Motown Sends One Hopeful Home

After a retouched clip from last night about Motown, we hear from Crusty that there were over 30 million votes last night, proving how strong the kids were. To help get them ready for this great night was none other than Mr. J-Lo, Marc Anthony.



Marc Anthony stopped by to help the kids with the sound issues of performing live. He helped them deal with the use of the in-ear technology, and the mix and balance of the live performance. And he was backstage during the show, pointing out when the little missus, J-Lo, might have gone astray... Soon, the kids were singing a medley of Motown hits, looking disorganized and embarrassed, as usual. That is followed with a very special surprise performance by the magical Stevie Wonder. He sings his song Happy Birthday to Steven Tyler, who is clearly touched.



Lauren, Pia and Scotty are the first to the center of the stage. Crusty tells them they are going on the tour, and the youngest of the three, Lauren, gets bleeped on air. Three safe, with 8 still to find their fate this week.



Sugarland performs Stuck Like Glue for the Idol audience. They are, of course, a duo made up of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. They are adorable, and fun to watch. The song is this odd cross between Country with a bit of Reggae. But songstress Nettles can sing just about anything.



After an homage to Professional Wrestling, it is time for more results. James and Paul are called to center stage with Crusty, who tells them they are not safe, "I mean, really, not safe." Hulk Hogan comes out and tells them they are safe and going on tour. Then he "pops" Crusty, sending him into the audience, before ripping his shirt. I yawn... However, there are now 5 safe, with 6 looking to hear of their fortunes following the commercial break.

The break gives us more Idol news, as we see a commercial for Soul Surfer, starring Season 4 American Idol, Carrie Underwood, in her first film role.




Jacob, Thia and Stefano are the next called to Crusty, and right away, we learn Jacob is safe, and on the tour. After the vote, we learn Thia is in the bottom 3, as is Stefano. Stefano becomes the first guy to hit stools. Naima, Haley, and Casey are called out, to learn their fate. First person safe is Naima, getting ready for the tour. The final person in the bottom 3 is Casey. Now that is a surprise, I thought he would be safe for another few weeks before the audience caught on... After two weeks of all-girl exits, the boys outnumber the girls 2 to 1 tonight. Might a guy be leaving?

After the break, we are getting a performance by Jennifer Hudson, the only Idol alumni with an Academy Award.




She sound fantastic, and reminds me how not special many of this crew are. We also see George Huff singing backup for Ms. Hudson. Crusty returns to the results quickly, and we learn Thia is safe, leaving the two gentlemen to ponder the results. Going home tonight means no tour, and that means no paycheck through September. There is a bunch of money on the line, with one guy losing big.

After the break, we learn the results, and it is Casey who is in danger of leaving tonight. Casey, singing for his life, chooses to sing I Don't Need No Doctor, a hit for Ray Charles in the 60s. But he is stopped quickly, the judges announcing they don't need to hear more, they will use the save. I mean, really, this early? Vetoing the vote of the people at this point is truly a surprise.

Casey is staying on. Jennifer tells him to get it together, and start to connect with the people again. Randy tells him to be the artist they loved. But that does mean two people are going home next week. And, it was announced, that all 11 will be going on tour. I guess the thought of loosing Casey or Stefano scared Mr. Nigel a bit...

Idol Takes on Motown Once Again

American Idol is in the third week of the finals, and once again the producers have the novel idea to make the kids sing selections from the Motown collection. The music is some of the best written in the last 50 years, and was responsible for some of the greatest vocals from the same period. Crusty opens the show with a black and white period piece, with kids dancing around him a la American Bandstand. Soon he his back in living color, and talking about the great history of Berry Gordy and Motown. It is a rich history, indeed. Soon Crusty is introducing the judging panel. Interestingly enough, it was Steven who made the most interesting statement, about the music having the rhythm of a kiss.



Casey is up first, singing I Heard It Through The Grapevine. The song was a big hit for Marvin Gaye, and was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. Casey is doing a nice job with it, and is less pitchy than I thought he'd be. The judges are crazy for him, calling him an original. They are way more impressed than I am, but it was a big step up from last week. I think I still prefer to hear the great Marvin sing the song.



After the break, we find out Thia is singing (Love Is Like A) Heatwave, a hit for Martha and the Vandellas. It was written by the incredible team of Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland and Edward Holland, Jr. She wanted to sing an uptempo song, and that is what she plans to do! I am surprised, but I think she is doing a great job, bringing it up to date a bit, yet offering a nod to the great history of the song. There is an unfortunate moment with the lyrics toward the end. The judges are loving it tonight, and ignoring the slip. They like what they are hearing, and it reminds them why they chose her in the first place. Time for the next break.

Crusty tells us that Jacob is up next, singing You're All I Need to Get By. It was sung once again by the great Marvin Gaye, as a duet with the super Tammy Terrell. It was written by Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson, who later had hits of their own on the charts. They keep talking about restraint before the song, and it would be nice to see. However, I don't hear that. His top-end is near screaming, and a bit shrill. However, Steven ran on stage to congratulate him, and the judges are falling over themselves about the performance. Randy tells him it is yet another of the greatest performances on the show ever. I am at a loss. There is a hug-fest, and some slight gay-joke. Cut it out, Crusty! Next up is Lauren, who is singing You Keep Me Hanging On, by the great Diana Ross and the Supremes. It is another classic song written by the team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. Lauren has a nice voice, and does a nice job with the song, but I have to admit I was thinking we'd get more. Again, the judges are loving her, predicting great things for her to come.

After the break, we return to Stefano singing a great song from Lionel Richie, Hello. Lionel wrote the song, and before he starts, Crusty mentions Season 8 winner David Cook having a big moment with is a few seasons ago. Stefano starts at 98%, and goes to 125% on the emotional chart. I would have liked to hear a bit more nuance, a bit more lyrical content. Wow, the judges kinda agree with me, they want more emotional connection. Stefano seems a bit shocked he is getting some negative feedback, even from Steven!



After the commercial, Gordon Ramsey rips on the food prepared by Stefano's mother, and we hear that Otis Williams, a founding member of the Temptations in the audience. We have Haley on stage to sing You've Really Got a Hold on Me, the great song by the Miracles, and written by lead singer Smokey Robinson. She comes walking down the steps as she is singing, and is sounding pretty good. In the chorus, she falls back on the forced growl, which is unfortunate. The judges are liking her very much, and J-Lo even says she has the most soulful voice in the competition, save maybe Jacob. Steven loves her growl, which I, of course, find forced and fake. They are glad she is back on form.

Country teen Scottie is on after the break. There is a clip of him sinking a basketball shot, for some unexplained reason. We discover that he will sing For Once In My Life, with a country spin. It was a hit for many artists, including Stevie Wonder. While he has a nice enough voice, his performance style is just cheese on a stick. It wasn't bad, just rather unexceptional. Steven loved it, and both Jennifer and Randy remark it was good, but not his best. But they love the low note he hits. Guess that forgives the lack of connection to the lyrics.

Pia is up next, singing Stevie Wonder's All In Love Is Fair. Written and recorded by Stevie in 1973, it is a great ballad, also recorded by Barbra Streisand the next year. She starts off rather nicely, but I have a tough time when about in the middle, she seems to confuse volume for emotion. Jennifer loved it, as did Randy, although he did want something other than ballad soon.



Paul is up after the commercial, and takes on Tracks Of My Tears by the great Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, written by Smokey. Paul pulls out the acoustic guitar, and loads the performance with his trademark quirk, looking at taking Motown in the Folk-Rock direction. The majority of the song is a bit sleepy for me, but the end is rather nice. Oddly, I am kinda agreeing with Randy. Steven loves it, as did J-Lo. There are not-so-vieled encouragements for the Cougar vote, I wonder if that will work.

After the break, Naima is due to perform. I am amazed that we are having a commercial break between all the performers in the later half of this show. Naima will be doing Dancing In The Streets by Martha & the Vandellas. I have to say, Naima is nailing it tonight, hitting the notes and performing like a pro, complete with the Dance break. I thought she was fantastic, her best so far. The judges are on board as well, and

After the commercial, James sings Living For The City by Stevie Wonder. His lack of control is painfully obvious from the start, another who is all smoke and no fire for me. The story part of the song at the beginning just laid there like a lead balloon on the stage. the judges loved him, although Randy does mention the slow start. J-Lo disagrees, but then again, it's J-Lo. Steven, of course, loves it.



This was a pretty good night for Idol, with no disasters, so to speak. No real train wreck, and it should make the contestants worry, cause there might just be a battle for the votes. Will this be the first time a guy is in the bottom 3? I think Haley will be in the bottom group, but not sure who will be joining her. I suspect Pia, Lauren, Scottie and Casey are safe, but the rest, well, there has to be a bottom 3, right? Will Naima fight her way out of the quicksand? During the recap, the clip was particularly kind to Stefano, could this mean trouble for him? Will Paul's connection with his guitar keep him safe? Will Casey or Thia be remembered by the voters nearly 2 hours after they opened the show? Guess we will have to wait until tomorrow to know for sure.

American Idol in 60 Seconds - Top 11

MTV News reporter Jim Cantiello gives his brief, yet clever thoughts on the Top Eleven of American Idol. Whether you agree with Jim or not, you gotta laugh.

MTV Shows

AI9 Teen Dreams Broken

Last night, the contestants made their last argument for making the tour. Today, the talk about the show has been that Paige is going home. Practically every voice has been saying it. And that makes me nervous, cause when the collective response is so unanimous, there is a strong chance it might be wrong. Of course, there is the chance for the judge's save, which I would seriously doubt will come into play.

After an introduction of the judges, Crusty announces the group number will be Wham's Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. A fountain full of brightly painted balls while the Idols singing Our Time Now, that is our Ford video for today. We also found out Casey had a bit of rehearsal mishap, Siobhan has zombie friends, Katie's father drinks to escape the results episode, and Mike wears a baby bjorn.... Now, on to the results.

Siobhan is up first. She is, of course, safe, much to the glee of the bleeding zombies. Next up is Lee and Casey. And after the vote, we get to move on to Tim and Paige. Tim would not do it over again, and Paige thinks she had a poor performance, and lost herself. Paige is in the bottom three, as is Tim. And Lee and Casey are left standing for the commercial. And when we return, we will see Miley Cyrus.

Next week, Usher will be the mentor for R&B/Soul Week. And Crusty introduces Miley at the piano to sing. Oh, my, she is a bit pitchy tonight. Bet she is happy the judges won't be critiquing her. She is singing her latest single When I Look At You. Afterwards, she chats with Crusty, and says she thought Tim was great, and the judges got it wrong, she loved the knee-slide, and a little Ephron. LOL

We come back, there is a bit about the Idol Gives Back push, and find out Lee and Casey were safe, even if we weren't told that before. Aaron is the first up, and he is safe. Didi is next, who confesses her frustration with the judging, and Ellen basically says, 'Not me, it is them!' And Didi is safe. Big Mike is safe, and happy about it. Crystal is also safe. Finally, it is Katie and Andrew, and Anderw is getting a chance to talk it out about the criticism, and wants to keep his acoustic sound. The person in the bottom three is Katie, and Andrew is safe.

The person who is immediately safe is Katie - which is odd to me. Why make her be in the bottom for 90 seconds? Anyway, we go to a commercial break, and will see Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas perform. We come back, and the kids are screaming for Demi and Joe, singing Make A Wave. Not surprising, Demi clearly outsings the solo Jonai, and after they are done, Crusty chats with them, and kills more time.

For the final results, we discover the person leaving is Paige Miles, and Tim is safe and going on tour. Of course, the judges can save her, but seems unlikely. And Simon kills the drama, and says they will not use the judges save, and she will sing her way home. So, we go to the video, and I guess she will sing out. She sings Alright Now to the credits.

AI9 Not Everyone Can Handle The Climb

Front row: Katie Stevens, Lee Dewyze, and Paige Miles. Second row: Andrew Garcia, Casey James, Crystal Bowersox, and Aaron Kelly. Top row: Tim Urban, Mike Lynche,Siobhan Magnus and Didi Benami.

This recap was originally written to appear on Rickey.Org.

What started as a Teen Idol theme morphed into an iTunes #1 theme, but either way Miley Cyrus is the mentor. The judges chat, Simon half-hearted apologizes to Kara, and Crusty spends too much time looking down Simon's shirt. And Simon explains leaving tonight means missing out on the money from the tour, and it will be devastating to their career. The video package comes on for the mentor, talking about her conquering all-media, and the seventeen-year-old is excited about being a mentor.

