Idol Dish

And the Winner is...

2007-05-23T17:42:00.000-07:00

We'll have a favorite moments from the finale blog up for ya later on, but for tonight, just the facts ma'am... Tonight, we get to relax and enjoy just like everyone else...

What a long, strange trip it's been...

And the winner is.........

Frankly, I don't know if this is airing live on the west coast, so it could be a spoiler, so I'll do the red asterisks incase someone doesn't wanna know...

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SPOILER ALERT

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The Winner of American Idol...

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Or as Ryan would say,

"Your American Idol Is...."

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Jordin Sparks!!!!!

Congratulations Jordin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Right, now scroll down one post,

and treat yourself to 25 free downloads

&/or some freebie wallpapers.

;)

Ok, all you west coast folks...

It's still more than worth watching!

Really terrific performances.

Important!!!

2007-05-23T14:33:00.000-07:00

Tonight's Final Show starts at 8pm EST!!

Live Red Carpet Show starts at 6pm EST at AmericanIdol.com! OnLine ONLY!

Click here for tickets to IdolsLive!

And... just cause we like ya... and we appreciate you coming to the blog all season long:

Get 25 FREE Music Downloads for your iPodÂ® or any MP3 player!

Click here for the hottest Pop Music Desktop Screensavers and Wallpapers-Free! American Idols New & Old, and many more!

American Idol Jordin's Finale Performance

2007-05-23T06:48:00.001-07:00

Yes, Jordin, This is Your Now!

dialidol.com prediction:

1.Jordin Sparks-45.03
2.Blake Lewis-30.34

msn.com

1.Jordin Sparks-70%
2.Blake Lewis-30%

American Idol Final Prediction

2007-05-23T04:24:00.000-07:00

According to dialidol, which has been anything but accurate this season, it would seem we have a winner... and by a reasonably large margin:

DialIdol final prediction report.
7:30am EST, 5/23/07
With all voting
in all time zones completed.

At one point last night, dialidol had the differential at closer to 30 points higher for Jordin, so the BlakerGirls definitely made some inroads as the evening progressed, and as the west coast took over the voting.

I wouldn't skip watching the results show tonight, though, if for nothing less than to hear how they deal with this, and of course the pomp, the ceremony, the event that has become the American Idol Finale. I'm guessing we'll hear a lot about how incredibly close the vote was. Uh huh. And who knows, this could be yet another incorrect prediction from dialidol... after all, they had Melinda in the top spot last week.

What I'm really hoping for is a repeat of last year, when every hot musical act on the planet seemed to grace the stage... including TAFKAP aka Prince and Beyonce, which was the biggest coup ever. We shall see. Perhaps even her royal Kelly-ness will deign to perform this year. Lol.. I still can't forget her glaring absence last year.

American Idol Final 2: Jordin Sparks v. Blake Lewis

2007-05-22T16:52:00.000-07:00

You have 4 hours to vote tonight. Make em count!!

And now, the moment we've all been waiting for...

Phone 1-866-436-57_ _ or Text the word "Vote" to 57_ _ ,

Text for Blake: "Vote" to 5701

Text for Jordin: "Vote" to 5702

Round 1 - With the toss of a coin that Blake wins, then politely offers the choice to Jordin, who declines to go first, Blake kicks off the night:

01 & 03 & 05 BLAKE LEWIS "You Give Love a Bad Name"

RANDY: (standing ovation over Randy) I'll give you a 10 out of 10 on the beat boxing. The singing for me was just alright.

PAULA: I think you outdid yourself. I wish I could give you more than a 10.

SIMON: You're not the best singer, but you are the best performer. I thought the performance was great, the energy amazing, but the singing was flat. I don't think it matters though. It was your best performance.

CAROLYN: Nicely Done, Blake!! Way to amp it up! He definitely improved his performance of this song over the first time he did it.

02 & 04 & 06 Jordin Sparks: "Fighter"

RANDY: You were stellar. You were brilliant. Sounded amazing.

PAULA: Stellar. Awesome.

SIMON: Great that you chose a younger song. Thought the vocals were a bit shrieky in the middle. I'm gonna call round one to Blake.

CAROLYN: Simon, I respectfully disagree. TKO. Jordin takes round one. As you're so fond of saying, Simon dear, "This is a singing competition." That was the WOW I was hoping for!

Phone 1-866-436-57_ _ or Text the word "Vote" to 57_ _

Round 2

01 & 03 & 05 BLAKE LEWIS "SHE WILL BE LOVED"

RANDY: Great song, and a very pure vocal. Very nice.

PAULA: You really got into the ease of the song, and you sounded great.

SIMON: It was good, it was safe, and it wasn't as good as the first performance.

CAROLYN: I enjoyed it, but I agree with Simon on this one. It just wasn't as good as the first performance.

02 & 04 & 06 JORDIN SPARKS: "A BROKEN WING"

RANDY: I've loved you since day one. That was flawless. Better than the original.

PAULA: You are in great, great vocal voice tonight.

SIMON: Now that was good.

CAROLYN: Another wow for me. Big wow. That was perfection. I have to agree with Randy, "better than the original." So far, Jordin's 2 for 2 with me. I'll give bonus points for whoever wins the final song.

Phone 1-866-436-57_ _ or Text the word "Vote" to 57_ _

Round 3 - :

01 & 03 & 05 BLAKE LEWIS "This is My Now" (from the song contest)

RANDY: I'm sure this is not the kind of song that really suits your voice. It wasn't great. It was alright.

PAULA: You were in great voice. I loved it.

SIMON: I think it was all a little off, to be honest with you Blake. You looked a bit frustrated. I think we have to judge you tonight primarily on your first 2 performances.

CAROLYN: Love the lyrics... Perfect for an Idol Finale. I enjoyed his performance of it, but I think the song really needs a bigger voice. We'll see for sure if Jordin does it too and it suits her voice more.

02 & 04 & 06 JORDIN SPARKS: "This is my Now"

RANDY: You were the best singer tonight. You deserve it all!

PAULA: You're an angel. You really are.

SIMON: Last week, I didn't think you were good enough to make the finals. I want to say to you publically now, I was wrong. In case we forget, this is a singing competition, and you just wiped the floor with Blake on that one.

CAROLYN: Vive la difference! Jordin's performance was perfection. As if the song was written specifically for her. Just beautiful. Vocal and Performance! Pardon me, I've got some voting to do! Gooooo Jordin!

American Idol Grand Finale

2007-05-22T16:28:00.000-07:00

One hour since my massage, 30 minutes till Showtime, and as poor-sport as it is, I'm still bummed Melinda's not gonna be there. I am, however, thrilled for Jordin and Blake. It's just that... well, I've made no secret of my standout fave since day one, and I guess I'm being a bit of a sore loser.

I wanna be wowed tonight. Really wowed by both Idol hopefuls. I want there to be a dilemma when it comes time to dial, and I will be dialing the entire voting period. I want to really have to weigh the performances, and choose the best, and I want it to be a difficult choice.

That isn't to say I haven't been wowed by both Jordin and Blake in the past... I'm just sayin' tonight's vote is up for grabs for me. If Blake pulls out all the stops tonight, I'm his girl. Same goes for Jordin. But, like I said, I'll be voting the entire time. Just like I have every other time there's been a vote this season.

Blake fans, do me a favor and lay off the nasty comments. They're rude, they reflect poorly on your man, and I'm just not havin' it tonight.

Here's the Latest from the myspace fanbase. This is a POWERFUL group, not to be ignored!

From the Jordin camp:
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Well, tonight's it yall. VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE...THE ENTIRE 4 HOURS FOR JORDIN!!

Don't give up! Make sure all of your phones are charged before you vote. Vote on multiple phones if you can. Just because several people have been saying she will win, doesn't mean she will. You have to follow through and VOTEEEEEEE!

Both Blake and Jordin are extremely talented. I love them both but I'm pulling for Jordin. She's made it this far...I want to see her take it home! She has an incredible voice and an amazing personality! I could go on and on...but it's almost on...!

And for 4 hours after it's over I will not be online...I will be voting nonstop.

PLEASE vote for Jordin Sparks and make her the next American Idol!

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And from Blake's Naughtiest Fan...
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hey Guys!
(REPOST THIS PLEASE IF UR A BLAKE FAN=) )
IDOL FINALLY is on tonight its finally down to the TOP 2 PLEASE PLEASE vote for BLAKE TONIGHT!
he deseveres to win i mean Jordan is good but i think Blake will make a better american idol so keep voting for blake once they have the numbers up!

dont forget to watch it at 8 =)

<3 href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank">

And from me...
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Good luck to you both, and may the best win!

American Idol Final 2 Tonight!!

2007-05-22T06:44:00.000-07:00

As you can imagine, myspace is going bonkers with all the bulletins from Jordin and Blake fans, urging people to seriously get out the vote tonight. When I logged on right now, this was at the top of My personal account bulletin list:

"Hello all my beautiful friends....if you don't know I am a huge fan of Jordin Sparks...I loved her since the auditions....tonight Jordin and Blake are battleing it out to become the next American Idol. Watch the show and the dial in your votes for the full 2 hours it is crucial...she has the voice of an angel.......please watch the show and vote for JORDIN SPARKS!!!

Video Removed
for faster loading

And this one for Blake went out last night from the Blaker Girls:

"Hey Blakers!

Here is the last set of Vote For Blake banners! Pass them around like crazy! Special thanks to everyone who has made one all season. They've been so incredible!!!

Post these everywhere you can and get everyone to VOTE VOTE VOTE!

xoxo
Andrea
The Blaker girls "

banner by anaface

banner by anaface

I'm sure I'll have more to share with you as the day goes on... Gotta get to work now though...

American Idol Summer Concert Tour Tickets For Idols Live!!

2007-05-19T05:29:00.000-07:00

I got mine here.. It's the only secure ticket website on the net. Why chance it (identity theft) when you don't have to?!

Click here for tickets to IdolsLive!

Things that make you go Hmmm...

2007-05-18T05:32:00.000-07:00

It happens every season. One of the fansites associated with one of the reality stars sets up a paypal account to gift the star with this or that. This time, one has been set up to buy flowers - lots of flowers - for Melinda, and while I do not doubt the sincerity or good intent of the bloggers, it does give me pause.

On first glance, I think it's a very sweet idea, but the more I think about it, it dawns on me that Melinda, being a spiritual person, would probably rather the money go to something actually worthwhile - like a children's charity... or that people volunteer for something in her honor... or that the flowers be sent to people in the hospital. The Old, the young, the indigent.... Hmm.. now there's a thought. How about sending the bouquets to old age homes? Or better yet, going and visiting an elderly person in a nursing home and bringing the flowers with you... Or to a children's hospital...

I just can't imagine her wanting people to send their hard earned money for a bunch of flowers she wont have time to appreciate, space to house, and that will die in no time flat.

Just my opinion.

If you are inspired to send her flowers, here's the link to the blog that's collecting for them: TeamDoolittleBlog

Melinda Doolittle's Exit Interview

2007-05-18T05:01:00.000-07:00

I liked the way they did Lakisha's interview so much, I had to go back and get Melinda's for you. :) Here it is, from AOL

Melinda Doolittle
Eliminated: May 16
Age: 29
Hometown: Brentwood, Tenn.

Most people were shocked and a little dismayed when Ryan said you were going home. Why do you think you were eliminated?
First of all, I was up against two amazing contestants. I think Jordin and Blake did a fabulous job Tuesday night. I know that I was probably getting a little bit of the older vote, which was great. But sometimes they may not spend a full two hours voting. And that's OK because I feel like I've won as far as where I've ended up in the competition.

What kind of album do you plan to record?
The only way I know how to describe it is just soul music. Anything from the heart. I love anything where I can tell a story. I hope to have a great soul album.

What did you make of the criticism that you too often looked surprised and shocked after getting good feedback from the judges?
It's part of my personality. Plus, coming out of singing background for so many years, I was so used to having to sound like other people. 'American Idol' was my first time really stepping out and finding out what my voice sounded like. The fact that people liked it and were giving me good comments was surprising to me. It was a great honor, but it always kind of shocked me at first. It was my little adjustment process.

Which contestant did you pal around with the most?
I'm kind of the mama of the bunch, since I'm the oldest. I call them all my babies. Jordin being the youngest is my baby girl definitely. We all hang out. Blake is kind of the class clown.

Last night when Ryan said, "After the break, Melinda's going home," did your heart skip a beat? Did you think he slipped and revealed the results?
I thought he was saying it in regard to the next package they were going to show of me going home to Nashville. I knew I was the next one they were going to show. I think he was getting us ready for that. I don't think it was a slip.

You said before that you have no fashion sense. But now do you feel like you have a better sense of what to wear?
You know what? I am packing my suitcase as we speak and wondering the same thing. The show has great stylists, and they have been extremely helpful to me. I was privileged to have a best friend who is a stylist also. Hopefully, they've instilled something that helps me shop a little better. I'll probably just be wearing things I've already worn that I know work.

Your look really evolved over the past few months. Some people even refer to it as sexy.
Really? (Laughs) I'm going to blame it on the new wig. I name them. Last night I had Whitney on. Maybe she helped out with that.

When Ryan asked you to step forward before the results, what was your reaction?
Just by the nature of the show and how it normally goes, I kind of had an idea that it would be me. I was kind of prepared for it and was taking deep breaths. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I thought I was going to lose it. But it was actually a happy occasion that I made it this far.

Why did you decide to feature the backup singers when you sang 'I Am Woman' this week?
I remembered doing the song before and going back to sing with them the first time. Those girls have been my rock out here. I like to call them "support singers." They aren't really backup singers because they can all hold their own.

Have you heard from any of the artists you used to sing for?I've heard from quite a few who have just been extremely supportive and excited for me -- like CeCe Winans, Annointed, Martha Munizzi, Rizen and Sandi Patti. A lot of them have only heard me sing background, so this is something new for them also. They have been on the journey with me, and they've been supportive.

You and Mandisa Hundley from season five are friends. Has she given you any advice?Mandisa has been great for me. She has been the person who understands what I'm going through so if I need to bounce anything off her, I can. Not necessarily advice other than just be yourself, love it, live in the moment and give 100 percent.

What performance turned out better than you expected?'Have A Nice Day.' Rock was way out of my comfort zone, and I'm still dumbfounded that people really liked it.

The judges said you needed to do a better job of letting loose on stage. Do you feel like you ever achieved that?
Yes, it was after I got eliminated last night. There's so much going through your head getting ready to be judged and ready to be voted on, I don't know that I've actually achieved letting loose during the actual show. Last night was kind of a full-circle moment for me in the fact that I was able to let go and have a great time on stage. It really meant a lot to me.

What will you take away from this experience?
I know that I was really scared to do this at the beginning. The fact that I was able to step up and do it even in the midst of fear kind of just gave me an outlook on how strong God has helped me become. I've found my own voice as opposed to my "blending voice," and I couldn't have asked for more from this experience.

Melinda's Demise: Too Classy For America?

2007-05-18T04:55:00.000-07:00

And now for something a little different... Another Blogger's Take. The following blog was written by the acerbic Mo Rocca.

Posted May 17th 2007 12:09AM by Mo Rocca on AOL

Analysts will rush to explain why Melinda's bid to be our next American Idol faltered tonight. But the dust needs to settle before we truly understand what went wrong.

Was it her age?

Was it what many called her fake surprise look from earlier in the season?

Was it her neck - or what some uncharitably called her lack of a neck? (Her purported necklessness was never verified by medical professionals. Her haircut in fact may have been to blame for a simple misperception.)

OR ... Was it her polish? Was Melinda too classy for America?

As evidenced by the videotaped homecoming, Melinda was indeed the most poised - and this may have been a liability in an America that demands that we let it all hang out.

Jordin wept throughout her homecoming as if she'd just returned from a POW camp. (The way she clutched her best friend Bailey, you'd think the two were sisters reunited after, say, the fall of the Berlin Wall.) Blake's homecoming was equally showy. His father, clearly an emotional dependent, cried that he'd lost his own parents as a boy; that Blake's success was some consolation for his own hardship.

Melinda was more self-possessed, dignified. She teared up, yes, but she kept it together, thanking her friends from Belmont. They thanked her for all she'd done. (Charity work? We don't know. Melinda's not the type to boast.) We've known for some time that Melinda's close to her mother. She's never mentioned her father. And yet her dad Steve was included (awkwardly) in several shots, Melinda putting the best face on what is likely a very uncomfortable situation. That's what modest, discreet people do.

And for this the American people punished her.

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Other things I noticed:

Jordin's high school is Sandra Day O'Connor HS. Ironic since O'Connor was the critical swing vote in the Supreme Court's deliberations on abortion over the last 20 years. Now Jordin is in danger of being engulfed by the issue.

As much as I like Elliott Yamin - I endorsed his AI bid last year - I don't like his new teeth. But I don't mind the whole look. Almost a young Bob Dylan. Elliott is personally unassailable, as far as I'm concerned. Pure goodness.

American Idol Alternate Universe

2007-05-17T05:07:00.000-07:00

I woke up in an alternate universe this morning. Call it a coping mechanism.

Al Gore is enjoying his 6th year in the White House...
Gas prices hover around 85 cents a gallon...
9-11 never happened...
There is peace in the Middle East...
New Orleans is a thriving city...
Disease has been eradicated...
Hunger & Poverty too...
An extraordinarily talented young woman by the name of Melinda Doolittle is on her way to the finals of this season of American Idol, having gained a full 60% of the available votes.
Oh.. and I'm 26 and a size 6.

Please feel free to leave me your alternate universe additions in the comments section right below the post (where it says COMMENTS), but do me a favor and don't politically bash me... I've had a hard day. ;) And after all, it's my alternate universe, and in said place, people are tolerant of differing opinions and beliefs.

A few thoughts

2007-05-16T20:18:00.000-07:00

Well, now we know why Simon was such a sourpuss all night.
Even moreso than usual.
Odds on he knew the results.
And knowing,
still had to sit there the whole hour,
faced with impending doom,
so to speak.

Sigh.

The cutaway to Blake's mother was priceless.
Even she looked like she couldn't believe it.

Me neither.

American Idol Final Two Results Show

2007-05-16T18:48:00.000-07:00

****WEST COAST SPOILER****

If you don't want to know

RIGHT NOW,

get off the blog!

The American Idol Final 2 are....

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Jordin Sparks

Blake Lewis

(commentary on the elimination to follow)

as soon as I get my head together

i'm having a bit of a tourette's moment right now...

Countdown to the final 2

2007-05-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the most torturous hour of American Idol yet... the countdown to the final 2. Ofcourse they had to make it an hour, right? And still, I'm sitting here watching...

Anyone out there? Leave me a comment on here and commiserate...

American Idol May 15th Results Predictions

2007-05-16T06:44:00.000-07:00

It's just too close to call.

On the bright side, this is the most equally matched, talented final 3 we've ever had the pleasure of seeing on American Idol. There is no stand-out gimme dump that we're all looking at thinking, how on earth did he/she make it to the final 3? Vote for the worst, with their mighty Stern empowered sword, has failed this season, and the true fans and real talent have prevailed. That is the bright side.

The bad part? Some incredibly talented person is going to get the boot tonight. Some devoted fan base is going to be heartbroken and pissed off. Some will cry foul and post negative comments about the surviving final 2. Petty, petty. Bad sportsmanship.. and really missing the point.

Here's the thing. All of our final 3 will get record deals. All of them. You can bet the contracts have already been inked. This year, that's not what the win is about. Hasn't been for a couple years now with AI, right? This year, the show has become what it was always meant to be: a competition and celebration of the best of the best.

We've been honored every week by Melinda's truly phenomenal talent, and we've watched her incredible journey of self-esteem. Miss Melinda Doolittle will never hide her talent under a bushel or behind another singer again. Melinda came into this competition as a ringer - a true professional, and she set the vocal standard every week

We've watched Jordin grow up before our very eyes. In 11 short weeks, a star is born. A superstar. When Jordin takes the stage now, you can't take your eyes off her. She is that electric, that magnetic. Jordin draws you in with that phenomenal voice, and then she builds and builds and gets better every single week, almost like a small child with language acquisition - Jordin's been a sponge for everything the folks at AI have been teaching. We should all take a lesson!

Blake has singlehandedly re-invigorated the entire show, and upped our expectations for future artists and seasons in the process. A complete musician, Blake has brought the show into the into the computer age, as the sole idol in total control of his own arrangements. Every week, Blake ups the ante, takes the risks and makes it work.

Tonight we will have to say farewell to one of these incredible Idol hopefuls. It's not gonna be easy, but it's also not gonna be forever. Whoever goes will definitely be back, and in a big way.

My prediction: This year, our final three, have already all won.

American Idol Final 3 Show Down!

2007-05-15T16:40:00.000-07:00

Phone 1-866-436-57_ _ or Text the word "Vote" to 57_ _

Round 1 - Judges Choice:

01 & 04 & 07 JORDIN SPARKS "WISHING ON A STAR"

RANDY: Wow. SO this is the point in the seasn when I'm really trying to see who's in it to win it. That was a hot vocal. Kinda a little Beyonce in there!
PAULA: Great way to start the show.
SIMON: You sang it brilliantly, Jordin. I just wish we hadn't done the weird jazz arrangement with it.
CAROLYN: I love this song. Love this girl! I can't help but smile when Jordin sings, and she just gets better each time.

02 & 05 & 08 BLAKE: "ROXANNE"

RANDY: Great great performance. pretty good vocal. All in all, I gotta give you an A on that. That was hot!.
*PAULA: It was good it was fresh. i really loved it.
SIMON: It was good. It wasn't great.
CAROLYN: Mmmm.. just ok for me, really. I'm a huge Sting fan, though, so...

03 & 06 & 09 MELINDA "I Believe in You and Me"

*RANDY: That was hot. You blew it out the box. Very well done.
PAULA: You were fantastic, amazing, and one of your best performances.
SIMON: Very difficult song to sing. I think it was your best performance in the last 4 weeks. Round one goes to Melinda.
CAROLYN: I am loving Randy for this choice for Melinda. Perfect. Now if we can just get the grown-ups to dial...

