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February 2008
Texan tossed
There’s one less Texan in the running for the top spot on “American Idol.”
We said goodbye Wednesday night to four more semifinalists, including Jason Yeager, who lists his hometown as Grand Prairie.
The news didn’t exactly come as a surprise to Jason — or millions of viewers across the nation.
“Based on the criticism and everything, I had a feeling I’d be in the bottom rung,” he told host Ryan Seacrest.
Simon Cowell — inconsiderate turd that he is — best summed up the reason for Jason’s departure: “You don’t stand out in the crowd at the moment.”
Next to go was Alexandrea Lushington, another no-brainer.
Her performance Wednesday night was one of the worst we’ve ever seen on “Idol.”
Randy Jackson said her song choice was to blame.
“You’re a great singer,” he told Alexandrea. “You’ve got great skills, and it was the wrong time for that.”
Agreed.
While Alexandrea kept it together, we can’t say the same for the next gal to get the boot.
It was tough to watch as Alaina Whitaker began sobbing and nearly collapsed.
“I can’t sing,” she told the audience. “Sorry, this is embarrassing.”
But after her fellow contestants — many of them in tears, too — ran to her side, we got one last show. And it was a darn good one.
“You are such a gifted, bright, young talent,” Paula told her. “Alaina, truth be told, this is the start of an amazing career for you.”
Last out was Robbie Carrico, yet another obvious pick for folks who bothered to tune in Tuesday night.
“I think it was a bad song choice, and I think I could have done it better,” Robbie said moments after learning his fate.
Robbie should be glad he made it as far as he did. The rocker’s days were numbered from the start because he lacks the “Idol” look and sound.
And that nasty, greasy-looking hair? MTV is reporting it might be a ratty ol’ wig.
Classy.
So, how’d we do? We picked three of this week’s four. Alaina was the sole surprise — and a big one at that. Based on what we heard, it most certainly wasn’t her time to to exit.
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Dethroning David: Is it possible?
David Archuleta’s still the contestant to beat.
Sure, the 10 remaining women turned in some mighty fine performances Wednesday night, but they’ve got nothing on this season’s “American Idol” wunderkind.
Here are our thoughts, in order of appearance:
Carly Smithson: “Crazy on You,” Heart. Carly — thankfully — has recovered from last week’s illness. She sounded promising at first: very breathy, very sexy. After that, things just kinda fell apart. Plus, Carly’s still not totally comfortable on stage — even when she’s singing her favorite song. P.S. She needs some support. If you were watching, you know what we mean. Paula: “Carly, you are an amazing singer and you did an amazing job.” Our grade: B-
Syesha Mercado: “Me & Mr. Jones,” The Dramatics. This could have been great. Syesha’s sultry and soulful. She’s got a silky smooth voice. But her take on this classic was far too tame. She should have pushed the envelope a little more and taken a few more risks. Randy: “I don’t think this was a great song choice for you. … Always pick stuff where you can use what you’ve got. That wasn’t what you’ve got.” Our grade: C
Brooke White: “You’re So Vain,” Carly Simon. When an “Idol” contestant picks the perfect song, magic ensues. That’s what we got from Brooke, who played a guitar that was nearly as big as she was. Later, she admitted to the judges she almost abandoned the instrument. We’re glad she didn’t. So, was the song aimed at Simon? He sure thought so. If that’s true, it’s just one more reason to love Brooke. Simon: “Brooke, I absolutely loved it. It was the absolute perfect song for you.” Our grade: A-
Ramiele Malubay: “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” Thelma Houston. Stop the hate mail! Ramiele redeemed herself in our eyes. Meanwhile, the judges who loved her last week weren’t that thrilled this time around. What’d we like? She picked a great song that showed off her vocal range. But, boy, her neck’s sure gonna be sore in the morning after all those bizarre head movements. Randy: “This was just OK for me vocally. That song choice was weird.” Our grade: B+
Kristy Lee Cook: “You’re No Good”, Linda Ronstadt. Kristy Lee sounded just as good as the original artist. Maybe — gasp! — even better. In fact, if we had closed our eyes, we wouldn’t have known the difference. But please, honey, bury that aluminum-foil top in your closet. Better yet, give it to Goodwill. Paula: “You’re back. It’s good to hear you this way. It was a good song choice for you.” Our grade: A
Amanda Overmyer: “Carry On My Wayward Son,” Kansas. Wow, where do we start? Twenty-something Amanda’s poor wardrobe choices made her look positively middle-aged. Once we got past the Cruella DeVille hairdo and painted-on jeans, it was the same act — with the slightest of variations — we’ve seen from her all season. And that voice reminds us of Jack’s Cher impression on “Will & Grace.” Not a good thing. If Amanda’s truly scared of being typecast, as she claims, we need to see something different. Pronto. Simon: “Everything felt contrived. None of it felt natural or real. It was like you were in your own little world.” Our grade: C-
Alaina Whitaker: “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” Olivia Newton John. So old-fashioned. It felt like we were listening to a dusty jukebox in a small-town Texas bar. Put simply: Alaina just doesn’t know who she is. And, at 17, that’s not unexpected. Simon: “I like you. My problem is it’s almost as if your grandmother prepared you for this competition.” Our grade: C
Alexandrea Lushington: “If You Leave Me Now,” Chicago. The night’s worst song choice, by far. In fact, it may well go down as one of the worst performances in “Idol” history. Alexandrea struggled to come anywhere close to the quality of the original. What was she thinking? We’ve seen this problem before and, unless folks wise up, we’ll see it again. Guys should sing tunes recorded by guys. And gals who want to continue advancing would be wise to stick with tunes from gals. Randy: “It was so safe for you. You’ve got mad vocal skills. … You should always challenge yourself.” Our grade: D-
Kady Malloy: “Magic Man,” Heart. Good grief. What a spoiled brat! We’re fairly certain mommy and daddy dearest have given Kady from Katy everything she’s ever wanted — and then some. The way she pouts when the judges don’t lavish her with praise is just plain pathetic. Kady’s got a pretty decent voice, but it’s sure hard to like her with that snotty attitude. In fact, we were kinda rooting for her to fall down those stairs. It almost happened, too. Paula: “When you powered up, you sounded great. On the low notes, you lost me a little bit.” Our grade: B-
Asia’h Epperson: “All By Myself,” Eric Carmen. We barely recognized Asia’h at first. Such a dramatic change of appearance. She let her hair down … literally. The song was way too slow. And she was struggling throughout, thanks to a cold. Her voice dropped out in a spot or two. When she’s firing on all cylinders, Asia’h’s a force to be reckoned with. Not so much tonight. Simon: “You almost got away with with it, but the song was too big for you.” Our grade: B-
Our picks to get the boot Thursday night: Alexandrea Lushington’s gotta be scared. Ditto Amanda Overmyer.
