American Idol Historical Successes

There was a question posed on EW's website on who was the most successful and least successful American Idol winner. The question was grazed without much thought and not really answered so I jumped on it and ran with the topic.

This list ranks the eleven Idol winners. It is based on CD sales, awards, gold and platinum sales as well as other music success since winning.

The ranking are based on numbers AFTER the person won Idol. Any albums released pre-Idol do not count.

Some are obvious, some are alot more difficult. So let's get started...

#1

What do you have to say about Carrie that hasn't already been said? She has won 116 awards, including five Grammys, sixteen Billboard Music Awards, and an amazing 34 country awards (CMA, ACM, ACA, CMT combined.) she has had sixteen songs hit gold/platinum, all four of his albums have been certified multi-platinum and ever became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. All this plus being an award show host and even the reason for a trade to bring her future husband from Ottawa to Nashville. That all before the age of 30. There was no doubt she is deserving to be on the top of this list.

#2

The original American Idol. Kelly is one of a kind, beautiful and has the best humble attitude. (Just wanted to say all that.) She has won 70 awards, including two Grammys and twelve Billboard Awards. She has had fourteen single skyrocket to the top, and all her albums except one has gone at least platinum. She's now one of the most well know women in pop music and still has a long career to go.

#3

Jordin has quietly become a name in the pop/R&B world. While her sales haven't been amazing, she has had four mega hits, including the star making duet with Chris Brown, No Air. She is currently the last female to win Idol and has made the most of it.

#4

The minute Scotty opened his mouth, everyone knew he would be a star. After he won Idol he entered a built in mega country world looking for a new young star. Since then he has won three country awards and he became the fastest male Idol winner to have an album certified platinum. With such a hot start, his career is already looking amazing.

#5

While I have never been a fan of Fantasia, you can't ignore her moderate success. While she never has had great sales success, she has fifteen awards to her credit into two Billboard Music Awards and awards for her role in The Color Purple on Broadway. She has had a rough life but does deserve her due.

#6

While David never became the rock star he expected to become, he's still a star. With two major hits, he deserves more credit then he gets and should actually be on the same level as Daughtry.

#7

Never is the history of Idol has someone actually had his coronation song get certified double platinum. You can't go anywhere without hearing Home, especially during the Olympics. His first album comes out in November and people are truly looking forward to it. In a world where a male Idol winner usually disappears, this unexpected success is amazing to see.

#8

After a lackluster R&B run, Ruben found his standing in Gospel. Unfortunately he has no real success to show it off. With only one award to his credit and nothing else, he's one of the biggest disappoint in Idol history.

#9

I really like Kris. His most recent album is really good, unfortunately most people didn't buy it or get into it. He has one has one major hit single and is the only Idol winner to pull his coronation song off the Idol tour set list. It's disappointing he's not more popular.

#10

 If you look at the list of Idol winners, you forget Taylor actually won. A fan favorite in his season never truly took off after the moderate success of his first album.

#11

If an Idol winner releases a second album, gets no press and no one buys it, did it really happen? That describes Lee's music career now. He actually did release an album last year and it was virtually unheard from. It's sad what has happened here, but it is fitting for the winner of the season that most fans hated.

Entertainment Report-Issue #2 (Glee, DWTS, CBS Comedies and more)

Entertainment Report

Issue #2

9/27-10/3/12

This has been an interesting week for me personally. I was sick and busy, and it was an oddly slow week in fun stories, so finding topics to fill this issue was difficult. But I think it will be fine. I'm still trying to figure out the format and what I want to cover, so it might seem like I'm jumping around through things over the first few weeks. For this I apologize but it is a new format for me and I'm still trying to figure it all out.

That being said, let's get into this issue...

Episode:Makeover
Best Song: Everybody Wants to Rule The World
Worst Song: The Way You Look Tonight/You're Never Fully Dressed (by default)

What a difference a week makes. While the show wasn't perfect, lack of Marley is one of my reasons, this was as close as it gets. This episode flew by and was just alot of fun to watch. I also appreciate the self awareness of the show and all the throwaway jokes that you'd actually have to watch the show a few times to catch them all. I haven't said that in a long time.

A few notes, I didn't realize that Sarah Jessica Parker can actually sing. The election stuff cracked me up all night and I love the fact that by the end of the show, even before the "next week on Glee" preview, I wanted next week's show to start already. I love the turn in Blaine's character and all the seeds that were planted for Clane and Finchel.

Rating: A

If this week has proved anything to me it that there is so much talent with the all star format that someone great will go home every week. It sucks but it's true.

Best Performances: Shawn/Derek, Joey/Kym, Helio/Chelisie, Sabrina/Louis, Gilles/Peta

Worst Performances: Bristol/Mark (by default)

Let me say that I have alot of respect for Derek & Gilles for not giving up, working hard and doing hardcore dance moves through injuries.

