Final standings: Read 'em, and in my case, weep

Well, here it is: Tuesday and no American Idol. I have to say I preferred last season, I wonder if my hero Syesha has gone on to the Broadway stardom that all the judges pigeon-holed her into.

This year, in the end, my favorite was probably Matt. He was like the Final Four George Mason basketball team of American Idol — few thought he should have been there to begin with (he got in as a wild card and he was one of only two contestants not picked by any of us) and in round after ensuing round fans said he would reach the end of the liine. Yet he kept defying the odds, even earning the judges' saved, and finished in the top five before he could no longer make it purely on grit.

Despite that save, our eloquent team of Idol judges pigeon-holed him early on as a blues singer or something like that. Not that I was a fan of his fabled Coldplay performance, but I felt bad for him when the judges chided him for trying and he whimpered in reply: "But this is the kind of music I want to sing."

He apparently also wanted to win, at least more than to sing Coldplay, because he went back to doing as told by the judges. But I still cheers you, Matt, for putting on what I would say was the best all-around run in Idol.

I guess Kris had a pretty good run too, seeing as how he came from almost nowhere a month ago to winning it, I think pretty much on the strength his performance of Heartless.

The performer who was most ripped-off goes to Alexis. Her early-round defeat derailed several of our entries. I still wonder if she had to pay the price so the produces could say, "see, it's not rigged," after this story leaked. (They later added, "no, we won't publicly release results for a reason that has nothing to do with the showing being rigged. Oops.)

The biggest choke goes to Lil Rounds, who went from early front-runner to one of the blandest performers in mere weeks. Maybe she couldn't take living with the rest of the Idols.

Anyway, that's my take. The site will stay here, and we'll back and running again in January (although it sounds like Kara, a.k.a. Poochie the unwanted character, won't be). Final standings are below:

1. Vicki 77
2. Megan 64
3. Caroline 53
4. Angie 46
5. Allie 43
5. Johnny 43
7. Kelly 42
8. Andrew 40
9. Kate 36
10. Nicole 36
11. Lori #1 35
12. Lori #2 27
13. Jason 26
13. Nate 26

Finals tonight

Well, for purposes of our game Idol is all wrapped up going into the finals, but I'm just taking the time to say I'm cheering for Kris.

I know Vicki is already on her way down for her payment this week, I will sort everything out with everyone else in the next few days.

I'm also planning to post a tribute to Matt, who did the most to earn my respect of anyone this season.

Enjoy the finale!

Nate

Standings update: Kris vs. Danny

The current standings:

1. Vicki 57 (clinched first)
2. Caroline 48 (guaranteed at least third)
3. Megan 44 (will finish second or out of the money)
4. Angie 41 (vying for third/money)

Everyone from here down is eliminated:
5. Allie 38
6. Johnny 38
7. Kelly 37
8. Nicole 36
9. Andrew 35
9. Lori #1 35
11. Kate 31
12. Lori #2 27
13. Jason 26
13. Nate 26

So with two weeks to go, whether Kris or Danny goes home next will decide second and third. If Kris is eliminate before Danny, then Caroline will finish second and Angie will finish third. If Danny is eliminated before Kris, then Megan finishes second and Caroline finishes third.

Standings Update: We have a winner

The elimination of Lil' Rounds this past week provided the biggest impact we've had on our entrants since Alexis was somehow eliminated second.

Early on I thought Lil Rounds was a sure thing, but she is now the second contestant of the supposed pre-selected Final Four to be eliminated (Alexis was the other).

Now, Caroline has fallen from the ranks of perfect entrants and due to remaining entrants Vicki has already clinched the highest point total; however, second and third place are still up for grabs.

Also, I encourage you all to place some side action down, as Andrew and Vicki are going head-to-head on whether Danny Gokey makes the Finals (Andrew says no, Vicki says yes).

