Oh American Idol, what great lengths you will go to ensure we have a great show...even as far as Producer, Nigel Lythgoe, Twittering that this week's results show was going to have some "shocking news". I immediately knew that Casey was in the bottom 3. Is that news "shocking" to me? No, I predicted him in the bottom 3, and rightfully so. Let's take a look at all that happened this week, shall we?
The theme was Motown and, yet again, it proved to be the BEST week so far. Motown always seems to be a theme that the contestants flourish with, and this season was no different. I feel every contestant brought their "A" game this week. Let's take a quick look at how I ranked them this week...
Casey Abrams (♪♪♪ 1/2) - Ok, I will give Casey props for toning down the screaming/growling thing. However, still deducting points for the crazy killer faces he makes during his performance. If you are a fan of my facebook page (www.facebook.com/idolmoments) you know I predicted Casey as being in the bottom 3 (and I was right). Ultimately we know Casey received the lowest votes and SHOULD have gone home, but the judges used their save to keep him (more on THAT debacle to come later in this blog).
Thia Megia (♪♪♪ 1/2) - Props to Thia for FINALLY doing an uptempo song and showing some levity! Was really digging it until she flub some lyrics (yes, Thia, I noticed) and sort of lost her momentum from there. Good effort, but she deserved a bottom 3 spot this week.
Jacob Lusk (♪♪♪♪♪) - This was Jacob's moment, for me, so far this season. This even out ranks his performance of God Blss the Child during Hollywood week! Seriously, I still get goosebumps thinking about this performance. He showed that he has control (which I LOVE that the judges and Jimmy are emphasizing with these contestants...it's not ALL about blow out notes!). I posted a status update on FB that said "If Fantasia and Jennifer Hudson had a love child (or little brother for that matter) it would be Jacob!" lol This was a fantastic performance!!
Lauren Alaina (♪♪♪♪) - Lauren was back in action this week. Everything about why we loved Lauren in her initial auditions was present tonight. I don't know for sure what the issues were she was having the last few weeks, but I bet I have a feeling she can be another lesson as to why you never "google" yourself when you become a figure in the public eye. Anyway, she was on her game this week!
Stefano Langone (♪♪♪♪) - I completely disagree with the judges on their critique. I feel Stefano showed restraint and connection in his performance. The boy has pipes and I think he gave a great performance...Bottom 2?!?! NO WAY! America definitely got that one wrong!!
Haley Reinhart (♪♪♪ 1/2) - FINALLY we got to see the voice that Haley has been hiding under bright red lipstick and cheesy stage presence. I don't know if it was the straigh hair or the short shorts or the hand movements, but Haley reminded me of Mariah Carey this week. I actually enjoyed her vocals this week as she also toned down the oversinging she usualy does. We got to see the smokey, soulful vocals which is what obviously got her this far with the judges. I still had her in my bottom 3 since that has been her spot since the start of the finals. However, America proved me wrong and she was not even in the bottom 3. Let's hope she does not fall victim to the curse of a contestant going home the week after FINALLY having a good performance. We will see.
Scotty McCreery (♪♪♪♪) - I was nervous for Scoty this week, but luckily for him Idol is working with some awesome, big name producers who know what they are doing. They took one of my favorite Stevie songs and made it into a solid sounding country tune. Scoty did a great job of delivering it with energy and kept it from coming off cheesy (or loung singer-ish as they said was possible)
Pia Toscano (♪♪♪♪ 1/2) - The ONLY reason I did not give Pia a perfect score is because she fell back into her old routine of power ballads. I want to see her bring that heart-stopping voice to a pop/up tempo song. She can do it...and MUST! I am officially in love and will be buying her debut CD when it comes out!!
Paul McDonald (♪♪♪) - Once again, I forgot Paul McDonald as I thought about all the performances while writing this blog...THAT is his problem. His voice is unique and he has a unique look and fashion sense...however (to quote an old Simonism) he is "forgetable". I will give him props because with his guitar he is less akward and drunken looking on stage, but he just doesn't have a wow factor. For this reason I put him in the bottom 3. I figured America, like with Casey, was getting tired of the weird schtick. Of course, America proved me wrong again and Paul was safe this week. Oh well.
Naima Adedapo (♪♪♪♪) - I admit it, I have become a Naima fan. I look forward to what she is gonna bring us each week with her performance. This week she did a great job of focusing on her vocals and keeping them solid while still being able to incorporate the dancing part of who she is. Something about her is just very likeable and that is definitley helping her cause. Great job this week!
James Durbin (♪♪♪ 1/2) - Ok, we have established I am not a James fan (hold your boo's) but I will admit this week he definitely gave a solid vocal and, like Casey, held back some on the shrill screaming he normally does. However, I could not give him 4 stars because he is still TOO cheesy for me. It's like a little kid who just noticed his parents are video recording him every time he is in front of the camera. Too hammy...it keeps me from taking him seriously and I think THAT is why I struggle to root for him. That aside, he gave a great vocal this week and definitely has incredible range...he just needs to hone it.
So, let's talk the results show, shall we? I had posted on FB that I felt Haley, Paul and Casey would be the bottom 3 this week. Haley, because she is always there (deservedly) and Paul and Casey because I felt like America was probably wearing thin on their schtick...I was 1/2 right. I had a feeling when word got out that there was going to be "shocking" news on Idol's results show that I had nailed it on the head, and I had. Yes, Casey was in the bottom 3 along with Stefano (what!?) and Thia (not such a shocker). I had a feeling Thia would be safe and was biting my fingernails hoping to hear Casey called as the lowest vote getter...and he was! Now cut to the "prepared drama" of the "Sing For Your Life" moment with Casey. 1st of all...they cut him off seconds into his performance. Really? THEN they tell him they are using the save!?!?! WHAT!? Although I knew he and Stefano were 2 people they could possibly use the save on, I never thought the judges actually would! Here is the thing...if America is ALREADY "getting it wrong" with Casey and Stefano being bottom 2 WHY would you not hold out a little longer since there are still 10 people left to go!! What happens if America gets it wrong in a couple weeks and Pia gets sent home?? Do we REALLY want to see someone like Casey win this?? Seriously?? I just think it was a dumb move on the judges/producers part. BUT THAT'S NOT ALL FOLKS....ALL 11 will go on tour this year! Now there are 2 potential reasons the producers decided this...
1. They REALLY love Casey and want to be sure he is on tour.
2. When they send home 2 next week...how will they decide which one rounds out the "Touring 10" or would they have to do a tour with only the Top 9?
At any rate...with the judges save already played, and barring no other Producer surprises, this season just got A LOT more interesting. There is no room for voters to get lax on their favorite. This week showed that NOBODY is safe. Hold on to your seats, Idolators, it's going to be a bumpy ride!
Until next time...
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