Seriously how good would the Mardi Gras party have been last night, George Michael and Adam Lambert. Adam the runner up from last year’s American Idol closed the party, and above his his performance. Please note it is not the greatest quality but it shows he was getting into the Mardi Gras spirit, with his costume and dance moves.

Also here is Adam Lambert at his signing at Hum records on Oxford St. Just for the record I was not there.

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For those who are still in a catatonic state from last night’s men’s top ten semi-final the good news Crystal Bowersox will be performing tonight on the show.  So it probably is worth while tuning in.

You know it was a bad night for the boys when Tim Urban was probably in the top three performances. Unfortunately this is not Australian Idol where the top 12 get through regardless of gender, here it is a strict six and six ratio.

I decided not to waste anymore of my time to do a recap but here is one from EW titled Boys of Slumber that sums it up nicely.

It is still not revealed what her illness is/was, but below Ryan Seacrest chats to the Executive Producer of American Idol about why they swapped the semis on his morning radio show.

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Calling on all American Idol savants – apparently the producers of this week show have swapped the shows and the boys top 10 will be singing tonight as one of the girls is ill.

EW reports that Crystal Bowersox is ill with complications with her diabetes and have postponed the girls top ten show to tomorrow night to give her an extra day to recover.

This has never happened before, but then I am not sure if there has been a sick girl or guy at this stage of the competition. Some people on forums are saying Kristy-Lee Cook had to sing, when she had been sick, but I think this was after she had made top 12.

Either way it is a controversial move by the show, and I suspect there is fear and loathing in the American Idol house as it gives the boys one less day to rehearse.

Personally I think they are playing favourites, but then I don’t care as I really like her and think she adds something different to the show. But I suspect if the producers had been ambivalent about one the contestants it would have been the show must go on mantra.

However if the show did somehow contribute to her hospitalisation eg she was not able to get access to regular food, they should definitely moved it.

Your thoughts?

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Apparently Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson have been talking that a girl will win this year’s American Idol, and on tonight’s boy’s night I think they might be right. There were a few good performances, but a lot that were completely forgettable.

A few thoughts on the show:

• Todrik’s version of Kelly Clarkson’s version of Since You’ve Been Gone  was a bit strange, but it was kind of likeable. Randy cracked me up and he had a point when he said the song was a hit and you obliterated it and it was unrecognisable. The reason it was a hit was because people liked it.
• How Aaron Kelly got through to the top 24 after completely blowing is final top 100 performance is beyond me, and tonight’s country ballad song did nothing to make me change my mind – clearly I was alone in my opinion as the judges gushed, even Simon Cowell was positive.
• Jermaine Sellers voice was a bit cracky and pitchy, but his voice has some interesting tones, I would like to hear him sing again before I press the delete button on him.
• Tim Urban who got a last minute call up for the top 24, has a cute pop look, his vocals were weak, and he over annunciated his words. I might be twisting the knife, but Simon plunged it in.
• Joe Munoz did nothing for me in his preview interviews, but on stage he turns into a little cutie and a lot of appeal. Lucky for him there is a high hispanic population in the US so should be safe. Simon was not feeling the love for him.
• Tyler Grady was the first contestant who screamed star. However Simon thinks he is a rock star cliche, and the rest of the judges agreed. Ellen thought he lacked charisma. Maybe I am a sucker for the Jim Morrison/Michael Hutchene.
• Lee Dewze was smart and picked the popular song from Snow Patrol, I liked it. But he got a 50/50 split from the judges.
• John Park song was extremely dull, I will be surprised if he is NOT eliminated.
• Michael Lynche Maroon 5 was a good song choice but I thought the guitar playing was superfluous.
• Alex Lambert grew on me once I got over his dreadful mullet, I am not sure if he will make top 12 but he has an unusual voice.
• Casey James who I have been a bit ho hum about, changed my mind a bit with his performance, not sure why Kara is so hot to trot about him.
• Andrew Garcia’s performance was entertaining, and I think he got hit with the “we have high expectations of you” stick by the judges.

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The greatest thing ever to hit American Idol, Adam Lambert, is coming to Australia. Adam Lambert who was last year’s runner up, but in reality post Idol is the winner will be here to promote his album For Your Entertainment  gets released on March 5.

His first single Whataya Want From Me  was written by Pink.

He will be signing copies of his album at Hum in Oxford St on Saturday March 6 from Noon.

He says he would love to sing at Mardi Gras, and chances are the organisers will be desperate to get him. I would have thought they would have a float in his honour, considering he was the first Idol contestant ever to be officially “out”.

Above is a YouTube clip which is the single, it is not the video however as that is blocked.

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Now this is the part of American Idol I love. The auditions are over, Hollywood Week is done and dusted, and we get to hear them really sing.

