The X Factor Season 3 Live Shows Begin

The X Factor USA live shows begin tomorrow at 8 P.M. New York time. The X Factor USA will also air on the night after tomorrow unless there is a World Series baseball game on that night.

The producers' auditions began on March 6, 2013, in Los Angeles, California, and ended on May 4, 2013, in Denver, Colorado. The judges' auditions, which are televised, began on May 21, 2013, in Charleston, South Carolina, and ended on July 12, 2013, in Los Angeles, California. This season, the bootcamp and judges' homes rounds were kaput, being replaced with the four-chair round, reminiscent of the live shows.

The competition is divided into four categories: the Boys (mentored by Paulina Rubio), the Girls (mentored by Demi Lovato), the Over 25s (mentored by Kelly Rowland), and the Groups (mentored by Simon Cowell).

Boys (Paulina Rubio): Carlos Guevava, Josh Levi, Carlito Olivero, and Tim Olstad
Girls (Demi Lovato): Khaya Cohen, Danie Geimer, Rion Paige, and Ellona Santiago
Over 25s (Kelly Rowland): Jeff Gutt, James Kenney, Lillie McCloud, and Rachel Potter
Groups: Alex & Sierra, Restless Road, RoXxy Montana, and Sweet Suspense

Tomorrow night, the top 16 will be narrowed down to either a top 12 (or top 13 if there is going to be a wildcard).

My predictions on who will eliminated in the top 16 round are:

Boys: Carlos Guevava
Girls: Khaya Cohen
Over 25s: James Kenney
Groups: Alex & Sierra

My rankings of the top 16 are:

Ellona Santiago
RoXxy Montana
Josh Levi
Sweet Suspense
Carlito Olivero
Lillie McCloud
Carlos Guevava
Alex & Sierra
Rachel Potter
Tim Olstad
Restless Road
Danie Geimer
Khaya Cohen
Rion Paige
James Kenney
Jeff Gutt

I am glad Candice Glover won; My Male American Idol Finalist Rankings 2013 video published

This post is way overdue. I am so glad that Candice Glover, my second favorite contestant of American Idol season 12 and my third favorite in American Idol history, has won the competition. She defeated Kree Harrison, who stole a place in the finale from my season 12 favorite Amber Holcomb, who is my second favorite contestant ever. She hails from my home state South Carolina. She has ended the male winning streak with the help of Lazaro Arbos. She deserves to win, but I would have preferred that Amber Holcomb would win. Candice may be the official winner, but I find that Amber is the real winner of season 12. Kree's victory over Amber Holcomb and Angie Miller was attributed to support from Vote for the Worst and sympathy votes due to the death of her parents and having a difficult life.

The American Idol winner analysis is:

Season 1's Show Winner: Kelly Clarkson
Season 1's Real Winner: Kelly Clarkson
My Season 1 Favorite: Tamyra Gray

Season 2's Show Winner: Ruben Studdard
Season 2's Real Winner: Clay Aiken
My Season 2 Favorite: Ruben Studdard

Season 3's Show Winner: Fantasia Barrino
Season 3's Real Winner: Jennifer Hudson
My Season 3 Favorite: Jennifer Hudson

Season 4's Show Winner: Carrie Underwood
Season 4's Real Winner: Carrie Underwood
My Season 4 Favorite: Vonzell Solomon

Season 5's Show Winner: Taylor Hicks
Season 5's Real Winner: Katharine McPhee
My Season 5 Favorite: Elliott Yamin

Season 6's Show Winner: Jordin Sparks
Season 6's Real Winner: Jordin Sparks
My Season 6 Favorite: Jordin Sparks

Season 7's Show Winner: David Cook
Season 7's Real Winner: David Cook
My Season 7 Favorite: Chikezie Eze

Season 8's Show Winner: Kris Allen
Season 8's Real Winner: Adam Lambert
My Season 8 Favorite: Jasmine Murray

Season 9's Show Winner: Lee DeWyze
Season 9's Real Winner: Casey James
My Season 9 Favorite: Michael Lynche

Season 10's Show Winner: Scotty McCreery
Season 10's Real Winner: Scotty McCreery
My Season 10 Favorite: Jacob Lusk

Season 11's Show Winner: Phillip Phillips
Season 11's Real Winner: Jessica Sanchez
My Season 11 Favorite: Jessica Sanchez

Season 12's Show Winner: Candice Glover
Season 12's Real Winner: Amber Holcomb
My Season 12 Favorite: Amber Holcomb

My analysis on the competitions:

Season 1
Tamyra Gray should have made the top 3 instead of Nikki McKibbin.

