Last night’s results show for “American Idol” sent four contestants packing, and there were a few surprises and a few not-so-surprises. The night started off with host Ryan Seacrest announcing some of the stars that will take part in the show during the season, including Diana Ross, Jon Bon Jovi, Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, Tony Bennett, Martina McBride and Barry Gibb. Can you say “Big Budget?”
Then we had to witness one of the most disturbing Idol moments ever–a group performance of Tears for Fears’ “Sowing the Seeds of Love.” Not only can I never listen to this song the same way again, I’m pretty sure that performance of it has scarred my inner being, causing a few of my brain cells to drop to the floor like sawdust from a workbench.
Then they took the first row of guys, most of which were awful on Tuesday night, and one by one Ryan let them know they were safe….Brandon, Sundance (are you kidding me?), Chris R, Nick, and Blake. Then when he got to the barefoot wonder, Paul Kim, Ryan was quick to say adios…none of that “after the break” crap, just “Paul, you are going home.” Then we had to endure Kim singing that Wham song again, and it was even worse last night. Maybe it’s because he was wearing shoes.
Then the girls went, and with six of them lined up and Antonella on the end, you had to know what was coming, right? Well, these producers are sneaky. All safe–Jordin, Stephanie, Sabrina, Leslie, Melinda and Antonella. Then Ryan went to the first girl in the front row, Amy Krebs, and sent her packing. Amy isn’t the worst singer this competition has ever seen, but you can’t say she was one of the better performers on Wednesday when she sang Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”
Then we were treated to a performance by Season 3 champ Fantasia. Damn, I forgot how that girl could wail. She put on a clinic for some of those other girls last night and even got a standing O from all three judges.
Back to reality…..five girls left, and Haley, Lakisha and Gina were all sent back to the pack. So it was between Nicole Tranquillo and Alaina Alexander. I was sure it would be Alaina but was wrong. Nicole and that Erykah Badu song in which you could barely make out the lyrics earned her a ticket back to Philly.
Finally, one more dude had to get a pink slip. All safe–Chris Sligh, Bald Phil, Jared, and AJ. Then it was between Sunjaya and Rudy. Ryan said that one of them had the lowest number of votes while the other was in the top 4. What??? Surely there were some forces of nature at work here that we weren’t aware of, or it’s those idiots who vote for the worst every week. Yeah, Sunjaya was safe….I mean, come on…that dude in the top 4? The other theory is he’s got that likeability factor that Kevin Covais had….just a good, humble kid. So Rudy got the heave-ho, and when he did that horrible Latin-inspired version of “Free Ride” to close out the show, I kind of felt like it was deserved.
We’re now down to 20. My favorites are Stephanie, Melinda, Sabrina, Jordin, Lakisha, Brandon, Chris S, Chris R, and Blake. And actually I’m going to say this right now….watch for Chris Sligh, he is my darkest of dark horses for winning the whole thing. Are you all on the phone to Vegas right now?
See you next week, when they will likely torture us with a group version of Squeeze’s “Pulling Mussels from a Shell.” I cringe in advance.
Adios!
