Kristy’s American Idol Scrapbook

Ryan says the winner recieved 56% of the votes, while the other David got 44%.
Mikalah Gordon is covering David Cook’s hometown party. Matt Rodgers host the Energy Solutions Arena Party! Ryan introduces the stars of “So You Think You Can Dance” The Top 12 performing “Get Ready” all in white. David Cook performs “Hero” by Chad Kroeger/Josey Scott. It’s a duet with Archie! Syesha Mercado, wearing a gray dress sings performs”Waiting For You” a duet with Seal .

(more…)

My Favorite show of the year. It’s so bitter sweet. It’s always the best show of the year…
but its the last on of the year as well. So here is a quick run down of what is known/rumored about tomorrow nights show. The show airs (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) (7:00-9:00 PM MST tape-delayed)

Read the AI Finalé Rumors/Spoiliers after the jump

David A., Syesha and David C. onstage, Ryan introduces the Top 3. Intro being shown. Syesha had a very worried look. Ryan centerstage. Andrew Lloyd Webber in audience. Ramiele, KLC and Michael also in the audience. The Final 3 perform “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” Ford video with Los Lonley Boys’ “Heaven” All get keys to ford cars. Ryan says 56 million votes were cast. Recap Shown. Fantasia performs “Bore Me” She has pink hair, big earrings, and is wearing all black. This week’s collector’s stamp has Jordin Sparks on it.

(more…)

American Idol Alumni Fantasia Barrino (Season 3 Winner) is scheduled to perform “Bore Me“
on tonights one hour elimination show. (9:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed)
(8:00-9:00 PM MST tape-delayed). There will also be videos of the Final three’s hometown visits shown tonight. Syesha Mercado returned to Tampa, Florida; David Cook returned to Kansas City/Blue Springs, Missouri; and David Archuleta returned to Salt Lake City/Murray, Utah.
I live in Salt Lake and it was the first time AI has been here and it was amazing.
I have special pages devoted to full coverage of both Davids homecomings just click the city names.
Syesha’s videos are on her main page.

I don’t think this really needs to be said but for everyones record I think Syesha will go home this week. I think as I have since the top 16, that the Finale will be David’s…. and the “Next American Idol is….. David” I myself am torn between the two David’s. My hometown loyalty and my personal music preferances are confused… but I think freshly baked cookies are in order next week…

As an added note my one year son Brady (who for some crazy reason loves AI like Syesha’s “Fever” performance the best tonight… “Happy Feet” was a close second. Last week his favorite performance was Jason Castro’s “Mr. Tamborine Man“… and we all know how that went LOL

Ryan Seacreast opens tonight show by putting his arm on David A. and Syesha, but not David C. He called David A. a high school student, Syesha an actress and DC a bartender (before AI). Ryan says the judges’ choices are first. Archie’s song choice by Paula is shown in a video read by his mayor at his hometown welcoming. Paula says she wanted to showcase his vocals and the melody is difficult and it will showcase his timbre. Archie begins “And So it Goes” standing centerstage wearing a black leather jacket and tie. It is all a capella at the beginning, then the violins come in, then the piano. David’s dad shown in the audience. Paula & Randy Like it Simon says its ok not outstanding.

Randy says he chose “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys for Syesha because he had a feeling she would like it cause she’s young and hot and he could see her singing this kind of record. She begins centerstage holding a mic, all dressed up in a silver and gold glittered dress with huge gold earings. Piano on stage too. Judges liked it overall. Simon wished she did more with it but that she looked nice

Simon says he chose the song, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face“, for David C because so many girlfriends love it and he wanted to challenge David, unlike Randy. Cookie opens standing at micstand centerstage. Only piano accompanying. He sounds very strong. Starts picking up halfway through the song. Starts to rock it up.Hits a few high notes. Ends on a very high note and holds it. Lots of applause.

Archie says he chose “With You” by Chris Brown [lots of applause] because it’s something he hasn’t done yet. Says it wasn’t easy to learn. Ryan confuses him about starting the performance. And he begins centerstage holding the mic. Archie includes “boo” in the lyrics. Wearing a brown t-shirt and brown pants. He’s very into the performance. Lots of audience interaction. Judges didn’t like it much. But Simon compliments David on not selecting a ballad

Syesha, wearing a short silvery dress, sits with Ryan at stools, she says she chose “Fever” by Peggy Lee. She says there’s a chair involved and she wants to walk around it and work it a bit. Her strong performance was very sultry as she flirted with various band members. The judges were way too hard on Syesha(like last week with Jason Castro). Randy thought she sang amazingly well. Paula said she didn’t understand the song choice as is wasn’t Syesha. Simon Said she would regret the perfomance tommarrow as it was “quite a lame cabaret performance”

Cookie says he went with “Dare You to Move” by Switchfoot, said coming from a bartender it seemed like the appropriate song for the appropriate moment. David begins centerstage playing guitar. Other instruments come in during the second verse. Randy thought is was the perfect song choice but performance wise it wasn’t Cook’s best. A little pitchy. Paula thought it didn’t last long enough. Simon said it was ok but expected & not a very melodic song. Hmmm… I love this song… and I loved Cookie singing it to me too!

