It’s Time for My American Idol Season 12 Top Ten BUZZ Rankings!

Well, last week, American Idol revealed the top ten finalists for season 12 and I pretty much predicted all of them. What I didn’t predict is that the producers held on to their promise of no “wild card” contestants. While the next-closest vote getters (i.e.: the 6th place girl and guy) will have a sing off this week to join the tour, it looks like our top ten is just that~ a top ten. And it’s a pretty good one. All five women are strong contenders and should hopefully help the “season of the girls” to the first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2006. As for the guys, I really don’t think any of them can win, but a couple could go pretty far…. So, just who has the buzz going into the first week of the finals? Check out my all new unscientific yet surely correct American Idol Buzz Rankings below.

American Idol Season 12 Top Ten Buzz Rankings~

1. Candice: this big voiced diva has simply slayed it every week and she remains the best hope of a R&B Idol winner since Fantasia. She also is very good with her strong song choices and reinterpreting them while still being true to the original melodies. Her voice is incredible and she has great confidence. My only question is~ will being to “R&B” actually hurt her in the end?
2. Kree: this country blues girl has an amazing voice, quiet confidence and wonderful artistry. her unassuming personality is also very pleasing and she exhibits great humility. She could go the country, rock or pop route in the end and I have a feeling her vocal adaptability will help her go far in the game (much like one Kelly Clarkson in the first season).
3. Angie: you may wonder why she is not at the top of the list after all the producer and judges pimping plus some great performances. The reason is two-fold. First, her great performances plant her squarely at the piano on very similar yet great songs and second, she may end up skewing a little “too Christian” much like last season’s Colton Dixon who she covered last week. I don’t know if that’s type of artist she wants to be because she has the looks, talent, voice and personality to go all the way. We’ll see how she presents herself in the weeks ahead but arguably she’s the smart money choice as the season 12 winner. (But hey, I’m not always betting on smart money)
4. Amber: I think this beautiful girl has incredible untapped potential and could be the true dark horse to win. She has a great voice with a big range, is young, fun and relatable. Now, if she can just expand her song choices beyond Whitney and trust in her performances, she will be a true threat.
5. Burnell: he’s got the voice, the backstory (Katrina survivor! Weight loss!), and an infectious personality which will all help him in his quest to stop the ladies this season. If he does, he’d be the first African-American male winner since Ruben Studdard in season 2!!! … Now Burnell, please be smart about your song choices as you continue. More John Legend type songs, less female diva songs. Those will be sung by all your competitors anyway.
6. Paul: yes, he’s my favorite guy in the competition and yes, he’s had some shaky performances. However, he’s still incredibly likable, humble and possesses a very good voice. He’s also the only cute white guy in the race which will help him. And yes, it is time for a male-Carrie Underwood in the country pop world. So, as long as he believes in himself, relaxes and lets out true emotion in his performances, he could make the top five or more.
7. Devin: while I think he has easily the best male voice among the finalists, his personality hasn’t really popped yet. We know he has a beautiful vocal instrument and can shift seamlessly between English and Spanish. But what else can he do?
8. Janelle: the country girl we all thought would be assured a spot in the finals had a shaky road the last few weeks. However, her 3 season journey to get here, her lovely voice and affable demeanor have pushed her through. Now, if she can just pick the right song, stay away from the Carrie catalog, and nail a few performances, she could crack the top five.
9. Lazaro: ok, he is undeniably the most popular male in the race right now with a good story (He’s cute. He’s Cuban. He stutters and was bullied but has overcome!) However, he doesn’t seem like a true “artist” yet. He’s just singing well and doing songs that have been covered numerous times on Idol before. So, he needs to define who he wants to be as a pop star, embrace his special qualities, harness his confidence and really show us he’s a contender. Or else, he may be the front-runner who quickly becomes an also-ran (sniff sniff I miss you Pia!)
10. Curtis: let’s see how to I put this nicely? … Um, he has a really good voice… Yeah, that’s about it… This guy is obnoxious, arrogant, and entitled. We’ve seen his shtick many times before and done better, but with humility and grace (hello Joshua Ledet!)… I don’t think this worship leader has a prayer of winning in the competition.

And there you have it. The ladies have most of the buzz, but a few boys could be a surprise buzz kill. I can’t wait to see how they all hold up tomorrow night when they tackle the songs of former American Idol winners (both their post-Idol catalogs and any song they sang on the show). We’ll probably see a lot of Kelly, Carrie and Fantasia. But you Taylor Hicks and Lee Dewyze lovers (who?) are certainly going to be left wanting…. Now, tell me who your favorites are in the comments below and watch American Idol tomorrow night on Fox.

