American Idol 14 Top 10 Recap and Results – VIDEOS

AMERICAN IDOL XIV: Quentin Alexander performs on AMERICAN IDOL XIV airing Thursday, March 19 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. CR: Michael Becker / FOX. © FOX BROADCASTING CO.

American Idol 14 Top 10 Recap and Results – VIDEOS

UPDATE: Qaasim Middleton had the lowest number of votes, but was SAVED BY THE JUDGES. 

Surprised that the judges saved Qaasim Middleton tonight, because it’s so early in the competition, still. What happens if Jax, Tyanna or another favorite is eliminated next week? Qaasim has established that he can’t sing.  HE CAN’T SING. But he sure is entertaining. Which is why my advice to him now is to forget the advice to strip it down and show us his vocal ability. There is none. Keep it uptempo. Layer on those dance moves. And just keep it crazy for as long as the ride lasts. I’ve got to give him props for laying it all out on the line in that Save Me performance.

I’m wondering, also, if the judges decided to spend the Save to get it out of the way. The new format has been SO PAINFUL. Leaving the eliminated contestant to the end has been so awkward, and obviously unnerving for the contestants. Ditch the stupid light up chairs. American Idol isn’t about STUPID CHAIRS. Allow everyone to perform. And then eliminate one. Sure, a contestant will sing for no reason–other than to have one last moment on the stage. Is that so bad? It would make for a more comfortable experience for everyone.

Next week’s double elimination could be tricky. Traditionally, the saved contestant sticks around for at least a couple of weeks. That puts Rayvon, Tyanna and maybe Maddie in the hot seat. Maddie has her own lane, but her performances have missed the mark every week. Could Daniel’s time finally be up? Possibly. But don’t be surprised if it’s not.

Next week: Songs from the 80s! Boy George will mentor. The Top 11 will sing at a Nascar race this weekend. If it’s on TV, I’ll try to record it.

American Idol 14 Top 10 contestants will perform Songs from the Movies. The singer with the lowest votes from last week will sing for the Judges Save. Speaking of the judges, Jennifer Lopez will perform “Feel the Light” from her latest animated movie, “Home.” Nile Rodgers was on hand this week to mentor the contestants.

We’re live blogging the results and performances right here.

The episode begins with a video package featuring Nile Rodgers playing “Get Lucky” on the guitar while the contestants sing along. The impromptu song fades the to Top 11 singing on stage. YASSSS. OMG THE POINTY POSE IS BACK I CANNOT BREATHE. That was way too short.

Ryan’s beard is back. Just in case you wanted to know. The judges are introduced as the iconic 20th Century Fox studios theme plays. The crowd of teens they bussed in are screaming their heads off. Hello Idols in the VIP lounge.

Let’s learn more about mentor, Nile Rodgers. He was in Chic, recording many great disco songs from the 70s. He did all sorts of production stuff over the years. His guitar is named “The Hit Maker.” Chic is back together, and we get a little video teaser of the new song,  “I’ll be There.”

Nascar’s Jeff Gordon brings the RESULTS to Ryan Seacrest. Cookie from Empire did the honors last week. Is this going to be a thing? The driver invited the finalists to Sunday’s race in California to sing the National Anthem. They didn’t exactly look thrilled.

Results/Performances are next. Remember that the last singer left is the lowest vote getter and will sing for their lives. The little video package before the performance features each singer describing the movie THEY would make if given the opportunity. Cute, and a fun window into the singers’ personalities.  We see Nile Rodgers and Scott Borchetta working with each of the contestants. I wish these packages could be longer.

Adanna Duru – “Love You I Do” by Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls) – The song is a little out of her range, but Niles is confident she’ll nail it. Hm. They give her advice on singing the bridge. Keith is also confident in Adanna’s ability to conquer the tune. Adanna doesn’t sound comfortable singing at the bottom of her range, where the verse sits. She picks up some steam on the second verse. She’s a good performer. Plenty of sass from that girl. But she’s still having trouble connecting. Keith noted the problems in her lower range. He thought she sounded great. Good song choice. Jennifer wanted more emotion from her, from a real place. Harry thinks she looks like a movie star. Everything is strong. Harry suggests she sing to the audience more. It will improve her connection overall. – 1-866-436-5712 – Text 12 to 21523

Was Adanna serious when she asked Ryan Seacrest if he ever met Jennifer Hudson?!!? *FACEPALM*. Jennifer and Iggy Azalea will be on the show in a few weeks, says Ryan.

