(S07E36) What an underwhelming evening for the most part. In fact, I'd like to scrub that first round of songs from my memory banks completely. The contestants should be ashamed that they took a good catalog of songs (Neil Diamond's catalog) and made it so interminably boring. As Simon said, luckily they had second songs to redeem themselves, and a few of them even managed to do so. Only Syesha had two strong performances with true heart and emotion, so we'll see how that plays out. Is it the end of the road for Jason? Brooke? Neil Diamond and Natasha Bedingfield are performing. Won't you join our live chat and let us know what you think, starting just before 9:00 PM ET? There's virtual cookies and milk.
You can join the chat by following this link. Look for the full episode review right here later tonight.
Right off the bat, I have to disagree with Ryan. I don't think we necessarily know more about this batch of contestants than any other. Sure, we know more than last year's batch. What do you know about Jordin Sparks besides her gridiron father, really? 45 million total votes came in, 40 million came from 6,407 twelve year old girls.
Top 5 Medley - Tribute to Neil Diamond
Once again, Jason Castro started off a Neil Diamond song sounding horrible. Jason's given up. Remember when Chris Slight just gave up and didn't want to be there anymore. That's the vibe I get from him. David Archuleta struck the same pose he always does, one arm out with hand raised in an "I guess" gesture. My final judgment is that this was the worst medley performance of any season ever. Neil should have been allowed to get up on the stage and punch each and every one of them in the mouth for butchering his collection two nights in a row. Of course, when he got to Syesha he'd just hug her again and forget everything else.
Idol Alumni
Constantine Maroulis and Gina Glocksen were in the audience. They're the co-hosts of FOX Reality's American Idol Extra. Ace Young was smiling right in front of them but Ryan didn't have time for him. Instead he went up to cuddle with Simon and recap last night's show. I didn't need to relive last night actually, guys. Some things are better left in the past, like platform shoes, leisure suits and Paula predicting that she wouldn't enjoy Jason's second performance last night before he sang it.
So You Think You Can Dance Promo
As someone with ten years of classical dance training, I've been a huge fan of the talent and range SYTYCD brings us every year. The perfect summer complement to the Idol, this promo totally sold me that this would be another summer of amazing dancers and amazing performances. Whether you know dance or not, it's incredibly entertaining and at times awe-inspiring television. I am so there!
Natasha Bedingfield - "Pocket Full of Sunshine"
Natasha should be grateful that Simon refused to judge her when Ryan went to him. He would have certainly told her that she shouted through a lot of her performance. It had a few nice moments, but overall just wasn't very good at all. Is it possible for the actual singer of a song to sound like karaoke on her own song?
Proof the Results Show Should Only Be Thirty Minutes Long Viewer Question Segment
First, stop asking the callers to say their questions and display the question on the screen behind Ryan. Why does Paula always give contestants a break? Because what they do is hard. Will Paula and Randy do any more music videos? There was no real answer to this question. The woman who gave him his first kiss called in and asked if that kiss was more memorable than his kiss with Paula. Simon wouldn't let her get off the phone. He was really enjoying chatting with his first crush. It was a pretty neat thing actually. I still hate the segment though.
Ford Commercial - "Catch the Wind"
Hybrids are all the rage don't you know. Jason drove the car while the remaining contestants magically brought life back to an urban street. Did you know they had superpowers? Some have the ability to generate votes even when they suck while others have the ability to come in last in polls for months and not get eliminated. But is her time up tonight?
Neil Diamond - "Pretty Amazing Grace"
He needed Kristy Lee Cook on back-up for this one. She's pretty. It's weird that Jack Nicholson subbed in for Neil for this performance, like a stunt singer. What was up with those eyebrows? And why did he also not sound very good to me. He half-talked his way through the song. I know Neil is a legend and an amazing performer, but he wasn't on his A-game here. I did love it when he rocked out on his guitar bobbing his head back and forth! Neil Diamond's mom was there celebrating her bicentennial. When Ryan talked to Neil, Neil did perfect political doubletalk. He said the judges were right about the contestants but then turned around and said they were great last night. You can't have it both ways, Neil.
Building the Bottom Two
First out was Jason Castro, who wasn't great last night, but wasn't necessarily terrible either. But he smiled and batted those blue eyes. Remember those little girl power voters? Of course Jason was safe. Next out of the gate was David Archuleta who's really starting to lose his sparkle with a lot of the commenters on this site. He sings technically well but does so more and more like a grade school talent competition than a consummate performer. And those little girls like him, too. Do we have our all-male Top 3 already?
