(S06E35) Touchy, touchy, touchy. If I learned anything from the comments on yesterday's reviewcap, it's not to mess with the readers and their Jon Bon Jovi. Holy goodness, you guys absolutely obliterated me in the comments. The strange thing is, I kind of liked it.Fortunately, I only received one death threat, so I'm happy to be coming out of this relatively unscathed. Deep down you know you were really laughing with me, you just didn't want to admit it. What's that you say? You weren't amused? Ok, then let's just start the recap.
Ryan comes out letting us know that last week, in the name of charity, Idol played nice. Time is running out for two contestants. The votes are in.
THIS.IS.AMERICAN.IDOL - I'm Ryan Seacrest and I finally got my shave on.
Ryan is looking quite dapper in a gray suit and once again we see that Antonella is in the audience. The dog is looking about par for the course tonight. Paula thought she was a little too hot last night and decided to ugly it up a bit with a funktastic outfit, and Simon is showing ample chest hair.
Ryan immediately asks the judges why rock and roll worked for the finalists last night.
Randy thinks the contestants "brought it and they worked it out". Paula sidesteps the comment entirely and gets distracted by Simon - telling him, "I'm not your lip puppet," as Simon pokes her from behind. "Lip puppet" sounds kind of dirty.
Ryan proceeds to bust Simon's chops saying, "we've seen his puppet. You're much prettier," referring to Paula.
Good times all around.
Paula finally answers Ryan question and says, "the payoff works, for really taking a risk. It is the best feeling and you have a career defining moment."
Is it just me or does it sound like she's talking directly to Blake. He's the only one I can say took a calculated risk last night. Shame on you for showing favoritism Miss Abdul.
Simon and Ryan verbally dropkick one another for a few moments, then Simon finally says "he thought it was good, but not everyone was great." He gave top nods to Blake because "he took a risk". Blake smiles sheepishly and appreciatively claps.
We see some recap scenes with my favorite artist, Jon Bon Jovi, then Ryan starts talking to the anxious contestants.
Interestingly enough, we learn a tidbit about how Blake comes up with the unique arrangements to his songs.
Apparently, he brought a little studio and some software (Ableton Live) with him to the show. He loads the original songs into the software, mashes it up, puts new beats to it, and plays the keyboard sections. I'm guessing the creative process flows from the results. I've been wondering all season if he made this stuff up or if it was provided to him. Now we all know.
In related news, Ableton Live sales have skyrocketed through the roof. The Ableton Company would like to thank Blake for the free publicity.
Ryan interviews some other people, we learn Lakisha enjoyed kissing Simon, and that she'd do it again. We then hit a commercial break. Are we ever going to get to see who goes home tonight?
Apparently, not yet. Robin Thicke comes out and entertains the crowd with some potent falsetto. I mean, this falsetto makes Justin Timberlake's falsetto sound like Barry White. Dogs in my neighborhood are now howling wildly with discomfort. I'm also pretty sure my garage door just opened. Wait, did a bat just fly into my screen door?
Moving on. We start getting to the meat of the program.
Group One: Melinda, Phil, and Lakisha
Melinda and Lakisha are safe. Phil leaves us tonight on American Idol.
I'm a little bit sad to see Phil go considering he seriously stepped up his game the last three weeks. This is coming from someone who is not a big Phil fan. I guess if someone had to go home, he was a logical choice. From a consistency point of view, the other contestants have just been a bit better on the whole.
I'm confident Phil is going to have a successful career after this stint on American Idol, particularly if he continues with the country trend he showcased in his last few performances.
Phil performs for the last time (until the Idols Live Tour of course) and we move on to the next group...
Group Two: Jordin, Blake, and Chris
Ryan expediently let's us know that Jordin is safe. Now, America has voted. The results?
Chris, "you're going home buddy".
Not shocked a bit considering it was between these two. Like I said yesterday, Blake is adored by the young ladies, loved by some men, and as it was pointed out to me by reader SarahMoonBeam - by an older couple in their 50's. I would have been absolutely shocked if Blake went home, particularly because he had a much stronger showing compared to Chris' safe version of "Wanted Dead or Alive".
Chris performs for the last time until the tour. I hate to say it, but I'm pretty sure this is the last we'll see of him. I think he's a good performer and everything, but I just don't see him making a career out of this.
I do however see a wonderful future for him as a spokesman for prescription nasal spray medication.
I can see the commercial already:
Side effects of NasaArrest include:
Accelerated heart rate, tonsillitis, incontinence, ruptured spleen, hair loss, reduced appetite, and dyslexia - but be damn sure it'll get rid of that nasally sound while you're singing. Trust me, Chris Richardson - this stuff just works. Of course, I didn't find this out until i got kicked off.
And before anyone takes it the wrong way, I'm sad Chris is going too. At this point, I'm attached to the lot of them and hate to see anyone go.
