photo: fox
Top 5 Results
Original Air Date: May 5, 2011
Patricia Morris Buckley — Sr. Staff Writer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com
I wasn’t quite sure if this week’s result show was about a singing contest or a very long commercial for the Idol judges. We got Steven hawking his new book. Jennifer then gave us a pre-recorded version of the song we saw her video of a few months ago — AND a preview of her newest video.
Yikes! The contestants certainly got lost in all of this.
After Ryan noted that 60 million votes were cast this week (most of them by four tween girls in Iowa, I think), we had a collection of short snippets from the singers. A tolerable, but not great version of “Happy Together.” A Ford video set to “Be Yourself” where they did impossible things via special effects. A cook off with Gordon Ramsey (with Jacob and Lauren as the top two — foreshadowing?).
Another extended commercial for Bing with the contestants joking about how they choose songs and what they’ll wear on stage. Yawn… And we used to complain about the Coke cups. That’s so Season 4, don’t cha know?
The only moment I really enjoyed had to be Lady Antebellum singing “Just a Kiss.” It was live, beautiful and musically satisfying.
And, since the judges can’t seem to really criticize this season (telling Lauren her version of “Unchained Melody” was perfect — in what universe!!!!), Jimmy Iovine once again stepped in with his typical harsh critique. Perhaps between him and the real judges, it washes out. Whatever. Here’s what he had to say about the contestants’ performances.
James: Noted that his voice closed down with emotion during “Without You,” which made the performance an eight instead of the usual nine or 10.
Lauren: Did great on the first number, but pulled back on the biggest note in “Unchained Melody.” If she does that again, he predicts, she’ll be shut out of the finale.
Jacob: Jimmy called it a rough night and felt both songs were slightly off (Just SLIGHTLY off?).
Haley: He felt she won the night and has a lock on the finals.
Scotty: One word – “stellar.”
Ryan tries the trick he does every year when it gets down to a low, odd number. He brings out a frontrunner (in this case, Scotty) and tries to get him to choose between two groups. This time it’s James and Haley or Lauren and Jacob. Good boy, Scotty, for not playing the producer’s game.
Of course it’s Jacob and Lauren and I think that’s absolutely the right Bottom 2. I know Lauren was pushed at the beginning as the second coming of Carrie Underwood (and she did wipe the floor with the Underwood’s hit on Tuesday), but she is way too fragile to go pro this young. This is a Nashville tragedy waiting to happen, with low self confidence and the over whelming pressures of show biz leading to drugs and drink. Seriously, if I had money to spend on her career, I wouldn’t back this horse no matter how good a voice she has.
But it’s Jacob we say goodbye to. What has taken America so long? He practically refuses to leave the stage, riffing on “Home” until the camera cuts away with Ryan’s send off.
My favorite moment of the night had to be Jennifer talking during her pre-recorded performance while the track of her singing continues to play. Ah, we have to get our giggles where we can.
Did you think Jacob had a chance to win it? Do you think Lauren still has a chance? Who is your favorite now? Give us your TwoCents…
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