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'American Idol' Elimination Predictions: Not Looking Good For Jacob And Stefano

Posted 4/21/11 12:23 pm EST by in American Idol


You know it's a wacky week on "American Idol" when James Durbin is the one everyone is raving about thanks to a marching-band-assisted cover of Muse and a Mad Max-meets-My Chemical Romance outfit that made musical inspiration Adam Lambert seem like a jeans-and-T-shirt guy by comparison.

But Wednesday night's "Music of the 21st Century" night was kind of like that. Untouchable Scotty McCreery was kind of flat, people seemed to like Haley Reinhart again and wasted save Casey Abrams was back to his serial killer eyes and stuck-pig rock grunting as if he hasn't been paying any attention to what the judges and Jimmy Iovine have told him not to do.

So, who is going home? Tough call.

MTV's own "Idol Party Live" host Jim Cantiello predicted that the next three weeks of elimination are all about Jacob Lusk, Stefano Langone and Reinhart. "The three of them seem to have fanbases significantly smaller than everyone else," he suggested. "Jacob tossed the dead dad card in the ring [on Wednesday night], so he's safe. General consensus is that Haley delivered one of, if not THE, strongest vocals of the night, so she won't be going home just yet."
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'American Idol' Recap: James Durbin Violates The Geneva Conventions

Posted 4/21/11 8:49 am EST by in American Idol


Three months ago, if you had told me that "American Idol X: F--- F---" was going to have a theme week about recent music, I would have said, "Yeah, and Katherine Heigl will make a good movie one day." But holy crap. That's exactly what "Idol" did Wednesday night. Sorry, Stevie Wonder. Your revenue stream off "Idol" royalties is going on a one-week hiatus. You'll live.

The show kicked off with a montage of auditions. Oh, the good old days, back when we thought Steven Tyler was a passionate judge and Casey Abrams was a goofy guy who'd never step to Jimmy Iovine. Our egomaniacs used to be so adorable when they were young.

Before I get interrupted by a random, pointless drum line, let me quickly remind you to catch our weekly post-performance interactive chat show, "Idol Party Live," at noon right here in this very blog. My co-host for the week will be Rolling Stone writer/superstar and all around hilarious dude Rob Sheffield.

Now on to the performances!

Paul McD and the Idol X Losers
Song: Pink's "So What"
Verdict: So What The Frick!

Hey, America! Remember the five girls you didn't care about enough to keep on "Idol"? They're back! Dare you to remember their names! (Psssst, the one inexplicably singing in a baby voice is Ashthon. The one dressed like sexy Olivia Newton-John at the end of "Grease" is Karen.) You all know that Naima Adedapo holds a special place in my heart, what with her high kicks and "boom fiyahs." But my love grew even deeper as she shed layers of clothing throughout the song, like a toddler overheating at a family function. I'd kill to watch a Naima reality show, although we probably wouldn't see much, given her propensity for tossing jackets over camera lenses.
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'American Idol' Castoff Paul McDonald Answers MTV News' 10 Questions

Posted 4/20/11 11:53 pm EST by in American Idol


By Rya Backer

Paul McDonald was a favorite of ours on this season's "American Idol." His dance moves, bedazzled suits and singular vocals won us over early on, so we were sad to see him go last Thursday. But all those frowns turned into smiles really quickly when he swung by MTV News earlier this week — especially for me, since I learned that I (Jim's "Idol Party Live" co-producer) would take on the Q&A.

In addition to a winning (well, eighth place isn't that bad) smile, the26-year-old raspy-voiced rambler is very funny and, as we learned during the interview, very, very excited by the idea of pancake batter shooting out of his navel.

Sure, we asked McDonald about his budding romance with actress Nikki Reed. And, of course, we asked him about what music he's working on. And yes, we had him explain his cameo in this music video. But we "Idol" fanatics wanted to know more. Like, who is his favorite member of TLC? What would the name of his debut album be? How could he have fixed the Spider-Man musical? All these questions and then some were answered in our weekly "10 Questions."

Check in with us Thursday at noon ET for more with Mr. McDonald (not this one) and talk with Jim Cantiello, who will be joined by music writer Rob Sheffield and Yahoo!'s Lyndsey Parker. Tweet your thoughts on tonight's performance show using the hashtag #idolparty, and you may be a co-star in Thursday afternoon's live broadcast!

What do you think is next for Paul? Let us know in the comments!

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'American Idol' Celebrates Songs Of The 21st Century With Bruce Springsteen?

Posted 4/19/11 11:16 am EST by in American Idol


Given that the theme of this week's "American Idol" is "Songs from the 21st Century," it's only natural that the Top 7 are being mentored by Bruce Springsteen, a guy who's about as 21st century as Spanish Influenza.

