Wrapup from the West Coast!
Well... at least it was better than Country Night.
Bucky -- I have to give points to his clothing stylist. If I were 20 years younger and saw that cutie in a bar, I'd definitely talk to him. But as soon as he started singing karaoke, I think I'd find someone else to talk to .... Not an embarrassing performance for the Buckster tonight -- by Bucky standards, that is -- but guaranteed to put him in the Bottom 3. (Please God, in the Bottom 1!!!)
Ace -- A kitten trying to act like a tomcat -- cute, yes, but unconvincing.
Kellie -- One of her better performances, despite some incorrect words and "interesting" notes. Crappy arrangement of the song, though. They never got to the truly interesting part of the song -- which is what saved her performance from being a train wreck. Good arrangement for her, bad arrangement for the listeners. (BTW, was that a wig or what?) Unfortunately, her rabid fans will love this and vote in droves.
Chris -- Simon was right; it was simply not one of Queen's better songs and should have been left in the trunk where it was mouldering. (Amusingly, my husband said that about two seconds before Simon did, in almost the same words. What can I say? I married a god. :) Despite the song's shortcomings, however, I always, always enjoy watching and listening to Chris. He has real conviction onstage, and while his voice is not the best I've ever heard, I find it very pleasant. (Okay, yeah, and he's darned sexy. So shoot me.)
McPhee -- My husband says I'm jealous 'cause she's pretty. That's as may be, but the day she manages to perform a song -- ANY song -- without pulling out the "Gosh I'm cute, please love me!" card is the day I'll vote for her. (And WHO dresses this young woman? That preposterous puffed-sleeve Mary Poppins thing was the right color for her but totally the wrong look for that song. Egad.)
Taylor -- Kudos to the clothing people again: that jacket was exactly the right color for him. Song was ... okay. I dunno; maybe I'm just tired of hearing this song. That said, it was good to get the old hoppin' and boppin' Taylor back again.
Elliott -- One of his best performances. He's been needing something really showy, and maybe this will do the trick. His voice was in fine shape tonight and he did a very good job with the song. On the negative side, he has yet to lose that "deer in the headlights" expression that plagues him on stage. I have a feeling that some misguided soul along the way told him to raise his eyebrows when he wants to convey extra expression on stage. (You laugh! But I've heard that advice a million times -- and it is ALWAYS wrong. It only makes you look like you just got a too-tight facelift.) I continue to vote for Elliott not because he has the best performances out there, but because I think he has the makings of a really good, long-lasting songster inside him. If he gets enough time and experience on stage, that slightly scared look will go away on its own.
Paris -- Surprised the aitch-ee-double-toothpicks out of me with this performance. Paris was channeling her inner Tiny Turner tonight -- and it worked pretty darned well, I thought. She started off with great conviction, though the middle part was a little iffy, but came back to a very good finish. One of her best performances. Would have been better without the little hopping-dancey thing she always manages to work in, but I guess you can't have everything.
The upshot? If there is justice in this world, Bucky or Ace will go home. I think McPhee and Elliott are also in danger. Time will tell.
UPDATE: (Sorry, I don't know how to format it on here)
Idol Busy Signals Votes Totals
Taylor Hicks 30262 12095 42357
Katharine McPhee 26806 29133 55939
Elliott Yamin 16180 13048 29228
Kellie Pickler 13326 8452 21778
Chris Daughtry 12108 12783 24891
Bucky Covington 11223 18015 29238
Paris Bennett 11071 6652 17723
Ace Young 5571 9156 147
I think she got her hair cut and bleached.
Paris -- Surprised the aitch-ee-double-toothpicks out of me
Instead of "surprised", I would say "scared" :) The local FOX station just showed a clip of Paris from last night, stomping the stage like a show horse. That was bizarre.
I don't understand McPhee. She looks and sounds great in rehearsals. She smiles. She bounces. And looks like she's having FUN (why didn't she stick with her original song choice???). But come show time, she stiffens up like a kid singing at a recital. Unnerving.