American Idol Semis Week 2 – Who Stays? Who Goes Home?

By On 02/25/2009 · 30 Comments · In Uncategorized

I know!   It’s Wednesday, and we’re still waiting for this week’s first performance show!   Thanks to President Obama’s big speech last night, the entire Idol schedule got pushed back a day.   We’ve got the performance show tonight (Wed), and the results tomorrow night (Thurs)

Tonight, an entirely new crop of of contestants take the stage to vie for your votes.  Ãƒâ€š   Three more contestants will head straight to the Top 12 once the results are in tomorrow night.

Check out my analysis of each contestant’s chances to advance to the next round.

Make sure to click on the profile links–they lead to the individual write-ups I posted recently.   I’ve updated all of them, adding links to every American Idol performance, plus any pre-Idol music found on the ‘net…

This week just has to be better than last Tuesday’s suck-fest.   I’m counting on being entertained by Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, Matt Giraud, Megan Corkrey, Mishavonna Henson and, of course, Nick Mitchell…

  • Adam Lambert – Profile -  Ãƒâ€š   Adam, who has appeared in various theater productions including Wicked in LA, had a fan base coming to Idol, and it’s been growing ever since.   His highly theatrical style, even in a tamped down version for middle America (check out the vids on his profile page!) will make him a polarizing contestant from the get go, I suspect.   The producers love that, so I predict they’ll advance him to the Top 12 as a wild card if he doesn’t win the popular vote this week.

More after the JUMP…

  • Allison Iraheta – Profile -   Her audition, which I didn’t remember and had to rewatch, was just a few seconds and her segment during the chair episode didn’t offer much more of her singing.   She needs a knockout performance to rise above the pack.   She’s no stranger to TV singing competitions.   Click on her profile to watch her compete in a Telemundo talent show.   I’ll just say she has to sing better than that to make it through to the next round.
  • Jasmine Murray – Profile -   Jasmine has had tons of screen time with lots of love from the judges throughout the competition.   I predict she’ll be given a good performance slot, and if she doesn’t sing well, Simon will plead with the audience to give her a second chance, or some such pimping. She’s got a good shot at being highest female vote-getter this week.
  • Jeanine Vailes – Profile – Poor, poor Jeanine.   She’s the only one of the 36 we haven’t heard sing.   I don’t think she has a chance in hell to advance to the Top 12.
  • Jesse Langseth – Profile – Jesse is the sister of blues guitar genius, Jonny Lang, but I don’t think it’s going to help her here.   Not only have we heard little of her singing, but the last impression we had was a dubious singoff with Frankie Jordan during the chair episode. She’s going to have to wow the viewing audience this week if she hopes to get through
  • Kai Kalama – Profile -Kai’s initial audition was pretty good, and his sick-mother backstory pulled at the heart strings, but we’ve barely heard about mom since then.   And the most lasting memory of Kai at this point is butchering some lyrics in Hollywood.   With so many talented guys who’ve had way more positive screen time to compete against, Kai is going to have a hard time advancing to the Top 12.
  • Kris Allen – Profile -Listen to Kris’s brief audition clip, it’s obvious the guy has singing talent. He was also part of the popular “White Chocolate” singing group during Hollywood. If he nails his song this week, he could possibly advance as a dark horse.
  • Matt Breitzke – Profile -   I think the working-class soulful white guy dude spot has already been taken by Michael Sarver.   And I don’t think Matt has the chops or the charisma to rise above the pack.
  • Matt Giraud – Profile -   Matt has been steadily gaining a fan base since his initial audition in Louisville.   He sealed the deal with his soulful interpretation of “Georgia” in Hollywood.   I would not be surprised if Matt headed straight to the Top 12 this week.
  • Megan Joy Corkrey – Profile – The judges adored Megan’s unusual, quirky vocals during her audition. But will her talent translate onto the Idol stage?   If she picks the right song, and sings it well, she could be a dark horse contender for the Top 12.   Or she could flop spectacularly and head back home to Utah.
  • Mishavonna Henson – Profile – Mishavonna has been barely seen, but she’s young, fresh and has a great recording voice.   If she takes the Idol stage with a great song this week, she could be a dark horse contender.
  • Nick Mitchell – Profile -   I predict Normund Gentle will perform this week, get a good laugh, and then lose the popular vote. But, not to worry–the producers will bring back his lulz-worthy act to perform once more for the wildcard, at which point Nick’s strange Idol trip will be over. Until the finale, of course. It’s been interesting to watch TPTB advance a joke act–one that wouldn’t have made it past auditions in prior seasons–nearly all the way to the Top 12.   With so much cannon fodder present in this huge group of semi final contestants, I don’t mind.   He’s not boring me. At least. Normund has fans!

