I’m having a hard time typing, Popwatchers, as my hands are all a-quiver after the most exhilarating Idol live performance night I’ve ever seen. Granted, I haven’t seen many, but I don’t really know how this season can top it.
For one, Gina Glocksen was our warm-up comic! Sorta! After the regular shtick from Bill the Other Warm-Up Comic, he pulled up Glocksen from the audience to deliver a pretty hot groove on "Rapper’s Delight," and she stayed there to introduce Randy, Ryan, Simon and the Idols. "I don’t know what to do," Gina said after she announced Simon’s name only to have him not appear at the entrance. "This is so weird right now!" But only the right kind of weird, Gina, trust me.
Actually, I worried it was a bittersweet night for the rocker, what from the Bon Jovi theme night to the loudly warm applause she received when she first entered the studio. Me, I’d be all "oh yeah, where was all this love when I needed your votes?! I could’ve so rocked it tonight!" But Gina just seemed thrilled to be there. As did Little Miss Sunshine’s Abigail Breslin up in the front row, by the way. (I’m just going to skip over Antonella Barba except to say she shot Gina quite the dirty look after Ryan told the Top 12 finalist on camera how thrilled he was to see her.)
The real show, of course, began once the cameras went live. Because,Popwatchers, if you were playing close enough attention and happened tobe stalking me, you’d realize that for a brief moment, I was on TV. Mylittle faraway section of the audience temporarily became stage centerwhen Phil launched into a "Blaze of Glory" right along my row (pictured). Duringhis taped bit with Jon Bon Jovi, Debbie the Stage Manager had the rowsbehind me along the stairwell move to form a human wall and forced thefront row of that wall to replace their "Blake U Make Me Ache" signwith that ginormous "Phil!" sign. (Not that they minded — they got to beon TV! And, we later learned, one from that group counts StevenSpielberg as a neighbor. So they’ve got that going for them too.) Justto give you new stalkers a leg up on things, I was the dork off to theleft of the screen with the scruff and glasses trying his best not tolook too dorky. (Success!)
I’ve now watched the show back on TV, and while it still comes over asa darn strong episode, I do think my twitterpation has as much to dowith seeing it all live as anything else. Well, maybe save for Jordin,although I’m actually of two minds about her, um, version of "Living ona Prayer." I’ll put it to you: Is it better to have at times screechy,off-key singing come through clearly, or not be heard at all oversquawking guitars and thumping drums? I’m leaning to the latter,because even though I seriously could not hear Jordin for a good halfof her song, at least I was spared the actual singing.
Really, though, that was for my ears the only truly off performance ofthe night. Phil was strong, LaKisha was fierce — her posse this week wereon their feet testifying long before the rest of us were — and even Chrismanaged to belt (belt!) long stretches of "Dead or Alive" withoutsounding like Justin Timberlake with a cold. And regular readers know Ithink Melinda can do no wrong, and, based on the audience’s rabidenthusiasm for her growly "Have a Nice Day," I’d say I’m not alone.
The night, though, belonged to Blake. As if in anticipation of thisfact, Blake had the most signs in the audience last night—two-to-one,easy. A sampling: "Blake is the Cake" (atop those hot pink pop-artportraits of Blake); the aforementioned "Blake U Make Me Ache";"Beatboxers can sing too!" held by Papa Lewis; "Shake It Blake"; "BlakeYou Make My Heart Beatbox"; "Get on the Blake Train"; and aplaying-card portrait of Blake with him as the Ace of Hearts. Myfavorite non-Blake sign — "I Want To Squeeze Ya LaKisha" — was actually oneof six signs created for all of the Idols by a Fox affiliate reporter,so it really doesn’t count.
And if you’re wondering, per Simon’s comment, which half of theaudience hated on Blake’s beat-boxing remix of "You Give Love a BadName," well, there wasn’t one. We were all pretty much electrified fromthe get go, so much so I’ve already started an intra-EW e-mailthrowdown over whether it belongs in the pantheon of Greatest Idol Performances Ever. (My vote, clearly: Oh, heck yes!)
