By RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com, originally filed Thursday, February 19, 2015
For those expecting a full recap by now, I apologize. I went out to see the Julianne Moore film "Still Alice." Sad as all get out.
Anyway, before I even get started with the show, here is the complete top 24. No more need for the spoilers, which have been around for weeks.
While I don't necessarily agree with all of the picks in this second half, it's a formidably talented crew. I especially liked Sarina Joi-Crowe, Katherine Winston and Nick Fradiani. I even jived with Shi Scott in the rock lane. Quaasim Middleton? He's full of himself and the judges are not doing him any favors by heaping so much praise on the guy.
The top 24 performed live Thursday at the Filmore Theatre in Detroit. The song spoilers are already out there, courtesy of MJ's sources. Ed Sheeran, Train, Pink, Rihanna, Twisted Sister, Nick Jonas and Michael Bolton are represented.
Smart for "Idol" to tape ahead of time because they are going to have to squeeze 12 performances of the guys in one hour on Wednesday and 12 more from the ladies on Thursday. That's not a lot of time. This will allow the editors to cut extraneous judges' comments. I also expect the song performances will be very brief, around 60 to 70 seconds.
From the Fox press release:
On Thursday, Feb. 26 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), the Top 12 girls – Shannon Berthiaume, Joey Cook, Sarina-Joi Crowe, Adanna Duru, Alexis Gomez, Lovey James, Jax, Tyanna Jones, Loren Lott, Shi Scott, Maddie Walker and Katherine Winston – get their turn to impress America.
On Wednesday, March 4 (8:00-9:01 PM ET/PT), host Ryan Seacrest will reveal which eight guys will move forward with one more chance to sing for America's vote and secure a spot as a Top Finalist. On Thursday, March 5 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), the eight girls who received the highest votes will perform. On Wednesday, March 11 (8:00-9:01 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), the Top 12 finalists – six guys and six girls – will be revealed from Los Angeles.
Here's my recap of tonight's show, which gives us the final 12.
We see Josh Sanders get eliminated. Do we even remember this guy? The reason they showed it is because J Lo said she supported him and then HCJ teased her about throwing the guys under the bus.
Then we get an elongated take on "Hollywood" Anderson getting eliminated with tears and sad music and Ryan Seacrest trying to make him feel better. Unfortunately, we don't hear enough of his performance to make a clear judgment whether he was worthy or not. He didn't sound bad.
Joey Cook is a bag of nerves as usual. We hear her sing a bit of "Sweet Pea" by Amos Lee. I actually like her this time around, not quite as twee as usual, but can she hold up emotionally? Clearly the judges liked her relative uniqueness. HCJ calls her a "kiwi." I am not sure she has what it takes to make it to the top 12.
Katherine Winston has impressed me from day one. She has a style that seems far more assured and comforting than Joey. Her "Rihanna" sounds warm with just a touch of rasp.
Adorable Maddy Hudson had a great audition but struggled through group rounds. She made it to the solo round but her "Diamonds" was not solid. "You need a little more time to get comfortable on stage," J Lo said. She's cut.
Alexis Gomez tried to put a little Latin spin on "Better Dig Two" and it worked. "A little Gomez twist," she said. And she makes the cut.
Quentin Alexander has been inconsistent, the judges said. His Little Mix "Wings" was good enough to land in the top 24.
Last year, Savion Wright just missed the cut. This year? There is a long lead up to his souful solo of "Hold On To Whatever You Got." "You seemed very comfortable up there," Keith said. He instantly runs around, so relieved he made it this year.
One of my earlier favorites Jaq MacKenzie is cut, along with Hunter Larsen.
The oldest guy left in the competition Mark Andrew said "it's chasing the dream or the reality of paying the bills and supporting my son. It's a hard reality." His "Take Me to the Church" is not nearly as good as Hozier's. It's just a respectable cover. But he makes it to the top 24. I'm a little doubtful he can get to the top 12 unless he steps it up.
Nerdy Trevor Douglas tries to show some sex appeal with Elvis' "Burning Love" and fails completely. But he clearly has enough crowd appeal and did well in earlier rounds to get into the top 24. HCJ calls him "unpredictable" but they want to give him another shot.
Emily Brooke faced three other country female singers (Alexis, Katherine and Maddie) in the top 12 and was probably a quota cut. She's only 15. The probably will see her again next year.
But for Nick Fradiani, this is his last show. He seems to be on the rise with each performance. He has a great rock sound and does a wonderful "Drops of Jupiter."
Sarina Joi-Crowe, in her fourth try in Hollywood at just age 19, finally makes the cut. Her R&B/pop sound is impressive covering Jessie J's "Big White Room."
She's followed by Quaasim Middleton, whose manic 'Satisfaction" by Allen Stone is vocal vomit but he knows how to perform. J Lo and Keith gave him a standing ovation. How long will he skate by on charm?
There is one slot left on the male side, presumably for a country singer. It's between two worthy competitors: Ricky Dale vs. Riley Bria, who had played guitar with Keith Urban a couple years earlier. Ricky's Keith Whitley cover is just okay. Riley is clearly the better vocalist with his "Love This Pain" by Lady Antebellum. J Lo didn't like the song but it didn't matter. Riley wins.
The final female post: Jelly Joseph vs. Shi Scott. Both are packed with personality. I prefer Jelly big time. Her voice has more heft, more depth. But Shi is clearly more marketable and she actually was able to pull off a rock-tinged "Higher Ground." I don't agree with this one at all but I understand it. At least Jelly left with a good attitude.
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