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« American Idol
Episode Recap: The Top 7 Perform
Yeah, yeah, ye-ah, dawgs! Mariah Carey is in the house!!! OK, that was not my best Randy impersonation, but it's not really my fault that his "Dawg Pound" talk doesn't translate well to print. Good evening, it's Erin Fox, and I'll be blogging my little Idol heart out tonight. It looks like the audience is pumped and ready to see Mariah in action mentoring our Top 7. The camera also pans to Minnie Driver (a plug for The Riches, no doubt), and Teri Hatcher with her daughter, Emerson Rose. The Idols look super-fancy tonight! It's about time they didn't look like they were getting clothes from the Forever 21 sale rack. (Ooh, snap!)
We're treated to a musical montage of Mariah's musical and career highlights. I wonder how many times Randy will be referenced as her producer? (We get it, Randy, you work with cool people.) The awesome thing is, Mariah is surprisingly sweet and down-to-earth. Each of her meetings with the Idols seems genuinely helpful and real. I'm really impressed. Bravo, Mimi!
David Archuleta, "When You Believe": I knew David would do well tonight — he loves a good power ballad. He's completely at home with this song. I'm sure the judges will dig it. (PS. Nice leather pants, Archie.) Randy thinks "that was the bomb," Paula thinks Mariah would be proud to hear that song sung so well and Simon thinks he was great and the one to beat. He just has to add, "We're not in for a lot of laughs tonight." Oh Simon, why must you take the fun out of everything?
Carly Smithson, "Without You": Carly looks lovely and sings the heck out of the song. I'm scared that the judges won't like it, though. The crowd goes nuts for her! Randy tells her to have more confidence and support her lower range, Paula thinks her vocal restraint at the beginning was actually quite lovely, and Simon doesn't think she pulled it off because she's overthinking every note. Come on, America, this girl can sing! Keep her in the game!
Syesha Mercado, "Vanishing": She picked a damn hard song, and she does a nice job. But there are some pitchy parts during the Mariah-runs (which annoy me anyway). Randy thinks she did a good job considering how difficult the song was to sing, Paula says she was wonderful and Simon thinks she sang it very well, but picked a song that no one knows. He's such a buzz kill.
Brooke White, "Hero": I like her bluesy version of the song. It's kind of stripped down and really simple, and that's a smart way to distinguish herself from a mega-singer like Mariah. She does have a few pitchy problems that sound like they're from nerves more than anything. Randy digs the singer/songwriter vibe of her version, Paula says that every ounce of Brooke is authentic, and Simon says, "It was like ordering a hamburger and only getting the bun." Seriously, Simon? You can do better than that.
Kristy Lee Cook, "Forever": Kristy tries to connect to the song, but looks more like she's in pain. She definitely misses a lot of the lower notes, but overall, I think she does a nice job connecting to the audience (I like the end of the song, too). Randy doesn't think it was amazing, but likes that she hit the note at the end, Paula thinks she chose a great song and is very proud of her progress, and Simon says it didn't give him chills, but she's at a disadvantage because it was Mariah Carey week. Kristy looks crestfallen and I kinda feel sorry for her. She wasn't so bad tonight! Or am I just light-headed from the gym?
David Cook, "Always Be My Baby": Wow, what an interesting song choice! The lower notes aren't great but he definitely makes this song his own and rocks the middle and end of it. I have goosebumps! You go, boy! Randy thinks it was awesome, and actually gives him a standing ovation. Paula says, "You're it!" Then, Simon freaks out the audience by starting with, "That was like coming out of karaoke hell.... " Insert booming "boos" from the audience. But he saves himself with, "... And taking a fresh breath of air." Awww, David is crying!
Jason Castro, "I Don't Want to Cry": I think he's a lot like Brooke with the singer/songwriter thing going on, and I like that vibe a lot. But he's just not David Cook. Randy thinks it sounded like a weird beach luau, Paula says that she could listen to him all night and Simon actually agrees with Paula! I think a pig just flew past my window. He also says that the guys totally won the night. I have to agree.
What did you think? Is Simon right about the guys winning the night? How impressed were you by Mariah Carey?
Paula Watch: A little babble-y tonight, no?
My prediction: Syesha, Carly and Kristy Lee will be in the bottom three.
For another take on "Mariah Carey Week," read Cheers & Jeers.
