girls rock !!

When 54 became 36 - and a new style “Final Judgement” required some of the American Idol contestants to take part in sing-offs for their survival.

For some reason the producers have, again, decided to show the men first, which this year may be the worst selection ever. Anoop and Von Smith are good but definitely not great, so it was a surprise they went through.

The first sing-off to help the judges decide was between Cody Sheldon and Alex Wagner-Trugman. Cody is nervous and not impressive, while Alex nailed it. The judges chose Alex, which seemed right. But, again, neither are really outstanding.

Kara DioGuardi has some strong opinions on song choice and vocal style, and had real trouble with Adam Lambert, especially when he sings something like Cher’s Believe. But at the final choice, Simon Cowell announced the decision was unanimous for Adam to join the final 36 - so Kara must have come around.

Simon also said there were some other criteria for their choices, as well as being able to sing well. Putting someone through that the judges liked, but who they thought couldn’t win the public vote, was one. Another was whether the singer would make a good recording artist. The judges have done well in previous years, but it was still interesting for those criteria to be expressed again.

Randy Jackson said Taylor Vaifanua’s (photo 1, left) earlier audition was one of the best he’d heard in season 8. So Taylor’s version of If I Ain’t Got You during Hollywood week had clinched the deal. We were pleased to see quite a few of our favourites making the final 36: the delightful Jasmine Murray and the shy Arianna Afsar. The bubbly and not-shy Casey Carlson (photo 3, left) is also through, along with Megan Corkrey and Mishavonna Henson and, another bubbly enthusiast, Stevie Wright.

There have been mixed reviews about Joanna Pacitti (photo 2, right) , and Kara is not sure if the continual “just need one more chance” will ever be enough. Paula Abdul said it is a tough business, but Simon still thinks Joanna needs a break, so she is through. Another unanimous decision. Although the judges thought Kendall Beard was potentially very commercial, she had not shone on all the song choices, but they decided she had done enough for the next stage.

Then another sing-off, between Jenn Korbee and Kristen McNamara. Jenn sang Dixie Chicks and failed to impress, and when Kristen let rip with her Whitney voice - why was there any doubt? Well, Simon asked if the judges wanted to keep the “very attractive blond girl” or “the other one”. Fortunately the judges chose the one who could sing - Kristen. But not before Paula had suggested an image change for Kristen. Wow! And not before Simon had a hissy fit because he had been outvoted. Double Wow !!

Photo 5 below shows Jenn Korbee (left) and Kristen McNamara during the tense sing-off decision process. 

Another strong voice belongs to petite Alexis Grace (photo 4, above right) and we reckon the judges had an easy decision to vote Yes for her. Lil Rounds is through as well.

Yes decisions were not easy and Felicia Barton, Ashley Hollister and Devon Baldwin were cut. Another sing-off, this time between Frankie Jordan, the Amy Winehouse lookalike and singalike, against Jesse Langseth who has a much better jazzy voice. And Jesse has a much better attitude than the self-serving Frankie. In our humble opinion, the best person won.

Singing Because of You has plus points - if you have a great voice - and Alison Iraheta (photo 6, left) has that and a smokey tone, so the 16-year-old went into the final 36 with 4 strong Yes votes. “Raw natural talent” said the judges.

We’ve always liked Jackie Tohn and so it was great she got through. Meanwhile drama-queen (but huge voice) Tatiana Del Torro has scraped through, although on a split vote. Which was the same for Jeanine Vailes while Anne Marie Boskovich is also through.

So that’s 22 GIRLS and 14 BOYS that the judges (Kara DioGuardi, right) think have the talent - a huge majority for the girls.

The next stage, over 3 weeks, will have groups of 12 contestants being whittled down further. First up will be:

Alexis Grace
Anne Marie Boskovich
Casey Carlson
Jackie Tohn
Stevie Wright
Tatiana Del Toro

Anoop Desai
Danny Gokey
Brent Keith
Michael Sarver
Ricky Braddy
Stephen Fowle

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