Down to 16 – American Idol Results Show

Then they were 16.  American Idol whittles its numbers down when it sends four more home in the second results show of the semifinals after 31 million votes.

Ryan’s delivery of the first elimination from the Top 20 is more suspenseful than last week and a bit kinder than the “can I talk to you, oh yeah you are out of here” speech that he gave Garrett Haley right off the bat.

Up first on the chopping block – Jason Yeager.  This decision is no surprise as Jason has not been able to find a song that, as Simon says, makes him stand out.  Jason was the only one of my picks to hit the road tonight.

Next up – Alexandrea Lushington.  I like Alex, she has potential.  But her performance Wednesday night was so forgettable I can’t even remember what she did.  I’m not surprised that she is going home.  I will give the girl credit.  For only being 17, she was incredible composed when she heard the news and sang her swan song.

Alaina Whitaker didn’t take the news that America wasn’t “hopelessly devoted” to her as well.  With a little moral support from the rest of the girls, she finally did sing and didn’t sound so bad considering how much she was crying.  Anyone else think her family looked like they were going to eat Ryan alive?

And last to depart was Robbie Carrico – the would-be rocker that Simon says isn’t authentic.  I was actually surprised by this selection.  I didn’t think Robbie would make the Top 12, but I thought he’d be around for another week.  I wonder if America doesn’t like his rocker sound or if they just agree with Simon that he’s not the real thing.

Ryan also left us with a few Idol announcements.  March 11 will be the first time the Top 12 performs.  They will be treated to a new stage, background, graphics and exit song.  And the theme will be the recently released Lennon/McCartney songs.  April 9 is the next Idol Gives Back night and slated for participation is Brad Pitt, Miley Cyrus, Reese Witherspoon, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dog, Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwood.

What do you think?  Did the right four get sent home?

Here are my predictions for the Top 12.

—————

Here’s a recap of the semifinals:

Top 10 Women Peform

Top 10 Men Perform

Top 24 Results Show

Top 12 Men Perform

Top 12 Women Perform

A Closer Look at Top 12 Men

A Closer Look at Top 12 Women

No Real Surprises in First Round of ‘American Idol’ Elimination

After two nights, 24 performances and 28 million votes, American Idol held its first elimination of the semifinals with no real surprises in the results.

The guys knocked their numbers down to 10 by eliminating Leif Garrett Haley and Colton Berry.  Both sang their farewell songs.  And I actually think I preferred Garrett’s swan song to his performance Tuesday.  But maybe that’s just because I liked the hat.

I was a little startled that Danny Noriega wasn’t in the bottom tier, but then I realized that he’s the new Sanjaya.  Hopefully Danny’s run in this title will be short lived.  I’m not sure I’m going to be able to handle many more weeks of performances like Tuesday’s “Jailhouse Rock.”

With so many mediocre performances from the women Wednesday night, a handful of the ladies could have been up for the bottom two spots. 

Since Amy Davis and Joanne Borgella’s song choices for the ‘60s both landed them in the lower echelon, their departure was believable.  If you had any doubts that these two should stick to modeling, their final performances erased them.

In general I’m a little worried about the women.  They were literally following apart after the eliminations were announced.  If they are bawling this hard after the first round, are they going to make it to the Top 12?

The group number was nothing impressive, but I liked the look.  Hair and makeup must have worked overtime.  That’s the best we seen some of the contestants look.

And finally, I must end with a complaint (‘cause I’ve been so positive thus far).  I thought I was watching American Idol, not Relauch Paula’s Career. 

I can live with the fact that she’s a judge and the producer of her new song is also a judge for a show with a ready audience.  But if she’s going to showcase her new song, the least she could have done is perform it live. 

She sits in judgment (if that’s what you call what she does) of all of these contestants telling them that they have to bring their very best to the table for every performance and she hides behind a taped performance.  What kind of example is she setting?

And just for the record, I wasn’t impressed with the song or the video.

