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« Reality Bites
American Idol: A Chihuahua Trying to be a Tiger
The three remaining Idols probably had their toughest challenge last night. In addition to picking out their own song to sing, they had to perform a choice from the judges and a choice from the producers.
1. David Archuleta
Paula Abdul picked David’s first song, “And So It Goes” by Billy Joel. He sang the song beautifully and the acapella beginning was stunning. But it was just too old for David in my opinion. He looks really young for his age and if I actually watch him sing, I find these older ballads awkward for him. With my eyes closed, it was great.
Randy loved it, Paula said it was pure and stunning, Simon found it predictable and not outstanding.
David picked “With You” by Chris Brown for himself because he wanted something younger. It didn’t suit him. He looked awkward and didn’t sound like himself, hitting a lot of off key notes.
Randy said it was the wrong song, Paula said it was perfect, Simon said that he was like a Chihuahua trying to be a tiger adding that the song wasn’t him and that it was awkward. (Hmmm, who else thought that?)
The producer’s choice was “Longer” by Dan Fogleberg, a beautiful song that I’ve played for many, many weddings over the years. He sang a straight version of the song, pretty but bland.
Randy said it was a bad choice, Paula said it was lovely, Simon said that he sang it well but that the choice was too “gooey.”
2. Syesha Mercado.
Syesha seems to have decided to glam herself up like Katherine McPhee did during her season on Idol, maybe hoping that she can jump over David Archuleta to the finals with David Cook.
I don’t think it’s going to work after last night.
Randy picked “If I Ain’t Got You” for her first song. She sounded great but I thought the song was boring.
Randy said she as amazing. Paula said she was proud of her and that she looked stunning. Simon said she sang it well but wished Randy had picked something she wouldn’t just copycat. He added that she looked beautiful.
Syesha’s choice, to prove that she can be a Rock Princess, was to sing an OLD Peggy Lee song called “Fever”.
I might be wrong, but it looked to me that she was hoping that doing an old, sexy song would win points with the judges while she slinked around a chair on center stage in a short, tight dress. All it did for me was make me want to look up Peggy Lee’s growly, hot version of the song. Syesha’s good but she doesn’t have the pipes for that type of torch song.
Randy said it was an interesting choice (meaning he hated it.) Paula said she looked lovely then told her that she wasn’t happy. Simon said that she was going to regret that decision today and that it was lame cabaret.
The producers selected “Hit Me Up” for Syesha. I thought she sang it well but I hated the song.
Randy said it was just okay. Paula and Simon argued over whether this was a song about penguins. Paula finally said that she sang it well but it wasn’t a good song choice. Simon told her that it was forgettable and that she’d had no defining moment…and while he didn’t come right out and say it, he let her know that he thought she was done.
3. David Cook
Simon picked, of all things, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack for David and I thought that he nailed it. The young man gives me chills. It’s a haunting, beautiful song.
Randy, burned because Simon didn’t like his song choice for Syesha, spent his time yelling at Simon over THIS song choice but said he liked the high note. Paula loved it. Simon said it was one of his best performances and called it brilliant.
Then he declared that Cook & Cowell took the first round.
David picked a song by Switchfoot for his choice (I missed the title). I still had chills.
Randy said it was a great song choice but pitchy. Paula said the song was too chopped up (which was true). Simon said it wasn’t his best but okay.
The producers picked “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” for David. I thought he did a great job.
Randy said it was okay but predictable. Paula said it was great and she’d see him in the finals. Simon said that David won the night.
***
And I agree.
I’ll be very surprised if we don’t have a David vs. David finale next week.
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May 14, 2008 8:20 AM
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I thought they were great, and that the three of them nailed it. Think, hope, it will be a David A/David C finale but you never know! Regardless, I think they all will make it B-I-G because they're all great in different ways.
Loved Cookie doing Roberta, think David A's voice IS "pure" as Paula always says (love it and wonder in 5 years what type songs he'll be singing), and show-woman Syesha - fantastic. Gotta be a Broadway show in her future, and unlike Simon, I don't think that's a BAD thing.
