So, here we are at the bittersweet conclusion to what was, in the end, a revival for the Idol franchise which looked dead a year ago. There were still bumps in the road but my faith was restored enough that I am excited to see the show crank up again next winter. By this point, I think most people have already decided who they want to win it all and I doubt that any performance from this evening will change any minds. I may be imagining things but didn't they make a big deal out of the fact that Taio Cruz was participating in some sort of songwriting competition that would be the coronation song at the end of the season? If so, I guess they smartly decided that Taio wouldn't have anything that Scotty or Lauren would be interested in.
Scotty: Scotty showed lots of character by deferring to Lauren even though he won the toss to determine performance order. To pay him back for his kindness, the producers made sure that the judges heaped so much praise upon Lauren that it was easy to see who they hope pulls out the win for the Season. I am confident that little girls all over the country will make sure that Uncle Nigel does not get what he was wishing for, however. Scotty sang "Gone", "Check Yes or No", and "I Love You This Big". "Gone" was much better the first time he sang it, however, it was still a solid performance. "Check Yes or No" was a pick by George Strait and I am not sure that it did Scotty any favors. This was the first time that Scotty seemed nervous while singing all season. Luckily for Scotty, Lauren fared no better. "I Love You This Big" is not an overly complex song but it's simple message will touch his audience and get out their votes. It was very sweet that both of Scotty's parents were crying during his performance.
Lauren: Lauren started the evening with Ryan pointing out that she had blown a vocal chord during rehearsals. Lauren sang "Flat on the Floor, "Maybe it was Memphis" and "Like My Mother Does". "Flat on the Floor" was not my favorite the first time around and my opinion on it didn't improve tonight. Much like George Strait, Carrie Underwood didn't really do Lauren any favors with her pick of "Maybe it was Memphis" for Lauren either. I am not a fan of the song and I was not impressed by Lauren's singing of it either. "Like My Mother Does" was designed to tug the heartstrings and get out the vote. Though it was just as hokey as Scotty's song, it was better written and gave Lauren an advantage in the final round. Unfortunately for her, Scotty has had a stronghold on this competition all season and I don't think he has any intention of giving it up now.
Did everyone see my favorite Idol, David Cook, at the end? LOVED IT! :)
Who will win?: No shock this season. Scotty will take this one hands down.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Season 10 - Top 3: The Top 3 Sing 3
Only two weeks of performances left to go in Season 10 and I am getting a little sad that it will all be over soon. This top three is the best that I can remember and I will be a little sad about whoever goes home. Please pardon the shortened comments this week, I got a late start and have to work in the morning. Here we go...
Round 1: They Pick For Themselves
Scotty - "Amazed": My boy Scotty showed some range with this one that I wasn't sure was in his toolbox. He got a little drowned out by the "backup" singers during the middle of the song but I am not going to hold that against him because they obviously do not know how to reign it in and back up the lead singer. They do it to everyone. This was the first of three strong performances for the night. Score: A-
Lauren: "Wild One": Of all the Faith Hill songs, why did Lauren have to pick this one? She always has a hard time keeping her breath during the fast songs and it was a problem for her with this song. I know that she can't sing a ballad for every song but there just had to be something that would showcase her more than this like "This Kiss" from Faith or, here is a wild idea, another Miranda Lambert song since she did so well with "Gunpowder & Lead" during the results show last week. Score: B-
Haley - "What Is and What Should Never Be": Who knew that Haley was the real rocker this season? This was absolutely amazing and the fact that she didn't really miss a beat when she fell showed true poise. To quote Randy, "she is in it to win it baby!". Score: A+
Round 1 Winner: Haley
Round 2: Jimmy Iovine is the Man when it comes to picking songs!
