They switched Michael Sarver out of this week for Matt Breiszke, so it looks like they're throwing the big(ger) man under the bus here to try to actually give the roughneck a legitimate shot. No way he was going to get voted through this week vs. Anoop Danny and Ricky.

my pre-season pick is Alexis Grace from Memphis - she has the total package - her looks remind me of a young Elizabeth Banks...could be another Kelly Clarkson.

Watching American Idol Rewind yesterday I saw this big brunette woman who described herself as a stay-at-home mom singing some jazzy standard that made me realize why I keep coming back to this show despite all the pathetic exploitation of weirdos who can't sing for cheapshot entertainment.

This woman could sing; better than Hudson IMO, even though they share the name Jennifer. Don't remember the city or her last name, but if she didn't make to the final cut I'll find it hard to believe that the eventual winner is any better.

She nearly hit the tear-o-meter on me by the second stanza.

I think even the judges were floored by her, though they wouldn't let on too much. Simon could only manage a snarky comment about her having the "nice" factor.

The fact is she had the "it" factor, and just happen to sound genuinely nice.

Dammit, does anyone remember the guy who made the closet comment and Simon took advantage of the comment?!

I think it was Alex Wagner-Trugman, can anyone confirm? All I remember is my mom asking me if I thought the guy was cute while we were in the kitchen.


Josiah Leming was some cute stuff from last season too.


As a nearly 19 year old and given the bf looks like this guy except taller and a bit better looking, I would tap him.

As expected, the guys were a hell of a lot better than the girls and the producers set up this week for a clear delineation of who they want to move on.

Producers wishes: 1) Danny G, 2) Alexis G, 3) Anoop- if 4) Tatiana were to be voted through, they would love the additional drama

However those deserving to move through: 1) Ricky Braddy (my CLEAR favorite and best vocal performance of the night), 2) Danny G (clearly overpimped performance) would be the only two I voted through- the next position, since it had to go with a girl- and to be fair based on vocals- Tatiana over Alexis in a close vote. Alexis gave an average performance but is the IT girl- her performance can't hold a candle to Kelly Clarkson's Respect- although for some reason they mentioned her name- Blech and BS

Frankly, I only care if Ricky B doesn't move on - he is really genuine in his performance. I think he is Wild Card bound. And if Alexis wins over Tatiana (VFTW might be in action tonight), then I think TdT will be in the Wild Card round as well. If for some reason Ricky is voted in, Anoop will be in the Wild Card.

Danny is a for sure.

I disagree Kick.

I do think Danny is in. But I think Brent Keith stood out more than Ricky Braddy did. Not only did he do a great job with his song, but he stood up to the criticism by saying country fans would disagree. I know these country fans and they love that attitude. His only downside is his clingy wife.

As far as the women are concerned I'm at a complete loss. I like Jackie but hated the performance and pants. I liked Alexis but the dark horse comments will hurt her. Casey sucked and Stevie sucked but Casey did the pouty tearing thing that always works for votes. Ann Marie and Tatiana were both good. I guess I would Ann Marie or Alexis simply because they don't have the Hollywood Week baggage,

So my guess would be Danny, Ann Marie or Alexis and Brent. Although I bet Anoop, Ricky and Michael Sarver got more votes than any of the women including Ann Marie and Alexis.

[Edited to Add]

I just saw that Tats was Vote for the Worst so it's a lock. Danny, Tatiana, Brent moving on.

Tatiana was actually good. I was surprised. She was the best of the women in my opinion. I threw her a few votes.

Of the guys, I think Danny G. and Anoop are probably the two best, along with Ricky Braddy. I agreed with Simon on virtually everything tonight. He had em all pegged correctly. Danny was good but nowhere near as great as Kara, Paula and Randy said. I'm liking Kara more and more.

I'm so NOT into that Michael Sarver. I don't find him appealing, voice or otherwise. He has a real redneck Repugnican vibe like he would've fit in perfectly with all the gun totin' nutjobs at a Palin rally.

My guess as to those advancing: Danny G, Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver.

Anyone who voted for that pretentious whale Tatiana ought to be shot.

God, I hate that woman!

