So it's 21st Century week on American Idol, and the show's an hour shorter. It'll be harder for me to be as witty as in previous weeks because I have less time to write in between performances, but hopefully my review will be entertaining nonetheless.
Lisa Tucker. Why in hell are you ruining Kelly Clarkson's beautiful song "Because of You"? This is the reason Kelly did not want her songs sung on this show. It was a laughable rendition, and this performance was, as Simon said, painful. She didn't emotionally connect with a very emotional song, the arrangement didn't do Lisa or the song justice, and as much as Lisa (as well as Paula apparently) thinks she can sing her ass off, the truth is, she can't. She seems to think that her voice is a "Whitney" or "Mariah" when really it's just a "Mya" or "Jasmine Trias". You're not a power-belter so stop acting like one.
Grade: D
Kellie Pickler is obviously a little sick this week — you can tell by her interview clip (which by the way seemed a little scripted). She's singing Sara Evans' "Suds In The Bucket". The song and the performance both are equally boring, and the singing was not great either (minus a nice little run at the end). But I think Simon said it all. There are so many songs to pick, yet you pick a song talking about suds in a freaking bucket? C'mon Kellie. This was an opportunity to show your personality, to show your range, and to show what kind of record you'd make, and you failed. You definitely won't be exiting this week, but you will be soon if you keep giving performances like that.
Grade: C
Ace Young. Okay, they must've prepared things for all of the idols to say about their songs, Ace's seemed scripted too. "Drops of Jupiter"? What the hell? Good song, but not for you. We all know Ace doesn't have the best vocal chops, but he always has seemed to pick very good songs for his vocal style ("Father Figure", "Butterflies"). I don't understand why he would try to do something completely out of his abilities and sing a Train song. Bad choice. Everyone's making horrible choices tonight. Maybe the 21st Century theme wasn't such a great idea. The showing of the scar was really cheesy and unnecessary, and the little hand out to the camera at the end of every performance is losing its charm (why was his arm shaking like crazy?).
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Jackie
Another category for you --
Looks Best in a Cowboy Hat - Bucky Covington
;-)
2 - chantal stone
I was also disappointed with last night's show, the song selections were all wrong across the board.
And Chris, normally I agree with you, but I thought Paris' performance was terrible. She can sing, yes we all know this, but Beyonce is so not her style, and I was cringing watching her dance. I don't know what it is about her, she just irks me.
I loved Mandisa's song choice, it's such a great modern gospel song, but I thought she over-sang it, and that little bit she said at the beginning was too indulgent, like Simon said.
Okay, so now to Elliot......Chris you are not alone. I don't know what exactly they are doing to that boy, but he is getting more and more delicious every week. By the end of the competition, he might even earn a "hott"---with 2 t's!
3 - Jan
Concerning your comment, "As far Simon's criticism that he looks very Clay Aiken...what the hell? Why would Clay Aiken be wearing tight faded denim and a leather jacket?"....Have your heard of Clay's "Jukebox Tour" that he did this summer? Have you seen any pictures of Clay wearing a black leather jacket, white shirt, and tight jeans? He looked very "at home" in them. Very gorgeous. This tour was awesome -- songs from the 50's through the 2000's. Please don't underestimate Clay. He is a rock solid performer and entertainer. It was really an awesome tour. If I knew how to send them to you, I'd send several pictures and videos for you to see for yourself.
4 - Rene
I think everyone agrees that last nights show was awfull.
5 - Ann
Also, for your information, on Season 2 (the best AI season ever), CLAY AIKEN did indeed wear tight black jeans, a black shirt, and a leather jacket and was outstanding in his outfit and was excellent in his rendition of the great song "I Could Not Ask For More." How quickly you forget. Clay Aiken Rules!!!
6 - Linc
Last night's show was just awful. No wonder I can't listen to the radio - these are the best of the recent songs they could find to sing? Only Taylor (and sometimes Elliot) seems to have an interest in anything remotely unique. Your Clay comment? Are you kidding? Clay wore jeans all the time on AI and a black leather jacket for I Could Not Ask For more. Do you have this image in your mind that has no basis in reality? It's like some weird group think that's so far from actual real life it would be funny if it wasn't so predictable.
