The stage is silent. The theater is supposed to be empty. Two Davids stand in the dark facing each other. Cook is dressed the way they dress God in those irony flicks. Archuleta wears nothing but a starched diaper. Seacrest leaps to center stage, the lights come up, the crowd roars, and we begin our last results show. As he says "THIS" the two Davids whip their heads around to face the cameras. Wow. And I thought last night was ridiculous.

Let's talk about last night for just a moment: The producers tried, didn't they? They tried to inject a little testosterone into this "battle" between these "boys." Ultimately, however, they are just two weeping, waxy, puling kittens in a shiny basket.

Tonight the judges are wearing Coca-Cola red! The big production number at the beginning showcases the top 12 all in white, supported by last year's top ten from So You Think You Can Dance. I don't even know what song they're singing -- I am blinded by all the earnest well-meaning youth parading around the stage. Next, the two finalists sing a duet to that song about how they say that a hero will save us, but they're not going to stand there and wait.

Well, we've pimped our next talent show (starting tomorrow night!), now it's time to pimp Mike Myers' new movie, "The Love Guru." Pimp that movie, finalists. Pimp that movie, Ryan. The pimping takes forever and is not at all funny. Very awkward, very polite. It *is* funny, though, when Ryan sits down on the guru's remote control magic carpet and some clever operator in the wings drives it fast right up to the edge of the stage and gives Ryan a heart attack. That is funny. I'm afraid Mike Myers has taken a bit of a bowel movement on this new movie though.

Seal and Syesha sloppily sing a song that is possibly called "I have been waiting for you". They politely dance next to each other. Both the duets so far have been extremely messy and ill-rehearsed. Jason Castro reprises his performance of "Hallelujah" on the meaningful moment stool. What weird, tremulous camera angles we get! In one shot, we look right up his nose, past the "on" light on the microphone, and for a second it was almost as if his shaking, sweating hands were comign right at my face. YUCK.

Smile and buy a FORD! The pimpmercial this week takes the form of an outtakes reel from pimpmercials from days gone by. Yah, we don't care to buy your terrible automobile.

David and David have changed clothes again and Ryan gives them the keys to matching Escape Hybrids.

the girls, in red, sing "Works Hard for the Money' and other tunes by Donna Summers. Amanda Overmyer is in droid mode. I think she does not feel confident with the choreography. All of them seem just a little bit tense. But WAIT! Behind those completely inexplicable break dancers, it's the REAL DONNA SUMMERS! She wants us to stomp our feet on the ground. Her microphone is really glittery. Even Ryan Seacrest has to obey, as he peels off his jacket and joins the head-spinning break dancers stage right. Incredible. Now she's singing Last Dance and the girls are parading about. What is WRONG with Amanda Overmeyer? Is she bitter or just drunk? Even on the final pose, a nice fist-pump for disco, she kind of limply extends a wrist as if it's hurting her. BRING IT, AMANDA. You bought this donkey, now you have to ride it home, no matter how bad it stinks.

Wasn't there already a Hulk movie?

Carly Smithson and Michael Johns sing "The Letter." As in "my baby done wrote me a letter." This is the only performance so far that I like. Yes, it's shouty and cheesey, but at least they look like they're human. And having fun. Ryan takes this opportunity to remind us that we can see these people on tour this summer. Neat.

Jimmy Kimmel does some stand-up. He ends with, "May God bless our next American Idol, whoever he may be."

Time for the guys to do their group number. Hey remember that guy that was a gay stripper! They do "Back in the Summer of 69" and Michael does so well on it! The others sound ridiculous singing this song, but Michael really should have done this when he was on the show. OOP! SURPRISE! It's the real Bryan Adams! he looks a little wild and homeless and a little like Lance Armstrong auditioning for The Traveling Wilburys. Little pitchy, there, Bryan Adams. Tom Petty you ain't. Ghastly, overall. The first 15 seconds, when it was just Michael Johns singing the first verse of "Summer of 69", were quite good. The rest dire.

Hey, everybody, it's Jordin! In a hot pink dress she introduces us to the idea of an American Idol Experience at Disney World. Did I not predict this time last year that Disney and American Idol would form an unholy alliance over this fresh-faced teen?

David Cook and ZZ Top sing "Sharp Dressed Man." David does much better in front of a rock band than he does as a soloist, but the song goes on too long. He doesn't have the intensity for a lead singer. All his intensity leaks out his droopy stance. Thank god, not an ironic banker vest in sight tonight, though. I just think he needs a bit more license. More slam.

Brooke White sings "Teach Your Children Well" with Graham Nash. Wow, a giant swollen toe is sticking out from under her gown -- is she barefoot? Gross. Okay, you can sing a hippie song with a wooden guitar dumped in your lap, but you can't do it without shoes.

Okay, I am pretty sure I just saw a Guitar Hero commercial with David Cook sporting the Best Look in the World, as defined by Andy Sandberg on SNL. No blurred bits, but, too much for me.

Next to perform is a curly-headed boy band. Ryan lets the women in the crowd introduce them, and then don't articulate clearly, so I don't know who they are. I don't want to know, either. They all need punched in the shorts. Oh, the Jonas Brothers, Ryan tells us.

Time for the worst audition clips. The "I Am Your Brother" guy in the feathery hat gets the USC cheerleaders and marching band to back him up on stage. Ryan and Paula and Randy join in. That's the kind of levity I can appreciate. But I will not purchase the ringtone, like you did.

One Republic now performs "Apologize." Didn't this squinting tool do this same song on some other finale show? Or was that SNL? SYTYCD? Falsetto a little quaky, there, tool. WAIT, here comes Archuleta to sing it WAY BETTER than the original guy. Nobody ever said that Archuleta couldn't blow. Strangely, the original Apologize guy insists on singing the high note every time, although he's clearly almost breaking it off on that note, and he gets more and more weird and barky and tense through the song. As if he know Archuleta could hand his ass to him, if Archuleta was let off the chain. Or whatever. Who cares.

Jordin Sparks lumbers out to sing her cute little pop song, in a metallic gold dress that's in the shape of Alice's Wonderland frock, or... mayeb something a six year old might wear to a piano recital, if the six year old was wearing last year's five-year-old dress and showing a little too much knee. She won't stand STILL either, she keeps stomping across the stage, even SKIPPING, even TWIRLING!? Totally embarrassing. Starting to feel like this show will never be over.

Time to pimp another movie. Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. pretend to be Gladys Knight's back-up singers. It goes on too long and Robert Downey Jr.'s comedy reminds me of Amanda Overmeyer's opening act demeanor. Or like a gay dog trainer, the kind that makes you wonder, is he wearing mascara?

Carrie Underwood is up next. She's wearing a long white suit jacket as a dress, and it's not long enough. She has also attached some kind of curtain to each sleeve. The song is about how she got drunk and had a one night stand. It looks like she had a one night stand with a middle aged bride and woke up and threw on half of her girlfriend's demure and mature wedding dress on the way out. Accessorizing it with a shower curtain. Wasn't her last hit called "Jesus Take the Wheel"? What happened to that whole thing?

The top twelve sing again. I feel fondly about them all. George Michael sings. I do not feel fondly. He is wearing giant brown-tinted sunglasses and looks like a scary community theater enthusiast. The song is supposed to have some kind of social message, at least if you believe George Michael's *very expressive* left hand. I think George Michael is trying to become Roger Waters, right there on the American Idol stage. Is this song from a musical? Paula is CRYING. The very expressive left hand is now signing "HELP" and pointing heavenward. It is detaching from his arm and flying around the theater wiping everyone's tears. Just when the song seems over, it's not over. Apparently the guy operating the spot thinks it's over. And behind George Michaels, the sun sinks into a body of water. The message must be global warming.

TIME FOR RESULTS: The winner is David Cook.

Okay, in the SECOND after Ryan said "Cook" my Tivo ended the show. So I saw no reaction, no aftermath, and did he sing a "winning song" or what? I have no idea what happened after the two hour mark. Someone tell me.

I am shocked and PLEASED.

Labels: american idol, finale, recap, television

Ryan predicts devastation for whoever comes in third tonight. He says that historically this has been true. I wish I could remember anything about any of the other third place contestants from other seasons. Tonight we all know it will be Syesha, based on the fact that Randy told her last night she was #3. Ryan then reminds us that the judges will be there to salve the wounds. Paula's boobs erupt over her deep v-neck dress in an enthusiastic wave, as her back drips out over the back. Salve. Precious salve.

The contestants sing "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" and execute a dance routine that reminds me of the kiddie jazz class at my kids' dance school. Median age 9. David Cook looks like a David Cook robot. Syesha is wearing white tennis shoes. Archuleta looks like he's been recently beaten with sticks. Ford reminds us how safe their cars are and how high-tech their designers are. When the commercial is over, I immediately forget that the safe company is Ford. I think it might be Velveeta or Target.

Ryan claims that the votes this year are closer! than! ever! It is the closest vote yet!!! Fifty six billion people voted! Don't believe the rumors, people! This show is on fire.

Next we suffer through the video recap of last night. Nothing more predictable, nothing more loathesome, nothing more boring. I'll tell you what -- Syesha looks like a really nice person. She has a beautiful voice and a lot of pizzazz. Cook is an insufferable, white, puckered breast. Archuleta is a frightening manchild whose puppet strings are nearly visible in HD. I'm almost sure Syesha is going home.

