Top 10 Minus 2 + 2

I'm glad they called Simon on the hand antler. I was wondering about that, too.

Michael Johns is safe, and so is Jason Castro - two of my picks for getting kicked. The only one I got right was Jason Yeager, who I thought had more of a chance to stay than the other two. But I am indifferent and unattached to these early outcomes.

Asia'h is safe, as is Amanda, so again, two of my picks are safe. Alexandrea is leaving, but to be fair, I did judge her as about equal to Alaina, who was one of my picks. I just neglected to include her. Maybe I was reluctant to pick four, or maybe I unconsciously didn't want to name all four of the female contestants beginning with 'A'. Eh?

Kady and Alaina are the other two in the bottom three. Alaina is out, so I wasn't too far off. She and Danny take it pretty hard. I really admire her courage to sing after that.

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I wonder if Simon's angrier impatience with the top 24 contestants this year is based on the new policy of kicking two each per show, thus decreasing the number of possible appearances in which to shine or screw up. Perhaps his sense of urgency for them to excel stems from that. My guess is they'll be doing this again to get to the top 12 faster and stay there longer.

Yeah, that seems to fit in with the renewal of Idol Gives Back in the next segment, and all the other goodies they have in store for us. They're cutting to the chase.

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Robbie Carrico and Luke Menard are the others in the bottom three. And Robbie is out. Again, I'm indifferent.

See ya next week!

Tale of the Thumbs--Top 10 Girls Edition

If you ever want to feel really good about yourself, come over to our house and have our children critique anything. They are positive children who apparently see a lot of good in people. Ways to score bonus thumbs with my son include screaming rock-and-roll style and using a guitar. My daughter likes songs appropriate for dancing and people who can sing loud.

Carly Smithson: two thumbs up
Syesha Mercado: one thumb up, one thumb down
Brooke White: two thumbs up (she used a guitar, so bonus from The Boy, and The Girl really likes her in general so bonus there, too)
Ramiele Malubay: two thumbs up
Kristy Lee Cook: two thumbs up
Amanda Overmyer: one thumb down, one thumb up (there was definite screaming, so bonus from The Boy)
Alaina Whitaker: two thumbs up
Alexandrea Lushington: two thumbs up (Bonus from The Boy for her skater shorts?)
Kady Malloy: two thumbs up
Asia'h Epperson: two thumbs up (The Boy yet again gives a bonus thumb--he's just in the habit by now)

Sometimes I just don't care . . .

Take last night's performances from the "Top 10" Girls. Bleh. I'm unenthused, and like Simon I find myself picking at my own hair to find something interesting to do while they screech their way through the 70s. There are a few gems there, but nothing that exciting. I think Ryan was the first to mention the Dog Pound by name. To this point Randy has been more interested in trying to hang the moniker "Mr. Happy" on Simon than in pointing out the Dog Pound. I noticed a lot less booing last night when Simon would criticize the contestants. Either last night's crowd was more brain dead or they don't like the girls as much. I don't know. Just my random thoughts.

Since I can't even bring myself to put much effort into reviewing the evening's happenings, I will give my Top 3 and Bottom 2

MY TOP THREE: Brooke White, Carly Smithson (who, in my opinion is critiqued heavily because they expect so much from her, not because she is doing poorly), and ____________ (name of female contestant here).

MERCIFULLY RELEASED FROM THE TOP 24 TO TOP 12 LIMBO: Amanda Overmyer and Kady Malloy

The other 3 or 4 girls could just as easily be sent home tonight or next week so it's all on the line now!

* * * * * *

CHECKING IN ON ORIGINAL PREDICTIONS

Here are my original Top 12 predictions, based on very little (those already elimintated are in bold). Predictions for elimination this week are underlined. I should add italics to something just for confusion's sake.

David Archuleta
David Cook
Michael Johns
Robbie Carrico
Chikezie Eze
Danny Norriega (think, Sanjaya)

Asia'h Epperson
Brooke White
Carly Smithson
Kristy Lee Cook
Ramiele Malubay
Joanne Borgella

Top 10 Girls! - Classic 70s Theme

Carly Smithson - Very good! I thought she owned it pretty well. The judges liked it well enough. I think Simon's right about her needing to find the perfect song to win.

