11 remain, on this stage anything is possible because this is American Idol.

Well almost anything.

Anything can happen? Anything at all?

I'm picturing clowns riding upside-down on unicycles with wheels made of cheese that can talk, and are reciting Shakespeare sonnets backwards, in French.

*gigglesnort*

Oh gack, the judge walk. Is that just to prove Paula isn't falling down drunk at the beginning of the show?

Look, it's a leprechaun. oops, just Ryan on the big steps.

They heard me, the stage turned green.

Randy has this group evolved. This week is a tough week, could spoil the flavor.

Kara. Some contestants better than others last week, hope they do better this week.

Paula, I'm standing by my predictions.

Simon. You and country music have a special relationship...

If they make it past tonight, they get on the tour.

Bring them all out together, may not be giving us the order.

In case we don't know what it is.

He will be talking to the idols.

He thinks it is a strong group.

I love me some Randy Travis, love him.

me loves him too

Good deal, this should be interesting.

They showed a shot of Clint Black in the Grand Ol' Opry intro and he would have been an interesting coach. But I think his appearances have been trumped (pun intended) for a while.

**snort**

The grey flashes on the sideburns look a litle "Marvel Comic". But he looks okay. Rather wrinkly but it's only because he doesn't have the body mass to do "older"

The silver flashes on the sideburns are looking a little Paulie Walnuts to me.

How to have a creepy relationship with a much older female manager?

That's Paula's job.

creepy relationship with a much older female

Uh, may I say ... huh?

He got his first gigs from a much older woman who owned a nightclub when he was in his late teens. He later moved in with her and her husband, then she divorced the husband and she and Randy moved to Nashville together where she became his manager. I think they're married now.

Ooooh, and that's not at all creepy and messed up.

LAST EDITED ON 03-17-09 AT 07:38 PM (EST)

At least someone didn't go on about some "gay thing" which I don't think you would ever do (folks can take note from DW). I always think to myself, what if the person (Randy) were a woman? Would the same standard apply?

I seem to hear the same challenges on Disco Night and Country night. Of course, this is from a creepy older woman.

Ain't Going' Down Until the Sun Comes Up

Randy says he made some good changes, but if you blow the lyrics you are in trouble.

He's doing fine on the lyrics, but you can tell he's trying so hard not to forget any that he's not cutting loose the way the song demands.

Don't argue with the judges. Do not argue with the judges.

He really should have done 'What's She Doing Now'

Has a guy playing harmonica on the stage with him.

On the catwalk behind the judges.

He seems a bit mushmouthed, not really getting many of the words.

Randy. It was a cool song choice, showed a fun side, not showed off your vocal capabilities.

Kara. We got to see your personality. I miss the big notes from you. It is impressive you can remember all those words.

Micheal says country music is about having some fun.

Paula. It is a great Garth Brooks song. We saw you have fun and your artistic with the harmonica player, genre suits you.

Simon. It should have been good. I think this kind of music will suit you, couldn't understand a word you said. You could have been singing in Norwegian. A bit clumsy. It is about you showing up as a star.
He'd give a 1.2 out of ten.

Machine-gun fast lyrics didn't show much of his vocal abilities, particularly with the background music and harmonica almost drowning him out. Still... for him, perfect song choice and arrangement that made for a fun though vocally unremarkable set.

I'm with Simon. I had a hard time discerning the lyrics.

Oh, come on, Simon. I know you hate any reminder that you don't own the nation, but I personally don't like most country music and I thought he managed to rock that one a little. 1.3, at least. And more like a 6.

Blech. If you are gonna do Garth you have to run across that stage at least 15 times and become a maniac.

Saw his concert, on TV no less, in Central Park and DH became a fan there and then - and DH is a classic rock guy

Michael just did not have Garth's energy

I think I have been very vocal as to my dislike of country music = a very long night...(sigh)

Blame It on Your Heart

Randy says Patti would love her singing that. He hears a lot of maturity in her voice for 16. Told her not to be too cute with the moves.

oh.em.jee

Sweet! Very nice job.

So I have not liked her from the get go but I will concede...that was really good.

I think it suited her voice.

Kara. I ams staring to think you could sing the alphabet, you made that song your own. Every week you are just getting better and better.

