So, Pia is gone. What a shocker. I have to tell you that I’ve watched those results a few times, simply because everyone in my family watches the results show at different times and at the very, very end when she finally breaks down in Jacob’s arms? I lose it. Adam, I have no idea how you’ve managed to remain so emotionally stable, I imagine you’ve had a few breakdowns on your own. You are a trooper.
Adam: I have a confession, Beth: I typically don’t watch the results. When it comes to saying goodbye to these contestants, I’m a cold, heartless scoundrel. But I did watch the end of this one, and I was sad to see Pia go so soon. But you know what? Her farewell performance was, to my ears (and eyes, holy cats, what an outfit) her best performance of the season. First time she’s really moved me emotionally.
So, Paul McDonald’s up the show with Old Time Rock n’ Roll and OHMYGOSH, someone call 911, he’s having a seizure on stage. No…wait, he’s just Paul. On stage. Seriously, he is not singing, Adam. That is not singing and he should not be on the show, he’s yelling, he’s yelling so much that’s he hoarse. I was going to be all nice to Paul, as suggested by a reader last week and I tried and then he started singing. Okay, I’m done.
I happened to watch this performance with Anna before watching last week’s results show (see?) and she thought this sounded better than Miley and you know what? She attended Miley Cyrus University. I don’t know that I totally agree with her or the judges, I just thought the performance was pretty okay. Pretty safe but good. Dog.
Adam, I have a confession. The judges are starting to piss me off.
Stefano Luckytobeontheshow is up next. First, let me tell you that I love Will.I.Am and happy that’s he’s helping Jimmy out. I’m considering asking him to come over to dinner. I bet he’ll say yes. Anyway, back to Sir Luckypants. This pretty much sounds like a horrible performance. Between his voice, which is not Top 40 material, the Little Shop of Horrors background singers and the horn section, it’s all too much for my ears. My ears, they want to commit suicide. Which makes me sad. I like my ears.
Adam: Stefano plodded through the beginning of the song like he was recording the Kidz Bop version, but the dude had a moment. One moment with his big power note, and I thought he nailed it (and not in a rude, butchery kind of way). I actually liked the song for about 10 seconds. That tiny window shows me Stefano has something. Maybe next week’s theme will be 10-second songs?
Scotty McCreery is next with George Strait’s Cross My Heart, and it kind of made me hope to die. He sounded great, he’s got an amazing voice, and he even got rid of the silly faces and crazy eyes. But Beth? That song was an extra large snooze sundae with snore on top. I wish he had sung Everybody’s Talking, because it sounded good, it was interesting, and it wouldn’t have been the autopilot cop out we just witnessed. It was good, he’ll coast through with a billion votes, but I was disappointed.
Adam, must you bring up ice cream at an important time like this? (important time being moments after I’ve already had ice cream) Two words: cowboy hat.
Casey Abrams looks pretty handsome tonight, for Casey, right, Adam? So, kudos to Casey for sticking to his guns and not singing Phil Collins tonight. I enjoyed the end, much more than the beginning, loved the white instruments, the feel. It was good. Definitely different.
Adam: Could there be a bigger chasm between song choices than Nat King Cole and Phil Collins? And if music teachers and music critics were voting, I’d say handsome Casey made the right choice. But teenage girls and more teenage girls are apparently doing all the voting. Even so? He made the right choice. I’m so glad I heard that song. That was jazzy cool and powerful and solid. If America doesn’t vote for that? Screw ‘em. I think I’ll vote for him right now.
Haley Reinhart singing Blondie? I do dig it, Haley. I’m impressed that she hunted down a giant butterfly and made a dress out of it. I like the song because she sounds different enough from Debbie Harry to be distinctly her own. She started off sloppy. Why do so many contestants sleep through the beginning? I like Haley’s voice, and I know I’m pretty much alone in not disliking her. I’m okay with that. She’s a good kid.
Guess what, Adam? I didn’t hate her performance tonight which is the first time EVER I have said that about her. Great song choice and how hilarious that the judges didn’t like it?
Jacob Lusk is singing Bridge Over Troubled Water. Good song, yes. Tan suit? No. I just don’t know what to say about Jacob. I mean, the dude has a great, great voice but ugh, I don’t know, he still bores me. Especially with a tan suit on. I’m not sure where he fits in with the music landscape of today but you know what? That’s not my problem. I do think Jacob is in danger, though, despite having a good voice. Maybe it’s the lip gloss that throws me off.
Adam: Beth, I had Lusk lust tonight, I have to tell you. I agree, borrowing a suit from the guy in IT may have been a bad move, but the song itself floored me. I clapped. I whooped. I hollered. I was glad he chose the song because there are 8 million versions of it yet he still made a unique one. And he has that voice that tightropes the line between campy and incredible. I thought that performance was incredible. My hands kind of hurt from the clapping.




























I’m with Adam. I think Paul will say his goodbyes tomorrow. Stefano will be safe strictly because his fans will vote like crazy to protect him since they almost (and should’ve) lost him last week. LOVE your guys’ comments. I really miss hearing Simon’s comments because he was able to say SOMETHING negative and overall realistic. But I look to you guys for what I think Simon probably would’ve said had he been there behind the judges’ table. Thanks for taking the time to share each week.
Gosh…you guys are harsh! Anyway…Casey is the man and my votes go to him. After Pia’s departure last week I am beyond guessing who will go home but in my humble opinion the bottom three should be Stefano, Haley, & Jacob. And although this is actually the first week that I loved Jacob’s performance and was able to listen all the way through…I’m so ready for him to go home. If we could vote people OFF, I’d vote for him…but in reality it probably IS between Paul & Stefano.
