Recap and Predictions as 2nd Group Competes for Next 3 Spots in Idol Top 12

Well, there…that was slightly uneventful now wasn’t it?! The second group of Idol contestants made it fairly easy on us all last night. Most of the suspected frontrunners fell flat and the fairly good talent certainly wasn’t mind-blowing, though quite entertaining. There was a definite advantage to being the second group to perform, having watched the hits and misses of the first group…and all the strong criticism of poor song choice last week. Thankfully, producers learned from last week also and did away with the awkward family interviews in the Red Room!
Ryan Seacrest opened the show asking America “Where else will you find a welder, a bartender, a font designer, and a comedian…only here.” Heh. I was thinking maybe at the coffee shop in Tasselboro, myself…but ok, we’ll go with what he said.

The four judges were asked for advice. Randy Jackson told contestants to ‘bring it.’ Kara DioGuardi warned them all that there are ‘no second chances.’(…except, say, the Wild Card Round next week, Kara, helloooo!) Paula Abdul ‘hopes you picked the right song’ while Simon Cowell, in true Simon-style, retorted ‘it’s too late for advice now’ as the contestants were seconds away from singing their choices from the history of Billboard’s Hot 100.


Jasmine Murray ~ “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles.
I’ve thought all along that Jasmine has star-quality. She’s one of the contestants I remember thinking could make it to the end of Season 8. She definitely paid attention last week and sang the song that Kara mentioned another contestant should have performed. Jasmine tried, but started very low in her angry rendition of the Love Song…she played it safe, and had one big note at the end, which was disappointing because she has the pipes to go very big.
Randy: ‘Yo,’ (uh-oh!) thought it ‘was pitchy all the way throughout.’ He thought she’d be singing some Rhianna, didn’t know if it was the right song, and told Jasmine she should ‘stay away from the simple melodies’ and not to try to make too much of it.

Kara: Thought Jasmine ‘started very low,’ and it wasn’t her best.
Paula: Agreed with them. She mentioned the ‘confidence you had was great.’
Simon: Was ‘disappointed.’ He described Jasmine as having a ‘great look, definitely got the attitude and the confidence, just haven’t got a great voice.’(Oh, snap!) He also thinks she’s ‘a couple of years too early.’
I: Think that was a kiss off if ever I heard one. I think this was one of the more recent hit songs to be performed on AI, but it was disappointing and Jasmine didn’t live up to her potential with this song.


Matt Giraud ~ “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay.
Ah, yes, the dueling piano player, who usually puts a soulful twist on most songs…but failed miserably at doing so with this recent Coldplay hit. Maybe the problem was that it was recently performed live on an award show and it was definitely lacking the piano playing. Thank goodness Matt didn’t attempt the goofy dancing and jumping around that Chris Martin did! Speaking of jumping around, the producers switched up the judges’ remarks, in an attempt, I assume, to help speed them up.

Kara: Was ‘just not blown away.’
Paula: Thought it was a ‘risky song to pick.’
Simon: Told Matt it was ‘verging on a horrible performance’ and to ‘zip it’ when Matt said this song is where he wants to be as an artist, answering Ryan that Matt ‘doesn’t deserve a spot in the Top 12 if he wants to be like that!’
Randy: Still thinks Matt has ‘got mad talent’ but he also needs to ‘stay away from simple songs.’
I: Thought it sounded like Matt was gargling water all through the song.


Jeanine Vailes ~ “This Love” by Maroon 5.
Yay for current hit songs on AI last night!!!…or so I thought, before Jeanine came out and butchered this one, in her distractingly short shorts. I was anticipating greatness from this contestant who’s been previously hidden by producers.

Paula: Complimented Jeanine on her ‘great legs’ and that’s all she could come up with.
Simon: Thought it was ‘terrible’ and ‘painful at times’ and also thinks she has ‘very good legs.’
Randy: Agreed the ‘legs are hot’ but it was the ‘wrong song’ and even went as far to cornily say ‘the best part was the end, that it was over.’
Kara: Told Jeanine her performance was ‘very overdone.’ Jeanine replied that she had ‘been so under the radar,’ and wanted to ‘come out strong’ as noone had seen or heard her.
I: Was disappointed…I thought that AI had kept her hidden because she was outstanding. Hmmm. And I wasn’t won-over by her pitiful begging for votes either. Well, it was nice meetin’ ya, Jeanine! See ya!


