A Chat by Steven Frith, Jeff Walker, and Danny Walker

Down to the final four and our contestants get to pick from the extensive list of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Top 50 Most Influential Rock and Roll Songs. Will we have an all men final 3 - or will Syesha send one of the boys packing?  No Paula drama this week, but still an eventful show, see what My Social Standards had to say about it all.

Jeff: ok, let's get rollin...
Jeff: so finally some songs we're all more familiar with
Steve: Familar songs was a nice change of pace.
Danny: for sure, expect when the life is sucked out of them by archiebot 3000
Steve: First of all, was it just my TV or was the background music really quiet
Steve: the vocals were fine but you could barely hear the rest
Jeff: didn't notice it specifically
Steve: oh ok
Jeff: maybe we just had the volume really loud
Steve: Really it's been more of the same though. Cook was solid, but not excellent like he had been a few weeks ago.
Danny: thought david cook was solid but forgetable
Jeff: yeah. hungry like the wolf was too karaoke. baba o'reilly is such a classic and an epic, but the minute and half isn't enough time
Steve: I didn't like Hungry like the wolf. Not a huge fan of the song anyway, but he didn't give me a reason to like it
Jeff: yeah, i don't think he felt confident - based on the interview - and it showed
Steve: I was expecting him to blow up this week too
Steve: So that disappointed me
Danny: felt like he put more interest and time into baba oriley and phoned in hungry like the wolf a bit
Jeff: for sure
Steve: Castro was gawd-awfulSteve: I felt that the only way Syesha had a chance was if Castro completely sucked and she was awesome and that MAY have happened
Danny: I thought besides the lyric f-up mr tambourine man was his best he's had
Steve: I still wouldn't be surprised to see him move on though
Jeff: yeah, jason has a lot of songs, and while i don't care for I Shot the Sheriff as a song, i agree with danny
Steve: But that's a pretty big f-up this late in the game...PLUS it's not a vocally challenging song
Jeff: but he never picks tough vocal songs
Steve: no he doesn't, but if you are going to go easy, you can't f - up.
Jeff: yeah, but his voice may have been the best. had bob dylan's tone, but his voice was pretty good
Steve: and he was HORRIBLE in his first song, I shot the sheriff...you can't do that to a song that Marley sang then covered by another great with Clapton
Jeff: yeah, and add nothing new while trying to look like Marley
Steve: I have a theory that I started to think last week
Jeff: what's that?
Steve: I think that Castro decided to get high before last week and thought to himself that it would be funny to push how bad he could be and move on...
Steve: last week, it was just not have a good week, this week he was like, okay, I'll just suck on one and forget the lyrics to another, laugh it off and see what happens...
Steve: he probably saw both Brooke and Archie get through with forgetting the lyrics, and thought it was his best chance
Jeff: don't know about your last point, unless he's getting paid to promote don't forget the lyrics
Steve: It's not a real theory, you're taking it too literal
Jeff: but i think the judges are so pissed at him, b/c he doesn't seem to care
Steve: he doesn't
Jeff: he always seems embarrassed
Steve: Syesha is up there crying and he is laughing when he should be getting kicked off the show
Jeff: i didn't care for the crying
Steve: Amy started crying right with her though and voted for her actually - her and Cook
Jeff: wow
Steve: I thought she was great in both songs
Jeff: i agree with randy that she messed up the Sam Cooke song
Danny: and the talking about the origin of the song and felt fake as all hell
Steve: I think she has the most star presence and talent of the group
Jeff: i get that syesha really felt the song, but yeah, it was too much
