He writes the songs, but tonight the remaining seven AI3 finalists sang the songs as millions of teenage and twenty-something Americans cringed. Manilow's music might not be for everyone, but in my old age (almost 30 now), I've come to appreciate his music, if only on an ironic level.
Last week, I was completely off in my predictions. Jon Peter Lewis was in my top three, and, obviously, he's no longer with us, which is a shame because I'm sure he would have delivered a killer version of Copacabana had he still been around tonight. I still find it hard to believe that Diana DeGarmo got more votes than him. Such are the strange and mysterious ways of American Idol voting. Hopefully, this week will be easier to call.
THE WINNERS
In the battle of the divas, Fantasia seems to keep coming out on top. Her rendition of It's A Miracle, which closed the show, was unquestionably the highlight of the evening. By infusing Manilow's slow, breezy melody with a gospel flair and growling out the lyrics at her throaty best, Fantasia truly made the song her own. The consistently high quality of her performances, her energy, and her positive attitude keep her in her spot as queen bee for another week. Her front-runner status makes the decision to plead for extra votes by bringing her young daughter on stage with her tonight all the more confusing. We know she's a mother from more than one of her previous videos, but to pull the child into the spotlight after singing tonight was nothing more than sympathy ploy. I don't know if it was her idea or not, but, whoever thought of it, it was ill conceived and poorly played.
LaToya gets up on stage each week having to make a case for herself. Ever since her week in the bottom three, she's been deadly serious about staying at the top of her game, and tonight was no exception. She sang All the Time, a great choice because it allowed her to at once show her power and her range. In the end, she may even be a better singer than Fantasia. But there's still something missing. Though there's no question that she's in the same league with Ms. Barrino, Jennifer Hudson continues to nip at her heels. LaToya, if she really means business, has got to start letting her personality shine through. She gives it her all each week, but it never seems like she's actually having any fun. Even in her videos, she seems guarded and unwilling to open up. While it's likely she'll end the competition in the top three, if she would only let the audience in just a little bit, she could propel herself to the top.
Article comments
1 - i
I couldn't disagree more with your assessment of John's performance last night. Of course I already figure your taste's questionable since you called "Mandy" a weak song. Great song, and the performance, I thought, was fantastic, his best of the finals. Reminded me of why I really like him.
I also think it's possible that his supporting base will have increased since JPL left. Seems like there was probably significant overlap there, and so JPL being gone could do him good. Then again I'm generally wrong, and obviously the judges last night agreed with what you're saying.
I was, though, really disappointed in George. Really hoping he sticks around and gives us some of the old stuff next week; for my money he deserves one of the top two spots.
2 - Ricky Vandal
I like Barry. Especially that Mandy song. Oh Mandy, you came and you gave without taking. It's a great way to get girls named Mandy to slap you in the face. They hate the song for some reason.
3 - Scott Pepper
Very true. My wife's name is Amanda (she claims her mother named her for the song, which was getting a lot of radio play the year she was born) and she can't stand Mandy. Could be why I'm slightly biased against it.
4 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
i would imagine the rreason for all this mannilo malarky has everything in the world to do with the knacker-knackering success of Westlife's cover of Mandy in the UK. Had those Cowell-managed boys from the Duke's homeland of The Ireland not scored so high with that sacharine nonsense, i doubt American Idol would now be devoting a show to the man with the nose. I always prefered homer simpsons version anyway. "oh margie. you came and you found me a turkey. on my vacation away from work-ie."
5 - Eric Olsen
Excellent job as always Scott and I agree that FINALLY John-Boy will go.
To my shock the show was one of the best, manilow may be a dweeb but he has written many a fine pop tune. I missed "Copacabana."
6 - Bob A. Booey
Hey, blog kid. I'm smarter than you and a better critic, so I'll post this because I have no interest or idea of what blogs are. You're too damn serious.
Funniest line of the night: "The face millions of women in America love" ... shoot to closeup of old Barry with all his makeup. Yeah, I won't get into why that's funny, but yeah, you get the idea. Especially coming from "Seacrest Out." American Idol is great because Americans don't realize that their favorite show is more camp than a John Waters movie, with all the things that implies (subtext anyone?). I'm happy that American Idol remains firmly within the closet and "ear delicious." Seacrest Out!
Simon's right that this year is the battle of the 3 black divas, but only because they're the only ones who can ACTUALLY SING. This year's show is notable mostly for being a freakshow -- are you kidding? Diana DeGarmo, John Stevens, Amy and JPL? Speaking of Amy, I expected Simon's "I remind you of ..." to be as dead-on as his Jay Leno crack that got Amy booted off since it was so apt, but Stan Laurel was too dated a reference for the 13 year old girls in Omaha that watch Idol.
I think Fantasia's kid will probably hurt rather than help her with votes, considering American Idol's Middle America appeal. While I don't expect her to be in the bottom 3 because of her strong performance, you can read through the lines of Paula and Simon's comments: they clearly view her as the quirky "ghetto queen," particularly Paula whenever she commends Fantasia on "being classy tonight." Paula's a racist. Simon likes her because she's not Clay Aiken or Kelly Clarkston. She'll clearly be in the top 3 and get a contract as a Macy Gray-type even if she doesn't win (which she won't). If I had to bet, I think she'll finish runner-up to LaToya.
