Wednesday
21Mar2007
American Idol - The Top 11 Show Recap
Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 3:42AM
So before I get into a recap of this week's show, my good friend Brianna pointed out last night that I failed to really comment on who got voted off last week's show, Brandon Rogers...or rather who didn't get voted off, namely Sanjaya. Well, the bottom line is this, and I'm in agreement with most folks on this one...he's getting to stay because he definitely has the teen vote...maybe even pre-teens. More on that later. But yeah, I thought Brandon was definitely one of the bottom 3, not only with his performance (which was sub-par), and not just the fact that he started the show off, but he's just never done anything memorable. So I was surprised that (yet again) Sanjaya survived, but not really surprised at who got voted off.
So now, let's get to this week's show! It was a show dedicated to the 60's British Pop Invasion, and special guest "helpers" (I don't know what else to call them...maybe coaches?) Peter Noone and Lulu stepped into the picture to help the contestants with their songs and song choices, and they did an admirable job. So without further adieu, let's get to the recap. I sort of did this a bit different this week, as I watched the show (on the DVR no less), I keep a running tab of each contestant with feedback on each...so this isn't extremely detailed, but just sort of my thoughts as I watched the show.
Haley Scarnato – Tell Him by Billy Davis
Whoa…SEXY! Damn she looked good…and sounded good. Her sound is right on with this one. I liked her performance, and thought she did well. She should be back next week. Again, like Simon, I think people will be talking about more than just her vocals this week…she looked AMAZING. And yet again, channeling a little Katherine McPhee, which (in my humble opinion) is NEVER a bad thing!
Chris Richardson – Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying by Jerry & The Pacemakers
A ballad…should be interesting…I've never been blown away with Chris, but he's never been bad either. Chris also reminds me of someone from 'NSYNC or something like that. But it wasn't bad. The judges loved it, and I am in agreement to a degree…not totally in love with it, but thought he acquitted himself fairly well.
Stephanie Edwards – You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Dusty Springfield
High praise from Lulu…comparing her to Beyonce! Whoa, surprisingly bad performance from her tonight…this is not her best performance by far. Maybe this isn't her genre, but it was NOT good. Oversinging it by far, and she's pushing the vocal. I did NOT like this at all. I agree with Simon, too night-clubby…it was bland and not good. She needed to stay young. So far, the worst performance of the night of the first 3.
Blake Lewis – Time of the Season by the Zombies
Time to Blake-ize another one…I know why this song appealed to him. It has a bit of a 311 feel to it. And there's the beat-boxing…well, okay, I guess that's his thing, but I'm a bit tired of it to be honest with you. The chorus of this song is a bit high for him, maybe it needed to be a key or two lower. But overall, wasn't too bad. I'm not sure I was in love with it as Simon and the rest of the judges were, but again, he's probably the best of the guys…so he'll advance no problem.
LaKisha Jones – Diamonds are Forever by Shirley Bassey
Okay, let's be honest, to date, she's been one of the best…but tonight, in spots, she was not comfortable singing this song. That being said, she's still clearly one of the best ones in the competition, and she'll be moving on. But again, she's got to do a bit more I think…starting next week, or she could be in jeopardy. Good song though...love the James Bond stuff.
Phil Stacey – Tobacco Road by The Nashville Teens
Let the Chris Daughtry comparisons end now…Daughtry he is NOT. That being said, he's not bad. I hate to be so simple, but he's just not an American Idol. It's not bad, but his song and the total package just can't be wrapped up to be your IDOL. Saying that, I think it was one of his better performances, and chances are good he'll be back next week. And as much as it pains America, I have to agree with Simon here, no edge, no grit to his voice, it's like he's trying to sing rock with Richard Marx's voice.
Jordin Sparks – I Who Have Nothing by Shirley Bassey
How many different hair styles can we see on Jordin? I like her though. ☺ Of all the singers in this competition, I honestly think she has the highest potential. She could be a teen pop star singer RIGHT NOW. She is amazing, and she is definitely in the top 3. Each and every week, I'm surprised at how incredibly talented and poised she is. Melinda is not the only one is this competition who is surprisingly nice. I see in Jordin a VERY marketable quality.
Sanjaya Malakar – You Really Got Me by the Kinks
First off, who the hell was that in the crowd crying like she was at a Beatles concert?!? Wow, okay, that's like 4 shots of her in the crowd! My wife said they probably planted her…and that performance was TERRIBLE…but not as terrible as his past performances. Okay, stop showing that girl!!!! That's like 8 shots of her, and Simon referencing her in the crowd…nice! OMG, Sanjaya went out into the crowd to hug her…EWWW!!!!
