Big Changes for American Idol Season 10

American Idol is getting a major face lift.... ! Not only are Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres replaced by Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, a slew of other changes are in store for the next season. Here goes the rumor mill!

• The elimination process will now skip the voters straight to one sudden death Top 20 (instead of the three-week Top 24 of season 9), leaving voters with a final top 10, 12 or 15 group. Most likely a top 10 or 12.
• No more maintaining the same number of girls and boys until the voting starts. This is awesome. I hated watching a fantastic girl (or guy) go home just to keep the numbers balanced!
• Viewers will be able to vote online in addition to phoning or texting their votes
• Band leader Rickey Minor (now the band leader on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno) is being replaced by music director Ray Chew
• The set has gone through a total revamp to a more "arena" feel. The former band section up top is now audience seating
• Contestants will again live in the Idol mansion and have the opportunity to perform original songs
• Theme week will be entirely different. No longer will we need to watch an edgy hard rocker struggle through country week. Every song will be customized for each contestant
• Contestants will be mentored by Interscope/Geffen/A&M music exec Jimmy Iovine
• Songs will be released as the season progresses instead of waiting until season-end

American Idol Season 10 premieres January 19, 2011 on Fox. It will be exciting to see which of the rumored changes are implemented!

American Idol 9 Top 11 Theme: Teen Idol Week

AINow.org just tweeted that the Top 11 Idols will be performing songs from Teen Idols. Not really sure what this means? But iTunes is expected to help out by posting a list of songs that will expand on the theme. Kind of
a stupid idea in my opinion... and someone PLEASE tell Katie Stevens to back away from the Frankie Avalon tunes!

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Lacey Brown is Booted from Idol

The Judges' Save is being reinstuted for Season 9. The judging panel will have the option of saving one contestant through week 5. As with Season 8, the save can only be used once during the entire season. The one minor change in the save process is that the contestant is able to select a song to "sing for their lives" rather than performing the song that got them into the position of needing to be saved. A kindness to be sure.

Lacey Brown was the first of the top 12 to be eliminated. Not a big surprise as Lacey tended to be pitchy and was not consistent throughout the live shows. Simon's most recent feedback said that she seemed to approach each song as if she were an actress, perhaps suggesting that she should consider musical comedy. Lacey's roomie, Paige Miles, and Tim urban joined Lacey to make up the bottom 3 before the final elimination.

Tim's survival generated the biggest surprise, as he probably deserved the boot more than either of the two ladies. Just goes to show how helpful the tweenager vote is for the cuter male contestants on the 'Idol' stage.

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Did the 'Idol' Top 12 Kill It? Or Manage to Kill the Rolling Stones?

I'll admit it: I was afraid. The thought of this year's Idols making music from the hits of the Rolling Stones was the furthest thing from a match made in heaven that I have imagined in some time. For me, the season has become about Crystal Bowersox... and the rest. Although I still am holding out hope that Didi will rise to the occasion, and of course there is Casey James :) So who were you loving last night? And who are you hoping will get the boot tonight?

Several of the remaining finalists managed to botch their assigned songs quite handily. Katie Stevens managed to turn the tale of romantic longing told in "Wild Horses" into a pitchy plea for votes (or something). Andrew Garcia missed thje boat on the fierce anti-war anthem. And Tim Urban... (sigh)... well... let's just say sexual domination reggae style just didn't work for me.

In fairness to the contestants, three-chord songs that require a limited vocal range don't have a chance at sounding good performed by anyone except the iconic "Stones." And Crystal Bowersox did manage to do a stellar job, while a few fellow contestants managed to do themselves proud. So the evening was not a total loss. But close. If I was Keith Richards, I would be rolling... somewhere... that's for sure.

Here's my thoughts on grading the contestants that performed last night.

