RAD on AI- They Are All "Awesome" Edition

First of all, “Motown” theme week always has the potential to be awesome. And, while there was one moment of consequence (from Adam, of all people), I cannot say this night delivered. I put the blame of mentor Smokey Robinson. What are these amateurs supposed to do with advice like “Just do *that*” and “You’re all awesome”. Thanks, Smokey. And, by the way, the plastic surgery isn’t working out well for you.

Michael SHOULD go
Michael WILL go
Megan MUST go

10. Megan Joy, “For Once in My Life” (last week’s ranking 11th) – I am getting angrier by the week that they are wasting my time with this. For goodness sake, at some points she sounds like she is sitting on top of a washing machine while it is on the spin cycle. America, she is utterly challenging you to eliminate her.

9. Michael Sarver, “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” (8th) – Go home. You’re boring and your little daughter misses you. It was very upsetting to me when he got me excited by saying he was going to “church up” the song, then he goes out there and does *that*. I guess I was dumb to assume gospel church and not Catholic Church like I guess he meant. My wife’s comment: “I am sure this guy is good in a bar”. But, is that what we really want? End this.

8. Kris Allen, “How Sweet It Is to Be Loved By You” (10th) – The judges love fest for this guy continues, and it is still lost on me. I guess he can ride this cutey-patuty thing to the final four, but he is past boring to me. From now on, his performances will be my opportunities for bathroom breaks.

7. Scott MacIntyre, “Can’t Hurry Love” (4th) – It’s official. The blind novelty has worn off for me. Of course, you will recall that I wanted Scott to win the whole thing. But, I wanted him to win *in spite* of his blindness not because of it (ability over sympathy). His piano playing is excellent and fun, but his singing is just not getting any better. My wife’s comment: “Is everyone working with him blind as well?” I mean, seriously, salmon-colored pants, a paisley shirt, and a brown coat? This all just makes me kind of sad.

6. Anoop Desai, “Ooh Baby Baby”(7th) – There was nothing that could be done with this song to make it exciting, but I’m just happy he didn’t pick a song that had him jumping around the stage like a fool (as I am sure was his first instinct). The guy can sing though. Really. But, he cannot dress himself well. When are these kids going to get some styling help? Please.

5. Danny Gokey, “Get Ready” (6th) – I hate to repeat myself, but I cannot get past how much this guy is reminding me of Taylor Hicks. He likable, humble, fun and gives absolutely everything in his performances. But, I just think the AI voters will eventually get tired of him yelling at us and want their American Idol winner to sing better. I mean I was in the kitchen washing dishes during his song, and I still felt like he was screaming in my ear. I admit that I could be very wrong on this one, of course.

4. Adam Lambert, “Tracks of My Tears” (9th) – And, I quote: “Ridiculously over the top in everything he does. But, I think one of these weeks, he is going to show that he can calm it down as well…”. That was from my first assessment of Adam on March 13th. After that conceited, ridiculous showing last week, he needed this. Without question, the best performance of the season so far. It’s too bad that he is surely going to revert back to his shrieking, shocking, Robert Smith from the Cure wanna-be self and polarize the AI audience, which will lead to his eventual dismissal. By the way, the Robert Smith wanna-be observation is totally from my wife.

3. Lil’ Rounds, “Heat Wave” (5th) – The judges are dumb. I like the way Lil took country music head-on and seriously last week (unlike Adam), and I loved the way she did not try to “diva-it-up” this week when that was probably the safer thing to do. Frankly, I thought her “Heatwave” was hot (no pun intended), and during her performance, for the first time, I saw her having a chance to make it to end. Do NOT listen to those judges, Lil. Your instincts are very sound.

2. Matt Giraud, “Let’s Get It On” (3rd) – Corny choice of song, but this guy is very good. Starting out at the piano and then getting up from it was a master stroke. One problem for him: does anyone else find the shape of his head and facial features odd? And, does America want another Justin Timberlake clone? However, he is clearly talented. His ascendancy has finished Scott (in my opinion)

1. Allison Iraheta, “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” (1st) – It’s sad that it is just dawning on the judges that this one “could” be a contender. It is clear to me that she is best pure performer and now the best voice. And, she is going to get better. I am calling my shot now: she has to win. Any future review of her performances must be prefaced by that background.

That’s it. I need your comments!