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« American Idol
Episode Recap: Narrowing It Down to the Final 24
If there's one thing that irks me about American Idol, it's the incessant product placements and cross-promotions. Tonight did not get off to a good start, as Ryan did his shtick with a clearly uncomfortable Hayden Christensen in a cringe-inducing promo for Jumper. To finish it off, Hayden even had a can of that omnipresent Idol sponsor, Coke, in his hand. Blech.
But then it came time for the actual eliminations, which were far more exciting. It always amazes me that at this point, with all the auditions and the Hollywood-week performances, there are still a number of contestants we've never seen before. In general, I'm very pleased with the top 24, though there were a few shockers tonight. Foremost among them was baby-faced, British-accent-singing Josiah Leming; granted, his last audition in Hollywood was really not good, but he remains one of the more memorable people we've seen this season, and I was frankly surprised to see him go. I hope he'll be OK out there in the big, wide world; I hope he finds a place to live that's a bit more comfortable than his car.
Another surprise for me was Kyle Ensley, who made it to the dramatic "final two" guys' showdown. I was impressed with Simon's candor; he told Kyle, "There are a lot of people who will like you; I wish I had what you have." But he apparently was overruled by the Paula-Randy voting block on this one. "Wholeheartedly I disagree with this decision," he said. "I'm really disappointed." I can't remember Simon ever getting that demonstrative with a rejected contestant, particularly not a male contestant. It was sweet. (Of course, Paula's reaction to Kyle's dismissal was to give him a hug.)
One other disappointment (for me, anyway) was Drew Poppelreiter, the rosy-cheeked farmer boy who seemed so promising in his initial audition but whom we never saw again. "Well, there's one good thing about this," said Drew. "I don't miss turkey season."
But there were some favorites who made it through and a few new faces for us to get to know together.
The top 12 guys are:
Chikezie Eze He really impressed in the "best of the rest" episode; plus he's got a disarming smile and some endearing dance moves.
Danny Noriega Makeover time apparently came early for Danny, who has a whole Brit-rock thing going on with his hair now. The main thing about him, though, is that his voice is big and powerful and very surprising, coming from him.
Jason Yeager Not sure who he is. It's nice to have a little mystery, though, no?
David Cook He of the blue tongue and the rocker attitude had perhaps the night's best line: "I don't have to get a job now."
David Hernandez You all know that I really liked this guy after yesterday's audition. Simon's unconvinced, but we shall see.
Luke Menard Who?
Michael Johns If anything, the weirdly geeky dance he did at the end actually made me like him more, because it showed a less polished side of him.
Jason Castro Dunno yet what he sounds like, but gotta love those dreads!
Robbie Carrico The onetime boy-bander has scruffed up his act to good effect. I was a little surprised he made it through, but I'm curious to see what he can do.
Colton Berry The polished performer who was competing with Kyle for the final spot. I'll try to get over the fact that he took the tie-wearing would-be politician's place (I know, I know, not really).
David Archuleta It was sweet that he worries other people were tone-deaf and that's why they told him he could sing; plus, those dimples could set a thousand girls crying (ΰ la Sanjaya's fans).
Garrett Haley Again, no idea what he sounds like. But I'm digging the '70s hair!
The top 12 girls are:
Kristy Lee Cook The horse trainer made it, after a close call in Hollywood. If she keeps up those body-bending dance moves, she'll have at least the fellas on her side.
Amanda Overmyer She had maybe the most understated reaction to making it through, but I'm glad we'll be seeing more of the rock-'n-roll nurse.
Alexandrea Lushington Imagine how proud her 93-year-old great-grandmother must be!
JoAnne Borgella We didn't see much of the gorgeous plus-size model in Hollywood, but I'm glad she's still in the mix.
Brooke White Funny, they didn't show her messing up the piano part in "Beautiful" last night. If she can keep it together, she should go far.
Syesha Mercado Paula is so weird; she had Syesha do this whole thing about spelling out her name to get the secret "yes" message... oy. Anyway, her "Chain of Fools" yesterday absolutely blew me away, so she definitely deserved to show what she could do.
Alaina Whitaker This is the girl who said Carrie Underwood looked like her (and that's about all I remember about her).
Asia'h Epperson I'm not surprised she made it, given her performance in Hollywood, though I stand by my comment that her breathing is going to be a problem. (Even if it sounds cool, you can't sing breathless all the time. Among other things, it's just not healthy.)
Amy Davis I barely recall her from her original audition (she sang "Blue Bayou"). Let's see if she does something more memorable next week.
Kady Malloy The vocal impressionist should have fun tackling the different artists and genres later in the season (if she makes it that far).
