Gina, Phil, Melinda, and Chikezie are on tour...

From MJ's Blog:

Gina Glocksen, Phil Stacey, Melinda Doolittle and Chikezie perform at the
Ford Center for the Performing Arts in Dearborn MI Friday night. Currently,
they’re touring across the country as part of the Idols Spring Break Tour.

http://mjsbigblog.com/idol-spring-break-tour-dearborn-mi-video.htm

A Normund Gentle fix

I got this off MJ's Big Blog.

Normund Gentle
by krunkyou

and an interview:

AI in 60 seconds ft. Jim Cantiello: Motown edition

MTV Shows

And the one leaving us tonight is...

Michael Sarver.

Sorry dude, your time just came up.

Not Bad, but Not So Great Either

OK, this week, I'm not exactly demanding a full refund. A partial one would be nice, or at least a coupon for the next show would suffice (a BOGO would be really nice!). There was only one performance all night that was absolutely worth watching. OK,OK. In my opinion there was one FABULOUS performance and another that I personally enjoyed immensely (only because that's how my taste of music is going right now). The rest of the performances were only fair to middlin, if that, and 3 were painfully obviously out of their league last night. Not to say they clearly stood out as the worst of the bunch, but the usual 10-15 minute discussion my buddy and I have right after the show trying to decide who the B3 will be lasted only about 10 seconds. Oh hell, the show hadn't even ended for the night and we already knew who our B3 picks were for the week.

Anyhow, here are my thoughts (such as they are) on this week's performances:

Matt Giraud (Let's Get it On by Marvin Gaye). This was an OK performance. Of all the guys, he's one of the 3 that could survive a first spot singing position. Personally, I thought that Nikko Smith put out a much better performance on this song in Season 4.




Nikko's is definitely the benchmark performance for me. Matt was rated a 4-7/ 5th listing on the Chart and broke even on the Maps (0 wins/0 losses). I dont believe he's in any danger of leaving this week. Especially not with the early case of sunburn my colon got with the judges reviews.

Kris Allen (How Sweet it Is by Marvin Gaye). This would be my second favorite of the night. I just love his vibe. The only thing that will work against him this week is the fact he sang in 2nd position, which is one of the worst places to sing on a 2 hour performance night. You really must knock it out of the ballpark and be memorable to make it through to the next round. He was rated 4-9/B3 (green)/7th listing on the Chart and a +3 on the Maps. I'm thinking he could possibly hit the B3, although not really likely thanks to the less than stellar performances of a certain 3. I do believe he's safe for the week, even if they do stick him in the bottom (which I suspect will only be to make a point about him needing some more cockiness).

Scott MacIntyre (You Cant Hurry Love by The Supremes). This was my hubby's pick to reach Top 5. However, after last night's performance, I dont suspect he has too many more weeks. In fact, I will not be surprised if this is his last. As much as I hate to say it (because I have a real soft spot for him), he was an easy choice for a B3 pick this week. He was off a good many times through his performance. I did love that he didn't choose another ballad and played something more upbeat this time. I really hope he makes it through this week, even if it's just one more time. I'm not sure he will though as 70% of the judging panel (both guys and a good deal of Kara's review) were terribly critical of his execution of the song. With a 6-10/B3(yellow)/ 8th listing on the Chart and a -3 on the Maps (0 wins and 3 losses), things look rather bleak for him this week.

Megan Joy (For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder). Ummm. EW EW EW EW!! Can she PUH-LEEEEZ go home this week??? I really can NOT stand Ms McTwitchAlot's voice at all. Guaranteed I will never, ever buy a record of hers. I am going to say about her what I have said about Matt (who is starting ever so slightly to become tolerable where she isn't) WTF do peeps see in her??? Kara was right, My Guy would have been a much nicer choice of song for her voice. With a 7-10/B3 (yellow)/9th listing on the Chart and a 0 rating (1 win/1 loss), as well as a trashing from the judges, doesnt bode well for Megan this week. Is this the week I get my wish and she gets sent home (pleasepleaseplease)? Or did that nefarious VFTW do it's job and save it's poster child?

