'American Idol' Recap 03/13: Top 12 sing Diana Ross

March 13, 07:25 PM

Tuesday (March 13) night's American Idol is packed with more individual performances and more of the sage wisdom of Diana Ross than any human being should ever have to stomach in a two-hour period.

So let's just talk performances:

Singer: Brandon Rogers
Song: "Can't Hurry Love"
My Take: Do you think somebody had the guts to tell Diana Ross what a great job Beyonce did playing her in Dreamgirls? Brandon starts off sharp and almost immediately he's out of synch with the massive orchestra. Uh-oh. This is a disaster. Between the frantic band, the off-beat audience clapping and Brandon's broken-hip dancing, it's a mess. Around the mid-point, a frog explodes from his mouth in one of the worst notes I've ever heard from an Idol singer and then later he forgets the lyrics, smiling sweetly over the awkward silence. Bye, Brandon. It's been fun.
Domingo, Pavarotti and Simon Say: Randy loved the last two notes, but mostly tears Brandon to pieces. Did Paula get fresh collagen or something today? Her face looks extra-paralyzed, as she tells Brandon that he must have had nerves. Simon calls it a complete letdown, saying he came across as the background singer to a background singer.

Singer: Melinda Doolittle
Song: "Home"
My Take: Melinda's contention that she's more of a tennis shoe and sweatpants gal both briefly humanizes Little Miss OCD and prompts a climax to the season-long homoerotic escalation between Simon and Ryan, culminating in Ryan telling Simon to stay out of his closet and Simon telling Ryan to come out. They seem more amused by this banter than they should be and they've now reached a breaking point -- they either need to make out next week, or else shut up. Anyway, I don't want to sound, um, Ryan-esque, but the Idol costumers should be working to elongate Melinda, not make her seem more compact, which tonight's outfit does. I only point this out, because the next three months should be all about polishing the few rough spots Melinda has, since vocally she's pitch-perfect. Again. I'd take this performance over Diana Ross' original any day and not just because I dislike The Wiz.
Domingo, Pavarotti and Simon Say: Randy scores it 1-0 for the girls (Brandon was so bad the girls should get an extra point). Paula's bawling in true Season Three or Season Four fashion. Oye. She'd been so well-medicated this season. What happened? Simon says Melinda reminds him of a young Gladys Knight.

Singer: Chris Sligh
Song: "Endless Love"
My Take: Am I the only one slightly scared by bare-faced Chris? Bring the glasses back. It's interesting to hear Chris sing a song with a straight-forward melody. While he hits a few bum notes at first, he ultimately does a fair impression of a guy who can sing, which isn't nearly the same as an impression of a guy who can perform. There's a lot of emoting, minimal emotional connection and no impact.
Domingo, Pavarotti and Simon Say: Randy didn't like the arrangement of the song, which made the whole thing a mess for him. Paula took something at the break, because she's briefly coherent. Simon thinks Chris turned a beautiful song into a drone. "Even the boos are light," he says, when only a couple fans protest his opinion.

Singer: Gina Glocksen
Song: "Love Child"
My Take: I can't think of 10 songs I dislike more than the lyrically inane "Love Child," but I kind of like the arrangement that lets Gina turn it into a serviceable anthem to illegitimacy. Her voice shows strain throughout, never a good sign this early. When people talk about Chris Daughtry's premature departure last year, nobody remembers how rough his voice was sounding by the end. Rocking Idol-style isn't easy.
Domingo, Pavarotti and Simon Say: Randy didn't feel any excitement. Paula thinks "Love Child" is a feel-good song and Gina's been better. Simon says he doesn't have much to say about the performance and then babbles for a couple minutes.

Singer: Sanjaya Malakar
Song: "Ain't No Mountain"
My Take: Sanjaya is love. So says Diana Ross. She also dismisses the idea that his secret power is in his hair. Once again, Sanjaya falls apart when the song moves out of his two-note comfort zone, and the last minute is an off-key hum (like living under a powerline, with less risk of cancer). But I'll give him some damning praise: This is certainly one of the best four performances he's given since the Top 24 began and he wasn't worse than Brandon. It's still rather embarrassing to see him up there.
Domingo, Pavarotti and Simon Say: Randy's in the nervous giggle mode he got into with Kevin Covais last season, as if he's temporarily forgotten what show he'd judging and he knows nothing he says matters anyway. Paula loves Sanjaya's smile. "When you hear a wail in Beverly Hills, that is where Diana Ross is watching this show," Simon says, complimenting his bravery. Or maybe he said "When you hear a whale..." Sanjay was similarly perplexed.

