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In the world's ultimate talent search - where the eyes of a nation are upon the best undiscovered singers in the country, where the audience has the power to make or break you, and where a million-dollar recording contract is on the line, there is only one rule: If you can sing it, bring it.

Recaps by Chico Alexander, Quisla Alexander, Jason Block, Don Harpwood & Gordon Pepper, GSNN

FACT FILE:
Host:
Ryan Seacrest
Judges: Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, Randy Jackson
Creator: Simon Fuller (based upon "Pop Idol")
EP:
Ken Warwick, Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Simon Fuller
Packager: 19 TV, FremantleMedia North America
Origin: CBS Television City, Los Angeles, CA
Website: www.americanidol.com
Airs: Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 8pm ET and  at 9p ET on Fox

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Semifinals: the Wild Card Round
March 5

Chico: Over the course of the last three weeks, 36 singers came onto the Idol stages...Nine of them will be back next week...Another eight... They get one last shot at it.
Gordon:
You usually don't get a second chance...to make a first impression. But now people have a second chance...to make a second impression.
Chico:
These eight... They get that second chance. But it's their LAST chance. So they have to go all out. It's time for the Ameican Idol WILD CARD SHOW!
Gordon:
Gordon 'Haterade' Pepper here, along with GSNN.com co-editor Chico 'Chairman' Alexander. And now, the panel for this show. We are joined by Don Harpwood, who is back after having his ears broken from last week.
Don:
Yo.
Gordon:
Also joining us is the lovely Grandma Pepper.
Grandma Pepper:
Hi all. I think the Wild Card is a great idea, and they all deserve second chances. And may the best 3 win.
Gordon:
Ad finally, a man who won over $50,000 in Caesar's Challenge and a friend to the site, Mr. Tom Gauer.
Tom:
Tom Gauer also live from an even smaller studio in Kansas City.
Chico: The judges will decide the final three spots in the top 12. At the end of the show, they'll decide which ones go through. As a reminder, here's who's singing...

Jesse Langseth (25; Minneapolis)
Von Smith (22; Greenwood, MO)
Jasmine Murray (17; Starkville, MO)
Matt Giraud (23; Kalamazoo, MI)
Megan Joy Corkrey (22; Sandy, UT)
Ricky Braddy (26, Nashville)
Anoop Desai (22; Chapel Hill, NC)
Tatiana Del Toro (24; San Juan, PR)

