Okay, so not only was I pressed for time this morning, I also thought that maybe I was pushing my luck with the Bat Boy and Nosferatu comparisons but this must be said: What was up with Michael Bublé?

He is one of my favorite artists and, as a fellow Canuck, I am proud of everything he has done. Last night, however, I almost cowered behind my couch. Any dedicated hockey fans might compare this to when Jann Arden sang the anthem during the 2003/2004 Stanley Cup playoffs for the Calgary Flames. I felt for her. It was painful.

What prompted me to make my objections known? One of our site’s visitors, Christa, asked in the “Movers and Shakers” thread if anyone had noticed Bublé’s erratic behavior. I breathed a sigh of relief and vowed to dedicate this post to her. So, here’s to you, Christa!

He sang, “Call Me Irresponsible” and that’s what he appeared to be – irresponsible – with his liquor cabinet. He almost seemed like he had forgotten the words, stumbled back to the horns section and then returned in time to finish this “performance.” Look back at the tapes, it was interesting. The saving grace was that the horns seemed to drown him out.

Here’s a question for everyone: Does anyone think that the Idol stage has been the kiss-of-death for celebrity guests? Almost everyone has sounded bad over the years (Stevie Wonder and Rod Stewart stick out in my mind but Gwen Stefani worked it out).

IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE IDOL STAGE???

I’ve said this before. I think the judges can’t even hear properly sometimes. Anyone agree?

Post from: Idol Stalker

Of course, if you like crooners like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, you’ll more than likely be a fan of Michael Buble too.

If so, don’t forget you can pre-order his new album “Call Me Irresponsible” on iTunes.

There’s also a special internet only edition that’s available directly from his website.

Post from: Idol Stalker

The show is starting off and they’re going back through the highlights of last night’s show. Lot’s of good performances, and better performances for many. Sadly, someone has to go home tonight and although I just glanced at the site and I think by seeing the post I know who got voted out, I’m STILL crossing my fingers hoping it will be Sanjaya.

New start off tonight, they’ve already divided the contestants into groups of three. And sadly and shockingly, Sanjaya is with Blake and Chris, so I’m doubting he’s going home yet again.

1. 1st Group: (Probably not going home)
   • Blake Lewis
   • Chris Richardson
   • Sanjaya Malakar
2. 2nd Group: (I’m guessing someone’s going home here)
   • Haley Scarnato
   • Gina Glocksen
   • Phil Stacey
3. 3rd Group: (not going home)
   • Jordin Sparks
   • Melinda Doolittle
   • LaKisha Jones

 American Idol Challenge tonight was nicknamed “Chicken Little”, the answer is Kevin Covais, so go here to enter and get your chance to win $100,000. More about the program of American Idol Gives Back, which I’m very proud of them for doing.

Up next we’ll be seeing Tony Bennett, but he’s sick tonight and he’s not going to be on the show tonight. Instead, we’ve got Michael Buble performing. AWESOME! Lot’s of contestants have been singing his songs this year. Singing “Call Me Irresponsible”, and doing a great job of course. I’ve loved Michael’s music since I first heard about him, but have never seen him perform live, and he’s exceeding my expectations. Many times singers aren’t as good in live performances, but he’s nailing it. It’s amazing he’s the level of crooner that he is at his age. On another note, I need to get the name of the 1st trumpet in the band, that guy is good! Absolutely excellent performance by Michael Buble. Ooh, only drawback is he says he’s still voting for Antonella Barba. He could do much better than that.

Coming back to the vote, Phil Stacey gets sent back safe this week. Good call America. It had better freakin’ not be Gina Glocksen this week. Ryan asks the judges if they got it right and none of them are saying anything!!!! Sanjaya should be in the middle of the stage right now by himself!

After just under 33,000,000 votes, they vote off Gina Glocksen before Haley and Sanjaya!!! This is freakin’ stupid! I am absolutely boycotting Vote For The Worst on anything they do ever again. Wrong America, wrong!

Gina Glocksen is going home

Now Gina’s got to follow-up this travesty of voting fubar and sing again. I hate making them do this, but I guess it’s about the best thing they can do.

We’ll see you next week. Hopefully between now and then the servers hosting Vote For The Worst will crash and self-ignite in a giant fireball. Note: I know the Vote For The Worst link doesn’t go to their website.

Post from: Idol Stalker

Nick Pedro: 25 from Taunton, MA
Dedicating his song to his girlfriend. Singing “Fever”, another song made popular again from Michael Buble. I don’t really like the rhythm of the song the way he’s singing. Just seems off to me. As it’s moving on it’s building and he’s doing a good job with it overall. The guys have really turned it up from last week. I think many of them began to realize that if they didn’t there would be an all-female Top 6.

• Randy – pitchy and rushing a little bit, but very nice
• Paula – loves the tone of his voice, throwback to “Fly Me to the Moon” he did as audition
• Simon – good, didn’t have enough charisma to sing the song. Good voice, just work on the charisma.

— Commercial Break —

Blake Lewis: 25 from Seattle, WA
Dedicating his song to his parents who have inspired him to really pursue his dreams. Blake is singing “Virtual Insanity” by Jamiroquai. I love this song! Sounds like he started off a little too high on the pitch. He’s getting the opportunity to break out into a little beat-boxing and what sounds like scratching in a house mix. The total package is available with Blake! Great voice, unique, dancer and LOADS of charisma.

