AIV recap, Semi-Finalists, Guys x 8 (03/08)

Got back from the program just when AI was finishing, so this hopefully won’t come out too late into the night. One observation about Seacrest is that he looks like a mini-Josh Duhamel, especially in the suit he wore tonight. And I think that Melissa McGhee looks like Molly Shannon.

01 – Gedeon McKinney, When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge)
Gedeon talks slowly and measures his words like Avery Johnson. Over-emphasizing every painstaking syllable. But he wore a pink shirt with a black jacket tonight. Gotta love that Prevacid product placement. I know that we got out of the DTC campaigns, but the subtleness of this advertising is pure genius. To get a 30mg capsule plug on AI, the most watched show on the planet is brilliant. Only the Watsonville people may get this one, but I think that Gedeon looks like Derek Mio. Gedeon did a good job with the song, but I’m really not a fan of his. He’s way too confident and it borders on outright cockiness. Randy thought it was alright and called him the old soul in the competition, which is funny because he’s only 17 and there are a few contestants that are in their late 20s. Paula stated that throwback is his style. Very insightful. At least she wasn’t heavily medicated like she was in the results show last week. Simon called him quite odd, but in a good way. But he also called the performance cabaret and over the top. I think Gedeon’s safe, but he can exit stage right at any time as far as I’m concerned.

02 – Chris Daughtry, some rock song by some rock band/singer
His interesting fact was that he had the Seacrest ‘do going but his hairline started receding, so he vowed if it got to that point, he’d shave his head. And he did. I actually like the cue ball look on him. It adds to his rocker image. Chris was wearing a shirt that looked like it came off the hood of a Firebird. We think his voice reminds us of someone. Maybe a Rock-ish Hootie? Is that possible? Can Hootie’s top 40 voice be done in pure rock? Chris is growing on me. He’s got a very distinct voice, but the problem I have with him is that I never know the songs that he sings. And it’s hard for me to really get into him if I can’t recognize his songs. Randy claimed again (this is getting to be his line) that he’s glad that Chris knows who he is and sings songs that are true to his voice and character. Randy loved it. Rock on. Paula called him an amazing artist and said no matter what happens in this competition, he’ll still be selling out stadiums. I think that’s Paula-speak for, “I think you’re really good, but you won’t win because you’re not as pretty as Ace.” But as Tony Hawk said, “who is?” Simon called Chris’ song choice “indulgent” and the song was boring. Said he needs to be more broad in his song choices and he still needs to entertain. I think that sums up my point about not knowing his songs. I still think Chris should be in the finals and in the last 4 guys, along with Ace, Taylor and Elliott.

03 – Kevin Covais, Vincent (Starry Starry Night) (Don McLean)
I think this is who sang this song. And it’s the American Pie Don McLean, not the former hoopster from UCLA and various NBA teams who actually got busted for using steroids. But if you look at his body, he was using them wrong! Maybe he thought just taking them would make you stronger and didn’t read the fine print that you have to still work out to get stronger. Actually, this song was on one of the Ally McBeal soundtracks. I won’t go on a long tangent on how much I liked this show, but I am anxiously awaiting its release on DVD. At least the first 2 or 3 seasons. My wife will never let me forget that when we first started dating (it was over the phone because I was in Chicago and she was in San Jose), she couldn’t call me when Ally McBeal was on because I’d be distracted or just tell her I’d call her back when the show was over. Looking back, TiVo would’ve solved that. Bygones. Kevin actually reminds me of a young John Cage though. Or he looks like an altar boy. My manager’s husband said that the Chicken Little reference was pretty close, but to be more correct, Kevin looks like Egghead, Jr from the Foghorn Leghorn cartoons. My wife thinks that Kevin has a good voice, but it’s not one that she’d like to hear on the radio and she wouldn’t buy a CD of his. Or buy an iTune of his. Randy called it an interesting, weird song. Paula had nothing but love for him and appreciated his sincere performance. Simon said he’d get the granny vote and the song was very juvenile. Especially when comparing him to the other 16-17 year olds (Lisa, Paris and Gedeon). I think Kevin’s a nice kid, but I think it’s time for him to go. He’s got a better voice than John Stevens and he’s not approaching that status for me yet.

04 – Bucky Covington, Wave on Wave (Pat Green)
I think this is who sang this. Not a country fan and Bucky is totally country. Got to meet his brother, Rocky. My wife said he’d actually make a good looking girl, with those puppy dog eyes. Maybe he should compete with the girls and Kinnik could compete with the guys and we could call it a day. Randy said it was a great song for him and he liked it. Paula called him unpretentious and likes his raw, untapped talent (is that a compliment?). Simon said it wasn’t exceptional. It was OK and that’s not good enough at this point. I think Bucky’s nice, but he can go at anytime now and I’d be good with it.

