Rat Pack standards night on “American Idol” had almost everyone bringing their A-game. The top five are all in it to win it, even if Simon Cowell thinks some are hungrier than others. (Don’t get me started … )
But even though there are only five singers left, tomorrow night’s results shows still means the contestants will have to face one thing: awful Ford commercials. Oh yeah, it also brings the dreaded bottom three. Although I can’t see into the future like Paula Abdul, who can somehow judge performances before she even sees them, I’m going to take a crack and predict which contestants I see sitting on those sterile stools in less than 24 hours.
Spot #3: Kris Allen
Kris opened the show, which is never a good thing. (Last week, Lil had the opening spot, and now she’s doing press appearances on “Live With Regis & Kelly.” ‘Nuff said.) And his “The Way You Look Tonight” didn’t pack the punch of his past two star-making performances on the show. Personally, I thought he looked unrehearsed. And Simon didn’t have much love for him, comparing the dude to a well-trained dog. But his loyal teen-girl fanbase will text enough votes to have Seacrest say, “Sit, Ubu, sit! Good dog.”
(Check out the rest of Jim’s predictions, after the jump!)
Spot #2: Matt Giraud
Despite the judges’ over-the-top praise for his “My Funny Valentine,” I just don’t think Matt has any fans. Giraud has been voted off the show twice already! His awkward pre-performance interview with Seacrest didn’t help at all. (Anyone else hear the pin drop in the studio when Giraud said he was excited to sing this theme because he took jazz classes in college and received a “B”?) And, typically, the more praise Matt gets from the judges, the more he’s in jeopardy.
Going Home: Allison Iraheta
It pains me to write this. Allison is my favorite singer this season by a mile. I think her powerhouse voice and goofy teenage personality are exactly what this show is supposed to be promoting. Furthermore, her “Someone to Watch Over Me” was one of her best performances yet! But there’s no ignoring the fact that Simon signed her death sentence during the judging. He basically accused her of not “wanting” it enough or believing in herself, and then subtly dissed her “lack of a personality.” Even worse? He continued to bring her up throughout the broadcast as an example of someone who didn’t have conviction. With Lil Rounds gone, it looks like Simon’s new goal is chipping away at Allison’s chances while fluffing up Matt’s. Add in the fact that Allison almost went home last week, and you have a grim picture. Looks like America is buying the birthday girl a really crappy present: elimination.
Who do you think is going home tomorrow night? Do you disagree with my bottom-three selections? And am I giving Simon Cowell’s critiques way too much weight?
It’s not the biggest surprise on the world, but DJ Khaled is predicting that Rick Ross’ Deeper Than Rap will be the primo album in the land come tomorrow.
Khaled also spilled the beans that his Miami friend is already working on Deeper Than Rap’s follow-up. “I’m probably not supposed to tell you,” Khaled joked while on the set of Ace Hood’s “Overtime” video. Khaled worked closely with Ross on Deeper Than Rap, serving as the project’s A&R, and hinted that fans can expect more of the same from the Boss’ next opus.
Meanwhile, Khaled will continue to work with a plethora of other Def Jam artists. (He’s the president of Def Jam South and has his own label, We the Best, which Ace is signed to.) Look for Khaled to be sliding beats to acts such as Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Fabolous and new singer Cherlise.
Tonight on “American Idol” the Top 5 will be singing songs made famous by the Rat Pack, and I’ll be live-blogging every grandmother-loving second of it.
Seriously, last week was disco. And now Rat Pack Standards! “Idol” really knows how to keep their demo young, don’t they? I can’t wait for next week’s theme: ragtime hits! And the top 3 theme: field songs!
But let’s keep our minds open. Last week’s disco episode was actually pretty solid, so we might be in for a treat.
Important to note that typically, “Idol” switches over to two songs per singer at this point in the season. (Remember last year’s Top 5 show when Paula judged Jason Castro’s second song before he performed it? Still bitter about that.) But thanks to the addition of Kara DioGodIWishSheWasFiredAlready producers realized they won’t have time for 10 songs plus critiques (and the contractually-obligated Coke pimpage) in just಼ minutes. So, sorry Lambert fans. We’re only getting one tune from Him - as well as the other singers - tonight. They better make it count!
On with the “Idol” live-blogging … or, if you’re more of a visual person, check out my webcam take on the show below!
7:45 pm - Did you miss last week’s Lil/Anoop disco double-elimination? Catch up real quick with the latest (and rather nasty) “Idol in 60 Seconds” recap here.
