Voting for the Cowell and Seacrest brackets of IDOL MADNESS is underway, and there continues to be huge response, and some very close match-ups that may come down to the wire.
Remember, Cowell Bracket voting ends Thursday at 11:59PM EST and Seacrest Bracket voting ends Saturday at 11:59PM EST. The Jackson bracket will be posted on Friday morning.
Cowell Bracket Report -- Click for drawsheet and first round match-ups
Most of the favorites continue to cruise in the Round of 64 voting, with Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Tamyra Gray, Jennifer Hudson and Bo Bice all headed for relatively easy victories.
The last two match-ups, however, look like they will end in upsets -- #10 Kellie Pickler is currently enjoying a 63.7% to 36.3% lead over #7 George Huff, and #9 Chris Richardson is dominating #8 Scott Savol, 70.5% to 29.5%.
Seacrest Bracket Report -- -- Click for drawsheet and first round match-ups
This bracket features the tightest match-up so far, between #4 Diana Degarmo and #13 Bucky Covington. They've gone back and forth over the past two days, but as of this writing Bucky has a slim lead, 53.7% to 46.3%, over the Season 3 runner-up. This one is going to be a battle to the finish.
Top seeds Taylor Hicks, Clay Aiken, Melinda Doolittle and LaKisha Jones all look headed for expected victories, but #9 Constantine Maroulis looks bound to pull of an upset win over #8 Trenyce -- he's currently leading by more than 70% of the vote. #7 RJ Helton and #10 Sanjaya Malakar are also locked in a bit of a battle, with RJ currently holding off Sanjaya 57.4% to 42.6%.
To vote in any of the match-ups, click on the links in the right side navigation bar.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
IDOL MADNESS: Wednesday 1/16 Report
Monday, January 14, 2008
IDOL MADNESS: Monday January 14 Report
Voting is underway in IDOL MADNESS: THE GAME, and there's already been huge response!
Cowell Bracket Draw, Seedings and First Round Match-Ups
Here are updates on the Cowell Bracket's first round match-ups (all %'s as of 5PM EST):
#1 Kelly Clarkson vs. #16 Melissa McGhee
The original American Idol is currently wiping the floor with play-in winner Melissa McGhee, 92.7% to 7.3%.
#2 Ruben Studdard vs. #15 Stephanie Edwards
Season 2's champ Ruben Studdard has his hands full with play-in winner Stephanie Edwards. Right now, he's leading Edwards 68.2% to 31.8%.
#3 Tamyra Gray vs. #14 Chris Sligh
Chris Sligh's fans are coming on strong, but for now the Season 1 fourth place finisher is withstanding the challenge. Tamyra leads 75.8% to 24.2%.
#4 Jennifer Hudson vs. #13 Haley Scarnato
Oscar winner Hudson is not having a problem with Season 6' Scarnato, leading 81.1% to 18.9%.
#5 Bo Bice vs. #12 Lisa Tucker
Season Four runner-up Bice currently has 83.6% of the vote, far exceeding Tucker's
16.4%.
#6 Jasmine Trias vs. #11 Rickey Smith
Jasmine's fans have come on strong today, overcoming an early lead from Smith to surge to a 69.4% to 30.6% advantage.
#7 George Huff vs. #10 Kellie Pickler
There looks to be an upset-in-the-making here, as #10 seed Pickler is currently enjoying a 67.4% to 32.6% advantage over the lovable Season 3 fifth place finisher.
#8 Scott Savol vs. #9 Chris Richardson
Season 6' hearthrob is also looking to pull of an upset in the closest race this round. Richardson is currently leading Savol 63.3% to 36.7%.
Visit the IDOL MADNESS Main Page
Sunday, January 13, 2008
IDOL MADNESS: Cowell Brackets Seeding and First Round Match-Ups
Voting for this round ends Thursday January 17 at 11:59PM EST
We have seeded the candidates based both on their performance on the show and their accomplishments since then. Most of the finalists are seeded within 3 spots of their rank on the show (i.e. if a finalist was 3rd on the show, they can’t be seeded lower than 6th in the bracket) and we have made sure candidates from the same seasons can not face each other in the first two rounds.
Other than that, it’s pretty subjective and we have tried to keep it interesting and balanced. Now it’s up to you to vote! Polls are now open!