Steve: you are so cynical danny...u never believe what anyone says haha
Danny: I think she should remain in theater
Jeff: she seems well-suited for the stage
Steve: Yea, I'm not sure about her having a pop career, but I don't think so for anyone else either
Steve: Cook has been less then impressive for several weeks now
Danny: I think cook has the best chance with pop rock
Steve: Archie was actually good tonight I HATE to admit
Danny: I thought he sucked the life out of his songs
Danny: and anything else he touches
Steve: He could lip sync to your favorite song and you would think it was awful though
Jeff: i'm still annoyed that he and a lot of the other contestants all season seem to have no concept of music history
Jeff: archie picks elvis, then says that he didn't know the song
Steve: that I agree with completely
Jeff: like why even say that - you just look like an idiot and don't seem like you connect with the song as well
Steve: I did think about that too as they show them (apple product placement here) listening to the song
Jeff: yeah. and cook got crap for his covers, when apparently this was a norah jones version and it was never mentioned
Steve: the one he did today was? which song?
Jeff: Love Me Tender
Steve: How do you know all of this?
Jeff: that one i looked up
Danny: we were sitting here looking things up
Steve: ahhhh....were u doing that during Castro too to miss just how bad both of his performaces was and missed how good Syesha was
Danny: ummmmm castro's first was awful yes
Danny: but outside of the lyrics f-up the second was his best he's had, albeit not saying much
Jeff: didn't mind Syesha's first, but it was too much like two different songs - never flowed
Jeff: and Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" is one of the best songs ever and she tried doing too much with it. emotion is fine, but the runs and rearrangements destroyed it
Jeff: and what the hell was with Archie throwing in the "beautiful girl" to "Stand By Me"
Jeff: Sean Kingston already destroyed the song, why do further damage
Danny: like syesha doing a "tina turner" song which was originally CCR
Steve: Take the performance as is...the whole entertainment genre is someone copying someone else
Steve: very very little is original
Steve: Anyways this is getting really long, who's out...
Steve: bottom 2 as well
Jeff: Has got to be Castro and Syesha, right? even though Cook wasn't on his A-game
Danny: castro and syesha bottom two
Steve: Yeah, has to be
Steve: who goes?
Danny: castro
Jeff: however, Daughtry went home when there were only 4 left and one of his songs wasn't so good, so who knows
Steve: I think Cook has too much of a following
Steve: this has turned into a total popularity contest
Jeff: that's what it pretty much always is
Steve: I am 50/50 on who I think goes
Jeff: i don't know if syesha has the fan base, but can castro really stay?!
Steve: Exactly
Steve: Castro deserves to go and has so for several weeks now, but he continues to find a way to keep staying. Syesha has been good for several weeks now but is always in the bottom group.
Jeff: i'm going castro is gone
Steve: I think I'll lean that way too having hope that America might actually get it right, but only 51/49 believe so
Danny: jeff brings up a good point, back early in the season josiah's stand by me had more emotion than archie
Jeff: may not have been sung as well, but was more heartfelt
Steve: I hadn't started watching yet
Jeff: yeah, he should've made it to the top 24 and was cut
Jeff: any idea what next week's theme is?
Steve: No theme, 3 songs each, contestant choice, judge choice, and producer choice
Jeff: ah, yeah
Steve: are they new songs or one's they've already done?
Jeff: i think they're new - maybe one isn't - contestant choice
Steve: oh ok
Jeff: final two week they definitely sing a repeat song
Steve: gotcha, that's lame - we already have heard that
Jeff: but hopefully castro will be at home stoned the hell out
Steve: as a kite

