Bland Ole Opry

Idolites -

I'm feeling a bit under the weather tonight, so I'm afraid I may come off a little more bitter than usual. Grand Ole Opry night was a bit underwhelming to me, but it could just be how I'm feeling. With that, it's on to the show!

• Another judges introduction? So do they just do it every other week? How about just giving us more time for songs and comments?
• Randy Travis is quite a nice guy.
• In theory, I don't really have an issue with a 4th judge, but Kara is bringing nothing to the show right now. If you're going to have another judge, choose one that has an original thought.
• MICHAEL: Going first...disadvantage. Country theme...advantage. Song choice...risky. For a big, burly oil-riggin' country dude, he taps his microphone more than Christina Aguilera when he sings. Was that Anoop on the harmonica? Overall, it was disappointing given this was his stongest genre. That's nice he had fun, but this isn't Fun Idol.
  
• ALLISON: The girl can sing anything. Her performance makes Michael's look kinda silly. At 16, she is also one of the few left that takes the judges comments with maturity and doesn't talk back. Nice job!
• KRIS: Another Garth Brooks song? I wonder if Randy Travis is getting jealous ("why don't they pick any of MY songs?")? I have to disagree with the judges on this one. All I wrote down while he was singing was: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! Tender moments indeed. They act as if this was the first we've seen of this. That's all he's been! He has a nice voice and is very cute, but would you really buy a Kris Allen CD? Really? He also dressed pretty sloppy and boring for Grand Ole Opry night.
  
• Notice again how Simon's word is the only one that matters. Paula can drone on and on about someone and they just smile and say "Thank you Paula." When Simon makes a good comment, the contestant practically pees themselves.
• LIL: As you will see in the standings update tomorrow, Lil has the highest average ranking in our pool. She was picked as Idol more than anyone except Danny. If she keeps up the way she performs and dresses, the judges may have to pull out that save card. Who the hell is dressing her? She has been complimented by Paula on her wardrobe two weeks in a row now, which is the fashion kiss of death. As for the song, I don't understand why she feels the need to "be true to the country genre". The first half of the song was awful. She redeemed herself a bit on the back end, but it was just not Lil...or Little, as Simon kept calling her. See, he thinks she has a rapper name too! Obviously not realizing Lil can also be short for Lilian.
• What's the deal with all the contestants talking back this year? You got to sing, so please just stand there and take it! What happened to the Bucky Covington/Jason Castro "roll with the punches" politeness?
• ADAM: Love it or hate it, people will talk about ihis performance and be compelled to pick up the phone. He chose one of the best songs (not just country) ever. I actually liked it a lot. I would have liked to see it pick up a bit in tempo as he went along, but I loved how he took a genre he openly isn't comfortable with and makes the song his own (please take note Lil). His high notes and nail polish probably lost most any votes he might have gotten from the red states, but that's not his fan base anyway. Simon called it indulgent...I told you that would happen some time this season! I tended to agree with Randy's (Jackson) assessment. It was relevant.
• SCOTT: He sure likes singing songs by female artists. Good to stay with the piano. Paula is an idiot on this one. Yeah, let's watch Scott try and navigate his way around that huge stage. C'mon Paula! It looks like someone finally tamed his white afro. Once again, he did a commendable job, but is starting to sound very much the same week to week. He'll need to step it up, but he'll definitely move on.
• ALEXIS: She does kinda look like Dolly Parton..well, mostly. The performance was very so-so to me. Simon was right on, as usual. It was forgettable. I just don't understand why contestants think they need to "show another side of themselves" at this stage of the competition. Didn't you get this far because America liked the side they've been seeing up to now? Again, more talking back to the judges...what's going on?
• DANNY: Is he wearing a straight-jacket? Another guy singing a female song. Hmmm? I guess using a Carrie Underwood song was a good way for him to get some Jesus in under the radar. He'll obviously move on, but I thought it was just OK. I think it's good for him at this point not to be perfect, because he can show improvement. He doesn't have to hit a home run each time out., as he has earned much cred and would certainly be saved by the judges if he somehow was the low vote getter. He also takes the judges comments well.
• ANOOP: Can someone please get him an eyebrow trim? Much like Kris, all I could write down was ZZZZZZZZZZ! Once again, the judges completely disagree with me. Kara thinks it was one of the best of the night? This goes to show you how being bad and surviving can pay off. He was so awful last week that I think the judges bar was set really low. He sounded nice, but I felt it was boring and forgettable. He also needs to step up the wardrobe. A hooded sweatshirt under his casual sports coat? He was Kris part 2 to me...from look to performance.
• MEGAN: Here's the deal - she has a very unique voice (which I really like) and is very pretty. She has no shot at winning, but I can see her appeal. What drives me crazy is how she moves on stage. She looks completely awkward with her movements and is getting eaten alive by the big stage. That being said, I thought she did pretty good considering her illness.
• MATT: Carrie Underwood again? What is going on with these dudes? Yeah, he sounded good, but I have to ask why the piano? For the second week in a row he played the piano on a song where you couldn't really even hear it. Scott needs the piano. Matt needs to step out from behind it, as it seems to me like a crutch. It also just reinforces his life as a cheesy dueling piano player. I'm not a huge fan of his, but he did a pretty good job tonight. I'll be interested to see how he does when he doesn't use it. I thought he was one of the better dressed on the evening however.

BESTS

Look: Megan (A little made up, but she showed off her assets!)
Honorable Mention: Alexis, Matt
Let me say that I was very disappointed that no one dressed even a little bit country tonight.

Performance: Allison
Honorable Mention: Adam

WORSTS

Look: Lil (she needs some serious help)
Honorable Mention: Kris, Michael, Anoop, Danny

Performance: Lil
Honorable Mention: Michael

BOTTOM 3

Should Be: Michael, Kris, Megan

Will Be: Michael, Megan, Lil

OUT

Should Be: Michael

Will Be: Michael

This was not easy, as I thought most all performances were kinda blah tonight. I'm choosing Michael, because he went first and did an awkward, forgettable performance.

Tomorrow I'll deliver the standings and pool statistics.

Until then....