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March 31, 2010

Feeling fine about the new 'Idol' Top 9?

Posted: 10:12 PM ET
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SPOILER ALERT!!! Tonight's blog entry will reveal the contestant being sent home from "American Idol." Don't read any further if you don't want to know the results.

The Top 10 went for the win, but only nine would survive.

It's starting to get real predictable every week as to who is going home. Pretty much if you are the suckiest of those who suck on performance night, you are out.

I have no qualms about them shipping Didi Benami off tonight. Her performance Tuesday was painful.

Let us know what you thought of the decision and head over to iReport to submit your video question for Didi Benami.

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Filed under: American Idol 2010 • television


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Cutting it down to the 'Idol' 9

Posted: 09:16 PM ET
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SPOILER ALERT!!! Tonight's blog entry will reveal the contestant being sent home from "American Idol." Don't read any further if you don't want to know the results.

9:58 p.m. – I wish they would stop pretending that the "judges save" is even an option at this point.

We very quickly learn that Didi must sing for her shot to stay, and she performs "Rhiannon." We get a shot of the judges whispering and smiling, and I wish they would just keep it real for once. They know they were not even deliberating!

Simon speaks for the judges, and he plays at looking undecided. Of course, they are not going to save her, so Didi Benami is out. Get ready for the waterworks America.

She doesn't completely collapse on the stage like I expected, but she goes into a clinch with MamaSox that says "Hold me up girl."

Fare thee well Didi.

9:50 p.m. – Diddy-Dirty Money "perform" "Hello Good Morning."

I don't understand this new group: Diddy and two chicks dancing and pretending to sing. One of the members used to be in his girl group Danity Kane. I would have rather seen them.

I forgot that Diddy used to be a back-up dancer back in the day. He's still got the moves, and he gets extra points for still attempting to be an artist with all he has on his plate.

The crowd is loving him, though, and he gives Simon a big hug. Who knew they were homeboys?

Diddy sends a shout out to all the young artists who are "bustin' they butts" in the industry. Wow.

9:39 p.m.- Back to the seats, Didi Benami is up and seems to be justifying why she hasn't been using her guitar a lot. What is up with Seacrest tonight all up in people's business?

Didi is off to join Katie in the bottom three. No shocker there.

Big Mike Lynche is up next and Ryan plays a dirty trick, asking him to step over ... only to slap his hand and tell him he is safe!

Mrs. Big Mike looked like she was about to have a heart attack! Big Mike lifts wee Ryan up off the floor and gives him what appears to be a chiropractic adjustment. Big Mike should have tossed him!

Crystal "MamaSox" Bowersox is up next and, of course, she is safe. She lets us know that she totally could have lifted Seacrest, too, and I believe it.

That brings us to Tim "Cute as a Button" Urban and Andrew Garcia as the possible final contestant in the bottom three. Tim it is!

Just like last week, Katie gets sent back as safe and that leaves us with our bottom two, Didi and Tim. Either could bounce as far as I am concerned.

9:30 p.m. – Bieber fever alert!!!!

Justin Bieber is in the audience for his mentor (and our guest mentor this week) Usher's performance. I can swear I heard the tween screams from across the country.

Usher comes on to perform "OMG" and at first he sounds like he is in the wrong key. And what is up with the Bob Fossey hat and moves?

This is not at all the performance I was anticipating. Usher and Will.i.am just didn't do it for me. Oh well.

9:13 p.m. - Big Mike has a phony pony (tail). I guess.

Right after we get some words of wisdom from Andrew Garcia's mama and a visit from the cast of "Clash of the Titans," we start the elimination round.

Up first is Lee Dewyze, who we all knew was safe. (I mean come on!) Next is Casey James, who I wish they would stop needling for "playing it safe." After half a second of a Seacrest pause, we learn that Casey is also safe.

Then Aaron Kelly gets put on the spot about his love life. Seacrest wants to know if the 16-year-old has ever been in love. Things quickly disintegrate when Ryan tries to joke Simon, who comes back with some smack, then Kara gets in it ...

Enough already! After all that, Aaron is safe.

Rising to their feet are Siobhan "Screech" Magnus and Katie Stevens. Screech looks worried but says she is "not defeated." Katie speaks her piece about the career she wants before being sent to the bottom three. Screech looks more upset than Katie.

We are again back to Seacrest being all up in Simon's face at the judges' table accusing him of gloating. Kiss and make up already!

9:05 p.m. – Oh snap!

I forgot that Ruben Studdard was performing tonight. He sings his new single, "Don't Make Them Like You," and he looks good. He's still the Velvet Teddy Bear, but now there is less stuffing.

He's going on tour with Clay Aiken, and I can't wait to see them on stage together again.

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Filed under: American Idol 2010


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'Idol' elimination night begins with a 'Clash'

Posted: 09:05 PM ET
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I wonder if Tim Urban will end up in the bottom three again tonight. He really needs to just go and stand there at the beginning of each elimination night.