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Is this even a contest?
David Archuleta will be the next “American Idol” champ.
There’s just no way around it.
So let’s go ahead and wrap things up right now. It’ll save us all a ton of time.
David’s performance Tuesday night was the best in the show’s history, according to Randy Jackson. It brought Paula Abdul to tears. Simon Cowell says he’s “the one to beat.”
Let’s just say all signs point to a victory for the 17-year-old with links to Leander.
But there are still 19 other contestants remaining. We heard from the men Tuesday night. Here’s what we thought, in order of appearance:
Michael Johns: “Go Your Own Way,” Fleetwood Mac. Rough! Really, really rough. Too raw and exposed. Let’s just say Michael’s performance was stiff and lacked the necessary polish. But, hey, at least he dressed up for the occasion, sporting greasy hair, a grungy T-shirt and jeans. Randy: “I don’t know if that was your best, but I kinda liked it. … You’re a good singer.” Our grade: C-
Jason Castro: “I Just Want to Be Your Everything,” Andy Gibb. The pre-song interview did Jason no favors, exposing just how awkward he can be without his guitar. Our favorite line: “I’m not good at talking.” Gee, ya think? The performance itself was very smooth, but a smidge too mellow for our tastes. Soon — hopefully — the contestants will realize who’s in their target audience and adjust accordingly. Paula: “I would like to see you without the guitar next week and allow yourself to be more vulnerable as an artist.” Our grade: C+
Luke Menard: “Killer Queen,” Queen. What was memorable here? Sadly, nothing. That means Luke needs to be concerned. He sounded a little garbled at first, and his attempts at movement and interacting with the audience were comical at best. We got a definite Backstreet Boy-wannabe vibe. Simon: “I think it was a mistake. … You are always going to be judged against the original. The trouble here is the singer of that song had charisma and personality, and you didn’t.” Our grade: B-
Robbie Carrico: “Hot Blooded,” Foreigner. Let’s be blunt here: Robbie just doesn’t have the look of an “Idol” champ. Plus he’s a total cheeseball. His voice isn’t all that bad, but this just isn’t the right venue. We wanted to gag every time he grabbed at his shirt. Thankfully, though, it stayed on … because we definitely didn’t want to see what was underneath. Word of the day: shampoo. Invest in some. Ick! Randy: “I thought you did a pretty good job with it. I was just waiting to be wowed, and nothing came out.” Our grade: C
Danny Noriega: “Superstar,” The Carpenters. Danny used to be a punk rocker. Wish we could have seen that. Last week we were convinced he was this season’s Sanjaya Malakar, but Danny redeemed himself nicely this time around. He’s still far too theatrical — Tone. It. Down. — but the vocals were killer. The facial expressions? Not so much. Simon: “You stand out in the crowd and you’re interesting. And you look terrific on camera, by the way.” Our grade: A-
David Hernandez: “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” The Tempations. Another contestant who’s a smidge too theatrical, but he’s nowhere near as bad as Danny. David was much more comfortable this week. And he’s got a great, great voice that he loves to show off. The end of his performance was amazing. Another plus: the judges pointed out — and rightly so — that David’s one of few contestants this season who doesn’t get all defensive when criticism is lobbed his way. Randy: “This is the David Hernandez we fell in love with. … That was hot right there. That was very nice, dude.” Our grade: A
Jason Yeager: “Long Train Runnin’,” Doobie Brothers. He’s got a great smile and genuinely seems to be having fun, but that alone won’t propel Jason to the finals. One of his main problems is that he comes across as being much older than the others. Maybe it’s because he’s the father of a 6-year-old kid. The voice is nice enough, but his performances thus far have been a little too campy for our tastes. Simon: “Last week was boring. This week was just awkward and ordinary. And that horrific, horrific ending … I don’t know what you were doing there. It’s like you were drunk at a party or something.” Our grade: B
Chikezie Eze: “I Believe to My Soul,” Donny Hathaway. This was 1970s Week, but Chikezie — sporting a neon shirt and watch straight out of the 1980s — seemed a little confused. Thankfully he’s likeable. We wish he was a little more comfortable — and a little less sweaty — on stage. Major kudos are due for the very, very creative way he managed to work his name into the song. Way to sell it! Paula: “It was brilliant, and it was fun. It was very fun.” Our grade: B
David Cook: “All Right Now,” Free. David says he’s a “word nerd.” Hey, if this “Idol” thing doesn’t work out for him, he could always try a career in journalism. The pay’s really … adequate. Anyway, this season’s Chris Daughtry clone had the crowd on their feet. He totally worked it, turning in what we felt was one of the best performances of the night. Simon: “David, it was solid. It was believeable.” Our grade: A+
David Archuleta: “Imagine” John Lennon. This wasn’t at all what we were anticipating from the “Idol” wunderkind — but we still liked it. Of course. The energy level wasn’t as high as we’ve come to expect from David, but the clean vocals and flawless performance more than made up for it. Randy: “That’s one of the best vocals I’ve ever heard on this show. You’re singing with maturity way beyond your years. All we can say is you were born to do exactly what you’re doing right there.” Our grade: A
Our picks to get the boot Thursday night: Jason Yeager’s departure is all but certain. Robbie Carrico and Michael Johns are vulnerable, too.