WAIT! HERE COMES FANTASTIA ON COCAINE! She has red hair, several extra butts, and a sequinned pantsuit! Fantasia is the only Idol finalist I have ever loved, and now I remember why. She is omg farking crazy. She's doing speed-farked, funked up, psycho-disco. Unbelievably uncomfortable. At one point, we cut to Simon Cowell's face and he's registering complete horror and disbelief. Ryan interviews her, revealing that she has gold braces? Or is wearing a small strip of orange peel instead of top teeth? At the end of the interview they pretend to make out. Fantasia is very sweaty. Wow. NOW THAT IS LIFE PEOPLE. Take a memo, Archuleta. Breathing means in and out, in and out. Blood goes out to the cells, back to the lungs for more oxygen. SEE? LIVELY-LIKE. Ya little dim-bulb.

Ryan calls Archuleta to the stage. He's wearing a Members Only type jacket.

ARCHULETA HOME TRIP: In Utah, cheerleaders hug David. A newscaster asks him, "Does it feel like it's been a long trip to this point?" David reveals, "It feels like a lot has happened." Everywehre he goes in his home town, girls are screaming. Seriously, during this whole segment, there are screaming teenagers. They go to like THE MALL and stuff, and there are like many teenage girls in hoodies! Yeah, I'm pretty sure this little weeping boil is going to win. He wipes away the tears with his stumpy little dwarf digits and says, "GOSH!" He didn't mean to cry, he explains, but "Gosh." Again and again with the "Gosh." A man whose mustaches could pick his neighbors' noses declares today David Archuleta Day and the manchild sings "Imagine" again. All the way through the trip his tiny taut mother and his looming, edgy father hover over him like trainers around a fancy dog that has learned how to open mail.

Back on stage, he says "Gosh!" again, and Ryan reassures him: It's alright to show emotion. You know what David? Really it's not. Not alright. You know what he's kind of like? He's like a nervous, emasculated Jerry Mather on Leave it to Beaver. With all the gosh and awww gee and wowzer, you could almost see him in a plaid button-down shirt and belted flat-front pants. But... I'm sorry to say that even the Beav is more masculine than our Archie. Sorry.

SYESHA MERCADO'S HOME TRIP: Syesha is not followed by screaming girls, but she does have a police escort. With good reason: Someone hands her a baby as she's saying "I can't I can't I can't." Syesha's crowds are weird. Then she goes home and her father reveals that he has struggled with drugs and alcohol, but this has given him a reason to stay clean. And a purpose. Wow, way to lay your shit on your daughter. At her old high school, Syesha imparts this wisdom: Dreams do come true, so make it happen. Then she goes up in a helicopter and meets the mayor of Sarasota, an elderly woman in purple pants, who does a handstand for Syesha. Back in the limo Syesha delivers an actual moment of true emotion -- crying and clutching a Sarasota snow globe she says she is living her dream. A NICE GIRL. I HOPE SHE DOES WELL.

DAVID COOK'S HOME VISIT: In Kansas City, MO, a newscaster says "WE ARE ON COOK LOOK LIVE!" Then he lets DC do the weather. A crying blonde wants him to win so bad! Lots of people in the crowd at his outdoor show have AC/DC insignia, and have written on their palms. Someone raises a white cut-out of an electric guitar with DC on it. DC is the tool master! Then he takes a trip to his old elementar school where he surprises his elementary school music teacher who is sitting there waiting on stage in a crowded gymnasium with a "David Cook is My Idol!" t-shirt on. She was totally shocked. No, but, that was kind of nice. Then he has a parade, a ball game, and more. Lots of peopel scream and wave golden pom pons and DC sheds a few manly tears. PEH. I'm sure everyone decent and good will point out that he took his brother along everywhere he went, and that was probably a decent and good thing to do, but I will not forget the ironic banker vests and pink ties.

Results after the commercials! Fast forward omg fast forward!!!!!!

We're back. Randy tells the final three they did a good job, they should be proud. Paula says, "You're all standing in a path that's reserved for nothing but great things to come!" Simon says he likes these three. He predicts a real humdinger next week.

In the finals: David (gosh! gosh! oh my gosh!) and David (grim smile)

"We say goodbye to Syesha tonight." She looks unsurprised. A tiny bit annoyed maybe, but in no way surprised. So next week, David vs. David. May the best lip-quiver win.

Labels: american idol, recap, television, top three

Remember when Bo Bice and Kelly Pickler and Taylor Hicks used to climb down off the stage and stomp around on risers behind the judges and storm around the studio slapping hands?? Man, those were the days. This is final four week and nobody has condescendingly high-fived the fat guy in row five. What's wrong with these cringing pansies?

Ryan introduces tonight's theme: The Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame. He makes bold statements about how deep and wide the ocean of songs from which the idols can choose -- lies, lies and falsifications. This is just another way to reintroduce Beatles Night III.

DAVID COOK: DC is going to sing "Hungry Like a Wolf" by Duran Duran. The mix is completely mysteriously uneven, with the vocals way out front and bald, and the band way down and kinda fuzzed out. It sounds like a man in a snakeskin jacket is standing out in a field of close-cropped grass shouting "DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO" while far away in a tree a band plays solemnly. Maybe in the room it sounded good, but at home we notice things we should never have to notice, like DC delivering that last line as "Helluva Wine! Dark Sugar Wine!" Do we need to mention how unsavory his pooched out, faded daisy, bee-stung lippage looks when he's nodding and giving us Blue Steel during the nonsensical "doo doo doo" parts? Did Brooke White not teach us all the important lesson that covering songs with "doo-doo" makes you sound like hot greasy poo-poo? Randy says it was mediocre. Paula says she has a big appetite. Simon thought it was copycat. He didn't make it his own. DC stands there like a double-dog-douche squinting and nodding and mouthing "thank you" to the girls in the front row.

SYESHA MERCADO: Syesha sits on the interview stools underneath a glamorous new wig, wearing a gold shift dress, with the coke bottles bubbling behind her, and pimps the tour. Good job. Way to show up. She's going to sing "Proud Mary" by Tina Turner although she is a little intimidated by all the choreography and the fact that it's been covered a hundred times. She is going to have fun with it. Uh-oh. Look out. Fun is about to be had. Hide your children. Cover the fruit! Syesha is about to do that thing with her hands! She does the first verse at a slow tempo while rotating her booty around in complex pattern. Believable. Moderate. The kind of dance move that could almost lead a person to be optimistic about the future. Then as the tempo picks up, there is a transitional period where Syesha convulses rhythmically, shaking her stiff new weave back and forth. Finally she does something that looks like she's trying to get a cat off her head. Apparently still under attack by a mad cat, she whirls around the stage, strutting, shrieking, and stomping. Randy and Paula froth with admiration. Simon says it was a lame rip-off of Tina Turner. I agree with... the invisible cat that was trying to de-weave Syesha. Go back to the signature hair puffs, girl.

JASON CASTRO: Jason gives us the following info in his interview: Tonight's theme is the rock 'n' roll hall of fame. There were a lot of songs on the list that he knew. He is going to do one of the ones that he knows pretty well. He is going to sing a song by Bob Marley. It is called "I Shot the Sheriff." He delivers this very enlightening information with the facial expression and vocal inflection of a twelve year old talking about her cute English teacher. So gross. Jason starts off well, in my opinion. I think if he'd done it all without the guitar, and if the mix had been better, so that his voice wasn't all alone out there on the stage with the band in a back room behind a door with a towel stuffed into the crack, he might have laid down a really great performance. Swinging the guitar back and forth, and with the vocal all out of whack, it did kind of suck. All the judges hated it. Simon calls it a first round audition type massacre. Apparently you're not allowed to do Bob Marley, although the song was, as we ALL KNOW, chosen for Jason by the producers. Randy and Simon go through the charade of disagreeing with the song choice, acting like Jason did Ave Maria with his finger up his nose. Jason laughs through the criticism, and then mouths "VOTE! VOTE!" to the camera while his number is being given.

DAVID ARCHULETA: David sings "Stand By Me." It was all very fine I'm sure. I am too bored by David Archuleta to say anything new. The judges fawn and throw roses as usual. Simon says he could have gotten on stage and whistled a song and would have done better than "the last one." I guess it's time for Jason Castro to go home. Good thing Vote for the Worst is on his side now, along with all the fourteen year old girls in the country.

DAVID COOK: On the stools, David interviews that "the par that I've set for myself on this show is really high." Yes, par. He's going to sing "Baba O'Riley" by The Who. He sings it kinda like a Bryan Adams song. Very dull and mainstream. All the edge of a playground ball. I forgot to listen to what the judges said.

SYESHA MERCADO: Syesha lets us know that the civil rights movement was a pivotal moment in history. This is, she adds, a pivotal movement in her history. So, top four of American Idol, civil rights movement, "A Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cook. She looks great in a beautifully fitted satin evening gown. I hope she enjoys this performance, because it's her last. Goodbye, Syesha. Jason Castro is too cute and giggly and stoned and popular to be defeated by you. Randy didn't like it. Paula gives her a standing O. From one woman in a golden evening dress to another, it was a superstar performance. "Welcome to your dream, Syesha. This is it for you." And here come the tears. Save some for tomorrow, though, honey. Simon agrees with Paula: she sang it really really well. Syesha sobs and chokes and hiccups "It means a lot to me" then takes the opportunity to remind us about the civil rights movement and how she researched the song. That info is not exactly buried in the annals of history, sweetie.

JASON CASTRO: Back in the meaningless world of hey-whatsup snap your fingers and giggle, Jason signs "Mr. Tambourine Man" on the meaningful stool with a yellow spot on him. Unfortunately on "jingle jangle morning" he sings "der dee-der dee-der" with a silly shrug. Woops! Forgot the words! You know what? I still pick him over David Careful-hair-strands Cook or Syesha Acting-is-my-true-passion Mercado or David Amniotic-sac-head Archuleta. Okay? His performances are the only ones I'd want to listen to again. Forgotten lines notwithstanding. Ass-headed delivery of Bob Marley notwithstanding.

