VERY disappointed that Matt Giraud didn't make it through tonight//although maybe he'll get in the wild card.

THRILLED that nick/Norman didn't make it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAHOOOOO!!!!!

Not sure how I feel about Adam..he can sing, he intrigues me, but I am thinking I don't like his higher registers...starts to take on kind of a nasally tone then, or something...can't quite put my finger on it.

NOT thrilled with Allison that the judges are all in love with...I mean, she can sing, for the most part (misses here and there), but DON'T like her personality (or lack thereof........).

So nice to see Brooke tonight!! Liked her song, too!

Sharon

any updates on the top3 for this week, pls...

^Kris, Adam, and Allison made it through to the top 12.

I can't believe that Kris guy made it through. I thought that girl who sang Bette Davis Eyes was much better.

I'm just not sure about Adam...I thought he screamed alot doing satisfaction. I think there is something to Kris...we should keep an eye on him. If I have to pick between Alexis and Allison..I think I prefer Alexis.

I thought that Kris and Allison did very well with their encores tonight. I thought the difference in their performances between tonight and last night really showed how much nerves play a factor. Adam, obviously, since he's been doing theatre, has no "nervous" factor.

And, of course, I still like Danny.

I didn't like the Bette Davis Eyes girl (Jessie?) I actually think the best from last night made it in.

How obvious at the end that they had it down to Nick/Norman vs Adam, like there was any way that Adam would lose to him....

So far the only thing I like better about this format is that you get to hear the three best singers sing again instead of being subjected to the two worst singers.

thanks for the info... glad that adam made it.

I loved Adam in San Fran. Last night and tonight... not so much! I also think he WAY overdid it, to the point where he kinda gave me the creeps.

My fave this year so far is still Danny, but I thought Kris was much better tonight than last night and got to see a little more personality from him, so I'll be watching him a little more closely now.

But no one is even slightly close to Cook!

Like posted above, I will have to keep my eye on Kris, he really was pretty good. Sorry about Matt, he rally blew it last night. Adam, again, did not impress me.

I'm confused about this wild card thing, are the judges picking them or do they just pick those who deserve a second chance and we vote? Anyone have any insight?

As far as I can tell it is judges choice.

Thanks Mary, that's what I thought too but there is so much conflicting information out there. Should be interesting.

I agree on posts above, somehow, Adam tends to exaggerate... but admittedly, the guy has talent.

It's interesting - I do love Danny's soulfulness and I find Adam has an intriguing voice (but could HE sing Music of the Night like DC??) but.........

I don't see anyone with David's appeal - his inventiveness, his sweetness, his intelligence, his rocker vibe that doesn't turn you off, and of course those green eyes. I also don't see the chemistry between the new top 12 folks yet - I always thought last year that the top 12 really, really liked each other and had good relationships with each other - I just don't see that with this group yet.

My sentiments exactly. The camaraderie from season 7 is still missing. I am absolutely a Danny fan and I think it will be between him and Adam. Adam has major talent but needs to tone it down a bit and as I said before "makeover, please!" Hoping that Danny's friend Jamar(Jamal?) comes back as a wild card. He should have gone through to the top 36. And of course, the main thing missing from season 8-David Cook. Incomparable in my eyes!

I am a Danny fan, too, of everyone I've seen so far. I like Anoop a lot (I'm from NC, so natch). I want to see someone blow me away completely but I haven't been yet........... Yes, that's a great word for David Cook - incomparable. Not a single one could write the music, turn the phrase, sing with that raspy, sexy softness ....

Do you all think that David would have survived this format based on Happy Together only?

It's tough to say, because while I kind of liked that performance, he didn't really wow me until Hello. So in this format, he might not have made it that far.

I guess it's fair to say that maybe it's a little too early just yet to see if any of these guys have the same depth as David.

