On the scene: 'Idol' final three performance night
May 14, 2008, 10:23 AM | by Shirley Halperin
Categories: 'American Idol', Music, On the Scene, Reality TV
Ah, to breathe the air of the Idol studio again. It's been too long, my friends, and I've traveled far — all the way to England and back! So first, a big thanks to my colleagues Ari Karpel, Adam Vary and Aunt Whittlz for subbing in. They all do the recap proud, don't they? That's why they get paid the big bucks, people. As for me, even though I was an ocean away, American Idol is pretty much inescapable no matter where you are in the world, and certainly in the UK where I watched Brooke go down in a blaze of runny mascara (yes, Pop Idol may be dead, but the American version thrives on London cable). By the following week, when I made my way to New York City, I was sure Syesha would be next to go, but — surprise! — she's still here. How did this happen?
I'm with the Castro conspiracy contingent who believes he purposely threw the race. Folded. Cashed in his chips. Unceremoniously waved buh-bye (and probably good riddance) to the competition. How else can you explain choosing "I Shot The Sheriff" instead of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song," which would've, could've, should've been the perfect fit?! Still, I do miss his cute dread-y face. Thank goodness, David Cook's still around.
With that in mind, let's move on to the final three. In the last few days, much of the media focus has been on David Archuleta and his dad's banishment from Idol rehearsals. So not surprisingly, when Jeff Archuleta walked into the studio, all eyes were fixated on him and that bouncy plaid cap. It seems Father's Day came early for this audience, since Papa Archie arrived a good 30 minutes before show-time, dutifully taking his seat behind the judges' table. He didn't sit still for long, though. It seems the Idol floor is also a networking opportunity for Mr. A, who chit-chatted with friends and nearby B-listers like Marilu Henner. Though there's no doubt he kept his distance from Nigel Lythgoe, it wasn't like he was confined at all. Just before Corey got his shtick going, Papa slipped out to the green room area undisturbed. That's not to say that I wanted to see some drama (okay, maybe a little), but all in all, it was painfully uneventful.
With 15 minutes to go, I saw a smattering of recognizable faces file in. Gavin DeGraw was seated just in front of famed songwriter Diane Warren, Justin Guarini held down audience left, and City Slickers' Daniel Stern landed a cheapo seat near me in the bleachers. Hollywood can be so cruel. Stage manager Debbie was ready to rock, sporting her best Bret Michaels bandana while showing Marilu and clan to their seats. Corey, meanwhile, was going on and on about the responsibilities of the pit. "Hands above your head the whole time," (that's what she said) he orders, and the girls dutifully oblige. If only it could be that effortless outside of the CBS Television City walls. Alas…
With less than four minutes to go, the red Coke cups make their entrance, only to be greeted by three empty chairs. The judges and Ryan are M.I.A. as usual. "Let's bring out our kids," Debbie announces instead, prompting the crowd to its feet. First impressions? Why does David A. look like he's trying out for the Cars? And Syesha: could that slit go any higher, girl? With one minute and 10 seconds 'til airtime, Debbie's getting testy. "I really need a host," she huffs, just as Ryan makes his entrance. With 10 seconds to go, Simon and Randy rush in, but still no sign of Paula up even after the final count winds down. She slips in just as Ryan finishes his intro.
It's clear the pace will be swift tonight since Ryan doesn't do his usual three-second pause in between "This" and "is American Idol," and so David Cook and Syesha are ushered to the side of the stage in due haste — Cook (pictured), with a purposeful pivot that proves he's basically going through the motions at this point, and Syehsa struggling with her dress. Meanwhile Archuleta, taking his position center stage, is immediately reduced to a parody of his aww shucks self. Smiling, waving, blushing, smiling, waving, blushing. It's All. So. Predictable.
Fortunately for Archie, he pulls off Paula's choice, "And So It Goes," which David Cook and Syesha watch intently from up above, out of the camera's sight but with a clear view down. But by the time the judges start talking, they'd moved along the bridge for the next commercial cutaway. Jeff Archuleta, meanwhile, shakes his head as Cowell gives his candid critique, with which I couldn't agree more.
Time for a break and for Paula to hug Gavin, Diane Warren and anyone else within arm's reach. Soon after, Papa Archie heads over towards the pro corner for a proper introduction. He and Gavin seem to get along, maybe because they both share an undying devotion to their cappeau of choice. But on the stage, it's back to business as Syesha prepares to belt Alicia. "If I Ain't Got You" was an apt choice for which she got high marks, but in the studio, it sounded like she didn't quite hit some of those punchy high notes and was overpowered by the backup singers during the chorus. No matter, it was a good start and finish and she looked hot throughout — what more could you want?