Idol Quick Wrap 3/5/13~ The Top Ten Ladies

Last night, the top ten ladies took the stage on American Idol season 12 as they fought for a place in the finals. Five of them are assured spots after America’s vote on Thursday. (Yay we finally have a say). Four of the singers towered over the competition and look like sure things not to mention all of them could become the winner of the whole shebang. The big question is which lady will grab that fifth spot and how many/which of them will land a wild card spot (cuz you so know there will be a couple)…. So, just who do I think is going through to the next round? Take a look at my rankings and predictions below.

American Idol Rankings 3/5/13~ The Ladies

1. Candice: singing John Legend’s “Ordinary People”, Candice soared with confidence, ease and glorious notes. She felt like a star, didn’t over do it and made the song her own. I’d buy it on iTunes even. This front-runner is extending her lead.
2. Kree: tackling the Faith Hill anthem “Stronger”, Kree almost nabbed the top spot with another effortless and gorgeous vocal. Every time she sings, it’s so authentic and emotionally connected. She has true artistry not to mention great humility. Love her!
3. Angie: last night Angie sang former Idol Colton Dixon’s “Never Gone” and dare I say improved on the original. She is so good when she is behind the piano and just lays her emotion bare with some beautiful singing. I still feel like she is the one most likely to win the whole thing, but I’m excited there are so many other worthy girls giving her a good race.
4. Amber: seriously, we had no idea who she was before she sang “My Funny Valentine” and now she literally slays it on Whitney Houston’s # 4 smash “I Believe in You and Me”. This girl is a true dark horse contender. With a little refinement and more confidence in her own ability, she could usurp the girls who have had more airtime and producer pimping. I just want her to hold out some of her notes more cuz her tone is just beautiful. She doesn’t need all the vocal runs.
5. Aubrey: I really like Aubrey. I think she has great potential and is such a nice genuine girl with a great voice. Now, we need to get her some better song choices. Yes, she did a lovely job on Fergie’s # 1 hit “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, but she really needs a song that will help her leap to the front of the pack because she really does look and sound like a big pop star.
6. Breanna: now, this girl is tricky. I think she has great potential, tons of confidence and is very current. However, I just wonder if her vocals will be forgotten in favor of the ladies with the bigger notes. Her performance of Beyonce’s “Flaws & All” was good, but not great and that was a bit of a lackluster Beyonce song. She needs to go uptempo and tackle some Mary J. Blige to really sit in the right pocket vocally.
7. Janelle: this country cutie has underwhelmed two weeks in a row. She clearly is affable and has a lovely voice. However, her performance of Elvis Presley’s “If I Cand Dream” was a little too subdued and disconnected. I do think she has a strong fan base and at least improved from last week, but she needs better song choices stat.
8. Teena: I was rather surprised that she wasn’t the worst last night since I thought she had no business making the top ten in the first place. But she did a passable if a tad forgettable version of Faith Hill’s “Lost”. I give her props for not sounding like a carbon copy of the original, but that’s about it.
9. Adriana: I was rather disappointed that this cute little thing with a great voice turned into such a pageant contestant last night on her lackluster take on Destiny’s Child’s “Stand Up for Love”. It was ok, but that ain’t gonna get you in the finals. Sorry honey.
10. Zoanette: Um, what happened to Zoanette? The show stopping theatrics were kept to a minimum on her bland and pitchy interpretation of Tina Turner’s Grammy winning # 1 comeback smash “What’s Love Got to Do With It”. Unfortunately, the “what is she gonna do next” factor was totally absent from last night’s performance and I think this intriguing lady will be on her way home.

Predictions~

Sailing through to the finals: Candice, Kree, Angie Amber
Barely making fifth: Janelle (I think her fan base and the country/Jesus combo will help her)
Fighting for a wildcard: Aubrey and Breanna
Going Home: Zoanette, Teena, Adriana

And there you have it…. Can seven of the girls make the finals if there are indeed a few wildcard spots? I certainly think we will have at least 6 girls in the finals and four of them look like serious winners. We will see. Check back on Thursday for results and watch American Idol tonight as the guys sing for your votes for the first time.

You Better “Believe” Justin Bieber is Back at # 1

It’s a little unsettling that Justin Bieber captures his 5th # 1 album this week on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart and he’s only 19 years old… I mean what were you doing when you were 19? Probably not achieving global domination but the Biebs just keeps chugging along with his latest smash Believe: Acoustic. I mean he even hits the top with an album of re-worked material! He also holds off new debuts by Andrea Bocelli, Tegan & Sara and Charlie Wilson. Also making a nice debut this week is the 7th place finisher from American Idol last season, Colton Dixon with his Contemporary Christian album A Messenger at # 15 … Take a look at the new top ten below and head to Billboard here for more on Biebs chart accomplishments this week.

