Category: american idol season 9

Four more people were sent packing in American Idol Season 9 Episode 18: John Park, Jermaine Sellers, Michelle Delamor, and Haeley Vaughn. Tonight the top 8 girls perform, and they’re given an hour. Oh geez. Let’s hope the incompetent producers have sorted this out so it doesn’t run 8 minutes over or remove half the judges’ comments.

Katie Stevens
Song: Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson
Randy: Paled in comparison.
Ellen: Didn’t feel the connection or the personality, but it was the right song choice.
Kara: Great radio voice, but don’t know who you are yet.
Simon: Haven’t worked out what kind of artist you want to be. 10 out of 10 for trying.

Siobhan Magnus
Song: House of the Rising Sun by The Animals
Randy: Different. Love what you do.
Ellen: Why I love music.
Kara: Brilliant choice to do a cappella at the front. Doing great.
Simon: Weird. Underimpressed.

Lacey Brown
Song: The Story by Brandi Carlile
Randy: A little sleepy but your best performance in a long time.
Ellen: Distinctive voice. Really good.
Kara: Why you got here. Effortless singing.
Simon: Didn’t love the song, but it feels like you’ve been doing this a long time. In danger of being forgotten, but good.

Katelyn Epperly
Song: I Feel the Earth Move by Carol King
Randy: Didn’t feel the right connection.
Ellen: Not the song to choose to wow people. Just not enough.
Kara: Didn’t feel like you were competing.
Simon: Kind of like request night in a restaurant. Other people look as if they’re trying harder.

Didi Benami
Song: Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac
Randy: No wow moment but a lot better.
Ellen: Lovely performance. Liked what you did with the song.
Kara: One of my favorite moments so far this season.
Simon: Head and shoulders above anything else tonight.

Paige Miles
Song: Smile by Charlie Chaplin
Randy: Just didn’t work at all.
Ellen: Supposed to be an inspiring song. Instead, it was just sad.
Kara: Just all wrong.
Simon: Horrible choice of song. Awful arrangement.

Crystal Bowersox
Song: Give Me One More Reason by Tracy Chapman
Randy: Love that. Love you. Love the song.
Ellen: Need new adjectives for you. Best performance of the night.
Kara: Easy for you because you know who you are.
Simon: 1 million billion percent in the top 12 (Randy’s math is rubbing off). The one everyone has to beat.

Lilly Scott
Song: Fall to Pieces by Patsy Cline
Randy: Loved the mandolin. Loved that song.
Ellen: Love your voice, love it, love you.
Kara: Kinda made Patsy Cline feel current.
Simon: Cute, quirky, no wow factory.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 20, which airs Wednesday at 9/8c on Fox.

Following the performances of the top 10 girls and the top 10 guys, 4 more people will be sent home tonight.

Simon says he watched the show back and changed his mind on some contestants he gave compliments to.

Tim Urban is safe. Michael Lynche is safe. Casey James is safe. That leaves John Park or Todrick Hall. Randy says both of them lost the plot. Simon is right that Purple Haze is getting their lead singer back, and John Park is heading home.

Lee DeWyze is safe. Aaron Kelly is safe. Alex Lambert is safe. That leaves us with Jermaine Sellers or Andrew Garcia. No brainer. Jermaine Sellers has reached the end of the line.

Lilly Scott is safe. Paige Miles is safe. Katie Stevens is safe. That leaves Didi Benami and Michelle Delamor. Kara has decided that Michelle’s performance was not very good after all, and she may be in jeopardy. Michelle Delamor has been eliminated.

Katelyn Epperly is safe. Crystal Bowersox is safe. Siobhan Magnus is safe. That brings up Haeley Vaughn and Lacey Brown. Haeley has been eliminated.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 19, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.

The top 10 boys competed in American Idol Season 9 Episode 16, and tonight the girls get their shot.