Nick Mitchell…Norman Gentle ~ “And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going” from DreamGirls.
Of course we were all looking forward to being entertained by Norman Gentle…who was trickily dressed as Nick Mitchell during the intros last night. After a quick costume change during the commercial break, Norman Gentle appeared and safely sang a song we’ve heard from him already this season during auditions. I do like the guy…and agree with my friend who proclaimed the show ‘dull as hell’ until he got up on stage. The problem I have with Norman is that I don’t think he deserves to be where he is…that it’s really only the Top 35 performing because he’s obviously not taking this serious…and if he WAS being serious…he wouldn’t even be HERE!!! I’d much prefer to see Jamar Rogers (Danny Gokey’s friend) or Rose Flack in his spot, don’t you think they deserve it/want this more? And Norman could still be around to entertain during commercials and as a time-killer between performances. He made his impression on America during the auditions, and isn’t adding anything to that by singing the same song again…I definitely foresee him interviewing celebrities on the Red Carpet for Ellen or something, but enough is enough already. How sad will it be for y’all if Danny Gokey gets eliminated before Nick Mitchell or if someone like Adam Lambert didn’t get more votes than him last night and is going home?? Okay, I’ll hop off my soap box now! :op

Norman Gentle sported his white tuxedo coat complete with tails, but he stripped it off before the end of his song, along with his glasses and sweatband, leaving him surprisingly Nick Mitchell-looking by the end of the song, ’cept for the glistening shirt. His proud (I think?!) parents were watching from the crowd.

Simon: Told Nick ‘I pray u do not go through to the next round.’
Randy: Said it was the ‘most entertaining’ but the ‘vocals were definitely not happening.’
Kara: Doesn’t think Nick is a terrible singer, and ‘at least we remember you,’ even if he ‘does wear the same shirt every week, like Simon.’ Burn!
Paula: Thinks Nick is a ‘true performer.’
I: Was entertained, as usual, but still feel sorry for others who weren’t given his spot.


Allison Iraheta ~ “Alone” by Heart.
I’ve previously called Allison a Kelly Clarkson sound- and look-a-like with magenta hair. Her speaking voice is raspy, so how could her singing voice be anything but phenomenal…even if she doesn’t give the best interviews. When they announced the song choice, I got nervous for her tackling such a big song that Carly Smithson and Carrie Underwood had previously, but Allison rocked it…literally. She turned the chorus into an angry rocker chick performance, complete with electric guitar. Rockin’!

Randy: Told Allison she ‘blew it right out da box.’
Kara: Thinks she has some ‘serious chops’ and that Allison ‘doesn’t even know how good’ she is.
Paula: Proclaimed Allison ‘the best tonight.’
Simon: Edited that to ‘the best tonight by a clear mile’ even though she ‘was so boring upstairs with Ryan’ (in her interview).
I: Think she is the best so far.



Kris Allen ~ “Man In The Mirror” by Michael Jackson.
Another virtually unseen contestant, Kris had a lot to show us tonight. He started the song a little low, but came alive as the song became more upbeat. I think with that jaw line and fangs, if he doesn’t make it singing, just add a little eye liner and he could be on the next Twilight movie!
Kara: Thought the ‘back half of the performance was better than the front half,’ but it was the ‘wrong song,’ and ‘not as soulful as Hollywood.’ (which I guess we’ll have to take her word for, cuz we’ve never seen his HW performance!)

Paula: ‘Disagree completely.’ She told Kris he ‘nailed it,’ and was ‘charming.’
Simon: Agreed with Paula. He thinks ‘the chicks are gonna love’ him and was ‘quite proud.’
Randy: Praised Kris for performing ‘without a guitar,’ which apparently he did in HW(…but who knew?! Certainly not us!)
I: Don’t think he got enough face-time to get the votes, sadly.



Megan Joy Corkrey ~ “Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae.
Another victim of adding/taking away a third name, Megan has been an Idol producer favorite since her audition. She’s the young divorced mother with a very unique sound. She stood at a mic stand and shook her hips and tattooed arm wildly and weirdly, presumably getting her dance moves from her toddler, but she sang very well.

Paula: Told Megan she chose the ‘right song,’ and called her ‘interesting, relevant, hip, beautiful,’ and told her she ‘did everything right.’
Simon: Called her a ‘funny little thing,’ thought she ‘over sang the second part,’ and he ‘hopes America votes’ for Megan.
Randy: Agreed with Simon and Paula, telling Megan she’s ‘very interesting’ with an ‘Amy Winehouse’ vibe, and he ‘loves the tone’ of her voice.
Kara: Described Megan as ‘the package artist.’
I: Like her crooning, think she puts out a Joss Stone vibe and would like to see her perform a slow song.



Matt Breitzke ~ “If You Could Only See” by Tonic.
As much as I love this song, I thought Matt would do really well. Knowing that we already have Michael Sarver, our resident “Big Guy” in the Top 12, Matt would have to go big or go home…and I think he’s going home. The song was in sort of slow motion almost, and Matt didn’t have the David Cook grrrrr in his voice needed to pull off this song.

