Idol Chat with Adam & Beth | 13 finalists

Adam: Can you believe this is the 400th episode of American Idol? Also, can you believe it’s not the 400th episode of the season? We took a week off to allow America to eliminate 213 extra contestants, and now we’re down to 13. Beth, let’s get to the important details: what do you think of J Lo’s black and white satin track suit?

Whew. I have a few thoughts on J-Lo, actually, the first thought is Wow, J Lo is wearing a black and white satin track suit and second is I hope she doesn’t have to go to the bathroom.

Adam: First up is Joshua Ledet with Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish” (and really, all Stevie and Whitney? Great songs, but impossible to improve upon). I like what Joshua has to offer vocally, but I’m not sure he has any unique style. And Randy said flavorless instead of flawless, which makes me think his reactions are on a teleprompter. Lame.

You really pay attention, Adam. It’s possible I was distracted by nachos and that’s all. Nothing else. OKAY I’M LYING, I WAS PLAYING DRAW SOMETHING WHILE EATING NACHOS. sue me.

I like Joshua but wasn’t blown away by him.

Elise is singing Whitney’s I’m Your Baby Tonight, I think I can safely say that I haaaated, HATED Elise’s performance tonight. I kinda can’t stand that she reminds me of Mariah Carey (we know how I feel about Mariah Carey.) And all of that crap about not knowing the song makes me want to grab the microphone and bang it against her head. You’re on Idol, Mariah. GAWD.

Adam: Part of me still loves Mariah . . . okay, my heart does. But let’s not get into that. I also kinda liked Elise’s performance, but she was NOT confident with it. Sing what you want, girl! And any time a contestant chooses a song they don’t know that’s also super fast? Dumb.

Adam: Jermaine is a mystery to me. He’s got a nice voice, but I don’t think he gets it. A couple times he looked like he was afraid a trapdoor in the stage would open beneath him. But I do love this: he sounded different than Stevie (obviously). So while I’d never call his version better, there’s a reason to listen to it instead of the original, and not just to make fun of him.

Agreed. I really enjoy him, I’m not sure why. I mean, I don’t think he’ll win (heh, watch him win) but he’s different in a wonderful way. J Lo is right, he really is a sweetheart. Also, either he is Jolly Freaking Giant or Ryan Seacrest is an American Girl Doll.

Erica Van Pelt is singing I Believe in You and Me. She has that nice, smokey voice. Wait, is that candy on her dress straps? Anyway, her voice is deep and it’s a little shocking to the system but she has really good control and I like that she sounds a little different. Also, I’d like to say that Randy has fur on his collar.

Adam: I agree with Mary J. that EVP has a meat and potatoes tone, but there’s waaaaay too much gravy on it. She’s just too over-the-top for me. And if J Lo keeps saying “goosies,” I’m going to get the pukies and the stabbies and the crazies.

Adam: Colton Dixon is a hairy little genital wart. Beth?

oooh, I love, LOVE the song Lately. It cracks me up that you hate him so much. But listen. I don’t think he did a terrible job singing it. To be honest, I liked it. (Take THAT Mariah lover.) I do wish he would cut the voice cracking out.

Ryan Seacrest is such a cute American Girl Doll tonight. Makes want to put him into an American Girl Doll bed with American Girl Doll blankets and tuck him in with an American Girl Doll teddy bear.

Shannon Magrane is up. It is positively shocking to me that she has a strong voice but I have noticed numerous times during this performance that she was completely flat and also wow, this song was probably just a little too big for her. She may be distracted by her 12 inch heels, which I totally understand. I’m the same way when I wear my 12 inch heels.

Adam: Oh, Shannon. She could have done much better, but this is what happens when you ask people to sing Whitney on week 1! Terrible choice by the producers. I’d also like to take this moment to point out that Randy’s wearing a pin Colin made in pre-school today.

Adam: I don’t care what song Deandre sings, I’m just glad Milli Vanilli had a baby who can do his own singing. In addition to having crazy dynamic vocals and gorgeous curls, Deandre has the uncanny ability to choose songs I’d never ever ever want to listen to and sing them incredibly well. I wish he had gone with a Whitney tune.

I know I shouldn’t focus on his hair it’s just that I can’t help it. Is it possible that during season one of American Idol when he was just six years old he said “when I grow up, I want to look like Justin Guarini.” Yeah, he’s a good singer but I don’t really want him to stay on the show much longer, I don’t know why. Blame it on the rain.

Skylar Laine is performing Where Do Broken Hearts Go. She’s turned this song into a country ballad. Here’s the thing about Skylar. First, she has such a strong voice, it’s like she has to make no effort whatsoever to sing. Second, she totally reminds me of Rachel Dratch. Weird.

Adam: Holy crap, yes! She is Rachel Dratch’s Reba impression, if she had ever thought to do one. I’m a little concerned that Skylar will win this thing. She could use a Clay Aikenesque makeover maybe.

Adam: HeeJun is my favorite person on this show ever. But for as funny and delightful as I find him (I just hugged my TV . . . again), his voice is a little boring. I just don’t feel like he’s connecting with me, even when he stuck his tongue out at the end.

It’s shocking what a good performer Heejun is. I agree with Steven, Heejun’s voice is really special. HOWEVER, I thought about going back and listening to it again and thought “nah, that would be boring.” So, there’s that.

Hollie Cavanagh is up. She looks about twelve years old but man, she can sing. Confession: finger tapping on a microphone is distracting and I don’t get it. It’s also usually out of beat. Basically, it’s dumb and I wish it were banned from show business. So, to recap, her singing performance was pretty good but her hand performance was DUMB.

Adam: The fingers were all I could look at when I wasn’t wondering if she was Gwyneth’s little sister. I think she sang well, but I kept thinking she was trying to flip me off. Also, can I just say that Whitney Houston was the. best. ever. at connecting emotionally through her songs. As great as her voice was, her eyes may have been better. I always felt like she was singing to me. I’m so pissed she’s gone.

Sigh.

Okay, Jeremy absolutely nailed the first phrase of the song, and I think I might really like him. He’s good, and not just for a cute little 8 year old.

Yeah, he’s cute and has a really good voice but there is nothing unique about him. He’s like 20 contestants that have already performed on Idol before.

Gosh, this is really tough. Jessica Sanchez has taken on I Will Always Love You, I give her a lot of credit for trying but FOR ME it showcased her weaknesses which was surprising because I didn’t really think she had any. But apparently the judges disagree based on the standing ovation they are giving her. I mean, it was good but it was not perfect.

Adam: See, this is what happens, Beth. Jimmy and Mary J. Blige give superb advice. We hear how good the contestant sounds when following that advice. Then they get on stage and say, “Aw, screw it.” She started well, and then started crapping all over the song with unnecessary runs that completely ruined the quiet, delicate moments of that song. At that point, the big notes mean nothing, especially since she didn’t really nail them. But hey, it’s week 1, so she’ll get through.

But it could have been amazing, and not just in the judges’ minds.

Adam: Phillip Squared sings and plays with a lot of talent and a lot of fake anger and unnatural humor that leaves me not particularly enjoying his singing. I’d like his interpretations if I felt at all like it meant anything. I don’t get it. But I still hope he stays long enough to figure out something better.

I just can’t get passed the fact that he’s just like Dave Matthews. I agree that this show needs him, he’s definitely set apart from the other contestants but he’s just.like.dave.matthews. This bothers me.

Who’s going home?

Beth says Jeremy

Adam says Mariah

Beth says she hopes Adam is right.