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Episode Recap: Narrowing It Down to the Sweet 16
All right, I'll admit it: I'm disappointed. In fact, I'm seriously bummed. I know that Alexandréa didn't have the best performance last night, but did she deserve to go? Not even close. I don't think that her "If You Leave Me Now" was bad at all — in fact, I thought it was a far bit better than several of the other girls' efforts — and when she sang it again tonight, I was reminded of just how gifted she is.
Did anyone else notice David Archuleta weeping during Alexandréa's swan song, and then sharing that touching moment with her when she finished singing? Could there have been some little sparks flying there, perhaps? Or were they just really good friends? [Update: These two have been friends since competing against each other on Star Search years ago.] Regardless, it was sweet. Alexandréa showed poise and good humor in her departure, even though it was clear how disappointed she was. I sincerely hope that she keeps singing, because I'd love to see how she develops as an artist.
As for the second girl sent packing, it came down to Kady (who sang truly terribly last night) and Alaina (who sang OK last night, and proved that she has a lot of potential). So of course, which one was eliminated? Alaina. Basically, I feel like we lost two of the better, more original girls tonight. Kady and Alaina looked about equally shocked at the results, and Alaina burst into tears, poor thing. I was glad for her, though, that she was able to pull it together to sing one last time.
On to the boys: The first elimination of the night was, like last week, no surprise. Thank goodness that was the end of Jason. Honestly, he seems like a nice guy, but I'm relieved that's the last time we'll have to hear him sing. For the final elimination, Ryan made Luke and Robbie come out to the middle of the stage, then proceeded to torture them with a mangled attempt at delivering the bad news. It was Robbie's turn to go, which was fine with me, and I'm hoping that Luke will be one of the next in line.
Basically, I think America got it right with the guys and horribly, horribly wrong with the girls. As Simon said to Ryan in the beginning of the episode, after being called out on his weird hand-to-the-head move of recent weeks: "There is a gesture I could give you, but I won't."
The group song to start the show off wasn't quite as bad as last week's, though it also wasn't actually enjoyable. And Amanda, wearing hair extensions and given a chance to redeem herself from last night, sounded completely out of place, and what's more, she looks defeated by the whole thing, like she can't wait to be done with the American Idol experience. Ryan's "very important Idol news" was that on March 11, the top 12 will perform from the Lennon-McCartney song book, which I'm kind of excited and kind of worried about (I'm anticipating hearing some of my all-time faves being butchered). And on April 9, Idol Gives Back returns, with another star-studded lineup including Brad Pitt and Miley Cyrus.
One last thought about tonight's eliminations: With two of the more genuinely gifted girls now gone from the pack, there's even less competition between them and the guys. Which is sort of a shame.
TVGuide.com Power Rankings poll: Vote for your favorite of the remaining guys.
TVGuide.com Power Rankings poll: Vote for your favorite of the remaining girls.
What do you think? Did the right four get eliminated? And whose neck will be on the chopping block next?
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 28, 2008 11:44 PM
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Just finished watching the show on my DVR and felt awful about the 4 talented singers having to leave. I as a musician I think the group song was really very good. I thought Amanda would be going since she is coming across as a singer in a costume. I thought Jason was a nice guy but picked the wrong song and has a very nice voice but not someone who stand out in the crowd. I was taken when Ryan was called a freak by Alaina while her pretty mom was watching. I know she was kidding but she should have been more restrained. It's like he's her good friend and she moved away when he grabbed her arm but then later gave him a big hug. I love the show and since the girls are very good will be even more sad when another 2 have to go. There is no one person that is really that terrible like in other years when we all thought that Scott Savol (the big guy) should have been off earlier. This will be a very interesting top 12.
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Feb 29, 2008 12:06 AM
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Sorry people I meant Alexandrea who called Ryan a freak.
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Feb 29, 2008 12:07 AM
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Wow, I'm sad about Alaina and Alexandrea leaving, too.
Amanda is tough to figure out. I have a theory that she tried out for American Idol to get noticed but she doesn't actually want to be there. Remember how she acted like she didn't even care when the judges told her she would be in the top 24? She said she is reading about the music industry, so this is definitely what she wants to do. Maybe just not with American Idol. I could be wrong, but...
