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« American Idol
Episode Recap: The Top 9
Tonight's mentor is Dolly Parton: Singer, songwriter and hit-producing country star. Her voice is as big as her... hair. You thought I was going somewhere else, didn't you? Hey now, this is a family show!
They dive right in tonight, which makes me happy! After reading this recap, be sure to check out the news about David Cook rushing to the hospital after his performance. Scary!
Brooke White, "Jolene": I think Brooke has a voice that can do almost any genre of music, and country is a very nice fit for her. She's just not as obvious as Kristy Lee. However, this song is lacking some good drama for Brooke to sink her teeth into. Randy thinks she rushed parts, but it was all right. Paula blabs a lot about her being who she is, and she being "Brooke White." Thanks for that observation, P. Simon thinks it was lacking any emotion, and goes on to diss the band as well. Nice.
David Cook, "Little Sparrow": Dolly squeals, "Yay! Your voice is beautiful." He's stoked. He launches into the high and haunting song and it sounds awesome. He's on a roll. Randy says he has an unbelievable range and showed it off.... It was hot! Paula talks about his haircut and then compliments him on his well-roundedness. Simon says it was not as good as last week, but he made a song that was about sparrows good, so "congratulations."
Ramiele Malubay, "Do You Miss Me?": I think that's what the song is called, although they didn't say. She has some pitch problems and doesn't really seem comfortable with the song. Randy says it was a 6.5 out of 10, Paula thinks she actually did connect with the audience (really?), and Simon says it was forgettable and of cruise-ship caliber.
Jason Castro, "Travelin' Through": This has a Jack Johnson vibe in the beginning, which is nice, and then picks up a bit to sound more Dolly-like. I think he did a great job, actually... much better than last week. Randy thinks he "worked it out," Paula thinks it was one of his strongest performances because he seemed confident, and Simon doesn't like it at all. He thinks this type of music doesn't suit him. Meanwhile Paula is having a cow that she can't comment, so she just keeps saying, "No way, no way."
Carly Smithson, "Here You Come Again": She just knows how to sing the heck out of a song, guys. No two ways about it. She has amazing tone and control, and I feel like she pushed herself here. Randy thinks it will be one of the better performances of the night. Paula is freaking out about how wonderful she sounds, and Simon tells Carly it was just OK, and that she should "talk to whoever is dressing you because at this point you should look like a star, and I just don't see it." Wow. What an ass. Granted, her outfit isn't Prada, but Castro looks like he could be on a street corner with some change in a guitarcase, and Simon doesn't comment on his look. People should be allowed to be themselves!
David Archuleta, "Smoky Mountain Memories": Oh man, this kid is back in the game.... He picked one of Dolly's favorite songs, and she tries not to cry when he sings it. He reminds me a lot of Clay Aiken, even though they don't sound alike. But they both have that (slightly fake) "aw, shucks" innocence about them. Randy thinks that was the best performance of the night, Paula says he's glorious, and Simon says the song choice was spot-on.
Kristy Lee Cook, "Coat of Many Colors": Another smart song choice for Kristy. It suits her, as does country music in general. Randy thinks it suits her as well, Paula thinks she's beautiful (ugh), and Simon thinks it was pleasant but forgettable. After Ryan compliments her French pedicure (seriously), Kristy gives some sass back to Simon. I suddenly like her much more.
Syesha Mercado, "I Will Always Love You": Wow, this is a crazy-brave song choice. She sings a hybrid of the Dolly and Whitney versions. The crowd loves it, but I'm not really a fan. Randy thinks she was brave but that it was just "aight." Paula says she's growing and thinks her velvety tones are fantastic, but Simon thinks that it was just an OK performance. He likes the Dolly part but thinks the Whitney part paled in comparison. Duh.
Michael Johns, "It's So Wrong, But It's So Right": Once again, not sure if that's the title.... Why won't they be clearer? Michael sounds so good tonight. Jazzy, bluesy, sexy! Randy thinks it was blazin' hot, Paula incoherently says he was awesome, and Simon thinks it was the best he's sung so far. I agree!
