I have to say, Idol‘s dreaded country show wasn’t nearly as torturous as I expected it to be. Maybe that’s because I had a great seat. Tucked away in a dark corner with a soft makeshift barricade at my side. I had the perfect view and plenty of elbow room. All the better for me to take notes for you!
So let’s get started. Constantine Maroulis was a surprise audience member last night. He and actress Mackenzie Mauzy, with whom he shares a storyline on The Bold and the Beautiful, told me they just walked into the Idol studio following their own taping on the other side of the CBS Television City lot. Constantine has completed four episodes of the daytime soap, he said proudly, and is planning on sticking around L.A. for a while. I read up on the role a bit. Apparently, Constantine plays a music producer guy who becomes obsessed with Mauzy’s character, Phoebe, presumably a singer. I’m not sure how the soap schedule works, but I imagine they’ll air sometime soon. Constantine also sang the praises of his Idol cohort, season 4 runner-up Bo Bice, saying how much he loves Bo’s theme for Blades of Glory.
Of course, you saw that Idol started on a somber note. The audience was prepped for this. About 12 minutes before airtime, Idol stage manager Debbie announced to the room that the show’s opening would be different tonight, per Ryan’s request, to acknowledge the fatal shootings at Virginia Tech. "So many people watch us that he felt it was necessary to say something," she explained.
Perhaps that eerie silence during the countdown and opening theme was what set the weird tension tonight. Or maybe it’s because the competition is finally heating up. Then again, once Sanjaya enters the picture, any shred of credibility is completely lost again. But by far, the crankiest guy in the room was Simon. As Phil kicked off his tribute to Keith Urban, Simon didn’t even glance at the performance happening directly behind him. I would even say he looked annoyed, but gave Phil a glowing review nevertheless.
Next up: Jordin, wearing a $600 dress, I later learned. And she didlook smashing in it. Something I noticed: there were way more signs forJordin than any other contestant (see the stand-out signs listedbelow). She really does seem to have the strongest fan base out of thegirls. If Melinda and LaKisha cancel each other out, this girl’sdestined for the crown, as Simon noted.
While Ryan read Jordin’s digits, Sanjaya made his entrance stageright. It’s amazing how, whenever he emerges for the first time, youcan hear an audible chuckle throughout the room. Sort of like whatyou’re probably doing at home but louder. Yet the people love him, andSanjaya looked decidedly comfortable before launching into his attemptto "make Bonnie Raitt proud." It was something to talk about, allright. And by all means, do it here. I should point out that LaKishaand Chris, who were standing offstage waiting for their cue, were alsovisibly amused by Sanjaya’s performance.
Simon’s critique was, of course, the biggest dis of the night. Andthe longest of the judges’ comments, so much so that Simon needed arefill of Pellegrino in his judging table cup once he was throughranting. But apparently, he wasn’t quite finished, as LaKisha also gota verbal lashing from the judges’ table. Is it just me who hears thatclock ticking?
Speaking of, it seems this season’s Idol heartthrob may beslipping. Chris had a rough ride tonight, and Simon certainly let himhave it. Though I barely heard the exchange, thanks to the crowd’scacophonous booing and hissing, you could tell it hit hard. EvenMelinda, off to the side, was clutching her hands in trepidation andlistening closely. It seemed to rattle her nerves a touch, too. Beforekicking off her performance, the band fiddler instructed Melinda totake a deep breath, which she did dutifully. But the crowd was stillshowing Mindy Doo the love, getting up on their feet in solidarity.Still, it was nothing compared to the shrieks that Blake (pictured) got hit withonce he hit the stage. This mostly-female audience may not have knownthe song "When The Stars Go Blue," which was actually originallywritten and recorded by alt-country star Ryan Adams (Tim McGrawincluded his version on last year’s Tim McGraw Reflected: Greatest Hits Vol. 2), but they sure were digging it.
I had to head out before the final bow to catch Dancing With the Starsnext door, but running between stages, I got some nifty shots of thecontestants greeting their public, as they do every week (FYI —autograph and picture seekers wait an hour and a half for this brieffan moment). Check them out here.
I leave you with… the signs of the times (God, help us all.)
"Phillin’ Blessed"
"I Ache For Blake"
"Dallas Loves Divas"
"Sanjaya, your [sic] my cowboy. Giddy Up!"
"I Have an Achy Blake-y Heart"
"Don’t Know Why-a, We Love Sanjaya"
And my favorite, which was a T-shirt: "I’m With Pitchy"
I think the judges are just fed up with Sanjaya. It’s very unconfortable when they have to critique him. Please put this dude out of his misery and ours for that fact and get him off the damn show! Other then that I was actually suprised how good country night actually was.
I thought Phil’s performance last night was uncanny! My fiance and I both hate him, but we were blown away by Phil. He sounded like someone who’d be on the radio and who’d be liked by people who normally don’t go for his genre. Very impressive, as was the reliable Melinda and the perky amazon Jordin Sparks.