Singer: Haley Scarnato
Song: "Missing You"
My Take: Good. Somebody instructed Haley that her only shot of avoiding instant elimination is by being this season's Hot Girl, but while she looks fantastic, again I have no sense that she knows what she's singing about or cares (repurposing a song meant as a tribute to the late Marvin Gaye as a love song to your boyfriend is just weak), so it hardly matters when the lyrics vanish entirely for a while. Incidentally, I endorse the short skirt, but that's not a skirt you wear if you're going to mostly be singing from a stool. Between her attire and her blundered and mumbled enunciation, I don't even know if Haley was in tune.
Domingo, Pavarotti and Simon Say: Randy says that it was a valiant effort. Paula says Haley looks lovely. "I didn't think it was that bad," Simon says, saluting Haley's relative poise and presence. Haley's reaction -- half-tears, half-relief, half-who-knows-what -- is shockingly unreadable.

Singer: Phil Stacey
Song: "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"
My Take: Phil was so awful last week that I expected him to be sent home, but he's better tonight. His normal song tendencies are reversed, though. He sounds decent on the verses (albeit a bit creepy, with his bald head and intense stare), but the chorus is too big and he grows nasally and loud.
Domingo, Pavarotti and Simon Say: Randy gives him the male vocal of the night, which isn't saying much. Paula didn't like the song choice. Simon thought he was OK, but that he shouts the big notes instead of singing them.

Singer: LaKisha Jones
Song:"God Bless the Child"
My Take: I know that Diana Ross did Lady Sings the Blues, but this song choice is a total cheat. Freed from the shackles of the Ross songbook (Sorry, I'm just not a fan), LaKisha (FOX and Idol need to decide how to spell her name) gets to do one of the all-time great belting songs and of course she's great. I think she could have delivered a smidge more emotion (the judges will interpret this as restraint), but she's a vocal powerhouse.
Domingo, Pavarotti and Simon Say: Randy raves that it was sensational. Simon says some people don't have it, but she has it. He says -- correctly -- that LaKisha and Melinda are in a different league and I'd love to hear those two go head-to-head on this song.

Singer: Blake Lewis
Song: "You Keep Me Hanging On"
My Take: Do we praise Blake for having the initiative to remix this old chestnut, or do we take him to task for making it into the cheesiest disco cover of 1979? Blake's voice has no texture. It's pure, reedy and without any affect, a fact he keeps covering up with the vocal turntablism and cutesy dance moves. And despite that, he's the best of the guys. How that that be?
Domingo, Pavarotti and Simon Say: Randy says he's a huge fan, but Blake should have just sung. Paula praises Blake's arrangement at the expense of Chris Sligh's earlier effort. Simon didn't get it and says it wouldn't have worked outside of the context of the show.

Singer: Stephanie Edwards
Song: "Love Hangover"
My Take: Moreso than for LaKisha or Melinda, Diana Ross Night ought to have been good for Stephanie. She's wearing a psychedelic potato-sack and singing a truly poor song (in the hook-free arrangement especially). I'd have loved to hear Stephanie do one of those great Motown songs instead. But she still reasserts her position as the season's No. 3 star, which won't be an insult for a couple months.
Domingo, Pavarotti and Simon Say: Randy says she forgot some of the words, which I didn't notice. Paula joins Randy in waiting for the up-tempo part of the song. Simon says she chose the wrong song.

Singer: Chris Richardson
Song: "The Boss"
My Take: Strutting like a peacock and running into the crowd for no discernable reason, Chris' efforts to play to the crowd are comical, but his heady vocals are decently suited to yet another song that I'd probably turn off on my Oldies station. The Men continue to do a great job of highlighting the strengths of the women.
Domingo, Pavarotti and Simon Say: Randy thinks he over-did the runs and came out half-good/half-bad. Paula suggests it was the best of the Men. Simon says that if you took out Chris' charm and personality, the vocals were dreadful.

Singer: Jordin Sparks
Song: "If We Hold On Together"
My Take: We couldn't have done a Diana Ross Night without doing the song from Land Before Time? Really? There's no ceiling to how well "God Bless the Child" can sound, but "If We Hold On Together" has a very finite ceiling. Jordin does exactly as well as anybody could have done with this stupid song, but a very good rendition of a great song is always better than a great performance of treacle.
Domingo, Pavarotti and Simon Say: Randy's impressed and argues that Jordin should be put up there with LaKisha and Melinda. Paula's happy too. Simon thought the song was gooey, but it was a very, very good vocal.