And this must be the year of the quirky girl instead of the usual divas belting it out and it was great to see some interesting girls singing. However the problem will be that in previous years a lot of them would have been unique however they were more the norm so a few will be early casualties.

Can the judges of American Idol please give the Australian Idol judges (if it ever comes back on) a masterclass. Each one added something different. Randy Jackson, must have his contract up for renewal as I thought he was great tonight, really getting into the nuances of the singers voices. Kara DiGuardio who I found extremely annoying in the auditions and Hollywood Week is in her element once the performance shows start. She really does have an indepth knowledge of music.

Simon is Simon droll and says the things people are thinking. Ellen was probably the weakest, but she knows to keep it succinct and she has such a nice vibe about her.

I don’t want to criticise Australian Idol, because I love it, but the talent on American Idol is amazing. But then they have a population of 300 million.

Paige Miles – 24 -  Alright Now – Supergrass

Well she was confident, and she has some amazing pipes. If big notes brings votes she will be safe for tonight. But she did not rock my world. But I think I could grow to like her. Normally each year there is a heap of black girl singers with big voices, but not so this year which will make her stand out.

Simon thought out of all the girls she has the best voice, but he did not like the song.

The consensus from the rest of judging panel was that she was good. 

Ashley Rodriguez – 22 - Happy – Leona Lewis

I love how reality TV contestants  are now doing covers of other reality contestants. The problem is Leona Lewis has an amazingly strong voice, and Ashley did not pull it off. Her low register was dodgy, and the chorus sounded weak.

Kara DiGuardio – said there were some ordinary moments but thought she would get through.

Randy hit the nail on the head when he said people would just compare her to Leona so said it was not good for her.

Simon thought she was going backwards. He does not see her as a contemporary recording artist just someone who does not sing other peoples songs particularly well.

Oh yes there were going to be tears backstage.

Janell Wheeler 24 – What About Love – Heart

America is obsessed about Heart, every year it is sung a number of times. I loved her song in Hollywood Week and was surprised she picked it I was expecting something quirkier. Not very memorable, but I hope she gets through.

Randy did not like the song choice but likes her.

Simon said she gave 100% effort but delivered about 65%. It’s about song choice and about trying to do something original.

Kara said the song was too big for her.

Lilly Scott – 20 -  The Beatles

This girl has been living out of her car and busking to survive. She is definitely very interesting and quirky. I loved her rendition of the song. Brave choice to play the guitar on the first live show. Hopefully America will vote for her. A kind of a blond version of Chanel Cole.

Ellen gushed.

Simon thought it was the best we have had so far. He was not feeling much star power at the moment.

Kara said everyone is going to remember you tonight.

Katelyn Epperly – 19  – Oh Darling

I thought she looked like an over done up cocktail waitress that would appeal to Tiger Woods BBC (Before Being Caught). And I thought the song choice was just bizzare. I did like her voice though and I hope she gets through.

Simon thought she was quirky interesting, and also said a good choice of song. He likes her.

Kara – said she preferred her a bit more natural (I agree).

Randy said the real art of singing is tone and melody. He thought she can go places.

Haeley Vaughan – 16 – I Want To Hold Your Hand – The Beatles

I loved her. She was so different to what I expected,  so cute and age appropriate.

Kara thought there were some technical issues with the performance. But she said she brings fun to the stage.

Randy said maybe drop the note a bit lower or singing the note differently.

Ellen said she shined.

Simon thought it was verging on terrible, like  a doll that never stopped smiling and that is why the vocals were such a mess.

OK maybe my head was turned by the red guitar.

Lacey Brown – 24 – Landslide – Fleetwood Mac

I thought her voice was interesting, however I think she did make a few noticeable mistakes. However the end was stronger then the start. Loved her look. I doubt she will be around next week.

Randy thought it was not the right song for you, he thought it was terrible and pitchy and did not suit her voice.

Ellen said I think you are better then that.

Simon thought it was quite depressing and indulgent.

Kara hopes that America gives her one more shot.

Michelle Delamour – 22 – Falling – Alicia Keys

I love the way she described her self as a sales associate at a clothing store. I thought from the preview I was not going to like her. But I thought her performance was fantastic, and I don’t normally like the song.

Ellen thought it was amazing.

Simon a very professional singer, there was not one moment in the song that made him go wow. He said she needs to do something to make her different.

Kara said if she is going for the diva spot, she needs to be technically perfect when she came out on stage. Also she would like her to be more unique.

Didi Benami - 23 – The Way I am – Ingrid Michaelson

I seriously need the waistcoat she was wearing though I would probably make it look a bit frumpy. There is a lot of quirky girls this year. I wonder if they are going to cancel each other out. I liked her but I am not sure she is as memorable as the others. I don’t think she will make it through.

Simon said she was a good singer. Simon thinks there are to many people tonight trying to sound like Adele and Duffy. He thought it was a bit indulgent and a bit dreary. He thought it was dull.

