Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The Top 8 on American Idol including (back row) Oliver Steele, Iam Tongi, Haven Madison, Colin Stough, (front row) Zachariah Smith, Wé Ani, Warren Peay, Megan Danielle. (ABC Photo)

The Top 8 return to the stage Sunday night on American Idol with five spots in the Season 21 semifinals on the line.

Ah, but Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will be in England, performing at the coronation for King Charles III.

So Idol has called on Alanis Morissette and Ed Sheeran to be guest judges.

Which makes sense, I suppose, since the Top 8 will be singing the songs of Alanis and teaming up for duets on the songs of Sheeran.

That’s if I heard right during the plug on American Idol duirng Monday’s show.

I’m sorta hoping I didn’t.

If you’re a longtime reader of this blog, you’ll know I hate single-artist theme nights unless the artist is as legendary as, let’s say The Beatles or The Rolling Stones.

Most other artists, Alanis included, have a handful of very well-known songs.

But not a catelogue so extensive that every member of the Top 8 will have oodles of popular songs choices after colleagues have snagged those most well-known tunes.

I’m also not a fan of duets on any show where the goal is to crown an individual champion.

I mean, someone will get to sing with Iam Tongi on Sunday night and perhaps reap some residual benefits from doing so.

Six other Idol contestant will not.

Then again, I supposed American Idol fans should consider themselves fortunate.

At least ABC and Idol producers haven’t eviscerated the show’s format to the point where the whole exercise is pointless.

Because that’s pretty much what’s happened with producers of The Voice over at NBC.

Okay, I apologize for an intro to this blog that’s longer than I intended. Because the point is to rank the remaining singers. Here we go. Last week’s rankings are in parenthesis.

See also …
Song by song grades for the Top 10
Song by song grades for the Top 12
Song by song grades on Top 12 reveal night

Warren Peay and Wé Ani pose for a photo behind the scenes on American Idol Top 10 night. (ABC Photo)

1. Wé Ani (1): She rocked the stage on Sunday. She sang Whitney Houston on Monday. She was one of Idol’s best both nights. But “I Have Nothing” is a tired, old singing show song, and I’d advise Wé to avoid those. Shock us every time out. That’s your only chance of winning over …

2. Iam Tongi (2): Did you hear the audience reaction Iam got from the Idol audience? Don’t worry, young man, you won’t be remembered as the guy with a fly on his forehead. You’re much more like to be remembered as Idol’s Season 21 champ. Just stay healthy and do your thing.

3. Warren Peay (5): Here’s another contestant who was very strong during on Sunday and Monday. “House of the Rising Sun” has been done very well before on Idol. Warren made it work in his own way. And I rated his Monday performance as tops among the Top 10.

4. Megan Danielle (6): Has Alanis ever covered a gospel song? I sure hope so. Because pair Megan Daneille with a Christian song and magic happens, as she demonstrated again Monday night when she performed “Go Rest High on That Mountain.” Be yourself, Megan. Don’t try to channel “Jagged Little Pill.”

Oliver Steele and Iam Tongi pose for a photo behind the scenes on Top 10 night on American Idol (ABC Photo)

5. Oliver Steele (9): I was just warming to Oliver’s sound after his stellar performance of Radiohead’s “High and Dry” on Monday. So what happens? He’s nearly eliminated and needs Katy’s unexpected save to reach the Top 8. He’ll enter Sunday knowing the pressure is on. I expect him to deliver.

6. Colin Stough (7): He had an Idol moment on Top 12 reveal night with his performance of “Dancing on My Own.” But he failed to build on it Sunday or Monday, and the judges keep nudging him to dig deeper. Then again, he plays guitar, sings country and wore a cowboy hat Monday night, so he’ll probably make the finals. Wish I was joking. I’m not.

7. Zachariah Smith (12): In last week’s ranking, I wrote that Zachariah’s performances too often come across as cheesy karaoke. But you know what? He’s dialed it back just a bit on stage, though he still delivers a ton of energy. And he’s sounding better. His last two performances were my favorites from Zach to date.

8. Haven Madison (11): Haven, do not wail. You step into a field of vocal landmines every time you start belting. The good news is that you do a wonderful job of conveying emotion and sound gorgeous when you do that. And you’ve clearly struck a chord with Idol fans.

Zachariah Smith and Haven Madison behind the scenes on American Idol Top 10 night. (ABC Photo)

Colin Stough and Megan Danielle pose for a photo on Top 10 night on American Idol. (ABC Photo)