AI4 recap, Finalists x 3 (05/17)

Again, apologies for last week’s omission. A few quick thoughts (I didn’t even watch it until Wednesday before the results show).

What was up with both Carrie and Bo promoting the Old Navy Tunics in their first songs? I was half expecting Anthony to sing the “Put the Lime in the Coke You Nut” song next. And my son LOVES that commercial. He actually cried once because we didn’t have it on tape to show him.

What was up with Vonzell being so emotional? The word on the street is that her dog died. Can’t confirm that one, but she having a pretty tough night. Glad she made it through though.

And the biggest question of last week is what is up with Carrie crying and mouthing “I love you too” to Anthony when he was singing his farewell song?

Tonight’s the good old, three finalists, three different songs show. Guest judge Clive Davis (he’s allowed, since he is going to be signing the eventual American Idol) picked the first song. Second song is the contestant’s choice and the last one is one of the judges’ choice.

Going into tonight, I must say that I’m very pleased with the final 3. Had Scott or Anthony (or even Constantine) been here, I would not have been totally satisfied. I really don’t care who wins. I have a feeling that all 3 will get record deals. Maybe all of them with Clive Davis. This is, hands down, the strongest final 3. In the original, you had Kelly, Justin and Nikki (yes, Tamyra came in fourth). Year two was comparable with Ruben, Clay and Kimberly Locke. They have all done well for themselves. Last year was Fantasia, Diana and Jasmine. I liked Jasmine (thanks Jayna for my Jasmine trading card from Taco Bell/Pizza Hut in Hawaii), but could not stand the top 2. La Toya should have been in the final 3, if not won outright.

And I’ve heard the rumor that Constantine “wanted” to get voted off so that he could tour with his band (Pray for the Soul of Betty). It kinda makes sense, but then again, he’s going to have to tour with the American Idol finalists for 41 dates once this thing is over. Maybe it’s true because he’s trying to strike while the iron is hot for his band to get some play. Regardless of him wanting or not to get voted off, I’m happy because I’ve got to be honest with you. His cheeseball looks into the camera were really getting to me. And I was also getting tired of the “rocker” label that he was getting because he really was a Broadway-type, lounge singer in my books. And he was genuinely surprised when he got voted off. His statement of “crazier things have happened to me” was really condescending, in that he didn’t feel as though he deserved to be voted off; that he was better than the ones still standing.

To recap, I’m glad that Constantine is off. And still upset that Amanda was voted off.

01,04 – Vonzell (Clive’s choice), I’ll Never Love This Way Again (Dionne Warwick)
Yes, they have 2 numbers for you to call in now. So that’s 2 numbers to be busy all the time for me now. I don’t even vote anymore because I can’t get through. I’d text message if I had a Cingular/AT&T phone. Vonzell came out in a real classy black dress with a light blue sash. Really looked nice. This song really highlighted her on the big notes. I thought it was fine. Every time I hear Dionne Warwick though, I think of 2 things. One, she’s Whitney Houston’s aunt and two, My Best Friend’s Wedding. That scene at the rehearsal dinner with Rupert Everett singing “I Say A Little Prayer for You” is so classic. Right down to the lobster in the background dancing with her claws. Clive thought the performance was good, but told her to watch out for her little smile, especially on a song with words like this. Randy called her pitchy (my wife agreed), but conceded that it was a tough song to sing because it is a rangy song. Paula said she nailed it at the end. Simon asked if she was nervous because it showed.

02,05 – Harold, er Bo (Clive’s choice), Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (Elton John)
Didn’t George Michael sing this too? Bo wore shades again and they looked way better than the Lenny Kravitz ones. Did you know that Lenny Kravitz is the son of the wife of the interracial couple (Roxie Roker) who was friends with George and Wheezy on The Jeffersons? And that he used to date the daughter of the owner of the Benihanas? And that he was previously married to Lisa Bonet? Clive called it heartfelt and powerful. Randy called him forever in the dawg pound after that performance and that he can do anything. Paula called it pure brilliance and magnificent. Simon called it great. Really great. And that he likes him doing these songs better than the rock ones. I had a VERY inappropriate joke about the title of this song, but my wife advised me to not print it. So, it’ll be printed in the “The AI Guy: Uncensored.” Just kidding. It really was pretty bad and I run a family-friendly recap…

03,06 – Carrie (Clive’s choice), Crying (Roy Orbison, k.d. lang)
Did I do her name right? All lowercase like e.e. cummings? Carrie started sitting on the steps and when she got up, did she look hefty. She was wearing the slimming black, but she wore a shiny gold belt that accentuated her, um, equator. It looked like a WWF (actually they’re WWE now because the World Wildlife Federation sued them for the acronym. It now stands for World Wrestling Entertainment) belt. I really didn’t know this song, but I think crying was involved. A lot of crying. I thought she did well with it. No one’s every questioned her vocals. It’s that she has no personality. Clive said she did a strong job. Randy called it perfect; one of her best vocals. Paula called it a haunting and poignant, if not subdued performance. Simon said she did really well, but the performance was a bit wooden.

