(S06E17) As I watched the boys sing tonight, one word kept coming to my mind: BORING. The song choices were odd. The vocals were uninspired. The performances were stiff. Where's the charisma? Where's the stage presence? Where's the much-talked about "It Factor?" At this stage of competition, a couple of the guys should be clearly pulling ahead and wowing us with their stand-out performances. But even tonight's best performers were clearly lacking "Star Quality."
Simon didn't hide his disappointment. And even Paula, who always finds the silver lining, gave a lot of NEGATIVE REVIEWS tonight. You know things are bleak when even Paula can't find something nice to say.
In summing up, Randy and Paula agreed that only four guys SHOULD advance to the Top 12. Simon snarked he'd only advance 3.5 guys to the finals (I'm wondering if half of Sundance still counts as a whole). Overall, one thing became clear tonight -- none of these guys is going to be the next American Idol. And frankly I'd be surprised if any of them make it to the Top 4.
The good news is that tonight's show only lasted ONE hour. That means we got a streamlined Idol show. It was mostly filled by performances, sparing us from too much meaningless Seacrest-banter and other time-fillers.
BLAKE sings "All Mixed Up" by 311 (his favorite band). Randy didn't recognize the song, but loved the way Blake mixed reggae and hip-hop. Paula says he kept her "interest" even though she didn't know the song either. Simon didn't understand a word, but still thinks Blake is an individual, keeping "it current." I am glad someone isn't doing the same old corny ballads or golden oldies we usually hear on Idol, but I wasn't wowed. I really didn't care for it.
SANJAYA, with brand-new straightened "Paula hair" (as Simon calls it), sings John Mayer's "Waiting on the World to Change." Randy says Sanjaya hasn't been as good since they first saw him. Paula doesn't completely agree with Randy, and gives Sanj a pep talk about raising his game, and trying harder. Simon says it wasn't as ghastly as last week (although I personally beg to differ and think John Mayer might too). He also says it "wasn't a very good vocal" and wonders if Sanjaya's hair is what's keeping him in the competition.
SUNDANCE sings "Jeremy." Randy thinks there were problems, but likes that Sundance put a Southern Rock stamp on Pearl Jam. Paula thinks he got into his "Sundance groove" midway through and "pulled it off." Simon didn't like him as much as last week and says Sundance shouted the entire song, sounding like a "generic bar singer." I just thought it was very stiff.
CHRIS R begins his song sitting on a stool which isn't a good sign. Whenever they sit on the stool, we're in for a boring ballad. He sings "Tonight I Wanna Cry" (which sums up my mood watching the show). Randy likes that Chris took a chance and sang a Keith Urban song, showing that he's "in it to win it." Paula thinks Chris picked a good song and liked his intonation. Simon thinks it's "good ... and cutesy, but a bit nasally ... a bit timid and safe ... but you sold it." I personally didn't "buy it."
JARED sings Stevie Wonder's "If You Really Love Me" and it starts off fast and upbeat ... slows down ... then gets fast again. Overall, it's as colorless and drab as the argyle sweater he's wearing. Randy calls it a "solid performance." Paula actually gives a BAD REVIEW. She thinks Jared needs to "color up the way he sings." She doesn't make complete sense but Simon says he "knows amazingly what Paula is trying to say, because it wasn't very original." Simon is overall disappointed that he isn't hearing "Wow Factor" tonight. I'm disappointed with you Simon, because all I'm hearing is the "Bow Wow Factor."
BRANDON sings "I Just Want to Celebrate." Randy loves the song, thinks it's a good choice, but says Brandon messed up the timing at the end. Still he calls it "solid." Paula calls it "pretty phenomenal." Simon, like me, is disappointed. Simon apparently has high hopes for Brandon, but doesn't think he chose a memorable song this week. And for this reason, Simon says he's nervous for Brandon. I think Brandon looks great on stage and should star in a Gap commercial, but I'm still underwhelmed by his weekly performances.
