American Idol recap 5/6/08 performance (top 4) in brief

Not much to say about this week. Finally they had a good theme – ROCK – but David Cook was only so-so with his first song, maybe an 8 out of 10 with his second. Not too impressive. Syesha was annoying as usual and David Archuleta actually sang a beautiful rendition of Love Me Tender. It’s just so hard to take him seriously when you look at him.

Jason of course was his usual nonchalant self. If ever there was a pot-smoking Idol, Jason has to be it. I say that not because of his dreadful dreadlocks but rather his generally “I don’t give a damn” attitude and very apparent apathy. Thank God he was voted off tonight and we will no longer be subjected to his weekly piss-poor performances.

Next week – final three. Let’s say syonara to Syesha and give the Davids their due!

American Idol 7 Recap: 4/29 Performance (top 5)

Did I say “Top 5″? Is it really the best 5 out of the entire 100,000 that tried out? You coulda fooled me.

Tonight was Neil Diamond night of all things. Okay, so the man’s a legend but… really? Are we supposed to think that his music can beat within the hearts of today’s American youth? I don’t think so.

Ryan began the show with an announcement that they were going to do things a little differently – getting judge input after both performances (this is the first week each contestant will sing two songs).

1. First performance by dreadlock-boy Jason singing a very forgettable ballad-type version of Forever in Blue Jeans that was unsurprisingly identical to every other song he’s ever performed on the show. Blah.
2. Next up is the only person I have any interest in anymore, David Cook who brought us out of the doldrums (only slightly) with I’m Alive. The flashing lights certainly helped wake us up, but the performance did little more than remind us we have a pulse. This is forgiveable however, considering he hasn’t had the opportunity to really showcase his style in weeks.
3. Then we had Brooke with I’m A Believer which did little to convert us. Brooke has been a real disappointment over the past few weeks.
4. Next came David Archuleta, the voice of Kenny Loggins trapped in the body of a 5 year old boy. He did Sweet Caroline and it was sweet, but not spectacular.
5. To finish off round one, Syesha actually showed a bit of originality in her version of Hello Again. She sang it slowly and sweetly and it was very pretty. But still… as with the previous four performances I was not moved.

Ryan burst in for the intermission and asked the judges for their “quick take” on the performances so far tonight. Randy provided very brief feedback on each of the contestants in order which rattled Paula. She clearly wasn’t expecting to have to do this and started by commenting on how Jason’s two songs sounded the same.Umm… Paula? TWO songs? Maybe they sounded the same because there was only ONE SONG so far??? I didn’t know whether to laugh at Paula for her obvious cluelessness or to feel sorry for Jason for this unwitting insult.

On with round two…

1. Jason fulfilled Paula’s prophesy by performing September Morn a la Jason Castro – ho hum, humdrum, same old, fast forward the TiVo…
2. Just when I was starting to nod off, David Cook came back on and sang All I Really Need Is You. Well HELLO. Yes! Yes! We can really get excited about American Idol again! We can! And by the way, what is this song? I have never heard it before – I don’t think so anyway. Simon commented that he re-arranged he song to make it sound like it was written this year. (Mental note: Must download from iTunes ASAP! BTW, what marketing genius is that – why had they never done this before?) Paula scares me by proclaiming that she thinks she’s looking at the next American Idol. PLEASE please Paula, I beg of you, don’t jinx the poor guy this way.
3. Here comes Brooke. Oh, no, get ready to fall asleep again. Wait a minute – she’s at the piano (where she clearly has had most of her successful performances) playing I Am… I Said. And it’s simply beautiful. This is truly the Brooke we know and love. Where has she been all this time? We missed her!
4. Up next is David Archuleta with America. Though the judges concurred that it was the perfect song choice, I really wasn’t moved by the performance. It was just “okay”. Neil’s version was certainly much, much better.
5. Finally (thank God this torturous evening is almost over) Syesha takes the stage and sings Thank the Lord for the Nighttime in her bare feet. Yawner. And by the way, what’s with her new extensions? They look tragic – reducing her someone who would blend in with the crowd rather than stand out. Sy, do you really think this was a good move on your part?