• Randy – so good to see him return to form, “I LIKE YOU MAN!”
• Paula – smart choices, unique, nobody else like him “WAY TO GO”
• Simon – of course he disagrees. Copycat at the first, originality in the middle section, and tune was off in the last part. “VERY DISAPPOINTED” [I don't like it when they don't let Simon finish his talking and opinion]

— Commercial Break —

Brandon Rogers: 29 from Altadena, CA
Brandon dedicates the song to his grandmother that always pushed him to succeed and to do more with his life. Catching me off guard with a Cyndi Lauper song, “Time After Time”. This is definitely not going to go over well with the judges. I believe he’s sealing his fate with this song. He’s not really doing a good job singing it either. I believe it’s going to be Brandon and Sanjaya going home this week.

• Randy -didn’t like the song choice, didn’t show off his voice like it should have
• Paula – felt his heart in the song and he didn’t have to over-sing the song
• Simon – it’s a singing competition, he has got to come out here and “make a WOW! impact”

Simon is being a little hardcore, smart-a$$ tonight. Let the man mention his dad’s birthday. Nobody said anything when LaKisha mentioned her daughter’s birthday.

Chris Richardson: 22 from Chesapeake, VA
Dedicates the song to his grandmother. Hopefully Simon won’t have a cow. “Geek In the Pink”. I’ve never heard this song before, but the song totally fits Chris’ style and abilities. Song is by Jason Mraz, and reminds me I really like his music. The song has some interesting opportunities to highlight his rapping style, but then slows down and shows off some vocal skills as well.

• Randy – is in it to win it, hotter than the original
• Paula – [didn't say much]
• Simon – “the best tonight by a mile”

— Commercial Break —

Sundance Head: 28 from Porter, TX
Dedicating his performance to his 2-month old son that’s been born since he started this American Idol journey. Sundance chokes up as he talks about the things he’s missing. “Mustang Sally”, this is totally the type of song he needed to come out with. It gets back to his blues roots and the type of sound he had in his auditions. I love the way he has his raspy voice and this song highlights as this well. Lots of energy which is what he needed. I think the judges are going to like him coming back out and showing them why they put him through in the first place.

• Randy – what a difference a week makes, welcome back Sundance. Dropped a bomb on it. That’s the reason he’s here.
• Paula – you’ve gotta sing like this every week. Amazing range. Best vocal he’s ever heard.
• Simon – glad we’ve got the Sundance back that we really like. Encourages him though by saying he can do better.

That’s the end of the show tonight. I’ve said it before already, I think Sanjaya and Brandon have targets on their backs tonight. Nick might be on their heels though.

Post from: Idol Stalker

Phil Stacey: 29 from Jacksonville, FL
Phil Stacey sings “I Ain’t Missing You At All” by John Waite. I still think this guy is one of the top voices in the contest, still not sure about how far he’ll go, but I’d say he’s got at least 2 or 3 weeks left. He’s really doing a great performance of this song. He’s definitely got it together tonight, but he wasn’t too bad last week in my opinion.

• Randy – that was hot, showing everyond his power
• Paula – likes his tone and says she can hear him right now on the radio
• Simon – very popular, but completely “unoriginal” voice. He’s really looking for something unique, not a “very good karoake singer”

— Commercial Break — 

Interviewing in the “red” room, Sundance says his friends told him to be less “crappy”. I agree, he really needs to turn it on and show us what he did in the original auditions.

Jared Cotter: 25 from Long Island, NY
Singing a little Marvin Gaye and coming out strong with “Let’s Get It On”. I can’t hear this song without immediately thinking of an episode of “The King of Queens”. If you watch it, you’ll know what I mean. Jared’s taking a step up this week. It’s good to see the guys starting off stronger than last week. Not sure if Simon’s going to like it though, and he said to be a littler riskier from last week. He’s doing a good job though.

• Randy – little pitchy, but liked the face move
• Paula – good looking guy, Paula is losing it, too much innuendo
• Simon – appreciates the attempt, but reminded him of the “Love Boat”, as a cabaret singer (Jared follows it up with “That would have been a great love boat man”)

A.J. Tabaldo: 22 from Santa Maria, CA
Dedicating his song to his mom and dad and singing Michael Buble’s version of “Feeling Good”. I like Buble, and A.J. isn’t doing too badly of a version, but is cracking on a few areas moving across his range. We’ll see

• Randy - so much better than last week, proves he’s got skills
• Paula – real, real, real, real good voice. Like’s seeing the change
• Simon – actually “nearly, very good”. Tuning problems. Made himself different and stand-out with some personality

— Commercial Break —

Sanjaya Malakar: 17 from Seattle, WA
He’s dedicating his performance to his grandfather who died when he was five and wears his wedding ring on stage. Singing “Steppin’ Out” with a little jazz, swing kick. Not sure he’s doing enough. Still can’t believe he was won of the top guys in votes last week. Not sure what he’s going on. He’s not bad, just not in the same league with the majority of the other guys in the group this year. Strong voice, but Simon will say he’s “forgettable”.

• Randy – nice kid, really weird, bad high school talent show. Really didn’t work for him.
• Paula – sang on pitch, sounded good, old soul, but needs to pick songs that celebrate his youth
• Simon – some ghastly lunch where the parents asked the children to sing. Very weak. A little weird and absolutely no impact.  

He picked the song to dedicate it to his grandfather, just may not have been the best decision.

— Commercial Break —

Chris Sligh: 28 from Greenville, SC
Dedicates it to his wife who has supported him through all the times he’s wanted to give-up and quit. Singing “Trouble”, and I’m not sure who sings it (Lindsey Buckingham, remade by Coldplay?). He’s doing a great job. I just love his personality and attitude. We’ll see what the judges say though.

• Randy – even better than last week, big voice, he’s got skills, good song choice
• Paula – watch your pitch, getting ahead of the music
• Simon – tonight he was a “very good singer” which is why they put him through

Ryan reminded me that Taylor Hicks did that song last season. Definitely a song that would fit Taylor’s Soul Patrol style.

Post from: Idol Stalker