Season 2
Equoia Coleman should have made the top 12 instead of Vanessa Olivarez.
Rickey Smith should have made the top 7 instead of Kimberly Caldwell.
Trenyce should have made the top 4 instead of Josh Gracin.

Season 3
Lisa Leuschner should have made the top 12 instead of Amy Adams.
Jennifer Hudson should have made the top 2 instead of Diana DeGarmo.
LaToya London should have made the top 3 instead of Jasmine Trias.

Season 4
Nikko Smith should have made the top 8 instead of Scott Savol.
Vonzell Solomon should have made the top 2 instead of Bo Bice.

Season 5
Ayla Brown should have made the top 12 instead of Melissa McGhee.
Chris Daughtry should have made the top 2 instead of Taylor Hicks.

Season 6
LaKisha Jones should have made the top 3 instead of Blake Lewis.
Melinda Doolittle should have made the top 2 instead of Blake Lewis.

Season 7
Alexandréa Lushington should have made the top 12 instead of Kristy Lee Cook.
Alaina Whittaker should have made the top 12 instead of Amanda Overmyer.
Chikezie Eze should have made the top 4 instead of Jason Castro.
David Archuleta should have won instead of David Cook.

Season 8
Ariana Afshar should have made the top 13 instead of Michael Sarver.
Jasmine Murray should have made the top 10 instead of Michael Sarver.
Allison Iraheta should have made the top 2 instead of Kris Allen.
Adam Lambert should have won instead of Kris Allen.

Season 9
Michelle Delamor should have made the top 12 instead of Didi Benami.
Todrick Hall should have made the top 12 instead of Tim Urban.
Lilly Scott should have made the top 12 instead of Lacey Brown.
Crystal Bowersox should have won instead of Lee DeWyze.

Season 10
Ta-Tynisa Wilson should have made the top 12 instead of Ashthon Jones.
Pia Toscano should have been saved by the judges instead of Casey Abrams.
James Durbin should have made the top 3 instead of Haley Reinhart.

Season 11
Baylee Brown should have made the top 13 instead of Erika Van Pelt.
Aaron Marcellus should have made the top 13 instead of Jermaine Jones.
Elise Testone should have made the top 5 instead of Phillip Phillips.
Skylar Laine should have made the top 4 instead of Phillip Phillips.
Joshua Ledet should have made the top 2 instead of Phillip Phillips.
Jessica Sanchez should have won instead of Phillip Phillips.

Season 12
Burnell Taylor should have made the top 6 instead of Lazaro Arbos.
Amber Holcomb should have made the top 2 instead of Kree Harrison.

My Male American Idol Finalist Rankings Video

I am working on my American Idol finalist countdown videos, one for each gender. American Idol has produced 71 male finalists and 72 female finalists.
The YouTube video on my male American Idol finalist countdown has already been published, and can be viewed here:

Amber Holcomb should have made the top 3 instead of Kree Harrison

America got it dead wrong on American Idol. I am very, very upset that my favorite American Idol season 12 finalist Amber Holcomb got eliminated at fourth place last Thursday night (May 2, 2013). She should have made the top 3 instead of Kree Harrison. There may have been a geographical factor involved, since Kree and Amber are both from Texas, and Kree benefitted from it. Amber Holcomb is more marketable than Kree Harrison, Angie Miller, and Candice Glover. Kree Harrison and Angie Miller will be forgotten, while Candice Glover will have a decent R&B career, and Amber Holcomb will be a global superstar.

Top 4 Round to be continued on American Idol season 12

Last week, there was no elimination, due to the schedule. American Idol season 12 is scheduled to end May 16, 2013. The top 4 finalists are Amber Holcomb, Candice Glover, Angie Miller, and Kree Harrison. The last contestant out of the top 4 I want to win is Kree Harrison, who is a generic country blues singer.