Kara thought it was a bit pitchy but liked her.

Randy wondered where the star factor was.

Ellen thought the song for the first night was a little low key.

Siobhan Magnus 19 – Wicked Game – Chris Isaak

She is a glass blowing apprentice, so she must have a trust fund. I found her quite mesmerising. I still can’t believe they have not had Chris  Isaak as a guest on the American Idol, as he always rocks it when he is on Australian Idol.

Kara said she is really in the moment.

Ellen really liked it a lot.

Simon said we just don’t know what you are going to do each time. He liked it but did not think it was a good as the Stevie Wonder song she did on Hollywood Week.

Crystal Bowersox – 24 – Hand In My Pocket – Alanis Morriset

She has the cutest baby. She probably did not help herself by saying the only reason she is hear because mummy needs a bigger paycheck. I really don’t like the people that come on Idol think they are too independent or too much of a muso to be on the show. Come on it has discovered some amazing talent.

And Crystal has talent. Though I thought the harmonica was unnecessary, and just a bit cocky. I think she has to lose the attitude a bit or America will turn on her at some stage. I hope she stays in awhile.

Randy said he was one of her favourites.

Ellen said she adds something fresh to the show.She also said she would vote for her.

Simon said there are thousands of you outside subway stations. Told her she sounded like Alanis. However he really likes her and finds her refreshing.

Katie Stevens 17- Feeling Good – Michael Buble

She was lucky to get the prime last position on the show, because this was dull. In past year’s she would have been cancelled out by all the other diva type singers, but they are in short supply this year so she should be safe. She had zero appeal to me.

Ellen thought it was very conservative and wants her to be 17 and to be fresh and modern. She said it was great.

Simon thought it started to become annoying.

Kara thought she was pitchy which she said was unlike her.

Randy said you were pushing so hard the notes were too sharp.

Look any of these girls would easily make top 12 in Australia, but two have to be eliminated tomorrow night. I think it will be Didi Benami, and Lacey Brown.

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Mezhgan Hussainy apparently is Simon Cowell’s new girlfriend. The Daily Mail reveal Mezhgan is one of the American Idol make up artists, plus other details about her.

The article also reveals that he never told his girlfriend of six years that he loved her. Wow and she stayed with him for for so long.

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This episode seemed to go really quickly, I was not sure if this was the Fox 8 editing of the show or this was it.

Just a few comments about the episode:

• Kirsten Chenoweth was the guest judge, she is a little blonde cutie but she looked extremely thin;
• They appeared to showcase the not so great singers, and the contestants with the sad stories;
• I will confess I did tear up in the montage about Seth (the guy who looks like Forest Whittaker), and his autistic son;
• I thought Kirsten as a guest judge neither added nor detracted from the panel;
• Not enough Simon this episode.

Injera emailed me this article from The Daily Beast about the American Idol auditions. Yes we know the 12000 at the stadium don’t get to see Simon etc, but they to illuminate a few things you may not have realised about what goes on behind the scenes.

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Democrats in America are currently handwringing and teeth gnashing about the loss of Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat to the Republicans in the blue ribbon seat of Massachusetts.  There has been much analysis on why this has occurred.

But they have not considered the American Idol effect. As we all know American Idol is the most popular TV show in the US by far, and gets between 25 and 30 million viewers a night. Scott Brown’s daughter Ayla Brown was a contestant on the show in 2006 and made it to the top 24, eventually placing 16th.

Did Ayla campaign with her dad? Oh yes indeed. Could her American Idol celebrity been the factor to get him over the line in a very tight race? If you want more sensible and indepth analysis about the Democrats defeat go here.

But if you want to see what Ayla Brown was like on American Idol press play

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Chicago auditions was a bit poor on the singing front, as there were only thirteen golden tickets given out over two days, and none of the singers were that memorable. However I thought one girl was a bit unlucky to miss out and I bet it was because of her size.

Amy Lang came to audition and was hilarious, first she told Ryan Seascrest about how she had had a saucy dream about him, before she was sent into the audition room. Ok she was jokey and funny in a good way (she had a signature boob flex), but her voice was not that bad, in fact I thought it no weaker then some of the other singers they have sent through to Hollywood week. Hello what about bikini girl?

My opinion is if she had been slim and a bit of a hottie they would have sent her through, however because she was overweight meant she had no chance of getting through. I suspect this case of fattism is not a one off, on this show. Time and time again I have seen the attractive girls be given the benefit of the doubt and sent through.

Here is a YouTube clip of Amy Lang’s audition tell me what you think.

Another high point of the audition show was guest judge Shania Twain, she was natural, funny and gave constructive comment. Simon Cowell should consider her to be a judge on his US version of The X Factor. Best guest judge thus far.

Kara Dio Guardi who I did not mind last year has been vaguely irritating this year, however i think she is more in her element on the live shows.

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