Episode list

"American Idol" - Jan. 20, 2009

San Francisco Auditions

Ryan gives us a history lesson on previous San Francisco "Idol" hopefuls including Katharine McPhee and William Hung as we see the judges arrive and the lines of auditioners including a couple who got married in line.

We meet Tatiana from San Juan who is wearing an ugly grey and brown dress with a weird veil-like bottom. She is a giggler who claims a psychic told her that she would make the top 12. She brings her DVD/CD portfolio for the judges. They look through the "naughty" pictures. She sings "I've Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" by Aretha Franklin, she's actually not terrible with a little soulful rasp to her voice. Simon thinks she shouldn't have sung that song and that she would do a lot of things well but not singing. She tries to sing "I'm Your Baby, Tonight" by Whitney Houston and gives Simon attitude as she clutches her heart. As Simon tries to talk she bursts into the original song again. Paula says yes. Randy says she's not the big R&B singer she thinks she is but says yes because she's wild and he likes it. Kara doesn't think she has the vocals but she likes her vibe. She's through. Although Simon points out that it wasn't because of her vocals. She leaves and says she's going to win. And then she giggles some more.

We get a montage of people in funky clothes with equally funky voices including a guy who beatboxes as he sings.

We meet Dean who is wearing an ugly plaid jacket. Randy claims he loves it. He sings "Stars" by Simply Red. It is not pretty either vocally or facially. Randy laughs and mocks his facial expressions. They turn him down. Dean leaves and tells Ryan it was the coat's fault.

We meet Jesus who is a family man. His kids convinced him to audition, they wait outside with other family members. He sings some generic hip-hop soul, they stop him. Simon says he seems nice but that he won't win. Paula and Kara claim he doesn't have a bad voice. Simon says that it's in the girls hands then and they both realize that seeing his kids will melt their hearts. The kids come in with their handmade signs and they are adorable as expected. Randy asks Jesus to sing for his kids. He does a bit of "Unchained Melody." He's not a knockout but he's not awful and Paula, Kara, and Randy put him through. The kids go wild, one of them hugs Simon, even though he said no. The family outside is thrilled.

We get more montages of folks in line and waiting outside the audition room including a super low-key guy named Dalton who solves Rubiks' Cubes superfast. They clock him and he solves it in 24 seconds. He enters the audition room and massacres "Ooh Baby Baby" by Smokey Robinson. Randy laughs. He admits he's never sung in front of people before. Paula asks if Dalton's a fan of the show. He says Simon keeps it interesting. The other judges laught at this. They turn him down but Simon says he's shown great intelligence.

We meet another bad singer named James who the judges egg on as he murders a ballad while singing to Paula.

We get generic shots of the "Summer of Love" and the Haight-Ashbury district. Then we cut to clips of the "brewing feud" between Simon and Kara. They disagree about things, he tries to shut her down, she sasses him back.

We meet Akeelah who has shown up with anatomy photos of lungs, larynxes and other vocal stuff that is supposed to teach gospel singers how to sing. She can't pronounce words like "larynx" and "trachea" and apparently we are supposed to find this hilarious. She brings songs she wrote into the audition. She's going to sing her original song "Make Sweet Love." Simon says she has a naughty face as she hands her diagrams and things to Kara and Paula. She sings her song, she has an odd voice. Simon says the song is horrible. She switches to "(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman." She hits a bad note and realizes it and begs to try again. She says she sang from the wrong rectum. They try to shut her down. She says she's overenthusiastic about meeting famous people and talks about how great each judge is. They say singing isn't going to work for her. She argues some more with them. Then she tries to sing again. Simon says every song sounds the same. Kara comes and hugs her and send her off. Kara wants to know why they yell at certain people at let other people go on and on. Akeelah leaves and tells Ryan she thinks she was off because of the judges. She can't believe they made her feel like one of those auditioners that can't sing.

We see a montage of people getting golden tickets and a few that can sing adn a few that can't. They say yes to all the people we see, some of whom didn't seem all that impressive.

We meet Annie who is a multi-instrumentalists who also scats. She vacillates on what to sing and then starts to sing "Summertime," horribly. Kara calls it so overdone. Simon says it was like she was drunk. They send her on her way.

We meet Adam whose been singing since childhood in the musical theatre. He;s been in the cast of "Wicked" for the past year and a half. He sings Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," the slow part. He's heaving and very musical theatre. Paula likes him. Simon thinks he's theatrical. Kara asks if he's a good singer. Randy likes him too. They put him through, unanimously. Paula calls him the best they've seen in any city. Ironically he's actually from Hollywood.

Tonight's Inspirational Story comes from Kai who has put his musical dreams and romantic life on hold to care for his seizure-disorder-stricken mom. We see him caring for her and she talks about how hard it is for her to know he's sacrificing for her. She tearfully expresses her pride. He talks about how much he loves her. It's sweet. In the audition he sings "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" by the Platters. He's a baritone with power but he's a little pitchy but totally workable. He's supercute though and probably very nervous. Simon thinks he has a good voice but has a personality of a ship singer. Paula likes him. Kara agrees on the voice and says he can work on personality. Simon interrupts her with a yes or no. Kara stands up to Simon. They all put him through. Simon tells Kai to watch him on the show for confidence. Kai calls his mom, the other hopefuls clap and smile for him. Kai wants to spread love across the world.

The judges clap for San Francisco. Twelve people were put through.

"American Idol" - Jan. 21, 2009

Louisville Auditions

The auditions are being held at the racetrack Churchill Downs. We get a montage of Louisville sights including the Kentucky Derby. We see the 11,000 contestants arrive and explain how to pronounce the city "Loo-a-vuhl."

The judges arrive to trumpet fanfare.

We meet blonde, skinny Tiffany, and her adoring parents. She promises to walk out with a positive attitude no matter what. She says if she doesn't get on she's going to college. She sings "Hero," and she's terrible. Randy starts laughing right away. Simon says the good news is that she's going to college. She offers to try again. They shut her down. When she leaves she doesn't have a positive attitude after all, she cries, complains, and then massacres Kelly Clarkson's "Because of You."

We meet brunette, skinny Joanna whose mother is also very supportive. She moved from Philly to L.A. to try and make it as a singer-songwriter. She goes in and Kara recognizes Joanna from a failed deal Joanna had with A&M records. She sings Pat Benatar's "We Belong." She's nervous but she's got power and some good notes. Kara likes her. They put her through unanimously. She cries as she leaves and Kara says they were real tears.

We meet bald, scary Mark. He's distantly related to Dr. Samuel Mudd who patched up John Wilkes Boothe after he shot Pres. Lincoln. He goes in and sings "White Lightning" by George Jones. He's got a great backwoods country voice with old-timey character but he's not for "Idol" and he hits some bum notes. Kara and Paula laugh at him. Paula says this isn't the right competition for him. Simon suggests "Wheel of Fortune." He tells them to be careful in whatever they do. Simon says that's a threat. Paula thinks it's not a normal thing to say. Mark says he was just saying.

We meet rakish, cute Brent who sings "Can't Get Enough" by Bad Company. He gives it a country spin. He spins a little out of control at the high notes but is overall good. Simon thought the song was ridiculous, he wanted a more emotional song, he thought it was a bit busker-ish. Paula and Kara get mad at this, Simon tells them to calm down. Kara asks if she can speak. She says he's the kind of an artist who with one great song... then Simon butts in and says that's what he said. Kara says she's not going to speak at all. Simon says yes and Kara and Paula go under the table screaming. Randy makes randy jokes about women under the table. After the shenanigans they vote him through unanimously.

It's montage of bad singers time. Including a morbidly obese Michael Jackson impersonator.

We meet Matt a dual piano player from Michigan. He sings Gavin Degraw's "I Don't Wanna Be," it's breathy and raspy but passable. Paula and Kara like him. He reminds Simon of Elliott Yamin. Simon doesn't think he believes in himself. They vote him through unanimously.

We meet Ross an endearingly goofy supernerd. He's very nervous. He sings "Cara Mia" by Jay and the Americans. He's got a quivery baritone that is not so good. They all start singing with him and laughing at him. They ask him to sing something current. Paula offers him a sip of water, he sips on her straw and she's aghast. He then tries to sing "Love Me Tender" by Elvis Presley. Not so much. They shut him down. He was afraid of that. Paula asks for a new cup. As he leaves he starts singing "Just Once" by James Ingram, it's marginally better and the crowd outside charitably claps.

We get a montage of jubilant golden ticket holders but we don't actually get to hear any of them sing.

Day 2

More montages of hopefuls.

We meet Alexis, a 21-year-old single mom. We see her with her daughter. She's missing her baby daddy who's in military school. Her child motivates her to do this. She sings "Dr. Feelgood" by Aretha Franklin. She's a little strident but pretty good. Randy is surprised by the sound of her voice. Paula liked her. Simon thinks she has a very commercial voice. Kara thinks she can sing. They vote her through unanimously.

A montage of negative judge comments from tired judges.

We meet Aaron a chipper, excitable 27-year-old man in a western shirt. He sings "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" by CCR. Or more accurately he shouts it, only hitting a few good notes and stomping his feet along the way. Kara sings along. Ryan enters freaked out at how loud it was and all the loud screaming he heard. Kara and Paula claim it cheered them up. Simon thinks he needs to do something with his life that involves shouting. They turn him down. He leaves smiling, realizing that he knows he came too loud.

We meet Rebecca who managed to make the local news which was covering the auditions. Paula saw her on the news. She has a cheat sheet on her arm. She sings "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood. She's terrible. They laugh at her. (This is getting tedious). Kara sees that Rebecca was voted "most humorous" in high school and said she thought it was funny. Rebecca says it wasn't a joke. Kara says Paula should hit her for being mean. Simon tells her to give up singing.

We get a montage of people I'm guessing we're supposed to think are good but none are crazy spectacular in the little clips they show us. (None approach a quarter of the length that we see of the bad singers. Sigh.)

Tonight's Inspirational Story comes from poverty-stricken, formerly homeless, 18-year-old Lenisha and her sweet mama Lashonda. Lenisha's lovely and seems like a good girl. She walks like a pagaent contestant into the audition. She sings a song she wrote called "Natty" (sp?) it's a swaggering hip-hop soul song that's pretty good. Simon loved it thought it was quirky and fun and current and a well-written song. Randy thinks she's what the competition needs. Kara loves her. Paula says no as a joke. They put her through unanimously. She walks out crying.

"American Idol" - Auditions - Jan. 27, 2009

Jacksonville, FL

Simon and Ryan head to the auditions in a limo. Simon gives Ryan a hard time for using his "announcer" voice.

The show opens with video of Randy playing with Journey since this is the city "that bears his name." We see the lines, there are 12,000 hopefuls. The auditions begin.

We meet Joshua who, with his curly hair, looks like Justin Guarini. For some reason Randy and Simon have switched sides. He sings Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On," he's not bad but he beatboxes and sings the guitar parts which is annoying. Simon thought it was good, then gimmicky, and corny, like Inspector Gadget. Randy liked the crazy and wild. They put him through unanimously.

We meet the hippie-ish Sharon and her shih-tzu Sasha, who sits on Simon's lap. She sings "Superstar" by the Carpenters. Also not bad, with a nice rasp to her voice and a soulful curlicue. Kara and Paula pretend to make out. They put her through unanimously.

Ryan is driving a golf cart and pretends to get lost.

We meet Dana who sings Chaka Khan's "Through the Fire." Or more like screeches. They send her off.

We meet Kaneswa who is 16 and is supported by her mom. She sings Anita Baker's "Caught Up in the Rapture." She's confident but very flat. Simon says he's never heard that song like that, and that it got progressively worse. He thinks she's got a great smile but that she's just terrible. She says she expected that from him. She says her mother tells her she has a good voice. They get mom in the room. Simon tells her the audition was terrible but that she has a great smile and attitude. Mom tries to defend her. They all say no. Mom says she's her "American Idol."

We meet Jillisa who is a beauty queen, who wears a sash and a tiara. She sings "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston. She's got volume but overall she's not good. Simon says she didn't make the song sound nice and doesn't like her laugh, they all make fun of it. Paula pouts that no one cares what she thinks. She walks off. The girl goes and gets her. They vote her through unanimously. (Fearless prediction: She won't make it past Hollywood.)

We meet Darin who's a people person running around the audition room chatting and dancing. He bums when his friend gets cut. He starts to cry and does "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye," by BoyzIIMen. And he's bad, very flat. Simon tells him the voice is not there. Kara asks why he's crying. He says everything. She says if he can't take it in this room then the music biz isn't for him. They send him off.

We see a montage of people walking out and crying.

We meet Naomi, who's shivery and nervous. She tells Randy that her friend is his biggest fan. They bring the friend in and she and Randy hug. She sits on Randy's lap while Naomi, who compares herself to Mariah Carey, prepares to sing "Lovin' You" by Minnie Riperton. Paula sits on Simon's lap. Ryan comes to sit on Kara's lap. Naomi, who claims she can hit "that" note, finally starts to sing. She's worse than terrible. She can't hit that note, or any note. They all laugh at her. She says that everyone tells her she's great. They think she's joking. She starts to cry. Kara and Randy and Paula hug her. They send her off. She claims that she doesn't know what she did wrong.

We see a montage of the nine people who got golden tickets on the first day. Then a montage of terrible people. Simon thinks the first day wasn't very good.

Day Two

We meet Jasmine who is well-supported by her four siblings and her mom. She sings "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie. She's a little heaving in her delivery, emotionless, a tad nasal and her enunciation is a little stiff but she sounds pretty good. Simon thinks she's cute and commercial and has a good voice. Paula agrees. They vote her through unanimously.

We meet bearded George who studies physics. He's nerdy and they mock him by making him do a nerdy dance. Simon asks where he sees himself in his wildest dreams in 11 years. He dreams of a simple house with marble floors. He sings the strangest version of "Walking On Sunshine," by Katrina and the Waves ever with a halting delivery and flat baritone. They look at him quizzically. Simon asks if he's sung in public before. No, only with friends. Randy calls it the quietest audition ever. Simon tells him this is not for him. They found him weird.

We meet Annemarie who's nervous but loves Kara. She sings a little of one of Kara's songs and sounds good. Simon has a little problem already. He's not sure what. Randy knows, it's that she's good but she's not owning it. Simon says she has a great voice and is a beautiful girl but suggests that she come back as a different person, as "you." She goes out to her car and puts on make up and takes off her jacket.

We meet TK who auditioned last year. He sings "Imagine," by John Lennon. He plays around with the melody a bit and does some melisma and power stuff. He sounds pretty good. Kara smiles. Paula says he sounds better this year. Outside his mom talks about his God-given gift. Randy agrees it's better but it was a little too over the top. Kara, Randy, and Paula put him through.

We see a montage of hopefuls being talked up by their family members.

We meet doo-ragged Michael who loves to strum his guitar. He panics when he realizes that he can't bring his guitar into the room. He sings "Jumper" by Third Eye Blind, and it's not bad a little theme park-y. Simon thinks Michael is interesting but his voice isn't. Kara says he probably would be better with his guitar. Michael's family is outside waiting as they call for a vote inside. Simon tells him to not plead- which is ridiculous since they let less talented people beg and cry all the time and even put them through sometimes. Simon says as an 18-year-old he should just get a job like everyone else and do this on the side. They send him away. The family tries to comfort him but he pulls away. He cries and promises that he will make it.

Annemarie returns de-jacketed and made up. They notice the changes she made. She sings "Bubbly" by Colbie Caillat. They smile at her, she's very winning and sings well in terms of tone and pitch. Randy likes her whole vibe. Kara agrees. They put her through unanimously.

They leave Jacksonville, where 16 golden tickets were awarded.

"American Idol" - Jan. 28, 2009

Auditions- Salt Lake City

We get a look at the line of hopefuls at 5 a.m. and then a little later in the day. They're very chipper. The judges are hopeful about the talent.

Ryan brings up the Osmonds, since they're from Utah.

We meet David Osmond, son of Alan Osmond, the oldest. We go to his house and meet his big family and see old footage of his dad's group. He and his dad both have MS, David talks about the remittance and relapse process and we see a picture of David in a wheelchair and his dad tearfully talking him up. He makes it to the audition room and sings "Something Within Me" by Take 6. He got the family gift plus a tiny bit of soul. Nice control too. Paula thinks he needs to start thinking of himself as a solo artist, instead of a group thing which is his background. Randy doesn't like the song. Kara thinks the runs don't show who he is as an artist. Simon says he shouldn't consider himself contemporary, because that would be a mistake. They seem reluctant. The producers don't show the vote and he walks out sheepishly and then produces his golden ticket.

We meet Tara an overweight, redheaded goth, with jacked up lipstick. She says she's not a goth. She says she has ESP and knows when people are going to die. She sings "One Day I'll Fly Away," from the "Moulin Rouge" soundtrack. She is tuneless. Randy laughs. Simon says the whole thing was horrendous from the outfit to the song choice. She leaves, flipping off the cameras on the way.

We see a montage of people practicing and then a montage of terrible singers.

We meet Chris who has a friend there to support him named Greg the Rabbit who's dressed in a big pink rabbit suit. Chris also has a picture of Simon on a stick, like a fan. He sings "Roll to Me" by Del Amitri and it's not good. Simon is distracted by the rabbit and the fan. Chris puts the fan down and the bunny steps back. He gets two words of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" out and they stop him and send him away. Randy says he likes the bunny. The bunny hugs and lifts Simon off the ground, Chris is good-natured about it.

We see a picture of David Archuleta as Ryan opines on what a good mood everyone is in, we see a montage of people being dismissed by the judges and thanking them on the way out.

After seeing all this graciousness Ryan goes out to the holding room and gives the auditioners a pep talk saying they shouldn't concede so easily to the judges if they actually came to win.

We meet Frankie, a stay-at-home mom who feels like she can do anything now that she's had a baby. She's here to entertain. She's very confident and has been visualizing getting through. She sings a good chunk of "You Know I'm No Good," by Amy Winehouse. She's Winehouse-y in that she's bluesy and jazzy and sounds pretty good.They all like her voice and Simon thinks she has a cute face. They put her through unanimously. (Frankie goes to Hollywood, Ryan tells us.)

We meet Megan -- also a mom, who has recently decided to get a divorce. Today's her birthday. She sings "Can't Help Loving Dat Man," from "Show Boat." She's got a great jazzy style with a funky rasp and neat blue notes and colorings. Randy kinda likes it. Paula thinks she's loving her. Simon says it's one of his favorite auditions because she's different and memorable. Kara says she's got a glow about her. They vote her through unanimously. The judges confer afterward reiterating how much they liked her.

We see a montage of people getting golden tickets. We do not get to hear them sing.

We meet Andrew who sings a gospel hymn in a deep baritone/bass. He's actually not terrible but he's terribly goofy. They say he has "a" soul, but not soul. He's gracious about it.

We meet Austin who's class president and we see him going about his class president tasks at school. He's auditioning to inspire people. He sings "When I Look to the Sky," by Train. He's earnest but not very good, a little flat both in terms of pitch and delivery. Randy and Simon didn't like the song. Austin says they don't want him to fail, right? Simon says they haven't joined the fan club yet. He tries an "old soul" song, by RAFFI??? "It Takes A Village." He doesn't sound much better. And memo to Austin, this is not a soul song. Randy says he's got a voice but doesn't like the song choices but says he has perseverance so he says yes. Kara thinks there's something going on and says yes. Paula thinks he's charming and says yes. Simon says he needs to "become young." They put him through unaninmously.

We get a montage of people crying after being rejected.

We get a glimpse of Jarrett who I can't tell if we're supposed to like or not as he sings "Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae. Then we get a montage of the worst singers.

We meet Taylor who is from the islands in the Pacific and who's family moved back to the States in order to help facilitate the careers of their children. She's 16, beautiful, and very tall, 5'11''. She sings "Joyful, Joyful" pretty well, but she has pitch problems in her future. Randy calls it one of the best vocals he's heard. They put her through unanimously.

We meet tonight's Inspirational Story: Rose. She lives with her best friend's family. She grew up with her hippie dad, who died when she was 13. She shows us pictures of him. Her mother died when she was 15. She's 17. (God bless her). Her older brother tells us how well she's done with that. She wishes her parents were there to see her thrive. She enters the audition room, barefoot, and Simon thinks she looks fantastic. She sings "I Feel The Earth Move," by Carole King. She's very cute and not bad and she's Inspirational Story girl so she gets voted through unanimously. She hugs and kisses the judges.

12 people got golden tickets.

"American Idol" - Jan. 29, 2009

Auditions - Puerto Rico & New York

Ryan is all excited that they're bringing us two cities in one show!

We see all the hopefuls in both places.

We meet Adeola who quit her job the day before because she's so confident and has been compared to Mariah Carey. She is, of course, awful singing "And I'm Telling You" from "Dreamgirls." They let her go on and on. Simon says she needs to retract her resignation letter because she was terrible. He says he will phone her boss to help get her job back. She tries to sing again. They tell her to keep her day job. Simon says they should seriously get her boss on the phone. They do. Simon sits with Adeola and asks the boss for her job back. The boss says she will give it to her.

We switch to Puerto Rico and Jorge, who is very excited to rock America with his voice. He sings "My Way" in Spanish. He sounds okay, sort of Marc Anthony-esque, very dramatic. He tries "What a Wonderful World" in English. They compliment his voice. Kara says it was better in Spanish. They vote him through unanimously.

We meet Jessica a giggler from Michigan, who brought her whole family to San Juan. She's won lots of prizes in her life. She sings "I Surrender" by Celine Dion. She's not horrible, although her pink outfit is. Simon says he surrenders too. Simon calls it awful. She begs for another chance. She cries and begs more. Simon says no. Randy says the sound of her voice is not on point. She says she's nervous and can prove she can sing. Paula says it was really "shrilling." They all turn her down. Randy says it was a bad audition. She walks out saying she knows they're wrong.

We see a montage of people getting rejected and walking out claiming they're actually really great.

We meet Melinda a barefoot, black hippie from Connecticut. She likes to dance naked in her room. She tells Simon she wants to uplift humanity with her voice. They discuss her desire to live in a nudist colony. She sings "Feelin' Good" by Nina Simone. She's pretty good. She smiles and giggles. Randy kinda likes her and her voice and pleasant disposition. Kara calls her a vitamin boost. They vote her through unanimously.

We meet Jackie who's been singing since she was a child and also plays the guitar and considers herself a "rocker." She sings "I'm Yours," by Jason Mraz. She's raspy, goofy, and awful and very busker-esque. Simon asks for her own voice on a regular song. She sings a more straightforward country sounding song and sounds a lot better. "I Do it All"(?). Randy, Kara, and Paula say yes and as Simon is about to cast his vote Jackie asks for direction and the window appears to fall down behind him. Simon nimbly ignores the calamity behind him and tells Jackie the worst thing she can ask someone is what kind of artist she should be. That said, they vote her through unanimously.

We get a montage of bad singers in Puerto Rico who beg and plead pitifully.

We see a montage of bad people from both places including "comics" like the "crazy rocker" Joel from Puerto Rico who is annoying and awful and arrives "wearing" an iPod. He's a "guyPod." Simon says it's everything he hates, the whole act is excruciatingly bad. Joel busts out his lion puppet and sings "Circle of Life." They reject him unanimously.

We meet another "comic" Norman Gentle in New York. Simon says he hates comedy, he just wants him to sing. He sings "And I'm Telling You" badly. They banter back and forth about getting kicked in the groin. Norman tries "Amazing Grace." Simon begs him not to be funny or pull faces. He sits and sings it and is a little a more sincere and is markedly better but still not a great singer. He busts into a Sammy Davis impression. Simon gets annoyed. Paula and Kara say yes because even though he doesn't have a shot in hell,Norman is entertaining. Simon says no. And Randy, because he's a doofus, says yes.

We get a montage of the good singers and/or the hot chicks that sing okay who get put through.

We get another montage of bad singers, Simon making mean quips, and Randy laughing at people.

We meet Monique and her cute kid brother who brought the judges a shell. She sings "You Can't Hurry Love" by the Supremes and she's cute too, breathy but sweet. She sings "I Turn to You" by Christina Aguilera, which is a little weaker. Simon says she should've chosen someone more in her range. Kara says she needs more confidence. They don't think she's ready. Randy and Kara say no. Paula says yes. Simon says yes. She's going to Hollywood.

We meet, again, Alexis an angry contestant from last year who does Buddhist chants now and says she's changed her attitude. They show her angry rants from last year. They show her being friendly to people now. She enters the audition and sings "Like a Prayer" by Madonna. She is still awful. And as it turns out she's still evil when she gets rejected. Simon says she got worse. Kara agrees. Alexis gives them two middle fingers. Simon thanks her. She thanks them and calls Simon an a-hole.

We meet Patricia. Her parents got married at the hotel where the auditions are being held. She sings "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston and it's just okay. Simon says it was a bad choice since Whitney, blah, blah, blah. Kara agrees. Simon gives her 30 more seconds. She sings something in Spanish, it actually sounds worse. Randy says yes. Paula says no. We cut away for suspense' sake, which just tells us she made it. And she did.

Auditions, over.

"American Idol" - "Hollywood Round No. 1" - Feb. 3, 2009

We see a montage of the audition cities and Ryan tells us that over 100,000 people tried out. 147 made it to Hollywood.

We see the Kodak Theatre and past winners. It's the location for Hollywood Week.

They all stand onstage as the judges walk into the theatre.

Simon tells them they have one shot today and it will be the most important day of their lives and that they're looking for a star.

For the first time all the contestants are going through "Boot Camp" which entails hair, make-up, a vocal coaching session, and a pep talk from Barry Manilow who is excited to pass on his experience. He tells them to become a star they need to combine preparation with this opportunity.

Half will get their shot today and the other half will go sightseeing.

The contestants come out in groups of 8, they will sing a cappella for the judges and their competition, passing the microphone down the line. They will be in or out.

