On Gear Live: Why the ASUS ProArt PX13 GoPro Is the Ultimate Field Laptop for Creators

American Idol 8: Wild Card Round


The Wild Card round of opened with three stools and eight singers who all hoped to fill them. With eight singers, four judges and one host - not to mention a performance round and an elimination round in a single episode - Idol had to move things along pretty quickly. There was little time for recap or reintroduction. Each contestant had a sort of hurried interview that played for a few moments while they rushed to the stage. It was actually sort of poorly done, not to put too fine a point on it.

At any rate, Idol viewers were given a rare treat - instant gratification. Usually, results have to wait an entire day…but not on this Wild night.

Click to continue reading American Idol 8: Wild Card Round


Advertisement

American Idol 8: Third Group Results


The third group of Top 36 performers had to wait the longest to find out whether they would be moving on…or going home. At the top of the Wednesday hour, they all gathered to - finally - learn their fate.

“I think we have an amazing start of a Top 12 going on. I’m very proud of all of them,” said of the contestants. Speaking of the Top 12, the first half (the six contenders who were voted in over the preceding two weeks) looked on from the sidelines as they, too, waited to hear who would join them in places of Idol honor.

The twelve performers of the week performed an upbeat version of “Hot and Cold,” yet another unrecognizable song performed by the Top 36 over the last three weeks. Despite somewhat lackluster choreography, they delivered what is arguably the best of the three group performances we’ve seen from the 36 semifinalists.

Click to continue reading American Idol 8: Third Group Results

Read More | American Idol

American Idol 8: Round 1 Performances, Part 1

Jackie Tohn

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, 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,” 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.”

Click to continue reading American Idol 8: Round 1 Performances, Part 1

Read More | American Idol

American Idol 8: Top 36 Announced

American Idol Logo

Fifty-four sat in the holding room of a “mansion” - or set - in Los Angeles last night on . 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,” cried, after Kara DioGuardi told Desai he’d made it into the competition.

Things started to move fairly quickly after that.

Click to continue reading American Idol 8: Top 36 Announced

Read More | American Idol

Advertisement