7:49 pm - And while you’re at it, why not check out the latest “Detox” recap of “The Hills?” I imagine not many of you watch “The Hills” but frankly, my webshow could use the traffic and we’ve got some time to kill before Seacrest gets this dog and pony show on the road. Trust me, if you like my live-blog you’ll like “Detox,” even if you don’t know LC from LBJ. Watch here.
7:54 pm - That “Detox” wasn’t so bad was it? Okay…the shameless self-promotion/begging will now cease.
7:55 pm - So…how ’bout that swine flu, huh?
8:00 pm - And away we go! So excited! Matt Giraud is wearing a hat/covering the mole so he might be safe again this week. This…is “American Idol” (live-blog.)
8:01 pm - Woah, Seacrest is a heavy-walker. It sounded like an elephant walked down the stairs.
8:02 pm - Ricky Minor and the band began playing while the judges were introduced. Also, Paula taped two giant red gift wrap bows to her cha-chas. I’m so confused already.
8:03 pm - Tonight’s guest mentor is none other than Jamie Foxx. (Huh?) I know he has a “music career” and I know he won on Oscar for playing a blind legend, but Ray Charles wasn’t the black dude with faulty vision in the Rat Pack. Sammy Davis, Jr. was. Billy Crystal has more of a right to be the mentor, frankly. Or even Joe Piscopo! Hell to the no!!!
8:05 pm - Kris Allen is up first. It’s weird seeing him in a suit. It almost looks like he’s a thirteen year old at a bar mitzvah.
8:06 pm - After the break! We’ll have to wait five minutes before he opens his mouth. Oh “Idol.” You either run 10 minutes over or have to stretch to fill an hour. You are the TV equivalent of New York’s weather. We went from February to August in two days.
8:09 pm - Nothing says breast cancer awareness like race car drivers.
8:09 pm - GASP! So You Think You Can Dance promo! SOOO EXCITED!!! Best show ever. (Even better than “Idol” in my opinion. I know, blaspheme.)
8:10 pm - Jamie Foxx is madly in love with Kris Allen. He wants to make a record with him. Wow!
8:11 pm - Kris Allen is singing “The Way You Look Tonight.” He looked nervous during the first verse. The bridge was better. And then the big band kicked in and he did a Matt Giraud impression. Falsetto fail. Hmmm. This wasn’t his most polished performance. It didn’t seem like he rehearsed it that much. But he hit a good amount of notes. And the 11 year old girls in the mosh pit are literally hitting puberty on live television.
8:13 pm - Randy loved it. Said it was best performance yet. Huh. Kara called him a “dark horse.” Paula said he transitioned from the boy next door to a sophisticated gentleman. Simon kept it real. He called it “a little bit wet.” There is a dirty joke in there but I’m not touching it.
8:14 pm - Let’s spend this commercial break discussing Paula’s makeup. Anyone else notice that she’s looking a little bit like Joan Van Ark tonight?
8:15 pm - I’ll have to go back and check that Kris Allen performance again. Anyone else think it was a little rough around the edges? The guy has talent, don’t get me wrong. I just didn’t think it was worth of all the superlatives.
8:dz pm - The Jonas Brothers have their own TV show now. “Their music sets them apart but keeps them together.” Their music also makes me sad inside. I wonder if Disney is regretting green-lighting that after their movie tanked.
8:21 pm - Allison Iraheta turned 17 yesterday. Happy birthday, Allison! Great timing! Nobody will vote off the birthday girl this week, right? RIGHT??
8:21 pm - There’s a boy in the audience who shouted, “I’m 17!” which prompted Seacrest the matchmaker to say, “Hey, why don’t you two go on a date?” Gross! Last year he pulled the same thing with David Archuleta. Check your dressing room for hidden cameras, Allison. Something tells me Seacrest likes watching amateur youngsters.
8ᚾ pm - Allison is singing “Someone To Watch Over Me.” Her rehearsals with Jamie Foxx are adorable. I LOVE THIS GIRL!
8:23 pm - Allison’s smokey voice is perfection for this genre. The song is NOT called “Someone To Hwatch Hover Hee,” however.
8:24 pm - Now THAT was a technically perfect vocal, Miss Kara DioGuardi. How was this girl in the bottom 2 last week?!!
8:25 pm - Randy Jackson said she looked like Brittany Murphy and sings like Pink with 80000 more octaves. Kara said she deserves to be in the final. (Amen!) Paula said she’s been waiting all season to hear Allison sing a ballad. (I guess she was absent the week Allison sang “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” WTF Paula?) And Simon just pointedly asked Allison if she think she can win the show? GASP!
