2/11: American Idol recap: Hollywood rounds, the final 36 revealed!
We now have our 36. Honest to god, I think this is a solid, interesting crew, even without Jamar Rogers. (And despite Tatiana Del Toro).
My early take is the guys left more of an impression on me as I watched the montage of people at the end. My early favorites include Lil Rounds, Stephen Fowler, Scott MacIntyre, Danny Gokey and Michael Sarver.
This was a wonderful two hours for us “Idol” buffs. The sing offs were a great addition. And the pairings were created for extra dramatic effect. The final one was an annoying red herring, especially if you already knew the top 36, thanks to JoesPlace blog, which for the second year in a row, got it 100% correct.
The top 12 performing next Tuesday is a pretty talented group: Casey Carlson, Stephen Fowler, Jackie Tohn, Ricky Braddy, Anne Marie Boskovich, Brent Keith, Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver, Stevie Wright, Danny Gokey, Tatiana Del Toro, Anoop Desal. I’d say poor Casey and Ricky are in trouble unless they step it up cos they were virtually ignored. And Brent Keith got no producer love in Hollywood or tonight for that matter. From a pure airtime standpoint, the top three from this group were Tatiana (duh), Danny and Michael, followed by Jackie, Stephen, Anoop and Anne Marie. Stevie and Brent got some early love while Alexis got some passing mentions.
Anyway, my recap:
First in: Anoop Dusal, the talented Indian-American. He is a comer and has a solid shot at the top 12.
Von Smith, the theater guy with the overly emotive facial expressions, makes it through, too, despite a spotty performance during Hollywood week. He took Simon’s criticisms to heart and said so. It appeared to work. He definitely leaves an impression. I’d say he has a better-than-average shot at top 12 even if he isn’t exactly my favorite.
Cody Sheldon is very young and looks like Danny Noriega. He has to sing off the top of his head. He goes for “Love Remains the Same” by Gavin Rossdale. He’s pretty good but not a slamdunk. Alex Wagner-Trugman does a sing off against him. He opts for the even tougher “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me” while his friend Cody waits outside. He’s marginally better but it’s close. Really close. Alex gets the call. They clearly do like each other. Tough moment. I’m not clear if Alex has it to make the top 12, though, based on what I’ve heard.
Judges had found rocker Adam Lambert too theatrical. He opted for “Believe” for his solo and pulled it off. (Shades of David Cook by picking a pop song and giving it a twist.) He’s through. He stands out in a way that could get him in the top 12.
Taylor Vaifanua gave a great first impression but during Hollywood week, she forgot the words during the group sing. Her last performance sounded immaculate. She’s through and clearly has the chops to make it to the top 12.
Then six women in a row get the nod: Jasmine Murray, Arianna Afsra, Casey Carlson, Megan Corkrey, Mishavonna Henson and Stevie Wright.
Joanna Pacittii, who has had a record deal in the past and is considered a “plant,” kept forgetting words in Hollywood. That usually means a ticket home. But the judges want her enough to give her a shot. Can she stand out now or get ignored when semi’s start? She’s going to have to shine when she has a shot.
T.K. Hash (who got some airtime) is out. Chris Chatman is out. Reggie Beasley is a goner, too.
Kendall Beard, the country singer, is a bit doubtful after she opened way too somber in Hollywood. But she makes it.
Kristen McNamara and Jenn Korbee, who hoped to join “Idol” with her hubby. The hubby got cut during Hollywood. Jenn does a nice job with “Not Ready To Make Nice.” But Kristen is better with the much tougher “I Will Always Love You” and sticks it out. Jenn gets cut for not connecting with her songs. Kristen doesn’t dress well but her voice wins out at least three of the judges. (Simon supported Jenn.) I don’t think Kristen has a shot at the top 12 unless something she does change her image and gives a vocal performance of a lifetime.
Alexis Grace has quite an interesting soulful voice and is going to the top 36. She could make the top 12.
Scott MacIntyre, the blind dude, is virtually guaranteed to make the top 12 unless he screws up. I absolutely loved his audition in Phoenix. I wasn’t quite as taken by his Daughtry. But he’s in – of course.
