Weeks of audition episodes, Hollywood tears and drama, and looooong waits have come to this: On Wednesday night, American Idol introduced its semifinalists for season eight. This year, 36 contestants are moving on to the next round, and here they are:
Got all that? To see the names of the semifinalists, plus a big controversy and some of my observations on the top 36, just read more.
First things first: the names!
THE GIRLS
Alexis Grace, Allison Iraheta, Ann Marie Boskovich, Arianna Afsar, Casey Carlson, Felicia Barton, Jackie Tohn, Jasmine Murray, Jeanine Vailes, Jesse Langseth, Kendall Beard, Kristen McNamara, Lil Rounds, Megan Corkrey, Mishavonna Henson, Stevie Wright, Tatiana Del Toro, Taylor Vaifauna
THE GUYS
Adam Lambert, Alexander Wagner-Trugman, Anoop Desai, Brent Keith, Danny Gokey, Jorge Nunez, Ju'Not Joyner, Kai Kalama, Kris Allen, Matt Breitzke, Matt Giraud, Michael Sarver, Nathaniel Marshall, Nick Mitchell, Ricky Braddy, Scott MacIntyre, Stephen Fowler, Von Smith
Now, if you watched the show on Wednesday, you might notice something a little different: On the show, Joanna Pacitti went through. Well, Fox's press release (issued after the West Coast broadcast) included this line: "It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition. American Idol contestant Felicia Barton has replaced Ms. Pacitti as part of the Top 36." Hmmmm . . . maybe we'll learn more later today.
Anyway, I've got a few thoughts about this group and about Wednesday's show as a whole, so read on:
- Let's talk about Tatiana and Nick "Norman Gentle" Mitchell. Are they legitimate contenders? Sacrifices to Vote for the Worst? Is there any way Tatiana gets through her round, or will voters be too annoyed to dial her number?
- Meanwhile, which singers are you sad not to see here? Jamar is probably my No. 1 overall; I would have loved to watch him and Danny fight their way through Idol together.
- Wait, Von Smith blamed his parents for his song choice? Is he not an adult? He's 22!
- How long until someone literally has a heart attack at one of those patented Idol fakeouts? "The result isn't great . . . it's fantastic"? So mean.
- What did you think of the sing-off format? Do you think the right people made it through based on those last-minute songs?
Pop and I will be making our snap judgments for the top 12 later today, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, what are your thoughts?
Photos courtesy of Fox
Christine Bec
Heals
Lee Angel
They just let Norman and Tatiana through for the humor/drama...I don't really see them lasting, but eh.
I'm bummed about Jamar, too. Half of the people they rejected, they never featured in the first place, so it's hard to miss people you haven't even seen. Couldn't they have gotten Jamar to replace Joanna, or is it because of that whole evenly split guys/girls thing?
The Von Smith thing was lame. First of all, had he just sung that James Morrison song in a more normal, less showboat-y way, then Simon would have never called it indulgent. Lame.
I didn't like the sing-offs, but I guess it was something a little different this year. I'm also glad that Frankie didn't make it.
1I was really sad about Jamar. Tatiana needs to go. Norman Gentle is entertaining though.. he can really sing. I like the sing offs actually cause they are singing for their lives every week on the show.
2I was really upset about Jamar, too. I'll admit that he seemed to be just a good, not a great singer, but he had the whole package and I could see him appealing to a lot of people. I'm 26 and I loved him, my 58-year-old mother loved him, and my roommate's 14-year-old students loved him. (And it seems like everyone here loves him, too!)
I understand why they first did the girls/guys split, but I wish they hadn't done it this year. I feel like the guys were more talented.
3I am still dumbfounded as to how and why Tatianna made it through. She is AWFUL.
4Oh, and I get that Tatiana actually can sing, but there's no way she's going to stick around at this point. I did love when Simon told her how annoying she was being, though.
5So I just went to Joanna Pacitti to read about what record deals she has had and this is what her Wikipedia page said
"Even though the program showed her getting into the top 36, she was eventually disqualified for having a relationship with certain executives with 19 Entertainment"
Granted, it's Wikipedia, but I'm curious to hear more about her disqualification now!
6I found this at Entertainment Weekly.com "Specifically, Star magazine reported that Pacitti lived for a time in the same apartment building as 19's Michelle Young and Roger Widynowski, even referring to the former exec as her "best friend"; 19, of course, is the production company behind Idol."
7Just found out that one of the guys is from my hometown!! Of all places...
8I'm totally bummed about Jamar, especially considering that Tatiana and Nick are in. Awful.
I thought he could win it!
9Joanna has a cd out called This Crazy Life. and she was on tour with nick lachey a few years ago. shes also had songs on the bratz and nancy drew soundtracks.
10Joanna has a cd out called This Crazy Life. and she was on tour with nick lachey a few years ago. shes also had songs on the bratz and nancy drew soundtracks.
11Yeah, I was wondering if the Bratz thing alone would disqualify her since Paula worked on that movie too. They all definitely knew who she was (remember Kara saying "I know you!" at her audition?) so I just wonder why it took this long to disqualify her!