I don't know if his performance was all that special- he may only stand out to those who love country- but the vocal performance itself was just above an average vocal performance IMO...

If the producers would have highlighted Ricky Braddy as much as Danny or Jamar or Tatiana, his vocal performance would have eased him through with America's votes. Unfortunately he is very humble and soft-spoken in his performance style- so he will not get a lot of votes for that reason.

Michael Sarver screwed up based on song choice.

FSU, I'd appreciate it greatly if you took your nasty, bigoted politics out of this thread and into the P&R category where that hate-filled f*cked up bullsh*t belongs.

Now that that's out of my system ...

I only listened to Tatiana's performance because I was watching to make sure my microwave popcorn wouldn't burn, and gotta say, she was awfully good, at least so much better than I expected. She was remarkably drama-free tonight, although Simon's comment about her being a drama queen was spot-on (takes one to know one). Irrespective of VFTW, I think she should go on to the final. Alexis looked great, but that song just didn't do it for me. None of the other women stood out, except in a bad way.

I agree that Rick Braddy had a great vocal, and that's all it took to get voted through, he'd be a lock. But the poor guy, talented as he is, is so utterly lacking in all "X factor" qualities that it's doubtful. Very true, Maddog, that country fans get all riled up when feeling dissed, but I just couldn't get fired up over Brent's performance. "Hicktown" isn't one of my favorites to begin with, and it's a really tough song to pull off. But I agree with Paula (horrors!) that Brent has the makings of a country star. If USA Network ever decides to pick up the tattered and shredded remains of "Nashville Star" (a once great show until NBC ruined it), Brent should give it a go. I like Michael Sarver, and it's no small endorsement when The Cowell himself says he hopes that America picks up the phone and votes for him based on his likeability. Gawd knows they won't vote for him based on that performance, which was both disappointing (didn't get a chance to hear Michael's pretty voice) and kinda painful (that song choice was so horribly wrong). Danny was good, but so overpimped it was downright embarrassing. I was really disappointed in Stephen Fowler, who did that brilliant Stevie Wonder song the 1st day of Hollywood week, but sucked royal tonight. Anoop is a good singer, but an off song choice might do him in.

My guesses for the 3 that go through from Group 1: Danny (of course), Michael Sarver, and Tatiana. If Hawaii could pull Jasmine Trias all the way through to #3, then Puerto Rico should be able to vote Tatiana through to the finals. While you gotta wonder about how much manipulating goes on behind in the scenes when figuring out the 3 groups, overall I'd have to say I like this new format. Yeah, it's brutal that 24 semifinalists get cut, but allowing America to decide amongst a larger group seems more fair.

Dude, can you give it a rest? This doesn't belong here - keep it in the P&R threads, where you can spew hate speech to your heart's content.

how does this new top 36 work?

how many will be safe tonight?

They pick 3 tonight to be in the top 12 I think - top girl, top guy, plus the next highest vote getter whether male or female. The others aren't completely eliminated yet though because the judges are still going to have a wild card round like in the first few seasons.

The Braddy Bunch guy was my favorite but I think he has zero chance of moving on in the competition except for maybe the wild card round. TOFSU got it right with Sarver. Totally get that feel too of him as a redneck. Seems like Fox is trying to shove him down our throats like when Ryan goes, "You're such a great guy." Why?!? Because he's married and has kids? You got to love the faux right-wing outrage on the board. Ha.

Some of the girls were the worst Idol has had in years. I don't think I like the 36 format because they're not going to find 36 real talents. There are maybe about 15 of them who are worth a damn. Danny is going to win the whole thing I'm guessing and the producers seem ready, willing and able to showcase him as the favorite. He's this season's Archuleta. I love how he got the night's highest praise and magically and completely "randomly" performed last.

Tatiana makes for good TV but she also sang well, which was like a "whoa" moment for the night. I think everyone expected her to be awful. And the production values last night were unIdol-like. Not a strong start to the season.

Why does it have to be "right-wing" outrage? Perhaps some of us find such bigoted ignorance totally inappropriate in this part of the forum. If the guy's good enough to advance, why shouldn't he? Because your stupidity and bigoted attitude doesn't like a blue-collar worker with a family?

