Less than one week after your votes--or lack there of, sent shock waves throughout the Idol world and arguably one of the best singers in Idol history home WAY too early, the remaining eight Idols toed the stage in an effort to win your votes and a chance to move one more step toward Idol immortality.
With the knowledge that no one has a free pass to next week, the Idols no doubt felt more pressure than ever before as they sang songs from the movies.
But before anyone did any singing, Ryan announced that one of the Idol judges had recently been named the most beautiful girl in the world--and it wasn't Randy or Steven. As if the Idol judges needed any more attention, we were informed that J-Lo is People magazine's pick for top beauty, girl category. Big-friggin'-deal! Let's hear some singing...or maybe you forgot this was a singing contest! I believe the voters have...so tonight it is your chance to get back into the game...vote for the best and let the rest go home!
Now that that is off my chest, let's check in with Paul who chose the Bob Seger classic, "Old Time Rock and Roll" made popular during a star-making performance by Tom Cruise in the '80's hit "Risky Business". Instead of rockin' a pair of tighty whiteys, Paul raided Porter Wagner's closet and donned a black suit with roses up the pants and sleeves and a red cravat to complete the look. It wasn't the best performance of Paul's Idol run, but that had more to do with my disdain for the song more so than Paul's styling. I know he isn't a favorite of the Idol faithful, but he knows how to work a stage. BTW: During the judges comments (all positive), Randy took a page out of my book and complemented Paul on his Porter Wagner get up...stop reading over my shoulder, Randy, and come up with something original on your own!
Fresh from a quick commercial break (I DVR everything, so commercials don't exist in Charlie's world!), Lauren went with Miley Cyrus' "The Climb" from the "Hannah Montana" soundtrack--a popular album for awhile in our household. As Lauren prepared for her performance, she was told that she could take advantage of Pia's dismissal by stealing her fans with tonight's performance. While that may have sounded like good advice, I am pretty sure Lauren and Pia have totally different audiences...at least it would seem a 16-year-old Country/Pop Princess from Georgia and a 22-year-old big-voiced Diva from Brooklyn would receive votes from exactly the opposite voting demographics. Overall the song was OK, but sounded pretty much karaoke...however the judges felt it was all that...and offered very little critique, just complements. What is going on with these judges this year? Have they provided any substance during their "judging" yet this season? I say no...
While you ponder that, let's check out what J-Lo Boy-Toy, Stefano, did with "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men from the Eddie Murphy smash hit, "Boomerang". During his coaching session, Stefano was told that he needs to wipe out last week's elimination of Pia (when it should have been him) because he has the chops to win this thing...WHAT? WAIT A MINUTE? Am I the only one who thinks this kid peaked during his audition? If it weren't for J-Lo slobbering over him ever week and a sure seat at the "vote for the worst" table, I don't think he would still be on the Idol stage singing for your votes. In fairness to a guy that I don't really dig, Stefano did a nice job with a great song. Randy started off the "judging" by going all J-Lo on him. Steven piled on and J-Lo did her normal creepy lovey-dovey with him and then said something that Idol had to bleep. Oh J-Lo, BEHAVE!
Country crooner, Scotty, went way back in the the movie archives with his original song selection by choosing "Everybody's Talking About Me" from "Midnight Cowboy" (the first X-Rated movie to win an Oscar), but Scotty switched courses and songs when he chose to go with George Strait's "I Cross Your Heart" from "Pure Country". I think he should have stayed with his first song, but Scotty obviously doesn't want to move even one inch from his comfort zone. And I think he paid the price as he turned in probably his worst performance of his Idol run. I thought the back up singers out sang him...but the judges felt otherwise. J-Lo said "I know the fans want us to be tough, but you guys are too good". My question: Why are they called judges if they aren't going to provide some feedback that will make them better? Another unanswerable question.
Casey went through his own song selection issues, initially selecting "Nature Boy" by Nat King Cole, then switching to Phil Collin's "In the Air Tonight" before going back to his first selection--against the advice of the Idol mentors. So with hair combed, beard trimmed, and courting his stand-up Bass, Casey hit the stage as the center piece of a jazz trio (piano on his right; bongos on his left) and did his thing to the cheers of the studio audience and the "judges"...even getting a standing "O" from the three chair warmers followed by screams of "Encore!" from Steven. I won't bore you with what the judges said because it really doesn't matter...they seem to love everyone and everything now that Pia is gone! Bitter much, you ask...EXACTLY! I love me some Casey and think this was the performance of the night (so far), but I would really enjoy it if the "judges" would provide some commentary that is more that simply unbridled love and butterflies.
The other remaining girl in the competition, Hailey, was next and chose "Call Me" by Blondie from the "American Gigolo" soundtrack as her vote getting song for the night. Dressed in micro-mini that resembled the Partridge Family bus and knee high purple go-go boots, Hailey set the stage a blaze in an effort to stay out of the B3. Hailey looked quite comfortable moving around the stage and around the judges on the Idol cat walk. But what would the judges think? Oddly enough Randy started out trying to provide a bit of constructive feedback which was met with boos from the audience. He made a point about how this wasn't really a great song to showcase her talents. J-Lo wanted to go down the same path, but thought better of it when she realized that there are but 2 girls left on the show. So as quickly as the judging began, it ended just a quick.
Jacob, the other survivor from last week's B3 (Stefano was also rescued as you recall), chose "The Impossible Dream", but that didn't go over well with the mentors who talked him into performing "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" by Simon and Garfunkel and from the "Pursuit of Happyness" soundtrack. Jacob called on his Gospel background to add a level of soul S&G didn't have in the original (which is one of the GREAT songs of the 20th century). I liked Jacob's interpretation and felt he showed great restraint when it would have been easy to let loose with his patented church choir background. The "judges" were back to heaping praise on an Idol--but this time I thought it was well-deserved.
The final performance of the night was turned in by James--the resident rocker who selected "Heavy Metal" the title track from the animated rock n' roll classic that was originally sung by the Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar. The mentors weren't convinced that this was the best song choice for James, but he did his best to defend his decision and hit the stage with the goal of proving them wrong and winning your votes. James hit the stage along with Ozzy Osbourne's guitar player, Zach Wylde, and proceeded to rock the song that they said he couldn't. As he let out the final screams at the 90th second, the "judges" clapped above their heads, implored the audience to "give it up", and watched James move around the stage returning the love he was receiving from his adoring fans. No "judges" comments worth noting, but let it be known that James was a hit.
As I reflect on the eight performances of the evening, I am compelled to select my B3 which should be made up of Stefano, Scotty, and Lauren. They all received high praise from the "judges", but didn't impress me tonight.
Tune in tomorrow to see who is in danger and who has performed as an Idol finalist for the last time.
Until then, I will continue watching TV so you don't have to...
Charlie
No comments:
Post a Comment