American Idol Review: Gaga Ooh La La, America Sends Durbin Home
May 13, 2011 by Kelley Lynn
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Here’s a riddle. What do Casey Abrams and James Durbin have in common? Well, for one, they are both truly unique musicians and artists who each brought something completely different and new to the American Idol stage. What else do they have in common? They both should have been the final two standing up there on that stage: metal vs. blues. Raw, rock and roll versus gritty, jazzy upright bass. Can you imagine that finale? It would have been absolutely incredible. It would have torn the roof off that place. Steven Tyler would have performed with James, as he promised he would if James made it to the final two. Unfortunately, it’s not going to happen. Casey Abrams was let go two weeks ago, and this week, America voted off James Durbin in a classic “WTF are you thinking?” move. The final three should have been James, Casey, and Lauren. Instead, we are left with Lauren, Hailey, and Scotty. This show almost never gets it right, so this really shouldn’t be shocking to anyone; but for some reason, it always hurts when the really talented ones go home way too early, and the mediocre are left standing. Dim the lights …. here we go …. “THISSSS …….. is American Idol!!!”
With less than two weeks left until the finale at the Nokia Theatre, only four are left standing and the pressure is on. The contestants competed in two rounds of singing to earn their spots in the Top 3. Round One involved choosing a song that inspires them, while round two used the Songbook of Leiber and Stoller. For reasons too baffling to ever understand, the show chose this week and this round of songs to utilize the truly bizarre Lady Gaga as the contestant’s mentor. I really wish there was some way to explain what Gaga looked like when they first showed her. She looked like an alien, crossed with a Geisha girl, crossed with a hooker, crossed with something out of a science-fiction movie, crossed with an insect. And an egg. Her face, specifically, looked like an egg. With awful hair. And a big black dot on her cheekbone for no reason. Of course, if you asked Lady Gaga about her overall look, I am sure she would probably give you some crap about how the outfit and makeup is representative of the fight against poverty, AIDS, and starving children in Africa. The big-ass mark on her face most likely represents the inner-struggle of man vs. nature … or some crap. Whatever. Rah rah, ooh la la – I liked it better when it was Madonna.
In any case, let’s get right to the performances.
1. James Durbin
ROUND ONE:
For the song that inspires him, James chose Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” He began by yelling out to Randy, who used to play bass guitar for the band, “Come on Randy! I know you know the words!” This is just one of those songs that most people love and get on board with. It was great, and definately inspiring. As usual, the vocal range was insane. By now, we all know that the boy can SING! Jennifer “I bought this jean dress at Marshalls” Lopez absolutely loved it, while Tyler called it “beautiful.” That is his favorite word, by the way. Beautiful. He says it 10 times per episode. Someone needs to start a new game where you have to drink everytime Steven Tyler calls someone’s performance beautiful. Randy Jackson made sure we all knew that he used to be in Journey, and that Journey is the best band EVER, and that Steve Perry has the best voice EVER. Everybody got that? Good.
ROUND TWO:
For this performance, James was mentored by Lady Gaga. How exactly did she mentor him? By getting behind him and grinding on his hips, telling him to move them more and to ”put the song in your body.” James delivered another kick-ass performance of the song “Love Potion #9,” unlike any version you have probably ever heard. It was kind of epic actually. And what did he get for his hard work? A one way ticket home. Rah rah, ooh la la….
2. Haley Reinfart
ROUND ONE:
Hailey chose Michael Jackson’s “The Earth Song,” which has a wonderful message, but eats up her voice and makes it sound hollow and not pleasant. The verses of the song were not impressive and didn’t feature her voice well. At the chorus, and WITH the chorus, it finally kicked in some more, but overall I felt this was a weak song choice for Hailey. Randy and Jennifer pretty much agreed, and for one of the first times ever, gave an almost negative comment on a contestant. IMAGINE THAT! Judges – actually judging! After Randy told her that the chorus just sounded like screaming and that he didn’t think it was a great choice for her, Hailey acted a little bit like a sore loser, I thought. She kept making excuses and talking back to the judges, which made her look like a poor sport and very defensive over some simple criticism. You know, the thing that the judges are SUPPOSED to be doing the entire year! No wonder why these contestants can’t take simple criticism – THEY NEVER GET ANY! I am telling you, Simon Cowell would not stand for this “sunshine and lollipops” version of Idol. He just wouldn’t.