TONIGHT'S BEST: LaKisha gets top honors, followed closely by Melinda, with Jordin only a little bit behind. Does anybody have a man higher than fifth or sixth? I sure don't.

IN DANGER: I also don't have a clue how Haley's post-performance performance will play to viewers. Will it make her more sympathetic or will it turn people off? Vocally, I'd put her in the Bottom Three along with Sanjaya and Brandon. I think Brandon's done, but I'd watch out for voters concentrating on the night's three best girls, leaving Gina or Stephanie vulnerable.

Agree? Disagree? Who do you think stood out and who's going home?

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Comments (75)

Comments

Tonight I really liked Lakisha, Melinda, & Jordin!! I hope either Sanjaya, or haley goes home, although, I think they both did alittle better this week!! Not big fans of blake or chris r., I thought they both did ok too!! Of course, with Sundance gone, gee I don't know, I still say lakisha, or melinda will win it!! Hopefully Lakisha!!

Michele | Mar 13, 2007 9:03:39 PM | #

I think Sanjaya is adorable..but does anyone else think that his hair was a cross between Shirley Temple and Mike Brady (post Brady Bunch Hawaii episodes)?

Jen | Mar 13, 2007 9:11:09 PM | #

I think Sanjaya is trying to channel Michael Jackson.

Dave | Mar 13, 2007 9:29:27 PM | #

The singing is all taken care of this season (thanks, ladies) so I'm left gaping at how everybody looks. And there were some odd looks tonight--not just Sanjaya's home perm (which I actually liked) but Phil looking for all the world like Nosferatu. Then I left the room and when I came back, to my astonishment, the 1977 version of Karen Black was singing! Oh, it's just that forgettable old Hayley. Clever ploy, Hay! Next week, do Karen Valentine!

cheyennigans | Mar 13, 2007 9:34:34 PM | #

Like Daniel, the Diana Ross "songbook" does nothing for me and if anything tilts the competition evn more in the ladies' favor (as if they need any more help!). Overall, not a very memorable night - Melinda and LaKisha notwithstanding. And I fear those gals will "suffer" the same fate as Fantasia - fine singers that don't really connect with the young, hip crowd. On to Broadway, but where's the hot, Top 40 love?!

Will | Mar 13, 2007 11:26:00 PM | #

It's kind of amusing to me how they touted Clarkbar, Doughy-tree, Fanta-tasia, H.U.D.son and Underwear at the start. Two weren't good enough to win, one hates the show, another wins every award by default, and another hasn't any major success so they dub in her "exclusive announcement" she made on the show a few weeks ago.

I want Sligh to mistake Sanjaya for an overcooked giant piece of broccoli and eat him.

Frank Rook | Mar 14, 2007 2:19:20 AM | #

Gina Glocksen -- She's good; I like her. Now watch Randy say exactly what Diana just said. As predicted, his response was lukewarm. For being a rocker, she does a great job. Score: 2.8.

Haley Scamato -- God no! Stand up. Your boobs are crushing your chest. Uh...excuse me, Paula. I saw: She forgot the words. Nice legs, but it sounded to me like she lost some words. She sounded okay. Score: 1.5.

Blake Lewis -- No, not this time. Paula was dancing though. I don't know about this guy....he's a remixer. He wants to make every song techno. This can get on my nerves. Score: 2.3.

Brandon Rogers -- At first, he was nice. Smooth even. Pleasant. Then he was just okay, but not great. Finally, as the song went on, some of it was just off. He can go home now. Score: 2.1.

Jordin Sparks -- Bad choice in dress; makes her thighs look chunky. Her performance was closer to Lakisha's and Melinda's. For the song that she sang, she did it justice. Score: 4.0.

Lakisha Jones -- Wowwwww...sexy and smoooth. She laid it down. Still like Melinda better...maybe. Score: 4.7.

Chris Richardson -- Of the three who did a different take on old Diana Ross songs, his version was the best. He sang with some heart. He looks like Justin Timberlake, but I thought he was pretty good tonight. He put his own spin on things. Still, I wouldn't buy it in the store. Score: 3.1.

Chris Sligh -- I actually liked the way he did this song. He was better than Brandon. I wish he wouldn't speak. He was actually better than Blake also tonight. Score: 2.5.

