American Idol 6 - 5/23/07 The Final Two

After all these weeks were are down to the final performances and the fight for the title. Last night's show was actually really good. There is just a different vibe when they are performing in the Kodiak Theater (the home of the Oscars)!

I have to say I was not amused by the little opening regarding Paula's unfortunate trip over her dog and Ryan's throwing in "so the bitch is okay". It just wasn't necessary.

Overall it moved along pretty well and the video clips were not overly done and actually helped the show flow.

I want you to know I had a personal best in voting last night and into this morning. I was able to vote until 1:45 a.m. before they cut me off. I managed to get in 3,502 votes. Every vote cast was for Jordin. I love one touch dialing. The first hour or so was tough but with 5 phones I was getting in quite a bit. The last hour and a half I wasn't having much trouble getting in but I was using all 3 numbers available in rotation.

I am looking forward to the finale. I am off to Hawaii in the morning but I will try and send a few thoughts about the finale tomorrow night.

On with my thoughts....

Blake Lewis - "You Give Love A Bad Name"

It was the right choice for Blake to sing this number again. I love his outfits, they suit his style. I don't believe the vocal on this was as good this time as when he first performed it but Blake knows how to work the stage. His energetic performance and the way he worked off the musician on the stage with him was outstanding. This was a kick ass performance and the audience was with him on the ride. All the movement on the stage was creating a problem with his vocals and breath but at least he was enunciating and I could hear every word and unfortunately some sour notes. A good beginning absolutely.

Randy - I give you a ten out of ten on the beat boxing, dawg. The beat boxing was hot, you had the triplets going on with the drum thing. The singing for me was just alright.

Paula - I wish I could give you more than a ten. You out did yourself, hot. (He is still too young for you Paula)

Simon - You are not the best singer in the competition but you are the best performer I think we've had. It was energetic, amazing. The singing was a bit flat and I thought you were shouting through part of it.

Jordin Sparks - "Fighter"

Jordin was looking hot, loved the heels. This was a great choice of song being young, hip and did Jordin knock this one out vocally. It was a spectacular vocal and her enunciation was flawless especially given all the words. Jordin is truly the best singer left standing in the finale but she does need help with her performing skills. She is a singer so she stands and sings and quite frankly she could sing the phone book and I would listen but I would like to see her loosen up a bit. This was a song begging for a hot performance. Vocals I give her a 20, performance is an 8.

Randy - check it out, this is an interesting evening, it wasn't your greatest entertainment thing but your voice was stellar, amazing.

Paula - you were stellar, awesome.

Simon - I have to give you credit for choosing a song that was young, hip. I thought the vocals were a bit shrieky in the middle. Round 1 to Blake.

Blake Lewis - "She Will Be Loved"

I am not sure this was the best song choice although it clearly fits his style but it is not a song which would help display his singing talents. There were some pretty sharp notes in this one. The falsetto's worked but almost the entire song was in his upper registry which was not a good thing. Once again though Blake proved what a great performer he is because he sold the song. He had great confidence and just went for it. Again, loved the outfit, nerdy but yet sends out that sexy vibe. The young women in the audience was eating him up, this could help his chances. Great performance, vocals not so much.

Randy - great song, nice vocal

Paula - you sounded great

Simon - it was good, safe, not as good as the first performance and I wouldn't have chosen the song for the finale because I don't think it makes that much of an impact.

Jordin Sparks - "Broken Wing"

Jordin made this song new and fresh. Her vocals were outstanding and the control she has. I actually stood up and clapped when she was finished. My only issue is that the orchestra was too loud. I had to strain to actually here her vocals but I would bet in the Kodiak this was a truly flawless performance. Loved the outfit as well. Jordin's smile could melt the coldest heart. The girl can tell a story with her voice like no one else.

Randy - I have said it before you are the most talented 17 year old ever, that was flawless, unbelievable, I think better than the original.

Paula - You are in great, great voice tonight

Simon - Now that was good!

Blake Lewis - "This is My Now"

This will be next American Idol's first single. Blake was clearly not in his element and I am surprised he didn't jazz it up a bit but it is probably against the rules. I absolutely loved the choice of starting the song sitting in the American Idol Screen, it was kind of cool. Poor Blake he knew this wasn't a song for him and it was almost like he knew it was the nail in his coffin because it wasn't a very energetic performance and had none of the confidence the first two performances had. I think Blake did as well as he could and technically it was his best vocal but the performance was just totally strange and lackluster and those ridiculous dance movements compared to his first two performances, scary! I felt sorry for Blake and it might help his vote count though. The band and back up singers were a little overpowering as well.

Randy - you did a pretty good job with it, it was alright, you don't have to feel that bad about it

Paula - it isn't your genre of music but I think you were in great voice

Simon - I thought it was all a little odd to be honest with you

Jordin Sparks - "This is My Now"

Jordin looked beautiful and it was a great outfit. Loved the earrings as well. What can you say. This was a perfect song for Jordin. This song is better then last years two stinkers but that isn't saying much. My Jordin can sing and this song proved how easy it is for her to sell the emotion of this truly sappy sweet song. From the very first note to that last power note and the utterly emotional ending with the tears, the girl had me in her spell. She totally nailed this number. Oh my god I was crying along with her. If she doesn't win after this song no one could. It was a great way to end the competition.

Randy - You were the best singer tonight, you deserve it all

Paula - you have a lot to be proud of, you're an angel.

Simon - You just wiped the floor with Blake on that song.


I just have to say there was a distinct disadvantage of the contestants singing the same song back to back. I don't think it is fair and really hasn't been done before. Last year of course each contestant had there horrid sappy song to sing (can we guess how much I hated last year's numbers) but other competitions they sang them at different points in the show. Doing it back to back put Blake in a disadvantage but I suppose the sympathy vote could help him.

I believe Jordin should win and I think she will be standing under the confetti tonight at the Kodiak singing us out about "This is My Now." There could be a Blake upset but I really doubt it.

I probably should complain about the winning song because I never went on line to listen to the songs or vote but what the hell, it is just fun to make jest of the totally sappy songs. It doesn't mean I won't buy it when Jordin releases it but under normal circumstances I don't think so.

Here is to another season of American Idol over and I guess I can count the days until July 28th when I can see them live! Then it will be a dismal few months until January 2008.