There are only eight weeks left in American Idol’s eighth season, and tonight’s episode drove home Ryan Seacrest’s enduring refrain about the importance of speed-dialing on behalf of your favorites — even when you think they’ve performed well enough to easily bypass the bottom three. [SPOILERS AHEAD: West coast readers beware!] Indeed, the sight of Matt Giraud on the Silver Stools of Doom, while (Megan) (Joy) (Insert Name Here) relaxed on the safety couches added a jolt of electricity to a rather low-wattage results show. As my pal Kristen Baldwin just texted me: "What does she have to do to land in the bottom 3? Club a baby seal on stage?" Perhaps, since clubbing an innocent Stevie Wonder composition didn’t stop her from getting more votes than Matt, Scott MacIntyre, and Michael Sarver. Then again it can’t hurt Megan’s cause that she’s one of only three women left in the competition, while Matt is likely splitting votes with fellow male soulsters Danny, Kris, Anoop, Michael, and even Adam. Anyhow, I’m off to complete my full TV Watch recap — look for it first thing tomorrow morning. In the interim, use our comments section to offer your own takes on Michael’s ouster, the total farce of a judges’ deliberation, and the guest performances by Ruben Studdard, Joss Stone, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder. My two-word summation: Stevie wins! Agree?
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Michael – yes this was a strange episode. It seems like the produces have decided that “lip sync” is out and pre-recording is in for the conestants group numbers (and for most of the visiting performers!!!). Very lame. Stevie gave the best performance of the night – what would have made it more awsome is if Simon got up and slow danced with Paula on that little stage in front of the judge’s desk while he sang “Overjoyed” – that would have been hilarious and made for good TV.
I’m curious to see your opinion Slezak, do you think the judges would’ve used their save if Matt was the one with the lowest votes? He clearly didn’t deserve to be there. I was sad to see Alexis go last week, but have to admit it was a weaker performance, but IMHO Matt’s performance this week was definately one of the top three for me. Thoughts?
stevie wonder just completely put all of the american idol performances in perspective for me
What really hurt Matt was that Whitney thought he was good, and we all know the public never agrees with the Whitster! Just kidding, Whit! Kind of….
I could not believe Matt was in the bottom two. For me this week Adam and Matt were the top two performers. What is wrong with America. And what happened to Ruben’s voice. He didn’t sound like that smooth velvet teddy bear he used to sound like.
The Joss Stone/Smokey Robinson duet was kinda creepy in a one of the Girls Next Door singing with Hef kinda way.
OUTRAGE that Matt should land in the bottom three…he was in my top 3-4 performances last night. And exactly what I thought Slezak — to see Megan over there looking drunk and giddy was painful. UGH. I guess voting with a vengeance will begin next week. (and they should not even pretend that the person stays or or goes based on their final performance — we know that’s not the case.)
I wish the judges would have used the save on Michael Sarver. That way it would be over and done with – none of this “deliberation” every week, listening to the worst singer perform his/her worst song.
PS: Thank you, America, for putting Allison back in the game.
Matt has a bit of a handicap…he’s not very attractive. When he performs I can’t take my eyes off that massive bump on his forehead. He also has a gummy smile and his falsetto is not as good as he thinks it is.
Matt was in the bottom 3 for the same reason Alison was last week. America prefers to vote for people because they are a) pretty, b) blind or c) smug semi-talented yet inexplicably pimped tools. Some voters just don’t care about the whole singing ability thing.
Let’s talk about Ryan’s faking Allison out. I literally yelped “WHAT??????” at the TV when he said that. I was in public. People stared.
Adam Lambert is the only one with a consequentially refreshing, original, and adventurous voice and mind. He is brilliant and seeing anyone else in the bottom three will never surprise me. Matt is just one of those thousands of singers around with no niche… his performances make yawn a lot!
Okay, so is it absolutely necessary to lip synch a pre-recorded medley? Matt definitly didn’t deserve to be in the bottom three, and Michael deserved to go home. I am really hoping that America wakes up and gets rid of Megan next week. I don’t think my ears can take it!
I only watch this show because of Adam this year. Rest is so boring…. ADAM is FRESH and UNIQUE!!
I am serious…did Smokey’s eyes ever blink??!!!! That performance was hands down the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen next to Adam’s “Ring of Fire”. Both sounded great with the eyes shut, but just too hideous to watch. Smokey looked like he wanted to eat Joss Stone alive. EEEK!