AIX Recap, Finalists x 8 (04/13/11)

I’m back. Sorry for the hiatus. Just wanted to comment on the last few weeks (and Pia’s “early” exit). I’m not really a huge fan of Casey’s, but how do you think the judges feel now that they used their save on him? And didn’t have it available for Pia? Pia being eliminated so early may actually be beneficial for her career though. She’ll be a sympathetic figure and people may gravitate to her more now because of that. You don’t have to “win” to be a winner in this silly competition. The only thing you’re guaranteed of if you win is that you do get a contract, but you’re also obliged to come back every year too! If you’re good, you’ll get a contract. And you’ve built a fan base because of your exposure on the show.

Going back to last week’s elimination show. Iggy Pop. Really? Put a shirt on please.

And this isn’t really a singing competition because if it was, Pia and Thia would still be in it.

On to this week. Movie song week. And Jennifer Lopez was named Most Beautiful Woman in the World by People. And she’s married to Marc Anthony, who looks like a Latino Steve Buschemi. Nice.

01 – Paul, Old Time Rock n Roll (Bob Seeger; from Risky Business)
Please, no Paul in tidy whities… Risky Business was such an ‘80s movie. How did my parents let me watch that movie? Anyway, Paul comes out in his Mariachi suit again. This time in black instead of white. He looks like he should be in the Three Amigos. Did anyone else notice how awkward it was for him to have the tambourine in one hand and the mike in the other? He was left banging it against his body. He actually was clapping the mike earlier in the song and I thought that was distracting too. Didn’t he do this song in the dress rehearsal? I thought this was horrible, but then again, I’ve never liked anything Paul’s done, so what do I know? The judges (predictably) praised him. It’s like they can’t say anything bad now that Simon’s gone. I think they can be critical without being dream shattering. There’s a grey area that they can reside in that isn’t black or white (you’re horrible or you’re great).

02 – Lauren, The Climb (Miley Cyrus; from The Hannah Montana Movie)
First off, I have to admit that I saw this movie. My 5 year old daughter loves Hannah Montana so we saw it as a family. And we watch(ed) the show. I’m not a huge fan, but I don’t mind it. And the movie wasn’t half bad. Totally predictable, but somewhat entertaining. It was interesting in the rehearsal session that Jimmy & will.i.am told Lauren she needs to “steal Pia’s votes.” I guess that’s true, but it’s hard to have her strategize like that. Seems real cold and having that on camera may not do Lauren any favors with the voters. Jimmy said Lauren has a much, much better voice than Miley, which is probably true. I’d love to see how Miley (as an unknown) would’ve done in this competition. It’s amazing what connections can do for you. Heck, Willow Smith has 2 songs out and she’s awful. Lauren had to change up the song a bit (she made it faster at the end), but I’d have liked to have her sing it exactly like Miley did to show how much better she is than Miley. JLo loves the “tear” in her voice. Randy thought the Lauren from the Nashville auditions is coming back. Steven reminded her that she was the first one they thought could win from the auditions. I don’t think Lauren will make it all the way, but she still has a few weeks to go before it’s her time.

03 – Stefano, End of the Road (Boyz II Men; from Boomerang)
This song title is ironic, as Stefano’s got to hope it isn’t the End of the Road for him. I loved the movie Boomerang. It was Halle Berry’s breakout role. Great soundtrack too. Babyface, Shanice, Toni Braxton, P.M. Dawn, Johnny Gill. I really like Stefano’s voice, but he still doesn’t connect with the audience or camera. He reminds me a little of Joe Cocker with some of his mannerisms. He’s better to hear, than to see and hear. Randy wore his Motownphilly outfit tonight and said he slayed the song. JLo liked that he stopped singing not to lose, but rather to win. He still may be in the bottom 3 tomorrow, but if he goes out, it’ll be on a high note.

04 – Scotty, Cross My Heart (George Strait; from Pure Country)
Scotty singing country. Wake me when it’s over. My wife Kristin and my kids all love Scotty. I’m just not into him. Maybe I’d like him if I didn’t have to watch him. I hate the way he cocks his head to the side and dangles the mic at a 45 degree angle. It bothers me that he looks like Alfred E. Newman. The Idol Chatter guy thought this was his worst performance to date. But he’ll be fine. I don’t think he’ll win, but he’ll probably go to the top 3 or 4 just on popularity. I can’t wait to hear him sing 2 songs a night… not.

05 – Casey, Nature Boy (Nat King Cole; from Moulin Rouge)
Casey’s other choice was “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins, which Jimmy strongly urged him to do. But Casey wanted to do this one and I think it worked. But the judges were so overly positive, I couldn’t figure out what was good and not good. And it’s got to be confusing for the contestants too, because all they’re getting is smoke blown up their behinds. Casey’s so out there to me that I don’t know what is good or not with him. I did think that his effort 2 weeks ago (right after he was saved) was pretty good, but only because he played it straight. He seems like a nice guy, but he can go at any time now.

06 – Haley, Call Me (Blondie; from American Gigolo)
I thought this was horrible. I appreciated the stained glass mini that she wore and the purple knee high boots, but overall I thought this was bad karaoke. And I didn’t think her voice matched the song. Obviously she pales in comparison to Debbie Harry (was her rap in “Rapture” the first mainstream rap in a song?). I’d call for Haley’s departure, but if she goes, it will only leave 1 girl (Lauren). I’d have to say Haley’s probably safe tomorrow. Haley did get some criticism from the judges, which probably meant she was really bad. Bottom 3 tomorrow, but I don’t think she’ll go. Just a gut feeling.

07 – Jacob, Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel; from The Pursuit of Happyness)
Funny, I didn’t associate this song with this movie. Great movie. Very touching. Will Smith is an amazing actor. And his son (Jaden) isn’t so bad himself. Jacob reminded me a bit of Avery Johnson in that he over-pronounced some of the words in the song. I thought it was okay, but not earth shattering. Randy liked how he let the song marinate, then blew it out in the end (Randy uses that analogy a lot). I think Jacob’s safe tomorrow.

08 – James, Heavy Metal (Sammy Hagar; from Heavy Metal)
Sammy Hagar was just on the Jim Rome Show plugging a “tell all” book that he just released. He sells it as a no-holds barred account of the life of a rock star. Very salacious, I think. I saw Sammy Hagar at the Sundance Film Festival back in ’99-ish when I was at a work event with my wife Kristin and TAP. I wasn’t a part of TAP back then, but accompanied her on the trip. VH1 had a party and we got in. I remember seeing him. I wish I’d have taken a pic so that I could post it on Facebook now… lol. Jimmy did not want James to do this song, but James stood up for his choice. It’s interesting when they show the kids disagree with Jimmy. I wonder how he takes that. But in Jimmy’s defense, he’s hearing James’ take in a rehearsal, studio setting and not how it went down tonight with Zakk Wylde playing guitar. James’s production value every single week is head and shoulders above everyone else. He is such a performer. I don’t even like heavy metal, but I liked James’s performance tonight. If he doesn’t win or at least make it to the finale, I think America is not getting it right. James should be safe tomorrow night.

So top 3 – James, Stefano, Lauren

Bottom 3 – Haley, Paul, Scotty

Off tomorrow - Paul