Week eleven of American Idol 2008 live performances kicked off last night with our top five American Idol finalists performing two songs each. This week’s theme was Neil Diamond songs. Last week we said goodbye to Carly Smithson who was an early favorite in the competition so the top five know they are down to the wire and in the home stretch. They each have a 20% shot at being named the next American Idol.
I have to admit, first of all, that I’m not a Neil Diamond fan. Having said that, I found this week’s episode to be only slightly less boring than last week’s Andrew Lloyd Webber debacle. Even having two songs each didn’t do much to improve the watchability of much of this show. And having the judges do a recap at the end of the round was bizarre. Apparently it was all a bit too much for Paula and whatever medication she’s taking this week as she critiqued both of Jason Castro’s songs after the end of round one – after he had only sang one song. Who knows what she was talking about. She later said she was mixing in David Cook’s notes with Jason’s but she didn’t tell David any of the things that she told Jason (the things that would have been in David’s “notes”).
How about this for an idea. How about you just let the contestants sing whatever the heck they want to sing from whenever and whoever they want and let American judge them based on whether or not they sing their chosen style well. Who cares if Jason Castro can sing Andrew Lloyd Webber or if David Cook can sing Neil Diamond if they’re never going to be asked to do it again for the rest of their lives? What is the point of these silly theme weeks?
Anyway, I’m on a soap box this week because last night disheartened me and had me wondering if I could continue to write this article anymore. Yeah, I thought it was that bad. It’s not that the Idols didn’t sing well or perform well so much as I didn’t really care how well they did with those songs. I want to see them bust out with their own styles and their own unique personalities.
Okay, I’m done ranting. I’ve decided to just rank the contestants in overall performance and not do a song by song ranking. I figure America will judge them based on the quality of both of the songs and both of the performances so I may as well do the same.
This is how I felt the performances this week ranked:
The Top 5 Performers For April 29, 2008
- David Cook – “I’m Alive” and “All I Really Need Is You”
- David Archuleta – “Sweet Caroline” and “America”
- Syesha Mercado – “Hello Again” and “Thank the Lord for the Night Time”
- Brooke White – “I’m A Believer” and “I Am, I Said”
- Jason Castro – “Forever In Blue Jeans” and “September Morn”
The American Idol 2008 Top 5
- David Cook – “I’m Alive” and “All I Really Need Is You” – None of the first round of songs were very impressive. I thought David’s low notes on “I’m Alive” sounded really flat or something. It sounded like what we can now call classic David Cook, but I didn’t care for it that much. his second song was much better and was probably the best song of the night. Like all of the contestants, he didn’t have what I would consider a top 5 kind of night, but I thought he was the best of the bunch once again.
David Cook – I’m Alive
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David Cook – All I Really Need Is You
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- David Archuleta – “Sweet Caroline” and “America” – Does Neil Diamond night get any more corny than David A singing these two songs? No. Still, who can we say sang better on the night (other than David C)? No, really, I’m asking. Please. Give me someone. I didn’t care for either song especially, but they were good enough.
David Archuleta – Sweet Caroline
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David Archuleta – America
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- Syesha Mercado – “Hello Again” and “Thank the Lord for the Night Time” – What I like about Syesha is that I don’t even think she’s trying to win anymore. I think she’s really just auditioning for Broadway. I’m cool with that. They can’t all be American Idols. Her first audition was kind of boring but I really enjoyed what she did on the second song. Overall, I actually enjoy watching Syesha much more than I do David A. I think she has the voice to be a contender, but we all know she won’t be.
Syesha Mercado – Hello Again
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Syesha Mercado – Thank the Lord for the Night Time
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- Brooke White – “I’m A Believer” and “I Am, I Said” – Simon got it right when he said the first song was a disaster. Total cheese. About halfway though the song I feared she was going to either start laughing hysterically, start crying hysterically, or spontaneously burst into flames. The second song was much better and a lot closer to the Brooke we saw early in the season, but still far too close to the Brooke we’ve been seeing for the past month. My wife liked her pants. I remain ambivalent.
Brooke White – I’m A Believer
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Brooke White – I Am, I Said
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- Jason Castro – “Forever In Blue Jeans” and “September Morn” – I’m not sure if Jason has just given up or doesn’t care or what the deal is, but instead of trying to improve from week to week I actually think he’s regressing. I like the guy, but I was bored to tears by both of these songs. Admittedly, the second song might have been bad because the all knowing Paula had already foretold it, but what’s his excuse for the first song?
Jason Castro – Forever In Blue Jeans
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Jason Castro – September Morn
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Who’s Going Home?
