‘American Idol’ top 9 results recap: who is out next?
Heejun Han goes home tonight. CREDIT: Michael Becker/FOX
Loading ...Insecure, intermittently humorous, intermittently annoying Heejun Han is out.
He sealed his fate with a series of really boring performances, followed by a silly Billy Joel goof that Steven Tyler hated. He did up his game a few notches last night but it was clearly too late. His fate was sealed. He knew he had no way of winning this. His voice, as Jimmy Iovine noted, simply wasn’t good enough and his overall stage presence was lacking.
Comedy? Well, we know he’s got a future in Funny or Die videos. We’ll see if he can do anything beyond fading into the woodwork.
Jimmy Iovine’s thoughts:
- Elise: “She took charge of that stage. She led the band. Her hair, her clothes, her vocal ability, it all moved in unison… She has an opportunity with the 80s next week to have two great weeks in a row. If she can do that, she can be in the top of the class. She was a dark horse but now she’s coming on strong.”
- Phillip: “[Steve Nicks] believes in this guy. She thinks he can go all the way. If his original material is 80 percent as good as he is, he is the next American Idol.”
- Hollie: “What she lacks is experience. What she’s doing is technically right and emotionally behind the pack. Jessica takes it more soulfully. Hollie has more an intellectual approach. You don’t win on technique. You win it on soul.”
- Colton: “Colton was good but not good enough… I believe he lost that fight. He didn’t get knocked out but he’s behind on points.”
- Joshua: “This is a tough one for me. He has so much talent. He delivered 85% of the song but when he got emotional. he lost it. His voice closed. On the other hand, when he was in the Michael Jackson medley. He was relaxed. He killed that.”
- Heejun: “It’s great to see Heejun come back. I don’t think it was enough. My problem, I don’t think he sings as well as the other eight contestants on this show.”
- Skylar: “She picked a character song than a song with real melody. She’s going to have to go to songs with more song in them melodically… During the medley, she rose above the pack.”
- DeAndre: “I’m not going crazy for him. I’m not disliking him. For him to win, I think he’s missing something. He needs more experience. His falsetto is beautiful but it could be polarizing.”
- Jessica: “She’s like she’s been doing this for 10 years… She got lost in that song but kept her composure. I’m fully on board with this… What we need is a little girl power [to vote.]”
- The Ford music video: fun to see everyone in 1980s metal gear.
- Nicki Minaj “Starships” : Great, catchy song. Ridiculous outfit as always.
- Scotty McCreery “Water Tower Town” : A year on the road and he is much more self assured. The song is decent. You liked him last year, you’ll still like him now.
- The mansion: architecturally dull but spacious, of course.
Cover it live polls
- Grade Nicki: A-5%, B-26% C-26% F-42%
- Grade Scotty A-16% B-42% C-16% F-26%
Will they save Heejun: 93% No (and correct)
Hollie in bottom three: Expected 44% Travesty 56%
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter.
By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
406 comments Add your comment
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
12:36 pm
Excellent post, G. I agree. I thought it was you who said that about PP.
Skip
March 30th, 2012
12:38 pm
Phil Phillps is just a novelty who got through and peaked everyone’s curiosity much like whimsical Paul and Casey Abrams. At first, we find it interesting. Then we get over the weirdness. Sorry. Weird doesn’t win. The voters tried that once with Taylor Hicks and saw where that got us!
Skip
March 30th, 2012
12:41 pm
For my two cents, final two will be Elise and Colton.
JTesla
March 30th, 2012
12:43 pm
Yeah Skip, where did that get Taylor? Winning. No one cares that he didn’t go as big as you expected. Look at Kris, Lee etc. post Idol success does not influence voting on Idol.
Deirdre
March 30th, 2012
12:46 pm
Phil singing Still Raining: I’m on my feet and dancing.
Elise singing Whole Lotta Love: I’m on my feet and dancing
Jessica singing Sweet Dream: I’m sitting in my chair and yawning
Phil and Elise entertained me. Phil didn’t entertain you. Believe me, I GET it. That doesn’t change how I feel. Sorry!
Skip
March 30th, 2012
12:50 pm
You need to re-read my post. I didn’t say Taylor Hicks didn’t win. I said we tried voting a weirdo as a winner once and saw where that got us. Where is he now? Some will even ask “who” is he if you drop his name. Kelly is still winning. Carrie is still winning. Fantasia is still making music and movies. As for other contestants? Bo Bice is headlining and touring biker venues, Constantine is on Broadway, Diana DeGarmo just finished a stint on Young and Restless, Chris Daughtry is raking in the dough with his albums and tours…need I go on?
We voted for Taylor the weirdo to win and will not do it again with Paul’s, Casey’s or Phils.
blkshepherd
March 30th, 2012
12:55 pm
Pitchy and Alex
I really really tried to watch Niki’s performance with an unbias ear(and eyes)
The outfit was horrendous.