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Ramiele revisited
You hate us. You really, really hate us.
Our D- last week for “American Idol” semifinalist Ramiele Malubay certainly seems to have struck a nerve, judging by all the comments we received.
Brocktoon’s convinced we’re schizophrenic.
Edmond asked if we lived on Mars.
Carly says we need to clean our ears.
And — our favorite! — Hayley thinks we should be fired. Pronto.
We love you, too.
Posters here weren’t alone though. Multiple sites devoted to the show ranked Ramiele at — or near — the top of the pack. Austin American-Statesman music writer Michael Corcoran even dropped us a note to say he thought we were too harsh.
So we cued up our beloved Time Warner DVR and gave her another chance. After three additional viewings, our thoughts are still much the same.
Here’s what we wrote initially: “To steal a phrase from the judges, this act was ‘very cabaret.’ The song sounded like something you’d hear during a movie’s closing credits. In other words, there was absolutely nothing memorable about it.”
To that we’ll add that the performance was too slow and old-fashioned to appeal to the “Idol” audience.
That doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with her voice. It was just a bad song selection. Period.
Judging by your reactions, Ramiele has a good shot at going far this season. And since you’re the ones voting, that’s what really counts.
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All 5 Texans are stayin’ alive
The results are in and four “American Idol” semifinalists are out the door.
All five Texans, we’re proud to report, are still in the running. Click here for video.
First to go was Garrett Haley, a real no-brainer. His performance Tuesday was boring and uninspired. It’s just that simple.
Still, the kid deserves at least a smidge of respect — and he didn’t get it. He did, after all, make it this far. Host Ryan Seacrest basically blurted out the news as soon as Garrett joined him on stage — a move that left several of the contestants visibly stunned. Then his farewell song was mistakenly interrupted not once but twice by commercial snippets. We’ve heard of subliminal messages, but come on.
“I’m happy with the way I am,” Garrett told the judges. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Amy Davis was the next victim — and the news left her nearly speechless.
Amy needs more experience, according to judge Paula Abdul, but she’s still got a bright future.
“This is the most amazing platform for you … and it’s your chance now to do whatever you want to do,” Paula said.
Judging by the fab fates of so many other “Idol” rejects, we’d say she makes a pretty good point.
After waiting through a commercial break that must have felt like an eternity, plus-size model Joanne Borgella got her walking papers.
“I think your nerves got the best of you,” said judge Randy Jackson. “You just never really got it together.”
To her credit, Joanne took the news in stride, admitting her performance this week didn’t measure up.
“I’m going to keep on singing because I love singing,” she told the judges. “Wednesday was a crazy day for me, and I know that I sing better than that.”
Last to go was Colton Berry, a name that hasn’t gotten much play — good or bad — this week.
The blond with a big heart took the news hard — even after Paula lavished him with praise.
“You are young,” she said. “You are talented. You have a whole career ahead of you. Now it’s up to you, Colton.”
A nice, upbeat way to end things, right? It would have been, if mean ol’ Simon Cowell had kept his mouth shut. But no …
“Get a good job and then enjoy singing because I don’t think you’ll make a successful career out of it,” he hissed.
Way to kick a guy when he’s down, Simon.
So, how’d we do with our predictions? We correctly guessed two: Garrett and Joanne. Not too shabby.
Up next: The 10 remaining guys return Tuesday night at 7, followed by the top 10 gals Wednesday night at 7.
Photos: Meet the top 24 semifinalists
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Top 12 women: Little to love about these ladies
Say so long to the 1960s.
Wednesday night’s performances by the top 12 women wrapped up ’60s Week on “American Idol” — and not a moment too soon. Next week we’ll hopefully be treated to songs recorded while these 24 contestants — and most of the audience — were alive. Here’s hoping at least …
So how ‘bout those ladies? Like the 12 men before them, there wasn’t a whole lot to cheer about. Click here for video.
