There was a lot of talk of a higher power on tonight’s American Idol telecast. One contestant declared himself a “God-fearing person.” Another vocalist talked about prayer as a pre-performance ritual. Heck, even Simon Cowell got into the (holy) spirit, accepting an invitation to attend church. But after listening to the 10 male semifinalists’ performances, I’m beginning to fear that God has finally decided to forsake the nation’s most popular televised singing competition now that its ninth season is providing direct, ratings-draining competition for the final season of ABC’s Lost. [SPOILERS ahead, west-coasters!] How else to explain the parade of bum notes sent forth by everyone from Jermaine Sellers and John Park (expected) to Andrew Garcia and Casey James (less so)?
I mean, I began the night scratching my head at the effusive praise heaped on Michael Lynche’s opening act, “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World,” but it all made sense after the nine subsequent dudes had finished defiling the musical legacies of everyone from Tina Turner to John Mayer (too soon, BTW) to Hinder (okay, perhaps “legacy” wasn’t the best word choice). Again, show-closing Lee Dewyze got buried alive in compliments from Randy, Ellen, Kara, and Simon, but even he had more pitch problems than Andy Pettitte with a whole tube of Super Glue on his hands. (I know, I know…it always goes south when I make a sports metaphor.)
The Top 10 ladies take the stage tomorrow night, Idoloonies. Let us pray…
What did you think of tonight’s show? Which singers managed to impress you tonight? (I kinda liked Alex Lambert, Big Mike, and kinda sorta Aaron Kelly.) Who do you think is going home tomorrow? Post your thoughts in the comments section, watch the latest episode of Idolatry embedded below (for a second time, if you must), then check back early tomorrow morning for my full TV Watch recap. And to get all my Idol-related updates — I posted news of Crystal Bowersox’s medical issue before Fox’s official release hit the Internet (oh snapzzz!) — follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak.
Well, it wasn’t as drastically awful as last week. But no performance stuck out to me as really “good”. The boys are just not performing that well.
i agree allison. the only guy i really like is alex and maybe todrick. but the other boys are not that great.
also i think that john and tim are going home tomorrow, at least one of them.
arg i mean on thursday lol
On a season where few contestants are talking back to the judges, it’s not likely that Jermaine will last much longer. I also believe that Tim will last awhile – and that’s a good thing.
Dan I couldn’t agree more. Tim, although NOT the best singer, is one who takes criticism well and could improve before our eyes. I think early front runner John Park will leave after a second uninspired perf. The other will be either Jermaine or Todrick, both of whom are talented, but aren’t showing any unique factor. I hope Alex stays, he’s growing on me, and like Tim, he could improve quite a bit.
I agree. I couldn’t even tell you who was the worst performer. They all ranged from offkey and blah to offkey and terrible – and none of them were memorable.
The same could be said of the season as a whole. The show has been wildly entertaining over the years, but I may have to skip this one and hope they can get their mojo back next year. Without Simon. Gulp.
Sorry.. but “Man’s World” rocked as a peformance.. so did the last song.. Still learning names but those are the two I remember and the two i would pay ad to my Music.
I agree with Allison….no one stands out. So far I am not impressed that these are the best singers this country has to offer…what? Last year at least people could sing. And I am not a Howard Stern fan, but I saw an interview with him about the Idol show, and he said that the judges just dont have any real opinions. I kind of agree with him. They ought to get a voice coach to sit on that panel.
If Lee gets his confidence up, he’s going to be in the top 10.
Jermaine is lucky he knows God because he’ll have a hard time getting into heaven after committing murder to that song!!!
LMAO! Good one JD. He may know god but if god is merciful he’ll keep us from another week of destroying a great song. The wrong jermaine’s gotta go like NOW!
LOL. I agree. That version of the song was painful. By far the worst of the night. Second place is a tossup between Tim Urban and John Park.
I don’t have anything to add but I think all Allie’s should comment here, lol.
ugh. This should have been up in Allison’s post. Sorry.
boys are outperforming the girls in my opinion. I love Lee dewyze and aaron kelly, as well as Tim Urban and alex lambert. Can’t stand Michael lynch
How come you hate Big Mike? Because he’s not just a muscle man and shows some sensibilty? I’m not sure he can win but he’s a good performer and has a great personnality.
Alex and Lee are definitely the ones to watch, they both have incredible voices.
Jermaine is just full of himself and in the wrong way, he can’t win if he has no humility. Todrick is trying too much to wow, can’t he be just a guy who sings and who sings great?
I’m afraid Andrew won’t be able to top his hollywood performance, that’s always the problem when you’re too good too soon.
Casey “Brad Pitt” James is too hot for words, and he can play guitar, this guy is flawless! Tim Urban will become a Disney boy like the Jonas Brothers, I have no doubt about it.
The guys are way better than the girls, I’m afraid Simon Cowell’s dream of having
…(having) a girl winning Idol this year will not come true.
And I have a last concern: “Why doesn’t Ellen get along with the four others?” I’m expecting her to become warmer than that.
i think the guys are outperforming the girls. I love Lee Dewyze and aaron kelly. Also, tim urban and casey james as well as Alex lambert. HATE HATE michael lynch.