Use our Online Video Guide to watch clips of American Idol.
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Apr 15, 2008 10:32 PM
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I was on the elliptical at the gym watching idol and I nearly fell over laughing when they announced Carly's song. I can't NOT laugh at the song "Without You" because all I think about is this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RgL2MKfWTo
She did great though my faves are still David squared.
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Apr 15, 2008 10:46 PM
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I'm so glad Ryan voiced what I was thinking - when the judges tell them to not pick Celine/Mariah songs, why would they have a whole theme night for Ms. Carey? The judges and producers probably don't have the same opinions about what the themes should be.
That said, I was amazed that no one was a train wreck. Even those who didn't blow me away were competent and did as well as they could with a difficult theme. I'm a huge Mariah fan, so I was glad to see them sticking with lesser known songs (aside from Hero). I'm also not surprised that everything came from her older catalog, since her recent hip hop collab albums aren't exactly the stuff you'd hear on AI.
Carly and Brooke were just fine, Simon was off the mark for them (I don't think he was last week). I liked Carly's lower tones and restrained vocals in the beginning of her song. KLC showed some slippage after her great performance last week. The guys did own the night. I thought David Cook would for sure pick Open Arms, so he could go with Journey's original arrangement, but he surprised me by totally going outside the box. He made Always Be My Baby sound unsettling and stalkerish, while the original sounds hopeful and confident. And really, the lyrics support David's version much more than Mariah's!
Mariah was a much, much better mentor than Dolly was. Both the things she said to the contestants and to the audience were way more constructive than simply gushing over how well they sang.
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Apr 15, 2008 10:48 PM
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So sorry about the double post, my wireless dropped as I was posting and I ended up over-correcting!
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Apr 15, 2008 10:49 PM
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Please help me. I can't remember the phone number for New Jersey. I can remember the number of who I want to vote for--the Davids and Jason--but not the rest of the number. I know there's a 4365 in there for
"idol" but I'm blanking on the rest. I have only 45 minutes left!
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Apr 15, 2008 11:14 PM
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David Cook never ceases to amaze me. I literally could listen to him sing all night long. Anyway...
Archie: I enjoyed it, and the falsetto sounded good. He just always seems nervous and shaky to me. And did anyone else notice his posture? I dunno, the kid has talent, he's just not ready for this.
Carly: I couldn't help but compare this to when Kelly Clarkson sang it towards the finals for season one. It didn't measure up for me. I still love her and voted for her though, so I really hope she makes it through.
Syesha: She just bores me. I know she has a good voice, but she doesn't really hold my attention. I agree with Simon that she's a very good technical singer but that she doesn't connect. She's still my personal pick to go home this week.
Brooke: I really dug this stripped down version of "Hero". She did the right thing by totally distancing herself from the Mariah vibe. I'm a fan, and I voted for her.
Kristy: She sounded ok, but not nearly as good as last week. I think her number might be up.
David Cook: I love him. I can't help it. And to top it off, he sang my all-time favorite Mariah Carey song. I like to think that was just for me  Anyway... he's definitely back in the game and I voted for him 50 times. I cried when he cried. I think it was because he received such great feedback on the night that his brother Adam was there, and that was really special for him. I wanted to give him a big bear hug.
Jason: I like him, I really do... And not to sound like Randy or anything but, "It was just aight for me, dawg." He was ok, and I don't want him to go home yet, but he'll never be my pick to win, since David Cook has obviously stolen my heart.
Bottom 3: Carly, Syesha, Kristy Lee
Going Home: Kristy Lee... or Syesha... I really don't know...
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Apr 15, 2008 11:15 PM
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I think that tonight was a good night for most of the contestants and I think Mariah was a great mentor for the idols this week.
David Archuleta, "When You Believe." I saw this song choice a mile away and I don't think it's a good thing when the judges can see it too. It was decent but also another predictable performance from David A. I really think he needs to show some versatility in his choice of song.
Carly Smithson, "Without You:" Carly looked great for once but I didn't think her performance matched at all. I thought she was too restrained for such an emotion filled song and I don't know if it's her accent or what but her voice always sounds stuffy, if that's makes sense?
Syesha Mercado, "Vanishing:" I thought she sounded really good but I don't know if she has enough connection with the audience or personality at this point to keep making it through. I wish she would have song a more upbeat song, she's always doing a ballad. You can be technically great and still be a cold performer.
