American Idle

Sounding good vocally but a tad karaoke, Anoop Dog probably didn’t want the top spot (nobody does, really) but it really wasn’t his best.

Not a good song choice, the more danceable tune by Usher left me feeling empty but maybe Anoop just wanted to play it safe. Kara agreed, saying “frat guys dared him” to sing the song.

Paula said it was playful and the vocals sounded good, but that he needs to work on stage presence.

Simon was more blunt, calling it an “utter mess” and said it gave him a headache. Anoop then snapped at the judges. Hehe. That was ballsy. He has a big following, though, and he knows it.

The sultry siren took the classic by Bob Marley (and reinvented by Lauryn Hill) and did it her own way. It was a bit slow for me, honestly.

Kara said she thinks Megan is “in trouble.” She did add that she thought Megan was a nice girl. Guess we’ll see what America thinks, eh?

Paula said she “really needs to take us by surprise” and urged Megan “to rip our hearts out of our chests.” Simon added the song was boring, monotonous and slow. Randy said “it was like watching paint dry.” Uh-oh…is she headed out of here?

Toned down compared to other weeks, Gokey sang a ballad and it sounded safe at the beginning. Then, he cranked the volume up and sounded comfortable.

He really picked it up toward the middle and ended with a rollicking finish drawing thunderous applause from the crowd. Paula said “this is where you thrive” and that she’d hit the repeat button if she were listening to it in her car.

Simon said it was his “best performance,” Randy added “tonight’s show starts right here.” Kara said he “moved everyone in this room emotionally.”

Iraheta decided to bring out the guitar to pay tribute to a band, No Doubt, who formed 20 miles from where she grew up.

She looked like Gwen Stefani would have back then too, with the spiked hair and the miniskirt. It did sound different from her other songs, which was good.

Randy said he liked the vocals, but asked what she was wearing. He didn’t like the “ensemble.” Kara added she didn’t need the ensemble, that she’s a great singer without it.

Paula said bringing the guitar along for the ride gave it an “edge.” And Simon said “it was something out of the Addams Family” and that she “Shouted the song.”

Scott decided to tone it down tonight and dude, where was that all these weeks? He took Billy Joel’s song and not only made it his own, but gave Adam Lambert something to worry about. What a magnificent opening!

Kara said he “made some very smart decisions” and that she liked the new edgy look with the hair. Paula added she’s “most proud of you” and that “it paid off.” Simon said it was his best performance “by a country mile.” And Randy called it “one of the best of the night.” No, that was one of the best of all-time.

It’s hard to make something as brilliant as The Fray’s song your own, and it started out a little weird, but Matt brought it back in, calmed down a tad by the middle of the song, and ended nicely. Not the best of the night but it should keep him around until next week.

Paula said he “aborted the things we love most about you” and said it became more of a soundalike. Simon said he “didn’t get it at all” and sounded “put on,” and said he’s “becoming all these other people.”

Randy said it was the wrong song for him and that he’s “gotta let all that flavor out.” Kara said he has to commit and that he doesn’t “deserve to go home.” I hope his plea works; he’s a great singer.

Lil is the nest female singer in the show this season and she decided to go with a Celine Dion song. The hair was all wrong and she didn’t really have to work hard, even for a Dion song. By the middle of the song, though, she was belting it out. By the end, she simply had the second-best vocals of the evening.

I even heard some Whitney riffs in there. Amazing. Randy said it wouldn’t have been his song choice, but he said she sang “it really, really well.” Kara wanted some Mariah or Mary J. Blige, but said it was “a glimpse” of her talent.

Paula said she wants to see the joy, not somebody who’s “adult contemporary.” Simon said it was a safe song, and compared it to a “wedding performance.” Ryan then asked Lil’s girls if they wanted to punch Simon and one said they would. Hehe.

Adam got one of the pimp spots again and chose the classic Wild Cherry song. With slicked back hair, Lambert brought out the showman after putting him in a closet last week and throwing away the key.

It was definitely funky and had all the stuff we’re accustomed to with Adam. It had some definite Robert Plant vibes (again!) in the performance.

The crowd basically lost their minds after he sung that. Paula compared him to Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler. Simon said it was “original” and that he had fun. Randy said he “worked it out” and that he’s “in the star zone.” Kara compared the song to something at Studio 54.

Allen closed the night sitting in front of the piano and started with a haunting rendition of the classic. It was soulful and memorable, then it took a right turn toward a pop song you might hear from Elton John.The arrangement was top notch too, giving Allen the second-best song of the night, behind Scott MacIntyre. Randy said he is “so in the zone.”

Kara said she had three words for him “That is artistry.” Paula said it “was like hearing it for the first time.” Simon added it was “clever and very cool.”

Kris Allen is all the rage right now on American Idol 8, with Web sites going up on a daily basis. One fan site got hold of some old Kris Allen pics and I’m confused. I thought the guy was married and religious.

From these pictures, I wonder. You know, he is rooming with Adam Lambert over at the mansion. Hmmm…

The top picture makes him look like he’s comparing bellybuttons (or something else). What is with that photo? Also, the dogpile picture is a bit weird. I think these guys need to get laid, unless they already did that in this picture.

All I know is it’s tres weird. The third photo down is classy, especially for a religious person. Bet Allen wants to burn that photo forever, eh? Nice T-shirt.

And finally, the coup d’etat of the four photos, the chunky dude whispering sweet nothings into Allen’s ear. Is it possible that this is the guy who sent in the pics? Um, yeah. Nothing is better than a jilted lover getting revenge.

Is this the next big Idol scandal? Probably not, since Allen has not been seen stripping at a bar. But he has some explaining to do to the wife.