Because I was pretty much caught up watching the stuff recorded on my DVR, I decided to record last night's show even after I stopped watching at the start of the Hollywood period. Wow. That was one of the most putrid things I've ever seen. Horrendous singing -- a few were average at best. Terrible song choices. Painful interview segments with the parents and friends. The new judge got sucked right into the Randy-Paula twilight zone. Randy starts it off and whatever he says, the other two women agree nearly 100 percent. You know things are bad when Simon's trying to be positive after the other three finally ripped someone.

I plan to record the results show tonight only because most of them will be eliminated, which hopefully make it a little more fun for me.

I want to see the following- 1) the emotional Tatiana not making it tonight, getting all weepy, 2) the elation of Tatiana getting a second chance at the Wild Card show, 3) the weepy Tatiana getting cut out of the top 12 at just the last moment! LOL

Well, according to Dial Idol.com- Danny is a shoe-in and automatically in. Alexis is the clear female leader in votes, although not guaranteed. Michael Sarver, Anoop, Ricky Braddy and Brent Keith all out-polled the second place female singer- looking as if Michael would be the favorite of the remaining singers to move forward...if this is the case, Anoop will be the clear wild card choice of the producers and Ricky Braddy may be left out in the cold- the producers don't like him...

I wonder if a guy with a good but not incredible voice and good but not gorgeous looks (i.e. Danny) would be given the same attention had he lost his gay partner recently.... hmmmm

Oh get off your high horse, Mr. Self-Righteous.

Ah, I see I've struck a nerve, eh? The truth hurts, doesn't it?

And I thought Tatiana was a drama queen! You take the cake, missy. You seem to have these pissing contests with a lot of people I've noticed. Says a lot about you.

You seem to be one of the few who believes this. I love everybody, despite some people's unacceptable actions.

I'm just looking forward to a surprise striptease by a male contestant.

I'm still bitter that Jamal didn't get to the top 36 - especially with some of the lamebrains that they chose...I'm sure Micheal Sarver and Danny get through, probably that young mother as well...

As predicted, Ricky Braddy's performance was shuffled to the background and no comment from the judges about whether American got it wrong or not- a shame.

I predict Ricky gets shafted from the Wild Card show as well because more guys than girls will get voted through the regular process and the producers will try to be pushing more females in the wild card show to even the numbers. He will get no Wild Card opportunity... with unfortunately the clear best vocal of the night.

Anoop will get the male Wild Card spot from this week and the producers will not pass over Tatiana drama. Jackie may get another spot to give the girl rocker a second opportunity.

This old "new" system- which was used in the earlier seasons- really screws the contestants who are more consistent in their performances. Ricky would have continued next week in the more recent format... with chances to prove his solid vocals... and give him more airtime...

Next week's casualty to be predicted- Kris Allen- its heard he has a terrific voice- but we have hardly seen him perform. The producers want him hidden.

Top 12 prediction- Michael continues with average performances until Top 7 or 8. Alexis continues to underwhelm, but is one of the better girls until the Top 5-6- judges realize she is honestly not as good as Kelly Clarkson- DUH!!! Danny Gokey- ala the pimped one like Fantasia- gets standing ovations depsite average to above average performances to at least top 3.

I just feel bad- and I am a bit biased and actually honestly upset a bit. I am tired of those who are attention seekers and "pretty people"- or in this case- the pimped or promoted ones- getting things easier in life. The ones who are humble, who may be the most talented, and stay out of the limelight getting shafted.

Oh well, its only f**king tv.

this format sucks.

one song and the three are already in the finals?

Do not like this years contestants. Not based on looks, singing ability and charm yes. The 4th judge is a shame as well. I'll find something more meaningful to watch on my Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Remember: next week and next week only, you'll need to find something more meaningful to watch on Wednesday and Thursday, notice the time change, Wednesday and Thursday.

I was really surprised Michael Sarver edged out Anoop Desai. Ryan said it was only a 20,000 vote margin out of 24 million votes cast, which is pretty amazing. However, I think Anoop has a very strong chance to make it through as a wild card; his voice is beautiful, and even Simon admiited he's extremely likable. Loved the melodrama that was Tati-annoying at the end; she totally comes off as a character on a telenovela.