ROUND TWO:
Hailey did much better in this round, with the classic “I Who Have Nothing.” Gaga helped her to become more theatrical with the lyrics, and to really bring the character to life more. Hailey did this, and even though I am not a huge fan of hers, I have to say this performance was very strong from her. When she was finished, the judges all stood up for her, and then stupid Seacrest had to make a big deal out of nothing by bringing up the tension in the previous round, and shoving Hailey down to the judges table to give Randy a “peace offering” hug. UGH. Really? So now the judges aren’t allowed to say anything negative about anyone, ever? And when they do, they have to almost apoligize for it with hugs and kisses to the contestants? Come ON! What the hell happened to this show? The judges don’t even judge anymore, and suddenly anything other than 100% positive comments is “mean.” They are coddling these kids way too much, and it’s not doing them any good.
3. Cocky McDreary
ROUND ONE:
For his inspirational song, Scotty chose Alan Jackson’s “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),” which is a song all about September 11, 2001. Everything about this bothered me actually. First of all, how old was Scotty when 9-11 happened? Three? Secondly, where was HE when the Towers fell? And lastly, something about a teenage kid singing to ME, a 39-year old woman who lives in NYC, about 9-11, just sits with me the wrong way. Of course, the judges ate it up, as did America. Scotty sat on his dumb stool and sang his little heart out, according to them. The tool on a stool did what they all love most: Jesus, America, patriotism. That’s it. That’s the secret formula. Mention Jesus in most of your songs, how much you love the country, and lots of downhome country references, you will be the new Idol in no time. I didn’t like this performance at all; but then again, I don’t like 95% of what McDreary delivers.
ROUND TWO:
First of all, Scotty McCreery and Lady Gaga is sort of like Prince and Lawrence Welk. Marilyn Manson and Anne Murray. Ozzy Osbourne and Celine Dion. It just doesn’t make any sense. Gaga helped McCocky by telling him to pretend the microphone is his girlfriend, and make love to it. Scotty responded by delivering a weird, wacky, silly-like performance that the judges called “funny.” They said he showed off his funny side. Really? Who is he, Richard Pryor? I am sorry, but funny is the last word I would use to describe Scotty McCreery. His awkward physical movements across the stage and into the audience, along with his Smirky McSmirkerson facial expressions and winking was enough to make me wish he was back on that stool again where he belongs. The judges pretty much continued building a shrine in his honor with their overly-complimentary comments.
4. Lauren Alaina
ROUND ONE:
This wasn’t my favorite song ever by Lauren, only because the melody left something to be desired for me personally. However, her performance of Martina McBride’s “Anyway” was gorgeous as ever. Honestly, her vocals are usually so good, that I can overlook a mediocre song choice here and there. Steven Tyler called it beautiful and told Lauren, “You deliver a song like a blue plate special.” (Where on earth does he come up with this stuff?) Jennifer Lopez also loved it, and apoligized for being “tough at times” on the contestants. When? When are you tough? NEVER. Seriously, I haven’t heard this much positivity since that Tony Robbins seminar at the local Marriott.
ROUND TWO:
“Trouble” by Elvis Presley is the song choice, and Gaga tries to get Lauren over her hesitations of calling herself “evil,” as per the lyrics of the song. In the rehearsal footage, she seems to not understand at all that she is playing a character, and that singing the words “I’m evil” does not make one evil. However, during her live performance of the song, Lauren came to life in a way I haven’t yet seen her before. It was fantastic! She had attitude, spunk, and fire. She really fell into the character of the song and, as J.Lo said, “attacked it.” I loved seeing this new side of Lauren that seemed to have so much more confidence than just a few short weeks ago. Awesome performance!
