I’m.. lost for words.

Three unsettling things happened on last night’s AI final:

1. Bikini Girl was given more airtime
2. Kara got up on stage to “sing off” with Bikini Girl, and flashed (she was wearing a bikini under her dress)
3. Kris Allen won

I’m not sure which of these was the most egregious.

Tweet This Post

Last night, each singer sang twice: a song chosen by the judges, and their own choice of song.  First round was judges’ choice.  Because there are four judges and only three singers, the songs where chosen by Simon (for Adam), Paula (for Danny) and KaRandy (for Kris).  Paula chose a Terence Trent D’Arby song for Danny – “to suit his range”.  “Dance Little Sister” has about three notes in it, so it may have “suited” his limited range – it certainly didn’t stretch him.  Boring.  Kris sang “Apologize”, which is probably one of those songs that everybody knows, but has completely passed me by. Marcia would have said he was “pitchy”, but all KaRandy was concerned about was that he sat behind a piano instead of standing behind a guitar. All judges thought Adam’s take on U2’s One was revolutionary.  I thought it sounded as though he was trying to sing both parts of the Bono/Mary J Blige version, simultaneously.  Did not love, but still best of the round.

Contestants’ choice.  Danny sang “You Are So Beautiful”. He just doesn’t do it for me. Kris sang Kanye West’s “Heartless”, and did a pretty good job of it.  KaRandy was overjoyed that he did it with the guitar and didn’t seem to realise that this invalidated her criticism of “Apologize”, unless she exists in a universe in which a contestent wouldn’t be slammed for performing two songs the same way in the same episode. Adam sang Aerosmith’s “Cryin’” and I was less underwhelmed by this than by most of the other performances, with is the strongest praise I can muster.  I was more interested in the T-shirt he was wearing, which looked like it had a bedazzled AC/DC design.  Please tell me I was mistaken.

The performances were completely overshadowed last night by the behaviour of the judges. Kara decided to establish herself as “feisty” and was obnoxious. After Danny’s first performance, Paula and Simon’s antics were either 1. so over-the-top that they couldn’t be shown on TV or 2. so pointless that they weren’t shown. Ryan was valiantly trying to soldier on but was thwarted by Gokey, whose jaw dropped further than I’ve ever seen and was reduced to grunting and pointing in the judges’ direction.

I’m just hoping that American makes the right final two choice, which is to say I don’t really care about whether Adam beats Danny or Kris in the final (so by “right”, I mean “Adam gets through”).

Tweet This Post

On American Idol last night the judges decided to use their new power and use the judges save to allow Matt Giraud to stay in the competition after he received the lowest amount of votes this week. What type of fuckery was that?

This season to add a bit of frission to proceedings, the judges were given one save a person who was going to be eliminated to give them another shot in the competition. However this ‘power’ is unable to be used past the top five.

So with only one week left to use it the judges decided to let Matt Giraud stay in the comp.

In my opinion America got the bottom three right this week with Anoop Desai, Lil Rounds and Matt being sent to the chairs. Matt has not lived up to the hype since he hit the top 12. I think he has done one good performance with the rest being dull and unmemorable.

So what this means is two people will be eliminated next week, and I will not be happy if this means Alison Iraheta is a casualty of this decision. Adam Lambert won’t be as you know he is going hit disco right into the stratosphere.

Also why were Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi acting like excitable 15 year olds when it was announced and then running up on stage to hug him. Only Simon Cowell showed decorum.

Here Paula Abdul talks about the judges save.

Tweet This Post

Considering the Idol’s had a vast range of songs to choose from I found tonight’s episode lacking in any highly memorable moments.

Yes Adam Lambert’s performance was the highlight, and it was a pity he did not break out the glitter lycra for his glam rock rendition of Born To Be Wild.  But as Simon alluded it was a bit musical theatreish.

Danny Gokey the other front runner has decided (or it has been decided for him) that he needs to slick up his image, and the contacts are in and the glasses are gone. Personally he still does nothing for him. His pick of Endless Love was a smart song choice as there was no way the judges could give him a bollocking as he was obviously getting his inspiration from his dead wife.

Lil Rounds version of The Rose was abysmal. I really don’t see a recording contract for her post Idol. She has done not one good song since she made top 12, and I am surprised she is still here.

Alison Irahae rendition of Aerosmith’s Don’t Want To Miss A Thing  was good but not one of my favourite performances of hers. I notice Simon  Cowell was starting to pimp her as a potential winner of the show. I hope this does not mean she will get voted out tomorrow night.

Kris Allen was ordinary, and I get the feeling he may have peaked two weeks ago and it may all be downhill from here.

And lastly I think Anoop and Matt Giraud time is limited unless they can pull something sensational out of the performance repetoire next week.

Either Anoop or Lil to be eliminated.