Ya know, I may be in the minority on this one, but I actually liked Happy Together. I mean, last year, before I became totally captivated by David, I just liked the way David sang the song! (Yeah, I know, what a nerd, before being a nerd was okay). So I think he would have done okay.

But I get what you mean. I don't like this new old format either. Instead of seeing the ones we like progress each week, we are subjected to subpar singers. And the good ones aren't getting any practice or exposure as the weeks drag by. The wildcard round will probably be more interesting than the first 3 rounds because they'll be singing for their lives and maybe they'll be less nervous and perform better. Yawn. Oops sorry, I was thinking about round 3.

Don't get me wrong, I liked Happy Together, and I remember being intrigued when he sang it, but I'm not sure it would have been Top 3 at the time. I guess it would have depended on who else was with him that night.

The wildcard will be interesting because the judges get a chance to redeem themselves for pulling stunts like letting Nick/Norman and Tatiana get through this far. They did well last year making everyone in the top 24 a solid candidate. This year there were too many people who were put through more for the entertainment value than for their singing ability.

Let's see if someone like Anoop (sp?) actually gets saved. (I keep thinking of the extremes of season 2 -- Clay Aiken and Carmen Rasmussen both got saved by the wildcard, remember her?)

I haven't been on here at all since AI started. I really don't know if I'll enjoy it this year. I do like Danny Gokey a lot, and a few others, but no one impressed me like David last year. I knew from his audition that he was someone special, and I even loved "Happy Together". (I think it was mainly because it was so unexpected for him to sing that song, with an emo twist.)
As far as Adam Lambert & his "theatrics", I don't like him. Is it just me, or did he seem to come across as a "David Cook" look-alike for his audition? The hair, the boots,...he's not believable...not authentic...just an "actor" to me.

Honestly, obviously depending who he was in with, no I don't think he would have made it through. The trouble with this format is everyone is trying for their own 'Hello' moment first time out - leading to lots of wrong song choices, extremely pressure and dodgy vocals - you basically have to win your sex catagory to be sure of going through, not just avoid the bottom two. There's no chance to settle and find their feet - David's 'moment' happened in week 3, he had a chance to settle and then run with it, these kids aren't getting that chance

You've got onnly one great performance in you and you're into the top 12, you take a couple of weeks to settle but you've got lots of great performances in you, well, you're probably gone so we'll never know.

Not saying Adam etc don't have great performances left, but we could well have lost some who'd really have developed, given the chance.

That said, am I glad David went for AI last year and not this, soooo much we'd have all missed out on!

I agree with most that I like Danny the best and Adam I am just not sure about. Danny seems to have real emotion that the fans feel. Adam seems staged in everything he does. I think he has a good voice but seems a little over the top for me.
It was nice to see Brooke on the show. My understanding is that Jason will be on this week. This seems to be a first bringing back contestants from the previous years top 10.

I am not sure how David would have done if this had been his season. The judges and the producers seem to have much more control on how the show plays out this year than last season. David was not (from the judges view) the one to watch early on. I am glad he was on last season too.

I do not like the way they are running the show this year. Every week you have to get use to a new group of people. Last year you would pick your favorites and watch how they would progress. This year I feel like the show is jumping all over the place. I have to ask does anyone know, what are the 3 now 6 contestants doing while these weeks are going on with the other groups? How can you see what these contestants are like if they are doing nothing for one or two weeks? My understanding with the wild cards are the judges pick the final three. I am not sure if we will see these people that they pick trying to sing again.

Nancy

From the way I understand it, Joyce, the judges pick their favorite 3, and then those twelve come back and sing, and then we vote on them.

I may be wrong, but this is how i understand it!

hope Matt Giraud is one of the judges picks. If Tatiana or Nick/Norman is, I am going to have to hang myself.... LOL!!

Sharon

This is exactly how I feel. David nailed Happy Together vocally and compared to what we have heard so far this season I think he would have made it. But I don't like this format. As far as Adam goes, it just feels phony like with no feeling. With David we always felt his heart with his performance.

