Top 16 Results

By On 03/08/2007 · 74 Comments · In American Idol, S6 Semi-Finals

First things first.   Eliminated tonight:

Antonella Barba
Sabrina Sloan
Jared Cotter
Sundance Head

Tonight’s results:Â  Not exactly what I expected.

What I did expect:   Vote-splitting between the big voiced divas  LaKisha Jones, Sabrina Sloan and Jordin Sparks with  Sabrina getting the short end of the stick.  Ãƒâ€š  Sabrina has  a powerful voice, but was definitely outclassed both vocally and personality-wise by her strong competition.  Ãƒâ€š  Her elimination was not a shock.

Also not a shock–sweet, winsome Sanjaya Malakar advancing to the Top 12.   He’s got people.   And those people aren’t voting for him because he’s a great singer.   But that is nothing new in Idol land.

Jared Cotter’s elimination was also not a shock.   He was really the last of the cannon fodder to be eliminated.   While his vocals weren’t bad, his smarmy manner was really off-putting. Ryan asked  Jared if he was surprised to be going home, and he said, completely  seriously–YES.   I think Jared may have been a little out of touch.

Antonella Barba said goodbye tonight–heading off to Maxim or Stuff, no doubt.   I really believed she’d make the Top 12 and last at least a few more weeks.   Maybe all publicity actually is NOT good publicity.   It appears that  her subpar performances, bad attitude and negative press finally caught up with her.

I didn’t think Sundance Head would be going so soon either.   In fact, I thought he had the potential to be a Kellie Pickler–the type of contestant whose vocal skills are secondary to a personality that folks either love or hate.   Not only did I think he’d make it to the Top 12, but I thought he was definitely a mid-packer.   I’m still a little baffled by this one. Maybe after a good night’s sleep I’ll come up with something.

The big shocker:   Mousy Haley Scarnato advances to the Top 12.   I don’t think anybody saw that coming. Maybe, Simon’s harsh criticisms elicited the pity vote.   Or just maybe, Haley represents a group of folks who aren’t interested in R&B or rock music.  Haley may have had a pool of voters all to herself that was large enough to advance her past Sabrina who was more than likely splitting votes with several contestants.

Diana Ross will guest star on the show next week.

I’ll post a full re-cap tomorrow, including more on tonight’s cheesetastic group sing, the big mid-final charity special, and Carrie Underwood performing her new single “Wasted.”

************

First, the  group sing.   This week’s horrifying 70′s hit, up for potential slaughter:   “Stuck in the  Middle With You.”  Ãƒâ€š  The contestants  try to melisma-up this moldy-oldie with  typically hilarious results.  The cheesy group sing–may it never stop.

Ryan tells us that 37 million votes were cast this week.   Then a recap of the week’s scintillating performances (I usually fast-forward through that part).

It’s now time AMERICA–Your Top 12 revealed tonight.   Ryan “gets right to it.”   The lights are dimmed, and Ryan calls the contestants up in singles and in  pairs. At the other end of the stage, are 12 shiny, shiny stools–one for each lucky finalist.

Lakisha Jones and Blake Lewis are first.   Ryan says, “Here’s what I can tell you…One of you gets to work with Diana Ross next week, the other makes the Top 12.”   Lakisha and Blake look at Ryan like he’s got three heads.   Good work there, script-writers.   Finally, Ryan spells it out, “You’ve both made it, take a seat!”

Chris Sligh is next.   And we are not going to find out until after the break…that Chris can take a seat with Blake and Lakisha.   He’s made it to the Top 12.   As if we ever doubted.

Ryan calls Jordin Sparks to the stage. America has voted…and…they “are in love with her.”   She advances to the Top 12.

Phil Stacey is next.  He’s the first contestant called to the stage who isn’t a no-brainer.   His performances have been inconsistent–Tuesday night’s being one of his worst.  Ryan tells Phil that he’s moving on, and poor Phil looks like he’s going to pee his pants.   He’s completely shocked–and relieved.

Jared Cotter takes the stage to learn his fate.   And, no surprise–except to Jared who claims to be VERY surprised–he’s going home.  Randy’s final thoughts? “Originality baby,” he says, “Find out what makes you different from all of them other  ones…originality that’s what you need.”  Ãƒâ€š  He takes the Idol stage one last time to sing-out with Stevie.   The camera keeps cutting to Antonella, who is crying.

After the break, it’s time for another edition of “The American Idol Challenge”   You, yes YOU, can win cash and prizes if you answer the following dumb question correctly: Which of these  American Idols currently has  the #1 record?   Could it be Ace Young, Kevin Covais or Chris Daughtry.   Ohhh! Ohhh!   It’s Kevin right?   No? I don’t win?  Damn.

The two backup-singers, Melinda Doolittle and Brandon Rogers are called to the stage.   Melinda is a shoe-in, but will the talented Brandon Rogers be given a second chance to show us what he’s got?   YESssss!   They BOTH move on to the Top 12. Yay.

Gina Glocksen and Chris Richardson are next. The pimping worked. They both  advance to the Top 12.

Ryan tells us there are three place left, with 6 people left to potentially fill those spots.  And now it’s time to introduce Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood, here tonight performing her latest single, “Wasted.”   Carrie looks beautiful–please send Kellie Pickler the name of your stylist stat.   Carrie sounds good, too.