Then again, we'd expect nothing less from "Idol," which, in its tenth season, has tossed common sense by the wayside. The judges seem hell-bent on praising even the most underwhelming of talent (shout-out to Haley Reinhart!), or preserving their chances with ill-advised saves (shout-out to Casey Abrams!), even if that strategy eventually comes back to bite them — and the show — in the butt (shout-out to Pia Toscano!) There's been the bats--t "mentoring" of Will.I.Am, who seems incapable of making sense, host Ryan Seacrest's constantly evolving hairstyles, and, of course, terrifying performances from folks like Constantine Maroulis and Iggy Pop.

In short, this season has been a mess, to the point where making Springsteen the mentor during "Songs from the 21st Century" week almost makes sense. Still, we'd be remiss if we didn't point out that there are a whole lot of other artists the "Idol" folks could've booked this week ... most of whom were not born during the Truman administration. Don't get us wrong, none of them could carry the Boss's Jersey Jock, but they're at least, you know, 21st Century. Who'd we pick? Read on to find out!

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'American Idol' Predictions Results: Paul McDonald Grins And Bears It

Posted 4/15/11 1:30 pm EST by in American Idol


So much for talent and personality winning the day. "American Idol" viewers just never seemed to cotton to Paul McDonald. Though the Nashville native has the kind of rasp that is selling tons of records for Mumford & Sons and plenty of tickets for Ray LaMontagne, not to mention a 1,000 watt smile, sharp dress sense and a goofy, but polished stage presence, the good guy singer was sent packing on Thursday night's elimination show.

Yes, I'm mad that I was alone among our experts in not calling his demise, but maybe I was just in denial. I mean, let's review here: Paul, who could record an album today that would likely outsell last year's "winner" Lee DeWyze in a minute, is out. That means we're left with simpering Stefano Langone, cornpone Scotty McCreery, unmarketable Jacob Lusk and straight metal Adam Lambert (a.k.a. James Durbin). Oh, and "sexy" scatter Casey Abrams. Really America?
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'American Idol' Elimination Predictions: Paul McDonald May Have To Pack His Fancy Suit

Posted 4/14/11 10:47 am EST by in American Idol, Music



I've kind of given up on "American Idol" at this point. The judges have clearly decided to serve up only bland platitudes, the remaining group of singers are an uninspired mish-mash of personalities whose quirky shticks feel stronger than their voices and the judges look like they're watching the NBA playoffs under their console.

And Casey Abrams? Really? If his "Nature Boy" was as good as Jennifer Lopez claimed, I need to make a run for the urban oasis of noise that is Times Square.

Wednesday night's show was the perfect example of what's gone wrong, down to Lopez's claim that you don't have to be a pop star to win "Idol," but that you can be a Norah Jones-like jazzbo and sell 17 million albums. Guess which jazzhead has sold 17 million albums since Jones? Right, none. Guess which winning guy has sold 17 million albums to date coming off "Idol"? None, not all put together, multiplied by 10,000 and supplemented by 15 million more.

That said, Casey doesn't seem like the most likely man to finally break the season 10 drought of male eliminations. "Paul McDonald, your time has come for you to face the music," said MTV News "Idol Party Live!" host Jim Cantiello. "Your 'Old Time Rock and Roll' was fun, but it was REALLY fun on mute. This is a break-up we've known was coming for awhile. We both know that this wasn't a good fit."

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'American Idol' Recap: Casey Abrams, Jazz Visionary?

Posted 4/14/11 8:57 am EST by in American Idol


The popcorn is popped! The 40 lb box of Junior Mints, opened! Turn off your cell phones, make a donation to the Will Rogers Institute and shush the giggly teenager behind you, because Wednesday night was "Songs of the Cinema" on "American Idol X: No Girls Allowed!"

With Pia Toscano off gallivanting with Ellen DeGeneres and record labels (so says the rumor mill!), the top eight faced even more scrutiny than usual. From viewers, that is. We all know the judges cheerleaders would give the contestants a standing ovation even if they just belched the alphabet. Unless that contestant's name rhymes with Paley Fineheart. (More on that later.)

But by the time the final note was shouted, the last "amazing" critique was uttered and the phone numbers were recapped, not one "Idol" stood out as being the next biggest thing in pop music. Nor jazz music, for that matter, regardless of the standing ovations from noted jazz critics Jennifer "Anaconda" Lopez, Randy "I Get Texts From R&B Relics" Jackson and Steven "Boca Blouse" Tyler. (More on that later, too.)

Before I go on a rant about how will.i.am should change his name to will.i.am.never.ever.leaving.this.show.can.you.blame.me.i.have.to.work.with.fergie, here's a quick programming note! My live, interactive "Idol" chat show, "Idol Party Live" is premiering at its new time, NOON EDT, right here in this very blog! Really!

