American Idol 7: Red Red Wine Goes to Paula's Head


Tonight is Neil Diamond night on AI, and I can only hope that means that Neil will embrace his dark, Will Ferrell side and scare some life into the remaining five contestants. Here's hoping that if Brooke babbles too much, he'll warn her, "I'll smack you in the mouth! I'm Neil Diamond!!"

Seacrest announces that each Idol will sing two songs tonight and then speeds around the stage like he's in a Buster Keaton movie. Well, this is going to be annoying. Hey, here's an idea. Why not just let everyone sing one full-length song? Man, what a bunch of monkeys they have running this show.

Jason Castro, who the judges wanted rid of last week, is shoved into the dreaded first spot tonight. Imagine that! He sings one of my favorite Neil tunes, "Forever in Blue Jeans," and it's okay. I honestly do think Jason has a pretty voice, but his lack of concern for this competition is really showing. You know who would've done this song justice? Michael Johns. If there's anyone who can fill out a pair of blue jeans, it's that boy. Mmmmm mmmm. Ah well. Anyway, I wonder why Jason didn't go for the obscure "Pot Smoker's Song?" Now that's a song he could truly make his own.

Ryan zooms in, spits out Jason's call-in numbers and says, "Thejudgescommentswillbehelduntilaftereveryonesingsbothoftheirsongs. Now let'smove! Gogogo...faster! Getoffthestage, Jason! NEXT!"

If Ryan is in such a hurry, why does he bother to bring David Cook out for some pointless banter on the uncomfortable stools? But more importantly, what in the name of Holly Holy is David wearing?? Did one of the tweens in the idiot pit make that jacket in Home Ec class? I can't help focusing on the fact that he's got "AC" on his ugly jacket and his guitar. Is this a lame AC/DC joke or is this some kind of tribute to his brother? And why did Ryan blather on about himself and his childhood trips in the family station wagon instead of finding out this information, like a real host? While I'm asking myself all of these questions, David is performing "I'm Alive," but I hear all that I need to hear. It sounds like what I imagined it would sound like. Good, but very familiar.

Brooke White comes out in a very Monkees ensemble (poet blouse, vinyl pants) to sing "I'm A Believer" as awkwardly as possible. I predict that this girl will be completely bent in half by the time she's 60. Her posture is terrible. She's all hunched over her guitar like the strap is too short. And her facial expressions make her look like a lunatic. It's like you can see her entire thought process during the song - chord, chord, chord, SMILE, chord, chord, chord, shake hair, chord, chord, chord, SMILE! The vocals aren't horrible, but it's all very karaoke.

Up next is frat-house favorite, "Sweet Caroline," sung by...Little Lord Archuleroy? He's singing it well enough, but somehow he and the band have managed to turn this classic tune into a sitcom theme song. Honestly, good times have seemed better.


Syesha Mercado comes out to say "Hello Again," reminding us that, even though she has no apparent fan base, she's still here. Syesha looks very pretty tonight. Actually, with her hair all flattened out like that, she looks a lot like Saleisha, last year's winner of America's Next Top Model. Hmm, you never do see Syesha and Saleisha in the same room together. Anyway, although her performance is slightly corny, it's actually my favorite vocal so far.

Going back on his earlier promise that all judges' comments would be saved until after the second performances, Ryan barks at them to hurry up and give some quick thoughts on how things are going so far. Randy puts the Davids and Syesha in the zone, but leaves Brooke at the karaoke bar and barely mentions Jason. Simon has no problem firing off insults at everyone and tells them all to step it up. And Paula...oh, Paula. Here is where it gets good.

Paula starts to critique Jason and comments on both songs, even though he's only sung one so far. Everyone looks confused. She continues. She is actually explaining why his first song was better than his second (which has yet to be performed), and whining that he doesn't seem like he's trying hard enough. Nigel Lythgoe can be heard shouting into Simon's earpiece, "Abort! Abort!" and something about a self-destruct button. Randy tries to help Paula out and only makes matters worse. Paula then exclaims, "Oh, I thought you sang twice! This is HARD!" Everyone laughs nervously. Simon tries to cover by talking over her. Then Paula tries to explain it away by saying she was looking at her notes for David Cook, even though she had bad comments for Jason and good ones for David. Okay, then.

Pop quiz!

Paula just revealed that:

A. The show isn't live
B. She writes her notes during the rehearsals
C. Someone else writes her notes for her
D. She is batshit crazy
E. Some combination of the above

Here's a hint: there are no wrong answers. Ain't I just like the cool teacher in school?

Moving pointlessly onward...Ryan scrambles around like it's the last 20 minutes of The Oscar telecast.

