American Idol heads back to the disco floor with a surprisingly serene coaching session by The Bee-Gees’ Barry Gibb. Who’s “Staying Alive?” Whose “Tragedy” will it be? Tonight, Idol Chat is dancing with the stars — some rising, some falling.
MARITZA HAMILL: It’s funny how now I hope Blake wins. We will see how my doll
Jordan does, but Blake just has me right now. Hmmmmm….. have a good feeling bout this one!
BRANDON GARCIA: Whoever thought we needed a double dose of Bee-Gees needs to lose their license. Barry Gibb played Splinter to the Idols’ Turtles, handing out sage-like advice to little effect. Anybody catch the opener? “You guys sound good together,” he told the final four. “Wanna be a group?” (Insert cricket chirps).
“Inside And Out”
J. CANTU & AMANDA: Oh Melinda, what happened here? We thought this was going to be a fun presentation. We do know this is not Melinda’s genre, but she finally did not choose a song wisely. Wow. The only thing its that its Melinda, and no one can take that away…we can give her a break, when she has done great for the entire show and this is her first fault. We can even say she deserves it. SCORE: 6
MARITZA HAMILL: I feel like I’m shopping at OLD NAVY, the background music. Now of course she did a good job, but that song was boring. I was bored. I WANT HEAR BLAKE!!! So this is how it’s done. No, she has one more chance! SCORE: 7
CHRIS BENITEZ: The First Song of the night started with Melinda’s weakest perfomance, how great! Actually it was not bad at all just didn’t seem like the stuff we are used to.
BRANDON GARCIA: Melinda bottled up the burgeoning Tina Turner fetus that poked its head out last week. She sounded strangled and sexually frustrated, and it was easily her worst performance to date. Simon called it “more of a backing vocalist performance” — that about says it all. SCORE: 5
“You Should Be Dancing” Watch the original
J. CANTU & AMANDA: Blake might have set the bar too high last week. This did not do him any good. Most of this song is sung on a falsetto and Blake did not give it justice. We heard the beat box from him in the first few weeks then nothing and now its everywhere. Don’t rely too much on that Blake. Blake does know how to entertain a crowd, but maybe having two songs to worry about, he couldn’t re-do what he did last week. SCORE: 6
MARITZA HAMILL: Bad, ehh, is this what I was waiting for…. naaa. I was a bit embarrassed for him. The beep box stuff was OK … but this song was silly. Not going to win tonight. grrrrrr. This annoys me. SCORE: 6
CHRIS BENITEZ: Melinda looks very nice tonight by the way, it was good. See you in the next round Melinda! SCORE: 8 (both performances)
BRANDON GARCIA: Well, there’s always the MAC counter if this music thing doesn’t pan out. Blake again confirmed he’s a much better beat-boxer than a singer. The “breakdown” section of the song was lively, but even the distracting echo effect wasn’t enough to hide his feeble vocals. Lots of lucidity from the judges this evening: Randy compared it to something from a “weird discotheque in a foreign country.” Good one, dawg. SCORE: 5
“Staying Alive” Watch the original
J. CANTU & AMANDA: LaKisha, we definitely know this is not your genre, but that was horrible. LaKisha takes one step forward and 10 steps back and this might have just sent her home. There are several ballads she could have chosen and instead chooses a very well disco song and clobbers it. The problem here is that this has happened in earlier weeks with LaKisha, and LaKisha did not learn from it, because of that, this could have sealed it for her…going home that is. She went back to the screaming and sounded like she was leaving a bad message to her daughter over the phone, wait…that was someone else. SCORE: 4
MARITZA HAMILL: eh… another eh.. karaoke doll. I’m soo bored tonight. I’m not liking this American Idol tonight. ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz……..
CHRIS BENITEZ: (Both performances) Don’t know what to say, it is a toss up with Blake. But, how many people voting for a girl will vote for Lakisha when you have Melinda and Jordin. Blake is the only boy. I think it is time for Lakisha to go home. SCORE: 6
BRANDON GARCIA: How I wish this song would die. Even Barry Gibb couldn’t bear to sing it one more time, but LaKisha of all people was able to provide it some CPR. I dig Bossy LaKisha, and the stopping/starting of the chorus was a juicy twist. Simon called “verging on scary,” but in the safety of my mom’s bedroom I think it was one of the more watchable dance-party performances I’ve seen on Idol. SCORE: 7
“To Love Somebody” Watch the original
J. CANTU & AMANDA: We love the hair. Jordin just has that look about her, and this far in the competition, looks definitely count. Jordin again has the total package. She can definitely sell it. She is more sellable than anyone else. She chose a great song for her and so far she has had the best vocals by a long shot. This might be the first time, her vocals beat Melinda. WE love Jordin. SCORE: 7
MARITZA HAMILL: He he he… ok, IM SORRRY I DOUBTED YOU!!! ILOVE YOU!!!! Good girl! yea! Uh-hu! Whooooo who, American Idol’s winner! I am so glad there was a good choice tonight. SCORE: 8
CHRIS BENITEZ: (Both performances) I have felt for a while now that the show is desperately trying to make Jordin into something more than she is. Young, talented, but she lacks a professional side. Not to mention gets out of pitch more in two songs than Doolittle the entire season. SCORE: 7.5
BRANDON GARCIA: The producers tried to frame it as an out-of-the-comfort-zone performance, but Jordin’s “To Love Somebody” felt straight out of the Handbook for Little Divas. You study for the test, you pass, but no extra credit from this teacher. SCORE: 6.5
“How Can You Mend A Broken Heart” Watch the original
J. CANTU & AMANDA: So much better Melinda. This is the Melinda we know, but it is also the charisma-less Melinda we know. We DO know what Paula was talking about. Melinda has some much technique, but lacks the umph about it. There is something missing. Maybe because she was a back up for so long she still hasn’t gotten over that. She sang very well from INSIDE a shell. Melinda will have to come out in a hurry to win this thing, but nonetheless, great rebound Melinda. SCORE: 7
MARITZA HAMILL: Now this song proves that she will not win American Idol. She just can’t get away from these stupid types of songs. Backup singer you will be my darling, BUT A GOOD ONE, KAY? SCORE: 9 … can we say Dreamgirls 2?
