So, Von proves you can come out first and not suck. Nicely done. Enough where you might actually be remembered a few hours from now.

Then Taylor comes out and does this weird, spastic stomp-squat dance thing while singing Alicia Keys. She sings it reasonably well, but is hard to watch, very breathy-over singing, and well, what the judges said. Boring. If she’d been last week or the week before, she’d have been a rock star with that performance, comparatively speaking. Tonight? She’ll be entirely forgettable.

Alex Trugman is next and he’s kind of an adorable geek with a surprisingly smooth voice….for about three seconds. Then it gets all weirdly Joe Cockerish, and not in a good way…so, he’s not making it through. However, on the plus side? This is already, easily, the best show of the three. I know, not a big mountain to climb there, but I’m just thankful for the entertainment.

Next? Arianna who is 17 and decides, for some unfathomable reason, to sing ABBA. And not a cute, perky, peppy ABBA, which would suit her cute, perky, peppy self…no, she sings The Winner Takes It All. Now, I have zero idea what song the band was playing, but I’m pretty sure it barely had a passing resemblance to the one she was singing. Wow, that was so off. It’s a shame, she does have a huge voice, but for someone we’ve never had the chance to see before, I don’t see her making it through.

So, an uneven night. And yet, still, other than Alex, better singing than Night 1 or Night 2, so I hold out hope that Junot will bring it back to life.

And here he comes, and we get to see the clip of his very adorable little son during the audition rounds, so we’re all warm and fuzzy again, which you kind feel with this guy anyway. And then the guy who wants to be current sings Hey There, Delilah, which has already been done,nand done, and that wasTHIS season. Dude. Sigh. What, there was nothing else fresh to choose from? Seriously? Here’s hoping he nails it, but I’m already underwhelmed just knowing it’s coming. I like this guy’s voice, I really do. Singing ANYTHING else but this tired song. And he decides to change it up and actually SLOW IT DOWN. More. And make it more boring. Zzzzzz. I know. What we needed was a shot in the arm, a reason to sit up and pay attention, and this is what you brought to the table? Have they all lost their minds? Is anyone help guide these kids? Anyone? Bueller? Of course the judges loved it. I so did not. I am comatose. But it’s the song, not Junot. I really like him. So hopefully he gets through. Not sure…but I hope. He’d be my second choice so far tonight.

Next up? Nightmare on Idol Street! Squared!! Run, run now!!

Kristen and Nathaniel Headband, back to back. Hopefully so we can just get through the moment and then bleach it from our brains forever. Wow, I am so not excited about this moment. Can I just blank this out? Go have some chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream? No? You want trainwreck drama queen coverage? Okay. ::hands over eyes:: Here we go.

Kristen is up first. Singing Tracy Chapman. Please, sing it fast. Make it be over. So, the deal is, if you don’t watch her (which really is just hard to do anyway. The hair, the dress, the face, the teeth…) and just listen, she sounds really good. If you’re an aging lounge singer. A really good aging lounge singer, but still. So, yeah, she can sing. But relevant? Not so much. The judges encourage her to go rock and be current. Might be an idea. If she has to stay. Please, tell me she doesn’t have to stay.

Okay, let’s get this done please, people. Just let drama boy sing. He’s singing Meatloaf. Never done on this show, so that’s a plus. (I’m trying here.) He does his own version, but I seriously can’t look at him. Of course, I can’t look at Meatloaf either. But this sounds like Meatloaf: The Musical! I take a peek and yikes. Stop the pointy finger! But if you like Meatloaf Does Broadway, vote for the kid. He can sing. But…honestly, haven’t we had to watch enough? Can we be excused from the spectacle that is Nathanial Headband for the rest of the season? Or our lives? (Please, I’m begging you, Lil and Jorge, win the top spots and let Von be third…. Which, the fact that I’m pimping for Von Votes? Says a lot.) And then what is with the extended pimpage of this kid by Ryan and the judges, even Simon? Wow…..so, odd. Do they really, really ridiculously really think they need him this season? They already have Adam, and possibly Von. We have our talented theater guys. And we don’t need Danny Noriega 2.0. Really. We don’t. It’s been done. We all got our shots. Now we’ve recovered. Let us heal.