Lil Rounds makes it through, of course. No surprise there. She has a very good shot at the top 12.
Felicia Barton is gone. We hardly knew ya. Ashley Hollister was another we never saw and for good reason. She is out, too. Devon Baldwin was another invisible person who the producers chose to ignore cos she didn’t make the top 36 either.
Frankie Jordan, a single mom who stood out in Salt Lake City, didn’t do quite so well in Hollywood. Jesse Langseth has an Amy Winehouse vibe. We haven’t seen Jessica much up to this point. Frankie picks one of my favorite songs of all time, Brandi Carlile’s “The Story.” (Too bad the song didn’t show off her range.) Simon clearly did not like it. Jesse went for a more bravura, more upbeat tune to her benefit. Horrible song, Simon said. But she did a better job. “If it’s consolation, you wouldn’t have won anyway,” Simon said. He wasn’t impressed by Jesse either. Ouch. The jury is still out for me on Jesse.
We come back with some rejects we never really saw before. Shera Lawrence (who?) is out. So is Derik Lavers.
Allison Iraheta is very aggressive with her Kelly Clarkson. We haven’t seen her really at all, have we? “Raw natural talent,” Kara said. “Dark horse,” Paula said. I haven’t seen enough of her to make the same call. Her lack of exposure might hurt her in the vote.
Danny Gokey, whose wife died, and Jamar Rogers are buds. Gokey was one of those gimmes to me. Gokey is a bit Elliott Yamin to me in a good way, a guy next door people will root for. I’m shocked Rogers got cut even if his “Hey There Delilah” didn’t quite work. The room’s reaction when he got back said everything.
Ricky Braddy makes the cut though he’s one of the few we really haven’t seen. Poor guy! More make it: Matt Giraud. Ju’not Joyner. Jorge Nunez, too. Country man Brent Keith (barely seen in Hollywood) as well. Stephen Fowler is next in line. I like him a lot but he did screw up in Hollywood when he blanked – twice – then walked off. He gets through anyway. Phew!
Nick (AKA Norman Gentile) Mitchell gets more airtime than virtually anybody else again and makes it. Then the charming Jackie Tohn comes in and I truly truly like her. Her solo of Lee Ann Womack is nothing short of astounding. I’m hoping she goes far. “You have this fun energy,” Randy said.
Uh oh. Here comes Tatiana Del Toro, who not only annoys Simon but the rest of the world. Some good laughs with Simon mocking Paula and her jewelry Tatiana burbled over. Simon surely voted against her but for some reason, the rest of the judges gave her an A-OK (though we all suspect it was producers’ choice, not the judges.)
Nathanial Marshall and Jackie Midkiff, who apparently did well in Hollywood, were in singoff mode. Midkiff’s “When a Man Loves a Woman” is pretty good. Kara is a huge fan but Simon isn’t. Marshall is memorable for his speeches and crying jags, as well as his poor clothing choices (plus his mom is in jail over drugs). Marshall was also a producers’ pick, I’d fathom, for his story and personality. He does a pretty decent version of “I’m Already There.” He has the passion. I doubt he will make the top 12, though.
Okay. Final commercial break. More yesses: Jeanine Vailes (who?) Kai Kalama. Anne Marie Boskovich. Kris Allen (barely seen).
If you were counting, they are up to 34 people and two slots left. Yet they only have two people left: rigger Matt Brietzke and welder Michael Sarver. So anybody in the know knew both would get in. Given the numbers, neither probably knew for sure if they were through. In the end, the judges forced both to sing despite the fact they were going to make it anyway. The only good things for both of them is this got them more airtime. And the Discovery Channel crowd might take a liking to both. I like Brietzke’s personality and looks more but prefer Sarver’s voice.
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81 comments Add your comment
Cadre
February 11th, 2009
8:10 pm
Hey all,
No surprise on Anoop getting through.
Von Smith I don’t think will go very far.
Cadre
February 11th, 2009
8:15 pm
the first sing off, I would go with Alex over Cody.