Her face resembles a Puppet..more like Muppet but I wont insult the Muppets.
Singing..is that what you call it? hmm sounded so mechanical and artifical.. rapping? I am not in to rap so right there she lost most of my attention..rapping or singing to fast. Whatever. If she were doing auditions she would not have made the Top 100 or even got to the level where the country voted. she just would not have made the auditions. shes just that bad.
Skip
March 30th, 2012
12:56 pm
BTW, I didn’t vote for Lee or Kris. I forgot to mention Jordin Sparks who recently finished a film with the late, great Whitney Houston due out in the theatres soon.
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
12:58 pm
Afternoon, y’all.
HIGHLANDER!! As always, love your posts. Quote: Most of us agree that the voting system as it stands now SUCKS! But I think it’s reaching the endgame. Given Idol’s demographics (with the largest share of it’s audience in the 18-49 and above), and the show’s lowering ratings, Warwick and Fuller are going to have to start listening to that larger, older demographic or take the chance of losing their cash cow.
Ditto, ditto, ditto.
And G, loved your f@rt comments on Psquared.
Skip
March 30th, 2012
12:58 pm
Nikki Minaj cannot perform without an entourage of 50 performers on stage with her to detract from her lack of talent. She’s a freak who likes to dress up and wear costumes year round. One day at Halloween is not enough for her.
JTesla
March 30th, 2012
1:00 pm
Skip, you need to re-read my post… post Idol success has no influence on the voting for Idol.
You listed off some obscure Idol contestants and how they are keeping busy, I hate to break it to you but that defeats your argument regarding Taylor. He’s keeping as busy much like Bo, and Constantine whom you mentioned.
I’m not saying Phil will win, but the fact that people voted for Lee, Kris, and even David Cook (who has faded lately) shows that the lesson that you think people learned after Taylor didn’t happen.
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
1:00 pm
Oops, my un-italic bracket didn’t work. I always mix up which slash to use. But Highlander’s quote ended at “cash cow” … my own thoughts began at “Ditto.”
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
1:02 pm
Had to laugh at “the outfit was horrendous.” If you know anything about NMinaj you would know ALL her outfits are horrendous. I understand one needs to find their own “flavor” and make themselves standout from others, but dayyum, she’s out there and she tries to hard. She looks R I D I C U L O U S on most days.
Look at Lady Gaga, her outfits are equally out there, but bet most are looking forward to seeing what she’s wearing and wanting to cover their eyes before she even steps on stage. And, when NMinaj isn’t rapping in the speed demon of a voice, she really can sing!
JTesla
March 30th, 2012
1:05 pm
One question about Nicki Minaj and last night: was I the only one that thought that the vocals were 100% taped? Sound was happening and she was checking her top, dancing, had the mic away from her mouth. I don’t mind skimpy clothing, or lack of talent, but when you are on Idol can you at least try to be “live”?
Deirdre
March 30th, 2012
1:13 pm
There are only 4 contestants who do not bore me so far. Phil, Elise, Joshua and Colton. Do I think any of them can win? Maybe not but frankly I really don’t care other than I’d like them to hang around for awhile so I can watch people who don’t bore me.
Colton almost always comes up with something interesting. This week, I didn’t enjoy it but that’s just the way it goes. He keeps things interesting.
Phil is just a live wire to me. He makes me want to move, to sing along, to bounce to the music.
Joshua is the least likely to stay in the competition but, sorry, I like his histrionics. I like his voice. I enjoy his song choices despite the fact that he takes every song he songs to places it just shouldn’t go. He never bores me.
And Elise: Wow, she just brings something interesting to the table almost every time she sings. She is entertaining.
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
1:16 pm
and NOT wanting to cover their eyes before she steps on stage.
Deirdre
March 30th, 2012
1:19 pm
Jessica has a beautiful voice but she doesn’t connect with what she’s singing in a very fundamental way. Her age probably has something to do with that. You may appreciate her voice(and I do) but to me, Elise knows what she’s singing about and Jessica doesn’t.
Hollie seems so sweet and , like Jimmy said, technically she’s good but emotionally she’s nowhere.
Poor Deandre can’t hold a pitch for very long despite the fact that his myriad of emotional fans think he can. I feel kind of sad watching him and I’ll feel bad for him if he wins because he will go to the same place Off-key Lee is…wherever that may be.
Skylar tries so hard to be entertaining and that’s the problem. Cute as a button and southern as can be, she just doesn’t cut it with me.
Deirdre
March 30th, 2012
1:22 pm
That’s where I am with American Idol…sort of what Rodney talked about yesterday. I’m not judging their voices nearly so much as I’m picking the contestants who make me sit up and listen
Deirdre
March 30th, 2012
1:24 pm
And please remember…that’s how I feel about each of the contestants. Just me! I know y’all have differing opinions and I’m no more right than you are.
