Hey Godfather. Did you abandon American Idol? I miss your critiques. They filled in my gaps. Haven't watched much, but what I've seen has mostly been the girls. They are all boring, screamers, except Yonnette (whatever her name is), and she is just scary.

Worst of all is Nicky Minaj. What a creepy person. Keith Urban is good. He has a great personality. Mariah has great breasts, but she's kind of blah. And Randy is a bit subdued.

Come back GF!

MC, will I do?? If you like Mariah's breasts, you should have tuned in last night. They were up and out and in your face. It's the only way to describe it. All I could think about was, she's a Mommy! What do the twins think?? (and, no, I wasn't referring to her breasts, but her children!)

There are two girls I like. One is Kree and the other is Candice (no clue of their last names). Of the boys, I like Devin and Burnell (again, sorry, no last names). There was a girl named Adriana who performed "My Funny Valentine" a few weeks ago and was fantastic, but she didn't make it to the Top 10.

They're going to have a sing off next week between the #6 girl and #6 boy to see who gets the #11 spot on the Idol Tour, but who will not compete. I don't like this 5 boys and 5 girls thing. First of all, it was always a Top 12. Second, all 20 should go and those with the best voices should go through, regardless of gender.

I keep saying I'm not going to watch this stupid show any more, but I get drawn in every year.

I'm here. I only started taking notes this week (Top 20) and will post them below. I'm not sure I like the new format -- it seems to be going in fast forward. I agree it should be the best voices, not by gender (and I guess from here on out it will be). And I totally agree on the judges. And the breasts.

Top 20 Ratings

I'm sure the songs titles aren't always correct...

GIRLS


Janelle safe. What?? Tenna should've made it over her, but the rest of my Top 5 made it: Candice, Angie, Amber, and Kree. And good riddance to Zoanette (tho that Lion King song was okay)

BOYS


Again, I'm one off. I thought Vincent should've made it, but Lazaro got the pity vote. I guess I'm okay with that. Also making it: Paul, Burnell, Curtis, and Devin. And poor Charlie, I really felt bad for him.

I can't believe this is the 11th year I've been watching this show (I started with Season 2). I think it jumped the shark last year, so we'll see if it'll be back. I'll still watch!

I like X-Factor and The Voice (another set of "twins" on Christina Aguilera, but she won't be a judge this year). I especially liked the Sing-off (a cappella groups), which has been cancelled. And the Glee Project is fun to watch as well.

I was very into the Sing-Off, and I was really sorry to see it go! The groups were very talented.

I was glad that Charlie got voted off as part of a group. If he had gotten into Top 10 and had to face the judge's criticism again, I think it would have killed him. Sweet kid!

Lazaro is incredibly smarmy, He makes my skin a bit creepy-crawly, with his pink shirts and that lounge-lizard vibe he gives off.

Top 10 Perform - Songs Sung by Past Idol Winners

Nicki arrived late and missed the first contestant.

These scores might seem like it was a good night, but I was mostly bored...



CURTIS wasn't his usual great self; hit a really bad note.
Keith: So much personality; Randy: Try something a little different; Mariah: Love what you did

JANELLE bored me to death.
K: Burning it up up in here; Nicki: Didn't wow me; R: Song didn't lead anywhere; M: Great performance

DEVIN was pretty good, I like him, but not the strongest voice.
K: Not one of your better performances, wrong song; N: This is you, sound great; R: Way too safe; M: Keep doing what you're doing

ANGIE was good, but something was missing.
K: Knocked it out of the park; N: Personify perfection; R: Competition starts now; M: Stellar

PAUL was lackluster.
K: One of your better performances; N: Did song justice; R: Great song choice; M: Don't make the 'theatrical' comments hold you back

CANDICE was very good.
K: Gosh! Effortless, incredible; N: Destroyed, annihilated it; R: Worked that song out, incredible, perfect; M: Mesmerizing

