After the judges lectured America for getting it wrong, Jessica Sanchez was eliminated in American Idol Season 11 Episode 28. Then Jessica was saved, and more lecturing ensued. Tonight the top 7 perform for an unnecessarily long 2 hours, again. The theme: then and now. Because apparently we need to see two songs from each of them. At least that means no group sings, though it does potentially mean 14 standing ovations.

Hollie Cavanagh
Song: Rolling in the Deep by Adele (I still don’t understand why this song is so popular)
Steven: Finally came out of your shell. Perfect.
Jennifer: You did it.
Randy: Close to perfect.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-01

Colton Dixon
Song: Bad Romance by Lady GaGa
Randy: Just at a Colton Dixon concert. Parts a bit low for you.
Steven: Keep taking chances and doing what you’re doing.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-02

Elise Testone
Song: No One by Alicia Keys
Jennifer: First goosies of the night. Would love to see you smile more when you’re singing.
Steven: You have a voice for a better chorus.
Randy: Stayed with the melody for a change.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-03

Phillip Phillips
Song: You Got It Bad by Usher
Steven: I feel like a chump here.
Jennifer: So sexy.
Randy: A true artist.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-04

Jessica Sanchez
Song: Fallin by Alicia Keys
Steven: You released passion.
Jennifer: Crazy.
Randy: America got it wrong, in case you missed it the first 500 times it’s been said.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-05

Skylar Laine
Song: Born This Way by Lady GaGa (country version)
Jennifer: A more perfect song for you does not exist.
Steven: Giving the other girls a run for their money.
Randy: So beyond ready.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-06

Joshua Ledet
Song: I Believe by Fantasia (really?)
Randy: By the way, America got it wrong.
Jennifer: Leave it all on the stage every single time. (Which is why they give him a standing ovation every time, which is getting old, seeing as there are 6 other contestants that are just as good, if not better.)
Steven: You could sing the phone book.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-07

Hollie Cavanagh
Song: Son of a Preacher Man by Dusty Springfield
Randy: Worked it out. Better than round 1.
Jennifer: Showing a new composure.

Colton Dixon
Song: September by Earth, Wind, & Fire
Steven: Your voice is a lot more powerful than that.
Jennifer: Not the perfect performance.

Elise Testone
Song: Let’s Get It on by Marvin Gaye
Jennifer: Would like to see more emotion.
Steven: Need to take it up a notch.
Randy: Not right for your voice. You’re not really sure what’s right for you. Oversang.

Phillip Phillips
Song: In the Midnight Hour by Wilson Pickett
Randy: Exactly what you need is always what you have.
Jennifer: Spontaneous. From the soul.
Steven: Everybody loves you because of who you are.

Jessica Sanchez
Song: Try a Little Tenderness by Otis Redding
Jessica: Like the fact that you’re stepping out.
Jennifer: Your alter ego came out a little bit.

Sklyar Laine
Song: Heard It through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye
Randy: Every time is a party.
Steven: Like a wild horse that refuses to be tamed.

Joshua Ledet
Song: A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke (and a second standing ovation, after Randy makes Jennifer stand)
Randy: Perfect song for you.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 11 Episode 30, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.

The top 7 performed in American Idol Season 11 Episode 27. Tonight 1 more will be sent home.

Hollie Cavanagh and Jessica Sanchez are the first pair. What would the top 7 elimination be without the “form two groups and one person get in between them” process?

Phillip Phillips and Elise Testone are the second pair. Phillip joins Hollie’s group. Elise joins Jessica’s group. Did not expect Hollie and Elise to be split. Curious to see if Seacrest reshuffles the deck.

Joshua Ledet, Colton Dixon, and Skylar Laine are the last group. Seacrest asks when these judges will give Colton one of their random pointless standing ovations that makes no sense, which they have not yet done, even on that night in which they stood up after 5 songs in a row.

Joshua joins Jessica and Elise, and Colton joins Hollie and Phillip. That leaves Skylar on the couches.

Skylar is the first to return to safety. Does she want to pick a group to join? Nope. Ryan brings her to Hollie, Phillip, and Colton, who are also safe.

The bottom three is Joshua, Elise, and Jessica. A bit surprised by Jessica, but not the other two. Randy says America got it wrong. Steven says it’s so wrong they will use the save. The only one of the three that it makes sense to save is Jessica.

Joshua is the first of the three to return to safety.

Jessica Sanchez finishes in last place, but the judges use their save. I think she’ll be back to the bottom before long, but this should kick start her for a couple weeks.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 11 Episode 29, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.

