the top 10: gwen's inspiration...
It's the night that the kids sing songs from the people who turn Gwen Stefani on. It's the 10 who are going on tour taking the Stefani list of artists that inspire her.
We're promised an eclectic evening of everyone from The Cure to Donna Summer. I knew it was too much to hope that Gwen Stefani would be a Partridge Family fan. One of these days Laurie Partridge is gonna be a guest. Mark my words.
After week one's destruction of Diana Ross and last week's recovery with the brilliant music from the British Invasion, it's hard to know what to expect. And with music ranging from disco to current, the promise is fulfilled, with varying results, none of which gave me cause to jump up and applaud and elicited only, from me, one OMG!
But anyway, here they are, subject to rewind, review and revision, and, as usual, from worst to first, with the exception of the "special list":
Special List:
Sanjaya Malakar (Bathwater). I'm certain that Sanjaya actually performed, but I can't get past the Nadia faux-hawk. OMG!! Seriously. I can't get past the hair. But Simon's right; he's in his own universe and nothing he does, doesn't do, or anything the judges say is gonna matter. The boy's a force. I am developing a crush. He's a kid who knows he's not on the same talent level as the others, so if he's goin' down, he's gonna do it memorably. I like that in a special list.
And the rest:
Haley Scarnato (True Colors). Gwen says don't mess with the melody. She's right. And while Haley doesn't destroy the melody, she does nothing for it either, giving it the typical Haley cruise ship treatment. Simon calls it unmemorable. Heck, I have to fight to even remember the girl's even in the finals.
Chris Richardson (Don't Speak). Chris gets the pimp spot, but why I don't know. Okay, so it was far better than his last outing, but I still have a tough time listening to Chris' nasal offering. Randy calls it good; Simon doesn't. I'm siding with Simon.
Chris Sligh (Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic). Gwen tells him to work on his rhythm with his song and, well, he just doesn't. Even though Randy and Paula applaud his song choice, Simon rips him a new one, justifiably, to which Chris responds, justifiably, "my bad." Sums it up.
LaKisha Jones (Last Dance). LaKisha starts the night, and Gwen suggests that she should be the one asking KiKi for advice. Not on fashion, Gwen. At least LaKisha stretches a bit beyond what we're used to with this Donna Summer disco number. Simon tells her she's reversed back thirty years from the performance of the week before, as all three judges give her six thumbs up.
Blake Lewis (Lovesong). Simon tells Blake he's entering the Chris Daughtry zone, by taking his own road and venturing into "boring" territory. Regardless of Paula's objections, I agree. Blake's performances are starting to become interchangeable. And even though Simon considers him the frontrunner male, so was Daughtry at this time last season.
Jordin Sparks (Hey Baby). My new favorite Jordin, as Randy says, "took a risk" with this Stefani song. Okay, so it wavered in spots, and Simon called it copycat, but it was tons of fun, and I love this girl, so all is forgiven.
Gina Glocksen (I'll Stand By You). Gina comes out in third spot, Gwen gushes all over her pre-performance, and the judges (and I) gush all over her post-performance. Randy and Paula call it one of her best performances. Simon says not one of her best, but her best and the best of the evening.
Melinda Doolittle (Heaven Knows). Gwen Stefani must really love Donna Summer, because both of the divas pluck numbers from the Summer songbook. I'm not sure who helped Melinda in the wardrobe department, but I doubt that it was Stefani. She gets slobbered over, as is customary, even though Simon's on the mark when he says this performance won't be on the season six highlight reel.
Phil Stacey (Every Breath You Take). Phil's wearing a much-needed cap and delivers his best performance since the semi-finals. The judges agree with me, nicely, and Simon remarks that this is the first time Phil's come across as taking the competition seriously, which, of course, means he'll be in the bottom. And I can't believe I'm putting him last, which means first.
Well, somebody's gonna have to leave tomorrow. And Sanjaya gets a lifetime pass from here on.
