Top 5 Perform

I liked tonight.. I really liked the theme of songs made famous by the Rat Pack,, or the Jazz standards night. The kids looked sharp and they all did a really good job. I thought Jamie Foxx was the most entertaining mentor they have had all season, and the most credible...

Let's discuss.

1. Kris Allen went first and sang "The Way You Look Tonight" which has been covered probably 555 times. He did his usual good job. Flying under the radar as usual. He has never been in the bottom 3 and also has never really been the big guy to beat. He is safe tonight, and I predict he will come in 3rd overall.

2. Mr. Danny had his best performance in months last night. I felt it, he was there to win and take control of this competition, he sang from his heart and soul. He sang "Come Rain Come Shine" and made it a little bluesy. He really got things going during the final moments of the performance. He may have been my favorite performance last night,,,shhh, (don't tell Adam)!

3. Adam closed the night with the Muse's version of "Feeling Good" and he nailed it again. Liked the look, liked the entrance coming the stairs, and of course his vocal control. Wouldn't it be crazy if America forgot to vote for him? I would die.... he's safe though.
4. Matt Giraud disappointed me. Let's just say he didn't blow my socks off. I thought he did well, but "Funny Valentine" is not what I wanted from him. I wanted a very cool cat version of a Frank Sinatra hit or something. You know, something I could snap my fingers too while strolling down the NY city walk, with some sort of jazz musician on my arm (can you see it?) At this point in the competition, and with this being the best Top 5 ever, I am afraid he may not have done enough to hold on. Which is a disappointment because this was his week to shine.
5. Allison as usual amazed me with her control and stage presence. Like Simon said though, she just doesn't command it off stage to win over an audience. She sang "Someone to Watch Over me" which is a great number. There were no flaws, I'd like to see more from her, however, it's just not going to happen. If it isn't this week, she'll be gone the following.

My rankings for last night's performances.

1. Danny
2. Adam
3. Kris
4. Allison
5. Matt

Let me reiterate that I liked every single performance so this was a difficult list to come up with. I can't remember if they do bottom 2 or 3 at this point... There could also be a massive surprise with America expecting the favorites to be safe, just like Daughtry a few years back. These results shows are going to be tense over the next 4 weeks. Jamie Foxx is set to perform and Taylor Hicks. Should be a treat.

New Top 5

Well it looks like Lil and Anoop are adios amigos. This was exactly what needed to happen. In fact I'd say for the majority of the season everyone who deserved to get voted off, indeed was voted off. With one exception of Alexis Grace, man she went way too early.

So for the show, the disco medley, could have done without that! What in the world is up with pulling these people onto a stage that have not been there for 30 years? KC looked like he has been on the lazy-boy with one too many buckets of chicken. He couldn't even sing!

I actually thought the group number that Paula choreographed was a little fun to watch. She's still got those moves folks. I'm soooooo sick of Ford commercials.

I was massively disappointed in David Archuletta. His voice sounded flat, strained, and the song was pretty boring. He's so little out there. But, how can you fault little Archie? He's still so cute and likable that it wasn't so terrible to watch. I have read that next week's theme will be Songs from the "Rat Pack" - or Jazzy numbers by the likes of Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, etc. I sure hope to all heck that Matt Giraud does well, this is right up his alley. Possibilities include

Fly Me to the Moon
It Had to be You
Luck be a Lady
Come Fly with Me
New York New York
That's Amore
I've got you under my Skin
Strangers in the Night

Top 7 Perform,,,,again

So it was the Top 7 again America. And the theme for the night was indeed Disco. As I mentioned previously, I was hoping for some arrangements that would shake things up. I believe we got those from a few of our idol hopefuls.
Let's discuss:
1. Our dear Adam sang "If I can't have you" by Yvonne Elliman (who's that?) and he made it slow, so not disco, and sang it with a lot of passion. It was obviously great. The part that kills me is when the cameras pan to Paula and she is almost sobbing. She's such a nutcake. He looks very good in a black suit.

