Top 7 - Performance Night

There is much I wanted to blog about for the Idol Gives Back night... I haven't done it yet, but might still in the next few days.

Jenni and Shelby both thought Jason had a strange look on his face after Michael Johns got voted off, so I just spent the past few minutes re-watching the last 5 minutes or so of last week's elimination night. Hmmm. I can't really say he looked strange - I think he was just a bit shocked. He kept looking out into the audience - perhaps at Johnsie's family? I don't know. But, I do know this - it made me sick all over again watching Johnsie get kicked off again. Blech. Hate it!

Ok, so tonight is Mariah Carey night. I don't quite know what to make of that. Will the boys stink? Will Brooke be able to pull it off? Will Syesha blow it? Well, let's get on with it and see!

It's midnight as I watch this, so it will definitely be knee-jerk reaction tonight. Ryan is getting a huge applause. Ah, his ex g'friend, Teri Hatcher, is out there.

Does it seem to anyone else that David Cook has on the same outfit each week?

I have to admit that Mariah was very much an idol of mine when she first came out. I loved her belty voice. Now, she's just strange to me. I won't deny that she is a huge talent, she is just a little slutty - as far as performance goes. Now, she seems like a very nice person as she's talking to the contestants.

Finally, David Archuleta is going first. Has he ever gone first? Cool - he's doing one of my favorite songs. When You Believe. However, it's a ballad, as usual. Ah, well - he rocks it. I like that he's doing a lot of runs, but he picked a weird place to do them - right at the beginning of the chorus. Wow, he has such great control on his runs. Honestly, this is one of my least favorite performances by little Davey A. But, it was really good. Maybe too many runs? I don't know.

Hmmm, Carly is going 2nd??? Notoriously, whoever goes 2nd ends up in the bottom 3. Simon is out to get her, I think. Why? Ok, now, this is the BEST she has looked! Nice dress! Without You - very good song choice, I think. Carly has such an amazing voice - I just wish she wouldn't furrow her brow so much. You know, it has been suggested that she had a bit of a crush on Johnsie. He's gone. And now she's singing "Without You". Coincidence? WHAT? What the heck is Simon whispering about in Paula's ear? Did he know that his mic was still on? Now, personally, I think this was one song where she could've just sung it as it was instead of playing around with the melody... but whatever. Simon was really hard on her - I thought it was ok.

Syesha is next - she looks really pretty. Ok, now I know this song because it's from the Emotions album and I was a big fan back then. But, the question is, will anyone else? And, this is one song that Mariah just kicked booty on - with her amazing pitch control. I am finding Syesha's rendition just irritating. mariah was so perfect on this song that it's hard not to compare. Yes, there were a couple of pitchy moments, Randy. No, Paula, it doesn't help me not compare... I know this song! I would listen to it over and over and try to emulate (to NO avail) Mariah. So, of course that's all I hear is Mariah in my head. Probably not many other people in America can say the same, though. That will definitely work in Syesha's favor, I think.

Oh, Lordy, Brooke is next. I have to say she is getting on my nerves lately. Her speaking voice kills me. Of course, she is singing Hero! She's going for sympathy votes. Mariah looked less than impressed. WHY is she playing piano on this song??? it's gonna be hard enough to sing a Mariah song without making it harder by playing along. MC writes her songs with some funky chords in them. Hang on, I gotta run this back and really listen. Oh, goodness, she is rushing the crap out of this song. Her rhythm is all off. She looks so nervous! Shaking. It just wasn't very good. Gag, here goes Paula with the "authentic" blubber again. Amen that Ryan and Brooke look great on stage together with their colors. I like her dress.

Kristy Lee is next - I had forgotten all about this song. Hmmm, this might be a good choice for little miss Kristy. Nah, the beginning is B A D. There is a 50's sound to this song that bodes well for Kristy. Aw, Lincoln just came stumbling into my room, dragging his blankie behind him. I might have to stop here. If I hit play again, he might wake up and want to watch. Let's see what happens. I have to say that Kristy is listening to someone - whoever has told her to show more emotion in her face. Her sweet spot is in the notes that she holds out up high. A much better sound for her. She is actually getting better each week. That's something. P.S. I do have one bit of constructive advice to give to Kristy - PLEASE stop wearing the glittery eyeshadow. Every week? Come on. It makes her look like she has pink eye.

Now it's time for David Cook and I am very excited. Considering what he did with "Hello" and "Billie Jean" and "Eleanor Rigby" (even if some WERE covers of covers), I think he's going to hit it out of the park with MC night. "Always Be my Baby"? Wow, this should be interesting. Geez - he is majorly out of tune at the beginning. David, what has happened to you??? Last week AND this week? David was the most solid singer of all up til now. Pitch-wise, anyway. Ok, I'm resuming... Ok, seriously? It COULD have been really great. It was in the totally wrong key for him. Raise that key, David Cook! But, who am I? The judges are singing his praises and I'm glad. He's crying???!! He's so Emo. I definitely want to go back and listen to it again when I can turn it up and not have someone snoring in my ear. Ha.

Lastly is Jason Castro, one of my faves. Have I mentioned that? Also, I really miss Johnsie. Ok, so here goes Jason. "I Don't Wanna Cry" is one of my favorite MC songs! yay! Go, Jason. Alright, you know, I really like this. It's so different. I love the vibe. This is the only contestant this year that Aaron ever comments on. He really likes Jason, too. And he hasn't watched any of this season.

Two things are clear to me after watching tonight's episode:

1) Mariah Carey was one of the best mentors they've had on the show. Seriously. She gave some really constructive advice. She helped them - and she wrote some great songs. That always helps.

2) I predict the bottom 3 to be as follows: Brooke, Carly and Syesha.

Good night!