American Idol - The Second Dozen

Another week, another round of twelve over at American Idol. I was very pleased that the producers came to their senses and got rid of those boring, coddling and puke-worthy post-performance interviews with the relatives. Seriously, having to hear moms blindly disagree with the judges when their child gets a negative review was almost too painful to watch last week. But apart from that no other significant changes took place. So on with the show.


Jasmine Barry wobbled all over the place with Love Song by Sarah Bareills. It was a forgettable performance. I had had high hopes for her since she did stand out for me during Hollywood week. The worst part is the girl was comfortable on stage and had presence. Perhaps, she should try again next year.

Matt Giraud opted for Coldplay's Viva la Vida. A crap song choice if you ask me. I didn't remember this kid in the least from earlier episodes and after this showcase, I wouldn't recognize him if he knocked on my door right now. However, it appears that the judges were impressed from his earlier performances and I have a sinking suspicion that he will make the Wild Card round.

Jeanine Vailes must have thought she was still at a bar doing karaoke because that is the only way to describe her rendition of Maroon 5's This Love. Sure she looks great on stage but that won't be nearly enough to get her through. Buh Bye, Jeanine.

I've been a Nick/Norman fan since his audition. I absolutely detested his comedy schtick but I could see the drag queen underneath it all and when he finally sang, I bet the farm on him. Sadly, tonight, he disappointed the hell out of me. He picked the right song with the obvious drag choice of And I am Telling You from Dreamgirls. The vocals were good but he had to go into his comedy routine again and that's where he lost my backing. However, I can totally see him getting through tomorrow night, after all, he is this week's choice over at Vote for the Worst and even though it didn't work out to Tatiana's benefit, it could do for Nick what it did for Sanjaya. With any luck, he will get picked up for Last Comic Standing when he does eventually leave Idol.

I was impressed by sixteen year old Allison Iraheta during Hollywood week and I am still amazed that she's so young and agreed entirely that she could be one of the dark horses of this competition. She went with a gutsy move with her song choice of Heart's Alone and she rocked it! Best of the night so far hands down! Not only are her vocals incredible but she just has IT!!! I finally have a definite favorite for the competition and, yes, I will be getting carpal tunnel when I start texting in my vote.

I guess Kris Allen didn't pay attention last week when Steve Fowler picked a Michael Jackson song. Kris opted for Man in the Mirror and bored the hell out of me. He picked it up a tiny bit in the last 20 seconds but it was horrific to say the least. I suggest he start packing my bags as soon as he gets back to his room. What the judges saw and heard is another matter. Paula and Simon really liked him and it is sounding like another one for that Wild Card round. Sometimes I think a lot must get lost in translation from seeing it live and watching it on television.

Megan Corkrey wisely chose Corinne Bailey Rae's Put Your Records On and definitely made it her own but I can't say I was overwhelmed by her like I was with Allison. Yet, I absolutely liked her. She's different, fresh and herself and seems to be confident with her awkwardness and uniqueness. An absolute shoe-in for a Wild Card position if she doesn't get the votes tonight. Another contestant worthy of developing carpal tunnel for.

Matt Breitzke went with Tonic's If You Could Only See. Not the best of song choice but if memory serves me this guy did stand out during Hollywood week but tonight's performance was a yawn fest. Matt looked uncomfortable on stage in a constipated kind of way and just lacked any star quality. Another one who should be packing tonight.

Jesse Langseth, who is a dead ringer for Lauren Ambrose, decided to take on Kim Carnes' iconic Bette Davis Eyes. She has a Carly Simon type tone to her voice and did a good job with it but there's just something that wasn't right about the whole performance for me. I didn't hate it but I don't think I will remember it by the end of the show but I think she will be a contender in the Wild Card round.

I didn't recognize Kai Kalama in the least. He sang Jimmy Ruffin's What Becomes of the Broken Hearted. I found it just blah. Safe, if I am being nice about it. I literally wrote down that I would expect to see this at a wedding seconds before Simon uttered those exact words. I love it when that happens. Yet another forgettable performance tonight. Buh bye

Mishavonna Henson, whose name would take up the entire marquee when and if she hits the concert circuit, chose Train's Drops of Jupiter. She can definitely sing but I don't know what the problem was. I think it was the arrangement that was just awkward, while at the same time she felt reserved and disconnected.

Adam Lambert closes the show. I have been a fan of his since I noticed him during Hollywood Week. Sure, I know that he toured with Wicked in the role of Fiyaro, but I don't care. I love him! He has it all, the voice, the charisma, the personality, the stage presence - the total package. So, when he picked The Rolling Stone's Satisfaction, I was in hog heaven despite the band sounding horrific and a little bit of oversinging on his part. I'm thinking they need to do a duet round and pair him with my girl, Allison and watch them tear up the stage. Needless to say, Adam, too, will be to blame when I can't type up the results show tomorrow.

Our predictions for tomorrow's night:

Top Female: no doubt about it, hands down, carpal tunnel worthy Allison Irehata
Top Male: Adam Lambert
Runner Up Vote: Megan Corkrey, if it's based on talent; Nick Mitchell, if the Sanjaya effect takes place

So what'd you think of tonight's show???