I resume after an evening's repose, refreshed and semi-alert, with commentary on last night's American Idol birth-year theme (pt 1 here). Before I forget: the live band that accompanies the singers is absolutely great: they are versatile, know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em, and have made the finals performances feel like real EVENTS.
That said, after his performance and subsequent judicial critique, Ryan asked Anthony how he responds to negative criticism, especially Simon's scabrous dismissals. Young Anthony quoted Conan (the Barbarian, not the O'Brien): "That which does not kill me makes me stronger." THAT is the way to deal with Simon, not direct confrontation ( a la Scott, see below), which only solidifies Simon's resolve to be a sphincter.
Sweet, cheery Vonzell Solomon was up next. Every time they introduce her she finds a way to slip in the martial arts thing, as if to say "this sweet cheery veneer is backed by a spine of steel, sucka!" In a jean skirt and sequinned top, she looked something like a sorority mermaid. Nonetheless, the lovely, effervescent Miami-native bounded across the stage and our screens with a joyous rendition of Denise Williams's "Let's Hear It For the Boy" from her birth year of '84.
She's on a roll with very apt song selection and the judges noted as much. Simon compared her favorably to Nadia, which was nonsensical since they are nothing alike as performers, personalities, or sensibilities, but he is correct that Vonzell does make people want to get up and vote for her because she's a people pleaser.
The dreaded Scott Savol next lumbered onto the stage, his squinty eyes, wary glances and general sullenness make him the opposite of a people pleaser, yet somehow he has found a constituency: perhaps there are more squinty-eyed, sullen sloths dragging across North America than I realized. I very much like the quality of Scott's voice, a textured full tenor, but he seems to always have pitch problems in his lower register, and as a result Hall and Oates's "She's Gone" ('76), though a great song, was not the tune for him, with the verses rooting around in the vocal root cellar before soaring in the choruses. As a result, he yo-yoed between wretched and inspiring.
Article comments
1 - Dawn
Good job - and Scott has worn the last nerve I reserved for him.
He is the most unappreciative and defensive douchebag to make it so far on so little. Sure he can sing, he sings far better than I do, but American Idol? He is NOT.
2 - Eric Olsen
right on Dawn, dude makes Cleveland look bad, personality- and wife-beating-wise
3 - Sandy
Scott has demonstrated talent, but his negative attitude overshadows it. I hope tonight is his swan song.
4 - Eric Olsen
join the club Sandy, and don't forget the squinty eyes
5 - TDavid
What was that with Scott throwing off his glasses a couple weeks ago. Dude was going through the striptease on stage! Scary!
6 - Eric Olsen
indeed, the glasses, especially dark glasses, hide the squint
7 - Natalie Davis
Keep the shades on as you leave the room, Scott. Begone.
8 - TylerNewton
You are kidding yourself if you think Scott is gone.
Not only was Nadia bad, but Simon took 2 occassions to say she'll be gone.
That plus the fact that Scott voters have been saving him the last few weeks leads us to the conclusion that Nadia will be gone.
9 - Eric Olsen
I mentioned in part 1 of this report that I fear for Nadia, but I personally do not wish to see her go
10 - Dawn
America must be nuts to let Nadia go before Scott, good gravy - Nadia is uberchic, which may be why she is took much for American Idol - she's too sexy for the show, too sexxx-ay.
11 - Eric Olsen
Scott should have the decency to melt in her presence, I mean literally
12 - TylerNewton
"America must be nuts to let Nadia go before Scott"
No they aren't. You don't understand that most AI fans are huge fans of Bo, Carrie, and/or Constantine.
They see Nadia as a threat and want her gone. Since they cannot directly vote her off, portions of the Bo/Carrie/Constantine fanbase throw their vote to Scott/Anthony/whoever to help Nadia go home.
Makes perfect sense as AI viewers are figuring out how they can work AI, not just voting for their favorite week in and week out.
The bottom 3 WILL be Nadia, Anwar, and Vonzell. Bottom 2 will be Nadia and Anwar, with Nadia going home, much to the relief of Bo/Carrie/Constantine fans who think the longer Nadia stays the more of threat she becomes (and I completely agree with that assessment).
13 - Eric Olsen
cynical - can't we all just get along?
14 - Sunshine
Hello!I agree that Constantine is really emerging as a potential finalist. In the beginning, Bo got most of the raves, but the music-schooled COnstantine is starting to show the stuff he's made of. I also like Carrie a lot, and her rock performance. She showed versatility! I think Scott has to go too. I think they were kinda harsh on Nadia if their only reason was song choice. Maybe the bottom 3 will be Scott, Nadia, and Anthony.
15 - Sabrina
"...Constantine had the unmitigated audacity to tackle the theatrical extravaganza that is Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," and damn if he didn't find the song's original appeal lurking under the accumulated crust of classic rock cliche, cooing the delicate parts and pounding the rocking segments with the authority of the late great Freddie."
Laconically stated, "Amen!"
16 - TylerNewton
I TOLD YOU SO, I TOLD YOU SO, I TOLD YOU SO.
Keep those tears coming Nadia, you little crybaby.
17 - Temple Stark
Cry babies regardless,
Eric,
Lifted and lobbed to Advance.net - Temple (filling in for Scott Pepper who's on vacation until next week)
18 - Jonathan
Out of curiosity, does anyone know the song Scott sung tonight?
19 - El Bicho
"Against All Odds" Phil Collins
20 - Jonathan
You rock, thank you.
21 - Terri
Great summaries, Eric! I always enjoy reading the AI reviews here after I've watched the show.
I was disappointed but not overly surprised by Nadia's departure last evening. Her obscure song choices really hurt her, and she admitted as much in her "goodbye" speech.
My only surprise is that Scott outlasted her. HUH?? Especially after his performance on Tuesday, when the only thing that sounded ok was the chorus. Plus, he is one creepy dude.
I think the Bo thing was a fluke, as the judges pointed out both Ruben & Fantasia were in the bottom three at one point. Voters feel they are safe, so vote for someone less safe to keep them in the game ahead of some one else.
My vote for top three is Constantine, Carrie & Bo. Constantine will win it all though. He's got charisma out the wazoo and has been consistently good.
22 - Eric Olsen
thanks all! Tyler, you were right, although Bo's presence in the bottom 3 sort of shoots down the Bo/Carrie/Constantine fans conspiracy theory. Not sure why you are so unsympathetic toward Nadia, who I think handled her departure quite well. A few tears? What do you expect? She was hardly blubbering all over the stage.