Happy Birthday to Who?

(Here’s the performance show recap from Howard!)

American Idol Season 8, Top 8 Performances

So it is 80s night, with a touch of the 90s, and I realize I graduated from high school before any of these kids were born. That sucks for me, doesn't it? Even worse, that is all I can come up with in terms of this theme. After all, if someone said we'll have a lottery, and have tiles marked with 1980, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1985, 1985, 1986 and 1992, and then your get to pick a song, I would say that would be lame. But that is just me. And we are down to just an hour, so perhaps the judges have less time to be annoying, and will do their jobs.... Yarite.

Long live the dream, because 'This is American Idol!' Go Crusty! Who was the bald guy they just focused on? He kinda scared me. Randy was a cute kid. Kara was pouty then, too. Paul looks pretty good. Simon was adorable. Crusty had his teeth fixed.

Danny Gokey (866) 436-5701 - Stand By Me - Ben E. King (Mickey Gilley Version)
The oldest contestant starts it off. He was a cute kid. No glasses in the pre-roll. Starting off rather nice, and I hate that I typed that. Wow, when did this some become the theme for the Love Boat? Does he have a safari jacket in every color, to match his glasses? The crowd loved it, but I was less impressed. Overall, the judges love him.

Kris Allen (866) 436-5702 - All She Wants To Do Is Dance - Don Henley
Chat time with Crusty. An adorable kid - no surprise there. He's there with an electric guitar, putting his jazzy flavor on it. It is strange, but the idols in the middle of the crowd doesn't work for me. I am enjoying the song.The crowd like him [at least the ones in their seats, not the confused ones standing around him]. Kara was not impressed. Paula thinks he is likable. Funniest moments of the night - 'Kris, your hot' sung from the crowd, and Simon answered 'so am I, so what's the point.' Funny! The judges are not loving Kris.

Lil Rounds (866) 436-5703 - What's Love Got To Do With It - Tina Turner
Another cute child - and her name is 'Lil.' She comes out doing a Tina shuffle. She has a tough time with breath control. This is truly an imitation, down to the dancing. And a couple of wonky notes in there, too. Paula leads off with bad karaoke. They are unanimous in that opinion, and Crusty gives Lil a chance to pimp herself after the judges - they don't want her gone yet.

Anoop Desai (866) 436-5704 - True Colors - Cyndi Lauper
Tying Anoop to the Championship basketball team, and now Crusty is getting him to apologize for the attitude last week - did the producers or his mother make him do that? Anoop is also an adorable baby. He is in nice voice tonight. Not incredibly creative reinterpretation, but pretty good. The judges are back on board. And Simon says to don't apologize. LOL

Scott MacIntyre (866) 436-5705 - The Search Is Over - Survivor
Very cute child, with lots of hair. Slightly rough start, but getting better with the chorus. Falling apart a little again. This is a roller coaster ride. Leave the high notes to others! The music is fighting the vocals.His guitar is more prop than instrument. Scott talks about his punk side. They are tossing him so far under the bus, it is scary.

Allison Iraheta (866) 436-5706 - I Can't Make You Love Me - Bonnie Raitt
Cute baby, and adorable mother! OK, I love her, because she just shook her finger and told the judges 'don't patronize.' She is nailing this song, another great performance. If they talk about her clothes again, so help me.... Judges love her, and justifiably so. The best of the night so far.

Matt Giraud (866) 436-5707 - Part Time Lover - Stevie Wonder
Dear God, I can only think of Kevin Covais, and it makes me cringe. And didn't Niko do this, too? He was very good. Matt, did you really pick this? Cute little angel... Can anyone wear that hat and not look like they are an ass? The scary vibrato keeps poking its head in. The high notes are not his friend, either. The judges are loving him greatly, albeit behind schedule and very fast. Adam is going to be shoved through. I thought Niko Smith was better. But Matt was better than 'Chicken Little.'

Adam Lambert (866) 436-5708 - Mad World - Tears For Fears
I am waiting to see what he does here, but that is what he does to me every week. I love this song - I bought this wen it came out, for my Victrola. LOL Adam without guyliner. Didn't like sports as a babe. Dad so knew early on, didn't he? Going back to the ballad. Mood lighting, doing his own variation on the Donnie Darko soundtrack. Beautiful. That voice is just incredible. Standing ovation from Simon. No more needs to be said. Wow.

Recap - Adam and Allison ruled the night. Scott was the bottom of the pile. Then Lil, but will she make it to the bottom three? For me, Anoop, Kris, Matt and Danny were mediocre, even boring. One would suspect Danny has the fans to keep him out of the bottom, wouldn't we? Will Anoop escape the bottom this week with a good performance? Will Matt and Kris fight it out in the bottom this week? Stay tuned...