A chat by Jeff Walker and Steven Frith

Big news from last night's Idol was Paula's big mistake, but that wasn't the only mistake of the night. My Social Standards discusses if Idol is rigged, if it even matters, and who should go home for good tonight.

Jeff: so the biggest story of last night's Idol was Paula's big mistake - critiquing Jason's 2nd song when only one had been done
Steve: yea, what was that about, I thought the show was live - or was last night not. I actually remember thinking that Seacrest didn't say live at the beginning like normal

S: Paula's gotta be on drugs or something haha
J: i think that's a part of it
S: Also, before we get too far into it - did you notice that a couple of Hef's girlfriends were sitting front row?
J: yeah, two of them were there
S: How did you notice? I thought I would have been one of the only ones to notice haha
J: they panned past them a few times and came back to them after a commercial. they stand out just a bit
J: but even they couldn't get Archie out of his robotic state
S: you put Ricky Martin in the front row and Archie would have been out of his state
J: who knows, maybe
J: so speaking of "out of state" Paula's explanation has been a bit odd too. she says fox basically threw them for a loop and she had seen jason's second song in rehearsal and took notes due to the rushed nature of the show
S: That's probably the best they could come up with. It seemed like there was some kind of inside joke throughout the show though. There was something that we were just missing
J: some people are claiming that the show is now rigged and that she was reading producers' notes
S: I don't think so just because I don't think that Paula could have pulled if off for this long even
J: that is true
J: if producers notes are involved, I still think it isn't a huge deal. the producers always subtly try to draw interest to certain contestants who generate attention or would sell albums
J: and i think as long as the votes themselves aren't tinkered with, editing and production is always going to have some influence
J: it's not as bad as the Hills, but with that much money and the brand image involved you can't be naive to manipulation from producers
S: There have been surprises anyway you look at it though, but yea, if there is fraud with the voting, then there will be an issue. and a lot of ex contestants suing the producers and FOX
J: yeah. i'm sure the producers didn't want Michael Johns to leave so early. if they wanted him to stay, they would've had everyone safe for the week
S: exactly what I was thinking
S: Who got saved last year because of that?
J: not sure, but i don't think it mattered in the long run - i.e. wasn't a top contestant
S: Anyways, about the actual show - thoughts?
J: considering each sang two neil diamond songs whether it was the fast pace of the show or some decent singing, wasn't as bad as i was expecting
S: yea, it wasn't great, but I was expecting worse too since I am not a huge Neil fan (which ironically my mom just bought tickets to his show today)
J: he's definitely a favorite of our parents' generation - mine have seen him several times
S: My dad can't stand him haha
J: i thought david cook and syesha were the most consistent over their two performances. though the second half of david's second song is when he really came alive - despite the title of the first one - i'm alive or something
S: They have been the most consistnet over the past several weeks
J: for sure
J: Archie wasn't bad, but his voice isn't strong enough to sing "America"
J: and as Simon said, genius song choice. with the American flag behind him
S: No, I also didn't really like Sweet Caroline either
S: That's the only Neil song I liked, it was very karaoke
J: yeah, i just don't think it can really be done as a serious singing song
S: I actually would have liked to see Cook take it on
J: yeah, me too
J: Brooke's first song was like the worst karaoke you've ever seen
S: God, Brooke and Castro were bad AGAIN, they have to go - at least one this week.
J: Brooke's facial expressions are so bad
J: yeah. castro would've been bad even if paula didn't criticize the second one before he performed it
S: hahaha yea
S: I'm surprised that they didn't edit that for the west coast showing
J: yeah, though that maybe would have just made the situation worse like they had more to hide
J: so who are your bottom 2 (since I think that's what they're continuing to do from now on) and who is leaving?
S: What I think and what I think it is going to be are different. I think it will be Syesha and Brooke with Brooke going. What i hope it will be is Castro and Brooke with Castro going.
J: I agree with you on both actually. I think Castro's fans will be too ticked at the Paula debacle to let him go and I still wonder how large Syesha's fan base really is, though she seems like the best choice for #3 and maybe even #2 over Archie
S: Couldn't have said it better myself
S: next week's theme - Songs that Shaped/Inspired Rock n' Roll
J: not sure that modernizes things, but could be interesting
S: this whole season (with the exception of Mariah) has been past masters
S: They should have a Boyz II Men theme night - they work with Randy Jackson anyway...
J: yeah, may as well. it'd probably be entertaining. and gwen stefani was on last year, so it doesn't have to be Hall of Fame type musicians
S: Boyz II Men have twice the hits of Stefani!
J: for sure. well, i think that about wraps it up this week, but will be interesting to see how Paula's mistake is addressed tonight and if they even keep everyone safe
S: Do they do that every year?
J: really only if they feel there's been a mistake that may have affected the results. Should actually be a results show that doesn't need to be skipped through on DVR.
S: Until next week...
J: My Social Standards...out

A chat by Jeff Walker, Steven Frith, and Danny Walker

Idol takes a stroll down the Great White Way as the six remaining finalists take on the tunes of Andrew Lloyd Webber. It wasn't the most exciting theme, but it provided one especially memorable moment for Ms. White. Check out what Steve, Jeff and Danny had to say about her, the episode as a whole, and why Kristy Lee Cook was smarter than previously thought.

