It looks like the contestants are singing Motown tonight. The founder of Mowtown, Barry Gordy himself, is the celebrity mentor. Let’s roll!
Matt Giraud — Let’s Get It On: My initial impression from the rehearsal is that this will be a perfect song choice for him. He hasn’t been one of my favorites, but there’s no doubt he’s got mad talent. I particularly like him when he’s at the piano. Oooh, nice touch, moving away from the piano halfway through. Yeah, I’ve got nothing bad to say about this performance. Nice job.
Kris Allen — How Sweet It Is: I’m yawning already. This song is way over used, in my opinion. I hope Kris can bring something new to it, but I’m not optimistic. Smokey seems impressed, so we shall see. Well, he IS putting his own little spin on it. I think I like it. Another nice job.
Really, I’m so impressed by this year’s contestants.
Scott MacIntyre — You Can’t Hurry Love: Yeah… I’m not so crazy about this. His voice is stronger than it was last week, but… it just doesn’t excite me. Hold on a sec. Is he wearing pink pants? Okay, now tht’s funny. They told him 10 minutes before the show started that his pants are pink. That’s classic.
Megan Joy — For Once In My Life: Why is she suddenly Megan Joy? Did she give up her last name? Everyone says she’s so original, but I just think her voice is odd. Okay, it’s official. I don’t get her. I just don’t. And I don’t know why the judges fawn over her every week. Is it just me, or does her voice sound particularly grating this week? Ahhh, okay, the judges DO have some sense. Randy calls it a train wreck. I quite agree. Simon says she’s in danger. Let’s hope so! This is a strange season — it’s going to be all men by the final five at this rate!
Anoop — Ooooh, Baby Baby: I’m bored. I can appreciate the skill it takes to do what he’s doing, but… I’m bored. And watching him detracts from the performance, I think. It’s like his voice doesn’t quite match his presence. Perhaps it’s his age. And also. Kara is the best judge. She’s constructive, articulate, honest, but not mean. I love her critiques.
Michael Sarver — Ain’t Too Proud To Beg: Good advice from Smokey, and it looks like Michael took his words to heart, but maybe not far enough. It was a few steps above a karaoke performance. I actually thought it was better than the judges are saying, but when Michael argues with the judges, it makes me want him to go home tomorrow. Oooh. There’s an idea.
Lil Rounds — Heat Wave: Lil is ON FIRE tonight. Okay, it’s getting to be a little… redundant. It’s like it needs some dynamics or something. It was all FORTISSIMO, you know? And yet, I love Lil. I hope she sticks around another week. Again, Kara nails it. This should have been Lil’s week, and it… wasn’t. Disappointing. Um. Paula? That was anything but fresh. WHAT are you on? Whatever it is, can I get some?
Adam Lambert — Tracks of My Tears: I’m loving this side of Adam tonight. LOVING this. And y’all know I hardly ever enjoy the slower numbers. Okay, the ending was a bit overdone, but SMOKEY ROBINSON IS GIVING HIM A STANDING O. And so is Kara. Classic American Idol moment. Like him or not, Adam is in his own league. And yes, that is Paula’s line. Every once in a while, she has a lucid moment.
I think I might, I can’t believe I’m saying this, MIGHT be changing from a Danny fan to an Adam fan. I KNOW. I’ll withhold final judgment until the next piece.
I love how Smokey gives really helpful, constructive advice to the contestants.
Danny Gokey — Get Ready: Okay, I still love Danny. He put just enough of his own spin on this to make it fresh. It was fun — quintesential Danny Gokey. It wasn’t a masterful performance, but it was good. He’s really going to have to turn it up a notch to compete with Adam, though.
Allison Iraheta — Papa Was A Rolling Stone: Okay, Allison. It’s all on you to represent the ladies tonight. Oh girl. This is HAWT. This girl’s got SKILZ. The crowd is on their feet. Kara and Paula are on their feet. Okay, Paula is always on her feet. Can I say it one more time? I love Kara. “That is from God. You can’t teach that.” So true. That about sums it up.
Best of the night: Adam. Hands down. Followed closely by Allison.
Bottom three: Michael, Scott and Megan. PLEASE? And I predict Michael goes home.
You’re right on. I love your take on the American Idol Competition. Right on!
-Seth
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I just don’t see why everyone fawns over Adam. He’s good, but I don’t see him as being as good as everyone else does. He was dispicable last week with what he did to Johnny Cash, and I didn’t like his falsetto tonight. However, his performance tonight was much better than last week, and he was RESPECTFUL. Why he couldn’t have done that last week is beyond me.
I still dig Megan’s voice. I think Smokey described her perfectly – a little jazz, a little cabaret. She’s funky and cool, but I don’t think she can win.
My faves of the night – Kris and Danny (Allison was a close third).
Bottom two for me, I agree with you – Michael and Scott.
I agree with your bottom 3. And about Danny and Adam. Love Danny to tiny pieces, but his performances are lacking. I’m not down with his dance skills. At all.
I’m still a big Danny fan, but I think Matt is the one giving him a run for his money. I hope Megan goes home but it could very well be Michael, even though I like Michael too.
Megan’s voice is like nails on a chalkboard to me. Can’t. Stand. It.
