TVSquad

(S06E11) Tonight we moved past the horrible auditions and the Hollywood meltdowns into the part of the competition that many of Idol's critics call "Karaoke Time." I think it's a given that all of the semifinalists are talented singers, having beat out thousands of others, and holding their own during Hollywood Hell Week in order to get to the Top 24. But staying in the competition is going to be tough. They're going to have to go beyond lame or even "safe" Karaoke renditions. They really need to kick some butt big time and shine.

Despite the enormous amount of hours committed to Idol over the next three weeks, things will move swiftly. Each week, TWO guys and TWO girls will be sent home, until we're left with the Top 12 Finalists. It's "now or never" time. Mess up here, and you might not get a second chance.

I haven't had a lot of time to digest the performances tonight. After all, I'm expected to post this Reviewcap almost immediately. So there's always a chance that I'll see things differently in the morning. But my initial impression is that the playing field remains fairly level. NOBODY blew me away with their brilliance tonight. Most of them were good, just not super-special. And I don't have a clear favorite right now.

Chris Sligh still seems to be at the front of the pack, mostly standing out because of his personality. But I also think a bunch of the cuter guys (Chris Richardson, Blake, Brandon, Sanjaya, and Jared) probably earned fans tonight based just on their good looks. I can't say any one guy definitely deserves to go home. Sure, there were some mini-bombs, stiff performances, and poor song choices, but nothing seemed all that spectacularly bad (or maybe I'm just saying that because I like Sanjaya) or amazingly good.

And as I have in the past, I mostly agreed with Simon's comments tonight. And I also realized something: It's easier to wow the audience and judges with a ROCKIN' song than it is a BALLAD. Do something lively, and the performance is much more memorable. And you'll be applauded for taking a "risk" even if you don't nail the song. Sing a slow love song, and the judges will most likely tell you that you picked the wrong song, and that you didn't come close to the original artist.

Here's how the guys did:

1. RUDY CARDENAS (28)
He is a professional musician originally from Venezuela. Rudy has the feeling that Simon doesn't like him that much. He sings "Free Ride" wearing a big old target on his shirt. The singing is okay, but he's a bit herky-jerky in his movements. Perhaps he's channeling Taylor Hicks, because he throws in a couple of Taylor's patented "Woo's."

Randy says he "definitely got the party started...but it was really corny." Paula thought he "started off fantastic...you did a fantastic job." Simon says that the reason he hasn't been enthusiastic about Rudy was proven tonight, "because I've never heard you do anything which is unique...I don't think you have a distinctive voice...the song you chose tonight was dated...there's nothing we're going to remember...at this stage we look for somebody who is distinctive and unique." Despite Simon trying to silence Paula, she tells Rudy his "voice is fantastic."

2. BRANDON ROGERS (29)
He's toured with Christina and Usher and is just really happy that Randy told him that he's good enough to be a lead singer. He sings "Rock With You" starting off real slow. He definitely is one of the most attractive guys, but I'm still not blown away by his singing. For some reason, I expect more.

Randy says, "I don't know if that was your best performance...definitely a little pitchy. Paula says, "You did a great job...you're a lead vocatlist now and you are great." Simon says, "You are a very good singer...just a very, very safe and predictable song to do...you have to come out...and make an impact."

3. SUNDANCE HEAD (28)
Sundance knows he's still here because he had such a good initial audition. He was embarrassed by his performance in Hollywood, and like the rest of us assumed he was going home. Tonight he wants to redeem himself. He sings "Nights in White Satin" dressed in a boring gray jacket, hair spiky on top. He seems nervous, and gives sort of a slow, boring performance.

Like me, the judges wonder where the original Sundance went -- the one who wowed us during his first audition. Randy says, "I don't think you were on pitch the whole song." Paula thinks he "picked the wrong song...I think you're a much better singer than you displayed." Simon says, "You've gone right off since we first saw you...tonight you were like dad at a wedding...very old-fashioned, very uninspiring...the whole performance for me was flat...I think you lost what we liked originally...I didn't like you tonight."

