'American Idol': Top 6 perform again
It's Bon Jovi night on American Idol, and I'm sure the flatiron will get more work than it even did when Sanjaya was still around. (Can you imagine if JBJ and Sanjaya had been in the same room? The hair products required to support that meeting could have stocked an entire season of Shear Genius!)
Anyway, host Ryan Seacrest shares the total raised for charity from last week's "Idol Gives Back" -- almost $70 million. Then, a montage reintroduces us to Bon Jovi. (You know them: They're wanted, dead or alive. Etc.) So the contestants met with Jon Bon Jovi and his keyboardist, David Bryan. Jon tells them his kids love the show and that the contestants need to make the songs their own, advice they might have heard before.
Phil Stacey is opening with "Blaze of Glory." Which is not a good goodbye song, if he goes home tomorrow. ("I'm goin' down in a blaze of gloreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ...") Phil starts the song in the middle of the audience, and they audience members look like they don't know quite what to do with the cameras that close. He really seems to be hitting his stride. It's pretty late in the competition for that, but it's working for him. Randy Jackson says other than country week, this is his best performance yet. Paula says it's the best opening he's had all season long. Simon says, "I thought it was OK ... I didn't hear any authenticity, and I thought in the middle, you were like a bad actor playing a role." He adds that he thinks he's out next week.
Jordin Sparks is going to sing "Livin' on a Prayer." But first Ryan is talking from the audience, where Gina Glocksen (who would have loved this theme week) is there. Jordin makes a lot of friends, telling Jon that her mom is going to freak, but her mom "was raised on Bon Jovi." It's still adorable, but doesn't make Jon feel all that young, I'm sure. She rocks out (with some giant hair working, too), but some of the low parts are uncharacteristically rough. But she performs the heck out of it nonetheless. Randy says it was interesting, and that rock was tough for her, he could tell. He adds that the big notes were good, but that the verses were "rough." (So I'm not the only one.) He says he could tell she knew she wasn't quite getting it on that first low note. Paula says she went for it and gives her credit. Simon says ("Give it to me," says Jordin), "Cue the boos ... The look was like something out of The Addams Family. The singing was out of control."
LaKisha Jones takes a viewer question about what training she's had. She says none, other than church. Ryan asks if she's going to "take it to church tonight." She says she's "going to give it a little sumthin' sumthin'." In her intro, she says she's never heard Bon Jovi's music before, but she's seen him on Oprah. She's going to sing "This Ain't a Love Song." Jon says he's not a betting man, but he would bet money on her not going home this week. I really wish they would ditch the background singers because they just muddle things for me. About the last third of the song, she switches back into the diva mode we saw when she sang "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going." Which is a good thing. Randy: "LaKisha is back this week." He says she was singing it to Simon, to prove herself to him. He says she started a little rough, but by the middle of the song, she sold it and "blew it out the box." Paula says her lower tones are the money in her pocket. Simon: "LaKisha, I actually could kiss you after that." Ryan walks her over to him, and he gives her a peck. "You were so good, and I love the fact ..." then the music cuts him off. He gets to add, "You rose to the challenge, you absolutely nailed it." And he says that he loves her lips. Which takes it to creepy-ville. Nice job, Simon.
No longer blond, Blake Lewis is next. He's going to sing "You Give Love a Bad Name." Jon tells him it is an "adventurous rendition." This could be horrendous or awesome. Jon: "Sixteen measures of him not singing on a show that's about singing. ... It makes me wonder." He starts out mimicking a record player, and the song starts, and it's all slowed down with occasional breaks. He goes big in the chorus, though. Then he beatboxes and alternates with the drummer for a while, then scats, then sings the chorus big again. As much as everyone is going to fixate on the parts where he wasn't singing, his voice actually sounds much, much stronger than it has in weeks. I think the gamble was worth it. Randy gives him the award for most original version of a song ever on the show. He says he took a leap of faith and won. Paula says it was the "biggest leap of faith," which she might have heard somewhere recently. She says it was hot. Simon's mom was rocking in the audience. Simon says half the audience will hate it, and half will love it and that it was the right thing to do: "This is what's going to keep you in the competition next week."
Chris Richardson is next with a viewer question about what he tells himself before he goes out on stage. He says to have fun, man. He's going to sing "Wanted Dead or Alive." He's shown totally blowing the words in front of Jon Bovi Jovi. Jon tells him to "find the blue note" in the song. He sounds like Chris trying to sound like Bon Jovi. Which is actually way better than his usual "nasally is a type of singing" mode. Randy says he put a little R&B twist on it and it was good. Paula says it's a great night. Simon: "I think you did as much as you possibly could with the song."
