AI – Top 10 Girls – 02/27/08

Morning Everyone:

Guess what…had a little bit of snow here last night…what else is new?  I heard that Daylight Savings Time is wicked early this year:  MARCH 9TH!!

OK, the Top 10 Girls sang(?) songs of the 70s last night just as the Guys did the night before.  Same question….What don’t we know about you that the fans would be interested in.

28.4M watched last night!!!  WOW…

Ryan looked a little more comfortable tonight.  I think he was a wee bit tired from the Oscars on Sunday night and that whole Gary Busey thing.  The Judges looked they were raring to go and, might I say, this band is awesome this year.

Let’s get to what the Girls chose and see if they delivered:

1.  Carly Smithson, 24 said that, even though she and her husband own a Tattoo parlor, people might be interested to know that she also works in an Irish pub.  Her song choice is:  CRAZY ON YOU by Heart.  Not feelin’ it tonight.  Nice girl but wrong song for her.  Randy:  Beginning was rough but pulled it off in the end.  Paula:  Amazing.  Simon:  Better than last week.  Did not choose the right song for her.  (didn’t I say that?).  She should take more time in choosing the right song or else!

2.  Syesha Mercado, 24 said that she does commercials and can do a ‘baby cry’ (very good).  She sang:  ME AND MR. JONES by Billy Paul.(which is definitely a guy song…Mrs. Jones!)  Boy is she shaky tonight.  I dunno.  Got better as the song went on…good ending.  Randy:  Not a good song choice.  (think this is going to be the ‘theme’ tonight).  Just OK.  Paula:  Soft notes not good; Large notes are better.  Simon:  A bit indulgent.  The song is made for a man (Didn’t…)  And this song is not designed for your voice.  Think we have our first Bye Bye of the night.

3.  Brooke White, 24 said that she went to Beauty School and loves to do hair.  Didn’t graduate from there cause she got the ’singing bug’!  She sang (with guitar):  YOU’RE SO VAIN by Carly Simon (this song brings back ‘mixed’ memories for me!).  Anyway she was terrific.  It was totally a good song, made for her range.  Loved it.  Randy:  Good job and good song choice. Paula:  Familiarilty (?)  Simon:  Felt ‘uncomfortable’ cause he thought she was looking at HIM while she sang.  He loved it.  Perfect song choice.

4.  Ramiele Maulubry, 20 – said she is a Polanesian dancer and demonstrated some of her moves for us.  Looks like fun.  She sang:  DON’T LEAVE ME THIS WAY by Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes.  She’s a little girl who chooses big songs.  I can’t decide whether she wants to sing this song fast or slow…I dunno.  Randy:  Little rough.  Not a good voice for this song.  OK, Paula:  Vocals amazing but she powered thru.  Simon:  Astonishingly! I agree with Pauls.  Not as good as last week.  Used to think she was in the Top 3.

By the way….what’s with the ghastly WEDDING coming up this Spring?  Could Simon and Terry Seymour FINALLY be getting married???

5.  Kristy Lee Cook, 24 She said that she’s a tomboy and loves to play sports and ride horses.  I like Kristy.  She’s had to struggle financially to get this far!  She sang:  YOU’RE NO GOOD by Linda Ronstadt (another good song for memories!!  Can ya tell I’m old??) – She sounds good and looks gorgeous.  Love her hair.  Randy:  100% better than last week.  Paula:  You’re BACK.  Simon:  Can’t remember last week’s song.  Can’t label you but you should try ‘country song’ next week.  You’d be good.  I like you.

6.  Amanda Overmyer, 23 (nurse) OMG, who in the world told her to go with this hairdo?  She looks like Madelyn Kahn from Young Frankenstein.  Is she shooting for a Sanjaya following???  By the way, her thing is that she reads Rock Icon books.  She sang:  CARRY ON by Kansas

I’m on the fence with Amanda tonight.  Didn’t do it for me.  She could have done much better.  Nice ending though (these girls can NOT count on just having great endings though…it’s the WHOLE song we’re looking for to blow us away).  Randy:  Not the right song for her.  It’s too much an instrumental song (like the Doobie one last night).  Paula:  Blah, blah.  Simon:  It didn’t feel natural.  She didn’t need the makeup, hideous hairdo and terrible outfit.  Too bad for Amanda..could be a Bye Bye.

7.  Alaina Whitaker, 17 Her thing is she doesn’t like food to TOUCH when she’s eating!  (weird..it all winds up in the same place!).  Anyway, a lot of people have the same problem!!  She sang:  HOPELESSLY DEVOTED TO YOU by Olivia Newton John (from GREASE).  Little ‘pitchy’.  Randy:  Like the song but not for her.  I dunno.  Paula:  Good job.  Young but mature..