Who I want: Haley, Chris R., Chris S. (Haley)
Who should: Haley, Chris R., Chris S. (Haley)
Who will: Haley, Chris S., Phil
See ya, Haley!
So, who's on your special list?
We're promised an eclectic evening of everyone from The Cure to Donna Summer. I knew it was too much to hope that Gwen Stefani would be a Partridge Family fan. One of these days Laurie Partridge is gonna be a guest. Mark my words.
After week one's destruction of Diana Ross and last week's recovery with the brilliant music from the British Invasion, it's hard to know what to expect. And with music ranging from disco to current, the promise is fulfilled, with varying results, none of which gave me cause to jump up and applaud and elicited only, from me, one OMG!
But anyway, here they are, subject to rewind, review and revision, and, as usual, from worst to first, with the exception of the "special list":
Special List:
Sanjaya Malakar (Bathwater). I'm certain that Sanjaya actually performed, but I can't get past the Nadia faux-hawk. OMG!! Seriously. I can't get past the hair. But Simon's right; he's in his own universe and nothing he does, doesn't do, or anything the judges say is gonna matter. The boy's a force. I am developing a crush. He's a kid who knows he's not on the same talent level as the others, so if he's goin' down, he's gonna do it memorably. I like that in a special list.
And the rest:
Haley Scarnato (True Colors). Gwen says don't mess with the melody. She's right. And while Haley doesn't destroy the melody, she does nothing for it either, giving it the typical Haley cruise ship treatment. Simon calls it unmemorable. Heck, I have to fight to even remember the girl's even in the finals.
Chris Richardson (Don't Speak). Chris gets the pimp spot, but why I don't know. Okay, so it was far better than his last outing, but I still have a tough time listening to Chris' nasal offering. Randy calls it good; Simon doesn't. I'm siding with Simon.
Chris Sligh (Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic). Gwen tells him to work on his rhythm with his song and, well, he just doesn't. Even though Randy and Paula applaud his song choice, Simon rips him a new one, justifiably, to which Chris responds, justifiably, "my bad." Sums it up.
LaKisha Jones (Last Dance). LaKisha starts the night, and Gwen suggests that she should be the one asking KiKi for advice. Not on fashion, Gwen. At least LaKisha stretches a bit beyond what we're used to with this Donna Summer disco number. Simon tells her she's reversed back thirty years from the performance of the week before, as all three judges give her six thumbs up.
Blake Lewis (Lovesong). Simon tells Blake he's entering the Chris Daughtry zone, by taking his own road and venturing into "boring" territory. Regardless of Paula's objections, I agree. Blake's performances are starting to become interchangeable. And even though Simon considers him the frontrunner male, so was Daughtry at this time last season.
Jordin Sparks (Hey Baby). My new favorite Jordin, as Randy says, "took a risk" with this Stefani song. Okay, so it wavered in spots, and Simon called it copycat, but it was tons of fun, and I love this girl, so all is forgiven.
Gina Glocksen (I'll Stand By You). Gina comes out in third spot, Gwen gushes all over her pre-performance, and the judges (and I) gush all over her post-performance. Randy and Paula call it one of her best performances. Simon says not one of her best, but her best and the best of the evening.
Melinda Doolittle (Heaven Knows). Gwen Stefani must really love Donna Summer, because both of the divas pluck numbers from the Summer songbook. I'm not sure who helped Melinda in the wardrobe department, but I doubt that it was Stefani. She gets slobbered over, as is customary, even though Simon's on the mark when he says this performance won't be on the season six highlight reel.
Phil Stacey (Every Breath You Take). Phil's wearing a much-needed cap and delivers his best performance since the semi-finals. The judges agree with me, nicely, and Simon remarks that this is the first time Phil's come across as taking the competition seriously, which, of course, means he'll be in the bottom. And I can't believe I'm putting him last, which means first.
Well, somebody's gonna have to leave tomorrow. And Sanjaya gets a lifetime pass from here on.
