Three's a charm

A high school student, an actress and a bartender. For those who know me well, you now understand another reason why David Cook is my favorite. So many famous people in the audience tonight (and that all important VIP Ed!) Of course next week is when the real VIP will be there (me, dummies!) I need to track the judges thoughts tonight because I want to discuss at the end.

ROUND 1 - JUDGES CHOICE
First up David A goes to his home town in Utah. Let's talk about scary Mayor Star -- that moustache was something. And don't forget the red, white and blue shirt. Is David A a Mormon like Brooke? Paula picks "And So It Goes." I'm a huge Billy Joel fan but also anyone my age who was in chorus sang this song in high school - a cappella and in 4 parts. Gaspy starts a cappella. Nice. Honestly though, this is a song that he could have sang completely straight -- no runs, no changes. Stand still with the mic on a stand, look forward, eyes open and sing. Instead, I was looking around for Gaspy - he bends over, he closes his eyes, he leans to the right and left. Where's Gaspy? But I liked his voice.
RANDY - you can sing anything, you are in the zone, you're in it to win it baby
PAULA - blah blah you were a storyteller blah blah
SIMON - a bit predictable, it was good, I don't think it was outstanding, good

Then Syesha -- were there no fans for Syesha? Why was she shown getting a text from Randy while in a limo - alone? So Randy picks "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia. So in a season where Syesha has been criticized of being a copycat and trying to do Whitney, Mariah, Fantasia, etc. why would you give her Alicia? He's a dope. She did a decent job.
RANDY - You did an amazing job on it. I could see your heart beaming. You are peaking at the right time.
PAULA -- blah blah you look stunning blah blah
SIMON -- criticized Randy's song choice, you sang that very well.
Jess, now I know why you like her -- because she talks like you -- like Thanks Girl and Be myself, you know? spoken with attitude.

Third David Cook gets a text from Simon while on the air in Kansas City, "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" by Roberta Flack. What a choice. Even before a note was sung, I knew Simon had given David a challenge he could handle. Dying -- his Mom standing in the audience alone. Simon was clapping for him while he was singing. He changed it and made it relevant. And sang. His Dad was there too.
RANDY - You can sing the phonebook too. I wish Simon would have picked something that wasn't as predictable as this older kind of song for you because I want you to rock. You're a rocker.
PAULA -- It is about you. blah blah
SIMON -- One of your best performances to date. This is what makes you brilliant because you take risks. it's original. Round 1 goes to Cook and Cowell.

WINNER: David Cook and he winked at his Mom - you all know I love a wink.

ROUND 2 CONTESTANT'S CHOICE
Gaspy picks "With You" by Chris Brown because (gasp) it's something he hasn't done yet (gasp). He hasn't done it for a while (gasp) thought he would try something new (gasp). Then he got up and ran away from Ryan. He said boo -- hee hee -- he said boo again. You know what - this is totally cheesy, but he is adorable. And he finally is relaxed a little. Although he keeps swaying from side to side. And he is making me sea sick.
RANDY -- I'm not sure that was the right song, I couldn't believe it - and Randy said boo too.
PAULA -- blah blah this is another part of who you are blah blah
SIMON -- I applaud you for trying something different but it was a little bit like a chihuahua trying to be a tiger.

I SPY GAVIN DEGRAW -- did you know his new album just took over for most downloads on Itunes - that is awesome. I love him.

Syesha is wearing another sparkly dress and picked another Broadway song and spoke in another annoying voice and she chose "Fever" because she wanted to use a chair. Once again, she did a decent job which is good to see in the Top 3. But so dramatic for geez.
RANDY -- You sang it amazingly well, again another great performance
PAULA -- I'm not sure it shows me who Syesha is as an artist (good note Paula!)
SIMON -- I think you will probably regret that decision tomorrow. You had the chance to prove you could be a contemporary artist and you did a lame cabaret performance.

