Quick Thoughts On Idol Results (3/26)

That overly dramatic intro is a bit spoiled when it leads to the same kerplunking tune that Idol has had for its theme song for the past eight seasons.

The group performance was unabashedly lip-synced tonight which is a shame because it was actually a pretty decent medley. Lil was front a center of course with Allison doing her fair share. Scott, unfortunately, seemed like he was on a low-budget children’s show that goes direct to video. Side Jaw got a random “hey”. After moving to a pyramid formation a burning question is answered. When you need a sassy diva to sing but you have already used your staple diva SO much, who do you use? Why Adam Lambert of course:-) The Banshee Queen whales on “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and then continues to step touch with everyone else.

ROOOOOOBEN Studdard comes out looking like a grown man! Sweating like the devil in church and singing another crappy song! Seriously Ruben, you would have so much more success if you had a different song-writing team. But he’s married and he seems happy so I won’t dwell on the point.

But I will dwell on the fact that Matt Giraud was in the bottom three!!! What’s going on America!? Actually was a little worried about him since he went first and didn’t have an “amazing” performance. Clearly those feelings were right. The Roughneck and Scott round out the bottom three, but more on that later…

As the tradition of much older men singing love ballads with young nubile women continues, Joss Stone reappears from the hippie commune she’s been living in to sing with Smokey Robinson. At least Smokey was better than Randy Travis, but did any feel like he was just waiting to kiss Joss with tongue. *shiver*

Scott avoids the inevitable is sent to safety.

Stevie Wonder performs a medley of his songs ending with a couple of more recent tracks that clearly don’t hold up to his 70s output. During his medley we are treated to a lot of awkward footage of people awkwardly dancing. I’m looking at you Kandy! Randy is gesturing like a two year old while Kara over sings the lyrics. Paula looks like the model of sanity as she sings and dances to herself. Simon remains unmoving and unamused. The Idols are having a good time as well. Side Jaw and Lil having a good time singing Stevie. Banshee Queen swaying back and forth like a drag queen who doesn’t seem to know the words/heard Stevie Wonder songs. Anoop and GOkey share a moment that doesn’t make me like GOkey anymore.

Michael is eliminated (rightly so).

The judges take a dramatic amount of time to decide to counter the backlash they have had in the press about not actually taking the time to discuss where they will or will not save a contestant.

Simon makes the decision and tells Michael it is a no.

J Ramp Out!

P.S. Alexis being eliminated…not that shocking. Did she go to soon, yes, but she was faltering as a performer the past few weeks. “Jolene” was not executed well as she tread dangerously close to Christina Aguilera territory in her wild gesturing.

AI Top 10: Hugs Not Drugs! It’s Motown Night! (3/25)

Ryan’s gigantic head on a teleprompter…terrifying.

Paula’s tutu…amazing:-)

Dear American Idol,

Please stop making the performance shows two hours long.

It makes me stay up past my bedtime.

Sincerely,

J Ramp

Ryan recounts the history of Motown while I am shocked at the new look of Lil Rounds. Side Note: I learn that the name of Motown comes from the nick name of Detroit: Motor Town. Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson lead the Idols on a tour. Lil Rounds is forced to talk about her experience seeing Motown because she is the only black person still in the competition. Smokey Robinson is clearly in the Hugs not Drugs phase of his life, but the man is dangerously close to overdosing on hugs.

1-G
“Let’s Get It On”

Smokey has a sentimental spot for Marvin and was touched by Matt’s performance. Interesting as I thought this song really has only one purpose.

Matt sings on the piano for the third week in a row. Sike…he is getting up. But Paula did not get up during the entire performance. I am not starting to understand Smokey’s reaction to the song as Matt performed the least sexually charged version of “Let’s Get It On” that I have ever witnessed. It was more like “let’s get it on and read a book” or “let’s get it on and bake some cookies” or “let’s get it on and work on the New York Times crossword puzzle”.

