"I want inside your heaven"---lyrics that fell flat on Carrie minutes before were now brimming with pathos and desire and convincing. When he launched into the key change on "when storms blow awaa-aa-ay," he gathered the audience in his arms and took them higher with him.
Single-handedly, Bo made "Inside Your Heaven" sound like a song. By force almost, he turned this verging-on-sappy-drivel tune into a true power ballad. I say again, truly a Power Ballad.
By the time the ending rolled out of his golden throat, the girl he'd been singing to (figuratively) was reduced to melted jello (not to mention tears) and everybody else was shouting "I believe! I believe!"
Now---I don't care how picky or snobby or erudite you want to get about the definition of rock 'n roll---that, ladies, gentlemen and sports fans, that is a Rock Star.
Carrie, first up, also sang "Inside Your Heaven." At the first strains of music, I thought: this song is perfect for her.
Well, I was wrong. Or maybe I was right, but Carrie just was too nerve-zapped to pull it off completely.
Carrie---also dressed down---I guess it was Casual Friday on American Idol and I just didn't get the memo---started nicely but then was overtaken by pitchiness and her usual mondegreens. Simply put, it was an uneven performance: a mix of nice and uncharacteristic screechiness we had not seen before on Carrie.
Randy pretty much hated the song, Paula dismissed a "couple of not-so-great notes" as a "who cares?," and---inexplicably, from my point of view---Simon declared that Carrie had won the first round.
Next up, for the song chosen by the contestant, Carrie came out with Martina McBride's "Independence Day," a safe, predictable and ultimately grating choice.
Carrie's latest rendition of this song (her 2,365th) was a grab-bag of nerve-induced pitchiness, lost high notes, and lackluster delivery. And, of course, the mondegreens. I haven't checked the tape, but I swear I heard her sing "make the gypsy pay" instead of "make the guilty pay." Anyway.
Randy-Paula, either sincerely, or hearing something live that did not translate through the small screen, or wanting to ensure as much suspense as possible, gushed about how brilliant it was. Etc., etc., etc.
Simon (in a spiffy new flat-top, by the way---and I'm referring to his hairstyle, not one of his too-numerous-to-count black t-shirts), on the other hand, found the vocal "not great" and said he wished she's chosen to sing "Crying" instead.
I wish she had chosen to sing The King's "Trouble," but that's just me.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - SphinxMontreal
The song selections by both were absolutely atrocious. They both picked perfect music for insomniacs.
"Inside Your Heaven"? What da F***?
As for the other one, that twangy country western shit has to be the worst music on this planet.
Finally, great television? Great commercials? Again, what da F***?
2 - Natalie Davis
Yes, boo and hiss to the song pickers -- they did a disservice to Bo, Carrie, and the viewers. That said, IMO, this was Bo's night. I hope America concurs. If not, Sugar Money has a new groupie up north.
3 - Natalie Davis
Would help to include a link...
4 - Eloise
I think I was watching a different show than some people were tonight. The judges said the talent was the best yet? Did Bo give them some of his drugs? Seriously, why can't they just say that this year was not a great one. I am sure that Carrie and Bo are very nice people, but they don't compare to the talent of Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Fantasia and Kimberley Locke. I didn't really see much of season one. But I still think that American Idol 2 had the best overall talent. I don't know what is up with this show or the American public. Last year, an unwed mother won and this year a person arrested more than once for cocaine use could win. I guess an argument could be made for an unwed mother trying to make a better life for her child. In Bo's case, young children can see firsthand that you can overcome a drug problem and find success. I am just not sure that the American Idol show is the best venue for making examples of these situations. Maybe if they had incredible talent, I would feel differently. I have seen plenty of wedding bands that have better singers. I guess everything is relative when it comes to American Idol. Bo and Carrie are arguably the best singers from this season's show, but for the judges to proclaim they are the best of the entire American Idol "series" is ridiculous and makes all of the judges look like they don't even know what they are talking about. (At least Clive Davis has an excuse, he is old and senile.) While Clay Aiken is presently over in Uganda representing our country with UNICEF, I don't think we need to look to far to realize that American Idol got THE ENTIRE PACKAGE in an American Idol when they got him. He too overcame obstacles...but they were obstacles in life in which as a child he was not given a choice. He has used his experience on Idol as a platform for forming the Bubel/Aiken foundation for the inclusion of children with special needs, is an ambassador for UNICEF, does work for the Ronald McDonald House and was a spokesperson for Toys for Tots at Christmas. You may not like the type of music he sings, but technically he is dramatically better than either Bo or Carrie. At one point Simon even said that Clay was "the best thing that ever happened to American Idol". When is Simon going to realize that if this season's talent is the best they could find in all of American, that the show is in trouble. Whoever wins tomorrow night....a LOT of people have wasted a lot of "IDLE" time watching American "IDOL" this year. But, I know that people will probably watch next season too. Maybe everyone is just hoping that eventually they WILL find another real American Idol.