To compare, Sanjaya was AWFUL. I’ve heard drunken kareoke with more rhythym and tone. Vote for the worst.com has hooked this kid up!
I was unimpressed by Blake, don’t understand why Chris is still on stage, and think Kiki’s lost her undefeatable status after last night’s less than stellar performance.
Is anyone else curious to find out who’ll stick around tonight? This is my first results show I am excited for in a long time!
“Kiki’s” time is definitely up. I was never a fan of her, and couldn’t see WHY the judges had her picked as a front runner to win the competition.
On the other hand, I’m completely impressed with Jordin! She’s really become a threat to the other contestants, and I can totally see her winning the entire competition now.
Thank you for stating that “When Stars Go Blue” is a Ryan Adams song. It had already been covered by the Coors and now Tim McGraw (who I think does not do it justice). It drives me nuts when the wrong people get credit for songs they did not write.
My take. Phil surprised me. A LOT. For the first time I really felt like he wanted to be there. Good job. May not save him, but good job nonetheless. Jordin was spot on, probably the best performance of the night. Which means she shouldn’t win, lol. Ahh, Sanjaya, even he knows he’s a joke at this point, but at least Simon put his foot down about how long it’s gone on (howvere, he still gets my votes). LaKisha picked the wrong song. It’s too iconic, too low for her, and she butchered it. Bottom 3 performance, IMO. Chris wasn’t as with it as I would have liked, but there is just something about him I like. It’s utterly irrational, I know, but I want him to succeed. But his attitude, both onstage and in print may hurt his chances. Saying “I got Top 10 and can get a contract, so who cares about winning” isn’t a god ‘tude, Chris. Melinda finall did something young and hip and it worked, and Blake was good for Blake, but I prefer the younger non-ballad Blake.
Sanjaya will likely make it through again this week, I must say whoever orchestrated the whole “destroy American Idol” thing has done a great job.
what is the world ws the deal with Ryan attacking Simon for having the nerve to FINALLY say the truth about Sanjaya – that he completely and utterly STANK??
Is Seacrest working with Howard Stern??
I agree, Kayla! Props to Simon for FINALLY saying something about this Sanjaya business. It was about time! At first it may have been funny, yes, but now it’s just getting ridiculous.
Sanjaya gives me an ear ache. I can sing better than him, and I flunked chorus.
TOTALLY agreed with RJ’s “karaoke” comment to Sanjaya, who has ridden his fifteen minutes so long and hard that they’re bone dry.
Karaoke Songs Contestants Should Never EVER Sing:
1) Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About; Bonnie Raitt;
2) Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Pat Benetar;
3) Black Velvet, Alannah Myles;
4) Anything by Lynyrd Skynrd or CCR;
5) Fallin’ by Alicia Keyes;
6) Anything by Whitney, Celine or Mariah (can’t improve it, why bother)…
…any more guys?
Chris R. & Sanjaya should be bottom 2–either one can go home in my book, both are subpar singers. Yea to Phil for finally nailing a performance–I hope you stay out of the bottom for a change. MindyDoo/Jordin/Blake all rocked last night (in that order).
I was hoping Shirley would give some insight into a very awkward interaction. After Chris sang, he expressed his sorrow over the VA Tech shootings. As he said this, they showed Simon and he appeared to turn to Paula and roll his eyes. After another performance (Blake’s, I believe) Simon gave his critique but then also expressed his sorrow over the shootings. What I’m wondering is, did the producers talk to him during the break, fearing his initial reaction to Chris’ comments was insensitive?? Just wondering.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for letting everyone know that the gorgeous Tim McGraw song Blake sang is actually a gorgeous Ryan Adams track. And really? Blake was merely okay to me. Now Jordin Sparks. She’s in it to win it. She made time stand still with that performance of Broken Wings.
“I’m with Pitchy” — hilarious. Great report!
All I saw of Sanjaya’s performance was the recap clip at the end of the show. What voice he has, he controls pleasantly well. Very clever song choice, too. He knows why he’s there.
In the spirit of not giving people credit for songs they did not write, Bonnie Raitt did not write Somethin’ to Talk About. If I’m not mistaken, Shirley Eickhart (sp) did.
I don’t know if anyone else caught this but I could swear that after Chris Richardson was snotty back to Simon and then mentioned the VA Tech tragedy the camera switched to Simon and I’m almost positive that as Simon was turning away from the stage he looked at the other judges and rolled his eyes. Did anyone else see that or was it just my imagination??
Mindy Doo fan: yeah, I did see Simon roll his eyes, which is why I think when they came back to Simon the next time, he mentioned how they were all thinking about what happened at VT. Maybe the producers noticed this too, and had him rectify it before it became a big controversy.