Congrats to Phillip and to this year's winners!

Was anyone else in tears???    I love Phillip....in an Idol obsession kinda way -- you know!?!  I can't imagine what he must have been feeling....I don't even think he could figure out what he was feeling!  Though I knew (as most of you did from the beginning) that he was going to win....and I've loved him since the beginning....my favorite part about him is that he stayed true to himself more than any idol ever has....put another way (for my finance friends) the "variance" between who he was when he started vs ended compared to the typical variance of where an idol starts vs ends is for sure the smallest with Phillip.  To this day, he still wears what he wants, sings how he wants, grooms how he wants....he surely did NOT let American Idol change him.  Well, maybe it made him a little less shy, but that's about it.  Considering he's not much of a performer, (though he is very nice to look at!) it's quite evident that this guy is going to be something big over the next decade or more. I sure hope he stays in the pop world though so I can hear him on Z100 :)....yes, that's still my go-to station!  Back to Phillip though....I'm really so happy for him and I'm psyched that his first single is AWESOME. 

Now, on to the rest of the show... Let's start with the runner up --- ok, I have to give it to her, she was UNBELIEVABLE.  Her 1st performance of Whitney, earlier in the season was really great, but this time she was SICK!  Clearly with some more training this chic has a real chance to make her mark....keep in mind she's only 16....yes 16!   Craziness!!   The control she has in her voice personifies the definition of talent.  Speaking of talent, her performance with Jennifer Holiday brought out a new side if Jessica, I mean Jennifer, no I mean Jessica :) (PS that reel of Jimmy messing up JLo's name over and over was hilarious!).  In this duet, Jessica's maturity is what made me love her....though usually that's the reason i'm not such a fan....with this performance, her maturity enabled her to connect with the audience and get into the song like i've never seen her do.  For the first time, she displayed her ability to perform.  I've never seen a performer make facial expressions like Holiday did, and then Jessica got right in the game with her.....that sign of letting loose is what made me really really like Jessica tonight. Go girl!!

Moving on to the other noteworthy performances -- go Rihanna -- another one from the night that I loved more than I ever have. Her performance was fabulous.....she had me dancing in my living room with my dog (let's see who really reads these posts!).... Pete was impressed :). Then, later in the show, Jennifer got me going again....Pete and I had a fun night :)   I wish I could dance like those two....I was extremely impressed at their abilities to dance and sing....now those two are also talented....Pete and I couldn't help but applaud after each!!  The one woman performer who had me wondering was Chaka Khan -- while I give her credit for looking great for her age, I was a tad skeptical about her sobriety....anyone else?  Funny fact....at my 1st or 2nd ESPN holiday party, she was the star performer....I had front row standing room.....it was a fun night!

And finally, with a show full of unbelievableness, I have to give a shout out to my boy Ace (no, I don't really know him!) but what a proposal he did.....and what a smile he has!
There you have it, one more season, one more idol and one more year of the Tiplitsky pool.....I hope you all enjoyed it!!   Next year, we are surely back on....don't you worry!  Feel free to send me any emails of people who may be interested next year.  Thanks to everyone for joining this year...and for bearing with me during my move and cable issues. Happy I could end this year like most of you are used to...with my idol rambles!!

Congrats to all the winners!!  If you all can send me your addresses, I will pop a check in the mail with your winnings.  

PEACE OUT!

week 8....

This was hometown week – or whatever they call the week where the idols get a memorable trip back to their home town where things happen to them that people could never imagine!  All of them were in awe of the crowds they drew wherever they went (who wouldn’t be in awe!)--- Josh’s personality came out more than I’ve ever seen, Phillips emotions came out more than I’ve ever seen and Jessica’s maturity came out more than I’ve ever seen – almost to the point where I just wanted to say to her, please be 16 for just one day!  Funniest moment of the show was as I was watching her with her little brothers and thinking “be young,” my mom goes to me “is that her kids?” ….enough said! 

