Scene Now

It’s inspirational tunes week on “Idol,” to celebrate tomorrow night’s “Idol Gives Back” special. But more on that later; let’s get to the contestants.

Michael Johns was first and he sang Aerosmith’s “Dream On.” Bless him, he tried super hard to sing it just like the original. It’s OK…wish he’d just sang it his own way, though.
Randy said: It had some pitch problems and he doesn’t buy him as a rocker like Aerosmith. It was alright.
Paula said: It was a perfect song choice and he sounded as good as he looked (which was really, really good).
Simon said: It was a very good performance but he gets the feeling Michael is trying to do rock-star impersonations. He needs to stick to the bluesy sound in  his voice.

Syesha Mercado sang Fantasia’s “I Believe.” Again, OK.
Randy said: It was just “OK” for him.
Paula said: Not many people can take on a song like that, and it was one of her “most shining nights.”
Simon said: She sang it very well but it lacked that wave of emotion.

Jason Castro sang Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” complete with a ukulele. It’s pretty.
Randy said: It was “blazing molten hot.”
Paula said: He did a great job.
Simon said: “Fantastic.”

I thought for sure our girl Kristy Lee Cook would go for a “God Bless the U.S.A.”/”Amazing Grace”/”Courtesy of the Red White and Blue” medley, but instead she sang Martina McBride’s “Anyway”…all while looking..well…frankly a little skank-ish, imho.
Randy said: It was pitchy but really good.
Paula said: She outdid herself and it was her best performance.
Simon said: It was very, very good and she “looked like a star” (interpret that how you want, cats).

David Cook sang “Innocent” by Our Lady Peace. I absolutely hated this — the first part wasn’t good, the last part felt fake, the whole thing was a mess. Points for effort on the hair, though.
Randy said: He didn’t get it.
Paula said: He’s so well defined and is the whole package.
Simon said: He didn’t like it at all; felt pompous; not anywhere as good as last week.

Carly Smithson sang “The Show Must Go On.” I’ve decided I’m a fan of Carly’s for one reason: She’s not Kristy Lee. Thing is, I’m still hung up on Carly’s angry faces. I really don’t think she wanted the show to go on; like the “Blackbird” from a few weeks ago, I think she wanted the show to suffer.
Randy said: It started good, the middle was pitchy, the ending was OK.
Paula said: Her voice was pretty perfect but she didn’t feel engaged.
Simon said: She oversang it and it was an angry performance, and she “might be in a bit of trouble.”

David “Lil Bit” Archuleta sang “Angels.” I don’t like this song much, so I wasn’t crazy about this. He almost sold me on it. Almost.
Randy said: It was his hottest moment all season.
Paula said: Fantastic.
Simon said: Best song choice but not the best vocal.

Brooke White sang “You’ve Got a Friend.” I love this song, I love Brooke, but this felt awfully melancholy. Anyone else get the feeling her “friend” was dead or dying? Geesh…lighten it up, Brooke.
Randy said: It was OK.
Paula said: Brooke is very definitive.
Simon said: “Was it original? No. Was it pleasant? Yes,” and he compared it to a “pleasant walk in the park.”

My guesses for bottom three? Syesha, for sure, Kristy Lee and Carly.  Syesha will probably go home…but what do I know.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) night, “Idol Gives Back” starts at 6:30 p.m. I’ll be well on my way to an interview, so I’ll probably miss the whole show. To make up, I’ll post some news stories about it as I find them.
Thursday is elimination!