Kandy admits it was an awkward sexual performance (that’s what she said).
Paula calls him sexycool (but not crazy) and thanks for stepping out from the piano. She goes on step further and says that his performance is like wearing a great old pair of worn jeans which makes me wonder how Paula gets dressed in the morning?
Simon calls it a little corny and states that Randy just copied him because Simon totally called Matt G. as the dark horse last week.

You get 3 Vintage Pillsbury Doughboys because you’re performance was as sexy as baked goods.

2-Side Jaw
“How Sweet It Is”

Smokey got really excited, giggled and gave Kris a high five. He told him “do not touch that dial” and I’m pretty sure got Kris to sign his trapper keeper.

We can tell from the shirt he is wearing that Kris escaped from the prison of dreaminess in which he has been captive to perform on the show this week. While his performance was not as great as last week, Side Jaw did turn in another solid performance.

Kandy exclaimed You totally marked your territory and peed all over that song.
Paula declared the note at the end to be brilliant and commented on his obvious stage comfort.
Simon told him to get your swagger on!

You get four adorable dogs peeing on trees because it’s official…you are here to stay!

3-Mr. Magoo
“You Can’t Hurry Love”

Smokey struggles for words and comes up with analogies that involve death. (i.e. he’s gonna kill it! or his version of this song will murder everybody in the audience! and the notes he sings will be like shiving each and everyone watching at home.) I wondered why this was so, but then I saw Scott’s performance.

But before we get to his performance I have to say that the only thing that could make Scott more awkward would be if he performed on stage wearing flesh colored hip huggers. Needless to say, Scott was very awkward tonight. He starts “You Can’t Hurry Love” as a ballad which makes me slap my forehead, but then he starts to sing the song uptempo (as God intended) and I realize why he sings ballads all the time. That was an amazing performance…for a Chuck E. Cheese’s birthday party.

Paula skirts around the performance and tells him that his performance was like putting on a pair of earmuffs that you bought a long time ago and forgot that you had until you find them will doing some Spring Cleaning. You put the earmuffs on and realize you don’t really need them because it is Spring and the weather is warm. Just when you think that she couldn’t pull any more focus from the performance, she pulls out crayons and two coloring books and gives them to Simon as she delivers the punchline that he is “like a 6 year old! Oh wait, that is an insult to 6 year olds!” (Ouch! Got ‘em Paula!)
Simon calls him out and says that he is picking the wrong song over and over again.
Kandy basically said what Simon said with the added bonus of “Give me some rhythm Scott, yo…I like that”. (Sadly, that was a direct quote from Kara)

As if to confuse and distract America from the terrible performance they just saw Ryan asks Mr. Magoo how he knows that his pants are pink? and then asks Paula if she has any more props under to the table to which she replies, “they are under my skirt”?

You get one pirate Polaroid picture because well, do I really need to explain.

4-Influenza B
“For Once In My Life”

Smokey finds her refreshing and she is very different and calls her one of the most original contestants the show has ever had. He never smiled once.

I liked her better when she was sick.

Kandy called it a fast train wreck when they wanted a slow train wreck. Then they both tell her that “My Guy” would have been a better choice and just in case Megan Joy or America isn’t familiar with the song, they sing most of it for her. If that wasn’t awkward enough, Kara then says “the song was dominating you girl and I ain’t used to that ish. Find the old Megan and tell her we lookin for her, boo.”
Paula succinctly states: I agree. You are pretty. It was terrible.
Simon doesn’t even use sentences and merely throw outs words like horrible. Atrocious. Mind-numbing. Religion destroying. Apocalypse starting.

AND THEN, ladies and gentlemen, in a single moment Megan “Influenza B” Corkrey destroys any chance of the judges saving her by replying to Ryan’s question of “what do you think of the judges comments” by dismissing them and saying that “my fans are still out there and to give her a call!”

You get the 4 Horsemen because the end is nigh for you!