Anoop Desai (Ooh Baby Baby by Smokey Robinson). This is another contestant that I just dont get. He has an OK voice, but he aint all that. The only thing I can think is that maybe he's riding the coat-tails of Slumdog Millionaire and will end up doing well because of it. Could this be the year we have an ethnic winner? The timing is right for it. Rated a 4-8/ B3 (green)/ 6th listing on the Chart and a +2 in Maps (2 wins/ no losses), it's entirely possible he could be placed in the B3 just to make a point about his showmanship. Will he go home this week? Not likely, the fan base is too big right now.

Michael Sarver (Aint Too Proud to Beg by The Temptations). Another easy B3 pick. I think he dodged the bullet last week, but I'm not so certain he dodged it this week. He's got a big beautiful voice that records very well, but I hate to tell him...he aint blue-eyed soul, boyfriend's COUNTRY through and through. He did better than Scott, but he was easily outsung by many this night. The judges keep saying he's likeable, but I don't think that America's believing them as he's consistantly rating at the bottom of the Chart. This week's rating were an 8-10/ B3(yellow)/ DEAD LAST listing and a -3 on the Maps (no wins/ 3 losses). You know it's going to be bad when even Paula trashes you. Last week's bullet may have missed but I think this week's might just get him. We already know that of the B2 last week, only Alexis had the chance of being saved. If he falls in B2 again this week and has the lowest, guaranteed he'll be headed home because if they wouldnt save him last week (and he had better reviews last week)...they certainly wont be saving him this week.

Lil Rounds (Heatwave by Martha and the Vandellas). Tonight's performance reminded me alot of Melinda Doolittle from Season 6. Lil did quite well this week, it definitely wasn't bad at all. The judges definitely were not lovin her at all tonight. You know a review's going bad when Simon has to remind America that she's "one of the best singers in the competition this year". I suspect that if she fell into the B2 this week , that the save would definitely be used. She won't though, I'm sure, because her Chart rating was a 2-7/4th listing and a +3 on the Maps (3 wins/ no losses). Girlfriend's not going anywhere this week.


Adam Lambert (Track of My Tears by Smokey Robinson). OMG! Holyshit! *faints* What was NOT to like about this performance?? Not one damn thing. This guy is so friggin talented that it's pathetic. And those sustained notes?? He makes them seem so damn effortless. Breathtaking. And who know he'd clean up so nicely??? *sigh* Ok, I officially have a little fangirly crush on him. This was my absolute FAVORITE performance of the night. Win or lose, he's a star NOW.
The Chart has him at a 1-3/ 1st place rating. Remember, this time last year, Cook was making his move and starting to dominate the Chart/Maps on DI...so maybe, just maybe we have the winner. HOWEVER, when Archie was dominating, they were all set to crown him the winner right then so Im pretty hesitant to say we definitely have the winner here....YET. On the Maps he scored a +17, almost double his most direct competition who would be:

Danny Gokey (Get Ready by The Temptations). Shame, shame SHAME on Danny for not taking his mentor's advice! Did he forget? Or did he cockily think that his way was best? The former would be more forgiveable, however I suspect it's the latter. There's just something about Danny that I used to like but has most recently become rather annoying. I can't quite put my finger on it yet. I do know he needs to lose the glasses. From what I see on his performance intro package, he doesnt really need them and he looks better without them. He has an undeniably wonderful voice and will go far win or lose. The Chart has him at 1-4/ 3rd listing this week and he scored a +9 on the Maps (9 wins/ no losses).

Allison Iraheta (Papa Was a Rolling Stone by The Temptations). The beginning was rough, but it's a really hard song to sing. I was (and still am) kinda on the fence with her performance this week. Personally, I dont think it was as orgasmically wonderful as the audience and judges (Kara)thought. With the exception that it was in the pimp-spot, I dont think it deserved the SUTA treatment it received. Rated a 1-4/ 2nd listing on the Chart and a +7 on the Maps (just behind Danny), she's in no danger this week.

Wrappin it up:

B3: Megan, Scott and Michael
possibly one of them could be replaced with Anoop OR Kris

Dial Idol was right 2 weeks running now and I THINK they may actually be right again this week. So going home this week is more than likely Michael (although none of the B3s will be a surprise...one will just make me alot happier than the others).