Paula. Another rock solid performance. No one can take away the power of your voice and your rock edge. I think you will go far in the business if you explore more. Something about vulnerability

Simon. Struggling with remembering the words, she says no. It was good,verging on precocious.

Randy. I thought it was dope.

She knocked it out - it's the first time she has sounded like she was singing Heart. A great choice for her.

I've been meh on her thus far, but that was really good. Good choice, suited her voice. I'd like to see more like that from her.

Pretty good, definitely in her element with this song and arrangement. Yup, she's growing by the week and she'll be around a while. Nicely done.

I think the only way we're getting praise out of Simon tonight is with brute-force telepathy.

I liked her both last week and tonight. I think she is a strong contender.

To Make You Feel My Love

Randy says he made it his.

Pfft!!! He's trying to totally make up for Simon's slam on the wife comment last week. ##### probably demanded he sing a love song to her.

He may be singing it well, but I'm yawning.

The song feels very "prom theme" to me.

Uhm, Bob Dylan song anyone?

Anyway, very uninspiring to me.

He really does have a great voice...but kinda boring (I stopped paying attention).

Oh! Frig off Simon!!! That was boring and had an underlying message that he still wanted to get laid by his pissed off bride.

Puh-leese

On stool, no guitar.

Sound mix off at start he his way soft for me, especially since the background music isn't loud.

Paula. I'm surprised, pleasantly. An honest pure and vulnerable. Without the guitar I could hear your vocals, some notes not on pitch, smart choice.

Simon. I thought it was terrific. Really good. Great choice of song, the way you took it all back, completely in control, concentrated on you, smart choice. The first time I've heard you when I think you have a shot at doing really well in this competition.

Huh?

Randy. You went out on a limb. Tender moments from Kris, who knew?

Kara. It was just beautiful, not even country.

The Ghost Of Archuletas Past.

First time we've really heard his vocals clearly and he's got a clear, pleasant voice. He should continue to sing without his acoustic guitar which only distracts from his vocal abilities. Good performance (with brute force telepathy on Simon apparently!).

<<(with brute force telepathy on Simon apparently!). >>

Yes, but who is the world was sending that particular message to Simon?

*looks up*

(no, not up in the sky - up in this thresd!)

He is clearly a talent, but I felt it missed something.

What is with the plunging neckline tonight?

Gets the Ryan Interview

Independence Day. Randy says that is a big song.

Ummm, hmmm. When will she do the 'boppy" thing?

Okay, I missed most of that...cat got himself in an interesting situation and I had to go to the rescue. How was it?

Dull. Very dull.

What is it with people arguing with the judges tonight?

As a rule, talking over or interrupting the judges is unwise. Least said the better, lest the judges say more unfavorably.

Randy sounds like he's giving some good mentoring.

Randy. It was a very interesting ambitious choice. struggle in the beginning, better when you got into your range. it was just kinda alright.

Lil wanted to show she could do things that aren't R&B, told her to do I can always love you, blech.

Kara. WE all know you are a great singer. it is about the second half we get the Lil we fell in love with. You did what you felt and that is part of being an artist. Wasn't the best, but you stood your ground.

Paula. I think everything is going right for you tonight. The only thing it would have worked better if you only sang one verse before the chorus. When your voice pierces through you are one of the obvious favorite

Simon, having problem with Lil, the name. Came off as one of those girls singing at a wedding a song someone else requested that you are uncomfortable with.

Lil goes on about trying to show America and Simon wants to talk.

You could have done something like when people turn a song into something that will suit you.

March 17th, 2009: the debut of the Lil Rounds 'How dare you criticize me!' face.

what will be the drink of the night for that one?

I think that was more a my name is LIL it has nothing to do with the word little face.

In a word, underwhelming. Somehow it didn't all come quite together, although she finally found some steam midway into the performance. She's a fav of mine, but I had hoped for something that might bring the house down and instead she kind of let the house down. Still a top contender, though, particularly if she picks the right song and arrangement.

...did I miss anything?

"clowns riding upside-down on unicycles with wheels made of cheese that can talk, and are reciting Shakespeare sonnets backwards, in French. "

There's still Guinness on tap. Cheers.