Jeff: so, first things first. biggest surprise of last week - kristy lee cook being engaged?!
Steve: Huh? I didn't know that?
Jeff: yeah. apparently had been engaged for a month
Jeff: so best to keep personal life a secret if it helps your vote count? or in the case of david cook, say you're single and possibly get more votes?
Steve: I'm not surprised she kept it a secret, I would too on a stage like that where you are depending on good ol' country boys votes from Texas - you want them to think they have a chance with you.
Steve: It's been proven with actresses that their popularity goes down once they marry.
Danny: exactly
Danny: especially when she's not a good singer
Jeff: she had been improving, but still
Jeff: way past her time
Steve: yea, she wasn't going anywhere anyway, so while I thought it was the wrong call last week, I think it'll be made up this week
Danny: yeah thanks to forgetting the lyrics
Steve: First of all this week - Why the "F" did they want this kind of theme, these people are presumedly going to be top-40 pop artists, this isn't Broadway Idol!
Jeff: they always have a broadway-style theme every year. and the fact that they were able to land a big name as "mentor" probably helped as well
Jeff: danny and I were actually surprised that a number of the songs didn't seem like stuff from musicals. for the most part, the arrangements fit the pop genre
Steve: Oh, lame idea in my book. I don't hate a lot of broadway songs, I just don't think that it makes sense for what they are doing as a show - do you see Kelly Clarkson, Underwood, or anybody going to Broadway?
Steve: Yea, a few of them were "popped" up
Danny: sadly no "that sounded caberet" comments from simon though
Jeff: yeah, like danny said, simon always compares performances negatively when they sound like broadway
Steve: Speaking of Simon, I actually agreed with every comment he had for everyone tonight
Jeff: yeah, he was pretty on point
Jeff: how about brooke's start-stop-restart?
Danny: it was about time that she finally gave an easy reason to boot her
Steve: I finally thought we were going to get rid of dreads, but then Brooke blew any thought of him out of the way
Steve: I thought it was the right thing to do, would have been worse for her to try to find the lyrics mid sentence. If she was IN the musical that would be different, but just singing one song, right move
Jeff: or will she get enough pity votes to stick around?
Steve: nope. I don't think so, too late in the game.
Danny: except maybe with vote the worse
Jeff: yeah, possibly brooke's only savior
Steve: I don't even think Brooke sounded good once she started
Jeff: yeah. pretty painful throughout. and she seems so fragile the whole time and then tries to talk over the judges
Danny: I think she's always sounded that way
Steve: I've never been a big fan myself
Steve: She's had one good song, with "let it be" the rest have been the worst of the week or close to it every week
Jeff: just keeps falling apart and this should be the end of her run
Danny: I think they've all been bad from her
Danny: I find her annoying and rather kind of fake
Steve: Annoying's a little strong, and I do think she is genuine - just isn't that good.
Jeff: i think she attempts to be genuine, but it comes across as trying too hard
Danny: definitely trying too hard
Steve: I think there was a clear top and bottom here
Steve: Syesha and Smithson definitely stole the show tonight
Steve: Cook and Archuleta sang well but were both forgettable
Steve: Dreads and Brooke sucked
Danny: well they were the only ones that did the songs broadway style, being syesha and smithson
Steve: They are the only ones where I didn't have to resist hitting fast forward on my DVR too
Steve: I think we all agree Castro and White are in the bottom 3, the tougher question - who joins them?
Jeff: carly was a big surprise this week, so she's safe
Steve: I agree
Jeff: i think syesha joins them since she's been hovering on the bottom for awhile. The Davids seem to have strong enough fan bases and Carly stepped up
Steve: Syesha was very good, but she went first and Cook and Archy aren't going to be in the bottom 3
Steve: So I would say she is in
Jeff: yeah, Syesha was in the death spot - going first
Steve: Ok, so we agree exactly, what about you Danny?
Danny: I'd put archy in the bottom 3 for sure
Steve: Wow, is this from you - or what you think will happen?
Danny: both
Jeff: so you think Archie, Brooke and Castro?
Steve: Because that's what I want but I don't think there is any way it happens.
Jeff: me neither
Danny: I think archy's in bottom three but brooke goes
Steve: Archy and Cook get 3 times the votes of the other people if you ask me
Steve: Everyone else is fighting for the top 3 right now
Steve: the one spot left at least
Jeff: although we need to send ricky minor back to his perch. He wasn't conducting and he kept hogging the performances with his dancing
Steve: I didn't even really notice except for Syesha.
Danny: oh yeah, top performance definitely goes to ricky minor
Jeff: he was pretty bad during carly as well
Steve: Missed that. So does boring, yet popular amongst 15 year old girls make the bottom 3? Or Is it under-appreciated Syesha? We'll see.
Jeff: but brooke needs to go home especially with the perfect swan song - You Must Love Me
Jeff: and hopefully we get a better theme next week
Steve: PLEASE!