5-Anoop Dawg
“Ooh Baby Baby”

Smokey created this song completely on riffing with the Miracles. Very sensual song that made me feel it when Anoop sang it.

I don’t forgive him for dancing before the commercial break, but his vocals were good…not great. I still don’t get it. I actually feel like some of the falsetto was a bit forced. He was way too serious during the song. I find Anoop extremely boring.

Kandy says he was pretty good. You can sing. Turn it up. Get the party on…so America can vote you off.
Paula tells him to be more confident.
Simon tells him don’t be boring.

The most interesting thing about the performance is when Ryan tells America to vote for An-ooo ooop (like he was singing the song). Nice one Ryan!

You get 2 groups of sleeping Asian business men because yeah…you are that boring!

6-Roughneck
“Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” (The taking it to church version)

Smokey…he has a big…voice, pound it a little more. Don’t sweet talk, demand it.

Made me miss Anoop’s dancing when Michael did the crazy eyes before the break! AND Ryan explains that the Roughneck was sick last week! Is that just what we do when someone has a terrible TERRIBLE performance because that is lame. Now if Ryan had told him that America got sick last week AFTER watching your performance, I would accept that because that is legitimate. The Roughneck’s performance this week was all kinds of mess. The walking dance he did this week was a step backwards all professional white dancers out there. He was mangling notes like Jessica Simpson without the charm of knowing where Tuna comes from and the “church” he took us too is a church I would not attend. That was the whitest performance ever on American Idol.

Paula fights back tears to tell him that it was Las Vegas Loungey.
Simon fights back smiles to tell him he couldn’t wait for it to end. Calls him out on screaming and shouting and finally declares that he is just taking part but has no chance of winning.
Kandy then talks to the Roughneck like he is in kindergarten. Let me explain it to you, that wasn’t a great performance. Okay? It did not make mommy and daddy very happy. Here is what we are looking for an artist? Do you know what an artist is? An artist makes music. Music is the sound that comes out of a person’s mouth that is hot. A person is…

The Roughneck plays the old I don’t care what the judges say because I am having a blast and whether or not they get who I am as an artist, I can “sang”. No Michael…you can’t “sang”. You can barely “sing”.

You get 1 set of Mom Jeans, because you may think you are stylin’ and profilin’ but in reality…

WHY DO THEY KEEP DANCING!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

7-Lil Rounds
“Heatwave”

Smokey she could sing the phone book. Breaks it down with Smokey…we have a legacy. Lil Rounds takes on the heavy mantle of performing for basically every black woman in music. Martha, The Family Houston, Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, Nell Carter, etc.

I loved that performance. It wasn’t the best song choice but overall the performance was engaging.

Kandy: you were the diva that everyone was waiting for. You are an effortless singer *finger snapped* but it wasn’t the right song.
Paula: you owned that song.
Simon: You were authentic but you didn’t have a moment.

She rebounds from slightly negative praise by saying that next week she will slow down the vocals and blow everyone away. Let’s do it!

You get 6 of my favorite black female artists:

8-The Banshee Queen
“Tracks of my Tears”


Smokey used the words tender, sweet, and soft when talking to Adam and explained that this song attempts to answer what if you got really close to a person’s face and they had cried so much that you could see the tracks of their tears. To which Adam could only reply “Oomph”

Smokey stood up. Paula stoop up. Kara stoop up. This was a game changer folks. For everything that was fascinating terrifying about last week’s performance, this performance was exceptional. He turned the gay down turned off the theatrics and had himself a nice moment.

Kandy: Six words for you, That was the best performance of the night. (Not six words)
Paula: Amazing and classy. No nail polish, got the hair out of his face and you smiled. You’re so pretty when you smile.
Simon: The best performance of the night. Originality. Smokey is a brilliant song writer. You are a star.

You get 5 Gigolo Joes:

9-GO-key
“Get Ready”

Smokey told him he left out important parts. Put them in!