War Eagle
February 11th, 2009
8:22 pm
I wished I hadn’t looked at the spoiler list now.
Nana
February 11th, 2009
8:23 pm
Alex was the better one.
War Eagle
February 11th, 2009
8:24 pm
I would have picked Cody because Alex is as ugly as a bowling shoe.
Cadre
February 11th, 2009
8:28 pm
War Eagle, I hear ya on the spoilers, That is why i stayed away from here for the last week. I didn’t want to see anything.
War Eagle
February 11th, 2009
8:33 pm
Cadre, it takes the fun out it knowing who is going through. I just didn’t have the will power to resist.
Cadre
February 11th, 2009
8:49 pm
I;m shocked Kristen made it over Jenn. I liked Jenn much better
SexyCool
February 11th, 2009
8:51 pm
Alexis Grace is this season’s Fantasia.
Sarah B
February 11th, 2009
8:53 pm
Hey Ya’ll lets see how Lil does…
Sarah B
February 11th, 2009
8:54 pm
Yeah Lil made it !!!
Sarah B
February 11th, 2009
8:55 pm
Nana you there???
Sarah B
February 11th, 2009
9:02 pm
where di ya’ll go??????
Sarah B
February 11th, 2009
9:02 pm
did ….
Sarah B
February 11th, 2009
9:06 pm
Hello???????
Nana
February 11th, 2009
9:10 pm
Hey Sarah B…..I’m here. just not posting after each one. Going back and forth from the living roon to the office. I liked Frankie better than Jesse.
Be back in a few…………….
Nana
February 11th, 2009
9:17 pm
Did you bowl tonight? If so, how ya do?
Sarah B
February 11th, 2009
9:21 pm
I bowled tonight… did great the fisrt game, couldn’t pick up crap the next 3 games, missed to many 9’s…..
chris
February 11th, 2009
9:25 pm
Where did Idol get the idea that 4 judges sitting in chairs is more interesting than watching people sing. Between last night and tonight, this has been the most boring Idol week EVER!
Sarah B
February 11th, 2009
9:27 pm
Here comes Nick/Norman…
Sarah B
February 11th, 2009
9:30 pm
lots of 9’s….
War Eagle
February 11th, 2009
9:31 pm
NORMAN??????? I guess VFTW is going to love this!
Nana
February 11th, 2009
9:31 pm
Yeah, you have nights like that. 1st game be great, 2nd good and 3rd goes down the drain. Then your nights where are super, woohoo.
Nana
February 11th, 2009
9:36 pm
Maybe Nick will put his comedy act aside now and concentrate on singing.
Sarah B
February 11th, 2009
9:36 pm
140 the `is’t game, then down hill……
Nana
February 11th, 2009
9:41 pm
OMG…………How in the ____ did they put Tatiana through? The drama banshee. OMG……
Sarah B
February 11th, 2009
9:43 pm
Survivior, starts tomrrow……
Sarah B
February 11th, 2009
9:43 pm
Enter your comments here
Nana
February 11th, 2009
9:45 pm
Jackie was sooooooo much better than Nathaniel IMO.
Cadre
February 11th, 2009
9:45 pm
They are giving VFTW is getting planty of ammo. NATHANIAL?????????
Nana
February 11th, 2009
9:55 pm
I’m pulling for Michael.
Cadre
February 11th, 2009
9:56 pm
WOOHOO!!! they both got through
Sarah B
February 11th, 2009
9:56 pm
Me too
Sarah B
February 11th, 2009
9:57 pm
Both through….. Good
Nana
February 11th, 2009
9:59 pm
Oh wow, they both went through.
I’m happy with the top 36 with the exception of Nick, Tatiana and Nathaniel
Nite…………..See ya’ll tomorrow. Have good night.
Sarah B
February 11th, 2009
10:00 pm
when do we get to vote???
Cadre
February 11th, 2009
10:00 pm
So does that make it the top 37?
Deirdre
February 11th, 2009
10:04 pm
We start voting next week and, after seeing who’s in the first group to sing…this is going to be HARD!!!!
