American Idle

Jasmine Murray and Jorge Nunez were eliminated tonight as the Top 13 were whittled down to 11.

Wow, didn’t see this coming. I thought for sure Jasmine Murray was headed home after trying to sing a song like “I’ll Be There,” but Jorge?

Jasmine was the first to be eliminated. She sang her song one last time, which can technically save a singer after the rule change in which the judges can now save one person from being eliminated. But the judges can only use it once per season and only until the Top 5.

Unfortunately for Murray, her time was up on the show and the judges chose not to save her. She’s got a bright future ahead of her, though.

Halfway through the show Jorge Nunez was called down to center stage to join Anoop Dog. Anoop was saved from elimination, which forced Nunez to sing his song to save his life on the show. I thought it sounded better, the MP3 of the video is below, what do you think?

In my opinion, I think the judges may have made their biggest mistake by not saving Nunez. But with Grand Ole Opry Week coming next, Nunez may have been off at that point, anyway.

The Puerto Rican decided to throw in some R & B and I’ve gotta say I was skeptical. But he worked it out and he made it his own song.

Even so, Randy said he wouldn’t personally have picked the song. Kara said it wasn’t emotional enough.

Paula saked him point-blank why he chose it and Nunez replied it was one of the last songs that were available. What…did he wait so long to pick one that all of the good songs were taken?

Simon said he hated it, but something was up Simon’s butt all night, probably hemhorroids or lack of sex. I hope Jorge’s through to the next round.

It was announced today that the Top 13 will sing Michael Jackson songs tomorrow night as American Idol 8 rolls on. Well, that’s gonna be interesting. Jacko’s songs aren’t easy to sing, especially his newer ones. But let’s look at who’s gonna shine and who won’t tomorrow night:

Adam Lambert - Lambert should be the easiest one to pick, since he’s all about theatrics and the boy can sing. I could see him choosing something daunting, like “Rock With You,” and making it his own. But I can also see him singing “Thriller,” so it’s hard to say. I’d say “Billie Jean,” but David Cook owned that song. Anyone stupid enough to sing it (and there will be one) could be eliminated.

Anoop Desai - Anoop’s style is perfectly suited for a Jackson song, like “Smooth Criminal.” Or if Lambert doesn’t choose “Thriller” Desai might choose that. Or “Leave Me Alone.”

Danny Gokey - This performance has “Heal The World” written all over it. If not that one, then something that is inspirational. It would be a huge mistake for Gokey to go big.

Lil Rounds - Look for Rounds to make her move on Lambert’s top spot tomorrow night. She will choose something obscure and sing the hell out of it. It could be something like “Butterfly,” a newer song that is one of my faves.

Jasmine Murray - Notice a trend here? You should, because Jackson songs are hard to sing. That said, I think Murray is gonna have a good week.

Jorge Nunez - He has a big enough voice to tackle “Rock With You.” While I think it would be utterly stupid for him to do such a thing per Paula’s warning, he just might. And if he hits it, he could be the next breakout star on the show. I can also see him singing “The Way You Make Me Feel.”

Michael Sarver - The Texan is gonna move up this week, because he has that big voice that Jackson songs are suited for.

Kris Allen - He may not be singing “Man In The Mirror” but I’d bet money he will be. If he falls flat, though, he could be going home early.

Alexis Grace - She has enough soul and voice to pull off one of the trickier songs, but I think she’ll go the Danny Gokey route and choose something safe.  

Scott Macintyre and Matt Giraud - This is a tricky week for Scott and Matt. Neither of their voices are suited to this type of music and with a bad week, Matt could be going home.

Allison Iraheta and Megan Joy Corkrey - I think one of them could be in trouble this week, especially if Anoop Dog or Matt blows the roof off. That would open the door for a shock elimination. Look for something off-the-wall with these two girls.

Stay tuned tomorrow night for the show! Should be the best one yet.

The Top 13 has been set for American Idol 8 and now it’s time to talk about the contestants. The funniest thing about the decision to make a Top 13 is that it wasn’t decided upon until the show actually had already started.

Idol producer Ken Warwick talked to Simon Cowell during a commercial break and the two went with their gut instincts, which told them it was okay to make history.

But Anoop Desai was well-deserving of the historic 13th spot, having come up just 20,000 votes short of being in the Top 12 during the semifinal round.

Also, expect a double-elimination this week even though it hasn’t been officially announced. It won’t be the first time Idol has eliminated two contestants during the final round.

Also anticipate some other surprises. What might those be? Here are some ideas:

- There has been some talk about the finalists living in a mansion, a la Canadian Idol. Of course, let’s hope that American Idol outlasts its brethren, which was cancelled this year.

- Guests at the afore-mentioned Idol party–which Bikini Girl was at for some odd reason–got cardboard Top 13 cards, all of which had boxes of pictures of the Top 13, as well as red X’s. But here’s the catch: two types of cards were printed, telling me some more shenanigans are in store.

Whatever way things turn out, it’s obvious we’re in for some surprises we haven’t seen before on American Idol 8.

After the Top 13 (not the Top 12) were announced, it was time to go out and party like it was 2009. Except for all of the usual faces (you know, the ones who had earned their way into the finals) there was one, in particular, who crashed the party.

What in the hell was Bikini Girl (above photo) doing there? Was she a guest of someone? Like, maybe Simon? LOL It’s possible, and I guarantee that because we saw her last night at the post-wrap party, we have not seen the last of her.

God, no! I thought we were rid of this broad. She’s more annoying than Tatiana!! I thought Kara had a hit out on her. Just kidding. She doesn’t, but apparently I (and the rest of America) were wrong. We aren’t. She’s back.

And she looks like a damned turtle–or a mermaid, take your pick–in that shimmery green metallic getup. And look at her boobs, all mismatched like one is bigger than the other. Other than that, she’s just a hot mess, obviously someone Simon would get with.

And other than that, half of America is cheering right now, particularly those with a pulse and a penis. The other half is throwing things at their computer screen.

Last but not least for the guys was Jorge Nunez. The Puerto Rican made everyone stand up and cheer with his take of Elton John’s “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me.”

The sun defnitely won’t set on his Idol tour after that song. Wow! He let the world know he’s here to stay and has been taking all of the judges’ advice and (shocker!) using it to get better.

FYI, he’s not dumb and he proved tonight he’s here for awhile. I think he’s through to the Top 12 and that it (shocker!) might leave out MacIntyre, because Von Smith was that good tonight.

A nice way for the men to close out the Top 36, in style.