Top 7 Post Millenium

First of all, all I am doing is scanning the crowd looking for Ed and Mark who are there, which is making blogging terribly difficult. Second of all, the montage to Firework is making me cry. Third of all, JLo is so beautiful. Seriously, she has 10,000 hairstyles and I loved the bronzey sequin top and shorts she was rocking. JLo / STy Fahsion Showdown? Winner JLo for looking amazing. Side note that I used ot wear my hair in two hair pins like that as a girl. Thank you JLo for bringing it back.

So the Top 7 come out, but then Ryan brings back the girls who have been voted out so far to perform Pink's So What? Can I tell you? I totally forgot about Ashton and Karen! Naima was super aggressive. Ummm Paul came out in his crazy rose suit and did a terrible, terrible job and Pia tried to save it. By the way, I'm totally ok Pia is gone. I thought it was all over the place, but the judges liked it. Then again, what don't they like? Why does Steven Tyler need to lean over and speak out of JLo's mic instead of his own?

Quick side note about ex-judge Kara DioGuardi. She revealed in her book that she left Idol because she had gone through 3 unsuccessful rounds of IVF during the last season and wanted to be stress-free to try to have a baby. I can't say for sure that she was asked to stay, but if that was her reason for going, gotta give her props. Also explains the erratic crying when Big Mike sang This Woman's Work. Really sad.

Contestants make fun of each other in the pre-videos. Cute. They all make fun of how Scotty holds his mic sideways.

Scotty sings "Swingin'" by Leann Rimes. Came out this past year. Terrible song that was not a hit. Come on Scotty! I've realized what it is about Scotty that bothers me. I do not think he is original at all. He may seem original to those that don't know country, but if you do, it doesn't feel like Scotty is bringing anything new to the table (and I can't get over how he copies Josh Turner's style). I know he has tons of votes though so I might as well shut it. His voice sounds pretty good, but corny to switch octaves like that. Steven Tyler wants him to dance on the stage. JLo thinks he is a storyteller, BUT she says he should have stepped it up and pushed himself more. Randy AGREES that it was too safe and boring. YES! Finally the judges are critiquing. B-

Nice cutaway to the other contestants checking in with Scotty after his performance. They seem to think everyone votes for him anyway.

James Durbin -- His fellow contestants make fun of his scarf tail and backbends. Singing "Uprising" by Muse an Jimmy thought it was great to move away from cliche of James as heavy metal god. James gets a marching band and wears a crazy post-apocalyptic coat with tails. Another excellent showing of his voice and range. Can't wait to hear how it sounded in person. I thought it was super smart. JLo says the theatricality was amazing. Randy loves Muse (good to know, Randy). And supposedly Muse singer (and Kate Hudson baby daddy) Matt Bellamy told James to sing this. Randy called it best of the night even though he is second to go. A

Haley - Stefano admits they have a love/hate relationship (Haley says hate). Gossip is that Stefano went after Haley but then dumped her to go after Pia. Neither worked out. Haley chooses Adele's "Rolling in the Deep." Very wise decision, but risky because it is on the radio right now. Jimmy wants her to bring more emotion to it. I agree she needs to keep it serious and angry, no smiling but she doesn't get that and I think misses the mark on a performance level. A little shaky singing to start but then...fantastic change up in the middle adding more jazzy elements. Come on, great build. Ed explained his issue with her -- that she doesn't seem to understand what she is singing about. I think I am blinded by what she does with her voice and the ease she sings with. But maybe her jazzy inflections make it too upbeat? I really liked it because I like listening to her sing. Randy thought her choice was perfect to show her direction but that she went sharp. Steven thought it was well done. JLo said there were moments that she surpassed Adele. Umm did anyone notice how underwhelmed they all acted? I think she was just gypped. She deserved more enthusiasm. A-