01,04 – Vonzell (her choice), Chain of Fools (Aretha Franklin)
Did a real good job with this song, although it’s been sung quite a bit throughout the past four American Idols (Stevie Wonder gets a lot of play too). From the auditions to the performances. I think that Fantasia did it last year. But then again, I’ve tried to block out all of her performances, but that “Summertime” one keeps haunting me. Vonzell wore a blue, white & green striped tunic-ish top. Clive said she picked a great song. One with true soul. Randy called it one of the best vocals in the show’s history. Paula said that it’s been sung a lot, but no one’s nailed it with such passion and gusto. Simon praised her likeability factor.

02,05 – Bo (his choice), Within A Dream (Badlands)
In an unprecedented move, Bo chose to sing a cappella. And without the accompaniment of the band. :) Bo wore a black tunic-type top again. Man, Old Navy is good. With the lighting and choice of song, it reminded me of when Clay sang “Solitaire” a few years back. This was a great performance. I think Bo should win, but if not, he’s got a recording contract wrapped up. Clive called it bold and courageous. And that he predicts that they will have a good time making albums together. Randy called it courageous and unbelievable. Paula called him truly a gift. Is she sleeping with him? Simon quipped that he may have put 34 musicians out of work. My wife noticed that one of the background singers wasn’t too happy with that comment.

03,06 – Carrie (her choice), Making Love Out Of Nothing At All (Air Supply)
Okay, I admit it. I had this tape way back when. And I’m not ashamed to admit it. Wait a minute. Yes I am. Can I take it back? After hearing Carrie sing the song, if Air Supply did do this song, it could’ve been a Bonnie Tyler jam. Actually, she would’ve really done this song well. Same tempo as “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Slow in parts, up tempo chorus. It would’ve made her “Greatest Hits” album almost buyable. Almost. Carrie started this song slow. Maybe slower than the original, then really picked it up at the chorus. Almost too much. Like she was forcing it. I think that Carrie is tired of hearing the “boring” comments and is trying to pick songs that show her personality more. I still think that she is going to make it to the final 2 and have a real close battle with Bo for the title. Clive said she threw herself into the song and her voice soared. Randy said she can sing. Paula complimented the power in her voice. Simon said that she has had a good night, but that she pushed too much in the middle. I agree with Simon, but I still liked the song. Performance and choice.

01,04 – Vonzell (Simon’s choice), On The Radio (Donna Summer)
TAP’s marketing department is close behind Old Navy with product placement as Baby V came out looking like a 30mg capsule with her sequin-studded pink top and black capris. Did a real good job with the song, but her dancing is somewhat distracting. Had a cool effect at the end of the song as the last note was echoed, but she also put a live laugh over it. Hard to explain, but I thought it was cool. Clive called her totally in her element and complimented Simon on the song choice. Randy said she was having a good time and enjoyed it. Paula said way to go and keep having fun. Simon echoed everything Clive said.

02,05 – Bo (Paula’s choice), I Can’t Get No Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones)
Harold came out in a mustard shirt and black jeans. Not a great song choice for him (vocally), but he rocked it. Bo is such a good performer. Clive said that he really nailed it and praised him for taking 3 totally different songs and making them all his own. Randy said that he felt like he was a Bo concert tonight. Paula told the audience that they have one more week for free, then they’ll have to pay to watch him. Simon said that he had a very strong week, but dissed his performance as wedding band-ish. I kinda agree with the wedding band thing, but what can he do? Paula chose the song.

03,06 – Carrie (Randy’s choice), Man! I Feel Like A Woman! (Shania Twain)
This song reminds me of a Saturday Night Live skit. Cameron Diaz was the guest hostess and they were at an MTV like dance show. The hosts kept asking the people what song they wanted and every single one picked “That Don’t Impress Me Much” by Shania Twain. Like four times in a row. And every time it came on, the people danced the same way. Hmm. It was funny when I saw it. I have a feeling that I didn’t describe it well enough. Bygones. Carrie was upbeat in the song and I think Randy did her a favor by picking a song that could show her fun side more. Clive said he likes her country pop side. Randy said he was happy to see her have fun. Paula said that it’s going to be tough between the girls tomorrow (implying she thinks Bo is safe). Simon thought it was enough to get her in the finals.

Honestly, I don’t care who wins now. I like all three remaining contestants. I think that Bo was the best tonight. I think that Vonzell was the worst, but that’s not a knock on her because they were all pretty good tonight. This will mark the first time that Carrie will be in the bottom 3. I almost hope that Vonzell wins so that she can be guaranteed a record deal. Bo and Carrie have already earned record deals if they don’t win. But if I had to choose one to be gone, it would probably be Vonzell tomorrow.