LAZARO was a bit boring, too.
K: Not in your wheelhouse; N: My least favorite from you, seemed nervous; R: Pitch all over the place, song too big for you; M: You push thru vulnerability and just sing

KREE played it kinda safe to me.
K: Can sing the phone book, you're there; N: Smooth, delicious; R: Infectious voice, subtle, subdued; M: You can't help but emote

BURNELL was good in lower register but upper sounds like a screechy teen.
K: Unique timber, pure eccentricity, great; N: Well on your way, good job; R: Very nice; M: Love the choices you made melodically

AMBER started slow, but moments came; not entirely feeling it.
K: Effortless, really beautiful; N: Best of the night; R: Blew it out of the box; M: #pow (hashtag-pow)


My 50 app votes went to my Top 4 (10 each) and 10 pity votes for Devin.

I keep forgetting to watch it.

Results

Devin (#1 in PR)
Janelle (#1 in TN)
Candice (#1 in SC)... is safe

Top 10 perform "Shine Your Way" from the movie The Cruise

Kree gets key to the city from Woodville, TX, mayor ... and is safe

Bon Jovi performs "The Best We Can"

Sing-Off for the 11th spot on the Idol Tour, between Charlie (an original song "Sky Blue Diamond" which was very good actually) vs Aubrey ("Here On My Own" from Fame, which was less good). Fans got to vote, and the winner will be announced Wednesday. Go, Charlie!

Last year's winner, Phillip Phillips, performs "Gone, Gone, Gone" before being presented with a plaque from Randy for 4 million singles sold ("Home")

Angie is safe
Lazaro is safe
Amber is safe
Janelle is safe
Burnell is safe
Paul is safe

Bottom 2 = Devin and Curtis

Safe is.... Devin! WOW! I like Devin, but Curtis was always one of my front runners.

Curtis sings "I Believe I Can Fly" hoping for the Save. But the judges couldn't come to a consensus, so Curtis is OUT!

I was sorry to see him go. I also thought Curtis was in it for the long haul. Apparently not. I can't believe Lazaro is still in and Curtis and Devin, both so talented, were Bottom 2. Leave it to America.

People still watch this show
Stopped watching that after the original 3 judges were broken up

It's kind of like watching a car accident when you drive by in the opposite direction. You don't want to look, but you find yourself looking anyway.

Should AI be on the Dead Pool list?

Don't kill it yet..! Let them kill themselves, first. BUT... we can still get some good artists out of it first

Top 9 - Songs by The Beatles

The winner of the sing-off between Charlie and Aubrey to go on tour is.... Aubrey.



KREE was okay, but something was missing.
K: Bluesy, soulful, country; N: You've become a superstar; R: The bomb; M: Fan-freakin-tastic, Kree-ly amazing

BURNELL was a little choppy, but amazing for not knowing the song.
N: You caressed the song, smart artist; R: Made it your own, great artist; M: Heart-felt; K: Soulful, beautiful

AMBER also didn't know the song, yet was flat in spots.
R: Started slow; M: Got there, beautiful job; K: Made it sound fresh; N: Vocal is unmatched

LAZARO was meh, but the potential was there in spots.
M: Proud of your bravery; K: Wrong key for you; N: Feeling nervous; R: Your worst performance ever

CANDICE was good, no real 'moment' but rockin'.
K: Absolutely killer; N: Love your vocal but put it on your face; R: Playful, own it cuz you got it; M: Murdered it.

PAUL was interesting, but no David Cook
N: Didn't like it, very safe, bland; R: Felt disconnected; M: Give emotion at low as well as high range; K: Pop rock edge has good angst to it

ANGIE oversang, didn't hear the emotion Jimmy talked about.
R: Stellar perfection; M: Respectful version; K: You're in there the whole time; N: Unbelievably amazing

DEVIN was almost David Archuleta caliber, but too many runs.
M: So good; K: Missing some emotion; N: Disagree with Keith, truthful; R: Devin is back, can sing anything, too many runs.