ROUND 2: PRODUCER'S CHOICE....

01 & 04 & 07 JORDIN SPARKS "She Works Hard for the Money"
or text "Vote" to 5701

Sorry!! Had to re-boot! :( Acccckkkk!!!

RANDY: !
PAULA: .
*SIMON:
CAROLYN: .

02 & 05 & 08 BLAKE: "THIS LOVE"

RANDY: When you decide to put out an album, that's the kind of vibe you should do.
PAULA: This is a good night for you.
SIMON: Actually, I preferred that song to the first one. You sounded very comfortable. It didn't sound like a copycat performance.
CAROLYN's Mother Judi: I think he was great. I love him! How can people even vote? They should all win. Wouldn't that be nice if they all won? :)

03 & 06 & 09 MELINDA "Nutbush City Limits"

RANDY: Another great performance from you. WHen you make your record, you should put some of that in there.
PAULA: You look like you had a blast up there. What else can we say: we love you love you love you.
SIMON: Love that side of you. i thought it was actually, again, another brilliant performance.
CAROLYN: Not a very well-known tune, but Melinda still killed with it! hehe.. back to channelling her inner Tina Turner... Goooo Rocker Chick, Melinda!

Round 3 - Artists Choice:

01 & 04 & 07 JORDIN "I Who Have Nothing"

RANDY: I think that was your best performance of the night. Nice control.
PAULA: It really sat well in your voice, and how it built.
SIMON: There's no disputing the fact that you sang that very well, but there was a part of me that hated the fact that a 17 year old was singing a 60 year old song.
CAROLYN: We love you too, honey. That was wonderful.

02 & 05 & 08 BLAKE "When I Get You Alone"

RANDY: It was a-ight, man.
PAULA: I think you had 3 great performances tonight.
SIMON: I actually really liked that. This is what I've liked about you throughout the competition - you take risks and you look like you're having fun.
CAROLYN:Far and away his best performance of the night... No one knows Blake as well as he knows himself. It speaks well for his album - hopefully he'll be making the choices.

03 & 06 & 09 MELINDA "Cuz I'm a Woman"

RANDY: YoYo. I'm seeing the range of M.D. You can sing the phone book!
PAULA: Melinda you're fantastic.
SIMON: Love the little striptease at the top. If I'm gonna award a place in the final to the person who's consistently delivered week after week, it's you.
CAROLYN: Didn't she sing this song already? Very well, to be sure, but I don't know about the choice to do it again. Still, she's got my votes. Tonight, I fear she needs them. :(

Word to the Wise

2007-05-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Tonight's the night! I'm so nervous, you'd think I was singing! Tonight we decide the final two, and it's all up to us, the fans. I can't stress enough how important it is to dial repeatedly and endlessly from the beginning to the end of the voting period.

She (or he) who dials the most, wins. Period. End of story for one very deserving American Idol hopeful.

The devoted fans of the person you don't want to see in the final two will be dialing. Will you?

Who are you rooting for?

Will you be voting all night?

Who would you eliminate, given the chance?

Please click right below the post where it says COMMENT and let us know!

Lakisha's Exit Interview

2007-05-11T21:29:00.000-07:00

'American Idol' Season Six Exit Interviews from aol.com

Lakisha Jones
Eliminated: May 9
Age: 27
Hometown: Houston, Texas

Do you think being an early favorite worked against you?
It did. Everyone wanted the 'And I'm Telling You' moment every week. And when you're singing different genres of music, those styles don't necessarily have that "big song" that everybody is expecting every week. I think I did the best with what I was given.

What did your daughter have to say about your elimination?
I was crying last night, and she wiped my face and said, "Mommy, I'm not mad." I thought that was really cute. She was telling me she's proud of me.

So ... is Simon a good kisser?
He is a good kisser, and I would do it again. His lips were really soft and thin.

What were your most and least favorite comments from Simon?
My favorite: "You're in a league all your own." And my least favorite: "You're shouting."

What are your plans now?
I'm going on tour and after that, hopefully I'll be recording.

What kind of album?
I don't know yet, but I'd say sassy and soulful with a little inspiration.

On results night, you seemed to brace yourself to go home? Did you know you'd be going home?
I knew on Tuesday I was hoarse, and I tried to sing past it and give it my all. On 'American Idol,' you can't say, "My voice is jacked up." I knew last night that those weren't the best songs, but I did the best with what I was given.

Why did you do two songs by former winners?
Because they were two winners, and I was thinking about the message in the songs. I was going through some things, so I sang 'Jesus Take the Wheel' [by Carrie Underwood]. I was like, "I can't do this competition by myself, so Lord, you're going to have to help me get through it." I sang 'I Believe' [by Fantasia] because I do believe in myself and no matter what happens, God has a plan for me and I will be successful.

Your original Tuesday night dress got destroyed at the dry cleaners. How did that affect you?
It actually was a blouse. It just messed me all up. In my mind, when you go on stage you become a character. And I kind of needed that blouse. It gave me that extra umph and made me feel sassy.

Which of the Top 10 are you the most anxious to see again on tour?
Probably Sanjaya Malakar. I miss him jumping all over the place. He just has this energy, you know?

What did you like about him?
He was like a little brother that got on your nerves all the time. He'd be jumping all over the place, and he just had this energy. I appreciate the fact that he trusted my judgment, took my advice and was there for me when I needed him.

What is the first thing you are going to splurge on?
A new home for me and my daughter. I don't ever want to rent again. I don't even have to have anything in it. I just want to open the door and let my baby run through the house.

How do you feel about coming in fourth? How does it square with your expectations?
Only thing I can say is look at Chris Daughtry.

Vote like it's your job!

2007-05-10T09:03:00.000-07:00

OK.. my heartrate has returned to normal now.

And now, Melinda Doolittle fans,
we really have our work cut out for us.

Jordin and Blake have extremely large,
young,
net-savvy,
devoted,
mega-dialing
fans.

Voting just a couple times is no longer an option.

If you seriously support Melinda Doolittle,
If you seriously want her to win,
You MUST vote/dial like it's your job next Tuesday night.

Like it's your job.
Like you're getting paid for it.
Double-time.

The entire voting period.

Looking at the dialidol results the other night,
I almost gave up hope,
but there's no need for that.

Just Dial!

If every person reading this also gets
2 other people who haven't previously voted
to VOTE like they mean it
next tuesday night...

Then our girl, Melinda,
will have a chance at the final 2.

Oh Thank God!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-05-09T18:54:00.000-07:00

Melinda's safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so relieved. It was so close... less than half a point difference between Lakisha and Melinda according to dialidol.

PHEW!!!!

The American Idol hopeful eliminated tonight is Lakisha Jones.

See you on tour, Lakisha... 1st stop Sunrise, Florida - I'll be making the drive. :)

It's Video Time

2007-05-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

OK, I know there's four left right now, but after tonight there will only be 3, then two.. get my drift? I'm actually beginning to feel a bit nostalgic for the season! So I went looking around youtube for some goodies to share.

This first one is a clip of the Hollywood group round with Blake, Chris Sligh, Rudy Cardenas and Thomas Lowe (who I have to confess I did not remember at all!). It was far and away the best hollywood group performance Idol's ever had. And here it is.. How Deep is Your Love?

OK.. I knew Blake had the corner on the internet market, what with the Blaker Girls on myspace and beyond, and their incredible fan base, and all the magazine mentions, etc., etc... but now it seems one of his friends has cornered youtube for him too. I mean, this video has had over 95,000 views, and Blake's not even singing in it! It's very funny and the production value is far better than most. Check it out:

American Idol Final Four Final Predictions

2007-05-09T04:52:00.000-07:00

I went to sleep with high hopes the west coast would widen the margin for Melinda, but this is what I found when I woke up... WORSE.

It's not a lost cause, because of the margin of error dial idol admittedly has. It is, however, rather a close call, and potentially over for our girl Melinda, which is beyond shocking to my system.

On the bright side, I adore Jordin and Blake, and believe that both of them would and will make a fine American Idol. Further, I have to give a BIG shoutout to all the BlakerGirls who must have dialed till they dropped last night! Talk about Rocking the Vote! In the final count, with their help and devotion, Blake made it to the top of the dialidol charts! Clearly the west coast kicked it up a notch or 10 for him! And the east coast were no slouches either!

But back to Melinda... It's beginning to feel a bit like the Kimberley Locke season... where far and away the best actual vocalist, in my opinion, was eliminated before the final 2.

I noticed a lot of comments on Melinda's various fan pages yesterday about people who said they were praying for her victory. When I saw them, I thought to myself, I hope they're praying with their dialing fingers. I restrained the urge, but perhaps I should have said as much when I had the chance.

11pm EST American Idol Vote Update

2007-05-08T20:09:00.000-07:00

It just keeps getting worse for Melinda... :( If the west coast doesn't kick it into high gear, vote for the worst will win.

American Idol 10pm EST Rankings

2007-05-08T19:02:00.000-07:00

Melinda fans... If you want her to be your next Idol, You better vote! The Margin of Error makes it too close to call between 3rd and 4th place at the moment. I'll post again at 11pm EST.

TOP 4 DUKE IT OUT!

2007-05-08T16:50:00.000-07:00

Phone 1-866-436-57_ _ or Text the word "Vote" to 57_ _

01 & 05 MELINDA DOOLITTLE "LOVE YOU INSIDE AND OUT"

RANDY: This is gonna be an interesting night. Another solid performance.
PAULA: It's hard to critique you because you are spot on.
SIMON: I expect incredible tonight and that was more like the backing vocalist. You are better than that and thank goodness you have another song.
GOLDIE: I LOVE HER!! Still my favorite! I could listen to her sing the phone book and be so happy!
CAROLYN: Melinda's always amazing to me. But tonight is not the night for a subtle performance - I hope she knocks us dead with the 2nd song.

02 & 06 BLAKE LEWIS: "YOU SHOULD BE DANCING"

RANDY: Tonight the beat boxing didn't work for me.
PAULA: I think it started a little shaky and your beat boxing showed your uniqueness.
SIMON: I thought it was terrible!
GOLDIE: He's a great showman, but I don't like his falsetto and his beat boxing (as skilled as he is...) didn't work in this song!
CAROLYN: Wow. The beatboxing bits were truly awesome. Odds on, this will be the number one download of the week from itunes. The singing parts, however, were rather sketchy, especially in the beginning.

03 & 07 LAKISHA JONES: "STAYING ALIVE"

RANDY: It's a good thing you guys have 2 songs. Changing the melody and all the stops and starts...it just wasn't working. You tried to do too much with it.
PAULA: You took the tempo down and it brought the mood down.
SIMON: No kiss tonight, baby! We're back to the shouting again...it was verging on scary in parts. Not great tonight so far!
GOLDIE: I'm not a Lakisha fan anymore...she screams the songs more than she sings the songs and it just doesn't work for me.
CAROLYN: First off: Love the Hair and the Clothes. Uh Oh.. She just tempted fate.. "It's alright. It's ok. I know I'll make it anyway. (or I'll live to see another day)" The lyric of doom. Talk about an exit song. I say Nigel boots her just to have this as the farewell number.

04 & 08 JORDIN SPARKS: "TO LOVE SOMEBODY"

RANDY: It's been kind of a rough night so far, that was the best vocal of the night.
PAULA: It is the best vocal so far tonight.
SIMON: Best song choice, best performance so far...we're back in the competition!
GOLDIE: She just seems to be getting better. I love the poise and confidence she brings to her performances and her vocals are great when they are on and so far tonight...they are on!
CAROLYN: Quite a compliment from Barry Gibb, and extremely well deserved. We have our winner for round one - hands down - TKO. She is the embodiment of everything good American Idol stands for.

01 & 05 MELINDA DOOLITTLE: "HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART"

RANDY: Much better, great song, great vocal...our resident pro.
PAULA: Beautiful vocal. I would love for you to throw all of your technique away and just wow us!
SIMON: I believe the second half of that song put you into the semi-finals.
GOLDIE: This is one of my favorite Barry Gibbs songs and again....a good solid performance from my American Idol.
CAROLYN: She's baaaaa-aaack! :) Love you, Melinda!

02 & 06 BLAKE LEWIS: "THIS IS WHERE I CAME IN"

RANDY: This was better than the last song. You don't have to beat box on every song.
PAULA: You are the contemporary rebel in this competition.
SIMON: I don't know what that song was, it was completely tuneless and it was not a good night for you.
GOLDIE: Not a good night for Blake...at least it was better than the first song!
CAROLYN:Another BeeGees tune I don't know, and I thought I knew them all. The vocals were totally on target this time, but.. well.. i'm at a loss for words with this one. Clearly, Blake's young enough that potentially NONE of the BeeGees songs are familiar to him. I just wasn't thrilled with this one.

03 & 07 LAKISHA JONES: "RUN TO ME"

RANDY: Much better than the first.
PAULA: You're still a champ!
SIMON: It was better than the first song, but not great....I think you and Blake are vulnerable tonight.
GOLDIE: She did much better with this song until she goes for the power notes...
CAROLYN: I'm just not feeling Lakisha tonight. The vocals are there, to be sure, but the star quality just isn't.

04 & 08 JORDIN SPARKS: "WOMAN IN LOVE"

RANDY : I don't think it was your best...it was pitchy!
PAULA: It was not your best, but I love you anyway.
SIMON: I love the song, but I thought it was old fashioned and very pageanty...you're 17.
GOLDIE: I am loving her more with every performance! Not the strongest vocal from her by far, but still very good! I could love a finale with her and Melinda!
CAROLYN: I couldn't agree with you more, Goldie. Voting for a Jordin/Melinda final!

American Idol - 60 minutes till Showtime!

2007-05-08T16:01:00.000-07:00

The Final Four...
I can hardly believe it.
I'm sure they can hardly believe it.
Wake up Melinda, Jordin, Blake and Lakisha.
You are NOT dreaming!
We love you!
You are extremely talented!
You are our American Idols.

This just went out to all the blaker girls and boys in myspace land. Kristi makes an excellent point re VFTW. Tonight's voting is VERY important.

hey blakers-

now, whether or not you agree with "vote for the worst", we all know they are a force to be reckoned with. now that sanjaya and phil are gone they have set their sites on lakisha. this means she'll get a huge boost in votes this week which will most likely affect blake.

i just wanted to remind you all of this and encourage you to vote extra hard this week. again, i challenge all of you who don't normally vote to vote at LEAST 10 times this week. for those of you who do normally vote, please vote an extra 10 (or 100!) times this week.

great job voting for all of these weeks, guys! we're almost there!! :)
xoxo
kristi

American Idol Final Four Perform Tonight

2007-05-08T06:51:00.000-07:00

As I write this, Kelly Clarkson, our first American Idol, is singing live on NBC's Today Show. Great Lyrics:

i want a man by my side
not a boy who runs and hides
are you gonna fight for me
die for me
live and breathe for me
do you care for me
'cause if you don't then just leave
i'm lookin' for attention not another question
should you stay or should you go
well if you don't have the answer
why you still standin' here
hey hey hey hey just walk away

The lyrics really resonate with me... they have that "chick anthem" potential like classic madonna and pink songs...

Here's Kelly's Walk Away video for your listening entertainment. ;) She's looking decidedly Fergie-liscious in this one. Gotta wonder if they used Fergie's stylist on the shoot. Seriously. Kelly got F-I-T for this one... not so much on the Today show this morning...

In any case, tonight's show will showcase the talents of our very talented final four idol hopefuls: Melinda, Jordin, Lakisha and Blake, all four of whom could easily become first name only artists like Madonna and Cher - they're just that good!

While many have complained about this season of Idol, for me, it's the first time in quite a while that I feel like all final four candidates are deserving winners.

Can't wait to see them all perform tonight! We'll be here blogging for ya, making sure you have all the right numbers to dial, and all the commentary.

On a completely unrelated note, I'm just curious to know, how do you guys feel about the whole Paris Hilton going to Jail thing? Should she be going to jail for her drunk driving, or is the judge just making a name for himself and using her as an example?

The Results Show 05-02-07

2007-05-03T05:13:00.000-07:00

As you know, Phil and Chris got eliminated tonight. I'm actually ok with this. I felt like the right people were in the final 6, and now I feel like the right people are in the final 4. This was actually the least dramatic results show, for me, this whole season... My concern going in was that this could be Lakisha's week, or heaven forbid, Melinda's, but at least from where I'm standing, it all worked out.

Now next week is gonna be tough. If I had to call it right this minute, I'd say Lakisha's the next to go - not for any lack of talent, but simply for fan base. While they clearly all have strong fan bases, Blake, Melinda and Jordin seem to have that extra little boost that pushes them into the top spots week after week. These three have traded the number one spot all season long.

No matter what happens, next week is do or die for the idols, and for the dialers... Who do you think the top 3 will be? How many times do you think you'll be voting? Who will be getting your votes?

Please leave us your answers and comments here on the blog. Just click where it says comments at the bottom right of this post...

DialIdol Predictions

2007-05-02T04:43:00.000-07:00

Holy Shnikees, Batman. Well, it appears Jordin and Blake are safe from the cut tonight, but the rest are anyone's guess. I'd bet on Chris getting the boot tonight, especially since he actually went red on dialidol for a while there last night, but between Phil, Lakisha and Melinda, it's just too close. I fear we'll be losing a diva tonight. I just have no idea which one. What are your thoughts?

Top 6 Perform

2007-05-01T15:50:00.000-07:00

It's Bon Jovi week! :) Yayyyy! For those of you too young to appreciate him, I feel for you. You have no idea what you're missing. For the rest of you, if you've never taken the opportunity to see Bon Jovi in concert, I strongly recommend him. He was part of my payback for enduring 20,000 screaming 13 year olds and either NSync or BSB a few years back as a Unit Head at Camp, and he made it well worth it.

OK, on to the idols... and an explanation for my absence last week... coupla things: 1. I wanted to just enjoy the special show and not "work" it; 2. With last week being the lead-in to my Relay for Life, it was all I could do to find 5 minutes for myself... I'm happy to report though, that Relay was a tremendous success! Now for the idols...

Can you believe we're already down to 6?! And after tonight, we'll be down to 4!! Voting has never been as crucial. It would be nice if everyone only voted once, but that's not the case, so if you want your fave to stay in, ya gotta dial till ya drop!

Whether it's the numbers you need, the judges comments, or my 2 cents you're looking for, look no further! Well, just look below this little paragraph. ;)

Phone 1-866-436-57_ _ or Text the word "Vote" to 57_ _

01 or 07: Phil Stacey "Blaze of Glory"
Randy: I'm happy for you for a lot of reasons... Other than country week, this is your best performance ever on the show. That was the bomb. I love it.
Paula: You were living your inner kid up there! This was the best opening we've had all season long.
Simon: I thought it was ok. I didn't hear any authenticity. I thought, in the middle, you were like a bad actor playing the role, and I don't think you've done enough to last next week.
Carolyn: Well, he comes in with high praise from JbJ - lets see... Very Nice! Props from Randy DURING the song. This is far and away Phil's best performance to date. He felt it, he made us feel it, and he sang his ass off.

02 or 08 Jordin Sparks : "Livin' on a Prayer"
Randy: The big notes in the choruses were ok, but that was rough!
Paula: I give credit because you went for it, even knowing it was out of your range.
Simon: The singing was out of control, verging on shrieking at times. Although I agree you're at a massve disadvantage with being given guys songs to sing, it was awful.
Carolyn: Have I mentioned lately how much I adore this girl?!?! OK, that being said, I'm kinda bummed. This was not a good song choice for her, not at all. Her comfort level was hovering around ZERO throughout the vast majority of the performance. As I'm sitting here writing this as she's singing, I can hear Simon in my mind saying, "You finally managed to find a song that was too big for your voice." It just wasn't there tonight. I just hope it doesn't mean she's toast.

03 or 09 Lakisha Jones : "This Ain't a Love Song"
Randy: You proved on thing tonight! By the middle of the song, you blew that out the box. Lakisha's back!
Paula: That low tone in your voice, that's money in your pocket.
Simon: Lakisha, I actually could kiss you after that... on the lips. (and he did?!)
Carolyn: Ummm.. we're still at commercial, and already I don't have a good feeling about Lakisha tonight. I hope I'm wrong, but Lakisha + Bon Jovi may well = disaster. WoW! When i'm wrong, I'm wrong!! Lakisha nailed it! Well done!

04 or 10 Blake's Gone Brunette : "You Give Love a Bad Name"
Randy: I'll give you the award for the most original version of a song ever on AI.
Paula: . You really took a leap of faith. Bon Jovi was really diggin what you were doing. Simon's mom was even rocking with you.
Simon: Half the audience will have hated it, and half loved it. You're a very brave young man.. took a massive risk, and this is what will keep you in the running for next week.
Carolyn: Interesting. I prefer the original. I can appreciate Blake, but that's like messing with the National Anthem... It's the rock-n-roll equivalent of beat boxing Ave Maria.

05 or 11 Chris Richardson: "Wanted: Dead or Alive"
Randy: You did your thing, you made it your own.
Paula: Great night. Good job.
Simon: I think you did as much as you could possibly do with that song, Chris, cuase this is not your styly of music, but I don't know if it was enough to stay another week.
Carolyn: I was just bored... and a little creeped out. Chris kept doing this big eye thing that reminded me of the creepy troll in the hobbit... "My pretty"

06 or 12 : Melinda Doolittle "Have a Nice Day"
Randy: Definitely a great performance again. That was hot, baby!
Paula: How's it feel to be a rock star?
Simon: I thought it was like a young Tina Turner. Vocally in a different league.
Carolyn: Wow. Is there anything Melinda can't do? Seriously?! I feel like I've just witnessed the rebirth of Tina Turner into the next generation!

Sanjaya Tribute

2007-04-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

Carla found this video and posted it a while back, but with the events of the evening, I thought it was well worth bumping it up to the top for another look-see.

There's a saying in Big Brother, "Don't hate the player. Hate the game." It really applies here too. In this case, it's not Sanjaya we hate, it's the people who, with ill intent, make a mockery of the process, thereby depriving deserving singers of a shot at idol-dom.

