‘American Idol’ recap, season 11: the rest of the top 24 (and a twist!)
Contestants find out their top 24 fate. Are they in or out? CR: Michael Becker / FOX.
I was late posting my recap because I was at the Kelly Clarkson concert at the Fox tonight. (My recap for that concert will post Friday morning.)
We return for the final 20 singers and their fates. But since we only have a hour, a few folks get completely snuffed out or are barely seen.
Some of the stronger talent is highlighted tonight, including Jeremy Rosado, DeAndra Brackensick, Shannon Magrane and Hollie Cavanagh. There is definitely some debate about the inclusion of Skylar Lane over, say, Lauren Gray.
Among the final two guys, it was a tough call between Eben Franckewitz or David Leathers Jr. The judges chose Eben, but Nigel Lythgoe pulls off a new twist. The judges pick a 13th guy but we won’t find out until Tuesday. For the first time, we have a top 25, not a top 24.
The choices for that 25th spot? David Leathers Jr., Richie Law, Jermaine Jones or Johnny Keyser (who wasn’t even in the top 42!).
I am a huge fan of Johnny but I think David Leathers Jr. has the best shot to make it through. Then again, the departure of Jermaine caused J. Lo to tear up. I was shocked Johnny was cut out of the top 42 in the first place so I’m glad he’s back, a bit like Carmen Rasmussen, who Simon Cowell plucked out of the earlier Hollywood rounds season two.
So mark your calendars: for next three weeks, we will have three nights of “Idol,” starting Tuesday with the 13 guys, Wednesday for the 12 women and Thursday the results to eliminate four (or five?) of them.
Here are the details of the final ten slots:
Soulful Adam Brock, who tearfully explained how he need to sing, is put through. Chances of making it through to the top 12: not great
Jeremy Rosado. He’s part of the crew with Ariel, David and Eben. A bit chunky, he doesn’t look much like an “Idol” but he has an angelic voice. His final performance closed the deal with some amazing high notes. He got a well deserved standing ovation from the judges. Arguably the prettiest male voice out of the 12. J. Lo calls him “transcendental” when she meant “transcendent.” (Then again, maybe he is good at math.) Chances of a top 12 spot: virtual lock
Shannon Magrane. She’s worried because she forgot her words during the group round. She “sang for her life” with Kelly Clarkson’s “The Trouble With Love Is” (which I just heard live in concert a little while ago!) She has an impressively strong voice. She’s just 16 but seems much older – in a good way. (Or in a Steven Tyler way, as in “hot, humid and happenin’ “) Chances of a top 12 spot: no trouble in my mind
Scott Dangerfield. A Jennifer Lopez favorite from season 10 had to pull out of the competition. (Did we know why?) He’s back. I don’t remember much of him. He’s yet another jazzy/R&B white dude. Unfortunately, we have too many of these. And he was cut. My guess it was a close call. “It happens,” he said. “It is what it is.”
Bad news for three singers who don’t even get named. (Harsh!)
Skylar Laine. She landed in the hospital for dehydration during Hollywood but survived. She is more Reba than Carrie with her down-home throaty vocals. Skylar wasn’t happy and had doubts making it through. But sometimes, personality helps. And she has a distinctive feel about her. I’m sure she was a close call but she makes it through. Chance of her making it to the top 12: consider her gone.
We then get some quick yesses with no singing: Hallie Day (part of the blond ladies who sing well but blur together in my mind so I give her a 25% shot at making the top 12); country crooner Chase Likens (barely seen to date so chances of making the top 12 are slim unless he blows us away next week). Atlanta’s Aaron Marcellus Sanders. (his chances are comparable to those of Chase: poor. He has gotten very little airtime to date. He and Chase were both “montaged” in Pittsburgh, too.)
There are three slots left and just nine singers left.
DeAndre Brackensack, Mr. Falsetto with a bit of Jason Castro in him, returns to the final round before the semifinals again. I don’t know if we’ve ever had someone who works the falsetto that much. He has a bit of Aaron Neville in him. He’s distinctive and he apparently improved from a year ago because he makes it through. Chances of making the top 12: almost as high as his voice.
