After six weeks of caterwauling, pants-on-the-grounding, and Mary Powers-ing, American Idol has announced the 24 semifinalists of season 9. Yes, Idoloonies, the power to name Kelly Clarkson 9.0 rests in your extremely capable hands. Before you pick up the phone to speed-dial, however, (and keeping in mind you can’t do that before 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday anyhow), why not press play below and check out this week’s Idolatry? My cohost Kristen Baldwin and I talk about that time Kara DioGuardi played horrible musical chairs with Angela Martin, we get the first official word on season 9 from Baby Baldwin, and there’s even a contro-versee-aaal conversation about Idol‘s trouble with black male contestants. All that, and a special cameo appearance by Big Bird. And, naturally, more talk about THERI! Why aren’t you watching already? (Oh, and to get all my Idol updates, follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak!) [Related: Everything you wanted to know about season 9′s Top 24…but were afraid to ask.)
i hate kara dioguardi. Thank you.
Kara doesn’t know you even exist and couldn’t care less about you.
the same from me to you
Was that supposed to hurt Tom?
Rita seems like a real bitch.
I don’t understand all the hate for Kara. Yes, she’s had her less-than-stellar moments, but she’s not nearly as bad as Randy. No one ever calls Randy out for his horrible comments, but once Kara opens her mouth, people are ready to criticize her.
Ed, I completely agree. I love Slezak and Baldwin and Idolatry, but right now they are so caught up in this pattern of immediately thinking whatever Kara does is awful before she even does it. If Paula sat with a contestant it would never have received the criticism that Kara did for doing so. Come one guys, you are better than this.
i agree as well…
Amen. Also, I think Kara and Ellen wanted to put Angela through after waching Ellen yesterday. Otherwise why are they BOTH trying to help her get a deal? People need to remember that it’s 4 votes and if it goes to a 2-2 split, however Simon votes is the way it goes. That’s why we had Bikini Girl in Hollywood last year despite Kara and Paula voting no.
to Michael:
i think it’s because if Paula was to sit in the chair with Angela, she’d be sincere about it. Kara is the fakest piece of sh-t
I have to say, I am not a Kara-hater, but that clip did not come off making Kara look good. It did seem insincere to me. When she said “I will remember you forever” I thought to myself “so what? is that suppose to make her feel better? Does Kara think that much of herslef that that is some kind of solace?”
I agree with MDEP. I don’t hate Kara – I do find her irritating at times – but how can you hate someone who penned Sober & Ain’t No Other Man? But there was no right way to give Angela the bad news – b/c she should have been in the Top 24.
Finally, some people agree! Kara may not be my favorite, but she’s not worth hating. She has a ton of experience and industry cred and makes sense as a judge. And come on – you try giving bad news to a ton of young adults, it’s not easy. With producers and directors wanting variety, good TV, and interest, I’m sure they ask them to try different things. It may not have even been her idea. How many times can you say the same things to a crying kid? She meant it.
Oh please. Kara is so freaking clueless and her faux sincerity does her no favors. There are times when I completely agree with what she’s saying but those moments are rare.
Umm there’s been plenty of Randy bashing around here. Randy hasn’t brought anything to the table since the first season. If someone had to go I would have preferred him over Paula. Last season I thought Kara actually brought some good insight to the show. She’s been a bit much so far this season competing with Simon & Ellen. Randy is an afterthought, dawg.
The way she (mis)handled the whole Angela Martin “bad news” was so awful. I still feel truly bad for Angela. Glad Mary Powers is gone, though…
I agree with Kristen that Mary came off perpetually angry. It would have been a crime if she made it further. Yikes.
Can Bowersox be Rocker 2.0, since the Rocker Mom crashed and burned so miserably?
I’m certainly hoping she doesn’t need saving, but if the time comes, I’m willing to do what I did last year and mega call/text so she can sing more songs a la “If It Makes You Happy.”
And BabySox is adorable. I am okay with family exploitation as long as it is with adorable relatives, not recently deceased spouses.
I’m iffy on Janell Wheeler. I loved her during the auditions, but she’s been slipping ever since.
Is Andrew Garcia going to be like Archie, the predicted winner, but may possibly lose to a rocker?
It’s obvious that hormones haven’t affected Kristen Baldwin’s impeccable judgement on appearances. Ugliness can be hot, it seems.
I’m going to miss Jermaine Purifory. He was the more enjoyable Jermaine, both in personality and vocals.
Love Idolatry, it was not only hilarious but spot on accurate. I do think Janell Wheeler will come out to surprise people because of her American Boy performance was great. As for Crystal Bowersox and Andrew Garcia will be in the top 4 because not only are they vocally talented but also original in their covers and can actually play an instrument well. It’s a new class of idol that’s not just based on look but more of a complete package.
