Jason Castro— safe David Archuleta— safe David Cook— safe Syesha Mercado— safe Brooke White— going home

A reliable spoiler at Idol Forums spilled the beans. At last, a theme broad enough that allows the contestants a little breathing room to choose a song that really reflects who they are as artists.  Even though it’s a rock theme, there really is room to stretch the boundaries  beyond rock n’ roll. The songs will supposedly come from this list of songs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Just about every genre of music can be thrown into the R n’ R pot.  This could be a very good week for the remaining Top 4.   Just about anything would be better than this week’s speed-wreck. Also, Natasha Bedingfield will be the musical guest for tonight’s results show.  Have they given up on featuring past Idols?  Maybe the producers are hoping that a known star will boost their sagging ratings…

On the Scene: The Paula Abdul ‘Idol’ gaffe heard ‘cross the nation “Oh gosh—we’ve never had to write these things down, uh, fast enough,” she said. “Jason, the first song, I loved hearing your lower register, which we never really hear.” So far so good. “Um, the second song, I felt like your usual charm, it was missing for me. It kind of left me a little empty.” Huh? The audience began tittering with confusion, and Nigel and Debbie both began quietly freaking out. Paula continued, unaware. “The two songs made me feel like you’re not fighting hard enough to get into the top four.” By this point, several audience members were openly cracking up, Debbie had to stop herself from stepping on camera to end the madness, and Nigel was frantically gesturing a single finger to anyone who could see him: ONE SONG! THEY’VE ONLY SUNG ONE SONG! “So, David Cook,” Paula continued, until Randy saved the day: “Oh, they’ve just done the first song though, just the first one.” The tension was finally broken with this apology (of sorts) from Paula: “I thought you—Oh my god, I thought you sang twice!…You know what, this is hard! You know what, I’m looking at, it’s your notes, David [Cook]. You were fantastic.” As Simon swooped in for his chance to scold the Idols, Nigel stepped off stage to, I’m assuming, get the on-site EMTs to give him some oxygen. At the ad break, the judges were all whisked out of the studio, Syesha Mercado, David Cook, David Archuleta and Brooke White left waving to the audience, and Jason Castro was left on a stool, stage center, contemplating what, exactly, had just happened. Entertainment Weekly Neil Diamond in the Rough I never thought I would have occasion to feel sorry for Neil Diamond, but “American Idol” always seems to introduce me to new and uninvited emotions. Tuesday’s show, devoted to the songbook of the estimable Tin Pan Alley rocker, did him a great injustice - and it didn’t do much for the tremulous Top Five Idols, either. Maybe they’re still processing the slaying of Carly last week, or perhaps they’d gotten into whatever made Paula render judgment on Jason Castro’s second song before he sang it - but with one exception, all five contenders seemed a little, well, glazed. LA Times More Idol Headlines After the Jump… Read more »

Wow, that was possibly the weirdest night of American Idol I’ve ever watched. The conspiracy theorists who insist the show is rigged must have LOVED tonight! So, it was Neil Diamond night, which doesn’t sound like a wild evening, but little did we know… The performers were singing two songs each tonight, and originally it was announced that both songs would be judged after the second songs were performed, although a change in plans later led to madness. Madness, I tell you! Jason Castro was up first and sixth, singing “Forever in Blue Jeans” and “September Morn”. I thought his voice sounded great on the first song and that it was a great song. The lyrics and the vocals suited him. The second song was not his most interesting. His voice sounded good, but it was a boring performance. Randy didn’t like either song and then repeated a phrase that I often hear of American Idol— this is the search for America’s best vocalist. Really?? No, it isn’t. It’s a search for a musical package (leaning heavily on a pop image). If it’s the search for America’s best vocalist, how did Amanda Overmeyer ever make it to the top 24? Why are all the opera people cut early on? Because it’s not about who’s the best vocalist. During Paula’s initial critique of Jason is when things went crazy. If you didn’t see it, it’s below: Yes, that’s right! Paula critiqued a performance we hadn’t yet seen!! She tried to play this off as having read David Cook’s critique (but there’s no way it was). But let’s face it. What does this say? To me it says that the judges know ahead of time what they’re going to say. How do they know? There are a couple of possibilities. One, the responses are scripted. The judges don’t come up with anything they’re going to say. Two, the judges pre-write their responses based on the rehearsals that they see earlier. Three, knowing Paula’s love of rambling and knowing it was a short show, Paula was handed a script for tonight. (I’d love to hear other theories, as well.) So, on to the rest of the judges’ critiques of Jason… Simon said he struggled in both songs. He pulled out his favorite word forgettable to refer to Jason. David Cook sang “I’m Alive” and “All I Really Need Is You”. I’m pretty sure the first song was for David’s brother Adam, who is struggling with cancer and was able to attend a show a couple of weeks ago (the night David was so choked up). So, the “AC”on his jacket tonight was for his brother, as well. The second song was good, calmer than usual for David and not my favorite performance of his but still good. Randy said he rocked the house. Simon said the first song was okay but the second song was brilliant. Brook White sang “I’m a Believer” and “I Am, I Said”. The first song was dreadful. Really. Dreadful. I almost couldn’t listen to the whole performance, but I just kept thinking “it’s got to get better, right?” No, not really. The song was too low for her, and she just could not have picked a worse song if she tried. The second song was much better than the first. In fact, it was quite good. Much better suited for her. Randy said she did a nice job, saying the first song was better than her performance last week— are you high? Simon said the first song was a nightmare (it was), and the second song was a million times better (it was). David Archuleta sang “Sweet Caroline” and “America” (I was wrong on the “Heartlight” prediction— rats!) I’m just really tired of watching David Archuleta perform the same grinning, cheesey, overly sincere performance each and every week. All the songs are starting to blend together, which is never more apparent than when he has to sing two songs in one week. My opinion aside, he’ll probably be around until the finale. People who love him really love him— I just don’t happen to be one of them. Randy, as usual, raved about David Archuleta (or at least whoever writes his reviews did). Simon said the first song was amateurish but praised the second song choice as very smart (not unlike Kristy Lee Cook’s “God Bless the USA”). Up last tonight was Syesha Mercado. Syesha sang “Hello Again” and “Thank the Lord for the Nighttime”. I thought Syesha performed miles better than usual. The first song was quite pretty, although it wasn’t terribly interesting. The second song actually had quite a bit of personality. Randy said she’s finally realized who she is as a singer— I think that’s partially right. Simon said she is a good singer/actress (I agree) but that she may be in trouble tonight. When asked why, he said because there are only five left. He’s right. Someone has to go home tomorrow night, and it won’t necessarily be the worst vocalist. So, here’s my order for tonight, although it was difficult. 1. David Cook (this one wasn’t hard for me to figure out). 2. Syesha Mercado (at least she was consistent tonight) 3. David Archuleta (also consistent, even if I don’t like the consistency) 4. Jason Castro (I guess I thought his second performance wasn’t as bad as Brooke’s first performance) 5. Brooke White (That first song was horrific) I could make an argument for pretty much any arrangement possible for places two through four. What’s your order?

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