This week’s performance show was primed to be different. For one thing, it was taped (a first, I think) to make room for all the rehearsal time needed for Idol Gives Back, which, as I’m sure you’ve heard a hundred times, is on tonight and features big donation promises from Fox, Ford, Coca Cola, blah, blah, blah… The show was also the first since Sanjaya’s departure and, perhaps somewhat expectedly, his absence was felt — the audience took longer to warm up, the signs were sparse (though there were still plenty in his honor, like this moment of brilliance, “Don’t Cry-a for Sanjaya”), and, after the show, the line to greet the exiting contestants was less than half that of last week’s (and it was much colder then). Not scientific proof that Sanjaya’s responsible… but I believe it to be true. The other drastic change was, of course, Simon ditching his trademark black and grey Ts for an ultra-white button-down shirt, which, on air and off, became the brunt of many a Seacrest joke.
But that was about it as far as the novelty factor goes. Actually, this was one of those times when wild cheers and Sanjaya jokes were not entirely appropriate. The vibe was somber from the start, as footage of impoverished children in Africa and the U.S. undoubedtly drove the point home (Paula was wiping back tears with almost every montage). The performances were also a bit more pensive, as contestants sang inspirational ballads with a serious tone.
Of course, what you see on TV is all kudos all the time, but in between commercials, the Idol soundstage can be kooky or it can be quiet. Last night’s started a little wacky, with the requisite white grandma spitting out a near-perfect “Rapper’s Delight” (how is it that so many 50-plus-year-old women know all the words? I know it was in The Wedding Singer, but was that what started it all? Anyone have any theories?), ousted Top 12-er Brandon Rogers robot-dancing along, and, once again, Simon’s shirt, which, after some egging from Billy the warm-up guy, got its own applause.
Chris was the first to take the stage and, just before camerasstarted rolling, he had to make an adjustment in the crotch area,prompting Debbie the stage manager to gasp audibly. (There wereplenty more ladies who caught it too, albeit delightedly.) I spottedIvanka Trump in the audience almost instantly; she is surprisinglytall. And another six-footer was also seated in the bleacher seats, the"world’s first supermodel," Janice Dickinson. But it was Brandon in thefront row who wins the Most Enthusiastic Audience Member award. Theguy was literally jumping out of his seat with every opportunity.
RyanSeacrest then announced that Bono would be a mentor for the Idol Gives Backspecial. Not exactly sure what that means, as most celebrity guestswould have been working with the contestants already for packages toair on this show. The 12-year-old girl sitting next to me also lookedlost, asking her mother, “Mommy, who’s Bono?” But this kid definitelyknew her Melinda Doolittle, and single-handedly raised the room’s shrieklevel when she saw her favorite Idol on the sidelines hugging Chris.There were other entertaining youngsters in the crowd, like one10-year-old who was given the microphone so she could tell the judgesall about her vocal coach, and another who turned out to be Laura from Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? She, we learned, just shot a pilotfor Fox.
But back to Melinda, who, sporting some serious bling and avery flattering dress, was the star of the night. It was the onlytime the audience got up to applaud with the first swell and didn’tsit down again until Mindy Doo was done. Meanwhile, Blake was busystretching his jaw out and making devil hand signs at his friendsseated below. Perhaps if he had focused more on the impendingperformance than his pals in the crowd, his “Imagine” would haveimpressed, but alas, it didn’t. Something else I noticed as Blake wasattempting to emote: It seems when the contestants stare off intospace, they are focusing on the huge blank Teleprompter way in the back(no lyrics for the Idols, but it’s Ryan Seacrest’s lifesaver). Alonger-than-usual commercial break (it was taped, after all) found Simonhaving a moment with his girl, Teri Seymour, interrupted by a man whoyelled, “I love you, Simon!” With a smirk, Simon looked around to findhim, only to fall prey to another shirt reference: “It’s because of thechest hair, isn’t it?” Ryan cracked.
LaKisha came next and,surprisingly, there were only two visible signs in her support. But shehad one hardcore fan sitting front and center: Simon’s bodyguard. Ifyou ask me, the judges’ comments that LaKisha was again borderlinescreaming to get on top of the band were absolutely on point (even agirl in the audience yelled, “Simon, you’re right!”). In the studio,the band was loud, but LaKisha was louder — and not in a good way. Asthe judges ran it down for Lakisha, Phil took a seat on one of thoseridiculously uncomfortable silver stools, for a quickinterview with Ryan. But unlike when Sanjaya would take that spot,waiting for his cue, poor Phil was all but ignored. Still, he wasprobably having the last laugh after pulling off the strongest maleperformance of the night.
