‘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%
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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406 comments Add your comment
Alex
March 30th, 2012
3:18 pm
So it’s 80s night on AI. PLEASE – no Michael Jackson or Madonna. Hmmm, here’s some suggestions.
Deandre Makesmesick. Wham’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go”. This way he could frolic all over the stage jerking his hand back and forth and making the mane REALLY flow.
Colton. Anything by Richard Marx. His voice is suited well for this artist’s music. Maybe a ballad with him and the piano.
Phillip. “Jeopardy” by Greg Kihn Band, but have Phil put his own spin on the thing. Different type song for a different type performer. This should allow him to grunt and growl a lot.
Joshua. Steve Winwood’s “Roll With It”. Seriously. It would showcase his voice. However, Joshua likes a particular style and probably wouldn’t put a lot into this song.
Jessica. “Sweet Dreams” by Eurythmics. Known song and respected artist.
Hollie. If she’s going to stay with ballads then do “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin. Very recognizable and well liked song and I think it would suit her range.
Skylar. “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper. It might prevent her from having to scream.
Elise. “You Give Love A Bad Name” by Bon Jovi. Another rocker would scorch the house.
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
3:21 pm
Pitchy… see, we are a microcosm (as Seth would say) for what is happening with the show.
And I used to vote every single week. All the way back to Carrie’s season.
I don’t even watch Dancing with the Stars, at least not very regularly… but I happened to catch it on Monday, and I used all 24 of my votes. Because I felt like it was fair, and they counted! I didn’t feel like it was a waste of time.
G
March 30th, 2012
3:24 pm
@D. Other than PP, I can pretty much understand your stance on the contestants. Not trying to change your mind, but just trying to gain a perspective on something I really don’t understand. I’m not looking for performers to be pitch perfect, but dang…..can I get something resembling a harmony from this guy? He simply cheats on his vocals every week. That’s hard to overlook.
Plug Elise into PP’s music and you have a winner. She’s a much stronger vocalist and she can work the stage. I like Elise too. She’s more versatile than PP could ever dream to be.
Heejun probably wouldn’t make it to the battle rounds of The Voice. The competition would be stiffer for him over there. But yeah, not smart to talk negative about P Diddy The Payola King. He’s a “made man” in the industry. Also not smart to make an off-beat comment slanting favor to The Voice. Did this fool forget that he’s still on Idol payroll?
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
3:25 pm
hahaha Alex, funny suggestion for Desanjaya. I can already picture the hair flipping.
Except I like that song, and he’d ruin it.
But whatever else happens, pleeeeeaaaase don’t let him touch the Bee Gees! I think they were mostly off the charts by the 80s, right? I love and adore the Bee Gees, thus I don’t think I could stand to hear him caterwauling (hee hee) through one of their songs.
Alex
March 30th, 2012
3:27 pm
G
March 30th, 2012
3:24 pm
“Also not smart to make an off-beat comment slanting favor to The Voice. Did this fool forget that he’s still on Idol payroll?”
Perhaps Hee Haw is a “comedian” along the lines of Bill Maher.
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
3:27 pm
G – Yes!! “Plug Elise into PP’s music and you have a winner.” GREAT observation. And agreed on the vocals too.
Alex
March 30th, 2012
3:28 pm
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
3:25 pm
Speaking of the Bee Gees, I believe Clay Aiken’s “To Love Somebody” is still one of the all time best on AI.
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
3:30 pm
Well, I guess I need to go read the Heejun interview.
But without reading…. I don’t see why Idol would be THAT offended about a Voice joke. The Voice exists. It’s competition. Hello…. Is it really sacrilege to mention it? Heejun’s a comedian. People will know he’s kidding.
Seems that Idol may be taking themselves a bit seriously here…
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
3:31 pm
Alex, wow, I didn’t watch back then but will definitely Youtube that! Love that song and can see how Clay would just kill it!
Thanks!
blkshepherd
March 30th, 2012
3:33 pm
Speaking of the Bee Gees. I am afraid one of them is not going to be with us too long he looked God awful the last time I saw him. He was never a Looker but had a beautiful voice..his health is very very bad..I wont be shocked if he dont make it through the year. But pulling for him. The bee gees are a great band.
