UPDATE: GirlyGirl was at the taping tonight…
Ok, so after the show, Katy Perry came out to tape her performance that will air tomorrow. They shot her song 2 or 3 times — and it seemed like the crowd was more excited when Kanye West popped in to do his part on the song than they were about Katy. Lots of dancers and production heavy performance of this song.
If you ask me, the trouble began when Nigel Lythgoe began hyping the Season 10 cast as “the best talent ever”. That sets up a pretty high expectation for a cast that’s talented, but are not OMG AMAZEBALLS. When it became became clear the emperor was quite naked. corrective measure became necessary.
But instead of dialing it back, the producers layed it on even thick. The little bit of constructive criticism going on (Jlo was great as judge for about a minute) disappeared and the judges pimped the contestants even harder. Amazing, Beautiful, Talented, CHILLS, Ready to go Platinum. Like Nothing EVER BEFORE SEEN ON IDOL ELEVENTY ONE!!111!
Gah. Now, the judges are beginning to look desperate as they throw around rediculous e superlatives. It didn’t have to be this way. Sure there were big changes this season, but Trust. Treat the season like any other. Judge the kids honestly. Each season has always been full of the talented and the talentless–step back and let the kids breath (I’m looking at you Jimmy).
Tonight wasn’t a trainwreck, but it wasn’t the greatest night of Idol EVAH either. I can’t join the pundits who believe we need the judges to “guide” the viewers (hm. If they began guiding the ‘wrong’ contestants, wonder what the pundits would have to say about that) but without blunt judging, the show is boring and the contestants develop a false sense of their greatness. You know. They become so big-headed they think America Needs To Look In the Mirror. Yeah. They need to be taken down to earth by judges who aren’t afraid of lowering their Q scores. Those poor kids.
The best tonight? James Durbin was hella entertaining. It helped to have one of the greatest Heavy Metal guitarists on stage with him, but still, good vocal, good performance. At this rate, Idol could end up with yet another winner who is a white guy Hot AC recording artist.
Live blog and VIDEOS after the JUMP…
The American Idol Top 8 sing songs from the movies tonight. This is your live blog. Stay tuned for recap and videos!
The show opens, of course, with a replay of last week’s OMG OMG OMG SHOCKING SHOCKING BOOT!
Ryan Seacrest congratulates Jennifer Lopez for being named WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN by People magazine. “The Most Beautiful Girl in World” plays as an embarrassed Jlo gets a spotlight.
VOTE VOTE VOTE for your favs, says Ryan, before he introduces the Top 8.
Paul McDonald – “Old Time Rock n Roll” by Bob Seeger – Risky Business – He’s first. As Nikki Finke would say….TOLDJA. Jimmy thinks the song needs a drum machine. Uhm. NOOO. Paul wants to leave America HAPPY. Will he? Paul’s got one of his nudie suits on. He hobbles down the stairs, attempts to engage the judges. I dunno. He looks and sounds like gramps out there, hopping around squeaking out a song. Love the chick on sax, though. Steven: I love your crazy wild abandon, how it translates to the audience. Jennifer: Every time you come out here, you’re going a little bit further, a little bit further…it’s great to watch. Randy: America you just witnessed the first number at the Paul McDonald concert. I love it. You are definitely an artist. Me: Sigh. – 1-866-436-5701 – VIDEO – PERFORMANCE
Lauren Alaina – “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus – Jimmy tells Lauren she’s a much much stronger singer than Miley Cyrus and that she has to grab Pia’s votes. Oh, Will.i.am is back. I f*cking hate typing his name. Of course, just about anybody sings better than Miley. A very pretty rendition, but I’m not blown away. Lauren’s got great pipes, but something…lack of confidence?–keeps her from taking her performances to the next level. Jennifer: I loved hearing you sing this, the tear in your voice. You sang it so beautifully, you don’t need to steal anyone’s votes. Randy: The Lauren we saw in Nashville is roaring back. It sounds like it was written for you. Amazing. Steven: I love what you bring to a song, and what a song brings to you. Beautiful. You Move me beyond tears. Me: Ugh. – 1-866-436-5702 – VIDEO – PERFORMANCE
Stefano Langone – “End of the Road” by Boys II Men – Boomerang – Oh…Stefano is getting a sit down. He prattles on about getting to the next level. TPTB are trying to make up for last week, when the judges behaved as if he didn’t deserve to be there. Will and Jimmy give him a pep talk. You’re not a loser kid! Gah I effing HATE THIS SONG. Squint squint, reach reach. As usual, Stefano sounds better than he looks. BIG NOTE!!! This was actually a solid vocal. Wish the song itself wasn’t so meh. Randy: Dude! Randy name drops friend from Boys II Men who will be TEXTING HIM ANY MINUTE to say “your man Stefano just slayed the song.” You made the right move at the right time. Best vocal to date. In it to win it! Steven: You know how to milk a song. This is so not the end of the road for you. Jennifer: You got it. It’s about being a great performer. You did it. You did it tonight.” Me: Judges you’re killin’ me here – 1-866-436-5703 – VIDEO – PERFORMANCE
