Idol – 12 Girls
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes – I’m back!
Sorry for the long absence. I really did hope to post some articles last summer and fall once Idol was over for the season. With gridlock in Washington there were (and are) plenty of opportunities for good political head shaking and b*tch slapping. However, the tight schedule of Idol is back and the performances started last night. If I don’t get this recap out today I know I’ll have several emails by tomorrow. I CAN’T DISAPPOINT MY FANS! I guess I’ll get to my political rambling later.
A few thoughts before I begin the recap of last night’s performances: Does every season start off this badly or did it seem worse than normal? We haven’t even heard the guys yet, but I’ve heard the scuttlebutt that Simon predicts a female winner this year. Blah blah blah… “we say this every year, but best group of talent we’ve ever had” b*llshit has been flowing for weeks. WHAT?
Admittedly there are some talented singers this season. But last night seemed full of mediocrity, bad notes, and bus station performances. A couple were worthy of some loose change, but on the whole I was decidedly underwhelmed. If some of these girls don’t shake off the opening night jitters and step up with better song choices we may have another nail in the American Idol coffin. Simon has already announced that this is his last season. A season full of performances like last night’s would spell THE last season. That said… here is Part I of this week’s recap (guys sing tonight):
Paige Miles – Lacy black outfit, black nylons and gold lamay sash. Tough to go first, but everything is definitely NOT Alright Now. Simon liked her voice but not the song choice. I guess I can agree with that. Kara liked the song choice – another reason to continue to dislike her as a judge. Prediction: safe for now.
Ashley Rodriguez – Silver jacket and CFMs, white tee and tight black pants. She shouldn’t be Happy with that performance. “Clumsy” (says Simon) and boring/uninspired. So boring I don’t even have a prediction.
Janell Wheeler – Nothing special purple top and black pants. What About Love… well baby, you’re going to have to earn it. And you didn’t do it with that. Super cute, plus her day job is wine sales rep., so I like her already. But she hit a lot of bad notes and she seemed a bit nervous on the stage. Shake it off baby. Hopefully people will vote based on the clip from Hollywood week. Assessment: deserves another chance.
Lilly Scott – Green and white dress. Good but not great. Finally some originality. She was more comfortable on the stage than some of the other contestants and has some good potential if she doesn’t screw up the song choices. She’s Fixing a Hole Where the Rain Gets In, so I’d throw a few shillings in her guitar case toward the repair. Prediction: Safe.
Katelyn Epperly – Oh Darlin’… no, no and no. Didn’t like the song choice and, I’ll actually agree with Kara, didn’t like the look. Ok vocals and stage presence, but seemed to be trying too hard. Feathers in her hair and black leather sleeveless dress might have been ok on someone else, but it didn’t seem to fit her or the song. Basically, nothing fit. Eh… maybe give her another chance.
Haeley Vaughn – Youngest member of this year’s top 24 and potentially the first victim. As Simon put it, the whole thing was a mess. White dress and hose with some weird white thing in her hair. I don’t Wanna Hold Your Hand after that train wreck. There’s some talent there, but it needs to mature. If, by some miracle, she survives this week I’m sure she’ll be gone next week. Go back to high school sweetie.
Lacey Brown – Red flowers on white top, black stretch pants and green shoes. Not sure how to describe how bad it looked. Another bad song choice for the evening – the Landslide may bring her down. If it doesn’t, Stevie Nicks may take a swing at her for torturing her song. With some practice you might see her singing on a small stage in a casino bar, but I don’t think she’ll go far on American Idol unless she knocks one out of the park next week. If she makes it to next week, which is seriously in question.
Michelle Delamor – Long sleeve black top and grey pants with black boots. Usually, choosing a safe song and doing a good copycat version isn’t enough to get you far on this show. But this week it was one of the few worth listening to more than once, so I’m sure she’s safe. Looked good, sounded good, nice stage presence and appeared comfortable. If she’s Falling, she’s falling in a good way.
Didi Benami – Multi-colored knit vest that reminded me of something my grandmother would make with leftover yarn. If she Take(s) Me The Way I Am then I’ll take her the way she is – for now. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a decent song choice for her and she showed potential. The clip they showed from Hollywood week was better. Probably back next week.
Siobhan Magnus – Dreadful look. Unflattering black dress, weird shoes, rat’s nest and a giant flower for hair. I’m not a huge Chris Isaak fan, but she did show some Wicked Game with her song choice. Ellen really like it. Eh… it was ok. As Randy and Simon pointed out, the clip from Hollywood week was better. She’ll be fine this week.
Crystal Bowersox – A female Jason Castro from a few seasons ago. Beatnik with dreadlocks, guitar and harmonica. I can definitely see her performing for loose change in the park – and getting some. If I had One Hand In My Pocket I’d consider taking it out to throw her a quarter or two. Kinda frumpy in the black jacket and jeans, but good vocals. Copycatish, but good enough for this week.
Katie Stevens – Black Barbie doll dress with red sash, hair ribbon and shoes. I disagree with the judges on this one and I think she should be Feeling Good. Maybe she is a little young to be singing a song that someone older should sing, but it wasn’t terrible. They hagged on her for being pitchy and sharp, but it was no worse than some of the other performances. I heard a few bad notes but it wasn’t painful. Super cute – she’ll be back next week.
My overall thoughts about the top 12 Girls
Safe for now: Michelle and Lilly
Hopefully safe: Janell, Didi, Crystal and Katie
Indifferent: Paige, Katelyn, Siobhan
Think about packing your bags: If your name ends in a “y” (Ashley, Haeley, Lacey)
What do YOU think? Please comment below.
More tomorrow.
– Christopher
Themocracy
I am with you so far. My prediction was Ashley–only because she was so boring as to be forgettable and Lacey because she was horrid. There did seem to be a theme of weird stuff in hair–hope it doesn’t continue tonight.