2. Kris mixed things up by playing a little accousticy style "She works hard for the money" by Donna Summer. He's great, he's smooth, and he is moving further and further up the charts. He still has a side chagrin while he is singing that bothers me. But he is very creative with his music. I liked him.

3. Allison sang "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer and it was very cool. She had so much confidence again this night while up on the Idol stage. She can do it.... she's gonna be real good if she can get the songwriters that she needs to give her a top hit.

4. Now in my opionion, Matt was singing for his life again. He chose "Stayin' Alive" by the BeeGee's and it was funky, fresh, and I was feelin' it. Simon thought it was a little too desperate, but I thought it was neato.. (like that word?) He is able to pull something like that off.

5. Mr. Anoop changed things up by wearing some pink and some scruff on his face. I didn't really like his song choice, but he sang it well I thought. I'm just tired of him I think. He sang "Dim all the Lights" by Donna Summer. What is it,, Donna Summer night? Was she the only thing going on in the '70's?? The song was boring, and blah. Moving on.

6. Yes Danny has a sexy voice Miss Paula, but he doesn't have the artistry like Kris, Allison, and Adam. He basically sings the same type of song with the same voice each week. He's good, but he hasn't really shown me a change. He sang "September" by Earth, Wind, Fire. This is a crowd pleaser, it makes you want to jump up and snap your fingers and sing in a way high falsetto voice. But, it was just a typical Danny number.

7. And that leaves us with the most like the original song of the night, Chaka Khan's "I'm every woman",,,, However, I thought it was a good performance where she was commanding the stage and connecting with the audience. But as all the judges said, it was just nothing new. She didn't change anything. She's toast. Liked her hair tonight however.

Last night's performance rankings are;

1. Adam

2. Kris

3. Allison

4. Matt

5. Danny

6. Anoop

7. Lil

It is going to be an interesting bottom 3 tonight. Or maybe not. Maybe it will be the exact same bottom 3 as last week, and with Matt going home. However, I did like his performance, so I'm thinking Lil is outta here.....

Paula Abdul choreographed the group number I think I read somewhere, and our little David Archuletta is back in the house to perform his latest single.

Elimination? Same Top 7

It's been 5 days since we learned the fate of our Top 7 Contestants. And I must say that I COMPLETELY saw this one coming. We dwindled down and got our bottom 3 - Anoop, Lil, and Matt sitting up on their weird astronaut looking silver stools, and then the fate of the bottom was needed. The kids chanted, the audience chanted, "Save him, save him." So they did...... Now here's my thoughts.

Matt was a wildcard in the first place after that ridiculous Cold Play number 2 months ago, meaning America didn't like him then as much as the others. He has been inconsistent during the Top 13 run, sometimes he's hot, sometimes he's not. He sometimes has that cool vibe, then other times he looks like a lost little lamb on stage. Like Tuesday's performance. He obviously was at the bottom because America put him there. He did not perform well, his voice cracked, and he deserved to go home. So Simon used the save to use it, that was it. Now 2 people are going home this week, hopefully it is Anoop and Lil. Matt sang for his life, sang the same crappy song, in fact, it looks like he's takin' a crap on this crappy song. I sure hope he was worth saving..... he better be steppin' it up big time.

Now Jennifer Hudson was amazing. I forget how powerful her voice is. That is supposed to be how it's done Lil,,,, Now Miley Cyrus. What in the world was that performance? I think she sounds like a choked monkey! Her accent is so strong even through her singing, and she is sooooooo overrated. I don't get it.... So bring on the disco fever baby. Can't wait to see some creativity with these numbers. Honestly, if all 7 sing disco, as in,,,,DISCO... I will be disappointed. I want someone to totally massacre it with a funky, unique arrangement.

Top 7 performances

The night's theme was 'Songs from the Cinema' and it was a pretty dull night if you're asking me. I was not too excited about any of the song choices. It was just a karaoke night for me. Nobody wowed me, well, except for Adam (but he doesn't count). There has not been too many contestants who can really shake up a song with the arrangements. Last year David Cook was able to turn a lot of songs around, he is a talented musician. There are talented singers this year, but no one seems to be on the creative side... well Adam is you know, but he doesn't play an instrument per se...he changes things vocally. He changed Johnny Cash's song a lot, but my memory is telling me there were not too many others.

