As usual, this was the week where I started feleing American Idol fatigue.
By the time we get to Top Six (or Top Six + Matt Giraud), we’ve pretty much seen all the pony tricks, and the show becomes an inevitable march to the finals.
Once again, for instance, Lil Rounds demonstrated that she doesn’t have a “real self.” She’s just not enough of an artist or a singer to place something memorable on a song.
The judges refuse to admit that, of course. After Lil wobbled through “I’m Every Woman,” Kara said she’d been hoping Lil would tackle an artist like Chaka Khan all season, but that when she did, it lacked Lil’s “personal flair” or whatever. Um… guys? Could it be that Lil has no personal flair? She’s got a great personality and a fair-to-middlin’ voice, and she was able to joke her way through a Mary J. Blige song a few weeks ago, but that’s not the same as having interpretive skill. I hate admitting it, but the hoary “karaoke” label totally applies.
We also got more of the same from Matt Giraud and Anoop Desai, meaning they were a little bit good and a little bit annoying.
And Danny Gokey. Oh, Danny Gokey! Roommate Joe nailed it when he said this kid gives the same performance every time he sings a fast song. The overly-mapped-out running and jumping. The blank facial expression. The acceptably sung notes. The blatant desire to make us like him. It’s always there.
My boyf Andrew suggests Danny may be relying on the same drunk-uncle-at-the-party tricks because he realizes he’s not the favorite anymore, so he’s trying to recapture the magic from the beginning of the season.
Meanwhile, even the good performances were good in the way I expected. I mean, I really enjoyed listening to Adam Lambert‘s “If I Can’t Have You,” and I dug both Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta‘s reinterpretations of Donna Summer. But their excellence wasn’t surprising, you know? The drama is gone.
In my heart, I’m reaching for the Hurry-Up Machine, so I can get to the part where Adam, Kris, and Allison release their albums already. Unless Adam literally turns into Donna Summer next week, I don’t imagine anything else will surprise me this season.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Lynne // Apr 22, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I am there as well, Mark…so ready for the finals. I like Matt and Danny so much but everything sounds and looks the same to me. Allison is just a living doll with a killer voice – such a great future for her I hope. Kris Allen has developed more than any other individual in this entire group – a clear standout as well. And Lil, such promise in the beginning during Hollywood week. Like Simon said, you can just read the sadness on her face week after week, but we should not be subjected to her mediocre performances any longer.
You’d have to be a stone statue to not be moved by Adam’s song selection and his highly personal and understated dramatic delivery last night. Compelling – is the best word that comes to mind – in addition to of course, his immaculate vocals as Simon stated.
2 michelle @ TNS // Apr 22, 2009 at 4:23 pm
i’m with you on all of that…except the adam lambert. he’s an execrable presence who needs to get OFF my tv. and he needs a haircut. and to go back to musical theater.
sometimes i think he’s made of plastic.
3 Rube Goldberg // Apr 22, 2009 at 4:38 pm
I hit the fatigue wall last week, so tonight’s double elimination should at least create the placebo effect that things are going in fast forward. Fortunately, Idol does a good job of surprising us with awesomeness when it gets down to this part of the competition (Bon Jovi week is a great example), so I’m curious what the show may have in store.
4 Mark Blankenship // Apr 22, 2009 at 4:58 pm
True about the final-week awesomeness, Mike. Maybe they’ll put out something great for top five. (I’ll keep hope alive.)
5 K. // Apr 22, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I agree (except Anoop doesn’t annoy me; I like him and love his voice). The problem is that the final two are so clearly going to be Danny and Adam, and have been for pretty much the entire time. And I wouldn’t buy anything that either of them put out; Adam always comes across as musical theater to me, even when I like what he does. And Danny is way overrated. So I’m kind of like, “I don’t really care about either of the final two, so why should I keep watching?” (I would love an Anoop/Kris final two, but ain’t no way that’s gonna happen.)
6 JennyM // Apr 23, 2009 at 10:01 am
It’s that point in the season where it seems like it’s been going on forever, where with a few of the performers you’re like, “Wait, I thought he was eliminated three weeks ago.” Really, a few weeks ago, I decided they should just have the Adam Lambert show for the first hour and let him do whatever he wants (with special guest stars!) and then have the regular whatever. Kris and Allison are chipping away at my icy cold heart, though.
7 Lynne // Apr 23, 2009 at 12:26 pm
That had to be the worst results show to date. One of those senior disco queens looked like Big Bird went through my blender for heaven’s sake. And her gigundus bosom was spilling out in a most unattractive manner. The other lady could barely breathe. Neither of them could carry the songs. Too bad they couldn’t get a BeeGee or two to perform. Let’s hear it for performers knowing when to stay off the stage, sit back and maybe write their memoirs or join a recipe swap. The producers should know better. It was dreadful.
And what is happening to all these Idol alums? Archuleta’s vocals were beyond pitiful like Clarkson, Pickler and some others I’ve already forgotten. Carrie Underwood, David Cook and Jennifer Hudson were the only ones who sounded decent.
Okay Lynne, calm down…it’s just a TV show.
8 Mark Blankenship // Apr 23, 2009 at 12:49 pm
My question about the results show was why Ryan insisted that the audience stand up and applaud for Freda Payne. She had one hit thirty years ago. Does that merit an ovation? Do we have to leap to our feet for T’Pau as well?
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