Ladies and Gentlemen: Joanna Clark
Did they have to announce everything?!?
Oh well…on with the show. The Season Finale of American Idol.
Group song: everyone boring and again in all white (Except for Syesha’s legs).
The 2 David’s doing Heroe worked for me but little David was terribly out sung during it. He kept hanging onto the notes waaaaayyy too long.
Mike Myers skit was just stupid. Poor little David A. was so confused. Hated it!
Seal and Syesha was painfully awful. I love that song (TNT & TBS tv show promos all summer long was to this song!) But they did a terrible job.
They must have had a talk with John Castro because he seemed almost present. Probably no that you are our paid AI flunky stop acting like you are on 20 blunts and get your act together.
The Ford cars looked cool. SUV Hybrid. That’s cool.
Top 6 girls…yawn. Terrible.
Carly Simon and Michael Johns doing The Letter. I ABSOLUTELY hated it. The arrangement was blasphemy. They could have chosen a better song for those voices to sing. I had to go on youtube to show the girls the ACTUALLY song. Unrecognizable.
Kimmel…you could hear the crickets when he talked about the “19 week karaoke contest”. Painful. He clowned Sanjaya…2 points!
Top 6 boys…pretty good. Except John Castro. Then they continued 80’s night with Brian Adams who was almost unrecognizable. Like Luke Skywalker from Star Wars to Empire Strikes Back (and yes Star Wars geeks I know Mark Hamill was in a motorcycle accident…even though he later downplays it!).
ZZ Top and David Cook – Sounded good…although I can’t remember the lyrics? LOL! Were they his heroes?!?
Brooke is back with her guitar. Ok.
An hour still to go….
I had to ask me the 8 year olds who those kindergartners on the stage were. I thought I had sat on the remote control and accidentally turned the channel to Disney.
David A.’s turn doing Apologize. That sounded like the album he will make. He should have done this song when he was able to choose last week.
Got to meet David’s family…explains a lot.
Jordan Sparks came back to the idol stage singing to a track. She looked terrible. We see the image people were obviously out when it came to her dress, shoes, hair, nails and make-up. Blake looking on in the audience thought perhaps he could have sung the song better.
Gladys Knight and the…overpaid actors shamelessly plugging their new summer film.
Carrie Underwood looked fabulous! Easy to see why she is a star.
George Michael melody sounded pretty good.
GEORGE MICHAEL!!!! What a coo!!!! Love that man. And he sung my song!!! I just rewatched Carrie Underwood singing this song on youtube during American Gives Back. I would have loved if she came back on stage.
And the winner is DAVID COOK!!!! I can’t believe it!!! I wanted him to win soooo bad but I didn’t think he could do it! And David A. handled it like a pro. That is the last place I would want to be as the loser. But my hats off to him.
Gotta go and rewatch over and over again. I’m hooked all over again!!!!! See you in January!!
The Final Two
It is finally here! The AI season finale! Yeah! I am not nearly as excited as I have been in previous years. It’s like watching the last few episodes of the Real World a few years ago. My age was showing. I think that is the real issue with this season. It is trying to appeal to too many different age groups. But whatever…I’m watching now. So on with the show!
The Michael Buffer boxing opening. I love boxing. But that was silly! David A. almost looked tough. The banter so far hasn’t been too bad. Too bad Clive couldn’t get up in time for the camera to catch his wave. I guess boxing is gonna be the theme all night. Pretty original for AI when you think about it.
David Cook – Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – I have really grown to like him despite what I have said about him over these past few weeks. I think the performance was good. He looked great performing in front of that crowd. No chills, but good opening to the competition.
David Archuleta – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me – The problem with this performance is that David Cook had so much energy and his song is like a comedown. He sang it well, not the point. I also had Clay Aitken ringing in my head. He had more energy than he EVER has these season with this performance. He brought it at the end! And some genuine emotion. Finally! Someone either had a talk with him or he read the boards. Randy is right! He picked the PERFECT time to peak!
Round One: Archuleta – They are definitely bringing it tonight!
David Cook – Dream Big – Great performance. Never heard the song before from a reality show contestant…and you immediately want to buy it? Great job! I like his style, his coolness, and his voice. I agreed with Simon. He said he wanted David Cook to win on Leno last night because he felt he deserved it more. Than he better start steering the critiques to something more positive.
David Archuleta - In This Moment – Terrible. I just didn’t care and it was really weak. The background singers didn’t help. I could not hear this at the end of finale, I would not buy it, download it for free or even keep the channel tuned to it on the radio. Bad choice. Not all ballads are good.