There are only two slots left (unless they add a 13th) so things don’t look so hot for Jermaine Jones, the man with the lowest voice in the top 42. I get the impression his final sing for your life performance didn’t really move the judges. And being one of the last singers to be called, he falls apart a bit. “I don’t wan to disappoint my mom,” he said tearfully. Steven Tyler said his performances were inconsistent. Sadly, he doesn’t make it through.
I have accounted for 40 singers with five left in the room. Weren’t there 42 or am I miscounting?
There are three women left for one supposed slot: Shelby Lynn Twetan, Ariel Sprague and Hollie Cavanagh. Hollie and Shelby are part of the many many blonds this year. But Hollie is the one that stands out the most vocally for me. Her “sing for your life” performance was impressive and impactful. She deserved a spot. Chances of a spot in the top 12 for Hollie: very very good
The final two men are actually teens: David Leathers Jr. and Eben Franckewitz. Both are very appealing and both are very good.
So here are my predicted top 12 based on what we’ve seen so far. The men appear to be stronger.
The six guys:
Joshua Ledet
Reed Grimm
Heejun Han
Eben Franckewitz
Jeremy Rosado
DeAndre Brackensack
The six women
Brielle Von Hugel
Jessica Sanchez
Shannon Magrane
Hollie Cavanagh
Jen Hirsh
Erika Van Pelt
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146 comments Add your comment
Andi
February 23rd, 2012
8:58 pm
OMG it is the “dance week”!!
Miss Javon
February 23rd, 2012
8:59 pm
I like this kid Scott..kind of weird but it’s out of the typical AI range which is what I like.
Miss Javon
February 23rd, 2012
8:59 pm
What????!!!!!
Jenny
February 23rd, 2012
9:00 pm
Miss J, you mean Shannon? She sure did!
G
February 23rd, 2012
9:01 pm
Not a good choice. David and Eben are better than Reed and Colton put together. Hope David learned an important lesson. It’s fine to make friends and work together, but you have to keep in mind it’s still a competition.
Pitchy
February 23rd, 2012
9:01 pm
The deep Baritone guy is coming back…
How disrespectful is that for STyler to moon. There should be some MAJOR backlash. MAJOR!!!
Jubie
February 23rd, 2012
9:01 pm
YES! Surprise is COWBOY is back. YEAH.
Jenny
February 23rd, 2012
9:02 pm
Pitchy
February 23rd, 2012
9:03 pm
Miss Javon – she’s tall. Did you not notice those long legs when she was sitting down waiting to hear her fate???
Seth T
February 23rd, 2012
9:03 pm
J. Lo will need therapy after witnessing Tyler’s exhibition.
Hey…. Cowboy Ritchie or Jermaine or Leathers Jr. or ? could still end-up in the top 13.
Jenny
February 23rd, 2012
9:03 pm
Pitchy, is that a guess or have you seen a spoiler! I hope you’re right!
Andi
February 23rd, 2012
9:04 pm
Please NO cowboy!!! I’ll take baritone dude any time over that! And Steven – shame on you!
Miss Javon
February 23rd, 2012
9:04 pm
Gee…I completely disagree. I think Colton is VERY good…he made such an impact on me last year that I remembered him THIS year. You must be a church girl who never misses Sunday morning….fess up.
DanJ
February 23rd, 2012
9:04 pm
Pitchy I hope Johnny is the one who comes back. Although I have to admit to bring someone back to create uneven groups is what XFactor did with Melanie. I don’t agree with it unless they bring a girl back as well.
Pitchy
February 23rd, 2012
9:04 pm
Cowboy is NOT back…I will change my moniker because it’s useless if he comes back (LOL).
Seth T
February 23rd, 2012
9:06 pm
Dough no how tall Shannon is, but she towers over everyone except her Dad.
Jubie
February 23rd, 2012
9:07 pm
All that drama was set up between Hejune and Cowboy for a reason. It is Cowboy.
