American Idol Season 8 – Hollywood Week – Part 4 – VIDEO

I like that they’re showing parts we didn’t see before. Like Anoop’s group audition and Von’s last performance.

That whole Von Smith story looked totally staged. And he still sounded like he was over singing.

Adam: a poor man’s Clay
Von: a poor man’s Adam

I hate, hate, hate this judges mansion and singing for your life crap.

2 hours? I bet a half hour of that will be the Tatiana show. Gahhh.

Of course Anoop, Adam, Von, Alex get lots of time and then the girls are all put together in a 5 seconds segment.
I don’t understand the discrimination this year.

When someone gives Joanna a break, Simon? Really? Hasn’t she already had break, after break, after break? Just. Ugh.

Adam: a poor man’s Clay

But prettier. :smile_wp:

I like that theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re showing parts we didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t see before.

Yeah except with a freakin’ two hour show, they COULD have shown us more of some of those girls they just zipped through like Stevie Wright. I am glad she made it, but I really wanted to hear more of Bubbly from last night or see her in her group at least.

Interesting how they conveniently didn’t show Taylor’s screw up on the group number. That was Danny’s group…they were awesome from what they showed us last week. And now we are finding out with her mess up and now Joanna’s that the whole “forget the words and you’re out” rule doesn’t apply to everyone. I am glad Taylor still made it. I couldn’t care less about Joanna. If she hasn’t made it by now in the industry, then that should tell her something.

New judge discusses Joanna’s record label (AGAIN…like she did during the original auditions). Joanna cries.

Not forced at all.

So, the sing-off pairs are obviously being put together according to type- cute little blondes, offbeat teenagers, rugged manly-men, etc. I suppose I should have expected it, but I’m naive enough to think that their voices matter as much as their looks and personality types. I guess this is where the “casting a reality show” part comes in.

Adam’s part was interesting- is AI finally embracing its inner theater geek, after rigorously denying it for so long? It sounded like they let him through because he’s so theatrical.

How many times are they gonna do they “the answer isn’t good/great….it’s amazing/fantastic” psyche-out?

Simon was punking the other judges, and they didn’t understand…lol. The point was that they’re both attractive blondes! SO do you put through the attractive blonde or the other…attractive blonde?

Kristen’s got way better control of her voice than Jenn, but I wish she had sung something more than just the phrase I Will Always Love You over and over. I like her, but I am not sure she can get far enough to make the Top 12. She’ll always be compared to Carrie Underwood.

WTF? Why are they discussing this girl’s look. America doesn’t give a shit about the way someone looks if they can sing.

Joanna admitted that she missed words in every song in the Hollywood rounds, wonder why they let her advance. PLANT.

Yay Kristen.

It’s obvious that Simon cares way more about looks than voice.

Really Kara? Did she just say “we want to see you again” to Scott. Nice. Go ahead and high-five him while you’re at it.

What they said about Kristen’s look was nonsensical bull.

Also, booooo. I liked Jen better than Kendall…they should have had the singoff. But Kristen is darn good.

Scott McIntyre, I know you’re blind, but that’s still no excuse for the effed up Greg Brady perm. There’s a handsome guy underneath that brillo pad – PLEASE let the hairstylist fix that mess.

Scott McIntyre, I know blind, but thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s still no excuse for the effed up Greg Brady perm. Thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a handsome guy underneath that brillo pad – PLEASE let the hairstylist fix that mess.

I like Scott’s ‘fro!

Well damn. I was holding out that the spoilers were wrong about Felicia

LOL What’s Simon’s problem with The Story? It’s one of the best songs last year.
I like Jesse better, but I would have liked if Frankie had made it.

ETA: I would love to see Frankie’s face when she sees Tatiana made it.

Really Kara? Did she just say à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“we want to see you againà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  to Scott. Nice. Go ahead and high-five him while youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re at it.

She said “WE want to see you again.” She wasn’t saying anything about him seeing. LOL.

Simon said that even though they put her through that she has no chance of winning.

SOOOOO….why did they bother putting her through? Are they admitting to stacking the deck with fodder? Man, I’m starting to hate this show.

Maybe I should just shut up, sit back, and treat this show like a VH1 reality show.

Simon looks bored again….you know he’s not liking this whole mansion setup….and whoever wrote the “sing-off” whoever dreamed it up needs to go back to scriptwriting school….it’s the worst embarassing situation you can put someone. The producers are trying to create “reality” show drama and I had to turn the TV off. It was ridiculous.

That Joanna got through is a crying shame. GF forgot the lyrics TWICE, not once, but TWICE ! she’s going to implode.

Ah shit! Danny just lost another couple thousand fans by the fact that they mentioned the dead wife again and then his moment of arrogance with the way he said yeah to the question of him being relevant. Ouch!

I thought the spoilers said that Jamar was through. Were the spoilers recently updated or something or did I just read them wrong?

I had a feeling that Danny would be in while his friend would be out. Drama, I say!

ETA: While I think he was cut for drama, I never really thought that Jamar was all that good anyway.

I think that Jamar being cut is complete and total BS! They did it just for drama’s sake. Note to all future contestants: NEVER AUDITION WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND…ONE OF YOU WILL GET CUT EVEN IF YOU’RE BOTH REALLY GOOD!

This season is going to be hilarious.

Jamar Rogers is OUT…………..that is a bunch of CRAP!!!

I thought the spoilers said that Jamar was through. Were the spoilers recently updated or something or did I just read them wrong?

Nah, he was never listed in the top 36. I don’t like him less than I like Danny. But yeah, he was used.
Btw, did we know Jamar make the top 36 (or whatever top there was) in season 3? I just read it on IDF.

I like Nick, he did add a certain something. However, I can’t believe he made it over Jamar. No pun intended…but it’s a joke!!

Nah, he was never listed in the top 36.

TPTB managed to trick me. I feel dirty and used lol

Of course Anoop, Adam, Von, Alex get lots of time and then the girls are all put together in a 5 seconds segment.
I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t understand the discrimination this year.

I think that AI doesn’t think the girls are as good as the guys this year. So they might as well push the people they wouldn’t mind winning.

I SO think that Jenn was better than Kristin–I mean really much, much better. So that was disappointing.

Also, I thought it was unfair to tell Jamar that the risk he took didn’t pay off. The implication was that Hey There Delilah didn’t work, but I thought it was the best we’ve ever seen him.

Scott McIntyre, I know youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re blind, but thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s still no excuse for the effed up Greg Brady perm.

I’m not a fan of the hair, but I doubt that it’s a perm.

I think that Jamar being cut is complete and total BS! They did it just for dramaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s sake. Note to all future contestants: NEVER AUDITION WITH YOUR BEST FRIENDà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ONE OF YOU WILL GET CUT EVEN IF YOUà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢RE BOTH REALLY GOOD!

I know totally for drama sake they knew Jamar was good enough to make it. It pisses me off when they do stuff like this. I hate to say this but maybe if Jamar had the dead wife he would’ve made it and Danny would’ve been cut.

Best moment of the night… Nate’s expression when Tatiana made it.

To me hat bit they showed of Jackie from her Hollywood performance was the best thing by a girl during Hollywood week. And her taking her shoes off was great!