8:Ǻ pm - After some careful pause, Allison said, “We all have a shot.” And then Simon went back to his old annoying tricks. “I don’t feel that belief in you still…I have a horrible feeling you could be in trouble tonight.” What does Simon have against this girl?! He’s going on about how he thought it was “mechanical” and didn’t think she committed enough. BULLS***. Kris Allen didn’t commit. Allison was there 100%. Hell, 200%. That performance was stunning.
8:27 pm - Kara sticks up for Allison. “I love you but you are CRAZY!” Uh oh. I’m gonna say it. Thank God Kara DioGuardi is on this show this year.
8:32 pm - Matt Giraud is on the Coke Stool and he’s stoked about standards week. “I love jazz, I studied it in college in Western Michigan University.” (Shameless hometown plug. Way to rally the troops, buddy.) And - HA! - Seacrest asked him what grade he received in jazz class. Matt’s reply? A “B.” Story of your life, ain’t it, Matt?
8:33 pm - Jamie Foxx is making Matt change the key so that he doesn’t sing it in falsetto. I don’t know, Jamie. Did you hear him try to do Coldplay in his chest voice? Not so pretty.
8:35 pm - Matt’s “My Funny Valentine” is fine, if not a little boring. He’s hitting some nice notes, and has a couple decent runs, but if there was ever a mechanical performance, it was this. If this guy gets a rave from Simon, I’m gonna be pi-hissed.
8:36 pm - A 6 out ofಊ from Randy. Kara didn’t feel any emotion. Paula loved it. Simon loved it, too. “The only believable authentic song I’ve heard all night.” Compared him to Nat King Cole and then called it “brilliant.” GAH!! Simon’s just trying to keep this dude in the competition so that the “judge’s save” business doesn’t blow up in his face. I’m fuming.
8:37 pm - Here’s a question that’s been hounding me… First Allison’s song talks about how her lover isn’t cute. Then Matt sings a song that’s essentially saying “my girlfriend looks like Susan Boyle but I love her anyway.” Were people in the 40’s really that ugly? Why wasn’t anyone hooking up with attractive people back in the day?
8ᛓ pm - As Seacrest walks through the audience talking about iTunes, a pretty woman in the audience is seen checking out his butt and making a face. “Idol” in HD is amazing.
8:43 pm - Danny Gokey is singing “Come Rain Or Come Shine.” The cockiest contestant this season boasts, “I’m not really changing it up much.” Of course you’re not. Because you never change it up much. You are the worst.
8:43 pm - Now Jamie is up in Gokey’s face. Jamie loves these guys! Gokey seems sufficiently creeped out by being so close to a man. Just pretend he’s Jesus, Danny.
8:44 pm - Danny is singing. Bathroom break. Be right back.
8:45 pm - I’m kidding of course. I’m taking it all in, and it’s making my stomach churn. The last fifteen seconds, he’s channelling Jennifer Holliday at the Tony’s. Why is he so angry?! Isn’t this a love song?
8:47 pm - Randy Jackson has his nose dangerously far up Danny’s butt. And then he finished it off with a “YOU CAN SING!” Kara loves his “rat pack swagger!” Paula said “I’m gonna keep this brief.” And then prattled on for five minutes. Simon is in love, too. Sigh. Danny’s here to stay, isn’t he?
8:48 pm - Someone in the audience just shouted “DANNY HAVE MY BABY!” Gross.
8:49 pm - Okay, I’ll give him some credit. The final 20 seconds of his 90 second performance had me raise an eyebrow and put down the tortilla chips for a moment. At least it was interesting tonight.
8:53 pm - Once again, “Idol” saved Lambert for the end. Predictable.
8:54 pm - Adam Lambert is singing “Feeling Good,” normally an “Idol” death sentence. But he’s singing Muse’s arrangement. Interestingly enough, he didn’t give Muse credit.
8:55 pm - Sorry, “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” This might be the most campy moment of TV in 2009.
8:56 pm - Things that are shorter than Adam’s penultimate note: The Plain White T’s career, “Anne of Green Gables,” The Invasion of Iraq. Wow.
8:57 pm - Randy calls out how Broadway it was. Kara says it best, “You’re shocking in a good, confusing and shocking and sleazy and superb and way over the top but I like it!” Paula said she feels like she’s watching the Olympics and he’s the Michael Phelps. So be careful there, Adam. Your destiny involves getting caught using a bong and then you’ll be romantically attached to a homophobic beauty pageant reject. (Somehow I doubt that last part will come true.)
8:59 pm - Simon Cowell: “Best entrance we’ve had all year.” It’s true. Adam’s strut down the staircase was pretty killer.
9:00 pm - Phone number montage.
