Tossing Salt Is American Idol - April 11, 2012

Tossing Salt Is American Idol
April 11, 2012
Doug Maynard

My heart is broken as are the hearts of millions and millions of young girls everywhere. Last week, DeAndre, he of the awesome hair, was voted off the Island. I am shocked, especially when it was the lost Brady girl, Hollie Cavanagh, who deserved to get the boot. Either her or Joshua Ledet, just for the ugly ass jackets he's been wearing the past few weeks. It was a gross miscarriage of justice for poor DeAndre. I wonder what will happen next?

By the way, I've already found a future career for DeAndre, one that many of the past Idol stars, including Clay Aiken has taken. He (DeAndre) would be great in a musical production or play. I watched "Jesus Christ Superstar" over the weekend and for some reason, I could just easily see DeAndre playing the role of Peter. Don't know why, but that's the image that popped into my head. So DeAndre, if you're reading this (and we all know you probably are), musical productions are the way to go. Work on it!

And now, back to the recap part of this column. This is Week 6 and we're down to the final super seven contestants. What will they sing? Who will rise to the occasion? Who will choke? We're going to find out tonight. The theme of the night is songs from 2010 to today. That's a pretty good selection to choose from. As usual, the judges are Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson. The mentors and coaches for the future stars are legendary producer Jimmy Iovine and special guest Akon. And I'm just a tired old man who started a new job today... and I'm already ready for a vacation. Those people tried to kill me. I AM TOO DAMN OLD for working with the public again. *Sighs* Let's do Idol!

We start off with Skylar Laine who does the song, "Didn't You Know How Much I Love You". And it was okay, but I personally didn't think it was all that. Of course, the judges disagree with me. Randy said that Skylar was "definitely back" and could have a big hit with a song like that. J-Lo said that it sounded like the perfect pitch and that it was the perfect way to start the show. And Steven said that it was "just great".

Next up is Colton Dixon, who is singing "I Love The Way You Lie", which he says was recorded by Skylar Gray or someone like that. The only version I know is what Rihanna sings with Eminem. She does a great job and so did Colton. He did a great job and actually gave me goosebumps. Very well done. And this time, the judges agreed. Randy called Colton's jacket "subtle fly" and said that Colton's performance was really stellar. He said that Colton "is an artist". Steven also loved the jacket and said that Colton was just a rare talent who could release that version as a single with no more takes or overdubs. He's looking forward to when Colton gets even better and does his own original material. And J-Lo said that Colton always surprises her and does everything in his own way - it's always "very Colton" and that he did a good job.

The next song was a duet between Phillip and Elise. These two have a great chemistry and proved it again by performing "Somebody That I Used To Know". Phillip predicted that Elise would do great with this song and he was right. She killed it! Phillip didn't appear too comfortable at first, but by the end, he was feeling it too. The crowd was into this duet and so was I. J-Lo said that she loved the feel and there was a great feeling and chemistry. Steven applauded the song and said that he has it on his I-Phone. He said that they nailed it and it's a beautiful song. And Randy loves the chemistry between Phillip and Elise and said that Elise won this round, but next time, Phillip needs to pick the song and he wants to see more duets between the two.

Jessica Sanchez was the next to come up and she did a simply amazing job with her rendition of "Stuttering" by Jasmine Sullivan. This young woman has just an amazing voice and you can feel every note and every emotion when she sings. J-Lo called the song "really beautiful" and said that Jessica is ready to take us and America on a ride that she can't wait to see. She wants to see Jessica really cut loose and show her stuff. Randy said that Jessica set the bar to the highest degree and did an amazing job. And Steven said that everytime Jessica sings, he forgets where he is and that she slays it every single time.

Here comes he of the ugly-ass jackets, Joshua Ledet and he's going to attempt the song "Run Away Baby " by Bruno Mars. Fantasia pops up to wish Joshua a happy birthday. And that jacket, while better than the last few weeks, still needs to go back in the closet. And take Joshua with it... lol. Guess what? I liked the song. My foot was even bee-bopping around while he was singing. Joshua's performance had a classic soul feel to it in my opinion and although he's not my favorite by any means, he did a good job. J-Lo complimented Joshua on his control and called the song "dynamic". Randy said that it was an unbelievable performance and that Joshua "really gots to have it!". And Steven, after attempting to play matchmaker with Joshua and a dancer (she's not his type) said that Joshua really knows how to sell a song like a work of art and was "so good".

