Originally Posted By Dabob2 Me too. Crystal has been better, sure, but I think they almost went out of their way to damn her with faint praise, perhaps trying to tighten the competition? Weirdest for me was Siobhan. She's been much better in the past few weeks than the judges have said; then this week she turns in for me a forgettable performance (noticeably running out of breath and not hitting the low parts of the verses - if I didn't know the song I'd have no idea what those words were - and then doing a far screechier end section than the ones they've criticized for screechiness... and they say it's her best in weeks (!). Wha...? I think they overpraised Casey too, and like Siobhan perhaps because they've underpraised him lately. It seems like they were trying to "even things out" with everybody so they could say "Whoa - we've got a real competition here, it's anybody's game!!" Anyway, the only one still around from my "lower tier" is Aaron; everyone else was my "upper tier" from early on in the final 12, which of course is as it should be. I don't think Aaron will go home, though; I think he's the "non-threatening teen boy that all the tween girls vote for who stays around longer than he should" for this season. Most seasons have one. My guess for going home tonight would be Mike.
Originally Posted By Rsey103 Here's hoping Siobhan gets voted off tonight. If I see those pipe-cleaner legs of hers sticking out of those laced up boots one more time. And the screeching. I can't take it.... She's got to GO.
Originally Posted By magic0214 I thought Shania gave great advice last night and would love to see her as a mentor next year or a permenent judge
Originally Posted By Labuda Well, right now I'm just finishing up tonight's episode. Bottom 3 amazed me, as did the bottom two. But, I'm ok with who left. In fact, I'm just about thrilled about who left.
Originally Posted By TXDISNEYNERD I missed the performances on Tuesday, but I was glad at who left last night. I just wasn't a fan, and never saw what the judges saw in her. Next week they are doing Sinatra. Oh boy.
Originally Posted By Rsey103 I am so happy that screeching ostritch is GONE!! The show will be better now.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 Harry Connick, Jr. was the first "mentor" I've thought was worth having on the show this season. Helpful, substantive, truly participatory, and fun. Say "goodnight," Aaron.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<Say "goodnight," Aaron.>> I dunno, I have a feeling Casey might be getting the hook.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Casey was the weakest last night. By plenty. But the votes don't always go that way. I thought Crystal was the strongest last night, though the judges didn't. Mike was fine but nothing special (and he lost the feel in the middle section); Lee was better but I think the judges still feel like they have to praise him just to let him know he really IS good. That's okay with me (he's still my second fave), but I think like last week they're still under-praising Crystal, just to tighten up the race. Last week she was only okay, but last night she was really good; what the judges saw as "sleepy" in the first section was actually just subtlety; of the kind you WANT in a song like that. Then she brought it up a notch, then back down a notch for the end. Much better than Mike or Lee, who were essentially on the same plane for their whole songs. Casey or Aaron ought to go home tonight; if it's Crystal I'm going to be mightily peeved at the judges. My guess is she stays and the judges give her more love next week (assuming she does well).
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<Casey was the weakest last night. By plenty. But the votes don't always go that way.>> True, but my hunch is not based solely on the performance. It's based on last week's vote. Casey was in the bottom three last week (and the week before too.) The bottom three will be Aaron, Casey, and Mike; the bottom two, Casey and Mike.
Originally Posted By TXDISNEYNERD I'm hoping it is Aaron that goes home even though Casey did do the weakest last night. I thought Lee did the best, but did think Cyrstal did better than the judges comments.
Originally Posted By Rsey103 Casey's a goner. He seems like he's just not into it anymore. I feel like Aaron is safe.
Originally Posted By Labuda HALLELUJAH! Not sure if I've mentioned here how I want the final four to play out, but after tonight's episode, it's still possible! WOO HOO!
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 <<I think like last week they're still under-praising Crystal, just to tighten up the race. Last week she was only okay, but last night she was really good; what the judges saw as "sleepy" in the first section was actually just subtlety; of the kind you WANT in a song like that. Then she brought it up a notch, then back down a notch for the end.>> I absolutely agree, and I was so happy that Crystal had/made the opportunity to explain this obvious point immediately after the judge's ridiculous comments about her performance. There has been a lot of speculation about why AI has been dropping in the ratings. I don't pretend to know why others have stopped watching the show. But I can say what is most likely to put me off watching. And that is exactly the phenomenon that Dabob2 noted above. This season, more than ever, it seems as though the judge's comments have more to do with maximizing AI's ratings than they do with honest reactions to the contestants' singing. It too often feels as though the producing/judging group has decided well ahead of the actual performances as to how the judges will react to each contestant. I'm disappointed in the show for this. I'm especially disheartened that Ellen would take part in this scam.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 AI's opening group number is frequently an embarassment. But I thought that tonight's medley of Frank Sinatra songs was REALLY well done by every one of the final five. If only each of the contestants had performed that well last night.