"Clash of the Titans" and "Idol?" WTH?? This opening is crazy!

Who had the idea to start the show weaving in a commercial for a movie and the contestants? Insane.

Here we go.

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Filed under: American Idol 2010


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Usher to perform on 'Idol' elimination night

Posted: 06:29 PM ET

I am very much looking forward to Usher’s performance Wednesday night on “American Idol.”

This week’s guest mentor is scheduled to appear with his former mentor Diddy and his group Dirty Money. That should be fun.

Watch a discussion of Usher as an "Idol" mentor:

Read the rest of this entry »

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Filed under: American Idol 2010 • American Idol judges • Ellen DeGeneres • Kara DioGuardi • Randy Jackson • Ryan Seacrest • Simon Cowell • celebrities • television


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'American Idol's' Alex Lambert lands new gig

Posted: 11:41 AM ET

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Alex Lambert may not have made it to the Top 12 on “American Idol,” but he’s not done with the reality bandwagon just yet.

The 19-year-old has landed a spot on the web series “If I Can Dream,” PEOPLE reported. The show follows the lives of a group of aspiring musicians and actors living in a house in the Hollywood Hills.

The series, which appears on Hulu.com, is the project of “Idol” creator Simon Fuller.

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Filed under: American Idol 2010 • television


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March 30, 2010

Did you want to get funky with the 'Idol' Top 10?

Posted: 10:04 PM ET

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Highlights of the evening for me included Andrew Garcia's spicy mama taking on Simon and Usher's very pointed advice to the contestants. Now that's how you mentor, Miley Cyrus!

MamaSox was hot, as always, and we saw the return of Andrew Garcia as a viable contestant. Overall, I think the gang did better this week than last. Maybe there is hope for this season yet (please, please)?

Your thoughts?

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Filed under: American Idol 2010 • American Idol judges • Ellen DeGeneres • Kara DioGuardi • Randy Jackson • Ryan Seacrest • Simon Cowell • television


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The 'Idol' Top 10 face the music

Posted: 08:18 PM ET
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9:56 p.m. -I had been waiting all night for Usher to sing just a little bit to display his point, and he did with Aaron Kelly during his rehearsal.

Bill Withers "Ain't No Sunshine" is a big song, especially for a teenager - even one as poised as Aaron. He was good, but he didn't really have the "moment" that I expected to end the show. His practice session was so much better.

Maybe his nerves got the best of him?

9:44 p.m. - Usher is loving him some MamaSox.

Crystal Bowersox is on the piano, singing "Midnight Train to Georgia." Her voice has more soul than all of the other contestants by far. Thankfully, she only plays the piano a little bit because it seemed to be distracting her.

I just wanted her to sing the song all the way through. I don't think I have ever heard Simon tell someone to don't go changing to try and please him.

Another home run out the stadium by MamaSox (who looked great in the stilettos by the way).

9:33 p.m. - I thought we were going to get through one night without Big Mike lifting someone off their feet, but nope. He scoops Katie up backstage in the green room.

*SIGH*

Lee Dewyze takes on "Treat Her Like a Lady," and I want to mail him some confidence. As Usher points out, the boy can sing, and during rehearsal he looked scared to death!  Seriously, if he was standing any farther away from Usher, he would have been out of the room.

I liked his performance, though it was more light rock than R & B. I'm a sucker for a gravely tone, and I  like his Darius Rucker-esque voice though.

I just need Lee to believe that he deserves to be in the game because he is really, really good. The judges can't say enough positive things, and Lee looks like he is about to burst into tears.

Awwwww Lee. We heart you!

9:22 p.m. - I like Katie Stevens, but I have a bias when it comes to Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools."

I remember when Fantasia sang this song, and it was almost flawless. Usher is great with the advice and on the money when he tells Katie she needs to bring some pizazz to her performance.

That song is all about the attitude, and bless her heart Katie tries. She was pretty good, but she's no Allison Iraheta from last season. The little rocker chick would've sung that song like the rent was due!

That being said, I thought Katie was very middle-of-the-pack. Randy is OUTSIDE of his mind comparing her to Christina Aguilera, and I am glad that Simon was with me on that.

9:09 p.m. – Seacrest, please don't try and use the urban lingo. It's bad when Randy does it and ridiculous when you do.

Andrew Garcia is next up, and I fear that here comes the pain. Andrew has been disintegrating every week, and it has hurt my heart to watch him.

He does an acoustic version of Chris Brown's "Forever," and I feel like he is forever chasing that moment he had with his "Straight Up" performance. He almost got there tonight.

It was much more of the Andrew we first fell in love with, and he looks so happy. Please stay in that lane, Andrew.

8:57 p.m. - Tim Urban totally doesn't get why they call him "Teflon Tim."

It's cause you should have been gone by now dude!

