People sure take American Idol seriously! 25 million voted last night, choosing the next three singers to advance to the top 12, joining Alexis Grace, Danny Gokey, and Michael Sarver. Based on the chosen three tonight, this is gearing up to be a great competition. So far, everyone can sing and there really aren't any Sanjayas in the group yet. Yes, Nick Mitchell/Norman Gentle is a novelty act. but he can sing and he's really entertaining. But before we got to learn which three went through, the producers tortured us with yet another group number, with the Idols awkwardly dancing and singing Neo's "Closer." I'm not a big fan of the group numbers, and the singers don't look like they're having that much fun either.
Then Ryan chatted up the contestants, asking Matt Breitzke if he had any regrets about talking back to Simon last night. "I don't know that there's ever a point in my life where it's going to be too late for advice," said Matt. Meanwhile, Jeanine Vailes' legs were still in full view.
First to step into the circle of stress are Allison Iraheta, Jesse Langseth, and Matt Breitzke. Out of these three, my favorite is Allison. At just 16 years old, she blows me away every time I hear her sing. She's such a natural performer. Randy said he hoped Allison would go through, because she sang her heart out last night. Randy's and my wish was granted, because Allison was put through, while Matt and Jesse will be going home.
Up next are Matt Giraud, Jeanine Vailes, Megan Joy Corkrey, and Kris Allen. Paula said she had no idea which of these four would be going through. Kris is chosen, and looks like he's going to faint. He's so humbly surprised, it's sweet. And his family is weeping, too.
Next, we were treated to a completely unnecessary filler thing with scenes of past winners and contestants, including Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, even the She-Bangs guy. After that, past contestant Brooke White sang her new single, "Hold Up My Heart," while playing the piano. She advised the current contestants, "Don't Google your name!"
Mishavonna Henson, Kai Kalama, Adam Lambert, Nick Mitchell/Norman Gentle, and Jasmine Murray were next up in the circle. Simon said he prayed for 5 or 6 hours nonstop that Nick wouldn't get through. "Hopefully, God and I have a good relationship right now," said Simon.
Apparently, God heard Simon's prayers. Adam is the one who made it through, and, as the other winners did, he sang his song from last night. He really does have a phenomenal voice, and I'm glad he made it through. In fact, if I'd chosen the winners, it would have been the three that America chose. They got it right, in my mind.
As for Nick/Norman, there's still a chance he could come back as a wild card. As Simon explained, the judges will bring back a few people they feel deserve another shot. Will Nick/Norman be one of them? I told my family that he really should be on Broadway. He's just a natural entertainer.
What are your thoughts about tonight's winners?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-27-2009 @ 3:18AM
Dan Buckley said...
Nick Norman was my favorite. He gave a better performance then most of the rest. He's not clueless. He knew exactly what he was doing. He knows what his skills are and ran with it. If it's about song choice, like they always say, he was picked what he could sing and definitely made it his own. Last week he would've had a chance. I do think the right three went through. But he would be a great wild card.
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2-27-2009 @ 3:20AM
La-Di-Dah said...
All I want to say about yesterday is this: don't sing a song because you "love it." Sing a song that complements your voice or shows you off!
I liked the dueling pianos dude (but he chose the wrong song to ding). Sorry Kris!
I liked both of the girls Jesse (wierd lovely texture to her voice) and Mishavonna (tough voice) but alas, Allison makes it through (and I think she can sing, but I wanted a Brooke Whitish outlier in the mix).
0 out of 2. I don't know.
Okay, okay, I really enjoyed Adam's voice. I want him to sing in my shower every morning. And that is not even a dirty joke. (He does however go overboard at certain periods, but that is greaaat for shower times because you can really get into the moves there).
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2-27-2009 @ 3:22AM
La-Di-Dah said...
Oh, I really, really enjoyed Norman; so, I think he should be an extra act that sings every week (he never gets voted off...but he doesn't win either).
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2-27-2009 @ 10:22AM
Ryan said...
The two girls who have made it to the Top 12 so far have BOTH been compared to Kelly Clarkson during judging. So watch out if the judges do the same to a girl next week.
In any case, I myself, voted for Allison and Kris so I'm very happy both of them made it. The latter especially since I was sure it would be Adam and Nick.
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2-27-2009 @ 10:35AM
nag said...