Top Ten Albums on the Billboard 200:
1. Believe: Acoustic- Justin Bieber (debut)
2. Passione- Andrea Bocelli (debut)
3. Heartthrob- Tegan and Sara (debut)
4. Love, Charlie- Charlie Wilson (debut)
5. Pitch Perfect soundtrack (last week~ 3)
6. Unorthodox Jukebox- Bruno Mars (lw~8)
7. Babel- Mumford & Sons (lw~ 6)
8. Set You Free- Gary Allan (lw~ 1)
9. The Lumineers- The Lumineers (lw~ 2)
10. Red- Taylor Swift (lw~ 9)

Over on the Hot 100 Singles Chart, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis make it three weeks on top with “Thrift Shop”. They may have some new competition in the weeks ahead as two new songs enter the top-tier with Pink’s “Try” at #9 (her 13th top ten hit!) and “Sweet Nothing” by Calvin Harris and Florence Welch. We will see how all the songs hold up in the wake of Sunday’s Grammy Awards which always gives the chart a big shakeup. In the meantime, check out all your favorite genre charts at Billboard and take a gander at the biggest hits in the land below.

Top Ten Singles on the Hot 100:
1. “Thrift Shop”- Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (lw~ 1)
2. “Locked Out of Heaven”- Bruno Mars (lw~ 2)
3. “Scream & Shout”- Will.I.Am w/Britney Spears (lw~ 5)
4. “Ho Hey”- The Lumineers (lw~ 3)
5. “I Knew You Were Trouble”- Taylor Swift (lw~ 4)
6. “Don’t You Worry Child”- Swedish House Mafia w/John Martin (lw~ 6)
7. “Beauty and a Beat”- Justin Bieber w/Nicki Minaj (lw~ 7)
8. “F##kin Problems”- A$AP Rocky w/Kendrick Lamar, Drake & 2 Chainz (lw~ 10)
9. “Try” – P!nk (lw~ 11)
10. “Sweet Nothing”- Calvin Harris w/ Florence Welch (lw~ 14)

And here’s Calvin Harris with his second top ten single and Florence Welch’s first top ten hit, “Sweet Nothing”

The CMT Video Awards Crown Carrie Underwood!

Last night, Country Music Television aired their annual CMT Awards honoring the best in country music videos and performances, and yet again, Carrie Underwood was the big winner. Having previously won 7 Golden Buckles, Underwood added two more to her collection including Video of the Year for “Good Girl”. She also performed that smash hit which is currently the # 1 country single in the nation (her 12th chart topper there), and she took home the award for Best Collaboration for “Remind Me” with Brad Paisley. Other big winners included Luke Bryan (who is seriously the hottest and most fun guy right now in country music), Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum. Take a look a the full list of winners below and for more on the performances and the show which featured a host of American Idol alumni, head here. Those Idols were everywhere on the CMT stage with Underwood, Casey James, Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery all performing and Jordin Sparks, Kellie Pickler, Skylar Laine (who is so gonna have a big country career), and Colton Dixon all presenting.

2012 CMT Music Award Winners:

Video of the Year: “Good Girl” – Carrie Underwood
Male Video: “I Don’t Want this Night to End”- Luke Bryan
Female Video: “Over You”- Miranda Lambert
Group Video: “We Owned the Night”- Lady Antebellum
Duo Video: “I Got You”- Thompson Square
Collaboration Video: “Remind Me”- Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood
USA Breakthrough Video: “The Trouble with Girls”- Scotty McCreery
CMT Performance of the Year: “Tattoos on this Town”- Jason Aldean

And here’s Carrie’s winning video for “Good Girl

Some Belated Thoughts on the Season 11 American Idol Finale

Some of you readers may have wondered why I didn’t post anything after last week’s American Idol finale…. Well, the reason is, which may come to you as no surprise, that I was just upset and annoyed. I needed some time away from Idol for a bit. I was incredibly frustrated, though not surprised, that the wrong person won again! This was the fourth year in a row when a lesser contestant (Phillip over Jessica, Scotty over Lauren, Lee over Crystal, Kris over Adam) won the show and the fifth year in a row that a white guy with a guitar won the show (David Cook completes the quintet). So, when Phillip Phillips was named the winner, I was honestly pissed off… Ok, I get that he has a big fan base and he’s incredibly attractive and charming. But he’s not a very good singer people! And in a singing competition, shouldn’t the best singer win? If that were the case, Jessica Sanchez would’ve easily took home the crown… Alas, we all know this is a big popularity contest along with a singing competition and you can’t deny the power of the tween girl texters who have powered all these boys to a win…. Now, despite my anger over the outcome, I wish Phillip well. His songs are selling decently on iTunes for the time being (comparable to Lee’s and Scotty’s but below Cook’s). I do wonder how he will do once his album arrives. I think it could sell well, but I highly doubt he will ever have any hit pop songs. His Dave Matthews-type music has a certain audience but it isn’t the type to get radio airplay these days… That task we will leave up to Jessica who will certainly get a record deal and if Jimmy Iovine and the people at Interscope treat her right could have a huge pop star on their hands. She’s that good. She just needs the right guidance and songs. (As we all know, and even I will admit, song choice was not her strong suit in the competition… nor was it the producers or judges…)
So, as we say goodbye to a really good season that brought us some phenomenal talent, I will say I foresee record deals for Phillip and Jessica of course, along with Joshua Ledet (who could do well in the gospel and R&B arena), Colton Dixon (who has a great contemporary Christian career ahead of him) and especially Skylar Laine who has a wonderful shot at a fantastic country career. I am also curious to see what happens to perennial underdog Hollie Cavanagh. She has an incredible voice, but needs some more guidance and experience…. We’ll see how they grow as performers and artists this summer on the American Idol tour.

