American Idol Season 9 - Four Asked To 'Leave Right Now'

Both the ladies and the gentlemen have had their chance in the spotlight, and now we shall see what the voters have to say. Will they be sending home the weaker performances, or will personality and looks play a part in the four who are getting the tickets home tonight? Will it be someone the producers made sure we got to know very well, or someone we have barely met? Will the voters take for granted what the judges said about some of the contestants who cracked under the pressure of the first show?

Seacrest comes on to say over 20 million votes were cast, and both Allison Iraheta and Kris Allen will be performing on the show. Crusty babbles on with the judges, and we see Kara's hubby, perhaps to preempt the lawsuit producers fear. The Top 24 sing American Boy, a song made popular by the glorious Estelle with help from Kanye West. Well, the arrangement is just with side of elevator music, but it wasn't that bad. Not that good, but could have been worse.

The results begin, Siobhan is safe. Haeley is glittery and safe. Michelle is safe. Katelyn is also safe, leaving Katie and Janell. Randy cannot say who is safe and who will be going, It is Janell who will be singing her way out the door. They return from commercial to introduce Allison Iraheta, who placed fourth last season, to sing her new single, Scars. It is a pleasant song, not a great one. She is amusing with Crusty, who never figured out how to talk to the girl.

More results, and Paige is safe. Next up is Lacey. and she is surprisingly safe. Lilly is safe, and finally breathes. Crystal is there, looking nervous, but is safe, leaving Ashley and Didi. To drag it out, Crusty asks Ellen how the person leaving should cope. Didi is safe, and Ashley is leaving us tonight. Again, we have to hear a person just told few people liked hearing them sing a song give it another shot as their last chance in the public eye - hey, history proves that point.We won't hear from most of the people who make the finals, let alone the semi-finalists.

After a break, they mock Tyler - which seems odd, since he does a fine job on his own. They start with Big Mike, and he is safe. John Park is next, and safe. The 'intimidating' Aaron is safe. Todrick is next, safe. This leaves Tim and Joe. Could this be the first surprise? Tim is safe, and Joe is going home. Apparently, cute does beat talent. What a shame.

Reigning AI Champion Kris Allen comes out to talk about his recent trip to Haiti, and perform the Beatles song, Let It Be. It was nice.

Casey is safe, although they refuse to let go of the Kara thing. Jermaine is next, and is safe. Lee is also safe, as is Andrew. That leaves Alex and Tyler. Alex looks nervous as all get out, and Tyler is leaving. And Tyler thinks the the judges didn't tell him he sucked soon enough. All four get a single goodbye package, to Leave Right Now, sung by Will Young, the first winner of Pop Idol in the UK, thus making him the Daddy of all Idols. I like Will's music, and his latest video is a hoot! Check out my post on him here. Then Tyler sings out, only to be cut short, much like his stay on the show.

I can't tell what that means. The worst performances did not go home, although there is some question about personalities. But Tyler was the only person who was given extended screen time to catch a flight home, so perhaps his personality did not catch on with the voters.

American Idol Season 9 Top 24 - Men

This recap is written and originally published on Rickey.Org, which also features videos and more from American Idol.

Tonight, the twelve men of American Idol Season 9 take to the stage, hoping to impress the judges and the audience to secure a slot in the top 20. The women sang last night, an evening filled more with yawns than anything else. Here's to hoping the men watched and paid attention to what worked and what didn't, and are prepared to put on a show. Also, might be nice to hear some music from this millennium.

Simon starts the night by threatening the men, saying he saw nerves, and if they forget the lyrics, their careers are over. Nice, try to make the boys buckle so they don't outshine the girls...

Todrick Hall, a 24-year-old from Texas, sings Since U Been Gone, the Kelly Clarkson song. He has changed it up to be a clubby dance/jazz number. Sadly, doesn't have the vocals to make it work. His mid-range is good, but the top and bottom suffer. Ellen liked it and him, and Randy et al says he destroyed the song, taking it too far. So, they are looking for a luke warm medium point for the arrangements. Sixteen-year-old Aaron Kelly from Pennsylvania will hope to not repeat the final audition, where he forgot the lyrics. He sings Here Comes Goodbye, the country song written by Season 6 finalist Chris Sligh for Rascal Flatts. There were some very pitchy moments in that performance, but for the most part, the judges ignore his missed notes and tell him he will be around for a long time, and needs more confidence. I just keep saying 'when Archie met Taylor Swift.'

The 27-year-old church singer from from Indiana, Jermaine Sellers, performs Get Here written by Brenda Russell and sung by Oleta Adams in 1990. Wow, is he overworking that song, hitting a note that isn't very pleasing to my ears. I don't care if it was right or not. The judges were not impressed, and then remind everyone about the diva behavior. And he did a Patti LaBelle performance. Not a good night for Jermaine... Last minute replacement Tim Urban, a 20-year-old from Texas has gotten nearly no screen time, is cute as a button. We shall see what he brings. He sings Apologize by One Republic. Ouch, the high notes are not his friend. Why choose a song not in your range? The judges were not kind. Nor should they be. Pretty don't cut it.

Twenty-year-old California student Joe Munoz sings the Jason Mraz song You and I Both, and sounds pretty good, although the voice showed signs of nerves. He has a serious vibrato. Judges liked him, save Simon, who thought he was 'limp.' Nice, Simon. Tyler Grady, a 20-year-old Pennsylvania native who sings American Woman by the Canadian Band The Guess Who. Yikes, this is not good. The vocals were very weak. Randy bring up the style-over-substance thing, which rings so damn true. I am having Constantine flashbacks. When will he sing the Partridge Family song?

Illinois singer Lee DeWyze is 23 years old, was a sales clerk back at home. His rough-hewn vocals are featured in Snow Patrols Chasing Cars, and he has a tough time staying on key. How does he managed throaty and nasal at the same time? Ellen, Randy and Kara were disappointed, but Simon thought he was the best of the night. Well, so far, that isn't saying that much. John Park is also from Illinois. The 21-year-old starts out with a flirtation with Shania Twain, and then breaks into God Bless The Child, written and performed by the great Billie Holiday. It starts out rough, but gains some speed. But I am still yawning. Where is the soul?

Floridian Michael Lynche, the pumped up 26-year-old father-to-be, sings the Maroon 5 song This Love. It is a little manic, and little bar band, but tonight that makes it seem special. Was kinda like Hootie for the new millennium.

Nineteen-year-old Texan Alex Lambert has had no screen time, and now we know why. He sings Wonderful World by James Morrison, the British soul singer, and he performs with no charisma, and lots of fear. He is a bundle of nerves. He missed with the falsetto, but the mid range was good. I liked moments of that song. The judges like him, even if he bombed. He has some charm with Ryan, which is more than some can say on this dreadful night.

He let the ponytail down but kept his shirt on, and is singing Bryan Adams. Casey James, the boy of Kara's dreams. The 27-year-old Texan sings Heaven, a song he keeps acoustic and sweet, while the judges clown in front of him. But he is actually singing well, and pulling this off. The judges are looking at him, and Kara calls him eye candy and ear candy. California native Andrew Garcia is a 24-year-old stay-at-home-dad, and his intro is very emotional. He sings Fall Out Boy's Sugar, We're Going Down. He pulls it off, but it is anticlimactic to me. The judges love him, although unimpressed by the performance. I'm underwhelmed.

Tonight, well, that wasn't good. If I was to pick my favorite for the night, I was say Casey James, by default. As for who is going home, I have no clue, there are so many possibilities. I'd say Casey, Lee, Andrew, Aaron, and Joe are safe, and more than likely Tyler. The rest, I hope Alex gets another shot. I would think Tim is definitely going home, and who joins him is anyone's guess.

American Idol Season 9 - Top 12 Women

As I sit and wait for this season’s American Idol to finally get started, that familiar buzz starts taking hold. The excitement at getting to know some new talent is a wonderful thing. You never know, on Idol sometimes you will find it, and sometimes you won’t. But it is the process that can be so exciting and exasperating. Will we find someone to watch for the season, or maybe even long after? Thursday night, 2 girls and 2 boys will be leaving, and one hopes it isn't your favorite.

Oddly enough, it is also nice to see Ryan again. I am sure that will pass quickly. He introduces the girls, and waves at the boys before introducing the judges, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, and in her first live show, Ellen DeGeneres. Ellen releases the tape of Simon groping her, and like many things on Idol, it goes on just a bit too long.

First up is Paige Miles, who talks about wiping snot from kids noses, and singing with the King of Pop’s background singers. She chooses to sing a 1973 rock song, All Right Now, by the British band Free. Lead singer Paul Rodgers wailed on that song, and is tough to top. I was rather unimpressive, ended with the big note. Simon loves her, not the song. Randy, Kara and Ellen basically agree with mixed results. Next up will be Ashley Rodriguez. She is a 22-year-old student and a huge Jordin Sparks fan, and singing a 2009 song of another diva, Leona Lewis, with Happy. She struggles a bit with the opening, a bit too low for her, and seems at her most comfortable when she is wailing on the notes heavy. Kara starts, pointing out there were highs and lows of the performance. I mean, do you really wanna name check two singers crowned on Simon’s reality shows right off the bat?

Up third is Janell Wheeler, a 24-year-old wine salesperson from Florida. She sings What About Love by the band Heart. Wow, taking on Ann Wilson, that is brave. This is not working out for her. She flies in and out of tune throughout the chorus, and even on the perceived glory notes. Randy leads the opinions, and was mixed, thought the song was bad choice. Ellen liked her the best, the others all disliked the song choice. Soon we have Denver’s Lilly Scott, a struggling artist who lived out of her car prior to American Idol. She is singing Fixing A Hole by the Beatles from the 1967 Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band album. Interesting choice. She is the first to bring out a guitar. She gives it her own quirky spin, and does rather nicely. I like her. Ellen kicks off the reviews with a rave, which keep on coming. Apparently, this is the start of a Beatles parade, as the next two ladies will also be pulling from that catalog.

Nineteen-year-old Iowa native Katelyn Epperly is on next and sings Oh Darling from the Abbey Road album. She does rather decently, although Simon likes her but thinks it was a bit of a mess. She gets props from Kara and Randy, and from Ellen, too. Somehow, the whole things turn, and it is all about Kara, who calls herself a bitch. Judges, this is a show about the singers, remember? Haeley Vaughn is a 16-year-old from Colorado, and was very excited to get her nose pierced. Woohoo. She is singing I Want to Hold Your Hand, from 1963. She is big voiced, but slips all over between on key and off. She mixes up the song a bit and plays her guitar, which was nice, but hitting all the notes would be nicer. Kara leads by pointing out there were some issues, but the personality is so big. Randy and Ellen agree, but Simon calls it a mess, and she was like a wind-up doll.

She of the brilliant red hair, Lacey Brown is a 24-year-old singer from Texas. She chose to sing Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. Yikes, this isn’t working for me. There are all kinds of quirk and key issues going on there. It gets better, but not great. It was rough for me. Randy thinks it was the wrong song and pitchy. Ellen thinks she is better than that performance. Simon thought it was depressing to think he had to listen to the whole thing. Kara resorts to the fact she is pretty [Paula flashback!]. Ooooh, Katie gets her first pimping. Michelle Delamore is a 22-year-old Miami-based singer/retail sales rep, and a gorgeous girl. She performs Fallin’ by Alicia Keys. Alicia had a hit with it in 2001, and Michelle changes it up some, adding a bit more jazz flavors, but maintains the diva side as well. Ellen says it is fantastic but push harder. Simon liked it, but felt it was karaoke. Kara says she lacks believability. Randy wants risks. Of course, they shoot down risks usually, but they always want them.

Didi Benami is a 23-year-old from Tennessee but now lives in Los Angeles. She sang Kara’s song, her highlight, aside from tears. She sings The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson. Wow, another quirky indie/folk girl. There were a few rough spots, but basically it was good. Simon thought the song was dreary. They all think it was nice, but lacking. Glass-blowing apprentice Siobhan Magnus sings Wicked Game by Chris Isaak, a great artist. She does an interesting job, and it is sung well, kind of nice in a night of wailing diva wannabees. Kara brings out the quirk card, but thinks she is in the moment. Randy wants big songs and big voices. I’m shocked. Ellen loved it. Simon is not as enthused. And a tad confused. I like that.

Only two more ladies remaining, and they are both highly anticipated. Both had a lot of screen time during Hollywood week. Ryan reminds us on Thursday, people will be going home. Subliminal message is but not these two, people, be real!

Twenty-four-year-old Crystal Bowersox is a singer/songwriter from Ohio, as well as a mother of an infant. She sings Alanis Morrissette’s Hand In My Pocket from 1995. She nails it, complete with the guitar/harmonica instrumentation. Randy loves her. So does Ellen. Simon thinks she can do much better. Kara loves her, but thinks she has greatness to deliver. That leaves 17-year-old Katie Stevens, who has seen more pimping by the producers than anyone this season. They really seem to like her. She is a high school student from Connecticut, and helps out with her Grandmother. She sings Feeling Good, which Seacrest attributes to Michael Bublé, and he already gets on my nerves. Come on, that is not even the best version of that song. There is Nina Simone and Muse, for God’s sake. Well, big-voiced Katie does a nice job. Ellen loved it, but wants her to be cute and younger. Simon agrees. It was a big pageant-like. Kara is stunned she was so pitchy, but adores her. Randy felt she was pushing so hard, it was going sharp. She agrees with the judges.

So, if I was to guess who was safe from this group, it would be tough to say. Lilly would be my choice for best of the evening. Katie, Crystal, Siobhan, Lilly, Michelle, Haeley, and Katelyn are definitely safe, as, I would guess, is Didi. That leaves Paige Miles, Ashley Rodriguez, Janell Wheeler, and Lacey Brown to fight it out on the bottom. There will be two girls leaving on Thursday night, and it will be interesting to see how the voting goes.

American Idol Tonight

American Idol judges Randy Jackson, Ellen Degeneres, Simon Cowell, host Ryan Seacrest, and Kara Dioguardi.

So, tonight begins my season 9 coverage, in conjuncture with Rickey.Org. The Top 12 Ladies sing tonight, with the Top 12 Men taking their turn tomorrow night. I will be writing my recap as the show goes on, and will have it as soon after the show as possible. It will be posted here and at Rickey's. You can watch the show on your local Fox station from 8-10 PM tonight.