Let's discuss.

1. Lil just is not up to par anymore. She is a dreadfully average r&b chic and that's it. She has never once impressed me, we all know that. She sang the grossly boring "The Rose" by Bette Midler. I just hate this song. The she flipped the chorus and made it all gospelly, but it was too much. She actually got into it a bit with Simon at the end of the telecast, which was already running over like last week. I bet if they just stopped Ryan's 5 minute 'look at me' time at the beginning they'd have enough for the contestants. You know? So, she will be in the bottom 3 tonight again.

2. Kris sang a song I wasn't familiar with. From the movie Once, "Falling Slowly". It was a sweet little number, he sang it well, but it was alright for me. Kara was all over it saying it was his 'moment' or whatever. But I just got bored listening to it. He should be safe tonight.

3. Adam switched it back into overdrive this week with Steppenwolf's "Born to be Wild" from the movie Easy Rider. It was just Adam, crazy singing, crazy high notes, crazy lights and special effects, etc. I liked it, I was entertained, but I was not digging his pants too much,,, or maybe it was that they made him look fat? It was another great performance from Adam, a lot of energy and confidence for sure.

4. Anoop, of course he sang a Bryan Adams song and of course it was "Everything I do (I do if for you) from Robin Hood. Of course it is a ballad, what else can he do? He sang it really well, I was surprised. He might be safe this week, he's sorta stuck in the middle. Maybe he'll be the one who they make pick the top group when faced with the elimination. They do it every year. 3 on this side, 3 on this side, the 7th person has to go to the group they feel is safe. Oh the dramatics. But he actually was alright tonight.

5. Allison opened up the show with Aerosmith's "I don't wanna miss a thing" from the movie Armageddon. She did well. Simon said he hoped she would make it to the end and that she is the only hope left for the women of the competition, ouch, Lil hadn't even performed yet. He must have seen rehearsals beforehand. But that makes me wonder, why they watch the rehearsals first? I think it should be their first time hearing them sing, as well as ours. I hope she's safe. I hope she is starting to win fans over with her voice.

6. Matt is in trouble ya'll. He sang another mush of notes that I can't handle hearing, and the lyrics too, sooo bad. Bryan Adams' "If you loved a woman" from the film Don Juan deMarco. I hate this song. He tried to do some stuff with it, but his voice cracked on the build up and it was flat. He is going home. And here's the great part, I know the judges will probably save him. Or at least really contemplate it. Then the following week they'll have to can 2, and again, it will probably be him, so it's a dumb part of the show this season. If America didn't want him this week, they won't want him next week either.

7. Danny sang a pretty boring song in my book. "Endless Love" by Lionel Richie from the movie of the same title. Danny was sans glasses tonight, don't know why, maybe because the guest Quentin Tarantino suggested for Danny to use less hand movements and connect through his eyes. He sang it fine, it was heartfelt, and he'll be safe. He's got enough Danny fans out there.


So my rankings of last night's performances are.

7. Lil Rounds

6. Matt Giraud

5. Kris Allen

4. Anoop Desai

3. Danny Gokey

2. Allison Iraheta

1. Adam Lambert

However, the bottom 3 will be Lil, Matt, and Allison. Matt will be sent home, with a possible save. They will not save Lil. They will save Allison. (If they're in the bottom)

Get ready for J Hud and Miley Cyrus tonight. I think both were pre-taped. These elimination shows are going to become trickier, because after Lil, Matt, and Anoop go, it will be unpredictable on who will go home.

Elimination - New Top 7

Did I get it right? Oh Yes,,, I did.

Scott is adios amigos. Does his hair look a little extra puffy tonight?? Whoa man, I am thinking the hair people are punking him, because it is just so awful. Poor guy.


Oh, wait, that's not him, it's his father Art Garfunkel. hee hee.


