American Idol - Elimination Night 4/23/08

Carly Smithson Goes Home On American Idol - Andrew Lloyd Webber Week
Fox Wednesday 9/8c 4/23/08

The night started off with a Q&A with Andrew Lloyd Webber and an ensemble number from the American Idol Top 6 contestants. Lloyd Webber admitted that he did not care for Jason Castro's song choice (Memory), nor his performance. He said that Brooke White did the right thing, starting over again when she forgot the lyrics (I wholly disagree).

"After the break," as Ryan Seacrest says.

Introducing American Idol Postage stamps, all proceeds go to Idol Gives Back.

Then a message from President George W. and Laura Bush. They are both making the prime time rounds.

Starting with David Archuleta and David Cook, and a million screaming tweens!
Both were eventually pronounced safe, of course.

Neil Diamond will be the mentor next week. Finally somebody that they may have heard of, maybe. At least I will finally know the songs!

After another break and a trailer for a cool looking new Will Smith movie, Hancock.

An update from Tamyra Gray(got robbed in AI Season 1), currently in Rent on Broadway. And Clay Aiken(got robbed in AI Season 2), currently in Spamalot on Broadway.

Next was a performance from a Simon Cowell discovery, Leona Lewis with Bleeding Love.

Finally back to the AI eliminations, Ryan called out Syesha Mercado and Brooke White. Brooke White was pronounced safe and Syesha Mercado is in the bottom 2. It's all about the fan base, Syesha. Brooke is also being backed by a 'vote for the worst' campaign. That is why the American Idol contest will rarely crown a true 'best'. These contestants are all talented at this point, and I have no doubt that Syesha will have a singing career no matter where she places.

Carly Smithson and Jason Castro were next to find out their fate. Jason was pronounced safe, after saying that he really did not want to sing his song tonight. Carly was kind of robbed, but her fan base has failed her before. Jason Castro has a huge fan base, that are extremely loyal.

Carly then sang Jesus Christ Super Star, I don't know why Syesha didn't get to sing yet (uh-oh, Syesha!)
Oh OK, now Syesha sings One Rock & Roll To Many.

I am glad they have both contestants sing their songs prior to finding out who goes home, rather than the tearful renditions of such songs as Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.

After the break... the actual show is only about 18 minutes long!

Wow! Carly Smithson goes home tonight, and the audience boos! Carly's fan-base has consistently let her down, putting her in the bottom 2 or 3 week after week.

Brooke White should have been eliminated, but Carly Smithson leaves the American Idol competition.

Simon said that his compliment last night was the kiss of death!


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American Idol Elimination - Kristy Lee Cook Goes Home 4/16/08

No Big Surprise This Week On American Idol
Kristy Lee Cook Is Eliminated 4/16/08
FOX Wednesday 9/8c

Ryan Seacrest started the elimination process by putting the AI contestants in 2 groups on the stage. First one out was Jason Castro, followed by David Cook starting seperate groups (trouble for one favorite or another!)

Carly Smithson was called out next and she immediately told Simon that he has been hard on her. She was sent to join Jason Castro.

Kristy Lee Cook came out and was sent to David Cook's group (assumed to be safe by the audience). Kristy Lee did call Simon "a bit of a butt-head, sometimes", when asked about his critiques.

Break for Elliot Yamin to sing. Elliot looks great and sounds much better than he ever did during American Idol. He sings with great confidence now, and has much greater stage presence with his new look. Elliot had a message written on his palm to his mother who just passed away.

Syesha Mercado was called out after Elliot's performance, she was sent to join Jason and Carly.

Brooke White came out next to join David Cook and Kristy Lee Cook.

Everyone was waiting to see what group David Archuleta would join. My guess is that Ryan will embarrass David A. by telling him to stand with the group he thinks he belongs in. I don't know why Ryan thinks this is funny, like their is not enough tension between these kids.

After another break, another American Idol Q&A with the World Wide Web.

Then a performance by Mariah Carey singing Bye, Bye. Nobody seemed too into it.

Ryan finally calls David Archuleta to the stage, and simply pronounced him safe.

David Cook was then told to swap with Syesha and join Jason Castro and Carly Smithson.

Then Ryan did exactly what I said, asked David A. to pick the group he belonged in. David shyly sat down, and stayed seated in the middle even when Ryan told him which group to join. So the group joined David in the middle of the stage.

Syesha Mercado, Kristy Lee Cook, and Brooke White are the bottom 3 (as it should be).

Syesha was immediately proclaimed safe.

Leaving American Idol tonight is Kristy Lee Cook.

