American Idol Results: 5 Become 4
The show kicks, or stumbles, off with a really bad tribute medley of Neil Diamond songs. They either end to take more time to practice the group numbers or just eliminate them all together. First out to the stage to learn his post Neil Diamond fate is Jason Castro who is safe for another week. Next to the stage is David Archuleta who is also safe and heads to the couches with Jason. After a preview the upcoming season of So You Think You Can Dance, David Cook takes the stage with Ryan. He is safe and we have all three boys moving on to next week. So that leaves Brook and Syesha in the bottom two. For once the viewers got it right. I thought that Brook would wiggle her way out again so I predicted Jason to be there instead, but thankfully I was wrong.
The girls are left to worry as Neil Diamond and Natasha Bedingfield take the stage. Natasha sings her single Pocket Full of Sunshine and totally embarrassed Archuleta when she ran over and gave him a hug after the song and told him that she would go to the prom with him. Audience calls were pretty uneventful until Simon’s first kiss (at the age of nine) calls and asks if her kiss was more memorable than Paula’s. Gotta love an uncomfortable Simon but he admits that Tara (the caller) was totally his first crush. Aww how cute. Neil Diamond takes the stage before the final results are given on the bottom two. After all is said and done Syesha is safe and Brook is going home. Good call America!
When Gladiators and Models Collide
The models get to business after short spurt of cattiness. The models train as gladiators for a shoot in ancient Roman ruins. The whole time Fatima looked confused and Anya looked like a mannequin. The girls change into their fighting garb only to be facing Ms. J and Jay. Time for a photo challenge that includes battle photos with huge manly gladiators. Whitney and Anya do a great job, Fatima seems scared of the gladiator, Dominique managed to do odd yoga poses, and Katarzyna was just boring. The winner of 1000 Euro and the challenge is Whitney.
The girls ready themselves for their Renaissance inspired photo shoot with photographer… Tyra. Oh goodness, more Tyra talking about Tyra. The girls are super nervous about posing for her. First up is Katarzyna and it turns into Tyra posing, of course, to show her how to do it. Dominique took some good pictures but looked like Cruella Devil. Fatima was graceful and fluid and she really impressed both Tyra and Jay. Whitney was ok but had to play down her curves. Anya shoot was sort of brushed over but she seemed to do a good job.
At panel the judges has nothing bad to say to Anya or Fatima. Dominique’s out fit got destroyed at panel but her shot was praised. Katarzyna was given the same critique as in past weeks; she needs to push and give personality. Whitney was told that she was too posey and gets stuck in the same few poses. After much deliberation the judges bring back the models and the first picture goes to Fatima (Dominique looked furious), second is Dominique, third is Anya. The final two girls standing are Katarzyna who is told that she is coasting and doesn’t stick out and Whitney who is told that she is stunning in person but it doesn’t show in her photos. In the end it is Whitney who surprisingly stays and Katarzyna is sent home.
Elimination 6: Tears get Shannon Nowhere
The night’s recap of yesterdays tumultuous and somewhat chaotic episode showed the injuries, the arguments, and, oh yeah, the dances. We learned today that Cristian is okay (he ruptured a tendon) and Def Leopard has a secret love of ballroom. The judges chose to see Jason and Edyta’s quickstep one more time before elimination time. The first safe couple is Kristi & Mark.
Kenny Mayne and Jerry Rice bring last year’s hit “Dance Center” back to the show and break down each contestant while wearing glitter, eye makeup, and flashy shirts. Always funny and one of the better time wasters used in this show J Now its time for some Arena Rock; Pour Some Sugar on Me. Gotta love the randomness of the combination of Def Leopard and ballroom. The next safe couple is Mario & Karina. More Def Leopard with the pros dancing and then time for more eliminations. The last four couples stand nervously to see if there fate lies under a red light. After talking to Cristian about his injured and pending surgery, the first of the four couples given the relief of safety is Cristian & Cheryl; gotta love that pity vote. The first couple in the bottom two is Marissa & Tony. Jason & Edyta are safe putting Shannon & Derek in the bottom two. With little buildup Shannon and Derek are sent packing. I guess yelling about toe leads, hip action, and unfair judging gets you nowhere. Haha
American Idol: 5 Finalists Go Diamond
Ready for a little Neal Diamond? I hope so because the finalists will each be singing two of the legend’s hits. After Carly’s surprising departure last week, some of the finalists better thank their lucky stars and bring their best this week. (cough-Brook-cough)
Jason Castro
Song 1: Forever in Blue Jeans
Overview: With his guitar back in his hands, Jason’s first song was him as he likes best. The song was simple and soulful. Nothing new but nothing bad – and ending with that spectacular smile of his doesn’t hurt.
Song 2: September Morn
Overview: Another slow song choice for Jason, and not an easy song to sing. He seemed to not be trying by the end of the song and almost didn’t sing the last note.
Judges:
R– Another ok performance
P– Took the same liberty on both songs
S– Don’t recognize you, no attempt to make it your own, forgettable
David Cook
Song 1: I’m Alive
Overview: This is a less famous Diamond song. David sings the fast anthem with more emotion than he seems to have had in past weeks. The song sounds professional and he played along on his electric guitar.