Why didn’t he put them in? WHAT IS HAPPENING!?!? He is marching and rolling with the back-up singers. He is just totally ignoring Smokey and running all over the stage…WHY IS NO ONE ATTACKING HIM!!!? WHY won’t he give “Ugly Betty” her glasses back!?

Paula just starts incoherently rhyming. You are undeniable, reliable and certifiable as plane that is flyable in the skyable. You don’t have to go on trial-able to realizable…
Simon THANKFULLY called him clumsy and amateurish.
Kandy called him Levi Stubbs and…all these other great singers, whose names I can’t remember.

You get two Danny Gokeys because America to put the GO in Gokey!

10-Allison Iraheta
“Papa Was A Rolling Stone”


Smokey called her on some lyrics and she’ll get it down pat.

She nailed it! Gave it a totally different vibe!

Kandy: You are 16 but singing like you are 400 years old! That is from God! You can’t teach that!
Paula now has a mustache on her face because Simon drew it on.
Simon says you are a survivor! (through giggles) That was exactly what you needed to do!

You get 5 sets of Golden Girls because you’ve been singing like your as old as Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia combined even though you are ONLY 16!!!

Final Thoughts:

America, your final three should be: Scott, Megan, and Michael. I would even be okay with a triple elimination.

The two people who came out of Motown night the best were Adam and Allison.

And in the end nothing was more terrifying than the shot Olivia Newton John or the mass of flesh and bones injected and nip/tucked to look like Olivia Newton John.

J Ramp Out!

AI Top 11: Use Protection! Don’t Get The Ring Of Fire! (3/17)

What is Adam Lambert wearing?

YAY! The judges still get the Grand Intro and Runway Model Walk to the judges table!
BOO! Ryan still gets in intro:-(

The entire Idol stage turns to an explosion of shamrocks and Irish Jam music and just as quickly as it began.

Umm…Kara is dressed and ready to bake…in the oven.

Tonight is Country Week which I believe this is the earliest Country Week has ever been done in American Idol. Historically, it is always one of the worst weeks mostly because almost every Idol struggles. Also, Simon usually wears his cranky pants during the show which makes everyone uncomfortable.

Randy Travis is the mentor for this week and coincidentally not an attractive man.

1-Michael Sarver aka The Roughneck
“Ain’t Comin’ Down Till The Sun Comes Up”

Randy Neighs: Is you mess up a word, you’re screwed.

The most energy on stage came from the harmonic player. Clearly, the Roughneck did not even have enough energy to open his mouth for most of the song. Unfortunately, when he did open his mouth he was more than a little obnoxious. Here is the list:

1. Country music is about having fun! (Michael plays for votes).
2. (In response to Simon who did not understand a single word) Country fans did!
3. If we were all perfect, we wouldn’t need this show. (I prefer the tight-lipped listless Roughneck).

Kandy provided their usual insight: How did he remember all those words right? right? That’s a LOT of words.

He gets one Mr. T sock puppet because he was arrogant and I pity the fool who had to listen to that performance:

2-Allison Iraheta aka Red
“Blame It On Your Heart”

Randy Neighed: She is 16 and she moved real pretty. Don’t be too cute cause you got great pipes.

Her performance made me throw up. Not because it was bad, but because she moved all over the stage and so did the cameras. I was also left wondering how many fingers to hold up when I want to demonstrate the number two? She did not let Country Week beat her. However, she is not really showing any versatility either.

Kandy thinks she could sing the alphabet and doesn’t what precocious means so they say “dope, dawg!” instead.
Mother Paula tells Red to explore your voice. Take chances. Don’t be afraid to grow. You are solid.
Simon says it was good but a little bit tuneless.

She gets two George Clintons, the original Dope Dawg:

3-Kris Allen aka Side Jaw
“Make You Feel My Love”

Randy: You weren’t a Garth-bot. Good for you! I hate him.

Great song choice! With this performance he cements his status as Idol Heartthrob. AWESOME!!! (P.S. Sounded a lot like Adele’s version on her new album 19 which no one pointed out) However, Kris totally nailed this performance even if he wasn’t completely original.

