American Idol: Boys Night Out

The judges have been asking (and viewers have been screaming at their TV screens) for the contestants to realize that they are in a competition —a competition, that if played well, can bring fame and awards and a ton of money. So, HELLO! Get your head in the game! People are dying for this one opportunity so bring your best, and if we’ve seen you do better before that means you are not doing your best.

Fortunately, someone must have heard us because this week garnered the largest bunch of solid performances all season. (Wow, that sounds depressing when I re-read that last sentence.) Even with a bunch of good performances, we’ve come to expect more from our Idol. We expect to be dazzled and blindsided and thoroughly entertained. Remember when Glee premiered last year? Then, it was the little show few had heard of that was getting a grand bump from a post-Idol spot. Now, I find Glee has dazzled, blindsided and thoroughly entertained me way more than this season of Idol has. Four. More. Weeks.

TOP 8 GIRLS
8. Paige Miles • “Smile” • The Charlie Chaplin version is a classic, but I always expect any singer to bring the same emotion I felt when I watched the My Girl 2 scene of Vega’s mom. ::Tear:: The only crying I wanted to do, though, was because Paige, with the supposedly “best” female voice, was so flat, sharp, off and boring.  None of the judges enjoyed it. Randy even said, “It turned into a bossa nova.”

7. Katie Stevens • “Breakaway” • Katie attempted to follow the judges’ advice and do something more youthful, but the pint sized singer squeezed every ounce of fire and power out of the Kelly Clarkson song. Looking on the bright side, the backup dancers sounded great though! Oh, how the mighty fall and also become the perfect example of how editing can make a whole lot of something out of nothing.

6. Siobhan Magnus • “House of the Rising” • Siobhan couldn’t have chosen a better song to showcase her huge pipes, wide range and quirky stylings, so I can’t fault her for her performance this week. I think the simple way to put it is that she’s not my flavor. I can appreciate her talent though, but she doesn’t make me want to buy a CD. Plus, her brave choice of starting the song off a cappella didn’t bowl me over. The judges’ praise ranged from Ellen’s “reason for loving music” to Simon’s “if this was the first time seeing you, I would have real doubts after that.”

5. Katelyn Epperly • “I Feel The Earth Move” • WTF? I was extremely put off by her throwback song choice after being so excited by her shockingly emotional performance last week. Let me preface this by saying, I recently went on a cruise with a piano man who I could not believe was relegated to performing on the sea. So I mean no offense, but this week, Katelyn was reminiscent of a cruise ship performance devoid of any individualism, and it certainly didn‘t match her youth. Everything was just a little showy and not very honest.

4. Lacey Brown • “The Story” • Randy took the words out of my mouth when he said that the song was a little sleepy, but it was, by far, her best performance. Her voice is so unique that the wrong song just ruins it all from the start, and this time, she picked a song that sat in her voice effortlessly. She looked much more confident and at-ease which made the performance more enjoyable.

3. Lilly Scott • “I Fall To Pieces” • Lilly chose, undoubtedly, a very beautiful song, and Lilly sang it well with her funky vibe and mandolin, but it’s such a simple melody with simple words that I worry the audience will get bored by not hearing something upbeat and energetic out of this odd duck. Most of the judges loved it, but Simon noted the risk because it missed the wow.

2. Didi Benami • “Rhiannon” • After many lukewarm showings, I was ready to return my Didi tee if the girl didn’t bring it this week. Luckily, I won’t be sifting through receipts anytime soon. Kara called it one of her favorite moments of the season, and Simon agreed. The artist that I always knew Didi was and the one I fell in love with during the auditions was back and singing her little butt off. Randy missed the wow moment, but Simon said that she did have one, “and the wow moment was the whole performance.” Agreed.

1. Crystal Bowersox • “Give Me One Reason” • The no-Idol-watching, doin’-it-for-my-baby belter killed it again. I was late to the BOW-ER-SOX craze, but now I understand it. Not only did she come to the competition to win it for her son, but she already has the knowledge of the kind of music she wants to make and the type of singer she wants to be. Every performance seems just right. Every. Single. Time. While the other girls are bobbing from top of the pack to bottom of the heat, this one knows that it’s all about consistency and putting on a good show and singing well. She did all.

