AMERICAN IDOL 3/28/12: Top 9 Performances + *POLLS*

“My Idol” night tonight…Overall a very good night!

COLTON  Everything:

• Not the most EXCITING song to start off the night, but Colton did a great job with that song.  I realized tonight that I really LOVE the SOUND of Colton’s voice.  It’s actually really pleasant to listen to, and he really can hit those notes!  The fact that the song was so touching to him spiritually was something.  I’m still a bit weary about the whole God/religious stuff, ’cause I think too much can definitely hurt a contestant’s chances, but for Colton himself, you can tell how much it means to him.  Good for him.

SKYLAR  Gunpowder & Lead:

• Miranda Lambert being Skylar’s idol is about right.  The way Skylar performs/type of country music she does matches Miranda very well.  Skylar is very good at stuff like this.  Very fitting.

HEEJUN  Song For You:

• Nice to see Heejun do a SERIOUS performance.  It was a total 180 from last week.  He sounded really good, but I’m still not wowed.  But definitely better than last week.

HOLLIE  Jesus Take The Wheel:

• Just the fact that Hollie picked a Carrie song made me like her more.  Wouldn’t have guessed she would pick Carrie.  But if anyone was going to do a Carrie song, I would’ve wanted it to be Hollie.  She did a respectable job, altho she still seemed a bit nervous at times.  Overall it was good.

DEANDRE  Sometimes I Cry:

• Now that was TOO MUCH falsetto for me.  WAY too much.  I KNOW this is what he does, and why he was picked to be on this show, but…That was just too much.  I can’t listen to it.  The judges loved it of course, but just NOT MY CUP OF TEA.  At all.

JESSICA  Sweet Dreams:

• OK, for me this performance was WAY too dramatic.  The fact that she slowed the song down, for me, was just a way to be more SHOWY.  I didn’t love it, and every time Jessica does all this showy stuff, I’m just like…Eh.  Too much.  Interesting choice too…of all of Beyonce’s hits.  I was one of her singles, but not one of her standouts.  But as usual, she sounded good still.

PHILLIP  Still Rainin:

• One word for Phillip — AUTHENTIC.  That’s the best way to describe him.  He’s the real deal.  And the fact that he picked a pretty obscure song/artist (Jonny Lang) just added to that.  He really gives it HIS ALL in every performance, and he’s so consistent.  And I gotta say, somehow this week he seemed a bit more dressed up.  Don’t know why, but he did.  He’s great.  Not to mention the comment that Stevie Nicks gave him…about how if he was around at that time, they would’ve wanted him in Fleetwood Mac?  Awesome.

JOSHUA  Without You:

• Joshua’s definitely got some voice.  To pull off Mariah was very risky, but he did a great job.  I just feel like every song he’s so gospel-y tho.  And that’s just not my thing.  But he did a good job.

ELISE  Whole Lotta Love:

• Guess I shouldn’t be surprised that they saved Elise for the pimp spot this week.  She took on Led Zepplin, which was pretty gutsy…but for me, it was good, but it still wasn’t Adam Lambert good.  She sounded great, but she didn’t have that same oomph that Adam did.  But I guess you could say their performances had different vibes.  Adam’s was definitely more hard rock, whereas Elise’s had more soul.  It’s hard for me to really praise Elise because she’s already turned me off…and I don’t think anything she does will win me over.  It was a good performance, and worthy of the last spot tonight (I guess ).

Just a quick note about the group numbers — I thought the first (Elise, Colton & Phillip) and last groups (Hollie, Jessica & Sylar) were good.  The 2nd one…Eh.  Which kinda makes sense because my favorites were in the first and third groups.

Who was YOUR favorite?

THE X FACTOR 11/22/11: Top 9 Performances + *POLLS*

“Thank you” songs for Thanksgiving week…!  Cute!  Let the waterworks begin…

RACHEL CROWE  I Believe:

• Oh geez…Rachel’s story was so sad and touching!  Man!  And boy oh boy was she a CUTE kid or what?!  So cute to see her sister talk about her too.  While the song was pretty appropriate, she got a little waily towards the end…even a bit out of tune in parts.  The performance did feel a bit long too.  Oh, and that dress?  Eh.  Weird.

MARCUS CANTY  Song for Mama:

• 2 for 2.  ANOTHER tearjerker of a story!  What Marcus’ mom did for him and his sister…so admirable and touching!  So cute how he’s a mama’s boy…but at least he’s grateful and appreciates what his mom did for him.  The song was a great choice.  Overall he did a great job, altho there were a couple iffy spots.  Probably my favorite of his performances.