Deandre Brackensick was finally eliminated in American Idol Season 11 Episode 26. Tonight the top 7 perform songs from the past 3 years.

Skylar Laine
Song: Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You by Kelly Pickler
Randy: Could have a hit with a song like that. Crazy hot.
Jennifer: Perfect pitch.

Colton Dixon
Song: Love the Way You Lie by Skylar Grey
Jennifer: Every song is your own.
Steven: Could have recorded that right now.
Randy: Stellar subtle performance.

Jessica Sanchez
Song: Stuttering by Jasmine Sullivan
Randy: Superb. At the highest degree.
Jennifer: Amazing opportunity to take America on a ride like they’ve never been.
Steven: Slay it every time.

Joshua Ledet
Song: Runaway Baby by Bruno Mars
Steven: Can sell a song like a work of art.
Jennifer: Not just the vocals. It’s about being a performer.
Randy: Unbelievable performance.

Hollie Cavanagh
Song: Perfect by Pink
Jennifer: Feel you fighting.
Steven: Not perfect.
Randy: A lot better than last week.

Phillip Phillips
Song: Give a Little More by Maroon 5
Steven: Really love the way you’ve changed and evolved.
Jennifer: Underwhelming. Seen this performance a couple of times.
Randy: Agree with Jennifer.

Elise Testone
Song: You and I by Lady GaGa
Randy: Elise is back. Very dope vocals.
Jennifer: Let go and kept control at the same time.
Steven: Turned it into genius.

The judges again refuse to name names. Simon would have.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 11 Episode 28, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.

The top 8 performed in American Idol Season 11 Episode 25. Tonight 1 will be sent home.

With results by duets, Jessica Sanchez and Joshua Ledet are the first pair. Joshua is safe. So is Jessica.

Skylar Laine and Colton Dixon are up next. Because they were both so good, they are joined by Hollie and Deandre. Now we’re seeing some people who will be in danger. Jimmy calls out the judges for their silly feedback of Deandre in which they said he was amazing. Deandre is in the bottom three. Colton is safe. Skylar redeemed herself this week, but Hollie returns to the bottom three.

That brings us down to Elise Testone and Phillip Phillips. Clearly Elise is the one in danger here, though I don’t think she’s going home just yet. Then again, given her lack of support, all it could take is one bad week.

That leaves us with a bottom three of Hollie, Deandre, and Elise. Hollie returns to the couches. The right choice. She’s certainly the best singer of the three, despite some hiccups.

Steven does not think America got this right. Jennifer thinks America got it half right. Randy agrees.

Deandre has been eliminated. Or has he? Please don’t waste the save on him. They do not, as Jennifer is overruled.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 11 Episode 27, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.

The night he followed Steven Tyler’s bad advice of not being funny any more was his last, as Heejun Han was eliminated in American Idol Season 11 Episode 24. Tonight the top 8 perform songs from the 80s.

Deandre Brackensick
Song: I Like It by Debarge
Jennifer: Felt super comfortable. Very natural.
Steven: You’ve become who you are. (Whatever that means.)
Randy: Used more of your natural voice, not just the falsetto. One of your best.

Elise Testone
Song: I Wanna Know What Love Is by Foreigner (after being badgered by the mentors to change)
Steven: Not sure that was the right song for you.
Jennifer: Not totally right.
Randy: Pitchy the whole song.

Phillip Phillips
Song: That’s All by Genesis
Steven: Love your individuality.
Jennifer: Not in your comfort zone at the beginning.
Randy: Great song choice.

Joshua Ledet
Song: If You Don’t Know Me by Now by Simply Red
Jennifer: We asked for a powerhouse performance, and that’s what we got.
Steven: Over the top. (Very.)
Randy: Wanted to stand up from beginning to end.

Jessica Sanchez
Song: How Will I Know by Whitney Houston
Jennifer: Such a natural performer.
Steven: So fantastic.
Randy: Whitney sings so effortlessly, but that’s what you just did.

Hollie Cavanagh
Song: What a Feeling from Flashdance
Steven: A little slow getting there. Pitch all over the place.
Jennifer: Forget what everybody tells you. Just feel it.
Randy: Stop thinking.

Colton Dixon
Song: Time after Time by Cyndi Lauper
Steven: So good you could do a record right now.
Jennifer: In sync with the band.
Randy: Made it your own. So current.

Skylar Laine
Song: Wind beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
Randy: Wow. Your best performance.
Jennifer: You just said do not count me out.
Steven: Best song for your voice. Beginning of a great career.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 11 Episode 26, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.

The top 9 performed in American Idol Season 11 Episode 23 in what turned out to be the most overrated by the judges night ever. Tonight 1 will be sent home.