Who I want: Haley, Chris R., Chris S. (Haley)
Who should: Haley, Chris R., Chris S. (Haley)
Who will: Haley, Chris S., Phil
See ya, Haley!
So, who's on your special list?
Labels: american idol
posted by jennifer at 7:57:00 PM
21 Comments:
I feel like I'm the only person in America that doesn't really like Jordin. Oh well. I thought Lakisha was awesome, as always. And I also thought Phil was boring, as always.
Bye Haley!
Hey Jennifer!
LOVE the Special List! I'm totally with you. I was looking at the hair so hard that my ears shut down! Loved Jordin and Gina.
Jennifer your right about Sanjaya being "special". Maybe he's just going for the VFTW votes just to see how far he can go. Did you all hear about the women in NY who isn't eating until Sanjaya gets voted off. I think that's a riot, she just may starve to death. I'm with Laura, I hope I never make anyone's special list too. Dori
I utterly despise the reggae arrangement of Love Song. I know someone recorded it that way and I hated theirs too.
Didn't like Jordin one bit - listen again when she goes to the lower register - awful!
Botom three should be: Sanjaya (but we know better), Chris S. , Jordin
I was glad to read the Nadia reference in regards to Sanjaya's hair.
My wife (with whom I watch the show) forgot about that unforgettable 'do.
Here's what I thought of tonight's show, in no particular order:
I'm sorry but Lakisha and Melinda were BORING to me. I'm really getting sick of those two, no matter how great everyone says they are. Yes they can both sing (even though Lakisha was totally off tonight, I think) and yes they have personality, but NO THEY DON'T CHANGE! Maybe they should just form their own ....no I'm not going to say it!
I thought Gina should have had the pimp spot tonight, cos not only did she do the best job tonight but she had the best song too (with the best lyrics btw!).
I thought Blake was awesome tonight, as usual, but not many people have heard the 311 version of Lovesong. I actually heard 311's version first and thought it was The Cure. When I found out it wasn't, I was floored. Just yesterday did I find out The Cure were the original artists to the song. Anyways, its a love song by a first wave band, so sorry if people think it was boring.
Phil was really good, except he sang my least favorite, most over-played Police song. But I still liked his version of the song when it got to the chorus. And Jordin was lots of fun, but not the best song to sing. She should have done "I'm just a Girl" or "Spiderwebs".
Haley was not bad at all tonight. Who cares if she changed it up a little bit, Gwen told everyone to keep their songs the original way, but Haley was the only one who got the rap for it. I have come to the conclusion that the judges just don't like her and we all know what happens then...they give her bad reviews no matter what.
Did anyone realize that Chris R. AND Sanjaya did? NOOOOOOO, cos the judges love them....well Chris R. I have to agree about Sanjaya being in another league.
Ok, I apologize for being the witch with a capital B. I just never agree with anyone anymore, except for the fact that this is another season 3 with the wrong person who's going to win.
I agree about it being another season 3. It sucked. Dori
Sunny, Amen. Enough with Melinda and Lakisha already. Take a risk already - Donna Summer???? I do not like Phil at all, but he is at least showing some versatility, hell even Sanjaya is trying different things. And at least we know Paula's been smoking again - Donna Summer is difficult? I have heard both those songs at least a dozen weddings sung just as well by wedding singers.
I some ways I agree with Sunny. I expect either KiKi or Melinda to get the boot on week 6 or 7 as the big shocker. could even happen at the 8 spot. They are likely splitting votes at this stage, and as the Haley's and Chris R's and such go, I expect their votes to swing more to Blake and Jordin.
This wasn't Jordin's best vocal, but she's showing an ability that I think by the top 4 will rival Melinda/Kiki enough that with her fresh young look and personality, she'll likely be the one of that 3 to make the top 3. I just don't see both Mel and Kiki making it that far, though possibly Jordin and one of the big 2 with Blake or Phil, or the shocker would be Gina in the top3.