I’d rather have kept Jamar over Tatiana, Normund, Jackie or Nate. None of them can get off my TV fast enough. I couldn’t believe it when they told Nick to keep playing Normund. Disgusting. I wasn’t impressed with Jamar’s audition, but I enjoyed him during Hollywood Week.

And, they criticize Kristen’s look, but love Nate’s?

ETA: Stephen Fowler sounded really good on the extra bit of TOML that we heard tonight- and they got the signature “magic rainbow” line in!

Okay Nathan – I’ve made fun of you and your drama queen antics (and I probably will again). I’ve called you hard to look at (can you blame – look at that outfit – and the headbands!). I prefer Jackie’s voice to yours. Yet somehow, I was pulling for you tonight.

First of all – your reaction to Tatiana made me love you a little. And, not even considering the mom in prison and the not so great family life, I know that life’s been hard on you. I can imagine the way the kids in high school treated you. And, I don’t suppose in your little town society is all that kind to you.

I won’t vote for you. I don’t want you to win. But tonight, my heart broke for you just a teensy bit, and I felt joy at your accomplishment. So, you get down with your bad self and your ridiculously tight clothing.

I hate to say this but maybe if Jamar had the dead wife he wouldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve made it and Danny wouldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve been cut.

Possibly, but I do think Danny has done better overall. But that’s me. I still think that they BOTH should’ve made it though.

How many times are they gonna do they à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“the answer isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t good/greatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s amazing/fantasticà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  psyche-out?

Haven’t you figured out that the judges don’t have one original thought in their brain? They repeat repeat repeat….even Simon looked bored…totally out of it….and he’s usually the “witty” one, and he hardly says anything during these shows.

The producers are pulling the strings folks, not the judges. That they let Tatiana through just shows they are headed really deep into “reality” TV show territory.

Can we give a big Yahoo for the MANLY MEN!

Hey there Time of My Life.

I like those two guys, good they made it.

Nice of them to play magic platinum rainbow after hearing it butchered two nights in a row *pets rainbow*

That group next week..yikes. That is all. Talk about stacked.

Definitely the guys are much better than the girls this season.

(Some of the best girls were robbed early, while the guys for the most part are the best left, except for Ryan Johnson and perhaps David Osmond).

I am so irritated that Stevie STILL got no air time. I’m voting for her next week.

And Anoop… because he’s adorable and talented.

I hate Kara. I don’t know why. I just do.

I don’t think Jamar is good. And I don’t think Danny is good.

I wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t vote for you. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t want you to win. But tonight, my heart broke for you just a teensy bit, and I felt joy at your accomplishment. So, you get down with your bad self and your ridiculously tight clothing.

ITA, Spense. Well put.

Okay, I was highly annoyed by the Jenn/Kristen judges exchange. WTF? I know Simon sees $$$ when cute blondes are in front of him, but the Kristen chick isn’t exactly chopped liver. Besides, if the “look” is all that important, then why isn’t it an issue with the guys? Grrrr.

ETA: I have a couple that I kind of like, but not really a fave yet. I haven’t checked out the original material, because I don’t think that’ll matter in the end. It depends on how they connect to the voting audience, song choice, etc. I don’t trust the prelim editing. I’ll just wait until they get their 90 seconds. That said, I can’t imagine Tatiana changing my mind!

Anyone have a count on how many times we have heard the Gokey sing? Must be 8-10? I loved the look on Gokey’s face when he saw that Jamar didn’t make it sad, then….wait for it….enlightenment!!! Followed by seething burning anger because Gokey realized he had been played and his friend took the fall.

Year after year, people assume TPTB have a heart, but no.

Jessie Languth was super awful tonight. Boy that was bad.

The guy who was matched up with Nate — much, much better than Nate, but also not nearly as dramatic.

They certainly seem to be turning AI into a Real World show, with cast members chosen for “personality” more than talent. Maybe it will attract the MTV crowd. (Of course, there has always been some of that on the show, but I can’t remember it to this degree.) But I don’t think it will attract votes, and will turn off the most loyal fan base. Including families who watch with their kids.

Maybe the right answer is to boycott voting. Especially if they use the wild card slots to save the truly excruciating cast members. If votes plummet they might get a clue.

And I really don’t see how this helps build the fan base for a successful recording artist. I hope we don’t see too much of these folks in stressful times. A little mystery is a good thing for the image.

Performing next week: 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 Desai

Trina Feb 11th, 2009 at 11:32 pm

That group next week..yikes. That is all. Talk about stacked.

From every group of 12 that performs, only 3 will be voted into the top 9. Then the judges get to select 3 wild card contestants to round out the top 12.

Super yikes!

Hopefully, that’s the last we see of Tatiana.

I’m having some troubles over at fun office pools:

I want to put my full 20 points on Danny (obviously) – an it lets me click submit when i type in the twenty points, but it still shows up highlighted in yellow. Whats the deal?

I think the guys are clearly better this year but it would have been nice to see more of certain girls tonight. I was sad to see Jamar go after such a good performance and drama queens like Tatiana and Nate go on. I hate the sing offs but am glad both Matt and Michael went through in the end. I’ve seen the top 36 spoiler list but didn’t remember everyone on it.

I’m not happy about the first group of 12. There’s too many I like but mainly hope Danny and Anoop make it along with Alexis Grace for the girls. Please let Tatiana go home.

I don’t think the guys are clearly better at all. I think the guys are being shown more. Because the producers liked all the success of the cute boy final two.

The guys have it ROUGH next week. Really really rough. Danny is obviously a shoe in. I hope steven and anoop make it through somehow. And im excited to hear ricky brady….and i figured Brent was a shoe in for the top 12 since hes country and good, but he looks like hes at a disadvantage now. Tough tough tough

I am not loving this new Top 36 format, especially when you realize how little chance the umpimped have at advancing to the top 12. There will be no Jason Castro this year because the poor unpimped saps like Ricky Braddy or Stevie Wright or Brent Keith only get one song to prove their worth instead of 3 rounds of semis where the unpimped at least have a chance to build a fanbase. I hope poor Ricky gets good video package with some semblance of a backstory.

MJ,

I see 3 choices in Fun Office Pools that all have your name in them (mjsbigblog), which one is yours?

ibidrockgo, as a loyal fan, I cannot stop watching the show but I like your idea. The show just doesn’t seem right. By having the judges select the last three contestants, they have taken power away from the viewers.

Look at the talent in this first group. I have a feeling that Danny, Anoop, and Michael will receive more votes than the most popular girl. I am thinking Jackie will be the girl. DH wants Alexis. LOL.

It is my belief that the viewers should select the TOP 12.

Stephen, Danny, and Anoop all in the same group…..NOOOO! Anoop and Danny, who I like, will get through and Stephen, who I really like, will be cannon fodder. (Yes, I really like his tone, despite his butchering of the rainbow- the part we saw tonight was really good, and reminded me of DC’s acoustic performances of it.)

yeah…i’m hating this top 36 format. we’re gonna get awful top 12′s like seasons 2 and 3.

This is how all the great guys will cannibalize each other. Then add in the joke contestants Nate and Norman… It would have been nice to have the top 3 instead of top guy and girl and the highest vote getter after them but it’ll probably result in an all-male cast this season.

The bad thing about Top 36 format is that so many people will get the cut after just one performance.

I can tell already the Top 3 of this first group will obviously be Danny, Anoop and Michael Sarver. They have got the most airtime and have huge fanbases already.