But then Jordin Sparks came along, and allbets were off. As usual, she wowed the judges and the audience. EvenIvanka Trump stood up for the 17-year-old front-runner. And Simon, whousually looks uninterested no matter who’s singing or how well, wasactually paying attention for a change. Jordin also got my vote forinspiring the best sign of the night: “Spark it up for Jordin!” Have her friendsbeen hanging with Blake’s buds?
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Very funny behind-the-scenes recap. I like Ryan’s comment that Simon was missing a button. Anyone have an extra button?
I knew I saw Ivanka! But How did she do that and Letterman. They are on seperate coasts!
Kitty, didn’t you read this article? The second sentence says the show was taped, that’s how Ivanka was in both places. As for the show last night, I thought Chris, Melinda and Jordin were great. Blake was boring, Lakisha was screaming and Phil was creeping me out as usual – one of those three have to get the boot tonight.
Actually, Glenn, I’d bet donuts to dollars that Ivanka Trump taped her Letterman appearance on Monday (or even last week). Even though Idol was taped, I can’t imagine they taped it earlier than Tuesday afternoon. Anybody know?
I’ve been feeling Jordin for a while now and am glad to see she brought her game last night.
Anyone notice that Mindy and Chris’s hug got mention in the blog posting? Anyone else getting suspicious that them two are more than friends? I’m thinking they could do an awesome duet and would make a sexy couple.
Speaking of Mindy, I love her voice but wasn’t feeling the song last night. Chris impressed me, Blake made me wonder why he still is on tv, Phil did okay and Kiki continues to disapoint (a shame, because the woman has some real singing talent). Could someone PLEASE give Kiki some better song choices? She could win this thing if she did it right.
Yes Glen I did read the article but your logic makes it even more baffling. Letterman tapes in the afternoon. So if Idol taped earlier last night…see where I am going with this. I’m sure daddy gave Ivanka use of the jet but still.
According to Linda Sharp’s hilarious blog about Idol, the show was taped MONDAY night. Hope that clears up the Ivanka mystery.
The dress that Melinda wore last night was fantastic. It was the right color, and it made her look skinnier. Jordin was good, but I think that she shouted that song, and Kiki needs to know the volume of her voice. I don’t agree that she shouted the song, but when you have a gospel like voice (JHud) the tone of your voice can be overpowering thus falsely giving off the apperance of “shouting”. But still Kiki should have learned her lesson from last week that she should not take on a song that was performed by a former contestant. And besides “I Believe” is a horrible song.
Kitty,
The first show was taped. Wednesdays program will be live.
I am going to say something that will be nothing short of heresy: although Jordin Sparks can sing, she’s not as good as we are being told she is. Her Gwen Stefani night performance was awful and ever since, she has been just OK (including last night). But as she is more of what sells in this country, she is being lauded as the next Great One. But some of the same drivel has been shoved down our throats before; the barely talented as great singers list goes on and on. But no doubt, she’ll probably win the whole thing. That’s not a bad thing, at all. We just need to get some perspective: American Idol is out to make the most saleable product they can find. Melinda and Lakisha are not going to be that in this country.
Laura, I totally agree. Jordin is WAY overrated. The beginning of her song last night was really wobly, and I can’t stand the way she *always* closes her songs with a huge vocal crecendo to undo the damage she’s done throughout the rest of the song — and the judges and audience just fall for it. Make a note of it: she does it every single time. Savvy, but annoying nonetheless.
The number of ‘live’ shows out there are few and far between.
Letterman tapes Monday night’s show on Thursdays. He also tapes Friday night’s show earlier in the week, too. Tuesday – Thursdays are taped late in the afternoon.
Idol tapes in the late afternoon, I’ve read.
Laura and Lola, I’m so glad I’m not the only one. Jordin has a great personality and sings well, but she hits her share of bad notes. And Randy really Paula’d last night when he proclaimed Jordin’s performance one of the best ever. Melinda deserves to win.
I like hearing about how the audience responds. It confirms who is truly making an impact. Glad to see that while some detractors don’t think Mindy is going to win, it’s good to see that she at least has a pretty solid following.
The reason so many ‘50 plus’ grandmas know Rappers Delight is the song is 28yrs old,do the math-these women were in their early to mid 20’s when this song came out.