Mother Paula: don’t throw away the low notes. Great choice, exposes the vulnerability. Focus on the vote.
Father Simon: that was great! Smart choice. I think you might actually have a shot at doing well.
Kandy: You’re a tender dawg! It didn’t even sound like Grand Ole Opry. Right guys!? Right?

Instead of tender dawgs I’m gonna give Kris 5 Copy Cats!

4-Lil Rounds
“Independence Day”

Randy Travis: That is a big song. Slow it down, girl. You will have more time for the licks you do sista friend!

I want to ban Martina McBride songs. Thank God she had the chorus because the verses were rough. I don’t care what Randy Travis said. Country week is like a horror movie. The black character is always the first to die!

Kandy: You’d have to deaf not to know you are a good singer? I miss those big notes. You should have sung Whitney Houston.
Paula: One way to make that better, eliminate one of the verses and go right to the chorus.
Simon: Lil, little, lil, little, lil, little, lil, little…lil, which is short for little. Lil, little, lil, little…

You get 3 Brides of Frankenstein because your hair was also a little horrifying:

5-The Banshee Queen
“Ring of Fire”

Randy Travis: I’m scared. Don’t know what to say about this boy. Men don’t wear nail polish. I don’t want him living on my street. Will and Grace never had a character like this.

Most of what I want to say about that performance is not fit to print so here is what I can say.

1. Adam Lambert needs to cover up his Heavage. (Male + Cleavage=Heavage)
2. Ryan, don’t act like you are smart enough to use the word antithetical.
3. The Banshee Queen sang that song as if “The Ring of Fire” were a new venereal disease.

Kandy: That was strange. young. fresh. current. Got my drama. Got my eyes. We’re confused and happy.
Paula: You are a cashmere Led Zeppelin.
Simon: What the hell was that? Absolute indulgent rubbish.

You get 3 Pamela Andersons and Kid Rocks because that’s where the Ring Of Fire started:

6-Scott MacIntyre
“Wild Angels”

Randy Neighed: Not a good choice. Speed it up. Wish I could play piano. That little boy surprised me.

Did I mention that I want to ban Martina McBride songs? His hair looks better as he continues the slow march to elimination. I thought some of the notes were a little rough AND he is going to need to start demonstrating some versatility soon if he wants to stay in the competition.

Paula: Impressive and lovely, but the piano is becoming a crutch. Make a connection.
Simon: Paula is being a stupid head. Shut up Paula. Pick better songs!
Kandy: I miss those hott crazy vocals. I am going to say whatever everyone else said.

You get two Bruce Hornsbys because no Randy…it can NEVER be Bruce Hornsby week!

7-Alexis Grace aka Pinky
“Jolene”

Randy Neighs: Sings like a storyteller. Perfect never change. Can I sign your yearbook? I. I was. I was the first. I was the first one to…

Totally called that she was going to sing Jolene. Unfortunately, I didn’t call that she would jank it up so much. She didn’t listen to Paula because she totally over sung it and the in between weird vocals where she was flat.

Kandy: I miss what we fell in love with. Why didn’t you sing a Carrie Underwood song? We miss the dirty.
Paula: Took an artistic approach. Good for you.
Simon: Okay. a little copycat. forgettable.

Pinky promises to dirty it up next week, America. And nothing is more appealing than that!

You get two puppies. Two very dirty puppies.

8-Chokey Gokey
“Jesus Took The Wheel”

Randy: Hope he gets the words right.

Totally called this song choice too. Now to the performance. His coat looked as ridiculous as I think this song is. His vocals were predictable.

Kandy: Here comes Danny! Danny came out! You sang unlike any other singer I have ever heard in my life! The notes you sang were unlike anything I ever heard with my ears! Support! Support! Wear a support bra!
Paula: It’s nice when you build a story. And Carrie Underwood would totally buy your record.
Simon…Kara is stupid! Why are you on some polar expedition?