I SPY EMILY VAN CAMP FROM BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Ryan was sitting in a little chair. David Cook picked "Dare You to Move" by Switchfoot. He showed some personality sassing Ryan. The words are perfect for this moment. Someone should have submitted this for the finale song. He isn't in perfect voice for this. Umm there was a sign Cougars for Cook.
RANDY -- Great great song choice Performance wise a little pitchy baby
PAULA -- blah blah I wanted more blah blah
SIMON -- I don't think its the best melodic song in the world. Okay middle round.

WINNER -- David Cook but wiggly Gaspy was cute

ROUND 3 PRODUCER'S CHOICE -- used to Clive Davis's Choice but he is now removed from Sony/BMG or something because people are idiots so now the AI producers pick a song.
Gaspy gets "Longer" by Dan Fogleberg. Look, I love this song. This is Raj and Prit's song. But really? The producers give sappy mcgaspy this cheesy mccheesy song? I know why -- they don't want him to only get the votes of the young tweens, they want the old people in the audience to vote for him to. I will not be duped by these producers. Gaspy sang really well but an old song does not yield an older vote from this texter. Hey Ed, did Gaspy blow you a kiss? Or maybe that was to his Dad who was not allowed to be at rehearsals with him this week.
RANDY -- You can sing the phone book. You're in the zone vocally Another hot one for you HOT HOT HOT -- WHAT WHAT WHAT? Did Jason leave him his pipe?
PAULA -- blah blah lovely blah blah
SIMON -- You sang the song very well. It was so gooey - it was something you choose for a 90 year old.

I SPY the Asian guy from Entourage and Justin Guarini!

Syesha does "Hit Me Up" from Happy Feet. We don't know who sang it. She is wearing another sparkly top. This was my favorite Syesha performance from the whole season. Hope she does this tomorrow for her farewell performance. Yes, I did say that!
RANDY -- It was just okay for me
PAULA -- blah blah penguins blah blah not good enough to get into the finals
SIMON -- It was better than the second song. You had your best moment last week with the Sam Cooke song. No ending defining moment (side note she didn't pick the song - obviously the producers want her to go sayonara but leave a taste of the album they will put out with her)

I SPY Ryan in the mosh pit surrounding by weird looking people especially a boy to his right who could not stop smiling or nodding at Ryan and then at the camera, at Ryan and then at the camera, at Ryan and then at the camera -- 8 times, I counted.

David Cook is given "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith. Love this song. Did he choose the arrangement -- I loved how it was a little faster and the strings were rhythmic. And he is smiling like he is enjoying it. Is he a little hoarse - me too David! I have a throat infection and can't stop coughing. I understand. But you sound better than me. I just rewound this and watched it 5 times. Stop showing the guitar player! Show me Cook! How cool is this for him? He was a dorky, not cool guy with a comb over and a good voice and now he is singing for 30 million people and getting to show off all his talents to the writer of the song, Diane Warren, who was in the audience -- so cool.
RANDY -- For me, I loved this song it was okay for me, it's still uhh. Very predictable
PAULA -- blah blah cya in tha finals that's what I predict.
SIMON -- One of the great songs of all time. And i have to tell you David Cook wins the night.
And the crowd all gets to its feet and he is just soaking it all in and thanking the right people and I think he is overwhelmed.

WINNER - COOK, Baby, COOK

So the point of my judges comments? To show that Randy has absolutely lost it. He lives for David A, is hot and cold with Syesha and barely gives David Cook anything. So now not only is Paula in the blah blah zone (although except for that one crazy night, this was her best season to date) Randy is now officially in the blah blah zone too. The only judge worthy of listening to is Simon. Randy was purposefully opposite from Simon on almost everything!

Whatever. I can't believe we have come this far together. I voted for David C 25 times. What a great night, right? David Cook is amazing and David A is really talented (though a bit scary with the dancing / swaying / leaning forward moves). Syesha was good too tonight but annoying as usual in her sparkly outfits. Tomorrow results -- you'll hear more from me then - when Syesha goes home. Until then,

don't be ashamed of your obsessions...