American Idol Season 7: And Then There Were 5
Posted on | April 30, 2008 |
Carly is gone. She shouldn’t have left. This is the first time this year where I can say that someone who had the talent to win was kicked off too early (I’m talking to you Michael Johns). At times, I really thought she had a chance to win. At other times, not so much. And that’s probably why she’s out. She was inconsistent when you expected her not to be.
The Hot List (based on last week’s performances)
1. David Cook - The two Davids are neck and neck.
1. David Archuleta - But I like the first David better so he’s on top.
3. Syesha Mercado - Slowly but surely, she snuck up on people.
4. Jason Castro’s Dread Locks - Unfortunately, his fan base is keeping him around.
5. Brooke White - Curly or straight tonight?
The Departed
1. Young David Hernandez
2. Young Amanda Overmyer
3. Young Chikezie
4. Young Ramiele Malubay
5. Old Michael Johns
6. Young Kristy Lee Cook
7. Young And Tattooed Carly Smithson
Tonight is Neil Diamond night. I guess American Idol is really going after that grandmotherly demographic. But I say that we make the most of it. The contestants are singing twice tonight, so this show is going to be quick without a lot of jibber jabber. Maybe that’s a good thing.
Joining me tonight as guest judge is Jessica. We haven’t really been on the same page as far as who we’ve liked week to week, so this should be interesting. Jessica also does a great impersonation of the American Idol come back from commercial music. Listen below.
First up tonight is Jason Castro’s Dread Locks performing Forever in Blue Jeans. He’s doing this weird Elvis thing with his lip that’s throwing me off. Let’s just say that I can see how people will think this performance is nice, but I find it terribly boring. Jessica says that Jason is singing this song because he admires Will Ferrell’s gap commercial version. She says she loves Jason (I told you we don’t agree), but that it was kind of forgettable. The judges aren’t going to make their comments until after the second song.
David Cook is up next with I’m Alive. He wasn’t really able to put the Cook touch on it, but he’s having fun with it. It comes off a bit corny considering his gimmick, but he made the most of it. Jessica had a little more to say and I don’t want to summarize her thoughts.
David’s rockin’ it like he gets paid to. He made a good choice singing a song people don’t know, because he’s one contestant with the charisma and resourcefulness to create a performance based on his own ability to sell it, and not the public’s previous affection for the song.
Ya, that’s what I was trying to say too. Ahem.
Brooke White is third tonight and she’s going with I’m A Believer. She’s curly tonight and she’s wearing fantastic pants. She’s lost her smile though. She’s singing through what looks like a forced smile and she doesn’t seem to be having fun. There was nothing special about the performance and she didn’t really sell me that she was a believer. Jessica thinks she stole some aging rock star’s outfit and says she was weak. I still say those pants are great.
Big Dave Archuleta is looking as manly as ever and is performing Sweet Caroline. His pants aren’t as great as Brooke’s. He does a David Archuleta performance of the song. It’s kind of lifeless as if he’s never been sweet on Caroline in his life. Jessica says that his voice sounded good, but he was disconnected from the lyrics, as if he was an Italian immigrant who had to learn the words to the song phonetically. Hey, she said that, not me.
Syesha Mercado is last with Hello Again. She doesn’t look like Syesha as her hair is straight. I think the performance is nice, but she’s singing so big. Definitely a change of pace from Big Dave as she was into it emotionally. Jessica doesn’t like the hair and hates that she abandoned the curly. But she says it was her favorite performance thus far.
They’re trying to get some of the judges’ opinions before they go to round two. Randall says Jason was just ok, David Cook was very good and in the zone, Brooke was better than last week, Big Dave was the bomb, and Syesha was strong and nice. Paula says something about Jason’s first song and then goes on about how his charm wasn’t in the second song. Um, dear, he hasn’t performed the second song yet. She was probably recounting his rehearsals. Either that, or she’s crazy. She says David Cook was fantastic. Simon says Jason was forgettable, Cook was just above average, Brooke was a nightmare (and she gave a face of surprise when he said it), Big Dave was amateurish and Syesha was old fashioned.
Jason Castro is up again with September Morn. This song suits his voice better, but he and Brooke are just out of their league vocally. Jessica says that the song is good for Jason’s vocals and he’s working hard to appear fully present and in the zone, but nothing is going to help him if he doesn’t start singing stuff he likes. She also put in something about not mentioning his pillowy lips and dreamy eyes for my sake. Don’t worry, I’m not the jealous type. And it’s not like Castro is Brandon Walsh or anything. Randall says it was just ok. Paula says it was too safe. Simon says he’s not recognizable right now.
