Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

Copyright 2007, Fox Broadcasting

Jared Cotter and Chris Richardson

This week marks the last of American Idol semifinalist competition. The men kicked off the week with videotaped "confessions" of little known facts about them.

By the end of the night, it was no secret who deserved to stay.

First to take the stage was Blake Lewis, who revealed that he loves improv comedy and Halloween. He donned a wig and baseball cap to assume one of the characters he's created. I now know one more reason I like him. He performed the 311 song, "All Mixed Up," throwing in some of his patented beat boxing. While he was breathy at the beginning, he came into his own in the middle. I know and like this song, and he gave a solid performance.

Judge Randy Jackson said he likes that he's really current and called the performance hot. Nice judge Paula Jackson said she didn't know the song but was interested in it and called it cool. Tough judge Simon Cowell said that he didn't understand a word but said that he stands out and he's current, so he should be here next week.

Following him, Sanjaya Malakar revealed that he can hula. That's funny, because when he came out on the stage this week, with his hair straightened, I thought, "Oh, what a cute girl!" Not that there's anything wrong with that. He performed "Waiting on the World to Change” by John Mayer but didn't provide nearly the richness that he does. He was low key and wispy.

Randy said it wasn't that great and noted that he hasn't lived up to his promise. Paula advised that he get out of his comfort zone. Simon said it wasn't as ghastly as last week but it's not a very good vocal. He suggested that maybe his hair has been keeping him in. I think he might be right, as that's probably one thing getting the teenyboppers to vote.

After revealing that "he's thin in real life," which I thought was a great joke, sturdy Sundance Head turned in a lukewarm performance of Pearl Jam's "Jeremy." It was a strange choice, I thought, since it's not exactly the happiest song, and it seemed like the arrangement was really fast. He would have done better to choose a crowd pleasing blues rock song, like something from the Allman Brothers.

Randy called it pitchy in spots and complimented him for putting a southern rock spin on it. Paula said that it started weak but kicked in midway. Simon said he didn't like it as much as last week and that he'd lost some of his charm. He said it was just a generic bar singer performance and called the song an "indulgent choice."

A counterpoint to Sundance's confession, Chris Richardson revealed he used to be 40 pounds heavier. He did the Keith Urban song, "“Tonight I Wanna Cry.” It was obvious he was trying to show range, since he went for a ballad this week that had him sitting on a stool. There was some pitchiness in it, and I'd say it's his weakest performance to date.

Randy said he liked that he's switching it up. Paula called it a great song and said that he adapts well. Simon called it good but not the best he's heard. He said his voice was a little nasally on it and that he seemed a little timid.

Next, Jared Cotter revealed that he played Division 2 basketball. He did the Stevie Wonder song "If You Really Love Me". As he was singing, I kept thinking, "He''s like a poor man's Motown star." Nothing about him is really bad, but he just doesn't excite me.

Randy called it a solid performance and said it was good. Paula said he needs to work on coloring up the way he sings and that sometimes it's like he shouts the entire song. Simon said it wasn't very original and that he's slightly disappointed this week.

Brandon Rogers surprised me by revealing he's a classic piano player. They showed him playing his piano, and he was far more impressive at that than he is on vocals. He performed the Rare Earth classic, “I Just Want to Celebrate”, but although he tried, he needed more energy. Plus, his unflattering jeans made him look more like a tired mom than like a young guy.

Randy said that it got messed up at the end but it was a solid performance. Paula called it pretty phenomenal and said he is proving that he belongs. Simon said, however, that he didn't represent himself well and that he should have chosen a more remarkable song.

Strangely, Phil Stacey revealed he used to have long hair but didn't show a good photo of himself that way. He sang the LeAnn Rimes song "I Need You", a truly strange choice. The song started too low for him, and though he tried to hammer home some money notes at the end, I was just put off. Plus, he wore this strange houndstooth hat that, on top of his bald head, really made him look like something someone had PhotoShopped. And I have to say, to America he's not "the bald guy on American Idol". That was last season's Chris Daughtry. He's "the bald freak who can't sing."

Randy called it an interesting song choice and said he has a big range but has to work on his lower register. Paula agreed that the lower register was bad and called the song an odd choice. Simon said he didn't get it at all, especially with the hat. He said it was a very disappointing night.

No big surprises from Chris Sligh, who revealed he used to have shorter hair, but his performance of the Eric Benet song, “I Wanna Be Loved”, was the highlight of the evening. His voice is amazing, and though he still needs to work on his performance skills so that he appears more comfortable on-stage, he rocked the house.

Randy said it wasn't his favorite song choice but that he gets the vocal prize. Paula also said it was not her favorite performance but he keeps rising above. She urged him to take risks. Simon said the beginning was very good but he'd shouted in the middle. He said it was not a great song and not one of his strongest but that he has a lot of potential.

Kudos go to Chris Sligh and Blake for keeping it real and book-ending the show with the only performances that I truly enjoyed.

Based on performance along, Sanjaya and Phil should be headed for the exits, but they both seem to have attracted a following, so it could be Jared's turn to bow. Sundance had a strong audition, but his performances have been wildly uneven, so he could be in danger. Brandon Rogers started to show his potential, but will he get the chance to grow? We'll find out Thursday.

More on American Idol:

Musings on American Idol Season 6 (2007)

Musings on American Idol Season 5 (2006)

Musings on American Idol Season 4 (2005)

Musings on American Idol Season 3 (2004)

Copyright 2006 by Alyce Wilson

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