American Idol 6 Elimination Round 3 The Men 3/6/07

Last night's show was definitely a let down with the men trying to out perform themselves with blandness and truly stupid things about themselves which I didn't care one way or the other.

I only voted for 3 contestants last night, Blake, Chris and Chris. They each got 20 votes from me. As far as I am concerned they should be the only 3 men sent through to the top 12 but unfortunately it doesn't work that way.

We also got another shameless plug with Travis Tritt in the audience who advises us that Randy Jackson is producing his new album. How marvelous!

On with my comments and predictions:

Blake Lewis, “All Mixed Up”

Blake has definitely been listening to the judges about trying to stand out and he was a breath of fresh air last night. His song choice was excellent, he looked cool and he was very entertaining. Everything was working for him last night. I think he started a little rough with the a cappella intro but once the music started Blake was in his element, we got beat boxing and even a little reggae. Blake is a great entertainer and the audience was with him last night.

Randy: You are the first really current artist we’ve had on the show, hot, I didn't know the song but loved the performance

Paula: Paula didn’t know the song either, yet I was interested anyway which is hard to do, loved it, cool

Simon: I didn’t understand a word of it but you stand out in the crowd, you are an individual and current, you will be here next week.

Sanjaya Malakar, “Waiting on the World to Change”

I was at a lost of words with this choice of song and what was with the flat-iron hair. Sanjaya butchered one of my favorite songs and since I am in a hotel room I could get my CD and actually hear John Mayer which sucks because I can still here Sanjaya in my head (get out of there). Sanjaya was just plain bad but it was an improvement in last week's performance which is scary. He was on pitch but his voice would fade in and out, it was strange. His outfit was stupid as well. He was totally stiff and awkward on the stage. The band and back up singers were too loud, thank god. It was a total mess. You know it is bad when Paula is trying to find something nice to say. Sanjaya has got to go but clearly those young girls aren't voting him because of his singing ability.

Randy: There was no energy, better then last week, you haven't returned back to what we loved in your audition. It wasn't really that great.

Paula: I don't agree completely, the older, more experienced mean are helping you improve, try to get out of your comfortable zone, try to raise your game

Simon: “It wasn’t as ghastly as last week.”, you are popular, but wasn't a good vocal, not the best, I wonder if it’s the hair that’s keeping him in.

Sundance Head, “Jeremy”

What is going on with the men. Sundance made me laugh out loud about he was really thin and just wearing a fat suit in on the show. I guess I will have to use that one for myself. Sundance's performance just sucked. He was shouting not singing. Also his enunciation was horrible, whole phrases were lost to me. To give him credit he does know how to entertain and he was giving his all but the vocals just weren't there. So far except for Blake tonight has been a bust.

Randy - it was a little pitchy, you lost the melody but I was digging the southern rock meets Pearl Jam vibe, I appreciate you tried,

Paula - mid-way through you were there, it was really really good (oh please)

Simon - I don't think it was as good as last week, you lost your charm, you were like any other generic bar singer, you were shouting the whole time, it was a very indulgent choice of song.

Chris Richardson, “Tonight I Wanna Cry”

I really like Chris and he shined compared to the two pervious contestants but it wasn't his best vocal. It was an interesting choice of song for him and he was taking a risk with the genre and I liked the arrangement of the song. Chris was a bit rough at the beginning, he voice actually cracked. Chris has the opposite problem of some of the others, his lower register is great but weakens when in the upper register but overall I liked the performance and the audience was with him.

Randy - I love how every week you come out and put your own twist on every song you sing, I like it, you are in it to win

Paula - great song, our voice is perfect for the pop/country genre, you adapt well

Simon - it was good but not the best vocal we have heard, it was "cutesy", you sounded nasally, you were a little timid, safe, but you sold it

Jared Cotter, “If You Really Love Me”

Jared, Jared, Jared don't you pay attention, you never take on Stevie Wonder, it never works and the song was just too big for you. I will give him credit he was much improved from last week and for the most part was on pitch but he just couldn't master all the twists in this song. It was just a totally cheesy karaoke bland number.

Randy: solid performance, good

Paula: you needs to work on “coloring up the way you sing.”, try using your falsetto and avoid shouting

Simon: “I sort of know, amazingly, what Paula is trying to say.” It wasn’t very original and could get lost in the mix. He’s “slightly disappointed” overall because he’s not hearing “the wow factor.”

Brandon Rogers, “I Just Want to Celebrate”

Brandon didn't bring it home for me. I don't think it was a good choice of song and most of his few moments on the stage all we really heard was "I just want to celebrate", we didn't get more of the melody. Brandon was much improved from last week and he did have energy but his vocals were very monotone and what happened at the end, it was a mess. He is not 'wowing" me like he should be.

Randy - good choice of song, you messed up at the end, perhaps timing, it was a solid performance

Paula - It was phenomenal, and he’s proving why he belongs there.

Simon - He didn’t represent himself well, and I had high hopes for you because you are one of the better singers, should have chosen a more memorable song, like the girls do, the song may give him problems because it didn’t give him enough of a melody/hook

Phil Stacey, “I Need You”

Good heavens what has happened to Phil and who talked him in to this ridiculous choice of songs. Phil was totally off his game. This number sucked from beginning to end. He started off rough, was shouting through the middle, and the ending was my fingers on the chalk board moment, it was just scary and wrong. He looked ridiculous to.

Randy- It was an “interesting” song choice, you have a big voice and reminds me of Steve Perry (I don't think so), the low register was “a little weird” and pitchy, not your best

Paula - the lower register is “chancy,” sounded better when you hit you comfort zone

Simon - “I didn’t get it at all.” The hat and big eyes at the beginning was “just insane.”, it was a strange choice of song. Except for a few performances, the guys have been disappointing.

Chris Sligh, “I Wanna Be Loved”

Chris is awesome! I don't think it was a great song choice but his performance was the highlight of the evening which isn't saying much. Chris has a great bluesy voice. Everything worked and Chris truly was singing the emotion of the song. My only issue is enunciation.

Randy - It wasn’t his favorite song choice, but the best vocal of the night

Paula - it wasn’t my favorite performance, middle of the road, you need to stretch more

Simon - The beginning was very good, you shouted in the middle (I totally disagree) not one of your best, not a good song choice, you have done enough in the past to get through but you have potential

The question tonight who should go to who should actually remain. The men were a great disappointment. As I indicated I only voted for Blake, Chris and Chris.

There is no doubt that Sanjaya and Phil were probably the worst with Jared and Brandon bringing up the rear.

I just think those young girls are going to save Sanjaya into the top 12, hopefully he will not make it to the top 10 because then he will be in the tour during the summer.

I am going to predict that Phil and Jared will get the boot with a possible upset with Brandon being shown the door.
My ultimate wish is America will realize this is a singing contest and send Sanjaya back home to Seattle. Please, Please, I am begging you.

Until tomorrow!