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Ladies & gentlemen, your American Idol Top 13

'Idol' pares down (up?) 13 contestants for us to quibble and worry over for the remainder of the season. All my choices made it ... but I was shocked by one addition to the group.

- Season 10, Episode 16 - "The Top 13 Revealed"

As I sat facing the television set, laptop in my lap, cousin flitting back and forth between the kitchen and the couch, I didn’t have any problem with the pairings or trios who came and went as Ryan Seacrest picked out or picked off the contestants who were staying or going. I sat there and chose each of the Top Ten from all who stood by Seacrest’s side. It was easy enough. And, no … I don’t have proof — outside my cousin — that that’s what actually happened. But if you know me — and many of you do — I state with confidence you know I speak truth. Watching seven years of American Idol will season you, you know.

Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano, Casey Abrams, Haley Reinhart, Scott McCreery, James Durbin, Jacob Lusk, Thia Megia, Karen Rodriguez and Lauren Alaina all made it.

But …

Oh. My. Gordness.

Trying to figure out what was going to happen and who the judges were going to pick for a sudden-death showdown … that was the more difficult task. So difficult I didn’t even attempt it.

What to do? Why, just sit there and take it all in, of course. Well … that, and listen to JLo incomprehensibly state: “There’s no way to not get it right and there’s no way to not get it wrong.” (Can anyone out there make sense of that quote? Anyone? Anyone? No … I didn’t think so.) Whatever the hell it meant was beyond my comprehension.

So … six of the ousted were chosen to duke it out vocally:

  • Ashthon Jones took the stage and tortured us. Tore. Chured. Us. Tortured us with “singing” not worthy of a nod to Vegas, let alone to the Top 24. She was shallower than a puddle on a kitchen floor.  ‘Nuff said.
  • Stefano Langone brought it. Here’s someone who, if chosen, was going to make the most of the opportunity and battle his way through the best he could. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? Ashthon: Were you listening?
  • Kendra Chantelle took “Georgia On My Mind” to task and began it so low you need to crouch down to hear her sing it.
  • Jovany Barreto put the same song in front of everyone that got him into the Top 24 to begin with.
  • Naima Adedapo and her dreads and flowers and lipstick and all her very many colors sung a slow, emotive gusher.
  • Robbie Rosen committed a strange, but interesting, version of Elton John’s “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word”.

Was it enough for any of them? Was what they did worthy of positioning them shoulder to shoulder with the other ten contestants voted in by the fans and viewers in TVLand?

Well, we didn’t find out right away because we had to watch JLo and her (slightly auto-tuned voice and) ass shake “On The Floor” in the debut. *sigh* (Freakin’ auto-tune. Just shoot me, already.)

Returning from JLo’s thumping dance floor premiere and back in the fold, it’s finally announced … one contestant per judge. Ashthon Jones (Holy Crap! Are you freakin’ serious … ?!??!?), Naima Adedapo and Stefano Langone met the challenge and did enough, apparently, to join the others in the competition.

Good Idol episode? Yes. Action, adventure and intrigue a’plenty. (Hokay … maybe not action and adventure, but what do you want? Simon back?) Yes … it was a solid and worthy couple hours giving us the build-up and excitement we’ve been craving.

Now? Let’s let the games really begin. …

Photo Credit: FOX

20 Responses to “Ladies & gentlemen, your American Idol Top 13”

March 4, 2011 at 9:24 AM

ARE YOU SAYING MY FAVORITE DIDN’T MAKE IT????

(And my favorite, I mean the only one I saw?)

SHENANIGANS!!

March 4, 2011 at 9:30 AM

. . . . .

Mr. West: Your favorite didn’t make it.

Somehow I think you’ll live. Sadly at first … but you’ll live.

I’m certain of it …

March 4, 2011 at 9:34 AM

This is, ironically, why I don’t like this show. As much as I make fun of Reality TV in general, Idol doesn’t really fit into that category. I’ve actually watched a couple of seasons off and on (Never the auditions), and it always comes down to the same thing. The folks I like (Obviously I didn’t see enough of the person I mentioned here to really have an opinion) rarely last long.

I get that is kinda how it is supposed to be, but I’ve long ago realized that my taste in music doesn’t necessarily follow what is “popular.”

March 4, 2011 at 9:48 AM

. . . . .

Nor does mine, Mr. West. The average person who sees my collection sits there pondering, scratching their head in wonder and amazement.

But, for me, that’s the beauty of music. Taking it in … reveling in it … getting lost in it … discovering new stuff. Wrapping the comfortable stuff you know and love all around you like a warm blanket.

“Popular”? I have a hard time wrapping that concept ’round my head.

