A shout out to Dick Clark. Ryan Seacrest's mentor. A huge part of pop culture. Ryan was right, this type of show would not exist without what Dick Clark did.
This week is now and then, two performances per contestant.
Hollie opens -- "Rolling In the Deep" Probably a move on producer's parts by putting her first to hopefully get rid of her. No mentor except Jimmy this time. He tells her to loosen up and stop feeling nervous. She definitely had better stage presence, nothing weird. And her a cappella opening was strong. The girl has a major once, no doubt. This is a good way for her to go out. (Is that bad, but I just don't see her going to the end so it may be time...) B-
Colton -- "Bad Romance" Jimmy calls out Colton's lock on the female vote. I can't stop listening to Time after Time and Piano Man from my downloads, so so far, he is hitting the right notes for me. However, this performance is not. It is messy and unfeeling, cold if you wish. Is James Durbin back with his heavy metal? I don't think he is in danger so I feel okay to be critical. Judges were supportive but shared my criticism. In the words of Steven "You gotta get low to get high." He would know. B-
Elise -- "Everthing's Gonna Be Alright" by Alicia Keys Jimmy told Elise she is always in the bottom. She is cursed with an amazing voice but not as warm of a persona. She looked great and I think tried to give the audience the opportunity to sing along, but she is better than this. B
Thanks Ryan for making the girl cry on stage when talking about her dog who is dying.
Phillip Phillips -- He takes on Usher's "You Got It Bad" So cool. Loved his little moves and how he stood up from his stool. I mean, I hate the sax, but even that was okay. Totally different take on the song and that was fine. Standing O from the judges -- can we talk about JLo's silver cut out massively sexy dress? Steven Tyler says he makes him feel like a dump because he never knows what he's going to get. JLo says it was sexy and Phillip is adorbs and embarrassed. Randy called him an artist -- duh. A
Jessica -- "Fallen" by Alicia Keys. Agree with Jimmy that she needs to feel it. Great styling. Her skill is dope. But I have not much of an emotional connection -- more of one than with Hollie, but I don't care as much as I do about Elise. And I'm not downloading any of it. Judges gave her tons of support - her talent is otherworldly? Yeah, meaning other than my worldly. B+
Skylar -- "Born This Way" by Gaga. The show needs a country girl and I'm glad it is this one. She is more Loretta Lynn than Faith Hill so the authenticity is there. I liked her look. But the song was a little too hard for me, a little screamy. JLo loved it. Steven loved it Randy loved it. Me? ehh. I would one to see her do some Miranda. B
Joshua -- "I Believe" by Fantasia. Why was he in the bottom 3? I think he doesn't believe in himself as much and maybe it shows? I love his innocence, I really do. Love this version even more than Fantasia's. I like him better than Jessica and Hollie. B+
And now for the Soul Train round.
Hollie -- "Son of A Preacher Man" She finally let go and the judges are happy for her. I'm glad she can go out on this good note, but I say put a fork in her she's done. B-
Colton -- "September" Really? He rearranged an Earth Wind and Fire song? That takes courage. Unfortunately I don't think it paid off. This arrangement didn't suit the song itself. The judges were not feeling the song choice either. B
Elise -- "Let's Get It On" The woman has soul and is smooth, but she wasn't smooth enough for this song. The toughness of her voice took away some of the charm. You can tell she is a vocal teacher because of her skills, but there was too much going on. JLo gave her a very, very, very long speech about showing vulnerability (I spent the speech watching JLo's abs peeking out of her outfit) and Elise explained that the shortness of the performances my be hindering her. Randy said she doesn't know what to sing but then said the song was by Al Green instead of Marvin Gaye. Dummy. B
Phillip Phillips -- "Wait til the Midnight Hour" Oh boy this kid is sooo cool and his little smile is infectious. I am grinning ear to ear. He put down his guitar and did his little bogey dance. I can see him performing with every major player out there. I'd love to hear an original song by him because I hope it is this cool. Or he could just be my private cover artist. JLo wanted to dance with him (me too!) Judges loved it, Steven called him "brilliantly awkward." Perfectly said. A
Kris Allenwhatevs was in the audience.
Jessica -- "Try a Little Tenderness" She was working a lewk. The beginning was weird for me, but then she let it go and her letting it loose gave her authenticity. She's got skillz. A-
Skylar -- "Heard It Through the Grapevine" This one was more melodic than the first, so I liked it. She controlled the screaminess better. Judges really liked her. She will be safe. But I want something more from her. B+
Joshua -- "A Change Is Gonna Come" I think Fantasia performed this too (do we see a finale duet coming?) This guy has real soul, I mean I am riding the soul train. So much better than Hollie or Jessica even. Loved his comment that he was watching JLo's abs. His personality is awesome. A
Hollie -- B- and B- (just because I'm done, but probably B and B+ if I still liked her)
Colton -- B- and B
Elise -- B and B
Phillip -- A and A
Jessica -- B+ and A-
Skylar -- B and B+
Joshua -- A- and A
Phillip won the night hands down, Joshua killed it, Jessica brought it and Skylar kept it going. Colton had a bad night, so maybe he will be in the bottom 3 with Elise and Hollie but I hope Hollie is going home.
Randy was right that tho show has mad talent dawg. I watch the Voice but actually ffwd through the performances to just hear the judges -- I only care about the judges. This show? Lots of talent this season.
Don't be ashamed of your obsessions, even if they involve a former teenage high school musical star or the little dance of the man with two first names.
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