Here’s what’s nice about the early part of an “American Idol” season.
You know who’s good, and you know who’s not so good. But every once in a while, the guys in the middle surprise you.
That’s what happened for me tonight with David Cook. Thus far, I haven’t been a big fan. I’m confused by that forward comby thing he does with his hair, and the dude’s been a bit of a dud. But his (as Randy so aptly put it) emo rendition of Lionel Richie’s “Hello” was about the most awesome, most original cover of a song I’ve seen on this show since the days of Blake Lewis. And David didn’t even have to employ beat boxing to wow us! He had me from “Hello,” or at least from that first hard rocking guitar riff. That’s a song I might actually download from iTunes.
But his wasn’t the only standout performance of he night. I continue to be impressed by Jason Castro — though I’m still a little mystified by his interview awkwardness. How can a guy who seems so OFF and emotionally disconnected when talking on camera come across as so sincere and right on when he’s singing on camera? I’m ashamed to admit I wasn’t familiar with the song “Hallelujah,” so I had nothing to compare it to. But to me, Jason hit every single note perfectly, both musically and emotionally. Hate the dreads. Love the guy.
I also liked Michael Johns’ salute to “The Breakfast Club” with Simple Minds’ “Don’t You Forget About Me,” though it stabbed my heart to hear him insist that his OLDER SISTER had forced him to watch that movie. Surely I’m not old enough to be that manly man’s older sister. Am I? AM I?? That’s no way to win my vote, Mikey. At any rate, his performance was a bit odd at points, but in the end, he hit some impressive high notes and hopped around the stage with just the right degree of rock star conviction. I’m sorry, ladies, but I’d watch him sing the phone book. Five nights a week.
Please don’t hate me, because I sure do hate myself for what I’m about to say, but I actually thought Danny Noriega’s rendition of “Tainted Love” was vaguely rocking. Danny Boy perplexes me because as much as I can’t hardly stand to watch at him sing, I also can’t tear my eyes away. He’s so bizarre and awful that I think he might actually be good. Does that make sense? NO? Well neither does Danny. TMTH!
As for last week’s favorite, David Archuleta… I dunno. He was good enough, even if he did need to potty. But his performance of “Another Day In Paradise” was sort of ho-hum and forgettable. He’s not going anywhere, but I wasn’t wowed.
That leaves paper-thin voiced Luke Menard and sweet but too safe Chikezie as the odd men out. Luke’s performance of “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go” was just not good, and although Chikezie was decent on “He (She) Fills Me Up,” he just wasn’t as good as his competitors.
Oh, I’m sorry. What’s that you say? I missed someone? David Hernandez? Oh, you mean the male stripper? I’m sorry. It’s too soon. It’s going to be weeks before my brain will be able to stop applying the lyrics of every song he sings to the daily travails of a male lap dancing. Don’t get me started on “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now.”
So what do you think. Could you concentrate on David Hernandezes’ performance? Will the girls even come close to delivering so many quality performances? Is it even possible for Paula Abdul to utter a complete sentence? And which of the guys will go?
12 Comments
I have always liked David Cook and I agree with you completely about Jason Castro….hate the dreads…love him. I am a fan of poor Luke. He has terrible song selection but I think he is better than the judges give him credit for. Danny Noriega…I cannot watch the guy and it looked like the cameramen were having a hard time watching him too tonite because the cameras were jumping all over the place like they couldn’t stay focused on this parody of a nightmare. And while David Hernandez was never a favorite of mine, I agree, I can only think of his past career now and its not a vision I want to have every week.
I think its Luke and Chickesie who will go because those little girls with pink cell phones will keep Danny Noriega in. But boy he makes me want to throw up on his head! I am not a fan of David Archuleta, either. There is something creepy about him accosting the season one idols with his voice in the lobby of their hotel. He’s entirely too precious for me and it sounds like he is stage mothered to death. His MOTHER jumps on the stage and finishes his song for him? Give me a break!
I don’t care what David Hernandez did in the past to earn his living, he is still my favorite singer of this group. I’m still a Jason fan, but agree that he needs to seriously lose the dreads. David Cook is moving up quickly in my estimation. Michael, Archuleta, and Chickesie round out my top six. Danny & Luke should be going home this week. Can’t stand Danny and while luke is good, he just doesn’t seem to have “it”.