I think we need to start a drinking game. Everyone take a shot when one of the following happen:

01) Someone points out that Allison is ONLY 16!! (this week we would have taken 2 drinks just from the judges panel alone!)

02) A contestant is told they could sing the alphabet or the phone book (that would have been one more drink on Lil)

03) Randy uses any of the following words (or forms of the same): DOPE, Blazing, hot, mad crazy or rushed

04) Simon says either Copy-cat OR Karaoke.

05) Kara has an orgasmic experience on air.

06) Paula actually makes sense and doesnt bablle incoherently.

I figure we should all be good and smashed by the 3rd 4th singer of the night every week!

This Week's review in 60 seconds

MTV Shows

Alexis ...out

Refund Please!

Umm, hmmm, I want my money back dammit!! Ok, to be honest, country isnt EXACTLY my thang... so please keep this in mind as I critique this. Song choice and performance order may or may not play a factor in this week's show. The fact that the judges still have their veto to use may not be an option this week because unless one of the chosen 4 gets voted off, I dont suspect they'll use it. Why? Because that means next week they'll need to let 2 go and who really wants to decide which of two can go on tour and who cannot? I know I sure as hell wouldn't want that job. Can you imagine telling one they can go and the other..."well sorry, you aint invited to tour with us"? Ah well.

Michael Sarver (Aint Goin Down Till the Sun Comes Up by Garth Brooks). Ok. Straight up, if he falls into the B3 for the week it won't be for song choice or a bad performance. If anything, you must give this man props for singing such a difficult song. To keep in key, stay on tempo and manage to get 98% words right and ennunciated correctly is total magic. Doing an uptempo song like that correctly takes ALOT of hard work! Ask me, I know. I was in the musical production of Music Man in my senior year of high school and there was this one song called Pick-A-Little/ Good Night Ladies that was MURDER trying to learn due to the speed of the song. So I really feel for Michael having to learn this one. With a 4-10/B3/7th listed rating and a Map rating of -1 (2 wins and 3 losses), it's highly possible that he'll be one of the 3 on stage for the reults show.

Allison Iraheta (Blame it on Your Heart by Patty Loveless). Personally, I thought she was the best female of the night. She sang rings around Michael (as well as several later in the evening) and I thought she was still fairly memorable by the end of the evening. My biggest worry for her is placement. First and second singers generally fall into the B3. The judges seemed to like her but looking at the DI site... *sigh*, it looks like I am one of the very few that thinks this way. With a 6-11/B3/10th listing on the Chart and a -1 Map rating (1 win, 2 losses), there is a very BIG possibility that she's headed for the walk of shame.

Kris Allen (To Make You Feel My Love by Garth Brooks). His performance was really iffy for me. On a first listen, during the show, I felt he was kind of bland...a very vanilla performance. I do have to agree with Kara that it didn't sound like an Opryland kind of song the way he sang it (which is actually a GOOD thing, trust me). I'm listening back to it right now...it's not bad. I'm not sure I really liked it but he does show a huge measure of control in his voice which is one thing that he'll need in the long run and it DID show another side than what we've seen so far. With a 4-9/B3/5th listing on the Chart and a +1 Map rating (3wins, 2 losses)...it's possible (but I'm thinking not likely) that he'll be in the B3.

Lil Rounds (Independence Day by Martina McBride). I'm VERY disappointed in her tonight. Something sounded really off during the performance (I had originally deemed it only ok) and as I'm listening back, girlfriend was OFF on alot more than just a few notes. The judges pretty much panned her choice of song (there were several other better choices for her there...Randy named a couple really GREAT choices for her voice). It looks like America didn't agree with the judges (nor me) and rated her a firm 3rd on the DI Chart and a rating of +1 on the Maps (1 win and NO losses). She is in absolute no danger this week folks.

