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Taylor Made (It)!

So, I could do a whole rehash of tonight's show and talk about how "cute" it was to start the show out with everyone in white, do the requisite hometown shots, how cool it was to showcase some of the finalists with their favorite artists (Paris and Al Jarreau - great, Chris and Live - showing my age, I've never heard of them, Kat and Meatloaf - strange combo, Elliott and Mary J. - loved them, Taylor and Toni Braxton - she was a bit creepy, why was she pawing at Taylor?).

I could tell you how much I loved the Puck and Pickler schtick, I'd much rather see Wolfgang mocking Kellie than listen to her sing; I could tell you how entertaining the "outstanding nutcases" bits were, how much I hated the commercial and how adorable the men in black were.

I might say how awesome it was that both Kat and Taylor got new Mustang comvertibles, how I couldn't figure out which creeped me out more, the Clay imitator or Clay Aiken himself (what has he done to himself?), how old I felt when I saw how old Burt Bacharach looks.

I could mention how it seemed like the spark had gone out of Chris Daughtry's eyes, and that made me sad or how cute I thought Kevin was and what a good job he did, how disappointed I was to hear Dionne Warwick screw up the last part of her song and how funny the "Brokenote Cowboys" bit was.

Or, I could tell you about how awful Kat and Taylor's final song was (c'mon, they just wanted it to be over, they haven't fallen in love).

But, I think I'll just tell you how relieved I was that Taylor was (finally and mercifully) pronounced this year's American Idol and how creeped out I was that David Hasselhoff was moved to tears. I bet there's a story there.

This has been one of the most fun things I've ever had the opportunity to do. Thanks for reading and most of all for commenting. And, I hope you continue to watch American Idol. Every year is brand new. every season is unpredictable and it never gets old.

Don't Let Me Down. . .

I really enjoyed last night’s show, but can’t say that there were any surprises there for me.

In an earlier discussion with my sister, we both agreed that we thought Katherine would “choke” at some point in the show and that Taylor would walk all over her and totally steal the entire show. He did.

Taylor made the wise decision to go second, probably hoping to leave everyone with the sound of him in their ears. I’m thanking him for going second so he was able to rinse Kat’s delivery of “My Destiny” out of mine.

Surprisingly, of the three songs each of them sang, only one was new. I would have thought this would be the night to totally impress everyone with some music we hadn’t heard them do before. In Katherine’s case, it was a lifesaver.

Kat started out the evening with “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree”, a song she had done before and one that had gotten good reviews from the judges. Although I personally was a little disappointed at the “rerun”, it was a safe choice for her.

Taylor came out and blew Kat’s performance away with “Living for the City”. He gave it his all --- you could tell that he is already feeling like the American Idol.

Kat’s next song was “Over the Rainbow”, another good choice for her, since she sang it well the first time and it also got good reviews from the judges. She actually did a better job with it this time around, which I think boosted her in the overall ratings. But Kat, even if you did start in the “wrong” key, a really talented band can easily adjust to whatever key you start in. And, if you’re going to be in the music world, you should know that.

Taylor took the stage next with “Levon”, another of my favorites. He absolutely made this song his own so much so that you almost forgot it was originally Elton John’s. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a message from Sir Elton today telling him “good job”.

Kat’s final performance was her new single “My Destiny”. A fitting title, as it clearly showed that Kat’s destiny is not to be the next American Idol. She struggled with the song from the beginning, faltering on the quiet parts and struggling to reach the high notes. I’m not sure if the key was wrong for her, but it sounded like it was maybe the second time she had ever sung the song.

Taylor closed the show with his new single “Do I Make You Proud”. And, I think he made everyone proud! His family, his friends, his home state. . . and hopefully the AI voters will be proud to have him as the next American Idol.

For some reason, the melody to “Don’t Let Me Down” has been floating around my head all morning. I’m hoping that everyone voted wisely last night.

My American Idol

I knew going in that tonight's show would be a letdown for me. The fact that two of the "featured" celebrity audience members were Ace and Todd Bridges was somewhat of an omen to me. I knew I was not going to be happy.

Fast forward through the expected rehash of last night's show and another slightly creepy commercial to the homecomings of each of the final three. Taylor in his home state, welcomed by the governor, singing at the mall, then singing his cut from this season's CD.

Next we saw Kat in her home town (the only contestant that lost out on the travel bonus), flying in a copter over the Hollywood sign, visiting her alma mater, then performing "Think".