 
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  • Niall

    I actually really like Allison Iraheta better than any of the other teen girls. She has a very appealing tone to her voice and the kid seems to have a spunky and engaging personality, without being too cutesy or “gosh golly!” acting. I hope she surprises people with a good performance because I’d like to see the Top 12 with a broad range of ages and ethnically diverse.

    I think barring something really unexpected that both Adam Lambert and Matt Giraud will make it through. I know Jasmine Murray has been picked as the likely female winner but the girls side seems more wide open to me as long as they don’t have a collective meltdown ala the Group 1 girls and hand it to Jasmine in a cake walk.

  • Layla

    Hey MJ! I’m chomping at the bit for the videos from tonight…yea I know…I’m a gredy impatient bitch! But I can’t wait to see how everyone did!

  • gingerly

    Layla, the show won’t be until tomorrow. Obama gave the state of the union address tonight.

  • geekygirl

    Layla I thought the same! LOL! Logged on first thing to watch AI clips and thought where is everyone?

    It is the year of the male. I don’t know any of these girls except Jasmine and that is only because she was caught up in the BG fiasco. When I read the list of names I was thinking..Who? I feel sorry for the others, because this format favours the early exposure.

  • Layla

    Thanks gingerly…damn! I woke up so excited to see the perfrmances!

    Yeah geeky girl…was sorely disappointed, but hey love President Obama so it’s all good!

  • elisad

    Wow, Allison Iraheta was totally like, Miley Cyrus 2.0

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    Pre-performances, I’ll say that Adam, Matt G, and probably Jasmine will advance, with Megan and Kris as the possible spoilers.

    I agree that even if Jasmine has a just okay performance, Simon will pull a Michael Sarver moment on us and basically ask America to vote for her.

    I’m nervous for Adam though. I don’t think this group is as clear cut as some think. He’s already polarizing enough to the point that if be pulls out a true ‘WTF’ performance (which I don’t necessarily think he’ll do), might not go through. But who knows. I just know that I’m anxious to read any reports from the dress rehearsal!

  • bean99

    I’m hoping that Adam, Matt G, and Jasmine go through because I don’t want anything to stand between Anoop and a wildcard spot and these 3 are probably the ones the producers/judges want in the top 12. Having said that, it’s all about the performance and song choice tonight. A couple of the other girls could snag a spot instead of or in addition to Jasmine.

  • folk

    that normund fan site is pretty funny.

  • folk

    i was just rewatching normund’s chair video. he says he had the time of his life.

    if he did that song…a la patrick swayze…i think i would pee my pants.

  • t2

    I was so disgusted by the whole let’s annoint Danny show last week, that I completely missed the “Group 2 happy dances”. Can anyone point me to it online?

    I think I need to do the math and figure out who is in that last group (other than Scott McIntyre and the new girl) to figure out how TPTB want us to vote, and then consequently figure out what America can do to screw up their plans.

    The only girl I find remotely interesting from a singing perspective in this group is Megan Corkrey. On backstory alone I would like to see Allison Iraheta move forward as it’s good to have a role model. Mishavonna is a hot mess in the singing area — I could not believe they put her through with what they showed us in Hollywood. Jasmine=dull.

    On the guys side I’d like to see Kris Allen and Matt Giraud make it — I figure TPTB would give Adam Lambert (who I really love) a wild card. I think if Kris or Matt don’t make it, there’s a good chance they would be done.

    Oh yeah, Brietzke doesn’t stand a chance. Poor guy.

  • jimmyboyd2

    I hope any girl besides Jasmine delivers. She is Vonzell 2.0 with a MUCH weaker upper register. Vonzell was pure karaoke, but at least it was good karaoke.

    Not saying she’s bad. She’s just an average pop singer, and I’ve heard enough of those.

  • primeminister
  • t2

    Prime — thanks. Some years (like maybe this year) it’s the best part of the whole season for me and it ticks me off that we are only getting 12 happy dances at a time.

    And thanks for the Matt Giraud interview — I relistened to his Georgia performance — wow, I had forgot how good it was. And hopefully he will be able to put his “magic pouch of many different songs I would not normally learn” to use.

    And after watching the Happy Dances, I so hope that Adam Lambert is the only diva this year ….

