Category: american idol season 10

The top 11 performed again in American Idol Season 10 Episode 22. Tonight two will go home.

Naima’s days have been numbered for some time, and she didn’t do herself any favors last night. Paul’s been questionable for weeks, but like Sanjaya, I don’t think it matters. Thia and Stefano seem to have lost favor, and Lauren wasn’t very high up the totem pole to begin with. Haley may actually be safe for a change. Casey’s shock bottom place finish last week is unlikely to happen again, not now anyway.

Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina step forward first. They are both safe.

Naima Adedapo and Jacob Lusk are up next. Opposite ends of the spectrum here. It goes without saying that Jacob is safe, while Naima is in danger.

Fantasia’s apparently still singing. Well, thanks for giving me something to fast forward.

Pia Toscano, Thia Megia, and Haley Reinhart step forward. Pia’s clearly safe in spite of and/or because of the fact that she ignored Randy’s advice. Any other week, I’d say Haley’s in the bottom, but her rave reviews from the judges may have saved her. So it is, with Thia falling into the bottom three.

Now the boys. Paul McDonald, Casey Abrams, James Durbin, and Stefano Langone are the last people to go up. Somehow, Stefano is safe, while Paul is not. Been waiting for that for weeks but didn’t think I’d see it so soon.

That leaves Naima, Thia, and Paul in the bottom three. Paul is safe. It’s the end of the road for Thia and Naima.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 10 Episode 24, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.

The week after making the stupid decision to sing a Nirvana song, Casey found himself at the bottom in American Idol Season 10 Episode 21, but the judges decided to use their save to bail him out. Let’s just hope he’s done “taking risks.” Tonight the top 11 sing songs from Elton John.

Scotty McCreery
Song: Country Comfort (what, you expected not country?)
Steven: Nothing I can say…
Jennifer: Amazing instincts.
Randy: Seasoned so fast. Felt like I was at your concert.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-01

Naima Adedapo
Song: I’m Still Standing (as a reggae song complete with bad Jamaican accent… what the bloody hell is this?)
Jennifer: Not sure this song was suited for that. Better idea than payoff.
Randy: Kinda corny.
Steven: Good for you for picking a song that fits you.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-02

Paul McDonald
Song: Rocket Man
Randy: Couple little pitchy things but a very infectious quiet tender voice.
Steven: I like the character where you sometimes hit a note and sometimes you don’t.
Jennifer: Holding back a bit.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-03

Pia Toscano
Song: Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (a ballad… good, stick to your guns)
Steven: Some people might have been wrong up here when we asked you not to sing ballads any more. That’s what you are.
Jennifer: Felt you more than I have before.
Randy: You’ve sung a ballad every time, and you slayed them every time. Just trying to get you to switch your gears. Heard some Whitney, Mariah in there.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-04

Stefano Langone
Song: Tiny Dancer (not Tony Danza)
Jennifer: Felt like you moved the crowd today.
Randy: Right on when you hit the high notes.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-05

Lauren Alaina
Song: Candle in the Wind
Randy: One of the greatest Lauren Alaina performances. Very nice, very sensitive, very pro.
Steven: Perfect. Beautiful.
Jennifer: First time everybody got to hear what we heard the first time we saw you.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-06

James Durbin
Song: Saturday Night’s Alright
Steven: Really good rock voice.
Jennifer: Think I’m at a show. Full performance of a great song by a great artist.
Randy: Great, great, great performance.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-07

Thia Megia
Song: Daniel
Jennifer: Really beautiful. Very well suited for your voice.
Randy: People can hear your beautiful voice but didn’t like that it was very safe. (News flash for Randy: she did up tempo last week, and it resulted in her being in the bottom three.)
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-08

Casey Abrams
Song: Your Song
Randy: So nice and so tender.
Jennifer: Proved why we saved you.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-09

Jacob Lusk
Song: Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
Steven: First half of that song blew me away.
Jennifer: Made it your own. That last note, you don’t see that every day.
Randy: First half was brilliant. Pick one spot to go all the way, like Pia does.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-10

Haley Reinhart
Song: Benny and the Jets
Jennifer: That was it. It all came together.
Randy: Best performance of the night.
Steven: You sing sexy.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-11

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 10 Episode 23, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.

The top 11 performed in American Idol Season 10 Episode 20. Tonight one more will go home, bringing us down to the top 10 contestants, who will go on to the tour.

