Category: american idol 8

Last night, the final 12 contestants performed on American Idol 8 Episode 16, and tonight we will find out who America voted for, unlocking contestants 7, 8, and 9 from the top 12.

Lil Rounds is the first one to advance to the next round.

Arianna Afsar, Taylor Vaifanua, Alex Wagner-Trugman, Kendall Beard, and Scott MacIntyre all stand up. One will go through, presumably Scott. Arianna can sit down. Taylor can join her. Alex can join them, but he’s okay that he lost being himself. Scott MacIntyre is the one who will advance.

Nathaniel Marshall and/or Nate McGee and Kristen McNamara are up next. They have been eliminated.

Von Smith and Felicia Barton are next. They are also eliminated.

Ju’not Joyner and Jorge Nunez are the next set. One of them will advance. I gotta go with Jorge Nunez on this, and he is indeed the one to proceed to the next round. Minus the accent, I’d put him as a serious contender to win this thing, but it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Now that we have our top 9, it’s time to talk wild card. Whoever didn’t make it from the top 36 is eligible. The judges will choose 8 people from that group. The wild card participants will be:

Von Smith
Jasmine Murray
Ricky Braddy
Megan Joy Corkrey
Tatiana del Toro (are you freaking kidding me?)
Matt Giraud
Jesse Langseth
Anoop Desai

These 8 contestants will perform in a special episode tomorrow night where we will find out live who the remaining three contestants in the top 12 are.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another recap of American Idol Season 8 episode 18, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.

American Idol 8 Episode 15 added three more people to the top 12: Allison Iraheta, Kris Allen, and Adam Lambert.

This week, we’ll know the complete list (three tomorrow, three Thursday), with 12 more contestants singing tonight.

Von Smith
Song: You’re All I Need to Get by by Marvin Gaye
Randy: This is the way to kick off the show. Very hot performance. Better than in Hollywood.
Kara: Coming into your own.
Paula: Memorable first. Quite the showman. Seasoned.
Simon: Reminiscent of Clay Aiken. Look appaling but sang very well.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-01

Taylor Vaifanua
Song: If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys
Kara: It’s obvious you’ve got a voice, but left a bit cold by the lack of personality.
Paula: Talented, but why the same song again?
Simon: No idea who you were from earlier. Generic. Bland. Trying to be older than you are.
Randy: Great voice but kind of boring.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-02

Alex Wagner-Trugman
Song: I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues by Elton John
Paula: Certainly are the showman.
Simon: Fun to watch. Not fun to listen to. Ridiculous. Stupid. Like a hamster trying to be a tiger.
Randy: Crazy in a buck wild sort of way. Kind of screamed the song.
Kara: At least you do you.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-03

Arianna Afsar
Song: The Winner Takes It All by Abba
Simon: Certain irony to that lyric. Absolutely terrible in most parts. Song was way, way, way too big. Dreary. Like being at a funeral. Too old.
Randy: Really not the song I would have ever chose.
Kara: Not a beam of sunshine. Dark. Depressing.
Paula: Some bright moments… but.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-04

Ju’not Joyner
Song: Hey There Delilah by Plain White Ts
Randy: Switched it up. Loved it.
Kara: Smooth. Fluid.
Paula: Sang the same song as in Hollywood but changed it up.
Simon: Better than expected. Safe.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-05

Kristen McNamara
Song: Give Me One Reason by Tracy Chapman
Kara: Much better hair. Great singer. Great tone. Needs a little more rock edge.
Paula: Kelly Clarkson’s Because of You was a better choice, but the vocals were great.
Simon: Puzzling. Good voice.
Randy: Not sure who you are. A little karaoke
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-06

Nathaniel Marshall / Nate McGee
Song: I Would Do Anything for Love by Meat Loaf
Simon: Verging on excruciating. Weird. At least it was memorable.
Randy: Hard to imagine as a recording artist.
Kara: Pick a song that shows the more serious side if you want to be taken seriously. Want to go to karaoke with you.
Paula: Boy George version of the song.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-07

Felicia Barton
Song: No One by Alicia Keys
Paula: Unbelievable talent. Hope we bring you back again.
Simon: Certainly came back to prove a point. A bit copycat.
Randy: Amazing voice. Go with what’s different.
Kara: Best look. A few problems with some of the notes but noticeable.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-08

Scott MacIntyre
Song: Mandolin Rain by Bruce Hornsby
Randy: Not the most perfect vocal, but the parts that were great were really great.
Kara: Move mountains when you step on the stage.
Paula: Happy and proud that you’ve made it.
Simon: Not crazy about the song, but you’re starting to believe in yourself. Memorable, relevant.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-09

