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Episode Recap: Narrowing It Down to 20
Only one surprise tonight, and not one that boiled my blood much. In general, a pretty ho-hum episode for having lost a good slice of the finalists, but the four who left were really pretty expendable; no tears shed here.
The group performance was sort of cheerful but also unremarkable, although Michael for one looked uncannily natural in the '60s boy-band getup.
Garrett was the first to go — no surprise there, but it was such a fast execution, it didn't seem very kind. Though it's really far crueler when Ryan draws it out endlessly, as he did later in the evening. When they zoomed in on him, Danny looked like a deer caught in headlights after Garrett's "had a bad day" moment was announced.
As for the girls, Amy was the first to go, thank goodness. I'm sorry, but I literally had to fast-forward through her "Where the Boys Are," it hurt my aesthetic sensibilities that much. Paula tried to keep things positive with the advice, "You've got to go paint that door and that knob and go for it." That just made me groan, but whatever, at least she tried to send the girl out on a positive note.
When Ryan did his "... after the break" setup with the next set of girls on the block, Amanda and Joanne, it wasn't even fair — I mean, it would have been shocking if Amanda had been sent home already. There was no question which of those two would be going home. But Joanne was so gracious about her departure, it just reconfirmed that she's a real class act.
I wasn't expecting Colton to be leaving, but I can't say I'm really disappointed. We never got to know him well enough to feel particularly invested in his fate, and I'm still miffed that he took future-politician Kyle Ensley's spot in the top 24. Simon suggested that Colton get a good job and just sing on the side. I actually thought that out of the four who went home tonight, he has the most real vocal chops; he just didn't show himself off well the other night.
Since Ryan called Colton with Chikezie, I'll admit I was relieved that Chikezie will get another chance to prove himself. I'm hoping that his next song choice is better and that he tones down the back-talk with the judges; I know there's talent and charm lurking under that winning smile.
The other "highlight" of the night was the video of Paula's comeback single, "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow," off of Randy's new album. I had heard this dismal ditty in the buildup to the Super Bowl, and I can't say I liked it any more tonight. I'm actually not sure which is more boring, the song or the video. But I am pretty sure I recognize some of Paula's outfits from her "Straight Up" days.
What do you think? Were you sad to see any of these four go? And what did you think of Paula's single?
TVGuide.com poll: Vote for your favorite of the remaining guys.
TVGuide.com poll: Vote for your favorite of the remaining gals.
Check out all of Simon's best lines of the season in our Simon Says... the Most Quotable Things! blog.
For American Idol clips, visit our Online Video Guide.
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Feb 21, 2008 9:51 PM
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I was disappointed that Chikezie stayed. I thought that after the backtalk to simon last night that america would definitely get rid of him. I liked colton. I thought there were guys who were a lot worse than him. But Garrett leaving was a no brainer.
The first girl gone was no surprise but I was surprised to see amanda in the bottom 3 (i'm guessing that's what it means that he called her down there). I like her (and she's from indiana so I naturally root for her) I want her to stay.Did you notice her long extensions tongiht? She looked a million times better. Her hair was weird before. I say get rid of some of the blond girls. I can't tell a couple of them apart. I liked the girl from Tulsa (where I live now) and the girl who did the britney spears impression.
I wonder if next week will be 70s songs.
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Feb 21, 2008 11:07 PM
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I don't know what jerk/jerks to blame either Ryan or the exec producers for the way they coldly dismissed the first male singer. It almost seemed like Ryan enjoyed quickly telling him he was out just the way he phrased his sentence. It must have been so heartwrenching to sing that song in front of a big audience and only about 25,000,000 people in TV land. What do they want from these kids? What a thrill it must have been to be chosen to be in the 12 and just like....POOF! you're dismissed. I'm surprised Simon hasn't had his legs or face busted for the "kind" words he says to these performers. He must think this is a way to toughen them up for the real world of disappointment. Oh well can't wait until next tuesday. Paula did look pretty good in that crazy video but the song wasn't too melodic.
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Feb 22, 2008 12:33 AM
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They should have eliminated 6 people tonight instead of just the 4. Chikezie and Amanda should have gone home too. They both had horrible performances and unless they improve greatly next week, they will be gone like they should be. I'm not sad to see any of them go and wont' be sad next week when those other two go.
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Feb 22, 2008 4:09 AM
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I missed the result show tonight, I thought that I set my DVR to record it but I didn't. Since, Im on the west coast I already found out the results..I don't think I would of watched it anyway if I did record it. Oh well.
I knew Amy was a gooner cause of that boring rendition of "Where the boys are", and sorta expected Joanna. As for the boys Im shocked that Chikezie is safe. Hopefully he learned his lesson about his song choice, his backtalk, and his wardrobe selection. I was on the AmericanIdol boards earlier...and they said that Joanna slipped up saying that "Sunday...ur Wednesday was difficult for me" So the nights are taped and the results are live...not for the top 12 of course. I always believed that they were taped.
Back to Joanna, she is going to be just fine. She use to be model(or still is) for Ashley Stewart.
And by the way Paula's...."You've got to go paint that door and that knob and go for it." WHAT??? I had to read that 3x to understand it, and I still don't understand it. As for her video/new song.....I never did like her singing. When I did when I was younger I thought she was the best, "Straight UP" was one of my favorite songs. But until I heard her on the radio 3 years ago, I realized she wasn't all that great of a singer.
I hope next week, they have a better theme night.
