Category: Pop (Page 170 of 216)

Just when you start giving the American voters credit for getting things right, they go and throw you for a loop. Last night’s “American Idol” elimination show featured two correct calls, one mild surprise and one very huge surprise.

First, the group sang the old Steeler’s Wheel song, “Stuck in the Middle With You.” Whoever comes up with the ideas for these group songs, I don’t know how they look at themselves in the mirror. It was almost as bad as that awful Tears for Fears song a few weeks ago.

Then it was on to the results….Lakisha, Blake, Chris Sligh, Jordin, and Phil…all safe. I was a little surprised about Phil but he’s done enough good things to deserve this (yes, wife, you were correct on that). But then Jared Cotter was the first to go, and Simon let him know as a parting gift of wisdom that Jared just needs to work on his singing.

Then the next round of elimination…..Melinda, Brandon, Gina, Chris Richardson, all safe. Guess who went home? Anto-freaking-nella! America finally got one right, and she can go back to posing for naughty photos on the Internet.

Then came a performance from season 4 champ Carrie Underwood, who sang her new single “Wasted.”
It was awful. I mean, Carrie sang through her nose that whole season that she won, and she still sings through her nose. It’s been almost two years, and she has gone on to mega-stardom somehow…but I still think Bo Bice got robbed.

So three seats remained for the top 12, but five contestants waited to learn their fate. Stephanie and Haley were both safe, and I can tell you that America really screwed up here….Haley was so bad Wednesday night, that I can only suspect those “vote for the worst” group leap-frogged her over Antonella. That’s the only explanation, because then it was Sabrina who was sent home. Are you kidding me? That girl was one of the top 5 women singers and this was just a real shame. Not that she was going to win it all but she earned a spot in the top 12. Too bad. For Haley, she’s got to be going home soon.

Then we were treated to the big announcement, about how the show is going to raise money for poverty on April 24 and 25, a way of giving back to the global communities since the show has had so much success. It sure was heartwarming to see Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell in Africa putting smiles on kids’ faces…..I’m surprised they didn’t hold hands. Seriously though, I think it’s really cool what they’re doing, because they certainly don’t have to. And it will be an all-star cast for those shows, with appearances by Quincy Jones, Gwen Stefani, Borat, Pink, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, and Bono.

Then the final spot was up for grabs in the top 12, and it came down to Sundance and Sanjaya. I don’t like either one, but Sundance is a way better singer. So of course it was him that was sent home. America just keeps screwing up with that Sanjaya kid, and he may go deeper in this thing than anyone who has sucked has ever gone. Seriously, I’m scared.

So your final twelve, America….

Lakisha Jones
Blake Lewis
Chris Sligh
Jordin Sparks
Phil Stacey
Melinda Doolittle
Brandon Rogers
Gina Glockson
Chris Richardson
Stephanie Edwards
Haley Scarnato
Sanjaya whatever the hell his last name is

Until someone proves me otherwise, I’m going with Melinda to win this thing. And for the remaining guys, they really need to step up their game because the field is concentrated with four ladies who can really bring it.

So it took two months to get to this point, and now we’re down to the final 12. It’s going to be another two months of highs, lows, drunken Paulas, Ryan-Simon bickering, and lots of fluff. I can’t wait…how about you?

Last night’s “American Idol” proved that there is no secret with this year’s competition. The ladies are making the guys look bad. Real bad. The judges keep saying it, and America can’t ignore it. But it’s not all the ladies. It’s a powerful quartet of Melinda, Lakisha, Stephanie and Sabrina that brings an A-game every week and is making everyone else look like weak amateurs.

It’s worth noting that the little war of words between Simon and Ryan gets more and more excruciating every week. And that Paula gets drunker every week. The producers may call it the charm of the show, but it’s all got to stop before someone gets hurt. You think Simon won’t beat the shit out of Ryan? I’m betting on the buzz cut if that happens.