I can only assume from your comments and the judges comments regarding Jordin’s performance that it sounded better live in the studio than it came across on TV, something which we have been told happens a lot. On TV, Jordin seemed pitchy and screamy. But, out of this bunch (and with Sanjaya gone), she’s still my favorite.
I’ve been saying for weeks that something is going on between Melinda and Chris! I’m glad I’m not the only one who sees it.
The performance show has been taped before, esp. in early seasons when they squeezed 10 or 12 song performances in one hour. And often the semifinals are taped for the same reason. It’s to ensure the producers can get everything in on time and if they don’t, they can trim after the fact, something they can’t do if it’s live.
LaKisha has been giving consistently bad performances for the past 3 weeks. Simon once told Jennifer Hudson ”you’re out of your league”. That’s exactly how i feel about Kiki Kaka. She is supremely unimaginative and incapable of conveying.She needs to go home, asap!
Shouldn’t it matter less how they sound in the studio than how they sound over the airwaves? Lakisha sounded great on my TV while Jordin was ultra off pitch and screechy. That last note was a killer.
Blake needs to bring it, or he’s going home soon. Even though his performance was a bit boring, it was full of emotion. I love that smoldering look he gives the camera. His “imagine” was completely heartfelt. I think it’s Kiki’s turn to go home tonight. Either that or Chris.
I guess I’m the only one who isn’t a fan of Melinda. I know she has a good voice and YES she can sing but…I cant see myself buying her cd, or that many other people for that matter. There is something very oldies about her voice. I’m just not a fan.
On the other hand Blake who is one of my favorites is starting to really dissapoint me, he’s getting a little boring. He needs to step it up or he’s going home soon.
Melinda was miles better than Jordin which was why they had her first. I guess it’s possible to dismiss someone for being too talented, huh Idol, and a female over 21, a category not allowed to win Idol either.
Jordin pimping ridiculous. Especially compared to how they come down on LaKisha. Shrieky, gasping and visibly effortful.
Maddie, I agree 100% with you. Melinda can sing, but she bores me silly. If I wanted to listen to Gladys Knight, I would. As for Blake, he was my favorite but he lately he’s been dull too. He needs another “Time of the Season”-like performance asap or he’s going home.
I like Jordin, and expect her to make it to the finals, but I’m a little tired of Randy gushing about her. Melinda is the better singer and the better performer. She’s really the only one who gets into the song and looks like she’s having a great time on stage. She may not be as marketable to 14 year old girls, but what about the audience that’s made Norah Jones a huge success? There are plenty of people over the age of 25 who want to hear music with melody by people who can actually sing. As for the rest, lately Blake has about as much charisma as a boiled potato… an expressionless bore. Lakisha has potential, but seems to have no idea how to develop it… stupid song choices, no lung capacity, and no personality. Chris may end up with a short career out of this, but I’m guessing he’ll end up a second-tier Ryan Cabrera. Then there’s Phil… nice as he seems to be, his talent is middling and, fair or not, I’m afraid his looks will prevent much success beyond tv commercial jingles.
I couldn’t help wondering, cynic that I am, what Simon and Ryan had for lunch on their way home from Africa, in their privately owned custom Lear Jet… being picked up in their stretch limo and brought back home to their million $$ mansions.
I certainly do hope that Idol Gives Back!
Unfortunetly, I missed last night’s show, but based on my opinion, in order of preference my favorites are: Jordan, Melissa,& Kiki. Blake is charming and animated so is Chris I have no doubts on their abilities to make record deals…Phil does nothing for me. I agree with EP-Sato,Kiki needs to have better songs selected , she needs to convey to america that she has universal talents. I miss Sanjaya he made the show interesting for all the good & bad reasons
jordan is a good singer, but not great she was pitchy, but the judges love her(why) melinda always acts surprised when some says she did can sing (have anyone noticed) kiki started to show to much of her diva side to early, hands down melinda should win jordan will win
jordan is a good singer, but not great she was pitchy, but the judges love her(why) melinda always acts surprised when some says she did can sing (have anyone noticed) kiki started to show to much of her diva side to early, hands down melinda should win jordan will win
I like Lakisha’s voice, but she has consistently NOT taken advice, which unfortunately could send her off the show faster than the less talented males.
And would it hurt Blake to smile at the happy parts of the songs? Seriously, he looked robotic.