  

  

After the break, Ryan calls Antonella Barba and Stephanie Edwards to the stage.   Here comes the first big surprise of the evening.   Both Stephanie and Antonella look scared to death.   Antonella starts crying.   When Ryan tells Antonella that she’ll be going home, Stephanie, a class act, refrains from celebrating.   Ryan asks Antonella what memories she’ll have of the show when she looks back.  She says, “So many…too many…I can’t even think about it right now…so many great ones but….”   I expect her to say, “It was mostly pretty awful.” Antonella looks ready to go home.

She’s  asked to sing one more time–off-key, shaky, proving once again that she was completely out of her league in this competition.   Antonella was a trainwreck, but the TPTB put her in the competition, passing over more talented vocalists in the mean time.   The kind of love/hate controversy Antonella inspired is exactly why she was advanced in the first place.   Watching her suck-up the stage for one last time, I actually begin to feel sorry for her.   Her character had played itself out.  She’s no longer useful. On to the next controversy.

Afterward, Ryan wastes no time.   He calls Haley Scarnato and Sabrina Sloan to the stage.   While it seems unlikely that all 5 female R&B singers are going to advance to the Top 12, it seems even more unlikely that bland, unpimped Haley would be moving on to the finals….

Sabrina looks like she’s about to barf all over the stage.   Haley stands calmly, awaiting her elimination.   Ryan says, “…this is so hard…Haley…you have made it into the Top 12.”   Haley bursts into tears.   She turns to Sabrina for a hug.   If looks could kill, Ryan, the judges, the contestants and the entire audience would have been mowed down by the intensity of Sabrina’s bitch face.  Wow.  She is angry.  Haley  takes a seat.

Now, for the judges shocked reactions.  Randy says, “Sabrina should be in the Top 12, dawg.   She definitely put it down… America got that one wrong, I think.”   Sabrina sings out.  In another season, she would have made the Top 12 and might have gone deep.   Not this year.

After the break, Ryan announces that it’s American Idol’s 200th episode.   And it’s time to announce the very special project.   Now that Idol has become the “most popular show in the world,” the producers have decided that it’s time to give something back.   You can read all about it here.

How about that, Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest took a trip to Africa, and we see clips of them visiting a poor African village.   OMG, Simon REALLY DOES LIKE PUPPIES.  There he is smiling, holding hands and playing  with the chillrun.   Randy and Paula will soon take a trip to Louisiana and Mississippi–places hard hit by poverty and natural disaster.

The culmination will be a huge Top 6 special where viewers can not only vote for their favorite contestants, but donate money to charity.   There will be special guests. Quincy Jones will write a special song. Sacha Cohen, Gwen Stefani, Pink,  Josh  Groban, Michael Buble and Annie Lenox will appear.

So much excitement! Poor Sanjaya Malakar and Sundance Head, like children who’d been left alone as the rest of the family takes a fun  vacation,  had to sit and chill through the entire Idol-goes-to-Africa spiel.   Now it’s time for some more eliminations!   Sanjaya and Sundance take the stage.   And, too bad, they have to wait even longer.   Elimination…after the break.

As Sundance and Sanjaya await their fates, I’m thinking Sundance has surprisingly come to the end of his Idol journey. And I would be right. Ryan says, “Sundance, after a nationwide vote, you are not advanced to the Top 12.”  Ãƒâ€š  Paula says, “I’m speechless, this is a singing competition, and Sundance you were one of our finest.”   Well, actually, only his audition and last week’s “Mustang Sally” were any good.   Everything else? Not so much. Simon says sarcastically, “The volume was turned down?”   Poor Sanjaya looks completely freaked.  America, look what you have wrought–this poor child lives on to the Top 12, only to be tortured some more.  Ugh.

After Sundance’s sing-out, it’s time for the smell-ya-later videos, all to the tune of TPTB’s  de-facto winner, (units baby, units, that’s what makes an AI winner…forget about that millions-of-people-who-voted-during-the-competition crap) Chris Daughtry’s, “Home”.

Welcome to YOUR Top 12, peeps.

 
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  • http://handicappingai6.blogspot.com RenaRF

    Yay!! YAY!!! if you don’t know why I’m thrilled, I won’t spoil it – but YAY!!!

  • http://handicappingai6.blogspot.com RenaRF

    Oh booo…. Booo!!! I won’t spoil this one either, but boo!!!

  • longsong

    I’m with you RenaRF!! It’s like a CHRISTMAS MIRACLE, only with American Idol and stuff!

  • longsong

    I know what you mean by the “Booo!!!” as well and second it!! What the – ?!!

  • http://handicappingai6.blogspot.com RenaRF

    Sigh. This next in/out decision better go the right way, longsong!! I’m telling you.

  • longsong

    Aw, could Simon get any sweeter? I loved two of his comments last night, “You look beautiful tonight” and “You’re a TIGER!”, and now seeing a more human side of him tonight. He’s great!

    Hmm, Rena! Which of the two making it to the top twelve would be going the right way? Type in c-o-d-e.

  • http://handicappingai6.blogspot.com RenaRF

    Well, let’s put it this way. The WRONG one made it. I can’t stomach 1/6th of the finalists this year. Ugh.