Scotty- "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?": I will admit that I was very doubtful when they announced the song that Jimmy had picked for Scotty but I shouldn't have worried. It was an absolutely perfect pick for him. He showed more talent in this one song that he has all season. I can't wait to download it. I must disagree with Jennifer about Scotty's hair though. He looks much better now than during his Short Hair Don't Care days. I hope he leaves it alone. Score: A+
Lauren - "If I Die Young": Another great pick by Jimmy that fit Lauren perfectly. It was going really well until she flubbed the middle and then she seemed to be trying to make up for it with a little over singing which just seemed like screaming to me. Score for the first half: A Score for the whole song: B+
Haley - "Rhiannon": Haley was completely channelling Stevie Nicks during her performance though I was a little concerned that she was going to be blown off stage by the wind machines. If the choruses had been in full voice and not reserved and soft then she would have taken Scotty in this round as well. Despite her loss, this was still really, really good. Score: A
Round 2 Winner: Scotty
Round 2.1: Beyonce video that went on for so long that they had to cut it off for a commercial break and then felt the need to keep reminding us that we could watch it online. No, thank you. Score: F
Round 2.1 Loser: Beyonce. She is better than this God awful song. Leave this to the "artists" that can't actually sing, Beyonce, like Ke$ha. You are better than this.
Round 3: Judges' Pick
Scotty - "She Believes in Me": I believe in Scotty and that he is in it to win it! ;) He really came together this week to deliver three solid performances and this was the icing on the cake. This was tender, heartfelt and sung perfectly. Score: A
Lauren - "I Hope You Dance": Lauren did a really good job with this one but it felt really karaoke to me. I think that it may have been the dress and the "pageant" feel to the production that was throwing me off. She did a good job with the singing but I am just saying... Score: A-
Haley - "You Oughta Know": I am going to ignore the start of the song since they made her sing the generic lyrics that make no sense at all. Once she got past the first couple of lines, it was a slam dunk. Her growl is perfect for the anthem for women done wrong. Score: A
Round 3 Winner: Haley
Should Be Top 2: Scotty and Haley
Will Be Top 2: Scotty and Lauren
Round 1: They Pick For Themselves
Scotty - "Amazed": My boy Scotty showed some range with this one that I wasn't sure was in his toolbox. He got a little drowned out by the "backup" singers during the middle of the song but I am not going to hold that against him because they obviously do not know how to reign it in and back up the lead singer. They do it to everyone. This was the first of three strong performances for the night. Score: A-
Lauren: "Wild One": Of all the Faith Hill songs, why did Lauren have to pick this one? She always has a hard time keeping her breath during the fast songs and it was a problem for her with this song. I know that she can't sing a ballad for every song but there just had to be something that would showcase her more than this like "This Kiss" from Faith or, here is a wild idea, another Miranda Lambert song since she did so well with "Gunpowder & Lead" during the results show last week. Score: B-
Haley - "What Is and What Should Never Be": Who knew that Haley was the real rocker this season? This was absolutely amazing and the fact that she didn't really miss a beat when she fell showed true poise. To quote Randy, "she is in it to win it baby!". Score: A+
Round 1 Winner: Haley
Round 2: Jimmy Iovine is the Man when it comes to picking songs!
Scotty- "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?": I will admit that I was very doubtful when they announced the song that Jimmy had picked for Scotty but I shouldn't have worried. It was an absolutely perfect pick for him. He showed more talent in this one song that he has all season. I can't wait to download it. I must disagree with Jennifer about Scotty's hair though. He looks much better now than during his Short Hair Don't Care days. I hope he leaves it alone. Score: A+
Lauren - "If I Die Young": Another great pick by Jimmy that fit Lauren perfectly. It was going really well until she flubbed the middle and then she seemed to be trying to make up for it with a little over singing which just seemed like screaming to me. Score for the first half: A Score for the whole song: B+
Haley - "Rhiannon": Haley was completely channelling Stevie Nicks during her performance though I was a little concerned that she was going to be blown off stage by the wind machines. If the choruses had been in full voice and not reserved and soft then she would have taken Scotty in this round as well. Despite her loss, this was still really, really good. Score: A
Round 2 Winner: Scotty
Round 2.1: Beyonce video that went on for so long that they had to cut it off for a commercial break and then felt the need to keep reminding us that we could watch it online. No, thank you. Score: F
Round 2.1 Loser: Beyonce. She is better than this God awful song. Leave this to the "artists" that can't actually sing, Beyonce, like Ke$ha. You are better than this.