My prediction: I think Ramiele, Syesha and Jason will be in the bottom three.
New Paula Watch: Thank goodness the show was only an hour tonight. She could barely get her thoughts out in time.
What did you think of Dolly Parton as the Idols' mentor? Who surprised you tonight?
Read Cheers & Jeers take on Idol Kristy Lee Cook.
Watch clips of American Idol in our Online Video Guide.
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Apr 1, 2008 9:57 PM
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I thought Ryan's conversation with David Cook tonight was very reminiscent of the conversation he had with Daughtry after country week, "So, just to be clear, that was Live's version of Walk The Line, right?" (I think it was Live, I can't remember whose it really was)
If they run into these issues every year with the viewers screaming that the contestants are being praised for using others' arrangements, the producers really need find a consistent way to credit the correct person.
I'm not a Dolly fan at all, so tonight was just meh for me, but we can get rid of Kristy now. Really.
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Apr 1, 2008 10:19 PM
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Are we being so mean to the replacement Idol bloggers they no longer tell us their names? Or is that really you, Nina, back to work already? 
Brooke: Nice, but I wish she could lose the sunniness sometimes
and just really feel the emotion when she sings. Still love her voice, but it seems like she can't reach way down to pull out the feeling, which is what makes me really connect to a song.
David c: The guy can do no wrong for me lately. Just him and his guitar. Lovely.
Ramiele: Please. No more. See you on my next Disney cruise. Not.
Carly: I thought it was beautiful, until she went for all the glory notes. I don't blame her completely, because the judges beat on her when she does a quiet song, but the big notes ruined it for me. I really enjoy her when she sings in a normal range, very controlled. I'm sending her a long sleeved blouse.
Jason: I loved this performance. Simon needs to up his Midol dosage.
David A: Great voice, as always. He's just not bringing it home for me anymore. Maybe because it was yet another "message" song. Enough. Still love him, but I need to see him sing a song, once, as a 17 year-old.
Kristy Lee: I thought her voice was great -- just hated that weird, too fast bluegrass backup she had. It seems like she gets screwed over with the arrangements more than the other contestants. Good job, KLC. I'm adding Pamprin to Simon's medicine cabinet.
Syesha: Ugh. Sorry, you can't have it both ways. Either sweet and simple like Dolly, or uber-Diva like Whitney. I didn't like the combo. I
wouldn't be sad to see her leave. It also kind of bugged me when she seemed
shocked! that Simon didn't love it.
Michael: Boy, he does contort his cute face when he sings. I liked that he went a very different route, for him, tonight. Sorta liked it.
Dolly night worked out well. I'm not sure how much she "mentored" the kids,
but she sure was nice. Definitely worthy of being the icon she is.
I'm thinking bottom three will be Syesha, Carly, and Brooke. Ramiele should be there, but she seems to have a huge voting block working overtime for her. Kristy Lee, I believe, doesn't deserve a spot in the bottom three this week. Carly just can't seem to connect enough with the audience. Brooke had the omen of death number 1 spot, and I don't think her performance was noteworthy enough. It'll be interesting to see.
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Apr 1, 2008 10:26 PM
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I adore Dolly. She is a genius. I loved how kind and sweet she was to each contestant. I'd love to see her every week, and with 3000 songs, she could do it!
To me, the boys ran away with it tonight.
Brooke - I thought she did a good job suiting her voice to the song.
David C. - I LOVED that. He is SO good. Amazing version. He left enough in there for you to know it’s Dolly and changed it up enough to be his own.
Ramiele - the name of the song is "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?"
he did not do that song justice. Did not even come close. And what’s with the coral colored bra under a white shirt?
Jason - I LOVE that song and he did a great job with it.
Carly - It was okay, I wouldn’t pick her version over Dolly’s.
David A. -That was my favorite performance of his so far. Beautiful.
Kristy Lee - I actually thought she sounded way better in rehearsals without the overwhelming band and back-up singers.