05 – Will Makar, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) (James Taylor)
It’s so funny because my manager Cindi and I were just talking about how when she hears this song, it always reminds her of the movie American Pie (this was the song that Chris Klein and Mena Suvari sang together at the singing competition). And I had to add that one of my favorite lines in that movie was a very subtle one. But I appreciate it nonetheless. When Chris Klein is just getting to know Mena Suvari when he first joins the choir, he mentions how there are all these stereotypes, like how everyone only thinks he’s this kick ass lacrosse player, but what people don’t realize is that he plays football too. I don’t know why I think that is so funny, but I do. Anyway, back to Will. I really like Will. He’s got a pretty good voice, especially since it doesn’t look like that voice should come out of his mouth (kinda like Clay Aiken). This rendition was okay, but the judges grilled him. Randy was particularly disgusted, saying it really wasn’t good for him and it was a bad karaoke version. Paula totally disagreed because she’s a fan of his (I don’t know if she’s the judge I’d want to have in my corner). Simon called it utterly average. I think Will may be gone tomorrow night. I don’t think he deserves to, but he didn’t wow anyone tonight.

06 – Taylor Hicks, Takin’ It To The Streets (The Doobie Brothers)
I said that Taylor looks like Michael McDonald’s love child and now he goes and sings one of his songs. Taylor wore a tan corduroy, Monday Night Football, Football Hall of Fame-type blazer. Soul Patrol! Taylor’s energy and gyrations up on stage were somewhat distracting, but not really. I just love his emotions and unbridled passion for song. He’s so unaffected by his movements. I think it adds to the performance too. He’s just so likeable, which is what this competition is all about. Randy called it a great song choice and was wondering about the arm wind up move. Paula called it her favorite performance of his and was blown away. Simon laughed and said he single-handedly killed the music video industry and that it was a performance best suited for the radio. But it stood out. You know how you bag on people and say that you’ve got a face for radio? Well, I’m a fan of The Sports Guy (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/simmons/index). He’s a Boston guy who a real funny writer. (That previous sentence is a typo, but when my wife was proofing this for me (she looks for typos and “okays” the content, so that I don’t embarrass her), she asked, “what are you, Chinese?!”) He writes for ESPN.com’s Page 2 now. He’s way into sports, sports betting, gambling, video games, reality TV, etc. Anyway, I heard him on The Jim Rome Show (radio) last year and my first thought was, this guy has a voice for the Internet. Meaning he sounded like Arnold Horshack. I’ve seen what he looks like and how he writes and his voice just didn’t match any of it. It was quite a disconnect for me. Taylor should be safe tomorrow night and will probably be in the final 2 guys. Maybe the final 4 overall. We’ll see. He’s so fun.

07 – Elliott Yamin, Heaven (Bryan Adams)
It was interesting to hear that he’s lost 90% of his hearing in his right ear. It’s amazing that he sings so well. Unfortunately this song tonight was pitchy in parts and a total weak effort. Especially on the heels of last week’s stellar outing. My manager’s husband reminded me of others that Elliott looks like. To quote him (which would only do it justice), “The University of Notre Dame Department of Athletics called and demanded that American Idol return Elliott Yamin immediately so he can resume his duties as the school’s Leprechaun mascot! Of course, this may be impossible due to the suit SNL’s Jim Breuer has filed asking Elliott to cease and desist from trying to bring back his mid-90s character “Goat Boy” baaaaah-ck.” Priceless. Randy called Elliott’s performance hot. Paula called it phenomenal and amazing. Simon called it a cop out. He felt for the first time there was a disconnect to the song and felt that Elliott appeared uncomfortable singing it. I had to agree with Simon. I don’t think Elliott should be doing Bryan Adams songs. Maybe Chris, but Elliott has such a smoother voice than the gravelly Bryan Adams. And by the way, Adams was 9 during the Summer of ’69. I think Elliott is safe tomorrow night and is one of the best 4 guys.

08 – Ace Young, Butterflies (Michael Jackson)
I really didn’t know this song. This was off Jacko’s 2000 album (can we really call them albums anymore?) “Invincible.” My wife thought he sang in falsetto too long at the beginning of the song. Almost fingernails-on-the-blackboard too long. But did anyone really notice? I mean he wore the beanie this time (and it matched his undershirt). He had an ace of spades on his shirt. Still did a good job with the song though. He’s doing the smoldering look into the camera, but it’s not Constantine-annoying yet. Randy praised him for his falsetto. Paula called it better than the original artist. Simon didn’t really like it, but said that Ace made it work. Who are we kidding? He’s breezing into the finals and will probably be in the final 4, if not 2.

The bottom 4 should be Kevin, Will, Bucky and Gedeon. I’m hoping the bottom 2 are Kevin and Bucky, but I have a feeling Will is gone.

Like always, I love to hear your comments back after you watch the show and read the recap…