First chance to vote

3...2....1...cue Ryan.
Platform launch one of these faces into super stardom.
This Is American Idol

Ryan seal claps
We are live

We get serious with the top 24

Looks like Katie Stevens may get the pimp spot.

Say high to the guys chilling out.

next three weeks lose the bottom two girls and guys until we have 12.

This year group really has potential.

Judge order
Ellen, Randy, Kara, Simon.

...and that one's taller than he is, and that one's taller too, and that one makes him look like he's about fourteen, and that one -- oh, that's Michael: nevermind...

'Ladies and gentlemen, the Joker.'

Simon has a thing for her and his hand wander. She has tape to prove it.

...so this is what's going to be completely wasting our time from now on.

They have to have a girl for Simon to fight with. I mean can't have it be just Simon and Ryan pulling each other's pigtails.

I have a few suggestions for things Simon could pull.

let me guess, pin of a hand grenade covered in super glue is on that list.

Pre school teacher.

Favorite moment, the final performance. MJ's back up singers. Can only get better from here.

It is all right now by Free

I had a (?) next to her in my notes, couldn't remember her. Great voice, but not commercial. Great start for the evening!

Horrible picture during her introductory segment followed by a weak opening stanza and a mediocre performance. Right now, despite Simon saying she has the best voice of the females, she's probable cannon fodder.

(And if Simon's so attached to her skill, why can't he remember how old she is? Or be bothered to watch the segment where they told us?)

Do.Not.Clap with microphone.
*twitch*

Simon. Didn't know he was going first. Out of all the girls you have the best voice. I wouldn't have chosen that song it is a wedding singer type of song. Didn't make a huge impression. You need to be careful with song selection.

Kara. Disagree. The song was brilliant, you got to put your soul in it. You slayed the verses. You got a ridiculous voice.

Randy. Not the right song. A group song. You showed the powerful big voice, blow the doors off with that big voice.

Ellen agree and disagree with all of them. You were so there and present. You have a great look and sounded fantastic. I thought you pulled it off.

...or maybe the pimping is starting really, really early. Am I the only person who doesn't think she brought that home? I didn't even think her voice was all that powerful.

I really thought that was the wrong song for her voice. She might sound better on something else, but this song really didn't seem showcase her talent. Of course it could be this is all she's got but it sounded like she may be better with a different song.

The judges must've heard something different than what was on my TV. I wasn't impressed.

ITA.

Sang Battlefield even though Simon made fun of it during her audition.

Leona Lewis--Happy

Voice sounds weak at the start, to me. May be holding the microphone way too close to her mouth. All the pah sounds are making me twitchy.

Nice last note.

Kara. Big song, contemporary diva. Some nice moments went up and hit the notes. There were moments that weren't great. I want to see you take on songs we wouldn't expect and do something different with them.

Randy. Simon's girl. Big Song. Always compared to those big singers. You will be compared. I could see you do a good job of her.

Ellen. I love Leona, predictable. Do something that is a whole different vibe. You are here, you are beautiful. Take a risk.

Simon. This isn't going well for you. It was clumsy and I didn't like the arrangement. You are going backwards. I don't feel you as a contemporary artist. There was no originality there. Could be in trouble.

I wasn't impressed

Nor was I. IMO, the girls are off to a rocky start.

Cruise shippy. Which broke in half and tried to send her down for the last time, but the judges keep throwing her the 'we're sure you'll last a while' door to cling to.

'Sonorous' was probably the better description, but I just liked calling it 'cruise shippy'.

I felt he was very "Nicole Scherzinger" and maybe she should be part of a girl group. This was not impressive.

Did not expect to impress Simon in Hollywood but she did.
Plans to light up on the stage.

What About Love--Heart

Wardrobe hates her! I hope she goes on to the next round.

LOL! DH and I were just discussing the same thing.

For tight pants they make her butt look like she is wearing a diaper. But then if she got stitched into them that might not be a bad idea.

Pretty good. Liked the start better than the end.

Randy. Glad that is over, right, breathe. Not my favorite song choice. Interesting voice. One of those huge songs hard to bring something unique to it. I like your voice.

Ellen. I love the song choice, a couple of notes off. Tried to let go of the nerves. I liked it and I like you.

Simon. Gave it 100% effort but delivered 65% when you thought it was going well you started to go off. There were moments I liked. Try to do something that makes you original.

Kara. I like you. The song was way too big for you. When you do a song like that and it takes everything unique about your voice away.

I like her best so far, but that's not saying much!

...didja happen to notice her synchronized knee bends?

I missed those. I need to keep an eye out for them. But that does go with the diaper look.

Never sing Heart.

I'll give her this much credit: she didn't destroy it as completely as most contestants have. It was a credible effort and with a different song, she might have come close to soaring. As is, she tried to sing Heart. And the battlefield is littered with the bodies of those who tried before...

