American Idol - Top Six

Kim Reis

Idol is already down to the TOP SIX!!!  WOW!  It seems like this season just started. 

Tonight’s theme was Songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber - Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Starlight Express.  I am so excited about tonight because I’m a Broadway Baby.  I worked at PPAC from 2002-2004 and loved it!  Being in a massive theatre when it’s empty gives me chills (with at least one light on the stage of course).  Hearing the cheers from the crowd when the theatre is full is even better.  In my car, I have so many Broadway CD’s.  Les Miserables, Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Starlight Express, Phantom AND MORE!  I know, I’m a nerd! 

Syesha Mercado started us off by singing “One Rock & Roll Too Many” from Starlight Express.  Danger, danger!  First, she started the song too early and was singing off beat from the orchestra.  Second, not many people know that show, so I don’t think she connected with the audience.  But, I felt that she did a great job DAWG.  At this stage in the competition, they have to pick songs that connect with people because I feel like the audience chooses based on their comfort zone.  I think she has a strong career in Broadway theatre when Idol is over.

Jason Castro sang “Memory” from Cats.  I think it’s the wrong song choice - before I even hear him perform.  B-O-R-I-N-G…  Would you like some crackers and cheese with that WHINE??  Holy whiney Batman!  Ick!  Based on that performance, Jason will get to go home and sleep in his own bed tomorrow night.  Randy, let him down easy.  Paula, rambled as usual and no one could understand a single thing she said.  Simon, honest once again and drop kicked Jason into next week.

Brooke White came next with “You Must Love Me” from Evita.  I LOVE the Madonna version of this song.  I blast it in my car and sing it at the top of my lungs.  Thank goodness I’m alone during those moments!  HA!  As Brooke began, I was so excited to hear her version.  I’ve been a fan of Brooke’s.  Brooke started her song and she forgot the words!!!!!!  OK - now I’m speechless!!!  She asked the orchestra to start over!!!  Holy MOLY!!!  I’d say another word besides MOLY, but that wouldn’t be appropriate.  She didn’t put enough emotion into the song - this song needs raw emotion.  I was waiting for the judges to tear her a new one because she forgot her words.  Randy ignored it.  Paula let her down easy.  Simon was amazingly kind.  I was so distracted that she had forgotten her words that I couldn’t focus on the performance.  I think Simon saved her from elimination by saying he would’ve started over too.  Thankfully for Brooke, Jason’s performance was worse.

David Archuletta was next and it started with hugs from teeny boppers.  How bizarre and I felt it was forced because Idol wants him to win.  I feel like they can monetize him and they are pushing hard to keep him in the lead.  David chose “Think of Me” from Phantom.  In Phantom, a woman sings this song as a high soprano, so it was weird for me to hear him sing it because I know that show from top to bottom.  But, in the end, I really liked his version.  Almost had a pop feel and I think he did a nice job.  His friends back home will be missing him for awhile longer because he’s not going anywhere.  No worries.  Judges put him higher on that pedestal.  The booing every time Simon talks is getting old, old, old.

Carly Smithson chose a soft Phantom song first and Andrew Lloyd Webber said NO WAY!  Jesus Christ Superstar suited her big voice much better and I couldn’t wait to hear it!!!  This could be the top performance of the night if she can pull it off.  She looked like she was having a blast on that stage!  I was bopping in my seat, that’s for sure.  She rocked it out!!!  I loved it.  The sixties outfit worked very well.  As I said back in February - she’ll be in the final four.  And this performance helped.

David Cook - another Idol favorite - rounded out the show with “Music of the Night” from Phantom.  Another song I love!!  His performance started very weak.  He doesn’t do well with quiet, low notes.  Not his best performance by far, but he did hit that big “BE” note - impressive.  David would be in the bottom three with this song if he wasn’t such an Idol favorite.  He’ll go through just because he can’t do anything wrong.  But this song was weak by his standards.

Now that I’ve seen all performances - Jason is going home but Brooke will be in the bottom with him.  I’m not sure if there will be two or three called to the stage as the lowest votes.  If there are three bottom dwellers, I have to say that I think it will be Jason, Brooke and Syesha.  I think Brooke will sneak it out because voters will feel bad and they will feel that she recovered nicely.  Syesha will be fine - her performance was strong.  Jason’s song HURT my ears.

I still maintain my final four as David, David, Carly & Brooke.  But Syesha could have a shot if she takes advantage of Brooke’s weaknesses and makes better song choices and keeps improving week after week.  ‘Til tomorrow night BLOGGERS!