4-18-07 American Idol Results Show

2007-04-18T18:20:00.000-07:00

For pity's sake. It's 20 after 9, and they haven't given us a single clue as to who's safe or not. OK, I know it's an hour long show tonight, but come on!

OK.. 9:37, and we have our bottom 3: Sanjaya, Lakisha and.. Blake?!!? And commercial.

How cute was Melinda? Honestly, I think her response to Ryan's question was PERFECT.. as usual. And, while we wait, I'm THRILLED Jordin's safe too!

OK Kids, we have a 33 1/3 chance of being Sanjaya-free for the remainder of the season. Oohhhhmmmmmm.... Ohhhmmmmm... Perhaps if I click my heels together 3 times whilst repeating "There's no place like home"? or "There's no place for him."
Yep. That's it. Click, click, click. "There's no place for him." Click, click, click. Say it with me now.

Blah blah blah.. enormous Shrek 3 live commercial... Martina McBride performance...

Wonder if they'll at least let one of the 3 off the hook before the commercial break. Dear Lord, let it not be Sanjaya. If he's off the hook, I'll puke. And that's a big nope. 3 on the hook till after the break. Oy.

Look on the bright side. Melinda and Jordin are definitely safe.

And we're back live... Sanjaya, Lakisha and BLake. Blake is safe! hallelujah.

Oh please o please o please o please o please...

America voted and Sanjaya is HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hot damn Hallelujah!

Scary American Idol Predictions from dialidol

2007-04-17T23:21:00.000-07:00

Here's the final result from dialidol for the night.

This one's definitely gonna be a nail biter, folks. On the surface it looks great with Sanjaya on the bottom, but Melinda, Blake and Lakisha are awfully close to the bottom as well, and there is always a margin of error.

dialidol at 12:30am EST

2007-04-17T21:29:00.000-07:00

West Coast!!!!

Unless you wanna see a HUGE upset tomorrow night, you really gotta amp up the calls!! NOW!!! You wont believe the bottom of the pack. Sanjaya's right where we want him, and now's the time to widen the gap, and vote your tushies off! Sanjaya's votes always increase with the West Coast, so please, just this once, VOTE for Melinda, Blake, Lakisha, Jordin!!!!!!! Keep them safe! And get Sanjaya gone.

Check out the dialidol chart below:

American Idol Top 7 Perform

2007-04-17T16:44:00.000-07:00

Greetings Idol Fans! :) Welcome to our first ever duo blog. We thought we'd pull double duty tonight, and whack the blog with both of our opinions , as well as R,P and Simons commentary.

As you know, just dial 1-866-IDOLS-0_! All the right numbers are here for ya!

01 -Phil - "Where The Blacktop Ends"
Randy: Dude, you could have a career in country music. Now I know Phil Stacy.
Paula: You sound good from the beginning to the end.
Simon: Well, it's only taken 10 weeks, Phil. This is the only time I've heard you in a long long time where you chose a good song, the style of music suited you, and you actually showed some personality.
Carolyn: Was that Nigel Lithgoe that Phil pointed at right before he got back on stage? Anyhow... for me, it was a nice performance, but just very good karaoke. I think Simon et al are just giving it their level best to keep someone other than Sanjaya past this week.
Goldie: Even with the almost personality we saw tonight...I'm back to being bored! He sounded good, but he's better than what he's brought to the competition so far!

02 - Jordin Sparks - "Broken Wing"
Randy: Dude, that was the bomb, man.
Paula: You look gorgeous. I love you, and i think you did a fantastic job.
Simon: This is the 1st time since we've met that I actually believe, based on that performance, you could win American Idol.
Carolyn: Yayy! That was just fantastic. Jordin has the guts to sing the song of the guest artist, Martina McBride. And she rocked it! Man.. talk about raising the bar!! I may just have a new favorite. Jordin is the entire package, and she'll definitely be getting some of my votes tonight.
Goldie: If she wasn't scared...there was waaay too much vibrato going on! She still has a powerful voice with those big notes and I still loved her!

03 - Sanjaya - "Something to Talk About "
Randy: That was really just like karaoke, dude.
Paula: You're a loveable guy, Sanjaya.
Simon: Utterly horrendous.
Carolyn: He hasn't strted to sing yet, but let me be the first to say, "Booo!" Yech. I've so had enough. ok.. he's singing now. If Phil was really good karaoke, Sanjaya's... well.. he's not offensive... he's just not in the same league as any of the rest of the contestants. Great hair tonight, though.
Goldie:The look alone makes me scared!!! Can Bonnie Raitt roll over in her grave without being dead??? Somehow...I think she may be tonight! If I knew where the plot was I would do a little rolling around myself! Heck...let's all do it! When will we be put out of our misery??? I can't take much more!

04 - Lakisha - "Jesus, Take the Wheel"
Randy: For me, this had some pitch problems. Wasn't my favorite vocal of yours.
Paula: I have to agree with Randy.
Simon: I don't think you and that song went together well.
Carolyn: WOW! Lakisha needs to cover this song. That was AMAZING. She sang it from her toes.. just like i like it.
Goldie: A little too much screaming for me and waaaay off key more than once...unusual for Lakisha! I was disappointed...I was expecting a lot better with her background and that song!

05 -Chris Richardson- "Something Very Nasal "
Randy: I felt lost during the song.
Paula: The joy and the love that you have on stage didn't come through.
Simon: WHat I heard was a very non-descript, nasally tinny vocal. Completely and utterly insignificant, the whole thing.
Carolyn: Hated the first verse, then he came to the chorus and I fell back in love. Note to Chris: Keep your vocals out of your nose!!
Goldie: He just makes me see a bad Justin Timberlake impression of Rascall Flatts.....not impressed at all tonight! I'm bored!

06 -Melinda- "Trouble is a Woman"
Randy: Another solid performance from our resident pro, Miss Melinda Doolittle.
Paula: Once again...
Simon: It was fantastic. I saw a little Tina Turner going on there. You have to lose the surprised look.
Carolyn: Have they released Melinda's CD yet? I'm ready. No matter what style she's singing, this woman has pipes, and she knows how to use em.
Goldie: OK...first of all...How cute is she tonight??? Love that look for her! We have our sassy girl back!! Love her!!! FABULOUS!!

07 -Blake- "When the Stars go Blue"
Randy: I love your sense of style, and I love that you know who you are.
Paula: You kinda have the whole package. It's always fun to watch you.
Simon: It wasn't a jumping out of my chair performance, Blake.
Carolyn: Wow. I wasn't expecting to enjoy Blake as much as I did tonight. He did it justice, and he made it his own.
Goldie: This was a great choice for Blake....when they said it was country...I said Blake should do Tim McGraw "Stars Go Blue"! Nice job! Not as great as I expected, but still a solid performance from the best guy left in the competition!

American Idol Elimination 4-11-07

2007-04-11T18:59:00.000-07:00

I gotta be honest here... this is the first time this season I've been pleased with an elimination. If I can't have Sanjaya gone, Haley Scarnato's the next best (or worst, as the case may be) option. Nuff said. Well, that and I'm thrilled to have been wrong about Jordin.

Hasta la vista, Haley.

You Make the Call

2007-04-11T10:04:00.000-07:00

According to dialidol, only one performer is predicted to be safe tonight, and that American Idol hopeful is... Blake Lewis. Blake's performace of JLo's hubby, Mark Anthony's Need to Know, was far and away the judges favorite for best song choice and best performance of the night, so perhaps it's fitting he should be on top. For me, last night wasn't terribly memorable. I was bored to tears by so many singing Gloria Estefan, and only one person actually singing in Spanish. The fact that it was Sanjaya, with a week's growth of facial fuzz, was no special treat either.

Now, as we know, dialidol is only meant as a gauge. The only time the bottom person on their list has been sent home was the week Chris Sligh got the boot, so take this with a grain of salt.

1-6 (B3) Blake Lewis - 11.23 - Predicted to be Safe

Too Close to Call
1-8 (B3) Melinda Doolittle - 9.53
1-8 (B3) Phil Stacey - 9.15
1-8 (B3) Haley Scarnato - 8.9
1-8 (B3) Sanjaya Malakar - 8.54
1-8 (B3) Chris Richardson - 8.2
2-8 (B3) Jordin Sparks - 6.76
2-8 (B3) Lakisha Jones - 6.45

Now the important part: Who do you think is going home tonight?

I have a bad feeling it's Jordin. Last night while I was voting, I decided to switch it up a bit and call in for Jordin every time I got more than 3 busies in a row for Melinda. The good news is, I was able to throw Jordin at least 50 votes. The bad news... I didn't get a single busy signal on her line. Not one. Sigh. I really hope I'm wrong.

The Top 8 Perform....Maybe....(Let's Hope for the Best!!!)

2007-04-10T16:37:00.000-07:00

PHONE 1-866-436-57_ _ OR TEXT THE WORD 'VOTE' TO 57_ _

01 MELINDA DOOLITTLE "SWAY"

RANDY: Another solid performance! Not your best, but still solid.
PAULA: Very sultry, smooth.....very subtle, sexy and beautiful!
SIMON: Well, it had to happen Melinda. I didn't like it. That song is all about personality. I found it very cabaret. Someone like you has to put on a WOW performance every week. I thought it was a bit lazy, a bit wooden.
CAROLYN: I love her! The voice goes without saying, but OMG, didn't she look gorgeous this week?!
GOLDIE: YAY!!! My favorite is first....and with one of my favorite songs! I have to say...this was the first time I heard a sour note from her! This was not her best by far! Still FABULOUS!! (She even attempted "sexy" well)

02 LAKISHA JONES "CONGA"

RANDY: You were having fun and made it your own! That was hot!
PAULA: I didn't feel it as much as Randy did and I felt it was a safe Lakisha performance. I want you to push for it.
SIMON: I agree with Paula. It's a fun performance song I don't know if people at home were having as much fun.
GOLDIE: Ricky Minor and the band are incredible!! Made me wanna dance!!! She was ok....but not her best. I have to say I had fun, but vocally it's just not a song that can show range.

03 CHRIS RICHARDSON "SMOOTH"

RANDY: You did a really good job with that! You really came into your own at the end with the runs. It was hot.
PAULA: It was a hot performance!
SIMON: I'm not going to say it was the best I've ever heard, but I actually preferred it to the first 2, at least it was a good performance!
GOLDIE: One of my favorite songs!! Started out a bit rocky for me, but he has such potential.....I really like him! He made it his own!! I love the fact that he is still challenging himself and trying something new every week!

04 HALEY SCARNATO "TURN THE BEAT AROUND"

RANDY: For me...that was really karaoke for me! I could have been anywhere.
PAULA: It's not a singer's song, but a fun song!
SIMON: You've got a good tactic right now wearing the least amount of clothes as possible because you can't win it vocally!
GOLDIE: Who said she had good legs again??? Maybe she can just show her legs instead of sing.....wait....that's what she's doing, isn't it??? She's horrible....I would have rather heard Sanjaya! (I'll eat those words later...when I actually have to hear him!!)

05 PHIL STACEY "MARIA"

RANDY: I don't know if was your best...you didn't connect with the passion of that song.
PAULA: Vocally I thought it was really good!
SIMON: You chose a good song...It was all a bit flat and nothing I could get excited about.
GOLDIE: WOW!!!! He finally gave me goosebumps!!! I think he finally lived up to the voice I knew he had! Go Phil! Maybe he didn't live up to the "passion" as Randy said, but I loved his version of the song.

06 JORDIN SPARKS "RHYTHM IS GONNA GET YOU"

RANDY: That was hot!
PAULA: You just have a great time! You're adorable!
SIMON: The whole night has just been ok performances and there's been no progression for me.
GOLDIE: She gets better each week! Lovin' her!

07 BLAKE LEWIS "NEED TO KNOW"

RANDY: That song choice....hot choice and hot performance!
PAULA: Very smart performance!
SIMON: Best performance of the night and best song choice of the night!
GOLDIE: My Blake is just too good!!! A little bit of the Marc Anthony vibe! I think he's my favorite tonight!

08 SANJAYA MALAKAR "BESEME MUCHO"

RANDY: You are one of the smartest contestants ever dude! That was actually good.
PAULA: Very, very nice.
SIMON: I couldn't understand a word of it...you sang like a 14 year old and I'm going to hate myself for this...it wasn't horrible!
GOLDIE: I have to say except for a few notes....this was pretty good for Sanjaya!

I think out of all the "guests" they've had this year, Jennifer Lopez has been the best! She had fun with each contestant, challenged them and gave them pointers that made sense! She really seemed to get a sense of each contestant and did a great job! Can't wait to see her perform tomorrow night!

Another One Bites the Dust 4-4 Elimination Show

2007-04-04T18:11:00.000-07:00

No sooner do we find out Melinda, Lakisha and Jordin are safe (Yayyyyy!!!) than they announce Blake, Chris and (drumroll please) Sanjaya are also safe. Well, I'm 2/3rds happy with that one. However, that leaves Phil, Gina and Haley Scarnato in the bottom three. Hmm.. ok.. that's 1/3 not terribly disappointing. I have a bad feeling about this for Gina, and I really hope I'm wrong. And now we know Phil's safe, so the odd's aren't improving. 4 minutes left... just say it, Ryan.

The idol hopeful eliminated this week is: Gina. :(

Whatta load of crap! While it's no secret that I did not start out as a Gina fan, she and her voice really grew on me.

She's singing her song now, and they just cut to an extreme closeup of Sanjaya... uch. I wonder if hair boy is starting to feel any backlash from the other singers. Perhaps it's not direct, perhaps they';re not saying anything to his face, but there's gotta be some undercurrent of ill will brewing in his direction.

Granted, it's not his fault he's the annointed one. VFTW chose him, not the other way around, and then Stern jumped on the bandwagon, encouraging his following to be the ultimate show spoilers. Still... the other idols have got to be getting sick of it, and it's bound to be brewing some hard feelings in idol-land.

What are your thoughts?? We wanna know!

WE'RE DOWN TO NINE!!!!

2007-04-03T16:51:00.000-07:00

PHONE 1-866-436-57_ _ OR TEXT THE WORD 'VOTE' TO 57_ _

01 BLAKE LEWIS "MACK THE KNIFE"

RANDY: Very good way to start off the evening and this was the perfect song for you. You are the funky, jazzy, cool kind of guy.
PAULA: You're a hip cat. Fun as usual.
SIMON: Good choice of song, performed it well. I'll give you 7 out of 10 and the band 8 out of 10.
GOLDIE: One of my favorite songs! It's a fun song and he sang it well! It fit his personality.

02 PHIL STACEY "NIGHT AND DAY"

RANDY: Interesting choice for you. Good vocal, but no connection.
PAULA: You are a young Frank Sinatra. I still need you to have more joy and warm those vocals up before the chorus!
SIMON: It had all the joy of someone singing in a funeral parlor. It was gloomy and dark no life in the performance.
GOLDIE: I was bored! Vocally, he was just ok, but no stage presence at all for me!

03 MELINDA DOOLITTLE "I'VE GOT RHYTHM"

RANDY: You always give a lesson in singing, vocally and performance!
PAULA: You are master class for everyone else to watch!
SIMON: I didn't like the first half which was a bit cabaret, but the second half of the song was great, but I don't think we can ever criticize you!
GOLDIE: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE HER!!!!! I wonder if she's free the 27th of this month....there's this wedding I would love for her to sing at.......(I know...dream on!!) But on the vocal side.....SHE'S DEFINITELY GOT IT!!!

04 CHRIS RICHARDSON "DON'T GET AROUND MUCH ANYMORE"

RANDY: You came out with a vengence! Best performance for you all season!
PAULA: You did not compromise yourself. You kept it hip and cool!
SIMON: I thought that was very good, very believable! You made it hip and you worked it out very well. One of the strongest tonight!
GOLDIE: This was a good song choice for him! He was able to keep the vocals together and he still put his own spin on it. Very good! This was my favorite performance from Chris so far!

05 JORDIN SPARKS "ON A CLEAR DAY"

RANDY: I'm loving that we have 9 people in the competition, but it is hot! You are like a pro and you are 17!
PAULA: You really are a magnet of joy and you exude it on the stage. I'm just so freaking proud of you...I don't know what to say!
SIMON: You sang it very well, but you didn't make it young and current. I didn't like it as much as squiggly and diggly here did!
GOLDIE: She is the most improved to me! She has the vocal ability people much older than her can only dream of and I loved her performance tonight! Nothing was overdone! I only see her getting better!

06 GINA GLOCKSEN "SMILE"

RANDY: That was a very nice controlled performance from the rocker girl.
PAULA: Flawless, understated and sentimental.
SIMON: I can't rave about the vocals because 2 other girls have already come on and outsang you.
GOLDIE: This is one of my favorite songs of all time and Gina was incredible!

07 SANJAYA MALAKAR "CHEEK TO CHEEK"

RANDY: I can't comment on the vocals anymore, but you are a great entertainer.
PAULA: You are charmer and I enjoyed the dance.
SIMON: Let's try a different tactic this week......INCREDIBLE (rolls his eyes)!
GOLDIE: A little bit John Travolta with a little more of William Hung...(actually..I like William Hung better) on an even sadder note...probably his best performance.

08 HALEY SCARNATO "AIN'T MISBEHAVIN'"

RANDY: I thought this would be a good week for you because of the style.
PAULA: You look great in green.
SIMON: You've got great legs....it was a good style for you, but it felt a bit pageanty.
GOLDIE: Not as bad as usual, but still felt like I was at a pageant!

09 LAKISHA JONES "STORMY WEATHER"

RANDY: This was a perfect song for you. Pitchy in the beginning.
PAULA: This is the most gorgeous you've ever looked. You sounded great.
SIMON: Back on form Lakisha. That was great.
GOLDIE: Another one of my favorites, but I'm a little tired of Lakisha. It was good, but she tends to be so nasal at times that it really takes away from the story in the song. When she opens up like she did at the end....awesome...until "ain't no sunshine when he's gone". I think she should have listeded to Tony!

Tribute to Sanjaya

2007-04-01T21:25:00.000-07:00

I thought this was hilarious and wanted to share it!

Overhaul the Voting System

2007-03-29T08:11:00.000-07:00

Apparently, the voting system in Florida isn't the only one that needs overhauling. American Idol could really use a tweak.

I was thinking about limiting the number of times people could vote, but that too is easily manipulated, because people have access to too many lines, and the truly "devoted" will always find a way...

Our reader Christine put forth this idea:

I Truely feel that they need to change the Judging and voting, I think what they should do is that the bottom 3 that are picked by fans should on the vote off show have to sing for the judges again, then the judges pick the contestant they feel should go home.

So.. we vote, then the bottom 3 duke it out in front of the judges on elimination night, and the judges choose.

Or... as Elisabeth Hasselbeck just suggested on The View, make the people put their money where their dialing fingers are, and have downloads available for sale - whoever sells the most wins. Since dialing is one thing, but actually reaching into your pocket is something else entirely.

Or... To go 1 step further with Christine's thought, how about the public chooses the bottom 2, the judges get to choose the 3rd, and the live audience get to pick from those 3 on little keypads from their seats?

What are your thoughts?? Something's gotta change. Seriously.

American Idol Elimination Results Show 3-28

2007-03-28T18:13:00.000-07:00

Sigh... Sanjaya's safe. So which deserving AI hopeful will be unceremoniously dumped this week?

I'm disgusted. Sanjaya's safe, and Chris Sligh is eliminated??? What the hell parallel universe am I living in? Uch.

We are quite possibly approaching the end of American Idol. If vftw and Stern have their way, Sanjaya will win, all the real fans will walk, and so will Simon.

Note to Nigel: It's time to rig the votes. Enough is enough.

Better yet, limit the amount of times people can vote, so there's a more accurate accounting of who is truly popular vs who has fans with unlimited time to dial.

...And then there were 9.

I'm tagging this to the bottom of my results post, lest someone think this blog is run by tonedeaf adolescent imbeciles. OK... I've removed the name of the poster to protect the innocent, but I had to share this with all those (myself included) who are mystified by the Sanjaya madness.... This is not a joke... someone just posted this bulletin on myspace.

xo,
DishChickCarolyn

Check it out:

YAY!! Sanjaya is safe!! I did it again this week! But i am sad because Chris Sligh was one of my fave guys but only one person is gonna win American Idol anyways. GO SANJAYA!! hehe I LOVE SANJAYA and BLAKE! Oh and Sanjaya should've stayed and he did. Trying to tell me Sanjaya should've went home- YEAH RIGHT!

YAY!! Blake! That's my daddy (hehe)

I'll miss ya Chris!! :(

Chris Sligh has an AMAZING voice and an AMAZING personality...I wonder if he made David Hasselhoff cry? LMAO- He should still be on Idol! :(

Unbelievable, right?! There was more... but I'll spare ya.
Sigh.

OK.. on the bright side, I got a ton of work accomplished today for my Relay for Life! WooHoo!

TOP TEN PERFORM!!

2007-03-27T16:57:00.000-07:00

PHONE 1-866-436-57_ _ OR TEXT THE WORD 'VOTE' TO 57_ _

01 LAKISHA JONES "LAST DANCE"

RANDY: It was good to see you sing an uptempo song.
PAULA: You did Donna Summer proud.
SIMON: Love those boots! You're 30 years younger this week. Great vocal.
GOLDIE: I always like Lakisha! Great vocal and performance, but she is just not my American Idol.

02 CHRIS SLIGH "EVERY LITTLE THING SHE DOES"

RANDY: Good song choice. The biggest problem was the band was in one tempo and you were at another.
PAULA: Vocally it was nice, but the tempo....feel the beat.
SIMON: I thought it was a mess...at this stage it needs to be better. The song did not suit you and it did not feel right.
GOLDIE: Much better song choice for him. I love his voice, but he just does not seem to be polished like he needs to be for me.

03 GINA GLOCKSEN "I'LL STAND BY YOU"

RANDY: This was your best performance ever! Perfect song for you.
PAULA: You are improving each week....the song showed your vocal!
SIMON: That was your best performance. The best performance so far tonight!
GOLDIE: This is my favorite Gina performance!! Great song choice for her! My favorite so far!!

