AI8 recap, Finalists x 13 (03/10/09)

So many singers tonight! What was up with that lame PA announcer to begin the show? And there will be a double-elimination tomorrow. So much for there being 13 finalists.

Thanks to Mike Rico again for taking the reins last week for the Wild Card Show.

Michael Jackson night tonight. Wonder if anyone will come out with multiple nose surgeries and with their skin bleached?

No one did “Thriller,” but I loved the “Thriller” scene in that not-so-great, but watchable Jennifer Garner movie “13 Going On 30.” I say watchable because I love the wholesome, girl next door Jennifer Garner and I’m a sucker for “body trade” (for lack of a better term) movies (Big, Freaky Friday, Wish Upon A Star, etc).

01 – Lil Rounds, The Way You Make Me Feel
Well she sure changed it up. As in singing “the way you makin’ me feel” instead of “the way you make me feel.” I really like Lil but I wasn’t crazy about this rendition. Kinda boring, but she really can sing. And her outfit kinda matched Paula’s with the boa on one shoulder. So that bugs a bit too. Randy, Kara & Paula loved it. Simon called it a lazy song choice, which I agree with. Lil should be safe tomorrow night.

02 – Scott MacIntyre, Keep The Faith
I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t know this song at all. I thought it was good though, as Scott is definitely more at home behind the piano. He’s not the best vocalist, but he really is talented. And I am honestly touched every time he takes the stage. Forget the “Greatest American Hero” hairdo and the vacant eyes. At least he doesn’t have a lazy eye. That would bug me to look at every week. And he’s totally genuine in his enthusiasm and joy of performing. He may not win, but he’ll get very far in this competition. My wife Kristin thinks he has a Billy Joel feel to him. Kara’s first question was if he just learned that on the piano this week and his answer was yes (how amazing is he on the piano?). Paula acknowledged the composer in the audience (good thing the lighting people were on the same page with Paula). Simon hated the song because no one knows it. Randy liked the song, but thought it was safe. I think Scott is safe this week.

03 – Danny Gokey, PYT
Danny faked me out as he started out slow (a la Ju’Not), but then quickly broke into the faster PYT. It was like “Flashdance,” where it started slow then picks up. Danny gave a shout out to Wazoo with his maroon shirt and grey blazer. I love Danny Gokey. Great voice. He knows music and he will change the songs up enough to really succeed in this competition. He’s been the early favorite and has had a ton of hype (Michelle Wie thinks Danny Gokey has a lot of hype!), but I still think he’s the one to beat. It’s hard to keep your game up for 12 weeks, but I think he can do it. Paula said he’s on his way to the finals. Simon called his vocals brilliant and likened him to Michael McDonald (white guy with soul), but said his dancing was hideous. Randy called his dancing passionate. Kara said he has joy when he takes the stage. Not only is he safe tomorrow, but I don’t think he’ll ever be in the bottom. My wife Kristin gave him the ultimate compliment. She said she’d buy his CD. She couldn’t listen to a whole CD of Adam Lambert, but she could of Danny.

04 – Michael Sarver, You Are Not Alone
Did Wacko Jack-o sing this song to Macaulay Culkin? This song was much better than the “I Don’t Want To Be” that Michael sang in the semis. If he sang this in the semis I would’ve felt much better about him beating out Anoop. I’d be disappointed if he went home this week after this song. Simon likes him, as he said he’s not the best singer but he makes up for it with passion and heart. Randy said he returned to his R&B roots. Kara said that he really can sing and he can hit all the notes. Paula called him likeable, a regular guy with extraordinary talent. He should be safe tomorrow, but I think his potential is limited.

05 – Jasmine Murray, I’ll Be There
She wore a “That ‘70s Show” dress and showed off her big voice. She reminds be a bit of Paris Bennett (without the “then kews”). Randy said she mixed the MJ & Mariah Carey versions of this song and that it was pretty good. Kara thought if she sang it a half key down it would’ve been better? But she sold it and has a great stage presence (from her beauty pageant days?). Paula said she had some brilliant moments but was under some of the notes too. Simon wishes she’d act her age more and called her a little robotic. Jasmine might be safe tomorrow, but she probably won’t be sleeping well tonight.

