American Idol Season Eight

[Disney's Divinity]

May I also add that Adam's performance of "Mad World" was NOT original. Just like David Cook's "Billie Jean" last year the arrangement is fairly well known, especially among us Donnie Darko enthusiasts.

Didn't make either cover any less brilliant. Simon hate much? He did seem a bit ill tonight.

Anyway, Allison, Adam and Kris did the best of the night (these are my predicted, and hopeful, top three of this season). Kris picked a beautiful song, too. I don't care for Anoop, though he did okay (not as good as Bryan Adams though). Lil strangely only sounded good in the gospel section of the song, although it seemed like she was missing all kinds of notes to me--"The Rose" is a favorite of mine, and I was right in guessing she'd muck it up. Matt is my favorite for fourth, and I agreed with the judges that he sounded great pre-bridge.

Also, did anyone notice how Simon was making fun of Kara during one of her critiques? With her lip pouting? I love Simon.

Anyway, I hope Lil goes. She's the one who deserves to. I know she wouldn't be saved. And there's no denying that this show is part popularity contest, but that is a part of making it. You can't sell anything if noone likes you. But you have to sing at least reasonably well or be hot. And American Idol's definitely put out many people who do have talent as well as charisma.

[Widdi]

Not Simon hate, just I don't think he is as great as he thinks he is. And I don't like it when he calls something original when it isn't. It's like praising the person who sits in museums and paints a copy of an original by saying "wow your painting is amazing" when it's not their painting in the first place.

And don't get me wrong, popularity is a big part of it, but the judges flat out refuse to acknowledge that. It is a singing competition they say and that isn't remotely true.

Geez you people are so defensive. I still like this show despite it's numerous flaws and just cause I point them out doesn't make me a hater. It just makes me not a lemming.

[AwallaceUNC]

What an awful night. Bad song choices and performances all around. Anoop was the night's winner and the only one I really liked this week.

I "tweeted" my thoughts on my Twitter feed as I watched the show: http://twitter.com/aaronspod I'll just put my rankings here:

1. Anoop
2. Allison
3. Kris
4. Danny
5. Matt
6. Adam
7. Lil Rounds

My votes went for Anoop (30, Allison (5), and Kris (5).

Prediction: Lil Rounds, Matt, and Allison in the bottom three with Lil Rounds going home and no save from the judges.

-Aaron

[dvdjunkie]

As usual Aaron, you are off kilter here with what went on last night on "Idol". It probably was the best show in the season, so far, and Quentin Tarentino offered some really constructive criticisms to each of the contestants.

Lil Rounds showed that she is not paying attention to any of the judges and went out and gave a performance of "The Rose" that will probably find her going home this week. Even standing up to Simon didn't help her cause.

The show was the Three "A's" show last night as they opened with Allison Iraheta tearing up Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss A Thing" from "Armageddon". She took this song, and made it her own, with gusto, and raised the bar for the rest of the show.

Anoop 'Dog' Desai then brought his touch to Bryan Adams' song from "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves" - "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)" and set Kara and Randy back in their seats. One of the best performances of his stay here on 'Idol'.

Adam Lambert didn't show Quentin much, but when the lights went on and the music kicked in gear, "Born to Be Wild" from "Easy Rider", was a show-stopper. Not quite as good as last week's "Mad World", but enough to keep him safe for another week.

Matt Giraud solidified his place in the bottom three with a very soulful version of "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" from the movie "Don Juan de Marco". It was an okay performance but not good enough to keep him solidly in the running.

Danny Gokey could have stopped the show last night, but instead gave a rather 'generic' performance of Lionel Richie's "Endless Love" from the movie of the same name. Danny will be safe, as he is probably going to be the only one to give Allison a run for her money for the title.

Kris Allen was horrid. He picked an obscure song from a very obsccure movie "Once", and then didn't add anything new to it all. I really think he will be in the bottom three tonight.

As mentioned before Lil Rounds has not listened to anything the judges have offered her in the way of criticism, but still did a so-so version of Bette Midler's "The Rose", also from the movie of the same name. When Lil tried out for the show, I thought she was the one to beat, but now I truly believe that she is going to be going home tonight, with no possible save from the judges.

Tonight Academy Award winning "Idol" Jennifer Hudson and Disney's own Miley Cyrus will be the performance guest stars on the results show. Should be a really good show, Miley is going to sing "The Climb".

