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VACELTS
Brookie L. Crawford
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Member Since: 3/2007Last Seen: 9/07/2009
Member Since: 3/2007Last Seen: 9/07/2009
13 Comments
PrintIdol Top 3 Fail to Wow with Lackluster Performances
News Type: Opinion — Tue May 13, 2008 11:18 PM EDT
Live Poll
Who should go home
- David Archuleta39%
- Syesha Mercado51%
- David Cook10%
Total Votes: 435
The Top 3 -- David, David & Syesha.
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American Idol is down to its Top 3 contenders and the contest should be heating up, but the competition tonight was uninspired and predictable. With three songs a piece, did any of the contestants really stand out?
Tonight each contestant got to sing one song chosen for them by one of the judges, one song of their choice, and one song chosen by the producers. Let's just say that the producers should stick to producing and not selecting song (as if the themes from this season are proof enough).
The sole bright spot tonight was David Cook, but even his performances weren't top shelf.
Simons's choice of a Roberta Flack song for Cook seemed off the wall at first. But I have to give Simon credit for picking something outside of the box and let's just say that once again Cook rose to that challenge with a tear-jerking performance of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." I had no idea how was going to pull of such an old-fashioned song, but he not only did, he made it sound current and hip.
Next was Cook's song choice. The fact that he picked a Switchfoot tune didn't surprise me, but it did disappoint me. His rendition of "Dare You to Move" sounded exactly like something I'd expect to hear from Cook. But I was hoping for more - more originality, more extraordinary - another "Hello" or "Billie Jean." And I didn't get it.
And as for the producer's choice, Cook definitely served up the best performance in this category. I'm pretty sure that an Aerosmith tune wouldn't have been what I would have picked for Cook, but he nailed the performance of "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" and did songwriter Diane Warren (who was in the audience) proud.
Syesha Mercado, on the other hand, didn't fare as well.
I can see why Randy picked an Alicia Keys balled for her. Syesha definitely has the voice to carry off a powerful song like "If I Ain't Got You." And Syesha even gave the number a little pizzazz. But just like the Whitney Houston and Celine Dion songs that she gravitates to, it's hard for Syesha to stand out against the originals.
Now Syesha made an excellent song choice for herself. Tunes like Peggy Lee's "Fever" are a perfect fit for her. Not only does she get a chance to showcase that nice bluesy-soul sound with her voice, but she gets to flaunt her stage skills. I know the judges didn't like this performance, but I think it played to her strengths.
Now the song that the producers picked for Syesha did just the opposite. The tune from the movie Happy Feet was a nice dance number. But when you get up and dance it's easy to forget who's performing and unfortunately that's exactly what happened with Syesha's rendition of "Hit Me Up." It was fun while it lasted, but it was easily forgotten.
And finally, David Archuleta showed us all the same moves he's been using all season.
Archuleta was right about one thing - the Billy Joel song Paula chose for him is a pretty song. And Archuleta's rendition of "And So it Goes" wasn't bad. But the performance wasn't really any different that every other song he's every performed on the show - nice, but forgettable.
Picking a Chris Brown song was a smart choice for Archuleta if he was trying to appeal to his teenage fans. But unfortunately Archuleta is not Chris Brown. He lacks Brown's smooth moves and performance skills, leaving his version of "With You" looking and sounding like bad karaoke.
Archuleta concluded his set with another uninspired choice - the producers chose yet another ballad for the 17-year-old - "Longer" by Dan Fogelberg. As expected, Archuleta performed the song in exactly the same format that he's performed all the rest of his ballads - no surprises and no wow factor.
I thought Archuleta was the least impressive tonight. It's not that he doesn't have a nice voice; it's just that every song sounds the same with him. But since he's a favorite of the judges, I'm going against my better judgment and predict that Syesha will be going home on Wednesday.
Who do you think had the better night? Who should go home?
-------------------------
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 | The Davids to Battle it Out in Idol Final | vacelts | Wed May 14 | 20 |
| ‘Idol’ final seems a lock to be battle of Davids | Associated Press | Wed May 14 | 0 |
| Ding Dong, The Dreads are Gone on Idol | vacelts | Thu May 8 | 46 |
| Syesha’s out: It’s David vs. David on ‘Idol’ | Associated Press | Wed May 14 | 0 |
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{"commentId":1797701,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
If Archuleta has the teenage girl vote, then Cook has the "cougar" vote. Did anyone else see the sign that said "Cougars 4 Cook"?
