Photos
Video
Andrew Lloyd Webber Grills 'American Idol' Top Six
The American Idol producers have set their second straight booby-trap. As hard as it was for the Idol singers to handle Mariah Carey last week, Tuesday's (April 22) challenge is The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, a theme whose difficulty is matched only by its irrelevance in terms of finding a contemporary popular artist.
Singer: SYESHA MERCADO
Song: "One Rock & Roll Too Many"
My Take: Syesha's excited about this week's theme because she thinks this will give her the opportunity to finally show some personality. Wait. Have the producers been prohibiting Syesha from showing personality for all of these weeks? That explains so much. Since she's just standing (and eventually sitting) on the stage in her flats, Syesha has eliminated a key piece of the challenge from this Starlight Express tune (roller skating probably would have produced an insurance nightmare). She pitches it as a torch song and the performance is suited for a nightclub-style environment, which is to say that it's big, but not quite as big as it could be and she doesn't have quite the voice required for the song (none of this week's performers will). It's here that we remember that Syesha is, indeed, a working actress, so this ought to be getting close to her niche. This is certainly the warmest and most open Syesha has been all season, which leads me to a pretty major "but." Yes, Syesha was lively and entertaining, but where has her personality been for the past three months? And why has it rarely made its way onto the Idol stage?
First Face of Eve, Second Face of Eve and Simon Say: Randy thinks Syesha could be a huge Broadway star (he doesn't go to many musicals) and this is her night. Paula thinks Syesha brought the house down. Simon thinks it was very sexy and that Randy's right that this is her arena.
Singer: JASON CASTRO
Song: "Memory"
My Take: Why didn't the already cartoonish Clifford the Muppet dress up as a cat? That would have guaranteed a positive critique from me. This is a poppier and less lite-operatic take on "Memory," which is to say that nearly all of the notes have been removed from the song. In no way can I fathom this as a song choice. Webber's songs are tough, but he wrote some lilting ballads for men. Why, then, would Jason choose this massive, heart-wrenching iconic lament that was written for a powerfully voiced woman? There at least two abrupt key change that rescue Jason from having to be even vaguely musical. He keeps making his faces as if he's singing the notes, but he isn't. If you were casting a high school production of a Webber musical and a guy did this performance as an audition, you wouldn't even put him in the chorus. He sounds ridiculous, but at least some whiskers and tights could have made this high camp.
First Face of Eve, Second Face of Eve and Simon Say:For Randy, this was a little bit of a train wreck. Paula disagrees, saying it was a wise choice adding, "It further identifies your unique being as an artist." I have no idea what she means and she doesn't really clarify. Then she compares Jason to Joe Cocker, which is beyond offensive to Joe Cocker. Simon describes it as the longest two minutes of his life, saying Jason looked miserable and he [Simon] felt miserable.
Singer: BROOKE WHITE
Song: "You Must Love Me"
My Take: On the surface, this is a brilliant song choice for Brooke, because rather than going after an Evita track associated with Patti LuPone or Elaine Paige, she's taking on one that's only been sung by Madonna, who also wasn't vocally qualified for the role. For the second time this season, Brooke has to stop and restart her performance. The opening blunder makes it hard to read Brooke's expression and her tremulous vocal uncertainty. Is she really praying that we'll love her, despite the restart, relating incredibly deeply to the song? Or is she just wanting to get this performance finished so she can run off stage and cry? The song's sentiment is natural for America's Nanny, but her voice is thin and her discomfort is palpable. This is the second straight week that I've felt that I could see Brooke cracking under the Idol lights and I wonder how long she skates on the good will of viewers who'd love to have her tuck them in at night and feed them milk and cookies after school.
First Face of Eve, Second Face of Eve and Simon Say: This wasn't good for Randy, but he believes whatever Brooke's singing. Paula's at a loss for words. "You must never start and stop." Yes, Paula raved the last time she did it. "This is why I love live TV," Simon says, before calling her on the signs of stress. Brooke claims she forgot the words (for the first time, trying to differentiate between her problems with the key on her first restart) and Simon calls her brave. How many times in seven season have we seen Idol singers restart songs? How many times has Brooke done it this season? What do we make of that, kids?
