American Idol 8 - Round 1

“Check it out baby…” I’m not a die-hard American Idol fan, but I’m bored with other TV, especially on Tuesday night. I enjoy singing (not that I would ever be good enough to be on the show) so I think that is the appeal for me. I really loved David Cook last season primarily because he took tired, over-played radio songs (in their time) and totally changed them up into his style. His American Idol songs are the only ones that I’ve downloaded from iTunes.

I like the idea that we are going from 36 to 12 in three weeks. When I first started watching the show a few seasons ago, I remember thinking that the elimination process took FOREVER. Let’s weed out the group fast!

My picks from last night - Alexis Grace, Danny Gokey, and Tatiana Del Toro. I tried writing my thoughts during the performances, but of course the judges generally agreed with my thoughts, so some of it is repetitive.

Jackie Tohn - I wasn’t feeling the outfit and the jumping around was distracting. I think that she will be as wildcard pick. I think that she’ll be a wildcard pick.

Ricky Braddy - Honestly, most of the judges like him, but his performance was so boring for me, I didn’t even listen. It played in the background as I did other things. Not interested enough to play it back. Maybe it was because I didn’t know the song.

Alexis Grace - I’ve liked her through the entire audition process. She’s a strong singer, and it doesn’t hurt that I really like Aretha Franklin.

Brent Keith - I agree with Kara that he was too safe. I wanted to see something bigger and better from him on the American Idol stage.

Stevie Wright - I hated the beginning. I don’t know the song, but it sounded all wrong. When the song was higher in pitch, she sounded better, but I don’t think that it was good enough. (I’ll be more polite than Simon, which isn’t hard to do.)

Anook Desai - I like his singing, but I was disappointed that he did not put more of him into the song.

Casey Carlson - It was a very strange performance for me. The pieces just didn’t fit together - the outfit, the “dancing,” the vocals, and the change in lyrics.

Michael Sarver - I liked the family man image that he has had throughout the audition process. I think that he would have done better with some kind of country song. Something in the arrangement also bothered me - too much loud cymbal.

Ann Marie Boskovich - Strong vocal, but at times she looked like it was painful to sing. Look like you are enjoying what you are doing! I liked it, thought the judges didn’t seem to.

Stephen Fowler - After forgetting the lyrics and walking off the stage during the audition process, I don’t think that he should have EVER been given another shot. It was very unprofessional. With that said, his Michael Jackson performance was not exciting enough for me.

Tatiana Del Toro - She is SO dramatic and annoying, but she can sing. It’s her talking, laughing, and crying that will NOT carry her through the process. I liked that she remained reserved and not silly.

Danny Gokey - He has been a very great and inspriational story from the beginning. When I was out to lunch yesterday talking about American Idol with a friend, Danny was the only guy that I really remembered out of the group. He is a favorite of mine, and he can sing! A good wrap up to the show.