David Cook is up again with All I Ever Really Need is You. He definitely put the David Cook touches on this one. It was emotional, maybe a bit too over the top, but it definitely worked. Jessica says it reminded her of the Goo Goo Dolls with all that overwrought and raspy emotion, underscored by an overproduced rock arrangement, but considering the material he had to choose from, she’s impressed. Randall is a huge fan and says he rocked the house. Paula says she thinks she’s already looking at the American Idol. Simon says the first song was just ok, but the second song was brilliant.
Brooke White and her great pants are next with I am I Said. She’s behind the piano for this one. She’s only about 100 times more comfortable doing this song, but still doesn’t seem like she’s enjoying it. It’s the much better of her two performances. Again, I’ll quote Jessica rather than try to summarize.
Brooke sings so much better when she’s playing the piano. Maybe she needs to start wearing eyeglasses or mime makeup so she can feel safe and protected when she’s got nothing the mic to hide behind. Her vocals sound way better on this song, and she’s emotionally present. Her piano playing makes all those moments where her voice falters sound vulnerable rather than just like bad singing.
Randall says it was a nice job. Paula says it was vulnerable and she was able to connect with the audience. Simon says this is the Brooke that he, Randall and Paula like. Thankfully it was positive feedback. I feared for her if it wasn’t.
Big Dave Archuleta is performing America next. Somewhere, my cousin Nak just did a Tiger Woods-esque fist pump. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but I’m not digging Big Dave tonight. This feels like Teen Star Search or something, rather than American Idol. Jessica says that his vocals are beautiful, but she didn’t dig it and was slightly embarrassed for those involved. Randall says it was good and he was in the zone. Paula says it was perfect and his voice was on point. Simon says it was a smart song choice.
Syesha Mercado wraps it up tonight with Thank The Lord For The Night Time. Ashley from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, I mean Syesha, definitely had the most fun tonight and you could make the argument that she was second best tonight. If Big Dave’s song choice was smart, this song choice was perfect. Jessica says she’s won her love tonight. Randall says she was in the zone. Paula says Syesha has two sides and they both are good. Simon says she’s a good actress/singer. But he thinks she may be in trouble because her second song wasn’t that memorable.
I think Jason Castro’s Dread Locks and Brooke White were the worst tonight by far, but I also think Brooke’s great pants will leave before his dreads. If Syesha does go home as Simon has predicted, it’d be the second week in a row where the wrong person went home. But oh well. That’s how this show works.
Seacrest out!
And Then There Were 12
And Then There Were 11
And Then There Were 10
And Then There Were 9
And Then There Were 8
And Then There Were 7
And Then There Were 6
Comments
10 Responses to “American Idol Season 7: And Then There Were 5”
Leave a Reply
April 30th, 2008 @ 9:04 am
I think Brooke will be gone. Based on her first performance, she looked like she did not want to be there anymore.
Great analysis Jessica! I agree Cook looks is performing like he is getting paid.
——-
April 30th, 2008 @ 11:34 am
Nice post. Paula’s comment on the second song makes me believe that the judges comments are scripted! Love the picture of Jessica and Elliott!
April 30th, 2008 @ 12:25 pm
Someone needs to tell Paula to lay off the Vikes.
April 30th, 2008 @ 1:11 pm
So I definitely think the comments are at least prepared somewhat. Paula showed it. But I think the mistake was very human. She was flustered, couldn’t even get back to being Paula and was somewhat bothered the rest of the show.
Although she’s definitely wacky, she just made a mistake.
April 30th, 2008 @ 3:06 pm
David Cook did the smart thing by not singing songs we knew so we couldn’t compare - or maybe he stole another arrangement from an indy band and we’ll hear about that in a few weeks. (I’m not bitter, really!).
For this season starting out so strong, it sure stinks now. I couldn’t care less who wins and it’s pretty obvious the dueling Davids will be in the finale. I liked Syesha from day one but, for some reason, she can’t get a break. Booke needs to go. Jason needs to come to my house where I can smother - er - mother him. (*sigh* Such a sweetie.) and this season needs to end.
I was much more interested in whether Christian on DWTS was staying or going after getting injured the night before than I was watching Idol this week.
April 30th, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
I think you’re right. I was excited about this season, but it’s been fairly boring.
So did Christian stay or go?
April 30th, 2008 @ 6:37 pm
I didn’t watch the show. Not must see t.v. as it was early on. Watched Shaq get eliminated instead. I’m just hoping dreadlocks finally leaves this week.
May 1st, 2008 @ 2:38 pm
Poor Shaq. Who picks him up next season?
I have to agree w/Patty. This season has been dreadfully boring. Crappy guest stars/mentors, crappy lineup of singers and I’m starting to have a sneaking suspicion that the judges’ repartee is canned *and* that the votes are doctored.
Then again, I *am* a closet conspiracy theorist.
May 1st, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
Shaq? Is his contract up?
May 2nd, 2008 @ 7:51 pm
Yeah, I’m pretty sure his contract is up at the end of this season. Even if not, I’d imagine the Suns would want to trade him.