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“American Idol” guys: Who should stay, who should go?
The Top 10 guys took to the stage tonight in a surprise twist as contestant Crystal Bowersox, from Ohio, was taken to the hospital earlier today, and was not allowed to perform under doctor’s orders, forcing “American Idol” producers to switch this week’s schedule. US Weekly is reporting Crystal suffered from diabetes complications.
As for the guys, well, I just don’t know what to think. They still have a lot to prove. Most seasons you can tell early on who’s going to make it to the finals or at least the final four. This season, I’m not so sure. Some early favorites have been disappointing so far, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed they’ll snap to it. Others seemingly have come out of nowhere and consistently impress. It should be an interesting road to the top.
Who should definitely stay based on tonight’s performances? Michael Lynche and Lee Dewyse
Who should go based on tonight’s performances? Jermaine Sellers and Todrick Hall, but possibly John Park because he just wasn’t memorable at all.
Who deserves a get out of jail free card? Andrew Garcia, Casey James and Aaron Kelley — we’ve seen what they can bring despite mediocre performances tonight.
Tonight’s theme was Billboard hits, and here’s how the guys stood up against these hits:
Michael Lynche
Song: “This is a Man’s World” by James Brown
Vocals: Strong
Stage presence: Strong
Judges comments: Randy said Big Mike is an R&B star. Ellen loved the song choice. Kara said tonight Mike went from a singer to potentially a great star. Simon said he went from “pussycat to lion” in one week and that the song choice was the perfect and his best performance so far.
Overall impression: Big Mike really redeemed himself after last week’s lackluster performance of “This Love” by Maroon 5 and showed us why he deserves to be here — he’s a natural-born performer.
Grade: A-
John Park
Song: “Gravity” by John Mayer
Vocals: Strong
Stage presence: Weak
Judges comments: Randy said he didn’t bring anything new or spicy to the performance and that it just wasn’t special. Ellen said it was the right song choice, but that it didn’t have enough emotion. Kara said it was way better than last week’s performance (“God Bless the Child” by Billie Holiday), but that he lacks a connection with the audience. She said he is a little bit safe and needs to take some risks in order to advance. Simon said he thinks Purple Haze may get their lead singer back and that it didn’t feel authentic. Although better than last week, Simon said it was a forgettable performance.
Overall impression: The judges were right on target with this one. Way better than last week’s snorer. I still really like John and want to see him stick around. He just needs to get more comfortable on that stage and, like the judges said, be willing to take some risks and show us what kind of artist he could be.
Grade: C
Casey James
Song: “I Don’t Wanna Be” by Gavin DeGraw
Vocals: So-So
Stage presence: Strong, though a little too guitar-focused
Judges comments: Randy said this is the kind of music he could see Casey recording as an artist. Ellen felt like everything was on paper, but that he needs to work on his performing skills. Kara (a huge Casey fan if you haven’t been watching) said he took two steps backward tonight, but that she’s still a fan. Simon said he agrees with Kara because tonight Casey “turned into somebody you’d see in any bar across America trying to be a rock star.”
Overall impression: Casey is certainly not the best singer in this competition, but he is a strong performer with a very commercial look — and therefore has some star potential. I think he’ll be around for awhile. Tonight, I think it was too much showing off with the guitar and not enough emphasis on singing.
Grade: B-
Alex Lambert
Song: “Everybody Knows” by John Legend
Vocals: Mediocre (really butchered that last note)
Stage presence: Mediocre, lacked confidence.
Judges comments: Randy said it was much better than last week and that he was much better with the guitar. Ellen said the “unripe banana” has ripened and that he has a unique style. Kara said everyone is rooting for Alex and that he has a very recordable voice. Simon said it was a million times better than last week and that he doesn’t seem to be in it to win it and that he needs to believe in himself.
Overall impression: I thought Alex should have went home last week, but America gave him another chance. I wasn’t as impressed as the judges were tonight, but he certainly was better than last week’s awful performance of “What a Wonderful World” by James Morrison and many of tonight’s other performers. Maybe it was just me, but I cringed during that last note.
Grade: B-
Todrick Hall
Song: “What’s Love” by Tina Turner
Vocals: Solid
Stage presence: Mediocre … a little boring this week
Judges comments: Randy said Todrick is great, but is changing the arrangements too much. Ellen said he should sing and move and play to his strengths and didn’t think it was the right song choice. Kara agreed. Simon was pretty harsh: “move but don’t sing,” and compared it to a theme-park performance.
Overall impression: I don’t agree with Simon’s theme-park comment, but that performance just didn’t work. It lacked energy, which is what Todrick does best, and the arrangement was too weird. Todrick wants to be an artist who sings and dances, and he should play to that strength and really show himself as a performer. It’s definitely in him.
Grade: C-
Jermaine Sellers
Song: “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye
Vocals: Good, but overdone
Stage presence: Strong.
Judges comments: Randy said it was definitely better than last week’s performance of “Get Here” by Oleta Adams and had some bright moments, but wasn’t great overall. Ellen complimented Jermaine’s style, but said that the performance just didn’t work. Kara said he is hitting some great notes, but that it’s too overdone and that he needs to focus on the meaning of the song. Simon said he’s frustrated because Jermaine waters down the songs by adding in so many vocal tricks and comes across as old-fashioned.
