American Idol Season Eight

[dvdjunkie]

You are in Canada, and no eligible to vote, last I heard. So why ruin it for those of who do care about what is going on with the show. Keep your little "insights" to yourself, and try not to spoil it for those who are truly fans of the show.

Damn Canucks!!!

[Widdi]

Just cause I don't physically dial the number doesn't mean I don't vote. I have people to do that for me.

Hell I voted in your presidential election.

But I shall try to keep my inside info to myself from now on.

and Canucks rule!

[dvdjunkie]

Alright, now we have the Top 13, and it all starts for real next Tuesday night. I have my favorites, and I still think that Lil Rounds has raised the bar pretty high, and she could win the whole thing.

Anoop, and Scott MacIntyre will have their share of votes, and I really think it is a pretty balanced lineup this year.

As the old saying goes, "Hold On I think we are in for a bumpy ride!", and I am sure that it will all be fun.

[Widdi]

Hmm.

Still Say: Worst. Season. Ever.

Nobody screams "I will sell millions of albums" sure there are good singers, but nobody with that thing that will give them a Clarkson or Underwood level of success. And there are a lot of people in that top 13 who probably wouldn't be if we used the other format of the Top 36 round.

Still, I love me some Anoop!

[Disney's Divinity]

I'm not trying to be negative, because I think there are several people who really are good this year, but there's way too many people getting in that don't really deserve it, imo. Scott MacIntyre, Danny Gokey, and Michael won with their sob stories, and only slightly good voices; Megan whoever, Jasmine Murray, and Anoop who've all sounded horrible the past three weeks. The only reason this pisses me off is that people I actually do like, and who actually do what they're supposed to and sing good, get the shaft. Excuse me while I vent.

Matt Giraud I didn't want to make it, but he did near-perfect last night so I could accept him. I also didn't understand all that nonsense they were going on about Von Smith, who I thought did fantastic this time. Ricky Braddy similarly did fantastic with a song that I didn't really care for. Megan sucked. She just did. With the horrible "Black and Cherry Tree," jutting around the stage and sounding all over the place. She didn't deserve to make it and I hope she goes first.

*breathes*

Anyway, Allison Irahura, Kris Allen and Jorge Nunez are the only people I'm really looking forward to. Maybe I'll change my mind (last year, I didn't like David Cook in the beginning), but at the moment I'm disappointed.

[katemonster]

Go anoop! He went to chapel hill with some of my friends, apparently he's really nice...

[dvdjunkie]

Widdi wrote:

Still Say: Worst. Season. Ever.

Looks like we are going to war again this season. You say the same thing every season, "Oh, this is the worst!", but I think you will come around to see what the judges see.

In the seven previous seasons I am learning what they are looking for in an 'Idol', and those people that you seem to like, don't have that "C" factor that Simon is looking for. I think until you or I are making as much money as Simon Cowell or Randy Jackson, we just need to watch and learn, and we will soon be able to judge for ourselves who will be the next American Idol.

This season there are a lot of favorites, but I think that popularity is what a lot of us look at. I like Anoop, because he is honest and sincere in his reasons for doing what he is doing. I don't think he has the potential to be the Idol because of a lot of things that I won't go into. He will be around for a couple of weeks, no more than that.

Lil Rounds right now is my favorite for the next American Idol, but there are a couple of others, who have the potential to push her to the finish. I think that the girls are stronger this year than the guys, and could very well be happy with a final four that is all female.

Season Eight should prove to be a real good year for American Idol, and the addition of the fourth judge I think will bring new insight as to what they are looking for in the next 'American Idol'.

Watch and learn.

And don't forget to vote!!!!

[dvdjunkie]

It was the "Lil Rounds and Danny Gokey" show tonight on American Idol. They blew the roof of the building with their performances. It was Michael Jackson night and each of the Top 13 performed a Michael Jackson song to the best of their ability.

Lil Rounds went on stage first with her rendition of "The Way You Make Me Feel", and rocked the house, and the judges.

Scott MacIntyre was up next, and he brought his soul into "Keep The Faith". And they judges were liking it, but middle of the road as far as how long he is going to be around.

Danny Gokey took the stage and nailed "Pretty Young Thing" and the judges declared him an early candidate for the final Four.

Michael Sarver was forgettable with his rendition of "You're Not Alone".

Jasmine Murry did not show any reason for us to vote for her to bring her back for a second round when she screwed up "I'll Be There".