  • Dov Cohen

    This is the WORST top 12 ever. At least three of them don’t belong there. This was CRAZY – INSANE – MADDENING. I’m pissed and for the first time ever am about to give up on the show entirely. This sucks.

  • http://handicappingai6.blogspot.com RenaRF

    Longsong – I am THRILLED that they are supporting the ONE Campaign to end extreme poverty. It is hands-down one of the most worthy charities I know. I linked it all over my recap, and have decided I’ll be sure to link it in every recap post.

  • longsong

    So I take it we can’t actually get specific? Because the beans have been spilled on the Thursday thread. Can we be candid or no?

  • longsong

    Rena, I have to admit that I think it’s a wonderful idea too. When I saw the leak, I didn’t expect to be as excited as I was when I saw the presentation. EXCELLENT. And I’m glad they’re helping people in this country as well.

  • http://handicappingai6.blogspot.com RenaRF

    I don’t know MJs policies on spoiling – so I decided not to be the one to leave the turd in the wading pool. :-D

  • longsong

    Thanks for the visual, Rena. You’re a peach! ;)

  • Gary Seven

    This board is not about holding anything back. If people do not want to know they do’nt read the boards until they see the show in their time zone. Now spill the beans and quit playing I got a secret.

  • http://handicappingai6.blogspot.com RenaRF

    DovCohen - I’m going to give you a little encouragement. Remember – sucky people ALWAYS make it through.

    Season 1 – Jim Verraros. Ryan Starr.
    Season 2 – Kim Caldwell. Vanessa Olivarez.
    Season 3 – Jon Stevens. Jasmine Trias.
    Season 4 – Anthony Fedorov. Mikalah Gordon.
    Season 5 – Kellie Pickler. Kevin Covais.
    Season 6 – Sanjaya Malakar. Haley Scarnato.

    There always seem to be two who many react to so negatively but many react to positively… the good news is, they usually don’t make it very far. So chin up – lots of great talent to watch, and when your least faves are singing, you can run some laundry or get a glass of milk and a cookie. :-)

  • http://handicappingai6.blogspot.com RenaRF

    Gary – have you not seen the results? Since you asked, I’m totally ok with Jared C and Antonella going home. I literally cheered when it was Antonella. I was ill to see Haley Scarnato oust Sabrina Sloan, and Sajaya Malakar outst Sundance Head. Not that I was sold on Sabrina and Sundance, but over Haley and Sanjaya? No contest at all. America really gets it wrong sometimes.

  • t2

    I’m Sawry guys, that whole Haley/Sabrina showdown was the best part of the whole season. I laughed and laughed and laughed. Screaming Divas: 5, Hope for the Hearing: 1

    I realize that Scarnato is soooo going home next week, but that was sure some good tv.

  • WestSide

    I’m happy for Sanjaya.

  • Dov Cohen

    Thanks RenaRF. I’ve been watching since episode one season one, have friends connected to the show, and so on. This is the worst top 12 of all six seasons.

  • maracaibo

    Yaay! Blake on the Top 12.. But of ocurse..
    I am so excited for him. GO Blake GO!

  • bean99

    I don’t think it’s a bad top 12 at all, especially if they have good song choices. There’s always a mix of good and mediocre singers. I was very happy that my favorites made it although it’s too bad about Sundance and Sabrina losing out to Sanjaya and Haley.

  • StopBeingWeird

    It was encouraging to see the “hormone squad” come together for the good of their own self-interests and send Antonella to her impending future as one of Heff’s girlies. I think she’ll take money in exchange for posing in an S&M outfit with a Simon look-alike in the pages of Playboy.

    As for the rest of this sad lot of off-key and out-of-tune buffoonery … one word …

    Ugh.

    There’s a class above the rest, then there’s the rest. Melinda, Lakisha and I think Gina as a darkhorse for the girls (if she keeps her rock-chick style thing going she’ll be around for awhile).

    For the guys. There’s Blake, Chris S., and everyone else. If Brandon can snap out of it and actually pick a worthwhile song he may pick up steam, but I think it might be too late for him. I’d love to see him rock out some funky Ben Harper or some old Tower of Power classics. It’s hard for introverts to do well when you’ve got over-the-top personalities like Blake and Chris.

    If you forced me to pick a top 3 – that I expect, not that I’d want – I’d say you’ll see Melinda, Gina, Chris S. … but oh, this game is just beginning …

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

    I’m putting it all on the line right now. I may be wrong, but I’m telling you, the top 2, barring a major meltdown by either contestant, will be Melinda Doolittle and Blake Lewis – the best vocal vs the best overall package.

    Gina, Chris Sligh, Chris Richardson, and LaKisha will round out the top 6. Jordin, Stephanie, and Brandon have a chance of getting to the top 6 if one of the favorites falters and they step up their game.

    First to go: Phil, Haley, and Sanjaya (but not before he makes the friggin’ tour. ICK.).

  • WestSide

    Why are so many ppl hating on Sanjaya? He’s got a lot of potential. If you listened to his audition and during his top 24 performances, he really does have a nice, smooth voice and at least he sings in tune unlike Sundance. Hope he steps it up in the top 12.

