American Idol: Boys Versus Girls
They had just a minute and a half to try and persuade America to vote for them, but even that was too long for some.
The first ‘live’ America Idol show – recorded a day early to allow the new judges time to settle in – didn’t go well for everyone, with lacklustre performances and dull song choices slowing things down.
The boys were more on form, with Paul McDonald, Casey Abrams, Jacob Lusk and James Durbin all exciting the judges.
Of the girls Pia Toscano lived up to last week’s stunning performance, but many of her fellow females failed to deliver.
Naima Adedapo at least had some energy as she offered up an imitation of Rihanna, but Karen Rodriguez struggled to do justice to her choice of Selena’s I Could Fall in Love and Haley Reinhart was simply labelled ‘boring’ by Randy Jackson.
The finalists had paid tribute to their own Idols as they performed songs by their very favourite artists.
Lauren Alaina kicked off the show, but her version of Shania Twain’s Any Man of Mine was forgettably bland.
Steven Tyler told her she needed more energy.
‘You’ve gotta have a good song,’ he said.’ And I love that song, I just wish it had been a little bit more kick ass.’
Jennifer Lopez felt the same: ‘You don’t have to try, you’re that good. But I think you have to kick it into high gear.’ But, touched by Alaina’s sad face, she added: ‘We love you!’
Next up was Casey Abrams, who injected the night with the first burst of energy with his high octane performance of Joe Cocker’s With a Little Help From My Friends.
Lopez said his singing ‘blew me away.’ And Tyler was even happier, telling him: ‘You are a plethora of passion.’
Following him onto the stage was Ashthon Jones, who was one of last week’s wild cards.
She played it safe with Diana Ross’ When You Tell Me That You Love Me.
Randy Jackson told her that while initially sceptical, he saw the benefits in her unoriginal choice.
‘I tell you what, I liked it,’ he said. ‘I saw you grow a little bit more as a singer, when you were going a little bit sharp or flat you pulled it back with a little vibrato, so I liked it. After her came Paul McDonald, whose unique dancing style kept everyone entertained.
Tyler found fault with his voice, but loved the performance. ‘A little pitchy, be careful next time,’ he advised.
Lopez was worried the audience ‘wouldn’t get it.’ ‘You’re just so unique, there’s just something about you. I hope America gets it. I do really think that you’re great.’Jackson added: ‘I’m sure it wasn’t the most exciting thing for people but I love who you are. I get it and I hope America gets it.’
The highly-anticipated performance from Pia Toscano came next, with the teen belted out Celine Dion’s All By Myself at the top of her lungs. Lopez was almost lost speechless. ‘We love you Pia, I mean… I think a lot of people were wondering what you were going to do to top last week, and that was it. ‘Jackson said normally he wouldn’t advise a contestant to take on such a challenging song.
‘We always say don’t tackle those songs if you can’t do them,’ he began, before admitting that Pia had nailed it.
‘You have that quality, those notes that you hit, you hit them dead on without even thinking about it.’
Tyler said simply: ‘Pia, that was the sum total of all the work you’ve done until now.’
Haley Reinhart performed Blue, a track released by LeAnn Rimes in 1996. And while Tyler and Lopez enjoyed it, Randy found it ‘boring’.
A change of pace from Jacob Lusk was next, with him performing R Kelly’s I Believe I can Fly.
And to emphasise the gospel sound of his voice a choir came onto the stage as backing singers.
Jackson was delighted. ‘You have such an original sound, and to me that’s what singing’s all about,’ he said. ‘You were unbelievable. I love you, I’m excited.’
Thia Megia changed the pace once again with her version of Smile. She began the track alone, with simply a guitar accompanying her voice, before the bad kicked it.
The judges preferred the start, but added: ‘I think all in all it turned out to be good, I loved the beginning more than the end for me.’
Tyler agreed, advising: ‘A little pitchy in the middle there. But you gave it up, thank you.’
Eager not to criticise, Lopez saw only the good. ‘I thought the arrangement was interesting, but I liked see you move. It doesn’t matter – you sing like an angel.
Karen Rodriguez’s voice proved too small for her version of Selena’s I Could Fall in Love.
As always Lopez looked on the bright side, saying: ‘You’re one of our strongest girls, so I hope that you make it to next week.’
But she did admit: ‘I could tell you were uncomfortable with some of the notes, at the lower end, and the higher end also.’
Scotty McCreery stuck to his winning country formula with Garth Brooks’ The River, which was well received by the judges, with Jackson advising him: ‘Don’t change it!’
Naima Adedapo reimagined Rihanna’s Umbrella, but couldn’t improve on the original.
But her high-energy performance delighted the audience, who had just sat through 12 rather dull tracks.
Tyler was appreciative: ‘You brought flavour tonight, which no-one else has done.’
Lopez added: ‘I’m glad you came out there and did what you did.’
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