First up Lil Rounds, who sings "I Will Always Love You" well but very loud. Kara and Paula give her a standing O. Kara thinks she's bold and brave.

Then Dennis Brigham, who sings "For Once in My Life," nasally and kind of goofily. Simon doesn't think anyone's going to take him seriously.

After each group sings they put them in two lines, in and out. The out group goes home right away.

Dennis is out but returns and says he won't go down without a fight and starts to sing again. He is mad they're sending him home, he says they suck as judges and makes fun of Simon's "cheap" clothes.

We see sped up versions of the auditions and then cut to the sightseers who are checking out the Hollywood sign.

A montage of contestants are being told that they overdid it.

Ryan asks Kara and Paula how it's going. Not so good, except for Lil Rounds they say.

Up next Nathaniel Marshall who sings "The Anchor Holds" by Ray Boltz. He knows it's not familiar but hopes they like the melody. It's a Christian song and he sings it with nice dynamics but very little range. Paula calls him on the bad choice in terms of range. Simon asks why he picked the song. He talks about how his life has been hard and it means something to him because music is his anchor, which keeps him from freaking out when bad things happen. He gets teary and says he wants this more than anything, it's on his skin. They comfort him.

Then Anoop Desai who sings "If It's Magic" by Stevie Wonder, well. Then Jasmine Murray who tackles "The Trouble with Love" by Kelly Clarkson, also pretty well. Then it's hippie chick Rose. We see her going through the vocal coaching and that she is struggling to find her voice amid such gifted singers. She cries and feels like she's let her dad down. We cut back to the audition and she sings "Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding and plays with it a little adding blue and bent notes, it's kind of sweet. All 8 are through to the next round.

We meet prepping contestants, who are, predictably, freaking out. Stephen Fowler does Stevie Wonder's "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)" and Paula says he nailed it, Randy loved it too. I'm not sure what Jorge Nunez sang but he sang it well. Paula thought it was beautiful. I'm also unsure of what Von Smith sang but it was loud and melodramatic and overwrought. Simon thought it was indulgent nonsense, horrible, and really annoying. And yet when it's time to vote Stephen, Jorge, and Von are all through. Von is humbled that he's getting another chance.

We see another montage of contestants being told by the judges that they picked the wrong song for them even though Debra Byrd, the vocal coach, told them to be very careful. We see people leaving, some taking it well, some not.

Noman Gentle aka Nick Mitchell the "comedian" from the New York auditions is back. We see his audition again. We see him throw away his "Norman" clothes and say that he's gonna be serious. And then he shows up and acts the fool singing "And I Am Telling You..." from "Dreamgirls." He's half goofy and half not bad, calling out to the balcony and Seacrest. Randy calls him hilarious and banoodles but says that the crazy thing is he can actually sing. Simon doesn't know what to do with him. Paula says he's got talent and would like to hear him be serious and stripped down. And the verdict is... he's through. He promises Seacrest he will ditch the clown suit. Also through Scott McIntyre and "new mom" Frankie Jordan, but we don't hear them sing. (And we see other people who made it but aren't told who they are, which must mean that Scott and Frankie make the top 36).

We get a recap of Day 1 at the halfway mark.

For some reason we see the second group of 83 contestants being ferried around Hollywood to the Kodak.

We meet Jackie Tohn the "rocker" from the New York auditions, who can't settle down. We see a snippet of her audition. She banters about clothes with Ryan. (She says she's 28 but her bumper says she's 27?) She sings something I don't recognize in an annoying, grinding voice that she likely thinks sounds like Janis Joplin. Randy likes her. Paula says she likes her too. The results for Jackie's group? She and three others made it. She's sad that some of the other people are leaving.

We see a montage of people meeting and making friends. And another one of people being rejected and saying goodbye.

We meet best friends Danny Gokey and Jamar Rogers. They talk about the loss of Danny's wife, Sophie. They goof around with each other. Jamar sings "California Dreamin'" kinda soulfully, but kinda overwrought. Randy is a big fan and thinks he's different and relevant. Danny sings Seal's "Kiss From a Rose." He's got a very Seal-esque voice, raspy and pleasant. He hits a few clunkers but is mostly pretty good. Paula loves him and thinks he's ready to record. Both get through.

We get a montage of people getting compliments and being put through.

We are reacquainted with Katrina "Bikini Girl" Darrell We see a snippet of her audition. We see her now saying that she thought when Kara started to sing it was rude and it meant that Kara was insecure. She kisses Ryan. She sings "Breathe" by Faith Hill. She's passable at the beginning but nothing special. Kara calls her a beautiful girl and says she had her there for a moment at the beginning of the song but that it went off and got thin at the end. Simon makes a clawing noise. Kara asks for help from Paula. Paula agrees that it started well. Simon interjects that Katrina isn't getting fair criticism from the lady judges. He agrees with Katrina that with music it would've been better and that it was better than her first audition. Randy agrees with Simon and thinks she's had lessons. The verdict, the whole group is through. Kara tells her to leave her number and bring her pole tomorrow. Katrina says she knew that Kara didn't like her.

We see a montage of people we met at the auditions earlier but didn't make it through.

Two people are singled out as having left their famiies at home Jesus Valenzuela from Puerto Rico and "roughneck" Jeremy Michael Sarver. Sarver sings "I Love You More Than Anything" by Gavin DeGraw, nicely enough and Randy loves him. Jesus sings "Lately" by Stevie Wonder not so well, but not horribly. Jeremy is through. Jesus is out.

The last line performs and we see snippets of David Osmond, Erika Wesley both of whom sound good. Then "punk rocker" Emily Wynne-Hughes who isn't nervous, which is of course a terrible sign. She plans to sing "I Put a Spell on You," for which she gets kudos and then changes her mind at the last minute and sings "Excuse Me Mister" by No Doubt. Paula, Kara, and Simon are all disappointed by the song choice. And the final verdict is Emily and David make it but not Erika. Erika is the only one who didn't make it from that line and asks for another chance. She doesn't beg but is steadfast. Paula says she was fan, but that she was beaten out. Erika wants to know how she can convince them. Paula and Simon start to bicker. Erika tries again. Kara says it's not up for discussion. They send her off. She thanks them for hearing her out. Ryan tells us Alexis Grace, Brent Keith Smith, Maureen Boskovich, and Adam Lambert all made it, none of whom we hear sing.

104 made it through and we see a montage of them all celebrating.

"American Idol" - "Hollywood Round No. 2" - Feb. 4, 2009

We are down to 107 contestants and Ryan tells us that there will be tears, triumph, and tragedy in the group round.

We get a recap of Round 1.

The contestants split into groups but there are a few strays. Including the giggly Tatiana, who takes over the group she joins and gets all bossy and then all desperate and dramatic. She goes to try and work with a new group and while Kristin is accepting, Nancy and Nathaniel don't want her.

We watch the groups rehearse. Some are happy, some are not, like Rose, who is in a group with Bikini Girl who she is clearly not on the same wavelength with. The two best friends Danny and Jamar are enjoying their group and sound good.

At 1 a.m. some groups are still rehearsing, others going to bed, and Tatiana is having second thoughts about the group she bullied her way into. She tries to reconnect to her old group. The second group gets mad at her for leaving them and comes to yell at her. Tatiana apologizes.

It's 2:30 and the group Tatiana left is trying to rehearse and have fun. The one she rejoined is trying to come up with choreography. She starts to fight with one of her group members, who realizes Tatiana's psycho.

Back at group she tried to join they are fighting about taking a break. Nancy is yelling at Kristin, who is mad about the drama. Nancy keeps yelling saying Kristin clearly doesn't want it as bad as everyone else making Kristin cry, Nathaniel stands in the background incredulous.

Rose's group is mad that Bikini Girl wants to go to bed instead of rehearsing. Bikini Girl goes to bed and cries.

It's 4 a.m. and the Nancy-Nathaniel-Kristin triad is all atwitter. Nathaniel is crying about everyone's dreams, Nancy is mad about taking a break, Kristin doesn't want the drama, she just wants to rest her voice since she's been singing all day.

It's 7 a.m. as the contestants awake. Contestants talk about how little sleep they got. Folks rehearse.

The Rose group goes to find Katrina. Her roommate answers the door and informs them that Katrina's not feeling well and doesn't want to see anybody. (The other two girls in this group are never introduced so I'm guessing they don't make it through and Rose does).

The Kristin-Nancy-Nathaniel group is still splintered and worried. The Rose group tries to rouse Katrina. They can't. She quits. Rose tells her to have a fun trip home and tells the cameras that she can't believe someone would give up such a big opportunity.

The groups practice with an accompanist, it's not going well.

The happy groups dance and hug and rehearse, including Tatiana's group who are all happy now.

Someone calls roll and Rose tells them that Katrina quit. We cut to Katrina, fully dressed and making her way to the ballroom, exhausted. Her "strategy" when going up to her group is to be honest. She flops down and joins them, they look annoyed. She asks them to teach her what she missed. They get up and walk away from her. Rose tells the cameras that they will be that group who is a train wreck.

They are all seated in the theatre nervous. The judges arrive and Simon informs them: "forget the words, you're out." Of course, this makes them worried about forgetting the words.

The first group starts with beatboxing, rapping, and a fun quartet version of the Jackson 5's "I Want you Back." The three boys sounded okay but the girl didn't do much actual singing. It was a great upbeat performance though and all four are through.

They show us a montage of groups mangling "Get Ready"by the Temptations and messing up the words and choreography. A few from each group make it including Jorge and Nick.

The next group is the "Action Squad" and they sing "Don't Stop" by Fleetwood Mac. It's kind of hokey and some are better than others, Ryan is particularly good. They all mess up the words though. They send away Ryan and Emily, who were much better than their counterparts who got to stay. Emily cries and hugs people on the way out. Ryan feels manipulated and insulted.

We get a montage of groups and Simon complaints and insults. Sample: "A succession of horrors."

The Danny and Jamar group- which includes two girls- are doing "Somebody to Love" by Queen a cappella. They kill it. Randy liked the harmonies and Simon liked that it was a cappella. They all get through.

We see a mixture of groups doing "Some Kind of Wonderful," and most the singers they show us are varying degrees of good.

We see Rose's group, Team Diva, rehearsing. Apparently they patched it up with Bikini Girl and Rose is feeling more confident. They take the stage and sing "Mercy"- Lauren sounds good, Jasmine is great, Bikini Girl actually isn't that bad, but Rose totally blows it, muffing the words and flailing around. Simon says he can guarantee that they didn't work together. Lauren tries to explain their woes but Simon tells her to name names. Lauren says she and Jasmine stayed up. Bikini Girl becomes a fountain of excuses: in heels since 5 a.m., up til 3.a.m., scoliosis. Simon calls it a good excuse, but then says he's kidding and yells at her and asks who's to blame. Only Jasmine makes it. Rose hugs her. Bikini Girl walks by with a little wave. Kara says she must be ready for her close up and calls her something that Fox censors. The girls debrief and when Lauren tries to say that some didn't have a good work ethic, Katrina gets mad, stalks away and calls them "fake girls." (How quickly will she be hitting the cover of "Playboy"?) Then they try a group hug which Katrina says she won't be part of. Rose walks away crying saying she hated her group. (Lauren and Jasmine too?) .

We get a montage of the rejects including the Osmond boy and other people we met.

It's time for the last two groups, the ones spotlighted from the night before- Crazy Tatiana and Nancy-Nathaniel-Kristin.

The Tatiana group does "I Want You Back" - they only show us two of the singers- they sound pretty marginal. Tatiana keeps singing after they finish the audition which the judges put a stop to. They put them all through. Tatiana melts down afterwards thanking God and everyone involved with the show in a psychotic burst of teary histrionics.

It's finally time for Team Compromise, who have a little prayer circle before they go on. They explain that they are not friends. They sing "Mercy" by Duffy. Nathaniel is very flamboyant. Nancy is sassy and prety good but muffs the words. Kristin isn't bad either and hits a crazy note. Simon thinks the girls were sabotaging the back-ups, the judges say it was uncomfortable. He says one girl is safe and one isn't. Nancy cries. Paula is sad everyone is sad. Kristin and Nathaniel are through, Nancy is out. Nancy cusses out Kristin on the way out. She goes in the back to cry. She should be crying because she was better than plenty of people they put through.

We see a montage of rejects- including free, dancing naked girl- crying as they get the news. And then a montage of folks they put through celebrating.

"American Idol" - Hollywood Round No. 3 - Feb. 10, 2009

It's Day 4 and we're down to 72 and it's time for single performances with the band and back-up singers, and instruments of their own if the hopefuls so choose.

We start with the end of the day as we see the hopefuls in a holding room, a montage of them performing, and the judges going over the Polaroids.

We now flashback to the beginning of the day as the contestant awake, practice, and get their order numbers.

Seacrest tells us the folks will sing but there will be no judges responses, each hopeful will have to wait until the end of the day.

We meet contestant number one, spiky-haired Adam Lambert who has a background in musical theatre. Previously, Kara had told him that he was still too Broadway but Paula thought he was great. Adam says he wants to be on "Idol" so he can take songs we've heard a million times and put a unique twist on them. Simon likes this idea. He sings "Believe" by Cher. He does it as a slow piano ballad and sounds a lot like a woman. Not Cher, but a woman. A very strong, powerful, and vocally gifted woman.

Next up, Matt Giraud who does "Georgia on My Mind" behind a piano. It's ambling and soulful if a little hammy. Paula and Randy and his fellow contestants give him a standing O.

Next up, Jamar Rogers who does "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's, his quirky, soulful take on it is killing Kara. Good friend Danny watches supportively from the wings.

Then it's Danny Gokey's turn. He sings "I Hope You Dance" by LeAnn Womack. Paula is squirming with joy. Simon smiles. He's got that nice rasp going.

Next up, Anoop Desai who does "My Prerogative" which sounds good. Then Jorge Nunez who does "Closer" by Ne-Yo, pretty nice. Then the blind hopeful Scott McIntyre, who also sings behind his piano. He sings "Home" by Daughtry. Honestly? It's kind of pitchy. Paula gives him a standing O. Then Kendall Beard who does Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats," who sounds kind of shaky. Then Stevie Wright who does Colbie Caillat's "Bubbly," which sounds okay. Then Lil Rounds who sounds like she's killing Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You." Next up, Kristin McNamara who was in that nightmare drama group with Nancy and Nathaniel. She does "Because of You," by Kelly Clarkson and she sounds great. Then Mishavonna Henson who does a sweet but pitchy version of what I think is a Michael Buble song.

We see one group of 18 moved to a separate room. And then another 18.

We get a journey through the really annoying Tatiana Del Toro's audition process. Then her final audition, Whitney Houston's "I'm Your Baby Tonight" which sounds good in parts but is mostly incredibly overdone. She floats away on a cloud of overconfidence.

Then we get a quick run through of Alexis Grace doing "Before He Cheats," so-so. Kenny Hoffpauer, doing something jazzy, also so-so. Jasmine Murray who does "Tattoo" by Jordin Sparks. She was so great last time but this time she's a lot more shaky. She's in the second group room with Nathaniel Marshall so I'm guessing this group is one that doesn't make it. We see Nathaniel's dramatic audition process up to today, where he does "Disturbia" by Rihanna with the aid of an acoustic guitar. It's marginal.

Then we go through the Joanna Pacitti audition process. She was the one with previous albums/"Annie" experience. She won't be making it most likely since her final audition ends in a heap of forgotten words to "If I Ain't Got You." As does Casey Carlson's version of "Tattoo." Then up next, Stephen Fowler who we see not worrying about lyrics during rehearsal the night before and then forgetting the words during the actual audition. He's given a chance to start again and messes up again, bangs his keyboard, and gets up and walks away. He gets sent to the same room with Tatiana, Joanna, Casey, Alexis, Nathaniel, etc. And then Tatiana is called out of that room.

We move on to the next half of the contestants and see Tatiana walking through the hallway.

Next up, Nick Mitchell aka Norman Gentle. For his final audition he sings "Georgia On my Mind" as Norman. It's miserable and not funny. Randy, inexplicably, loves it though.

We see the judges finish making their decisions.

In room 3 we see Lenesha Young and in room 4 Nick Mitchell. The ones in the Nick room are wondering if they are out.

We get a montage of "I Hope You Dance"s including Annemarie Boskovich's which is not perfect. Then Ju'not Joyner who does a "neo-soul" take on "Hey There Delilah" that sounds nice.

Tatiana now goes to room 4. Her arrival makes the folks in this room worry that for sure they're going home.

We see the contestants wait and crack under the pressure.

We see the auditions of room 3 waiters Kaylan Lloyd who does "If I Ain't Got You." She does pretty well but Simon ended her song. Even though he did it with a smile, she is still upset. And then Leneshe Young who does "Love Song" by Sara Bareilles. She sounds spunky, but doesn't show off much range.

Over in Room 2 we meet Kai Kalama and see his mediocre, crackling audition on Stevie Wonder's "Part-Time Lover." And in that room also, roughneck Michael Sarver who does a pretty good take on O-Town's "All or Nothing" which has Kara singing along.

Simon has to catch a flight, so the news will be broken by Randy, Paula, and Kara.

They enter room two: the one with Nathaniel, Stephen, Joanna, Kai, Michael, Alexis, Casey, Jasmine, Michael and others. (So all the people we were shown forgetting lyrics by the way). Paula is practically on the verge of tears with how good they all were in the beginning. Randy talks about how "sporadic" the voices were. (I think he means erratic). Then Paula apologizes. And then Kara tells them they all made it through. Eek, so there's half our 36.

The group in room 3 overhears this joyous outburst. We finally see India Morrison's solo audition which is a weird, insular version of "Disturbia." Obviously since they're "unveiling" the top 36 tomorrow night, this group doesn't make it. The judges enter and Randy tells them they didn't make it. This group includes Michael (younger brother of Jason) Castro (who I don't think I saw at all), India, Kaylan, and Leneshe who leaves in tears but with humility.

The judges enter room 1 and they all made it through: this group includes Anoop, Scott, Danny and Jamar, Adam, Jorge, Kristin, Lil Rounds, and Jackie.

The final room, room 4, realizes that it's probably over for them when they hear the screams of the second room. Tatiana starts freaking out as the judges try to deliver the news. Kara says she's only making it harder. Then one person flat out says "so this is a no, right?" And Paula says it's actually a yes. So this group includes: Tatiana- lord help us all- Anne Marie, Jackie, Cody, Matt, Ju'Not, and Nick Mitchell, (really?). (And I'm wondering how this is mathematically possible if there are four equal rooms of 18 if three rooms got yeses. And realize that the no room simply must have been bigger? But then, I'm ashamed to admit, I went back and did a freeze frame and counted and there weren't? Whatever.)

A montage of those who made it hugging and crying and calling home and those who didn't crying and hugging.

So of the 36 we know 24 for sure: Anoop, Danny, Jamar, Adam, Jorge, Kristin, Lil Rounds, Scott, Jackie, Nathaniel, Nick/Norman, Anne Marie, Jackie, Cody, Matt, Ju'Not, Stephen, Joanna, Kai, Michael, Alexis, Casey, Jasmine,Tatiana

"American Idol" - Hollywood Round #4-Top 36 Chosen - Feb. 11, 2009

The final 54 enter the mansion where their fate will be decided. (That number also explains my fuzzy math last night, I was forgetting the whole walk of shame/final judgement portion of the eliminations after the judges review the tapes).

And there's a twist : "Sing for your survival," says Simon in teaser. In other words there will be sing-offs.

First up: Anoop Desai. Kara says he's continually surprised them. Clips. He's through.

Next: Von Smith. He's super-nervous. Clips. He addresses Simon's comment about him singing like a self-indulgent child and talks about how he went against his family's advice on his last song. Right choice says Simon. He's through.

Cody Sheldon. They ask him to sing again. As he picks "Love Remains the Same" by Gavin Rossdale, Alex Wagner-Trugman is being summoned for a sing-off, although he doesn't know it. Cody sings and it sounds fine. Simon sends him out. Alex arrives and freaks out when he finds out from Cody that he's going to have to sing again, and that only one of them will make it through. Alex sings "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" by Elton John. He's a little stronger but goofier in presentation. Simon sends him out. The judges deliberate. They bring them both back in. Alex is through. Cody is going home. They walk out together, Alex being appropriately sad for his friend. They tell the room. Some clap for Alex, some hug Cody.

Adam Lambert, i.e. musical theatre/metal guy who sang "Believe" by Cher. Simon says Hollywood was good but that they have to judge on whether they think he can win and be a recording artist. He's through.

Taylor Vaifanua. She's through with a minimum of fuss.

As are, in short order:

Jasmine Murray, Arianna Afsar, Casey Carlson, Megan Corkrey, Mishavonna Henson, and Stevie Wright

Next up:

Joanna Pacitti. Clips show her forgetting the words in every round in Hollywood. Kara asks her when she's really going to step out and show herself. Joanna says now. Simon says when somebody gives her a break. Paula says it's a tough business but unanimously they put her through. They say now she has to bring it.

Then a montage of quick rejections:

T.K. Hash, Chris Chatman, and Reggie Beasley. (Anybody remember any of these guys?)

Kenndall Beard. She's nervous. Clips, some bad, some good. But she's cute, blond, and perky, so she's through.

Then a sing-off:

Kristen McNamara - the soulful blond from the drama group- and Jenn Korbee - the blond who auditioned with her husband.

Jenn goes first and sings the Dixie Chicks' "Not Ready to Make Nice." (I don't even need to hear Kristen, she smokes Jenn and she's gotten way more camera time). Kristen sings "I Will Always Love You," by Whitney Houston and she's miles better. Simon asks whether they should put through the attractive blond or the other one. Paula and Kara say the one who can sing. (I think they're both cute, but Simon clearly prefers the look of Jenn since Kristen is the far better singer). Kara snipes if that's how he wants to do it why not just have a bunch of models come through? Outside, Kristen is unsure. Inside, Randy likes Kristen better. Simon disagrees. They girls go back in hand-in-hand. Kara says Jenn is truly beautiful. "And that's the problem," snarks Simon. (Is this really going to be the "conflict" this year? Oy.) Kara says Jenn has a good voice but isn't always emotionally connected. Paula says Kristen has an identity crisis. They put Kristen through. But they tell her she has a lot of work to do. Simon says he completely disagrees with this decision.

Alexis Grace, single mom of one. She's through.

Scott MacIntyre, blind guy. He's through.

Lil Rounds, mom of three, confident. She's through.

Montage of rejects:

Felicia Barton, Ashley Hollister, Devon Baldwin.

Sing-off:

Frankie Jordan, stay-at-home mom vs. hippie-ish, and forebodingly overconfident Jesse Langseth. Judging by the clips alone, Frankie is stronger. Frankie sings "The Story" by Brandi Carlile, she hits some clinkers but is strong and emotional. Jesse sings a song about a wishing well. Less clinkers, but not crazy impressive. Simon calls it a horrible song. Randy calls for a vote and Simon says neither. They go back in. Jesse is through. Simon says if it's any consolation Frankie wouldn't have won anyway since she didn't stand out. Simon says based on Jesse's sing-for-survival moment she won't win either. Bad call.

Duet of rejects: Shera Lawrence and Derik Lavers

Allison Iraheta, 16 years old. Clips. She's through.

Danny and Jamar wait outside together. Clips. Fears over one being sent home. Luckily, no sing off.

Danny Gokey. He's through.

Jamar Rogers. He's going home. (This is actually shocking considering the boys they've put through so far). The room is aghast, as they should be. Jamar is shocked too. Danny is freaked. The room applauds his "this isn't the end of the road for me" speech.

Montage of acceptances: Ricky Braddy,Matt Giraud, Ju'Not Joyner, Jorge Nunez, and Brent Keith.

Stephen Fowler. He's through.

Norman Gentle/Nick Mitchell. He offers to do anything to get through. Wash Simon's cars. Wear a bikini. The judges say they've spent a lot of time on him. He starts being serious and Kara stops him and wonders where the shtick is. Nick says his dream is if they allow him to perform as the character. He's through. He says it's unbelievable, Simon agrees. (If I was Jamar Rogers I'd be amazingly pissed off right now.)

(When he returns a ton of people who've already been put through/rejected are still sitting in the room so he got through early, even more annoying).

Jackie Tohn, raspy, "fun" girl. She's through and she's really excited.

Tatiana Del Toro Really annoying clips. Simon asks her to try to not be annoying. She fails as she babbles about buying Paula's QVC jewelry. She's through. (Simon points out it's not unanimous. If I was Jenn Korbee I'd be amazingly pissed off right now). She screams all the way back to the room.

Sing-off:

Nathaniel Marshall drama king who got tons of screen time but is a so-so singer vs. Jackie Midkiff who we've never seen before but in clips seems like a good singer. Jackie sings "When a Man Loves a Woman." Kara wonders why he's in a sing-off since he's so good. Simon and Randy disagree that he's that good. We get Nathaniel's sob story and then he sings "Already There." The other guy was better but, of course, Nathaniel goes through. Jackie takes it very well.

Montage of acceptances: Jeanine Vailes, Kai Kalama, Annemarie Boskovich, and Kris Allen.

Sing-off between final two: Matt Breitzke, a welder vs. Michael Sarver, the roughneck. We certainly saw a whole lot more of Sarver so my money's on him, even though the early clips make it look like the other guy was better. Matt sings some bluesy song I don't recognize. Simon didn't like the song. Michael sings another song I don't know, also kinda bluesy, he's better, shows more range, and confidence. They're both through. (And clearly we weren't keeping track of the numbers).

"American Idol" - The First 12 - Feb. 17, 2009

The first twelve of the top 36 begin competing for a spot in the top 12. Three slots will be taken from this group.

Ryan introduces the judges. He asks Randy what the contestants need to focus on. He says they really need to be in it to win it. Kara admits she's a little nervous but says the contestants can't let nerves get to them and to be as great as they can be and go for it. She says it's great to be here. Paula says they have to make magic happen in a minute and 20 seconds. Simon says it's different this year because there are no second chances.