ELIMINATION SHOW:
Blah blah blah … WTF was RandyJackson wearing for a shirt? It looked like a cow costume. What was with the giant white and black polka-dots? Blah blah blah … Seacrest informed us that 72 million people voted this week. I bet 71 million of those people are all under the age of 14. Blah blah blah … former winner Jordan Sparks performed her new song “I Am Woman,” which really seemed more like a lip-syncing routine than anything. Enrique Iglesias also performed, and his voice sounded more like a computer than human. After that, we got to watch the Idol contestants sit on a couch together while they watched a Lady Gaga, half-naked at a piano performance for no apparent reason whatsoever. Afterwards, we watched them comment about the song/performance they just saw, and this was, I guess, supposed to enlighten us somehow. After that pointlessness came more pointlessness with the Ford Music Video that they make us sit through week after week. At this point, we got more blah blah blah filler, followed by the premiere of a new Steven Tyler video called “It Feels So Good,” which featured Tyler singing to an elephant in a large grandma beach hat and cod-piece. Nobody needs to see that.
After another 9.5 hours of filler and commercials, the show finally revealed that the person to go home would be James Durbin. And there you have it. America voted off more insanely good talent. And now we are left with Hailey, Scotty, and Lauren. I have said from day one that Scotty will win this show, and I still believe that. But now that my two favorites James and Casey are long gone, I will start voting for Lauren Alaina. GO LAUREN!!!!
For another take, read “Idols Go Gaga” by Erin Biglow.
Season 10, Episodes 34-35: Four Finalist Compete and One of Four Voted Off (originally aired May 11th and May 12th, 2011)
For more American Idol coverage, click here.
Don’t miss American Idol Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8/7c on FOX.
Photographs courtesy of IMDbPro and FOX.
Welcome back, Kelley! Loved your descriptions of the strange pairing of Scotty and Gaga – Anne Murray and Marilyn Manson, LOL! Scotty’s 9/11 song was downright insulting to anyone with a brain, and I’m glad that you as a NYC resident expressed your justified disdain. God, he’s SO going to win. Lauren has a gorgeous tone to her voice and undeniable talent, but I gotta go with underdog Haley as someone to root for. Lauren’s “Don’t make me say EVUL” cutesy tirade put the last nail in her coffin for me. See you next week!
Thanks Tess for forwarding this to other friends. Thats awesome of you … and LuLu … I also cover DANCING WITH THE STARS …its normally posted here each Wednesday on the home page. Thanks all.
I about cried when James was told no rock star treatment for him.
Go Lauren!
Rah rah, ooh la la – I liked it better when it was Madonna. – Thank you!
I am not sure why everyone is saying that James is so good? He has talent, that is for sure, but he also sings off key at times and frequently screams. I think everyone who raves about him think that he is another Adam Lambert, which he is not. He is good, just needs to work on his skill to be even close to Adam Lambert. Laura has the most innate ability to sing. If you can sing a Martina McBride song, then you can sing. “Anyway” is a truly beautiful song. Laura did it well, not perfect, but overall she sang it well. Scotty is above average, but anyone who knows country music knows that there are many just like him already and they do not look like “Howdy Doody”. He’s a kid, and has some talent, but he needs a lot of work to be a country superstar, in my opinion. I agree that the Judges are too nice, how can they improve?
So sorry to see James go…thought it would be the three left standing; James, Scotty, and Lauren.
Guess I am in disagreement with you as I do like Scotty and think he will make it big in the Country Western Scene once he gets some proper training Now that most of the talent I would have hoped stayed on have left, I’m for Scotty!!
I know that thrills you , Kelley!! LOVE your review, as always.
First of all, it is not 72 Million viewers… The voting is definitely NOT FAIR! It’s down right RIDICULOUS! One person can vote for 2 hrs for their favorite, and vote for any other performer that same night whenever they wish. I doubt I’ll (we’ll) be watching Amer Idol again after they James got voted off. He was one of the best ever contestants and same with Pia. This show is rigged. Come on, Scotty, an American Idol. Come on… his deep, mimicked voice of country singers from way back…come on… just stupid.
Haley’s House Of The Rising Sun song was one of the best performances ever on American Idol, but she hasn’t been that great since… I have nothing to say about Lauren. She can sing, but not an American Idol image. This show is taking a downslide since Simon left.
Cheers to you Kelley, i applaud you for a great write up. You really had me laughing out loud especially about Lady Gaga that i had to forward your article to my friends. Your description of AI this season 10 was totally spot on. I was so rooting for Casey Abrams (a high caliber musical skill) and James Durbin (fantastic vocal range and also skillful). Two great talent and i’m so disappointed how the votes came out. I have a feeling that Scotty might win, but still who knows.