The other sheer lunacy of the show was two judges only talking to each song because of time reasons. It indicates to me the three judge format does not work.

Tweet This Post

This week iconic film director Quentin Tarantino will be the mentor on American Idol where the Idol’s will have to sing songs from a movie. I hope someone sings something from the muppets. I think Adam Lambert would sing the hell out of Rainbow Connection. More details here.

Pity there are four judges this year as he would make a great guest judge.

Speaking of Adam Lambert the NY Times has a really interesting article questioning whether being gay will hinder his chances of winning the show this year.

Tweet This Post

From Michael Slezak’s recap of American Idol on EW. On Danny Gokey…

“I mean, what the heck was Kara talking about when she started going on about Danny’s ability to take the song ”one level, two levels, three levels”? Was that a thinly veiled reference to the fact that he made a timeless classic sound like elevator music? ”Third floor: Ladies’ evening wear, night glamour, and hackneyed arrangements!” “

Tweet This Post

Who were the two judges who wanted to save Scott McIntyre to keep him on American Idol. Sack them now. If they are going to use the judges save on mediocrity then the extra bit of power they have this season should be taken off them.

Scott the blind guy never reached any great heights on the show, and if he had not had a sight impairment probably would not have made it to the top 36. His middle of the road take on songs got very boring. However the judges continued to treat him with kid gloves and even Simon was not scathing of him, except for last night.

Idol is turning into a top tier of Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, and Danny Gokey. Only Matt Giraud, and Alison Irahae have the talent to bust this clique.

I doubt Scott will get a record contract, but as one of my readers, Dolph Ziggler said if he bones up on Sounds of Silence and he will have a career as an Art Garfunkel impersonater.

Tweet This Post

Adam Lambert was mesmerising tonight when he sang the Tears For Fears song Mad World. It was better than the original.  Don’t take my word for it Simon Cowell gave it a standing ovation. One of the best performances on Idol EVER.

Also here is Adam from last week’s show performing a James Brown type rendition of Vanilla Ice’s song Play That Funky Music White Boy.

Tweet This Post

What the fuck is wrong with America Alison Iraheta in the bottom three? She is the best female singer in the competition. Who is she not connecting with?

Unsurprisingly Megan Corkery was sent home. I was a bit sad considering there are so many other duds sitting on the couches. Yes Scott McIntyre and Lil Rounds I am looking at you.

Now I know Danny Gokey is a widower, but does anyone else  think he could be a candidate to be converted to the dark side of the force? Not that there is anything wrong with that. But in the US it seems like a big deal. Appparently people on forums saying don’t vote for Adam Lambert he is gay. How wrong is that?

Come out to Sydney Adam for next year’s Mardi Gras to perform. If he does I would definately buy a ticket to the party.

David Cook’s song was bland – middle of the road. Disappointing.

Tweet This Post

Tonight on American Idol Adam Lambert did a James Brown version of Vanilla Ice’s version of Play That Funky Music White Boy.  I hated the original version, but I liked Adam’s over the top rendition. He will definately get a gig on Broadway after Idol. At least he was entertaining.

The only other standout performers were Alison Irahae with her rendition of Don’t Speak. She is so poised for a 16 year old. She did not even flinch when they were getting into her about what she was wearing. Shouldn’t the stylists and hair people be blamed for that?

Kris Allen who is a bit to boy next door to appeal to me did a lovely version of Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone. He is going strong, and there is a possibility that he will make it to the final.

Danny Gokey received the judges love as usual, I am still not getting it with him. I now think it must be a cultural thing.

It appeared Anoop was trying to get down and dirty with his Usher song, but he wasn’t that effective at it. Randy said “vocals good, but thought he didn’t like the song choice.” I had forgotten Anoop by the end of the show so maybe it is right that singing first is the death knell.

Simon thought it was a “complete and utter mess.”

Megan Corkery sang  Bob Marley’s  Turn The Light Down Low. This girl needs to do a course in song choice. She has a really unusual appealing voice, but she picks the most drab and boring songs. I really want her to stay in for awhile longer but I think she is going to skim near the bottom of the pack. Also a course in stage craft would help.

Kara DioGuardi’s comments were right on basically told her she was doing it all wrong. Simon thought it was “indulgent, boring and monotonous.” Simon is starting to not like her as much as he originally did.

Is Scott McIntyre untouchable by the judges. His rendition of the Billy Joel song I Love You Just The Way You Are was dull and something you would hear in a  hotel bar. Even Simon did not lay into him.

Matt Giraud song to absolutely panned by the judges for his song. It was dull, dull, dull.

Lil Rounds say Celine Dion song I Surrender . This girl has some booty and she is not afraid to show it. If you are going to do Celine you have got to nail it and she did not. I really don’t think she has that big diva voice ala Fantasia or Jennifer Hudson.

Prediction for bottom three – Anoop, Scott, and Megan.

Tweet This Post