Adam Lambert (Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash). Ummmm ummmm yeah. Where the HELL do I start with this one? His treatment umm no...styling...no...arrangement (*sigh* all are right but nothing adequately expresses what I want here) on this song was ummm different no...umm UNIQUE to say the absolute least. I'm partially with Kara on the fact that I was left confused but I wouldn't necessarily say I was happy afterwards (well, maybe a little happy because it was fun watching Kara so tongue-tied and speechless for a change). Who am I kidding, my first thought was "When did American Idol get into the porno music industry???". Yeah, I so went there. Not to tell Randy he's wrong, but dawg...America didnt agree with you. The girls in the audience may have been swooning and ready to throw fling their panties on stage but the ones watching it on tv werent feeling it so much. DI Chart rating of 4-10/B3/6th listing (down from a firm #2 last week) and a Map rating of +1 (3 wins and 2 losses) pretty much shows you , dog, how confused the American viewers were on this one, dude. With his ranking, it would NOT be a surprise to find him in the B3 spot on the stage. However, I suspect that the only way he'll make it there is if the judges (read Simon) wants to make a point to not do that again. Do I think he's going home? Nope. Too big of a fan base.

Scott MacIntyre (Wild Angels by Martina McBride). I loved his version of this song. It was well done and very pretty. Actually, this week's performance was much better vocally than last week. Somehow, I knew at least one of the judges were gonna dink on him for being behind the piano again. I was just very very surprised it was Paula that brought it up. Kudos to Scott for offering to have the piano moved closer. Go figure that it would be SIMON of all people to go to his aid and defend Scott's being at the piano. Yeah, Simon, who harped on the contestants last year that used their instruments as a crutch....HE defended Scott. Sorry folks, yes...he's mostly blind...no, there aint much he can do short of sitting at a piano OR sitting on a stool on stage. Get over it. I've said it before...I'm gonna say it again. To not only learn the song but learn the arrangement to play on your instrument is amazing. To have to do it while vision impaired is nothing short of miraculous. Should you keep voting him through "just because he's blind"? ..hell no. If the vocals arent there, then they arent there...no acceptions. This week DI has him rated at a 4-10/B3/8th listing on the Chart and a Map score of -1 (1 win and 2 losses). It's very highly possible that Scott will be in the B3 this week. Does he deserve to go home this week? Not really, as in my honest opinion there were a few far worse and much more forgettable. However, it's highly possible that he will. If Idol knows what's good for them, they'll keep him just one more week and send him on tour.

Alexis Grace (Jolene by Dolly Parton). Ok. Yes, she looks a bit like a young Dolly and yes in some words she sounds like her too, but could you PICK a more PREDICTIBLE damn song???? Randy basically said the arrangement didn't work and she was pitchy. I'm listening back and she's not having pitch issues...it's just the tone in her voice. That can't be helped, sorry dog. What WILL help it is if she picks better songs for her tone. On the Chart she's rated 9-11/B3/dead last in listing and on the Map she ended up at -1 (no wins and 1 loss). More than likely she'll end up in the B3. If she does, she's one of the few that I suspect they'll use the veto on. Did anyone else notice, there was no boos during the critique for her? Not even much of a response when Simon said she'd be forgotten. So will they save her, or toss her under the bus?

Danny Gokey (Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood). Can I ditto my comments on Alexis? This was a very PREDICTIBLE choice for Danny. I really didn't love it and found it rather meh. The first half was extremely forgettable and it's almost as if he didn't start singing until the second half. This contestant, although he can sing, is starting to annoy me somewhat and that's NOT a good thing. DI has him in a firm 1st with the Maps supporting it with a rating of +18 (again, the lion's share). No way in hell he's going home this week... unless there's a nasty internet scandal.

Anoop Desai (You Were Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson). I'm so glad he slowed it down some and reminded us why many are so excited to have him in the competition. Now, Willie's version of this song is one of the few I really like of his and is hands down one of my all-time favorite country songs from an older era of artist (Im not much on old country, not at all). Anoop's version, I'd actually listen to. It was one of the best male vocals of the entire night. He is well deserving of the firm 2nd place on the DI Chart (last week he was a 4-11) and rated a +5 on the Maps (5 wins and NO losses). There is no way he's going home this week and he needs to be very thankful he didnt get booted last week.

Megan Joy Corkrey (Walking After Midnight by Patsy Cline). I really hated this. I also dont believe the girl can just stand and sing. All the twitchin and chicken wings she does with her arms are VERY distracting. Ok...props for coming out even though she's sick as all hell. I certainly hope they have her in quarantined otherwise the whole mansion of kids will be infected by this time next week. I think the biggest question I have right now is, did the judges ~really~ like her or were they just being nice because she is sick as a dog? I only ask because my colon got a 3rd degree burn with all the sunshine that was shone up the ass in the comments. Rated on the Chart with a 5-11/B3/9th listing and a 0 on the Maps (1 win and 1 loss), she's in danger for the week. I'd really like to see her go home now...honestly. The twitching and over-ennunciating (or what ever it is about her voice that Im not liking) is enough for me to want to pull my hair out in clumps.