  • http://handicappingai6.blogspot.com RenaRF

    WestSide – I honestly couldn’t disagree with you more regarding Sanjaya’s relative in-tuneness. Since the semi-finals, he has yet to sing in tune. I would normally consider that a goner. I realize his audition was very good – I thought it was very good as well. But I think it’s different for him being on stage, and he can’t project or control his voice or its tone. He has been the absolute worst to make the semis imo – the fact that he lived past AJ and Nick and others was bad enough – but make the top 12? I personally think it’s ridiculous, though he seems like a very nice, sincere kid. But it IS a singing competition, and the tweens have spoken about their love of his hair and have put him through. ((sigh))

    My other complaint is that watching him, along with Haley (who sings better overall) is as interesting as watching paint dry. Ugh.

  • Grammie Kari

    “Season 4 – Anthony Fedorov. Mikalah Gordon.”

    Anthony cannot be included in the group who shouldn’t be there! He has one of the most beuatiful voices to ever appear on the show!

    I will miss the fact that Sundance won’t be on the tour. I loved the classic rock sound and thought he was entertaining! So glad Antonella got eliminated!

  • kaleidoscopick

    I agree about Anthony F, Grammie. Maybe the poster meant Scott Savol?

  • Diana

    Who should NOT be in the top 12 : Phil and Sanjaya

    Who should be in the top 12 : Sundance

    The group number tonight proved how uninspiring the Season 6 contestants are. In the last few years, I remember actually enjoying these numbers, cheesey as they are. But man, this crowd is just so boring — they don’t seem to know how to perform or even enjoy performing. The only one who stood out was Sundance.

  • Gary Seven

    Thanks RenaRF, I am on the west coast and I’m one of those that likes to know along with the east coast.

    Hard to believe Sabrina left. I think her reaction was sheer shock.

  • CatFromWI

    I think song choice helped Haley advance. I remember Jim Verraros advancing after singing a sappy Disney song. There is a segment of Idol watchers that like this type of performance.
    And song choice hurt Sundance. He should have chosen an oldie or a bluesy rock song. Instead he sang a Pearl Jam song that lacks a melody and is unfamiliar to the younger & older Idol watchers. Terrible choice. What was he thinking?

  • DaniCalifornia

    Okay, for real, I AM shocked that Jared Cotter and Sabrina Sloan were voted off. It sickens me to think that Sanjaya and to a lesser extenet, Phil Stacey after that really weird performance got a spot over Jared, and that Haley got that spot over Sabrina. However MJ, I have to say that I thought Sabrina’s competitiors were all of the women of color, and since I’m one those who thinks that Idol sometimes tweaks the competition to meet certain quotas regarding race and genre and popular vote, I don’t think they wanted 5 women who were all the same race (or variations, since Jordan is also white), and then Gina. Plus, add on to that that Idol needs to keep the country/pop viewers happy…enter Haley. BOOOO. Sabrina was cheated. “This is a singing competition” …yeah, right. Its NEVER been strictly a singing competition. Its politics, votes, and according to Mr. Clive Davis when he gets his hands on the idols, “units.”

    Yet you know I’ll be back next week to watch. Dang.

    And someone needs to throw a hotdog at Carrie Underwood. She’s getting too skinny. Yet just as boring and pretty as ever. *YAWN*…except for that horrible last note, she got my attention by then.

  • DaniCalifornia

    Okay, and will someone please give me an example of their niece or older woman who likes Sanjaya and qualifies for the “tween” vote, or the “older woman” vote that everyone keeps talking about? Because I can’t seen any tween liking Sanjaya, and rather going for Blake. I think he has the tween vote, especially since he’s what’s “in” right now.

  • jimmyboyd

    People don’t vote on what’s “in” in recorded music now. Why don’t people see this? Over 30 million viewers watch the show, and out of that, the winner is not even assured of a million sales. Many watchers, inclding myself, hardly ever buy music.

  • dvls

    I was disappointed that Phil did not get the boot although I’m not sorry to see Jared and Sundance go either. Maybe Sanjaya will do well with Diana Ross next week. After all, she loved Michael Jackson back in the day! I was also really surprised to see Antonella go (although she deserved it) instead of Haley. Probably a smart move on Haley’s part to sing a country song. Antonella seemed shocked to get booted. Maybe she did leak her own photos! I would have preferred Stephanie to go instead of Sabrina. Oh, and I’m really sick of the judges proclaiming “This is a singing competition people” when they are the ones who put these subpar singers on that stage!

  • St.Lucia

    So that big ole Idol announcement…anyone else just sit there and think…that’s nice? I mean yes, yes, important, but I won’t even go into how lackluster it was.

    Results: Nothing entirely surprising, except maybe Sundance. AS SOON as I saw Sanjaya and Sundance on the final two, I knew. I knew Sanjaya made it over Sundance before it was long announced. Cheered when Antoiletta got the boot. She’ll have a successful career taking off her clothes.

    Surprised with Haley getting through, although I’m pretty positive she’ll be the first boot out of the top 12. Regardless, I think Haley got a lot of teen votes. While sucky, she stands out amongst the four big voiced divas and she’s sweet and pleasant. Mom’s love her. Teenyboppers love her. Same with Sanjaya. (at least according to my students who vote on purely looks).

    I just don’t know how much of this season I can endure. Really. I stopped watching halfway through season 3 and never bothered to watch the finale either. I fear a similar fate.

