- American Idol is down to its final 3 contestants in preparation for it's grand, three-hour final next Sunday. Alejandro, Laine and Madison move on. It wasn't hard to pick the two losers who went home; Laci and Wade.
Laci was doomed form the start, no matter how well she did last night. And she actually showed more range and flexibility as she went from Elton John songs ( an aggressive, sultry, sexy version of "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting"), a song mentor Bobby Bones picked for her and a song dedicated to her hero. She gave Stevie Nicks a run for her money on a Fleetwood Mac tune.
Still it wasn't enough. America just didn't like her. The judges saved her last week but it wasn't meant to be this time around. Personally, I though there were other female singers on the show this season far better than Laci, who admitted she wasn't a "belter.' She has a smoky, husky tone in her voice, almost whispery ( like Alejandro). And she was cute . But when she tried to go out of her country and Western music box she ran into problems.
Wade should've been gone a long time ago. Not because he is overweight and has hard, plastic-like hair ( he always reminded me of Fred Flintstone), but he forgot the lyrics on two occasions. If Simon Cowell was still around, that's a cardinal sin and Wade would've been given the ax long ago.
But he survived and people like his growling, gravelly, Meatloaf-Joe Cocker-like voice. He didn't move well or have much stage presence. He always seemed awkward and unsure of himself. I think eve he thought" this was a joke and I can't believe I'm here and people like me."
Now for the survivors..
Madison- I think she will be the ultimate winner if she continues to sing well. She has had mediocre performances but never a really bad one yet. She has too good of a voice and she belts it out. Yet, on a song like Elton John's "Your Song," her runs were powerful but she did a nice job on the sweet, sentimental notes. She knows how to sing.
For age 17 she has a bright future in music. I'm still not sure where her destiny lies- country, pop or rock? But I do see her as a young Kelly Clarkson, as remarked several times by the judges.
Laine- He has gotten better as time goes on. For someone who tried out last season, didn't make it, being in the top 3 is pretty impressive.
Yet I still think he is a polished, slick phony. He wears his hair differently off-stage, and wears shiny clothing on. Someone got to him once he reached Hollywood and he became this "young Elvis." The "Boy from the Bijou" as Elvis was from the deep South. Someone convinced him to slick his hair back, where flashy suits and act the good ol' hick form the sticks and its worked.
But he nurses a guitar and mic stand as security blankets. He has yet to let loose, as the judges ( especially Katy) has pleaded for him to do. Everything seems planned and choreography, like he is acting or portraying a singer not being a singer. Even his teeth are fake.
He's lucky America seems to like him, especially pre-teen girls. Musically, he has shown growth. I just wish he would show more. He needs attitude but maybe he just doesn' have attitude? Still, I wouldn't be surprised if he wins, yet I would rank him the 3rd most likely to win.
The producers or a wise record executive will try to model Laine has the next teen aged idol. Will he sing bubblegum pop, or the blues or country/ I think, if he sticks true to his roots, his future is in Lynard Skynard-type Southern Rockabilly music. He's not Broadway or lighter ballads. He's not Justin Beiber. What is he?
Alejandro- He impressed me more last night than last week, when he whispered his way through Queen night. I'm not in love with him as the judges are. He's not the greatest thing since sliced bread and will not revolutionize the music industry. He is talented on the guitar and piano, no doubt about it. He did show more depth singing last night, and his rendition of "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" was nice, but he took the easy way out on the last high note. He has the voice to hit that note but choose not to attempt it.
He remains a likeable, seemingly humble guy, with a story form the streets to stardom, a real Hollywood movie script down the road. He is 2nd most likely to win. Sometimes the most talented person doesn't always win ( witness Adam Lambert). He will have a major career , carving his own niche in music, with help form worshippers like Stevie Nicks who already love him.
He's also show biz savvy already. For his last song he did another studio-ready original ( he will have an album out quicker than anyone). Alejandro knows his original songs are his bread and butter, the box he feels most comfortable being in.
As for the future of American Idol, it has been picked up for next season, despite having mixed ratings this year. I've read that ABC wants to keep it "long-term" and it does eat up programming space in the spring for the network, but at a reduced cost. Look for major cost-saving cuts in 2020, as is the network's overall agenda for the future.
Ryan Seacrest has a long-term contract so he's not going anywhere. But the fate of the current judges is still in flux.
Katy Perry, making her demanded $25 million a season, is not worth it. She can be funny, but her act has worn thin this season. She often gives brief, pointless critiques, not nearly worth $25 mil and I'm sure ABC wants more bang for their buck.I wouldn't be surprised if she is replaced unless she lowers her fee.
Luke Bryan has come a long way as judge. Katy and Luke really don't need the Idol gig, as they are currently popular in music, both recording and touring. Luke makes $12 million, and even though he too gives one word reviews- or sometimes is lost for words and doesn't say anything- he is probably the most honest, yet in a gentle way.
Lionel Richie needs Idol. it has brought his career and celebrity back to the spotlight. He has been the older but wiser sage to not only the young singers but to Luke and Katy as well. But Lionel has often slipped into his patterned praises like "You're going a long way!" or "You're a star-keep shining." He also makes $12 million a year from ABC.
Even though the judges seem to get along and like each other, maybe the show needs to be spiced up a bit, like the days when Simon, Randy and Paula went at it weekly. I said it before Idol came back to ABC- the network needs to do everything possible to get Simon back. Yes, he was often nasty and harsh to the contestants, but he was honest. The current judges bend backwards so far as to not hurt feelings they forget why they are there in the firs place, to be honest.
So, if ABC can't lure Simon away from the X-Factor, or better yet hire Paula and Randy back with him, I say keep Luke, Lionel or both and add some spice in the mix to provide a reason to watch every week other than the contestants.
Next week is the big three-show finale. Lots of ex-Idol stars will perform, including Carrie Underwood and Adam Lambert. Expect old season favorites to show up, like Eddie Island or Juan Pablo. It will be a dog-and pony- show until about four minutes before 11:00 when the results are in. Then the confetti will flow and the new American Idol will be introduced to the world. Where they will go after that is any one's guess.
No comments:
Post a Comment