Now, there are some things Idol needs to do next year to get its edge and influence back. Here are my suggestions~

1. Ban guitars and instruments… Go back to singers singing if you want to see a different type of winner…
2. Get new relevant and current themes. The producers need to wake up and do contemporary themes because those are the ones that connect with the young audience they so crave… (And hello, trotting out those old artists on the finale like Neil Diamond, John Fogerty and Chaka Kahn, who are certainly wonderful in their own right, was a big mistake. The young audience doesn’t know who they are for the most part and doesn’t relate to them. You need to keep your guests more like Rihanna if you want bigger ratings…)
3. Switch up the judging panel~ Dump Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler. Randy is useless and Steven, while entertaining, is a hot mess and only gives a real critique one out of every 15 tries. He also clearly has no idea what “Over the Top” really means cuz he used it wrong constantly…. They can keep J. Lo for star power and her sometimes useful critiques. But she needs to study up on the history of the show because she is constantly proclaiming things that are totally wrong. For example~ she stated she’d never seen anything like Phillip’s performance of “Home”. Hello, check out Lee Dewyze’s finale performance from two years earlier)… Then, they need to add Jimmy Iovine to the judging panel for some real, honest critique…. Finally they have to add a younger artist the singers might relate to better for the third choice~ perhaps a former contestant? I’m open to ideas for that third spot.
4. Get some new producers… As I said before, the producers are using the same old tricks with the themes and guests… They need to mix it up big time.
5. Put a limit on text and phone votes like Dancing with the Stars... 5 calls per house or phone or something will make it a lot fairer.

Ok, so those are my brief thoughts for the time being. I really enjoyed this season for the most part which gave us some incredible performances, fun personalities and villains (argh Heejun Hahn!), lol … Before I go, please enjoy the two best performances from the finale featuring the girl who should’ve won it all, Jessica Sanchez.

Jessica Sanchez “I Will Always Love You” (Idol finale)

And the undisputed performance of the night from Jessica and Tony and Grammy winner Jennifer Holiday on “And I Am Telling You”

My American Idol Season 11 Top 6 Buzz Rankings!

In what might have been even a bigger shocker than Jessica’s almost ousting two weeks ago, tween-girl fave and the Christian rocker with the skinniest legs on Earth, Colton Dixon, was eliminated last week on American Idol. I, for one, was surprised and a bit thrilled. It was great to see that the show can indeed throw us for a loop every now and again with the results and I’m excited that a girl has an even better chance of winning this year. But I didn’t think this kid, who was clearly talented, would get the boot so soon. But all it took was one terrible week and he was gone. (Or maybe Jesus just had other plans for him, lol)… Anywho, with Colton gone, it’s time for another shakeup on my all new and completely unscientific American Idol Buzz Rankings…

American Idol Season 11 Buzz Rankings for the Top 6:

1. Skylar: our only country contender flies into the pole position for the first time this season after yet another week of solid performances. I, agree, with Jimmy Iovine that she is the best performer of the singers left and, I’d also say she’s the most likable. That, plus her strong pipes, fierce competitive streak and lack of fear will likely help her all the way to the finals. (last week~ 2)
2. Phillip: despite one terrible performance last week (“U Got it Bad”), Phillip remained the only contestant to avoid the bottom three so far for the whole competition. Does that mean he’s unstoppable for the finale? Probably. However, he needs to vary his performances, stay humble and not channel Dave Matthews all the time. But that charm, sex appeal and being the only white guy with a guitar left in the race all add to likelihood of going the distance. (lw~ 3)
3. Jessica: rebounding nicely after her near elimination, the season’s best singer gave two more great perfs this week. Now, if she can keep building that momentum, sing songs that her younger fans would identify with and show a little more emotion and personality, she could reclaim her rightful spot in the top two. (lw~ 4)
4. Joshua: also rebounding nicely with a pair of strong vocals last week was Joshua. Despite looking like the judges favorite singer in the race (I mean he could burp and they would give him a standing ovation), I still think there is a large contingent of the audience that may not connect to him. And that’s despite his tremendous vocal talent. (lw~ 5)
5. Elise: despite arguing with Jennifer and one pretty blah performance, Elise avoided the bottom two. However, she was still in her usual home in the bottom three. This means she is still a big dark horse. She has a really cool unique voice and feels like more of a true artist than several of her competitors, but she will have to have a few amazing performances this week to make the top five. (lw~ 7)
6. Hollie: our lil Irish-Texan cutie had her best night to date last week with two really good performances. Unfortunately, she still landed in the bottom two. It looks like Hollie’s days are truly and finally numbered. (lw~ 6)

