Here’s a few news stories that I found interesting. I hope you will too.
America Gets It Right With First 3 ‘Idol’ Picks
Thursday, February 19, 2009
By Diane Macedo
There’s always that episode on American Idol where Ryan Seacrest makes an announcement that leaves everyone silent with shock and awe … this was not that episode.
As hoped and predicted, American Idol welcomed Danny Gokie, Alexis Grace and Michael Sarva as the first three members of the coveted Top 12.
It was nice to see the three favorites belt out their tunes one more time, but I couldn’t help feeling bad for the rejected contestants. Not only do some of them have to be there for 45 minutes after finding out they haven’t made it, but they also have to sit there and get shown up by these people again. I’m suddenly missing the days when they used to force them to sing the song that just earned them their ticket home.
Read The Rest of the Fox News Story HERE
‘American Idol’ Recap: Alexis Grace, Danny Gokey And, Surprisingly, Michael Sarver Survive
Anoop Desai and Tatiana Del Toro are knocked out, but they still have a chance at the wild card.
The first three slots of “American Idol” season eight’s top 12 have been filled. And while two of the picks seemed like no-brainers, the third was slightly more shocking.
Alexis Grace, who wowed judges with her powerful take on Aretha Franklin‘s “I Never Loved a Man,” and Danny Gokey, who handled Mariah Carey‘s “Hero” with ease, both breezed into the top 12. Both seemed like foregone conclusions after Tuesday night’s live performances. But it was oil roughneck Michael Sarver — who struggled slightly with Gavin DeGraw‘s “I Don’t Wanna Be” — who grabbed the final spot on Wednesday night’s results show, leaving several “Idol” favorites on the outside looking in.
Anoop Desai, Ricky Braddy and Tatiana Del Toro were all sent packing, due to the new elimination process “Idol” implemented for season eight. Expanding the semifinal field from a top 24 to a top 36 meant that contestants were broken up into groups of 12. From each group of 12, only the top male and female vote-getters from each group — plus the next highest vote-getter, regardless of gender — will be moving on.
Read the rest of the MTV.Com Story HERE
‘American Idol 8′: Ricky Braddy — The first injustice
No Ricky Braddy? Unbelievable.
I agree that Alexis Grace from Memphis and Danny Gokey from Milwaukee, Wis., deserve to be in the ring for the top 12. But Michael Sarver from Jasper, Texas, should not. Ricky was simply better. And, anyway, Michael’s eyes are freakishly far apart. They should disqualify him just for that.
Read the Rest Knoxville News Blog HERE
Phil Stacey blog: Danny, Alexis and Michael sail through
No big surprises tonight. I expected Danny Gokey And Alexis Grace to make it through. I think Anoop Desai outperformed Michael Sarver, but Michael does have the likability factor going on. My wife was rooting for him to make it through. I expect to see Anoop as a wild-card pick. But who knows, maybe Tatiana Del Toro will be brought back. I guess it all depends on what they are looking for this season. But I think it will be Anoop that ends up the wild card this week.
I would also like to say that Ricky Braddy did a fantastic job with “Song for You” last night. He is a fine example of how this show works. If you don’t get face time, it is hard to win over someone’s vote. I think most voters already have their minds made up before the performances start.
I was proud of all the performers last night, only to be bombarded with messages saying how horrible some of them were. Maybe I’m a little biased, but it’s tough to sing up there. I think Danny and Alexis are both great performers. Michael would make a great country singer, but who am I to tell him what to do?
‘American Idol’ recap: Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy
Contestants with backing from the judges and producers rule the day as the first three finalists of season 8 are unveiled
It’s official, everyone! Season 8 of American Idol is going to be nothing short of miraculous. Sick folks will be healed at the end of each and every results show. The economy will get rescued during a special Wall Street-themed edition of ”Idol Gives Back.” Randy Jackson will become articulate and concise before the beginning of April. And we’ll have one person to thank: The Robert Downey Jr. look-alike who, based on a single live performance, has been labeled ”the redeemer” and ”the hero” (of season 8 or the planet, it remains to be seen), has been envisioned playing ”sold-out arenas,” and has been charged by no less a social commentator than Kara DioGuardi with the tall order of ”giving us all hope.”
