AMERICAN IDOL “Top 11 Results – One More Time” Review

AMERICAN IDOL “Top 11 Results – One More Time” Season 10 Episode 23 – Can we get the Ford commercial out of the way first? As far as lame Ford commercials go, the new “super hero” one probably ranks in the ten most interesting. Super heroes! And Scottie has the power to … uh, to drive!

I mean, it’s still a lame Ford commercial, but … they’ve sucked more.

The same could be said of the performances American Idol cooked up for tonight. Most of the team-ups were pleasantly surprising. Scotty McCreary and Lauren Alaina’s duet of A Taste of Country’s “I Told You So” was probably Lauren’s best vocal so far. Which leads me to believe she does best when she’s not under scrutiny. It’s not a stretch to say A.I. is one hell of a pressure-cooker. Naima Adedapo and Jacob Lusk’s rendition of Ashford and Simpson’s “Solid” was … generally pretty solid, though it felt like Jacob was dialing it back a bit. (More on why below.) And the “Fab Four” of James / Paul / Casey / Stefano performing Wings’ “Band on the Run” was a little sloppy, vocals wise, but I liked the fact that all four were playing instruments. (A bigger bonus was the fact that Ringo didn’t show up out of the blue to play drums.)

(Best Inside Joke: Steven Tyler said to the four boys, “You can open up for Aerosmith next year.” Which is doubly funny when you consider Tyler isn’t even a member of the band any more. At least not according to the rest of the band. Tyler says he is; Joe Perry says he isn’t. Drama in the Attic! I can imagine their surprise when this foursome shows up to tour. “Steven said we could!”)

Now the Haley / Thia / Pia Trio (say that three times fast) doing Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” was an interesting thing to watch. Because Haley had a vocal solo. And Pia had a vocal solo. And Thia—

Well, Thia Megia went home tonight. Why? Ask yourself why she was kept from singing a solo during “Teenage Dream.” If you guessed because her voice just wasn’t strong enough, then you probably get the prize. Sure, she’s got the Disney Princess wholesome looks, and the practiced little “cute” expressions she throws at the camera whenever it swings her way. And sure, a large part of that is because she’s only 16 (and auditioned when she was 15) and simply has to go to her tried-and-true bag of tricks when performing because she really doesn’t know anything else.

But she doesn’t have the big voice. Now that doesn’t mean I don’t think she’ll do fine out on her own. She’ll find her niche, as will Naima, who will be on the tour and can now buy her kids a house. No one is saying these girls aren’t talented.

They just don’t have really strong voices. And that’s how it looks like things are shaping this year on American Idol. The Strong (Voiced) Will Survive. If anything points to this trend it’s Paul McDonald’s brush with mortality tonight. I was fearing for that boy’s life, especially given how fan votes could swing, and his performance last night just wasn’t all that great. In fact, I thought Thia would be safe, simply because her fan base was always pretty vocal, no matter how she performed.

(I knew Naima was gone. In fact I think Naima knew Naima was gone. She had a certain resigned-yet-grateful expression when she was marched off to the Chairs Of Doom. She picked the wrong song. “I’m Still Standing” she was not.)

But Paul survived; Sandie’s boy lives to sing another day. Next week he needs to push his vocals and show America how bad he wants it. If he does want it. I’m not convinced American Idol is the best platform for him, aside from getting his name out there. In the hands of the right producer, I’m convinced McDonald could cut a brilliant album.

The rest of the show? Fantasia was good (she’s Fantasia—you ask for Fantasia and you get Fantasia), singing her new song “Collared Greens and Cornbread.” I’m not sure if that title is designed to reach a particular segment of the audience, but personally I would appreciate a song titled “Steak and Potatoes” or “Surf and Turf” or “Dollar Menu” or even “Green Eggs and Ham.” But her vocals are always uniquely her. You can never really go wrong with Fantasia.

(How many of you thought she was ’bout ready to bust out of the tight red sequined dress? Like any moment and it would be … GLAMSPLOSION!)

Jamie Foxx and Will.i.am stunk. What a mess. I usually root against auto-tuning, but apparently Foxx needs it. I’m not shocked. No, I will not be seeing Rio. Not unless it’s starring Duran Duran and filmed in Sri Lanka.

Next week: Top Nine! Six boys, three girls. The chopping block has been all-chick so far. Do any of you feel a change in the air? Or will Lauren, Haley, or Pia be next?

Gimme opinions!

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