Melinda Doolittle -- Best performance of the night. Right from the beginning. Oh my god! it just keeps getting better. Oh yes! I've got goosebumps. She's amazing. Shut up, Randy. I can't believe he said that. Score: 5.0.

Stephanie Edwards -- She forgot the words. She didn't do the upbeat disco part. Everybody was disappointed. Score: 2.5.

Phil Stacey -- So far tonight, he's the best one of the guys. Score: 3.5.

Sanjaya Malakar -- Oh my god! What did they do to his hair? He has two earrings. He looks like a little girl. Ahhh, but he kind of got to me tonight. I think his performance was pretty good actually. Simon said his hair looked like Diana Ross'. That said, Sanjaya can go home. Score: 2.5.

Mehtel | Mar 14, 2007 3:19:55 AM | #

Hasn't anybody taught Sanjaya about what happens when he plays with electrical sockets? Good grief! I believe that Brandon, Haley, and Sanjaya should be in the bottom three, with either Sanjaya or Brandon going home. I would give Haley another chance because she does have a pretty voice.

Sheri | Mar 14, 2007 4:56:27 AM | #

LaKisha Jones,Melinda Doolittle,Jordin Sparks were fantastic. The others were just fair. Again this years talent does not live up to last year.Sanjaya Malakar is a mess. He cannot sign and I don't know why he is even there. Haley Scarnato looked fantastic ( great looking Boobs) but is not in a class with other 3 girls. In a lot of cases the band drowned out the guys..too over powering. I also like Gina but I don't think she is in the same class as the others but still better than the guys.

BATMAN | Mar 14, 2007 5:04:10 AM | #

Melinda, Lakisha, and Jordin were obviously the best last night. Melinda is probably my favorite and I think Jordin had a break out performance- great range and control and maturity for her age. The ones who should be worried are the 'forgettable' with there being so many performances in one night, more than the 'bad' at this point, though I personally wish the bad would leave. My preference would be for either Haley, Brandon, or Sanjaya to leave but Sanjaya has a fan base and Haley had her tears. So I think Brandon (besides the poor vocal last night, there is no passion in his performance quality or wow factor in his voice), Chris Sligh (hes getting dull unfortunately) and Stephanie ( I think votes that could go to her will go to Melinda, Lakisha and Jordin instead) should be the most worried.

EMP | Mar 14, 2007 5:06:00 AM | #

Haley is like McPhee Light--similar look, but not as good, and a passable voice but nowhere near as good as Katherine's.
I don't know why I'm watching this season, anyway. There will never be another Clay.

Sara | Mar 14, 2007 5:07:42 AM | #

Sanjaya deserves to (1) be sent packing, (2) have those stupid earrings ripped from his ears, and (3) have someone cut that girl-looking hair. He's awful as both a performer and singer. I also want to see Phil, Brandon, and Stephanie all get the boot. None of them are particularly any good and I hate Stephanie's hair and the stupid gold necklaces. I DESPISE Blake. Last night's performance was terrible. I want to beat him down when I see that smug smile and rip those earrings out of his head, too.

Jingles | Mar 14, 2007 5:15:30 AM | #

I would at least vote for both Gina and Haley for 'nicest breasts'.

Chuck | Mar 14, 2007 5:17:16 AM | #

Bad night. Glad I taped it and not waste two hours in front of the TV.

Tim | Mar 14, 2007 5:30:04 AM | #

You know, whenever the singer makes it their own (Chris and Blake), the judges down them for it, yet when they sing it as it, they down them for not making it their own, so contradictory. I liked Chris and Blake. Thought they were the best for making it their own. The judges are too old. They need younger ones who are with the times.

Nicole | Mar 14, 2007 6:26:35 AM | #

I agree that Brandon, Sanjaya, and Haley will be in the bottom three. I don't think Haley should be going home though because even though she forgot the words she has a good voice. I also agree that Brandon will be going home since Sanjaya so clearly has a fanbase. Top three performances go to Melinda, Lakisha and Jordin.

Paul | Mar 14, 2007 6:27:14 AM | #

LaKisha Jones,Melinda Doolittle,Jordin Sparks were fantastic. The others were just fair. Again this years talent does not live up to last year.Sanjaya Malakar is a mess. He cannot sing and I don't know why he is even there. Hair is a joke. Haley Scarnato looked fantastic ( great looking boobs) but is not in a class with other 3 girls. In a lot of cases the band drowned out the guys..too over powering. I also like Gina but I don't think she is in the same class as the others but still better than the guys.