Jason finally gets around to that second song, "September Morn," and it turns out Paula was right. The first song was better. (She's finally done enough drugs that she can see into the future. Good on her.) His vocals are fairly weak and the ending is really shaky, but he sure looks purty. The judges all take turns throwing Jason under the bus, while he just stands there quietly. But I can practically hear his inner voice screaming, "What do I have to do to get voted off of this show? Please! GET ME OUT OF HERE ALREADY!"

David Cook returns to the stage with "All I Really Need Is You," which he promptly Daughtrifies. Both of his songs tonight sound the same to me. The thing is, he can really sing, so that obviously counts for something. But he's starting to bore me. The judges are falling over themselves to praise David though. They're all turning into that old Kevin Nealon character, Subliminal Man.
Randy: "You rocked (don't vote for Jason) the house."
Paula: "I'm already looking (gimme drugs) at the American Idol."
Simon: "The 1st song (don't vote for Jason)was okay. The 2nd song (don't vote for Jason)was brilliant."

Brooke opts to hunch over her piano this time around for "I Am...I Said." Is she singing in tune? I don't think so. Does that matter to the judges? I don't think so.
Randy: " Nice (don't vote for Jason) job."
Paula: zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Simon: "This is the Brooke (don't vote for Jason) we like."

I had a bad feeling that Little Lord Archuleroy was going to sing either "America" or that crappy E.T. song, "Heartlight." Thankfully, he doesn't sing the latter but, perhaps in honor of fallen Idol hero Kristy Lee Cook, he does choose the former. This has got to be one of the worst songs in the history of history. I think if I were an immigrant on my way to this country, and I heard this song playing on someone's boom box as we were approaching Liberty Island, I would jump ship. But, people love this kind of patriotic pandering and with that giant American flag behind him, no one is going to diss this performance. (I will concede that David's vocals are just fine, but the kid still gets on my nerves.)
Randy: "You're in the (don't vote for Jason) zone."
Paula: "I love you (drugs)."
Simon: "That choice ticked (you are going to make me so much richer, kid) all the right boxes. OH! Annnnd, (don't vote for Jason) uh, never mind. That's it."

Syesha closes out the night with my favorite Neil song (besides that nutty "Porcupine Pie"), "Thank the Lord for the Night Time." There are hand claps! She wins! Actually, it's not fantastic, but she does a better job with it than I thought she would. And it gets a little bit funkier in the middle. I never thought I would say it, but Syesha is my favorite of the night. She is finally showing some personality and has her big voice under control...so she might actually be in danger of going home. Simon uses his best reverse psychology methods on the audience by telling Syesha that even though she did well, she may be in trouble because her performance wasn't memorable enough. (And I think I spotted a "Save The 'Fro, Ditch the Dreads" button on his shirt.) The Dawg still thinks she's in the zone. P-Ab calls Syesha "Brooke." Is Neil Diamond still around? Does he have time to smack Paula in the mouth?

So, who will be the Solitary Man (or Woman) leaving us tomorrow night? As much as I'd like to think that Jason has enough fans to save him, the producers and judges hate him, so I think his days on AI are over. Who else could it possibly be? No matter what they do, the two Davids will be in the final two. So let it be written. So let it be done. Simon adores Brooke for whatever reason. That leaves fan-less Syesha, but since they've gotten rid of two girls in a row, I doubt another girl will go this week. She'll most likely share the Bottom 2 with the dreadlocked wonder, but he will be the one to disappear in a cloud of (pot) smoke.

Comments

Falwless said…
I'm dyin' over here. Dyin'. This sent me over the edge: "Nigel Lythgoe can be heard shouting into Simon's earpiece, 'Abort! Abort!' and something about a self-destruct button."

I had to rewind Paula's drunken wackiness like three times just so I could get out all my laughter. W.T.F. That was truly the best part of the night. Oh dear god the entertainment value of her alone is priceless.

I actually liked Jason's first song. Which only goes to show that I am a simpleton who should never, ever review real-life musical performances.

All things considered I think it's time Paula should be voted out. So, I'm going with Judge #2 packing her medicine bottles and waving bye-bye.
GingerSnaps said…
hahahahaha! Why, oh WHY didn't I remember to set the DVR again? Wait...no, your description of the debacle is SO much better than watching it. Comedy gold, I tell ya.
Anonymous said…
Even dealing with your severe Michael loss, you have outdone yourself! This is the funniest (and truest) recap I have read tonight, and I read them all! Brava!
Anonymous said…
Oh, how I love the term "batshit crazy". Whatever that was (I vote for E -- not the drug -- oh wait, maybe that should have been an answer option, too) . . . It was funny.
Gifted Typist said…
Yes, the Paula moment was hit of the evening for me too. As was the moment that Jason tried to defend his performance by telling the judges that he started choking at the beginning of a song. Did he really say that?

I still don't get David A. I know the Tweens are on side,but beyond the good vocals,there's nothing in there. It's hollow.

