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American Idol latest update: Rat Pack night a challenge for some
When you think The Rat Pack, you naturally think of Jamie Foxx, right? Ummm, me either.
Foxx, whose overall talent is tremendous, is the mentor for the five remaining American Idol contestants on their Rat Pack week. I guess I don’t know who I would have lined up instead.
This night could spell trouble for a couple singers whose styles might not work here. Let’s see.
Kris Allen is up first, and he chooses “The Way You Look Tonight,” made famous by Frank Sinatra. Foxx gives Kris high praise in the intro.
My take: It won’t be all that memorable when the night is said and done. It was fine, but you need to do more than ‘fine’ this late in the process.
Judges’ take: Randy, Kara and Paula loved it. Said Kara, “You are truly a dark horse for this competition.” Simon, however, made me feel a bit better when he said he thought it was good but not great.
Allison Iraheta is up next, and Ryan points out that Allison just celebrated her 17th birthday and is the lone woman left in the competition. She sings “Someone to Watch Over Me.”
My take: This week sets up for a tough one for her, but I think she showed a whole new side. Allison impressed me with this. I might actually download this one.
Judges’ take: Randy, Paula and Kara were wowed. “If that doesn’t land you in the finals, I don’t know what will,” Kara said. Simon threw cold water on it when he said it wa a great performance, but added, “I have a horrible feeling you could be in trouble tonight.”
Matt Giraud selects “Funny Valentine” and Foxx thinks he could be No. 1 for the night if he nails the big last note.
My take: Maybe Matt should not have been saved by the judges a couple weeks ago. I thought he was off, and it was the worst of the night so far. The last note won’t be enough to save him.
Judges’ take: Randy and Kara didn’t think much of Matt’s performance. Said Randy, “It didn’t all come together for me.” Simon and Paula disagreed with the other two. “For me, it was the only believable, authentic song I’ve heard tonight. I thought you were absolutely brilliant.”
Danny Gokey picks “Come Rain or Come Shine” and gets some up-close advice from Foxx. It threw Danny off, but will it help him?
My take: If there is a week made for Danny, this should be it. It took him a long time to get there, but the second half of the performance was great.
Judges’ take: Randy said, “You could actually have an album of songs like this” Kara: Paula. Simon: I felt tonight you came out to prove a point. Your performance was what I think you’re capable of.”
Adam Lambert selects “Feeling Good” but spins it with a rock edge that has Foxx impressed.
My take: In the interest of full disclosure, I want everyone to know that I am not the president of the Adam Lambert Fan Club. I think he’s been anointed the winner for weeks, and that makes the show suffer. That said, the vocals were great but a little too over-the-top at times for me. He is a showman.
Judges’ take: Randy agreed with me that it was a “little too theatrical,” but Kara, Paul and Simon raved. Kara said, “You’re shocking .. and way over the top, but I like you.” Added Simon: “I love Randy complaining that you’re theatrical. It’s like complaining a that a cow moos. It’s what you do.”
To recap, I think Kris and Matt were easily the bottom two, and one of them should be going home. Adam is safe, and I think Danny and Alllison deserve to continue on too.
Now, talk amongst yourselves.
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Comments
By Shantei
April 29, 2009 7:50 PM | Link to this
Hey Ben! Long time no see! I am glad we have these reality blogs so we can post our opinions! Thanks for making feel wanted! LOL!
By Mike
April 29, 2009 1:31 PM | Link to this
Paula Abdul has got to go, she is discusting and ruins the show. “What a B she is”.
By Kim
April 29, 2009 11:06 AM | Link to this
Good job, Heather - lol! And ha ha - I noticed the same thing about Adam and the tongue - I thought “Oh NOW he’s trying to channel Gene Simmons” - ha! A rock week would make sense for Daughtry to appear - but Slash as a mentor? That would interesting! I’m with what they said on there though - ditch the mentors and give us 2 songs per contestant! Of course the judges are so wordy that they would really run over if they sang two songs each! It would be nice if they could even sing a full song - but it’s still little “half songs”. I mean jeez - it’s a hour show and they can’t spare them 4 minutes each just to sing - a total of 20 minutes of show time? There’s something wrong with this picture.
By Coach
April 29, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
Having Jamie Foxx as “Mentor” this week was a great move on the part of Amer. Idol - he did a great job! Danny was probably the best tonite & Adam as usual was fawned over by the judges(very over-rated!) The bottom two should be Kris & Adam, but America is always swayed by the judge’s comments, so Matt will probably go home. Allison is just holding on, but was better than Kris & Adam & as good as Matt!
By Lori
April 29, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this
I love Danny and Kris. They could sing anything and I would buy it. I’m afraid that it’s time for Matt to go. He just doesn’t have the voice the rest of them do. If Adam would do one song without his trademark screech, I might be able to tolerate him. Allison has an incredible voice, but she still can’t quite connect with the audience. Last night was my favorite by far.
