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Yaaaayy Yaaaayyy Yaaayy

Not that I hate her, but I'm so happy it was Megan leaving at last - especially when she was up against Anoop and (agh!!!) Allison for the bottom spot! BTW, what was all that arm-flapping and cawing about? Did I miss something?

I know I shouldn't have worried about Alison this time because I'm pretty sure they'd use the "save" if people were so foolish as to let her get such a low "score." But I am still worried that she keeps ending up down there. Why why why? Any ideas? Was it the song? The outfit? Temporary insanity? Audience tone-deafness.

And didn't most of the contestants seem a little high this week? A weird vote-off show.

And, I have to say, David Cook was HOT HOT HOT! Loved his performance. Nice to see him doing so well.

Y

It's nice to see the comraderie between this season's contestants.

The only clue about the flapping and cawing is, they kept saying "Don't forget to call" and someone must've heard it as "Don't forget to caw". Maybe said by someone who was already leaving? Who knows. But that was one of the wierdest exits I can recall. Megan was trying a little too hard to be quirky. Bit over the top. Which probably drew Simon's abrupt dismissal. But I think it was actually a good thing that he told her straight up and we were all spared any needless drama over Ryan's putting on his serious "Will you save her" face.

Allison needs to let the stylists turn her into a 16 year old youngster without that God-awful pink or orange or whatever the heck color it is hair. She can do some simple research. No girl with the "statement" hair has made it very far in the competition.

Yep, I'm happy with the result too. She was just getitng weirder and weirder Yay for Simon for the exit message. lol

Lady Gaga .. hat the heck was that? And she's number one in the US right now?? And you people are voting for American idol? ugh, I must be getting old.

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BTW, what was all that arm-flapping and cawing about? Did I miss something?

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According to some sites it was a "shout out" to the site Vote For The Worst.. They had Megan as their pick to keep in the competition. She became their "songbird" after she sang Rockin Robin with her "Caw Caw" at the end of the song. Pictures on their site of Megan have birds in them. So that is what she probably meant by her "Vote for me guys" comments... She obviously reads the forums..

That was one exit alright How snotty was King Simon tonight? After the "I don't care" comment from Megan he basically slammed the door right in her pretty face. Warning to contestants: Don't mess with Simon (or Kara) or else you are outta there!

I loved seeing David Cook tonight although I didn't really like that song very much.. I don't know what it was but he didn't seem to have the 'spark' that he usually has, maybe he's a bit tired with all the work he's been doing.

Not only was it weird, but Megan's departure was one of the more abrupt I can remember. Simon's comment notwithstanding, Paula didn't even do her sad face "You're a beautiful girl/You've got a lot of talent/This isn't the end of the road for you/I know you'll go far" speech.

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Lady Gaga .. hat the heck was that? And she's number one in the US right now?? And you people are voting for American idol? ugh, I must be getting old.

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I live in the US, and I was thinking the same thing. Never heard of her, or her silly song -- but a few seconds in, I decided to use the remainder of her performance for a potty break.

I've never heard of her either. One of my younger colleagues says she is more of a "club scene techno trash singer" (for those of you familiar with the genre) and even he said, there is a reason she should stay at the club level after seeing her perform last night.

Thanks for the explanation, Choco-Nut. It also explains the "Don't forget to call" comments. It also explains much of Megan's defensiveness.

Thought Anoop won the imitating contest with his version of Kris. That one was funny.

Also, beat down Matt just automatically heading toward the loser's section and having to be re-directed. He needs to find some of the confidence Kris has mustered up of late.

One thing I will give this season, it definately has been more interesting with such an eclectic mix.

Eeek ! I've been unable to get online since Tuesday afternoon ... and it would appear that I've missed out on the discussion for this week, by now. Sigh. But 'twas grand reading all your comments - I find that I agree with all of you. Was it possible for anybody really, to not have cringed at whatever that was Megan did. That was two bloody solid train wrecks in a row ... thank heavens the remaining trains (and the hapless passengers in them) are safe now that she's [ahem] flown the coop. Maybe it was just me, too, but [and I feel uncomfortable saying so, but can't help it ...] she seemed slightly mentally ill, or something, as she went Wednesday night. Very odd behavior. There's some merit, always, in making a little fun of oneself - using yourself as the target of said fun. Seemed to me that she was beyond all that -- and essentially making a completely adolescent-like *fool* of herself.