Then there was Elliott, being welcomed home like a hero, visiting (and hugging) the governor, riding in a parade, throwing out the first pitch at a ball game. The difference in Elliott's case was the overwhelming sense you got that this kid was so very awed by it all, so grateful for the experience, so much so that he was moved to tears, expressing his thanks for it all and that he had been able to share it with his mother. After wiping away his tears, he sang "Moody's Mood for Love". Knowing it was the last time he'd sing on this stage and that he wouldn't get the opportunity to sing at the Kodak Theatre, my own tears started flowing (oh, who am I kidding, I was bawling just watching the clips of him at home).

Clive came out to say a few words about the plaque the final three had for him (which Clive somehow translated into an award). Then Ryan announced that the 50,000,000 votes had been almost evenly split between the final three contestants. Only 310,000 votes separated the #1 spot from the #3 spot. Only 100,000 votes saved Katherine from going home. . . but sadly that put Elliott in last place.

Unless the earth starts revolving backward, Taylor will win the whole enchilada, but (and you heard it here first) I'm predicting it will be a repeat of the "Ruben Studdard year". Elliott's CD will outsell anything that Taylor does, and Taylor will fade into the stage wings and disappear just like Ruben has. Elliott will enjoy the fame that he deserves. . . and I'm counting on him taking his mom along for the ride!!

I've already downloaded Elliott's music to my Nano --- he's my American Idol and next week's show won't change that for me!

Clive Entertainment. . .

So, tonight's guest was Clive Davis, who has had a hand in, well, just about everybody's music career and, no, not just because he's about 100 years old and has been around forever. This guy knows his stuff, even though Randy didn't agree with all his choices. Mr. Davis chose songs that would showcase and challenge the three remaining contestants, maybe even push them to finally make their mark. Well, as we know, the best advice (and free for these folks) is not always taken.

I was talking to my sister, and she said something very interesting. She pointed out that the majority of us would be listening to our next idol, not seeing them live in concert. . . listening, most probably on the radio. I decided after watching the show once all the way through, I would replay it, but just listen the second time. The results were, no pun intended, eye-opening for me.

Elliott started out the evening with "Open Arms". When I watched him sing, I felt he still wasn't connecting to the audience emotionally; when I just listened, his version of this song was so effortless, his voice so pure. . . a whole different experience.

Katherine was up next with "I Believe". I'm not sure why Clive Davis would set her up like this, again putting her in a position to sing something that is almost a signature piece for a contemporary artists. Watching: she was lovely; listening: she didn't hit several of the higher notes and her voice sounded more than a little strained in several places.

Taylor was up next with "Dancing in the Dark". I felt like Clive was really trying to showcase Taylor by going to the extent of choosing a song he had to make a personal phone call to get permission for. Of course, watching Taylor's rendition was totally enjoyable visually, but when I just listened, it sounded much like a Springsteen impersonation. Taylor only came through on a visual level, not when I simply listened.

Paula's choice for Elliott's second song was "What You Won't Do For Love" for which she had to have had someone's help in choosing (maybe Simon?). Again, Elliott failed to fully connect visually, but listening to him sing was a joy.

Simon made the best choice of the evening in Katherine's next offering "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". I'm thinking Katherine should do all her singing from the stage floor. I enjoyed seeing her sing this song because I felt she didn't "oversing" it, but when I just listened she had some definite pitch problems. It's too, too late in the season for any of these kids to still be having problems keeping their pitch. I think Katherine might be breaking under the pressure. She did complain to the judges that they had been pretty harsh to her the past couple of weeks.

Taylor sang Randy's choice next: "You Are So Beautiful", probably the most obvious choice for Randy to make. They've been comparing Taylor to Joe Cocker since his audition. His emotional connection to the audience really came through when I watched him sing; but one needs to watch Taylor to appreciate his music. Simply listening to him doesn't have the same effect.

For his personal choice, Elliott sang "I Believe to My Soul", perhaps repeating one of Chris Daughtry's fatal errors in choosing a good, but obscure song that most of the listening public couldn't relate to. He sang well, but again, hasn't really learned to connect with us.

Katherine repeated Elliott's error when she chose "I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues", a great song, but one I'll bet most of the voting public has never heard. I gave her "watched" performance a grade of okay; her "listened" performance a "just alright".

Taylor's choice for himself was "Try a Little Tenderness". It's only because his last two songs were two of my all-time favorites (oh, they take me back) that I'll forgive him for flubbing the lyrics (Tay, baby, it's shaggy dog, SHABBY dress). However much I love this song, when I just listened, it wasn't as good as watching AND listening.

So, what's my conclusion?? I'm still predicting Taylor will win this competition. I predict that Kat and Elliott will be in the bottom two tomorrow night. I predict that Elliott will be sent packing (I don't believe he should be sent home, but I think that's how America will vote).

However, I think Elliott's CD will be the better listening experience. I don't believe Taylor's music will translate well to a CD. I think people will love going to see him perform, but I think much of Taylor's appeal is watching him while listening to him.