I LOVE the writeup of Tatiannoying in dlisted.com today. I can never get links to work, so I cut and pasted:
________________________________________________________________________________
________

Hurricane Del Toro's destruction on American Idol has come to an end....for now. You can put the ear plugs and punching bag away for now, but I have a feeling this ho has not finished with us. Wild card, anyone? Even though Tatiana makes my finger nails fall off, she's really the only one that makes me feel anything. The others are like a plate of soggy pancakes with no syrup. Boring as f**k, but if it's front of me, I'll slap my nalgas with it.

Last night, the third top 12 spot was between Tatiana and Robert Downey Gokey. The dude is a widower, so we know how this was going to play out. When Gaycrest announced that RDG was going on, I was hoping Tatiana would explode like a pinata filled with meth at Amy Wino's birthday party. She didn't. Instead, Tatiana slowly melted like she was playing Blanche in a community theater production of A Streetcar Named Desire. And the camera kept panning to her melodramatic ass while Gokey performed. I don't know what was worse? Tatiana's "power bottom without his dildo" pout or Gokey's shirt and glasses! Seriously, that man needs a gay in his life. Summer's Eve definitely made that t-shirt and glasses. That shit made my own clothes all wrinkly, because they felt weepy after seeing his mess! That outfit was made to be worn while doing body shots off some skeezer in a NJ bar. It was not meant to be seen by millions of people.

The other two hos who got the first top 12 spots were Jane Mancini and that roughneck dude or whatever the hell his name is. I already forgot and I'm not going to stress out my half-brain cell by trying to remember it.

After Tati was throw into the gutter, I love how the bitches around her weren't even trying to give her a real hug. They were hugging her the way I hug my extended family. It's an "I'm only doing this because people are watching" kind of hug. And the side-eyes! They f**king want to rip off that Paula Abdul 50-cent ring off Tati's finger and poke her eyes out. They HATE her.

Very funny write-up. Alexis does look like Jane Mancini...lol.

thanks for the Dlist review, MM. That writeup is fraggin' hilarious. Re: Tatiana's reaction to the bad news, I haven't seen a meltdown like that since the Australian Open trophy presentation. And yeah, Paula's jewelry looks like something you get out of a gumball machine. Where is that sh*t sold, the 99 Cent Store??

I thought for sure the PR vote would be enough to drag Tatiana over the finalist line. With PR an hour ahead of the Eastern time zone, I wonder if AI is shown live there and if they can vote*. In any case, Jane Mancini deserved to make it through, although that's almost damning with faint praise considering how bad the girls were this week.

OK now, all bow to the power of The Cowell! If not for Simon's request (I was tempted to say "plea," but The Cowell doesn't plead for anything) that America vote for Michael Sarver despite his lame-osity performance, the roughneck had ZERO chance of making it through. As for The Widower (sorry, but it was a bit much when one of Danny's peeps held up that picture of him and his late wife), why did the AI producers even bother with the voting? What with Danny getting about a thousand times more coverage than any other contestant, the Three Stooges orgasming without touching themselves whilst exalting his just-above-average performance, and giving him the monster advantage of the last spot, the producers might as well have said, "OK, we're suspending the rules and just putting Danny straight through." At least that would have been honest.

Braddy really got the shaft. His vocal was a thousand times better than Michael Sarver's (not that that's saying much), but it seems the AI producers didn't much care for him, so off he goes. My gut tells me that Ricky Braddy is a genuinely good person. Even though he got shafted and he was so much more deserving of a finalist spot than Sarver, when Ricky came up to congratulate the roughneck, you could see that Braddy was one thousand percent genuinely happy for the guy. As deserving as Ricky is of a finalist spot, his chances of a wild card are about as good as hitting the Lotto. So whatever he does post-Idol, I wish him all the best.

* edited to add: Then again, even if they can vote, maybe Puerto Ricans are so embarrassed by Tatiana that they frantically called in votes for everybody else.

Which would be? Sorry, my mind's a bit lost lately.

As long as Chuck and House aren't moved around, I'm super happy.


Is it just me or do 3 of the guys on AI seem to look alike. Beard, hairstyle, face shape...