Excellent: Didi Benami, Crystal Bowersox

Good: Siobhan Magnus, Lee Dewyze, Aaron Kelly, Michael Lynche, Casey James

Satisfactory (I guess): Paige Miles, Katie Stevens, Tim Urban

Disappointing: Lacey Brown, Andrew Garcia

It will be interesting to see if I am on track for this week's voting results... or if my Idol radar is still way off base!

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Katelyn Epperly, Todrick Hall, Alex Lambert and Lilly Scott ELIMINATED!

WOW! I don't know about all of you, but the elimination down to the top 12 was totally BIZARRE! Lilly Scott being eliminated from her pimp spot is definitely a first! And Alex Lambert definitely deserved to stay rather than Tim Urban. Katie Stevens has not had a good night since the live shows started! And let's not even get into her pageant-like demeanor. I thought for sure that the girls leaving would be either Katie, Paige Miles or Lacey Brown. Katelyn Epperly definitely deserved a slot over all three of them! Andrew Garcia also needs to count himself lucky and step up his game. The only one I seem to have had right is Todrick Hall. Can't say that I will miss his overdone arrangements and poor performances.

American Idol 9 Top 8 Boys Review

Now for the boys turn... The boys are quite a bit tougher for me to do than the girls because none of them stand out for me the way the girls do.

1. Casey James got a tough go from the judges last week, but was viewed very favorably by the audience in spite of the judges' critique. He is a shue-in for the top 12... but could really use a break out performance to separate from the pack.
2. Michael "Big Mike" Lynche is a loveable teddy bear who will likely get through to the top 12 just on likeability alone.
3. Lee Dewyze is loved more by the judges than the voting public and could really use some popular appeal. I think he has done enough to safely get into the top 12 though. – The judges love him, but I’m not sure the rest of America appreciates his awkward and somewhat pitchy performances.
4. Aaron Kelly is in a similar position to Katie Stevens - not quite ready for the big time. He is splitting the tween vote with Tim Urban and Alex Lambert too. Of the 3, I think he is safest, but he needs a stellar performance to safely separate himself from the other 2 tween heart throbs.
5. Alex Lambert does not seem sure of himself and quite a nervous wreck during each performance. But last week I think we saw the beginnings of "what could be" if he can ever get over his nerves. I think if he can squeak through the next few weeks, we may seem someone special in the making.
6. Andrew Garcia is still surviving on his Hollywood week performance and desperately needs to get back on track to stay in the game.
7. Tim Urban NEEDS a great performance tonight to have a shot at advancing. But the tweenagers might be able to save him, particularly if the judges come out for him tonight. I think that Tim needs to go at this point.
8. Todrick Hall has repeatedly made the same mistake of rearranging songs until they are not recognizable and then performing them badly. He needs a miracle to stay on the show at this point.

American Idol 9 Top 8 Girls Review

My “wish-list” for after tonight’s American Idol 9 Top 8 Performance episode. I think Paige and Katie will be going home this week based on tonight's performances. With all of the girl singer-songwriters, Paige really had a chance to break from the pack tonight as the lone R&B singer, but picked the totally wrong song to do that with. There's still a chance Lacey could go home if this week's performance was not enough to win her some votes.

1. Crystal Bowersox: Still the front-runner not only for the girls, but for the entire group by a mile. As Simon says, it is Crystal's to lose at this point. She's in her own league.
2. Didi Benami: Just when we thought former front-runner Didi was not able to compete, she pulled it out with her performance of "Rianna" by Fleetwood Mac. Definitely her best live performance. The judges loved it. Hopefully not too little too late?
3. Siobhan Magnus: Siobhan wowed the judges last week with her power-note at the end of “Think,” but under impressed this week with her rendition of "House of the Rising Sun." While likable and quirky, Simon called this week's performance "weird" and Kara finally pulled out the "not sure who you are as an artist" jab.
4. Lilly Scott: While the judges adores Lilly's confidence and indie style, she is a bit aloof and has the potential to have problems connecting with the audience. Simon cited her lack of wow factor this week.
5. Katelyn Epperly: Impressed with her version of Coldplay’s “The Scientist” last week, the judges were not impressed with her Carole King performance this week. She's one to watch, but is not consistent. They did like the hair though.
6. Lacey Brown: I was pretty surprised when Lacey made it through last week. Until tonight she has not been able to get a handle on her nerves. She pulled it out tonight. Again, hopefully not too little too
late.
7. Katie Stevens: An early front-runner with great vocal chops, it has been apparent throughout the live competition that Katie does not yet know how to use her voice and has not yet settled on a style. She's also pretty stiff on stage. Entirely possible she could be going home this week.
8. Paige Miles: With very little on-screen exposure prior to the semi-finals, Paige has been having big problems with song selection. Tonight was no different with her selection of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile." Very pitchy and dull performance. Simon outed her as facing the end of the road.