COWELL BRACKET
1st round match-ups:
#1 Kelly Clarkson vs. #16 Melissa McGhee
#2 Ruben Studdard vs. #15 Stephanie Edwards
#3 Tamyra Gray vs. #14 Chris Sligh**
#4 Jennifer Hudson vs. #13 Haley Scarnato
#5 Bo Bice vs. #12 Lisa Tucker
#6 Jasmine Trias vs. #11 Rickey Smith
#7 George Huff vs. #10 Kellie Pickler **
#8 Scott Savol vs. #9 Chris Richardson
**Featured match
We tried to keep all the brackets pretty even but if there was a “Bracket of Death”, it would be this one. #1 seed is the first ever American Idol, multi-platinum, 2-time Grammy Award winner Kelly Clarkson, who starts off the action against play-in winner Melissa McGhee from Season 5. Barring any upsets, she could face the only Oscar winner in the competition, #4 seed, Jennifer Hudson, in the Sweet Sixteen.
In the other half of the bracket, Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard could face tough competition from the likes of #15 seed Stephanie Edwards (Season 6), country favorite #10 seed Kellie Pickler (Season 5), and #3 seed Tamyra Gray just to get to the bracket finals. Whoever wins this bracket will definitely be a force in the Final Four!
Check back for my predictions on who will be victorious in their first round match-ups.
And remember, voting starts now!
Seed Name Season / Place
1 Kelly Clarkson 1 / 1
2 Ruben Studdard 2/ 1
3 Tamyra Gray 1 /4
4 Jennifer Hudson 3 / 7
5 Bo Bice 4 / 2
6 Jasmine Trias 3 / 3
7 George Huff 3 / 5
8 Scott Savol 4 / 5
9 Chris Richardson 6 / 5
10 Kellie Pickler 5 / 6
11 Rickey Smith 2 / 8
12 Lisa Tucker 5 / 10
13 Haley Scarnato 6 / 8
14 Chris Sligh 6 / 10
15 Stephanie Edwards 6 / 11
16 Melissa McGhee 5 / 12
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
IDOL MADNESS: THE GAME Round of 64 (Cowell Bracket) -- #7 George Huff vs. #10 Kellie Pickler
Visit IDOL MADNESS: THE GAME Main Page
OTHER COWELL BRACKET ROUND OF 64 MATCH-UPS:
#1 Kelly Clarkson vs. #16 Melissa McGhee
#2 Ruben Studdard vs. #15 Stephanie Edwards
#3 Tamyra Gray vs. #14 Chris Sligh
#4 Jennifer Hudson vs. #13 Haley Scarnato
#5 Bo Bice vs. #12 Lisa Tucker
#6 Jasmine Trias vs. #11 Rickey Smith
#8 Scott Savol vs. #9 Chris Richardson
Friday, May 04, 2007
Ranking the 5th Place Finishers
Please note, rankings are determined on American Idol performances only, not on what they have accomplished since their time on the show.
In addition, since we don't know whether Phil Stacey or Chris Richardson finished at #5 for Season 6, I have (possibly incorrectly) put Phil on the list of 6th place finishers, and Chris appears on this list
1. Paris Bennett(Season 5)
Best Known For: Strong jazzy voice; uncannily mature performance style
Best Performance: "Fever," "The Show Must Go On"
Worst Performance: Not a terrible performance in the bunch, but if I had to name one I'd go with "How Do I Live"
Post-AI: Debut CD, "Princess P," released later this month
2. Trenyce (Season 2)
Best Known For: Sadly, her shoplifiting arrest (that mug shot is pretty memorable)
Best Performance: "Proud Mary," "Love Will Keep Us Together"
Worst Performance: "I Need You"
Post AI: Busy acting and singing in stage productions around the country, but has yet to make it to Broadway
3. George Huff (Season 3)
Best Known For: Lovable personality, and "bopping" dance style
Best Performance: "Take Me to the Pilot"
Worst Performance: "I Can Love You Like That"
Post AI: Released an album in late '05 called "Miracles"
4. Chris Richardson(Season 6)
Best Known For: Being a Justin Timberlake look-and-sound-alike (and, in my opinion, the cutest male contestant the show has ever had)
Best Performance: "Geek in the Pink," "Don't Get Around Much Anymore"
Worst Performance: "The Boss"
Post AI: We'll see...
5. RJ Helton(Season 1)
Best Known For: Being called a "loser" by Simon, resulting in the famous Season 1 fight between Simon and Randy
Best Performance: "Lately"
Worst Performance: "I Won't Dance"
Post AI: Released an album of Christian music (which is actually pretty good); recently publicly came out of the closet; quoted in a recent article about "American Idol's Gay Secret" in Advocate magazine
6. Scott Savol(Season 4)
Best Known For: Probably the least charming contestant American Idol has ever had
Best Performance: "Never Too Much"
Worst Performance: Even though his voice isn't really that bad, I'd have to say...the rest
Post AI: Shockingly, he's "working on a CD"
Friday, March 30, 2007
Ten Best Top 9 Performances of All Time
Here we go again...on to the Ten Best Top 9 performances of all time.
