American Idle

Nick Mitchell had stiff competition during the American Idol 8 finale for the first-ever Golden Idol Award for Outstanding Male, but he worked it out, as they say.

Heh. He had to beat out Michael Gurr and the dude with the plaid sports coat, er, dinner jacket, so it wasn’t easy.

And then at his acceptance speech–which you can see above–he thanked every comedian under the sun, including his idol Steve Martin, who was in the audience.

So is this the last we’ll hear from Nick Mitchell, aka Normund Gentle? I doubt it. I would bet that a record is coming out in the very near future. The other thing is, he’s only 26. Does that mean he’s got another run at the title left in him?

I wouldn’t put it past the guy. What do you think about Mitchell having another run at the title? Think America would vote for him?

Norman Gentle, um Nick Mitchell went to Idol 8 on a dare, after working at a cable television company and almost quitting his dream. Here’s a recent interview with FOX 61 from his home state of Connecticut.

In the interview, Gentle says had a choice between JV baseball and singing in musicals in junior high, and he’s been on his way ever since with the support of his family.

He started chasing his singing career with “The Little Shop Of Horrors” in junior high, then moved to New York at age 18, honed his craft and his character over the years and somehow, some way, found his way to American Idol.

It was no surprise that Adam Lambert made it into the Top 12 after destroying his competition the night before, but Idol made him earn every minute. Lambert was there until the end of the night, waiting alongside Nick Mitchell aka Norman Gentle on stage (bottom photo).

But Lambert was the one to hear his name called and now will move on to the Top 12, knowing he is in the driver’s seat on American Idol 8.

The earlier portion of the show left me perplexed, though, since Allison Iraheta (top photo) heard her name called first. She sang “Alone” and again, I was reminded of past female rockers who have been in the Kodak Theatre. And several segments later, the most confusing selection of the evening came when Kris Allen (middle photo)–who sang a tepid “Man In The Mirror”–had his name called for the Top 12.

Wow, didn’t see that coming. While it was no shocker that Lambert made it, I have to be honest and say it was a HUGE shock to my system that both Iraheta and Allen were chosen.

While both Iraheta and Allen sang OK, they did not impress me to the point where I thought they would be legitimate contenders for Idol 8. Iraheta looks like your everyday girl and does resemble Amanda Overmyer. Allen, on the other hand, seems to be a favorite of the ladies, who obviously voted for him, else he wouldn’t be heading to the Top 12.

I thought, honestly, that the other two spots would go to Jesse Langseth and Norman Gentle, based on their pre-Top 12 buzz. And possibly even Megan Joy Corkrey. A DialIdol report–which has been wrong before, BTW–even had Matt Giraud sitting pretty, too, prior to the announcement.

Well, that shows just how unpredictable Idol–and America–can be. So it’s Lambert, Iraheta and Allen heading through to the next round.

The second week of the Top 36 is upon us. Let’s breakdown each singer’s performance, shall we?  It started out horribly, with the first three singers bombing big-time. But then Norman Gentle (above photo) took the stage and all was well (and hilarious.) And then we met Allison Iraheta (bottom photo), who may just be the dark horse in Idol 8. Here’s the complete wrapup in order of performance:

Jasmine Murray - 16 years old from Starkville, MS/audition city: Jacksonville, FL - “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles - Murray was pitchy throughout the song, according to Randy Jackson. Others said she was all over the place and did not start out well. I just thought it sounded too much like Sara, which is a major no-no at this stage of the competition–unless you can really bring it. Simon said she’ll do well “in a few years.”  

Matt Giraud - 23 years old from Kalamazoo, MI/audition city: Louisville, KY - “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay - The dueling piano man pikced a risky song, according to the judges. Simon even said it “verged on a horrible performance.” What it tells me is some of these singers may not be as good when they don’t have their instruments.

Jeanine Vailes - 27 years old from Sherman Oaks, CA/audition city: San Francisco - “This Love” by Maroon 5 - I hate to say this about anyone, but this was by far the worst performance of the night. And since there were many, it’s not a compliment. Which is too bad, since Vailes — who didn’t get any airtime prior — seems like a nice lady. Simon made a few comments about her legs and lips. Typical.

Nick Mitchell - 27 years old from Brookfield, CT/audition city: New York, NY - “And I Am Telling You” by Jennifer Hudson - Mitchell came out as Norman Gentle once again, to the delight of the audience. I don’t know if anyone else saw this, but his dad was glaring at him at the beginning of his performance. LOL Maybe he was in deep thought. Simon knows this guy’s a threat, saying “I pray you do not make it through to the next round.” Guess what, Simon? He’s in, after that performance. Hilarious and solid. Ryan even made mention of him going to “2nd base with the logo.” Heh.

Allison Iraheta - 16 years old from Los Angeles/audition city: San Francisco - “Alone” by Heart - Allow me to introduce Iraheta (oh wait, I already did! LOL) to the rest of America. She basically kicked ass and took names this evening, even sounding like Kelly Clarkson in parts (and I thought she sounded like Amanda Overmyer,too).

Kris Allen - 23 years old from Conway, AR/audition city: Louisville, KY - “Man In The Mirror” by Michael Jackson - Allen took a tough song and made it his own, albeit in a baritone. I wasn’t thrilled by it, but it was better than most this evening. Since he is a hit with the ladies, I do think he has an outside shot at making the Top 12.