Singer: PRESUMPTIVE AMERICAN IDOL DAVID ARCHULETA
Song: "Think of Me"
My Take: [Before delving into tonight's specifics, I'm inclined to issue a correction, or at least a clarification. In recapping Presumptive American Idol Winner David Archuleta's performance last week, I referred to "his hand raised up urging viewers to follow him on his Children's March." I meant, of course, to say "Children's Crusade," a fact I realized two or three days later. The correct word choice makes the description historically specific and also vaguely insidious, which is more in line with my original intention.] Like Jason, David has been unable to find anything from Webber's body of work written for a man. I mean, Sir Andrew's written musicals about Jesus and Joseph and a Phantom, but David prefers to relate to the song written for an ingenue. And, like Jason, Archuleta's taken this operatic song and turned it into a pop anthem, complete with the requisite reduction in difficulty. He's made "Think of Me" into a David Archuleta Special, which must mean that when he sings the chorus, he really means "Think of world hunger." No, he doesn't do anything differently from what he's done every week for a month, but following after Jason and Brooke's total hackwork, Li'l' Archie's reliable proficiency is a welcome relief.
First Face of Eve, Second Face of Eve and Simon Say: Every week now, Randy tells David that he can sing anything. It's quite boring, even if it's true. Paula thinks it was absolutely perfect. Simon, though, dubs it one of David's weakest performance, but still "pleasant." Do you think Archuleta's wondering why he didn't just call a mulligan after he blew the lyrics in that Beatles song rather than slogging through like a professional?
Singer: CARLY SMITHSON
Song:"Jesus Christ Superstar"
My Take: Sorry, but I'm a little distracted. I was just home for the start of Passover and Carly appears to be wearing the upholstery from my parents' couch. OK. Distraction over. Thank you, Carly, for being tonight's first contestant to sing a version of the song that approximated the difficulty and range of the original. Note that I said "approximated" and not "equaled," because that would just be silly. I'm not sure if Carly exactly has the lyrics down, but this is the best workout she's given her pipes in many a week and she's the first singer since Syesha to have any fun with this theme at all. Yeah, she's shouty, but I've always thought that "Jesus Christ Superstar" was a bit of a shouty song.
First Face of Eve, Second Face of Eve and Simon Say: Randy isn't sure if this was her best, but it was good. Paula loved so much that it was so unexpected. Or something. It's one of Simon's favorite performances of the night, prompting Carly to run off stage and return with a shirt reading "Simon Loves Me (This Week)."
Singer: DAVID COOK
Song: "Music of the Night"
My Take: [Why did nobody sing a song from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat? I have myriad stories stemming from the three separate productions of Joseph that I appeared in in my youth. All I needed was a segue. Instead? No segue and you've all been denied my stories. Sorry.] It's become easier to do songs from Phantom of the Opera since Gerard Butler lowered the bar, but this sort of emotional song is way out of David's typical comfort zone. The most shocking thing is that David's just singing the darned song. He doesn't make it into a moody rock song (until the last note, which might not have been necessary). He's just hitting the notes and trying to sell the passion. No, nobody's going to mistake his voice for Broadway-ready, but I applaud the lack of gimmickry.
First Face of Eve, Second Face of Eve and Simon Say: Randy repeats his Archuleta comment, calling it "another molten hot lava bomb," or something. Paula raves about his instrument. This isn't Simon's favorite side of David, but he acknowledges that David makes the most of what he was given.
TONIGHT'S BEST: Andrew Lloyd Webber was a fantastic guest mentor, funny and perceptive without ever mentioning the damage being done to several of his songs. For dumbing down their songs the least, I'd say Carly and David Cook get top honors tonight. For not offending my eardrums, I'll also find praise for Li'l' Archie and Syesha.
IN DANGER: They should just do a Bottom Two this week and let Brooke and Jason battle it out. After leading off the show, Syesha's likely to join them. I just hope that pity doesn't save Jason and Brooke both.
Agree? Disagree? What'd you think of Tuesday's performances? Who's going home?
And, as always, check out Zap2it's Guide to American Idol...
I'd say you hit it dead on the nose with your opinions.
I did think it was really nice to see how truly strong David C.'s voice is. He's no "one trick pony" like some of the others.
Stephanie | Apr 22, 2008 6:47:14 PM | #David Cook got PIMP slot tonite so that makes it more memorable than if he sang in Syesha's spot. If they switched positions, David Cook would get less praise (like Archuleta last week) and Syesha would be the one people would be in shock over (like Cook last week). The producers DEFINITELY want him to win now since he'll sell the most records and it'll give the show some credibility
Hyvent | Apr 22, 2008 6:54:04 PM | #I really really really wish that David had sung Heaven on Their Minds from Jesus Christ Superstar. I was happy that at least David A. didn't sing Memory, and I almost liked Jason's version of it. I wish that Syesha had sung I Don't Know How to Love Him.
SO many good songs to choose from, so little that was done well.
Carly and David C. got tops in my book, with Syesha at the top too. I cannot like David A and his Easy Listening. Bored now.
Astrid | Apr 22, 2008 7:07:13 PM | #David C. was awful, his voice was weak and he ruined the composition. He should never have tried to take on Gerard Butler's Phantom because he just couldn't even come close. Carly was the best of the night.