Paris - loved her in auditions. Pretentious mannered now.
Would love a Taylor/Elliot final.
7 - Jaye
i am sooo glad that there are other people out there who find elliott HAWTTT. i mean seriously, there's just something about him that's soooo sexy...yummy yummy elliott!!
8 - Big T Mack Daddy
Someone should push Paris down some stairs. She is annoying. Kelly Clarkso can not sing like Christina. McPhee sang live, so she shouldn't be compared to an album version anyway. Mr. Tumnus rocks. Holla.
9 - Maniac
If you ask me, Ace was a disaster last night and so was Mandisa. Elliott carrying off Bo Bice was almost as credible as Lisa who needs to go for insulting a Kelly classic like that. It was an insult to the competition. For more Idol chatter, check out:
http://www.musingsofamaniac.com
10 - Steve
I was surprised that I'd only heard 2 or 3 of the ten songs that were sung on this show that night!!! And this is 21st century music??? Where have I been the last 6 years??? LOL. I guess it just shows how fragmented the music scene has become in recent years.
The choices for the most part were risky for various reasons and it's good that most of them weren't playing it safe. However, I think they just took the wrong risks for the most part, except for maybe the last two or three of the night. Too bad. They tried, but no cigar this time. I wish them well for next week's song choices.
11 - Chris Evans
Just because Clay Aiken wore a leather jacket in season 2 volume 7 episode 18 performance 4, doesn't mean that if someone's wearing a leather jacket and jeans, that it makes sense to say the look is very "Clay Aiken". If Britney Spears appeared on the cover of Teen People wearing a flowery sundress, does that mean the next time I see someone wearing a similar one I'm going to say "What the hell...this look is very Britney Spears"
What is with the extremist Clay Aiken fanatics here? I'm getting very afraid. Any possible negative mention of Clay Aiken and I get bombarded with nasty comments, e-mails and death threats. Jesus Christ.
12 - Jewels
Elliot does seem to be getting hotter every week! I was watching him perform and said aloud to the people I live with, "Wow, the guy's looking good tonight!" (I startled myself.) Or maybe it was the song, reminding me of Bo Bice. What am I thinking - Bo Bice and Elliot in the same train of thought? Speaking of Train, Ace indeed was personification of a train-wreck.Flashing his breast only made me appreciate how much I have never liked him.
Had to applaud Bucky, I think he just saved himself last night - he should be around for another week anyway. Not a fan of his, but was a smart decision.
"Trouble" was an excellent choice for Tay and he sang it well.
13 - Chris Evans
And another note...whoever thinks Kelly Clarkson's voice can't rival Christina Aguilera's did NOT watch the first season of American Idol and hasn't listened to either of her albums.
14 - Big T Mack Daddy
All Clay Aiken fans should get on a bus and thelma and louise that bitch.
15 - Eric
I thought it was funny the first thing Ryan said to Chris was about Live and I walk the line...he tried to make it seem like it was a natural question, but it is so contrived.
I am glad AI cleared that up. In their push to have Chris win, they made a mistake cutting out his pre-performance mention of Live last week.
I agree that Lisa was the absolute worst, Paris was a close second.
Mandisa really ticked me off because she used be into the christian/gospel scene, but if she wins AI, she'll be pop. Why sing a christian/gospel song? I thought it was pathetic, she looked hideous, and she needs to leave soon.
I'll be ecstatic if the bottom 3 this week is Lisa, Paris, and Mandisa. Any one of them can go NOW, with a slight preference towards Lisa and Paris.
I agree with Simon that Chris needs to show some range. The whole Live controversy only brought to everyone's attention that Chris is giving us the same exact thing each week. At least Bo Bice could mix it up, but Chris needs to show something. Hopefully a theme of Showtunes or Broadway will come up so he HAS to show range. I would rather not see a Motown week, because that favors the black trio and will be racist enough to make sure a white person goes home (everytime they did motown, someone white went home)
Elliott so looks like Adam Sandler, I am surprised it has not come up before.
GOING HOME TONIGHT: Lisa
Wild cards to go home tonight (I wouldn't be surprised): Paris, Mandisa
Mild shock: Bucky
16 - Bobby Jindhal
If Mandisa were white, last night Simon would have ripped into her for that hideous outfit that actually highlighted how hideously obese she is.
