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« American Idol
Episode Recap: The Top 9 Are Revealed!
Hello everyone! As Erin noted last night, she is in L.A. covering the Paley Fest, which leaves me, Adam Bryant (Hello!) to recap tonight's episode of Idol. So let's get to it!
Ryan quickly shared us with that the performances this week earned 30 million votes, the highest total so far this season. The high amount of votes is no doubt a reflection of the quality of last night's performances, which were, with a few exceptions, quite solid.
But, of course, before we can get down to results, we have to sit through a uber-cheesy group performance of Maxine Nightingale's "Right Back Where We Started From." I've never been a fan of these weekly numbers, and don't understand why Simon, who hates everything cheesy, doesn't have a word with the producers about cutting them out completely.
Although it was yet another plug for iTunes, the look at each of the contestants during their weekly recording sessions was interesting. Carly's little giggle at seeing herself on the iPhone cracked me up.
After running quickly through the recaps, Chikezie was the first on stage to face the music. And face the music he did, as he was quickly directed to the dreaded stools of the bottom three.
Brooke White, who defended her arrangement as not "too self-indulgent" and Carly Smithson, who denied pregnancy rumors and confessed to wearing Spanx (ha! she's killing me) were quickly herded over to the safety couch, as were frontrunners David Archuleta and David Cook. (I was Glad to see Ryan put the contorvesy to rest by again noting that David C. performed Chris Cornell's version of "Billie Jean").
Syesha Mercado is next to hear the results, and, despite being her best of the season, finds herself again in the bottom three. Michael Johns, on the other hand, breezes through to safety.
With two of the bottom three decided, Ryan takes calls from viewers. Alhough I haven't been crazy about this addition to the show so far, tonight's questions were an improvement. We learned that Chikezie is single, David A. did choose his own song last night, and that Brooke would love to collaborate with John Mayer. We also learned that Simon considers himself to be the best looking person on the show and, and that he thinks it doesn't take much talent to do Ryan's job. Wait, we already knew he felt that way.
Before revealing the final member of the bottom three, we get a chance to catch up with Season 2 finalist Kimberly Locke. To be honest, I was much more entertained to learn that she owns a restaurant in addition to her music career than by any part of her performance. No offense to Kimberly — she sang well, but "Fall" is a pretty standard (and boring)power ballad.
This week's refresher look at last year's Idol Gives Back event focused on the work done in the U.S. It was pretty amazing to see the stats of all the work that last year's charitable donations did. Most impressive were the 120 million hungry people who were fed, the three mobile medical units that immunized 4,000 people, and the 25,000 donated books who helped 13,000 people improve their reading skills.
Back to the results! Ramiele Malubay, despite fighting an illness and being a bit "shrieky", sails safely into the Top 9, leaving Jason Castro and resident bottom-three member Kristy Lee Cook to hear their fate. While we can't no for sure if it was Jason's half-hearted performance of Kristy's opportunistic patriotism that was the deciding factor, Kristy actually escapes the bottom three, putting Jason in his first threatening position of the season. Although he noted that he felt he would be in the bottom three as a "big shocker," he was quickly sent back to safety.
So that leaves us with Syesha and Chikezie. While Randy and Paula scratched their head over why "brilliant" Syesha is in the bottom two, Simon urged the contestants to "not underestimate how smart the public watching the show are." Thanks, Simon!
Ryan then puts an end to Randy and Paula's head scratching, revealing that Syesha is safe this week. And with that, Chikezie says goodbye. Simon chalked up his departure once again to poor song choice and a bad performance. It seemed like a pretty obvious choice, and considering the alternative meant sending home Syesha this week, America definitely got this one right.
What's your take: So, are you pleased with tonight's elimination? What will you miss most about Chikezie? What do you expect from the Top 9 next week as they take on Dolly Parton? Let us know, and check back next week for more coverage!
POLL: Vote for your current pick to win Idol.
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Mar 26, 2008 11:11 PM
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Nina has good friends at TV Guide, between you and Erin. Nice job!
Here are my thoughts:
During the group sing, Jason, dancing to his own beat, seems surprised to see a camera. This kid is the dictionary definition of "laid back". I hope he goes into emergency medicine if the singing thing doesn't work out. I know if I was on a stretcher, in horrible pain, and looked into his pretty blue eyes, I'd feel better when he said "we're cool", with that crooked smile.
I found the iTunes studio recording session very interesting. David C sounded great singing all by his little huge-headed self. My heart is going pitter-patter. I'm afraid I'll soon be making a Valentine with a doily, red cardboard poster, and some glue.
I don't have big memories of Kimberly Locke. I liked her, but didn't cry when she left. She did a great job on her song, and looks lovely, but I don't enjoy the lyrics. Pleading with someone to "fall apart" puts me off.
I like hearing about "Idol Gives Back". Such a fluff show that makes ridiculous money should share the wealth.
