In the days since the sudden and shocking death of Michael Jackson, my inbox has rapidly filled up with emails announcing tributes to the King of Pop that were sweet, strange and (in a few cases) deeply cynical. But one that struck me as decidedly appropriate was Fox's decision to present an encore presentation of American Idol's season 8 Top 13 performance show, during which contestants tackled selections from the Michael Jackson songbook. Watching the untested baker's dozen tackle hits from Jackson's decades-spanning career is a fascinating way to understand the depth of the man's musical legacy. So if you get the chance, set your DVR and catch Kris Allen's soulful, acoustic "Remember the Time," Adam Lambert's ferocious, politically charged "Black or White," Alexis Grace's searing "Dirty Diana," Megan Joy's jazzy "Rockin' Robin" (sue me, I liked it!) and several other solid performances from the two-hour telecast. My favorite, not surprisingly, came from The Rocker, Allison Iraheta. Her electric take on the lesser-known "Give in to Me" is embedded below. Check it out, then share your favorite Michael Jackson covers (Idol and otherwise) in the comments section below!
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Sorry Mike, Gokey owned that night with PYT.
Slezak, I believe it was Kris who talked Allison into doing that song. So, you can thank him for that.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, the Season 8 contestants did a fine job on Michael Jackson week. But none of them came close to David Cook’s brilliant rendition of “Billie Jean” from Season7. Now THAT would be a tribute truly worth another viewing!
I absolutely agree: Danny Gokey won the night with PYT!!!
Does anyone remember the comments Simon and/or the judges gave to Adam, Allison and Kris?
Does anyone remember the comments that Simon and the other judges gave to Adam, Allison, and Kris? Just curious!
Yes, he died and it was a tragedy. But do we really need to see every little thing he’s every done or that has ever been done about him? The guy was a freak and a child molester! Yes, he made good music once upon a time, but he was a has-been in this country!
Martin,
I don’t know about Kris and Allison’s comments but the judges said to Adam…Randy:”I love who you are,” Kara:”Who hits notes like that?” “I hope MJ is watching,” Paula: “We will be seeing you in the finals,” “Never in the history of the show have I seen someone so comfortable and seasoned on that stage…I don’t even notice the stage b/c my eyes are transfixed on you” Simon said: “That was in a totally different league that anything else we seen tonight …you are someone ppl are going to talk about…to do MJ you have to be over the top and be comfortable with it.”
Martin: I think Simon called Kris “forgettable!” LOL!
Sorry, no, I don’t remember Simon’s comments.
Since he is all about manipulation, I find his comments to be forgettable.
I think this is a very fitting tribute for Fox to air – showing how the next generation of singers is still being so heavily influenced by MJ and his amazing legacy.
I’m looking forward to seeing the top 13 now that we know how it all plays out for the season too.
In hindsight, I couldn’t even remember what most of these people performed (sorry, Kris!) I remembered Adam as being explosive and scene-stealing (surprise, surprise!) Danny being pretty decent, Megan being crazy (caw caw!) and Anoop butchering Beat it.
I remember I had not heard that song in YEARS when she did it. I cocked my head to the side, thought, “Huh, I used to love that song” and then strolled over to my computer and downloaded it.
Yeah, Simon called Kris forgettable. He didn’t have too kind words for his vocals either. He loved Adam. And Allison too I think. Also Danny.
Still, it’s a great show all in all. I can’t wait to see it again!
This was Adam’s first performance after his “shocking” kissing pictures were exposed, and I think the judges gave him a little extra love to show their support. It was also the only night I remember him tearing up at the judges comments although he was subsequently praised many times. He put so much personal emotion into that song!
That season was not all that great. American Idol should definitely put David Cooks version of “Billy Jean”.
When that version came on my mouth dropped. I loved it almost as much as the original.
Hmm… season 8 is kind of blah for me (for you). I’d rather have 13 consecutive repeats of Billie Jean than watching that episode again, and I’m not even a cook fan!
It would be nice if they’d just cut out the judges critiques and other junk. Just show the performances – that would probably cut it down to an hour and make everyone much happier.
I’m not a Gokey fan. I found him to be annoying, and most weeks I thought he was terrible. But PYT was one of his best performances, and one of the best MJ songs of the night. I gotta give him props. Kris, Adam, and Allison were great too. My favorite performance was by Matt Giraud. His voice was perfect on Human Nature. Megan sucked, as did most everybody else that night. It’s a good idea to show it again, but 5 of 13 isn’t a good percentage. Interesting how the 5 best performances were all in the top 5 of the season.
Jacey – I think Adam even commented that he chose that song in part because of the context of the pics coming out (and Bill O’Reilly’s slam fest). Notice how he says lines like “saw you kicking dirt in my eye”, and it is really powerful!
I think this is the perfect way to honor the legendary musician and performer that Michael Jackson will always be remembered as.
In the case of Idol favorites, I’m sorry, but I don’t think any of the performances during Top 13 week(yes, even Adam’s and Kris’)can hold a candle to the pure emotion that came with David Cooks performance of Billie Jean. He threw America a curve ball that night no one saw coming, and looking back, I don’t think we would have wanted it any other way.
I think that this is the perfect way to honor the legendary musician and entertainer Michael Jackson will always be remembered as, despite his personal flaws.
On the subject of Idol favorites… I’m sorry, but not one performance in this years Top 13 week (yes, even Adam’s and Kris’) could hold a candle to the raw emotion that came with David Cook’s performance of Billie Jean. He threw America a curve ball that night that no one saw coming, and looking back, I don’t think we would have wanted it any other way.
I am thrilled that Michael is getting all this attention. After all, he gave us 45 years of music and dance! And please, no more “child molester” comments. We all know he was a strange guy, but he was acquitted in a court of law.
My favorite that night was Allison “give it to me” she did a very good job, my 2nd favorite was Adam “black and white”….
I would love to see Adam’s Billie Jean included too, as well as Kris’ Man In The Mirror.
That would be a lot better than sitting through the judges’ preening again. I don’t really think the tribute needs their comments.
Ooops, that should say David Cooks’ Billie Jean, not Adam.
Kris was still pretty rough around the edges when the finals began. Part of the fun in being his fan, was watching him get exponentially better, week after week.
Kris’ pre-idol experience was limited to playing small bars in Arkansas, and a self produced album with two college friends. He was as close to a true amateur as idol has seen.
Now we have to relive Anoop’s “Beat It” again. That was just painful.
oh — I saw the headline and thought maybe they were re-running Cook’s Billy Jean!! Actually, they should show a vid of an AI tour performance of BJ –THAT’s a tribute. I really didn’t see anything this season (8) that MJ could write home about. No DVR for me.
I think everyone was pretty rough that night, as it was early in the competition. Everyone who stuck around grew so much. Even Adam listed Black or White as one of his worst vocals on the show – a little pitchy and shouty (his words!) – despite the passionate performance and depth of meaning. But it will be fun to see again.
This is great. I thought Adam was really fantastic that night, even though he himself later said that he wasn’t happy with his singing, I really loved it. I loved the emotion and meaning he put into the performance. Then he cried when the judges loved him. He really didn’t expect them to be so nice. It was a beautiful moment. Most of them were OK that night, but Adam really stood out. I went back to read what I had said back then in my blog, when I wasn’t so crazy obsessed w Adam as I am now, and I pretty much loved him after then too and I was wondering if there were any chance he could ever top that performance. LOL. He did. Week after week.