American Idol: Top Ten Cuts

After a more successful theme of birth year songs on ‘American Idol’ season 7, there were some surprises and some downfalls.

Kim: Wow, the group numbers just get worse and worse…..and I’m lovin’ every minute of it! Please tell me they choreographed themselves tonight. Yikes…

And this part was by far, the weirdest.

Tiff: Season two alum Kimberly Locke returned to perform “Fall.”

Kim: Soooooo that’s the dress Christian Siriano made for her? Should’ve asked Rami.

Tiff: And look, season four alum Constantine Maroulis, and season six alum Gina Glocksen were in the audience to promote their ‘Idol’ show on the Fox Reality.

Kim: Please shave, Constantine, k? Thanks.

The Bottom Three:

Tiff: First in the bottom three tonight was Chikezie, right at the beginning of the show. He was not surprised. Syesha Mercado joined him in the bottom three, looking disappointed. Last in the bottom three was Jason Castro. There goes his chance to win.

Kim: Was anyone even dumb enough to think Jason had a shot? Come on now. He should’ve been the one out based on last night and tonight’s bottom 3.

Tiff: Given Kristy Lee Cook’s smart song choice, I am not surprised. The person allowed back to safety was Jason Castro. Again, not surprising.

Kim: The only surprise tonight, for me, was Syesha being in the bottom 3. She gave one of the top 3 best performances last night, but I guess I can see why some people just forgot about her.

The Person Going Home Is:

Tiff: Chikezie. I can’t say I’m surprised really. He made the tour, and at one point I didn’t think he would go that far.

Kim: Most people didn’t think he would make it past the first week of competition, so he’s accomplished a lot. I liked Chikezie, and I actually enjoyed his performance last night (as well as his reprise tonight). I’m gonna miss his momma too!

Click for HQ!

Next Week: TOP 9 FINALISTS WILL PERFORM DOLLY PARTON SONGS
(WHHHYYY????!!)

Who’s More Marketable?

Tiff: This week Kim and I have decided to give our opinion on how marketable the top ten are or will be. Take the jump to find out what we think.

*Marketability rated on a scale of $ - $$$$

1. David Archuleta
Tiff: $$$$
Why: Because he’s a cute kid that could be really popular with the tween sect given the right songs and marketing.

Kim: $$$$
Is he technically marketable? Not necessarily, but AI will take care of that for him. I would be highly surprised if he weren’t one or two times platinum by this time next year. His success will probably be more similar to Clay than Carrie or Chris Daughtry. He has a HUGE fan base and appeals to all demographics, so as long as they don’t try and make him into a radio disney star his fan base will eat up his pop/AC hits. But his biggest challenge will be picking up new fans along the way (just like Clay).

2. David Cook
Tiff: $$$$
Why: Again, given the right songs and marketing, the could sell records, and take the ‘Idol’ image further toward ‘rock’ fans.

Kim: $$1/2
Everyone thinks he’s the second coming of DAUGHTRY (or should we just call him naughtry?) but I’m not that easily duped. Why? The most successful idols are usually a) generic b) appealing c) attractive and he’s none of those things. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they signed him and tried to milk the success they’ve had with Chris; hey, it sort of worked with Kellie Pickler.

3. Carly Smithson
Tiff: $$$
Why: She could be, given the right songs, but girls seem to be having a harder time in the music industry these days, so it would have to be played well to make her more than a “one hit wonder.”

Kim: $$
She has all the makings of a potential star, but if you’re not wildly popular on AI, your chances of being widly popular outside of the show are slim. But I’m sure they’ll sign her, I’m sure; they wouldn’t have gone through all the trouble of planting her in the competition if they didn’t want to launch her in some way.

4. Brooke White
Tiff: $$$
Why: She would likely appeal to the Adult Contemporary market, sort of like Norah Jones a few years back.

Kim: $$$1/2
She has the most potential out of the entire time to have not just a hit album, but a lasting career. The timing for her couldn’t be more perfect, because who’s all over the radio right now? Female singer song writers like Corrine Baily Rae, Feist, Lily Allen, Sarah Brielles, etc.

Although I really don’t see how she’s AC…..

5. Michael Johns
Tiff: $$$
Why: Given the right backing, and a band, Michael could be a multi-country artist, and it would work.

Kim: $$1/2
Well the number 1 thing that jinxes him is the fact that I’m a fan, and my favorites are never very successful (I just don’t like bland/boring contestants!). But his style is dance rock/soul infused rock, and the former is HUGE at the moment. They’d be wise to sign him, but if they don’t, I’m sure someone else will.

6. Jason Castro
Tiff: $$$
Why: For some unknown reason, he’s wildly popular among girls, but I don’t see him having a long-term impact, at least not past an album or two. I think his novelty would wear off.

Kim: $$
He’s like Brooke with less talent, less versatility, and more of the bore factor. He actually does have a few good original songs though. He should go indie; that way even if he only sells 20k copies he’ll make a nice chunk of change out of it.

7. Chikezie
Tiff: $$
Why: He’s interesting, but he only stands out sometimes. Tricky in the industry these days.

Kim: $
His style is simply too old fashioned to make a mark on today’s music scene.

8. Syesha Mercado
Tiff: $$
Why: Just like Chikezie, she would have to try hard to make a career, really hard.

Kim: $1/2
She should keep use the show as a stepping stool into acting and more modeling. Because as a singer, the quota for R&B/soul/dance singers is pretty much full. And it’s kind of a shame because unlike others we’ve seen like her in the past, she really has the look and the voice to pull it off.

9. Kristy Lee Cook
Tiff: $$
Why: She could have an okay career post ‘Idol,’ a la Kellie Pickler, who is more successful than I would have suspected. The country sect seems to love blondes anyway.

Kim: $$1/2
Generic, bland, patriotic girl next door who waves the confederate flag…..yep, she’s good for a couple hundred thousand copies.

10. Ramiele Malubay
Tiff: $
Why: I don’t see her making it work long-term. Remember Jasmine Trias? Yeah, me too, but barely.

Kim: $
Maybe she can pull a Jasmine Trias and sign a bunch of endorsement deals in the Phillipines, but I don’t expect to see her dropping a gold album.

Tiff’s Top Bets: David Archuleta, David Cook, Michael Johns

Kim’s Top Bets: David A. & Brooke