Yep. Four contestants. James, Haley, Lauren and Scotty.
Most importantly: NOT JACOB.
Tonight, Lady Gaga graces our screens as the Idol’s mentor. I sometimes like her songs but under general everyday conditions, I try to avoid making any type of contact with her. Mainly, my eyes to her.
Adam, I heard you’re a big fan of Gaga’s. Is this true or just a nasty rumor?
Adam: Beth, I really have no idea what I feel about Lady Gaga. There are times when she makes me want to eat my own fingernails and other times when I think she’s adorably amazing. (For the record, I don’t actually ever eat my fingernails.) Anyway, I’m excited to see what tonight holds. (I swear, no nail eating.)
James starts us off with a rockin’ rendition of “Don’t Stop Believing.” And while I’m certain the judges will love it, I’m just going to say that I found it completely safe. The song? It’s an easy sing, even for us shower singers and who doesn’t tap their toes to that beat? This performance proves to me that he would struggle in the Top 40. Let alone the Top 3. I’m hoping the next performance is miles better.
Adam: Ironically, I just two days ago absolutely nailed my shower performance of this song, I kid you not. My best ever. James, however, delivered what might be the single most boring performance of this song in the history of narcolepsy. Awful. He hit some difficult notes. Hooray, James. It sucked. I have two requests: 1) Idol contestants, stop talking to the audience during your songs. And judges, don’t compliment such garbage. Be forewarned, Beth, I am seriously angry at the judges tonight.
One reason I’m seriously angry at the judges? J-Lo and Randy ripped a vastly superior performance by Haley (Michael Jackson’s top-selling hit in the UK, by the way). It’s not my favorite MJ song, but I loved the performance. I know you’re no fan of Haley’s, Beth, and that’s okay. Jennifer and Randy are absorbing every ounce of my ire tonight. And maybe a couch cushion or two.
Luckily for Haley, Adam and I both love Michael Jackson. I wonder if she knows this information? Do you think she’s reading our emails, trying to get on our good side? Anyway. I ADORE, LOVE, WANT TO KISS this song. When Michael sings it. Not that I think Haley did a poor job, but she sounds like she’s crying during the first part and then turns into the throat-singing. There was much too much throat-singing. Overall, I didn’t hate it.
I’m glad Steven is a good judge tonight.
Scotty is up next. I’m not sure what song he’s singing but I know it’s by Alan Jackson. Oh, Scotty, he sounds so nice and country. And this song is so dramatic and sad and does a good job roping us into the emotion he’s feeling but dammit all, Scotty. COWBOY. HAT. He sounded good. Maybe a little safe. But good. No real complaints. So wait? Scotty was seven on September 11, 2001. whoa.
I’m with you about Randy tonight, Adam. It really just seems like he wants Haley to go home. She is probably my favorite. I didn’t think James’ singing was all that great, but what he does have going for him is his ability to please and wind up a crowd, so I don’t think he could go home this week. Lauren’s second song was just weird and I just didn’t like it at all. She is such a natural, but she or Haley (because she was the ONLY one to receive criticism from the judges) will probably be leaving us tomorrow night.
I’m so happy to read this because I completely missed the show tonight!! Your opinions are very interesting and shocking that James did bad enough for both of you to think he may be going home! wow! I think you guys need to be like sports announcers and talk live during the show. Now that would be hilarious!
Amy, today I was thinking that we should do a podcast of the finale. That would be soooo funny. But then I remember what I sound like on recordings, which is like a strange animal with tissues stuffed up his nose, so I dismissed the idea.
Amy, I agree with you and Beth’s first instinct completely. The finale podcast needs to happen. What a great idea!
uh, Adam. Mayhaps you misread my description of my message to Amy. Not everyone sounds like Steve Stone on radio, as you do. (and Steve Stone, of course.)
hey! I think that’s a great idea!!! Beth, you are so OFF with your opinion of your voice. Everyone thinks they sound strange when they hear their own voice. Do it! Do it!
I think we should leave it up to your fine readers, Beth. If, I don’t know, 100 people ask us to do a finale podcast, I don’t see how we can say no. That’s a safe number. That would never happen.
Oh, Adam. Aren’t you a clever fellow? Yes, 100 people leave a comment ON THIS POST saying they want a podcast, then yes. I’ll do a podcast.
Seriously, it will NEVER happen.
I would like a podcast of the finale. That idea is wicked awesome!
Yes, to the podcast. That would seriously be fun! Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ll start agreeing with you two but it would be fun. I’m afraid Lauren will be leaving this week. I would have thought Haley until I LOVED her second song. I like James and I think he’ll win it all. And I was so impressed with Lady Gaga. I’m not a fan of hers normally but she seemed really into helping the contestants AND I thought she gave great advice.
Do a podcast!
Podcast!
I heart Scotty. I would even heart him more if he would put on a cowboy hat!
I say bye to James…he is too eighties for me. Dont get me wrong I LOVE the 80′s. BUT I love the eighties because of the bands that were in the 80′s and the memories that surface. James is no Poison, Winger, Ratt, Quiet Riot or Def Leppard!
Podcast!!
Not a huge fan of James, there is just something about him… I want to love him bc of his story but I just can’t get onboard!
I have no idea who I want to actually win! I wanted Casey! :/
Podcast! Yes!
Scotty should’ve been gone along time ago. He is no where in the same league as the other singers.He picks safe songs week after week, his performances are hideous. If the judges were to travel the states on any given weekend and hit the Karaoke bars they would discover a million Scotty’s out there. No originality at all, everything he sings can be heard the same way at those Karaoke bars……sure wish Simon was still there to set it straight. He has yet to impress me with any song or performance….what a waste of space for the real talent out there in the world.