Don't get it twisted: The names Tim Urban and Anita Baker should never, ever be used in the same sentence. Ever. He sings her classic "Sweet Love," and I anticipated what my homegirl Kelly predicted would be a "10-car pile-up."

Amazingly, it wasn't as horrendous as I anticipated. At first, I thought it was the worst song choice in the world for him, and he was definitely doing the "soul-lite" version. But then I realized that the young girls probably loved it.

That suga-face, with those bangs brushing those sweet eyes singing a love song, is going to score some votes. Tim might be crazy like a fox!

Simon was so on-point in saying it doesn't matter at all what the judges say cause Tim is gonna keep sticking around.

8:45 p.m. – Oh Lord. Must Didi Benami cry every single time?

"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" is a great song and all, but geez. Her outfit is very Las Vegas casino performer, and she manages to strip every bit of soul out of what is a classic soul song.

That was borderline painful to listen to. Kara says she is confused as to who Didi is as an artist now. Simon takes a swipe at a "dancing show" that have awful singers as performers. Wow, ABC might be calling.

Didi looks irritated at the negative critiques. Really Didi? Really?

Ryan was over the line trying to push her to share her tragic story as to why the song makes her so emotional.  She clearly didn't want to talk about it.  Bad Seacrest!

8:33 p.m. – I kind of like that backstage camera after the performances. Feels more intimate.

I have a feeling that there was a lot of ego in that room when Big Mike Lynche met Usher. I'm just saying.

Mike sings one of my all-time favorite songs, India Arie's "Ready for Love." It was soft, soulful and understated. I loved the arrangement. Nice shot of the crowd swaying.

Just Mike, just his guitar and just what my husband proclaimed to be "a home run right there!" I am starting to see this guy more and more as the next possible "American Idol." He was poised, polished and professional.

Little weird that he sang behind the judges' backs, but whatever.

8:22 p.m. – I wonder what Sam & Dave would think of Casey James' version of "Hold On, I'm Coming."

You can tell he had a great time. His smile said "Oh yeah, I'm in my groove." He sounded good and gave me a touch (though very slight) of an Eric Clapton vibe.  He obviously loves this style of music, as do I.

Ellen gets booed for saying it "felt generic." Allow me to add in my personal boo: BOOOOOO!

I say great confidence and great performance. Well done, Casey!

8:04 p.m. – Lots of leather/pleather on Soul and R&B Night.

Siobhan Mangus is looking straight thrilled over seeing Usher. I would be, too, girl!

I thought he might leave those shades on the whole time because he is just that cool. I like what he has to say about their talent. The audience is loving him. Ryan is funny donning his own shades. Not even close, Seacrest!

I am really going to need Usher to stop chewing that gum though.

Siobhan says she is "wicked nervous." Her outfit during rehearsal is goofy, crazy. Usher has big praise.

She sings Chaka Khan's "Through the Fire," and her performance outfit is crazy, too. I am beginning to see a theme here.

She does have a big voice, but some of those notes were warbly to say the least. She channels her scream to try and do a big finish. Randy calls her "pitchy" but likes her courageousness, whatever that means.

She admits that she didn't "kill it," though I might have to disagree. I didn't love her. Did you?

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Filed under: American Idol 2010 • television


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Looking forward to 'Idol' Top 10

Posted: 08:02 PM ET

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I'm not even going to lie; the main draw for me tonight is Usher.

I dig him, and I am anxious to see if he inspires the Top 10. He's been in the business since he was a kid, and he's got a great voice. Mostly I'm hoping he can impart some swagger to help this year's group kick it up a bit.

The show just started, and why was it necessary for Simon to kiss Ellen? Funny how Kara dodged Randy's kiss. Better luck next time buddy.

And we are off!

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Filed under: American Idol 2010 • American Idol judges • Ellen DeGeneres • Kara DioGuardi • Randy Jackson • Ryan Seacrest • Simon Cowell • television


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Usher to mentor 'American Idol' Top 10

Posted: 05:36 PM ET

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Usher on tap as mentor for “American Idol’s” R&B-themed night?

Yes please!

If his protégé Justin Bieber’s career is any indication, Usher knows how to shape a superstar, so I’m anxious to see what words of wisdom he has for our Top 10.

I also can’t wait to see who sings what. Given such an awesome catalog, Lord help these children if they turn in another lame night of ill-fitting tunes.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Filed under: American Idol 2010 • American Idol judges • Ellen DeGeneres • Kara DioGuardi • Randy Jackson • Ryan Seacrest • Simon Cowell • celebrities • television


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March 29, 2010

'Idol' voting via Facebook

Posted: 01:27 PM ET

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It was only a matter of time before “American Idol” voting met social networking.

Mashable is reporting that Idol Fanatic has come up with a way to allow the show’s fans to vote via Facebook.

Using  a special programmable communications network, participants would have five votes to use each week with the ability to earn more for each Facebook friend they invite.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Filed under: American Idol 2010 • television


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