But, put him in a group with Archie, MJ and Jason and not knowing what we all know now, I'm not so sure. And I completely agree about Adam, he can sing, no doubt about that, but it all feels staged, like he's assuming a character to win this, not who he actually is - one of the very many reasons we all adore David so much is that he does wear his heart on his sleeve, he sings it, we all feel it

LOL, me too! But I don't think Simon will let that happen!


I get the impression that Adam thinks he has already won.

I think I read or heard somewhere that the judges pick 12 for the wild card group, and then THEY pick their favorite three from there. I don't think we get to vote on it.

If I remember correctly during Season 2, Clay Aiken was a wild card and he was picked by America...and each of the judges picked their favorites ( Kim Caldwell and Carmen Rasmusen were two---I forgot who the third was). Looks like they're doing it very different this year. I have to agree with you guys, I kind of miss seeing the contestants perform every week, getting better and better.

I guess we'll find out this week, looks like Thursday is the show where they'll select the final three. I don't like anything about the format, I think 36 contestants were too many. If there were only 24 we may have been spared from hearing more of Nick (?Norman) and Tatiana. They CAN'T possibly come back for the final three.

Yes you are right about that. I meant compared to what we have seen this year so far. Last year was a strong season.

I agree that no one can replace David, but I gotta say, I do love Adam. He was previously involved in theater, so I see why some people think hes too over the top and dissconected from the songs, but I kind of feel the opposite. When I'm watching him, he looks like he' s completely in the moment and really feeling the song. He looks like he was born to perform. Just my opinion.

i feel so selfish that i am not as interested as last yr's season of AI mainly because i dont want anyone to replace our beloved David... i just dont feel the same thing i felt during last yr's AI i dont know but i dont really get excited this season.. among the contestants if i got to choose one, i'll choose Danny, i had a feeling that he'll win this season.. he's been given an ample of airtime and a lot of good reviews and i felt his sincerity but still, my heart belongs to DAVID COOK only..

A lot of what people are saying are echoing my sentiments! I was watching Idol Wrap and Kim was interviewing a producer from the show (Ken?) and the question was why are we back to this format. And the answer was that because you esentially saw the top 12 for three weeks running, it got tedious. That absolutely is rediculous. As others have said, based on Happy Together which I really like, I don't think David would have made it through. Also with this format, we wouldn't have had Hello, Imagine (DA), Halleluiah (Jason), some of Brooke's performances which I loved (can't remember which weeks), and of course no Word Nerd which was the second week. Strangley though, I think we may have had A'siah Epperson and not Kristy Lee Cook. I also don't think that all 36 are together which does not make for the commeraderie that the Top 24 had.

With 36, you also really water down the group and a lot of mediocre people get through. I think that last year the eliminated contestants were also quite good, though not as good at the Top 12. But a lot had potential. I think they really tried to avoid the whole Sanjaya thing last year. Obviously, they are not that interested in that this year with Nick/Norman.

I guess I don't really see anyone who is trying change up songs the way David does and not many are that unique, at least to me. I agree that Danny and Adam are going to be the ones that go really far, as they are unique. I'm still up in the air about Adam. I think he is talented, but over the top. Satisfaction was fun, but theatrical. I'm a big fan of the theater and generally don't like when Simon puts that down, but I really get it with Adam. That being said, I can see him winning. Usually, my person of choice only wins in odd years (I wanted Clay, Bo, and Melinda). So I should probably start rooting for someone besides Danny!

And, in some really weird way, I feel like I'm cheating on Season 7! Maybe I'm just strange that way.

Jessica

I watch the show but I don't have a favorite in that moment and ofcourse David Cook will always
be my favorite
Also, I'm so happy that this anoying girl (I forgot her name...but I'm sure you know who I'm talking about) didn't got in.