Sure - make me regret not setting up the DVR!

Yep.

Gets an interview. I don't know about self discipline, Ryan.

Ring of Fire

Adam is scaring Randy, didn't know what to think of the arrangement, or the nail polish.

Wow. That either svcked or it was great. I can't decide which.

This is why I lurve this show. My heavens.

As Vote For The Worst has a fully-standing O.

I'm coming down on great. In retrospect, it was actually somewhat Beatlesish.

Yikes!

What in the holy heck was that?

Was Adam's coming-out party.

I think I just squirted

Was it a good squirt or a bad aquirt?

It was an awesome "aquirt"

That was just really, really creepy. I kept expecting him to remove clothing and writhe around on the stage. Gag me over and over. I think I need a shower now!

Camp it up Adam, Camp.It.Up!

Kara. So, Adam does country music. I never quite seen that country type of rendition. All a little strange. I don't know what to make of it. Got my drama and the eyes. It was strange, but I liked it. It left me confused and happy.

Paula. You are someone who stands out and is true to who you are as an artist. The choice of song was great, I loved the sitar song, like cashmere Led Zeppelin. You raise your own bar each week.

Simon. What the hell was that? Sorry but I would never go to Nashville, a lot of people are throwing out their TV sets. I thought it was indulgent rubbish. Really really horrific.

Randy. The greatest thing about it, that is how Nine Inch Nails would do country, it was current and hot.

I agree with Simon. Oofa. *takes temperature* I'm scared.

*Goes back to fillerpalooza @ DWTS*

I agree with Randy, that was a great Nine Inch Nails performance of a Johnny Cash song. But this is Country Night.

Is NIN still relevant in 2009?

LAST EDITED ON 03-18-09 AT 10:30 AM (EST)

Relevant? yes.
Current? notsomuch.
Did Adam sound anything like Trent Reznor? uh. Not even a little bit.

eta: and stuff like this is what makes Randy the worst judge on this show.

Good point about relevancy vs. currency. I searched for another word, but latched on to Randy's.

At first I thought it was extremely weird.

Then I decided that I totally loved it.

His voice is really lovely and I especially appreciated it on the higher notes toward the end. He had to know he was taking a risk with that, and personally, I quite enjoyed it.

Mr. Fro liked it a lot, too, which surprises me.

Isn't that what they were just telling Lil to do - make it her own?

Whether you loved it or you hated it - he certainly made it his own - and it will be all over YouTube - oh yes it will.
And I expect Perez to cover it too - now that Lyndsey is back in rehab

I'm with you on this. I watched the first part with kind of a stupid open-mouthed expression, but by the time he finished, I was smiling.

Liked it a lot, and agree with Paula's "Kashmir" comparison.

Same here, it grew on me. Though if this rendition ever makes it to radio, people will say it's about his first venereal disease - Especially the "it burns, burns, burns" part.

I totally agree. It creeped me out, but it gave me chills, too. I loved it. Different, almost to the point of freakish. He is taking full advantage of this opportunity. I would bet he is wise beyond his years in some ways.

Johnny Cash did a cover of Nine Inch Nails - so why not? I thought that was awesome.

Kara said it for me. Whoah, that was... freaky. Like more Goth than country. Wow to his vocals, but what a weird performance. Awful or good as that was, this guy is uniquely talented. Enough to want to listen to more of him in coming weeks, but without any idea just what he'll come up with.

*tries to stop giggling*

*tries it again while slowly getting up*

*feels thankful for emergency floor pillow arrangement*

I didn't know Nick had gone into arrangement composing.

Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's WTF? moment that will be replayed on The Soup for the next week -- and beyond...

Has anyone seen Zombie Johnny Cash? He will crawl from the grave to wreak his vengeance. Even if he has to die first to do it.

a. Johnny Cash is dead.
b. In all honesty, based on his background - Johnny Cash would have loved it.

Johnny Cash would have loved it
Yep. No doubt.

Did you think the same thing after watching the hideousness that was the Final Four Ford Mustang commercial last year? Because that was a lot worse.

I don't want to like this guy at all. He seems so cliche. Yet I can't help but love him.

Wild Angels.

Randy's first impression, not good, but was impressed by the end. Scott surprised him.