The top 3 performed three songs last night – judge’s choice, contestant’s choice and Jimmy’s choice. Joshua began the night singing “I’d Rather Go Blind” by Etta James. Though I thought he was awesome , I just couldn’t stop looking at that microphone….was I alone?  His next song was picked by the judges, it was “Imagine” by John Lennon.  Like his first song, they loved it, saying it was a pull back moment for him, that his performance quality made him special….I LOVED IT TO!  Time after time, this kid performs his heart out on that state….and he didn’t let me down with his last song -- “Nor More Drama” by Mary J. Blige --  Jimmy choice this song for him and the, WOW, was Jimmy on point tonight.  Josh was movin around on that stage like he owned it…. He threw off his jacket like he meant it…..as Randy says (because he stole the line from me), Josh was in it to win it!

Jessica was the second performer of the night. JLo picked Maria Carey’s “My All” and her comment was it was a hard song but she did it so beautiful in her own way….my comment, “it was a hard song and she could have done better” – sorry to all you Jessica lovers, but why can’t these Judges “be tough on her only to make her better” – they do this to others, but never to Jessica who can likely use it – I bet she would absolutely get better if she got better (or any!) constructive criticism. Her second song was “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” by Aerosmith. What did Steven Tyler have to say about her version? He said he took a great song and made it greater – WHAT??? ARE YOU KIDDING STEVEN?  No way was it better than his version!  Grrrrrrrr! For her third song, Jimmy chose “I’ll Be There” by the Jackson Five. JLo and Steven loved it except for Randy, who liked it ok but didn’t love it --- neither did I.  As you can tell, I really think she should have been the one to go.

Phillip Phillips got the pimp spot. He sang “Begging” by Mankind, chosen by Steven for him. The judges said they were like watching his concert, another incredible performance by him. I really liked it to – I agreed with Steven that Phillip should really write his own music – this kid is going to be a star – his voice is so unique!  For his second song, he chose “Disease” by Matchbox 20. They didn’t love it, neither did I – the song choice was definitely an odd one for this point in the competition – but like Jimmy said, this kid is not afraid to take risks and put it all out there…..which is why we all know he’ll be huge one day – I wonder how many people think he’s the next Dave Matthews?!  For his final performance, Jimmy chose “We’ve Got Tonight” by Bob Seger and the judges thought that was a perfect song at the perfect time – I couldn’t agree more. 

When Ryan gave the results tonight, I pretty much lost focus once he said Jessica was safe.  I can’t imagine I’m the only one who thinks this is a now shoe in for Phillip – though I never thought Jessica would get more votes than Josh….so who knows?!

Week 7....

We're almost there.....Top 4 is now Top 3....so sad to see Hollie go, but when they're all good you just get the fact that someone you don't want to leave will.....even of a bunch of greats, there's always a worst!   

So....the show:  Theme was songs from California based artists and songs the idols had wished they had written.

Phillip began with “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. I was impressed, as were the judges. Loved the sax add-on!  Randy and JLo gave their traditional praise, and Steven didn't let me down with a quote of the week -- Phillip is the living proof that the road to success is always under construction. Phillip's second song was “Volcano” by Damien Rice. Like his first song, he did great.

Hollie was next -- She sang “Faithfully” by Journey for her first song and “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Ratt for the song she wish she had written. Her first song was great -- she really looks so comfortable up there these days.  Her second, however, wasn't as good. I agree with the judges that it was kind of short of emotion….which is kind of weird since she picked it as the song she wish she had written. 

Right after a great performance from David Cook (gosh, do women ever win this show?!  Though I do loooooove David)….was Josh. He sang “Steal Away” by Etta James and “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” by James Brown (great choice for him!). Him being given a standing O is usual (though in past seasons I rarely remember this happening) and it happened again during his second performance. The judges, especially JLo, loved the drama. Randy even said that the James Brown song is the greatest song for him and the best performance ever on any singing competition…what a claim! All in all, Josh was sure to gain a spot in the final 3….with the passion this guy brings every week, I’m now a believer that he could actually win this.  He’s really REALLY good!