Elise Testone, Phillip Phillips, and Hollie Cavanagh are the first group. Hollie’s been a frontrunner, but she has finally landed in the bottom three. Elise and Phillip are safe.

Joshua Ledet, Heejun Han, and Colton Dixon are the second trio. Of them, Colton’s the only one who did not receive a standing ovation last night, which was just a ridiculous night of the judges eventually fawning over every performance whether it deserved it or not (odds are: it did not). In spite of that, he is safe. Joshua joins him. The unfunny version of Heejun is in danger, perhaps more danger than a funny Heejun would have been.

Skylar Laine, Deandre Brackensick, and Jessica Sanchez are the last group. Jessica is safe. Deandre is safe, meaning we need to continue living with his excessive and annoying falsetto. Skylar joins the bottom three.

That brings us to a battle between Hollie, Heejun, and Skylar. An unexpected bottom three, but at the same time, not entirely so. The judges were handing out standing ovations like candy, and in doing so, they seem to have completely shaken up the standings, giving rise to those who would otherwise be bottom dwellers.

Skylar returns to safety.

Heejun’s luck has finally come to an end, and he will not be saved.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 11 Episode 25, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.

Unable to connect with viewers, Erika van Pelt was eliminated in American Idol Season 11 Episode 22. Tonight the top 9 perform. It’s idols week.

Colton Dixon
Song: Everything by Lifehouse
Steven: Dream come true.
Jennifer: Really moved.
Randy: Believability. Could be looking at a contender.

Skylar Laine
Song: Gunpowder and Lead by Miranda Lambert
Jennifer: Unbridled energy.
Steven: Over the top.
Randy: You are a powerhouse singer.

It ain’t Thursday, but there’s enough filler time with only 9 left that we can get multiple group sings.

Heejun Han
Song: A Song for You by Donny Hathaway
Steven: You turned it around.
Jennifer: Most beautiful tone, most beautiful vibrato.
Randy: Not perfect, but the Heejun we selected came back to us.

Hollie Cavanagh
Song: Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood
Randy: Really good job. Couple pitchy moments, mostly in your lower range.
Jennifer: One of your best. Connected with the song.
Steven: Wish you sang a different song. Just okay. Didn’t hear the full range of your voice.

Deandre Brackensick
Song: Sometimes I Cry by Eric Benet
Steven: What your voice was made to do.
Jennifer: Something you do not hear every day.
Randy: Happy to see you come back to who you are.

Jessica Sanchez
Song: Sweet Dreams by Beyonce
Jennifer: Really really beautiful rendition.
Steven: Star no matter what. Not quite to your limit tonight.
Randy: Inately have an unbelievable talent. This girl wants it, too.

Deandre, Heejun, and Joshua in a trio? No thank you. My ears are still recovering from earlier, whether the judges pretended to like what they heard or not.

Phillip Phillips
Song: Still Rainin’ by Jonny Lang
Jennifer: You make the music come first.
Randy: Love the artist you are and the individuality.

Joshua Ledet
Song: Without You by Mariah Carey
Randy: Flawless.
Steven: Pushed beyond your own limits.
Jennifer: Phenom. Angel from heaven.

Elise Testone
Song: Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin
Steven: You made Robert Plant proud.
Jennifer: Real rock star… stuff.

5 standing ovations tonight? Really? What is up with these judges giving out standing ovations so willy nilly, primarily for those who are most in danger? This is one thing I like about Simon. He doesn’t care if everybody else in the building wants to stand. He ain’t doing it unless it’s awesome. These three just follow each other’s lead, and it’s lost its meaning.

None of the judges will name any names who is either in danger or safe.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 11 Episode 24, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.

The top 10 performed in American Idol Season 11 Episode 21. Tonight 1 more will be sent home.

Why is Jennifer so pink?

Hollie Cavanagh, Skylar Laine, and Elise Testone are up first. It’s obvious the other two are safe, but I admit I’m surprised by Elise’s safeness.

Deandre Brackensick, Joshua Ledet, and Jessica Sanchez are next. Deandre’s luck is about to expire, quite likely tonight.

Erika van Pelt, Heejun Han, Colton Dixon, and Phillip Phillips are the last group. The unrecognizeable Erika’s in as much danger as she usually is. Tough call between the other three, though Heejun’s clearly the weakest singer of all. Seems Heejun’s support due to his humor is approaching its end, no matter how many Twitter followers he has.

Deandre, Erika, and Heejun find themselves in the bottom three.

Deandre is safe. Heejun dodges a bullet. Erika van Pelt has been eliminated. Again there’s no way the judges use their save.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 11 Episode 23, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.