Felicia Barton shows up next and she’s the one who took Joanna Pacitti’s place when she was booted for knowing too many producers on the show. And is dating Mark Ballas. Now we have yet another young mom, who is singing yet another Alicia Keys song. Please, let us like her. I was so happy an hour ago, but my love is fading fast here. So, I have not a passing clue what that business is she is wearing, but from the neck up, she’s a dynamic looking, beautiful girl. And I’m kinda liking her take on this song. Girl has chops. Just step away from the sequin corset body luggage look. Wow, then a few really off notes in her riffs…come on, rein it back in, Felicia. Make us forget Nathaniel. So…I do like her sound. She’s distinct. I guess we see if America agrees. Or not.

Scott is up next, and we all know that Scott is blind. Everyone really loves this guy, and he’s a good guy, for sure. But his voice isn’t really all that and a bag of chips for me. So…I’m interested to see if tonight changes my mind. (And am I the only one who wonders how they’ll handle him tomorrow night doing the group song and dance? I’m not poking fun, I’m truly curious to see what they decide to do.) So, he’s singing Mandolin Rain, which I think suits him, and is a song I really like, but might be a bit dated. Wish he could use his keyboard on this. Would have really enhanced his performance. He’s got a more soulful depth to his voice tonight, but not sure he’s really strong enough to make it through (say, over someone like Anoop…) Quite the gene pool in his family though, right? Judges truly love him. And…I do wonder if perhaps him being blind makes them (and perhaps the audience) feel like he’s somehow a more powerful, passionate singer than he actually is, which…a shame, really, as one has nothing to do with the other. Sorry, great kid, but I’m still not won over on whether he should be Top 12. He gets the Simon Seal Of Approval, so I’m thinking he does, indeed, sail. (And, massive bonus points on teasing Ryan about the high five-ing a blind guy.)

Kendall is up next. She is singing a Martina McBride, but I’m begging you, right now, no more Dad Does Alligator Dance. Wow, painful. Not to mention embarrassing. Just… Stop it. So she’s ridiculously cute and has pretty depth to her voice, looks fun in her perky yellow dress and, for me, best female vocal this go around thus far (and I realize this is not a exactly a tough mission tonight) but still. A bit funky with her high note pops, and a few sharp notes, but overall, pretty good job. She could be that third spot…because I’m still thinking, as the show ender, Lil will take top female vote. At least I hope so. But I still think it will be Von. Or Jorge, if Scott gets all the guy votes.

Speaking of Jorge…he’s up next. He’s singing Elton’s Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me…which, how that is relevant, I have no clue. Love his soulful voice, but hope this is memorable enough. If he has a prayer, I think going next to last is what will save him. That was really pretty sweet.

Closing it out…Lil Rounds, ladies and gentleman. Now, just don’t choke! She’s singing Mary J… Here we go. If anyone can pull this off, it’s this one. Wow, knock out dress. Great stage presence and great control over her voice. FINALLY. Totally lives up to the hype. So…we know which female is going through. Can we all say Front Runner? Dayum.

Top female tonight? Lil. Done. Just put he through to top 2 now. Top guy? Will probably go to Scott, but I’d give it to Junot or Jorge and then there’s Von. Third place…a long list. Whomever of the aforementioned trio doesn’t get top guy, then there is Felicia, and Kendall… For me, I’d like to see Lil, Jorge and Junot go through. But that’s just me. As for my wild card picks? Wow, a whole lot more than there are spaces for them. Anoop is still my top choice for one of the slots.

Overall the best of the three shows. Your thoughts? DISH!!

And check out yesterday’s blog for details on how to get yourself some blog candy this week.

Tags: Writing //