Carly Smithson I'm starting to worry that Carly is going to turn into this year's Katharine McPhee for me, aka someone with genuine talent who ends up grating on my nerves (and getting tons of votes week after week).
Ramiele Malubay The female Danny Noriega: She's tiny, has a giant voice, and she, too, got a jump-start on her makeover.
What do you think? Do you agree with the top 24?
Weirdest line of the night:
"You know, you took it like a man" Paula to 16-year-old David Archuleta, on how he responded when hearing that he'd made it through.
For American Idol clips, visit our Online Video Guide.
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Feb 13, 2008 11:07 PM
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Is there a point in the competition where you cannot try out again the next year?
Obviously I can understand why the top 24 couldn't try again (like if you're the first one voted out). But if you make top 50 are you forbidden from trying again (if you're still of age)?
And maybe it's because I had to actually tape this (as in an actual tape!) but I wasn't impressed with quite a bit of the singing they showed tonight. For instance, the last 2 girls to visit the panel. I thought "Ugh...not a fan of either especially that 2nd one." Nothing else sounds distorted but maybe the singing is harder to capture (?).
And, well, I was just watching the ending now and Paula said to the girl who didn't get in "Come back." So, that answers my original question about whether they can try out again after top 50. Never mind!
Overall, I don't think I can make many judgements about the contestants until I hear them sing a full-length song...and thank God that is finally coming up! Man, those auditions were endless....
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Feb 14, 2008 12:02 AM
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Josiah got eliminated - WTF?!
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Feb 14, 2008 12:17 AM
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I had to laugh after your Krity Lee Cook comment Nina. She had my vote before the dancing. She definitely has my vote after the dancing. Wow. This has to be one of the most attractive AI top 24. Especially on the women side. It would have been perfection if the model would have won out in the final 2. Oh well. You can't win them all.
Very glad that the rocker chick made it. Also glad that the two guys that I wanted to make it did. The Aussie guy was a good choice. The girl with the voice problems really showed some mettle and that brought her through.
I did feel a little sorry for the homeless guy. I wish they didn't linger on him for so long. It got to be very uncomfortable watching it. I think he will do all right without AI, but you never know.
Simon did seem a bit upset that Kyle didn't make it. I thought it would have been interesting to see him in the competition. A month down the road, he probably would be using mousse in his hair and sporting contacts. He will survive though.
I do agree Nina with you about AI not showing some of the people that they did features on previously. Why do the features if you are not going to show them in Hollywood week or in the elimination day? Very odd.
I did laugh when Simon said to Paula that she was confusing when she spelled out the yes in one of the contestants name. Good stuff.
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Feb 14, 2008 12:38 AM
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Buh-bye Josiah! Don't let the car door hit your in the rump on your way out.
So glad they got rid of this blow hard. He sealed his fate the second he "dismissed" the band. Cry your way all the way home!
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Feb 14, 2008 1:18 AM
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"It would have been perfection if the model would have won out in the final 2."
Speedy, the beautiful model in the final two DID make it. The 'professional' singer is the one that didn't.
Speaking of professionals, try googling or searching you tube for some of the names in the top 24. (For example: Carly Hennessy Smithson.) 'Unknown' doesn't exactly qualify for quite a few of them.
Is Idol stacking the deck??
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Feb 14, 2008 1:20 AM
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Once again, the show was a touch over an hour and I missed the end. Thanks to TVGuide.com, I know who is in and who is out.
I'm sad that Josiah did not make it. If I knew how to contact him, I'd take him in because I feel bad that he will be living in his car again. I thought for sure he was in because they spent so much camera time on him.
Why not spend most of the camera time on the top 24? Let's face it, the most popular and best liked person wins and not necessarily the best singer (Chris Daughtry).
If Kyle had made it, I think I would stop watching because he would be the Sanjaya of this season. No, I wouldn't quit watching, but I would grit my teeth or just fast forward through his singing. Great voice, but could not stand to watch him.
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Feb 14, 2008 1:22 AM
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My DVR cut off right before they announced either Joanna or that other girl will be in the final 24. Im so glad that she did though. I don't even remember the other girl. Actually I don't remember have of those yahoo's. Yeah who are Luke Menard, Jason Castro, and some of the others. However I do remember more of the top 12 of the women. I went to the AI site to find more video of the top 24's auditions but they didn't have it. Oh well, hopefully the yahoo's who I don't remember will probably will be good.
Anyway, Im upset that Josiah didn't get to go further. Yeah he had a bad last audition, however in the past those who have had good auditions still make it to the top 24.....do I have to remind you of the nightmare of Sanjaya?