5 - Leslie
Hey Sticker - as usual another great commentary. I have to say after the anticipation building all day for tonights AI extravaganza I was a little disappointed. The show seemed a bit flat to me. I think both Bo and Carrie were nervous and the song choices lacked the pizazz that normally give me goosebumps. I expected, at the very least, fireworks and applause that would rip the roof off the Kodak auditorium like a tornado from hell. Carrie and Bo seemed to elicit equal fervor from the audience but nothing truly significant. Where were the sparks, the bared fangs, the extended claws?! Honestly, Bo could never serve a bad performance. Had he been able to choose his own material for tonights performances I know the theatre would now be open for stargazing. I'm thinking he should have performed his a cappella 'In a Dream' tonight instead of last week. Not only would the roof be gone but the walls as well! No matter how tomorrows show goes it's going to be torture waiting for Bo's album to make its debut!
6 - Natalie Davis
Geez Louise, Ms. Eloise, people can't have opinions different from yours without being accused of being on drugs? There are those who do think Bo Bice is a gifted performer. And there are those who truly believe Carrie Underwood is the absolute bee's knees, regardless of what both you and I think about the Checotah chanteuse. Deal with it. There are millions of opinions throughout the land; yours is but ONE of them.
For the record, Bo was arrested ONCE for cocaine and ONCE for pot. He was never convicted for anything, having completed a treatment program. And you say it isn't proper for him to participate in a teevee contest because you don't approve of his past??? Let's grab back the title from Fantasia, that erstwhile slut (pregnant minus marriage equals slut, right?) -- how DARE she darken our 19-inchers and plasma screens with her shameful past! And what about Ruben: Being obese is a sign of gluttony, which is a sin -- make him give back his Idol title too! THE PURITY OF ALL WHO APPEAR ON TELEVISION MUST BE MAINTAINED AT ALL COSTS!
I wonder, Ms. Eloise: Is the wooden Clarkson clone squeaky-clean enough for ya?
Whatever. Whoever wins, the nation will have an Idol. One you don't like, and perhaps one I don't like. Personally, though I was a huge Ruben fan (don't go there, people), I haven't been as excited about the prospect of a potential Idol as I am about Bo. OK, now, out of millions of opinions, you've heard one more. Mine is as valid as yours. And I guarantee the strongest substance I've ingested is the caffeine in my chai.
Why would the judges say this year's talent was the best? Have you considered that they might BELIEVE that to be true? They aren't alone; I believe this year's crop on the whole has been the best so far. You disagree. Good for you; glad you are thinking for yourself; peace in; have a great life; Seacrest Out.
(Note that no one accused Ms. Eloise of being on drugs.)
7 - Eric Olsen
super Sticky! thanks for all the great coverage this season - you rule! I agree entirely that the new songs were absolutely great not, but that both Bo and Carrie are extremely likable and though I favor Bo, it wouldn't bother me much at all if Carrie won. It's remarkable the show has been able to maintain its momentum for 4 seasons and for that reason alone, you have to say this is their best season ever.
8 - Shark
Thanks for your coverage, Sticker. Good stuff.
I'll have to add Shark's rationale in all of this:
Bo won first round.
Carrie won second round.
They were tied in round three.
Who gets my vote, and why?
Carrie --
Main reason: Bo is a rocker, and since he's spent 3 months on American Idol, he is OFFICIALLY OFF the ROCKER'S ARTISTIC ROLL CALL -- and has seen his eternal soul slip away like a low-pitched note in Vonzelle's repertoire.
Carrie is American Idol material; good voice, easy on the eyes, soulless, wooden, and malleable enough to become a plastic, manufactured Superstar for fifteen minutes of America's cultural history.
9 - Shark
BTW: My wife wanted to vote for Bo [duh] -- but I had control of the phone.
~Bwahahahahahah!
10 - Eric Olsen
Shark=softy
11 - Sticker
Shark--
But, more importantly, who had control of the remote? :-)
12 - Sticker
To those who have ragged on the song choices: man, do I agree.
I've not finished my first cup of coffee yet (which puts me in a dangerous zone for making comments), but I think the singers have to use the original songs written for the finale.
Which usually stink, at least until someone wrests something good out of them.
That's why I gave props to Bo for "Inside Your Heaven." It was a mess of sap, but I do think he managed to make it into a coherent, living song. Not easy.
13 - Sticker
Eloise,
The wonderful thing about music is that the musical universe is infinite and comfortably and wondrously contains an infinite variety of stars.
That's very fortunate. There's something for everyone to love and engage.
14 - Sticker
hi, Leslie.
Thanks for your kind words.