Related Links:

My Idol Standards (Final 7)
My Idol Standards (Final 8)
My Idol Standards (Final 9)

A chat by Steven Frith, Jeff Walker, and Danny Walker

After the shocking exit of Michael Johns last week, we are down to the Top 7. Danny joins us to discuss the performances during Mariah Carey week. Was it one sweet day or a disaster to rival Glitter?



Jeff: so first up - Michael Johns...
J: surprised to see him go?
Danny: pretty unexpected, I actually thought his last performance was one of his best in a while
J: steve didnt think so
Steve: I was about as shocked as everyone else in the audience. I couldn't believe it. He should be top 3
J: for sure
J: why do you think he was sent home?
D: doesn't appeal enough to the younger crowd
S: I think it's because he went first
D: younger female miley cyrus crowd
S: i think he has enough of a crowd that would have kept him in.
S: People just thought he would be fine and move on
D: I just don't know that his crowd is the crowd that's voting a lot
S: Anyways, what about tonight - first thoughts?
D: tonight, I'd say best performance was david rocker
J: yeah, i definitely agree
J: most unique performance
D: david archuletta is who we thought he was in picking the typical song everyone was expecting
J: and i agree with simon that guys were definitely better
S: Yea, it was really good. And I hate to admit it, but Archuleta was very good. - Honestly everyone did pretty well, there were no horrible performances
D: archuleta is boring though
D: I've already forgotten the song he sang
S: Usually I completely agree, but I didn't think so tonight
J: archie is good but ultimately forgettable
S: Danny, since this is your first chat, who is your top 3
D: favorite or expect to win?
S: either, just say which one
D: david rocker, ummmmm
D: michael johns lol
S: haha
D: but seriously ummm syisha and jack johnson as the other two I'd expect in the final three
J: really? i think archie is for sure in the final 3 and KLC is a strong dark horse
D: yeah I guess archie is more likely than syisha
S: I really really like Syesha, she might be my favorite behind David Cook, but I just don't think she will get the votes.
S: Yea, those are pretty surprising.
J: what'd you think of your boy jason castro tonight
S: Sucked again. I was talking to Amy and she said the same thing I have. That he sounds like he is at an open mic.
D: ummm but castro probably sees this as a giant open mike
S: I hate hate hate Castro - his look, his voice, everything
D: I hate his genre
J: they need a back drop for jason - like either a dorm room or some trees and a meadow
S: HAHAHA
D: lol and use way more smoke machine
S: haha
J: that's the problem with his genre. tough to be distinct
J: which is why randy's comment about feeling like he was at a luau is so fitting
S: Yea. totally.
J: b/c we've been in hawaii and you're sitting at the bar and there's some decent music, but you're not going home telling everyone to get their ass out to hear this guy
D: and why snl's gotta include him on the mellow show with jack johnson as soon as possible
J: for sure
J: do you think tonight being decent is more a testament to the performers or mariah's songs?
D: ummmm mariah's songs...maybe?
S: I think it has to be Mariah's songs too
D: I mean shit I'lve always enjoyed always be my baby
D: though cook's performance did take it to another level
J: yeah, totally
D: but what about archie in pleather pants?
J: he's so robotic he probably wasn't even sweating in them
S: I thought I saw that - that was horrible
D: or sexay?
S: yea, not so much
S: Jeff - who's your bottom 3 and who leaves?
J: bottom 3 - brooke - who has been falling apart lately and was shaking throughout the second half of her performance, carly - worst of the night, and syesha - since i'm not sure she has a big fanbase. i think Brooke leaves
J: i do think Carly should go home
S: Danny?
D: I'm going with brooke, carly, and archie as bottom three with brooke finally going home
S: Wow, you really think Archuleta will be bottom 3? Not a chance
J: yeah, i don't see it either
D: I'd like to believe that people will be actually listening to the show and will get annoyed with his selection
J: archie being predictable with his inspirational tunes?
D: yes
S: I disagree, I think Brook should go home
S: Brooke has turned into the Karaoke singer
J: i like singer-songwriter types enough and could see her opening for some concert i'd go too, so i don't mind her as much
S: The other two...
S: this is tough, but I say Syesha and Smithson too...I think that it should be dreads instead of Syesha though.
J: and do you agree with Brooke going home?
S: yea, I already said that
S: Archie will be in the final 3, I'll bet on it with anyone that wants to take the bet
J: hell no. too big of a fan base and appeals to the young and the old who vote
S: Danny...maybe?
D: no I'm not stupid, but I can still wish that the voting public will come to their senses I just wouldn't put money on it
S: Nice...ok I guess we'll see what happens. Until next time...