I agree I also have a feeling that Carly Smitherson will get on my nerves as well. I cracked up when Simon told Paula that "she just wants to her yes or no Paula"...then "you tortured her Paula."
And as for "You know, you took it like a man" Paula to 16-year-old David Archuleta, on how he responded when hearing that he'd made it through. What do you expect it came from Paula. You know she is going to make some weird comments.
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Feb 14, 2008 4:19 AM
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As I say every year, they know who the Top 24 are early enough that they could easily showcase each one if not in the audition rounds, then at least in the Hollywood round. So there are 4 guys, exactly 1/3 of the final 12 guys, who have never been seen on tv. I guess all of the women have had at least some screen time, but I'd say about there's 3 of them, 1/4 of the final 12 gals, who had so little time that I don't really remember them very well. So those 4 guys have very little chance of winning as they have no fan base so far, while the other guys already each have fans and name/face recognition. So, I can only assume that these 4 guys are better than Kyle, Josiah and the farmer guy? I hope Josiah, Kyle, the farmer and Cardin (?) who I believe was the last gal to get eliminated all try again next year.
This does look like one of the best if not the best Top 24 ever, but Season 5 still had the best Top 12 followed by Seasons 2 and 4.
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Feb 14, 2008 6:40 AM
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I found this about the top 24 before it aired. I saved it but didn't read it because I like the suspense. It does, hoever, give some good information about the top 24 along with links to hear them sing and some links to their myspace profiles. I thought you other AI fans may enjoy it.
http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/01/30/ai-od-the-top-24-leaked-the-girls-video
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Feb 14, 2008 8:44 AM
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This does seem like a talented top 24.My one major disappointment was Drew (the farm boy) not making it.
I was pleasantly suprised that Josiah didn't make the top 24.
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Feb 14, 2008 8:51 AM
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I am thankful that AI had enough sense to NOT put Josiah through tot he top 24....HE was the Sanjaya in the making. I thought his either auditions were alright but he sealed his fate with that HORRIBLE final audition. I am glad that they didn't let him through.
I would have liked to see at least SOMETHING on the all of the top 24. What was up with the 4 guys that we haven't even seen one thing one!?!?!?!
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Feb 14, 2008 9:32 AM
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I live in the Knoxville, TN area and last night Josiah Leming was interviewed on the 11 o'clock news. I didn't watch it because I didn't want to hear him complain about not getting into the top 24.
Josiah sealed his fate by not taking the vocal coach up on her offer for him to come back into the room and work with the band. That was an 18 year old who thought he knew better than the seasoned professional. I realize he was tired and emotionally drained (as were many) but he was given another chance to work with the band and he chose to not do it. Therefore, I don't feel sorry for Josiah.
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Feb 14, 2008 9:34 AM
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THE JUDGES MADE 2 MAJOR MISTAKES- THEY SHOULD BRING BACK JOSIAH AND KYLE- WHY NOT LET THE PEOPLE VOTE ? THE FORMAT FOR IDOL SHOULD BE FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO STRETCH TO 14 GUYS- JUST KNOCK OFF 4 GUYS NEXT WEEK INSTEAD OF 2. SO THERE WOULD BE 3 EXTRA "SINGING" MINUTES- BIG DEAL.
THE PROBLEM IS THAT KYLE HAS A REAL VOICE, NOT A "POWER" (READ: YELLING)POP VOICE. THIS BOY IS LEGIT, AND DESERVES A CHANCE.
AND JOSIAH CAN REALLY SING, HE IS JUST A LITTLE YOUNG- HE MADE A TECHNICAL ERROR AND "DISMISSED" THE BAND, BUT HE KNEW THE BAND COULDN'T FOLLOW HIM THRU HIS VERSION OF THE SONG, HE HAD ALREADY TRIED IT WITH THEM IN REHEARSAL. HE WANTED SO MUCH TO MAKE THE SONG "HIS OWN" (AS THE JUDGES ALWAYS TELL THE KIDS TO DO). UNFORTUNATLY, HE LOST IT AND COULDN'T HOLD ON TO THE KEY CHANGES AND MODULATIONS HE WANTED TO DO- AMBITION WAS HIS DOWNFALL, BUT HE TRULY DESERVES TO BE GIVEN A 2ND CHANCE.
NIGEL AND KEN- BRING BACK KYLE AND JOSIAH ! ! !
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Feb 14, 2008 10:18 AM
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Is it wrong that I thought Ryan did a better job of acting than Hayden Christensen?
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Feb 14, 2008 10:22 AM
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