Round 3: Judges' Pick
Scotty - "She Believes in Me": I believe in Scotty and that he is in it to win it! ;) He really came together this week to deliver three solid performances and this was the icing on the cake. This was tender, heartfelt and sung perfectly. Score: A
Lauren - "I Hope You Dance": Lauren did a really good job with this one but it felt really karaoke to me. I think that it may have been the dress and the "pageant" feel to the production that was throwing me off. She did a good job with the singing but I am just saying... Score: A-
Haley - "You Oughta Know": I am going to ignore the start of the song since they made her sing the generic lyrics that make no sense at all. Once she got past the first couple of lines, it was a slam dunk. Her growl is perfect for the anthem for women done wrong. Score: A
Round 3 Winner: Haley
Should Be Top 2: Scotty and Haley
Will Be Top 2: Scotty and Lauren
Season 10 - Top 4: Inspirational & Leiber/Stoller Meet Gaga
I contemplated muting all judges comments this week after the 'Haley Fiasco' from last week but against better judgement I decided to give them one more try. I am such a silly girl. Jennifer and Randy are dead to me (though JLo looked like she may have had a little extra life given to her upper lip this week). I am not interested in anything that they have to say after this week. I am giving Steven a pass because, even though he is usually ineffective and uninspired, he championed the underdog and earned my gratitude. As I sit to write this, I find myself filled with a cynical bitter distaste for the judges and the show. Please forgive me.
Round 1 (Inspiration Songs)
James - "Don't Stop Believing": I thought this was a hot mess. It was overly screechy, pitchy and very uneven. Of course, the useless judges thought it was the "indication of what was yet to come". Was it just me or was James a little over confident this week? Actually, I thought he was down right cocky to the point that he made Adam Lambert seem somewhat modest and you all know how much I "loved" Screech. He is walking a very thin line with me.
Haley - "Earthsong": I am not going to say that this was as good as "House of the Rising Sun" was last week but it was better than James' first or second song and she was completely mistreated by the judges. Simon had a reputation for being mean but I don't know that he was ever as mean to a contestant as the tag team of Randy and JLo were tonight. Randy then felt the need to deal just one more blow when he announced that every performance from round 1 was the best except for Haley. I know that the judges are pushing to make sure that Haley does not disrupt their vision for the final three and, after this, I honestly think Haley will be better off when she gets sent home tomorrow. She needs to go before the judges can cause permanent damage. This is who they are casting stones at?!?!?! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=035GStnLOaI
Scotty - "Where Were You": I am not going to say that this was a flawless performance but it was really darn good. Scotty is better without the backup singers so he should nix them for all future shows. I know that Scotty is going to coast to a win but he would actually be better off to just let James have it so that he can escape the drivel that will be the "winning" song and put out an album free of the stank that is songs written by Ryan Tedder and Kara DioGuardi.
Lauren - "Anyway": Just as it was written, little Lauren came out of her shell tonight to finally hit the big notes. She did a really good job with the song which would have been even more impressive if the producers hadn't come up with this poor little Lauren storyline a few weeks back. Now I just felt like I was being manipulated, because I/we was/were, which took all the joy out of it.
Round 1 Winner: Scotty
Round 1 Loser: James
Round 2 (Lieber & Stoller)
Haley - "I Who Have Nothing": This song belonged to Jordin Sparks for me before tonight. Now, it belongs to Haley. She had the "moment" of the week again this week. Of course, it doesn't matter because she is going home tomorrow. This was a perfect swan song for her and the perfect fit for her place in the competition as the lonely contestant that gets no love.
