(S06E16) Ryan sums up the last two nights by saying "The girls ripped it up and the boys threw it down," and tells us that once again they received almost 32 million total votes. Let's just skip all the other stuff and get to it. AJ TABALDO is going home! I'm shocked. I really didn't see that coming. I would place AJ above Phil, Brandon, Jared, and definitely Sanjaya. He gave a good performance Tuesday night and received praise from all of the judges. He has a great personality to match a great voice. Yet, AJ's journey ends tonight...and Sanjaya (adorable, yet flawed) lives to sing another song.
Oh yeah, ALAINA, NICK, and LESLIE are also going home, but I'm not surprised at all. I pretty much expected that. Did I mention that I'm still in shock over AJ getting the boot?
While I'm disappointed that one of my favorites is going home, I realize that this shock is what makes American Idol so exciting and unpredictable. Unfortunately, it's also what makes Idol so frustrating. I want America to vote for MY choices. Or I want to believe that I KNOW who America will vote for (even though I have no clue).
It seems that no matter how hard we try, we can't really predict how our fellow Americans will vote. The AOL online poll got it half right, and half wrong (Sanjaya and Antonella are safe). Meanwhile, Alaina and AJ looked safe over at dialidol.com, but obviously weren't.
Randy, Simon, and Paula think maybe America got it wrong tonight. Do you agree? Or are you glad that AJ, Nick, Alaina, and Leslie are going home?
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Other highlights: - Kellie Pickler shows up to sing "I Wonder," and talk about her upcoming tour with Brad Paisley. She doesn't sound nearly as ditzy as she did last year (despite the spider sushi comment). She says she spent money on new shoes, and Ryan wonders (as we all do) if there's something else she's bought lately - like maybe, er, I don't know, implants? Her voice is better than I remember, but the performance is stiff. And her hairstyle is too "old" for such a pretty, young girl.
- The contestants perform "Joy to the World" as a group, and my favorite part is when AJ sings the line "You know I love the ladies." There's been lots of speculation about AJ, and many doubt he's straight, so I find it interesting that he sings this part of the song.
- Alaina is such an emotional mess after her rejection that she can't sing her final song. I've never seen this happen before on Idol. It definitely didn't improve my final impression of her singing.
- Sundance cries a lot tonight. Really, they show him at least half a dozen times and he's always wiping tears from his eyes.
- Paula tries to give Alaina parting advice, but I think Alaina drops her microphone and the sound drops out completely so we can't hear what Paula is saying. It's not a big loss, I'm sure.
- Last week's American Idol Challenge winner is in the audience to prove that the contest is real. This week's question is ridiculously easy again. Nobody tells us what we really want to know, which is how much money they made on last week's Idol Challenge phone calls.
- Leslie and AJ both sang "Feeling Good" and both got booted. I thought it was an interesting song, but apparently it didn't sit well with America. I would cut it from the playlist for next year.
- We get the usual compilation good-bye video set to Daughtry's "Home" and darn if I don't feel a little emotional. I just become a big, mushy softy during this part of the show (sorta like Sundance, without the actual tears). I even feel bad for the contestants I wanted to leave.
- Leslie wins me over during her final few minutes, when she ad libs the end of her song, saying something like, "Why did I decide to scat? Americans don't care for Jazz."
For more Idol thoughts on last night's show, check out People.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 11 of 19)
3-02-2007 @ 1:36PM
kim said...
AJ was in my top 6 males - so I was truly shocked and saddened that he got the least amount of votes. He is very cute and charming and above all and most important - he could SING. How could Sanjaya have more votes than him unless it is all the teeny boppers hitting redial because they think he is cute.
As for Antonella - I dont even know what to say - she is a horrible singer and I dont even know how she made it in the top 24 - she slaughtered Aerosmith last week and Celine Dion this week and the judges agreed yet the voters decided to keep her around - maybe having racy pics circulating on the internet does wonders for your career these days. She must go next week - if she makes it to the final 6, I dont know if I can keep watching because it will be such a farce.
Come on America - vote for SINGING talent - not for sexy, popular, cute, sassy, whatever, etc.....remember this is a singing competition - and one of the best performers (AJ) just got voted off and one of the worst performers (Antonella) is staying another week.
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3-02-2007 @ 1:38PM
Kelly said...
Ditto, second, third, etc. to comments on AJ being booted off. Even Sanjaya was surprised at not being eliminated; had sense enough to know he couldn't hold a candle to AJ--consistently classy.
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3-02-2007 @ 1:39PM
psychrainbow1 said...
In my humble opinion, AJ should not have gone last night, he was good for at least one more week. I admire the mature way he reacted to the news and thanked everybody. I hope his exposure and the experience gained on AI will help him on his next adventure. Way to go, AJ! I will miss your smiling face.
Another thing I did notice, was Melinda taking Jordin under her wing when she was so upset at the end of the show. Melinda, has a big, beautiful heart, a professional approach, poise, and an awesome singing voice. The rest of the Idol hopefuls would do well to watch and learn from her. Lakisha has an awesome voice and no matter what happens in this competition, these two ladies have been "discovered."
As for the guys, right now Blake, Chris S., Chris, and Sundance are standing out, but that could change in the coming weeks. Only time will tell.