Brooke White, "Hero:" I like Brooke but I agreed with Simon. The song was too big for her type of voice and she either loss some steam or confidence after the bridge. She knew that the song was too big for her, I wished she had picked something else like "Open Arms," or "Anytime You Need A Friend" would have been better choices.
Kristy Lee Cook, "Forever:" I thought Kristy sounded okay, as usual. She's never awesome, she's always just okay. She just keeps scraping by and I hope she doesn't wind up in the top three because of it.
David Cook, "Always Be My Baby:" I loved this, it was the most original and unique performance out of the whole group. It's almost like I started watching a different show when David came on, he sounded like an established artist. And I wish that everyone was stepping it up and being original and daring like David Cook is.
Jason Castro, "I Don't Want to Cry:" I felt bad for Jason because he had to follow David but I think he held his own. He is the only other contestant besides David C and maybe Brooke that has a distinct sound and style and I think he did great with the song he chose.
I think the idols who picked lesser known songs were smart because there is less chance of comparison that way. That said, I do think that the boys beat the girls tonight.
Bottom three: Carly, Syesha for sure, and either Brooke or Kristy.
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Apr 15, 2008 11:25 PM
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I really enjoyed this episode! I agree that Mariah was a really good mentor, because she gave contructive criticism and tried to help the idols improve. Way to go Mimi! And it reminded me of how incredible she is as a singer, even though she doesn't do it as much anymore w/ the hip hop route she's taken, the woman CERTAINLY knows how to work a voice and emote a song.
That said...I was overall ok w/ tonight and so its going to be really hard for my go home pick. For the first time all season (partly because of Michael Johns-gate too) I actually picked up the phone and voted because I don't want my faves to go home.
David A- I thought it was good, and while I personally think he's fantastic I'm amazed at how much the judges gush over him when I think he's just adequately good. Tonight was good, but not superlative like the judges did. And those leather pants don't match his personality, the stylist who picked those out obviously is trying to break him out of his shell. Not quite...not yet at least, stick to jeans hun lol.
Carly- I LOVE her and I think she has the kind of big voice and range that can tackle a Mariah song, but I'm worried for her tonight for some reason. Not because I don't think she was good but because the judges didn't give her good feedback, and usually that's a bellweather for how you do in the votes. I voted for Carly...I hope she pulls through. And she looked lovely tonight (tat covered and all.
Syesha- I too thought she did very well technically. But I dont know if its too little too late for her you know? I think she'll prob be in the bottom. Perhaps her number is up.
Brooke-I love her and her sincerity, but tonight was so so for me. I thought she did fall apart at the bridge like Randy did and she was really pitchy. And she was shaking!! I notice this everytime she plays the piano. And I get it-I majored in music in college (piano was my concentration) and I know what its like to play in recitals and all and have the shakes but you have to pull through that and actually channel that to make your performance even better. She messed up one of her chord patterns towards the end and it really almost started to come apart for her. I love that they're allowed to play instruments this year, but if you're going to do it you better have your "ish" together and do it right. But i did vote for her because i think she's in trouble but i like her still
KLC- I was very impressed w/ her tonight. I definitely could hear that as a hit in country (i love country!) and she did a good job w it. I think the judges were doing too much comparison tonight-even as ryan pointed out that its nobody's choice this week to tackle mariah. Without that comparison I think they would have liked KLC even better. This girl has definitely proven her worth being there still to me. Any other person might have fallen apart w/ all the negativity she's had in the beginning of the competition but she's a fighter-good for her! I voted for her too lol.
David C- OMG i am so absolutely in love w/ this guy!! I loved him before tonight, but after I saw him crying i literally took my heart out of my chest and sent it fedex to him in CA-he owns my heart lol (not literally haha). I was really impressed as always with his ability to make a song his own. And i like the perspective that Mimi gave that for her being a songwriter it is neat to hear her song reworked into another genre and work for David. And like she said, the unresolved notes really make the song haunting. It was very good and I definitely voted for my husband David Did i tell you bitches that we're married??? haha
Lastly...Jason- I really enjoyed this. I love his laidback, coffee shop "chill" vibe and I would definitely buy a cd he puts out. I didn't get Randy's comment to him about it being a weird beach vibe, I would love to chill out on the beach w/ a cool cat like Jason jammin out next to me lol. I dont think he'll win but he's got a good future ahead of him.
