American Idle

American Idols Live! visited the Boardwalk of Atlantic City this weekend, and from the sounds of it the crowd wasn’t as crazy as other audiences.

Nonetheless, the Idols put their all into the show, especially Adam Lambert, who sang five songs and busted out “Starlight.”

Blake Lewis was in the audience as well, giving the Idols some encouragement. I mean, it wasn’t the crowd’s fault; apparently security told the crowd to sit down at some point during the show.

Also, Boardwalk Hall is usually reserved for acts like the old Miss America Pageant and other old-ass acts. WTF were the Idols doing there?

Shouldn’t they have been playing somewhere larger? Some questions should probably be asked and will be asked after that show. Dear God, what were the producers thinking sending the Idols there?

Anyway, the tour rolls on and I’m cure it will be better at the next stop.

Get tour tickets while they last below.

Anoop Desai headed home to North Carolina last night, playing to a packed house in Charlotte.

He looked dapper and seemed deeply moved that he was performing back at home and that the fans were deeply into his performance.

There have been some really good shows that have come from singers going back to their hometowns; this one was also part of that elite group.

Anoop Desai - “Always On My Mind”

We also have a good video of Michael Sarver, the oil roughneck we haven’t heard from much on the tour, largely because the big three of Adam, Kris and Allison get all the kudos.

So here is Sarver singing his song in Charlotte last night.

Michael Sarver - “In Love With A Girl”

The Bay Area was the next stop on the American Idols Live! tour this past weekend, with Oakland being the first stop of two.

Oakland is of course the home to MC Hammer and to Keyshia Cole, so the town knows how to get down.

And Danny Gokey certainly can get down himself, as he shows in the Michael Jackson cover of “PYT (Pretty Young Thing)”

I think this is Danny’s best song on the tour and he should try to put a version of this on his album, even though there have been reports he’s doing a country album.

Danny Gokey - “PYT (Pretty Young Thing)”

Other than Gokey’s solid performance, there were scattered reports of anti-gay protesters bum-rushing the show outside. But it turned out that there were only 3 to 5 people protesting.

The American Idols Live! Tour has some interesting news of late. Things are kinda dead in Idol land at the moment (for once!) and my apologies for not getting anything up yesterday.

My son is in the hospital with jaundice and has been under bilirubin lights for over a week.

The only real Idols making news at the moment are the Top 10 on tour.

Kris Allen has had his “No Boundaries” song bounced from his set list for the tour for the foreseeable future and it has been replaced by The Killers’ “All These Things That I’ve Done.”

The song change surprised me, but the song itself is a good one for Kris, and since he’s so versatile the change should actually help him rather than hurt him.

I know some peeps will be bummed by the change, but I really do think it’s for the best.

Kris Allen - “All These Things That I’ve Done”

Also, we have some photos from the Sacramento show above, so enjoy.

The American Idols Live! Tour 09′ continued rolling along last night, with a performance at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Wash. Watch some videos from the concert below.

Kris Allen - “Hey Jude”

The Allen video is quite shaky, but we appreciate the video nonetheless and it beats having to pay $200 for a ticket, doesn’t it?

And then the pyrotechnics went off like crazy for Adam Lambert, who came out dressed to kill like usual amid a sea of flashing lights.

Adam Lambert - “Whole Lotta Love”

And Scott MacIntyre may be destined for singing theme songs for sitcoms, but he’ll have a great time doing it, as evidenced from his performance of “10,000 Miles”

Scott MacIntyre - “10,000 Miles”

Well, that’s it from Tacoma. Much more if you go to eum442’s YouTube channel. Many thanks to eum442 for the video!

The top 10 from American Idol season 8 kicked off the annual ritual of performing as a group around the country.

This year it was in Portland, Oregon at the Rose Garden. Some of the songs they played included:

• Michael Sarver: “I’m in Love with a Girl” by Gavin Degraw, “Closer” by Neyo
• Megan Joy: “Put Your Records On” by Corrine Baily Rae and “Tears Dry on Their Own” by Amy Winehouse
• Scott MacIntyre: “Bend and Break” by Keane and “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton
• Lil Rounds: “Be Without You” by Mary J Blige, “No One” by Alicia Keys, “Single Ladies” by Beyonce
• Anoop Desai:”Always on My Mind” by Willie Nelson, “Mad” by Ne-Yo, “My Prerogative” by Bobby Brown
• Matt Giraud: “Hard to Handle” by the Black Crowes “Georgia” “I Found You” by the Fray
• Group Medley: Megan and Lil sing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” Matt and Scott on duel pianos for “Tell Her About It” by Billy Joel, Michael sings “Suspicious Minds” by Elvis Presley,  Anoop begins singing Madcon’s “Beggin”, but it’s in the style of the original 1967 4 Seasons version–Matt, Scott and Michael join in. Lil sings the Madcon rap, and Megan joins her.
• Allison Iraheta: “So What” by Pink “Cry Baby” by Janis Joplin, “Barracuda” by Heart
• Danny Gokey: “P.Y.T.” by Michael Jackson, “Maria Maria” by Santana, “What Hurts the Most” by Rascal Flatts, “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts.
• Adam Lambert: “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zepplin “Starlight” by Muse “Mad World” by Tears for Fears/Gary Jules “Slow Ride” by Foghat w/ Allison, Bowie Medley: “Life on Mars”, “Fame”, “Let’s Dance”
• Kris Allen: “Heartless” by Kanye West, “No Boundaries”, “Bright Lights” by Matchbox 20,  “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers  and “Hey Jude” by The Beatles (the Idols join Kris for the “na nas”)
• “Don’t Stop Believing” The Top 10 - Encore

Also, watch an interview with Anoop and Kris prior to the concert in Portland.

