American Idol Season 8, Top 36

54 contestants converged on the Judges’ Mansion on the fifth and final day of Hollywood Week, hoping to be accepted as part of the Top 36 who’ll make it on air singing for America’s votes.

Gone are the days of the awkwardly loooooong walk across a huge room to the chair in front of the judges, and riding in an elevator while a peeping tom-like camera captures your real emotion that you think is concealed behind closed {elevator} doors…now, you have to take the stairs…by way of the garden and oddly placed over-the-top furniture.

The contestants were gathered in a holding room, where they began their trek to the judges’ room with well-wishes and crossed fingers...and ended it with tears of happiness to have made it to the Top 36 or tears of sadness for the end of their Idol journey, literally.

Here in this holding room, contestants were forewarned by Ryan that the judges remain undecided about a few of them, and that some of them may have to ‘sing for your life,’ as Simon so poetically put it.

Anoop Desai was the first contestant to make the trip up to the room where the four judges reigned from their poshly over-stuffed red thrones. Producers flashed back to his Group day performance and more of his “My Prerogative” solo. The decision, judges said, was unanimous…he made it to the Top 36. (YES #1)

Von Smith didn’t appear in Hollywood week again after his disturbing faces and screeches during his a cappella audition Simon described as ‘indulgent nonsense’ and child-like. Von told cameras “This is why I’m alive…” Well, you can go on living, Von, you made it to the Top 36. (YES #2)

Cody Sheldon and Alex Wagner-Trugman became fast friends during Hollywood week. No surprise there, they’re both equally and awkwardly nerdy. Cody went upstairs first and was singing a terribly off key, rushed, and breathless song when Alex arrived in the hallway and realized what was about to happen...the first sing-off of the day. Alex’s song was much more on-key and he was put through (YES #3) and it was the end of the road for Cody Sheldon, the young horror movie maker.

It’s no secret I don’t enjoy Adam Lambert, but he does bring an original edge to Idol that no one else does. He’s not the awkward nerd or the country guy or the rocker chick (obviously), but I’m not certain what his label is. I don’t think it’s the rocker persona that he’s been trying to portray, and I think Kara’s comments from his a cappella audition rang true. She said “it’s too music theatre, I’m not touched,” and it 'wasn’t genuine.' Still, he’s been a judge favorite since the beginning and we’ll see what America thinks of him when he performs in the Top 36. (YES #4)

As Idol broke for commercial, we caught glimpses of upcoming footage and I flashed on how greatly dramatic it would have been for the judges to make Danny Gokey and his BFF Jamar Rogers have a sing-off. Would it happen? Hmmmm.

A montage of YES’ followed, including Taylor Vaifanua, Jasmine Murray, Arianna Afsar, Casey Carlson, Megan Corkrey, Mishavonna Henson, and Stevie Wright. (YES #5-11) There’s a lot of young talent in this group of girls. Young girls who are hoping for a break and to make it big.

A girl who’s already had a big break in Hollywood, including a record deal, album cut, and videos made is Joanna Pacitti. She’s also been a judge favorite, despite forgetting the lyrics of most of her Hollywood songs and asked them to “give me a shot.” Ummm, sorry honey, but you already had yours! Every contestant here is vying for the chance to do everything you’ve already done in your short life and make themselves relevant in the music industry…which…obviously, you didn’t. I don’t think America is going to stand for that, but the judges did, and Joanna made it to the Top 36. (YES #12)

TK Hash (Paula’s fav returnee from last year) and two previously unseen contestants Chris Chatman and Reggi Beasley didn’t make it.

Kendall Beard did, though. (YES #13) The judges described her as ‘commercial,’ having ‘the whole package,’ but told her she chose boring songs. I think Simon needs a t-shirt made quoting his “We came all the way to Puerto Rico and the first contestant we put through is a blonde Texan.” :-D

Our second sing-off of the day was between Jenn Korbee, who auditioned with her husband Tom (but passed him after Hollywood group auditions) and Kristen McNamara who survived the wrath of Omarosa 2.0 during her group performance. They each sang and the judges told Jenn it was the wrong song choice and she hasn’t been connecting to her songs. Kristen was told she has a strong voice but is having an identity crisis and the way she dresses is ‘off-putting.’ Judges deliberated and we overheard Simon ask “Do you want the attractive blonde or the other one?” The girls were called into the room and Simon told Kristen she made it through, but he absolutely disagrees with the decision. (YES #14) There's a confidence booster. Yikes!