Daniel Seavey – “Lost Stars” by Adam Levine (Begin Again) – Daniel thinks he should “show off” more piano. Nigel worries about him looking down at the keys while he sings. Daniel acknowledges that he doesn’t know the piano part well enough, and switches to guitar. Jlo wonders if he can handle the emotion of a heavy love song. And the answer to that is NOPE. Actually, he needs to hit the notes first, before he worries about connecting. This entire performance is so off-pitch it hurts. It’s literally Junior High Assembly caliber. He can’t hold a note without it warbling. He’s also really nasal in an unpleasant way. Jennifer doesn’t want to criticize too harshly. “I don’t know if that was your best performance.” Harry thought it sounded like he was in a practice room. Keith compliments him on one of his original licks. It was a good performance, he says, But now he needs to dig in. Girls are screaming “We love you Daniel. *Cries* – 1-866-436-5703 – Text 3 to 21523

Rayvon Owen – “Stayin’ Alive” by The Bee Gees (Saturday Night Fever) – I’m glad my prediction was wrong, and Rayvon stayed, because I really like him.  Ambitiously, Rayvon wants to deliver the song like Prince would. But this arrangement. NO. It’s so SLOW and turgid. TEMPO PLEASE. The song just plods along, with Rayvon struggling in his falsetto. How are we supposed to dance to that? Prince would NOT SING THE SONG LIKE THAT. The easy going Rayvon is having issues bringing energy to his performances. Harry LIKED the arrangement. Hm. Harry wonders how Rayvon will remain interesting? He’s not digging into his material. The crowd is booing, but Harry is right. That performance just laid there. Keith suggested he not “loiter around” the stage. He needs to own it more. It’s about how to capture the audience, says Jlo. Rayvon has lost his mojo. I’m not sure how he’ll get it back. 1-866-436-5702 – Text 2 to 21523

Nick Fradiani, Jr. – “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins (Top Gun) – Nick realizes he’s been playing it safe. He’s putting down his guitar this week. That’s his risk. Harry is waiting for him to crack emotionally on the stage. I’m getting major Chris Daughtry vibes from this performance. But Chris’ performance would have been more intense and focused. The season 5 contestant didn’t have to move around at all to rivet the audience’s attention.  And there were NO guitars back then. Remember? This was OK, but still lacked…something. Crowd is going nuts. Keith thinks he’s getting more comfortable up there. Better than last week, he says. “You know you’re hot, right?” asks Jlo. She felt the tone was perfect. She sees him still in his head. Own your hotness! She is correct. He’s not losing himself to the performance. Harry LOVES Kenny Loggins. He didn’t like the song choice. He suggests a song with better content. There’s an ice cream flavor, Fradiani Franzie, from a local CT ice cream store Ryan has samples! He heads out to the audience to bring his MOTHER ice cream.  1-866-436-5706 – Text 6 to 21523

Joey Cook – Mad World” by Tears for Fears – Michael Andrews and Gary Jules cover (Donnie Darko) – She’s working on her eye contact with Nile and Scott. Keith doesn’t know what to expect! No accordion, no ukulele. Just Joey, on a chair, interpreting a beautiful song. A very restrained and heartfelt interpretation of a classic. When she finished, you could literally see her come out of a trance. So in the moment. Joey is on a roll. Jennifer was getting Sia vibes from Joey. She appreciated a different side. Really beautiful, she says. Harry appreciates that she’s finding ways to widen her lane. A great song and great choice. Terrific, he says. “You’re such an artist,” says Keith. He loves her unpredictability. 1-866-436-5710 – Text 10 to 21523

Harry is going to auction off his T shirt from last week for charity.

Tyanna Jones – “Circle of Life” by Elton John (The Lion King) – Nile says she has to NAIL the melody. Harry wonders if she can keep the streak of great performances going. Such a boring song to begin with. For that, and other reasons, her streak, indeed, is over. There are many intonation issues, and she shouts her way through the big notes. One of her worst performances to date. Harry felt her trying too hard. She overshot the mark, he says. He’s correct. That performance sounded so forced. Yelly. Keith thinks she’s the best singer they have. But those pitch issues. Can’t be denied, he says. Jennifer is sure she’ll do amazing next week. Tyanna’s got some bank, I think her fans will vote her through. 1-866-436-5705 – Text 5 to 21523

And here comes Jennifer Lopez performing “Feel The Light.” Keith, Harry and Ryan introduce her. She’s all pretty dressed in a white princess gown that spreads around her. It goes on for miles! Oh. Whoever is doing the lighting on this performance? NICE. More interesting than her singing, to be honest. Love the way her dress is lit.