I actually liked that. He sounded pretty good.

Okay, for the first time I could see him as a recording artist. An easy-listening, adult contemporary artist, but a recording artist.

I just said something very similar to Mr. Fro. I said that this is the first week that I was really able to hear his range and appreciated his voice.

He did a nice job with that song. It's not my pint of Guinness, but I can imagine hearing that on the radio and it fitting in with the Lite FM lineup. Delilah would play that and a special send-out.

LAST EDITED ON 03-17-09 AT 08:06 PM (EST)

I'm sorry but he creeps me out. Eyes connect to an audience. We can not forget those girls who always think "he's singing just to me" That missing eyeball connection is missing and if he wants to continue on he needs to throw on a pair of awesome sunglasses.

Just sayin'

ETA - He turns his head to try and look at who is talking to him and but it is painful to watch. Although I noticed he picked out the voices of his family and began to tear up. That was truly touching.

I know that's politically incorrect but that's just my opinion.

zzzzzzzzzzzz....

This guy reminds me of Peter Brady or Willie Aames.

Put them on a blender set to puree... I can see that.

They cut his hair!

Slow through the verse then picks it up in the chorus.
I liked the piano playing more than the singing, unfortunately.

Paula. To me tonight was another impressive lovely performance. You work harder than most. The piano is starting to be a crutch that separates you from the audience. Just mix it up a little bit.

Simon, asks Paula what he is supposed to do. He says it is stupid. He is comfortable with the piano, Elton John was always at the piano. Simon doesn't think the connection has anything to do with the piano. Both performances similar because of the song. I like you a lot, the songs are going over my head and I forget them afterwards.

Paula and Simon bickering.

Randy. Looking for the hot vocals and I haven't seen that. Just a nice good performance. This is a singing competition.

Kara. We want you to up your game. Deliver it, wow us. You bring class and poise to the stage.

Nice performance, easy to listen to, easy to mellow out on. (Some could say easy to doze off on, too.) This sounded so much like last week's performance I don't see anything new here, and I think that's what the judges were driving at. Nice performance, but let's see something a little different next week.

Paula killed his brother.

Dropped a piano on his head.

Gets pre-interview with Ryan.
She loves country music. Did Paula and Simon really storm off set during the break? Or was that a metaphor?

Jolene

Randy says she did a great song. She understands what telling the story is about.

Wow. Amazing. I love holding out the third Jolene and abbreviating the fourth. Very nice arrangement, wonderful vocal. The best of the night so far.

Sound-alike? That was nothing like the original.

She just might be my favorite girl.

LOVED IT!!! LOVED IT!!! SAW THE PAIN!!! Did I mention I loved that?

Starts on the stairs.

Didn't like the wordless tuneless filler.

Randy. It is a great song, not sure you hit the notes well. Tried to bend it too much in a way that didn't work. Wasn't a great performance for me.

She talks back.

Kara. You lost your edge a bit. She wanted to see Last Name or when he cheats. It was flat for me.

Paula. I think it was more effective than the others thought. Sometimes you took an artistic approach showing different sides of your vocals. I don't care about pitch problems.

Alexis won't shut up.

Simon. I thought it was OK, it was a bit sound alike. didn't hear much originality, we will forget it in 10 minutes time.

Anyone else a little creeped out/a little turned on by Kara's incessant imploring of Alexis to be more of a 'dirty'girl?

Yes.

I'm also trying to figure out how pink hair is dirty?

They want more Xtina and less Christina......

I was waiting for a little more gritty from her, but even without it I thought she did well. Loved the arrangement.

... plus she's totally adorable. I want to take a bite of her.

That? was sweet. Sure, not perfect, but the way she sang that made my spine chill in a nice way that no one else tonight has. Heartfelt. I'm liking her more each week.

Well rendered, but it felt weirdly understated.

LAST EDITED ON 03-17-09 AT 08:27 PM (EST)

Well now. Isn't she just the sweetest little thing? I had a Keith Partidge moment while watching her. She could have been burping the alphabet up there, and it would have been music to my ears.

How the heck did I miss this one last week?

ETA: Well, I just went and read my comments about her last week. I must have been in a bit of a pissy mood 'cause I kind of slagged her. Forgive me doll.