It wasn't exactly easy to get your arms---or ears---around this week's quote-unquote theme on American Idol. The best I can say right now is that it was "the last five years," or something like that, but it sure seemed like a lot longer.
Like maybe forever.
Precisely because the only parameter for song choice was a beginning and end date, this show was all over the map. So it was no surprise that about half-way through there was this urge to turn to the driver and scream, "Okay, now would you please stop and ask for directions!"
Carrie Underwood opened with a Martina McBride tune. She did get to ad lib, jump and yee-haw and at least it sounded real. She had a pulse and was looking hot, as usual.
Randy and Paula panned her vocals. Simon, failing to resist the urge first to throw out a mean joke about Paula's much-twittered about tabloid troubles this week, stated the obvious: that he didn't understand country music "at all." (In other words: "Don't twang me, I'm British.") But he added that he thought Carrie's fans would "absolutely love" her performance. I guess.
Bo scored with his homey homily to homey-ness, including one of the best all-time Idol interview quotes: "I'm a bit of a headbanger, but I'm getting so old now that it hurts my neck." (Bo is what, like 29?)
Well, if he doesn't win American Idol, maybe he can get an endorsement deal for Flexall rub.
Bo came out with lots of facial hair, a by-the-time-we-get-to-Woodstock psychedelic shirt, and Jackie O sunglasses. No, Bono sunglasses. No, I just saw those sunglasses on Jessica Simpson last week (I mean it.).
Anyway, Simon had to bust on him for the sunglasses, but it gets hilarious after a while, doesn't it? Simon, with his closets brimming full of black t-shirts, dispensing fashion advice to someone---anyone---else? Yawn.
Oh, yeah, Bo did sing and he did rock. The judges bowed at his bell-bottoms and the crowd sounded as though the whole house had been bussed in from Helena. That was one serious audience reaction.
Vonzell, Scott and Anthony made up the middle tier tonight. Again.
As usual, Baby V was stunningly beautiful and worked hard at showing off her range, which is considerable. However, when she went to her lower register, it was like the reception went out on the tv. Just where did that voice go? Oh, okay, here it is, back again. Also, it seemed to me that Vonzell sang about five different songs all at once, of course without meaning to. Finally, as I complained previously when she sang "I'm Every Woman," Baby V simply failed to ratchet this song up to its emotional zenith.
Article comments
1 - TylerNewton
"It's likely we'll be saying buh-bye to Scott tomorrow night, but we won't know until the fat lady sings (uh, my bad)."
Tomorrow we should be saying goodbye to Scott..Scott Pepper's alleged "insight" into American Idol. He proves his ignorance about AI each week.
I SAID NADIA WOULD GO HOME TWO WEEKS AGO, AND SHE DID.
I SAID ANWAR WOULD GO HOME A WEEK AGO, AND HE DID.
I am saying it now: Carrie, Scott, and Vonzell in the bottom 3,
AND VONZELL WILL GO HOME TOMORROW.
Too many Bo/Carrie/Constantine fans throw their vote to Scott to help RID us of Vonzell. It's so obvious Vonzell is a huge threat to the top 3, that fans of the top 3 want her gone.
Easiest way to get rid of her? Keep saving Scott and Anthony. Nadia, Anwar, and Vonzell drop. Once those 3 are gone, then finally Scott and Anthony can leave, leaving us with the top 3 as the final 3.
2 - Scott Pepper
Who ever said I had "insight" into AI?
3 - Ashley
LOVED your witty, insightful review, Sticker. It was right on the money!
For me, it was a strange show, redeemed by the strength of Bo and Anthony's unusually good performances. I think you are correct about Anthony's instincts and efforts to please his fan base. In the past few weeks, much to my surprise, he has won me over.
I also agreed with your assessment of that the self-professed Joe Ordinary, Scott Savol, who is not only ordinary, but, so mediocre. Yet, for this very quality, he has gained a sympathetic following, or else, he is the result of mass voting by "votefortheworst.com" who encourages people to ...well, vote for Scott.
Simon's comments to Scott about packing his bags may be as prophetic as when he told Nadia and Janay that they were doomed, but, Scott has an eerie way of pulling through. If he does, Vonzell will most likely be the casualty of that phenomenon, and it won't surprise me. It will disgust me, though.
Scott isn't horrible, and his voice has a pleasant tone, but, a sickening vibratto, like an old lady in church. He truly sounds like a guy at a karaoke bar. He has a gross image, with the big belly, multiple chins, bristly Bobby Hill hair, and ugly facial hair, which only amplifies his round face. I know I should not be so petty, but, he is creepy, too, and his image only makes his voice less palatable, not the reverse. I hate his ghetto-talk affect, which sounded even more ridiculous when you heard how normal his folks spoke. They seemed like nice people, but, Scott just turns me off.
I think Scott being in the top six is a bigger scandal than Paula's antics, and if he stays tomorrow, it will be another nail in the coffin of this popular show, riddled with controversy.
4 - Sticker
Ty--
It's a show. A tv show. Not a life.
Thank you.
5 - Sticker
Thanks, Ashley, for your kind words and backatcha.
What you said, all the way.
I also think if Scott doesn't get scratched tomorrow, it will be Vonzell.
Scott is the escape artist, while Anthony has become the Artist Most Likely to Grow on You.
6 - Eric Olsen
very nice Sticker, good evaluation and very readable report. Anthony has gorwn on me too - complaining about his song selection is like complaining the water is wet. He has got this far BECAUSE his song selection sucks so bad (from my perspective), and there is a whole world of voters out there who love songs I hate (as Simon wisely noted).
Constantine was pretty icky and again Simon was right that he has done very well with pop and sounded strained and mediocre going back to the roock growl.