Freakin’ auto-tune …

March 4, 2011 at 9:49 AM

I don’t hate auto tune, though I don’t appreciate it’s overuse.

But then again, my favorite bands: Carbon Leaf, Delta Rae, Third Eye Blind … Wouldn’t touch it with a 10ft pole.

March 6, 2011 at 11:20 PM

I cannot believe they chose Ashthon – she was awful.

Michael, I hate freakin’ auto-tune too, which is why Death of Auto-Tune is one of my favorite songs.

March 4, 2011 at 11:57 AM

“There’s no way to not get it right and there’s no way to not get it wrong.” (Can anyone out there make sense of that quote? Anyone? Anyone? No … I didn’t think so.)
Oh you know I can Michael. Allow me…. Seeing how two negatives make a positive it’s not hard to not be able to figure out what she didn’t want to say….It’s right to get it wrong, and it’s right to get it right. I mean, come on!!
My fav judge quote so far this season was from Steven to Randy, “I’ll agree with you and we’ll both be wrong.” It may be a quote that’s already out there but it’s new to me. Loved it. Randy will probably get it on the play back.
When are JLo and Steven going to start making comments to the contestants that will actually help them progress in the industry rather than making them feel safe on the stage? I mean it’s not like a Simon lashing is the way to go but a little constructive critisism is why the kids are there, are they not?

March 5, 2011 at 12:19 AM

. . . . .

Lois: I’m right there with you on the nicey-nice JLo and Steven are offering. It’s time for the both of them to pull up there bigger girl and big boy pants and face the (oft times bad) music.

The thing that gets me is the looks on their faces we’re seeing all too often when they’re critiquing the contestants. You know the ones – where they can’t quite look straight in the contestants’ eyes without a bit of a flinch or where they’re unable to do so with sincerity in their voices while there talking to them? I’m certain it’s tough … but they’re doing a disservice to the singers when they fib to them or when they don’t tell it like it is … sugar coat it.

I hope they get over that fear quickly. Because, beginning next week, it’s time to shit or get off the pot …

March 4, 2011 at 12:09 PM

IMHO

Casey is the one to beat and a joy to watch. I shall say no more. Well, not really….

Lauren is a loose cannon and as a result fun, fun, fun. Such a natural on stage. She’s my fav gal.

Paul is awful purrdy. And finally (along with Casey) someone unique to take the stage since Taylor Hicks. Where’d Paul learn those dance moves anyway?

Jason. Awesome voice but I will be finished supporting him if he become veclempt one more time or dares to show up on stage donning a boa (you know he will). Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

March 4, 2011 at 2:01 PM

I know many disagree, but Lauren has already gotten under my skin so badly. I can’t stand her.

March 5, 2011 at 12:20 AM

. . . . .

I’m not quite there yet, Rachel

… but I do see that coming down the line …

March 4, 2011 at 3:25 PM

Ditto on the “No Surprises Here” Top Ten. Let’s all hope they remain the Top Ten until the show hits the road and the three judges-imposed wannabees disappear quickly. Yes, Charlie, I agree that Stephano “brought it”, and Ashton must have been the comedy relief moment, but in my opinion Robbie’s “Sorry” far outshined Naima’s cryfest. [Oops, did I say Charlie? Oh well, Michael, I guess YOU can understand calling one person by a different person’s name, even if the name is printed right there on the screen in front of you.]

March 5, 2011 at 12:23 AM

. . . . .

Yes … yes, I do.

Love and kisses, Nyela …..

March 4, 2011 at 3:55 PM

Hummm, 12 losers and one future victim of exploitation. Sad, Sad, Sad.

March 5, 2011 at 12:21 AM

. . . . .

Dude: Where were you when I titled this post?

I’m guffawing over here …

March 4, 2011 at 7:10 PM

I’m satisfied. It was a good episode. Good thing they had the JLo video premiere to stall with.

March 5, 2011 at 12:24 AM

. . . . .

*whew*

Finally! Someone who’s satisfied … !!!

March 5, 2011 at 11:25 AM

Hehe. I fast-forwarded through the JLo video. Thank god for DVR. Not that I don’t love her as a person, but …

March 5, 2011 at 11:26 AM

. . . . .

You’re just trying to make me jealous of the fact I currently lack a DVR … aren’t you, Rachel?

March 5, 2011 at 1:27 PM

I really wanted Lauren Turner to be in the top 12 and she should have been. But alas she isn’t cute and bubbly enough. I loved that she reminded me of Bette Midler. She was unique but I guess America didn’t want unique. They wanted your stereotypical cute, thin, sexy types. How many teens are voting??? I’m guessing alot. This says alot about how we look at others which is sad. Other than that I am happy with the 13. Casey is my favorite. He’s unique and talented just like Taylor Hicks.

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