04 SANJAYA MALAKAR "BATHWATER"

RANDY: I'm speechless every time...it's weird...interesting hair.
PAULA: If you had the gumption...you could sing and fit the wackiness of the mohawk...but you're not doing it.
SIMON: I presume there was no mirror in your dressing room. I don't think it matters anymore what we say and you are in your own universe so good luck!
GOLDIE: Go home, Sanjaya! Stop murdering music!

05 HAILEY SCARNATO "TRUE COLORS"

RANDY: It started rough...it was just kind of alright...you didn't grab me...pitchy moments.
PAULA: It's a beautiful song and the melody should just be sung. You overdid it.
SIMON: Sweet, but forgettable! Thousands of girls all over this country could do that...too safe and you are going to have to do better!
GOLDIE: This is the only person, other than Sanjaya that I would like to see leave. Her legs are nice, but if that's all you've got....model pantyhose!

06 PHIL STACEY "EVERY BREATH YOU'LL TAKE"

RANDY: I actually kind of liked it...you've got that big voice but you didn't push it and I liked it.
PAULA: Good song choice and the chorus was good, but the verses are to safe.
SIMON: I thought that was very good. Great choice of song. This is the first time that I think you've shown you're serious about this competition!
GOLDIE: He starts too timid for me and gets stronger, but I'm ready for him to blow me away, but I get tired of waiting for the 'wow'!

07 MELINDA DOOLITTLE "HEAVEN KNOWS"

RANDY: You sing with feeling...you live the song...that was the bomb again!
PAULA: You tell the story from the first note.
SIMON: Vocally, as usual, outstanding...but I hate the outfit!
GOLDIE: I'm out of adjectives for Melinda.....all I can say is PERFECTION....(guess who I'm voting for)

08 BLAKE LEWIS "I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU"

RANDY: Not my perfect song choice for you, but I liked it.
PAULA: I loved what you did with the song. You are original.
SIMON: Definitely the strongest guy in the competition. You've got to be careful not to be too indulgent. For sure you are the front running guy.
GOLDIE: I like Blake, but I'll be honest it was a bit pitchy for me, but he's still gave a solid performance and has a really good voice. I think he's the best guy in the competition for me!

09 JORDIN SPARKS "HEY BABY"

RANDY: That was a very risky song to do, you could sing anything.
PAULA: You're adorable. I love seeing you in this kind of mode.
SIMON: The most improved contestant in the competition.
GOLDIE: I really like Jordin. She's fun, but this was not a good choice for her vocally.

10 CHRIS RICHARDSON "DON'T SPEAK"

RANDY: That was interesting..good flavor...not the best vocal! That was good.
PAULA: You're good!
SIMON: This was a better choice, great arrangement, but the vocal was not that great and you struggled and you need to pay more attention on your vocals.
GOLDIE: I like the choices he makes and the chances he takes, but the pitchiness is sooo bad that I got a little distracted. He needs to watch his vocals.

I'm Baa-aaack.....and ENGAGED!!!

2007-03-26T12:49:00.000-07:00

Hi All!!!

Carolyn is right! I had a huge weekend! Actually, a huge week. First of all......I'M ENGAGED!!!! The love of my life proposed to me Thursday (3/15) before we left for NYC the following morning to meet up with some of his family. It was the sweetest proposal....the kind everyone dreams of. Then we get stuck in a "nor-easter" in the north east!

We were the last plane to arrive in Newark, NJ. As we approached the landing, it looked like a scene from a movie about plane crashes because of all the emergency vehicles on the ground waiting. I looked out the window and back at my fiance and told him I loved him. He laughed and said that it couldn't be that bad, looked out the window and then professed his love for me as well! Obviously we made it. (Anyone ever hydroplane in a plane.....not fun!!)

I'm from Louisiana and even if it doesn't snow, but there is a cloud in the sky, a good stiff breeze and the possibility of a snowflake.....we close down everything! I knew when the all transportation in the north had stopped....it was bad news!

After sitting on the tarmac for 2 hours waiting for the airport to de-ice a plane to move it away from the gate so we could pull our plane to the gate to get off, waiting an additional hour and a half for our luggage....we finally made it to the hotel (woohoo for reservations!!) The airport was sooooo crowded...it looked like Times Square on New Year's Eve and Newark is not the biggest airport I've been to.

I saw Alan Thicke (for those who don't know, he played the dad on "Growing Pains") and he was very appreciative that I didn't cause a stampede. I didn't even bother him for a picture:( (Hey, I used to love his show and I get very excited about seeing celebrities......just ask the 2005 American Idol contestants I met at the finale week that year.....but that is a whole other story I may have to tell you guys about before this season ends! I always have interesting adventures!)

Saturday, we spent the day sightseeing in NYC and then on to the Pocono Mountains in PA that night for a family visit. We were supposed to be back the 21st, but due to many complications ...we arrived back at 4am the 25th. We still had a blast and I would do it all over again, but without the part where we got stranded in PA forever....(it seemed forever before it was over). Oh, and I found the "hill" that the old timers talk about when they say "when I was kid, I used to walk to school in knee deep snow up-hill both ways"......yeah....found that hill....it does exist!!

Can't wait for Tuesday night....missed the show last week...well, postponed seeing it for a bit (thank God for VCR's) and will be here blogging for every bit of it! Thanks to Carolyn and Carla who allowed me to "slack-off" for a week!! (Love you both!!) "See" the rest of you during the show!

Goldie soon-to-be McGill

Results Show 3-21

2007-03-21T18:16:00.000-07:00

I fell for it along with everyone else when Sanjaya, Haley and Gina were told to stand up, and I thought, "Oh no... Gina..." cuz of the whole vote for the worst factor for Sanjaya and, well, Haley's legs, which are now gonna get her the Antonella vote, as if the Krum bumpkin's weekly bulletin's weren't enough... but then they were safe.

Which leaves Chris Richardson and Stephanie Edwards. Chris has huge fan support, so this one's a pretty easy call. I predicted it a couple weeks ago - that she would be the first diva to fall, and.. lol. I was wrong. But then I said it last night:

Carolyn

It's a shame, really. Stephanie is tremendously talented. For some reason, though, the audience just didn't click with her enough to dial themselves into a tizzy. And then there's the stupidity factor: vote for the worst--- so Sanjaya's safe another week. Whatta load of crap.

I wish they would divulge the top 3, instead of just the bottom. That is far more interesting to me. I mean, I check dialidol, but they admittedly have a margin of error, and I'd like to hear it direct from the source.

What are your thoughts? Please leave us a comment and let us know. :)

Incase all the above doesn't make it crystal clear: Stephanie is out.

The Top 11

2007-03-20T17:05:00.000-07:00

PHONE 1-866-436-57_ _ OR TEXT THE WORD 'VOTE' TO 57_ _

01 : Haley Scarnato "Tell Him"

Randy: Perfect song for you. Your best performance.
Paula: The flirtation side of you was great.
Simon: You naughty little thing. Different side to you.
Carolyn: Simon's gonna do some dialing tonight. Haley dancing around in shorts with legs to the sky is enough to make any record exec punch in a few digits... while he counts his dollars.

02 CHRIS RICHARDSON: "DON'T LET THE SUN CATCH YOU CRYIN' "

Randy: That was another great performance. Every note was in tune. One of your best vocals yet.
Paula: It's all about being smart with your choices... very smart, sexy, charming.
Simon: I think that was your best performance ever, Your control on the song was excellent. Most importantly, you didn't make the song sound old fashioned.
Carolyn: For me, just ok. He's lovely to look at, but the song didn't thrill me.

03 STEPHANIE EDWARDS: "YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY YOU LOVE ME"
Randy: It was a little pitchy for me. When you get to ballads, it's harder.
Paula: I love what you're wearing. I think you did pick a right song. You're a great singer. I want you to have fun.
Simon: How do you think you did? ("I thought I did well.")I think you are losing your edge. I think you're losing your soul. It was good cabaret, and I don't think thats you. I miss the passion, the rawness.
Carolyn: I wasn't jazzing on her either. I wish I was, but this song just didn't do it for me, and I'm concerned... I think Stephanie needs to be singing the up tempo songs until she gets a more solid fan base that will support her no matter what. I think this song may actually be her downfall.

04 : BLAKE "TIME OF THE SEASON"

Randy: you made the song really current. brilliant, baby, brilliant.
Paula: i think you have really really raised the bar. i felt like i was at a concert.
Simon: a million times better than last week. i think this week you chose the right song, and you found a way of making it contemporary without changing the melody. strongest performance so far.
Carolyn: acid trip circa 2007. he owned it. i just wasn't really buying. very pleasant... maybe i'm just cranky. i did love how he changed the meaning of "who's your daddy" in the song.
At this point, I just wanna hear Melinda. I'm tired of waiting through the rest of em.

05 LAKISHA JONES: "DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER"

Randy: I didn't feel enough Lakisha in it. It was just alright for me.
Paula: I think you made the right choice, and you're a very very smart girl.
Simon: This was Lakisha in 50 years time, in my opinion. Too old, too old fashioned.
Carolyn: ok.. NOW the show has truly begun. LaKisha was all over this song. Just wonderful. Now if only we could get her to smile during a performance. Again, kudos to the stylist, but as a jewelry designer, I must pipe in - that was not 1 million in diamonds. Not even close. Stop lyin' to the girl.

06 PHIL : "TOBACCO ROAD"

Randy: It was a pretty good performance for me. I always like your upper register.
Paula: I actually think it was a real good choice of songs. The emotion of the song... I liked hearing the range of your voice.
Simon: I wasn't crazy about it. It was kind of a 3rd division bar band performance. I don't hear any grit in your voice, and you need it to sing this song. It has to be believable, and I think you may be in trouble tonight.
Carolyn: I'm not liking anyone much tonight - Phil's no different. For me, just ok. Not offensive. Just not superstar material tonight.

07 JORDIN SPARKS: "I WHO HAVE NOTHING"

Randy: One of the best we're gonna see tonight.
Paula: A good singer is a good singer, and you're also a wondferful performer.
Simon: You sang it beautifully, but I feel like jumping off a bridge. I just want the sun to shine again.
Carolyn: I adore this girl... more every time we see her. Curly hair, straight hair.. no matter. Jordin is personality plus, very smart, and with a great set of pipes. I love you too, Jordin, and so did the live audience, with every single one of them on their feet.

BRANDON ROGERS.. no.. wait.. he was dumped for Shirley Temple. (snort)
08 SANJAYA MALAKAR: "YOU REALLY GOT ME"

Randy: Your really shocked me tonight. Your best performance to date.
Paula: (does it really matter?)
Simon: I think the little girl's face said it all.
Carolyn: Sanjaya a la Nine Inch Nails. He didn't suck, and his hair is back to normal, which I like. Question is, the little girl they showed crying... did someone just tell her he's gay? Very sweet of him to go give her a hug.

09 GINA GLOCKSEN: "PAINT IT BLACK"

Randy: Just alright for me.
Paula: Miles better than last week.
Simon: There were moments of complete torture in that vocal. It was so off melody at moments, it was just horrible.
Carolyn: OK.. Gina won me over tonight. I couldn't disagree more with the judges tonight. She could release this song. Gina reads blogs. She's growing on me. ;)

10 CHRIS SLIGH: "Lemme Tell you 'Bout The Way She Looked..."
Randy: I enjoyed it.
Paula: I like the fact you're working the audience.
Simon: It was fun. Good choice of song for you. You showed personality and you did a lot better than last week.
Carolyn: I'm a Chris fan. I wanted to like this performance. It's good to want things... sigh. He seemed really nervous to me tonight. Nervous and pasty. The voice was pleasant, but he seemed really awkward traversing the audience. He didn't connect with anyone... least of all me.

And FINALLY....

11 MELINDA DOOLITTLE: "As Long as He Needs Me"
Randy: You are a pro up there. We saved the best for last.
Paula:You are in your own league, my dear. it's not forced, it just is.
Simon: Are you really as nice as you seem? You made the 2nd part of the song sensational, with an impeccable vocal.
Carolyn: I can understand none of the other idol contestants wanting to follow Melinda, but must we wait through 10 lesser vocalists to get to the real deal??? See y'all later.. I gotta go dial 11!

Happy Idol Tuesday

2007-03-20T07:18:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a weekend in the land of the dishchicks! I did an art festival, and sold tons of jewelry... even got some on tv. :) Check out the ring this reporter's wearing. Woohoo! She said she would send me the full video clip, so hopefully I'll be able to share that soon. :) The cameraman showed all my goodies. It was really terrific - I had people coming up to me all day telling me they'd seen me on NBC that morning, and of course, ordering the ring she was wearing.. and buying lots of others. :)

Goldie had a huge weekend too... I'll let her tell ya all about it herself! ;)

Carla's praying for the end of tax season so she can breathe! Only a couple more weeks to go, hon!! You can do it!!!

Yayyy! It's Tuesday. Time for American Idol! :) Here's my wish: hasta la vista Sanjaya. The only way to make it happen is to outvote the show spoilers. They vote like it's their job for those 2 hours the phone lines are open. If we want him gone, we have to do the same.... only not for him, of course.

Results Show 1

2007-03-14T18:35:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I really hate it when I'm right. This is one of those times... and adding insult to the injury of being ousted whilst standing next to someone far less talented, the control booth lost track of time and Brandon didn't even get to sing his swan song on air.

Boo!

OK, going backwards a bit, I did enjoy the Diana Ross number, and what looked very much like the passing of the torch from her Royal Ross-ness to Melinda Doolittle. Did anyone else get that? When Miss Ross was singing and went directly to Melinda, and stood there embracing her to the exclusion of all others.

Melinda & Brandon

2007-03-14T17:38:00.000-07:00

We're 20 minutes away from the start of tonight's results show, and I'm sitting here listening to Melinda Doolittle's past performances on youtube, and just feeling so blessed. Blessed by her voice, and by my good fortune to be a witness to the birth of her career as a soloist. As bad as some of the contestants are, there's always Melinda, and when she takes the stage, we know we're in for a treat.

Which brings me to Brandon. I thought it was going to be the same with him, with his years of experience as a backup singer just waiting to break out. He had such an amazing audition, and though I gave him many chances, and hundreds of votes, he's never lived up to it again, and I'm done. I can no longer say to myself, he's just having an off week, or he'll bring it next time, because honestly, I think tonight's it for him.

He has incredible potential, but it's painfully clear he just isn't ready to be the frontman just yet. He is by no means the worst on the show, and if life was fair, Sanjaya/Shirley Temple (last night) would be packing tonight, but Brandon hasn't delivered and, perhaps more importantly, hasn't connected with the audience.

I just wish it weren't true.

Poll

2007-03-14T08:18:00.001-07:00

Just My Opinion!!

2007-03-14T06:36:00.000-07:00

Has America had enough yet???? I can only cross my fingers, hold my breath and pray, but somehow, I have a feeling we will be keeping Sanjaya for at another week of torturous non-singing ability! Come on people.....he didn't even get what Simon was saying last night...of course it could have been because Diana Ross was 'wailing' so loudly that it drowned out Simon's voice!

I'm not sure why anyone would go with someone who is on votefortheworst.com, but each season, we have the least talented person 'beat out' the real talent due to some idiot's thought of a joke! Anyone remember Kelly Pickler? How about John Stevens? Both somewhat talented with a sweet disposition to boot, but did they really shine on Idol? NO!!!

This week I'm afraid of who will be going home because I don't think the right one will leave! I predict the bottom 3 to be Brandon Rogers, Stephanie Edwards and either Chris Sligh or Chris Richardson. Either Brandon or Stephanie will leave. Which, should not happen if the votes were actually based on singing ability! Of course, Idol is always unpredictable and can't really be measured by the busy signal or lack of. The real bottom 3 should include Sanjaya and Haley, with either going home...preferably Sanjaya, but we all know how this will turn out! Especially if a certain rejected wannabe country Idol contestant that didn't make it to the final groups has her way with the votes for Haley!

Let's just all think happy, positive thoughts! See you at the results show tonight! Goldie.....out!

THE TOP 12 COMPETE!!

2007-03-13T16:51:00.000-07:00

YAY!!! It's finally here......the real competition is starting! Hits by Diana Ross are the choices for the evening and I'm a little more than excited to find out which contestant chose which song. I don't know if it's just me, but I can't imagine Chris Sligh singing something like "Stop In The Name Of Love", even if his hair is a bit like Diana Ross. This should be interesting, to say the least!!

PHONE 1-866-436-57_ _ OR TEXT THE WORD 'VOTE' TO 57_ _

01 BRANDON ROGERS: "CAN'T HURRY LOVE"

Randy: You reverted back into a background singer for me. The last 2 notes of the song sounded like you wanted to be out front, but dawg...that was terrible.
Paula: It's not easy to do what you do and I know nerves play a big part of all of this and you do many things right and I believe you'll grow into this.
Simon: That was a complete letdown. Predictable version, predictable arrangement, the dancing was terrible. You came across and a background's singer background singer. No originality whatsoever.
Goldie: I just love Brandon and I want him to go far, but I'm worried that he's just not shining like I think he really can and with so many other really stronger voices...(Melinda and Lakisha).....he needs to do a lot more than he's done. This could be his last night...(that breaks my heart)!

02 MELINDA DOOLITTLE: "HOME"

Randy: I don't know if it was my favorite performance of yours, but it was still really good!
Paula: (tearfully) Watching you is such joy! This is it for you!
Simon: You've even made that song fantastic! You remind me of a young Gladys Knight..very good!
Goldie: I have chills and I'm crying! I can only say one thing......PERFECTION!!!! Do we really need to continue on with this competition? (just for reference....yes, I'll be asking this same question each week until she wins!) Is she not just a breath of fresh air? She makes me want to sing!

03 CHRIS SLIGH: "ENDLESS LOVE"

Randy: The bad part of that for me was the Coldplay style of that, you have a good voice, but that was a mess for me.
Paula: That song is so recognizable and you try too hard to be ultra hip. Worry less about trying to fit in a contemporary style.
Simon: You turned a beautiful song into something else, You have a good voice, but that was not good.
Goldie: I really like his voice! I'm still waiting for him to blow my socks off....not there yet! At least he takes a chance each week!

04 GINA GLOCKSEN: "LOVE CHILD"

Randy: Once again for me, it wasn't my favorite for you, but it was pitchy in spots. It was boring for me. It lacked charisma.
Paula: I feel that you are much better than how you did tonight. You were shouting and your pitch and enunciation was off at times.
Simon: It was ok. There's not much you can say about this performance. You chose the right song for you. This style suits you, but it was a little bit forgettable.
Goldie: I like Gina and I'm so glad she finally made it into the top 12. I really hope she stays around for a while because we need a rocker chick! Her vocals aren't strong as some of the others, but she still has star quality!

05 SANJAYA MALAKAR: "AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH"

Randy: I really do not know what to say! Dude...it wasn't very good! That was almost unlistenable for me! I like your different hair every week!
Paula: Your smile warms people's hearts. You just gotta let go and explode with your vocals now!
Simon: When you hear a wail in Beverly Hills....that is where Diana is watching the show. The only thing similar was the hair.
Goldie: Did he try to have Diana's hair tonight? That's the only thing that was similar! I can promise....that I would do my best to get across a river or a mountain if it meant getting away from his singing!!! He sooooooo needs to go home!

06 HALEY SCARNATO: "MISSING YOU"

Randy: You gave it a valiant effort, you sounded nervous when you started.
Paula: You look lovely tonight. It's a brand new day and forgetting the words is not a great thing to do and your pitch.....horrible.
Simon: I didn't think it was that bad. To give you credit, we will remember you now, you have real presence up there. If you can just hold it together, you may do better than I thought you would do! I'm very impressed with your star quality on the stage.
Goldie: Even though this was probably her best performance to date.....can I have the tiara please? Oh...wait...different show! (but somehow...same bad talent!) (My poor Pickles is using 4 letter words) I wouldn't lose sleep if she left either!

07 PHIL STACEY: "I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME"

Randy: The coolest thing for you.....you get the boy's award to night....your vocals were really good!
Paula: You have strong vocals.
Simon: It was ok. Very good choice for you, but when you go for the big notes, you tend to shout!
Goldie: This guy can really sing, but he just seems to not get momentum until the song is almost over...then blows it out! He did much better tonight for me than in the past...especially after last week!

08 LAKISHA JONES: "GOD BLESS THE CHILD"

Randy: Perfect song choice, I love the outfit and vocals were good...you could have easily overdone that with that big ole voice....sensational!
Paula: You look beautiful and your vocals were so great.
Simon: You've either got it or you haven't....you've got it! You and Melinda are in a class by yourselves! Outstanding!
Goldie: How beautiful!! She looks amazing...she sounds amazing...she's just amazing!

09 BLAKE LEWIS: "KEEP ME HANGIN' ON"

Randy: I'm a huge fan...there was some good things about it. You don't have to "Blakize" every song. You are a great performer, sometimes let the classics be the classics!
Paula: You could have a hit with that a gain....you're a real good singer, too!
Simon: I didn't get that at all. I understand why you wanted your own take on it, but it didn't work changing it like that. You didn't sound as good as we've heard. You'll be ok, though.
Goldie: He is so much fun!! He makes me want to dance and always brings a smile to my face! Great arrangement! I think he will have a career after this no matter what happens, but hopefully he will stick around for a while!

10 STEPHANIE EDWARDS: "LOVE HANGOVER"

Randy: It's been an interesting night with all of the lyrics forgotten. Perfect choice for you, but the vocals weren't as great as they could have been. Wasn't your best.
Paula: You have strong vocals, but strive for better.
Simon: It was a strange arrangement by teasing the audience and never delivering. Wasn't your best and you really need to do better at this stage of the game. You were outsung by Melinda and Lakisha.
Goldie: She can sing, but I'm just not in love with her like so many others are. I'm not sure why....can't put my finger on it. I just know I forget her too easily. Great vocals.