Syesha - To me nobody can sing this but Dolly. It's probably not popular, but I detested Whitney’s version. I thought Syesha did a very good version of it, especially the beginning and end. She probably would have fared better for votes had she not picked this song.
Michael - This one is called, "It's All Wrong, but It's All Right." He was fantastic. I think he could have a hit with this right now.
My choice to go home would be Ramiele.
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Apr 1, 2008 10:30 PM
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I really liked some of the performances tonight. I think that Simon was kind of harsh tonight but I think he was partly right about some things.
Brooke White: I enjoyed her performance, it wasn't spectacular but I don't think I have ever been wowed by Brooke as much as I like her, maybe it's her mellow vibe.
David Cook: I thought he was great and I'm glad that he used his own arrangement, just because I'm tired of people complaining about credit not being given when it is usually clearly stated before the song is performed.
Ramiele Malubay:I'm hoping that this is her last performance but I doubt it, I really thought she had potential the first week but she has never reached it and I just want her off my screen.
Jason Castro: I thought that this was one of his better performances and I have to disagree with Simon about this not being his type of music, I think it suited him perfectly.
Carly Smithson: There is still something about her I don't like. I thought she did a good job but I have to wholeheartedly agree with Simon's critiques about her clothes. Don't they pick out their own clothes?
David Archuleta: David is consistently good but I don't get excited about his performances.
Kristy Lee Cook: I want her off my screen too, she is just consistently mediocre compared to everyone else.
Syesha Mercado: Does she want to go home? I knew she would be the stupid one to pick I Will Always Love You, the great Whitney Houston song that you never wish to hear again because you have heard a million times already. Why set yourself up for that kind of comparison?
Michael Johns: Best performance of the night, although they cut his performance kind of short, I didn't get to hear what all the judges had to say. I finally see what the judges have been seeing.
Bottom Three (Hopefully): Ramiele, Kristy Lee and Syesha
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Apr 1, 2008 10:40 PM
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... LOVED David Cook tonight, as always. I had never heard that song before and I absolutely loved it. Also, I'm glad they're making it clear that he's not trying to take credit for the arrangements he has been using.
... I think that Carly and Brooke should've switched songs. Two of my favorite Dolly songs though.
... Simon was a real ass tonight, insulting Carly's outfit and telling Syesha that he wished someone else had sung "I Will Always Love You".
... I actually really liked Jason tonight for the first time in a while.
Bottom 3: Ramiele, Syesha, and Jason. Syesha going home.
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Apr 1, 2008 10:46 PM
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So here's an idea--if they would flash on the bottom of the screen both the title and the arranger, kinda like a music video, right as each person sings it would clear up confusion on both who gets credit AND the true titles of the songs.
Anyway...tonight was ok for me. I LOVE dolly but I don't think she mentored as much as she just told them all they were great. Somebody needed to tell them what they were doing wrong, and help them find a better way. I'm not sure she did that much. She should have warned Syesha to NEVER attempt the Whitney version, if even for only 1/2 the song.
Nobody wowed me though. I thought David C, David A and Michael were the best w/ Carly and Brooke and Jason right behind. KLC was ok, Syesha was ok and Ramiele needs to go home tomorrow.
Simon was REALLY cranky tonight and the whole show just felt weird-it felt rushed and really fast paced. Tonight it just felt kinda off and different all around...oh well.
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Apr 1, 2008 11:01 PM
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Maybe it's just me, but I don't think Simon cares much for country music. Either that or he was just tired and cranky from spending 5 million on a new house for the new female winner of
Idol outside of the US. I saw it on the
news today but I can't remember what country she represented. Wonder what Simon's girlfriend thinks about that?
Now on to important matters. Tonite's show. I loved David Cook...the song and the haircut!! I also liked David A.
and Brooke. But the performance of the night, for me anyway, was Michael Johns. Loved his performance.
The bottom 3? Maybe Ramiele, Syesha & Jason with Ramiele going home.
At least these contestants didn't argue with the mentor or disregard her advice like some did last season.