Updated standings below:

Points earned:
1. Vicki 40
2. Caroline 36
3. Megan 32
4. Angie 31
5. Nicole 29
6. Allie 28
6. Andrew 28
6. Johnny 28
6. Lori #1 28
10. Kelly 27
11. Kate 26
12. Lori #2 22
13. Jason 21
13. Nate 21

Points Possible
1. Vicki 77
2. Caroline 71
3. Megan 67
4. Angie 61
5. Nicole 59
6. Allie 58
6. Andrew 58
6. Johnny 58
6. Lori #1 58
10. Kelly 57
11. Kate 46
12. Lori #2 42
13. Jason 41
13. Nate 41

Saving Matt Giraud and Disco Week

I'm not sure that Matt Giraud is save-worthy or sponge-worthy, but the judges broke out the "save" and we will again have seven contestants this week for Disco Night. I don't know who disco week disadvantages most, but my guess is Lil Rounds and Matt both go home this week. I predict Anoop will join them in the bottom three. Feel free to post predictions here.

Idol's on the Tuesday at 8 p.m. and Wednesday at 9 p.m. schedule again this week. Both episodes are scheduled to be held to an hour, so hopefully they will continue limiting the judicial rambling that makes the shorter-length show possible.

No need to update the standings this week obviously, but a note for scoring purposes: The two contestants voted off next week will both be given credit for reaching the Round of 7. I don't anticipate them announcing who was 7th and who was 6th, so both eliminated singers will be treated as tying for seventh.

And please, no one throw any disco demolition parties.

--Nate

Scott goes home

Scott when home this past week, causing the biggest blow to entries in this game since Alexis was somehow robbed and booted out of the Final 11.

Former co-leader Angie had Scott, leaving Caroline and Vicki as the only two remaining perfect entries.

Here are new standings, by points accumulated:

1. Caroline 24
1. Vicki 24
3. Angie 23
4. Kate 22
5. Nicole 21
6. Allie 20
6. Andrew 20
6. Johnny 20
6. Lori #1 20
6. Megan 20
11. Kelly 19
12. Lori #2 18
13. Jason 17
14. Nate 17

Here are new standings, by points possible. There is no statistical way for Jason or I to finish in the top three that I can figure. It looks like it is possible for anyone else, although it would take some surprises.

1. Caroline 77
1. Vicki 77
3. Angie 70
4. Kate 69
5. Allie 67
5. Andrew 67
5. Johnny 67
5. Lori #1 67
5. Megan 67
10. Nicole 59
11. Kelly 57
12. Lori #2 56
13. Jason 55
13. Nate 55


Here are the latest Vegas odds on Idol. We are back on a Tuesday/Wednesday schedule this week.

--Nate

Scoring update

Caw-Caw! We will miss you and your sleeve tattoo, Megan. But it's back to Utah with all the other failed Idol contestants from the state that seems to produce many a karaoke singer.

Megan's ouster knocks Kate and Nicole from the ranks of those who still have all contestants surviving. Updated standings, by points accumulated:

1. Angie 20
1. Caroline 20
1. Vicki 20
4. Kate 19
4. Nicole 19
6. Allie 17
6. Andrew 17
6. Johnny 17
6. Kelly 17
6. Lori #1 17
6. Megan 17
12. Lori #2 16
13. Jason 15
14. Nate 15

Here are standings by points possible:
1. Angie 77
1. Caroline 77
1. Vicki 77
4. Kate 69
4. Nicole 69
6. Allie 67
6. Andrew 67
6. Johnny 67
6. Kelly 67
6. Lori #1 67
6. Megan 67
12. Jason 65
13. Lori #2 56
14. Nate 55

Have a great week.

Update

Hi all,

Sorry I've been way behind in tallying up the scores. I'm going to try to get them all up on Sunday morning. I think it's between Jason and I for last.

--Nate

Scoring update: March 22

1. Angie - 12
1. Caroline - 12
1. Kate - 12
1. Nicole - 12
1. Vicki -12
6. Allie - 11
6. Andrew -11
6. Johnny - 11
6. Kelly - 11
6. Lori #1 - 11
6. Lori #2 - 11
6. Megan -11
6. Nate -11
14. Jason - 9

Michael Jackson theme? Other live Idol thoughts from Nate ....

This has the potential to be really bad. Except for Paula's dancing? By the way, don't dial Idols-13 if you want to vote for Anoop.

I agree with Simon, I hoped for more from Lil Rounds. She is my lead pick.

Thank goodness Scott's family didn't try out for Idol. And what Michael Jackson song is this? Hated it. Are the women going to criticize anyone tonight? I'm setting odds on that at 8:1.

