The Top 4 on American Idol tackled the broad genre of Rock and Roll this week as we head towards the finale in 2 weeks.
Ryan Seacrest starts out with the bombshell that 3 of the Top 4 have been number 1 in the votes. Then we're treated to a double "How Awesome" video clip, for rock and roll and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Then we were quickly into the performances with David Cook. He picked Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf," as apparently the theme is more like the 500 songs that the Rock and Roll HOF has designated as the most influential. It was a nice solid performance from Cookie, but nothing WOW like he's done before. Randy Jackson thought it was an okay choice and a solid performance but just okay. Paula Abdul said that watching Cookie grow has been remarkable. Simon Cowell thought it was good but a little copycat. Cookie didn't make it his own.
Syesha Mercado talked to Ryan about the tour beginning soon. Syesha is excited to be able to meet all of her fans. She picked "Proud Mary" to sing first. She was worried because it's been covered over 100 times and there are a lot of famous choreography moves to the song. She tried to mimic all of Tina Turner's famous steps as well as the dress. She's great at becoming someone else, but who is she? Randy loved it and said she was in the zone. Paula loved it and babbled on. Simon was smarter and saw it as a bad impersonation of Tina Turner.
Jason Castro was happy to note that he actually did know a few songs on the list this time. *Surprise* He picked Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" to perform tonight. I'm apparently biased, so we'll skip my "I loved it" comments and get on to the judges "non-biased" we-hated-it comments. Randy thought it was karaoke and nothing special. Paula wasn't crazy about it. Simon thought it was atrocious like a first round massacre. Gee, didn't see the "we hated it" things coming did we? Does anyone even care anymore what the judges think? Ryan noted that Randy and Simon almost seem ticked off at this point. Yeah, they are ticked off - America isn't listening to them.
David Archuleta was up next. He picked "Stand by Me," which he used to sing in his room but never in public. He was boring as hell, but naturally the judges just loved and adored it. Randy said that at least there is one guy trying to win it every time he gets onstage (and what's Cookie then, huh?). Paula says he's way beyond years (hey, I thought that was a bad thing according to Simon?). Simon said he could have whistled the song and it would have sounded better that the last song. Honestly, I think Archie could have stood there for his 90 seconds not singing just staring out at the audience and Randy Jackson would still have been orgasming all over the boy.
Cookie talked to Ryan about how this week would seem to be his week. Cookie said he was excited, but once it got closer he realized he had set the bar high for himself. He agreed he could have done something better with the first performance. For his second song, he picked the legendary "Baba O'Reilly" by The Who. He picked it because it's an iconic rock song and it's never been performed on the show. Honestly, I think Cookie could have held his own on Rock Star with that song. Randy said he is great and to just be himself. Paula wants more. Simon welcomed him back.
Syesha picked "A Change Has Gotta Come" by Sam Cook for her second song. She went on about how the song has a totally different meaning for her now because of where she's at in her life. Yeah, because that song is totally about changing from a karaoke singer to a less karaoke singer. Randy loved the first song but the second not as much. He felt she pushed too much. Paula made Syesha cry by going on about the wonderful vocals and welcomed her to her dream. Simon agreed with Paula and thought Randy got it wrong. Syesha continued to sob as a fight ensued. I tuned out, so I don't know what it was about. I think they all need to just get into a WWE ring and worked this crap all out.
Jason picked another Bob for his second song, Bob Dylan's "Mr Tamborine Man." He says it's a cool classic folk rock song. He forgot his words in the middle, but otherwise was great. Randy asks him what he thought forcing Jason to bring up the lost words. Paula wasn't blown away. Simon told him to pack his suitcase. Can I point out at this point that the judges are HUGELY inconsistent in criticizing the forgotten words problem?
Archie picked Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender" for his second song because it would be cool to sing a romantic love song. I liked his performance. It was one of his better ones this time around. Randy thought it was another great performance (~gasp~, Really?) and liked how Archie was so tender and caressed each word. Does anyone else find that description creepy coming from Randy? Paula said it was one of her favorites. Simon said he crushed the competition.
My Rankings of each performance:
Top performance was Cookie's "Baba O'Reilly" with a 10
Number two goes to Archie's "Love Me Tender" with a 9
Cookie takes the third place performance with "Hungry Like the Wolf" earning him 8 points
Jason's two performances tied at 7 points each. "Mr Tamborine Man" would have earned him a perfect score if he remembered the words.
Archie's first performance of "Stand By Me" earns him 6 points
Syesha takes the bottom two with her "Proud Mary" imitation earning her 5 points while her sobby "Change" earns her 4.