Deirdre
February 11th, 2009
10:06 pm
Cadre…keeping count, when Michael and Matt went into the room, we knew they had to take both to make 36.
Deirdre
February 11th, 2009
10:12 pm
Does anyone remember Jeanine Vailes, Ricky Braddy or Kris Allen? All 3 are top 36 and I don’t remember hearing any of them sing.
Mike S
February 11th, 2009
10:15 pm
I am happy with the top 36 for the most part – but C’MON, Nick the nutcase and Nathaniel the drama Queen over TK Hash and Jamar Rodgers???? I have to throw the bullshiite flag there.
And I am very upset with the next weeks 12 singers. Only 3 get through, including at least one woman and man, and we have to choose from Danny Gokey , Anoop Desai, Michael Sarver, Steven fowler, Stevie Wright, Jackie Tohn and Anne Marie Boskovitch.
When you look at that group of seven it makes it pretty obvious that the others in the group – Ricky Braddy, Brent Kieth, Casey Carlson, Alexis grace and Tatiana are all cannon fodder.
So I am upset that some of the best singers will get the short stick next week, but we can hope they get brought back for the wildcard round. AND THANK GOD WE WILL BE RID OF TATIANA NEXT WEEK!!!!!
Justin
February 11th, 2009
10:16 pm
Ok well I’ll easily predict a guy wins because they zoomed through quite a few girls tonight, basically ignorning them. People say they aren’t impressed with the girls yet — maybe cuz we haven’t seen much of them!
Lil Rounds had HUGE earrings on.
I am really tired of hearing about the oil rigger’s job. Honestly just call him Jeremy, or Michael (heard it’s Jeremy now so that’s what I’m goin’ with) (more on him later).
Alison Iraheta- First time hearing her, I didn’t think she was that good, but she has an interesting look.
I wonder why they keep ignoring Brent. I really liked his audition and thought he’d be a stand out. Apparently not.
Good thing I knew Tatiana was going through cuz id rather expect it than be real mad by being surprised and not knowing. I did not know Nate was going to make it and even though he has a pretty good voice, he is annoying and girly and I’m not happy. You can have a fantastic voice and turn me off by your look and personality. You just need the entire package. ALMOST like Adam Lambert, I like his voice a lot and him, but his look is grating on my nerves.
JEREMY (????) Sarver and the other dude, both made it through, need to be known by their names rather than welder and roughneck oil rigger- annoying! K…if y’all kept tabs, it’d be obvious they both got through. But I didn’t.
OK…. let me reinforce why I don’t like the whole 3 people make it through ordeal and wish they stuck with the other way although changes were needed- the first group of 12 is pretty darn talented. And just knowing that only one of those females – Alexis, Stevie, Anne, Jackie, Casey or Tatiana make it through (possibly 2 but highly unlikely based on the guys in that group) is heart wrenching. Cause I really like Alexis, but Jackie has been in the buzz and lots of talk has been surrounding Anne. The guys- Danny (guarantee) so there’s the top male spot, then the others could be between Brent (who I really like as well) and the other 4 I can’t remember (Kris Allen maybe?), I just think it’s going to be REALLY REALLY difficult and thank god there is a wild card, even though those are chosen by the judges and will be incredibly biased. Oh well……
Deirdre
February 11th, 2009
10:19 pm
Mike, I’d pick Danny, Stevie and Anoop from that group…course…we have to hear them sing first but….so far, that’s how I’d vote.
And if we want Tatiana to go bye-bye…let’s all be sure to VOTE.
Mike S
February 11th, 2009
10:22 pm
Same here D. Danny, Anoop and Stevie for sure.
I am willing to bet that unless they absolutely tank Michael, Anne Marie and Jackie will have a shot in the wildcard round.
Deirdre
February 11th, 2009
10:24 pm
But seriously…isn’t it a GOOD thing that we’ll have trouble choosing and be disappointed when some people don’t make it? It shows what a good season we have in front of us.
flbravesgirl
February 11th, 2009
10:32 pm
Too many people I want to vote for in the first group. Arrgh!
