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Paula’s omnipotence outshines “Idols”Before I get into the mayhem that was last night’s show, I would like to first lament the unfortunate and untimely loss of Carly Smithson. I admittedly didn’t see that one coming. But, such is the life of an Idol fan.
Plus, I can always find solace in the knowledge that she will certainly be putting out a record of some sort within the next year or so. And I have faith that this one has to be better than her first one. Now, let’s get to the task at hand. Last night’s American Idol can best be summed up by quoting Simon Cowell: “This is officially the strangest show we’ve ever done.”
With Neil Diamond mentoring and only five contestants left, this week marked the first of the season where we get to hear more than one song per person. That fact alone is standard, but where they decided to shake things up was in the judging. At the beginning of the show, Ryan Seacrest announced that the judging would be held off until after each contestant sings both songs song. Fair enough. And so, the singing began. The round one performances were largely disappointing. Jason Castro started off with a ‘countrified’ (my word, not his) version of “Forever in Blue Jeans,” that I thought was actually pretty good. It was nothing spectacular, but it was a solid vocal, which is exactly what I’ve come to expect from Jason. David Cook brought back his electric guitar for “I’m Alive,” but I thought his voice sounded very rough and very strained — and not in a good way. Then there was Brooke White. Oh, Brooke, what ever made you think that singing “I’m a Believer” was a good idea? First of all, the key was too low for her. Secondly, she just gave a textbook showing of what it is to be campy and awkward. It was reminiscent of when she sang “Here Comes the Sun” in the second week of finals, only this time she had a guitar. This really didn’t work for me. But on a positive note, at least we got to see her smiling!
David Archuleta followed with “Sweet Caroline,” but I really couldn’t pay attention. I was too busy trying to figure out if they had transplanted the Idol studio to Boston. Finally, just as we reached the show’s halfway mark, Syesha Mercado’s performance allowed me to release the breath I didn’t know I had been holding for twenty minutes. Singing “Hello Again,” she looked great (again), appeared truly confident for the first time all season, and gave a stellar performance.
Did I miss something earlier in the season, or has she really improved this much? She has officially won me over. If at this point you are thinking to yourself, “I thought they had only sung once,” don’t fret. You didn’t miss anything; Paula did. Or perhaps she is simply clairvoyant. Either way, Jason had indeed only sung once. After allowing her to ramble for a minute or two, Randy and Ryan saved us from her, but it did little to save her from herself. I won’t delve into the chatter about how this is proof the show is rigged (Though, how else do you explain it?), but the sphere-de-blog is swarming this morning with commentary on the flub. The best part of the whole ordeal for me: When Paula exclaimed, “This is hard!” Heh. (To watch the whole debacle, go here.) After a much needed commercial break, the singing resumed with Jason actually singing his second song, “September Morn.” An all-in-all forgettable performance, I’d say Jason is in trouble. David C. followed with “All I Really Need is You,” and he pretty much knocked it out of the park. All three judges praised him, and Paula said she felt like she was “already looking at the American Idol.” Next, they rolled out the piano for Brooke’s second song, “I Am, I Said.” What a difference a day a few minutes makes. Brooke (Finally!) sounded good again. (And was it me, or did she sound a little like Sheryl Crow?) She was smiling and letting go of whatever apprehension had been holding her back recently. She seemed calm and as though she was genuinely enjoying herself. She likely saved herself from elimination as well. Phew. David A. took a cue from Kristy Lee Cook and chose the patriotic “America” as his second song. Though his voice clearly cracked at 0:32, you gotta give him some slack. Puberty has that effect on guys! Clearly he is not going home after singing that song. Syesha Mercado closed the show with “Thank the Lord for the Nighttime” and brought the same air of confidence as she did in the first part of the hour. It was sassy. It was upbeat. It was very, very good. I will go out on a limb and say that there will only be a bottom two tonight (same as last week), and that those two will be Jason and Brooke. Bye, bye Jason.
Submitted by on April 30, 2008 - 12:40pm. |
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paula
Seems like every year Paula does something that makes us scratch our head. Me personally thinks idol should do away with her and let Simon and randy do the judging,
UPDATE from Paula & Ryan
For anyone who is interested, go here to read about (and listen to) an interview Ryan did with Paula today on his radio show about her mix-up.
In summary, she said she was reading two people's comments (Jason's and then David Cook's) but accidentally attributed both comments to the same person knowing they were going to be singing two songs.
Funny, since the original second comment was negative, then after corrected, she praised David C.'s performance. Doesn't quite add up, does it?
LegallyOut
Idol, omg
I've been waiting for this since this morning!
Ok, Paula, what the hell was that? This is by far the most interesting thing to happen on this show since forever. I think everyone was left in a state of "wtf" after that. The look on Ryan's face was hilarious. But I did feel bad for Jason since he did have to sing knowing it'd be critique badly right after.
