We’re finally winding down this, the 8th season of American Idol. If I listened to the judges, tonight might seem superfluous. Why bother having a top 3 when the finale of Adam vs. Danny has been preordained? That’s the thing with American Idol. Sometimes what’s expected doesn’t occur. Can Kris Allen really break out & stay around another week?
I live right here in Milwaukee. We’ve actually got someone in the finals this year. It was pretty crazy on the lakefront last Friday when Danny Gokey came back to town. Am I a fan? No. Nothing would make me happier than to see him go home tomorrow. However, I was glad for the city of Milwaukee. It was a gorgeous day, and I’m hoping that we get a ton of good press out of this. For that, I’m thankful for Danny.
I’m not thankful for Danny’s voice, however. Because I think Milwaukee has milked all it can out of this, it’s time to send that boy home. Danny’s up first & we get footage of him getting his text from Paula. His judge’s choice song is “Dance Little Sister” from Terence Trent D’Arby.
Why Paula didn’t pick “Wishing Well” or “Sign Your Name,” you know, the TTD songs that went closer to number one, we’ll never know. Danny decides that dancing like a chicken is the way to win America’s heart. Randy thought it was a great way to start the show. Kara wasn’t sure about the dancing. Paula loved the dancing. Simon thought the dancing was desperate. Ok, does no one else notice that it sounded exactly the same as every other up-tempo song he’s ever sung?
I’m sure Conway, Arkansas is also appreciative of the publicity. It’s there that Kris learns Randy and Kara have selected “Apologize” by One Republic. When he gets the text, we see that — shocking — Kris Allen also sometimes wears nail polish. He prefers blue.
Kris decides to go piano for this one. It’s interesting, because some of the high points in the chorus sound a little too high for him. I’m hearing all backup singers & no Kris. It’s sounding very much like the original & I’m hoping he doesn’t get dinged for that. Danny didn’t get dinged for not doing anything with his song. Randy thinks this song reflects the kind of ARTIST he could be. Kara thinks he should’ve hit it out of the park, but he didn’t take enough chances with it. Paula notes that there was a loud off note, but essentially gives him an A for effort. Simon totally calls Kara on assigning him the song and then dinging him for not helping him arrange it. Simon also has Paula’s makeup all over his shirt, I assume as a result of the wrestling occurring off camera.
And finally the first song from Adam and his visit. San Diego totally doesn’t need any more publicity, but they’re gonna get it! I wonder if the girl who ran out to accost Adam in her blue bra was counting on the amount of publicity she got. Probably. OMG, just saw the footage & Adam has blue nail polish, too! Did the boys have a makeover night?
So, of course Adam is brilliant, but my issue is with how they spliced the song. The jump from the soft parts to the more empassioned parts was a little too abrupt for me. Randy wasn’t completely loving it. Kara thought it was brilliant. Paula thinks that she’s looking at the American Idol. Simon also thought it was brilliant. Simon also tries to undo some of his jinxing of Adam, by saying that if Adam isn’t in the finals it will be the biggest upset in Idol history.
Before we get to the contestant’s second song, we have to do an Idol Gives Back update, even though they didn’t do one this year. Last year’s raised $40 million & they sent Carrie Underwood to Africa to see all the good Idol Gives Back is doing in Africa. So, of course they’re playing Toto’s “Africa.” Carrie talks about the bed nets and how they help stop the spread of malaria. That’s great & all, but I want to know how much money went to administer Idol Gives Back. Still haven’t seen that number.
So, now we get the contestant’s choice of song. Danny Gokey starts things off with “You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker. Some of you may remember Taylor Hicks doing this song, this very same week on his season of Idol. A refresher is above.
Ryan calls Danny the pride of Milwaukee. Um, I guess, but more folks are probably proud of Bob Uecker. He’s not bad, but he’s doing that skyward look he’s fond of and I find completely annoying. It was a much better song for him to end on. Randy thinks Danny is here because he can REALLY sing. Kara thought it was stunning. Paula thinks everyone was breathless. He gets mad props for his arrangement of the song, which is annoying because this is the first time he’s ever done that. Simon calls it a vocal master class. I’m also noticing that I don’t think he clapped for himself this time. Watching Idolatry, are we, Danny?
Kris Allen is up next, without a commercial in-between. He’s singing “Heartless” by Kanye West. It’s just Kris and his guitar — no band that I can hear. He’s got a good voice & does well, but I don’t know, dawg, if that was the song for him. Randy thinks this is going to be one of the toughest voting nights in history & calls Kris in-it to win it. Kara yells that she wanted him to do that with “Apologize” & says no one has done that before. Um, Bo Bice? Just his voice? Remember, I do. Paula thinks he’s the bravest artist. Simon admits he had written him out, but that all changed with Kris’ performance.
And finally, Adam Lambert is doing “Cryin'” by Aerosmith. I’m wishing he had done one of the songs I’ve seen him do on YouTube at the Upright Cabaret. Oh, well. At least he’s doing classic, early Aerosmith, like Kara likes. He’s alone on stage, which I’m not sure if that’s the way to go. He’s so good at relating to other people on stage that I miss that element of his performance when he’s alone. It’s a decent rocker performance. Randy thinks Adam is one of the best they’ve ever had on the Idol stage. Kara wonders how he can hit those notes & still talk the next day. Paula doesn’t think Steven Tyler would’ve had anything to say to his performance. Simon refuses to suck up, and reminds people not to assume that he’s in the finals. Adam, ever classy, gives his other two contestants props.
So now it’s up to the vote. I think it’s going to be tight. I wish Adam had gone more “Mad World,” but if he wants to be a rocker, then that’s what he should stick with. Either way, I’m sure they all have a record deal when this is over.