I agree with most of what you said, but not regarding Happy Together. I remember the judges liked David and although Hello was the breakthrough moment-David was amazing from the outset. I have watched Happy Together on YouTube many times. He would most definitely have made it through. I guess it's really immaterial because we know the outcome. I do agree with you about Clay and Melinda too. Still think they both should have won. Danny and Adam will definitely make the top 10. I am not overly impressed by anyone else this year and season 7 was the ultimate!

Matt was one of my favorites from the auditions. I hope he gets another chance.

Is it me or was there really no focus on the girls previously (except for Lil")? I actually liked Allison from the 2 seconds they showed her during auditions before Hollywood. I like Danny but if the judges keep acting like he is the second coming it will annoy me really fast!

I thought tonights show was a little better than the last 2 weeks but still a couple of bad ones. Scott and Lil will probably go thru. Not sure who else would go. Its a toss up. I was actually impressed with Jorge.

I am so over AI8 already! I figured it would be a letdown after last year, but I held out some hope. Tonight pretty much dashed that. For the first time since the finale of season 4, I didn't even bother to vote. (Explanation - I didn't vote in the finale of season 4 because I liked Carrie and Bo both so much that I couldn't pick one over the other). Not the case tonight, by any stretch. I kept waiting for someone, anyone, to blow me away, and then, well to at least impress me, and finally to just have somebody that could keep me from falling asleep! Last year, I rewound almost every performance. This year I'm fast forwarding to get to the judges' comments!

To give Lil her due, she was the only standout of the night but that's just not my type of music. I want Cook, Daughtry, or Kelly Clarkson. Instead we got Alex growling. OMG, hideous was the only word that came to mind. Well, at least the girls were better than the Casey Carlson/Stevie Whatever trainwreck. Ah, I can always watch my DVDs of AI7, I guess. Or better yet, go to youtube and watch Cook sing Anodyne for the 400th time.

I agree, for the first time in three weeks I felt like there were a few different contestants who did well. Scott, Lil, Von, Ju'not, Kristen, Jorge, Felicia -- they'll all get some votes I think. I think Lil might be my fave so far, I liked her from her audition and she's still going strong.

I really like Lil Rounds - great voice and stage presence. But there is no one who can compare with David's musical versatility, imagination, and of course, his personality. Remember when Randy and Paula said that his version of "Hello" could be a hit that very day? I haven't heard anything like that this time.

With the exception of Lil, who has probably stamped her ticket for the Nokia Theater unless something terrible happens, it's more about "giving us hope" or some sort of thing like that. I'm looking for someone to absolutely knock me over, and we're not there yet. (All Adam did was annoy me - I did NOT like his version of Satisfaction and I thought he was trying to curl his lip like Elvis Presley). Oh well, there's always next week................

I liked Lil and always have.

I know some will disagree but if Scott is just going to go up there and sing piano ballads then I don't think i am all that interested.

I felt a glimmer of hope with Ju'not (or is it Ja'not?). Anyone else? I liked the arrangement of Hey There Delilah.

Of ocurse I'd personally just relive season 7 week by week ;0

Lil, for me, was the first to look totally natural and at ease up there, really like her.

I hope Ju'Not gets through, he looked potentially interesting.

And sorry, I'll sound harsh, but to me Scott is another Danny G, through on his back story, absolutely nothing remarkable or unique about his voice.

At the moment it's Lil all the way for me, with maybe Ju'Not. Adam over sings and appears to have adopted a character, the other males through are bland and interchangable with numerous other singers.

Actually I agree with you about Scott. I said earlier that he'll probably go thru but I didn't put a vote out for him. He is ok but not great. I just figured he probably will get a lot of votes. We'll see soon.

Week 3 was a disappointment. Lil was the only standout and I think by that point I was just really hoping for someone GREAT.. like FINALLY! So far every contestant who had the pimp spot has gotten through to the Top 12. So my bet is that Lil will make it. Do you guys think that's the final 3 right there? Danny, Adam and Lil.