  • Dr. Tracey

    I had picked 3 who I thought were sure to advance last week and then Alexis hit a home run and totally screwed up my prediction LOL
    I ‘think’ I have my three picked for tonight, Adam, Jasmine and Matt but at this point i’d only put money on one of them.
    I’m really looking forward to tonight’s show.

  • NickDaddyo

    I’m calling it now… I think Jasmine buckles under the pressure. I’m not expecting a trainwreck, but I think she’ll ultimately have to be a wildcard.

    Megan Corkery will be poised and unique. She’ll take the girl’s spot.

    Adam Lambert will be the top guy, and Matt Giraud should take the other spot.

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    Obama gave the state of the union address tonight.

    I’m gonna need him to start watching Idol so he can do that stuff on Mondays. :mad_wp:

    Adam‘s a lock for the Top 12. I’m not even going to pretend I don’t realize that. The fan base coming in is commendable, and I think it has only grown. That he’s polarizing is definitely a fact. But, this is a polarizing one of which we’ve seen comparatively little.

    I like Allison better than Jasmine. But, Allison also seems most likely to sing something from the forbidden Whitney Houston/Mariah Carey songbook. Hopefully, she’ll let it all hang out tonight, non-Telemundo style. I don’t mind a dark horse. Not at all. Particularly on the girls’ side.

    I like Jesse better than Megan Joy. Jesse’s Hollywood performance was awesome. Everything else was…interesting, to say the least. Megan Joy’s audition was wonderful, and I haven’t seen much since then. If either makes Top 12, I think theme weeks will slaughter them. But, I love Jonny Lang. Tsk.

    Matt Giraud has an amazing voice. I’m surprised Simon didn’t label him a “white soul singer.” His song choice for tonight, if that’s accurate, has made me a little anxious, much like another Idol winner. Can he pull it off?! Agony! He’s really the only one I’m pulling for tonight.

    Everyone else…meh.

    But, here’s hoping Jeanine Vailes pulls a LaToya. I’d love it.

  • CRB

    There is a USA Today article out this morning about this very topic

    http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-02-24-idol-live-shows_N.htm

    Simon says that the best is yet to come (which likely mean Anoop and Danny aren’t his faves) and criticizes last weeks show. :cool1_tb:

  • cheese

    I think it’s safe to predict that Adam and Matt will get in. Adam is probably technically the best singer they have this year (even if I can’t stand to listen to him) and Matt has an interesting tone to his voice. They’re definitely worthy of their Top 12 spots.

    Even though the script is sort of already written, I hope someone goes for the upset anyway. Kris and Kai are musicians and decent singers who I think are capable of delivering strong performances. If they’re both equally good, or even on par with the top guys, I think one of them will get very favorable comments and one will get the Ricky Braddy “no star quality” comments of doom.

    I think the show was done with Matt B when Sarver made it in. I can’t wait to see what Nick/Norman will do.

    As far as the girls, I love Jesse. Megan is interesting, but I haven’t heard enough. The teen girls don’t interest me, although I’m sure one of them will ultimately make the Top 12 (I don’t think Allison, Jasmine or Mishavonna are as talented as Taylor who sings next week, though). And Jeanine Vailes has absolutely no chance.

  • t2

    CRB
    Feb 25th, 2009 at 9:54 am
    There is a USA Today article out this morning about this very topic

    http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-02-24-idol-live-shows_N.htm

    Simon says that the best is yet to come (which likely mean Anoop and Danny arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t his faves) and criticizes last weeks show.

    Now I am really bummed about Anoop’s chances…

    Interestingly enough, he wouldn’t say who his favorites are — every other year I can remember, he shoved whoever the “stah” of the year was down our throats.

  • stardust462

    From the USA Today article mentioned above:

    In next Thursday’s wild-card round, the judges bring back eight or nine singers à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  not necessarily just from the semifinals à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  and pick three to round out the Top 12.

    Great, potential for another Carmen Rasmusen. But, maybe Jamar will be brought back?

    I agree with others before, at this point it looks like Adam, Matt, and Jasmine will be going to the finals. But I bet another girl could bring it and beat her out, like Alexis last week. Jasmine seems like another generic pop singer.

  • Duke

    Adam and Matt G, one way or the other, will make the Top 12 no questions asked. I deff think it will come down to Jasmine and Megan (hopefully megan) for the girls. After last week, my hopes arent high for the people with just average voices in this competition. And i dont think Norman has a chance unless he wows the world with something other than his voice.