On our special American Idol Public Opinion Poll on Baduku Crystal is leading in fan base followed by Didi, Janell and Lacey web fans are a integral part of who makes it in this competition. Check it out here and support your favorites http://www.baduku.com/americanidol9
I’m not sure about Janell, actually. We’ve been told she did poorly, but I actually thought her first two performances in Hollywood were good, though her voice was shot in the last one. Still, it was a good enough list of performances to go through.
Thank you! I don’t get how her group day performance suddenly wasn’t good b/c on the episode she, Jermaine, and Kasey all got good marks. They were 3 very different singers blending beautifully. Admittedly her final performance was lacking, but that was her only slip up.
As I always have said front runners from the beginning of the finals always never win in the end. Its hard to decipher this season who the front runner is, until the first week of performances, because we have to see who Simon will pimp. I do believe Andrew Garcia or Bowersox will be the considered front runner who will lose steam and not win AI.
Holding out for Crystal, because even though she had perhaps the strongest slate of performances I’m not sure she’s a front-runner in terms of popularity over, say, Didi.
The show has already made it clear they want a female winner this year
So glad someone else is going to miss Jermaine Purifory. My daughter goes to school with him at Lee. She says he is just the nicest, funniest guy and is truly a versatile singer (guy can sing the phone book). He arrived back at school this weekend. Can’t wait to hear about his experience!
Gotta say I evenhave my brother saying BOW-ER-SOX, BOW-ER-SOX, he doesn’t know why I yelled it when she made it nor does he know why he is now saying it but it’s catching on. Loving Kristen Baldwin is getting funnier week to week. The pregnancy is enhancing the funniness. I also think that Michael Lynche will make but he reminds me of Michael Sarver of last year. He makes it but he is gone pretty quick. That Tyler Grady guy definetly does have the ugly cute guy thing going on. It’s weird but so true. I am with you on the top 2. Bowersox and Andrew Garcia.
Idolatry never fail to make me laugh! Thanks! But sad about the cutting of Jermaine Purifory… I thought he was a frontrunner.
I have a theory as to why Purifory was eliminated….Kara Dioguardi has an interest in Jason Derulo…meaning she has developed him as an artist at his label…Purifoy can definitely give any signed black male artist a run for his money…he has the look, a great smile, good attitude, stage presence, and a pure melodic voice.
I couldn’t believe Jermaine Purifory was cut either. I knew he was doomed when I saw him in the Group 2 room. Sad. I loved his Brick House number. It was fun!
I think that want a female winner so bad that they cut early the biggest male threat, too bad
I’m also in the Purifory fan club! What a ripoff that we don’t get to see more of him.
Throughout the video I kept staring at the rainbow toy on Slezak’s desk! Wow, I am easily distracted.
You’re not the only one.
I wanted to know what it said on the one side.
Kara is vile. The “I WILL NEVER FORGET YOUUUU” moment made me vomit in my mouth.
(And Kristen is right about those white strips. I love me some Bowersox but singers need to be able to open their mouths without the audience viscerally recoiling in horror).
SIOBHAN MAGNUS/HER MOUTH FULL OF TEETH/HER HUNGER FOR FLESH FOR THE WIN!!!
I hate to say it, but I agree about the white strips. It’s not about being shallow–I definitely don’t think musicians should have to be models; it’s just unpleasant and distracting to have to look at brown/yellow teeth when you are trying to enjoy someone sing. I can’t quite explain how, but it’s different than if someone is overweight or unattractive. Maybe it’s cultural–nasty teeth my fly in places like England, but definitely not in the U.S.!
Well, no, that is shallow; reacting viscerally to appearance over performance. It is the same thing, really.
But we have to accept shallowneess sometimes, especially in the music business. And one thing that’s a little different about that is that it’s something that so obviously fixable.
Well, I’m not so sure. I think the word you used, “viscerally” is the key. Shallowness is a choice; a “visceral” reaction is not. I don’t care about how she looks overall (I don’t happen to like dreads either, but that does not bother me). I just can’t help but have an unpleasant reaction when someone’s mouth looks like they’ve spent the day munching on poop.
I agree about the teeth, (BTW how the hell does an 18 year old get teeth like that- has she been smoking since birth??) but guys, this is entirely fixable and I guarantee in the next few weeks she will appear with white teeth. The bigger problem might be that ridiculous name. Bowersox just does not scream indie rocker…
Eh, I would consider even “viscerally” at some level shallow, but I don’t think that just because something is shallow doesn’t mean it’s ultimately insubstantial, or beyond the best of us.
Yeah, she does have some funky teeth, but for me the biggest turn off about her was the fact that she is going to appear on a tv show and what does shed do? Well, I would spend money on a dentist, but she goes to a tattoo parlor. Nice priorities.