And because it is useless — no! in fact it is strictly verboten to resist him — I have written a song for this very special contestant, set to the tune of Mariah Carey’s ”Hero.” Please give it a listen, or better yet, sing along:
Read the Rest of Phil Stacy’s Blog for the LA times HERE
Read the Rest of Phil Stacy’s Blog for the LA times HERE
‘American Idol’ recap: Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy
Contestants with backing from the judges and producers rule the day as the first three finalists of season 8 are unveiled
It’s official, everyone! Season 8 of American Idol is going to be nothing short of miraculous. Sick folks will be healed at the end of each and every results show. The economy will get rescued during a special Wall Street-themed edition of ”Idol Gives Back.” Randy Jackson will become articulate and concise before the beginning of April. And we’ll have one person to thank: The Robert Downey Jr. look-alike who, based on a single live performance, has been labeled ”the redeemer” and ”the hero” (of season 8 or the planet, it remains to be seen), has been envisioned playing ”sold-out arenas,” and has been charged by no less a social commentator than Kara DioGuardi with the tall order of ”giving us all hope.”
And because it is useless — no! in fact it is strictly verboten to resist him — I have written a song for this very special contestant, set to the tune of Mariah Carey’s ”Hero.” Please give it a listen, or better yet, sing along:
Anoop Desai, Ricky Braddy and Tatiana Del Toro were all sent packing, due to the new elimination process “Idol” implemented for season eight. Expanding the semifinal field from a top 24 to a top 36 meant that contestants were broken up into groups of 12. From each group of 12, only the top male and female vote-getters from each group — plus the next highest vote-getter, regardless of gender — will be moving on.
Read the rest of the MTV.Com Story HERE
‘American Idol 8′: Ricky Braddy — The first injustice
No Ricky Braddy? Unbelievable.
I agree that Alexis Grace from Memphis and Danny Gokey from Milwaukee, Wis., deserve to be in the ring for the top 12. But Michael Sarver from Jasper, Texas, should not. Ricky was simply better. And, anyway, Michael’s eyes are freakishly far apart. They should disqualify him just for that.
Read the Rest Knoxville News Blog HERE
Phil Stacey blog: Danny, Alexis and Michael sail through
No big surprises tonight. I expected Danny Gokey And Alexis Grace to make it through. I think Anoop Desai outperformed Michael Sarver, but Michael does have the likability factor going on. My wife was rooting for him to make it through. I expect to see Anoop as a wild-card pick. But who knows, maybe Tatiana Del Toro will be brought back. I guess it all depends on what they are looking for this season. But I think it will be Anoop that ends up the wild card this week.
I would also like to say that Ricky Braddy did a fantastic job with “Song for You” last night. He is a fine example of how this show works. If you don’t get face time, it is hard to win over someone’s vote. I think most voters already have their minds made up before the performances start.
I was proud of all the performers last night, only to be bombarded with messages saying how horrible some of them were. Maybe I’m a little biased, but it’s tough to sing up there. I think Danny and Alexis are both great performers. Michael would make a great country singer, but who am I to tell him what to do?
‘American Idol’ recap: Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy
Contestants with backing from the judges and producers rule the day as the first three finalists of season 8 are unveiled
It’s official, everyone! Season 8 of American Idol is going to be nothing short of miraculous. Sick folks will be healed at the end of each and every results show. The economy will get rescued during a special Wall Street-themed edition of ”Idol Gives Back.” Randy Jackson will become articulate and concise before the beginning of April. And we’ll have one person to thank: The Robert Downey Jr. look-alike who, based on a single live performance, has been labeled ”the redeemer” and ”the hero” (of season 8 or the planet, it remains to be seen), has been envisioned playing ”sold-out arenas,” and has been charged by no less a social commentator than Kara DioGuardi with the tall order of ”giving us all hope.”