So there's my long winded post haha. My picks for the bottom are Syesha KLC and Brooke. Although I can easily see Carly there too. And honestly, any one of them might find themselves on Ellen next week
OH! Ponks-that video is HYSTERICAL! "ken lee"? LOL
and Cephalonia- the number is 1 866 IDOLS and then whatever number person you're voting for. Not that hard to remember haha.
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Apr 15, 2008 11:41 PM
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Thanks so much for the number, Jppuertorico. I can't believe I blanked like that.
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Apr 15, 2008 11:59 PM
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I cant believe my eyeballs! What is wrong with some of you in "Idol" land?? Why can't you realize that Carly is a terrific singer and that Brooke is BORING!! Her performance was almost as good as my school chorus of 6th graders. You have got to be kidding if you think Jason is of Idol quality. He is just really OK and has no dynamic range. David Cook is the one to beat by Archie can really sing but probably isn't ready to be crowned just yet. Kristy and Syesha did very well and KLC's performance felt very country-western"ish". I hope she continues. Jason is cute (cant stand the hair) but does not have the wow factor as a singer with a VOICE. I could not stand listening to an entire CD of his songs like Paula, in her pandering way, stated she would love to do.
Brook really annoys me with her fake sweetness in the way she tries to converse with the judges...I'm not sure if the word is disingenuous but I think so. Playing the piano on "Hero" did hr no favors. I think she hit some wrong chords at the end. It was not an earth shattering rendition. See you on the morrow.
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Apr 16, 2008 12:15 AM
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I was psyched about sharing my thoughts with y'all about Mariah night BUT -- I fell asleep!!!
Tough days will do that to you, but I am so bummed out.
Keep on trucking with the great reviews -- almost makes me feel like I saw the show!
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Apr 16, 2008 12:33 AM
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I just watched Idol via youtube and I must say that Carly, though not my favorite, did a fantastic job tonite. She was on and I really liked her performance. Plus, she finally got a clue and covered up that nasty 'tat that she has crawling up her arm. I guess good sense got to her when she realized she was singing a classy song. She looked great.
I loved Kristy Lee Cook's outfit and look tonite. Gorgeous! Her song was pretty, too. She really is coming into her own. I thought she sounded a LOT like Lee Ann Rimes on this song. Also, a little of some classic "girl" singer, but I couldn't put my finger on who she was...maybe a little Lynn Anderson or maybe even the queen, Tammy Wynette. Blasphemy? At any rate, I'd rather see Kristy progress than Syesha.
Syesha just makes song choices that don't thrill me or do anything for her. I feel absolutely no connection with her at all. I think she should go. Now.
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Apr 16, 2008 12:48 AM
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Mariah was so nice and helpful to the idols! Color me surprised. But, did anyone notice, was she shot differently than the other mentors in her cut-aways on her opinions of the idols? I think all of the others were sitting and had a tighter shot.
I loved, loved, loved David C!! I keep telling myself not to develop a crush, but he's making it so darned difficult, what with his cute smile and scruffy beard. Oh and his wicked talent and emotional teariness don't help either. 
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Apr 16, 2008 12:52 AM
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magpie..didn't i tell you that me and david are married already??? back up off my man! lol
JK...anyway its funny you pointed out the difference in the shot for mariah- now you know that if they did a tight shot for her we wouldn't have seen her phenomenal body and bosoms lol!
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Apr 16, 2008 1:03 AM
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David Cook has totally won me over. His song tonight was amazing. We rewatched it quite a few times. Which is a big deal for me, I was not his biggest fan when this whole thing started. Plus, his makeover scored him some major points! Carly is my favorite, although I worry about her survival because the judges never really love her. But she can definitely belt it out and I thought she picked a great song. KLC is hanging on and I think I'm ok with that. I don't want Brooke to go home just yet either, but she should talk less. David A. Sure, why not. Although I never get his song choices. So my two picks to go home are Syesha and Jason C. I really can't understand all the hype surrounding Jason. He does the same thing every week. If he was bald, no one would give him a second look. I think his dreads are keeping him in this competition, not his talent. He acts like he doesn't even care if he's still in it or not. I'm just waiting for him to go home.
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Apr 16, 2008 1:41 AM
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