I'll tell you the truth, friends. I'm weary of this smug, manipulative, piss-faced show, okay? END IT. Crown that wet little hobbit and let's get on with our lives.

DAVID ARCHULETA: Omigod, I thought the show was over. But, DA is back and he's going to sing "Love Me Tender." He says it will be exciting to sing a really romantic love song on the big stage. I'm so excited I just stuffed a couch cushion into each ear and put my eyes out. As for the song, I can't separate it from the dog food commercial that utilized these lyrics in like 1990. At the end of the song, we get such a tight shot on David's moist, earnest face that I can count his nascent eyebrows. The judges start pulling out their organs and offering them to David as spares. Simon: "You didn't beat the competition tonight. You crushed the competition tonight."

Best performance: David Archuleta
My pick: Jason Castro
Boring the plasma out of me: David Cook
Going home: Syesha Mercado

Labels: american idol, recap, summary, television, top four

Ryan introduces the show by pondering aloud whether anyone will have a nervous breakdown on stage. I think they have an loony bin paddy wagon on standby for Brooke at all times, just in the hopes that she will start foaming and slapping at people. Ryan reminds us how Neil Diamond is, in the words of the montage voiceover, "relentless." And of course, with songs like "America" to choose from -- well, can I skip tonight? No?

At the mentoring sessions, Neil Diamond is not wearing tinsel fringe. Downright weathered. Almost In fact, he looks a little bit like Neil Young. Now that would be a mentor. Glarp! Neil encourages the Idols to be joyful.

JASON CASTRO: First up to be mentored by this strange new Neil Diamond who wears tasteful brown suede is Jason. He shows us he's bringing his M game by immediately forgetting the lyrics to "Forever in Blue Jeans." Forever in oh, crap, my dreadlock fell off in my duck confit. Jason puts in a competent performance with his acoustic guitar and tonight the string section is in business casual. During this song for the first time I can kind of imagine Jason Castro having a future on the adult contemporary charts. Of course, he is wearing blue jeans. Never one to miss a visual metaphor. Tonight the idols will be judged after their second performance, so we don't get to hear from Snip, Snap and Snape until after the second song.

DAVID COOK: Slinging his electric guitar (the white one with the letters AC on it), befriended by a sweet-looking amp stack, and wearing a black business suit with AC appliqued on the front, David sings "I'm Alive." Neil Diamond liked him alright, and the song went fine. However, when Ryan leaps up onstage and addresses him as "DC" -- and I realize that *that* is what all of this AC nonsense is about. I am flattened into powder by the sudden crushing volume of his toolishness. I mean, he had AC emblazoned on his lapel, with, like red gothic letters. Has there ever BEEN such a vile chunk of excrement on this stage? I mean, I can't even look, people. ACDC my dog's puckered bung.

BROOKE WHITE: Brooke asks Neil if he's a hugger or a hand shaker. Uh, he's a serial decapitator. Step up. Brooke sings "I'm a Believer" in such a happy, schmappy, favorite-eccentric-aunt-singing-karaoke way that I feel bad already, just anticipating what vicious criticism will be leveled by Simon Cowell. It was a pretty bad show -- the key too low, the arrangement too reminiscent of the end credits of Shrek, and she played the guitar like she was trying to saw a log in half.

DAVID ARCHULETA: Neil Diamond looks at David Archuleta like he's a lemon bar lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Calls him a prodigy. And David sings "Sweet Caroline" just like you'd expect. There's a point in the middle somewhere when he attempts a fancy run on "they never would" that kind of gets away from him, and I'd almost swear it was edited just then. Like they let him have a tiny bit of a do-over or clipped out some of the mess. I'm sure not, I mean, this show is nothing if not authentic, right? Evidence that DA is a great big green healthy plant notwithstanding.

SYESHA MERCADO: In her mentoring session, she had Neil Diamond clapping and hugging. She sings "Hello Again" with long straight hair, a simple navy dress, and bare feet. She looks beautiful, and she actually delivers the words of the song as if she speaks English and understands what she's singing, unlike the last four screechers who might as well have been reciting "LA LA LA Neil Diamond wrote this song and we all know the words!"

After this round is over, Ryan brings out the contestants and lets the judges give their thoughts to this point. Randy burbles incomprehensibly. Paula apologizes for not being able to read and write, and then critiques Jason Castro rather harshly on two separate songs. When reminded that she was supposed to critique the first song only, she says, "I thought you sang twice!" Then she gets confused and starts rubbing her crib sheet under her armpits. Randy and Simon jumped in to helpfully say, "WHICH WAS YOUR FAVORITE, PAULA? YOUR FAVORITE?" as if she is deaf and ninety. Simon blasts them all and warns them they'd better improve on round two. Can't wait. I hate this episode, it's dreadfully boring. The commercials for "So You Think You Can Dance" are more interesting than this show.

JASON CASTRO: Jason sings "September Morn" on the "special moment" stool. I think he does really very well. Not that he interprets the lyrics or anything, but again, I can see that kind of Harry Connick Jr. audience going for him all of a sudden. This guy could be, like, absolutely mainstream. PLUS I had another brainwave on my endless search for who Jason Castro looks like: Emily Watson. Believe it. Randy didn't like it. Paula thought it was too safe and recommends Jason start to fight for this. Simon calls it forgettable and tells Jason they don't know who he is.

DAVID COOK: Douchey McToolerson sings "All I Really Need is You" with an acoustic guitar and does a fine job. Bit much on the "this microphone is made of opiates and I melt before it" pantomime. Nobody cares about this song. It gets loud, it gets quiet, it is executed by someone who is wearing a girly necklace. Randy is a big fan. Paula feels like she's already looking at the American Idol. Simon thought the first song was okay, the second song brilliant. Could have been on the radio this year.

BROOKE WHITE: Why aren't they letting them change clothes? Brooke's clothes were awful the first time, now they're practically offensive. I don't even know how to describe the grey, damaged, multilayered moist towellette she's got on top, but I do know it's belted. On the interview stools, Ryan reveals she has a lyric written on her arm. She sings "I am Myself" changing "New York City" to "Arizona" on the advice of Neil Diamond. Randy thought it was hard and she did a good job, Paula thought she connected with the audience and made herself vulnerable. Simon said that this the Brooke we like, a million times better than the first song.

DAVID ARCHULETA: This time up, Archuleta sings kind of a Sting-ish version of "America." His voice squeaks once. He says "of thee I sing" twice. Then he ends with "let freedom ring." I have to go outside now and take a wire brush to my eyes and ears. If I try and do it in the living room, my husband will stop me. These images and sounds must be eradicated. The judges crawl up on stage and try to grasp the hem of his garment. Look, I'm not saying his arrangements weren't well managed tonight. But remind yourself: they're not his arrangements. Nowhere is this "make it your own" fallacy so apparently fallacious as with David Archuleta's "choices."

SYESHA MERCADO: She sings "Thank the Lord for the Nighttime." Still in bare feet. Reminds me of her Andrew Lloyd Webber performance. The judges approve, but Simon predicts that she's in trouble tonight.

Here's the truth: The only performers who are actually comfortable on stage are Syesha and Jason. To some extent, David Cook seems comfortable and confident, but I think he's just doing a good job masking his worry that he will be exposed as a fraud. David Archuleta and Brooke White are white quivering ganglions of fear in the spotlight. Therefore they should go home. I'm tired of watching them tremble and quake.

Best Performance: Syesha with "Hello Again."
Worst Performance: Brooke with "I'm a Believer."
Going home: Brooke.

This show could very well come down to the two Davids. If it does, my boredom may reach out of the grey miasma that surrounds me and strangle me in its cool depths. But I will try to persevere.

Labels: american idol, neil diamond, recap, summary, television, top five

Has it really been a week? Have I really neglected in the interim to blog about literature and art? Is it true that the top search terms in the history of this blog are "Danny Noriega Gay" and "Robbie Carrico Wig" and "Jason Castro Looks Like John Travolta"? I am so killing myself. Right after I find out what Phantom of the Opera song Carly decides to sing! Squee! This! Is! American Idol!

Ryan announces that the finale will be powered by green power. Hamster wheels powering the spotlights, burning dung lighting up the monitors, smoked offal in the judges' Coke glasses. Go green! The band is now positioned down on the stage. I guess I should prepare myself for some very special moments.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is a little man with a giant head and the sleeves of his suits reveal a little too much of his plump wrists, but I love him. My husband says, "Never trust a person who uses all three of their names." I ask why. He replies, "Because ten times out of ten, they've killed somebody." I say that he wrote "Evita" and therefore he can do no wrong. He says "Don't cry for me, Ryan Seacrest."

Randy and Simon speculate that this will be the toughest week ever. Paula says did we see Cloverfield? Because that monster was like ripping things apart totally.

SYESHA MERCADO: In the Phantom Theater in Las Vegas, surrounded by mannikins in box seats, Syesha asks Sir Webber, "Can I be like animated and stuff?" Andy Dub says "Well, let me see the unanimated version." Syesha rolls her eyes and puffs out her lips and delivers "unanimated." Then he asks her to be "animated" and she acts like Shirley Temple. He recommends the latter. She appears in a tight red dress, standing on the grand piano, and puts on a big show. She looks cute and confident. The judges all agree that she did great. Something about the way her electrons wink in and out of existence when I look directy at her make it difficult for me to pay attention when she performs. But quantum theory notwithstanding, I believe that tonight she exhibited something resembling a personality.