Well I’m going to go out on a limb and say that both Davids will be safe once again. Although, a thought briefly crossed my mind last night and had my giddy with daydream excitement about how cool it would be if David A were to somehow make the bottom two. Could you imagine the drama that would ensue? What if he got voted off. OMG! The world would end for so many tweens it’s not even funny.
That’s probably not going to happen even if we are due a really big upset at some point.
We all know that Brooke White and Jason Castro were the weakest of the five contestants. Well, I know and I’m projecting my knowledge onto you. One could argue that Syesha was weaker than one of them, but I don’t know which one you could make that argument for.
Out of all of them I think Jason was the weakest and it should be his turn to go. However, I don’t even think he’ll make the bottom two. I think Syesha Mercado and Brooke White will be our bottom two this week. Syesha simply doesn’t have a fan base. No matter how well she sings she doesn’t have a chance of winning this thing. She was in the bottom two last week so I think it’s a safe bet to say she’ll be in it this week. Brooke has a fan base, apparently, but she’s been struggling for so long that it’s hard to remember when she was really good. I think her nervousness and weak vocals will finally catch up to her and put her in the bottom two this week. But, I think she gets one more shot.
My prediction to get voted out this week: Syesha Mercado.
The American Idol Top 5
- David Archuleta, 17, Murray, UT
- Jason Castro, 20, Rockwall, TX
- David Cook, 25, Tulsa, OK
- Syesha Mercado, 21, Miami, FL
- Brooke White, 24, Van Nuys, CA
Carly Smithson, San Diego, CA(Top 6)Kristy Lee Cook, 24, Selma, OR(Top 7)Michael Johns, 29, Los Angeles, CA(Top 8)Ramiele Malubay, 20, Miramar, FL(Top 9)Chikezie Eze, 22, Inglewood, CA(Top 10)Amanda Overmyer, 23, Mulberry, IN(Top 11)David Hernandez, 24, Glendale, AZ(Top 12)
I haven’t posted my Top 3 post yet, but Syesha was much better than David Archuleta. I have a feeling that the finale is going to be between her and David Cook…
The Trousered Apes last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
Well, Neil diamond actually is great… wayyyyy better than Dolly Farton. Way.
Paula is…. I dunno even what to say… Its so embarrassing to watch her. It explanations was “look, this is hard”! Hard?!? the doooood sang one song, how is that hard??!? Crimany…
Iron-man is gonna RAWK btw!! … oh sorry about that…
Im actually really tired of David A… he sounds EXACTLY alike on every song he sings..what is great about Cook or even the departed Johns, was using the same voice they made songs sound different, Archuletta sounds exactly the same.. he blows…
This show is on its downside I think… they need to make it shorter. they make it an hour and drag it onnnnnnnnnn for the ad revenue. If they kept it shorter let them sing what they want, AND make the judges decisions matter somehow as well instead of it being a popularity contest with america, then it would be exciting to watch again…
Last night was awful. I actually thought about turning it off. If they are going to force the contestants to endure these themes, why not do it with some CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS. Andrew Lloyd Weber, Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton, and hell, I’ll even through Mariah Carey into the mix. Just not my thing.
I am a big fan of Jason’s and didn’t think that his performance last week was as bad as most thought. This week, he was bad. Forever in Blue Jeans wasn’t awful, there just wasn’t a whole lot there. His second song was just downright boring. I agree Jason, he really doesn’t seem to care.
Brooke was bad as well.
David A can really really sing, but come on. It is the same thing week after week after week with him. I thought his performances were cheesy and “theme park-ish”. He can’t keep up with David C.
No way Syesha should go home, but I think you may be right Jason. By the way, how does Simon expect the performers to avoid sounding “old fashioned” (as he accused Syesha of being) when they continue to have these terrible themes.
Anyone think Simon may have been trying to get people to vote for Syesha when he said she is in danger of going home?
Stevens last blog post..Flicks Lists Reviews: Juno (2007)
Well – I don’t know about all that, but I tell you what – that fourth song that David Cook sang was AWESOME!!! They should just end the show now and give him the title…I do disagree with Paula – I didn’t like Brooke 8th song all that much last night, but she finally pulled it through after her encore of the 9th song…whew – that was close.
The Trousered Apes last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
It should be David C and Syesha in the finals Cap’n. Syesha continues to grow every week. Both she and David C are complete packages. David A is just a singer and boring – he never changes it up like David C or even Syesha.
Stevens last blog post..Flicks Lists Reviews: Juno (2007)
Totally agree with Steven.