You get three illiterate polar bears because I hope you fall soon Gokey. I hope you fall.

9-Anoop Dawg
“You’re always on my mind”

Randy Neighs: I can never get Willie Nelson out of my mind. Right now, I am fighting for control of my speech. Help….me!

Effective use of hoodie and blazer. Smart move. Stand still. Stick with your voice.

Paula: He’s back everyone! He’s back! Tender, honest, amazing sweet vocals. You touched my heart.
Simon: From zero to hero! Hercules! Hercules! You deserve to be here. Thanks for not whining.
Kandy: Arrangement was dope. That song is untouchable…almost. Best. Performance. Ever. In. My. Life.

You got four swashbuckling roosters because you were dangerously cocky!

10-Megan Joy Corkrey aka Caw Caw Corkrey
“Walkin’ After Midnight”

Randy: I don’t want be in your shoes. What are you doing after the show? Totally unique. Good job! I’ll go walking with you after midnight. Give me a call, seriously.

Here’s the deal. I am growing to appreciate Megan Joy Corkrey. She is refreshingly down to earth and unpretentious. And she cawed at the end of “Rockin’ Robin” which despite the fact that Robins don’t caw…I kind of love that moment. As the judges told us over and over again, she was sick. Truthfully, I couldn’t really tell a difference except that she struggled for some of the notes.

Kandy: I thought it was going be the usual hip-hop/metal/trance/classical/jazzy/pop/country/chamber music we usually get from you.
Paula: You went to the hospital.
Simon: You should have the flu every week.

You get three Betty Boops because you’re quirky AND I think when Randy and Simon say that they your stylist is dressing you “too old”, what they are really saying is “show us more skin”.

11-Matt Giraud
“So Small”

Randy: Not a good choice. If he does what I saw him do…he’ll look great…um…and sound great too.

Why is someone singing another Carrie Underwood song? Looks like it got Paula out of her seat. A fine rendition. Injected some energy into kind of a dull song.

Kandy: There ain’t nothing small about you. I love you. You got mad skills. You’re like Michael Buble-Timberlake.
Paula: How do I pronounce “authenticity”? You’re piercing a lot of hearts.
Simon: You don’t get enough credit. You just out sang Danny.

You get 4 Professor Cats because Simon gave you extra credit tonight!

Final Thoughts: Kris is definitely safe and that is pretty much all I know. I am glad we got country night out of the way and truthfully, it wasn’t as painful as some country nights of Idols past. I think possibly The Roughneck could go or Lil. If Caw Caw Corkrey ends up in the bottom, the judges will most definitely save her. That’s the thing with country night…ANYTHING could happen.

One final note…when did American Idol become The View! Why oh why did so many Idols talk tonight during comments! And even the judges…Paula and Simon’s tiff lasted three hours too long. A word of advice to producers…don’t make the show two hours long when it only needs to be 1 hour.

J Ramp Out!

Quick Thoughts On AI Results (3/11)

Okay, Ryan introduces the new rule which I totally called in the comments to this week’s performance post. Apparently, the producers of American Idol tried this in France on the French version of American Idol entitled “Nouvelle Star” during season 6. The judges had the power of veto in which the judge could save one contestant whom they believed to be wrongly eliminated. Ryan explained the rules last night and instead of calling it veto, they called the power to “save”. A nice spin that takes focus off the judges canceling out votes. Also, they can only save one contestant this entire season AND can only use it up until the Top 5. On the week they use it, no one is eliminated. The following week two Idols will be eliminated.

Interesting twist as they highlighted last night past Idols who went to soon such as Tamyra Gray, Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry, and Michael Johns. Although the judges did not use their last night and I am not surprised. Jasmine Murray and Megan Joy Corkrey where the first bottom two with Jasmine going home. No surprise there! Thanks again to the judges for wasting a wild card spot on her instead of The Talented Mr. Ju’Not. The second bottom two was made up of Anoop and Jorge. A little surprised Jorge was there and more surprised that he got eliminated. Song choice definitely got him and the banter after his performance last night didn’t help.