Miss Javon
February 23rd, 2012
9:07 pm
I sure hope that Leathers Jr does NOT make it. Yes he is good at the Ebenezer Church of the Christ Our Lord on Sunday morning but I don’t think he’ll fill seats in Anaheim, New York, Denver or Miami!
Pitchy
February 23rd, 2012
9:07 pm
@Jenny – just a guess.
Miss Javon
February 23rd, 2012
9:08 pm
Pitchy…that girl is center court!
Jubie
February 23rd, 2012
9:08 pm
Get real Pitchy. I like Cowboy.
Miss Javon
February 23rd, 2012
9:10 pm
Please Eben….still not MY kind of artist but the lesser of two evils….
Miss Javon
February 23rd, 2012
9:12 pm
Jubie…now I KNOW you’re just rufflin feathers…don’t nobody like the Cowboy. Are you just frontin as a salmon goin upstream for the fun of it?
Seth T
February 23rd, 2012
9:16 pm
That’s right – Shannon could switch from singing to High School Basketball, then College, then the WNBA. I really don’t think she is going to be a big factor in the upper talent levels of Idol competition – but she stands-out in terms of tall, athletic, young and pretty — however far that will take her.
Miss Javon
February 23rd, 2012
9:16 pm
hmm, hmm…Deandre! Anyone who denies this beautfiul voice is simply homophobic. Comparative to Aaron Neville….same kind of vibrato falsetto….I remember him from last year as well…YES!
Miss Javon
February 23rd, 2012
9:17 pm
Yes he can sing but I cannot listen to this baritone in any setting, in any situation for any given period.
G
February 23rd, 2012
9:19 pm
Baritone dude has a good shot, but I hope it’s David. Judges seemed to be real shaken about the Baritone leaving.
The girls are so ho hum, only 6 needed to get through. Jessica still seems to be the strongest out of all of them. Put the country girls in a bucket, shake’em up and they all sound the same. Same goes for the other gals, outside of Jessica, of course.
Miss Javon
February 23rd, 2012
9:20 pm
Commercial break…Jermaine is through of course. Why else the pausing drama….
Pitchy
February 23rd, 2012
9:20 pm
Miss Javon – are you asking ME if I’m a church girl that never misses Sunday mass? Nope, that’s not me (lol). I’m simply going for a good voice, an underdog in life, a nice break coming their way (even if for a little while). That’s why I’m in his corner. Sometimes, a little inspiration propels one further along their path. I do like the guy who didn’t make it last year, and was cut again this year. We shall see.
Pitchy
February 23rd, 2012
9:22 pm
@Jubie – YOU may like Cowboy, but I’ll bet you $25 American won’t like him. I’ll set up a pay pal account if I should lose (lol).
Pitchy
February 23rd, 2012
9:23 pm
America…
Miss Javon
February 23rd, 2012
9:23 pm
Gee…I think these girls are trying to capitalize on the success of that genre…Carrie Underwood…then last year was Scottie and Lauren. I’m pretty sure Idol does not want to go that direction again this year…as good as they are, they may get through but you know how these shows can be manipulated to showcase any genre they want to lean toward as a winner….and I don’t think it will be country.
Pitchy
February 23rd, 2012
9:25 pm
If any of you watch Grey’s, Loretta Devine needs to win an award for her performance as a woman in the throes of Alzheimer’s. She is absolutely spectacular in her portrayal.
Miss Javon
February 23rd, 2012
9:27 pm
Pitchy…after reading some of your comments the last several weeks, I don’t think anyone would confuse you with a church girl…but I do mean that as a good way. Aahhh yes! Mr. Baritone will seek his fame elsewhere. Seems the judges agree with me.
Jubie
February 23rd, 2012
9:27 pm
I’m as American as they come Pitchy. LOL
Pitchy
February 23rd, 2012
9:30 pm
Miss Javon
February 23rd, 2012
9:34 pm
Pitchy…a smart-a$$ with quick wit who tells it the way she feels…maybe it IS the way it IS or maybe it’s the way she THINKS it is…regardless…it’s her way…does that sum it up?
