American Idol Elimination: Elise

Gee, I finally got a prediction right for the first time this season. However, I am sorry to see Elise go; she was one of the best and most unique singers this year. Here is a link to an exit interview with her from Idol Chatter.

It HAS has to be Hollie next! But what was Skylar doing in the bottom three last night? That scares me a little. I was just thinking that she could make it into the finale or at least the top three.

Here are the Niles Library Elimination Contest results:

Three of you picked Elise as the one to go this week. Three also picked her pal Phillip Phillips as the loser. Oh no! I think he has a chance to win the whole thing, although he did not get much judge love this week. Four people though that Joshua Ledet would be eliminated after what was probably his best performance of the season. And finally four insightful players thought that Hollie Cavanaugh would be going home. Better luck next week.

The winner of this week's contest is Mollie Weinberg. The only person from week One to pick Colton Dixon for elimination never came forward, so, by drawing, the Week One winner is Megan Mitchell.

PS: Three of you forgot to pick someone for elimination, so you didn't get into the contest this week.

American Idol: 6 to the final 5

You guys, Joshua killed today. He's IN IT TO WIN IT!!! Randy J. hyperbole aside, Joshua seems to be getting better every week. This week he was flawless, entertaining, cute, and may I say, thrilling. I give him a A+ on his Queen song, and an A on the india.aire number.

Actually the Queen songbook turned out surprisingly well for most of the performers. Second to Joshua this week was Skylar, to whom I also gave an A+ for her Queen number - dramatic, and powerful, incredible, and goosies according to the judges. Her second song was way too country for me, but she did a nice job. I gave her a B+ mainly because I didn't like the song.

The rest of the pack (except for Hollie) all made solid Bs. I liked Jessica's version of Bohemian Rhapsody, but maybe it was too mature for her. Her second song was lovely but also kind of schmaltzy. I did not think that Elise was in good voice for her Queen selection (and I thought it kind of a stupid song) but I loved her Jimi Hendrix song where she sounded like Janis. In this my opinion was exactly opposite that of the judges. I think Elise is going home this week.

I loved Phillip's Fat Bottomed Girls very much, but was mystified by the Dave Matthews song he chose to sing. I agreed with Jennifer that it was too arty, but Randy made me see that it was a bold, non-pandering choice. Phillip is the most honest and unpretentious performer ever to be on American Idol (and also Lee DeWyze). And that brings us to boring, hideously styled Hollie.  Save Me made me uncomfortable, and the Miley Cyrus song was shouty and predictable. I can certainly see Hollie with Elise in the bottom three this week, along with either Jessica or Joshua.  Why two of the best singers on the show would land in the bottom three is beyond me, but it has happened before.

Who do you think is going home? Don't forget to vote in our Elimination Contest. The more you play the better chance you have of winning an ipod nano or an itunes gift card.

American Idol Elimination: 7 to 6

Were you surprised? I'll admit that Colton was almost the last person I expected to be eliminated. The judges seem to like him (although not this week's performances so much), and Jimmie Iovine is always pimping for him.

On the other hand, I was not sorry to see him go, although he was an early favorite of mine. I think he's a little creepy and bogus. I was getting tired of his soulful stare into the camera. I did like his Wednesday performance of September though.

Because of the surprise and confusion about last week's save, we are having an extra week of our American Idol Elimination contest! Most of you (nine people) thought that Elise Testone would be going home this week. Three thought Hollie Cavanaugh (Yay) would be leaving and surprisingly, three thought the loser would be Phillip Phillips (Boo). Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledet, Skylar Laine, and COLTON DIXON each got one vote.

Here is where I need some help. The winner of the first week contest is named CINDY EPIFANIO, but she did not leave a telephone, email, or library card number so we can't contact her.  If you are Cindy or if you know her, please ask her to contact me at bnash@nileslibrary.org. Or she can call the AV desk at 847-663-6640. If we don't hear from her by Thursday May 3, we'll draw a name from the other contest entrants.

PS: Some of you voted twice for two different contestants. I assume that's because you thought 2 people were being eliminated this week and that you do know that there is only one vote to a customer under usual circumstances. This week no one was sure if one or two would be eliminated until the day of the elimination show.

American Idol: 7 to 6 Part 2

After last week's dramatic elimination of Jessica Sanchez I had to get online tonight and VOTE. I love this girl. Like Randy, I think that she is so talented that it is otherworldly. But you know what? She's only sixteen years old. Maybe it's better for her to delay the start of her career. Extraordinary talent exposed too young, like Etta James for example, can lead to destruction. Now I want her to stay, but maybe it won't be so terrible if she does get eliminated before the end. I have mixed feelings.