Matt Giraud (So Small by Carrie Underwood). I liked it. It was very nicely done and I ~almost~ see what everyone else sees in him. *ALMOST* The only thing that pissed me off was that there seems to be a little inequality around here. In all fairness, if you're going to dink one contestant for contantly being at the piano and tell him that he needs to stop using it as a crutch...
YOU NEED TO SAY IT TO THE OTHER ONE TOO!!!!
But noooooooooooooooooooooo! We blow sunshine up the one's ass because he's a "dark horse" and singing in the pimp spot. *fumes* Ok, he's got a bit better voice...but still....I mean REALLY! With a 4-8/4th listing and a +1 on the Maps (2 wins and 1 loss)...he aint going anywhere this week.

So. Who's in the B3 for the week? Well there are alot of possibilities to be honest. Several had the B3 notation next to their names. If we go with just the chart then our picks are:

Alexis
Allison
Megan

But if we throw in the Maps too we add:

Scott
Michael

We know that sometimes the DI chart doesnt end up with the lowest vote getter on the bottom (which might save Alexis). It's also very possible that either Scott or Michael will end up in Megan's place (of the 5, she's the only one that broke even in the Maps). Possibly both may end up there if Alexis actually placed higher than DI says she did.

Top 13, not too bad!

I haven't exactly been pleased over-all with the last few weeks as I watched more than one deserving contestant go home; basically I came into this Tuesday's performances filled with reservations. Adding to this is the fact that the spoilers were a bit late getting posted so I couldn't proof the songs before the show which has been my habit the last couple years. I will admit right now that the night wasn't a total wash... shoot it wasn't even a rinse-cycle! Yeah, the show was that good. No, not all the contestants were stellar, but there weren't too many that performed badly either. I think this week's show is going to come down to who was most memorable and who got forgotten. Song choice and singing placement played a big role in the show.

When Lil Rounds was shown as being the first singer, I got worried. Howevre, her version of The Way You Make Me Feel was absolutely wonderful. She had a few rough spots, but over all this was a very good start for the season. Kara was right, that last note was absolutely SICK (and that's in a GOOD way) and I agree with Simon because the second half of her performance was better than the first. Of all the girls on the show right now, if any ONE of them can survive a first singer place and still be memorable by the end of 2 hours, it's Lil. She's rated as a firm 3rd place on the DI chart and scored a +3 on the state maps (3 wins, no losses). She is in no way going home this week. So long as she "sings her face off" every week, we'll see her for a time to come.

02) Scott MacIntyre . He did a very beautiful version of Keep the Faith. I was absolutely right in previous weeks when I said that once he got to use his instrument he'd do alot better. Most astounding thing about his performance is that he had to learn the score as well as the vocal all in one week. I dont care what anyone says, whether you're sighted or vision impaired, that takes some MAD SKILLS. I absolutely LOVE his performances, although at this point I don't think he has a shot of winning. This one would be the true dark horse of the competition if he gets to stay around. However, singing that early in the night AND having the likes of Danny and Adam coming up later in the night... well placement just didn't do Scotty any favors. He's rated as a 4-12 on DI Chart which means there's a distinct possibility we'll see him as a B3 for the week. That'll be rough as they're sending 2 home this week. I think I may just cry if he goes home so soon though.

03) Danny Gokey. I can't tell you how happy they didn't play the "his wife died" card this week. TPTB must be seeing what some of the fans are saying about it. At this point, he needs to get through on his talent... not pity. His version of PYT was absolutely wonderful. The sound was current enough to be made into a hit now. Personally, he's one of the few in this season that doesn't really need the show. It would actually be doing him a favor to let him get through a few weeks and then get him voted off. I am listening to the performance again as I type and I think Simon's comment of him being a Michael McDonald type singer is pretty much spot on. With a DI Chart rating of #1 and the lion's share of the states (15!! More than TWICE the #2 vote getter), there's no way in HELL he's going home this week.

