American Idol 8 / Finals 3
It’s almost 6:30pm on results night. I say curse you, Idol! Why did you have to change your days? This is totally screwing up my usual TV schedule. This will be a very fast viewing, and I’m planning on fast-forwarding past the judges’ comments.
It’s Motown week, so I’m fast-forwarding past what looks like the kids working with Smokey Robinson.
1. Matt Giraud: “Let’s Get It On”. He’s singing and all the music he has is his own piano. It sounds wrong and bad. Finally the band kicks in, and it’s not AS sucky. But I don’t want to get it on with a kid in a cardigan and skinny tie. A lot of his notes are sour, and his runs aren’t impressive. If this is indicative of the night, I’m in for some real crap. In fast-forward, the judges seem … pleased?
2. Kris Allen: “How Sweet It Is”. Will the three backup singers be hanging out upstage for everyone? Kris is accompanying himself on the acoustic guitar, and wearing a weird 40s-military shirt. But he seems to be having a good time, and I think he’s more on-key than Matt was. And his final note(s): very good. I’m still not into the kid, but I can see what other people see in him. Kara starts with “you know what I love about that performance”, and it’s off to FF I go.
3. Scott MacIntyre: “You Can’t Hurry Love”. He’s doing a soft and gentle rendition at the start, then he rocks into the piano. And the piano playing is good as always. But as the weeks go by, his voice is sounding weaker and weaker. It’s not bad per se, it’s just weirdly nasal and phlegmy. He has the backup girls standing right up there at his piano, which is probably intimidating. It’s OK, but not great. FFing by, it looks like Simon has criticism. Deserved.
4. Megan Joy: “For Once in My Life”. OH MY GOD, THIS IS TERRIBLE. Is she still suffering the flu? She’s still an off-key bleating goat. What the hell does anyone see in her? Or hear in her? And she still looks terrified and uncomfortable, and she’s still doing the Awkward Twist. She’s in the top 10, and little Alexis went home. What a frakking shame. Terrible, awful, needs to go home.
5. Anoop Desai: “Ooh Baby Baby”. He’s got to be uncomfortable; the wardrobe department has him wearing like four layers. Including a weird letter-jacket-looking thing made of vinyl or tarp or something. He’s singing all high and sweet and such, and he’s doing all right. My socks are still on — he has not knocked them off. But it’s a decent job, and compared to some others, I think he’s safe.
6. Michael Sarver: “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”. This is very karaoke. There’s no actual soul involved; just an awkward white guy singing the wrong song. And he’s still doing that weird twisted-mouth singing, with the weird-ass facial expressions. And one of his big notes at the end falls completely flat. Very, very not great. He coughs and sneezes at the end; does he have Megan’s flu?
7. Lil Rounds: “Heat Wave”. She’s wearing a terrible wig. And a terrible dress. And just like last week, she kind of looks like she’d rather be anywhere but here. I wonder what’s up with that. Anyhoo, she’s singing all right. It’s not setting my world on fire, but it’s one of the better performances for tonight. She interacts with the backup singers, but it’s with dull, lifeless eyes. Poor Lil, with no apparent joy or spirit. In FF mode, it looks like there’s some backtalk to the judges.
8. Adam Lambert: “Tracks of My Tears”. He’s all wearing a 50s suit, with his hair slicked back like a greaser, and he’s totally rocking a Chris Isaak look. He’s singing unplugged, with just an acoustic guitar, stand-up bass, and washboard. He’s falsetto through most of it, and it’s definitely the best thing on stage so far tonight. He’s soft and sweet and gentle, and hits most of the right notes. Totally safe!
9. Danny Gokey: “Get Ready”. He sounds great as usual, but it’s just not all that exciting. Paula is up dancing, as can be expected. I think it’s because the song isn’t that musically varied, so he’s just singing many of the same notes over and over again. But he has some fun with the backup singers, and looks like he’s having a good time onstage. A decent performance.
10. Allison Iraheta: “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”. Oh, Motown suits this girl. She’s all funky and growly. Her outfit is atrocious, but that’s to be expected in the finals. Those stylists should really get a talking-to. She does a very good job, and her final big notes are really nice. Paula and Kara stand up at the end. What a great way to end the night.
Recaps: Matt doesn’t suit his song. Kris is all right. Scott is getting overshadowed. Megan is a trainwreck and a nightmare rolled into one. Anoop is soft, but not moving. Michael is Mr, Karaoke. Lil is good, but her eyes are so dead. Adam is soft, and moving. Danny rocks as usual. Allison was the best suited to the week’s theme.
So who goes home? My picks for the bottom three: Megan, Michael, and Matt. I know some people are picking Scott, but I think he has another week or two still in him. As usual, I’m going to pick Megan to go home. I can’t bring myself to go with anyone else until she’s GONE.