Ryan explains how it will work this year: for the next three weeks each group of 12 will perform. The girl and guy with the highest vote count and the next highest vote getter of either gender will get into the top 12. The final 3 will be decided on the wild card show.

Tonight's theme: Hits from the Billboard Hot 100 since the chart began

Contestant #1: Jackie Tohn

Clip: We see her audition and lots of her screaming. She really wants this.

Song: "A Little Less Conversation," Elvis Presley

Performance: Jackie is sassy in a polka dot bustier, leather pants, and sneakers. She sounds okay, a little bit of gritty rock in her delivery. She moves a bit awkwardly with her legs bowing in and out and gets a bit goofy in places. She handles the tough cadences well though.

Randy: Wasn't blown away by the vocals but thought it was all good on the entertainment side.

Kara: Thinks she can work the stage and thought she did her own thing.

Paula: Has always loved her and says it wasn't perfect but that perfect is sometimes boring and she's a true performer who makes people fall in love with her.

Simon: Thought she played the clown and that the performance was ungainly, the song gimmicky - the crowd starts booing- and that she did herself no favors and that she blew a great opportunity by doing something silly instead of something good.

Ryan talks to Jackie's parents in the red room. They're very proud. Jackie had a good time. She says everybody here is a banging singer so she wanted to show she's a rocking entertainer. She has no regrets.

Contestant #2-- Ricky Braddy Ryan chat informs us he went to music school but ended up serving chicken fingers. He quit that job to follow his dream.

Clip: Randy loved him in auditions. He fell apart on group day in Hollywood, but pulled it out in the solo session. He wants to show America who he is.

Song: "A Song For You," Leon Russell

Performance: Ricky's rocking a royal purple velvet jacket. He seems very sweet. It's a piano ballad which he sings pretty straightforwardly. He sounds good, seems comfortable, and hits some nice falsetto notes. It's not flashy but it works. Paula gives him a standing O.

Randy:This is what he's talking about and thinks it was unbelievable and it was the true jump off for season 8.

Kara: Thinks he killed it and that he has an incredible gift.

Paula: She's proud America gets to see how talented he is and that he deserves to go far in the competition.

Simon: He's not jumping out of his chair as much as the others. He thinks he has a great voice but not star quality in terms of charisma and self-belief.

In the red room the parents -wearing "Braddy Bunch" t-shirts- are touched. Ricky feels incredible.

Contestant #3 - Alexis Grace

Clip: She goes over her audition in which they told her to dirty it up. By Hollywood she had by putting in pink highlights and featuring her decolletage.

Song: "I've Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)," Aretha Franklin

Performance: In a pretty little black dress and blood red lips she tries to vamp it up but it feels a little put on. The vocal is pretty strong though, if a touch strident in places. She ends it up smartlyand tosses in a little rasp that works for her.

Randy: He says she found the dirt and the soul and is loving her right now.

Kara: Thinks the genie is out of the bottle and it's been a pleasure to watch her come out of her shell.

Paula: Thinks it's fantastic that she's so young and cute but has so much inside her.

Simon: Thinks she was the best so far and that she clearly has self-belief. Says she might be a dark horse like Kelly Clarkson.

In the red room dad and dad's girlfriend are awestruck. Alexis feels like she's in a dream.

Contestant #4 - Brent Keith

Clip: We get some kind of glitch showing the wrong tape. Ryan covers by bringing Brent down to the stage. Then they roll the tape. Brent works at a home improvement warehouse. His audition was the one where Paula and Kara went under the table. He explains that he and his wife live paycheck to paycheck.

Song:"Hicktown," Jason Aldean

Performance: He seems a little nervous but he's doing well vocally and he's quite the drink of water with a killer smile.

Randy: Likes what he did and that he returned to his country roots. He likes him and thinks he would make a good country artist.

Kara: It was a little safe for her and not rangey enough. She wondered where the soul she saw in the auditions went.

Paula: Agrees that it was safe but she sees him as a country-western star and look what happened for Josh Gracin and Bucky Covington.

Simon: Wonders what did happen to Bucky Covington. He thinks that Brent is a nice guy but it wasn't safe but forgettable. He thinks he just blew a massive opportunity. Brent says that country fans won't forget that.

In the red room Brent's wife Nicole says they never put a deadline on him pursuing his dream. Brent seems perturbed but thinks he made the right choice since they're supposed to show what they will do as an artist and that's what he wants to do. Ryan points out that country music does quite well.

Contestant #5 - Stevie Wright

Clip: She's 17 and her auditions went well with all the judges except Simon. She wants to showcase her bubbly young age more like the judges counseled her.

Song: "You Belong With Me," Taylor Swift

Performance: It seems pitched too low on the first few lines and then gets in a better register for her. But, she's hitting some clunkers and seems nervous doing side to side dancing and getting behind the beat and out of breath at points. Her movements seems to be disrupting her breath control. It is not good.

Randy: It was not hot for him and thinks she's a better singer than that and if she'd sung that way before she wouldn't have made it this far.

Kara: Thinks she has an identity crisis, that the song was young, sure, but not right for her.

Paula: Agrees it was not the right song and points out the range issues. She wasn't the contestant they fell in love with.

Simon: Says the others are being polite and that it was terrible, out of tune, out of her depth. The good news is she got some experience from this and hopefully will learn from it.

Celebrity alert: Ted Danson and Neil Patrick Harris cheer for Stevie as she leaves the stage.

In the red room her parents hug her and thinks the judges gave confusing advice. Ryan gives her props as a 16-year-old who has never done this before for being brave. And she is being brave,no tears. (Even though her clip package said she was 17).

Contestant #6 - Anoop Desai

Clip: He's 22. The judges were surprised by his soulful voice. He wants to bring energy.

Song: "Angel of Mine," Monica

Performance: He rocks this slow r&b jam nicely. He's very sweet if a little awkward with his arms. He hits some rough patches but is charming overall if a little adult contemporary.

Randy: Loves him but didn't love the song choice and thought he was sharp the whole time.

Kara: Isn't sure he had the riffs to pull off what she thinks is a hard song. She thinks he has great potential and believes him when he's singing.

Paula: Thinks America has already connected with him and that whether he was a little sharp or not that he has a Brian McKnight quality.

Simon: Thinks it was a little too grown up and serious for him. Anoop gets all earnest and says for him it's all about thanks. Simon says they've heard him better but that he has massive likability.

In the red room his parents are taken aback. He says he was nervous but that the band makes them all sound better.

Contestant #7 - Casey Carlson

Clip: She's 20 and works at a tea shop. Her auditions went well and it's been an incredible process. She loves Jordin Sparks.

Song: "Every Little Thing (He) Does is Magic," the Police

Performance: She starts pretty well with a nice tone, closer to the Shawn Colvin cover version of the song and then she hits a rough note. And then it unravels. She starts a strange pinwheeling motion with her arm. She recovers but is a little shaky and does a goofy wink to the camera. She's a little pagaenty and cutesy and pitchy. She's gorgeous though.

Randy: Says it was not good for him. The song was completely wrong for her and weirdly karaoke.

Kara: Says everything about it was wrong. Says she's a beautiful girl but that she shouldn't touch a song by the Police. She wishes she had done a girlie anthem. She also thinks the dancing was bad. She had such high hopes for her since she's a "package artist" but that it fell flat. (Casey looks down sadly).

Paula: Says guys tell her that she's the most exquisite, beautiful girl but that picking that song was a mistake, there was no connection and her phrasing was weird.

Simon: Asks her how she thinks it went. She says she had fun. He says he's trying to think of something positive. He says she looks good but the singing was just atrocious and reinforces that it was a bad song choice. He follows through with the blown opportunity theme. Paula tells her to cut out the winking and faces and stuff too. Simon says he liked that and it was the least of her problems.

In the red room her mom tells her she rocked and that she's proud of her. Dad hugs her too. She says she chose the wrong song but she had a blast. She tries not to cry and gamely succeeds.

Contestant #8 - Michael Sarver

Clip: He's 27 and a roughneck. We see him working on the rig and hanging with his wife and kids.

Song: "I Don't Wanna Be," Gavin DeGraw

Performance: He seems comfortable and has good stage presence but his vocals range from competent to pretty good, never spectacular.

Randy: Thinks he can definitely sing but was pitchy and liked him better on a soul tip. Not a bad choice for him but not a great performance.

Kara: Thinks it's a great crowd-pleaser song but it wasn't his best performance. She likes that it was true to him and thinks he's likable.

Paula: Isn't going to be as tough on him and thought he did a good job. She was distracted by the microphone hand switching. She thought the song showed a different side and since so many former contestants have sung it that apparently means Gavin DeGraw is a great artist.

Simon: Thinks it's tricky. He thinks they put him through because they like him because he's a good honest guy who needs a break but says it wasn't the best vocal. If he gets through, which Simon hopes he does, it will be because America likes him not because his performance was great.

In the red room Brent's wife says she told him to sing pretty. His mom is there too. Brent is glad to hear everyone thinks he's such a nice guy.

Contestant #9 - Ann Marie Boskovich

Clip: She's 22, a waitress, and a demo singer. She was the one who was sent away during her auditions to change up her look. She feels blessed to be here.

Song: "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman," Aretha Franklin

Performance: She's singing it very lightly. She keeps bending her knees and pointing with her arm. She gets to meat of the song and she monkeys with the cadences and is hitting some some bad notes. This isn't really the song for her voice but she ends it okay.

(Ted Danson liked it but Danny Gokey's friend Jamar is clapping the clap of obligation).

Randy: Asks her how she thinks she did. She says "pretty good." (Uh-oh). He disagrees and says it was a bad choice and that she couldn't tackle such a big song.

Kara: Says the song is so big and you have to kill it and it felt a bit old-fashioned. She wanted to hear something a little more girlie like "Love Song" by Sara Bareilles. Ann Marie points out that song isn't as good, or at least, not as classic. Randy and Simon laugh and thinks that's sassy. (But really, it's simply true. That's a fun song but it's no "Natural Woman" and I doubt Sara Bareilles would argue that.) It gets odd.

Paula: Says she thinks she did better compared to Hollywood. She agrees it's a huge song but that she gave it her all.

Simon: He goes the hotel singer route. He says her voice is simply not good enough for that song and it just destroyed her.

In the red room, her mom was bummed by the judges comments.

Contestant #10 -Stephen Fowler

Clip: He's 26 and a musician. He's the one who goofed up his lyrics and walked off during the solo audition in Hollywood.

Song: "Rock With You," Michael Jackson

Performance:He's got a sweet smile but this song is in an odd place in his register and he ends up sounding flat on the verses and sharp on the choruses. He's got an easygoing likability and there are some good bits but an equal amount of rough ones and it's not amazing. He also keeps pointing skyward "Saturday Night Fever"-style. He does remember the words.

Randy: Says it's not the joint for him to be singing.

Kara: She says she got more from him at the piano when he forgot the lyrics since he seemed more connected to the music. He says to go by what he did in Hollywood because he's not comfortable singing without the piano. (You know Simon's not going to like that.)

Paula: She's glad he remembered the lyrics but that it would've served him better to sing the David Cook song that he botched in Hollywood since he felt a connection there. She says singing that song is a kiss of death since the song belongs to Michael Jackson. She's disappointed...

Simon: ...as is Simon especially given Stephen's experience and stated drive to win. Simon also says the arrangement was terrible, particularly the keyboard parts. He says it was corny. Stephen says he's corny guy. Simon says he's not.

There's no one in the red room for him.

Contestant #11 - Tatiana Del Toro

Clip: She's 24. Oy. You remember the screaming, the crying, the drama, whatever. She was hurt to be judged in Hollywood.

Song: "Saving All My Love For You," Whitney Houston

Performance: She sounds fine in the low register, better in the high. She plays with the melody in a way that isn't too annoying. She hits the big note and brings it on home. But it's definitely a little hotel lounge-y. It's shockingly understated though. She poses dramatically at the end ensuring that it concludes annoyingly.

Randy: Was worried about her singing this song but thought she had some moments. He thought the melody in the second verse was weird but that she can really sing.

Kara: Calls Tatiana a rollercoaster ride and thought this was very reserved. She agrees there were good moments and she hit some big notes but she wonders how she fits in the industry. Tatiana thinks she can do all genres.

Paula: Thinks she's the most talked-about contestant so far. She's not used to the demure Tatiana but thought there were beautiful moments too. But she doesn't know who she is. Paula, of all people, says she misses the crazy and Kara actually asks for it. (Of course Tatiana's just being savvy, she knew the drama would get her screen time in the early going but that she'd have to tone it down if she actually wants to go through). She says sometimes she gets nutty and that Hollywood was stressful and exciting and she says isn't usually like that and her friends were surprised.

Simon: Says she's a complete and utter drama queen. (She smiles demurely and nuttily). He says she's desperate to be famous, like Paula Abdul was. Paula says "like you aren't." Tatiana says she does marketing "as a business" and she wants to market herself to another level. To get back to her singing he says it wasn't bad at all. He says she needs to lose the slightly weird demure thing she's got going now. (And it is very strange as she nods and smiles sweetly.) He says it's making him nervous. It gets even weirder as Kara tells her to go crazy and Simon asks for the weird laugh. She doesn't do it and says her friends say she's never laughed like that and then all the judges laugh like that. She smiles a big smile but doesn't do the laugh.

In the red room are two of her friends from Puerto Rico. Ryan asks who the real Tatiana is- the calm girl or the crazy lady- and she says she's a multi-faceted woman who went through an experience she never expected to have and she didn't know she was going to react that way. She says this is more like she normally is and she laughs but it's not that crazy laugh. Ryan tells us there's more to the "psychic" story and we'll hear it if Tatiana goes through. Ryan gives the numbers and Tatiana appeals directly to America to keep her dream alive.

Contestant #12 - Danny Gokey

Clip: He's 28 and a widower and looks like Robert Downey, Jr. He's a church music director. (And is probably your next "American Idol,' or at least top 3). He wants to encourage people.

Song: "Hero," Mariah Carey

Performance: It's not perfect but pretty close, soulful and believable and, definitely, likable. And he seemed calm and confident. (Paula and Kara love it, as does the audience, Jamar looks on approvingly.)

Randy: Calls him the redeemer of the night and says it was blazing hot.

Kara: Calls him the hero, says he gives us all hope and that he was great pounding the table.

Paula: She has two words with a hyphen: sold-out arenas.

Simon: Bringing it back to earth, he says he thought it was good but not fantastic and that the arrangement was a bit heavy-handed, but he's a very good singer. Kara interjects that she loved it. Simon likes him but he's not buying the hype right now.

Danny says he was envisioning people rising above rough circumstances while he was singing.

I'm calling Danny, Anoop, and Alexis. I'm calling Danny, Casey and Jackie.

"American Idol" - Picking the First Three - Feb. 18, 2009

Ryan says there were 24 million votes cast last night. Judge banter about Simon being a dissappointment after the show. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Ryan asks Simon to rate Kara's judging talents and he says she is excellent. Kara shouts, "He's lying!

We get a recap of how this group of 12 arrived.

Group Sing: "I'm Yours," Jason Mraz. This is not a song that requires heavy group male vocals in unison, the whole point is its lightness. Give it to a choir and it starts sounding like an outtake from "The Little Mermaid." At least the women are rocking some harmony but the whole thing is painful. Beyond goofy with lots of circling and bouncing knee dancing as if they've all turned into gangsta rappers. It all winds up with high school musical arms. Eek.

We get a recap of last night's show. Some of it was very painful to watch.

Ryan chats with the contestants on the couches. He asks Jackie to rate her performance. She gives herself a B+/A-. Anoop says the atmosphere is pretty relaxed. Then Ryan bullies him into saying he's supernervous. Tatiana is humbled to be here and wearing Paula's line of jewelry, which Ryan is a little too enthusiastic about. Stevie says she's good and she's proud she's gotten this far. She reiterates how she was confused about young/old song choice.

Ryan begins the elminations.

Casey Carlson is out. (She agrees she picked the wrong song, but she had fun.)

Stephen Fowler is out. (He agrees he picked the wrong song but they can't say he sounded bad.)

*Alexis Grace is in. (She's nervous but excited). Alexis has started streaking her hair pink, ala Nikki McKibbin. However this girl sings very well.

Her parents are thrilled and teary. The producers make her sing her song again. "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Loved You)," Aretha Franklin. (Casey and Stephen are being good sports after their elimination, clapping and smiling). If anything, the relief of being in the top 12 makes Alexis seem a little more relaxed tonight, still a bit strident though.

Ricky Braddy and Jackie Tohn are out. (She didn't think she blew it at all.)

Anoop Desai and *Michael Sarver are out and in. (Michael says his heart is pounding out of his chest and that tomorrow is another day either way. Anoop is nervous). And....Michael (????) is in??? Oh, Anoop. :(

Michael is very thankful and says the guys at his work back at home are either making fun of him for being a "sissy" or they're really proud of him. He sings "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin DeGraw again. And like Alexis, the relief is clearly working in his favor. Ryan tells us that only 20,000 votes separated Michael and Anoop.

Ryan talks up the new "American Idol" experience at Disney World. We get a look at the opening celebration. We get a snippet of David Cook and Carrie Underwood singing Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way." What the heck was that Kelly was wearing? It looked like a black sack.

Ryan calls "the next two contestants" down and it's Carly Smithson and Michael Johns. She tells a story about how her weave was missing before the DW show and she had to go to a "bad Asian neighborhood" to get more. He has a finished album with a single coming out in a couple of weeks. For some reason they sing "The Letter" by the Box Tops. They both sound fine and look nice. (If they were contestants Simon would call it a cruise ship/theme park-type performance).

Ann Marie Boskovich and Brent Keith and Stevie Wright are out. (They make them all stand at their seats).

This leaves *Danny Gokey and Tatiana Del Toro who are (duh) in and out. (I'm thinking this means that Danny was the top vote getter and Michael was second since Anoop was so close behind Michael.) Tatiana looks ill and says it's all up to the audience and the power of love. Not enough love for her, though, the winner is Danny - who I predict is the next American Idol (thejuliascott).

Danny hugs Tatiana who looks likes she's going to faint. She obviously is having trouble processing the news, but there are no histrionics or begging. Danny sings his song - "Hero" by Mariah Carey- again. One of Danny's friends holds up a photo of Danny and his late wife. Stevie tries to console Tatiana (who keeps her face covered and is very clearly crying) while the others look on approvingly and sing along.

So prediction-wise, two out of three ain't bad. I'm thinking Anoop will be a wild card.

"American Idol" - Second Group of 12 - Feb. 25, 2009

Ryan introduces last week's winners Michael, Alexis, and Danny and the judges. Randy says the second 12 have an advantage from watching last week. Kara says to do the best they possibly can. Paula says she hopes they picked the right song. Simon says it's too late for advice now.

Contestant #1: Jasmine Murray, 17

Video Clip: We see her journey to the stage. Simon liked her. Her mom predicted she would be on.

Song: "Love Song," Sara Bareilles

Performance: She starts off in a low register that seems like an odd spot for her voice. The chorus is better. The crowd stands. She's very natural and has an easy stage presence. It's okay but not amazing.

Randy: He thought there were good and bad moments and that it was pitchy all the way through. He didn't think it was the right song.

Kara: Thinks she's very commercial but that the song was all over the place and started badly.

Paula: Wants to disagree with Kara and Randy but she can't. She liked her confidence but thought it was the wrong song.

Simon: Was disappointed because he likes her. She's got the right attitude, look, and confidence but doesn't have a great voice. He thinks she's a couple of years too early. He asks what she thought. She had fun.

Ryan asks Randy if she deserves a spot. He's unsure.

(Apparently there will be no parents in the red room this week as Jasmine's mom was in the audience.)

Contestant #2: Matt Giraud, 23, the dueling piano man

Video Clip: We see his journey. He needs to pinch himself because it's so surreal. Hollywood week went well for him.

Song: "Viva La Vida," Coldplay

Performance: He sings without a piano. The beginning is a little shaky. He tries to add a few little runs but the song's pace doesn't really allow for it. He seems a little breathless and an attempt at falsetto is a bit rough. He adds some runs at the end that are equally spotty.

Kara: She was blown away in Hollywood week and wasn't tonight. For a bluesy guy she thinks it was the wrong song and it didn't lend itself to the interpretation he tried to put on it. She still loves him.

Paula: She thought his performance was better than the rehearsal but thinks it was probably the wrong song.

Simon: Echoes the women and says he thought it verged on horrible and he went from bluesy thing to a wannabe pop star. He thinks he's got talent but didn't showcase himself well.

Randy: Echoes all of them saying that he's pulling for him but again, wrong song.

Matt says this is the type of music he wants to do as an artist. Simon says Matt doesn't deserve a spot in the top 12 if that's what he wants to do.

Contestant #3: Jeanine Vailes, 28

Video Clip: Her journey went well. Simon found her believable as a recording artist. She tripped on the table when she went to hug Randy when she got through.

Song: "This Love," Maroon 5

Performance: Very weird choice, it doesn't really show off her voice. She is, however, showing off her legs in short shorts. She has good presence but she doesn't sound that great until a Chaka Khan-y final note.

Paula: Says she has great legs and says it's season 8 and turns to Simon.

Simon: Thought it was terrible and that she made the absolute wrong choice. He agrees she has good legs.

Randy: Agrees on the hot legs and the wrong song.

Kara: Says she's very pretty but that the song was so overdone and it was all wrong.

She says that since she's been so under the radar - getting little camera time up till now- that she had to come out strong. Kara says she overcompensated. Jeanine agrees but says she can pick a better song. Simon thinks she blew it. She says she hasn't blown it yet. Paula thinks she might've blown it. Kara says she doesn't deserve a shot at the top 12. She begs for votes and says she can prove it.

Contestant #4: Nick Mitchell/Norman Gentle, 27

Video Clip: We get a greatest hits recap of his bad comedy auditions. He says he's doing what he knows how to do since he knows he will not be the next Justin Timberlake. He's having an identity crisis but just wants to entertain America.

Song: "And I'm Telling You, I'm Not Going," from "Dreamgirls"

Performance: He dedicates his performance to group 2. He's wearing white tails, khaki shorts, the headband, and the shirt. In the audience his mother grins but his dad looks either nervous or angry or both. It's nasal but he's hitting the notes. Now his dad's clapping. He's vamping, dropping the glasses and jacket and jokes with the crowd. He hits a horrible note and goes offstage to the judges table to stroke the "Idol" logo. He points out "Doogie"- Neil Patrick Harris- in the audience. He hits one big real note and then ends on a totally goofy note. Simon is actually laughing. It wasn't a great vocal but it was the funniest he's been to date. Granted the bar was set pretty low.

Simon: He hopes he's speaking on behalf of America when he says he prays he doesn't go through to the next round. He's booed. He apologizes and wonders why Nick's mom and dad are looking at him like that. Although his mom is laughing. He says it was arguably one of the most atrocious performances they've ever had. He calls it horrific comedy. Nick says it takes one to know one and calls him sassy pants and does some karate kicks.

Randy: Says it was one of the most entertaining performances ever on "Idol." He says the vocals were not happening. He thought it was funny.

Kara: She says at least they remember him and he wears the same shirt every week like Simon. She says he's not a terrible singer although she doesn't see him in the music market. She says she enjoyed him tonight.

Paula: Says since this is America singers come in all shapes, sizes, sounds, looks, and fashion. She thinks that sometimes he's paying homage to Jerry Lewis and Olivia Newton-John. She says he's a true performer but doesn't know if this is the stage for him but that there are plenty of stages. She calls him fun.

Ryan says this is the first time someone's gone to second base with their logo. He asks the judges if Nick is not a terrible singer. Nick says he wants to own the fact that they had five rehearsals but when he went on his knees his vocals went off. He then says Simon is looking at him like he wants to kill him. Simon says he's listening and asks Ryan if he liked it. He says in a different way than Simon probably did. Ryan says there's chemistry between Nick and Simon. Ryan asks Paula if she'd vote for him based on vocals from that performance. She's confused thinking he was asking Simon and points out that Simon was smiling the whole time. Ryan clarifies he was asking her. She literally babbles. Ryan asks Nick if he thinks he deserves a spot in the top 12. Nick asks Ryan. Ryan says probably not but says it was entertaining.

Contestant #5: Alison Iraheta, 16 Ryan asks her about "Idol" school since she's out of public school. She acts very goofily.

Video Clip: She got a "generous" yes to get to Hollywood. She's the one Simon said to keep an eye on and Kara said had "raw, natural talent" at final judgment.

Song: "Alone," Heart

Performance: She's got a pleasant little rasp and a soulful texture to her voice on the opening verse. She's killing it, especially the hard rocking parts. The backing vocals are a little too loud but she's rolling with it. The best performance thus far, by far.

Randy: Thinks she blew it out the box and is thrilled that now real singing is jumping off.

Kara: Says she's serious and Alison doesn't even know how good she is. She says she just needs to work out her stage fright and she could have a big hit on the radio.

Paula: Thinks she can sing the telephone book and worked the microphone and stand really well. She thinks she's very seasoned at 16.

Simon: Says she's the best tonight by a clear mile and it's like the competition just started. He says it's amazing since she was so boring upstairs with Ryan and was a totally different person onstage. He was very impressed.

Contestant #6: Kris Allen, 23

Video Clip: His audition went well although Simon was put off by his modesty. (I don't remember this guy at all). We see a little bit of him playing guitar on a Michael Buble song.

Song: "Man in the Mirror," Michael Jackson

Performance: Again kind of an odd choice for the early low register, but he's very likable and sweet. The chorus is loads better than the verses and he hits one big note real well. Solid but not spectacular.

Kara: Says the back half was better than the front but doesn't touch what he did in Hollywood week. She misses the soulful voice and thinks this was completely the wrong song and doesn't see him doing this.

Paula: Disagrees completely and thought he nailed it and that the songwriters would be proud and that he was charming.

