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« American Idol
Episode Recap: The Top Five Perform
American Idol by Michael Becker/Fox
Hey guys! So, it's Neil Diamond night, and I've had "Sweet Caroline" in my head all freakin' day. Thanks a lot, Neil! P.S., my husband says we're related to Mr. Diamond. Yeah, I'll believe that when I get front row seats to his concert!
Ryan introduces the top five: Syesha looks amazing, Brooke looks like someone's mom from the Jersey Shore out for a night of gambling at the Taj Majal, and everyone else looks decent. Why does Brooke insist on dressing like either an old lady or a fairy princess? Please explain.
Tonight, the Idols will be singing two Diamond songs so buckle up and enjoy the ride. The contestants gather around the piano and Neil tells them not to be nervous, that the songs are meant to be enjoyed. That's cool. Ryan tells us that the contestants will be judged after their second song. That's kinda annoying. We'll see how it works.
Jason Castro, "Forever in Blue Jeans:" OK, I know a lot of you love Jason, and I used to dig him, but how is he still here? Really, he should have been gone a few weeks ago. I'm totally bored by this version of "Blue Jeans." Even the crowd looks bored.
David Cook, "I'm Alive:" David busts out the electric guitar and totally rocks this song (and gave ND goose bumps during rehearsal.) It just looks so easy for David C. to kick ass. Nice work!
Brooke, "I'm a Believer:" She looks like she's a deer caught in headlights and like she's hiding behind her guitar. She's totally uptight and doesn't do the song justice, though I honestly think she could have if she wasn't so damn nervous. The end isn't bad because she's has a bit more fun with it.
David Archuleta, "Sweet Caroline:" Wow is he off in the first few bars. The arrangement is really weird. (But Diamond thinks he's a prodigy?) This feels like an obnoxious karaoke performance. I know y'all love your Archie, but this is not his finest moment. Yes, he can sing, but sometimes, less is more, peeps. The ending was good… I'll give him that.
Syesha Mercado, "Hello, Again:" Wow, she looks so pretty, and her singing has improved each week. Now I kinda get why she's still here. Way to go, girl. She really nails this song and puts her own spin on it. That's why ND wanted to hug her.
Paula is extra drunk tonight.... She thinks Jason sang twice and called one of them "empty." That's just so classic on so many levels. Simon said he was really happy they have two songs to sing tonight. Ouch.
Jason, "September Morn": So, apparently he wasn't listening to Simon. It was really "phoned in" and really boring. Boo, Jason. Randy thought it was really just OK, Paula thought he took the same tone with both songs, and Simon said it was forgettable.
David C., "All I Really Need Is You:" I have goose bumps already, and I'm not all ga-ga over David C. like most of you are, but I really like him tonight. Simon can kiss my arse (He was not just above average!). My husband wants him to throw his guitar and rock out. Whoa, there, hubby. I think he's doing fine on his own. Randy said he rocked the house, Paula was "So proud of him… and feels like I'm looking at the next American Idol." Simon said the first song was OK and the second was brilliant. Thank you, Simon!
Brooke, "I Am, I Said:" Now this is much more "Brooke," and she really connects to the song, though her vocals aren't top notch tonight. Randy thought she did a nice job on a difficult song, Paula thought she showed her vulnerability and it worked for her and Simon said he really hated the first song, and the second song was the Brooke we know — well done.
David A., "America:" What's up with the hand curved at your side, Archie? You're not Vanna White. This kid will do well tonight because, like Kristy Lee Cook, it's such a patriotic song. No one votes against America! He sings the heck out of the song, and the crowd goes nuts. Randy said he's in the zone, Paula thought it was the perfect song for him to sing because he had some fun and Simon thought it was a very smart song choice and he sang it very well.
Syesha, "Thank the Lord for the Nighttime:" Syesha has a lot of fun with this song, clapping with the back up singers, but her dancing is a little cheesy for me. She does a great job with the song and ends the show on a positive note. Randy thought she finally realizes "who she is," Paula thought her first song was touching, the second song was her theatrical side and Simon said she demonstrated she is a good actress/singer, but that she may be in trouble tonight. I think he should be banned from saying that stuff.
What did you think of the double song, one (well, one and a half) critique format?
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Apr 29, 2008 10:17 PM
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I was so bored by them all tonight! I didn't like the way Ryan kept rushing. The critiques should come AFTER the idividual perfomance, just like always. Poor Paula, bless her heart.
David Archuleta is overrated.
Brooke should be way over.
Syesha should be over.
Jason is just too cute for words, but I'm over him.
David Cook is the only one with any real marketability and talent. He can come over and jam anytime!
