Aired 2/17/09
Bunny: Finally we get to hear some singing! Tonight the first group of 12 takes the stage, and only 3 will become part of the top 12. If I understand correctly, it'll be the girl and the guy with the highest votes plus the third highest vote-getter regardless of gender.
Before we start, the Dawg offers his usual meaningless “gotta bring it tonight” exhortation. Kara tells them to be themselves. Paula wants them to make magic happen and something else I didn't quite understand. Simon says they have one shot and then implies that Ryan has copied his haircut. Why anyone would do that on purpose I'm not sure.
A reminder of how our rating system works: Contestants can get as little as half a paw 
if they really stink up the joint. They might earn four paws 
if they really knock our socks off. Let's get into the music.
Jackie Tohn
“A Little Less Conversation” by Elvis Presley 
Bunny:She's definitely comfortable on the stage. I hate the outfit, and the moves are dorky, but it's clear she is an entertainer. Whether her pipes are as perfect as an Idol's should be remains undecided. She banters with the judges and in the red room with Ryan. I love that she says she wasn't going to do the “and you, and you, and you” thing.
Burke: I didn't like it at all. The arrangement was slower than Elvis', and the movements were spastic and clownish. She definitely stood out as different but not in a good way.
Ricky Braddy
“A Song For You” by Donny Hathaway
Bunny: It's “Hollywood Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Braddy”! (I've been waiting a while to make that joke—thank you, Ricky, for making it possible.) It is "A Song For You," a song that I believe only Elliott Yamin should do. However, Ricky can sing. I'm not thrilled with his falsetto and he's not my style, but he definitely deserves to be there.
Burke: He did a good job, but I'm not a fan. I didn't enjoy his funky blinking.
Alexis Grace
“Never Loved A Man” by Aretha Franklin
Bunny: This girl is adorable, but she's no delicate flower. She's got attitude and skills. Plus she's different. She kind of sings like a little white Fantasia with all the yeah-yeah-yeahs, but I like her. She's here to win. (Not lovin' the dress, though.)
Burke: Cute as a button and a powerful singer too.
Brent Keith
“Hick Town” by Jason Aldean
Bunny: I'm not opposed to country, or even particularly opposed to this song (being from sort of a hick town myself) but I didn't really like that performance. He was off pitch at times and he just didn't interest me much.
Burke: Didn't like the song. He faded out in the low parts. It was a hick town karaoke performance.
Stevie Wright
“You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift
Bunny: I've liked her personality from the beginning. However, that first verse is really rough, and the succeeding are nearly as bad. I'm disappointed. Frankly, Taylor Swift is a terrible live singer too, but poor Stevie has only this one chance to impress, and I'm afraid this is going to be her downfall. (Side point: The awkward hugging phase on the contestants' way back to the red room is not working. Also, does she remind anyone else of Sandra Bullock?) Sorry, Stevie, I gotta give you a 1 
Burke: R-U-F-F. No low range, no high range, out of breath. Just plain terrible.
Anoop Desai
“Angel of Mine” by Monica
Bunny: The eyebrows are freaking me out, and I don't think a ballad is a good idea at this juncture. At least there were no magic rainbows. But I expected this performance to be better. (Side note #2: Isn't it great for Paula that she now has two judges whose comments she can copy?)
Burke: Where's the energy, Noop Dawg? A slow ballad isn't going to get the job done tonight.
Bunny: So far, not so good! The highest score we've awarded so far is 3 and there's only one of those! Let's hope the second half improves.
Casey Carlson
“Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” by the Police
Bunny: Interesting choice. She's got a great look, but unfortunately, the song doesn't suit her, and she has some weird facial tics while singing. Has she been watching Von Smith too long? Karaoke with a capital K.
Burke: Bad song choice, strange facial gestures, flat performance. Someone should have stopped her. Her mom sounds like Sarah Palin, though.
Michael Sarver
“I Don't Want To Be” by Gavin DeGraw
Bunny: Another really iffy performance. What is happening tonight???
Burke: I picked HIM? Average.
Ann Marie Boskovich
“Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin
Bunny: It doesn't feel like her type of song, but her voice is very good. I don't agree with Simon that it destroyed her chances, but only because nobody else tonight has been very impressive either.
Burke: Too old, too slow. Not her, the song.
Stephen Fowler
“Rock With You” by Michael Jackson
Bunny: I like the tone of his voice, but I don't know. I don't think the song did anything to make him stand out.
Burke: I wasn't rocked at all.
Tatiana Del Toro
“Saving All My Love For You” by Whitney Houston
Bunny: Of course she picks a Whitney song. Of course. She sounds good in her higher register for the most part. She seems to show an uncharacteristic lack of self-confidence during the song, but not during the judges' comments. At first she seems to be trying to distance herself from the Tatiana we are familiar with, but she can't help herself, and by the time Ryan reads the numbers, she is tossing her hair and making desperate pleas to the voting public like the TDT we know. I am going to try very hard to rate her according to singing ability only.
Burke: Nice performance, but she is like a faky pageant queen. Everything she does is artificial and rehearsed.
Danny Gokey
“Hero” by Mariah Carey
Bunny: What?!? One of the schmaltziest songs of all time, made a little less so by his gravelly voice, but still. Despite his undeniable talent, I don't understand that one at all.
Burke: Probably the best singer tonight, but predictable arrangement. Too much hype for me. A David Cook wannabe.
PREDICTIONS
Every week, we predict who will go through or go home, depending on the format, and keep track of our accuracy record in the left sidebar. Just for fun, we also make note of who did the worst and the best in OUR opinion, regardless of their chances, and those scores are tallied underneath the main scores.
Bunny: Bunny's Bomb would have to be Casey Carlson. I was worried that some deserving artists were going to get eliminated after tonight because there are only 3 spots. Now it might be tough to come up with 3 who really deserve to go through! But I guess I like Ann Marie Boskovich's, Anoop Desai's, and Danny Gokey's chances. My personal choice for best of the night is Alexis Grace.
Burke: Burke's Turkey tonight is Stevie Wright, although Jackie Tohn-Loco is a close second. The three I think will survive are Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver, and Danny Gokey. My personal favorite tonight is Alexis Grace.
Prognosticats: We award Jackie Tohn the hairball performance. We think that Michael Sarver, Ricky Braddy, and Ann Marie Boskovich will get the most votes. Personal favorite: Tatiana Del Tuna.
{ 1 comment }
Haha ^^ nice, is there a section to follow the RSS feed