Kris Allen, his guitar and his smile were next, and that is about all I remember.

Allison Iraheta, the 16-year-old bombshell, ripped a Jackson tune apart and had the judges saying that the bar has been raised pretty high.

Anoop Desai will probably not be around after tomorrow night with his karaoke version of "Beat It".

Jorge Nunez picked the wrong song according to the judges when he sang "Never Can Say Goodbye".

Megan Joy Corkery was her perky self, but again she picked the wrong song, as Simon said, it 'was dreadful', when she sang "Rockin' Robin".

Adam Lambert showed his is a contender for the title this year when he did "Black or White".

Matt Giraud and Alexis Grace closed the show with two great show stoppers. I don't remember those titles at all, but they had me up jumping on the couch.

Tomorrow night, Kanye West is going to be a guest star, and we will learn about the new rules for American Idol, and we will lose two members of the Top Thirteen, probably one guy and one gal. That's usually how they work it.

First week has been really impressive, and it is truly anyone's title to win. Whoever doesn't bring it all every week will be going home.

My predictions for this week, and they are usually wrong, are Anoop Desai and Jasmine Murry.

[Widdi]

My after show rundowns will be posted later than they have in the past.

So MJ week kicked off the season. Meh. Despite a few standout performances it was a very mediocre week as far as I'm concerned. I had a few shocks (me like Lambert?) and a few disappoints (Why Anoop, why?) but all and all a very by the numbers week. Oh and can I just ask why Paula didn't scrape that dead seagull off her neck after it collided with her?

My rankings:

1. Adam Lambert - First time I've ever liked him. He has stage presence, though not surprising, any good queen can work a stage; still his voice didn't enter the shrill zone this time. I don't think he would have anything but a flash in the pan career as a solo artist, but maybe with a band he could be around for a few years.

2. Lil Rounds - I like Lil, she can sing. She isn't the second coming of Aretha by any means, but she can sing. Still a bit boring and I'd like her to break out of the R&B mold that she and so many past idols like her before have placed themselves in. A solid performance.

3. Allison Iraheta - Calling out the emo cutters totally made me love her. Besides that she did a great job with her song.

4. Kris Allen - A fun performance. He does kinda look like a cute little monkey though doesn't he?

5. Danny "My wife is dead" Gokey - Kudos for not shoving the dead wife down out throats this week, one more sob story in the intro videos and I would have turned the TV off. Still his Brady Bunch family creeped me out a bit. Anywho... Good vocals but Simon was right when he called the dancing atrocious.

6. Michael Sarver - The big surprise of the night was that Sarver proved he might actually deserve that spot in the top 13... er well he still has a way to go before I'll admit that. It was his best performance to date.

7. Anoop Desai - I'm a little biased, yes, but still. Not the worst of the night by any means. His mistake was choosing one of the 4 untouchable MJ songs (Ben, Thriller and Billie Jean being the others). It wouldn't of mattered how good he sang it it still would have sounded terrible.

8. Matt Giraud - I really despise his type of voice, so I'm probably never going to like him. Surprisingly I did like him more than some of the others tonight though.

9. Alexis Grace - Yell at me some more please! That is all.

10. Scott MacIntyre - Meh. That pretty much sums it up.

11. Jasmine Murray - *YAWN*

12. Megan Joy Corkrey - Every year there is someone who's inclusion in the Top 12/13 boggles my brain. This year it is she who has that...er... honor. The girl has never sang anything I've liked. Please get rid of her now so that my ears may be allowed to live.

13. Jorge Nunez - A mess, a complete an utter mess. Talk about karaoke... that was karaoke. I nearly muted my TV.

My bottom 4 predicitions: Anoop, Jorge, Megan and Jasmine.

Who goes home? Not Anoop. His fanbase will spare him at this point. The only way I can see him going is if this "twist", which I shall discuss later, is that the judges get to pick one of the two leaving. If he does go does he deserve it, yes, but he won't.

Any of the other three are my bets, but if I pick two I will pick Jorge and Jasmine.

Oh and in case you were wondering why they didn't use "1-866-idols-13" for Alexis' number it's because Fox doesn't own the number. The number is actually owned (and answered) by a phone sex company. I feel bad for those poor kids who hit 13 instead of 36. That is why Ryan kept putting so much emphasis on people not calling it.