Jacob gets made fun of for his "diva" act. He is finally singing Luther -- "Dance with My Father" Jacob breaks down in rehearsal and Jimmy sympathizes because he lost his Dad young. I am now crying. Can we give a shout out to Richard Marx (yes that Richard Marx) who wrote this song? Special note that there was a serious technical problem for Jacob. Ed says they could hear the band was off in the beginning and Jacob obviously looked thrown. Despite that, I thought the emotional build was great. Judges thought emotionally it was a great performance, but they weren't jumping up and down on the vocals. Randy wants him to go over the top and bring back the church kid. Jacob says drums in the track threw him off not emotions. Interesting to see reactions now that they contestants are getting criticism. I am worried for him. This was supposed to be modern week with songs from after 2000 and he picks Luther who will always feel 1990. I wish he had done Adele, that would have been a risk. Thank you Ryan for acknowledging the technical glitch! Judges just glossed it over. B

Mark Ballas from Dancing with the Stars and current boyfriend of Pia Toscano is in the audience and says Casey is his favorite. He is a tool.

Loved Casey's bit with the contestants making fun of his beard. Casey picks Maroon 5's "Harder to Breathe." He rocks it up. He is an original and always adds his twist to it, but it felt a bit aggressive to me. He cutes it up at the end by singing directly into JLo's face and giving her a peck on the cheek. She is embarrassed and cute. JLo loved the performance. Randy loved the surprise element that Casey throws in by taking chances which is what he criticizes Jacob for. Steven drops the F bomb telling Casey how good he was. A-

**Important note from Ed and Mark -- during the commercial break, Exec Producer Nigel Lythgoe comes out to talk to judges and in this case, Nigel gets on his knees and begs Steven not to swear. WOW.

Ryan came out with Casey's beard on, funny. Another fun behind the scenes tidbit -- glam is the key word with this judges panel. During the commercial breaks, each judge gets a glam squad applying make-up, fixing hair (Randy, really?) Literally 3 people attending to each judge. Crazy!

Stefano's bit confirms that he is a ladies man (but I think in actuality he appeals more to the men, you know?). Picks Neyo's "Closer." Jimmy tells him not to whine or beg or plead but to be sexy and strut. He hit the nail on the head! That is one of Stefano's annoying qualities. This guy is scrappy. He is fighting with all he's got. Great song choice, great start. Oh, but then, why mix choreography with shaking hands of the audience? He lost me by the end. It was too spastic and unfocused. I wanted to love it. Something fell short. Randy thought it would be too jerky but thought he took his time an smoothed it out. Steven liked the dancing. JLo liked the swag. Lacking some enthusiasm from the judges again, maybe that is their way of being critical? B

Lauren -- I can't wait to hear what she sings!! "Born to Fly" by Sara Evans, not a great pick. Jimmy challenges her with Rock Mafia, Miley's producers and Lauren holds back. She has a fear of not being able to hit the high notes. Interesting. Great change up in second verse. But it didn't win me like she has in the past. Steven says "Anybody who doesn't know that they can fail is bound to win." Huh? Steven wishes she had picked Alison Krauss, Faith Hill, Shania for him. Agree with Alison and Faith, but no Shania for her in my opinion. Judges are so encouraging! JLo tells her not to be afraid - that she can hit the high notes and to just do it. Randy tells her to believe, she can do it. I believe in this girl but she needs to believe in herself more. B+

So what did this week boil down to? When contestants are this talented, the ones who stand out take risks and connect to the audience with unbridled energy. James performs like no other, Casey challenges himself every time. They are fearless. Lauren's fear may cripple her, but I'm hoping she can get out from under it. For me, James, Casey and Lauren must stay in. Scotty is playing it too safe, but most likely has a lot of votes. Stefano was smart about song choice and pushing his limits, so the audience may react well to that. So unfortunately this week might be between Jacob and Haley. Haley doesn't connect and Jacob doesn't take risks. I guess we'll see what happens tomorrow.

Scotty B-
James A
Haley A-
Jacob B
Casey A-
Stefano B
Lauren B+

Don't be ashamed of your obsessions...and Lauren Alaina -- stop being afraid!!