Kendall Beard
Song: This One’s for the Girls by Martina McBride
Kara: Big personality, right lane, but some issues. Likeable personality.
Paula: Prize on the best outfit. Good job. Adorable.
Simon: Probably did the right thing. Couldn’t wait for it to end half way through.
Randy: Not the best vocal performance, but everything else was good. Told us who you are.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-10

Jorge Nunez
Song: Don’t Let the Sun Go down on Me by Elton John
Paula: So proud of you.
Simon: Very good singer. Like that you sound different.
Randy: Not perfect but really really good.
Kara: Born to sing.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-11

Lil Rounds
Song: Be Without You by Mary J Blige
Simon: Brilliant. Favorite by a mile. Sounds too much like the original. One of the best singers so far.
Randy: Unbelievable vocals.
Kara: Still a powerhouse. Steady boat going the same way.
Paula: First class.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-12

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another recap of American Idol Season 8 episode 17, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.

The American Idol season 8 wild card round will air as a special 1 hour episode on Thursday March 5 at 8/7c on Fox. During that episode, we will also find out live who the top 12 contestants are, so apparently it will be the judges picking the three people who America did not select. MTV has revealed how the selection process for the wild card round will work.

“Quite simply, each judge can pick two contestants from the top 36 — from which everyone is eligible — and those eight (or possibly nine) singers will perform a song on the one-hour March 5 show, with three advancing into the top 12.”

“The same rules apply as during the audition phases, with majority picks winning the day and judge Simon Cowell casting the tie-breaking vote should there be a 2-2 deadlock, the spokesperson explained.”

The eight people who will appear in the wild card round were chosen during American Idol Season 8 Episode 17. The wild card results were revealed in American Idol Season 8 Episode 18.

American Idol 8 Episode 14 proved pretty lackluster, but there were some bright spots. Tonight, three more people will make the top 12.

Allison, Jesse, and Matt are up first. Randy thinks it’s a girl who will advance, hopefully Allison. Unsurprisingly, Allison Iraheta advances to the next round.

Megan and Kris, two of the top performers last night, step forward next. Then Matt and Jeanine join them. Out of the four, one will advance. Paula is torn between everybody other than Jeanine. Narrowing it down, Jeanine Vailes has been eliminated. Matt Giraud can also have a seat. It’s between Megan Joy Corkrey and Kris Allen, who were the two I was expecting to be in the running. Kara thinks Kris is talented, but she still doesn’t like his song choice (she’s wrong). Kris is the second person to join the top 12 tonight.

Brooke White is back and singing her first single, which she co-wrote, Hold up My Heart.

It’s time for the five remaining contestants Mishavonna, Kai, Nick/Norman, Adam, and Jasmine to get the news. We’ve finally seen the last of Nick Mitchell/Norman Gentle. That much is sure. Mishavonna Henson, Kai Kalama, and Jasmine Murray can all have a seat. Adam Lambert is the sixth member of the top 12.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another recap of American Idol Season 8 episode 16, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.

The first three members of the top 12 were decided in American Idol 8 Episode 13: Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace, and Michael Sarver.

Tonight, an additional 12 contestants compete for America’s votes. They will be singing more songs from the Billboard Hot 100.

Jasmine Murray
Song: Love Song by Sara Bareilles
Randy: Some good moments, some bad moments. Pitchy throughout.
Kara: Kinda lost it in the beginning. Moments but…
Paula: Agree with the others. Off pitch. Not the right song.
Simon: Disappointed. Great look, attitude, and confidence. Just not a great voice. A couple years too early.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-01

Matt Giraud
Song: Viva la Vida by Coldplay
Kara: Song doesn’t lend itself to that type of performance.
Paula: Hope you are here next week.
Simon: Verging on a horrible performance. Bad song, wannabe pop star, uncomfortable.
Randy: Still pulling for you, but stay away from songs like this.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-02

Jeanine Vailes
Song: This Love by Maroon 5
Paula: Great legs. It’s season 8. Simon, I’m looking forward to what you have to say.
Simon: Terrible. Painful at times. Completely wrong song, but you do have very good legs.
Randy: Wrong song. Best part was the end, that it was over.
Kara: So overdone.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-03

Nick Mitchell / Norman Gentle
Song: And I Am Telling You by Jennifer Holliday
Simon: On behalf of America, I pray you do not go through to the next round. One of the most atrocious performances at this stage ever.
Randy: One of the most entertaining performances ever. Vocals were not happening.
Kara: Memorable. Not a terrible singer.
Paula: True performer. There are plenty of stages in LA (just not this one).
Seacrest: Do I think you deserve a spot? Probably not.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-04

If it’s possible, this night keeps getting worse and worse, but I think we’ve hit rock bottom. I’ll ask it again. How did this guy get to this stage?