  • Tracy S

    Ding dong the witch is dead, the wicked witch, the wicked witch…..bye Antoiletta – sorry for anyone who liked her, but it’s all a matter of personal opinion, right?

    I really like Haley, but I can’t believe she stayed ! I’m sure she’s gone next week.

    Sanjaya!! I feel sorry for him, because he is so young and naive. But, if Phil Stacey sucks as bad next week as he did this week — Sanjaya has got a fighting chance !

  • MaryS-NJ

    Because I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t seen any tween liking Sanjaya, and rather going for Blake. I think he has the tween vote, especially since heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s whatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“inà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  right now.

    My Daugther, a tween, voted for Blake and Sanjaya. She thinks Sanjaya is cute and feels bad for him being “picked on” but she also knows he’s not a very good singer. She voted for Blake because he’s popular. The presence of Sanjaya is as predictable as the phases of the moon. There is one cute out-of-his league kid every year in the finals. He’s gone soon.

    I’m going to offer a contrarian view. Sundance had potential and a good voice at times but was overhyped from day one. His audition was very good but he didn’t sing circles around Taylor and he was more off than on when he sang in H’wood round and the semis. Plus, if he was cast as the “quirky” chubby guy, they already have one, Chris Sligh, and he’s been consistently good vocally. I was not surprised to see Sundance go.

    Sabrina rubbed me the wrong way from the very first appearance maybe because she’s the “type” that Simon loves and I had a bad feeling she would be pimped to the high heavens eventually (which rumor has it was true*). I know that’s irrational but I can’t help it. She has a very nice r&b voice although a little shouty and is pretty, and is surrounded by other pretty women with even better r&b voices.

    *Also, according to Ricky at IDF who has been right so far, Sabrina WAS supposed to be the CO, but the producers miscaluculated. She was going to be pimped like Daughtry once she got into the finals, but they didn’t overexpose her earlier for fear that she would go out in fourth place, they thought she would build momentum progressing in the finals and eventually win. That was a mistake and they didn’t give Sabrina time to build a fanbase while they focused on Antonella and her tarty friend in H’wood round. (He says Blake is TCO now but they really wanted a girl and that Melinda and Lakisha are stars but they don’t want them to win).

    Haley is this year’s Melissa McGhee. She has a nice Disneyesque voice, she’s pretty, she’s from the South and she’s different than the powerhouses Melinda/Lakisha/Stephanie. It would be hillarious if she went on the win or ended up high in the standings because she was so clearly fodder. Also, I think some girls like the pretty princess and she’s the only one that remains for now.

    I never believed the conspiracy theories about vote rigging, but IF they ever did it, I think it could have been for Antonella. I’m guessing the girls-gone-wild pics were embarrassing for everybody but they figured it would blow over (no pun intended), but then the Frenchie thing happened, Rosie put her two cents in (rightly or wrongly) and the whole thing had longer legs than they thought it would. If they reserve the right to make these kinds of decisions in certain cases when a contestant is a liability, I bet they did. That being said, she could not hold up under pressure, she was all kinds of pitchy and her vocals were mediocre at best. Plus, she had a ‘tude. They shouldn’t have put her through in the first place. Serves them right.

    Hot Jared was designated eye candy/fodder. His elimination isn’t surprising at this phase. It was him or Brandon and I think Brandon has a lot more potential, although he hasn’t shown it yet.

  • hezzer19

    My spirit is broken…

    What will I do without Suckdance Dick Head to snark at?

    I already miss Toiletta.

    I really wanted the two carpiest people ever to make the tour.

    *sigh*

  • dvls

    If next week’s theme is Motown, Sanjaya MUST sing the Jackson 5′s “Never Can Say Goodbye”!

  • Dov Cohen

    Sanjaya gets lots of votes from the teen and tween girls and gay boys who find him incredibly attractive. He has a smooth voice, but no experience, is a poor performer, has consistently chosen quiet, uninspiring songs, and has no personality. He SHOULDN’T have advanced, but we all knew he would. What should have happened was that Jared and Brandon, Haley and Antoiletta got the boot. Only two of them go bye-bye. The reason Sundance should have made it was his potential. It was obvious that every single judge was shocked that he didn’t make top 12. But it’s more than that: the singers this year really are, as MJ has observed, lackluster with the exception of about four who stand out. I disagree with RenaRF’s list. Not completely correct.

    Conspiracies, conspiracies … every year we have so many people perpetuate the myth of conspiracies. Those people forget the laws prohibiting vote tampering on game shows. Giants eventually fall under their own weight, or by tripping over something. That will happen to AI. They won’t lose steam, they’ll lose respect. The idea of a ‘chosen one’ is partially true and partially false, but it’s fun to see pretenders make public proclamations. (not MJ – Rickey, et al) Brandon was not a chosen one, Sabrina was not a chosen one, and neither is Blake. What Nigel, Kenny, Clive, and higher up’s do at this stage of the game is to evaluate where the votes are going and proceed from there. The top 24 is only the start of that process, and each year that goes by they perfect their craft. It won’t be in high gear until around the top 10 when they have enough statistical info and solid data to guide them. Then, they go for it, but subtly. In fact, during their *ahem* staff meetings they refer to it as ‘marketability’. If you know the principles of marketing, persuasion, and other forms of propaganda then you will be able to perceive it. The average viewer, and even many fan-addicts don’t perceive it correctly

