Aired 2/10/09
In this phase of Hollywood week, the 72 remaining contestants will sing with a band, backup singers, and if they choose, their own instruments. Tonight they perform, and tomorrow night, the top 36 is revealed. The judges will not give feedback on tonight's performances.
Adam Lambert is first, and he’s doing Cher’s “Believe,” as a ballad, no less. I’m sorry, I just don’t like him. His voice is too high and shrill.
Matt Giraud reminds Simon of Elliott Yamin. I’m ready to hate him because there’s only one Elliott. But he does a really good job, accompanying himself on piano.
Danny Gokey and Jamar Rogers are stressing. Jamar sings “Hey There Delilah.” I’m not crazy about the style, but at least he does something different with it. Danny does “I Hope You Dance.” Wow, the unexpected song choices tonight! I don't think it’s the best song for him, but I still like his voice.
Anoop Desai is up. Like. Jorge Nunez. Don't like. Scott MacIntyre plays piano. I'm on the fence with him. I think his voice wavers off pitch too much.
Kendall Beard sings a Carrie Underwood song. Not a good idea, although I liked her during the original audition in spite of the fact that we only heard half a second at the time. Stevie Wright sings Colbie Caillat, sounds good. Lil Rounds oversings something again.
Kristin McNamara sings Kelly Clarkson. Another bad idea; she can't carry it off. Mishavonna Henson got cut during Hollywood week last year and is back to try again. She's good. And she gets the award for the most unusual female name this year, Anoop being the male, although it's possible it's not so unusual given his heritage.
They're wasting more screen time on nettlesome Tatiana Del Toro. She's absolutely convinced of her own genius. I'm not sure she's running on her own steam... Alexis Grace also does “Before He Cheats.” Iffy. Kenny Hoffpauer is okay. Jasmine Murray sings “Tattoo,” which I don’t think is a good enough song for her.
Nathaniel Marshall plays guitar. He’s not bad but if he sticks around there will no doubt be more drama. Joanna Pacitti totally blows the lyrics. Totally. Casey Carlson is nearly as bad. Stephen Fowler was up all night rehearsing. He plays the piano and forgets the lyrics of David Cook’s “Time of My Life”—twice. Ryan reminds us of Brooke White’s do-over last year. Poor Stephen just gives up and walks off stage. That was weird.
And we’re back to Tatiana. She is summoned from the room where she was placed; apparently the judges are reconsidering where they put her. She eventually gets switched to another room. Understandably, nobody’s happy to see her walk in.
Nick Mitchell decides to continue with the “Norman Gentle” persona. Supraz, supraz. He just can’t help himself, I guess. He gives us a whiny, wavery “Georgia On My Mind.” Paula, of course, loves it, and Randy is har-har-ing. Please put him in a room with Tatiana and open the trapdoor in the floor. Please.
Anne Marie Boskovich now worries whether she played it too safe, being that she's in the same room with Nick/Norman. After hearing her sing again, I’m not sure she has the chops. Ju’not Joyner, whom I can’t recall seeing before, does okay.
Kaylan Loyd’s audition doesn’t go too well. Simon actually stops her, which doesn’t seem fair. She sings Sara Bareilles and sounds pretty good to me. Kai Kalama played the guitar; his voice is feeling the strain. Michael Sarver (who has either dropped the Jeremy as quickly as it came, or else Fox is not sure what his name is). It seems to me like he forgot a few words, but I’m not sure and I don’t feel like rewinding.
It’s time to find out which rooms are going on and which are getting ejected. Simon has jetted off to London, leaving the other three to break the news to room 2, the one with Nathaniel Marshall, Jasmine Murray, Alex Wagner-Trugman, Von Smith, Joanna Pacitti, Stephen Fowler, Alexis Grace, Casey Carlson, Kai Kalama, Arianna Afsar, and Michael Sarver, among others. They are IN, despite the fact that most of the lyric-forgetters are in here.
India Morrison doesn’t do too well solo. She’s in Leneshe Young’s room, which hears the cheering from room 2. Michael Castro is there, as is the girl who looks like Jordin Sparks, and Kaylan Loyd. They are OUT, going home.
Two rooms to go. Room 1, with Danny Gokey, Stevie Wright, Frankie Jordan, Kristin McNamara, Matt Giraud, Adam Lambert, Kendall Beard, Anoop Desai, Scott MacIntyre, Jamar Rogers, Lil Rounds, Jorge Nunez, and Jackie Tohn is ... IN!
Now room 4 has heard two rooms scream. It would appear that doesn’t bode well for them, but if TPTB cut it down to 36 tonight, what would we do tomorrow night? Matt wants to hear it straight up, and Paula tells them they’re also IN. This room includes a whimpering Tatiana Del Toro (so much for the trap door), Anne Marie Boskovich, Cody Sheldon, Matt Breitzke, Ju’not Joyner, Nick Mitchell, Felicia Barton, and TK Hash.
Tomorrow night is the elevator/chair episode. It appears they have upgraded the chair quite a bit. At least 18 of them will get the bad news in comfort and style. See you then!
{ 1 comment }
Matt Giraud is my favorite. When he is out or wins it all that is the day that I will quit voting in the AI8 competition.
Incidentally…..wouldn’t it be nice if Idol limited the number of votes per phone line!!