With that said, now you have your weekly buzz. But will it mean a thing after they sing if they have no zing?… Ok, when I’m making up silly rhymes, it’s clearly time for me to end this post. But now, it’s time for you to tell me who you think has the buzz to make it to the finale… which is only a few weeks away! Can you believe it?!

American Idol Quick Wrap 4/18/12~ The Top Seven of Season 11…. Again

After last week’s shocker almost-elimination of the season’s best vocalist and my favorite, Jessica Sanchez, it was clear tonight that all bets are off. Practically all the contestants stepped up their game or stepped out of their boxes. Luckily only one of them stepped in “it”, but it’s clear he ain’t goin’ home anytime soon. (More on Colton later…) So, it’s time to count down this week’s double dose of American Idol performances as the singers took on # 1 hits from the last decade and “Soul Classics”. Let’s see who did what and who just might hang on another week…

American Idol Season 11 Top 7 Performance Rankings 4/18/12

# 1 Hits from the Last Decade:
~ the great
1. Hollie: Um, hello, Hollie took on the Adele beast and she actually slayed it. Not only did she give her best performance to date on last year’s Grammy winning smash “Rolling in the Deep”, but she also made it her own. The opening a capella was brilliant and she was confident and composed throughout. She also finally let go. Great performance!
2. Skylar: maybe some people thought Lady Gaga’s country version of her 2010 # 1 “Born This Way” was a little odd, but in Skylar Laine’s capable hands, it was simply fantastic. This girl is a born performer and she owned this number. Plus, let’s be honest, she brings so much energy, joy and ferocious presence to the stage you can’t help but love her every time. It’s hard not to think of the finale without her at this point.
3. Joshua: Mantasia was totally inhabiting Fantasia on her chart topping Idol coronation song from 2004, and I loved it. The song fit him like a glove and his gospel-riffic performance was roof-raising without being cloying or copycat. Another good one from Mr. Ledet.
4. Jessica: taking on the song that has probably been sung more on Idol than any other, our new underdog fought hard and gave what I consider the best performance of the song on this show to date. Singing Alicia Keyes’ 2000 # 1 “Fallin’”, Jessica’s vocals were predictably glorious, but she also dug deep and really interpreted the song. This girl really should never have even been in the bottom three. I mean come on America!
~ the really good
5. Elise: it’s crazy that Elise’s lovely, charismatic and beautiful interpretation of Keyes’ 2007 Grammy winning chart topper is all the way down in 5th place. That just goes to show how good the top five songs in this genre were tonight. Elise’s vocals were great and she really communicated the song like the seasoned pro she is. Well done.
~ and now for the two clunkers
6. Colton: sorry, this rocking re-interpretation of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” from 2009 was just kind of weird. He was a little pitchy in parts and the arrangement never quite felt right. What was worse was that Colton was never convincing for one moment throughout the song. It was a bad way for him to start the night… and it only got worse for him from there…
7. Phillip: I have no idea why the judges gave that piece of crap performance a standing ovation. Poor Phillip utterly decimated Usher’s “U Got It Bad” from 2001. He stripped it of any meaning, growled like usual and just turned it into another unnecessary Dave Matthews Band knockoff. Blech.

Soul Classics
~ the great
1. Jessica: holy crap was that a fantastic interpretation of Otis Redding’s 1966 hit “Try a Little Tenderness”. Jessica sang the you know what out of it, had fun doing it and really fought for her place in this race. Outstanding.
~ the good
2. Phillip: ok, on this number I could see what ya’ll love about Mr. Growly Pants. When he smiles and the song fits him and he’s not screaming, he is incredibly charming. This performance of Wilson Pickett’s 1965 classic “In the Midnight Hour” was sublimely entertaining and the song fit his limited vocal range perfectly. It was his best effort in ages.
3. Hollie: um, hello Hollie delivered on both of her numbers this evening This little belter was letting us have it tonight and I loved it. She totally won me over on Dusty Springfield’s # 10 hit from 1968 “Son of a Preacher Man.”
4. Skylar: while it wasn’t a perfect fit for her, Skylar, none the less, sold the heck out of her version of Marvin Gaye’s # 1 smash from 1968 “I Heard it through the Grapevine”. She’s so good and so genuine that she can pretty much sing anything and make it feel like a Skylar Laine original. Another solid effort.
~the pretty good
5. Joshua: while nowhere near the brilliant version Adam Lambert did in season 8, Joshua’s take on Sam Cooke’s civil rights anthem from 1965 “A Change is Gonna Come” was quite assured. His voice sounded wonderful as usual, but did it feel like more of the same from Mr. Ledet or was it me?
~ the ok
6. Elise: unfortunately Elise’s perfectly passable version of Marvin Gaye’s 1973 # 1 classic “Let’s Get it On” fell short in comparison to her competitors other efforts tonight. Her vocals were fine and she seemed to be having a pretty good time singing it. However, it was a tad forgettable when all was said and done.
~ the atrocious
7. Colton: sorry even Colton’s precious Jesus would’ve hated skinny leg boy’s awful reinvention of Earth Wind and Fire’s # 8 hit from 1978 “September”. He basically turned the soul song into an anemic, pitchy and tuneless mess version of One Republic’s “Apologize” and completely stripped it of any soul whatsoever . While I give the guy credit for taking a page out of the David Cook/Adam Lambert playbook by taking serious risk, unfortunately this one tanked…. And it tanked big time.