JANELLE was meh, very countrified, barely recognized it.
K: Know you you are, beautiful; N: More obsessed with you, great; R: Janelle's back, amazing; M: Beautiful, elegant

--

Gave 15 votes each to Burnell and Devin, 10 to Paul because I think he has great potential, 5 to Candice, and a pity 5 to Lazaro, though I think he should be going home.

And yes, when it comes to certain Beatles songs, I have to compare them to the best: DC and DA.

Results

We see Amber at rehearsals having problems with the smoke machine.

Guys do a Beatles medley

Paul's in the B3

Season 9's Casey Abrams performs "I Saw Her Standing There"
Girls perform "Here, There, and Everywhere"

Devin's in the B3, Lazaro is safe?!?!

Season 11's Runner-up Jessica Sanchez performs her single "Tonight" feat. Ne-Yo

Kree is safe, Candice is safe
Angie is safe, Janelle is safe
Burnell is safe, Amber's in the B3

B3 = Paul, Devin, Amber
Paul's on the Bottom, sings "Alone"
Paul is NOT saved by the judges (too bad)

Next week: Music of Motor City

Of course I forgot it was on AGAIN. When I remembered it was 9 so I only saw a few perform. Don't even know the names.

NIckie Minaj could single-handedly end AI. What a dip.

The producers must be freakin'.

If AI's back next year, I bet she won't be. While sometimes funny, she's just always annoying!

Top 8 - Motor City w/ Smokey Robinson

Still at 2 hours, they added duets and trios to the performances.



CANDICE made it hers, nice version.
K: Fantastic, best performance; N: Stayed in it completely; R: You believe you belong, crazy good; M: Epitomize what this competition is, want more 'churchy'

DUET: Kree & Janelle - "Like a Prayer" (C-)

LAZARO actually pulled it off, nice rendition, his best.
R: Far better than last week; M: Some pitch things, you're back; K: Exponentially better than last week; N: You gave it to me tonight

JANELLE countrified it, good arrangement.
M: Janelle at her finest!; K: Beautiful; N: My little marshmallow; R: Loved it, incredible, in it to win it

DEVIN had/has a great voice, but something was missing.
K: Relax into it, got style; N: Amazing job, yes sir!; R: Devin's back, one of best in weeks; M: Loved it, flawless, restrained; SR: Awesome

TRIO: Amber, Candice, Angie - "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" (B+)

BURNELL still a bit choppy but love his tone. Was nervous about Stevie song.
N: Very very very good, artsy; R: Love your choices, ohh yeah, in it to win it; M: Really good job, modern flavor; K: So original, really good

ANGIE sounded good, for karaoke.
R: Strange one for me, very pitchy, not great; M: Should've done 'I'll Be There' on piano; K: Melody kept pulling you down; N: Tried to show a different side that didn't need to be shown

AMBER felt disconnected, but got better.
M: A Tour de Force, impeccable; K: Sang and felt it beautifully; N: Out of this world, unmatched; R: Best vocal of the night!

TRIO: Devin, Lazaro, Burnell - "I Can't Help Myself" (B-)

KREE was good, but song doesn't go anywhere.
R: Not perfect but one of your best; M: Here to stay, bravisima; K: You're Kree; N: You're a Queen, too

Results

Top 8 perform "Old Time Rock 'n Roll"
Fiesta Movement Idol Mission #1, The Gift of Song
Audio message from Aretha Franklin complimenting Kree
Season 11 contestant Colton Dixon performs "Love Has Come For Me"
One Republic featuring 5th Season's Katharine McPhee perform "If I Lose Myself"
Keith Urban performs "Long Hot Summer"

Kree, safe
Candice, safe
Janelle, safe
Angie, safe
Amber, safe

B3 = The 3 guys

Burnell, safe

Devin's on the bottom, Lazaro is safe

Devin sings "It's Impossible" flawlessly, but isn't saved.