Overall:
Cookie is in first place with a 9.
Archie is in second place with a 7.5
Jason takes third with a 7.
Syesha is last with a 4.5
haha watch the typing. you may be the first to get your recaplet out, but do a read through first. oh, and randy 'orgasming all over the boy' - ew.
And don't be cranky just cuz Jason is obviously going home. He didn't just forget some words..he forgot the WHOLE LINE (out of maybe 12 total sung in a 2 min performance)
The one who will be leaving home is Jason. Syesha put up a good performance for both songs. So please don't listen to the comments here...so biased of the writer! Vote for Syesha!!!
Guest said: The one who will be leaving home is Jason. Syesha put up a good performance for both songs. So please don't listen to the comments here...so biased of the writer! Vote for Syesha!!!
<sarcasm>
yeah, how dare I have biased opinions, as opposed to your opinions which are so clearly of the unbiased variety
</sarcasm>
"Now you know why lions eat their young" Capt. Phil Harris
If Jason doesn't go home this week.. then the best will not win.. the most Popular will... Idol will not be a Singing contest... but a popularity contest..
Definitely looks like the battle of the Davids. Syesha may be getting Brooke's votes so this very well could be Jason's last night. Obviously, this is the way the judges want it. They were brutal tonight.
As much as I like Jason Castro and was rooting for him. I really think an objective assessment has to be that he had a very bad night. His "I Shot the Sheriff" did not work at all. It seemed a little desperate, in fact. His "Tambourine Man" would have been a great comeback had he not do obviously blown a whole line. Sure others have forgotten lyrics and not been called on it, but this was so blatant and badly covered that there was nothing else they could do. It's too bad since otherwise it was Jason in the zone.
Also , as much as I detest Archie, I think his song choice of "Stand By Me" was excellent and suited his voice well. I even enjoyed the performance while he bothered to sing the melody. I've always thought "Love Me Tender" was an insipid song, so that did not win any points with me. And he was his usual boring with it.
David Cook's first song OK. I do find it interesting that they ding DC for not doing enough with it while they ding Jason for not singing "I Shot the Sheriff" straight. It's obviously not about original or unoriginal, it is about being interesting and engaging. DC's second song was quite good, but so truncated due to time constraints it seemed like it just didn't go anywhere.
I agree with Simon completely regarding Syesha. Randy was obviously watching her hips and not listening to the vocals on "Proud Mary". Her second vocal was far better.
I'd give the night to Cook and grudgingly put Archie second in a tie with Syesha. Jason just did not deliver tonight.
Since, at this point, no one votes based on a single night's performance Jason could still make it through, but I wouldn't give him the odds I would have before tonight.
I am still praying that the curse of 4th place continues and the apparent favorite (Archie) goes home.
BTW, did you notice that Ryan said 3 of the 4 have been top vote getters. I think that supports my theory that they came out in vote order on last weeks result show.
DC - has had better weeks, but did remind us all why he's there with the Who classic...I agree that he could have held his own on "Rockstar"
DA - "Stand By Me" - Bo Bice did a much better, more sincere version four years ago; "Love Me Tender" - his best song of the season
SM - Belongs in musical theater and not on AI. I was hoping that she'd do something to change the Tina version of "Proud Mary". I didn't like her second song as well as Paula and Simon.
JC - Quoting my husband, "Why is he still around? He should have been gone weeks ago." From what I can tell, most guys feel about Castro the way that the Curlio women felt about the Pickle.
Paras said:
haha watch the typing. you may be the first to get your recaplet out, but do a read through first.
That is ~my~ job. If you want to read a quick recap, its here first. If you want to see the recap after its been edited, give me a couple of hours...
Guest said: no surprise who you are rooting for. don't slam the judges for the same drool that comes out of your mouth for DC.
Actually I want David Archuleta to win. I'll buy Cookie's CD and Jason's CD but I do NOT want them to win. The AI machine will crush Jason and I don't want to see what smuck they'll have Cookie release.
As for comparing me to the judges - I'm just a person with opinions posting on a website just like many other people. Sorry but I expect slightly more impartiality from the people who are paid to judge the show.
Guest said: If Jason doesn't go home this week.. then the best will not win.. the most Popular will... Idol will not be a Singing contest... but a popularity contest..
Where the heck have you been?
Season 1 - Kelly Clarkson - not the best singer
Season 2 - Ruben Studdard - not the best singer
Season 3 - Fantasia Barrino - borderline, but her final competition should have been one of the other two divas not Diana DeGarmo
Season 4 - Carrie Underwood - FINALLY after 4 years they manage the right one
Season 5 - Taylor Hicks - do I even have to point out that singing wasn't his talent?