    *Sigh* … Comparisons to season three don’t seem to be all off at this point. In fact, this may be even worse. At least Fantasia pulled a “Summertime” out of her hat. Unless something like that happens this season it will merely draaaaaag ooooonnnn. Those careful, long-time viewers remember what happened during season three with Fantasia and her baby. Let’s see if they do that for Lakisha. For those of you who weren’t watching back then: they showed Fantasia with her baby over, and over, and over again while avoiding such emotional manipulation of the other contestants. It was so blatantly obvious she was the ‘chosen one’ that there was a minor outcry from the viewers. TPTB now know better how to do their job. What Simon has called the ‘dark side’ of American Idol is about to take control…

  • t2

    Marys-NJ says

    I never believed the conspiracy theories about vote rigging, but IF they ever did it, I think it could have been for Antonella. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m guessing the girls-gone-wild pics were embarrassing for everybody but they figured it would blow over (no pun intended), but then the Frenchie thing happened, Rosie put her two cents in (rightly or wrongly) and the whole thing had longer legs than they thought it would. If they reserve the right to make these kinds of decisions in certain cases when a contestant is a liability, I bet they did.

    You read my mind on this one. After looking at the voting totals over the past couple of weeks, it would take a lot of convincing for me to believe that TPTB did not exercise their “out” clause with Antonella.

  • bluesmoon

    Except AI isn’t a game show. Read the fine print — TPTB can throw out any number of votes for anybody or just disregard them altogether and choose who’s to go on, or win, themselves. It’s deceptive, of course, and they certainly don’t want it to be obvious. By this sixth season, most discerning viewers know it anyway. Listen carefully to how they phrase why somebody is leaving. And, of course, the vote percentages are almost NEVER revealed. I’m not saying they resort to this every week or even every season when it’s going as they like, but they’ve set it up so they can directly manipulate votes and mislead viewers anytime they want.

  • cat

    Those people forget the laws prohibiting vote tampering on game shows.

    I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but you are incorrect here. AI is classified as a reality, not game, show and is not subject to laws regulating game shows. I still don’t believe in the “almighty evil powers that be” conspiracies. Frankly, TPTB don’t particularly care who wins as long as they have plenty of drama and viewers. What happens after the finale is the purview of other arms of their empire and doesn’t impact the show much. If the winner doesn’t do well they just brag about someone else from that season or from a different season and ignore the idol that tanks. *see Hicks, Taylor and Studdard, Ruben.

    Oh, Sluttyella was just on my local fox station being interviewed live (I’m in the DC area so she’s their “local” idol). She was attitude personified! The interviewer asked her what she planned to do now and she was all eye-rolls and b*tch please….”I plan to continue my singing, well duh”. I almost spit my coffee on my monitor! hehe Dear Toilletta, do you think you could be a little more predictable, huh? Please?

  • dvls

    After looking at the voting totals over the past couple of weeks, it would take a lot of convincing for me to believe that TPTB did not exercise their à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“outà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  clause with Antonella.

    My first thought was that they simply switched Haley’s and Antonella’s phone lines.

  • kjc

    Just like last season, they’ll get rid of Sanjaya in the first two weeks. (See Covais, Kevin) It’s too much trouble to have to drag parents on the tour for the minors. He and Haley will be the first to go. If we had to only lose one of the two controversial figures, I’m glad it was Antoiletta instead of Sanjaya. When the judges were mean to her it was funny. When they’re mean to him I feel sorry for him!

  • angelia

    I think this season is even worse than season 3. These are the dreariest top 12 I have ever seen. While I was reading the comments, I started thinking about the Idol tour and can’t you just hear this lackluster bunch attracting large crowds of people of all ages and gender like the Season 5 group did. I simply cannot imagine it. Season 5 had unique performances coming from Chris, Elliott, Katharine and Taylor. Ace was the eye candy for the ladies and he had a decent singing voice. Bucky and Kellie attracted the Country fans. What we have now is a boring pop/R&B group. I will probably continue to watch until something else comes along in their time slot. But definitely no votes from me.

  • jasy

    On I read on another site (EW) that a member of Sundance’s immediate family was killed in a fire yesterday. The article “suggested” that his exit might not have been based on votes. I do agree that he didn’t look surprised at the outcome.

  • t2

    dvls says:

    After looking at the voting totals over the past couple of weeks, it would take a lot of convincing for me to believe that TPTB did not exercise their à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“outà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  clause with Antonella.

    My first thought was that they simply switched Haleyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s and Antonellaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s phone lines.

    BWAH!

  • Stefunny

    On I read on another site (EW) that a member of Sundanceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s immediate family was killed in a fire yesterday. The article à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“suggestedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  that his exit might not have been based on votes. I do agree that he didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t look surprised at the outcome.

    That’s interesting. Hmmm.

    And count me as one who did vote for Haley simply b/c a) I wanted to force Antonella out and b) my daughters (ages 8, 6 and 4) adore her. She personifies “princess” to them.

    Also…I think Sabrina knew. Her lip was quivering and the tears were starting before Ryan even read a thing off his handy-dandy note cards.

