THE X FACTOR 12/14/11: Top 4 Performaces + *POLLS*

Semifinals!

MARCUS CANTY

I’ll Make Love To You:

• I voted for this song for Marcus to sing because I could totally hear him singing it.  And sure enough, this song matched him really well.  Was it really memorable?  Umm…no.  But his performance was pretty much how it always is.  Totally fine.

Careless Whisper:

• Didn’t like this version.  He sounded a little off the whole time.  But what I will give him credit for is for arranging it into the type of music that Marcus would actually sing.  But I personally didn’t like it.

CHRIS RENE:

Fly:

• This was another song that I voted for for.  Sugar Ray and Chris Rene…kinda go together.   Chris definitely still needs to work on his vocals, but when he goes into his little rapping stuff, he makes up for it.

No One:

• It’s amazing how Chris can sound SO MUCH better vocally on certain songs versus other songs.  Didn’t think Chris would be able to pull this song off since it’s much more of a SINGER’s song…But surprise surprise, he sounded great!  And once again, he’s just got that heart and genuineness about him that is SO relatable and makes you want to root for him.  He did a great job!

MELANIE AMARO:

Hero:

• I actually voted for another song for Melanie to sing…UNTIL I found out Melanie herself wanted to sing Hero.  One word = PERFECTION.  That was amazing.  I LOVED the key change.  The arrangement gave it such a more haunting feel.  So exposed and so vulnerable.  AWESOME.  And she looked great!  LOVED it.  Wish they would RECORD these songs!  I wanna buy a full version!

Feeling Good:

• Although this song is a bit oversung on American Idol, Melanie singing it just makes it all “new” again.   She’s just SO effortless.  What’s so AWESOME about Mel is that she’s got that big booming voice, so she can hit these huge notes…but then what’s even better is usually when she ends her songs, she doesn’t end with a huge money note.  While that would definitely be impressive, it’s even more impressive that she ends with a more controlled, softer note. Amazing!  Oh, and she finally separated herself from the mic stand at the end!  Good job!

MEL FTW!

JOSH KRAJCIK:

Come Together:

• This song really matched Josh.  I believe this was the song he wanted to sing too.  He sounded great as usual.  Once again tho, I wasn’t wowed.  It was just very good.

Hallelujah:

• I believe this is only the 2nd time Josh played the piano in a performance.  It’s really great when he does.  This arrangement was very vulnerable.  He did a great job.  When he gets those “crazy eyes” tho…it’s a little creepy, I gotta say.  But I’m sure he doesn’t even realize he’s doing it.

This week, NO FINAL SHOWDOWN, NO JUDGE’S PICK.  Now THAT could definitely change things.  The judges REALLY have NO CONTROL this week.  Good and bad with that one.  So that means you really have to VOTE!

THE BACHELORETTE 7/18/11: Top 4

Just some quick comments about the hometown dates:

CONSTANTINE:  He’s my favorite guy right now.  There’s something about him that’s very attractive to me.  Even WITH the long hair.   And his family?  Can you say My Big Fat Greek Wedding?!  They were pretty awesome…especially when his extended family came over and they did the whole greek dancing, etc.  Loved that.  His sister is really pretty, his dad is cute, and altho his mom seemed a bit critical, she totally means well.  You can tell how much his family means to him.  Kinda loved seeing him in his element at his restaurant too.

AMES:  Ames’ family kinda matched what I thought they’d be like.  Altho they were all very welcoming and very nice…it was a different feel being around them.  There definitely was a bit more of a “refinement” with his family.  Altho I didn’t feel they were at ALL snobby.  His sister was very opinionated…and you can tell she really cares about Ames and wanted him to be able to put his best foot forward with Ashley, especially knowing that Ames’ relationship with Ashley was moving the slowest.  Gotta step it up guy!

BEN:  For me, Ben’s hometown date was the most awkward.  Probably because he seemed the most nervous about it.  His sister is definitely VERY protective of him, which is understandable.  The scene with him and his mom was a bit uncomfortable, mainly because it was almost like they were mending fences about stuff that happened a long time ago, when they should’ve been discussing Ashley.  When he apologized to his mom for things that happened when his dad passed…that felt a little out of place.  So they didn’t seem to have quite the close relationship you would think they would’ve had.  Ben’s a nice guy, but I feel he’s too serious or something…

JP:  I do think Ashley is the MOST comfortable with JP.  They just seem to mesh well together.  The roller skating idea was quite cute.  Very fun yet romantic in a cute way.  His family was very protective as well, and his mother was very straight forward with Ashley, which was good.  I personally still don’t love JP, but he and Ashley do seem to have a connection that she doesn’t have with the other guys.

ELIMINATION:  There really wasn’t much of a surprise there.  The relationship Ashley had with Ames just didn’t have that same spark like the other 3.  Ames really is a great catch…and he seemed really into Ashley…but the spark just didn’t ignite fast enough, unfortunately.  But Ames won’t have to worry…he’ll find someone (and based on things I’ve read, he already has in Jackie from Brad’s redux season) no problem.

