Second 12 out of 36!

[Foreward: My SIL Jenni has asked me to refrain from saying a particular word in my American Idol blogs. She has offered to pay me $6 if I will stop typing the word "Gah!". Times are hard. I need $6, so I'm gonna try my level best to refrain from saying it. Now, I don't have a problem with the word. Like I told her, I'm a true child of the '80s and it just comes naturally. But apparently it reminds her of a certain blond bimbo, so I'm gonna TRY. I was itching to say it tonight. Itching!!!!!!]

The show begins with Ryan asking: Where else can you find a welder a bartender a font designer and a comedian?

My husband walks in the room and interjects, sarcastically: Church!

And this is the way we start the show. Again, Ryan is dressed down. Hmmm. Paula brought her cleavage along for the night.

I'm watching the show at 10:00pm because I had church tonight, and I've heard it wasn't very good.

Jasmine goes first. I've not been as enamored with Jasmine as some have been. She's cute, though. Ooo, she's singing Love Song. I can't wait til Abbey watches this tomorrow. Ok, here's the thing. It's hard to compare with the silky soulfulness of Sarah. But I think Jasmine got a little too into the song too early. She should've "sat on it" a little and let it build - she lost the soulfulness of the song. Her stage presence is lacking. She has confidence but got a little geeky with it.

Ooo, Matt Giraud is up next - he's my favorite. Please don't let me down, Matt! UGH. Off to a bad start. Crud - I picked him to go all the way in my fantasy league!!!! Oh, my goodness. WRONG SONG. And too fast. What is with the band/tracks being so fast this year? He sounded so nervous/shaky. Wow. I don't know what else to say. I'm bummed. Crud.

Jeanine Vailes is next. I've never heard her sing at all. Maroon5, huh? Maybe I could learn to like this girl. Man, those legs. Whoa, she is SHARP... as in almost out of tune. Yep, she just went completely off. I think the judges are being a little too hard on her. I agree with Kara (gasp!) that is was just way overdone. She could've settled into it a little, just like Jasmine. OH, my, she's begging now. How sad. Have some dignity, girl! This ain't the only rodeo!

Oh, goody! Nick is up next! I've been looking forward to this! Oh, gosh - I've had to PAUSE the show to laugh. Did you see his mom and dad??? His mom is smiling like a proud peacock. His dad is glaring with something close to hatred. Ok, resuming... Ok, now his dad is looking happier. I'm. Just. In. Shock. Don't know what to say. Except that I really wish he had just been normal and sang.

Again I ask, why does Paula wear her bangs in her eyes??? She needs to take some of those bangs and put them over her boobs.

Allison is next - I saw a video of her on youtube from when she was 14 and she was fairly good back them. She looks older than 16... and acts older than 16. Well, and she kinda acts... silly. Especially when she says "Alone". Gee, the track is killing me. She's a little spastic when she sings... but good job! Good voice! Best of the night so far. I'm now regretting not following my gut in my placement of her in my fantasy league now. I had a thought to rank her high but changed my mind at the last minute.

Kris Allen is up next. Don't know a thing about him! Have we heard him yet? Man in the Mirror? Are you kidding me? The track is too fast. Again. Ok, Kris isn't as bad as I thought he was going to be. I kinda like him. I just wish everyone would stop bouncing around when they sing. It makes them sound shaky. He might be a wildcard. Maybe? I liked what he did with "Everything". Again, I'm regretting my pick for him in my fantasy league. Ugh, are you sensing a trend???

Megan Corkery is next - she had a very unique voice in the auditions... but I don't know if she's a one-trick pony or what. "Put Your Records On". Ok. Her dancing is atrocious! Stop that! I like her sound, I really do. It's very jazzy. She needs to hold the mic because I'm losing her voice at times. Man, is she awkward!!! Beautiful face - good facial expressions. Just show her from the neck up! Wow, I completely agree with Simon, it started well and then she began to oversing.

Matt Breitszke is next. I like this guy. He reminds me of a bigger JJ Langford. Sweet guy. LOL! Aaron just woke up out of a dead sleep and said: "I was wondering what I would look like on American Idol" They do both bite their lower lip when dancing. Ha! Ok, back to Matt. He is a good singer, but there was a certain element of energy missing from this performance. He also should've held the mic. It was terribly boring.

OK, Jesse Langseth is next and I'm looking forward to hearing her. She kinda sounds like a dying cat on the chorus. Bad, bad song choice. It's so boring. She does as good as she can with it... but it's just bad. I would love to hear her on a different song. She started pretty good. Hated the chorus, though. She's a little trite. Is that the right word? Wildcard. "too cool for school" Wow, Simon. Very profound.

Kai is next. He's cute. He's so lovable. What a perfect song for his voice. It's impossible to make something new of an old song with this crappy track band playing. ugh. But even though his song was safe as can be, it was very enjoyable. He was good! I think he out-shone the other guys for real.

Mishavonna is next. I liked her voice in the auditions, or maybe it was Hollywood. Can't remember. Good start, Misha. To me, this is the best performance of the night because she's not over-doing it. She's a true performer. She knows what she's doing. I thought she did a GREAT job with that song. She has been my favorite so far tonight. GOOD LORD! Now they're hating on her for being too put-together! Jackie Tohn was too crazy, Misha is too put-together. Oy. I liked her a lot! I hate it when the judges try to discourage people from voting from someone who was good.

Adam Lambert is last. He scares me. Lots. He screams. Me no likey. I'm not saying he can't sing and perform. Musical Theatre, you don't say! Shocker. Satisfaction. Really? Wow, he's a little girlie to me. Wow, his range is higher than mine! Great performer, no doubt. Energetic. But I would NOT buy his record nor would I want to hear him over and over. Maybe ever again. Ha!