    And i think Simon is a huge fan of ADAM. Just throwin that out there. Maybe just because Adam is my favorite. I havent been this excited to see someone preform on AI since…well…DA! ha!

  • sma11ie

    I hope Megan or Jesse make it over Jasmine because I can’t stand Jasmine’s voice or her caked on make up. But I can imagine Megan and Jesse losing out due to vote-splitting since they both have the kind of vibe/unusual quality that appeals to the same voting bloc. Hmm… speaking of vote-splitting, I wonder if Matt G and Adam L will be fighting for the same voters at all? After what happened with Ricky and Anoop (I agree with I think Kirsten who said they might have split some votes which benefited Michael can’t-sing Sarver)… I hope neither one underperforms. Matt G’s the only one I’m really excited about based on what I’ve seen, so if he doesn’t make it I might have to retire from watching AI8 until DC or Archie get asked back to perform.

  • abbysee

    I think Adam is a lock as is Matt Giraud. I like Jasmine. I think she is a good singer. I don’t think anyone but Allison has a shot at knocking her off. Frankly I like Allison alot better when I hadn’t heard her sing an entire song. In small snippets she seemed better, an entire song showed a lot of flaws.

  • maturin

    But I can imagine Megan and Jesse losing out due to vote-splitting since they both have the kind of vibe/unusual quality that appeals to the same voting bloc.

    ITA! I find the girls’ side impossible to predict at this stage. Coming into last week, I thought pink-haired girl (Alexis, still having to look up here name, uh oh) was promising, but would not have picked her as some sure leader. Was surprised at the major fail of Stevie and the utter bland of Anne-Marie. It was like that relay race during this summer’s Olympics when everyone started dropping the baton! Alexis did well, but won the designated girl slot more by default then anything.

    Right now, I’m rooting for Megan and Jesse, once more a little by default. Young Jasmine is being presented along too similar lines to a past top finalist, in this case, Jordin: look, she’s ALSO adorable, 16 and she sang Tattoo! I give props to Jesse for making an original song choice during the chairs ep, though Simon didn’t like it and I’m not sure casual voters will.

    I do worry that since Alexis, Megan, and Jesse are working a bit of a similar space. It’s not that they’re “the same,” but they each move away from the pop diva sound towards a more bluesy, textured voice and a sort of acoustic friendly-vibe. So they may split the vote for that type of approach. It is an era when country singers with a little bit of a throwback/bluegrass feel like Jennifer Nettles and Alison Krauss are big critical hits, and the 60s soul & jazz sound is back in pop with Winehouse/Duffy/Adele. But are the showrunners and voters interested in that, as compared to working the familiar Autotune rhythmic pop?

    The thing is, 19E and their affiliates have songwriters already in their pen who can turn out songs that could appear interchangeably on a Jordin-type record or a large number of similar girl pop records. It might be harder for them to actually assemble the right material for a young female singer with a more contemporary, slightly more grownup or indie feel, though it could potentially be a much bigger deal. Do they go for the home run or the base hit?

    Of course, if they’ve already decided ahead of time the winner has to be a dude, tis mootness.

  • sma11ie

    they each move away from the pop diva sound towards a more bluesy, textured voice and a sort of acoustic friendly-vibe.

    Which I LOVE! maturin, I think you and I are on the same page :) . I was just thinking, wouldn’t it be great if we could get a Brooke-type girl, only with a bigger range/less fragile psyche this year? Not that Brooke was bluesy at all, but the textured voice and the acoustic vibe was definitely a big part of her appeal to me.

    It’s like, I always thought Blake Lewis kind of paved the way for DC with the “originality” thing, but Blake could never win because he didn’t have an impressive voice/mainstream appeal. I kept hoping Brooke/Jason would pave the way for someone with their acoustic/unique vibe and a bigger voice to win this year, but so far I’ve been disappointed with TPTB’s season 8 direction. I thought Kara signaled a step in that direction (she was a Brooke fan), but she’s proven instead to be a Randy translator. Sigh. We’ll see.

  • bean99

    Simon says that the best is yet to come (which likely mean Anoop and Danny arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t his faves) and criticizes last weeks show.

    Simon really liked Alexis so I don’t know if you can read that into what he said.

  • erennick

    sma11ie, I second everything you said.

  • littlepark

    NORMAN! NORMAN! NORMAN!

    By tomorrow, it’ll be “it was fun while it lasted” but still, NORMAN!

  • Frogpond

    Man I have looked everywhere for real spoilers .Did they gag everyone ?
    I can not wait till the show but I wanted a heads up on who is singing what and when .