Here’s a recap:

Top 12 Men Perform

Top 12 Women Perform

A Closer Look at Top 12 Men

A Closer Look at Top 12 Women

New Talent or Seasoned Performers: A Closer Look at the ‘American Idol’ Top 12 Men

I’m fairly new to the American Idol fad, so forgive me if I get a few things wrong. I thought the purpose of American Idol was to find untapped talent. But looking at the line up of the Top 12 men I’m not seeing a lot of freshness.

Since the end of the auditions Ryan has touted this season’s crop as “the best it’s ever been.” With the amount of experience among this dozen men alone, it’s no wonder.

Of the Top 12, at least four of them have already made an album and another four have logged serious time performing on a stage. And one contender has done both.

Only three hopefuls appear to truly be untouched gems – Danny Noriega, Garrett Haley and Chikezie Eze. And with the competitive edge their opponents have I don’t see these three lasting long.

Here’s a little closer look at the experience of the Top 12.

David Archuleta

Before this 17-year-old auditioned in San Diego, he made his Idol debut singing for Season 1 hopefuls. Then in 2003 at the age of 12, this Utah native won the Star Search Junior Singer competition. You can check out his performance in this video.

Colton Berry

Although we’ve seen very little of this Virginian in the first two phases of Idol, Colton is no stranger to performing.  Not only has this 18-year-old been active in local theater, he’s performed in France four years ago at the French-American Gospel Music Workshop Exchange. In 2005, Colton competed, but did not win, on Showtime at the Apollo when the tour visited Charlottesville.

Robbie Carrico

Before auditioning in Miami, Robbie used to open for Britney Spears as a member of Boyz-N-Girlz, a pop band that got its break singing in a House of Blues in Orlando and went onto record two albums.  The 26-year-old went on to record three more albums with the alternative band Missing Picket.  Robbie must inherit his musical talents from his cousin, the legendary Patsy Cline.

Jason Castro

While Jason Catro might not have produced an album, the 20-year-old Texas is no stranger to singing in front of a crowd. You can catch a video of him performing live at The Prophet Bar.  As a drummer for the rock band Keeping Lions, Jason has opened for Cheyenne Kimball and starred in her self-titled MTV reality series.  Although I couldn’t find any albums by the band, its My Space page lists Secret Weapon Management as its record label.

David Cook

This Oklahoma-native had two albums with the rock band Axium under his belt before he headed to Omaha to audition for Idol. Here’s a video of the band’s performance.  Last year, David released his first solo album, ”Analog Heart.”

Chikezie Eze

As far as I can tell, this Californian’s biggest claim to fame is that he tried out for Idol last year and didn’t make it. It’ll be interesting to see how far the 22-year-old makes it this year.

Garrett Haley

This 17-year-old Ohioan remains a mystery. We know very little about him outside his San Diego audition and his Hollywood time.

David Hernadez

Although David might not have an album of his own, he’s been hanging out with Latin singer Jacob Madrid in New York. Here’s a video of the pair singing at rehearsal in New York. I’m not sure what they are rehearsing, maybe songs for Madrid’s debut album in which case David might be singing backup on this album.

Michael Johns

Before his San Diego audition, this Aussie performed with two bands – The Rising and Film – under the name Michael Lee.  While I couldn’t find an album produced by either band, Michel lists Dingo Lane as his record label on his MySpace page.

Luke Menard

Although we didn’t get to see much of this Crawfordsville, Indiana native (my hometown by the way) during the first two phases of Idol, he’s been getting plenty of stage time as a member of the a cappella group Chapter 6.  Not only has Luke toured nationally with the group, but together they have release four albums – two in college and two professionally – and have a handful of awards.

Danny Noriega

I can’t find much else in singing experience for this 18-year-old. In addition to his try out in San Diego, Danny also auditioned, but didn’t make it, last year.

Jason Yeager

Although he auditioned in Dallas, Jason has been spending his time in Branson, Missouri where he logged in some time at Country Tonite and as a back up singer for Shoji Tabuchi.

Now take a look at the Top 12 Women and their experience.