My special guests this week are season six fave Melinda Doolittle and "Idol" blogger MJ Santilli of the encyclopedic MJsBigBlog.com. We'll be dishing all about Wednesday night's episode as well as predicting Thursday night's Bottom Three. Plus, Barbara Walters' Cardboard Cutout will be doing a striptease. Fun times!

And now ... to the performances! In keeping with the movie theme, all of my verdicts will be recent Oscar nominees.
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'American Idol' Castoff Pia Toscano Answers MTV News' 10 Questions

Posted 4/12/11 7:38 pm EST by in American Idol, Music


Ballad enthusiast Pia Toscano has been on a whirlwind press tour ever since being unceremoniously tossed off "American Idol" last week. (Oh, stop feigning shock, America. You didn't vote for her, dammit!) You can catch her on the "Today" show, "Live! With Regis & Kelly" and even MTV.com dodging questions about signing to major labels and dismissing rumored boy toy (and "Dancing With the Stars" pro) Mark Ballas as "just a friend."

But only MTV News asks the real questions — the questions that matter, the questions that keep our nation up at night, the questions that demand decisions that make Sophie's choice look like "paper or plastic."

So take a break from the hundreds of Pia "we'll see what happens with Interscope" interviews beaming out there on your TV sets and your computer screens and sink your teeth into MTV News' definitive Pia Toscano sit-down. Without further ado, we bring you: "10 Questions With Pia Toscano." You'll never think of "Deep Impact" the same way again.

All kidding aside, with Pia's powerhouse voice out of the competition, how will the top eight's Songs From the Cinema show play out? Who will step up and knock his or her vocals out of the park?

For a playful in-depth discussion of all things "Idol," you simply cannot miss my weekly show, "Idol Party Live," on Thursday at noon ET, only on MTVNews.com. This week's guests include season-six star Melinda Doolittle, "Idol" super-blogger MJ Santilli (from MJsBigBlog.com) and, of course, you! Tweet your thoughts on Wednesday night's performance show using the hashtag #idolparty, and you may be a co-star in Thursday afternoon's live broadcast!

What do you think is next for Pia? Let us know in the comments!

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Kelly Clarkson Is Returning To 'Idol,' Here's Who Should Be Next!

Posted 4/11/11 11:42 am EST by in American Idol, Music, Television


By now, you're probably aware that Kelly Clarkson will return to "American Idol" this week, to perform her current Country smash "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Jason Aldean during Thursday night's results show.

Obviously, we're pumped by the news — after all, we loved Kelly's last album, 2009's All I Ever Wanted — and we're glad to see her stepping back into the spotlight to promote her still-too-far-away new album (she did a medley of her greatest hits last week on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" last week). But, to be honest, it's not like this is the first time she'll be back on the show — shoot, she was on just last year, joining other "Idol" faves in a tribute performance to departing judge Simon Cowell — so we'd like to use this opportunity to shine a light on some of Clarkson's fellow "A.I." alumni ... because, really, they could use the love.

So, with Kelly booked, here are five other former "American Idol" contestants we'd like to see take the stage this year, for reasons as perverse as they are profound. After all, anybody's better than Iggy Pop, right?

» Antonella Barba: As those photos of her cavorting in the fountains of the National World War II Memorial proved, she is certainly the most, uh, patriotic contestant in "Idol" history (take that, Kristy Lee Cook!), and judging by her official site, her schedule's clear. Plus, with Glenn Beck vacating our airwaves, someone needs to fill the "marginally talented jingoist" slot, don't they?

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'American Idol' Cast-Offs Thia And Naima Answer Our 10 Questions

Posted 4/8/11 3:13 pm EST by in American Idol


By Rya Backer

Long (OK, two weeks) before last night's Elimination Heard Around the World, there was the Judges' Save Heard Around the World, when on Casey Abrams was given a second chance to play his upright bass for all the country to see. Because nobody was eliminated that week, a double send-off was promised the week after, and on March 31, Thia Megia and Naima Adedapo bid farewell and one final "Boom, fiyah!" to the viewing audience.

The pair landed in our studio on Monday for an interview, as is routine with all ousted "Idol" contestants, and following talk about eliminations and just how well they all got along, we delved into a set of 10 irreverent questions to help us better get to know our fallen Idols. The Q&A usually makes its debut during our weekly live roundup of all things Idol, "Idol Party Live," but with the show on hiatus until next week, we still couldn't resist sharing their answers.

So watch on to discover what Naima may title her debut album and what her least-favorite word is. Learn who each lady's favorite member of TLC was. And feel fairly old when Thia admits that she has no idea who New Kids on the Block is.
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