American Idol Season 7 (2008) – Top 7


Performance Show

Good Evening, America! I know some of you are still shocked that Michael Johns left us last week. But in the immortal words of Richard Fish… bygones. We have to move on, because it’s Tuesday yet again, and that means our Top 7 are here to perform a whole new crop of songs for us. Hold on to your seats… it’s going to be a painful night. This… is American Idol!
 
You may be wondering why I said it was going to be painful. Let me explain. Has there ever been a person you severely disliked? Someone whose voice made you cringe? If you have, then you’ll understand where I’m coming from. For me, that person is Mariah Carey… and, unfortunately, tonight our Idols will be singing all Mariah songs. After this episode, I think I’ll have a pretty clear picture of what Hell is like.
 
Our first performance of the evening comes from the Tween Dream, David Archuleta. He and his leather pants will be singing “When You Believe”. (Huge shock at the song choice.) Technically, he sang amazingly well, as always. But for me, the song was boring. I didn’t feel any real emotion coming from him. It was like Stepford Archuleta took over for the evening.
 
Next up, Carly Smithson is singing “Without You”. This is closer to old-school Mariah, which back in the day, I was a fan of. (This was before the diva ego and the screeching.) Carly has toned down the song a bit to better fit within her range. She still strains on the bigger runs and was a bit hesitant in the beginning, but overall it was good. Not great, but good.
 
Syesha will be gracing us with her version of “Vanishing”. (I have a feeling that the piano/singer combo will be popular this evening.) Wow, Syesha has a big ol’ voice, doesn’t she? Other than some minor pitch problems, there isn’t anything negative I can say about her performance. This was a big week for Syesha.
 
Brooke White, America’s Sweetheart, is next with “Hero”. It’s the Dynamic Duo, Brooke and the Piano. (Hoping the band doesn’t join in.) She’s toned down the big notes to suit her interpretation. It’s simple. It’s subtle. Her version gives me a brand new appreciation for this song.
 
Next we are “treated” to Kristy Lee Cook singing “Forever”. I’m shocked at how easily this song transformed into a country ballad. The beginning sounded more like moaning and mumbling than singing. I hate to admit it, but after some whininess, the end was good, and overall this worked for her.
 
Of all the Idols, I’m most interested to hear David Cook this evening. I’m not sure how he’s going to pull out a rock version to “Always Be My Baby”. (Oh, look, there’s Ramiele!) I’m kinda impressed with this arrangement. Not as impressed with his vocals as the beginning of the song. David added some intensity and layers to his vocals at the end that made the song a winner for him.
 
Closing the show is Jason Castro singing “I Wanna Cry”. He, Brooke, and David Cook are the ones that had to change the songs the most this week to fit their identities. (And for a Mariah-hater, that is a very good thing.) I loved this interpretation. The emotion came through, and his vocals were able to shine more than usual.
 
And even though we’re running late, Paula takes a moment to spin Paula’s Wheel of Random Emotion, and she lands on “Inane Babbling”. Well, other than having to hear Mariah 7 times, the night wasn’t painful at all. In fact, I rather enjoyed it. (I probably shouldn’t put that down on paper, because I know it is going to come back to haunt me.) That’s our show for this evening. I’d have to put Carly, Kristy, and Syesha in the Bottom 3. (Just a safe bet, don’t you think?) Tune in tomorrow night for cruel and unusual punishment when Mimi herself will be “singing”. Who will stay? Who will go? Only one way to find out. Same Steve Time. Same Steve Channel.

Results Show

Good Evening, America! We survived Tax Day and Mariah Carey night, but she’s back this evening to torture us with a song. (Honestly, isn’t one of the Idols leaving enough pain for one night?) After the performances, I’m not sure who is going to be sent home. Let’s find out together. This… is American Idol!
 
The Final 7 are singing one of the most overplayed songs of all time… “One Sweet Day”. When this song came out, I really wanted to like it because of Boyz 2 Men, but Mariah ruined it for me. It’s been 12 years, and I still hate it.
 
Now to the results. Who’s safe? Who’s in the Bottom 3? First up, Jason Castro, whose big blue eyes and charming personality have kept him safe so far, is asked to start a group on the left. (That means this is my least favorite week of the year. I hate when he splits them up like this. The Bottom 3 are never the ones we expect.) David Cook is sent to the group on the right. (Until we see David Archuleta, we’re not going to be sure which group is safe.) Carly Smithson is in the group on the left. (Have a bad feeling about the group on the left.) Kristy Lee Cook is in the group on the right. (Seriously?)
 
Before we have to hear Elliot Yamin, we get the Ford Music Video to “I Want to Break Free”. This week, our Idols are pale, unhappy marionettes living in a cubicle world. (If I didn’t work for such a great company, I might have a comment on this.) Now, it’s time for Elliot Yamin. (Would you look at that… I accidentally hit the fast forward.) Again, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to Elliot for the loss of his amazing mother.
 
Back to the results. Here we are so far. Left Group: Carly and Jason. Right Group: the Cooks. Syesha is next, and she is sent to the group on the left. (Now, more than ever, I’m thinking that the Left Group is the Bottom 3, but I’m always shocked at the results during this week, so who knows?) Brooke White, America’s Sweetheart, is sent to the group on the right. (Crossing my fingers that the Right Group is safe.)
 
Time for Phone Calls with the Idols. Here’s what we found out. Kristy Lee cannot buy back her barrel horse, the Judges are old, David Cook is single, and Paula & Simon most resemble Opposites Attract (and she’ll never be Forever his Girl). Mariah Carey is here to perform “Bye-Bye”, which is not to be confused with “Bye-Bye-Bye” by N*Sync. (How funny is that… my finger accidentally hit fast-forward again.)
 
Again to the results. Here’s what we have. Left Group: Syesha, Carly, and Jason. Right Group: David Cook, Kristy Lee Cook, and Brooke Cook. (Sorry, got carried away.) All that’s left is for Ryan to tell David Archuletta that he is safe and make him choose a group to stand with. (Most evil part of the night.) David, of course, is safe. Uh-oh, Ryan just pulled a trick on us and had David Cook switch with Syesha. That means that the Left Group is our Bottom 3 this evening. (Crap. I told you I didn’t like this week.)
 
So, it’s Kristy, Brooke, and Syesha in the Bottom 3 this week. The person going back to safety immediately is Syesha. (Very, very bad feelings about this now.) Kristy Lee or Brooke? (Please don’t let it be Brooke.) After the nationwide vote, the person staying for at least another week is… Brooke!!!! (Whew! That was close. I guess my 21 votes last night helped after all.) Kristy Lee Cook is leaving us this evening. She’s survived the Kristy Lee Cook Trio way too many times, and her time is finally up. (Still shocked that it didn’t happen after disaster of the first Beatles’ week.) Props to her for sitting on the table and singing to Simon. If you gotta go, that’s the way to do it.
 
That’s our show for tonight. That was way too close for my liking. My nerves are still on edge. I know Brooke won’t win the show, but I’d really like for her to make the Top 5. Well, another week down, and another Idol gone. Next Tuesday, the Idols will be performing the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. (Anyone wanna take bets now that David Archuleta does something from Joseph and the ‘Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ or ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’?) Same Steve Time. Same Steve Channel.

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