Brooke White is gone, but apparently her soul-crushing, bone-shaking stage fright stayed behind and leapt, Oda Mae style, right into the body of Jason Castro.
Freed from the bonds of Andrew Lloyd Weber and Neil Diamond, Jason was free to choose practically any old song he wanted from the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame library. So he chose (”go figure,” and I’m quoting the singer himself) Bob Marley and Bob Dylan. And he massacred ‘em.
On the first song, “I Shot the Sheriff,” Jason overplayed it, obviously caving momentarily to the judges’ suggestion that he “bring it,” or at least bring SOMETHING different to the stage. The result was a messy, off-tune, uncomfortable mess of poor Jason Castro trying too hard. Song two, “Mr. Tambourine Man,” would have been better if Jason — perhaps shaken by Simon’s first-round tongue lashing — hadn’t lost an entire line of lyrics. Or four.
And so, sadly, I think Simon’s advice was accurate — pack your bags, Jason, because top four is as far as you’re going. I do love him, and I will miss him. But I don’t get the feeling he’s really all that into it anymore, anyway. Maybe this is as much exposure as he thought he needed, and now he’s off to bigger, dread-ier things.
Jason really is toast, I fear, because the evictee of choice — Syesha Mercado — actually did “bring it” on Tuesday. Her “Proud Mary” was pretty believable, and her “A Change Is Gonna Come” was pretty moving … that is, after I recovered from her comparing her “Idol” journey to the CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. By the way, love her sleek, sleek new do — even though I’m pro-curls.
David Cook was good as usual, but I agree with Randy. Something wasn’t quite on. He wasn’t bad, with his “Hungry Like the Wolf” and markedly better “Baba O’Riley.” He’s not in danger, but he needs to — well, “bring it,” next week.
And as for David A., well, what can I say? I renew my previous objections to his safe, vanilla always-the-same performances and the judges’ subsequent salivation over said safe performances. Although I thought his “Love Me Tender” was better than most of his past songs, I still wasn’t blown away. In fact, I can’t remember much at all about his “Stand By Me.” I was thinking about something else.
So what do you think? Was Paula particularly coherent tonight? Isn’t her hair looking pretty fab these days? And does Jason have any hope at all?
29 Comments
I so want the old Jason back. But I’m afraid we will see him for the last time tomorrow night. I do think he was under enormous pressure for 2 weeks in a row. Last week Paula trashed his second performance before he sang. And, the critiques tonite from the judges for his first song were merciless. And evidently soul crushing. Have they ever trashed a contestant so remorselessly before? This is only my 2nd season watching. Maybe they have.
Was disappointed in David Cook’s first song..the second one was just too short. He is the real deal but I think he had some jitters too tonight.
And little Miss Syesha. Yes dear, your personal struggle is right up there with Rosa Parks sitting in the front of the bus. I suspect there will be a stamp with your picture on it next February as we celebrate black history month. You managed to transform two mediocre vocal performances into assured vote getters. Sex and civil rights. Tina Turner you are not. Clearly you do not have her voice…let alone her legs…otherwise you would have borrowed Mariah’s dress from her performance night. She managed to pull off every other vote getting trick in the book tonite including bursting into tears when Randy was less than impressed with her personal struggle. And, by the way, moving your hips from right to left is NOT choreography…that riverboat would not have made it out of the dock with that action.
I could not watch David A’s second performance. I found myself involuntarily sticking my tongue out and saying a silent yuck when his first performance was announced. I knew it would be the same boring ballad and the same all over him comments from the judges. Plus…its Elvis…do I really want to hear anyone else sing that song? Do you think David’s dad has kidnapped Randy’s dog? Because Randy is all over David in a way that seems a bit….false and overdone if not weird. Or maybe Randy has a supersecret deal to produce the SECOND David Archuletta album.
All in all…it was a disappointing show. I would almost hope that Jason somehow survives simply to thwart the judges next week but that may mean letting David Cook go. Which would be intolerable.
So we had a Final Four with three NBA quality talents and one Biddy Ball benchwarmer. Jason had absolutely no business lasting in this competition to the Final Four and it was painfully obvious with his….. whatever it was tonight (it certainly couldn’t be called a performance). I believe Kristy Lee Cook would have performed better than Mr. Castro. Carly Smithson certainly would have. Even Chikezie… If Jason Castro does not get voted off after tonight there is undeniably something flawed with the whole competition.
