'American Idol': Top 3 perform
On tonight's American Idol, the Top 3 will visit their hometowns and perform a personal selection and a choice from the judges. Also, host Ryan Seacrest points out that tonight is the show's 300th episode.
First up is Danny Gokey. While on the radio in Milwaukee, he gets a text from Paula Abdul telling him that her choice for him is Terence Trent D'Arby's "Dance Little Sister." It's a pretty soulful song, and Danny gets into it, but he's pretty shouty throughout most of the performance. Randy Jackson says he liked his hoarse tone and that he started it off right. Kara DioGuardi says she liked the song choice because it kept his voice in its "money" place. But she found the dancing a little too "gyratey." Not going to argue with that here! Paula: "I'm a choreographer, and I think you did really good!" Simon Cowell reminds them it's a singing show, "not that funny little dancing show next door." But then he agrees that the dancing was weird, and didn't much like the singing along with the sax in the middle.
Kris Allen finds out during his hometown visit that his song choice -- from Randy and Kara -- is "Apologize" by OneRepublic. Ooh, this is a nice pick for his voice. Also, it's more well-known than Paula's choice, which is one of those things that seems to work in singers' favor on this show more often than not. He does a pretty straight-up version of the song, especially at the beginning and the end, but in the middle, he takes some liberties with it that I think are a good move -- otherwise, he would definitely get accused of sounding karaoke. Randy says right now it's about who is going to win and that this song shows who Kris could be in the music business. Kara says it was "a competent performance," and at this point he needs to hit it out of the park. She wanted him to interpret the song a little more and take more chances. Paula says the song choice was good, but she is proud of him, though she points out a loud bum note. Simon says Kara's comment is a cop out, that she can't choose a song for him and then get mad at him for doing the song. Kara yells back at him about how she can't talk to her about interpreting songs. Simon says if they wanted Kris to do something with the arrangement, they had a responsibility to tell him. Randy and Kara say they didn't know they were allowed to help with the arrangement.
Adam Lambert was in San Diego when he learned that Simon wanted him to sing "One" by U2 because he loves the song. So during Kris' segment, Simon made a big deal about how he helped with the arrangement. He shouldn't have because this arrangement is terrible! I feel like it somehow strips the life and the subtlety out of the song -- and I'm not a fan of Adam's shouty part in the middle, either. Randy says Adam is in the zone, and the vocals were great, but he didn't love the departures from the melody. Kara says Adam is an amazing strategist and that he just proved that he can change up a song and "make it unbelievable." Paula says he's made her life miserable because she is sitting by a gloating Simon. Paula: "It was one brilliant song, one superb performance and one American Idol that I'm staring at right now." Simon says he sounds biased, but it was a brilliant song choice and a brilliant performance. (In case you missed it, Simon said on Oprah Monday that he thinks Adam is going to win; Susan Boyle was there, too.)
There has been a lot of tussling among the judges this evening, and the end result is that Simon has Paula and Kara's makeup all over his white T-shirt.
Before the second round, Carrie Underwood appears in a segment about progress that's been made in Africa thanks to the efforts of "Idol Gives Back."
Danny's second song, his own choice, is "You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker. He does a very low-key and understated arrangement of the song. Toward the end, he steps up with some power notes, and that's a good thing -- it saves it from being boring. Randy says it is an amazing song, and that he showed he can "really, really, really sing." Kara says, "Everything you didn't do in the first performance, you just did. That. Was. Stunning." Paula says he infused his own thing into the song; "you nailed it." Simon says he loved the song, but he wouldn't have done the same arrangement. "I would call that a vocal master class," he closes nonetheless.
Kris says his song choice was pretty easy for him, and he's going to sing "Heartless" by Kanye West. And this one is definitely his own interpretation -- he's singing it just him and the guitar. It's really unexpected and nice. Not perfect, but definitely entertaining. Randy says tonight is going to be a tough night for voters. He adds that he likes this version better than The Fray's or Kanye's versions. Kara wants to know why he didn't do that with "Apologize." She says it was brave, brilliant and perfect. Paula says he's the bravest artist because he sang a song about Simon Cowell. Zing! She commends him on the performance. Simon says he thought the first choice was lame, and he had written Kris out of the competition, but this performance changed everything.