Allison Iraheta
Song: Alone by Heart
Randy: Blew it out the box. Real singing.
Kara: Serious. Don’t even know how good you are. Could have a big hit with the right song.
Paula: Could sing the telephone book. Seasoned for someone so young.
Simon: The best tonight by a clear mile. The competition just started.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-05

Kris Allen
Song: Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson
Kara: The back half was way better than the front, but still not close to Hollywood week. Wrong song.
Paula: Disagree completely. Showed personality. Nailed it.
Simon: Not the best singer in the competition but showed confidence and personality. May have put yourself back in the running.
Randy: You did it even without the guitar.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-06

Megan Joy Corkrey
Song: Put Your Records on by Corinne Bailey Rae
Paula: Right song. Camera is in love with you. Interesting, relevant.
Simon: Started off really well but oversang at the end. Hopefully America votes for you.
Randy: Big fan. Nice job.
Kara: Package artist. Breakout hit artist with the right song.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-07

Matt Breitzke
Song: If You Could Only See by Tonic
Simon: Really like you but absolutely hated that song. Boring. Uncomfortable. Frustrated.
Randy: Boring performance. Just okay.
Kara: Didn’t show any side of you. Really flat.
Paula: In key but wrong song.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-08

Jesse Langseth
Song: Betty Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes
Randy: Okay performance. Not really exciting.
Kara: Best look. Interesting to watch. Some moments.
Paula: Memorable person but not the best song to sing.
Simon: Forgettable.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-09

Kai Kalama
Song: What Becomes of the Broken Hearted by Jimmy Ruffin
Kara: A little old fashioned.
Paula: Really good on the song except when it was off pitch.
Simon: Old fashioned. Corny. Wedding or hotel performance. Nothing distinct, original, or memorable. Good backup singer.
Randy: Too safe.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-10

Mishavonna Henson
Song: Drops of Jupiter by Train
Paula: Wouldn’t have been her choice of song.
Simon: Very serious. Left cold. Act like a 50 year old.
Randy: Feels so much older.
Kara: Loosen up a bit. Good singer, but where do you fit?
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-11

Adam Lambert
Song: Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones
Paula: Watching an Adam Lambert concert rather than American Idol.
Simon: Difficult. Parts excruciatingly bad, parts brilliant. Gonna get through regardless.
Randy: Loved it. Most current artist ever. A little manic. Don’t overdo it.
Kara: Outrageous vocal technique and ability.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-12

Presumably we’re going to see Allison and Adam advance (though the latter was quite over the top). Third’s a bit of a toss up probably between Kris and Megan (I’d opt for Kris), although Matt Breitzke as a likeable family guy may have an outside chance, while Matt Giraud may have enough of a previous following to pull through.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another recap of American Idol Season 8 episode 15, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.

The guys did well in American Idol 8 Episode 12. Oh, and there were some girls singing, too.

Let the filler begin. One hour, two minutes of which are actually necessary. Three people will be proceeding to the top 12.

Casey Carlson is not in the top 12.

Stephen Fowler is also not in the top 12.

Alexis Grace, who seemed quite overrated yesterday, is the first member of the top 12. Not a surprise since she really didn’t have much competition from the other girls.

Ricky Braddy is not in the top 12. Only thing I can think is his lack of previous appearances stood in his way because he’s good enough to be in the top. Jackie Tohn is also not in the top 12.

Anoop Desai is up next against Michael Sarver. Anoop is out. Michael is going through, presumably leaving room for one last guy (Danny). Michael’s performance wasn’t too good, but I agree he is a likeable guy. Only 20,000 votes separated these two, and I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of Anoop.

I thought Seacrest was getting ready to eliminate Carly Smithson and Michael Johns, but apparently they’re just there to sing.

Stevie Wright, Brent Keith, and Ann Marie Boskovich have been eliminated.

That leaves Danny Gokey up against Tatiana del Toro. Unless America has taken leave of their senses, it will be Danny, and just as importantly, not Tatiana. As expected, Danny rounds out the three who proceed to the top 12. Tatiana actually wasn’t that bad, just in need of some prozac.

One more group of 12 will sing next week: Megan Corkrey, Kris Allen, Mishavonna Henson, Matt Breitzke, Allison Iraheta, Matt Giraud, Jasmine Murray, Kai Kalama, Jesse Langesth, Adam Lambert, Jeanine Vailes, and Nick Mitchell/Norman Gentle.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another recap of American Idol Season 8 episode 14, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.

Last week we found out the American Idol 8 top 36.

Tonight the first 12 will be performing for America’s votes. Only three of them will go through, meaning 9 will be sent home, though of those 9 there is a chance they will be back for the wild card show. The highest scoring guy will go through, the highest scoring girl will go through, and the next highest vote getter, presumably meaning an uneven number of guys/girls for the first time since George Huff was in the final six with a bunch of chicks in season three. Tonight’s theme is the Billboard 100 since the chart began.