You “love” Tim Urban’s voice? Are we watching the same show?
Tim Urban maybe a pretty boy but he CAN’T sing!!!!!!!!!!!
I really liked Alex Lambert tonight. His was the first performance (male or female) of the season that made me sit up and say “I like that!” They need to all get past the nerves and America needs to send Jermaine home accompanied by either Todryck or John. Oh, and judges, Big Mike was BORING on his song and totally unoriginal and irrelevant. So why did you praise him and complain when boring John Park did the same thing?
I haven’t found anyone who stands out either. But then if I give credit where its due, it wasn’t until the last week of the semifinals that the Davids of season 7 made me go, ok, now there’s a winner. It took Adam & Kris the first week of the top 12 (although Allison got there in the semis with a couple killer performances). Semis give us a better idea of each contestant but I feel like its rare that we get a real standout moment.
Plus, its a total nerves situation. That’s all I see watching these boys is nerves. So maybe by next week we’ll see why some of these were worthy of the top 24.
I thought Todrick, John, and Jermaine did the worst. Most improved. Casey was the best last week but was only just decent this week. Tim and Alex both are ok, but neither should make the Top 12. So out of Tim, Jermaine, Todrick, John, and Alex which will somehow squeak into the Top 12? At least whoever it is most likely won’t make the Top 10 and miss the tour.
Alex Lambert was definitely my surprise favorite of the night. He was so cool and mellow, and strangely sensitive. I loved that. His pre-package helped humanize him a little bit.
Tim Urban’s pectoral muscles need their own reality show. Or magazine spread
YES. Haha, Tim surprised me too with those muscles and blinding white teeth.
I thought I was the only one who noticed his pecs…that boy brings the pretty he needs to stick around for a few weeks- Slezak I don’t care what you say about searching the internet to look @ hotties!
Yeah, Alex surprised me too. He was one of my favs tonight along with Lee and Lynch. Really underwhelmed overall though. Can’t see buying any of their CD’s unless they seriously step it up.
i like lee and alex. they’re both really raw, but talented. i think they’ll grow and be awesome soon enough.
Agreed. Far and away the two best of the night.
Lee and Alex have my vote, too, although I still think it’s a girl’s year. They are like the poor man’s Cook and Castro for me right now.
I really enjoyed Alex’s performance. He is definitely a dark horse.
I really don’t think most of the women are all that great either. I like Didi, Crystal, and Siobhan and that’s it. Lilly is talented but not really a great singer. Are the top 10 going to be half mediocre as usual?
I’d say Alex is more of a dark pony, he needs to gain some confidence before he is upgraded to dark horse status.
But I do think that he was one of the best of the night.
So funny agreed on Alex and Lee being the poor man’s Castro and Cook haha… that was great! I have to say Lee is by far my favorite… by far! Hopefully he makes it far in the competition. I think Jermaine and John need to be dropped this week.
Add me to the list of those that agree! I think they both have things they need to work on, but I love to see growth in this competition. If they have some time they both could do well or at least I hope.
These were my two faves, as well. I really enjoyed Alex’s performance. I love the sound of this kid’s voice!!!
sellers – out. and maybe park too.
good, sellers needs to go. immediately if not sooner.
I liked him…JermaineSellers approached it like a church singer. I appreciate that, but Mainstream America? They don’t know about that.
Jermaine was the best guy tonight. Also like Alex and Andrew.
I think Jermaine and Toddrick have amazing talent, but are trying too hard. I don’t think Aaron Kelly or Tim Urban have any place being in this competition. The talent isn’t there and they are just really boring.
I don’t care if Jermaine has talent. His diva antics (Ryan practically told him to shut up tonight) and stank attitude make him thoroughly unlikable.
What does attitude have to do with singing. If you can sing, you can sing, and name me one great singer who isn’t a diva? Plus, I think he was just frustrated. I mean, the judges tell them to be original, and change the songs, But when they do, they give them negative reviews. I’m glad Jermaine called them out on it.
Though I’m not crazy about Jermaine, the judges did the same thing to the female black singer in last year’s competition whose name I can’t remember. They kept giving her contradictory advice each week. But then last year it was all about praising Gokey and Lambert.
I just don’t think Jermaine is very good at singing secular songs. Other “church trained” singers have done well. He just can’t seem to make the transition.
Whatever..Jermaine was defending his talent. The judges told him he did too much last week and he definitely pulled back this week. The judges SUCK with their flip flopping…be original and make it your own or no just sing they song, it doesn’t need to be changed. I think John, Aaron were horrendous and did not understand the love the judges gave. Simon…you’re not changing my vote…Jermaine Sellers is the next American Idol!!
If Jermaine is a church-based singer then why can’t he sing with heart?
I don’t think the judges comments to him were unkind…the judges are desperate at this point and they know that he has a voice. Jermaine is too busy showcasing himself instead of the melody and lyric. He honestly doesn’t come off as sincere or likable.
aaron kelly is amazing.
I agree that Aaron has the voice, style, and confidence of a much more seasoned performer. I only have to blocks: Typically, I don’t vote for the teenagers, and almost never buy country or cross-over country music. I hope he sticks around.
