<p>Ooh, that JLo performance was just weird. What an incredibly stupid song. You have got to be kidding me. And trying to dress and act like a teenager? That was sooooo bad! I don’t think the judges should ever perform, it can only go downhill for them.</p>
<p>JLo’s song sounded like she hired the producers Beyonce uses. </p>
<p>I thought Aunt Jackie was going to have a heart attack on screen when Seacrest did that “Sam you’re heading back … to the lounge” bit. They cut to the family and Roy is pounding his hands together - he’s a really positive person - and Jackie was quivering.</p>
<p>So the bottom 3 were Sam, MK, and ?</p>
<p>ETA: never mind, I just read that the bottom 3 were Dexter, Majesty, and MK.</p>
<p>No, Sam wasn’t in the bottom 3. It was MK, Majesty and what’s the guys name—the country guy with black hair from Alabama? I don’t think he’s been in the bottom 3 till now.</p>
<p>Dexter, that’s his name.</p>
<p>Yeah, I know Jlo’s kids are young, but I just see that and think, “and that’s someone’s mother!” (to be embarrassed about!)</p>
<p>MK’s “sing for the save” performance was one of her best performances - probably the best song choice she had all season so she chose the right one to sing. However, it could also be noted that no other performance measured up to that one with that song, so in the end, leaving was bound to happen.
(I found it very interesting how she asked Ryan for a minute and went over to Ricky Minor to consult - and to ask what the first few words of the song were - did anyone else catch that??) Her nerves must have really been apparent - which I totally understand. </p>
<p>MK has a lovely tone, but she is badly in need of vocal training, as are so many of these singers. (Note that Sam, who has the most reliable voice, has had significant training.)</p>
<p>I still think this bunch is mediocre as a whole and not one of them comes close to the best singers in prior seasons. When someone does the next compilation video of the best Idol performances, it’s hard to imagine that anything from this season will be on it. But maybe the “moment” performance is still to come.</p>
<p>So more than halfway done, and I think Sam is the best of the night so far. I think he got A LOT of votes with that comment about that he was thinking about his Grandma with that song!</p>
<p>I thought Sam was really good tonight, too. I think C.J. should go home next. His pitch problems are pretty consistent. I did not think Majesty was all that great either.</p>
<p>Sam and Alex proved once again that a good voice is not enough. They are excruciatingly dull performers. Caleb seemed to excite the audience the most tonight, and he’s good at what he does, but I don’t see how what he does could be marketed in today’s music scene. </p>
<p>What’s struck me most about this season is how Harry has raised the level of discourse among the judges. Keith, who I think was beaten into submission last season by the warring divas, has so much more to say this time, and even JLo has had some valuable input. They’ve all shown that it’s possible to be “nice” (i.e., not like Simon) and still offer constructive criticism. And talking about someone’s need to improve their “intonation”, a word Harry introduced to the party, sounds so much kinder than declaring a singer to be “pitchy”! </p>
<p>Thought Caleb had the best performance by far. As a “front man”, the theme really played to his strength. I like Jena the best when she’s behind her piano and hope next week she goes back to playing it once again. Not sure who the 3rd person in the bottom 3 will be joining C.J. and Majesty… maybe Malaya?</p>
<p>What AI should WANT to come out of this competition is someone who is well liked, can sing and entertain and can BE CURRENT AND SELL RECORDS. (or downloads.)</p>
<p>Of this crop??? Think about who we have and if
-they know who they are in terms of singing genre
- they are current in their artistry
- they have the likeability to entertain and sell records.</p>
<p>Most current? Alex. I can’t comment on the country singers so much because I am not a country music fan.
Malaya - who is she? Besides ballads (which are not really current IMO) what else can she sell?
Jena has the potential to be all of the above.
Caleb - I think he would do great in a Broadway rock play. Not sure if he would survive as a rock singer only.
Sam could have a nice career with a good agent - his voice is pure and he’s good at his style of music. Not sure if he’s superstar material though (or if he wants to be!!!)</p>
<p>Even Alex would be more alternative. But alternative is very popular right now. He’d be a good, solid first act for a bigger act. Which wouldnt be a bad gig!!!</p>
<p>^^^^I agree with much of what you said above. I disagree about Caleb. I think he could do well as a rock front man. </p>
<p>I agree with Nrdsb4 about Caleb and with abasket about Alex. Call me crazy, but I see Sam becoming a modern day Ricky Nelson. Would like to see him sing "I’m A Traveling Man, accompanied by his guitar.</p>
<p>Jshain, I was JUST on another board I frequent where there is an AI thread and someone just said the same thing!!! Ricky Nelson!!! :)</p>
<p>They shortened the results show to premiere a half hour sitcom, which made the show (mercifully) shorter. </p>
<p>Out of the 9, I thought Sam ranked about dead center. If the show was totally by vote, the audience ranked him 7 or 8. I saw his Aunt Laura in the audience Wednesday. </p>
<p>I thought they sent home the right person. Though CJ was off key, I thought he performed pretty well. </p>
<p>Now if I could convince my wife we have no reason to keep all these shows on the DVR … all his performances are on youtube. </p>
<p>I’m sad to see Majesty go. I liked her a lot but she didn’t have it in her to win.</p>
<p>Here’s what I figure regarding why they didn’t save her:</p>
<p>First, Majesty - that girl was MAD!! She’s a fighter!! I can see it in her - good for her. But she was NERVOUS. Her save song did not sound good. But I don’t think that mattered. Here’s why I don’t think they saved her.
- She has been in the bottom 3 weeks in a row. Clearly she doesn’t have a fan base cause the last two weeks she wasn’t the worst. She would not be a front runner ever.
- The judges are seeing people like CJ keep making it through - with two weeks to use the save they are not going to risk losing a Jena, Alex or Caleb over someone like CJ or Dexter (IMO)</p>
<p>JLo needs to man up!! She is always deferring the loaded questions to the Keith and Harry. I hate when women have double standards like that !!!</p>
<p>Next week’s theme - “sing your audition song” - that should be interesting to see how some of them have improved or to see how they change it up. </p>
<p>No comments on last week??</p>
<p>You can hear the studio versions of the songs performed last week here:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-xiii-top-9-itunes-studio-performances-audio.htm”>http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-xiii-top-9-itunes-studio-performances-audio.htm</a></p>
<p>Click the play button on each song. Always interesting to hear the studio versions compared to the live performances.</p>
<p>@Lergnom, wow, Sam is AMAZING in his recordings!!! He’s going to do just fine when he is done with the show and someone gets him in the studio. Wow, so pleasant to listen to!!! </p>
<p>Sam never makes a mistake and always sounds great. Can’t say that about many professional singers.</p>