Is Lazaro getting the sympathy vote and/or Hispanic vote? Or as I have been saying for years - the producers vote. They are making sure a girl wins this year. Of all the winners, two girls have made the biggest impact; Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood. Some of the guys have disappeared; Kris Allen, David Cook,...

Well, Vote for the Worst has picked Lazaro as their contestant. I don't how much power they still have, but I'm fairly sure they were responsible for keeping Sanjaya on week after wretched week.

Devin had a beautiful voice, and I'm so sorry to see him go. He was my favorite. I knew that Nicki wouldn't save him for spite because the judges wouldn't save her favorite, Curtis. She refused to make it unanimous, and you could see it by that bitch face that she had on. Even Ryan was shocked that they refused to use the save on Devin.

Top 7 - Rock Music
featuring guitarist Orianthi



BURNELL was good, but seemed a little subdued.
K: Looked a bit uncomfortable, love voice, but make it your own; N: Still lovable; R: Ride beat harder; M: Proud of you, had fun with it

DUET: Angie & Lazaro, "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (B/C-)

KREE was okay, but something was missing.
R: Show finally started tonight, IITWI; M: True artist, possibly my favorite of yours; K: Something going on [pinched nerve]; N: Mag-nificient, established

DUET: Candice & Burnell, "The Letter" (A/B)

JANELLE made it hers, yet still rocked.
K: Came out like a pro, not best song, such a contender; N: Exceptional perfection; R: Real, honest, felt like a concert; M: Compelled, it's you, it's real

LAZARO was actually not bad.
N: Giving me some hispanic-tease; R: Did a good job, props; M: Good job, great choice; K: Great choice

TRIO: Amber, Janelle & Kree, "It's Still R&R To Me" (D, tho 3 judges loved it?)

CANDICE I didn't feel most of the time.
M: Bravisima; K: Power never wanes; N: Amazing, but fell asleep; R: Brought attitude, not perfect song

AMBER could've been better, a bit screechy.
R: Great song choice; N: Striking, believable, fave of night; R: Didn't lose Amber in there; M: Amazing, great job

ANGIE was a little off, but this could've been great.
N: Perfect choice for you, kudos; R: Amazing job; M: Make it Angie; K: Rock is about feel, have ability to do that

--

So, Candice gets my first A of the season in her duet (maybe because she so out-classed Burnell), but I didn't feel her in the solo.

My Top 3 got 10 votes apiece, and so did #4 Burnell cuz I like him. 5 pts each to Candice and Kree because they deserve to stay. That's some votes for everyone but Amber, whose time I think is about over.

Results

Top 7 perform "Somebody to Love"

Ford Fiesta Mission: Who's Your Idol?

Jimmy's Top 3 is Amber, Angie, Kree; Lazaro should be going

Idol Update w/ Season 9's Casey James, performs "The Good Life"

Keith's Top 3: Kree, Angie, Amber
Nicki's Top 3: Angie, Amber, Kree
Randy's Top 3: Amber, Kree, Angie
Mariah's Top 3: Kree, Amber, Candice

Safe: Kree
Safe: Angie
Safe: Lazaro

Fourth Season winner Carrie Underwood performs "See You Again"

Safe: Candice

B3 = Burnell, Janelle, Amber

Amber's safe.

B2 = Janelle, Burnell

Janelle's safe

Burnell sings "Ready For Love" but is NOT saved. I guess I can't argue much. While I like him, he's certainly not as powerful as most of the others.

Judges' and Jimmy's faves were my #3, #5, #6, #7. I guess they really know who they want. They almost looked disappointed after Lazaro did so well, too. Sheesh.

Geoff is american idol your favorite show?

Not at all, but I do watch it every year (along with all the other shows) -- and have been doing these recaps for so long that it's become a ritual.

