Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Hey, did you notice Kellie Pickler on the front of Tuesday’s York Dispatch?

Believe it or not, Kellie was the big winner at Monday’s Country Music Television Awards.

Idol fans will remember Kellie from season five, the year Taylor Hicks walked away with the Idol crown and Katharine McPhee was runner-up.

Now they’re busts and Kellie is pumping out country hits. Who would have thunk it?

Idol fans probably remember Kellie as much for her interviews as her singing. One of my favorites was when she told Ryan the fake eyelashes she was wearing made her feel like she had tarantulas on her eyes.

Well, dear Kellie hasn’t changed. Check out this YouTube video from her recent appearance on Are You Smarter than a Fifth-Grader.

You can also hear her country-flavored version of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, one of the more memorable Idol moments because she somehow kept it from being an absolute disaster.

Now, why am I writing about Kellie Pickler the night after Mariah Carey tutored this year’s top Idols? Because I know a heck of a lot more about Kellie Pickler than Mariah, which I’m sure is some sort of pop culture sin.

After all, the good folks at Idol reminded us that Mariah has had 18 number one hits, shattering Elvis Presley’s record.

Talk about pop culture sins.

Anyway, since I’d never even heard some of the Mariah songs the contestants tackled Tuesday night, telling how well they did was a little difficult. But here goes, just the same …

Oops, almost forgot. Congratulations, Kellie.

Best of the bunch

Seven singers took the stage, and there was one song I wouldn’t mind hearing over and over — David Cook’s turn on the pop hit “Always Be My Baby.” If all Mariah songs were done that way, I might be more familiar with them. Anyway, David C. turned in easily the night’s top performance. No one else came close.

Deserves to go home

For a few seconds, Carly Smithson actually put some tenderness in her voice when she started singing “Without You.” Then she started screaming again, as she’s so prone to do. Here’s hoping the show continues without you, Carly.

Please keep her

Now, I’m a huge Brooke White fan. Love the tone of her voice. But last night, Syesha Mercado outsang all the ladies with her version of “Vanishing.” And it’s at least the third time since the finals began that Syesha has outsung all the ladies. Thing is, she seems to lack that spark that connects with an audience. But, please, voters, keep Syesha.

Baffled by the judges

Jason Castro got rave reviews from Simon and Paula; only Randy wasn’t a fan of his laid-back rendition of “I Don’t Want to Cry.” I’m with you, Randy. After a really strong showing from Jason last week, I thought this week’s song choice showed his lack of vocal abilities compared to the other guys still in the competition.

Best line of the night from the judges

Simon called Brooke White’s performance of “Hero” “a bit like ordering a hamburger and only getting the bun.” And, OK, it did drag on toward the end. But Brooke and Mariah aren’t exactly the same style singers, so it wasn’t all that surprising. Next to David Cook’s song, Brooke’s was my second favorite. But, again, I’m a little biased toward the folk singer.

Surprise of the night

That Simon didn’t strangle Paula when she rambled on forever, complimenting Kristy Lee Cook’s rendition of “Forever.” Which, quite frankly, Paula, seemed like it lasted forever because it wasn’t very good. Next to Carly, Kristy Lee should be the contestant most in danger this week.

Prediction for Wednesday

Time might have run out for Carly, who’s always been something of a ringer in this competition because of her previous record deal that went bust. She got the worst reviews of the night, and she performed early, which is always a disadvantage, according to Idol experts.