Let’s get to it. Here’s our take on each of the performances, in the order they were aired:
Kristy Lee Cook: “Rescue Me,” Fontella Bass. Kristy Lee was under the weather — and it showed. From the start, things just didn’t seem quite right. Her voice was off, and her eyes were squinty. Randy: “It wasn’t your best performance. You had some pitch problems all the way through. It was a little rough around the edges.” Our grade: B-
Joanne Borgella: “I Say a Little Prayer for You,” Aretha Franklin. We can’t quite put our finger on it, but there’s something we don’t like about her voice. It’s just not that strong. Some of that could have been nerves, but it’ll take a drastic improvement for her to be a contender this season. Right now, we don’t see that happening. Simon: “I didn’t like it at all. What you just did there was a very average version of a very average cabaret song.” Our grade: C-
Alaina Whitaker: “More Today Than Yesterday,” Spiral Staircase. What in the world was that? It looked like she was making out with the microphone. When she first took the stage, it was so close to her mouth that the words were hard to make out. Thankfully things improved rapidly. Simon: “I think you’re very good. This was the first time tonight I haven’t seen any nerves.” Our grade: B+
Amanda Overmyer: “Baby Please Don’t Go,” Them. The rock ‘n’ roll nurse doesn’t want to pigeon-holed — too late! — so she says she won’t be doing any Janis Joplin tunes this season. The result? She looked so out of place. Very awkward and unsure of herself. Paula: “Amanda, I just love everything you do. You’re authentic.” Our grade: D
Amy Davis: “Where the Boys Are,” Connie Francis. Such a slow song. It had a sedative effect, which is unfortunate because Amy has a great voice. Paula: “I don’t know if it was the most engaging song for you to sing. I just feel it was a little lackluster.” Our grade: C+
Brooke White: “Happy Together,” The Turtles. OK, OK … after little more than a month we’re totally over the whole hippie chick act. As other sites have implied, we doubt she’s really as sweet and innocent as she claims. A very blah, very forgettable song. Her delivery was flat. No oomph to be found. Paula: “What this competition is about is originality. That’s what I love about you. You have originality.” Our grade: C
Alexandrea Lushington: “Spinning Wheel,” Blood, Sweat and Tears. What in the world was she looking at? Alexandrea spent nearly her entire performance staring skyward. Once we got past that, we liked what we heard: a contemporary take on a classic. Randy: “You blew the doors off that. … You’ve got it. It was hot.” Our grade: A-
Kady Malloy: “Groovy Kind of Love,” Mindbenders. She’s only 18? Coulda fooled us. She looks older and has a great set of pipes. Her talent was wasted on this ’60s drivel. Clearly mommy and daddy are very supportive — perhaps too supportive. Kady looked like she was about to burst into tears after the judges dared to criticize her. Paula: “I want to see the life of you more. We want to see the fun Kady and her personality.” Our grade: B
Asia’h Epperson: “Piece of My Heart,” Janis Joplin. This girls knows how to work it. She bopped all over the stage, totally captivating the crowd. And that voice is awesome. Simon: “For me, it was my favorite of the night. You let go. You’re fun. You’re likeable. You have a good voice.” Our grade: A
Ramiele Malubay: “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” Dusty Springfield. To steal a phrase from the judges, this act was “very cabaret.” The song sounded like something you’d hear during a movie’s closing credits. In other words, there was absolutely nothing memorable about it. Paula: “There’s such a beautiful range in your voice. You had a really great performance.” Our grade: D-
Syesha Mercado: “Tobacco Road,” Nashville Teens. Such a sultry voice. Very contemporary. Syesha is definitely a contender and will no doubt go far this season. Simon: “You are probably one of the most talented girls in this competition. You have an attitude. You try hard.” Our grade: A-
Carly Smithson: “Shadow of Your Smile,” Tony Bennett. Illness took a toll here. Carly looked so incredibly plain. Her choice of what was essentially elevator music didn’t help any. Randy: “Guess what? The best vocal of the past two days. The best vocals of the top 24.” Our grade: B-
Our picks for who will go home Thursday night: The judges went nuts for Ramiele Malubay, which has us mighty confused. We thought she was horrid. So we’ll pick her and either not-quite-ready-for-primetime Joanne Borgella or the uber-vanilla Brooke White.
Photos: Meet the top 24 semifinalists
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Top 12 men: A blast from the past
Zzzzzzzzz.
Oh, hey there. Thanks for waking us up.
Let’s just say Tuesday night’s “American Idol” snoozefest offered little in the way of surprises. Over the course of two hours, we watched as most of the male semifinalists struggled with songs recorded in the 1960s, well before they born. Click here for video.
Here are our thoughts, in order of performance:
David Hernandez: “In the Midnight Hour,” Wilson Pickett. David was scared out of his mind — and it showed big time. Quite a departure from the rock-solid performances he turned in during Hollywood Week. One pleasant side effect: The nauseating on-stage vamping disappeared. We thank you. America thanks you. Simon Cowell: “It actually was better than I thought it would be. I think you’ve got to loosen up a little bit.” Our grade: B
Chikezie Eze: “More Today Than Yesterday,” Spiral Staircase. Chikezie took 1960s Week to the extreme, wearing a horrid orange suit that reminded us of those traffic cones you see along the highway. A total goober, pure and simple. He does, however, deserve kudos for losing a lot of weight, as Paula Abdul was quick to point out. Randy: “You’re a little bit of an old-fashioned singer. Always remember that you need to make it new, fresh, young.” Our grade: D
David Cook: “So Happy Together,” The Turtles. This one confused the heck out of us. What started as an emo, way-too-hip take on a classic morphed into pure rock ‘n’ roll by song’s end. David’s voice was flat, and he came across as uber-pretentious. And that cheesy smile he kept flashing at camera? Lord help us all. Paula: “You rocked it. You made something original.” Our grade: C
Jason Yeager: “Moon River,” Henry Mancini. He’s only 28, but the song and wardrobe combo made Jason look so much older. He’s got a smooth voice, and he really seemed to be enjoying himself. We liked it, but this is a pop-focused competition — and what America heard sounded like something from the easy listening station your grandparents listen to religiously. In fact, just to prove our point, Jason dedicated the song to his grandmother. Simon: “I think it was very cruise ship — the whole performance. I think there are going to be a lot of young people at home watching this with a question mark over their heads. Our grade: B+
Robbie Carrico: “One,” Three Dog Night. We don’t know what to say about this one. Shocking, we know. It was just plain weird to see a biker dude singing this song. And, contrary to what host Ryan Seacrest claims, Robbie looks nothing like Justin Timberlake. Invest in a stronger pair of contacts, Ryan. Paula: “I think you picked the perfect song for you. You were authentic.” Our grade: C-