Did y’all notice the response Tatiana got when she returned to the holding room?
Thank goodness we’ll be rid of her soon.
I’m sorry Jamar didn’t make it. I’d have given him Nick/Norman’s spot (who I do find entertaining. He’s great at his “act” but AI’s not the place for that).
flbravesgirl
February 11th, 2009
10:36 pm
I didn’t remember Jesse but something about her really did not sit right with me. Her voice is a bit “gargly” & she gave off a very angry/mean/aggressive vibe. Very weird performance.
racer
February 11th, 2009
11:01 pm
Wow, I am totally disappointed that Jamar didn’t make it. I think that was a mistake. But, let’s face it – why bother getting too attached at this point since 2/3 of them will be gone in quick fashion over the next few weeks…
GAgirl
February 11th, 2009
11:13 pm
I’m really really liking Anoop..
Mike S
February 11th, 2009
11:43 pm
GAgirl, Anoop Dawg is the man!!! He may have the purest voice of anyone in the competition to be honest.
I am still on the Danny Gokey wagon as my favorite, but Anoop is a close second.
Depending on how things go and how they group the singers — very unhappy so many of the best are in next weeks group — this could very well become the best top 12 yet.
I could envision a top 12 where I actually like and would root for every single singer.
I mean, look at all the amazing talent – Danny, Anoop, Michael Sarver, Adam Lambert, Scott McIntyre, Matt Giraud, Matt Breitzke, Kai Kalama on the guys side, and then Anne marie, Jasmine, Lil, Jackie, Kendall, Stevie and Megan on the girls side. Right there is 15 outstanding singers, and there are another 5 or 6 that are right behind them. Hell even Tatiana can sing very good, she just needs someone to tape her mouth shut the rest of the time.
Anne24
February 12th, 2009
12:27 am
I was Idol14 last week but thats too generic so I’ll just use my real name.
My major issue with tonight is that clown Nick Mitchell got through while great voice Jamar Rogers got cut. And gayer than Ben-Gay Nathaniel beat Jackie (last name whatever. Didnt see him in Hollywood) in a sing off. Jackie sounded so much better! I can understand Tatiana making it because her singing is top 5 amongst the girls and it’s obvious the producers told her to act obnoxious because from day 1 she’s clearly been overdoing it on purpose with the theatrics.
I’m disappointed that Idol has taken on a Survivor approach with the dramatics of group day and the crazy personalites of Nathaniel and Nick who only made it through because they are comical to watch. And poor Jamar, a true talent, gets booted. Anything to drive the dying ratings back up is what it’s all about. And I know Tatiana is doing all that silly giggling and theatrics on purpose. That’s not the real her.
However, I am excited about all the great talent despite the clowns. Everybody has Danny as the big star but I think people will see his gravel voice is limited and he will sound the same week after week until people tire of him.
My faves amongsts the Fems (Nathaniel and Adam not included although they could be LOL) are Anne-Marie Boskovich who sounded just like Lee Ann Womack on Dance, Jasmine Murray who performs like she’s been singing to audiences since she was 5, and Tatiana Del Toro who can really belt it out despite her ultra annoying dramatics. I don’t like Jackie Tohn for the same reason I don’t like Danny Gokey. I’m not a fan of rough voices although I do acknowledge I’m just one opinion out of MANY. And LIL Rounds is too much SHOUT for me. That worked for Whitney Houston and not many since.
On the Dude’s side, it’s a Battle Royale. Lots of talent!
Anoop Desai has the voice and the soul but not the look to match it. It’ll be interesting to see how far he goes on his voice alone. Stephen Fowler has the black soul thing down pat and can go a long way if he doesn’t forget the words, which would have gotten a lesser talented singer sent home.
The big dudes, Mark Breitze and Michael Sarver have the goods but my favorite is (first name?) Giraud, the dueling pianist who got a standing ovation from everyone, the judges and competitors, for his amazing piano accompanied performance at the Hollywood final round. If he sings like that every week he deserves to win it all but he’ll probably make some bad song choices and screw up so the book’s wide open on the guys.
