Access HollywoodAccess Hollywood

    Spoiler! Inside the 'Idol' Taping

    Posted by Laura Saltman April 24 at 03:07 PM | Comments (13)


  • NOTE: Major Spoilers for Tonight Attached - DON'T READ if you don't want to know.

    For the first time in what might be "American Idol" history or at least a really, really long time, a Top 12 performance show has been pre-taped. Producers felt they needed more time to rehearse for their big 2 hour "Idol Gives Back" show. So, the Idols had one less day to rehearse their songs and I had to give up my first free Monday night in months. A bike ride and dinner plans were on the horizon when I get an email that an Idol ticket has become available at 3pm. The catch was I had to be there by 4:15 which means I would have to cancel my plans. So, I pissed off my friend and darted over the hill not wanting to pass up what has become a rare opportunity this season for me. Needless to say after arriving to the studio by 4:15, waiting for someone to meet me for fifteen minutes and then finding out upon getting inside the studio it was still 49 minutes to show time, my mood was less than jovial. I think I may have had my fill of "American Idol" tapings and I've only been twice this year. Last year I went like twenty times.

    Let the first timers have the seats. They appreciate it more.


    Since the show was pre-taped this means they did not have to start on time right at 5 PM. The show finally kicked off around 5:25 PM. If you don't want to know what happened tonight then don't read any further. Since however, I can tell you that information about what happened is all over the internet already, I won't feel too guilty giving my account as some people do want to know. OK, last chance to close your browser before the spoilers run rampant.....

    The show begins like any other with Ryan's intro but this time instead of his signature, "This is American Idol" he begins with "This is Idol Gives Back!" We learn that News Corp which owns the Fox Network will donate 10 cents per call up to 50 million votes tonight for a total of $5 million. The phone lines will be open for four hours tonight instead of two to help boost calling. Each Idol will have two phone numbers to help as well.

    A taped piece, which is meant to pull at the heart strings is then shown over Ryan and Simon Cowell's trip to Africa. Personally, I felt the story set to emotional music was all substance and no meat. I wanted to see more of the stories and less slow motion effects set to music. Hopefully, this was just a tease and tomorrow's show will be more in depth. I heard several ladies crying behind me. So, I guess they achieved the desired effect. In between the Top 6's performances, various pieces are shown. One reveals how the funds that are raised will also help charities here in American including an LA Food Bank, a mobile health center, a Navajo Indian Reservation, Hurricane Katrina survivors, a homeless shelter in Atlanta and an illiteracy organization in Kentucky.

    The final six contestants were challenged to sing songs that inspired them. First up was Chris Richardson who kicked the night off with Eric Clapton's "If I Could Change the World." From my perch up in the audience I wasn't that impressed with his performance. Clearly, I must be missing something as Randy told him he was "In it to win it." Paula thought it was a fantastic song choice for him and Simon commented that the competition had just started, "after all the craziness of the last few weeks."

    It was an obvious reference to Sanjaya which got a few chuckles.

    Melinda Doolittle, looking cute in a gray dress and a beautiful choker that looked to be made of black diamonds or sapphires, took on Faith Hills' "There Will Come a Day." As usual she sounded incredible and ruled the stage. Simon told her the performance was a "vocal master class." Paula told her she was magical. Randy told her he just doesn't know what to say anymore as every performance is great.

    After an extended commercial break, as the Director apparently had to use the bathroom (um, hello what if it were live?), Blake Lewis took a major risk singing John Lennon's "Imagine" alongside a piano player. He sounded ok but that song has become so iconic in our world, I'm not sure it was the right choice. Randy told him it was "just kind of alright for me." However, Paula enjoyed it because of the emotion he put into the performance. Shockingly, Simon agreed with Paula and was impressed that he sang it with such sincerity.

    Another break and then its revealed that Carrie Underwood will perform from Africa on the Wednesday night special, "I'll Stand By You." A whole group of celebrities will band together to sing "Stayin Alive" including Teri Hatcher, Gwyneth Paltrow and Hugh Grant.

    Next up was LaKisha Jones in a black strapless dress. Even though her rendition of Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take the Wheel" didn't pan out for her last week, she again went with an Idol winner's song taking on Fantasia Barrino's "I Believe." She walked out on stage singing and it sounded a bit rough but once she hit the middle her booming voice came through and it was great. Here is where it gets strange. The judges ripped her to shreds. I could not understand why. Randy told her she had pitch problems. Paula told her she preferred the Fantasia version and Simon told her he had issue with her shouting while she sings. She told them she was happy with her performance. My guess is they are ready for her to be eliminated.

    Phil Stacey stuck with a country song this week choosing Garth Brooks' "The Change" which was written after the Oklahoma City Bombings. Randy thought it was a strong performance and nice vocal. Paula thought he had found his comfort zone and this was his best vocal so far. Simon thought it was a good choice of song and told him to stick with country because it suits his voice.

