One might think that the amount of screen time Henry Connick, Jr. received over the past two nights has positioned him as a candidate to judge the show next year. That would be a terrific lineup with a strong performer and arranger who also has credibility as a young star and a history with Ellen DeGeneres. But meanwhile, he likely helped his album sales tremendously this week. I know that he spent most of the day as a trending topic on most Internet sites.
The video packages continue improving as Idol’s producers look for anything to generate interest in the show. This week, Ryan tell us that 32 million votes were cast and seems pretty smug about the situation. The judges remain strangely silent and even when Seacrest tries to draw out Simon, he gets nowhere.
The Idolettes sing a Sinatra medley while Bowersox rocks a Fedora and suit like the guys. Everyone gets their obligatory solo although The Manhattan Transfer called and want their charts back.
How cool was it tonight that Harry Connick, Jr. actually referred to charts and called the judges out for inventing the term “pitchy”. Go ahead. Look in a music theory book prior to Idol airing in the U.S. Good luck finding pitchy.
Ryan teases out next week’s theme (Songs from the Cinema) and mentor (Jamie Foxx). Jamie got the Rat Pack last year during the Top Five week, and Kris Allen and Adam Lambert both made the bottom three so it’s still anyone’s to win. Yes, Mike, exhale. Oh, you did? BTW, AI directing team, we’re really tired of audience shots of Michael’s family every episode.
Gaga performed Alejandro. She was her typical push-the-envelope brilliant self. Live leads on acoustic guitar, piano and violin mixed in with the catchy chorus. She is on her way to being this generation’s Madonna and may even take it further. Her live performances are events. Less of an event was Harry’s take on And I Love Her. I liked his crooner phrasing, which sounded more like Tony Bennett than Frank Sinatra. It was a nice enough piece and after two decades, Connick knows how to command a stage and hold an audience. He really is a funny guy. The judges gave him a standing ovation so they at least showed respect.
Lee was declared safe between the performances so Ryan had Crystal on one side with Mike and Aaron on another. Then he sent to Casey to join Crystal, and Lee declined to play the “Guess Which Group Is Safe” game. Holy Cow, I thought. The Clashers playing in the contest got it right again, and Crystal is in the Bottom Two!
As if.
Casey and Crystal are safe for some reason while Aaron and Mike face the music again. This time Aaron, who belted Fly Me To The Moon both nights, gets the boot. Look for his album to sell big at Christmas. And as a true gentleman, Harry Connick played for him as he took the last bow. (Anyone else notice Ricky Miner was absolutely marginalized this year, even before he took The Tonight Show gig?)
So your Final Four are Crystal, Casey, Lee and Mike.
Who goes to the finals? Who goes home next week?
What do you think? Good show? Bad show? Boring show?
Welcome to the first new release Tuesday of 2009. While most of the country will be fixated on something FAR more important, there’s no reason you can’t duck out of the inaugural festivities to pop into your local pre-recorded music emporium to check out the new releases. Here’s what’s happenin’: