Idol Envy: Top 9 - Rock & Roll

Sorry I've been MIA as of late. A wedding down in Redlands, bonding with the niece and nephews, Wondercon (comic convention in the city, which I worked) and just plain being tired have kept me from focusing on the blog. But what a results show!

This week the Top 9 honored the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and these guys and gals brought there A game.

Here's the breakdown of Songs from last night

Casey Abrams - Have You Ever Seen the Rain
It was nice to see a more controlled Casey, this toned down version of himself is what will keep him in the competition, but the next time he goes a little aggro on stage America will not be calling in.

Hayley Reinhart - Piece of My Heart
I like Hayley and want to see her stick around, she gave a great performance, it wasn't perfect but she is fun. When she hits her mid range she sounds stellar, love the growls.

Jacob Lusk - Man in the Mirror
Jacob has a great voice and really is a Diva trapped in a man's body. He gave a great performance but was a little overshadowed by having Siedah Garrett (who co-wrote the song) as his "duet" partner, did this help or harm him??

James Durbin - While My Guitar Gentle Weeps
This is James's "Mad World" moment, we get to see his softer side. When the song began I wasn't sure if I was gonna love it, but by that end note there was no doubt. I loved the performance and I think this will be the first Idol download of the season for me.

Lauren Aliana - (You Make Me Feel Like a ) Natural Woman
Lauren, maybe this wasn't the best choice for this week. Lauren has been compared to one Miss Kelly Clarkson all season and for those of us that watched that first season, we remember Kelly's performance and how much she rocked that song. There really should be a rule that says if a past winner sang it, off limits because comparisons will be a coming. With that said, I thought she did a good job, but will be calling like a mo fo to keep her around because I do like this girl.

Paul McDonald - Folsom City Blues
I don't know what to think of Paul. I like that his has this unique voice and out there personality, but when I'm shopping for music will I be adding his to my cart?? Thinking back on last night's performance, Paul did a great good, being in the Bottom 3 really does scare the shit out of you. I still don't think this was the right song for him, there are plenty other Johnny Cash songs out there that I feel would have worked better for him.

Pia Toscano - River Deep Mountain High
Well, after 2 weeks of being asked to give us an uptempo number Pia delivered with the Ike & Tina Turner classic, "River Deep, Mountain High" I freaking love this song (as well as the Glee version), but wasn't feeling Pia. Yes, she sounded great and hit those notes but I wanted just a little bit more from this performance, Tina had this energy when she was on stage that Pia doesn't have yet.

Scotty McCreedy - That's Alright
I'm bored with Scotty, each week it's the same performance for me. He has yet to wow me, Middle America & the South must love this kid, but he still isn't getting one of my votes.

Stefano Langone - When a Man Loves a Woman
Why are you still here?? Of all the guys, Stefano is the weakest. Remember last week's result song group numbers, when he performed with James, Paul, and Casey? When he's singing with another person who's voice is better you can definately hear that his isn't quite up to par, hence why America didn't vote him into the Top 12.

On a side note, the website votefortheworst.com has chosen Paul McDonald as their Idol poster boy, I personally think Stefano is way worst but that's just me. Past vote for the worst Idol hopefulls include Sanjaya and last season's cutie Tim Urban.

My votes went to James, Lauren, and Hayley

My guesses for the bottom were Stefano, Scotty, and possibly Lauren and boy was I WRONG!

Results Show quick recap!

Ryan brings 3 contestants up at a time, revealing that one is in the Bottom 3

Group 1: Stefano, Lauren, and Casey - my guess is that Stefano is not safe this week and I'm right.

Group 2: Paul, Scotty, and Pia - my guess would be either Scotty or Paul; Ryan reveals Pia is in the bottom for the first time.

Group 3: James, Jacob, and Hayley - My guess would be either Hayley or possibly Jacob and it is Jacob.

The Bottom 3 stand as Stefano, Pia, and Jacob. My hope is that Stefano finally says goodbye, but I'm shocked as the rest of America when Ryan reveals it's the end of the road for Pia. I honestly thought she was gonna be the Last Girl Standing and making it as far as the Final 3. Pia was asked to perform a swan song and she chose "I'll Stand by You" and gave one of the best Swan Songs in the competition. I bet the judges are kicking themselves for saving Casey 2 weeks ago.

Till next time, Envy Out!

Idol Envy: S10 Top 12 - Song List & Results Show

The night started on a serious note, in light of recent events in Japan all proceeds from Itunes downloads of last night's Idol performances will be going to the American Red Cross, so you should go download at least one song from last night to help the cause.

Now onto the show, last night's theme was Songs the contestants birth year, with the oldest contestants this year being 26!

Naima Adedapo started the night off with the Tina Turner classic "What's Love got to do with it" from the year 1984! I like that Naima is taking risks by doing these big songs, but I don't think this is where she's most comfortably. She was pitchy throughout the performance, and I was worried when she started because it was terrible; she so much better than what she's been giving us. Girlfriend is in trouble this week because being inconstant sends you home.

Also from 1984 comes Paul McDonald with the Elton John hit, "I guess that's why they call it the blues". Now Paul was under the weather and he did struggle a little bit with some of the notes, but overall he did a stellar job. He has amazing stage presence and I can easily see him as a front man for some band.

Thia Megia took me back to my freshmen year of high school (1995) with her rendition of Vanessa Williams "Colors of the Wind" from Disney's Pocahontas. What Thia had going for her with this performance was that it was beautifully staged; she gave a steady/solid performance but it was safe and boring. I'm waiting for her to show us more than just the ballads. I know you have a beautiful voice, let's see some personality, sing outside the box. Thia will last another week, so hopefully we'll get to see a different side to her.

James Durbin, born in 1989, gave us some Bon Jovi with "I'll be there for you". Now, I know the boy has been compared to Adam Lambert and tonight that's who he was channelling (naughty thought just popped in my mind... hee hee hee) okay back to business, overall I was not in love with this performance, but his killer high note was awesome and the fact that Steven Tyler said he'd sing with James if he made it to the final is reason enough to vote in through another week. and Steven said it best, James is a rich vein of inner crazy.

Okay, Hayley Reinhart brought the first of the two Whitney Houston songs that were featured last night. When I had Whitney and 1990 my mind went straight to The Bodyguard and I Will Always Love You and I was like please don't try and tempted that. Lucky for me, she didn't and went with "I'm your baby tonight", which is one of my favorite songs by Miss Houston. And honestly, Hayley was all over the place, very pitchy and sounded off, and poor girl was having lipstick malfunctions to boot. The best part of the performance was the bridge and her end notes, but I don't think that will be enough to save her from tonight's bottom three.

Oh, Stefano Langone, I don't want to like you, I don't know why you bug me, you just do. But damn it, was that not a fracking amazing performance?? Stefano killed Simply Red's 1989 it "If you don't know me". That was the best performance of the night and guaranteed him through to next weeks show.

Pia Toscano also had a great performance with the other Whitney Houston classic, 1988's "Where do broken hearts go?" But honestly, thinking back, it's this performance I can't remember. Pia has a great voice but isn't quite as memorable as some of the other contestants, she'll last but not sure how long.

And then there's Scotty McCreery, who of course did country proud with his version of Travis Triat's 1993 song, "Can I trust my heart?" Of all the guys I think Scotty has the best tone,but if you close your eyes and just listen Scotty's voice sounds like every other male country artist out there, so I'm torn with this guy. I do want to see him tackle other genres and countrify them, especially Disco.

Karen Rodriquez, doing her better J-Lo impression, sang Taylor Dayne's 1989 hit "Love will lead us back" I'm sorry, Karen, but love ain't leading you anywhere but the bottom 3. The girl is trying... way to hard to be J-Lo, I get it she's her Idol, but enough I want to see more Karen. Aside from the weak performance, the outfit was awful and did not work with her song choice, if she was singing Disco, she had the outfit. Even through this performance was a slight and I mean slight better performance than last week, girlfriend is in trouble.

Casey, Casey, Casey, took balls taking on Nirvana's first hit 1991's "Smells like teen spirit". Was it a risk that paid off? Not quite sure, the combination of the stage lighting (which was a cool yellowish color), Casey's intense facial expressions and the fact he has a red beard made it kind of a creepy performance. I wonder if you play that performance backwards what would happen??

Lauren Alaina went to Melissa Etheridge's classic "I'm the only one" as you birth year song (1994). I love that she brought a country feel to the song and Lauren was twenty times better than she was last week. I loved it and she made a fan out of me.

We end the night with Jacob Lusk and Heart's "Alone" (1987). This is a big song and Jacob has the voice to do it proud but something was off. The arrangement was off to me and Jacob struggled to keep the pace, even the high note didn't work. I don't know what Randy was listening/watching because I felt Jacob missed the mark with this one.

My guesses for the Bottom 3: Karen, Hayley, & Naima

My votes went to James and Lauren.

AND THE RESULTS.....
So, I missed the actually show and in my search to find a video, which I couldn't find because no one's posted anything yet, I found out who got the boot.

My guesses for the bottom 3 were on the money this week and of the 3 Karen was my choice to say goodbye and she was! No judge's save tonight (thank you judges). So here's to next week...

~ENVY OUT

Idol Envy: Top 13 Results Show

After sleeping on last night's performances and trolling the interwebs and reading what others had to say about the show, I've decided to name the following three as tonight's potential Bottom 3: Karen Rodriguez, Lauren Alaina, and Paul McDonald (I think he's safe and won't be in the bottom 2). Am I right? Let's watch and see....

8:02 pm So, we learn the Judge's Save is back this year, and if they use it tonight will be a shocker. Musical guests are Dirty Diddy Money and Adam Lambert

Now on to a video rubbing it in to all those cut last week. The tour of their Beverly Hills Mansion sponsored by Ford (that pool table was sweet though).

Oh look the first Idol group performance of the season. A tribute to Michael Jackson, and here's the interesting things I noticed with this performance
- For Scotty having such a deep voice, why could I not hear him??
- Karen sounds ten times better, but is still in trouble from last night.
- Stefano please go home, that was bad I'm switching him for Paul.
- Naima & James were awesome

8:13pm And now the Ford Focus commercial were the kids get to practice their lip syncing skills

8:15pm Hello Amanda Seyfried, you go push your movie

8:16pm More push to have us see the Twilight inspired Red Riding Hood, which I will probably end up seeing.

8:18pm okay down to business for the week.
Ryan calls Jacob, Karen, and Stefano to the center of the stage. If only one is in the bottom, Karen's performance was probably the worst of the three so my guess is Karen, but I hope it's Stefano.

8:21pm As I thought Karen is revealed to be one of tonight's bottom 3

8:22pm Adam Lambert after a word from our sponsors

8:26pm And we are back. Welcome back Adam. Aftermath is one of the few songs I enjoyed from his album (overall wasn't totally in love with it). But I did love this performance.

8:30pm I love it when Ryan flirts with Adam

8:35pm Can we get this show rolling?? Okay, Lauren, Ashton, and Hayley are called. Of the three, Lauren probably had the weakest performance going first is not always a good thing especially on a 2 hour show. I am liking the fact she's admitting she made a mistake and thank you Ryan for not dragging it out (Lauren is safe). So, I hope Ashton is in the bottom because I did like Hayley more.

8:40pm Ashton & Hayley are in the bottom, and everyone else is safe. I feel cheated now that was too fast. Stupid two musical guest cutting in on my nervous Idol time. Anyway, last night I had guessed Karen and Ashton were in trouble and I was right. But of my choices for tonight's bottom three I was 1 for 3.

8:45pm Diddy Dirty Money performance, this I could have done without.

8:55pm Okay who's going home... Not Karen (I thought it was gonna be her)... Not Hayley so it's Ashton!!

8:56pm Ashton is given another chance and has decided to sing Diana Ross again and it sounds worse tonight for some reason. This is your time to shine, this performance was so dim. If the judges use the save tonight they are stupid, it's way to soon in the competition and besides America did not vote her through last week for a reason.

8:57pm Song is done and onto the Judge's

8:58pm The judge's final answer is... Not to use the save

8:59pm Here is Ashton's final montage and David Cook's rendition of the classic Simple Minds hit "Don't You Forget About Me"