American Idol: Top 12 Try to Please Please Me

First off, show of hands: Who gives a shit about the new opening titles?

And then that new set. Yikes! Talk about extreme overkill. It's like a combination Thunderdome/Celine Dion's living room. And all the lights and strobes, I felt like I was watching the Orange Bowl Halftime show.

All in all I thought the performances were pretty good this week. But that could be because they were singing Lennon & McCartney songs not Diane Warren. And Simon spoke for us all when he said, "Shut up, Paula!"

Brooke White is still my favorite. Her no frills version of "Let it Be" was heartfelt and touching. Interesting that the contestant with the most soul is a blond Girl Scout from Mesa, Arizona.

Meanwhile, the one male African-American wore an argyle sweater vest and tie. The only gang he could get into is "Up With People". Chikezie sang "She's a Woman" and gave his best performance. And I'm sure when someone suggested doing that intro with a fiddle he said, "Yeah. Now that's funky!"

David Hernandez did "I Saw her Standing There". He's obviously sung that song before, with the same dance moves. Except this was the first time he wasn't oiled up and girls didn't stuff dollar bills down his Speedo.

Even though the judges weren't wild about Michael Johns I thought he was great. They keep saying this is a singing competition until someone just stands there and sings. Next week he should borrow Haley Scarnato's shorts.

Syesha Mercado sang "Got to Get You Into My Life" as if it were a foreign song she learned phonetically. Boring belter. Will be gone before they start doing those Ford commercials.

I hope Ramiele Malubay gets voted off. Let's give her a real reason to cry. Note to Ramiele: "In My Life" was not designed to be sung by someone who still needs fake ID to get a drink.

Jason Castro is morphing into Lisa Edelstein to such a degree I think he's now growing breasts. Why are the judges so wild about this guy/girl? I don't get it. He attempted "If I Fell" and it was way out of his range. He hits clunker notes, has trouble flipping to his head voice, and has the excitement of someone who drinks gallons of that Prozac water.

And is it just me or has Carly Smithson's Irish accent gotten thicker? She is going to kick ass on Celtic night! For an added edge over the other contestants she should tattoo 1-866-IDOLS 06 on her forehead.

David Cook reminds me of Austin Powers. He's a good singer but I thought "Eleanor Rigby" was a haunting melancholy ballad. Who knew it was heavy metal?

Amanda Overmyer wailed on "You Can't Do That", a song referring to her black and white striped slacks. I like her but she sings everything the same. I worry she's a one trick pony...or more accurately considering those pants - a one trick zebra.

Kristy Lee Cook tried to do "8 Days a Week" as a country song. It was utterly ridiculous...bordering on William Shatner. Jews sing country songs better. Next time Kristy, sing "Rocky Raccoon" (if there is a next time).

And finally, David Archuleta. Who could believe that the one song that was too challenging for a great singer was "We Can Work It Out"? Drunks at ZBT parties can handle that tune while their heads are in a bowl. Considering how far ahead David was, it almost feels like a prize fighter told to take a dive.

I think from here on out, in addition to eliminating one contestant a week, they should also remove one piece of the set.

You can read more from Ken at kenlevine.blogspot.com.

Comments

[kellygrrrl]

The producers seem to be handily ridding themselves of any "problem" contestants.

Look for Amanda and Brooke to be out soon, too, as they have some "history"

This thing is rigged to the Top 5, at least.

Karly and David A are pegged to go all the way.

I like David Cook (The Word Nerd) and Jason Castro (Dreamy McDreads)

[DCDan]

Um ... I'll give you the benefit of the doubt in the context of an attempt at humor but, to quote Simon, "If I'm being honest ..." your pointing out the irony of the lone black contestant not being gang material comes across as midly racist. The premise being, you would expect the black guy to dress and act like he's from the 'hood, especially given he's from Inglewood and had a menial job at LAX. Problem is, we also know his family is from Nigeria. Your sarcastic cut implies that an African immigrant is more likely to wind up as an undesirable in society simply based on their skin color. Again, I'm virtually certain that wasn't your intent but you should be more careful with the loose stereotyping.

And, yes, the set is absolute overkill. Like so many of the contestants' performances and their appraisals by the judges, it puts style over substance.

[TurgidCaterwauling]

These kids could have used more guidance with respect to song selection. Pretty much standard L&M fare. There are a lot of gems that would have been more exciting.

[Oldtimer]

I surfed the channels and found Idol and stayed with only because they performed songs by
the Beatles.
At the end of the show Ryan Seacrest thanked the judges, the performers everybody but
the Beatles!!!!!
Helloooo.

[observing]

Oh, my gosh, where do I start?

There is a girl in a San Francisco piano bar who delivers the same performance as Brooke did. Not special. Shame on you for lauding mediocrity.

Yes, blacks do wear Argyle. What a shock to you, apparently.

Hernandez danced for guys, not gals.

Johns and Syesha are just as much one trick poneys. At least Amanda makes it far more interesting.

Carly is not permanently number 6. The phone numbers change each week. Sheesh.

Even David Cook could tell you that was not heavy metal. If you consider that heavy metal... oh, nevermind..

Even little Ramiele can experience "life". Pain isn't reserved for adults.

Yes, Jews can sing country...

Finally, if you knew David A, you would know he is a balladeer like Josh Groban. Even Groban would have looked funny singing that.

Just because something is a Beatle song, doesn't make it great. Do better homework on the Idols Levine, before you "write" an article.

[AmandaRuth]

i cannot stand brooke - she is smarmy and condescending. Chikezie was absolutely the best - one of the best performances I have every seen on AI.

[auramac]

Good article. I agree- Brooke was my favorite, but Chikezie's She's a Woman was like a tour of American music, from bluegrass fiddle with bluesy vocals to a brief shot of Elvis and more surprises as the song moved smoothly from beginning to end. I was shocked, because previously he had seemed weak. All the rest, I would judge far more harshly than even Simon.

[blueraven]

"David Hernandez did "I Saw her Standing There". He's obviously sung that song before, with the same dance moves. Except this was the first time he wasn't oiled up and girls didn't stuff dollar bills down his Speedo."

Wrong gender, Ken. He worked at a gay strip club, which now has earned the euphemistic title of "pizza bistro."

[67bug]

"Salami Bistro" is more like it!

[NursePatric]

That's funny.