John Lennon | Napping at Red Lights

Will Guest Mentors Nuture a Star Among Idol Contenders?

March 20, 2008

Finally, American Idol announced the Season 7 guest mentors on the Top 11 results show. Expect to see Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Neil Diamond mixing it up with the Top 10 over the next few weeks. No word yet on which show each mentor will appear.

So what do you think of this year’s guest mentors? Do you think they are a good match for this year’s contenders?

Will these mentors bring out top-notch performances like some of the ones we saw during the first Lennon-McCartney night? Or are we in for more stale, mediocre performances like this week?

Too bad Amanda Overmyer is gone. Wouldn’t you have liked to see her teaming up with Andrew Lloyd Webber? Which musical would you have like to see her chose a number from? The balladeers – Brooke White, David Archuleta and Ramiele Malubay – will shine Webber night.

Dolly Parton night should be a hoot. I hope it’s soon before Kristy Lee Cook’s luck finally runs out. Maybe Dolly can fine tune Kristy Lee’s country influence in her songs. And what will Dolly do to help Chikeze with his bluegrass arrangements? Can Dolly trade Carly Smithson’s Irish accent for a country twang?

I am dreading Mariah Carey night. Not because of the diva herself, but because we will be subjected to everyone trying to belt out her songs. No one does it as well as she does and we are left with a bunch of subpar performances.

Weren’t we subjected to enough of these during the auditions and then we had a surge of her songs again during ‘80s week. Syesha Mercado is probably the only one who has half a chance and succeeding on Carey night.

On the other hand, I think Neil Diamond has the most potential. Neil has a host of hits that would be great choices for the contenders to customize to their benefit. I can see Jason Castro doing “I’m a Believer” and David Cook rocking to “America.” Could Michael Johns finally find a song among Neil’s hits that suits him? Who will sing “Sweet Caroline?”

So tell me which mentor are you looking forward to? And what songs do you hope to hear?

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Announcement of Top 12

A Closer Look at Top 12 Men

What’s Your Theme Song

Are Reality Contestants Entitled to Privacy?

A Closer Look at Top 12 Women

7 Comments | American Idol, Celebrities, Music, Pop Culture, Television | Tagged: Amanda Overmyer, American Idol, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Brooke White, Carly Smithson, Chikeze, David Archuleta, David Cook, Dolly Parton, entertainment, Fox, guest, Jason Castro, John Lennon, Kristy Lee Cook, Mariah Carey, mentor, Michael Johns, Music, Neil Diamond, Paul McCartney, Paula Abdul, Ramiele Malubay, Randy Jackson, reality shows, Ryan Seacrest, season 7, Semifinals, Simon Cowell, Syesha Mercado, Television, Top 10, tv | Permalink
Posted by vacelts

Down to 16 – American Idol Results Show

February 29, 2008

Then they were 16. American Idol whittles its numbers down when it sends four more home in the second results show of the semifinals after 31 million votes.

Ryan’s delivery of the first elimination from the Top 20 is more suspenseful than last week and a bit kinder than the “can I talk to you, oh yeah you are out of here” speech that he gave Garrett Haley right off the bat.

Up first on the chopping block – Jason Yeager. This decision is no surprise as Jason has not been able to find a song that, as Simon says, makes him stand out. Jason was the only one of my picks to hit the road tonight.

Next up – Alexandrea Lushington. I like Alex, she has potential. But her performance Wednesday night was so forgettable I can’t even remember what she did. I’m not surprised that she is going home. I will give the girl credit. For only being 17, she was incredible composed when she heard the news and sang her swan song.

Alaina Whitaker didn’t take the news that America wasn’t “hopelessly devoted” to her as well. With a little moral support from the rest of the girls, she finally did sing and didn’t sound so bad considering how much she was crying. Anyone else think her family looked like they were going to eat Ryan alive?

And last to depart was Robbie Carrico – the would-be rocker that Simon says isn’t authentic. I was actually surprised by this selection. I didn’t think Robbie would make the Top 12, but I thought he’d be around for another week. I wonder if America doesn’t like his rocker sound or if they just agree with Simon that he’s not the real thing.

Ryan also left us with a few Idol announcements. March 11 will be the first time the Top 12 performs. They will be treated to a new stage, background, graphics and exit song. And the theme will be the recently released Lennon/McCartney songs. April 9 is the next Idol Gives Back night and slated for participation is Brad Pitt, Miley Cyrus, Reese Witherspoon, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dog, Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwood.

What do you think? Did the right four get sent home?

Here are my predictions for the Top 12.

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Here’s a recap of the semifinals:

A Closer Look at Top 12 Men

A Closer Look at Top 12 Women

5 Comments | American Idol, Music, Pop Culture, Television | Tagged: Alaina Whitaker, Alexandrea Lushington, American Idol, Brad Pitt, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, entertainment, Fox, Idol Gives Back, Jason Yeager, John Lennon, Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Paul McCartney, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Reese Witherspoon, results show, results show reality shows, Robbie Carrico, Ryan Seacrest, season 7, Semifinals, Simon Cowell, Snoop Dog, Television, Top 10 men, Top 10 women, Top 12 men, Top 20, tv | Permalink
Posted by vacelts