American Idol Top 12...No wait! Top 13!!!

Darn that Ryan Seacrest! He got me again. But we’ll get to that in a few…first, last night’s performance recap and reactions…

Jesse Langseth ~ “Tell Me Something Good”
For a minute there, I forgot this was a “G” rated show! Jesse sexied up the song, and finished strong after a very slow beginning…but the chorus is the best part of that song.

Randy: Gave her props for an ‘interesting song choice,’ but he didn’t know if she ‘sung it that well.’ It was ‘just aiight’ for him.
Kara: Told Jesse she ‘had some notes that were def off-key,’ but she likes that Jesse ‘has a swagger,’ comparing it to ‘Sasha Fierce or something.’
Paula: Thinks that’s ‘a hard song to sing, unless you’ve got a lot of soul in ya.’
Simon: Reminded Jesse that she was a ‘last minute choice,’ but he’s ‘glad that they did put her through,’ though he thought it was ‘self-indulgent in a way.’
I: agree with Randy, I think. It was just aiight for me, too.


Matt Giraud ~ “Who’s Lovin’ You” by Jackson 5.
Matt decided to bring back the “bluesy, soulful Matt.” Unfortunately, bluesy, soulful Matt comes with hideous accessories. If we ever get to see him behind a piano, I hope he moves more comfortably…while standing and singing last night, he had a few Ray Charles swaying side to side moves.

Kara: Told Matt he ‘can riff amazingly, a little bit over the top at some points, but what a great vocal.’
Paula: Thinks this is ‘the right zone’ for him and that he did an ‘amazing job.’
Simon: Agreed it was a billion times better than last time, ‘a great choice of song,’ though he told Matt ‘I hate what you’re wearing,’ and he ‘saw bits of Taylor Hicks’ coming through.
Randy: Proclaimed ‘that was hot!’
I: Felt there were far too many riffs in the last half of the song, and wondered if maybe he had forgotten his words…but apparently, it was on purpose. My bad. And Simon was right, those Ray Charles moves are definitely Taylor Hicks moves as well!

Megan Joy Corkrey ~ “Black Horse and A Cherry Tree”
She definitely has a unique sound and again picked a great song.

Paula: Commented her looks, dance moves, and called her ‘quirky’ and told her she ‘picked the right song.’
Simon: Likes Megan, ‘has always liked’ her, thinks she is ‘current’ and ‘not a bit karaoke.’ ‘It wasn’t the best vocal we’re ever going to hear, but it doesn’t matter, it was terrific.’
Randy: Agreed that it wasn’t the best vocal he’s ever heard, but the song choice ‘was back in the right range’ for her.
Kara: Thinks that we need Megan because she gives ‘some variety to what’s already up there’ and ‘America needs that choice.’
I: Am getting a little tired of the stand-still-at-the-mic-stand-and-shake-your-hips-and-arms move, but would like to see her open up her range some more. I don’t think there’s room for both her and Jesse, and am wondering how she’ll hold up to Alexis Grace.

Von Smith ~ “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word”
Poor Von, he started the song poorly--and knew it. He was far too low and way off-key. He recovered a bit mid song, but definitely over thought the beginning.

Simon: Remarked that Von’s song ‘didn’t start very well.’ He thinks Von is ‘beginning to become a bit boring,’ like he’s ‘decided to become Mr. Serious.’
Randy: Agreed it ‘seems a little bit serious right now,’ and is not sure he’s ‘crazy about the song choice.’
Kara: ‘Wasn’t crazy about the song either,’ ‘it’s serious, but it got very dark.’ Thinks Von ‘has what it takes’ but just hasn’t ‘dialed it in yet.’
Paula: Studied the way Von performs, and when he’s ‘too concerned about the notes and the technical part,’ he’s ‘not letting the pure essence of Von Smith out.’
I: Realized that when you watch Randy back in slow-motion rewind, he looks like he’s talking with sign language. For real. You gotta check it out! Back to Von…I agree with Paula.


Jasmine Murray ~ “Reflection” by Christina Aguilera.
Expecting to hear Rhianna from Jasmine tonight, I was glad to see she chose not to be 100% predictable and chose another artist. She did the song justice, and went very big!

Randy: Remarked it was ‘definitely 100% improved from the other day.’
Kara: Was ‘now confused,’ because she ‘didn’t even know Jasmine had that big of a voice.’
Paula: Told her she ‘looked lovely,’ ‘picked a beautiful song,’ was ‘determined up there,’ and ‘overall did a wonderful job.’
Simon: Didn’t think Paula gave her ‘enough credit.’ He thought it was a ‘very, very brave song choice, but compared to what we’ve heard before, it was a huge improvement’ and thinks she just put herself ‘back in the running.’
I: Didn’t remember not hating “the commercial girl,” but last night, I didn’t.


Ricky Braddy ~ “Superstitious”
This Missouri boy talked with a southern accent in his pre-interview…I wonder why he doesn’t try country songs? We still don’t really have anyone who is in the country genre in the Top 12 yet, do we?
He was gonna try to show us some personality with this song. It was definitely upbeat.

