Remember how I said last week’s hour long results show flew by? Yeah, that wasn’t the case this week. What a difference a week makes. This week was slower than Jacob Lusk finishing a note. That boy can stretch a note like no one’s business.

I knew this episode was going to stink from the onset, when the judges went on and on how hot this year’s contestants are. It felt like a sleazy used car salesman trying to unload the biggest lemon on the lot. To boot, Ryan Seacrest didn’t reveal how many votes were cast last night. Was most of America as uninspired as me to pick up the phone or text for their favorite performances? I definitely think so. PS: How unexcited was the audience when they found out they were taking home an American Idol CD? You’ll be seeing that CD at a bargain bin soon near you.

Since this week’s theme was the “Year They Were Born“, the results show revolved around childhood. The night’s performers also got involved when they showed baby pictures of both Lee DeWyze and The Black Eyed Peas. The kids also revealed what they wanted to be when they grew up. Is it me, or do you also hear the PCD song in your head, whenever people say “when I grow up? Damn you Nicole Scherzinger.

find out who got the boot after the jump

Idol started off the night’s show with a tastefully done PSA regarding the devastation occurring in Japan. It was like a mini Idol Gives Back episode. The judges and Ryan Seacrest revealed that all the proceeds from any of the download songs from tonight’s show would go to the Red Cross in their relief efforts. Hopefully they’ll raise a lot of money to help those who have been affected by this horrible natural disaster. Onto the show…

In the audience this week were former Idol’s Tamyra Gray and Carly Smithson. By far two of my favorite also-rans. Kate Hudson was also spotted in the crowd in some really bad seats with baby daddy Matt Bellamy from Muse. This week’s theme was “The Year They Were Born“. Yawn, I’m so tired of this recycled theme. Give me some an electro-pop, country, R&B week or something else new. Hell, I’ll even take 50s week.

Contrary to what Steven Tyler said, this, IMHO, was the weakest show of the live shows so far. There were a couple of really bad trainwrecks. Remember when making it your own was stripping a song down or playing an instrument. This year, the mentor producers are obsessed with giving ballads dance remix treatments. So, not fantastic. Find out how I ranked this week’s performances at the end of the post. I’d love to know your rankings too. Be sure to post them in the comments section.

watch the performances, check my predictions all after the jump

Let me just preface this with a big ‘ol WOOHOO. Unlike last year, where my predictions sucked some serious ass, this year is a completely different story. Not only did I get the eliminated person correct, but also the bottom three. If you could see me now, you’d see me doing my celebratory Dougie dance. If you don’t know what that is, don’t worry, neither does Adam Lambert. So enough patting myself on the back and let’s get to the results.

Normally, these hour long eliminations are boring as shizz can be, but just like everything this season I was entertained. Ryan Seacrest informs us that over 30 million votes were cast. Is that good? I’m not sure. He also lets us know that Casey Abrams is sick again. What is up with this kid? He’s been sick twice now since the Top 24 was announced. Is he dying? Does he have mono? How about some serious IBS (irritable bowl syndrome) issues? Inquiring minds want to know.

Before the kids do a group Michael Jackson medley, we get to see the ostentatious mansion they’re calling home temporarily. How sick was that main living area? I forgot how much I loved this portion of the Idol experience. So glad Nigel brought back this old tradition. Watching the kids who live in small surroundings experience this luxury, makes me all gooey and happy inside. There’s some definite warmage of cockles going on.

find out who got eliminated after the jump

I may sound like a broken record here, but I’m loving this season of “American Idol“. Everything is so on point this season. There were some amazing performances by a couple of the contestants, some expected and some a surprise. Meanwhile, a couple of frontrunners, kinda crashed and choked, opening the door to a potential shocking elimination. It was a great mix of the good, the bad, and the oooooh, that’s embarrassing.

After a week practice, the new judges worked out the jitters of critiquing in front of a live performance and gave some solid and memorable feedback. PS. Congrats to Jennifer Lopez for having the No. 1 single on iTunes. Her musical comeback is official.

Normally, the contestants’ packages bore me to death, but not last night. I’m loving the behind the scenes look of the singers with Jimmy Iovine’s producing heavy hitters. Seriously, all of them are hardcore and produced some of the biggest hits the past few years. These Idols are so lucky to work with them. This week’s theme of their “Personal Idol” was a bit loosey goosey, but it allowed the singers to stay within their respective comfort zones. See who nailed it and who put a nail in their coffin in my commentary below. Scroll down to bottom to see my rankings and who I predict will be in the bottom three.

view all the performances, plus my rankings after the jump

Can’t wait til tonight to catch American Idol 10′s Top 13′s debut? While I don’t have the actual performances, I do have the song list, performance order and a bit of intel on who wowed the audience and who didn’t.