David Cook came out third, so the plan then was to declare him safe and by default have our Bottom Two be the remaining ladies? Of course. The writing has been on the wall for the ladies for awhile now. So it comes down to Brooke White and Syesha Mercado. But could Syesha skate by another week? She certainly had an overall stronger night than Brooke, though Brooke's second number was one of the strongest of the night.
[ADDENDUM--An interesting point was brought up that I hadn't considered or noticed in the comments. Ryan never declared a "Bottom Two" or bottom anything. We always just assume that he has. DialIdol had Syesha as their top vote getter. Certainly it would create more drama next week to lead America into thinking Syesha is vulnerable so that when she makes it into the Top 3 over Jason or a David it's more "shocking." Very interesting and a great notice from several of you!]
Going Home
I don't think it's necessarily fair to Syesha that she was in the Bottom Two with Brooke this week, but it doesn't really matter as she's got no real shot of winning. But she does have another week to try and find a way to break that impenetrable wall of guys as Brooke White left us this week. Brooke is an amazing performer in her style and should do just fine. I love her when she does the vulnerable little girl behind the piano or guitar just singing from the heart.
My Picks
Once again, I was half right in my Bottom Two with Brooke but underestimated the power of Jason's smile and deep blue eyes. Looks like .500 is going to be out of reach for me as it's 8-12 now.
Your Picks
You guys had Jason and Brooke in the Bottom Two as well (Syesha came in second only to the Cook) with Brooke going. Dammit if that doesn't raise you to 12-8. I demand a recount. I made my picks in Florida!
Next Week's Theme: The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame (whatever that means)
Ask TV Squad: Ghost Whisperer and more!
The TV Squad Podcast: Bill Scheft of The Late Show, Cake Boss, Mad Men and more
Meet (half of) The Blanks: Scrubs' Sam Lloyd and Philip McNiven
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
4-30-2008 @ 10:03PM
Jimmy said...
How un-shocking that Jason Castro skated through on the merits of his pretty face and dreamy eyes. Tonight we saw our top three; no doubt whatsoever. And sadly, I think our top 2 will be Jason and David A.
I have to say I'm shocked Brooke went home. I was expecting Syesha to head home tonight. She'll definately be gone next week. I can't see one of guys being voted off. I still think this girl can have a career outside of Idol given the right material.
Reply
4-30-2008 @ 10:45PM
Ryan said...
But don't you think Jason and David A.'s demographics overlap a bit? Then again their demographics overlap a little bit with David C's demographic also.
Which is why Syesha could be sitting pretty as shocking as that may seem.
And you also have to think which singer the fans of Brooke will flock to. They could flock to the other (and sole) woman left in the competition. They could also flock to Jason whose style is closest to Brooke than the others.
It's interesting thinking about the voting this way.
5-01-2008 @ 4:03PM
Dan said...
Ryan, that was an incredibly insightful comment. The voting isn't straight up like most people think, there are factors that cause people to support certain people, like women, or folk fans, or soul fans...it's all about the other competition. Brooke's fans might all migrate to Jason because they have similar style, but they may relocate to Syesha because they are fans of female singers.
4-30-2008 @ 10:36PM
Picviewer said...
If it's battlefield earth castro and bindi irwin lookalike in the final two that'll free up that week to watch something else since I'd rather poke my ears out than listen to those two.
Reply
4-30-2008 @ 10:48PM
Davey Boy said...
Finally, they got it right!! No surprise here. Actually, Brooke should have made her teary-eyed departure two weeks ago, the same week they booted Michael Johns off the show. It took awhile--too long, in fact--but Brooke has left the building! Undoubtedly, Syesha will be next. No matter how well she sings, Jason Castro's block of breathless teeny-bopper fans will hit their redial buttons thousands of times to keep him in the competition. My take is David vs. David in the finale.
Reply
5-15-2008 @ 6:54PM
Marilyn said...
I am one of jasons fans who hit my redial appx 1000 times and I am a 49 year old Nana, he's got us all hooked on dreds
4-30-2008 @ 11:00PM
James said...
I just wanted to say - those backup singers to Neil Diamond were OLD.
Oh, and bye Brooke. Your nanny act got old a couple weeks ago.
Reply
4-30-2008 @ 11:14PM
vacelts said...
I can't believe that Tuesday's lackluster performances didn't even earn Jason Castro a spot in the bottom 2. More proof that this is more a popularity contest than a talent show.
http://redlightnaps.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/american-idol-7-top-5-results/
Reply
4-30-2008 @ 11:54PM
Orangecrush said...
I think you guys are completely underestimating a Jason Castro contingent - stoner college music geeks. I'm talking about Damian Rice and acoustic folk rock fans. They go to Bonnaroo. They want one of their own to be the face of the big corporate AI machine and make it chill out, smile, sing a pretty happy tune, listen to some Jack Johnson, and go about their day without plotting how to convince millions of people to pay .99 to vote who's music they want to buy more while drinking a refreshing coca-cola.