NLM | Apr 22, 2008 7:22:34 PM | #Andrew Lloyd Webber was an incredible mentor. I really liked what they showed in the video packs such as him saying that Brooke had no idea what the song was about or him just switching songs for Carly. I got more pleasure out of the video packs than the actual songs this week. While I don't think his catalogue of songs leads to good shows - due to their difficulty - I do hope that they bring back Andrew Lloyd Webber again as he adds so much to the show. I just wish the judges would've taken his lead, but I guess that would've been asking for too much.
Rishi | Apr 22, 2008 7:26:13 PM | #I've never seen the true Broadway incarnations of any of these songs, but I knew most of them. I didn't know Syesha's song, but I liked her performance. Jason and Brooke were terrible. I've never gotten why people love Jason, but everyone has their own opinion. At this point though, he really has no business sticking around. Brooke seems to be cracking under the pressure. Her time is up too, I think. Carly's was a bit shouty, but it was definitely my favorite of the night. I've been wating for her to look like she's having fun with the song she's singing. David Cook was good. I appreciate that he didn't try to change the arrangement. He might have done better if he had, but Phantom of the Opera songs have no business being rearranged in my opinion. Which is why I hated David Archuleta's song tonight, even if his singing was okay. He's always been way overhyped.
Natalie | Apr 22, 2008 7:26:46 PM | #What a mess of a night. David Cook was vocally on target, but looked very uncomfortable. Syesha looked perfectly at ease, but didn't hit all the notes.
Archuleta was boring. Sorry, kiddies, he was. Plus he went sharp on that last note, not that anyone has the guts to criticize the presumptive winner.
Hey, Carly, they're called lyrics. How could you go up on them THREE times in a song as massively popular as Superstar? Seriously, you do realize that "Superstar" and "Sacrificed" don't actually rhyme? And the judges are so stupid they don't call her on it. I'll take Brooke White's false start and getting the lyrics right over botching the words like Carly did.
And how about that silence while Paula struggled through her medication to find the words for Brooke's critique? I actually thought that the desperation brought on by the misstep made her sell the song better.
And how badly do the producers want Jason Castro gone? They give him a song sung by a cat, and a female cat at that. What were his other choices? "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" and "I Don't Know How To Love Him?"
I echo Daniel's desire for some Joseph music - Cook could've done "Close Every Door", or "Heaven On Their Minds" from JCS. I also think that if Kristy Lee Cook had been allowed to stay last week, they would have had a much more difficult time ousting her this week.
See ya, muppet boy.
Word Money G | Apr 22, 2008 7:42:26 PM | #Re: Carly's dress -- I found Brook's lame butterfly print black & white dress w/ navy blue sash equally if not more egregious.
I know Daniel's not the only one disappointed about the lack of opportunity to tell his JATATD" stories.
fashionista | Apr 22, 2008 8:05:50 PM | #I'm sure this has been said over a million times already but what this show needs is a good shaking up... not the contestants... not the songs chosen... or the themes... but it needs to change the judges... they should let go one of the judges each season... by audience vote... vote for your favorite to stay... (866) 436-5801 for Simon... (866) 436-5802 for Paula... (866) 436-5803 for Randy... this will keep things fresh and change the direction of the show each season... will the producers do this? probably not and then they wonder why there are less and less people watching this show... save American Idol now...
Keith A | Apr 22, 2008 8:14:07 PM | #Michael Johns said that he was planning to sing "Music of the Night" before he was eliminated. I think I would have liked his Gerard Butler impression much better.
I'm glad Carly had a good week, but I think she came off a little desperate with that t-shirt thing at the end. She should probably tone that down.
Cat | Apr 22, 2008 8:56:48 PM | #I find the comments about the lyrics that Carly sang a bit nuts. They obviously chose to not sing the proper chorus because of the flack they would have received for having the gall to sing Jesus Christ Superstar, who in the hell do you think you are. Paula actually acknowledge the change, so I am pretty sure it was planned and not a mess up on Carly's part.
I enjoyed the performance, she did a great job.
HopeP | Apr 22, 2008 9:41:38 PM | #Vote for Carly--she's at the bottom of dialidol.com right now. It would be wrong in so many ways for her to go home before Jason or Brooke...
