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| American Idol: Group Three - Finally, A Show!!! |
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| Wednesday, 04 March 2009 11:25 |
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Von Smith starts off the evening with "You're All I Need To Get By". The beginning is kinda wack, though it does get better.. The good thing is that he doesn't oversing like he did during Hollywood Week (awful!), but it's still not very memorable to me. Randy says Von is finding himself. Kara agrees and Paula really liked it. Thankfully, Simon brings some reality to the table and says that Von looks "appalling" and reminds him of Clay Aiken. No doubt that with Von's huge female following, this will only help him get votes. Young Taylor Viafanua sings Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You". It's shaky in the beginning, but she eventually busts out and shows off her voice. Kara says it was good, but that Taylor should show more personality. Paula says she already sang this song in Hollywood, and wished she had picked something else - THANK YOU!!! Simon says he doesn't remember her from earlier auditions (Really?! The 6-foot-tall Samoan teenager?! Are you THAT self-absorbed?!). The band starts playing as it goes into Randy's turn - whooooopsie!!! Anyway, he basically agrees with Kara and Paula and says that Taylor didn't show anything new tonight. Now it's time for Alex Wagner-Trugman, Clay Aiken Part II. He's simply adorable and sings "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues". Paula tells Alex he channeled his inner rock star (because he kicked over the mic stand)? Simon says Alex was like a hamster trying to be a tiger - hahaha! Randy says Alex was "buck wild" but that he screamed the song. Kara seems to like his dancing, which makes Megan Corkrey look like Elaine from Seinfeld. Who knows? America is into nerdy guys...it might be an Alex v. Von shakedown - AGAIN! Whoever does/doesn't make it, I think they are both wild card possibilities. Next, Arianna Afsa sings "Winner Takes All" by ABBA. It was not the best song choice and she takes a lot of liberties with the melody. She still has a really cool voice, but WHOAH. It's not good. Simon says it was absolutely terrible. Randy says the song was too old for her. Kara says that she misses how "cute as a button" Arianna was during the auditions. Paula thought it was old fashioned and that she should have stuck to the original melody - THANK YOU, PAULA!!! Arianna has a great voice, so I think she could definitely come back as a wild card. Ju'Not Joyner is singing "Hey There Delilah", ANOTHER song from Hollywood week. How is this helpful?! Ju'Not was pretty hyped up as a semi-finalist, but he drops the ball with a boring performance here. Randy loves it - whaa?? Kara loves it too - huh? Paula is turning into the voice of reason this episode, pointing out that he already sang the same song during Hollywood Week. Simon says it was better than he thought it was going to be. I don't know if this will get him through.. Next we have Kristen McNamara, who sings "Give Me One Reason"by Tracy Chapman. Kristen has a great voice despite her ditziness, and her hair looks a LOT more polished. Kara says Kristen has a great voice, but should have picked more of a rock song - I totally agree. Paula says she has shown more range in the past - I also agree with this because Kristen shocked the hell outta me when she hit the high notes in Duffy's "Mercy" during the infamous Hollywood group audition. Simon says he's still "puzzled" by Kristen's look. Randy says the performance was a little karaoke. Kristen is the cutest girl during this round, but she really needs help with image and song choice - I just don't think she's ready for this level of competition. Nathaniel "It's On My Skin" Marshall sings "I Would Do Anything For Love" by Meatloaf (which I actually would love to see Adam Lambert sing). Nathaniel reaaally brings the camp with this rendition and the crowd is LOVING it - because hey, he's ownin' it! Simon says it was "excrutiating", but that people will remember him. Randy says he can sing. Kara tells him he should pick more serious songs. Paula says it was "Boy George" - hahahaha! I love that Paula is the wisened voice here. I think she's really trying to hold her own against Kara's industry insider critiques. Ryan tries to stay relevant as host and has Nathan run around to the judges' table and sits on Paula's lap - wow, we haven't had one of those in awhile. I can't wait until someone does the thing where they sing to the judges (Norman doesn't count). Felicia Barton sings Alicia Keys' "No One" and it's....alright. I thought it was boring - THIS is the girl who took Joanna Pacitti's place?! Boooooooo!!! Paula liked it. Simon says the first part was better than the end. Randy likes her voice. Kara says she had some problems, but got noticed this week. BORING..... Now we have one of the early favorites, Scott MacIntyre, singing "Mandolin Rain". I think the song is waaay too "adult contemporary", but he does have a kind of Josh Groban thing going on. I think the piano is a huge part of Scott's talent and appeal, so just sitting on a chair and singing is not the best set-up for him. Randy says there were some good parts. Kara says he "moves mountains" and can't wait to see him play and sing. Paula agrees. Simon says Scott is memorable (because he's blind?!) and that he'll be "amazed" if Scott doesn't get through (because he's blind?!). Scott and Ryan high-five - I love this guy! He's a good singer with a great personality. And I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but I really think that America will vote for him because of his blindness. Already, I think the judges have found it hard to critique him. He's definitely through. Next is pretty blonde Kendall Beard, who sings country. She does Martina McBride's "This One's For The Girls", a karaoke favorite across the Bible Belt. Kara likes her personality, but notes that there were some vocal issues. Paula likes her outfit. Simon says it was the right thing, but that she could have picked a better song.. Randy agrees that she looks great, but that it wasn't her best vocal performance. Can she make it through on cuteness? This is the most confusing semi-final yet! It's anyone's game, and I love it! Jorge Nunez is our last guy for the night, and up until now he has been one of the best belters as far as the guys are concerned. Appropriately, he does the song that made Clay Aiken a few seasons ago, Elton John's "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me". He has a great voice, but it's a little cliche. Simon comments on the fact that he did not sing with an accent - and yeah, it was a little weird. Randy says it was really good. Kara says he was born to sing - awwwwww. Yeah!!! I think he'll get through, and if he does, I hope that he chooses something in Spanish at some point! Represent! Saving the best for last: Lil Rounds is singing Mary J Blige's "Be Without You". WHYYYYYY?!?!?! I'm totally disappointed...it's still the best of the night, but it's only alright. I love Mary J, but Lil is the only contestant who can handle something biiig like Aretha, unlike other people who have tried and pulled off anemic renditions (Exhibit A: Alexis and Ann Marie from Group One). Simon says Lil's was his favorite performance of the evening. Randy agrees and says she's one of the best this year. Kara says she's a powerhouse and Paula calls her first class. She's DEFINITELY going to make it through, but I really think she needs to pick better songs because she can totally handle them!!!! This was the best night of the American Idol Semi-Finals overall, so it was a VERY welcome reprieve from last week's lackluster Group Two. However, there were no big star stand-outs like Danny (and Anoop, ahem!) from Group One. At the end of the day, I think it'll be Lil, Jorge and either Von or Kendall. Tune in Wednesday night for results and Thursday night for the judges' wildcard picks!
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| Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 March 2009 11:55 |
American Idol
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