Ok, for tomorrow night, here's who I think will get through: Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta and Megan Corkery.

Matt's fans might surprise us but I think he'll go Wildcard along with Kris and Jasmine. Or maybe Misha?

Later!

Season 8, yo!!!! First 12 out of top 36!!!!!

Here we go! It's been a long time... and yes, I have missed you. Whoever "you" are. :-) Let's do this!

I'm very excited about this season. They actually have some real singers this year.

Oh, gawd. Paula's hair is back to looking horrible. WHY??? She actually looked great and acted semi-normal during the audition process. What happened in between then and now? Come on, Paula!!!

Ryan is looking very casual tonight. Hmmm. Simon is in a black shirt, as usual. Moving on.

Hits from the hot 100??? That's a broad spectrum. Gee.

I'm gonna go ahead and predict Danny Gokey will shine. That said, let's say hi to the first 12 performers...

Helloooooo, Jackie Tohn. I like this girl - but she seems a little older than her age. Oh, no, those pants. Oh, no, the lip curl! What the heck is she doing??? She's making a fool of herself. She's energetic but I feel like I'm at King's Island in the late 80's. Of all of the songs she could do... this is just downright annoying. She's funny, though. She reminds me of Chelsea Handler. Buh-bye Jackie Tohn.

ha, whenever I hear Simon talk, all I can think of is the bonus material on the Shrek 2 DVD.

Ricky Braddy - Belmont student - is up next. The Braddy Bunch is quite a fierce little fan club, too. He might make it through. Never heard him sing. Will now. A Song For You - Leon Russell. Crowd fave, usually. I LIKE HIM. Love his phrasing. He's taking a tired song and putting a little spin on it. Love his tone. His tricks. He knows what he's doing. I hope he somehow makes it into the top 12. There is just a SLIGHT hint of showtune quality to his voice at times... but hey.

Alexis Grace is next. I thought she did well in Hollywood week. Based on that, I picked her to be the girl that goes through. Ooh, she's doing Aretha. She better bring it. Good control at the beginning!!! The girl has soul, that's fo sho. I thoroughly enjoyed this performance!!!! Made me wish it was me singing that song. Ow! She's good.

Ha ha, look at Paula's bracelet. It's like the one Tatiana wore.

Brent Keith is a cutie, but can he get enough of a fan base? Oopsie, the tape messed up. Aw, he's a sweet guy. Hicktown. Great. Yeah, I can already tell he ain't going far. He's just not good enough. I like him. I hope someone helps him make a country album or something. Maybe he needs to go to Nashville Star. His performance is just awkward. And frankly, his singing is not very good.

Next is Maci Ashworth - I mean, Stevie Wright! She totally looks like my friend Maci. I can't remember if this girl can sing or not. Taylor Swift. Ok. Oh, good Lord. It starts of BAD. Poor girl. She seems like a sweet little girl, but this is just PAINFUL. Ouch. Seriously, how in the world did she make it this far????

Anoop Dawg is in the house. He has some fans. It's India's year. Slumdog, yo. He has a silky smooth voice... but was this the right song choice? I think not. He may not make it through this time, but may come back as a wild card. He can sing, but BAD song choice. What is up with those backups? And the band sounds like a band at a jr high dance. Eeek.

Casey Carlson is next. She's a cute girl, but I cannot remember her voice. The Police??? No, girl. Don't mess up my Police. And why the lip curl??? Why? Ok, so this is a weird song choice... but she has some interesting aspects to her voice. This performance sounds like it needs to be in a musical. And all those winks. Gah. (I love musicals, though.) Wow, watch her face while they are critiqueing her! she's downright pouting.

Ooo, I'm so ready for Michael! I want America to love him! I loved his voice throughout auditions. He's very soulful. Yay, Gavin!!!! One of my favorite songs! And he can pull it off. Yes, way to attack that song. Used to be, contestants only gave it their all after they had been voted off. I just like him. He's likable. Lay off him, Randy!

Ok, so next is Anne Marie. She's likable, but she's not my favorite. Hmmm, she's a demo singer. Didn't know that. Natural Woman. Starts VERY shaky. Eeek. Breathe through it, Anne Marie. I'm gonna tell you 2 things right now: 1) if she makes it over Alexis Grace, it will be a shame. 2) She looks weird when she sings. Also, she seems like she is trying to mimic Celine Dion. ??? She hit some of the belty notes, but it didn't transcend into the rest of the song. Wow, she just slammed Sarah Barellis. Or however you spell her name.

Steven Fowler. He better do better than when he forgot his lyrics. Michael Jackson. A little Rock wit you. He was way off pitch at the beginning. He is sharp as all get-out. Where is the band? I don't see them. Wow, he cracked. Twice. Ouch. Didn't like it. Buh-bye.

Oh, my. Tatiana is next. What will she sing? I think she has potential, but a CRAZY personality. Whitney Houston. How very appropriate. She has such a nice, rich belt voice. She was pitchy throughout the song, but I like the big parts... her belt reminds me of Bernadette Peters. yes, that's who she reminds me of. Oh, Lord. Is she gonna make it through?

I'm hungry. Is this show over yet?

Ok, let's hear Danny Gokey! Everyone's favorite! Man, he looks so much like Robert Downy, Jr. So much! He starts off pretty strong. Love his tone. Mmmmm. Nice. Aaaand, Paula is up. Wish he had chosen a different song - it's a little rushed, too. Ok, hands down he sounds the best of the night. Great singer. Love his style. It's gonna be fun watching him. Ha, you can tell he's a minister.

My top 3 picks for the night? Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace, Ricky Braddy. HOWEVER, I wouldn't be surprised if Anoop Dawg replaced Ricky Braddy. That would be a bummer, but that's the way it goes sometimes.

Later!