Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Well, the Idol judges might be incapable of judging.

Fortunately, the Idol alumni are not so challenged.

Kelly Clarkson just tweeted that Haley Reinhart’s performance of “House of the Rising Sun” was one of her all-time favorites on Idol.

“Haley on Idol just killed it,” she tweeted. “I predict Haley or Lauren to win.”

Huh? A girl winning Cute Boy Idol?

I doubt it will happen. But if it does, my choice is Haley.

A $1 million smile plus that voice plus that stage charisma equals marketable. Or should.

Oh, and this just in, Melinda Doolittle, a frequent commentator on Idol performances, says she has no time to comment tonight because she’s voting like crazy for Haley.

Vote, vote, vote, Melinda!

On to the recap:

Best of the Night: Actually, I’m going to open with Scotty McCreery, who is always steady, always (or nearly always) pitch perfect. And often a little boring. That was the case with his second song tonight. But that was certainly not the case when he rocked out — country style, of course — on “Gone.” A fun, lively performance. And still pitch perfect. Proof that Scotty has been taking lessons by watching James Durbin perform on stage.

Best of the Night II: Oh, yeah, Kelly, I loved that Haley Reinhart performance too. Actually, I thought her first song was better than the judges gave her credit for. But, with “House of the Rising Sun,” she picked a song in her wheelhouse, then slayed it, first with an a cappella opening, then slipping into seductive mode with that raspy voice of hers. I still say, while most performers have stood still this season, she has grown by leaps and bounds.

Deserves to go home: Can there be any question? Really? I mean, first Jacob Lusk tried singing a duet. Then he tried singing Nazareth’s “Love Hurts.” Except he delivered a shriek instead of the heartache that song begs for. And vocal histrionics that were just absolutely out of control. The “Love Hurts’ performance was one of the worst of season 10. And it followed on the heels of a first performance that wasn’t much better. Not that the love-everything judges seemed to notice.

Please keep her: Randy Jackson called her “House of the Rising Sun” the best performance of the night. But it followed lukewarm reviews of her first-round Gaga song, so I still worry for Haley. Still, I’m hoping she gets a big boost from all those Casey Abrams fans who can’t vote for him anymore. Not to mention from Kelly and Melinda.

Baffled by the judges: Lauren Alaina was praised by her performance of “Flat on the Floor.” Sorry, I just played Carrie Underwood’s version. Lauren Alaina paled in comparison. Unfair comparison? I don’t think so. Carrie was the season four Idol. This show has been pitching Lauren to us as the Season 10 Idol for three months now. And if she were singing a Whitney Houston song, or a Mariah Carey song, or a Celine Dion song, the judges wouldn’t shy away from making that comparison. But because Lauren’s their golden girl … I guess she gets a free pass.

Sorry, but he’s safe anyway: Hey, I like James Durbin. He’s a hoot on stage. He might be the easiest contestant to root for this season. I did not like either of his vocals tonight, however. OK, “Without You” was emotional. But it flat out was not a very good vocal. And I’m not sure it’s the type of song James should be singing. But don’t worry, James Durbin fans. Your man isn’t going anywhere. I still think he’ll be standing center stage alongside Scotty McCreery on finals night.

Prediction: Jacob Lusk goes home. Period. If he doesn’t, there’s no justice in the world of American Idol.

Song by song grades: (blog here)

Scotty McCreery: Gone, A
Haley Reinhart: House of the Rising Sun, A
Haley Reinhart: You and I, B
Scotty McCreery: Always On My Mind, B
Lauren Alaina: Flat on the Floor, B-
Lauren Aliana: Unchained Melody, C+
James Durbin: Without You, C+
James Durbin: Closer to the Edge, C
Jacob Lusk: No Air, D
Jacob Lusk: Love Hurts, F