I do feel I should point out that I think my fervor was in no smallpart stoked by the super-mega-ultra Blake fan in the seat next to me, ayoung man named Dane whose full-bodied enthusiasm for the beat-boxernearly toppled the risers. I kid — though Dane really was jumping withenough force to bend the floor beneath him (and me) — but only gently,because, you see, Dane is a fan. Of mine. Or, really, of our EW.com Idolcoverage. (Yes, that tooting you hear is our own horn.) Dane explainedto me that he’s all about Blake because he so clearly isn’t your papa’sIdol contestant. My snark impulse almost had me answering, "Yeah,well, neither was Taylor Hicks," but, really, Dane has a point. Blake’sbound to be the lead watercolor convo subject for the next week, and hepulled it off by embracing his truest instincts as a musician,instincts never before seen on the Idol stage. And isn’t that what we’ve all been craving from this show, authentic wow moments, pony-hawks notwithstanding?
Comments (1-30) of 72 Add your comment
The spell has been broken, Blake please dye your hair blond again…black just does not work with you!
You’re going the way of Felicity after she cut her hair. Please remember, something as simple as hair can ruin your career!
Blake can do no wrong after last night. How do you make one of the most over played songs of all time sound completely new and fresh…. just listen to Blake. I don’t care if he wins or not, he’s going to be successful. I was clapping and shouting at home, it was that great!
I completely disagree – Blake, you keep that dark hair! It compliments your dark, bad-boy, lock-up-yer-daughters-’cause-here-comes-Blake soul!
…could do even better if he had a singing voice. imagine how swoonworth he’d be then?
I for one love Blake’s singing voice, and thought last night’s performance was a wonderfully produced and arranged gem that balanced his vocals and his “isms” perfectly.
Congrats on your screen time, Adam!
I truly don’t understand the whole Blake phenomenon. He’s a mediocre singer who can beat box. The beat boxing gets old (aka. I wouldn’t want listen to an entire CD of him beat boxing) and it’s not even THAT good!
I’ve gotta say that for a brief moment, I had goose bumps as Blake went off. Maybe not the best AI performance, but definitely the most memorable for a GOOD reason.
Agreed on Blake. He pulled off “rockstar” like no one else on stage. From the outfit to the different hair coloring, Blake impressed me, and I’ve been rooting against him all season.
Kiki was BACK and put herself on the top tier where she belongs. Proof that she does better when she listens to the singing coach.
I loved Melinda’s performance but dislike the song. Chris was pretty okay and may get a pass, but this week we lose two singers.
On that note, Jordin Sparks surprised me with an underwhelming performance, and a communications problem between tivo and my digital cable box stopped me from enjoying Phil’s performance.
To me, this evening could prove a real toss up. Last week’s performances were pretty good, but some of the best contenders from last week had trouble last night.
Hey Adam! Do you mean,”watercooler convo?” I like to paint and talk at the same time too, but “watercolor convo” doesn’t make sense!
Blake sang the chorus very well but I didn’t enjoy the beatboxing. He did rock the house better than anyone else.
I don’t know how Jon & Dave kept from laughing during Chris’ one-on-one practice.
“Wanted, waaaannnteeed”….
My musician husband tolerates my love of American Idol and patiently sits every Tues and Weds watching with me. After Blake’s performance finished yesterday, he made me rewind the DVR so he could watch it again. He didn’t even make fun of me when I obsessively voted while he was watching The Deadliest Catch. That’s how good Blake was last night!
Anna you keep saying the same thing in all the talkbacks about Blake. He had gone weeks without beatboxing for one thing. He clearly knows it doesnt belong on EVERY song. And I will have you know that other artists have been using it sucessfully for quite some time. Justin Timberlake has not had an issue selling millions and using his beatboxing in certain songs
The half that hated Blake’s performance would be the half that can hear. He picked a SUPER-EASY song, and only sang half of it (pitchily). I made up that word, pitchily, in honor of the cheesy prep-dwarf. Feel free to use it in future writings.
Hideous, embarrassing. Jordin sucked, but she gets an A for effort for picking a tough song.
