American Idol Blog

• Enlarge

Category: Season 8: Hollywood week

Kris Allen pulls off biggest upset in 'Idol' history

HOORAY! Congrats Kris Allen for beating all odds and winning "American Idol" Season 8!

Five minutes before Ryan Seacrest revealed the results, I forced myself to accept the fact that Adam Lambert would be named the winner. What an unexpected surprise! It's so awesome to see someone who was an underdog throughout the majority of the competition come through as the winner. I haven't bought many of the past Idol winner's albums, but I can guarantee that I will be buying Kris Allen's!

Adam Lambert deserves tons of credit for making it as far as he did. I'm interested to see where his career goes from here. Can he really produce successful records? Or will he return to Broadway after his first (and only) attempt at the big leagues flops?

I've had a blast writing these posts throughout Season 8, so thank you to The Detroit News for this opportunity! Thanks also to the other Idol bloggers for the entertaining and witty posts.

Only seven more months until the "Idol" craziness starts all over again!

• Enlarge

Category: Season 8: Hollywood week

'Idol' begins anew

Top 36, here we come.

It's tough to know what to make of the contestants at this point in the season, but I'm here to offer two bold predictions:

1. Scott MacIntyre will win it all. In these depressed times, his is an underdog story that America will rally behind. At this point, it's his competition to lose. And ...

2. Tatiana Del Toro will not make it to the Top 12. Her drama queen antics will not be tolerated by viewers, unless the Vote for the Worst folks throw all their weight behind her, in which case MacIntyre may have his work cut out for him at the top of the heap.

Other early faves? Danny Gokey is extremely likeable, has a good story behind him and could go far. I like Anoop Desai, but he's too plain to make an impact. And Adam Lambert -- I'm pegging him for a fourth place finish. Don't know why, but he seems like a No. 4 kind of guy.

Also, Norman Gentle. I can't wait to see what he'll do.

As for who's history, I personally cannot wait to not vote for Von Smith and Nathaniel Marshall. Get them out of here already!

All in all, it looks like it's going to be a good season and the producers' strategy of introducing us to more characters earlier already seems to be paying off. See you in the live rounds!

Category: Season 8: Hollywood week

Paula gives fashion advice

My absolute favorite part of "American Idol" tonight was when Paula gave some fashion advice to Kristen McNamara. I think maybe Paula and Kristen should seek the help of a fashion consultant.

Kristen definitely needs to change her appearance from her clothing to her ditsy attitude. I'm hoping once Kristen changes her look maybe Paula won't be too far behind her. I must admit though that tonight Paula looked pretty good. She looked like the Lady of the Mansion. I still feel Paula needs to stick with judging only and leave the fashion advice to someone else.

Category: Season 8: Hollywood week

'Idol" Season 8 changes effective

Tonight we saw the first major changes that "Idol" has been promising us all along. The contestants had their final judgment day at the Judges Mansion, where the "Idol" judges sat in what looked like thrones. This seemed a little over the top, especially the extremely long walk to meet the judges.

In addition, some contestants were forced to have a sing-off with one of their peers to determine which one should make it into the top 36. I felt this was unfair to the contestants considering the pressure they were already feeling.

The first sing-off was between Michigan's Cody Sheldon and early favorite Alex Wagner. Both were asked to pick a song they thought might make a strong impact on the judges and advance them. Alex had a stronger performance of "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" than Cody's "Love Remains The Same," and made it into the finals of Season 8. The moment proved to be bittersweet for Cody and Alex. I hope Cody continues to pursue his singing career and we see him on "Idol" next year!

Another dramatic choice was between Kristen McNamara and Jen Korbee, who had not gotten much screen time before. Jen had the look and personality, while Kristen had the vocals. Ultimately, it was the vocals that won over the judges and Kristen earned a spot into the top 36.

Jesse Langseth, sister of blues singer Jonny Lang, and Frankie Jordan also had to prove themselves before the judges. Both girls have been known for their soulful voices throughout this competition and Frankie had been compared to Amy Winehouse at her original audition. Jesse made a poor song choice, but made it through to the next round over Frankie.

The next sing-off was between Nathaniel Marshall and Jackie Midkiff. While both had strong vocals, Nathaniel's outgoing personality and soothing voice got him through over Jackie, whom has been showcased very little throughout the competition.

The final sing-off was between two respected family men, Matt Breitzke and Michael Sarver. Both are known to wow the judges with their soulful, bluesy voices, so it was going to be a tough decision. So tough, in fact, that the judges let both Matt and Michael through to the top 36.

Other than the sing-offs, there were no major surprises on who was passed through vs. who was sent home. I am very dissapointed that obnoxious Tatiana Del Toro and Nick Mitchell are still in the competition over Jamar Rogers and Jackie Midkiff. I am very excited to see my favorites Adam Lambert, Matt Giraud, Scott MacIntyre and Danny Gokey into the top 36.

I also found it interesting that the girls got very little screen time while most of the male contestants were given a back story. I guess that proves my point that a male is more likely to win "Idol" this year.

Category: Season 8: Hollywood week

And then there were 36

Singing for their lives? A little dramatic, eh? Do they honestly think people find this show dramatic? If you are one of those people who find the show dramatic, do you get out much? Dramatic would be if they were literally singing for their lives. Sing poorly and you get the guillotine. Now that would be entertaining! At least death is a better option than having to listen to Tatiana Del Toro yet again.