David Archuleta: “Shop Around,” Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. David’s the one to beat this season. There’s just no doubt about it. He’s got the “Idol” look, a unique voice, and is super comfortable on stage due to his previous appearances on “The Jenny Jones Show” and “Star Search.” And, just in case you forgot he’s only 17, David played the part of an awkward teen quite well as the judges delivered a heaping helping of post-performance praise. Randy Jackson: “I’m a big fan. I thought it was really brilliant. This kid is ready to go.” Our grade: A+
Danny Noriega: “Jailhouse Rock,” Elvis. Up front, we’ve gotta tell you this kid annoys the you-know-what out of us. Why? It’s the never-ending ego. Watching Danny strut and gyrate made us queasy. And those skintight pants? Just say no! Once you got past all that, this was a very safe pick — and the judges called him out on it. Could he be this season’s Sanjaya Malakar? Just a thought. Simon: “I thought the performance was verging on grotesque. If you’re gonna take on Elvis, at least do it well.” Our grade: C-
Luke Menard: “Everybody’s Talking,” Harry Nilsson. Another contestant who came across as someone much older. Was he whispering or singing? We’re not sure, but either way it sounded like a lullaby. Paula: “I really don’t feel that this was the best song for you.” Our grade: D-
Colton Berry: “Suspicious Minds,” Elvis. Colton admits to singing a “Teletubbies” tune when he’s nervous. That alone should be grounds for dismissal. Seriously, though, we can see him as a pop star — even if the judges can’t. Nice smile and a nice stage presence. Randy, Simon and even Paula were especially harsh on Colton, telling him his performance sounded like bad karaoke and encouraging him to spend less time on his hair and more time practicing for his performances. Simon: “The whole idea of this show is to find a performing artist. What did I get from that performance? It’s just a young kid who might have a career in musical theater. … It was just a complete waste of time.” Our grade: B-
Garrett Haley: “Breaking Up is Hard to Do,” Neil Sedaka. A victim of the dreaded manperm. Get him a haircut, pronto. Hands down, Garrett turned in the night’s absolute worst performance. It sounded like something you’d hear during the slow dance at a high school prom. Does this kid even have a personality? We’re not sure. Simon: “It was boring. Your voice sounded a little whiny, and you looked terrified.” Our grade: F
Jason Castro: “Daydream,” Lovin’ Spoonful. This is the first time all season we’ve heard from the Aggie with dreadlocks — and we so weren’t impressed. Jason played the guitar, making him the only contestant all night to lean on an instrument. It didn’t help. Just a very mellow, vanilla performance that the judges loved for some reason. Simon: “Jason, I thought that was in the top two performances of the night. You made it sound current. It was effortless. You have charisma.” Our grade: D
Michael Johns: “Light My Fire,” The Doors. Ditch the fake accent. Now. It ruined the start of the song. But by the midway point, things had improved considerably. Randy: “What a great way to end the night. … You were the bomb tonight, baby. That was hot.” Our grade: B
Our picks to go home Thursday night: Garrett Haley is a slam dunk. If he manages to see another week, we’re going to demand a recount. The other victim? That’s a toss-up, we think, between Texan Jason Yeager and Luke Menard. We’re betting on Luke.
Photos: Meet the top 24 semifinalists
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iTunes, ‘Idol’ strike deal
You’ll be able to cram this season’s “American Idol” performances onto your iPod thanks to a new deal between Apple and the show’s producers.
Purchase tunes the day after each show airs for 99 cents a pop.
Once we get down to the top 12, Apple will offer video of performances for $1.99 each.
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What to expect Tuesday night
Nothing energizes today’s youth like a rockin’ song from the … 1960s.
Right?
We’re about to find out, because this is “‘60s Week” on “American Idol.”
Yes, you read that right. The 24 semifinalists will spend Tuesday and Wednesday nights singing tunes that were recorded 20 — maybe even 30 — years before they were born. Heck, their parents may not have been around back then.
Licensing issues are at least partially to blame, according to executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. So’s poor judgment on the part of producers, but we digress.
Let’s just say things should be mighty interesting.
Speaking of licensing issues, the Dallas Morning News reports that’s why we didn’t see Texan Jason Castro’s performance of Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” last week. In fact, we haven’t heard from him — or five others — at all so far.
“It was one of the best performances we’ve ever had, and we couldn’t show anyone,” Lythgoe said in a conference call with reporters.
Jason suspects his lack of airtime will hurt him, and we can’t say we disagree.
“It’s kind of frustrating,” he told the News. “Everybody’s getting to know people, to like people, so it’s kind of a disadvantage at first.”
Tune in Tuesday night from 7 to 9 to hear Jason and the rest of the men, then park yourself in front of the tube Wednesday night from 7 to 9 to see the women.
Idol chatter …
- Striking writers are back at work — and we couldn’t be happier.
One of the first shows to hit the air with new episodes will be “Saturday Night Live,” which returns this weekend with musical guest Carrie Underwood.
Catch the “Idol” alum — and host Tina Fey — Saturday night at 10:30 on NBC.
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More on the Texas 5
Now that the number of “Idol” contestants is down to a manageable number, we’re starting to learn more about each of the 24 hopefuls, including five with ties to the Lone Star State.
One-time Texas A&M student Jason Castro now calls North Texas home. Jason’s “known statewide for his musical talent,” according to a writeup in the Dallas Morning News. So should we be ashamed we’d never heard of him till “Idol” rolled around?
Houston-born Jason Cook has been a fixture at Tulsa, Okla., bars and nightclubs for the past two years, bartending and playing with a couple bands before heading out on his own. He released a solo album last year, the Tulsa World reports.
The bright lights of Branson, Mo., prompted Jason Yeager to leave North Texas. Before heading to Hollywood for “Idol,” he was performing in “Country Tonite,” a musical, according to the Branson Daily News.
“He’s very versatile,” said Chris Dodson, who works for Starlite Entertainment, the firm that convinced Jason to make the move to Missouri. “I think he’ll do good. He knows how to work it. He’s a good kid and I wish him the best.”
Katy’s Kady Malloy is a “showbiz veteran of sorts,” according to the Houston Press. Just 18, she’s already released an album with help from Natalie Imbruglia and Mandy Moore, though it’s no longer available for sale. Record label Amie Street claims Kady sounds like a cross between Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson and the Pussycat Dolls. Alrighty then.
Last but not least, former Leander resident David Archuleta is just 17 — and his vocal coach thinks that’s one reason why judges are so keen on him.
“This is a chance for ‘American Idol’ to capture the ‘High School Musical’ crowd,” Dean Kaelin told the Salt Lake Tribune. “And he has great style. He’s engaging.”