Gina Glocksen – Paint it Black by The Rolling Stones
Okay, I'm diggin' Gina's choice here…and I think she is very cool with her rocker chick persona. Why did I think the Doors sang this song? I don't know…anyway…very cool performance. This is (again) a perfect type song for her. The band rocking behind her, her belting out the lyrics…very nice performance. The wife didn't dig it, thought it was too pitchy (Randy?), but I was diggin' it.
Chris Sligh – She's Not There by The Zombies
The sign…"BRINGING CHUBBY BACK"?? Really?!? Okay, I like this sound of this guy's voice, and I think he's one of the sentimental choices right now. The song is actually is a great choice for him and he is singing it well, I think this is one of the better performances of the night. It certainly doesn't blow your doors off, but he did well and shouldn't have any issue with returning next week.
And finally…
Melinda Doolittle – As Long As He Needs Me from Lionel Bart's Oliver
The wife mentioned that this song sounded "old", much like Simon's critiques of some of the other candidates. I would agree to some extent. But Melinda is one of the top 3 performers in this competition, and while I think she might not win, she'll be safe with this performance this week. The judges loved it (per usual with Melinda) and being the last one to perform, she'll be freshest on the minds of those who are voting, which means she is in.
So overall...I think that the contestants acquitted themselves EXTREMELY well this week...not really an awful performance among them. Sanjaya's crazy, all over the place performance not withstanding, I think they are all getting some great coaching from the American Idol staff. Here's how I see the contestants shaking out this week:
11. Sanjaya Malakar
10. Phil Stacey
9. Stephanie Edwards (the biggest mover DOWN this week)
8. Gina Glocksen
7. Chris Sligh
6. Chris Richardson
5. Haley Scarnato (the biggest mover UP this week)
4. Melinda Doolittle
3. Blake Lewis
2. Jordin Sparks
1. LaKisha Jones
Results show tomorrow...let's see how right (or wrong) I am!
So now, let's get to this week's show! It was a show dedicated to the 60's British Pop Invasion, and special guest "helpers" (I don't know what else to call them...maybe coaches?) Peter Noone and Lulu stepped into the picture to help the contestants with their songs and song choices, and they did an admirable job. So without further adieu, let's get to the recap. I sort of did this a bit different this week, as I watched the show (on the DVR no less), I keep a running tab of each contestant with feedback on each...so this isn't extremely detailed, but just sort of my thoughts as I watched the show.
Haley Scarnato – Tell Him by Billy Davis
Whoa…SEXY! Damn she looked good…and sounded good. Her sound is right on with this one. I liked her performance, and thought she did well. She should be back next week. Again, like Simon, I think people will be talking about more than just her vocals this week…she looked AMAZING. And yet again, channeling a little Katherine McPhee, which (in my humble opinion) is NEVER a bad thing!
Chris Richardson – Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying by Jerry & The Pacemakers
A ballad…should be interesting…I've never been blown away with Chris, but he's never been bad either. Chris also reminds me of someone from 'NSYNC or something like that. But it wasn't bad. The judges loved it, and I am in agreement to a degree…not totally in love with it, but thought he acquitted himself fairly well.
Stephanie Edwards – You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Dusty Springfield
High praise from Lulu…comparing her to Beyonce! Whoa, surprisingly bad performance from her tonight…this is not her best performance by far. Maybe this isn't her genre, but it was NOT good. Oversinging it by far, and she's pushing the vocal. I did NOT like this at all. I agree with Simon, too night-clubby…it was bland and not good. She needed to stay young. So far, the worst performance of the night of the first 3.
Blake Lewis – Time of the Season by the Zombies
Time to Blake-ize another one…I know why this song appealed to him. It has a bit of a 311 feel to it. And there's the beat-boxing…well, okay, I guess that's his thing, but I'm a bit tired of it to be honest with you. The chorus of this song is a bit high for him, maybe it needed to be a key or two lower. But overall, wasn't too bad. I'm not sure I was in love with it as Simon and the rest of the judges were, but again, he's probably the best of the guys…so he'll advance no problem.
LaKisha Jones – Diamonds are Forever by Shirley Bassey
Okay, let's be honest, to date, she's been one of the best…but tonight, in spots, she was not comfortable singing this song. That being said, she's still clearly one of the best ones in the competition, and she'll be moving on. But again, she's got to do a bit more I think…starting next week, or she could be in jeopardy. Good song though...love the James Bond stuff.