It would really bother me to see Vonzell go ahead of Scott, who it has finally occurred to me is like the world's worst imitation of Aaron Neville in the body of a sea slug
7 - Mir
Well, there's lots of info this week from everyone! First, I totally agree with Sticker! Nice job-as always!
Here's my run-down of the night-
Carrie was in her forte with the country but I totally agreed with Randy (for once!). There were some pitch issues and it wasnt her best. She was cute and upbeat though.
Bo was "different". (I didnt say "interesting" because that might have seemed like a constantine reference.) I am a BIG fan of Bo's but I am totally confused about what he was thinking last night. The current hit song selection was a good one but why not make your wardrobe match?? oh well! I still will buy his album.
Vonzell was good again. I have really liked her every week but as I've said before, "I DO NOT WANT HER TO WIN!" I don't know if she'll last this week but she should! She really does have the look and "most" of the sound needed for this "game show". Stay around another week, Baby V.
Anthony was actually good. I think he's precious to look at. He just isn't "the one". I still stand by my cruise ship refernce from last week! Can't you see him making the old ladies sigh and fan themselves as they watch him "try" to be sexy? YEP!
Scott. Ugh, Scott. He is so gross and "unidolish". (new word!) I was SO ready for him to be gone weeks ago! (especially after he really flubbed the hall and oats song!) Even in his suit last night I thought he was revolting. He did not pull that song off-at all! I literally did a little "whoop" when Simon told him to "pack his bags". Awesome! HE HAS TO GO!
Constantine tried too hard last night to cross back into a rocker genre. Hello?? Bo already owns the market on that one! Con needs to go back to singin the "crooner" style that they discussed last night. He is NOT a rocker. He's a showman! Again, I totally agreed with Randy's comments about it. Milk that audience, Conney! They want to see you "make love" to the camera, not kick it! :)
I am so baffled by the whole conspiracy theory that good performers are being kicked off to make it easier for the favorites to win. I guess I'm naive! I totally have thought the people who have left, needed to leave. BUT if Scott doesnt leave tonight, I may start to believe in it all! Ugh, Scott!
Peace out!
PS Isn't it amazing how subdued Paula was this week? Some of her comments actually made sense. (especially when she was literally copying Randy, word-for-word!) Her new meds seem to be working! :) Although she did seem sleepy and heavy-lidded!
8 - Eric Olsen
Mir, nice job and good point about Paula - I think she is self-conscious after all the media attention over the last week or so.
9 - Sticker
Thanks, mir
You wrote: "They want to see [Con] "make love" to the camera, not kick it! :)"
sweet!
as for your p.s., I actually felt a little sorry for Paula. She was so self-conscious and guarded. Forget about the "affair" allegation, what had to hurt was the whole media jumping on her "silliness" and "prattle" and "explaining" it as not drug-related.
I mean, if it's not drug-related. It's just saying she's a dork and she's not.
Her comments are often quirky, but so what. What is she there for except to make the show interesting, in whatever way she adds to that.
10 - Mir
Sorry, guys! I really like Paula too! I should have conveyed that better. I find her "random" dancing hilarious! I have just been shocked at how openly happy she has been with everyone's performances this year!
hang in there, Paula!
11 - Sticker
no need to apolo, mir
it's cool, no matter
I like Paula's "dancing" too. I especially like how it seems to make Simon feel when she's standing next to him wailing away on some song and he's rolling his eyes at it. lol
Also that when she's standing up, she's still barely reaches the top of her chair.
She may be tiresome sometimes, but she's tiresome in a cute way and, pers, I couldn't imagine AI without her
12 - karenforclay
Last night must have been a little unsettling for Anthony. Right from the first show, he's been compared to Clay and has gone out of his way to use Clay's mannerisms and singing style. For several shows, he even hiked his shirt into the front of his pants as Clay used to do. The only thing he's missed doing is Clay's lipbite and mike caress.
Last night Anthony stood there in front of an audience which included Clay and, IMO, never looked more like him than he did last night. Humble, yet proud of himself, hair just about like Clay's...good enough performance..
..talk about scary...if Anthony had even one tenth of Clay's karisma, he could have blown the crowd away right in front of Clay...as it is, Anthony just does not have 'it'; he has to start being himself and not ...as Simon said to Constantine..'a poor imitation of the original'.
Anthony will get another chance, I'm sure, to find himself.
13 - karenforclay
Considering that AI spends so much time ,effort and money looking for the 'perfect idol'who can sing just about any genre of music..and criticizes those who don't seem to nail their song in each required category...it 's ludicrous how the judges are trying to manipulate the voters into supporting either rocker A or rocker B.
So far, both rockers have basically stuck to their own specific genre of music and, in fact, are now, IMO, competing only with each other. Both Bo and Constantine are good at what they do, to a point; just as not everyone likes country, so, too, maybe not everyone likes hard rock.
Anthony and Scott are both singers of 'positive pop'... and can't seem to conquer anything else...and will attract their own supporters; Carrie is sooo country and Vonzell is soooo able to do any kind of music.
Following the premise of the show, Vonzell should win as she is the only one who is truly versatile.
As I have said before, Scott picks songs that mean something to him; and, for someone with not one iota of experience (no bands like Bo and Constantine)he has come a long ways. His voice is as good as anyone else's; and his persona and performance skills can be improved upon (witness Clay and Ruben).
AI is the first step in a long process and no one starts out perfect or 'the best'. Why don't you give some of these contestants a break? As Scott said, 'At least I had the courage to get up here and try.'
14 - Lizzie Q
Who is voting for Scott? I don't get it.
15 - Sticker
liz, I certainly don't know who is voting for Scott, but apparently a lot of people are.
He wasn't even in the B3 tonight.