I think I had pretty low expectations for tonight---like I said previously, this wasn't going to be a smackdown. More like a "get by."
I don't think anything will ever compare to that night Clay Aiken came out on that big stage and launched into "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Now that reshingled the roof of the Kodak!
Bo could have made "Vehicle" his "BOTW" but both he and Carrie were suffering a nerve-induced sucker punch. That, coupled with some songs that were hard to get your arms around, sheared a few layers of excitement right off the top of the show.
But I was expecting it to be REALLY flat, so I was pleasantly surprised.
15 - Keefer
Good article as usual, Sticker. I really want to say I enjoyed the final last night. I really do. I was expecting a real knock-down drag-out but I think both Bo and Carrie realize they are already winners by reaching the finals. Which is true... But not good for competition. The show was cursed with bad songs, strong nervousness, and way too many commercials. I was waiting to be "wow'ed" but it never happened. Somehow I think the results show tonight will be an even bigger 2 hour letdown.
16 - Lightning
For a long time I thought Bo and Carrie were both heart felt vocalists.
After the past few weeks, I think that Carrie forces her vocals which causes her to go flat pretty often. That's not heart felt, that's just trying to put your balls to the walls. (pardon the expression)
Bo is very consistent and is a great performer as well as a vocalist. He is consistently heart felt unless he is way out of his genre. (Showtunes)
Like Sticker pointed out, neither Bo or Carrie were very steller last night due to the horrible songs. AI better fix that for next year. Require an upbeat original song, an original ballad and an Idol pick.
I don't feel that Carrie ever picked up the pace like Bo did, which made her performances very boring.
I have to agree that I don't believe either of these 2 AI finalists are comparable to Fantasia last year. The judges saying it's the best American Idol ever would have to be because it was the most competitive, not the most talented. (That's for Eloise) There was no competition last year. From the first time Fantasia sang at her audition I knew she would win. She blew Diana and everybody else away last year.
This year, nobody stood out until Bo sang Whippin' Post with the band. But, at least this year it has been pretty competitive compared to last years blow out. I think the competition did really start when Carrie sang Alone by Heart and nailed it.
The percentages of votes stayed a lot closer for almost the whole competition, so I think it was a great season... I didn't think half of the people had hardly any musical talent or I didn't like their genre, but that didn't make it non-competitive.
Overall I thought this year was an excellent year to watch American Idol. I hope Bo wins tonight...
17 - Sticker
Thanks, Keefer.
For all the reasons I've previously expounded upon, I wasn't expecting a real knock-down drag-out, so I wasn't disappointed.
And, yes, it could be a long two hours tonight.
But we'll watch anyway.
18 - Sticker
eric--
thanks, my man! And more later to you.
For now, what's happened to our friend Google? First the continued "satire" designation, now on this piece we're nowhere together.
19 - Lynn
Underwhelming is how I would describe the final last night.
Where was the roof blowing, no holds barred I want to win this thing performance? I kept waiting for it, but it never came.
I do not agree that this was the best season ever either and this final was just a snoozefest.
20 - Matt
Although just about anyone (yes, maybe even Scott Savol) would be better than the talentless hack that one last year, this years talent pool is very shallow. No, Carrie did not have her best night last night, but Bo's rendition of Vehicle was airport Holiday Inn lounge singer bad. Neither of these people has star written on them.
21 - Shark
Just a technical note:
I taped the thing, and without commercials, last night's AI ran about 12 minutes.
====
Eric, re. me being a softy -- hasn't that been OBVIOUS during my year and a half on BC?
Hell, I get weepy watching Nancy Grace & Katie Couric...
22 - Shark
Marketing Note: Carrie needed a "costume malfunction" to put her over the top.
(Oh, and I can be reached for marketing consulting advice at my email)
23 - Sticker
hey, Lynn--
Re the underwhelmingness of it all: yep, as I predicted it was a bunch more like an Olympic figure skating event than the Gunfight at the OK Corral.
That said, I thought it was pretty good for figure skating. :-)
24 - Keefer
Of course we will watch, Sticker. And, according to Shark, we will see about 24 minutes of actual show. LOL 20 minutes if you subtract the Seacrest incessant banter factor...
25 - Leslie
And here I thought maybe it was me having an off night that colored my view of lastnights show - glad to know it's not some hormonal imbalance or mental derangement! I'll just put my electric shock therapy on hold!
I hope the finale tonight doesn't leave me disappointed - two hours out of my life glued to the TV! The horror! The main things I don't care to see: recaps of auditions (as if we haven't already seen enough of those!), shopping trips, Vonzell delivering mail, Carrie milking her cow, &, oh yeah, Scott Savol! It would all be worth it though if Bo wins - yes, even seeing Scott again (I'm trying not to bite my tongue on that!).