Final 2: Joey/Kym, Helio/Chelisie

As you can see by my favorites list, I was shocked when it came down to these two.

Eliminated: Joey/Kym

Shocking and sad to say the least. The show is not going to be as entertaining as it has been recently.

Other TV Notes

Me and CJ watched the TMNT premiere that aired this past Saturday on Nick. I will say this was a really good premiere. People have problems with reboots by this felt like a brand new show. It almost felt like this saw the success of Ultimate Spiderman and animated this show with that format. Very well done and I'll admit when I was listening to the backstory again, I got giddy like a little kid. They didn't change alot to be honest. The only thing I have to get used to is April being a teenage instead of a reporter, but she's voiced the adorable and awesome Mae Whitman so it could work.

This should really just be about CBS comedies in general, but these are the two that we watch. Welcome back! Both of these shows picked up right where they left off, even caught up new viewers without annoying the current fans and were both just beginning to end funny. They reminded me why I love comedies, especially when they are doing multi-camera, old school style.

After writing my report about Idol last week I was completely amused by the video TMZ posted of Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey. Seeing them arguing just about made my point on why I a skipping this season. I have no interest in watching those two argue all season. Neither of them are close to being as intriguing as Simon Cowell and it's just going to be a train wreck. Thank you for giving me another reason to not watch. 

Music News

Congrats to Darius Rucker on being invited to be a part of the Grand Ol' Opry this week by Brad Paisley. It's a honor and he definitely deserves it. I hope they are it on TV so I can see it. It should be a fun night. 

Podcast Plug

This week's podcast is going to the FTW podcast. It is a really funny wrestling show and defintely worth a listen. Also this gets the honor because they retweeted me during Raw this week so yay for them. 

Okay that's that. A few shoutouts real fast. First of all, congrats to Wade Keller and the Pro Wrestling Torch who are celebrating it's 25th Anniversary this month. #2, I want to send you to read my friend's Jaclyn funny blog she posted yesterday. If you are a parent, it's really funny and truthful at the same time. Finally some housekeeping, if you are a wrestling fan take a look at my Top 10 best and worst matches in TNA Bound for Glory history and my NFL Week 5 picks are also up. 

That's it for issue #2. Next week I will be covering the last Glee episode before the baseball break, TNA's Bound for Glory and other news items as they come up. Till then, thank you for reading.

Entertainment Report-Issue #1 (Glee, DWTS, Idol, TMNT and more)

Entertainment Report

Issue #1

9/20-26/12

This week was the beginning of the fall season, kind of.

CBS ran a little behind because of Big Brother ending when it did (Yay Ian!) and it seems like NBC started airing The Voice earlier then anything else. But either way it's the new fall season.

Here's my issue. Maybe I'm just busy or getting older but not much this fall really caught my eyes or attention. I have no interest in X Factor, if The Voice was on a different night and didn't conflict with so many things on the DVR I would get into that. There are many shows that I just don't have interest in even getting into at all.

Right now the show schedule consists of Glee, Dancing with the Stars, Big Bang Theory, Mike & Molly and maybe something else thrown in once in a while. With wrestling, football and just family time, those are all I seem to have time for right now. That doesn't mean I don't have opinions on other things as well though.

That all being said, let's get into this issue...

When the season started last week, I'll admit I was a little scared. The Graduation episode in May was emotional and we said goodbye to alot of the major characters. Now in a new time slot, I kinda feel like there was new life blown into the show. I love the fact that the storylines are split between Ohio & New York, it makes it more exciting to watch.

The positives are the Rachel/Kurt pairing, the addition of Marley and the fact that show just seems to be leaning on it's past to progress all the storylines. The negatives are the lack of Finn, Santana (Skype doesn't count) and other graduating seniors. Also I'm not a fan of Brody or Unique.

Best Song: Crazy/U Drive Me Crazy

Worst Song: 3

Best Cameo: Puck

Best Moment: Marley's reaction to Jake dating Kitty was a sad moment but so realistic. 

Worst Moment: The whole Britney on stage lip syncing was to over the top even for her character.

Grade: B+ (Britney 2.0 > Britney)

With the Packers playing on Monday Night Football the game was on our ABC station here aired for the premiere episode didn't air till 1:30am. So I did get to watch before work on Tuesday morning. Well worth the wait, what a show.

First of all, I was just as surprised as everyone else that Tom Bergeron won the Emmy for reality host. He deserves it, just didn't expect it. So congrats to him!

Second, I personally love the new scoring system. The half a point score actually helps and makes it harder to get a perfect score.