Well, the show ended a little dramatically last night. Do they save him, or do they let him go? The clock ticked as we all sat on the edge of our seats screaming,, "NOOOOoooo".. Simon said 2 of the judges wanted to use it, 2 did not. I can almost 100% guarantee those two were the females. And it would have been a total sham because he truly did not sound that good last night. Yes he is a good guy. Yes America votes for the underdogs all the time. But NO, he did not deserve to be saved. He only had one decent performance in the top 13 anyways.

Am I being too critical? I may be, but just so you know, I was tearing up at the suspense because I legitimately felt bad for him standing up there for a good 30 seconds wondering what the heck was going on. Paula actually ended the night on a sincere note and I couldn't agree with her more. I really truly believe he will snag a "Christian" label and do songs for all the kids in gospel camps, etc. You all know what I'm talkin' about. Simon also said today that the judges may not use the save. If America keeps getting it right there's no need to use it. huhmph, makes sense.

As for the night's show, what in the world was up with the entertainment. Frankie Avalon was pulled from the crypt to do his little "Venus if you will" song. And is Simon really almost 50... yes he is. And Flo-Rida??? Give me a break.... I will admit fully that I was 100% a ridiculous fan of rap and hip hop about oh, 8-13 years ago, but come on!The song's inuendos, the dancers,-- maybe for BET, but not my family friendly Idol. I would luh-hove to hear Simon's critique of 'stars' who perform on these nights. Then we had the good old dumb Kellie Pickler. Boring song, bad vocals, Dolly Parton for the 2000's. And that's all I'm gonna say bout that.

Next week the theme is songs from the movies and Quentin Tarantino will be the guest. I guess he is some ridiculous American Idol fan, which cracks me up, and this is the week Miley Cyrus will be performing. Sorry about that, I guess she taped her performance last week to air the following week. Promoting the Hannah Montana Pukey movie. Any fans out there in the forum? Hope not. And then there were 7,,

Top 8 performances

What a night! There were a few bad ones, a few good ones, and only 1 performance that might be in my top 3 performances of American Idol history! I will not shy away from my awe and exuberance - (is that a word?) of my little pal named Adam.

Let's discuss:

1. Matt was trying to get back to what he does, to what he sings, to what he can perform. A little number by Stevie Wonder, "Part time lover"... It was good, much better than last week, and I think he has regained his fans back. He needs to get back behind the piano next week for sure though and wow us all again. I liked him in the hat...

2. Anoop was dressed like a Sesame Street character,it sorta reminded me of a little fellow named Bert.
But honestly, I think this kid is doomed in singing ballads the rest of his life. I do not see him ever having a successful album, nor do I see his fans holding him through. He may drift off into the Idol La La land that ex-cast members go to. The "why doesn't anyone love me anymore" land of permanent residents like Sanjaya Malakar, Anthony Federov, George Huff, John Stevens, Mikalah Gordon, Scott Savol, Kevin Covais, Phil Stacey,,, well you catch my drift. He sang a soft little number, "True colors",,, which I liked, but it was just ai-ight. I guess I just like the song itself,,,, He may be in trouble tonight,,

3. Danny had an alright performance. The judges googled over him, but that's because they still want him in the competition. I never thought I would say this about him, but he is starting to bore me. I really don't look forward to his performances. I know they are all going to be feel good songs, raspy chorus, and end with a bang. I think he has a niche and won't really change that much. I don't think that leads to a good career. Look at Taylor Hicks... he kinda is stuck because he's so predictable and boring. Nothing's new.... I like Danny, but just don't know how good of an artist he'll be. He sang "Stand By Me", which David Archuletta did last season too.

4. Kris sang in the pit last night. It was distracting and claustrophobic. Too many arms waving around all up in his face and stage. I agreed with the judges and felt the song was on performance last night instead of him. He sang "All she wants to do is dance" by Don Henley. He played his instrument, but it was definitely a forgettable performance.