Song 2: All I Really Need to You
Overview: Now playing an acoustic guitar, Cook brings back the raspy yet strong vocals that viewers have fallen in love with. The song started slow and quite then built gradually into a sort oh new vue power ballad that showcased his vocal strength. Another winner for Cook!
Judges:
R– Blazing, rocked the house
P– Already looking at the American Idol
S– First song ok, second song brilliant
Brook White
Song 1: I’m a believer
Overview: I love this song and it is one of the most famous Diamond written songs but Brook did not do it justice in my opinion. Her voice sounded shaky and she looked like a deer in headlights standing perfectly still through the entire song. The song was entertaining enough and I’m sure it will win her some votes unfortunately.
Song 2: I am I Said
Overview: At the piano and lyrics written on her hand brook takes on a tough song. She did a better than fair job with this song. It was a lot better than her first with more personality and an overall better vocal performance.
Judges:
R– Nice job
P– Shows vulnerability
S– Hated the first song, second song is the Brook he likes
David Archuleta
Song 1: Sweet Caroline
Overview: David started out with a few uncharacteristically flat notes but he fixed the problem quickly. The song didn’t seem like a good fit for him but he did a good job with it but it was far from his best performance with some rushed moments and faltering notes.
Song 2: America
Overview: This was a predictable song choice here. Over all the song was good, but he had a voice crack and a couple off pitches. He did have a few great moments with a good key change and a strong ending.
Judges:
R– Another good performance
P– Voice so on point
S– Smart choice of song
Syesha Mercado
Song 1: Hello Again
Overview: Syesha had some of the same problems that David did. She missed a few of the notes in the verse but she came strong when the pitch of the song goes up. She also hit a few good high notes after the weak key change that the audience seemed to take a liking to. Perhaps they will remember the high notes and forget issues.
Song 2: Thank the Lord for the Night Time
Overview: This retro song was a great fit for a shoeless Syesha who still had a few pitch problems but worked the stage and the crowd. It was a good song choice and she ended the show on a high point.
Judges:
R– Finally realizing who you are
P– Beautiful voice on the first song, and the second was a true performance
S– A very good actress stroke singer, but may be in trouble tonight
Um perhaps Paula really is on something, she was giving Jason notes on a song that he didn’t sing yet and then said it was hard to write and listen at the same time… not sure what’s going on with that women. Anyway, Diamond night was less than impressive. I suppose I should make a lame joke about the value of diamonds plummeting or something but I can’t think of anything. Tomorrows bottom two will be Jason and Syesha though I think that Brook deserves to be there just as much as the other too. Stay tuned to see what happens tomorrow.
The Final Three in Barbados
Shayne, Amanda, and Chelsea take off with Matt to Barbados for fun in the sun and romance on the beach. Shayne has the first date while on the island and the two walk down the beach, jet ski, water trampoline, and make out in the water. Shayne says multiple times that she is falling in love with Matt; wonder if that’s the truth. The couple seem to open up to each other over dinner and Shayne admits that she plays up the dumb blonde act at times and later tells Matt that she is falling in love with him. He returns her sentiments but who knows if he will say the same to the others. Shayne gives up her separate room and opts to stay with Matt over night after a bit of hesitation.
Amanda gets Matt of day two. These two don’t seem to have the same chemistry as Matt and Shayne. The date includes zip lining, a lot or woo hoo-ing, and then dinner on the beach. The date seems forced as Amanda attempts to open up and Matt seems a bit receptive. (She also used the word ‘like’ about 312 times and it was like so like annoying). Amanda chooses to stay with Matt in the fantasy suite as well even though she was nervous that he wouldn’t offer.
The final date of the trip is with Chelsea who has been hot and cold with Matt throughout the duration of the show. Matt thought that the date was awkward and that Chelsea was a million miles away. She didn’t want to hold hands with Matt and put off his attempts at any closeness. The two seemed to be on two different dates and spent more time with the sea turtles than with each other. Matt seemed really upset when they got back into port. Dinner starts out just as bad as Chelsea defends her actions throughout the day. She says that she is drawing away from him because she doesn’t like the other girls being there and she doesn’t want to get hurt. He offers her the fantasy suite invite. She, somewhat surprisingly, excepts the key and stays the night with Matt. They finally connect and Chelsea seems to be in to him at last as she sheds her tomboyish-ness and puts on a long black (night?) gown. She made her intentions more than clear. Not sure how this is all going to turn out.
Rose Ceremony– Matt is not looking forward to breaking someone’s heart but he has no choice. The girls all look anxious and jittery as Matt picks up the first rose. The rose goes to Shayne who is emotional upon hearing her name. The last rose goes to Chelsea.
Amanda is left without a rose and has to go home. Amanda and Matt have always seemed a bit superficial around each other but I thought that Chelsea had ruined it for herself but she pulled it out. Amanda is mad and defensive when Matt tries to talk to her after the decision. He tells her that everything that he has ever said to her is true but he feels more with the other two girls and she takes it really hard. It must really suck to get dumped on national television… oh well.
AG Reality TV: Daily Recaps and Opinions 