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Apr 29, 2008 10:24 PM
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Just wondering, did they only record one of their songs for a studio version? I went to pre-order David Cook's songs and there was only one choice for Top 5. I was hoping to get 2 David C songs this week!!
I believe it was Jason who Paula thought had sang twice. I'm assuming those notes were ones she took during rehearsal since what she said about Jason's "second performance" was spot on.
I love the song "America" because when I was in elementary school I was on the clogging team and we did a routine to this song. With that said, I hated the arrangement David A did...it just didn't feel right. It's ok to arrange a song to make it your own, but I just don't think David A is as good as that as David C.
Cook was awesome tonight as always. The second song was much better than the first though. I absolutely love his upper register. If they only did one studio version, I hope "All I Really Need Is You" is the one he did.
I thought Brooke did well on the second song. I wasn't digging "I'm a Believer" at all. I actually never realized "I'm a Believer" is a Neil Diamond song.
I've never cared much for Syesha but tonight I thought she did very well. I hope she stays.
Jason was downright awful. He really needs to go. Now.
I wish there had been more in the clips with Neil Diamond. It doesn't seem like they did much in the mentoring session. He didn't really tell them anything constructive, except he did offer a few suggestions to David A. Diamond should've been taking notes from ALW.
I enjoyed the bit with Ryan and David C. I thought that was funny.
Please, let Jason go home.
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Apr 29, 2008 10:39 PM
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How can you start watching a show in a great mood, and end up wanting to kick puppies? Neil Diamond Night on American Idol, y'all.
As the top 5 come out on stage, I think "my, what a motley crew..."
Neil Diamond montage. I wanted to marry him when I was in the 7th grade, and he looks great.
ROUND ONE:
Jason: Cute, as always.
David Cook: There's a ND song I don't know? Guess so. I found it meh.
Brooke: How weird did she look strumming the guitar and singing this song? Thumbs down.
BabyDavid: Sweet Caroline is one of my favorite ND songs. I was glad he went uptempo, but he wrecked the song. No feeling for the words at all -- just sheet music he learned last week.
Syesha: Hello, here's a hint. This is not a song where you grin for no particular reason. Technically nice, but again, clueless as to the meaning of the words being sung. I could find my ABBA tapes if I wanted this.
Hated everything so far. I had no idea I'd be in such a bad Idol mood. Where is this coming from?
Hey, hey, Paula? See those guys in the white coats? They're coming to take you away, ha ha, ho ho, hee hee... Since she obviously had notes from the dress rehearsal, what was she fake writing during the live show?
ROUND TWO:
Jason: September Morn. Very nice! The judges hated it. I'm definitely in alterna-idolville tonight.
David C: Where is he finding these songs? His voice is flowing nicely, here, though, and I like this.
Brooke: Nice job.
BabyDavid: Sorry, ArchAngel fans, I officially disliked David's performances tonight, regardless of the bull the judges spouted. It was eigth grade auditorium stuff.
Syesha: Diva'd out a song that shouldn't have been diva'd at all. Hated it. Also over the barefoot thing.
Recap: Neil didn't obviously mentor, the kiddos are clueless about lyrics, one of the worst episodes of the season. Very disappointing to me.
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Apr 29, 2008 10:46 PM
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Why didn't Jason perform Red, Red Wine? What a missed opportunity.
Thought Brooke's I Am, I Said was the best of the night, but tonight, that's not saying much.
It's wierd, but I enjoyed the recaps at the end of the show more than I enjoyed the actual performances.
I'd like to see David (Muzak) A. in the bottom two.
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Apr 29, 2008 10:57 PM
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I confess. I am not a Neil Diamond fan. And after tonight - I'm still not.
I'm assuming Paula was referring to her notes from rehearsals when she started to critique Jason's mysterious second performance. Either that or she's clairvoyant. It almost seemed like that group round-up session was "we were going to critique all at once but it's live TV and we have a little time to fill so why not mess with Paula's head a little and do some feedback now."
Whatever happened with crazy-judge, I wasn't over joyed with most of the performances.
I confess, David Cook could sing the fine print on a contract and I'd swoon a little. Tonight wasn't his best but of the choices performing tonight, he was best of the evening.
Jason - Please. Send. Him. Home. Now. What the heck was that mess? Either time? Just, ick.
Brooke - I wanted to cover my ears and cry when she sang Daydream Believer. I always enjoy that song from the original to it's covers. Not Brooke's though. Her second song? Frankly, it was ok but at this point, I'm so beyond wanting to hear her sing a thing, nothing was going to thrill me.
David A - Technically he's a gifted singer. However, I couldn't help but watch him tonight and imagine him fronting some 80s boy band. It was all a little too Bubble-gum Pop for me. I keep waiting to find an issue of Teen-Beat on my nightstand with a 21 Jump Street rendition of Johnny Depp and Archie showing up on the cover.