Megan Joy Corkrey - 22 years old from Sandy, UT/audition city: Salt Lake City, UT - “Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae - If my predictions are correct, Corkrey (middle photo) is making it through because of her looks. Not because of her singing — which is okay. The judges called her a package deal, which is accurate. She’ll be in deep trouble once she hits the Top 12 but for now I think she may be the one female who makes it through. That does leave Iraheta out, but Iraheta should be back in the WildCard anyway.

Matt Breitzke - 27 years old from Bixby, OK/audition city: Kansas City, MO - “If You Could Only See” by Tonic - Such a great song, but Breitzke made it sound like he was playing in a bar band. He’s done.

Jesse Langseth - 25 years old from Minneapolis, MN/audition city: Kansas City, MO - “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes - Another great song that Langseth could have used to her advantage. Instead she played it safe, which is never a good thing unless you have Adam Lambert’s talent. She doesn’t and I think Simon summed it up when he said she was forgettable. I think the Idol judges would have found a reason to eliminate her anyway, with her record.

Kai Kalama - 26 years old from San Clemente, CA/audition city: San Francisco, CA - “What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted” - Kalama was way out of his depth tonight and it showed. Simon called him a backup singer. Ouch. He’s a nice guy, though and he’ll resurface somewhere in the music industry. But he’s done here.

Mishavonna Henson - 18 years old from Irvine, CA/audition city: Phoenix, AZ - “Drops Of Jupiter” by Train - Hers was my favorite song of the night and I even downloaded her version, which you can pick up by clicking on the iTunes link above. The judges didn’t like her version, though, but she is likeable and will at worst get in by WildCard. At least I hope she does.

Adam Lambert - 26 years old from Los Angeles/audition city: San Francisco -  ‘Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones - The best truly did go last, as Lambert showed everyone he is the one to beat this season. he took a tough song and not only made it his own, but also added some nuances that made it memorable. He may quite simply be the best singer Idol has ever had. He really has set the bar so high that it may be more difficult for opponents to overcome than it was last season when David Cook blew everyone away.

Group two of the Top 36 goes on Wednesday night, with each singer getting one song to knock out of the park. After looking this list over, it’s a far weaker group than the first.

So here goes the list of singers:

1. Megan Corkrey - The single mother from Utah was well publicized during the Salt Lake City audition, but has been virtually unheard from since. This tells me that unless she really brings it on Wednesday, she will have a hard time making it through to the Top 12.
2. Kris Allen - Not much is known about Allen, a student at the University of Central Arkansas. But he does seem to have a background in gospel and has traveled the globe singing his music. I would call him a dark horse and can’t wait to hear what he can do.
3. Mishavonna Henson - Henson is not only a threat for the Top 12, she’s a threat to win it all. She’s been here before (Top 50 previously) and so she understands what it’s gonna take to make it. She also has the odds with her, since this particular group isn’t filled with female threats.
4. Matt Breitzke - I think this is the end of the road for Breitzke, a welder from Oklahoma who has had a nice run on the show. The problem for him is that Michael Sarver has already made it through and Breitzke is paired in this group with Adam Lambert and Norman Gentle (Nick Mitchell). Still, you could see Breitzke in the WildCard round.
5. Allison Iraheta - Hmm…kinda weird that Iraheta’s fan site is down. A favorite on Telemundo (video above) Allison should make the Top 12, especially with Jesse Langseth’s well-publicized legal issues. Another singer who has the fortune of being placed in a weak group. At worst she’ll be a WildCard.
6. Matt Giraud - Giraud got a lot of pub at first, and it’s died down since. Expect it to pick up to a fever pitch this week and Giraud is probably the best in a weak bunch. (Sorry, Adam.) The dueling piano player from Michigan should have little problem getting where he needs to go.
7. Jasmine Murray - Joanna Pacitti’s replacement after Pacitti was disqualified, Murray is a 16-year-old who got a fair amount of airtime early on and also saw her star fade. Whether or not that will have an effect on her is up for debate, but she can sing and in a weak group she has a shot.
8. Kai Kalama - Kalama got a slew of airtime early on as one of the faves in San Francisco, but he has been largely overshadowed since. He could go either way.
9. Jesse Langseth - Jonny Lang’s little sister has a strong musical background but a criminal history to boot. And that usually doesn’t sit well with Idol brass. She’d really have to bring it to have any chance of beating her rap sheet. If she did, Idol might look the other way, like they did with Bo Bice.
10. Adam Lambert - The darling of group two, Lambert is getting the most publicity of any person in this group, including Langseth and Norman Gentle. Even if he falls hard this week, he’ll still be a WildCard. The only shoo-in of the group, in my view.
11. Jeanine Vailes - If she really is going next to last, getting that spot does help her chances, but since there is little known about her–and she’s sandwiched between Lambert and Gentle–I give her a next-to-zero opportunity of making the Top 12.
12. Norman Gentle - Ah, Norman Gentle (above photo), the dark horse of Idol, the fellow who has made us laugh during a tough economic time. I feel this may be the end for Gentle, if only for a few weeks until he resurfaces in the WildCard round.

Top 12 picks: Mishsvonna Henson, Matt Giraud, Adam Lambert
WildCard possibilities: Matt Breitzke, Jesse Langseth, Norman Gentle, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta, Jasmine Murray