AI7 recap, Finalists x 8 (04/08)

It’s inspiration week, which I would think would be tough to judge, because how can you criticize what inspires someone? But I’m sure Simon (or Randy) will find a way (and Paula won’t).

01 – Michael Johns, Dream On (Aerosmith)

Michael looked like a crusty old jazz musician tonight (okay actually it was last night, as I’m doing this recap a day late; but bear with me), with his short sleeve tux shirt, vest and bandana/ascot. Is that ascot thing a good look? I’m not digging it at all. Randy said it was a pretty good song choice, but he had pitch problems. And he mentioned something about the competition being about “undiscovered talent” which is laughable given all of the people who previously had record deals in the past and on the current show (namely Carly and Kristy Lee Cook; and David Archuleta to an extent, as he did win Star Search back in 2003). Paula couldn’t disagree more. I honestly think she just disagrees to get the crowd on her side, which is sad. Simon called it a good performance, but said he doesn’t like an impersonation of a rock star. I think Michael will last longer in the competition but can’t match the Davids. He’ll peak at top 4 or 5.

02 – Syesha Mercado, I Believe (Fantasia)

First off, I’ll readily admit that I wasn’t, nor am I currently a fan of Fantasia’s. But she also sang this song very well. Rule 1A of picking songs (after don’t pick a Whitney Houston song) should be don’t pick a song from a previous American Idol. That doomed season 5 contestant Lisa Tucker when she sang a Kelly Clarkson song. Syesha has a better than average voice, but she picks songs that she sings well, but not close to the original. I’m actually really down on her because if she hasn’t learned to pick different songs by now, she gets what she deserves. Randy said she took on another tiger and it was okay, but he didn’t feel like she found a connection with the song. Paula said she flipped the song a little and said it was one of her shining moments (which further validates that Paula is on crack; and what was up with her dress tonight? Her boobs were fighting to get out of there…) Simon said that she (technically) sang the song well, but of course it was going to be compared to the original and he didn’t see the wave of emotion that should be attached to that song. I think Syesha is in trouble tomorrow night. Definitely bottom 3. But I’ll have her stay another week if it means Carly is gone. Because Carly can sing her way back in and Syesha can’t.

03 – Jason Castro, Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Israel Kamakawiwo’ole)

Or Braddah Iz, is he’s also known as. Jason came out with the ukulele tonight, which was cool. Iz paired this song with “What A Wonderful World” and you may also remember it on some American Express commercials. I’m not a huge fan of Jason’s, but this song was right up his alley. He has a great voice for Hawaiian music. Randy said that Jason Castro is back in the hunt (which is a point well taken because he’s had a lapse in recent weeks). Paula said he has a definitive sound. This is important because her word of the night was “definitive.” Simon called it fantastic. Jason should be safe tomorrow night, but I don’t think he’s a contender for winning it all. I think he will top out at top 3 or 4.

04 – Kristy Lee Cook, Anyway (Martina McBride)

Have I mentioned that Kristy is a tall drink of water? Loved the sparkly gold top and white pants that she had on tonight. Didn’t really know the song, but I think it was passable, although I’m usually listening with my eyes more than my ears when she sings. Randy said he loved it, although it was pitchy in parts. Randy was very anti tonight. Paula said she outdid herself and it was her best by far. Simon called it very good indeed and she looked like a star tonight (which could be the Kiss of Death from Simon). Sometimes when he’s complimentary, it works against the contestant. She has been in the bottom 3 for 3 of the 4 weeks so far. It won’t surprise me if she’s there again tomorrow night, but based on this performance, I don’t think it’s her time to go yet, but it will be soon.

05 – David Cook, Innocent (Our Lady Peace)

David came out with this funky white jacket with all these buttons on it. I didn’t know the song, but he ended it with “give back” on the palm of his hand. I really thought this performance was very (to take a term from Simon) indulgent and I felt like David was full of himself tonight. He’d been playing it so cool up to now. Great song choices and positive reactions, but tonight I think he got a little big headed and tried to take some liberties. I thought it was rehearsed and didn’t work. Randy said it wasn’t one of his strongest weeks. Paula branched off and said that he was so well defined (which counts as a definitive in my book) as the whole package. Simon said he didn’t like it and called it a teensy weensy bit pompous. I couldn’t agree more. But David will be safe tomorrow. He’s earned this offweek. I still think it’s between him and David Archuleta for the title.