Third, with all the talk about judges on other reality shows, it's good to know that after 15 seasons the judging table is exactly the same on DWTS. Very nice to see. 

Finally, this is the all star season. It's really the only reason I'm watching. I'm looking forward to great dancing and awesome entertainment.

Monday

Best Couples: Emmit/Cheryl, Joey/Kym, Sabrina/Louis

Worst Couples: Pamela/Tristan, Kelly/Val, Bristol/Mark

Tuesday

Why is the results show two hours? I didn't even watch the whole show at all. 

Bottom Two: Drew & Anna, Pamela & Tristan

Say what?? Why were Drew & Anna in the bottom two? At least Pam & Tristan went home. They don't belong on this show at all. 

New Items

After 11 years and all the craziness I think I'm done. Heading into season 12 there are three new judges and they weren't even on the road for the auditions. 

When J-Lo and Steven Tyler left, I knew it was going to be trouble. Then Mariah was named a judge ad I had issues with that. After Nicki Minaj was announced I was thoroughly annoyed. I have this extreme hatred for Nicki Minaj, matched only by my hate for Rhianna. At the point when Keith Urban was announced as judge #3, as much as I'm a country music fan, if I'm not going out of my way for Blake Shelton on The Voice, Urban won't bring me to watch Idol.

This year might be it for me. I can't believe that there will be a Carrie, Kelly, Daughtry or even a Phillip Phillips this year to draw me in,

This might change come January, but at the moment I think i'm skipping this season.

I'll keep this short and sweet. I DVRed the awards, watched the opening monologue, it sucked. I saw the first award and went to bed. When I got up and looked over the list of winners and there was only two awards for something I watched this past year:

Tom Bergeron-Dancing with the Stars-Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program

Glenn Weiss-65th Tony Awards-Outstanding Direction for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special

That's it.

I don't watch Modern Family, Game of Thrones, Homeland, Breaking Bad, Boardwalk Empire or really anything else that won. It reminded me of the days when Frasier won every year and I never got into that show either.

I just wasn't into it at all this year.

Upcoming Shows

Real quick note, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comes back on Saturday morning this week and CJ is super excited. Between this, Pound Puppies & Saturday Morning Slam, weekend programming has drastically changed around here. 

Comic Book Men in a guilty pleasure for me. I'm a big Kevin Smith fan and since last season, I've gotten to know the Smod gang via podcasts. So I'm looking forward to the show's return on October 14th.

That's it for this week. I think I covered alot today. Come back next week for more of my thoughts on the wonderful and crazy entertainment world. 

American Idol Finale: And the winner is...

Live from my IPod Touch, the final Idol of season 10.


Top 13-Born This Way
It was great to see everyone back and will take any version that is not the original Gaga version.

James & Judas Priest
Whoa! Never ever in a million years would I have ever imagined seeing Priest on the Idol stage. Totally incredible!

Jacob, Kurt Franklin & Gladys Knight-I Smile
Okay it's official I know too many musical genres! This is what Jacob should've sounded like all season! Wow. Bonus points for the dedications to all the local tragedies.

Casey & Jack Black-Fat Bottom Girls
This was great! The likenesses are so scary! Plus I think people forget Jack can sing. This was sooooo much fun!

Idol Girls & Beyonce- Medley
This proves the girls are ALOT better than where they ended up in the elimination order. This was awesome!

Haley & Tony Bennett
Okay what the hell? He's still got it but he couldn't get that smile off his face. Very good.

Niama, Karen, Ashton, Thia, Lil Jon and TLC
Holy random musical acts! It was great to hear Waterfalls.

Scotty & Tim McGraw-Live Like You're Dying
Whoa! Never saw this duet coming! I want this on my mp3 player! Scotty, I want to see you on the Opry stage sooner than later. 

Top 13 Guys and Tom Jones
Didn't expect that at all. Random but alot of fun. Bonus points on the Carlton dance.

Ford Music Video
Whenever You Remember
Very sweet video. 

Lauren & Carrie Underwood-Before He Cheats
Carrie and Carrie Jr. everybody!! All jokes aside, this was great. Only thing is that Lauren is WAY too young to sing this song with enough passion.

The Results:
The Winner Is...
Scotty!!!
And sealed with a kiss from Lauren...

American Idol: The Country Filled Finale (5/24/11)

Ladies & Gentlemen, this is the finale. Three rounds, two original songs and one of the toughest finales ever.