Crystal Bowersox
Song: Long As I Can See the Light by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Randy: Love that girl.
Ellen: Pure raw natural talent.
Kara: Completely recovered from last week. Effortless. Hit a new level.
Simon: Like the moment with Kelly Clarkson where we realized we’ve got a really serious artist here.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-01

Haeley Vaughn
Song: The Climb by Miley Cyrus
Randy: Didn’t work. No connection. Rough.
Ellen: No connection to the song.
Kara: Need about a year. Inconsistent.
Simon: Complete and utter mess.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-02

Lacey Brown
Song: Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer
Randy: Would have worked, but nothing new brought to it.
Ellen: Good song choice. Adorable.
Kara: Brought the special tone back, but you have to step it up.
Simon: Marginally better.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-03

Katie Stevens
Song: Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae
Randy: Some bright moments.
Ellen: Want to see you younger still.
Kara: Not enough of a performance song.
Simon: Tell us what kind of artist you are going to be.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-04

Didi Benami
Song: Lean on Me by Bill Withers
Randy: Song choice showed more of the imperfections.
Ellen: Great voice, but not a great song choice.
Kara: Not good.
Simon: Screeching bad choice of song. Wasted opportunity.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-05

Michelle Delamor
Song: With Arms Wide Open by Creed
Randy: Didn’t do enough with the song.
Ellen: Thought it was good you changed it up that much.
Kara: Favorite performance of yours ever.
Simon: Kind of got 80% of it right.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-06

Lilly Scott
Song: A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke
Randy: So unique. Favorite performance of the night.
Ellen: You have it, whatever it is.
Kara: Riveted. Gonna change the game.
Simon: Good but not crazy about it.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-07

Katelyn Epperly
Song: The Scientist by Coldplay
Randy: Really liked it.
Ellen: Way too slow.
Kara: Kind of love you. All over the place but really good.
Simon: Million times better than last week.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-08

Paige Miles
Song: Walk Away by Kelly Clarkson
Randy: Liked it. So many words.
Ellen: Loved it.
Kara: Could have a hit with that song. But it was supposed to be an angry song.
Simon: Failed to choose the right song. Getting lost in these songs.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-09

Siobhan Magnus
Song: Think by Aretha Franklin
Randy: So bold and so fearless. Dope.
Ellen: Aw man, that was good. Like a Snuggie.
Kara: Don’t know how you hit that note.
Simon: Parts of the song were terrible, but that note was incredible.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-10

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 18, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.

Following the elimination of Joe Munoz and Tyler Grady in American Idol Season 9 Episode 15, the top 10 guys perform tonight, switching nights because Crystal Bowersox was taken to the hospital this morning.

Michael Lynche
Song: This Is a Man’s World by James Brown
Randy: Standing ovation.
Ellen: Everybody now has got to top that.
Kara: Did not get it until tonight. Potentially a great artist.
Simon: Like going from a pussycat to a lion.

John Park
Song: Gravity by John Mayer
Randy: Probably your vibe, but didn’t bring anything new to it.
Ellen: Right song choice. Could have been a little more soul in it.
Kara: Way better than last week. Lack the connection.
Simon: Nothing to get excited about. So what?

Casey James
Song: I Don’t Wanna Be by Gavin Degraw
Randy: Could see you making this as an artist.
Ellen: Everything is there, but there’s just a stiffness.
Kara: Two steps backwards. This is a singing competition.
Simon: Turned into somebody trying to be a rock star.

Alex Lambert
Song: Everybody Knows by John Legend
Randy: Didn’t sound as sound-alike as it had in the past. Really enjoyed that.
Ellen: So much better than last week. Most unique style of anybody here.
Kara: Not a person out there not rooting for you. Incredible recordable voice.
Simon: A million times better than last week. Not taking part to win.

Todrick Hall
Song: What’s Love Got to Do with It by Tina Turner, kinda
Randy: The end of the song was hot. Didn’t need a different wild arrangement.
Ellen: Not the right song.
Kara: Don’t get it. All over the place.
Simon: Not working out at all.