The other three were all very good tonight. I have even grown fond of Syesha. She almost seemed humble tonight. And her performances of late have been very good. The two Davids did well as usual. Cook was not as exceptional as he has been in the past. But even his mediocre offerings are pretty awesome. Little David was his usual talented young self. He may just win it all. Though my speed-dial had David Cook’s number on it.
I thought Paula was uncharacteristically lucid tonight. And yeah, her hair does look nice.
well it’s obvious the judges want david vs. david. the show is fixed. there is NOOOOOO way unless these judges have earplugs during archuleta’s performances that they can think they are good. they overpraise him, which is probably good otherwise his dad would yell at him and he’s kind of scary. jason is the only real thing about this show and after tonight i’m not watching it. RIP american idol, i know you will come back next year but you need to stop NOW. you don’t want anyone “unique” you just want to sell records. jason did not deserve those severe comments, he wasn’t amazing but he was good just the same. they purposely were extra hard on him cuz they’ve wanted him to go home for weeks.
It is one thing make a critique and completely another thing when the judges go overboard and are vicious in their remarks. Respect for Simon and Randy went bye bye tonight. They were far too hard on Jason and too easy on David Archuleta. I am done with this show.
I’m sold on David Cook, although I agree he wasn’t at his best tonight. I hope he hasn’t received more bad news about his brother, Adam. I’d love to give a warm hug to the Cookster. Such a sweet and talented young man.
I didn’t watch AI tonight because I know what the outcome will be…..David v. David - and David A. will be crowned the winner. Such a crock!
sorry Denise for copying your adjective soul crushing. I didn’t realize I was doing it at the time but you nailed it so perfectly that in my angst over Jason’s peformance it just stuck in my sub brain. Man that critique was painful to watch. Maybe Jason did get the largest number of votes last week after all. Nothing else could explain the abject cruelty he was faced with last night. No, he wasn’t good. But I think even Bob Dylan would have forgotten the words after being trashed so thoroughly by the judges on the first song (somehow I think to mask Paula’s own lapse from reality last week). I’m thinking put a fork in it, its cooked for Archuletta (copyright Denise Neil until the last word) and last night pretty much proved it.
I wanted to hate Sayesha again tonight but alas; I don’t hate her. I will have to agree that shaking your hips doesn’t make a song and I wasn’t that impressed with “Proud Mary’. I liked “A Change Is Gonna Come” but I then lost my ability to like her again when she started crying and started about her “change”. Please, someone finally told you and you listened that your “likable” factor is sucking mud!
Poor Jason. Simon is so right(as usual) pack those bags with all your dreadlock products. You’re going home and if you don’t like someone already noted “the show is fixed”. But then we all have known that for many seasons!
I didn’t care for David A’s first song but I listened to him sing “Love Me Tender” with my back to the TV and it wasn’t half bad. I did love the interview where Ryan told him he always holds his breath before the judges give their opinions and he explained that he was always wondering if they liked his songs. Probably more to the point, he is scared to death his dad will come up on stage and whack the heck out of him if he gets a bad review. lol
David C. baby I love you but last night you should have brought the house down and unfortunately it is stil standing!
Jason has been my favorite to win all along. But last night’s performance showed me how musically immature that he really is. He needs to grow up a little and think about what someone else (judges) want to hear and not just what he wants to play. I think he needs more training in song selections and voice control. After that he should go all the way to the top. I would definately buy his music then. Otherwise, he is starting to sound like he’s playing in his local teenage band, and that’s not what we want to hear.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT??? How many songs did these guys have to choose from? Wow-I’m still in shock-I thought for sure David C. would blow them all away. I did like his performances but I was waiting for him to just let go and explode. I was also thinking the same thoughts earlier posted-I hope he hasn’t had bad news about his brother.
David A.–I honestly don’t think I can watch another performance from him. Either when he sings or his performance for the judges as he waits for them to critique him. He honestly looks like he is going to pass out-or in his case “swoon”. He is very talented but not as an American Idol. He is more of the musical theatre type of person–And I’m not putting those people down. To perform in musical theatre requires a huge talent and David A. would be fantastic in that type of venue.
1. If Jason does not leave tonight I will boycott American Idol….at least until next week. I compare it to standing in line at the grocery store next to the latest edition of the National Enquirer. You are too embarrassed to pick up a copy and read it while you are waiting to be checked out but you just can’t help yourself from glancing over to see what the headlines are.
2. If David Cook does not win the whole enchilada then the 2008 season of American Idol will be my last. Hmmm….maybe I can finally get to the list of 10 things I want to do with my life before I’m gone.