Scotty - "Young Blood": There was nothing funnier than Scotty's interaction with Gaga. I think he may have been a little scared. ;) There was nothing wrong with the vocal performance. He hit all the notes but the whole thing seemed a little over-the-top corny to me. I still love him but I am just saying...
Lauren - "Trouble": This was a solid performance. It didn't really require a lot vocally but Lauren was able to bring more confidence than she usually shows. Lauren is much better when singing than during her interview packages. She should sing more and talk less.
James - "Love Potion #9": ...or more of the same from Round 1. Screeching? Check. Wonky notes? Check. Huge production? Check. So, if you weren't convinced that the powers that be DEMAND that James be in the final three then you need look no further than tonight's episode where he not only got to start and end the show but both were huge productions and they even let him get away with the God awful glory noting at the end of this song. I am now officially over him.
Round 2 Winner: Haley
Round 2 Loser: James
Should Go Home: James
Will Go Home: Haley
Round 1 (Inspiration Songs)
James - "Don't Stop Believing": I thought this was a hot mess. It was overly screechy, pitchy and very uneven. Of course, the useless judges thought it was the "indication of what was yet to come". Was it just me or was James a little over confident this week? Actually, I thought he was down right cocky to the point that he made Adam Lambert seem somewhat modest and you all know how much I "loved" Screech. He is walking a very thin line with me.
Haley - "Earthsong": I am not going to say that this was as good as "House of the Rising Sun" was last week but it was better than James' first or second song and she was completely mistreated by the judges. Simon had a reputation for being mean but I don't know that he was ever as mean to a contestant as the tag team of Randy and JLo were tonight. Randy then felt the need to deal just one more blow when he announced that every performance from round 1 was the best except for Haley. I know that the judges are pushing to make sure that Haley does not disrupt their vision for the final three and, after this, I honestly think Haley will be better off when she gets sent home tomorrow. She needs to go before the judges can cause permanent damage. This is who they are casting stones at?!?!?! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=035GStnLOaI
Scotty - "Where Were You": I am not going to say that this was a flawless performance but it was really darn good. Scotty is better without the backup singers so he should nix them for all future shows. I know that Scotty is going to coast to a win but he would actually be better off to just let James have it so that he can escape the drivel that will be the "winning" song and put out an album free of the stank that is songs written by Ryan Tedder and Kara DioGuardi.
Lauren - "Anyway": Just as it was written, little Lauren came out of her shell tonight to finally hit the big notes. She did a really good job with the song which would have been even more impressive if the producers hadn't come up with this poor little Lauren storyline a few weeks back. Now I just felt like I was being manipulated, because I/we was/were, which took all the joy out of it.
Round 1 Winner: Scotty
Round 1 Loser: James
Round 2 (Lieber & Stoller)
Haley - "I Who Have Nothing": This song belonged to Jordin Sparks for me before tonight. Now, it belongs to Haley. She had the "moment" of the week again this week. Of course, it doesn't matter because she is going home tomorrow. This was a perfect swan song for her and the perfect fit for her place in the competition as the lonely contestant that gets no love.
Scotty - "Young Blood": There was nothing funnier than Scotty's interaction with Gaga. I think he may have been a little scared. ;) There was nothing wrong with the vocal performance. He hit all the notes but the whole thing seemed a little over-the-top corny to me. I still love him but I am just saying...
Lauren - "Trouble": This was a solid performance. It didn't really require a lot vocally but Lauren was able to bring more confidence than she usually shows. Lauren is much better when singing than during her interview packages. She should sing more and talk less.
James - "Love Potion #9": ...or more of the same from Round 1. Screeching? Check. Wonky notes? Check. Huge production? Check. So, if you weren't convinced that the powers that be DEMAND that James be in the final three then you need look no further than tonight's episode where he not only got to start and end the show but both were huge productions and they even let him get away with the God awful glory noting at the end of this song. I am now officially over him.
