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American Idol 8: Three Left Standing in Second Group


Twenty-five million votes were tallied up to create Thursday’s live show, but did all the results go as expected? watchers were treated to montages, recaps and four performances - and at the end of the night, half of the Top 12 was firmly in place.

Alexis Grace, Danny Gokey and Michael Sarver waited through the group performance (it was a song I’ve never heard before and didn’t at all like…the best I can say is that it was better than last week’s group) and tons of other filler before real results were featured.

spent a few moments chatting with the current crop of competitors before getting down to business. When asked about his future, Nick Mitchell said, “I’m looking for employment, always.” Jesse Langseth finds selecting songs “awful” and “very hard.” Jeanine Vailes admitted that “less could have been more” with her performance.

But eventually, even the time for chitchatting was over.

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American Idol 8: Second Group Performs

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As Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver and Danny Gokey looked on from the sidelines, twelve more contenders took to the stage last night. All of them were singing for what could be the last time on the Idol stage; all of them wanted to impress.

Few of them did. Almost everything about the Wednesday night performances - from ’s outfit to more than half the song choices - was a bit of let down. Which three diamonds will be roughed out this minefield of poor decisions, off-key notes and obvious voter influencing?

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American Idol 8: First Results Show


Twenty-four million votes were tabulated to bring us the first results show of , which aired live Wednesday night. Out of the twelve who came to sing, only three would definitely move forward into the Top 12.

And all of them wanted to be there.

The night started out slowly - it takes a lot of filler to say three names in sixty minutes - with judge reactions from last night’s singing. Of course, we all heard their reactions right after the singing, but let’s hear it again. New judge on the panel “thought it was a good show” but found some performers (namely Casey Carlson, Stephen Fowler and Stevie Wright) “disappointing.”

The first group of twelve then performed “I’m Yours,” only passably well, which disappointed me. But soon enough, it was time to start weeding the Idol garden.

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American Idol 8: Round 1 Performances, Part 1

Jackie Tohn

likes to change things ever so slightly every single year, just to keep us off-balance. This year, we’ve been presented with a Top 36 instead of the usual 24 - and more contestants calls for what we love: more eliminations. The first part of round one aired last night, a group of twelve singers who will very shortly be whittled all the way down to three.

It’s cutthroat, and it’s fabulous.

After three contenders from three groups of twelve are chosen for the Top 12, three more previously-expelled singers will be brought back for the Wild Card round. But we’re not quite there yet. Tuesday night, truly began, replete with live stage performances and bitingly harsh judges’ comments. Finally, the show has arrived.

And it began with Jackie Tohn, 28, who professionally entertains even when she’s not competing for FOX. She chose a song I thought would be horrible - “A Little Less Conversation” - and an outfit which really was. But despite the odd fashion and somewhat less-than-stellar vocals, Tohn delivered a rollicking performance that kick-started the evening. She was energetic, bluesy and Tohn’s got a lot of charisma. “Way to start season 8 off,” cried. “You can work a stage, girl,” Kara DioGuardi complimented her. “You got me up dancing,” Paula gushed, “you are a true performer.” But Simon Cowell wasn’t ready to make nice with Ms. Tohn. “I think you actually played the clown,” right between the eyes. Cowell called her performance “ungainly” and “gimmicky” and he hated her outfit. Tohn is obviously not a favorite of the show. When asked by Ryan Seacrest if she had any regrets, Jackie flippantly answered “no, dude.”

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American Idol 8: Top 36 Announced

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Fifty-four sat in the holding room of a “mansion” - or set - in Los Angeles last night on . Only thirty-six would leave the judging area with smiles on their faces. A few would be made to sing one last time, but all would have to make the long walk through the gardens and down to the throne room where their fate would be decided.

Anoop Desai was the first to make the stroll. “Anoop is in the house,” cried, after Kara DioGuardi told Desai he’d made it into the competition.

Things started to move fairly quickly after that.

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American Idol 8: Hollywood Week Continues

American Idol Judges in Hollywood

Seventy-two hopefuls crowded the Kodak Theater for their solo performances in front of the judges. For this all-important audition, the very last they’ll have on Idol, the singers were allowed to sing with the band, their own back-up singers and instruments of their own choosing. The show began with the judge deliberation, showing them scattering photos around their table. The day’s events were re-told, flashback style, for our amusement.

The solo singing started with , who has already completely impressed me with his amazing voice. Lambert put so much power into “Believe,” a song choice which should have been terribly strange and awkward, I was absolutely stunned. I thought this guy was a David Cook rip-off in the beginning, but now I’m not so sure he isn’t a complete original.

Matt Giraud lovingly played piano as he sang “Georgia” by Ray Charles. He put a ton of soul into the performance, winning a standing ovation from the watching crowd.

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American Idol 8: Paula Abdul Predictions

Paula AbdulWhile American Idol judge was walking the walk on the red carpet at the Grammys last night, she was also talking the talk on the juicy tidbits for Season 8.

“It’s going to be a colorful season. Lots of fun,” Abdul told the LA Times. “I think a guy is going to win—there are more guys than girls.” Paula went on to say, “there are a handful of great girls, but the guys are really great.”

Perhaps the focus will be on the men who take the Idol stage, but on the judges panel the focus is still on the new female - . When asked about Kara, Paula responded, “she was my roommate ten years ago.” The judge added, “I think it bugged Simon [Cowell] the most.”

(You can find all the American Idol 8 posts here.)

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American Idol 8: Group Night in Hollywood


is and always has been a solo singing content, made for one star to rise above the others in winning celebration. But for just one night in Hollywood, they have to come together to make beautiful music….or, fall flat on their faces.

Seeing who will fly and who will fail is all part of the excitement. For us, anyway. For many of the contestants, group night is a total nightmare of nerves and tension.

Some, like Tatiana Del Toro, have difficulty even finding and forming a group. Others, like Danny Gokey and Jamar Rogers, manage to find perfect harmony.

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American Idol 8: The Beginning of Hollywood

American Idol

Out of many thousands, American Idol 8 chose just one hundred and forty-seven to go to Hollywood. As Simon Cowell told them at the start of the auditions, “all we’re looking for…is a star.”

Indeed.

This year, the show sent each hopeful to an intensive singing “boot camp” where they rehearsed with vocal coaches. Surprise mentor Barry Manilow showed up to offer his advice and encouragement. The one who wrote the songs told each Idol hopeful to prepare well and make each tune their own.

And thus, the first day at the opulent Kodak Theater began.

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American Idol 8: Too Many Judges Spoil the Singing?

American Idol judges

Forget last year’s David-David finale battle. Brush off the news of no Idol Gives Back this year. And who cares about musical instruments on the stage? The big news surrounding has been and still is the judging panel. Four is a nice, even number…but is it really the perfect formula for America’s favorite reality show?

Before the audition episodes of Idol aired, was still little more than a name to most. Her picture was splattered everywhere, she gave interviews and sure she’s got the recording cred, but is she really right for the show? Now that many hours of Idol have aired, DioGuardi’s personality is beginning to emerge. She’s every bit as attractive as the pictures presented, as spunky as promised and she certainly brings a certain flavor to the table.

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