Syesha - She's good. She'll make a career for herself in something. I'm betting the way she keeps grinning and nodding anytime one of the judges mutters the word "actress" near the word "singer" she wants to hit Broadway or follow in J. Hudson's footsteps. She'd do well at either.
I can't decide if Simon is being sincere in his critism that she might be in trouble or if he's trying reverse pyschology to get the panic votes in for her. 
I'm not picking bottom two this week. It SHOULD be Brooke and Jason...but I said that last week too.
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Apr 29, 2008 11:01 PM
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I don't mind the mentors, but I don't like it when they're limited to only singing the songs that the mentors have recorded. During "Dolly" week, couldn't they have performed any country song? Couldn't Mariah have coached them on any Pop love song? How about letting them sing any Broadway
song,etc. With 5 Idols left, I don't feel like we've even heard the best that any of them could do yet. Hopefully in the weeks to come, they'll give them more chances to sing the kind of songs that we can expect to hear from them if they were to win
the competition. As for tonite, Jason's fan club may not be strong enough to keep him in the competition.
But if he's safe, then either Brooke or
Syesha will be leaving. I don't see David Cook or David A. going anywhere
(except to the finals!)
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Apr 29, 2008 11:03 PM
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David A., "America:" This kid will do well tonight because, like Kristy Lee Cook, it's such a patriotic song.
Hmmm...I don't know. In 2008, at least in the SW United States, "They're coming to America" has a different meaning than I think Neil Diamond intended almost 30 years ago. I wouldn't put it anywhere close to "God Bless the USA." But there are still others to eliminate before either David needs to worry.
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Apr 29, 2008 11:22 PM
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Big Neil Diamond fan. Seen him twice in concert. I recommend that to anyone. Anyway, it was an up and down night. I taped the show as usual, so I could speed through the commercials. I did have to stop after Paula was critiquing Jason's imaginary 2nd performance. That had me laughing for a few minutes. Paula, you are a crazy one.
Jason: He puts me to sleep every week. Every week he slows down everything. The first song wasn't horrible. "September Morn" was horrendous though. I was waiting for him to kick into gear in the 2nd part like Neil does. It never came. Just plain awful. Please send him home.
David Cook: Still my favorite. Every performance of his is memorable and never boring. He brought it home again. Great job.
Brooke: First song was her happy happy song. It was all right, but too sunny if you get my drift. She was definitely was in her zone on the 2nd song. Even though it was strange hearing about 2 coasts when she had LA and Arizona in there. Doesn't quite work the same as LA and NY. But he did do well.
David A.: I knew he was going to do "America". I just knew it. That was one of my least favorite ND songs. He did sing it well though. He has a good voice, but something does seem to be missing with him. Hard to explain. I just think he learn the words and doesn't feel the songs. If that makes sense at all.
Syesha: I actually thought she had a very good night. 2nd best behind David C. I don't get Simon's comments on her.
I sincerely hope that Jason gets put out of his misery. The dude seems like he is phoning it in now. He has been in a coma for about a month now. Send him home. Send him home. Send him home!!
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Apr 29, 2008 11:23 PM
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Brooke - I wanted to cover my ears and cry when she sang Daydream Believer.
That was NOT Daydream Believer, which is one of my favorites (and done by The Monkees). It was I'm a Believer, which makes me cringe no matter who's singing it!
I totally died at Paula's mishap, but in her defense, I was very confused about why they were being critiqued then since I thought Ryan said they were going to wait until after all the singing was done to judge.
First songs for all of them - meh. I don't like the original versions, and I didn't like what the Idols did with them, except Syesha.
Second songs - Brooke and David C. totally brought it. I will be downloading those for sure. Syesha seems like she's learned from last week that it's OK to choose songs that are more suited for her. David A. took a line from KLC's tricks book, but I haaaate that song and fast forwarded through the second half.
I think Jason's just decided he's done, or else he's just thrown his hands up at the combo of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Neil Diamond. I like him, I really really do, but he was the worst of the night.
Edited to add: I get the feeling from Neil's comments to the camera that he was more helpful than he appeared, but that his sessions were severely edited for time due to the 2-song-night. He referenced the suggestions he gave them several times, but we did not get to see him actually give those suggestions. In this case, I would have rather seen more mentoring and less Neil-talking-to-the-confession-camera.
Also - Idletime, I totally agree with you. I really feel like the producers are limiting the contestants with their super restrictive themes. Dolly REALLY should have been general country week, and ALW REALLY should have been general Broadway week. I know that these mentors are experts in their own songs, and not others', but come on.