David A comes out to perform “Longer” by Dan Fogelberg. Wearing a blue dress shirt, his vocals are strong but eyes are closed. All three judges thought he sang it well Simon thought the song lyrics were gooey. More for a 70 year than a 17 year old.

Syesha performs “Hit Me Up” by Gia Farrell. She begins stage left, wearing a silver top and black pants, moves around the stage, dancing around. Three back up singers. She sounds pretty good considering the song isn’t great. All three judges were let down by her performance. Paula is worried it will not be enough to keep her in the competition…. is there really anything she can do at this point to stay in? LOL

Cookie will end the night by performing “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith. Strings are accompanying him, nothing else. He’s smiling at the camera, skips the first chorus, goes into the bridge. His raspyness is coming out, Sounds good, he goes up into the chorus and hits a high note. Rock elements kick in, still standing at micstand, but electric guitars sound good. Ends on high note. Awesome! Randy: “For me, I love the song, it was ok for me [massive boos] very predictable.” Paula: “This is an amazing song. David…see ya in the finals!” Simon: “One of the great songs of all time. And I have to tell you, David Cook wins the night.“

This should be performance order as well. I don’t at this point know why but David Cook has changed “his song choice” that he announced would be Collective Soul last Friday.(EDIT: Now I know why as he performed it in the Finale… sweet!)

David Archuleta

Syesha Mercado

David Cook

David Cook - Kansas City, MO Live Feed, Good Day Show Videos

Syesha Mercado - Tampa Bay, FL - Video 1, Video 2, Singing Video

I am so happy both David’s are safe. I look forward to David’s Homecoming… I sure wish David Cook lived here too LOL.. On May 13th the Top 3, David Archuleta, David Cook, and Syesha Mercado, will sing three songs next week the theme will change for each song. The themes for the three songs will be judges’ choice, producers’ choice and contestants’ choice.
I wonder which judge picks the which contestants song….

Who was Voted Off tonight?

Ryan starts the night with a little voting statistics…. 51 million cast last night & the Top 3 were all within 1 million votes of each other. Says Maroon 5 and Bo Bice will perform tonight. Top 4 perform Steely Dan’s “Reelin’ In the Years” as a group. Since she lives in San Diego Carly in the audience again tonight. Tickets for the American Idol Summer Concert Tour 2008 go on sale May 17

Recap of last night. Top 4 shown backstage. David Archuleta walks out first. David Archuleta. is.. Safe! Ryan says David A. is safe, now he shows a montage of the Top 4’s trip to Las Vegas.
They went on a private 737 to Las Vegas. The plane had a bedroom, too. The inspiration of the tour was the Beatles. They went to see Cirque du Soleil’s “Love” at the Mirage. Ryan calls out David Cook He’s safe!….. Sweet! Both David’s are Safe!…. Syesha and Jason come out to the center of the stage. Ryan pretend to read the results. No one buys it. Break. Ford music video shown. The Final four are all matadors pretending to “bull fight” with a car. Song is Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” They all get into the mustang at the end. Taylor Hicks is the featured ‘Idol’ winner on those special stamps. Now Ryan taking Q & A calls. Ryan introduces Maroon 5 singing “If I Never See Your Face Again” No Rihanna anywhere to be seen. She’s featured on this song. Bo Bice after the break. Bo’s wife is pregnant with a boy.

Ryan centerstage with Syesha and Jason. Jason is… going home… Syesha is in the top 3. Jason sings “I Shot the Sheriff” one last time on the Idol stage. There will be three songs performed by the Final 3 next week.

Whos Going Home tommorrow?

Quoting Ryan a bit here… no one is safe, nothing is guaranteed & to top it off this is the same week Chris Daughtry and Tamira Grey went home so it could be anyone. I however think it will be Jason going home this week. I personally think that Syesha should go home as I really like Jason and would love to see an all guy Top 3. But I don’t think there will be enough of a devoted fan base to carry Jason through this very important week. Oh it’s going to be a long 24 hours…

Live Show Recap

Here is the confirmed “Rock N Roll Hall of Fame” song choice list for tonights Top five contestants. This is the performance order. (Tuesday, May 06, 2008 5:30 PM MST)
I will update with performance order as soon as I have a credible source

Show Live Updates: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 6:01 PM MST

After tonight only two weeks left, crucial time for American Idol, no one is safe, nothing is guaranteed. Luke Menard & Rascal Flatts in the audience. Ryan says the judges will critique after EVERY performance.