I think it’s a bit unfair to the people who were not pimped earlier, but that’s just the way it goes. I prefer the Top 24 format much better.

I was no Jamar fan, but I’d certainly rather he’d been put through to the Top 36 than Sideshow Normund.

Who I would really have liked to see more of was Reggie Beasley. Where have they been hiding him? Those 15 seconds of singing from him were very, very good (and he had pretty hair). Speaking of bits of singing, there’s no reason in the world why we couldn’t have heard a bit of Jeanine Vailes and Ricky Braddy tonight. It’s not like we’d forgotten Danny’s wife is dead and needed that reminder.

I knew Von could sing and am glad he’s in. Thought I saw a moment of sanity from Tatiana and then she realized she was on camera. Hmmmm. We rewound to watch Nate’s reaction to Tatiana’s Top 36 status over and over and over again. Hysterical.

Loved the new Anoop bit we saw, and I haven’t really been on his bandwagon up until this point, but yeah, definitely enjoyed him. Adam is not only incredibly talented, I think he is really quite charming. Danny Gokey, on the other hand, WOW – that was a pretty blatant display of unbridled arrogance there tonight with the relevance question.

Favorites lost so far:

Deanna Brown
Felicia Barton
Jessica Furney
Leneshe Young
Ryan Johnson
Sharon Wilbur

Beesims…Yeah, I agree on the format. Honestly, though, it may help some of them who can knock it out of the park on their first song to survive longer. Am I right that they won’t have to perform again until top 12 if they make it?

Think Ace Young doing Father Figure right out of the gate. Probably his best performance. Jason Castro doing Daydream…. maybe not his ultimate showstopper, but certainly one of the best of the night.

So, here’s my question. If you are one of the three that make it in the first round, does that give you more time to prepare for the top 12? They don’t have to sing again until then, right? So they can select songs and practice?

If that’s true, it seems like a huge advantage to the top vote getters, especially the ones who go next week.

I am SO ready for Top 12!!!

i DON’T like this Top 36 format at all. They only have one shot to make it and you’re screwed if you’re in a group with those that have a huge following. For next week – I already like 4 guys (Anoop, Danny, Michael and Brent)! and I know it’s guaranteed that not all of them would make it. Ugh!

The first group of 12 is really tough. Honestly, I feel bad for anyone who has to be in the same group as Danny. (Just watch, he’s going to get the pimp spot.)

My guesses are that Danny and Anoop will make it through. I don’t really care which girl does. Michael and Brent will have to fight it out for the wildcard spot.

Kind of a shame about the change in format. We’ll lose two performances from everyone on the show which is kind of a shame. Cuts the chance of evolution or growth and people surprising you. I think the top guy and girl make it through. Then the third top vote getter of either sex.

However, someone explain how the wildcard works. Do the judges call back 12 rejected contestants and then chose the three they want to add to the top 12. Or does the audience get to vote? I’m not familiar with the wild card set up.

This “Judges Mansion” thing is a lame gimmick. What is this – The Bachelor meets American Idol? The show really loses authenticity with this stunt.

I never liked the face-offs, why add more? Pathetic attempt at drama. Going downhill fast.

beesims Feb 11th, 2009 at 11:53 pm

I am not loving this new Top 36 format, especially when you realize how little chance the umpimped have at advancing to the top 12. There will be no Jason Castro this year because the poor unpimped saps like Ricky Braddy or Stevie Wright or Brent Keith only get one song to prove their worth instead of 3 rounds of semis where the unpimped at least have a chance to build a fanbase. I hope poor Ricky gets good video package with some semblance of a backstory.

Here’s a palate cleanser. Vote for the Worst can throw a lot of votes to one contestant in each group of 12, potentially giving us three Sanjayas in the top 9 — Tatiana, Nick and Nate, for example.

Super duper yikes!

They probably didn’t show Felicia singing because they knew that there’s no way they could deny her a spot in the top 36 if America saw what she can do.

For whatever reason, TPTB didn’t want her in the top 36.

How much you want to bet that if Tatiana doesn’t make the top 3 this week that they bring her back for the wildcard?

They probably didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t show Felicia singing because they knew that thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s no way they could deny her a spot in the top 36 if America saw what she can do.

That is my thinking too. Felicia was just too good for Idol. Hopefully she will be signed and will still be really big. She was definitely robbed!

So, hereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s my question. If you are one of the three that make it in the first round, does that give you more time to prepare for the top 12? They donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have to sing again until then, right? So they can select songs and practice?

If thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s true, it seems like a huge advantage to the top vote getters, especially the ones who go next week.

That’s a good point PJ. It does seem like an advantage if they actually tell them what the theme will be for Top 12 night that far ahead. I wonder if they will have the Top 3 sitting somewhere on stage when the rest of the groups are performing and getting even more camera time as the weeks go by.

Ugh. How the eff are Von and Joanna still there? They annoy me more than Tatiana and Nate.
And really? how many breaks do this Joanna girl need? She’s crying her heart out for her chance to go to Hollywood and she didn’t even get her act together for it. At least plants from last year Michael and Carly impressed in Hollywood.
I’d really like to know what the judges’ criteria are for the people they put through. Seems like what applies to others just don’t apply for their planty plant plants.

Hereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a palate cleanser. Vote for the Worst can throw a lot of votes to one contestant in each group of 12, potentially giving us three Sanjayas in the top 9 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  Tatiana, Nick and Nate, for example.

I’m skeptical that VFTW wields that much power so early in the competition but it is a frightening thought.

So, hereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s my question. If you are one of the three that make it in the first round, does that give you more time to prepare for the top 12? They donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have to sing again until then, right? So they can select songs and practice?

If thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s true, it seems like a huge advantage to the top vote getters, especially the ones who go next week

That’s a good point PJ. I wonder if they will tell them the theme for Top 12 night so many weeks in advance? I also wonder if the top 3 from the first group will be sitting somewhere onstage on the remaining group nights and getting even more camera time.

The first group of 12 is really tough. Honestly, I feel bad for anyone who has to be in the same group as Danny. (Just watch, heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s going to get the pimp spot.)

I totally agree.

I hope VFTW realizes that they’re robbing talented people of their chance at making their dreams come true.

In my opinion, they are nothing but bitter and jealous of people who are actually trying to accomplish something with their lives and it makes me want to barf.

If Tatiana and Norman go much further I’ll just check back in for the final three or whatever.

I really dislike the new format… I’m so glad my all-time favorites are not in this season. If we had this format last year… I’m not sure if Brooke, Jason and DC would’ve made it into the top 12.

Yup, it’s a tough group. I’m surprised they put so many strong males in one group.
What’s left for groups two and three? Matt G, Adam will have clear sailing since most of the stronger guys will sing in group one. Whoever performs with Von, Nat, Norman, Kai and the ones with no airtime are a lock to move on.

Of course Anoop, Adam, Von, Alex get lots of time and then the girls are all put together in a 5 seconds segment.
I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t understand the discrimination this year.

It is annoying. They obviously have people they want in the top 12.

What they said about Kristenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s look was nonsensical bull.

Agree totally.

I don’t know what was wrong with Kristen’s look either. They were way too harsh with her. It’s like, “You’re in..” and then they kick her in the stomach.