TOP 8 BOYS
8. Aaron Kelly • “I’m Already There” • The youngster has talent, but he hasn’t matured enough yet to discover who he wants to be, and I don’t care to watch him fumble while figuring it out. As the song caught fire and crescendo-ed he became more confident and less shaky, but it’s not enough to make me a true blue fan. What I am a fan of is Simon telling Kara her critique that he picked a too mature song that he couldn’t connect to was “rubbish”. And that all their opposing critiques can get confusing.

7. Andrew Garcia • “Genie In A Bottle” • I want to like everything Andrew does because he’s cool and funky and hip with a distinct voice. This strange performance just didn’t do. Certain parts reminded me of Jason Mraz, but most of the song wasn’t meant to have an acoustic, funk flair. Simon saw desperation which makes me sad because he’s the last person who seems worried, but I’m starting to worry that he may not be around as long as I‘d envisioned.

6. Todrick Hall • “Somebody To Love” • I miss Glee. A lot. Todrick’s version was definitely his best vocal performance yet, but the tempo, the arrangement and his dance moves were such theatrics. There were a few moments I really loved, but part of me was just wondering what was going on. Ellen dug his gospel spin, and Randy called it one of his favorite male performances of the season, but Kara and Simon both agreed that he sounded great but was treading the line of believability and redemption.

5. Casey James • “You’ll Think Of Me” • Casey’s another contestant who’s starting to play it smart instead of going out there and having fun. Randy felt it was safe, and it was, but his voice was so much better this week. There was nothing exciting and special, but I think that’s because it’s not really his style. It’s unfortunate that his sound is better matched with country when he’s a rocker at heart. He seems way more dull performing these kinds of songs yet sounds so much better.

4. Tim Urban • “Hallelujah” • What a smart, cute boy! Who would have thunk it? At least the smart part. I couldn’t imagine him in the Top 12 at the start, but each week he’s gotten better. And this week, he showed some gusto and emotion by picking one of the best songs ever made and also a song done well on the show in the past. He’s nowhere near the best singers in this competition, but he’s the underdog. And most people (with hearts) can’t help but root for the guy who just keeps pushing and pushing.

3. Alex Lambert • “Trouble” • I think I’ve found my musical soulmate. Alex has yet to chose a song that I haven’t already been absolutely in love with. His voice keeps growing on me, and I find that I‘m most excited to hear his songs, but the judges, while recognizing all his potential, hate that he hasn‘t broken out of his shell. He’s the one I’m most nervous to see go, but I can’t say that he wouldn’t deserve it, especially if it was based on performing and star talent alone.

2. Lee Dewyze • “Fireflies” • Lee kicked off the boys night with a bold choice, which is softer and more techno-driven than his rocker edge, but I liked his twist. As Randy stated, there were some off notes, but I found myself bopping along. Though, I wouldn’t go as far as Kara did when she said the song was better than the original. (But then she also said that it wasn’t his best moment so I’m kind of feeling a backhanded diss on Owl City. Boo!)

1. Michael Lynche • “This Woman’s Work” • The new baby daddy is on a mission to prove that he’s more than just a bouncy, shiny ball on that stage but he can sing and sing well. Well enough, apparently, to bring Kara to tears for the first time. Maxwell’s version always gives me chills, and it seems that’s what Michael’s version did for all the judges and everyone in that room. He was always a judge and fan favorite based on his personality, but his daring choices and top-notch (though not pitch perfect) showings have made him a frontrunner.

CURTAIN CALL
This will be a tough week as so many of our hopefuls have turned in bum performances and something relatively praise-worthy. Should this week’s evictions be based on performance style or vocal power? Should we reward the rising talent or support the ones who displayed enormous potential but are sinking? I know I wouldn’t want everyone in my bottom threes to go and that’s telling enough. When in doubt, my mom always taught me to be positive, so cheers to no one being utterly abysmal! It’s about time. Now if only we could get some consistency.

PARTING SHOTS
“Let me start with a positive. I like your hair.” – Simon of Epperly

“I think Kara is your binkie.” Randy to Simon
“What is a binkie?” – Simon

“Don’t become a cocky banana. No one likes that.” – Ellen

“You’ve kinda gotta imagine Randy in a bikini.” – Simon

For another take on this week’s episodes, check out The Calm Before the Storm by Erin Biglow.

Season 9, Episodes 19 & 20: Top 8 Female Semifinalists Perform and Top 8 Male Semifinalists Perform (originally aired March 9 & 10, 2010)

For more on American Idol, click here.

Photographs courtesy of Fox Broadcasting Company, Michael Becker and IMDbPro.