  • kc f

    DaniCalifornia said: Okay, and will someone please give me an example of their niece or older woman who likes Sanjaya and qualifies for the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“tweenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  vote, or the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“older womanà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  vote that everyone keeps talking about? Because I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t seen any tween liking Sanjaya, and rather going for Blake. I think he has the tween vote, especially since heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s whatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“inà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  right now.

    Dani, My daughter is 12 years old. One of her best friends wants to marry Blake. The other voted 10 times for Sanjaya this week. My girl, of course, has good taste. She’s rocking Chris Sligh and Melinda, and was a huge Taylor fan! You’re right about Blake and the tweens, but Sanjaya DOES appeal, too, to that group.

    Now my sophisticated 14.5 year old watches Paolo Nutuni’s Last Request on her laptop every chance she can. There’s hope for this generation!

  • calisun81

    What I did expect: Vote-splitting between the big voiced divas LaKisha Jones, Sabrina Sloan and Jordin Sparks with Sabrina getting the short end of the stick. Sabrina has a powerful voice, but was definitely outclassed both vocally and personality-wise by her strong competition. Her elimination was not a shock.

    Speak for yourself! Sabrina’s elimination was a shock (probably more of a profound disappointment) to me. IMO, she actually outclassed both Jordin AND Lakisha. Lakisha has no stage presence, no star quality. As for Jordin, she’s just blah. There have been a million girls like her (Lisa Tucker anyone?) and it’s ridiculous that someone who was such a great, original performer was overlooked. Sorry, but the American public got this WAY wrong in my opinion.

  • jokiebird

    DaniCalifornia–not sure what you mean by “older woman.” I’m 35, and NO WAY would I vote for Sanjaya. A 70 year old, maybe.

  • Sunny D

    I also think that TPTB exercised their creative vote counting to get rid of Antonella and her baggage. As far as Haley goes, I am glad she is in the top 12 and bringing something different. She needs to go McPhee if she wants to stay in however.

    Yeah, Jared was “swarmy” and so was Sabrina. I felt they both were trying too hard. I think that Stephanie needs to step it up in her appearance, and lose some of her attitude or else Sanjaya will beat her out next week. If Phil can’t learn from his couple of mistakes of starting in that low off-key voice then he will be the next to go.

  • Diana

    Sunny D – completely agree with everything you said.

    The fact that Phil has had to work so hard since his audition just to sing songs in tune means that he should hever have been in the top 24. He certainly isn’t Idol material and definitely should not be top 12.

  • tinawina

    *Also, according to Ricky at IDF who has been right so far, Sabrina WAS supposed to be the CO, but the producers miscaluculated. She was going to be pimped like Daughtry once she got into the finals, but they didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t overexpose her earlier for fear that she would go out in fourth place, they thought she would build momentum progressing in the finals and eventually win. That was a mistake and they didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t give Sabrina time to build a fanbase while they focused on Antonella and her tarty friend in Hà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢wood round. (He says Blake is TCO now but they really wanted a girl and that Melinda and Lakisha are stars but they donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t want them to win).

    I’m not much of a conspiracy theory person, but if any of that is true, I hope Haley wins the whole thing. Screw AI and everything they stand for.

  • linz

    Definitely not hot that should have went down. Best part of the night? Carrie Underwood. LOVE that girl!
    Love American Idol? Want to win an iPod shuffle? Just post a comment on my blog with your elimination order and I will automatically enter you into my pool! Check out the details at http://blog.gotuit.com/index.php/2007/03/09/american-idol-pool-pick-the-order-win-an-ipod/

  • angelia

    I don’t know where Tiff and Kim on Girls Talking Smack get their info but the had a list posted of the Top 16 showing who got the most down to who got the least votes. And Sanjaya was listed as #2 on the list of the guys. So he will probably be with us for a while. Lets hope that the guys’ voice coach will head him in the right direction when it comes to song choice.

  • susaninwv

    i was not disappointed to see sabrina leave – actually i am not sure i would really be devastated at anyone leaving because this season lacks any real excitement. this is the first season i have watched without voting and without really caring to vote – said by someone who voted nonstop for george huff, bo bice, and taylor hicks. i thought sabrina’s voice was not particularly pleasant as i found her singing a bit strident most of the time. haley has a pleasant voice, and she at least adds some variety. given the similarities in vocal styling among four of the ladies in the top 12, i imagine stephanie is most at risk unless she has a particularly stand-out performance. because they are different from the other ladies, gina and haley should have their own following, and their longevity depends more on the size of their fanbases. and who is going to be voting for some of the men? with 12 contestants available to split votes among, i think anyone – other than lakisha, melinda, and blake – could go next week.

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

    I thought about voting for Haley just to stick it to TPTB, but I voted for about 30 minutes for Stephanie instead, because at the time I looked she was at the bottom of Dialidol. Haley was higher.

    I’m glad Antonella is gone. Her time was up, and I agree MJ – her character was played out. Now she can go accept that offer from Heff and give all the frat boys and dirty old men what they REALLY want.