The Idols got together this past week for a rehearsal and it was the first time that the public has been allowed to hear them before they embark on their Idols Live! tour in early July.

I’ve gotta say…I’m impressed with their harmonies! This is some of the best stuff we’ve had the pleasure of hearing from any of the Idols tour groups, now or ever. “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey is a phenomenal song and the Idols handled it with aplomb.

Season 8 was definitely special and ground breaking and I think at a time where so much change happened in this country in such a short period of time, it was nice to have this diversion.

Couple that with the sudden news of Michael Jackson’s passing, most of which the American public is still coming to grips with, and season 9 will have to be extra special to top this group.

So get out and see these season 8 performers, because they can bring the noise!

Well, the dreaded double elimination was upon us tonight. Dim all the lights, sweet darling, because Anoop and Lil were sent home. So now we’re down to five.

Lil went home almost as soon as the show started. It was rather messed up how they sent Lil packing, almost like she had a beef with the show that nobody wanted to talk about.

Hmmm…do I smell controversy? Because there certainly will be, after Lil went home. Get ready to hear from Rev. Al Sharpton anytime now.

Meanwhile, the show dragged on forever before Allison Iraheta and Anoop Dog went into the bottom two, with one unlucky soul going home.

That unlucky person was Anoop, who really had no respect from Simon, anyway and was beginning to feel some backlash from some angry Americans.

Vote For The Worst likened this elimination to ethnic cleansing, since there are exactly four white guys and one Hispanic remaining.

I’d prefer not to get into that kind of thing, but I do think there is an argument for that reasoning.

And sadly, it does look like Paula is being phased out. I’m sure we’ll hear more on this development soon enough. Until that time, we wait and see what happens next, because this week was pretty controversial.

Lil kicked off Disco Theme Week by singing Chaka Khan’s signature tune, and frankly, one that is covered far too often for my taste.

Lil’s version came out completely different from the original. It was more contemporary, which to me was safe. But Lil can’t afford to be safe at this point; she really needed to go after it.

Although it was her best in weeks, it may not have been quite what she needed to stick around. That said, there are still a lot of guys left, so we’ll see.

Randy said “you definitely got the party started,” however he also said “it didn’t show us what kind of artist you are.” Kara said “I’m not sure it was worth the wait,” also mentioning that she had been waiting for Lil to sing some Chaka Khan all this time. Ouch.

Paula said “although you were hot tonight, you really didn’t hit the boiling point,” and Simon said,” “I’m glad you had fun, because this is gonna be the last time we see you.”

Lil responded again, telling off the judges and saying she didn’t believe her performance was “karaoke.” I guess America will decide her fate.

No mentor, no problem. This has happened to Idol before in past years and so it’s time to pull out that old tried and true fave: Disco.

There is a reason so many people like the 70’s music and other reasons why such a thing as “Disco Demolition Night” was created at a baseball game. Some of the music is timeless, while some is mindless. Either way, get ready for some extremely entertaining songs from this Top 7.

And keep in mind, two people are going home, so even though disco music is known for being fun, I have a feeling it will be competitive and everyone will bring their A-game. The only person who is truly safe this week is Adam Lambert, for obvious reasons. Not only is Lambert entertaining, but he can sing the Barney song with panache.

Otherwise, it’s a virtual crap shoot and anyone else could be headed home. Therefore I will not be making predictions this week. But here are my song choices for the week:

Adam Lambert - I know nobody is picking this, but wouldn’t it be hilarious if Adam sang “It’s Raining Men?”

Lil Rounds - Rounds will make her move this week, after weeks of infamy. I’m expecting something from Donna Summer. Everyone is saying she’s going home; I totally disagree. They couldn’t have served up a better week for Lil. The one thing people tend to forget about Rounds is that she can sing.

Anoop Desai - Desai will also make his move on the group this week, even though there are some who think his time is about up. Not me. This week is made for him, and like other prognosticators I think he’s going with Earth, Wind and Fire.

Danny Gokey - Could be a tough week for Danny, and one that will probably be safe. He will pick something obscure and that could hurt him. He could be a surprise bottom three choice this week. Or he could also choose EWF and slay everyone.

Kris Allen - His popularity is soaring about as highly as the screams coming from prepubescents and ladies who should know better. Some are saying Bee Gees; I’m not sure of that, however.

Matt Giraud - Another singer in jeopardy of going home who needs a grand slam performance. I’m thinking Bee Gees or something in front of a piano. Look for a surprise song choice.

Allison Iraheta - She is in big trouble this week, way out of her comfort zone. Her only hope is to sing something well to avoid being in the bottom three, because this week is not made for her.

So there you have it, a theme week that has literally destroyed singers from Idols past, including Carrie Underwood and Jasmine Trias. But the one thing all of these singers bring is entertainment and there will be tons of that on display tomorrow.