johnvano.com

The Last Dance: AI

Vano: The end of "American Idol" has come two weeks too late for me... I've been losing interest in the show and barely got in the last three songs last night. And from what I saw, that last anthem song was treacle though Cara seemed very proud of it. Why does the closing song sound the same year to year? I felt like David Archuleta should've been on stage singing it.

I think Adam is most deserving of the crown, but believe Kris’ fans to be more rabid, more invested, and more shared with Danny’s orphaned fans. Kris wins.

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Carp:
Round 1: Kris. Round 2: Adam. Round 3: A draw (neither really did a good job of singing this terrible dreck Cara created).

Winner: My head says Adam but my heart says Kris. I will probably be wrong here but I am going with Kris Allen to be this year's American Idol. My logic is simple, he will take more of the Danny votes than Adam will.

Three Threat: American Idol Analysis

I didn't get to watch much of the show tonight--just saw Kris and Adam's second songs and the playback of their "vote for me" clips... but I feel confident about making my picks just the same. I am of the opinion that Adam and Danny are most deserving of the finals and that based on fan support Danny is a lock. The competition for the final spot is between Kris and Adam--though I would like to see Adam win this thing. 

Prediction: Kris goes home, Adam in bottom two according to voting.

A final note--Simon Cowell makes this show much more than a singing show... his analysis is generally spot on, but I'm tired of everyone (including the other judges) talking on top of him. It's rumored again (like every year) that he's not coming back, and the way he's shouted at and interrupted I could see why he'd leave... I'm not worried about his feelings--it's just not the greatest television when you don't let your top draw string more than four words together.

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Carp: 

 
1. Adam Lambert ("One" was great.  "Cryin" had me doing just that.  The screech owl routine is getting old for me.)
2. Kris Allen (Has quietly brought himself to the verge of the finals.  His interpretation of Kanye West's "Heartless" was brilliant.)
3. Danny Gokey (The pride of Milwaukee was just ok last night.  For me, he didn't bring anything special to the stage.)
 
Should Go Home: Danny Gokey
Will Go Home: Kris Allen

Four on the Floor: AI

Vano: Here's how I rank 'em for tonight's "American Idol" Rock night.

1. Adam -- pitch perfect, though not my favorite performance from him. He doesn't seem to grow from week-to-week--he came to the show almost too ready.
2. Allison -- I thought she was bashed without cause.
3. Danny -- a little dull at the open, great through most, odd hoarse sounds leading up to end. Hated the way the judges bashed he and Kris for "reaching," "and not your thing"--what the heck were they supposed to do?
4. Kris -- enjoyable

It's almost pointless to have a bottom three as that would involve all but one contestant. Still, I'll rank them by votes so we can score as much as we can. 4) Kris, 3) Allison, 2) Danny. Going home: Kris

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Carp: It was the best of performances, it was the worst of performances on American Idol this week.  While Adam Lambert and Allison Irahetalaunched full throttle into Rock Night, Danny Gokey and Kris Allen appeared to be two forlorn deer about to get squashed in the judges headlights.  Here is how I broke it down:

1. Adam Lambert: He had the attitude, he certainly had the voice, and Cara called him a "rock god".  Adam was head and shoulders above the rest.
 
(big dropoff)
 
2.  Allison Iraheta: With a natural rock and roll swagger, and the benefits of Adam's hairstylist, Allison turned in a commendable performance on a lesser known Janis Joplin gem, "Cry Baby".
3. Danny Gokey: Goofy scream aside, Danny turned in an Ok performance despite a wooden stage presence.
4. Kris Allen: Simon declared that Kris's performance was like "eating ice for lunch".  Maybe that explains why Kris said he wanted to pee his pants when he met Slash.  Not a good night for the pride of Conway, Arkansas.

Should Go Home: Cara Dioguardi (she adds absolutely nothing to this year's show)

Will Go Home: Kris Allen

Fives: American Idol Report

Vano says: My personal rankings for the week

1. Danny -- he had me with the first note.
2. Adam -- tone down the strange, still he's good.
3. Kris -- against my instincts, I've grown to like him.
4. Allison -- got the chops, but she's not blowing us out anymore.
5. Matt -- Michelle Pfieffer alone should have a permit to sing this song

Bottom 3 (by voters): 5) Matt, 4) Allison, 3) Kris. Matt ends his journey.

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Carp says:I realize I am woefully behind Vano at this point but am humbly submitting my AI rankings for this week.

1. Danny Gokey -- His glasses were not working for me but he had a Rat Pack swagger according to the clueless Cara.

2. Adam Lambert -- He is our Michael Phelps declared Paula excitedly.  In light of Mr. Phelps recent pecadillos I don't think that is a title Adam needs.

3. Kris Allen -- A little rough on the falsetto but the girls were going wild.

4. Allison Iraheta -- She was looking "dope".  Perhaps she is the female Michael Phelps.

5. Matt Giraud -- Not a good sign when Jamie Foxx calls you back with a suggestion after squinting at him the entire time sang.

Should Go Home:  Matt Giraud

Will Go Home: Matt Giraud

Let's Do This Again: AI Final Seven Redux

Here are my "American Idol" rankings for April 21:

1. Kris -- nice percussion, big credit for this refreshing take. He's climbed my list each week
2. Adam -- I wanted him to blow the house down, but I'll take this pitch perfect performance
3. Danny -- nice soul, his movement is getting better too
4. Allison -- I'm a fan, but I thought she was too raw and jagged. Good song choice for a teen?
5. Matt -- what's with the funny voice? So affected. Tried to be Timberlake... it was messy
6. Anoop -- he just sang one note. Rearrangement didn't work
7. Lil -- she must go. She's just not a fit for this thing

Bottom Three (in votes): Matt, Anoop, and Lil. Going home: Anoop and Lil.

** Carp? Are you out there?

Carp on the Final Seven

A very quick AI report for this week after a one-week hiatus.  Here is how I scored it at home:

1. Adam Lambert -- I could have done without the Lambster's girly run to the front of the stage. It somehow cheapened his performance.

2. Kris Allen -- A heartfelt rendition of a tremendously tender song. As Quentin Tarantino said, "Kris was playing with the casino's money."

3. Anoop Desai -- Who is giving this guy wardrobe advice? A sleeveless blazer? Come on! It distracted me from an otherwise noteworthy performance.

4. Danny Gokey -- Danny sans glasses singing "Endless Love." I wanted him to bring out the Li-o-nel but he didn't. Solid but unspectacular.

5. Lil Rounds -- No soul in her interpretation of "The Rose." It was sort of robotic. It was good to see ol' Lil get sassy with Simon at the end of the show.

6. Matt Giraud -- He should look at his pocket watch more so he can wake up. His sleepy-eyed soul isn't cutting it for me.

7. Allison Iraheta -- A sloppy performance through and through. She is safe though as the judges trumpeted/promoted her dismal performance so they can get Lil off the show.

Should Go Home:  Matt Giraud

Will Go Home: Lil Rounds

Seven Dilemma (amer idol blog)

This week is a tough one to comment on... the performances didn't stand out to me, for the good or the bad. Adam was expressive, Allison was pressing, Kris had a smooth sound, Anoop impressed, Danny and Matt were forgettably good, and Lil was solid, but unspectacular. 

Quentin Tarantino may have seemed an odd choice as a singing consultant, but I thought his comments were helpful, especially when compared to some of the hoops other artists jump through to avoid saying anything constructive. More than anything, Tarantino is an odd duck to watch... 

My rankings:

1. Kris Allen

2. Adam Lambert

3. Allison Iraheta

4. Anoop Desai

5. Lil Rounds

6. Danny Gokey

7. Matt Giraud

Prediction: Lil, Anoop, and Matt are in the bottom three. Going home: Lil Rounds

Eight is Enough! (amer idol thots)

Here are my weekly rankings and picks for "American Idol."

1. Allison Iraheta -- easily the most moving of all the performances for me. Very impressive.
2. Adam Lambert -- I didn't really get this song, but I guess it doesn't matter when Adam sings.
3. Matt Giraud -- well played
4. Lil Rounds -- put forth what she should have been doing all along
5. Kris Allen -- hard to put a damper on his chops
6. Danny Gokey -- good
7. Scott MacIntyre -- fell well below the pack. still, he was okay in some ways.
8. Anoop Desai -- could be going home. what happened to him?

Prediction: Bottom 3 will be Anoop, Scott, and Lil. Scott ends his journey.

Carp Speaks on the Nine

Last night was digital download night sponsored by iTunes. In essence, our contestants had the choice of virtually any song recorded throughout the existence of mankind. But for the most part our Idols kept things to the last 30 years. Here is my breakdown of last night's action:

1. Adam Lambert -- Looking more and more like Kurt Russell with his recent coiffures.

2. Kris Allen -- This guy is slowly but surely coming into his own.  Could be a darkhorse for the ultimate crown.

3. Scott McIntyre -- Sporting a Kirk Cameron-styled "Growing Pains" mullet could Scotty be the forgotten third member of Air Supply?

4. Danny Gokey --Great vocals, boring performance, but he is a race horse among snails according to Simon.

5. Allison Iraheta -- Was that a tape measure down the front of her dress?  I actually liked her outfit in a trashy sort of way.

6. Lil Rounds -- You've heard the term 'playing not to lose'.  Ol' Lil is singing not to lose.  She has completely lost her groove thing.

7. Anoop Desai -- Borrowing a left over jacket from Michael Jackson Week, Noop Dog sang like a frat boy trying to deliver the Usher. Oh yeah.

8. Matt Giraud -- Matt reverted to his hideous Hollywood-Coldplay performance with a self indulgent Fray cover. 

9. Megan Joy -- Tattoo Barbie singing Bob Marley?  A train wreck waiting to happen.  It was her best performance to date but it was still awful.

Should Go Home: Megan Joy

Will Go Home: Matt Giraud

YAW(Nine)

It was a very dull night until Adam Lambert took the stage. Never have I felt a competitor was so far ahead of the field as I do with that guy. Sure, on a given night, someone could sing better than him or pick a better song, but no one brings the skillset, vocals, style, and moves to the table like Lambert. We've been shocked and awed before by early exits (see Dolittle), it could happen again, but for my money I'm wondering how to fully enjoy the next several weeks when there's such a gap between first to second.

Here's how I'm scoring the night:

1. Adam Lambert -- after "Black or White" it ("Play That Funky Music, White Boy") was his best yet. Funny how good he is when the word "white" is in the lyrics.

2. Kris Allen -- he's grown on me, puts up some enjoyable stuff

3. Scott MacIntyre -- predictable, but he played it right... even got a new coif

4. Alison Iraheta -- phoned it in, but good enough for fourth in a weak field

5. Danny Gokey -- bland

6. Megan Joy -- there were parts I really liked, parts that were off. she looks so uncomfortable up there

7. Anoop Desai -- confusing

8. Lil Rounds -- old ladyish

9. Matt Giraud -- nice work getting in the mosh pit, but that's all I got

Prediction: Voters will place Rounds, Joy, and Giraud in the bottom three. I think America has forgotten Rounds and she'll go home not because she's bad or disliked but irrelevant. At least people are thinking of Megan.