I just read (while sitting reading a magazine at the gyno’s office…fun,fun!) that Megan Joy dropped the Corkey because she didn’t want to be associated with her ex-husband at all anymore. Apparently the divorce was final just before the show and since she hadn’t opted to use her maiden name when auditioning, she just dropped the last name totally. May not matter much, anyway, since she may be headed home soon.
I, too, am a huge Danny fan, but, I agree, Matt is giving him a run for his money. As for Adam – it just depends on which Adam you get. Last week’s Adam felt like I needed a shower afterwards to get rid of the ick. This week’s Adam was amazing! And I like Kris, too.
Couldn’t agree more with best performances and bottom three…and yes, I think Michael will be saying buh-bye. Glad I’m not the only one converting to an “Adam fan”…or am I? I think I’m on the verge…I’ve said since day one that the guy is talented. Glad he slowed things down tonight and put a little “normalcy” in his performance…us regular folks just can’t take too much at once. And bless his stylists’ heart…thank you for a clean face!!
I totally agree! I don’t know how in the world the girls are being whittled out this season! What?? And I agree that Kara is the best judge, too. I think we’re all tired of the rest of them from 7 seasons of saying the same things.
Loved your recap!
Megan drives me nuts. That song was just way too weird. Also hate that little twistie hip thing she does. Nice hair though.
I agree with everything you said.
I want to like Michael but he just doesn’t have the chops. And I hate it when contestants talk back to the judges. HATE it! So he should go home based on that even though Megan was indeed a train wreck.
Her voice is odd and warbly. My husband likens it to Martha from Martha Speaks (cartoon on PBS) trying to sing. Martha is a talking dog. I wouldn’t go that far but it is very cartoonish…I think maybe that’s what he’s getting at.
And I agree…Kara is the best judge. As for Paula, we DVR the show and FF through all the talk between the judges and Ryan and anytime Paula is on the screen.
Totally agree….my recap reflects yours, funny!!
Great minds think alike. I def agree…Kara is the best judge, she has great insight/encouragement and critiques nicely. Yay!! I know…felt the same way about Adam…HOLYCOW!!! Still a Danny fan… 
I don’t think Matt is getting the credit he deserves- he was AMAZING last night! He’s always amazing. I love Matt.
I would rather have a tooth drilled then listen to Megan! And you know how I hate having teeth drilled!
I read somewhere that Megan is going through a divorce or is recently divorced…and that is why she dropped the last name.
Hi! Came over from BooMama’s.
I think Megan or Michael go home tonight. I don’t care which one, the other goes next week, followed by Scott. Lil is going to have to BRING IT, or the 16 year old is going to be the last Lady standing.
I like your fortissimo in all caps.
Megan Joy has lost her last name, and that’s strange. So is her style of singing. I’m over her.
And I’ll admit it: Adam was good last night. But you can’t make me say I like him. Nunh-uh.
My top 4 are: Matt, Adam, Allison, and Danny. I think they’re all awesome. I like Kris for the top 5, but I’m not sure he’ll make it. If Lil kicks it up, she’ll do well. And Anoop has a shot if he improves. Megan, Michael, and Scott are the next 3 out – hopefully in that order. Megan annoys me – can’t stand her. And quite honestly I think the only girls that would have made the top 13 are Allison and Lil if they hadn’t required that the top girl vote-getter was put in (and had the judges not picked 2 girls). The guys were just WAY better this year.
Spot on analysis, once again. I am so relieved that Adam got “normal.” No one can deny that he is the one to beat—but the revamped look helped me like him more last night. However, right now I’m loving me some Matt. I think he might be “bringing sexy back” to Idol. Mmm, mmm, Matt. I predict Michael or Scott will go, and one of them should. Dawn Out.
I agree, Megan, Michael, Scott the bottom three. I think Michael will go home, that evens the playing field a little between the girls and the guys. I had forgotten about the top girl vote and the top guy vote. That seems a unfair, since the guys are so much better than the girls.
And Adam, well I agree with the comments here, He was awful last week, I was embarrassed for him. He’s so weird, but so talented. I still think he is the one to beat, darn it. And Lil, she had “it” three weeks ago, but I haven’t liked her since.
1. I started out a strong Danny fan, but switched about two weeks ago to Matt, who I think really can stand alone as a great artist. I really like him, and thought he did a great job last night.
2. I think Adam blew everyone away last night. Smokey Robinson is a legend, and that song is a classic. He did it exactly the justice it deserved. I never voted for him before last night, I always thought he was so “musical theater” and not American Idol.
3. I don’t like Michael because of his talking back. That’s just wrong, I agree with everyone who hates the talk back. Take your criticism and move on.
4. How did Danny NOT take Smokey’s advice? How??? It’s SMOKEY ROBINSON, Danny. He knows.
5. I thought Anoop did a good job, as long as you weren’t watching him, ha ha.
6. Allison was great.
7. It was funny when Simon drew a mustache on Paula’s face, she just sat there and let him so she deserved it.
8. I think Megan is interesting but can’t win. But I hope Michael goes home before her.
9. I don’t get why the judges love Kris so much. I mean, he’s attractive, he can sing well, but he’s kind of personality-less.
The people that really do well really highlight how the others just aren’t reaching their potential, unfortunately.