Chico: First up, Jesse Langseth, who gets another chance to show off her range. Her song, "Tell Me Something Good" by Rufus & Chaka Khan
Gordon:
She looks like she's performing a Lewinsky on the microphone.
Chico:
Not to mention being all slinky. You know what they say, sex sells...But I remember her trying these things before... and they didn't work.
Gordon:
The good news is that she's singing much better. She is much more confident, and it shows in her performance.
Chico:
Doesn't change her voice, though.
Gordon:
Well yes, that's the bad news.
Chico:
She's not as rangy as she thinks she is.
Gordon:
She's much less pitchy this time around. Still pitchy, but less so.
Grandma Pepper:
She's trying very hard, but I don't think tonight's her night.
Gordon:
I think she did a much better job tonight, but I don't think it was good enough.
Don:
I thought it was okay, but okay might not be enough tonight.
Chico:
To the panel...Randy thought that the song choice is interesting, but he didn't think she sang it well. Kara says she's got a swagger. Paula's impressed by her tenacity. She's got a lot of soul. Simon says it was a lot better than it was last time, but the song/performance was indulgent.
Tom:
I thought she sounded like a lounge singer, but looks much better on stage than a good number of the previous contestants.
Chico:
It was very piano bar.
Gordon:
It was good. She redeemed herself. It's a nice way to go out. Next up - another person who needed to redeem himself, Matt 'Vibrator Man' Giraud.
Chico:
Matt will try to bring out the bluesy side...Jackson 5ive on the stage with "Who's Loving You"
Gordon:
"Who's Loving You?" Really?
Chico:
Yeah really.
Gordon:
Real pitchy to start out.
Chico:
Doesn't feel authentic. Just seems textbook to me.
Gordon:
It's a much better performance. But it's another self-indulgent song choice.
Chico:
Nice stage performance, though.
Gordon:
You have to remember. You're not just auditioning for the judges, although you are. You're giving America a second shot to see you. Even if he gets in, the song does him no favors.
Grandma Pepper:
I liked it, but the song choice...good luck.
Gordon:
And he does look like a street urchin from the Oliver Twist set.
Tom:
Giraud looks like he went shopping at Goodwill and found the bargain bin there.
Don:
lol
Chico:
Point, Gauer. Kara says he can riff amazingly, but he's over the top. Paula says this is the right zone for him.
Don:I'm not sure if I'll be remembering that performance.
Chico:
Me neither.
Gordon:
I'll remember it for only a one lyric performance.
Chico:
Simon thought it was a billion times better than last time. But he hates the clothes and the Taylor Hicks thing. Randy says a lot of potential. He says he's been singing that forever.
Tom:
Well, Matt Giraud can sing the blues, but I thought he was pushing a bit too hard. I wanna hear his voice, not how he thinks a blues singer should sound. And I want to slap Abdul.
Gordon:
Here's the problem with him. He's going up against Alexis Grace in that same genre. I think he'll be leaving early if he gets in. Have you seen anyone in the Top 3 yet?
Chico:
Truthfully? No.
Don:
Not yet.
Grandma Pepper:
I don't think so. Even though it's not what I think. It's what the judges think tonight.
Chico:
But it is what we think, because ultimately, the people are going to vote to a winner.
Gordon:
Eventually.
Chico:
Who wants to bet that the judges are going to skew female?
Gordon:
I don't think so. You can't justify 2 girls getting in over the guys tonight.
Gordon:
I can see 2 guys and a girl
Chico:
And a pizza place?
Gordon:
Mmmm. Pizza. But we'll see the performances. Right now, I don't think Jesse cut it.
Tom:
hmmmm.... I haven't been thrilled with what I've seen so far. I expect to see better, but if not, Giraud could slip in by default.
Chico:
Speaking of performances... Hey Gordon!
Gordon:
Hey Chico!
Chico:
you got iTunes?
Gordon:
Sure do!
Chico:
Want to download Megan Joy Corkrey singing "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" by KT Tunstall?
Gordon:
We'll see. Right now, she's hula-hooping to the song.
Chico:
LYRIC!
Gordon:
And after seeing her screw up the lyrics, no. I'll download Katharine McPhee's version instead.
Chico:
Not to mention that it's kinda bland.
Gordon:
No vocal range whatsoever.
Chico:
She's just not doing anything with it.
Gordon:
If I'm singing for my life, this is not the song I sing.
Chico:
No. I stick to what got you to the party. Remind them why they love you. That's the ... god what an ending..