Again, not a fan of Danny but I could very well be proved wrong. And I’ve decided Adam is way too high pitched for me after praising him last week. He belongs on Broadway, where a few of the past winners have wound up anyway.
Well sorry for the long post but I’m really into this years collection of talent. No runaway winners like Carrie and Taylor this time. BTW I enjoyed knowing the 36 before I watched tonight. That way, I didn’t fall for the countless curves they like to throw at us.
JTesla
February 12th, 2009
12:28 am
They made the wrong call on Jamar. He’s better than several of the guys who made it.
GAgirl
February 12th, 2009
12:43 am
JT, I agree with you about Jamar. Can’t believe he didn’t make it when they sent Nick/Norman and Nathaniel through. I”m not “wowed” by Danny. My fave’s are Anoop and Matt.
JTesla
February 12th, 2009
1:08 am
I’m one that is “wowed” by Danny. I like Anoop and Matt, and many others, so it will be a good year for Idol or a bad year to have the system that is being used. Time will tell.
anne24
February 12th, 2009
2:51 am
I can’t beleive only 3 people will advance from a group that includes as least 7 worthy of advancing. What the hell is Idol pulling this year?
Creating a system in which 4 or more worthy singers HAVE to be booted on the very first voting day? They put too much of the top talent in the first group. Since Danny and Anoop are practically guarantees, why should the other guys even show up?
The women will be very interesting. Jackie, Alexis, Stevie and Anne are all popular on the boards and only one will advance! I’m not happy with this system at all.
I hope Anne advances, not because we share a name, but because I love her voice. At least we won’t have to listen to Tatiana’s intentional obnoxious laugh and crying fits anymore unless the show makes her a wild card.
Nana
February 12th, 2009
7:11 am
Good morning Blogesters.
Today’s Quote: “Love is the only thing that we can carry with us when we go, and it makes the end so easy. For Love is the greatest of all.”
I certainly do not like the first group they have rounded together. They have put to much talent in it and we will lose some good ones. IMO, the producers should mix the groups better. Mix with the better, the average and the weaker ones. In other words, don’t put all the good eggs in the same basket. I’m not sure I like the way this is being done. It doesn’t seem fair to me. The only three that really need to be in a to go basket is Tatiana, Nathaniel and Nick. I hope the producers won’t prolong their leaving and subject the viewers to the drama that is sure to unfold and be twice as bad. That we can do without, thank you very much.
Deirdre
February 12th, 2009
7:22 am
Morning!
anne24…this system was used during the first 2 or 3 years of Idol. A single elimination with the chance of being brought back as a wild card. That’s why all the rest of group 1 has to sing their best next week. The judges will set up a wild card round and pick who will get to sing again.
I also believe that Tatiana arrived at the first audition seeking attention and found a way to get it. Even if the producers encouraged it, she’s on her own with this act because it will either get her booted or VFTW will be singing her praises enough to move her forward.
BTW, welcome to the group Anne! Your late posts suggest that you’re not eastern time zone or you work a late shift.
Deirdre
February 12th, 2009
7:32 am
WELL…here’s the BIG Idol news of the morning:
” A source close to the show now tells us that Pacitti was disqualified to “avoid the appearance of impropriety.”
In the past week, tabloids had been reporting on a private relationship between Pacitti and executives of 19 Management – one of the companies which oversees “Idol.” ”
She has been replaced by Felicia Barton.
Deirdre
February 12th, 2009
7:33 am
So Joanna…the only OBVIOUS ringer, has been dumped.
JJ
February 12th, 2009
7:45 am
Good Morning all…..
D….holy cow! Thanks for the news. I guess she couldn’t keep herself professional during her “big shot” or “second chance.” Too bad for her. Sorry to hear that.
I am really really really annoyed that Jamar didn’t make it. I really liked the guy. I also was really annoyed, like everyone else, that Tatiana Drama Queen, Nick, and Nathaniel are on as well. What were the judges thinking? Really?