Round 1: Favorite Performance of the Season

Scotty
Song: Gone
Watching him sing this makes me smile. Even better than the first time.
Rating (out of 5): *****

Lauren
Song: Flat on The Floor
Alot of fun big time. They are not going to make this easy are they? Very awesome!
Rating (out of 5): *****

Round 2: Celebrity Picks

Scotty
Picked By: George Straight
Song: Check Yes or No
You can't teach that kind of storytelling technique. He is going to be a country star for years to come. Well done again!
Rating (out of 5): *****

Lauren
Picked By: Carrie Underwood
Song: Maybe It Was Memphis
Simply beautiful. I really enjoyed that. Well done for a girl who had some voice problems coming into the show.
Rating (out of 5): *****

Round 3: Their First Single (Original Song)

Scotty
Song: I Love You This Big
This was a perfect song for him. Perfect story. This will be a mega hit win or loss.
Rating (out of 5): *****

Lauren
Song: Like My Mother Does
Ladies and gentlemen your new Mother's Day song. Totally amazing!
Rating (out of 5): *****

Well I have no idea who's going to win. Honestly I don't. We can't lose either way, but I'm going to give the edge to Scotty. I don't really know why, just because.

American Idol: And then there were two... (5/19/11)

After 11 weeks, three emotionally charged home trip videos, and more singing and voting than ever before in Idol history, we have our finalists for season 10...

Scotty and Lauren!

Haley finally got sent home and sang one last time.

Next week I am looking forward to this. It'll be the closest vote in years I know it.

American Idol: Triple Threat (5/18/11)

Last night American Idol was down to the top three. Well because it was Mandy's birthday and we had friends over we didn't take our normal notes or tweet like we normally do during the show. So that format is obviously out the window. Instead I will do my best to talk about the top three, performances and the people itself and who I think NEEDS this show to be successful and who doesn't.

First of all Scotty. Every week I say the same thing, how is he this good this young? The fact is he's no where near his prime and he's a better singer than most of the new artists currently on country radio. While last night he seemed a bit off, that just means that his fans are going to try harder to get him to the finale. He's simply amazing and will see a life on the Opry stage before the end of this year win or loss. He has the attraction to the girls and guys, even non country guys, love him. He's by far the most well liked Idol in a long long time.

Now onto the youngest person left, the beautiful Lauren. I really want her to be older so I don't feel so creepy saying that. At 16, she has found a way to be pop country. He's got an incredible voice and great range. The only problem that I've seen all season is she's still so scared on that stage. You would think she's been doing this for three months now she'd be 100% used to performing in front of this crowd. Last night I think she wrote her ticket to finals singing Band Perry's If I Die Young, a song I don't like at all, but she did it better than they ever did.

Finally, Haley. Seriously, this is one of the most puzzling semi-finalists in a long time. I mean she's good, but she's not great. She doesn't belong at this level. Last night for me, she was trying to be tough and came off over her head, tried to be sexy and came off creepy and tried to live up to beating out James and looked over her head. It might seem I'm being mean and a little biased to the country duo, but she didn't even belong in Top 5 let along the Top 3. I've been saying that for months now. I just hope she realizes that if by some chance she makes it to the finale, she's going to lose because all the young votes will either goto Scotty or Lauren.

The finale SHOULD be Scotty vs. Lauren. The youngest final ever. They are most consistent this season and the most deserving at this point.

If there's ever a time that the vote should be "rigged", FOX should make sure that this is the finale next week.

American Idol: Guys vs. Girls (5/12/11)

Last night it was time to say goodbye to one more Idol and get down to 3. Before that though it was a battle of the sexes in duets.

Scotty and James-Start A Band
Excellent song and a lot of fun. Nice to see James step out of his rock comfort zone.

Haley & Lauren-Gunpowder and Lead
Is it country night? Loved this performance! Very intense!

Results
Lauren- Safe

Ford Commercial
Fireflies
Very awesome! Looked like fun!

What the hell happened to Jordin? She looks and sounds like everyone now. Very disappointed.

Results 
Haley safe

I am shocked! Totally shocked! 

Results 
Scotty-Safe!
James-Eliminated

Wow. Right to the end this results show is shocking. Simply amazing. 

So final three going home in style:
Scotty, Lauren and Haley

Let's bring it on!

American Idol: Journey Home (5/11/11)

It's really hard to believe we've hit the final four. This week was split up into two rounds, first round was songs that inspire them, the second was songs by Leiber and Stoller which I would have appreciated a better explaination for the younger audiences, but they were too obsessed with the guest mentor Lady Gaga to do that. That being said let's get into the show...

James
Song: Don't Stop Believin
Blake: Loved the stage presence. Really good performance for him. I really enjoyed it. Might have been one of his best.
Rating (out of 5): *****
Mandy: James rocked the Journey song, but then again I don't think I can hate anyone doing that song. Great job with a great song.

Haley
Song: The Earth Song
Blake: This was alright. She's done better and right now she really feels like the weak link on this show in this group.
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: Haley, don't sing a song about saving Earth while wearing leather. And you inspired me alright, to want to jump off a bridge..

