American Idol 2009: Top 13 Show
The show starts with a new opening that’s a lot like the X Factor with the judges making a big entrance. Ryan’s looking hot again, and I love the tie! Ryan says “you’re loving that!” to Simon and comments on him actually walking.
The stage is understated, as usual, and Ryan asks the judges for their opening comments … which results in bickering. Great!
Alexis Grace is in the pimp spot, and talking of pimps … wondering what’s happening with the x-rated number thirteen?
Ryan tweeted earlier today:
ryanseacrest: crap, were gonna have a problem on Idol tonight – just dialed 1-866-IDOLS-13 and its not quite SFW…
ryanseacrest: oh man…1-866-IDOLS-00 is dirty too, lol. Just talked to one of the Idol producers and they have a plan…#crossing fingers# – ryan
ryanseacrest: talked to the president of Fox today and he said we wont be using 866-IDOLS-13 tonight. Posted audio on site > http://tinyurl.com/b8ptre -ry
Simon reveals that two contestants are going home tomorrow, which he thinks is a good thing as it will put more pressure on them. He’s all heart!
Ryan tells us that the theme this week is the music of Michael Jackson, and Lil Rounds is first to sing. I’m not too impressed, but the judges seem to like her — Simon with a little less enthusiasm, as you’d expect. He criticises Lil’s clothing so Ryan asks ‘prince charming’ what he’d prefer, but then tells Lil not to listen to a 55 year old man’s advice. Funny.
Before cutting to a break, Ryan warns the viewers to be extra careful when dialing :)
Scott MacIntire sings next and it’s really bland. Simon hated the song (thank you Simon) because nobody knows it. Scott wanted to be artistic, but Simon’s advice was:
“it’s fine being artistic, just not on this show!”
Paula and Simon seemed to be having a disagreement about something Simon had said about the song and how popular it was in Norway (will have to listen back to that when Idol airs here) which resulted in Ryan checking: “just to be clear, Paula is lying?”
Next to make Michael Jackson sound good is Danny Gokey. Paula loved it and thinks he’s identifiable as a singer. I think he shouted. Simon thought the vocals were brilliant but the dancing was hideous. It looks like Ryan has to hook him back to stay while he introduces the next contestant.
Next is Michael Sarver and he’s singing one of my favourite Jacko tracks, so if there’s ever a time I might tolerate him, this is it. This is not it. Simon points out that he’s not the best singer, but says he gave 110%. Randy thought Michael had returned to what he was good at, Kara said that he can really sing and Paula gushed.
Jasmine is next up and Ryan is talking to her about going shopping with a stylist and getting to keep the clothes. Singing’s so-so but this is the first performance I’ve liked tonight and it’s probably going to get slated. Randy Jackson is name dropping but thought she did a pretty good job. Kara thought she hit some of the notes, but said a half key down might have been better. Paula thought it was part brilliant and part ‘under’. Simon thought it was a good attempt but a little robotic.
I quite like Kris Allen’s performance too, it feels contemporary, and he’s definitely easy on the eyes. Kara thought the guitar helped with his performance. Paula says Simon’s trying to undress her and Ryan comes in and tries to put him back on the leash. I think she liked him though (Simon as well as Kris!). Simon called it ‘interesting’, which is a kiss of death, and said he wouldn’t have brought the wife out so early. That’s funny, particularly as ‘the wife’ really doesn’t look amused!! Ryan asked Simon how his relationship was going after giving out relationship advice. He’s so mean :D
Allison Iraheta sounds really rocky. I’m not sure I like it at first, but it grows on me as the song goes on. Paula needed to ask how old she is and tells her to stay authentic. Simon thought it was a good performance and said it’s clear what kind of artist she wants to be, but thought she should lighten up a bit. Randy thinks she’s one to watch and Kara tells her to keep being rocked out.