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Apr 29, 2008 11:25 PM
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Wow. I've always defended Paula in the past, but tonight she had to have been on at least some painkillers or something. Did you see the look of utter confusion on all of the contestants' faces when she started to critique Jason's second song before he'd sung it?
Anyway... This show just felt so rushed to me. My beloved David Cook's first performance went by so fast that by the end I couldn't even remember how the song went.
On to the performances...
Round 1:
Jason- I'd say "Forever in Blue Jeans" was his better performance of the night, but that's not really saying much.
DC- He's my favorite, my future husband, and all that jazz, so I love him no matter what he sings. He sounded a little bit growly (is that a word?) on this one though. Oh well, I liked it anyway.
Brooke- I couldn't help but laugh. Mainly because I can't help but hear this song and think of the Monkees and/or Shrek. Plus she looked a little too happy-go-lucky. It wasn't my cup of tea.
Archie- I really don't think anyone should've picked "Sweet Caroline"... It's just such a cheesy song to me. I agreed when Simon said it was "amateurish".
Syesha- She sounds nice I guess, but these ballads she does just don't do anything for her.
Round 2:
Jason- I loved him in the beginning, but I think he hit a plateau at "Over the Rainbow". I really think it's his time to go. And I don't think he would really mind either. I actually agreed with Paula in that he took the exact same tone with both songs.
DC- I just can't get enough of him. I'm also glad he busted out the guitar(s) this week for the first time since "Little Sparrow". I can't wait to get the studio version of this.
Brooke- Now this is the Brooke that we once knew and loved. Or at least I loved. Maybe she'll work her way back up? Doubtful, but she at least shouldn't go this week. That honor belongs to Jason.
Syesha- I really liked this, and I've never been a Syesha fan. But can the girl please put on some shoes for once?
Like Simon said... one of the weirdest shows ever. But whatever. I will be very surprised if Jason doesn't go home tomorrow.
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Apr 29, 2008 11:27 PM
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I couldn't wait to get my comments in. I just don't understand the "hoop" surrounding David A. Did anyone hear his voice crack? Obviously he did, because of the smirk. I'm sorry he does absolutely nothing for me. I hate his voice and he really has no personality. Just a young boy trying to make it in the "big" world of pop music. Come on, give us a break. Give me a break. And Randy commenting that was the bomb. Yeah, an atomic bomb (destroyer.....) It's obvious who the judges are rooting for. I'm changing my mind about letting the judges have a say in who goes or stays. Their comments about David A. were clearly bias. Clearly Brooke and Jason are out of their league. The time for looking good and sounding bad is over. We're down to the final 5 and both should have left a long, long, long, long, llooooooooonnnnnnnnggggggggg time ago.
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Apr 29, 2008 11:30 PM
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oh yeah, David C's song wasn't long enough. I enjoyed both. Above all, he was the best. and yes, I'm biased. I love everything he does.
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Apr 29, 2008 11:31 PM
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whoops... left Archie out of my round 2 comments. And I actually liked his round 2 performance better than the first, even though I was really hoping David Cook would do "America". Oh and did little Archie's voice crack on this one, or was it just me? It makes me so angry that the judges don't point out stuff like this, like last week when he flubbed the lyrics.
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Apr 29, 2008 11:32 PM
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Please enough w/the Beatles and Neil Diamond...torture.
The shows tonight were blah..can we get Big Band Back..and cut out this crap!
Now for the performances...no one really shined tonight..there were some OK performances.
I'll admit that David "predictable Rocker" C...did an ok job w/his second song. First song was forgettable.
Syesha..did a really nice job w/her first song...the second one was okay..funky..but more broadway.
The rest..
I'll keep saying it..David A does not connect w/the audience or the song..and he belts out everything to highlight his range. He is talented..but NOT for this competition..he bores the heck out of me..and all Randy can say is he is the bomb! Please..he's dull.
..okay funny moment..that was CLASSIC w/Paula and the (2) songs she thought she heard...that was LOL funny!
..Brooke was horrible..and can she PLEASE stop talking. Both songs were forgettable and drab..
..Jason..please send him home..if this was Indie Idol..he'd be a lock..he has NO range, and can not interpret a song..yet he gets praise..where Syesha gets grief.
Let's hope America gets it right and votes Jason or Brooke out! However, I'll say it again...Syesha will probably be in the bottom 2. She was stellar last week..and still ended up there. She was ok this week..and will probably suffer the same fate..and that would be disappointing..oh well..can't wait for IDOLS 2009. Maybe they need a hiatus for a year..and come back in the Fall 2009 and then see if there's any real talent.
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Apr 29, 2008 11:35 PM
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