Jermaine Sellers
Song: What’s Going on by Marvin Gaye
Randy: Better than last week but just not a great performance.
Ellen: Pushed too hard again.
Kara: Don’t need every trick. Just one trick that means something.
Simon: Frustrated and disappointed. Watered down the song.

Andrew Garcia
Song: You Give Me Something by James Morrison
Randy: Not the vibe for you.
Ellen: Liked it a lot.
Kara: Just been kind of going down since Straight Up.
Simon: Beginning to become a problem. Just okay.

Aaron Kelly
Song: My Girl by The Temptations
Randy: First half was brilliant. Can really sing. 200% better.
Ellen: A whole lot more confidence. Song was a little forgettable.
Kara: Liked it. Gonna get better and better.
Simon: Didn’t like the song. Need to work out what kind of artist you want to be. Too old fashioned.

Tim Urban
Song: Come on Get Higher by Matt Nathanson
Randy: Didn’t really get it. Very karaoke.
Ellen: Don’t think the strong point is the singing.
Kara: Liked the song choice. But not all there yet.
Simon: Marked improvement. Really listened to the criticism.

Lee DeWyze
Song: Lips of an Angel by Hinder
Randy: Bold move. Liked it.
Ellen: So much passion and intensity.
Kara: Big improvement. Could hear you on the radio right now.
Simon: Head and shoulders above everyone else vocally. But look terrified.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 17, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.

With the completion of performances of the top 12 boys and top 12 girls, America’s votes will send 4 people home. 4 people going home at least means the filler will be somewhat more limited than it usually is.

Siobhan Magnus is safe. Haeley Vaughn is also safe. Michelle Delamor is safe, too. Katelyn Epperly is safe as well. That brings us down to Janell Wheeler or Katie Stevens. Randy does not have an opinion who will go. It’s the end of the road for Janell.

Paige Miles is safe. Lacey Brown is also safe. Lilly Scott is safe. Crystal Bowersox is safe as well. That brings us down to Ashley Rodriguez and Didi Benami. Didi is safe, so Ashley is going home.

Michael Lynche is safe. John Park is also safe. Aaron Kelly is safe. Todrick Hall is safe as well. That leaves Tim Urban and Joe Munoz, the guy who was cut to begin with and the guy who’s had no camera time. Kara would not say this is the right pair to choose from that group. Tim is safe and quite stunned. Joe has been eliminated.

Casey James is safe. Jermaine Sellers is also safe. Lee DeWyze is safe. Andrew Garcia is safe, too. That leaves Tyler Grady and Alex Lambert. Unlike the others, Simon does not wimp out. He thinks it’s over for Tyler. That would be correct. Tyler blames lack of constructive criticism during Hollywood week.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 16, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.

The top 12 girls competed in American Idol Season 9 Episode 13, and tonight it’s time for the top 12 boys.

Todrick Hall
Song: Since You Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson (a completely unrecognizeable version)
Ellen: Love that you did something different with the song, although the singing wasn’t the greatest.
Randy: Didn’t even sound like the same song. Completely obliterated that.
Kara: Undeniable that you are a performer. Don’t have to go that crazy.
Simon: Came over as a dancer trying to sing. Crazy arrangement. Murdered the original song. Verging on stupid.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-01

Aaron Kelly
Song: Here Comes Goodbye by Rascal Flatts
Simon: Quite a good performance. Not confident.
Kara: Favorite kind of contestant.
Randy: You can definitely do this.
Ellen: Gonna be here a long time. Love how humble you are.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-02

Jermaine Sellers
Song: Get Here by Oleta Adams
Ellen: Felt more like a performance than feeling the song. Trying too hard.
Simon: Tried to do too much vocally.
Kara: Make the runs meaningful so they impact the audience. Felt a little old.
Simon: Kind of song that somebody in their 50s would request in a cocktail bar. Sounded like screaming in the middle. Totally blown opportunity.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-03

Tim Urban
Song: Apologize by One Republic
Simon: Made the right decision the first time by not putting you through.
Kara: Music overpowered you.
Randy: Wrong song. None of it worked.
Ellen: Couldn’t hit those high notes.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-04