Scotty
Song: Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)
Blake: Could you pull at the heartstrings anymore? Amazing. Thank you for singing this song. Just thank you.
Rating (out of 5): *****
Mandy: Scotty knows how to play the crowd's heartstrings. Amazing rendition of a song America needed. He's got a country soul.

Lauren
Song: Anyway
Blake: Whoa! This one touched home for her and you can tell in her voice. Amazing.
Rating (out of 5): *****
Mandy: Lauren looked amazing and sounded even better. One of my favorite Idol performances of all time. Martina would be proud.

Haley
Song: I (Who Have Nothing)
Blake: The full orchestra was a bit much for me. Too dramatic for me and way too much screaming. Seemed like she was trying way too hard.
Rating (out of 5): ***
Mandy: Good song for Haley, but too theatrical for my taste. It was great, but I think her lights are on Broadway, not the Idol stage.

Scotty
Song: Young Blood
Blake: We now return you to concert Scotty. For real I felt like we walked into one of his concerts and this time I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. Hysterical but I'm a little speechless.
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: Scotty's facial expressions distracted me more than anything, but it was good. He doesn't need the show but the show needs him.

Lauren
Song: Trouble
Blake: Fiesty! Totally completely opposite of her wholesome side that we're used to. I enjoyed it. It was alot of fun.
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: Not Lauren's best, but not her worst. She's not evil and Gaga's not a role model, but she did loosen uo. Get her on the radio.

James
Song: Love Potion #9
Blake: That was well done and a perfect ending for this round. Take notes Haley, that's how you end a song with high notes without screaming!
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: James is too much. It's Love Potion #9, not friggin' Enter Sandman. Why does he get all the effects? Ozfest, yes. Idol, no.

Should Go Home: Haley
Will Go Home: Haley

American Idol: And We're Down To Four (5/5/11)

Tonight it was definitely a fun night to go with the Wednesday theme.

The now belonged to J-Lo (with Pitbull) and Lady A singing their latest hit and new song respectively.

The then went to the top 5 who sang a good reditition of Happy Together, the Turtles classic.

And also, as a side note, Lauren won the Gordon Ramsey hosted American Idol Hell's Kicthen. No I'm not making that up.

But when it came to results time, Ryan was up to his old tricks. He seperated the Idols in pairs, James/Haley and Lauren/Jacob. See where this is going? Then he told Scotty he was safe and asked him to choose which side to go on and that trio would be safe and the others would be the bottom two. Well after Scotty refused, Ryan gave him a little push and made our...

Bottom 2:
Jacob and Lauren

Me and Mandy were yelling and screaming for Lauren to be safe and then finally we said goodie to...

Jacob

This man I've had in my bottom list for WEEKS now and he's finally gone. Took long enough America.

American Idol:Now & Then Rollercoaster (5/4/11)

It's hard to believe it's Top 5 week. The season is almost over! This is where things get interseting and rough. The theme this week was Now and Then. Also they sing twice and Sheryl Crow was their guest mentor. So on with the show... 

James
Song: Closer To the Edge
Blake: Started off really weak n my opinion. There were some really terrible high notes near the end. Not that good at all for me.
Rating (out of 5): ***
Mandy: James was okay for me. He will be great in rock, but I don't listen to enough of that kind of music to really appreciate it.

Jacob
Song: No Air
Blake: It was alright. Not "great". Too tough for him. Rough start to the night so far.
Rating (out of 5): ***
Mandy: Jacob confused me. What is he trying to be? Obviously not both Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown, I hope. Definitely not for me.

Lauren
Song: Flat on the Floor
Blake: Very sassy! Loved the fiddle and the playing to the crowd. This might have been her best performance of the season.
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: Lauren is only 15! I have to keep reminding myself that because that was amazing! Carrie, watch out...you have some competition!

Scotty
Song: Gone
Blake: Well done! Our country people are going strong! A lot of energy of just entertaining. Loved all the facial expressions and hand motions. He played the crowd so well.
Rating (out of 5): *****
Mandy: Scotty and Lauren need to get together and have cute little country babies. He was awesome. Put him on the radio NOW America!

Haley
Song: You And I
Blake: So an unreleased  Gaga song eh? Could have fooled me. This was really good for her. Very energetic and she really hit the notes in the end.
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: I really liked Haley tonight. I liked the song and I like the fact she was real and not over the top and overly sexy.

James
Song: Without You
Blake: Very great! Wow. Totally different side of him. Totally unexpected. Didn't realize he had a family. He was amazing during this one.
Rating (out of 5): *****
Mandy: This is the James I love. More of this and less of pomp and circumstance. It was the first time we saw his reason and soul.