Hope you're doing better than ever Vickie Jean - just popped by before rushing to Manhattan for an appointment so will have to catch your DWTS Results show post later, but we pegged it right!
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May 14, 2008 8:33 AM
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Hey Dorjean, I agree. No matter who wins Idol, these three kids (and probably Brooke and Jason) are going to have careers. Wow! Manhattan? I'd love to visit New York! Safe travel!
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May 14, 2008 8:51 AM
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Syesha should have a very good career in musical theater but I think she's done here.
Archie doesn't connect to mature songs, but I felt that he maybe sang the best I've heard him on the last song.
Cook was great on the first and last songs, but while I like the second song, it wasn't a good choice for a singing contest.
I put the name of the Switchfoot song on my blog and a way to hear the original if you want.
I hope you're feeling much better!
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May 14, 2008 9:12 AM
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Two Words, DAVID COOK. There's your winner.
When is TV guide hiring you?
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May 14, 2008 9:22 AM
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I agree with everyone who says they will all have careers. I can't see anyone but David Cook winning - but I've said that before to be surprised. I also think Carly and Michael Johns should be able to have careers and be at least as successful as Elliot Yamin. If Justin doofas can make it, so can they. Of course he doesn't sing much, does he? I can't even remember his last name, although I see his face all over.
I actually liked Syesha's version of fever. I thought it vocally was pretty good. I thought all the producer songs were bad choices, with the exception of David Cook. Having Diane Warren in the audience, bowing to you in a not worthy move, is pretty remarkable. He should be getting some good material as he moves into the real world of ROCK AND ROLL.
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May 14, 2008 9:31 AM
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Hi Vickie Jean:
I hope you're feeling better today. Not too sore, I hope.
The two Davids are more popular than Syesha. Most of us would be shocked if they both didn't make the Final Two. David A. nailed the first song. I didn't like his second or third song. David C. was great on the first and third song. As already pointed out, the second song was too choppy.
Syesha had her "swan song" moment last night. I think that she did the best that she could with her song choices. The second song did point out that she can certainly pull off a Broadway song. She can work the stage. She's going to do well. She's very beautiful, plus her voice isn't too bad with the right material.
Justin's last name is Guarini. He's a host for of a couple of shows on the TV Guide network, regarding AI. He's actually not too bad. If something were to ever happen to Ryan Seacrest, I think that Justin could pop in and host the show. He knows all of the contestants and makes comments about their song choices, style of singing and their wardrobe and hairstyle choices.
Thanks Vickie Jean for the great blog. Take care, dear.
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May 14, 2008 9:47 AM
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Being relatively new to this season of American Idol (last night was my second performance show), I liked David C and Syesha best. I thought David A did well on his first song, but the other two were way too old for him.
I wonder if Syesha picked "Fever" because one of the contestants sang last season to wonderful reviews. I can't remember who it was now.
I saw a sign in the audience that said "Cougars for David C" and I could see myself joining that group. I thought he did really well. "I don't Want to Miss a Thing" is a favorite of mine and I wish it wasn't so short. I didn't feel there was much he could do with that short of a version.
I liked how fast the show moved last night and I wish DWTS would take a cue from that and mover faster in these final weeks.
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May 14, 2008 10:02 AM
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Good Morning VickieJean you cute thing,
What an interesting AI night.
David A.....chihuahua indeed. David has a lovely voice, but he is just too young - mentally. Sing what you know.
Sayesha....."Fever" was off balance...a rhythmic nightmare. And there was absolutley NO feel.
David C.....a little pitchy at times but solid. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was originally sung by The Kinston Trio....way back in the day. I have the record somewhere. David is still holding his own. I am proud of him.
Going home.....Sayesha.
xoxox
Aunt Hill
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May 14, 2008 10:54 AM
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I meant Kingston Trio...not Kinston Trio. My brain is tired. I think the year it came out was around 1963.
A.H.
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May 14, 2008 10:57 AM
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Good morning, Vickie!
