Nikko Smith's elimination last week "shocking"? An "outrage"? "Disaster"? Or another shameless attempt by Ryan Seacrest and the American Idol TPTB to stir up controversy over voting results? Ding, ding, ding. We have our answer.
After Ryan once again burped a lame joke as the lead-in to introduction of the judges, this week's show featuring songs from the contestant's birth year finally got rolling.
Nadia opened with an unidentifiable Crystal Gayle song, which, nevertheless, I thought she performed flawlessly. She began with a hint of country twang in the first measures and infused a sweetness we had not seen in a while through her high notes. When she was done, it seemed clear that Nadia, not Nikko, was the Comeback Kid.
The judges, however, did not see it that way. Simon pronounced the performance "the equivalent of musical wallpaper" and predicted that Nadia would "go home after that." His final remark was that her performance was not memorable and, by the end of the show, I was beginning to think he was right.
Bo took on a truly great song, "Free Bird." He worked conspicuously - very conspicuously - at interjecting some Constantine-like mugging for the camera. But on the one riff that really did soar like a bird, Bo provided only a brief glimpse of this song's deep rock soul.
Regardless, Randy and Paula gushed. Simon, talking over the loud boo-birds, said he thought people watching at home would think "what the hell is that all about?" and, moreover, that "running all over the stage," ipso facto, just isn't enough. (Okay, I added the Latin-ology.)
This was nothing that has not been said before, as weeks ago even I went so far as to say that - as much as I all-around love Bo - his performances were trending dangerously close to Wierd Al Yankovic's "Smells Like Nirvana."
Other strong performances were turned in by Anthony and Vonzell. Both also stand to benefit from their personable interview clips.
Anthony, singing "Every Time You Go Away," powered up his vocals and, on a sparsely backed chorus, returned to and revived his natural dancing style. You go, Anthony. Vonzell, singing "Let's Hear It For The Boys," was fun, beautiful and added in all the right little giggles.
Article comments
1 - Natalie Davis
I thought Constantine was astonishing too. Funny how many meanings one word can have.
2 - Sticker
Nat, yes, and I agree with you that several definitions of "astonishing" apply.
But I still think they all add up to Con going home with the trophy. He is playing his fan base like a fine violin and that's what counts.
3 - Eric Olsen
nice job Sticker, thanks, agree that Constantine just keeps on growing into the role, much like Clay did, though Clay could never be accused of rocking
Scott was absolutely ghastly on he verses but soared on the choruses - how do you deal with that? Dump his dead fat cracker ass, would be my response
4 - Dawn
I just LOVE Constantine - and I am neither ashamed nor embarrased to admit it. He is so completely at ease with his cheese that you just help thinking of the phrase "I fake it so real I am beyond fake" (thanks Courtney) he is just an entertainer.
Great roundup!!!
5 - Sticker
Eric,
You got me thinking even more about this verse/chorus thing. We see that bad/good singing thing so much.
You know, I realized writers write choruses so they can be sung by every schmoe tooling down the highway in his/her car, so no wonder these guys, who sing better than most, can make jam out of the choruses, even if they lose it on the more melodically difficult verses.
okay, I don't need to write another blog entry here, but you get my point and thanks for the brain jog.
Also Scott's, what I call, earthquake dancing deserved a rebuke, but I left it out because I was feeling extra nice last night.
missing Scott & Z-man--is everything okay? (no need to answer here)
6 - Eric Olsen
it's actually Z-woman, they are just traveling, actually good for me to be forced into critic role, which I have missed doing all of this stupid boring administrative crap
7 - Rose
Constantine - I've said it all.
8 - Eric Olsen
boy's got balls the size of church bells
9 - Sticker
Dawn,
Go for it! The purpose of this whole thing is entertainment and Constantine is, in fact, entertaining. End of discussion. lol
10 - Dawn
I meant to say "such a GREAT entertainer" and thanks Sticker for not making fun of me for being such a sucker for his mugging for the camera.
Truthfully, he has become a much better singer too - really had shown some depth, I may be hormonally biased, but I think he has grown the most as a singer - and Vonzell is truly a fun girl to watch. I hope it's those two in the final - even though I do fancy Nadia and the blond chick.
11 - Eric Olsen
"fancy," do ya?
12 - Chad
I haven't watched AI this season until last night. Boy, was I glad to stay until the end. Constantine performance gave me chill. Absolutely phenomenal!
13 - Eric Olsen
really was something
14 - Natalie Davis
Astonishing.
15 - Lucille
Constantine was really great last night. He is trully a singer and well deserves to be called an "IDOL". He has the voice, charisma and good looks.
16 - Sticker
Dawn--
Agreed. It's always a good thing to find someone who brings music and delight into your life!
I think Constantine will win and that thereafter he will grow even more. If you "get" him, he will always be someone who gives something back to you in his performance.
17 - Sticker
all---
it is all coming together for Con - catch him if you can!
18 - Vickie
I am a 54 yr old "Grandmother" and let me just say that Constantine does it for me.........all the way to #1, I say!!!!!! I look forward to AI just to see this charmer!!!!
19 - scg
So agreeing that Constantine should take the title. It's all about the total package (sorry, not just singing talent) and this guy has got it ALL.
20 - Eric Olsen
we shall see, shan't we?
21 - Temple Stark
I always thought it was Stickler,
Any .. Lifted and lobbed to Advance.net - Temple (filling in for Scott Pepper who's on vacation until next week)
22 - Sticker
temple---thanks.
nope, I'm not a stickler. hardly. :-)
congrats to scott and the z-woman on having a r/l lol
23 - Alexis
I love Queen. They are my favorite band. And Bohemian Rhapsody, that's my favorite song. And the one American Idol I missed, My favorite American Idol Dude sung Queen, my favorite band, and from that, sang Bohemian Rhapsody, my favorite song. I am thinking about getting either the American Idol CD or the Killer Queen CD--The tribute to Queen... That was a mouthful. And I'm sure Constantine WAS astonishing. I hope he is very successful in his music career. Constantine, if you read this (probably not) come over to my house and sing it for me!!! LOl
THAT WAS ENOUGH WORDS!!!!!