Round Two: Cook
David Cook – The World I Know – A good performance but too mellow for his final performance on that stage. I wish he would have done the song from the musical. Solid performance. But this is a competition. He came to perform. To stay in the moment. Not sure do much to win this silly little competition. He should be extremely proud of himself and what he accomplished this year. He made me tear up at the end. I agreed with Paula about his integrity and Simon that he should have done the musical song for me and the Billy Jean song for the crowd.
David Archuleta – Imagine – He did this song better this time. He didn’t add anything to it so I was impressed. Good song choice for his last and final song. Was it enough?
Round Three: David Cook
Look…I would love an upset and for David Cook to win. David Archuleta can’t even must the tears to cry like David Cook. I don’t think it was a knock out at all. David A. is the AI pop guy…but David Cook is the musician. Watching the playbacks…I think its clear that David Cook should win. But David A. has a beautiful and amazing voice. Who do you vote for? If you don’t vote….you can’t complain!
PS. I’ve always loved Ruben. Of course his diet is going about as well as mine…but I love my velvet teddy bear.
Top 3 Perform
The Final 3
Finally the best of the best. I have been looking forward to this week for...weeks. I like the early performances and then the end once they get rid of the riff raff. So here we go!
Round 1:
David A. - And So It Goes - Good job. He has a pitch perfect for acapella-ish songs are always going to be good for him. The music kind of threw it off in places for me. I think it would have been better without the music. But it was still a great performance. Really great. I agree with Simon. It was as expected.
Syesha - If I Aint Got You - Good song choices tonight. I think this made her seem a tad a little bit too old. Her version is not as fresh as Alicia Keyes. For the first time I thought she was shouting. I thought the whole thing was too loud. It wasn't terrible, but not her best performance. She did look lovely.
David Cook - The First Time Ever I Saw You Face - Interesting choice. Sabotage! But I didn't hate it. But I didn't love it. I liked his Broadway music number was his best. I did appreciate him trying his best.
Winner: David A.
Round 2:
David A. - With You - I thought I would hate this. But I REALLY appreciate the fact that he tried something different. Maddie and Taylor were shouting in disgust at the tv. He is NOT hip hop. He has a lot of work to be a pop singer. He is a ballad guy. He might have tried a song by Nick Lachey or Justin Timberlake. Ease into pop like them.
Syesha - Fever - Can you say Stripper? It was a sexy and sultry performance. Extremely easy song. She went back to her bread and butter, stage performance. She is an actress that can sing. She will do well on stage after all this is said and done. She is working it tonight. Not my cup of tea but she is definitely on fire.
David Cook - Switchfoot - Good song choice. No one knows this song in the audience. But he was typical David Cook and it sounded okay. Nothing new. Agree with Paula, it was way too abrupt.
Winner: David Cook
Round 3: The producers got a song choice?!? What the hell!
David A. - Longer - Even though a pretty old song choice, it sounded beautiful coming from him. I got chills. I can hear that song on his album. Great job.
Syesha - Hit Me Up - Perfect song choice. First time I have heard her sing something modern. I think she oversang it a little bit. Like David A., she needed to cut off her lyrics too.
David Cook - I Don't Want to Miss A Thing - His voiced was worked! You can tell he has been practicing for the chance of his life. I think it was a good performance. I think his 2nd or 3rd best performance of the competition. But it is a hard song not to compare to the original. It think he did way better in the earlier rounds.
Winner: David A.
Night winner - David A.
So VOTE!!!!!! I would be absolutely DEVASTATED if either of the Davids didn't make it to the finals. It would be an absolute upset! Especially counting the number of times Syesha has been in the bottom 2.
So I will toss my votes for the Davids, hold my breath tomorrow and look forward to next week. Until then, C-ya!
Finally the best of the best. I have been looking forward to this week for...weeks. I like the early performances and then the end once they get rid of the riff raff. So here we go!
Round 1:
David A. - And So It Goes - Good job. He has a pitch perfect for acapella-ish songs are always going to be good for him. The music kind of threw it off in places for me. I think it would have been better without the music. But it was still a great performance. Really great. I agree with Simon. It was as expected.
Syesha - If I Aint Got You - Good song choices tonight. I think this made her seem a tad a little bit too old. Her version is not as fresh as Alicia Keyes. For the first time I thought she was shouting. I thought the whole thing was too loud. It wasn't terrible, but not her best performance. She did look lovely.
David Cook - The First Time Ever I Saw You Face - Interesting choice. Sabotage! But I didn't hate it. But I didn't love it. I liked his Broadway music number was his best. I did appreciate him trying his best.
Winner: David A.
