Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Tuesday being primary election day in Pennsylvania, I had to watch and critique the Idol performances in the middle of the newsroom at The
York Dispatch — not exactly the best place to be if undistracted viewing/listening is what you’re looking for.

So I just watched last night’s episode again. Well, the singing and the judges’ comments, anyway.

Remarkable, how little time that takes once you cut out all the commercials and all the filler.

Anyway, my conclusions aren’t much different than 24 hours ago.

Considering the judges’ choice song she was given (“Maybe I’m Amazed”), complete with lyrics that hardly fit a female singer, Crystal
Bowersox turned in her typical solid effort.

But the night went to Lee DeWyze, for his dead-on vocal on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” and for his show-ending
rendition of “Hallelujah.” In hindsight, I would have rated those as the top two performances of the night.

Now, that’s not to say that “Hallelujah” was as good as the judges proclaimed. Kara’s overblown critique — proclaiming that Lee “is what this show is all about,” that he’s been “the heart of the show this season” and that he just pulled off “an incredible, epic moment” — would have you believing he’d just delivered one of Idol’s all-time magical moments.

Trust me. He didn’t. Not close. It wasn’t even the best version of “Hallelujah” we’ve heard on the show. That distinction still goes to Jason Castro.

But Lee certainly proved himself finals worthy.

Then there was Casey James, who turned in two laid-back performances to demonstrate for the third time in as many weeks that he isn’t worthy of a spot in the finals.

Ah, but will Idol voters see that? Or did the ladies and gals out there look into those baby blues and see the vunerability Kara keeps blathering about and vote and text like crazy?

We’ll find out in about an hour, after we hear performances from Justin Bieber, who I hear is pretty popular right now, and from some guy named
Travis Garland, who Perez Hilton is foisting upon us.

By the end of the evening, I might have wished for an Idol group performance.

Nice to know these results shows are going to be whittled to a half hour next year. I mean, seriously, except for the footage of Casey going
home, this has been nothing but filler.

Oh, yeah, that includes that performance by Travis Garland. Can someone please explain to me why he merits the Idol stage? Anyone out there ready to compare him to Lady Gaga or Katy Perry?

I’m sure not.

Hmm, Justin Bieber time on an episode of Idol clearly aimed at female viewers under the age of … what, 14?

A male Miley Cyrus. Just what the music world needs.

OK, sorry, Justin. You can hold a tune a little better than Miley. OK, much better.

But I’ll tell you what, if Idol ever wanted to make the case on why these result shows should only be half an hour, tonight is proving the point.

Finally. Results.

Lee DeWyze is safe and headed to the finals. No surprise after all the pimping the judges did for him last night.

And the other spot in the finals will be filled by … Crystal Bowersox!

Hey, what do you know? American Idol voters got it right.

Casey James goes home.

It will be Crystal vs. Lee for the American Idol season nine crown next week.