American Idol Minicap: Sudden Death in Vegas parts 1 and 2

It’s sudden death…but not the kind that happens to up-and-coming rappers on the Strip.

Drive-by shooting leads to 6-vehicle collision; 3 dead

It’s been a busy week in Vegas, Gasmii! Not only was there a Tupac-style gundown just a block from where Tupcac himself was riddled with bullets

(may he rest in peace),

American Idol is in town for the first of three weeks!

Just keep your head down and your eyes peeled and you should be fine.

As the semifinals begin at the Mirage, another “twist” is thrown at the contestants when they learn that they will sing in groups of 10, with five being eliminated and five moving forward in “sudden death” fashion. I’m actually impressed Idol is still trying to mix things up a little bit; Survivor gave up a few seasons ago even pretending they hadn’t already done everything. But it seems like a silly twist – what if the 10 best female singers are all in the same group?

I never did really figure out how this was sudden death. After the contestants sang they waited agonizingly to find out if they were one of the five from their group to make it through. And the cuts didn’t happen “sudden”ly; they happened during clearly pre-planned, blocked scenes where the contestants knew they were about to learn their fate. Maybe Idol has Alanis Morisette on staff.

ironic: misfortunate as sudden death: bracketed semifinal

The ladies take the stage first, with Wednesday night bringing us the first group of 10:

From L to R: Jenny Beth Willis, Tenna Torres, Adriana Latonio, Brandy Hotard, Shubha Vedula, Kamaria Ousley, Kree Harrison, Angela Miller, Isabelle, Amber Holcomb.

Thursday night we hear from the first 10 men:

From L to R (back row): Kurtis Finch, Jr., Devin Velez, Chris Watson, Johnny Keyser and Kevin Harris; L to R (front row) Paul Jolley, JDA, Charlie Askew, Elijah Llu and Jimmy Smith

With more time to devote to each contestant, we get some back story before each performs. One of the ladies went to Camp Mariah as a youngster. I’m a little jealous, but mostly just irritated that this chick is so obviously kissing Mariah’s still unspanxed rear end. Among the men is one contestant who was also in the semifinals last year and who will likely audition for Idol every season until he’s 28. There’s also a very colorful individual who thankfully seems to forget this is a singing competition and ends up using his time mostly to writhe around on the floor.

The critiques also get longer. I had a nearly opposite reaction than the judges to quite a few of the contenders. My music background is fairly extensive (although long ago) so I don’t think it’s because the judges are music people and I’m not. It could be a taste thing as in theirs is awful or I’m just way out of the loop. By way of evidence, albeit visual, Mariah and Nikki both raved about this girl’s outfit.

Seriously?

Skin tight checkered pants are so unforgiving.

Each night after everyone has a chance to perform, they’re called before the judges one by one. At a predetermined time, just fyi; not “sudden”ly at all. Ryan even says “they’ll learn their fate right here, right now.” The contestants who are moving on are granted a stool to sit in onstage, while the losers are quickly ushered out, their hopes permanently dashed.

Given the judges’ comments, the ladies’ results brought little surprise. The decisions on Thursday weren’t so clear cut, however, and former Idol guest judge and Interscope Records chairman Jimmy Iovine purportedly has to step back in as a tiebreaker judge.  Never mind the fact that he has to say yes or risk forcing some sort of singoff.  Ha sudden death…after a singoff.  So…ironic?

At the end of week 1 in Vegas, we’re left with our first 10 finalists. When we see them again in a couple of weeks, it will finally be time for America to decide their fate. Well, America and/or a bunch of random bot-voting computer software. Whichevs.  Exciting either way!

In other exciting news, I think I’m going to try and get in on one of the tapings next week.  A real live gasmiite in the semifinal studio audience…can you even imagine?  Sadly there is a strict dress code that prohibits logos and tshirts, so I won’t be clad in my I LOVE TVGASM finest.  Also, I’m not even certain if I’ll get in – check out the rest of the dress code:

“Hip, upscale attire is mandatory.”

I don’t even know if I own anything like that.  If it looks like checkered pants and a fancy purple bra peeking through a white tailored jacket (see above), I for sure don’t.  And what is this “colorful spring colors” business?  It seems like it may be more stress than it’s worth, but I’ll definitely keep you posted on how it turns out!

I’ll have the full recap up shortly. I’m taking over the rest of the season with the goal of a minicap the (PST) morning after each show and a full recap of both shows up by Sunday night.  I’m awfully new around here so please feel free to let me know if you have any suggestions.

How do you think this season is shaping up?  Are you convinced the winner will finally be female given the ladies’ talent, or is your favorite one of the men?  How funny was it when Seacrest commented about finally being able to see eye to eye with another human being…to the girl who is 5’0″?  Does hearing things like “The Beatles’ Love Theater by Cirque de Soleil” make you long for the days when the Cotton Bowl was just the Cotton Bowl and not the Soft Drink/Beer/Snack Food/Insurance Company/Restaurant Chain Cotton Bowl like it does me?

Thanks for reading.  See you soon!

NP