Overall, many very forgettable performances with two showstoppers breaking up the monotony. I’m disliking AI this season more and more, and this particular show has been the worst yet. I hope the producers can breathe some energy and excitement into future shows with some more exciting themes and guest celebs. Considering the past three years have turned out some of the best rock contestants (Bo Bice, Chris Daughtry, Carly Smithson, David Cook), why not find some real rockers as guests and let the contestants rock out for a change?

American Idol 7 Recap – 4/22 performance

OK, I know this isn’t an entertainment or reality blog, but now that we’re down to six contestants, I have a burning desire to report my feelings about this year’s AI. Terry and anyone else who’s disinterested, please surf away.

This week, we had Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber as the group’s mentor. I am not a huge fan of his works, but I appreciate them for being classics and through the advice he gave the contestants I do believe he is a genius and apparently very down to Earth. Most of these kids were clueless about his compositions (Quoting Jason Castro, “I didn’t know it was sung by a cat.”) I wonder what they have in store for us tonight as his showcase performance? Whatever he might be promoting, I will probably hit the Tivo fast forward.

First up, Syesha with “One Rock and Roll Too Many”. As I stated, I am not familiar with much of ALW’s work, and this song was foreign to me. However, she did a fair job singing (though she clearly missed a few notes) and a fantastic job with theatrical presentation. Easily my fave performance of hers, knowing she is full well near the bottom of my list of performers.

Next we had Jason Castro who sang “Memory”. Simply terrible. The judges were far too nice to him. Had this been the only performance I’d seen of his, I would ask What the heck is he doing in the top six? He is tied with Brooke as the weakest of the performers but will he go home?

Then our local girl (Mesa, AZ) Brooke White performed “You Must Love Me”. OK, I love Brooke, I think she is very talented but I also think she is made for studio recordings and not live performances. She started and stopped, then started again. For this, we can forgive her – if only it had been the FIRST time, which it was not. She hit the notes, she gave an emotional performance but she showed no confidence on stage. This performance made me see her as a vulnerable fawn cowering under a forest tree saying “Please don’t hurt me.” After being second-to-last last week she knows her butt is on the line and it shows.

Our next performer was David Archuleta who seems to have quite a following with women in their mid-40s and 50s from personal observations. He sang “Think of Me” and did quite well with the notes, though he forgot some of the lyrics and repeated one line about a hundred times in a row. This is forgiveable IMO (but won’t be if he does it again, as noted above). When I closed my eyes and really listened, he sounded like Kenny Loggins to me. He is unquestionably talented and a top contender for the #1 spot, and most likely will be in the top 2.

Carly Smithson sang “Jesus Christ Superstar” next, and what a performance. This was the highlight of the night for me and it gave me chills. Her strong voice was well suited for the song, and she made it her own by varying the chorus. I really like Carly and would love to see her excel but don’t think she’s likely to win the #1 spot because rockers never do. If rock has its due this year, then Carly will be the winner of AI (though she is Irish, which is a topic for another post).

Rounding out the night, our other rocker David Cook sang “Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera. Throughout the show, I kept wondering, what would my favorite performer sing? Clearly Broadway is not his forte. Au contraire, Mr. Cook proved this a misconception because not only was he able to sing the song, his voice’s ghostly sound actually did the song justice and allowed him to bring his style into it. Surely it was a challenge for him, but he passed with flying colors.

Now all said, tonight’s results show should be an interesting one. I am not one to watch the whole show and torture myself over who is in the bottom three, etc. I simply despise the games that Ryan plays (I’m sure courtesy of the show’s producers who love the dramatic effects). I wll simply fast forward my Tivo and watch the last few minutes to see who is going home.

BUT – it is now the time when surprises are likely to happen. Clearly the bottom two should be Jason and Brooke, but often as we get closer to the end of the season we have a shocker. Remember when Constantine was voted off? Remember when Chris Daughtry left at #4? This could be the night someone “big” goes home so we’ll see.