(NOTE: If you're looking for 2008's Top 24, go here)(S06E10) It's "FINAL JUDGMENT" time, Ryan says, hoping to charge us up for tonight's episode. The singing is done, and now those who survived the Hollywood Week hazing, will find out if they've made the final cut.
I can't believe they build an entire episode around "announcing" the Top 24. It's really just a list of names that could have been posted online after last night's episode. Better yet, they should announce the list of names online with links to video of each and every performance to date, so the curious can check out the Top 24 contestants in more depth, if they wish.
Instead, they try to build suspense in this episode and it just isn't happening. We haven't really made strong attachments yet, so we're not heartbroken when cuts are made. And the only real surprise is where they've been hiding SEVEN out of the Top 24. Before tonight, we've never laid eyes on 5 out of the Top 12 Girls, and 2 out of the Top 12 Boys.
Throughout the show, we see snippets of Hollywood final performances, and get just a small glimpse of what the judges based their final decisions on. We also watch as each contestant enters the room, and sits on "THE CHAIR" to find out their fate. It's not that interesting (unless you're there, I imagine). The pressure doesn't translate well on TV. And drawing it out (with the elevator ride and long walk into the room) only has me wanting to yell "cut to the freaking chase" at my TV. But then again, patience is not one of my strong points.
The judges try to scare those who made the Top 24 by pulling the old, "I'm sorry....BUT you're going to be seeing a lot more of us!" They fool me the first time, but not the second, third, or 24th. The judges' comments aren't worth transcribing verbatim, so that saves me a lot of typing tonight. Whew.
The only real drama comes towards the end of the episode, when there's only ONE girl slot and ONE boy slot left and four contestants remaining in an otherwise empty room.
For the girls, it comes down to ANTONELLA BARBA vs. MARISA RHODES. Marisa is already at a disadvantage because we've seen loads of footage of Antonella (including her jumping in the surf in her bikini) and we were given only a quick peek at Marisa last night. I like Antonella, especially without her snippy cohort, Amanda. And she's a Jersey Girl (as am I), so I have to root for her. But they show their final performances, and Simon calls Marisa's the "best we've heard today." Meanwhile, Antonella struggles with her final song. So I admit I'm surprised when Antonella is chosen, and Marisa is sent home. Marisa is more shocked than me though, because she truly thought she was a "sure thing."
For the boys, it comes down to SUNDANCE HEAD vs. TOMMY DANIELS. Sundance has an advantage because the judges loooove him to death, even though he did a crappy job during Hollywood Week. Tommy is also at a disadvantage because he has an arrest record and is just too darn cocky (for my personal taste). Still, I thought the real shock was going to be Sundance "Head-ing" home. But no, it's Tommy! He actually earns some brownie points with me when he flips a double bird to the Idol Elevator-Cam.
And without further fuss, the Top 24 follows:
TOP 12 GIRLS
1. Gina Glocksen
2. Melinda Doolittle
3. Haley Scarnato
4. Alaina Alexander
5. Antonella Barba
6. Jordin Sparks
7. Lakisha Jones
8. Stephanie Edwards
9. Leslie Hunt
10. Sabrina Sloan
11. Nicole Tranquillo
12. Amy Krebs
Top 12 Boys:
1. Chris Sligh
2. Sundance Head
3. Blake Lewis
4. Brandon Rogers
5. Rudy Cardenas
6. Sanjaya Malakar
7. Phil Stacy
8. Chris Richardson
9. Nick Pedro
10. Paul Kim
11. A.J. Tabaldo
12. Jared Cotter
Those sent home:
A bunch of people we were vaguely aware of:
Anna Kearns
Tami Gosnell
Tatiana McConnico
Marisa Rhodes
Matthew Buckstein
Thomas Daniels
Tom Lowe
Jimmy McNeal
Bernard Williams
As well as people we've never seen before tonight:
Eric Davis
Erick Johnson
Olivia Quiba-Hurst
Monique Vieras
Jerome Chism
Joelle James
Princess Johnson
I hope Stephanie, Leslie, Sabrina, Nicole, Amy, Jared, and A.J. are ready to make a huge impression next week because we really don't know who they are, and I bet a lot of you already have your FAVORITES picked out. The unknown finalists are going to have to wow us with their songs, or they'll be going home very soon. They also need some free publicity. Personal controversy is one way to create a buzz on the internet. Although that hasn't worked well so far. All the contestants with buzz -- Sean Michel, Tom Lowe, Tommy Daniels, Ashlyn Carr, Jamie Lynn Ward, Jory Steinberg -- have gone home.
