'American Idol': The first semifinal show results
On tonight's American Idol, we'll hear the results from last night's semifinal, in which 12 of the Top 36 took to the stage, though many of them fell apart once there.
Host Ryan Seacrest says that 24 million votes were cast last night, "10 million more than this time last season," but is that even a fair comparison? They didn't do a Top 36 last season -- not to mention, I just looked up my entry from this week last season, and he said then that 28 million votes had been cast. Who knows.
Ryan introduces the judges, then asks them how it went last night. Randy Jackson says some people stepped up to the plate and some faltered. Kara DioGuardi says a few people disappointed her, and Ryan asks her to name names. She shouldn't, but she does: "Stevie, Casey, Stephen." Paula Abdul says Simon disappointed her. Simon Cowell is asked to judge Kara's performance last night, and he doesn't really answer.
Montage of last-night-ness, set to "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough." Then it's time for a group sing, Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours." It starts out a little rough, but as they get into it, it gets better. Also, Stevie Wright gets to redeem herself with a long solo note (though it's a little too late).
After the break, Ryan says it was "a very raw show," at which point we relive it yet again. After the montage, Ryan talks with the contestants. Jackie Tohn rates her performance a 90-91 percent. Anoop Desai claims that he isn't nervous until Ryan gets in his face, pretending he is about to give the results. Then he talks to Tatiana del Toro, who says she hopes people kept her dream alive, as she plays with her hair. Stevie Wright says last night was tough, but she's proud she's gotten this far.
It's time for some results. Casey Carlson comes forward. She says very cogently that she probably picked the wrong song, but she has been having the most fun of her life. She finds out she is not the top vote-getter.
Then Stephen Fowler is up, who agrees that he probably picked the wrong song, but as long as they don't think he sounded bad, he's OK. He is "not in the Top 12."
Alexis Grace is next, and she says she doesn't even like watching this part on TV. She is in the Top 12, and she is so excited. So are her parents. I'm relieved! She has to come forward and sing one more time.
Ricky Braddy and Jackie Tohn are called forward together. Ricky is not through, and neither is Jackie.
Then it's Anoop Desai and Michael Sarver. Of these two, going through to the Top 12 is Michael. Huh. He must have a lot of fans out there because last night was not his most shining moment. He is thrilled and says he has been beating himself up all day. Maybe he will do better with the re-sing. Going into commercial, Ryan says that only 20,000 votes separated Michael and Anoop. Ow.
Then there is a commercial for the American Idol Experience attraction. Oh, wait. It's during the show, but it's totally a commercial. (Big shock on this show, right? Pass me a Coca-Cola, please, judges!)
Then, weirdly, Michael Johns and Carly Smithson come out, pretending that they are getting their results. But they keep talking about the Disney attraction. However, Michael Johns notes that his album is coming out soon. The two then sing "The Letter."
Ann Marie Boskovich, Brent Keith and Stevie Wright all stand up and are reminded of what happened last night. None of them are in the Top 12.
That leaves us with Danny Gokey and Tatiana del Toro. Tatiana looks like she is about to pass out, and she tells Ryan she can't talk about how she feels right now. And through to the Top 12 is Danny. Not much of a surprise.
Tatiana freaks out, reservedly. Danny sings "Hero" again. Tatiana cries in the background.
Dear remaining contestants performing in the next two weeks: Please pick better songs. For the love of Tony Bennett, Barry Manilow and Jennifer Lopez.
So, to recap: Danny Gokey, Michael Sarver and Alexis Grace are headed to the Top 12. Interesting. I wouldn't have predicted Michael, but here we are. What do you think? Who do you think has a shot at being a wildcard finalist?
Comments
I wish they would not drag these shows on for an hour. I think they would actually have more viewers if they cut the first show down to an hour, and then cut the results show down to 30 minutes. They struggle to fill an hour when they could do it all in 5 minutes really.
That being said, I was surprised that Anoop didn't make it through. I really don't think Michael Sarver was good enough to be in the top 12, and I don't think he'll last long once that gets started.
SKK: I've got my fingers crossed for Anoop to get a wildcard slot. And for him to making better song choices from here on out.
Posted by: Chris | February 19, 2009 7:53 AM
I agreed with Chris, I think Anoop is more deserved to be in Top 12. Michael Sarver was in just because people like him, a hard working worker at an oil field, an image that created by the prgram.
Posted by: Elaine Lee | February 19, 2009 9:13 AM
If anyone gets wildcard from this group I hope its Casey. Don't care for Anoop at all - he reminds me too much of my annoying team leader at work.
(And I guess my multiple votes for Michael worked - YAY! But please, Michael, pick better songs from this point forward - PLEASE!)
Posted by: Bill | February 19, 2009 9:32 AM
For me it was no surprise at all that Danny, Michael and Alexis made it through. I think voting is directly related to the amount of air time each of the contestants got during Hollywood week. Would be interesting to go back and look at the actual number of air time minutes each of the contestants that made it through received compared to those that didn't.
Shame about Tatiana. Watching her is like watching a train wreck but there's no question she's got talent. Maybe she gets through as one of the wild cards.
Not sure I like the new format with only the top three each week getting through to the final 12. In this format I don't think David Cook, Jordan Sparks or Carrie Underwood would have made it thorugh. They were all sort of middle of the pack throughtout most of the season and then really turned it on at the end.
Thoughts?