Last night was the best of the season. Five of six were great and above their “norm”. However, Jordin was WAY out of her league on this song. She would be reliving last week’s “elimination” shocker if they were just eliminating one tonight. Kinda weird! I hope Melinda wins even though she’s not the most “marketable”. She does have the best voice of all of them.
On that note, I L-O-V-E-D Blake’s beatbox/remix of JBJ! Wow – that took guts, and it was a winner in my book. I’d download it to my MP3 player any day soon!
It’s getting good, America! Will it be Blake, Jordin or Melinda winning the crown of AI? Until next week…
Thank you for saying something kind – and true – about Chris. (Be prepared for the scorn of Slezak.) I agree that Blake’s performance should go down in the hall of fame because it was fresh and bold – something needed desperately on the Idol stage after the relentless diva-gospel-karaoke-Disney-broadway moments we have endured for six seasons. Go Cake/Bliss!
While Blake undoubtedly pulled off the most memorable performance this year, I still say it’s pretty obvious the BEST performance is still Melinda’s semifinal take on “My Funny Valentine.”
Still, last night (Blake back up/ Jordin stumbling) might put a serious crimp in that forgone conclusion of a Jordin/Melinda final.
P.S. “watercolor convo” sounds infinitely more fun to me than “watercooler convo.”
I love these on-the-scene blogs. When it’s all said and done I have to go with the “morning after factor”. Last night I loved it all minus J-spo. Today all that remains is
Phil’s walk in the crowds
Jordin’s Party City Halloween gear
Blake’s hair and the pop-a-top Schlitz sound
Melinda.doing.the.bump
Weren’t there two other contestants?
I wonder if the black could wash out?
Blake was awesome and Melinda busted out Tina Turner like a m-f. Now if this were the 80’s Mindy would be HUGE!
I want to like blake, i really do. But my heart, and my ears, just wont let me. I give him props for his swagger but, I just cant get down with it.
It almost felt like he was cheating, because vocally he doesnt hold a candle to most of the contestants, style wise and artistry he is maybe a strong 2nd. But, no, I just cant bring myself to reconcile that. Dude cant sing. He is a gimmick away from being a nobody.
Just re-read all the posts. I’m jealous of all you who get to talk about Idol at the watercolor. Where I work we gather in the teacher’s losenge.
my heart pulls for phil- i think b/c he’s a nice guy and he’s solid- not great, but solid, but for some reason i like the guy. i’m also a jordin fan- not so much last night, but i still pull for her as well. melinda is too boring for me. i pull for lakisha too b/c she’s a single mom (i know, lame reason), but i want her to get a better life- get a hold of that dream. i dug blake last night, but i agree with most everyone where he’s actually not that great of a singer- just has the gimmicks. chris r could do without- although… JT is famous, so why shouldn’t chris be?
Blake’s look last night reminded me a bit of the mid-80s DuranDuran/Simon LeBon …I loved his version of the song, and his new look.
I’m gunning for a Blake/Melinda finale! They are both undeniably incredible artists and would make things interesting.
I like Blake’s originality. And last night’s performance was all that. But the guy’s not much of a singer and I think the sound effects would get old on a whole CD or a show.
I LOVE YOU!!!! THANK YOU!!!! I AM NOT ALONE!!!!!
Alright, was it an exciting night because of the performances or because you were on camera? A little confused here.
Thanks for the behind the scenes recap. Look forward to them every week. Blake was cool. Melinda rocked the house. She can sing anything and is looking hot! LOVE HER! Lakisha killed last night. Hope she stays. Phil sounded great. Chris did well too. Jordin, not a good night at all. She is a good singer and seems very sweet. Still feels like AI is pimping big time for her to make final two and win. Great show all in all last night. Jon Bon Jovi is the man!
I just watched Blake’s performance again, thinking maybe I overestimated it last night. Nope, still blew me away. That was the most original performance on Idol, ever. And while I hate to say anything negative about any of them, if Chris is still around after that ear-bleeding, mute-button pushing performance…. I just kept remembering Chris Daughtry and his amazing (and in tune) version last season. Ok, gotta go watch Blake again.
loved Blake. I thought he was the most original singer last night. I still adore Jordin but last night she was horrible.