Syesha Mercado - Her baby cry imitation is good, but it's just strange watching her while she does it. Her voice is great when it's louder, but it loses all power in the lower ranges. It was okay, but not a winner. Both Randy and Paula comment on the same thing. Simon points out that it's also a song for a male singer, but has to call it silly. Like Bush, he sorely lacks in diplomacy.

Brooke White - The Carly joint 'You're So Vain'. She's not quite big enough for the song, and gives it a country ballad flava, but it was very enjoyable overall. I'm actually amazed that Simon liked it as much as he did, but then, he probably thought the song was about him. Oh. Surprise. He did.

Ramiele Malubay - The song is unfamiliar to me, or is it just the way she is singing it? It seems like a nice, tight performance to me - well-modulated. Randy and Paula acknowledge her talent but dis the song. Simon agrees as well.

Kristy Lee Cook - Another decent performance. As I hinted at yesterday, all the girls' performances seem better than the typical guys' performance. She didn't kill with it, but it was very well done. Randy agrees. Paula approves. Even Simon gives it the nod.

Amanda Overmyer - She can kick it when she's belting, but I don't like her voice in the softer passages. Simon's "contrived" comment may have some merit. I can empathize with the judges' frustration with attempting to give winning advice to an almost certain loser of the contest at hand.

Alaina Whitaker - Great. An obsessive eater. Nice voice on a nice song. Somewhat better when she kicks it into gear, but it left me feeling she needs a couple of more years of training. Again the judges do their best to build her up (even Simon!).

Alexandrea Lushington - Some nice, original changes, but she felt strained, like she was holding back a bit, and slightly pitchy in spots. Like Alaina, she might benefit from a couple of more years of experience. The judges think it was the song, but I'm not sure.

Kady Malloy - I don't think she owns this rock genre song (Magic Man). It doesn't impress me. Randy agrees.

Asia'h Epperson - A shaky start to a HUGE song. Low and slow is not working. She also grinds the gears going into second. She manages to throw it into third and finishes big, but I was soooo scared for her. Randy and Paula give it to her, but Simon brings her down to earth.


Top Cats - Carly Smithson, Brooke White, Ramiele Malubay, Kristy Lee Cook, roughly in order.

In The Litter Box - Asia'h / Amanda / Alaina

See you tommorow...

The Tale of the Thumbs

I rewatched the show with the kids and got their opinions today. My daughter was feeling a bit like Simon--tough critic this week. My son had the "I love you all" Paula vibe going on. I remain unchanged as to my opinions from last night.

Michael Johns: one thumb up, one thumb sideways
Jason Castro: one thumb up, one thumb sideways (my son liked his performance mostly because it sounds like this song from the Curious George movie)
Luke Menard: one thumb up, one thumb sideways
Robbie Carrico: one thumb up, one thumb sideways
Danny Noriega: one thumb up, one thumb sideways,
David Hernandez: two thumbs up
Jason Yeager: two thumbs up
Chikeze: one thumb up, one thumb sideways (extra props from the boy)
David Cook: two thumbs up (more extras from the boy)
David Archuleta: two thumbs up (apparently David rates well in the 7-year-old girl demographic, too)

Start trimming the waste . . .

Predictably, we've arrived at the 1970s. In my opinion the 70s offer more hope for stardom than the 60s week did, but apparently the contestants saw things differently. Overall the song choices were off with a couple of exceptions. The theme for this week actually seemed to be 180 Week since a lot of the guys came off quite differently than last week. Or, maybe it was 360 week. Randy, and thoughts? Simon is plain nasty this year, like he's bored or something. "All this crap for 7 years and only a few superstars compared to so many wannabes?"

Anyway, other than the Davids, no one really impressed me all that much. Michael was a let down--get it out now--as was Jason Castro. David Hernandez did a great job this week. Robbie Carrico tries too hard, although I do feel badly for him a little. David Archuleta is amazing! I agree with Randy completely about his place in AI history with that performance. The most amazing part to me is that he embellished the melody just enough to sound 100% fresh on a song so many people have interpreted. Just awesome! True confession time: his performance brought a tear or two to this old softy's eye, and that only happens once or twice in an AI season.