Phil Stacey – Tobacco Road by The Nashville Teens
Let the Chris Daughtry comparisons end now…Daughtry he is NOT. That being said, he's not bad. I hate to be so simple, but he's just not an American Idol. It's not bad, but his song and the total package just can't be wrapped up to be your IDOL. Saying that, I think it was one of his better performances, and chances are good he'll be back next week. And as much as it pains America, I have to agree with Simon here, no edge, no grit to his voice, it's like he's trying to sing rock with Richard Marx's voice.
Jordin Sparks – I Who Have Nothing by Shirley Bassey
How many different hair styles can we see on Jordin? I like her though. ☺ Of all the singers in this competition, I honestly think she has the highest potential. She could be a teen pop star singer RIGHT NOW. She is amazing, and she is definitely in the top 3. Each and every week, I'm surprised at how incredibly talented and poised she is. Melinda is not the only one is this competition who is surprisingly nice. I see in Jordin a VERY marketable quality.
Sanjaya Malakar – You Really Got Me by the Kinks
First off, who the hell was that in the crowd crying like she was at a Beatles concert?!? Wow, okay, that's like 4 shots of her in the crowd! My wife said they probably planted her…and that performance was TERRIBLE…but not as terrible as his past performances. Okay, stop showing that girl!!!! That's like 8 shots of her, and Simon referencing her in the crowd…nice! OMG, Sanjaya went out into the crowd to hug her…EWWW!!!!
Gina Glocksen – Paint it Black by The Rolling Stones
Okay, I'm diggin' Gina's choice here…and I think she is very cool with her rocker chick persona. Why did I think the Doors sang this song? I don't know…anyway…very cool performance. This is (again) a perfect type song for her. The band rocking behind her, her belting out the lyrics…very nice performance. The wife didn't dig it, thought it was too pitchy (Randy?), but I was diggin' it.
Chris Sligh – She's Not There by The Zombies
The sign…"BRINGING CHUBBY BACK"?? Really?!? Okay, I like this sound of this guy's voice, and I think he's one of the sentimental choices right now. The song is actually is a great choice for him and he is singing it well, I think this is one of the better performances of the night. It certainly doesn't blow your doors off, but he did well and shouldn't have any issue with returning next week.
And finally…
Melinda Doolittle – As Long As He Needs Me from Lionel Bart's Oliver
The wife mentioned that this song sounded "old", much like Simon's critiques of some of the other candidates. I would agree to some extent. But Melinda is one of the top 3 performers in this competition, and while I think she might not win, she'll be safe with this performance this week. The judges loved it (per usual with Melinda) and being the last one to perform, she'll be freshest on the minds of those who are voting, which means she is in.
So overall...I think that the contestants acquitted themselves EXTREMELY well this week...not really an awful performance among them. Sanjaya's crazy, all over the place performance not withstanding, I think they are all getting some great coaching from the American Idol staff. Here's how I see the contestants shaking out this week:
11. Sanjaya Malakar
10. Phil Stacey
9. Stephanie Edwards (the biggest mover DOWN this week)
8. Gina Glocksen
7. Chris Sligh
6. Chris Richardson
5. Haley Scarnato (the biggest mover UP this week)
4. Melinda Doolittle
3. Blake Lewis
2. Jordin Sparks
1. LaKisha Jones
Results show tomorrow...let's see how right (or wrong) I am!
Reader Comments (1)
[...] Recent Blog Posts American Idol - The Top 11 Show Recap So before I get into a recap of this week?s show, my good friend Brianna pointed out last night that I failed to really comment on who got voted off last week?s show, Brandon Rogers?or rather who didn?t get voted off, namely Sanjaya. …American Idol My thoughts on last night’s American Idol are posted over at :: TV and ME!! :: Go have a visit!…american idol … this poor girl (see pic). she was soooo moved by sanjaya, or the performance, or maybe just his hair that she was driven to tears. and then for some reason the show continued to show her. was idol trying to say how bad he was, …American Idol: Why Was That Girl Crying? God save the Queen, British night was a success! I entered this evening with virtually no enthusiasm, but now I am singing the praises of several (!) of the top 11 ?Idol? hopefuls. Most everybody kind of brought it this evening. …American Idol: Still waiting for a wardrobe malfunction My prayers for a wardrobe malfunction on Idol have gone unanswered. Continue reading this post… [...]