JASON CASTRO: Jason interviews with his signature poise and eloquence that he was "kind of like uuuhhh" about singing music from Cats. He trys singing "Memories" for ALW and ALW describes it as a bit of a jolt, pointing out that in the musical it is sung by an aging glamourpuss. Never had he thought of it being sung by a guy in dreadlocks. Yeah. Jason admits he didn't know it was being sung "by a cat." He sings it in a beige linen suit with the star machine on, overwrought and breathy, the lower notes disappearing into the gauzy depths of his weedy and pale adam's apple. Randy calls it a train wreck. Paula rhapsodized about how he expressed himself. Simon compared it to a young guy being forced to sing his parents' song at a wedding.

BROOKE WHITE: Brooke is going to sing "You Must Love Me." Andrew Lloyd Webber observed in coaching that she had no idea what she was singing about. After some instruction and some background info on what the song is actually about, Brooke manages to simulate a sad facial expression, earning high praise from the master. She starts out the song, barfs up a word, asks to start over, then sings it real nice with hand gestures and everything. YES YOU HEARD ME: SHE STOPPED AND STARTED OVER. She sang four or five words and then stopped, asked the band to start over, and then sang it again. Randy said it was alright, he bought the emotion. The camera turns to Paula and the crowd grows eerily silent. Paula, in the middle of a terrible hush, pauses, and then says in a very calm voice "You must never start and stop and start again." As if she's saying, "You have six months to live." Simon says that in her position, having forgotten the lyric, he would have done the same thing. Everyone knows that Brooke is over though.

The way Jason and Brooke have talked about their songs, the way they delivered them, the way they interviewed about them and how little they knew about them when they first presented them to Andrew Lloyd Webber -- it's clear they were assigned these songs. They did not know what they were choosing, if any choosing was involved. The myth of song choice is busted.

DAVID ARCHULETA: David gets awkwardly hugged by a gaggle of Ugly Betty look-alikes on the stools. Apparently they are all his sisters? Andrew Lloyd Webber gives him props for reimagining "Think of Me" as a pop song instead of a diva song. He then advises David to open his eyes while he sings. "The eyes have it! That's why they say that!" he says. I am too kind and I admire the man too much to tell him it's actually ayes that have it and it's more about voting than emoting. But he knew that, right? He was just playing, right? David A's version of "Think of Me" is cute and peppy, but too heavy on the strings and a little boy-bandy when it could have kicked in a bit more on the second verse they're allowing the kids to do now that they have time to kill. Randy says it was the bomb. Paula says it was absolutely perfect. She says, she actually says, that he took a risk -- by turning it into a pop ballad. What risk? It was like turning honey into maple syrup. Not particularly dangerous. Simon calls it forgettable. David A looks like he might cry. Poor David! Subjected to criticism! Not nice!

CARLY SMITHSON: She was going to sing "That's All I Ask of You" but Andrew Lloyd Webber convinced her to do "Superstar" instead. That's right, the titular song from "Jesus Christ Superstar" -- a song/musical considered dangerously blasphemous by a significant percentage of the voting public. This is the opposite of Kristy Lee Cook doing "God Bless the USA." This is song-choice suicide. I'm expecting Carly's tattooed husband to bite the head of a cocker spaniel when they show him in the audience. She is wearing a sequinned jersey dress with funky fleur de lis down the front. During the judging, Carly seems to be holding a t-shirt that says "Simon Loves Me (this week)" and Ryan makes air quotes while reading the parentheses. Husband says, "Where did the shirt come from? Did she have it balled up and stuck in her butt?" Hmm--- maybe!

DAVID LEE COOK: Well isn't that fantastic. He grew up doing musical theater. Something tells me we're not going to get a Whitesnake rendition of "Don't Cry For Me Argentina." Andrew Lloyd Webber calls "Music of the Night" the sexiest song he's ever written, and during the mentoring, he demands that David picture him as a gorgeous girl, which he says he "regrettably" is not. Wow. Interesting dynamic. Cook is going to play this superstraight (oh yes, SUPERstraight) and sing it just like it is in the musical -- no cute rhythmic change-ups, no guitar, just eye-farking the camera and emoting like billy-o. Randy calls it a molten hot lava bomb. Paula calls him well rounded and tells him he has a beautiful instrument. Simon says "You made the most of the song you were given." So, they were given songs.

Best Performance: Syesha Mercado or David Cook.
Worst Performance: Brooke.
Going Home: Brooke. Bye, my sweet crazy girl.

Labels: american idol, andrew lloyd webber, recap, summary, television, top six

My TIVO failed to record sound during the first 3:47 minutes of this episode. This near catastrophe caused my husband to almost believe that there could be a reason to go on living in this merciless world of ours, but then the sound kicked in just in time to tell us that Mariah Carey's album is called E=MC2 and the first single from this album is called "Touch My Body." Um Mariah? Aristotle called. He wants his disjuncture of spirit and flesh back. Thanks.

Mariah brought her dog to the mentoring sessions and he wasn't cute. She recommended that the idols not see her as Mariah Carey but as their friend that they met last week who sings for a living.

DAVID ARCHULETA: David uses his breathy upspeak to tell us that meeting Mariah was overwhelming. His body language with her was weird -- like she was made out of molten lava and he didn't want to singe his faux 80s grunge t-shirt. But wait -- SOMETHING IS HAPPENING! Mariah actually gave him a note on the song! She made a recommendation that he go up into his falsetto (three syllables, thanks Mariah) at one point and -- that is the first time any of the "mentors" have actually given them advice. David sings "I Believe." Runs, gyrations, fist-clutching, penetrating gazes, and yes, lip-licking. The judges love it. Randy reveals to us that David is usually so nervous he doesn't eat. David says that today he "managed to eat." What a wilted dandelion is David Archuleta. What a forgotten, late-afternoon dandelion in a fingerprinted orange juice glass, laid out limp against the lip, devoid of chloroplast, vacuoles depleted, and no one wants to throw it away, because that cute child delivered it in its fat fist, but really, it's time to clear the table.

CARLY SMITHSON: On the stools, Carly talks about how boring it all is without Michael Johns around. Apparently the idols all sit around now looking at each other wondering who's going to crack a joke. Wow, makes me want to buy a Ford, really. She sings "I Can't Live Without You" or whatever it's called, I think we've heard this song most recently on a commercial for self-sticking shelf liner. She sings it until its tail falls off and it wanders around, tailless, wondering what to do next. They show a long, lingering shot of Carly's richly, deeply, darkly tattooed husband. She sings it over about eight octaves. Randy thought the lower octave was weak. Paula is in that mode where she talks in really clipped, short words and nods little nods on every word. Simon says he's been waiting to hear this song, but he feels like Carly didn't pull it off. He feels she has the capacity but didn't do it "on the night." They want her GONE, people. Gone.

That guy who was the guy in Enchanted has gone on to do a very crappy Chicklit movie. He's going to be a bridesmaid. GET IT? FUNNY BECAUSE HE IS A MAN!!!!!!

SYESHA MERCADO: Mariah wrote the song "Vanishing" when she was a teenager. It is still one of her favorites. Syesha apparently sang a bunch of wrong notes, which Mariah went through, with the pianist, and nicely fixed. That was nice. Syesha looks great tonight in a gold dress -- a little old but great. Again she delivers a very technical performance, very perfect, to me it actually seems more emotional than she usually gives us. As she stands before the judges she actually looks like she might be crying. Randy thought it was good. Difficult but good. Paula thinks it was a smart decision to choose a song that not a lot of people knew. Simon thought that was a dumb decision. You know what? Syesha is beautiful, and she looks like a really nice person, but she bores me near to apoplexy.

BROOKE WHITE: Brooke interviews on the stools that she missed her sister's wedding to meet with Mariah Carey. Wah, wah, she probably has lots more sisters. Brooke sings "Hero" at the piano, and we see quite a few deliberate tight shots of her hands. They look fine, perfectly matching her face this time. She must have given the old man hands back to the old man. Good decision Brooke. She messes up a little on her piano part, and I wonder why she's playing it so fast. These people accompany themselves on the piano and then just play chords on the beat! Like, regular, expected, unremarkable chords. Still, I thought she sounded heartfelt, genuine, and delivered the song honestly. I like Brooke, and she looks good in sparkles instead of the usual western 70s shirt. Randy thought it was good -- he liked the singer songwriter vibe. Paula thought it got a little faster throughout. Simon thought it was like ordering a hamburger and only getting the bun. Then he revises that comment to say... there was no tomato. Oh just stick to your farkin' analogy, pussy.

KRISTY LEE COOK: Mariah claims to like KLC's version of "Those Days of Love Are Gone" better than her own version. Kristy plans with crushing, stolid calm in her interview that she will get emotionally connected with the song. Great. Nothing like living in the moment. I liked it better than getting my eyebrows done. I liked it better than finding out I have a speeding ticket from 1995 that a collection agency is now pursuing payment for, and really, 1995? Why me? Why now? But the clerk of the county says "We found you!" Like I have been hiding behind a bush and they have been counting to 100. I am *never* going back to Ohio. KLC finishes up and I have not been killed by boredom but I had to resort to entertaining myself. Kristy has a dairy maid's face. The broad, honest face of a girl who milks cows. She's like that stoic peasant girl in a George Eliot novel, placid and longsuffering. Randy, Paula, and Simon think various things about her. Does it even matter? The fans of country music have found their new darling.

Gross! On their way to commercial they reveal that David Cook is back to the ironic banker's vest. NO!!!!!!