Vote Number: 1-866-IDOLS-*
Vote Number: 1-866-436-57*
or Text “Vote” to 57*
* = Contestant Number

Contestants have TWO phone numbers you can vote at tonight. BUT keep in mind Texting is only the ONE number… the first one

01 David Cook: “Hungry Like The Wolf“
Wearing a black leather jacket opened with a black shirt and black pants. Sounds Great. Done Duran Duran Style. Randy Said OK choice and an Solid performance, wasn’t amazing for David. Left Paula wanting more. Simon agreed with Randy, says good enough to stay. Me: David could sing me the phone book…
02 Syesha Mercado: “Proud Mary”
Wearing a silver, shiny dress that ends above her knees. Performance is slow and sultry. Picks up, and she goes crazy with her choreography. Randy thought she was in her zone.
Paula thinks she looks nice. Simon thought is was a bad, shrieky version. Me: I liked it. Nothing to special. Showed a little spunk it was cute.
03 Jason Castro: “I Shot The Sheriff“
Says it’s by Bob Marley “go figure” Playing the guitar. Wearing blue jeans and a denim jacket.
All three judges didn’t reall like the performance. I liked it… sounds a bit like Sublime..
04 David Archuleta: “Stand By Me”
Wearing black shirt with white design and black pants. He sounds good, sticking faithfully to the original arrangement. Finishes on a high note and holds it for a bit. Randy: “brought the hot mad vocals” Paula: You’re seasoned Simon: best performance so far Me: I totally agree with Simon!

05 David Cook: “Baba O’Riley“
He’s holding a guitar and starts strumming it. Vocals are pure, not as raspy as the last song. Goes up into high note and gets his rasp back. Band picks up. He sounds outstanding. All the judges loved it … Simon: “Welcome back David Cook.” Me: David is so Yummy. I want more!
06 Syesha Mercado: “A Change is Gonna Come“
Begins standing centerstage holding a mic. She changed her dress and is now in a full-length gold/yellow dress. She was broing but ended strong. Randy: It felt all disconnected to me. Fell flat Paula: Beautiful performance. Simon: “Syesha, I have to be fair. I’m going to agree with Paula” Me: I actually agree with Randy on this one. It didn’t show her personality so well. I usually wait till Wednesday’s show to cry LOL
07 Jason Castro: “Mr. Tambourine Man“
Starts centerstage sitting on stool playing guitar. Sounds miles better than the first one already. Forgets the lyrics. He missed about a
line of the lyrics. Sounds very much like Bob Dylan, actually. Randy: “tell me how did you think that was [Jason: I lost some words in there] Jason’s not in the zone tonight” Paula: “It is what it is. Obviously it didn’t blow us away but you blow me away.” Simon: “Jason, I’d pack your suitcase.” Me: My One year old son loves American Idol and this was his favorite performance of the night he danced and clapped.
Note: It would appear something is bothering Jason tonight, or maybe he does really want to go home.
08 David Archuleta: “Love Me Tender“
Begins sitting on a stool centerstage in front of a piano. Vocals are clear and crisp. Camera just keeps zooming in on him, its a little weird. Only piano accompaniment. Ends in his falsetto. Loud, loud applause. He was wearing a brown dress shirt. Randy: “Dude you got it going on right now the hot vocals of the night!” Paula: “I felt your heart it was fantastic and beautiful.” Simon: “You didn’t beat the competition tonight, you crushed the competition tonight” It was goo but I liked song one better by far.

It’s Tuesday, again! I just love Tuesdays! Tonights show will be 62 minutes(8:00-9:02 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) long as the final four contestants(David Archuleta, Jason Castro, David Cook, and Syesha Mercado) sing 2 songs that shaped Rock n Roll from the “Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame”.

On Wednesday May 7th Top 4 Results show Maroon 5 will perform as will American Idol Alumni Bo Bice (Season 4, Runner-Up)

These song selection are rumors. I will post the official spoiler list with all four contestants later this afternoon (appox. 4 MST). Rehersal running late today

Jason Castro
Joan at EW hint: Jason’s a man on a mission. With one arm that fires, authorities fall, but their counterparts are spared. With the other arm, he jingles his tympan all the way to victory.

“I Shot The Sheriff” and “Mr. Tambourine Man“

Jason’s song choices been backed up by several sources, included a friend of Jason’s who has posted on the blog.

David Archuleta
Added: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 2:33 PM MST

“Stand By Me” by Ben E. King & “Love Me Tender” (Norah Jones version).

pervasive rumor with supposed reliable source, but I can’t vouch for it

Syesha Mercado
Tuesday, May 06, 2008 3:41 PM MST
“Proud Mary” by Ike and Tina Turner - according to her sister
She will NOT be singing an Aretha song