American Idol 8: Round 1 Performances, Part 1

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip,

American Idol likes to change things ever so slightly every single year, just to keep us off-balance. This year, we’ve been presented with a Top 36 instead of the usual 24 - and more contestants calls for what we love: more eliminations. The first part of round one aired last night, a group of twelve singers who will very shortly be whittled all the way down to three.

It’s cutthroat, and it’s fabulous.

After three contenders from three groups of twelve are chosen for the Top 12, three more previously-expelled singers will be brought back for the Wild Card round. But we’re not quite there yet. Tuesday night, American Idol 8 truly began, replete with live stage performances and bitingly harsh judges’ comments. Finally, the show has arrived.

And it began with Jackie Tohn, 28, who professionally entertains even when she’s not competing for FOX. She chose a song I thought would be horrible - “A Little Less Conversation” - and an outfit which really was. But despite the odd fashion and somewhat less-than-stellar vocals, Tohn delivered a rollicking performance that kick-started the evening. She was energetic, bluesy and Tohn’s got a lot of charisma. “Way to start season 8 off,” Randy Jackson cried. “You can work a stage, girl,” Kara DioGuardi complimented her. “You got me up dancing,” Paula gushed, “you are a true performer.” But Simon Cowell wasn’t ready to make nice with Ms. Tohn. “I think you actually played the clown,” right between the eyes. Cowell called her performance “ungainly” and “gimmicky” and he hated her outfit. Tohn is obviously not a favorite of the show. When asked by Ryan Seacrest if she had any regrets, Jackie flippantly answered “no, dude.”

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American Idol 8: Top 36 Announced

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip,

Fifty-four sat in the holding room of a “mansion” - or set - in Los Angeles last night on American Idol. Only thirty-six would leave the judging area with smiles on their faces. A few would be made to sing one last time, but all would have to make the long walk through the gardens and down to the throne room where their fate would be decided.

Anoop Desai was the first to make the stroll. “Anoop is in the house,” Randy Jackson cried, after Kara DioGuardi told Desai he’d made it into the competition.

Things started to move fairly quickly after that.

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American Idol 8: Hollywood Week Continues

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip,

Seventy-two hopefuls crowded the Kodak Theater for their solo performances in front of the American Idol judges. For this all-important audition, the very last they’ll have on Idol, the singers were allowed to sing with the band, their own back-up singers and instruments of their own choosing. The show began with the judge deliberation, showing them scattering photos around their table. The day’s events were re-told, flashback style, for our amusement.

The solo singing started with Adam Lambert, who has already completely impressed me with his amazing voice. Lambert put so much power into “Believe,” a song choice which should have been terribly strange and awkward, I was absolutely stunned. I thought this guy was a David Cook rip-off in the beginning, but now I’m not so sure he isn’t a complete original.

Matt Giraud lovingly played piano as he sang “Georgia” by Ray Charles. He put a ton of soul into the performance, winning a standing ovation from the watching crowd.

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American Idol 8: Group Night in Hollywood

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip, Video,

American Idol is and always has been a solo singing content, made for one star to rise above the others in winning celebration. But for just one night in Hollywood, they have to come together to make beautiful music….or, fall flat on their faces.

Seeing who will fly and who will fail is all part of the excitement. For us, anyway. For many of the contestants, group night is a total nightmare of nerves and tension.

Some, like Tatiana Del Toro, have difficulty even finding and forming a group. Others, like Danny Gokey and Jamar Rogers, manage to find perfect harmony.

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American Idol 8: The Beginning of Hollywood

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip,

Out of many thousands, American Idol 8 chose just one hundred and forty-seven to go to Hollywood. As Simon Cowell told them at the start of the auditions, “all we’re looking for…is a star.”

Indeed.

This year, the show sent each hopeful to an intensive singing “boot camp” where they rehearsed with vocal coaches. Surprise mentor Barry Manilow showed up to offer his advice and encouragement. The one who wrote the songs told each Idol hopeful to prepare well and make each tune their own.

And thus, the first day at the opulent Kodak Theater began.

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American Idol 8: Jacksonville Auditions

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip,

The Jacksonville auditions of American Idol 8 opened with Joshua Ulloa, who bears a superficial resemblance to former Idol (Season 1) contender Justin Guarini. Ulloa added sound effects to his singing. His voice was soulful and fairly decent, but his showmanship was spectacular. He managed to win over the panel to score his ticket to Hollywood.

It was a fairly exciting beginning to the Florida auditions. Would they finish as strongly as they began?

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