American Idol 2009: Top 8 Results
Ryan asked the judges for their comments about the performance show and said that contestants don’t want to peak too soon, before introducing a song from the year Simon Cowell was born … and this time it was Frankie Avalon from 1949 (sorry Simon, slip of the keyboard…), not Edison’s famous ‘Mary had a little lamb’ recording as Ryan played on his radio show.
The group song was Kylie’s addictive ‘Can’t get you out of my head’ from the year American Idol was born and, typically for group songs, really wasn’t great. It might have worked with just Allison and Adam but some of the contestants just don’t have the vibe for that kind of song. The Ford commercial was good though, but again some of the contestants worked the styling really well, others …. not so much.
We were hoping that Idol would play a clip of Adam’s performance, but Ryan talking to Adam about the standing ovation from Simon was a good second. Adam said he was honoured and appreciated the gesture. He gets a good balance between sounding humble and grateful without entering the embarrassing and gushing territory that so many of the contestants fall into when they get a little praise.
Ryan reminded us that the judges’ save is still an option before asking Adam, Kris and Anoop to stand up. One of them is in the bottom three. Ryan revealed that it’s Anoop, but not before going to the other judges for comments on Adam’s performance.
Flo Rida performed ‘Right Round’, which I thought was one of the best guest performances this season. The vocal wasn’t the best, but it was definitely entertaining. In the post-performance chat, Ryan refers to Flo Rida’s harem of dancers and admires Flo Rida’s physique saying, “I’ve gotta get to the gym!” I doubt Ryan needs to hit the gym to attract his own harem!
The next group of three is Danny, Scott and Matt. Ryan followed his tradition of messing with Matt, but he and Danny are both safe and it’s Scott in the bottom three. That leaves Allison and Lil, and it’s Lil who joins Anoop and Scott in the bottom three. Allison’s fate seems to be dependent on judges’ comments more than some of the others. Ryan asked Simon about the judges’ save and Simon hints there’s now a contestant for whom they’d consider wasting it (I think it’s a waste if they don’t use it on Adam, Kris or Allison), so that’s probably Lil.
Kellie Pickler sang her latest single and it’s not terrible. Nothing personal; I just don’t like country. She’s adorable though and her interview on Ryan’s radio show was funny.
Ryan appeared to give away which contestant had the least votes when he feinted Anoop before sending Lil back to safety. He probably wouldn’t do that to the one who’s actually last … you never know, but Ryan usually stays the funny side of mean rather than going to the cruel side of mean. It is Scott who’s last, which makes me glad the judges’ save has to be unanimous because I wouldn’t trust Paula not to throw it away in the name of compassion or some other such nonsense. Scott’s funny and cute but he’s by far the worst singer left in the competition. I would hate for them to patronise him by making it about his visual impairment or the sympathy vote.
After Scott’s performance, which is no better than yesterday’s, Ryan prods Simon for a decision. Simon talks about a 2:2 split on the panel before coming to his senses and cutting Scott. Paula has a few words for Scott, and I guess a lot of people will be wishing their tivo had cut out on this. It’s bordering on embarrassing and inappropriate. Shut up, Paula! Some things are best said after the show.
Closing thought … I like the tie Ryan wore today and long live the tie pin!