TMZ.com, meanwhile, is already actively digging for dirt on each of the contestants. Up first? David, who’s been labeled a “giant phony” after footage of him performing on “The Jenny Jones Show” many moons ago was uncovered.
“This kid’s been a pro for years,” the site claims. There’s also word he may have had a recording deal at one time.
Stay tuned for more dirt. You know it’s just a matter of time before something juicier boils to the surface …
Idol chatter …
- Fresh off her appearance at the Super Bowl, Jordin Sparks has signed on to open for Alicia Keys’ upcoming 30-stop tour.
Austin didn’t make the cut, as usual, but Grand Prairie and Houston did.
- Troubled “Idol” alum Jessica Sierra is reportedly no longer with child.
The snoops at TMZ.com don’t have that much in the way of details — and, honestly, we’re kinda glad.
Five Texans make ‘Idol’s’ top 24
Figuring out which contestant to root for is going to be mighty difficult this season — at least early on.
That’s because four guys and one gal with Texas ties made “American Idol’s” top 24. Click here for video.
Former Leander resident David Archuleta will be joined by Jason Castro of Rockwall, Houston-born David Cook, Jason Yeager of Grand Prairie and Katy’s Kady Malloy, or Kady from Katy as we’re calling her.
Got all that? Don’t worry. You will soon enough.
Noticeably absent from the final cut were Kyle Ensley and Josiah Leming, two singers we’ve come to know quite well this season.
Producers continued their love affair with Josiah to the very end, giving him far more airtime Wednesday night than any other contestant. In the end, though, common sense prevailed when the judges told him he wasn’t ready just yet.
Kyle’s departure was a bit of a surprise. We really liked his final performance Tuesday night and, more importantly, so did Simon Cowell.
In any event, details on the final 24 are below, straight from Fox’s Web site.
Up next: The top 12 men perform Tuesday night from 7 to 9, followed by the top 12 women Wednesday night from 7 to 9.
Top 12 men
David Archuleta, 17 — Born in Miami, but grew up in Murray, Utah. Archuleta began singing at age 7. Currently a junior at Murray High School, he has performed with an a cappella choir group and plays the piano.
Colton Berry, 18 — Currently lives in Staunton, Va. Berry is a senior at Wilson Memorial High School. He began singing in church when he was 5 years old. Active in community theater, he also mentors children in a music class at a local elementary school.
Robbie Carrico, 26 — Currently lives in Melbourne, Fla. Carrico began singing at age 16. He has been a member of two groups, Boyz IV Girlz and Missing Picket. Before auditioning, he was working as a painter with his father. In his spare time, Carrico enjoys racing cars.
Jason Castro, 20 — Currently lives in Rockwall, Texas, but was born in Dallas and raised in Rowlett, Texas. Castro grew up playing drums and played in a band called Keeping Lions. Before auditioning, Castro was majoring in construction science at Texas A&M University.
David Cook, 25 — Currently lives in Tulsa, Okla., but grew up in Blue Springs, Mo. Cook was born in Houston and graduated from Central Missouri State University in 2006. He has been singing since he was in the second grade and also plays the guitar. Cook was a member of two bands, Axium and MWK.
Chikezie Eze, 22 — Currently lives in Inglewood, Calif. Eze began singing when he was 13 years old. Before auditioning, he was a Transportation Security Administration screener and a cashier. He also studied singing at Santa Monica College.
Garrett Haley, 17 — Currently lives in Elida, Ohio, but spent his early years in Alamosa, Colo. Haley is a junior at Elida High School. He began singing in elementary school and has performed in local talent shows and high school musicals.
David Hernandez, 24 — Born and raised in Glendale, Ariz. Hernandez began singing at age 6. He has performed at Urban Network Events, “Arizona Idol” and the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade. He has been a member of the bands Tribet and Straight Up.
Michael Johns, 29 — Currently lives in Los Angeles, but was born in Perth, Australia. Johns moved to the U.S. in 1998 to attend Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in Tifton, Ga., then moved to Buckhead, Ga., to pursue singing. Johns began singing at the age of 5 and also plays the guitar. He was a member of a band called The Rising.
Luke Menard, 29 — Born and raised in Crawfordsville, Ind. Menard began singing when he was a freshman in high school. He earned a degree in communications from Millikin University in Decatur, Ill., and worked for a finance company in Chicago. After realizing that was not the job for him, Menard began touring with an a cappella group called Chapter 6.
Danny Noriega, 18 — Currently lives in Azusa, Calif. Noriega has been singing his entire life. Prior to auditioning, Noriega had recently graduated from high school. In his spare time he likes to dance and make people laugh. He also loves animals.
Jason Yeager, 28 — Currently resides in Branson, Mo., although his hometown is Grand Prairie, Texas. Yeager began singing when he was 2 years old. He was a member of a boy band called True This. He also plays guitar, piano and drums.
Top 12 women
Joanne Borgella, 25 — Currently lives in Hoboken, N.J., although born and raised in New York. Borgella has been singing since she was 3 years old. Before auditioning, she was a plus-size model. In her spare time she makes jewelry and designs clothes.
Kristy Lee Cook, 24 — Currently lives in Selma, Ore., but was born in Seattle. Cook has sung for crowds since she was 13 years old. Prior to auditioning, Cook raised and trained horses. She plays the piano and was a member of the band Sixshooter.
Amy Davis, 25 — Currently lives in Cedar Lake, Ind., but was raised in Lowell, Ind. Davis is a graduate student at Purdue University, where she previously earned a horticulture degree. She began singing for her family at age 5 and has since performed with numerous groups, including the Amy Davis Trio and Echoes of Pompeii, a Pink Floyd tribute band.
Asia’h Epperson, 19 — Born and raised in Joplin, Mo., Epperson has been singing since she was 3 years old. Before auditioning, she was a waitress at two restaurants in Joplin. In her spare time, Epperson enjoys dancing and acting and also has a passion for makeup and fashion.
