Originally Posted By Dabob2 <And I never ever thought I'd hate hearing Bennie and the Jets. But good golly Miss Molly where was the praise from the judges coming from. What did they hear that I didn't?!> Thank you, thank you, thank you. We watched it saying "man, she's going to get slammed as soon as she finishes." It was just a weird performance to me. The "chanteuse lying at the piano" thing didn't work at all, the verse had no oomph, and the final "Bennie"'s were the only thing remotely decent. Then they praised her as best of the night? Wha...? And I actually liked Fantasia's song. Very old school r&b.
Originally Posted By gadzuux Okay - I'll go first this time. Tonight was a great theme - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Gives everybody a lot of latitude to pick from. And everybody seemed to go uptempo tonight. Jacob - best outting yet, still too weird. Didn't want to sing 'Lets Get It On' because it was too nasty, and then minces his way through 'Man In The Mirror'. Admittedly a tough song to sing, and he sang it pretty well, but when he busts a move it's just cringeworthy. All nine contestants had powerhouse performances this week, but Jacob is my pick to go home. Scotty surprised with Elvis's "That's All Right Mama". He mostly stayed in his upper register and made it work. Good song choice for him. Casey sang the CCR song 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain' with his stand-up bass. While what he did was pleasant, it missed the point. Underlying the lyrics is a protest song about vietnam. I doubt Casey even knew that. He paired up his bass with someone playing a small stringed instrument like a mandolin, which gave it a musical jewelry box like quality to the song. Casey's also in danger after tonight. You guys know I've been pulling for Haley the last few weeks. She's been just barely scrapping by, with the judges telling her she sounds like Janis. I never thought so myself, but tonight she did Janis and 'Little Piece of my Heart'. She did terrific by my way of thinking. She was a bit too restrained in the beginning but she rocked it in the middle and end. I think/hope she's safe this week. Same old Stefano - this week singing 'When a Man Loves a Woman' and hitting every note square on, but still overacting and making constipated facial expressions. It was also a bit thin and breathy at the start. Makes the bottom three this week, but as usual does it while being vocally nearly perfect. James was one of the best of the night. He slowed it down for 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps', and connected with the lyrics and spirit of the song, with strong vocals but reined in. I could have done without the emotional tearjerking, but I'll overlook it - once. Pia was the other best of show - going uptempo for 'River Deep Mountain High' - grrreat song choice and terrific performance. Lauren scares me. She seems to consistently be riding at the top of the heap according to the internets, and I don't think she's all that deserving. That said, she did an alright job on 'Natural Woman' even if she's only sixteen years old. I wouldn't have picked that song, but she worked it out. Even Paul did better than expected tonight. Johnny Cash's 'Folsom Prison Blues' had a chugga chugga motion like a railroad train now, and he plowed right through it full tilt. He's not the kind of guy I'm gonna believe shot a man in Reno just to watch him die - not with that loopy grin and those dazzling teeth. Nobody's ever going to confuse him with Johnny Cash. So he didn't exactly connect with the lyrics, but it was upbeat and fun. Bottom three - Jacob, Casey, Stefano. I hope it's Jacob this week. And Randy Jackson should never wear Pleather.
Originally Posted By Labuda Well, I'm thrilled you didn't put Paul in the bottom 3, gad... And, I have NO idea who the bottom 3 might be tonight... I honestly thought everyone had a good, solid performance last night except Stefano. Casey, Paul, and, AMAZINGLY, Haley were my top 3, but I could see Paul ending up bottom 3 just because he's SO unique
Originally Posted By Dabob2 My take: Jacob: Well done, but going first is always dangerous. He's in danger, though he shouldn't be. Haley: I actually liked her this week, and I often don't. But gotta give credit where credit is due. She's no Crystal, soul-wise, but she took on Janis and did a fine job. Casey: I love Credence, and I love Casey playing bass, but gad is right - he missed the point of the song. Lauren: Solid, if unspectacular for me. James: Liked it a lot. Sounded good, felt good, looked good. Stefano: Though the judges said he connected emotionally tonight, I didn't think so, so much. Technically perfect, emotionally arid. Scotty: What am I gonna do with you, kid? Love your voice, but the incessant mugging is really getting to me, and it needs to stop. Way overpraised by the judges. It was okay, but no better than a zillion versions I've heard from bar bands. But I'm just going to go ahead and name him the favorite. He's got the country demographic AND the "OMG he's so cute!" tween girl demographic sewn up, with only tepid competition from Lauren and James, respectively, in those two huge voting blocs. You watch - he'll never even be in the bottom three, even if he has a terrible week. Pia: very pleasantly surprised. Look, this girl has an awesome voice. But so does Celine, but I'm no fan of Celine, and Pia was doing too many similar ballads. Tonight she showed she can not only do uptempo, she can do it REALLY WELL. Paul: Ugh. Pet peeve alert: I HATE it when Idol kids have NO FREAKING CLUE what the song they're singing is about. Paul was the worst tonight, far worse than Casey, for this reason. Folsom Prison Blues is NOT a happy-time rave-up let's-all-smile song! And I'm all for doing a song in a different style musically, but murdering a song emotionally is not the same thing. Paul simply can't pull off "I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die," especially when flashing that goofy, completely non-threatening smile. Ugh. But you almost never see people with the "pimp spot" (aka going last) end up in the bottom three. I think Jacob or Stefano will go home tonight. The latter wouldn't bother me. Great voice, but still no demonstrated ability to perform with genuine emotion, as opposed to tacked-on grimaces.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip My major surprises this week: 1) Casey's song choice continues to be poor. I think he has a HUGE musical talent, but he seems to have a tough time showcasing it. 2) Pia continues to impress me more every week. I originally wrote her off as just another pretty face with a pleasant voice. I'm starting to think she is a top contender. James was awesome, but that is in no way a surprise!