It is going to be quite hard next week with the first group as there are many of them that I really like. Anoop, Michael, Danny….Jackie….Stevie…Anne! C’mon now! Imagine a world where these talents get let go because of their flawed system, but allow such obnoxiousness as Nick and Tatiana to continue. Oh help us all! I will be really disappointed if that is the case.
Rodney Ho
February 12th, 2009
7:49 am
Yes, Joanna Pacitti has been cut. I’ll be posting a fresh entry at about 9 a.m. with some bio info of the 36, including Pacitti’s replacement Felicia Barton.
Deirdre
February 12th, 2009
7:51 am
Apparently Joanna had some kind of previous relationship with 19Entertainment.
Mike S
February 12th, 2009
7:59 am
IT was pretty obvious Joanna was well known when during the initial audition Kara screamed out “JOANNA!, I know you!” like she was some long lost friend.
Mike S
February 12th, 2009
8:02 am
I have to agree with Anne on the group make up for week one.
You know everyone else in the group groaned when Danny and Anoop were named. Barring a complete meltdown by one of them, a totally shocking performance by another person, or some serious VFTW type vote mainipulation those two are a lock for the finals.
Basically the other 4 guys have to be thinking “well, maybe I can do good enough to snag a spot in the wildcard round” while the girls are all thining “OK the 6 of us are fighting for 1 spot”
Stacey
February 12th, 2009
8:10 am
After the judges released Jamar and let Tatiana, Norman and the Drama Queen (I can’t think of HIS name), I won’t even watch Season 8. I didn’t think they needed a boost for ratings, but putting Tatiana and Norman thru…I guess so.
harriett
February 12th, 2009
8:14 am
Morning! Well, at least this came out about Joanna before she got too far into the competition. It would be interesting, Rodney, to know if this started up before or after she was chosen for the show.
Deirdre
February 12th, 2009
8:37 am
Keeping in mind that the top 36 were chosen at least a month ago, I don’t think they had any knowledge of who was popular with the audience and who wasn’t. However, they know NOW!
Deirdre
February 12th, 2009
8:41 am
Stacey, there are currently rumors floating around that Jamar is in Hollywood right now. Whether he’s there to support his friend or for some other reason is not known.
harriett, she was chosen in the top 36 over a month ago. since then, the tabloids have been researching her background and she was just too close to Idol to let her continue. They probably didn’t announce it until this morning because they didn’t want to re-edit last night’s show to include the “we picked her but we shouldn’t have” scene.
Woodpappy
February 12th, 2009
8:46 am
You know, if you look past the theatrics of Norman, Tatiana and the Drama Queen (well maybe not the Drama Queen), they really seem to have respectful voices. We’ll see.
Deirdre
February 12th, 2009
8:52 am
I agree Woodpappy..they both can sing…especially Tatiana. But I still think either Norman/Nick or Cry-boy could have gone home to make room for Jamar.
Lara
February 12th, 2009
9:02 am
Ok, first off, I agree with all of you on the Jamar thing. PUGLEEZE!
I don’t like the way this is going….
I am going to make a pretty bad comment in 5, 4, 3, 2, Well, since Paula’s last stalker is dead, she now has a new one!!!
Jenn
February 12th, 2009
9:04 am
I think Norman is very entertaining, but not for Idol. I can see him getting his own show like on Comedy Central or VH1. “The Norman Gentile Show”. He needs Idol to get exposure but JAMAR SHOULD HAVE MADE IT! I saw Jamar making it far. My final three are Robert Downey Jr (Danny), Janis Joplin (Jackie), and Mohinder (Anoop) sorry I give all the contestant nicknames to remember them better. Why did they replace Joanna with Felicia Barton? They should have had America vote who to bring back and overwhelmingly it would have been Jamar.
harriett
February 12th, 2009
9:11 am
So, D, you are saying it had been going on but it did not come to light until someone did the research and found out?
