Ok, the Top 12 have be chosen, so it’s time once again to see how well you predict how America will vote. This…is the American Idol Prediction Game!
<cue opening animation>
We’ll be doing two things differently this year. First, the scoring is being radically changed and simplified (thanks much, Pleonast!). This time around it’ll be the lowest score that wins. Points will be assigned based on the difference between the position you predict someone will finish, and their actual finishing position. So if the person you think will come in 5th comes in 8th, that’s three points. If they come in 2nd, then that’s still three points. And if you nail it on the head and they come in 5th, then you’re doing fine and picking up zero points that week. So if you’re predictions match the way America votes, from top to bottom, then you’ll finish the game with zero points and will have a successful career in behavior analysis.
As for the second difference…well, it isn’t really a difference from last year – we’re just more prepared this time around. Last season the game was a bit skewed by the Idol Gives Back special – they didn’t eliminate anyone that week, instead combining voting results the following week and dropping the bottom two without announcing who was eliminated in which place. Will they do this again? We can’t really say. The schedule shows the following:
Tuesday, April 8: Top 8 Finalists Perform
Wednesday, April 9: Two Hour Idol Gives Back Concert/Fundraiser
Thursday, April 10: Results Show
Last year, they didn’t have a third show that week (at least I don’t remember there being one), so it’s hard to say how they’re going to work this one. So here’s the deal: If they eliminate someone that week, then no problem – that person will be the 8th place finisher. But if they do hold off eliminating someone that week, then the two people eliminated the following week will both be scored as coming in 7th, and the scoring will reflect both the 8th and 7th place choices as both being picking to come in 7th.
In other words, I’m picking Chikezie to go 8th and Amanda to go 7th. If they eliminate someone on Idol Gives Back week, then no problem. But if they don’t, then we’re going to look at it as I picked both Chikezie and Amanda to go 7th, and score it from there.
Ok then, that should do it for the rules. Now, let’s get those picks in! Here’s my futile prediction of how I see America voting:
- David Hernandez
- Ramiele Malubay
- Kristy Lee Cook
- Michael Johns
- Chikezie
- Amanda Overmyer
- Jason Castro
- Brooke White
- David Cook
- Carly Smithson
- Syesha Mercado
- David Archuleta
Ok everyone, the deadline will be the opening credits for next week’s show, so make sure you’ve got your picks in before 8:00 Eastern on Tuesday, March 11th. Good luck!