AI Season 8 – Group 1
Time to take a step back from the serious topics of the day to blog about something completely unimportant. American Idol.
Yes fans – it’s time to ignore what’s going on in Washington DC and on Wall Street so we can discuss fashion, stage presence and (of course) vocals. Newer fans to this site might find some of the following a bit bubble-gummy and low-brow, but it’s a format that has evolved over several AI seasons and it works. So let’s get to it.
Three of this week’s 12 contestants will go on to the next round – top guy, top gal and the top vote getter of the remaining 10. Groups 2 and 3 will also contribute three contestants the same way. That makes nine. The top 12 is then rounded out with wild card spots, so we might see one or more of tonight’s “losers” again.
A cursory viewing of auditions and Hollywood week left few standouts, but a recently widowed church music director and a blind guy did catch my ear. And there are a few hotties, so all is not lost.
In order of appearance (as always) here is this week’s recap:
Jackie Tohn – Polka dots, a giant red belt and black stretch pants. Not a good start. I guess she wasn’t terrible but the song choice was. For me, no one has done a better job with this Elvis classic than Season 3 contestant Jon Peter Lewis. YouTube it – he totally rocked. Simon was the only judge that was really honest with her. I guess we can expect A Little Less Conversation from her since she probably won’t be going on to the next round.
Ricky Braddy – Burgundy velour sports jacket over a white shirt. A Song For You and some pretty good vocals. Not sure it was good enough, but he does have potential. He needs a little more personality. Wild card?
Alexis Grace – Little black dress with spaghetti straps. She tackled Aretha Franklin’s “I Never Loved a Man” and the judges loved it. At first I thought they were being overly nice, but I played it back and it was pretty damn good except for a note or two. I’ll make my first bold prediction of the week – she could get this week’s female spot.
Brent Keith – He was panned by the judges as going with a “safe” song and Simon said he blew it. I’m no country music fan, but I have been watching this show long enough to know that a solid country vocal performance can get you into the next round. Add some dimples and a smile for the ladies and he might not be headed back to Hick Town. He’s got my vote for tonight’s 3rd spot.
Stevie Wright – First SERIOUS crash and burn of the night. And the judges let her know it. Awkward look, awkward moves, awkward sound. You don’t Belong With Me.
Anoop Desai – Black blazer, grey shirt and jeans. Not a bad looking dude and the vocals weren’t terrible, but it was a little too “boy band” for me. I just don’t think it will be good enough to get him to the next round. He’s no Angel of Mine.
Casey Carlson – Black tank and gold oversized skirt. She’s super cute, but Everything She Does is NOT Magic. Exaggerated facial expressions, creepy Palinesque winks, bad song choice/arrangement, and it was worse than bad karaoke. Judges were maybe a bit harsh but the message was clear. She’s done.
Michael Sarver – Interesting shirt with decorative crosses. Which is to say I didn’t like it. But it suited his country slant and he wasn’t terrible. Essentially we went from bad karaoke to good karaoke. I Don’t Want to Be overly negative… but he was very middle-of-the-pack. Which isn’t good when only 3 of 12 will be moving on.
Ann Marie Boskovich – Blue dress. Simon called her a hotel singer. “Natural Woman” was too big for her and it wasn’t that great. It was very forgettable. In fact, as I type this I don’t really remember it. Good thing I took notes.
Stephen Fowler – I was really hoping for a better performance from this guy. He seems really likable. But he was flat at the beginning and he never recovered. His vocals seemed out of sync with the music and on the whole it was probably a terrible song choice. Sorry Stephen – we don’t want to Rock With You.
Tatiana Del Toro – I voted her most annoying from the audition/Hollywood weeks and I don’t think I was alone. But she came out in her rainbow sherbert dress (that actually looked good on her) and delivered some good vocals, save a note or two. I still want her gone because I’m sure she’ll go back to being very annoying when the Quaaludes wear off. (Clearly she was on something.) But the other girls sucked tonight and she has a chance if Alexis doesn’t pull the votes she deserves. She was Saving All her Love For me… but I don’t want it.
Danny Gokey – The widowed church music director didn’t let me down. I was worried when I heard he was going to sing a Maria Carey song, but he was far and away the best of the night. The judges all loved him and rightfully so. He’s my Hero. Well… maybe not, but he will clearly be going on to the next round if talent, personality and a heart grabbing back-story have anything to do with it.
Season 8, week 1 for votes is done. I predict a solid win for Danny with Alexis and Brent rounding out this week’s 3 slots in the final 12, although I’m not ruling out a mini upset with a spot going to Ricky or (unfortunately) Tatiana. Long-long shot for Anoop.
As for the rest – Jackie, Casey, Ann Marie, Michael, Stephen and Stevie – I think they are done.
What do YOU think? Comment below
or email me at christopher@grasshutandcoconuts.com
Christopher OUT
Themocracy
Christopher:
Nice summary. To me the best vocal was Tatiana (also the most annoying). Good call on the quaaludes – “my professional opinion”? Dissociative Personality Disorder (multiple personalities) or Histrionic Personality Disorder. I wonder why the audience was so hyped for her – certainly they find her as annoying as the rest of us – but she can sing. Other than that it was pretty boring. I do like the new judge – tell your adoring audience what you think about the new judge!
–k
New Judge is HOT. That’s what I think.
As for her skills as a judge… eh – she’s as good as the other 3. Sometimes they all blather on too long, but I guess that’s part of the show. Their comments do effect the votes. As noted, I was ready to send Alexis the baby momma back to her double wide until they all praised her and I went back for a second listen.
Thank you!