Adam is closing the show (again!) with Aerosmith's "Cryin'." The backup singer does not sound good and needs to stop. Adam sounds pretty good anyway, though I felt like the whole thing was a little manic and all over the place. He hits all the notes he goes for, though. Randy says he is one of the best they have ever had on the stage, most charismatic and biggest, brightest stars. Kara wants to know how he hits those notes and still talks the next day. She says it was amazing and they will see him at the final. Paula says if Steven Tyler was a mentor, he wouldn't have anything to add. She says she is sure they will be seeing him next week. Simon says he isn't going to "suck up" as much as the other three. He says it's very easy to assume he's going to sail through, and they shouldn't -- they should vote because Adam deserves to be there. Adam handles the adulation well, telling Ryan that he thought Kris and Danny did a great job last night, and he thinks it's an honor to be in their company. That was pretty classy.
So who did you vote for? Who do you think is going to the finals next week?
Photo by Ray Mickshaw / FOX
Comments
Adam is AMAZING@! He is so talented and has entertained us all season. He has earned the Idol crown. Vote Adam@!
I am also proud of Adam because I work for the VA and while Adam was home he went to Miramar to sing for the troops and their families. He also visited the kids at his high school drama and signing departments and went back to the performing arts center where he started performing. He is truly the most talented and should win American Idol Vote Adam!
Posted by: PhDude | May 12, 2009 9:33 PM
It was a very powerful show. It seems that AI wants Adam to win. Why is he always the ’Show shopper?’ Before the show came on, I knew he would be the last contestant. I voted for Danny. I love his soulful voice and gospel sound. Kris was very likeable and folksy. ‘Drama Momma’ Adam was himself. Anything could happen. Two years ago, I almost threw a chair at my TV set when Melinda Doolittle was ushered to the door. Give me a break. She was and is better than ‘flake’ Blank and Jordan ‘No’ Sparks. Years before, both Chris Daughtry and Katherine Mc Phee were also shocked to be homeward bound. Like last year’s Battle of the Davids, the show would like an Adam vs. Danny. (It’s a good thing Danny’s name isn’t Steve). I hope Danny takes it all. He reminds me of Elliot Yamin.
Posted by: Flo | May 13, 2009 3:29 AM
Well, maybe the Survivor finale will be interesting.
Posted by: Bucky | May 13, 2009 9:13 AM
"Kara says Adam is an amazing strategist and that he just proved that he can change up a song and "make it unbelievable."
Did she mean "unlistenable?"
Am I the only one who feels like I'm watching "The Emporer's new clothes?" No matter how screechy or over-the-top he is, the judges keep telling him how wonderful he is. I don't get it.
Posted by: TomM | May 13, 2009 9:58 AM
Not so fast my friend.... I think Adam is the most talented but not last night. The two best performances where Danny's "You are so beautiful", and Kris' "Heartless", my favorite. Based on likability, sentimentality, and over confidence, don't be surprised if the voting gives us an upset... See Chris Daughtry.. This one is very much up for grabs!
Posted by: B Wilson | May 13, 2009 10:17 AM
danny and adam just scream and shout their way through each and every one of their songs. adam adds his trademark primal scream to every song whether it's needed or not. i think he'll win, but i think kris has a better, more controlled voice.
Posted by: kcmd | May 13, 2009 10:35 AM
I agree that Adam is a one trick pony. Every song he seems to feel the need to hit that high pitch screechy point. Over the top if you ask me, especially when he does it every performance. I like Danny but I think Kris is the most versatile of the bunch. I always judge it by who gets a rewind performance on my DVR. By far Kris has that in the bag.
Posted by: Paul | May 13, 2009 11:00 AM
I'm with TomM. I just don't get the Adam hype. He was all over the place last night and in my mind the judges, who have already made up their minds, simply ignored it. It drives me crazy. I thought the best performace of the night was Kris' "Heartless."