Lee Dewyze, The Letter [1967 song by The Boxtops, with recently deceased lead singer Alex Chilton] Lee puts a bluesy spin on the rock standard. He is more on key than usual, but still has a tough time holding notes. It is not something that would be released as contemporary music, but he was less pitchy than normal. I would say that was his best performance to date, but could use a bit less aimless on the stage. The judges are doing backflips, save for Simon. Paige Miles, Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) [1984 song by Phil Collins] Miley calls her out as pitchy, but really likes her. Wow, on the open, she is a pitchy mess. She seems very nervous. But she recovers midway through the song, and belts it out. Randy hates it, Ellen thinks she is pretty, Kara thinks it is the worst of the season, and Simon tries to be nice, but thinks she is gone. She handles it well. Tim Urban, Crazy Little Thing Called Love [1980 song by Queen] One can't help but think this is a mistake, and what could save Paige. And Miley thinks he is great and gives him two thumbs up. Wow, he stays in tune and slides on the floor. The judges take him to task, and tell him he has no chance to win, and is silly and irrelevant. Hey, judges, it was not pitchy, gotta give him something.

Aaron Kelly, I Don't Want To Miss A Thing [1998 song by Aerosmith written by Diane Warren] We get to Aaron, and we discover he has laryngitis and tonsillitis, and a huge crush on Miley, who thinks he has an incredible voice. He gives the rock power ballad a country feel. Wow, he is making this work. Sure, there are a couple of odd notes, but considering the diagnoses, I am impressed. The judges are loving him, letting him go on the lightly flawed vocals. Crusty pulls out the Archie reference. Crystal Bowersox, Me and Bobby McGee ]1971 song by Janis Joplin, written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster] Miley loves her, and gives her a few suggestions that are actually good. Crystal listened, and sounded great. Great vocals. Again, however, I don't know how she works in today's music. The judges are crazy about it, but Ellen wants a bit more personality to shine through, and bit of connection to the audience, and Crusty sits on the carpet with her to try his best to help. Michael Lynche, When A Man Loves A Woman [1966 song by Percy Sledge] Miley loves Big Mike, and Crusty calls him the resident Casanova. He does a nice job, rather unexciting for me, and tended to go a bit sharp on the notes. He is getting good, but safe reviews. The term loungy comes up. I have thought that from the start.

Andrew Garcia, I Heard It Through The Grapevine [1967 song by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles] With Miley, he struggled with the lyrics. Wow, he is being swallowed alive by the song, and losing pitch. This is just not a good thing at all. Randy says it wasn't good, Ellen tends to agree. Kara and Simon think it was not good at all. Simon even realized he sucked the soul out of the song. Good news, Glee is on in three weeks. And Rachel is singing Madonna, I am happy. Katie Stevens, Big Girls Don't Cry [2006 song by Fergie] The seventeen-year-olds chat a bit, but there doesn't seem to be a great deal of warmth. I wasn't a big fan of the original, but think this is fine. Randy liked it, but saw the pitchiness. Ellen loved it, so did Kara, although she also thought there was 'mad pitch issues' and Simon thinks there is marked improvement, but still sees country in her future. Mixed reviews, but should make it through.

Casey James, Power of Love [1985 hit for Huey Lewis and the News] Casey automatically insults Miley but saying he was a fan of her father, not her. She mentions the eye contact, and he gets it. And he gets a hug. Casey is singing well, adding a but os southern blues to the song. I think he rocked it. Not quite as good as Crystal, but very good. The judges are gushing over him. Randy, Ellen and Kara loved it, and Simon hated it. Didi Benami, You're No Good [1975 hit for Linda Ronstadt, originally recorded by Betty Everett in 1963] I love the Ronstadt version, and remember it dearly, so this scares me a bit. She talks to Miley about nerves, and I can't think but hearing that before going on can't be good. Crusty mispronounces her name and laughs. This is not starting well. The key is wrong, and is kinda cabaret, to quote Simon. Randy didn't love it. Ellen was disappointed. Kara thought it was overly dramatic, and Simon wasn't happy. She wanted to try something different, and have some fun. Siobhan Magnus, Superstition [1972 song for Stevie Wonder] Siobhan is sporting some wild hair, so we can only imagine this will be something wild from her. She is singing it really well, but again, sounds dated, not timely. I could do without the screaming note every time. The overuse makes it very unspecial. Well, Miley gives her the thumbs-up from the audience. The judges, save Simon, loved her, and he thinks she wasn't relevant and everyone is lagging behind Crystal.

OK, I think the bottom three are clear, Paige, Tim and Andrew. Any of them might be going home, although I would suspect Paige or Andrew. But none of those three would be a shock. A couple will be skating by because of the failure of others. Yes, I am speaking to you, Didi, Katie, Big Mike and Lee. I would think Siobhan, Crystal, Aaron and Casey are safe tonight, and preparing for next week.