American Idol's final semifinal

It's the final semifinal for American Idol; watching it on tape delay the next day.

Von Smith up first, no real opinion about him so far -- nothing memorable, except Simon saying his Hollywood song choice was "indulgent nonsense." He seems happy just to be here, so not sure how he'll do. Ugh, song right away is bad, totally wrong for his voice; Marvin Gaye's "You're All I Need." Hmm, as it goes on, a bit better; his voice is still too thin for this, but he's really into it, and is performing it well. I'm liking this a lot more than I thought I would.

Randy says a hot performance, you're finding yourself here. Kara says you seem to know what you're doing out there, it had meaning. Paula says a memorable first, calls him a seasoned showman. Simon says you remind me of Clay Aiken, "spicier" says Paula. "You look appalling, but actually you sang quite well." I like him, hope people remember him by the end of this. "Finally, to have done something right, somewhat, is amazing," he says.

Taylor Vaifanua, doing "I've Got You," interesting dress--white and black on top, grayish skirt, high, high black boots. Ugh, not good; bad choice, song doesn't fit her voice, it's jerky and just doesn't build to anything. She can definitely sing, belts out the chorus; just not crazy about the choice. Outfit was cool, though.

She's emotional as the judges start talking to her, Kara wanted more of her personality in her song, performance was a bit cold. She's exactly right; there was distance there, unlike in Von's. Paula says you sang this already in Hollywood, why not do something new. Simon makes fun of Kara's "wanna see what it's like to go shopping with you," then says generic, not memorable, bland. Don't try to be older than 17. Randy says great voice, but you didn't tell us anything special about you.

Alex Wagner-Trugman up next, he talks to Ryan, says he's been reading people think he's dorky, so he's been trying to go to the gym to be more like Simon. He's hilarious. In the clip Randy calls him "Joe Cocker," Simon says more like "cocker spaniel." Then Simon says his voice is a 3, Alex says to the camera, "I can only assume that's on a scale of 3."

Doing "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues," he's really got a great personality. Not the greatest singer, but sincere, and totally likeable. A weird song choice vocally, guess he was going for the whole thematic thing. Kicks away the mike stand, it's great, actually. I really like him.

Lots of girls screaming, Paula says you certainly are the showman as he says he didn't mean to knock over the stand. Simon laughs at him, "you're like a hamster trying to be a tiger," "ridiculous growling," calls it "a bit stupid." Randy says a bit crazy in a "buck-wild style kind of way," didn't like the vocals tonight, song kind of screamed. "At least you do you," says Kara, as the audience screams.

He's really nice talking to Ryan, "I was just trying to have fun, throughout this whole process we sometimes forget about that." Yup, he's now officially my favorite contestant of this season.

Arianna Afsar doing ABBA, first time ever on Idol Ryan says. Says she's glad during Hollywood they didn't say anything about her being cute or anything, after beforehand that's all they said. I like her because of that.

"The Winner Takes It All," tricky pick, ABBA's version is so iconic. She's trying to put her own stamp on it, not that great at the start; cool blue dress though. Out of tune, languid performance. I really wanted to like her, she's just butchering this song though. It may be the worst thing this year, she's totally off-key and is trying to make it too weird. Has a big voice, but ugh, so out of tune. Even her parents looked pained.

"Absolutely terrible in most parts," says Simon, song was way too big for you, dreary arrangement, awful. Randy says just not good, Kara says you were like a beam of sunshine, but dark and depressing tonight; "be young, touch people." You know, Kara is really right on with some of her comments. Paula says you should've just stuck to the melody.

Ryan says "you wanted to be un-buttoned," makes me laugh. So far this is my favorite show of the season, everyone's been really likeable if not great at singing.

Back with Ju'not Joyner, who I really like from before. Doing "Hey There, Delilah," again, which from Hollywood snippet may have been my single favorite performance of the year. Slows it way down, all in black with a pair of handcuffs off his belt?! It's soulful, electrifying. So smooth, passionate; nice vocal range. Very still during the performance. My favorite vocal of the night, although no real personality; and I may actually have liked the Hollywood snippet better.

Randy likes how he pulled back, good interpretation. Kara liked his fluid, smooth spin on the song, next time just bust it out, go for it, "I know you got ridiculous pipes," he says "that's what's up." Paula says same song, but you changed it up, nice vocal. Simon says that was better than I thought it was going to be, wish you'd stripped it down, you could've had a moment, a bit safe but you're nervous and I know how much this means to you. Simon's right, this could've been amazing, but it was just good.

Ju'not explains he had to take a cortisone shot, had reaction to all the smog out in Hollywood he says.

Kristen McNamara, who's actually a karaoke host?! She seems a bit dumb; they revisit the drama from Hollywood, again portraying her as a victim of a mad black woman -- when actually a lot of that was her fault. Big, bold, red dress; nice smoky country voice, actually. A bit subdued rendition of "Give Me One Reason," and it's just the same thing the whole song through, getting boring. Ugh by the end; just nothing memorable, not a great voice. And no personality.