Don:Yipes.
Chico:
... that's the key.
Grandma Pepper:
I think Megan has a shot and would be a good contender.
Tom:
I liked Megan before. I think she has a great look and a better voice. HOWEVER... why the hell did she pick this song? Don't they have a music consultant on this show?
Gordon:
Alas, no.
Chico:
Paula says she picked a song that fits her personality.
Gordon:
If the best thing that Paula can say that you picked the right song, that's a problem.
Chico:
Simon still likes Megan. She's original and quirky. It wasn't the best vocal, but it doesn't matter. Randy agrees.
Gordon:
Randy and Simon didn't like the vocal.
Tom:
Hmmm, once again, Abdul is a dolt. This song may be fun for Megan, but they have to start picking songs for the audience who will ultimately keep her on the show.
Chico:
But they did like the choice. Kara says they need Megan. No we don't.
Gordon:
We don't need Megan.
Don:
I can do without her.
Gordon:
As a representative of America, I don't need Megan.
Chico:
Do we need Von Smith, though?
Gordon:
Let's see how he sings.
Chico:
K. Here he is with... "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" by Elton.
Tom:
For the love of God, lose the Ed Grimley hair.
Chico:
Sorry, but it starts wimpy.
Gordon:
Its supposed to be wimpy.
Chico:
Yeah, but not bitchy wimpy. He's certainly feeling the song.
Gordon:
Wow. Nice high range. I'm not nuts about the song choice.
Chico:
He's telling the story, as it were.
Gordon:
He nailed the song though.
Chico:
That was a nailage.
Don:
I could see that sending him into the Top 12.
Chico:
Simon didn't think it started well... and he's beginning to become boring.
Gordon:
I agree with Simon on the boring part. He picked 2 of the same songs. He did very well on the song - but it was the wrong one to sing.
Chico:
He called it safe and ordinary. Randy says he seems a little serious... He's not crazy about the song. Neither is Kara. It got a little dark.
Tom:
This guy has a great set of pipes. I thought he started off badly.... and didn't really grab me. Again, he needed something that would get the audience rockin'.
Grandma Pepper:
Welcome back, Von. I hope you're here to stay, but I'm concerned.
Chico:
Paula says he's too concerned with mechanics to just let it go and show us him.
Gordon:
He picked the wrong song and this time it may be fatal.
Chico:
I think Ricky just might've found an out.
Gordon:
He needed to be different. Of the 4 people so far, he may be the only person who actually went backwards. All he needed to do was to show up - and he didn't.
Chico:
I know. We had so much hope.
Gordon:
(Rips up Primer. Puts it in Hamtaro Shredder)
Chico:
Want a Mulligan?
Tom:
Four down, four to go. So far Megan looks like a lock.
Grandma Pepper:
So far I think only Megan has a shot.
Chico:
Next up is Jasmine Murray. She hopes she picks the right song and has the vocal ability to pull it off. The song she picks... "Reflection" by Christina Aguilera.
Gordon:
Oh no child. You need to sing in pitch.
Chico:
It's a little flat. And truth be told... you get in the top 12... Lil is going to lap you repeatedly.
Gordon:
It's a much better performance, and maybe the judges will be tone deaf, because pitch-wise, this is pretty painful.
Chico:
No fake, G. No fake.
Don:
This is reminding me of why my ears were broken last week.
Chico:
Good song choice.. but she went flat with it. Will that hurt her? Probably.
Grandma Pepper:
I'm so glad she's back. She's got the voice, look and personality. I hope she's one of the chosen 3.
Gordon:
I don't. Flat, flat, flat.
Chico:
Randy says she improved, but the song was too big for her. Kara's confused. She's got a really big voice. Okay, new game.. for every time Kara says "commercial", take a shot.
Gordon:
If we do that, you will be under the table in 15 minutes.
Chico:
Heh. Paula says wonderful.
Gordon:
Is there a chance that 3 men get in?
Chico:
Simon thought it was pretty special compared to what we heard before. And ... judge fight!
Tom:
I like this young lady. I don't know if she has what it takes (due to her youth), to advance. But, that song was what she needed to showcase her talent.
Grandma Pepper:
THAT'S the kind of performance everyone in the Wild Card category should have shot for in tonight's competition. I think she nailed this song, and just joined Megan in the three IKEA barstools on the stage.
Gordon:
It was definitely a huge improvement. But I'm not sure she put herself in the running.
Chico:
Now to Ricky Braddy. Ricky says that he hopes to show his personality. He's going uptempo with Stevie Wonder's "Superstition."
Don:
Paula's dancing.
Chico:
She always dances. Now THAT... was range. Again, I think Ricky has an out... courtesy of Von. Send him a fruit basket.
Don:
Yep. Ricky has to be in after that.
Gordon:
Though he screwed up the ending choreography.
Tom:
Who dressed this guy?
Chico:
To the judges...Kara says he can sing his butt off and he loosened up... "Good chops." Paula says he nailed it.
Grandma Pepper:
He did ok. And we'll see.
Chico:
Simon... thought it was a little lightweight and the performance clumsy. Randy thought it felt self-indulgent.
Tom:
Oooooo, Paula was dancing, so he had to be good. Seriously, Ricky is a guy you want to like. This performance was good. Not great, but serviceable. Is that good enough to grab a seat at the end of the show?
Gordon:
I agree with the male judges on the choice of song. Not the song I would have picked. I thought he did very good with the song he picked, but I think that the song he picked was limited.
Chico:
So you agree with the vocal aspect, but not with the song choice. Understandable.
Gordon:
There hasn't been a blow away performance.
Chico:
Will we have one from.... Tatiananicoledeltoro?
Gordon:
I think the door is wide open for Tatiana.
Don:
She does have a chance after what we've heard so far.
Gordon:
If you allow her under the judges table, I think there will definitely be a performance that she blows away. Chico: ba-DUM-bum.
Don:
Heh.
Chico:
There goes our PG rating... AGAIN.
Gordon:
Don't forget. Her psychic said Top 12.
Chico:
True. We'll see what happens. Next... Tatiana Del Toro... being dramatic... with... "Saving All My Love for You". For those playing the home game, this will be attempt number three.
Tom:
Please, I don't need to hear her sing. Just shoot her. Or shoot me. Or shoot both of us.
Don:
I bet she'll cry regardless of whether she gets in or not.
Gordon:
And it's...the same song she sang last time.
Chico:
AGAIN, DADDY?
Don:
Oh dear.
Gordon:
She better sing it better than she did last time...and she does.
Chico:
She does... But it's not saying much.
Tom:
Great performance! She's toast.
Gordon:
I hate to say this.
Chico:
No we can't. Gordon...Don't...Don't invite it to the universe....
Gordon:
That's the best female performance of the night, folks.
Chico:
NOOOOOO! He said it!
Gordon:
Who was better?
Chico:
.... Damn. Got me there.
Grandma Pepper:
Was she the best female performance of the night? Yes, but I think if they put her in, it would be a big mistake.
Chico:
But she can't do this song EVERY SINGLE TIME.
Gordon:
We could have 12 Whitney Houston weeks.
Chico:
NO. Paula loves her...
Grandma Pepper:
No question about it. Tatiana can sing.
Don:
I hate to say this, but her psychic may have indeed been right all along.
Chico:
Paula thought it started shaky, but then it went into the power range. Simon says ... basically what we say. You can't sing Whitney three times...He calls it... "rubbish." Randy calls it a "mixed bag of tricks".
Gordon:
I do think SImon is right. I think if we get to country music week, we have San-Tatian-aya
Tom:
The thought of watching her for another week makes me want to retch. Aaaaarrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhh! She makes Paula tolerable...ALMOST!
Gordon:
I think the judges, if they are smart, don't let her back in.
Chico:
Last, but not least... Anoop Desai... He's singing Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative".
Gordon:
...which we also heard from him this season. He sang this during Hollywood Week.
Chico:
Another repeater... but it's in his wheelhouse.
Gordon:
So wait a sec. If they pound Tatiana on a repeat, I expect them to do the same here.
Chico:
Oh yeah. But he at least nails the performance. And it's not... well a joke...
Grandma Pepper:
That was a good performance.
Gordon:
Really? After screwing up a lyric? Don't get me wrong. I think he gets in without a problem, but this is not close to being the best performance of the night.
Chico:
Nope. That was... ... well, was there one?
Don:
Good question.
Chico:
Simon? "Not the best singer we're going to hear, but people like you."
Tom:
Right song, wrong singer. This guy really does look like a karaoke singer. From previous appearances, I know he can sing. This, however, just looked strange.
Gordon:
I agree. It was Karaoke personified.
Chico:
Simon says he's reminded of the Anoop we like before. Randy says he looked better this time than last. Gordon: Really? No he didn't.
