Idol Chatter & Voice Views

I’m going to spend the next 50 minutes or so hoping X Factor voters were listening — really listening — to what was coming from the stage Wednesday night and not what was spewing from the judges’ mouths.

If they were, an up-and-coming girl group named Fifth Harmony might just squeak into next week’s X Factor finals.

If they were, it will finally be good riddance to the gargantuanly over-rated trio known as Emblem Three.

I mean, last night was the absolute worst yet from this supposedly very cute but definitely vocally challenged threesome.

Given a chance to sing any song they wanted, they reached back to 1975 and butchered Peter Frampton’s “Baby I Love Your Way.”

Tasked with choosing a song worthy of the finals, Simon and the guys picked “Hey Jude.” And bombed with one of the worst renditions of a Beatles song I’ve ever seen on one of these singing shows. And there have been a lot.

Then a very strange thing happened. L.A. Reid compared them to The Beatles. And he meant it in a good way.

Explanation: Maybe that cowboy hat L.A. donned earlier in the evening in support of Tate was too tight, because something was misfiring between his ears and his critique.

If there was a god of music, L.A. would have been zapped on the spot. The only good news: Paul McCartney was otherwise occupied raising money for flood victims, so he probably didn’t hear the blasphemy.

And talk about double standards — one of the Emblem 3 trio didn’t sing a solo note all night. That’s right, someone decided to silence blondie (aka Loves to Take His Shirt Off). The decision probably came shortly after his wretched vocal on an unplugged Emblem 3 performance last week that I’d rather just forget.

Did a single judge mention the silencing of blondie (aka Loves to Take His Shirt Off)?

Nope.

Think Fifth Harmony could have gotten away with such a stunt?

Not on your life.

They would have gotten one of L.A.’s “that wasn’t a $5 million performance” lectures.

Even if they were 50 Harmony and it was physically impossible for them all to sing solo in 2 minutes and still allow time for the gazillion commercials that are part of every X Factor episode.

Whew, thanks for letting me vent. Anwyay, guess who I want to see in next week’s X Factor finals?

Yeah, I’m sorta leaning toward Fifth Harmony, Carly Rose Sonenclar and Tate Stevens.

Here we go, some thumbs up and thumbs down.

Thumbs up: The night kicks off with the Top 4 singing “I’m Coming Home.” Carly Rose sounds fabulous, quickly redeeming herself for that “Imagine” lapse last night. Tate Stevens sounds solid, as always. Fifth Harmony sounds very good, singing harmony. Emblem 3 … well, gee, X Factor, thanks for proving my point in the show’s first 10 minutes.

Thumbs down: Did X Factor really just spend nearly 10 minutes recapping everything that happened last night? Good grief, it was just last night. We didn’t forget.

Thumbs down: Next up: A video segment telling us that all of the contestants want, very badly, to make the finals. Gee, wouldn’t have guessed that. Wow, talk about a results show chock full of filler.

Thumbs up: Fifth Harmony made the finals. Oh, my. If Emblem 3 makes the finals over Carly Rose Sonenclar or Tate Stevens it will be an absolute travesty. But Fifth Harmony has been coming on strong lately. They’ve been very good the last two weeks.

Thumbs down: Bridgit Mendler takes the stage and sounds like she would have been right at home in Britney’s Young Adults group. In other words, I wasn’t impressed. “Ready or Not” is sorta catchy. Bridgit didn’t sing it very well. Gee, shame The X Factor couldn’t have borrowed Cassadee Pope for that guest spot.

Thumbs up: Tate Stevens makes the finals. And that’s deserved. He’s been steady throughout the competition. Not to mention a really easy guy to root for. And to think L.A. wanted no part of the Over 25s.

Thumbs up: Bruno Mars was entertaining. Better than Bridgit for sure. Interesting that he’s a guest star on Fifth Harmony’s big night. After all, they’re only Fifth Harmony because their original name — The Lylas — was already taken by Bruno’s sisters.

Thumbs up: Carly Rose makes the X Factor finals. No way they could have axed the most talented singer on the show.

MAJOR THUMBS UP: X Factor fans can hear!!!!! Better than the X Factor judges!!!