I cannot stand that Lazaro. He is so outclassed by the other singers and they're all going home before him. Is it just me, or does he remind anyone else of Fes from That 70s Show?

Agree with Mary Cas- Minaj was a terrible choice and for that reason we no longer watch it. I predict it will go down the tubes.

My wife was getting her hair cut on Saturday and the conversation amongst the ladies and the cutters was about Minaj. Same thing..some have turned it off.

Top 6

2 Rounds:

Catalog of Burt Bacharach & Hal David


ANGIE was okay, smooth.
K: Didn't feel the passion, made it too easy; N: Felt old-fashioned; R: Digest lyric as if you wrote it; M: "Too" perfect

AMBER was good, a little Zzzz.
N: Oh oh my Gosh! Yes!; R: Competition just started tonight; M: Genius transition, was Amber, A+mazing; K: Effortless, [you] never over-sing

LAZARO was pitchy, key was too low, his worst yet.
R: Kinda speechless, no no no no, horrible; M: Didn't change with key change; K: Key too low; N: Pretend I gave my comment...

KREE was mostly good.
M: Perfect for your voice; K: Humanity and compassion came through; N: Voice sweet and hella-cocky, you are ready; R: That girl can sing!

JANELLE was a little flat in spots, old-fashioned.
K: Different side of you each week; N: Really boring; R: Lackluster; M: Different style than you're used to

CANDICE has the best voice in the competition, just slightly Zzz.
N: Born to do this; R: IITWI, BOTN/ever; M: Kept it current; K: Set bar really high, my Top 3

Songs They Wish They'd Written


ANGIE had good vox, but not very moving.
R: Loved that, amazing; M: Never lose the piano; K: Production was amazing; N: This was Angie, don't stray from that

AMBER was very pitchy the first half of the song.
M: No my favorite vox buy 'happy'; K: Great song choice; N: Yes ma'am, you have arrived; R: Yes yes yes, IITWI

LAZARO was much better this time, but still has to go.
K: Great tone, but girls are so good; N: What he said; R: Slightly better, girls' race; M: Better range for you

KREE was slightly pitchy and a little Zzzz.
N: At head of the class, believable; R: A natural, natural singer, perfect match; M: How the song should be sung; K: A buckle polisher [huh??], beautiful

JANELLE, same feedback as Kree.
R: Not best ever, good; M: Felt it was true, from heart; K: Only guitar would've been great; N: Better than first perf, still not enough

CANDICE is a true pro, diva-liscious!
R: On behalf of all the judges, one of the greatest in the history of 12 years of American Idol; [then later]; K: Crazy, all stars lined up; R: ...any talent show every!; M: Beyond anything I can say


----

So let's see...

Candice B+/A
Angie B/B
Kree B/B-
Amber B/C+
Janelle C+/C-
Lazaro D-/B

Not spraying out votes or pity this week. CANDICE got all 50 votes! Simply amazing cover of The Cure's Love Song. [I had no idea that women had covered that song, namely Adele (Candice was better)]

----

While Minaj was very (VERY) annoying in the beginning, the overly-Queens-sounding Ms Potato Head has often been more right and honest than anyone else besides maybe Randy. When someone sucks, she says so, and I admire that. Her little cutesy nicknames and all, kinda amusing sometimes. AT LEAST she stopped using fake accents!

Randy, on the other hand, has been rehashing the same comments he's used for a dozen years. "In It To Win It" is now just IITWI. "Best of the night" is now BOTN. "Competition Just Started Tonight", one more time, will become CJST. "That Girl/Boy Can Sing" will be TGCS or TBCS.

At least nobody said, "You could sing the phonebook."

Lazaro made my ears hurt. While Amber is talented, I don't get the constant tongue-baths she gets from the judges. She's good, but never struck me as great. Candice, on the other hand, is just amazing.

If one of the girls gets voted off tonight (unless it's Janelle, who is not a judge favorite), I think the judges will use the save tonight.