'Usher'-ing in The Top 10
| Arts & Entertainment |
By Jill Berry
Special guest star 'Usher' helped out the Idols tonight with some mixed results. Overall, I found his critiques and helpful hints more constructive and honest than some previous 'mentors' they've had on the show.
Sporting some 'Missy Elliot' boots, Siobhan Magnus entertained us with her own screeching version of 'Through the Fire' by Chaka Khan. Now, I know that the judges have musical expertise and all that, but I've been in a choir for many years and the notes Siobhan is hitting---I don't think they exist. Simon is right when he describes it as 'screaming'. Good for her for being different and embracing it, but I was relieved when Usher said that crazy outfits tend to detract from the performance.
(Photo: Watch a clip of special guest star 'Usher' on last night's episode of American Idol.)
Always consistent, Casey James delivered a good performance with his R&B song choice, 'Hold on I'm Coming' by Sam and Dave. Kara wants more from him---for him to 'come out of his box' but I find when they advise that, the contestants take it too far or not far enough, and bomb. He's one of the better ones to watch and listen to, so I think he should ignore Kara. She says almost the same thing every week anyway.
First time with his guitar in the finals, Micheal Lynch impressed the judges with his love song, 'Ready for Love' by India Arie. I liked it, but kind of want to see Big Mike do something 'big' instead of all these ballads week after week.
Overcome by emotion and a sense of the dramatic, Didi Benami sang 'What Becomes of the Broken Hearted' by Joan Osborne. Poor Didi: the judges were kind of harsh with her, but I have to agree---the performance was pretty bad. If she makes it another week, I'll be surprised.
'Teflon Tim' sang 'Sweet Love' by Anita Baker. If you didn't see the show, it turns out that Tim Urban has been nicknamed 'Teflon Tim' because all the judges’ criticisms seem to slide off him while he smiles that dimpled grin. I think it’s because he keeps sliding through the eliminations even though he's been in the bottom three for three weeks running. Fingers crossed that he leaves tomorrow.
With his guitar back in place and a return of his 'mojo', Andrew Garcia sang 'Forever on the Dance Floor' by Chris Brown. I think the judges breathed a collective sigh of relief with this performance as I'm sure they've been wondering if they had made the right choice during Hollywood week.
Katey Stevens wowed us with her vocal range in her song choice of 'Chain of Fools' by Aretha Franklin. The panel was a bit split on this but they all agreed she has a good voice.
Our 'main course' of the evening, Lee Dewyze sang 'Treat Her Like A Lady' by the Temptations. Simon was so impressed that he told Lee to go home, look himself in the mirror, and remember this day as the moment his life changed forever. Lee was so moved by this compliment that he was fighting tears and so was I.
Crystal Bowersox hinted last week that tonight would be different and a surprise to the judges. Wearing a pretty dress, spike heels and lots of makeup, Crystal sat at the piano for the first time singing 'Midnight Train to Georgia' by Gladys Knight. I felt like a proud mother when she stood up from that piano, belted out that song without a guitar in front of her and totally exposed herself like she's never done before. It was my second-favourite moment of the night.
Aaron Kelly rounded out the night with 'Ain't No Sunshine' by Bill Withers. A big song for a little guy but he did alright with it. He'll survive another week as he is pretty consistent and cute as a cupcake.
Idol's elimination show is tomorrow night after America's Next Top Model. Maybe that show should be my next article?
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