11 CHRIS RICHARDSON: "THE BOSS"

Randy: It wasn't my favorite performance, but you don't have to do all of those runs!
Paula: I think out of all of the guys you were able to really blend all the old and new styles.
Simon: If I take away your personality and only listened to the vocals it was dreadful.
Goldie: I love how he takes risks each week to show his range of talent! He's an entertainer! Even with his pitch problems I liked him!

12 JORDIN SPARKS: "IF WE HOLD ON TOGETHER"

Randy: I've been a fan of yours since day 1 in Seattle, tonight you made it a 3 girl race with Melinda and Lakisha.
Paula: You are a natural gift and a breath of fresh air.
Simon: It was a little bit gooey, but having said that, I thought it was a very, very good vocal and absolutly you have put yourself in to being in the finals with that.
Goldie: She seemed so much stronger in the auditions and has really disappointed me the last 2 weeks. This performance she let me know she has the pipes and if we give her a chance....she could wow us!

Supreme-ly Idol

2007-03-13T06:43:00.000-07:00

World-renowned artist Diana Ross will work with the Top 12 finalists this week on American Idol Tuesday, March 13 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), and will perform on the results show Wednesday, March 14 (9:00-9:30 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

The contestants will perform songs from the Diana Ross and the Supremes songbook.

Hmm... I can see how this works well for the women, but I can't get the image of Chris Sligh camping it up singing "Stop in the Name of Love" out of my head. Not that it'll happen, just what pops into my brain. That, and the ever changing hairstyles of Sanjaya.. is tonight the night he goes full out and performs in drag?

Another Painful Blow for Sundance

2007-03-11T10:05:00.000-07:00

As some of you may know, Sundance Head lives in a small town not far from me. After Thursday night's elimination from American Idol, the local news channels here reported another painful blow for Sundance.

He found out that his cousin, Burl Head died in a house fire early Thursday morning.

Sundance was not told the tragic news until after the broadcast Thursday.

Just Say No!

2007-03-10T16:51:00.000-08:00

Every now and then I reserve the right to blog about something in the music industry that has nothing to do with American Idol. This is one of those times. OMG! I just came across this picture of Eddie Van Halen, and all I could think was Just Say No! Drugs-Bad! It's amazing how much they age a person. Yikes. The missing teeth don't help much either. Fortunately, Eddie's in rehab now... as of a couple days ago.

This pic is just begging for a caption contest! So give us your best. :) Leave 'em in the comments section here on the blog, and I'll gettem posted ASAP. Crikee, Eddie's makin' Ron Woods (Rolling Stones) look clean.

For those of you too sinfully young to remember how adorable Eddie was way back when, here ya go. Hard to believe it's the same guy. Alas...

Many thanks for all the captions everyone, and to Ms B Haven, who was also kind enough to supply us with the blast from the past pic. Check out the comments here on the blog to see all of the captions.

Idol Castoffs Shocked

2007-03-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

Antonella, Other 'Idol' Castoffs Say They're Shocked To Be Heading Home.

'I was extremely disappointed and I was even angry,' says early favorite Sundance Head.

By Corey Moss, with additional reporting by Sasha Fedulow

The "American Idol" final 12 was determined Thursday, eliminating four more hopefuls.

Early favorites Sundance Head and Sabrina Sloan were voted off, as well as Antonella Barba, whose controversial Internet photos have caused a storm of publicity (see " 'Idol' Final 12 Celebrate With Simon; Antonella And Sundance Head Home"). We caught up with the four castoffs, who were all shocked to be heading home.

Antonella Barba
Thanks to those racy Internet pictures, the 20-year-old Point Pleasant, New Jersey, native is the show's most controversial singer since Corey Clark. In the end, though, her publicity could not make up for a string of performances berated by the judges.

Q: With all you were going through, what was it like hearing all those negative critiques each week?

A: It's difficult to be put down, especially on national television. More so, it's just difficult to hear that you're not good when you've made it this far and you know that you've made it for a reason. At the same time, sometimes I think they say things just to say things. I try to only listen to their constructive criticism, because negativity can just bring you down. What will make me sound better will be believing in myself and having confidence.

Q: How did you stay focused?

A: The vocal coach told me, "Don't mistake that feeling in your stomach for nerves. Sometimes it's not you being nervous, it's just your adrenaline preparing yourself for how big of a thing you're about to do." So I turned my nerves into positive energy. And before I got onstage, I would say a prayer.

Q: Stephanie Edwards described the two of you as best friends. How hard was it standing next to her and knowing one of you was going home?

A: I knew she was going to make it. We both thought we were both going to make it, actually. She's very sad for me. It was hard to go up onstage with her. I'm so happy for her, though.

Q: Do you think your heated exchange with Simon about Jennifer Hudson lost you some fans?

A: I don't think that was a heated exchange. It was an honest comment and hopeful for me. I look at Jennifer Hudson as a role model, and it's so inspiring to see how far she's gone from the show. I didn't mean any disrespect towards the judges. It's like, he's been wrong before about someone who's made it so big. Hopefully the same thing can happen to me.

Sundance Head
One of the most popular contestants since his audition aired, the 28-year-old Porter, Texas, native struggled through the Hollywood round and in his first week of the semifinals, but seemed to be settling in. Singing Pearl Jam's ""Jeremy" got mixed him reviews, but he was still expected to continue.

Q: The judges were genuinely shocked when you were sent home. What do you think happened?

A: I'm not real sure what happened. I don't know if America just considered me to be safe, that I didn't need the votes. That's what I think. At least, that's what I'm going to hope for, for my own morale. But I have to tell you, I was extremely disappointed and I was even angry. You can see when I did "Jeremy" — when it goes into the verse "Daddy didn't give affection/ And the boy was something mother wouldn't wear" — I was holding myself. I held my shirt. I felt like that was my chance to speak to America. I was really disappointed.

Q: Your father, Roy Head, had a hit song. Would you have sung it?

A: Absolutely. I would love to have done that. I didn't make it to the '60s [theme night], obviously, but if I would have, that would've been a treat to do. My dad has been a great mentor in my life. He's taught me everything I know. I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for my dad. I love him to death.

Q: Do you think singing "Jeremy" was a risk?

A: If we're not taking risks, it's pointless to be there. Anyone can come out and sing a song, but it's when you take a risk that makes it worth it. I feel like I did do that song well. Maybe I just didn't understand. I thought everyone knew who Pearl Jam was and what the song "Jeremy" was, 'cause in my life there was nothing bigger when the Seattle movement hit. And it was a time in my life when I actually was mowing lawns just to get the money to buy records. And Pearl Jam was one of my favorite bands and I felt that it was an honor to be able to do it on the show. Pearl Jam had never cleared a song to be performed on "American Idol" before. And when they told me they cleared the song for me to do it, I said, "Well, there's no other way. I've gotta do this song. If out of nothing but just respect for Eddie Vedder." It is what it is. I made that decision. I still feel good about it. I don't know if that's what tanked me or what. I do know that I was the #1-voted male for the last two weeks.

Q: What is your next move?

A: I'm gonna get a band together. We're gonna start playing, and I'm gonna throw down everywhere I can and just be a road warrior. Try to keep my fans happy — put stuff out on the Internet that they can listen to. And just keep on going. If anything else, this gives me more gas in my tank. And I just can't wait to get into my yard and hug the trees. I'm going to go fishing tomorrow. And just try to ground myself and hash this out — figure out what happened. I'm extremely confused. I've been riding this roller coaster for months now, and it's like doing 80 in a Ferrari and then just hitting the wall. I just don't know what happened. I'm a little bit confused. I don't know which direction to go in. It's a terrible thing. I could understand if I was sucking or whatever or just doing a terrible job, I could have prepared myself. But there was no doubt in my mind that I was gonna make it into the top 12. So emotionally I had no shields for this, and it's really eating at me.

Sabrina Sloan
If one bad song choice can halt a strong "Idol" run, then Sloan is living proof. The 27-year-old from Studio City, California, was coasting through the semifinals until Wednesday's rendition of En Vogue's "Don't Let Go (Love)" earned mostly negative comments.

Q: The judges were genuinely shocked when you were sent home. What was going through your mind?

A: I was shocked too. I was definitely surprised and really hadn't prepared myself for going home. Part of that is because of the judges' comments, saying, "You will definitely be here! You deserve to be in the top 12!" And I took that under consideration. America took it under consideration and thought I was safe and didn't need to vote. It feels like that was kind of what happened. I watched the show for five years and I tried to prepare myself every Thursday, 'cause you just never know and these things have happened before. I absolutely wanted to be in that 12. I'd already gotten ready to sing with [next week's guest coach] Diana Ross.

Q: Should the judges watch what they say?

A: It's hard because I'm sure they're not thinking about it as they are giving the comments, but America absolutely listens to them. And people who maybe didn't even catch the show and just catch the comments and take that into consideration then vote for who they think doesn't have a shot of getting in and who they want in. But at the same time, of course I want them to say that. It's really hard to tell. I would have rather that Simon didn't say [that it sounded like a hotel performance] when he did. That's not really true, but they have their opinions. And knowing that they were shocked by [the decision] too was definitely a consolation that they didn't mean for it to happen."

Q: Simon complained about the poor song choices made last week. Are you happy with your decision?

A: I still feel good about it. I still don't feel like I would have changed it. I haven't had an opportunity to watch it back yet, so it's possible that it was wrong. But I don't think it was a bad song choice.

Jared Cotter
"Idol" was "just another audition" for the 25-year-old waiter/ independent singer/ model from Kew Gardens, New York, but even without a lot of early camera time, he made it all the way to the final 16.

Q: Any theories on your elimination?

A: I honestly think it was Simon's comments this week and the previous week. My performance did not warrant me coming home. I'm really disappointed and I'm still shocked. It's really hard for me to swallow. I never expected to be home this early.

Q: Do you think things like VotefortheWorst.com are messing with the voting?

A: I don't know if it's messing things up. Sundance and Antonella were on VotefortheWorst and they got voted off. I do think they need to get a handle on those Web sites. But yesterday was definitely not based on votes alone. You had four contestants who were either extremely talented or in the media so much that they would have gotten through, so something's up. But I'm really happy I got in this position, being seen by 30 million people each week for three weeks.

Q: What do you think about the judges saying you need to show more originality?

A: I was doing songs where they recommend [that you not change them] so much. I was doing Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, I wasn't doing 311. I didn't want to change those songs too much, because they would have said, "Don't mess with those." So it was lose-lose for me.

Lord Have Mercy

2007-03-08T22:17:00.000-08:00

'Girls Gone Wild' Wants American Idol's Antonella Barba as Host
By Jack McGoughey

March 08, 2007

"Girls Gone Wild" founder and CEO Joe Francis said in a news release on Wednesday that he will offer American Idol contestant Antonella Barba $250,000 to become a host for his video company. "Girls Gone Wild" is famous for catching college girls exposing their breasts on film.

It provides Antonella Barba with another option if she doesn't last much longer on American Idol, if she chose to accept it.

Barba has grabbed headlines for herself and created controversy for American Idol when a series of racy photos, allegedly of Antonella Barba performing a sex act on a man along with other racy poses, made it on the internet. The photos caused an uproar among many who called for the ousting of Barba from American Idol.

"Antonella Barba is an unbelievably sexy girl who obviously knows how to have a good time," Joe Francis, founder of Girls Gone Wild, said in a statement. "Why are people being ridiculed and punished for being sexual? It's ridiculous."

The producers of American Idol however said that they would not cut Barba, who denies that it is her in the photos. Barba's fans supported her by voting her into the next round of competition.

Girls Gone Wild owner Francis sees an opportunity for both Girls Gone Wild and American Idol contestant Antonella Barba. If Barba does get voted off of the American Idol program, which could happen as soon as Thursday night, Francis has offered Barba a $250,000 contract to appear as a Girls Gone Wild celebrity host.

"We have reached out to Antonella Barba through her family and are trying to reach her directly in order to offer her a hosting job for one of our upcoming video projects," said Francis. "Just like the American Idol judges, we at Girls Gone Wild are looking for a girl next door, with sexiness, attitude, a carefree spirit and a presence that will command the attention of the Nation. There's a little 'Girls Gone Wild' in every woman, and this should be embraced as a positive, not a negative."

Girls Gone Wild isn't the only X-rated company that wants Antonella Barba. SugarDVD, the largest renter of adult DVDs online, says that they have offered Barba $500,000 to become their new spokesperson.

SugarDVD made headlines recently for offering Kim Kardashian $1 million for the same position as spokesperson. Kardashian turned them down.

There is no word yet as to whether Barba would even consider either of the offers.

Sources:
http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272612009.shtml
http://www.actressarchives.com/news.php?id=4469
http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_21267969.shtml

A Possible Explanation

2007-03-08T21:39:00.000-08:00

OK... At this point I don't remember if someone left the info as a comment or sent us a message, but I just scoured through last night's myspace bulletins, and this is the one that Bailey Brown (she was the blond highschooler from krum, texas that simon was salivating over) sent out to 5,000 of her closest personal friends, many of whom then left her messages telling her they'd voted gazillions of times and spread the word themselves.

Hm. I truly wonder if there isn't an ethical or even legal question here... Surely there must be something from the folks at fox that instructs the contestants they may not use their newfound 15 minutes of fame to influence the outcome of the show once they've left it.

Oh Sabrina

2007-03-08T18:49:00.000-08:00

I'm stunned. Just stunned. Sabrina Sloan is out? Haley Scarnato is in? Down is up. Up is down. I can only hope that some hungry R&D guy from some big label saw the show tonight, and signs her tomorrow morning. To think otherwise is impossible. It just doesn't compute. Sabrina is the total package... a killer voice, amazing stage presence, gorgeous, and marketable as hell. This is a huge mistake. You could almost see the dollar signs draining from Simon's face (and his bank account) when Ryan delivered the news.

I don't even have to check vote for the worst to know that Haley and Sanjaya will be their new picks. Which brings me to my next complaint: Sanjaya over Sundance? Granted, Sanjaya is adorable, though I was not digging the ironed out hair, but he just doesn't have the pipes. Sundance's performances have gotten consistently stronger, while Sanjaya's have deteriorated. When I saw Sanjaya's numbers jump once the west coast started voting, I had a feeling we were in for trouble, but I still held out some hope. It just doesn't make sense.

What we have here is a failure to communicate...

Or a failure to comprehend that this is not a student council election. This is a singing competition. Until that is respected and acknowledged, the entire show becomes suspect.

What are your thoughts?

America......Here Is Your Top 12!!!

2007-03-08T16:47:00.000-08:00

Guys:

Blake Lewis
Chris Sligh
Phil Stacey
Brandon Rogers
Chris Richardson
Sanjaya Malakar

Girls:

Lakisha Jones
Jordin Sparks
Melinda Doolittle
Gina Glocksen
Stephanie Edwards
Haley Scarnato

We lost 2 of the better contestants tonight with Jared Cotter and Sabrina Sloan! She is the biggest mistake since Jennifer Hudson! I can say that we can look forward to bad pageant talent each week! Perhaps we'll actually long for bad pageant talent since some of that has been better than anything Haley has brought to the competition! (Guess who I will be muting for as long as she stays!! ) But I have to give you props, America...... you got it right!!! Bu-bye Antonella and Sundance Head! I still wish Sanjaya was the one packing, but such is life! (We now have 2 that will be muted for the duration of their stay!)

On a higher note......Phil Stacey and Brandon Rogers get to stay and sing another song! I'll be here with the other divas as we bring you as much dish as possible!! Now let's just buckle up for the ride that is......AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 6!

Just My Opinion!!

2007-03-08T12:15:00.000-08:00

Hi, Kids!

It's revelation day! I hope beyond all hope that the correct people will be departing for their hometowns this evening! Due to websites like, votefortheworst.com, I have little hope that some of the actual worst will be getting the boot. (Need I mention names??......Yeah, OK, I'll mention a few)

I, like my good friend Caro, would love to see Antonella Barba pack her bags and leave the competition for good, but I hate to say it....I think she will be in the final 12. No, I do not think she deserves it......I don't believe she should still be in the competition....like most fair-minded Americans. Sadly, another less than brilliant singer that should get the boot, but will probably be there for the final 12 is none other than Sanjaya Malakar. (I can't say this enough....beautiful hair!!) For some reason, people have latched on to these 2 and want to hold on for dear life......well....I take it back.....guys, I see why you may have a little interest in Antonella, but come on......the looks may not always be there and when she tries to sing to you after that goes.....what then? At least Sanjaya can "hula";)....(I'm only going by what he said...not by what I saw)

I predict the 2 guys to be Sundance Head and Phil Stacey. Sundance has not performed like I had hoped from his original audition and with the screamfest he presented Tuesday.....it may be time to let him dance on out. Phil really disappointed me this past Tuesday with......well, actually I'm not sure what that was, but it was supposed to be a Leann Rimes song.....I'm thinking he should have left it for the females! That was horrible.....I would love to see him stay, because he has so much potential and I think, given a little more opportunity....he could blow our minds....but he may have just blown his chances! My other 2 possibles are Jared and Brandon, but these guys soooo deserve to stay that I can't say bye to them even in a prediction!

The girls are a little tougher. Last night really didn't light any fires for me until my Melinda.....(sorry, Caro......OUR Melinda;) blew up the stage!! She is brilliant!! I can't say enough good things about her.....just keep voting to keep her in.....(How awesome would the finale be to have Melinda and Lakisha battle it out? I love both of these ladies!!)

I'm going to predict the end of the road for Haley Scarnato. Again....she didn't do anything for me. Time to go....bu-bye! The other lady leaving......it may be a big surprise for us...a hurtful surprise.....possibly Stephanie Edwards or Jordin Sparks. Both ladies deserve to be there, but I'm a little worried. Sabrina Sloan did not sing like I know she can this week, but I'm with Carolyn on this one.....isn't she already famous???? I've said it to my friends many times....she is this season's "sleeper-idol" if she continues on....and she deserves a spot in the final 12! I like Gina. She didn't blow her song out or perform like I think she really can, but I would like to give her at least one more opportunity. I guess the only one I feel good about predicting to leave is Haley.

WOW!!! Tough week! I wish all of the contestants well, since it's obvious by some of the "talent" that is left luck is already involved. I would just really like to see as much of the remaining great talent to be in the 12 as possible. I'll find out with the rest of you guys tonight! Until then.....Goldie....out!

Girls Night 3

2007-03-08T07:20:00.000-08:00

Come on, Comcast!! I've got blogging to do! It's Girrrrrls Night!! Melinda! LaKisha! Stephanie! Jordin! Sabrina! Diiiivaaaas!!!!

Oh.. and in case you've forgotten, vote-for-the-worst is encouraging their 2 million people to vote like mad for Antonella. What does this mean to you? Well, If you want her gone, you have to vote your little hearts out for everyone else... or at least someone else... ya gotta be devoted to it.

So, whether it's the numbers you need, the judges comments, or my 2 cents you're looking for, look no further! Well, just look below this little paragraph. ;)

Phone 1-866-436-57_ _ or Text the word "Vote" to 57_ _

01 Jordin Sparks: "Heartbreaker"
Randy: It's like a different show when the girls come out. Not your best performance, and a little pitchy, but still better than all the boys last night.
Paula: You are exploding into your artistry.
Simon: Bit manic. Bit shrieky. You've done well though, and I think we'll see you in the top 12.
Carolyn: Jordin looks gorgeous tonight! Is it just me, or has she dropped a few pounds since the show began? I'm a Jordin fan. That being said, I agree with Simon - this was not her best, and it was a bit manic in the middle. Still, loads better than anything we saw last night, and she brought incredible energy to it.

02 Sabrina Sloan: "Don't Let Go "
Randy: i wanted more melody.
Paula: You can sing, sing, sing.
Simon: You're a great singer, but it's lacking the emotion of your key competitors: Melinda, Lakisha, Stephanie. All a bit mechanical for me.
Carolyn: Sabrina takes me by surprise every week. This week was no different. Every time I see her, I think, isn't she famous already?

03 Antonella Barba: "3 Little Birds"
Randy: Just another ok performance for me.
Paula: I think it was the right song choice for you.
Simon: You've gone as far as you can go, Antonella. You are surrounded by some pretty amazing girl singers. I feel for you. You've taken a lot of stick in the media, and you've handled yourself well. I just wish you were singing better.
Carolyn: Her best performance yet. May it be her last. I'm just done with this saga. Would someone please do us all a favor and install shocking devices on the cel phones of all the adolescent boys in america tonight? Please.

04 Haley Scarnato: "If my Heart had Wings"
Randy: A very interesting song choice. it's ok. pretty much in tune. No pizazz, no wow. No Yo.
Paula: You sang it well and you look good up there.
Simon: I thought it was horrible. Just horrible. And I'll tell you the problem, I don't know your name. You haven't made enough of an impression.
Carolyn: Nice, but boring... You can join Antonella.

05 Stephanie Edwards: "You Are My Heat"
Randy: Just ok for me, really.
Paula: I thought you were darn near flawless. You've got a beautiful voice and great showmanship.
Simon: No question, you're one of the best we've got. For me, you have 100% done enough tot sing your way into the final 12 next week.
Carolyn: Stephanie has a hellofa voice, and a very good presence. I think she's a shoe-in for the top 12, but I also get the sinking feeling that she'll be the one who's eliminated too early this season.

06 Lakisha Jones: "I have nothing"
Randy: Another great performance by the great Lakisha.
Paula: You've already made us love you. You're gonna stay right here and work on becoming the next idol.
Simon: You brought passion, believability, etc... And tonight, you look beautiful.
Carolyn: You had me at hello. From the first note... as it should be. As if she needed to prove anything to anyone, Lakisha took the stage and commanded the audience from the moment she opened her mouth. Just beautiful. Thank you. Kudos to the stylist tonight too. DIAL!!!

07 Gina Glocksen: "Don't Cry to Me"
Randy: Finally, the real Gina comes out tonight. This is who I always thought you were. keep the edge alive.
Paula: I completely agree. Watch the oversinging. Other than that, this is the style that suits you best.
Simon: It's the first time I've seen you look comfortable. I really really hope you make it through to next week. You deserve to be there.
Carolyn: I can't explain it, really. I just don't like her. Maybe it's the early cockiness that set me off. It's certainly not her voice. She has a terrific rocker-chick vibe to her. I guess I just want more from MY American Idol.