Now about this "Twist". There has been a rumor going around about this twist since auditions were airing and no dvdjunkie I won't be saying just what that rumor is. I will say that if it is true I am done with AI forever. Simon is absolutely right, America will hate it and there is absolutely no way to make sure it is implemented fairly. I'll talk more about it after tonight's show.

[Disney's Divinity]

You know, Michael Jackson week sounded good in theory, but... It was pretty boring last night.

I think Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, Allison and Alexis did the best that I remember. Michael actually impressed me. Not enough to make me root for him to win or anything, but he wasn't totally hate-able.

I agree with Widdi on Adam. I like him much better for not "shrilling" ( ). I would actually like to see him do a slower, more serious song sometime soon. Lil and Matt were also good, though their spins on MJ songs were not the genres I enjoy really.

Allison I love, but her hair kind of got on my nerves. And Kris is lovably cute and has a really beautiful voice too, imo (I hate crushing, especially on the unavailable, but for God's sake-- ).

I honestly hope Jorge Nunez doesn't go home yet. I know he didn't do good last night, but I adore him and want him to stay at least another few weeks.

The only person I'm certain I want to leave is Megan. Didn't like her before, and I don't like her now (this year's Kristy Lee Cook, huh?). And I wouldn't be surprised if Anoop went home. I don't dislike him--he seems nice--but he's been boring since he got through Hollywood week. Besides that, maybe Jasmine?

And I really have no feelings on Scott or Danny. Neither were great. But not bad enough to go home either. Still, I do know that neither of their voices are my cup of tea.

[Jack Skellington]

OMG, what is it with you guys and Megan !!

She's got a great voice, it's so distinct, it's like listening to Amy Winehouse or Duffy on the radio, you know straight away who's singing, I certainly don't want to see her leave the show.

But I do agree with Widdi, Adam gave the best performance of the night.

Alisson Liharta also was one of the best, Danny and Lil Rounds were good too, and yeah, Lil could turn out to be really boring if she's gonna keep picking all those lame R&B songs.

[Widdi]

Coincidentally JS, I hate both Amy Winehouse and Duffy.

I'm two for two in terms of predictions and even got all the bottom four right! Woot.

The twist isn't exactly what was spoiled, but I'm still not happy about it. Not angry enough to quit watching, but still not happy.

On to the Top 11!

[Disney's Divinity]

I actually like the "twist." I've seen way too many people go when I don't really think they should have. Like that year where Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson and Latoya were all in the bottom (I might be mixing up seasons though). And it's not like they'll get to do it too many times, just once. Having it be unanimous is also a good thing--because they'll really deserve another chance if Simon decides to help them.

Anyway, I'm kind of disappointed in who left. I was really hoping Megan would go instead of Jasmine (or Jorge). And too bad Jorge couldn't have survived one more week or so. He wouldn't have won, but I still liked him.

[AwallaceUNC]

Go anoop! He went to chapel hill with some of my friends, apparently he's really nice...

Ditto! Maybe we have mutual friends.

-Aaron

[Disney's Divinity]

Tonight surprised me. Some people I never payed attention to or hadn't previously liked did really good, imo. The best of the night for me include: Kris, Scott, Adam, Alexis, Matt and even Danny ( ). Out of the rest, I thougt Anoop was boring, Megan was horrible as always, Michael didn't really give enough performance for his song, Lil didn't put enough emotion into hers and the Patty Loveless song just wasn't good for Allison (who I like best overall). I hope Michael or Megan go.

Alexis and Danny especially surprised me. Mostly because I've always hated "Jolene" and "Jesus Take The Wheel." Both their covers sound better than the originals for me (no offense, Dolly! I love you!).

[AwallaceUNC]

My rankings for tonight:

1. Anoop - What a comeback! Best of the night by a mile.

2. Kris - Great vocal

3. Allison - This girl can wail!

4. Matt G. - Not my favorite of his performances but he's really good and would clearly have an immediate identity as an artist.

5. Danny - The first half was horrible, the chorus was much better (but still spotty). He's usually really good but this was his worst night by far.

6. Adam - I used to like him but grow increasingly annoyed by him each week. Tonight's was over the top and laid on the line everything that irks me about him. He may have weirded himself out of a lot of votes.

7. Alexis - Just alright... no big problems but no big thrills either. I think she's been forgettable every week, with the lone exception of "Dirty Diana"

8. Lil Rounds - I don't understand the fascination with her. Her voice may be big but there's no consistency with her, and it's not even that big. She's no J-Hud; she's not even Lakisha.