Bottom three tonight should be Matt, Kris, and Lil. If Lil doesn't get the boot then it might be Kris.

[blackcauldron85]

Last night's episode was the only one I've watched of this season (I was hoping there would be at least one Disney song). Having not heard any of these people before, I had no favorites or preconceived notions at all.

The only ones that I really was sort-of impressed with were Allison and Adam. I liked Allison's voice, and I was so impressed with Adam's vocal range. At first I didn't think that Lil's song was too bad, but it got worse as she went on. Anoop wasn't bad, but that's one of my favorite songs, so if it's not super-amazing, I won't be impressed. Matt, Danny, and Kris were kind of boring.

I'll probably watch tonight, but only to watch Miley...I wonder if their group song will be a Disney song, though.

[dvdjunkie]

Well, it looks like all of us were WRONG!!!!

The judges used their save last night and kept Matt Giraud from going home. I don't think they would have used it if it was Lil Rounds.

The good news is that we will have seven participants next week, the bad news is that two will be eliminated from the competition, and even worse news it will be Disco Week on American Idol.

This should be a good show and chance for Matt, Kris, and Lil to show their stuff. I still think that the next person to go home will be one of the girls (Lil) and one of the guys (Matt). Unless they both step up and hit home runs with their performances.

My favorites right now are Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert, and Danny Gokey. Haven't really seen the next Idol in those three, but I will bet that it comes from one of them, probably Adam, because of this experience, but maybe we will vote in Allison because she is so darn talented, but she's only 16, and that may hurt her in the long run.

Did you see the article in the news about Kara taking Scott MacIntyre under her wing, and she is going to produce an album with him singing her songs. We, of course, will have to wait until after the summer tour for the CD to come out, but I really think that it will do well.

Speaking of former Idol winners, anyone here purchased the new Taylor Hicks CD?? It is truly amazing. Very good CD, I would say better by a mile than his first effort.

[Disney's Divinity]

I didn't like Hicks when he was on the show, and I don't like him now. Music-wise. He seemed okay as a person.

I agree with Simon, that Matt doesn't have a chance of winning, but it was either save someone this week or next week, because they can't do it once they get down to 5. Anyway, I hope Anoop and Lil go next week. It's to the point where I don't care how good or bad they sing on that night, because they're uninteresting overall.

As for who's going to win this year, I'm guessing it'll either be Kris or Allison. My bet's on Kris because he obviously has a huge fanbase because 1.) he's a good singer and 2.) he's hot. For some reason, Allison doesn't seem to be too popular, and I have no idea why. Adam is definitely talented, and easily the most memorable, but I can't picture him winning for some reason. Sort of like how Melinda Doolittle didn't win despite being the best in the beginning (maybe the fake stage personality is what did her in?). I wouldn't mind if Adam won, and he would deserve it for being the most-talked about this season, but I don't know.

[Disney's Divinity]

I'm surprised tonight was as good as it was, and it wasn't too good. Adam Lambert was really beautiful--this is the first love song ballad he's done that I've liked (didn't care for "Tracks of My Tears"). He's just great at nearly everything he does and I think it's a guarantee at this point that I'll buy his first CD regardless of whether he wins or not. The only other real stand-out was Allison. Unlike with Kris, I thought the arrangement was really well-done and she sounded great.

Kris and Matt I also enjoyed, but I don't think either were great tonight because both had bad song choices. I agree with Simon that Matt came off a tad desperate, but he still sounded awesome for that song.

Danny and Lil were the worst. Anoop was just blah. These three are my personal bottom three (though Matt will probably be back again) and I don't care which of the three go as long as Lil's one of them.

Also,

David Archuleta is back!!! He had a great first CD, and I'm glad he's doing "A Little Too Not Over You"--it's one of, if not the, best on his CD.

[AwallaceUNC]

I tweeted my reactions on Twitter as I watched. Here are my rankings for tonight:

1. Kris Allen - Amazing!! Can't wait to buy this

2. Allison Iraheta - Also very, very good. Disagree with the first three judges -- loved the arrangement, choreography, and vocals

3. Danny Gokey - Good vocals as usual, and I liked the "I can see clearly now" sampled lyric but the arrangement and his dancing were extremely old-fashioned. He's a great singer but he never impresses me and I could really care less if he stays or goes

4. Matt Giraud - Mediocre... singing wasn't bad, arrangement was bleh... fun but a little amateurish

5. Adam Lambert - Can't stand this guy anymore. He strolls out with a drastic re-arrangement and a lot of screaming and the judges just eat up that predictable routine again and again.