Melinda Doolittle is closing the show yet again. She tells Jon she is so bad at rock. She's going to sing "Have a Nice Day." He tells her to "testify ... it's church." She says she likes church, so she's going for it. As uncomfortable as she purported to be beforehand, as usual, she rocks it on the stage. Literally this time. Randy says he doesn't know if it was her best, but it was still good. Paula says that from the first note, they knew the game was on. Simon says it "was like a young Tina Turner ... and vocally, it was in another league."
Lastly, President Bush and Laura Bush appear in a clip thanking people for their donations.
A lot of people stepped it up tonight, so it's hard to say who might be out tomorrow. Don't forget that it will be two, with tonight's votes combined with last week's. With as many votes as were cast last week, I wonder whether this week's performances will actually have as much of an impact. I'm going to predict Chris is out, even though he did better than I expected last night. What do you think?
Categories: American Idol, Maryland reality contestants
Comments
I would not be surprised if
Lakisha or Jordin joined Chris tomm
being voted off.Jordin may
have support from last week.
Either Way,she really went down
several notches tonight.
Blake,Phil and Melinda
were the solid ones tonight.
Posted by: E Martin | May 1, 2007 10:48 PM
I think Chris and Phil are out. I hope neitehr Jordin not Lakesha go, but I guess one of them could if Phil survives.
Posted by: Ana | May 1, 2007 11:02 PM
CHRIS AND PHIL ARE OUT!!!
Posted by: JOJO | May 2, 2007 12:07 AM
I voted for 09 and i got thanked for voting for
contestant 03!!!!!!
invalid results - has this happened to anyone else?????
I don't know how to contact them, but this
is outrageous!!!!
Posted by: FRANCES | May 2, 2007 12:07 AM
If i could vote BLAKE would get my vote cuz he was [DELETED] AWSOME
Posted by: Tyler | May 2, 2007 12:19 AM
I really like all of the final six contestants, but my bet is on Chris and Lakisha going out!
Posted by: Jacquleyn Pass | May 2, 2007 12:57 AM
Once again FOX television has shown their strong conservative backing, this time overtly placing President Bush in front of millions of viewers by distributing worldwide Republican propaganda in the middle of great entertainment. As regular idol viewers and recent financial supporters of the poverty cause in Africa and America, we feel cheated. We must question why poverty exists in America and in Africa? Doesn't our President have a responsibility to end poverty, hunger, and disease by providing solid policies and financial backing for basic human needs?
Last week we were proud to be Americans, proud to be part of the wave of bipartisan supporters for a good cause. We were proud to finally be voting on items that truly make a difference and create positive change. We were proud to raise over $60 million dollars. This week, American Idol crossed the boundary of solid entertainment to political propaganda. What a shame to twist such a great event. Our first reaction is to boycott American Idol, but instead we encourage American Idol producers to earn our trust back.
Posted by: Presidentonidol | May 2, 2007 1:08 AM
I think this is a tough week for voting. Phil coming on "strong" made me think Lakisha was in trouble. Then Lakisha came on strong and Simon gave her his kiss of approval. I think Simon wants Phil and Chris to go...that is why he was relieved to see that Lakisha was on her game tonight. I think Simon would like a final four of Melinda, Jordin, Lakisha, and Blake. If truth be told, Jordin was probably the weekest tonight....and then Chris...then Phil. But, Jordin is not going to go....so I guess Chris and Phil...or a shocker with Chris and Lakisha.
Posted by: deb | May 2, 2007 1:29 AM
i love lekisha!!!!
Posted by: jordan | May 2, 2007 1:41 AM
Blake and Jordin are in trouble.
Posted by: Jody | May 2, 2007 2:03 AM
Lakisha finally regained her confidence. Half way through her performace you could see and hear her voice kick in. She found what she lost finally.
The shock was the kiss Simon requested and recieved. Amazing.
http://idol-mania.com/american-idol-fan/
Posted by: Reality Fan | May 2, 2007 9:03 AM
Um...Frances. If there are 6 contestents, then wouldn't line 09 BE contestant 3? So they have the same message on both lines - big deal. If you called line 09 and didn't want to vote for contestant 3, then you are the one who made the mistake.
A number of countries have a Prime Minister AND a President or Monarch, because there are duties that have nothing to do with running the country but are ceremonial in nature. In the US we have one person who does both - figuring, I guess, that people are smart enough to know the difference. Guess NOT. Last night was the ceremonial part of the job - if this was England, it would've been handled by the Queen. It had nothing to do with politics - except in the eye of the beholder.
As for who's out - Chris and LaKisha. Unless shallowness wins out - then Phil will be gone, even though he's BY FAR the best of the male singers.
Posted by: Withacy | May 2, 2007 9:54 AM
Uhh... presidentonidol... not going to argue re: Fox's political position over-all, but do you think for a moment good ol' Bill Clinton wouldn't have done the same? Actually... he wouldn't have done the same... he WOULD have sung and probably whipped out his sax and blown a little.