CHRIS BENITEZ: Melinda looks very nice tonight by the way, it was good. See you in the next round Melinda! SCORE: 8 (both performances)
BRANDON GARCIA: Where does that walkway go, anyway? Melinda’s back to her old tricks singing a snoozer in another grey Depression-era smock. The second half of the song was a little brighter, and her neck finally made its long-awaited debut as she reached for that high note. Paula suggested she throw “throw away all her technique” in the future — those silly replacement “la-la-las” are a good step in that direction. Mark my words: She’s in the bottom two tomorrow. SCORE: 7
“This Is Where I Come In”
J. CANTU & AMANDA: What was that Blake? You and LaKisha will be battling for the bottom spot. This was not a hit then, and will not be a hit know. It is one of those “groovy” songs if you know what I mean. Changing the style of it, still did not do it any good. Sorry but the beat box did not help either. Either do it, or not. Don’t go half way into it. We really hope you stay Blake, but you had TWO bad turnouts tonight. Good Luck SCORE: 5
MARITZA HAMILL: Bu- eeh–boda- uh-uh-bebe……There’s a reason this song didn’t make it Blake. Mmk. Yeah, uh hu. SCORE: 7
BRANDON GARCIA: That’s appearance No. 3 for the argyle sweater. Barry Gibb admits “We thought (this song) could be a hit … we were wrong.” I haven’t heard the original, but it’s probably better than Blake’s version, which literally sounds like a broken record on a rusty gramophone with all the needless beat-boxing and flat notes galore. Seriously, Paula? Blake the “contemporary rebel?” The vibe I got was “Rainbow Brite’s closeted boyfriend.” Who can’t sing in tune. SCORE: 4.5
“Run To Me” Watch the original
J. CANTU & AMANDA: She looked so much better than the first go around. We don’t know what she was wearing the first time, but this is more LaKisha. The song choice was also more for her. She did have trouble but the shouting wasn’t as prevelant as the first time. We think this might have been too little too late for LaKisha. She self destructs everytime she does good. We know this wasn’t her genre, but she chose a song that gave her some range. Just don’t sound like the Baldwin over the phone LaKisha. Don’t shout, sing to us. SCORE: 6
MARITZA HAMILL: Not bad, this song was so pretty for her. I liked it but dont think this is going to help her stay in the game.. Nice knowing you Lakisha.. bye bye…. SCORE: 8
BRANDON GARCIA: And you thought Judge Judy’s 15 minutes were up. Besides sounding like she had a head cold and choking bad on that very last note, LaKisha gave a collected and emotional performance — and thank God for vertical stripes. SCORE: 6
“A Woman In Love” Watch Babs’ version
J. CANTU & AMANDA: I really don’t know what they were talking about pitch problems. At the end of the song, we thought she had nailed it, but not according to the judges. She looked very very nice. Jordin showed us two sides tonight. Again, she has it all and it is hers to lose. I voted for Jording till the cows came home. SCORE: 8
MARITZA HAMILL: No matter what the judges say, when she wins, no one will say well so-and-so should’ve won. She makes mistakes here and there, but has been the most memorable of them all. Plus she’s cute… SCORE: 8
BRANDON GARCIA: Barry Gibb said Jordin will be “one of our greatest female recording artists.” Barry Gibb needs to go away and never return. Jordin sang about her broken heart with all the conviction of a 16-year-old pleading to borrow the minivan for a cruise down to Sonic. I’m thrilled she’s making As and Bs in Idol school, but I don’t buy her as an artist. F-minus, you’re expelled. Follow Barry back to the Wal-Mart discount pile. SCORE: 4
MARITZA HAMILL: I MISS SANJAYA!!
BRANDON GARCIA: Maybe next year American Idol will pass on another unwanted serving of Bee-Gees. Definitely the worst night of a season filled with bad nights.
MARITZA HAMILL: Jordin Sparks
CHRIS BENITEZ: Jordin Sparks and Melinda Doolittle
BRANDON GARCIA: LaKisha, but not a lot of competition
MARITZA HAMILL: Blake
CHRIS BENITEZ: LaKisha, Blake
BRANDON GARCIA: Jordin. I can’t take one more minute, people.
J. CANTU & AMANDA: LaKisha goes home. Blake had two bad outings, but LaKisha does not have the following Blake has.
MARITZA HAMILL: LaKisha
CHRIS BENITEZ: LaKisha Jones
BRANDON GARCIA: Could this be the Season Without A Shocker? I wouldn’t count on it. LaKisha seems like the obvious choice, but the only one whose exit would generally elicit more than shrugs is … Melinda. Here’s how the rest of the season goes: Melinda’s out tonight, LaKisha next week, and Jordin and Blake in the finals. It’s the first sign of the apocalypse.
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LaKisha’s in some serious trouble according to the Idol Chat judges. Tune in at 8 p.m. Wednesday to get live results.