Before she even knew, Simon told her it was her time. "At least I made it passed the Top 10", answered Kristy Lee.

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American Idol - Top 7 Perform Mariah Carey Songs

American Idol Contestants Are Mentored By Mariah Carey 4/15/08

Tonight the AI Top 7 were singing Mariah Carey songs. Simon Cowell said that it would be a make or break night for Randy Jackson (did you know that he has worked with Mariah?)

The night started with David Archuleta singing "Believe". I don't think this was anywhere near his best performance, but of course he should skate to the Top 6. Don't get me wrong, I love David Archuleta and truly hope that he wins it all. I just don't think that this was his best, I know I have seen him do better.

Randy Jackson - "you can sing anything... that was the bomb"

Paula Abdul - "Mariah is smiling... you made her proud"

Simon Cowell - "I have to say that you performed that very well"

Next up was Carly Smithson and her version of "Without You". Mariah Carey was impressed with her voice. I think this was one of Carly's best performances without a doubt (wardrobe and all)

Randy Jackson - "yo... you got to believe and trust yourself in your lower range"

Paula Abdul -"I like the fact that you showed some restraint"

Simon Cowell - "... I don't think that you pulled it off... it was an OK version"

Syesha Mercado sang "Vanishing", and Mariah gave her a few extra pointers. I think that Syesha has a great recording voice, and I liked the performance.

Randy Jackson - "... toughest song of the night... you did a good job, all things considered"

Paula Abdul - "I think you've been extremely smart... you picked a song not everyone knows"

Simon Cowell -"Technically it was very good indeed... at this point, I wouldn't have chosen a song that no one knows"

Next up was Brooke White singing "Hero". Mariah said that she really likes Brooke. At the piano tonight, this is my favorite performance from Brooke. She kept it simple with no band and it worked much better.

Randy Jackson - "... the bridge kind of threw me"

Paula Abdul - "... every ounce of you is identifiable to who you are" (?)

Simon Cowell - "... it was a bit like ordering a hamburger and only getting the bun... your voice is not strong enough to carry off that song"

Kristy Lee Cook sang "Forever" another song that I do not know, but Mariah Carey seemed to love the version. I just don't like Kristy's country twists on everything.

Randy Jackson - "It was pitchy"

Paula Abdul - "I'm blown away"

Simon Cowell - "You didn't give me chills... it was whiny at times... it just wasn't great"

David Cook and Jason Castro finished the night.

David Cook gave his accoustic twist on "Always Be My Baby". I thought it was kind of pitch-y on the chorus. He always sounds better when he rocks. It was alright.

Randy Jackson - "Yo... you are a ready to make an album... that was the most brilliant performance yet"

Paula Abdul - "... that could be a movie sound track right now, and maybe it will"

Simon Cowell -"It was like coming out of Karaoke Hell into a breath of fresh air... someone who takes risks, congratulations"

Jason Castro closed the show with his own spin of "I Don't Wanna Cry" without his usual guitar. He tried to stay serious throughout his performance tonight and did a good job of getting into the song. Jason was pitch-y, but he always gets away with it.

Randy Jackson - "... I felt like I was at a weird beach luau... I didn't get it"

Paula Abdul - "I'm so proud of you... you have gotten into a grove"

Simon Cowell - "I agree with Paula... not the best vocal, but it was good... definitely the guys won the night"

Simon, I don't think the women can beat this group of guys on any night, sorry!

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American Idol - Top 7 Sing Mariah Carey Songs

The Top 7 AI Contestants Get Mentored By Mariah Carey 4/15

Tonight the Top 7 American Idol contestants sing Mariah Carey songs. This will definitely prove to be a tough night for the guys.

David Archuleta should be fine, we know that he can sing anything with feeling. Mariah Carey tunes are all about drama.

David Cook should be able to pull something off, has anyone check YouTube for Mariah Carey covers lately. David needs to find a good sound tonight and be humble about it.

Jason Castro can hopefully find something to 'unplug'. I really want to like Jason C., I just don't see him headlining for a 2 hour concert.

Carly Smithson should be able to easily belt out one of Mariah's pop hits. Pick any of them. Carly just needs to adjust the wardrobe, the song, and the performance all in one night.

Kristy Lee Cook needs to go home. Sorry. I think Brook White and Syesha Mercado should follow in that order. I don't think that will happen.

Syesha should be able to find a great song tonight. She will need one, too. The judges appear to be tired of the same weaknesses show after show. As well they should, it is fun to see someone progress and develop star power. Sadly, I don't think that Brooke W., Kristy L.C., or Syesha have 'it'.

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