Jason Castro needs to go home, they need to be hard on him! 12-16 year old girls are the only ones voting for him, hes a wimp! I hope he leaves tonight I’m just finished with him.
As much as I love Jason - I think Simon is right - the journey ends for him tonight. Wouldn’t be surprised if David Cook was also in the bottom two. I was blown away with David A & Sayesha - they were awesome. But who knows at this point…we’ll see tonight.
No, not only 12-16 year old girls are voting for Jason. I love Jason’s voice and the style of music he likes to perform. I voted for him many many times last night and I am far older than 16. Syesha should go tonight. Her Tina Turner act was disturbing! Jason Cook was off. David A was good as usual.
How can anyone like Jason Castro? If he won, he would be another Taylor Hicks….here today and gone tomorrow. I have to admit I have been very disappointed in this season and the lack of talent. I really thought the final four would be David Cook, Michael, Syesha and Carley. I’m sure David will win, but does he have to scream EVERY song?
How can anyone like Syesha or Carley? Jason is unique. I don’t think he should win, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t good in his own genre.
I missed David C. last night. I had to be out, but I saw the 2nd songs from Syesha, Jason and Archie. 2 words: LOVED Syesha. Next: Who forgets words like “In the jingle jangle morning I’ll come following you”? I was singing, what was the matter with Jason? Could have been my age because that is my fave Dylan song, but I doubt that. I’ve lost many braincells since that song came into being. Archie….BOOOORING. Elvis fanatic I am not but I love his music and appreciate his place in music history, so to speak. For me, Archie DESTROYED “Love me Tender” I hated it. SING THE DANG SONG! If I wanted to hear too many notes, I’d listen to W.A. Mozart. And….the truly unique performer that the judges always say they want to see, read Jason, goes home tonight.
I think Jason will be… or at least should be gone tonight. He had his run, and I think the Teeny-boppers got him this far. I know my 17 year old daughter is in love with him!!
I agree with Monica (posted above) about Syesha and her “civil rights movement” comparison. What a joke!! She was born in what 1985?? I think the only movement she had was in her diapers!!
I finally figured out what bothers me about David Artichoke. He has no vocal range! He stays in 1 octave for every song. That is like playing a guitar with just 2 strings, or a piano with only 22 keys. And I am still wondering how they thought his Elvis song was so good? I had to plug my dogs ears so he wouldn’t howl!!
Some advice for those trying out for AI… Do not sing songs by Bob Dylan or Janis Joplin, and absolutely, no Country (CMT has their own Idol show).
Now for David Cook. I liked his first song. Of course… I am stuck in the 80’s. As for Baba O’Reilly, I was really scared when he started off slow. Then he kicked it in, and I knew the song was his!!
Just an FYI for you David Cook fans.. this weekend up in KC, he will be singing outside at the Power & Light district. he was also suppose to sing the National Anthem at the Royals game, but that would have meant a kids choir would have been bumped. David would have none of that, so instead, he is going to sing “Take me out to the ballpark” for the 7th inning stretch.
I don’t know which days he’s doing what… I just know it’s this weekend. I guess you could visit the KC Star website http://www.kcstar.com and check it out. I got my info from my sister.
I missed the show entirely last night. Yes, there are women older than 17 voting for Jason. I think he is talented, and good in his style. Sounds like he is the one to go tonight, but I look forward to seeing what he can do with his career. I still say we give it to David A now, let David C stretch his creativity in his own way. David A will do just fine with the pabulum that the AI machine churns out. That is a CD I will not buy. Simply not suited to my tastes. What disappoints me so much about this show is that the judges claim to seek unique performers, but what they end up endorsing are the teenyboppers David A et al. Too bad… I loved the comparison to the Enquirer - funny!
Good to see Paula clean and sober. Other than that, this was a pretty unremarkable show. Jason Castro stayed about a month longer than he should have, and I’m glad that it ends here.
In a just world, Syesha would finish ahead of the boy from the planet Zontar, David A. But that’s not going to happen, is it? The minds of the judges have come under his dark control, along with the minds of 28 million mouth-breathing adolescents.
Yes, Jason had a bad night, but hopefully, he will get the sympathy vote as did Brooke, and Archeluta. Once again, the very first note out of Syesha’s mouth was off key, as usual. She is almost as bad as Archeluta. I can’t watch him as he makes me nausesous, and I agree, his songs all sound the same. He wasn’t as off key last night as usual, but I was appalled that the judges praised him so. They tell them to change it up and do their own thing, and the only 2 that do, are David C. and Jason, and then they criticize them. If they want another do nothing, sell no CD’s idol, then the will get it with Archeluta. I just hope David C. wins as he truly deserves it, and let David A. mature some and come back when he is ready.