Joe Munoz
Song: You and I Both by Jason Mraz
Ellen: Sounded really good. Great stage presence.
Randy: Worked it out.
Kara: Had a few issues with the chorus, but the best so far tonight.
Simon: Not a star. Okay. Safe. Forgettable.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-05

Tyler Grady
Song: American Woman by The Guess Who
Simon: People are going to remember that. Partly for the wrong reasons. Come over as somebody who’s gone to pretend to be a rock star school (TM).
Kara: Playing too true to the 70s obsession.
Randy: Style over substance.
Ellen: Lacking the charisma of the rock stars from decades ago.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-06

Lee DeWyze
Song: Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
Ellen: Went off a tiny bit, but love the tone of your voice.
Randy: A little too rangey. Too pop kind of fusiony kind of rock kind of thing.
Kara: Almost made the song unrecognizeable in parts.
Simon: Best performance by a mile. Naturally good singer.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-07

John Park
Song: God Bless the Child by Billie Holiday
Simon: Have got to have an incredible voice to take over that song, and you haven’t. Very flat and zero emotion. Pointless.
Kara: Loungey. Sleepy. Almost indulgent.
Randy: Got a voice, but doesn’t suit this kind of thing.
Ellen: Sounded great. Not something that’s gonna get a lot of young girls to vote.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-08

Michael Lynche
Song: This Love by Maroon 5
Ellen: Personality is just bursting out.
Randy: Picked the energy up.
Kara: Would be more critical about this performance if there were a lot of great performances.
Simon: Like the support act before the main act.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-09

Alex Lambert
Song: Wonderful World by James Morrison
Simon: Most uncomfortable performance of the night.
Kara: All there, but just not completely together.
Randy: Hope you stick around.
Ellen: Just not ripe enough.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-10

Casey James
Song: Heaven by Bryan Adams
Kara: Eye candy but also ear candy.
Randy: Really liked you. Great song choice.
Simon: Absolutely chose the right song. Honest. Severe. Likeable.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-11

Andrew Garcia
Song: Sugar, We’re Goin Down by Fall Out Boy
Simon: Too serious, too indulgent, not original enough. Disappointed.
Kara: Strange rendition. Straight Up bought you a lot of time.
Randy: Arrangement was really strange.
Ellen: Want to see you open up more.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-12

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 15, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.

We found out the completed list of the Top 24 last Wednesday, and tonight the top 12 girls will compete.

Paige Miles
Song: It’s All Right Now by Free
Simon: Best voice out of all the girls, but wouldn’t have chosen that song.
Kara: Brilliant song choice. Ridiculous voice.
Randy: Not the right song, but showed a powerful voice.
Ellen: So there. Sounded fantastic.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-01

Ashley Rodriguez
Song: Happy by Leona Lewis
Kara: Credit for taking on such a big song, but there were definitely moments that were not great.
Randy: Not good to be compared to those big singers.
Ellen: Take a risk. Do something that’s just not safe.
Simon: Clumsy. Going backwards. Could be in trouble.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-02

Janell Wheeler
Song: What about Love by Heart
Randy: Song choice didn’t work, but still like the voice.
Ellen: Love that song and thought you sang it very well.
Simon: 100% effort. Delivered 65%. Will survive this week.
Kara: Way too big a song.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-03

Lilly Scott
Song: Fixing a Hole by The Beatles
Ellen: That’s what we’re talking about.
Simon: Best so far. Still not feeling much star power.
Kara: Believable. Felt comfortable.
Randy: Like a real indie artist. Not affected by what people think.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-04

Katelyn Epperly
Song: Oh Darlin by The Beatles
Simon: Some messy moments, but quirky, interesting, good choice of song. Like you a lot.
Kara: Know your voice very well. Really know what you’re doing. Improved the song. Makeover isn’t helping.
Randy: Paid attention to the tone, which is the real art of singing.
Ellen: Liked it a lot, but it felt pushed.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-05

