As the remaining American Idol finalists fight for a spot in the finale, and as the ratings sink for the show, Idol is scrambling to pick up momentum for the remainder of the season. For starters, the producers have brought back Harry Connick Jr. to be a guest mentor, and dude is just funny and charming. I know he has been in the running for a seat at the judges’ table for some time now…which begs the question…why the hell hasn’t he been hired yet? Is the television audience really better off with “in it to win it" and fake English/southern/whiny accents? Sigh. The Final Four will sing two songs tonight: Songs of 2013 (woohoo!) and Standards (zzzzzzzzz). Let’s get going, shall we?
ROUND 1
Contestant: Angie Miller
Song: “Diamonds” by Rihanna
The first performance of the night features Piano Angie mugging for the camera. For the most part she sounds pretty good, but this isn’t one of those “Angie is lost in emotion while she plays the piano” moments. This is more of a “hey look at me singing at the piano” performance, which is entirely distracting from the singing…
Judges Say: Keith isn’t sure that Angie needed to put the different spin on the song. Nicki says this piano performance was different from other piano performances because it was bland and lackluster. Randy agrees with Keith, and that’s all I need to know. Mariah agrees too and thinks Angie played too much to the camera. Nicki wants to make sure Mariah agrees with her as well, and Mariah specifies that she agrees with the entire panel…that singing a #1 song is a tough because “not everybody has that.” HA!!!!!!!! Take THAT Nicki!
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Contestant: Amber Holcomb
Song: “Just Give Me A Reason” by Pink and Nate Ruess
Amber’s session with Harry consisted of her not knowing the words to the song. At all. Super. Amber sounds fine in the performance, but she’s awkwardly dancing around and smiling as though she would be elated if the song ended early. Me too. Not the right song for her at all....
Judges Say: Nicki thinks the Amber in the rehearsal package was more connected to the song (even though she didn’t know the words) than the Amber that just performed. Randy says he could tell that Amber was distracted and not singing her heart out. Mariah agrees and thinks the audience needs to see a performance that is beyond stellar. Keith loves the clarity in Amber’s voice and thinks it’s okay that she was distracted because she’s still growing as a performer.
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Contestant: Candice Glover
Song: “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars
Candice takes on a song written from a man’s point of view and keeps the lyrics the same…tonight she is a storyteller. I'm really glad she chose to stick to the original words - the gender/persepective honestly doesn't matter when someone is as talented as Candice is. She feels what she is singing regardless and I just love her.
Contestant: Kree Harrison
Song: “See You Again” by Carrie Underwood
Judges Say: Mariah thinks Kree was very connected to the song and loves her authenticity. Keith still doesn’t like Kree and it’s pissing me off. Nicki loved the performance because “she sang with her eyes.” Randy enlightens by saying “somebody’s going to win this thing” and then tells Kree she did a good job.
-----------------------------ROUND 2
Contestant: Angie Miller
Song: “Someone to Watch Over Me”
Piano Angie peaces out and leaves us with a subtle, lovely Angie in this performance, and I’m digging it. Her passion is far more genuine here than in Round 1, and I’m really hoping she makes it through to the Final Three.
Judges Say: Keith says Angie sang the song beautifully. Nicki can see Angie as either a Disney princess or a Broadway star. Randy loved the beginning of the song but did not enjoy the arrangement in the middle. He then tells Angie she can sing. Mariah’s mom is in the house! She disagrees that Angie needs to have Disney princess moments and Nicki gets a Q-Tip out of her bag and asks Mariah to clean her ears. And we wonder why the ratings have gone down, huh?
-----------------------------------Contestant: Amber Holcomb
Song: “My Funny Valentine”
Judges Say: Standing ovation from all four judges. Nicki says a subtle spirit took over Amber and Amber starts to cry. Randy thinks Amber gave an unbelievable performance and Mariah says Amber’s spirit is bigger and better than ever. Keith thinks the performance was stellar.
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Contestant: Candice Glover
Um, yes. Just watch it.
Judges Say: Mariah is the first one up, but Candice gets a full standing ovation. Randy says Candice is in it to win it and I hope Harry storms the table and beats Randy senseless…it doesn’t happen. Mariah says there is no critiquing and tells Candice she will be downloading the song ASAP. Keith says Candice had amazing power and control in her performance. Nicki has nothing to add and I am overjoyed.
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Contestant: Kree Harrison
Song: “Stormy Weather”
Out of the four songs chosen for Round 2 I feel that this one had the most potential to be an absolute snoozer. Between Kree's fantastic vocals and the amazing orchestra behind her, I am wide awake and loving the song. Candice wins the night for me (for her, for Randy), but I think Kree was solid this evening as well.
Judges Say: Mariah would have liked a more bluesy approach to the song but thinks Kree did give a beautiful vocal. Keith thinks Kree’s instincts are beautiful but he would have chosen a different song. Nicki basically says Harry coached the girls wrong….and again I wait for him to run to the table. Randy agrees with Nicki and the camera cuts to a very pissed off Harry. The Dawg continues and Harry (finally!) makes his way to the judges' table to defend his coaching. I love Harry.
During the results show we will say goodbye to one of these lovely ladies, and it’s kind of a shame. I think each girl gave it their all tonight. My personal preference would be to see Candice, Kree and Angie advance with Kree and Candice facing off in the finale. We’ll see if any of this pans out shortly. Til then!
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