Ready for the girls tonight, but not too optomistic. Seems the guys are way better this season.
Danny = yuck. Far too suggestive and queer to watch…
I really liked David Cook a lot this week. I think he has “it”. And Jason Castro…. am I the only one who thinks he resembles a young John Travolta? I love his voice and his unassuming manner is appealing to me. If David A. would have quit licking his lips during his performance I would have enjoyed it more. It was just a distraction, although his voice was wonderful and I loved the song. That’s my top three. The lap dancer dude… I liked him a lot last week and probably would have liked him this week if I could have eliminated the mental images of…. yuk. Which is unfair to him, but I just can’t help it. The Aussie was good but nothing special. I like Chikezie too. The night was good IMO for everyone but Luke Minard and Danny Noriega. Danny’s probably not that bad and maybe I should start listening without watching him to better judge his voice. But hopefully I won’t get that opportunity because he’ll be voted off. Ummmm, probably not. I say Jacuzzi and Luke will be bidding us adieu.
I too enjoyed David Cook…I thought his version sounded great. I too get the heebies watching pretty boy Danny but I fear he’ll be around awhile as it seems the website where they vote for the worst has adopted him and are trying to push him into the finals. Sorry to say but this year the conversations around the “water cooler” at work are pretty much the same…no one really cares. No one has made a big enough impression on any of us to make us even remember thier names. We talked about how not one of us could even think of any of the girls names!
I never thought much of Jason until last night. I thought he did great with “Hallelujah,” but then I’ve always liked that song.
I agree that Luke Menard needs the boot; his performance had me wondering how the hell he made it onto the show. I still like Chikezie, though, and I think he’s capable of doing better than his performance last night.
My second choice to go would have to be Danny Noriega. Gay or not, I don’t care — he’s just not that good of a singer, and his performances have never impressed me.
As for Paula, the way she bounces around and cannot seem to hold a thought process has me wondering what kind of prescription meds she’s on. Or maybe that’s just the way she is. It’s funny to see Simon roll his eyes when she drags on and on and on …
Hawkmama, you are so right about Jason. I think it is his smile though that looks so much like Travoltas. He really needs to lose the dreads….
Sometimes it is really painful to watch Paula when she cannot put a coherent thought together and spit it out of her mouth.
Denise–Love, love, love, JUST FREAKIN’ LOVE your idol blog. It is hilarious
I think you are spot on Denise about David Cook, David Hernandez, and Danny Noriega. For a while I thought Danny was going to be this year’s Sanjaya, but the kid took a over-played disco song long “Tainted Love” and mainstreamed it so much that while his performance was rather awkward I closed my eyes and listened to the song.
I hope that all the voters will overlook David Hernandez’s “other” job, and just focus on this competition, but I am afraid that in spite of all the pundits saying otherwise, this show will “fix it” so he goes by the wayside. Unfortunately that is the way of a network television show that is trying to maintain its ‘purity’.
My picks to go this week are Luke for sure, and unfortunately, Chikesie, even though it could turn out to be David Cook, based on past performances. Now count them up that’s four, and only two will go. You were counting, now that’s not fair. If the show is on the up and up, it will be Luke and Chekesie, otherwise David will be in the bottom two. I hope not.
And let’s get a petition up to have this Castro guy get rid of those awful dreadlocks. He is such a good singer, and has so much talent, but those locks have to go.
Denise you crack me up! LOVE, LOVE reading your blog. I thought Luke would be gone last week and Chikezie needs to lighten up. I don’t know what to think about Danny. I’m thinkin’ he needs to turn the volume down more than just a tad. If you know what I mean… Loved David Cook for the first time this week. Loved Jason Castro, and would love him more sans dreads, love that song too. Hadn’t heard it in a very long time.
Danny Nor…..has got to go and so does Amanda - the wild thing has no camera appeal at all.
Jason has beautiful blue eyes and is so handsome - he reminds me a tad of John Travola. Don’t know what those things are in his hair - looks a bit dirty - but that’s what makes him who he is. I think he will be around for awhile.