A chat by Steven Frith and Jeff Walker

We are down to the bottom eight. This week's performances by the remaining idols were songs that inspired the singers. While the songs didn't seem to inspire us, we do comment on everything as normal - including a few other random thoughts. Also see if Steve can repeat in picking the correct bottom three and who is sent home as he did last week.

Jeff: so you nailed the bottom 3 and who was going home, beginner's luck, pulse on the american people, ear for talent?
Steve: Well, you know, I like to think of it as an ear for talent
S: You weren't too far off though - I also like how you quickly threw that out there before I could brag about it a bit.
S: So what did you think of last night?
J: was i inspired by songs that inspired the idols? no. but there were some good performances
J: i think Michael Johns continues his rise by performing the best overall song - recognizable, anthemic and while he didn't do anything significant, he didn't screw it up either
S: I was actually very disappointed from the get-go yesterday. Even though I picked Johns third - I think that his performance was a mess...I do have to preface that by saying Dream On is one of my favorite songs so there were a lot of ways he could screw it up
J: ah. maybe i was just too excited that such a great song was even performed to really listen to the performance
S: I think he'll breeze into the next round, but I just personally didn't like it. I do like how David and Johns pick songs that I have actually heard of before. Half the time, I'm like - what the "f" is this? I feel like I'm sitting at a K-Fed concert or something - well, with the obvious difference being that I'm not by myself...
J: so did you have any favorites?
S: after last night, not really. I think the main people will get through. I also think that "dreads" has now gone from a bum on the street to a bum on the streets of Hawaii with his ukulele. Maybe he used ATA or Aloha Airlines to get over there and got stuck...
J: awww. wasn't that bad, but he just doesn't do anything unexpected. he has his niche, or as you'd probably think - street on the corner - and he stays there
S: He will get through since the judges liked him so much, but can you REALLY see him selling ANY records?
J: his falsetto was the one unique thing he brought to his performance and it was awful
J: he'd never be a big star, but guys like Jack Johnson still do decently

