(S06E32) Ryan starts off the night by declaring that tonight's calls, "will not only save your favorite contestants -- they will also save lives."THIS. IS. IDOL. GIVES. BACK.
Before the show begins, we're told it's LIVE, even though it isn't. It was taped Monday night. Just so you know.
Then Ryan explains how the fundraising will work. News Corp will donate 10 cents for each call received tonight (up to 50 million calls) for a total of $5 million dollars. Wait, is this the same $5 million dollars they pledged earlier or an additional $5 million?
Also, Ford, Coca-Cola, and AT&T get their first thanks of the night. They will be thanked a couple more times before the hour is over.
BECAUSE. THIS. IS. IDOL. GIVES. BACK.
Before we get to the performances, we're shown another glimpse of Ryan and Simon's trip to Africa. Simon calls it "hell on earth." And yet, as Ryan points out, the people who live there still smile and have HOPE.
After explaining that each contestant has two phone numbers tonight (to make it easier to get through), the performances begin.
1. CHRIS (Eric Clapton's "If I Could Change The World") -- I 'm not a fan of the bobbing head, raised eyebrows, or the nasally vocal runs. This performance is for you diehard Chris fans. It didn't win me over. Randy says "You in it to win it ... that was great, dude." Paula is proud of Chris, and likes the song choice. Simon also thinks Chris did really well, calling it "a good vocal ... a more sexy performance."
Next up, we're shown some of the places in America that will receive help from this fundraising event. These places include, Louisiana, rural Kentucky, Navaho Nation at Chinle, Arizona, and Atlanta. Ryan explains that they've teamed up with charities that will help "change the lives of those in need all over America."
2. MELINDA (Faith Hill's "There Will Come A Day") -- Melinda is starting to look more comfortable in dresses and high heels. As usual, her voice sounds amazing. Randy says, "You just so dope, you got it so together ... you have arrived." Paula says, "Melinda, there's no one like you ... you're magical." Simon likes that "it wasn't a copycat performance." He also thinks "the second half of the song was incredible ... that really was a vocal masterclass."
Once again the corporate sponsors -- Coca-Cola, Ford, and AT&T -- are thanked for their generosity.
Blake answers a viewer question about his biggest sacrifice because of Idol, and he mentions missing his family and friends at home.
3. BLAKE (John Lennon's "Imagine") -- This is some serious stuff tonight -- even Blake is sitting on a stool to sing. He doesn't blow me away, but this is the first time I feel like Blake is showing an emotional connection to a song. Randy says "great choice of song" but thinks the performance was "just okay." Paula says this is the first "real sensitive or emotional song" she's seen from Blake. Simon calls it "sincere" but thinks it didn't go anywhere.
Next, we get a video that shows us "what we can do to make a difference." Ryan helps feeds orphans in Africa and he realizes what "intense hunger means." Then Ryan reminds us again that the calls we make tonight will help make a difference.
4. LaKISHA (Fantasia Barrino's "I Believe") -- I think LaKisha looks and sounds pretty good tonight. She sure can belt a song. Randy thinks it had pitch problems. Still he likes it, although it's not her best. Paula calls LaKisha a "powerhouse vocalist." But she doesn't think the contestants should attempt to do Whitney, Chaka Khan, Mariah, Celine, or Fantasia (Does Fantasia really belong in that group?). Simon has an issue with LaKisha's shouting. The crowd boos, and Simon tells them to "shut-up." In doing so, Simon runs out of time to say anything else. And he also brings a little nastiness to this otherwise "good-hearted" event.
Phil answers a question about what he misses most about home. Of course, he answers that he misses his babies (I should hope so). He says it's hard to be away, but he thinks it will be best for his family in the long run.
5. PHIL (Garth Brooks' "The Change") -- After finding himself last week during country week, Phil is suddenly sounding a lot better. He's still the oddest looking finalist, but that's why Vote for the Worst loves him. Randy says "you're back again with another strong performance ... two in a row, baby." Paula thinks Phil "found his comfort." She calls it "his best." Simon really likes Phil, and thinks he'll do better if he adds even more of a "country-tone" to his singing.
Next up, is a video brought to us by ConAgra Foods, about a food pantry called "America's Second Harvest." Simon is shocked to learn about hungry people in America. He had "no idea in this country that places like this existed." Really? He had NO idea? Really?
6. JORDIN ("You'll Never Walk Alone" by Rogers and Hammerstein ) -- Jordin closes the show in a big way. Once again, I like the way this 17-year-old always seems to feel the emotion of the song. Randy says, "that's one of the best vocals by any contestant EVER on this show EVER in six seasons." Paula thinks Jordin picked an amazing song to close the night. She also calls Jordin "glorious." Simon jokes, "Well, unlike Randy, I thought you were fantastic." He believes that Jordin could have a hit record with the 60-year-old song.
That's it for performances. Ryan dramatically tells us that "This could be the most important call you ever make here," because tonight's votes will translate into dollars. Of course, they could translate into even MORE dollars if News Corp didn't have that $5 million cap.
