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« Roush Dispatch
American Idol: The Front-runner Stumbles
Chikezie by Ray Mickshaw/Fox
Now this is why reality TV works. At its best, it's unpredictable and raw, with the unexpected reversals and shocking twists you can find on other sorts of TV entertainment. What I'm talking about is Tuesday night's memorable seesaw on American Idol, which gave us an electrifying comeback from a heretofore marginal player (Chikezie) and the momentary (we hope) collapse of the presumed favorite, David Archuleta, who fumbled his lyrics and misplaced his mojo for the night. (Watch video here.) Gotta say I didn't see that coming. On the first night of the finals, singing standards from the Lennon-McCartney songbook, they definitely did not save the best for last.
In fact, the best came early, with Chikezie’s bluesy-folksy spin on “She’s a Woman” bringing the crowd to its feet and sending Ryan Seacrest into an almost cartoonish frenzy. Down, boy. With Chikezie’s performance, what we had was a guy who was literally singing for his life, having been thisclose to elimination the week before. (He affably recounted his resignation in thinking he was leaving before taking the stage Tuesday.) It was a risky, rewarding (Paula’s words) arrangement that announced to the world that this guy hasn’t yet given up.
Other highlights in the first six: Carly’s forceful “Come Together” (prompting a Kelly Clarkson shout-out from Simon) and David Cook’s growl-y “Eleanor Rigby,” leading Simon to declare him a new contender: “You could win,” he said, surprising even himself, I think. I also liked Jason Castro’s dreamy “If I Fell” more than some of the judges, but agree he needs to mix it up a bit in weeks to come.
The disasters: David Hernandez’s weak, goofy — and, yes, “desperate” (Simon’s word) — “I Saw Her Standing There,” Kristy Lee’s insipid country spin on “Eight Days a Week” and, stunningly, David Archuleta’s flimsy “We Can Work It Out,” which he most certainly didn’t. So tentative in his performance that it looked at times like he was in pain (or maybe that was just me projecting), he simply lost it tonight. Bad timing, kid. And ironic, given the personal best he scored with John Lennon’s “Imagine” just a few weeks before.
Does this mean he’s out? Hardly. If anything, this should humble and sharpen him for future weeks. No way was his fan base sitting on their hands after the show. On second thought, maybe this was good timing. Get your worst performance out of the way at the start of the finals, reminding everyone you’re not an American Idol animatronic after all. I’ll be shocked, though, if the Idol producers don’t milk the suspense in tonight’s elimination, making all those Archu-lettas out there worry about his fate as long as possible.
Who’s out? If there’s justice, either David H. or Kristy Lee, although Syesha and Ramiele are vulnerable for having bored everyone to tears by being so safe and predictable. Should be interesting, though nowhere as interesting as what happened on Tuesday.
For a full recap of the night, check out Nina’s show blog.
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Mar 12, 2008 9:16 AM
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Matt, that was a 100% right on assessment!
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Mar 12, 2008 11:34 AM
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Matt, that was a 100% right on assessment!
I agree. 
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Mar 12, 2008 12:05 PM
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Jason Castro...I get wierd flashbacks of John Travolta and "Let Her Go". NOT a fan.
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Mar 12, 2008 1:07 PM
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If there were justice, David Archuleta would be going home. Poor Brandon Rogers went home because he muffed some lyrics and it wasn't nearly as big a meltdown as Dondi last night. But we all know there is nothing remotely close to justice anywhere near American Idol.
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Mar 12, 2008 3:09 PM
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Matt, you are dead on. I agree with you 100%. My bottom 4 are your bottom 4, Kristie, David H., Ramile and Seyesha. If I had to guess, I think Kristie's turn is up. She was dreadful last night. We will soon know!!!
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Mar 12, 2008 7:40 PM
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I think that Brooke's beautiful "Let It Be" should be listed as a highlight, but otherwise I agree and I think it's Kristy's time to go.
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Mar 12, 2008 8:32 PM
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jujube11: Dondi? Talk about a blast from the past.
Both David A. and Jason are too breathy. David C. is getting better all the time. I would have voted Kristy Lee out tonight; adding a country flair to a song is one thing, but she turned "Eight Days a Week" into a country-fried monstrosity. And I like country music.
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Mar 12, 2008 10:26 PM
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There are a few folks we're just waiting to see what week they go home, not whether they'll go home. I do think Cheezy's win bought him some good will, and that David A's loss won't hurt him much. I still never thought David A was going to take it.
I still leave my picks with early choices Carly and still potentially great Michael Johns, with later choices Brooke and David C closing the gap.
More Lennon-McCartney next week, arg.
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Mar 13, 2008 1:19 AM
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With Chikezie’s performance, what we had was a guy who was literally singing for his life, having been thisclose to elimination the week before.
Come on, Matt. I love your reviews, but please don't fall into that "literally" trap. He was not literally singing for his life. He wasn't going to die if he didn't do well. At the worst he would be kicked off the show. He was figuratively singing for his life.
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Mar 14, 2008 7:42 AM
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I'm actually glad Archie stumbled. It will keep people voting for him who otherwise might think he's safe and so that he won't be an accidental ouster. He's still my favorite. Jason is a close second. I got a crush on him after that performance. I hated David C's Eleanor Rigby. I couldn't understand a word he sang. Awful rendition too. I wish Jason had sung it instead. It would have been hauntingly beautiful.
I'm not thrilled with any of the girls. Least of all, the hoe-down performance by Kristy. I half expected Ashley Simpson to show up in the background and do a jig.
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Mar 14, 2008 11:07 AM
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he is definitely a winner(david a)
so wat he stumble he is labelled as the next idol winner and he will be!!!
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Apr 9, 2008 6:32 PM
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he is definitely a winner(david a)
so wat he stumble he is labelled as the next idol winner and he will be!!!
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Apr 9, 2008 6:34 PM
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