MELANIE AMARO  The World’s Greatest:

• First of all, WHOA…where the heck did that ACCENT come from?!  That was totally unexpected!  I guess we never really heard her talk enough to hear the accent?  After she performed…Wow.  This was the first week where the REAL Melanie finally came out!  She must’ve really been “feeling it”!  While God can be a bit controversial in shows like this, in this case it was very appropriate for Melanie.  Another sad backstory.  Can’t imagine not being able to live with your parents for most of your childhood.  Altho at least they thought of their kids enough to try to take care of them.  Oh, and btw…she looked gorgeous tonight!

CHRIS RENE  Let It Be:

• We’ve heard Chris’ story since the auditions, but it was nice to meet his advisor from his treatment center.  Really puts things into perspective.  Chris has been through a lot, and it’s nice to know he’s turning his life around!  Once again, he really shouldn’t sing too much…the vocals weren’t very good.  But yet I always “feel something” from his performances.  He really puts his heart into it.

LAKODA RAYNE  You Belong With Me:

• Hard to get as attached to the story of 4 different girls.  But the performance was pretty good, altho in pretty much every performance, there’s always parts of the vocals that are off.  Overall, I agree with the judges that it was one of their best numbers.  Did it stand out tho?  Nope.

LEROY BELL  Angel:

• So sweet that LeRoy dedicated the song to his mother.  You can tell how muc she meant to him.  Great song choice for him.  He did seem more connected to this song vs any other song he’s sung so far.  Good for him!

ASTRO  Show Me What You Got:

• Well, what can I say?  I’m sorry, I can’t forgive him for the way he acted.  When he said that he acted up after being in the B2 because of all the hard work he put in, and yet he was still “punished”…Umm, HELLO…ALL THE CONTESTANTS are working JUST as hard as you, but are they throwing little hissyfits about it?!  NO SIR.  So you can try to cover up and apologize all you want, but that attitude was TOTALLY uncalled for.  You don’t deserve to move on.  But did you notice how much “cuter” he was trying to be after he performed?  Smiling up a STORM.  Too little, too late.

DREW  Skyscraper:

• Very cute that Drew dedicated this to her best friend.  Aww!  This was actually a pretty tough song to sing.  SO exposed.  You really have to carry the song on your own.  Drew did a good job overall…only towards the end where she had to belt a bit more it got a little shaky.  But still good job!  And LA…WTH are you talking about?!  A song for a 40 year old?!  Last time I checked, Demi Lovato was 19.  19.  A TEENAGER.  You’re just trying to find criticisms for Simon’s girls since they’re all so good.  Get over it already.  That comment tonight was just lame.  And I totally understand Drew’s response.  Glad she stood up for herself.  And at least she didn’t come across arrogant while doing it.

JOSH KRAJCIK  Wild Horses:

• Josh is like a seasoned professional already.  Loved that he played the piano.  Great rendition.  Very moving.  Not much more I can say.  Very fitting his got the pimp spot this week.

DANCING WITH THE STARS 4/11/11: Top 9 Performances + Predictions + *POLLS*

Classical music night!  This was a first for DWTS.  A full-on orchestra playing classical music with NO LYRICS.  I actually LOVED the music…such famous pieces…and the orchestra sounded awesome!  It somehow made the performances more “professional” for some reason.

My favorites of tonight:

ROMEO & Chelsie:

• I thought Romeo did a great job.  Didn’t care much for him whipping his shirt off at the end tho.

HINES & Kym:

• Very entertaining.  Something about football players…they really do have finesse and style, don’t they?

PETRA & Dmitry:

• Great job again from Petra!  I think for me, her sweet personality really makes her that much better.  She’s so genuine, which makes you root for her even more!
  

KIRSTIE & Maks:

• Wasn’t the most exciting performance…altho waltzes never really are.  But I HAD to put them down just because of Kirstie’s SHOE MISHAP!   I mean…how many people have EVER LOST THEIR SHOE during a performance?!  That just DOESN’T HAPPEN!  It was pretty entertaining, and I was impressed how Kirstie was able to slap that shoe back on in time before she had to get back up off the ground.

Who was YOUR favorite?

PREDICTIONS:

IN DANGER:

KENDRA

CHRIS

BOOTED:

KENDRA

(She wasn’t the greatest this week, and her personality wasn’t the most appealing this week…you could tell she was frustrated).

What do YOU think?