Leaping into the breach, I offer these humble reactions to tonight's Final 8 performances on American Idol, performances with the novel theme of songs from the year each contestant was born, complete with obligatory baby pics and wider than usual stylistic variety.
Nadia Turner, simply stunning in resplendent smile, short red dress, extensive legs and electrical wildness on top of her elegant head, once again perplexed and bemused the judges, who seem affronted by her unapologetic eclecticism, ranging variously week to week from classic R&B to new wave to rock 'n' roll to soul to the Great American Songbook to, tonight, an obscure Crystal Gayle (!) song from '77 that none of the three judges even recognized, which made them irritable, even Paula.
Simon is existentially cheesed that she simply won't play cricket and be "normal." Unfortunately, the nation doesn't know what to make of her either, and with a song that Crystal Gayle herself barely remembers ringing in their collective heads 9not) I fear for her lithe, toothsome self.
Hirsute Bo Bice was next and after iffy song selection last week (but who didn't, other than Constantine, in a misbegotten "Broadway" week?), he went for the Southern Rock motherlode with "Free Bird," which I had never before thought of as a vocal showcase. Though the song felt oddly truncated without the many guitar workouts, it was still effective as the Alabamian seemed happy as a pig in mud singing a song so HIM.
Bo, the oldest of the group at 29, still is not old enough to have been born in '73, the year "Free Bird" was released. But, invoking a little known codicil in the Faber College, I mean American Idol, charter enabled him to cite '76, the year he was born, as the release date of "Free Bird" because that was the year the LIVE version came out. Clever lad that Bo. Randy rejoiced, Paula swooned, Simon showed he has no feel for Americana - the audience booed his nonsense under the table.
Article comments
1 - John and Dee
Each week our blood boils higher as Paula plays cheerleader (Rah Rah) to every performer. She has her say, however repetative and oh-so-up, but when it is Simon's turn she is soooooo very rude. She immediately jumps up and encourages the audience to turn on him, then interrupts his every word! No one interrupted her (except my husband and me!). I'm sorry, but Paula needs to be replaced with a person who can do a true critique, both the positive AND the negative. Simon is doing a fine job after the Miss Pollyanna and Mr. Middle-of-the-Road judges are finished. Without his input this would be a fiasco. The contestants need some (and I think appreciate it!) constructive criticism. He has no choice but to erase the rainbows, puppies and kittens. Paula jumps up and claps for everyone!! She should be a game show diva!
2 - Natalie Davis
Um, she is a game-show diva.
3 - Paul Roy
I want what she's drinking.
4 - Eric Olsen
she has a point, but being the "nice one" is clearly Paula's role
5 - Sticker
nice one, Eric!
interesting find on the release date for "Free Bird" - clever that, Bo
6 - Eric Olsen
must do my part two now, many rivers to cross
7 - Dawn
Get thee to part two (and your welcome for my ad lib commentary :)
8 - Keefer
Did anyone notice how overly positive Scott was last night about his performance? Like he was trying to defend it and his somewhat "tarnished" image? I was just curious...
9 - Eric Olsen
thanks to Dawn for her for her freely-given commentary
Keefer, yes Scott was overly aggressive in defending himself. As Dawn said at the time: he seems to be hiding insecurity with assertiveness. I am, frankly, really sick of the guy
10 - Eric Olsen
pt 2 now up
11 - Teddy
This Eric is a jerk. He can think whatever he wants to of Hall & Oates, but they are not freaks. They are actually 2 pretty nice guys who have written a lot of good songs and sold a lot of records, so where does Eric get off saying they are freaks? A fox smells his own A-hole.
12 - Eric Olsen
um, it was a term of endearment - I didn't say anything negative at all about Hall and Oates, of whom I was a very big fan in the '70s and into the '80s.
But I still could be a jerk.
13 - Temple Stark
Likewise
Lifted and lobbed to Advance.net - Temple (filling in for Scott Pepper who's on vacation until next week)