Round 2:
David A. - With You - I thought I would hate this. But I REALLY appreciate the fact that he tried something different. Maddie and Taylor were shouting in disgust at the tv. He is NOT hip hop. He has a lot of work to be a pop singer. He is a ballad guy. He might have tried a song by Nick Lachey or Justin Timberlake. Ease into pop like them.
Syesha - Fever - Can you say Stripper? It was a sexy and sultry performance. Extremely easy song. She went back to her bread and butter, stage performance. She is an actress that can sing. She will do well on stage after all this is said and done. She is working it tonight. Not my cup of tea but she is definitely on fire.
David Cook - Switchfoot - Good song choice. No one knows this song in the audience. But he was typical David Cook and it sounded okay. Nothing new. Agree with Paula, it was way too abrupt.
Winner: David Cook
Round 3: The producers got a song choice?!? What the hell!
David A. - Longer - Even though a pretty old song choice, it sounded beautiful coming from him. I got chills. I can hear that song on his album. Great job.
Syesha - Hit Me Up - Perfect song choice. First time I have heard her sing something modern. I think she oversang it a little bit. Like David A., she needed to cut off her lyrics too.
David Cook - I Don't Want to Miss A Thing - His voiced was worked! You can tell he has been practicing for the chance of his life. I think it was a good performance. I think his 2nd or 3rd best performance of the competition. But it is a hard song not to compare to the original. It think he did way better in the earlier rounds.
Winner: David A.
Night winner - David A.
So VOTE!!!!!! I would be absolutely DEVASTATED if either of the Davids didn't make it to the finals. It would be an absolute upset! Especially counting the number of times Syesha has been in the bottom 2.
So I will toss my votes for the Davids, hold my breath tomorrow and look forward to next week. Until then, C-ya!
Top 4 Perform - Rock in Roll Hall of Fame
The final weeks of American Idol. Supposed to be the best of the best. Well..not quite. Some best (Davids) and some not so best (John). Let's see how they do!
Hungry Like the Wolf - David Cook up first, it seemed like a really easy song. This stage of the game, we need chills. That was simple performance. Not bad. Compare it to the original (I was actually going to a Duran Duran concert at the Hard Rock hotel in Vegas this weekend!) this was not a great performance. Just ok.
Proud Mary - Syesha – I loved her energy. She seemed to just want to have fun since she knows she is going home tomorrow. Performance A-, singing B-. I played it again without looking at the screen and just listening. Not a great vocal performance. But loved the energy.
I Shot the Sheriff - John Castro – Please stop allowing him to speak. He could have picked a better reggae song. What is up with the band?!? Not sure why it is so off. Sounds extraordinarily bad. Not sure its dummy’s fault. Pretty weak for this late in the season. That rag doll sign that audience member was holding had more personality than the real Jason Castro. Simon wanted to jump on stage and kick his ass.
Stand By Me – David Archuleta – I wish he could have changed and developed these weeks. He is exactly the same as he was in the beginning. The performance was good. I liked his open eyes…that was a change! He is a good singer. I liked how he seemed to sing to the girls. Still awkward…but good effort. All he needs is better stage performance and connect with the audience…he would be there! Superstar! We definitely should have a David vs. David finale.
Baba O’Riley – David Cook – Good song choice because most of the kids heard it and thought…I don’t know that song, but I think I have heard it before? (it has been played in movies, tv shows, commercials and covered by many popular folks). It was nice to see him go back to his rock roots.
I Was Born by the River – Syesha – Didn’t like it. I didn’t like the dress, makeup or the performance. Bad choice and arrangement. Wrong mood. I felt that it was heartfelt. But unfortunately the performance was not that good. He didn’t agree with Paula. But he felt bad. He knows this was her moment and that she is going home. Let her go home with some dignity.
Mr. Tambourineman - John Castro - Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh. ‘nuff said? He is such a disrespectful idiot. No respect for the music. No respect for the mentors. No respect for the process. He is BY FAR worse than Sanjaya ever was. Simon is going to cross the producer line and kick that boy off. Syesha is lucky.
Love Me Tender – David Archuleta – Nice arrangement. I can see this bein played at weddings (Caucasian of course…we darker folks usually stick to Luther Vandross). I definitely see that version recorded. He really does have a beautiful voice. Watched it again…even better.
So best performance David A, followed by David Cook. Syesha good not great. John Castro needs to be put down like that horse in the Kentucky Derby. If Cook or Archuleta goes home, plan on the theatre being burned to the ground and Simon jumping on the stage and throwing John Castro off the couch and Paula collapsing in a pool of her own tears. With that said…Syesha or John going home. Again, I think Simon is going to step in because its becoming such a joke and making sure its John. We shall see….c-ya!