Overall impression: It’s hard to disagree with the judges on this one.
Grade: C-
Andrew Garcia
Song: “You Give Me Something” by James Morrison
Vocals: Strong
Stage presence: Good
Judges comments: Randy said it was pitchy and that Andrew is way better than that. He also urged Andrew to be more quirky. Ellen said there were a few pitch problems, but the real problem was that he set the bar so high with his Hollywood Week performance of Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up.” Kara agreed that since that performance, it’s been going downhill and that he’s a rhythmic singer and should stick with songs that showcase that. Simon said it is frustrating that Andrew hasn’t picked the right song in two weeks and that Andrew is better than “OK.”
Overall impression: C’mon Andrew. I’m rooting for you. I do think it will be hard to live up to “Straight Up,” because that performance was so fun and so unexpected. But he has to at least try. Andrew has a really captivating voice, but he’s playing it way too safe.
Grade: B-
Aaron Kelley
Song: “My Girl” by the Temptations
Vocals: Good
Stage presence: Strong and more confident
Judges comments: Randy and Ellen commended Aaron’s confidence and the song showed off his vocals, but maybe wasn’t the best fit. Kara said she liked the performance and that he’s consistent. Simon said he didn’t like the song and that it was all over the place and that he needs to decide what kind of artist he wants to be … and that the arrangement was too old-fashioned.
Overall impression: I didn’t think Aaron’s performance was as strong as last week’s performance of “Here Comes Goodbye” by Rascal Flatts, but that he managed to prove with his country twist on the song that he has a strong voice and deserves to stick around.
Grade: B
Tim Urban
Song: “Come on Get Higher” by Matt Nathanson
Vocals: So-so
Stage presence: So-so
Judges comments: Randy said it was very karaoke and that nothing jumped out. Ellen said he should act and would be great for a show like “Glee,” but that singing is not his strong suit. Kara liked the song choice but said that he didn’t make it his own. Simon said it was a big improvement from last week and that he listened to the criticism and was more relevant tonight than some of the other singers.
Overall impression: Certainly better than last week’s simply awful rendition of “Apologize,” by OneRepublic, but I still think Tim doesn’t have what it takes to last in this competition, vocally and as a performer. He just can’t measure up to some of his competitors.
Grade: C
Lee Dewyze
Song: “Lips of an Angel” by Hinder
Vocals: Strong
Stage presence: Lee was a little nervous without his guitar
Judges comments: Randy said he’s a huge fan and liked the performance despite a couple pitch problems. Ellen said there was so much passion and intensity in that performance. Kara said he thought it was better than last week, and that she could hear him on the radio right now. Simon said vocally he is head and shoulders above everyone else on this side of the competition and that he needs to gain confidence on stage, fast. “You may be the one to beat,” Simon said.
Overall impression: Finally! A memorable performance. Lee is definitely the dark horse in this competition. We saw little of him up until the live shows and now he seems to be one of a few who are really in it to win it and who knows what kind of artist he wants to be.
Grade: B+
Do you see any finalists in this lineup? Who do you like so far in this competition?
Up next: The ladies take the stage Wednesday night at 8 p.m. EST on Fox.
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Comments
By artist
March 3, 2010 2:35 PM | Link to this
My prediction for the top 5 guys: Mike Lynch, Lee Dewyze, Aaron Kelly, Casey James, and Andrew Garcia. The rest of them should just go home tonight, especailly Todrick, Tim, and Alex….they are just soooooo poor.
By IdolFan
March 3, 2010 10:11 AM | Link to this
I love Lee Dewyze’s voice….it is awesome. I hope he gets over his nerves because he will be the one to beat. Michael Lynche is another of my favorites. I hope they both stay!
By Squirrellygirl
March 3, 2010 10:04 AM | Link to this
I don’t think Casey’s performance was mediocre at all: it rocked and he can play a mean guitar. His vocals aren’t bad, but nothing special. But when you put the whole pkg together he definitely deserves to stay, and I thoroughly enjoyed his performance. He’s believable, and I can see him playing concerts. I believe Casey should be in the top top AI’s at the very least. Michael Lynche was okay, but I’ve heard lots better. He was one of the better performances, but I do think he was overrated. I like Andrew Garcia, and hope he sticks around to show us more of what he has got. Tim Urban is out of his league, and I’d be surprised if he sticks around much longer. He shouldn’t make the top 10. I think Aaron Kelly is the darkhorse, and the one to watch in this competition.
By megs
March 3, 2010 9:09 AM | Link to this
All of them should be sent home, this is a horribl season for the guys!
By cat
March 3, 2010 6:43 AM | Link to this
I just think they made a big mistake sending Tyler home. The show is just boring now.
By Becky
March 2, 2010 11:17 PM | Link to this
Lee Dewyze just may be the one to really watch this season. Has to overcome some nerves and quit worrying if his pants are falling down….maybe he’s worried about looking like a fool