Simon: Agrees with Paula and she kisses him. He doesn't think he's the best singer in the competition, Danny is, he says, but that he did what they asked by showing confidence and that the girls will dig him. He's proud of him and thinks he put himself in the running.

Randy: Agrees partially with Simon and says he wasn't sure he could pull it off without the guitar but he did.

Contestant #7: Megan Corkrey, 23

Video Clip: She was one of Simon's early favorites. She has a two-year old son, Ryder.

Song: "Put Your Records On," Corinne Bailey Rae

Performance: Her hands on her hips stance is awkward and she's a bit ungainly but she sounds pretty good: jazzy, different, and sweet.

Paula: Thinks she picked the right song, is hip, beautiful, relevant, and telegenic and that she did everything right.

Simon: Thinks she's a funny little thing and looks gorgeous. Thought it started well but that it got a bit shouty in the middle when she got overexcited. She says she thinks she rocked it. He hopes America votes for her and agrees that she is relevant and current.

Randy: Is a big fan and thinks she's in the Duffy, Adele, Winehouse sphere. Calls it a nice job.

Kara: Says she's a package artist because she's pretty and unique and with the right song she could break out.

Contestant #8: Matt Breitzke, 28, the welder

Video Clip: We see him weld. He was starstruck by the judges. He's doing this for his family. His song "encapsulates true love."

Song: "If You Could Only See," Tonic

Performance: He's very earnest and moves a bit funny for a big guy but he sounds okay. The first part isn't great in terms of showing off range, in fact none of the song really is. It's first rate karaoke but doesn't rise to the size of the occasion.

Simon: Really likes him but absolutely hated that song and is frustrated. He thinks it was boring and forgettable and that the performance part was uncomfortable. If he knew Matt was going to choose it he would've tried to talk him out of it. Matt appreciates it but disagrees.

Randy: Thought it was just okay, not enough edge and energy. Randy also likes him and thinks he's cool.

Kara: Agrees they all like him but thinks the song didn't show any side of him and it fell really flat and that most disappointing is that he can actually sing but it was poor song choice.

Paula: Knows he puts his whole guts and soul into it and that it was all in key but not who they saw in Hollywood.

Contestant #9: Jesse Langseth, 26

Video Clip: Simon really liked her. She's a single mom to an 8-year-old. She was in a sing for your life situation at final judgment and is glad Simon talked trash to her because it fuels her fire.

Song: "Bette Davis Eyes," Kim Carnes (Which she thinks is "one of the greatest songs ever written." YIKES!)

Performance: It starts a little shaky and strident. (The backing band is killing that terrible '80s keyboard sound). She seems nervous. She's hitting some decent notes and has some skills but her nerves seemed to be getting the best of her breathing.

Randy: Thought it was okay, the song was cool, but right now everyone should blow them away and she didn't. She asks what he wanted to see. He says more range vocally.

Kara: Says it's her best look and that it was slinky and sexy. She thinks she hit some bad notes but that there were good moments and she took some interesting risks but that it didn't show off her range. (She starts talking about the drum pattern, wasting time. Oy, another chatty Brooke White-type).

Paula: Found her captivating throughout the whole process and thinks she's cool and has an identifiable sound and her phrasing is unique. She didn't think it was a perfect song for her but reiterates that Jesse is cool.

Simon: He disagrees and says she was forgettable which is too bad since she has a nice voice but that she was too cool for school.

Contestant #10: Kai Kalama, 27

Video Clip: Kara thought he was cute. Simon tells him he needs confidence. Hollywood went well. His energy is going for his sick mom.

Song: "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted," Jimmy Ruffin.

Performance: It's kinda boring and cheesy. He sounds fine, some nice notes, but no wow factor, kind of cruise ship-esque.

Kara: Likes him but thinks he had some pitch issues and that the song is a little old-fashioned and would like to see something contemporary.

Paula: Echoes Kara and didn't realize he was such a good performer.

Simon: Old-fashioned, corny, wedding/hotel singer, unoriginal, forgettable, thinks he would be a very good back-up singer.

Randy: Agrees with Simon, says it was too safe.

Contestant #11: Mishavonna Henson, 18

Video Clip: She made it to Hollywood last year but got cut. So excited to have made it to the top 36. She promises to not let America down.

Song: "Drops of Jupiter," Train

Performance: She's giving a very earnest, female singer-songwriter-type performance. She's hitting the notes but again, not very exciting. Rough landing.

Paula: Thinks she sang it well but it didn't excite her.

Simon: Thinks it's a great song, and that she's technically a great singer, but it left him cold and that she's too serious. He wishes she was a bit more fun.

Randy: Agrees that she feels so much older than 18. He also didn't like a solo singer singing a band song. (Really?)

Kara: She also loves the song and says she wants her to loosen it up a bit. She thinks she is a good singer but they're all wondering where she fits in the industry. (Paula sneezes).

Contestant #12: Adam Lambert, 27

Video Clip: Paula thought he was the best they've seen. He's been in musical theater his whole life. He was criticized for not being emotionally connected. He realizes he needs things to be a little more internal.

Song: "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," The Rolling Stones

Performance: He ill-advisedly slows down the beginning and gets overwrought as it speeds up. Also not a great song to show off range but he adds some crazy, inappropriate runs. He toggles between sounding like a woman and the musical theatre performer he is. He's definitely got power on his side though. Paula gives him a standing O.

Paula: Feels like she's at an Adam Lambert concert and thinks he's in a league of his own and is leaving some people in the rearview mirror.

Simon: He thought there were parts that were excruciatingly bad and parts that were brilliant. He thinks it's going to be a love it or hate it performance but thinks he will get through.

Randy: Loved it because he thinks he's very relevant. He think it's Steven Tyler meets Fall Out Boy meets Robert Pattinson meets My Chemical Romance. He says it was manic in places but loved it.

Kara: Thinks his technique is outrageous and his range is crazy in a good way.

Predictions: Alison, Adam, and Megan

"American Idol" - Next 3 of 12 - Feb. 26, 2009

Seacrest tells us there were 25 million votes.

We get a recap of how this 12 arrived.

Group Sing: "Closer," Ne-Yo. This sounds fine, unremarkable. The most interesting thing about it is that Jeanine is rocking those short shorts again in a kind of Ellie Mae Clampett outfit and that Norman/Nick clearly isn't good with committing to choreography not of his own making.

A recap of last night.

Ryan chats with the contestants. He asks what we can expect from Nick if he doesn't make it through. He says he's looking for employment. Matt says they need to remember to enjoy themselves while they're here. He doesn't regret talking back and tells Simon it's never too late for advice. Ryan asks for a response and Simon says it's too late. Jessie says song selection is very hard and that she picked the right song.Jeanine thinks less would've been more.

Alison Iraheta, Jessie Langseth, and Matt Breitzke are in, out and out respectively. Alison sings again.

Kris Allen, Megan Corkrey, Matt Giraud, and Jeanine Vailes are in and all out respectively. Kris sings again, he's positively beaming, it's very sweet and as with last night, the relief of getting through allows him to sing better.

We get a reprise of the "What a Wonderful World" montage.

Performance: Brooke White is back to sing and tell the contestants not to Google their names. She likes her new single "Hold Up My Heart." She sings it while at the piano. It's a bland adult contemporary, vaguely country ballad. She sounds really nice though.

The final five: Mishavonna Henson, Nick Mitchell, Kai Kalama, Adam Lambert, and Jasmine Murray

In:Adam Lambert. He's really excited and thought Nick was really fun. Adam sings again. Something about the asymmetrical Jonas/Fall Out haircut and the voice make him seem like and Disney cartoon come to life. The guy's a pro, though.

"American Idol" - Third Group of 12 - March 3, 2009

The final group of 12 from the top 36 performs.

Ryan introduces the six who've already made it through and the judges.

Contestant #1: Von Smith, 22

Video Clip: This is a dream come true for him. He shouted in Hollywood though and he's glad that they gave him another chance. He wants to start anew.

Song: "You're All I Need to Get By," Marvin Gaye

Performance: He's certainly not shouting. He sounds pretty good and the girls will probably like his cute Jesse McCartney-esque looks. He seems a little English boy-band-ish but he acquits himself well.

Randy: Thinks Von kicked off the show the way it should've been unlike previous weeks. Thinks he's better than he was in Hollywood.

Kara: Thinks he's coming into his own and is glad he took Simon's constructive criticism.

Paula: Thinks America is going to remember him and thinks he's quite the showman and loved his performance.

Simon: Reminds him of Clay Aiken which he thinks will be good for him. (But spicier, says Kara). He thinks he looks appalling but that he sang quite well.

Contestant #2: Taylor Vaifanua, 17

Video Clip: She was told she had good natural potential at her audition. She messed up a bit in Hollywood but redeemed herself. She's humbled by the experience.

Song: "If I Ain't Got You," Alicia Keys

Performance: She's a little jittery and breathless at first but she's hitting the lower register notes that hamper so many others. But as usual she comes into her own on the harder hitting higher register stuff. She's a little ungainly in her movement but has a winning presence and is quite beautiful. It's not crazy amazing but nicely done.

Kara: Says it's obvious she's got a voice. She wants more of her personality and wonders what it's like to go shopping with her. The performance leaves her a bit cold.

Paula: Wonders why she's reprising a song from Hollywood week and wished she'd done something different.

Simon: Couldn't remember her from earlier rounds and from that performance he knows why, since she was a bit bland. He also didn't understand Kara's shopping comment. He thinks she's going to be struggling.

Randy: Agrees that it was kind of boring and that Taylor didn't tell them anything about her.

Contestant #3: Alex Wagner-Trugman,19

Video Clip: He chats a bit with Ryan about feeling dorky and going to the gym to beef up like Simon. Simon liked his personality but not his voice.

Song: "I Guess That's Why They Call it Blues," Elton John

Performance: He's singing well but he's dancing kinda dorky and he muffs the words. He recovers quickly but then he inexplicably starts to growl and overdo it a bit oddly. He's very sweet though and he's hitting the notes. Then he dumps the microphone stand awkwardly. It's all a bit goofy. (His dad is also super adorkable.) Before judgment he apologizes for knocking over the stand.

Paula: Says he's certainly the showman and gave them their money's worth, but doesn't know how much money will be spent. (???) She had fun watching him and was glad he got to channel his inner rock star.

Simon: He agrees they had fun watching but not listening, especially to the ridiculous growling. He says he's like a hamster trying to be a tiger. The crowd hollers and Simon says there is no democracy on this show and that the performance was stupid.

Randy: Agrees with Simon kind of and that it was crazy and buck wild in a way. He thinks he can sing but that he screamed it.

Kara: Says the positive thing is he does himself, he gets up there and has fun. And says you can't pay for that kind of choreography. She says if he comes back to ditch the growl. (Before the numbers Ryan also dumps the mic stand, and apparently breaks it.)

Contestant #4: Arianna Afsar, 17

Video Clip: They thought she was adorable and had a good voice. They liked her in Hollywood as well and not just because she was cute as a button.

Song: "The Winner Takes it All," ABBA

Performance: You can tell from the get-go that Simon is going to complain that the song is too old for her. She's doing a bit too much melisma right from the start and not controlling it well. The chorus has some nice bits but some rough ones too. It feels like she's holding back for a big finish. She finally kicks it in and it sounds very strong if a shade flat in places. She has that great curlicue tremor in her voice but skids on the final note.

Simon: Says it was absolutely terrible in parts, that the arrangement was funereal, and that it was too big for her. He's sad because he liked her. She says even though it's an old song she tried to make it contemporary. He says she didn't and it was her worst performance by a mile.

Randy: Agrees and says that she tried to do more with it vocally than was there and says it was the wrong song for her.

Kara: Says that when they called her cute as a button it was a compliment and that tonight was too dark and gloomy and that she needs to be young and shiny.

Paula: Won't go as far as all that and says she had some nice moments but thinks the song was too old-fashioned. She says that she appreciates that she tried to make it more contemporary but that with an ABBA song it's all about melody.

She's deflated but Paula says she still has a chance.

Contestant # 5: Ju'not Joyner, 26

Video Clip: He's the one whose adorable little son came in the room during his audition. He did well in Hollywood. This means a lot to him.

Song: "Hey There Delilah," Plain White T's

Performance: It's very tender but doesn't show much range at first. It's like a lullaby, sometimes captivating and sometimes soporific. He hits a sweet light falsetto note. It's a little downbeat but he's got great control. Nicely done.

Randy: What's cool about what he did was that he switched it up and he appreciated that he pulled back on most of it. He loved it.

Kara: She liked his spin and thought it was smooth and fluid and thinks he can bust it out even more on the next song.

Paula: She thought it was great that he changed it up from Hollywood and thought it was nice vocal.

Simon: It was better than he thought it was going to be. He just wished he'd stripped the whole thing down so he could've had a moment but he knows he was nervous. (Ju'not says he got a cortisone shot in his butt. All the judges agree this is TMI).

Ryan elicits that the cortisone shot was for his voice because the smog in L.A. is inflaming his asthma.

Ryan interviews Nathaniel and Kristen about their drama in Hollywood, they profess to love each other now and blame the drama on their group mate, whose name I'm forgetting.

Contestant #6: Kristen McNamara, 23

Video Clip: Randy liked her boldness at her audition, at which she had purple-striped hair. In Hollywood her group was a mess. We get a recap of the drama.

Song: "Give Me One Reason," Tracy Chapman

Performance: She's easy and smoky but verging on pageant-y with the smiley-smiling. She's not moving much though and may be a little too understated. She was my favorite in the auditions but she's not blowing me away and isn't coming off bold anymore. She semi-muffs the ending by trying to do too much vocally.

Kara: She likes the hair better and thinks she's a great singer but was disappointed in her song choice, envisioning more of a Kelly Clarkson/Pink vibe. She also says she needs to dial in the outfit.

Paula: Remembers that she sang Clarkson's "Because of You" in Hollywood and thought that this was too safe but showed she had great range.

Simon: Can't figure out who she is from the awful Hollywood look to now looking like her mom styled her like a pageant contestant and didn't love the song choice. But he does think she has a great voice and feels like she's not quite comfortable even the smile she's giving him right now.

Randy: Agrees with Simon and thought the song should be easy for someone as good as she is but she didn't do too much with it. Thought it was karaoke-esque.

Ryan asks who she is. She says she wants to record in the Clarkson-Leona Lewis mold and has always had trouble with style. (Bummer, really dug her).

Contestant #7: Nathaniel Marshall, 19

Video Clip: He knows he has the reputation, completely deserved as shown in the clips, as a drama queen. Apparently we haven't seen who he truly is: goofy, good-natured, humble.

Song: "I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)," Meatloaf

Performance: He starts off alright, quietly, but takes a wrong turn rhythmically. The music gets faster and he starts some awkward dancing and pointing that is very high school musical/karaoke. He sounds okay but not really special. The music slows again and speeds up again, it's an awkward cutdown of the song and he's not knocking it out of the park.

Simon: He says a minority viewership will like it but the majority like him will think it was excruciating. He can't get the bad image out of his head, especially the weird Olivia Newton-John headband. He says it was memorable and backpedals a bit to call Nathaniel likable and fun.

Randy: Likes him too but is curious about the song choice. (Nathaniel says he and his mom would dance around to it when he was a kid.) He thinks he can sing but it's hard for him to imagine what kind of an artist he would be. Simon suggests a "keep fit" video.

Kara: Says that he can sing but if he wants to be taken seriously he needs to do something serious for the next song. Simon says that this is what makes Nathaniel different. She says she wants him to be her karaoke buddy. Simon asks who he's there with. Ryan finds Nathaniel's grandma in the audience who says she liked it.

Paula: Loved him in Hollywood week singing "Disturbia." (The other judges can't believe how good her memory is.) She thought that was a bold choice and made him relevant. Simon disagrees. She says this was more like the Boy George version of this song.

Nathaniel says he likes to have fun and that he will definitely be Kara's karaoke buddy. Ryan brings Nathaniel over to the judges table and gives Simon his headband. Ryan tries to put it on him.

Contestant #8: Felicia Barton, 26

Video Clip: She's the one who got back onto the show after Joanna Pacitti got the boot. She really thought she was going to make it. She took the criticism to heart and hoped to get called back, and she did.

Song: "No One," Alicia Keys

Performance: She looks great, terrific style, and sounds pretty great. She leans a little too heavily into some of the notes and hits a few clunkers but mostly does very nice work.

Paula: She and Felicia agree that everything happens for a reason. She's so glad they brought her back and hopes they continue to do so.

Simon: Thought it was good, that the first part was better than the second and that it was a bit copycat and isn't as enthusiastic as Paula.

Randy: Is glad she's back, agrees with Simon about the copycat thing and says she should go her own way a bit more but that overall it was hot.

Kara: Thinks this is her best look and thought she had attitude and presence. She hit a few bad notes but Kara really noticed her tonight.

Ryan chats her up about being called back and her excitement.

Contestant #9: Scott McIntyre, 23

Video Clip: His audition went well as did Hollywood week. He wants to seize the moment and live in the words.

Song: "Mandolin Rain," Bruce Hornsby

Performance: He begins seated. He's got a light AC voice, not unlike Hornsby or a Jackson Browne. He stands and because he's blind he's a bit awkward but not nearly as much as you might think. It's a very pleasant performance of a nice song. He hits a couple of nice big notes. There aren't any fireworks but it's a charming performance and a brave one at that.

Randy: Had some problems with the vocal but thought that the parts that were great were really great. Every time he hears him sing he can feel the passion.

Kara: Pounds the table and says he moves mountains when he steps on the stage and even when there are issues with the vocals his heart comes through. She hopes America votes him through so they can see him play and sing because that's when he shines. He hopes that too.

Paula: She says whatever challenges he faced to get here she's glad he got here. She thinks he's a genius on the piano and can't wait for America to hear him play and he's blessed us all with his gift and he's one of their finest.

Simon: Wasn't crazy about the song but Scott is growing on him because he thinks he's starting to believe in himself. He thinks there are better singers in the competition but that he was the most memorable and will be amazed if Scott doesn't sail through.

Ryan chats him up and Scott has him give him a high five.

Contestant #10: Kendall Beard, 24

Video Clip: She had fun at her audition in Puerto Rico. She was freaked at final judgment. Her father does an alligator dance when he's happy.

Song: "This One's For the Girls," Martina McBride

Performance: She's a perky blond made for contemporary country. The low parts are just okay and the high parts start off well but get progressively shakier then get better again and then get a little flat again and then a lot. Rough.

Kara: On the positive tip she's got great personality and picked the right genre but that there were some issues with the vocals.

Paula: Thinks she's adorable, loved her outfit, and thinks she did a good job, and was smart choosing country music.

Simon: Thinks she was smart with her genre choice and that's she's cute. Halfway through he couldn't wait for it to end since it got shrilly and thinks that she could've chosen a better song. He says it wasn't his cup of tea but that a lot of people who watch the show will like it.

Randy: Agrees about making her personality come through and the genre choice but his problems were with her shaky vocals.

Contestant #11: Jorge Nunez, 21

Video Clip: We get the feedback about his pronunciation issues and how he worked on them for Hollywood.

Song: "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," Elton John

Performance: (Must someone always sing this song?) He's still got that Marc Anthony thing going on. It's a little earnest but technically it sounds very good. Save one bad note which he recovered from, it was a strong vocal. The backing vocals are way too loud though.

Paula: Is so proud about how hard he worked with a dialect coach after taking their notes about his accent and thinks he was so good and just wants to squeeze him.

Simon: Says they were wrong and patronizing to tell him to disguise his accent since it makes him different and he should be who he is and that there are plenty of popular "Spanish" artists who have accents because they're "Spanish." He thought his vocals were great.

Randy: He says it wasn't perfect but really, really good.

Kara: She says "that's your gig, you're a singer." She says it comes from inside and is touched. He starts to cry and so do Kara and Paula.

Contestant #12: Lil Rounds, 24

Video Clip: Did well, Randy called her a mixture of Fantasia and Mary J. Blige. She has three kids and misses them.

Song: "Be Without You," Mary J. Blige

Performance: She looks great, sounds good even on the low notes, and her articulation of the fast parts is nice and precise. She is truly a natural. It would've been nice to hear a song with more melody than rhythm and more range but she's got soul and fire.

Simon: "Brilliant." His favorite performance of the night but he wouldn't have chosen the song since she sounds too much like the original. He says she has great prospects and is undoubtedly one of the best.

Randy: Agrees and says she's one of the best and is glad she kept her swagger on. He loved it.

Kara: Says she was a powerhouse the first day they met her and still is. She says she's been a steady boat and can't wait to see what she's going to do next.

Paula: Calls her first class and has a sneaking suspicion she'll be around for more Lil Rounds.

Predictions: This was probably the strongest group so far. Felicia and Lil for sure and then a tie between Ju'Not and Jorge. (One of those two and probably Scott will likely come back as wild cards).

"American Idol" - Last Group of Three Chosen/Wild Cards Revealed- March 4, 2009

Group Sing: An abysmal version of Katy Perry's abysmal song "Hot and Cold" with abysmal chair choreography.

We get a recap of how this group of 12 arrived. We get a recap of last night. Ryan banters with the contestants.

The results begin:

Lil Rounds is in. Kara says she expects Lil Rounds to bring ridiculous vocals every week unless something ridiculous happens to her. She sings "Be Without You" again very well.

Arianna Afsar is out.

Taylor Vaifunua is out.

Alex Wagner-Trugman is out. But as he said in Hollywood he'd rather lose as himself than win as someone else so...there you go.

Kendall Beard and Scott McIntyre. She's out, he's in. This is a dream come true for him. Randy says he expects Scott to blow up the stage every week and can't wait to hear him play his keyboard and sing. He sings "Mandolin Rain" again and again it's pleasant.

Nathaniel Marshall and Kristen McNamara are both out.

Von Smith and Felicia Barton are both out.

Ju'Not Joyner and Jorge Nunez are out and in. Jorge expresses great thanks in English and Spanish. He doesn't sing right away since the wild card info is up next.

Ryan explains the eight wild card peeps are about to be introduced. In addition to all of tonight's rejected contestants, eligible contestants in the red room include Anoop, Matt, Brent, Ricky, Matt B., Jesse, Jackie, Megan, Jasmine, Nick/Norman, and Tatiana.

Ryan re-introduces the 9 already through.

First though, Simon explains that historically this process allowed Clay Aiken and Jennifer Hudson to get in and gives a second chance to people they believe in who made bad choices. He says they totally support this system and that one of these wild cards could win the whole thing.

Randy picks: Von Smith, Tatiana Del Toro (eek) (She cries and bows and says thank you so much and that she wants to sing for them more than anyone wants to do anything in the world. Randy also notes this was a unanimous choice).

Simon picks: Megan Corkrey, Anoop Desai

Kara picks: Jasmine Murray, Matt Giraud

Paula Picks: Ricky Braddy, Jesse Langseth (Paula also notes that this was unanimous)

Jorge sings "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" again.

"American Idol" - Wild Card Round - March 5, 2009

Ryan introduces those already through to the top 12 and the judges.

Contestant #1: Jesse Langseth

Video Clip: She's grateful.

Song: "Tell Me Somethin' Good," Rufus and Chaka Khan

Performance: She sounds pretty good, a little more soulful, but a little shaky, nerves-wise. She looks great though in a black mini-dress, short sweater, and boots.

Randy: Gives her props for the choice but doesn't know if she sang it that well, it was just alright.

Kara: Agrees about the occasional pitchiness but she likes her swagger.

Paula: Is so impressed with her tenacity and her soul.

Simon: Says she was totally a last minute choice and he's glad they chose her because she's so much better than she was. His criticism is that it was indulgent.

Contestant #2: Matt Giraud

Video Clip: He's grateful.

Song: "Who's Lovin' You," Jackson 5 (says Ryan, but really Smokey Robinson and the Miracles).

Performance: He's giving them more of that bluesy thing they like, plus a nice growl and a bit of sweet falsetto.

Kara: Is glad he's back and is impressed with his riffing, even if it was a bit over the top.

Paula: Says this is the right zone for him and she thought he was amazing and she thinks America thinks so too.

Simon: Loved the song choice but hated the outfit and bits of Taylor Hicks coming through.

Randy: Thinks he made everyone else scared and that it was hot.

Contestant #3: Megan Corkrey

Video Clip: She's grateful.

Song: "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree," KT Tunstall

Performance: She sounds pretty good but she's throwing away the ends of lines and going flat. She's shimmying cutely though. Not a perfect vocal but refreshingly different.

Paula: Liked the song choice, the dancing, the outfit, and her joy.

Simon: Thinks she's terrific and is quirky and current even if it wasn't the best vocal.

Randy: Agrees it wasn't the best vocal but sees her as this kind of artist and thought it was a good choice.

Kara: Thinks they need her because she's different and unique and she hopes she stays.

Contestant #:Von Smith

Video Clip: He's grateful.

Song: "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word," Elton John

Performance: It starts off kind of shaky and gets better in his George Michael-y power place but verges on whiny. It's a gorgeous tune but very downbeat.

Simon: Thought it was quite ordinary, too serious, and isn't crazy about it.

Randy: Misses the hat, thought the beginning was not so great, and wasn't crazy about the song choice.

Kara: Thought it was too dark and also didn't care for the song choice. She thinks it's sad because he has what it takes but he hasn't hit his stride.

Paula: Says when he's too concerned about the technical part of singing he doesn't let his soaring essence out. She says he has to count on the fact that he's a brilliant singer.

Contestant #5: Jasmine Murray

Video Clip: She's excited.

Song: "My Reflection," Christina Aguilera

Performance: The first few notes are a little rough but she immediately gets to a good place and shows off the chops we always knew she had. There's a moment or two of pitch issues but towards the ends she showcases a gorgeous head voice. Also, great pink dress.

Randy: Thinks she's 100 percent improved but that the song was a little too big but had great spots.

Kara: Is, pleasantly, confused about where that big voice came from.

