Tale of the Thumbs

WARNING: It's another generous week. Lots of thumbs up and only one down. And one "Syesha's not a good singer" from The Boy. I guess she's not rock and roll enough for him.

Brooke White: two thumbs up (plus double bonus)
David Cook: two thumbs up (plus the predictable rock-n-roll bonus from The Boy)
Ramiele Malubay: two thumbs up (plus the generous bonus from The Boy)
Jason Castro: two thumbs up (plus the guitar bonus from The Boy)
Carly Smithson: two thumbs up (bonus from . . . are you ready . . . The Boy)
David Archuleta: two thumbs up (double bonus, as expected)
Kristy Lee Cook: one thumb up and one "present" vote (he said he was reading a book and wasn't really listening--how's that for an endorsement)
Syesha Mercado: one thumb up and one thumb down (apparently The Boy is not impressed by long, high notes, and reference his above comment)
Michael Johns: two thumbs up (and a bonus, yet again, from The Boy)

Tale of the Thumbs

I know, I know. This week's action is all over, but the kids are just now getting to it. Here are their ratings before we watch the elimination action.

Ramiele Malubay: two thumbs up (bonus from The Boy)
Jason Castro: one thumb up, one thumb sideways (Wisdom from The Boy: "He likes singing words we don't know")
Syesha Mercado: one thumb up, one thumb sideways
Chikezie: two thumbs up (oops!)
Brooke White: two thumbs up (plus two more)
Michael Johns: two thumbs up (plus the rock 'n' roll bonus from The Boy)
Carly Smithson: two thumbs up ("Daddy, is this rock 'n' roll?" Then comes the extra thumb.)
David Archuleta: Double thumbs up (for once little brother isn't tormenting The Girl.)
Kristy Lee Cook: two thumbs up (bonus from The Boy--I think he's smitten)
David Cook: two thumbs up (guess who gave the bonus thumb?)

More thumbs . . .

As is expected, the boy and girl were incredibly complimentary and positive. Here are their somewhat predictable ratings.

Asia'h Epperson: two thumbs up (bonus from the boy--must be the truck driver's gear change at the end)
Kady Malloy: one thumb up, one thumb down
Amanda Overmyer: one thumb down, one thumb up (bonus from the rock-and-roll boy)
Carly Smithson: two thumbs up (one extra from the boy since she's a bit rock-and-roll)
Kristy Lee Cook: one thumb up, one thumb down (the girl is feeling the "positivity")
Ramiele Malubay: two thumbs up (bonus thumb from the boy since "she's awesome")
Brooke White: two thumbs up + 2 more (big smiles from both throughout, and "she's awesome" too)
Syesha Mercado: two thumbs up

According to the thumbs, Kristy Lee Cook and Kady Malloy will bid us farewell tonight.

How many thumbs do they have?!

Today is the quickly becoming traditional AI Rebroadcast in our home. Oh, to be young and so positive!

Luke Menard: two thumbs up (plus one from the boy)
David Archuleta: one thumb up, one thumb sideways (bonus from the girl--see, 7-year-old girl demographic. His vocal "prowness" helps, too)
Danny Noriega: two thumbs up (bonus from the boy)
David Hernandez: one thumb up, one thumb sideways
Michael Johns: two thumbs up (plus one from the boy, likely for manly sport references)
David Cook: two thumbs up + two more (guitars, rock--it's got all the makings for greatness)
Jason Castro: two thumbs up (plus an extra one because he recognized this song from Shrek, one of his all-time favorite movie soundtracks)
Chikeze: two thumbs up (that's all)

Anyway, there it is. Enjoy.

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)

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)

Thumbs Sideways for Me

Borrowing a line from my 5-year-old I am able to sum up my feelings on these early weeks. I usually prefer male vocalists in general so the Top 12/10/8 Girls is not my favorite. With that said, there were some bright spots and even some positive awards to hand out. First, my random thoughts . . .

Wardrobe must love Simon. Did he actually sleep in his clothes last night? Oh wait, it was a v-neck last night. These guys from last night are pretty duddy in general. They hardly get into the girls' performances. I remember in past seasons the constestants seemed to actually enjoy the others. This has been a rotten cold and flu season. I understand what the judges are saying about being sick is no excuse, but at this stage of the game do we really want to see legitimate "I can stand to watch you for 14 more weeks" talent go by the wayside because someone's on day one of a Z-Pak? C'mon. I'm glad Randy the mathemetician showed up because thanks to the professor we now realize that 360 degrees is not only a complete circle (meaning, we get back to where we started), but it is also a turnaround that is twice as powerful as the 180. Also, the professor astutely noted that 3 boys and 3 or 4 girls is not the exact same number. Next week, grammar. And did Paula actually say "dope"? School must have been in session because we even learned a thing or two about foreign culture--washing-up liquid.

MILLION-DOLLAR SMILE/TWO-BIT PERFORMANCE AWARD: Amy Davis

SUDAFED-INDUCED ZOMBIE AWARD: Kristy Lee Cook

DIDN'T WE HEAR THIS CHEESE LAST NIGHT AWARD: Alaina "Buy Me Some New Shoes" Whitaker (Although, it was better than last night's serving)

LATOYA LONDON SPIRIT AWARD: Syesha Mercado

STOP SCREAMING AT ME AWARD: Amanda Overmyer

HOW DID WE NOT HEAR MORE ABOUT YOU BEFORE NOW AWARD: Alexandrea Lushington

SHINY HAPPY PEOPLE HOLDING HANDS AWARD: Brooke White

HOW ARE YOU SO BORING AWARD: Kady Malloy

WHY DO YOU KEEP SAYING "PLUS-SIZED" AWARD: Joanne Borgella

IF YOU START PACKING NOW IT WILL SAVE TIME NEXT WEEK AWARD: Kristy Lee Cook

GOOD THINGS IN TINY PACKAGES AWARD: Ramiele Malubay

BAD NEWS FOR THE OTHERS WHEN I'M HEALTHY AWARD: Carly Smithson

MY TOP THREE: Carly Smithson, Ramiele Malubay, Asia'h Epperson
WHO'S GOING HOME: Joanne Borgella, Amy Davis
ON DECK FOR NEXT WEEK: Kady Malloy

Since I'm watching today with my 5-year-old and 7-year-old I'll give the recap in terms of thumbs:

Kristy Lee Cook: two thumbs up
Joanne Borgella: one thumb sideways, one thumb up
Alaina Whitaker: two thumbs up
Amanda Overmyer: one thumb up, one thumb down
Amy Davis: one thumb sideways, one thumb sideways
Brooke White: two thumbs up
Alexandrea Lushington: two thumbs up
Kady Malloy: two thumbs sideways
Asia'h Epperson: one thumb up, one thumb down
Ramiele Malubay: two thumbs up
Syesha Mercado: one thumb up, one thumb sideways
Carly Smithson: one thumb up, one thumb sideways

Most of my son's thumb ratings were based on whether or not each song was rock and roll. My daughter likes "happy music."

Please, no themes next week. (I'm not holding my breath.)