Eight women enter, six women leave! Not to go all Mad Max on you so soon after listening to the mellifluous sounds of American Idol‘s eight remaining female semifinalists, but in the immortal words of Bruce Hornsby, “that’s just the way it is.”
Yep, thanks to Ken Warwick & Co.’s obsesh with gender parity, we must spend the next 48 hours agonizing over the prospect of Tim Urban possibly stealing a place in the season 9 finals that ought to belong to Katelyn Epperly or Didi Benami or Lacey Brown. [WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD, west-coasters!] Before we dish the Six Most Likely to Succeed, though, can I just point out how freakin’ provincial Simon Cowell’s tastes can sometimes be? I mean, seriously, whenever a performance takes a dark and stormy turn — as Siobhan Magnus’ “House of the Rising Sun” did tonight — you can bet your Coca-Cola cup that Mr. Cranky won’t be able to handle it. As if music can’t (or shouldn’t) go deeper than Il Divo covering “Unbreak My Heart”!
Anyhow…deep breath, Slezak!…breaking it all the way down, we all know that Crystal Bowersox, Siobhan Magnus, and Lilly Scott locked up their Top 12 slots last Wednesday night — and none of ‘em did anything this evening to put their dates with destiny in jeopardy (even if Lilly experienced some pitch problems that went suspiciously unnoticed by the panel). I was prepared for Katelyn Epperly, who’d been at or near the top of the ladies’ pack after her formidable one-two punch of “Oh Darlin’” and “The Scientist,” to also sail through to the top 12, but tonight’s major misfire — and the judges’ failure to acknowledge her prior accomplishments — puts her at risk.
So after you reserve a silver stool of doom for Katie Stevens — because I fear her moist-eyed innocent act is going to take the already lukewarm hearts of sentimental voters and microwave them into goo — that leaves Katelyn, vastly improved Didi, Lacey, and Paige “ice-cube’s chance in the oven” Miles scrapping it out for positions No. 5 and 6. How can Idol math be so simple, and yet so painful?
Should go home: Katie and Paige.
Will go home: Paige and Lacey or Katelyn.
Anyhow, while I forge ahead with my full TV Watch recap (look for it early tomorrow morning on EW.com!), why don’t y’all head on down to the comments and post your own strongly worded theories about which half-dozen ladies are destined for the season 9 finals. When you’re done, press play below to view our latest episode of Idolatry (with special guest commentary from God!), then sign up to follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak! (I promise nothing but up-to-the-minute Idol news, and occasional retweets of Jody Watley wisdom!)
Tonight’s set list:
Katie Stevens: Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway”
Siobhan Magnus: The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun”
Lacey Brown: Brandi Carlile’s “The Story”
Katelyn Epperly: Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move”
Didi Benami: Fleetwood Mac’s “Rhiannon”
Paige Miles: Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile”
Crystal Bowersox: Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason”
Lilly Scott: Patsy Cline’s “I Fall to Pieces”
Related: The (Sometimes) Surprising Story of 20 Shows Fox Tried to Launch After Idol
Please, please, please let this be the end of the road for obnoxious Katie Stevens!
Ditto to the max. Katie and Paige should go home in my opinion, but I worry that it will be Paige and Lacey, because I don’t know if Lacey’s quirky cover of “The Story” can make up for her atrocious one-two punch of “Landslide” and “Kiss Me” in the eyes of America at large.
Katie and Lacey! I agree with the judges that Paige doesn’t know what type of artist she is yet… but I do think she deserves one more chance!
I couldn’t stand Lacey’s performance tonight. Sure, it was better than the trainwrecks in the previous weeks, but that isn’t saying much. I LOVE that song and Brandi Carlile… Lacey’s version never took off. I don’t think she can handle anything other than simple melodies.
It’s hard for me to believe that the judges are choosing the “best” singers out of 100,000 people. Lacey’s going to make it through because Paige was bad tonight.
None of these girls can hold a candle to Crystal. She is just so far better then the others – a total natural. I thought Siobhan had some good chops from last week, but this week it was just complete boredom from her, kind of a one trick pony it looks like. Katelyn – what the heck? way to follow up a great performance from last week with an utterly garbage performance.