Season 6 - Jordin Sparks - not the best singer, should have been Melinda or Lakisha.
The show has only been a singing competition one year out of seven. Why the heck would anyone else expect anything different of a competition where you can vote as many times as you like?
Shenova said: That is ~my~ job. If you want to read a quick recap, its here first. If you want to see the recap after its been edited, give me a couple of hours...
I did a read-through and didn't really find much. I misspelled atrocious and fixed it (two t's instead of one). As for the rest I didn't think I was that bad. Yeah I know my fractured sentences probably drive you insane though right?
I have to confess that during my 4+ years of college I had to write many papers. Nursing school is brutal that way (I think they feel the need to prepare you for the endless hours of paperwork with endless hours of paperwork). I never once did a proofread of any of my papers. Many of them were typed not on a computer but a regular old typewriter, so no spell-check either. I still managed a B average on my papers.
On to Jason:
Yes, I agree he seems to have quit trying. But put yourself in his place. You've gone through all these weeks of the competition. You tried to listen to the judges and do what they said, at least initially. But nothing you do can make them happy. Meanwhile you're constantly hearing "David Archuleta this" and "David Archuleta that." Archie can do no wrong. He can mess up his lyrics and not even get a mention. He can completely massacre a song and still get a "Dawg that was hott." Add to that the fact that I think many of them come to Idol not to win, but just to "do a Daughtry" - get as far as they can then have a wonderful career.
"Now you know why lions eat their young" Capt. Phil Harris
You've been blinded by your passion for Jason Castro. His first number totally, TOTALLY sucked. His second could have been as memorable as "Over the Rainbow" or "Halleujah," but forgetting a whole line of the chorus at this point is, well, unforgiveable.
I love David Cook, but even I think his first number was mediocre and his second was good but a poor choice because he only had 1 min. 43 sec. and just as he/we were getting into it, it was over.
And I agree with you that I don't want David C to win for the same reasons. Let David A be stuck with the no-doubt manurety coronation song on his resume for the rest of his life. I want David C free to make the CD he wants to make, not the one that TPTB want him to make. Taylor Hicks is still paying for that one.
clearly jason needs to go home now. his first song was shockingly bad. he needs to go away and work on his certain music career.
i have no love what-so-ever for this creepy little kid archie.
cookie missed a big opportunity with his first song. he selected the wrong song! do, do do do do should never be coming out of that young man's mouth. my greatest concern at this point is that his nerves, blood pressure and probable medication are getting the best of him. way to subdued and contained. must wow next week and the week after in order to keep him in the top two.
simon got it right last night. sayesha delivered the worst impression of tina turner ever. i felt like i was in las vegas at the top of the stratosphere. like it was the tina turner impersonator coming on directly after the culture club act.
dang dang dang. i had such high hopes for this year. the whole bloody show has gotten away from them. is there another music show on its way this year or will we have to resort to the farmer takes a wife?
-- bored toad
p.s. and, starting a sentence with and is actually in vogue at the moment. journalism changes with the times. hip hip hurray.
Yeah, I was wondering about that theme. When Cookie was singing Hungry Like the Wolf, I didn't think that Duran Duran had been inducted to the R&R HoF yet.
I must say that Syesha's Proud Mary was a pure ripoff of Beyonce's Grammy performance this past year. You tube it and check it out. I thought she did much better on the second song.
I actually liked Archie's version of Stand By Me. He added a little Sean Kingston in the end which made the performance more unique. He'll be a good AI puppet.
After Jason's blunder and slacker attitude, he needs to leave. He deserves to leave while Syesha deserves to stay one more week. Castro just doesn't care anymore and doesn't look like he is putting in much time to hone the songs he needs to perform. But, I will not be surprised if he stays. This show is becoming to be disappointing and there is no reason why I need to get my panties in a bunch over any of it anymore.
I can't help but comparing the final four performances this year to last year's. Another disappointing night for me. Three good performances out of eight at this stage? (The second selections of the two Davids and Syesha)
Jason no longer shows any respect to his fans. He looks as though he isn't even trying. Forgetting the lyrics at this stage? Unforgiveable!! Can anyone remember if so many contestants forgot the lyrics in previous years?
Syesha second song was very good; probably in the top two. She showed emotion and she changed up the arrangement. A third place finish is deserving. (To think that Melinda placed third last year. ) Syesha can't hold a candle to Melinda!!
The AI producers don't dare insult us anymore by keeping Jason for another week.
toad said: dang dang dang. i had such high hopes for this year. the whole bloody show has gotten away from them. is there another music show on its way this year or will we have to resort to the farmer takes a wife?