Simon:  I like you Alaina but it’s like you’re a Grandma tonight with the song choice, outfit, etc.  A bit pageanty – I do see you as the Dark Horse in this competition though….(hmmmm)

8.  Alexandrea Lushington, 17  Says she’s a ‘poster child’ for the local Fire House (Dad was a fireman for years).  Sang at Ground Zero…must have been very young!  Sang:  PLEASE DON’T GO by KC and the Sunshine Band.  Oh boy…not a good song for her.  Didn’t do well.  Do I hear a Bye Bye?  Randy:  Played it safe and that was a mistake.  Paula:  Didn’t work for you.  Did good though.  Simon:  You’re struggling now.  You couldn’t do anything with it….

9.  Kady Malloy, 18 - She’s very talented and sings Opera!   She sang:  MAGIC MAN by Heart – Love her dress.  Like her; like the song.  Randy:  Interesting song choice tonight – didn’t work though.  Paula:  Power notes Yes; Lower notes No.  Simon:  Didn’t go anywhere. – He said she’s so much more interesting on film and then falls apart when she gets on the stage.

10. Asia h Eperson, 19 She was a cheerleader for years while in school.  She sang:  ALL BY MYSELF by Eric Carmen (and then, in later years, Celine Dion).  This is a powerful song and you really need a strong voice  I don’t think she pulled it off.  Randy:  Good job.  Paula:  Little problem but the ending brought it home.  Simon:  This is a powerful song.  You almost did it.  It was a silly decision to do it however.  You have to know your limitations before you tackle a song like that.

And that’s it for the Girls.  I honestly didn’t see too much to brag about.  It’s going to be tough to pick 2 to go home since probably 4 could go!

If I had  to choose, I guess I’d go with Amanda and Syesha..maybe Ramiele or Alexandrea?  See what I mean?

Ryan, once again, thanked everyone in the world BUT Simon!  That must be his schtick for this Season!!!

I’ll be back tomorrow to talk about who went and who stayed.  Hope everyone voted for Luke Menard the other night!!!!

Joanie

AI – The Top 10 Guys – 02-26-08

Morning Everyone:

Had a little bit of snow here yesterday but the rain came and swept it all away!!!!

Well last night were “Songs of the 70s” and boy did these guys choose some really great ones.  In fact, when I came in to work this morning, I clicked on to my www.pandoraradio.com website and chose The Temptations, etc. and what great songs I’m listening to!

Let’s get right to it.  – Each guy was asked:  What do you think the public does NOT know about you?

1.  Michael Johns, 29 (the Aussie boy!) – Michael’s answer was he loves to play tennis and was quite good at it when he was younger.  He sang GO YOUR OWN WAY by Fleetwood Mac.  Wasn’t his best.  Didn’t sound his usual self tonight.  Was better last week with The Doors’s song.  Still, he’s good enough for me.  He DID sell it at the end.  Randy:  Good but not great.  Paula: Got the crowd working.  Simon:  OK – weak.

2. Jason Castro, 20 (the dreadlock kid) – Jason does NOT like interviews. He’s a very private kid and gets quite nervous with all of the ‘other’ aspects of being an ‘Idol’ other than just singing.  He sang: I JUST WANNA BE YOUR EVERYTHING by Andy Gibb (who is missed).  He’s a cute kid with a decent voice (and gorgeous eyes).  Don’t think this was the best choice of song for him tonight.  Randy: Vocals were just OK tonight.  Paula: Try no guitar next week and just concentrate on your singing.  Simon:  Weak; bad choice of song.

3.  Luke Menard, 29 (hottie!) – Luke has sung with an Acapella group for years (looks like he’s the lead too).  Enjoys it a lot and he sung with all sizes of audiences and doesn’t seem shook up by performing.  His song choice was: KILLER QUEEN – Queen.  Obviously you all know by now that he is my “Constantine” of the Season and ya know, I think he’s better!  (unless he sings My Funny Valentine…then we’ll see).  Did a great job.  Is soooo cute with the camera, etc.  Randy:  Better this week. Theatrical presentation (which is a GOOD thing).  Paula: Great song to sing.  Was much better this week.  Simon:  Whiney – not as good as the original by far (of course Simon is comparing Luke with Freddie Mercury which is impossible to do).  Then, he threw this one out there:  “Ya know Luke, you’re a “Dawson’s Creek” kinda guy!!!!!

4.  Robbie Carrico, 26 (would be rocker – Bo Bice wanna be), He likes to drag race.  Gives him a rush.  His song choice was: HOT BLOODED by Foreigner.  I like this kid but he’s gotta throw more energy into his songs.  Kick it up a notch Robbie if you wanna stay around!  I wasn’t impressed tonight.  Randy:  OK, but he’s NOT a rocker.  Paula:  You don’t HAVE to be authentic.  Be who YOU are.  You’re a great kid with a terrific voice.  Just relax and let’s hear it.  Simon:  (rolling his eyes as Paula was talking), OK vocals for tonight but ya gotta ‘up the ante’ if you want to stay around.

5.  Danny Noriega, 18.  He was a member of a rock band for about a minute when he was a few years younger.  Didn’t last long.  His song was: SUPERSTAR by The Carpenters.  Oh boy, I’m gonna say something here and I know it’s not ‘politically correct’ but this kid has GOT to stop being so gay!!!  There are many, many celebrities out there who are in the closet and you’d probably never in a million years guess who they are but, in Danny’s case, it’s a no-brainer.  He’s got a decent voice but I just can’t continue to watch the silliness about him….and, he should get a haircut!

Randy:  He had problems with the song.  Paula:  Don’t overthink it.  Simon:  Better than last week’s Elvis song.  He does look terrific on camera.  He said better than last week:  kindaISH.  Danny picked up on that and they had an ‘exchange’.

6.  David Hernandez, 24 – When he was in school, he was into gymnastics and was very good at it but uncomfortable with the white pants!  His song was:  PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE by The Temptations.  Great Job tonight.  Really, much better than last week.  I think he was the best so far tonight.  Randy:  THIS is the kid we saw in auditions…he’s back. Paula:  Pure voice in the pocket.  Simon:  Best so far tonight (didn’t I just say that?).

7.  Jason Yeager, 28 – He plays multiple instruments and taught himself.  His song was:  LONG TRAIN RUNNIN’ by The Doobies (love the Doobies!)  It was (and I use Randy’s word) pitchy.  I’m thinking Jason’s goin’ home Thursday night.  Didn’t do it for me.  Randy:  This was not a singer’s song.  Paula:  He was fun this week. Simon:  Awkward, corny, ordinary and what was with that gyrating at the end of the song?

8.  Chikezie, 22 – His name is Nigerian and means Well created by God.  His song was:  I BELIEVE by Donny Hathaway (whose daughter is a backup singer for AI!) – Very, very good Chikezie.  Loved the name in the song too!  Good Job….cya next week.  Randy:  “He’s BACK.”  Paula:  Brilliant, fun.  Simon:  Looked and sounded much better. (shouldn’t wear last week’s suit EVER AGAIN!).  Chik started to talk back to Simon and Simon said, “Look at your mum.  She’s SHOCKED that you’re talking to me like that.”

9.  David Cook, – He’s a ‘word nerd’.  Loves to do crossword puzzles.  His song was:  ALL RIGHT NOW by Free.  Now THIS is your rocker for the Season.  Great job.  Comfortable with the song and presentation.  Used his guitar too.  Randy:  Liked it a lot.  Paula:  The band is on fire(?) and so is he.  Simon:  “Your hobby is boring and so are you.  You have no charisma.”  David countered back with:  “Luckily it’s the fans out there who do the voting and will say whether or not I have charisma.”  Simon was definitely put out by that comment and said, “You know, you people have to realize all I am doing is giving you my OPINION.  Take it or leave it.

And, last but not least tonight is:

10.  David Archuleta, 16  During the first Season, David got in to see the finalists rehearsing and sang….wait for it….”I AM TELLING YOU” and blew them all away.  He couldn’t have been more than 12 at the time.

His song tonight is:  IMAGINE by John Lennon.  This kid oozes confidence, talent, personality, looks….he’s the whole package.  He had a lot of guts choosing that song but gave a great performance.  THIS IS THE KID TO WATCH….could be your winner right here.  Randy:  Such maturity for such a young kid.  He was on fire – fine performance.  Paula:  That is the best performance I have EVER seen on this show.  Simon:  Took a risk singing John Lennon but you did it.  YOU are the one to watch.  Take notice the 19 of you…there’s David and then there’s the rest of you.  (didn’t I just say that???).  By the way, not to be pessimistic here but he said the same thing to Mandisa a few years ago when she sang, “I AM TELLING YOU” – Didn’t win – Don’t think she even was in the Top 10!  The girl just fell apart.  Don’t think it’s gonna happen with this kid though.

OK, there you have it.  —  Ohhh, by the way, the GOODBYE song for this Season will be Graham Colton’s, BEST DAYS.

If I had to choose 2 to go home….I’d have to pick Jason Yeager and Danny Noriega.  (Robbie would be my ‘dark horse’).

Talk to you tomorrow with the Top 10 Girls’ Review.

Joanie