I don’t think Katelyn’s performance was garbage. I do think that the keyboard got in her way, though. I think playing the keyboard is good for ballads, but not for energetic songs such as that one. I think if she had chosen “So Far Away” or “Too Late” by Carole King instead, she would have had a better performance. The hair was definitely a mistake–don’t try to look like the artist whose song you’re singing–it just makes you look ridiculous. I wish Crystal had chosen a more original song than that one.
I don’t understand what you mean by original. None of the songs sung by any of the contestants are original pieces. I dont think the keyboard was the problem with Katelyn, I think it was the entire performance — but at least she stopped with the goofy looks at the camera like last week. Last week Katelyn was trying to hard, this week not hard enough. She could go home.
no way. Katelyn’s my favourite, her performance of The Scientist alone should be enough to get her into the top 12. If she Lacey or Paige get through over her I will lose all faith in the american idol audience and human beings in general. Best performance of the night for me was easily House of the Rising Sun though.
I think Paige should have another chance,if the song going to make you cry dont sing it.
Totally agree that Katie Stevens needs to go. She was pitchy and can’t seem to rise above the song she is supposed to rescue. Paige Miles’ has some shaky moments with ‘Smile’ but it wasn’t that bad although in the top 8, she might be most vulnerable.
I just think she’s so confused about what the judges want she’s focusing on that instead of her singing. Her performances during her audition as well as Hollywood week were so amazing and showcased her stellar voice. I kinda hope she makes it but I don’t know what other girl I’d replace her with. Lilly took a risk and it was kinda boring…but I think she has a huge fanbase. Paige is gone for good but that final spot – just not sure.
Katie Stevens is boring as usual. And her comments about wanting to “break away” from her small town were weak. Way to slam her parents for raising her in a nice, safe environment. In two years, she can go wherever she wants. Good luck!
I wouldn’t care if every single girl went home except Crystal. The girls completely suck this year.
They’re miles better than the guys.
Crystal is crazy boring. Utterly predictable, week in and week out.
One hundred bazillion percent agree. Never could stand her!
I can’t belive Simon flung Siobhan under the bus like that. I thought she was terrific. She deserves to be Top 12.
I totally agree. What is his problem? I thought her performance was brave and beauiful.
Seriously. What is his deal? She sounded fantastic and was easily one of the best tonight. Sometimes I think he is just contrary just because he thinks he should be for the sake of entertainment. She didn’t deserve it.
Me too!
I think it is still too early to truly tell who is going to make the top 6 even. These singers will change so much over the next few weeks. We all have our favorites of course. The whole thing with Simon is very interesting as well. If you go back and watch early footage of Kris Allen and David Cook, Simon didn’t care for either of them, but in the end they are both who one. It seems like the last couple of years, the type of singer he likes (Whitney Houston, Leona Lewis) isn’t what America wants.
I LOVED her tonight, I called to my husband (who is a musician) to come & hear her. I thought Didi was so/so (cld’ve done more) I think its nite-nite for Kati & Paige…sorry
Maybe Simon is being cautious of not over pumping her just yet (à la Adam Lambert)
She didn’t miss ONE SINGLE note in that rendition. Yah, it may have been dark, but ever heard the words to that song??? The judges lambast contestants for not “feeling” the words, not showing the lyrics and expressing enough- but that is EXACTLY what Siobhan did. I actually applauded her song (alone in my living room, LOL) and would buy it and listen to it repeatedly. The only one better than her last night was Crystal. Paige & katie should go, but it is obvious that Katie is MEANT to stay (“A 10 out of 10 for EFFORT”?? Really?)
I thought she should have changed the lyrics. There is a female version of that song and I think it is mor poignant than the male version. In it, the girl follows her boyfriend, a gambler, to New Orleans and ends up in a brothel, contemplating suicide.
she probably wasn’t allowed to do that version since it talks about thinking about suicide. it’s a family show. yes parents should talk to their kids about that stuff but it’s a show for any age. i thought her version was fine. also loved lilly and didi. they and siobhan were the best and so was crystal
siobhan also might not have wanted to do that version anyway. i wouldn’t want to listen to a song about suicide. it’s too much for some people.
yep–Siobhan a close second to Crystal. Siobhan has a bit more room to grow the CB but I think she’ll do it.