Other Highlights:
- Random Trivia: Do you remember Alan Thicke from Growing Pains? Robin Thicke is his son. He's a successful producer and an R&B superstar. I've seen Robin Thicke videos while flipping through MTV and BET for the last year. I would have never guessed he was Alan's son.
- Apparently, it pays to enter the Idol contests. Ryan introduced a member of the audience who won 10 thousand dollars entering one. I thought it was nice to see someone who'd actually won some flow make an appearance.
- I made it a point to not 30-second-skip my TiVo through Jon Bon Jovi's performance. I paid attention and I tried my best to enjoy myself. It just didn't happen. As a result, I'm self-censoring myself because I don't want to end up like Patrick Dempsey's friend's character in the movie Can't Buy Me Love, and find a bag of fresh dog stuff splattered on my front door.
Remember? I learned not to mess with you readers and your Bon Jovi. You guys are rabid.
- These "trivia questions" are tough. Tough if you haven't paid any attention to the previous episodes of the show. I hope a lot of viewers ended up winning some money text messaging in answers this year. Rest assured AT&T and American Idol has.
- It was also nice to see Reuben, Fantasia, and old Soul Patrol do some PSAs during the show encouraging viewers to contribute to the "Idol Gives Back" campaign, which is still fully operational.
I like to kid, but this is truly a worthwhile cause and I was moved to see a big show like American Idol put their weight behind something so meaningful. If you haven't found the time to contribute, I highly encourage you to do so. You may feel your contribution is insignificant, but every little bit helps.
Next Week: Four remain and it's "Boogie Sounds" week. Liz will be back occupying her usual spot. Thanks for tolerating me for the last few days and thanks to Liz for letting me attempt to fill in.
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 10)
5-02-2007 @ 11:45PM
Kyle Beabo said...
Well Phil had a good run and did go out in a "blaze of glory." Good for him.
Chris R. seems like a nice guy, but clearly singing out of your nose and being compared to Justin Timberlake is not enough to win.
So glad Blake and Melinda are still in it to win it. The competition should get really interesting because I enjoy everyone who is left in.
http://kylebeabo.blogspot.com/
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5-02-2007 @ 11:48PM
Jackie said...
You lived, eh? I thought Robin Thicke looked a lot like Alan Thicke. At least it's not just in my mind. Tonight's results weren't surprising at all.
Watch out for the Jersey Boys!
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5-02-2007 @ 11:50PM
Phish said...
BLAKE is the worst of the lot, he cant sing, and whats will all that beatboxing crap, this aint harlem dude, its AMERICAN idol.
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5-02-2007 @ 11:58PM
David said...
Blake is the only one who is different.
And this episode proved that Blake and Chris are more than just "friends".
Plus did anyone else notice that Ryan has become a little more of a flamboyant cocky bitch than normal?
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5-03-2007 @ 12:22AM
Nan said...
ROBIN Thicke was the singer...not Alan Thicke.
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5-03-2007 @ 12:23AM
Melanie said...
Thank you for the information.
I am sad Phil is gone. I liked him I am sure that he will go far.
I am glad that Chris is gone he was too winey for me. That is just the personal opinion of a vocal music major. I could never do what he did. I can sing but I can not sang.
Now I can go to bed now and watch the show later.
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5-03-2007 @ 12:40AM
Karen I said...
Why can't ABC come up up with something new this year and the American Idol be a trio? Melinda, Jordin and Lakisha...The Supremes of 2007 are here! Have them negotiate and agree to become a group - Novel idea? Announce the winner and then bring back the other two as a surprise that they have agreed to be the next "American Idol". Everyone wins!
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5-03-2007 @ 1:05AM
whorina slutskaya said...
phil goes home. can't say i'm not disappointed, but what a song to exit with! perfect.loves me some phil stacey!
chris...no surprise, he'd make a great charlie brown with that giant globe of a noggin, he's got a future in "we're on the road, charlie brown." or in gay porn.
ya'll blake is NOT that great, he's good for a white boy & that's what gets him by.vanilla, anyone? everyone? he's not awful, just not great.
finally, thank the Goddess, Ryan shaved her. scruff. i swear he looked like Barney Rubble Jr. Felicity Huffman( in TransAmerica) pulled off that stubbled look with more success. i'm just sayin'...
next week blake picks up the phil and chris votes which does not bode well for lakisha, that sucks more than jeff gannon at the republican national convention.
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5-03-2007 @ 1:17AM
BigTed said...
The argument between Ryan and Simon was weirder than usual. Simon apparently thought that when Ryan referred to his "puppet," he meant Simon's girlfriend. Ryan kept trying to move things along to keep from having to spell out that he actually was making a joke about Simon sleeping with an actual puppet, which is both less offensive and kind of worse, when you think about it. But Simon wouldn't let it go. The entire exchange went from humorous banter to something kind of creepy.