Just my opinion, but I thought this week's was the worst (post Tatianna, anyway) show of the season. The only ones I remember with any clarity and/or a smile on my face is Kris and [how'd this happen ?] Scott. Sadly, Scott's damned either way, I'm thinking. If he keeps up that startlingly-good-in-spots comfort zone - his voice truly soared in the bottom half of that tune - he'll get called repetitive. If he tries anything else, he's bound to pretty much suck. But I tell ya: he had one heckuva Billy Joel-ish moment there. Not to mention a cake that put 5 pounds on me just by looking at it . Kris was solid. Kris gets more impressive weekly. Does Kris have anything close to the *David Cook* factor, changing it up each week one step better than the week before? Maybe not, but he's clearly the most improved (on all fronts) so far this year. I'm pretty much with everybody on Adam - it's the theme of each week, isn't it? "I've gotta watch 'American Idol' this week, for sure - partly because I'm shamelessly addicted but, more that that? I simply must see what Mr. Lambert will be up to this time !" I didn't think he was all that great this week, though (it seems I'm aging badly, or something ... the stripped-down, non-screaming versions of things get my attention better -- I'm still not over Von Smith just yet ). And Matt was just dreadful again, wasn't he? Somebody explain that to me: last week he was across-the-board awesome (and most reviews back that up). Off to the Bottom Three (two?) for him, though. This week he was only a minor bird call/wing flap better than Megan and ... off to the Bottom Three with Allison? Alas, perhaps some things are better left as mysteries.

To close (I'm a day behind on internet stuff and must get caught up)? I've got three words for you: Don't forget to caw!
Indeed .

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I know I shouldn't have worried about Alison this time because I'm pretty sure they'd use the "save" if people were so foolish as to let her get such a low "score." But I am still worried that she keeps ending up down there. Why why why? Any ideas? Was it the song? The outfit? Temporary insanity? Audience tone-deafness.

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I'm not so sure they will use the save on Allison, Ysmay.. ever. I'm thinking Allison just doesn't live up to their idea of an Idol. She's at the age where she should be having fun being a teenager and AI would put a stop to all of that if she became the winner. It just got me thinking when I re-watched the video of the results show. Allison and Megan seemed to be good friends, (which is great for them) but the fooling around on the results show (with the cawing and flapping) was probably a bit over the top and you could see that Simon was not impressed at all. Simon, in particular, has not given Allison any outstanding comments so far (that I can remember) so that tells me something..

I hope that she does make it to the top 3 at least, I think she does deserve it. The way it stands now, I would like to see an Adam/Allison finale or even Kris to sneak in the final as the dark horse if Allison doesn't make it.

This week's theme is the "Year They Were Born".

Here's the years, so maybe we can all have a guess at what they might sing..

Danny - 1980
Adam - 1982
Lil - 1984
Kris - 1985
Matt - 1985
Scott - 1985
Anoop - 1986
Allison - 1992

I'm going to take a look and see what I can find.. I got Matt's right last week but he didn't quite nail it like I thought he would. His iTunes studio version was much better than the performance last week. Matt really needs to get over the nerves, his recorded voice sounds great. It's just a shame he hasn't been able to produce that on stage yet.

Ooh, I could see Adam doing "Open Arms" by Journey. Then again, he's so unpredictable I feel that any suggestion I make could be wrong, wrong, wrong.

Is Danny really that old? Isn't that verging on too old for the competition? Hmm.. 1980.. maybe something by the Clash?

Lil - Maybe a less pop-y version of something Madonna? or "Whats Love Got to Do With It"

Kris - really not sure.. he's hard to pin a style to

Matt - could see doing Foreigner or Tears for Fears, maybe

Scott - dunno

Anoop - hmm.. not sure if it'd be a wise move, but Beastie Boys?

Allison (people born in the '90s make me feel old..) - I think she could do Ace of Base, don't really know though.

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Is Danny really that old? Isn't that verging on too old for the competition? Hmm.. 1980.. maybe something by the Clash?

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He's virtually on a walking frame GG.. God, I feel old now.. "Should I Stay or Should I Go" sounds a good one for Danny.

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Were there any Foreigner hits after 1980? I can't remember...

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I've done some research for you Ysmay..

