AI 9 5-11-10 Jamie Foxx came to visit and all I got was this lousy t-shirt

All of them came with a dream, dreams these four share but only one of them will see that dream realized. This is AMERICAN IDOL!

I will leave my rant about the show and the mentor until later. Let us get to the dish regarding the contestant’s performances wait I mean artists.

Lee DeWyze – “Kiss from a Rose”

Give me a break Seal has problems singing this song live and Lee wants to attempt this two weeks before the final. Is he an idiot? This entire performance was my fingernails down the blackboard moment of the evening. Mr. DeWyze could not even attempt the correct key, the falsetto fell flat, the verses were rough and he cannot enunciate to save his life. Poor Lee’s “deer in the headlight” look returned and the entire thing was torture to listen to and to watch.

Randy – I am looking to see who is in this for real. This was just okay. For me you did nothing new with the song and you were pitchy in some parts. This just did not work for me.

Ellen – I wish you had done more with it but you are so good. I loved it.

Kara – Last week was a great week for you but this is a step back. This is a tough song to sing. You sang in a different register and the arrangement seemed to lead to you losing your place. You are still great though.

Simon – I agree with Randy and this was like karaoke because you were trying too hard to sound like the origin. You should have the “contestant” t-shirt.

Michael Lynche – “Will You Be There”

“Big Mike” sounded fine except for that sharp note at the beginning. I can appreciate what he was trying to do with the song but I think the performance was over the top and bordered on being a little bit cheesy. This is not the finale so why did he get a gospel backup group.

Randy – I did not love it, it was just all right.

Ellen – I loved the sound of the choir but Mike your goal should be to win not just to be in the top three. You sounded good but predictable.

Kara – I want you to give me goose bumps again but you played it safe tonight.

Simon – I would have chosen a different song for you. You definitely gave a 100 percent and I felt like you meant it.

Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox – “Falling Slowly”

I love this movie and adore this song. The entire soundtrack is beautiful. Kris Allen performed an incredible rendition last year. I loved this performance overall and was seriously impressed with the arrangement. I liked how Lee and Crystal were facing each other with their guitars, which provided a connection to each other and the meaning of the song. Lee unfortunately was out of tune for the first third of the song but then somehow Crystal and Lee’s voices made a connection. The harmonies sounded perfect and they had a spectacular finish. I stood up and clapped because there was finally some good music during the program.

Randy – What a difference a few moments make. This is a great song, the performance was unbelievable, amazing, and I think it could be a hit right now.

Ellen – You are the new Captain and Tennille.

Kara – This was one of my favorite moments of the entire season. You both seem like artists and you had a lot of chemistry. This duet brought out the best in both of you.

Simon – I would not call this a good song I would call it a fantastic song.

Casey James – “Mrs. Robinson”

To mimic Randy oh what a difference a few moments make. We went from a soaring beautiful performance to crap! Casey’s voice wobbled quite a bit, i.e. let us stay in tune my friend and there seemed to be some strange accent he was trying to sing with. I thought the entire performance was ridiculous. Why is Casey still here, oh yes, he looks cute. On the other hand, Casey definitely is a musician given how he can play many instruments so well. I liked the mandolin.

Randy – I thought it sounded cool but I am not excited about the performance because you did not change anything about the song.

Ellen – I wish you had been given a “big-boy guitar”. I like the way you switched things up.

Kara – I think this was Casey fighting to stay in the competition. This is not where you are comfortable being up front and vulnerable. I think this was a good choice.

Simon – I do not think the song or performance had the substance required on this important night. It was lazy and simply another strange song choice tonight.

Crystal Bowersox – “I’m Alright”

While I do not like this song and felt, it was an odd choice I am in love with what Crystal did with the song. Crystal remains in a different league than all the other contestants. This was a spot on vocal. Crystal’s performance had sass and she was taking no prisoners. There was a smile on my face the entire time; it was candy for my ears! I sound like a broken record but we should just give Crystal the title and save ourselves two more weeks.

Randy – You are an artist. You switched it up and made it fit you. Nice job.

Ellen – You crystallized the song. You took the song and made it better.

Kara – I agree with Ellen and Randy. You are definitely an artist.

Simon – You are back in the game.

Michael Lynche and Casey James – “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman”

This was okay but definitely better than their individual solo numbers. Mike clearly did a better job than Casey did but I do not think their voices really blend well though. I did not think their harmonies quite matched but the individual solos within this duet were okay.

Randy – I liked the guitar playing. Casey you were a little rough but overall okay.

Ellen – Yes, I have loved a woman.

Kara – The duets tonight were better than the solos.

Simon – I think the “artist” t-shirts should go to the duets tonight.


Let the ranting begin. There was another hour of programming to fill and we had exactly nine minutes of music. Let me repeat myself nine minutes of music. What is wrong with this picture? The producers are making a bad situation even worse. There should be more music and less filler. While the duets were entertaining this is a competition for an Idol not a duo or group. Producers perhaps next year we can have two or three songs per contestant because after all they only get 90 seconds to sing.

Mr. Foxx and his gimmick of “artist or contestant” t-shirt was just ridiculous. Give me a freaking break. All of these performers are contestants until the winner is crowned. Artistry will come with time but prior to those moments there needs to be some basic singing ability Mr. Mentor. Crystal is a true artist and I am sad she requires this competition to shine her light on the world.

The time with the judges this week was effing stupid. I do not care whether Simon knows what “Free Willy”, “The Graduate” or even “Caddyshack” is all about. I did not find it necessary to have all the underlying sexual humor. Ellen we all know your sexual orientation and I love you but your joke was not required as a critic of the duet.

I only voted for Crystal last night and I managed to get in 1002 votes by the way.

Predicting a bottom two is hard because America seems to be voting on whom they like not on how well the contestants sing. Lee was the worst of the night but I think his fan base is strong. This totally bums me out.

I am therefore predicting a bottom two of “Big Mike” and Casey.

All the men can go home and let us just listen to Crystal sing for the next two weeks but I will not get my wish granted.

“Big Mike” has been in the bottom multiple times and I believe Casey has a stronger fan base so I am predicting “Big Mike” will be singing us off tomorrow night.

Until tomorrow…