I'm gonna guess on who gets the boot for fun to the end :)
slot 10 - Chris S (he was bad tonight, won't shock me if he drops)
Slot 9 - Chris R
Slot 8 - Haley
Slot 7 - Kiki or Sanjaya
Slot 6 - Sanjaya or Kiki
Slot 5 - Phil or Gina
Slot 4 - Melinda or Phil
Slot 3 - Melinda/Phil/Gina
Finals - Blake and Jordin
If Gina makes it past 5, I think she lasts to 3, or is possibly the upset finalist. She'll have the most unique voting group, so she'll either not get past 5, or be winning people over as others drop.
Phil I just can't quite figure. If he improves a bit, he could make the top 3, but as it stands, I'd expect Melinda to outlast him, unless she becomes too one dimensional, and is just the same ole same ole each week.
Blake is the most creative of the bunch, takes the biggest risks, and comes across as the most imaginable as someone performing on a big stage. Jordin is getting better and better and getting confidence, and I am thinking America will simply like her "look" better than Kiki and Melinda and take more votes from others than those 2 will.
Sanjaya will last until simply there are few enough bad others to outvote the VFTW people :)
Of course, these guesses are subject to change if someone, like a Haley, blows our doors off in the next couple weeks, or someone like Blake crashes and burns. But I'm trying to factor this on the consistency of each contestant, and how likely I think they are to continue as they have the past 4 to 5 weeks.
Always fun to watch how America goes thru this process, it's such a trip each year haha :)
JJ
Hey, since we know who is working with the contestants this year, I thought I'd drop off a little research I did to figure out who will be on which week. The information is from each artist's site. Those in () are guesses based on what I think.
Top 9: Apr 3-4 Tony Bennett
Top 8: Apr 10-11 (Jennifer Lopez)
Top 7: Apr 17-18 Martina McBride
Top 6: Apr 24-25 "Idol Gives Back"
Top 5: May 1-2 (Jon Bon Jovi)
Top 4: May 8-9 Barry Gibb
Top 3: May 15-16 (Usually there is no coach since they sing a personal choice, a judge's choice, and a Clive Davis choice.)
Top 2: May 22-23 (Final Two, again, usually no coach.)
Why didn't any of the judges comment on the fact that Sanjaya forgot the words about 46 seconds into the song???
Did anyone else notice that???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qASeXcNQdzo
Probably because they didn't notice, being too busy lookin' at the hair. I didn't notice until I watched it a second time.
It's the hair.
Ok, so I'm beginning to LIKE Sanjaya...(aka FANjaya) For the past few weeks he has been undeniably good entertainment. Makes me laugh... He's not on the same level as the other's, however, he is in his own realm. Oddly, I really hope he doesn't go home this week.... On AI, he's one of the few reasons to smile lately.
I think either Chris Sligh or Haley should go... Hopefully Haley. ~~Michelle
I think Sanjaya is in on the joke and at least he's having fun. There is no doubt that he is the worst of the singers left, but then again, there are lots of professional singers who put on better shows than the albums they make.
People are entertained and this being a popularity contest, that is what will keep him around for a few more weeks.
Phil? Phil? He rushed the middle so much I thought he was going to get a full beat ahead of the band. The reverb was jacked up so high that it was very difficult to say if he was on pitch or not - which tone do you listen to? Finally, if he can wear that much makeup with a hat on, why not do us all a favor and put some on top when he isn't wearing a hat? I'm just saying....
LEN
Chris R and Jordin - AWESOME for taking on contemporary songs and doing something fun with them. Chris R's vocal was great!
Chris S - love your voice buddy, but someone get him a metronome and have him practice!!!!
Sanjaya - a big fat annoying joke
Melinda/Kiki - boring as usual
Haley - slutty as usual
Blake - 311 as usual
Gina - AWESOME
Phil - Creepy and shouty as usual
Sanjaya MUST go!