Next Week: There's a lot of Idol -- five hours worth!
Tuesday (8-10 ET) -- The Top 12 Boys perform
Wednesday (8-10 ET) -- The Top 12 Girls perform
Thursday (8-9 ET)-- The First Live Results Show
Get ready to vote, because as Ryan Seacrest said, "Now it's up to YOU, America."
* Final Note: Not sure who the Top 24 Contestants are? Click on the links above. Most of them lead back to Reality TV Magazine because I like the easy links they've set up to individual posts about individual contestants.
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Sesame Street's 40th: Five biggest controversies
Reader Comments (Page 9 of 10)
2-15-2007 @ 11:25PM
Denise said...
It's too bad that this show has gone the way of so many others. It's pretty sad when most of the story is about the judges, and not about the people that are actually in the show. Unless of course you count the stories on each contestant we really have no idea about and don't really care about yet. This year has been less about the singing talent and more about their lives and the lives of the judges. I couldn't believe that there has been virtually no singing this year. Even bad singing would have been better than watching the contestants playing in the water.
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2-15-2007 @ 11:31PM
MTP said...
I really liked Princess Johnson , However I heard from someone that knows her that she didn't make it long before tonights show aired, due to the fact that she has three kids. She is one of the ones we never really heard of..I think its unfortunate for the show if that it true, because that girl had talent and Regardless of what people may think that is part of America's Reality- having kids,being a single mother and trying to use whatever gifts or talents you may have to change your life for the better and the life of your kids. May God reignite this star to shine brighter than ever.
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2-17-2007 @ 6:04PM
Frank Gunnels said...
Antonella will win & Hoping my step cousin Sundance makes it to the finals...........
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2-15-2007 @ 11:58PM
Carol Tomkosky said...
what the heck is wrong with these judges,
What was wrong with Baily Brown, she could have been this years AMERICAN IDOL, she's got a great voice,
What are these judges thinking?
I couldn't believe it ,when she was told she didn't make it, unreal,
Wise up JUDGES, SHE COUDL HAVE BEEN THE REAL AMERICAN IDOL.
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2-16-2007 @ 8:03AM
Aviva said...
Bring back Baily!!!!!!!
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2-18-2007 @ 11:08PM
Debbie said...
I think the judges are so rude to alot of the singers who didn't make it. The laughing infront of them is plan RUDE. If they feel someone is not up to their choice then they should say no thanks in a polite way, not as rude as they are sometimes. I believe they are looking for someone who has the looks. I have seen some with good voices and they are cut. And no Country what the heck. The show is very boring this year. They cut alot of good ones think they will get a lot of slack over this one. I feel really bad for Baily Brown she had a good voice she may have forgot her words but look at the girls she was with. Didn't one of the other forget her words also? And as for Matt Salo he did his best and then to find out his Mom never has said she LOVES him, What kind of Mother is she. I wish Baily and Matt the best and hope they make it big and forget the crap on American Idol. Simon you need to think about what you say on national TV about another one from AL not being a winner.
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2-15-2007 @ 11:49PM
Baileyfan said...
Are you kidding me? Bailey had an awesome voice! I agree she forgot the words to the song,but that was because she has to listen to the 2 women (who thought they were all that) Bicker at eachother the whole night. Also the 1 was a liar when she said she didnt flirt with the boys! I myself think she could have been given another chance and allowed to pass to the next level aas well as a few others. I am so disappointed in them with the 1st cut. It seems as though they already have their ind up on who they want. Bailey....all I can say is you are young and there is always next year! good luck, if someone hasn't picked you up already cause you have an awesome voice and a singers appeal.
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2-16-2007 @ 6:36AM
Lana Weber said...