12I'm glad I'm not the only one who still watches and loves this show, lol! I too am so upset that Jamar didn't make it but Tatiana did.....granted she can sing but her annoying shrieking and laugh has gotten to me already! On the other hand I am so glad that Danny made it through, I absolutely love him as well as Matt the one they said sounded like elliott Yamin.....hope they make it to the top!!!
13Tatiana makes me want to throw things at my televison. I cannot STAND her. If she turns out to be another Sanjaya, I will not watch the rest of the season.
I love, love, love Nick/Norman, and was so upset about Jamar. Boo!
14My first fave is that crazy-voiced black haired rock and roll dude!!! I just love his singing style - he has amazing talent.
15Jamar was robbed---I'm very upset that some crazies got through for the television and he did not. I wish we could call to vote people off---UGH!
Poor Jamar
16i am mad about jamar! he was so good. wtf was up with tatiana. and i am so glad that crazy/goofy guy made it!
17BOYCOTT IDOL!!!
don't watch anymore!
It used to be organic and real, now its produced and TOTALLY PLANNED.
Don't believe the hype anymore. : (
18I jsut can't believe Nathanial was in and Jamar was out. Weird, Nathanial is not that good of a singer.
19I feel dissapointed about Jamar. He sounds very good and looks like a real singer, I think he deserves to be in and I wish that something happens during the show that he could make him get back to the show and demostrate America his talent. I feel also dissapointed about Tatiana being selected, she has talent you can't forget that but her personality is terrible, she needs to grow up a lot. She could be good if she really changes the way she acts, laughs and talks, well if she could reborn again could good. I don't like those weard looking guys acting and talking girlish, this shows is seing by millions of kids and yougsters and we as adults should be showing good examples and not people with those tendencies. Everyone has the wright to be as they want to be, but come on this is national tv!!
I'm happy about the rest of the gang, I hope this year will be a lot of entretaining and good time with them. I think this show is such a great chance for many people to come out of the shadows of their own lives and problems and shine with their own true talent.
Good job guys, keep up the good work.
20I think the thing that bothers me most is that Tatiana and Nick are taking 2 spots that should have been given to someone who deserves it...someone who can actually win. I canNOT believe they let them through...absolutely ridiculous.
21I'm so pissed about Jamar being excluded and this whole thing with Joanna just makes the show seem so rigged. It's not nearly as authentic as it used to be and I honestly don't think I want to watch it anymore. I'll probably finish this season and then skip it next year.
22I'm also upset about Jamar. I really liked him and thought he had a great style. I can't stand that Tatiana made it through. I want her spot to go to someone more deserving, like Jamar. AUGH
23I'm actually not too upset about Jamar. He was merely a supporting character in The Danny Gokey Story. I think it was probably more of a producer decision to get rid of him, rather than the judges decision. They'd rather put big, crazy personalities in there and use them as fodder. And, its pretty obvious they're pushing for Danny, so now they can play up the whole 'poor Danny lost his best friend' angle. I think Jamar would benefit more coming back next year. He can create his own identity rather than just be Danny's best friend. I wonder how much screen time Jamar would've even gotten in the first place had he have auditioned on his own, without Danny.
For the record, I like Danny. I think he's got a great voice and he's very likable. He is one of my favorites, despite what it may sem like. I'm just kind of over the hype. He's pretty much guaranteed a spot in the top 12. He doesn't even need to sing next week.
I'm so happy Matt Giraud made it. I LOVE him. I don't know if he'll make it to the top 12, especially with this format, but I think he's awesome.
Kris Allen is kind of cute. I hope he can sing well. But he probably doesn't stand a chance anyway.
I love Adam, so I'm glad he got through. He could be interesting...
If I had it my way, it would be an all male top 12 this year. I'm not a fan of any of the girls.
I feel bad for the contestants who weren't given any screen time. They don't really stand a chance. Especially the boys.
I'm at the point where I could care less about Tatiana or Norman. I just don't care.
24I couldn't care less about Idol this season. And Tink08, I completely agree with you. It sucks now...so staged and fake. I'm glad to hear they disqualified Joanna though.
25She must go!
26http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=64654857588
I'm sad Jamar and Rose didn't get in. It really dissapoints me to see Norman/Nick and Tatiana get in while others who deserve it did not. I can not stand how Tatiana interrupts the Judges! I think that if you interrupt them and try to sing another song to "sway" them, you're out. It's disrespectful, rude, and makes you unlikable. In Hollywood Week they say if you forget the lyrics you're out, shouldn't that apply to this?
Also, I don't think it's been pointed out much, but Adam and Arianna are from pretty much the exact same place (I know, I'm from there) The high school Arianna goes to is rivals (and about 15 minutes away from) the high school that Adam went to. I think it's interesting and surprising that 2 people out of the amount that auditioned got into the final 12 and are from the exact same place.
27I am so happy. I know a girl on that show right now. Top 36! Kristen McNamara baby! oh yeah...
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