This week we have the top 8 American Idol contestants performing after the loss of Ramiele Malubay in last weeks voting. I guess they want to do something for everyone during the season and this episode sports some “inspirational songs” for the theme, which goes along with the extra special three-episode week.

Today we have the regular but “inspirational” performances which makes the show a little painful for us here, and on Thursday we’ll have the usual voting episode. But, for all of you hardcore AI fans tomorrow brings a special, extra-long 2.5 hour “Idol Gives Back” episode which goes along with all of the inspiration being belted out tonight.

Michael Johns kicked off the show tonight and did Aerosmith’s “Dream On” which I have to say is one of the better song choices I could think of for the theme this week. He did a good job with the song and really continues with a powerful voice, even keeping up with some of the Steven Tyler-like screaming at the end. It was weird to see Michael sing this type of song, though. He seems a little more bluesy and this rocker performance seemed a little contrived. Michael Johns is starting to look like a tougher competitor than we originally thought.

Syesha Mercado actually performed former Idol winner Fantasia’s “I Believe” which seems like it should be like taboo or something, but she pulled it off. Syesha has a track record of taking on some really big songs and never tries to take the easy way out. This is probably notable by some fans but it probably doesn’t get her the votes she deserves for it. Combine that with some extreme attractiveness and we have ourselves a force to be reckoned with in this show. Syesha will stick around for a while if she keeps this up.
Jason Castro got back into his laid-back groove this week with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. Believe it or night I actually really like this song - not the Judy Garland version, but the version where a guys sings it and does the humming - a guy like Jason Castro. He also pulled out a ukelele (yes, that’s how you spell it) and played along adding to the kindheartedness of the performance. I still don’t think Jason is going to make it to the end or much further but I sure do enjoy his performances while they last.
Kristy Lee Cook kept it country again with “Anyway” by Martina McBride and got at least one of the judges to call it the “best performance of the night”. The song wasn’t a risky one for Kristy and we’re glad she played it safe because we want to make sure she keeps coming back. After we get to watch Kristy on the stage it’s all down hill from there. There might be some better singers but I hardly have the volume turned up during the show anyway.
OK, so I do turn the volume up shortly for David Cook because he can usually put on true rocker performance but this week I have to say I was disappointed. David performed “Innocent” and just didn’t pull it off as well as other weeks. Maybe all the talk and songs of inspiration got him down like it did us, but David won’t be getting our votes this week. We demand brilliance every week, not just most of the time.
You gotta love it anytime someone wants to take on a Freddy which has happened more than once on American Idol 7. Carly Smithson sang “The Show Must Go On” and even though it’s an impressive song choice I’m just not a Carly Smithson fan. She didn’t do well with this performance, she doesn’t have the looks for a female Idol and she talks funny. I can’t believe she made it this far.
What can we really say about David Archuleta? This perpetually smiling little kid is a song performing machine that was sent back from the future to sing on prime-time television shows and beat them all. David probably has more experience singing in front of anyone that will listen than most famous singers and must smile in his sleep. I think smiling is what his face does when he relaxes and it takes the work of his facial muscles to not smile. He sings near perfectly every time including this episode from behind the piano and even though he might very well be the best performer I don’t think he should win just because it seems too easy for him. Everyone likes the under dog and David is not it.
Brooke White sang “You’ve Got a Friend” and kept is simple and natural again as Brooke often does now. If this show was the American 70’s Idol Brooke would win hands down any day of the week and twice on Sunday, but it’s just called American Idol. Brooke is pretty and a good performer but is definitely not an American Idol. Like Carly I feel the only reason she has made it this far is because of the mistakes of others and she should be gone soon.

So, be sure to check back tomorrow or catch the “Idol Gives Back” extra-long episode and then the voting where hopefully they will speed things up and send both Carly and Brooke home on the same night, at least that is our prediction this week.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 at 8:19 pm and is filed under American Idol, Singers, Television. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Be sure to subscribe to the PopTherapy.com feed because it is really, really funny. Have something funny you want to share? Please let us know.