American Idol Top 12

It was Beatles week, and the idols were given the chance to do their renditions of classic songs. her were mixed results, but when they were on target, it was great.

They also have a new set, and it’s fantastic looking. Very similar in some ways to the animation in the credits.

I have to say, this season of American Idol has the best talent overall, of any season I have watched (4 on). When people stumble this season, they still do a decent job. There are no Sanjayas here.

That said, last night the “leading contender” David Archuleta showed us that he is far from perfect. He stumbled badly enough by forgetting his lyrics, twice, that he should have got a serious brow beating from Simon. Simon did scold him, but not has harshly as he normally does to people who stumble that bad. This is largely because he’s their golden boy.

But look out, David! Two singers are threatening to take your status. And they are two who seemed in danger of being let go only a few weeks back. The first being Chikezie who who did “She’s a Woman”, starting off with a bluegrass arrangement and then turning it into a rock ballad. It was awesome. I knew the guy had it in him. The judges loved it. He’s definitely safe.

David Cook is the other star of the night. Turning in a stellar version of Elanor Rigby, making it a kind of alt-rock cover. The judges loved it as well.

Three of the women also shined to varying degrees of success. Carly Smithson, Brooke White, Amana Overmyer. They didn’t do quite as well as the two boys, but they were very good. Carly belted out “Come Together”. Brooke White does an emotional version of “Let It Be” on the piano. She gets up afterward crying with emotion, almost disbelieving she’s on live TV on a big stage with screaming fans in the audience. She’s definitely safe. Amanda does a get down-and-dirty cover of “You Can’t Do That” that sounds like some crazy bar-club performance. But it totally works. And the interesting thing is, she said she was unfamiliar with the song when she picked it up. Now, if she would get rid of that stupid hairdo.

As for the rest, I’ll start with the best and word my way down.

Jason Castro was good, solid. Not exciting, but decent. He sang “If I Fell”, which is a fairly quiet song. Dude needs to do something less mellow for a change.

Syesha Mercados’ “Got to Get You Into My Life” was also solid. But a pretty straight forward cover of the Earth Wind and Fire version.

Michael Johns did “Across the Universe”. He sang it well, but that song should have a cosmic feel. He merely did it justice. He also needs to be more theatrical when doing songs like this.

Ramiele Malubay was a pretty, dull interpretation of “In My Life”.

David Hernandez did a corny, blah version of “I Saw Her Standing There”. Too bad, because I think he’s one of the better male singers this season.

Kristie Lee Cook did a country fried version of “Eight Days a Week” as if she were on Hee Haw. I kind of like the country arrangement, but she handled it wrong, trying to sing it too much with runs in the middle. It flopped. And she may be getting the axe tonight. Too bad because she’s one of the best looking contestants as well as having some real talent. But I think she has trouble finding her way.

David Archuleta finished the show in the Pimp Spot, which is where they stick people they think will do the best closer. But he totally tripped and goofed “We Can Work it Out” while attempting the Stevie Wonder version. Cracks are starting to show in David A’s veneer. I think the kid may find the pressure too much, being at the top. We’ll see how he holds up. But he’s safe.He’s this season’s teeny bopper favorite.

So there you go. Not a bad night over all. My picks for who might go is either Ramiele, for being boring or Kristie Lee Cook for being too off target. And maybe David Hernandez for being corny. I’m calling it for Ramiele. Just a hunch. KLC has fans and Hernandez wasn’t that bad.

UPDATE:SPOILER! Wow, David Hernandez gets it. I had a feeling that the news about him having been a stripper in gay bars would get him. The voters on Idol are harsh to gays or gayish people. I don’t even know if David H was gay or not, but that’s that. Too bad, He was really good. But this week he wasn’t. 

1. I really hope David does not have to go back to that stripper job.  Seriously, it would be pretty sad if he did.

   Posted by  on  03/12  at  06:58 PM

2. He quit it over a year ago. I don’t think he will. He’s good enough to find soem knd of work.

   Kat McPhee looked great, as usual.

   Posted by  on  03/12  at  09:57 PM

3. I really thought David’s previous performances would save him. It is time to start weeding out the lamer girls. I was hoping Sayesha would get the ax this week...she just bothers me.
   About your comment… Kat Mcphee...as usual..she is only mentioned for her looks....hmmmmm hehehe...oh, but I’m just “jellus”. Don’t ya just miss the Gray Charles days? lol
   Nancy

   Posted by  on  03/13  at  06:36 AM

4. I am not a McPhee basher, but I think he wasn’t that great last night. They seemed to have altered the words to the song, because she kept singing the chorus parts and I remember it having more lyrics than that. But she is awesome looking.

   Frankly, I wish they had let people play instruments in season 5. It would have been really interesting to see what the musicians like Taylor, Daughtry and Bucky would have done. Oh, well.

   Posted by  on  03/13  at  08:05 AM

5. I miss the Gray Charles days, too.

   Didn’t Taylor bring a little harp into a group sing?

   Geeze, I’m sorry to see David H. go.

   I read something from someone “behind the scenes” who said that David Cook is quite arrogant.  I was in Portland last night and caught part of the local news (a preview) that mentioned David Cook and cheating in the same sentence.  I didn’t get to see the rest of the news, so I don’t know what that was about.

   I had to laugh when Ramiele was singing.  They did an audience shot and the caption said Ramiele’s parents and friend.  The friend was Danny Noriega!

   I’m getting tired of Amanda Overmyer.  She always sounds the same, no matter what she sings.

   I’m liking Brooke more and more.  I thought it was a little hokey when she first mentioned she’d never seen an R-rated movie, but she seems so honest and kind and humble.  The real deal.

   Posted by  on  03/13  at  12:34 PM

6. I’m not a McPhee basher, nor am I a fan...I just thought it humorous that only her looks were mentioned and not her performance. I watched a portion of Ghost Hunters during her segment.
   I’m waiting for Michael Johns to give us a break-out performance...I hope it happens.

   Posted by  on  03/13  at  12:58 PM

7. They have the story on TMZ. He’s accused of stealing his Elanor Rigby version from an indy band. I’d say they have a thin case since he sings it completely differently from their version.

   I liked Brooke from the beginning. I think she’s sincere and talented. But I don’t expect her to win. Amanda is kind of a one trick pony, but I think he excels at what she does. I hate her hairdo. Awful. She is actually good looking without those lame clothes and hair. But as it is she looks like a mess. I’m not sure, at this point of Michael Johns will ever show us anything new either.

   Posted by  on  03/13  at  01:40 PM
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