The Trousered Apes last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
Yeah I think if Cook doesnt win, something is a miss for sure…
I was going to comment on the singers, but I’ve “never had to write these things down, uh, fast enough”…. I have no idea what to say or who to say it to! Nigel, can you help me sort through these notes you gave me.
By the way, the themes this year have reached an all-time low! These poor contestants try to do something with them… but please.
IMO, the American Idol Machine is broken.
Adams last blog post..Netflix & The End
I would love to see Syesha and David Cook in the finale but I don’t think it’s going to happen. I definitely do blame a lot of the problems on the themes they choose. Just doesn’t make any sense.
I even heard rumors, that an article/poll that was done, saying that Ryan Seacrest might be taking the blame for loss of viewers… I would say Paula should go before he does…
Yeah, I was thinking of writing about that story Cap’n…there is a lot of talk about changing it next year, like maybe start off in Hollywood week and do flashbacks to the auditions, limit the banter between the judges and Ryan, etc.
Paula was just on Ryan’s radio show and said that she heard Jason’s second song in rehearsal before the show, and that’s why she got confused when they changed up the format mid-show.
It is a really tough job! Maybe we all need to give them some slack; it’s second to really only brain surgery or astrophysics.
Yeah, I wish they’d get some relevant artists on the show. The keeping trotting out these old fossils who haven’t had a hit – or even a popular record – in decades! And I even like Neil Diamond, but let’s face it, his songs aren’t good because he’s a stellar vocalist – he’s a solid performer who has crafted quite a few great songs.
Jason Castro is just simply horrible. He has neither the vocal nor presentation skills to have been in the top 10 at all.
David Archuleta is still coming off weak and predictable. He never strays from the same vocal or performance style. And his weak-ass attempt to play on some national patriotism kinda ticks me off. Yeah, like Simon said, it was a “smart” song choice, but I suspect what he really meant was that David had made a “tactical” choice, not a suitable one. “Coming to America” is just far too big a song for this little boy. And good Lord, somebody get him some Claritan – he always looks like he’s in the midst of a major allergy flareup!
David Cook did nicely! By all rights, he should have this thing sewn up, but I doubt it plays out that way.
Rob O.s last blog post..Shut Down For a Day on Shutdown Day
Paula should be on Lost, not on American Idol…. know what I’m sayin’?
I agree with Jason. They should totally get rid of these stupid theme weeks and start focusing their talents on what genre of music they’re going to end up singing after the shows over. This entire season has sucked.
Totally agree on the themes. Their guest singers this year have given me little reason to tune in. I watched a few episodes and quickly decided their format is like a broken record. Instead, I just pick and choose which recaps to watch after reading Jason’s post each week.
Didn’t care for the beginning of Cook’s 2nd song, but not bad once he kicked it into gear.
Was anyone else thinking of Shrek when Brooke White was singing “I’m a believer”?
Brooke White’s “I’m a believer” was just horrible.
The final two – at this point – should be David C. & Syesha.
Still chaps me severely that Micahel Johns & Carly were kicked out and yet we still have Jason “Ain’t my dreads cute even if I can’t sing worth a crap?” Castro and David “Allergy season has arrived” Archuleta.
Rob O.s last blog post..Glasses
See, I’m watchin idol right now, there is no need for it to be an hour… people tune out, we want the result already, it will keep it fresh if its short (30 min for a results show) and people will tune in, this other filelr crap and mega advertising is just a bunch of feldercarb..
Just frakkin get on with it already…geesh
@ Cap’n – amen brotha…
The Trousered Apes last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
omgod…. this whole dreb with this stoopid caller about kissing Simon or Paula, PLEASE MAKE IT ALL STOP… wheres the off button?!!?
Okay, maybe, but this question for Simon from some girl he kissed when he was 9 is hilarious
@ Mike – that was pretty funny…
The Trousered Apes last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
of all the songs Neil Diamond could ever sing on Natl TV on Idol, and its this one?!?!?!!? I need some Pepto, brb….
It’s not that bad.
The Trousered Apes last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
It was a new one right? No wonder you don’t like it, probably never heard of it before.
It’s not that I didn’t feel sorry for the gurl, but, whew! thank goodness they actually got rid of somebody who actually deserved to go this time!
Rob O.s last blog post..Shut Down For a Day on Shutdown Day
its that bad…yeah its new…and noone ever heard it before because its bad and wont go anywhere… is broke gonna have a seizure on stage? poor girl looks like shes always gonna implode…
@ Cap’n – I’m with you. the result shows are way too long for all the reality shows.
see!!! I’m not crazy…. much.
533 comments in April says otherwise
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Well, so at last David Archuleta won the title.
Just wanted to updated