Simon has never been the best judge of quality singing, and his damning Siobhan with faint praise is just one example. She was terrific tonight, and deserves a spot in the Top 12.
And what about him slobbering over Didi? Are you kidding me. She wasn’t much better than Katelyn, whose voice is grossly superior to hers. That Simon.
I agree with you that Siobhan Magnus provided one of the strongest vocals of the night. I don’t get Simon’s “you have to have a moment” statement. Siobhan proves that she can croon a song and shows that at extreme ends of of her vocal range, she has an evenness of tone and the texture of her voice grows more exciting every week.
Simon is trying to find a “star”….since Carrie they haven’t had a female “star”….Jordin is not a star….so they want a star and they’re not finding it in the women.
Simon doesn’t like songs that are darker and meaningful. He had a problem with Wicked Game as well. Siobhan was fantastic. Chrystal was very good but as much as I love Tracy Chapman, it wasn’t a song with a big range. I thought Lacey improved vastly and chose a perfect song for her voice. Paige and Katie were horrible. The other three were ok. I wish Kately had did Carol King justice (wouldn’t she be a great mentor?)
Yes! Siobhan was terrific tonight!
Simon’s head is still in Idol Season 1 where every performance ended with a Celine Dion styled glory note.”
hated simon’s “you have to have a moment” comment because, while i don’t have anything against bowersox – simon’s bet – crystal doesn’t exactly poop moments left and right either.
me ten!
I mean I am on team Siobhan, I think she is fantastic
I’m totally disapointed at Simon this season. He doesn’t know sh!t! And I don’t think he can recognize a REAL talent and somebody different…at least not at this point of the season. No, he is NO EXPERT to me and I’m not gonna listen to his b.s.
Simon’s taste was questionable last year, too. He should have left the show two years ago.
I think the real reason he’s quitting the show is that he’s going deaf. How else to explain his comments this season? Also, I wasn’t wowed by Didi. It was nice, but I agree, Siobhan was better.
Siobhan Magnus’ performance was perfection. Simon thinks all female performers should be cute, bubbly and flirty. That’s why he could not appreciate Allison Iraheta.
I listened to it again….and she sings it well, but it’s just so-so as a song. It needs a gruff soulful voice….that’s the type of song it is.
At first I thought the same as the comments above. But, listening to Lacey Brown right after Siobhan I understood Simon’s critique of Siobhan.
Can’t believe Simon threw somebody under the bus??? I never take Simon seriously. I don’t know why people always claim that he’s ‘honest?’ There is a very long list of idols he has throwned under the bus in order to manipulate the results. Let’s just name two from last season though..Kris and Alison.
I agree donna
Siobhan was much better than Didi, in my opinion. But Crystal blew them all away as usual.
Very, Very disagree with that assessment. However I am a Didi fan. But with that being said I have been very dissapointed with her so far. Tonight, though her performance was the best. I highly suggest you watch back the performance because it was amazing.
i agree mike. i like didi and have been dissapointed earlier, but last night was great! i love the folk-type music. both didi and siobhan were great!
You know, every time Didi comes on screen (TV or computer)I think: who is it? Do I know her? I suppose she isn’t horrible (I would probably remember her then), but totally forgettable.
I think Lili is GREAT!
She was terrible last night.
Crystal feels very dated. Very 90s. I can’t hear her on the radio.
@KT: I agree. Why do they tell the, “young” singers to sing something, “young”, while the, “old” 23 year-old has yet to sing something that has been released in this century?
Finally! Someone gets it. Crystal is nostalgia karaoke. Not fresh. Not innovative. Not ever surprising.
well lillith fair is coming back this summer, so this boring coffee house etheridge/joplin/chapman esque crap is en vogue again
OMG why does everyone hate on Katie Stevens? She is probably vocally one the best contestants! She’s just screwed for not being modern enough, which wasn’t such a big deal in early seasons. I think she would’ve been big in season 1 or something.