By Kim
April 29, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this
Thanks for filling in on the blog, Ben - good job. :) I also thought it was an interesting choice to have Jaime mentoring this week - but I have to hand it to him - I thought he was the best one they have had as far as helping the contestants! He is a mega-talented all-around performer, and that is what a lot of them really needed help with. He was awesome. I enjoyed Kris and thought he was “good” - not stellar but solid. I thought Allison did her best ever - she actually gave me chills this time. I would agree that if this doesn’t get in the finals then nothing will - but unfortunately - I don’t think anything will. I hope that Simon is wrong about her leaving tonight though. Matt the Hat - not feeling him still and still wish he had gone home 2 weeks ago. His performance felt the weakest by far. Danny -wow - I was worried about him fading into the background, but he reminded me that he is the reason I started watching this season. Talk about connecting - I felt like he reached through the TV, grabbed me by the collar and growled, “You seem to have forgotten, you’re MINE!” LOL! That was a knee-weakening performance and I can safely say my heart belongs to Danny. Kris Who? Adam…um - I had a son-in-law named Adam once - was there another? Ha! I enjoy seeing what Adam comes up with and I give him props for talent and his rock star style - but he’s not my Idol. My prediction is for Matt to go home tonight, with probably Allison joining him in the bottom 2. I think it should be Kris based on the performances, but I am concerned that he has a bigger fan base than Allison. We’ll see - I’m way excited about seeing Taylor tonight! Ahh…season 5…
By Heather
April 29, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this
Is it really bad of me that I was secretly hoping Adam would trip on his way down the steps?? :) I’m just so tired of him……the make-up, the screaming. I’ve come to just sit there through his performances and wait for the scream to come, because I know it will. And last night, the scream came and the tongue was sticking out. Ugh. And his “Thanks guys” is old too. Ok, enough about him. I actually thought last night was one of my favorites. Allison has been waning for me - but, I really liked her last night. Not enough for me to want her to stay over Kris, Matt or Danny - but, she sounded really good. Kris was nice and smooth. I’ve liked him for such a long time and it’s good to see that others are getting on board. Matt had his moments, but I do think they were overshadowed by the bad ones. I’m so torn because I like him a ton, but I think he’s sung his final song. Danny was probably my favorite of the night. I’ve been kind of hot and cold with him, but I thought he really stepped up last night. In the end, I think tonight is going to be a sad night with possibly one of my two favorites leaving - Kris or Matt. In a perfect world, Adam or Allison would be going - but, I don’t see that happening. Oh - and for Kim when you read this. I did my research first and came up with this link: http://www.americanidolfan.net/2009/04/american-idol-42809-rat-pack-theme-song-list-spoilers-idol-top-4-rock-theme-spoiler.html Looks like next week my be a Rock Theme.
By Cory
April 29, 2009 9:13 AM | Link to this
I know Matt G. won’t win, but, I would so like for him to. I love his voice and I agreed with Simon that his performance was brilliant. And although this is the first Adam L. performance that I could actually listen to, I cringe at the thought that he will win. Kris is growing on me and Allison is awlays great. Danny is so likeable it makes me sad that I don’t actually care if he wins even though he is so good. I have the feeling Matt will be sent home tonight, but, I, for one, do not think the judges wasted their save on him.
By Trish
April 29, 2009 8:31 AM | Link to this
Danny was AMAZING! I have loved him from the start and I think he is getting better and better every week. He can sing ANYTHING well! He deserves to win. Adam just needs to get over himself. I think all the praise from the judges is going to his head. I was not impressed with him last night. Allison is terrific. She truly has an amazing voice and a unique sound. Kris is consistent and I like him. I think Matt is good, but he doesn’t have what it takes to win this competition. I believe Matt will be sent home tonight.
By rene
April 29, 2009 7:20 AM | Link to this
Hello all…Kris was good, but this really isn’t his style.Allison was great-I loved it and thought that Randy ws right.She sounded like Pink singing the tune.Matt was awful.Poor pitch and just not cool. Danny was my favorite and by far the best of the evening. WOW. Adam was OK, but too much “drama” & “theater” for me, and the arrangement wasn’t my cup of tea. Bottom 2=Matt, Allison (possibly Kris) with Matt going home.
By Ben
April 28, 2009 11:09 PM | Link to this
Shantei, I forgot to say in the blog tonight that I was filling in this week for Kelle. I guess I was true enough to her general comments that you didn’t even notice it was me. I appreciate your postings on here every week and look forward to them.
By Shantei
April 28, 2009 10:18 PM | Link to this
Kelle, I thought tonight was great. Kris did well for me. It was wonderful. I said last week that he was the dark horse. Allison was good, but her nerves were visable tonight. I saw a little bit of Matt’s performance and changed the channel. He sounded flat and went too literal on what Jamie Foxx said. Danny blew it out the park. Jamie had to get in him for him to step out of his comfort zone. Adam to me…. Was a little off. The middle was all over the place. The end was great though. It sent chills through me. With that being said, my bottom 2 would be Allison and Matt with Matt going home. Saying Allison is killing me, but I think Kris was better. I agree with you 1000% that they wasted that save on Matt and the 2 people that were clearly better than him got sent home.