Before they go, News Corp, Coca-Cola, AT&T, and Ford get yet another on-air shout-out.
And who is going home in the midst of all this fundraising drama? Will Phil Stacey hang on with VFTW's support? Could LaKisha's time be up? What about Chris?
I honestly have no idea who is going home tomorrow. And I'm not exactly sure how that drama is going to play out with everything else that is going on tomorrow night.
TOMORROW: 2-hour Idol Gives Back celebrity event. Ryan promises "one of the biggest shocks we've ever had on American Idol." The only thing that would shock me is if Ryan didn't mention the sponsors ONCE during tomorrow's show.
For more Idol coverage, check out People.com.And vote for your favorite finalist in AOL's poll.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
4-24-2007 @ 11:28PM
David said...
Keep milking it AI. "We are giving back". Bullshit. By making the show tomorrow two hours long they are making 5 times the ammount they will ever give to Africa.
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4-25-2007 @ 12:04AM
F. Linares said...
Five million is a drop in the bucket and I say let CHARITY BEGIN AT HOME. Oprah already gave 40 million to Africa...Bono, Brangelina, Madonna, every Tom, Dick and Harry who wants publicity get what they want by "helping Africa."
Let us eradicate poverty IN THE USA FIRST before we go spending Billions in Irag and the rest of the world.
Stop being big brother.
FOX, Feed our own first then the others.
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4-24-2007 @ 11:56PM
Jordy said...
simon didn't say he had no idea hunger existed, he said he had no idea that those food-dispensing places existed.
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4-25-2007 @ 12:00AM
Kyle Beasley said...
Melinda, Blake and Jordin for the final three.
http://kylebeabo.blogspot.com/
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4-25-2007 @ 12:20AM
BigTed said...
Jordin was incredible, but exactly how tall is she? Standing next to Ryan, she makes him look like a hobbit.
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4-25-2007 @ 12:24AM
Jennifer said...
They have added tons of phone lines as you can vote really easily for any of the singers - which is not a bad thing. And if the sponsors have donated - they deserve to be mentioned - sorry....
And if you don't want the $$ going to Africa, you can donate on the IDOL site to the American charities. The point is to donate.
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4-25-2007 @ 1:06AM
Allison said...
Blake for American Idol!! He is an all around great singer. I loved his song choice. I dont know what Randy would have liked him to do different. If he would have changed the song around he would have said "THAT WAS A BAD CHOICE DOG".
So Blake is my favorite for the guys and Jordin for the girls.
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4-25-2007 @ 1:27AM
DB said...
regarding my earlier post of:
hi everyone,
of course they are doing it for publicity- publicity for AI and FOX and at the same time the poor, starving kids in Africa. hey, millions of people do watch the show every week and if something good can come out of it then so be it. FOX makes money regardless. they obviously make more money during a big bash like tonight and the finale but money is something they always have!! as a viewer, i have nothing to lose but watch my favorite show, vote and then have a concert with celebritys on board- how bad can that be? but what is starting to annoy the heck out of me is how the entire show lately seems to be one, big promotion for anyone and anything that can get themselves or their product on there. i have no problem with shrek but what the heck does shrek have to do with AI? the answer is nothing but they manage to create some tie in with the show so that everyone benefits- the shrek producers had publicity for the movie taht is coming out in may? june? and the kids had a fun time watching it before the general public and imitating the characters voices. oh and AI needed SOMETHING to fill up the hr results show so i guess everyone wins. except the viewers who have to watch the wonderful hr long show to see the 5 seconds they actually care about. all i can say is that i hope to g-d that FOX pays the contestants on there a decent amount weekly with the amount of revenue that they recieve through promotions and advertising!!! my heart breaks for some of them when i hear what they wish the can do with the money that they would get if they would win AI or get a record deal. remember these are normal, hardworking people for the most part- not CELEBRITIES, many came from nothing and hope to never go back there. most of them are so talented that it would be a shame for them to disappear back into the woodwork. anyway, lets band together and make the most of what our votes can do for those kids in africa and america that so desperately need help-regardless of where the help may come from generally greedy corperate america. kudos to those companies for their donations. yes it looks good on their part but it also DOES good. for the common good- lets just keep our fingers on the redial button..... ...tonights show surpassed my expectations with flying colors-i actually had tears watching some of those clips from africa and america- seeing is believing. who realizes that all this goes on every day all over the place? i'm not a ignorant person but everyone is so busy that many people dont stop and really look around. i hope they make alot more money than they anticipated.... liz, i love ur column but it seems a bit negative this last week although i do hear what ur point...they all sounded pretty good but i agree that the ball is totally up in the air- noone seems to be the shoo in to be shooed out. jordin is unreal and she seems so sincere that i wish i can give her a hug when shes finished singing because her songs really seem to rip her up inside. phil was also great. did all of u know that u cant download any garth brooks songs on itunes? how strange? and what was up with the bit that we should look on itunes for something special tommorow? i went on and right now there is a special idol gives back section but all thats their is a playlist that each contestant picked as their favorites- cute but thats all? maybe i should do what ryan said and wait for tommorow? anyway have a good one and hopefully all our votes have made a difference in millions of needy peoples lives....G-D Bless....Debbie from NY
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4-25-2007 @ 1:48AM
Daniel said...