‘Cuse me Charlotte but the name “Bowersox” is a gift for a frontrunner. Not since Anoop have we been given a name with so much wordplayability: Mama Sox, Bowpower, BowWow, Sox it to me. Need I say more. As for the teeth, I sure as hell hope America you aren’t that shallow. When she wins, she can pay for cosmetic whitening. Please!
Everyone looked passed Eliot Yamin’s teeth, so hopefully that will happen again!
I agree she might be smart to look into improving her teeth, and I’m betting the network “powers that be” will help her. But, is anyone else turned off to her dreadlocks? Don’t you accquire dreads by NOT WASHING YOUR HAIR? I mean, really, filth is not a turn-on.
Yeah I totally agreed with Kristen regarding Bowersox’s teeth. I like Bowersox a lot but I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone with teeth that brown/yellow before. Maybe that makes me lucky? That won’t make me not vote for her, but I can definitely see it turning a lot of others off. But I’m hoping the PR team at AI will have that problem fixed asap. Quick trip to the dentist and problem solved!
Ok, so i think the judges got their Jermaines mixed up. They both had auditions that were arguably on par with each other, but at Hollywood, Jermaine Purifory killed Jermaine Sellers in every clip of the two they showed. In groups and final performance. I think Angela Martin had more talent in her pinky than Katelyn and Haeley put together. Oh, and i love Casey James, btw. He’s so laid back, almost Jason Castro-ey but i think he cares more.
Angela now is getting more publicity than she could ever hope for. Ellen had her on the show and promised her a record contract.
The constant comparison of both Jermaines is unsettling. Jermaine Purifory is a much better singer than several of the young men (white or black) in the top 24.
Also, Jermaine Sellers is a singing powerhouse! Have you checked out his youtube videos? American Idol has only showed clips of his performances. He is just as talented as Slezak’s selected front runners. He deserves his top 24 spot.
In my opinion, both Jermaines should have been selected as a top 24 semifinalist.
I would like to know why the American Idol producers and judges did not select Jermaine Purifory. I know why they selected Jermaine Sellers.
But Sellers oversings absolutely everything. There hasn’t been a performance without a run that was so insanely unnecessary it could be compared to a Goldman-Sachs corporate pay raise.
Idol definitely has a quota to fill, and they won’t go beyond it. I feel like there’s a lot of subtle (not so subtle?) racism going on. There’s only one Asian person in the entire Top 24. And I don’t remember seeing any Asian women in Hollywood. Plus, the only two female Top 24 artists that weren’t given much (or any) screen time were the two African American women.
Liz, not only didn’t we see Asian women in Hollywood, how many do you remember auditioning at all?
“So ugly he’s hot.”
Nice one Kristen! I’m loving Crystal Bowersox. She is definitely the Rocker of this season!
Love that, too. I find him awkward to look at, yet somewhat intriguing. Kind of like Leonardo DiCaprio in “Gangs of New York.”
My daughter calls him “Shaggy” as in Scooby Doo’s pal. She loves him, by the way.
Idolatry probably is the best part of American Idol for me! You guys always give me a good laugh, and it’s good to watch the show with a little more distance. Thanks!
Bower Sox! Bower Sox! Love that girl.
Her talent is unbelievable.
I really hope America gives her a chance regardless of her looks. She actually has a beautiful face..
This is a singing competition people… The teeth can be fixed with white strips quickly.
I also agree the top 2 should be Crystal versus Andrew.
white strips won’t fix that, it’ll take veneers or more to fix those meth teeth.
How fast are Crystal’s teeth going to be fixed? By performance night on Tuesday? Not until she makes the Top 12? You know the elves in the Idol Star Maker Shoppe are working overtime on this one.
funny stuff! I like bowersox too. Come on, teeth are EASY to fix. Who cares about that. Frankly ready for someone who can sing and not just look like a barbie doll who can’t…cough…taylor.
has anyone noticed the top 24/32 has gotten more attractive physically over the years…just an observation….btw BOWER SOX!
I hope Theri auditions again next year but under the name Hypotheseuse.
Comment of the day!
lmao
Awesome.
“So fake,it’s evil”-Kara
“So obnoxious,it’s disturbing”-Mary P
Love Idolatry as always but two things. First, the reason why a Black male has not been successful on Idol in a long time is because they have not been allowed to do anything resembling modern hip hop on the show. If Idol wants to find a winner that can compete in that genre they have to actually attempt that sound on the show. Second, Todrick’s little scam story is going to make it very tough for him to overcome. I’ll be surprised if he makes it out of the semifinals.
The scam story isn’t really catching on, though. And I honestly don’t know why, though I am actively rooting against him.
I agree, the most successful black male r&b singer that idol has produced (besides ruben, I guess) is Jared Cotter who wrote Down(#1 hit) and several other songs with Jay Sean
don’t reall see why color matters.
It’s not really color, but the style of music that most black males want to sing. I wish Idol would give that a chance. I wonder what Idol would do with a black male country singer?