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Last night’s American Idol was supposed to be the episode where the well-meaning, Timberlakeish Michigan native Matt Giraud got sent home for making the United States’ viewing public sit through a second Bryan Adams song in the space of one hour. But he was granted a week’s reprieve thanks to the brand-new “judges’ save,” which basically allows for even more drama next week, when two people get banished from the couches. (Honestly, did anyone think that he wouldn’t get to sing for his life next week, given the way Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi practically climbed over the table to prove that, yes, he really did know how to love a woman?)
Anyway, all this has resulted in next week being extra-suspenseful, because now the bottom two will be sent home instead of just the lowest vote-getter. It is also “disco week,” which garnered the predictable grousing from Simon at show’s end. Were this crop of singers a little better overall, I would probably try to be contrarian toward Mr. Cowell and say that while the whole concept of a “disco week” that doesn’t have James Murphy involved in 2009 is probably going to come off at least a little dated, the genre has been historically undervalued, and that even Idol’s inept licensing team will be able to find at least a couple of diamonds for the kids to sing. But then the image of Danny Gokey flapping around to “Disco Duck” takes over my mind, and, well, yeah.
American Idol [Official site]
Simon’s just grumpy that he can’t bring Susan Boyle over to Idol.
@King of Pants: the power to change the age limit is in his hands!
If Adam sings Dancing Queen I will have to vote for him.
@Maura Johnston: The difference between the genuine smile that broke over his face as Susan Boyle was singing, and the genuine boredom as he goes through the Idol motions is pretty stunning.
At least he thought Kris’ performance was brilliant!
This crop isn’t so bad. I’m at least looking forward to 4 out of 7 of them next week.
Would Kiss’s “I Was Made For Loving You” qualify next week? I can already hear Glambert screeching all over that one.
Also, is there any way that Lil doesn’t do “I Will Survive”?
More song choices: Matt and Leo Sayer’s “You Make Me Feel Like Dancin’”, and Anoop with one of the two big Bee Gees ballads, “More Than A Woman” or “How Deep Is Your Love?” (though Kris could probably do either one as well).
@Thierry: re i will survive… what if matt giraud does the cake version?
@Maura Johnston: I’ll tell you “what if:” he takes crap for not being able to decide if he’s rock or r&b.
@janine: hahahaha. true enough.
omfg maura why did you write that thing about “disco duck” and danny gokey? i’m going to be having nightmares about this scenario for a week now.
hey adam lambert’s performance next week already leaked, it’s amazing
also, i heard adam lambert is going to sing this:
@Pareene: hahaha we’re lame
My favorite part; Gokey’s look of disgust/surprise when Seacrest fooled him and the look of disgust/surprise on my face when he wasn’t sent across the stage.
@Maura Johnston: the power to change the age limit is in his hands!
That’s not the only power in his hands. The Judges’ Save is essentially Simon’s Save — or at least, it was, until he relented last night.
The most interesting thing about the Save is that, as per the rules, “It must be unanimous,” which translated basically means two or three of the others have to convince Simon — the only one who can be relied upon to be a hardass (I mean that as a compliment). For weeks now, Simon has stood as the bulwark between sentiment (forgive my sexism, but lately it has appeared to be almost entirely female sentiment) and a use of the Save the panel wouldn’t come to regret later.
Last night, Simon, to be blunt, just caved. Two other contestants over the last month and a half have deserved the save far more than Matt. But — probably because it was the penultimate week the save could be used, and probably because of sentiment in the audience, on the panel, and even among Matt’s fellow contestants — Simon understandably but disappointingly gave in. I can’t say I wouldn’t have been stronger than him, but it was sad the Save wasn’t used to rescue, say, Kris or Allison. (I think Simon was holding out that one of them, or maybe even Lil, would end up needing it.)
Unlike many observers and commentators this season, I am actually a fan of the Save. Not because I look back with heavy regret over the Jennifer Hudsons of the past, but because it gives the judges a power they should have — the ability to correct the built-in flaws of the show. (E.g., people lose not because they were “voted against” but because for one week they couldn’t motivate “votes for,” etc.) When I hear peeps complain about how the Save is “undemocratic,” I’m reminded of the scene in The Godfather where Kay says to Michael, “Presidents and senators don’t have men killed,” to which he retorts, “Now, who’s being naive, Kay?” I mean, “Democracy,” my ass.
Nonetheless, I think Simon et al. will look back on the first season with the Save with regret. Not only because Matt, its recipient, was one of the less deserving, but also because timing and serendipity worked against it. The two most deserving recipients, Jorge Núñez and Alexis Grace, got the bottom vote in the first two weeks of the show — way too early to use the judges’ new toy — and since week three, every loser has richly deserved to go. And now, Simon kind of had to cave because next week, the Save’s final permitted round, the pressure to use it would have been unbearable.
Sorry, long comment. Summary: Save good, first use disappointing.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN YOUR TOP THREE
ADAM LAMBERT, MATT GIRAUD, AND DANNY GOKEY
@Chris Molanphy: I’d disagree on Jorge and Alexis’s worthiness and say that they only really sound good compared to the duds that are still left. To be honest, I think they really shot themselves in the foot this year with some bad Top 13 choices. Guess they felt the need to cover demographic bases instead of picking 13 actually-talented contestants. (Not that aren’t gems in this year’s batch, but Lordy, is there always this much offal?)
@Pareene: Boo Berry could also be Kris Allen, no?
@Pareene: @allyzay: i love you.
I too am a fan of the Save, for all the reasons that Chris M details, plus the way it’s transformed the farewell reprise performance from an awkward ritual to a moment that actually has some stakes/suspense.
As it turns out, nobody really worthy has needed saving this season, and there was no way they weren’t going to use the Save at all in its debut season (Cehkhov, gun, first act). I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Matt goes home next week, btw.
Matt and Lil really need to bring it next week, or they will be the ones going home. Personally, I think it’s Lil’s time, but I’d rather see Danny go home than Matt.
@Pareene: that is ASTOUNDING
@Pareene: Do you have audio of this?
@Lucas Jensen: [www.stickam.com]