I think Sanjaya, as young as he is, lacks confidence, power, and feels awkward, but one day he will realise his dream, just not yet. He should have gone this week. Now if he comes out next week and surpises everyone with something like MJ's Thriller or Billie Jean, with the moves and the voice, then I'll gladly eat my words. I don't see that happening, though. :)
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3-02-2007 @ 1:42PM
Sherry Snider said...
Last night was a real shock to me. I was really upset. I keep watching because I love to see new talent. When I'm watching I close my eyes and really listen to them. I vote for the one I think is the best and that I want to hear again. The looks and what there wearing has nothing to do with it. This is peoples live were messing with. America needs to stop and think about what there doing when they vote because they feel sorry for someone. The ones that arn't that good can come back next year if they love to sing that much. America please, please listen to there voices next week. Vote for the best not the worst.
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3-02-2007 @ 1:52PM
barb said...
I just wish Idol would be about the best singing voice and not looks and personality. I think AJ and Nick got a raw deal and Alaina has an attitude problem. The judges got it right when they said the contest was about singing but obviously most of the audience isn't listening.
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3-02-2007 @ 1:52PM
Angie said...
Does any one else wonder about Ryan and Leslie? It looked like he couldn't keep his hands off her.
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3-02-2007 @ 1:53PM
Ron said...
Who dressed Kellie? If this was the forties,she might have a pin up girl.Wherever she got her fashion and hair advice should be banished from the current world.She is so cute and fresh in her natural hair and casual attire.
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3-02-2007 @ 2:05PM
starlynth7388 said...
the skater girl ebony that was shown in the auditions had some kind of background so they booted her off before she got further, just like akron or whoever (the 20something who auditioned with his cousin and his cousin didnt make it) and the girl that they originally said no to and rushed back and put her through. all 3 couldnt compete because of backgrounds even though they made it to hollywood....
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3-02-2007 @ 2:13PM
BRS said...
The judges need to pick the bottom four out of the guys and then out of the girls. Then let America vote, from there, on who should go home. I do think that AI may be "fixed". How do we know if Antonella REALLY got more votes than Leslie and Alaina. That's just what they tell us. Same for Sanjaya. I definetely think the voting could be a scam. After all, Fantasia won.
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3-02-2007 @ 2:14PM
elaine said...
It doesn't really matter WHO gets booted at this point. This is a contest between Melinda and LaKisha anyway, so until the final show with those two, all the other contestants are just "filler". But I agree that Sanjaya should have gone last night. If we are going to have to listen to everybody else sing until the final show, we should at least be able to listen to GOOD singers with TALENT!!! Right?
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3-02-2007 @ 2:17PM
Carol Kuhn said...
The judges don't get Sanjaya ---why people vote for him! --he sings on pitch and he has a clear,pure ,unique voice ---like Nat King Cole and Johhny Mathis ---and they did all right in their time. He's different ---and that's good!
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3-02-2007 @ 2:18PM
Barb said...
America, where are your ears? Sanjaya and Antonella are terrible. Poor AJ didnt deserve to get cut for Sanjaya and Leslie didnt deserve to get cut for Antonella. That just sucks. People, please, please vote so these two dingbats get off the show.
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3-02-2007 @ 2:21PM
Barb said...
No more comments except Sanjaya and Antonella are a joke
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3-02-2007 @ 2:23PM
BRS said...
ELAINE is right. This competition is between Melinda and Lakisha. All the others are going home. Who cares what kind of order they go??? Oh, and it's Melinda all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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3-02-2007 @ 2:26PM
Carolyn said...
I am shocked no one has commented on the fact that Pickler has gained about 2o ++++ pounds! She went platinum blonde, her hairstyle was awful,and she started losing it towards the end of her song. She used to be considered hot and was her season's Antonella and now she is downright matronly!!
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3-02-2007 @ 2:32PM
Lee said...
So sad AJ is gone-beautiful, warm tone to his voice. There is very little talent this year- is this really the best the judges could come up with after listening to 100,000 singers? P.S. Please posters- watch your language. There are pre-teens and young teens viewing this site.
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3-02-2007 @ 2:33PM
Naomi Haughton said...
The finalists i find are very poor this year!!!
I live in Wales UK and we get American Idol every friday night (must not forget tonight)
I reckon they got rid of the good ones except Lakisha
Lakisha to win!! so sweet and bubbly she deserves it :O)
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3-02-2007 @ 2:40PM
BRS said...
As long as you all keep bashing Antonella and Sanjaya people will keep voting for them. I can't stand Antonella, but Sanjaya is ok. And it makes me angry to hear him called femminine. What about Leslie....not so feminine!!!! Keep dissing Sanjaya, and I will add a hundred or so votes for him next week.
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3-02-2007 @ 2:40PM
D. Artist said...
I am wondering what happened to some contestants too Patrick that replied at 8:25 AM. I have been wondering what happened to the girl that could sing opera and rock. She sounded and looked a little like a young Fiona Apple. They never showed her again. I am wondering if they offered some people some contracts and that's why they weren't shown again or are they planning on bringing them back some kind of way? Makes you go hmmmmmm.
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3-02-2007 @ 2:43PM
John Dixon said...
You have some good singers, and talent on this one. The real Idol is Sabrina. She has class, The body the looks showmanship, the whole nine yards, plus, she has a great voice. A BLIND MAN WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM PICKING THIS ONE.
John Dixon, Richmond, Ca.
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