Jessica was last and she sang “Steal Away” by Etta James and “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” by Jennifer Holiday. Besides the growling in Steal Away….totally agree with Jimmy on this one….I’ll give it to her…her vocals were amazing and, of course, the judges loved her…especially that she sang Etta James. Do I agree that she is one of the best vocally?  I question if that’s the case for this show, let alone ever….so, I’d say no. But did she deserver a standing O for that 2^nd performance….ok, fine!

To end of night of people in it to win it…we got a very lovely performance from Jennifer Lopez.  Wow she impresses me!! Hot hot HOT…..and those guys behind her….even HOTTER!  Great song, great performance.   I’m so fascinated by how we get to see two sides of JLo in this show…the day to day (or close enough to that) and then the performer.  I so wish I could be behind the scenes during commercials to see how fast everything is moving – what shes saying – whats she’s thinking – how she’s reacting….how the heck does she change outfits and look that relaxed and made up -- in a good way -- that fast…...could I be her for just one day?!

Alrighty, well that’s a wrap for this week….we’ll miss you Hollie!  I actually teared up as she sang her last song….particularly when she hugged the top 3 and Josh started to  break down.  I feel like he'll benefit from a few of Hollie's fans voting for him now. The cameras seem to think so, too, as they kept cutting back to a tearful Joshua. Should be an interesting semifinals week!

Hometown as Heros, here we come!  Very curious to see the differences in each of their “home comings”

Week 6...

Hi All! What a week of shocks for me -- country singers in the bottom, Joshua Ledet, "one of the top two best 'Idols' of all time"...."one of the best singers in 50 years", skylar getting the boot, p-squared having a not so good week, p-squared having a girlfriend (what?!?), Steven Tyler having never heard Bleeding Love?, my wedding song making it on idol (your love keeps lifting me!) and my husband and I spending our last night in NYC and first night (back) as NJ residents.....wow did I forget how hectic it is too move!  But it's nice to be done with packing (though unpacking is scary too!) and to have working cable/internet.  Anyway, the show....
This week I agreed with the judges....Hollie did a fabulous job and is peaking at the right time....to be honest with you, I attribute a lot of her recent success to the judges advice....since she's been able to perform naturally and not think about every move she makes and word she sings, shes' been kicking butt!
Phillip -- he was ok....honestly, I just can't stop thinking how we all didn't know he had a girlfriend!  Speaking of girlfriends....last week I was shocked about the "Ryan's girlfriend" incident -- well, not the incident, just the fact that Ryan has a girlfriend....forgot to note that last week (i think)
Jessica -- you know what bothers me most about her? It's that they make her look so much older than she is....can she look like a 16 yr old for at least one week?  Even though she sang the Tina song well, like Jackson said, the performance didn't sit well with me either.  Her 2nd performance was much better...but still, I can't seem to hop on her bandwagon.
Joshua is truly something special -- not sure he's one of the best idols of all time or one of the best singers in 50 years, but he sure is something special....i am very curious to see what this guy will be doing in 10 years....what I will be telling my kids in 20 years :)  I mean, if JLo is right, and this kid is one of the best in 50 years, then we all should be talking about him for a while!  I just hope he doesn't get messed up with all the press....good thing is that he seems to have quite a solid head on his shoulders.....he is definitely one of the most modest and chill idols I"ve ever seen -- he has a very unique personality -- one that makes you wonder and simply like him more -- I guess you could kind of call him the dark horse of the competition -- now I can definitely see him making it to the top 2, but in the beginning, I thought my husband was crazy for thinking Josh would win it all.   Speaking of winning it all -- or, i should say, NOT winning it all -- I was so sad to see Skylar go.  I love that girls energy and stage presense.  Ryan said it best that "she's simply so entertaining to watch".  She's another one I can't wait to see what happens with.

That's that....talk next week!