-- bored toad
I hear your boredom. The only thing that fires me up at this point is the judges and the "banter" - the contestants aren't thrilling. Particularly if you consider that the two I like I don't want to win anyhow. Ideally I'd like Jason to leave tonight (I did NOT vote for him) and Cookie to leave next week - though if they reverse that I won't be too sad. Let Syesha and Archie duke it out for the crown and I can just be happy that neither of my favorites will have to sing some piece of crap like "This is My Now."
No we won't have to watch that horrid farmer show (which is based on a dutch show btw). We do have some music shows coming up:
So You Think You Can Dance - if you can handle the screaming, it's wildly entertaining. At least these people can actually do what it is they are there to do - unlike their singing counterparts on AI. Starts night after AI finale and we will cover it once we get out of the auditions.
Gone Country 2 - on CMT, beginning in August. Current and past hasbeens have to try to be country stars. This season features Irene Cara, Sebastian Bach, Mikalah Gordon, Jermaine Jackson among others. I'll watch the first episode then decide if we want to cover it
Nashville Star - now that it's moved from the basement of USA to the big boys at NBC, AND it's not trying to run with AI, it might work out. Starting Monday June 9th - Nashville Star usually features people who can actually sing, even if it is country music.
"Now you know why lions eat their young" Capt. Phil Harris
So, I just can't stand Syesha. But with her giant crocodile tears flowing greatly last night, I figure she's punched her ticket to the final three. Seriously, though, how could Simon not point out that horrendous dancing she did in "Proud Mary"??? My heavens, she looked stupid. And I didn't think her last song was that great either. But then again, I can't stand her, so even when she does well I still don't like her!
I thought Arhcie was strong last night...I haven't really enjoyed him lately, but he didn't do too badly. I still love David Cook and thought his second song was phenomenal. That boy is talented!
Sadly, I do think Jason is in trouble. I loved his second song even though he flubbed the lyrics. I hope for some reason he gets saved and Syesha gets the boot, but hey, he'll still be successful, and like Curlio, I'll buy his CD anyday (as long as it's not the winner's CD!)
Jason is performing tonight for the last time. His song choices are awful and truthfully I was disappointed in him for the last three weeks. Syesha isn't much better but she will survive one more week. It will be the two David's left standing and David Cook will win it all.
curlio said: [...]
I hear your boredom. The only thing that fires me up at this point is the judges and the "banter" - the contestants aren't thrilling.
Yup, yup, yup! So much for "the most talented season ever"...this group doesn't even begin to compare to last season.
curlio said:
We do have some music shows coming up:
Let's not forget that we can always tune into the forgettable "America's Got Talent" and other bazillion reality shows that pop up during the summer.
BTW - Ben is addicted to VH1 reality shows, I'm into the ones on Bravo. "Step it Up and Dance" is on right now and its pretty good, too.
u know what curlio. you can smack me but while i am over here i have actually watched the austrian version of the farmer show. i've cried every time. there are usually 2 women who are selected to go to the farms and they end up staying for weeks. at the end the farmer chooses. the farmers are by no means poor men and they tend to take good care of their women. i've never seen the german or dutch shows.
what about a new rock star show? why not another one of those?
i've thought about your suggestion that a sayesha/archie final would be ideal and i am going to have to get behind that idea. this year it really would be the best match up. they deserve each other.
i am off to watch the french version of idol. its shaping up to be another one of 'those' better than good years. sigh.
You are a flippin idiot. "Boring as hell"? Why don't you just call your article "Cook was awesome...everyone else sucked"? Quit trying to pass your biased opinion as objective criticism. Boring was Cook with his typical emo'ish approach to EVERY song he sings. That same non-audible low range of his and his "oh...I have to hit the scream to ROCK OUT" screetch at the end of EVERY SONG! Get real. Like it or not...Archuleta is consistent, he's audible, he's creative...and he is liked by more than the Tweens you may think. I think what sucks for Cook fans is that he actually has to work at being a rocker...Archuleta's talent just seems to flow effortlessly.
Guest said: bla bla bla Quit trying to pass your biased opinion as objective criticism. Boring was Cook with his typical emo'ish approach to EVERY song he sings. wah wah wah
Question for the masses: What is this "objective criticism" of which the guest speaks? Is it something desirable? Is it something I should aspire to? Is that what the judges model on the show?
"Now you know why lions eat their young" Capt. Phil Harris
Jason wasn't as great this week as in past weeks but I still believe he has a big enough fan base to pull him through. I mean COME ON Brooke pulled through and in my opinion she doesn't have the fan base Jason does.