04) Michael Sarver. Oh dear, this one is where the performance placement is going to come into play. Don't get me wrong, he did a lovely version of You Are Not Alone, BUT he sounds just like every other male country artist that's out there now. This is the time to be standing out somewhat and he just did not do that. The song was beautifully sung and the diva note was there, but it was a terribly safe song for him. With a rating of 4-13 (he was as high as 4th place and as low as last) on the DI Chart and big ol goose egg on the maps (no wins, but no losses either), there is a very distinct possibility that this could be his last night.

05) Jasmine Murray. I don't know, she's nice but I'm just not diggin her much. Singing in 5th definitely didn't do her any favors this week. Her version of I'll Be There was very nice but she was handily out sung by at least 2 other girls not to mention several of the guys as well. The song was done well, but I don't think it was overly memorable. With a rating of 4-13 on the DI Chart and a -3 on the map (1 win and 4 losses), there is a very HIGH possibility that she's going home this week. It was a nice attempt, however this may have been a year or two too early for her.

06) Kris Allen. He's another one that I just love to listen to. Randy pointed out that Kris has this Jason Mraz quality to him and I think I might agree. I'd like to see him pull off some Rocco DeLuca sometime if he makes it through. Remember the Time was a wonderful song for him but Simon was right that the performance was a tad clumsy with that guitar so maybe it wasn't exactly the song for him to whip it out on. Kudos to Kris for helping out the other contestants out this week. I hope it doesn't bite him on the "adorable sexy" ass (thanks Paula, great description). I'm worried about the placement of his performance. Singing in the middle of the pack on a 2 hour night and a couple more pimped contestants coming up? Not a place I'd want to be. He rated a 4-13 on the DI Chart and a Map score of +1 (2 wins and a loss). There is a good possibility he'll be in the bottom, however there are ones that scored worse than him (and one far worse).

07) Allison Iraheta. I like her stage presence; she owns the stage when she's up there. Allison reminds me of a young Amanda Overmyer and I can see her putting out the same type of album once she's fully "seasoned". Her version of Give In To Me sounded much like something Heart or maybe even Pat Benetar would put out if they'd covered it. The judges blew alotta sunshine up her ass but I suspect she's in danger this week. Yes, she'll be one to watch *IF* she makes it through. The DI Chart has her at 4-13 and big ol goose egg on the Map for her also (3 wins and 3 losses) so there's a distinct possibility this could be the last week for her as well.

08) Anoop Desai. On first listen of his version of Beat It, I thought it was pretty good but he sounded winded in parts of it. As I'm listening to it a second time, I'm not really overly thrilled with it. I suspect he'd have done better if he'd picked a ballad for this week. Not to say it was bad, but Paula actually uttered the "K" word (karaoke) *gasps*. Yeah, I agree Chicagolady... I'm sure she was coached on that review too. You know it's bad when all 4 judges use that word (especially Paula!). Simon was asked if he regretted making it a Top 13 this year and he responded that "on the back of that , yes". Yep, he's right. It's no time to be too safe, but it's also not time to be overly risky. He got a 4-11 on the DI Chart and a +3 on the Map. The Chart has him in green and he's predicted to be safe. Even if he ended up on the low end of his rating, he'd still be outsinging two others. As much as I hate to say it, I'm going to call him as safe... simply because I hear there's a HUGE fan base out there for him. .

09) Jorge Nunez. His version of Never Can Say Goodbye wasn't bad, it was better than some of his other performances. I don't think the song did him any favors though. Kara was right when she pointed out that She's Out of My Life would have been a much better choice for his voice. I believe Danny Gokey would have done a much better job with this particular song than Jorge did. He rated a 4-13 on the DI Chart and a goose egg on the Map (1 win, 1 loss). Jorge is definitely in trouble this week.