Simon: Really likes Matt as a person, but ‘absolutely hated that song,’ and ‘would’ve talked {Matt} out of it’ had he known it was his choice.
Randy: Thought the ‘performance was so boring,’ and ‘wants a little more edge; more energy.’
Kara: Told Matt it ‘fell really flat.’
Paula: Could tell he put his ‘whole guts, whole soul into that.’ Ooooooookay.
I: Thought it was funny that Matt defended the song choice to Simon and thought that he thinks it was only the song that fell flat…when he watches it back today, he’s gonna feel dumb, cuz they were talking about him.



Jesse Langseth ~ “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes.
We didn’t hear from Jesse until she had a sing-off with Frankie Jordan on the last day of Hollywood week. Obviously, Jesse won the sing-off to perform here. She sang well, looked comfortable, but her voice is verging on whiny to me.

Randy: ‘Yo, it was an okay performance.’
Kara: Described Jesse as ‘slinky, sexy,’ told her she ‘had some issues with a few notes’ and ‘it wasn’t the rangiest song.’
Paula: ‘Found it captivating,’ and told Jesse she has an ‘identifiable sound.’
Simon: Disagreed with Paula, and thinks she’s ‘unforgettable.’
I: Agreed with Kara, I think.



Kai Kalama ~ “What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted” by Jimmy Ruffin.
One of the early “sob stories” of AI Season 8, Kai cares for his seizure disordered Mom, who was in the audience tonight with his brother. I like Kai’s look, but don’t think he knows who he is as an artist. The song went well, though he looked like he was doing a pee-pee dance all through it.

Kara: Thought he had ‘some pitch issues’ and the song was ‘a little old-fashioned.’ She’d like to see something ‘more contemporary.’
Paula: Told Kai he ‘sounded really good in the song, except for when it fell off pitch a little bit.’ (Well, DUH!)
Simon: Described the performance as ‘very old-fashioned’ and ‘corny.’ He thought there was ‘nothing distinct, nothing original, nothing memberable.’
Randy: Said it’s ‘not what I’m looking for.’
I: Agreed with Simon. Sorry, Kai!



Mishavonna Henson ~ “Drops of Jupiter” by Train.
After being cut during Hollywood week last year, Mishavonna has definitely come a long way. She’s only 18 and is very composed. She sounds quite a lot like Pink, imo. The song went well, although she def played it safe, without any runs or big notes.

Paula: Told Mishavonna ‘it didn’t excite me.’
Simon: Was left ‘really cold.’ He thinks she’s a ‘great singer, but acts like a 50yr old,’ and wishes she’d sing something younger and a ‘bit more fun.’
Randy: Agreed she ‘feels so much older.’
Kara: Wants her ‘to loosen up a bit.’
I: Agree that she def acts older than her age, but I really like her voice, and hope she ‘gets to bring the crazy next week.’



Adam Lambert ~ “Satisfaction” by Rolling Stones.
Saving the best for last…or at least the Producer’s favorite for last…came Adam Lambert. He’s trying to get more intimate with the audience and connect with the songs, or so he says. I don’t know if he pulled it off, but he was definitely one of the more upbeat, louder, and entertaining performers last night…even if it is borderline shrieking at times. He has an Amanda Obermeyer tone, and even sings with the same Elvis lip and tongue action as her, but played it safe with only one big note at the end.

Paula: Didn’t think she was watching AI, she ‘thought it was an Adam Lambert concert.’
Simon: Was ‘finding this one difficult. Some parts were excruciatingly bad, and some parts were brilliant.’ He described it as a ‘love it or hate it performance,’ but thinks Adam’s ‘gonna get through.’
Randy: ‘Loved it,’ calling him ‘the most current artist’ and proclaimed him ‘da bomb’ and ‘Twilight ready.’
Kara: Thinks Adam’s ‘vocal technique and ability is outrageous.’
I: Got my rocker, David Cook, last year thankyouverymuch. Adam is entertaining and has a following, but just isn’t for me…though I think he’ll go far in this competition!


My Predictions ~
Top Girl: Allison Iraheta
Top Guy: Adam Lambert
Next Top Vote Getter: While I’d like to see Mishavonna, Megan, or Kris here…I think Norman Gentle is gonna get the votes!

I guess we’ll see tonight at 8pm!! And then next week the third group performs Tuesday, with results show on Wednesday, and the Wild Card Round (which helped save Clay Aitken and Jennifer Hudson in the past) will air Thursday, completing our Top 12 for AI Season 8.

Does anyone even remember who’s left to perform next week??! Vision-impaired Scott Mcintyre, right? And the Pacitti-replacement, Felicia Barton. Oooh, and Jorge, Nathaniel and screechy Von. Idol producers just might have some entertainment left up their sleeves…