American Idol Round 3 - How Did the Guys Do? Recap, Judges' Comments and My Votes

Tonight at the opening of American IdolRound Three for the guys, Ryan Seacrest introduced Ellen DeGeneres, Randy Jackson, and then he said that Kara DioGuardi and Simon Cowell have been cozying up this season.

When Kara said it was Simon leaning into her, and perhaps it was because his fiance wasn't around. Ryan then said he thought Kara might be Simon's binky.

What's a binky Simon wanted to know? Ryan said he would tell him at the commercial break but Kara whispered it in Simon's ear and his jaw dropped. In our house a binky was a pacifier - hmmm what is Ryan trying to say?

Kara is definitely getting the cougar reputation this season but I think she does a cuter job at it than Paul did. I have to say I've liked Kara's input this season. Did you notice Simon seems to be a lot more agreeable this year than he has been in the past? Is it maybe he is just happy he is moving on soon? He will be bringing his own show, UK's X-Factor, to Fox next fall.

Lee Dewyze - #5701

Lee Dewyze sang 'Fireflies' by Owl City - He sounded OK but it was a bit weak. I still like his voice but he didn't do much with it tonight.

Randy said,"Dawg - strange song, you had a couple of pitch problems but you worked it out." Ellen said, "A couple of pitch problems, but a lot of people have crushes on you. You're adorable and I thought it was great." Kara said, "You look confident, and that's what we've been waiting for. You actually made the song better with the arrangement." Simon said, "Nothing to rave about, I don't think you had a moment. I've seen you progress, but I actually think you are even better than what you just did."
My vote: 5

Alex Lambert - # 5702

Alex sang "Trouble" by Coldplay, and he had a nice voice as he played the guitar - not enough star power yet.

Randy said, "Good song choice, I see you working the Ray Lamantage thing. You didn't wow me and I wasn't jumping up and down." Ellen said, "You are becoming a mushy banana, you are ripening so fast. You are consistently getting better every week. I love your innocence; don't lose it; don't get cocky - no one likes a cocky banana." Kara said, "The only one who can stop you from winning is you. We need vulnerability. Be you and let go." Simon said, "You have to get yourself somewhere else mentally; we've never seen you relax and have a good time. Relax and think about Randy in a bikini. Stop concentrating on the cameras -you have a really good distinct voice. I will get Randy in a bikini next week if you are still here."
My vote: 4 but I'm tempted to vote # 1 just to see Randy in a bikini - Dawg!

Tim Urban - #5703

Tim performed Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah", on acoustic guitar. He sang it sweet with his low range. I could see him as a country singer but he didn't really wow me.

Randy said, "One of the greatest songs ever. We've had some good times on this show with that song, and I think you did a good job with it." Ellen said, "I've been feeling like I have been criticizing you all this time." Then Ellen ran off the judge's panel to the stage and hugged him Tim, and told him he was fantastic. Kara said, "I thought you were going home a few weeks ago but that was an honest interpretation and now you showed that you might be staying." Simon said, "I feel responsible for you doing well; I gave you a confidence boost and you needed it. This week it was very smart with that song. It wasn't the best version but it was your strongest performance so far. "

Ellen piped in and said she thought she might actually have been responsible for Tim's change but nobody could agree. That was when Ryan slammed Simon, saying he was trying to get everyone to bow to him. That is the third or fourth time this season I've sensed a vicious undercurrent between Ryan and Simon.
My vote for Tim this week: 2

Andrew Garcia - #5704

Andrew said "Tonight, I am going back to the roots." Trying to make the same impression he made when he did Paula Abdul's 'Straight up', Andrew performed Christina Aguilera's "Genie in a Bottle". He played his guitar, and he has such as soft voice for a bigger guy.

Randy told Andrew, "Dude I like the cardigan - the Dawg's look and it was an interesting song choice. It was a good idea but it didn't quite work. Here's the problem, you made us feel like the whole song was three notes; no range. But you look like a model like me." Ellen said, "Great song choice, at the end you surprised us. The genie came out of the bottle a little too late but people will love it." Kara said, "You are in a difficult position, you peaked early. I couldn't hear the melody until the very end. I'm disappointed because I like you - it just wasn't great." Simon said, "You have been trying to work out what you should be doing, and the idea for the song was ok, but it was a little desperate. It didn't feel comfortable. You've got a good voice and you're a cool guy but you are kind of going backwards."
My vote: 7

Casey James - #5705

Casey did, "You'll think of me" by Keith Urban and this week he played acoustic guitar, and it sounded so much better this week than last week when his guitar playing took over the stage.

Randy said, "I'm a fan of the song but it was a little weak. I feel like you are more edgy like Stevie Ray, and it was a very safe choice." Ellen told Casey, "I thought it was great, you seemed so much more comfortable sitting and playing the guitar. I thought you sounded great." Kara said, "I'm kind of back on the Casey train, you definitely moved in the right direction but I want to see more spark." Simon said, "The song made you sound sincere and it was probably your second best performance. We might not remember it but you sounded great."
My vote: 3

Aaron Kelley - #5706

Aaron performed Lone Star's "I'm already there." He had a good voice and a couple of great notes and rifts but it seems like the nerves are still ruling him. The end was the best part.

Randy said, "You've got the makings of a great man. The thing is you need to work on it. At first it was like oh boy where are we going with this but it was a job well done but you still have some work to do." Ellen said, "I love you, you are 16 and the way you are carrying yourself - you stand like you are 30. It was a tough song - too much song for you. I didn't think it was terrific." Kara said, "I love you and you give everything to it. That song - about a man calling home to his kid -it's not relevant to you at 16." Simon said, "It was a beautiful song, the right type of song. It was not a great vocal but it had emotion. I can tell you are trying."
My vote: 6

Todrick Hall - #5707

Todrick did Queen's, "Somebody to Love" Broadway style. He did a great job working the stage, and he was on key for the most part and had a couple of memorable moments. He changed up the song but the chorus was a bit of a drag.

Randy said, "Todrick is back. Dude what you did just there - you proved that you can sing. That was one of the best men's vocals I've heard in a few weeks." Ellen said, "It was almost gospel, you are brave and I commend you." Kara said, "You can't listen to that and say you're not a good singer, it was almost like Godspell or Glee. I'm trying to figure you out, but the singing was good." Simon said, "It was good in parts, but not the whole way through. Tonight, you told us who you are. You are a Broadway singer more than a recording artist. But unlike some others with their boring acoustic guitars, at least you made an attempt. Good song choice and it may have saved you."
My vote: 2

Mike Lynche - #5708

Michael sang, "This women's work" and was dressed in white sneakers, a dark suit and tie. He wowed me, he wowed the judges, and the audience was on their feet. He played up the falsetto in the beginning and the end and gave a stellar performance.

Randy said, "Yo, really? Really? Really? I got to give it to you again. Listen. For everybody that doesn't know. I want to call Maxwell and tell him you are ready." Ellen said, "Oh my god, it was so beautiful. It feels like the show just began. You are the one to beat." Kara said, "I've never cried before at American Idol. Considering your life, your wife and me being a woman, and hearing that emotion come from you, it brought tears me to tears! That was amazing." Simon hugged Kara like a big brother would and it seems they have indeed forged some kind of friendship over the last few years, snuggly-binky or not. Simon said, "It was indeed. It wasn't boring. You come out with an incredibly difficult song to sing and you nailed it. It was the best performance of all these live performances we've had."
My vote: 1

Tomorrow night, we'll see how my votes stacked up when another 4 contestants are told they are going home from Hollywood, and back to their pre-idol lives.

Source:

Fox Television, American Idol 3/10/2010