Foreigner:

1980.. None.

1982 Waiting For a Girl Like You, I don't think that would suit Adam though..

1985 I Want To Know What Love Is.

1986 No Michael Jackson.. only Janet Jackson.

MJ's blog has the links to all the top songs for their birth years if you want to check it out. I'll put my picks in another post as this one is getting a bit too long.

I'm really looking forward to this week, as I love music from the early 80's!

I'd like to see Adam do "Tainted Love" or "Crimson and Clover" -- but Lord knows that boy can change up anything and will probably totally surprise us, as usual.

I prefer Danny on slower songs that don't involve dancing, so I'd like to see him do something like "Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer".

And my pick for Kris would be "Never Surrender" by Corey Hart.

I had a much harder time thinking up songs for Anoop, Matt, and Scott. Anoop maybe should go with a ballad -- he seems to get better comments from the judges on those and Usher landed him in the bottom 3. I can't think of anything Matt could do with the piano. "I'm On Fire" might be a good choice for him but it's really a guitar driven song. Or maybe "Sea Of Love". It's difficult for me to pick a song for Scott, as I really don't want to hear him sing anything at all! I'm thinking maybe "Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore".

It was also hard for me to think of good possibilities for Allison since I don't know as much about 90's music. But I'd like to see her do "I Can't Make You Love Me".

Anyway it goes, I think this'll be an interesting week!

My picks.. now how many will I get WRONG.. Ha ha.. Probably all of them!


Danny: I can see him doing either The Eagles or Billy Joel for some reason. Maybe "Heartache Tonight" (Eagles) "It's Still Rock and Roll To Me" or "You May Be Right".. Another one I could see him do would be "Working My Way Back To You" by the Spinners.. (I can see the arm rolling thing with the back up singers coming into play again).

Kris, Matt and Scott all have 1985, that will be interesting.. I wish Adam was born in that year, there are some good songs that would suit him..

Matt: GG, I agree with you on Tears for Fear's "Everybody Want's to Rule the World".. or I think he could do Springsteen's "I'm on Fire".. It he could pull that one out of the hat he could have a 'moment'..

Kris: Maybe some Bryan Adams.. "Heaven" or "Run to You".. Wham's "Careless Whisper" could be a good one too..

Scott: I've got no idea.. Maybe "Your The Inspiration" by Chicago..

Lil: I think Lil's gotta pull a Tina Turner number and there is only one to choose in that year.. agree with GG's choice there.. There's not many female R&B songs in 1984.. Maybe she will surprise us and do something totally different?

Allison: Wow, hard one there.. I could see her doing Patty Smythe's "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough" but I think Simon would think it's too old for her.. "Life Is a Highway" (Rascall Flatts version could be good). Too hard for me.. I hope she picks a good one and really smashes it!

Anoop: I think Anoop has to go for it and do "Kiss" by Prince.. If Tom Jones can do it so can Anoop.. Why not?

Adam: (Saved the best for last).. no not the song, the singer..
Adam has a hard year too.. "Under Pressure" by Queen was supposed to have been released in 1982, that could be up his ally. "Tainted Love" would be good but it was done by Danny Noriega last year and he bombed.. so maybe not..
"I Love Rock and Roll" is there but it's been done to death in the auditions.. Do you believe it's never been done in the rounds of any AI? (Well, according to What Not To Sing, it hasn't.) I'm sure Adam will not go for a predictable song, he will surprise us with something different.

Whatever they do, they better pick good songs.. or it's bye bye..

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I'd like to see Adam do "Tainted Love" or "Crimson and Clover"

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Snap, Starfish.. We are on the same page with the songs.. Crimson and Clover would be a good one too..

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I can't think of anything Matt could do with the piano. "I'm On Fire" might be a good choice for him but it's really a guitar driven song.

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It's funny we both picked this one too for Matt.. I think he could do it without the piano if he could get those nerves sorted out.

I like all your choices and agree it will be an interesting week..

Looks like I've been playing with this theme, too, this morning . This really could be a pivotal show -- remember last season when Mr. Cook came out and did that season-changing version of "Billie Jean" from his birth year? Poor lil' Archie never did manage to get his front runner status back after that happened . The choices you guys are making are excellent (and interesting, too) for the singers. Starfish - Adam doing "Tainted Love" (with a snappy and unusual arrangement) could be awesome ~ and I'd not thought of it. I couldn't think of even a partly good prediction for Mr. Lambert. But, then, I'd have never seen him making such a fine performance out of "Tracks of My Tears", either. Predicting anything in regards to him is way off my radar ... but I like the "Tainted Love" idea. One of us must ring up the studio and recommend it, yes ? There's still time ...

