It was supposed to be inspirational night. For me, it was anything but. This is the night you expect someone to step forward and have a signature moment. But it just didn't happen.
From Randy's constant whining to Paula's mid-life crisis pushed up in a dress, the entire tone for the show was wrong.
Song selection had a lot to do with it. What some of these singers selected as inspirational music left me wondering just what kind of people most of them really are. On the whole, a real step backwards for this season and one that could frankly diminish interest as AI comes down the stretch. The build up has been huge and nights like tonight one expects it to deliver. It didn't. Here's the disappointed rundown:
Michael Johns -- "Dream On" (Aerosmith)
This song was too big for Michael and I couldn't agree with Simon more in that R&B is more Michael's schtick. As he went falsetto to wrap up the song all the kids jumped out of their skins. It was that scary.
Syesha Mercado -- "I Believe" (Fantasia)
Ok, this was an inspirational song. But hardly a believable performance. This song proved for me what an actress she really is. Technically it was perfect but it was absolutely hollow. You know what you feel when Frank sings "My Way" or when Don Henley sings "Desperado"? This song had none of that. This was William Shatner singing "Proud Mary". Ok, not technically that bad but honestly with all that feeling.
Jar-Jar Castro -- "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
This wasn't Kathrine McPhee writhing around in a yellow dress on the stage. This was Tiny Tim on the ukelele -- literally. Yeah, I've heard this version of the song before and, to be honest and to give him credit, Jar-Jar did it justice. But inspirational? It was a street-corner performance at best.
Kristi Lee Cook -- "Anyway" (Martina McBride)
The judges were kind to her this week and I suppose it was justified. But honestly, her "God Bless the USA" was more inspirational. This just seemed to be an extention of that little spoiled school-girl stunt she pulled last week. It was all attitude. I actually love women who sing country with an attitude but this was the wrong attitude. Given some of the other performances of the night, she still might be there next week.
David Cook -- "Innocent"
Errrrr....what's going on with David? He looks a bit depressed and even a little thiner. The song finished stronger than it began but ultimately there wasn't much inspirational about it. I didn't care of it and neither did any of the judges. He's leaning on his past performances this week.
Carly Smithson -- "The Show Must Go On"
Inspirational? Hardly. She had the white trash look down tonight and her powerful voice lacked any kind of subtlety. Really a disappointing performance. She looked ****ed most the time, almost Amanda-like. I thought that was voted off weeks ago. Simon was right -- she's vulnerable this week.
David Archuleta -- "Angels"
Going into the show I thought he had the best chance to make the biggest impression. And he did that but I was expecting more competition for the guy. I thought the piano playing distracted from the power of the song...he should have been at a microphone swooning, licking his lips and making girls cry. He's definitely got a voice made for ballads. His local high school here is plastering things all over town about him, posters urging folks to vote, signs encouraging him and such. I never knew where he lived before but there are so many signs now it is kind of hard to miss. He's safe.
Brooke White -- "You've Got a Friend"
Another one I thought would shine with this theme but she really, really, really let me down. Not only was this NOT inspirational it was dang near comatose. Very, very, very boring. Brooke could be history and it would be a shame to lose her ahead of Kristi and Jar-Jar.
We have to wait until Thursday for elimination because tomorrow is the telethon. But come Thursday I think the bottom three will definitely be Brooke, Kristi and Carly or Michael Johns.