Wednesday, April 01, 2009

American Idol Top 9 Results

Who should have been eliminated: Megan Joy

Who I predicted would be eliminated: Megan Joy

Who was eliminated: Megan Joy

It is a little foolish at times to see how invested people get in this cheesy show and how they celebrate or bemoan the results. I try to save those emotions for things that really matter, like politics or sports, but at the same time, it is almost impossible to not care at least a little and want to see the right result occur on American Idol. In that regard, this April Fools' Day Results Show, which could have been fraught with gags and "twists" in spirit with the holiday instead was pretty straight-forward by Idol standards and the results were one that caused me to breathe at least a little sigh of relief. For the second week in a row, I predicted the person to be eliminated, but for the first time in the Finals this season, the person I had ranked at the bottom deserved to go.

Joining Megan in the bottom three, were second lowest vote getter (the words were actually used this week) Anoop Desai, in what was not a huge surprise based on how things went down last night (and upon reviewing the things he said to the judges after his performance, I still think he came off as a little arrogant, but I am maybe understanding his mindset at that time more), but what might have been seen as pretty surprising earlier this season, and third lowest vote getter Allison Iraheta. After my blog post of last evening, I checked Dial Idol and was quite surprised and concerned to see her in the bottom two of Dial Idol. I just really have a hard time understanding why she could possibly deserve to be in the bottom three two out of the last three weeks. It just is tough for a young female rocker to really appeal to as many demographics as one may need to possibly win, and maybe she has an uphill task, but for now, maybe its just best to appreciate every week she is able to survive and sing again.

Thankfully though, Allison was sent to safety and then very quickly after, Anoop was told he was safe. Both Allison and Anoop are definitely among and are perhaps the most naturally talented singers this season and they deserved to stay.

As anyone who reads this blog knows, I have never been a fan of Megan's singing at all, and have increasingly found her once entertaining personality to be more annoying. Tonight though, perhaps because she had a hunch the end was here, I did get a chuckle out of a couple of Megan's antics, such as her continued celebration of all things avian. Her fellow contestants really seemed to get a kick out of it too and they do genuinely appear to be a tight-knit group. I enjoyed the imitations they did of each other and even found this week's lip synced group performance of "Don't Stop Believing" more enjoyable than others they have done.

Earlier in the show, Megan told Seacrest that while she loves Simon, she did not care that he did not like her performance on Tuesday night. Thus, when the time came for her to maybe sing for her life, Simon gave it right back to her by saying that since she did not care, the judges did not care either and would not be saving her. So, Megan was free in honor of the birds to give her "swan song" without the faux pressure of trying to be saved and she went out like Jason Castro did last season in a somewhat liberated sing out of a Bob Marley number, although Megan once again brought some Muppet vocal characteristics to it. Now, maybe some will say that Megan screwed herself over by acting so cavalier about the judges, but please, she was not going to be saved anyway, and she probably knew it, so it's a good thing she said what she did. The judges are far too self-indulgent this season.

I just wonder though if Simon is regretting his misguided championing of Megan during the semifinal rounds and the fact that he was responsible for getting her in the Finals in the first place, only to see her perform badly and later turn on him. There are so many other male and female singers who would have been more worthy of her spot such as Ricky Braddy, Jesse Langseth, Felicia Barton, Kristin McNamara, Kendall Beard, just to name a few.

So, it was the end of the road for Megan who should maybe consider forgetting about trying to make it as a singer because I think she has the look and personality to break into acting or hosting and milk her fifteen minutes of fame further. She did appear to be genuinely emotional at the prospect of returning home and being reunited with her young son. That has been a theme the past three weeks with parents being voted off. Should Lil Rounds be deathly worried about next week?

Speaking of next week, we heard at the end of the show that the theme will be songs from the year the contestants were born. That will definitely allow some fun speculation as to what the Elite Eight of Season 8 will sing. Whatever song Allison does from 1992 will be several years more contemporary than those the others can pick. Will she attempt "Smells Like Teen Spirit?"

Once again people are going to need to really be motivated to try to save Allison for another week. It is going to seemingly always be a game of survival for her, especially if she is not given the "pimp spot" or is not shown proper respect by the judges. Still though, I have a hard time thinking that another female will be voted off next week or perhaps for a few more weeks, leaving just one left. So, the pressure will mostly be on Scott, Matt, and Anoop to find a good song from their birth year and do the 1980s and the Gipper proud.