American Idol - two elimated, now we're down to the last four!

Ryan stared into the camera and emoted lifelessly, “We are dealing it out double tonight, double the nerves, double the tension, because in less than 1 hour we will be down to your final 4 on Idol.”

“Once again we’ll be stretching the show into a full hour, and I promise, no filler,” says Ryan as he rolled his eyes. Well, that’s a load of bull as this one hour show is nothing but filler. They could knock it out in twenty minutes, with commercials!

Anyway, they’ve resurrected that awful idea about the songwriting contest. You can vote for the Top 20 songs at Americanidol.com so at last there’s something I can join in with. I’m still pissed that I can’t vote in the main competition. I just hope that the song are of a better standard than usual. Seriously, have you liked any of the final songs?

So, on to the first elimination. Ryan had Melinda, Phil and LaKisha stand up together. He told Melinda and LaKisha that they are safe which meant that, at long last, Phil Stacey was elimated!

As for the second elimation, Ryan asked Jordin, Blake and Chris to stand up. Since Ryan messed with Jordin’s head last week, he said he was letting her sit straight back down as she was safe. That left Blake and Chris. Although Ryan made us sit through yet more commercials and a Jon Bon Jovi performance, it was pretty obvious that Chris would be leaving. Aw, what a shame to split up these two pals. Like Ace Young and Chris Daughtry before them, they’ve inspired lots of naughty slash fiction and cuddlesome photoshopped images. At least they’ll get to go on tour together and those traveling around on those tours buses can get awful lonely for a couple of young men.

Finally, Ryan announced that Chris was leaving this week. Not really a surprise after forgetting his words this week.


So, looking forward to next week, Ryan said that next week’s theme is Boogie Sounds with Barry Gibb. Anyone know what the heck Boogie Sounds means? If it’s Barry Gibb, I would’ve thought that meant Disco. I dunno, maybe Ryan’s too much of a heterosexual to talk about Disco.

Jon Bon Jovi rocks with the American Idol kids

Jon Bon Jovi was the mentor this week on American Idol and, my oh my, didn’t he look fine! Unlike Simon Cowell, who'd obviously spent far too much time in the sun and was a typical shade of English roast beef.

Phil Nosferatu Stacey was first up with Blaze of Glory. In the taped introduction, Mr Bon Jovi said that it was “a big voice, for a big song” and even that brief intro had me groaning. Anyway, Phil came on and did his usual yelling with that big ol’ voice of his. Although Phil has had some positive feedback from the judges over the last two weeks, they were mixed this time. Randy and Paula were predictably positive, but Simon said ”I didn’t hear any authenticity…in the middle you were like a bad actor playing a role.” You can always rely on Simon to stick the knife in and since the voters usually listen to him, let’s hope it’s the end for Mr Big Yelling Voice Stacey. I haven’t liked him from the beginning but you’d probably already guessed that. By the way, nice that Randy reminded us that he played bass guitar on the original record. He must be paranoid that no one remembers him!

Jordin Sparks decided to tackle my favourite Bon Jovi song, Livin’ on a Prayer. Now, Jordin’s not my favourite singer, but I have admired her song choices, she’s taken risks several times during the season and, so far, it’s worked. During the taped intro, Jordin sounded as if she was having trouble so Mr Bon Jovi suggested she make some changes and when that didn’t really work, he just said that “Jordin’s only 17 years old! I couldn’t sing half that well when I was her age.” Sure, but she doesn’t excuse her for not nailing a song. Anyway, she ended up yelling as usual and, for once, the judges actually picked up on this. I’ve thought throughout the live shows that she’s just yelled and screamed out her songs, but the judges have always been complimentary. Jordin didn’t get away with it tonight though, Simon described it as out of control and verging on shrieking at times. Nice one, it’s about time. She looked awful too. Simon said she looked like something out of The Addams Family. I thought she was more Sideshow Bob.

LaKisha LaKisha, how I love LaKisha Jones. She’s had a rough time of it over the last few weeks but she’s remained one of my favourites. Before her song, she said that she knew of Mr Bon Jovi because she saw him once on the Oprah Winfrey Show. LaKisha sang This Ain’t a Love Song and she was such a badass and I loved it. She had sass, she had attitude, she was a Strong Black Woman. LaKisha acted like she was on her period, was cranky as hell and didn't care who knew about it! The judges loved it too and Simon said he could kiss her after that performance. Cue Ryan Seacrest taking LaKisha by the hand and bringing her to Simon who kissed her on the lips. How creepy was that? LaKisha must really want to win.