08 Melinda : "Cuz I'm a Woman"
Randy: {I was so blown away by Melinda's performance, I didn't even hear what Randy and Paula said}
Paula:
Simon: You little tiger. I thought we had a pussycat. It is very very nice that you are actually enjoying every moment on this show. A million percent we're gonna see you next week.
Carolyn: Um.. how can I put this? So you really get my sentiment? SO it's just as clear as a bell how I feel about Melinda and her performance tonight?
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!

Now if only I could post this. 9pm still out. 9:30 :(. 10:00. Unreal.

Crap.

I really pride myself on timely posts, and this is embarassing.

OK... It's now after 11pm eastern time, and my broadband's still out. Comcast really and truly sucks. This is the 8th outage in less than a month. I apologize for the tardiness in posting this... Whenever it is I finally do get to post it.

Midnight... still out. 1am.. I give up.

7am.. still out. Call and gripe at Comcast some more...

10:30am: FINALLY!!!!!

Just my opinion

2007-03-07T14:18:00.000-08:00

Thank goodness it's girls night. We don't have to hope they'll bring it. We know they will. It should be that way for absolutely every single person who appears on American Idol, male or female. We shouldn't be concerning ourselves with getting rid of the horrible ones that keep squeaking through.

Rather, we should be agonizing over which incredibly talented person to throw our support behind, knowing that doing so will halt the dream, ever so momentarily, for another incredibly talented person.

Frenchie v Fox?

2007-03-07T08:18:00.000-08:00

Finally, Frenchie makes a statement on the Barba situation... Here's the AP article.

`American Idol' gets its first big controversy of season
By Lynn Elber, AP Television Writer March 7, 2007

LOS ANGELES --Frenchie Davis, dumped by the "American Idol" TV singing competition in 2003 for lingerie shots posted on a Web site, moved on to Broadway success and thought she had buried a humiliating chapter of her young life.

That changed in the last few days after contestant Antonella Barba was allowed to stay on the top-rated Fox series despite the emergence of racy online photos that purport to be of Barba, but with no verification.

The first big controversy of the show's sixth season swelled Tuesday when fans and a civil-rights activist rallied to Davis' side, saying she was the victim of unfair and potentially biased treatment. Davis is black; Barba is white.

"We object to having one rule for black contestants and a different rule for white contestants who exhibit the same behavior," said Najee Ali, founder of Islamic Project H.O.P.E., a Los Angeles-based community-action group.

Davis said she is bewildered over what's happened with Barba, 20, of Point Pleasant, New Jersey.

"I don't necessarily think that (it's racism), but I can certainly look at this and understand why people would draw that conclusion," Davis said Tuesday from New York, hours before going on stage in the musical "Rent."

"I'm not bashing `Idol' or Antonella. She's a beautiful girl and she's young. I think it's great that she didn't have to go through what I went through," said Davis, 27, who suggested that the show's producers might have learned from how they treated her.

Davis would welcome a public apology from them as "a great start." But she said she is owed more for "the manner in which I was humiliated and the manner in which Antonella was defended and protected by the same people who humiliated me."

"Now they need to come to the table and see what we can do to make up" for her treatment, Davis said. She declined to say if she would seek a financial settlement or a record contract or other deal.

Belinda Foster, Davis' manager, took part in a small protest Tuesday with Ali outside the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles where "American Idol" tapes. She said there are stark differences in the treatment of the two contestants.

Foster noted the sympathetic comments of "American Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe, who was quoted on Entertainment Weekly's Web site recently saying he was aware of the photos associated with Barba, but adding: "It's sad, isn't it, that your best friends are the ones that come forward with information that will go to Smoking Gun or put your photographs on the Web?"

Fox and the producers have declined further comment on Barba, who was to perform again Wednesday as the contestants are narrowed down this week to the 12 finalists. All the singers, including Barba, have been unavailable for interviews.

A source close to the show, who asked not to be identified because of the lack of authorization to comment publicly, said Fox and the producers believe seminude photos of Barba were posted without her consent and that racier shots, showing a sex act, were of a woman other than Barba.

Whether Barba posted any photos or allowed them to be posted is immaterial, Ali said.

"`American Idol' has first and foremost proclaimed it is a family show. ... No matter who made the photos public, it still speaks to her moral character and integrity, and certainly her silence speaks for itself," he said.

A fan group lead by Chris Tian, a singer-songwriter in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is calling on Fox to give Davis another shot at competing on "Idol."

Although she's wonderful in "Rent," Tian said, "a lot of Broadway artists don't get record deals. This could open up the path for her big record deal and big break."

The hit series has rarely managed a quiet year, with past issues ranging from voter complaints over overloaded phone systems to a contestant's allegation of an affair with judge Paula Abdul, which she denied.

The big-voiced Davis, on the verge of being voted a finalist by viewers in the year in which Ruben Studdard won, said she was honest with producers about posing for lingerie photos at age 19, five years before going on "American Idol."

In a statement Tuesday, Fox said, "We have never discussed the specifics of why Ms. Davis was eliminated, nor will we now."

The network said it had "no desire to revisit history and sully the reputation of Ms. Davis. She was removed from the show over four years ago and has gone on to a successful performing career."

That achievement has been a salve, of sorts, for Davis.

"I don't feel anything about the show. I haven't watched it. When `American Idol' comes on at 8 o'clock at night, I'm on stage," Davis said.

Dial Idol Stats - Men

2007-03-07T06:20:00.000-08:00

As you may know, there is a site out there that measures the busy signals for all the contestants, and they use this information to predict who is safe and who is toast. While it's not an exact science, it does seem to be very accurate for predicting who is safe from elimination. However, in checking the stats for the 2 weeks prior, on both counts, the bottom of their list did NOT go home.

Now on to last night... What a difference a time zone makes. At the end of the Eastern and Central time zone voting, these were the predicted voting stats, from first to worst:

Now fast forward 3 hours to include the west coast, and the bottom changes dramatically.

1-8 Chris Richardson - 10.91
1-8 Chris Sligh - 10.9
1-8 Blake Lewis - 9.94
1-8 Sanjaya Malakar -9.18
1-8 Brandon Rogers - 8.89
1-8 Jared Cotter - 7.78
1-8 Sundance Head - 7.6
1-8 Phil Stacey - 7.42

It's actually quite a bit more dramatic if you see the graphic, which is now all in red, meaning, it's all too close to call. Here's the link for the site: Click Here.

Round 3: The Guys!

2007-03-06T16:55:00.000-08:00

I have to say it has been very disappointing for me tonight! I was really hoping the guys were going to blow my mind, but they wouldn't be able to blow up a balloon for me with the performances tonight! There are 2 definites that I would send home, but we'll just have to wait and see. Please vote.....and get it right!!! We need a winning top 12!!

Now, on to tonight's performance critiques:

Phone 1-866-436-57_ _ or Text the word "vote" to 57_ _

01 BLAKE LEWIS: "Keep Me Coming"

Randy: You know what I'm loving about this season....this is the first season where we've had current artists like yourself!
Paula: I didn't know the song, but I was interested! Very Good!
Simon: I didn't understand a word you said, but I liked it, Randy and Paula are right you're current and you will be here next week!
Goldie: He is just FUN!!!! I really like him and I think he should be in the finals for sure!!

02 SANJAYA MALAKAR: "Waiting On The World To Change"

Randy: To say it was better than last week is funny.....he hasn't returned to the good singer we first saw.
Paula: I don't agree completely. You have a lot of older more experienced guys around you, but I want you to raise your game!
Simon: It wasn't as ghastly as last week, and you are popular because you are still here, but this is a singing competition and your vocals just aren't as good as some!
Goldie: If he doesn't go home this week, America will have let me down!! He is a sweet kid with a very bright future, but not in singing.....maybe a shampoo commercial...he has FABULOUS hair!

03 : SUNDANCE HEAD: "Jeremy"

Randy: I like the southern rock thing like Pearl Jam.
Paula: You pulled it out tonight!
Simon: I didn't like it as much as last week. You went from good last week to a bar routine this week. I didn't like it you sounded like you were shouting the whole thing.
Goldie: I'll be honest here....I'm not impressed at all! He can only do one style and I'm just not feeling what he has to say. His performance was pretty good, but it was just ok...a lot of screaming....He just hasn't stepped up like I was hoping he would in this competition. I would not be upset at all if he goes home!

04 CHRIS RICHARDSON: "Tonight I Wanna Cry"

Randy: Every week you come out here and blast the guy's week. You are showing you are in it to win it!
Paula: Good song choice! You adapted it well and put your own spin on it.
Simon: It was good, not the best vocal we heard...a little nasally, but I don't think we've heard what you're capable of. Anyone else...that song would have been a problem.
Goldie: A couple of pitch problems, but I still love this guy! He can sing and he is stepping up to show a very versatile singer! He sooooo deserves to stay!

05 JARED COTTER: "If You Really Love Me"

Randy: I was worried, but you gave a good solid performance!
Paula: I think you need to work on coloring up the way you sing! I sometimes feel like you shout.
Simon: It wasn't very original. We've heard a lot of performances like this, but you are popular. I'm a little disappointed because I'm not seeing the WOW factor tonight!
Goldie: I love him! He's not the best vocalist, but he's fun and has great charisma! I think he could really wow us if we give him a chance!!!

06 : BRANDON ROGERS: "I Just Want To Celebrate"

Randy: I think it was a good choice. It was good, but you got a little messed up at the end.
Paula: I think it was pretty phenomenal and you are proving why you belong on that stage.
Simon: I have high hopes from you because you are one of the better singers and I have a horrible feeling that song may not be enough for you this week. It wasn't enough melody and I just don't feel good about it.
Goldie: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE HIM!!!! I really hope America gives him a chance to show what he can do in the top 12! He is one of the best voices in the competition...he just didn't show it tonight.

07 PHIL STACEY: "How Can I Live Without You"

Randy: You got that big old voice, the high notes are great, but the lower register is very pitchy. But you are good and I like you.
Paula: Odd choice of song, I don't feel it was your best performance.
Simon: I just didn't get it and with the hat and big eyes was just very odd. Strange choice of song. Overall tonight it's a disappointing night going into the final 12.
Goldie: I was very nervous when he first started, but as usual.....he ended pretty well. But what was up with the song choice?? I would like to see how far he can go! He's won me over!

08 CHRIS SLIGH: "We All Wanna Be Loved"

Randy: I'm not sure that was my favorite song choice. It wasn't the best night for the boys, but you get the vocal award tonight!
Paula: You need to stretch more and take some risks. It wasn't my favorite performance for you.
Simon: You've done enough to make it to the finals, but it wasn't your best.
Goldie: His voice is soooo good to me. I really think he has potential to blow us out this season!

AMERICAN IDOL TUESDAY WAS A BIG SUCCESS!!! NOW LET'S VOTE TO KEEP OUR FAVES, AMERICA!!!!

The Guys - Pre Show 3

2007-03-06T15:34:00.000-08:00

**Updated with post-show predictions at the end.

Happy Idol Tuesday, everyone! We managed to make it through a whole week with no new scandals, and it seems even Barba-gate is settling down. I'm guessing that after tomorrow night, even that will be a non-issue, and we can get down to the nitty gritty of selecting a real American Idol. I'm laying my hat in Melinda's corner.

For tonight, it's the guys turn, and what remains to be seen is will the extemely talented Brandon finally make a good song choice, and sing his tushy off, or will he blow it completely, and get written off.. or voted off, in this case. I believe his chances are running short, and it's definitely a now or never situation. Same goes for Sanjaya. Either he ramps it up tonight, or he's toast. My third pre-show elimination possibility prediction is Jared, and last but not least, Sundance. I feel quite safe in saying it will be 2 of these 4, and I'll commit to which 2 after the show...

Any of you care to share your pre-show predictions? Leave us a comment and let us know!

OK, show's over... I'm thinking hasta la vista for Sanjaya, and as much as it pains me to say it, I think Brandon's done too, but I'll be voting for him, and I'm just deluded enough to think I'll make a difference.. so... Jared and Sanjaya. That's my final answer.

Round 2: The Eliminations

2007-03-01T17:00:00.000-08:00

Last week we said good-bye to 4 hopefuls and tonight is round 2 of the eliminations! 4 more will go home.......will it be your favorite???

The Guys: Nick Pedro
A.J. Tabaldo

The Girls: Alaina Alexander
Leslie Hunt

America.....if I was with you guys right now.....I would kiss all of you on the mouth like you have never been kissed before!!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for leaving my Brandon Rogers in the competition!! He is amazing and will only get better as will Jared Cotter....(that's Pickles' favorite)!!! I'm so glad my predictions did not come true for the guys! MUAH, MUAH, MUAH!!!! Good luck to both Nick and A.J. who helped make the last 2 weeks memorable.

My predictions for the girls was right on. They just were not strong enough vocally to compete with the others. Leslie is adorable and has such a great attitude. I hope she goes far! Alaina showed another reason I would never vote for her .......her snippy bad loser attitude at being sent home. I hope it was only because of the disappointment of losing, but she's shown it in the past and maybe needs to work on that! Good luck to both ladies! And again....Thank you America for getting it right!!! Until next week.....Goldie....out! (I just love Ryan Seacrest's signoff)

Don't forget this weeks trivia question!! Go to AmericanIdol.com to enter or Text the word "Vote" to 51555.

Who was a big winner at this year's Grammy awards?

A) Taylor Hicks
B) Carrie Underwood
C) Ruben Studdard

Good Luck-----maybe we'll see you next week live!! If any of you do win...please drop a line to us!

Just My Opinion!!

2007-03-01T13:25:00.000-08:00

Hello All in IdolDish land!!!

I'm ready for the results tonight! I can only say MELINDA DOOLITTLE IS FABULOUS!!!! I have loved her from the beginning and I'm pulling for her all the way!!! (Sorry....I am a little bit of a fan!!) Still....there is a lot of talent left in our little group of Idol hopefuls and I'm sure it will be an interesting journey to the finale! I only hope some of the more deserving people (ya know.....the talented ones) make it to the end!

The girls displayed their diva ablilites last night like I knew they would! They have not let me down yet! Thank goodness the guys brought their 'A' game this week! It feels like a competition again. The only sad thing is....someone has to leave. Actually.....after a few of those performances....there are several I would send home!

I'm prediciting Brandon Rogers and Jared Cotter for the guys and Alaina Alexander and Leslie Hunt for the girls. I would not choose Brandon or Jared....personally, I would send A.J. and either Sanjaya or Nick packing, but America seems to like the less talented (not that they don't have some talent or a lot of potential...I just like to see the best in a competition!). My vote for the girls would be Alaina Alexander and Haley Scarnato. Neither of these girls have done anything to impress me yet. I felt like I was watching some very bad pageant talent when they were singing last night!

I have to say.....the Antonella Barba issue has disappointed me. I don't understand why the folks at Idol would keep her around after the story broke about her this week. Not that I have a problem with her or what she has done in her past. It's the fact they seem to be using a double standard.....I know we all remember Frenchie Davis! It was a similar situation and it seems they are giving special treatment and I don't like that!

Anyhoo....those are my thoughts for the day....see you guys a little later for the results and we'll see if my predictions are right! Until then.....Goldie...out!

Girls Night, 2

2007-02-28T16:54:00.000-08:00

Last night the guys brought their A-game, and not to be outdone, the ladies threw down again tonight. Positively diva-licious!

Whether it's the numbers you need, the judges comments, or my 2 cents you're looking for, look no further! Well, just look below this little paragraph. ;)

Phone 1-866-436-57_ _ or Text the word "Vote" to 57_ _

01 : Gina Glocksen" "
Randy: This is where you belong
Paula: 2 seasons ago, Carrie sang it, and we were really surprised then, but.. man! Really good.
Simon: Good choice of song. Vocals a bit forced at the end. I thought when we put you through that you were a little bit more edgy than this.
Carolyn: She dedicated the song to her boyfriend, Joe, who's been her rock through this process for the past 2 years. Gina's lookin' like Pat Benatar tonight... sort of a cross between Joan Jett and Pat Benatar, actually... and absolutely kickin ass vocally. Wow. I'm not a fan, but that was terrific! And.. she showed some humility tonight, which was quite refreshing from her, agreeing with Simon when he said she would never be a match vocally for some of the girls in this competition.

02 : Alaina Alexander "Not Ready to Make Nice "
Randy: Well it started off well... It was a mess for me. All over the place.
Paula: It's a hard song to sing.
Simon: It was like Randy taking part in a 100 meter sprint. 3/4 of the way through he would run out of steam.. and so did you.
Carolyn: Sounding very good... but she just lost the red states. Gorgeous... but she didn't make it her own.. not even a little bit. On the plus side, she kinda reminded me of Jennifer Love Hewitt tonight - maybe there's a tv show in her future.

03 : Lakisha Jones "Midnight Train to Georgia "
Randy: What I love is that you flipped it up from last week. That was hot!
Paula: I loved it, and I love you.
Simon: Interesting dance at the end. You are a phenomenally good singer. Not as good as last week. You can afford to start acting like a big star, because you're going to be a big star. Didn't like the outfit.
Carolyn: I was concerned when Lakisha began her song. I mean, after last week, where did she have to go? But she worked it perfectly. She made us wait in anticipation for the big voice, and when she delivered, we couldn't have been more satisfied.

04 : Melinda Doolittle "My Funny Valentine"
Randy: We got a competition. Melinda came out to win it! That was hot!
Paula: To me that was just astounding. You phrased that song so beautifully. I applaud you.
Simon: That was incredible. Without question, the best vocal we've had on this show. You are a breath of fresh air.
Carolyn: The only woman on the show who could possibly follow LaKisha.. truly... to put anyone else in this postition would just be inhumane. Melinda is vocal perfection. She is fabulous. And she absolutely nailed it! For the love of all that is good and holy, please vote your fingers off for this woman!

05 : Antonella Barba "Because You Loved Me"
Randy: On the positive side, you're a drop dead gorgeous girl. But that song was way too big for you. I wish I could sing like Celine too...
Paula: Antonella, you made leaps and bounds from last week.
Simon: Very tough, Antonella. The problem was, most of the vocals just weren't good enough. I thought you were worst than last week.
Carolyn: This young lady has had a hell of a week. For her to have the courage to stand on this stage and sing tonight is huge. That being said, she again chose a song that was too big for her. Way too big. It was nice karaoke. Nothing more.

06 : Jordin Sparks "When Will my Reflection Show... "
Randy: That piece made you really emotional about your brother. ("yeah") I am so so impressed with where you are and the ability that you have.
Paula: There's something about you that's infectious. You're just a good good human being. I know you're gonna be around for a really long time.
Simon: It wasn't your best, but compared to a lot of other people, it was excellent.
Carolyn: She had a rough start due to the emotion of the dedication , but Jordin kept it together and followed the directions from last week - she chose a big song for her big voice. I agree with the judges on this one. She seems a terrific kid, and very, very talented. I think she'll be around for the top 12, and she deserves it.

07 : Stephanie Edwards "Dangerously in Love"
Randy: You look hot. You sang your face off. But.. it's a little Beyonce light to me. Don't worry about copying her.
Paula: I think you were fantastic, brilliant.
Simon: I have to agree with Paula. You're not just taking part in the competition, putting your mark down. I thought it was a terrific.
Carolyn: Stephanie has "it." She has that star quality... that presence that makes you want to pay attention. From the moment she takes the stage.... Oh, and by the way, being compared to Beyonce.. not such a terrible thing.

08 : Leslie Hunt "It's a New Dawn"
Randy: It's definitely good to see you return to your jazzy scattin kind of thing. It was pitchy for me. Just a'ight.
Paula: You're being you. You're back in your element.
Simon: You've just been whacked by 3-4 big big voices before you. It was better than last week, but not many people are going to remember this performance over the others.
Carolyn: For me, it was surprisingly good... interesting... not voting for her, but good. She has a very jazz club feel to her.. small jazz club.

09 : Haley Scarnato "Queen of the Nile"
Randy: It wasn't great for me. Vocally it just wasn't on point.
Paula: Leaps and bounds better than last week.
Simon: A for effort. No one can say you didn't give it a go. If you're gonna take on a Whitney song, you do it at your own peril, because you're always going to be compared. I'd say you're one of 3 girls in peril tonight.
Carolyn: Aaaaack! It's karaoke time - starring pre-heroin, white, sub-standard voice Whitney. Buh-bye Hayley. We hardly knew ya.

10 : Sabrina Sloan "All the Man I Need "
Randy: Nice one. Some moments when you lost touch with the pitch.
Paula: I love you. You are fantastic. You are a big contender in this competition.
Simon: I don't think you should sing Whitney. I preferred you last week. You'll be back next week.
Carolyn: Sabrina, unlike Haley, may sing all the Whitney she needs or wants.

Let the dialing begin!! Please let us know who you're voting for and how easily you're able to get through, so we can make an educated guess about tomorrow night.

She Who Should Have Been Kept

2007-02-28T12:12:00.000-08:00

I'm not going to say a word. The Audition tape speaks for itself.

And another...

Judges Support Barba

2007-02-28T10:37:00.000-08:00

Here's the official word from the judges, host and producer of American Idol. Truly, I find it suspect. They say they'll be leaving it in the hands of the voters, that it's her private life, that no one is clean, etc., etc., but it just doesn't ring true considering prior dismissals. By saying they're leaving it up to the voters, it's as if they are washing their hands of it, and frankly, it still leaves the door wide open for vote manipulation.

'American Idol' host and judges voice support for Antonella Barba

By Steve Rogers, 02/28/2007

Now that American Idol has decided not to disqualify Antonella Barba over the emergence of numerous provocative photos, the show's host and judges are circling the wagons in support of the sixth season semifinalist.

