The Men "Carey" the Women on American Idol

Photo credit: Michael Becker/FOX

 

-- carolinagrrrl from AfterEllen.com

If you follow American Idol even half as close as I do, then two things must be true: you have a lot of free time, and you are already aware how much the men have been overshadowing the women this season. I have been trying to avoid talking about the guys too much because, frankly, I don't want any of them to win. But, alas, it seems unavoidable this week.

Idol has now endured its first true “ shock ” elimination as Michael Johns left the competition last week. But, I have a problem with the use of that word whenever someone undeserving receives the least votes. Let's face it, folks, all but one contestant will eventually be eliminated; there is no “shock” value in that fact. Michael, as good as he was, was not going to be this season's Idol, so I don't think a week or two's difference here or there in the elimination process makes much of a difference.

 

But, onward to those who are still in the competition. As promised, Mariah Carey came back this week as the mentor, and I was thoroughly disappointed in the song choices by most of the contestants. Perhaps it was deemed “safer” to avoid some of Mariah's most popular singles, but I still wanted to hear them. Where was “Dreamlover” or “Against All Odds?” Oh well.

 

Photo credit: Michael Becker/FOX

 

Starting off the show by singing one of the few recognizable songs was David Archuleta with “When You Believe,” and he was totally rockin' some leather (pleather?) pants. Simon gloated about knowing that David would choose this song, and I can't decide if that's a good thing for him or not. Regardless, it was definitely one of the best performances of the night. (Watch it here.)

Next up: Carly Smithson singing “Without You.”

 

Photo credit: Frank Micelotta/FOX

 

How cute was the mutual adoration between Mariah and Carly? (Answer: too cute!) Personally, I loved this performance. But I can't help but think I might be becoming too much of a groupie and losing my objective eye. The judges seemed fairly luke-warm to her, and Simon was almost downright harsh. Did we watch the same performance? I saw the restraint they mentioned, but thought it was necessary so as not to over-sing the song. Right? Help me out here, AfterEllen.com readers.

After the requisite commercial break, Syesha Mercado sang “Vanishing,” which I had never heard before. You can watch her performance here, but with the exception of one particularly impressive note in the middle, I found it fairly boring. The judges pretty much agreed on the fact that she sang well, but were far from excited, and that means Syesha could be in trouble tonight.

 

Photo credit: Frank Micelotta/FOX

 

Another personal favorite, Brooke White, tackled “Hero.” She started the performance off strong, and made a good decision on how to go about singing Mariah. She knew she couldn't hit the big notes, so she went “unplugged” and sang sans band. While overall a fairly good vocal, this was (sadly) one of the most cringe-worthy performances I have ever seen on American Idol. Brooke's visible nerves were difficult to watch. Watch how bad she shakes near the end when the camera tightly frames her face.

 

 

The ridiculousness of the hamburger talk notwithstanding, I agreed with a lot of what the judges had to say. Brooke is smart enough to realize what she is and is not capable of singing. She arranged the song properly and adjusted the range accordingly, but I can't help but feel as though she is going to self-destruct any minute. Between the crying and the nerves and the constant criticism, I just don't know if she has the fortitude to go the distance in this competition.

 

Photo credit: Frank Micelotta/FOX

 

Rounding out the back-to-back-to-back-to-back female performances was Kristy Lee Cook singing “Forever.”

 

Photo credit: Frank Micelotta/FOX

 

Don't worry, Kristy Lee, I don't believe you gave Mariah Carey goose bumps, either. Kristy Lee has managed to avoid the bottom three last week, but is still the worst singer left in the competition. She completely lacks originality. Even on weeks where she sounds decent, her performances consist of nothing more than standing behind a microphone and squinting.

The final two slots belonged to David Cook and Jason Castro. Singing “Always be My Baby,” David Cook produced what has become expected from him: a fairly unique and very well executed version of a well-known song. While some of his other arrangements have been versions that other artists have created first, he has consistently shown that he knows what works for him—and pulled it off beautifully. Recently, though, I have been put off by his displays of arrogance, so it was nice to see him show emotion at the end there.

Jason Castro completed the male dominance with “I Don't Want to Cry,” and managed to make me completely forget that he was singing a song by Mariah Carey. I was thoroughly impressed.

I think it's a no-brainer that the bottom three tonight will be all women, I can only pray to Simon that voters called in enough for Carly and Brooke. I predict Kristy Lee will finally go home tonight, because, well, it finally isn't really expected.