I don’t even watch Idol, but I would I y’all did a podcast. I vote yes.
Podcast!
I only caught the last half hour of the show, but I’m with Leah. Scotty’s gotta go (not that he will). I just can’t get past the way he holds a mic, and it has gotten noticeably worse since the other contestants drew attention to it the other week. Did he study music with a Renaissance flautist? If I were to turn the sound down I would think that I was watching Ron Burgundy playing jazz flute.
Podcast!
I have been a Hailey lover from the audition days. I thought she hit a rough patch for a few weeks back in the beginning but she has nicely rebounded. I couldn’t get over how Randy kept on about her! He is definitely wanting her to go. James…he could be in trouble tonight. But I honestly have no idea who will go…..all I know is I am just soooo glad Jacob is gone! Whew.
Please do a PODCAST for the Finale!!!!
I enjoy reading your idol chat each week. I vote no on the podcast. These 4, plus Casey, have been my favorites for some time. Did we watch the same show last night? I did not like either of Haley’s songs but do like her…well, until last night. It was sad to see her get upset and not be able to control her emotions by arguing with the judges. It came across as very childish. Up to that point, I thought she could win.
James did his thing and he is a crowd pleaser. I too was shocked at his second song choice, but love how it came out. His rendition rocked and I am not a fan of rock.
I like Martina McBride’s “Anyway” and Lauren did okay with it. Thought she was way better on the second.
Scotty was okay. My girls love him, even the one who hates country music. He’s a cute kid, entertaining and fun. But I think he could be going home. Or Lauren, or Hailey.
Defiantly should be james, He has talent, but just not enough.. and I agree randy was being so mean to hailey, I thought she was awesome on the second song..
Randy’s being mean to Haley? I guess I picked the wrong week to stop watching. Adam has witnessed firsthand my loathing of her warbling since the week she was selected for the Top 12. I’m sure she’s a sweet girl, but when she sings I get the heebie-jeebies. I know that’s not constructive criticism, but Adam can tell you I deserve credit for putting it so mildly in a public forum.
I’ve always been a James fan, and I have detected a slow but steady decline in his confidence over the past several weeks. It would be a pity to see him leave now, but being the Top 4 drop-out didn’t hurt Chris Daughtry or Allison Iraheta, both of whom are favorites of mine among AI alum.
“Scotty getting advice from Lady Gaga was like Shirley Temple in a Tarantino film.”
This made me Laugh Out Loud! If I had been drinking milk…I would have had milk come out my nose!
I totally agree with Leah. Scotty should never have made it this far. There were far better singers that went home weeks ago. I never thought he would get this far, hearing him sing “baby lock them doors” over and over in the first few days. His mic holding and dramatic stares into the camera at the end of each song, drive me nuts!
I love Haley and hope she doesn’t go home tonight. James is good too.
Lauren is great but holds back too much. I keep waiting for her to have a breakthrough. If and when she does, she will be awesome.
Any one else really missing Simon? I didn’t miss him so much in the beginning, but now that the judges are being so sweet to everyone, minus Haley, I’m sick of it. Tell them the truth!
I agree with Leah. Scotty should have never made it this far. There were far better singers that left weeks ago. I never thought he would get this far hearing him sing, “baby lock them doors” over and over in the first few days. His mic holding and dramatic stares into the camera after each song drive me nuts!
I love Haley and hope she sticks around. James is fine too. I like Lauren but she really needs to push herself. I keep waiting for her to have a breakthrough, but she keeps pulling back. Probably has to do with her age.
I have to say I really miss Simon. I didn’t in the beginning, but now that the judges are being so sweet to everyone minus Haley, I’m sick of it. Tell them the truth!
Normally I agree with your opinions, but not this week. I’m surprised neither of you commented on Hailey’s attitude. I understand her frustration, but she gave an air of entitlement last night. Many contestants have handled criticism with class over the years, but it appears Hailey’s head may be getting a tad large. The feedback she was given was tame compared to what Simon Cowell may have done to her.
Sorry, but I hope she goes tonight.
Ann, I would say that if the feedback to the judges was tame compared to Simon’s, Haley’s response back to them was even milder in comparison to the responses Simon typically received back.
That said, I liked Haley’s response. I’m glad she got angry. When all three judges universally praise every single performance from everyone else no matter how crappy, the pervasive criticism of Haley stands out more than a Cowell rant. I see no reason why she should just sit back and swallow it, but that’s just me. The tricky part about Idol, though, is what turns off some people motivates others to vote. These kids just have to hope they pick the side with more voters on it.
Yes, Adam, I see what you’re saying. The judges have far too easy on almost everyone this season. Other than last week and last night, I haven’t noticed Hailey getting more criticism than anyone else. Actually, I believe she has received the most standing ovations from the judges.
You’re right about what motivates people to vote and a contestant giving attitude doesn’t make me want to pick up my phone and give him/her a vote.
Truth be told, I still haven’t forgiven Hailey for her rendition of “Bennie and the Jets!”
Oh, I totally agree, they’ve been extremely hot or cold toward her only just recently. That’s part of what makes it bizarre for me, because I thought some of her early performances were horrendous. This has been a very strange season.
i just came in on the season 3 weeks ago and i’m already in LOVE. esp with Scotty. i think it helps because we live abt 3 hrs. away, so anything could happen…
love reading your commentaries, beth & adam!!