I called the bottom two last week but slanted the wrong way on my prediction for whom would get the boot.  So the ending wasn’t too much of a surprise… until the judges invoked the “save.” 

WHAT?!?  Lil and Matt were the bottom two for a reason – they both deserved to go.  They don’t have a chance.  Why save Matt?  It made no sense.

The concept of the save actually isn’t that bad – A one-time per season veto by the judges if the “voters” get it wrong.  But they used it on a week when the “voters” got it right.  One-time save PISSED away. 

What if Adam were to end up with the least votes this week?  Not likely to happen, but can you imagine the collective “oops” we’d hear?  Clearly, more than any other season, the judges have let their self-recognized importance go to their heads.  And the producers haven’t helped matters by giving them more air time and some fancy entrances.

Had the “save” been used for a clearly surprising outcome then it would have been a cool feature of the show.  However, the execution just highlights how full of themselves the judges have become.  They used it just to use it.

George W. Bush did not use the presidential veto power his entire first term in office.  You use a tool if it’s needed, not just to use it.

For the record, I did not just say something nice about George W.  I was just stating a random fact.  And if Adam had been saved from a 7^th place exit it would have made sense to me even though he won’t win.  It would have made sense because I know several misguided persons who think he does have a chance – unlike Matt.  Nobody I talked to thought Matt should have been saved.  NOBODY.

As for disco night… it could have been better.  But for those of us who weren’t a huge fan of disco the first time around, I’ll admit it could have been a lot worse.

Lil – Well, she looked good.  One piece black sleeveless pant thingie – I don’t remember my 70’s fashion lingo, but it was a good look for her.  She should have been gone last week and I’ll agree with ALL of the judges that she is done this week.  I don’t see how she can possibly dodge the boot again.  She may be Every Woman, but she is clearly not the next American Idol.  Oh… and how annoying was it that she kept defending her performance as “not karaoke” when none of the judges had called it karaoke?  (Although I suppose they had implied it.)  Ba-bye.

Kris – $3 white tee shirt that he probably borrowed from Simon and grey pants.  Remember when Clapton slowed down and unplugged Layla?  Both versions were good (dare I say great) and the latter version was clearly a recognizable successor of the earlier version yet completely original in many ways.  Like Layla unplugged, this semi-unplugged and original arrangement was instantly recognizable yet completely different.  A nearly flawless execution worthy of someone soon to be named the next American Idol.  I may have been wishy washy with my endorsement last week, but I am now confident that he’s got this just about locked up.  Some woman may Work Hard For the Money but Kris is earning his title.

Danny – Black shirt and jacket with jeans.  Consistently great vocals, but less memorable and less cool of an arrangement compared to some of the other contestants.  There were elements of a “wedding singer” performance, but still very good.  He’s headed to the final four.

Allison – Hot Stuff in her 70’s getup of tight black pants, silver sequined top and white semi-jacket.  (Hot Stuff in a NON dirty-old-man kinda way – seriously… she’s like 16 and it’s just a play on the song title.  Get your collective minds out of the gutter.)  Has anyone else noticed her eyes seem weird?  As if all pupil and no iris.  Some might say “pie eyed” … as would be seen in an innocently deflective question posed by a woman who may or may not have something to hide.

“Anyone want some pie?” (blink) “ It’s blueberry.”  (blink… blink…) 

Where was I?  Oh yea… vocals/performance… good stuff.  Also final four.

Adam – Was he headed to a funeral next?  Very dapper in a tasteful black suit and tie.  Gabardine?  Look… the dude is enormously talented, but he peaked two weeks ago with the incredible “Mad World” performance.  I watched last week again and I’ll admit that it was better than I gave him credit for, but he’s shot his wad.  It’s down hill from here.  He doesn’t have the consistency, the clearly identifiable target market or the well rounded musicianship that Kris has.  It boggles my mind that the judges fawn over him so overtly.  I suppose that it’s not surprising that Paula gets moist whenever he’s on stage, but Simon needs to check his man card.  Definitely final four, probably top 3, possibly runner up.  Not going to win.

Matt – Brown leather jacket over white shirt and black string-bean tie.  If there’s any justice, he won’t be Stayin’ Alive.  Hopefully he’ll be joining Lil for a redo of last week’s bottom two.  He started out better than last week but I thought his vocals fell apart as the song progressed.  The only thing that could save him is Anoop’s poor song choice and arrangement. 

Anoop – Grey suit over pink tie and sweater.  Not a bad look, but the guy does not pull off the unshaven look well.  Nobody is going to Dance the Night Away to that performance.  His vocals were better than Matt’s but Simon nailed it when he called it “mediocre at best.”  If he survives this week I’m pretty sure he’ll be done next week.  No matter what he sings.

The predictions for this week (and next): 

·       Lil and Matt are headed home.

·       Anoop will round out the bottom three.

·       If for some reason Anoop gets saddled with Lil’s or Matt’s rightful spot, the misdeed will correct itself next week.

·       Kris, Adam, Allison and Danny will be our final four.

Heads up:  Next week I won’t be able to watch the performance show until Wednesday morning.  I should have a recap out by early afternoon.  Be sure to subscribe to this site if you haven’t already done so.  That way you’ll get an email alert as soon as it’s available.

Christopher

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