Rami is safe? Yikes. I'm glad Kristy is safe. She's been such a good sport on her many Stool of Steel moments, she deserves a good night.
Jacuzzi is gone. Wonderful voice, just not the right time or place. Good luck to you and your very sweet parents!
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Mar 26, 2008 11:43 PM
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another elimination night- yea! lol
anyway, getting right to it and answer your questions-I will miss NOTHING about chikiezie (sp???). I've never liked him ever since he wore that hideous orange suit and talked back to simon! ugh i was literally clapping out loud and cheering w/ my family when he got the chop. And 2-SO SO SO excited for Miss Dolly Parton next week-she's amazing and its time that these contestants had professional help choosing their songs and working thru them.
Just to note some things: I think Jason really is kinda dim witted, and the charm of the cute face and blue eyes is all external. Just my opinion.
I would LOVE to hear a collaboration w/ John Mayer and Brooke, that would actually be quite enjoyable. Hopefully he'll hear that and you never know what might happen one day.
I saw this towards the last pages of the blog from last night and I wanted to just throw my 2 cents in--about David A, i too feel that he is emotionally fragile and I often look at his body language as he stands on stage after a performance and I just wish I could give him a big hug thru the screen. He seems so insecure and unsure of himself and he really is a fantastic person-not just singer. He has a very humble sweet spirit and I honestly believe that its not a front or phony but he is genuinely that young and raw. I dont know for sure but I hear the rumors about his father and it really makes sense because he exhibits behaviors that you would associate w/ someone who has not yet found out who they are. He may think he knows who he is but I'm sure in 6 or 7 years from now looking back he'll realize that he was just a puppet of his parents or whatever. But I wish the best for him because I really do think he's a good person and he is so very adorable. I almost feel sorry for him as someone else said too, and I feel even more sorry for him after I see how some people trash him on this blog, as if he were a 25 yr. old and very cocky and sure of himself.
Lastly...does anyone think that the AI contestants read this blog??? lol it seems like they directly addressed a few of the topics that have been raging around here (Carly and the pregnancy rumor, Ryan reiterating that David C didn't arrange Billie Jean)
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Mar 26, 2008 11:44 PM
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I guess you can call what happened to Chickeasy when he was directed by Ryan as getting a "stool sample". I think he deserved a better fate and should have been safe. Jason can't sing with "cajones" like the rest of them. He sings like a wuss in a coffee house. Ayesha deserves to keep going to. Ramielle should leave next week or Jason. I have the feeling that David Cook is the one to beat.
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Mar 26, 2008 11:55 PM
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OK all you people who actually voted for Kristy Lee, when she sings the Star Spangled Banner while wearing the American flag next week, it's your fault.
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Mar 27, 2008 12:33 AM
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You people crack me up. Everyone has a different spelling of Chikezie's name. I personally didn't think he deserved to go this week. It wasn't hard though predicting he was going though. For some reason, he just didn't connect with the audience. It was only a matter of time for him to leave.
This was a definite wake up call for Jason. Stop doing the same type of song every week! Don't get too cocky now. Not sure if he was kidding when he was said it would be a big shocker if he was in the bottom 3. It didn't sound like he was kidding. It has been downhill for him ever since he did that overplayed song several weeks ago.
It was interesting that the show touched on 3 of the pressing issues (pregnancy rumors, Cornell and who picked David A's song). I am glad they did that. I still don't get how David A got to do that song because it was first released in '86. This show has been stretching the boundaries of the rules this season. I think they have been safe before because they went with when the songs had been first released. This time though, they went with when the cover song was performed. Interesting. Maybe David's father had a hissy fit and they relented.
I thought the Ford commercial was kinda neat. The questions tonight were somewhat amusing. I can't believe that teen girl asked about getting Ryan's job. That takes juevos.
I didn't realize that it was country week next week. I have a feeling there will be some conspiracy talk in here about keeping Kristy Lee around. But this had been planned in advance, so that is bogus. I am glad that Kristy Lee finally didn't have to go through the pressures of possibly being eliminated if only for one week. I don't think it is pleasant to go through that every week.
Please no one do "I Will Always Love You". I beg you! I can't handle hearing that song again.
Somehow I like it when the musicians call Ryan to say that they liked a person's version of their song or their take of the song. I guess Paul didn't call in after the Beatles nights. He may have been a little busy.
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Mar 27, 2008 12:57 AM
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Who cares about this week. Next week: is all about Dolly!! I so fear that one of the screaming girls is gonna massacre "I Will Always Love You" next week. Here's hoping that Brooke gets it or better yet, nobody performs it.
Anyhow, for me it really was between Ramiele and Chikezie tonight, so that he went was no biggie. Still want to see Carly leave before Top 5. And Kristy's pretty much got the vote for next week wrapped up, too. She's that contestant this year - the Sanjaya, the Nikki. In any event, I'm expecting the boys (especially Cook & Johns) to stumble next week. We'll see.
And what was with the massive amount of Idol alumni in the audience tonight?!!