Predictions~
Bottom 3: Elise, Joshua, Hollie (but Jessica and Colton might show up here too… things are getting crazy this season!)
Bottom 2: Elise, Joshua
Going Home: Elise

So according to my crazy tea leaves, it looks like Elise Testone’s roller coaster American Idol journey may finally be coming to an end tomorrow. But as you might guess, my predictions haven’t been to spot on this season, lol. So, will she last another week? Will Colton finally make a (very deserving) appearance in the bottom three? Did Jessica galvanize her fan base or did Hollie steal her voters? Find out tomorrow night on American Idol.

My ALL NEW American Idol Season 11 Top Seven Buzz Rankings

If any of you were wondering why I didn’t post about the ridiculousness of last week’s American Idol results show, I just couldn’t bring myself to…. After hearing the season’s best singer, Jessica Sanchez, got the lowest amount of votes and was almost eliminated, I was just plain angry. How could American Idol voters be so stupid or lazy or just ignorant? Why oh why was this happening again? I was overwhelmed with memories of the loss of Pia Toscano too early last year (and the unsettlingly early departures of Tamyra Gray in season 1, Jennifer Hudson in season 3, Chris Daughtry in season 4 and Carly Smithson in season 7) and I just didn’t even want to talk about it…. Now, it’s almost a week later and I have calmed down. I’m grateful that the “Save” actually existed for once, and I am grateful the judges saved Jessica (but duh, we knew they’d do that) I’m also excited she has another chance this week. I, mean seriously, she is this season’s best singer and has the best chance to become an Idol pop powerhouse ala Kelly and Carrie, since Jordin in season 6. (That would also make her the first female winner in 5 years.)… So, let’s hope Idol voters will get their acts together and vote up a storm for Jessica this week!… That said, my girl takes a tumble in the buzz rankings… And that means it’s time for my all new totally unscientific American Idol Season 11 Buzz Rankings for the top seven singers…

American Idol Season 11 Top 7 Buzz Rankings (redux)

1. Colton: looks like the boy with the skinniest legs on Earth and a major Jesus crush is headed straight to the finals. He has never been in the bottom three, always gives consistent and strong performances, and the girls love him. Even though I found him a little forgettable this week, he is on a roll and rises to the top of my rankings for the first time. It’s also time I stopped underestimating the power of the cute white boy in this year’s competition. (last week~ 3)
2. Skylar: she gave another strong performance this week and improved upon a former Idol‘s song. (That was Kellie Pickler I’m speaking of people). She also went first in last week’s lineup and still remained safe. I think this year’s country contender could end up being the last girl standing after all. (lw~ 4)
3. Phillip: it pains me to put him back in the top three, but even after another bad week of weak performances, he still avoided the bottom three. He is the heir to the “white guy with guitar” Idol mantle title of the past few years. So, he could hang on way longer than this one trick pony should…Oh and he’s cute, so there’s another cajillion votes for him each week too. Ugh (lw~ 5)
4. Jessica: ok, you may think I’m crazy to have her this high after she almost went packing… However, I am hopeful last week was just an anomaly. She is clearly the best singer on the show (yes, I’m repeating myself cuz it’s true) and deserves to make the top five at least. (And hello win the whole shebang, but I may be dreaming)… Anywho, I think her fan base will get off their lazy bums and activate this week to keep her in the game. Plus, you know she’s gonna throw down this week to prove herself. (lw~ 1)
5. Joshua: what on Earth was he doing in the bottom 3 last week too? He gave the other best performance of the night and has been consistently good throughout the competition… Did people just feel like he was “safe” too and they didn’t need to vote? Do tween girls not vote for good singers? (Um, we know they don’t) What more can he do to stay in the game? (lw~ 2)
6. Hollie: she gave one of the weaker performances of the week, but this big voiced cutie avoided the bottom three somehow. I think she has a bigger fan base than anyone might expect. Well, she is from Texas and that is a real big state… Plus she has all those Irish votes, and who doesn’t love her super strange accent? (lw~ 7)
7. Elise: I’m rather worried about Elise. She gave two really good performances and still landed on the silver stools of doom. And that’s a position she has found herself in many times this season despite her considerable talent. I feel like she’s gonna need a miracle or a big misstep from one of her peers to last another week in the race. (lw~ 6)