The very lovely Blake Lewis was up next and he chose You Give Love a Bad Name. During the taped intro Mr Bon Jovi notes that Blakelicous “has to sell his interpretation of a song that a lot of people know, and don’t want messed with.” Did anyone else also get the impression that Jovi didn’t particularly care for his song being messed about with by an American Idol kid? Serves him right for pimping himself out. The good news is that the old beatboxing Blakelicious is back! After far too many weeks of toning himself down, Blake decided to bring back the beatboxing and it worked brilliantly, though I wasn't sure about the beginning bit. Simon said that “There will be half the audience who absolutely hated it, and half the audience who love it.” I absolutely loved it. I didn’t care for the new dark hair though. I must prefer my Blakelicious with blond locks.

Chris Richardson sang Wanted Dead or Alive. He didn't sing too badly but he kept leaning forward and giving these weird looks to the camera and the audience. I guess he meant to look menacing but Chris just looked demented. It didn’t go down well and Simon said “I think you did as much as you possibly could with this style of song. If it’s good enough to stay another week, I’m not sure.” I’m not sure either, he was weak last week so I reckon so far it’ll be Chris and Phil. Shame, as it wasn’t a really bad performance, just odd-looking.

Melinda Doolittle was last up and, since the producers usually pick one of the strongest performances to end with, you just knew it was going to be great again. Melinda chose Have a Nice Day and, although she said she was bad at rock, that was just Melinda’s usual shy bullcrap act. She came on and rocked. She looked great too and she's kept the good wig she's been wering lately. I love Melinda in jeans too. Paula managed to string a coherent sentence together and asked “How does it feel to be a rock star?” Simon thought she was like a young Tina Turner and in a different league to everyone “vocally”.

So, who’s going to go. Jordin’s at risk with her awful performance, but since it’s based on two weeks, I reckon Chris is definitely going to go. But I really hope Phil goes, I’ve absolutely had enough of his googly-eyed shiny shaved head. Let’s hope he's going down, but not in a blaze of glory!

The Idol Gives Back results show or rather, the non-results show

This wasn't a typical American Idol results show. It was more of a variety show with lots of guest appearences. Ellen Degeneres kicked things off by introducing Earth Wind and Fire who I haven't seen on TV for years. By the way, is it just me or does Ellen look a little different these days? Could be a brow lift or botox, but she sure doesn't look the same around the eyes. Her eyebrows definitely rise up in the middle. Maybe just a little.

My favourite bits: Kelly Clarkson's horrible, horrible Mama Cass dress; that awful Celine Dion and Elvis Presley duet which was creepy but kinda entertaining at the same time; Blake dressed in white; Teri Hatcher tearing around during Stayin' Alive like an old drunk; the Simpsons cartoon bit, didn't Lisa just nail a drunk, incoherent Paula Abdul?


The bits I didn't like: Jack Black, you know he thinks he's funny, but I have no idea why he has that idea; Ben Stiller, who used to be cute and funny but now just acts and looks like someone's desperately uncool uncle; Ryan Seacrest continuously telling us we were going to be shocked by the results this week.

Well, the alleged shocker this week was that no one was eliminated. I dunno, didn't you think that Idol kids didn't look too surprised when Ryan told them they were all safe this week? Usually they're all shaking and quivering when it comes to seeing who gets cut so their reactions all seemed pretty subdued. The good news is that two of them will get canned next week. Phil's got to be one of 'em, surely. And unless LaKisha throws it down next week, she'll be vulnerable too. Anyway, enough of my crystal ball gazing, let's look forward to next week when it's Jon Bon Jovi mentoring the Idol Kids for Rock Week!

I already cannot wait.

"Tommy used to work on the docks
Unions been on strike
He's down on his luck...its tough, so tough.."

Drea-my

The Idol Gives Back - Songs That Inspire, and get votes!

The theme for this week's American Idol was Songs That Inspire! Exactly the songs I usually hate, you know the Up With People, Love Thy Neighbour bullcrap. Oh, you know the kind of thing. Anyway, we had a whole hour of the stuff.

