The American Idol producers thought last week’s show went so well, they might as well do an “encore night” of Beatles songs. I guarantee you they regret their decision today. Last night, most of the contestants chose to pass on some of the more well-known Beatles songs, and very few performances stuck out. Luckily, for Kristy Lee Cook though, no one was completely dreadful this week, either. Amanda Overmyer finally got a chance to open the show last night, and I thought she looked great. Thank goodness they stopped overdoing it with her style.

As far as her sound, well, it was the same-old, same-old, and I think her time might be running out unless she can show us something new next week.

Kristy Lee Cook was as boring as usual. She is so out of her league in this competition, it’s ridiculous. Sadly, my favorite lady, Brooke White, was also fairly bland. She sang “Here Comes the Sun,” and when I say that’s what she sang, I’m being literal. Those were virtually the only lyrics she used in the entire performance. It was repetitive and awkward. She was totally out of her element, and I was totally disappointed. I’m just going to forget about that performance and focus back on “Let It Be” and “Love Is a Battlefield.”

The one bright spot on the night was our favorite Irish lady, Carly Smithson. She definitely loses points in my book, though, for her odd (and unnecessary) use of symbolism while explaining to Simon why she chose, out of the entire Beatles’ collection, to sing about a blackbird. … continue reading

So last night was '80s night on American Idol, and I got to hear some of my favorite songs. (What's wrong with Simon — how can he not recognize the awesomeness of "I Drove All Night"?! And I do mean the Cyndi Lauper version, of course.)

I think Amanda Overmyer totally redeemed herself, after a very weak performance last week.

It helped that she sang one of my favorite songs ever, Joan Jett's "I Hate Myself for Loving You." Here it is:

I love myself for loving the way Amanda's so unimpressed by the whole Idol experience!

And Ramiele Malubay did a great job with a song I thought I never needed to hear again, Phil Collins' "Against All Odds."

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Last night, the final 12 Idol girls tried to impress America. I was mildly entertained, but where's this year's Melinda Doolittle or Jennifer Hudson? I guess we mustn't be greedy.

After the show, I looked at my list of favorites so far and realized their first names all start and end with an a (or at least end with an "uh" sound): Amanda Overmyer, Alexandréa Lushington and Asia'h Epperson. Weird!

Amanda:

Alexandréa:

Asia'h:

The pattern would have been broken if I had been able to include Syesha Mercado, and I was expecting to. But, as my girlfriend said, last night Syesha was more like Sy-yeeeesh!-a. Not the best song choice, although Simon did like it.

Anyway, Amanda Overmyer is definitely my girl this year, and I hope she lasts a while. She can actually rock, rather than just pretend to rock, and she seems very down-to-earth. (Her Q&A on the Idol website is great — "Q: What other talents do you have?" "A: Harley rider, good cook.") Plus, that hair! It's some sort of Elvira-meets-Debbie-Harry-meets-Concrete-Blonde look. Here she is singing "Baby Please Don't Go": … continue reading

Now that the weeks-long exercise in public humiliation — aka the audition phase — is over, I can finally watch American Idol. Last night, the Hollywood round began, which means tonight we'll meet the 12 women and 12 men who will vie for the ultimate title.

I already have a favorite: Amanda Overmyer, the goth nurse from Indiana. The Janis Joplin comparison is probably going to get old, but she really does have that groove. The minute Amanda started singing last night, my girlfriend laughed and said, "You're such a sucker for a gravelly voice." I am, I am! Plus, Amanda reminds me of Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde.

Here she is with that whiskey-soaked voice of hers:

Meanwhile, I'm not quite sure what I think of Carly Smithson yet. She's the one who has already had a record deal, which still makes me go hmm. But she did belt the hell out of that great Heart song "Alone" last night (after a slow start), and I can't help but dig her tattoos. … continue reading