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Mar 27, 2008 1:15 AM
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I just read the recap rather than watching the show. 
I'm glad to see Chikezie go. I don't dislike him or anything, I just never connected with him. He isn't my style.
I can't wait for next week. I think, however, Michael Johns might do well with country. I think he could very well pull it off. I'm gathering it's any country song? He could totally do a Garth Brooks song.
Anyhow, I'm happy with the results.
Until next week!
Take care.
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Mar 27, 2008 1:39 AM
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When the group song came on, I put it on mute. And I did the same thing with the ridiculous phone calls. Im getting tired of it.
Anyway, I could careless that Chickeze went home. However, I thought he would of last longer.
I agree, please don't let anyone do "I will always love you," cause someone will butcher it. But I have a feeling Syesha will do it anyway. KLC will probably do 9 to 5. Hopefully she won't screw it up as Jessica Simpson did.
Ayesha deserves to keep going to, trombone its Syesha not Ayesha.
I can't waite for Idol give back. Hopefully they will get more celebs than they already have. But Im excited that they got Brad Pitt and my baby John Legand. Plus they should have all of the top 12 perform this for this special occasion. Not just the top whatever for that week.
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Mar 27, 2008 1:44 AM
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This isn't about the actual show tonight, but AI in general. I was checking out the songwriting contest and did you know it costs $10 to enter!? I mean, I know $10 isn't much, but really, does this show need the money? They said that last year they got 20,000 songs. At ten bucks for each tune, that's $200,000. Just seems a little chinzy to make people pay that money. Isn't there anything free out there anymore? And I think it's interesting that they don't mention any prize money or any kind of contract if your song is chosen. The song chosen last year went to #1 and was on Jordin Sparks', album which went gold. Anyone else have thoughts on this?
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Mar 27, 2008 2:09 AM
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anyone else giggle a little at the throw-away chest bump between david c and michael johns during the group song?
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Mar 27, 2008 2:18 AM
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I like Jason, but I wasn't surprised to see him in the bottom three. Yes, he has a niche, but that doesn't necessarily mean he can't shine within those boundaries. I would say that David Cook also has a niche . . . rock. But every week he is able to surprise us with an unexpected twist on a song (no matter who's arrangement it is). Jason needs to make better song choices, AND do interesting variations of those songs. Every week. His problem is, he's so laid back, I don't think he really cares if he wins the competition or not, because he just doesn't seem that competitive. He's just happy to live in the moment. Funny think is, I don't fault him for that. I rather admire his somewhat goofy charm. He's sweet.
I think Syesha was in the bottom three because she's just not original. We've seen so many big-voiced R&B type singers on this show over seven seasons that she doesn't come across as special. She just seems middle-of-the-road to me.
And Chikezie left because he definitely picked the wrong song. When he did the Beattles' "She's a Woman," he made it unique and fabulous. The song he sang this week was utterly forgettable.
Unfortunately, we're stuck listening to KLC and Ramiele for anothe week. Kristy's voice is lacking, truly. As is her charisma on stage. She's probably a terrific person, but she hasn't been able to bring anything special to the stage since she hit the Top 24 and it's wearing very thin.
Same goes for Ramiele. Yes, she has a pretty big voice, but she puts absolutely none of her soul into her performances. Jason does. Brooke does. David Cook certainly does. But, to me, everything Ramiele does is robotic. Her performances are dead on arrival because she isn't able to pick the right song for her own level of life experience. She just isn't believable.
I won't go into the others right now. I'm just looking forward to seeing what Dolly Parton does with the gang next week. I assume they are all going to sing Dolly-penned songs, which will make for a terrific show because that woman is a fantastic songwriter. I'm just curious to see how each contestant will make a song their own. (Just remember what Whitney Houston did with "And I Will Always Love You!")
Until next week . . .
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Mar 27, 2008 4:04 AM
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annek2k, I didn't know that it cost $10 to enter. I never even looked at the entry forms because I knew I wasn't going to enter in the first place so I had no reason to look at it. That's so ridiculous. I think to buy the rights to the song just in case its a winner. I don't know if its that, but whatever it is...its still ridiculous. But what This show doesn't need the money that bad. I hope they gave that money to charity.
I also wanted to ask you guys this...does anyone on this board vote anymore? I use to but I stopped 2 seasons ago.
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Mar 27, 2008 4:14 AM
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Will somebody please, Please, PLEASE tell me who to call, fax, e-mail, text, or blog so I can tell them to STOP the annoying "exit song". At least let whoever is booted sing a song they previously performed that was enjoyable. In this case, Chikezie should have sang that wonderful Beatles song he did a few weeks ago. It's ridiculous to have them sing a song that got them canned. After 7 seasons, you think they would realize that. (Just my humble opinion.)
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Mar 27, 2008 6:08 AM
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Kimberly Locke actually sang a cover of a country song released by Clay Walker last year.
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Mar 27, 2008 7:00 AM
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