Quentin Alexander – “You’re the One That I Want” by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (Grease) Nile loves the way he flipped the song. He’s doing a slowed up version. Niles calls him on the pitchy stuff. Quentin is afraid if he thinks about his pitch, it will throw him off. Harry wonders if his vocal interpretation will match his performance. I hate this effing song so much. But not this performance. A very intense, passionate interpretation of the lyrics. He hit a couple of off notes. But I’m ok with that. The performance was mesmerizing. Keith thinks he should loosen up a little more. Jennifer didn’t like one of her favorite songs flipped like that. Harry calls it adventurous. Harry says he’s GOT to think about pitch. He calls it “horribly out of tune.” It definitely had issues, but it wasn’t horrible. – 1-866-436-5711 – Text 11 to 21523

Maddie Walker – “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” by Deniece Williams (Footloose) – She missed the mentoring session because of her illness. Scott works with her at rehearsal. Jlo is afraid this song will come off lightweight. Nah. This is a terrible song pick. This is supposed to be fun fun fun, but she’s unsteady, uncertain, uncomfortable. The vocal is wonky. She looks like she can’t wait to get off stage. Granted, lack of rehearsal time might be affecting her performance. But would more rehearsal help her amateurish presentation? I’m thinking no.  Jlo thought it was cute and sweet. Her twang helped. Harry didn’t think it was good, at all. I don’t know who you are, he says. It felt pageanty to him. Maddie looks so upset, but he’s right. Keith blames song choice. She needs to find songs to play to her strengths. He suggests ballads. Which I have been suggesting all along.1-866-436-5704 – Text 4 to 21523

Harry is calling out the contestants for being subpar tonight. The judges pick their favorite movies. Keith has this STRANGEST affinity for Moulin Rouge! Jennifer’s is The Bodyguard. Harry likes When Harry Met Sally. Heh.

Oh. Kenny Loggins. Surprise performance! Footloose! FUN! Even Harry is up dancing.

Clark Beckham – “Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5 (Cheaper by the Dozen 2) – Nile loved Clark’s rehearsal, and gave him some guitar tips. Keith hopes this performance will be the “missing link” as far as connecting to the audience is concerned. He’s performing an acoustic version on guitar. Is the band going to come in? Nope. SMART CHOICES tonight from Clark. He needed to scale it back and show his vulnerable side, that he’s more than nice tone and expertly delivered riffs and runs. He did that. His fans have to be thrilled, and he may have won a few new ones with that. Beautifully phrased, unique to his abilities and vibe. Harry felt Clark put his arrangement on the song and knocked it out of the park. Keith suggests he put a little smile in the performance. but loved it. “It was beautiful, Clark,” says Jlo. “So you. Very beautiful,” she says. 1-866-436-5709 – Text 9 to 21523

Jax and Qaasim are left. A cliffhanger, Ryan calls it. Uh. Hardly. Bye Qaasim. Also, at the Top 10, Ryan usually talks up the tour. Not a peep about that, yet.

Ryan calls Jax and Qaasim up to the stage for results. And of course, Jax is safe. Qaasim will sing for the save.

Jax – “Grow Old With You” by Adam Sandler (The Wedding Singer) – Nile advises her to watch the “cutsey.” Jax realizes that America has to love it this week. Jlo thinks she’s going to do great tonight. Well, this actually is kind of cutsey, but without being cloying. Good song choice. JAX needed a performance that highlights what she does best, and this was it. Even if it didn’t knock me out, I still enjoyed it. Keith loved hearing a girl sing the song. Beautiful, he says. Jlo liked the song choice. It played to her quirky personality. She was expecting a wider selection of songs. Me too. Harry thought it was everything it should have been. When the music stops, make sure not to rush, he tells her. 1-866-436-5707 – Text 7 to 21523

Qaasim Middleton – “Come Together” by The Beatles (Across the Universe) – WILL SING FOR THE SAVE. Dude can’t sing. Simple truth. Harry thinks it’s the best performance of the night. What? No it wasn’t. It was fierce and audacious performance. I mean, that look on his face when he finished! But that vocal WAS NOT GOOD. 1-866-436-5708 – Text 8 to 21523

HOLY SHIT THEY SAVED QAASIM! Are you kidding me! Double Elimination next week!

About mj santilli 34835 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!