The new set is bigger and better than ever. And so are the contestants.
Sayesha was the first to open the Lennon/McCartney songbook, but she opted to sing "Got to Get You into My Life" a la Earth, Wind and Fire. Hmm. She's got a nice voice and she looked good, but I just can't connect with Sayesha. At all. She is neither warm, nor fuzzy. She's a bit too plastic, in fact she's ice cold. But it doesn't really matter what I think, because Sayesha likes Sayesha. A lot.
And then it was Chikeezie's turn to take the big stage. He was a different performer tonight, for sure. Kudos to Chikeezie. Paula was kind of making sense when she spoke and Chikeezie managed to transform himself: who knew? But I must admit, I enjoyed Ryan's reaction to Chikeezie's performance far more than I enjoyed the actual performance! That is, until Ryan grabbed Chikeezie's beat, sweaty head. Yuck.
Poor Ramiele. She lacks both originality and creativity. Perhaps filling all those containers of soy sauce has taken its toll on her? She looked pretty tonight; I knew that those stylists would be able to work some magic with her hair. She sang "In My Life" and dedicated it to all of her "close friends who left the show already." All of them? Umm, do you mean Danny? Have no fear, Ramiele, I think you'll be joining "all your close friends" in the very near future. Her stage presence is practically non-existent. And I'm telling you, those darn stairs are going to be problematic this season. Somebody is going down...hard...you mark my words.
Jason, Jason, Jason. I love me some Jason. (Even if he hails from Texas. Via Colombia.) I'm guessing that those Colombian cousins of his come in handy when Jason is chillin' and smokin' and singin'. If the singing thing doesn't pan out for him, he could be the next spokesperson for Lancome mascara. Those eyelashes of his are to die for. I liked his song tonight. I like Jason and his guitar. Unlike the judges, I am not sick of his schtick, in fact, I quite enjoy it.
And I might enjoy Carly a bit more if she'd cover up that enormous tattoo every now and again. She did a good job tonight with "Come Together"; there's no denying that. But I'm not especially moved by Carly. I hope I can warm up to her in the next couple of weeks, as I know she'll be around for awhile.
Along with David Cook. He had another great performance with "Eleanor Rigby". He almost reminded me a little of Chris Daughtry tonight. Simon is right, if this were purely a talent competition and popularity didn't factor in, I think David might take the prize. But it's not and popularity does matter. So I have two words for David: hair extensions. You see what they have done for Ramiele? David has bad hair, the comb over is not working for him, but he need not suffer another week. It would be a good first step...in fact, Brooke could help him, what with her beauty school background and all.
Brooke was an emotional wreck tonight. She sang her heart out and it showed. I thought her performance was spot on. She is completely genuine. Unlike Sayesha, Brooke is both warm and fuzzy. And she can sing. (And has good hair.)
David Hernandez was way over the top. He has a great voice and I think he'll be safe this week, but he needs to calm it down if he wants to stick around for much longer. That performance had all the makings of a Carnival Cruise line extravaganza. (I especially liked how he said he worked at a pizza bistro. Uh-huh. Riiiight.)
Try as I might, I have not been able to connect with the Amanda the Rocker Nurse. And I'm not sure I ever will. I like that she managed to smile a few times tonight, but that slurring out of the side of her mouth thing that she does bugs the crap out of me.
I want to defend Michael Johns because I am very much a fan - but I know what the judges mean when they say they expect more out of him. I do, too. He looks like a star and he sounds like a star - but he hasn't had a star moment, yet. He needs to have that moment soon. Very soon.
Holy Mother of Minnie Pearl - what was Kristy Lee Cook thinking? She sang "Eight Days a Week" in a chicken fried steak sort of style. And she sang it badly. This is not what Lennon and McCartney had in mind when they opened the song book to Idol.
And pray tell, why is it ok, Paula, for David Archuletta to forget the lyrics to "We Can Work it Out"? It's not ok. David was awful tonight. I don't care how good he's been in the past, tonight he was awful. He said he gave it his best and had fun. Yeah, well, his pants are on fire; he was so not having fun up there. And just for the record, that was far from his best.
So who is going home tomorrow? Ramiele? Kristy Lee Cook? Can't wait to find out....