"These people haven't done anything illegal; that's their private life," Idol judge Simon Cowell told USA Today at a Tuesday night Playboy Mansion party to celebrate the upcoming Sunday night third season premiere of E!'s The Girls Next Door reality show. "[The photos should] not affect her standing on the show, and if the public wants to keep her in, they'll keep her in."

"Nobody's clean in the entertainment business," Idol judge Randy Jackson, who also attended the Playboy party, told USA Today. "There are definitely some moral things that go on with this show."

Although he claimed to have not yet seen the photos, Idol host Ryan Seacrest -- whose new Paradise City reality show will premiere after The Girls Next Door on Sunday night -- also voiced strong support for Barba. "[I would] absolutely let [Barba] stay on. If American Idol is a true representation of American youth, we're going to find imperfections, Seacrest told USA Today. "And it's OK to be imperfect."

According to Seacrest, the morals of the person who released the Barba photos should be the more unsettling issue. "It's just tacky, disgusting," Seacrest told the newspaper. "You've got a girl who's trying to make it on a show where she needs a vote, and someone's trying to tear that away from her."

Earlier on Tuesday, American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe -- breaking several days of silence on Barba's fate -- had revealed that the show had decided not to disqualify from the smash-hit Fox reality competition.

"Lythgoe [told] Extra he's not kicking the Jersey girl off, her fate is in the voters' hands," Extra co-host Mark McGrath reported during the syndicated entertainment news program's Tuesday evening broadcast.

"Without question, any competition like this is part popularity contest," Lythgoe told Extra correspondent (Cowell's longtime girlfriend) Terri Seymour during an interview that was presumably taped sometime on Monday or early Tuesday.

"It won't effect anything, Antonella is about her looks and her talent and that's the only thing that will effect her journey on American Idol," Lythgoe added in a second interview broadcast on Tuesday evening's Inside Edition.

Earlier this week, Amanda Coluccio, the Barba best friend who also made it to American Idol 6's Hollywood round but failed to make the season's Top 24 semifinalists cut, told her local The Star-Ledger newspaper that only some of the photos that have emerged online are actually of Barba, a 20-year-old Point Pleasant, NJ native.

According to Coluccio, the "tamer shots" -- including an American Beauty tribute photo that features a naked Barba covered by rose petals -- are legitimate and were taken as part of a calendar that she gave her boyfriend of several years but she is certain that the "lewdest" -- specifically the ones that allegedly show Barba performing a sex act -- aren't of Barba.

Round 2: The Guys

2007-02-27T16:46:00.000-08:00

YAY!!! Another American Idol Tuesday night full of hopes and dreams! My dream for this week is we don't have another nauseatingly boring show like we had last week! If the guys don't bring it like I feel some of them can....I quit watching the guys!!!! (not really.....but, I'll want to) Just like any other addiction....just can't give it up!

Before we get started, I have to say......GO JENNIFER HUDSON!!!! MISS OSCAR WINNER!!! I was screaming, doing the happy dance and crying all at the same time! Pickles was hanging upside down and flapping his wings like he always does when he is excited (for those of you who don't know...Pickles is a bird) She did such a great job in the movie and was my favorite from season 3! I even got to meet her at the American Idol Finale right after she had won the role of Effie and she came out of the Kodak Theater to tell me all about it! I wish I knew what was going through her mind (it had to be such a surreal moment) standing on the stage where she wasn't "good" enough to win American Idol holding her Oscar! (YOU GO GIRL!!) LOVE, LOVE, LOVE HER!!!!

Now on with the show!!! I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed for something really good!!!

Phone 1-866-436-57_ _ or Text the word "vote" to 57_ _

01 PHIL STACEY: "I Ain't Missing You At All"

Randy: You starting off the week right, that was hot!
Paula: I can hear how great the tone to your voice is. I can hear you on the radio.
Simon: I'm not jumping out of my chair. You are very popular. I'm not hearing anything unique just a really good karaoke singer. But you are not going anywhere, you will be here next week!
Goldie: He started the night off right for me!! I'm not jumping out of my chair either, but this guy really impressed me last week and he impressed me even more this week. I hope he stays around for a long time! He's very likeable and seems to be improving already which is a good sign to me!

02 JARED COTTER: "Let's Get It On"

Randy: You took a chance, but I liked it. Pitchy in parts, but the facial expressions were hot!
Paula: You're a good looking guy, but that is the kind of song you don't have to push...
Simon: I'm glad you make an attempt to make a statement, but it reminded me of the "Love Boat" cabaret show!
Goldie: I loved his performance! He was a bit pitchy in parts, but still fun for me! He just might be my Elliott Yamin this season!!!

03 A.J. Tabaldo: "I'm Feelin' Good"

Randy: It was so much better than last week and proved you got skills.
Paula: Props to you guys (band) and your tone was good and you showed how good you are.
Simon: That was actually nearly very good. You had some tune problems in the middle, but you made yourself different. You stood out and that was the first time we saw your Personality and you looked strangly comfortable doing that. (dance)
Goldie: I liked him much better than last week. I have to agree with all 3 judges.

04 SANJAYA MALAKAR: "Steppin' Out With My Baby"

Randy: You're a nice kid, I like you, but this was really wierd. It was like a high school talent show.
Paula: You sang on pitch. You have an old soul and you must love music of that genre. I like you but pick songs that celebrate your youth
Simon: A ghastly lunch where the children dress up and sing. Very weak, a little wierd, no impact. You were whispering part of that song.
Goldie: He's a very sweet guy with an ok voice. Not American Idol material. He's the kind I wish was really good because he's so nice.

05 CHRIS SLIGH: "Trouble"

Randy: You returned! You got skills! Good choice!
Paula: Watch your pitch and getting ahead of the music!
Simon: Tonight you were a very good singer!
Goldie: I love his voice! I didn't like the song choice...it was boring for me! But no doubt about it...Chris has a great voice and should stay.

06 NICK PEDRO: "Fever"

Randy: That was cool. You returned to your old self....smoky and sultry.
Paula: Love the tone of your voice. Just let go!
Simon: It was good. You lacked charisma.
Goldie: Very pitchy at times!!! I like Nick, but he will need to do a lot more to impress me! Nice voice, but just no charisma!

07 BLAKE LEWIS: "Virtual Insanity"

Randy: It's so good to see you return to who you are!
Paula: You are making smart choices. No one else like you in the competition.
Simon: I like you, this week the 1st part was copy cat, 2nd part original, 3rd part was pitchy. I was very disappointed this week.
Goldie: I love this guy! He's just fun! He showed his beat boxing/skatting skill a little tonight and that just made it more fun! A bit pitchy (actually....a lot pitchy) but good!

08 BRANDON ROGERS: "Time After Time"

Randy: I don't think it did enough for you vocally! Kind of boring.
Paula: I felt your heart, you don't have to oversing!
Simon: You have got to come out here when you are as talented as you are. This feeling it nonsense doesn't work! You're a good singer!
Goldie: I love Brandon! I liked him from the first audition until now, but I think he understates himself too much! He needs to bring it like I know he can!

09 CHRIS RICHARDSON: "Geek in the Pink"

Randy: I got to tell you Chris is in it to win it tonight! That was hotter than the original!
Paula: Does grandma know what "Geek in Pink" is?
Simon: You're somebody to watch...best tonight by a mile!
Goldie: Loved him! Very fun!

10 SUNDANCE HEAD: "Mustang Sally"

Randy: What a difference a week makes! Welcome back! You dropped a bomb on us tonight! That is the reason you are here! That was hot!
Paula:You have to bring it like that every week! That range is awesome...best vocal ever!!
Simon: I'm glad we have the Sundance back we really liked! Everyone was on their feet, but you can do better!
Goldie: Much better night for Sundance!!! Back to his old self that I loved in auditions!!

MUCH BETTER THAN LAST WEEK!! THANKS GUYS....AMERICAN IDOL TUESDAY WAS A BIG SUCCESS!!! NOW LET'S VOTE TO KEEP OUR FAVES, AMERICA!!!!

The Antonella Factor

2007-02-26T08:08:00.000-08:00

Photos showing Antonella Barba performing fellatio on an unidentified male would seem to suggest Antonella Barba's time on American Idol is up... Whether the pics are really her or not. There are arguments and supposed photo "proofs" on both sides, claiming the beauty marks prove it is her, while others claim the shape of the ear proves it's not her.

The question is, how will the Idol producers handle it? Do they care? Will they take the time to truly investigate the matter? Will pressure from the notoriously conservative Fox network put the kibosh on the whole thing, real or not?

Will they be honest and respect the audience by removing her and replacing her with an alternate? Or will they be scuzzy about it, and claim she just didn't get the votes this week? I'm hoping for the former, but I don't really trust the Idol producers enough to believe that's the route they'll take.

Here's the thing, Barba is almost a sure thing to remain votefortheworst.com's female pick, not only because of her less than voice, but because of the scandal, so the likelihood of her not getting enough votes is very slim.

Not many who take the show seriously will be casting their votes for Barba, and scandal or not, she is one of the disposable females, but I for one want Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe to be up front about it.

How about you?

Congratulations Jennifer!

2007-02-26T07:20:00.000-08:00

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson... That has a very nice ring to it.

The most head-spinning week in Jennifer Hudson's life began with her singing at her childhood church in Chicago and culminated Sunday night with her accepting the movie world's highest honor before a Kodak Theatre packed with Hollywood's biggest stars and an international audience of millions.

"I have to just take this moment in," the tearful 25-year-old South Sider said as she accepted the best supporting actress Academy Award for her spotlight-seizing turn as Effie in the musical "Dreamgirls." "I cannot believe this. Look what God can do. I didn't think I was going to win. If my grandmother was here to see me now--she was my biggest inspiration. She had the passion for it, but she never had the chance."

Earlier in the evening, at Elton John's 15th annual Oscar viewing party to benefit the Elton John Aids Foundation, "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell waxed poetic on former "Idol" finalist Hudson.

"I feel like her foster parent," he said, beaming about the woman he once berated on "Idol."

More JHud News

2007-02-24T14:45:00.000-08:00

Since tomorrow's Oscar night, and the lovely and talented former American Idol Jennifer Hudson is nominated, I thought it fitting to do a little update on her. Seems to me, Miss Hudson's keepin' it real and staying grounded. We wish her the best of luck tomorrow night!!! Who'da thunk it? An American Idol Oscar nominee?!
And... the first black singer on the cover of Vogue magazine... EVER! She looks GORGEOUS!

The Miami Herald Reports...

A wholesome `Idol' For Oscar nominee Jennifer Hudson, there was no question where she'd celebrate her success in the week leading up to the Academy Awards -- at her family's church.

''I don't do clubs. I don't drink. I don't smoke,'' Hudson told a boisterous crowd at Progressive Baptist Church on Chicago's South Side on Monday night. ``I'm not having no club party; I better have a praise party.''

Hudson, 25, headlined a gospel concert named in her honor, ''An Evening of Praise With Jennifer Hudson,'' accompanied by the acclaimed Soul Children of Chicago.

Hudson's bid to become last year's American Idol ended early, but she went on to win a Golden Globe Award last month and is among the nominees for best supporting actress at the Oscars on Sunday for her role in Dreamgirls.

Next month, Hudson will become the first African-American singer to appear on the cover of Vogue, for its annual Power Issue.

Friday Funnies

2007-02-23T13:57:00.000-08:00

Not a whole lot more idol news goin' on at the moment, and I can't bring myself to post nearly naked photos of a teenager on vacation somewhere, especially since the same could be posted of me way back when I did a euro teen tour... (glass houses and all, ya know?)... Nor do I have any interest in delving into the criminal records of former and current idol hopefuls...

So.. I found this very funny video on youtube. Please enjoy and have a great weekend!

American Idol Camp

2007-02-23T08:37:00.000-08:00

Apparently the advertising $$ generated by a month long celebration of the worst America has to offer is not enough for the American Idol producers...In an attempt to separate you from your hard earned dollars, seems the Idol series producers have leant their names to a camp for aspiring young idols. The camp will not be audition based - all are free to drop $2900 for 10 days. Would you send your adolescent child?

‘American Idol’ camp for teens to open
New performing arts summer camp to cost $2,900 per student
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - How can you spend your summer vacation, if you’re 12 to 15: Go to “American Idol” camp.

Idol Camp, a performing arts summer camp for kids who crave more than kayaking and hiking, is opening in Massachusetts, it was announced Thursday by series creator 19 Entertainment and co-producer FremantleMedia.

The camp’s limited enrollment isn’t audition-based and won’t guarantee a spot on “American Idol” or provide any advantage in the Fox series’ audition process, a spokesman said. The TV show’s age limit is 16 to 28.

Would-be campers should demonstrate a passion for the arts and a desire to perform, a release said. Four sessions described as “noncompetitive” are planned this summer for July and August.

The camp’s cost is $2,900 per student for 10 days and includes room, board, classes and souvenirs. According to FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment, a “certain percentage” of students will be eligible for full scholarships based on financial need.

The experience at the Northfield, Mass., camp will include classes with professional artists, former “American Idol” contestants and others in the entertainment industry. Subjects will include singing, dancing and acting.

More familiar camp pastimes such as swimming and field sports will be available.

And The Losers Are......

2007-02-22T17:04:00.000-08:00

Even though we say good-bye to 4 people tonight, I'm not even a little sad. After the "yawner" Tuesday night, I was beginning to wonder why I liked this show so much in the past. Thank God for Wednesday night when the girls displayed actual talent. I have to say, I wish more than 4 were leaving. I just hope America gets it right!

One good moment of the night for me was when Chris Sligh apologized to Simon for his cocky comeback Tuesday night. I was sort of hoping maybe he could be in the bottom 2 and not get sent home to teach him a lesson...(it's waaaay tooo early for anyone to be that cocky!)....but I think he was just a little misunderstood when he was trying to be funny. Simon still likes him and so do I!

Song choice and nerves are sure to play a big part in the eliminations tonight since that was on display more than the talent. The only sad thing is when some of the contestants with the most potential leave before they can show what they have!

Tonight we say goodbye to Paul Kim and Rudy Cardenas from the guys and Amy Krebs and Nicole Tranquillo from the girls....honestly....no surprises for me. I just would have sent at least 2 more home...oh well.....there's always next week!

This week's American Idol Challenge question: Which American Idol Winner's multi-platinum album is titled "Breakaway"? A) Carrie Underwood
B) Kelly Clarkson
C) Fantasia Barrino
Enter at American Idol.com or text vote to 51555. Standard text rates apply and can enter up to 10 times each voting period. Each vote will be entered to win $10,000.00 and tickets for 2 to the next live show of American Idol and also the grand prize of $100,000.00 and a pair of tickets to the finale in May.

Judgment Day #1

2007-02-22T06:31:00.000-08:00

Good Morning, Idol Fans! Happy Thursday! It's an especially happy one for me, as I just got back from court (had to be there at 8am - brutal), and am happy to report that my driving record remains unblemished, and my pocketbook un-opened. Yayyy!!

OK... on to the business of figuring out who's safe. Our readers report busy signals a-plenty for LaKisha Jones, Melinda Doolittle, Sabrina Sloan, and... Antonella Barba. Also a few for Jordin Sparks, but not so many.

Fingers crossed. Tonight's the night. Who do you think will get the boot? I know a lot of you are hoping to see Sundance gone, but due to votefortheworst.com, I doubt that'll happen. He was their guy pick, and Antonella was their girl pick. So the 2 of them are probably safe.

If it was based on the performances, which it rarely is, I'd say goodbye to Alaina and Leslie on the women's side. For the men... sheesh... it's tough to call. Suppose they'd let us just start over with the men and bring in a new crew? Probably not, huh? So... I'm gonna say it's buh-bye to AJ Tabaldo and Nick Pedro. I just can't see the audience really connecting with Tabaldo, and Nick fell flat... but he does have a built in fanbase from being on the show before, so who knows?

Curious to know who you think's gonna get the heave ho. You can leave us a comment here by clicking where it says comment at the bottom right of the post.

Round 1: The Girls

2007-02-21T15:48:00.000-08:00

Whether it's the numbers you need, the judges comments, or my 2 cents you're looking for, look no further! Well, just look below this little paragraph. ;)

Phone 1-866-436-57_ _ or Text the word "Vote" to 57_ _

01 Stephanie Edwards: "How Come You Don’t Call Me"
Randy: Unbelievable conviction. (in a very good way)
Paula: What a performer you are! You are a Star! My G-d, Look at you!
Simon: You were a million times better than any performance we saw last night. it was by far your best performance we've seen so far. Unlike yesterday, it looks as if you came out and said, "I want to win American Idol."
Carolyn: Who?! Did they ever show this girl before? Why do the producers hide away the talent and show us all the painfully tone deaf singers? Wow. Nice start! Vive la difference! Chicks rule!

02 Amy Krebs: "I Can't Make You Love Me"
Randy: That was a medium, middle of the road performance. To safe for me. She's better than the song she chose, and she didn't sing it well.
Paula: I'm gonna have to agree with Randy.
Simon: I still can't remember you. When you sing, you have the personality of a candle.
Carolyn: Really nice voice. More than I was expecting, to be frank. Started a bit pitchy, but immediately recovered, and remained solid throughout. What she lacked for me was any real excitement. Nice voice, but.. so what.

03 Leslie Hunt: "Natural Woman"
Randy: I was hoping for definite greatness, but that song I felt was a little too big for you.
Paula: I think you did a great job, however, watch the songs that you pick...
Simon: It wasn't great. You look embarrassed and ungainly when you perform.
Carolyn: Leslie, Leslie, leslie... sigh. Nice voice. You didn't suck. But you're singing my favorite song, and Carole King you are not. Aretha, you are definitely not. Bad song choice. If you're not gonna sing it from your toes, choose another song!

04 Sabrina Sloan: "I Aint Never Loved a Man, The Way that I Love You"
Randy: We finally got ourselves a competition. That's the one to beat. That was hot.
Paula: Standing ovation. Awesome.
Simon: That performance was the best I've seen so far.
Carolyn: OK... YOU can sing Natural Woman. You have permission. Another nice surprise that was completely glossed over during the 1st few weeks.

05 Antonella Barba: "Don't Wanna Miss a Thing"
Randy: It was really pitchy, really bland.
Paula: It may not have been great, but it wasn't bad. You're an amazingly beautiful girl. (blah blah blah)
Simon: The good news is, you're attractive. The bad news is, it didn't work. It was way, way, way too big for you, that song. I think this has seriously damaged your chances of staying here another week.
Carolyn: Pitchy start. Will the vocal coach please step in soon and correct all the hard R's?! Togetherrrrrrrr. No. Togethahhhh... ahhhh. She made it hers, but she didn't really bring me in. I was bored with her. Pass.

06 Jordin Sparks: "Gimme One Reason..."
Randy: You've got some of the most unbeliveable natural talent up here. I don't know if there's any song too big for you, so go there!
Paula: You were a little tentative at first, but you came into your own. Go for it!
Simon: We've seen a big change with you. As Randy said, you've got a very, very good voice. I think, push yourself, and you may go very, very far in this competition.
Carolyn: OK, I come into this already liking Jordin. And unlike several of the contestants, I remember her! Let's see what she brings... Star Quality, from the moment she takes the stage. And a voice to match. Well done!

07 Nicole Tranquillo: "Stay Together"
Randy: Little bit of Chaka, Little Erika Badu. It wasn't working for me. That was rough for me. I didn't get that at all. It went right over my head. Wrong song. Wrong Vibe. Too urban for you.
Paula: I don't know how many people can hit the notes that NIcole just hit. THat was a performance that was out of this world. it may not have been the right song, but you can sing.
Simon: It was indulgent, it looked fake, like you'd been over-rehearsing. Song choice is very important, and I don't think that was you.
Carolyn: Painful to look at.. not that she's unattractive, but that this song is coming out of her. It just looks disingenuous. White girl from the burbs... this is not your song, and you will never own it. She has a voice - it just shouldn't have been singing this song.

08 Haley Scarnato: "All Coming Back to Me..."
Randy: It was just ok for me, really. It was a good choice for you, but I don't think you did anything special with it.
Paula: I think you did a nice job, I do. I was hoping that maybe you would have selected a different song.
Simon: You sounded 40. That was the problem. It was a bit like being at a reasonably good hotel, and that was the last song of the night. You made yourself very dated, old fashioned. A little boring.
Carolyn: Very nice vocal quality. Looks very comfortable on stage. Camera loves her. But... she was a big whatever for me.

09 Melinda Doolittle: "Since You Been Gone "
Randy: That's the way. If you got it, Show it. Blew it out the box. All you need is confidence. That was the bomb.
Paula: No more background singing. You are a frontrunner.
Simon: You are an incredible singer. You have a fantastic story. You are a fantastic person. i really hope you do well.
Carolyn: Yayyyy!! We're actually on a commercial break right now, but I'm so psyched for Melinda to sing, I have to start writing already! Please do well!!! Please bring it like you did at the auditions. You are the annointed one this year, Melinda. Hopefully that doesn't mean you're out too soon when people get lazy about voting.... Bring it, girl!
Singing now... Melinda, You OWN THIS!!! From the moment she took the stage, Melinda set the bar as high as it should have been from singer #1 last night. This is the caliber of singer we should be demanding. Long may she reign!

10 Alaina Alexander: "Brass In Pocket"
Randy: It really wasn't great.
Paula: You didn't make it your own. I didn't feel it.
Simon: I think the applause of the crowd made you think it was better than it was. You're going to be reliant on your looks at the moment, not your voice.
Carolyn: Don't immitate. Be you. We know who she is. We have no idea who you are, and when you sing her song, her way, we still don't know you. As it was... nice lounge act.

11 Gina Glocksen: "All by Myself"
Randy: Big girl. Big Voice. Big Song. That was nice.
Paula: It was the right song to sing tonight.
Simon: It's a different side to you, Gina. I don't think you quite nailed it. I don't think you hit the big note. I don't think you quite got there with it to be honest with you.
Carolyn: Surprising choice for Gina. I like surprises. Ok.. Gina brought it, but she actually needed to be reigned in a bit. There was a point at which she actually sounded as though she was shrieking. She says she hit it, but I beg to differ.