And because it is useless — no! in fact it is strictly verboten to resist him — I have written a song for this very special contestant, set to the tune of Mariah Carey’s ”Hero.” Please give it a listen, or better yet, sing along:
Read the Rest of Phil Stacy’s Blog for the LA times HERE
Read the Rest of Phil Stacy’s Blog for the LA times HERE
‘American Idol’ recap: Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy
Contestants with backing from the judges and producers rule the day as the first three finalists of season 8 are unveiled
It’s official, everyone! Season 8 of American Idol is going to be nothing short of miraculous. Sick folks will be healed at the end of each and every results show. The economy will get rescued during a special Wall Street-themed edition of ”Idol Gives Back.” Randy Jackson will become articulate and concise before the beginning of April. And we’ll have one person to thank: The Robert Downey Jr. look-alike who, based on a single live performance, has been labeled ”the redeemer” and ”the hero” (of season 8 or the planet, it remains to be seen), has been envisioned playing ”sold-out arenas,” and has been charged by no less a social commentator than Kara DioGuardi with the tall order of ”giving us all hope.”
And because it is useless — no! in fact it is strictly verboten to resist him — I have written a song for this very special contestant, set to the tune of Mariah Carey’s ”Hero.” Please give it a listen, or better yet, sing along:
Read the Rest of The EW.Com Article HERE
First three singers advance to the ‘Idol’ finals
Michael Sarver, Alexis Grace and Danny Gokey will be part of the top 12
First in the fold: Alexis Grace became the first singer to make the final 12, but even though she wowed the judges on Tuesday she was nervous. Casey Carlson and Stephen Fowler had been casually tossed aside a few moments earlier, but Grace became the first to get good news and was appropriately giddy. “This is awesome. Thank you so much!” she gushed. Not quite the edginess that the judges seemed to be asking for in the auditions, but maybe she got that out of her system on Tuesday.
Read the Resto of the MSNBC Article HERE
The first three of the 12 “American Idol” season eight finalists were named Wednesday, and for once the judges had nothing to complain about. Their two favorites from Tuesday night made it through, and the third had a feel-good story and was someone Simon Cowell had said deserved a second chance. Of course, that also meant saying goodbye to the drama queen and Anoop Dog, at least for another three weeks until the wild-card round.
By Craig Berman
, msnbc.com contributor
, msnbc.com contributor
I gotta be honest. I am with Phil Stacey’s wife…I know Anoop and Ricky outsang Michael Sarver on Tuesday night, but both my sister and I threw our hands up in the air and screamed when Michael made it through! I think he has a really, really good voice…the song Tues just didn’t showcase that. But he also has such a sweet personality, it’s impossible NOT to like him!
With the economy the way it is, I think it’s the hard-working “oil-riggers” that most people are relating to right now. That’s my theory of why he got the voters behind him Tues. night…his story.
I think this year, the likability factor will win out over the talent factor. Michael–nice guy, humble, and not a great singer. Anoop and Ricky–great singers. I also found them personable, but I guess they weren’t the friendly underdog that Michael was. And remember, it’s not only about the singer (this is reality TV, after all). Remember how last year Simon said to David Cook in week 8, I think (and this is a direct quote, b/c I remember it clearly), “If this remains a talent contest rather than a popularity contest, you could win the whole thing?” Bingo, he won. I’m not sure that will be the case this year, but we’ll see. It’s definitely harder when you have a Top 12 rather than a Top 24, and only nine singers make the cut. I don’t like this season’s format.
The right 3 made it last night. Michael is a very good singer, which he proved during Hollywood and his audition. Anoop will be in the top 12(he will be Kara’s pick), so I’m not worried one bit. Ricky’s elimination was not shocking. He chose a song that’s older than the hills and he was very boring(he sounds a lot like Clay Aiken). These contestants have to know that young people watch Idol, and they’re not going to vote for someone singing an old, boring song. Ricky doesn’t have the looks for the 40 year old women votes. I think this will be a very strong top 12.
There is a radio interview with the first 3 winners from last night on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show.
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