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Feb 22, 2008 4:29 AM
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I thought Amy did quite well with "Where the boys are", but then I remember the original. By the way how many of you went along with Simon's quip that she need a "country western twag" for that song? A "country western twag"? Has anybody ever heard of a singer from the 60's called Connie Frances? That is her signature song and as far as I know it has never been considered a country western song. If the judges don't know anything about songs from the 60's, don't like them, and think they are too old for the young contestants why do they use them.
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Feb 22, 2008 7:19 AM
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OK, I remember Paula back in the day & that did not sound anything like her, it sounded more like one of the new pop princesses. & I sooo thought Coldhearted snake when it was showing the video. It was alright, nothing to write home to momma about. I'd have loved to have heard Simon critique it. & Sorry, but Randy didn't look like he was doing much in the video except trying to strum along while he was drooling over Paula. I think I just vommitted a little in my mouth...
Glad that all 4 of them went home, they kinda all sucked, especially the Leif wannabe. Sucked that ol Jacuzzi, sorry I'll never be able to get that out of my head now, Chikezi wasn't booted he sucked too. There's always next week...
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Feb 22, 2008 8:13 AM
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Amanda was not in the bottom 3. Ryan just picks the gal who is leaving and one other gal at random. Same on the guy's side. I was right about the 2 gals who got booted, but the guys I had Garrett 4th from the bottom, and Colton 5th, so not surprised. I thought Garrett's "cuteness" might keep him a week or two, but he had never had any tv time. Colton's only tv time was when they showed a little of him prior to getting picked for the final spot over Kyle (the wannabe politician.) Funny that both Colton and Joanne were the 2 shown to make the final cuts in Hollywood. I guess America wasn't impressed with the judges choices for the last spots.
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Feb 22, 2008 8:37 AM
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This is my first American Idol comment.  I enjoy reading what you all have to say. I also had a problem with my DVR and I really appreciate Nina getting this blog up so quickly because I was dying to know what happened. Thank you!
Have you all noticed all the celebrity similarities?
Kristy Lee Cook looked like Kate Bosworth on Tuesday
Alaina Whitaker resembles Carrie Underwood in her mannerisms
Colton Berry already admitted he looks like Ellen Degeneres
Jason (the one with the guitar) reminded me of John Travolta
Danny Noriega looks like Jessica Alba (my husband noticed that one)
Luke looks like Orlando Bloom
Garrett looks like Leif Garrett
I am getting so tired of hearing that clip of Carly singing I'm Every Woman. "Whatever yew waaant..." I don't have anything against her, though.
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Feb 22, 2008 8:54 AM
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Pretty much no surprises. Colton might have stayed a week or two but no more. Chickeasy needs to learn how to leave gracefully because if he gets sassy one more time he will get the cruel knife of of a Seacrest Sayonora.
You will never hear Paula sing that song live. It was so mastered and overdubbed. With all her back problems I am surprised she can still move like that. Maybe some special Coca Cola in her glass.
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Feb 22, 2008 9:15 AM
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Thought the way Ryan announced Garrett was the first to go was very disrespectful. Called him up there on the stage, said he was going home and then it appears he sort of pushes Garrett away from him. I taped the show and watched that part several times. Very uncomfortable. I agreed with all the dismissals as I didn't like any of them to begin with. Looking forward to next week's dismissals. Let's see, without even hearing them sing, i'd like to see Kristie Lee Cook, Kady Malloy, Danny Noriega and Chikezie go. They're all just annoying.
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Feb 22, 2008 9:33 AM
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I was not surprised, and not attached to any of the idols that went home last night. It's too early to be all wrapped up in them...
That being said - that Paula Abdul video was the Cheesiest of Cheesy videos. WOW! Randy looked like one of the models in the Robert Palmer "Addicted to Love" videos from the 80's. Just kinda swaying with a guitar in his hand...LOL it was B-A-D. Oh well, I hope the contestants can pick up their performances, cuz there's just not much excitement this year, at least IMO.
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Feb 22, 2008 9:34 AM
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I was actually a little disappointed to see Colton Berry go. He wasn't my favorite of the guys by any means, but I did enjoy his performance and I thought he had a lot of potential. I had predicted the first three that went home, and I was sure the last one was going to be Chikeze. I thought what Simon said to Colton was low, even for him. He's already going home, why did he feel the need to once again try and crush his dreams? Just be positive for once.
I really don't like that there's now themes for the top 24. I preferred to see the contestants in their own element at this point in the competition, but maybe it will be a better theme next week.
On another note, I didn't think Paula's song was all that bad... But maybe that's just me.
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Feb 22, 2008 9:36 AM
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I wasn't surprised at all, except that I thought Chikezie would go before Colton. I actually don't think Colton has that bad of a voice- I think he would be perfect for Broadway or something like that, since it's obvious he sings very theatrically. I'm usually fine with Simon's comments, but I thought he was a little too mean this time. And speaking of mean- was it really necessary to call Kristy up like she was leaving? I hate when they do that. It's not necessary and it's cruel. Of course I should be used to it by now. And Paula's song- yeah, how manufactured was that? Another poster was right when they stated she would never perform it live. I'm looking forward to next week, but are they having theme nights EVERY week? I hate it- I think contestants should get to show us their personalities before they are forced to sing random songs. I feel no connection to some of the contestants because of this.
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Feb 22, 2008 9:42 AM
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Paula's Video was extreme torture. As a judge and performer, Paula is worthless. Can't believe they continue to bring her back every season.
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Feb 22, 2008 10:12 AM
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