10) Megan Joy Corkrey. Ok, her version of Rockin Robin was all kinds of wrong from the very start. I still have no clue WHY they let this one through when there were ones that were 100% more deserving of the spot. Somehow I just knew, before she ended her performance, she'd be a VFTW poster child. The dancing alone was enough to make her their pick, but that damn CAW CAW at the end...was just a clincher. Ok, sorry, I was hatin this performance severely. She's one of my B3 picks of the week and she really does deserve to be there. I suspect VFTW may have done *just* enough to get her through though. She rated a 4-13 on the DI Chart and scored a +1 on the Map ( 2 wins, 1 loss). There's a definite possibility that she's done her last "Corkrey" on that stage this week, but then there's a slim chance she might squeak through.

11) Adam Lambert. I liked, but didnt really overly LOVE Adam's version of Black or White. I love the fact he actually giggled a bit at the girls' reactions in the audience during the beginning of his performance though, yet did not get completely distracted and lose track of where he was. It's a sign of a really good performer to be able to react to the audience and NOT completely lose it in a fit of giggles (they stay in character). On a second listen....I more than like it, I love it....just not LOVE it. You know what I liked best about his performance? He didn't pick the song that would have been the most obvious choice to make. The Alien Ant Farm's version of Smooth Criminal would have been right up his alley and he would have absolutely slaughtered on that one, yet he chose to do something completely new. I love me some David Cook, but you know he more than likely would have made that obvious choice (sorry, but you know he would have), so kudos to Adam for that brilliant move. I am going to say this yet again, he DOES.NOT.NEED.this show. It would be doing him a HUGE favor to let him get a few more weeks in and then cut him loose. Keep him around just long enough to get him on The Tour (ka-chingville folks!). Ryan was right on how easy Adam made it seem, although I suspect he should have used the term "effortless" because that's how he performs. He rated a firm #2 on the DI Chart this week and had a +6 Map score (second only to Gokey). There is no way in HELL he's going home this week.

12) Matt Giraud. He had a nice performance of Human Nature, but it wasn't great. There's a nice falsetto there. I just don't see what all the hype is about him, to be honest. If someone could please explain the attraction some find with him? He's good....not great. Maybe it's that Timberlake connection the judges like to make? I'll reserve judgement for when he actually tackles a Timberlake song. His rating was a 4-13 on the DI Chart and a -1 on the Map. There is a heavy possibility he's going home this week, unless whatever twist the judges are pulling gets him through.

13) Alexis Grace. I could NOT believe the song choice on this one. How the HELL did they manage to clear Dirty Diana? Nevermind the show, I mean through Fox! What's next, one of the boys singing She-Bops? Yeah, I so went there. Ok, I will agree that she out-rocked Allison tonight and if I had to choose between just between them then I'd go with Alexis. Simon was right though, it wasn't really all that. In the atmosphere of the auditorium, that was a great performance but listening back...not really. Enough to get her through for the week though. She rated a 4-10 on the DI Chart (so at her lowest she still out sang 3 people which keeps her outta the bottom) and a +2 on the Map. No, unless the judges are out of their minds, she aint going home this week.


Highest probability of being in the B3:
Jasmine Murray: lowest Map score (-3), 3rd lowest on the Chart, BUT the judges liked her

Matt Giraud: next lowest Map score (-1), they have him 7th listed on Chart, judges really liked his performance

Scott MacIntyre (oh , I so did NOT want to add him here): tied on next lowest Map score (-1), 6th listing on the Chart, judges liked him but felt it was safe (Simon hated the song)



Other possibilities of hitting the B3 for the week:
Michael Sarver: No Map score (no wins, no losses), listed 8th on the Chart, judges liked him

Allison Iraheta: No Map score (3 wins, 3 losses), next to last on Chart, judges liked her

Jorge Nunez: No Map score (1 win, 1 loss), LAST on Chart, judges bashed him


Very remotely possible:
Kris Allen: +1 Map score (2 wins, 1 loss), listed 4th lowest on Chart, judges liked him

Megan Joy Corkrey: +1 Map score (2 wins, 1 loss), listed 5th lowest on the Chart, Simon hated her and the others were less than complimentary. ..oO(oh please Lord let this one go home!!)



My picks for B3? Jorge, Jasmine, and things are going how I'd like, then Megan. However, it's very possible any one of the other 5 will be in Megan's place.

Good thing this show's free...

because I'm all for demanding my money back!

You know a night's bad when you miss a couple of performers because of technical difficulties with the flat screen TV in your office, and you don't miss much. I'd say it's sad, but it's more like pathetic. Of the 3 weeks of the Top 36, last week's was definitely the most entertaining of the bunch. This week...well it was ho-hum and easily the weakest week.