IMO Kristen’s look is what makes her standout. So I dunno why the hell would they want to change that. If you show her to me and that other blonde married girl, she is surely the one I would remember.

It was totally uncalled for, for them to say that stuff to kristen. I mean yea the boots were a horrible choice but she doesnt look that bad. I felt bad for her.

I told myself I would not watch this season. DC was so great, for me I am not sure it can get better. But I have watched and after tonight I am wondering why? Tatiana? Seriously? I have to hit mute when she is on screen. The mansion, the sing-offs? Too much.

Meghan in SLC really stuck with me and she has been non-exsistent in Hollywood. It’s really aggrevating that it seems so one-sided.

As I have written before, the AI8 format gives the show way too much control over the variables usually decided by voters. The producers can stack each group of 12 to influence the outcome. Then the judges select three contestants out of the top 12 with absolutely no input from voters — leaving me to wonder if Randy and Kara each get to choose one-half of a contestant.

Simon certainly seems to be the lord of the judges’ manor. He has no excuse to be grumpy, given all the power he wields to get the winner he wants.

Danny Gokey, on the other hand, WOW – that was a pretty blatant display of unbridled arrogance there tonight with the relevance question.

So, was he supposed to say, “No, I don’t think I’m relevant”? Why even go on the show then?

There is no top 6 guys and girls this season correct? So we could end up with many guys and not many girls…… I am not sure I like this format either. Hope fully next year they will change it back.

i’ve read somewhere that whoever gets the 4th highest total number of votes will get a shot for the wildcard show? is this true?

I think it will be Danny and Anoop (for the top guy and the next top voter getter), and either Alexis or Stevie (for the top girl). I really like Michael and Brent a lot too, but don’t think they’ll pull in enough votes.

I agree with those who said that the best (and funniest) part of tonight was Nate’s reaction to Tatiana making it through. Now that literally made me lol.

ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve read somewhere that whoever gets the 4th highest total number of votes will get a shot for the wildcard show? is this true?

I doubt that’s true. The producers will put together a varied slate of contestants for the wildcard show. The decisions will have more to do with getting the kind of Top 12 they want. Blindly picking the 4th highest vote getters is way too random.

In my opinion, they are nothing but bitter and jealous of people who are actually trying to accomplish something with their lives and it makes me want to barf.

Nah, they’re people who don’t take this cheesy show too seriously. I like that about them.

^^^ That is what I mentioned, Terrie. We are no longer selecting the TOP 12. Now, will there be 12 in the Wild Card show performing. With such a strong first group, is it possible they may pick more contestants from that group for the WC show?

I would have liked to hear more from TK Hash, Leneshe Young, and Felicia Barton. Now, there’s no chance they can come back to the show. Is there?

Also, I have heard that Jamar Rogers is in Hollywood. Maybe to support Danny?

The first group of 12 is crazy! Way too many of the top prospects. Of course Danny Gokey and Anoop Desai have a huge advantage with all the air time given them. I thought Brent Keith had a good shot but not with this stacking of the deck. And what about the talented Michael Sarver and Stephen Fowler? And supposedly Ricky Braddy is great but we’ve not seen him. And that isn’t even getting to the women.

This new system seems so stacked when you consider who’s been getting the camera time and who they decided to lump together in the same group. Add in the ridiculousness of the Bachelor-type setting and structure of this show that was just missing the roses, and I have to call fowl on these changes.

Maybe Nigel had been preventing this type of deterioration from happening and now they’ve got free reign to plunge down that hole. As a long-time viewer, its all incredibly disappointing.

I would love to hear what Nigel has to say about the show this year. Isn’t the idea to improve the show with each passing season?

Jason Yeager comments on the episode
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1Lwk01rXXw
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE6h5VkGZ7o

So, how will the top three be chosen in each group again? Is it top vote-getting boy, girl, and third overall? Or just top three vote-getters overall, regardless of boy or girl?

Michael Saver really blew away Matt in the sing off tonight…Beautiful song..I think there is a video on youtube of annop doing the same song…great song choice.

why didnt they just make the show longer by a month and just eliminate two people from every group per week till they got down to the top 12?

great ending to the show…got me excited for next week

The top guy, the top girl and then, of the remaining 10, the one with the highest vote total. More than likely, it will often end up being the one who got the second highest votes. Theoretically, you could have, for instance, guys being the top 4 or 5 vote getters, before a girl even factors into the running. Then the first, second and fifth or sixth place person would move on. I guess that’s not a whole lot different than when the guys and girl compete separately, it just irks more this way, though.

Don’t know if someone’s already mentioned this, but the whole judges’ mansion, singing at the mansion thing appears to be derived from the X Factor. (Simon is a judge on that one also, at least for now.) X Factor contestants live together, but it’s not usually a big drama thing, they tend to show the contestants cooking for each other, getting up to silly antics. Of course, they don’t usually have crazy contestants over there. Simon’s the king of bringing anything that works from one side of the pond to the other. See Britain’s Got Talent vs. America’s Got Talent. I am not at all sure that this needed to be brought over to AI.

About the picture above ~ I thought it was Blake. :blink_tb:

Thanks for the explanation, kerfuffle. I don’t like this format, either. It seems a little sexist. Why not let the top vote-getters in no matter if they’re a boy or girl? But since when is AI fair?

It isn’t fair; however, from what we have seen, there is a greater talent pool of guys. It would surprise me if it turned out to be 6 – 6.

I know this won’t happen because TPTB are looking for drama, but it would be nice if the Wild Card choices were the #4 vote getter from each group.

dcisluv – In my opinion, they are nothing but bitter and jealous of people who are actually trying to accomplish something with their lives and it makes me want to barf.

mj – Nah, theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re people who donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t take this cheesy show too seriously. I like that about them.

I guess what I mean is… I don’t take it seriously but the contestants do. This is their dream and some of them actually deserve to do well. As cheesy as the show is… and it is HELLA cheesy… it’s high exposure for people who need it.

I just wish it wasn’t such a struggle to have good contestants get through and actually win – like last year.

I like it when good people win, that’s all. So VFTW can suck it.

I’M SUPER CONFUSED RIGHT NOW. The Idol Website shows Felicia Barton on their Top 36 and Joanna Pacitti isn’t on the list. Did something happen last minute???

It looks like the 36 format is kind of patterned after that of Britain’s Got Talent (Simon’s brainchild). Contestants are divided into even groups (for AI8 it’s 3 groups) and each group performs once. The three contestants with the top highest audience votes automatically advance, the fourth and the fifth (I think) vie for the judges’ votes. That’s how eventually you get into 9 final contestants (from each of the 3 groups) voted by the audience and the other 3 getting in via judges’ votes.
Not so sure I like this format – as others have expressed – it’s easy for a truly talented contestant to get the shaft too early by just being unluckily grouped.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢M SUPER CONFUSED RIGHT NOW. The Idol Website shows Felicia Barton on their Top 36 and Joanna Pacitti isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t on the list. Did something happen last minute???

just saw this:

http://blog.zap2it.com/americanidol/2009/02/american-idol-top-36-contestant-ruled-ineligible.html

WOW…that’s huge news in the AI world!! I’m actually really happy to hear it too!! I liked what I heard of Felicia and wasn’t digging Joanna too much. It’s weird though considering that Felicia was a definitely no and not one of the sing off girls….wonder how they decided on that one…..perhaps lurking at MJs to realize that people liked her lol

Nick Mitchell and Tatiana Del Tora :doh_tb:
I hope they don’t last long.

I’m rooting for Adam Lambert,Kai Kalama, and Danny Gokey. I don’t care about Danny’s ‘sob story’ I enjoy his singing.

Should have known it, they’ve loaded up the first group of 12 with about 5 of my faves. It’s gonna hurt when some of them don’t make it. I think the guys will be Anoop and Danny and the girl (hopefully) Stevie..better not be Ann Marie. But I’d like to see Stephen Fowler and Michael Sarver advance too. (Yeah, I gotta admit it, I finally hopped on the Michael bandwagon after his story and sing off tonight. ) Thank goodness at least Felicia isn’t in this group too. Definitely a rotten first round draw for me. Yep, the top 36 method sucks.

By farrrr, the best moment of the show was Nate’s reaction to Tatiana making it through. We rewound that puppy 5 times and howled every time. Priceless! And he is the ONLY one clapping in the whole room at the news.

ETA: Ohhh, my new number 1 is now Kris Allen. Don’t even have to hear him sing. His cool reaction to the good news made him ohhh sooo sane and likable after the crazy. And those adorable good looks aren’t hurting much either.

I really liked Kristen’s “I Will Always Love You”, and I hate that song. Also think her face is way more interesting than the other girl.

I am 100% convinced Tatiana is playing a character and using it to get as much airtime as she can prior to her Top 12 week. There’s no point in hating her because it’s all acting. Glimpses of the real person showed up in bits and pieces tonight. Girl is crazy like an evil genius is crazy. She knows exactly what she’s doing and it has been brilliant.

Brilliant? Hardly. Tatiana was able to grab mega camera time, become the darling of VFTW and managed to snag a spot in the Top 36. But they also placed her in the first group crowded with talented and popular contestants. If TPTB put her in as a wild card, you’re going to see alot of very upset listeners. I don’t know that her minute of fame will count for anything in the long run. Kind of reminds me of the crying girl. Not much to see – move on.

Brilliant? Hardly. Tatiana was able to grab mega camera time, become the darling of VFTW and managed to snag a spot in the Top 36.

Um, camera time, a spot in the Top 36, attention from being the VFTW darling that will bring her more attention via the mainstream press…how is that a bad move? None of it would have happened without playing a role and being over the top. Without her antics she wouldn’t have stood out enough to make it past her audition. She doesn’t really need to go further than the Top 36, she’s already set herself up for notoriety. Even if next Wednesday is her last AI appearance (until the finale), the entire thing was brilliant on her part.

So happy to hear Felicia Barton will replace Joanna. I am also glad she wasn’t placed in Group 1 with all the talent already there.

I really hope Felicia can make something of this opportunity, but I’m guessing it’s too late. She got no pimping whatsoever and most Idol viewers have no idea who she is. She’ll have to be fantastic to stand a chance of being the top girl in her group of 12, and if the voters won’t get her in, the judges sure won’t – they had already cut her once!

Okay Nathan – Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve made fun of you and your drama queen antics (and I probably will again). Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve called you hard to look at (can you blame – look at that outfit – and the headbands!). I prefer Jackieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s voice to yours. Yet somehow, I was pulling for you tonight.

First of all – your reaction to Tatiana made me love you a little. And, not even considering the mom in prison and the not so great family life, I know that lifeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s been hard on you. I can imagine the way the kids in high school treated you. And, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t suppose in your little town society is all that kind to you.

I wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t vote for you. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t want you to win. But tonight, my heart broke for you just a teensy bit, and I felt joy at your accomplishment. So, you get down with your bad self and your ridiculously tight clothing.

WORD!

And I even felt a bit for Von, as a person he has handled himself well, he really does seem like a nice kid, just keep dialing it down!

Glad they showed that clip of Jackie Tohn, I liked that!

Tatiana is just barking mad.

Okay. The format for next week confused me. So it’s any old 12 they put together vying for a spot? I knew it didn’t matter anymore if it was 6 girls and 6 boys, and I like that, but I’m not sure what I think of this new grouping idea. I guess I shall see.

And we have wildcard again, right?

Oy. This season is going to drag on(but I’m okay with that!)

Over all last night I just watched to interpret all the fake drama. See which one makes the singoff! I already know! I just loved watching the suspense unfold and watching all the predictions come right.

Someone please get rid of TAtiana immediately. As in next week. BYE. Surely no one will vote for her right?

I’m over Danny Gokey. I don’t know why but he’s greatly lost his appeal to me as I found people I like better than him and if they mention is dead wife(yes, I’m very sorry and I can’t imagine a worse fate) one more TIME I’m going to come unglued. I don’t think his dead wife story bothers me as much as the fact that it is constantly mentioned and he’s constantly crying and I’m like really, is this genuine? I shouldn’t judge though. People can react anyway they chose to when they lose a spouse. However, I don’t like his singing anymore. Suddenly I just don’t think he’s THAT great.

Other than that, I still can’t get on the Jackie Tohn train. I just don’t like her. I thought I would and I highly anticipated her, but she is just ODD to me. I don’t really care for her singing and then her mannerisms are greatly distracting to me. I can deal with mannerisms if you can at least sing well. Her voice grates to me. She is just a little off to me in some way.

Von…well, I hope no one votes for your screaming as well but I probably won’t be that lucky.

I’m so delighted with Anoop, Danny, Matt G, and Jesse Langseth. (who I totally think outsung Frankie although she didn’t pick a good song).

Bring on the competition!

The producers are trying to create à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“realityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  show drama and I had to turn the TV off. It was ridiculous.

I hate the chair episode in general and could only stomach watching part of it. I always feel tense and nervous – not in a good (suspenseful) kind of way. It’s hard enough to be put in the hot seat but making a few of them sing under that kind of scrutiny ups the tension – in a bad way, in my opinion. I can’t imagine how nerve racking that must be. Bleagh.

The judges looked like tools in shiny red thrones – like some twisted, bizarro version of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Stephen, Danny, and Anoop all in the same groupà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦..NOOOO!

Sigh. I know. One of my favorites is bound to be left behind. Damn it. And I have a bad feeling that Tatiana will make it through for the girls because it’s not as stacked for the females in group 1 and she seems to be a VFTW pin up girl. I think the girl needs therapy… or meds, not more spotlight.

What I really hated was the manufactured drama of the last two guys.

Hmmmmm. Let’s see…..36 spots open…..34 people have been chosen…..we’re the only two left…..let’s see, that makes the odds for the final two guys about what? 100%? So, why the singoff?

The real drama of this show is to see what manufactured f-up the producers can do next and it didn’t take too long for that to happen.

Ugh I hate what Simon did to Kristen. Seriously, was that necessary? I felt so bad for her. She couldn’t even have her moment.

Nah, theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re people who donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t take this cheesy show too seriously. I like that about them.

There is a difference between not taking it seriously and deliberately trying to sabotage the voting process. There is a meanness in the VFTW crowd trying to deny people who can sing the chance to succeed in life by choosing those they think entertaining instead. You can of course say that this is what the producers are doing anyway by choosing third-rate singers like Norman over many far better singers, but it still sticks in the throat for me.

Not much to say about this episode, although I am pleased that they showed a few seconds of Von Smith actually singing (albeit still a little too loud) instead of screaming. He has a good voice and he needs to show he has the singing skill to win over those who aren’t already in his small core of fans. He can’t succeed in AI otherwise. He also kinda confirms the suspicion that his song choice and the way he sang before has a lot to do with what his family likes.

Did we we hear anything from Rick Braddy and Jeanine Vailes at all?

Glad they showed that clip of Jackie Tohn, I liked that!

I like Jackie. And, I’m disappointed that all of the girls I think I might like are in the same first group (Jackie, Stevie, Alexis & Meghan). Not to mention the group also contains Anoop, Stephen & Michael.

I feel the girls have received the short end of the stick while AI was busy producing the Danny & Jamar show. So, we know Danny has a free ticket to the Top 12 on pimpage alone, who will get the other two spots?

I think anyone can come out and have a stellar night and steal a spot. I believe moving the casual viewers of America to vote for you creates a much larger pool of voters than having a big pre-show internet fanbase. Just because the viewers so vastly outnumber the internet fans.

So, I guess I’m hoping for one of the girls to knock it out of the park – just to basically laugh in the faces of the producers who have saddled them with little to no airtime at this point.

I really don’t want to vote – I hate doing it LOL. But, I guess I might have to.

Add me to the list of people who replayed and replayed and replayed Nate’s reaction to Tatiana’s screaming. Funniest part of the night, and I have to admit that despite being extremely annoyed, I started laughing out loud at Tatiana’s crazy run down the hallway. It was like she was spoofing herself. The way she stumbled in and out of the judges’ chamber made me wonder if she was wasted.

And I also developed a little soft spot for Nate. He seems like a very sweet kid.

I hated the sing-offs, if only because it ruined the joy of the moment for those who won. Also thought the judges were being ridiculous, suggesting that Kristen isn’t attractive. (And frankly I couldn’t really get past the fact that just this week my kids were watching an episode of Hi-5 in which she was dressed as a giant tadpole. I was having a hard time taking her seriously.)

Jamar seems like a very nice guy with a nice voice, but I don’t really think he was robbed. (I thought his performance of “Hey There, Delilah” was a bit weird – there was a hint of Sammy Davis, Jr. in his delivery.) Having said that, I doubt his elimination had as much to do with his voice as with his role as Danny’s best friend.

I think the problem that the guys are going to have this season is that while there is a lot of talent, they are also fairly similar in their styles. Obviously not across the board, but it seems like most of the frontrunners have an R&B angle (which I personally love, so I’m not exactly complaining). They will have to work really hard to set themselves apart from the rest and develop a unique persona.

Steven Fowler is my personal fave, but with this particular group of 12, I think he’s not long for the show. *sigh*

I think anyone can come out and have a stellar night and steal a spot.

I actually think this can be the benefit of non-pimpage. When there are no set expectations, it’s easy to create huge buzz with a single performance (see Castro, Jason).

I have a question about this format.

Are we just getting the top three vote getters moving forward; or the top three boys and the top three girls? Either way I’m pretty sure we’re losing Stephen or Michael, . I love them both. The judges seem to also so hopefully the one who doesn’t go through will be a wildcard. If only the top three go through, regardless of sex, it makes it all that much harder, yikes!

I expect Ricky to have the pimp spot.
And I hope Jackie makes it. She really is different from the other girls. And I believe she’s the only person there who made it with an original. So far, at least from the girls, she seems to be the more artistc and the closest thing to rock we’ll get. But it’s not easy in that group. I think Stevie will probably be the girl with more votes.
And now that Felicia is back, Anna Marie just became even more useless, she’s way too boring.

I would laugh so hard I might not be able to recuperate if the Gokey did not make it into the top 12 from this first heat. Yeah, I know they would absolutely put him through as a wild card, but that would just be too funny.

Who do I wish would make it from this heat?
Anoop (dawg)
Michael Sarver (incredible voice)
Stephen Fowler (although it will have to be a girl….eh…)

Was it just me or did Simon look bored beyond belief? Shooing the contestants out as soon as possible and rolling his eyes with each one.

And since when did all of the girls resort to pole dancing for the “Happy Dance”? Stop it!

Please, oh please, have Trugman sing God Save The Queen during his top 12 night.

Was it just me or did Simon look bored beyond belief? Shooing the contestants out as soon as possible and rolling his eyes with each one.

And why did he say “he’s fun” with such sarcasm with Stephen Fowler left the room?

Does a backflip and then limps over to my beloved couch.

Oh wowzers……..could this possibly GET any better? Norman!!! Your the cats pajamas! The bees knees! I LOVE this guy and Im sticking by him and my original prediction that he will make it further than anyone anticipated. In any event it will be a ton of fun to watch and god help me but I sort of, kind of, a little bit, like the drama queen known as Tatiana. The girl can sing despite her annoying personality and Im not sure how much is the act and how much is the girl. I suspect its a good helping of both.

Im in love with Anoop too but come on, he cant hold a candle to my Norman. I’ll be holed up in my inflatable batcave every Tuesday night anxiously awaiting Nick’s performance and dialing my pizza sauce covered fingers like hell for him.

Simon said it best…..its not just about the music……And Norman proves it.

so theme for next week is any song from the billboard top ten from any year….

or so i hear.

dingo….don’t you want norman to make it to top ten and then get his own comedy show? or at least tour…..with hbo specials:) or maybe he can guest star with kathy griffin:)

Anoop (dawg) is my guy, but I really, truly love Michael Sarver and his voice. I would be one happy camper if they were the final two. My wishes are never answered on this show, so don’t worry Adam/Gokey/Felicia lovers do not worry…

Folk, that would be more than enough for me. I dont expect him to win but I will be very satisfied if he can get a comedy act going from this. He is just so funny to me and I realize that comedy is subjective but I smile a lot when he has air time and sometimes I outright laugh out loud.

I love the guy and the Kathy Griffin thing is a great idea.

Gawd knows this show needs a bit of levity what with all the drama and a cruise ship load of tears being shed right and left, so, yeah, bring Norman on for some smiles. Looks like we may need it this year.

yeah the country needs some funny.

Tatiana should have never made it to Hollywood in the first place. Unfortunately she is a reality show producer’s dream contestant, which is why she has made it this far.

I really hope Felicia can make something of this opportunity, but Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m guessing ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s too late. She got no pimping whatsoever and most Idol viewers have no idea who she is. Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll have to be fantastic to stand a chance of being the top girl in her group of 12, and if the voters wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get her in, the judges sure wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t – they had already cut her once!

I may be forgetting someone but I think EJay Day and George Huff are the only ones to be brought back for semi finals. They both made it to the finals. Being brought back does make you stand out a little more, at least to be remembered as the one who got brought back.

So, I guess Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m hoping for one of the girls to knock it out of the park – just to basically laugh in the faces of the producers who have saddled them with little to no airtime at this point.

LaToya London did this. I don’t think she had any screen time before the semis and hit a grand slam with her song. I’m hoping someone has a breakout like this.

I do not like that they went back to the old way with three sets of 12. When they last did that in Season 3 it ended up being 4 guys and 8 girls, and the girls definitely dominated. I feel this season may be reversed.

Simon said it bestà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦..its not just about the musicà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦And Norman proves it.

Norman proves that people don’t watch AI just for the singing. However people might criticise the show, the manipulation by the judges and the producers, the concentration on human interest (i.e. sob) stories, whatever, it’s what made the show it is. Nevermind that Norman doesn’t belong to any singing competition, let alone the biggest one of them all. However his inclusion is just one step too far for me. I’d expect to see a singing juggler next.

I may be forgetting someone but I think EJay Day and George Huff are the only ones to be brought back for semi finals.

I know EJ replaced someone, but I definitely thought George Huff was Simon’s wildcard pick.

>>Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d expect to see a singing juggler next.>>

If he’s as cute as my Norman and he makes me laugh I’ll vote for him too. For me the bottom line is that Norman can carry a decent tune. If he couldnt sing a note then I would only find him funny and would not be serious about my prediction for him nor would I be voting for him. I havent really heard him sing a song straight through yet so what happens next is yet to be determined but I wont be bored this year, thats just me.

I appreciate your opinion and you have a ton of company.

I am standing on the platform with a ticket to a lot of trains at the moment, not quite ready to get on board.

The guys I like all of them, even the crazy Normund and screaming Von. Sounds like he has issues with parents who “know best”….

The girls? Hmmm, the girls. I had my daughter play the clips randomly of their singing and I really couldn’t pick out who was who. The were all much the same, warbles glory notes and runs. The only two who add anything different are Jackie Tohn and Jesse Langseth. Distinctive sounds. I didn’t like Jackie’s antics and gnashing her teeth at me in Hollywood but that little clip they showed was a different side and a pleasant performer. Bring on the show!

And have to ask, where are people getting these lists of groups of 12 from? Did I miss this somewhere? Haven’t seen the show yet, just MJs clips

I know EJ replaced someone, but I definitely thought George Huff was Simonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s wildcard pick.

George was Simon’s pick, but he was originally cut before the semis. He came in third in his round (behind Jasmine Trias and John Stevens) in voting, then Simon picked him. (Thanks Wikipedia!)

Ugh, I can’t begin to express how much I HATE the way that the Top 12 will be decided this year. WTF are they thinking? :flush_tb:

Count me in the people who have developed a soft spot for Nate. There’s just something kind of awesome about the way he unapologetically marches to the beat of his own drummer, especially considering all of that family turmoil could have lead to one major identity crisis for an impressionable kid. Awww.

The more I think about it the more I’m pissed that they put so many good singers in the first group of 12. It means that the guys who aren’t as good (for me anyway) will have an easier time in their groups. It almost guarantees someone like Von will make the top 12 but hopefully I’m wrong about that. My husband did point out that the judges will probably be able to pick from any group for their wildcard picks so there may be more than one chosen from 1. Paula’s comments make me think she’ll be fighting for Ricky Brady. It will be interesting with 4 judges and 3 picks.

MJ, thank you SO much for the Magic Rainbow montage. Awesome. I heard that there was an AI8 recap of the 36 set to ToML but didn’t tape AI last night. Thank you! That song rocks. heh.

I may be wrong here but I’m trying to figure out why Anoop is being blasted for getting too much air time.

I don’t remember an Anoop back story, we did see his audition where he was severly criticized for his wardrobe, we saw him briefly during the first sing, maybe a few moments in the group, and 15 seconds of his solo, and then his chair segment. Total air time maybe 4 minutes. Am I missing something.

I think 9 of the 12 of first round could make it to the top 12. Absolutely hate this format…but it would be hard for me to cut the 36 down to 24 to fit the old format.

I really like the guys this year.
My favorite singers are Matt Giraud, Anoop, & Alex Wagner.
I know Alex will not win, but there is something about him.

DEAR TATIANA-YOU’RE F….ANNOYING!!!!!!!!!!!
Loved the Part where she cried about all the guys she slept with who didn’t believe in her…LOL
I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL SHE IS GONE!

Adam Lambert is very talented, but too musical theatre for my taste.

Joanna Pacitti is not going anywhere. She’s very good friends with the producers of the show. There is a rumor going around that her boyfriend is friends with Kara. Blah…She doesn’t appeal to me. She doesn’t have that IT factor.

Today I am really appreciating all the videos. Last night my FOX channel died 15 minutes into the show (it’s still dead). And I really didn’t mind since Anoop was put through first. The rest I don’t care about and I was spared the drama and nonsense (Tatiana, Nathaniel and Norman or Nick or whatever his name is).

Thanks again, MJ, for the videos.

I know I am evul — but can I just say it was totally worth wasting a spot in the 36 for Tatiana, just to see the look on the other contestants’ face. BWAH!!! Breitzke just laughing the whole time, everyone else with a look of horror on their face — so stunned they can’t/won’t clap. And of course Nate looks like he just smelled something awful–ROTFL

I know EJ replaced someone, but I definitely thought George Huff was Simonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s wildcard pick.

He was both. George replaced Donnie Williams, who was picked up for speeding/dui. Donnie was arrested during the time the semis were airing, so it was all very sudden and quick, if I’m remembering correctly.

They really must think that the viewing public are a bunch of morons that want to see someone like Tatiana on our TV screen?

Well, there seems to be a contestant every year that gets dropped from the top 24-32-36. The first year it was the kid who lied about their age, then there was Frenchie, then Donnie Williams (above), then Mario, then others I can’t remember. Some of them were caught before their name was announced-others not so much.

At least Pacini wasn’t driving while drinking or caught up in a porn scam.

The last time there was a change after the semi-final field was announced was season 3. Mario dropped out, that was completely different.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched the video of Anoop (dawg) being named part of the top 36. I will say he’s a smart kid though, because he kept looking to Simon to get a hint of what was going on.

i love the blog. but what i find interesting is it gets pretty easy to tell the people who have posted for seasons and seasons, versus the 1 or 2 season veterans. the old people are so not as invested in the “talent” concept and have a more detached view of…hey the show has always been manipulated and cheesy:)

tatiana did not take a spot of anyone. because the fact is, she is not going to make the top 12….she is not going to win…and whoever’s “spot” she took..that person was not winning or progressing either.

if you think there is no manipulation for even the singers…step back…cause guess what…you DID find out about cook’s brother…you do hear about jordin’s being 16….you see the moms with kids etc etc…..

AI does the backstory on everyone. period. and people watch and get attached because of the backstory.

the people attached to dannys and adams right now…are attached preceisely because they have had the airtime…the backstory and ….ta da!!! instant fan base!!

it is the same EVERY YEAR.

I’m glad that Anoop made it to the top 36. He’s my favorite. I am also glad that Adam, Nathaniel, Jesse Lang, Steven Fowler and Michael Sarver made it through.

I think that next week is going to be interesting. The first group definitely has a lot of talented people in it and unfortunately some of them probably aren’t going to make it.

I wish they had distributed some of the contestants in the groups differently. Did we have to have Danny, Anoop, and Michael Sarver all in the same group?

Not to mention Steven Fowler who IMO is talented in spite of messing up in Hollywood. I think that because we have a really good group for the first group, we are going to have a not so good group, for one of the other groups.

And that some mediocre people have a better chance of making it while other people like Steven Foster, and Michael Sarver could very well fall by the wayside.

Depending on who’s in their groups People like Scott and maybe even Norman. could have a better chance of making it in over some of the talented guys from the first group.

I hope Matt Giraud, Adam and Nate aren’t all in the same group.

I don’t like this format at all, it keeps some really talented people out of the top 12, and doesn’t allow room for growth for talented people, who could hit their stride a little later on in the competition.

Plus it takes away some of the viewers power to choose the top 12 by letting the judges pick the wildcards. I don’t really trust the judges judgement. They put Taitiana through and could do it again over other people who IMO, are more talented and far less annoying.

I’m not going to be pleased if Taitiana makes it to the top as a wildcard over someone like Michael Sarver or Steven Foster, as long as he remembers his lyrics.

I have a feeling that we could end up with something like a six girls/six boys format or maybe a seven boys/five girls format. If it were up to me it would be nine boys/three girls format. IMO, the girls as a whole are just not that good this year, just like they weren’t that good last year.

I think that the guys are way more talented. The only girl I really like is Jesse Lang. I think that Mishavonna and Alexis have okay voices and are a little interesting, and I don’t know anything about Jeanine Valies who is at an big disadvantage along with Ricky Braddy, because neither one of them were given any airtime during the first rounds.

But aside from that I don’t really care for any of the other girls. IMO, They range from kind of okay (Meghan and Jasmine.) to mediocre/boring(Casey/Kendall/Stevie, Arianna) to can sing okay but really generic (Lil and Annie Marie) to kind of annoying(Jackie) to really annoying(Tatiana).

I would definitely prefer more boys in the final 12 than girls. But I think that we might end up getting something like maybe 7 guys and 5 girls, even though I would rather it be 9 guys and three girls.

Mannn, I about cried when I saw all the people in group one. There are like five or six of them that I really like. Which means I’m going to be losing a few favorites right from the get go.

Unfortunately, this does mean that the other groups are going to have it way easier and we’re going to get some eh singers in the top 12. It’s inevitable, with so many good ones grouped together in group one. :/

Though I am hoping that the group one results aren’t a given already and that the three people with the most airtime don’t automatically get through regardless of their performance. That’s so going to suck if it happens. I’d really like some of the others to at least stand a chance. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I like Danny and such, but man…right now, it feels like he doesn’t even have to sing in order to know he’s going to be going straight to the finals. I hate situations like that. It’s so unfair to the others.

I loved Jackie Tohn last night and, of course, Michael Sarver. I think I’m going to cry if he doesn’t make it. lol

here is the deal….it is about votes. so if a “really talented person” cannot get in the top three voting in their individual group….they are a longshot and a half to win. and since winning is the key…why is it important to keep them around? NUMBERS. VOTES. PEOPLE. Talent is….secondary.

and demographically…it is not surprising that the majority of female posters like male singers.

Ok….

Since back story and air time are going to be the determining factors in AI this season, lets just hand the contract to Tatiana, or Nathaniel, or Danny, or heaven forbid “Normund”. No need to sing….AI is predetermined.

the old people are so not as invested in the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“talentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  concept

As an 8-season-veteran, I’m totally invested in the talent concept, but I usually fully embrace the cheesy and totally acknowledge the manipulation.

He was both. George replaced Donnie Williams, who was picked up for speeding/dui. Donnie was arrested during the time the semis were airing, so it was all very sudden and quick, if Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m remembering correctly.

Ahhhhh…! I’d forgotten all about that…

Idol very quickly learned to “cast” some interesting, quirky, unusual talent on the program, doing so by S. 2.

What brings interest to other reality shows is not lost on Idol producers. So you are going to get some sort of drama queens more and more. They know a certain segment of the viewing population will tune in to see trainwreck TV and that is what Idol has gotten to be about — bringing in the viewers.

Of course there is a singing competition going on and, honestly, some of the nuttiest cases they have brought onto the show have had decent voices by the time they reach final 24/36/(48,S.9??).

I think Nick has a good singing voice and is bringing some much-needed humor back to the show. Tatiana will bring the high strung drama, but she can sing.

Idol has a casting plan and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

But every year we get personalities, “stories”, and, as a bonus, some great singing, too.

That is one reason, despite having to mute Tatiana this year, I will be along for the ride for an 8th time.

This year the fodder won’t even have time to develop any fan base at all. Can someone explain how the wild card works.

Do they do another 12 performance night where the judges pick three more finalists or does the audience vote. Or do the judges just pick three people to go directly into the final 12.

Ok I am feeling really stupid, WHERE is everyone seeing this list of groups? Have they already been divided up?

Do they do another 12 performance night where the judges pick three more finalists or does the audience vote. Or do the judges just pick three people to go directly into the final 12.

I’m not sure how many they will bring back for the wild card–probably not 12 because the show is only an hour long. But they will have to sing again, and No, the audience does not pick. The judges pick 3 contestants to round out the Top 12

Ok I am feeling really stupid, WHERE is everyone seeing this list of groups? Have they already been divided up?

The first group is listed at the top of my post. The rest of the groups have not been announced yet.

I guess I am really boring, because I watch AI for the singing. If I wanted “reality” I’d watch “The Real World”. Although, more and more, “The Real World” is turning to cast members who want to break into show biz and get their music noticed.

Thank you MJ! I skimmed over the list as key search words, didn’t read it properly. Wondered where the whacky dances went. Ok next stupid question, what are they going to narrow the field down to, in other words, they going for top 12 from the three groups or top 24? If 12 that means only 4 from each group which is a whole lot of suckage as there are more than 4 in that group that I like!

Amazing how the attention whore was right behind Ryan for the camera of top 36. Get the F*CK off my screen you looney bag!!!!

Is anyone doing a poll of to see who the favorites are? From the people who posts here it looks like Danny, Adam, Anoop are the early favorites, would be interesting to see if this is true in general and if the poll can predict the Top 12 or the eventual winner (I suppose Top 12 is likely, the winner perhaps not, but it’ll be fun either way).

if they mention is dead wife(yes, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m very sorry and I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t imagine a worse fate) one more TIME Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m going to come unglued. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think his dead wife story bothers me as much as the fact that it is constantly mentioned and heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s constantly crying and Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m like really, is this genuine?

Constantly? We’ve seen him cry ONCE. They’ve mentioned three times, but the last two were like barely at all. It’s his story…expect to hear it at least once more in the pre-performance package. It’s the reason he chose to go through with the audition, to honor her memory. That’s what he said at his audition time. I don’ think it’s that big of a deal.

The producers are already manipulating their group manipulations – Matt B. is now in Group 1 in place of Michael Sarver.

http://www.americanidol.com/top_36/group_1

Hey, if they really have swapped out Matt B for Michael S, that would be a major relief. Here’s hoping THIS one isn’t a typo either.

I have a theory about why Group 1 is so heavily slanted with talent. TPTB are hoping to string out the anxiety to the max. It’s clear some real contenders from Group 1 won’t make the top 3, so the hype will stay high and everyone will tune in through the wild card selections to see if any of their remaining faves get picked for the wild card. Nothing like the ultimate tease…

On the issue of having even numbers of guys and girls. . . . remember they have to have a girls and a boys bus on tour, so it will likely be evenly split.

i just notice it right now.. why was ANGELA MARTIN not shown last night. As far as I know, she’s part of Ann Marie and Nick Mitchell’s room the night before the “Final Judgement”….

Okay I was looking back at the Anoop Video and I noticed that at the beginning of it Simon wore a black shirt then when Kara said that he had some issues, Simon was wearing a white one. So much for continuity huh?