I'm pulling for the upset.
One more thing...a comment to Flo. Katherine made it to the finals but lost to Taylor Hicks. She didn't get shown the door early. Although I agree with your comment about Melinda Doolittle.
Posted by: Allen | May 13, 2009 11:02 AM
"because this arrangement is terrible! I feel like it somehow strips the life and the subtlety out of the song -- and I'm not a fan of Adam's shouty part in the middle, either."
Thank you for that Sarah. I couldn't believe how the judges fawned all over this guy during the show. It's bad enough that he gets more elaborate production for his numbers than the others, but also seems to get a better mix and effects level than the others as well. I truly hope America was put off by the judges' obvious cheerleading, but I suspect it will be Danny to go. He didn't show any star power last night and let Kris sneak into the final.
Posted by: Joe | May 13, 2009 11:20 AM
Hello, people! Do you not remember "Tracks of my Tears"? No scream at all. Adam has more than proven he is not a one trick pony.
Posted by: Sammy | May 13, 2009 11:54 AM
YOU BE THE JUDGE…
Who do you dislike more – Simon or Paula? There’s no need to choose. You can despise them both!!
Watch “Hey Paula (American Idol Mix)” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7Opl3TCK0o
See more parodies at http://parodyandson.blogspot.com
Posted by: Bruce | May 13, 2009 12:45 PM
No. We do not remember "Tracks of my Tears." One trick pony. And that trick is screaming.
Go Kris and Danny!
Posted by: Allen | May 13, 2009 12:50 PM
What is going on here? I don't get it. Based on the fact that my wife of 15 years has to wipe the drool from her mouth every time she sees and/or hears Adam, and the fact that every woman I personally talk to seems to think he is the cat's meow, I was pretty sure that I was the only person in the world who cannot stand Adam. He is extremely screechy whenever he gets into his high register, but the women love it. Every time I see him, it invokes memories of the line Mel Brooks used in Robin Hood: Men In Tights when talking about circumcisions: "It's the latest rage. The women love it." Great! But what is there to love (about Adam or circumcisions)?
I personally would like to see the upset and see Adam go home tonight, but the fix is in. The producers and judges were so outraged when he was in the bottom three two weeks ago that they are making sure to give him every little push he can get. I hate to say it, but I think Danny Gokey is gokeying home tonight.
Posted by: Scooter | May 13, 2009 1:10 PM
Adam has shown that he can sing any style of music and sing it well. The other have been ok as long as they stick with their own style. I could also live without Adam's screech at times, but he is overall the best performer of the final 3. Win or lose AI, Adam will have a successful career. I am not so sure about the other two, even though they are both talented.
Posted by: barbie | May 13, 2009 1:28 PM
barbie,
No one would argue over the whole season that Adam has shown the best "talent" (signing, performing, arranging, song choice, etc.). But what everyone including the Judges are over looking is that 1. It is a competition 2. America votes And both Kris and Danny had the best performances of the night!
Posted by: B Wilson | May 13, 2009 1:51 PM
If Adam stays on after tonight (which I'm hoping he will), he needs to pull out all of the stops for the finale. No more high-note singing. Another "Ring of Fire" or "Mad World" would show that he does indeed have another side that is equally good. He is not a one-trick pony, but the crowd does seem to love the glory note thing.
Posted by: GBA1 | May 13, 2009 1:52 PM
I can't see Adam being a commercial success unless it's on Broadway. I think Chris would have the best chance of putting out a top-selling album followed by Danny. Big-Hair rock is dead and gone, Adam.
Posted by: SingSing | May 13, 2009 2:22 PM
Chris is by far the most inventive, imaginitive and appealing contestant. The judges just may be sealing Adam's fate by their constant, mindless fawning.
Posted by: greg | May 13, 2009 2:46 PM
Re: Adam and Another "Ring of Fire"...
Oh, god...just shoot me now.
Posted by: Bucky | May 13, 2009 2:48 PM
Could not have said it better Bucky.
Posted by: Allen | May 13, 2009 2:58 PM