6. Anoop Desai - Still pulling for Anoop but this was ROUGH. Pitchy and terrible song choice. Maybe the new look can save him

7. Lil Rounds - Absolutely awful. So glad Kara called her on it this time (Randy still carried on with the "we know you can sing" routine -- really?? Do we know?? I'm not so sure...)

I really want Lil Rounds to go home and I think she will.

Prediction: Lil, Matt, and Anoop in the bottom three with Lil and Matt going home.

-Aaron

[dvdjunkie]

It is obvious Disney Divinity doesn't know good music when she hears it. She has it all wrong (and I may have also, because Disney Divinity might just be a guy, but that is such a girlie name I just assume it is a female).

Danny Gokey knocked "September" out of the park, and will be in the final four for sure.

The weakest this week were Lil Rounds, Matt Giraud, and Anoop Desai. And it is my prediction that they will be the bottom three with Lil and whoever going home, it doesn't really matter.

Kris really showed some originality with his song, "She Works Hard For The Money". If you remember, it was Disco Week, but that doesn't mean they had to do the songs in a Disco style, and that is where Kris, Adam and Danny had that going for them.

If the voting were over right now, Adam Lambert would probably be the American Idol, and Kris would be the runner up. My early pick for the Final Four are Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey, Alisson Iraheta, and Kris Allen.

Next week it is going to be the Final Five with only one girl in bunch.

[Widdi]

Yes, because only DVDjunkie knows what is good and what isn't...

Horrible night... Disco is all about the Dance Floor and none of these performances had me moving, except maybe to grab the remote and hit mute.

The Rankings:

1. Kris Allen
2. Allison Iraheta
3. Adam Lambert
4. Matt Giraud
5. Danny Gokey
6. Anoop Desai
7. Lil Rounds

So tired of hearing that Lil can sing and so sick of the judges metaphorical hard-on for Gokey. He's mediocre and boring and will fade away faster than Simon's holier than though farts.

Anoop disappointed again, and Matt proved the judges wasted the save (which I have a terrible feeling they are going to live to regret come tonight). Allison was good, but I didn't jump for joy at the arrangement and Adam is way better at the fast tracks than the slow ballads.

Bottom 4 Predictions: Matt, Anoop, Lil and Allison

Going Home: Anoop and Allison. Just a hunch.

[dvdjunkie]

Widdi wrote:

Yes, because only DVDjunkie knows what is good and what isn't...

My Dear Mr. Widdi:

On my resume it shows that back in the 60's and early 70's I was responsible for producting 3 singles and 1 LP (those are records for those too young to understand) that, in total, sold over 15 million copies.

So with that in my background, I think I am a pretty decent judge of what fresh talent is, and what it is not.

If you were born after 1980, then you will probably not recognize 'originality' in its freshest form, and these seven young singers on American Idol are all trying their best (all but one, and we know who she is), and they listen to what the judges say (again all but one, and we know who she is) and try to bring a fresh slant to their next audition.

American Idol is about finding that 'new star' on the horizon and seeing how far they can take their dream. Agree or disagree with the judges, it is the American people who vote that decide who the next 'Idol' will be, not you, and definitely not me.

And Aaron, if you spend less time 'twittering' and more time watching you might understand what American Idol is all about. It is about the auditions, because that is what each week is, an audition to prove that they are the next American Idol. (Besides 'twittering' is getting very old in a hurry and doesn't have any relevance to what is one is watching on television anyway)!! Just my opinion, though.

[Disney's Divinity]

It is obvious Disney Divinity doesn't know good music when she hears it. She has it all wrong (and I may have also, because Disney Divinity might just be a guy, but that is such a girlie name I just assume it is a female).

High praise, indeed.

Also, if Danny does make it to the top four (which I hope he doesn't), I hope that's as far as he goes.

Matt proved the judges wasted the save

Well, they either used it last week or this week, and they were just giving him another week because that's the best they could do with their save. Simon admitted Matt had no chance of winning.

