Top 8 - America's Challenge Edition

This week we shall have a few special guest comments. In addition to my wife’s interjections, my one-year old daughter was awake past her bedtime suffering from a cold. Needless to say she was in a very critical mood, and I am certain that I understood the timing of her occasional yells to be certain judgments towards the aspiring Idol contestants.

“Pick a Song from the Year” theme night. Knowing this, I will do my best to keep the “this song choice by this kid makes me feel from the Age of Dirt” comments to a minimum.

Kris SHOULD Go
Anoop WILL Go
Scott MUST Go

We now return to my ranking from least-chance-to-win to best-chance-to-win format:

8. Scott MacIntyre (Last week’s ranking: 8th) – “The Search is Over” by Survivor - I do give him credit for steping from behind the piano. He had been predictable and beyond boring, and it is too bad that he was forced to switch to “show a different side”. I will continue to contend that there would have been no need for this attempt if the poor dude could just sing better. I have been hoping against hope that he could improve. Sadly, he just cannot. And, my wife’s comments about his pitiful guitar playing are virtually unprintable. I do not believe my baby’s wailing during his efforts to hit high note were intended to be supportive. Sorry, Man. You cannot hold out much longer.

7. Lil Rounds (6th) – “What’s Love Got to Do with It” by Tina Turner - The malpractice by the all of judges towards Lil is bordering on travesty. Week-after-week thay almost implored her to pigeon-hole herself into the “diva/Mary J. Blige” genre. “That’s who you are”. Then, she tries to go there, and predictably, they tell her she does not who she is. Now, granted, going for the iconic Tina Turner song was a main ingredient in this recipe for disaster, but I genuinely feel sorry how she has turned into such a wanna-be looking karaoke performer. She is in deep, deep trouble this week, but, if she can survive elimination, I am rooting for her to forget the prejudiced judges (that’s right, I said it) and sing whatever the hell she wants to sing.

6. Anoop Desai (7th) – “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper – Broken record time. How many times have I said that he sings well? How many times have I said that he seems like a nice guy as long as he is not hopping around trying to look like a gangsta fool? Nice choice of song (for a change). No matter. He bores me, which, of course, is why he keeps reverting back to his wanna-be hip-hop gimmick. Unfortunately, neither persona works. There are better singers and better performers than Anoop in this competition. One more thing, Anoop: stop staring at us when you sing. It’s creepy.

5. Kris Allen (4th) – “All She Wants to Do Is Dance” by Don Henley - If you have read these blogs before, you know that Kris is far from my favorite. So, please take the opinion of last night’s performance of someone who actually “gets” the appeal of him. I submit the comment of my wife: “Ummmm, I don’t like it…not impressed at all…” After that, we talked to each other and paid no more attention to him at all. Then, our daughter cried. I rest my case. After last week’s surprisingly good performance, I now again want him gone. He is destined for this week’s bottom three.

4. Danny Gokey (5th) – “Stand By Me”, Mickey Gilley sorta version – Wife comment: “Seriously? This was the best song he could pick from 1980? Seriously?” However, it allowed Danny to do his earnest, heartfelt, passionate performer thing. I will say half of the same thing about him that I said about Anoop. There are better singers in this competition.

3. Adam Lambert (3rd) – “Mad World” by Tears for Fears – On more than occasion, I have heard from a variety of different people this next comment: this is the one contestant that many have actual anticipation about seeing every week. They do not know if they are going to like whatever he does or not, but, the key is, they want to see it. That’s a statement. Granted, none of these commenters are from the American Idol voting-rich middle part of the country. But, let’s face it: this guy is putting on quite a show every week now and this week was no exception. Honestly, fanastic. Very haunting, dramatic, and in good voice. Good grief, I know Simon was forced to be quick in his critique, but, still, he stood! San Francisco, Hollywood and New York love this. Here’s the question you know I have had from the very beginning: America, are you ready for this?

2. Allison Iraheta (1st) – “I Can’t Make You Love Me”, by Bonnie Raitt – I’m biased so I’ll be quick. Allison is tremendous. She got up from her misstep last week and walked the tightrope to a strong performance. But, she, almost more than anyone else, has to do this every week to the end. Please see my comment from April 2nd and Simon’s reference to her “likability to America” problem for further reference. Notice, she is not in my number one position anymore…but, she should be.

1. Matt Giraud (2nd) – “Part Time Lover” by Stevie Wonder – First of all, I did not get all a flutter about this week’s performance from Matt the way the judges did. I thought it was hokey and reverted back to his Timberlake-wannabe inclination and the hat was stupid. Plus, I did not think he sang well at all with his notes being just all over the place. Our baby cried in protest as well (not good). However, this is the deal for Matt: he has the top-3 talent (vocally, performance-wise, and instrumentation-wise) for this year’s pool. And, he is much more of the down-the-middle type competitor that Adam and Allison are not. I do not say this to slight Matt. I like him overall. But, he is not my favorite.

The performances in the weeks to come are, of course, uncertain. But, if everyone brings the best of what I think they can bring, the final two should Allison and Adam. America, this is your challenge.

I would love to know what you think. Thanks.