Tonight marks the return of the wild card round, something I felt was sorely lacking the past few seasons. Eight contestants have been given a second chance, and three of them will advance to the top 12 tonight, with the judges deciding.
Jesse Langseth
Song: Tell Me Something Good by Rufus and Chaka Khan
Randy: Interesting song choice. A lot of interesting (not good) note choices.
Kara: Some notes not on key, but you’ve got a swagger (I guess that’s intended to mean something).
Paula: Strong as can be. A lot of soul.
Simon: Glad you were chosen. Slightly indulgent.
Matt Giraud
Song: Who’s Loving You by Jackson 5
Kara: Thank you for bringing back the bluesy soulful Matt. Amazing riffs. A little over the top.
Paula: This is the right zone for you.
Simon: A billion times better than last week. Great song choice. Hate what you’re wearing. Bits of Taylor Hicks coming through.
Randy: Made everybody else scared.
Megan Joy Corkrey
Song: Black Horse & The Cherry Tree by KT Tunstall
Paula: Right song. Joyful.
Simon: Always liked you. Still like you. Current. Not the best vocal but terrific nonetheless.
Randy: Back in the right range.
Kara: Give some variety to what’s already up there. Hope you stay.
Von Smith
Song: Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word by Elton John
Simon: Didn’t start very well. Beginning to become a bit boring. Didn’t really get it from you. Mr. serious.
Randy: Too serious. Wrong pitch at the beginning but beautiful tone at the middle.
Kara: Serious and dark. You have what it takes, but you haven’t hit your stride.
Paula: Not letting the pure essence of Von Smith out. Thinking too hard.
Jasmine Murray
Song: Reflection by Christina Aguilera
Randy: Improved. Still too big for you. Some flat and sharp moments but some bright spots.
Kara: Didn’t even know you had that big of a voice.
Paula: Beautiful song. Determined. Some notes that fell off.
Simon: Pretty special compared to earlier. Brave song choice. Sounded at times like a young girl trying to sound grown up. Back in the running.
Ricky Braddy
Song: Superstition by Stevie Wonder
Kara: You can sing your butt off. Loosened up tonight.
Paula: Loved the way you loosened up. Nailed it.
Simon: Sounded good. But a bit karaoke and clumsy.
Randy: Not quite the song for you. A little self indulgent.
Tatiana del Toro (why?)
Song: Saving All My Love for You by Whitney Houston
Paula: Blah blah blah.
Simon: I think we’ve heard you sing that three times now. What happens if you make it through to the next round?
Randy: Mixed bag of tricks.
Kara: It’s like the adventures of Tatiana. Today this is a new personality. At least she’s not crying.
She’s got a good voice, but she’s just way too obnoxious to win this popularity contest, or even get very far.
Anoop Desai
Song: My Prerogative by Bobby Brown
Simon: Like an enthusiastic dog. Not the best singer, but people like you.
Randy: Better this time than the last time you sang the song.
Kara: Wanted to get up and dance.
Paula: Certainly are the showman. Everyone loved that performance.
The judges have made their decisions.
Jasmine Murray is advancing, despite a performance that was a little on the painful side.
Ricky Braddy has been eliminated. This is a joke, right?
Between Tatiana and Megan, Megan Joy Corkrey is the one advancing. Time for one last breakdown by Tatiana.
Jesse Langseth is out.
Von Smith is also out.
That means it’s down to Matt and Anoop. Matt Giraud gets the final stool. It’s not over yet, though. They’ve decided to make it a top 13. Anoop Desai is also through.
These four contestants round out the top 13.
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another recap of American Idol Season 8 episode 19, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.