American Idol 8: Ain't This a Kick in the Head


It's Rat Pack night, so all of the contestants are dressed in their Sunday best. Paula chose to celebrate the genre by starting martini time extra early this morning, which must have caused her to misplace her cocktail dress. She covers brilliantly though by gluing giant rose petals to her breasts.

The guest mentor this week is Jamie Foxx. As if I even had to say it. Like his isn't the first name we all think of when we hear "Rat Pack."

I'm falling asleep already and the first performer hasn't even started yet. I have a feeling this is going to be a big old dud of an evening. Not because these songs aren't good - they are. But what made Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the gang all stars wasn't vocal ability. They had charisma. They had stage presence. They knew how to deliver a song. And they oozed coolness. Aside from Adam (who's wearing a suit like everyone else, dammit), the Top 5 are a bunch of squares, man. Well, Allison's all right too 'cause she's a dame. A crazy, redheaded dame.

Here we are at square 1, otherwise known as Kris Allen. He is singing "The Way You Look Tonight" at an unreasonably slow tempo. It's almost as if he's trying to fill up this whole hour by himself. Then, more than half of the way through, the song inexplicably speeds up, just to switch back to super slo-mo for the ending. What the hell? This isn't a Led Zeppelin song. Cool it with the crazy tempo changes! Randy proves he hasn't been paying attention all season by proclaiming this Kris's best performance so far. I'm not even going to bother to relay what Kara says (to anyone) because I don't care. Paula calls Kris a "contemporary crooner," and then Simon says a bunch of weird stuff. Is he borrowing lines from Paula now? He says the performance was good but "a little bit wet." Eh? Then he says watching Kris is like taking a well-trained spaniel for a walk. Yeah! I know! That performance was like, uh, like eating mayonnaise while the wind is blowing. Or like sharing a biscuit with a manatee. Or like wiping your bum with a ShamWow. And if you ask me what that's all supposed to mean, I'm just going to roll my eyes and dismiss you like you're the one who doesn't know what you're talking about.

I jolt awake to find Allison Iraheta singing "Someone to Watch Over Me" in an ultra-husky manner. Even though she's a rocker chick, I think she was made for this kind of music because she sounds like a two-pack a day girl (at least) who's been knocking back a bottle of Makers Mark every day for the past 17 years. This is really good. The bee's knees. Maybe she should rethink the rock scene and do this kind of music. Oh my God. It's just like that '80s movie, No Small Affair, in which Demi Moore tries to make it as a rock star and Jon Cryer insists that she should sing jazz standards. They have a fight, but when she gets a record contract after singing "My Funny Valentine," she has sex with him before leaving his ass for fame and fortune. Well, okay, so Allison's performance isn't just like that movie, but it reminded me of it anyway. And you never know. Jon Cryer could be in the audience. They could get it on later. But since Allison's only 17, the cops would go after Cryer for statutory rape, which would force him to frost his tips, pretend he's a teenager, and hide out in a high school somewhere.

Back from pointless '80s movie tangent in 3...2...1...

Okay, so Randy says "Yo" a lot. In fact, I think that might be all he says to Allison. All the judges think she's great, but for some reason Simon tries to send her back to the kitchen where the ladies belong by spouting some garbage about how she's mechanical and lacks confidence, and then plants his evil seed in the viewers' minds by saying that she "could be in trouble" tonight. I wish to God that she will turn to Cowell and, in her deepest voice, give him the old "I've got chunks of guys like you in my stool!" Sadly, she passes up this opportunity.

Matt Giraud is still under the impression that he looks good in those stupid Timberfake hats. He still thinks he's got a falsetto worth showing off too. How deluded can one guy be? He sings "My Funny Valentine" and, while it's not as bad as whatever he sang last week, he's not going to be following in Demi Moore's footsteps and getting the big record contract on the strength of this performance. He has a better shot of getting it on with Jon Cryer. The judges' table is split on this one, as Randy and Kara think Matt was pitchy and not emotionally connecting with the audience, but Paula and Simon think the performance was expressive and authentic. I think Cowell just doesn't want to admit that he was wrong for saving Matt two weeks ago.

