AIIX recap, Semi-finalists x 12, Girls (02/23/10)

So, here we are again. I have to admit that I didn’t think I was going to do these this year, but oddly enough, the addition of Ellen DeGeneres and the assumption that this is Simon’s last year got me. As it is, I missed the first 2 auditions (and the “Pants on the Ground” bit). We were in Hawaii last week and I missed the shows that announced the 24 semi-finalists.

So, if you’re getting these and don’t watch the show anymore and want to be off this list, please reply and I’ll take you off. No hard feelings.

To recap a bit of what’s happened so far, did anyone else think Kara looked odd during the auditions? Her hair was way flat and it made her nose look bigger. But she looks normal now. It was almost like she was softening the loss of Paula but trying to look like a mix of her and Paula. Hard to explain, but also hard to look at. Part of the reason that we missed the first 2 shows is that we upgrade to HD back in June, which was post-AI8, which means you can’t tape something until it comes up on the scheduling grid. And I forgot to add AI even though I saw all the commercials. HD is a funny thing though. Some people aren’t made for HD. Shania Twain, as beautiful as she is, was terrifying in HD. Don’t get me started on some of the coaches either. Like Norv Turner and Rick Pittino…

And is anyone else annoyed by the flashbacks in half color/sepia? It’s like they have to do that to remind us that it took place in Hollywood or during the auditions. I’m pretty insulted by that “subtle” helper.

And while we’re at it, have any of you been watching the Winter Olympics? How hot is Tanith Belbin? And is Meryl Davis hot? Her eyes are SO wide apart that she looks like a cartoon character. Jessica Rabbit? Or Renee Zellweger’s fish (Angie) on Shark Tale?

Okay, to the singers…

01 – Paige Miles, 24 (Naples, FL, although the AI site says Cypress, TX); All Right Now (Free)
Hmm, she sings the Stanford fight song… Already a strike against her in my book (although she must be a Jim Rutter favorite). Second strike is her colored contacts (at least they look like colored contacts). She looked really comfortable on the stage. Maybe a little too comfy. My wife Kristin (for those of you new to these recaps, this phrase is a running gag) thought she was only giving 80% of herself, like she was holding back. I thought she did a decent job of putting her own spin on a rock song. Not great, but probably better than the worst tonight. Simon thought she has the best female voice, but it was a wrong song choice. Kara liked that she took a rock song and put her soul in it, but thought she could’ve done more with the chorus. Ellen said something innocuous, which disappointed me throughout the night. I get that she is not the “musical” one and is there as a fan, but I thought she’d be wittier and funnier. She was pretty much non-critical and said she liked everything. Or if she criticized, she followed with, “but you were great…” Right now, I’m still glad Paula is gone, but until Ellen gives me something more, I think it could’ve gone back to a 3 judge panel.

02 – Ashley Rodriguez, 22 (Chelsea, MA); Happy (Leona Lewis)
I was a bit distracted when Ashley was up, but I will say this, add Leona Lewis to the “Don’t Sing” list, along with Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder. Or the “Singer Beware” list. What I did notice about Ashley was that she was wearing those jeans looking spandex things. I don’t know if I like them or not. They look like jeans, but they aren’t. Apparently she wasn’t that good up there because the judges made her cry. She seemed perplexed by the criticism. She may be in trouble on Thursday.

03 – Janell Wheeler, 24 (Orlando, FL); What About Love (Heart)
Janell’s a wine sales rep, which means if this AI thing doesn’t work out for her, she’ll be getting into pharma sales soon. She too was rocking the evidently popular jeans/spandex look. I remember her from the auditions and thought she did pretty well. This song was too big for her though. Randy called her song choice bad. Ellen was simply positive. Simon said she gave 100% effort, but only delivered 65%. Kara said the song was too big for her. She kinda looked like Teri Polo (girlfriend/fiancé/wife from “Meet the Parents,” small role as Josh Charles’ love interest in my favorite TV show of all time “Sports Night” and early on the love interest in “Mystery Date,” opposite a young Ethan Hawke). Right now, looks help out as much as anything and I think she’ll be okay.

04 – Lilly Scott, 20 (Littleton, CO); Fixing a Hole (The Beatles)
The singers must appreciate that they get to choose from The Beatles catalog now. Strangely, I thought Lilly looked like one of Marge Simpson’s sisters. I didn’t recognize this song and I totally didn’t get it. The judges loved her though. Ellen called it a random song choice, but it made her stand out. Simon didn’t feel her star power. Kara called her believable. Randy called her an indie artist. I didn’t like it one bit. The only thing that I came away with from her was that she towered over Seacrest, making her probably 5’6” or something…

05 – Katelyn Epperly, 19 (West Des Moines, IA); Oh! Darling (The Beatles)
Again, didn’t know this was a Beatles song. And we have The Beatles Rock Band! Was it me or did Katelyn look like Sandy in the last scene of Grease? Complete with BIG hair and black leather/spandex outfit. She also reminded me of a tall Meg Ryan. I thought she was the best so far, combining voice, confidence, etc. Simon liked her and called her quirky. Kara called her “make over” not helping. Randy liked that she paid attention to her tone. I think she’s safe to next week.

