On tonight’s episode of Duets, each Superstar will perform “classic duets” with their amateurs. We also learn that the show will not go live until the sixth week (!), and that is when America will get to vote. Wow. Six weeks? No one will go home this week either, but the bottom 2 will sing for their lives next week, and one will go home then. Kelly Clarkson and Robin Thicke open the show with “State of Shock” while John Legend and Jennifer Nettles groove along from their respective lounge areas. I could watch these two sing together all day, so I have very little to say here. I’m too busy grinning.
John Legend and Bridget Carrington
Song: “I Knew You Were Waiting,” by Aretha Franklin and George Michael
John and Bridget are working this song, but I can’t help but be pleasantly distracted by Jennifer Nettles when the camera cuts to her. She is singing the song with attitude from the audience like she is a fan at a concert trying to get noticed by the singers. It’s pretty adorable. As for John and Bridget, this is a great start to the show. I actually prefer her portions of the song to his, which is surprising. She’s got some pipes.
Other Superstars Say: Jennifer says that the voice fit Bridget’s voice and she has definitely raised her game this week. Kelly thinks Bridget is fantastic (I think Kelly is fantastic, but let’s move on). She calls the duet tasteful and classic. Robin tells Bridget “you look like a bag of Skittles, and I love Skittles.” Swoon. He says she and John have great chemistry and she finished the song well. We go to the chart, and Bridget is first. Yup.
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Kelly Clarkson and Jordan Meredith
Song: “Misery,” by Pink and Effie Trinket
Jordan has to fight her way out of the bottom 2 in her duet this week. She is going to have to embody the emotions of the song and also keep her confidence up – not an easy feat. Jordan does a wonderful job here. I fully believe that she is torn apart, but she is also hitting her notes, and she and Kelly sound amazing.
Other Superstars Say: Jennifer says Jordan showcased her voice and her soulfulness. Robin says Kelly chose the perfect song for Jordan and he knows who Jordan is now. John loves her tone up top, but he does mention pitchiness and cautions her not to use Kelly as a crutch. We go to the chart, and Jordan is second. Fair enough...for now.
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Jennifer Nettles and John Glosson
Song: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” by Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross
It’s incredibly difficult not to dance when I hear this song….even at karaoke bars. Jennifer and John are having a great time, and I am really pulling for this guy, but unfortunately, I do feel that this is very karaoke.
Other Superstars Say: Kelly liked the performance but says it was kind of cheesy. Here we go! I hope the claws are starting to come out now. Everyone on this show has been too nice so far. Robin thinks Jennifer chose the wrong song. Jennifer is not having this. Awesome. John (Legend) calls John (Glosson) one of the best voices in the competition. He feels, however, that the performance was “Broadwayish.” We go to the chart, and John still beats Jordan. Ugh.
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Robin Thicke and Olivia Chisholm
Song: “Where Is the Love?” by Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack
Olivia does not know this song, so she is already nervous and forgetting the lyrics going into rehearsals. I’m nervous for her. Olivia seems very unsure of herself, and her vocals are soft, but more shaky than sultry. This is my least favorite performance so far.
Other Superstars Say: John likes her presence on stage says the performance was lovely. Jennifer seems want to use the words “pitch” and “pitchy” as often as she can, but right now I like her so much, I don’t care. Kelly pokes fun at Olivia forgetting the lyrics, since Olivia just has to sing “where is the love?” over and over again. Ha! Olivia doesn’t laugh though. We go to the chart and Olivia is 4th.
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John Legend and Meleana Brown (wait – who?)
Song: “Endless Love,” by Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey
Apparently, “due to unforeseen circumstances Johnny Gray is no longer in the competition.” I'll need to do some more research there. Poor Mr. Legend – not only was he a last minute replacement for Lionel Richie, now he has to replace one of his Duets partners too (in 48 hours no less). I prefer Meleana to Johnny Gray though. This may have been a blessing in disguise for Team John. In terms of the “classic duets” theme for the evening, this one hit the nail on the head.
Other Superstars Say: Robin compares Meleana to a really good sandwich. Kelly welcomes Meleana to the show and cautions her not to be too perfect. Jennifer calls Meleana classy. We go to the chart, and Meleana is first!
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Kelly Clarkson and Jason Farol
Song: “Whenever You Call,” by Brian McKnight and Mariah Carey
Jason is working on his nerves going into this week’s performance. I’m really hoping this goes well for him, because he is beyond cute (and being on Kelly’s team doesn’t hurt either). This is just beautiful. He is still doing the nervous swaying back and forth, but he has made huge strides since last week, and Kelly is beaming with pride at the end of the performance.
Other Superstars Say: John thinks it was good, but he worries that Jason is always looking to Kelly for approval. Robin says it was much better than last week, and he agrees that when Jason steps away from Kelly, he shines more. Jennifer likes the big notes, but asks that he open up his upper body more, because he is too tense in his movements. Kelly jumps in, saying “he doesn’t even know how sexy he is.” She then asks him to bring the sexy. Um..yes, please. We go to the chart, and Jason is 5th. Bummer.
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Jennifer Nettles and J Rome
Song: “You’re The One That I Want,” by John Travolta and Olivia Newton John
Really? I hope they have the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies as backup dancers. Not quite, but I do appreciate the staging of it all. I will hand it to Jennifer Nettles – she is working some Olivia Newton John leather pants and having a great time. Good for her. As for J Rome, it takes him a little while to convince me he is enjoying himself as well, but he really keeps up with her. I really, really enjoyed this, even though this is wayyy more "Broadway" than Jennifer's earlier duet.
Other Superstars Say: Kelly had given them a standing ovation, and she now tells J Rome he has some Bruno Mars swag. She does not, however, think the song was super challenging. John says J Rome is a natural on stage and agrees that the song choice did not show off his voice. Robin gives him a 10 for presence and a 10 for hip thrusting (are those new categories on the Superstars’ judging sheets?). We go to the chart, and J Rome is 2nd.
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Robin Thicke and Alexis Foster
Song: “You’re All I Need to Get By,” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
I’d just like to point out that Kelly Clarkson covered this song in season one of America Idol. Seems like just yesterday…
Anyway, this is an interesting collaboration, but I’m not sure I like it. Alexis looks like she is ready to break it down, but the arrangement never allows her to get there. Nope, not a fan.
Other Superstars Say: Jennifer liked the presentation of the performance. John asks her to hold the mic closer to her mouth because he could not hear her at all times. Kelly did not like the presentation, saying it was disconnected. She did it better anyway. We go to the chart, and Alexis is 6th. Wow.
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In looking at the entire chart we have:
1. Meleana (John)
2. J Rome (Jennifer)
3. Bridget (John)
4. John (Jennifer)
5. Jordan (Kelly)
6. Alexis (Robin)
7. Jason (Kelly)
8. Olivia (Robin)
Next week one of the amateurs will go home, even though America has not gotten to vote yet. Interesting. I am withholding my comments until I see how this elimination works. Til then!
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