Kara: Would not have picked that song, but thinks Ricky ‘held your own,’
Paula: Told him he ‘nailed it.’
Simon: Thought it was a ‘bit karaoke,’ ‘a bit lightweight,’ thought ‘performance itself was a bit clumsy’ and didn’t think he quite made the impression that he could have made.
Randy: Agreed with Simon and thought it ‘felt a little self-indulgent.’
I: Could have done without seeing Tatiana bustin’ a move in the Red Room, but didn’t really like Ricky doing an upbeat song.


Tatiana DelToro ~ “Saving All My Love For You” by Whitney Houston.
What the…?! All of a sudden “she’s in love wiff” everything and everyone…and apparently her newfound accent. Faker. She must be thinking, whatever works for Jorge! And no, for the record, I didn’t cut and paste her song title from the first week’s performance…she actually sang that song AGAIN!!!

Paula: Called her out on the accent, and told her she’s ‘not a huge fan of people who repeat songs,’ but then Tatiana went into her ‘fricken power voice.’
Simon: Thought it was ‘complete and utter rubbish’ when Tatiana tried to tell them that she couldn’t start a new song in just one day. (Everyone else did, chica!)
Randy: Told her there were ‘some good moments and there were some not-so-good moments.’
Kara: Agreed with Randy.
I: am done with her and all her fakeness.


Anoop Desai ~ “My Prerogative”
Anoopdogg is in the house, y’all! And as soon as I heard the band practice the song in the background of his pre-performance interview, I was excited to hear the song! The judges can say what they want about a repeat performance, but the only part of this song we ever got to see was during Hollywood Week and it was the last few notes…It’s my prerogative; not the complete version as Tatiana did with her song in week one. But, I don’t want to be biased. Oh, heck ya I do! I am totally biased. I heart Anoop! The crowd’s reaction said it all…they heart him, too!

Simon: For whatever reason *scoff* said ‘you’re like an enthusiastic little dog, aren’t you?’ and told Anoop he’s ‘not the best singer we’re ever going to hear,’ ‘but people like you and that’s important.’ He talked about having to ‘cast’ the next stage and ‘not just put the boring singers through, we’re going to put some personality through as well.’
Randy: Told him ‘you slayed it.’
Kara: ‘Wanted to dance.’
Paula: Did dance, and complimented Anoop’s ‘nasty’ moves, but reminded him to ‘be careful picking his songs,’ but ‘was glad’ he ‘went back and picked this song.’
I: don’t really think I need to tell you what I think, again, do I?!


The Results ~

Ryan Seacrest called up Jasmine Murray first. Randy told her there is a spot for her in the Top 12.

Kara told Ricky Braddy he didn’t show us enough of his personality.

Next up were Megan Joy Corkrey and Tatiana DelToro. After a long monologue (“pep talk”) to the obvious loser…Tatiana, Paula finally announced the judges were keeping Megan. And for some reason, the camera cut to Kai Kalama up in the Red Room cheering Megan on…uhhh, is the single mom no longer single?! Hmmmm.

After a commercial, Simon told Jesse Langseth she didn’t make it into the Top 12. So up came Von Smith, and Paula believes he’s gonna be a recording artist, but he didn’t make it either.

It was down to Anoop Desai and Matt Giraud. I paused the DVR and did a little ranting, trying to prepare myself just in case Anoop didn’t make it. He got a lot more audience praise, but Matt brought back the bluesy side, which the judges asked for, and there isn’t really any of in the Top 12 so far…

I took a deep breath and pressed PLAY. Ryan kindly reminded us “we have two contestants left, we have one stool.” Thanks for THAT, Ryan. Like I needed a reminder?!

Simon said, “Matt…you’ve made it through to the final 12.” I didn’t even tell myself to hit PAUSE. I just did it. And I yelled at those judges and I’m not too proud to admit that I cussed them out…and there may or may not have been a shoe thrown…it’s all still a little fuzzy…*

After I composed myself (and wondered how I was going to break it to the radio station that they needed to find themselves a new AI blogger), I pressed PLAY.

Anoop congratulated Matt and began off-stage, but Simon stopped him. “I wanted to say something to you, um, and this is on behalf of all of us, um, we decided recently…” PAUSE! I yelled out to my husband that they’re gonna put them both through!!! PLAY! Simon continued, “we’re gonna make this a Top 13.” And while Paula tried to summon the super powers of her star ring, with her fist up in the air, I breathed a sigh of relief to still be able to cheer on my boi Anoopdogg…and still have an excuse not to go to the gym on Tuesday and Wednesday nights still, cuz I’d be FAR too busy watching and blogging AI8. WOOHOO!

A final thought…Even though Anoop was actually chosen last in order, I don’t think he was the reason they decided to go with 13, and was saved at the last minute…he’d already been praised an early favorite, so it’s more likely that he was always going to be through to the Top 12, but Jasmine surprised the judges tonight, and so they made it Top 13 in order to keep them both. Oh well, I’m just glad to be able to say ding, dong the crazy’s gone!


*no children were awoken, nor televisions damaged, during the viewing of this episode.