I tried to be objective this week and graded each performance. Of course the grades followed my prejudices somewhat, but I did try. Each performer gets 2 grades because each gave 2 performances.

Straight As for Phillip Phillips. His Usher song was so unique - a kind of reggae vibe - and Wait Till the midnight Hour so exciting!

Jessica Sanchez A/B+. Falling was so mature and soulful. Try a Little Tenderness slightly oversung.

Joshua Ledet B+/A. I Believe was overdone, but I noticed that Joshua's voice reminds me of chocolate - sweet and smooth. A Change is Gonna come is one of the greatest songs of all time, perfectly done.

Skylar Laine B+/B+. How can you resist that energy?

Elise Testone B+/B. Elise is the most Janis Joplin-like singer ever to come to American Idol. I loved her soulful version of No One.

Colton Dixon B/B+. Loved the girl band in the Lady Gaga number. Sometimes there is something conceited and creepy about Colton. It showed tonight.

Hollie Cavanaugh B-/C. I just can't like her. The judges gave her a lot of compliments though. Since I was so sure that she'd be going home last week, I suppose she won't even be in the bottom three tomorrow. I'm still predicting an off for either Hollie or Elise. Who else could it be? Sklyar? Joshua?

At this point I am predicting Phillip for the win. I don't think a girl can win this thing.

Don't forget to VOTE in our contest. Ballot box at the AV desk. We have great prizes this year.

American Idol: Going for Six

Hollie Cavanaugh

After Miss Hollie gets eliminated tomorrow, it's going to be nearly impossible to rate the remaining candidates: they are all that good. Of course I have my favorites, but will they necessarily be the power players? Maybe not.

For example, I love me some Skylar, and she was GREAT tonight, but somehow I don't see her as that memorable to the general audience. I feel like Colton, despite Jimmy's pimping, may be slipping into the middle of the pack as well. His last 2 or 3 performances haven't killed. I love Phillip to pieces, and foresee a great musical career for him (as well as for Skylar), but his performances have a sameness that can be the kiss of death. I no longer see him as a surefire finalist, although he may well be one.

Elise is a terrific singer, and she was wonderful tonight, but does her style speak to the American Idol audience? Likewise Joshua killed tonight- he couldn't have been better down to his pink socks- but does his usual intense soul style go over nowadays? Jessica is another story. She is scary good and is my pick to win American Idol this year.

Don't forget! Our American Idol elimination contest begins next week when 6 becomes 5. I know you'll want to play because we have some killer prizes: itunes gift cards for the weekly winners, ear buds for the final show, and an ipod nano for the grand prize. The more times you play, the more chances you have to win the the grand prize, because we're drawing from all of the weekly entries. So I'll see you at the ballot box.

American Idol: Who Killed tonight?

Skylar Laine

Yes, Skylar came back from behind and gave a killer performance on Wednesday's American Idol competition. This girl is a powerhouse, but she wasn't the only great performer tonight. As usual with this talented group, it's very hard to do a power list. But I know who was the worst.

8. Hollie Cavanaugh tried much too hard. Despite having a truly great voice, there is something essentially false and essentially cold about her delivery. That was clear in her duet with Deandre Brackensick. She was good - better than in her solo, but she could not generate a bit of heat between herself and her partner. They were the only pair that didn't hug at the end.

7. Elise Testone  is uneven.Tonight she seemed tired. A sleepy ballad wasn't her best choice. I hope Hollie goes home, but I think Elise is in danger.

6. I don't like to give such a low number to Andre Brackensick, but he doesn't get much love from the AI recappers crowd. Some say he is gimmicky. I say he is unique. I thought he was great tonight, showing off his mellow lower register. But the consensus is that he won't make the finals, and I have to agree. Going first didn't help.

5. Joshua Ledet is fabulously talented, but like Hollie he has problems. He ended his song with a scream that looked like vomiting and was out of place. He tends to go over the top. His duet with Jessica Sanchez was unbelievably great though, and I LOVED his suit. The judges are pimping him.

Here is where I break down the distinctions because the remaining performers were all so great. Phillip Phillips gave his usual great performance. I do wish he would change things up a little though. Jessica Sanchez does try to change her style of song and it always works for her because she is scarily great. Colton Dixon did not blow me away totally tonight, but I noticed an androgynous David Bowie quality in him that I think will serve him well. He is delicately built and from that perspective did not pair up well with Skylar Laine in the duet. And what can I say about Skylar? She killed.