|
Semifinals:
Group 2
February 25
Last week on
Idol, we had our first three finalists enter the fray in Alexis Grace, Michael
Sarver, and Danny Gokey. Now the contest continues with 12 more singers, all
hoping to capture three more slots.
Randy says they've had the advantage of watching last week's episodes. Kara says
you have to do the best you can possibly do. Paula is excited about this group,
and hopes they pick the right group. Simon says that it's too late for advice.
We have a bartender, a welder, a font designer, and a comedian among us tonight.
Here's your lineup...
Jasmine Murray (17; Starkville, MO)
Matt Giraud (23; Kalamazoo, MI)
Jeanine Vailes (27; Sherman Oaks, CA)
Nick Mitchell (27; Brookfield, CT)
Alison Iraheta (16; Los Angeles)
Kris Allen (23; Conway, AR)
Megan Joy Corkrey (22; Sandy, UT)
Matt Breitzke (27; Bixby, OK)
Jesse Langseth (25; Minneapolis)
Kai Kalama (26; San Clemente, CA)
Mishavonna Henson (18; Irvine, CA)
Adam Lambert (26; Los Angeles)
Trivia: five of the semifinalists tonight are from California.
We're doing the Hot 100 again this week, and we're starting with 17-year-old
high school student Jasmine Murray. She would watch it downstairs while mom was
watching upstairs. She was the best of her group in Hollywood, but can she be
the best with "Love Song" by Sara Bareilles.
What they say: Randy says it was pitchy all the way throughout, and the song was
unlike her in that it was a simple melody made not so simple. Kara calls her
commercial and very "all over the place". She kinda lost it in the beginning.
Paula has to agree with what the others say. She likes the confidence. Simon
likes her, but is disappointed. "I think you're a couple of years too early."
What Jasmine said: "I had a great time, and I thought I did well."
What we say: Completely heavy-toned for such a light song. And it's a little
pitchy in spots. Not a good way to start the night. She could've picked a better
song than this.
Next up, dueling piano player Matt Giraud. So far, he's had a good round
interpreting such ethereal fare as "Georgia On My Mind". Tonight, he'll be doing
"Viva La Vida" by Coldplay with his own little twist.
What they say: Kara starts it up by NOT being blown away. Paula thought he was
top notch in Hollywood, and she was trying to instill a soul in a rock standard.
Simon thought it verged on horrible, turning from someone cool to a jerky pop
star. Randy agrees. "You've got mad talent. You have to sing difficult songs."
What we say: Breath control, son! That was a very hard song to sing, and I don't
think he nailed it all the way. You have to have the longevity of voice to sing
a song like that. And again... Song choice didn't do you ANY favors. He needs to
remember who he is as an artist before he tries something like that.
As a reminder, all of tonight's performances are on iTunes.
Next is a naughty little thing... Jeanine Vailes. Simon's been giving her props
all competition. She's singing one of her favorite bands, Maroon5's "This Love".
What they say: what does it say that all four judges have the same thing to say,
and that the best thing they can come up with is "You have great legs". Paula
says she does NOT deserve another chance.
What we say: WAY too sharp to start. And another singer in a line of singers
that are foregoing the simple melody to try and stand out. The problem is that
you're standing out in a bad way. It's just way too overcooked. But yeah.. she's
got some nice legs.
This might be the opportunity of a lifetime for Nick "Norman Gentle" Mitchell,
based on what we've seen tonight. He created the character to be funny.. and
sing. He doesn't know who he's going to be, but he knows he wants to entertain
with "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" by Jennifer Hudson.
What they say: Simon... yeah, it's your turn, buddy... "I pray you do not go
through to the next round." He calls it "horrific comedy". Randy says it's one
of the most entertaining performances ever... though the vocals left little to
be desired. Kara... "At least we remember him." Paula says he's a true
performer, but this is not the stage for him.
What we say: And how did you get in the semi-finals again? Seriously. And what
does it say about group 2 that this guy is the best of the lot so far? Last
week, I had Jamar Rogers, the person who got cut for some of these male singers,
napalming his TV set. I think his weapon of choice this week will be an outboard
powerboat mower.
Next up, high-school student Alison Iraheta. She says "Idol School" is a little
harder. It's a room. She hasn't done the best so far, but she's used that as
fuel for her fire. Tonight, she's using her raw talent on a raw song with
"Alone" by Heart.
What they say: Randy says we have real singing jumping off. "Might be one of the
hottest tonight." Kara says she's serious. With the right song, she's got a hit
on the radio. Paula says she can sing the telephone book. Simon says she's the
best tonight by a mile.