LaToya London will win -- you can see that Simon's already pushing her as the best-looking, most Idol-ready of the current singers. She's the only one of the freakshow cast that you could actually picture in Rolling Stone or doing their lame single on Jay Leno. She won't do any better than Ruben when it comes to record sales, though. The high cheekbones and classy demeanor don't make up for the lack of personality.
Jennifer Hudson is such a freakshow it's great. The bug eyes, the terrible clothes, the big voice ... she's some kind of Viking opera singer by way of the projects. She clearly has the most powerful voice, but she's too bizarre to win Idol. She'll also get a contract, but no one will remember her name by next year.
Speaking of freakshows, Diana DeGarmo's Jon Benet Ramsey act will wear thin quickly. Even the fanny-pack wearing hausfraus from Omaha will realize that she's too annoying and too flawed a singer to keep on their TV screens. I find her really disturbing and worry about her sanity, and not in a Jennifer Hudson "I am Viking, hear me roar" kinda way. Yeah, I know she's 16, but she's so clearly been raised by these soulless stage parents and her whole persona is plastic and desperate. Within a couple of weeks, her insincere "thank you so much, Simons" and manic smile will be off the show.
Jasmine Trias, as silly as it sounds, hurt herself by not wearing that stupid flower. I've thought from the beginning that the day she plucks that hideous thing from her ear, she'll be in danger of being voted off. Her "cute Hawaiian chick" schtick is a gimmick, and she might very well be in the bottom 3 because of the silly flower. It's stupid, but so is America. She deserves to stick around, for maybe a week.
George Huff's shuffling, "yes suh" soul act seems to have hit some snags. I liked him a lot since he's so akward in terms of personality and has some soul to his voice, but America's favorite Uncle Tom will be in trouble soon unless he can StepNFetchIt like America has been used to the past few weeks. Urkel 2004 will be at the top of the bottom 3 this week and his weaknesses and lack of range as a singer will be exposed. His song was quite possibly the worst last night, on par with John Stevens.
Speaking of John Stevens, this kid is a trainwreck. He's transparent, he has a weak voice, his parents are the lamest squares ever, and I hate looking at his depressed face everytime he listens to the judges rip apart his latest failure. "You're a nice guy, John" is the kiss of death and it's clear that he never belonged in this competition. The 2 rat pack style songs he did were alright, but Simon's right that he has no charisma. He ruined Mandy for eternity. Get some self-esteem, kid. I think he'll go this week and good riddance -- more than any of the other "finalists," he was the most consistently reliable threat to be the worst song every damn week.
Your predictions aren't that bad, but I think Diana rather than Jasmine will be in the bottom 3, judges' comments be damned. George will get more votes than Diana. John will go, I agree. I think Fantasia's a dark horse to be in the bottom 3 because her performance didn't get its usual superlative raves from the judges and because, well, America's racist against single black teen moms. "I didn't hear you? What language is that?!!!!"
Oh and yeah, Randy's more pathetic than ever. He's got those really disturbing stretch marks on his neck after getting his stomach stapled and losing weight. He's got a weird shine to him now and his whole "yeah yeah dawg ... aight?" act is so forced it's sad. This is a guy who was in 70s classic rock bands like Journey as their token black rock guy. Even George can keep it real better than Randawg can ... yeah yeah. Use the word "pitchy" more, why don't you? It almost makes you sound like a credible musician.
That is all. Maybe I'll post more later if you people engage what I say. Thanks for reading -- Bob
7 - IluvIdol
As you are yet again off with your predictions, big time, I think everyone should admit that Pappy person was right:
Fantasia, Latoya, and Jennifer were in the bottom 3 because of how the voting works. If you vote who you want OFF, john stevens would go home. But since you vote who you want on, the votes are split so much that Fantasia almost got lowest amount of votes, while John (and converted JPL fans) fans vote strong to save him.
If you are mad, don't blame the votes. Blame the way the show works. They have this voting system purposely so we get controversial results.
8 - i
yep yep. You had the problem tonight that all the "divas" are fighting for the same demographic, while the white-boy-that-can't-dance demographic could now focus all their votes on John.
My only confusion is with the fact that Jasmine is still in it, cuz I think she's horrible. Just boring (when she's not grating.)
9 - Mac Diva
LOL @ Bob! He's got nerve, taking over someone else's comments to do his own review. It is a hell of a review, though.
I don't think Paula is racist. (Her tan comes by way of Brazil, people.) The jury is out on how Fantasia being a single mom will play. But, for the record so was Aretha, at a younger age. I'm gonna guess Fantasia will win. Her rough edges can be smoothed after the competition.
10 - Natalie Davis
Um, Bob: "This is a guy who was in 70s classic rock bands like Journey as their token black rock guy. Even George can keep it real better than Randawg can ... yeah yeah."
And you call Paula Abdul racist? What was that statement? And what defines "keeping it real"?
As for Paula, MD, isn't she part-Lebanese?
11 - Mac Diva
I'm not sure. I think Paula's dad is from Brazil. Anyway, there's some color in there somehow. I think she may be more concerned about Fantasia and class than race. And, those rough edges will disappear if F.B. makes the big time. They will have her in elocution and diction classes before she came say 'Y'all come back now."
12 - Mac Diva
Checked. The father, Harry (huh?) is said to be Brazilian by way of Syria and Lebanon.
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