I thought the first 4 girls eliminated in Hollywood were fantastic. One of them was Jory something and I really loved her. This year the contestants seem so drab. I think the chubby black girl got through because they eliminated Jennifer Hudson and that must be a major humiliation for the show. I have been a multi voting AI fanatic since the begining but this year does seem like a snooze fest and I do think the judged have made some serious mistakes and given us 24 very boring contestants. I have not heard a great voice in the crowd and I do think Baily Brown was a mistake and the little boy with the cold Mama would have made good TV and he had a nice voice. These people are boring. Have the judges just become jaded from listening to too many bad auditions? I heard that girl that sang with Justin Timberlake at the Grammys and she was a reject? By what measure???
Lana Weber
Atlanta, Ga
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2-16-2007 @ 3:06AM
bryan said...
I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY GOT RID OF BAILEY BROWN. OF COURSE SHE FORGOT HER LINES; HER PARTNER WAS OUT FLIRTING WITH THE GUYS. I WAS GLAD THAT GIRL DIDN'T MAKE IT BUT FOR ME SINCE BAILEY BROWN IS GONE THERE IS NO REASOM TO WATCH IT. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE THAT SINGS COUNTRY.
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2-16-2007 @ 2:43AM
KJ said...
The song in the background from the 2/14 show is Katharine McPhee's "not ur girl"
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2-16-2007 @ 3:18AM
j said...
Was real diappointed about Bailey...so she forgot the words! She should have been given another chance, they really blew it by seding her home.
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2-16-2007 @ 3:33AM
David Luke said...
What a moron! Cut to the "chase" is not how the saying goes. You call yourself a professional writer?
Get real toots!
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2-16-2007 @ 5:36AM
Courtney said...
Baily was awsome, its sad i wont want to watch AI this year with no one that really sticks out to me. aposed to last year you had "Fine chirs D., and cathrine M.") she was beautiful. and what ever came of dude with the gray hair?? this year i was hoping to see Baily up there but we all see where that went. As far as someone saying she shouldve went home coz she forgot the words??? you think all the famous people dont ever forget their words?? well think again! So she messed up, no bodys perfect, and when she was sionging it was amazing!And i do blame the two B*iches that were in her group, she shouldve left them, yes they did have part in it. " i cant help you because it will mess me up"! Im glad i didnt try out this year, I hope Baily will be there next year. Courtney Starr
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2-16-2007 @ 3:33PM
Tina Walbridg said...
I saved the idiol site to my favorites. When I want to get to this site I can get the first page only. The first 20 responses. How do I get to this site? Can someone help me?
Thanks
Tina
wlbrdg@aol.com
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2-16-2007 @ 3:39PM
Tina Walbridg said...
I think Paula has probably had her share of bangings
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2-17-2007 @ 9:21AM
nancy said...
This Antonella/Marisa thing was just for drama and ratings. Obviously AI does NOT want Antonella to win...too much air time...BUT we have to remember there was MUCH WORSE female singers then Antonella that did get thru. Some were HORRIBLE over both Marisa and Antonella, like Leslie, Alaiena and 2 or 3 others. Bailey is Young she will come back. I think Antonella may surprise us, and the other nasty friend is the one who made the nasty comment about Bailey. My two favorite females are Melinda and Lakisha...but that can change. For the males I like Chris...Don't forget Bo Bice and Elliott had very little air time. America usually gets it right.
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2-17-2007 @ 10:54AM
Liz Finn-Arnold said...
Dear David "toots" Luke, Ph.d
The phrase IS "cut to the chase" and it means "get to the point."
http://www.idiomsite.com/cuttothe.htm
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2-17-2007 @ 12:31PM
Tina Walbridg said...
So much talk about Bailey and "Bring Her Back". No way! The four guys who did the duet were awesome. If they could learn that entire song then Bailey should have been able to learn four sentences don't you think?
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2-18-2007 @ 12:31PM
Tina Walbridg said...
I can only get to the first 20 questions/responses unless I type in a comment. Any suggestions
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2-18-2007 @ 12:35PM
Tina Walbridg said...
This week should be awesome. I believe it is on two hours Tues and Wed, and one hour on Thursday. I think this is where they will start going for the best.
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