With the theme weeks this year being “loosened”, the finalists are able to stay more within their specific genres. For instance, this week’s theme is “Your Personal Idol“. WTF is up with that? Give me some country or R&B theme weeks. I want to see Ashthon, James Durbin and Scotty McCreery squirm when not in their respective wheelhouse. Bring on the trainwrecks.

Tonight’s show was pre-taped on Tuesday March 8 to ensure it would fit within the allotted two hours. For those who aren’t fans of this format, you only have to put up with it for the first couple weeks. Nigel Lythgoe explains this was done, due to having a new director and two new judges. Can anyone say, FCC fines? In true Nigel fashion, he “eloquently” tweeted the following statements in retaliation to Idol fans accusing the producers of manipulation.

There is a load of crap being discussed all the contestants sing ‘live.’ The show has always been recorded to the West Coast.

We are pre-taping for 2 weeks as we have a new Director & new judges. It has nothing to do with manipulation you morons.

I love you all getting riled up. The Tweet was directed at the MORONS who said we are pre-taping to manipulate the show. Not the TRUE fans!

Sorry I can’t play anymore I have to go to work. There’s manipulating to be done. xox

spoilers after the jump. proceed with caution

Every year of “American Idol“, there’s always one contestant who doesn’t make the finals that really should’ve. Whether or not, it’s due to lack of airtime, a boring personality or simply judging mental farts, a talented singer is pushed to side to make room for a more “popular”, yet substandard singer. If Idol is truly a singing competition and a show about finding the best talent out there, then the following ten hopefuls should’ve gotten further than they did.

Before I begin, I must preface this post and say I didn’t include Frenchie Davis from Season 2 on my list. Why? Based on talent, she definitely deserved a spot in the finals, but the reason I omitted her was her situation was unique. She wasn’t passed over by a less talented singer, but rather topless pictures derailed her chances. Ironically enough, if she was competing today and those pictures were released, I’m not sure if she would’ve suffered the same fate. So, in the end I opted not to include her. Yes, she was screwed but she deserves her own category.

Without further ado, I give you my list of “Idol’s 10 Most Robbed Contestants NOT To Make The Finals“. Hope you enjoy.

view my Top 10 list after the jump

When I programmed American Idol to tape tonight’s show a couple days ago, it said it was only an hour long. So, when I found it was 2 hours, I was pissed. Really, Idol? Is a two hour episode really necessary to reveal the eliminations. I love Idol, BUT five hours to commit to this show in a week is a bit much.

At the onset of the episode, Ryan Seacrest promised we would see major drama unfold like we’ve never seen before on the Idol stage. Just like The Bachelor’s promise about being the most dramatic rose ceremony ever, I sorta tune out when Seacrest makes boastful statements like that. But as he outlined the night’s agenda of revealing the Top 5 boy and girl vote getters, plus naming the wild card performers, plus announcing the Top 12, I was WTF are they are really going to attempt this all in one night. Normally, producers would drag the wild card round to another week. Dayum, I’m loving the new Idol. Too boot, Jennifer Lopez’s new music video was making its world premiere. It took about 20 minutes before the first reveal happened, but after that there was barely any dragging out going on.

Read the rest of this entry »

After taking a year break from using American Idol alums to serenade eliminated contestants, the show is going back to basics and enlisting one of their own. Season 7 winner, David Cook has been given the honor of providing this season’s exit song. The rocker recorded a cover of Simple Mind’s “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” from the classic teen movie, “The Breakfast Club“. Idol executive producer, Simon Fuller, chose the track after Cook recorded it last month.

Personally, I think selecting this song is yet another great decision in a series of wise moves done by the American Idol team this year. This song is a classic that everyone’s heard of and the lyrics are applicable to the situation. I can’t wait to hear what David does with the arrangement. I’m still obsessed with his rendition of Lionel Ritche’s “Hello” and Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby”. His version won’t make its Idol debut til next week, but if you pre-order his sophomore album, you can get a first listen today on his website. Starting Tuesday, the song will be available for download from iTunes. UPDATE: I was able to find a version of David’s version on YouTube. Check it out below.

listen to David’s version after the jump