I have to agree with you about Robin Thicke. He has a nice voice, but that falsetto gets old really fast. And I actually did use my 30-second-skip function on Jon Bon Jovi -- not because I don't like him, but because this particular song was a snoozer. I kept waiting for a soaring chorus, but there wasn't one.
I agree that Phil could have a career, but... does he actually have hair he could grow out? I think that would make a big difference. Unless he wants to go completely alterna-punk, that look just isn't for him.
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5-03-2007 @ 2:06AM
FL FAN said...
After Taylor Hicks (yawn, yawn) I think we NEED someone different and the only one left fitting that bill is Blake. Melinda and LaKisha are like "been there, done that" and Jordin has been very up and down of late.
I don't know, I thought Phil had it working these past 3 weeks. I was surprised to see him go. I thought Jordan and Chris, to tell you the truth.
Next week will be interesting . . . .
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5-03-2007 @ 3:27AM
jd said...
On a prim time show as big as Idol, I can't believe they put on that Robin Thicke - what a terrible song. Do people actually buy his music? And Bon Jovi has gone the way of Elton John and others - into oblivion.
Jordin should have went home tonight instead of Phil, but it doesn't really matter whose 4th or 5th.
Must say that this group are the huggiest I've seen. I almost cried when Phil left too.
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5-03-2007 @ 6:16AM
sjohnmassoud said...
Kind of sad to see Phil Stacey go actually. He had really come into his own as a performer. And unlike some of the other contestants, he really had a decent heart inside him. I could see myself buying some of his music.
As for Chris, well what else can be said that hasn't been said already. He wasn't that talented. How he and Sanjaya finished ahead of Haley and Gina I will never understand.
Sorry JJ but I do not want to kill you. However I have very little respect for you as a person, seeing as you have just too much fun trashing anyone more talented than you are, or some woman who you could never get in bed. You should be ashamed of yourself, but I know you aren't.
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5-03-2007 @ 6:51AM
sandy said...
my thoughts are america voted off the wrong ones especially gina phil chris and sundance this years idol sucks its not as good as the past 2 seasons sometimes you vote as many times as you want when it comes down to it you wonder if your vote is really counted if it was my choice i would hope that blake or jordon would win it thanks thats my oppion
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5-03-2007 @ 6:54AM
Jim said...
Robin Thicke may not look like his dad (try picturing him in a cardigan sweater), but he is a dead-ringer for his mom: singer/actress Gloria Loring.
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5-03-2007 @ 7:04AM
Ann said...
I was also sad to see Phil and Chris go....I really thought Phil had stepped it up also.....and were Chris and Blake wearing VA Tech ribbons?! I love it. Chris is from Virginia and I thought it was great they were wearing the colors to remeber the victims at Va Tech.
Ann
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5-03-2007 @ 7:08AM
Chuck said...
#12 --Have you even met JJ? No? And yet you feel qualified to judge him as a person? I'm sorry, sjohnmassoud, but I have little respect for a person who feels it necessary to beat down another person because they express a different opinion than their own.
I'll miss Phil a little, but I was so happy to see Chris go I actually cheered (although he does seem like a decent guy, it wasn't personal!) I think now, though, that you have three divas and Blake. Blake will stick around for a week or two, but next week, when Lakisha goes, her votes will get split between Melinda and Jordin, and that'll be enough for Blake to go. which is sad, seeing as how I want him to win.
And Bon Jovi is great, if you like crap!
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5-03-2007 @ 7:10AM
ann said...
Lakisha have it going on. she is such a powerful old school sanger who knows how to use her voice. i pray and hope that god see fit to bless her with the dream that she desire to be the next american idol. if she don't make it, i hope that someone will give her a chance like they did G. hudson. Lakisha stay strong and stay blessed.
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5-03-2007 @ 7:21AM
Mary said...
America don't look no more, Melinda was a hiding diva,she got it, I give credit to Lakisha and Jordan, but come on Melinda can and will go all the way to the top,she has a godess voice, even see Phill go was so sad, he put the stage on fire with his last performance, I see a great future for him, but Melinda is our next American Idol no question, Simon got a great taste for a vocal,way to go Melinda we love you and we make sure to keep you on top of the show.
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5-03-2007 @ 7:30AM
Nanci said...
I am very sad that Phil Stacey was voted off. He really has come a long way. I thought it would have been Lakisha to go, simply because the last several performances before this week were very mediocre, where I feel Phil had stepped up his game. I was nervous for Jordin last night, because lets face it, she had one bad performance overall, but sometimes that is all it takes. I think last weeks votes carried her through. Overall, it is very heartwarming to see how much these contestants really do care about each other. Phil Stacey can be my friend any time! Now he can go home and spend time with his two beautiful daughters before the tour!
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5-03-2007 @ 7:32AM
pam said...
I really enjoyed your comments JJ. One thing missing - what about Jordin ending up safe when America voted her off last week. Doesn't sit right with me even though I am glad she is still around.
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