American Idol Shock and AWWWW & My Predictions

OK!!! Would someone please explain to me, WHAT ON EARTH IS HAPPENING ON AMERICAN IDOL????? I'll be the first to admit that my jaw dropped several times at last night's results show of who would be the top 12 contestants. Several Times! Sundance didn't garner as many votes as SANJAYA???? What the crap? (excuse me!) I didn't care so much for Sabrina, but she was definitely more powerful a singer than Hayley! And I think the fact that Hayley is so cutsie and was so often attacked by Simon's opinion is probably what catapulted her into the Top 12! The only good thing that came out of last night's show is the dismissal of Antonella....yep, it was time to go...like weeks ago! I don't' even think she was shocked, what with all the controversy surrounding the show because of a little modeling job she did. She probably should have been kicked off the show by producers several weeks ago when the racy photo's emerged, but I guess they were erring on the side of caution with all the controversy it has stirred up in the past....(insert violin song here)..."yes, Frenchie from Season 2, we know, you were such a victim in the matter!!!"

But back to the subject at hand...last night proved that it's NOT only a singing competition. There is far more at the end of the phone lines than fans of true vocal talent. There's the sympathy vote (aww, Simon made me cry when he was so mean just now), the teeny-bopper vote (i.e. all the little kids that latch onto a contestant because they think he's cute or she's such a good role model, blah blah blah), the defiant vote (perhaps the judges were a little cruel and "I'm gonna phone it a couple of votes in support"), the non-existent vote (people who watch the show, but don't care enough to sit on the couch for 2 hours after the conclusion to phone in a vote for their favorites, yet we'll complain and harp about it in the days to come), the personality vote ("...but he's soooo sweet! I know he can't really sing the best, but he's got such a good attitude and I like him!!!"), and of course the LIFE STYLE vote (give it up for the gay guy, the christian, or the kid that was living in his car til now....). Yes, I have found myself in a couple of these voting situations, as I too get wrapped up in the phenomenon call "IDOL MANIA", but I guess the true test is record sales, and success's outside the show. Past idol contestants have either soared or sputtered when released out of the bubble...but they had their time on the show, that's for sure.

So, here is my thoughts and predictions of the so called TOP 12 VOTE GETTER'S of Season 6:

Hayley Scarnato: Former Wedding Singer, recently engaged, and often battered by the judges for song choice. I really think she's a good singer, but as Simon would say, "overpowered by the stronger voices around her in the competition". She beat Sabrina out for the TOP 12, which was a mega shocker in and of itself, but I would give her another week or 2 on the show if she began coming into her own and picked a song like Bonnie Raitt's "Lets give them Something To Talk About". I think ballads are her thing, and it's going to be pretty interesting to see how she does when they throw out the different challenges of "Theme Night" to her. All in all, even if she doesn't make it another week on the show (which I think she's going to be one of the first 2 to go home) she has a career on her hands. She's got the look, a decent voice to go with the cute personality, and gosh darn it, people liker her!

Jordin Sparks: Well, lets just say, that after Hayley is booted off, this girl could definitely stick around for a while if the afore mentioned "teenybopper vote" has a say in the matter. The young 17 year old has alot of experience yet to gain, but she definitely has a powerhouse voice. I was pretty impressed with this last weeks song choice of "Heart Breaker" which was a surprising choice and definitely a move up from last weeks "Reflection" which was good, but not great. She needs to find something that will set her apart. I would say it's her curly locks, but lets face it, Chris Sligh gets the trophy in that department, and I give it a week before they straighten them out like they did to Lisa in last years competition. I don't have alot of opinion on her, other than I like her and look forward to hearing more. I don't think she will make it past the top 6 unless she starts making some noise soon.

Phil Stacey: Well, who wouldn't like a guy named Phil?? Missed the birth of his child to audition for the show (and has a very understanding wife, let me say, because I wouldn't if it were me!). He has a great voice for ballads, but I am still shaking my head as to why he chose the LeeAnn Rimes song. Yes Phil, it is a great song, but not for a guy!!!!!!!!! I loved his rendition of "I Ain't Missing You" by John Waites, and would like to see him stick to the Daryl Hall and John Oats kinda thing. He's got a fan base, that's for sure, and has alot to live up to and prove after being highlighted for missing his kid's arrival. I give him kudos because my mom really likes him. (But even she had to wonder what he was thinking on this weeks song choice). If he wants to stick around a little longer, he better take a note from the strategy of Clay Aiken...pick ballads with big notes and nail it! I worry about any song that will take him outta his element...like last year's "Queen" nite....chilling to think what he'd do there! Unless he screws up big, he's in it to the TOP5 at least.