Paula: Thinks she looks lovely, picked a beautiful song, was determined, and overall did a wonderful job.

Simon: Thinks Paula isn't giving her enough credit and says it was pretty special compared to before. Paula gets mad at this, repeats her comments, and starts grabbing Simon's arm and twisting it while he continues to talk to say it was a brave song choice. Sometimes it sounded like a young girl trying to sound grown up but it was a huge improvement and she put herself back in the running.

Contestant #6: Ricky Braddy

Video Clip: He's excited.

Song: "Superstition," Stevie Wonder

Performance: He sounds strong and is having fun. His dancing is a little goofy but suits him.

Kara: Thinks he sang his butt off and showed his personality. She wouldn't have picked that song.

Paula: Loves the way he loosened up and had fun.

Simon: Thinks he sounded good but that at this stage of the competition the song was a bit karaoke and lightweight and the performance a bit clumsy. He's a bit disappointed.

Randy: He can really blow but the song felt a little self-indulgent. Kara asks if the song isn't for the singer who's it for. The judges, says Simon. Kara and Paula babble about the song being sexy.

Contestant #7: Tatiana Del Toro

Video Clip: Is in love with everything that's happened. (She has a much more pronounced accent this week).

Song: "Saving All My Love For You," Whitney Houston

Performance: It starts rough but improves when she gets to her power place. Down low it's a little shaky again but up high strong again. It's a little more controlled than before but not crazy amazing and, hey, same song.

When it's over she immediately starts to bubble over with irritating, high pitched thanks and love.

Paula: Says she grew an accent she's never heard before. Tatiana says she's like Jorge, when she's excited she thinks in Spanish so the English comes out weird. She says she's been working on it. She keeps talking and they try to reel her in. Paula says she's now confused and Tatiana laughs the crazy laugh. Paula wasn't a fan of the repeat song and says that it started shaky but that the power part was good. Tatiana says at first she couldn't hear herself but then, blah, blah, blah.

Simon: Is annoyed she picked a song they've already heard twice. She says she tried to change the format. He asks what she'll do if she gets through, just sing the same song in a different style? She says she can sing everything, country, Motown. She claims she couldn't get another song cleared in one day. He calls that rubbish. She clarifies, a song she liked this much. Simon starts to talk and Paula admonishes him not to talk over Tatiana. And then Tatiana blathers on about not fixing what's broken. Simon says it wasn't good enough though since she didn't make it through last time.

Randy: Tries to reel her in. He says it started off rough and it was a mixed bag. He compares it to being on a ship at high seas.

Kara: Says it's like the adventures of Tatiana and wonders which personality will show up today. Simon thinks it's the same person. Kara says at least she's not crying and holding her heart. Simon says she will.

She goes down on her knees. Ryan comes over and she gets up. Ryan tells her she can stay down. (The audience "ooohs" at this). Then he goes down.

Contestant #8: Anoop Desai

Video Clip: Is excited and is here to stay.

Song: "My Prerogative," Bobby Brown

Performance: He's a little geeky with his "playa" moves but he sounds solid and gives a fun, confident performance. (The crowd loves it).

Simon: Says it's been a strange night and says Anoop is like an enthusiastic dog. He doesn't think he's the best singer but has a likability which is important. He says tonight they have to cast the next stage and personality counts. He says this was the Anoop they liked.

Randy: Even though it was a repeat song he thought it was better than last time, he slayed it.

Kara: Thinks this is the best he's ever done it and she wanted to get up and dance, which she normally doesn't.

Paula: Calls him a showman and says some of his moves were a little nasty, in a good way, and she thought everyone loved it. She's also glad he repeated.

Final Three: Jasmine Murray, Megan Corkrey, Matt Giraud

Surprise Bonus: Anoop Desai.

Yup, there's going to be a top 13 this year instead of 12.

"American Idol" - Top 13 Finalists Perform - March 10, 2009

Ryan gives us the open and an announcer introduces the judges as they walk out onto the stage, which was apparently Simon's idea. We get an overhead shot of the big stage. Ryan asks the judges what the contestants need to do. Randy says they need to bring it hard. Kara says she's going to be tougher on the contestants now since they might get on the radio. Paula warns them not to be swallowed up by the stage. Simon reiterates this.

After Ryan introduces the top 13, Simon informs them that tomorrow night two people will be going home since there are 13 instead of 12.

Theme: Michael Jackson

Video Package: We get a recap of the MJ's career: the songs, the screaming, the record sales.

Contestant #1: Lil Rounds

Video: We see her at home with her hubby and three kids. They've had some hard times, including when a tornado destroyed their Memphis home last year. She says even though she has three kids she has clung to her dream of being a singer.

Song:"The Way You Make Me Feel"

Performance: Lil is uniformly good, bopping through the song with sass and hitting a sweet high note near the end. It's a little cruise ship-y in places but a solid start.

Randy: Loves it and thinks it's a great way to start the season and liked how she reimagined it with an old-school soul vibe.

Kara: Thinks the other contestants have been served notice that they need to bring it.

Paula: Compliments her make-up and says she's a force to be reckoned with and her high note was like angels singing.

Simon: Agrees that it was good but thought it was a lazy song choice and that the second part of the song was better than the first. And he hates what she's wearing.

Contestant #2: Scott McIntyre

Video: His parents were devastated by learning he was almost completely blind from birth but were pleased that he was attracted to music as a child. We see him singing with his family, including his sister who is also visually impaired. The parents say they tried to instill in them the idea that nothing can hold them back.

Song: "Keep the Faith"

Performance: Scott sings and accompanies himself on piano. It's a gentle self-empowerment ballad with a little bounce to it that's right in his AC wheelhouse. He hits a bum note or two but acquits himself nicely.

Kara: She asks if he just learned that on piano this week. He did. She is impressed that he's true to himself every week and liked the song's hopeful message even if it wasn't the most dynamic performance.

Paula: Thinks it was magical and lovely and thinks Siedah Garrett the songwriter is smiling. In fact, she's there and she's smiling.

Simon: Apologizes to Siedah because he hated the song. Scott says he wanted to be a little more artistic. Simon says being artistic is fine, just not on this show. He likes him, thinks he's a good singer, was glad he played the piano but didn't like the song thinks it didn't do Scott any favors.

Randy: Liked the song but tells Siedah that "Man in the Mirror" was better for him and thought the performance was too safe.

Contestant #3: Danny Gokey

Video: He loved growing up in Milwaukee. His dad says music was an everyday thing in their big family. They made up songs together. Danny is shocked he's made it this far.

Song:"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"

Performance: He starts it slow and rolls around luxuriously in his raspy falsetto and then gives it a soul shout and kicks off the uptempo part of the song. He boogies goofily but endearingly across the stage, a little unsure what to do with his free hand but not at all unsure what to do with his big voice. During the "na-na-na-na" parts he goes to Kara and Paula and the audience to have people sing into the microphone. Really well done if a tiny bit shouty, as Simon likes to say.

Paula: Says the true mark of an artist is when you can hear them with your eyes closed and know who they are and he has that gift. She goes out on a limb and says he's on his way to the finals.

Simon: Thought the vocals were brilliant and calls him one heckuva singer like Michael McDonald. But the dancing was hideous. Danny agrees and says he asked for an instructor. Simon offers Paula. He says it doesn't matter and that Danny was great.

Randy: Loved it all, dancing and singing, because it was all just passionate.

Kara: Agrees saying he has joy when he steps on stage and he should thank his parents for making him sing his homework.

Danny tells Ryan he's going to keep trying to dance.

Contestant #4: Michael Sarver

Video: He goes back to his oil rig to chat with his peeps. His mom is thrilled to see him live his dream. He's thrilled to see his family. He grew up without a dad and that makes him want to be a great dad. His roughneck buddies cheer him on.

Song:"You Are Not Alone"

Performance: He begins seated at the lip of the stage. He plays well to the camera and seems more relaxed than ever before, resulting in perhaps his best performance yet. He may not be the strongest singer with the most range but he's good, plus he's telegenic and likable.

Simon: Agrees with me that he's not the best singer but thinks he made up for it with passion, heart, and giving 110 percent.

Randy: He's happy that he returned to an r&b vibe and thinks he's one of the best so far.

Kara: This showed her that he can really sing and is impressed he brings his game every time he steps on stage.

Paula: She enumerates his good qualities from likability to his instinctual choice of song.

Contestant #5: Jasmine Murray

Video: We see Jasmine's high school and her family cheering her on in the family room. Her mother and older sisters are her biggest fans and call her the life of the family.

Song: "I'll Be There"

Performance: It's not a thriller but she sings it very well, except for one tiny rough spot. (She oddly omits the breakdown in her arrangement though).

Randy: Thought it was funny how she mixed the Mariah version - which he played on- and the Michael version but thought it was pretty good.

Kara: She thinks a half key down would've been more comfortable but thought she really sold it and was impressed by some of the notes.

Paula: Is impressed with her composure. She thought she had some bright moments and some bad ones, but overall way to go.

Simon: Thought she made a good attempt, the big notes are always going to trouble her a bit, and that it was a little robotic. He thinks she needs to lighten up a bit since it feels a bit like a little girl trying to be a grown-up.

Contestant #6: Kris Allen

Video: We see Chris's small Arkansas town. His dad and granddad have always played music. We meet his wife, to whom he's only been married for five months. They miss each other.

Song: "Remember the Time"

Performance: He plays his acoustic guitar and also seems more comfortable this week. The song doesn't have much range, it's more a groove number so there are few spots to show off. He sounds fine though and he looks like he's having fun.

Kara: She says the girls love him for sure. She's happy to see him with his guitar since it shows a whole other side and helps him performance-wise. She says a few notes were off but that overall it was good and points out that he helped other contestants out this week which shows he's a good guy.

Paula: She thinks he helped people out because no one knows MJ's catalog better than Kris. She hopes he won't take it the wrong way but she thinks he's adorable and sexy and that he did a great job.

Simon: Thought it was interesting and wasn't sure it was a song that really fit the guitar which made the performance a bit clumsy at times. But the vocals were okay and he's very likable. He is unsure he should've brought the wife out so early. He says he's kidding.

Randy: He thought it was good, Jason Mraz-y, "very well job done."

Contestant #7: Alison Iraheta

Video: Her parents are Salvadoran and have worked hard to help her make it. We see video of her as a little girl, singing through an earthquake. She sings on the stage of a big Latin shopping center where she's been singing since she was five. She loves her parents.

Song: "Give In to Me"

Performance: She finds a slow rocker in MJ's catalog. She kills it. It's a lesser known track but has a strong melody which she's selling. She's making it sound like a latter day Heart song, albeit in a lower register. Nice work.

Paula: Finds it mind-boggling she's only 16 and says she looks like a rock star up there. She tells her to keep doing what she's doing and that we'll be seeing a lot more of her.

Simon: Thought it was good and it's clear what kind of artist she is. Also tells her to lighten up. She points out it's a dark song but that she's not dark, or a cutter (?!) or anything.

Randy: Says when you've got it, you've got it, and she's got it. He knows this was a rocker but thinks she can singing anything.

Kara: Tells her to keep being a rocker and that her high vocals are ridiculous. (In a good way).

Contestant #8: Anoop Desai

He chats with Ryan. He got a haircut. Anoop's response to last week's twist, he was shocked, he was already walking off the stage.

Video: He was an only child who was the center of his parents' universe. They tried to teach him about Indian culture and music. His parents, who are immigrants, are pleased he's living the American dream since that was their goal.

Song: "Beat It"

Performance: He sounds good and impassioned, his moves - as he himself predicted- are a little rough in places. He uses up a lot of stage but keeps his breath control and takes some smart little liberties with notes. (Although it also sounds like he goofs up the lyrics a bit, but hey it's MJ).

Paula: Says when you pick a song it's a gift to show the world what you've got and she thinks this song is untouchable and anything else sounds karaoke to her.

Simon: He goes further and says he thought it was horrible and that there was no aggression and all very lightweight and that it actually looked a bit stupid, like a failed impersonation.

Randy: For him it was just the wrong choice. It was very karaoke and he's got more than that. Anoop says he hopes he's there next week so he can show them what he's got

Kara: Agrees and says the biggest problem is that since he can sing they didn't get to see him do any variation and for the first time she felt disconnected to him as a performer which is weird since his strength is his connection.

(Wow, it wasn't his best but I thought it was much better than they did.)

Ryan asks Simon if he thinks they made a mistake including him. On the back of that, yes, says Simon.

Contestant #9: Jorge Nunez

Video: We go to Cidra PR and meet his big family. He says they are loud and happy and like to dance. Since his grandfather died the family broke apart a bit but his being on "Idol" has helped bring them together.

Song: "Never Can Say Goodbye"

Performance: His shoulders seem a bit tight from nerves but his voice is both tender and soaring. He doesn't use much of the stage but he's very winning.

Randy: Didn't like the song choice since it's a little old-fashioned but thinks he's got vocal chops and thought there were a few bum notes.

Kara: Her problem is that since he's one of the most emotionally connected people on the show she was sad she didn't feel the connection. She would've preferred something more emotional like "She's Out of My Life." (Really good call.)

Paula: Says she has mad love for him but didn't love the song either and wonders why he picked it. He says he didn't really have a choice and that MJ didn't really fit his style -although he quickly says he's not making excuses- but he says he wasn't going to sing "Bad." Simon says he sort of did. Jorge doesn't like that. Paula says she hopes America remembers what a great vocalist he is since he deserves to be on that stage.

Simon: Says it was corny and he was out of his depth. (This is nutty, normally I think people are worse than the judges do but tonight, at least these last two I thought were better than they're getting credit for.) And the arrangement was awful and old-fashioned.

Contestant #10:Megan Joy Corkrey

Ryan asks how Megan ended up here. Her friends and family pushed her into it, she hadn't been a performer before.

Video: She always imagined being a singer and superstar but never got the solos in choir or the parts in the musical. Mom says she always liked being the center of attention. Her divorce was hard but her son Ryder is her whole world. She misses him very much.

Song: "Rockin' Robin"

Performance: She shimmies through it and looks supercute. Again sounding good and looking endearingly goofy if a little busy with her arms and hips. She actually caws at song's end, yikes.

Kara: Thinks she has a way of putting her signature on things even if it wasn't the most spectacular vocal.

Paula: Loves the quirky and unique tone to her voice. She thought it was the right song but she felt a little disconnected until the end.

Simon: Calls it a stupid song choice, says the vocals weren't very good, the dancing were verging on ridiculous, and the whole performance was kind of clumsy. He says if this was the first time they were seeing her they wouldn't think much of it. Kara counters people would remember her. He thinks in a bad way.

Randy: He didn't think the song choice was good and didn't allow her to really be Megan. They ask an unmiked Gordon Ramsay what he thinks, it seems like he liked it because Simon says he doesn't know what he's talking about.

Contestant #11: Adam Lambert

Video:He moved to Hollywood from San Diego out of high school and it was a struggle. His parents say they've been there for him but he hasn't really needed them. He's glad he made it now because five years ago he would've crumbled under the pressure. His mom says it's not about success but being happy with what you're doing. Dad adds success would be good too. Adam calls this his big dream.

Song:"Black and White"

Performance: The song isn't the best choice, again because of lack of range. Of course, Adam adds range and ratchets it up. It ends well, impassioned.

Paula: Is wowed. She says never in the history of the show has she seen someone so comfortable and seasoned. She praises his innate ability to know who he is as an artist and his ability to marry fashion with music. And again predicts he'll be in the finals.

Simon: To him it was in a totally different league from everything else they've seen. He chalks it up to his stage experience. He says to make MJ work you have to be over the top and be comfortable and he was and had great vocals. Most importantly he thinks Adam will be someone people will talk about.

Randy: Thinks he could make a record right now and hit the top of the charts. He loves him. He thinks he's got it.

Kara: Thinks he hit notes that she didn't know existed and hopes Michael Jackson is watching tonight.

Ryan says he makes it seem seamless. Paula is mind-boggled he hasn't already been snatched up.

Contestant #12: Matt Giraud

Video: He has a strong family. He was an energetic child. We see video of him dancing on the beach and playing ping-pong with his teary-eyed and sweet dad. His parents are hopeful for his wonderful future.

Song: "Human Nature"

Performance: Sitting at the piano he sings comfortably and well and hitting some sweet falsetto spots. It's a good song choice. It ends sort of oddly but sounds good.

Randy: Thought it was a little pitchy but thought it was a good performance in a Justin Timberlake/Robin Thicke way.

Kara: Calls him a talented guy and hopes to see him for weeks to come.

Paula: Goes further saying he's talented, sexy, and amazing and she's blown away.

Simon: Thought it was very good but hard to follow Adam. But thought it was a good, solid meat and potatoes performance.

Contestant #13:Alexis Grace

Video: The blues in Memphis helped develop her style. Her dad has been a musician for 35 years. She loves being a mom. She taught her daughter to say "Seacrest, out."

Song:"Dirty Diana"

Performance: It's sort of a smoky, bluesy Pat Benatar approach. She shows a good sense of dynamics, articulation, and power. A bit overwrought, but passionate and composed.

Kara: Is so happy to have her back. Thinks she's a naughty girl and she liked it.

Paula: Thought it was naughty in a good way too but tells her to watch oversinging.

Simon: Calls it very over the top and probably not as good as she thought it was.

Randy: Thought it was good, not great, but liked the attitude.

"American Idol" - Two Contestants Eliminated - March 11, 2009

Ryan reminds us that it's going to be a double elimination and that some new rule will be going into effect.

33 million votes were cast.

Ryan shows us pictures of Jennifer Hudson, Tamyra Gray, Chris Daughtry, and Michael Johns. What they have in common he says is the outrage that was sparked when they were voted off. In response to that, they're instituting a new rule: the judges' save. From this point forward until the top 5 the judges can save a contestant once, and it has to be unanimous. Once they've used the save they can't use it again for the rest of the season. When they do, no one will be eliminated. The next week, two people will be eliminated.

Ryan says this doesn't reverse America's decision-making. Simon agrees saying the way the show works is people vote for who they want to save. So if someone doesn't get enough votes this simply saves someone the judges deem more worthy than voters.

We get a video package of where the contestants will be living. A swanky Beverly Hill mansion complete with pool and bowling alley.

Group Sing: Medley of the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back" and "ABC." It sounds curiously recorded. The most impressive thing about it is how well Scott McIntyre is executing the goofy choreography.

We get a recap of last night. Ryan banters with the contestants.

Ford Commercial: "We Will Rock You," Queen. The contestants are projected on the sides of buildings.

Results: Michael, Alison, Matt, and Megan are safe. Jasmine is going home (unless the judges save her.)

She re-sings her song and the judges confer. They don't save her. Jasmine is going home. She tears up and Ryan whispers comforting words in her ear. Jasmine watches her journey as we hear Carrie Underwood's cover of Motley Crue's "Home Sweet Home."

Guest Performance: Kanye West, "Heartless." There's a lot of blinding white light and Auto-Tune. He has mercifully cut the mullet.

Results: Scott, Alexis, Danny, Adam, and Lil Rounds are safe. Jorge or Anoop may be going home. So, of course, Jorge is going home.

Guest Performance: Kelly Clarkson, "My Life Would Suck Without You." Fun song, great vocal. She shows 'em how it's done.

It's Jorge. The judges decline to save him.

"American Idol" - Top 11 Performs - March 17, 2009

Ryan points out that the ten who make it, make the cut for the summer tour.

In the audience: Randy Travis

Theme:Country music/Grand Ole Opry

Video Package: Info on the Grand Ole Opry. Travis actually visited with the contestants and we get a recap on his career. He thinks it's a strong group.

Contestant #1: Michael Sarver

Video: Michael realizes that there are a lot of words. This makes Randy Travis nervous but he does like how Michael changes up the melody a bit.

Song:"Ain't Going Down 'Til the Sun Comes Up," Garth Brooks

Performance: He's getting all the words but it seems like the concentration required is keeping him from moving with anything other than deliberation. The speed also isn't doing him any favors in terms of pitch. The genre clearly works for him though.

Randy: Thought it was cool and fun but didn't bring out much with his vocal capabilities.

Kara: Liked that we saw some of his personality but she missed the big notes. She was impressed he remembered all the words.

Paula: Thought he was having fun and it made her have fun and that it suited him well.

Simon: Thought country would be good for him too but couldn't understand a single word he was saying. Michael says the "country folks" did. Simon thought it was a bit clumsy and reminds him it's about him coming over a star not a nice guy karaoke singer in a country bar. Michael said if they were all perfect we wouldn't need this show. (He seems a little lippy).

Contestant #2: Alison Iraheta

Video: Alison likes having fun. Randy thinks she's very mature-voiced and tells her to sing it without any goofy dance moves.

Song: "Blame it On Your Heart," Patty Loveless

Performance: She's singing well but she's sort of just aimlessly wandering from side to side of the stage.

Kara: Is starting to think she can sing the alphabet well and really made the song her own.

Paula: Calls it rock solid.

Simon: Thought it was good but a little tuneless in parts but that it seemed like she was struggling to remember the words. She says she wasn't. He says she was verging on precocious. Which he says is good.

Randy: Thought it was dope.

Contestant #3: Kris Allen

Video: Randy Travis thinks he's a strong ballad singer and that he'll do well and that Garth would be proud.

Song:"Make You Feel My Love," Garth Brooks (who heard it from Billy Joel, who knows it's really a Bob Dylan song)

Performance: Seated on a stool he's very tender and vulnerable and earnest. He sounds pleasant. Garth may like it but I wonder what Dylan thinks.

Paula: Is pleasantly surprised by his honest, pure, and vulnerable performance.

Simon: Thought it was terrific. Great song choice and exercise of control. He says that's the first time he thought he had a shot at doing really well in the competition.

Randy: Wonders who knew he had these tender moments, was impressed.

Kara: She says it wasn't even country it was very Kris Allen.

Contestant #4: Lil Rounds

Ryan interviews her on the stools about how much time the contestants spend together. She says they spend a lot of time: cooking, swimming, hot tubbing. She only knows country songs from movies so she's nervous, she says she's going to hold back her r&b vibe.

Video: Randy Travis counsels her to slow it down a little so she can get her riffs and licks in and help her relax and help people understand the words. He's impressed with her pipes.

Song:"Independence Day," Martina McBride

Performance: She's singing fine, it's kind of bland until the chorus when she throws her power onto it, she's having a serious pitch problem though, she's just a little sharp the entire time. It's just average

Randy: Doesn't know, it didn't feel comfortable for him on her. She says she wanted to give it a go and show she could do something other than r&b. They understand but Randy throws out "I Will Always Love You" and Kara "How Do I Live?" as other options that would've suited her better.

Kara: You'd have to be deaf to think she wasn't a good singer but says she missed the big voice too but gives her props for standing her ground.

Paula: Thinks everything is going right for her tonight, vocals and look. She says she should've stuck to one verse and chorus though.

Simon: For him it came over like a wedding singer forced to sing something she didn't want to. She interjects again that she wanted to show something different and he asks if she can speak. (Enough backtalk already. Oy.) He thought it just wasn't her.

Contestant #5: Adam Lambert

On the stools Adam says Randy Travis was quite the gentlman mentor.

Video: Was nervous about country week. Randy Travis is thrown for a loop by Adam's nutty arrangement and gives Adam points for uniqueness. He's also taken aback by a man wearing nail polish, but gosh he thinks he's real nice and can sing well.

Song: "Ring of Fire," Johnny Cash (Adam's found a Middle Eastern arrangement).

Performance: It's all slithery and serpentine, sounding something like what Cher might do to the song during a hookah sketch on her show in the '70s. And then he takes it into the stratosphere. Crazy overwrought and I predict the judges will adore it.

Kara: She thought it was all a little strange, enjoyed the drama and his smoldering eyes. It was strange but she liked it, she's confused but happy.

Paula: Thinks he's true to himself as an artist. She loved it and thought it felt like Zeppelin's "Kashmir." She expects more great things from him.

Simon: What he thinks Randy was trying to say was what the hell was that? He tells him to not go to Nashville. Adam says he has no plans to. He calls it indulgent rubbish and horrific.

Randy: Thinks the greatest thing about it was that it was like Nine Inch Nails doing a country song. He thinks it was current, young, fresh, and hot.

Contestant #6: Scott MacIntyre

Video: Randy Travis initially thought this was a bad choice for him. He thinks vocally he sounded fine but wanted to Scott to pick up the tempo a little. He says Scott was the most surprising of the contestants and will do fine.

Song: "Wild Angels," Martina McBride

Performance: He's gotten a much needed haircut. He's making this sound like a Bruce Hornsby song, it's still too slow, and he's struggling with the lowest notes in his register. He sounds fine but it's boring. He picks it up at the end and the band kicks in but it's unclear why he chose this route for the arrangment.

Paula: Thought it was impressive and lovely. She thinks the piano may be a bit of a crutch in that it separates him from the audience and they need to see him as a bit of a showman. He jokes they can move it closer.

Simon: Thinks it's stupid for Paula to say that and points out that people like Elton John always sit behind a piano. She argues that she just wants him to mix it up. He thinks the performances were similar because the songs were and that they haven't allowed him to be emotional. Scott says he's lost a lot of hat picks. (How does he really know that??) Simon says he's choosing songs that are going over his head and are forgettable

Randy: Says it's not the songs he's choosing it's that he's missing the hot vocals instead of the nice stuff he's giving them.

Kara: She says that what they're all saying is he needs to up his game but that he brings class and poise to the stage.

Contestant #7: Alexis Grace

Video: It was an easy transition for her and she wants to show America her softer side. Randy Travis thought it was great and that Alexis knows how to tell a story. He thinks Dolly will be proud.

Song: "Jolene," Dolly Parton

Performance: It starts in a weird place for her vocally and she seems to bounce around in a feathery place and a more powerful place. She's had her hair styled to actually look a bit like Dolly. It's all a little odd and unwieldy.

Randy: Thought there were a bunch of pitch problems and didn't care for how she tried to bend it to her bluesy ways. Good song choice, not so good performance. She says she wanted to put her own flavor on it. (Sigh.)

Kara: Thinks she lost her edge a bit and that it was a little flat and wished she'd sung a sassy Carrie Underwood song like "Last Name" or "Before He Cheats."

Paula: Thinks it was more effective than Randy and Kara thought and that she told a story. She enjoyed the vulnerability and doesn't care about pitch problems. That soft side is what she wanted to show Alexis says.

Simon: Thought it was okay and a little bit soundalike and forgettable. (She didn't understand soundalike at first and hopes it wasn't forgettable and should officially stop talking.) Like Scott before her - who promised he would keep playing the piano until he didn't- Alexis promises to go back to what the judges like if America brings her back.

Contestant #8: Danny Gokey

Video: Randy Travis made Danny nervous and he goofs up the song repeatedly. ravis is worried for Danny but thinks when he does a good job he has an impressive soulfulness.

Song: "Jesus Take the Wheel," Carrie Underwood

Performance: The beginning is a little flat and listless and the white jacket he's rocking is awful. He predictably kills the chorus, even if it's a little shouty. And then there are some pitch issues but he's very passionate. The crowd gives him a huge ovation.

Kara: Says when he hits his stride he's like none other. She didn't care for the front half of the song.

Paula: She disagrees in the sense that she likes an artist to tell a story and that if he was always at 11 they would get bored. She thought he was brilliant and Carrie Underwood would pay money to buy the record.

Simon: Agrees with Paula and that the song requires light and shade and he can't scream it from the beginning. His problem is with what he's wearing since he looks like he's going on some polar expedition.

Randy: He agrees with Kara that he didn't support the verses enough but that he's a great singer.

Contestant #9: Anoop Desai

Video: Randy Travis was skeptical but his doubts melted away when Anoop got into the first lines and he thinks people will rethink his capabilities as a singer.

Song: "You Were Always On My Mind," Willie Nelson

Performance: Starts tenderly and eyelash fluttery with just piano accompaniment. The violin seeps in and he does some nice sincere work. It's nicely understated with a little vocal riffing.

Paula: Thinks Anoop is back. She's very proud of his song choice. He touched her heart.

Simon: Thinks he managed to go from zero to hero and says it was a good choice of song. It was one of his favorite performances of the whole night. He commends him for taking a beating last week without whining and says he takes back what he said about Anoop not deserving to be there.

Randy: He says this is the reason they wanted him in the competition, his vocal skills. He liked the arrangement as well.

Kara: Says that song is untouchable and what he did was amazing and that it was the best performance because it was the biggest surprise.

Contestant #10: Megan Corkrey

Video: Randy Travis was skeptical but he thought Megan's version was totally unique.

Song: "Walking After Midnight," Patsy Cline

Performance: She looks cute and sparkly with her make-up. Her vocal is okay but a little tremulous and feels a little affected in places. She's also fighting the urge, and losing, to do her side-by-side shimmy. (Fashion wise her dress makes her look pregnant and her sleeve tattoo is jarring against it.) It's a good choice for her though and she has some nice spots.

Randy: He was quite impressed, not the train wreck he was expecting and thought it was the perfect choice for her.

Kara: Thinks it was a perfect song and a perfect look and that she's a winner to get up in front of 30 million people and sing with the flu.

Paula: Calls her a fighter and lets us know she went to the hospital and missed the run through. She tells her to keep being sick because she was fantastic.

Simon: Thinks she should have the flu every week since she was better this week than last and thinks she looks gorgeous except overly made-up, like she's going to the prom.

Contestant #11: Matt Giraud

Video: Randy Travis was skeptical of his song choice until Matt started singing it with his soulful voice.

Song: "So Small," Carrie Underwood

Performance: He sits at the piano. It starts at a weird place for him vocally too. It's within his range easily it's just not a spot that sounds real pleasing. The band kicks in and he kicks it up a notch. He sounds fine, it just never, for me, seems to settle into a totally comfortable place.

Kara: Says there's nothing small about him and that he's an artist, a true talent, and his heart pours out, she loves him.

Paula: Loves the authenticity of his delivery and thinks he's piercing people's hearts.

Simon: Thinks he's underrated vocally in the competition and thinks he outsang Danny tonight. Matt reminds him of Michael Buble and calls it one of the best performances of the night.

Randy: It was his favorite performance of the night and thinks it's great he can be compared between two such stylistically different singers as Buble and Justin Timberlake.

"American Idol" - Results Show - March 18, 2009

Recap of last night's performances

Group Sing "T-R-O-U-B-L-E," Travis Tritt. They continue with the lip synching routine so it's pointless to discuss.

Ford Commercial:"Here it Goes Again," OKGo. The kids have a water balloon fight around the car.

We get a video package on the goodbyes to Jorge and Jasmine, including a goodbye in a restaurant where the other contestants say nice things about them.

Ryan banters with contestants about how tough this is. Michael misses his family. Megan is feeling better.

Results: Danny, Lil, Anoop are safe. Michael and Alison are sent to the stools of doom as the first two thirds of the bottom three.

Performance: Brad Paisley, "Then." A sweet ballad with a brief but scorching solo.

Results:Scott, Megan, Matt, Adam, and Kris are safe. Alexis joins Alison and Michael on the stools.

The three stand in the middle of the stage and Ryan sends Alison back to safety.

We get a video package on Carrie Underwood. She comes out with Randy Travis and banters with Ryan about the contestants singing her songs. Randy banters about how much he enjoyed chatting with contestants.

Performance: Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis, "I Told You So" She always had the vocals but she has come so far in her expressive abilities since she was a contestant. She does a lovely job with this yearning ballad and Randy occasionally joins in nicely.

Results: Michael is safe, Alexis is going home.

Simon says they would consider using their save for Alexis so now she has to sing for her life.

She sings "Jolene" again and uses the begging in the song to beg the judges and it really isn't much better than it was last night, in fact it's even worse with more bum notes and bad patches.

Simon says it wasn't good enough and that's the end of the line for her.

"American Idol" - Top 10 Finalists Perform - March 25, 2009

Ryan and the judges banter about last week and their hopes for tonight.

Theme: Motown

Video Package: We get a recap of Motown's venerable 50 year history. We get a look at the contestants' trip to Detroit where they meet with Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson and go to the Motown museum. Smokey returned as their mentor.

Contestant #1: Matt Giraud

Video: Matt was intimidated by Smokey. Smokey was impressed and thinks Marvin would've been too.

Song: "Let's Get it On," Marvin Gaye

Performance: He sits at the piano and takes it a slightly slower pace and stripped back. The band kicks in and he stands and sidles up to the front of the stage. He sounds good, hitting some good falsetto spots. He's very personable and it's a strong performance but not quite a mind-blower.

Randy: Knows there are some other frontrunners but he thinks he worked his way up to the front with his falsetto.

Kara: Thinks a lot of girls are out there saying "yeah." She liked that he came out of his shell a bit.

Paula: Is glad he's comfortable behind and in front of the piano, she thought it was sexy and cool, and didn't think he overdid the riffing.

Simon: Thought it was a brilliant song choice and cool performance and his voice suits the song. Agrees Matt's a frontrunner now.

Contestant #2: Kris Allen

Video: Kris was intimidated by Smokey. Smokey liked it, a lot.

Song: "How Sweet it Is," Marvin Gaye

Performance: He starts it off slow with one line and then kicks in with the band. It sounds more like James Taylor's version, very buoyant and breezy. It's charming and easy. He's rocking some weird, drab grey faux-military shirt that works against the sunny vibe of the song.

Kara: She says he didn't do James Taylor or Marvin Gaye but himself. She praises his phrasing, rhythms, riffs, and dynamics. She says he did everything right.

Paula: Thinks he picked a great song and that his personality is coming through and that technically it was perfect.

Simon: Thought it was smart that he did his version of his song and that he's having a good competition he tells him he needs to have more swagger and arrogance though.

Randy: Thinks he's hit the zone and it's all good.

Contestant #3: Scott MacIntyre

Ryan banters with Scott on the stools about the debate last week between Paula and Simon about Scott staying at the piano or risking going without it. He agrees with Simon and says he will take risks in other ways.

Video: Scott wanted to do something new with the song. Smokey liked how he made it contemporary. Smokey is a fan of his on the show.

Song:"You Can't Hurry Love," The Supremes

Performance: He inexplicably slows down the beginning with a bit of chorus, apparently this is the new trick. The band kicks in and the tempo speeds up and it has a slight New Orleans vibe to the piano. It seems like it might be a little too fast for him. It's fine but kind of cruise ship lounge-y and boring.

Paula: She thought he brought life to the performance by having the backing singers surround the piano. She liked the beginning. She thinks when he feels it the audience feels it.

Simon: Was not impressed, parroting back the song's line about "how much more can I take." He didn't like the honky-tonk piano and the backing singers. He thought it was the wrong song. He thinks he's better than the performance was. He thinks he's picking the wrong songs.

Randy: Agrees with Simon and thinks it was a hotel kind of performance and when others are coming into their own he's not. He thinks he's a better singer than the song, he thought it was very average.

Kara: Disagrees and liked the song and was glad that he brought the uptempo but didn't like that he took liberties with the melody and didn't nail the riffs. Good ideas, poor execution.

Scott says he was originally going to sing "Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand" and Simon and Randy think that would've been a better choice. Paula and Kara disagree pointing out that would've been yet another slow Scott song. Ryan asks Paula a question and Simon keeps interrupting, Paula goes under the table and hands Simon crayons and coloring book.

Contestant #4: Megan Joy

Video: Smokey thinks her half-jazz/half-cabaret voice is refreshing and is one of the most original the show has had. Megan is excited that Smokey likes it.

Song: "For Once in My Life," Stevie Wonder

Performance: The brass section is killing it. For some odd reason she's dressed like a Polynesian dancing girl. She moves, shimmies and walks awkwardly. She seems to be pushing the vocals really hard and although the notes are mostly okay - although there are some clunkers- they're very flinty and belty and obscuring the more quirky things about her voice. It's an odd performance.

Randy: Says he's got mad love and likes the outfit but the song was a train wreck. He thinks the song was too fast to fit her vibrato-style, he thought it was rushed, hectic, and mad-crazy.

Kara: Agrees and thinks that she should've done something like "My Guy" and that it was all over the place and it was weird. The song dominated her, not the other way around.

Paula: Compliments her stunning beauty. But she agrees that it was the wrong song and she never found the pocket.

Simon: The good news is she looks good the bad news it was horrible. And he says whoever is advising her should be fired: bad arrangement, vocals, bad song choice. He's worried she's in trouble now.

She says she had fun and that her fans are still there and they should vote.

Contestant #5: Anoop Desai

Video: Smokey explains how he wrote the song. As he told everyone before him, he says Anoop to do it just the way he did it.

Song: "Ooh Baby Baby," Smokey Robinson

Performance: Starts seated and is sort of working a varsity letterman serenade vibe. He gives good plead and sigh and is mostly nailing the falsetto.

Kara: Thinks he did a pretty good job with the wide range and is impressed with how he's showing off his skill set.

Paula: Is impressed he sang it in front of Smokey and Berry. She'd like to see more confidence and likes his tenderness.

Simon: Thought it was a great vocal but that he looked half-asleep so to work on his showmanship.

Randy: Tells him next week to turn it back up but it was good to hear him croon and swoon but to get his party on next.

Contestant #6:Michael Sarver

Ryan banters with Michael at the stools about him feeling unwell and having to miss the Detroit trip because of it. He feels he didn't miss any prep since Smokey came to the house.

Video: Says he's going to take it to church. Smokey thinks Michael should use even more of his big voice and tells him to pound it a little more.

Song: "Ain't To Proud to Beg," the Temptations

Performance: He sounds okay but he's a little smile-y for a song where he's supposed to be pleading for his lady not to leave.It has nice moments - and one late in the song rough patch- but again, not a mind-blower. And he looks a little disappointed in himself at the end.

Paula: Thinks it was a tough performance and a little Las Vegas lounge-y. She gives him the song dominated you, not the other way around.

Simon: He couldn't wait for it to end because he was screaming and shouting. He says he is taking part in the competition and has no chance of winning it with that kind of vocal. He says he's just got to be better.

Michael admits that it was below par but that he gave 110 percent and that he's not playing games. Simon says he knows he's being sincere he just has to take the criticism for what it is.

Randy: Thinks the song is unbelievable but a little too big for him since he's not a true r&b singer.

Kara: Says at this point it's not about singing but artistry and if he stays he has to bring that, a real interpretation.

Michael thinks he can take the criticism and make it work for him.

Contestant #7: Lil Rounds

Video: Smokey thinks she could sing the phone book. Lil explains about how she got emotional in Detroit and how she hopes to honor the legacy of those who came before her.

Song: "Heat Wave," Martha Reeves and the Vandellas

Performance: It's okay, a little shouty and old-fashioned and rushed. She looks supercute though in her fringe-y flapper dress and permanent wave wig.

Randy: The song was just okay for him until the end and he felt like she was rushing.

Kara: Says she looks great but that it was a bad song choice for her kind of voice and that it was screamy in parts, there wasn't enough room for her to breathe interpretive life into it.

Paula: Disagrees completely and thinks, although she didn't change it musically, her vocals were what made it special and thinks she owned it.

Simon: Says he understands why she was emotional about the Detroit visit and thought it was an authentic tribute to Motown but agrees that it was a poor song choice: too fast and without a moment for her to truly shine. He's dying for her to blow them away again but you can't with a song like that.

Contestant #8: Adam Lambert

Video: Adam is intimidated. Smokey likes how he kept it tender and he's never heard it done like that.

Song: "Tracks of My Tears," Smokey Robinson

Performance: He sits at the edge of the stage on a stool with an "unplugged" band and rocking slicked back hair. This is my favorite performance of his by far because it is emotional but stays tender and understated and he kills the falsetto notes and plays with the melody just enough to keep it interesting but not be obnoxious. Smokey gives him a standing ovation. As do Berry and Paula and Kara.

Kara: "One of the best performances of the night." Awesome.

Paula: Loves his element of surprise and his artistry and loves the "clean" look.

Simon: Calls it the best performance of the night. Thinks he sums up everything they were trying to tell others: song choice, originality, contemporary quality. Thinks he's emerged as a star.

Randy: Thinks he showed that he's not just a cool rocker and that he showed everything in his arsenal.

Contestant #9: Danny Gokey

Video:Smokey thinks he's a great interpreter and that people will love it but he notices that he's leaving space for the back-up singers to fill in the ends of the lines. ("You're allright," "It's outta sight" etc.). He thinks he should sing them. Danny is skeptical but says Smokey certainly knows what he's talking about so he'll try it.

Song: "Get Ready," The Temptations

Performance: He chickens out of taking Smokey's advice but sounds good, is energetic, and likable. Still a little endearingly goofy dancing-wise- especially the synched choreography with the backing vocalists- but a good time overall

Paula: Calls him reliably first class.

Simon: Calls him a good singer but the performance clumsy and amateurish.

Randy: Reminded him of the great singers like Levi Stubbs. Didn't think it was his best performance but that it had great energy.

Kara: Loved his personality but thought it was good, not great.

Contestant #10: Allison Iraheta

Video: Smokey thinks she's going to do well because she put herself into the song. She goofed up the lyrics during rehearsal but says she's still learning it.

Song:"Papa Was a Rolling Stone," The Temptations

Performance: Amazing, stone cold, tremendous performance.

Randy: "Blazing hot."

Kara: "America you've got to vote for this." Thinks she sounds like she's been singing for 400 years and that it's a gift from God.

Paula: For some reason has a mustache on her face. Thinks she's awesome.

Simon: Calls her a survivor and says that was one of the best performances she's ever done.

"American Idol" - Results Show - March 26, 2009

We get a recap of last night.

In the Audience:

Group Sing: The ladies start with "You Keep Me Hangin' On." Scott and Matt join Allison and Lil for "You're All I Need to Get To By" and then they all join in. But really none of them are singing, so again it doesn't matter. I HATE that they're lip-synching this year.

Ford Commercial: "Pocketful of Sunshine," Natasha Bedingfield. The kids roll up in a white room in two Fords and unpack panels for a mural. Once they've finished laying it on the floor it shows a field with flowers under a blue sky and sunshine and they drive off into it.

Performance: Ruben Studdard, "Together." Apparently, this is his new single. Sadly there isn't a single hook to be found. He sounds fine but it's boilerplate hand-clap r&b with no melody.

Results: Adam, Kris, and Lil are safe. Matt and Michael are in the bottom three

Performance: Smokey Robinson and Joss Stone, "You're the One For Me." Joss starts off this slow jam and then Smokey comes in. It's more than a little creepy that this 20-something woman is singing about being thrilled by this 70-something man. Overall it's meh.

Results:Allison, Anoop, Danny, and Megan are safe and Scott is in the bottom three.

But no sooner is Scott in the bottom three then he's sent back to safety.

Ryan asks Simon about the judges' save, Simon re-explains about how it works.

Performance: Stevie Wonder, "Motown Medley" - "My Cherie Amour," "Superstition," "Overjoyed," "All About the Love"

Going Home: Michael Sarver

"American Idol" - Top Nine Performance Show - March 31, 2009

Ryan banters with the judges. Randy thought it was hot last week. Kara talks about artistry: taking a song you've heard a million times and making it unique.

Theme: Any song the contestant wants as long as it's a popular iTunes download

Video Package: The Idols visit Ryan's "American Top 40" countdown

Contestant #1: Anoop Desai

Video: He thinks the competition is all about people relating to you. He's eager to get back to the high energy stuff.

Song: "Caught Up," Usher

Performance: He's got a cocky swagger but it's not sitting well vocally. The back-up singers are too loud and the mix is not great. He almost looks angry and he's rocking some weird MJ moves. The riffs and stuff were okay, not amazing.

Randy: Thinks the vocals were good but it wasn't the right song.

Kara: She thinks he should've done crazy stuff vocally and that he just did what Usher did and that maybe some frat guys dared him to do it.

Paula: Thought his vocals were really good but needs to work on his stage presence.

Simon: He thought it was a complete and utter mess. He thought he came over as a wannabe. It was like a college boy trying to be a rock star. He says it gave him a headache.

Contestant #2: Megan Joy

Video: She loves the song and thinks the judges are gonna feel her this time.

Song: "Turn Your Lights Down Low," Bob Marley/Lauryn Hill

Performance: She is, as always, over-enunciating and moving very awkwardly. It has nice parts but she's still got that weird affectation that throws a pall over everything. She looks great though in a sweet bustier and jeans.

Kara: Really likes her but thinks she's in trouble. She wants to hear something like Adele's "Chasing Pavements" and to hear her "falsetto." (The crowd boos her.)

Paula: Thinks she really needs to take us by surprise and dig really deep and thinks she should just sit in a spotlight on a stool and not move.

Simon: Thinks the song was boring, indulgent, monotonous and all the things they liked about her are disappearing. (The crowd boos him too).

Randy: Thinks it was like watching paint dry. He also suggests stuff like Duffy and Amy Winehouse.

Contestant #3: Danny Gokey

Video: He loves the song and the emotion in it.

Song: "What Hurts The Most," Rascal Flatts

Performance: He sounds good, the song is catchy, the crowd is digging it. He's standing still which is good for him. Very earnest. Solid.

Paula: Thinks this is where he thrives, she would definitely hit repeat on this performance in her car.

Simon: They were not on the same page last week but this week thought it was his best performance so far. He thinks he killed the first two contestants likening it to two snails competing with a race horse. He says Danny is doing what they should all do: get a great song, do it well..

Randy: Thinks he brought it crazy with the vocals.

Kara: Thinks he moved everyone in the room tonight. She got goosebumps.

Contestant #4: Allison Iraheta

Video: She's nervous and excited to play guitar on the show.

Song: "Don't Speak," No Doubt

Performance: She's rocking spiked out hair and the beginning of this ballad. It's a little boring from a song standpoint but she sounds pretty good.

Randy: Thought she was ahead of the beat and that it was cool she was playing the guitar but was distracted by what she was wearing.

Kara: Thinks the rock in her can't help but come out.

Paula: Thinks she has great vocal prowess.

Simon: Says they can't overlook the outfit and that she looks like a slightly precocious daughter trying to dress and sing like a rock star. He thought it was a bit dressy-uppy. Plus, he thinks she shouted the song. Randy disagrees with that part.

Contestant #5: Scott MacIntyre

Video: Looks up to Billy Joel as a songwriter.

Song: "Just the Way You Are," Billy Joel

Performance: He takes a slow song and makes it even slower. The vocal is fine, much better than last week, but the whole vibe is bad hotel lounge act.

Kara: Thinks he made a good song choice and thought it was a moving performance. She loves the new look.

Paula: She loves him not because he's blind but because when he sings he makes her forgets he's blind.

Simon: Thinks it was his best performance by a country mile. He thinks it's a different Scott this week.

Randy: (Skipped?)

Contestant #6: Matt Giraud

Video: He wants to put his passion into a song.

Song: "You Found Me," The Fray

Performance: For some reason he's in a pit to the right of the judges' table, surrounded by "fans." Boring song, he's approximating "passion" by getting louder and allowing his rasp to come through. The vocal is fine but very straight up the middle.

Paula: Likes that he went current but didn't like that he "aborted" what they like about him and that it was a "soundalike" performance.

Simon: Says he should be happy since they don't like him this week. He agrees it was very put on, uptight, and not a good commercial song. He thinks if he had picked a great song and done what he does best they would've liked him better.

Randy: Thinks it was a bad song choice and that he has more chops than the Fray and that he needs to let his flavor out.

Kara: Thinks he needs to commit to one side of pop: r&b or rock and that he doesn't deserve to go home.

Contestant #7: Lil Rounds

Video: Is haunted by last week's song choice criticism.

Song: "I Surrender," Celine Dion

Performance: She goes the gown and Whitney Houston route with a big diva ballad. She sounds fine but it's kind of a yawn.

Randy: For him not the best song choice for her but she surprised him by singing it really well. But he wants to hear Mary J. or Keyshia Cole from her.

Kara: Also wanted her to do something younger-sounding but is impressed by her effortless power range.

Paula: She doesn't want to see an adult contemporary Lil Rounds, she wants to see joy.

Simon: Thinks it was a safe song and thought it was a wedding-style performance. He thought it was too old-fashioned and thinks her personality is being sucked out.

Ryan brings her little daughter over to punch Randy but he hugs her sweetly.

Contestant #8: Adam Lambert

Video: He's going to go the opposite way this week then the stripped down Motown song last week.

Song: "Play That Funky Music," Wild Cherry

Performance: He's still rocking the slicked-back Elvis do. He changes up the groove for no apparent reason and goes up to his crazy faux-metal scream a bunch. As usual, technically impressive but difficult to listen to part-drag queen part hair band vocalizing.

Paula: Babbles some quote about true genius shattering expectations and compares him to Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler.

Simon: Thinks it was original and brave but won't make him as popular as last week.

Randy: Thinks he worked it out and is definitely in the star zone. (Adam thanks the band for the great arrangement).

Kara: She can't wait to see what he's going to do next and thought it was like "Studio 57" up in here.

Contestant #9: Kris Allen

Video: He's going to play the piano.

Song: "Ain't No Sunshine," Bill Withers

Performance: He starts with vocal and piano and then the band and a string quartet kick in. He's mixing up the arrangement in a much more pleasing way and he sounds pretty great.

Randy: Thought it was creative and cool and is loving him.

Kara: She has three words: That is artistry.

Paula: Thinks he took a 30-year-old song and made it new.

Simon: Thought he showed confidence and loved the arrangement and thought it was his best performance so far.

"American Idol" - Top Nine Results Show - April 1, 2009

Ryan informs us that 36 million votes came in and banters with the judges

In the audience: Jason Castro, Alexis Grace

Ford Commercial: "Mixed Up." It's a tri-level screen that constantly moves like the opening sequence of "Ugly Betty" interspersing the Idols faces and parts of a Ford.

Group Lip-Synch: "Don't Stop Believin'," Journey. They've solved the Scott problem this week by parking him behind a keyboard, unfortunately blindness and lip-synching don't mix well and he's "singing" way off the microphone.

Video Package: We get a glimpse at a "typical" week: photo shoots, red carpets, Ford video shoots, fooling around together at the house. Matt does an impression of Danny in the video so Ryan makes Danny do one of Matt live. And Allison does one of Danny. Anoop does one of Kris. Allison does one of Danny.

Results: It's time for split groups: Megan, Matt, and Kris in one. Adam, Lil, and Allison in the second. Scott, Danny, and Anoop in the third. No results actually given.

Performance: David Cook, "Come Back to Me." It's a very even-keeled song, not terribly exciting. He's singing it well though. (Apparently, this was taped earlier this week because David had a family emergency). Ryan asks him what the most valuable lesson he learned on Idol was. He goes with perspective and says it's a constant pinch-me moment. Ryan presents him with a platinum plaque. He gets teary, very sweetly, and says he put out a solo album pre-Idol and it sold 1000 copies in one year. So to sell a million in three months is blowing his mind.

Results: Kris, Matt, Lil, Adam, Danny, and Scott are safe Megan, Allison, and Anoop are in the bottom three. Megan can't stop waving and smiling nuttily.

Performance: "Poker Face," Lady GaGa. She starts seated at the piano doing a faux-soul songbird rendition singing live. She's accompanied by a fiddler and is wrapped up in what looks like a cross between aluminum foil and film stock. Then the song segues into the uptempo dance number it is. There's lots of dry ice and flailing and sawing away on the fiddle. She has a zipper glued over one eye. She gets a big ovation.

Ryan asks Simon of the bottom three how many are worth saving. One, he says, clearly meaning Allison.

Going Home:Megan Joy. They don't even pretend like they're going to save her and she re-sings her song with vim, vigor, and plenty of her trademark physical awkwardness. As is sometimes the case, the vocal is better tonight. She thanks all the people who work on Idol, the contestants, the judges, and teafully tells her baby, she's coming home.

