Here’s what I got out of this episode: Harry Connick Jr. was an incredible mentor. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been upset to see these mentors sign on to do the show and then put absolutely no effort into their jobs. Harry was a worker. He was a vocal teacher, he helped with interpretation, he wrote the arrangement, he brought his band on board, and then he played piano for every single one of the Idol contestants. That is true dedication and should be matched by every mentor on this show. Harry cared about these kids and you could really see that in every action he took. Bravo, sir.
It was Frank Sinatra night on American Idol and the top 5 came out swinging. Well, most of them did. The other two seemed to be fondly remembering “Shania Twain” week while praying they would get through their performance. But, we all can’t be winners like last week.
Also, Sir Anthony Hopkins was there. Of course he was! Because you know what’s more intimidating than singing in front of Harry Connick Jr. and the Sinatra girls? Singing in front of Harry Connick Jr., the Sinatra girls, and a guy who eats people. Maybe that’s a twist tomorrow? The person with the lowest votes is fed to Hannibal Lector. I love it.
Hey, Casey? You know what is not going to help getting rid of all those internet rumors? You wearing a fuchsia button down when everyone else is dressed like the Rat Pack. Just saying, is all. Oh, and speaking of clothes, does Lee ever change his? I feel like he is constantly walking around in the top half of a business suit and jeans. Can his Mom at least come by and tuck his shirt in or something?
Let’s go to the rankings!
5. Casey James – Yeah, this was a bit of a train wreck. Casey James, looking completely lost without a guitar strapped to his body, attempted to croon out a version of “Blue Skies.” The verdict? Not so much. Notwithstanding the fact that the range of the song kept pushing Casey to a precipice he wasn’t ready for he still managed to fall out of the key several times. So, we had strained vocals, pitch issues, and then an out of control vibrato. Now add on top of all that the ridiculous “Where do I put my hands?” Talladega Nights moments, which made him look incredibly off-putting, and you have a recipe for disaster. I don’t see Casey being saved unless his fans really vote hard tonight. “At least you held some notes!” Yes, Casey, that was the only good thing Kara could say. That you could hold out notes. Yikes. NOT SAFE.
4. Aaron Kelly – Aaron was the other “also ran” tonight as he attempted a sweet version of “Fly Me To The Moon.” Vocally, it was decent and unoffending, but for top 5 week? No, it simply wasn’t up to par. Aaron continued to have a thick southern twang throughout the song that made every single note sound out of place and the lower register was a little muddled. DICTION, Aaron. We want to hear the lyrics and the notes. Now, on the plus side? Aaron looked great with the new hairstyle! The weird Clay Aiken thing he had going all season was finally just combed and it made him look like a new person. So, I’m sure all of the teenage girls will love that. NOT SAFE.
3. Crystal Bowersox – In the opening video clip we learned that “Summer Wind” held a person meaning to Crystal, but she decided to keep it a secret. This was another good, but not great, performance from Bowersox and it’s starting to become a habit. She looked beautiful, but still seemed a little uncomfortable with the general style of the theme. I’m going to give her big points for the vocal part of the performance, but if I hadn’t known that this song was special to her beforehand I never would have suspected it held any meaning whatsoever. Crystal appeared to just want to be done with it and not savor it at all. NEVERGOINGHOME.
2. Lee Dewyze – The top two slots were a very close call once again this week. I thought that Lee’s selection of “That’s Life” worked perfectly for him and will probably help him out more in the long run than Michael’s selection because of one simple point. With this performance Lee finally broke through one of his personal glass ceilings. He was emoting! Our little boy is all grown up! There was confidence and flavor to this performance and I felt that he had made a genuine connection to the material. Lee’s momentum continues and if there is one person who can stop Crystal Bowersox… it’s Lee Dewyze. Ellen, anything to add? “I was distracted by Harry’s organ.” Wow, really playing that “comic relief” card, aren’t you? NEVERGOINGHOME.