Three names we have heard a lot so far this season are Alexis Grace, Scott Mcintyre, and Lil Rounds. Not surprisingly, they’re all through to the Top 36. (YES #15-17) Alexis was upset and obviously torn over leaving her baby girl to follow this dream, which will inevitably benefit her little family in the long run, hopefully. Lil Rounds, being a mom of three, can probably sympathize with Alexis. Both are great singers, Alexis is more soulful while Lil has been trying to knock out way too many Whitney Houston songs. I’ve never been as ‘blown away’ by her songs as the judges have been. She did seem rather cocky before her walk upstairs. Thankfully, Simon told her that looking back at the footage it wasn’t “as clear cut as you think.” High-five Simon! (And thankfully, no awkward high-five attempts were made by Ryan Seacrest, who was left hanging by Scott Macintyre earlier this season)

A few less-seen contestants were turned down, including Felicia Barton, Ashley Hollister, and Devon Baldwin.

Frankie Jordan was a Salt Lake City standout. She is an ‘edgy’ sahm with a ‘great personality’ who judges said ‘overcooked’ her group song in Hollywood. Jesse Langseth is a raspy-voiced, confident singer from Kansas City. Both girls chose horrible songs for their sing-off. After Frankie’s song, Simon said she “definitely made it easier” for them to decide…which may have been a compliment, had it come from anyone other than Simon Cowell! The judges deliberated and Simon argued “neither” girl make it. Jesse Langseth was put through (YES #18) and Frankie Jordan returned home, pushing her baby’s stroller. And in true Simon-style, he told her “If it’s any consolation, Frankie, you wouldn’t have won anyway.” Ouch.

Shera Lawrence (WHO??!?) told the judges this was a tough day because she sees “people and thinks maybe this is the last time I’m gonna see them.” “Uhhh, Shera, it is,” Simon informed her. She didn’t make it, and neither did Derik Lavers…another unknown-to-date contestant.

Allison Iraheta, a 16yr old Kelly Clarkson look-and-sound-a-like with some seriously magenta hair from the San Francisco auditions made it through. (YES #19) Kara proclaimed her to have ‘raw, natural talent.’ I look forward to actually hearing some of it.

Then came the much anticipated Danny Gokey/Jamar Rogers judgments. I still held onto the hope of a drama-filled sing-off, but apparently Idol producers are less cruel than I (for once) and the guys went upstairs separately. Not surprisingly, sob-storied Danny Gokey made it through (YES #20) and his true friend and support Jamar Rogers didn’t. Judges told him “you’re a good singer, but you’re not gonna be here this year,” and Paula and Randy told him to come back. Whaaaaaaat?! I hope he gets a backbone and goes to find another way to make a break into the industry and not wait around for Season 9. It may be hard to believe, but American Idol is not the end of the world. Jamar told cameras this is “far from the end of the road for me.” I hope he follows it to another music label!

Ricky Braddy, Matt Giraud, Ju’Not Joyner, Jorge Nunez-Mendez, Brent Keith, and Stephen Fowler made up the next montage of contestants who made it through to the Top 36. (YES #21-26) Despite Stephen’s forgetting the words twice and walking away from the keyboard while singing “Time of My Life” (I had previously written it was David Cook’s “Light On” he walked away from…I knew it was one with easy and well-known lyrics, I was just so distracted by him forgetting them, I guess!).

The integrity of Idol as a show is now in question, based on the judges putting through Nick Mitchell to the Top 36. (YES #27)…or should I say when they put through Norman Gentle?! Nick Mitchell showed up for the judgment but wasn’t put through until he told the judges “In my dream, I’d be able to do the character…” And Paula told him "that is what we all are looking for. You made it through.” Huh? He’s purely there for entertainment purposes, but talk about identity crisis! I would be furious if I’d been refused past this point while that shmuck (no matter how likeable of a shmuck he is) was put through!