Nana
March 30th, 2012
1:32 pm
On the note of outrageous outfits, let’s not forget Cher in the 70’s and 80’s. If you think she wore little on TV, then you should have seen her in Vegas!!!!!!
I’m not a prude (just old), but I do think that alot of the females tend to show waaaay to much skin. They may think it’s sexy, but I find it very demeaning to the female gender.
I can remember when Elvis was on the Ed Sullivan Show back in the late 50’s, they had to show him ONLY from the waist up. Said his hip movements were to provocative for the camera. Again, when Conway Twitty released “I’ve Never Been This far Before”, the radio stations banned the song saying it was to suggestive. Now, it seems like the lyrics, body movements and dress code doesn’t matter one iota as long as the $$$$$ roll in. Yet people wonder why some of our youth today are the way they are. You can’t discipline your child, the music they listen to, and the way they see so called performers dress, they run amok and they think it’s the way to go.
I know that I’m ranting, so I will gracefully bow out. But, folks, this is just my opinion ONLY.
Rodney Ho
March 30th, 2012
1:36 pm
I had an interview that conflicted with Heejun’s going away interview. But he made some notable things to “The Insider,” dissing P. Diddy’s sobriety and saying he plans to watch “The Voice.” Hah! http://www.theinsider.com/gossip/51067_Heejun_Han_Disses_Idol_and_Diddy/index.html
JTesla
March 30th, 2012
1:39 pm
So Heejun never wants to work in the music business.
Rodney Ho
March 30th, 2012
1:39 pm
He made a similar joke to reporters after he was eliminated. http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/03/american-idol-whats-next-for-heejun-han-ill-do-anything—-except-adult-films.html “I’m so sad! I’m going to try out for ‘The Voice’!” Apparently, the media handlers weren’t pleased with that remark, ahem.
Deirdre
March 30th, 2012
1:45 pm
I’m not surprised they weren’t pleased. Heejun has to learn where he cna go with a joke and where he can’t. Despite the fact that he’s been eliminated, he’s still on the Idol payroll.
Mo Schreibman
March 30th, 2012
2:00 pm
I am impressed with that Jimmy Iodine who advises the kids that they should listen to him but you can not tell kids anything so why bother except that it annoys them. And if I have said it once I will probably have to say it again next season that I Can’t Live is a Badfinger song and not that girls with the clothes that do not fit.
Deirdre
March 30th, 2012
2:04 pm
You said a mouthful, Mo!
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
2:07 pm
OK, all caught up on comments.
Oh my, Deirdre, HOW could you stand to listen to Deandre’s performance 3 times? I could barely make it through the short recap last night!
So it definitely is 80’s next week? I only heard the one tiny mention in passing from Jimmy. Do we know for sure? I would love to hear some more Whitney… but doubt we will, as Jess and Hollie’s songs from Whitney week would be tough to live up to.
Sam: Yes about Heejun, though I’ll mainly miss him for his comedy. I was glad he pulled out his pretty voice the other night, but even singing at his best, he might not have been in the top tier vocally. Oh well. I almost want to go see the tour to see what fun he will have! — and WHAT? Hollie will go next week? Surely you’re wrong…. Surely that was just a “with my luck, she’ll go next…” type of comment. You sounded pretty mad when you wrote it (as I am too when it comes to DeSanjaya!)
Breezy
March 30th, 2012
2:08 pm
@G – “I haven’t heard many bloggers (if any) support PPs singing ability. His supporters make excuses by saying they’re entertained by him. Entertained by what?! LOL! Does he dance? Slither across the stage? Help me to understand the entertainment with PP.
I don’t know what it is, but he does entertain me. And IMHO, he has a nice voice. I’t his facial expressions that makes me watch him. He seems to be really into whatever he sings about. Believe me, he does have “it”. It will probably take him a long way too. Lord knows, the boy can’t dance, that isn’t it.
Deirdre
March 30th, 2012
2:08 pm
Yes, next week’s theme is official The 80’s
Rickster
March 30th, 2012
2:13 pm
Great round-up from Entertainment Week of Idol-related goodies. Includes videos of Kelly, Haley Reinhardt & Siobhan Magnus.
Enjoy!
http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/03/30/american-idol-week-news-katharine-mcphee/
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
2:15 pm
And a huge note from last night’s show… I absolutely LOVED Jimmy hinting at the tweenie girl control, and boys always winning… and hinting that it must change! I feel so validated!
I know, I know… to each their own, we all have different taste, etc, etc… but that still doesn’t change the fact that there is something very OFF about the way the show results are trending. I truly, truly think a very large chunk of America perceives that.
And as Highlander said, the show-runners at some point are going to have to listen to that perception. Let’s just hope it’s sooner rather than later.