Deirdre
February 12th, 2009
9:19 am
harriett…when she first walk in to audition…Kara knew her. Tabloids got suspicious. when the top 36 list was leaked a month ago, Joanna was on the list and tabloids started working on the story. The show last night was taped AT LEAST a month ago so, my guess is, Idol wanted to wait until this show aired before announcing that Joanna was out. Another guess but I think Joanna knew she was out quite a while before it was announced this morning.
Deirdre
February 12th, 2009
9:20 am
Jenn…they have an even number of males and females…they wanted to keep it that way.
New thread up.
MJ
February 12th, 2009
11:03 am
Anoop is the best! He will get all my votes. He has pure talent without any need to oversing or sell himself on a gimmick. Check him out on youtube. He can sing anything from Brian McKnight to Van Morrison to Keane to T-Pain and even Duran Duran. Now that’s range!
Cold
February 12th, 2009
12:17 pm
Sadly, I will never watch this Idol trash again. Norman, Tatiana a.k.a. Annoying girl and that guy in the red pants who had to “be himself” were strike one, two and three. I can only think that the FOX network is pandering to its core audience, and is putting through those they will want to watch. Farewell Idol, I’ll miss the bloggers here more than you…
Anne24
February 12th, 2009
1:02 pm
Thanks for welcoming me Deirdre. I went to wiki this morning and discovered what you explained about the previous three seasons. I started watching Idol at season 3 but forgot all about the system that was used that year. I much prefer the 12 guy 12 girl system with two from each leaving each week. That way we get to see the good singers who don’t make the final 12 more than once before they go.
I think it’s nuts that Stephen will most likely be out next week because he’s in the same group as Anoop and Danny.
This may sound absurd, but I think most of the best male singers were put in the same group to water down Nick and
Nataniel’s groups so they have a chance to advance. I think Idol wants characters this year in an attempt to improve the ratings. No doubt Tatiana will be a wild card, not because she’s a talented singer, which she is, but because the show wants drama this year to draw some Survivor type fans that love dysfunctional craziness. Gotta up those falling ratings somehow.
On Joanna Pacitti, I too was curious at Kara’s reaction when Joanna walked into the audition room. Kara was like “Joanna Pacitti!” as if she was well known in the business and if you do a google images search on her you’ll see a whole bunch of professional photos of her, including a couple of cd covers. Even if Joanna isn’t connected to 19 Entertainment, she still has too much pro singing experience to be on the show, imo. The funny thing is, with all her experience, Joanna was the one who had the most trouble with stage fright and forgot the words on every song she sang. That might explain all her failed “second chances”.
BigSqueeze
February 12th, 2009
1:34 pm
“Idol” jumped the shark last night. Keeping Tatiana and Norman (who is funny, but not a singer) just shows that they are more interested in creating good TV than finding a future recording star!!
Joanna P. should have been gone when she forgot her words during Hollywood week TWICE!! I don’t think that she was going to win anyway, but that the executives of 19 Entertainment were going to re-launch her career using the “American Idol” brand.
My jaw dropped when they told Jamar his quest was ending. Just seeing the reaction of the people in the holding room to Jamar’s exclusion vs. “Norman’s” inclusion spoke volumes. It’s one thing to lose the respect of the viewing public, but it really means something when the contestants themselves don’t respect the judges’ decision.
nicole
February 12th, 2009
3:00 pm
Jamar should have been put through and the fact that he wasn’t makes the judging on American Idol less credible. Talent is being thrown under the bus for drama and I hope it backfires on them and they lose ratings because of it. I’m not interested anymore. Maybe I’ll tune in at the end–but the Jamar thing pissed me off.
Erika
February 13th, 2009
12:11 pm
I am so disappointed that Idol did not choose Cody Sheldon over the Trugman dude. What was that all about? OK…so he was a tad better…but isn’t Idol about a complete package? Simon has said it himself. That Trugman guy is boriiing with a capital BBBB. I won’t even begin comparing him to Cody in the looks department. I might get rude with my comments. What a bad decision on AI’s part. There really is no young boy contestant that I feel would make the “little girl’s hearts flutter”. Let’s fact it!….Little girls make up a huge part of the IDOL audience. I think they’ve really lost a lot of people with that silly decision….Erika from PA