‘American Idol’ on the scene for Top 9 performance night: Impromptu dancing, Steven Tyler’s mighty appetite, and Jennifer Lopez throws a punch
Nigel the Puppeteer: Nobody pulls more strings in the Idoldome than executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. This was most apparent during Scotty’s rendition of “That’s All Right.” You know those girls who ran onto the stage to hug the 17-year-old country comfort? Totally Nigel’s idea, as he was whispering into the girls’ ears a few seconds before their mad dash onstage. Normally, if someone attempted to storm the stage (as one girl did last year when Justin Bieber stopped by), that fan would have been tackled by security in less time than it took that twin-babies meme to go meta. I don’t fault Nigel for trying to create some “moments” on the show, but it’s interesting how he wields his influence for only a select few. Shortly into Scotty’s performance, Nigel commanded the audience to stand, and we obeyed. And for Jacob, Nigel resurrected the swaybots. Swaying at an American Idol show is analogous to applauding during the blessing of the Eucharist. It’s simply not needed.
Live at American Idol: Will Pia’s Lack of Performance “Punch” Ruin Her Chances of Winning?
Pia is the total package. Almost. Her looks, her voice and her style are the stuff stars are made of, but her rigid body language is becoming a problem. We gotta give Pia props for finally stepping away from her usual ballad, but even all the flashing lights and backup singers couldn’t mask her boring stage presence. Many could chalk it up to stage fright and not knowing what to do, but when given the opportunity to get goofy with her fellow Idol contestants, she did her best to not take part.
At first we thought she might be feeling shy to strut her stuff, but after Paul McDonald’s performance, everyone in the competition hit the stage at commercial for a supercute and amazing dance party with the show’s stage manager. Everyone, except Pia.
Read more at EOnline
More recaps after the JUMP…
Inside Tuesday Night’s Top 9 ‘American Idol’ Show
On a juicier note, rumors have been circulating through the tabloids that Stefano Langone is harboring a massive crush on Pia Toscano. Could it be true? It sure seemed that way!
After Pia completed her rendition of Tina Turner’s “River Deep, Mountain High” and the show cut to commercial, Stefano went to take the stage. It was clear as they passed one another and he looked on adoringly, that he was congratulating her and praising her performance. Stefano performed “When a Man Loves a Woman” and J.Lo commented that it seemed as though, for the first time, he was “really singing to somebody and really singing about somebody.”
Read more at Access Hollywood
American Idol Backstage Report: So Ryan Seacrest Thinks He Can Dance?
But the biggest surprise was Seacrest, who seems to embody the new spirit of the show this season: lighter, more playful, and not at all opposed to executive producer Nigel Lythgoe’s tendency toward throwing in the unexpected, such as letting a select gaggle of girls throng Scotty McCreery after singing the Elvis hit, “That’s All Right.” “The show is about the kids again, ” says director and So You Think You Can Dance judge Adam Shankman.
Read more at TV Guide
American Idol Recap: Rock and Role-Playing
There was magic in the air Wednesday night at American Idol. The judges waved their hyperbole-filled wands and turned “good/decent/atrocious” into “amazing, ” “revolutionary, ” and “perfect in every way.” Nigel Lythgoe reached into his hat and pulled out a gaggle of screaming groupies for Scotty McCreery. And Gwen Stefani used some dark-sided voodoo (aka her L.A.M.B. “fashion” line) to transform the gorgeous Pia Toscano into a bowl of lumpy mashed potatoes.
‘American Idol’ recap: The Rock Garden
It was Rock and Roll Hall of Fame night on American Idol, and the judges continued to cherish each of the top 9 contestants nearly as much as Steven Tyler cherishes that terrifying wax figure of himself with a slightly bigger mouth and more feathery hair. (Wouldn’t you?)
Even the scant constructive criticism the three Fates provided was preceded by J. Lo APOLOGIZING as she prepared to tear Pia apart like a Gwen Stefani-designed jumpsuit that’d been through one gentle cycle: “It’s not that you’re not amazing. Please don’t ever take me the wrong way — you are spectacular, ” she began. “But just keep studying.” Oh, J. How could you? That was just lo.
