Last night’s “American Idol” featured most of the eleven contestants elevating their game in a big way.
It was 60’s British Invasion week, where the guys were coached by former Herman’s Hermit Peter Noone, and the girls were helped out by former British pop diva LuLu. Both of them have got to be sixty-ish yet were remarkably spunky and helpful with their coaching.
What was really great about yesterday’s show was the fact that everyone realized this is a competition and that, genders aside, it was time to bring the “A” game or face swift elimination. Almost everyone brought that game, and in fact, the ones that didn’t were only B-pluses. Fear will do that, I guess.
Okay, here we go…..
THE REALLY GOOD
Melinda Doolittle is already a star. I don’t think she has it in her to even remotely suck. She is professional, and performs every song with a conviction that none of the other ten contestants have. Melinda sang “As Long As He Needs Me,” and I’m more convinced every week that it’s her competition to lose. Randy said it was the best vocal of the night, Paula said Melinda never sounds forced, and Simon said Melinda made a boring song sensational with an impeccable vocal.
THE GOOD
Too bad for all of these folks that Melinda is in Season 6, but they do have a shot as well….
Chris Richardson scaled things back, and instead of dancing and doing vocal acrobatics he just focused on singing. Good move. His acoustic version of “Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying” was really, really good. He never wavered offf pitch and the judges knew it. Randy said it was a different side of Chris and a great performance, Paula said it was sexy and charming, and Simon said it was Chris’ best performance yet. I would keep an eye on this kid, he’s starting to peak.
Blake Lewis did a really original version of the Zombies’ “Time of the Season,” with a limited amount of beatboxing. Like Chris, Blake focused on his vocals and really did a nice job. It was original without being over the top. Randy said Blake had a “massive YO factor,” Paula said Blake picked a good song, and Simon said Blake was “a million times better than last week.” I would keep a close eye on him as well.
Jordin Sparks is also starting to peak, and her version of “I Who Have Nothing” was just short of spectacular, meaning it was just short of Melinda. When you think that Jordin is only 17, it’s downright ridiculous that she is this good. And I think she may just rise up and take this all the way to the final 2 or 3. Randy said it was one of the best performances last night, Paula said Jordin has great range, and Simon said she sang a gloomy song beautifully.
THE IN-BETWEEN
Haley Scarnato kicked things off last night and her legs and outfit that was held on with thumb tacks really did a nice job. I mean, did anyone notice that Haley was singing? She did and actually was better than usual, with her version of “Tell Him.” I think she tried hard but was still mediocre, and honestly she’s not going anywhere when she dresses like that. Randy said it was the perfect song choice, Paula said it was “girlish” and Simon called Haley a “naughty thing.” He added that it was fun but shrieky in spots. Again, the legs and the small amount of fabric help her a ton.
Stephanie Edwards sang “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” (what was with all those long titles in the sixties?) and it wasn’t nearly her best. I have a bad feeling that Stephanie is separating herself from the pack in the opposite direction, because she was so promising early on. Randy said it wasn’t her best performance, Paula said it was the right song but pitchy, and Simon said Stephanie is losing her edge.
Lakisha Jones sang “Diamonds Are Forever” and they had to keep harping on the fact that she was wearing a million dollars worth of diamonds. Um, that is like a nickel to “American Idol,” so we really don’t care. Lakisha was not at her best last night and showed that she is not in the same league as Melinda anymore. Randy said it wasn’t his favorite Lakisha performance, and Simon said it was like seeing “Lakisha in 50 years.” Odd comment, but strangely accurate.
Phil Stacey sang “Tobacco Road” and it was not bad but kind of all over the place, like he was rocking but shouting too much. Randy said it was “pretty good but pitchy,” Paula said it was a good choice but pitchy, and Simon said it was nothing more than a bar band performance. Phil could also be in danger of hitting the road this week.
Chris Sligh also sang a Zombies song with “She’s Not There,” and though it wasn’t bad, it still wasn’t vintage Chris. This guy is not going anywhere, but he can certainly do better. At least he didn’t play with the arrangement too much this week to make the song sound modern. Randy said that he felt like all of the night’s performances were great including this one, Paula said the vocals were good, and Simon said Chris didn’t have the best vocal but that he was way better than last week. Then Chris did something really disturbing with Ryan….he pulled a Taylor Hicks and did a shout out to the “Fro Patrol.” Be very afraid, little kittens.
THE BAD
Sanjaya took on the Kinks’ “You Really Got Me,” a surprising choice for the usually subdued kid, but he actually came out of his shell and wasn’t nearly as bad as usual. Still, when looking back at clips of each singer it’s still clear that Sanjaya does not belong here anymore. Randy said the performance “shocked” him, Paula said that this was the Sanjaya she was waiting for, and Simon made reference to a little girl crying in the audience and that the girl’s reaction mirrored his own. Read: Simon still thinks Sanjaya sucks, and I agree with him. But the girl was crying because she was overwhelmed, and that makes me realize that he isn’t going anywhere, at least not this week. The kids and Vote For the Worst will still support this non-talent.
Gina Glockson did her rocker chick thing once again with the Stones’ “Paint It Black” and it really looked like a karaoke performance. Gina has a niche in this, but really doesn’t belong among the top talent. Randy said it was pitchy and “just aight,” Paula said Gina was better than last week, and Simon said there were “moments of complete torture” and that it was “style over content.” Amen to that, Cowell. Gina is in serious danger.
So my bottom 3…..Phil, Stephanie and Gina, and I’m picking Gina to go home thanks to Simon’s comments.
Oh, and since the show is still two hours long but with less and less contestants every week, the producers fill it up with the after-performance-interview-and-contestant-backlash thing, which is really getting old. Do I care what Gina thinks about Simon’s comments? Hell no….take your medicine like an adult and get on with your attempts to sing.
So tonight we’ve got the results, and I hope Stephanie can hang on another week, because she really is better than she showed last night. I’ve had enough of Gina and Sanjaya. How about you?