I think Ricky will be back for the wildcard show, and hopefully the judges will get at least 2 of the 3 picks... I think he still has a chance of making it to the Top 12. It would be a shame if he didn't as his was the best vocal of the night.

As for Tatiana, I can't help but be entertained by her as I love a good drama queen. I knew it would come down to her and somebody else just to add to her drama queen storyline. I really do think she will somehow end up in the top 12, just so the show can boost their ratings. People care about what happens to her whether they love her or hat her. Should be an interesting couple of weeks!

The "new" old format is good and bad, I suppose.

Danny Deadwife. Obviously one of the favorites of the season. It seems like they already have a thousand pre-recorded segments on him even though I know nothing about him, except he's friends with Jamal, leads a church choir and has a dead wife. He's a good singer, but to me, is just boring and bland.

Alexis. I liked her and Jackie. I am curious to see how she will fare week to week. And they really need to stop showing her parents because, Oh.Ma.Gawd, Becky, if that's what Alexis is going to look like...eek!

I would give Jackie another shot in the wild card. I think she would do well. She's got spunk, charisma and an unusual voice.

Michael "hefty hefty hefty" Sarver. Substitute Oil Rigger for Military and you have Josh Gracin. Could ride it all the way to Top 5 and into Nashville for a recording contract.

Anoop. Put him in the wild card although I didn't think he was all that. Maybe if they thin out the unibrow and changed the hair and clothes. Nice guy but awful song choice.

Tatiana. No need for a last name. Crazy girl is so entertaining that she must get a wild card spot. I love how she kicks in the Spanish accent when she pleads for votes. Reality TV gold. Gold, I say. Bring her back and vote the hell for her because she needs to be in the Top 12 simply for entertainment purposes.

All the others are so forgettable that I don't even know their first names.

I didn't watch the prelims so I don't know if they focused on Alexis but it seems like the others were already known to the viewers?

Next week should be interesting. I kind of want to see that pseudo/fey/alterna-showtune boy...what's his name...Adam? And why the hell is that Nick/Norman guy there?

It's a show that you just love to hate, no?

Oh, and Carly and Michael Lee Johns? Yeah, they still suck donkey balls.

MDG, don't make me hurt you. If that vaca hispanica makes it, I'll shoot you AND my TV.

Or how 'bout puerca hispanica?!

No, that's not strong enough.

Et tu, MDG? No love for my favorite so far- Ricky Braddy. He has such a nice easiness and serenity in his singing. He is cute and has Rent co-star written all over him. I am so in love with the cute, talented geeky type.... SIGH!!! The sweet guy you can take home. (I want to send him my song Reach to Me when he doesn't make it- you think I should have him try to sing it???? )

Ricky Boy!!

Ricky, Too

I have a lot of the same thoughts- Michael = Gracin for sure.

Danny = this seasons Ruben and Fantasia who were "the chosen ones"

Love potential drama for Tatiana- love to hate her.

Yeah, baby, talk dirrrrrrrty to me.

Viva la Tatiana!
Viva la loco Diva!

Wild Card! Wild Card! Wild Card!

Si- viva la gorda loca puerca cantando!!!!

Ricky who? I forgot about him Nice voice but memorable? No. I would put him in the wild card but advise him to change up his look and show some star quality. We know you can sing, but come on...wow. us. He kind of reminds me of that guy from a couple of seasons ago who had a nice voice (Patrick Hall?), but was just meh and the only thing interesting about him was his guests (the "lady" with the huge collagen pumped lips).

And in every season, there is "the chosen one". Sometimes they win, but most times, other times they don't.

Listen to the iTunes version of A Song for You by Ricky- and tell me its not memorable LOL- I dunno

(I also just listened to the Danny version of Hero- it it kinda flat and sucks- honestly!!! if you take out the hype, it doesnt have much punch.)

Patrick tried to sing Melissa Etheridge- bad song choice for him. This was a good song choice...

And you tell me that Michael Sarver is truly any more exciting that Ricky? I mean, they could have showed Ricky and his friends from his music school in North Carolina- just as exciting as the 30 frickean times they showed Mikey on his oil rig- not exciting stuff, ya know....

