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AMERICAN IDOL “First 12 of 36 Compete” (Top 36 – Group 1) Review

So here we go again, a new season of AMERICAN IDOL (Season 8), but this season they changed the format a bit, and while I am still not totally clear exactly how all of it is going to work out, I know that the top 36 contestants will be split in three groups, which will perform each week. Out of each group one girl and one guy with the most votes will be selected, as well as the third person that gets the most votes. After all three groups perform, there will be a wildcard show in which the rest of the final contestants will be picked.

And so we start with group one. Overall, it was a really bad night, to the point that I asked myself why I even watch the show (seriously that has never happened before).

Also I didn’t understand why the families of the contestants were sitting with them. And why do we have to listen to them again? I hate it when networks just try to fill up their shows so that they last longer. And that’s why I love my DVR, just skip all that rubbish.

Anyway, let’s find out how the first group of 12 contestants did (so far there are no videos, but I’ll add them as soon as I can find them):

1. Jackie Tohn

Jackie Tohn

Song: “Little Less Conversation” by Elvis Presley

Thoughts: I know this is a singing competition, but what was that outfit she was wearing? So distracting. And the singing is very karaoke-like. Don’t think we’ll see much of her after that. Bad song choice.
Judge I agree with the most: Simon

Rating: 2/4

Video:

2. Ricky Braddy

Ricky Braddy

Song: “A Song For You” by Leon Russell

Thoughts: I was bored. And I don’t know what the judges are listening to, but we’re definitely not hearing the same thing. He does have a good voice though, but Simon has it right, he has no personality.
Judge I agree with the most: Simon

Rating: 2/4

Video:

3. Alexis Grace

Alexis Grace

Song: “Never Loved a Man” by Aretha Franklin

Thoughts: Bored again. Don’t know if it’s the song choice, but I just didn’t get it. She does have a good voice though. Do the judges like her because they have seen her perform before and base it on that?
Judge I agree with the most: None of them

Rating: 2/4

Video:

4. Brent Keith

Brent Keith

Song: “Hick Town”

Thoughts: Bored again. Is this going to get any better?
Judge I agree with the most: Simon

Rating: 1/4

Video:

5. Stevie Wright

Stevie Wright

Song: “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift

Thoughts: Well, that wasn’t boring, it was just bad. Wow, Stevie Wright was really pitchy. How did she make it all the way to here? It’s too bad because she seems like a nice girl.
Judge I agree with the most: Simon

Rating: 1/4

Video:

6. Anoop Desai

Anoop Desai

Song: “Angel of Mine” by Monica

Thoughts: So far my favorite of the night, but still not blown away.
Judge I agree with the most: Simon

Rating: 3/4

Video:

7. Casey Carlson

Casey Carlson

Song: “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” by Police

Thoughts: Wow, that was pretty bad. She put absolutely no emotions into that song. She definitely won’t have Jordin Sparks’ career. Again, how did she make it that far?
Judge I agree with the most: Simon

Rating: 1/4

Video:

8. Michael Sarver

Michael Sarver

Song: “I Don’t Want to Be” by Gavin DeGraw

Thoughts: I like the guy, but let’s be honest he wasn’t really good.
Judge I agree with the most: Simon

Rating: 2/4

Video:

9. Ann Marie Boscovich

Ann Marie Boscovich

Song: “Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin

Thoughts: Her voice was ok, but the performance was just not that great.
Judge I agree with the most: Simon

Rating: 2/4

Video:

10. Stephen Fowler

Stephen Fowler

Song: “Rock with You” by Michael Jackson

Thoughts: That was painful. Why am I watching this show again? What kind of contestants did the judges pick this year?
Judge I agree with the most: Simon

Rating: 1/4

Video:

11. Tatiana Nicole Del Toro

Tatiana Nicole Del Toro

Song: “I Am Saving All of My Love For You” by Whitney Houston

Thoughts: I cannot believe how much I liked her performance. For all her annoying quirks, the girl can sing. So far the best of the night.
Judge I agree with the most: Simon

Rating: 4/4

Video:

12. Danny Gokey

Danny Gokey

Song: “Hero” by Mariah Carey

Thoughts: Danny is definitely one of my favorite this season and his performance was really good, but I have to agree with Simon, it wasn’t as good as all the hype around him.
Judge I agree with the most: Simon

Rating: 4/4

Video:

Author: | February 17, 2009 | 7 Comments

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  • hannah

    why did neither anoop nor stephen fowler get a rating?

  • http://daemonstv.com Sandie

    Oops sorry hannah, you’re right, I forgot to put my rating for both of them. I fixed it up and now they both have one.

    Thanks for letting me know :-)

  • Kimberly L

    I was really disappointed with the show. I was so bored, no one had a ‘wow’ factor. I agreed with Simon’s feedback after each performance. I really hope it gets better.

  • Steve G.

    I agree that Danny is an outstanding contestant, perhaps the best.
    I disagree that Alexis was boring. I thought she hit a homerun and will be going deep into this competion. Ricky needs a little more edge to his act but he has an outstanding voice. Your biggest mistake is Tatiana. She does not have a great voice. She can hit some good notes but her flexibility is questionable as are her lower registers. She is not the complete performer. Tack on her emotional edge and you do not get someone who can expect to be a successful American Idol!!! The rest, I agree were forgettable performances. The biggest failure to meet expectations I think was, Jackie. She is loaded with the kind of personality and connectivity to her audience and the camera that makes for great entertainers. In fact she is probably the best in that regard I’ve ever seen on Idol.
    That plus a really good voice makes for a successful Idol. Her song pick was unfortunate. She has a much better voice than it showed. Too bad she will probably not make the cut so early.

  • Deni

    I must say that I was very disappointed with most of the performances. While I think they must have had some talent to get this far I think song choice will be the death of many. In defense of Alexis and Ricky at least they chose songs that showcase the beautiful “tones” and “levels” in their voices (and even Tatiana). Everyone will not always like “everything.” And I so wanted to dislike Tatiana but she did a really nice job (better than most). Props to her! b But the singers that wanted to stand out should have listened to the judges better when selecting their songs. Why would anyone sing a song by a group in a solo competition? Why would you pick a popular dance song to sing? Who picks out their clothes? We will never know. They are so many unanswered questions…..still. I think Tatiana will go to the next round…..by viewer selection or wildcard. But the guys have some really good singers that will not make it to the next round. I hope it gets better than last night.

  • nikki

    I really liked Anoop and Danny, they were my favorites.
    Tatiana was a completely different person, I don’t know if I liked it or not?
    Stephen and Stevie did absolutely awful. I felt somewhat bad for how awful they really did.
    Ann and Casey are such pretty girls, I was ashamed at how bad their performances were.
    I didn’t think Brent did as bad as everyone thought, he would be a great country artist.

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