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Who made Idol’s Top 3? You may be surprised
Crystal Bowersox, Casey James and Lee Dewyze are all going home … as part of next week’s “American Idol” episode.
Michael Lynche, who was rescued by the judges save five weeks ago in perhaps the season’s most surprising results show, did not make the top three.
“I wasn’t even supposed to be here … thank God for the judges save,” Big Mike said before his farewell performance.
Big Mike gained popularity early in the season not only because of his big size and big voice, but also for his big personality. During Hollywood Week, he juggled rehearsals with coaching his wife through labor by phone. He went on to make an impression with lively, soulful and emotional performances that moved judge Kara DioGuardi to tears more than once.
DioGuardi advised Big Mike not to stop pursuing his dream and to sing his heart out every night.
In case you missed the show, here’s the replay …
The show started with the perfunctory introductions from Ryan Seacrest. (If you don’t know who the judges are by now, maybe you shouldn’t be watching this show.)
After Seacrest’s intros, American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia sang “Bittersweet,” her first single from her new album, which drops this summer. It will be her first album in three years. “It’s been too long,” Fantasia said. She talks a little bit about her daughter, who is now 9 years old and, she says, the same height as judge Randy Jackson.
Fantasia still has serious pipes, but her outfit choice may not have been the greatest. Spandex isn’t for everyone, Fantasia.
The Ford music video continues to be ridiculous. Big Mike in a Ford Fiesta reminds me of a whole bunch of clowns in one of those tiny cars at the circus. Something tells me Big Mike will NEVER drive a Ford Fiesta in his life. If he does, he better get the number of a good chiropractor.
Clips of former seasons’ top three finalists getting their hometown welcomes set the stage for next week. It’s going to be so great to see Ohio cheering on their hometown hero Crystal Bowersox. It might just be worth a road trip to Elliston to be part of the fun.
Seacrest asks for them to dim the lights … we know what that means. They are getting right to it tonight. Let’s see what they have to say ….
Casey is safe and in the top three!
Lee, Crystal and Mike look pretty nervous. You could tell by Big Mike’s face he knew his fate at that instant.
Diversion No. 1. Daughtry, one of the best Idols of all time who ironically didn’t make the Top 3 in his season, performed “September.” This guy is living proof that it doesn’t matter if you win the crown at the end of the season. Taylor Hicks, who?
Daughtry advised the contestants to “stay hungry” (insert Big Mike joke here) and to stay true to themselves post-Idol.
Back to the dimmed lights.
Lee Dewyze is headed home … to Chicago to see his family for next week’s show.
That leaves Big Mike and Crystal.
More suspense while Bon Jovi takes the stage to perform “Superman Tonight.” Tonight’s lineup is pretty impressive considering some of the performers who have taken to the stage this season.
The lights are dim again. Crystal is in the top three. Big Mike is not.
My top three would have been Crystal, Lee and Mike based on overall talent.
But we all know that “American Idol” never has been based on talent alone. Big Mike, whose vocals are among the best, can still have a promising career in R&B … he just didn’t have the fan following to carry him through all the way in this competition. Judging by his many bottom three appearances and being voting off mid-season before the judges save, this shouldn’t come as a shock to everyone.
At this point in the game, someone has to go home.
Wonder who it will be next week…
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Comments
By Flollulfums
June 2, 2011 5:57 AM | Link to this
I just book marked your blog on Digg and StumbleUpon.I enjoy reading your commentaries.
By Squirrellygirl
May 14, 2010 11:16 AM | Link to this
Music subject to the hearer, the listener. Personally when I hear someone sing off key I note it. If they continue to sing off key, I tune them out. Lee is the one who does this consistently. I don’t care what anyone says, I know my music. If Lee wins, it won’t be good for AI. Crystal and Casey should be in the finale. I don’t care if you don’t care about Ricky Nelson or music. I don’t care what you think about my comments. I know music, and I say Casey’s voice is a million times better than Lee’s. Casey doesn’t have to shout to hit a high note, and he is a fantastic performer. I feel uncomfortable watching Lee perform because Lee is uncomfortable on stage. He’s not convincing in his performances. I get lost in Casey’s performances, and I forget he’s on AI when he’s performing…I feel like I’m at a Casey concert. Same thing w/Crystal. Lee should go home next week. If promusician is so great, why haven’t we heard of him before. The way he blogged, it was like he’s the only one able to come up w/constructive critism. I think promusician isn’t as good as he thinks he is. I’m entitled to my opinions, too. Casey should be in the finale.