1. Michael Lynche – Michael was the most comfortable crooner on the stage. From the moment Ryan interviewed him I knew this was going to be a great performance. Why? Because I heard Big Mike refer to this show as a “competition.” He is an artist who will fight hard for this title and I really find myself supporting the contestants who are there to win. Michael is probably a loveable guy, but he has his priorities. Once again he showed us that as he knocked “The Way You Look Tonight” out of the park. Plus, he rocked a fedora. So, extra points! Hey, who else was uncomfortable by Harry Connick Jr. calling Big Mike “bro” every five seconds? Did he do that with anyone else or just the person he thought reminded him of Rerun? NOT SAFE.
Who should go home?
Casey James
Who will go home?
Casey James
See you next time!
NGH
I thought Crystal should be ranked #4. She was horrible and kept sassing back at the judges. Her attitude is going to get her in trouble. She actually cant take criticism
Maybe it’s just me, but I have a bad, bad, BAD feeling about tonight’s results show. I’m not liking what I’m seeing on DialIdol (I know, not the most reliable source as of late), with Crystal being in fourth place just slightly ahead of Casey (remember, VFTW changed their pick from Mike to Casey just as the show ended). I just have the sneaking suspicion that Crystal’s somewhat snotty attitude over these last two weeks is going to come back to bite her in a big way this week, although I hope that I’m wrong.
I was watching Idol last night with a date who has never seen the show. Lee sang and without and coaching from me said, “This guy doesn’t even sing and he’s completely out of pitch – why are the judges praising him so much?”
I just had to laugh.
The only thing more inexplicable than the weekly tongue bath Lee gets for his non-singing is Randy’s obviously man-boy love for Aaron after yet another complete suck performance.
The ONLY person who sang worth a damn tonight was Mike.
P.S. Sinatra “exposes” weak singers because the tunes are all “a bit sleepy” (Randy’s new catchphrase) and don’t have any big notes to hide behind. Sinatra is all style and phrasing. If you ain’t got it, it’s gonna show an it did on everyone except Mike tonight.
As I’ve been predicting all along, Crystal is kind of pulling a Danny Gokey – people are just getting tired of her. She isn’t bringing anything new each week because she doesn’t have anything new.
Also, unlike last year when a major player would get voted off and all of their fans would switch to a second choice, I think a lot of those fans this year are just bailing on the show altogether.
By far worst Top 5 eva.
Lee sucks, period.
Yes, Harry Connick Jnr was one of the best mentors ever. It’s a pity we don’t see more of him on TV.
I, too, don’t see how Lee deserves such universal praise from the judges. He has a nice raspy voice, but no stage presence at all – he needs more experience. Though confidence boosting by the panel will help, there really isn’t time for him to get up to scratch in that regard.
Maybe I’m the only one who didn’t much like Mike’s rendition last night. I thought he sang it too “hard” – it’d have been better sung softly…as though he were whispering to his beloved, “The way you look tonight”… not deafening her.
I fear for Casey, and will be sorry to see him go, if he does. I think it will depend whether the teenies – Aaron’s fans – vote more than slightly older females who support Casey. I bet they will. I get the feeling that the judges want Casey off, for some reason.
No one was worth a damn tonight. This show is on its way down. They should find a way to revive the show after Simon leaves or just cancel.
Personally, I don’t get all the Lee hate. I think he’s awesome and would love to see him win. I thought him and Mike were the best, and I actually thought Crystal did a pretty good job too. But Lee and Siobhan were really the only ones I liked this year.
My take on last night:
1. Lee was pitchy the whole song and flat big time on last nite, but judges almost stood up and bowed to him……..lord , they need their ears cleaned.
2. Aaron was also very pitchy and extremely nervous last night. He looked like he was wearing makeup for Halloween.
3. Mike did a great job, however it was a little too ‘hard’.
4. Casey and his fake vibrato has got to go, and pitchy wasn’t even the word for that, it was a key and half too high for him to start with.