12 Lakisha Jones: "You're Gonna Love Me"
Randy: I do love you. Jennifer Hudson, watch out!
Paula: You have so much to be proud of. This is where you belong.
Simon: Just to correct someone earlier, that's the right note. i am very tempted to say to 23 other people, book your plane tickets home.
Carolyn: I already love you, LaKisha! Ballsy to sing this song. Not too many on the show could handle this song. She could and she did. Oh yeah!! Great way to end the night! Very close to perfection. I love you.

All in all, WOW!!!! did the girls completely school the boys tonight, or what?! They were what this show is all about.

Vote people!!!

Fantasia Thursday

2007-02-21T11:37:00.000-08:00

FOX has announced season 3 winner Fantasia will perform on the show this Thursday and reportedly will announce that she’ll be joining the cast of Oprah Winfrey’s “The Color Purple” on Broadway.

Settle down, Daughtry fans. Nigel's apparently trying to work something out where he and other former idols will appear sometime this season as well.

We've also learned from reliable sources that Jennifer Lopez is scheduled to perform on “American Idol” on April 11, and very strong rumors suggest that Gwen Stefani is slated to perform on “Idol” on March 28.

Girls Night!

2007-02-21T09:24:00.000-08:00

OK.. No more moaning and gnashing of teeth about the boys first round.

Clean slate. It's girls night, and we wanna know who your favorites are. Who are you rooting for? Do you think there are clear frontrunners?

For me, if I have to pick just one, I'm leaning towards Melinda Doolittle. On vocal performance, style and experience, she is unrivaled. I'm just hoping her confidence will grow to match her abilities.

All About Simon

2007-02-21T07:55:00.000-08:00

Last night, Idol hopeful Chris Sligh made mention of Il Divo and Teletubbies in a Simon Cowell dig that made the whole room rather uncomfortable - Simon most notably... It left me scratching my head, so I decided to do a little looking into it. Here's what I found:

by Rodney Ho
On the airplane, Delta aired “Simon Cowell: True Hollywood Story.” So I started jotting notes. Why not? I hadn’t seen it before.

His dad tried to get him into construction. But he got a job as a runner at a TV studio earning $30 a week, then the mailroom at EMI Records and clawed his way up. In 1982, he joined a label and just as he signed up his first artist Sinitta (who became his girlfriend), the owner shut it down. He convinced the guy to give him $7,500 and he ended up getting her a top 2 single “So Macho.” Then she became a star with a song called “Toy Boy” ; (though not in the States. I;ve never heard of her!).

In 1989, the label he built up was bought out and the big company went bust. “When it went down, I went down,” Cowell said, “I owed the bank millions of dollars. I didn’t have a job.”

His mom Julie Cowell allowed him to move back to his parents’ house. Two years later, he joined BMG Records in the A&R department. He convinced the World Wrestling Federation to release successful records. He did soundtracks for the Teletubbies and the Power Rangers. He jumped to RCA. People thought he was insane for the pure cheesiness of it all. He even got two actors to sing “Unchained Melody,” which went No. 1 for seven weeks. No wonder that’s one of his favorite songs of all time!

He missed out on signing the Spice Girls. Instead, he found an Irish boy group Westlife, which he said sold 50 milion records and had 14 no. 1 singles. Obviously, that is yet another act that didn’t make any impact stateside.

Then he was asked to join a show called Pop Stars to be a judge. At first, he felt uncomfortable and backed out. He called a meeting with Simon Fuller producing a series of their own. They tweaked the process and created “:op Idol.” He still resisted being a judge but took on the challenge. Pete Waterman, his protégé, was supposed to be the nasty one and Simon expected to be the expert. It October 6, 2001, it debuted and was an instant hit. Simon became an instant star. He was dubbed “Mr. Nasty.”

Fox purchased the show and asked for Simon to do the same thing there. He was, well, reluctant again. In the spring of 2002, Simon said working with Paula at first was like “a dog and a cat together and shaking them in a box.” Ryan Seacrest said he didn’t think Simon would work.

When Simon started ripping into contestants, Paula and Randy were in shock. “Simon had me in tears and I felt so bad for these kids,” Paula said. “I became violently ill.”

Simon said he thought he’d be kicked out in three weeks. But he won fans — lots of them. “I try to say what people are thinking.”

In 2003, Simon renewed his contract for 3 more years at $150,000 per episode. He decided to go into TV production. His first show: Cupid. But the dating show died after 11 episodes. Over on the UK, he launched “X Factor” in 2004 and dwarfed “Pop Ido1.” In “X Factor,” the judges competed for talent.

Simon Fuller, who created Idol, sued Simon Cowell, saying he ripped off his show. They ultimately settled out of court and he gave Fuller an ownership cut of “X Factor.”

In 2005, he signed on to another five years for $30 million a year. He added “American Inventor” to his resume, then “America’s Got Talent.” He also introduced the pop classical musical act Il Divo.

Saved by the Busy Signal

2007-02-21T06:42:00.000-08:00

Who seems safe? Based on the busy signals our friends have been reporting, it seems Chris Sligh, Brandon Rogers, Blake Lewis and Phil Stacey are all safe from elimination this week. Some also had busies for Jared Cotter and Sanjaya Malakar.

To noones surprise, Sundance mucked it up something fierce last night, but he may have an ace in the hole. There's a group called "VoteForTheWorst," and he's their first poster boy. A dubious honor, to be sure, but it may just save him.

Round 1: The Guys

2007-02-20T17:00:00.000-08:00

Phone 1-866-436-57_ _ or Text the word "Vote" to 57_ _

01 Rudy Cardenas: "Free Ride"

Randy: Got the party started, but really corny and could be in any bar in America
Paula: Fantastic--We've never had someone start off this energetic
Simon: Not unique, not a distinctive voice, nothing to remember, dated song

02 Brandon Rogers: "Rock With You"

Randy: Wasn't his best----pitchy
Paula: Great job. But not singing backup anymore and needs to step up
Simon: Very safe and predictable song to do hard to make an impact with that kind of song and is better than that

03 Sundance Head: "I Love You"

Randy: One of the auditions favorites because of the bluesy thing, but abandoned the blues and it was off pitch the whole song
Paula: Did not pick the right song
Simon: Like dad at a wedding--very old fashioned and uninspired

04 Paul Kim: "I'm Never Gonna Dance Again"

Randy: Didn't love this song---pitchy--a lot of promise
Paula: Over sang the song--never found the center---worth pushing through
Simon: Suggested shoes for next show--very ordinary attempt at George Michael

05 Chris Richardson: "I Don't Wanna Be"

Randy: Felt like the show just started--wasn't the best, but made it work
Paula: Great arrangement--original and fun
Simon: Really likes Chris--voice very small in that song--bad vocal--below standard

06 Nick Pedro: "Now and Forever"

Randy: It wasn't good---really boring and pitchy--Felt Nick was lost
Paula: The audition melted us and this fell flat
Simon: Didn't think it was that bad--lost the spark--but charming and just very nervous

07 Blake Lewis: "Somewhere Only We Know"

Randy: Shocked you sang that song, but kind of dug it--good job, pitch problems, but good
Paula: Picked an odd song and vocals were spot on--not much pitch problems
Simon: Not the best vocal in the world--but the different from the rest for using a more modern song and the best performance (so far) of the evening--good beat boxer but best that he chose to show another side

08 Sanjaya Malakar: "Knocks Me Off My Feet"

Randy: Didn't think it was very good at all--not a good song choice
Paula: Sweet soul that comes across when singing--wish more showmanship came through in performance
Simon: The most used line--"I Don't Want To Bore You" --most dreadful of the night

09 Chris Sligh: "Typical"

Randy: Voice on point---"I am a Chris fan"
Paula: Everyone had a great time!
Simon: Likes him very much, not an incredible vocal performance

10 Jared Cotter: "Back at One"

Randy: Coming into his own---
Paula: Reminded of a younger Brian McKnight
Simon: A bit nasal--looks good--needs to take a few more risks

11 A.J. Tabaldo: "All My Love"

Randy: Nothing new, but worked it out
Paula: Can definately sing--Great job--Go for it more
Simon: Good--nothing great--nothing terrible--theme park performance--predictable--choose a more challenging song--better than original impression

12 Phil Stacey: "I Could Not Ask For More"

Randy: Started rough---best vocal prize of the night!!
Paula: Shaky beginning--opened up and turned out great
Simon: Ok--just ok

First show was a bust for me!! I was really thinking the American Idol was going to be a guy until tonight! The only authentically good performances for me were Chris Sligh and Phil Stacey. I didn't even like Phil Stacey until tonight and for me ....he really shined! There is potential for several, but I don't know if they will be able to hold on to realize that potential!

Blake Lewis should do well as should Chris Richardson (he reminds me of Justin Timberlake....anyone else??). I've already forgotten about several performances....thankfully! Some I wish I could forget..... My biggest disappointments of the night were Brandon Rogers and Sundance Head. Both are potentially the best, but after tonight...I wouldn't be sorry to see Sundance go at all!

After Elliott Yamin's performance of "Knocks Me Off My Feet" last year, Sanyaya just fell short. Paul Kim....potential, but not sure about him yet. Nick Pedro....even more boring than Richard Marx. I can see why A. J. Tabaldo has not made it very far before now.....still kind of wish he wasn't there. Rudy Cardenas is so much better than his song tonight....maybe he'll be able to show us next week!

Well...off to vote--see you tomorrow night for the girls--Sure hope it's better than tonight!

Happy Idol Tuesday!!

2007-02-20T09:03:00.000-08:00

We couldn't be any happier! Tonight, we take the reins! Tonight, America begins to decide. Who will be... the next American Idol? Who will surprise us? Who will bomb? Who will rock our socks off?

All these questions and more will be answered starting at 8pm.

Be there!

We will. :)

Top 12 Men Poll

2007-02-19T11:10:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow night the top 12 male singers perform, so in advance of this auspicious event, we'd like to take a little poll, and find out where our esteemed readers are leaning.

3 easy questions:

Who will Suck?
Who will Rule?
Which 2 will be voted off?

Please leave your answers here on the blog in the comments section (not on myspace). We moderate all comments, so it could take a few minutes to see yours posted, but that's better than the alternative - having lame jerks trying to sell you viagra in our comment section!

Need a refresher? Here are the names of the top 12 guys:

Sanjaya Malakar
Brandon Rogers
Philip Stacy
Chris Sligh
Blake Lewis
Rudy Cardenas
A.J. Tabaldo
Paul Kim
Nick Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter
Sundance Head

No Jacko

2007-02-19T08:37:00.000-08:00

Well, it was certainly an interesting idea... but if AI wants to maintain the squeaky clean image, Jackson's presence could cause quite an uproar. Can you imagine the protests? Not exactly the kind of publicity they want...

Here's the latest:

'No truth' in Jackson American Idol reports
Singer Michael Jackson will not be appearing on the current series of 'American Idol' as a mentor, according to his representative.

US media reports had suggested that the singer would be making an appearance on the show for a special programme where the contestants would be performing his hits.

However, Jackson's representative Raymone Bain told 'Access Hollywood': "There is absolutely no truth to the rumour that Michael Jackson is going to appear on 'American Idol'."

"He has signed no agreements with anyone," the representative said.

Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe also dismissed the reports, saying: "It's not true. It's just not true. We won't be seeing him."

MySpace Invasion

2007-02-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

Attack of the Idol Monster! Run for your lives! I just went around to a few of the top 24s myspace pages, and it looks like Fox Legal got there first. Where there used to be fully articulated myspace pages, all they have left is a pic, and whatever song they had on before. No friends, no comments, nothin'. Just, "Thanks for checking out my profile. Catch American Idol Tuesdays and Wednesdays on FOX." Makes ya feel all warm and fuzzy, huh? Make no mistake, big brother is watching them.

Where's Waldo?

2007-02-15T06:41:00.000-08:00

Your American Idol is hidden somewhere in this pic. Can you find him/her? Who's it gonna be?

Did Your Favorite Make It Through??? Mine Did!!

2007-02-14T18:40:00.000-08:00

Other reality shows always promise the most dramtic night of television, but American Idol has delivered this every season with the Wednesday night results show.... and tonight is the most dramatic other than the finale for me. I'm always on the edge of my seat, biting my nails wondering if my favorites made it through or if I'll find a new favorite in the group. The last two years I have picked most of the top 24, but as we all know....nothing on American Idol is ever a sure thing. This season promies to be no different.

Due to only hearing small sound bites of some of the Idol hopefuls and none from some of the others, there is always one or two that sort of sneak in and win my vote. Of course, some that I thought were going to be fantastic turn out to be the one person I wish would just go home. We've all seen how some of the best completely lose it during Hollywood week and how some of the worst shine brighter than even they could have imagined.

This season has two background singers who have decided to try it solo, two returning Idol contestants from season 5 auditions, a beatbox champion, Jack Obsorne look-a-like and several that unknowns! Since we are at the mercy of the judges in the beginning, we have to believe they have made a good choice, but next week....it's in our hands!

Here is our Top 24!!

Top 12 Girls:

Melinda Doolittle
Gina Glocksen
Haley Scarnato
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Alaina Alexander
Sabrina Sloan
Lakisha Jones
Nicole Tranquillo
Amy Krebs
Antonella Barba

Top 12 Guys:

Sanjaya Malakar
Brandon Rogers
Philip Stacy
Chris Sligh
Blake Lewis
Rudy Cardenas
A.J. Tabaldo
Paul Kim
Nick Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter
Sundance Head

The Final Judgement

2007-02-14T17:24:00.000-08:00

Seems every new episode of AI6 feels like the first real episode. Tonight was like that again for me. Tonight, going from 40 to 24, the ball moved swiftly and firmly into our court.. and we accept the challenge. We promise to dial and text our little fingers off... Tonight, I'm gonna try to turn a new leaf and focus on the positives... After tonight, it's all up to us.

First Up, Sunjaya Malakar - who sang Some Kind of Wonderful... Unfortunately, his sister didn't make it, and God love him, he shed tears for her. And he made it Through! Sunjaya's smile lights up the world. Let's hope his voice holds true.

Melinda Doolittle - the INCREDIBLE former backup singer... FORMER, being the key word.

Brandon Rodgers - Another FORMER backup singer... Rock it!

I'm thrilled for all the finalists, but I couldn't be any happier for these 2.

Gina Glocksen - Through with flying colors...

Hayley Scarnato - Made it through...

Phil Stacy - He of the outrageous BLUE eyes... who missed the birth of his daughter to audition... Made it!!

Chris Sligh - a physical cross between Meatloaf and Justin Guarini... great personality, terrific voice... and although Simon said he wasn't one of the better singers, He Made it! And I disagree with Simon on this one.

BLAKE Lewis- the myspace favorite by a mile, with a fan club of "Blaker Girls" who even have t-shirts for sale - made it! - but Simon wants to be perfectly clear, this is a singing, not beat boxing, competition.

Paul Kim - "Barefoot Boy" who also has a thing for his "lucky drawers"... made it through!

Jordan Sparks - stunning voice... stunning girl... and so excited she looked like she could burst through her skin.

AJ Tabaros... made it through... sorry, but i don't think he'll be around very long. I know I promised to keep it positive tonight, but this choice didn't make sense to me.

Nicholas Pedro - who blew it during Hollywood week last year, Made it Through.

Lakisha Jones... ok.. I now have a sentimental favorite. No regrets.

Jacko on Idol?!

2007-02-13T22:21:00.000-08:00

Just found this article on TMZ and thought you'd all be interested... Curious to know your thoughts on this one.

Will Wacko Jacko Bring Glove to "Idol"?
by TMZ Staff

Courtney Love on "American Idol" -- intriguing. Michael Jackson on "Idol" -- shocking!

It could happen, though, if certain hints dropped by "Idol" producers are to be believed. Realitytvmagazine.com reports that "several signs" point to the possibility that Michael Jackson will have his own "Idol" theme-week, and might even "mentor" the impressionable young talent on the show.

Why all the Jackson buzz? First of all, "Idol" producers have hinted for weeks at a "big event show" during this season. Also, reports have swirled that Jackson has turned to "Idol" creator Simon Fuller to help revive his flagging career, perhaps involving a comeback show in Las Vegas. Finally, in a recent conference call, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe explained the show's impenetrable wall of silence around contestants, and used Jackson as an example, saying they wouldn't want it to "slip out with somebody telling their mom that Michael Jackson is coming."

Would a savvy operator like Lythgoe really let such a big scoop just slip? Reps for the show had no comment. A rep for Michael Jackson could not immediately be reached.

Hollywood Slaughter

2007-02-13T18:09:00.000-08:00

Pop, pop, fizzle. With very few exceptions, that about sums up the night. Perhaps it was editing. I'm willing to give the Idol hopefuls the benefit of the doubt. It's hard to shine when your song is reduced to a 7 second sound bite. Harder still when your future on the show is dependent exclusively upon your abitlity to blend with other vocalists with zero direction and less compatibility... in a show that's all about soloists.

I get it. The group round is all about commitment and adaptability. Still doesn't make it fair... but what in Hollywood is? It reminds me of a headline from Variety years ago, somewhere near 1990... "NAACP Cites Cronyism, Bias in Entertainment Industry." This headline had me laughing out loud. It might as well have said, "Sky is Blue." One, like the other, is simply not news.

Thankfully, Goldie'll be around in a little bit to give the full rundown on the evening, but I had to get my thoughts in... just for the record... Sky is Still Blue.

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWIERD!!!

2007-02-13T17:21:00.000-08:00

Does anyone else love Hollywierd week as much as me? After all of the bad.....we finally have a room full of good.....yet, somehow....it's still...bad??? I'm just a bit surprised (and very happy) the Idol execs didn't drag this thing out for another week.

172 people received their coveted golden tickets and have arrived in Oz to pursue their dreams of stardom. Old and new friends excitedly take the stage at the historical Orpheum theater and the drama really begins!

Day 1 had the girls center stage and with more than twice the number than the guys, early cuts were expected....just not 6 with one fell swoop! I was very sad to see my army girl, Rachel Jenkins and New Yorker, Porcelana cut on the first day. The last contestant of the day, Nicole Turner sang for her mother and was sent packing, but not before mom, Eleanor Tatton, made an appeal to the judges. Simon lost at least 2 fans, (I'm not one of them) after obnoxiously shouting "his opinion" at Nicole that is wasn't the song choice, but the singer. Nicole and mom left in a bit of a huff and Paula shouted at Simon.....(nothing new)! In all 56 girls are cut.

Day 2 brought the guys to the frontlines and USS Ronald Regan Idol, Jarrod Fowler is cut and leaves with one of the classiest attitudes I have ever seen on the show! (Best of luck, Jarrod!)
My little Matt Sato, (ya know, "My mom is proud of me" guy), broke my heart....again...when after he goes through, calls his mom with the great news and we hear her excitedly proclaim her love. He then says "she never says she loves me, either".....does anybody else want to just hug him??? 34 make it through to the next round.

Day 3 are the groups, but the night before....drama, drama, DRAMA!!! This is the night friendships are tested to the limits....I've always wondered just how many actually survive. (If there is anyone out there that have survived Hellweek with their friendship still intact.....would ya just give a shout out and let me know?..Thanks;) Nothing new happened. Everyone got really excited. Groups were formed. There were fights, tears, flirting, horrible dancing, forgotten lyrics, insults, some members not working, unwanted pointers given, more fights....(did I miss anything?)

The judges' pet peeve of forgotten lyrics was the weapon of choice and many contestants like Matt Sato, were caught in the cross fire. Colombiam Diva, Perla is sent home since personality alone does not make you a star (another very classy exit....I'll miss her!)
Even though early on in the rehearsals, it didn't look like the dance moves were going to work...at all....beatboxer Blake Lewis, Rudy Cardenas, Tomas Lowe and Chris Sligh were the best of the day and in my opinion...the best of all the seasons I have seen...(I've seen them all).
As great as he is, Sundance Head forgot his lyrics and still made it through, causing another conflict between Paula and Simon, who thought she was too generous. At least Sundance admitted his mistake and was a bit shocked at his luck.
Best friends Antonella Barba and Amanda Coluccio joined Baylie Brown and all three girls seemed so scared, I thought they would possibly wet themselves! Baylie was the casualty of the group and confronted the other members since she felt she had worked harder than the bff's and was not rewarded. Somehow, I think this may be the friendship that will not last??
In total, 36 were cut from group day and with just one day left to impress the judges, the contestants went back to their rooms with thoughts of which song to sing to give them the edge.

Day 4 separated bff's Antonella and Amanda as Antonella made it through to the next round for one final test. Brother and sister Sanjaya and Shymali Malakar were also separated when Sanjaya was passed through. (Did anyone else cry too?? I guess I'm just a big softie, but I love their sibling bond!) Tomorrow we find out the top 24 list...I can't wait! Even though some of my favorites were cut tonight, I still have a few left and of course...I have new favorites. What would an American Idol season be if we didn't fall in and out of love with the contestants every week?

1st Night Jitters

2007-02-13T12:10:00.000-08:00

OK kids, we've waited and waited, and tonight's the night: the beginning of the Hollywood slaughter. In the spirit of fun, we'd like to know what your thoughts and feelings are on this year's American Idol so far... and see how good we all are at predicting the future, so we have a couple questions for you.

Please respond here in the comment section. It may take a little while to get posted, because we moderate all comments (to keep the creepy viagra and porn pushers away), but rest assured, your voice will be heard. :)

Will the winner of Idol 6 be male or female?
Are you a serious voter?
How many times do you have to get through for your faves to make you feel like you've done as much as you can do?
Which of the chalkboard scratchers will be featured on the Finale this year?

Looking forward to your responses!

Goldie's a DishChick!

2007-02-13T05:45:00.000-08:00

Good Morning and Happy Idol Tuesday! Tonight, we follow the Idol hopefuls to Hollywood, and (drumroll please) Goldie officially joins the blog! She's been making a huge contribution since the beginning of the season, so we wanted to make it official: Goldie's now a DishChick! With her own by-line. :) I know she has great treats in store for you, so please give her a warm welcome!