Idolator
We're getting closer to the second American Idol milestone—tonight's episode trims the contestant pool down to the final 12. But first, we have to get past last night's episode, which was all about a Randy Jackson-coined quality called "the 'yo' factor" and the apparent fact that no one has ever told Antonella Barba, in her life, that she can't do something.
THE HIGHLIGHTS: The producers left Melinda for last, and it was a smart move; she brought down the house again with a fiery version of Peggy Lee's "I'm A Woman," and her confession that she suffers from some Monk-like compulsive issues made her even more endearing. And LaKisha's take on "I Have Nothing" wobbled a bit, but it made us more sympathetic to a Whitney Houston song than we've been since "So Emotional" came out.
THE "WHO?"-LIGHT: After Haley sang a version of Faith Hill's "If My Heart Had Wings" that sounded like it was straight out of a third-rate beauty pageant, Simon said to her, "Can I tell you the problem? Do you know what I said to Paula halfway through the song? I don't know your name." And Simon wasn't the only one with that problem: When Paula replied that her name was Haley, Simon retorted, "What's her surname?" And Paula had no idea, although she skated the question by asking what the word "surname" meant. (She's too good at the playing-dumb thing, really.)
THE "YO"-LIGHT: Last night, the intangible performance quality that was referred to in episodes past as the "wow factor" was hipped up by Randy, who renamed it the "yo factor." Melinda had it; Lakisha had it; Ryan's turtleneck had more of a "wha? factor"; Haley was lacking it; and neither did ...
ANTONELLAWATCH: The violin-playing Jersey girl, after gutting out "Put Your Records On," got props from Simon—for remaining stoic in the face of hating from the Idol-watching community, not her voice. On that front, he told her, "You've gone as far as you can go ... you are surrounded by some pretty amazing girl singers." Still, when asked if she deserved to be in the top 12, she said that she did, saying that she had "a different style" and that she wished the judges wouldn't compare her to anyone else. Because in this competition, everyone should win, right? Her assertion that no one was trying to be like her was met with scoffs from Simon, who basically said what we shouted from our couch: "Let's get real." Seriously, has anyone ever told this girl "No," ever?
WHO WE VOTED FOR (IN OUR HEARTS): Melinda and Lakisha, of course. We're also pulling for Stephanie; sure, her version of Chaka Khan's "Sweet Thing" was a little Beyonce-ish, but her voice is strong, and we can see her coming into her own in the theme weeks.
WHO AMERICA WILL PROBABLY CUT: Haley, who really is unmemorable in a hotel-lobby way; either Jordin or Sabrina, who had the misfortune of performing early in the show. Our money's on Sabrina, if only because Jordin has that whole bubbly-and-17 thing going on. Antonella should go, of course, but we're sure she won't, if only because there are people out there who are deluded enough to want to stick up for her in the face of Simon being "mean." (DialIdol has Haley and Stephanie (!?) in the bottom two.)
PAULA ABDUL OUT-OF-IT SCALE: 6/10. Was she actually confused by some of the song choices, or was she just ... confused? Also, what was she doing under the table?
Tomorrow: The final 12 are revealed! Carrie Underwood performs! And a super secret special Idol innovation that will, no doubt, have a sky-high "yo factor"!
American Idol [americanidol.com]
Earlier: Idolator's American Idolatry archives
[Photo via rickey.org]
Comments
Yeah, I'd really like to see Jordin hang around until at least halfway through the main competition. If Haley and Stephanie get dismissed tonight, I won't cry at all. Haley shouldn't even be there and Stephanie has proven herself pretty one-dimensional (Sabrina's in the same boat, but may last longer).
This post mentions everyone except Gina. What up, Idolators?
I'm pretty sure the "innovation" is them announcing the rules of the previously-previewed songwriting competition.
I would dump Sabrina, easy. Her vocals have been fine but not "yo," and she looks like Barbra Streisand in 1979, crossed with a 1989 Jersey girl. Sorry to be shallow, but she just does nothing for me.
@brasstax:
Oh yeah, good point - forgot about Gina. Me? I think the judges were so, so happy she was singing a rock-chick song that they looked past the many bum notes she sang. Simon came closest to critiquing her, but I think they want her in the big show for variety too badly to harsh on her.
Mind you, I, too, am happy she's doing the rock thing and hope she makes it into The 12, but she's going to have to sing better on that stage or she'll come in 10th or 11th. And just imagine the waterworks!
I am much more into Stephanie than Sabrina...although this season that may mean the kiss of death for Steph. Stephanie at least sings songs that are contemporary. Sabrina looks like a robot programmed to sing Celine and Whitney songs. Stephanie is much more animated and should be more fun to watch as Melinda marches towards her eventual victory.
Though it would be hard to see the talented Stephanie getting voted out over Antonella, at this point, it doesn't really matter. America and the judges have made up their minds that either Melinda or LaKisha are going to win this year. And though I predict that one of them will be the "shock" 5th or 4th place elimination, all that means is that those who voted for that one will switch to the other one.
So unless one of the guys suddenly gets 10x better (smart money would be on Brandon if he surivives tonight) during the next few weeks, this competition is all over.
@dennisobell: I think the better innovation would be to scrap this year's contestants entirely and start over with a fresh batch.
Didn't really have much to say about Gina. Liked her energy, didn't like her nasal tone. (But I am a total Amy Lee partisan, especially on "Call Me When You're Sober." Also -- the best part of that song is the bridge; surely it could have been rearranged to include that part?)
I thought Gina was downright awful. Amy Lee's got a great voice, and Gina just couldn't pull it off.
The funny thing about Haley to me was how Randy and Paula both "complimented" her song choice, by saying how perfect for her it was. Then they said it was a boring song. The most interesting thing about Haley was that top she wore last night,which looked like someone had taken a BeDazzler to.
@Big Money, No Whammies: Poor Haley. She just wants to craft and listen to Celine!!
And don't get me started on Gina and teh "rock". That ain't rock--that's Star Search rock.
oh, and did anyone else catch Simon not so subtley bagging on Jennifer Hudson for talking about Idol as a "stepping stone?"
I'm still holding over some Gina goodwill for last week's performance of "Alone," I guess. The only reason I knew the song she sang last night was Evanescence was because I recognized the title.
I'm beginning to think that the only appropriate comeuppance for Antonella is that she stays as long as possible, getting ragged on week after week by the judges and guests.
people, people, people. It's all about Gina. She's like a breath of fresh air. Contemporary. Rawking. Yes, Lakesha and Melinda have Mountain High voices but are they "American Idols"? In essence, pop stars? Every time they perform - and I too, stand up and applaud - I think I'm at Showtime at the Apollo. Big performances but Gladis, Aretha and Peggy Lee ain't the pop stars of 2007. Most of the people who vote probably don't even know who those legends are. Think about the audience.
And that was Gladys, not Gladis. Ten motown lashes for me...
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