Thursday, March 5, 2009

WILD CARD round!

This is the last chance make it or break it opportunity to make it to the TOP 12 of season 8. Here's what the lucky contenders did to try and impress the judges:

Jesse Langseth hoped that she would be hearing something good after singing the Chaka Khan top 5 hit from 1974, Tell Me Something Good. She has the personality and style to shine best when performing live on stage. Really, she would be best playing in a coffee shop or a dive bar. I don' t think the judges are going to think she's big enough for the American Idol stage.

Matt Giraud did his best to get the lovin of the judges with his rendition of the Jackson 5's Who's Lovin You. He worked it by trying to be a blue eyed soul crooner, but he lacked the energy to really breath any life into the performance. Ultimately, he lacks the impressive and effortless vocal range to really stand out.

Megan Joy Corkrey got up there and did her swivel hips moves while singing KT Tunstell's Black Horse and The Cherry Tree. It was a very good choice that illustrates her quirky image and shows more of what she will bring in weeks to come. She has a very good chance of making the cut.

Von Smith tried to rise to the occasion with the top 10 hit from 1976 by Elton John, Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word. It started out very slow and bland, but he saved it all for the end where he hit the big notes for the climactic finish. It's sad. So sad. It's a sad sad situation that this probably won't be enough to push him into the next round.

Jasmine Murray hoped that by singing the song that first introduced the world to #1 hitmaker and Grammy winner for Best New Artist, Christina Aguilera, the judges would see who she really is inside. It wasn't exactly the song that showcased her as a contemporary chart topper, but it clearly demonstrated that she has an impressive vocal range. She may be getting more chances to show off her stuff.

Ricky Braddy sang the song that Stevie Wonder took all the way to #1 in 1972, Superstition. It's clear that he has a good voice and he did his best to show that he has the stage presence and showmanship to go along with it. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like he has it all. It's not likely that he will be moving on.

You gotta wonder why Tatiana Del Toro decided to sing Whitney Houston's 1985 #1 hit Saving All My Love For You again. She just did it a few weeks ago, albeit pretty well, but it didn't impress the viewers to vote for her back then. While it was just as good this time around it's not likely to make the judges think she can do anything else in coming weeks.

Anoop Desai did his best to impress with the 1988 #1 hit by Bobby Brown, My Prerogative. While he also has a good voice along with a genuine and sincere personality, this song pointed out quite clearly how completely uncool he is. It was vocally bland and the showmanship was very unconvincing. This should be his last chance.

Overall, I don't think this group of lucky 8 finalists did what they had to do to make the best argument for a shot in the top 12.

Here's what the judges decided:

Jasmine Murray got the good news that she has made it into the top 12. Ricky Braddy will not. Megan Joy Corkrey will also be taking her place in the top 12 while Tatiana Del Toro once again did not make the cut. Jesse Langseth also did not. Neither did Von Smith. With just Matt Giraud and Anoop Desai remaining the very lucky twist was revealed that they have both made it into the TOP 13!!!

So here are the finalists who have made it to the next round of competition:

Scott MacIntyre
Adam Lambert
Lil Rounds
Danny Gokey
Jasmine Murray
Alexis Grace
Kris Allen
Jorge Nunez
Michael Sarver
Allison Iraheta
Matt Giraud
Megan Joy Corkrey
Anoop Desai

My prediction is that Scott MacIntyre, Lil Rounds and Adam Lambert are going to be headed all the way up to the top three and one of them will be crowned the Season 8 Miss American Idol!

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