She reminds me vocally of Kelly Clarkson!
It’s not her voice that I dislike — it’s her pageant queen personality. It can probably be chalked up to her immaturity (after all, she’s only 17), but something about her just leaves me cold.
I have to say that I was impressed with her ability to stay composed and respectful during the judges’ review.
Good voice, but no passion and doesn’t know how to connect with the song….like Paige, doesn’t know how to connect.
If you have the show recorded, watch it back. Her performance was very flat. I could barely listen to it on the rewatch.
Maybe she reminded you of Kelly because she sang Kelly’s song. That’s the only similarity I saw.
Liked her week 1, not so much the past two weeks.
Uh no, ever since the auditions I’ve thought her tone was very similar to Kelly’s. So I felt sorta psychic today because I had predicted she would sing a Kelly song
Let me remind you Kelly wasn’t very current either while on Idol! She sang a lot of old blues-y songs. And this isn’t in insult at all she’s my favorite singer in the world!
I just think people don’t like Katie mainly because the judges’ opinion are affecting their own.
She has a very good voice, but she doesn’t know how to use it. Kelly understood the subtleties and various quirks of her instrument and was able to bring them out during her Idol performances. Katie hasn’t done that, and it was especially apparent in tonight’s rendition of Breakaway.
I don’t hate her – she has a decent enough voice but she has the same problem Jon has – she is dull. Big time boring. Snoozefest.
Same.
She sounded very weak to me in 50% of the song. Her voice is nice to ok in her lower register, and very good to gorgeous in her mid to upper. Overall-decent, but not a star.
Kelly? C’mon.
Go watch Kelly’s ‘Stuff like that there’ on You Tube for a reminder.
No one, in the history of this show, has been as drop your jaw talented as Kelly. No one.
Great reference Annie. I remember that night watching Kelly in the “pimp spot”. She absolutely became a star belting out SLTT. Seems like SOOOO long ago. Thanks for the memories.
You’re welcome!
Katie is HORRIBLE! And I hate her dead, black sharklike eyes.
Katie is a jazz singer or adult contemporary stuff (or cabaret). She’s not really a pop singer and she’s definitely not rock or country.
I think the best thing which will come out of this is an invite to do a guest duet at a Michael Buble show. And if he can’t elevate her inside the genre then she sold pack it in and tackle this all again in a couple of years
*then she SHOULD pack it in…
Katie has a good voice to go to sleep by.
Try going back and just listening to her singing with your eyes closed. She actually goes flat repeatedly. Each week, unfortunately, it has been the same. Her voice shows promise, then goes off. Also, the pageant-like personality rubs me the wrong way. She seems to think she is much more talented than she truly is.
Loved Siobhan. And Crystal. Both made me stop what I was doing and listen.
Let’s just hope Katie gets voted off. Crystal was far and away the best, and I don’t see that changing any time soon.
Crystal is the bomb, for you, for me!
One billion trillion percent, dawg.
You have to love the way she mixed up that Tracy Chapman song and it came out sounding just the same, but less good than the original.
The original song and artist suck.
Surprisingly i enjoyed Lacey’s performance tonight so i want her to stay and Katie and Paige to go home. I might be on my own on this but I wasnt crazy about Lilly’s performance.
I wasn’t crazy about her performance either. I thought Katie and Paige are both having issues with nerves. While Lacey was good, it wasn’t enough to make me forget the past few weeks of bad performances.
Wasn’t crazy about Lilly, and Katelyn was awful.
If you only listened tonight, either of them might easily (and justifiably) go home before Katie or Lacey.
Paige really earned her ticket home tonight though, no questions asked.
And after hearing Simon inexplicably bash Siobhan tonight, maybe I won’t miss him next year after all. Slezak is right- distinctively old school narrow mind. But this is not exactly news.
I didn’t care for Lilly’s performance, but I love Patsy Cline – I love her the way Paige loves MJ. I think I’m just resistant to people doing things to Patsy’s songs.
And PS, the whole Paige getting emotional because Michael Jackson recorded Smile was a little weird…I mean, everyone’s a Michael Jackson fan (cue people writing in and saying, not me!) but come on.