Posted by: Allen | February 19, 2009 9:45 AM
Michael surprised me, but remember that voting doesn't necessarily track performance. Sanjaya held on long passed when he should have, for instance, as did Jason Castro.
As to Allen's comment, remember that in past years only 24 made it to the first audition round. So a third of the people who will be leaving this week, next week and the week after wouldn't have been in contention at this stage anyway, in past years.
My own notion is that the final 12--15 counting wild cards--will be a stronger group because of this change. That does, however, make it harder for someone to "grow into" the American Idol during the competition.
Posted by: Bucky | February 19, 2009 12:10 PM
I'm very dissapointed that Anoop didn't make it. He is more good than Michael. I hope that he will be in the Wild Card.
Posted by: Marissa | February 19, 2009 12:47 PM
So I picked the top 3 last night as I was watching with my wife. Only based on things the judges said. Simon made the plea for Michael and America listened. I despise that Alexis girl because she's just so easy to give up her husband who's to say her daughter isn't next on her chopping block.
Danny was a no brainer and is my choice to win the competition. I don't think there is anyone better in the remaining 24 contestants. Wish they'd let him be Danny and not Danny the guy who lost his wife, but He's still the best.
So with that said I'm hoping they bring back Jamar Rogers!
Posted by: Chris | February 19, 2009 1:58 PM
I agree with Marissa - I am really hoping that Anoop gets in through "wild card." And the show was almost all repetition from previous night, long and b-o-r-i-n-g...
Posted by: maggieb4 | February 19, 2009 5:27 PM
I think Anoop should have been picked and I really think Michael Sarver is still on the show because America has fallen in love with the fact that he is a really nice and sweet guy and not due to the fact that he can really sing.
Posted by: nellie | February 19, 2009 5:29 PM
SOO... I am really happy with the three that got chosen... I would have like to see Anoop make it though...
Thank God Tatiana is gone... I can not stand her!!!
Posted by: JEssica | February 20, 2009 6:50 PM
i think it doesn't matter if it drags on because if you are watching with other people you have an opportunity to have a drink and chat about what you're watching. to me it doesn't drag on that much. but people are different sure
Posted by: darius | February 21, 2009 9:23 AM
I HOPE THE JUDGES PUT ANN MARIE THROUGH AS A WILDCARD PICK!!
I think that Ann Marie has a great voice. A lot of people said that she picked the wrong song but I think she picked it because she wanted to come out of her shell. This shows that she is a person that is willing to take risks and become more confident. Remember her audition? She was seen as shy in terms of star persona but now she seems more confident. She also has a genuine personality evident, she is always smiling and cheerful and she seems like a really fun person. She seems like a really humble person! She took the judges advices well on! During the group 1 performance, she almost transformed! Completely different look from her audition. She is also very attractive and this all adds up to a very likeable star persona. Although I'm sure that she can perform even better.
Her brother Anthony actually added me on FB! He seems like a really nice guy as well and he has been working so hard to try and recruit people to vote for her. He has been commenting everywhere, on FB, joining grouops, spreading news, voting tips, joining pages.
Unfortunately it didn't work out but I really think that she deserves to be in the top 12. I feel like she would do really well if she were given another chance.
I personally think that Anoop Desai, Ricky Braddy and Ann Marie Boskovich are the best picks for the wildcard for group 1 choices.
I really love Ann Marie and lots of people love her as well! Everyone loves their favourite contestant but there is just something that I really like able Ann Marie. I think that it would be an opportunity missed not to pick her for the wildcard round.
Ann Marie singing 'God Bless America' Now this is something that I would love to see on American Idol!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpFpc_ajt7c&feature=channel_page
A reminder of her widely talked about audition:
http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j141/mjsblog/Jackson/?action=view¤t=annmarie.flv
Hollywood group week:
http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j141/mjsblog/holly%202/?action=view¤t=group3_hwood2.flv
I really liked the way she sang in the group song, nice tone!
In terms of her personality, there have been many affirmations, inclusing the popular one from her ex english teacher:
http://www.croatianworldcalendar.com/index.php?option=com_events&task=view_detail&agid=990&year=2009&month=02&day=17&Itemid=26
"I am so grateful for the incredible amount of support for Ann Marie. Many of you have messaged and asked how I know her...simply, I was her English teacher in high school. I started this FB page as a way for her friends and family to communicate their support having no idea that it would take off the way it did. I am not a professional, nor did Ann Marie ever ask me to start this page for her or ask me to put any information on it. In fact, she didn't even know I started the page and is still overwhelmed by the response.
If you have the privilege of knowing Ann Marie, you were a fan long before her involvement with American Idol simply because she is just one of those special people with an amazing heart. There is no publicity machine here-simply a group of people who love her and want her to have an opportunity to bless others through her voice."
Some people have been hating saying that she has done previous music...I think every contestant has had something to do with music in the past!
Please consider Ann Marie! Petition for Ann Marie to be one of the Wildcard picks: http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?AMBW
Posted by: Vanessa Green | February 21, 2009 9:29 AM
I used to like Anne Marie.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 23, 2009 5:23 PM
OK, look...I know that the economy is going to hell in a handbasket, but does the President have to take over every single network for his speech? Can't he just take over ABC, NBC and CBS (and maybe some of the ones like the TBS, which is probably just showing an old James Bond movie, anyway) and let Fox continue with American Idol on a normal schedule?
This is going to significantly screw up Thursday night, is what it's going to do.
Posted by: Bucky | February 24, 2009 1:37 PM