AIIX recap, Finalists x 9A (04/13/10)

So they saved Big Mike last week. Shocking. I can’t believe that they used the save so early on. What if Crystal or Lee or Siobhan or Casey get booted in the next few weeks? I’m just not a fan of Michael’s. And what was up with all the instrumental accompaniments last week? A didgeridoo? Huh? I guess Ellen was able to get away with playing it on her show because she’s so manly… It really would be funny if Seacrest wore one of her outfits for one of the shows. But then that would be funny and that would go against all that is Seacrest.

So now instead of a Finalists x 8, you get a Finalists x 9A. And a double (ohhh) elimination tomorrow. Elvis Presley night tonight as the contestants go to Vegas and on the set of “Viva Elvis,” a Cirque du Soleil show at the ARIA hotel. Adam Lambert was the mentor this week, making him the first former contestant to be a mentor.

01 – Crystal Bowersox, Saved
She asked Adam if she should go with the acoustic or electric guitar and he recommended the electric. Crystal had a good time with this tonight, although she looked like a misguided girl scout, with a brown leather vest, floral print pants and a guitar strap that looked like a badge sash. And missing teeth and dreds. I was bummed that she went first tonight, as the first performance almost always gets lost in the shuffle at the end of the night. Randy liked her energy and called it dope (was he in “Bell Biv Devoe” too because I think they were the last people to utter that word). Ellen thought it was fantastic. Kara called it another solid performance and liked that it was up tempo. Simon liked that it didn’t fall into the karaoke trap that the Elvis theme will bring. Crystal is the only singer (and maybe Siobhan, although she’s been in a little rut lately) that I look forward to every week. I’d be shocked if she didn’t win this thing, but I’ve been wrong before. She’s safe tomorrow.

02 – Andrew Garcia, Hound Dog
Adam’s advice was that it was too boring and to make it more up tempo. Andrew came out with no guitar and also with no advice taken to heart. He didn’t change it up and kept it boring and dreary throughout. He sang behind the judges again this week, which really annoys me. The stage isn’t big enough to sing on it? You have to go into the crowd or behind the judges? Maybe he just didn’t want to sing and look at the disinterested faces of the judges. Randy called it not good karaoke. Ellen thought he pulled it off (pulled what off?). Kara didn’t think he owned it and used the mike as his crutch. Simon called it lazy and thought his coolness has been sucked out of him. What can I say? Andrew’s been horrible and the only reason he’s still around is because he has such a huge Internet/You Tube/Facebook following. The problem is that there are so many others that aren’t good either that he slides through every week. Andrew deserves to be gone tomorrow.

03 – Tim Urban, Can’t Help Falling In Love
Boy has this song been covered a lot. My two favorite versions are Corey Hart’s (from 1987) and Like the Tins (a folk version, on the “Some Kind of Wonderful” soundtrack; which is funny because I said Turban looks like Eric Stoltz from this same movie). Before the song, Seacrest was in the audience with his mom, who looked strangely like Cindy McCain and had a First Lady-like outfit on to boot. We let our kids stay up tonight since they don’t have school tomorrow and my wife Kristin was out at Bunko. Jared said that Tim looks like Luke Skywalker. Tim did his song with a guitar on a stool behind the judges table. Another singer behind the judges. I really wonder if the contestants conspire and do things together (like all the musical accompaniments and singing behind the judges)? I dozed off during this song (kidding). But it was a bit dreary. Tim reminds me of Jason Castro, minus the talent. Randy actually liked it. Ellen compared Tim to taking shots of tequila. Kara called it her favorite Tim performance ever (which cleverly wasn’t saying much). Simon said he went from zero to hero in 2 weeks. I actually don’t think Tim is getting better, he’s just not as bad as he’s been. As “good” as he was tonight, he still should be in the bottom tomorrow, if not one of the two gone.

