American Idol Recap -- Semifinal Group 1

To go along with my American Idol fantasy pool, I have also decided that I am going to do a recap of the show. So here goes American Idol Recap Semifinal Group 1:

JACKIE (“Miss Personality”) -- Sang ”Little Less Conversation” by Elvis

Why you remember her???
She wore the spandex outfit…yes I did say spandex! Who doesn’t wear a polka dot tube top, black spandex pants, a big red belt and high tops?!?!? Seriously! I can’t believe the AI stylists let her out on the stage in that 1984 workout get –up! But don’t worry she feels comfortable with Ryan to call him dude and say that everyone on the show are “banging singers.” If you could get past the outfit, she actually didn’t sound that bad! She did have Paula dancing.

What the judges said…
Randy – good entertainer, liked the Journey “trousers”
Kara – she can work a stage and has a big personality, not the best vocals
Paula – not a “perfect performance, but perfect is sometimes boring”
Simon – played a clown tonight, didn’t do herself any favors, he didn’t like the “trousers”

RICKY -- Sang – "A Song For You" by Leon Russell

Why you remember him???
He needs to remember that in order for people to hear you, you need to put the microphone by your mouth or speak up enough for the mic that is attached on your lapel to pick up an audible sound. He also wears a tucked in button up shirt with no belt. Seriously…did the AI stylists go on strike? The song is a little slow, but he sang it well.

What the judges said…
Randy – he is the “start of season 8”
Kara – killed that, incredible gift
Paula – so proud that America gets to see him now since he wasn’t featured in the past 3 weeks
Simon – no star quality, great voice, no charisma, good vocal

ALEXIS -- Sang “Never Loved a Man” by Aretha Franklin

Why you remember her???
She “dirtied” herself up for the judges for Hollywood week, which must mean adding pink in your hair and ditching the jeans from 1998. Her outfit for the show wasn’t bad though. I liked her a lot. Her dad’s hair was longer than most of the girls competing on the show.

What the judges said….
Randy – “worked it out”
Kara – “genie is out of the bottle”, great job
Paula – cute and petite, but what is inside is so large!
Simon – best contestant yet (out of 3), might be a dark horse, reminds him of Kelly Clarkson

BRENT -- Sang “Hicktown” by Jason Aldean

Why you remember him???
His video footage didn’t work. That’s the only thing that really stood out. A little boring, but he is cute!

What the judges said…
Randy – thinks he would be a very good country artist
Kara – likes him, but song was too safe
Paula – wishes he would have done a song with more range
Simon – song was forgettable, may have blown a massive opportunity

STEVIE--Sang “Love Story” by Taylor Swift

Why you remember her???
She wore skinny jeans, belted long shirt, with tennis shoes. The outfit and her performance were both horrible! I was hoping for more from her because she has a cute personality.

What the judges said…
Randy – bad performance
Kara – said she is having an identity crists
Paula – not the right song
Simon – it was terrible, out of tune, zero chance of making it to the next round

ANOOP (“Anoop Dawg”) --Sang “Angel of Mine” by Monica

Why you remember him???
He had on a nice outfit. Very likable personality. Sounded well. I think he has a good chance of going on to the next round. The backup singers were way too loud though (that’s not his fault though). Had a standing ovation from Paula.

What the judges said…
Randy – he has “mad love for him”, he sang the song too sharp
Kara – didn’t sing the song as well as he should, lots of potential
Paula – America has connected with him, has a Bryan McKnight feel
Simon – song was too grown up for him, too serious

CASEY -- Sang ”Every Little Thing She Does is Magic” by The Police

What you remember about her???
Besides all the winks and pageant head flips, the one thing you would remember is that she is BEAUTIFUL! Her performance was somewhat of a train wreck though. It was super cheesy and she did not sing the song very well.

What the judges thought…
Randy – not good, song was completely wrong for her
Kara – everything about that was wrong
Paula – didn’t like, told her to not be cheesy
Simon – song was atrocious

MICHAEL (“Ryan’s twin”) -- Sang “I Don’t Wanna Be” by Gavin Degraw

What you remember about him???
Our Jasper, Texas boy! I really like this guy and he did a great job!!! One thing that was distracting about his performance was that he kept moving the microphone from hand to hand. Paula called him out on it.

What the judges said…
Randy – started out rough, didn’t perform the song well
Kara – not his best performance, but he is likable
Paula – did a real good job
Simon – said if gets through it is because people like him, not that particular performance

ANN MARIE -- Sang “Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin

What you remember about her???
She was the idol the judges made get a new look in first round auditions. She also doesn’t have an ounce of fat on her because in her tight blue dress you would have definitely seen it! She had a good performance though.

What the judges said…
Randy – bad song choice, doesn’t understand who she wants to be as an artist
Kara – thinks she sang something way too old fashioned
Paula – thinks she did better than her other auditions
Simon – her voice is not good enough for that song, thinks she may have ruined her chances

STEPHEN -- Sang “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson

What you remember about him???
He promised he wouldn’t forget the words this time. I think he has a nice tone to his voice, but the performance was a little boring and cheesy. He even pulled out the John Travolta disco point on one of his high notes.

What the judges said…
Randy – didn’t like it
Kara – hated the song
Paula – thought he should have sung the David Cook song he messed up on during Hollywood week
Simon – wished he would have forgotten the lyrics, thought it was terrible and corny

TATIANA -- Sang “Saving All My Love For You” by Whitney Houston

What you remember about her???
She is the most annoying person that has EVER been on the show! I can’t stand her at all. She had on the ring that Paula gave her during Hollywood week. I am assuming Paula gave it to her because she only wanted her to shut up. If she wasn’t so annoying, she would be one of my favorites because she is a really good singer. Did I mention she was annoying??? I think she must have read all the bad press about her because she was really understated and demure. It was kind of creepy.

What the judges said…
Randy – says she actually can sing (at least in moments)
Kara – thinks she is like a roller coaster ride
Paula – said she missed the crazy
Simon – said she was a drama queen

DANNY -- Sang “Hero” by Mariah Carey

What you remember about him???
This is the guy that went thru the audition with best friend and the best friend didn’t get through to the semi finals. He always brings up his wife that passed away and most of his songs reflect that. I really like this guy! He has been one of my favorites from the beginning. When I saw he was singing Mariah Carey, it made me nervous for him, but he nailed it! Got a standing ovation from the judges (well not Simon but that isn’t unusual)

What the judges said…
Randy – said he redeemed the night
Kara – all she kept saying was yes yes yes
Paula – “sold-out arenas”
Simon – said it was good not fantastic