Originally Posted By TXDISNEYNERD <Scotty: What am I gonna do with you, kid? Love your voice, but the incessant mugging is really getting to me, and it needs to stop. Way overpraised by the judges. It was okay, but no better than a zillion versions I've heard from bar bands. > lol, this is exactly how I feel. I almost have to close my eyes while he is on. I thought overall everyone really did great this week. I think it is very tough to name a botton 3. My guess would be Stefano, Casey, and Paul. I love Casey and while it was good, it just wasn't great and I think he could be in danger. I thought Pia and Lauren sounded great, but what was going on with their outfits? From the top up, it looked fine, but IMHO the bottom half was just so unflattering to both of them.
Originally Posted By Labuda I didn't notice what Pia was wearing, but I did think the shorts on Lauren were an odd choice And, I fear you're right about Paul & Casey both being bottom 3. They're my boys, dangit!
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Maybe because I watched it today and not last night I'm not feeling the vibe everyone else did. I'm starting to wonder if I got an Idol left in me. LOL I thought they all did good but of course I'm here to critique the performances so here goes: 1. Jacob: it was his best performance for me personally so far this season. However, I'm not sure if that's because he sang Man in the Mirror or because I'm so grateful he did NOT sing Let's Get it On. ;> 2. Haley: I did not hear what you all heard. She was not Crystal or Kelly. I figured it out - do any of you remember when Janet Jackson was about 6 or so years old and she came out as Mae West on the Johnny Carson show? Well, that Haley on stage. I wish someone would take out her growl button. 3. Casey: Like some of the other "older" folks here, I could not get past the fact that he took a song about Vietnam and made it into a "walking on sunshine" type tune. I love Casey and I liked his performance but the song choice was wrong wrong wrong. 4. Lauren: Again, total lack of grind when need to grind. Never lets completely loose and I'm beginning to think Jimmy I is right, she's really stubborn. 5. James: I liked it. Wasn't blown away by it. 6. Scotty: Dabob2 completely agree about the mugging but I can't believe I'm going to say this - I loved his performance best. Move over Carrie Underwood in 2012/13, he'll be taking home all the CMA awards. My little niece who's, 12, and a 100% R&B, rap, hip-hop listener, is totally in love with Scotty, she's got a Scotty twitter name, a Scotty fan page. Scotty's going to be around for a long while yet. 7. Pia: Zero stage presence. Very strong vocals but so boring to watch. 8. Stefano: Did not like it and I'm a Stefano fan. You could feel Percy's sweat and tears through the radio with that song. I just did not feel the soul of that song from him. 9. Paul: Train wreck. I'm still sitting here stunned at the judges reaction. I have no words for what he did to that song. I hated it. I can't state strongly enough just how much. This reflects how I think America will vote, not my personal opinion. Top 3: Scotty, James, Pia Bottom 3: Paul, Stefano, Jacob Now excuse me while I continue to try and grow a heart. ;>
Originally Posted By Lisann22 The women were styled by Gwen Stefani, who is known for her shorts over tights look.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <My little niece who's, 12, and a 100% R&B, rap, hip-hop listener, is totally in love with Scotty, she's got a Scotty twitter name, a Scotty fan page. Scotty's going to be around for a long while yet.> And this is why he's going to win. Tweens are pretty much "judge-proof." Even if the judges don't like him one week, they'll vote for him anyway. So will the country demographic. I think he's taking this thing.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 I'll go ahead and admit that I actually enjoyed Scotty's singing for the first time last night. I can't look at him and fully agree that the mugging has to go. Too Alfred E Neuman for me. Pia's outfit looked like she forgot to put on the hoop skirt. Looked like she was wearing old fashioned undies. I don't see myself buying any of their albums or going to a concert. If I was in Vegas and was given free tickets I would hope they would be for Casey, Pia or Paul. I would turn down tickets for Scotty, Lauren and Stefano. I am rambling as usual...........carry on
Originally Posted By gadzuux Unlike my grousing about the ridiculous results show a couple of weeks ago with Hulk Hogan, this one ended with real drama. Everyone was shocked, the tears were real, and it just serves as a reminder that this is juuuust a tv show. Best to not get to caught up in people's stories. They'll all be fine. In fact, when they voted off, the whirlwind really begins, with rounds of talk shows and wardrobe fittings and photo ops and personal appearances. Still, the order that these people get voted off seems completely random. Might as well flip a coin.
Originally Posted By Labuda "Too Alfred E Neuman for me." OMG! THAT'S IT! I didn't realize until reading that, but yes, I think that's my issue with Scotty! THANK YOU!!! And, yeah, as for the results - I was thrilled and surprised that Paul wasn't bottom 3, but truly SHOCKED when Stefano did not go home, but instead Pia was sent. WOW!
Originally Posted By Lisann22 It's clearly in my mind a case of everyone voting for their favorites they feel are in danger and leaving those perceived as safe vulnerable. However, you cannot underestimate the power of the 11 to 14 year old teen girls. I think Scotty, Stefano and probably James are benefitting from their votes big time! Pia had a wonderful voice but zero stage presence and I think that finally caught up to her.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I think it just shows that the tween girls OWN Idol now, and they vote for the boys. I know I used to vote in seasons past, but even though I still watch, I think I've voted a grand total of once this year. And probably voted 3 times for one person, and that was it. The tween girls are burning up that speed dial and text. I mean - 5 eliminations, 5 women gone.