Jacob
Song: Love Hurts
Blake: Can I have Sheryl's version of the song? This wasn't good at all. At least in my opinion. I didn't like it, it seemed very forced and it's time to say goodbye.
Rating (out of 5): **1/2
Mandy: I am sick of Jacob's bag of tricks. Who are you? I just don't get him as an artist. It wasn't a high note, it was screeching.

Lauren
Song: Unchained Melody
Blake: Very nice. This was beautiful. Vey low key and point on. 
Rating (out of 5): *****
Mandy: Lauren looked flawless and sounded the same. She showed a vulnerability that was adorable. I really think she can take it.

Scotty
Song: Always On My Mind
Blake: Tonight Scotty had just sailed into concert mode. There is no better way to put it. This was so well done it almost felt like he's already won the show.
Rating (out of 5): *****
Mandy: Scotty, Scotty, Scotty. Beautiful song. I think he can win too. Can they both win? And again with the cute country babies.

Haley
Song: House of the Rising Sun
Blake: Beautiful beginning. This was fantastic for her. Very good way to go out for the night.
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: Wow Haley! Way to step up your game. My problem with her is I have no idea where she would fit into mainstream music nowadays.

Should Go Home: Jacob
Will Go Home: Jacob

American Idol Results: Spell Broken (4/28/11)

Well we're at a milestone week. The tour was officially announced, yes they are coming to Milwaukee in August. As long as we have the money, and well the babysitters, we will be going this year. The other thing is that we are at the point where it becomes hard to see people go home. Even Jacob and Haley have made realistic cases to be here even though I'm not a fan of either of them. So from here on out eliminations are going to get tougher and have a sting to them.

That being said, after the Carole King medley, the Idols got ready for the elimination process. We came to find out when we got down to three that they used the DWTS logic and  there were no official bottom three it was three people randomly "in danger". Way to change things out of no where. 

"In Danger"

Jacob

Casey

Scotty

"Still In Danger"

Casey

Scotty

Eliminated: Casey (again)

It took five more weeks but Casey got eliminated for real this time. It was fitting he went out to I Put A Spell on You because that is indeed what he did to all of us for weeks.

So now we are down to five...hold on to your seats...it's going to be a bumpy ride.

American Idol: Carole King Brings Out Their Best (4/27/11)

This week Idol went back an older theme, the music of Caroline King. It's very interseting to see this show, especially since you know that most of the auidence never heard any one of these songs before last night. Let's get into it...

Jacob
Song: Oh No Not My Baby
Blake: First of all horrible outfit. The performance wasn't bad but not great. At this point I want to hear nothing but great.
Rating (out of 5): ***
Mandy: I am so over Jacob. He looks like Urkel but sounds like Myra. Yes I went there. Please go home to Laura and Big Guy.

Lauren
Song: Where You Lead
Blake: Very surprising performance. I liked it, she made it her own. Very nice.
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: Lauren finally came out of her shell. Young girls can look up to her instead of Miley. I love her sass. She's a young Kelly.

Casey and Haley
Song: I Feel The Earth Move
Blake: Haley actually sounded really good on this song. Casey and her mesh really well. They just seemed like they were having a lot of fun.
Rating (out of 5): ****1/2
Mandy: I love Casey and Haley together. He brings the best out of her. Casey, he doesn't need the help. Possible love connection?

Scotty
Song: You've Got A Friend
Blake: Wow. Very well done. He even found a way to hide the country accent during most of the song. Might be one of his best.
Rating (out of 5): *****
Mandy: I love what Scotty did with the song. He's back and with a vengence. He had me wishing I was 16 so I could legally swoon!

James
Song: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?
Blake: Didn't expect this from him after everything he's done this season. Well done while being very low key.
Rating (out of 5): *****
Mandy: James really impressed me. Just him and the guitar. He's David Cook and Adam Lambert's lovechild. Great twist on the song.

Scotty and Lauren
Song: Up on the Roof
Blake: Well for two people that are "brother and sister" they have a lot of chemistry. They are always fantastic together, this was no different.
Rating (out of 5): *****

Casey
Song: Hi-De-Ho
Blake: This was a different side of a man that has more sides than a rubix cube. Well done!
Rating (out of 5): ****1/2

Haley
Song: Beautiful
Blake: This wasn't great but might just but enough to survive another week. Just felt like she did sing it as well as she could.
Rating (out of 5): ****

Jacob and James
Song: I'm Into Something Good
Blake: Flirting and singing to J-Lo always helps. These two had so much fun and their melodies were amazing. That was really good.
Rating (out of 5): ****1/2

Should Go Home: Jacob
Will Go Home: Jacob

American Idol Results: And Then There Were 6

After a crazy show last night, we get into the results, live from my new iPod touch.