So, that’s the buzz. The two best singers are in trouble and the two heart throbs can do no wrong. Plus, the two blonde ladies are still hovering at the bottom of the pack. Will either of them survive? Can Jessica and Joshua make big comebacks tomorrow when they sing one song from the past decade and one “soul” classic? Will people ever realize that Phillip is NOT all that and a bag of chips? And will it end up being a Skylar v. Colton finale?  Stay tuned…

And before I go, please take another look at the brilliant Jessica Sanchez and her incredible performance of “Stuttering” from last week… Pick up the phone for this girl people!

American Idol Quick Wrap 4/11/12~ The Best Performance Show of the Season!

Well, thank goodness Uncle Nigel (Idol Exec. Producer Nigel Lythgoe) listened to the fans and gave us a current theme for once because tonight American Idol took on the songs from this decade and it was fantastic. With only 2 and 1/3 years of material to choose from, it could have gone either way. However, this years incredibly talented top 7 (the best top 7 ever???) did a wonderful job on these modern hits. (Well most of them anyway). It was perhaps the best performance show ever, and definitely of the season. So, just who stood out the most and who fell short? Take a look at my rankings and predictions below.

American Idol Season 11 Top 7 Performance Rankings~ 4/11/12

~ The Great
1. Jessica: our youngest competitor is also perhaps our most savvy. She knocks it out of the park every week no matter the genre (hello shades of Kelly Clarkson). And this week, she does a song that was a minor R&B hit for Jazmine Sullivan, but damn if she didn’t make me run to iTunes and buy her version of “Stuttering” as soon as the show ended. This girl is a superstar, a hit maker, and a brilliant vocalist. And how about that outfit? Girl better win this thing!
2. Joshua: Mantasia got a shout out from Fantasia even before he performed Bruno Mars’ “Runaway Baby, but he certainly earned it. It was another flawless vocal and an incredibly enthusiastic and energetic performance. He is a born entertainer and the best guy in the competition by a mile.
3. Skylar: keeping up her momentum from last week, our country spitfire gave a blazing performance on former Idol Kellie Pickler’s hit ballad from 2010 “Didn’t You Know How Much I Love You”. I dare say it improved on the original. Her emotion and intonation were perfect, and hello, she played the guitar too! Skylar is a fierce competitor, not to mention a great singer. She is soooo getting a record deal regardless of where she places when all is said and done this season.
4. Elise: improving ten fold from last week, Elise delivered a soaring version of Lady Gaga’s top ten smash from last year, “You and I”. While it wasn’t as good as Haley Reinhart’s incredible performance of the song from last year, it was still fantastic. I especially loved the beginning with just Elise and the piano. I sure hope the audience embraces her again and keeps her in the race.

~ the good
5. Hollie: I don’t know what the judges were babbling about because Hollie did a wonderful job on Pink’s Grammy nominated top ten smash from last year “Perfect”. It was her best performance since Whitney Houston week when the finals began. Her vocals sounded wonderful and she had more confidence than she’s had in ages. I just wish she had connected a tad more to the lyrics. All in all, it was a job well done. But was it enough to keep her in the game? I’m not sure.
6. Colton: I’m a little surprised I have him ranked so low because I really liked his performance of Skylar Grey’s “Love the Way You Lie”. (You probably know the Grammy winning # 1 hit version of the song by Rihanna and Eminem by the way). He was vulnerable and gave a really strong spin on the song. In fact, it probably would be a great recording for him. The only drawback is that it became a little forgettable compared to the others tonight.

~ the blah
7. Phillip: oh dear, sweet Southern charmer Phillip… Why oh why must you turn every song into a Dave Matthews track? J Lo was dead on when she said she’d seen that performance before. Um, hello, because he does pretty much the same thing week after week. And his take on Maroon 5′s “Give A Little More” was nothing new and far inferior to the original. If there was any justice, his growling on the show would come to an end tomorrow night. Sorry people, he’s a great guy, but that aint gonna cut it anymore.