5. Scott's card is up. I liked him in this competition, and I give him props for playing the freaking guitar up in the middle of a stage. I wonder how it would be to not see anyone in the audience and try to perform? You couldn't really feed off of the faces and emotions of your audience,,,, I was just trying to imagine how he feels up there. Anyways, he played a power ballad, hee hee,,,"The search is over" by Survivor. He struggled on some high notes. I just think he is done. He's got the tour to look forward to.

6. Adam is my hero. He is a genius at picking songs. His song last night was not too familiar, at least to me, and I had to youtube it to hear Tears for Fears sing it... "Mad World". Adam's version was the one that was featured in a movie Donnie Darko - another movie I had not heard of - by Gary Jules. If you youtube that video it is really cool. Apparently 12 million other people have watched it. Why don't I know this song? Anyways, Adam had one of the best performances I have ever seen on the show's 8 seasons. It was haunting, mysterious, sincere, and real. (You can watch it on my sidebar) Adam has such an incredible ability to connect with the song and the audience. He is a true star and he will truely win this season. I just want to watch each week to see him perform. What will he do next? is all I'm thinking about. WOW!

7. Lil was finally dressed like a star tonight. With an outfit like that I was expecting some raw energy and raw emotion coming through on her song "What's love got to do with it" by Tina Turner. The judges thought it was a copycat performance and that she is lost with who she is. I couldn't agree more. Finally they are seeing that she is just blah and another r&b girl. Nothing stands out for me with her. She may be in the bottom tonight. I hope.

8. Allison continues to impress me week after week. And as Simon said, she just has not connected with the audience. I've been saying that for weeks. She's sort of awkward in interviews. She sang "I can't make you love me" by Bonnie Raitt. A lot of contestants have sung this song throughout the years, but I enjoyed her raspy voice with this one. She is funky and confident. I would like to see her in the finals with Adam. He'd win, but she would have some style and flamboyance. Plus, I just love her raw voice.

So my thoughts on tonight's elimination -

Bottom 3 are Anoop, Scott, Lil

Scott will and should go home.

I seriously cannot get over Adam's performance.

Top 9 - elimination

Megan is no more. Megan is bizarre. Megan is high. Megan is a bird? What the heck is up with the 'caw caw'? I think Megan knew she was going home and went out with a bang. Did anyone else seem to feel like she just didn't give a crap anymore? She was overly dramatic to the point that I wanted to slap her. As Ryan was reading out if it were Anoop or her going home, she was so crazy. Let me see if I can find a picture of it,,,

aw, yes,,, here it is.

She is cookoo. But then watching her cry when she was seeing her farewell video made me feel like she was legitimately going to miss it,,,, and don't tell anyone, but I teared up too. Mostly because I couldn't imagine being away from my kids for two months. I read some interviews of the whole thing and she said that she knew she was going home and was totally fine with it. She just wanted to make the tour for the summer. We all knew she did not stand a chance to win that's for sure. She is unique, she is beautiful, she is nuts! Fare thee well Megan Joy.

So what did we all think of Lady GaGa.... ?? Is it Lady CahCah... (as in poopoo) ,,,,or Lady CooKoo...(as in crazy) or Lady CahKoo.. (a combination of both)?????

Now I believe that is a little self-indulgent,,, would you agree Simon??

Her tunes are catchy, that I'll admit, but the outfits, the crazy hair, the zipper over the eye? Is it too much? I haven't decided quite yet. I looked at the wikipedia and she does have a musical background for sure. At the age of seventeen, Gaga was one of twenty people in the world to have gained early admission to the New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied music.[7] Interesting..... oh well,,,

I can't wait for Miley Cyrus next week..... ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? WHY?????!!!!!!!!???????

Next week's theme is songs from the year they were born. I honestly don't know how I feel about people born in the '90's. It sounds so weird to me. Alison was born in 1992 and here she is on American Idol.... I sound like an old 30 something year old. yikes!

Top 9 Performances

So the week's theme is Top 100 itunes downloads. That's pretty weird. Pretty boring too. That being said, let's discuss.