For the first time American Idol history, an all-female top 5

Last week, after Devin Velez coming in 8th place, and Burnell Taylor coming in 7th place, the 6th place elimination of Lazaro Arbos on American Idol season 12 made history. For the first time in American Idol history, the competition has boiled down to an all-female top 5, consisting of Amber Holcomb, Candice Glover, Angie Miller, Kree Harrison, and Janelle Arthur. The producers want a top 2 consisting of Amber Holcomb and Candice Glover.

Here is what I want to happen:

5th Place: Janelle Arthur
4th Place: Angie Miller
3rd Place: Kree Harrison
Runner-up: Amber Holcomb
Winner: Candice Glover

My ideas for Fire Emblem

I have several ideas to propose when it comes to the future of Nintendo's Fire Emblem franchise, which is developed by Intelligent Systems, Co. Ltd. (Kabushiki-Gaisha Intelligent Systems), which was founded in 1986.

My ideas for a Wii U Fire Emblem game include a new series of swords called katanas (such as Bronze Katana, Iron Katana, Steel Katana, etc.), which would be reserved for Myrmidon/Swordmaster class and have a high critical rate, another one called longswords (such as Bronze Longsword, Iron Longsword, Steel Longsword, etc.), a new series of lances called Naginatas (like Bronze Naginata, Iron Naginata, Steel Naginata, etc.), new other weapons like Blessed Sword and Blessed Axe, Devil Lance and Devil Bow, and new fabled weapons like Ayra's Katana and Jamke's Bow. The Wii U Fire Emblem game would take place in the same world as Fire Emblem Awakening.

I'm glad Paul Jolley is Gone, Gone, Gone!

I am so glad Paul Jolley got voted off last week. The theme was The Beatles. Jolley sang "Eleanor Rigby", which was previously sung by Michael Lynche, my favorite finalist of American Idol season 9. However, he was not the worst of the night. It was Lazaro Arbos who was the worst of the night. On top of that, my favorite of last season Jessica Sanchez performed her first single "Tonight" with three-time Grammy award winner Ne-Yo.  They got standing ovation from the judges.

I am disappointed that Amber Holcomb was in the bottom 3 last week. Jimmy Iovine commented that she was in his top 3, and I agree with him.

Curtis Finch, Jr., is the first season 10 finalist to be eliminated

Last week, Curtis Finch, Jr., became the first finalist of American Idol season 10 to be eliminated. On the night before that, he sang "I Believe" by season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino. He was in the bottom 3 with Devin Velez. In an attempt to get saved by the judges, he sang "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly. On top of that, he has a police record. Two years ago, he was arrested for stealing a MacBook laptop, worth $1,500, from a fellow choir member. To avoid jail time, he paid $1,800 plus the cost of appearing in court.

American Idol season 12 top 10 revealed

On the night of March 7, 2013, American Idol season 12's top 10 has been revealed. All season 12 finalists will participate in the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2013. Tomorrow night, the sixth highest vote getter of each gender will compete for the 11th spot on the summer tour.

Here are the top 10 in alphabetical order by last name:

• Lazaro Arbos was born on December 27, 1990. He was originally from Cuba but resides in Naples, Florida. He auditioned in Chicago, Illinois, where he sang "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel, which was also his victory song upon making the top 10.
• Janelle Arthur was born on December 12, 1989. She is from Oliver Springs, Tennessee. She auditioned in Charlotte, North Carolina. She originally auditioned for American Idol season 10 and then season 11. In season 10, she was cut in the Hollywood round. In season 11, she was cut in the Las Vegas round.
• Curtis Finch, Jr. is from Saint Louis, Missouri. He originally auditioned for American Idol season 4 and later for season 11, where he was cut in the Las Vegas round alongside Amber Holcomb leaving behind season 11 finalists Joshua Ledet (who finished 3rd) and Shannon Magrane (who finished 11th).
• Candice Glover was born on November 22, 1989. She was originally Beaufort, South Carolina, but resides in Saint Helena Island, South Carolina. She auditioned in Charlotte, North Carolina. She originally auditioned for American Idol season 9, and later seasons 10 and 11. In season 9, she was cut in the Hollywood Solo Round. In season 10, she was cut before seeing the judges. In season 11, she was cut in the Las Vegas round, where she was grouped with season 11 finalists Jessica Sanchez (who finished 2nd) and DeAndre Brackensick (who finished 8th). I predict that she will be the runner-up of season 12.
• Kree Harrison was born on May 17, 1990. She is from Winfield, Texas, but resides in Nashville, Tennessee. She auditioned in Oklahoma City. Her father died in an aviation accident when she was twelve years old. Her mother died in an automobile accident when she just turned sixteen. She previously signed a deal with the now defunct Lyric Street Records, which was also signed by season 5's Bucky Covington and season 6's Phil Stacey, at the age of twelve, but was dropped due to creative differences. She has also had a song publishing deal.
• Amber Holcomb was born on March 17, 1994. She is from Houston, Texas. She originally auditioned for season 11, but she was cut in the Las Vegas round alongside Curtis Finch, Jr., where she was grouped with season 11 finalists Joshua Ledet and Shannon Magrane. She is the underdog and dark horse of season 12.
• Paul Jolley was born on January 27, 1990. He is from Palmersville, Tennessee. He auditioned in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he sang "I Won't Le Go" by Rascal Flatts. I think he will be the first finalist to be eliminated.
• Angela "Angie" Miller was born on February 17, 1994. She is from Beverly, Massachusetts. She auditioned in New York City, where she sang "Mamma Knows Best" by Jessie J. She stated at her audition that she is partially deaf, with 20% hearing loss in her right ear, and 40% in her left. Prior to auditioning for American Idol, Angie had a successful YouTube channel, earning a current total views of 1.5 million. She is predicted to win the competition.
• Burnell Taylor was born on April 14, 1993. He auditioned in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he sang an original song "I'm Here", which he later performed during the semifinal round. He stated in his audition that he and his family are survivors of Hurricane Katrina, which happened in 2005.
• Devin Velez was born on April 22, 1994. He auditioned in his hometown Chicago, Illinois.

My ideal elimination order is:

10th Place: Paul Jolley
9th Place: Devin Velez
8th Place: Janelle Arthur
7th Place: Lazaro Arbos
6th Place: Curtis Finch, Jr.
5th Place: Burnell Taylor
4th Place: Kree Harrison
3rd Place: Amber Holcomb
Runner-up: Candice Glover
Winner: Angie Miller

American Idol season 12's top 20 revealed

The top 20 of American Idol season 12 are:

Top 10 Guys:

Lazaro Arbos
Charlie Askew
Nick Boddington
Curtis Finch, Jr.
Paul Jolley
Elija Liu
Vincent Powell
Cortez Shaw
Burnell Taylor
Devin Velez

Top 10 Girls:

Janelle Arthur
Aubrey Cleland
Candice Glover
Kree Harrison
Amber Holcomb
Zoanette Johnson
Adriana Latonio
Angela Miller
Breanna Steer
Teanna Torres

For the girls, I am torn between Candice Glover and Amber Holcomb. For the guys, I am torn between Curtis Finch, Jr., and Burnell Taylor.

My predictions for top 10:

Guys:
Charlie Askew
Curtis Finch, Jr.
Paul Jolley
Elija Liu
Burnell Taylor

Girls:
Janelle Arthur
Candice Glover
Kree Harrison
Amber Holcomb
Angela Miller

Basic Fire Emblem strategy

Recently, I bought Fire Emblem: Awakening. It has become my favorite first-party Nintendo 3DS game, and I am so addicted to it. My favorite character so-far is Lon'qu.

When it comes to playing Fire Emblem, there are some strategies you must take:

• Do not use Jagens or Oifeys, except Frederick in Fire Emblem: Awakening, where you should use the Second Seal on him to demote him to Cavalier.
• In Fire Emblem: Awakening, demote the prepromoted units with low base HP (using the Second Seal).
• Do not overuse the same unit or a maxed-out unit.
• Have your lesser trained units finish off the enemies.
• Train up the Ogmas and Nabarls.
• Train up the Cains and Abels.
• Conserve rare weapons, especially Brave weapons.
• Give the Brave Swords to the Myrmidons and Swordmasters.
• Do not use Devil weapons, except under dire circumstances.
• Forge Bronze and Iron weapons. Add Critical Rate bonus when forging a Bronze weapon.

Tedius Zanarukando's Blog is Back

After a five month hiatus, Tedius Zanarukando's blog is back. The hiatus was due to technical problems and loss of Internet access.