I agree with Simon and wonder if Sundance Head is out of second chances. He hasn't lived up to the Sundance-Hype. Could he be booted this week?

4. PAUL KIM (25)
Like Rudy, Paul doesn't really think Simon likes him. He's also committed to the whole "not wearing shoes while performing" thing. He sings Wham's "Careless Whisper" in his bare feet, of course. Paul sort of lacks personality. He tries to let lose in the song, but I'm not sure he can really get wild.

Randy still thinks Paul is "one of the best voices of all those contestants this year," but feels "it started really kind of pitchy, kind of weird, kind of stiff...the falsetto didn't work...I still like your potential." Paula says "You kind of oversang the song...you were pitchy," but still believes he's "worth pushing through." Simon suggests that Paul puts on his shoes next week (and yes, I agree). He says, "I just thought it was a very ordinary attempt, copy of George Michael...a third rate version of that song...you're not wowing."

Simon gets booed, and Ryan comes out without shoes to support Paul, and he's even shorter than usual. Simon says he thinks people are playing it safe so they don't get voted off, but that's the wrong strategy to take. They need to be taking risks.

5. CHRIS RICHARDSON (22)
He works in the restaurant business, and was compared to Justin Timberlake in his audition, which he took as a compliment. And he says that he wants to rock out tonight. He sings "I Don't Want to Be." I admit he's cute, but he's dressed sort of boringly in a tie and jacket, and he moves stiffly at first. Once he takes the microphone off the stand, he loosens up a lot.

Randy says, "I feel like the show just started right here... it wasn't your best performance... wasn't the perfect song for you...but you made it kind of work." Paula thinks "you did a great arrangement...it was a lot of fun." Simon says he's sorry to sound negative tonight (to a booing crowd) but he thinks "your voice sounded very small in that song...although I like you...I think the girls are gonna vote for you...you've got potential."

6. NICK PEDRO (25)
A salesman for a finance company, Nick calls his American Idol experience "insane so far." He was able to get a grip this year during Hollywood Week which is why he's in the Top 24. Nick sings "Now and Forever." He's dressed simply enough in a gray button-down shirt, like many of the others, but he seems dorky to me. Maybe it's because he's singing Richard Marx, or his shirt is frayed at the top, or his eyebrows look tweezed. I'm just not a fan.

Randy says, "It wasn't good for me dawg (Randy gets booed)...it was really boring... really pitchy." Paula agrees, saying "It just kind of fell flat." Amazingly, Simon disagrees, saying, "I actually didn't think it was that bad...I think you've lost your spark a little bit...you're a very charming guy...I didn't think your voice sounded too bad on that...and I think you're definitely back next week."

Here's where I disagree with Simon. I don't think Nick will be back next week. He's one of my bottom two. And I re-listened to the performance and it sounded worse the second time around, which I think Simon will realize tomorrow.

7. BLAKE LEWIS (25)
We've seen Blake do his beatboxing, which he didn't want to do in Hollywood Week, afraid of getting pigeonholed. Tonight, we actually get to see Blake sing. And I'm surprised, because I did think he was a novelty act. But I like him. And he's cute enough to pull off a dorky sweater vest.

Randy says, "I kind of dug it...You're so different...I do miss the beatboxing...there was some pitch problems...but I liked it." Paula thinks, "We saw a different side of you...Your vocals were spot on...I loved your falsetto...you were cool, you bring a contemporary vibe..and I love it." Simon says it's not the best vocal he's heard ever, but "you are the first person who's come out tonight and actually sounded like someone in 2007...I think you were 100 percent right not to come out and do the whole beatboxing thing...by far the best performance we've had tonight."

8. SANJAYA MALAKAR (17)
He has always thought his sister was better than him at singing, and felt like half of him was gone when his sister was cut in Hollywood. He sings Stevie Wonder, which is not a good choice, according to Randy. But he's so cute, with his shaggy hair and big smile, I think the girls are going to give him another try.