This list actually surprised me more than any of the previous ones, as it includes performances from several contestants (Constantine, Kellie, Ace) who I would not necessarily consider myself a huge fan of. It's always fun when a contestant surprises you and puts forward a performance you didn't see coming. Apparently, the Top 9 is a round full of such surprises.
Ranking the 10th Place Finishers
Ten Best Top 10 Performances of All Time
Ten Best Top 11 Performances of All Time
Ten Best First Finals Performances
Ten Best Semifinals Performances of All Time
1. Jennifer Hudson, "Circle of Life" (SF: #8)
I loved Jennifer from the moment I laid eyes on her in her initial audition, but through the semifinals and the first few rounds of the finals, she seemed to be struggling to fit her huge vocals with a performance style that worked on the small screen. With this astounding performance, however, she showed exactly what she is capable of, transforming an already moving song into a soaring anthem. Showing dazzling poise and impeccable vocal abilities, Jennifer stole the show with this performance, impressing Elton John, the judges, and the audience alike. She may have won the Oscar for Dreamgirls, but as far as I'm concerned this was her first really award-worthy performance. Spectacular.
2. George Huff, "Take Me to the Pilot"
After a bit of a rough start to the finals, George came roaring back with this joyful, soulful, and playful performance of the Elton John tune -- a performance that was so full of life it was nearly impossible not to enjoy. This is easily George's strongest performance, as well as the best male performance of that year's competition.
3. Constantine Maroulis, "My Funny Valentine" (Top 12: #10, Top 10: #4)
Let's just say I don't consider myself Constantine's biggest fan -- yet, here he is for the third time on one of my "Ten Best" lists. I guess I have to acknowledge that I enjoyed his performances more than I thought I did! This one may have been his very best, as he got to show off his musical theater training and really give a classy vocal performance of the beautiful standard. It may not have quite the level of vocal sophistication that Melinda Doolittle brought to it this season, but it was pretty dang good.
4. Clay Aiken, "Everlasting Love" (SF: #4, Top 12: #3, Top 11: #2)
By this point in the competition it was abundantly clear that Clay could sing just about anything, but when he put his stellar vocals together with a fun, uplifting song, the effect was never more enjoyable. Making it look effortless, Clay once again wow'ed his fans with this fantastic performance.
5. Latoya London, "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" (SF: #1, Top 11: #10)
Latoya could hit a series of high notes to bring home a song better than almost any contestant in Idol history, and she showed off those skills on this soaring version of Elton John's ballad. Her final notes are simply breathtaking.
6. Ace Young, "Tonight I Wanna Cry"
Again, I am as shocked as many of you probably are to see Ace's name on this list -- let's just say I really was not a fan of the pretty-boy back in Season 5. However, his tender and well-sung version of the Keith Urban song really was quite excellent and rather moving-- it was the best fit between singer and song that Ace found during the entire competition.
7. Nikko Smith, "One Hand, One Heart"
The theme for the Top 9 during Season 4 was Broadway, and while Carrie and company chose mostly boring standards from 50's musicals, Nikko managed to put a contemporary and soulful spin on this beautiful ballad from "West Side Story." This was my favorite performance from Nikko -- unfortunately it was also the performance that got him voted out.
8. Katharine McPhee, "Bringing out the Elvis" (SF: #10, Top 11: #6)
I wasn't sure how Katharine was going to fare during country week in Season 5 -- she didn't exactly have much of a twang in her voice, so song choice was crucial for Ms. McPhee. In wisely choosing this soul/country tune, she brought some sass and attitude to the proceedings, and proved that she's capable of singing just about anything.
9. Kellie Pickler, "Fancy"
First off, I must admit that I am a huge sucker for this song -- the tale about a girl who is encouraged by her mother to be a hooker has a soft spot in my heart, and Reba McEntire's version is one of my favorite tunes. And while Kellie certainly doesn't reach the level of Ms. Reba in this performance, she showed some spunk and pluck, and a surprisingly competent singing voice, in this performance. It was "country week," so she should have done well -- and, for once, she did.
10. Trenyce, "I'm Every Woman" (Top 12: #6)
I would like to propose that Whitney Houston's "I'm Every Woman" and "I Have Nothing" be permanently retired from the competition. Trenyce was one of the first to sing the song on the show, and although Vonzell Solomon would end up singing it better a couple of season's later, I must commend Trenyce for her very entertaining version. Always in the shadow of Ruben, Clay, and Kim L., with this performance Trenyce found a way to make herself stand out.
Ranking the 10th Place Finishers
Ten Best Top 10 Performances of All Time
Ten Best Top 11 Performances of All Time
Ten Best First Finals Performances
Ten Best Semifinals Performances of All Time
Posts