  • colette

    This might be a separate thread. For all of those with knowledge of La Ross’s oeuvre, let’s speculate on what those puppies will sing that she also sang. Or what they SHOULD sing. Here are my ideas (from Supremes and solo stuff Ross recorded) — you’ll find all of it on iTunes and youtube:

    Jordin Sparks: “Come See About Me”

    Lakisha Jones: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” or “Reach Out and Touch”

    Melinda Doolittle: “Stop, in the Name of Love!” or “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me”

    Stephanie Johnson: “Love Hangover” or “Good Morning, Heartache” (if they let ‘em do stuff from “Lady Sings the Blues”

    Gina Glockson: “Love Child”

    Brandon Rogers: “You Can’t Hurry Love”

    Chris Sligh: “Back in my Arms Again”

    Sanjaya Malakar: “Someday We’ll Be Together”

    Phil Stacey: “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”

  • shay

    the guys with Diana will be interesting. i just can’t see You Can’t Hurry Love helping Brandon in anyway though. I want him to make top 10 at least…next week might not be of help.

    Do they vote off 1 from now on? Or is it still 2 next week?

  • jasy

    Did Ryan actually say that the theme was Diana Ross or just that she would be the guest star and working with the kids? Could it be a theme like 70′s or something more generic than just Diana Ross songs

  • jersey

    Personally, I can’t wait to see Matt Buckstein’s take on the Diana Ross/Motown theme! :lol_tb:

  • http://handicappingai6.blogspot.com RenaRF

    Does anyone else here totally dig Dave White’s profane and irreverent IDOL recaps?? I LOVE it and this week some of it made me laugh out loud!!

    I agree with everything MJ said about last night. Also FYI, Countdown on MSNBC just said that Antonella Barba announced she would stick around LA for two weeks to see what she gets “offered”. So far?

    $500K from an adult DVD company.
    $250K from ‘Girls Gone Wild’

    How appropriate.

  • colette

    Shay –
    My thought about “You Can’t Hurry Love” is just that Brandon could probably do it without screwing it up!

    The ‘Music of Diana Ross” was what they said.

    And look, as gaw-juss as many thought La Divina Diana was, you may have noticed that many of the tunes she originated don’t exactly require Olympian vocals. Or to put it more bluntly, she’s a one-octave wonder.

    That’s what makes it a little tough…….I mean “Baby Love”? And “I Hear a Symphony”?? Yuck.

    Now, she did also cover “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “Close To You,” and other MOR stuff of her heyday. And the Supremes did cut a Liverpool album with lots of Beatles, and a Country & Western disc. (I’m not making this up)……..

    so???

  • Grammie Kari

    AI is classified as a reality, not game, show and is not subject to laws regulating game shows.

    Cat, you are right! As a Reality Show, there are scripted moments throughout the season. Some are very obvious; others more deceiving. I also hated the pimping of Fantasia during Season 3. I don’t mind if they feature Lakisha’s little girl, but please don’t bring her up on the stage. That was the meaniest thing they did to Diana all season long! However, we will see this happen throughout the season.

    If TPTB suspect power voting, they can throw out the votes. It is in the fine print at the end of the show. Also, in the past the fine print read that the final decision at any point may be left up to the JUDGES (not the producers). It is my belief that this is what they did in Season 2.

  • Grammie Kari

    Colette, have you seen Diana Ross’ new album of LOVE SONGS? There are several male-led songs on there!

    1. Remember
    2. More Today Than Yesterday
    3. I Want You
    4. I Love You (That’s All That Really Matters)*
    5. What About Love
    6. The Look Of Love
    7. Take My Breath Away
    8. Lovely Day
    9. Only You
    10. To Be Loved
    11. I Will
    12. This Magic Moment
    13. You Are So Beautiful
    14. Always And Forever
    15. Remember (Reprise)

  • Allison

    Could Chris Sligh do “This Magic Moment” if it was allowed?

    If Stephanie sang some “Lady Sings the Blues” cuts, she might break out of the pack. May I say I voted for her and hour and fifteen minutes, when I swore I wouldn’t vote more than a token few this season. That girl is underappreciated.

  • BetterChicken

    I can’t tell you how glad Iam that Ant is gone THANKGOD!!
    Jared I’m not surprised at all.
    Damn how did Hayley stay over Sabrina pitty votes I guess.
    I think that Sundance had potenical .Sanjaya eh the guy seems like a sweetie but he can’t sing.

  • colette

    Grammie Kari:

    thanks for the heads-up about her new album. (Anyone own it? Raise your hand…) There are some great standards there, question is whether they’ll allow them in as Diana Ross tunes. If so, “The Look of Love,” great Bachrach song and hard to sing, and “I Will” (Lennon-McCartney?) are good possibilities…..

  • GlitterGlow21

    Thank God Antonella’s finally gone. I disliked that girl from the moment she first came on the tv screen during her early auditions. UGH. Anyways, I jumped for joy on that one.

    Are we EVER going to get rid of Sanjaya??? I can’t believe he sent Sundance home. I’m afraid good conestants might get knocked off the show just because Sanjaya (for some odd reason) has a large fanbase.

  • http://idolnotes.com idolfan

    Sabrina definitely got robbed. . . Haley needs to go. . . Sundance didn’t live up to early promise so he deserved to go given Sanjaya’s cuteness factor.

  • MaryS-NJ

    That screencap of Sanjaya is heartbreaking.

  • GlitterGlow21

    sure he’s ‘cute’ but I always thought American Idol should be so much more than that. Cute shouldnt be able to be more important than talent.