I'm just saying. He's a pretty, laid back, stoner kid with dreads that usually sings pretty and you know always has a guitar handy in his day to day life. He's that guy. That guy always has a weird devoted following.
Reply
4-30-2008 @ 11:56PM
Jimmy said...
Jason, you asked in a different post what Idol could do to improve its ratings. Dropping the medleys would be a huge step in the right direction! Tonight's was more painful than usual to watch.
As for Brooke's departure ... I didn't predict it, but it doesn't surprise me.
Actually, when the final 12 were announced, I predicted that Syesha would be the top girl and Brooke would be the runner-up, so I guess I was right in the long run. And if David C. goes next -- possible, but not likely! -- my prediction for the boys will have been right too.
Reply
5-01-2008 @ 12:18PM
Jimmy said...
You hit nail on the head! That medley was so horrible I couldn't watch it. God only knows what Neil Diamond was thinking backstage.
5-01-2008 @ 12:04AM
DavidM2 said...
Earlier in the season, I thought Season 7 had the most talented contestants and would be a gigantic step up from Season Six. I still think the contestants are talented, but like the last one, it is now a popularity contest. Jason should have been gone weeks ago, and Kristy Lee Cook should have left earlier, too. I believe now is the right time for Brooke to leave; she proved early on with "Let it Be" that she was a force to be reckoned with, but she has had too many mediocre performances to progress any farther.
Reply
5-01-2008 @ 12:32AM
MJM said...
Well Jason, I have to disagree ... Neil sounded EXCELLENT and his stage presence is amazing ... what a cool dude.
Everything that Neil is ... Archuletta is NOT ... David A. is boring, phony, no passion or conviction in ANY song he has sang all season, and IMO should have been voted off. Sorry folks, at this stage of the game it's not JUST voice ... you have to be able to entertain to SOME degree and David as ZERO ability to entertain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
5-01-2008 @ 1:15AM
Shane said...
I read the TV Squad commentary on AI every week and this time I have a slight disagreement. I think Natasha Bedingfield did an excellent job with her song. To me, she seemed very confident with her vocal skills and what I heard was pleasantly appealing. I think, by far, she has been the best celebrity performer (IMO). Otherwise, I'm glad Syesha is still in the game. Technically, she has some of the best vocals left on AI. She hardly ever falters with her voice and she's got good control of her voice. I agree with the other's when they say David A. is boring. I can't believe he hasn't been called out for his numerous mistakes (he hit a shrieky note on "America"). Seems favoritism plays a major part here. But, like Jordin Sparks before him, he is young and moldable. Moreso than any of the others left.
Reply
5-01-2008 @ 1:27AM
sthompson said...
American Idol: Not Exactly the Fab Four
Now that Brooke has left the building, there are no reasons for me to vote anymore so maybe I can try to enjoy the remaining weeks of the show. (I've never voted for a male Idol contestant and Syesha still hasn't made me change my mind and vote for her.) I logged 200 votes for Brooke last night in the hope I could save her again. Why? Because, gentlemen, we have the technology... I knew she didn't have a prayer of winning this year with the guys pretty much having a 1-2 lock on the top spots. I was just trying to get her in the final four.
Time caught up with Brooke, I believe, simply because Idol has a habit of course corrections later on down the line. If someone leaves (Carly, for instance) long before they should've left-- the voters will eventually have a correction later on in the season. This week, Brooke was perceived as the one who caused Carly's departure. (I rather doubt that-- Carly's disconnect with the fans seemed to be the main problem.) However, it does seem the fans will eventually correct their oversights.
It could be argued that the fans continue to correct oversights by not forking over their hard-earned money to buy their CDs (I'm talkin' to you, Taylor and Katherine) but that's a line of thought best left to people who care.
I admit I have yet to buy any CD from an Idol contestant. However, I might actually buy Neil Diamond's new CD. Pretty Amazing Grace? Hey, I'm a lyrics guy-- I really liked the words to that song. Come to think of it, that sums up the reason I've been a Neil Diamond fan for most of my life.
Natasha Bedingfield. I generally listen to country and rock, so I only hear pop music if I can't avoid it. (There's a Jack-FM station that sometimes plays pop songs but I rarely have time to call their 800 number to find out what they've been playing.) Not a bad little song-- seemed reminiscent of Dido to me. (I faithfully watched Roswell for three years. Dido is a singer I've actually heard.)
So what do we know about this next theme? Ryan said Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Someone online said it was going to be from the list of the top 100 downloads on iTunes. In case of a tie, I suppose we'll go with Ryan... I hope this actually means any group that happens to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame is acceptable.
