The X Factor: Just Kidding

So…there is no results show this week. Apparently the wrong numbers were displayed for each of the contestants during the performance show, and these lucky 13 acts will get to perform again tonight. We, the not so lucky audience, have to sit through two performance shows this week…but hey, at least they are singing new songs. And oddly enough, even though they only had 24 hours to make this happen, the contestants are all considerably better when they get to choose songs in their wheelhouse. Sorry producers of The X Factor, these performances are a million times better than the two hours of Motown night.

Because this is a speed singing episode (can’t believe they fit all 13 into one hour!), the judges aren’t really weighing in and we don’t see any pre-song video packages. There’s really no point in trying to do a full blown recap, but here are the highlights.

Team Paulina: To kick things off Josh Levi sings “Stay” by Rihanna and sounds wayyyyyyy better tonight than he did last night. I’m still not 100% happy that he won the wild card spot over several other acts that were more talented, but he at least holds his own for this performance.  Carlos Guevara tries to turn this week around with his rendition of Damien Rice's “Cannonball.” He gets massive screams from the audience but I’m still not a fan. Carlito Olivero continues his swag campaign with an attempt at  Daniel Bedingfield's “If You're Not the One.” His falsetto needs some serious work and there were some times where he struggled…but Paulina claims Carlito is “sick” and he nailed it. Whatever you say, chica. She can’t make any excuses for Tim Olstad though. He closes the show once again and this time he chooses “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly. The choir joins him…but not onstage…and his “woop!” ad libs are cringe worthy. Poor guy.

Team Simon: The country boy band Restless Road takes on “Don’t You Wanna Stay” by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson. Is it weird to see a trio of dudes sing this song? Yes. Yes it is. But at least Paulina can’t call them “peeeeechy” tonight. Alex & Sierra melt my heart with their version of Ed Sheeran’s “Gimme Love.” Maybe Paulina is right about them…maybe they really should kiss at the end of their performances.  Sweet Suspense returns to sing “That Should Be Me” by Justin Bieber…I hate to admit it, because I have a hard time bestowing compliments on anything involving Justin Bieber…but I really like their version of the song. The pain I felt typing that just now is indescribable.

Team Demi: Seriously, Ellona Santiago killlllllllllllls David Guetta's “Titanium.” Kills it. Eat your heart out, Anna Kendrick. Khaya Cohen’s delivery of Duffy's “Distant Dreamer” is just fantastic. She makes this whole thing look so easy…and I’m starting to think Demi’s girls might be unstoppable.  Speaking of which, Rion Page might be brilliant. Her stripped down country version of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” had me yelling “hell yeah!” from my couch.

 
Team Kelly: Fresh from her stint as Simon’s most recent punching bag, Rachel Potter sings “Anyway” by Martina McBride which is one of my favorite songs. She definitely owns it as she would most country songs and here’s hoping the voting audience likes her as much as I do.  Jeff Gutt tackles “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins and is once again a pleasant surprise. His rendition is more sinister than the original and I really like it. Lillie McCloud is showing some leg tonight as she croons Queen’s “Who Wants to Live Forever?” She also gives us the best vocal of the night. This woman is just fantastic. Can we add an extra half hour to the show tonight so she can sing a few more times? Please?   
 
Based on tonight’s “save me” performances, I still have to go with Carlos and Tim as the weak links. I believe Rion really staged a comeback this evening and deserves to sail through to the next round. Will she be safe? Will Carlito’s “illness” keep him from advancing? We’ll find out in the next episode. Til then!