Randy says, "I didn't think it was very good... you try to tackle a Stevie song, dude, it wasn't even remotely close..It was really bad." Paula says, "You're a sweetheart...you are a sweet soul...I wish more of your personality and more force came through in your performance." Simon says, "The irony was the most used line in that song was 'I don't want to bore you with this' and it was without question the most dreary performance we've had tonight. It was absolutely nothing that came from that for me...that 's what I call a waste of time performance, because there's nothing I can take from that other than it was dull."

Sanjaya appreciates Simon's honestly and doesn't cry or get angry, which I respect, because Simon was definitely harsh. And Sanjaya is so much younger than the other contestants.

9. CHRIS SLIGH (28)
He works as a marketing consultant and thinks humor has helped him make it to where he is in this competition. But the guy is definitely talented and he rocks whenever he sings.

Randy tells him "You were rushing a little bit...I am a Chris fan...I loved it...I like you." Paula says, "You're anything but typical...you were ahead of the chorus a little bit, so what?" Simon agrees that humor has gotten Chris here. He says, "I like you very much, and I think you're a fantastic personality...I kind of felt I was at some weird student gig."

Simon and Ryan then get into a weird awkward quarrel after Simon calls Ryan "Sweetheart." Ryan tells him, "We don't have that kind of relationship, I don't want that kind of relationship." Chris slams Il Divo and the Teletubbies, but says he still loves Simon. And Simon accuses Ryan of making things "very uncomfortable."

10. JARED COTTER (25)
Jared got fired from his waiting job while trying out for American Idol and says "America hasn't really seen me yet." He looks at this as a chance to introduce himself. I like him immediately. There's something silky smooth and poised about him.

Randy says "That was pretty good...I didn't like the way it ended...It wasn't your best." Paula thinks he sang it the way Brian McKnight would interpret it. Simon calls it "A very unadventurous performance...a bit nasally...You look good...I think you have to take a few more risks."

11. AJ TABALDO (22)
He works as a supervisor for a shipping company and this is his fifth time he tried out for Idol (he's obviously trying to escape the shipping company). He seems to have a lot of charisma, but I question the fashion choice of wearing his collar up. Has this 80s trend come back in and I didn't notice? Paula likes AJ's singing so much, that she's on her feet, grooving.

Randy says, "Vocally, it was pretty good...you definitely can blow...you kind of worked it out in your own kind of way." Paula also thinks he "can definitely sing...I thought you did a great job...you just got to go for it a little more." Simon calls it "good, nothing great, nothing terrible...kind of a theme park performance...very predictable...you've got to choose a song which is a little bit more daring." But next Simon says exactly what I'm thinking: "Maybe you're better than I originally thought." Because before tonight I barely knew he existed, and had essentially written him off as a contender. I'm now willing to give him a chance.

12. PHIL STACEY (29)
He is an United States sailor, and the guy who missed the birth of his daughter to try out for Idol. He sings "I Could Not Ask For More" starting off really shaky, but then brings it up a notch surprising me, and saving his ass. I don't know why this guy bugs me, but he does. He's sort of odd-looking, definitely not "sexy-bald." But he has nice eyes.

Randy says, "It started a little rough for me...you get the best vocal prize of the night." Paula thinks that when he went to the chorus "that's when you opened up." Simon says, "the beginning was absolutely monstrous...it was okay at the end...not necessarily the best set of vocals...I don't think you nailed it, I think it was okay."

Before tonight, I thought Phil might be voted off first, but I have to admit that he gave a decent performance, and he might just surprise me. He's still not one of my favorites, but I'm open to the possibility of changing my mind in the future.

At the end of the night Ryan asks Simon why he's being so negative and Simon says he respects the audience at home, and doesn't believe in lying or patronizing them. Thanks Simon, we appreciate it.

Let me be honest and say that these two hour shows are exhausting. Writing all this stuff down is harder than it looks. I'm bleary-eyed now, so please excuse any stupid spelling mistakes or other errors.

Tomorrow: Top 12 Girls

P.S. I think Sundance Head and Nick Pedro are at the bottom of the pile this week. Let me know which two guys you think are heading home.

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