Jason should go, but Syesha or Brooke might.

The whole thing really is underwhelming.
Anonymous said…
You're right. Paula ain't the coldest beer in the fridge and I think this show is fixed. What I can't believe is how Simon kept his mouth shut and didn't throw Paula under the bus after that Jason debacle.
Hello dear, I laughed my ass off all the way through your recap. I was out last night so I had to watch the performances on YouTube (a much more efficient method for dealing with AI - you should all try it.) As soon as Paula opened her mouth I knew I was going to have to click over here immediately.

I hope you're wrong about Jason because I want Diareesha gone. If that happens this will the the first AI in history where CP gets his top 4 all together. Wouldn't that be a shame to miss?
The Guv'ner said…
"uncomfortable stools" are what I get when I sit on my butt watching American Idol for more than ten seconds! :) Wait, did I share too much?
SkylersDad said…
Brilliant Beckeye, I loved this. When I saw Paula slide down the razor blade of insanity, I was thinking to myself, I can't wait to read what Beckeye has to say!
Claire said…
I missed it, except for a few minutes of "September Morn" (btw, hearing this song should make it clear that "Coming to America" is only the 2nd worst song ever) and Castro just has to go after that. I wish I'd seen the Paula moment, but I think reading your recap is even better than seeing it would have been.
cube said…
We, too, replayed Paula's Twitfest.
WTF?

I liked Sayesha the best.

David Cook can take ANY song and basically make it sound exactly the same as the last song he sang.
I can no longer tell the difference.

David "Pork-chop-aleta" can oversing like no one else. It makes my ears bleed.

Brooke & Jason will be sitting on the bottom two and Jason will get the boot.
Mike said…
One of the most freaky moments in idol history. She was totally exposed.

Love the comment about "America" I would leap ship also...I was shocked that little "archie" even knew who Grandpappy Neil even was. The little dude has the worst taste in music EVAAAAAAAA

Stop beating around the bush...do you really think Jason (Rastravolta) Castro will be sent home?
Red said…
"I think if I were an immigrant on my way to this country, and I heard this song playing on someone's boom box as we were approaching Liberty Island, I would jump ship" is my favorite line in the post.

I was kinda freaked out about how much I like Syesha this week.

You're totally right about David's jacket. I think AC is his brother (Adam Cook, I think) and I'm totally mad at the stylists for letting him wear the rooster hair again, but I really liked the second song. Maybe because I didn't know it and it sounded like something he'd put on a record.

I noticed Paula's frak up, but didn't think much of it. I mean, really, do we expect anything else from the woman at this point?
Cup said…
Hey, Becks, somewhere I have an MP3 of Eddie Vedder singing "Forever in Blue Jeans." I'll try to remember to dig it up for you.
X. Dell said…
Hmmm. Wondering. Does Diamond really need any more royalty checks?
Feisty Democrat said…
I stand by my pre-show predictions: Syesha and Brooke in the bottom 2 with Syesha going home. The American Idol Prophet has spoken.
I have mentioned Cook's Daughtrification of songs before...I don't know...last week when he could not go all Fuel on us I actually enjoyed him...A LOT
Alice said…
omg... does this mean i should actually CLICK on the syesha link this week? REALLY? i don't even know what to do.
Marsha said…
I vote E. The one that really needs to be gone is Paula!!
kellypea said…
Little Lord Archuleroy...Bwahahahaha! I LOVE it. My husband's so tired of him he can't supress himself. I think Jason should go because he's clearly over the whole thing but can't quite make himself as bad as the San-jan-man was. I think Syeshia won't get the votes even tho she deserves them more than Brook-toe-through-the-tulips. Wait. No, that's Jason. As far as Paula goes, the only thing that would top last night's cluelessness is seeing her fall out of her chair or off the stage while she's dancing. Now that would be hilarious.
Anonymous said…
Your new avatar is kinda creeping me out. It looks like a Beckeye Phantom of the Opera-type mask on Olivia Newton John. I like some of your photo-shopped Michael Johns pics. You should use those.
Chancelucky said…
That may have been the ultimate Paula moment.

Funny stuff about Brooke's recipe for doing her songs, but I think it's
"Chord, chord, smile, chord, smile, look into camera, chord."
Dale said…
Hilarious recap. Best contestant ever: Paula Abdul!! I loved the subliminals you picked up one. They were pretty deafening at times.
I have got to start watching this show!
Unknown said…
E! The answer is E! What do I win?

Saleisha's hair was horrible! She has since fixed it but I still think that season was rigged. Much like this season of American Idol. What with Paulagate 2008 and all.

I'm so glad Brooke is gone and I hope Syesha is FINALLY going to go home next week. I hope Jason stays past next week. I'd love to see what his trip home is like!