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Did America get it right this week on 'Idol?'

Even with getting rehearsal time cut short, four of the top 10 guys (Michael Lynche, Lee DeWyze, Andrew Garcia and Casey James) proved to me that they are ready for the finals.

Some of the ladies of "American Idol", singing a day late this week, were definitely worth the wait on Wednesday night's show, with performances by Crystal Bowersox, Lilly Scott, Siobhan Magnus and Katelyn Epperly that clearly overshadowed anything that any of the guys brought to the table. But the question remains, should the show's producers have shortchanged the guys' rehearsal time by a day because of Bowersox's illness? Something that had never been done before in the history of Idol?

Thursday night we then learned that John Park, Jermaine Sellers, Michelle Delamor and Haeley Vaughn have crooned their last notes on "American Idol." No surprises really.

Soooo... Do you think the voters got it right this time around?

Watch the live blog next Tuesday when the girls take the Idol stage... probably... ;) I am still holding out hope that Didi Benami can pull it together before it's too late. She was easily my favorite to take the title this year, but just has not had the caliber of performances in the live shows that I saw in her during
Hollywood week.

And don't forget that Scott MacIntyre will return on March 11 to sing his new song “Heartstrings.” He will also be joined by fellow Season 8 finalist, Matt Giraud, for a duet of Billy Joel’s “Tell Her About It”,
the one that was originally to air during the season 8 finale.

Speaking of Season 8... Nick Mitchell, aka "Norman Gentle", remember him? Nick is slated to appear as an emcee for a four-month Vegas Idol Review. Two Idol winners and some additional finalists will be
featured. More on that later. Nick is also working on a satirical single called “Brit Slap” written by some folks who have worked with Billy Joel and Paul McCartney. Watch for it!

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American Idol Top 20... Who's Going Home?

So who gets the boot tonight? This week is pretty easy to pick... For the guys, I am guessing it will be either Todrick Hall, Jermaine Sellers or John Park. None of them have been able to break out in a significant or positive way.

For the girls it is a bit tougher... I am thinking either Haeley Vaughn, Lacey Brown, Paige Miles or Michelle Delamor. Unfortunately, Didi Benami could be in trouble too, but I think she will probably stick around for another week or two. Hopefully she can get her act back together quickly as she seemed to be one of the real frontrunners before the live shows started, and was my personal favorite after Hollywood Week.

In addition to the voting results, keep an eye out for Danny Gokey performing his new single on Idol tonight. Scott MacIntyre also returns to the ‘Idol’ stage on March 11 to perform “Heartstrings” from his album of the same name, which is being released that same day.

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Ready for Thursday's Idol Results show? Did you remember to vote?

Well... the pressure was on tonight for the Top 12 male ''Idol'' contestants after a less than spectacular Tuesday from the ladies. My overall favorites from this week... Casey James and Crystal Bowersox. Will be interesting to see who the four are going home tomorrow. If you need the numbers to call for your favorite guys, they are posted on the American Idol spoilers page. As a special treat: Allison Iraheta and Kris Allen will also be special guests for the live results show tomorrow.

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SPOILER ALERT! American Idol Top 24!