Round 2 Winner: Haley
Round 2 Loser: James
Should Go Home: James
Will Go Home: Haley
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Season 10 - Top 5: Now and Then aka "A Moment Like This"
Who is in it to win it?!? According to Randy, everyone has been for the past few weeks except for Haley . Sheryl Crow is the mentor this week which just shows how far she has fallen since a few years ago when she was bashing the show. Welcome to selling out, Sheryl! I have been grumbling all season about changes that I would like TPTB to make to the show for next year. I have finally figured out what I want and it will be an easy fix for the show and save the production company a lot of money as well. Fire all the judges and do not replace them! Just let Ryan introduce the contestants/video segments, then we can jump straight to the performances and voting. Not only will it save money and time but it will save my last thread of patience as well. JLo is dead to me after tonight! Seriously. Steven doesn't seem to know any better and we all knew that Randy was full of too much hot air. She had the most potential and I am holding her responsible for the mockery that the judging panel has become. To pay homage to the most irritating phrase on the show and our pathetic judges, I am going to rate everyone on whether or not they are "In It To Win It!".
Round 1: Current Songs
James - "Closer to the Edge": I didn't get it. The sound was not mixed correctly. At some points you could barely hear the music. James was screechy and the moving around he did only made it worse. Not that it matters because the judges were instructed to give him a tongue bath regardless. Still, "He's in it to win it"! Barf. If he wanted it as much as Randy thinks he does then he would have picked a different song and sang it better. My score: NOT In It To Win It!
Jacob - "No Air": Jacob, you don't have a chance to win Idol. You also can not sing as well as Jordin Sparks or dance as well as Chris Brown. It sounded like someone was skinning cats. Off pitch, screechy and just freaking awful. Jennifer it is not only important for Jacob to find his niche in the business but it is also important for him to pick songs that he can actually sing. This is not one of them. I can't believe Randy actually attempted to call him on it. Unfortunately, he also told him that he sings like Luther which is not correct either. I don't know who is voting for Jacob but I hope they go to bed early tonight and forget to vote. My score: NOT IN IT TO WIN IT!
Lauren - "Flat on the Floor": Lauren was the first performance that showed any promise of the evening. It was a little breathy but at least it was lively and not all over the place like the first two guys. I am still waiting on Lauren to return to a ballad that will accentuate her voice. I don't know if it is Lauren's idea to draw comparisons to Carrie Underwood or not but I think she should abandon that tack immediately and concentrate on making her own name. My score: in it to win it,
Scotty - "Gone": Holy cow! Scotty is THE MAN! It was a side of him that we have never seen before and I really loved it. It was high octane, low corn brilliance and he couldn't have done it any better. My score: IN IT TO WIN IT!
Haley - "You and I": Haley was awesome but, of course, she can't get any respect for it. The judges followed script and bashed Haley so much that she actually thought that it was really bad. Hopefully, she has someone close to her (Casey?) that can let her know how full of crap the judges are. I think I may have to start muting the sound during the judges comments. My score: In It To Win It! (unfortunately, it doesn't matter for her since they want her gone)
Round 1 Winners: Scotty! and Haley
Round 1 Loser: Jacob
Round 2: Songs from the 60's and 70's
James - "Without You": I know that the judges thought that it was his "Moment" and it started off okay but I was not a fan of the screechy end and he has been better. My score: In It To Win It.
Jacob - "Love Hurts": I would rather have heard Sheryl sing this one. Love hurts and so does going home buddy. Hanibal Lechter was in the audience waiting on you. Please get out so that Haley can stay. My score: So not in it to win it that I wish he would go home right now!
Lauren - "Unchained Melody": I have been waiting since Elton John week for Lauren to sing another ballad that will showcase her voice unlike the bouncing drivel that she has been singing lately. I think that she left out some high notes near the end that she should have left in but it was so much better than anything she has done in the past few weeks. My score: In It To Win It!!