Alex
March 30th, 2012
3:35 pm
Jenny – here’s the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v61nsKbkRmo
Even Simon was blown away. Still makes the hair stand up on my arm.
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
3:36 pm
oh… blkshepherd, I didn’t know that. How very sad. I hope that doesn’t come true.
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
3:39 pm
I wanted to marry the fine brother from the Bee Gees (can’t think of his name right now). The contestants can sing whatever they like, just don’t mess with “How Deep Is Your Love!!!”
I think it would be the death of Skylar if she sings anything by Lauper. Not sure why I feel this way, but I do. Probably because Lauper is ditsy, talented, yet ditsy.
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
3:40 pm
Alex, wow, that WAS great. Thank you!!
The more I see of Clay’s Idol performances, the more I am pretty certain I’d have had to pick him over Ruben.
And I sure do miss Simon and Paula.
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
3:41 pm
@Jenny – Andy Gibb is in the hospital, or he was last week. He is very frail looking. Doesn’t help that he’s been thin his entire life.
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
3:42 pm
Well Pitchy, then let’s hope Skylar does sing Cyndi Lauper, haha!
Once she and Flippy are gone, I’ll be very happy…
Alex
March 30th, 2012
3:44 pm
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
3:39 pm
“I think it would be the death of Skylar if she sings anything by Lauper.”
You might be right, but I was just thinking of something that would provide a change of pace from the revved up country-style songs causing her to scream.
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
3:45 pm
Why am I always a couple of minutes behind on comments? I don’t seem to see stuff right away. My Skylar/Cyndi comment was directed towards Pitchy’s 3:49 post, not the sad one it showed up after.
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
3:48 pm
Alex, I knew what you were getting at… and I actually might like her better without the screams.
Though I don’t think anything can stop the nasal twang — I shudder at the thought of hearing “Taaahhhmm ayyyaaffturrr Taaaahhhmm” sung through her nose.
RxDawg
March 30th, 2012
3:48 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. ”
I’m the same way with Phil.
Hollie’s critique is probably a round about way of basicly telling her she’s not doing as good a job. If she’s going to go for all these big songs, and all these big notes, then you have to hit those notes. And she’s not hitting every one of them. She’s slightly off key sometimes. Jessica is not. Jessica is the better of the two, and it’s really not even close. Actually, Jessica is the better singer of the whole group and it’s not even close.
Alex
March 30th, 2012
3:50 pm
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
3:48 pm
““Taaahhhmm ayyyaaffturrr Taaaahhhmm” ”
LOL!! Good one.
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
3:51 pm
@Jenny – it’s not you. While you’re typing so is someone else. The blog machine spits out who gets in first.
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
3:52 pm
RX, I think what I like better about Hollie’s voice is the power quality. I don’t know… I can’t even quite put it into words, but there’s just something….
My dream finale would actually be the two of them. Yeah, yeah, I know it can’t happen, but it sure would be fun to watch. Jessica is technically pretty much perfect, and I’ve never seen anything like “I Will Always Love You.” I sure do wish it could happen…
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
3:54 pm
Thanks, Alex and Pitchy.
Rickster
March 30th, 2012
3:56 pm
Mother’s Finest?!?!?!? Wow! That brings back memories.
Elise could definitely slay “Baby Love.”
It’s just too bad that it came out in 1977.
RxDawg
March 30th, 2012
3:59 pm
Yeh, I’m with you. I was very much a fan of Hollie at the start. She reminded me of Christina Agulera. Big ol voice in a tiny package… although Christina has gotten a little more bustier in her aging. But something happend to Hollie. It’s like her voice is giving out. She might just need some vocal rest or something. She also needs experience. Her performances aren’t really any different week to week, and she isn’t singing them perfect. And when you sing that loud, mistakes stick out. I wasn’t surprised in the least to see her in the bottom 3 this week.
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
3:59 pm
@Jenny – you’re wrong for that, “Taaahhhmm ayyyaaffturrr Taaaahhhmm” but my bet is you’re right (lol).
RxDawg
March 30th, 2012
4:00 pm
And with that, I’m out! Happy Friday people, see ya next time
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
4:01 pm
I know Rickster, “Baby Love” was what I had in mind. Then I googled and saw that it was in the 70s.
Trivia bit… (and Rickster, brace yourself, you’re going to hate this…)
Did you know Mother’s Finest was one of Adam’s early inspirations? I once saw an interview with him during his season, where he talked about discovering them online and how he loved them.