Haeley Vaughn
Song: I Wanna Hold Your Hand by The Beatles
Kara: Some issues from a technical standpoint, but it was fun.
Randy: High notes are not quite as pleasing as they could be.
Ellen: Shining presence on stage.
Simon: Verging on terrible. Never stopped smiling, so the vocals were all over the place.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-06

Lacey Brown
Song: Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
Randy: Not the right song. Terrible.
Ellen: You’re better than that.
Simon: Quite depressing. Kind of indulgent. Boring.
Kara: Hopefully America gives you one more shot.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-07

Michelle Delamor
Song: Fallen by Alicia Keys
Ellen: Fantastic. Seemed so easy.
Simon: Very professional singer. Sounded close to the original, but no wow moments.
Kara: Great when hit right.
Randy: Pretty good job, but take some risks.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-08

Didi Benami
Song: The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson
Simon: Good singer, but too many people are trying to sound like the same person. Indulgent, dreary.
Kara: At least made some changes to the original recording.
Randy: Sounded great. So sleepy.
Ellen: Low key for a first impression.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-09

Siobhan Magnus
Song: Wicked Game by Chris Isaak
Kara: Kinda liked you on that song.
Randy: Reach for bigger things.
Ellen: Loved it.
Simon: Liked the song. Not anywhere near the Stevie Wonder song.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-10

Crystal Bowersox
Song: One Hand in My Pocket by Alanis Morissette
Randy: One of my favorites. Original. Honest. Doesn’t matter what the song is.
Ellen: Add something fresh to the show.
Simon: Good, but there are thousands doing this outside subway stations.
Kara: Good. Not as good as in the past.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-11

Katie Stevens
Song: Feeling Good by Michael Buble
Ellen: Good, but conservative for a 17 year old.
Simon: Like mum and dad dressed you and gave you the song. Started to become annoying.
Kara: All over the place, but you have a natural gift.
Randy: Just too old.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-12

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 14, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.

The first 7 out of the top 24 were revealed in American Idol Season 9 Episode 11. Tonight we find out the remaining 17.

Janell Wheeler is the next person to join the top 24.

Tyler Grady, the guy from the 60s or the 70s or one of those decades that had questionable hygiene, is the next to advance.

Lacey Brown was cut at this point last year after a sing off, but this time she has made it.

Ashley Rodriguez, Alex Lambert, and Joe Munoz (who?) also make it through.

Crystal Bowersox also joins the top 24.

With all those reveals, some bad news has to be on the way.

Katie Stevens is not where that news starts, however, as she has made it to the next round.

A bunch of people then get rejected. I’m not sure who any of them are, though.

Angela Martin finally seems to have gotten her life on track in her third season of Idol, but she has not made the top 24.

Lilly Scott is the next girl to advance.

Paige Miles, Siobhan Magnus, Michelle Delamor, Jermaine Sellers, and John Park also join the top 24.

There are two girls left: Haeley Vaughn and Tori Kelly. Unlike years past, the silly finding out at the same time bit is gone, although we’ll probably still hear the inevitable but inaccurate claims of “if not for that other girl, the one who didn’t make it would have.” Tori has been cut, as Haeley Vaughn is the last girl to make the top.

For the boys, it comes down to Thaddeus Johnson and Andrew Garcia. Thaddeus has been cut. That puts Andrew Garcia in the top 24, which comes as no surprise following his Straight Up performance.

Top 12 Girls
Ashley Rodriguez
Crystal Bowersox
Didi Benami
Haeley Vaughn
Janell Wheeler
Katelyn Epperly
Katie Stevens
Lacey Brown
Lilly Scott
Michelle Delamor
Paige Miles
Siobhan Magnus

Top 12 Boys
Aaron Kelly
Alex Lambert
Andrew Garcia
Casey James
Jermaine Sellers
Joe Munoz
John Park
Lee DeWyze
Michael Lynche
Tim Urban
Todrick Hall
Tyler Grady

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 13, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.