I just looked at #1 songs from each's birth year - and came up with a few *maybes*. I'm hoping, though, that they go off on creative tangents in their choices ... which would mean the way it sounded then won't have TOO much to do with the way they make it sound now. I could easily see Kris doing "Careless Whisper" or even "Separate Lives". He seems to be niche-ing into that sort of adult contemporary stuff (and it's working) at the moment. I would love to hear Matt tear into some Huey Lewis - yes, maybe even "The Power of Love" . Not sure why, but I wrote down "Holding Back the Years" or "Higher Love" for Anoop. I must have had another of those 'weird' moments [they happen a lot ] and could easily picture him doing Simply Red, somehow or other. Maybe not such a stretch ... considering his fine tribute to, of all people, Willie Nelson recently. For my little sweetie Allison? She needs to turn a corner for sure in what she brings to that stage. So I think she could do a mighty memorable show with a jacked-up arrangement of "This Used To Be My Playground". Or maybe not? Then there's Danny. Ahem. I tried really hard NOT to think it a reasonable option (and failed) - but that Kenny Rogers song "Lady" came out in 1980 . It would actually be a wise choice, too, in that it would fit right into his early theme and callers will respond to it. And he could sing that song well, I'd suspect (even though I, for one, would likely hurl halfway through hearing it while watching Kara get all spiritually lifted as he went). I also wrote down "Magic" next to him ~ I could see him Danny-ing that up. Whatever he does, he needs to get noticed this week. Channeling Olivia Newton-John might work ? I have no idea what Lil might try - she's another one who'd better get to choosing songs that land right. If she does Tina Turner (who was mega-hot in '84), however? Prob.ly not a very good idea. As for Scott? I hate to be harsh, but I don't think it really matters. But I did see "Broken Wings" on the #1's from 1985. That might work? Would that work with just one guy and a piano (never mind the nifty new poodle trim), though? Again, his days are so numbered I'm sure the chef in the mansion is making twice as much chocolate cake these days - just so there'll be leftovers for ol' Scott to tote home with him. I'm thinking Mr. MacIntyre is this week's non-issue.

I am quite willing to bet that none of my "predictions" are even close, though, rest assured. In fact, I HOPE they're not. My biggest wish is to see all of the nine remaining grab a song I'd never have considered them trying, and then surprising us senseless with their brilliant take on it. I reckon time will tell, eh? I loved '80s music. I'm looking forward to watching, whatever happens .

Just as long as Matt doesn't suck again, and that Allison doesn't show up wearing something else straight from Spaceley's Sprockets, and that Lil leaves the kids at home, etc. I'd also like it if the judges were seated by the time the show begins. That pompous entrance of theirs (is this going to be a weekly thing now, I wonder?) gives me fits. And I'll shut up now ...

This is one of the tougher categories, I think. First of all, only the most popular of songs from your birth year will probably recognizable to you. So you start with a rather limited assortment to begin with. You could go for something less well known but then you risk the audience not getting it either and the resulting no vote.

Some are probably repeats, but after scanning Billboard a few that seem possible.

Danny - If he wants to stick with covering female hits then something by Blondie (Call Me) or Pat Benatar (Hit Me With Your Best Shot) are possible. Not recommended, mind you, but for some reason I can see him choosing either one. He has the voice to do the Boss (Hungry Heart) or Seger (Against The Wind.)

Adam - So what this week? Something he can be totally theatrical with like Clash (Rock the Casbah) or Survivor (Eye of the Tiger). I guess we could throw in Pink Floyd (Money). If he decides to do a female cover there is always Joan Jett(I Love Rock & Roll) or Branigan (Gloria). -- Okay I could throw in the Waitresses with (I Know What Boys Like) but that might be a bit over the top even for Adam.

Lil It was the big year for Cyndi Lauper but I don't know. Can't see her doing (Girls Just Wanna Have Fun) or (She Bop). Maybe (Time After Time).
There is the Annie Lennox (Here Comes the Rain Again) which she could probably handle. Tina's (What's Love Got To Do With It) is possible but if she really wanted to step out a bit there is always Prince (Purple Rain) or (When Doves Cry). -- Yeah, I doubt it, too...