04 – Lee DeWyze, A Little Less Conversation
Adam’s advice was to smile more and connect with the audience, as he’s not in the studio; he needs to perform. I’ve really come to like Lee over the course of the show. His voice is awesome. And he chose to sing on a stool, but in front of the judges (style points in my book). Real good performance tonight. I think he’s becoming a bit more comfortable in front of the audience and the judges. Randy said he’s definitely in the zone. Ellen said he made the song current. Kara said she’s never seen him go for it vocally like he did tonight. Simon called him on the money. Lee should be safe tomorrow. I like him to go to the final four, if not farther.

05 – Aaron Kelly, Blue Suede Shoes
I really like Aaron (and my daughter Kacey likes him too), but I just didn’t get it tonight. He has a great voice and nice control (especially in the second part of the song), but there was a disconnect for me. It wasn’t authentic or believable for me. Randy said the half time fit his voice better. Ellen didn’t think he got all the way there. Kara said it was out of his comfort zone and she liked it. Simon thought it was karaoke and out of a high school concert. I agree with Simon. Still, I don’t think it’s Aaron’s time to go yet.

06 – Siobhan Magnus, Suspicious Minds
Siobhan’s outfit was incredible tonight. She had a Sheena Easton hairdo, but reminded me of a female version of Jon Cryer’s character “Duckie” in “Pretty in Pink.” Her white outfit looked a little like the outfit that got red wine spilled on it in “Can’t Buy Me Love.” Her white outfit also had lightning bolts on it, which made me think of the “Greased Lightning” dream sequence in “Grease” too. Just odd, but that’s Siobhan. Randy liked the Supremes-ish intro, but though it came alive in the second part. Ellen also liked the second part better. Kara was getting confused with the 2 voices of Siobhan. Simon thought the first part was terrible and that she was very erratic. I actually liked the first part, but didn’t like what she did in the second half (slowing it down). Made it different, but I thought it lacked continuity. Regardless, I still like Siobhan but I think she’s lost some of her mojo the last few weeks. She should be safe tomorrow.

07 – Michael Lynche, In The Ghetto
How about the shot at Brian Dunkleman that Seacrest took? He was announcing that next week will be Idol Gives Back and that it would be shot at 2 different locations and Dunkleman would be at the Pasadena site. Psyche. Big Mike (lucky to be back) chose this song at Siobhan’s suggestion. Didn’t know it was pronounced “get-toe.” Randy thought it was hot. Ellen was glad they saved him. Kara said he sang it well. Simon said it was a million times better than last week. I’m guessing Michael will be safe tomorrow, but he could go at any time now.

08 – Katie Stevens, Baby What You Want Me To Do
Katie had so much bling going on that I thought she raided a Claire’s. I thought she did okay, but she really bugs me. She’s another case of her not being all that great, but she’s not as bad as some of the others. I think top 5 is her ceiling and she should probably go before that. Randy liked her getting all sassy. Ellen said it was a very horny song (she had 5 horn players up on stage with her). Kara snapped her fingers and said she showed us judges. Simon called it loud and annoying. Ditto. Have you seen that Bud Light commercial where the guy is fawning over the new Bud Light cans and his girlfriend asks him what he likes about her and he can’t come up with anything (other than he likes all of her teeth). Then he asks her the same thing and she says he’s her soulmate and he says “ditto.” Well, this ditto was different than that one, but it’s just such a funny commercial. I think Katie might be in trouble tomorrow.

09 – Casey James, Lawdy Miss Clawdy
Didn’t really know this song. Thought Casey did well with it. He’s safe for the next few weeks, guaranteed. Randy didn’t think he saw anything different, but it was a solid performance. Ellen noted how comfortable he was in the sea of women (he performed the song stage right surrounded by the crowd). Kara thought it fell short of brilliance. Simon thought it was a wasted opportunity on a forgettable song. I was tired by the time this song came along (the perils of going first and last!). I know Casey will be safe tomorrow.

Bottom 3: Andrew, Tim, Katie

Two off: Andrew, Tim