Chico:
I wanted to hear something more like Angel of Mine.
Gordon:
I didn't.
Chico:
Kara wanted to dance. Anoop to her: "If I can make a Duke girl dance from a Carolina guy like myself..." Paula.... also wanted to dance. Me... I recuse judgment. He's a Carolina guy.. I'm a Carolina guy... Wouldn't be fair.
Gordon: Top 3, gang?
Tom:
My top three to advance: Megan, Jasmine and........ (drumroll), Von. (Gasps from the studio audience).
Grandma Pepper: Megan, Jasmine and...I want Von to come back.
Gordon:
The best 3 performances, throwing everything else out and the past perforances aside, were, Matt, Von and Tatiana. HOWEVER, I think the judges bring back Megan, Matt and Anoop. And I think if the judges want to evenly balance out the males and females, they send out Jasmine, Anoop and Megan.
Don:
If I had to choose, I'd say Anoop, Ricky, and Von.
Chico:
Okay, I'm going to send through Ricky, Anoop, and Megan. And now... the Moment of Truth... with Mark Walberg. Except not really. The judges have spoken. Jasmine... IS IN?! WHA?
Don:
Wow.
Gordon:
Knew it. And Called it.
Chico:
Next is Ricky.... DONE.
Tom:
I think since they are going for a potential, "Idol", those three can pull it off. The rest either can't sing, don't look the part, or are whack jobs.
Gordon:
Megan and Tatiana are together...
Chico:
Paula... talks...and talking...eventually, she says... MEGAN.
Gordon:
That's 2
Chico:
Some psychic.
Don:
So the psychic was WRONG all along!
Gordon:
The psychic was close. Gee, I wonder who takes the last stool.
Chico:
Wow. You know what...I don't know. I could say Anoop...but that's just me.
Gordon:
If Anoop doesn't get in, the crowd would throw things at the judges.
Chico:
We're going to have a riot on our hands if Anoop doesn't get in. But in retrospect, I was right on one thing. It seems like the judges are skewing female.
Gordon:
Who here thinks that Jasmine getting in is a mistake?
Everyone:
*raises hand*
Chico:
you know, in an ideal world, the best singers get in regardless of gender. But this isn't an ideal world. This is television.
Gordon:
So we have VON...JESSE....MATT...and NOOP DAWG.
Chico:
Hurrying this along...Because we have an angry Scotsman at the door wondering where the (^_^) his (^_^)ing his show is. Jesse... gone.
Tom:
I like Jesse, but I agree with the decision. She was on the bubble for me.
Gordon:
Almost in...but not.
Chico:
Von Smith... almost.... not in, though. Down to Matt and Anoop.
Tom:
That's the ultimate insult, to have Abdul tell you you're out.
Chico:
The final spot in the Top 12....MATT?!
Don:
*Jaw drops to the ground* Wow!
Chico:
WHAT?!
Tom:
HOLY COW! I thought Matt was invisible tonight.
Gordon:
Oh by the way....We were going to have a top 12... we now have a Top 13. Anoop gets in also.
Don:
I am stunned!
Chico:
Just when you think you know the game...
Don:
That's all I can say; I'm just... stunned!
Chico:
Absolutely stunned.
Gordon:
Actually...I'm not.
Chico:
I mean, the judges are right on point, but for this to happen... Wow.
Gordon:
If you did the math, you had a week open where no one would be eliminated because of Idol Gives Back. This year...no Idol Gives Back.
Chico:
Ah. I get it.
Don:
Ah, interesting.
Gordon:
So you either cut back FOX's Cash Cow a week...or you have 13 singers.
Chico:
And once again, a brainy poker player from North Jersey has shown us the way. =p
Gordon:
And if you notice, I did pick 4 people in my picks - and all got in.
Chico:
In like three brackets.
Gordon:
So gang...final thoughts?
Grandma Pepper:
I thought it was a good show. I'm disappointed Von wasn't one of the 4 picked, because he's got a great voice. Other than that, the judges were on target.
Chico:
... Best man win.
Don:
Next week, it's on.
Chico:
Before we go, though... Here's the Top 13 in its entirety...

KRIS ALLEN
MEGAN JOY CORKREY
ANOOP DESAI
MATT GIRAUD
DANNY GOKEY
ALEXIS GRACE
ALLISON IRAHETA
ADAM LAMBERT
SCOTT McINTYRE
JASMINE MURRAY
JORGE NUŅEZ
LIL ROUNDS
MICHAEL SARVER

Gordon: We may have needed to revive Chico when he thought that Mr. UNC wasn't getting in.
Chico:
I'll be alright by Saturday morning.
Tom:
Two of the three, Megan and Jasmine are in it for the long haul. I don't think Matt and Anoop have staying power. It will be interesting.
Gordon:
For everyone, this is Gordon, saying Game Over, and Spread the Love.
Chico:
And don't forget to support your local singers!

To see footage from this episode, visit the official website at www.americanidol.com.