The judges offered up criticism last night for the sake of merely offering up some criticism, except for Steven, who thinks everything is beautiful and basically just says “I agree with Randy.” Stefano closes his eyes while he sings, so they made him distractingly try to keep his eyes forced open, unsuccessfully. Two words: toothpicks. Pia’s awesome singing fell on deaf ears because they want her to move. Perhaps next week she can take some African dancing lessons and they will be happy, or they’ll bash her for pushing the envelope too far and not knowing who she is.

Regardless, everybody did well. So with that in mind, we pretty much have to go with what we know. Based on the last few weeks, it would be a safe bet that Haley and Naima will be heading to the bottom three again.

Lauren Alaina, Pia Toscano, and Scotty McCreery are up first. Of the three, Lauren’s the only one in any real danger, no matter how much Seacrest wants to Punk them. They are all safe.

Paul McDonald and James Durbin are next. As much as I’d like to think Paul will end up in the bottom three, he won’t, and obviously neither will James.

Jacob Lusk, Thia Megia, and Stefano Langone are next. Jacob’s obviously safe. I could see either of the other two being in slight danger. Thia and Stefano are both in the bottom three. I guess this is what happens when you follow the bad advice to focus on keeping your eyes open or sing an up tempo song that doesn’t do anything for you.

Haley Reinhart, Naima Adedapo, and Casey Abrams are the last trio. I don’t get Casey, but he should be safe. That would leave one of the other two lucky to be alive and not in the bottom three for a change. Naima is safe. Casey is in the bottom three.

So the bottom three are Stefano, Casey, and Thia. What the? I’d have seen any of them as merely having an outside chance of getting the bottom, let alone one of them going home. America’s keeping me on my toes here. Thia is safe. That puts Casey in danger. I knew he screwed himself over with that Nirvana song but didn’t think it was quite this bad. That said, he’s a good candidate for the judges’ save. He has indeed been saved. As a result, everybody remaining will go on tour.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 10 Episode 22, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.

Karen Rodriguez was voted out in American Idol Season 10 Episode 19. Tonight the top 11 sing Motown.

Casey Abrams
Song: I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye
Steven: Perfect entertainer.
Jennifer: Nobody like you.
Randy: Whatever the song is, do you.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-01

Thia Megia
Song: Heatwave by Martha & The Vandellas
Jennifer: Great to see you let loose like that.
Randy: This new thing is a good thing. You can really sing.
Steven: (I have nothing original/useful to contribute, again.)
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-02

Jacob Lusk
Song: You’re All I Need to Get By by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Randy: The great Berry Gordy is somewhere saying oh my God.
Jennifer: You moved me. You moved us.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-03

Lauren Alaina
Song: You Keep Me Hanging On by The Supremes
Steven: I don’t think you listen to anybody about anything, and I like that.
Jennifer: So much attitude.
Randy: Swagger on high. Ready.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-04

Stefano Langone
Song: Hello by Lionel Richie
Jennifer: Amazing. But want you to connect.
Randy: Definitely got the pipes. One of the better singers we have.
Steven: Just gotta pull back a little bit.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-05

This “open your eyes” ridiculousness is lost on me. It felt awkward watching him try to force his eyes open. I’d rather have him focus on something else.

Haley Reinhart
Song: You Really Got a Hold on Me by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Randy: Started a little rough, but the Haley we fell in love with came roaring back by the middle.
Steven: That was beautiful. (Just like every other performance tonight that I have referred to as beautiful, so basically every other performance. Please buy me a thesaurus for Christmas.) Been looking for that since the first time I heard you.
Jennifer: Maybe the most soulful voice of anybody in the competition.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-06

Scotty McCreery
Song: For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder
Steven: That was beautiful. Took a big chance. I loved it.
Jennifer: Great version of this song. Not your strongest vocal performance.
Randy: Smiling the whole time. Young lady killer.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-07

Pia Toscano
Song: All in Love Is Fair by Stevie Wonder
Jennifer: Again you kill us. Amazing vocals, beauty/image, feeling. Need to add more to your performance.
Randy: Phenomenal. Hit the notes dead on. Too many ballads.
Steven: Closest star in this American Idol universe. Beautiful.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-08

Paul McDonald
Song: Tracks of My Tears by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Randy: Distinctive different kind of voice. Kinda took it to a cool kinda Paul kinda Rod Stewarty kinda place.
Jennifer: Most seasoned performer. Just need a good producer.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-09

Ryan points out that Randy has not said pitchy all night. But Steven has made up for it with his abuse of the word beautiful.

