Note to American Idol : Who the heck is picking the weekly themes this season?!? With the assignments growing more and more random, last night the final four finalists – Phillip Phillips, Hollie Cavanagh, Joshua Ledet and Jessica Sanchez – were tasked with singing on track by a California native band or artist; and one they wish they had written themselves. Ummm… okay. Let’s rundown the first set of performances and then let’s vote on our favorite, shall we? Phillip Phillips took on CCR and asked viewers one simply question: “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” Well, have you?!? Phillip Phillips – “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” Hollie Cavanagh went on a Journey via one of this group’s all-time classics. Did she do justice to “Faithfully?” Hollie Cavanagh – “Faithfully” We only have the audio for Joshua Ledet and his take on “You Raise Me Up,” but it’s easy enough to hear this man’s talent, isn’t it? Joshua Ledet – “You Raise Me Up” (Audio) Jessica Sanchez wrapped up this portion of the evening with Etta James “Steal Away.” What do you think of the cover? Jessica Sanchez – “Steal Away” WHICH PERFORMANCE DID YOU LIKE BEST?
‘It’s a well-known song … I kind of messed with it a little bit, but not too much with the melody … trying to get the lyrics down,’ Phillip Phillips said of his Cali song. By Gil Kaufman, with reporting by Kelly Marino “American Idol” top four Photo: FOX One of the joys of “American Idol” is that you never really know what the finalists are going to sing until the music starts. Even though we know that this week’s themes are Songs by Californians and Songs They Wish They’d Written, it’s anyone’s guess what the top four will sing. MTV News “Idol” experts Gil Kaufman and James Montgomery will take a shot at predicting which way Joshua Ledet, Hollie Cavanagh, Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez will go tonight, but in the meantime we caught up with them earlier this week to get a sneak peek at their California dreams. “This week’s theme is ‘California Dreamin’ and it’s been a difficult one because people have been telling me, ‘more current songs and this and that’ and this was a week where I could sing a current song,” said Sanchez, who has been dinged by judges and mentor Jimmy Iovine for sometimes dressing and singing a bit beyond her 16 years. “But really I’m trying to stay with my gut feeling and I’m trying to pull out the really big guns, so I’m singing a big song for both of my choices. Don’t expect a Katy Perry song.” Cavanagh has been on an upswing lately after several weeks of living on the edge, but that doesn’t mean tune selection was any easier. “This week it’s tough because I picked really two emotional songs, so these two songs I have to really just kind of let loose and I have to make people feel what I’m feeling when I sing and make them understand the words because I’m singing two popular songs that people love,” teased Cavanagh. “If I don’t the right message across then people aren’t going to love it.” Phillip Phillips played his cards a bit close to the vest, saying only that his “Dreamin'” choice is “kind of a challenge” lyrically considering the multiple other tunes the contestants have to learn for their group and duet numbers. “Trying to get the lyrics down pat is my biggest thing,” he said. “It’s a well-known song … I kind of messed with it a little bit, but not too much with the melody … trying to get the lyrics down.” And once again, Joshua Ledet said he had a hard time narrowing down his choice because he was unfamiliar with many of the options on the list. “The song that I chose, it’s very, very, very different for me. Very different for me,” the soul-shouting singer said. “It’s just a different side of me. It’s just subtle, it’s not too much of the huge ballad. It was tough, but I think I kind of pulled through it and hopefully America likes it.” Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ : “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season 11 Performances
21. It’s the number most often associated with Adele, due to her best-selling album, one of the most popular in the history of the universe. But let’s all focus on 24 today instead, shall we? That’s because it’s the new age of this incredible artist. That’s right… it’s her birthday! The singer’s 2011 was easily one of the best years ever for a musician, and she kicked off her 2012 in impressive fashion, as well, returning from throat surgery to simply dominate the Grammys. Just watch this rendition of ” Rolling in the Deep .” Wow. Adele is now one of the Most Influential People in the World . And she’s only 24! Just barely, to boot! Send in your birthday wishes now.
There’s been a major shake-up in our American Idol Power Rankings , considering – ouch! – our number-seed from a week ago has been eliminated. Fare thee well, Skylar Laine . Who will take over the top spot? Which of the final four do you think will will the title? Read on. Find out. Vote. 4. Phillip Phillips . We’ve just been here too many times. He’s white. He’s handsome. He plays the guitar. Very well, mind you. But we know exactly what to expect on a weekly basis and it’s no longer unique or exciting. 3. Hollie Cavanaugh . Not too different of a critique than we have for Phillip, really. A great voice, but not a great deal of stage presence. We can’t think of one performance that really stands out and expected her to be voted off this week. 2. Jessica Sanchez . A beautiful rendition of ” You Are So Beautiful ” on Wednesday, continuing her trend of the Ballad Master. We could easily see her win and would stand up and cheer if so, but… 1. Joshua Ledet … not after the week Ledet enjoyed. Both of his covers on Wednesday were stellar, highlighted by ” Ain’t Too Proud to Beg .” Is he theatrical? Yes. Overly dramatic sometimes? Sure. But we’re big fans of Adam Lambert, so we can’t exactly complain about those traits. What a voice! WHO DO YOU THINK SHOULD WIN?