The biggest selling record in Norway's history? How much more trivia does Paula have tonight? Oh wait, Paula's making things up again.

Danny is up. I apparently haven't heard most of Michael Jackson's songs. I wish I hadn't picked Danny so I could root against him more.

Stop crying Paula, it's only the third contestant. You'll pass out.

I can't believe Simon said Danny reminded him of Michael McDonald. That's exactly what I thought. Simon and I think alike. Uh-oh.

My upset pick, Michael is up. Better than I expected and Simon liked him, so hopefully that will allow him to survive. I'm banking on the country vote. Does he work on an oil rig? That's the first I've heard of that.

Going to Caps game during the break. Oh God, they're losing again. Why is this happening? Who is the better American Idol? Ovechkin or Green?

I liked Jasmine's performance OK. Nothing that new, but it sounded good.

OK, getting distracted by close finishes in Big Sky Tourney and 0-0 game between Netherlands and Dominican in 8th.

Seems like Kris' best performance that I've seen; I thought he would be one of the first out. And why is he helping others? Or it could be a conspiracy.

Following the ramblings of the craziest judge, we now have the craziest contestant: Allison. Probably one of the most talented though.

What did Paula just tell her to stay off of?

Netherlands-Dominican 0-0 in ninth. I've officially started cheering for Netherlands.

I think Anoop is going to be endorsed as Vote for the Worst contestant.

I just missed half of Jorge's performance while watching WBC. Again, never heard this Michael Jackson song. Apparently judges didn't like it. I was fairly neutral.

Netherlands-Dominican is going to extra innings.

Why on earth would the Osbornes come back?

Ol' NBA tattoo arm (Megan) is up. She sings OK, but maybe just because I've always like this song. Not that I'm one to talk, but she's not much of a dancer.

Caw-Caw?!!!!

Adam sings. Paula gets wackier. This is running too long and I'm getting bored.

Matt plays piano and sings what I guess is a Michael Jackson song. I hope next week is Coldplay week for him, but I have a feeling he will be one of the two to go.

Got to go pick up Allie so I will miss Alexis. Oh well, at almost two hours this show is waaay too long.

Who's got who

Allie:
• Adam
• Alexis
• Danny
• Lil Rounds

Andrew:
• Adam
• Alexis
• Allison
• Lil Rounds

Angie:
• Adam
• Danny
• Lil Rounds
• Scott

Caroline:
• Adam
• Allison
• Danny
• Lil Runds

Jason:
• Danny
• Jorge
• Lil Rounds
• Scott

Johnny:
• Adam
• Alexis
• Danny
• Lil Rounds

Kate:
• Adam
• Anoop
• Lil Rounds
• Megan

Kelly
• Adam
• Alexis
• Danny
• Scott

Lori #1
• Alexis
• Allison
• Danny
• Lil Rounds

Lori #2
• Alexis
• Anoop
• Danny
• Megan

Megan:
• Adam
• Alexis
• Allison
• Kris

Nate:
• Alexis
• Danny
• Lil Rounds
• Michael

Nicole:
• Allison
• Danny
• Megan
• Scott

Vicki
• Adam
• Allison
• Danny
• Kris

By contestant:
Adam: Allie, Andrew, Angie, Caroline, Johnny, Kate, Kelly, Megan, Vicki
Alexis: Allie, Andrew, Johnny, Kelly, Lori #1, Lori #2, Megan, Nate
Allison: Andrew, Caroline, Lori #1, Megan, Nicole, Vicki
Anoop: Kate, Lori #2
Danny: Allie, Angie, Caroline, Jason, Johnny, Kelly, Lori #1, Lori #2, Nate, Nicole, Vicki
Jasmine:
Jorge: Jason
Kris: Megan, Vicki
Lil: Allie, Andrew, Angie, Caroline, Jason, Johnny, Kate, Lori #1, Nate
Matt:
Megan: Kate, Lori #2, Nicole
Michael: Nate
Scott: Angie, Jason, Kelly, Nicole

Idol: So far/The Week Ahead

Apparently, Idol is back to being on Tuesdays again. Maybe now that the Obama got a front-row seat to the Wizards kicking the Bulls' collective ass he won't feel the need to interrupt prime time programming with speeches.