Scotty - "Always on my Mind": The last time this was done well by someone from the Carolinas it was Fantasia. No one feels a song like Fantasia so Scotty couldn't live up to her on that scale but with the exception of a couple of misplaced notes it was really, really good. My score: In It To Win It!
Haley - "House of the Rising Sun": The best performance of the night and the season. Period. This was the biggest "Moment" of the season. My score: THIS SHOULD WIN HER THE COMPETITION! (but will probably end up being her swan song).
Round 2 Winner: HALEY!
Round 2 Loser: Jacob
Should Go Home: Jacob
Will Go Home: Haley
Round 1: Current Songs
James - "Closer to the Edge": I didn't get it. The sound was not mixed correctly. At some points you could barely hear the music. James was screechy and the moving around he did only made it worse. Not that it matters because the judges were instructed to give him a tongue bath regardless. Still, "He's in it to win it"! Barf. If he wanted it as much as Randy thinks he does then he would have picked a different song and sang it better. My score: NOT In It To Win It!
Jacob - "No Air": Jacob, you don't have a chance to win Idol. You also can not sing as well as Jordin Sparks or dance as well as Chris Brown. It sounded like someone was skinning cats. Off pitch, screechy and just freaking awful. Jennifer it is not only important for Jacob to find his niche in the business but it is also important for him to pick songs that he can actually sing. This is not one of them. I can't believe Randy actually attempted to call him on it. Unfortunately, he also told him that he sings like Luther which is not correct either. I don't know who is voting for Jacob but I hope they go to bed early tonight and forget to vote. My score: NOT IN IT TO WIN IT!
Lauren - "Flat on the Floor": Lauren was the first performance that showed any promise of the evening. It was a little breathy but at least it was lively and not all over the place like the first two guys. I am still waiting on Lauren to return to a ballad that will accentuate her voice. I don't know if it is Lauren's idea to draw comparisons to Carrie Underwood or not but I think she should abandon that tack immediately and concentrate on making her own name. My score: in it to win it,
Scotty - "Gone": Holy cow! Scotty is THE MAN! It was a side of him that we have never seen before and I really loved it. It was high octane, low corn brilliance and he couldn't have done it any better. My score: IN IT TO WIN IT!
Haley - "You and I": Haley was awesome but, of course, she can't get any respect for it. The judges followed script and bashed Haley so much that she actually thought that it was really bad. Hopefully, she has someone close to her (Casey?) that can let her know how full of crap the judges are. I think I may have to start muting the sound during the judges comments. My score: In It To Win It! (unfortunately, it doesn't matter for her since they want her gone)
Round 1 Winners: Scotty! and Haley
Round 1 Loser: Jacob
Round 2: Songs from the 60's and 70's
James - "Without You": I know that the judges thought that it was his "Moment" and it started off okay but I was not a fan of the screechy end and he has been better. My score: In It To Win It.
Jacob - "Love Hurts": I would rather have heard Sheryl sing this one. Love hurts and so does going home buddy. Hanibal Lechter was in the audience waiting on you. Please get out so that Haley can stay. My score: So not in it to win it that I wish he would go home right now!
Lauren - "Unchained Melody": I have been waiting since Elton John week for Lauren to sing another ballad that will showcase her voice unlike the bouncing drivel that she has been singing lately. I think that she left out some high notes near the end that she should have left in but it was so much better than anything she has done in the past few weeks. My score: In It To Win It!!
Scotty - "Always on my Mind": The last time this was done well by someone from the Carolinas it was Fantasia. No one feels a song like Fantasia so Scotty couldn't live up to her on that scale but with the exception of a couple of misplaced notes it was really, really good. My score: In It To Win It!
Haley - "House of the Rising Sun": The best performance of the night and the season. Period. This was the biggest "Moment" of the season. My score: THIS SHOULD WIN HER THE COMPETITION! (but will probably end up being her swan song).
Round 2 Winner: HALEY!
Round 2 Loser: Jacob
Should Go Home: Jacob
Will Go Home: Haley
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