SPOILER ALERT! American Idol viewers learned tonight that Season 9's Top 24 includes Michael Lynche, Didi Benami, Katelyn Epperley, Casey James, Aaron Kelly, Lee Dewyze and Todrick Hall. The seven were the first announced during tonight's 2-hour broadcast. The remaining 17 semi-finalists will be announced during the Wednesday, February 17th broadcast at 9 PM EST.

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SPOILER ALERT: 'American Idol' Top 24 leaked

But you probably already knew that ;) Here's my take on Season 9's rumored top 24!

Top 12 Guys
Aaron Kelly: 16 years old from Sonestown, Pennsylvania. Up and comer in the country world. Winner of Disney World's American Idol Experience attraction. Season 9's answer to David Archuleta ;)
Alex Lambert: 19 year old from North Richland Hills, Texas. Not bad vocals, but he forgets the words to his original tune in his demo video. Can you say Jason Castro?
Andrew Garcia: 23 year old from Moreno Valley, California. Really impressive audition with Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning". A definite favorite to go far in the competition! Even if his glasses remind me of Danny Gokey.
Casey James: This guy is adorable if you are into the blonde and scruffy (OK - I am!), and rounds out the look with a pretty cool alt/rock sound. Great with a blues guitar too! Unfortunately Casey has generated some controversy with some criminal charges related to DUI and driving with an invalid license back in 2001-2002. I'll be surprised if he's not still in it towards the end though.
Chris Golightly: Chris has a "nice" voice and quite a back story... growing up in a number of foster homes. Call me crazy... but something about the look in his eyes reminds me of Kevin Covais.
Jermaine Sellers: A former BET "Sunday's Best" talent show contestant, 26 year old Jermaine has been caring for his mom since her spina bifida diagnosis. His rendition of "What If God Was One Of Us" for his AI audition was awesome.
John Park: The frat boy from Northwestern University is this season's Anoop Desai. He sailed through the call back auditions with guest judge Shania Twain's endorsement of his "bottom end."
Joe Munoz: 19 year old Jose (Joe) is a two-time auditioner from Los Angeles. He sings in English AND Spanish, and plays guitar. Not much else available on him and he has not been featured in any of the episodes that have aired to date.
Lee DeWyze: The Chicago singer/songwriter headlines a band with a Dave Matthews sound. Lee's enjoyed some local success and can be seen on Chicago's local ABC affiliate every Sunday at 10:30 CST. This contract ends once the live show begins if  Lee indeed has made it into the top 24.
Michael Lynche: Rumors of "Big Mike" being disqualified before his top 24 announcement is even official have run rampant all over the Internet. Supposedly, he was disqualified after his dad confirmed his top 24 position to their local St Petersburg, Florida newspaper. The suspense is KILLING ME! Especially after we practically watched his baby's birth during Hollywood week!
Tyler Grady: AKA the guy with the broken wrists. Tyler did a great job with Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" during his audition. The judges also loved his retro 60s look with pointy shoes and bell-bottom jeans, comparing him to the late Jim Morrison.
Todrick Hall: Auditioning in Dallas with a self-composed tune describing the reasons he should be sent to Hollywood, Todrick was a hit with the judges. His performing background includes a role in ''The Color Purple'' with ''Idol'' winner Fantasia Barrino and appearances in the stage versions of ''High School Musical 2'' and ''Beauty and the Beast'' at Disney World. According to votefortheworst.com, Hall allegedly participated in the scamming of parents who claimed they paid for their children to have a role in his original production of ''Oz, The Musical''.