{"commentId":1797701,"threadId":"264093","contentId":"1487024","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
- 1 vote
#1 - Tue May 13, 2008 11:19 PM EDT{"commentId":1798708,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}
So I know that Randy and Paula like David A because they are crazy, but I'm trying to figure out why Simon keeps favoring him. First off, Simon doesn't care about talent so much as marketability. Obviously David A has marketability right now, however it doesn't seem like that would last. David A is cute and all as a 17yo. So he should be fine for the summer tour and maybe an terrible album and supporting tour for that. But what happens when he turns 20 and he's not so young and cute anymore? Then he's obnoxious. Not only that but thanks to his target demographic being teeny bopper girls, he'll lose his fanbase within a few years as they age. All in all, I'm not seeing how his marketability lasts past a year or two at most.
David C on the other hand will basically form another crappy Creed clone, and disappoint so many of his current fans, but that type of band has a tendency to stick around and suck for five or more years. After David C's performances this week, especially his personal choice of Switchfoot song, I'm more sure than ever that post-Idol he goes on to make crappy post-grunge music and seriously disappoints everyone. But until then, he's still the best that Idol has to offer.
So I finally figured out what's been wrong with Syesha. Originally it was because she was just plain boring and showed no personality on stage. But recently she's been much more alive on stage with a few exceptions, and yet there is still something off. Well, I finally figured out what it was. Even though Syesha has been the most attractive female contestant since at least the Top 12, she has absolutely zero sex appeal. I'm not sure why, but she just isn't sexy, and far too many of the songs she sings require a little sexiness to pull them off.
{"commentId":1798708,"threadId":"264093","contentId":"1487024","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}
- 1 vote
#2 - Wed May 14, 2008 9:40 AM EDT{"commentId":1798787,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1799794,"authorDomain":"sean505"}
Adam, I'm with you for the most part on the Davids bu your last comment about Syesha lost me there... Syesha is hot... and the judges were wondering why she went with Fever for her own song choice? Sex Appeal. She's not a dumb chick... That is what she has over the other two androgynous droners... I could see that Syesha may not be some peoples type but she is definitely sexy and though i think she will go home next, i think she will find success one way or another post AI...
{"commentId":1799794,"threadId":"264093","contentId":"1487024","authorDomain":"sean505"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1800329,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1798773,"authorDomain":"Jabs"}
That sign was funny. Let's hope the cougar demo can carry Cook to the finale, which I think they will.
Another funny observation was David Cook's parents. His mom, who is fairly attractive, was having fun with her son's performance(s). His dad, who looked like an older version of Ben Linus from Lost, looked like someone had kidnapped him and made him sit through the show.
Syesha's and David's picks by the producers were autrocious. I felt bad for them.
IMO, Cook won the show last night, with Syesha in second and Archuleta in 3rd. (I did like Archuleta's performance of "So It Goes".) However, I think Syesha gets sent home tonight.
{"commentId":1798773,"threadId":"264093","contentId":"1487024","authorDomain":"Jabs"}
- 1 vote
#3 - Wed May 14, 2008 9:57 AM EDT{"commentId":1798801,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1800105,"authorDomain":"jessica1973"}
David Cook so won last night. I thought his 1st and 3rd songs were better than his 2nd, but overall I really liked him last night. Davia A. was just OK. I was happy the judges weren't fawning over him as much as usual because I really don't think he's all that great a performer. I enjoyed Syesha's performances. She does have a stage presense and I hope she has a good career be it musicals or a recording contract.
{"commentId":1800105,"threadId":"264093","contentId":"1487024","authorDomain":"jessica1973"}
- 1 vote
#4 - Wed May 14, 2008 3:01 PM EDT{"commentId":1800352,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1800200,"authorDomain":"alliecat37"}
I'd love it if David A went home tonight. It'd be hilarious. But, I think it's best for everyone if he wins. He can become a cog in the AI machine and just do what they tell him to. And David C can go off and put together a band. And Syesha can go off to Broadway.
{"commentId":1800200,"threadId":"264093","contentId":"1487024","authorDomain":"alliecat37"}
- 1 vote
#5 - Wed May 14, 2008 3:29 PM EDT{"commentId":1800357,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1801865,"authorDomain":"slizekalfer"}
David Cook's performance of "Dare You to Move" was disgusting. If anyone had ever listened to the song, they would know that he totally destroyed it and didn't understand it at all. Archuletta may be boring but at least he doesn't miss notes or destroy a song
{"commentId":1801865,"threadId":"264093","contentId":"1487024","authorDomain":"slizekalfer"}
- 1 vote
#6 - Thu May 15, 2008 12:31 AM EDT{"commentId":1802278,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
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