TV Review: American Idol 6: British Invasion Week
Published March 21, 2007
"The British are coming! The British are coming!" screamed millions of teenage girls in 1964 when a quartet of mop topped young lads stepped on American soil and changed pop music forever. No, our contestants didn't perform any Beatles' songs this week, but they were there in spirit as the theme was "British Invasion". The guys and girls got separate music coaches - Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits for the guys, and Lulu for the girls. I noted that these particular coaches, especially Peter, were not quite as praiseworthy as Diana Ross was last week. I'll talk more about that in a little bit. I guess those Brits really are forward in their comments.
There was some stupid girl named Ashley in the audience who cried during the entire show, from beginning to end. Good grief kid, get a grip. And it's not like she was 5. She was a lot older, like 12. I can understand getting emotional at a concert since you're watching your favorites in the flesh. But to be in tears the whole time? Pathetic.
Here we go again, going by letter grade from worst to best. Admittedly it gets harder each week since not only have most of the poor singers been weeded out, but the remaining contestants are improving. Eventually I'll switch to a wider grading scale.
C
Phil sang "Tobacco Road", which was very aggressive and had a lot of passion, but had some bad notes. Paula said it was a great choice of song but there were some pitchy parts. Simon compared him to a third-rate bar band, and added that he heard no grit in his voice. I see what he meant. Phil isn't a badass bluesy rocker, and trying to be one just didn't work. I've got a sinking feeling that Phil will be in the Bottom 3 again this week.
Gina chose to sing "Paint it Black", which wasn't really bad but wasn't very good either. She had some trouble with her lower register, and only improved when she got to the higher notes. Simon said that there were moments of torture, and that it was more of style over content.
Sanjaya really threw me and everyone else for a loop tonight. During his coaching video he said to Peter that he was torn between two songs - the catchy, happy-go-lucky "I'm Into Something Good", and the rock classic "You Really Got Me", which was covered by Van Halen. Knowing Sanjaya, you'd think that he went for the former tune, right? Wrong. Sanjaya did his best rocker impression, which was just really cute and amusing to watch. The boy still can't sing, but I give him props for trying hard. Randy called it Sanjaya's best performance to date. Simon refrained from making any negative comments and just referred to the crying girl. I guess he didn't want to upset the Sanjaya brigade. They might revolt and throw puppies and rainbows and ribbons at him.
- TV Review: American Idol 6: British Invasion Week
- Published: March 21, 2007
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Music: Video, Video: Music, Video: Reality TV, Video: Television
- Part of a feature: American Idol 6
- Writer: Toni Dimayuga
- Toni Dimayuga's BC Writer page
- Toni Dimayuga's personal site
- Spread the Word
- Like this article?
- Email this
Save to del.icio.us
Comments on this articleComments
This was the best assessment I've read to date and I'm in total agreement except that I think Phil is vulnerable. He has nothing unique that makes you remember him although his voice is not bad albeit mostly in the upper range. I can only pray that the Sanjaya fans were preoccupied with homework and did not have time to vote and save him.
Bec- I agree with you in that Stephanie isn't improving. She's definitely a great singer, but her last few performances have been rather stale. I think she's hit a comfortable groove and is reluctant to leave it. I don't know about the team player thing though. I haven't noticed it.
Grandpa Idol- Welcome to reality, away from the Sanjaya worshippers. By the way, I did mention that I think Phil will be in the Bottom 3 tonight again, so that makes us in total agreement. Yes, his voice is best in the upper range, but he has a lot of problems with the low notes.
As for Sanjaya, sadly I have no doubt that he'll make the tour, but reality will kick in soon enough and he'll be eliminated.
We'll see if the Sanjayanatics will put him through. All this syrupy he's an inspiration stuff is nonsense. Pure rubbish. What? Lakisha is not an inspiration seeing that she's a single mother? What? Melinda is not obviously "nice?" Phil who actually served his country? Are we to accept that because Sanjaya is such a nice kid that we should overlook the fact that he simply can't sing? That in this case mediocrity is acceptable? His sister is so cute borderline hot. Correct me if I'm wrong, did she not have a better voice?
Speaking of that performance. Seriously, where's that Vaudeville cane when you need it? Oh, my lord, I squirmed and cried along with that girl. Awful. There is no grade for that stuff. He should have smashed the band's instruments and given the finger after that. That would have made it an 'A.'
What's with Peter Noone? He was as smug as David Foster. Sorry Pete: Simon is right: it's a singing competition, mate.
Well, Sanjaya may go through. No one said a democracy is perfect.
Ahhhh, exactly why a democracy must maintain one person, one vote. I would enjoy Idol so much more if they would change the voting system. However, that's not going to happen so, I'm going to just sit back and watch.
By the way, Kaonashi, your reviews of AI always seem spot on, as well as, fair and balanced. Now, if I don't catch the show I feel I can count on your review to keep me up to date. Thanks.
Boy, did you call it this week! Excellent assessments. And if it weren't for "Vote for the Worst" we would be free of Sanjaya by now.
Sanjaya Rocks!! i think haley should go home
Haley and Stephanie both Suck!!!
It's about time one of them goes home.
As for Sanjaya he is good. I like his performance and he is talented and good looking/.Everyone talks about him all the time. Sanjaya will definately stay for few more rounds
GO SANJAYA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Haley was really bad last night. I hated her song. She really can't sing and has no talent. She should go home.....
Democracy wins and will win Sanjaya will go on the tour. He has the X factor. He reminds me of Michael Jackson... cute and talented...
My Vote goes for Sanjaya!!! YOU GO SANJAYA!!!!!!!
Michael Jackson, eh! Keep an eye on your children.
Alessandro- Apparently, all 12 year olds and grandmothers are deaf. These people voting for Sanjaya this year voted for Chicken Little last year.
Belle- Thanks! Glad you enjoy my recaps.
Ann- Thanks as well! We can't give VFTW too much credit though. That's what they want to think.
Jeremy- I'm not too crazy about Haley either. I didn't think she'd make Top 12. As for Sanjaya, well that's your opinion.
Steve- You definitely have a different definition of "talented", but again that's your opinion.
Terri- We all know how Michael Jackson turned out, right?
Grandpa Idol- You are awesome.
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/61368)
I believe Stephanie should go home, not only does she not grow each week, but while other contestants are standing and cheering on the others she has been seen setting down, no team play, besides that melinda and lakisha kick some major butt!!! There awsome.