DAVID COOK: Mariah is interested in the male perspective that David brings to "You'll Always Be My Baby." She called it pretty and haunting. David sings the verse like he can't hear the monitor. Kind of vague. Eventually the song kicks in and he moves from Matchbox 20 to Live. You know what I mean? Still, a little precious. A little cute. Take a pop song and make it sorta emo. BEEN DONE. BY YOU. Randy says he's ready to make an album. He's a hot recording artist. Randy STANDS UP and gives a WOO. Paula says the song could be in a movie soundtrack. "You're it." Simon says it was like coming out of karaoke hell into a breath of fresh air. It was original, daring, and stood out by a mile. Wow, the pimping is in full effect. Gross, he's CRYING. David Cook, I am sickened by your weakness.

JASON CASTRO: Mariah thinks Jason doing "I Don't Wanna Cry" is interesting and different. Kind of like when you get the baby octopus salad and you are imagining pieces of baby octopus, but then instead it's like whole baby octopuses, with the heads still on, looking exactly like you'd think they would look, if they were still alive. Know what I mean, J? Then as now, interesting and different can mean so many things. She suggests some ideas and different melodies for him to help him interpret the song. I wish she would give him an idea to stop sounding like George Michael. I have to say that in dreadlocks and with all of his weird facials, George Michael does sound pretty cool though. He has a little kinda Latin acoustic ensemble on stage with him. Randy felt like he was at a beach luau. Paula would love to be at that luau. Simon agrees -- bring on the fried bananas!

Again, Jason Castro and Brooke White are the only performances that I would want to listen to again. The rest of those tooly bucketheads can suck it.

Best Performance: Jason Castro
Most Pimped Cringefest: David Fartchuleta
Worst Performance: Carly Smithson
Going Home: Carly Smithson

Labels: american idol, mariah carey, recap, top seven

It's inspiration week. Tonight, the pink sweaty hopefuls squeeze out the tunes that have inspired them to press their moist little faces against the shop window that is pop music stardom. Tomorrow, they answer phones during American Idol's telethon slash launch party for Daughtry's latest single. Last year, Carrie Underwood hit it big with "I'll Stand By You" and this year I'm expecting Daughtry to funk up "It's a Wonderful World" while caressing orphans in Afghanistan. Maybe they'll let Favid Fartchuleta reprise his wet rendition of "Imagine." Maybe they'll let Fantastia come on and blow up "The Mariner's Hymn." I can't wait to watch Top Model instead. Then on Thursday, we will be inspired by the departure of one more clutching grub as it is hurled away in a graceless arc, flicked off the overturned rotten stump of fame that is... American Idol.

MICHAEL JOHNS: The message of Aerosmith's "Dream On" is that you should dream on until your dreams come true. This is the official interpretation according to Michael Johns, who has showed up in another supergay silk scarf, as if to personally wound me. He sings a little behind the music all the way through, chasing the beat a bit. He also exhorts us to sing for the "laughter" and sing for the "teas." Bit breathy. Bit weak. But then he surprises me with his "false" and manages to take the song up about eight octaves -- risky but effective. The crowd likes him.



Randy disapproved of the song choice. Michael argues that he chose he song because he is here in America living out his dream. Randy reminds him that this is a show about singing, not dreams. Apparently Randy missed the mallet to the head that we all experienced at the top of the show. It's about dreams and poor people, Randy! GIVE BACK! Paula loved it. Simon said it was wannabe-ish. Michael reiterates that it's about dreams coming true.

SYESHA MERCADO: Is she still here? I missed the interview part, getting a diet Coke. I'm starting to associate beverage refills with Syesha. Syesha sings "I Believe" which was, I believe, Fantasia's winning song. She, like Michael Johns, slips up into the atmosphere at the very end and hits an impressive high note. Randy says it wasn't as good as Fantasia -- no emotional connection. Paula says Syesha is a bright shining star. Simon agrees it lacked emotion. He doesn't want her to do Whitney and Fantasia; he wants to know who *she* is. Syesha leaves my sight and I immediately forget her for another week.



JASON CASTRO: Jason sings the Hawaiian ukelele version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and he ALSO provides a little sicky-sicky falsetto styling. Randy loved it: it was blazing molten hot. Paula says he has the most definitive sound on the guitar. Wow, just how definitive is it? And what does it define? Can something be definitive without defining anything? Is she really saying that Jason's sound when he plays the ukelele in that unimaginative way defines... guitar playing? Simon loved it: fantastic.



HOW does this guy not get busted on doing this lackluster rendition of a lackluster rendition? Maybe this song is just magical. A couple of years ago Katherine McPhee did a sprawled-on-the-stage version in the spotlight wearing gauze and brought the house down too.

So, tonight is about the falsetto. Can't wait to see what our next man, Kristy Lee Cook, will do with this opportunity.

KRISTY LEE COOK: She's singing Martina McBride's "Anyway." Cat-sucked hair, glitter eye-shadow, and a flesh-colored tank top covered in rhinestones. The second verse is something like "You can sing a crappy song that no one wants to hear and tomorrow they'll forget you exist if they're lucky, but SING IT ANYWAY!!!!" and I feel bad for KLC if she goes out this week because that song would be hard to bring out as an exit song. Randy liked it. Paula thought Kristy outdid herself. Simon thought she was very good indeed. Err!! Indeed!!! And he adds that she looks like a star.



The last two performances were so neutral that you could have said anything about them, really. The judges chose to fawn and gasp and throw rose petals. To me this means that they are done with Carly Smithson. That's my take. I am betting, at this point in the show, that they tear her throat out tonight and show her making out with her tattooed husband during the break. And in the interview she will reveal that she eats live puppies for breakfast, and then burp and say "But you promised you wouldn't show that, right?"

DAVID COOK: He's singing "Isn't" by his favorite band, Our Lady Peace. He's wearing a white military jacket that's like if the eighties and the revolutionary war got married and that was the top half of their wedding dress. The song doesn't work. David Cook does come down off the stage and stand contemptuously in front of the judges -- the contestants haven't been doing that this season. Wow... he sucks. At the end of the songs he extends his hand to the camera and it says "give back" in black magic marker. What a TOOL. Randy wasn't sure. Paula thinks he's the whole package, the whole package. Simon thought it was pompous. I am revolted.



CARLY SMITHSON: She's going to sing "Show Must Go On" by Queen. To her it means that when you're given $2 million to make an album and it sells 300 copies, you should just put on a striped tank top and a gold belt and start shouting.



She looks old, tough, and kinda beefy. The song did not work. Very bad, and she looks like a bartender. Randy didn't like it, said she took the tiger by the tail and lost. Paula didn't feel the connection, didn't feel engaged with her. Simon thought the song choice unusual: she oversang it, and lost control. It came through as an angry performance. I agree, and I predict an influx of amusing screen caps on votefortheworst.com. They love her so much over there. Simon speculates that she may be in trouble this week. SEE? I was right. They want her off.

DAVID ARCHULETA: He's tells us he's going to sing "Angels" because he felt it so strongly. On the first line, he points out there are a "dozen nangels" and I realize that's probably going to be my favorite part of the song. Like when the best part of "wakin nup" is Folger's in your cup. I don't know this song, but I can tell you this: Archuleta is playing a very very VERY simple piano part and he keeps having to look down at it to get it right. Why is he sitting at a grand piano so he can stress over playing I IV I V I chords on the downbeat? Whatever.



Randy practically goes apoplectic over it -- CRAZY HOT, CRAZY HOT, etc. Paula loved it, his best moment ever, the light of heaven radiating from his face. Simon says it was the best song choice ever, the best pop song ever, he will sail through to the next round.

A girl in the audience holds up a sign that says, "Lick those lips!!!"

Next, our troubled, complicated, darling Brooke will take on the rest of these farkers and try and show them how it goes. I wish she would do it with a meat axe, but I think she's going to try and do it with Carole King.

BROOKE WHITE: She sang "You've Got a Friend" in a talent show once with two friends, so she's going to sing it tonight. She says she was inspired by the whole "Tapestry" album from Carole King, that sounds so ominously false. I feel better as soon as Brooke starts -- and she delivers the song. The arrangement, the back-up singers and the violins are all a little oppressively Lite-FM, but Brooke keeps it sweet, simple, and sincere. I even like her sofa-colored dress.



Randy wasn't mad. Paula thought it was the perfect end to the show and tells Brooke that she is DEFINITIVE. Clearly, Paula is trying to redefine "definitive." That's almost postmodern. Simon calls it pleasant.

Best Performance: I didn't like any of them too much but I guess Syesha and Brooke were the best tonight.
Worst Performance: David Cook, that insufferable tool.
Going Home: Carly Smithson, discarded by the producers.

Labels: american idol, recap, summary, television, top eight

No one has been anticipating the Dolly Parton night more than I have. No, not even you.

Looky at Ryan! Ryan is trying to play an April Fool's joke on us! Oh toodledy doodle! He tells us tonight's episode would be pre-empted (TEE HEE) by a special celebrity edition of "Moment of Truth" (WAKKA WAKKA) starring our very own Simon Cowell (SPROINGK!!!) but then he gives us our first fist-pump off the night and says APRIL FOOLS THIS IS AMERICAN IDOL! Whatever. He's wearing pewter again.

Dolly Parton has written over 3000 songs. She says she thinks of her songs as her children. Dolly looks like the mom from Brazil. The idea of her having 3000 inhuman children is almost logical.