Last year living out of her car and playing on the street.

Fixing a Hole--Beatles

not my cup of tea

Love her! Love her!

Playing the guitar.

I like this song choice for her. The synchronized shoulder bounce was a bit distracting.

Ellen. That is what we are talking about. Such a random song choice, you have a distinctive voice. you sounded great.

Simon. Best so far. Mainly because I felt you sang this song because you like it and it portrays you as an artist. Not feeling much star power. It might be from nerves. It was best so far.

Kara. You are believable. You've been out there for survival. You get to be a good performer. You were comfortable on the stage and everyone will remember you.

Randy. You are more like a real indie artist. Last time we had a bunch of people who sounded like... but you really are.

'Hi, I'm Lilly Scott, and I don't know why they made me up to look like a forty year-old cougar in too much eye makeup sneaking into the men's dorms to catch a kegger.'

...well, that was different. I'm not sure if it was good-different or bad-different just yet, but it was definitely different.

Oh, look! Kara wants Lilly to go stand in the street and work for money! I wonder if Kara wants to be Lilly's first customer?

That was a big surprise to me, I liked it very much. Original, like an understated Lambert. Ok, way way understated, but still singing her song her way.

It was okay but not special.

Nobody.

I keep waiting for someone to put their stamp on the stage and so far, I've got four cancellation marks.

First audition her favorite because Shania complemented her.

Oh! Darling--The Beatles

Better than I remember her to be.

Why do the girls with the big hair always have the skinniest legs?

Tried for the combo knee bend and head shake.. Some of those knee bends were not quite synched right.

Simon. Some elements where you screamed and it was messy. I like you, quirky good choice of song. Brave. Will need a lot of work. I like you a lot.

Kara. You know your voice very well. You know what you are doing when you are switching up your melody and register. You really switched it up in a way that improved it. I don't think the makeover. Like you more natural.

Randy. What I love about you is you are concerned about the tone, not the runs. I like your whole vibe. Don't box yourself in you can go places and do stuff.

Ellen. I couldn't tell if you were working too hard, or it is natural for you. It was interesting to me. The girls are all strong. I liked it. I felt like it was pushed. You have an amazing voice.

The first one I would consider voting for—the operative word being consider. And I agree with Kara that the makeover doesn't help out any.

She still sounds like a medical procedure. 'I'm sorry, but we have to give you an Epperly immediately. Have you made out a will?'

Weirdly, I think that was the right song for her -- but the wrong performance. There were a few assorted seconds where it felt like she was close to getting something, but... over and out. I want to see her get a second shot and feel she will, but I have no idea what she can possibly do with it.

She does truly love that keyboard, though.

See, I think of hair removal when I hear her name. But she has way too much hair for that.

Got her nose pierced because she made it to Hollywood week.

I Wanna Hold Your Hand--The Beatles

I predict she will struggle with R&B and soul. just sayin'.

I hid.

Who let Adam do the eye makeup?

gag, gag, gag

My roommate, who is a trained singer, really disliked and says that she doesn't support and will end up hurting her vocal chords eventually.

Playing a red guitar.

I thought I knew this song, but I must be thinking of the wrong song because...aaaaaaooooooooooooooooo.

Why did all the dogs in the neighborhood just howl?

She should have done I Hold Your Hand In Mine.

Kara. From a technical stand point it went all over the place. You come and you have fun. You are pure. You gotta work on the technical.

Randy. What I love about you is the unpredictability. I love all of that and you being 16. The top of the vocals the sounds is not quite pleasing. Drop the key or sing in a different way. you are so bold, but get it together.

Ellen. You are 16 and you shine on stage. I enjoyed it and I think you have a great voice.

Simon. If I am being honest. It was verging on terrible. The vocals all over the place. A complete and utter mess. It was a mess it wasn't very good.

i agree with Simon

I think VFTW is going to wind up closing their eyes and throwing a dart. First picture hit gets the voting block. The Year Of The Women is halfway through its debut and I'm already looking forward to The Day The Y Chromosome Struck Back.

wrong song

Wrong song, wrong singer, wrong notes, wrong Ellen, wrong outfit, wrong makeup, and right Simon, but no one wants to hear what he said.

Well, I liked how she "made it her own."

We may have our current front runner for VFTW.

The site just slowed to a crawl.

I still don't understand how she made it past the first auditions. Didn't like her then, don't like her now. HORRIBLE!!!

Church event coordinator.
Took a lot to come back.

Fleetwood Mac--Landslide

She gave it a great try, thought that something change between rehearsal and performance. I want her to stay.

First time I noticed background graphics.
Sitting on stool.

Do.Not.Want.

Randy. Amazing Song. Dixie Chicks. Wasn't the right song for you. I thought that was terrible, pitchy, didn't suit your voice.