I know, I know you aren't the enemy, my friend LOL- but you know, I take these things a bit seriously- if there is talent, I wanna see it move forward versus those the producers want- oh well LOL

Damn, I just realized- if you take off his glasses and look at him, he sorta looks like Will Young- whom I LOVE!!

I don't hate Ricky. I thought he was really good. I think it was the hair and I didn't remember him. Jackie I remebered because she stood out. Maybe it was Ricky horrible haircut.

I hope you don't think I'm a Hefty Hefty Hefty fan. Actually I am a huge fan of that beefy body type, but I am not a fan of Sarver's singing ability. I thought he was horrible and the boy can't dance and showed no signs of rhythm a la Josh Gracin. See, he is Gracin 2.0. And now, I've probably gone and got myself into hot water from Gaga4Gaby.

Sarver got in because he's hitting his target demographic and they are picking up the phone to vote for him. Sucky or not. I guess Ricky needs to hit the "I can sing but I am boring/bland" target and have them pick up the phone to vote for him...which could be difficult because they all probably fell asleep while he was singing (JUST KIDDING....I kid because I love).

I do hope they pick him or Jackie, Anoop and TATIANA for the wild card.

ADD: If he does take off the glasses and looks like Will Young, he will immediately become my favorite!

Seriously. Nick/Norman next week? Really?

Is that a promise, cutie? LOL

I resemble Will Young

Just scroll down- LOL- I want a statement about a sorta favorite LOL Personal reply acceptable LMAO

Anyways- I think Sarver is hot as hell, just not vocally! lol

I like the picture before the one he is sitting in the chair. (the pic where he is wearing a t-shirt and vest) . Hot! Now why couldn't he radiate that kind of hotness on Tuesday?

He also got screwed by singing early. And btw, how obvious was the pimping by putting Danny Deadwife last?

Hmmm Perhaps I should becaome his Facebook friend?

I was looking at the poll on that site and even though they have not sung yet, it looks like Adam Alterna Boy is in the lead for Group 2.

My biggest fear about his wildcard chances are that more guys than girls get voted in the first 3 weeks and the judges go wild on the girls for the WC show.

And the first pic I thought was Will Young LOL- looking down- and yeah, I love the pic where he is looking at you thinking, "I am a sexy mofo and I am here for you"- or at least that was what I got from it LOL

I have been avoiding Facebook like the plague- is it really worth it?

I also like Ricky, because apparently he may be family- Adam is family and he has an amazing voice- just hope he doesn't overkill it.... He did that a bit too much with Believe, but I absolutely love his youtube version of Gnarls Barkley's Crazy.

may be? Yeah, and tomorrow the sun may be rising in the east

I forget how the wild card works. Do the judges pick the three wild cards? Is there a sing-off amongst the "best of the rest" contestants for the last three spots?

Adam Lambert has some serious singing chops, but the whole look and affect drive me nuts. Why does he color and style his hair to look like a bad wig?

Yeah, if you look on youtube, Adam is really cute with a more cropped haircut.

I am making a guess- if America votes more guys in- (I am thinking there will be a 6-3 ratio because the girls freaking SUCK this year) - that the result will be the producers/judges picking more girls in the Wild Card show, ala season 2 where a couple of really talented guys with decent performances got shafted out of the Wild Card show for a complete girlfest...

I am thinking that the Wild Card will work like this- America picks one, the judges pick one, the producers pick one. They could bring people back from the last bit of Hollywood or just the Top 36- whichever they decide to select.

I thought it was the judges who would add the 3 wild cards.

As for Sarver, he's the one who said (about his friends) "They're either making fun of me for being a sissy or they're proud." He can go back to wherever he came from and never pollute the airwaves again, as far as I'm concerned.

I think America will have to have some part in the Wild Card selection because they want to engage the viewers- but season 1- where there was only one Wild Card- was selected by the judges. Season 2- America picked Clay Aiken and the judges each were able to select their own wild card pick- hence, Simon blessing us with Carmen the Goat Wurbler.

I don't think we have had a wild card since that season.... I think the format will suit the producers needs rather than the judges or public...

The judges will pick the 3 wild cards this year.