If I had to predict, my Top 2 would be JP and Constantine.  The previews make it seem like JP might be having a problem, but…based on all the predictions I’ve heard, I’m guessing those previews are there just to throw us off.

Fiji next week…and overnight dates.  ‘Til then…

THE VOICE 6/28/11: Top 4 Performances + *POLL*

Well, this it is.  We have come to the FINAL FOUR!  Beverly, Dia, Javier & Vicci.  Who will it be?

The contestants each performed an ORIGINAL SONG:

JAVIER  Stitch by Stitch:

Javier’s songs/performance always sound SO MAINSTREAM.  You can totally hear his stuff on the radio.  Good job.  I still think he’s a BIT overrated, but he definitely deserves to be in the Final 4…and I know America loves him.  But I have no idea how he stacks up against these 3 girls…

DIA  Inventing Shadows:

That song was PERFECT for Dia.  I just LOVE how she does all the inflections in her voice when she sings!  To be honest, of the Top 4, Dia’s album would be the first one I would buy.  I like her sound and style.  Very “singer/songwriter.”  Great job Dia!

Oh, and if iTunes is at ALL a gauge/telling:

iTunes downloads is only ONE form of voting, but still…Hmm…

VICCI  Afraid To Sleep:

I have to say that Vicci really didn’t impress me in the early rounds.  But now having seen her every week, she really has grown on me, and has a much bigger voice than I thought she did.  Great song…matched her well.

BEVERLY  Lovesick:

I’ve said it time and time again…but every time I watch Bev perform, I feel like I’m at the concert of an artist who’s been a huge success for years!  She’s just THAT GOOD.  This song, like pretty much all the original songs, fit Bev so well.  When she laid down on the piano…that was awesome!  Go Bev!

 

Besides the solos, the contestants each performed with their coach:

DIA & BLAKE  I Won’t Back Down:

The song wasn’t the most exciting thing, but they sounded great.  Loved the sunglasses…nice touch!  The relationship between Dia & Blake is just SO SWEET.  You can tell they’ve created a friendship that will last for a long time!  Aww!

BEV & CHRISTINA  Beautiful:

The fact that Christina picked one of her OWN songs to sing with Bev…that was pretty awesome.  Beautiful  is probably one of her biggest hits!  Now this performance just showed/proved to everyone that not only can Bev rock it out…but she can really show the vulnerable/artistic side of her performance as well!  It was a great arrangement.  So showy!

JAVIER & ADAM  Man In The Mirror:

This is one of my favorite Michael Jackson songs…and as with someone so iconic, no one can really do a song of his justice.  Javier & Adam sounded totally fine, but it just wasn’t necessarily a “blow me out of the water” performance.  Good tho.

VICCI & CEE LO  Love Is A Battlefield:

Now with Cee Lo, you KNOW that you won’t EVER get subtle…and his duet with Vicci was no exception.  I mean…just look at Cee Lo’s outfit!   Great way to end the show tho…SO over the top!  Cute with the kid dancers as backup.

 

Great night of performances…but now the question is:

AMERICAN IDOL 5/12/11: Top 4 Results

NO WAY could I pass up blogging about THIS episode! Top 4 results has always been a very SHOCKING week on this show (Daughtry in S5, Latoya in S3, Tamyra in S1), and this season was NO DIFFERENT.

Instead of a Top 4 group number, they split them into duets:

SCOTTY & JAMES  Start A Band:

With both guys singing, they picked a true COUNTRY SONG.  Huh…interesting.   Is that some kind of sign?  James obviously wasn’t QUITE in his element, and you could tell he wasn’t really that into it.  As usual, they didn’t sound the greatest.  Eh.  They really need help with harmonies.

LAUREN & HALEY  Gunpowder & Lead:

Now THAT was a great duet!  The best one of the season FOR SURE!  The girls sounded really good together!  Lauren in particular sounded AWESOME!  She really matched that song…and she sure sang it with some SPUNK!  And once again…a COUNTRY SONG.  Hmm…Makes me wonder what the show is trying to say…

JORDIN SPARKS  I Am Woman:

Woohoo!  New music from Jordin!  I thought her 2nd album, Battlefied was great!  This new song reminds me of something Beyonce would sing.   Oh, and how GREAT did Jordin look?!  She lost a bunch of weight and looks so much more toned!  She really looked awesome.  She sounded great, as usual.  Way to show those contestants why you won Season 6 Jordin!

RESULTS:

Woohoo!  LAUREN is the first person to be put thru to the TOP 3!  My votes paid off!!!  And Lauren’s reaction was great…she was so happy (but surprised)!  I’m so happy for her!  AWESOME!!!

OMG…HALEY in the Top 3 too?!  Wow.  That’s HUGE.  I think EVERYONE assumed BOTH guys would be in.  After Haley’s bad attitude last night, she kind almost didn’t deserve to make it.  BUT if you look at her track record over the whole season so far, I GUESS she’s worthy.  She better BE CAREFUL from now on tho.  Bad attitude = Bad results.

You see James’ reaction after Haley made it?!  He KNEW he was in danger…and rightly so.