With James and Casey gone, nothing much to watch on the American Idol. 72 million votes! what do the American people always get it wrong? We should vote talent not some shallow idealistic crap. I remember some years back America voted out Adam Lambert and voted in Chris Evert, honestly it takes me a moment to remember the full name of Chris Evert, whereas Admam Lambert is one of the biggest names in the music industry today. I am 100% certain that both James and Casey will make it big world wide and the rest Haley Scotty and Lauren…..they will be history and forgotten sooner than we can say 1 2 3! Go Casey go Go James Go! waiting for your albums and let the losers win this ridiculous show, miss Simon Cowell.
So disgusted they sent James home – honestly don’t know if I can watch any more. Great review, Kelly! I totally wanted JLo’s off the shoulder denim dress from KMart when I was in 6th grade!
I would hardly call James “Raw Rock n’ Roll”. He is rather “Rock Of Ages Rock n Roll”. But, I’ll take him any day over Scotty, the Tool on the Stool.
You mean you didn’t get all teary eyed hearing him sing about 9/11? You are heartless!!! Freedom!
Anyway, Scotty will win, because he is America.
Yea… if American Idol results at all reflect what’s really going on in this country, I need to move! Apparently we hate culture and like stupid little country boys with no talent! ARGH! I can barely watch this show anymore — it’s such a joke! I do like Lauren, however. And I too enjoyed how much she has grown as a performer
Steven Tyler’s video was scary, but what you said to describe it was hilarious!
Your description of Lady GaGa was so great and absolutely hilarious but it was when I got to the “Scotty McCreery and Lady Gaga is sort of like Prince and Lawrence Welk. Marilyn Manson and Anne Murray. Ozzy Osbourne and Celine Dion” part that I almost spit coffee all over my monitor. LOLOLOL! I absolutely adore your reviews. You are a really talented writer and moreover you convey humour brilliantly. I look forward to your reviews every week. Heck I’m going to start watching some of the other shows you write about! Thanks again for another spot on review. I’m starting to wonder if we were separated at birth.
LuLu
Watched this show for the first time in years. (YEARS. I mean, seriously. I think Underwood was on it the last time I watched).
Impressions:
James; WOW. Those Glee Kids ain’t got nothin on him! And yes “Don’t stop believing” is a very inspirational choice.
Haley is pretty, but she’s AWFUL. Of all the Michael Jackson songs to pick, she chooses that one? Yeah, it’s so good for her range. Not. Song inspiring? No.
The Tool: He started that song and I went surfing. I came back after he was done and heard the glowing reviews. I could not stand his voice at the beginning. How is this an inspirational song choice I am not sure. It’s pandering.
Lauren: PRETTY dress. Song was really a good choice, especially coming up on what’s going on in the south right now. It was an inspirational sor ng too. There were points where it was pitchy, but I did forgive her for that because, like I said, she’s from an area badly impacted by the storms….and we’ll likely see some really awful footage next week.
Gaga was a great mentor! She really was.
Durban: OMG! That is truly “making it your own!” LP#9 has never sounded like that before. That performance alone should have defaulted him to the finale.
Reinhart: Did they swap singers here? That song was beautiful.
Tool: Why is he still on this show? Gaga helped him, but he still sucked. Why is America in love with the BORING WHITE GUY!
Lauren: Okay. Wow
To me, the four best performances of the night belonged to James and Lauren. The other two wasted my time.
Which is of course why I was not at all surprised that James went home.
I’m predicting the finale will be Haley and the Tool.
Casey and Jacob were my number one! I do not understand what the big deal about Lauren is! Yes, she has a great voice, and yes she is young and pretty, but she has never given me goosebumps like all the others have done! Nothing so special about her in my eyes..
I vote for Haley!! Scotty will start his career in country music as soon as his contract with Idol is over, anyway, so why does he need to win American Idol, when it is not going to affect his career so much!
Go Haley!!!!
James Durbin was the only reason I watched the show. Season’s over as far as I am concerned.
Scotty was by far the worst performer last week but he was very clever to play the God card to score extra votes. I disgusted that someone would use God, religion and 911 to score votes.