"American Idol" - Top Eight Performance Show - April 7, 2009

Theme: The year the contestant was born. Because of this we're going to see baby pictures throughout the night so we get to see some of the judges as well.

Contestant #1: Danny Gokey

Song: "Stand By Me," Ben E. King (but he's doing Mickey Gilley's version from 1980).

Video: His dad told him he could sing when he was a little boy. His pictures are adorable.

Performance: He looks smart in black and mauve but I'm not grooving to the slow arrangement and slightly pitchy vocalizing of this tune. The band kicks in with a little conga-driven groove, it still sounds a little off in places. But his performance is very likable and the crowd loves it.

Randy: Says when he first came out he didn't love the arrangement but Danny made him love it through his vocals.

Kara: Agrees about the arrangement but thought it got progressively better and unique.

Paula: All can she say is wow and he's set the bar very high. She liked the arrangement.

Simon: He liked the beginning, thought the middle was lazy, and the end was terrific so overall it was great.

Contestant #2: Kris Allen

Song: "All She Wants to Do is Dance," Don Henley (1985)

Video: Also a very cute kid, unsurprisingly. His mother says they'd be just as happy if he was a taxi driver. His father's not so sure about that.

Performance: What an insane choice this is - it's one of Henley's more politically-bent numbers- and what an insane semi-Latin, chopped up re-arrangement of the song. It's probably a good thing he dropped out the "molotov cocktail's the local drink" line. He's out in the pit with the people strumming a white electric guitar. The vocal is fine but it's all very bizarre.

Kara: She's a huge fan and is glad he picked an uptempo but it felt like jazz-funk homework and it lost a lot of its youth.

Paula: She thinks he's heartfelt and took a melodicially boring song and made it his own and he's one of the most likable contestants they've had.

Simon: Likable yes, he agrees, but also indulgent, boring, and forgettable. He thinks he came over as a guitarist trying to be a singer, instead of singer and that it was a stupid song choice.

Randy: Agrees the arrangement was indulgent- and thoughtfully namechecks the song's co-writer and guitarist Danny Kortchmar-and he lost Kris because of it.

Contestant #3: Lil Rounds

Song: "What's Love Got to Do With It," Tina Turner (1984)

Video: She got her name from her grandmother Lily. She was really cute as a kid too.

Performance: Strike 1: She comes out dancing like Tina in the video. Strike 2: She's dressed somewhat like Tina is in the video. Strike 3: Her version is not that special and there are a few rough notes. She looks great though, love this week's wig.

Paula: Thinks she looks very hot. She hoped she would go outside the box and prove who she is an artist. She knows she's a great vocalist but wasn't a leader when it came to changing up a classic. She's worried that it's becoming a beautiful karaoke rendition.

Simon: Says they're not looking for a second or third rate version of Tina Turner and notes that she came walking out like Tina. Other than some nice parts near the end he calls it a ghastly copycat version and they've lost who she is and she's not making the right impact because she's making bad choices or getting bad advice. She needs to be more original.

Randy: He says she's mad talented and agrees with Simon and Paula and thinks she made a bad choice.

Kara: Says it is about that leap from singer to artist.

Lil looks sad. She tells Ryan she takes in everything they're saying.

Contestant #4: Anoop Desai

On the stools Anoop apologizes for his seeming arrogance after Kara's critique last week. He thinks he overreacted.

Song: "True Colors," Cyndi Lauper (1986)

Video: Very cute child.

Performance: He sits on a stool and sings sincerely. He makes a few small change-ups but sings it straight in the main. And even though it's slow he definitely seems more engaged and lively. It's nice.

Randy: He thought it was hot and it was a nice, controlled vocal.

Kara: She says he controlled the song and not the other way around and injected a pop song with soul.

Paula: Calls his song choice flawless, phrasing was beautiful, and where it sat in his voice was magical and showed his true colors.

Simon: He calls him a singing yo-yo, he's down and up. Last week was abysmal but he thought it was really good and made it his own. And he tells Anoop he doesn't need to apologize.

Contestant #5: Scott MacIntyre

Song: "The Search is Over," Survivor (1985)

Video: Also adorable. Wanted to be a train conductor as a child and played spooky music on Halloween.

Performance: This song is a big guilty pleasure of mine and Scott can't hold a candle to the melodramatic power of the original. And Paula's advice to abandon the piano? Not so good as his stance with the guitar is not as assured. And oh my, some of the high notes were not pretty.

Kara: She commends him for coming out and playing guitar. She wouldn't have picked that song for him and thought he had some good moments but some bad ones too.

Paula: She also credits him for stepping away from the piano. She finds it odd that he played electric. He jokes it was his punk side coming out. She laughs and compliments his sense of humor but contends that the high notes at times came off screechy but overall "bravo."

Simon: Suggests he go back to the piano, where he's comfortable. He says the song was horrible. And the guitar playing wasn't much better. He thought it was him trying to be somebody else.

Randy: The problem for him was it was just all okay: the song, the vocals. It didn't show him as a star and he's looking for that. Scott says at least it showed he's versatile.

Contestant #6: Allison Iraheta . Song: "I Can't Make Love You Me," Bonnie Raitt (1992)

Video: Also? Adorable. Talked a lot as a kid and the doctor said she would be a singer.

Performance: This seems a bit mature, no? Seems like something like "Thing Called Love" would've been better choice since she can't really nail the pathos of a song like this. Technically, she sounds great and relaxed though. Understated and nicely done.

Paula: She thinks she's very distinctive and loved that she showed some tenderness.

Simon: Thought it was very good. He says they have to sort her out and make her more likable.

Randy: She reminds him so much of Kelly Clarkson who could sing her face off and so can Allison and he thinks Allison should be more engaging.

Kara: Thinks it was impressive how she took adult content and made it youthful and believable. Kara wants to go make a record with her right now.

Contestant #7: Matt Giraud

Song: "Part-Time Lover," Stevie Wonder (1985)

Video: Adorable? Check. Video of him as a child in a Christmas pagaent.

Performance: The go-to trick, the slow open. He's rocking a fedora. The song has a little more spare funk bounce to it than the original that definitely sounds more timeless. This is exactly what the judges want song-wise so they should like it. His jerky movements are messing with the vocals just a tad but on the whole he sounds strong to the end.

Randy: Says vocally it was one of the best of the night.

Kara: Says "incredible on every level."

Paula: "Two words: standing O."

Simon: "A million times better than last week, well done."

Contestant #8: Adam Lambert

Song: "Mad World," Tears for Fears (1982)

Video: His parents talk about how as a very cute kid he loved everything, books, music. And then in what may be one of the most perfectly delivered comic lines in "Idol" history his dad says: "Sports, not so much." Adam talks about enjoying dress-up and we see him in various guises: cowboy, "Phantom of the Opera" etc. All adorable.

Performance: Shrouded in darkness and backlit- and doing the Gary Jules/"Donnie Darko" arrangement with an Erasure/Bronski Beat-tinge to his falsetto yearning- Adam is the picture of controlled vocals and emotions. It's a lovely, tender performance. Even better than the "Tracks of My Tears" from Motown week and leaps and bounds better his de facto histrionics. Perfect choice for him.

Simon: Because they ran over time Simon is the only judge who gets to talk and he says words are unnecessary and gives him a standing ovation.

Fearless bottom three prediction: Lil, Scott, and Allison (only because she's been in the bottom three for a few weeks).

"American Idol" - Top 8 Results Show - April 8, 2009

Ryan banters with the judges. Randy was disappointed with last night's performances. Kara thinks some early frontrunners are having an identity crisis and others are very sure of themselves. We get a joke baby picture of Simon and Paula. Ryan shows us a clip of a number one song the year Simon was born. It's Frankie Avalon singing "Venus." Avalon shows up in real-life to finish the song and reveal that Simon was born in 1959.

In the audience: Mario Lopez; the mayor of Kalamazoo, MI;

Group Lip-Synch: "Can't Get You Out of My Head," Kylie Minogue. Wow, it actually sounds like they're singing tonight. Scott's doing an excellent job of navigating the stage, steps and all.

Clip package: Behind the scenes of a Ford commercial shoot. The theme is magic at an old theatre in downtown L.A.

Ford Commercial: "Circus," Britney Spears. The theme is magic, they make cars disappear.

Results:Adam and Kris are safe and Anoop is in the bottom 3.

Performance: Flo Rida, "Right Round." Dead or Alive hook, live chick singer, bouncing, confetti. Proof that some people, no matter how good they may be in studio should never sing live. Almost as bad as Lady GaGa from the previous week.

Results: Danny, Matt, and Allison are safe and Scott and Lil are in the bottom three.

Performance: Kellie Pickler, "Best Days Of Your Life." Wow, how lucky was Pickler. She's adorable and looks amazing but her singing leaves much to be desired. (But the song "I Wonder" on her first album is really touching).

Going Home: Scott (Ryan tells us that only 30,000 votes separated the two of them out of 34 million votes). He sang MUCH better tonight. Simon said the panel was split down the middle but tells him that alas, it's his time to go.

"American Idol" - Top Seven Finalists Perform - April 14, 2009

Theme: Movie Songs

In the audience: Little Steven Van Zandt; Katie Couric; Quentin Tarantino who is tonight's mentor.

Video Package: We get an overview of Tarantino's career. He's an admittedly "avid" fan of the show. They show us the film music studio where he'll mentor the kids. He thinks it's a good group.

In a change-up tonight they only have two judges critique each performance in an effort- futile as it turns out- to come in on time. Also the band is onstage tonight.

Contestant #1: Allison Iraheta

Song: "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," Aerosmith (from "Armageddon")

Video: Quentin Tarantino elicits what he thinks is a great performance from Allison simply by sitting down and asking her to sing again. She felt like she was auditioning for one of his movies.

Performance: It's not her best performance, the low parts in the beginning are sort of breathy and the power bits are a little heaving. She puts her back into it though. The crowd loves it.

Paula: She says she has vocally championed Adam but Allison has the same special sauce. She rhapsodizes about her skills.

Simon: He says he thinks it was barbecue sauce Paula was referring to and says she's the girls' only hope in the competition and she's getting stronger and more confident.

Contestant #2: Anoop Desai

Song: "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)," Bryan Adams (from "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves")

Video:Quentin wants him to dig deep and rough it up vocally and kill the audience with a big vocal.

Performance: He doesn't really take Q's advice, and goes with a pretty straightforward, earnest performance. He hits some rough notes ending the verse and going into the chorus but recovers.

Randy: He thought it was going to be rough but he thinks he's found the zone in the last couple of weeks and he's rocking the house and it was in tune and it had some emotion jumping off. He thought it was really good.

Kara: She agrees he's found his place in pop songs and adding his soul to it. Thinks it was one of his best vocals and she really felt connected to him.

Contestant #3: Adam Lambert

Song: "Born to Be Wild," Steppenwolf (from "Easy Rider")

Video: Q is excited to see what Adam is going to do for his funky arrangement this week. For some reason he only gets to see a little bit and remains excited about getting surprised. Q thinks he's the real deal.

Performance: He does a campy electro version of the song. Sort of a "bad boy" Scissor Sisters take of the tune. He attempts some headbanging. It ends in an incredibly silly, overwrought faux metal screamathon. Again, his technique, control, stage presence, and range are incredibly impressive but it's cartoony when he goes up into the new wave of British heavy metal/hair band shriek. He is super-likable though and has an adorable smile and laugh at the end.

Paula: Stands up and hoots and says he dares to dance in the path of greatness and that fortune rewards the brave and he's one of the bravest contestants she's ever witnessed.

Simon: He says vocally it was incredible but the downside was that it was a little like watching the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" musical in parts. Simon opines that it probably won't be as popular as last week since it will probably split the audience. He says he liked it but that last week was more original and current.

Contestant #4: Matt Giraud

Song: "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman," Bryan Adams ( from "Don Juan DeMarco")

Video: Q thinks it will be one of Matt's top 3 performances. Matt loves the song. Q tells him to not lose the enunciation of the lyrics.

Performance: Matt sits at the piano and sings it all sing-song and earnestly to begin. Then the band and strings kick in. There are a few pitch issues but he does seem really in the moment. He gets a little choppy in the bridge and his falsetto falters a bit. He ends nicely though with a trilling falsetto.

Randy: Thinks it started cool but hit a rough patch at the bridge for him. He thinks that you shouldn't do "all that stuff" with a really simple melody. Doesn't think it was one of his best performances.

Kara: She calls it the struggle - rock vs. soul - and she appreciates that he tried to soul it up but in doing so he took away some of the core melodies.

Contestant #5: Danny Gokey

Song: "Endless Love," Lionel Richie/Diana Ross (from "Endless Love")

Video: Danny loves this song. Q wants him to keep the hand gestures to the minimum so the power of his emotion can come out of his eyes and not dissipate out of his fingers.

Performance: He's using hand gestures right away and he hits a very odd note near the beginning. He recovers from that and it's a typically fine vocal performance but he can't stop his hands to save his life. Also, no glasses tonight.

Paula: She was worried about the key at the beginning but thinks he pulled it together in the middle and that it was beautiful.

Simon: Can't fault the way he sang the song but is disappointed by the boring arrangement. Having said that he thinks the song clearly means a lot to Danny personally - given the subject matter and the death of his wife- so he congratulates him for that.

Contestant #6: Kris Allen

Song: "Falling Slowly," Glenn Hansard and Marketa Irglova (from "Once")

Video: Thinks he lived up to the spirit of the competition the most because he picked a song from a movie that meant something to him. Q suggests playing an instrument... or not.

Performance: He decides against playing and is a little shaky to begin with since sustain is not his strong suit in his low register. The female backing vocalist comes in and outshines him. He's clearly connected to the song emotionally and it gets stronger as it builds and he hits a lovely falsetto note. The second half of this might be my favorite performance of his yet.

Randy: It never quite caught on for him even though he loves the song. For him it was pitchy from note one.

Kara: She thought it was a risk to pick an obscure song but she thought it was one of his best moments ever.

Contestant #7: Lil Rounds

Song: "The Rose," Bette Midler (from "The Rose")

Video: Q's a big fan of Lil's and was thrilled to meet her. He likes how she switches in the middle from a more straightforward cover to a gospelized version.

Performance: She looks great. You know what that means. It starts okay but then it goes all over the place, flat, sharp, occasionally in tune. It's messy especially after the switch. It was like she couldn't hear herself. I'm also beginning to think her nerves get the better of her.

Paula: She compliments the song and paraphrases the lyrics, saying the road is long. She essentially says nothing.

Simon: Thinks she's getting it completely wrong: the song was too soft and middle-of-the-road. It had some nice moments but was not right for her and she is not the artist that they met 7 or 8 weeks ago. Lil tries to talk back saying that they tell her to be an artist and when she heard the song she thought it was beautiful and tried to add her own R&B spin to it. Simon responds that it was a Bette Midler song. She says that she knows Bette Midler is not an artist you'd picture Lil singing but that she put an R&B feel to it. Paula tells her to not be afraid to say what she feels.

Bottom Three prediction: Matt, Lil, and Anoop

"American Idol" - Top Seven Results - April 14, 2009

Ford Commercial: "Freeze Frame," J. Geils Band. The gang dances and sings the song on the covers of magazines.

Group Sing: "Maniac," Michael Sembello. They're still singing live and it sounds fine. Kris and Allison attack the judges. Anoop almost trips on the stair. Matt meets them on the platform behind the judges. Kara and Paula are rocking out. Adam and Danny join in from the balconies. Lil struts across the stage where they all do the high school musical thing.

Video Package: We watch the gang attend the "17 Again" premiere. Zac Efron is in the audience.

Results: Allison and Adam are safe. Anoop is in the bottom three.

Video Package: We get a recap of Jennifer Hudson's career from "Idol" to "Dreamgirl" to her solo album.

Performance: Jennifer Hudson, "If This Isn't Love." She looks great and she sounds wonderful. The song's not amazing but it's got a good hook and she's making the most of it. (She's singing to a track though. Her band couldn't make it?) She and Ryan banter about the Grammys and her current tour with Robin Thicke.

Results: Kris is safe, Lil and Matt are in the bottom three. (Simon, since he didn't get to talk the night before tells Kris he was brilliant.) Anoop is sent to safety.

Performance: Miley Cyrus, "The Climb." Shrouded in fog, Miley sings her song about self-empowerment and enjoying the journey. She sounds fine, better than some of the contestants did last night. No reference at all to "Hannah Montana" despite the fact that "The Climb" is from the "Hannah Montana the Movie" soundtrack AND that movie's in theaters now.

Going Home: No one. The judges use their save on Matt. As the others come to hug him Simon points out the downside. Next week two people will go home and it's disco week.

"American Idol" - Top Seven Finalists Perform Again - April 21, 2009

Theme: Disco

In the Crowd: Vince Neil of Motley Crue;

Contestant #1: Lil Rounds

Song: "I'm Every Woman," Chaka Khan

Performance: Doing what the judges told her to do, Lil is coming off youthful, soulful, and energetic. The vocal isn't great but it's impassioned. And the crowd loves it.

Randy: Says she definitely got the party started but it sounded too wild to him and didn't show what kind of artist she could be.

Kara: She's been waiting for her to sing an artist like Chaka Khan but she's not sure it was worth the wait and still didn't show them who she could be as an artist.

Paula: Tells us that Lil was on vocal rest yesterday and thinks she made an amazing recovery.

Simon: Says she looks sad. She says she isn't and wants to say she had fun tonight. Simon says it's good she had fun but he thinks this will be her last performance since it was a copycat performance. Lil disagrees.

Contestant #2: Kris Allen On the stools with Ryan he said he was worried about the theme.

Song: "She Works Hard for the Money," Donna Summer

Performance: He Jack Johnson-izes the song with his acoustic guitar and two percussion players. When the bass comes in it's actually pretty funky. It's actually very charming in a loose, beach bonfire performance kinda way.

Kara: Thinks he took a real risk with that arrangement and it paid off big time.

Paula: Thinks it had a classy Santana-vibe and was glad to see him shopping in the women's department.

Simon: Called it a polar opposite to Lil since it was original, thought out, and not karaoke. Calls it fantastic.

Randy: Loves that he knows who he is and he's ready for the big time, amazing.

Contestant #3: Danny Gokey

Song: "September," Earth, Wind, and Fire

Performance: Danny bounces around and sounds pretty good- although it sounds like his voice might be tiring a little and it feels a bit emotionally disconnected.

Randy: Was worried about this choice but he turned this into something that really worked for him.

Kara: Says he doesn't get credit for his excellent pitch and thought it was another solid performance.

Paula: Was impressed he went one step higher vocally and showed off his agility and brilliance and that he has a sexy voice.

Simon: Agrees with the rest of the panel except he didn't get any star power from the performance, that it was still a little clumsy. Paula says she'll still see him at the finals.

Contestant #4: Allison Iraheta

Song: "Hot Stuff," Donna Summer

Performance: She's doing a slow, rocked-up version that may be a touch too slow, she sounds great vocally but the arrangement was going for sultry but felt a little limp.

Randy: He didn't love the arrangement but says she's one of the best singers in the competition.

Kara: Agrees on the arrangement but thinks she was in the right lane and the vocals alone were a 9 or 10.

Paula: She didn't mind the arrangement because it didn't veer away from her authenticity.

Simon: He says taking everything into account it was a brilliant performance.

Contestant #5: Adam Lambert

Song: "If I Can't Have You," Yvonne Elliman

Performance: He starts slow and tender vocally with an acoustic arrangement but a bit emotionally overwrought. The chorus starts to feel a bit up tempo but understated for Adam. We get a shot of Paula on the verge of tears. He goes back to end in the sweet and tender place.

Randy: He says Adam is ready right now in the way he's showed off his range. He's a hot one tonight.

Kara: Says he's brilliant and every week he ups it and calls his emotional connection inspiring.

Paula: Has never questioned her visceral response to his performance and she felt his pain, it's like he tore his heart out and put it on the stage and thinks he'll be in the finals.

Simon: Would've bet that he would do Donna Summer but it was great it was unpredictable, compliments the arrangement and his immaculate vocals. Adam makes sure to credit the person who helped him with the arrangement.

Contestant #6: Matt Giraud

Song: "Stayin' Alive," the Bee Gees

Performance: He funks it up with some stutter-stepping rhythm. The Timberlake hat is back. He's rocking a few dance moves. He grooves with backing vocalists. He didn't show off great vocal prowess - unitl the nutty falsetto end- but he was entertaining and hard working and definitely deserves to survive this week over Lil.

Randy: Didn't love the arrangement or song but thinks he can really sing.

Kara: Thinks he brought disco back and liked to see him move and thought it was a good performance.

Paula: Says he picks songs like she bowls, sometimes he throws gutterballs sometimes strikes. She thought this was a strike. She thinks he saved his own life this week.

Simon: Didn't like it. In the real world he thinks it came over as a bit desperate and that the vocals weren't great and it wasn't original.

Contestant #7: Anoop Desai

Song: "Dim All the Lights," Donna Summer

Performance: Rocking a cute suit and starting with an acoustic run through the chorus before the beat kicks in and he breezes through it. It's sort of a Ne-Yo-esque arrangement. It's nice and shows off some nice sustain.

Randy: Didn't love the arrangement but thinks he can sing, compliments the vocals.

Kara: Thought it was a great song choice and liked the arrangement and thinks he's really hitting his stride.

Paula: Loves the look, thought he hit the magical zone early on.

Simon: Disagrees and thought it was mediocre at best and Anoop's worst performance by a mile.

Elimination Prediction: Lil and Anoop

"American Idol" - Two Contestants Eliminated - April 22, 2009

Ryan says 45 million votes came in, the most of the season.

Video Package: Paula choreographs the group sing.

Group Sing: Disco Medley: "Shake Your Body Down to the Ground." We're back to lip-synching.

Ford Commercial: "I'm Good, I'm Gone." The Idols are baking, washing dogs, and working on construction sites for some reason.

Results: Lil is going home, no stopping at the stools of doom. She reprises "I'm Every Woman." The judges bid her a sweet adieu and say nice things to her.

Performance: Disco Medley: Freda Payne, "Band of Gold"; Thelma Houston, "Don't Leave Me This Way"; K.C. and the Sunshine Band, "Get Down Tonight"

Results: Anoop and Allison are the other 2/3 of the bottom three.

Performance: David Archuleta, "Touch My Hand" Midtempo dross that he sounds somewhat shaky singing. Archie tells Anoop and Allison that it's not over no matter what.

Going Home:Anoop

"American Idol" - Top Five Perform - April 28, 2009

Theme: Standards from the Rat Pack Era

Video: The Idols meet their mystery mentor, it's... Jamie Foxx. So we get a video package on Jamie's acting and music career. He wants to teach them that these songs are going to live forever. He tells them about Vegas, the Rat Pack, and the gangsters. He promises to say what's on his mind.

Contestant #1: Kris Allen

Video: Jamie likes how he's not into doing "throat olympics." Jamie wants to make a record with him. Kris likes that. Jamie calls him his number one.

Song: "The Way You Look Tonight"

Performance: He does a slow, up-a-lazy-river version that's sexily soporific. Like Jamie said, Kris will not be winning the throat olympics with this but it's pleasant. It switches to a slightly zippier tempo halfway through that also sounds fine and then settles back down. He ends on a sweet falsetto note.

Randy: Thinks it's his best performance to date, he took his time, told his story, and had mad nice vocals.

Kara: She thinks he's set the technical standard really high for the evening: diction, timing, phrasing. She calls him a dark horse.

Paula: Is pleased by his transformation from boy next door to sophisticated gentleman. His performance was near impeccable.

Simon: Thought it was good but is not quite as enthusiastic as the others since it was a bit "wet." He compares him to a well-trained spaniel. He doesn't get the feeling from him tonight that Kris can win the competition.

Contestant #2: Allison Iraheta

Video: Jamie Foxx is knocked out by her. He tells her to think of her family while she sings since she's too young to have a boyfriend. She seems touched by that.

Song: "Someone To Watch Over Me"

Performance: This is a great marriage of singer and song. We get to see a more tender side and a little bit more of the higher register. Her phrasing is effortless and her pitch is terrific. It's a beautiful performance with just a bit of grit to it. She really embraced the style and the moment.

Randy: Says she looks like Brittany Murphy and dope, sounds like Pink but with more octaves, and thought it was the bomb.

Kara: She's not nervous for Allison anymore since she probably converted new fans with that performance, which was gut-wrenching and terrific. She thinks it was good enough to get her in the finals.

Paula: Thinks it was alluring and tender with an innocent sensibility. She's really proud of her.

Simon: Asks if she thinks she can win. She says she thinks she can. He says he asked because he doesn't feel that belief coming from her and thinks maybe she's been overshadowed by some of the other personalities on the show. He thought the performance was great though. He's worried she could be in trouble. He said it felt mechanical and was a 7 out of 10. Kara says Simon is crazy. Randy tells Allison the vocal was on point.

Contestant #3: Matt Giraud

Video: Jamie tells him not to worry. But after Matt's session is over he calls him back in and advises him to change the key. He guarantees the key change will garner a standing ovation.

Song: "My Funny Valentine"

Performance: Matt, oddly, chooses not to play the piano. He sits on a stool and sings it pretty straight, hewing to the melody and staying off big runs. He bends a few notes here and there. His training is serving him well, although his breat support at the ends of phrases isn't as good as it could be. Jamie's "moment" does draw a cheer as does the last trilling high note. Not exactly electric but well sung.

Randy: Calls it one of the hardest songs to sing and that he was up to the task but that it was a bit pitchy and that it didn't all come together.

Kara: She says the competition is tough but you need to be a leader and that she appreciates what he tried to do technically but she didn't feel the emotion. He responds with an inredulous "what?"

Paula: Loved it and the fact that he took Jamie's advice and she felt the emotional connection. She thought it was pure, simple, and really impressive.

