I have to say I was a bit nervous about Elvis night on IDOL. I don't remember it being terribly successful the last time the show did it (though to be honest, I don't remember much ... or even when... so maybe it's repression), but overall I thought last night's show was pretty good even if there were less than a handful of really good ones. I'll get to those in a second...
But can we start a movement to get rid of Ryan Seacrest. Probably not since he signed a tens of millions of dollars multi-year contract, but he is absolutely driving my nuts. From the "talented tongue" jibe with Adam Lambert (and folks were worried about last year's finalist being "family friendly") to dancing with a guy while Tim was singing, to calling Tim "Turban" (ok, I get the combo first/last name nickname, but I don't think it's that mainstream), to a cruel joke about his Season 1 co-host Brian Dunkelman, to getting his Mom on camera, to stealing Matthew Morrison's hat at the end of the show... the guy's ego is just out of control.
Whew... okay, here are my top 3 from last night:
Crystal (“Saved”) - I am not sure there hasn't been an instance where a smile hasn't crossed both our faces during a Crystal performance. While I would not consider myself an Elvis expert, I am a fan and honestly never heard of this song. That sometimes spells danger on IDOL, but Crystal was so convincing and wonderful, she left me thinking that the original version couldn't possibly be better... now that's saying something!
Lee (“A Little Less Conversation”) - If you are looking for a transformation in this contest, I don't think there is a better example than Lee who is blossoming. Granted I still think he needs to make progress on the "performance" front, but his vocals just keep on getting better and better. This is a song that had dipped well into cartoon-ish in the past on IDOL, so it was nice to finally hear a version that would be relevant in today's music scene.
Michael (“In The Ghetto”) - I've had no qualms in saying that Big Mike is not my favorite contestant and I think the save was wasted on him last week as I don't think he has a real shot for the title (thru last week I would have reserved it for only Crystal, Lee and Casey), but as Randy would say, I'd give the big dawg props this week for a quite heart-felt song take on this one. Even before he sung a note, I would have predicted Mike would survive this week but it was nice that he stepped up that it wasn't just a sympathy move.
Casey (“Lawdy Miss Clawdy”) - I have to say I was mildly disappointed with Casey's song choice. Like Crystal, this was one I was not familiar with but Casey didn't get me very excited about it. I still thought he sounded (and looked) great, it was a solid Casey performance but like Simon said, Elvis week seemed like something that would really be in Casey's sweet spot to hit it out of the park like he did last week with "Jealous Guy," but it was just a safe stand-up double (or something like that!).
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Siobhan (“Suspicious Minds") - Oh, Siobhan! I really feel as she has lost her way and while I hate to say it, like Kara I am finding myself a bit confused. I thought the first half (btw, what was all this "halftime" talk all of sudden by the judges, particularly Randy) was very milquetoast and would have placed her a notch or two down my list, while the second half could have elevated her to "green" status. Not sure if she can get her mojo back, but I'm still hoping.
Tim (“Can't Help Falling In Love With You”) - Tim is not going anywhere this week. While his interpretations continue to be quite corny, he was looking particularly dreamy this week and I am sure melting the hearts of young girls all across the country... and the tight t-shirt certainly didn't hurt when it comes to the gay voting bloc.
Aaron (“Blue Suede Shoes”)- I thought Aaron's vocals were quite good last night, but I wish contestants would remember the advice of performing each show like it was a track on their album, and while it is a great song, it's just not something that would ever be recorded today. So just knocking him for song choice as I am doing with...
Andrew (“Hound Dog”) - OK, this might be fun if Michael Buble or someone like that puts this on album, but this is another song, that while great in its day, it not in anyway relevant in today's music scene. Granted I don't think the vocal and arrangement were particularly strong either. At this point, I think Andrew has proven his really good stuff is the exception.
Elimination Prediction: In my quickie update last week,I did not get any of the Bottom 3 correct.. but since Mike was saved, I am going to say my perfect 3-for-3 elimination prediction streak is still intact.
Not sure how things are going to work tonight, is there still going to be a Bottom 3 with two of them gone? Well, process of elimination I'll say Crystal, Lee, Mike and Casey are safe. As mentioned above, my gut says Tim, who avoided the Bottom 3 last week for the first time, will do it again this week. So that leaves: Katie, Siobhan, Aaron, and Andrew. I think the final safe spot goes to one of the girls. While I suspecting they are wavering like me, I think there was enough in that second half to keep Siobhan fans holding on for another week. Sooooo... I'll give the reprieve to Katie, leaving the first male eliminees of the season being Aaron and Andrew.
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