17 - AI FAN
I agree, last night's show was the worst in AI history, without a doubt. The contestants have no one to thank but themselves for the plethora of obscure stupid and self serving song choices! Last night put the CHEESE in CHEESY! Bleh, just bleh!
As far as the Clay comment, it is so old that AI and Simon specifically can pull out a Clay comment at the drop of a hat for an insult, a comparison, a compliment (rarely) or like last night, just a cheap shot! WTF?? You think the Clay fan's are obsessed, try looking at the AI judges, they use him more than anyone. It is so old.
18 - AI FAN
I agree, last night's show was the worst in AI history, without a doubt. The contestants have no one to thank but themselves for the plethora of obscure stupid and self serving song choices! Last night put the CHEESE in CHEESY! Bleh, just bleh!
As far as the Clay comment, it is so old that AI and Simon specifically can pull out a Clay comment at the drop of a hat for an insult, a comparison, a compliment (rarely) or like last night, just a cheap shot! WTF?? You think the Clay fan's are obsessed, try looking at the AI judges, they use him more than anyone. It is so old.
19 - AI FAN
I agree, last night's show was the worst in AI history, without a doubt. The contestants have no one to thank but themselves for the plethora of obscure stupid and self serving song choices! Last night put the CHEESE in CHEESY! Bleh, just bleh!
As far as the Clay comment, it is so old that AI and Simon specifically can pull out a Clay comment at the drop of a hat for an insult, a comparison, a compliment (rarely) or like last night, just a cheap shot! WTF?? You think the Clay fan's are obsessed, try looking at the AI judges, they use him more than anyone. It is so old.
20 - AI FAN
I agree, last night's show was the worst in AI history, without a doubt. The contestants have no one to thank but themselves for the plethora of obscure stupid and self serving song choices! Last night put the CHEESE in CHEESY! Bleh, just bleh!
As far as the Clay comment, it is so old that AI and Simon specifically can pull out a Clay comment at the drop of a hat for an insult, a comparison, a compliment (rarely) or like last night, just a cheap shot! WTF?? You think the Clay fan's are obsessed, try looking at the AI judges, they use him more than anyone. It is so old.
21 - Kirsten
This show is so scripted it is not even funny !!
For those of you who think your votes count ...I have some swampland to sell cheap!!
Although there are some good ones on , i.e. Mandesa, Chris, Taylor , there has never been a more exciting season than Season two with CLAY AIKEN !
The comment Simon made last night was concerning Clay Aiken and his famous "GREASE" and read leather jacket. He also looked beyond HOT with black leather jacket and tight pants in his "JUKEBOX TOUR" ! Clay is sooooo far beyond the geek look, he is SMOKIN HOT!!
22 - abw4clay
Don't know if this is the very worst AI ever - but I do know that last night brought to light the weaknesses the performers began with. With only 2 or 3 exceptions none can stay on pitch through an entire song. By this point in their lives/careers they should be able to at least do this.
My vote to go sooner rather than later - Ace. His voice is weak, he can't stay on pitch and he reminds me (oh, I just know I'll hear about this)rather of a deer caught in headlights.
23 - EL
Chris....Tell me why is it necessary for every comment about Clay be negative. I am talking mostly about Simons comment. Simon looks for every opportunity to insult. I think Taylor looked amazing, and if that is "Clay Aiken" well then.....draw your own conclusions. Really the only thing that Taylor and Clay have in common is that they are both very talented young men. His comment was meant to be a mean spirited jab. Simon needs to get over it.
24 - Jo Ann Edwards
Kirsten..amen...to that one...Chris is Hot but he needs to show more than just his Rocker self...as for Clay Aiken..he and Kelly are the only AI contestants...that even made a dent in the record industry...Oh...and where is Ruuuuben?
25 - singerguy
Wow, way off on this one. You are right about Paris and Taylor, but everything else is off. Ace was good with a song that is diferent for him, but other than Taylor, the best vocal. Elliot looked freaked and messed up his words. Chris and Mandissa were pitchy the whole time and even Katherine was off. This weeks top four - Paris, Taylor, Ace and Bucky.