S: He still looks like he is constipated when he performs too, it drives me absolutely nuts
J: but then you have a ton of similar guys who never break out despite a core group of fans - often college frat boys and the women who love them
S: Yea, but Jack Johnson is better and more modern...PLUS how many guys do you know that are "inspired" by Somewhere Over the Rainbow?
J: yeah, was sort of odd. danny thinks he's feminine. maybe something to it
S: His words, not mine :)
J: so given the choice, what inspirational song would you have sung?
S: Born to Run by the Boss
J: nice. best rock song ever in my opinion
S: Seeing it live on Friday made it all the better. Which actually had me thinking - if someone like Springsteen, Dylan, or Steven Tyler were on Idol - would they even be in the top 10?
J: Springsteen and Tyler possibly have enough charisma that they could've gotten through
S: Even though they are some of the greatest, longest lasting musicians of the last 30 years?
J: dylan probably wouldn't have even made it to hollywood, but he's not known as being a great vocalist either
S: I guess they don't care about songwriting in pop, since they usually have someone else do it for them anyway. Clarkson bombed in the first album she tried writing on her own.
J: yeah. sometimes have to know your limits
S: Anyways, my top 3 (only from yesterday) then I will do overall...
S: In no particular order, I think Syesha did well yesterday, I also thought that while still boring, Archuleta did well, and my surprise no. 3 was Kristy Lee looking and performing well.

S: Overall, nothing's changed as far as Johns, D. Cook, and Archuleta though. What do you think?
J: hmmm, not sure if i really had a favorite last night, but the 3 I liked best were Michael Johns, David Cook, and yes, Kristy Lee - she did look good, and she fit in well with the song and didn't seem too awkward or trying too hard.
S: Cook's wasn't bad, but it wasn't nearly as good as the last two weeks which is why it's hard to put him in the top 3. I just see a star presence in Syesha but I may be in the minority there
J: Overall - David Cook, Michael Johns, and I think Archuleta will be for sure top 3, but i probably like syesha as personal #3
S: Your bottom 3?
J: i think Syesha, Carly and Brooke. Syesha leaving, but wouldn't be shocked if it's Carly, who keeps seeming desperate and over-the-top in her performances
S: Brooke was BORING last night. This is a hard week for bottom 3 for me.
J: Brooke was like not singing the melody. Danny kept insisting I knew the song, but her version didn't sound familiar at all.
S: My bottom three, I see Brooke - I want to include dreads, but I know he'll make it - Carly, and I think I have to throw Kristy Lee in there. I just think there are people that have been calling for her head. I think Brooke goes home though. She hasn't showed me anything special since I've started watching the show.
J: i see a certain quality that's likable and I actually don't mind the style she's going for, but Let It Be back in Top 12 was her best and she's been down since.
S: When do they start to cut it down to bottom 2 or something - or do they keep doing bottom 3?
J: bottom 3 all the way
J: I wouldn't be surprised if Kristy Lee leaves either after finally giving a good performance
S: She shouldn't after this week, she has improved week by week which can't be said about some of the others
J: very true
S: She ain't gonna win it all, but she shouldn't go home this week
J: remember eliminations are thursday night due to Idol Gives Back. Are you watching all two and a half hours?
S: yipee...hell no, Giants are on - 2 straight maybe ...let me know if it's any good, it is recording on the DVR.
J: yeah, i know it's for a good cause and everything, but my finger will be glued to the fast forward button
S: haha...They talk too much and I'm already bored of the commercials.
J: so until next week, and let's see if your predictions are perfect yet again
S: Oh, they will be.
S: Until then...

In about two hours (from when I’m typing this in California), we will be down to eight contestants on American Idol. It appears as if the favorites are developing and the others are trying to just hang on just another week. Just maybe they can come out of nowhere and shock the Idol world from this point, but I doubt it. See what Jeff and I had to say early this afternoon about last night’s episode in our weekly Idol chat.