Alright, on to my impressions this week. No awards this time. Just sushi.

Michael Johns--California roll. Fantastic taste, but it can get old if not carefully prepared.

Jason Castro--Spider roll. Have you ever seen all the little legs sticking out of the roll? Now look at his hair.

Luke Menard--Those tuna rolls you get at the grocery store with cooked tuna from the can. It's an attempt, and in a bind it might do the trick, but somehow it's just not sushi-ish enough. This is not unlike my wife's canned tuna on rice with soy sauce fiasco--it only happened once . . . years ago.

Robbie Carrico--Philly roll. Do smoked salmon and cream cheese really belong anywhere besides a bagel?!

Danny Noriega--Inari sushi. Sounds sort of weird at first, but it kind of grows on you.

David Hernandez--Shrimp nigiri. It tastes good, but I'd rather have something else when I get my sushi plate.

Jason Yeager--Tamago (egg) nigiri. Why? Why? Scrambled eggs on sushi rice. Why?

Chikezie--Unagi (eel) roll. Strong flavor, and either you like it or you don't.

David Cook--Spicy tuna roll. Great taste, but too much is too much.

David Archuleta--Tuna sashimi. Pure. No frills. Just great!

* * * * *

MY TOP THREE: David Archuleta, David Hernandez, Chikezie

GOING HOME: Jason Yeager, Luke Menard

JUST KILLING TIME UNTIL NEXT WEEK'S GOOD-BYE: Robbie Carrico

Top 10 Guys! - Classic 70s Theme

Michael Johns - Not so much, I think. His voice cracks in spots and it simply didn't impress me. Randy and Paula let it slide, but Simon is with me on this one.

Jason Castro - The opening is a bit weak, but it gets better. He certainly will appeal to the ladies, but the performance, for me, was just okay. Randy agrees. Paula, being female, responds to the sex appeal, and is more forgiving. Simon is detailed and precise. He also seems considerably less insulting than the last two weeks, so far. That's a welcome change.

Luke Menard - He is magnetic and strong from the start. The song is difficult, and perhaps not the best choice, though it does showcase his ability to handle it. Randy and Paula acknowledge this. Simon is a bit more critical but makes some relatively valid points about being compared with the original. I think he did a bit better than Simon believes.

Robbie Carrico - A little more wow than some of the others, but not enough for an Idol. Randy agrees, especially given that it's a rock song. Paula is vague and supportive. Simon gives it a thumbs up, though seems relatively unenthusiastic.

I'm just not seeing anything close to a star performance so far, and keep wishing I could be listening to the girls.

Danny Noriega - He tackles a BIG song - Long Ago And Far Away - He handles the low register opening fairly well, but doesn't kick it to high gear effectively at all. Add some minor pitchiness, and I didn't like it. Randy didn't feel it, either. He's riding on his looks and personality so far, to me, and that won't take him to the finals.

David Hernandez - Much better. Good song choice, good presence, good skillz. That's what I'm talking about. All the judges agree. My Idol for the night, so far.

Jason Yeager - I like how he personalizes the song, and I think he does a decent job, but it's a safe choice with a very limited range. I like his energy better than most tonight, but it wasn't the best song choice as a showcase. The judges essentially agree and Simon gets back in his comfort zone with an insult about the ending, which wasn't that bad, and was somewhat creative.

Chikezie - The song is totally unfamiliar to me, but it seems to offer a good showcase, and his voice and style are quite exciting. Number two for the night, so far, for me. The judges love it, too. Oooooh! He really lands one on Simon wearing the same clothes!

David Cook - He pretty much owns the stage with this performance. I could easily believe I was looking at the winner of AI. Randy believed him, too. Paula loved it. Simon cites a lack of charisma, and I can't disagree that the crossword-working "word nerd" segment didn't lend him any, but I'd rather he be honest than manipulative in letting us get to know him.

David Archuleta - Chills right from the start! I love this guy! He owns the song and does it better than the original. Beautiful and powerful. Definitely #1 for me, and the one to beat. The judges completely agree.


Top Dogs: David Archuleta, David Hernandez

In the Doghouse: Michael Johns, and one of the Jasons