PHIL begins to sing Lee Ann Rimes "I Need You" and, as usual, has a tough time STARTING the song -- so much so that it takes me two minutes to recognize what the heck he's singing. Yes, he does some nice stuff at the end, finally finding his comfort zone, but the rest of the song is a mess. Randy thinks it's "an interesting song choice" but doesn't like Brandon's low register. Paula agrees that Phil has a problem with his low register, but thinks his big notes are "beautiful." She calls it an odd song choice, and doesn't think it was his best performance. Simon didn't get it at all. He hated the hat and even Phil's eyes (which Randy points out, Phil can't really change). Simon says, "it was all just insane at the beginning" and a "strange choice of song." And he doesn't think it's good enough at this point in the competition.
CHRIS S sings "Wanna Be Loved." Randy gives Chris the "vocal prize of the night." Paula says it wasn't her favorite performance of his, and tells him to stretch "vocally" and take some risks. In fact, she liked last week's performance better. Simon liked the beginning of the song, but thought Chris shouted in the middle. And although Simon didn't like the song choice, he thinks Chris has potential, and has shown enough so far to advance to the Top 12. Chris apologizes to the judges for "not bringing it." Wow, where did the funny, cocky Chris Sligh go?
Also on tonight's show, the contestants revealed somewhat unrevealing secrets:
- Blake likes improv, character acting and Halloween.
- Sanjaya can hula.
- Sundance is thin in real life (it's a joke, ha ha).
- Chris R played football in college and was chunkier.
- Jared played Division II college basketball.
- Brandon is a classically-trained piano player.
- Phil used to have hair -- long hair.
- Chris Sligh had short hair (jokes about looking bald like Phil Stacey).
Oh yeah, and Randy Jackson is producing Travis Tritt's next album. We know that because Travis was in the audience and talked about it with Ryan.
So who stays and who goes? I think JARED and PHIL may be going home. What do you think?
Go over to AOL, to Rank the Guys.
Tomorrow: Top 8 Girls
Thursday: Carrie Underwood performs and there will be a big announcement (please let it be that FIVE guys are being sent home).
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Have any questions for Vik Sahay of Chuck? Ask them here!
Mike Henry and Daryl Hall on a Cleveland Show Thanksgiving
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
3-06-2007 @ 11:06PM
Dwayne Conyers said...
Ted Mack and the original amateur hour is prolly due some royalties... but bottom line, can any act top the brilliance of William "She Bang" Hung?
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3-06-2007 @ 11:15PM
Jackie said...
I think Sanjaya SHOULD go home, but won't. I had some fun with photo-editing a shot of him on my blog. I think Chris, Chris, and Blake should make the cut. The rest are up in the air and I'm a bit ambivalent about the guys on the whole.
Now, the women... there's a competition.
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3-06-2007 @ 11:29PM
David said...
During Chris R I think singing my TV was cracking like something was wrong with the microphone. Did anyone else have this issue?
And the songs were very boring and blah, in Chris and Blake who I love came off as odd.
And when Sanjaya said he had a secret I was so thinknig he was gonig to come out, that would have been great. Instead he "danced". Sanjaya can't sing nor dance and still will make it next week.
Jared will go home this week.
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3-06-2007 @ 11:38PM
Bilan said...
I just dont know what happened this year. American Idol used to hold all this potential ESPECIALLY by this point in the game. Unfortunately, this the weakest string of performers ever.
Since Ive actually only seen S1 through and through I have to ask about the top 12 decision. How many seasons have they been doing 6 and 6? Its a real shame and I think the majority of us believe that in all fairness not six of the guys belong in the top 12.
For me its still The Chris', Blake and I dont even know.. pick someone random besides Sanjaya and Brandon.
I cant take much more of Sanjaya completely discombobulating a song by one of my favorite artists. And like Simon Im thoroughly disappointed with Brandon. I however, NEVER saw much potential from him and have yet to hear a powerful performance from him.
I say lets just fast forward to the top 5 and see the ladies duke it out!
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3-06-2007 @ 11:56PM
Stan Lehman said...
http://dontgetmestarted-lindasharp.typepad.com/
I followed the link last week and laughed my *** off! Give it a try - the recaps are great.
And to the nasty posters here? If you don't like it, the answer is simple, don't click the link.
Enjoy!
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3-07-2007 @ 12:18AM
Ralph said...
