“The Judges’ Save is still in play,” says Ryan. But only for the next two weeks. Foreshadowing, anyone?
We are truly down to the real professionals at this point. I mean, they weren’t even lip syncing ‘She’s a Maniac!” I guess when you earn your way into the Top 7, the producers trust that you can learn both your own song and a group number (not to mention a Ford music video number).
The theme of last night’s Results Show followed Tuesday’s “movie” theme but added a “tween” subheading.
First, the Idols went to the premiere of “17 Again.” Even Glambert seemed excited for this new Zac Efron vehicle! Omigod, Zac Efron is in the audience! He is so dreamy! Why didn’t he perform something?
Ryan started off with the male and female frontrunners. The first Idol to meet her fate was Allison, AKA “the girls’ only hope.” Predictably, she was safe. I mean, the producers have to keep one girl in for morale, right? Adam Lambert also breezed through (like a vampire), as he likely will til the very end.
Anoop is getting used to the Bottom 3, as he’s been there the last two weeks. This week kept with that trend and sent him over to the uncomfortable-looking Jetson chairs once again.
“Idol” doesn’t just make singers; it makes stars that run the gamut. Former contestants have gone on to become Broadway actors, Grand Ole Opry members and even stars of “Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew!” Jennifer Hudson has been the recipient of both the Grammy and the Academy Award. (It’s Movie Week -- get it?) This seventh-place finalist from Season 3 was the perfect choice to serenade the Top 7 this year.
Kris Kutie and Lil were next on the chopping block. Kris dodged the bullet, predictably. No such luck for Lil. Although she is arguably the worst singer left in the competition, she made a good point before heading over to the Jetson seats. That was that she is scolded for singing songs that are too predictable, yet she is also berated when she tries to sing a song that is more of a stretch. The judges are flip-floppers on this issue, and it is getting frustrating.
When it came down to Danny and Matt, Giraud was yet again the victim of Seacrest’s double talk. Ryan mentioned that Matt has been in the Bottom 3 before, while Danny never has. Then he said, “I can tell you that this week, Danny, you are ... safe.”
Kara agreed with America’s choice of the Bottom 3, while Paula kissed some ass and said they all had “problems” with their performances and that’s why they were there. No kidding. The “problem” is that they’re not as good as the other four contestants. Ryan then sent Anoop back to safety and into the outstretched arms of Kris. (Don’t even get me started on that!)
It’s always weird when the guest performers are less talented than the Idols. Speaking of which, 16-year-old Miley Cyrus performed “The Climb” in an evening dress that was appropriate for a woman in her mid-20s. She started off demurely enough, but then started thrashing about in her signature style, something that was kept to a minimum in her new movie (It’s Movie Week -- get it?) “The Hannah Montana Movie.” (Not that I saw that movie ... alone ... on opening day.)
Simon mentions that out of Lil and Matt, there is someone he would consider saving and that it might be a surprise to that person. Seacrest says, “Would that be Lil then?” Classic! After some more Seacrest double talk, Lil was sent back to safety, leaving Matt.
He got another chance at “Have You Ever Really Loved aWoman,” this time with no piano. He still had the same vocal cracks on the bridge, but Paula and Kara didn’t seem to mind. They were too busy dancing like Irishmen in a pub.
Makes you wonder; with the lack of the usual faux mini-conference, surely they had already decided which Idols they would save if the situation arose.
With the competition getting down to the nitty gritty, this was the first time the Save was a true possibility. (I mean, seriously, did you really think they were gonna use it on Scott?) If you had doubts, all you had to do was listen to the audience chanting “Save! Save! Save!” While Simon said that he didn’t think Matt could win (I disagree), he gave him the one Save of the season anyway.
Who else would he give it to? Judge favorites Danny and Adam have yet to be in the Bottom 3. Chances are they will both continue sailing through. The only other viable contenders for the Save at this point would have been Allison or Kris, with Allison being the only one of the two who might need it. Lil and Anoop will likely be leaving in the next two weeks; maybe they will even both go next week, when two contestants are eliminated due to this week’s Save.
I look forward to next week’s “Disco” theme, where I hope to see Glambert wearing a white leisure suit.