Alexandrea Lushington, 17 — Currently lives in Douglasville, Ga. Lushington began singing in her grandfather’s church when she was just 2 years old. She is currently a junior at Douglas County High School, where she sings in the school choir and is a member of the drama club. Lushington also plays the piano.
Kady Malloy, 18 — Born and raised in Houston. Malloy started singing as soon as she could talk. Before auditioning, she was singing in local restaurants and attending community college. Malloy has a knack for vocal impressions and also plays the tambourine.
Ramiele Malubay, 20 — Currently lives in Miramar, Fla. Malubay was born in Saudi Arabia and spent her early years in the Philippines. She has been singing since she was 12 years old. Before auditioning, she was attending school and was a hostess at a local sushi restaurant. She also plays the piano and guitar.
Syesha Mercado, 21 — Currently lives in Miami, although she grew up in Sarasota, Fla. Mercado was a member of The Drum Studio All-Stars band and has a strong background in theater and dancing. She began singing when she was 3 years old.
Amanda Overmyer, 23 — Raised and currently lives in Mulberry, Ind. Overmyer is a health-care specialist and is earning a degree in business management. She was lead singer for the band Steeleto. In her spare time, Overmyer loves riding her motorcycle.
Carly Smithson, 24 — Currently lives in San Diego, but was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. Smithson made her singing debut in “Les Miserables” at the Olympic Theatre in Dublin. Smithson moved to Los Angeles at age 13 to pursue her singing career. Before auditioning, she was working in a bar and running a tattoo shop with her husband.
Alaina Whitaker, 16 — Born and raised in Tulsa, Okla.. Whitaker began singing at age 4. Currently a junior at Metro Christian Academy, she has performed at festivals throughout Oklahoma and at school functions.
Brooke White, 24 — Currently lives in Van Nuys, Calif., but grew up in Mesa, Ariz. Before auditioning, White was a nanny. She has performed as a solo artist with a backup band. White began singing at age 15 and also plays the piano and guitar.
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And then there were 50 …
Perrie Cataldo, we hardly knew ye.
Ditto Amy Flynn and Jeffrey Lampkin.
Over the course of two hours Tuesday night, we watched as the “American Idol” judges weeded through all 164 contestants who advanced to Hollywood week. When they were done with what host Ryan Seacrest called the “most vicious” cuts in the show’s history, only 50 remained. Click here for video.
Wednesday night, that number drops again. The clever folks at Fox released the photo you see here showing the final 24 — their faces conveniently covered with Simon Cowell masks. Good one, guys.
A few early standouts struck gold yet again Tuesday, scoring precious airtime — and, more importantly, another night in Hollywood.
There was Brooke White, the dead-ringer for KVUE’s Christine Haas.
Rock ‘n’ roll nurse Amanda Overmyer, who was involved in a nasty car wreck just a week before her trip west, made the cut, too. Not bad for a gal with 12 staples in her head.
Homeless high school dropout Josiah Leming refused to give up the fake British accent and stupidly sent the band packing during his final audition, but somehow still managed to survive. He, no doubt, has the producers to thank for that. They do have the final say, after all — no matter what mean ‘ol Simon Cowell wants you to think — and his sob story is just too good for them to pass up.
Looking like a complete and total goober in a dress shirt, Dockers and a red power tie, presidential hopeful Kyle Ensley managed to advance. If he truly does run for office one day, it’s gonna be tough to live down all this ridiculousness.
David Archuleta, the 16-year-old wunderkind with ties to Leander, also made the cut. Of course. He’s gonna be really tough to beat, too.
And last, but certainly not least, we were glad to see Asia’h Epperson do well. Her emotional audition earlier this season, dedicated to her recently deceased dad, was an instant “Idol” classic. She will go far this season — and we’ll be there cheering for her.
Up next: Tune in Wednesday night at 7 to meet the Top 24.
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Disney plans ‘Idol’ attraction
Everyone, it seems, wants a piece of “American Idol.”
Even Disney.
The theme park giant will soon unveil a new “Idol” attraction at its Disney Hollywood Studios amusement park in Florida. Guests will be able to audition and — if they’re good enough — perform before a live audience. Plans are still being finalized, but there will likely be six to eight shows each day.
“Our goal is to try to recreate the excitement of those 24 people who show up on that ‘American Idol’ stage,” said Disney’s Jay Rasulo. “We believe many, many viewers want to know exactly how that feels, and we’re going to try to reproduce that feeling for them.”
Doors should open by year’s end.
Idol chatter …
- You’ll hear a new song this season when “Idol” contestants get the boot.
“Hollywood’s Not America” by newcomer Ferras will soon be stuck in your head, just like “Bad Day” and “Home” from past seasons. We guarantee it.
- The folks at KVUE are hosting their own talent competition.
Stop by the station’s Web site to get more details on “Big Shot Live,” a contest for wouldbe actors, comedians, dancers, jocks, models, singers and TV hosts.
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These leftovers aren’t worth saving
We love it when we’re right.
Earlier this week we predicted Wednesday’s “best of the rest” “American Idol” auditions would be a forgetable affair filled with mediocre clips culled from the cutting room floor. And, lo and behold, that’s exactly what America got.
While we did get to meet several previously unseen singers who advanced to Hollywood, there really and truly were only two memorable acts the whole night. One good, the other not so much.
Alesha Stelzl more than earned her golden ticket. After a less-than-stellar take on a Celine Dion classic, the judges could have sent her packing … but they didn’t. They saw something. Something special. And so did we. Instead, Simon Cowell and company told Alesha to go learn something more her style — a Dolly Parton song — and return. The rest is “Idol” history.
On the flip side, we were exposed to a bizarre hillbilly love triangle that left us mighty confused. Dressed in matching outfits, identical twins Corey and Chris Lane both claimed Ashley Lawing as their love interest.
(Insert banjo music here.)