What we say: Finally. Someone picked the right song. The only down side: it only
sounds like every other rendition of "Alone" ever done on this show. But it
works for her and that's a good thing.
Next is Kris Allen. He thought his Louisville audition went well. We learned
that he has off-putting modesty. But he's got a soft-spoken confidence with "Man
in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson. No guitar, though.
What they say: Kara thought the back nine was better than the front, but it
doesn't come close to what he did in Hollywood Week. "This was just the
completely wrong song." Paula disagrees, saying his personality shone through.
Simon... agrees with Paula. He's not the best singer (Danny), but what he did
tonight, he showed confidence and personality. "I think the chicks are going to
love you." Randy thinks he did it without the guitar.
What we say: I'm not a fan of the arrangement, but when you're singing it a
full-step down from the original, something's got to give. Good way to close the
first half, but that's not saying much given that the best of the night is a
16-year-old screaming "Alone".
So far, Alison is the woman to beat, Kris the man. And you know what they say,
if you want to be the (wo)man, you've got to beat the (wo)man.
But that's part 1. Here's hour #2, where Megan Joy Corkrey puts on Corinne Bailey
Rae's "Put Your Records On".
What they say: Paula thought she selected the right song. Simon hopes America
votes for her. Randy and Kara both think she can be a star with the right song.
What we say: The problem is that when they play you on the radio, they don't
have to see you perform. She was contorting like a pretzel and it's really
uncomfortable to see. Unfortunately, this is a visual show and that's going to
hurt her. The fact that she wasn't on pitch consistently doesn't help.
Matt Breitzke is looking to weld his way into your heart. he can mold some votes
with "If You Could Only See" by Tonic.
What they say: The judges all like him. They all hated his song. Matt disagrees
with all the judges.
What we say: he has the same background that Michael Sarver had - and Sarver got
in. However, he did the one thing that Sarver didn't do, and that's argue with
the judges, We'll see if that comes back to bite him.
Jesse Langseth didn't get a lot of screen time, but the time we saw was bad -
namely, her being piss poor in her 'Sing for Your Life' Audition. She gets a
second chance, with "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes.
What they say: Randy answers Jesse and says he wants more vocal range. Paule and
Simon want a more memorable performance. Kara wants to clap to the drum track.
What we say: I want a different singer singing that song - and I want to throw
Kim Carnes' wig at Kara for wasting our time with the ridiculous clapping.
Kai Kalama feels like he can go a long way. His song - "What Becomes of the
Brokenhearted", by Jimmy Ruffin. He's singing for his ailing mom. No word if she
is brokenhearted, but we hope not after his performance.
What they say: They all say he's too old-fashioned, and Simon adds that he's
corny.
What we say: The lack of spunk leaves me brokenhearted, because I expected
something good. Instead we get karaoke - the sort of karaoke that usually
eliminates contestants in this round.
Mishavonna Henson promises not to let America down. America will be the judge of
that, Mishavonna. Anyhoo, to satisfy her audience, she'll go all the way to
Jupiter...to perform "Drops of Jupiter", by Train.
What they say: Randy and Simon wanted something more fun. Paula and Kara weren't
excited, and Kara wanted her to hit the pitch more.
What we say: You need one song to show America why we shouldn't be disappointed.
That song...wasn't it. And if it was it, it needed to be sung perfectly, which
Ms Henson did not accomplish.
Finally, It's Adam Lambert time. He's looking to give us something by the
Rolling Stones that we haven't had once this evening - "Satisfaction".
What they say: Paula, Randy and Kara loved it. Simon loved parts, but thought
parts were excruciatingly painful.
What we say: This was not remotely flawless. Lots of off-pitch spots, but the
important thing here is that he performed the song with fire and brimstone,
which is what you should be doing up on that stage. You have to let it out
there, and he did.
This was probably the worst audition for the Top 12 show...ever. But somehow 3
of these people need to advance, so let's figure out who those people will be.
The Best of the Worst Bad: Adam Lambert, Alison Iraheta, Megan Corkrey
Sort of Bad: Kris Allen, Matt Breitzke, Kai Kalama
SuperBad: Nick Mitchell/Norman Gentle/Mrs. Sassypants, Jesse Langseth,
Mishavonna Henson
Sanjaya-Bad: Jasmine Murray, Matt Giraud, Jeanine Vailes
Due to rules handed down by 19/FremantleMedia, three of these people
have to go through. Next time, we'll see which three.
CLICK
HERE
TO CONTINUE
To see
footage from this episode, visit the
official website at
www.americanidol.com.
|