06 – Haeley Vaughn, 16 (Fort Collins, CO); I Want To Hold Your Hand (The Beatles)
Was this Beatles night? I remember this girl from the auditions. She could rent space on those gums of hers. Now this song I recognized, although not the way she sang it. She definitely changed it up, but she needs to sell it if that was making it her own. That was painful to listen to. Simon summed it all up by saying it was verging on terrible. She is better than this. I remember that she was the girl who sang the country song in her audition. I think she’s gone on Thursday. That was awful.

07 – Lacey Brown, 24 (Amarillo, TX); Landslide (Fleetwood Mac)
I vaguely remember her from last season. Megan Joy made it instead of her into the top 24. She came back with red hair this year and looked a little like Annie Lennox. Or maybe Kristen Wiig. She was in “Whip It” the movie about roller derby with the girl from “Juno.” Saw it on the plane ride back yesterday. Wiig is best known for her character, Penelope on Saturday Night Live. You know the one who is the serial one-upper. Funny bit. Lacey looked nervous and in effect her vocal chords sounded tight (that was an observation from my wife Kristin). To me, it sounded like she needed more music in the background. It almost sounded a cappella. I thought it was horrible and she got a late, almost pity, standing O. Randy said it was pitchy and not the right song. Ellen said she was better than that. Simon called it depressing. Kara thought a Six Pence None The Richer song would’ve been better for her. I think Lacey is in trouble on Thursday.

08 – Michelle Delamore, 23 (Miami, FL); Falling (Alicia Keys)
Although it’s a general no-no to sing an Alicia Keys song, she did a decent job of it and even made it sound a little different. Michelle is good looking and has a good enough voice to breeze to the top 12. Ellen thought it was fantastic, but safe. Simon took a little jab at her and called her a professional singer (she was a corporate singer, along with a clothing associate). Kara called her very commercial looking, which I thought was a bit of a catty remark.

09 – Didi Benami, 23 (Hollywood, CA, by way of Knoxville, TN, I think); The Way I Am (Ingrid Michaelson)
My wife Kristin thought she was much like Megan Joy from last year (pretty, quirky phrasing) but better. I couldn’t get over the throw rug that she was wearing as a blouse. Changing up that song was pretty odd because it’s an oddly timed song when sung regularly (did that make ANY sense?). Simon called her a good singer, but thought the song was a bit indulgent and dreary. Kara thought she made good changes to the song but was pitchy at times. Randy called it sleepy. I think Didi is safe on Thursday.

10 – Siobhan Magnus, 19 (Cape Cod, MA, but the AI site says Barnstable, MA); Wicked Game (Chris Isaak)
Siobhan is a glassblowing apprentice, which is quite an odd profession. I have a friend who says his sons do that, which I thought was cool, but then he said all they make is drug paraphernalia, which I thought was odd. My wife Kristin thought she looked like Ally Sheedy, especially in “The Breakfast Club.” But also said she has a smile like Demi Lovato. We watch a ton of Disney Channel and Nickelodeon at our house (iCarly, Wizards of Waverly Place, Sonny With A Chance, etc). Siobhan really has a unique voice. A lot lower than you’d expect. Randy said she had a great voice and told her to reach for bigger songs (usually it’s the judges telling the singers that the song was too big for them!). Simon called her a funny little thing. I think Siobhan will be in the top 12.

11 – Crystal Bowersox, 24 (Elliston, OH); Hand In My Pocket (Alanis Morrisette)
Julia Stiles look alike alert! I really liked Crystal. Very folksy. I thought she was going to be a rocker chick, but she’s very folksy. Although the harmonica was cool, but the way she plays it reminded me of Joan Cusack’s character in “Sixteen Candles” and her head gear. Imagine Crystal trying to drink out of a water faucet with that on. I also like that she is kinda the anti-Idol and she’s really only doing this to get a bigger paycheck for her son. Randy called her one of his favorites and used the word “honesty,” which I haven’t mentioned before, but that word seemed to be used a lot tonight. Does that mean that the others are dishonest? Anyway, Ellen called Idol lucky that she auditioned. Kara called her good tonight. Simon was surprisingly critical of her, saying there are 10,000 other girls singing that way outside a subway station. I guess I see his point, but she was very good compared to the other gals tonight. And she looks like Julia Stiles.

12 – Katie Stevens, 17 (Middlebury, CT); Feeling Good (Michael Buble)
First off, that was not an outfit becoming of a 17 year old girl. That bothered me. Katie definitely has a big voice, but she also kinda acted “affected” up there and had moves reminiscent of a high schooler (which she is). She thought she killed it, but then she got no positive feedback. Ellen called the song too old for a 17 year old. Simon said it became annoying and pageantry. Kara said she has a natural gift, but was pitchy. Randy said she was pushing so hard that the notes were going sharp. Katie definitely was not ready for that criticism. That being said, I think she still has a wonderful voice and should be good on Thursday.

That’s all folks. I’ll do my best to keep on top of these and I’ve got aces in the bullpen to help me out in a pinch. Mike Rico, Jim Rutter and Tony Kikuta will all contribute in some shape or form this season again. See you tomorrow night…