Anyway, as far as last night’s performances, here we go…..

THE REALLY GOOD

I’m keeping Melinda Doolittle in this lofty class, because she anchored last night’s show in fine fashion once again, belting out “Woman” with the conviction of someone who has her eye on the prize and isn’t going to stop until May. You can’t tell me there was a single flaw in Melinda’s performance. This girl is a star in the making and until someone else raises their game, she is the favorite to win it all. Randy said it was the hottest performance of the night, Paula said it was fantastic and Simon called Melinda a “little tiger,” adding that Melinda seemed to be having fun on top of being incredibly gifted.

THE GOOD

Lakisha Jones took on Whitney Houston’s “If I Don’t Have You” and while it wasn’t her best performance, she was second-best last night. There is a short list of singers in this competition that could do that song justice and Lakisha is on that list. Randy said it wasn’t her best but was still great, Paula said Lakisha is going to stick around a while, and Simon said she had passion and believability and that she looked great this week.

Jordin Sparks kicked off the night with Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker.” Not only was she having fun, but so was Ricky Minor and the band. While Jordin was off-key in spots, she was still outstanding. Randy said it wasn’t Jordin’s best, but still better than every guy who sang Tuesday night. Amen to that. Simon called Jordin’s performance a bit shrieky but that she definitely shows personality.

Stephanie Edwards sang Chaka Khan’s “Sweet Thing,” and Chaka’s shoes were obviously a bit large to fill. She wasn’t at her best, but was still better than the girls below this line, and better than every guy.
Randy said it was just okay, Paula disagreed and said it was near flawless and Simon said that while Stephanie isn’t very original, she is 100% going to be in the finals. Agreed.

THE IN-BETWEEN

Sabrina Sloan was not at her best last night but she too was still better than most of the dudes. She was a little shouty and this is a problem with her. I think she’s one of the top six girls easily but she can’t go head to head with Melinda or Lakisha. Randy said it wasn’t Sabrina’s best, Paula said there’s no question she can sing, and Simon thought Sabrina was lacking emotion. I still think she’s safe.

Gina Glockson sang an Evanescence song and said it fit her personality better than anything she’s done in recent weeks. She was off key at the start but brought her game as the song progressed. This girl annoys me almost as much as Sundance and almost as much as Evanescence, and she has a chance of going home this week. Randy said it was the real Gina, Paula agreed but said that she should be careful not to oversing, and Simon said Gina finally looked comfortable.

THE BAD

Antonella keeps landing in this category and yet America keeps her in this thing. I have to say, she wasn’t as awful as usual last night, but at the end of the show when they showed clips of all eight performers, Antonella was the pasta equivalent of ramen noodles. She sang Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Put Your Records On” and Randy and Paula both thought it was a good song choice. Simon said that Antonella has gone as far as she can, because she’s simply surrounded by great singers. Exactly. So America, please stop the insanity.

Haley Scarnato was even worse than Antonella last night. This girl is really good-looking but she too is outclassed by most of the other ladies. Randy said Haley was just okay, and Simon said it was “horrible” and “ghastly,” and even worse, he said he didn’t even remember Haley’s name from week to week. That’s about as low a blow as you can get, but you can’t say he’s wrong. I’d be really surprised if Haley isn’t heading back to Texas tonight.

So here’s the deal….Haley and Antonella should be going home tonight, but I don’t trust the American voters to get it right. Just like Sanjaya keeps getting more chances, so will Antonella. So I’m picking Haley and Gina to go home. For the guys, Jared and Phil. America, please prove me wrong this time and send Sanjaya and Antonella into the sunset.

Oooh, Carrie Underwood tonight….and some big surprise from Ryan Seacrest…..the biggest announcement ever on the show or something. Yeah, I don’t really care either and I’m not buying a stupid Ford. Oh, and one more thing. I AM smarter than a fifth grader. You read it here. Now go enjoy the results show tonight….