G
February 23rd, 2012
9:34 pm
Miss Javon. At the end of the day, I don’t believe the girls [collectively] are good enough to produce a winner….regardless of genre. Someone on the guys side will win.
Miss Javon
February 23rd, 2012
9:37 pm
Leathers…trying too hard for old school Motown…Eben more contemporary old school – naturally.
Seth T
February 23rd, 2012
9:38 pm
Going forward, now it comes down to 4 categories:
1. The stand-out “characters” that can win some fans with their style or antics.
2. The beauties or beefcake that get extra votes just to see them again.
3. The back-stories that get extra support or empathy for their situation.
4. The real singers that make good song choices and appeal to those that are more purist in vocal abilities.
However, Country Music Fans and those who drifted toward what they percieved as the most respectful, likable young contestants – elected Scotty and Lauren 1 & 2 last year – so hard to tell what’s ahead for sure. Lauren is a good singer – Scotty is more of a “distinctive” singer, without great range, but has hit the right songs for his age and style since Idol.
Miss Javon
February 23rd, 2012
9:40 pm
Gee…I have not been impressed with the girls…great talent but no STYLE…OMG!!! Leathers out! I was hoping but NOT expecting!!!
Miss Javon
February 23rd, 2012
9:43 pm
Guys have more style and uniqueness…as in past years….what? Another 13th guy…I think it will be Baritone….
Pitchy
February 23rd, 2012
9:45 pm
@Miss Javon – I’m laughing because I am a “shoot from the hip” type of gal. Quick witted, most definitely. However, I don’t rest on the premise of “it’s my way or the highway.” I believe in compromise, BUT, if my argument is stronger than yours, and I can back it up with fact, let alone sound reasoning, I feel I win (lololol). Nonetheless, you’re pretty much on target. I do love playing devil advocate and stir the pot on most days.
Miss Javon
February 23rd, 2012
10:30 pm
@ Pitchy….I pretty much called it…you challenged me “who are YOU”…,my kind of person…tell like it is whether you REALLY want to HEAR how it is…the truth can be painful…:-)
MyPatootie
February 23rd, 2012
10:36 pm
These judges need their ears checked this year. They let Lauren Grey go and kept Skylar? Wow!
Pitchy
February 23rd, 2012
11:09 pm
Seth T
February 23rd, 2012
11:31 pm
MyPatootie February 23rd, 2012 10:36 pm
These judges need their ears checked this year. They let Lauren Grey go and kept Skylar? Wow!
But, Skylar will bring them Deer Sausage, and she’s the best shot of the group! However, her Country Twang is a little shaky, or nasally or something. Hope she keeps wearing her camouflage shirt.
Seth T
February 24th, 2012
12:10 am
Speaking of Kelly Clarkson…………….Seen a survey/compilation of the 100 greatest women in music yesterday. It was based only upon the last 20 years, in terms of accomplishments, impact, setting trends, etc. in music. Supposedly compiled by a number of current artists and music business insiders –
Kelly was ranked # 19, even though she’s only been around for about 11 of those years.
Carrie was ranked #23 and Jennifer Hudson #24, so a big impact for a shorter time.
Beyonce was #3 — Mariah Carey was #2 Madonna was #1
Paula Abdul snuck in at #74 (music dancing videos)
Miranda Lambert was #58
So? Dough no. But I think Norah Jones shoulda been higher than #33, since she had the best selling album of the decade, from 2000 to 1/1/2010. But if they do another “hypothetical scoring” survey in 5 years, looking back on 20 years again, names will change.
JTesla
February 24th, 2012
2:16 am
A twist… yawn.
Did they really need 13 males, or did the judges decide that the only people who vote end up voting for males, so why not give the people what they want?
Annie
February 24th, 2012
7:13 am
The women look and sound too similar. They already have to overcome not being featured as much as some of the male contestants, and now they have to deal with people not catching on to who they are, because they sound like all of the other female contestants.
There are a few interesting personalities in the top 24, and a few interesting voices, but not enough. This doesn’t look like a very interesting group.