American Idol - The Top 11

There are weeks during American Idol where even I question my sanity. Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate country music just like the next person but why do we have to have an entire night from the Grand Ole Opry??? Sure, I understand that we need to see how all of the contestants handle all genres of music and of course, tomorrow night's special guest is former Idol winner, Carrie Underwood who has proven a huge success, so it makes sense. I think it would have been a cooler idea to have done an Irish theme night in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Can you imagine the group medley consisting of U2 and The Pogues with all of the contestants dressed as leprechauns???

So, let's get this knee slappin' hoedown started!


Well, it looks like we are going back to Idol seasons of yore with this week's addition of Randy Travis acting as mentor. I am already positive that he will expound that this season is the best so far. It's been said ad nauseum every season so why not.

Let me just say that I am not familiar with most of these songs so I am calling them as I see it. Can I also say I am just not digging Kara at all. She just looks so plastic and like Randy, she tends to have the same critiques of people. I'm hoping she's not brought back next season. Hell, I would rather see Brian Dunkleman back on the show than have to see this chick.

Good ole boy, Michael Sarver, kicks off the night with Garth Brooks' Ain't Goin' Down til the Sun Comes Up. No matter how his performance goes, I think he will be safe. He's just what middle America needs - a blue collar worker with a family who can sing. Not a very good song choice for him. Far too wordy and doesn't show off his voice to its best ability but I think we have found his niche. I still maintain he will be safe despite the judges critiques. Not sure that Michael should have thrown in the cocky retort after the judges were done but the audience loves it so I'm not thinking he will suffer from it.

My girl, Alison Iraheta, is up next with another unknown for me, Patty Loveless' Blame It On Your Heart. She's AMAZING as I have come to expect. It just blows my mind that she's only sixteen! A definite safe bet for tomorrow night.

Kris Allen is up next with Garth Brooks' To Make You Feel My Love. Boring is all I can say. I know by the end of the show I will have no memory of his performance in the least. It was just uneventful. He can sing but provided us with nothing that caused me to take notice. I still think he has the face to get the votes but needs to develop some star quality. Turns out, my hearing must be to blame because the judges liked it a lot. I just don't get it in the least but what do I know.

Lil Rounds opted for Martina McBride's Independence Day. You can tell she's uncomfortable with this genre but, damn, the girl can sing and still show her personality regardless of the theme. I didn't like that Randy suggested that she should have opted for Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You. Sure, it would have been the perfect safe and easy song choice for her but then they would have said that she was just taking the easy way out. Damned if you, damned if you don't but I still think she has nothing to worry about tonight.

When I hear Randy Travis say that he's nervous about Adam Lambert's Middle Eastern twist of Johnny Cash's iconic Ring of Fire, I am worried. Yet, as soon as he gets going, I am liking it - a lot! He totally gothed it up and made it most definitely his own but is America ready for an artsy Idol. Sadly, I think he might find himself in the bottom tomorrow night but he's getting my votes and as of right now, is this week's pick for causing me carpal tunnel!

Scott MacIntyre gets behind the piano yet again. I'm definitely thinking this is his crutch. When Randy Travis hears that Scott picked Wild Angels by Martina McBride. he even says this doesn't soung like a good idea. Another boring performance. Yes, Scott is talented what with being blind and being able to play the piano and sing but it's just so safe and clean. As Randy will more than likely say, "Dawg, you were pitchy in places," and I'd have to agree. Not sure how Scott will fare tomorrow night but I won't be voting for him. However, I do think he will get the pity vote because who honestly wants to vote out the blind guy but seriously, everyone needs to treat Scott just like every other contestant regardless of disability.

Alexis Grace is up next and Pinkie wisely picks Dolly Parton's Jolene. I just noticed that she is a bit of a lollipop head. She's damn skinny and the poofed hair makes her head look disproportionate but I digress. She does a decent job with the song but nothing wow about it which was a bit disappointing after last week's Dirty Diana but we have seen worse tonight so I think she can rest easy tonight.

Danny Gokey once again pulled at the heart strings with his choice of Carrie Underwood's Jesus Take the Wheel. It was a bit much for him to pick that song since he has said that he wants to move away from having his recently departed wife being brought up. It wasn't a great performance. The beginning was marred with nerves and some pitch problems but he can belt it out. Another one who can sleep well tonight.

Anoop Desai goes big this week with the iconic You Were Always On My Mind courtesy of Willie Nelson. I hate to admit it but it wasn't half bad considering I was expecting a complete train wreck. I still don't see what the fuss is about Anoop but I think he will be back next week.

Megan Corkery's choice of Patsy Cline's Walkin' After Midnight and Randy Travis calls it unique. After last week, I think we can expect that. I'm liking it and I don't think it will hurt her that she picked a cleavage plunging dress tonight but the girl has to stop moving. Definitely some notes that sounded off to me but I'm not hating it.

Matt Giraud proved once again that he has that Justin Timberlake vibe about him when he went with a risky choice of So Small from Carrie Underwood. He's definitely safe tonight.

My predictions:

Worthy of Carpal Tunnel - Adam!!!! I just loved the whole goth rendition!!!! Allison is also among the texting worthy

Bottom of the Pile - Sorry, Mike TV, but I have to go with Kris. He has the looks and can sing but just needs to find a personality! And Scott was just blah tonight.

So who are you voting for tonight? Who would you like to see go home?