Smuggy Smuggerson informs everyone that he won't be changing up "Come Rain or Come Shine," surprising no one. When does he ever do anything even remotely original? He's gonna bore you like he always bores you come rain or come shine. He sounds okay, but it's the same old raspy yelling and gasping for air after every fifth word. There is nothing stunning about this performance. It's decent. But do you think the judges agree with that? Nooooo. One more tongue bath, coming right up! And just when I think that Danny can't get any more intolerable, he raises the bar. Paula says, "The best thing about you is that you can see the finish line ahead of you," while he stands there grinning like he just had sex with Ken Warwick's daughter. Really, Paula? That's the best thing about him? The misplaced confidence? The egomania? The dickheadedness? He can't even shut it off after the judges have finished their critiques. Danny brings up the finish line thing again and says, "I do see it. I DO." Then he makes that smarmy heart sign with his hands.

Finally, it's Adam Lambert's turn. He is the sole reason I didn't just call it a night when I started falling asleep at the top of the show. Of course, I am a little disappointed that he sort of fell in line this week. He usually likes to do the opposite of what people expect, so I was hoping that he would come out tonight in a Freddie Mercury leotard and full-body glitter to do a techno version of "The Candy Man." I knew that was probably just wishful thinking, but I wish he'd picked a more fun song, like "Lady is a Tramp" or "Mack the Knife." Instead, he picks "Feeling Good," a song that has been done on Idol before. He opts for the "rock version" of it (by Muse) and it's pretty good. I mean, it's Adam. He slinks down the giant lucite staircase and makes crazy stripper faces, so it's all good. And, as we've already established, the boy can sang. Randy says that it was all a little too theatrical (read: gay) for him, and Cowell says that's like complaining about a cow mooing. (Thank God it's the end of the night because I can't take any more of his ridonkulous analogies.) I will lift my ban on Kara's comments just for now, because I have to mention that she just called Adam sleazy. I know she means it as a compliment because she's a dirty slanket who enjoys sleaze, but how dare she! Ban reinstated. Paula says, "You make me feel better than good," but Adam's excitement is dampened when he realizes that she's just talking to her Coke cup. Simon tells Adam that he had the best entrance in the show's history, and forbids Ryan from using the giant staircase ever again. Well, there's $100,000 down the drain.

So, who will still be swinging next week and who will be sleeping with the fishes tomorrow night? It's hard to say. Clearly, Matt is the one who should be heading home this week, but Simon is foolishly pimping him while trying to throw Allison under the bus. The dame does NOT deserve to be voted off. Especially not after tonight, because she was fantastic. I would love to see Danny get the boot, but I predicted his premature evacuation last week and was wrong, so, unfortunately, I don't think he will be the subject of the "shocking elimination" this year.

It just better not be Adam.

Now that we're down to five, I'm guessing that there will only be a bottom two. I really don't know what the judges are trying to pull and I can't be bothered to try to crawl inside their brains. I'm just going to pick the bottom dwellers based on who I feel deserves to go. Kris and Matt will receive the lowest votes and Matt will finally take his mole and go home.


Watch video clips of tonight's performances on MJ's Big Blog.

Find more Idol news and recaps at SirLinksalot.

Comments

Ian said…
Love the post title! I was hoping someone would do that song tonight, but unfortunately it wasn't to be.

Danny ought to introduce a spinoff of the Snuggie and call it the Smuggie. It might be more successful than his singing career.
I am ashamed to admit it, but I thought Gokey and Giraud were good this week. This is the first week where I think I would label everyone at least "good". Sadly, I think that means Allison is going home, because America has been just looking for an excuse to send her packing. it's a shame, because you totally nailed it with that smokes and bourbon thing, and I can't get me enough of that.

