
Probably will be Hollie, Skylar and Jessica, though, with BB Chez going home (or maybe that's just my fantasy at this point).

A Tale of two cities: Phillip and the Pimp

Tonight was a clear example of a very good singer and a very poor one. It couldn't have been any more obvious tonight. First up....Hollie. I like the advice that they give her "Act as if the judges don't know anything and that you don't care what people think". This is the best advice that they could give Hollie....and she brings it out and brings it on. Excellent on all levels. Although...the little Hollie sashay is about the only dance move that she knows. Phil - What can I say...Phil does his one note version of a song again....completely bastardizes the song and shows zero originality...just another Phil Phillips version of a classic song. The routine is old. America is getting this one way wrong. I'm also getting really tired of the same face pulling that he does everytime they preview him before the break....Really Phil? Come up with something new....and Randy keeps talking about how "original" this guy is?....two words....c'mon. Skylar - Skylar is the "rebel" in this group? ...um....ok. She seems to be trying too hard in her performance. This is not her genre and is shows. This is not good.....Skylar is going to have to really kick it up in round 2 or shes a goner for sure....wow...the judges praised her. I completely disagree with their assessment here. What...Randy....no "She's gotta have it"? Joshua/Phillip Duet; Um.....this is going to be interesting. Wow....its so obviously in this song that one of these guys can really sing and the other not so much. Was this song picked to expose Phil's lack of musical ability? Jessica - Proud Mary...wow...don't know about this....LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress. This song is starting off very badly for her. oh no...this is really really bad. I love the back up singser and the horns, but this is just not a good song choice for her. There is nothing good about this song...her vocal is bad and her performance seems completely forced. Joshua - This is completely his genre. Joshua has to whole package here. Perfect vocals and he's showing a lot more stage presence each week. I think that he is probably the most talkented one in the competition, but he's not going to win. Round 1 (Best to Worst) Joshua Hollie Phil Skylar Jessica Second Round Hollie - wow...Hollie is on tonight. Beautiful vocal. Very strong performance and a nice contrast to his first song. Great job. She's reminding me of a young Celine Dion tonight. Randy is 100% correct. Hollie has been a dark horse all year, but tonight she seems to be peaking. It will be interesting to see if tonight was the peak. Phil - Time of the season - Ok...people....turn your head and LISTEN to the music without watching how cute he is. THAT was probably the worst singing ever on AI. Absolutely horrendous. That performance alone should send him packing. Skylar - Much better than round 1. What were those two weird people sitting on the bench...ok...that was just weird. Overall performance was good, but probably enough to redeem her here. Jessica - Much better than the first performance. Vocally it was very good. But I think that Jessica is going to be in big trouble tonight. Joshua - Major pimping of Joshua tonight....from the pimp spot the the heaping of praise. I actually liked his first song better. However, he clearly was the best of the night Round 2 - (Best of Worst) Joshua Jessica Hollie Skylar Phil Overall (Best to Worst) Joshua Hollie Skylar Jessica Phil Bottom 3 should be Phillip, Jessica and Skylar America's bottom 3 - Skylar, Jessica and Hollie Going Home - There is no mercy...and America clearly has Zero taste. Should be Phillip by a mile. However, it will either be Skylar or Jessica.....I'm torn...but I'm going to say Jessica. The Best of times....the worst of times.