The idea of David Archuletta singing Pink Floyd staggers the imagination.
Seriously, I would wonder about Archie in this category. This would have all the sound and fury of John Stevens. Jason Castro? Well, all season long he's had a good week followed by two mediocre weeks-- so it might be time to swing for the fences. Syesha? Well, she's certainly the teflon contestant isn't she? If she actually understood how many times the fans and the polls had her leaving she'd be more downhearted than B B King. (Referencing a song from the movie Cable Guy, for those of you who took the wrong turn at Alberquerque.)
On paper, you'd think a rock show would favor the rocker. To paraphrase a sports cliche: Idol is not played on paper. David Cook should be expected to do well-- but then, as is usually the case, he has two chances to keep getting those votes.
At least it's not an all mentor night. We might actually hear eight songs from eight different artists. Thanks, Fox! Good to see you've generated enough income to pony up some dough for the music rights.
Tune in Tuesday
Reply
5-01-2008 @ 1:34AM
karen said...
What's up with the Brit performers two weeks in a row on American idol? Have they run out of past A.I. contestants who are willing to sing? No number one performers from the states available? Am I just out of the pop music loop? I liked the girl's vocals tonight, even though I had no clue who she was, but I'm just saying . . .
Reply
5-01-2008 @ 3:03AM
calli said...
Of course it's a popularity contest, people, how has it ever been anything else?
Talent will only get you so far, after all. At the beginning of the season, they gain popularity based on their talent (and we all have different opinions on which ones actually have talent). After a few weeks, these kids have fans. Fans don't just vote on how someone does on any given night.
Brooke was kept around, I'm guessing, by people who could overlook her weaker performances in hopes of the next "Let It Be"-level performance.
Jason is still there, not just because he's got the goofy-cute thing going on, but because his fans still remember the performances that were truly special.
They're popular enough to keep getting the votes because their fans think they're the most talented... the two can't be separated when it comes to a contest like this.
Reply
5-01-2008 @ 5:13AM
Maria said...
I think the sparkle of this season has gone. It started out as one of the best Idol seasons ever, but after seeing this weeks episodes, there's David Cook left, the others are just blah. They shouldn't have lost Michael Johns so early and they shouldn't have lost Carly Smithson. Without them, this isn't the most talented group of Idols any more.
Reply
5-01-2008 @ 5:44AM
ric said...
Finally! Brooke meets her proper fate which she has been miraculously been able to postpone for many weeks. She was never good, except for one week, singing "Let It Be". Which only showed that a singer of this low caliber needs to be performing one of the greatest songs ever written in order to sound passable. I was afraid she would survive over Syesha, a polished, if not generic, R&B diva type who has been getting kicked around in the bottom three and two, I think unfairly, for quite a while.
Castro, who I like, because he has a unique whispery sytle, but is not much of a singer, gets a pass via his baby blues once again and some mileage from perhaps only two good performances this season. He'll survive over Syesha next week, as he carries the highest level of "popularity contest" element of the remaining four.
David Cook, the season's best performer, of course, gets a pass to next week .
David Archuleta, the best singer remaining, gets a not too surprising pass. Come on Jason, your anti-Archie (pro Cook) poison pen has reared its ugly head again:
"He sings technically well but does so more and more like a grade school talent competition than a consummate performer".
You are kidding right?
The kid sings with great power and emotion. Hey there's just so much you can do with "Sweet Caroline" a wretched piece of corn that Neil Diamond always sounded good on due to his gravely voice balancing the syrupy melody. A poor song choice of course. A soulful tune like "He Ain't Heavy" would have been the proper song to balance "America".. Oh, but then he would still be "Ballad Boy". One can't win, can they?
Close your eyes from here on in, if he looks too young for your musical taste, and your eyes affect your ears.
I'll go along with Randy's CONSISTENT assessments of David Archuleta this year:
"Da Bomb"
"Proves if you can sing, you can sing anything"
"Sings with maturity way beyond your years"
Hey, of the three judges Randy has the real musical cred. Look up his resume some time. A prodigy bassist, playing with huge jazz cats at an early age. Big time studio player covering some of the biggest albums ever made and all styles of music. Incredible stage experience with the likes of Mariah and Journey.
I'll go with this guy's unwavering opinion over the lay people writing this column and posting here. Anytime. Everytime.
See ya in the final week Arch!
Reply
5-01-2008 @ 10:39AM
Rico said...
But who's going to be buying the CDs and downloads?
Yep, the unwashed, unknowing lay people.
Seriously. Look at Archuleta's "America" performance. To paraphrase Simon, I honestly felt like I was at Six Flags watching their stage show. When Simon told him it was a clever song choice, I really don't think it was a compliment.