O. M. G. Talk about my DREAM RESULT!  JAMES IS ELIMINATED!  I can’t. believe it.  Hallelujah!

OK, I guess I couldn’t just be happy.  James had to go and say stuff to irritate me.  I really did NOT like his little speech and the way he acted when he was watching his goodbye video.  You could tell he was pissed and there was attitude in the way he talked.   “I’ve done so many things that have never been done on this show.”  WHATEVER.  Pretty much everything you did was a copycat/wannabe of Adam Lambert.  And it was SUBPAR.  The only difference were the smoke & mirrors.  OBVIOUSLY all the stuff you did didn’t matter since you got booted.

And his swan song?!  STOP SCREAMING.  Haven’t you learned by now that when you scream while you’re emotional, you CANNOT PULL IT OFF.  Even when you’re NOT emotional, those screams are just painful.  They really are NOT pleasing…so thank god we won’t have to listen to it again next week.

WOOHOO!

AMERICAN IDOL 5/11/11: Top 4 Performances + Prediction + *POLL*

Two rounds…one including none other than Lady Gaga as a mentor!  Man, to get her…that’s pretty awesome.  I thought she did a GREAT job as a mentor.  She gave them all really good advice.  She’s obviously a bit ODD, but that’s what makes her such a great performer and so creative!

JAMES  Don’t Stop Believing:

• Man…talk about irritating me EVEN MORE.  Now you pick a Glee song?!  Umm…UGH.  As usual, didn’t think his vocals were really that great, and the screaming again.  ENOUGH.  Couldn’t you have AT LEAST sung it as well as Cory Monteith?!  :)

HALEY  Earth Song:

• Umm…Interesting song choice.  As usual, Haley’s song choices are all over the place.  I agreed with Randy.  She sounded QUITE waily at the end there.  Her voice didn’t quite match that song.
• Talking back to the judges?!  Talk about a no no…Haley really didn’t like it when JLo and Randy pretty much “dissed” her song choice.  Yes you may have felt strongly about the song, but you HAVE to be able to take criticism.  She was QUITE annoyed with Randy repeating how she sounded like she was screaming.  This is the TOP 4 Haley!  You can’t be giving attitude now!  Are you ASKING to get kicked out?!

SCOTTY  Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning):

• Talk about a PERFECT song choice for Scotty.  This is TOTALLY in his niche.  Nice touch with the guitar.  This ballad was SO much better than when he did the Carole King song.  SO much better.  Good job.

LAUREN  Anyway:

• Great song choice Lauren!  I love this Martina McBride song!  I really felt like Lauren was a lot looser and more comfortable on stage this week.  I think she FINALLY realized she has to just LET GO.  She was hitting all the notes and going for it!  Great job Lauren!
• LOVED that little part after she performed when Ryan was asking her about the song and she kinda giggled.  She’s too cute!

HALEY  I Who Have Nothing:

• OK…a standing ovation?!  Really?!  I honestly didn’t think it was THAT good.  The whole time she was singing, all I could think about was Jordin Sparks’ performance back in Season 6.  Haley’s was NOT as good as Jordin’s.  Not by a long shot, imo.  It was definitely better than the first round…but this song is very showy to begin with, so it already is asking for the attention.

SCOTTY  Young Blood:

• This song definitely showed more personality from Scotty than the first round.  He even did some “crazy eye” things which I gotta say were a bit creepy.  But Scotty really is a great performer.  He knows how to work the stage/audience WHILE keeping IN TUNE (unlike some other ppl…*cough* James *cough*).  Good job again.  Only thing with Scotty is that he’s always VERY PREDICTABLE with his song choices/performances.  They pretty much are all the same.  But at least he’s consistent

LAUREN  Trouble:

• This was definitely a bit out of Lauren’s comfort zone, so I’m glad she did it.  Just like Haley, for Lauren’s performance all I could think about was Carrie Underwood’s performance of this back in Season 4.  Lauren didn’t QUITE kill it as well as Carrie did imo…but she did a great job.
• So cute how when she was rehearsing with Lady Gaga, she didn’t want to have to say the word “evil” in the lyrics because she didn’t want ppl to actually think she WAS evil.  So sweet.  But she was able to pull it off in the end.
• Lauren really did seem to give it more her all this week…I’m so happy for her!  You could tell she was very happy with her performances!  She seems a lot more confident now!  And now, because she’s more relaxed, the “cuteness” of her personality is shining through more!  Yay!

JAMES  Love Potion No. 9:

• You KNOW what I’m going to say.  Why in the H**L did they change the performance order?!  Lauren was #4, so SHE should’ve gone LAST!  But they moved them around and put JAMES LAST?!  W. T. H. ?!  That REALLY irritated me.  That’s all I’m going to say.  UGH.

PREDICTION:

I’m still a bit worried for Lauren…especially knowing she was in the B2 last week.  BUT I do think she made more of an impression this week…and her fans will DEF (me included) have voted more vigorously because of last week, so I’m gonna say that she was SQUEAK BY this week.

BOOTED:

HALEY (I think her attitude this week turned people off)