And then the clump of boys in the middle. These could probably be mixed around between any of them. -- And wouldn't surprise me to see one from this group go home. Some generics up for grabs Survivor (The Search Is Over) Phil Collins (One More Night) Mister Mister (Broken Wings) Paul Young (Every Time You Go Away) Bruce Hornsby (The Way It Is) Simply Red (Holding Back the Years).

But to not whimp out entirely it would be nice to see Kris step out on something different like some Dire Straights (Money For Nothing) but he will probably go for something more along REO (Can't Fight This Feeling).

Matt, I think his voice would lend itself to the Glenn Frey stuff that was popular. (You Belong to The City) (The Heat Is On). But he seems to lean more towards the aha sound of (Take Me On).

Scott? Any of the above listed generics or heaven help us Madonna's (Crazy For You). Oh why not, Katrina and the Waves (Walking On Sunshine).

Anoop Dog. Since he seems to tackle the big songs he might try some Jon BonJovi (You Give Love a Bad Name) or Palmer's (Addicted to Love). If he thinks back to the success of the ballad there is always another Lauper (True Colors) or Berlin's (Take My Breath Away.)

Oh good Lord, Allison. Well I guess it good she fancies herself a rocker because she square in the middle of Alice In Chains, Metallica, Nirvana, Red Hot Chile Peppers, Def Leopard, Skid Row, etc. etc. But if she was smart she'd pull the guitar back out and do the unplugged version of Clapton's (Tears In Heaven).

Okay, if I've mentioned one song that gets done by anyone tonight I will consider myself lucky. There are tons of songs from which to choose from and more than likely they will all be singing something that I haven't a clue about!

Oh my ! Combining all those various lists/ranks this week certainly yielded a sizable surprise: Adam Lambert has been unseated! Not by much, mind you - and mostly thanks to the USA Today's poll, which landed him third behind Kris and Danny. That Anoop still (inexplicably?) sits at the top of the TV Guide's list muddied things up a bit, too. I added each's total points this time ~ the fewer the points they got, the better they landed. As such, only 2 points separate Kris and Adam. Looks like the race is really on, eh? Note: the *bolded* numbers are where they were ranked last week ...

1. Kris (last week: 3) - 8 points If he pops with a "grabber" showing tonight, I'd say he's a v-e-r-y valid contender in this thing . He's not nearly as splashy or provocative as Mr. Lambert, but he's positioning solidly each week. Subtle/sneaky little devil .
2. Adam (1) - 10 points Nobody seemed to exactly hate his "Funky Music", but nobody was giving it bunches o' love, either. He's got countless more showstoppers in him, however; I think we're all pretty sure of that, yes?
3. Danny (5) - 18 points Evidently the masses liked his spin on Rascal Flatts? Either that or they were collectively relieved that he didn't dance last week ...
4. Allison (2) - 21 points Maybe the lesson is 'Don't mess with Gwen Stefani' (the exception being if she happens to be the mentor, or something equally lofty). As mentioned, the judges' comments are derailing her at every turn as well. Pebbles hair-do aside.
5. Anoop (4) - 27 points (TIE) It makes perfect sense that these two are tied. And in the middle. Both he and Matt seem unable to spell *consistent*. Or is it *consistant*? Whatever it is, neither of 'em can spell it.
....Matt (5) - 27 points (TIE) Dude! Stop singing songs you 'like' so much ... and stick with songs that fit your vocals. My hopes that he'd be Top Three diminish quickly.
7. Scott (8) - 32 points Clearly, one solid performance matters to the audience. My hunch is that he'll have us snoozing again before long.
8. Lil (7) - 33 points Yikes, how the mighty have fallen ! One point less than Scott? The saddest obsrvation is that even pimping her (rather adorable, actually) offspring didn't help matters last week.

OK. There we go. Relevant? Who knows. Aside from Mr. Allen, the rest were (more or less) forgettable last week. Tonight, and they all have a chance to make it work in their favor [OK, so they had THAT last week, too ... and it didn't work out so well ], could mix numbers up in a hurry. Things are looking pretty bleak for Scott and Lil, though .