How dramatic can moments be when you have never even seen some of the contestants on the show before? Never heard of the contestant? Guess what? They're being kicked off tonight.

Props to "Idol" for pitting friends against one another. Ingenious! Hey, we're buddies. Oh wait, you just knocked me out. Thanks for nothing! You got to love the awkward moments. Am I supposed to hug the person I just knocked out? Do we clap for the person who won when the person next to him just had his dreams shattered? A-W-K-W-A-R-D.

Top 12 predictions: Adam Lambert, Ann Marie Boskovich, Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Joanna Pacitti, Kai Kalama, Kendall Beard, Lil Ronds, Matt Giraud, Megan Corkey, Scott MacIntyre, Stephen Fowler and Jasmine Murray (oops, that's 13).

Brent Keith, Junot Joyner, Jackie Tohn and Jorge Nunez are also strong contenders to make the top 12 as each brings something unique to the competition.

Special props to Jamar Rogers who took it like a man when he didn't make it to the top 36. Here is to a successful career in wherever life takes him.

Time for the real talent to shine.

Category: Season 8: Hollywood week

'Sing for your survival'

I couldn't help but think of "The Wizard of Oz" tonight when the "American Idol" contestants made their way down the long hallway at the Judges Mansion, some forced to sing for their survival in the contest.

There was Simon (the Great and Powerful Oz), Randy (the Cowardly Lion), Paula (the Tin Man with the giant heart) and Kara (the Scarecrow looking for a brain).

Unlike Dorothy clicking her heels three times and saying "There's no place like home," this week home was not where you wanted to be.

I can almost envision Tatiana screeching into the night "I'll get you and I will win 'American Idol,' too" in her best Wicked Witch of the West cackling laugh.

Category: Season 8: Hollywood week

Changes spice up 'Idol'

I know after being on the air for eight years that changes need to be made to spice up "American Idol" a little. That certainly was done this year by adding the Judges Mansion.

First of all, these young singers are already intimidated by the judges and the whole "American Idol" process. Adding a mansion might put some of them over the edge. I'm sure most of these contestants have never even been inside a mansion. Watching them sitting there facing the judges reminds me of someone being in front of a parole board begging for their last chance.

However, I like the sing-offs especially because many of these singers have such similar styles. This was a great idea on the part of "American Idol." Sometimes it's hard to chose one from the other such as the case of the working dads. After Michael Sarver and Matt Breitzke sang I knew they would make it through. You working dads rocked my night. I agree with the judges that neither one will be the "American Idol," but it will be fun to see how far they can go.

Category: Season 8: Hollywood week

'American Idol' or 'America's Next Top Model'?

I am normally the first person to run to Simon's defense when people mention that he is too sarcastic, rude, evil - the list goes on and on. But tonight I wanted to slap him upside his head when he said two classic lines, "Are we going to take the attractive blonde girl or the one who can sing?" and when he muttered under his breath to Kara when she told Jenn she was beautiful, "That is the problem"

We need to remind Simon that this is first and foremost a singing competition - or so I thought. Let me take him on a trip down Memory Lane and remind him of some other contestants who he deemed not to be "Idol" worthy due to their appearance:

Clay Aiken: gawky, giant ears, goofy glasses and now doing quite well for himself, thank you very much.

Taylor Hicks: gray hair (unheard of!) and Simon loathed him, but Taylor's Soul Patrol went on to win "American Idol."

Ruben Studdard: wore a football jersey and was deemed too rotund for "Idol" won it all.

Jennifer Hudson: I remember Simon saying she too was too heavy and looked goofy when she sang, but that didn't stop her from winning a Grammy, huh?

Jordin Sparks: gorgeous face, also on the chunky side, won "American Idol."

Fantasia: not the most gorgeous contestant ever, but won "Idol" and is starring on Broadway.

In the battle between Jenn and Kristen, Simon could not be more wrong. Kristen had the stronger voice and she deserved a spot in the top 36.

Remember, this is first and foremost a singing competition!

Category: Season 8: Hollywood week

'Idol' boring, predictable and way too long

The rain beating against the windowpane was the only sound that kept my attention tonight. My head was as foggy as my memory of some of the "American Idol" hopefuls. The judges just seemed to enjoy delaying their decision while tears fell and hearts pounded.

The girls battled the guys on a tie breaker that was decided on looks and not talent. You go, girls!

Not many surprises tonight, although keeping both of the hardest-working guys after a sing-off was a novel way to end a dismal show. Now, show me the talent.

Category: Season 8: Hollywood week

Top 36 stand out in 'Idol' crowd

It wasn't too hard to figure out who would be chosen for "American Idol"'s top 36 tonight. After watching each performer sit facing the judges in the Judges Mansion, my favorites made it through: Matt Giraud, Lil Rounds, Adam Lambert, Kai Kalama and Danny Gokey.

I did feel bad for Danny's BFF Jamar but it was bound to happen.

The surprise of the night was definitely Nick Mitchell aka Norman Gentle. Who knew he had such a serious side to him? I didn't really expect him to make it to the top 36. His craziness paid off after all.

Then there's Tatiana. Why, why, why? Are the judges crazy? She certainly did not deserve to make it this far.

I'm just glad it's over and the final 36 have been chosen. This is when the exciting part of "American Idol" begins. See you next week.