BROOKE WHITE: Her session with Dolly was kind of uncomfortable, but Dolly likes her honesty. She sings "Jolene," which is a song I've never heard before but I kind of like. A man is sitting next to her on a box, and playing the box as percussion. During the song, I pretend there is a little extra man inside the box, being punished for making fun of Dolly's plastic surgery. There is also a violin, and Brooke plays the guitar. Randy said it was alright. Paula told her she had an emotional connection with the song, and added definitively "You are Brooke White." Simon contradicted Paula, saying it lacked emotion, that the group of musicians looked odd together, and that she just sort of busked her way through it. She does look a little casual, in her cornflower blue t-shirt and those damn military button pants again. I'm hoping against hope she'll vote-pimp for the camera by holding up one shrivelled, wrinkled, craggy finger for us: Vote #1 for Brooke! But she just clutches her guitar. You know, she is really very poised up there. I'll give her that. And some coconut oil.



DAVID COOK: David Cook appears on the stools to 'fess up to finding the much-loved arrangements to Day Tripper, Eleanor Rigby, and Billy Jean online. It's not any kind of "I'm sorry" thing, it's just Ryan interviews him into a comfortable place to clarify things. Then he clarifies that tonight's version of "Little Sparrow" is his own. Too bad. Tonight his hair is 80% better, he's wearing a white collared shirt and jeans and strumming an acoustic guitar with no letters on it. He almost looks like a grown-up.



Unfortunately either the song is just monotonous or he can't light up an arrangement without YouTube research. Randy loved it. He says he loved David "going into your false." Paula echoed this sentiment. I like false as a noun. I want a false! Don't you? Let's all go out and have falses. It'll be so thematic for tonight's songwriter. AHEM. Simon congratulated him on making a song about sparrows sound good. Ooo! Another towel-snap to Dolly Parton!

RAMIELE MALUBAY: Ramiele admits to being starstruck by Dolly Parton. Each of Dolly's upper lips flutters gently over cute little Ramiele and her spunky song that she picked. It's one of those perky little numbers that engenders a lot of head-bobbing in a singer, a lot of eyebrow waggling, and I can't remember any of the words or what the song was about. Randy gives it a 6.5 out of ten. Paula announces that Ramiele had a great minute and thirty seconds. Simon predicts that in ten years time we will not remember it. He likens it to a cruise ship performance. Ryan leaps up on stage and Ramiele uses her really ironic upspeak? To tell us? That she was like freaking out? In front of Dolly? Ryan is unamused and shakes Ramiele around by the neck.



JASON CASTRO: Dolly picks up the dreads like they're little animals and says, cryptically "I would dread to do those locks." Yeah. Jason sings "Travelin' Through" in a perfectly respectable way. He actually has a couple of facial expressions that indicate some kind of feeling or some kind of believable performance. Randy liked it. He liked the vibe. Paula thought he sounded great. Simon didn't like the song, thought it sounded just like the last song, just didn't get it.



So, Dolly has given them exactly zero advice, none of the songs have made any significant impact, and her bone structure is terrifying. Couldn't we have had one more Beatles week?

CARLY SMITHSON: Carly stumps out onstage in brown leggings and knee boots. Unfortunate. She starts the song with the guitar player next to her onstage, signalling that this will be one of those "very special performances" but then the band comes in with a Lite FM type accompaniment.



Boring and fat. I mean flat. Her hair tonight reminds me of that awful video she made when she was 16 where she writhed around in a wind machine promising oral sex to all comers. Again they show her tattooed husband. Hey, it worked last week -- she got in the bottom three. Randy and Paula loved it, Simon did not, and Simon points out that she needs to "have a word" with whoever is dressing her. She doesn't look like a star. I agree. She looks like she's wearing those "alternative" jodphurs that some people wear to make a statement when they really should just wear the tan ones like everyone else and let the horse make the statement. If you know what I'm talking about, yo. Leave the steel blue jodphurs. Leave the brown ones. Go with tan. Sing like you mean it.

Ryan comes back from the break in the mosh pit. There are more "returning student" types in the mosh pit than I imagined.

DAVID ARCHULETA: His moist lips and piercing stares make Dolly Parton cry. She references his "little emotion." He sings some kind of country-roads-take-me-home bull droppings about the old folks at home (literally) and leaning on his Jesus (really) and the Smoky Mountains. Nauseating beyond the scope of my tolerance. Randy loved it. Paula applauds his tone and beautiful aura, says he is "glorious." Simon says the song choice was on the money. David does his habitual sighing and squinting, and the fangirls in the front row explode.



KRISTY LEE COOK: Dolly thinks Kristy's Momma will be proud of her. Kristy reveals she would rather impress Dolly Parton than her own mother. Endearing like a bear trap, darlin'. She's wearing turquoise and silver and a glitter eye shadow tonight, singing "Coat of Many Colors" in bare feet.



On the last "coat of many colors that my momma made for me" she wobbles her head all over the place. Yeah, signature head-wobble! Husband says "She really made it for the dog." Yar! Randy and Paula gush and throw roses. Simon calls it pleasant but forgettable.

SYESHA MERCADO: Dolly says she's pretty and has a real pretty voice. Thank you, Dolly. You and Gordon Ramsey, baby. Hard as nails. Syesha sings "I Will Always Love You" in a sunshine yellow dress with a red belt, sitting primly on a grand piano. Heeeeedious to look at, but I think she sang the song very well, actually. It would have been better if a strange brown cat hadn't crawled out of the bushes and sat on her head during the whole performance.



Distracting, that strange brown cat. Randy and Paula garble ambivalence and Simon predictably says that she didn't sing it as well as Whitney Houston might have. Husband points out that everyone who ever does this song gets obliterated in critiques for not being Whitney Houston. I bet David Cook could do it and not get the comparison. If, of course, Alice in Chains had a version on YouTube that he could adapt. But this is about Syesha! And... Syesha is kind of boring.

MICHAEL JOHNS: In the tape, it is revealed that Dolly likes Michael and Michael likes Dolly. It's cute! They dig each other. Michael always seems to pull out something genuine and endearing in the tape, right before he marches out onstage and lays a big squashy turd. Predictably enough, he sings "It's all Wrong But It's All Right" in a really bluesy way with his shirt open, while wearing a silk... purple... NECK SCARF.



Like he is the freakin' "The Continental." GAHHHHH. Too gross. TOO GROSS! I call too gross!!!! Randy loved it, Paula says he looks gorgeous, Simon thinks it's the best he's heard him sing ever. Bleeaarggh.

Best Performance of the Night: In my opinion, Jason Castro or Brooke White. Those are the only one I'd want to hear again.
Most Relentlessly Pimped But Undeserving Horrorshow of the Night: David Archuleta
Worst Performance of the Night: Ramiele Malubay
Going Home: Carly Smithson

Labels: american idol, dolly parton, recap, summary, top nine

It’s Tuesday night and I am very satisfied with the choices I’ve made in my life. Are you? I choose not to use “body mousse.” I do not want my skin to drink anything. My skin is lucky if it gets to gnaw on a chicken bone. Tonight’s theme: A song from the year they were born. Bring on the baby pictures.

RAMIELE MALUBAY: Ramiele was *really* cute as a little baby. Her mother interviews that she used to be a mad biter. Awesome. Tonight she’s singing “Alone” by Heart. Production brings out the murder red lights, and the mosh pit begins their weary, aerobic arm-waving. Am I the only one who doesn’t give a sailor’s pants what song, what note, what fist-pump tonight? I mean good grief. Do I really miss Amanda Overmyer? Ramiele shouts and squinches up her eyes and hears the ticking of the clock, and is wearing pleated shorts and her bra strap is showing. Randy reveals Ramiele is sick, and then slams her for choosing too big of a song. He calls it a mess. Paula looks like she’s been hit in the face with a dirty pan tonight. She says she gives Ramiele a huge amount of “credit and brave” because she knows Ramiele is really sick. Simon predicts she will get through in spite of everything. Ryan asks her if she had the flu, and she says, cryptically, that “It just went bye-bye.” Come on Ramiele, they’re trying to get you the sympathy votes. Can you not cough and cry a little?

JASON CASTRO: Jason Castro, your “lovable doofus” routine is starting to get old. Not just old but smelling of Pickler. He actually said in his interview that he’s been told he’s an Aries, and then said, “Did I say that right? I always feel like I’m pronouncing it wrong.” Ay-rees. Not tough, Jason. For true Picklerosity, try mispronouncing "faux." Then he says when he was little he looked pretty much like he looks now, except smaller. Wow. I haven’t seen a baby with two feet of dreadlocks and eyebrows like angry caterpillars in a good long time. He sings “Fragile” by Sting. I like this song, and I’d like his version of it too probably, even the pandering Spanish verse he puts in there, if I didn’t have to look at his head bobbing around and his Sesame Street facials. Randy calls it nice. Paula’s left eye has wandered over and become entangled in her earring. And she’s wearing fingerless gloves. Simon says this is Jason's second bad week. Jason needs to take it a little bit more seriously. He says it’s like someone busking at a Subway station. Too laid back, too much in his own world. He won’t win if he keeps doing that week after week. I disagree. I think his strategy is good. He’s beloved by teenaged girls and he’s under the radar.



SYESHA MERCADO: She was born when I was a sophomore in high school. Great. Her mom interviews that she was a whiner. Her interview makes me switch over to check that Gene Simmons is recording properly. She sings “If I Were Your Woman” wait, sorry, “If I Was Your Woman.” They don’t allow subjunctive mood on American idol. Her singing was so boring that I had to go and look up the link to subjunctive mood on Wikipedia just to distract myself. Randy and Paula froth and foam about how great she was, best ever performance, she is the new dark horse, this is the moment, right here, the clouds are opening, the sun is coming through, doo-doo-doo-doo, and when Simon says "There are limits on her vocals" he is met with boos and hostility. America was too busy getting a diet Coke during Syesha's song to take a position on this burning hot controversy.