Naima Adedapo
Song: Dancing in the Streets by Martha & The Vandellas
Steven: That’s a beautiful thing. The whole package. You were beautiful.
Jennifer: First little goose bumps of the night.
Randy: Finally all of Naima showed up.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-10

James Durbin
Song: Livin for the City by Stevie Wonder
Jennifer: Serious business. Incredible thing to watch.
Randy: A little bit rough start but unbelievable when you finally hit your stride.
Steven: Great. Incredible voice. Perfect for your voice.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 10 Episode 21, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.

The top 12 performed in American Idol Season 10 Episode 18. Tonight one will be sent home.

There are a few choices tonight. Naima barely made it into the competition, got a pass last week, and then this week got called out for what she got passed on last week. Casey failed to understand the concept that taking a risk should require thought, not just singing something random and hoping it sticks (it didn’t). Lucky for him, he’s got a following already built. I still don’t get Paul, but I counted him out the last two weeks, in which he’s been untouched. I get the sense he’s got a couple more weeks in him by way of the Worsters. I wasn’t sure whether Haley’s performance was serious last night or not.

Casey Abrams, Jacob Lusk, and Lauren Alaina are first. Lauren was improved but in the bottom three last week, while Casey’s problem is he took a risk that did not pay off. Jacob is safe regardless. Lauren will also be returning to safety. Casey is also safe.

Haley Reinhart and Paul McDonald are next. Both of them could easily be in the bottom three (for Haley, it would be a return visit). Paul is safe. Haley is in the bottom three.

Scotty McCreery, James Durbin, and Pia Toscano are the next group. I don’t see any of them being in danger. Scotty is safe. Pia is safe. James is safe.

Stefano Langone and Naima Adedapo are next. Unlike the other two, Stefano’s really made the most of his second chance. Stefano is safe. Naima is in the bottom three.

Karen Rodriguez and Thia Megia are the final pair. With Karen having been in the bottom three last time, I think we can see where this is going. Thia is safe. Karen is in the bottom three.

As Haley and Karen are once again in the bottom three, they are joined by Naima. Naima is the first person to return to safety. Haley is also safe. That means Karen has been eliminated. Did not see that coming even a little. Of the three, I’d say she’s the only one with any chance of being saved by the judges, however slim. Since she keeps ending up in the bottom, though, it would be merely delaying the inevitable. The judges are not unanimous in their decision to not use the save.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 10 Episode 20, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.

Ashton Jones was eliminated in American Idol Season 10 Episode 17, surviving just one week after her wild card nomination. The remaining 12 contestants will perform themes from the years they were born.

Naima Adedapo
Song: What’s Love Got to Do with It by Tina Turner
Steven: Sorcerer’s grasp for melody.
Jennifer: Gave you a pass on the pitchiness last week… but starting to see that you are consistently pitchy.
Randy: Always under the pitch. Vocals were a mess.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-01

Paul McDonald
Song: I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues by Elton John
Jennifer: Struggling up there. So much soul and star quality that you overcame that.
Randy: Some very pitchy notes. You make whatever you sing your own.
Steven: Very distinctive voice.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-02

Thia Megia
Song: Colors of the Wind by Vanessa Williams
Randy: Okay vocals. Very boring.
Steven: Beautiful voice, but is that song who you are?
Jennifer: A little safe. Feels like your vibrato needs a little work.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-03

James Durbin
Song: I’ll Be There for You by Bon Jovi
Steven: Made Desmond Child proud with that.
Jennifer: Brings me so much joy.
Randy: Always figure out how to make it your own. Very tastefully done.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-04

Haley Reinhart
Song: I’m Your Baby Tonight by Whitney Houston
Jennifer: A little tense.
Randy: Confused. Not sure who you are. Vocals were okay.
Steven: Want to hear more blues.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-05

Stefano Langone
Song: If You Don’t Know Me by Now by Simply Red
Randy: Best performance of the night so far. Highest degree of difficulty and slayed it.
Steven: Beautiful phrasing.
Jennifer: Perfect song for you. You could take this thing.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-06

Pia Toscano
Song: Where Do Broken Hearts Go by Whitney Houston
Steven: You are why this show is called American Idol.
Jennifer: So glad to hear you do something up tempo. Perfect for you.
Randy: Pia is in the competition to win it.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-07

Scotty McCreery
Song: Can I Trust You with My Heart by Travis Tritt
Jennifer: Pushed it out there a little bit more at the end.
Randy: Love seeing you take chances, and I know Travis Tritt in case anybody wanted to know.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-08

Karen Rodriguez
Song: Love Will Lead You Back by Taylor Dayne
Randy: Started a little rough. Definitely better than last week.
Steven: Love when you break into your ethnic whatitisness.
Jennifer: Could tell you were a little bit scared but attacked it.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-09

Casey Abrams
Song: Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
Steven: Crazy and talented, the perfect match.
Jennifer: Parts of it were a little screamy.
Randy: Not your best, but you’re fearless.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-10

Lauren Alaina
Song: I’m The Only One by Melissa Etheridge
Jennifer: Took it and made it your own. Very, very good job.
Randy: Very nice.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-11

Jacob Lusk
Song: Alone by Heart
Randy: Very, very nice performance. Loved the tenderness at the end the most.
Steven: Gospel had a baby, and they named it Jacob Lusk.
Jennifer: Give yourself completely.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 10 Episode 19, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.