Top 12 Girls
Ashley Rodriguez: Breathtakingly beautiful with a gorgeous voice, Boston's Ashley Rodriguez was a favorite of Simon's in the callback auditions.
Crystal Bowersox: Just one word -- INCREDIBLE in a very Melissa Etheridge kinda way. Single mom to a 7-month old son, singer-songwriter Crystal hails from Chicago. Definitely one of my favorites to go a long way in the competition.
Haeley Vaughn: 16 year old Haeley is an aspiring black mainstream pop country singer from Denver. Born prematurely and weighing two pounds, Haeley considers it a miracle to be alive and is absolutely adorable.
Janell Wheeler: 24 year old Tampa native Janell reminds me a bit of former ''Idol'' contestant Kristy Lee Cook -- very country with a great big twang. To me, all of her videos sound rather similar... so the voting audience (if she gets that far) might find her dull.
Katelyn Epperly: Currently the lead vocalist and pianist of the band Katelyn & the Bruises, an indie, folk and experimental group, 19 year old Epperly hails from Iowa and is auditioning to make her mom happy during her parents' divorce. She sang "Syrup and Honey" by Duffy in her Chicago audition and really put her heart into it. She's not been featured at all during Hollywood week.
Katie Stevens: 16 year old Middlebury Connecticut native Katie auditioned with "At Last." Her backstory featurette included shots with her grandmother, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and may not remember her for very much longer.
Lacey Brown: Returning season 8 contestant Lacey Brown has an edgy sound that is popular today. She was featured on the February 3, 2010 show singing a unique rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," and received a "yes" vote from each of the four judges.
Lilly Scott: Indie acoustic rocker Lilly Scott is even edgier than Lacey Brown. Prior to auditioning for ''Idol'', she fronted the local band Varlet in her hometown of Denver, Colorado.
Michelle Delamor: 20 year old Miami native Michelle is a music major at Miami Dade College. She auditioned in Orlando with "Chain of Fools" and was a unanimous vote to continue on to Hollywood. She has appeared as a backup singer on JoJo's "If I Wrote a Note to God," and has performed in a variety of shows in south Florida.
Paige Miles: 23 year old Houston native Paige Miles was first featured in Neapolitan's group number during Hollywood week. Of course there was the usual drama as they duked it out with Destiny's Wild, both choosing to perform Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance."
Siobhan Magnus: Massachusetts native Siobhan Magnus shaved her head bald for her Boston audition. She was also not featured until the Hollywood group round where she was part of Destiny's Wild opposite Neapolitan with Paige Miles. Should make for a cozy and friendly top 24...
dontchya think? :)
Vered Didi Benami: Former cage fighting hostess and waitress Didi Benami was featured in a 2009 swimsuit calender with Survivor winner Paverti Swallows. Unless something substantial happens and she falls apart, she's my pick to win. You heard it here first ;) Yep - I know it's early in the game... but I picked Carrie Underwood after her callback audition, too!

In any case, Season 9 of ''Idol'' remains all about the girls!

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Erica Rhodes: Whip Smart 'Barney' kid onto Hollywood

Erica Rhodes, formerly a cast member of ''Barney and Friends'' auditions for Season 9 of American Idol in a dominatrix costume, complete with whip!

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Michael Lynche Cut from Idol's Top 24

"Big Mike" Lynche was cut from American Idol's Top 24 last weekend thanks to his dad. Apparently dad blabbed to the local "St Pete Times" to confirm Mike's selection, a blatant violation of the confidentiality agreement. All is not a total loss. Mike did wind up with a contract from a small recording studio. Hard to believe that his Idol career is over before we even got to meet him!

Michael Lynche

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Tampa Bay Represented in Top 24 American Idol Semifinal List! **SPOILERS**