    Jordin closed out the show. She looked absolutely stunning in a beige dress and sang a song I had never heard, "You'll Never Walk Alone." She sounded great (and maybe its because I didn't know the song) but the judges glowing praise surprised me. Randy told her it might be, "The best vocal by any contestant ever on the show."
    Which makes no sense because Melinda was just as good, if not better, not 20 minutes earlier. Paula didn't seem to echo Randy's opinion but told her it was a lovely vocal. Simon joked that unlike Randy he really liked it and told her that the song is sixty years old but, "I think you could have a hit record with that."

    The girl is a star, no doubt. I'm a Jordin fan.

Comments

never heard You'll never walk alone" ? Amazing

Posted by: Ali | April 25, 2007 07:14 AM

Ummmm...unless you've heard Fantasia's version of "I Believe," you won't understand the judge's comments.

Posted by: Gwen | April 25, 2007 03:31 PM

"You'll Never Walk Alone" is one of the most beautiful, supportive and emotional songs of all time! In fact, it's the song that Jerry Lewis sings every year at the end of his Muscular Distrophy Telethon. I look forward to watching him sing it every year. He cries, the audience cries, and I cry.

Jordin did an amazing rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone", and in my opinion, may very well become the next American Idol as a result of her performance last night. I truly love Melinda and believe that she deserves to win, but Jordin is right up there in the running with her, and may just pass her by and leave Melinda in the dust. It's a close call, but whichever way it goes, I'll be a happy camper!

Posted by: Night | April 25, 2007 03:42 PM

Most may not know the song was written by Rogers and Hammerstein for the musical "Carousel" but many are very familiar with that song being the closing athem of the Jerry Lewis telethon show each year which he sings as an inspiration to those suffering with muscular dsstrophy......most people are at least familiar with the song in that way:) I thought Jordin was ok with the song but thought her performance last night was not as good as her performances in past weeks and she definitely had a few cracks in her voices and trouble with the higher ranges.....it was the first week I was woried for her getting through a song.

Posted by: Anonymous | April 25, 2007 03:42 PM

Yeah, When They Ripped Lakisha I Knew What Was Happening. Ridiculous! Jordin Is Great But Seriously. They Acted Like She Was Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread!

Posted by: jarrett | April 25, 2007 03:47 PM

Jordin did a superb job with that song. It was one of my favoite songs in my day. Thanks for the memories you brought back to me Jordin.
I wish the best for you.
Terry

Posted by: Terry | April 25, 2007 05:04 PM

You call yourself a showbiz reporter and you don't know a famous Rodgers and Hammerstein song that is sung every year--for decades--on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon? What a joke!

Posted by: JJ | April 25, 2007 08:38 PM

Melinda is best and Jordan a close second. The last performance of Jordan was just okay

Posted by: Satterfield | April 26, 2007 03:08 AM

CAN ANY ONE TELL ME THE NAME OF THE 4 GUYS THAT SANG ON LAST NIGHTS SHOW AND THE NAME OF THE SONG ITS VERY INPORTANT PLEASE EMAIL ME
THANKS

Posted by: SHARON | April 26, 2007 08:34 AM

Jordin did an alright job of Never Walk Alone. I am a Jordin fan, but that was the first time I thought a song was too big for her. She ended up screaming the last high night. As a professional vocal coach, it hurt my vocal chords. I do not know what they were thinking blasting Laksiha. She was incredible and was 1 of 2 singers (the other being Melinda) who gave me chills Tuesday night. I heard Fantasia's version and didn't like it. I fell in love with it when Lakisha sang it. She knocked it out of the park!

Posted by: Ashlee | April 26, 2007 09:53 AM

I totally agree with the judges about LaKisha. She has a beautiful voice, but she doesn't know when to tone it down. She will be a great star, but she needs to learn a little more. I am SOOOO hoping Chris goes. He thinks he is it and he is so not it. Melinda is incredible. She is amazing. She knows how to use her voice. Jordin is learning quickly. It takes a lot to get me to cry, but she did it. Blake stunned me with how well he did Imagine. I cringed when they said that was his song, but I fell in love with it. It was the first time we saw him do something like that. He was perfect. Phil surprised me. I was waiting for him to go just a few weeks ago, but I have to say, I didn't hate it. HOWEVER, I must say that I HATED the Idol Gives Back show. It dragged on endlessly. But I was furious to find out they were pushing it until next week. What a joke. I am appalled.

Posted by: CT | April 26, 2007 04:12 PM

I was appalled that they would use Jordin that way! She's obviously one of the strongest contenders for this year's title. To hold her off until the end, then perpetuate the ruse by telling Chris he was safe was just cruel. What a way to ruin the finale and her ability to even sing through tears. Seems the producers didn't have the confidence that their spectacular show could hold an audience honestly. SHAME on them!
I too am surprised that Ms. Saltman didn't know this beautiful Rodgers and Hammerstein song. Has always been one of my favorites as well.

Posted by: Jackie | April 26, 2007 10:46 PM

You've never heard of the song "You'll Never Walk Alone" ? Have you ever watched the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon?

He closes the telethon EVERY YEAR with it! It's on again in September should you take a notion to actually hear it...

Posted by: Mitch | May 9, 2007 02:08 PM


Post a comment


(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)