As usual the cream floats to the top and the ballast continues to weigh down the show until we get to the top 5, which is when I think this competition will actually pick-up some steam. Okay, so here are my picks, worst to first:
Sanjaya - Sporting a fauxhawk of Nadia Turner proportions, his hair was the only thing worth watching as it swayed and bobbed to the beat while our resident teeny-bopper heartthrob took a nap on stage. Please...please go this week.
Chris S - The judges were spot-on; he was in front of the beat all the way through the song. But I still really like his voice. His performance this week just wasn't up to par. (And will someone please tell these guys to STOP carrying that mic stand around a la Bo Bice! It worked for him; it doesn't for this lot.)
Haley - She's quite a stunning gal. Too bad this isn't a modeling contest; she'd win, hands down. Alas, it's a singing competition and the only reason I didn't put her 2nd to last was because she was at least on the beat. But I wanted to sleep through her song.
Chris R - He'd have been a little higher on my list had he not forgotten a few words near the end of the song. But he covered his gaff well, and the judges didn't notice (or just decided not to say anything). The first half of the song was rather boring, but then he kicked it into gear and I looooved the way he finished the song. This guy has boy-band written all over him.
Blake - I really like this guy, but he took one of my favorite Cure songs and turned it into a lullaby (albeit with a cool vibe). I just wasn't excited about this performance. I think I've just gotten so used to him having fun up on stage that I wasn't prepared for him to just stand still.
Here's where it starts to get tough for me, in terms of ranking...they were all so good!
Jordin - I love this No Doubt song and I kept wishing that she'd stand in one place and drive that beat into the ground below her. Having said that, however, her vocals are getting better every week. She's becoming even more confident and starting to find her niche, I think. I love how young and energetic she is. She's just a doll! :)
Lakisha - Randy was right...those boots are HAWT! I love this Donna Summer song, and Kiki did not disappoint me. She just seems to have a never-ending reserve of power within her that's just waiting to be unleashed. I really don't think we've seen the best of her yet!
I have to lump the next three together for the top spot. I really can't decide which performance I liked best. All three were FANTASTIC!! So, I'll just put them in alphabetical order.
1) Gina - I don't think she could have picked a better song for her voice. I love this Pretenders song and it suited Gina to a T! This was, by FAR, my favorite performance of hers. And standing still on stage, she didn't run out of breath during the middle of the song! She was superb!
1) Melinda - She's the only one of the group who consistently interprets the words of the song and translates that for the audience. Her performance style is so natural! LOVED her vocals! But I'm with Simon...I hated the outfit (except the boots!). She has no neck, so she'd do better keeping to V-neck cut bodices. But if that's the worst we can say about the M-Diva, then hey!
Phil - Here's another one who is getting better every week. He seems to really take to heart what the judges have been telling him. He sounded SOOOO good on this song! Even the beginning was strong! Well done, Phil! See you next week!
Who I want: Sanjaya, Haley and Chris R
Who should: Sanjaya, Sanjaya, Sanjaya
Who will: Sanjaya, Haley, Chris S
Do I dare say goodbye to Sanjaya?
LOL! Jennifer, I read your analysis after I posted mine. You really do crack me up! You just may be right about Sanjaya getting the lifetime pass.
PLEASE BE WRONG!! lol ;)
anonymous said: "Why didn't any of the judges comment on the fact that Sanjaya forgot the words about 46 seconds into the song??? Did anyone else notice that???"
YEP!! I noticed! (Chris R. did, too).
yeah i noticed Sanjaya's loss as well, I'd have to say Simon summed it up best: It doesn't matter what the judges say, it won't matter. and that is why there was no reason to mention it.
Heck, if anything, they need to use reverse psychology and start praising him for being so much improved and so great etc., and maybe it'll throw the VTFW people and get him kicked haha
JJ
http://hollywoodsquared.com/ we want the best talent not the worst hair style, Sanjaya sucks.
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