2-25-2009 American Idol Recap

OMG, I am soooo good! Did you see the 3 that got through last week? Just what I predicted!

I couldn't do a live update earlier tonight because I was working at my temporary part-time job (yeah, as you guessed it, jobs are hard to come by these days) when AI came on. So, knowing that I couldn't do the live review one by one, I did the unexpected - I took notes while watching the playback (aka TiVo), so that when I finish watching the 2-hour show, I would remember the performances!

Man, again, I am so good that I should be a judge on the show! While I was watching the contestants perform, I was jotting down comments. And when the judges commented on their performances, MANY times they said what I wrote! No joke! So, I am going to put down my "scribbles" first before I elaborate.

Jasmine - Pitch all over the place! I know the judges always liked Jasmine, but I always thought that she was just okay. So, I was really expecting her to do well, since the judges have been singing such high praises for her. When she started singing, I was like, whoa, her pitch was all over the place! So needless to say I was disappointed. Not only did the judges also say that her pitch was all over the place, I believe they were, too, disappointed. My grade: C-

Matt - Nervous, liked version, way better than rehearsal? I liked him during Hollywood week and even more so after he was compared to Elliott Yamin - I LOVE Elliott Yamin - and agreed that he kinda sound like him. But when he started singing I can tell he was nervous 'cuz his voice was trembling. Either that or he had serious vibrato (which I doubt). When Paula said she thought he did way better than during rehearsals I was shocked; he must've been BAAAAD during rehearsals. I liked the little changes he made to the song and even though I don't think he did great, I am still going to root for him because I know he can bring it. My grade: B

Jeanine - Pitchy, darker Leona, too many runs. She hasn't gotten much air time so when I saw her "for the first time tonight" I thought she reminded me of a darker Leona Lewis! I had high expectations for her because of what she said of what Simon said about her, after trying to proof for 10+ years. The song she picked wasn't great and I thought she did way too many runs, which Kara agreed by saying "it was overdone". She may be a pretty girl and have nice legs and nice lips, but this is a singing competition. I hope America don't forget that. My grade: C-/D+

The name is Norman Gentle - Entertained!!! What a performer?! I was very entertained, and the judges also agreed! Although I am a little torn because even though I was pleasantly entertained, I also feel that he is treating this (competition) as a joke. Not his best singing - I've heard him better. My grade: C-/D+ for singing, A for entertainment factor!

Allison - Powerful (KC), okay though. I love Heart and before she started singing I was honestly scared of her possibly butchering it. But when she started singing I was pleasantly surprised because she's only 16! And then when she started belting it out she gave me the Kelly Clarkson vibe (that's what KC stood for), which one of the judges said so too! There were some pitchy issues but I think overall she did a great job. The only one person who stood out for me. My #1 pick and my grade: A-/B+

Kris - ?, interesting choice, nice voice though. I didn't really know how to make of the performance. I remember thinking, Michael Jackson? You're going to tackle Michael Jackson? I thought it was okay but it didn't do as much for me as it did Paula and Simon. My grade: C-

Megan - Love her voice, weird dancing. OMG I just love the tone of her voice! I am really liking that soul and jazzy and blues tone! And Randy nailed it by comparing her voice to Duffy and Adele. The only thing that bothered me about her performance was her very awkward dancing. Because of that weird dancing, my grade: B-

Matt B for "Baldy" - Karaoke singer. I thought his performance was just okay. Reminds me of someone who can sing well at a karaoke bar. My grade: C

Jesse - Red-headed Carmen Rasmussen (former AI contestant) but better singer, love her voice. Again, I am liking her voice because of her soul and jazzy tones to it. Song was okay. My grade: B-

Kai - Nothing. His performance didn't do anything for me. As a matter of fact, I actually started doing other things, which is very unusual for me since my eyes are usually glued to the tube when the show's on. I couldn't believe it when Simon agreed (with me) by saying Kai's performance was "NOTHING distinct, NOTHING original, NOTHING memorable". OMG, that's what I said! My grade: D+

Mishavonna - Nice voice, Katherine Heigl. I liked her voice during the audition and Hollywood week but wasn't sure where her voice would fit. When she started singing I thought she sounded like Pink and looked like Katherine Heigl. I thought she did pretty good overall. My grade: B

Adam - Good performer but annoying voice, nice version of song. I never did really like Adam. I always thought he was so theatrical (could it be because he's a theatrical actor/singer?!? Hmmmm...), so over-the-top. I thought he picked a great song, put on a great performance, and made a great version of the song. But oftentimes I find his voice annoying. I think Simon did too. My grade: B-

This week's contestants are not as easy to judge as the previous week's, and it's harder to tell who will make the top 3, because the "gap" isn't huge, making it very unnoticeable. This is a tough one! Nobody except for one really stood out for me, so I guess I will find out tomorrow if I have it right this week!

Based on the grades given, here are MY top 3: Allison, Matt, and Mishavonna. But I think America will put these 3 on the top 3: Allison, Adam, and Megan.

BTW, I have a special shout-out to Simon: I will NEVER boo you! I love you and I think you're great!