Jackie Tohn
Song: A Little Less Conversation by Elvis Presley
Randy: Way to start season 8 off. Not blown away by the vocals but entertained.
Kara: Can work the stage. Not the best vocals.
Paula: Not boring. A true performer.
Simon: Played the clown. Ungamely, gimmicky, great opportunity blown, the trousers aren’t even any good.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-01

Ricky Braddy
Song: A Song for You by Leon Russell
Randy: This is what I’m talking about. Unbelievable, beautiful tone, nice voice.
Kara: Killed that. Amazing.
Paula: Proud that America gets to see how talented he is. Deserves to go very far in this competition.
Simon: Very, very good, but not jumping out of his chair like the other three. Needs more charisma and self belief.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-02

Alexis Grace
Song: Never Loved a Man by Aretha Franklin
Randy: Found the soul and pain.
Kara: The genie is out of the bottle.
Paula: So much soul, passion, and confidence for a 21 year old.
Simon: By a mile the best contestant so far (of the three). May be the dark horse. Reminiscent of Kelly Clarkson (huh?).
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-03

Brent Keith
Song: Hicktown by Jason Aldean
Randy: Liked the return to country roots. Very good choice.
Kara: Likeable but a little safe.
Paula: Safe but a potential country western star.
Simon: Forgettable. No impact.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-04

Stevie Wright
Song: You Belong with Me by Taylor Swift
Randy: Not hot. Safe. Better than the song or the performance.
Kara: Identity crisis.
Paula: Not the Stevie Wright they knew.
Simon: Terrible. Out of tune. Looked nervous. Out of her depth. 0 chance of getting through.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-05

Anoop Desai
Song: Angel of Mine by Monica
Randy: Song was a little sharp.
Kara: Agreed with Randy but believable as an artist.
Paula: Brian McKnight feel. Here for a while.
Simon: Too grown up. Too serious.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-06

Casey Carlson
Song: Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic by The Police
Randy: Not good. Kind of weird. Completely wrong song. Weirdly karaoke. Lost.
Kara: Wrong. Overdone. Flat.
Paula: Beautiful girl… but. Didn’t work.
Simon: Trying to find something positive. Atrocious singing. Worst song choice and arrangement. Shouldn’t have been allowed to sing that song. Karaoke.
Numbers: 1-866-IDOLS-07

Michael Sarver
Song: I Don’t Wanna Be by Gavin DeGraw
Randy: Can definitely sing but a little rough start. Not sure about the performance.
Kara: Crowd pleaser song but not his best performance. Likeable.
Paula: Real good job.
Simon: Tricky one. Likeable guy but not the best vocal, albeit better than some earlier. Hopefully America gives him another shot.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-08

Ann Marie Boskovich
Song: Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin
Randy: Not the right song choice. Fell below what some others have done (like Kelly Clarkson the week Simon finally noticed her).
Kara: Too big a song. Old fashioned.
Paula: Better than Hollywood week.
Simon: Good for a hotel singer. Voice is not good enough for the song.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-09

Stephen Fowler
Song: Rock with You by Michael Jackson
Randy: Different vibe. Wrong place for him.
Kara: More connected at the piano even without the lyrics.
Paula: Should have proved he could sing the David Cook song at the piano. Kiss of death.
Simon: Would have been better off forgetting the lyrics. Corny.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-10

Tatiana del Toro (oh geez)
Song: Saving All My Love for You by Whitney Houston
Randy: Some impressive moments.
Kara: There were moments. Character or artist?
Paula: Most talked about contestant on the show so far, one way or another. Not used to the normal acting girl. Beautiful closing note.
Simon: Drama queen. Desperate to be famous. Surprisingly not bad song. Better than expected. Lose the current non-psycho personality.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-11

Danny Gokey
Song: Hero by Mariah Carey
Randy: Redeemer of the night. Blazing hot.
Kara: Danny is the hero. Great.
Paula: Sold out arenas.
Simon: Good. Not fantastic.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-12

The guys pretty much carried the night. Most of the girls fell flat, though one of them will get through and take the spot of one of the much better guys.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another recap of American Idol Season 8 episode 13, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.

Update: American Idol has been preempted for another Presidential address Tuesday March 24. It will air Wednesday and Thursday instead.

Effective March 11, American Idol Wednesday editions will air one hour later at 9/8c. Lie to Me will be bumped up to American Idol’s current time slot, making room for Idol to go head-to-head with ABC’s Lost.

Update: American Idol has been preempted for a Presidential address on February 24. The next 12 contestants will sing on February 25, with the special results show on Thursday February 26.