I wasn’t crazy about what Lilly did with her song tonight, but I have to say that I’m looking forward to what she might do next so I really hope she makes it through to the Top 12.
I am definitely a Lilly fan too – just didn’t like that particular performance.
I agree. I am a huge Patsy Cline fan, and I have never heard anyone do it as well as she did. It wasn’t that Lilly doesn’t sing well, it’s just that I didn’t like what she did with the song. I think she will be safe as far as making it to the top 12, there were other performances that were much worse, but I hope she stays away from mangling Patsy in the future (:
I was pleasantly surprised by Lacey’s performance as well. While Lilly impresses me less and less each week.
Totally agree, David!
I loved Lily at first, but i have to agree.. it is less each week. the quirky thing is getting old. LOVE< LOVE LOVE DIDI!
Katelyn may not have “made it her own” but she sung the song well. She has a good voice and she was able to showcase that. Shouldn’t it be about the vocals as much as originality?
I agree. Vocally, Katelyn is incredible. I wish the judges would give her some more credit. Last week’s performance was so haunting and gorgeous. She deserves better than what the judges have given her.
Something was way off with Katelyn tonight…..like something happened behind the scenes. She looked really upset about something.
I like her…not her best tonight. Come on! it’s top 12, only 1 person released ea. wk from here on end. Got to BRING it.
OriginalAnnie: Glad you said that. I thought I was the only one being all Lie To Me about her demeanor.
I really liked Lacey tonight, I wasn’t expecting to ever like her after the last 2 weeks, but she sounded great! She sounds a little like Dolly Parton, I realized.
Slezak, you forgot to include that your twitter also includes Theri retweets!
My name is Michael Slezak and I approve that message!
is that really you? OMG!!!
HAHA! Theri. HA!
Siobhan’s performance was subtle and beautiful, and Crystal’s performance was powerful and full of soul. Both are my favorites and should sail through. Lily was a not as much of a pronounced leader, but the judges scrambled to save her. Didi did much better, but she has earned a much deserved nick-name at our house—-Sleepy Benami.
Siobhan was different. Listenable. Pure voice. But she does need to get a stylist.
Don’t be hard on Simon, he’s looking for a “star” and he needs to see a “star.” And he wants to see somebody he can market.
Yeah, i like her…i expected more.
Crystal, Siobhan, and Didi were great tonight. Katelynn disappointed me but I still love her!
I totally agree with this. That version of Rhiannon was fantastic.
is was great! could not agree more! SO happy that Simon showed Didi some love tonight!! She has an incredible voice and tone that I adore! BIG FAN OF DIDI! hope she makes it to the top 12!!
I think Didi was great, too last night. I really like the tone to her voice! Hope she will make it to the top 6. Btw @luvmichaeljohns, I love Michael John, too.
Siobhan has been the best vocally of the girls.I too,love Crystal but if we are talking range and vocal pipes,give Siobhan her due!The ones that should go…Katie & sorry to say Paige{who does have a good voice but was very bad tonight!}And Lily actually tonight wasn’t much better.
Crystal is just so good I wanna cry. I love Lilly’s vibe. Not my favorite, but nice… Didi improved so much. I was amused. Siobhan was COOL! She is getting so closer to be my second favorite (I don’t think anything can steal Crystal from the Top position in my heart…).
Paige sucked BAD! I was unhappy for that… Katie was even worse, I suppose… Just plain boring and Karaoke… Katelyn wasn’t good, but not bad enough to make me forget her “The Scientist”, closely getting to the Top of my iTunes list….
Lacey was great! I was so happy… I was really hoping for her to be good, ’cause she was my favorite audition!
And I don’t think Simon’s opinion affect anyone at this point. Siobhan has a lot of fãs and I SO HOPE for Katelyn as well… I’m not sure for Lacey and I AM SO WORRIED for her…
Please Paige and Katie… Just leave…
then VOTE!!
I agree that Simon won’t make a difference. The audience knows who’s good and who’s bad.
The problem with Katey is that she has a good voice, but she has no passion!
Sally, I’m convinced Simon is playing us, He’s using his snottiness to garner positive regard from us for Siobhan.