Jen | Apr 22, 2008 9:42:02 PM | #go Carly, and wow how long did that take for someone to get the shirts up for sale? how funny! http://www.simonlovesmetshirt.com
Archuleta did ok, but he is just a little boy who is out of his league at this point. As the judges keep saying, David Cook is ready to record right now.
anne | Apr 22, 2008 9:51:57 PM | #Amazing that after Brooke's performance it took Paula all that deep thought just to figure out to contradict herself. "You must NEVER stop and start...except a few weeks ago when it was the right choice". Not all that surprising that Brooke thought bringing everything to a screeching halt was the best thing to do when she got universal praise for it last time. I do love her (count me in for the cookies and tuck-in club) but two weeks in a row with the worst performance is enough. Plus I'm not sure her nerves can take another week; she's looking closer to a breakdown with every performance.
If it's not her it's got to be Jason. As soon as they said he was doing "Memory" I thought it was going to be painful to listen to, and it was. Nice guy, but wow was that awful.
No real great vocals tonight, but David C, Carly, and Syesha were all entertaining. David A. was a bit of a snoozer, other than the excitement of watching him to see if he'd close his eyes.
Brad | Apr 22, 2008 10:18:36 PM | #David Cook was the best by far this week. I had a tear in my eyes when he sang his song. I wish Carly would stop screaming out her songs. I have gotten to the point of leaving the room when she trys to sing. She is awful. David A was pleasant as usual, Syesha was ok, but Brook and Jason should both go home this week. I never get tired of hearing David Cook. He is just perfect.
Lola | Apr 23, 2008 1:00:23 AM | #David Cook was the best by far this week. I had a tear in my eyes when he sang his song. I wish Carly would stop screaming out her songs. I have gotten to the point of leaving the room when she trys to sing. She is awful. David A was pleasant as usual, Syesha was ok, but Brook and Jason should both go home this week. I never get tired of hearing David Cook. He is just perfect.
Lola | Apr 23, 2008 1:00:31 AM | #I had a tear in my eye after Brooke sang her song. She is such a sweet singer and person. I don't want her to leave.
I'll pick Jason or Syesha to go home.
Carly didn't sing words wrong because they were "changed for the show". Why don't you Plantlovers go and compare the lyrics to what she Wilheim screamed out, then come back here to try to defend Randy's personal pet project of the past 9 years.
Frank Rook | Apr 23, 2008 3:05:41 AM | #Carly was the best of the evening! I too hope that Brooke and Jason won't be saved form the Bottom Three (or Two) just outta pity.
Karen | Apr 23, 2008 3:59:29 AM | #I thought David Archuleta and Carly Smithson were the best of the night.
Roger | Apr 23, 2008 4:41:25 AM | #Gerard Butler was the worst possible choice for the Phantom. Anyone who only knows The Phantom of the Opera from that crappy movie, can't possibly understand the passion and power of the song "Music of the Night". David Cook did a great job with that song by not grunging it up. I wish someone would have sung "Gethsemane" from "Jesus Christ Superstar" THAT would have shaken thing up!
Jennifer | Apr 23, 2008 4:51:30 AM | #Imagine how much better the theme would have gone over if Melinda Dolittle had been there to do it justice. *sigh*
Shira | Apr 23, 2008 4:58:24 AM | #Ummm, I'm sorry. David Cook shouldn't have taken on Gerard Butler's Music of the Night? Who would actually attribute that song to GB and not to Michael Crawford? I also noticed that Simon told David Cook that "you did the best you could with the song you were given". So, did he want to sing something else, but they made him sing this one?
Sorry, I just couldn't enjoy DavidA's song. The entire time, I was hearing Sarah Brightman singing it in my head.
Which leads me to wonder...how many of the people voting or even in the audience last night have heard most of these songs and know what they should sound like? I agree, though, that ALW was very entertaining as a mentor - except for those pants he was wearing!
I expected someone to do Memory, but thought that Syesha would go for the big diva moment. I expected DavidA to pull something from Technicolor Dreamcoat or JCS, and that Brooke would sing "I Don't Know How to Love Him." I also thought that DavidC would be the one to choose something from Starlight Express, since it is the most upbeat. How mistaken I was in so many ways!
LiasMom | Apr 23, 2008 5:04:01 AM | #To be fair, Carly did flub the chorus, but just the once. They didn't change the arrangement due to religious overtones - the backup singers were clearly singing the correct words. Carly should have ripped up "I Don't Know How To Love Him".
Why has no one called Archie on flubbing the lyrics AGAIN?
Calling it Gerard Butler's Music Of The Night or Gerard Butler's Phantom is like saying "Elizabeth Taylor's Send In The Clowns". Do some homework people!
Nonnie Muss | Apr 23, 2008 5:14:55 AM | #Why in the name of all that is merciful didn't someone tell Jason Castro to sing "Any Dream Will Do." Its a great song, but probably the most vocally limited and would have gone perfectly with his limited range and his sweet personality.
ferretrick | Apr 23, 2008 5:31:44 AM | #
Zap2it Twitter Talk
