I have an American Idol confession: I've not been watching as closely as I should have been. In fact, I haven't been watching at all. After the first audition in Phoenix, I set my DVR to record subsequent episodes and promptly ignored the whole thing. Last night, I decided to play catch up in preparation for tonight's big show down and I'm so glad I did. You may recall that one of my last reviews from Season 7 included a vehement request that Nigel Lythgoe remove himself from the AI franchise and that the production team take a long hard look at the series. I'm tickled that both of those things have occurred. Did I expect the strange amalgam of AI and The Bachelor? No, but I'm just glad the judges didn't give the 36 contestants roses along with the good news. And, really, how different can you make it? So on to tonight's first group of 12...remember, I promise only to share my own personal observations and while they may or may not be kind, they will almost surely be entertaining.
Jackie Tohn: Umm...I got chills all over not because of how great this was, but because of how terrible it was and how embarrassed I felt to be watching. Wow, what on earth was she wearing? Seriously, it was as if she was trying to channel Sandy from Grease, but in a strung out Studio 54 way. It was all bad.
Ricky Braddy: Who is this guy? Yes, I already admitted that I hadn't watched Hollywood week, but really...who is this guy? I love (love, love, love) the song choice, but will he move forward? I'm not sure I'll remember him at the end of tonight's show. Really, all I can think about is Elliot Yamin singing this same song how many seasons ago and blowing the roof off.
Alexis Grace: Mama loves Aretha Franklin and Alexis chose one of my all-time favorite Aretha songs. This tiny little girl has a big soulful voice inside. She sang the hell out of that song.
Brent Keith: Hmm, country. Underwhelming and utterly forgettable.
Stevie Wright: I was a little distracted thinking about the fact that Miss Stevie was nine years old when Idol began. Good thing, because this performance was bad...and all the synonyms for bad.
Anoop Desai: I had high hopes for Anoop Dogg. I think he's going to have a long, sleepless night trying to justify this song choice.
Casey Carlson: Wow. She makes bubble tea for a living and wears a fedora. And while she's super cute and has 'package' appeal for the judges and Circle 19, there is just no excuse for her to attack The Police like that. Maybe the Pussycat Dolls like Bubble Tea...she could be one of them and just never open her mouth to sing.
Michael Sarver: Okay, I like Michael. He just seems like a good guy. Did he work it out this week? No, but he's just so nice and the little ones at home...sigh. My snarky heart is overwhelmed even while my ears are slightly underwhelmed.
Anne Marie Boskovich: Oh, dear. No, no, no. Poor Carole King, her song just gets hammered over and over again. And the best part of this whole thing, was when she sat down in the red room after her performance and announced, "Wow, I just sat on the hard part!" I thought Seacrest's eyes were going to pop out of his head. You could see the dialog bubble just hovering over him, silently begging her to scoot his way just a little and check out his- oops! This is a family friendly show, right?
Stephen Fowler: Honestly, I don't think he should have been advanced to this round. He forgot the lyrics to every song he sang during Hollywood Week and had such a fit during his last performance that he got up and walked off stage. You just don't reward bad behavior like that. I was a little excited about the song choice until the first few measures, at which time I promptly tuned out. Next!
Tatiana Del Toro: Oh my, she is the most annoying contestant ever. And why was she so oddly composed tonight? I'm confused. I'm alarmed. I'm more alarmed that the judges kept saying how surprised they were that she didn't completely stink the place up...umm, you did put her through to this round, didn't you? Or did you....?
Danny Gokey: Have I mentioned that I may have a wee crush on Elvis Costello? I know, creepy, but Danny does remind me ever so slightly of my crush. I like this guy - liked him in auditions, like him singing Mimi's Hero, like his whole vibe...I'm going out on a limb here - I think he may go far in Season 8. Don't forget, I was a David Cook fan even before he got plugs and changed the part in his hair.
As always, your comments are welcomed and encouraged! Happy Idoling!
Jackie Tohn: Umm...I got chills all over not because of how great this was, but because of how terrible it was and how embarrassed I felt to be watching. Wow, what on earth was she wearing? Seriously, it was as if she was trying to channel Sandy from Grease, but in a strung out Studio 54 way. It was all bad.
Ricky Braddy: Who is this guy? Yes, I already admitted that I hadn't watched Hollywood week, but really...who is this guy? I love (love, love, love) the song choice, but will he move forward? I'm not sure I'll remember him at the end of tonight's show. Really, all I can think about is Elliot Yamin singing this same song how many seasons ago and blowing the roof off.
Alexis Grace: Mama loves Aretha Franklin and Alexis chose one of my all-time favorite Aretha songs. This tiny little girl has a big soulful voice inside. She sang the hell out of that song.
Brent Keith: Hmm, country. Underwhelming and utterly forgettable.
Stevie Wright: I was a little distracted thinking about the fact that Miss Stevie was nine years old when Idol began. Good thing, because this performance was bad...and all the synonyms for bad.
Anoop Desai: I had high hopes for Anoop Dogg. I think he's going to have a long, sleepless night trying to justify this song choice.
Casey Carlson: Wow. She makes bubble tea for a living and wears a fedora. And while she's super cute and has 'package' appeal for the judges and Circle 19, there is just no excuse for her to attack The Police like that. Maybe the Pussycat Dolls like Bubble Tea...she could be one of them and just never open her mouth to sing.
Michael Sarver: Okay, I like Michael. He just seems like a good guy. Did he work it out this week? No, but he's just so nice and the little ones at home...sigh. My snarky heart is overwhelmed even while my ears are slightly underwhelmed.
Anne Marie Boskovich: Oh, dear. No, no, no. Poor Carole King, her song just gets hammered over and over again. And the best part of this whole thing, was when she sat down in the red room after her performance and announced, "Wow, I just sat on the hard part!" I thought Seacrest's eyes were going to pop out of his head. You could see the dialog bubble just hovering over him, silently begging her to scoot his way just a little and check out his- oops! This is a family friendly show, right?
Stephen Fowler: Honestly, I don't think he should have been advanced to this round. He forgot the lyrics to every song he sang during Hollywood Week and had such a fit during his last performance that he got up and walked off stage. You just don't reward bad behavior like that. I was a little excited about the song choice until the first few measures, at which time I promptly tuned out. Next!
Tatiana Del Toro: Oh my, she is the most annoying contestant ever. And why was she so oddly composed tonight? I'm confused. I'm alarmed. I'm more alarmed that the judges kept saying how surprised they were that she didn't completely stink the place up...umm, you did put her through to this round, didn't you? Or did you....?
Danny Gokey: Have I mentioned that I may have a wee crush on Elvis Costello? I know, creepy, but Danny does remind me ever so slightly of my crush. I like this guy - liked him in auditions, like him singing Mimi's Hero, like his whole vibe...I'm going out on a limb here - I think he may go far in Season 8. Don't forget, I was a David Cook fan even before he got plugs and changed the part in his hair.
As always, your comments are welcomed and encouraged! Happy Idoling!
