Category: Reality TV (Page 108 of 118)

Sometimes you think you know something about judging talent and sometimes you don’t. That’s what makes “American Idol” such a compelling show, as we all try to put ourselves in the shoes of Randy, Paula and Simon and pretend we’re judging the talent, predicting who stays and who goes. But we’re certainly not always right.

Last night, after another horrid group number, it was down to business. Ryan Seacrest put the contestants into groups on his left and on his right. Jason, left. David Cook, right. Carly, left (after Simon telling her he is hard on her because he believes she has huge potential). Kristy Lee Cook, right.

Then Elliot Yamin came out and sang, and I mean sang. This dude has unbelievable pipes, and I think he and Marc Broussard may be the most soulful white dudes I’ve ever seen.

Then some phone calls, and the best one was the woman who asked the judges what the first records they ever bought were. Randy’s were Led Zeppelin, the Beatles and James Brown; Paula’s were Earth Wind & Fire, Jackson 5 and Carole King; and Simon said his was Paula Abdul. Ha!

Then Mariah Carey came out and sang her new single. Well, she sort of sang….it was like part singing, part lip synching, part bland computer-generated crap. Who am I kidding? It was all bland computer- generated crap, and Mariah was just there trying to look 20 years younger than she is in a short dress and diamond crusted microphone and mic stand. I have a word for you, and that word is BLECH.

Syesha, left. Brooke, right. Then David Archuleta, safe. Ryan then made David Cook and Syesha switch places. For those of you who are confused right now, that left two groups: David Cook, Jason and Carly; and Syesha, Kristy and Brooke. David Archuleta was asked by Ryan to join the group he thought was safe, and he sat in the middle of the floor. Seacrest didn’t waste time, telling him it was the David C/Jason/Carly group.

That left a bottom 3 of Syesha, Brooke and Kristy. Hmm…I really thought Carly was going home, but I was wrong. Syesha, safe. That left Brooke and Kristy, and Brooke was safe. Kristy Lee Cook, going home…I really though she brought her A game the last two weeks, but America disagreed. I also thought she had become a dark horse to win it all, but I was way off. Maybe America is smarter than I thought? Maybe I’m not as smart as I thought? Whatever, we have a pretty strong top 6.

Here are my power rankings:

1. David Cook
2. David Archuleta
3. Jason Castro
4. Carly Smithson
5. Syesha Mercado
6. Brooke White

I like Brooke better than the other two ladies remaining, but I don’t think America does. This thing is seriously heating up now, and we’re barreling toward the finish line. Keep throwing me curveballs America, I’ll connect on one soon. Meanwhile, have a great week everyone….

I really thought having Mariah Carey as a mentor on “American Idol” would do two things…One, prove that she is full of herself, and two, make it really difficult for the contestants, especially for the girls, who would have to measure up to her insane vocal ability. Well, I was wrong on both counts.
Not only was Ms. Carey very humble about having this opportunity, but the contestants all came to play and deliver. Let’s recap, shall we?

THE REALLY GOOD

David Cook, singing “Always Be My Baby?” Are you kidding me? That’s sort of like Mariah trying to sing Pearl Jam. But somehow, this guy just proves that he can do it all every single week, and last night he did a super cool rock version of a really poppy, R&B flavored song. It wasn’t quite “Billie Jean,” but it was still really impressive. Randy said David is ready to make an album now, and that it was his best performance yet; Paula said David is “it”; and Simon said that it was a breath of fresh air, original and daring. Yep, it was all of that.

THE GOOD

David Archuleta sang “When You Believe and was wearing Continue reading »