Simon: Disagrees with Randy and says that it was the only believable, authentic song tonight and that he heard some Nat "King" Cole-type phrasing and he thought it was brilliant.

Contestant #4: Danny Gokey

Video: Jamie thinks Danny is "this close." Danny says he's not going to change it up much, just give it a little bluesy feel. Jamie gets right up in his face to get his emotion to come out.

Song: "Come Rain or Come Shine"

Performance: He gives it a slight New Orleans vibe with the horn arrangement. He sings it pretty straight and it sounds pretty good, more like a performance than storytelling though and a bit sleepy until the end when he amps up the grit and energy. In fact, the end is pretty stunning.

Randy: Says he's the only one so far tonight that could have an album of songs like this. He says forget the connection stuff, this is a singing competition and Danny can sing.

Kara: Says what she's been missing from him is the Rat Pack swagger and he had it tonight. She says the end of the performance was the most creative he's been all season.

Paula: Stellar and she knows he can see the finish line.

Simon: Agrees with Kara and thinks that he came out and proved a point. He thought it was his best performance in weeks. He compliments Rickey for the great arrangement and Jamie for what he's bringing out in the contestants tonight.

Contestant #5: Adam Lambert

Video: Jamie is impressed and thinks he's going to knock everybody's head off. Jamie laughs and says it's great that Adam doesn't care who he is at all. Adam laughs and in his separate interview says he kept his eyes closed because he was freaking out that he was standing three feet away from Jamie Foxx. Jamie hugs him.

Song: "Feelin' Good"

Performance: In a white suit he struts down a staircase lit hot pink. The bump and grind rhythm kicks in and he digs in. It's confident, technically assured -even the tongue out metal scream- and a little naughty. Next to "Mad World" and "Tracks of My Tears" one of his best, and least annoying, performances.

Randy: He says it was a little too theatrical for him but Adam is in the zone consistently for him.

Kara: Her mouth drops open every time and says he's shocking and confusing in a good way and sleazy and superb and way over the top but she likes it.

Paula: He makes her feel better than good, she says it's like watching the Olympics and he's their Michael Phelps.

Simon: Laughs at Randy for calling Adam theatrical since that's like complaining when a cow moos. He likes this year's competition because normally there are people "bleating" about how winning isn't important but he gets the feeling from him and at least two others that he wants to win and to entertain. Calls it the best entrance he's had all season.

One contestant is faced with elimination; former "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks performs a song from his latest album.

"American Idol" - Top Four Finalists Perform - May 5, 2009

Theme: Rock and Roll

Ryan tells us there was an accident on the set so the contestants didn't have their normal dress rehearsal. He also tells us that the contestants are pairing up for duets as well as solo songs.

Video Package: We get a recap of mentor Slash's career. He's mentoring them with a live band at the Roxy. He thinks it's going to be a good time.

Contestant #1: Adam Lambert

Video: Slash tells him not to improvise so much in the high register, but otherwise thinks he's effortlessly good.

Song: "Whole Lotta Love," Led Zeppelin

Performance: It's actually a pretty straightforward cover with Adam aping Robert Plant and then doing a few extra runs and notes here and there. It is convincing technically but feels very put on from an emotional/performance standpoint, like he's "playing" the rocker.

Randy: This is the Adam he loves. He thinks no one's ever going to think about Broadway again. (That's the first thing I thought and I'm so sick of hearing this as if it's some kind of insult.)

Kara: Thinks he's not only a rock star, he's a rock god.

Paula: Thinks he's a whole lotta perfect.

Simon: Agrees that it was great and that no one can top this performance now.

Contestant #2: Allison Iraheta

Song: "Cry, Baby," Janis Joplin

Video: Thinks if she pulls it off that it will be great. He thinks she needs to get past the fear.

Performance: She sings it well, hitting all the right notes and emotional high points but the song is a yawn.

Randy: Thinks she can sing her face off but didn't love it.

Kara: Liked that it was Janis, but wanted "Piece of My Heart" or something with more melody. She sees her personality in her performances unlike Simon.

Paula: Calls her fearless and if they make a movie about Janis, she's got the role.

Simon: Thought she had complete confidence and it was a great vocal but that it was a little copycat unlike Adam's more original performance. Allison fights back saying that she really felt the song and that "Piece of My Heart" is overdone. Simon likes that she's fighting back.

Performance: Kris and Danny do a duet of "Renegade" by Styx. It's meh. For rock night it's not very exciting.

Randy: Thought the individual vocals were just okay but that the harmonies were good.

Kara: Agrees that parts were strong.

Paula: Thought it was powerful and compelling.

Simon: Thought Danny was better than Kris.

Contestant #3: Kris Allen

Song: "Come Together," The Beatles

Video: Slash makes him nervous by making him play guitar. Kris wanted to pee his pants. Slash tells him to be more animated onstage.

Performance: He goes in a more Aerosmith direction with the tune and is a little too smiley in the beginning and seems nervous. But he sings it well enough, nothing spectacular but not embarrassing.

Randy: He enjoyed it even though Kris isn't really a "rock, rock" guy, but he liked the guitar work he did.

Kara: Didn't think it was a great performance and didn't like the song and calls him a "soft rock" guy.

Paula: Thinks the Beatles was risky but that his "artistic delivery" was all over it and she thought it was truly compelling and that he needed a little more energy.

Simon: Didn't like it that much, saying it was like eating ice for lunch meaning that it will leave you with nothing to remember afterwards and calls the song boring. (Two of the judges insulted the Beatles, oy).

Contestant #4: Danny Gokey

Song: "Dream On," Aerosmith

Video: Slash thinks he's naturally gifted and points out that he has to do the scream at the end. Danny wants to push himself.

Performance: Such a bad idea as this is one of the most recognizable vocals in rock history. (Much like "Whole Lotta Love.") Danny is marginal to adequate at the beginning, adds unnecessary and embarrassing doo-doos-doos in middle and then almost lands but then completely botches the scream at the end.

Randy: Knows this is not his genre and thought it was alright but he'll give him an A-plus for a valiant effort.

Kara: Thinks he took the swagger advice too far. She then makes the colossally ridiculous statement that she thinks he should have done "early" Aerosmith like "Cryin'" or "Crazy." THIS WAS OFF AEROSMITH'S FIRST ALBUM. Oy. She commends him for being bold and going for it though.

Paula: She knows it's a tricky genre for him and didn't think this was the perfect song but gives him an A-plus-plus for going for it.

Simon: Agrees and says the last note was like watching a horror movie. He still thinks he's going to be safe.

Performance: It's another duet. This time Adam and Allison do "Slow Ride" by Foghat. It's a ridiculous non-song but they still smoke Danny and Kris for sure.

Randy: Thinks they should duet on their albums and that it was hot.

Kara: Calls them rock god and rock goddess and that they pushed each other to be better.

Paula: Agrees saying it's a perfect marriage.

Simon: Says in the battle of the duets they won.

"American Idol" - Final Four Results Show - May 6, 2009

Ford Commercial: "Move Along." The Idols are on billboards and magazine covers and come to life in one dimensional form and get in a Ford and drive away.

Group Sing: "School's Out," Alice Cooper. The kids are in over their heads and are drowned out by Slash and his merry band of turn it up to 11-heads. Even Adam and Allison who get a nice moment going can't be heard over Slash's guitar riffing. In Kris and Danny's case this is probably a good thing.

Slash was impressed by the kids last night. Slash is working on his new record which will have a different famous, great singer on every track.

With time to kill they talk about last night: Kris is humble, Adam had fun with Zep and his outfit, Danny laughed at his crazy last note, Allison was ready to talk back.

Video Package: Paula Abdul career recap in preparation for her first ever performance on "Idol."

Performance: "Im Just Here for the Music," Paula Abdul. Wow, it takes some sweet nerve to lip synch on this show as a judge, right? She's still very limber if understandably a little slower moving. Oh look, now she has two microphones she's not using. It's a forgettable, throwback, Prince-ly dance jam with Paula being bounced around by a bunch of male dancers. In Paula fashion, I'm happy to sincerely say she looks amazing.

After the break Ryan asks why now? Paula says it's the most undeniable happy place to be, onstage.

Performance: "Just a Girl," No Doubt. Speaking of throwbacks. In an effort to promote their upcoming summer tour the ska-popsters return. She looks great and does a little call and response with the audience.

Ryan tells us there were 64 million votes cast.

Video Package: We get a look at previous visits home, which is what the top 3 get.

Results: Kris is safe.

Video Package: We get a recap of Chris Daughtry's career from "Idol" to the present.

Performance: "No Surprise," Daughtry. The first single from their forthcoming sophomore album it's a strong song which will be a strong song throughout the year, It could even be a #1 hit on Billboard Top 200. Simon, Kara, Paula and Randy gave him a standing ovation.

Ryan has Kris present him with a plaque signifying that the band's first album has gone quintuple platinum. (5 million in sales).

Bottom Two: Allison and Danny.

Going Home: Allison. All the judges stand for her and cheer. She sings "Cry, Baby" again, she goes down to the judges and the crowd.

"American Idol" - Top Three Performance Show - May 12, 2009

Theme: Judges' Choice/Personal Choice

In the audience: "Lie to Me" co-star Kelli Williams; Jillian Barberie; Nigel Lythgoe;

Contestant #1: Danny Gokey

Song: "Dance Little Sister," Terence Trent D'arby (Paula picked it because Danny has a similar magical quality to his voice.)

Performance: It's a funky uptempo soul number that pushes Danny's voice to the limit. Danny does a call and response scat with the sax player. It's animated and rocking. It's fine.

Randy: Says let the games begin, liked it, thought it was dope.

Kara: Liked that Paula kept him in his money spot but she didn't like the gyrating dance moves.

Paula: As a choreographer thinks he did really good and is glad he let the magic part of his voice come out.

Simon: Reminds them it's a singing show not that "funny little dancing show next door." He agrees the dancing was "desperate" but that vocally it was very good but didn't like the sax solo. He thought it TTD was a good choice but wished Paula had picked a better song like "Sign Your Name."

Contestant #2: Kris Allen

Song: "Apologize," OneRepublic (Chosen by Kara and Randy who chose it for its big range and dark melodic line.)

Performance: Kris sits at the piano and starts off softly vocally against a big rhythm track. He hits the falsetto of the chorus without a problem, the arrangement is threatening to overwhelm him though. It's gentle, then emphatic, then gentle -- his specialty.

Randy: Thinks he could have a song like this in the future and thinks it was nice.

Kara: Thinks it was a really competent performance but at this stage he needs to be swinging it out of the park. She wanted him to make it more his own and hopes he does that with his next song.

Paula: Liked the song choice, is proud of him even though he hit a loud bum note.

Simon: Wonders how Paula can say he hit a bum note and then is proud, this doesn't make sense to him. And he takes Kara to task for choosing a song for Kris and then blaming him for singing it as is. She fires back that he's got no business talking to her about interpreting songs since he's never interpreted a song in his life. Simon goes on to say it was a competent version of the original but not quite as good. He says Randy and Kara should've worked out the arrangement, which is what he did for Adam apparently. Not much advice for Kris but plenty of criticism for Randy and Kara.

Contestant #3: Adam Lambert

Song: "One," U2 (Simon's choice since it's one of his favorite songs in the world, he got a call from Bono saying it would be their pleasure to have Adam sing it. Show off.)

Performance: Adam starts it as a gentle, slightly quivery piano and voice ballad. It starts to build when he skips to the bridge and quickly goes into full-blown diva mode. As usual it is totally vocally impressive and unnecessarily overwrought.

Randy: Thinks he's still in the zone and is very hot, didn't love that he went off the melody a bit but ultimately he's very talented.

Kara: Thinks he's an amazing strategist and loved that he changed up the melody and instrumentation.

Paula: Her life is miserable because Simon is gloating but thought it was brilliant and that she's staring at the "American Idol."

Simon: Although he admits it's biased he calls it a great song choice. Kidding aside you put together great artist, great song, and a great arrangement and you get a great performance. He says if Adam's not in the final next week it will be one of the biggest upsets ever.

Video Package:Ryan gives us an "Idol Gives Back" update. They've raised $140 million dollars. And we see a clip of Carrie Underwood going to Angola to work on the fight against malaria.

Contestant #1-Song 2: Danny Gokey

Song:"You Are So Beautiful," Joe Cocker. He picked it because it gave him some good ideas arrangement-wise.

Performance: He starts off gently, sitting on a stool with musicians - acoustic guitar and strings- grouped around him. It's very tender and quiet. The band slowly comes in on the second verse and he starts to push it vocally, testifying gospel-style a bit and going intense with the melisma and long-notes. It's probably his best pure vocal to date.

Randy: Gives a shout out to the late great Billy Preston who wrote the song tells Danny he's here because he can really, really sing and he loves his mad vocals.

Kara: Says everything he didn't do in the first performance, he just did and thought it was stunning.

Paula: Says he left all of them breathless and he infused his own thing into it.

Simon: Loved the song but not the arrangement but thought it was a vocal master class.

Contestant #2-Song 2:Kris Allen

Song: "Heartless," Kanye West. Kris says it was an easy choice and it's fun.

Performance: He does it with just voice and acoustic guitar and puts a little more emotional quiver into it. He puts a nice melodic structure on Kanye's rapped verses and a little more funk than he would normally show into the other bits. And, bonus, no Auto-Tune. Nice. Kanye will no doubt love it.

Randy: Says this is going to be one of the toughest voting nights of the whole year, he likes it better than the Fray's version and Kanye's version. Thinks he's in it to win it and loves it.

Kara: Wonders why he didn't do that with "Apologize." Calls it bold, brave, fearless, and perfect

Paula: She calls him brave for singing a song about Simon. She says this keeps him relevant and gives him a "Bravo!"

Simon: Had written him off after the first lame song choice and that has all changed after that performance.

Contestant #3- Song 2:Adam Lambert

Song: "Cryin'," Aerosmith. He picked it because it's brilliant as is and he wants to do Steven Tyler proud.

Performance: He does it pretty straight as promised, the back-up singers are a little too loud. It's confident, assured, and dramatic. It's actually not his most amazing performance ever but reliably good.

Randy: Says he's one of the best they've ever had on this stage. He thinks he should be a rock star because that's who he is.

Kara: She wonders how he hits those notes and talk the next day. (He says it's tough). She says we'll see you at the finals.

Paula: Says if Steven Tyler was the mentor he wouldn't have anything to say. He sets the bar so high she hopes he's getting frequent flyer miles. She also says see you next week.

Simon: Wants people to vote for him because he's earned it, not assume he's going to get in.

"American Idol" - Top 3 Results Show- May 13, 2009

Ryan tells us that only one million votes separate the top two vote-getters.

In the Audience: Kevin Bacon; David Alan Grier; the rest of the top ten

Ford Commercial: "Break My Stride," Matthew Wilder. The boys are cartoon characters and then they're real, tooling around in a, you guessed it, Ford.

Alicia Keys is in the house to ask us to pledge money via text to aid Africa and introduce us to Noah from Rwanda who wants to make an album to help those afflicted by HIV/AIDS in his country. He comes out and sings "I'm The World's Greatest." He is lip synching but he's adorable.

Video Package: Gokey's Hometown Visit to Milwaukee The standard issue visit: police escort, screaming fans, Fox morning show appearance, screaming fans, radio show appearances, screaming fans, a reunion with good buddy Jamar, parade, screaming fans, show, screaming fans, Mayor declares it Danny Gokey day, first pitch, screaming fans, teary limo ride. Lather, rinse, and repeat below.

Results: He recaps Danny's performances from last night...and then sends him to the couches without telling him who's in the finale.

Video Package: Kris' Hometown Visit to Little Rock Yup, same stuff. He actually goes home to his parents' house and greets his own big family on the lawn and he hugs his dad tight. It's sweet. We actually get a shot of him singing "Falling Slowly." So far, numbers-wise it seems like Kris is winning the hometown visit derby.

Again Ryan sends Kris to the couch, results-free.

Performance: Jordin Sparks, "Battlefield." Ryan Tedder, co-songwriter, is playing piano in the band. It's a Ryan Tedder special: piano, surging midtempo rhythm track and Jordin kills it all intense-like.

Video Package: Adam's Hometown Visit to San Diego Same stuff, except he had a streaker. And he went to sing for the Marines, which is nice. Kris is definitely the hometown visit derby winner.

Ryan sends Adam to the couch. Danny wants to get it over with, Adam wants to see Katy Perry.

Performance: Katy Perry, "Waking Up in Vegas." Katy is rocking an Elvis-like leotard jumpsuit with a cape that reads "Adam Lambert" on the back. She's surrounded by Vegas-style fan dancers. Not a great singer but very cute.

Going Home: In something of an upset, Danny Gokey. And the final face-off will be as it should be. Gokey watches his journey and takes to the microphone again for "You Are So Beautiful."

"American Idol" - Final Two Performance Show - May 19, 2009

Theme: Three songs each: Contestant's choice of a favorite from the season; producer Simon Fuller's choice; the song co-written by Kara which will be the first single.

Contestant #1: Adam Lambert

Song: "Mad World," Tears for Fears

Performance: Adam reprises his season favorite and this time he gets a stage full of dry ice and the staircase to work with. He sounds lovely and understated and it is very dramatic and windswept.

Randy: Gives him an A plus

Simon: Says it was all a little too "Phantom of the Opera" for him.

Contestant #2: Kris Allen

Song: "Ain't No Sunshine," Bill Withers

Performance: Kris' season favorite is very quiet and earnest. And then the band kicks in. He acquits himself nicely, emotional but not overwrought. (I would've voted for "Falling Slowly"). He gets a big ovation.

Randy: Calls it one of his best performances ever.

Kara: Agrees and says if you can't feel a Kris Allen performance there's something wrong with you.

Paula: Thinks he awakens the spirit in all of us by "Allen"-izing his songs.

Simon: He's honest that he wasn't sure America made the right choice when his name was called last week but he takes it back now after that performance. He calls round one for Kris.

Adam Performance #2

Song: "A Change is Gonna Come," Sam Cooke

Performance: He looks good in his suit and he sounds fine but something about the song choice - not his I know, I know- just doesn't fit right, it's like he's impersonating someone's old southern grandma. Until he wails. Wails on key of course, but good God almighty, it's like taking the juke joint to the Steel Dragon show. It's fine but again, totally overbaked.

Randy: Thinks he can sing his face off and that it was unbelievable.

Kara: Thinks it may be his best performance and interpretation yet.

Paula: It was the best she's ever heard him sing. She thinks he's going to be iconic.

Simon: Says he's 100 percent back in the game.

Kris Performance #2

Song: "What's Goin' On," Marvin Gaye

Performance: He starts out solo acoustic and then the small band - percussion, bass- around him kicks in gently. It's earnest but not revelatory.

Randy: Calls it a real live dual competition. His only thing was that it was a little lite for this point in the competition.

Kara: Loves that he's been true to himself and that Simon picked a socially conscious song for him.

Paula: She thinks he tore the song up and made (a dead) Marvin Gaye proud

Simon: He thought it was like three friends in their bedroom strumming along with Marvin and not substantial enough given the night's gravity. He calls round two for Adam.

Adam Performance #3

Song:"No Boundaries"

Performance: It's a ballad, of course, that builds slowly. The back-up singers sound out of tune and they might be throwing him off. He's very emphatic and working his on the verge of tears face. The song is mediocre and it's all about climbing mountains and digging deep within yourself etc. It's fine but definitely short of special and the song is part of the problem. (It's worth a reminder that Kara really has written or co-written some terrific, catchy pop songs including Christina Aguilera's "Ain't No Other Man," Kelly Clarkson's "Walk Away," and Pink's "Sober").

Randy: Reiterates he could sing the phone book but that was just alright for him and a little pitchy in spots.

Kara: Speaks on behalf of her co-writers Cathy Dennis and Mitch Allen that it's amazing when someone with his level of talent sings a song they've written. She's moved and proud and thanks him for giving her that moment. He tells her he digs the song.

Paula: She says she can't express what he's brought to the show and she'll be a fan forever. (She's forever his girl.)

Simon: He says he's not going to judge the song but Adam and says over the entire season he's been one of the best, most original on the show ever. He says the point of the show is to find a worldwide star and he genuinely believes they've found that with him and he congratulates him.

Ryan asks if he got the job done. Adam thinks he did and enjoyed his songs.

Kris Performance #3

Song: "No Boundaries"

Performance: It starts a little low for him and the arrangement seems a little faster and less contemporary in terms of the rhythm track. But as it builds to the chorus he makes it work for him in the higher register. His puppy dog earnestness works better for this song than the mournful tearfulness of Adam. Although the speed of the middle bit seems to get away from him and his breath control. He recovers well and the shouty part of his voice works well on this kind of song.

Randy: Says he should be very proud of himself since he was an amazing competitor even though the key was probably not quite right. He thinks the song fit his voice better than Adam's.

Kara: Doesn't want him to be judged on that song since the key was problematic but on the fact that he's been such a compelling artist all season.

Paula: She tells him to take it in and be proud and that this has been one of the most compelling final showdowns ever. She wishes him the best of luck.

Simon: Thinks his highlight was the first song he sang but watching him tonight has been incredible since he came so far from the audition. He sees the pride on his parents' faces and he says he deserves it and his spot on the stage.

Performance: "Home Sweet Home," Carrie Underwood. Carrie sings the Motley Crue ballad over a montage of season highlights.

"American Idol" - Finale - May 20, 2009

Ryan tells us a record of nearly 100 million votes came in.

As Ryan intros the judges we get video packages of each of them with montages of their tics: Randy "for me for you," Kara "sweetie," Paula stumbling over words, Simon asking "what?" "pardon?" "sorry?"

He intros Kris and Adam who are both rocking all-white ensembles.

We get shots of each of their hometowns with former "Idols" as hosts, Mikalah Gordon in Conway, AR and Carly Smithson in San Diego, CA

Performance: The Top 13 do a version of "So What" by Pink. It's a typical group sing train wreck with horrible choreography but it's nice to see Alexis and Jorge.

Performance: David Cook, "Permanent." It starts out as a piano ballad and blossoms into a power ballad. Good vocal, great song. Afterward Cook and Ryan chat about his late brother, how this song will be available to benefit his cancer charity, and how Cook thinks with Adam and Kris as choices America can't get this wrong.

Ugh, the show is reprising its "Golden Idol" awards for the delusional people from the auditions. Among the "winners" is Nick Mitchell aka Norman Gentle. He wins the Outstanding Male award for pretending to give an acceptance speech and then busting into his "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going."

Performance: Lil Rounds and Queen Latifah, "Cue the Rain" It's an uptempo r&b number that will be Latifah's next single from her forthcoming album. Lil looks great rocking a long wig. The always fierce Latifah looks as good as she can in an unforgiving jumpsuit.

Performance: Jazon Mraz, Alexis Grace, Anoop Desai, "I'm Yours." The trio bounces harmoniously through this happy trifle and the Top 13 flank them with a little choir-style back-up.

Video Package: We get a recap of Kris' "journey."

Performance: Keith Urban and Kris Allen, "Kiss a Girl." Cute boys singing a cute song about kissing girls. Hee.

Performance: The ladies of the Top 13, "Glamorous" by Fergie. They do a bit of it and then Fergs herself comes out and does a bit of "Big Girls Don't Cry" and the rest of the Black Eyed Peas come out for "Boom Boom Pow."

More "Golden Idol" awards. Best Attitude goes to Katrina Darrell aka Bikini Girl- she's gotten a boob job- and does a bit of "Vision of Love" by Mariah Carey. And the best thing that has happened all season: Kara Dioguardi arrives to show up Bikini Girl just like she did in her audition by singing circles around her and then ripping open her dress and showing off that her body ain't so bad either. Ryan says they bet her that she wouldn't do that and since she did, they'll donate money to her favorite charity.

Performance: Allison Iraheta (the last girl standing this season) and Cyndi Lauper, "Time After Time." It starts off sweet and tender and takes a bizarre left turn into odd scatting.

Performance: Danny Gokey, "Hello" by Lionel Richie. Lionel arrives and he and Gokey do Lionel's new Caribbean-themed single "Just Go" and then launch into "All Night Long."

Video Package: We see Adam's "journey."

Performance: Adam Lambert, "Beth" by Kiss. He's wearing some insane costume with arachnid-like skeletal shoulders like something out of "Mad Max," it's amazingly awesome. And then in the best thing that has happened all season really KISS (!) arrives and they all do a deliciously over-the-top medley of "Detroit Rock City" and "Rock 'n Roll All Nite" complete with pyrotechnics and flames. Good, awful times.

Performance: Carlos Santana, "Black Magic Woman" ...and then Matt Giraud jumps in...and then the whole gang joins for "Smooth" with Adam, Kris, Matt, and Gokey taking the lead. Yikes.

Ford Commercial: "I Will Remember You" - it's a montage of previous commercials as Adam and Kris earnestly sing.

David Cook hands keys over to a surprised Kris and Adam to their brand-new Ford Fusion hybrids.

Performance: Steve Martin, Megan Joy, Michael Sarver do a version of the bluegrass tune "Pretty Flowers" written by Martin and appears in his new album "The Crow".

Performance: The boys of the Top 13 do "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" by Rod Stewart. All in natty black suits executing the truly awful choreography. Rod Stewart arrives to do "Maggie May" ...slowly.

The final "Golden Idol" for Outstanding Female goes to Tatiana Nicole Del Toro. Her video package highlights her giddy and weepy moments, all the time asserting that she is a "damn, good vocalist." When Seacrest tells her to remain in her seat as the show is running late, she evades stage security who pretend to chase her, but she manages to grab her award and sing "Savng All My Love" for the fourth time this season. Oy.

Performance: Adam and Kris do "We Are the Champions" by Queen. Queen actually arrives to help out as do a real choir and the rest of the Top 13.

The Winner Is: Kris Allen. Even he can't believe it, he says it feels good but that Adam deserves this. He sings the utterly chiched "No Boundaries" and the confetti comes down.