About Madai: Yes, she can sing. She CAN sing. What she proved that she can not do is sing with accompaniment, work collaboratively, pivot under less than ideal circumstances, or show grace and respect to the people she's working with. Speaking up and advocating for yourself is great. Being rude and combative is the fastest way to be shown the door, because ain't nobody got time for bad attitudes.

Grown man crying during KB's performance. Every father of a daughter and every human with a heart felt that. - Akin to Leah Marlene's performance of 'Heal' a season or two ago.

Mckenna, Ajii, KB, Kayko, Hailey Mia, Justice, and Mia were my standouts! Also loved the platinum ticket holders performance on youtube ... they slayed

🙏 Really good advice for these singers. Still saying you should be asked to judge. Your help to these singers who need good constructive criticism would be immeasurable. Good show.

There a really nice duet with Emmy and Kayko the Song House Channel called " Civil War " they sound great together !

KB song choice was spot on for her. Had I not already been a HUGE Jessie Murph Fan and love the song I would have connected different and balled my eyes out. Don't get me wrong, I still got emotional because I connected with her authenticity.

I just love your insight. Now 4 O'clock in the morning. Thank you. Greetings from South Africa

KB is also in my top 3 personal favorites! She’s a beast! She reminds me of Megan from last year with that rasp but she has more and her tone is much darker than Megan in my opinion. I’m a fan!

My favorites of the night were the Platinum Ticket Trio performance, McKenna, Hailey, Nya, Mia, Justice, Kayko, Ziggy, KB, Ajii, Will, Quintavious, Roman, Emmy, K-Blocks, and Mackenzie.

McKenna reminds me of the talent of Angelina Jordan who has those low notes and that calm confident composure. I hope you react to Angelina some time when you are not doing IDOL. Like when you are "idle!"

Feeling some boss energy today

We need less audition episodes and more Hollywood episodes going forward. They flew by the performances thus round, not sure why they can’t do that for auditions. Instead they spend too much time on sob stories. I get it’s TV, but come on. Would also prefer single elimination from top 12 on, but that’s asking for too much. Just really sucks for the contestants

Jennifer reminds me of campfire Iris Dement. I love it.

I know there’s a saying that goes, “those who can’t do teach” and I don’t think that’s necessarily always true …. BUUUUUT I will say, being really good at something, even being a Master at something, does not mean you are capable of efficaciously teaching that skill to others. I really appreciate how often you give the judges the benefit of the doubt or explain to us, the audience, what the reality of their job is at times. Sharing with us the fact that they have to perform just as much as the contestants do at times and this means they may not be in the best position to offer advice is really illuminating. It also highlights for me that this is an inherent sticky point with all of these celebrity judge singing contest shows. Lionel, Katy, and Luke are clearly very skilled at what they do. They know a thing or two about singing and performing. But they are not vocal coaches or teachers. I really miss Harry for this. He’s not a vocal coach either, but his knowledge of music is so vast and he knows enough about the technical aspects of singing but what he was really good at as well was being an actual coach. You know he’s got the teaching gift as well. He often gave contestants actionable, solid advice and guidance. I know that’s not what this show is about, but as an amateur singer myself and someone who loves seeing how any craft is developed, I really wish there was a show that would nerd out and get into the weeds of the How of it all, ya know? And I honestly think there would be a bigger audience for it than any producer might imagine there to be. Anywho …. As always, I really appreciate your perspective on these things. It’s been said by many in your comments section and I’m gonna add my pixels to the mix - the show would blessed to have you as one of the judges. You have that gift of teaching and mentoring. ❤

This was a fun video.

For those complaining about the reduction of Hollywood Week, historically those episodes perform towards the bottom of the Nielsen Ratings. Sadly, people want auditions and finales.

Tristan is great. Kaykos voice reminds me of Colton Dixon. Why didn't they show Noah Peters performance.

You forgot funny mouth guy!

I’m really disappointed with AI this year that we didn’t get to hear more singers. They’ve only focused on the 24 who made it thru

There's a couple that I like.. KB is one of them. But, there's only one that absolutely, hands down got me from the audition and I'm hooked and will be getting my votes and that's McKenna. I'm a sucker for that sultry, breathy, deep sound. There were a couple moments I was feeling Lacy Kaye Booth vibes and she's my favorite Idol ever. The fact she just seems so grateful and humble and has positive vibes, makes her so easy to root for!

I actually loved Jennifer jeffries and i Do not typically like country. Lol. I think she's a good song writer, amazingly unique but slightly old school voice, ok guitar, Probably not the best at technical singing but people don't fall in love with technical.

I really like Jack you didn’t talk about him.

I agree about Makenzie, he’s a supa singar!!

💯 agree about Jacy. Too bad.

❤

I was the first to hit the like button hours ago. I missed the live last night so I'm ready 😂

KB and Abi were my favorites from the auditions and they remain that way. KB is so damn good. Putting her in a sing off better have been an editing stunt for views to absolutely bodybag Ragu. There is no way she was "borderline" top 24. She is borderline top 2... and not 2

Tried CB10% discount code, but it said invalid.

So glad they cut Madai

Bummed that it looks like Lillian Hacket didn't make it through. She was someone I was excited about watching this season. She will go far in music regardless though. Love hearing your thoughts Clark, keep it up and someday American Idol should hire you!