With 3 city callback audition broadcasts remaining, the list of top 24 semifinalists that will be officially announced in American Idol's February 17th episode has been all but finalized. Hailing from Plant City, Florida myself, I was excited to see several Tampa Bay natives among them!
One of the area semifinalists, Tampa's Janell Wheeler, was featured during a montage of three female singers in the January 20th broadcast with her rendition of "House of the Rising Sun," originally made popular in 1964 by The Animals. With a background in classical music study, Wheeler now describes her style as a fusion of pop, soul and country music.
St. Petersburg native Michael Lynche was not shown in the broadcast at all. A graduate of Gibbs High School, Lynche went on to earn a full academic and athletic scholarship to the University of Central Florida, where he played defensive lineman. He now resides in New York City to further his music career. Lynche's website describes his music as a cross between Gnarls Barkley, Outcast and R. Kelly. His brother Marque advanced to the semi-finals in 2004, but was cut from the competition before the Finals.
Other Bay Area residents receiving golden tickets, but not continuing on to the semifinals, include 19-year-old Kasi Bedford from Seminole and 28-year-old Seth Rollins from Lakeland, who brought along his autistic son. Shelby Dressel, an 18 year old Avon Park resident, another golden ticket recipient featured in the broadcast, was passed through to Hollywood despite forgetting her words and letting slip with an expletive. (Simon said yes with a "small y" to Shelby, while Randy chimed in with a YES with 3 big letters)
The remaining semifinalists from the Orlando auditions include 16 year old Pennsylvania resident Aaron Kelly, winner of the American Idol Experience attraction at Hollywood Studios, and Miami native Michelle Delamor.

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"Tip Toe Through the Tulips with Me"

If you missed the show, a play by play can be found on the Mahalo Live Blog along with the list of hopefuls you've seen who have made it to the top 24. Kind of an "eh" night to be honest ... except for an utterly ridiculous -- but accurate -- Tiny Tim impression from Pittsburgh's Brian Krause with the award for best tip toe of the ''Idol'' evening. One of those you gotta see to believe! The guy does a great deadpan too. Somehow I think he was really auditioning for a comedy circuit.



Surprisingly good were John Park and Katelyn Epperly.

On the news front... Ayla Brown's dad Scott ran away with the Massachusetts Senate Special Election and is now the senator from Massachusetts. Should be interesting goings on in Massachusetts while they determine when he will get sworn in over the next few weeks.

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The Rumors are swirling -- AI's Top 24!

Barely into the callback auditions, 20 of the 24 spots are a known quantity! All 12 of the guys, and 8 of the 12 girls are pretty much a done deal, with 4 girls still on the fence. Click here for the first batch of top 24 ''American Idol'' semifinalists from the Boston Auditions! Did you miss last week? Catch the play-by-play of the January 12 and January 13 episodes before the live blog starts at 8 PM EST!

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Where are they now? AI's Ayla Brown

Scott Brown, father of Season 5 ''American Idol'' Top 24 contestant, Ayla Brown just may take the senate seat once held by the late Ted Kennedy in today's special election in Massachusetts! Conventional wisdom held that the democratic candidate, current Attorney General Martha Coakley, would win in a landslide, but the race has turned out to be wayyyy tighter than expected! The seat is hotly contested and a pivotal vote in the upcoming health care legislation.
Conversely, Ayla, thought to be a shoo-in for the Top 12 in talent, was edged out by the "more likeable" Melissa McGee. Ayla currently plays basketball on scholarship for Boston College and has released two albums. She's also been a very articulate advocate for her dad's senate seat bid. Check out Ayla's ''Idol'' swan song. The gaucho pants might just have been her undoing! What do you think?

Country girls and pants on the ground

A few "doozy" performances headlined last night's Idol show, topped off with 62 year old General Larry Platt's performance of his original Pants on the Ground. Platt was wayyy over the Idol age limit and not the best singer, but there was just "something" about that song! I am sure General Platt will enjoy his 15 minutes of fame! Idol Season 9 still looks to be all about the girls! If last night is any indication, a lot of country girls!

An ''Idol'' Opener

Wow…! The season opener of Idol was its usual blend of tears, squeals of delights and downright JERKS! The egocentric and pompous Andrew Fenlon, unanimously voted "Most Arrogant Contestant EVER, did a fine job representing jerks nationwide! The montages of strangeness did not disappoint. And of course, the talent was nothing short of amazing! Check out the likes of Katie Stevens, Justin Williams, Maddy Curtis and Ashley Rodriguez! Looks like it's girl's year this time, fellas ;)