Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Ryan Seacrest presents the Top 8 on American Idol (from left) La’Porsha Renae, Tristan McIntosh, Avalon Young, Lee Jean, MacKenzie Bourg, Sonika Vaid, Dalton Rapattoni and Trent Harmon. (FOX Photo)

Before I get down to ranking the remaining eight on American Idol, I need to get a few gripes off my chest.

1. What the hell is Demi Lovato doing performing on the final season of American Idol? Producers had the right idea when they brought back past Idol stars to perform duets with this year’s contestants. They had the right idea when they brought Kelly Clarkson back to perform on Top 10 night. Why not continue that trend and give the guest performance spots to past contestants? Kris Allen has new music. Lee DeWyze just released a new album. Heck, Allison Iraheta is standing a few feet away as a background singer. Why not let her and her band Halo Circus perform? They’ve got a new album coming too.

2. Don’t you love it when you see the Idols tackle fresh material? Songs you’ve never heard done before on the show? Well, you won’t be hearing that this week. The theme, believe it or not, is the most performed songs from Idol’s past. Ugh. I mean, short of going back to themes of the past and making everyone sing country or Motown whether it fits their style of not, this is an absolutely stupid idea.

3. Producers, if you let Jennifer Lopez talk about Idol history, please make sure she knows her Idol history. Last week she started the show by mumbling something about Idol never having a double elimination before. The show has, of course, on several occasions, especially the week after a contestant was saved by the judges. In fact, there was a double elimination night just last year. Maybe Jennifer forgot because it didn’t give her the goosies.

4. Speaking of saves, I’m not sure how I feel about the judges still having a say in who stays and who goes home. I’d probably be more upset if Idol voters hadn’t done such a poor job last week. That bottom three should have been Gianna Isabella, Lee Jean and Tristan McIntosh. Faced with a bottom three of Avalon Young, Oliva Rox and Gianna, the judges did what they had to do and saved Avalon, especially in light of her splendid save-me performance.

Now, it’s time to rank the remaining eight. Last week’s rankings are in parenthesis.

Avalon Young earned the judges’ save last week. Will she be back in danger this week on American Idol? (FOX Photo)

2. Dalton Rapattoni (4): He might not be the best singer in Season 15, but he’s certainly been one of the most consistent performers. I have a feeling he’ll be the guy standing opposite La’Porsha in this year’s finale.

3. MacKenzie Bourg (2): It’s time for MacKenzie to tap into his experience on The Voice and deliver a moment on Idol that re-establishes him as a Season 15 front-runner. He’s been so-so since performing “Roses,” a MacKenzie original.

4. Sonika Vaid (3): Covering Kelly Clarkson the week after she mesmerized the American Idol nation might not have been such a great notion. But Sonika’s still the best Season 15 singer not named La’Porsha.

5. Trent Harmon (5): Fewer anguished expressions and a better song choice equaled a much improved performance on Top 8 night for Trent. He should be a lock to make the Top 6 and could climb higher if he maintains the momentum.

6. Avalon Young (6): With her Idol life on the line, Avalon delivered her best performance yet last week. But with two more singers going home this week, she’s still likely to find herself in the same spot all over again.

7. Tristan McIntosh (10): She moves here because she was solid — not spectacular — last week. Meanwhile, she’s well on her way to breaking Brooke White’s Idol record for most tears shed in a single season of American Idol.

8. Lee Jean (8): That’s three straight subpar, hardly Idol worthy performances from Lee. Hopefully, Idol voters will abide by the old adage of three strikes and you’re out.