The top 13 performed in American Idol Season 10 Episode 16. Tonight one person will be voted out after an hour of filler.

Casey is sick and hospitalized now and unable to appear on tonight’s show. They provide no indication of how serious it is and whether he’ll be recovered in time for next week’s show.

Jacob Lusk, Karen Rodriguez, and Stefano Langone are first. Jacob and Stefano are safe. Karen is in the bottom three.

Lauren Alaina, Ashton (or is it Ashthon?) Jones, and Haley Reinhart are the next group. Lauren is safe. Both of the other two could easily go. And both are in the bottom three. Somehow, Paul has gotten the votes to be safe.

Karen is the first to return to safety. Haley is also safe, and thus Ashton has been eliminated unless the judges save her (they won’t… she already got a second chance).

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 10 Episode 18, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.

The top 13 were decided in American Idol Season 10 Episode 15. Tonight they will perform. The theme is a songs by their personal idols, with Jimmy Iovine there to serve as a distraction.

Lauren Alaina
Song: Any Man of Mine by Shania Twain
Steven: Loved that song. Wish it had just been a little more kick ass.
Jennifer: Amazing voice. But you have to kick it into high gear.
Randy: Cool song. Sang well. Didn’t shine for you.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-01

Casey Abrams
Song: With a Little Help from My Friends by Joe Cocker
Jennifer: Watching somebody important right now.
Randy: So unbelievable and so exciting. Fun.
Steven: A rainbow of talent.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-02

Ashton Jones
Song: When You Tell Me That You Love Me by Diana Ross
Randy: A little safe but saw you grow.
Steven: A lot more in there than you’re showing us.
Jennifer: Moments where it was kind of getting away from you. Would like to see you sing songs that people know.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-03

Paul McDonald
Song: Come Pick Me Up by Ryan Adams with an R
Steven: A little pitchy. Find a song where the chorus is your key. But love the voice.
Jennifer: So unique. I hope America gets it.
Randy: I get it, and I hope America gets it.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-04

Pia Toscano
Song: All By Myself by Celine Dion
Jennifer: Topped last week.
Randy: Hit the notes dead on. Very hot, dope, cool.
Steven: Slammed it.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-05

James Durbin
Song: Maybe I’m Amazed by Paul McCartney
Randy: Now you come out and sing Paul McCartney and slay it. This dude can do anything.
Steven: Taken everything you’ve ever felt and kicked it into next week.
Jennifer: You can really actually sing.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-06

Haley Reinhart
Song: Blue from LeAnn Rimes
Steven: You can hear the country western part of America roaring.
Jennifer: So unique.
Randy: Like that you can do anything. A little boring.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-07

Jacob Lusk
Song: I Believe I Can Fly by R Kelly
Steven: So good I can’t even judge it.
Jennifer: You make us feel so much because you feel so much.
Randy: Such a signature sound. Kind of lost it but really hit it at the end.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-08

Thia Megia
Song: Smile by Michael Jackson
Randy: Love the intro. Golden. Wish the whole song would have been like that. Got a little pitchy in spots.
Steven: A little pitchy in the middle.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-09

Stefano Langone
Song: Sing Lately by Stevie Wonder
Steven: Arrangement was crazy. So well done.
Jennifer: Had me dancing. Really you.
Randy: Stevie would be proud of this.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-10

Karen Rodriguez
Song: I Could Fall in Love by Selena
Jennifer: Could tell you were a little uncomfortable with some of the notes.
Randy: Kind of fighting the song.
Steven: Lacking energy.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-11

Scotty McCreery
Song: The River by Garth Brooks
Randy: This is exactly where you belong. Don’t change it.
Steven: Did Garth justice.
Jennifer: Saw you open up as a performer.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-12

Naima Adedapo
Song: Umbrella by Rihanna
Steven: A little pitchy. Brought flavor.
Jennifer: You got fire. Need to work on control.
Randy: A little rough but love the whole reggae thing.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-36

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 10 Episode 17, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.