CHIKEZIE: Chikezie's pin-striped grey suit looks like he bleached the floor in it and wasn't careful with his sleeves. He interviews that back then and right now, he is just trying to be as happy as he can be. Wow, look out. The inspiration is flowing through this stagnant marsh like a dying toad tonight. He sings "If Only For One Night" by Luther Van Dross. Yes! The loungey, groovy, elderly, sleazy Chikezie is back! Thank god -- I thought he might almost be cool with all that bluegrass hoo-hah. Randy says it's too old. Paula calls him a throwback. Simon thought it was cheesy.

BROOKE WHITE: She remembers playing a song on the piano that she'd heard on TV. She taught herself to play by ear. Tonight she's behind the piano again. After a fairy grotesque mis-step at the beginning of the song, she recovers and launches a nice girly version of "Every Step You Take." A bit melodramatic, a bit feely, but here's the real issue: Brook White's hands are the hands of an eighty-seven year old man. I don't know what she did with the old man whose hands she stole. And I do feel terribly bad about whatever happened to her that made her saw off her own hands. Props to the girl who can tickle the ivories with unmoisturized hand grafts from an octogenarian. Yes, I'm breaking this story here: Brooke White's hands are all that's left of Ronald Reagan. Plus, her outfit is all a little eighth-grade recital. Randy says it was just alright. Paula liked it better than last week. So, am I the only jerk who's hateful and cold enough to draw attention to this beautiful, smart, funny girl's strangely wrinkled hands? Stab a weak bitter pin into perhaps her one deformity? Only time and Technorati will tell.



MICHAEL JOHNS: Finally, someone born in the seventies. His parents interview that he was very competitive as a child. He demonstrates his "I'm too good for you" look that he used to use on his sister when beating her at cards. It was actually kind of genuine and fun. He sings "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" as a brutal, shouty, boot-stomping medley and brings the house down. There is a lot of screaming. Randy calls it his best performance yet. Paula says he's found his song. Simon calls it memorable and says he has star potential.

CARLY SMITHSON: Her mom reveals she's named for Carly Simon and that she used to have an afro. She sings "Total Eclipse of the Heart." The verse is weird -- the backup singers are kind of intruding on her. Then the chorus peaks a little soon, leaving her with nothing better to do except explode a capillary. Look, they've shown her much-tattooed husband. Must be her time to leave the show. Randy says he doesn't like the whole rock thing. Paula says she could take every song that Paula hates and make her love it. Paula has obviously decided to say only nice things. Simon calls her tense and uptight during the performance. Ryan: "Were you tense, Carly?" Carly: "I went to the bathroom right before I sang." Ryan: "Did you flush?" Uhhhh...

DAVID ARCHULETA: Apparently he has brought his girlfriend and hopeful prom date to the studio with him tonight. His family interviews that he is perfect in every way and that everyone loves him. In fact, his mom admits that he poops ice cream. He sings "We Are the World" or some other song that asks rhetorically how long we can look at each other down the barrel of a gun? Everyone in the studio offers him one of their kidneys or a lobe of their livers. Randy liked it. Apparently the song is by some Australian dude. Paula lovingly complains "Couldn't you choose an American composer?" Hey, you all just did The Beatles for two straight weeks. Your damn point? Simon says it's like at a theme park when you have all kinds of animals surging around you and I completely agree! It's like the music they play after the fireworks at Epcot.

And now a commercial for the world's most capable truck: Kristy Lee Cook.

KRISTY LEE COOK: She interviews that her brother and sister used to put their hands over their ears on car trips and beg their parents, "PLEASE MAKE HER STOP SINGING." Yes, we feel your pain, Cook siblings. Tonight Kristy has dragged out that excellent old vote-getter, "God Bless the USA." Wow, with the most predictable arrangement ever. She has that hair style where two little strands hang down, one on each side of her perfectly symmetrical face. Randy calls it very nice. Kristy calls it respectful. Simon says it was her best performance, and the most clever song choice he's seen in years. Kind of reminiscent of Carrie Underwood doing "Let Freedom Ring" fifty times.

DAVID COOK: He remembers having a very large skull as a baby. His baby pictures confirm this. He got his first guitar at age 2, and we see a scrapbook page of a young David in tube socks thrashing a guitar, with a caption that says "This is where it all started." Kind of cute. He sings a kind of Eddie Vedder zombie waltz version of Billy Jean. Totally great. Brilliant, genius, amazing. And you know how much I hate everything. Randy predicts he will win. He is the most original, and "blazing molten hot." Paula is blown away, she can't sit down, he is so smart, brave, and willing. Simon says it could have been insane or amazing, but it was amazing. We all love how this guy covers old songs! It makes us like old songs again! Go David Cook! No banker's vest tonight. But wait. When I rewound the TIVO (yes) to see it again (fer reals) I heard Ryan say, introducing the song, that it is Chris Cornell's version of Billy Jean. So, not so original. Still. Still. Chris Cornell notwithstanding.

Update: Okay, you tell me if he ripped off this arrangement and then stood there taking laud and honor for being so creative and daring.

Chris Cornell's version here:



David Cook's version here:



I think his performance was great, but the bottom line is that the 3/4 version was not his idea.

Best performance: David Cook
Worst performance: Carly Smithson
Going home: Syesha Mercado

Labels: american idol, finals, recap, summary, top ten

After a week of breathless anticipation: What songbook will the Idols be digging their pink sweaty hands into this week?! Ryan announces that tonight America’s number one show will celebrate America’s number one band. The Beatles! Yeah, the BEATLES! I love that band! But, wait, didn’t we just have Beatles night last week? No, that was something entirely different. That was Lennon/McCartney night. This is Beatles night. See the difference? Ryan is wearing pewter. Ricky and the band are ready to play. On what crazy mixed-up globe are the Beatles America's number one band?



Ryan gives us a refresher on how the show works, in case we have some "new friends" in the audience. What is this, the Polka Dot Door? If you get that reference, please join me for hip replacement on Friday. Then he introduces the judges.

Ryan: Randy, this the first time we've expanded on a theme for two weeks. Do you think that's a good idea?
Randy: Uh, yeah.
America: NO. WORST DECISION EVER. CURSE YOU.

Interviews tonight will be about the finalists' most memorable moment so far.

AMANDA OVERMYER: She interviews that her most memorable moment is being able to connect with the audience, then delivers a monotonous and shrieky version of "Back in the U.S.S.R." The most embarrassing element of the performace is her insistence on these unironic interpretive gestures and facials. Like, really, no really honey, disconnect the *phone.* Randy: Perfect song but "pitchy." 7 out of 10. Paula: A little ahead of the beat, but she's "quintessential, authentic, who you are." How about a ballad one of these weeks? Simon: It's the same thing week after week. She's got to depart from the formula or she is in danger of being boring. Amanda: WHOA Ryan, WHOA. I've got a minute and a half to show people my armpits. And I want to really show my armpits and also I want to pantomime regurgitating into the microphone. I want people to say, Hey, I wanna go see that girl with the strangely muscular armpits who urps up da phantom bird yak on stage! And I want them to see that! That's not what's going to be happening if I have to sing some stupid ballad or sumpin'! WOOOOOO!



KRISTY LEE COOK: On the stools, Randy pulls out her little photo album and shows America Kristy's dog and horse. I guess Ryan wants to keep this bland bit of gristle on the show another week. She interviews that her most memorable moment is nearly being voted off a bunch of times. Yes, yes, pathos thy initials are KLC. Then she reveals that she picked "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" based on the title alone, and she heard it for the first time this week. Wow, Kristy, I didn't think I could loathe you any more than I already did, but you just keep surprising me, girl, with your proletarian jaw and your rural smile. The arrangement is very *-=magic show=-* with big reveals and effects and dramatic pauses. She sings it as if she's reading the phone book. The only sign of life from Kristy her signature disturbing head wobble she's devised to build tension. The audience worries if her head is firmly attached. Simon calls it musical wallpaper. Kristy to Simon: I can blow you out of your socks and you know it! Wow, such trash talk from someone wearing a Hefty bag (a Hefty bag that someone in wardrobe has attacked with a bedazzler.)



DAVID ARCHULETA: His most memorable moment was when he forgot his lyrics last week. He says his first thought was "dang it" and describes the experience as "messing up really bad." He sees this second week of Beatles as a chance for redemption (except he would probably articulate that as "making stuff better from when it was bad last time like"). With many fierce stares and much lip-moistening, he sings a Josh Groban-esque "The Long and Winding Road." His suit coat is brown, and it has strangely aggressive topstitching. He cannot carry the coat, and he cannot carry the song.



Look, these kids just cannot, cannot, cannot sing Beatles songs. They cannot stand up to interpreting these lyrics. Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, yes. Beatles no. It's like an elf made out of cork trying to get down to the bottom of a deep well. Randy: David Archuleta brings the hot back tonight! Paula: Coming back from adversity doesn't build your character, it reveals your character. Simon: David is amazing! A master class in being memorable and selling the song. David squintingly weeps as he says that slower songs let him get really sensitive. Geeeeeehhhhhhh.

Tomorrow, Kelly Pickler is going to perform.

MICHAEL JOHNS: He remembers singing "Bohemian Rhapsody" during Hollywood week. He loves doing the Beatles because they're the best band that ever has been or ever will be. Okay but CRAP. He is doing "A Day in the Life." He admits it will be hard to take this five minute song and abridge it for Idol. Uh, yes. And how about taking the soul of John Lennon and abridging it into your bucket-shaped Austradalian head? How is that going to work out? You know, I thought I might be spared after surviving last week without this song being covered, but I have lived too darkof a life to be spared this misery. The next 90 seconds I can't really talk about. I tried to chew through my wrists, but my husband convinced me to live on, for the children, for the future.