After a laughable rap audition by the twins, it was Ashley’s turn. “As long as you put me through to Hollywood, you can have whatever you want,” she purred to Simon. He was, however, unimpressed.
And so were we.
Next up: We move to Hollywood next week, where 164 contestants will duke it out for one of just 24 spots. Musical instruments are a new addition this season.
Atlanta’s got talent
Host Ryan Seacrest points out that three “American Idol” superstars — Fantasia Barrino, Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken — have been discovered in Atlanta in past years.
That number could soon rise to four.
We saw some of the best talent so far this season Tuesday night, giving us a glimmer of hope after weeks and weeks of disappointment.
And we got to meet Ryan’s parents. Can life get any better than this?
We kid. Kinda.
Anyway, onto the talent — and there was quite a bit of it.
Joshua Jones shows promise, though the judges found his crazy demon eyes really, really distracting. In fact, he ended up auditioning with his back to the trio. Prognosis: Not good. As Simon Cowell pointed out, Joshua won’t be able to get away with that later in the season.
Asia’h Epperson managed to makes us smile and cry. We got all misty as she described how her father was killed in a car crash 30 minutes after she told him she planned to audition. Then we couldn’t help but smile when she knocked one out of the park, hearing “yes” from all three judges after singing a tribute to dear ol’ dad. The performance really moved Paula Abdul, who had to walk away and regroup after being overcome by emotion.
Simon was quite right when he called Brooke Helvie — a k a Miss South Florida Fair — the “most annoyng person I have seen in my life,” but there’s no denying the beauty queen has a set of pipes that could land her a record deal.
Biker nurse Amanda Overmyer reminded us of a favorite from last season, Gina Glocksen. She’s a hardcore rocker on a show that’s pop-focused, but she’s got the charisma to be a contender. Perhaps Paula put it best: “She’s the female Chris Daughtry.”
Last, but not least, was 18-year-old Josiah Leming, who’s been living out of his car for the past year after dropping out of school. We weren’t all that impressed, truth be told, but he does have an interesting story. On “Idol” these days that seems to be enough to get you to Hollywood. Note to Josiah: Dump the fake English accent. You’re from northeastern Tennessee.
Click here to view video highlights from Tuesday night.
Next up: Tune in Wednesday night at 7 for what producers are calling the “best of the rest.” In other words, they scoured the cutting room floor to fill another hour. Enjoy.
Wedding bells for Kat McPhee
Kat’s no longer on the prowl.
“American Idol” alum Katharine McPhee got hitched to producer Nick Cokas over the weekend.
More than 300 guests attended the Hollywood wedding ceremony for the May-December couple — she’s 23, he’s 42 — including fellow “Idols” Kellie Pickler and Mandisa.
“(Nick) is the love of my life,” McPhee told People magazine. “This is a once in a lifetime occasion and everything is just perfect.”
Congrats to both Kat and Nick. Here’s to many happy years to come …
Idol chatter …
- Sunday was a big day for Jordin Sparks — and not just because she sang the National Anthem at the Super Bowl.
An Associated Press story points out that the game happened in Jordin’s hometown — and featured a surprise win by the New York Giants, the team her father retired from in 2001.
“You couldn’t ask for a more fitting story,” said the bubbly 18-year-old’s proud papa, Phillippi Sparks. “How could it have been better aligned?”
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Jordin: Live or Memorex?
Was Jordin Sparks’ performance during tonight’s Super Bowl lip-synched?
That seems to be the consensus on many sites.
So … is Jordin a member of the Ashlee Simpson Hall of Shame, or was she really belting out the National Anthem — live — before a hometown crowd?
We can’t wait to hear what you think.
‘Idol’ takes centerstage at Super Bowl
If you’re not a football fan, there are still plenty of reasons to watch tonight’s Super Bowl.
Especially if you like “American Idol”
Ryan Seacrest helms the pre-game show, which kicks off at 1 p.m. — four hours before the game begins.
Hey, gotta squeeze in all those commercials, right?
Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks has been tapped to sing the National Anthem. We’re told she should pop up around 5:15 p.m.
Wait … there’s more.
“Idol” judge Paula Abdul is set to debut “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow,” her first new single in more than a decade.
You can catch all the Super Bowl action today on Fox 7.
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Ryan Seacrest makes ‘sexy’ list
Try as we might, there’s just no avoiding Ryan Seacrest.
He hosts “American Idol.” He’s on E! News. He’s Dick Clark’s sidekick on “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.” And now he’s been named to Victoria’s Secret’s annual “What is Sexy?” list.
The maker of barely there underwear says Ryan has the sexiest smile in Hollywood. Makes sense, we guess, since he’s doing commercials for Crest toothpaste and Scope mouthwash.
See, Ryan really is everywhere.
To see the rest of the celebs who made the Victoria’s Secret list, click here.
Idol chatter …
- Clay Aiken lives a sad, lonely life — and, apparently, he likes it that way.
In an eye-opening interview with New York Magazine that coincides with his “Spamalot” debut, the “Idol” runner-up opens up like never before. The result is somewhat disturbing.
Tasty tidbits, courtesy of the American Idol Worship Web site:
On his weight gain: “I got fat on that Paxil! I gained 30 pounds. I stopped takin’ it, and I swear 20 pounds just fell off.”
On his social life: “Nonexistent, really. I’m not a nighttime person.”
On his plans to date someone: “Heck, no.”
On never having had a romantic relationship with anyone: “I just don’t have an interest in … any of that at all. I have got too much on my plate.”
On bars and clubs not being for him: “The only reason people go to bars is to get drunk and have sex. To me, bars are what hell is like.”
Gee, with a winning attitude like that, it’s hard to believe folks aren’t lining up for dates.
- Multiple sites are reporting that Season 4 reject Jessica Sierra’s sex tape hit stores this week.
Ick.
Jessica, meanwhile, continues her court-ordered stint in rehab, where she’s been ordered to stay 100 feet away from microphones and cameras.
Seriously.
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