E. I think you are better than that. If you are back. You got lost. Didn't think it worked out.

Simon. I thought it was depressing. I was working out how much longer. It was kind of indulgent. Trying to work out who you are. It was boring.

Kara. You usually hit those notes and it felt forced. Something like Kiss Me. I hope America gives you another shot.

Did not like...at...all. I missed the first three girls (dammmmm DVR needs to be reset and is all wonky right now) but I am not impressed with what I have seen with the girls so far.

Roommate: I like her but I didn't like that song with her.

LAST EDITED ON 02-23-10 AT 09:09 PM (EST)

More. Bad. Eye. Makeup.

I've heard singers drop notes lots of times before this. Lacey? Drops letters. 'And I saw y refection in th sno covred hills, but the landside bought it dow.' And how many borderline-insane redheaded Laceys does one genre need? Throw another picture on the dartboard!

Maybe she needed another year decade of seasoning.

I thought that about Paige's performance as well. Too many dropped letters, IMO.

she looks old to me
what gives? makeup?

That? Was a train wreck.

Trainwrecks have been known to leave survivors.

Corporate Singer, and more other jobs than Ryan.
Lots of family support.

Fallen by Alicia Keys

Nicely done, and I really appreciate the lack of drama.

And finally a girl that I didn't dislike. Not Alicia Keys but pretty good.

I'm not a fan of that song, but she performed it well.

It felt like she was doing a direct imitation. No attempt to make the song her own, just 'This worked for someone else, so I'm sure it'll work for me.' The good news is that it made her the strongest performance of the night: the bad is that no one may spot her weak candle of competence among the floodlights of screeching.

I agree. She sang well, but brought nothing new to it.

And they never really let us hear her sing before now because.

Usually I don't think anyone should try Ms. Keys but this I actually like.

She almost got into the synchronized knee bends near the end but then stopped before they got going.

E. Fantastic. It was safe because it seemed easy even thought it was a hard song to sing. You have more in you. I know you can do better, but it was amazing.

Simon. Did very well. Very professional singer. Not as good as the original. Wasn't one moment I thought Wow. It is trying to do something with you that makes you different. Did enough to get through.

Kara. Very commercial looking. When it is right it is great, but it wasn't great. With the diva it has to be technically perfect. Lack a little believability.

Randy. It was a tough song, you did a pretty good job. You have more in you. Try something else.

Something no one showed you...like singing on key???

Is that the sound of a bus revving up?

Ellen talks too much
and doesn't really say much of anything

thinks America has seen enough of her tears.

The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson

Is it just me, or did it seem like she was trying to rhyme "light" with "match"?

For that (if nothing else), I'll blame the original composer. But mostly because the blame is piling up to eighteen inches and I feel sorry for whoever has to shovel it.

Has she sang that before? It is the right type of song for her voice but kinda boring.

Roommate: Wow she went flat at the end.

And what is she wearing? I have a rug that looks exactly like that.

I wanted her to be better. Interesting.

Brook White Redux?

Just can't seem to like her so far.

Simon. Good singer. My problem, to many people trying to sound like the same people. A bit indulgent. Song was dreary. I am missing a spark. That was quite dull. I do like you and I think you have a good voice.

Kara. Song is good, but while your voice have some derivative thins. Did some changes to the original. Showing another level. Was a bit pitchy.

Randy. But where is the star factor. No oomph. The song is cool. You sounded great. Just so sleepy.

E. If you were doing a show, as one in a set. You have a great voice, but for that first impression a little low key.

'This journey has been about the number of different ways I can style my hair at each stage.' Was it just me, or were there points in the early stanzas where she just completely stopped singing and spoke the words? Is that part of the song or did she completely forget where she was?

She feels like the girl who tries out for the debate team to impress her intellectual parents, then tries to win her first point with a wrist flourish and a 'So there!'

Not bad. But not great, either.

What kind of list did they get to pick these songs from? I missed that part.....

Anything That's Been A Hit In The Last Fifty Years Which We Don't Have To Pay Very Much To Get The Rights For.

Such a strange an monotone experience.

Chris Isaak--Wicked Game

I finally liked (not loved). I am intrigued by her.

Roommate: When she goes low it is very nasally.

She made me smile at first, but then I drifted. Seemed as though the band drifted away, too.

Gets light on the stage and graphics behind her.

I liked that.

Kara. Wouldn't have picked it, but I kinda liked you on that song. You are a quirky girl. A little nasal, but what I like is you are in the moment when you are singing and it feels real. You are living it and breathing it. For me pretty good.

Randy. Tough song. I remember how you had these big pipes. when you started opening up the second verse I would reach for bigger things than smaller things.

E. I forgot we were in a competition. Loved the mysterious Loved how deep. I liked it a lot.

Simon. You really are a funny little thing. I like the song. I didn't think it was as good as the Hollywood round song. Looked more memorable. A very dark song. You may be a dark person. Why did you choose it.