Next up is Anoop Desai and Ryan asks him about the moment when Simon said it was going to be a top 13, what he wants to accomplish with the song and whether he has the moves! Some tuning issues, but I love Anoop. Who’s going to be first to tell him to beat it? Simon really seems to be bugging Paula, and Paula’s unusually critical! Simon thought it was horrible and a bad impersonation. Randy thought it was a bad choice and Kara felt disconnected from him as a performer. Ryan gave Anoop the chance to answer back, then asked Simon if he regretted making it a top thirteen … which he did based on that performance.
Oh how cute! Ryan sitting between his mom and nana.
Jorge has gone out on a limb a bit here with something different. Randy thought the song was old fashioned. Kara was looking for an emotional connection. Paula wanted to know why he picked the song, so she doesn’t like it either. Classic Simon … Jorge said he didn’t want to sing Bad by Michael Jackson, and Simon said he did and he couldn’t wait for it to end.
ryanseacrest: Uh oh…gordon ramsey just showed up at idol. Two angry english men in one room! – ryan
Ryan asked Megan how she got into the competition and talked about her brother’s birthday. Kara wasn’t overwhelmed by the vocals but liked her performance. Paula liked her quirky and unique tone but was disconnected from it. Simon said “what a stupid song choice” before laying into her big style. If it was the first time they’d seen her, he said everyone would think they’d gone nuts. Simon asked Gordon Ramsey what he thought, but we couldn’t hear him and he obviously wasn’t saying what Simon wanted him to!
Ryan’s sitting at the corner of the stage to introduce Adam Lambert. And Adam’s singing another of my favourite Michael Jackson songs. I wasn’t hot on the way it started, but the awesomeness increased exponentially throughout the song. Paula is in love too and Adam’s lucky they’re separated by that desk. Down girl! Simon asked Paula “did you like him?” and thought it was in a totally different league. Kara said Adam hit notes she didn’t know existed and she hoped Michael Jackson was watching. Ryan said “that worked” and said he made it seamless and it looked easy for him. Wait. Ryan’s a judge now too? Yay!
Ryan’s found himself a crowd of girls to introduce Matt Giraud — he’s moving around tonight. Randy compared Matt to Justin Timberlake. Kara said he is talented. Paula was blown away and Simon likened the performance to meat and potatoes, which is probably a compliment as he seems like a meat and potatoes kinda guy.
Was Ryan sitting on Simon’s desk for Alexis’ intro? That’s what happens when you update Twitter during the commercials … you miss key moments when it cuts back to the show. She’s good, though some of the notes aren’t quite where they ought to be! Kara says “you’re a naughty girl and I like it”. Simon thought it was over the top and not as good as she thought. Randy thought it was good but not great.
The stream ended before the programme (did it overrun?), so if anything crucial happened at the end I’ll have to pick it up when I update this after the UK broadcast. And it’s only 2am! I like this daylight savings change.
Random thoughts
I thought this was a good show with only one performance really not doing anything for me. Even Michael Sarver, who I just don’t get, wasn’t unwatchable. I loved Adam most of all, and I’m already starting to bore myself with saying that. (I’m a little disturbed to find myself not only understanding some of Paula’s comments this year, but often agreeing with her). Least impressive for me was Jorge. Objectively he wasn’t the worst on the show, but unlike the contestant who was, he hasn’t won me over in previous rounds.
Ranking the performances on how much I enjoyed them, not necessarily the best vocals:
- Adam Lambert
- Alexis Grace
- Kris Allen
- Allison Iraheta
- Jasmine Murray
- Matt Giraud
- Lil Rounds
- Danny Gokey
- Anoop Desai
- Scott MacIntyre
- Megan Corkrey
- Michael Sarver
- Jorge Nuñez
I don’t think I’ll be in tune with America there, particuarly on Danny Gokey and Michael Sarver. The ones I think will definitely get through are Adam, Alexis, Anoop, Danny, Lil, Scott, Matt and Kris. And most likely to be bottom two, maybe Jorge and Jasmine. I’m leaving Michael, Allison and Megan in limbo land, but I hope Allison makes it through.
Doing it the French way?
In series 6 of Nouvelle Star, the judges could exercise a veto power on one eliminated contestant at any time during the competition and spare them from elimination.