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
2:16 pm
Oh, cool… thanks, D! Yay for the 80s… always one of my favorite weeks!
RxDawg
March 30th, 2012
2:19 pm
If Heejun isn’t careful, Idol will bump him and bring back Shannon for the tour. I’d bet that’s completely within their power.
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
2:20 pm
Yikes, what did Heejun say? I haven’t read the interview. I thought the Voice comment would be funny (though not funny AT ALL for him to diss someone’s sobriety.)
Deirdre
March 30th, 2012
2:21 pm
I agree that the voting needs to be changed so that the perception of tweens taking over is ended. I also don’t think there is actually documented proof that this happens or that the results will be any different if they do make the voting more fair.
But the public perception that their votes won’t count is serious and should be addressed.
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
2:23 pm
And more thoughts from me on Psquared, since y’all have been discussing his entertainment value:
I liked him so much in the beginning, and have been trying to figure out why he’s starting to bother me so badly now. I have come to the conclusion that it’s the faces. He is starting to combine the worst cheese-faces of Scotty with the worst werewolf qualities of Casey Abrams. Not a good mix…
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
2:26 pm
Exactly, D. I’ve often seen the quote “Perception is reality”.
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
2:28 pm
@Nana – your opinion on our skimpily clad entertainers is very much on point. Less is not sexy, leave a lot to the imagination, that’s sexy! What is there to anticipate when you can already see anything. The visual is the first line of defense then touching. If the first line isn’t even there, the second defense is probably going have him treat you like a slut.
I digress, I digress…
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
2:29 pm
And D, to quote you: “But the public perception that their votes won’t count is serious and should be addressed” …. Absolutely.
The best example of this is ME. I rarely vote any more, because I don’t feel like I can make a difference.
Seth T
March 30th, 2012
2:32 pm
New Top 8 tiering list. Not throwing shade or praise upon any contestant, but rating potential “vote power” for those remaining.
Obviously a bad song choice, prom dress, blown lyrics, Judges dissing, etc. will influence voters. Each elimination also creates a voter shift and favors some remaining contestants more than others.
Tier 1. Phillip & Jessica
Tier 2. Colton & Joshua
Tier 3. Everyone else – all too close to call – DeAndre is the obvious last choice for most, was not in the bottom 3 last night, so can’t be so sure he will be out next week.
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
2:40 pm
Seth, I’d guess that looks pretty accurate in terms of what might actually happen. (just not what I’d prefer to happen.)
I’d only disagree with Joshua being in Tier 2…. but I’m not really sure who I’d replace him with. (I might leave Colton there alone, and chunk the rest into tier 3.) But if Hollie can have a “moment”, then certainly she’ll move up…. Or Elise could, if she has another great week with the 80s.
Rodney Ho
March 30th, 2012
3:00 pm
Bikini Girl always struck me as the type who would get into a… DUI…
http://www.tmz.com/2012/03/30/american-idol-bikini-girl-katrina-darrell-arrested-for-dui-drunk-driving/
Rickster
March 30th, 2012
3:06 pm
I could see Elise doing something by “Loverboy.” That would fit her voice well.
Sam-A
March 30th, 2012
3:07 pm
Funny, as Philx2 is “waning” to some of you, I’m actuallly liking him more each week. Started out not liking him at all. He’s growing on me.
DeAndre – if he had anything resembling a “singing voice”, I wouldn’t be so down on him – even with that dreadful hairdo. However, as opening his mouth could crack the windows in a whole neighborhood, can’t get any kind of friendly feeling for him.
Conversely to Deirdre, I have not be able to stand Joshua from the very beginning. Hate his voice, his vocal style, the way his face contorts when he’s “singing”, the screams and dragon tears – just the whole package.
For Hollie, I see plenty of emotion when she’s singing. Actuallyl think shes a good bit better than Jessica, who I do also like.
Elise is come and go for me – sometimes good, sometimes fair.
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
3:11 pm
Sam, I also see plenty of emotion from Hollie. And also think her power voice is better than Jessica’s.
I am really struggling to understand her detractors…
Rickster
March 30th, 2012
3:11 pm
or Cheap Trick. She would absolutely ROCK Cheap Trick.
(Too bad “Dream Police” was released in 1979.)
Woodpappy
March 30th, 2012
3:11 pm
You know…if I win the lottery tonight, I might just buy me a new woodlathe or one of those fancy electric skil saws. Just hoping !!
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
3:13 pm
Aww, Rickster, couldn’t they figure out a way for Dream Police? That would be GREAT!!!! Was it maybe still on the charts on Jan. 1, 1980?? And I also agree on Loverboy for her.
or what about the Babys “Every Time I Think Of You” for her?
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
3:15 pm
@Jenny – I no longer vote either. I used to.
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
3:17 pm
Or Mother’s Finest??