After traveling back to the 1960s for their first round of performances last night, the final five on American Idol traveled overseas. They covered a slew of British pop songs, with Joshua Ledet once again leading the way and an interesting race to the bottom unfolding. Who will be eliminated this week? Watch the second set of Idol covers from this week and then vote on the best… Hollie Cavanagh went all Leona Lewis on viewers, following up a version of “River Deep Mountain High” with this solid take on “Bleeding Love.” Hollie Cavanagh – “Bleeding Love” It was back to the guitar for Phillip Phillips for “Time of the Season.” Compare this performance with his rendition of ” The Letter ” now. Phillip Phillips – “Time of the Season” Skylar Laine struggled a bit with her opening song, but did she make up for it with “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me? We think so. Skylar Laine – “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” Jessica Sanchez slowed it way down and told somebody out there: “You Are So Beautiful.” It was an impressive follow-up to ” Proud Mary .” Jessica Sanchez – “You Are So Beautiful” But nothing could match Joshua Ledet on this night. Was “To Love Somebody” his best audition to date? Decide for yourself.
Seven finalists. 14 performances. On last night’s American Idol , the remaining contestants sang a pair of tracks each: first, they covered a “Now” single from the year 2000 and beyond . Then, they went with a soul-based “Then” song, tackling artists such as Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding. Relive the latter half of the evening below and then vote on your favorite… Hollie Cavanagh for hour number-two started with “Son Of A Preacher Man,” one of our favorite singles from that era. Hollie Cavanagh – “Son Of A Preacher Man” Up next, Colton Dixon went from Lady Gaga to Earth, Wine and Fire, sitting behind a piano for a version of “September.” Colton Dixon – “September” Elise Testone then got us into the mood via the Marvin Gaye classic “Let’s Get It On.” Will it help her move on? Elise Testone – “Let’s Get It On” Phillip Phillips proceeded to show off his versatility, following an Usher cover with a rendition of “Midnight Hour.” Phillip Phillips – “Midnight Hour” From there, Jessica Sanchez made a plea to “Try A Little Tenderness,” as she hopes to avoid another placement in the bottom three. The judges, of course, are all out of saves. Jessica Sanchez – “Try A Little Tenderness” Skylar Laine , who also did Lady Gaga proud with her first performance, then lamented how she “Heard It Through the Grapevine.” We adore her. Skylar Laine – “Heard It Through The Grapevine” Finally, Joshua Ledet took us home by telling the world that “A Change is Gonna Come.” Joshua Ledet – “A Change is Gonna Come” Which of these performances did you like best?
Welcome to THG’s Week in Review! Below, our staff looks back at the stories, stars and scandals that made these past seven days the craziest ALL YEAR. If you don’t already, you can FOLLOW THG on Twitter and Facebook for 24/7/365 news. Every day, week and year, let us be your celebrity gossip source! Now, a rundown of the week that was at The Hollywood Gossip : Jenelle Evans got arrested . Again. See her mug shots from 1/16 AND 1/10! Seriously, she makes the rest of the Teen Mom cast look pulled together. Other crazy D-list arrests this week: Kate Major and our man Kasey Kahl . Mark Wahlberg’s 9-11 comments sparked outcry. He later apologized. Gene Hackman was hit by a car and hospitalized, but will be alright. As much as tabloids try to make Angelina Jolie pregnant , she’s not. Britney Spears’ Son Dancing Britney Spears’ son Sean may have inherited mom’s rhythm (above). Kim Kardashian may have staged her own proposal by Kris . Shock. Chris Brown and Rihanna may or may not be totally hooking up again. He and Karrueche Tran may or many not be dating. It’s all unclear. Paula Deen has diabetes . We’d be sadder, except she concealed it. Italian cruise captain Francesco Schettino ? Not popular right now. Lana Del Rey SNL Performance Lana Del Rey’s SNL performance (above) was polarizing to say the least. Vanessa Bryant is about to become very rich in her split from Kobe. Marianne Gingrich threw a wrench into Newt’s surging campaign. Mena Suvari and Simone Sestito are divorcing. Avril Lavigne and Brody Jenner broke up too. Are Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis next? Seth Rogen Massive Erection Joke Seth Rogen and Kate Beckinsale gave us this classic moment (above) … And many people we love were among the 2012 Golden Globe winners . Heather Locklear was hospitalized post-alleged fight with Jack Wagner . Travis Barker wants to stop you from seeing Travis Barker nude . Kelsey Grammer got Kayte Walsh pregnant with twins. Is Breaking Dawn not the end of Twilight ? Phillip Phillips American Idol Audition Phillip Phillips (above) emerged as a (very early) American Idol favorite. The Situation was sad on his birthday on this week’s Jersey Shore … … while The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills were just plain crazy. The Bachelor spoilers have held true so far. But will that continue? Emily Maynard has been named the star of The Bachelorette too! If your team loses this weekend, try to handle it better than this girl: Packers Fan Cries What was the highlight of the week for you? Did we leave anything out?
When do 21.6 million viewers equate to a disappointing episode of television? When you’ve been the country’s top-rated series for years. Indeed, American Idol earned the highest ratings on TV last night and will undoubtedly do so every evening it airs through the May finale – but its numbers were down 27% from the season 10 opener. There are many reasons for this decline – all programs suffer viewer fatigue at some point, and the competition ( The Voice , The Sing-Off , The X Factor ) from similar shows has never been higher – but talent is not be among them. There were actually a few strong acts last night, three of which we’ve posted again here: Phillip Phillips American Idol Audition Shannon Magrane American Idol Audition Amy Brumfield American Idol Audition
Granted, it’s early. It’s very, very, very early. There’s probably a better chance that American Idol viewers never hear from Phillip Phillips again than there is that this southern pawn shop worker goes on to win season 11. But that doesn’t mean the aspiring crooner doesn’t deserve a shout-out today, as she stood above all others in Savannah on last night’s premiere audition episode. Watch below as Phillips wows the panel with two songs, first a unique take on “Superstition” and then a version of “Thriller.” Anyone else reminded here of Casey Abrams ? Phillip Phillips American Idol Audition