‘Idol’ judges act like fangirls on Rock Hall night
Stop me if you’ve heard this one, but the “American Idol” judges loved every single one of the performances on Wednesday night.
On a night when the singers picked selections from artists honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it was easy to listen to the judges’ comments and imagine that each of the nine remaining finalists were destined to join the exalted ranks of the all-time greats sooner rather than later.
The most negative feedback of the night came when Randy Jackson told Stefano Langone, “I wasn’t jumping up and down over it, ” and he was immediately contradicted by Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez.
‘American Idol’: Scotty McCreery Rocks, James Durbin Gently Weeps
With so much talent packed into the Top 9, it’s getting harder and harder to pick a favorite. How appropriate, then, that this week’s theme was the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. It wouldn’t surprise me if a few of these Idols ended up at their very own induction ceremonies in a decade or five.
The contestants weren’t the only ones showing off their talents this evening. Though we only saw a glimpse of her, Gwen Stefani styled the girls in pieces from her L.A.M.B. line. Additionally, the inescapable will.i.am made his third — yes, third — Season 10 appearance. This time it was on the pretense of offering performance coaching to the hopefuls and not, I repeat not, to promote his animated feature, “Rio” (in theatres everywhere April 15).
‘American Idol’ Recap: Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano Rock Out
There are plenty of ways that “American Idol” is mixing things up and dragging the highest-rated show into the present this season. But after taking a bedazzled trip to the 1970s last week with Elton John, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame theme on Wednesday night’s (April 6) performance episode was yet another example of why “Idol” is your granny’s favorite show.
The search for today’s new star made yet another pit stop in the past, inviting the Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am in to mentor the top nine as they dug into rock’s back pages. Some balladeers rocked it out (Pia Toscano, Paul McDonald), while the rockers got mellow (James Durbin, Casey Abrams) and Scotty McCreery proved he’s no one-trick cowboy.
‘Idol’ Top 9 Night: It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll But I Like It
So, after “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe swore that there’d be no themes this season, for the third week in the row there was a theme. This Wednesday was Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Night. And after Nigel also insisted that there’d be no celebrity mentors, this week the contestants were mentored by the great, legendary Hall Of Famer…will.i.am. Of the Black Eyed Peas. No slag on Mr. Am, but last time I checked, BEP were not in the Hall. Nor does Will usually perform rock ‘n’ roll music. You’d think that between “Idol’s” two in-house music-biz veterans, Jimmy Iovine and Steven Tyler, the show could’ve found a more suitable guest star (like Thursday’s results-night performer, Lindsey Buckingham, or maybe Todd Rundgren, who was actually sitting in the audience Wednesday). But hey, will.i.am has a new Rio movie theme to promote, and he’s on Jimmy’s label, Interscope…and I suppose in this day and age, that’s qualification enough. And besides, Will is on “Idol” so much lately, Nigel might as well just make him a judge already. Does he just refuse to leave the set or what?
‘American Idol’ Recap: Scotty McCreery Rules on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night
For Rock and Roll Hall of Fame week, the night started off with just the right superstar talking points: Paul McCartney, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Elton John, James Brown… Will.I.Am? Errrkay. The week’s co-mentor is a Jimmy Iovine crony — and a serious hitmaker in his own right — much like Gwen Stefani, who styled the Top 9 in her own L.A.M.B. line (it must be said: did Gwen also dress Randy Jackson, or is he auditioning for a spot in the Black Eyed Peas?) Neither was seen in the studio audience, according to our own Shirley Halperin, but Todd Rungren was along with Christian Slater (more on him later), pimping his new Fox show Breaking In. Also spotted in the house: Season 8 finalist Scott MacIntyre and his fiancée Christina Teich, who canoodled every chance they got.
‘American Idol’: Final Nine Pursue Their Own Fame Game
For Rock and Roll Hall of Fame week, the nine remaining “American Idol” contenders hoped to dip into the past to create their own future stardom.