The Duets/Group Numbers:

1. Joshua/Jessica/Hollie: despite a little shaky start, this trio sold the crap out of Kelly Clarkson’s recent # 1 smash “Stronger”. Their big powerhouse vocals fit the song well, and I wasn’t sure if Joshua could do a pop anthem. However, he totally did. In fact, I agree with Randy that he may have stolen the number from the ladies.
2. Colton/Skylar: I’m not sure why the judges didn’t love this. It was a wonderful interpretation of Kelly Clarkson and Jason Aldean’s ACM and CMA Award winning, Grammy nominated, # 1 country smash “Don’t You Wanna Stay”… No, it wasn’t as good as the original, but it was still pretty darn good. (It was also a whole lot better than the version Lauren and Scotty did last year).
3. Elise/Phillip: taking on Gotye & Kimbra’s current # 2 hit “Somebody that I Used to Know”, this duo did an admirable job. But let’s be honest, Elise did all the heavy lifting and totally served Phillip on the number. In his defense, it was out of his wheelhouse, but he didn’t need to look so uncomfortable throughout. That said, I kinda liked their spooky chemistry. Unfortunately, it paled compared to their great collaboration from last week.

Predicitions~

Bottom 3: Hollie, Elise, Phillip (but Skylar and Colton might show up too)
Bottom 2: Hollie, Phillip
Going Home: Hollie (but it really should be Philip)

So, Idol producers, you better have taken notes tonight. Doing a current theme can work wonders for your show! And I bet your Idol download sales are probably soaring this week too…. Now, the question is how will America vote? Despite an improved performance, I still think Hollie is in big trouble. But will we see a surprise elimination instead? Or will the judges finally use their “Save”? Are we heading to a Joshua v. Jessica finale? Can Colton or Skylar break into the top two? Did Phillip finally make a misstep that could cost him big? Watch the results show tomorrow night and find out. And let me know your thoughts below.

My Season 11 Top 7 American Idol Buzz Rankings!

Well, American Idol viewers, I am proud of you! With last week’s elimination (some may say surprise elimination) of Deandre, you have gotten rid of the correct two people in a row! I was a little nervous for Elise and Hollie in the bottom three with our beloved Milli Vanilli-coiffed falsetto crooner, but it looks like an obscure song choice and going first helped Deandre to finally hit the road. I wish him well and am pretty pleased with the current top 7. Now, the question is who still has the buzz going into this week when the singers will tackle songs from this, yes I said THIS, decade. That means they’re singing songs from 2010-2012. Holy modern music people. It should be very interesting indeed… So, let’s take a look at who is going strong this week on my all new completely unscientific American Idol Buzz Rankings.

My Season 11 Top 7 American Idol Buzz Rankings~

1. Jessica: my favorite holds on to the top spot yet again as she remains the most consistent competitor in the race. Her take on Whitney’s “How Will I Know” was fantastic, but it wasn’t her best. She needs to up her game this week to keep her hold on the pole position…. and I so want her to! (last week~ 1)
2. Joshua: I may have been underestimating Joshua for the past few weeks. I think he could be a surprise finale contender. He absolutely killed both of his performances last week and he even out sang Jessica on their duet. If he can find a song that is relevant this week to showcase his potential as a current Pop/R&B powerhouse, he can maintain his growth on the show and on my list. (lw~ 6)
3. Colton: while his “Time after Time” wasn’t flawless, it was still another solid effort. He’s willing to take risks and usually succeeds in doing so. Plus, his heart-throb status can’t hurt, and he wasn’t annoying in his interviews this week. Colton is still a contender. (lw~ 4)
4. Skylar: with her best performance in weeks on “Wind Beneath My Wings”, Skylar proved she can’t be counted out. She also out did Colton on their duet and remains one of the most likable singers in the race. I’m curious to see if she can stay on the upswing this week. (lw~ 5)
5. Phillip: well, many of you may be shocked to find Mr. Phillips so low on my list this time. However, he had his worst week to date and he seems to be stuck in a rut. His Genesis cover was terrible and Elise out sang him on their duet. He needs to get some humility too. This guy who has done so much right so far this season seems to be falling fast. However, he has a strong fan base, so we’ll see if he turns it around tomorrow. (lw~ 2)
6, Elise: our resident veteran (yes, she’s the veteran at 28 years old… boy does that make me feel old!) was in danger again after faltering on her Foreigner cover. It was the wrong song and a tepid performance. She did come back very strong on her duet but she still was in the bottom 2. She doesn’t rank last on my list because I think she has the fire to fight her way back up as she has done time and again this year. She is on a serious Idol roller coaster folks. (lw~ 3)
7. Hollie: while I seemed to like her “Flashdance” performance a whole lot more than America and the judges did, Hollie still sits at the bottom of my rankings. She really needs to breakout with a showstopper this week to stay in the game. She has the vocal prowess, now she needs the confidence AND the right song choice. I, for one, hope she steps up to the plate and knocks it out of the park tomorrow. (lw~8)

Whew, that felt like more counting than it actually was. Can you believe there are only seven people left in the race? Can you believe Phillip is faltering? Do you think Elise or Hollie can survive another week? Will the judges ever use the save? Stay tuned tomorrow for my next Idol recap.