Brandon Rogers: I'm sorry WHO? I forget from week to week that he is a contestant on this show. Yes, he can sing. Yes, pretty well. But I have no idea who he is. After searching him up on the IDOL website, I remember now that he sang "Rock With You" one week. Interesting choice, but to me, his voice didn't fit. I think he was highlighted in this weeks video of "People would be surprised to know" as a talented pianist. Perhaps that is where his future lies, unless he steps it up in the next week, I say he's out by TOP 8week.

Sanjaya Malakar: Seriously, is he still here???? I think they missed the mark when the judges put him through and not his sister. Do you think that Simon, Paula and Randy a kicking themselves today? Well, metaphorically WE ARE! I don't know what it is about this guy, and just who his fan base really is, but #1 Don't tell we'd be surprised to know you can actually "HULA" when you're not even shaking your skinny hips!!!! #2 He was right to be shocked last week when he was put through another round, and should've been stunned to be named TOP 12! I give him one more week to "thrill us" and I plead with America DON'T CALL HIS NUMBERS! This guy makes Kevin Covais from last season look really really really good.

Chris Richardson: Ahh, yes, the Justin Timberlake clone. I know the judges have been all but falling all over him, but I seriously don't see it. Maybe I'm just out of touch with what is "HOT DAWG" as Randy would say with his gangsta fingers in place.... (and I really probably am outta the know on most things related to musical culture), but I think his voice is a bit to whinny. I haven't been blown away by any of his song choices, and I'm sorry, but the Keith Urban song was terrible. I do think he has enough appeal to hang around for a while. I'll be looking for him to stay until at least until TOP 7.



Blake Lewis: ORIGINAL WITH A BIG FAT "O"!!! Not one contestant on the shows history has been like him. I really appreciated the fact that during the first week of competition, despite being known as the "bee boxer", he chose to showcase his voice and prove that he could sing. I thought his song choice was great, and I didn't even know what the song was! I remember telling my dear husband that he sounded like "Sting" to me. Of course the judges love him and encouraged him to bring back the bee boxing, which he has. I'm not a fan of that music, but I could get used to it listening to him. I'm making him my pick for TOP 3....the only reason he won't go above the #3 spot is because La Keisha and Melinda are just too strong, providing there is not a dejavu moment like the season Jennifer Hudson went home way early!

Chris Sligh: Dude is great! I was a fan at his audition when he walked into the room and the judges asked him "Why do you want to be the next American Idol" and he replied with "I wanna make David Hasselhoff cry"! That was priceless! He is already a stand out with his look, I mean, not many people other than he and Jack Osborne can wear that kind of hair do! He has a voice that is smooth and soothing. I liked that he picked a song this week that the judges didn't know (perhaps because they don't listen to Christian Music), and the judges still liked it. Sometimes, that may be the secret to the competition, because if they don't know the original artist, then the contestant can't be compared. Great card to play, Chris! I am a fan of his....but I'm not going to predict him to stay beyond TOP 4, heck he could go home far sooner. If that is the case, I see him starring in a sitcom of his own in the near future!

Gina Glocksen: Idol's first true Rocker GIRL! Move over Pink! You can totally see her rockin out on the stage now that she has figured out who she is musically and will be sticking to that. As a big fan of Heart in the late 80's and early 90's I thought she did a great job on the song a few weeks ago, but totally agreed with Simon about her choice of dress. It looked more "glam" than "rocker rebel chick". She has come into her own in the last weeks, so I think I will have to move Phil Stacy down one from his NUMBER 5 spot....which pushes Jordin Sparks to 7, Chris Richardson to 8, and Brandon ("Who?") Rogers is closer to going home at number 9.

Rock On Gina!

Stephanie Edwards: Well, like Chris Richardson' s pining after Justin Timberlake, I look at her as a "Beyonce" wannabe. She has done nothing to make herself seem different, or original. I personally thing she has a fantastic voice, but she sounds too much like the current stars, and not enough of an original artist. I am sure she will last a bit longer than I am going to give her credit for, but I would send her home by week 9 or 10, fighting that spot with Brandon Rogers. I'm not overly impressed.....we'll see how it pans out.

And Here You Go! One of these two ladies is the Next American Idol! Melinda Dolittle and LaKeisha. Melinda has quickly become a crowd favorite not only for her powerful, confident, and outrageous voice, but for the genuine grace she presents on stage. She actually looks surprised when the judges give her good remarks for her performance! She is a force to be reckoned with! And LaKeisha is emerging as a strong competitor with her powerhouse voice! She has in common with Season 3 winner Fantasia, the fact that she is a single mother and is striving to do right by her daughter ( a story America loves to latch onto!). It 's going to be one heck of a finale, I believe that!

So, there is my ramblings about the show that makes my weeks go round! I am the self proclaimed "AMERICAN IDOL FREAK" with it as my number one recording choice on the Tivo, and the theme song as my ring tone on my phone. I have been known to save an entire season on the Tivo (not so much this year, since I'm not enjoying it half as much as other seasons). I know this is a long post, but be glad this is not Season 5....