Did Allison remind anyone else of Pink? I thought her more so than Kelly Clarkston. I think there's a great group of singers this year, hoping that Ricky Braddy gets another chance as I thought his voice was awesome too. I was glad that Nick/Norman wasn't picked, but I predict he'll be back as one some of us love to hate.
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2-27-2009 @ 10:44AM
Tim said...
Closer is performed by Ne-Yo. Not Neo. I don't even like or listen to this kind of music (let alone blog about it) and I know the dude's name. Check your facts guys!!!
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2-27-2009 @ 11:51AM
vernie said...
Adam has high range but way over sings. Maybe in the future, he'll tone it down and stop screeching. And he should stop using eyeliner or guyliner or whatever they call it.
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2-27-2009 @ 11:56AM
Scott said...
Adam's voice is AMAZING. Very very few successful singers have a range like that. I wish him the best. He sings circles around Danny "My wife recently died..." Gokey.
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2-27-2009 @ 12:12PM
Robert said...
Wow, snarky much?
2-27-2009 @ 12:12PM
Dan said...
Though I would have preferred to see Henson or Giraud go through instead of Lambert, it was impossible for people not to vote for Lambert because of his pimped out last spot and the innane gushing by the three idiot judges (Simon is only a jerk, not an idiot). I was surprised that people voted for Kris Allen because his song was kinda weird and he had NO press. But his voice was the best of the men so far, him and Ricky Braddy are the only two men who've performed that actually impressed me with their vocal ability. Lambert is good, but so fake and cheesy that I find it amazing that anyone can stand watching him.
I'm thinking Giraud will be in the Wild Card round, his "Georgia on my Mind" was simply fantastic and it'd be a shame to keep him from getting one more chance after choosing a stupid song to sing on Idol.
Iraheta was clearly the right choice like Alexis Grace. She proved it with her performance last night.
Also, that was the first group number that I didn't want to rip my ears off while listening to it. Even the bad singers sounded decent.
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2-27-2009 @ 12:55PM
phil said...
should have been matt girard -- hope he gets a chance on the wildcard. How does that show work -- do the judges already pick or do we get to pick again? thanks.
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2-27-2009 @ 12:55PM
Eludium-Q36 said...
I like the visuals of the group performance so I can see eveyone performing at once, it's a nice shortcut.
I realize alot of people like Norman's act, but THIS is American Idol (as Ryan emphasizes every open) and it should focus on singing talent, this is NOT Star Search or America Has Talent. This show needs to focus on singing, not on entertaining with singing thrown in. Thus, I think Norman is bad for Idol, yes he's funny/entertaining, but he doesn't belong there, it hurts the show and trivializes the others attempts at real singing performance. I FF through his stage time because of this.
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2-27-2009 @ 1:06PM
dkcincos said...
Norman reminds me of the Barbra Streisand character in Funny Girl. No confidence to rely on the voice only. He's a male Fanny Brice:)
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2-27-2009 @ 1:31PM
Allison Solow said...
I like Nick/Norman, but he's no Streisand. Barbra would have blown away the judges on sheer talent -- just as she did when she began her career. You don't become a Broadway star and win a Grammy for Album of the Year for your first album by age 21 if you're not a phenom.
Norman/Nick is a cabaret performer and I like him a lot. He would have brought much more to American Idol than Kris (yawn) Allen, the cute boy. I also don't see the appeal of screecher Allison who cannot speak -- did you see her attempt to answer Ryan's questions? She's dumb as dirt. Go back to high school, girl, you're a dunce. Learn something about music and then come back. Nothing against youth; Jordin Sparks had brains and class and she was just as young.
I'm not thrilled with the batch, not yet.
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2-27-2009 @ 1:39PM
Bonnie said...
Brooke’s performance on American Idol last night was great! I work for a PR firm on behalf of Clorox. If you are a fan of Brooke, you might be interested to know she’s partnering with The Clorox Company on a new cold & flu prevention campaign for teens called, “I Don’t Want to Miss…” Just go to www.IDontWanttoMiss.com for more information about a video contest for teens. The winner gets a free concert from Brooke at his/her school!!
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2-27-2009 @ 1:47PM
unc1dmo said...
Norman WAS a FREAK SHOW....and only yhe usual RETARDS would want that stiff voted through....
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2-28-2009 @ 11:01AM
greg said...
Dont get me wrong, Kris can sing, but he got the votes because he is a total hottie!
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