I like Conall Gorman who's like the younger version of John Mayer! Ziggy & KB gave a very moving performance.

Clark, you are still cute and you seem to come from such a genuine place, whereas the show seems even more cynically organized than when Simon was on it. One weird thing about the show is how narrow and repetitive the song list is, every year the same songs. Weirdly, today I happened to come across the version of "Feelin' Good" that Gilbert Price did for the Anthony Newley musical for which it was written. Please consider showing the KZfaq of the Price version on your channel and criticizing it. Are his runs appropriate 😂? By the way, your friend Fradiani sounds incredibly awesome as Neal Diamond. Does he sing in a lower key to do that? Obviously this isn't as extreme as what Tom Waits did--but it really really works. "I am I said" by Nick as Neil is AWESOME and beautiful. Btw, it does not appear that you did anything with my suggestion of reviewing the greatest idol winner ever, the winner of Arab Idol a decade or so ago, Mohammed Assad. That's too bad because his is such an incredible story and now is certainly the time to tell it, given the horror of what is happening there. Be courageous and compassionate. That's a story worth telling and no one can do it as well as you can.

I really appreciate all your insights. Interesting to hear your take, always. I'm a die-hard idol (and Clark) fan since the very beginning. One thing that I have finally come to terms with is that Idol (and moreso The Voice) are not really singing competitions anymore. It's no longer designed to find undiscovered talent. That has become a byproduct. It's really more of a television show. A variety show almost. With judges as characters, and the contestants too. The shenanigans are part of the "entertainment." It's helped me not be frustrated with the show. Sort of how Taco Bell isn't really Mexican food, but if I think of it as fast food instead, I don't mind it. Just recategorize it in my head.

YOU FORGOT JACK BRO ‼️‼️

Did you forget to talk about the guy that makes the crazy faces? I can’t remember his name.

KB and Kayko actually killed it I 100% agree with that. I also agree with the point on the plat tickets. I wouldn't want one either. The pure mindset could be toxic for your run. Now if you are hyper humble and you just take it as a blessing and understand the sheer amount of effort you still have to put in I guess it could be an example. But to walk in thinking you're hot shit can leave the door open for some of these contestants to build a bigger following before the show really ramps up. Have to remember that 98% of the people voting are voting on pure emotion and not for the best singer. I like that aspect of it though. You have to connect with a fan base which isn't done only through technical skill.

Jack McKenna Tristan Ajii Kayko (Sam) Mia Will Jennifer

Agree about Ajii. Better than audition.

They made such a big deal about CJ Riskove in the auditions, but didn't even show him at all. So I think if someone already has a following, they only have them on for "show".. But I thought he was great.

Jennifer is gonna bring in atleast 40% of all country folks PLUS the “folk” votes … she’s one of my personal favorites, colter wall is also a dude who’s now very successful but on reactions a lot of people say he needs correcting ..

I think the Top 5 will be: Abi, Emmy, Will, Blake and maybe Max

I'm upset about Jacy too.

*assassination

Why did Katy say she was worried about Mc Kenna Breinholt's voice?

Kayko is a poor man's Jonny West. Jonny wrote and performed the song Moment (Hollywood Week) which is a very similar story, but a better song. I'm not saying Kayko was bad. Just that it's the first thing I thought of when he performed this song.

Where the hell is Quintavious Johnson?

The Ziggy singoff was ridiculous. He sang at least as well even tho the song meant more to the other contestant. We needed both in the competition. Let America decide.

I don’t get Kayko -too limited.

Glad it's Katys last year. She has been getting on my nerves this season

What did you think of Jake Blocker and Kennedy Reid? You forgot these 2.

very much sure cj rislove can pull off better songs than freaking kayko/emily and fit the role better shame we werent given anything to hold onto before they cut him. bros got one of the most viewed auditions and they couldnt even give us the justification as to why??!! JESUS

plan to face time with her like with ziggy ? :D (madai i mean ) hahahhahah but from her audition attitude is a big issue

Clark?? I am thinking that I must be the only person that cared, or even noticed, that CJ Rislove was (rudely imho) dumped. Idol didn't show him singing, didn't give any explanation or mention...talk about a 180! Shady. I'm actually kind of pissed off! (And I'm not a fan of going from 143 to 56 in a day. Seems to cheat the contestants out of much of the experience.)

Idk but I feel like Madai was set up a bit...

Madai was not singing in the same key as the piano but later the piano player played in a lower key which showed me he was in the wrong key to begin with. She had a horrible attitude and the accent thing was dumb.

I disagree with you about Ziggy. Too screechy. Otherwise I think your comments were very well expressed about the other vocalists. I am usually in 90 percent agreement with you.

The gospel like singers just do too much IMO. They can sing obviously it's just overkill. Never been a fan.

Why this is the worst laziest season ever: 1) Why are we seeing the same sob/back stories of the same people over and over again? It all feels truncated and repetitive. 2) There are no Asian singers at all ?! 3) No group challenges? They took out the really fun, dramatic and revealing side of Idol 4) Where are the unique and quirky artists? 5) Back to Country Idol again. Idol is phoning it in and I'm not into it.

Clark, you spent too much time on Maidia. But people like to talk about those sassy singers, becose they're different. Anyway her attitude was bellow zero, I don't like her.

if edited out the dumb stuff you say, the video would be empty