Jeff: So anyway, your first taste of countrified Idol - what did you think?
Steve: First of all, I'm not a fan of country music, so when I learned this, couldn't help but groan a bit. Of course I thought Kristy Lee should shine considering that's what she does.
J: Yeah, right up her alley
S: Was a little disappointed though - while she was into it and won't get kicked off, it was just “pretty” good.
J: nothing impressive from KLC, per usual
S: A couple girls in the office are trying to convert me into a country fan, but they have yet to get anywhere.
J: I'm not a country fan either - and even passed up chance to go to the rehearsal after finding out the theme (that and it's time-consuming) - but liked the show more than I thought I would
S: You had a chance to go?
S: I'm sure our 5 readers are disappointed, that would have been a fun chat.
J: I'm on a waiting list for tickets, and this week, I got pulled. The actual tapings were full immediately, so the rehearsal was the only thing open. I himmed and hawwed and then saw the theme and figured it wasn't worth the trek
S: the “him” and “haw” was on purpose there right haha
J: Yeah they were, and to those five people out there, get on the waiting list at www.ocatv.com. You never know until a few days before if you've been picked and you usually have to wait in line a long while, but I've been a few times before, and it's a lot of fun
J: Any surprises from last night's show?
S: The sad part, is no. It seemed to be more of the same from just about everyone - except, negatively from Syesha. - Fairly obvious that country isn't her thing and thought it going into it, but trying to tackle a song that Whitney Houston completely destroyed may have not been the best move.
J: do you mean destroyed in a good way?
S: Yeah I do. Houston had the absolute perfect voice for that song, and while Syesha was decent, sometimes you just leave one like that alone.
J: I think the strong ones remained strong, but I think Michael Johns is improving week by week and I think Brooke is starting to slide. She seems uncomfortable. Syesha is in trouble. She wavered between Dolly and Whitney, before launching into Whitney's version at the end
J: Can't compare yourself to possibly Whitney's most known song
S: I agree completely
S: Dreadlocks guy also just really gets on my nerves. I figured out yesterday that it isn't really his singing that bugs me either, it’s his facial expressions. They alter from goofy to looking like he has to use some Pepto Bismol.
J: yeah, he seems either stoned or uncomfortable the whole time. Younger girls may find it charming, but it gets a bit annoying.
J: Do you think the whole David Cook taking others' unique arrangements (Eleanor Rigby, Billie Jean) is an issue or overblown?
S: I think it is overblown. In reality, that is all anyone is doing anyway, he just choses smarter songs for him, then people call him smart only to realize they are wrong because they didn't know the other song, and then blame him.
J: exactly. If others are giving him credit for "unique" arrangements, that's their problem
J: plus, they have mentioned several weeks in a row who did the other arrangement
S: yup (although I never saw when Seacrest did it like you said last week when I went back to it)
J: even if they're not making a big deal about it and still calling it unique
S: Any change in your top 3?
J: hmmm, I like David Cook and Michael Johns best right now. That third spot is up for grabs
J: Ramiele and Kristy Lee have to go
S: I agree to both points. I gotta say Archuleta is no. 3 no doubt. He does a good job even if his songs are too boring, but his talent and the huge fan base of his will easily carry him into the top 3.
J: for sure on little David
J: but bottom 3 tonight I'm going with Ramiele, Syesha and a surprise of Brooke, with Syesha going home
S: My bottom 3...hmmm...
S: Ramiele, Brooke I actually agree with, and either Syesha or Kristy Lee. I think Ramiele goes home. She just sounds like a karaoke singer too much and isn't comfortable on stage. Syesha was strong for two weeks before this (and it actually surprised me that she was in the bottom 3 last week) and has more potential AND talent.
J: true, just not sure if the voters see it
S: they're all stupid!
S: I don't vote, so I can say that. LOL
J: same here
J: please send Ramiele home, but we'll have to wait and see...
S: 8 short hours until we know! I won't be holding my breath.

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