TV Review: American Idol - Top Four
Published May 07, 2008
Moving on…Ryan introduced David Cook to start off the second round of performances:
David Cook - "Baba O'Riley"
Yay! This performance was back to the David C I'm used to - the one I can't wait to watch perform every week. While maybe not my favorite David C performance, it was still quite good. Randy said, "That's the David Cook I've grown to love." Paula said, "I want more, more, more, more David Cook!" Simon said, "Welcome back, David Cook."
Syesha Mercado - "Change is Gonna Come"
Okay - not the best arrangement, but Syesha had a nice performance with this song. She seemed to connect to the song, and maybe to the audience, a bit more than I've seen in the past. Plus - her vocals were right very nice. Randy said, "It felt all disconnected to me." Paula said, "It was beautiful." Simon said, "I'm going to agree with Paula."
Jason Castro - "Mr. Tambourine Man"
Oh no! Jason forgot his lyrics. Even without that, this wasn't a stellar performance, or really - even an okay performance. I like Jason, but he's likely in trouble after these performances. Randy said, "You're not in the zone tonight." Paula said, "It is what it is." Simon said, "Jason, I'd pack your suitcase."
David Archuleta - "Love Me Tender"
Another outstanding performance from David A. Seriously - if the AI title was being handed out after the top four performances, it would have to go to David A. Randy said, "Dude, you got it going on right now." Paula said, "I felt your heart! It was fantastic and beautiful." Simon said, "You didn't beat the competition tonight. You crushed the competition tonight!"
So, that wraps up the top four show. As normal, my ranking from the week is below - but tell me what YOU think. Who do you think will be leaving American Idol on Wednesday night?
Here's my personal ranking for the week:
1. David Archuleta
2. David Cook
3. Syesha Mercado
4. Jason Castro
- TV Review: American Idol - Top Four
- Published: May 07, 2008
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Reality TV, Video: Music, Music: Video, Video: TV Recap, Video: Television
- Part of a feature: American Idol Season Seven
- Writer: Tracy Leigh Ritts
- Tracy Leigh Ritts's BC Writer page
- Tracy Leigh Ritts's personal site
- Spread the Word
- Like this article?
- Email this
Save to del.icio.us
Comments
Tracy,
You know I'm a David Castro fan, but last night he was just a mess. If each week were truly based on those performances, it would certainly be him going home.
But this is American Idol, and it doesn't work that way. Fan bases play a role. Since Syesha has been in the bottom more often than Jason lately, I wouldn't be totally surprised to see her going home tonight.
Whether it's Jason this week or next, I think the final show will feature the two Davids.
Sorry Connie but Jason Castro is not a "David". If he does not get the boot tonight and either David does it will be a travesty. It should come come down to the two Davids in the end and I'm really indifferent as to which one walks away with the prize because Idol will take care of both of them. I really like Syesha and think she too has a great career ahead of her but she is not Idol winner material.
Tracy, I totally agree with your article. I am not a David Arch fan, in fact last week I called him a smurf, and I meant it too. That said, his second performance was excellent. Even this hater has to admit that.
I would bump Syesha up to 2nd behind arch and above cook, only because she truly has risen to star level, whereas cooks performances last night were just OK by his standards.
I also agree that it was Syesha who was the only one out of the four never to be tops in votes. It's obvious. I don't have enough fingers and toes to count how many times she's been in the bottom 2 or 3 (ok, maybe I do but you get the point).
Castro must go. Yikes that was bad. And I Shot The Sheriff wasn't even one of Marley's best songs.
Syesha will be eliminated tonight. I reserve the right to say "I told you so," too.
I think Jason will be the one to leave tonight. It would be a shame if it was anyone else. Castro doesn't care enough about being there to stay.
Personally I would like to see Syesha make it to the top two, with David Cook being the other one. But I'm pretty sure it will be both David's.
Jason Castro should have been eliminated before Brooke White, before Carly Smithson, before Chikezie, before Michael Johns, before Ramiele Malubay, before Amanda Overmyer, and before Asia'h Epperson.
The screams and squeals that erupt each time Castro sings tell the whole story here and prove to be very illuminating as to what the contest is all about. That's why David Archuleta will win, too.
It has to be Jason Castro looks instead of talent that has lead him to this point. It's definetely a tough decision, both Davids has star quality, but I believe David Cook has an edge with a bit more talent. He's truly gifted.
I'm delighted to be proven wrong. Jason is a local boy (I'm in a different Dallas suburb than Jason), but he didn't deserve to be on the show as long as he was, and certainly not another week.
Syesha should be next, I suspect, but we'll see how the performances go next week.
I don't get David A. I don't care for his nasally tone and his pre-packaged approach. He's stiff, uninspired, and generally looks fearful. Sure he's only 17, but there have been plenty of great performers and vocalists who started young.
That being said, he's perfect for the tween set.

Tracy Leigh Ritts is a successful freelance writer and aspiring novelist living in Northwest Ohio with her husband and four children. She is the author of the book How to Plan Your Own Wedding and Save Thousands...Without Going Crazy. Visit Tracy's 



Tracy, I suspect the only person who has *not* been #1 in the past is Syesha. As difficult as it is for anyone who loves music to comprehend, Jason Castro has never been in the bottom three. Never!
I've said for months now that it could and should come down to the two Davids. I hope that is so.