I think it will be Syesha going home tonight.
But I have a question for Dusty, Curlio and everyone because my remember is broken LOL..... In years past has there ever been either 3 males or 3 females in the top 3? I was thinking there is always a mixture of the sexes in the top 3, that might save Syesha if she's getting the female votes. Let me know if you can remember.
Guest said: Jason is performing tonight for the last time. His song choices are awful and truthfully I was disappointed in him for the last three weeks. Syesha isn't much better but she will survive one more week. It will be the two David's left standing and David Cook will win it all.
NOt all his choices have been bad/disappointing. HIs over the rainbow was a GREAT choice and well done in my opinion, but you may be right he may be headed home usually when simon says that america follows.
The Top 4 on American Idol tackled the broad genre of Rock and Roll this week as we head towards the finale in 2 weeks.
Then we were quickly into the performances with David Cook. He picked Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf," as apparently the theme is more like the 500 songs that the Rock and Roll HOF has designated as the most influential. It was a nice solid performance from Cookie, but nothing WOW like he's done before. Randy Jackson thought it was an okay choice and a solid performance but just okay. Paula Abdul said that watching Cookie grow has been remarkable. Simon Cowell thought it was good but a little copycat. Cookie didn't make it his own.
Syesha Mercado talked to Ryan about the tour beginning soon. Syesha is excited to be able to meet all of her fans. She picked "Proud Mary" to sing first. She was worried because it's been covered over 100 times and there are a lot of famous choreography moves to the song. She tried to mimic all of Tina Turner's famous steps as well as the dress. She's great at becoming someone else, but who is she? Randy loved it and said she was in the zone. Paula loved it and babbled on. Simon was smarter and saw it as a bad impersonation of Tina Turner.
Jason Castro was happy to note that he actually did know a few songs on the list this time. *Surprise* He picked Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" to perform tonight. I'm apparently biased, so we'll skip my "I loved it" comments and get on to the judges "non-biased" we-hated-it comments. Randy thought it was karaoke and nothing special. Paula wasn't crazy about it. Simon thought it was atrocious like a first round massacre. Gee, didn't see the "we hated it" things coming did we? Does anyone even care anymore what the judges think? Ryan noted that Randy and Simon almost seem ticked off at this point. Yeah, they are ticked off - America isn't listening to them.
David Archuleta was up next. He picked "Stand by Me," which he used to sing in his room but never in public. He was boring as hell, but naturally the judges just loved and adored it. Randy said that at least there is one guy trying to win it every time he gets onstage (and what's Cookie then, huh?). Paula says he's way beyond years (hey, I thought that was a bad thing according to Simon?). Simon said he could have whistled the song and it would have sounded better that the last song. Honestly, I think Archie could have stood there for his 90 seconds not singing just staring out at the audience and Randy Jackson would still have been orgasming all over the boy.
Cookie talked to Ryan about how this week would seem to be his week. Cookie said he was excited, but once it got closer he realized he had set the bar high for himself. He agreed he could have done something better with the first performance. For his second song, he picked the legendary "Baba O'Reilly" by The Who. He picked it because it's an iconic rock song and it's never been performed on the show. Honestly, I think Cookie could have held his own on Rock Star with that song. Randy said he is great and to just be himself. Paula wants more. Simon welcomed him back.
Syesha picked "A Change Has Gotta Come" by Sam Cook for her second song. She went on about how the song has a totally different meaning for her now because of where she's at in her life. Yeah, because that song is totally about changing from a karaoke singer to a less karaoke singer. Randy loved the first song but the second not as much. He felt she pushed too much. Paula made Syesha cry by going on about the wonderful vocals and welcomed her to her dream. Simon agreed with Paula and thought Randy got it wrong. Syesha continued to sob as a fight ensued. I tuned out, so I don't know what it was about. I think they all need to just get into a WWE ring and worked this crap all out.
Jason picked another Bob for his second song, Bob Dylan's "Mr Tamborine Man." He says it's a cool classic folk rock song. He forgot his words in the middle, but otherwise was great. Randy asks him what he thought forcing Jason to bring up the lost words. Paula wasn't blown away. Simon told him to pack his suitcase. Can I point out at this point that the judges are HUGELY inconsistent in criticizing the forgotten words problem?
Archie picked Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender" for his second song because it would be cool to sing a romantic love song. I liked his performance. It was one of his better ones this time around. Randy thought it was another great performance (~gasp~, Really?) and liked how Archie was so tender and caressed each word. Does anyone else find that description creepy coming from Randy? Paula said it was one of her favorites. Simon said he crushed the competition.
My Rankings of each performance:
