AI6: Reigning Supreme?

We're into the American Idol finals... but I don't think Diana Ross night was quite the way to kick things off... immediately throwing the contestants into a pretty small box.  Some tried to do their own thing, most did not succeed... and it ended up being a fairly ho-hum show.  Here are my rankings:    

#1 - Lakisha ("God Bless The Child") - For some reason I have never been a big fan of this song... and I think it was pushing it a bit calling it a "Diana Ross" song when it's from a movie where Diana... umm, excuse me "Miss Ross" played Billie Holliday.   But I still give Lakisha the slight edge over Melinda... for a controlled and powerful performance.

#2 - Melinda ("Home") - Again, not my favorite song.  I agree with Simon that it is a bit of a bore (the song, not Melinda)... and she executes it quite well ... but would we expect anything different?  And that might be her problem going forward, we'll just take her "being good" for granted.   Though she did make Paula into a mascara-streaked mess... so maybe she deserves the top spot for that?  (Though on second thought, is that really an accomplishment?!)

#3 - Jordin ("If We Hold On Together") -  This is the first time I have Jordin breaking through to the #3 spot (Stephanie and the now eliminated Sabrina always seemed to edge her out in my mind).  Yet again, not a fan of the song (Simon was right in it being "gooey"), but the vocals were sparkling.  I think she is a bit awkward as a "mover" so this slower song avoid that distraction.  And out of an entire Diana Ross catalog this was best song she could come up with?

#4 - Stephanie ("Love Hangover") - Ok, I may have my gay card revoked... but I just don't know what the judges were talking about with Steph teasing the song and excluding the "best" or "disco" part.  Or else I just did not recognize the song.  But whatever the reason, I thought she was quite good vocally... though I think she has "performed" her songs better in the past.

#5 - Phil ("I'm Gonna Make You Love Me") - The shocker of the week!  Phil at #5 and my top guy... who would have thunk it after last week?  See I am open-minded (though I have my doubts if you'll ever see anyone other than Melinda and Lakisha as my Top 2)!  Now, I still don't like the guy all that much... but I though (by far) it was the best male vocal of the night and his best thus far in the competition... though he still tends to get a bit sharp on those high notes.   

#6 - Blake ("You Keep Me Hangin' On") -  Of all the "make it my own" attempts, this was my favorite... but  is sacrificing the vocals for the creativity of a re-mix worth it?  I'm a bit torn, but at least it wasn't boring or bad.

#7 - Chris R ("The Boss") - Put Chris R into my "just don't get it" file. I admire his attitude and showmanship skills... but am just not a big fan of the nasal/whine style of singing.  I know, I know...it's pretty similar to Justin Timberlake... but Chris is no Justin.

#8 - Gina ("Love Child") - Kind of agree with Simon here, that there really isn't all that much to say about this one... not great, certainly not bad ... just good.   Good song choice, solid vocals.. occasionally shouty, but that's Gina.   

#9 - Chris S ("Endless Love") - Ay!  I am pretty sure when I mentioned about some not terribly successful "make it my own" attempts, you knew I was talking about this one.  Chris seems to be the only one in the universe who does/did like the arrangement.  I tried to impress Todd that I wrote down "sounds like Coldplay" before Randy mentioned it... he (Todd) wasn't that impressed... nor were we with this "what was he thinking?" performance from a probable Top 5-er.  And Simon was right, bring back the eyeglasses.

#10 - Brandon ("You Can't Hurry Love") - Brandon should probably be ranked lower thanks to this totally unoriginal performance... and while others forgot a lyric, his was the most noticeable... and "worst" in that it came after he was trying to do a sexy dance move and was responding the the squeals from the audience.  Cool to embarrassing in 14 seconds.

#11 - Haley ("Missing You") - Believe it or not, I did not realize that Haley screwed up her lyrics... now I did she got off track in the middle, but wasn't sure why.  As usual, it was all a bit treacly.  I feel bad for her, because I think even she realizes she shouldn't be here.  And the potato sack of a dress was pretty awful.

#12 - Sanjaya ("Ain't No Mountain High Enough") - Alas, our perpetual basement dweller showed us that there is "a valley low enough."  He definitely entered the "ok, now it's just embarrassing" zone last night... it was laughable as Randy demonstrated.  Even the hair people are not making it any easier on him!

Elimination Prediction:  Dial Idol (click "Predictions" on the upper right bar) is showing a somewhat scary order of finish... but again it really doesn't narrow it down (only 3 contestants are officially safe), so it's up for grabs.  I think Sanjaya is enough of a train wreck that he'll stick around for another week (or two).  Haley I think earned enough sympathy (tears and judge smackdown) to return next week.  So I say, the axe may fall on Brandon... "boring" is a far greater Idol sin than "bad." 

Comments

[(Not your usual) Scott]

I do not watch the american idol amature hour but I was wondering, on the theme nights, like Diana Ross night, do the game show contestants get to pick ANY Diana Ross song or do they have songs chosen for them? I'm sure there are better songs than the ones you mentioned, she did do alot of Billie Holiday songs which would showcase a persons voice much better. Just asking.