I agree with F. Linares, we all know how bad it is in Africa and there are tons of things being done there, but what is being done here. Too many people in one of the richest countries in the world are hungry, and it's a disgrace. Is it really so bad to help our own first?!
On to LaKisha, she really needs to stop singing songs done by former Idols... she must not have learned her lesson from last week. I wouldn't be surprised if she's gone this week. I wasn't wowed by her vocals or her choice of song. Fantasia blows her out of the water when it comes to that song. If you ask me, LaKisha has a very song knowledge.
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4-25-2007 @ 1:51AM
Daniel said...
Oops, my last sentence didn't make sense. Correction: "If you ask me, LaKisha has very limited song knowledge."
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4-25-2007 @ 5:09AM
DL said...
Jordan should be the next AI for sure. Lakisha is a Fantasia (want-a-be) right down to the pity of being a single parent. boo-hoo-hoo. it won't work this time. nobody's fault but their own.
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4-25-2007 @ 7:16AM
Dawn said...
You know, its almost impossible not to like Jordin. She is energetic, happy, beautiful, and has a great voice.
But...
While I know everyone is hopping all over the Jordin-for-Idol-Winner bandwagon, including the judges, she simply does not have the best voice, not matter how sweet and popular she is. That honor completely belongs to Melinda, hands down.
Melinda seems older, and she is, by about 10 years, than Jordin. Being close to 30, she does not, while young, excude the youthful exuberance and fresh-faced excitement that Jordin does. This is why Jordin has gotten more and more popular. I think when she is Melinda's age, her voice will reach a maturity level that will be amazing, but it isn't quite there yet.
She's talented and wonderful, but she's no Melinda in the vocal chops department.
If she wins, it will be yet more proof that this is really not just a singing competition, but one more venue where it's all about youth, like most things in our culture.
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4-25-2007 @ 7:09AM
Megan said...
I think this is win-win for everyone. It's actually an ingenious publicity stunt. It raises money, gets more viewers to call American Idol, and then in turn vote...which is good for the contestants. Not to mention, the footage makes Simon look more like a caring human being.
Jordin, Melinda, Blake are final 3. I love Phil, and he might suprise us by hanging on in there.
Chris or Lakisha is going home tonight. If we're lucky.
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4-25-2007 @ 8:11AM
deonpesh said...
I agree with the comment that Charity starts at home. I know Africa needs our help to but do something here first. as far as the compitition melinda gets my vote. she has total control over her voice and talent. I would like to see more vocally by Blake. I think hes multi talented but not the best vocally.
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4-25-2007 @ 8:14AM
Lori said...
I must be deaf, because as much as I like Jordin, I thought she was way off last night. Melinda was amazing as usual. Blake, not so good. But Phil is growing on me the last two weeks. Still can't look at him though. I've been disappointed in Lakisha. She's gone downhill since the beginning of the competition.
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4-25-2007 @ 8:09AM
Tamara said...
So what you are saying is Taylor Hicks was fixed? Ewww, I don't think so. If you want to make a point at least make it logical. They aren't making money off that old man. As far as Melinda winning, I sure the hell hope she doesn't win. I'm sure someone will give her a recording deal but mainstream american isn't going to be running out to purchase her cd's anymore than they are Taylor Hicks. Melinda's type of music is an aquired taste and most kids aren't going to want to spend their allowance on her cd. Sorry but the kids are the ones who purchase the majority of the music. My kids and I listen to the same music and I spend alot of time with them and their friends. When we discuss AI they talk about Blake and Jordin. None of them liked Sanjayi...lol Melinda and Lakisha are old souls who appeal to an older generation not the youth of america, sorry.
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4-25-2007 @ 8:20AM
Dawn said...
Wow, ok, Tamara.
I guess we can just discount everyone in favor of the children vote then.
As a matter of fact, why bother having a singing competition, since its all about what 13 year olds want? Adults don't have ipods or buy CDs, its only kids and their allowance.
We're so glad you cleared up what and who is important in the music world.
All us Melinda voters out there, its all over. We're past 16. We don't count.
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4-25-2007 @ 8:23AM
CB said...
Was it just me, or was Simon in a particularly mellow mood last night? Either he's so glad that "you knbow who" is no longer there, or he got laid...sorry; just a thought.
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4-25-2007 @ 8:24AM
CB said...
"You know who"....sorry. Can't type worth a darn this time of day.
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4-25-2007 @ 8:26AM
Robinstjean said...
I agree that Melinda and LaKisha are old souls, but it seems like lately the judges have been very critical of LaKisha. Trying to sway America's vote? My vote goes to Jordin. Unbelievable voice. Melinda is very good, but seems like she has had professional training. At least she has finally lost that "Oh my God, really?" expression.
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