Do I think Katherine deserves to be in the final two? Not in a million years, but, hey, I never get my way!!

Be Careful What You Wish For. . .

My very wise grandmother used to tell me "Be careful what you wish for." And, I never saw the meaning of that phrase as clearly as I did watching AI's results show tonight.

I'm taking part of the blame for this incredibly shocking results announcement. I've been saying for weeks "Shake it up", "Surprise me", "The show's not exciting". Well, tonight I got my wish!! And, I'm a;sp publicly apolgozing to my neighbors for the (rather) loud expression that slipped out of my mouth when the bombshell was dropped (hey, it's warm here in California and all the doors and windows are open).

Here's the recap: traditional quickie rehash of last night's performances and witty remarks from the judges, another silly commercial (although I'm a little jealous of Kat --- she got to pet my favorite green guy, Kermit), more of the tour of Graceland (Priscilla looked pregnant, but she's 61 so I'm thinking no --- and she looked scarier than she did last night, if that's possible), a little footage of Lisa Marie and her wild golfcart tour, group song (why, why, why do they make them sing together???). Suddenly, Ryan's in the audience talking to Rebecca Romjim who claims she doesn't have a favorite, but begs for a repeat of Taylor's "Jailhouse Rock". Nigel gives the okay and Taylor brings down the house.

Ryan meets Taylor on stage, calls down the others and lines them up: Taylor, Elliott, Chris, Kat with Ryan in the middle. Kat knows she’s in the bottom two, and the look on her face says “I’m going home tonight”. Ryan wastes no time telling Taylor and Elliott to sit down, they're safe.

I'm not surprised at this point; I predicted Kat to be in the bottom two for sure, and thought Chris had a good chance to be there, also. Kat’s really squirming now, sure she’s going to be leaving. Chris just looks uncomfortable because he knows he’s staying, but feels bad for Kat.

Ryan makes the very truthful statement that many people thought Kat and Chris were going to make it to the final two, and adds that many people have thought Chris would win this year’s competition. The next words out of his mouth astound everyone --- the contestants, the studio audience, the judges and I’m thinking most of the public. Chris is going home. He’s speechless, waiting for Ryan to say it’s a joke. The shock on his face is palpable. Kat’s amazed, too!! Kat’s dad looks surprised!! Kat joins Elliott and Taylor and Chris, looking shell-shocked, admits to Ryan that he’s surprised.

He never loses that lost look of someone who knows he’s heard something correctly, but just can’t believe that it’s true. Chris is assured of a contract --- hell, there are record producers lined up outside the stage door, waving contracts and pens at him. But, he will not be this year’s Idol.

And, I’ve finally been surprised, amazed and shocked. . . but I still don’t believe it.

Elvis Has Left the Building. . .

This week, the competitors went to Graceland, home of Elvis, where they were greeted by a well-preserved, yet overly botoxed Priscilla and introduced to the slightly smarmy Tommy Mottola. I know Tommy is considered a genius in his field, but I think his parents must have breathed a sigh of relief when he went into the music business. He would have made a good mobster.

ROUND 1
Taylor began the night with "Jailhouse Rock". His outfit was a little scary at first, but Taylor moved and grooved and rocked the house. I thought Simon's criticism was way off.

Chris sang "Suspicious Minds", his favorite song. It was nice, I wasn't bowled over, but it was refreshing to hear Chris' real voice tonight.

Elliott was next with "If I Could Dream". I do believe Elliott is finally coming out of his shell --- I think America's sitting up and taking notice. He was pure unadulterated Elliott doing that piece.

Katherine came out with a combination "Hound Dog/All Shook Up". Clever that she mixed the two and I thought it was a really great performance. She had fun, she was animated and seemed really relaxed and comfortable.

ROUND 2
Taylor got another chance singing "In the Ghetto". He did a fabulous job, he put his heart in it and really showed some emotion tonight. He changed the song up and made it his.

Chris tried again with "A Little Less Conversation". Although Simon didn't like the first part, I was thrilled. Had he stayed in that mode through the entire song, I would have been floored, but, alas, the song ended in a meltdown of yelling. Chris, a little less yelling. . .

"Trouble" was Elliott's next song, which was exactly the right choice for him to showcase his true talent. As the weeks go by, Elliott is gradually letting us in and opening up, showing us who he really is. Watch out!

Katherine ended the evening with "Can't Help Falling in Love With You". She started out great, and had she stayed in her signature ballad style, might have ended up with the best performance of the night. But it got too big and got away from her in the end.

So, all said, no real surprises for me tonight. I'm predicting Katherine and possibly Chris in the bottom two tomorrow night, with Katherine going home, leaving the three amigos to battle it out.