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Apr 1, 2008 11:34 PM
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I agree with karrahbrooke...Carly and Brooke should've switched songs. Carly would've brought down the house with Jolene!
I am so over little mousy Ramiele. She's a sweet girl, I'm sure, but way out of her league. It's time for her to say buh-bye.
I almost hate to admit it, but I think Kristy Lee Cook is getting better each week. She doesn't annoy me nearly as much as she did in the beginning. I think Simon dislikes her intensely. As for the poster who said Simon doesn't like country music, you are spot on. I think he's actually stated that he's not a big fan of country. However, if that's the choice you give the contestants, suck it up and drive on.
What was it with Simon dissing the accompanying players? He's supposed to be judging Brooke. Did she have a hand in who was on stage with her? If not, don't diss the musicians. I thought the Celtic vibe added something to Brooke's performance.
Again, David Cook did it for me tonight. I really like him and hope that perhaps he won't win. He'll be better off in the long run. I'd like to see David A. win because he ain't going nowhere in the real world. I want to see Carly come in second and David come in third. It worked GREAT for Chris Daughtry!
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Apr 2, 2008 12:02 AM
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ok so usually i am right with simon but i am officially off that bandwagon. What he said about Carly was completely unnecessary. Who cares if she doesn't fit into his Hitler ideation of what women should look like...she can sing the crap out of everything! Simon really needs to get over his Brooke crush and stop hating Carly for no reason. He manages to pick out something negative to say about every performance when she is usually among the best of the night. I am over his favoritism! Give the girl a break and recognize the excruciatingly obvious talent that she has!
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Apr 2, 2008 12:15 AM
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I really wasn't feeling tonights theme of Dolly Partons songs. I thought it was going to be all country songs not just Dolly's. Oh well.
Everyone was just OK for me. Well except for Ramiele,and Syesha and KLC. I had a feeling that Syesha would do "I will always love you." But I wish she just did Dolly's version instead of Whitney's version. But not both. I think if she did Dolly's it would of been better.
Question: I was KLC wearing no shoes? I understand why Brooke wears no shoes when she is playing the piano. And was this the first time she wasn't wearing any shoes on stage?
As to who is going home I really think it will be Syesha. But if its Ramiele, or KLC it wouldn't effect me one bit.
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Apr 2, 2008 12:20 AM
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Simon is a mega-rich jerk-hole.
His comments makes no sense and to talk about Carly's clothes (her husband should be off hiding in a cave) is irrelevant and mean. She sings the crap out of most songs and has a beautiful tone. Jason did better but still has no soul to his voice. Why can't he wear normal hair?? Maybe then people wouldn't be talking about him like we are. Michael, and the 2 Davids were the best. Mulabay can leave tomorrow.
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Apr 2, 2008 12:34 AM
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Hi everybody.
I'm trying to vote, but they didn't show the phone numbers before my DVR cut off during Paula's comments to Michael.
Can someone please help me out with the numbers?
Thanks
Never mind, I googled them.
--
Edited by arrakis44 at 04/01/2008 10:35 PM
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Apr 2, 2008 12:52 AM
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Thats another thing I wanted to point out, Im so glad that the contestants are not doing the fingering of what number they are. It has annoyed me for the past couple of years. We know what number you are we can see it at the bottom of our tvs.
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Apr 2, 2008 1:26 AM
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I'd love to get a look at the song choice selection list the contestants are given.
Now that we've arrived at the point in the competition where the song selection is tied to the guest mentor it really changes everything! I'm glad Dolly Parton has such an incredibly diverse songbook, but I'd like to see the contestants resist the temptation to countri-fy their selections. David C. really performed well in that respect - his own arrangement & well done, if not a home run.
I'm very happy that Dolly P. has such a soothing as well as professional demeanor. For the contestants who are struggling for whatever reason, she must be a healing and encouraging influence at a time it's especially needed. I was SO SO happy to hear David A. find his heart again - and steal ours.
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Apr 2, 2008 1:30 AM
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