Posted by: of course presidentonidol | May 2, 2007 10:01 AM
If someone brings me to tears, then they're good. Last night that was Lakisha and Melinda.
Lakisha and Melinda were incredible. Lakisha didn't "copy" (although I haven't noticed that blatently myself) and the offering was genuine. I hate seeing Melinda being compared to Tina Turner - I love Tina, but Melinda is in a class by herself.
Blake was really good because he showed a creative spin that the others didn't. I mean, just how many people can rock and also doi those other bits at the same time??
I did like Phil, but he did better last week. I was disappointed with Jordin - ugh, she just didn't get the believable punch to the song. I won't pan Chris - he's good and has great stage presence, but the overall package isn't the same as some of the others.
Posted by: JJ | May 2, 2007 10:47 AM
there is little doubt that the most vocally gifted performer still remaining is Melinda. Jordin Sparks (whom I love) was giving her a solid run for her money up until last night but she faltered big time in a genre that I thought was going to give Melinda a tough time as well. I should have known better, girl can just plain old sing and she owned it last night!
However, I have never seen a performance like the show Blake Lewis put on last night. One of the most important elements of this contest is not just how well you sing but how well you can perform, and are you believable. Blake Lewis is hands down the most musically (notice I didn't say vocally) but musially talented person left by far. You need to really know what you are doing and have a truckload of confidence to pull of what he did last night. His performance was unbelievable. He knew he couldn't screw with the chorus and he sang it big just like he should. He is incredibly talented and there is no doubt about it he can sell records right now bar none. Randy was dead on I have watched AI since season one and that was by far the most ingenius and original performance I have ever seen. I thought it was phenomenal!
Posted by: Josh K | May 2, 2007 11:38 AM
I predict that LaKeisha and Chris will go home tonight.
It'll be a real shame if LaKeisha goes home. She is a truly amazing singer, even if she's been off her game for several weeks. Her voice is a very very very strong instrument, and I feel like she's lost support for more superficial, though no less important, reasons, than her ability to sing. When LaKeisha's 'on', only Melinda compares in terms of raw talent. And Kiki is more likeable in my opinion. I want to root for her. I want her to be a huge success. She deserves it.
If it were up to me, Chris and Phil would be out tonight, then Blake would be out next week.
The girls are better all around, and have been all season
Posted by: Aaron | May 2, 2007 1:43 PM
Are you serious? Presidents have been appearing at SuperBowls and other highly-viewed Entertainment events for quite some time.
I voted for Kerry but your complaint is as Moronic as anything Bush has done. Like it or not, he's the President of the United States.
If you define a Photo Op as Political Propaganda, then what do you suggest we do as a remedy. Should we ban all public appearences by members of our govt. or just the ones you don't like? Wake up man, don't be the radical left-wing looney that causes the rest of us to be pigeon-holed.
Posted by: Re: PresOnIdol | May 2, 2007 1:58 PM
AI sucks without Sanjaya.
Mediocrity rules at AI
Mediocrity is the majority... It reflects on the Majority of the mediocre writeups as well. Almost all the reporters rip off from one anohter. They are too mediocre to have their own opinion.
Go Sanjaya!
Posted by: Manni | May 2, 2007 3:03 PM
Melinda Doolittel is by far the most gifted contestant. Her vocals and performance have never faulted throughout the season. She's proven that she can put on a flawless performance, regardless of the genre. She is certainly in a league of her own. She has my vote as this season's American Idol.
Although the other contestants have also put on good performances, they've been hit & miss and have not been able to perform well in all genres.
Posted by: AAA | May 2, 2007 4:41 PM
LaKisha really came back this week. But Blake was my favorite. Melinda is my #3 favorite from this week's show. After that, Phil - who sounded pretty good. Jordin did great last week, let's hope her votes from then can keep her in. Because this week she sorta crashed and burned. I was surprised that one of the judges thought she was screaming "Livin' On A Prayer." The original by JBJ has one of the most screaming vocals I've ever heard on a song. Chris is last for me, I don't think I've ever heard a good song from him, at least not in the past several weeks. Maybe he'll come off this week.
Posted by: Gene Knight | May 2, 2007 5:26 PM
Jordin is still by far my favorite, but she did not do well last nite. LaKisha and Melinda outshined her. I still think that the guys are alot weaker....but who knows what will happen tonite.
Posted by: Karen | May 2, 2007 5:28 PM
To Frances on May 2nd
Each contestant gets two numbers now. So your 9 is contestant 3. One in the same
Posted by: Susan | May 2, 2007 5:46 PM
well done Ms.Jones, you "sang" the song and got the "man"! now if that don't mean even at this stage in the game " you're already filling out the paperwork for your passport to divahood" only the diva supreme herself " as if i need to say HER name" can get away with something like that! way to go Ms.Jones! way to go!
Posted by: Kent Burrell | May 2, 2007 10:43 PM