By Voice of Reason
May 13, 2010 6:24 PM | Link to this
Squirrellygirl does not have a clue! Take a moment & go to votefortheworst.com and you will know why Casey is still here - they have gotten over a million votes choosing the worst singer, and Casey has been their choice for the last month! Based upon talent, Mike would still be here, but he is not popular for other reasons! Crystal should win, BUT popularity can change things!
By snob
May 13, 2010 3:58 PM | Link to this
Squirrely…I’d leave promusician alone. You are showing what moron you really are by saying such things, and no one here cares about “a guy” that used to be in Ricky Nelson’s band one bit. Grow up.
By my2cents
May 13, 2010 3:38 PM | Link to this
Lee is my idol this year! Great vocals, adorable look, plays a mean guitar, and just has it!
By Idolisthebest
May 13, 2010 3:32 PM | Link to this
I’m rooting for Siobhan. She has the best voice and the best look. I love her. Go Shiobhan! We’ll all be voting for you.
By Squirrellygirl
May 13, 2010 1:08 PM | Link to this
second line of my blog should say “who” instead of “you”—sorry, no edit key.
By Squirrellygirl
May 13, 2010 1:06 PM | Link to this
Promusician, you are not the only musician you blogs here. I’ll tolerate your blog, but you’re wrong about Casey and Lee. Lee is off key A LOT, and every musician knows that is a bad thing. Casey doesn’t sing off key, and his voice reminds me of the lead singer in Guess Who. Casey’s guitar playing is mad, and Crystal is the best vocalist of the bunch. BTW, I recorded music with a guy that use to be in Ricky Nelson’s band, some music I wrote. So you’re not the only one who has “experience”. DUH!
By Promusician
May 13, 2010 12:31 PM | Link to this
Good Lord…Squirrellygirl is just nuts with her writings on this stuff-can’t sit here and take it anymore. And yes, I’m a working studio musician in Nashville and have been for 25+ years (originally from Dayton).Casey is a GREAT guitar player, but his voice will never give him the top career. Lee is OK, Chrystal is super and should win.If not, she’ll be big in the industry anyway.
By Squirrellygirl
May 13, 2010 12:24 PM | Link to this
It was time for Big Mike to go, not just because of his looks, but because his voice doesn’t measure up. He does alot w/what he has, but his voice was too tinny for my taste. Lee should go home next. His performances are not convincing, he looks uncomfortable on stage (and this may get better w/time and experience), but he’s way too often off-key. That I cannot tolerate and it is what makes him one of my least favorite contestants on Idol. Casey’s voice reminds me of the lead singer in Guess Who. I love Casey’s voice. And his guitar playing is out of this world. Casey is the whole pkg and deserves to be in the finale. Crystal and Casey should be in the finale and Crystal should win. I would buy Crystal and Casey’s music. I wouldn’t purchase Mike’s or Lee’s music. That’s the difference.
By Smarg
May 13, 2010 12:12 PM | Link to this
Mike had girly falsetto that was irritating. He needed to go.
By BK
May 13, 2010 9:32 AM | Link to this
It is unfortunate that Big Mike was voted off, but we knew eventually it was coming. I do hope that he gets the opportunity to go beyond American Idol, like so many have who were voted off for “biased” voting. “AMERICA” seems to overlook true talent for a physical appearance that will deteriorate! Casey shouldn’t be in the top 3, but because voters are looking at his appearance, it overshadows his sound…Even in the duet, Randy pointed out that Big Mike’s sultry sound cleaned it up, but…I agree with the other post, Casey should have gone home and he surely shouldn’t make the top 2. So if you like his guitar - fine, but that’s not enough to keep him in a competition that has passed him by.
By Squirrellygirl
May 13, 2010 8:20 AM | Link to this
I know music is subject to the hearer, appreciator, but Michelle Fong doesn’t know talent when she sees it apparently. America voted for Casey because Casey is fantastic and belongs in the top 3. I believe it should be Casey and Crystal in the final two, but Casey definitely belongs in the top 3, just like America voted. Mike did a lot with what he has, but his voice is tinny and is just not as good as Casey’s, plus I love Casey’s guitar.
By Mr. Magoo
May 13, 2010 7:19 AM | Link to this
Casey should have left. I even think Lee should have been eliminated before Big Mike. Oh, well.
By agent
May 13, 2010 7:00 AM | Link to this
I would have rather seen Casey go home, but Mike would have been other choice. I still think that Lee & Chrystal will be the top 2, with Chrystal winning it all.