American Idol '09

8 is enough. Actually 8 is one too many this week. Tonight some will be singing to show what they can as we continue to narrow down the field and some will be singing for their Idol Lives.

So what’s the landscape looking like for tonight’s “sing a song from the year you were born” theme night? I hope everyone likes 80’s music. Other than Allison (1992) all the others were born in the 80’s.

It would take a disaster of epic proportions for these contestants to get the boot this week. I mean the following people would have to show up wearing one of The Don’s rainbow Speedo’s singing “It’s Raining Men” to get the boot.

Yea I’m making predictions before they actually sing. You got a problem with that? This isn’t Russia, is this Russia?

Adam Lambert – He’s gotta be the current favorite to win. Even though people either love him or hate him. He could sing Paula’s Little Black Book (probably not so little) and be safe tonight.

Danny Gokey – For some unfathomable reason the judges and you voters like this guy. Personally I’ve had more than enough of his designer glasses and vanilla performances. Sure he can sing but his performance all sound the same and he’s almost as bad a dancer as Megan was.

Kris Allen - Kris as had good solid performances the past few weeks and should have bought himself a Free Pass for a week or two.

Probably safe for now but the following could be in trouble once Scott and Anoop get sent packing:

Allison Irheta – You would think Allison would be safe for awhile considering she’s the best female left but she was in the bottom 3 last week. The judges have their Save still and will probably use it to keep a chick around since it’s such a male-heavy completion

Lil Rounds – Lil seems to have fallen out of the judges good graces. Weeks ago she seemed to be one of the 3 chosen ones but alas no longer for Lil. A bunch of mediocre performances have her on the bubble.

Matt Giraud – Matt is in my Top 3 but apparently America and the Judges aren’t as enamored as I am.


On life-support and about to mercifully have the plug pulled. Merciful for the rest of us.

Scott Macintyre – Likable enough, but he’s ridden the blind gravy train for long enough. It is only a matter of time before he gets the boot. If not this week then next.

Anoop Desai - I admit it, at the beginning of the Final 13 I had drunk the Anoop Kool Aid. Since then I’ve had my stomach pumped and I’m through with Anoop. Bad performances and a snotty attitude will do that.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. At least until after the show and I’ve had a chance to see the performances.

Let’s get ready to rumble.

We meet our judges and get giant childhood pictures of them flashed on the jumbotron. I got say that
Randy’s pic is the best. Scary I know. Is this kiddy picture a foreshadowing of things to come?

Danny Gokey - Danny is singing “Stand by Me”. This song is from way before 1980. So just because Mickey Gilley did a cover of it in 1980 Danny gets to sing it? Guess so. Oh thrilling - new designer glasses for The Danny. This is like something from church talent show. Paula is dancing up a storm…summoning the Mothership? Randy and Kara didn’t like the arrangement but loved the vocals. Side note – Kara looks great tonight but she’s still an annoying broad. Paula loved it – duh. Simon called it “overall great”. I told you they were in the tank for him.

Kris Allen - Kris has cute baby/kid pictures. Kris Allen is doing “All She Wants to do is Dance” by Don Henley. Kris and his guitar are down in the Mosh Pit surrounded by teen lasses. I wonder how wifey-poo likes that one. Different arrangement – lots of horns. Campy. Kara likes him but not the arrangement – her theme for the night? Paula calls him Likable. Watch out Kris! Change your hotel room quick. Simon panned it, bad. See I was right about Danny – Simon calls Danny overall great and doesn’t like Kris, when they were basically the same. Randy also calls it self-indulgent.

Lil Rounds - We get a song-winded explanation of Lil’s name – like we cared. Sheesh they changed Lil’s look again. Some kinda Black Panther Biker Chick look, give me a break. She is doing Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to do With It”. Oh I get the look, not bicker chic, it’s supposed to be Tina Turner. This is ok but it’s like a Light version of the incredibly strong Tina version. It sounds fine but I keep comparing it to the original and it doesn’t stack up. Like she’s playing at being Tina Turner. Paula plays the “you look wonderful card”. You know you are in trouble when Paula starts out like that. Simon sums up Paula’s and mine’s babbling by calling it a 2nd or 3rd rate Tina Turner. Well said Sir Simon. Randy and Kara blah blah blah – more of the same.

Anoop Desai – Please don’t try and do Michael Jackson or act tough again my little puppy dog friend. Lots and lots of Anoop kid pictures. Now though guy look tonight. Anoop is switching teams and going the other way. He looks like a sissy. He’s singing “True Colors” by that tramp Cyndi Lauper. Nice vocals but I’m bored. But should be enough to save himself for another week I’m guessing. Depends on how Scott does. And what’s with the lime sweater? Shouldn’t he be wearing ‘Heel blue? Simon liked it ok and Rankarula seemed much more enthralled.

In an Idol First – they flash Randy’s baby picture up for Scott. Scott is singing “The Search is Over” by Survivor. Lousy song choice but at least he didn’t pick “Eye of the Tiger”. This is the type of song that gave the 80’s it’s bad music rep. Scott still has the Boy Band hairdo going. He’s standing center stage with a guitar. Didn’t know he could play – actually not sure he can play guitar. He doesn’t seem to be doing much with it. Scott tries to rock it a bit. I give him credit for trying but it was blah. Kara and Paula both give him credit for leaving the piano. Man they sound condescending to the blind dude. Mocking his blindness would be more appealing than patronizing him. Kara and Paula must be sharing the booze tonight. Simon hated it. Randy didn’t like it either. This performance may have done Scott in.

Allison Irheta – it appears from her baby pictures that the red hair isn’t natural after all – who knew. She’s doing Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me”. I love me some Bonnie Raitt. Great vocals as usual. Not the most exciting performance but I sure did like it. I just hope that enough of the rest of the country liked it. Paula gushes over it. Simon liked it a lot. But says she needs to show more personality. Randy calls her ‘Dude’. Kara channels more Paula and gushes.

Matt Giruad is doing Stevie Wonder’s “Part Time Lover”. Nice song choice for Matt. Funky and Bluesy and overall enjoyable. Nothing special but pretty good. Rankarula loves it and Simon calls it 100 times better than last week. They are moving fast. It’s 8:58 and they still have commercials and Adam to get to.

Adam Lambert - We get a sneak peak of Adam as a kid – dressed as vampire. You can’t make this stuff up people. He liked to play dress-up when little – shocker. Adam is singing “Mad World” by Tears for Fears. Adam is sitting in a near dark stage under a groovy green light singing his tookus off. He sings falsetto – just to prove that he can? He starts to get a bit over the top at the end but it was just a taste – he reigns himself back in. Far and away my favorite performance of the night. I loved it. Haunting. Beautiful. Lovely. Sublime. Take that all you Adam Haters. The lights come up. Adam is wearing Good Humor Man white with a sand colored leather jacket. Whatever. Doesn’t matter. Simon gives him a Standing ovation and we are out of time so we are spared having to hear from the other three judges.

My bottom three:

1) Scott
2) Lil
3) Danny or Matt or Anoop. Doesn't really matter.

With Scott taking a hike next week.