The following review and look ahead is meant as much for me as it is for you. Here we go.

Who's in so far:



Alexis Grace, 21, Memphis, Tenn. — Teen mother and apparent Celine Dion impersonator. Possibly a rocker, after all, she does have pink highlights in her hair. See video gallery here.



Michael Sarver, 27, Jasper, Texas – Big, strong, roughneck oil worker? Loves Jesus, or at least to sing about him, oops, Him. Strong chance to get bumpkin votes. See video gallery here.



Danny Gokey, 28, Milwaukee, Wisc. — In case you haven't heard, his wife died. Not into songs for dudes. People seem to love him. See video gallery here.



Adam Lambert, 26, Los Angeles, Calif. — Also doesn't sing dude songs. Sang Cher at his audition, followed by botching the Stones. Looks like we are spotting a trend. See video gallery here.



Allison Iraheta, 16, Los Angeles, Calif. — Possibly best singer and most annoying contestant at the same time. A teen that's not a mother, but I would say she is the contestant most likely to promise to blow Simon out of his socks. See video gallery here.



Kris Allen, 23, Conway, Ark. — Contestant most resembling Fievel (who I still love). See video gallery here.


With six in, there are six left to choose. Three will come out of this group, which performs Tuesday night. The following week, the 27 candidates left will compete for three final spots.

That will give us our final 12, of whom you must choose four to make up your fantasy idol roster.

By the way, in Vegas, the men are the favorites. As of this writing, you have to put up $310 to win $100 if you want to predict a man will win. If you bet a woman to win, you would be paid $190 on a $100 bet.

That's all for today. Take it Fievel.

Why does the Idol schedule keep switching

Well, I was going to watch American Idol live for the first time all year tomorrow, but now I find out it is not even on. What a rip.

I'm very behind on scouting, but I'm kind of thinking I should take that Gokey kid because he seems popular enough to make the final eight or so regardless of talent. I also need to figure out who will be getting the country vote.

Plus, I just realized that Idol is two hours now, not one hour. Yikes! That's a time commitment. Maybe I'll just copy my picks off Allie's.

--Nate

Thursday Idol? What-what?

Listening to the First Team on good 'ol 1370 AM this morning and learned there is a third night of Idol audition this week!

I can't wait to get auditions over, but I guess I'll take a minute to talk about them because that's all that has been on. I haven't watched much, but on Tuesday I saw a guy butcher Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get it On" and still get sent to Hollywood. Allie said there were worse performers, but it's hard to imagine.

I think we get to actual competition next week, so get scouting.

--Nate

Week 2 of auditions...still not watching, and I'm not alone

To read some reviews, it was a boring week of Idol. Although if this headline is true, it couldn't have been all bad.

Either way, I missed Tuesday to go to the Terps game and last night was Wisconsin-Iowa and ... so on.

But apparently, I tune out a lot of things that many people watch. For instance, CSI: Insert City Here was the top show because it was some dudes last time on. The Ravens-Steelers was the second most-watched show of the week, but I only missed the first half of that one. (How often are the Portland State Vikings on TV?). Idol finished third in ratings for the past week.

Since I can't talk about Idol, how about other exciting things this week. First, at work, we got in Hennessey bottle honoring the inauguration of our 44th president (see below, sorry it's a camera phone). No word yet on other boozes smart enough to cash in on the hype.




Also, did you know there is a guy who has played a perfect game of Pac-Man. What is a perfect game of Pac-Man. Watch this and you will find out, and enter the world of Billy Mitchell.

One week of Idol is in the books

Well, I didn't take the opportunity to get much advance scouting done this week, although I did catch the judges sending Anoop Dog to Hollywood despite calling him the worst-dressed individual in history.

I opted instead to watch the Caps' rousing win in Pittsburgh last night. But hey, at least I freshened-up the blog this afternoon in between looking for a job as a grocer in this down economy (Maybe I should just marry one) and sorting through the hundreds of e-mail messages in my inbox.

Does this pass as a news item? So far we are up to nine guaranteed participants. Maybe I will write a feature breaking down the competition. Unless the editor of the story I haven't yet finished is reading this. In that case, I'm only working on this story.

--Nate

Full site, stat tracking and more coming soon....

--Nate

Full site, stat tracking and more coming soon....

--Nate