David Cook - "Billie Jean"
The last contestant of the night brought his game to the table in a big, blasting way. David Cook's version of the Michael Jackson song was radically different - and it not only worked, it brought the house down. Amazing vocals, amazing arrangement, and an amazing performance. My number-one favorite of the night. The judges loved it too. Randy: "Dude, you might be the one to win the whole lot." Paula: "I think you're brilliant." Simon: "It could have either been insane or amazing. And I have to tell you, it was amazing."
For the first non-Beatle week in several weeks, the performances of the top-ten contestants were mostly hot. There were a few disappointments that I didn't expect (Brooke White, Chikezie Eze, and Carly Smithson), as well as a few performers that ramped it up a notch (David Cook, Michael Johns, and Syesha Mercado). Someone will be leaving tomorrow - my guess is Carly. Who do you think will get the heave-ho? Let me know!
Here's my personal ranking for the week:
1. David Cook
2. Michael Johns
3. Syesha Mercado
4. David Archuleta
5. Jason Castro
6. Kristy Lee Cook
7. Brooke White
8. Ramiele Malubay
9. Chikezie Eze
10. Carly Smithson
Article comments
1 - Idol Fan
Kristy Lee Cook was horrible. Even her trying to pull out the stops and play a patriotic song for Middle American Voted was pathetic. I saw some of the videos [Edited] and both David Cook and Michael Johns were awesome
2 - Jewels
While David Cook's vocals were very good, his arrangement was a copy (once again) of Chris Cornell's version. Apparently as well as being a wordsmith, Cook does his homework picking songs you'd normally not think of as rock, finding a version of it being performed as rock and delivering that version. That said, he was one of my favorites last night.
Archuleta is seemingly falling out of favor with Simon. This song obviously picked out for him likely by his stage Dad. It was like Cowell described, sounding rather like something you'd find at Disney, little animated animals bouncing around. He did less lip licking, so I'm thinking someone is working with him to stop that habit, it's very distracting and unpleasant to watch.
Kristy Lee - who'd have thought the girl could get into the strategy aspect of this show? This week a brilliant choice and she should be safe.
I adore Castro, but he's got to do something amazing this next week or he'll be gone.
3 - Connie Phillips
I, too, was glad to see Michael Johns pull the Queen out this week. I've adored him from day one and was beginning to fear he was on the way out.
It's interesting at this point in the game to see how things are turning. Some who I thought would surely end up in the final four, could possibly be in the bottom three this week (Carly?).
Kristina's performance was probably her best yet, however it wasn't enough to win any points with me. I'd like to see her go this week, just because she should have left the last two. If we're to judge just on this week alone, however, she will most likely be safe.
Ramiele is another one I'm just not impressed with, and she is the one that would be my choice to leave.