American Idol: Bye Bye Talent!

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but Idol was so depressing this week. The Top 12 reveal is supposed to be exciting and joyous, yet I left this week’s results show wanting to curl into the fetal position and hug my Pooh Bear. I know that tastes and preferences are all relative. What one person loves, another can hate which is the genius of the show, but it’s also often the bane of my existence. I’m not the type of person easily distracted by shiny things like bright smiles, fresh faces.

Of course, I can appreciate some good eye candy, but I’m way more concerned in the tone of someone’s voice, how smartly they chose songs, how they respond to critiques and a little humility. So I get frustrated when contestants who’ve been at the top of the pack in terms of talent get shafted for…well…boring people!! What is America seeing that I am not?!

Either way, I know I’ve said it before, but never have I felt so justified in calling “SHENANIGANS!” Sure, things haven’t been stellar, but so far we’ve been coasting at a pretty steady speed where we get rid of some weak links and retain those with the most potential. That kind of intelligent thinking seems to be a thing of the past at this point.

Just typing these words on my screen is making me relive the horror all over again, so let’s just get to the hopefuls who were sent packing.

ELIMINATION STATION
Katelynn ’s issue has been that she doesn’t really know who she is yet, and Simon pointed that out as she was brought up to stand besides Paige and await her fate. After Paige’s quivering “Smile” earlier in the week, pretty boring live performances, and very little early screen time, I was sure that I could rest easy that the inconsistent beauty could pull through. But I guess weak showings and tiny personalities trump potential.

Alex was never going to win this thing, but what I love about Idol is watching amazingly talent people blossom before our eyes. David Archuleta was never my favorite to win, but I really enjoyed seeing the young kid mature into a truly great performer. I’m sad I’ll never get that chance with Alex who I feel really had the most to gain. I also looked forward to his renditions more than anyone else’s because no matter how nervous or scared his was, his voice was pure gold. Watching him go was truly the hardest goodbye ever as he realized that he wouldn’t get the opportunity to even peek his head out of his introverted shell.

Lilly’s ouster was the largest shocker so it’s no doubt that the producers saved it for last. Standing there next to Katie, I knew right then that the outcome would not be in my (or her) favor. But I must be honest, as well as she performed every week, I knew that most of America wouldn’t root for her. She seemed confused, stating in her exit interview that she didn’t know what America wanted to hear because she performed well and thought she did great. (She could have been more gracious, but I forgive.) The truth is, Lilly, America likes girls like Katie. They’re safe and easy to understand and cute and sweet. Who cares if they sound like they’re 40 and have as much personality as my floral bedspread?

Last, and also the least of my worries, is Todrick who went out with a bang. He was never going to be the kind of performer to make it past the Top 10 with his theatrical, Broadway flare, so who cares if he did turn in his best performance ever and maybe didn’t deserve to go over “can’t mature fast enough for this competition” Aaron, but I’m a supporter of going out on top, and that’s what he did. He even bested his performance the second time around, prompting all the judges (except for Simon) to give him a standing O.

IDOLS RETURN
Scott MacIntyre and Matt Giraud were back to pimp their dimly lit careers. Still, I get happy thinking about last season and how diverse and fun it was. They “Tell Her About It” which told me that not much must be going on with them. I was so puzzled by the song choice that  I almost thought that they were both going to be in Moving Out on Broadway. But alas no…that‘s not evening running anymore anyways. Maybe their planning a revival?! Instead they just show off their piano dueling skills. Matt still has a crazy ridiculous voice even if he was a little overexcited, and Scott still makes me all warm and fuzzy.

CURTAIN CALL
It’s clear that, at this point, everyone is vocally competent. All 24 chosen semi-finalist could blow most average people out of the water, so why get rid of the more vocally/musically intriguing contestants in favor of dull, monotonous and dreary. Please tell me what Aaron or Katie has done to prove that they’re no more than young, sweet faces with good pipes. That M.O. might have worked five seasons ago, but that’s just not enough anymore. Actually, I guess it is.

I would also like to note that besides losing some of my faves, when I swore I didn’t  have to worry, it seems like this bunch are much closer than ever. The idea of Lilly leaving seemed to be harder on Crystal than herself. And the show almost stood still when Alex was voted off. I’ve never seen so many full-on sobs and shaking heads on a day that’s supposed to be wonderful for the majority of the contestants. It truly was a dark, dark evening for Idol.

For another take on this week’s episode, check out The Dirty Dozen by Erin Biglow

Season 9, Episode 20: Results Show: Two Male and Two Female Contestants Eliminated (originally aired March 11, 2010)

For more on American Idol, click here.

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