06 – Kris Allen, Remember The Time
So I think this guy looks like the Lachey brothers, so I call him the Lil Lachey. He was manic without his guitar on stage last week, so I was glad that he was strumming this week. Probably not the best song to accompany with a guitar, but we’ll see how it goes for him. Randy had the only comment worth mentioning (he was kinda cool and Jason Mraz-y). I think he should be safe tomorrow, but he wasn’t good enough to be termed “safe.”

07 – Allison Iraheta, Give In To Me
I didn’t really know this song, but Allison turned it into a “Heart” rock ballad. I know I’ve only heard her a few times, but if Allison chooses to be a rocker (which I think she is), I’ve got to think she’s be best chick rocker in AI history. That spans Nikki McKibbin & Ryan Starr from season 1, Gina Glocksen from Season 6 and Amanda Overmeyer from last season. So, not a prestigious group, but Allison sure can rock it. But she needs to work on her interview skills. She’s like Jason Castro, but in a different way. Paula called her a mind boggling rock star. Simon and Randy liked her. Kara dropped a “ridiculous” on her (that’s becoming one of her signature words). Allison should be safe tomorrow.

08 – Anoop Desai, Beat It
I love me some Anoop, but he seems to be a one-trick pony. I think he’s a decent singer, but he doesn’t have the range or pedigree to change songs up and make them his own. This was another instance. It might have been better if he sang “Eat It,” by Weird Al Yankovic. Anoop is very popular though and I hope he makes it through, but I also hope he doesn’t become one of those contestants that people like but overstays his welcome (like Jasmine Trias did). Paula called this song untouchable and said it was very karaoke-ish. Simon called it horrible and that it looked stupid. Randy called it the wrong song choice. Kara felt disconnected. Performance-wise, I think Anoop is in danger tomorrow, but I have to believe that he’s popular enough to hang around a few more weeks.

09 – Jorge Nunez, Never Can Say Goodbye
Don’t have much to say about this one. He did okay and he’s extremely likeable. Is that enough? Don’t know, but I know that all of Puerto Rico will be voting for him… The judges all thought it was the wrong song choice. Simon went so far as to call it corny and said the arrangement was awful. Jorge may be on the bubble tomorrow night.

10 – Megan Joy Corkrey, Rockin’ Robin
Seriously? Talk about your loopholes here. I guess this was an early Michael single that was originally a 1957 hit for Bobby Day. This song choice really turned me off. One that she chose this out of MJ’s catalog and b, really? This song on American Idol? She looked fine up there though. Although Valentine’s Day was last month. With her red headband she looked like she was reprising Elizabeth Hurley’s role in a remake of “Bedazzled.” Megan looked a bit like Cameron Diaz tonight. And she’s extremely quirky. As if that’s not been said about her already. Judges hated it. Simon called it a stupid song choice and the performance was clumsy and awkward. I think she’s definitely 1 of the 2 out tomorrow night.

11 – Adam Lambert, Black Or White
How crazy talented is Adam? His voice is (to take a word from Kara) ridiculous. He has a high, rocker voice. Is it like Gene Simmons? I think Adam is extremely talented and I like him, but I think that EVERY week his performances will be a huge theatrical deal and very Broadway-like. I’m okay with it now, but I have a feeling that it will eventually wear on me and I’ll grow to hate him. But for the time being, I’m a fan. I don’t like him as much as Danny, but I like him. Paula said no one in the history of Idol has looked so comfortable on the stage. Simon called him in a totally different league. Randy called him the most current contestant. Kara said he hit notes that she didn’t know existed. Adam’s safe tomorrow. I’ve heard of a 3 person final this year. If it’s Danny, Adam and Lil (or Alexis), I’d be pleased.

12 – Matt Giraud, Human Nature
The dueling pianist on the piano. Way more comfortable there, although I like Scott on the piano better than Matt. My wife Kristin thought he missed some notes at the beginning of the song. I think Matt’s likeable enough, but wouldn’t be surprised to see him go home tomorrow or quickly after this. Judges had no time and didn’t give any meaningful feedback.

13/36 – Alexis Grace, Dirty Diana
Wow she’s got a big voice in that tiny body. She got the pimp spot, but she got a different dial in number. I heard somewhere that the IDOLS-13 # is some kind of porn # so they had to change it to IDOLS-36. I wonder if that’s going to mess up her votes? I hope not. Alexis should be safe tomorrow and should go far.

So that’s it so far.

Top 3: Danny, Adam, Allison

Bottom 3: Megan Joy, Anoop, Jorge

Two off: Megan Joy and Anoop/Jorge/Matt/Kris