Crystal (“Midnight Train To Georgia”) - This certainly was not Crystal's best showing. Despite what she said, I don't think she was terribly comfortable on the piano and even more so standing up without an instrument... likewise, there was one note that sounded a bit sour to me and I agree with Simon that she could have done without the cheesy back-up singers... so why is still at the top?! Well, this is one of my favorite songs of all time (perhaps because Gladys sang it to me personally, well OK not really but I was a foot from her Vegas stage and she did look at me!)... and I thought Crystal still had incredible moments to still lift her to the top of my rankings for the week.
Lee (“Treat Her Like A Lady”) - It is nice to see Lee start to break out of his shell. While I think he always sounds good, I always find him a bit too contained, but you can tell that he is starting to get ready to boil.
Andrew (“Forever”) - Hurray for Andrew! Even though Ryan had to ruin it at the very end and mention the name of that song yet again, Andrew finally achieved a moment that lived up to the one he did in Hollywood Week. The right mix of changing on a song up (though I have to admit I am just a tad familiar with the original) and making it his own.
Casey (“Hold On, I'm Coming”) - Casey is much like Lee in that I think he is always good and consistent, but yet there is something missing... some lack of performance or, as Simon noted, lack of personality. The good thing for Casey (sorry Lee!) has his looks going for him and, like Lee, I thought this was one of his best (if not his best) performances to date.
Michael (“Ready For Love”) - Despite falling short of making my photo collage, this is Mike's first appearance in the "green" as I think he kinda had a "moment" for the first time on the big stage. I have to admit, I am still not a big fan of his mostly due to his posturing... so this pull back worked for me last night.
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Aaron (“Ain't No Sunshine”)- Ditto to Aaron on the age appropriateness and he gets another minus for choosing one of the most over-sung IDOL songs ever (it's a truly great song, but as Simon said, too much precedence to have to live up to). I didn't think he succeeded in his "I know, I know" riffs either... it sounded like he hit it better in that rehearsal footage with Usher.
Didi (“What Become of the Broken Hearted”) - This marks Didi's first appearance in the "red" for me, she has that voice that is either make it or break it and this just didn't work out... again, whatever she had with Usher didn't quite make it or translate to the big stage. As the judges said, just very flat throughout and a real bum note when she took a chance with it.... also, it would have required a big change-up to not make it sound old-fashioned. And alas, she was the big victim of "How can Ryan Seacrest be an assh&ole this week?" C'mon Didi, I insist on making you cry on national TV... why did you really sing this song!?Siobhan (“Through The Fire") - Another mighty tumble! I honestly wasn't crazy with Siobhan last week with "Superstition" and she totally fell off the wagon this week... in major fashion. The cracking voice was almost at Paige "Against All Odds" levels and the big note, which I thought she kind of missed last week, was even more rough this week. I hope she manages to survive... a bad performance + going first is not a good combo!
Tim (“Sweet Love”) - I was thoroughly amused with Simon's "why bother" critique of Teflon Tim. I swear I needed an insulin shot after this one, just drippy and puppy-dog eyed (he does have that stare down into the camera that Usher was talking about). I am at a loss of words as well, he is certainly easy on the eyes, but that's about it.
Elimination Prediction: I'm two for two this season... so just jinxed myself for this week. I can't imagine that Tim skips the bottom 3 again, especially with Simon's attempt at some reverse psychology, but I think the Teflon will still be working. I think Siobhan has enough goodwill in the bank and some sympathy (particularly after those new "behind the scenes" shots) to keep her safe... so I'll have Katie return to the stools of doom this week and have her joined by Didi, and while I think she may have earned enough sympathy votes thanks to Ryan's harping, Didi is my elimination prediction.
Also, not that I think anyone is hanging on the edge of their seats for these IDOL posts... but I may not have one next week as I will be visiting my parents and with my Mom who just is getting home after hip replacement surgery. On the other hand, I have a spanking new laptop and will probably still have time, so who knows!
Ed,
I hang on the edge of my seat waiting for your AI posts. We have an AI pool at work and I read everything I can to get a feel for the pulse so I can make my pick about who's going home. You have an opinion I respect.
J
Posted by: Joanna | Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 10:11 AM