Seriously, what is going on in America?? I’m from England and it’s so frustrating watching it go wrong every year and not being able to vote. I’ve not agreed with one winner since David Cook. In fact, who has won it since him? Casey is my favourite Idol performer ever, pure talent. I loved your review. Casey and James would’ve been incredible. The Tool on a Stool, is so cringey and creepy. I actually really like Haley now, she’s a feisty one who has got better and better. Lauren is good but a bit boring. But do I care who wins now? No couldn’t care less.
I love that I have so many people referring to Scotty as TOOL ON A STOOL. Hilarious.
Well, the boring white guy syndrome is in full effect on AI. This has never been more evident. Am I disgusted? Yes. Will I continue to watch? Yes. (probably). The “Tool on a Stool” will most likely fulfill your prophecy, Kelley, but it doesn’t make me root any less against him. His use of a 9/11 song is really disgusting for me and completely transparent. It is more of an indictment on the current state of America than anything else. How did we become such a superficial people? And yo are correct describing Lady Gaga as this generation’s Madonna. The talent is there, but does she have to be so extreme? Great review, as usual.
And WHY would you shave off your eyebrows??? That was so weird, besides the stripper like piano song thing, but no eyebrows really freaked me out. I do admit she has an awesome voice, and, that she freaked out tool on a stool was also cool!!
Soon as tool on a stool sang a 9-11 songI KNEW he would not go home. Soon as they said Haley was safe, I knew James was gone. I really don’t care what happens next. BUT, your reviews are spot on, awesome, and totally accurate. They are also hilarious. Thank you Kelley!! I don’t know if I will keep watching, but I will keep reading. After Daughtry I said I wouldn’t, after Durbin, ah, I probably won’t. And yes, Journey is the BEST band ever and ya, Perry is probably one of the best if not THE best. That was one thing Randy got right, plus his criticism (finally!!!) of Haley, that was really not good, not good at all!
I wanted James and Casey…I want now, anything but Tool on a Stool, and probably prefer Lauren. What will happen? Tool on a stool.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more cheesy and crass than his 9-11 song and whatever he did after. wow. Still, you say jesus, god, and 9-11, you aren’t going home.. you just aren’t.
I will not watch American Idol ever again . If you believe James didn’t make it vote wise ? That is Bull !!! Sad to say .. the show is rigged and I stand firm on that and I do believe James will become someone very big in music industry . Its al about the drama and for me it killed the whole show . I so wanted to believe that one thing wasn’t orchestrated in this twisted world with live in filled with red tape and fat cats .. Just like the song Uprising !! God bless you James … You turned me on to metal <3
I don’t know who you are miss 39 year old lady from new york, but i know i do not like you. You are a bit of a bitch.
This week seriously annoyed me. James was so good. Hailey was pathetic and screechy and Randy had it right. Lauren is gorgeous.
Well what a shock, James Durbin was robbed! He outsang everybody last week and should have been in the final three. What is wrong witth the public and their votes? He was the most consistent performer every week and should have won. If he doesn’t get picked up by anybody there is truely something wrong. You can see that singing is truely his passion and he puts his heart and soul into every performance! I really can’t watch anymore as I am so disappointed with the American public, what were they thinking!
I have to agree with you on two points…James should not have been the one to go tonight – it should have been Scotty, he was pretty awful and that first song he sang about 9/11 had me literally cringing in my seat – I had to go do something else in another room while he sang. My very favourite performer was Casey and I was sad to see him go, in some ways it was understandable, he was fantastic at performing except when he starting screeching…oh well another year of Idol passes by where Americans kick off the talented ones…but they they do have someone like that Dweiber Beiber guy as their new sensation…if they can like him they can like any crap that comes along…well done voters…
I never liked that 9-11 song. It was creepy and made my skin crawl. Lady GaGa is always strange. She makes me giggle. Great review.
Great review as usual Kelley. I totally agree about Casey and James. That would have been the best Idol finale ever. Now I barely care how it comes out. I just hope the winner is a girl.
“Cocky McDreary” LOOOOVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“featured Tyler singing to an elephant in a large grandma beach hat and cod-piece. Nobody needs to see that.” Bwah!!!!! Just spit up my dinner!!!! (But in a good way…not in the way I did watching Scotty sing his 9-11 song or Steven’s video.)
You know what I wanna hear? Haley singing “Sunglasses at Night.” I have no idea why. I just do.