I kind of liked Jorge (sp?) He did a pretty decent rendition of Don't Let the Sun Come Down on Me. But I don't really care who gets through from this around aside from Lil. I wasn't digging Scott so much. I think he did okay.. not great.

Wildcard SHOULD be a more exciting show. I only wish America gets to vote instead of the judges picking the final 3. With the unbalanced ratio of guys to girls right now, I'm afraid they're going to pick girls to go through just to balance things out. But I honestly think the guys are better this year. I want Anoop to make it!

Me too!! I actually wanted Nick/Normond (sp?) to make it too...HAHA! He was fun!

I can't believe they put Tatiana in to the wildcard! Glad Anoop made it.

I'm more or less OK with the rest of them. I would have liked to see Ju'not get in, I liked him. I agree so far Lil is my favorite.

I was really interested to see how they would choreograph a dance number for the guys, so they decided to have them all sit on the couch for the whole song. Understandable, but that song needed more bounce.

I think I'm on the verge of being done with this series - I only really like Lil, don't like most of the wildcards or simply can't remember them, Tatiana's going in instead of, say, Mishavonna or Felicia who both gave better performances, Von instead of the potentially interesting Ju'not Anoop's about the only one I hope gets through, although he has to raise his game a lot.

Not sure if it's David's fault and he's spoiled me for Idol (must admit, I am comparing every male to him), or this series really is that lackluster

I'm with you on that - this season has been a real disappointment. Seems like they are making a really obvious play for ratings with the whole Tatiana thing... there were way more talented people who did not make it into the Wild Card. Really, the highlight for me last night was when they played A Daily Anthem in the background at the beginning. (and maybe Lil Rounds - she's really good...)

I agree with everything you said...especially the thing about ADAM, I didn't pay attention to the recap, just tried listening to David's song! I'm really disappointed with the wildcard picks, Ju'not should have stayed, not Tatiana.
This season IS a disappointment but I do think it's because of being "spoiled" last year. I'm hoping things get better when they can play instruments during the performances.

I think the judges messed up with the wild cards. Ju'not should have gone through. Tatiana is there for the drama and the ratings. I am just glad they did not put Jackie Tohn through. I think it is going to come down to Danny, Adam and Lil. Except for Danny though, no one comes near to David's heart and humility. Can you believe it that it is exactly one year since we first heard Hello? This season does not approach season 7 in the slightest. I really hope the contestants can step it up from now on. So far it has been a snooze fest. And from me this is unheard of . Idol is always sacred time in my house. Everyone knows not to call me when it's on. I hope it improves from tonight on!

I agree with you, not even close to season 7!!! I think our dear David ruined it for us. Noone can top his originality and bravery and talent.
I think you are right about Danny and Lil. I guess Adam too, but he doesn't do it for me. It's still early, but he just seems like he's trying (in his own words) "to win a job". It doesn't seem like music is in his soul or that he is really passionate about the music. I think Alexis did really well too. Scott did only okay, but I could feel from his performance that he loves music and is passionate about it.
The drama this year is just ridiculous and I prefer the format from last year, top 12 girls, top 12 guys, 2 of each leave each week. I think 9 leaving right away, isn't quite right. There were alot of decent people who could have done better after a second time in front of the camera and a live audience. What a shame.
Oh well, I will still tune in for those random clips of DCs songs, random references to him and for a potential appearance by him. BTW, did you notice how many contenstants keep saying "I had the {Time of My Life}"?

After having watched Idol so far, I too will agree that this season is a complete far cry from last season. In a way, they aren't comparable to each other.

As for the wildcards, I ain't too sure if Tatiana should be given a second chance. Even as there isn't a doubt that she can sing ... if the agenda for putting her in is for rating's sake, that's sheer crap. Simon even gave a look that said, "Oh my god! Was that even a wise decision to do that?"

On a different note, it was pure love to listen to A Daily AntheM once more in the audition montages!