It's now time to get Cookin', and this crowd was most certainly hungering for it. David C. does some neck stretches off on the side of the stage while his judges' choice package runs. As usual, Cowell, IMHO, is spot-on choosing "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," one of the most gorgeous songs ever written, that's strangely appropriate for Cook's vocal stylings. And he kills it, garnering what was sure to be the most enthusiastic standing ovation of the night. Of course, David's mom was on her feet the whole time, which made the moment that much sweeter. What David Cook exuded was humility and ease, both of which go a long way in this popularity contest.
As Cook exits, he gives a final thumbs up to Cowell and the crowd while David Archuleta takes a seat on the stool with Debbie. Ryan makes his way over and checks the chair's sturdiness, then slinks it down low for an ice-breaker moment with Archie. It's contestants' choice this time, but David A. looks confused during the introduction, unsure of when to head over to the microphone. Or maybe it was nerves knowing Chris Brown's "With You," while a logical pick that appeals to younger Idol viewers, would also require his hips to gyrate ever so slightly. Not to harsh on the kid too much, but this second performance was awkward from start to finish. Sure, Paula was pumped and dad was clapping along, but Simon looked decidedly uninterested. The whole thing felt forced, down to the hand slaps at song's end.
Seeing Syesha on stage was a welcome relief, if only because her confidence knows no boundaries. As for her little "Fever" stool number? I couldn't help but conjure up the image of Sharon Stone's famous leg-cross in Basic Instinct, but at the same time, seeing Marilu Henner reminded me of the classic Apprentice conflict: whether to blatantly use female sexuality to advance in a reality TV show or to simply compete. Syesha, it seems, went for the former and it may have backfired. Even Paula strayed from her usual "you're who you are" script for a moment of actual judgment. As for Simon? Right again.
Syesha slightly overstays her stage welcome, lingering behind for some high fives, but David Cook, guitar in hand and rose affixed to its neck, is ready to roll. His one-minute sound-check is relaxed, and Cook practically skips his way over to the stool afterwards. But once there, he fidgets with his shirt, pulling down the waist area and sleeves, and starts to look nervous. Perhaps Cook wasn't so sure about his choice of Swtichfoot's "Dare You to Move." Like many modern rock hits, the verses lack melodic range and don't exactly play to his strengths. Sure enough, that chill disposition quickly disappears once the judges have their say.
Moving along, the s--t-eating grin makes a prompt return with Archuleta's final bow, the producers' choice of Dan Fogelberg's "Longer." I couldn't have said it better than Simon — the producers, be it Nigel or whomever, simply date themselves by picking soft-rock hits that my parents barely remember. And if David A. gets crap for his rendition, it's as much their fault as it is his. But I actually think he did the song justice, and carried it into the 21st century, which was no easy feat. Is there anyone out there who doesn't think his finale spot is guaranteed at this point?
Syesha's on the other hand? Not so much. Sure, she commands the stage and knows how to ham it up with the pit crowd (even if that involves a full calisthenic warm-up right then and there), but it's nothing we haven't seen countless times on Idol nor is it necessarily a winning strategy. Remember Diana DeGarmo? Katharine McPhee? Runners up with a perfectly pleasant disposition but ultimately, nothing special. The same can be said of this final, forgettable performance of "Hit Me Up" which was so loud and trebly that some of the youngsters in the audience were actually covering their ears in pained discomfort. Ouch, indeed.
Once again, I couldn't help but think, "Thank God for David Cook" as soon as he hit the stage and, like a true rock star, threw his rose into a crowd of screeching fans. Shaking in place, he gestures over to Rickey Minor, recapping the cue which they'd apparently discussed earlier. One deep breath and he launches into "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" without, er, missing a thing. Still, the judges appear unsure of what to think, so they scan the crowd only to find a room full of Cook converts swaying hypnotically. If it's reaction they're looking for, they got it from a rousing cheer at the song's end. The Archuletas, however, sat out the standing ovation.
And so the semifinals had come to an end. Nigel Lythgoe, clearly pleased with the outcome, enthusiastically shakes each contestant's hand, after which the three group-hug like there's no tomorrow. But of course, eliminations are coming and who knows which way it'll go. Will we be saying Byesha tonight? Or are we facing another of Idol's most shocking eliminations ever? It's probably no surprise that I'm hoping for D-day at next week's finale, but where do you stand? And if this plays out as a battle of the sexes (of the four times that a girl and guy have made it to the finals, three of the winners have been female), who would win in a David-Syesha showdown? Throw out your theories, PopWatchers!
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