Brooke's donkey song was so horrible and it wasn't even mostly due to her singing. It was too low for her voice. With that and the crazy lighting, the Shrek induced green-purple-blue background, and Bandzilla it was a hot mess. But after Simon's "nightmare" comment, she was amazing on "I Am...I Said." It was gorgeous. She was comfortable and carefree. And she snuck in a smile during the stupid "Arizona" lyric change. Something to do with two shores and what about the coast, Neil Diamond?
David x2 are safe so whatever but Syesha's stealthy. Still here, eh and not doing too badly but I still couldn't care less. Except, maybe put some shoes on! And Paula called Syesha, Brooke. Hee.
The whole show was so frantic and on speed. It hasn't been that crazy in a long time. Oh, and I do not think it's rigged because, well, Taylor Hicks but I do think that the judges influence a lot.
Really?!?
Did she really? I must have missed that. Then again, with all the crazy that comes out of her mouth these days (especially last night), it is no surprise that it would slip past me!
LegallyOut
RE: REALLY?
Paula madness
Right here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xnef7XAdQQ At approximately 2:03 she says "Brooke" and then continues her comments to Syesha.
word quota
my roomates and i joke about how paula and even ryan should have a word quota. they're so obnoxious. ryan makes every situation as awkward as possible and paula talks too much about absolutely nothing. again...word quota. once they hit a certain number of words in an episode they have to stop talking :)
but onto the contestants...i'm officially jumping on the syesha band wagon. i've liked her from the beginning and i usually think the judges are harder on her than they should. now that carly is gone, i really don't care much. I'm a big fan of brooke, but only when she is behind the piano. the first song she sang last night was a disaster for me, but the second one was amazing. i just don't think brook will be able to beat out either of the david's at the end.
I'm still mourning the loss
Oh Paula...
I actually had to turn away from the tv... I think my face is going to be stuck in this embarassed cringe for at least a week. Brutal.
I'm still not feeling Syesha. She has a good voice, but I feel like it would be best put to use in musical theatre, not a stand-alone album. I think I'm going to ride this season out on the David C. bandwagon.
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hm
i still cant bielve carly is gone she was by far the best.and my fav. i think paula is on something every week she can never speak propaly
sysha-good and has gotten better
david cook-good could win
david a-popular by looks but hes not bad
brooke-second fav but shes gone down hill a bit but still strong
jason-hes gona be gone
I'm still not a Brooke fan
I've never been a fan - she can't sing in tune! it disturbs me. She sounds like some random college girl at a part time job at an old bar. I know, I'm turning into Simon, but it's true. Her responses to the judges' comments annoy me, and I can't explain it. Jason Castro's my favourite, for another reason I can't understand - the laidback, surfer stoner dude somehow works for me. Except that he really doesn't belong on American Idol. Someone get him a ukelele and send him my way! On the topic of Syesha though, I've always thought she was great - we've seen a lot of her type on previous seasons though, so I think we're a bit immune. and I really do think little David Archuleta is ADORABLE. SO. ADORABLE.
And Paula? Well, it's hilarious and painful. but mostly hilarious. Is she drunk? high? drugged? just plain demented? boobs trying to escape from her a la Posh Spice and she's having a panic attack?
hmmmm
hopefully it's not Syesha who's going b/c Carly got booted off after singing about J C Superstar.... Syesha sang about the Lord last night. maybe (parts of) America just doesn't like that?? ummmm i was rooting (sp) for Carly.... now obv. it's changed. i think i m going to go with Syesha. if she survives. if not then for Cook. Jason's been on too long.... Brooke's getting old for me.... David A. has too large a fanbase i think but i can't really stand him imo.
also Paula being drugged: i read somewhere that from all the dancing she used to do that she screwed up her back and takes meds for that, which is making her a bit "out there".
Paula
Bye Bye Paula...
I wouldn't cry if Paula was cut from AI... I don't value her input as a judge (I love YOU and YOU and YOU!), and it's like i'm watching 2 completely different shows sometimes... AI and the Paula Abdul Crazy Hour... every time the camera pans out to Paula dancing along with one of the idols I just shake my head...
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cut the dosage on those meds paula!
maybe even moreso than the previous ones. i lost a lot of interest when michael got voted off, and now carly's gone? and she got voted off after the only time she got good comments.
paula's slip up last night pretty much exposed that their comments are totally preplanned. i always thought they sounded that anyways.
Paula Paula Paula....
I was over at my friend's house watching cuz it's tradition.....then Paula did that and me and my friend's mom look at each other and go what's Paula been smoking he only sang once!!
Oh and by the way I LOVE Carly - she's my idol!
I'm sure we'll be seeing much much more of her in the future..
Paula Blamed simon for her mishap
Haha, freakin hilarious
Haha, freakin hilarious last night. Paula, I swear, has something seriously wrong with her head, which makes for great comedy, however. My friends and I were just screaming, "She's a retard!" right after her "mix-up." Oh man, so classic.
And, there can't be any excuse for what she did.Even if she was reading two different people's comments, did she just make up in her head that she saw two performances each already?... or does she forget every week that she's heard them sing? hm
Paula's other excuse
I was watching the hockey
thank god
Silly rabbit twinks are for kids