Alex
March 30th, 2012
4:02 pm
How about 8 songs from the 80s whose titles would hold significance for a contestant leaving the show:
1) Beat It – by MJ
It’s the End of the World as we know it – REM
2) With or Without You – U2
3) Don’t You (Forget About Me) – Simple Minds
4) Another One Bites the Dust – Queen
5) Bad – MJ
6) Rapture – Blondie
7) Don’t You Want Me – The Human League
Jenny
March 30th, 2012
4:05 pm
I’m assuming “Bad” would be for Desanjaya.
Or “Rapture” for how we’d feel if he left.
Sam-A
March 30th, 2012
4:08 pm
Wood: If I win, I’ll have you custom make me some beautiful, expensive bowls! I want some that have the turquoise imbedded in the wood. Will pay you a premium! Can, cause I’d be a near-billionaire! Boggles the mind, eh?
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
4:08 pm
I wouldn’t mind hearing any of those songs. #4 is something I say on a regular…
Alex
March 30th, 2012
4:10 pm
Perhaps Deandre Makesmesick should sing “When Doves Cry” by Prince, because when he sings, well…….doves cry.
Alex
March 30th, 2012
4:10 pm
And so do I.
Alex
March 30th, 2012
4:11 pm
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
4:08 pm
If we know who would get the infamous “save” they could sing “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake.
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
4:12 pm
Alex, apparently you haven’t been paying close attention. When DeAndre sings, cats’ tails get hurt.
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
4:13 pm
Good one, Alex.
Alex
March 30th, 2012
4:14 pm
But please, please, PLEASE tell me the group song won’t be “We Are The World”.
Alex
March 30th, 2012
4:16 pm
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
4:12 pm
Yes, I’ve been paying close attention. I laughed a lot about the cat, but I’m not familiar with a 1980s song titled “cats’ tails get hurt”.
Sam-A
March 30th, 2012
4:16 pm
Pitchy: Andy Gibb was the baby bro (not a BeeGee) who died of heart failure many years ago. He had a great hit “I just wanna be your everything”. It’s Robin who’s in the hospital with colon and stomach problems (unnamed, but looks like cancer). His twin bro, Maurice, died a few years ago of a blocked bowel. Tragic family! Only Barry remains healthy and working – he’s the more attractive of the 3, so I’m guessing he was your crush!
Clay had a number of stellar performances – for me he’s always been the 2nd best contestant ever, behind Kelly. Several performances gave me chills.
Nana
March 30th, 2012
4:19 pm
This season is the first time in 10 seasons that I don’t have a favorite to win. I would really love to see a female take the title as I’m so over seeing a karaoke, dipstick, quotidian male win based soley on his looks (and some of them aren’t that cute).
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
4:19 pm
Cute, Alex, real cute
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
4:21 pm
@Sam-A – you know after I typed that and read it back, I said, Gibb? Gibb is not a Bee Gee, and didn’t bother to correct. Thank you. Yes, Robin is the one I was referring to.
Alex
March 30th, 2012
4:21 pm
Sam-A
March 30th, 2012
4:16 pm
For years I’ve heard people rave about Clay and “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. It was overproduced (choir, etc), but man oh man did I like “To Love Somebody”. That performance, in my opinion, stands the test of time.
Strange, the Bee Gee who was the guest star when Clay sang their song is the one in bad health. Go figure that both would be mentioned in today’s blog.
Seth T
March 30th, 2012
4:21 pm
@ 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.)”"
Joshua is not in my personal choice top 4 either. Mine would be Hollie, Elise, Jessica and Phillip – as far as who I would rather listen to.
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
4:22 pm
Yes, loved Barry even with all of those teeth. He was gorgeous. That head of hair definitely helped too. He still looks good.
Alex
March 30th, 2012
4:23 pm
Nana
March 30th, 2012
4:19 pm
“…quotidian…”
Wow, let me click over to dictionary.com.
Alex
March 30th, 2012
4:24 pm
Seth T
March 30th, 2012
4:21 pm
As far as listening goes you have an excellent Top 4. I say excellent because, well, I would list the same.
Pitchy
March 30th, 2012
4:25 pm
Alex, I’m looking up the word myself (lol).