American Idol Final Four. I wish I loved it more. Or at all. I did love Gaga as mentor. Loved. Wackadoo and yet, insightful.

So, the Haley Bus was selling tickets again last night. No, not the bandwagon bus, the bus Randy and JLo use to run her over. Repeatedly. Now, I wasn’t a huge fan of her treatment of Earth Song, because I happen to adore that song and this didn’t do it justice. But then something Haley said, in response to Randy’s picking on her about the way she scream/sang the ending, that she didn’t think she should change that….stuck with me. So, I went and played MJ’s version, which I’ve owned since it was recorded, and which sticks in my memory mostly because of the haunting opening and build up to the first big power chorus, and two things popped out at me. One, was that you can’t take a 5 or 6 minute song and do the slow build justic in a 90 second American Idol performance, so it deeply suffered for the arrangement, about which she could do nothing (except not pick that song, which, agreed, maybe she shouldn’t have), and secondly…I’d apparently forgotten entirely that MJ screams through the end of the song EXACTLY as Haley did. Now, does that still make it a great performance? No. But did it deserve the full on thrash? Also no.

I didn’t mind Haley’s rebuttal in this case, first because she was trying to say she stayed true to MJ’s version - which was simply the truth -and she also corrected Randy that her range was, in fact, higher than that, which she’s proven repeated times. But, mainly I didn’t mind her FINALLY standing up for herself, because she takes the relentless criticism in stride, but there is a limit to how much one person is supposed to take when NO ONE ELSE gets a critique. No one. Scotty, James, and Lauren can, and often do, come out with performances all over the map, because this is a live show, in front of millions, and mistakes are made, no surprise there….but it is rare they get critical “help” and on the rare occasion the judges don’t love them, they still heap the praise to leaven it. Haley? Not so much. And thank you Steven Tyler for standing up for her and not taking it anymore, either.

And when Randy really hammered it home, and Haley was like “okay, I get it already, you don’t need to keep pounding me” she’s the reviled one for having an attitude? Really? It was more “Ouch! Come on, guys!” Anyone who felt she was out of line hopefully took it all right back when Ryan did the Summation of Round 1 and when asked who won the round, Randy goes, “Well, it’s a tie between Scotty, James and Lauren.” Um.. Wow. WOW. Just….unnecessary. Because didn’t we already just the beat the hell right out of her the first time? As Zev would say, Thank you, Captain Obvious.

Again, it’s not that the criticism isn’t fair, or warranted from the judges perspective, their opinion, their job, but then apply it equally. Because Scotty comes out and does a throwaway version of Youngblood and that’s fabulous? Really? When we’re hearing you have to slay every song and give amazing performances because it’s Final Four and yet that karaoke deal earned praise and zero criticism? Same with Durbin’s Journey performance. It was okay, but it wasn’t remotely special, and if you turn your back to the tv, often off pitch and out of tune. But do they offer that in addition to the praise? Nada.

And yes, they gave Haley standing O’s both this week and last after the harsh first round, but that’s just like saying it’s okay to be in an abusive relationship as long as the person pummeling you tells you something nice later. And this time her expression reflected that. She gets zero harsh from me for that. I was right there with the “seriously, thanksomuch” eyes. And then they had the nerve to take credit for “pulling” that amazing performance out of her by pushing her so hard? Um…pretty sure she does that every week with or without your “help.” Again, I compare to an abusive relationship. Maybe sending her home is the humane thing to do at this point, like telling an abused woman to head to a shelter, but I want her in the final two so bad now I can taste it, so I’m conflicted.

I thought Lauren did a great job with her first song, though some rough notes, one in particular in the middle, and she has crazy breathing issues when she sings. Nary a mention of any of that along with the praise. No “help” for Lauren. And while I did like her entrance on the second song, as it was the most mature attack of a performance I’ve seen her, again, by halfway through, she had all kinds of breath control problems and by the end, it was really not good. Overall, a very good night for her and several leaps forward, all deserving the praise she got, but where’s the balance in the critique? Where was her “push” and “help?” (And, seriously, Lauren, if you can’t sing “I’m evil” and sell it without having a major panic attack about how it will affect your image, then for crying out loud, do us all a favor and pick another song. Wow, but that was annoying.)

And don’t even get me started on Scotty choosing to sing a 9/11 song on inspiration week when he was, what, 5 years old when it happened? Really, Scotty? Sorry, he did a nice, Scotty job with it, but that felt like pandering for the vote for me. Big time. Any other week, maybe not, but a week after we take out Osama from a 17 year old kid? Kinda. And then he sings Youngblood and doesn’t even deliver on the parts he could have pulled off? But…no. No harsh words or “help” for Scotty.

So, Haley? You get a pass from me for standing up for yourself. God knows, somebody has to. Thank you, again, Steven Tyler. And hey, when Steven is the voice of reason? Just sayin…..

Who goes home? Lauren might, despite a generally strong night. If it were me, I’d send Scotty. He’ll have his career, he’s done all he can do. Now it’s so repetitious I can’t watch him anymore. James lacks a little depth in his vocals sometimes, despite his amazing range, but way makes up for it with performance and arrangement in a way Scotty can’t come close to touching. Haley attacks every performance and is unique most weeks in some way. Lauren is spottier, though she does compel me to watch her. Except then I mostly want to hug her. And make her grow up faster. She’s going to have to. Soon.

So…it would be Lauren or Scotty for me, comparatively speaking. Because, of these four, in the end, I want to see Haley and James battle it out in the F2. Scotty would bore me in the F2. I could handle Lauren, but what else can she bring? She can’t mature fast enough in a week or two to make it a truly interesting battle. James would stomp her flat. At least with James and Haley you know they’d both throw it down. Hard. And from those two, a win for either would be fine with me. Ultimately, I think it should go to James. I’m not advocating Haley as the best singer or performer in the competition, as I think they all bring something unique to the deal…I’m just asking for a more equal spread of all that “help” they’re offering, that’s all.

Of course, if it is those two, well…it will be the single most lopsided judging of the final two in the history of AI….but at least we’re prepared.

Sigh. Results show night is going to be interesting…. And? Let the DISH begin! Check in tomorrow for this week’s Free Stuff winner (see Monday’s blog for entry details) and all other contest and book release info! I think I need a nap now…

Tags: Writing //