Randy: Not your best performance. Paula: I know that contestants are wearing ear monitors tonight and that's hard to get used to. It must have been the monitor in your ear. Simon: A mess. Randy comes up on stage and asks Paula to clarify the ear monitor thing, because it doesn't look like Michael is wearing one. Woops, he's not. He just stood there nodding sagely while Paula blamed his crap performance on technology he wasn't even using. Well, says Paula, now you have no excuse. You just suck and you have to bring your game up. BUT WAIT. Michael wants to dedicate his performance to his DEAD FRIEND. That was his FAVORITE SONG. And he is DEAD. Don't you feel bad now Paula? No? Well fuggit let's just go sell some Dove moisturizer.

BROOKE WHITE: She was overwhelmed by the possibility of doing another Beatles song, because "Let It Be" went so well. It was a moment bigger than she was, she rhapsodizes. Tonight she is singing "Here Comes The Sun" -- wasn't this what I predicted she would sing last week? Oh wait, no I said "Good Day Sunshine." Well, that would have been the better choice. All the "Doo-doo-doo-doos" in this rendition are a little oppressive. She starts out sitting on the stairs, and she's wearing a layered floaty yellow dress made out of magic.



On the second verse, she spins and trots across the stage, gasping "woo!" and then continues to dance in an incredibly weird, twitchy, awkward way in front of the microphone. Awful. Behind the beat. Off the pitch. Randy: You were never really connected to the song. Paula: You can't help but smile, looking at you, Brooke. Simon: The performance was terrible, from the horrible dancing to the lack of conviction. It was wet and forgettable. Brooke repeats, "It's okay. It's okay, guys. It's really okay." She pulls sad faces for the camera, and I'm a little worried for her. Ordinarily I would say it wouldn't hurt her so much, but that was a very weird kind of mess. Possibly she cannot recover.

DAVID COOK: David Cook is once again sporting that orange wristband, now around his fingers. Looks like we will be seeing a certain little girl in the audience some night soon. Idol will not be able to pass up that storyline. David's memorable moment was last too boring for me to remember it. This week, he does "Day Tripper" but the Whitesnake version of it. It's very deadeyed and competent and entertaining. I really LIKE it.



He has an extra microphone with some sort of plastic wrap on it, into which he sings with strange effects. It's a voice box? Randy: It's another week at the David Cook rock show! Paula: Great. You're ready to do a Geico commercial! Simon: This wasn't as good as you thought it was. All a bit smug and the voice box was stupid. Ryan really wants to try the voice box, but he's too chicken. I notice at the last minute that David has reverted to the regrettable ironic banker vest. Shame.

CARLY SMITHSON: Her most memorable moment was when Simon compared her to Kelly Clarkson. She is wearing a bright red maternity top with big sparkly rosettes all around the scoop neckline. She looks like thebig fat mad-eyed sister at the pretty smart sister's engagement party.



She sings Blackbird in about the way you'd think that forty year old woman in the lounge on a cruise ship would sing it. Kind of rushed and throaty and with big eye-movements. Then she changes up the key and belts it, squeezing about four separate glory notes out of the last "dark black night." Randy loved it. Paula loved it. Simon calls it indulgent and wonders in a desultory way why she's singing a song about a blackbird. Why indeed? Funny you should ask, Simon! This allows Carly to give a speech about how all of the Idols have been trying and trying to break into the music business, and at times feel broken, but now they are free, and can sing, and that's why she chose the song. Simon basically says, "Wow, now I see! I'm sorry! You are right! And you are free, blackbird, to sing!" I mean, the stink of set-up was so intense it might have been David Archuleta's eye-flutter.



JASON CASTRO: He most remembers singing Hallelujah and arfing up the last note. He giggles about learning "Michelle" and how it was like French and stuff. Tee freakin' hee! On stage, he has arranged his dreadlocks in two symmetrical rolls that look like a kindergarten teacher who has given up on life. Combine this with tight sky-blue stretch jeans, a girly shirt with contrasting collar and cuffs, and... is that a rope belt? Jason is the opposite of sexy tonight. He mugs and winks his way through the song. At times you can almost hear what it might have been like if he'd tried to do it in a kind of serious, opera-y way. It might have been a little cool. But... no. He plays for laughs. Randy: He is disconnected from the song. Paula: It sounded like a polka at times. Simon: Your charm and face sold that song. It wouldn't have worked on radio.



Okay, you know what? Fine. I no longer like the Beatles. A 20 year fascination has now dissolved into mild nausea. I hope it was worth it for these bloody recaps. *snarl*

SYESHA MERCADO: Syesha has straightened her hair. She actually looks really good and I like her dress and for once the dangly plate earrings are working. Her most memorable moment was being in the bottom three, because it gave her "that kick in the butt" that she needed. She chose "Yesterday" because it really touched her, and now she wants to "touch everybody." At least she doesn't want to blow the socks off everybody like Kristy. You know? She sings sitting down at the edge of the stage, with only a few spots on her, and a single acoustic guitar player beside her. In spite of the gender switching, and the gurgling around and switching up the melody, I actually think Syesha did a great job with this song.



I still hate her and still hate American Idol, but relative to the rest of the rotten vegetables that have been slung around tonight, it was pretty good. Randy: You took some liberties. Paula: The vulnerability is working for you. Simon: Your best performance yet. That's the song Brooke should have sung. Wouch. That was bittersweet, I'm sure.

CHIKEZIE: He most remembers the first round of Hollywood because he ran around on stage after getting compliments from the judges. Yeah, I always remember the times when I am in a professional setting and yet choose to act like a hyperactive toddler too. He admits he has never played harmonica before this week and asks us to not be too harsh on him as he tries to play it tonight. Don't tell me what to do, Chikezie. You just play your harp, and we'll throw what we need to throw. He sings "I've Just Seen a Face" as a slow, serious country ballad for two verses, then picks up the tempo and slurps around on a harmonica. Verse four: He pulls a really weird like "Mayor of Stinkerton" voice. Steel guitar. One more toot on the harmonica. Ridiculous and vile. Randy: It was strange. Paula: You're showing who you are and the depth and scope of your vocals. Simon: Harmonica was atrocious and the song was gimmicky.

RAMIELE MALUBAY: Time to hear from Danny Noriega's favorite little Webkinz. But seriously, Ramiele. WHO is dressing you? WHAT is this that you're calling a personal style? A yellow leotard, a studded corset, black pants, silver heels, and a white straw panama hat. It defies belief. She sang some "I Shoulda Known Better" and there was a harmonica, but she wasn't playing it, so that's a plus. Randy called it a happy-go-lucky joint. Paula advises her to stick to ballads. Simon calls it mediocre. She will be voted off soon. Not tomorrow, but soon.



Best Performances: David Cook and Syesha Mercado
Most Beloved and Pimped by Judges: David Archuleta and Carly Smithson
Worst Performances: Michael Johns and Kristy Lee Cook
Most Scorned and Reviled by Judges: Brooke Smith and Jason Castro

Lest you forget: Tomorrow night Kelly Pickler is singing. So, set your TIVO because you won't want to miss the incredible satisfaction of fast forwarding through that. Night!

Labels: american idol, recap, summary, television

American Idol: Finals: Top 12

Remember Paul McCartney? He was in that band, The Beatles. They had a lot of songs. Those songs have never been available on ITunes, except in covers. And by the way they’re damn hard to find in MP3 version even out there anywhere floating on the internet. They’ve been guarded like the honor of the princess. That is to say, fiercely. Now I will tell you that I am a fan of John Lennon. Once, I thought a poster of him in my college dorm room could change facial expressions based on its opinions on important matters, when these matters were brought to it in question form by me in times of crisis. I was a fan of Yoko Ono. I loved The Beatles and I loved John Lennon, post-Beatles.

I have never been a fan of Paul. He has that awfully slack jaw. After his wife died, he married that young model, then he got a divorce. Now he’s having to hack up a big settlement. Something like $120 million. Coincidentally, if Paul happened to just now sell the Beatles’ catalog to ITunes, it would be worth about $400 million. Coincidentally, it’s Beatles week on American Idol! Let the downloads begin!

Heather Mills, here comes your settlement, courtesy of ITunes, 19 Entertainment, and the most talented finalists EVAH! This year, we’re promised a brand new stage, a brand new CGI coming-on, and a brand new bucket of hot chicken fat. A very excited Randy spends an embarrassing amount of time ordering the camera guy to give us a tour of the set, the lights guy to demonstrate the lights, the band to demonstrate their new aerie. Guess what? It looks exactly the same as last year but now it’s in HD. New: There is a mosh pit. Great. They can mosh to Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely.” But please, please, as I sit here tonight next to my farting dog, do not let anyone mosh to “A Day in the Life” tonight.



Tonight’s theme: The Lennon/McCartney song book. The first knife into our collective torso: Ryan Seacrest’s reedy voice over a montage of clips summarizing the Lennon/McCartney catalog as “enduring.” Then three more knives in rapid succession. Randy on John and Paul: These boys know how to put it down. Paula on the contestants’ choices: If you play it straight, it’s a great tribute. For those of them who are going to take the risk, well, it better be worth the reward. Simon on the degree of difficulty: Depends. Me on the floor: *thud*

SYESHA MERCADO: Tonight their interview tapes are going to be mini biographies. She’s from a city. There, she does things. She listened to oldies in the back seat o