- With precious little time to waste, Ryan started the performance show by introducing Lil Rounds. Lil chose to sing Chaka Kahn's "I'm Every Woman". Lil poured herself into a black jumpsuit that was very reminsent of an outfit you saw in the Disco-era movie, "Thank God It's Friday". As I listened to Lil sing for her Idol life, I was struck by the fact that she finally started incorporating some of the judge's comments--going with a true R&B song that should be perfectly suited for Lil's vocal stylings. Unfortunately, the judges didn't feel it--Randy thought it was all over the place, Kara still isn't sure what type of artist Lil is trying to be, Paula thought Lil was "hot tonight, but didn't hit the boiling point", and before Simon could offer his comments, Lil said she had fun...and then Simon said she likely won't be around next week. Cue the boos, but I agree with Simon (and the rest of the judges). Lil should pack her extensions and fancy clothes tonight because she is definitely going home tomorrow.
- Kris Allen was next and made a very strange song selection, "She Works Hard for the Money" by Donna Summer. As Kris made his way to the stage, Ryan assured us that we were going to like it...and I must admit Kris caught my attention with his toned down version. He was joined on stage by a couple of bongo players, Ricky Minor on the bass guitar, and his own acoustic guitar. It was an interesting interpretation that the audience seemed to enjoy. Kara had trouble breaking through the hootin' and hollarin', but when she did, she gave him serious props for the arrangement. Paula thought it had a "Santana feel" and complimented him for "shopping in the women's department"--what? Simon called it a "complete polar opposite" performance to Lil's. He thought it was original and anything but Karaoke. Randy broke it down and said Kris is "ready for the big time" because he knows who he is. Fine marks for the Arkansas native.
- Danny chose to sing one of the greatest songs of the '70's, "September" by the elements (Earth, Wind, and Fire). Danny hit all of the right notes from an R&B/Disco perspective, but about half-way through he went all gospel on us and that's when I thought he caught fire and slammed it into another gear. His dancing left a little something to be desired, but he can sing and I thought he did great. Randy thought Danny turned the song into something he could really deliver. Kara called him an "incredible vocalist" and said his pitch is right on, but cautioned him that it may not have been memerable...what is she talking about?! Paula said he has "one of the sexist voices" ever--that's our Paula, always there with an inappropriate comment to keep things interesting. Simon agreed with everyone else's comments (including Paula's?), but said he didn't get any star performance out of Danny--he said it was a bit clumsy. Danny is definitely no Adam, but he can sing!
- Dressed in a bedazzled black leather dress with a white jacket, 16-year-old Allison Iraheta sang Donna Summer's "Hot Stuff". In an attempt to make the song more her own, Allison started out lounging on the Idol stairs behind the stage. After about 16 bars, she got to rockin' and the crowd really enjoyed it. The judges all thought she did a nice job--Randy said it was a bit "indulgent", Kara thought it was the right song, Paula said the final note was the perfect capper to the song, and Simon said it was "brilliant".
- A very dashing Adam Lambert dressed in a black suit and with his hair swept up in a pompadour similar to that worn by John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever put his special spin on "If I Can't Have You" from the SNF soundtrack. Adam slowed the song down significantly from the original version and pretty much slayed it like he does every week. Randy said Adam is "ready right now"--meaning he is set to record...duh! Kara was all gaga over his performance, his look, and his abilities. Paula "felt his pain, his vulnerability" and said he would be in the finals--along with Danny who she predicted earlier in the show. Simon didn't go quite as crazy, but still found it memorable and the vocals "immaculate".
- With irony dripping from the stage like syrup on pancakes, Second Chance Matt picked "Staying Alive" by the Bee Gees. Doing his best impersonation of Justin Timberlake, Matt gave everything he had in his performance to make sure the judges (and the voters) feel good about last week's Judge's Save. Randy didn't care for the song selection, but said Matt can sing--and then he said Season 8 has the best singers ever. Kara was happy that Matt brought Disco back for the night. Paula compared Matt's song selection to her bowling game--sometimes it's gutter balls, other times it's strikes...and she felt tonight was a strike. Simon called the performance "desperate" and said it lacked originality. Matt may be in a bit of trouble come tomorrow night.
- Putting a wrapper on Disco night, Anoop Dogg Desai serenaded us with his take on "Dim All the Lights" by none other than the Queen of the Disco floor, Donna Summer. Anoop was styling in a pink cardigan with a pink and blue striped tie, but I'm not sure it was his best performance of the season. Randy wasn't a fan of the arrangement, but thought Anoop sounded good. Kara said it was a great song choice and "could be on the radio". Paula complimented Anoop on his look and said he sounded good. But Simon agreed with me and said it was "mediocre at best" and then dropped the "worst performance" bomb. Sounds like there might be a bit of rift between Mr. Crabby Pants and the new judge.
For the second week in a row, we were treated to seven performances, but this week only five Idols will survive once all of the votes are counted. Who's in danger? Read on and find out...
As happened last week, the bottom three will be made up of Lil Rounds (going home), Matt Giraud, and Anoop Desai. Joining Lil on the Greyhound bus out of town will be...Matt Giraud. And it looks like the recipent of the first ever Judge's Save won't last another week.
Tune in tomorrow to see how things fall out once they tally up the phone calls and text messages. As an added bonus, David Archuleta will perform for your pleasure.
Until then, I will continue watching TV so you don't have to...
Peace!
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