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American Idol 8, February 10 Recap: The Waiting Is the Hardest Partby Tyler Sandersfeld -- 02/11/2009
View Printable version of this article Seventy-two singers have survived multiple auditions and the dreaded group round. Now, they have one last song to impress the four judges with, and this time, they get to break out the instruments. At the end of the day, twenty-two will head home, and fifty will face the chair. This… is… not my regular night! You may be wondering why I’m writing this instead of Jenn Brasler. Since my Fox affiliate is showing a basketball game tomorrow night, Idol will be pushed back pretty late. And it’s the ever-important semifinalist reveal episode. I couldn’t just make you loyal readers wait to read all about the Top 36. Thus, a game-free Jenn and I switched nights for the week. I hope you enjoy me just as much. 
The remaining singers hope the judges enjoyed them very much. When the episode begins, we see that they are already waiting in the holding room. The judges deliberate, and soon they will split the hopefuls into four groups. How did the day get to this point? To find out, let’s flash back to the start of the day. The singers randomly draw numbers to determine the order of their performances. The band is ready. The backup singers are ready. The instruments are ready, should the singers choose to use them. The judges are ready, though they won’t say a word. Adam Lambert drew lucky number one. Earlier in Hollywood, Adam got mixed reviews for his musical theatre sound. For this final performance, he’s making a risky choice – “Believe” by Cher. He transforms the song from a ‘90s dance classic to something more like a ballad. It’s pretty great, actually, and the audience shares my sentiment. What a way to start the last round. There are moments at the where he sounds a little womanly, though. Still, I doubt he’s in any danger. Next, we get to see dueling pianist Matt Giraud finally play the keyboard as he sings the Ray Charles classic, “Georgia On My Mind.” I didn’t care for his audition, but with the piano, he’s quite good. The audience goes crazy for him as well. So far, so good. Back in the holding room, best friends Danny Gokey and Jamar Rogers are feeling the tension. Earlier, Jamar sang first with “Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White T’s. He’s way too rough. The green jacket isn’t working, either. Danny congratulates his buddy backstage but Jamar knows he could have done better. Danny is next, singing “I Hope You Dance.” Move over, Lee Ann Womack. At first, it’s just good for a guy who has been great so far. That’s before he hits the main hook. With his story, his airtime, and his talent, Danny is not just a lock for the finals, he could very well win. The judges continue to quibble over the talent as we see some more. Anoop Desai rips into Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative.” I hate that song, but Noop Dawg does well. Puerto Rican Jorge Nuñez, on the other hand, doesn’t sound so good on Ne-Yo’s “Closer.” The nearly blind Scott MacIntyre finally gets to play the piano, and he sings Daughtry’s “Home.” Vocally, he really isn’t the best, but no doubt his story will earn him many votes. What about the ladies? Kendall Beard of Austin, Texas, impressed the judges in Puerto Rico, but she had a shaky start in Hollywood. The 23-year-old college student sings Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats,” and it’s awful. Seriously, no one should be dumb enough to attempt to hold a candle to Carrie. Stevie Wright’s performance of Colbie Caillat’s “Bubbly” is okay. Lil Rounds predictably sings through “If I Ain’t Got You.” Cliché, much? Kristen McNamara overcomes the group round drama, despite Ryan playing with her, to country-fry Kelly Clarkson’s “Because of You.” It’s actually not bad. Next up is 18-year-old college student Mishavonna Henson from Irvine, California. We saw her audition last year, but she couldn’t survive Hollywood. She’s back with a vengeance, and her smoky voice serves her well. I don’t recognize the song, but I liked it. 
As the time goes on, one group’s fate has been decided. They move into their room. I see Danny and Jamar, along with Adam, Scott, Matt, and a bunch of other good singers. We can call them in, right? Group two has now been picked. It’s not a promising room, as it holds the unknown Ricky Braddy, Michael Sarver, Alex Wagner-Trugman, and the obnoxious Tatiana del Toro. She has so far sung eight songs throughout the four days, despite everyone’s sanity telling her to stop. For her final performance (hopefully ever), she chooses a “Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles. She tries way too hard, as usual. Also in room two are a bunch of singers who don’t impress me. Alexis Grace also butchers Carrie Underwood. Kenny Hoffpauer isn’t doing too hotly on “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz. Jasmine Murray picks Jordin Sparks’ “Tattoo.” What’s with all of the songs from Idol alumni? Anyway, Jasmine is boring. I don’t like the looks of this. Drama queen Nate Marshall is also in room two. Earlier, he sang Rihanna’s “Disturbia” while playing the guitar. It’s the best I’ve heard from him so far, but that’s not really saying much. Also in room two are three known singers who forgot the words in this important round. Ex-Annie Joanna Pacitti has had a tearful and controversial journey so far, but her final Hollywood performance of “If I Ain’t Got You” is an unmitigated disaster. Casey Carlson also forgets the words on “Tattoo.” Stephen Fowler practiced all night so he wouldn’t mess up on his piano performance of “Time of My Life.” Instead, he pulls a Brooke White and starts over. Ryan even alludes to Brooke. Stephen chokes again, and this time he just bails. 1 2 Next-->View Printable version of this article
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