I'm back!

It's been a busy month since I last posted. Many of you know that I successfully defended my doctoral dissertation and now consider myself having some "unburdened time" but those of you who know me know that this special time will get sopped up fairly quickly with more STUFF! I am what I am... yes, I can even quote Popeye.

Well, we're down to five contestants. Oddly, the judges' save went to Matt Giraud nearly two weeks ago and he managed to stay on the show this past week. I don't envision him sticking around any longer, though. And others agree.

Who do you think will go home on April 29? (My birthday, by the way). Fortunately, Obama's 100th day is just that very day meaning he won't be bumping the singing show on Tuesday, but will precede the 9:00 p.m. results show on Wednesday. (Don't really know why I'm plugging this programming given that I won't be tuning in! It just irked me in earlier months when he has bumped the show not once, but twice!)

Be sure to vote in the sidebar. Interested fans long to know what you think!

Elimination Week 2 - Grand Ole Opry Week

Well, I must say this was an interesting set of performances. Many of the contestants opted to take the country out of country week and go their own way... and I say that's a good thing, even though I am a serious fan of country. It has always been the mantra of the judges to "make the song your own." Too bad, they didn't appreciate this aspect of a performance or two last night.

In general, I am tuned into the criticism by Simon Cowell, because he knows whereof he speaks. While I understand that some country fans may have been really turned off by the very un-country performance of Adam Lambert, I don't think Adam deserved Simon's comments. True, Adam's performance was decidedly different (perhaps even bizarre?), but I liked it! I REALLY liked it. Adam has a terrific voice and genuine musical talent, and it showed last night in his performance. I have been singing "Ring of Fire" all morning long and might even download it if I can find it for free (sorry, I-Tunes).

Adding to Adam Lambert's performance commentary is Victor Balta, who blogs over at Comcast. I read his American Idol commentary faithfully every week, and he didn't like Adam last night either....placing him at the bottom for the night.

Anoop definitely hit his stride and gave an impressive performance last night. For the first time this season, I attempted to vote, but got nothing but busy signals. Who did I try to vote for? Anoop and Matt.

Worst performance of the night: Michael Sarver. He sounded nervous and amateurish during his entire performance. Not a good song choice. Of course, I didn't agree with his selection during the first voting week anyway. He needs to go home and I hope he does tonight....that's my prediction too.

Paula - she needs to shut up. She is trying to provide more detailed "analysis" trying to compete with the far better analysis that has been delivered by Kara. I may be the only person who likes the addition of Kara, but I think her commentary since the start of the season has been more helpful than Paula has ever delivered. So now, in competitive mode, Paula has started to pile it on.. and she can't even say marginally big words... "authenticity" anyone?

WEEK THREE - Finally winding this segment down.
So, here's what they sang: (I can't believe I took this many notes) Please pardon my shorthand and inconsistency.
Von Smith – you’re all I need to get by --Soulful and strong. Good start to the night, but he was outclassed later in the evening.
Taylor V.-- If I aint’ got you -- okay. You have to have "it" to sing a Keyes song.
Alex W-T – I guess that's why they call it the blues -- weird…scratchy voice thing - Not Good, Man
Arianna -- The Winner takes it all – slightly above average, but shaky
Ju’Not Joyner – Hey there Delilah - Very good rendition.
Kristen McNamara - give me one reason to stay here – Great; Very cool version
Nathaniel M – Anything for Love -- does anyone else feel creeped out when he's on stage?
Felicia – No One - Okay, someone who CAN sing an Alicia Keyes song!! She's from Virginia too!
Scott – Mandolin Rain - Sorry, but "yawn." I hate that the judges are all PC around this guy. Be honest, like Simon!
Kendall – This one’s for the girls - She's a country girl, but she coulda picked a better song.
Jorge Nunez – Don’t let the sun go down on me - He's got a voice, but he does not have the classic latin handsome going.
Lil Rounds – Be without you -- Well, it's something to be "undiscovered" and sound a lot like Mary J. Blige. Very impressive. She should make the top 6 -- My first early prediction!!

Was this a stronger group performance-wise of all three?? Please let me know what you think.

I'll have a poll later this week. In the meantime, cast your votes for who might make the Wild Card Show. Poll is on the left!
Don't forget -- tomorrow night is results night. Thursday, March 5 is Wild Card night. I guess next week is a full version of the 12-Finalists-Show.

Second Set of Twelve - No Surprises?
This was an unfortunate AI week with so many weak performances on Wednesday, and the boring results show last night. I must say that I am happy with the results. I liked Adam back during the auditions as well as Allison. Kris was a slight surprise when he was standing by Megan waiting for "who got voted in". The judges had raved about Megan, but I wasn't impressed with her performance. Unique-schmunique, that's what I think...:-) Kris does have an amazing voice, and I did like his MJ song choice -- Man in the Mirror is not that easy to sing...and he rose to the challenge.

http://www.comcast.net/tv/eyeonidol/29842/surprisingresultasidolcuts9/ Victor Balta's always good for a fair review.

By the way, I would not admit that I had co-written Brooke's song... how simple and dull!! I couldn't wait for her performance to end. I can't decide which was worse - Brooke... or Michael and the Irish chick last week (That was a big fat "UGH" as well.)

America Voted: First THREE Finalists Selected

Only one surprise here: Michael Sarver. I'm not a fan. Alexis and Danny totally rock! They impressed, impressed, impressed on Tuesday night. No wonder they got to occupy those special chairs.
Which of this week's remaining nine will get a spot on the wildcard show? My votes would include Anoob, Ricky, and maybe AnnMarie (she has more potential). No doubt, Tatiana will be included in a couple of weeks just because she's a ratings booster (I guess).
There's a new poll this week, so please vote!! (look over on the left)

Last night, the Idol judges reduced the Hollywood Pack to 72 contestants. Oh it was all high drama.. especially with Tatiana. Her sobbing in "the room" waiting for a verdict was just over the top. I hope she goes home tonight.
What's with Nick the Normal Norman still hanging around, too? He's kinda funny in a kitchy kind of way, but definitely not "idol material". Oh right... audience ratings. Yes, they'll get folks to tune in to see if he survives the axe which reduces the finalists to 36 tonight. Fun!!

I confess to not paying really close attention to the individual talents, but I do have a few favorites. I just do not know their names....yet. It's only important to remember the final 12 anyway, isn't it?

It's January 2009 and a new American Idol season has begun. What do you think? I have some questions for you:
How is new judge, Kara, doing?
Is the tension between Kara and Simon real or staged?
Are the judges nicer this year?
What about the proposed changes to the show, like the judges' wild card contestant selections?

Julie's hopes for this 2009 season -- the "vote for the worst' group goes away; it's more interesting than last year's show!