American Idol 2, February 5: Don't Call It An Upset

Ryan Seacrest welcomes us to the first results night of American Idol 2. All eight semi-finalists are sitting on the amoeba-like red couch, waiting for their fates. The parents are all in the back. Let's hope no one rushes out from the back like the office linebacker!

Ryan tells us there was a viewing party at JD Adams' house. He wasn't invited. Me neither.

Before we find out who is in the Top 3 (of whom, two will advance), we recap some of what happened last night, though of course we only get snippets (for example, for one contestant Simon had said that the song choice was horrible but she sang it well - we only get to see the part of him saying the song choice was horrible). If you missed it Tuesday night, check out my recap before proceeding.

I predicted who I thought should advance:

1. Julia DeMato

2. JD Adams

And, who I though would advance:

1. Kimberly Caldwell

2. JD Adams

In a new wrinkle this year, Ryan tells the contestants one by one if they are in the final three (in the mode that the Top Ten was informed of their fates last year). Nice move!

But first, the judges predict who they think will advance:

Randy says Kimberly and Patrick. (Really?)

Paula says Kimberly and Patrick. (Really???)

Simon says Kimberly and JD.

Enough with the speculation, now for the results:

Trenyce - such a lovely beaming smile. Poor thing is so nervous. She did not make the Top 3.

Patrick - our first bit of controversy. A gracious smile looks like he knows he didn't make it. He's right.

Julia - looks fit to explode. Ryan recaps the critiques and she feels compelled to respond to each one, like it will hurry him along. She in the Top 3! (Yes!)

Bettis - also looks like he knows he wasn't at his best last night. He does not make the Top 3.

Kimberly - she sang well, technically perfect. Emotionally distant. She looks comfortable (Kimberly is a veteran of this stuff, she went down to the wire on PopStars 2 as well!), and she should. She's in the Top 3!

Meosha - looks so hopeful. She's breaking my heart! She is not in the Top 3!

Charles and JD are left, and one of them is in the Top 3. Commercial break! Bastards!

We're back! Ryan asks Kimberly and Julia how they feel. Kimberly says she's more concerned about her new friends (the group of eight), and how they're feeling. Julia says they had a mini-breakdown, but they are okay. Oh, and thanks America.

Ryan finally turns his attention to JD and Charles. Charles advances to the Top 3. JD looks perfectly stunned. I gasp like a soap opera character! I (and JD) was sure it would be JD, thus showing my supremacy for all the world to see! But - but -

Charles looks like he just may faint. He joins Julia and Kimberly in the silver IKEA-esque finalist chairs.

Commercial break!

Ryan asks the judges what they think of the Top 3. All seem okay with them. Simon adds that he thought last night was dismal. He advises the remaining performers to understand that the bar has been raised. Ryan cuts off the diatribe and asks if sees anyone they would earmark for the Wildcard round. Simon says no one, none of them performed to their potential and the future performances must be better or "there will be fireworks!"

Jeez!

Now, it's time to announce the first member of the heralded Top Ten. It's Charles Grigsby! Are you kidding? Charles actually dips! I thought he was going down! He says he can't believe it. No shuh! I can't either. Nothing, absolutely nothing, against Charles, but I don't think he shined! Who said Nikki McKibbin?

Charles sings "Overjoyed" again (and he must be) and is even less convincing than last night. Sorry, Charles fans, I'm not feeling it.

That leaves Kimberly and Julia. Ryan asks the judges who they think got the most votes. All three say Kimberly.

(I had a niggling feeling about this. That whole session in the group audition made Kimberly seem like a, well, bitch. America won't vote for someone they don't like. If Kimberly does not advance, it could because of editing. Let's be real. They way the whole meow-mix went down made Kimberly seem like the protagonist and Julia the ingénue, which may not be the whole story. Not fair to Kimberly. Frankly, they are the two I wanted to advance, so I'm just sick. For more on this, check out David's coverage of the Julia-Kimberly "rivalry" at Foxes On Idol.)

Ryan announces the apparent top vote getter. It's Julia! She's shocked! I'm not! The editing may have benefited her, but she is definitely deserving of the spot. She sings "Son of A Preacher Man" again. In the midst, we see Kimberly, who hugged, squeezed hands, patted knees, of the rejected semifinalists before she left the couch, actually shed a few tears. She has to wonder what she has to do to get to the next level. Popstars 2 and now this. I grieve for her.

Ryan reminds Kimberly that there is the Wildcard Round possibly, Kimberly is a trooper and says, "Sure! This is not the end, it's the beginning!" Nice face, I wonder what she thinks in her heart of hearts. She sings "Come To My Window" and is joined by the other seven.

So, there it is. Charles Grigsby and Julia DeMato move on. I am 0-2. I am simply amazed. Kimberly, considering she had all the judges behind her, seems like a sure bet for the Wildcard Round!

Next Tuesday, we will have performances from the second group of eight: Candace Coleman, Jacob John Smalley, Jennifer Fuentes, Hadas, Clay Aiken, Kimberley Locke, Rebecca Bond, and Ruben Studdard.

In this group, my Picks to Click were Jacob John, Clay, Kimberley, and Ruben. This will be an excellent week!

Sting7 can be reached at stingseven@yahoo.com.

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