It's duet time again and we've got Colton and Skylar together again, doing "Don't You Wanna Stay", a Kelly Clarkson / Jason Aldean duet. And I liked it. It wasn't great, but it was pretty damn good. No complaints. J-Lo said that the harmonies were really beautiful and it was a really nice job. Randy complained about the pitchiness and said that it was just okay for him. And Steven Tyler with one of the lines of the night, said that Colton and Skylar had "just made love singing to each other" and that it was "beautiful".

Here comes Hollie Cavanagh up next and her song choice is "Perfect" by Pink. I didn't know she was British. And while the voice is great, she just doesn't do it for me again. The voice just doesn't fit her body or look and it's distracting. She's trying hard, but it seems to be that she's just going through the emotions and hasn't got any stagecraft going on yet. J-Lo noted that she could feel Hollie fighting and she sang beautifully. Steven said that it's not about being perfect and the song wasn't perfect for him. It just kind of layed there. And Randy noted that it wasn't perfect, but it was far better than last week's performance and Hollie has redeemed herself a bit.

Phillip Phillips is up next and the song he's performing is called "Get A Little More". I love the Sax music. That was awesome, but the song itself was okay. Phillip is a real and natural performer and I love that what you see is what you get with him, but this performance wasn't especially exciting for me. J-Lo called the perfornance a little "underwhelming", explaining that she expects more from Phillip and wants to see him break out a little more. Steven compared Phillip to Steve McQueen and Johnny Cash and noted that he's really liked the way that Phillip has changed since they first met him. And Randy said that it wasn't the greatest performance and not really a "wow kind of moment".

And now we get a trio performance as Joshua, Jessica and Hollie are all together and doing the song "Stronger", by Kelly Clarkson. And to be honest, I didn't like it or feel any chemistry with the three of them and this song. Joshua was better dressed this time than earlier and looks like a motel clerk or bellhop. And both Hollie and Jessica seemed a bit pitchy to me in places. But Steven called them "beautiful". J-Lo called this the "season of the big voice" and said that they were "amazing!" And Randy said that they were a great trio and all sounded really good. He called it "crazy wow nice".

And finally, for the last song of the evening, we have Elise Testone and she's performing the song "You And I" by Lady Gaga. This is a really good song for her and I think Elise just killed it and did an amazing job. She's just getting better and better every week. And the judges agree with me. J-Lo commented that Elise let go, but kept control and that nobody can sing like she does. Randy said that Elise is back and it was the perfect song for her and she had a moment. Steven remarked how she took a song so simple and turned it into genius.

It was a good night of good performances and it's amazing to watch these men and women grow each and every week. They're getting better and better and you can see it every time they perform. This is a really good season full of some damn good talent. They need to have an "Alice Cooper" night though. And start a new "Idol" for older men and women. I know a guy named Woody who would kick some major ass if they didn't have the age discrimination thing going on. The man can sing!!

Okay, now for the tough stuff. Who will be the "Bottom Three" tomorrow night and more importantly, who will be voted off the Island and go home? Hollie will be there. That seems to be almost a definite for me. And who will join her on the "Couch of Shame"? I'm going to say Joshua and Phillip. This seems to be an "I am woman - hear me roar" season of Idol and I think that the guys are in trouble. But when the votes are counted and all is said and done, we'll say good-bye to Hollie. Everyone else seems to be growing and getting better, but she's just not quite as good in my opinion and is the ugly duckling among a blossoming group of swans. So bye-bye to Hollie as the competition continues. By the way, James Durbin and Jennifer Hudson are appearing tomorrow night. Don't miss it. I want to see James Durbin and Colton standing together. HOTNESS! Just saying!

And that'll do it for me tonight. Back to work at the new job in the morning and I'm ready to drop and call it a night right now. Thanks for reading. I'm Doug and I'll catch you on the flip side. See you next week.

Ubuntu!