1. Kris Allen is really starting to become a dark horse in the competition. Last week he improved and sang one of my favorites "How sweet it is, to be loved by you" (I love James Taylor's), and this week singing 'Ain't no sunshine' with the piano was pure talent. He really used to do absolutely nothing for me, but he has shown America that he is serious about being here. I liked him last night. The band and him did an awesome arrangement of the song.

2. Anoopy is poopy folks. Why is he trying to be Usher?? It honestly felt like he was trying to be a wannabe or a poser. His voice was alright, but it just wasn't him. The jacket, the spiky hair, the seductive looks to the audience and camera.... nope not happening. He sort of had an attitude a bit when the judges were critiquing him, but Anoop is not to do any sort of dancy type r&b song again. He will be in the bottom 3. Last week however, I was feeling it. He was in his element. His version of "Ooh baby baby" was really smooth. He's not supposed to be a 'hip' singer I don't think.


3. Danny is finally getting back to Danny. He sang a heart felt song, Rascal Flats 'What hurts the most'. I like his personality and think he is his real self in front of the camera and when they are interviewing him. He's just a likeable guy. Danny was a little flat and he went a little too 'riffy' for me at the end of the song. I was like 'tone it down a bit' and it ended alright. Maybe the arrangement could have been better.
4. Adam is his own level this season. How can he be better each week? He is his own competition. What with last week's most tender performance of a Smoky Robinson hit and then this week's "Play That Funky Music" - by Wild Cherry. He is able to stay true to himself and reinvent himself each week, and I still believe him. Loved the performance, he is a true genius, and my favorite is when Kara said it's like 'studio 57' in here..... um, I think she means 54. What a cookoo. I love ADAM!
5. Megan may be in trouble this week. She sang a Bob Marley song, I'm not familiar with it, but she did alright. I thought it was a bad choice of song, her vocals were crazy. I actually hated it. It seemed Paula was more bumbling this week, actually more than usual. I thought the judges however, were a little too harsh on Megan. I think she will be in the bottom tonight.
6. Lil is not singing a very good song. Why the heck is she singing a Celine Dion song? Especially, "I surrender." Her outfit is pretty bad, she just looks like a blue berry explosion. So the song starts off a little flat and bland. She is not very good at singing softly. I felt she forced the middle, but it did turnout alright when she was singing the big notes. The song ended fine and it was actually the best I have heard from her in a while.
7. Matt, oh Matt. What happened? He was going, he was going strong, he was going to make it til the end. Then he had to go and attempt to sing "You Save Me" by the Fray, which by the way, he is a much better singer than the lead of the Fray. So it baffles me why he tried to sound exactly like the lead singer. I couldn't even recognize his voice he was trying so hard. I feel like he is starting to feel the pressure, the pressure to please America and the judges. He just appeared nervous and maybe like he was overthinking it all.
8. Alison does look interesting, she has crazy hair, but she rocked it last night! She sang "Don't Speak" by No Doubt. The beginning was really really good, and then the chorus started and it seemed she was rushing the song a bit. I still think she did fantastic. I had no idea she could play the guitar either. She has so much potential at 16 people. Last week's "Papa was a rolling stone" was so professional, a league above Lil who was supposed to knock it out of the park. p.s. I love love LOVE watching Simon's face as Paula is trying to spit out a syllable. He rolls is eyes, he interrupts, it's great!
9. Scott had his best performance of the season last night. He was in his element. Just him and his piano. He sang "Just the way you are" by Billy Joel which is what everyone needed to hear him sing. His hair was styled differently and he seemed to be relaxed more, he let his vocals spread higher, and Scott was happy about his performance. So were the judges and the audience. I think he may be safe.
Here is my ranking based on these performances.

1. Adam
2. Kris
3. Danny
4. Alison
5. Scott
6. Lil
7. Matt
8. Megan
9. Anoop

I've heard Lady GaGa will be performing at the elimination. Interesting........ Glad to be back, I felt out of control in my Idol mind when I couldn't get to a computer to blog, but here I am, for 8 more weeks!