I loved David A's "And So It Goes", but I completely agree with you - only with my eyes closed! That boy is not fun to watch with his closed or squinting eyes and awkward moves. I believe he'll get much better as he gets older. He has a beautiful voice, but he's like a puppy. He needs the rest of him to grow into it!
Syesha was fine, but she won't make it to the finals going by how many times she's already been in the bottom. Good for her for making it this far. I hope she makes it big on Broadway. She loves the stage and looks very comfortable up there.
David C was wonderful as usual for me. After thinking "Oh no" when they said he was singing Roberta Flack, I was mesmerized. He was amazing and I loved it.
I'm going with the double D's in the final, and David Cook taking it all. But heaven knows anything can happen!
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May 14, 2008 12:13 PM
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I loved everything David Cook sang last night. I have heard the switchfoot song before, it was popular on the radio a few years ago. David's mom stadning in the audience and him singing to her like that made me cry  It was so sweet. I hope his brother is doing ok.
I didn't like anythign David A sang.. the chris brown song was really awkward.
I loved the fever song Sayesha did, I liked the penguin song but i spent the whole time trying to figure out who the original artist was.. it sounded like something beyonce would sing.
It will be interesting tonight!
Hope you feel better Vickie!
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May 14, 2008 1:15 PM
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Hi Vickie!
I thought all three did great. The second songs were probably the weakest but IMHO the third songs, the one the producers picked, were the strangest. I don't think the producers should be picking songs for them anymore.
I'm really looking forward to the David finale. Cook will probably win this thing.
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May 14, 2008 1:29 PM
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HI Darclyte, Yes, I'll be shocked if Syesha beats out a David and stranger things have happened. The girl is going to be a star though. She's beautiful and talented. Thanks for the link. I will go hear it. Next week may very much depend on the one thing the judges keep harping on....song choice. I am feeling much better, thank you!
Hi Kimberlylyn, I agree with you. I'm all about David Cook! Someone needs to hire me! LOL! I love money
Hi Cinder, Justin Guarini. I still have horrific flashbacks! He came close to beating Kelly if I remember right. He's not managed to do much but he's doing some TV Guide stuff now I think. I hope they let David stick to Rock next week so he can do his best work. I'm just so old, I can remember Peggy Lee and she was one of my favorite singers. So I'm guilty of the Randy/Paula/Simon DON'T SING THAT IF SO and SO SANG IT I guess! LOL! She did do it well.
Hey Lady! I'm feeling good but I'm sore and now I'm starting to ITCH!!!!! No scratching but it's itching like crazy. I think Syesha is done. The Davids are just too popular, although as I noted in one of my other blogs, I couldn't get one vote through on ANY show or phone line last night. They were busy the entire time. Justin might actually make a good Ryan if we lost Ryan! I hadn't thought about that. Have a great dayand Thanks!!!!!!
Hi Reality, I think that would be the only path for Syesha would be if she could beat the young David but I think both Davids have too many fans. I thought the show moved at a great pace last night too. I'd just like to see them give the kids enough time to sing their entire songs. Maybe if they revamp as it is rumored they will for next season, that's one of the things they'll do.
Hi Auntie, I remember the Kingston Trio. I had no idea they had sung that song! I'd like to hear that. I loved Roberta Flack's version and I loved David's. I'm going to be surprised if David C doesn't win this but I think all 3 contestants will do well.
Hi coug, I agree. Davids in the finals and Cook takes it! Or as Simon said last night, Cowell/Cook! I think he's happy with David Cook after giving him some lip early in the season. But those little girls sure can dial fast...
Hi indy, I just hope we don't get blindsided tonight. If they bring out Syesha first and say she's safe I will faint dead away (and I'm feeling better, thank you!) Otherwise, it should go as planned! I hope David's brother is doing okay too. I always worry about him now.
Hi Lynn, The producers don't need to choose anymore I think. I am looking forward to a David finale too so let's hope nothing went haywire last night with the voting!
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May 14, 2008 1:45 PM
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My daughter, not a big David A fan, sent me this today. I laughed so hard. I just had to share.
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May 14, 2008 2:47 PM
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