I LOVE CASEY. He is my very favorite. I enjoy how consistent Scotty is–I think he’s guaranteed a career for sure. I’m not big into gospel so Jacob doesn’t do it for me. I skip Paul and Stefano (yawn). Lauren has a huge ass and her mom scares me. Haley has had me singing “call me!” at random times all night and I couldn’t stop staring at her boots and her awesome legs. Finally I loved James because I love that song! I knew all the words. After the guitar solo Adam said he has chills… We’re occasional metalheads
overall find it interesting how there are such clearly defined niches this year!
Thank you so much for doing this each week. I look forward to it and I haven’t commented because I’m usually reading it from my phone on my lunch break at work. Today I’m up early nursing my baby and am so excited to comment!
My humble opinions…
Paul – ah, I can’t handle him. At all. He makes me crazy.
Lauren – I loved that. It was sweet and she’s so pretty.
Stefano – hmmmm I want to like his performances but I fell asleep because it was so boring!
Scotty – I figured out he’s much better to watch if you close your eyes. I agree he was sleepy tonight.
Casey – I think he might be my new fav. He is super talented. The growling throws me off sometimes.
Haley – She’s a favorite of mine, and I thought Call Me was a lot of fun.
Jacob – He annoys me. He has a great voice but I think he’s got a chip on his shoulder and is too cocky. And I don’t like it.
James – Heavy Metal is not my cup of tea but he’s fantastic.
Going home (or who I hope will go home!) – Jacob, Stefano, or Paul (oh please, let it be Paul!!!)
Paul has annoyed the crap out of me since I really first saw him when they got to the Top 13. I would LOVE to see him go, but I don’t know, my guess is Stephano or Haley. And I so agree with Gina that while this was the first time I really enjoyed Jacob, he bugs me too & I’d like to see him go. I just read Kelli’s response & have to say I pretty much agree 100% with her opinions. I’m way too lazy to type all that out without my keyboard hooked up to the iPad though!
I love these comments, and I think Rachel is right on with the comment about the clearly defined niches. I don’t think any of the contestants are at all confused about who they are as artists or performers. In fact, they’re becoming more clearly defined and distinct. As a result, I expect our opinions to contrast more and more as the weeks go on.
I think what we have this season is a bunch of “love them or hate them” singers. I personally LOVE Paul…I love his crazy dancing, his voice, his ridiculous outfits. I even went so far as to purchase his band’s cd and it’s good! But this season is starting to bore me. I told someone this morning that it’s become filler as I wait for So You Think You Can Dance to return…now there’s some talent! I actually want Jacob to go so bad – his voice annoys me and I’m tired of listening to gospel music. But then again, I want Stefano (who I call Mini-Joey from Friends) to go…boy band anyone? Anyways, that’s my 2 cents.
Can we bring some girls back?
I want to see Stefano and Jacob go home. A month ago. Totally surprised me to hear such a great review on Jacob- I call him drippy. Who’s buyin’ his cd? Not me.
I love Casey. The end of his song? Are you kidding me? Love Casey.
Thanks for writing each week!
Harsh = truth and you speaketh.
I’ve been on the fence with Paul…and his teeth are really white.
My 10 year old noticed the lip gloss on Jacob. I like him… a lot. I need some lip gloss.
Casey = dorky cool. I am a dork, so therefore. COOL.
Haley…I’ve been saying she should do a Blondie song…I should be the next Wil.IAM. just sayin. I didn’t love it sadly. I think she will be in danger tonight.
Durbin. I am a fan. More of a last week fan, though. I thought this was a singing contest not a 5 minute long guitar solo contest. just. sayin.
Scotty. My daughter loves, drools and lives for this boy. I kinda get it. I like him too. *shew* Much better than her obsession with Sangaya.
Lauren. She has a natural talent and for that alone…she should go through.
Stephano…needs. wardrobe. help. I do adore him though…I think he’s got it…all except enough fans to vote for him.
who am I forgetting….nope that’s it.
I think Haley will go home, but I loved her boots and “butterfly” dress. Maybe I will look up her old address.
I’m ready for Jacob to go home. Last week I guessed right with Pia. She has the most beautiful voice, but no stage presence. I was bored through most of her songs and was glad to see her go. (Which is why I believe she went home.) Sorry.
One question: Do you guys actually vote?
I wouldn’t be surprised if Paul or Lauren goes home.
Here is my bottom three in no particular order:
jacob
hayley
stefano
Great chat post! I’d done with Jacob and Stefano. They can leave at any time as far as I’m concerned. And, it did occur to me last night that it’s nice not having Simon there to run down Country music every time Scotty sings.
And then I shouldn’t admit it but, to be honest, I’m not a Casey fan. I could bear it if he left too.
You guys were kinda harsh this week! I like that especially since the judges are having such a hard time giving any constructive criticism this season. Like I said last week…Jacob needs to exit stage left sooner rather than later (hopefully tonight?!) Might be wishful thinking. I think Paul, Hailey and Stefano will be in trouble tonight but we shall see!!
Please let it be Stefano.. he should of left weeks ago.. i’m not sure what it is, he just annoys me.. Go home already!
I love paul in all his quirky weirdness, This week was the best it was ok.
Casey is my front runner still.. Go Casey!!
Love these reviews really do – but the paul hate is astounding!!! lol Yes he is a crazy dancer…he should always hold a guitar even if he isn’t playing because he is slightly less spastic with it there….maybe its the weight.
Anyway gotta shout my love for Paul (already have his CD the Grand Magnolias and it is awesome!!)
Stephano is my vote for going home…
Ditto. That’s all.