Kara actually says you are a great singer, but not a great pick; should've done something more rock-edge. Paula with the great memory says you sang a Kelly Clarkson song in Hollywood, should've done something more like that, less safe. Paula is in some ways the most professional of all of them, she remembers everything and the show is actually really important to her. Simon says you don't seem quite comfortable, not sure quite who you are. Randy dittos, easy song but you tried to do too much, karaoke thing. Up close she has too much makeup on, looks a bit haggard.

Nathaniel Marshall, who could totally flame-out or be really good. I've hated him, liked him, just hopes he does his best; wants us to see "goofy, good-natured, humble Nate," a great video intro. Doing "I Will Do Anything for Love," claims nobody's ever done it before on the show, I'm not so sure.

Oh my god, it's a crazy slowed-down, light jazz version, so weird. Crazy spiked hair, weird tattoos or something all over his body. This is like a bad parody, it's not good.

"I think you probably would," quips Simon at the end. Most people will think it was verging on excruciating, almost uncomfortable, and a weird song choice. At least people will remember you. Randy says curious about the song choice, turns out he and his mom danced around to it. Randy's not sure what kind of record he could make, "a keep fit video," says Simon. Kara says if you wanna be taken seriously, pick something that shows your good voice. They talk to his grandmother, then Paula says, "not to be the historian here," but in Hollywood you were cool, bold and relevant. But this song was more the Boy George version, took away your coolness. Hmm, good comment from Paula.

Ryan brings Nate over to Simon to "make him feel comfortable," it's so forced, he takes off his headband for him to put on, Simon keeps shaking his finger at Ryan.

Felicia Barton next, who's the fill-in for the one who got DQed. I like her based on the interview, really sweet. "No One," by Alicia Keys, hope she does well. All in black, shiny top; a bit uncomforable/nervousish at the start. But very passionate, and she can totally sing. Not really connecting with the audience for some reason; her style is a bit jerky, and weird, she's so intense. A bit off-key too.

Paula praises her in general terms, nothing about the song at all. Simon liked the first part more, a bit copycat, not as enthused as Paula. Randy says great voice, go with your different tone. Kara says great look, attitude, presence, a few problems with some of the notes, noticed you though.

Scott MacIntyre, who gets shrieks during his video. Oh no, actually doing "Mandolin Rain," so cheesy, but a great melody. He's sitting, mostly in black. A brilliant pick, I think, fits his tone so well; you can see his experience performing and singing coming through. It's a bit too smooth for me, he's also over-singing; it's okay, but not great.

Randy says not great vocal, but good story; Kara totally sells out, says who cares about the vocal, your passion goes through; Paula says nothing really. Simon didn't like the song, says he's growing on him though, you're starting to believe in himself. There are better singers, you're memorable, will be amazed if you don't sail through. I'm not really a big fan, he keeps talking about how he can't wait to get back on the piano, that's when he'll really shine. Gets Ryan to give him a high five.

Randy plays Ryan as they come back, Kendall Beard up next. I think she could be a wild card, has a great look, that traditional Southern girl demographic. Doing "This One if For the Girls," great yellow scrunchy dress. I like her passion; she looks old, all dolled-up; very sincere song choice. Not a great voice, lost at times. Gets better as it goes on, I just like her even though she's out of tune.

Kara starts with the positives, big personality and all that; but flat. Paula says best outfit of the night, she says her mom put it together; calls her adorable. Simon says you did the right thing tonight, you are what you are. A bit kind of shrilly, says Simon, not a great choice. Randy says not great vocally, bit of nerves, not bad.

Jorge Nunez, says the judges said he needed to work on his accent, so he did. I like him, doing "Don't Let the Song Go Down on Me." Classic sportcoat/jeans look. Nice voice, slow and controlled, very sincere. Wow, great song choice; totally soulful; big voice too. So passionate; purely vocally not great maybe, but performance-wise and overall, hard not to keep watching.

Paula says you've worked so hard on your accent, sounded so good, just wants to squeeze him. Simon says we were wrong to say you shouldn't sing with an accent, why not; be who you are, you're a very, very good singer. "Actually, I don't think I have an accent, but if you think I do," he says. Not the perfect vocal says Randy, but really good. Kara says you're a singer, born to sing, you have that gift of touching people. He starts crying, "this is so amazing to me." Wow, he just sealed up a spot in the finals. The audience loves him, it's really a very special moment, he has a huge smile, is so obviously happy. This is what Idol is all about.

Critic's favorite Lil Rounds is last, I totally like her. "Be Without You," great yellow top to her black dress. Man, she is great; just a pro from the get-go, really authentic and comfortable. Totally in control, smooth. The other contestants are totally into it. She's on a different level than everyone else tonight, yo. Audience goes nuts at the end.

"Brilliant," says Simon, my favorite by a mile. Too much like the original, but you have great, great prospects. Randy loved it, great vocals and you know who you are. Kara says you're a powerhouse, you are great, have been yourself the whole time. Paula calls her first-class, we're going to see you for many more little rounds.

It's been a great semifinals, the best of the the three. Not merely vocally-wise, just interesting people giving good performances.

Alex Wagner-Trugman
Jorge Nunez
Lil Rounds
Ju'not Joyner
Von Smith
Kendall Beard
Scott MacIntyre
Felicia Barton
Arianna Afsar
Taylor Vaifanua
Nathaniel Marshall
Kristen McNamara