Pia Toscano finally sang an uptempo song (Ike and Tina Turner’s “River Deep, Mountain High”), and James Durbin a slow one (George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”). Haley Reinhart discovered her inner Janis Joplin, and Casey Abrams took the stand-up bass to a Creedence Clearwater song. Scotty McCreery paid tribute to his idol Elvis Presley, while Jacob Lusk eschewed Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” as too sexual for Michael Jackson’s utopian “Man in the Mirror.” Lauren Alaina combined country and soul in “Natural Woman, ” Stefano Langone once more gave J. Lo “goosepimples” with Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman” and Paul McDonald laughed while insisting he shot a man in Reno just to watch him die.
‘American Idol’: The Final Nine Rock
Well, if one thing is clear: the Idol crown is truly up for grabs. All of the contestants on “American Idol” brought their A-game tonight. They really rocked it tonight – literally. The final nine had to sing a song that reflected the music in Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Before they hit the stage we got a look at some historic rock artifacts, with lively commentary by rock legend and judge Steven Tyler. We got to see significant pieces worn by Elton John, Paul McCartney, Jimi Hendrix and Steven himself.
‘American Idol’ 2011: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame night
It’s rock ‘n roll week on “American Idol.” Judge Randy Jackson’s in black patent-leather, Jennifer Lopez is dressed in a beautiful – and surprisingly age appropriate — white dress, and Steven Tyler has come as the Bronx Zoo Cobra.
As an extra challenge to the chicks tonight, Gwen Stefani is going to costume them in clothes from her L.A.M.B clothing line, whether or not it suits them or their song choice. L.A.M.B. stands for “Love Angel Music Baby, ” which, in one of those incredible coincidences which make covering product-placement orgies of excess like “Idol” so stimulating, is also the name of her first solo album.
Rolling in the Shallow End: American Idol 10 Top 9 sing the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Its only been about six days, but I swear I forgot about American Idol. I have a belly full of precious raw cow, a bottle of Guinness & a half-pack of Parliament lights beside me. While I might seem nuts half the time, this is officially my first TIPSY IDOL BLOG POST of the season.
American Idol Recap: Paul F. Tompkins on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night
A personal note before we begin: I am still in Australia and it’s rough going here. I am missing home and getting a soupçon of comfort from the idea of watching the show and writing the recap. We’ll see how long that lasts once I start doing those things. But for now, I’m glad to be watching American Idol today. Is there ANY CHANCE ON EARTH that I will eat those words?
Top 9 Recap- I Was Too Busy Looking at Myself in the Mirror to Vote for Jacob, So I Voted for Paul
Jacob Lusk, who clearly has no idea how funny he is, decides to swap his song at the last minute. He switches from “Let’s Get It On” because it’s too blunt and nasty for him. You’d think he was asked to sing Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer” or something. Instead he’s singing “Man in the Mirror.” Then Jacob says the most WTF thing he ‘s ever said in his entire life: If he ends up in the bottom 3, it won’t be because he sang the song poorly, it’ll be because America wasn’t ready to look at themselves in the mirror. Really, dude? That’s ballsy. I love it, but he’s clearly going to end up in the bottom 3 and it’s going to crack my shit up. After that line, who cares how he performed? It was ok, not as queeny as normal, but ya know, ok. The judges cream all over Jacob and overpraise him as they normally do. But as one of the guys clearly in danger of leaving this week, singing first and saying what he said is not going to work well for the Lusky Stank. I love this ballsy bitch, but he just guaranteed himself a trip to the bottom. Hopefully he survives because he’s getting cockier and that makes him a great future VFTW pick.
American Idol Sweats the Oldies
Last night American Idol paid tribute to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, because this year the show is not only going to dispense with theme weeks, it’s going to be current. Wait, what? Oh. Anyway, the show was heavy on filler, with Ryan Seacrest and Steven Tyler making overly drawn out jokes about the balls of the Most Overemployed Man In America’s feet (that made no sense) and Jimmy Iovine and will.i.am, who is apparently going to be on Idol at least once a week until it ends as part of the show’s new partnership with Universal Music Group, advising the contestants.