9. Megan - She's beautiful but too off-beat for her own good... her awkward shuffle and whiney style are boring and that tattoo is difficult to look at (somebody get her some sleeves).

10. Scott - Two words: Sympathy vote. Sorry, but his voice is mediocre at best and I can't think of another explanation for his sticking around.

11. Michael - He's been the worst part of the show since the top 36. Country is supposed to be his thing and he still managed to deliver the worst performance of the night. Where was the melody? He just talked the lyrics. Absolutely awful.


My prediction: Megan goes home with no save from the judges. Joining her in the Bottom 3 (if they announce it): Michael and Scott.


-Aaron

[Jack Skellington]

I can't see Megan leaving the show. I don't want the next American idol to be the new Mary J Blidge or the new Justin Timberlake, one is enough.

That's why I want someone like Megan or Adam to win, they're unique.

Adam could have done way better, but hey it's country music night, not rock night, so that's why it didn't work out well for him.

[Widdi]

This, this is why I despise theme weeks. No one in this group, not even Oil Rig Sarver is a Country Music artist, so why have a "Grand Ol' Opry" theme week? They keep saying Idol isn't glorified Karaoke, but when they do stuff like this it's hard to believe that.

And was it just me or was Paula more incoherent than usual last night? Ah well...

And Randy Travis was completely useless, but that was a given. Still I wish Norman Gentle could have been there to sing "Dear Penis" That my dear internet acquaintances would have been entertaining.

Anyways, onto the rankings:

1. Anoop Desai - Anoop Dog brought it home this week! Excellent performance, though not as entertaining as past songs.

2. Allison Iraheta - She's good, why is she so unpopular? Oh yeah she has no personality... Trash Emo kids again please.

3. Kris Allen - His monkey-like facial expressions put an ugly mark on an otherwise excellent number. Evolutionists need to study him cause I think he could be the missing link...

4. Matt Giraud - Still does nothing for me, but it was good. I fell asleep while he was being judged though so he can't be all that captivating.

5. Megan Joy - What happened to her last name? Anyways it was actually pretty good. I still don't like her though. See DVDjunkie I'm not a complete VFTW devotionist cause they are loving her right now.

6. Adam Lambert - Gay porn face much? XD Sue me I liked it. Probably because I believe that there is no more overrated artist in the history of music than Johnny Cash. The sounds my cat makes in the litter box are more enjoyable than most Cash albums...

7. Lil Rounds - I hated it, I just hated it less than the others below her.

8. Scott MacIntyre - Pity votes is right Aaron. I have never liked him and still don't. Boring and mediocre to the ninth degree.

9. Danny Gokey - It was funny cause usually I bitch about Simon bitching about contestants clothing but Danny looked utterly ridiculous in that puffy white coat last night and it was highly distracting. Not as distracting as the bad vocals... which despite the judges half-assed pimping were not good in the second half. Speaking whale does not equal singing. Oh and I hate the song cause it reminds me of this picture I once saw of a car that had crashed into a tree that said "Drive by Faith, Not Sight."

I know the car is a metaphor for life but it's still funny.

10. Alexis Grace - When I heard she was singing "Jolene" I was excited and then she sang it and I was sad.

11. Michael Sarver - The country guy gives the worst performance on country night. Ironic.

Bottom 3: Michael, Alexis, Megan

Going Home: Michael Sarver

Will the Judges Save Him? Unless his name suddenly becomes Danny Gokey then no.

[dvdjunkie]

Not withstanding my experience in the industry, which most of you would never understand, I think you are looking at these contestants very one sided. You are looking at them doing the music you want it done, rather than what is being done in the medium today.

That being said - It was all Anoop Desai last night as he brought down the house with "You Were Always On My Mind". Man, where did that come from? He was spot on and made the song his own. Great job, Anoop.

Scott, Danny, Allyson, and Kris were all excellent, and I agree that if he makes it another week, Scott needs to raise the bar on his performance or he is finished.

My least favorite of the night was Michael Sarver. I think his was the most karaoke performance of the night.

My prediction for a bottom three - Michael, Megan, and Alexis.

[Jack Skellington]

Ha... Megan wasn't even in the bottom three !

I'm surprised that Alison was though, but that's probably a suspense tactic that AI use, in order to have us watch those annoying Ads.

I think Motown night would be perfect for Meg, I hope you guys change your mind next week.