Next week we have 11 performances! Awesome! Next week’s theme will be…wait for it…”Songs Popularized by Members of the Grand Ole Opry”.

J Ramp Out!

AI Top 13: It’s fine being artistic…but not on this show (3/10)

Is Ryan on a trapeze?

The judges did something they have been planning since the beginning of the season dropped the bomb of making a Top 13.

Um…why are the judges model walking out to their seats!?

Why does Ryan get announced? He is the host.

This better not be the beginning of every show. So while the judges rehash what the Idols will have to do tonight…hold it…

Randy just said that ANY of these Idols could win this. Not true. Jasmine Murray…I’m looking at you.
While Kara was a bit more realistic in that 3 or 4 Idols could end up on the radio…she was a little self-important. God wouldn’t even wear a bow that big Kara.
Paula told the Idols not to let the stage overwhelm them like the feathers on her cheetah top.
(Not a joke, she is actually wearing feathers on her cheetah top.)
Simon is the only voice of reason.

The Idols take the stage. Simon addresses the issue of having 13 with respect to elimination. Two Idols will go home tomorrow night. Onto the theme…Michael Jackson Night.

Start the MJ montage.
Screaming fans.
Old footage of Michael Jackson.
End with dancing skeletons. What!?

AI Wild Card: A Room Full Of Dreams and A Whole Lotta Crazy! (3/5)

Ryan’s opening monologue is a bit overly dramatic, until of course he tells Simon to shut up.

This is American Idol…the Wild Card Edition.

Quick Thoughts On Idol Results (3/4)

This was NOT exactly how I wanted things to go this week. We created more of our Top 12 AND revealed the judges’ picks for the Wild Card Night tomorrow. Let’s get to it.

First Pick: Lil Rounds

Duh.
I wanted her in my Top 12 and she is there. No surprises and I think that as long as she can keep her vocals in check (i.e. doesn’t try and scream notes she can’t reach), she will go far in the competition.

Second Pick: Scott MacIntrye

Okay.
I think that America got this one wrong.
He has talent and he certainly seems like a very nice guy, however I do have to ask myself if I think he would be in the Top 12 if he weren’t blind? I don’t think he would be. Every performance I have seen so far has been good enough, but nothing has blown me away.

Third Pick: Jorge Nunez

Not too surprised because vocally he was spot on last night. Perhaps the best male vocal technically speaking. I do wonder how he will perform outside of the big sweeping ballads.

The Wild Card Picks:
Von Smith (Surprised, disagree)
Jasmine Murray (Not surprised, indifferent)
Ricky Braddy (Not surprised, agree)
Megan Corkrey (Not surprised, disagree)
Tatiana Del Toro (SURPRISED, COMPLETELY DISAGREE-SHE WILL HAVE A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN!)
Matt Giraud (Not surprised, indifferent)
Jesse Langseth (Not surprised, agree)
Anoop Desai (Not surprised, indifferent)

I would replace Von, Tatiana, and Megan with Mischavanna, Felicia Barton, and Ju’Not.

As I disagreed with slightly half of the judge’s picks, I am obviously disappointed. I am probably most disappointed with the lack of Ju’Not in the Wild Card picks. His performance last night was probably my favorite of the night. Ideally, I would have probably selected Ju’Not, Ricky Braddy, and Jesse Langseth for the final trio to make up the Top 12.

I’ll wait and see how tomorrow pans out before I give my thoughts on the Top 12.

JRamp Out!

AI Top 36: Less of a Mess, I Guess (3/2)

Apparently, Ryan Seacrest has made all the 12 contestants tonight kill their families and quit their jobs. Although severe it is nice to see Ryan dressed a bit more professional than the sweat pants and t-shirt he wore last week.

Alexis just winked at America. I’m still not sold on her.

Nice disco top Kara…