Of course, in the end Adam showed that this entire thing is simply an exhibition. The "competition" ended a month ago. It's not even fair the way he just destroys everyone every week. This week I might have been swayed because I am a Muse fanatic, but it's true.

I always get Simon's analogies. Everyone else needs to be quiet. Okay, maybe not "wet".
Dave said…
I don't think Matt wears the hats to try and be like JT; he needs to do something to cover up that mole that's bigger than Puerto Rico.
~lori said…
what was up with Paula's make-up? ... reminded me of Bette Davis' character in "Whatever Happened To Baby Jane"
Fancy Schmancy said…
I say Matt, too. Then Danny, then Kris. Then, Allison. In that order. But I didn't bother to vote because it's rigged, anyway.
Claire said…
When will this "resurrect the rat pack and oldhollywoodglamour" trend die the death it deserved ten years ago?
Unknown said…
It was great when Jamie Foxx said to Adam Lambert, "You don't even care who I am" (paraphrased, mind you). When the glamrocker replied that he found the comment funny and the reason he kept his eyes closed while singing it was my turn to laugh. From everything I've read about Adam Jamie Foxx isn't the most famous man he has ever met or worked with. Sorry Jamie.
Feisty Democrat said…
My take: Disco week followed by Rat Pack - is next week Polka Week?

Kris - meh, not my cup of tea.
Allison - meh, good singer, music's not my cup of tea.
Matt - meh, not bad, music's not my cup of tea.
Danny - Don't like the song, but it was well sung.
Adam - Oh my fucking god this guy is amazing - he can make even Brat Pack Week interesting.

I got Allison, Matt, and Kris in the bottom 3. Just to be different, I say Kris goes home.
Feisty Democrat said…
I hate to disagree with you because I have such an agreeable personality, but I'm not seeing the Danny = smugness you see. I see his mannerisms as awkwandness and goofiness, 2 things of which I think I'm quite familiar with.
Falwless said…
I say Allison goes home this week.

And I'm with Dave, as he so eloquently put it -- I don't think Matt wears the hats to try and be like JT; he needs to do something to cover up that mole that's bigger than Puerto Rico.
Red said…
They sang some of my all time favorite songs this week. They certainly don't write songs like they used to.

I thought everyone was good, too, this week. And I like boys in suits. That is all.
Anonymous said…
They really need to send that Giraud dude home purely because he annoys me with his Timberlake wannabe face. And sometimes I'm aghast. Because really, who could say one negative thing about Allison tonight? Girl was AMAZING. Lacking confidence? I don't see it myself. Is she supposed to be bouncing around being obnoxious? If they send her home it's only because the mainly female voting audience are in love with the guys. No way was she worse than Justin Timberlake or Gokey.
Cora said…
Allison was awesome! If she goes home tonight, I'm gonna scream.

I'm all for Matt, Kris or Danny going home. As long as it's one of them, I will be happy.
Unknown said…
If Allison goes tonight, I'm going to cry...I really think I will. The smokes and the bourbon thing is right on and me likey!

I love it when you dive into 80's movie mode!

One more thing, are you planning on live blogging for the finale week shows? The reason I'm asking is that I'm going to be in Mountain Time and unable to blog. I need some options for my West Coast Adam fans.
Dale said…
Matt and the mole should go for sure but I will continue to pray for any premature evacuation at all, har har. Jamie Foxx and stool in the same post? Winner!
Gifted Typist said…
haven't watched it yet so can't look, but can't wait to see your take after I have my take
AHHHHHHHHH! OH MY GOD!!!!

WTF!!!! ADAM IS IN THE BOTTOM TWO!!!
I AM FREAKING OUT OVER HERE!!

Please tell me this is a f-ing bad dream.PLEASE!!!

And-let the public ridicule begin...I FRIGGIN LOVE Taylor Hicks. I voted for him and I will be buying his album..
Gifted Typist said…
Smuggy SMuggerson
ahhh
hahhahaha
hahahahaha
haahahaha