Articles by Ruth Boulet

by Ruth Anne Boulet So I’m not a country music fan. I think that should be abundantly clear based on my past American Idol recaps. I won’t be dwelling too much on the music tonight. Does the music even matter anymore? Did it ever? Lauren apparently blew out a vocal chord just before showtime, so Ryan decides to hype that drama a bit, maybe to give Lauren a little boost or something. Scotty starts the show by re-singing his instant hit “Gone” by Montgomery Gentry. He seems much more low-energy in this rendition. Perhaps my judgment of it is colored […]

by Ruth Anne Boulet It’s the going home package for our contestants, starting with Haley. It’s cute; Wheeling, IL is out in force for her. I feel bad for her having to step out onto the Arlington Race track with spiky heels on a rainy day. Blech. I hope she didn’t sink too badly into the racetrack. She sang Sweet Home Chicago ’cause it’s the law. Mafia law, that is.

by Ruth Anne Boulet It’s Top 3 night and most American Idol fans know what the deal is — three songs. One song selected by the contestant. One song selected by Jimmy Iovine and one song selected by the, ahem, judges. First round — contestant’s choice: Scotty McCreery — Amazed by Lonestar Scotty doesn’t want to stray too far from the country genre. In fact, he doesn’t want to stray at all from the country genre. As I listen to him sing, I’m realizing that this song is essentially I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing by Aerosmith, just with […]

by Ruth Anne Boulet We get “treated” to a duet with Scotty and James. It’s something like “I’d sure like to start a band with some buddies ’cause that’d be all American and stuff.” It’s all countri-fied and hoe-down-ified. Blech. Then we get Lauren and Haley singing something called “Gunpowder & Lead.” So the guys give us all good-old boys and the girls give us “I’m gonna pop a cap in your ass.” When did my TV start tuning into GAC or CMT or whatever piece of crap I’m watching right now? I don’t care that country is supposedly big […]

by Ruth Anne Boulet So tonight’s “theme” is a mish-mosh of inspirational numbers and the catalog of Lieber & Stoller, with mentoring by Lady Gaga. It’s like the American Idol version of “Will It Blend?” Just shove everything in a blender and see what happens. First up are songs that inspire the Idols. James Durbin — Don’t Stop Believing by Journey Anyone else singing this song in any other season would get the “karaoke” critique. It’s almost impossible to sing this song seriously after Glee. Don’t get me wrong. I love me some Glee, but since the song was so […]

by Ruth Anne Boulet American Idol decides to start this episode with the Idols singing Happy Together. Why not. They’re not really singing together. They’re singing near each other while not really listening to each other. They’re singing in their own little worlds, barely acknowledging that their are other people on the stage. It goes on far too long and ends with the typical arm-raised show choir button. I know the kids have a lot to do, but can someone please help them learn how to harmonize? Obviously the contestants that knew how to do it have all been eliminated. […]

by Ruth Anne Boulet Sheryl Crow apparently doesn’t hate American Idol anymore. Jimmy personally asked her to come on in & mentor the kids this week. Kathy thinks Jimmy must have some dirt on Sheryl. Either that or she’s got an album coming out that we don’t know about. This week’s theme is Now & Then. Now is whatever the Idols think it is, I guess. Then is the 1960s. James Durbin — Closer to the Edge by 30 Seconds to Mars Sheryl thinks she can officially retire because she got to sing with James. Really Sheryl? James is in […]

by Ruth Anne Boulet For some reason the Idols have to get in on the Royal Wedding action by attending Brit Week. What a weird cross-promotion. Hey, American Idol – if you had half-hour results shows you wouldn’t need to find really non-related filler.  Just a thought. Now to related filler — the cheesy Idol medley of the songs of Carole King. Kathy declares most of it dreckitude. They crammed a ton of songs in this week’s medley. I couldn’t keep track of them all. And then it’s the Ford commercial, set to Our House. Didn’t they use this song […]

by Ruth Anne Boulet Because of the extra-long episode, we start off with an especially long exploration of the career of Carole King. Then we get another on Babyface. Babyface is apparently taking the Will.i.am slot this week. I don’t care, American Idol. Jacob Lusk — Oh No Not My Baby Jimmy Iovine has decided to throw Jacob completely under the bus by telling him to riff as much as he wants. Oy. He’s already in the death slot. How much more can the kid take? I guess Jacob thinks a bright yellow dress shirt with a bright blue sweater […]

by Ruth Anne Boulet We start this elimination extravaganza with a train wreck of a group number. Haley, Lauren, Stefano and Jacob “sing” “Hey Soul Sister.” Wow, bad. Why they didn’t have them lip synch for their lives to the Warblers singing it, I don’t know. It would’ve been more entertaining. Lauren is fully committed to wearing denim during every performance. Haley is dressed like a bag of Skittles — coral top, green skirt and yellow shoes. Yikes! After a Ford commercial we get “treated” to Casey, James and Scotty “singing” Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida.” They’re a bit better than […]