5. Crystal was fantastic, and looked fantastic. I think she is getting so much flack because she has been so consistent this season that everyone expects it. When you sing outside of your genre you are never at your best.
The judges were too praise worthy on Lee, Aaron, and Casey. Pretty much right on for Mike, and completely out of the ball park on Crystal. I wouldn’t be surprised at all when they listen to it later that tonight they apologize to her. However, by then it will be too late. The damage was done last night.
For the first time this season I am very worried for Crystal. I do not blame her at all for responding like she did. I would have too. She did a great job and she knows it. Their comments were uncalled for!!!!!
I think Casey will go home tonight. He lost his key from start to finish. Personally, I thought almost all of them were terrible, except Mike who seemed comfortable with this genre. I don’t like him at all, but he was the best. Crystal to me is over rated and I don’t like her attitude. Lee is also over rated, and yes, he was off key during most of the song. He’s also a boring performer. Aaron is just young and inexperienced. Give him a couple of years. All in all, there is no one on this show whose music I would buy.
LOVE Harry Connick Jr., and appreciate him bringing “real life” to AI — whether these folk perform, record, etc., most of the time someone else will be doing their arrangements. Some looked uncomfortable/shaky singing to an orchestra arrangement (Casey, Crystal and Lee even a bit) — but give them all kudos with going by someone else’s book.
Sinatra’s songs are hard to stylize and phrase for one note, non-performers like we have this year on AI.
Mike definitely has the edge due to his experience for that in this competition. I appreciate the rest who looked like deer caught in the headlights as they tried to stay with the arrangement.
BTW, Crystal’s dress and performance reminded me of a big band singer of the 40s — WHICH IS WHAT SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO DO — no question here. Again, the judges’ inane remarks — especially towards the end of each program — are very annoying this year.
Every week I’m amazed at all the hating on Lee. He did a great job last night. I didn’t hear any pitch problems. He nailed the song and he showed a buttload of confidence on the stage. It’s funny that people will critique all the other contestants and then when it comes to Lee it’s all about the overpraising. Well he deserved it last night and he’s the ONLY one in this competition that has continued to grow each week.
And whoever said Casey was overpraised last night didn’t pay attention to what the judges were saying. Because they raked him over the coals one way and then yanked him back across.
Here we go…..
Casey..very uncomfortable to watch….cus he was uncomfortable, he should have sat on a stool….and just sing it…
Mike….don’t like him or his style…
Aaron….Country voice..stick to Country…he can go home at any time also…
Lee….they are praising him to sway the votes..they want Lee and Crystal in the finale….so they are balancing out the votes….
Crystal…should find her way back next week…guitar in hand, feet on magic carpet…we all like the Indy girl with the dreads…at least I do…it suits her better….and it is true to who she is as an artist..and I love her voice that way…..
my prediction??…Casey or Aaron tonight….
Oh please. Having an opinion about someone’s performance that differs from the Lee fan club doesn’t mean that we are haters. And he most certainly WAS off key in parts of it. Good God. Some of us aren’t even voting at all, which should give you some idea about how invested we are in the whole thing. Why would we waste any energy on hating Lee. This year is a snooze fest, and each week I watch to see if a spark will be ignited under any of them, but to no avail.The judges DO fixate on pouring praise on some mediocre performances and ripping others apart no matter what they do. However, the judges did that last year with Danny Gokey as he was their golden boy, even after the disaster Dream On. It’s what they do, and there doesn’t have to be any rhyme nor reason to it.
I always find it hilarious how people think they’re opinion on music is fact. “How can the judges like it, when I hated it? I mean, it’s ME! I’m the arbiter of what is good in music!” And then they say the judges are right on when the judges agree with them, but are crazy/manipulating when they disagree. It’s a whole cavalcade of trying to have it both ways, and I find it hilarious.