BATMAN | Mar 14, 2007 6:34:13 AM | #

Why dosen't anybody review the judges. Randy's boring schtick is to 1)ask how they feel dog, 2)name-drop the artist or band that did the original, 3)tell every singer that they have pitch problems, 4)name-drop every artist he's ever worked with by first name and then say that they can't compare themselves to Stevie, Mariah or Whitney even though he can't caompare himself to Clive Davis, 5)end by saying "It was just OK for me!

Then Paula stops playing with Simon's leg under the table long enought to tell the girls (and Sanjaya) that they are beautiful and that the guys need to show more of themselves (leaving you to guess what she really wants them to show her.)

Finally Simon comes on to give us a hint at which singer he wants to promote and which ones he's trying to get off the show before the AI marketing make-money machine begins.

And thank God that the show had only 12 finalists because if there were 14 there would have been 4 more minutes of Diana Ross who seems to have been the only available choice except for Fabian or Connie Francis.

Finally, the fawning over Lakisha is another walk down Fantasia lane. How many final idols are needed to play Mahalia Jackson on Broadway, or reprise Showboat rather than sing a range of popular songs that aren't inspirational, Sunday go to meeting songs. It's as insulting as singing "Ole Man Ribber." Gimmie a break. Luther V. knew how to make EVERY song memorable and not pander to a stereotype. Let's hear Lakisha sing "Itsy Bitsy Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" and make the judges gush (especially if she dresses the part).

This season's 12 make you want to change the rules so you can vote for the person you really, truly want to send home each week rather than vote for your favorite.

Perfect Pitch | Mar 14, 2007 6:35:40 AM | #

I am so tired of the judges contradicting themselved.

"Make it your own"....but when you do, as Blake did, they say keep it like the classic.

Blake did an amazing job, and shows he is more than a voice and a pretty face, by actually remixing the song. He has talent.

Steven | Mar 14, 2007 6:57:14 AM | #

Blake did a horrible job. I had to leave the room, his version was so god-awful. He has little-to-no talent.

Stephen | Mar 14, 2007 7:25:40 AM | #

I'm sorry, but isn't strange how much Doolittle looks like a chipmunk pezz dispensor? You can only see her neck when she looks up.

As for the show, you can talk all you want about the show being racist, but Doolittle, Lakisha, Edwards, and to some extent sparks are pretty much all the same style singers ... and it seemed like Diana Ross was the choice for them. But come classic rock, or singer/songwritter (James Taylor) or Oldies, and they would sound boring and dull. American Idol should be a singing competition, not a Diva challenge.

As for Sanjya, he sings one of the most recognizeable songs in the world (Thanks to sister act) and yet he still can't carry a note (as hard as the audio guy was working to make his voice sound good).

As for the whole american idol, top 12, get rid of all the band, get rid of the dancing, and let them sing with a piano. Then you will seperate the singers, from the rest! (Go watch season 1, it was like that, and it explains why Kelly Clarkson is the most sucessful mainstream AI winner).

Sorry | Mar 14, 2007 7:25:57 AM | #

Clearly, the winners of the night for me were Melinda, Lakeisha, and Jordan, who I can say nothing bad about. I love Gina and her rocker chick style, although I hate the song "Lovechild." Although the judges ripped him, I think Chris Sligh had the best male vocal performance of the night. And I'm sorry, Sanjaya and Phil are just terrible. And Hayley's dress was butt-ugly. Nothing else really worth mentioning in my eyes.

Merluna | Mar 14, 2007 7:28:09 AM | #

Your Paula digs have gone from slightly funny to pathetic. Nothing spells desperation as much as picking on a gentle non combative soul. Your humor has jumped the shark. Move on.

Kate | Mar 14, 2007 7:37:04 AM | #

Sanjaya should just give up the charade and join in with the girls. He should slip on a dress, pop on a bra, paint those lips, and then maybe he would stand a chance. After all, he is more feminine than Gina!

John | Mar 14, 2007 8:00:22 AM | #

Okay...can I say that Sanjaya will now be formally known as Richard Simmons!!! Okay, bottom 3 for me: Richard, Brandon & Haley. Like so many others, I believe Haley should be given one last try but Brandon or Richard should go!!! I still love Chris Rich and Lakisha. I like Melinda but like I've said for weeks, she does not appeal to a younger crowd. Phil sounds good when he hits his high notes but while I wait for those high notes, his looks scare me???
Final thought: GO HOME RICHARD!!! Go make an exercise video!!!

Cheri | Mar 14, 2007 8:03:48 AM | #