Sigh, I’m worried about Allison only because Simon damned her with faint praise. At least the phone number montage showed off an especially meaty section of her performance. Matt Giraud, meanwhile, sounds like a whining cat. And of course, they showed Danny’s only good 15 seconds.
But what did you think, readers? Wasn’t it delightful to have an episode without Lil Rounds? What exactly was Paula wearing tonight? Is Danny worthy of all the praise? (Better question: am I unfairly dissing the dude week to week?) And how the hell did Adam Lambert get mainstream America to embrace camp in such a major way??
Leave a comment below. My favorite commenter will get a shout-out in this week’s “Idol in 60 Seconds” recap!
When I heard Scandinavian songbird Ida Maria was performing a set for MTV staff at Broadway today, I immediately dropped what I was doing and ran towards the elevator. It was that serious.
For the uninitiated, you might have already been exposed to Ida Maria via this season’s “Gossip Girl” promos — she’s the throaty voice behind “Oh My God,” possibly the best song ever created for screaming at the top of your lungs after a breakup (or so I’ve heard).
Comparisons to Janis Joplin or Chrissie Hynde might be intimidating for some young artists, but 24-year-old Ida Maria takes it all in stride. She’s a punk princess who isn’t afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve.
Upon entering the grafittied performance space on the 24th floor, I was surprised to find the entire front row available. I discreetly plopped into the seat directly in front of the mic for optimum tune absorption.
Ida Maria waited patiently on the sidelines (in a fierce military jacket and Adidas kicks) while a rep from Mercury Records sang her praises. (This was not necessary, since anyone with taste knows she rules, but I digress.)
I don’t know if it was the amazing view of the Hudson shimmering directly behind her with the sun blotting out her profile in silhouette, but the whole experience served to remind me how powerful a live show can be. We can play on the Web and download as many albums as we’d like, but nothing equates to someone making music in front of you, in real time.
The last song was a new piece that she hasn’t recorded yet, “Loud.” Because of technical difficulties, Ida Maria rocked it unplugged and sans mic, which ended up being a perfect companion to the performance because the song is about being overwhelmed in a harried, over-stimulated world. As my silenced BlackBerry angrily vibrated near my thigh, I could definitely relate.
As the show came to a close, Ida Maria strummed the last note of “Loud” just as a cell phone in the audience let out a shrill bleep. I cringed, but Ida Maria just smiled and murmured, “That was perfect,” and gracefully turned to make her exit.
Luckily I grabbed her before she took off and she was kind enough to let me snap this photo. Check the hair! Insane.
(View our exclusive photo shoot with Ida Maria here.)
Ida Maria is MTV’s current Discover and Download artist, which hopefully exposes her painfully truthful-but-beautiful-to-hear melodies to the world.
CONWAY, Arkansas — You know that saying about being a big fish in a small pond? It’s totally true.
Everywhere we’ve gone over the past 24 hours in Conway, there’s Kris Allen. From the remarkably lifelike cardboard cutout created by one of the founders of the Kris Allen Kick Awesome Task Force to a flier for the “American Idol” viewing party tonight at the basketball arena at his alma mater tucked into a to-go meal at the local Chik-fil-A, Allen is everywhere in his hometown.
You can spot the local volunteers trying to hype tonight’s watch party by their green fingers, stained from the signs they spent all morning handing out to local merchants reminding townspeople to attend the big rally. Even Mayor Tab Townsell proudly sported one of the green “Conway Arkansas Backs Kris Allen” T-shirts that could be seen bobbing up and down the city’s main drag all day.
Hell, you don’t even have to be Kris Allen to get in on the action. From the steamy rooftop of Michelangelo’s Italian Ristorante — where one of the owners complimented me on my “dark horse” story touting Allen as a possible spoiler this year — to the Mexican/Italian joint where we ate lunch and the church where Allen is a worship leader, New Life, the good people of Conway appear to have embraced MTV’s coverage of their hometown hero’s saga. It’s a humbling experience to have strangers come up to you and thank you for something nice you wrote about one of their own.
And make no mistake: When asked if Allen could possibly win the “Idol” competition, every single man and woman we talked to said, “You bet.” Allen’s definitely getting a taste of the Los Angeles life, but you can rest assured that when he returns to his loft in downtown Conway, he’ll really get the star treatment.
At the very least, Townsell said, he’ll get a key to the city. “But that’s not nearly enough,” he laughed. “We’ll have to think of something better.”
Rat Pack standards night on “American Idol” had almost everyone bringing their A-game. The top five are all in it to win it, even if Simon Cowell thinks some are hungrier than others. (Don’t get me started … )
By Daniela Capistrano
CONWAY, Arkansas — You know that saying about being a big fish in a small pond? It’s totally true.