Scotty McCreery – “Cross My Heart” by George Strait – Pure Country – Scotty was going to sing “Everybody’s Talking” by Nilsson then he changed to George Strait. Kid could have had a moment stepping out of his box. But NOOOOO instead, he ran back to safety. Jimmy was so right on this. He should NOT have changed his song. Scotty’s performance was nice and all but…Zzzzzz. We’ve heard this before. Steven: Scotty I just love your voice. You did it again. You’re good. Jennifer: Everybody wants us to be tough with you guys, but you guys are so damn good. I just want to say wow. Was it my fav song choice? No. But you sang it beautifully. Randy: If it ain’t broke don’t even consider fixing it. A star is born on this stage. You’ve grown so much. I ‘m a huge ginormous fan. Me: KILL ME NOW – 1-866-436-5704 – VIDEO – PERFORMANCE
Casey Abrams – “Nature Boy” by Nat King Cole – Moulin Rouge – Also gets a little sit down with Ryan. Ah. Casey bucks Jimmy who wanted him to do “In the Air Tonight” instead. Hm. As much as I loathe Phil Collins, I get Jimmy’s point. This might be a little strange for the Idol audience. It’s a song with quiet nuance–tough to make an impact in 1:30. He’s pulling those weird faces again. Very strange, but kinda cool. Not sure America will appreciate it, though. Jennifer: I gotta say, at the beginning I was nervous. I hope America got that. Having said that? You’re talented Casey, but you ain’t no Esperanza. Also your aren’t an Idol maverick–Elliott Yamin sang James Moody back in season 5. Google it, my friend. Randy: We have a real true artist on the show. We’ve never had anyone like you ever. It’s about embracing who you are. I can see you making an extended Buble kind of record. Genius. Steven: You are an artist in the truest sense of the world. You do what’s in your heart. YOu believed what was in your heart. You are so good man. Me: Could the judges blow smoke up these contestants’ asses any harder? – 1-866-436-5705 – VIDEO – PERFORMANCE – JUDGES
Haley Reinhart – “Call Me” by Blondie from American Gigilo – We’re all growing! Don’t even think we’re not! I make jokes about her short shorts but, my trouble with Haley? She has no idea who she is as an artist. All of her performances reflect back on what she thinks the judges and producers expect of her. Some weeks are better than others. This week, she was solid, but screamy on the big notes and the choruses. When Haley figures herself out, she has the potential to be a great singer. Randy: I didn’t love the beginning, it sounded very karaoke to me. It wasn’t a showcase for your voice for me. Steven: I agree, but when you nail chorus… you sang it heavy you sang it great. Jennifer: I love when you started, and I kind of agree with Randy, but I’m afraid to say anything negative, I don’t want to lose any of the girls! Me. OY. – 1-866-436-5706 – VIDEO – PERFORMANCE
Jacob Lusk – “Bridge Over Troubled Water” – Pursuit Of Happiness – Jimmy scolds him for lecturing America last week. Jacob was going to sing either The Impossible Dream or You’ll Never Walk Alone. Dang, I wish Jacob would have been left to his own devices. It would have been hilarious. Jimmy says he doesn’t need to do corny now. If not corny…I guess trite will do. Holy off-pitch key change batman! I’ve heard that song sung so much better by other artists. Steven: It’s astounding how angelic you sing. Incredible. God bless you and your voice. Jennifer: Who does that? You are such a gifted vocalist. You pulled the chills out of me. Randy: I listen to every word. I believe you. I love that you took your time with this. It was perfect. Great job. Congrats. Me: Still Not Looking in the Mirror – 1-866-436-5707 – VIDEO – PERFORMANCE
James Durbin – Heavy Metal by Sammy Hagar from Heavy Metal – Jimmy hated it. Jimmy “This is what I’m doing. I know what’s best for myself as an artist.” The kids telling Jimmy to stuff it is making me lulz. Will sticks up for James–taking the artist’s side. GIVE METAL A CHANCE AMERICA sez James. Heavy metal guitarist, Zakk Wylde is playing guitar. This is actually pretty entertaining. Solid vocal from James. Not really sure why Jimmy didn’t want him to sing it. Good performance to to end the show. Jennifer: That felt really really real. I loved that. They are killing it dead. That was crazy. Judges: James sang Judas Priest a couple of weeks ago. HM has been on the Idol stage. Randy: I’m happy you stuck to your guns. Tonight you did you. Durbin rawks! Steven: Outstanding Durbin. Me: Rawk On Dude – 1-866-436-5708 – VIDEO – PERFORMANCE
