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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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Kara DioGuardi’s Advice: Don’t Get Fat

Kara DioGuardi “I’m looking for someone with a great voice, but if someone is fifty pounds overweight, I have to tell them the reality - that it might hold them back,” American Idol judge stated recently.

I’ve got the feeling she won’t be working with voluptuous Jennifer Hudson anytime soon. To support her skinny theory, DioGuardi pointed to the recent media coverage of Jessica Simpson, saying “I don’t know if she gained weight, but it’s all I’ve heard about.”

Hey, any publicity is good publicity.

Incoming contestants should take note: to get on Kara’s good side, stay thin and trim - or get that way, quick.

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American Idol 8: Top 36 Announced

American Idol Logo

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: 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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American Idol 8: Island Auditions

American Idol 8 - New York crowd

tried something brand-new last night: two audition cities in the same episode. Using a West Side Story theme, the show featured try-outs in New York City and San Juan, two very different islands which are many, many miles apart.

The episode opened in New York with Adeola Adegoke, from the Bronx. This very pretty girl quit her job, confident that she would soon be starting a new life in Hollywood. She sang a Jennifer Hudson song in very accented English. Her voice was off key, and the audition was not good. Simon Cowell said “it was shockingly bad.” Kara DioGuardi kindly explained that “you have to keep your day job.” called Adegoke’s boss, put him on the phone with Simon Cowell, and between the two of them managed to get the girl’s job back for her.

How many more lives would be changed…or not changed as the days wore on?

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American Idol 8: Salt Lake City Auditions

SLC Crowd

Salt Lake City, Utah is now synonymous with Idol runner-up . The American Idol judges struck gold in the city last year, but would the auditions be as promising two seasons in a row?

The SLC episode of opened with David Osmond, 19, yes one of the famous Osmonds, who lives in Utah. He’s a good-looking, clean cut guy with a bit of his own sad story. Despite belonging to a famous family, Osmond’s life isn’t all sunshine. He, like his father, suffers from the very debilitating disease MS. You’d never know it to see him at his audition, however. Osmond has a nice voice, if his song was a bit over-done. Paula Abdul advised him to “start thinking of yourself as one solo artist.” Osmond emerged from the audition room with golden ticket in hand.

Salt Lake City was off to a running start.

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