And I really hope you're wrong about Allison. *nervous*

[AwallaceUNC]

And Aaron, if you spend less time 'twittering' and more time watching you might understand what American Idol is all about. It is about the auditions, because that is what each week is, an audition to prove that they are the next American Idol. (Besides 'twittering' is getting very old in a hurry and doesn't have any relevance to what is one is watching on television anyway)!! Just my opinion, though.

Your grouchy posts never fail to put a smile on my face! I mean that sincerely. I agree with you to an extent but I'm not willing to discount weeks of strong performances based on one bad week. I'm also more interested in who I think has a credible chance at being a successful recording artist and radio star than who does a good job with a disco song. Right now I see that potential in Kris, Allison, Matt, and maybe Anoop. If Danny goes country, he could have a shot too. Adam Lambert is a novelty and while he may do well on Broadway, I can't see him having immense radio success or longevity as a pop star. Idol has a poor track record for crowning successful pop stars (only Kelly and Carrie have been major successes among the winners, with Fantasia and Jordin Sparks having done moderately well).

-Aaron

[Widdi]

Voting out the Darkies... Ah, America we love you.

Just kick off Allison, Matt and in the shocking final 3 elimination Danny (the over-praised, non-commercial producer chosen boot - that just happens to be completely deserved and weeks overdue) and let Kris and Adam face off and Kris win and disappear into obscurity.

Glad I was wrong about Allison, but let's face it, unless Matt brings down the house with a combination of pimple blindness and bad singing you might as well stick a fork in her.

Season 8 really does suck.

*waits to be told I'm wrong and have no taste by a certain someone*

[Disney's Divinity]

It doesn't suck exactly, but it has been kind of dull this year for some reason (except for Adam).

I think Matt's been in the bottom more than Allison, or maybe they're on the same level? My dream wish is for Gokey to go next week. But maybe that's too much to ask for.

And, yeah, I've been seeing Kris as the winner for several weeks now.

[dvdjunkie]

It this season is so dull, then why are you watching? Doesn't make sense to me at all.

We have not heard the last of Anoop Desai, I really think that of all those eliminated in the past few weeks, except Scott MacIntyre, we will be hearing more from him after the Summer Idol Tour.

What is all this hatred for Allison and Danny. They are probably the only two that stand a chance against the more experienced Adam Lambert. I think that if Matt does not absolutely blow the roof off the house next week, he is a dead duck, and then the Final Four would be Danny, Allison, Kris and Adam.

Don't be surprised if Adam Lambert doesn't win this whole thing. Right now he is the most original, with the most stage presence, and that unlimited vocal range, and the camera loves him almost as much as the judges and the fans. I will not be disappointed if he wins, but I will probably not be wasting my votes on him.

Last night's elimination show was top notch, with the final seven lip-syncing "Shake Your Body to the Ground" with all the dance moves choreographed by Paula Abdul. The surprise of the night for me was seeing some of the old Disco stars of the past, Thelma Houston, Freda Payne and K.C. of the Sunshine Band.

Anyone else notice how flat David Archuletta was in his performance. It seemed like he was more nervous than most, and he couldn't hear his 'band'. The CD cut of "Touch My Hand" is ten times better than that performance last night.

[Widdi]

I finish what I start. That is why I'm still watching this season. There have been lots of shows I have a fondness for that have had bad seasons, doesn't mean I didn't stick it out.

Maybe Danny could have been successful in the 70s, but in today's market he will fail. I work at a music store right now, I know what people are buying and Danny Gokey isn't it.

And the fact that you just called a lip-synced performance top notch totally undermines any musical credentials you might have. I don't care how intricate the dance moves in a show are, if you are a singer I want to hear you sing. It's why I refuse to go to concerts anymore. I've paid way too much money to hear the CD being played while some "artist" prances around on stage.

[Jack Skellington]

We have not heard the last of Anoop Desai, I really think that of all those eliminated in the past few weeks, except Scott MacIntyre, we will be hearing more from him after the Summer Idol Tour.

Well you haven't heard the last of the infamous Megan Joy either !

I hope Alisson doesn't get kicked off next week, it would only prove that my crack sales theory was true, and I'm starting to really like you Americans !

[PeterPanfan]

I agree with the statement that this is a pretty dull season. I mean...we've pretty much known who's going to be in the top three since the second week of Hollywood. Still, it's entertaining to watch.