I think the problem with the Linda Sharp shilling is that it is so obviously an advertisement. It lacks any authenticity.
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3-07-2007 @ 12:25AM
davidm617 said...
These guys tonight were good...for a cruise ship. But for the world stage, they sucked. Performances, song choices, presence took a dive. No one stood out.
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3-07-2007 @ 1:09AM
user1 said...
Sanjaya played the Hawaii card tonight, so he's not going home until the bitter end, a la Jasmine Trias. Ugh.
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3-07-2007 @ 6:19AM
KC said...
I can't comprehend how these 8 men are even in this competition. It doesn't say much for the rest of the male vocal talent in North America. User1 mentioned Jasmine Trias, and I feel like each week while watching the men, all of them are Jasmine's and I keep hoping it is their week to head home. Most of the women are great and exciting to watch. The men don't even come close.
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3-07-2007 @ 7:01AM
Jim said...
Dear God, last night's show sucked. Send them all home and let the women duke it out.
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3-07-2007 @ 7:03AM
Jim said...
P.ETH. How thuccethful a thinger can you be with a Chrith Thligh/Chicken Little lithp?
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3-07-2007 @ 8:00AM
florida girl said...
Blake could very well be the next American Idol. All the old farts who watch the show probably wont like him but the young ones most def will. He has the look..the dress...the voice..the personality. He brings something new to the show and music itself. Whether he wins or not... he WILL have a top 40 hit and sell millions of records.
Chris Richardson is a close second place.
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3-07-2007 @ 8:13AM
Karen said...
Chris Curly Hairy had the best vocals.
Jared was on target and grabbed the audience with such charisma and energy! Everyone else just didnt' have it.
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3-07-2007 @ 8:17AM
GrumpyOldMan said...
Why the h*%$ did the first guy, (blake?), have an echo added to his vocals....makes you wonder how they decide who gets special processing added to their vocals.?????
The fix is in....they want a "hip" idol this time!!!
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3-07-2007 @ 8:34AM
Jenny said...
Its probably gonna be Melinda or Lakisha duking it out in the end but Blake and Chris S wont be left behind.Infact Blake brings something different and that is a good thing.As for older people not liking him and giving him the votes you would be surprised.I am a waitress and most of my customers are seniors and they are loving him....infact they think he is adorable
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3-07-2007 @ 8:35AM
LYNN said...
Once again, the guys just did not do it. Last night's show was just as boring as the first one with the top 12. Since America is obviously not voting for anyone based on talent, I find it really hard to say who will be sent home Thursday. If American decides to vote correctly, Sanjaya should be going home (finally.) As far as the other guy, no one has really stood out. I just hope it is not Chris Sligh or Phil Stacey. Their performances were good, not great, but I don't think they deserve to go home yet. I was really surprised to hear all the negative comments from Paula. It's about time. Perhaps she has had her ears cleaned and can finally hear what the rest of America has been hearing.
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3-07-2007 @ 8:39AM
sunshine said...
They could all go home after last night and not be missed. Thanks though,guys, I got alot more of my novel read!!!!!!!!!!
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3-07-2007 @ 8:49AM
anja said...
the guys were basically all boring and difficult to watch.......blake and chris were the best....everyone else was forgettable. face it...the girls are kicking it this year..one of them will be the next american idol. hopefully they will do well tonight...i cant take another sleeper like last night..ps sanjaya should be in with the chicks...he isnt a guy...can you say michael jackson?
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3-07-2007 @ 8:50AM
barbara said...
the guys were a joke I still like phil and chris s. I dont get blake but with this group he looks good I dont know how he will do when he has to span out to sing something different. chris r has something but he needs to pop if he wants to get anywhere. who thinks the last 4 standing will be all women -- of course............ last night was the first time my husband saw the guys and he could not believe that this was the best out of over 100,000 tryouts.
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3-07-2007 @ 9:17AM
Adam said...
I think Sundance and Sanjaya should go home. Unfortunately Sanjaya won't go because of all the little girls voting.
Just like, most likely Antonella should go home. Not because of her pictures but because she is probably the worst female singer.
Don't get me wrong I love Antonella and would love to get her alone. But I don't think she can sing compared to the other girls.
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