Jackie Tohn was an easy choice for the Top 36. (YES #28) Her voice is smoother and less-screechy during slow songs, and her face less scrunched, than in upbeat songs. She has a David Cook grrr to her voice that will hopefully help her go far in the competition.

A not-so-easy choice was Tatiana Del Toro. She came screaming into the judges’ room, and I still hear that horrible voice and annoying laugh echoing in my head most nights. Watching back her Hollywood audition, I surprised myself by thinking maybe she had a good voice…but that all went out the window when producers decided to edit in the clip of her mid-screech claiming she’s ready to “prove to every guy who said I’d have to sleep with him to get my album out.” After Paula noticed her wearing a Paula Abdul star bracelet, she gave Tatiana the matching ring from her finger...and I couldn't help but wish it was her consolation prize as they were about to walk her out the door...but alas, the judges told her she’s Top 36 and Tatiana screamed back out of the room. (YES #29) Crap. I don’t know how much more of her I can take.

I don’t think Nathaniel Marshall wanted to take much more of her either, based on the faces he made when she came happily screaming back into the holding room. He’s an equally drama-filled contestant who found himself in a sing-off with his friend, Jackie Midkoff. Jackie sang “When A Man Loves A Woman” not-so-great, but with a country twist, and as we watched his previous auditions, I didn’t remember liking him as much as I did then.

Just when I thought we’d finally be rid of one of the drama queens, Idol producers decided to throw one last sob story at us…the life and times of Nathaniel Marshall…mom in prison, living with grandma, yada yada yada. NOOOOOOOOOO! I screamed at the TV, predicting the inevitability of the judges’ move. KEEP THEM BOTH! I begged them (surprisingly, no children were awoken in my home). But to no avail. Jackie Midkoff was sent packing with a request from Randy to come back next year, while Nathaniel Marshall and his skinny red jeans and multiplying-by-the-day headbands will return. :o( (YES #30)

Another contestant who Idol producers have been hiding, Jeanine Vailes, was put through to the Top 36. (YES #31) As was early sob story favorite, Kai Kalama, who is singing for his seizure- disordered Mama. (YES # 32) Of course we’ll be hearing more from Anne Marie Boskovich and some guy named Kris Allen. (YES #33-34)

The final sing-off of the day, and auditions, was between Matt Breitzke "the welder daddy" and Michael Sarver "the oil-rigging daddy." We’ve seen more of Michael’s auditions on air, and Matt had been critiqued as ‘just a good bar singer.’ Oh no! There’s only room for one manly oversized guy trying not to look like Carlton from Fresh Prince of Bel Air when they danced to their 50’s music, right??! If I hadn’t been keeping track of the number of yes’ thus far, and if there wasn’t only 1 minute 59 seconds left of the episode, I never would have guessed that both these men would have made it through to the Top 36. But, I did…and so did they. (YES #35-36)

Well, there. So I guess Idol producers do need to take a look at their employees, ‘cause it does appear that the leaked Top 36 list was accurate. Finally, it’s time for America to begin voting, and the results will be far from predictable in these early stages, I’m sure!

The Top 36 will be broken into three groups. Each group will sing on Tuesday over the next three weeks, followed by America’s voting each Tuesday evening, and a live results show each Wednesday. From each group, America will choose which three contestants will proceed: the top-voted male and female contestant, as well and the next top-voted contestant, regardless of whether it’s a male or female. This will repeat for the next three weeks, at which time America will have chosen 9 out of the Top 12, and the judges will choose the remaining 3 contestants in a wild card round.

This Tuesday's singers are: Casey Carlson, Stephen Fowler, Jackie Tohn, Ricky Braddy, Anne Marie Boskovich, Brent Keith, Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver, Stevie Wright, Danny Gokey, Tatiana Del Toro, and Anoop Desai.

I can’t wait to see what songs they all choose!! My early favorites are...practically ALL of them. Who are yours?!