Lauren, Haley, Jacob and Stefano-Hey Soul Sister
That song never gets old. They did a good job.

Scotty, Casey and James-Viva La Vie
I didn't expect a Coldplay song. Really liked it.

First up...
Casey and Jacob
Casey-Safe
Jacob-Bottom 3

Next...
Lauren, James & Stefano
Stefano-Bottom 3
Lauren & James-Safe

Finally...
Scotty and Haley
Scotty-Safe
Haley-Bottom 3 and then quickly safe

Bottom 2
Jacob & Stefano

Eliminated: Stefano

American Idol: Journey to the 21st Century (4/20/11)

This week's show was songs from the past 11 years, any song, any genre. Great concept, should lead to great performances. The show though started off on a weird note as the eliminated singers from weeks' past came back and sang Pink's So What and I thought that was a fitting song and a different way to start. After that we got into the show...

Scotty
Song: Swingin
Blake: Awesome like always. He knows what he does best. Different pace for him but it really worked. Just it wasn't a great as always.
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: Scotty, Scotty, Scotty. Not your best at all. You can entertain me with the phone book, but what about the rest of America?

James
Song: Uprising
Blake: Didn't expect the marching band. I actually didn't know there we actual words to this song before tonight. Personally I liked it. It was very rockeresce and he hit all the right notes.
Rating (out of 5): ****1/2
Mandy: James, you are way too big for your britches. And apparently since Adam didn't win, they brought forth his secondcoming. Ick.

Haley
Song: Rollin in the Deep
Blake: Really good. She rocked this song big time.She could sell this sound. Plus this is a really tough song to pull off.
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: I LOVED Haley! She sang Adele and wore polka dots so two thumbs up. She did the song justice and I finally felt she belonged.

Jacob
Song: Dance with My Father
Blake: Holy shit! That was the most real performance ever on this show. I got total chills up and down my body. Amazing.
Rating (out of 5): *****
Mandy: Jacob was real for the first time, no theatrics. Gospel needs him. Sang the hell out of the song and pulled at heartstrings.

Casey
Song: Harder to Breathe
Blake: He totally rocked this out! Fantastic! More of this please! I can't anything but good things about this. I can't believe he kissed J-Lo!!
Rating (out of 5): *****
Mandy: Maroon 5 who? While they went all wussy and mainstream, Casey went and made their song better by singing it. A-friggin-mazing!

Stefano
Song: Closer
Blake: The ladies man is alive and well in this one. He can sing and that might been the dirtest dancing by a straight male on the Idol stage. Overall not the best or his best but great.
Rating (out of 5): ****1/2
Mandy: Stefano's song was meh. Can I just say I'd come closer and would attempt to break him (or at least a piece)? Karaoke eye candy.
 
Lauren
Song: Born to Fly
Blake: She's a little country bell. Very good. She is simply amazing to put it lightly.
Rating (out of 5): *****
Mandy: Lauren has the potential to be the next Taylor Swift, with a little more swagger. She rocked a song that really isn't great.

Should Go Home: Stefano
Will Go Home: Stefano

American Idol Results: Time to Get Serious (4/14/11)

Last night was another mini-concert for the fans at home and it was awesome to watch. More of these please? (Btw, I loved seeing Kelly Clarkson with Jason Alden, she looks even more beautiful than before)

Scotty & Lauren-American Honey
These two can sing duets anytime they want! Amazing from these two. I want to them on the Opry together on day.

Haley & Casey-Moanin
She was dressed like a tramp so points off for that. No idea what they were singing at all but Casey can indeed skat really well.

Results: Scotty, Lauren and Casey-Safe, Haley-Bottom 3
Ford Commerical (Animal)
Very freaky but actually entertaining!

James, Stefano, Jacob and Paul-Sounds of Silence/Mrs. Robinson
Loved it! Them on the tour will be amazing!
Results: James and Jacob-Safe, Stefano and Paul-Bottom 3

Bottom Three:
Haley, Stefano and Paul

Bottom Two:
Stefano and Paul (officially being the first time that a girl is NOT going home)

Going Home:
Paul

Losing Paul for me is not that big a deal. I mean he's good and I will enjoy him for a short stint at the tour but he had no chance of winning and it's time to get really serious.

Overall though, another great results show.

American Idol at the Movies *Fast Recap* (4/13/11)

Due to the facts that my phone acted up last night and my notes from the show didn't save and Mandy didn't tweet her thoughts last night, there will no long drawn out Idol recap this week.

It was another great night. Scotty, Stefano and Lauren were the show stealers, Casey and Paul were doing their own thing, while Jacob, Haley and James just annoyed me despite being good.