It is haunting and I love it. I wanted to show the softer side.

I liked her best so far

The editors hid her?

...oh, that's why. She has stage presence, but she's not comfortable in one-on-one or one-on-panel. So as long as she keeps singing, she's fine. Hopefully that's for a few more weeks.

I predict she'll be one of the final six girls. I enjoyed it.

I'm really hoping this will turn into Erin Go Touring, but her lack of early camera time could kill her. So far, the weakest performers have had the strongest pimpage -- and I never count on America to base their votes in what happens on the stage.

Abby
I think you & I think a lot alike

Here for the paycheck.

Alanis Morissette-- Hand in my Pocket

I like but don't love her but the roommate LOVES her.

Roommate: She is really good and she is flirting with the audience, look at that.

Glad she got the hair bumped up, and some of you know how I feel about "white folks in dreadlocks" - truly be different - not NYC subway trying to make a point. That said, hope she goes on.

Another enjoyable performance and another prediction of final six.

In a way, I feel like it was just very strong karaoke: she had some presence with her performance, but it almost felt as if the song was running her. And on the other hand, I sort of want to give her megacourage points for using a harmonica during a live national segment...

I don't know. I don't think there's any way she can go out this week, but I've been looking at her almost since Day One and I still don't have a real sense of who she is.

Plays Harmonica and Guitar.

I liked that.

Randy. You are one of my favorites. Originality of an artist. I just love the honesty. May not be the right song. I like you I like what you do. I'm a fan.

E. I'm a fan and I think we are lucky you decided to audition. Add something fresh. I am voting if I am at hard.

Simon. Like you, love your story. There are thousands of you doing this. You did a sound a like. You need to do you. You could choose anything and make it your version. There are tens of thousands of girls. I really really like you and you are refreshing.

Kara. You were good tonight. You have greatness. I've seen moments of you. You have that ability to take us on a journey. To not be just a coffee house and fill the stage with your uniqueness. Kara says she will be here next year.

Kara says she will be here next year.

And hope dies.

Stand by for UltraPimping!

Memorable is the first Audition.

Pimping the Grandmother.

Feeling Good--Michael Bubble

Can't get on the Katie train, can't drink the "grandma with Alzheimer's" kool-aid. Just can't.

She will prolly win.

In fifteen years, she has a chance to be Parvati Shallow.

Don't flirt, kid. Just -- don't.

Gets Graphics and Stage lights.

Getting some knee bends going.

Good voice, not much personality. But she is just a kid.

E. I gotta say it was good/great but you are 17 it was very conservative and a serious song. I want to see you be 17 and fresh and modern. A little old for you.

Simon. I agree with Ellen on that. Like your Mum and Dad dressed you and gave you this song so it became annoying. I've heard this so many times. You need to become a young recording artist. Very pageanty.

Kara. I think you couldn't hear yourself. You were pitchy all over the place, not like you. you have a natural gift. Ridiculous chops. You will be wow I was not in key.

Randy. You were pushing so hard everything was sharp. You have a big voice. Like Jordan Sparks. Too old for you. You can only be 17 once.

Not deserving of the pimp spot, but not the worst of the night, either.

No lead vocals for the first bit of the review. Finally snaps it on.

It's the tightest competition she'll win all year.

I'm actually casting a few votes tonight in the name of Fighting The Editing Power: Siobhan has my backing for the evening. Let the advancement reflect the performance -- for once.

you're an idol of mine, hon.

*smooch*

Of to watch the Olympics because I haven't gotten enough back stories tonight.

Do I hope for more VFTW Olympic performances like the poor Dutch guy that didn't switch up his lanes so lost the gold medal, or hope they all do well?

Katie 38.3
Crystal 11.9
Haeley 2.8
Lily 2.1
Didi 1.3
Lacey 0.7
Janell 0.7

Rest at 0

Re: The Taste Of The American Public, Never Betting On.

And there's a look at VFTW impact, such as it is.

Looking at the rank by early vote totals.

With 12 so many of will have few busies so you usually get one or two you can think are safe and can't tell the rest by busies.

Who is getting DI votes (remember the score is more on % busy, not number of votes cast)

Order from most votes to lowest by total (votes and busies)

Crystal
Lilly
Siobhan
Katie
Didi
Katelyn
Michelle
Janelle
Paige
Haeley
Lacey
Ashley

I've been casting a few for Siobhan and haven't hit a busy signal once. Just 'Thanks for voting for Contestant Ten!'

It's that personal touch which means so much.

I'm not getting any busies for her, either, but at this stage usually only a couple of people, if any, get significant busies.

I found this blog that said that says Siobhan Magnus looks just like Ally Sheedy from the Breakfast Club! So true! HAHA!
http://www.iwritefacts.com/?p=157