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Feb 29, 2008 12:12 AM
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I'm bummed Robbie got sent home.He was one of my favorites. I voted for him along with Michael Johns and David Cook. Glad that Alexandrea was booted. Hoping that Kady would go. Maybe next time.
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Feb 29, 2008 1:02 AM
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I totally agree. Wrong girls. Right boys!
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Feb 29, 2008 1:10 AM
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Long time reader, first time commenter 
David A and Alexandrea were on Star Search together back when they were 12 years old so no doubt they struck up an instant bond on Idol. I wanted to reach into my tv and give him a great big hug when I saw him crying.
I was pretty shocked at the results tonight. I'm glad I didn't put money on it - I thought it would be Amanda, Kady, Jason Y. and Luke going home.
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Feb 29, 2008 1:10 AM
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Well, I'm very disappointed. Kady and Amanda should have gone home. I really liked Alexandrea and thought she was very talented.
Also, Luke should have gone instead of Robbie. I hated Simon's comment about authenticity and being real. But having read the comment on Robbie's wig, now I know WHY he said that from the first show. Still, Simon should be judging Robbie on SINGING not his insecurity about his hair (or lackthereof).
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Feb 29, 2008 1:36 AM
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I am so disappointed about Alaina, I thought she was one of the best female singers. I didn't really get to watch this week because of some dvr issues but I did see some of the performances on youtube. I don't get Amanda and I don't really understand why she is still in the competition. As for the guys as much as I liked Robbie I think America made the right decision. I don't think Alexandrea was the worst singer but I really don't think she had a chance of actually winning either. I wish I had voted for Alaina because she was great, I really don't think any of the other girls left are that great.
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Feb 29, 2008 2:52 AM
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I wasn't that impressed with Alexandrea but I was very sad to see Alaina go. Like Simon said, she had some "dark horse" potential.
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Feb 29, 2008 2:54 AM
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Like most everyone else, I am very disappointed that both Alaina and Alexandrea were voted off this early. Now there's even less true competition for David A. I also would've liked for Luke to have gone this week instead of Jason Y. I do agree wholeheartedly w/the ouster of Robbie, though. America got one out of four right.
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Feb 29, 2008 3:38 AM
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I agree with Jason Yaeger and Robbie going home. I could never see myself going and spending money to watch either one of the guys that got ousted last night..so they were right on the money with those two. As for the girls, I think Christy Cook is pretty weak and Amanda Overmyer is completely out of place. Those two should have went home last night, but I look for them to leave next week. My prediction for the guys going home next week are Luke and David Cook. So far David Archuleta has not been touched, but David Hernandez sang tough this week.
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Feb 29, 2008 5:48 AM
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I don't know what is wrong with me this season, with AI. Maybe Im not all that thrilled with these cast. Or that the result show is waaaayyy to long. And there are not alot of people Im rooting for as well.
But anyway, I ff through most of tonights show. I still don't get they got can't not pull the bottom 2 guys and girls both at the same time. When Ryan tells them they are safe... I always say "For now" If they did that, the show would be over in 1/2 hour.
Since I ff most of the show, however I did see some of Ryan and Simon's banter about his hand-to-the-head move, but who cares?? Good grief. Thats one of the reason why Im getting sick of this. But I would of love to hear Simon tell Ryan "There is a gesture I could give you, but I won't." I want to give him the Same gesture.
Im also looking foward to the Lennon/McCarthy night. Hopefully they won't butcher any of my favorite songs. Is Sir Paul going to be the Mentor that week? I also can't waite for Idol Gives back. I was wondering if they were going to do that again this season. So looking foward to see Brad Pitt. He would be the highlight of the whole program.
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Feb 29, 2008 6:15 AM
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I do not get the love for Alexandrea. Both performances were horrible. I missed her original audition, so maybe that is why I'm not at all sad to see her go.
As for Kady vs. Alaina, I think Alaina deserved to stay based on last night's performance. I do, however, think that Kady is very talented, she just hasn't brought it on stage yet. Besides, there is absolutely nothing unique about Alaina (or Kady for that matter) so I'm not sad to see either of them go at this point.
I think the public got it right with the guys.
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Feb 29, 2008 7:08 AM
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Nina: If you're going to write about this stuff, do at least a LITTLE bit of research. David and AlexAndréa were on Junior Star Search together; they've known each other a long time (for 17 year-olds). That's why the special affection between them.
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Feb 29, 2008 8:05 AM
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