06 – Carly Smithson, The Show Must Go On (Queen)

What was Carly wearing tonight? A jazzercise top from the ‘80s? I thought she was going to sing “Physical” by Olivia Newton-John. Either that or I thought she might have been wrestler in GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies Of Wresting) that debuted in the ‘80s. Randy said it started good but was pitchy in the middle. Paula said her voice is perfect but she wasn’t engaged by her tonight. Simon said she looked good, but that it was an unusual choice of song. She oversang it and lost control of it. And that it was out of kilter for the evening. He even called it an angry performance. If you hadn’t noticed, (to put it lightly) I’m not a huge fan of Carly’s. I think she could be in the bottom 3 tomorrow. And if she is, I hope she’s gone. Because she does have an amazing voice and she can sing her way back into the competition. And I think it would be fabulous for a singer who had a $2 million push by MCA and only sold 378 records to finish 8^th in a competition of supposed “undiscovered talent.” That 378 records is on par with Ron Artest’s rap album. And way below Kevin Federline’s effort. Think about that for a moment.

07 – David Archuleta, Angels (Robbie Williams)

My only (slight) complaint about David is that he’s always talking about the “message” the song gives that he’s singing. And I think that may come from his “stage dad.” But I still love David Archuleta. Randy said that the runs at the end was the hottest moment of the season for him. Paula reacted to the crowd and called it fantastic. Simon said it was the best song choice of the night and he’s glad he did the song because it’s one of the best pop songs ever written. I guess it’s been a hit everywhere but the U.S. Although Jessica Simpson did cover it in 2004. Again, maybe that’s why it hasn’t been a hit in the U.S. This kid is so likeable I don’t see him being in the bottom 3 ever. Ideally he’ll win it all, but that hasn’t always happened on AI.

08 – Brooke White, You’ve Got A Friend (Carole King)

I really didn’t know this song. I kept thinking that it was going to sound like the Randy Newman song in “Toy Story” which, as I found out later, was “You’ve Got A Friend In Me.” So I’m trying to follow this song and it’s nothing like I remember from “Toy Story,” mostly because it’s not the same song! Maybe I don’t get fashion, but I thought Brooke’s dress looked like some bad bathroom wallpaper from the ‘70s. And Brooke gave her “thank you” that annoys me so much at the end of her song. I always chuckle when I hear that. Randy said it wasn’t her best, but he wasn’t mad at her. Paula finished strong by calling her definitive. Simon said it was pleasant, but not original. And Brooke was holding back tears up on the stage. I think the songs that she sings really touch her and she’s so emotional up there most of the time, which is cool, I guess. She should be fine tomorrow night, but who knows.

Bottom 3 – Syesha, Carly, Michael

Top 2 – David A. and Jason

And now, what some of you have been waiting for, my long awaited Dancing With The Stars recap. This won’t be a full-blown recap, but rather bullet points as observations.

• Kristi Yamaguchi is an amazing dancer, which is equally amazing because she isn’t very outgoing or overly expressive in her interviews. She’s technically a superb dancer and her figure skating background has come in handy (especially with hand placement, etc).
• Her partner, Mark Ballas, reminds me of the kid in “American Pie” (Thomas Ian Nicholas). He was also in “Rookie of the Year” (Pitcher’s got a big butt. Pitcher’s got a big butt…)
• Jason Taylor continues to amaze me. Although he had a couple of obvious gaffes in his Viennese waltz and still got two 10s from Bruno and Carrie Ann. I think they just did that so that it wouldn’t look like Kristi was running away with it (which she is; she’s gotten 27s three weeks in a row and had a 29 this week).
• Julianne Hough is an amazing choreographer. She won the last 2 seasons with Apolo Anton Ohno and Helio Castroneves but got paired with Adam Carolla this season. And although he can’t dance a lick, they survived 3 weeks before ultimately bowing out this week. And she’s only 19. And cute as a button. I’ll miss her on the show.
• Her brother Derek and partner Shannon Elizabeth have great chemistry. I think something may be going on there. He was paired with Jenny Garth last season and there definitely was nothing going on there! He looked so young that they kept making it a big deal that she couldn’t look at him and take him seriously!
• Priscilla Presley looks kinda scary with all of the facelifts that she’s had. You can’t tell if she’s smiling or not. And I think she may have aged gracefully had she let it happen naturally. But I could be wrong.
• Steve Guttenberg was almost too nice and happy to be on the show. But I loved him in all the “Police Academy” movies and “Cocoon,” not to mention the “Three Men and a Baby” movies.
• Marlee Matlin is still in. It’s unheard of (pun intended).
• R&B star Mario (I’m ashamed to admit this, but I know him from his role as Myles in “Step Up”) is okay, but he reminds me of Floyd Merriweather, but a better dancer. And Karina had both of them. I think Mario’s into her a bit too. Don’t know if she’s still dating Mario Lopez or not.

That’s if for now, but I’ll mention something about DWTS every week from now on.