As the last two weeks, I'm not going into details with the horror of some of them (I'm just really grateful that one sang early enough to forget the performance) but I will pick out my favorites of the week.

Styx Pick for Top Female of the week, hands down, is Lil Rounds... . She started out a bit rough, but once she hit the chorus she was absolutely fine. Definitely was one of the better female performances of the night. Only one or possibly two other girls were even memorable (but the second one is just not necessarily my cuppa tea). I'm hoping that Lil wasn't memorable simply because they stuck her in the pimp (or in her case, it might be a pimpette) spot. I guess we'll see when next week comes and she's not singing in the choicest spot of the night.

Styx Pick for Top Male of the night was a bit more difficult. I actually had to listen to them again (thanks Rickey!!) to make absolutely sure of my pick. Only half of the guys were actually worth listening to tonight. Of the three, I'm sure my favorite was Scott McIntyre . Yes, his wasn't the most perfect vocal and he's a tad awkward to watch (then again so was Jeff Healey and so is Stevie Wonder)...but it was really nice to listen to. I'm sure that he's just going to get better once they allow the kids to bring their instruments on the stage. There's just something about him that lights right up.

For the Third Chair this week we may see one of the following:

Ju'Not Joyner who had a relatively safe, mostly stripped down version of Hey There Delilah by the Plain White Ts. The Dial Idol chart has him sitting in a firm second right now but the charts didn't have the Third Chair contestant right last week, though the Maps part of the site got really close. Tonight Ju'Not won 3 states, lost 1 for a total of 2.

Nathaniel Marshall who sang Anything For Love by Meatloaf. OK, normally, after THAT performance, I wouldn't even consider putting him as an "Let's also watch". However, VFTW has picked him as this week's poster child and *IF* they did their job he may have a shot. He rose rapidly from the bottom part of the chart to the third ranking male of the night. The maps have him gaining 2 states but losing 3 for a -1 rank of the night. Who knows. Personally, I would have much rather seen Nick Mitchell go through than this one...at least Nick's FUNNY.

Jorge Nunez who sang the second Sir Elton John song of the night, Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me. I have to admit, of the duelling Sir Elton's, he sang his better. On the maps, Jorge managed to grab 3 states with no losses. Which means, of the three here, he more than likely has the best chance in getting that third chair.

Unfortunately, not one of the girls (short of Lil) garnered enough votes to even REGISTER on the chart. However, in their favor, a few of them did manage to score some won states. So because of this, I am going to pick a couple that just *might* have a chance at the Third Seat.

We need to also watch:

Felicia Barton who sang a spot-on No One by Alicia Keys. Alicia's a very hard artist to emulate and Felicia handled her choice of song much better than Taylor did. Taylor who? Felicia managed to grab 5 states tonight in the maps, second highest of any of the girls. If ANY of the girls join Lil, this is the one that I would most expect to take that spot.

Kendall Beard who sang Martina McBride's This One's For the Girls. OK, this one wasnt my cuppa tea... aren't there enough blonde haired blue eyed country singers already? She did well but I'm sure the eventual comparisons to Carrie Underwood will come and Kendall pales in comparison. Carrying 4 states, puts her as the third highest ranking girl.

One more to keep an eye on is Kristen McNamara. Her version of Tracy Chapman's Give Me One Reason was enough to make me note that she was one of the better females of the night at that point. I think if she ever figures out who she is, she'll be a force to be reckoned with. She received 2 states on the map.

None of these girls lost a state. If any of them do not manage to get through tonight with the popular vote, I suspect at least one (if not all) will be seen in the Wild Card round.

Top Chairs for the night will be Lil Rounds, Scott MacIntyre and one of the other 6 I mentioned. I don't believe that any of the first four of tonight's singers have a snowball's chance in hell of advancing. The first 2 girls weren't memorable enough over the course of the two hours and the guys, well they were memorable...just not in a good way. I couldn't see voting for Von Smith... hell I don't even like watching him perform, never mind listening to him... and Alex (the horror I mentioned earlier) that was definitely not good.

Boys' Winner Map:

Girls' Winner Map: