By this point in their seasons, (well at least David’s, I don’t know about Kelly’s) we had heard 3 songs and David had had his moment with “Hello”. We knew he was going to do well in the future because of the past 3 weeks. With these people, we have only heard one song. Two for the wildcard contestants, even though their first performances were terrible.

This group has no David Cooks or Kelly Clarksons.

How can you possibly know that yet? Neither David or Kelly were thought to be a sure winner by this point in their seasons.

I read a rumor that Anoop was told that his choices were either “My Prerogative” or “Angel of Mine” last night. Interesting if true.

Can I say that the way the show treated Tatiana was DISGUSTING. They lead her on for another week for the drama, without any intentions of putting her through. I don’t blame her for singing the same song. Simon is a hypocrite (like the other judges). If she had sung any other crappy song that Idol had laying around, he would’ve said “this was a terrible song choice.” But this week she sings a song very well that she also sang very well a few weeks ago and all of a sudden it’s all about “repeating the song”. Anoop sang the same song in Hollywood and we heard barely anything about that. I closed my eyes and listened to Tatiana sing and it was a flawless performance. The producers obviously told the judges to shake her up and bash her performance but it came across as cruel because she was actually very good. I am liking Simon less and less this year.

How can anyone with ears put Megan C in over Ricky B? He was miles better than she was which proves that this show isn’t about the singing at all. I think one of the judges even admitted that last night while talking about “personality”. The thing is, Idol had no good looking women in the Top 13 and they needed SOMEONE and chose Megan (who ain’t that pretty) even though her voice is terrible. I predict 9th or 10th place. I tell you, the women are going to be the first ones gone.

This show and Simon more than anyone, have spent the past seven years stating that this was a singing competition and they wanted to find the best singer. Then, this year they throw that out completely and decide if you have the correct image – the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“packageà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ , if you will – it doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t matter that your vocals arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t great.

I suppose when looking back at the past idols and runners up, the producers are maybe feeling like some of the “singers”, who don’t have the package haven’t been so successful, so they have to look at more of the package.

I would argue that the ones who have been successful (i.e. Underwood, Daughtry, Cook, Archuleta) do have the package, as well as the singing. See disclaimer:

Disclaimer: I know that everyone has a different idea of success and I am sure I left some out, and I also know that you can’t totally call Cook and Archuleta successful until we see them a few years down the road.

I would also argue that some who haven’t been as successful also have the package, including the singing, but that it is a tough industry.

I guess I hope that TPTB push people to win who CAN actually sing as well as have the package. At the same time, I think it is pretty hard to judge someone’s singing voice totally yet until we have seen them for a few weeks with vocal coaches, etc.

I love me some Kanye…he has an ego bigger than the grand Canyon but he has the talent to back it up!

I ended up watching on dvr after all cause this show apparently owns my soul (THANKS seasons 6 and 7). I liked Matt a lot more than I did before but it’s worrisome that he sucked so badly the other night. I also feel bad for other semifinalists who may ALSO have improved if they had gotten a second chance. Wildcard bugs me cause no way did Matt deserve a second chance based on his Viva La Vida and yet there he got one and now he is in the Finals.

I’m not sure about Anoop. He reminds me of some fratboys I knew. Let’s see if that annoying strut translates into personality (although if he’s smart he’ll just play the nice guy while the cameras are on.) I’m glad he’s in cause I find him less offensive than some others who made it into the Finals but…not inspired to cheer for him yet.

So right now, who I do like in the Top 13: Allison, Kris, Alexis

Rooting for but will need to see better/more consistent vocals: Matt, Anoop, Scott

Indifferent: Lil, Jorge

Don’t like: Jasmine, Adam, Michael

Actively rooting against: Danny, Megan

Uh – that wasnt even close to a lecture,

Sorry if I misunderstood you…

You may be very right that they will have a double elimination, but I think that a three way finale will go over better and make people happier.

Since when has TPTB been worried about keeping the fans happy? Ha ha. Actually, a 3 person finale actually sounds like a good idea, a change up from year’s past. Plus with 3, they can stretch that performance show into 2 hours. More ad dollars!

Uh – that wasnt even close to a lecture, I also said hate if it is what makes you feel good and I do too at times, hate myself when I get that way though, hate and anger is such a waste of good energy but to each his own, it would be a boring place if we all agreed actually.

And I think Megan was put in to be Swift 2.0, but only time will tell if this pans out. And no I did not purchase that childà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s album.

Taylor Swift is not so great of a live singer, but her albums are good, and she is mega popular….so I guess it isn’t always about the voice.

Or, they will spring a double elimination at some point in the competition just for the next morning water-cooler talk

They could do that, but I think that would be a mistake. When they did the double elimination during Season 6, people were not happy (although that was a carry-over the vote thing as well).

Just like a Baker’s dozen, I think giving the fans more makes them happier. Double eliminations stink of manipulation (especially if it is a surprise double elimination) while having a three-way finale would seem like a treat. The producers could have pulled a trick last night and only let two wildcards through and I think people would be disappointed. Most seem to be delighted with getting an extra contestant.

Plus, a three way finale gives the producers a little more control. With a two way finale, you get an either/or choice and many people vote for “anybody but him/her”. This can lead to land slide victories. But, with a three way finale, the producers can be a little more manipulative and votes get split. Imagine how exciting the finale would have been in season 5 if the final 3 had been the last group. The tension that Ryan could have built up with the almost equal three way split?

You may be very right that they will have a double elimination, but I think that a three way finale will go over better and make people happier.

The producers knew the cast they wanted and got them, assuming somebody unwanted slipped through they can be taken care of before the Idols Live tour group is locked in.

Yes, and I think the way they get what they want is by staying nimble…they’ll change the playbook when it’s necessary.

So, while TPTB are mulling over several plans on how to tackle the eliminations of the Top 13, I bet they have nothing set in stone yet. It’ll just depend on how the season pans out.

Just think of all the conflicting information about how the wildcard would go. I really believe they weren’t exactly sure until the last minute how they’d proceed.