Well, I am completely of the opinion that that was planned by Jason for the specific purpose of being voted off. He’s had enough and it was written ALL over his face. He no longer cares what the judges think. He played at different tempos, lost words and picked songs specifically for the purpose of losing votes. He did everything in the book that were guaranteed vote losers. He WANTS to go home. And as much as I also love Jason, I say it is time to let him. As for everyone else, I think we as the audience forget that they have just a couple of days to choose, arrange, and choreograph not 1 but 2 songs for us, the oh so critical masses. I think that overall they did a really good job. David C. is still tops in my book.
Just watched bits and pieces. The point with Jason Castro is that he has the potential to be really really good. He has a unique voice and a lot of potential. he just did not live up to it and I think has been on a slide down for some time. Goodbye Jason…I will miss you.
Syesha played her cards last night. She like Krisi got smarter about what songs to pick, etc. I think the judges comments will catapult her forward rather than hurt her at this point.
One thing bothered me. Simon made a comment (to one of the Davids I think) that ndicated that yes he was taking his comments from having seen the song before it was sung live.
I have become more and more this season absolutely convinced that there is some kind of pre determined manipulation occuring.
Don’t think I will watch AI next season.
I admit I also love Jason, but he just isn’t “American Idol” for me. Syesha was amazing in her second song, but I feel she isn’t consistent and her voice previously has given me shivers (not in a good way). David A….what can I say…I think he is passed done. As adorable as he is I agree with most reviews I’ve read…BORING. I honestly think if he wasn’t as adorable but sounded the same he would not be one of the top 4. David C. was weak on his first performance but the band being muted didn’t help. His second was brilliant. I found myself voting for him almost 100 times.
IBM, I totally agree with you assessment of Jason Castro. To me he has been looking longingly at the exit door for the past few weeks. And last night his response to the harsh criticism was almost happy. Hmmmm, I think you’re right, IBM. I think he staged the massive disasters of his two songs last night because he wants to go home.
Was Paula sharing her meds last night with Randy & Simon? Why else would they heap so much praise on David A.????
Please get Archie off the show. I can’t stand his vanilla renditions of EVERYTHING!
I knew he would pick some safe, slow songs to sing. Blech! I can’t believe the judges continue to praise him. He continues to do the same thing and takes absolutly no risks! They rip others for doing the same thing, yet he gets a pass every time.
Just the other day I thought that “I Shot the Sheriff” would be a great song for Jason to sing. I love that song, and thought he did a right fine job on it. I will miss him. I’ve lasted longer this season than other years, but I’m outta here whenever David C. gets the boot.
I guess Jason needs to go home, but I bet bet he won’t! Even though his performances were poor, the judges were absolutely brutal on him. I really thought they went way overboard in their criticisms. I actually liked “I Shot The Sheriff,” but then I’m a reggae fan. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jason stays because I bet he got a lot of sympathy votes. David Cook was a disappointment. This was his week to cut loose! I hope that he doesn’t go home because of his lukewarm performances last night. David A. - I can’t get into him. He is just too squeaky clean and polished. It’s like a Stepford Son or something. ANd the judges drool all over themselves whenever he sings, and that’s just showing who they want to win, in my opinion. Syesha was the bomb last night! I was riveted to her Proud Mary performance, and I loved her second song too. Girl is comin’ to play! She helped herself out a lot last night. I think tonigh’s vote will be a shocker. I think it will be David C. or Syesha (not that they deserve to) going home, because I am started to think the whole thing is rigged.
i’m still to this day, not sure why so many people want to pile on to David A’s dad the way they do. Have I missed something? If I had a child performing on the show, I would certainly be on the front row every time too. Syesha should leave the civil rights thing alone. Makes her come across as a phony. But she can sing. Jason has made things look so effortless and happy in the past, but he had a bad night last night, and will probably pay for it tonight. I too, think it will be an all-David final. Then again, they are the best two contestants.
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[...] Denise wrote an interesting post today on Final four jittersHere’s a quick excerptHer “Proud Mary” was pretty believable, and her “A Change Is Gonna Come” was pretty moving … that is, after I recovered from her comparing her “Idol” journey to the CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. By the way, love her sleek, sleek new do — even … [...]
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