Chris Richardson was first up and sang Change the World by Eric Clapton. He started off very pitchy and have you noticed his annoying habit of turning his head and looking away between each line he sings? I just want to screw on a neck brace so he keeps his head still for at least the minute and a half he has to sing. But I'm just being mean again, his vocal got back on pitch and it was a good song choice which really suited him.


Melinda Doolittle sang There Will Come A Day by Faith Hill. Of course, she simply nailed it. What I love about Melinda is how effortless she makes it all seem. Even when she's really hitting those strong notes, she never sounds shrill or resorts to shouting her song. Pure class. And thank the Sweet Lord Jesus that she's kept that new wig from last week, our Strong Black Woman's finally lookin' good! Paula agreed and slurred: "you're magical, you look beautiful."


Blake Lewis next. Blake!! He chose John Lennon's Imagine which was a tough one to sing as it's such a well known song and there's really not much you can do with it except sing it straight. Blakelicious can do no wrong in my eyes so I predictably loved this. Blake looked into the camera throughout with his come hither eyes and no doubt I'll be committing an act of self abuse later.

LaKisha Jones sang Fantasia's I Believe which went down like a lead balloon with the judges though the audience seemed to like it. LaKisha looked great and I thought she sang well, even though she seemed to think that the word realise is actually two words as she kept singing rea.... lise throughout. LaKisha needs to find her inner Strong Black Woman again, she's been missing her sparkle these past few weeks.

Phil Stacey was up next and when asked about what he missed about home, he didn't hesitate to mention his babies back in Oklahoma and said how he wanted to do well and make a better life for them. Phil sang Garth Brook's Change and, of course, then mentioned that the song was dedicated to Oklahoma after the Oklahoma bombing. This guy will try every trick in the book to tug at heartstrings and grab votes. I remain unmoved by him.


Jordin Sparks was last up to sing. She chose You'll Never Walk Alone which can never be taken seriously by anyone in the UK as it's been the theme song for Liverpool FC for many years. The judges loved it and so did the audience. I thought she yelled it, just as she yells her songs every week. I know, I know. She'll probably win the whole shebang and everyone loves her, but I just don't get her. Her perky cheerleader personality just grates on me. I'd like her more if she stopped smiling for once and was a mean and moody badass!

So, who's up for the chop. Well, I'd love for Phil to leave. C'mon folks, it's about time!

American Idol final 8 results show

First of all, at the start of this padded results show, Ryan attempted to ask the judges about last night's performances but Paula was incapable of even answering her question so he quickly moved on. Seriously, what's she drinking, liquid Novocain? The kids came on to sing Bailamos, one of their corny group performances which I always love because of their campy awfulness and shameless upstaging. Best friends, right kids.

Ok, on to the good stuff. Predictably, two of the bottom three were Phil Stacey, Haley Scarnato but Chris Richardson was a surprise. He was smiling throughout so I guess he must've known that Ryan was just messing with him. By the way, wasn't it mean of Ryan Seacrest to torment Sanjaya by repeatedly making him stand up, then not letting him know whether he could sit down or not?


Chris was sent back to sit down so it was down to Haley and Phil. Finally, after many torturous weeks, one of them is going! And you just know that whoever's left is going to be cut next week too. Anyway, good sense prevailed and Haley was cut and she almost looked as relieved as me that she was going. You have to give her props though for giving a good final performance. None of that breaking down that some of the losing kids have been guilty of this year.


Down to our final seven and next week, Martina McBride will mentor the American Idol kids for Country Week. I bet Melinda and LaKisha can't wait!

The Christian Post still keeping tabs on American Idol

The Christian Post has another of their regular articles following the progress of their favourite Christian American Idol contestants Melinda Doolittle and Jordin Sparks. They've also identified Phil Stacey as a Christian too. Stacey is described as "a minister of music at First Coast Christian in Jacksonville, Florida." and write that "all three contestants have strong support from the network of pro-gospel music artists and industry leaders as well as the Christian community."

They also write about last week's loser, Chris Sligh who "has decided to meet up with a Christian band he formed last year called Half Past Forever and use his recent popularity to possibly solidify a record contract with a Christian label." Sligh "is also looking forward to returning to his home church where he plans on helping out with much of the ministry there. "When I get back to Greenville, my plan is definitely to be involved with the church as much as possible.”

Ok, I know. Well, it's just that it's Easter weekend and I was struggling to get something with a religious flavour into my posts!