Alex was great tonight. Good for him. How did John Park do? I came in too late for him.
It’s probably back to his a cappella group for John. Boring boring boring.
Alex was one of my faves of the night, too. But, poor John Park…I really like him (does he remind anyone else of a Korean Ron Weasley?), but I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes home this week.
LOL. You hit that one on the head.
Hahaha! A Korean Ron Weasley! You made my day.
I think mean like Andy Pettitte with Vaseline on his hands.
West Coaster here and thanks for the recaps. I can watch Lost in peace.
God gave up on American Idol when they fired Paula. She was the Chosen One.
WHY am I supposed to love Lee? Simon swears he’s the next coming of David Cook? I say he’s the next coming of Sundance Head.
Over at MJ’s someone dubbed him Gokey 2.0. Ha!
Lee is a poor man’s version of Nickelback, complete with being pitchy and screamy. And I hate Nickelback, so sorry, Lee – no can root for you
omg the first words out of my mouth were “he sounds like Nickelback…ew”
Wow, I was thinking the same thing! I don’t get why everyone loves him so much.
Yeah, Lee definitely can’t hit the money notes the way Cook did, nor does he have the oh so pretty lower register. But he does have one of the best male voices this year.
I think Lee has the potential… If someone would just sit and work with him, he could have the same success as DC did. Maybe that is why I like him… due to his David Cook-esque. Also, I don’t like Nickelback… but I do like Lee.
I don’t get the Lee/David Cook comparison. THERE IS NO COMPARISON! David was hitting huge, spinning resonant High B’s and C’s in Hollywood and onward. He was already polished. He has that little grit and rasp he puts in, but his voice is actually very clear and unusual. I am vocal coach – he is a rare dramatic tenor. Very unusual voice. Lee is out of tune and in a BIG way, every time I hear him.
OMG, THANK YOU Rebecca. I’m a classically trained musician, and in no way am I saying that makes me better than any of these contestants, but I DO mean to say that every time someone’s off pitch, it’s like nails on a chalkboard to me. Lee is almost always flat, seriously cannot hit the high notes, shouts more than sings, and has serious breath control problems. I know a lot of these people are very “raw,” so there’s time to grow and learn, but I’ve gotta say: They ALL need more time with the vocal coaches. Side note: Aside from Aaron and Casey, where’s it’s too much of a good thing, have none of these boys learned what vibrato is? All their notes are so even, it’s distracting. I couldn’t handle Andrew’s performance; every time he stretched out one of those long notes, I was waiting for a little vibrato to show me he’s a nuanced singer, but it wasn’t there. Blech.
J – thank you for your reply! Yes, a lot of “straight tone” so far! Aaron and Casey do have vibrato and it helps them to hit the sweet spot. Theirs is a little fast but it is nerves I suspect, and will get better. It’s hard to believe how pitchy some of the singers are, and worse, how much they aren’t being called out for it.
I don’t “get” the Andrew fascination or Lee DeWyze. Neither have impressed me in the least. andrew’s voice is straight and very nasal. It’s high too which makes the nasality more irksome! He may have some talent for sure but needs lessons. BADLY. They all do!
Hopefully things will improve! At least Casey is very musical. There are too many copycat singers – I tell my young proteges not to follow this vocal FAD of overly jazzy, stylized singing. it’s not coming across…and it will not last.
Poor Andrew. I really want him to do well in this competition! I’ve been following him since before Idol. And I had to agree with the judges today…. not the right song for him. Come on, Andrew! You can do it, man.
While I agree that there were some bad performances this week, I do think it was LOADS better than last week. My faves of the night were Lee, Alex, John, and kinda Mike. I know John had some bum notes, but they all did, and I love the tone of John’s voice. I hope he can bring it next week. Also, there were several “Kara shut the hell up or I’ll punch you in the face” moments. Just saying…
Saying tonight was better than last week is like saying that a few broken ribs is better than having your throat slashed. The only real “marked improvements” were from Tim Urban and Alex Lambert, and that’s because they had nowhere else to go but up.
Jermaine HAS to go. John Park too, please. I’ll say it, I liked Tim Urban tonight, for sure. One of the top 5, at least.
Jermaine and John can sing circles around Tim Urban.
I actually thought Tim was every bit as horrible as he was the week before. His only improvements were wearing a tight t-shirt and toning down the creepy wide-eyed stares. Vocally, he was still far beneath the other nine singers.
totally agreed
It was soooooooooooooooooo boring.
Nope your wrong, it was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo boring!
I’m getting really tired of these people having to bring god into everything. It’s American Idol, not Church Idol. It’s annoying and arrogant.
I’m with you. I guess I can say that I didn’t hate Mike, Alex, and Aaron. But that’s a long LONG way from “I wanna buy this guy’s CD and see him in concert!” Like, at this point, I think this summer’s Idols concert might be a lost cause…
He he he… Yeah, the guys are all okay but none of them is very inspiring.
Big Mike was NOT that good. Lambert sounds good. The teenie bopper kid looks like Hilary Swank in Boys Don’t Cry.
yes he does!! now that you mention it