Personally I want to see Haley go home and Mandy wants to see James in the bottom three to be humbled.

Who do I think will go home? I have no idea at all. It's too unpredicatable, but it wouldn't shock me if it's a guy.

American Idol:Shocking Tearful Goodbye (4/7/11)

Last night on Idol, I admit I'm speechless. When they used the save on Casey two weeks ago, it was hoped that they wouldn't regret using it so early. Besides they only get ONE save per season. There's no way that could ever happen again this season, right?

Bottom Three:
Paul
Pia
Stefano

Bottom Two:
Pia
Stefano

Eliminated:
Pia

With that the boo birds were heard, the judges were angry and crying. The place was in shock.

After this week, I know I will making sure I multiple vote for all my favorites. Otherwise who knows what's going to happen.

I really hope this is the last really big shocker this season.

American Idol:Rock & Roll HOF Epicness (4/6/11)

Right when I have this show figured out, everyone steps up and churns out an amazing Rock & Roll Hall of Fame night. Let's get into it...

Jacob
Song: Man in the Mirror
Blake: Really good. His best of the season. No doubt at all. He found the pefect song for him.
Rating (out of 5): ****1/2
Mandy: I did not want to maim Jacob tonight. Still way too theatric and too many funny faces, but my favorite performance of his.

Haley
Song: Piece of My Heart
Blake: She finally brought out her inner Joplin and it sounded good. Wow. Where did that come from?
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: I kind of loved Haley tonight. She was sassy, bluesy and gave the performance she needed to. Plus she wasn't a whore-bonus!

Casey
Song: Have You Ever Seen the Rain?
Blake: Breaking out the bass tonight. He sounds straight out of the 60s and that's a good thing. I really liked it.
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: Casey's in his element tonight, and I adored it! I am so glad they saved him because this performance had it all. He's back!

Lauren
Song: Natural Woman
Blake: That was an awesome performance. no her best but I really liked it.
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: Lauren is not a woman yet, but she sure sounded like one. She reminds me so much of Kelly Clarkson and that same song made her.

James
Song: While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Blake: No used to him singing slow. IIt was actually nice to hear something different. Really liked it.
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: James was great! He needed to show America that he could tone it down a notch and still wow us. A softer side was welcomed!

Scotty
Song: That's Alright Momma
Blake: Leave it to Scotty to make Elvis country. I liked it alot. Very fun
Rating (out of 5): ****1/2
Mandy: Scotty showed he's not a one trick pony. Great performance overall, as it was great to see his personality! He nails it again.

Pia
Song: River Deep-Mountain High
Blake: Didn't picture her singing this song. But damn she can sing fast paced music! Very nice and awesome pyro!
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: Pia was amazing! Her song could be a hit on the radio now. She proved herself and I can't wait to see what else she's got.

Stefano
Song: When A Man Loves A Woman
Blake: Whoa! This was fantastic! Another stunning performance! I don't even know what to say. I think alot of women's panties were soaked after that.
Rating (out of 5): *****
Mandy: Stefano, Stefano. Such a sexy song and beautiful performance. I think he was singing to Pia, but all the ladies love his swag!

Paul
Song: Folsom Prison Blues
Blake: Okay wow. Even Paul broke out his guitar and his A game tonight. This is a REALLY tough song to perform and he made it his own. Simply amazing.
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: Paul rocked the house tonight! He's not growing on me any...fine, he may be. Just a little. I didn't want to kick him.

Should Go Home: Jacob
Will Go Home: I have no idea honestly

American Idol-Results Mini-Concert (3/31/11)

Wow. Was that a Top 11 results or a finale prelude? They decided to let the Idols sing in duets and group performances together instead of one big group. This sounded like alot of fun...especially since it lead to the results.

Scotty & Lauren-I Told You So
Amazing duet that I didn't see coming at all. Can we get more duest like that from them?
Results: Both Safe

Ford Commerical (Kryponite)
Very cool. Best video of the year so far.

Naima & Jacob-Solid
She is great, he annoys me. Good for what it was.
Results: Jacob-Safe, Naima-Bottom 3

Pia, Thia & Haley-Teenage Dream
I still don't like Haleyand she jsut didn't fit with these two. But I love this song so it passed for that reason alone.
Results: Pia-Safe, Thia-Bottom 3, Haley-Safe

James, Stefano, Casey and Paul-Band on the Run
This really felt like good friends putting together a band and having fun. Very different for this show. Something you see on tour, not on the show.
Results: Opening for Aerosmith
Real Results: Casey-Safe, James-Safe, Stefano-Safe, Paul-Bottom 3

Bottom Three:
Naima, Thia and Paul

Going Home:
Naima & Thia

What a great results show!