Watching Sitcoms

Andrew Lloyd Webber night on American Idol. *sigh* I’m not a big fan. Look, I like musicals as much as the next guy, but I like them to be happy. ALW is usually kinda dark and depressing. If it was gonna be Grease, The Music Man, The Sound of Music, Singing in the Rain, or something like that, with shiny, happy songs, I’d be more excited. I’ve seen a spoiler list and I’m not thrilled. Maybe it will be better than I think.

I’ve been reading a lot of sites today, to get a feel for what people think. Somewhere, on some site, I saw someone wanting to know if Simon calls their performance “cabaret” tonight, will that be a compliment. *sigh* Well, here we go anyway. Why is the band down on the stage? Is that more conducive to Broadway music or something?

I do think it was fun to see ALW mentor the Idols. He seemed like he really took an interest and gave them actual advice. That’s a change.

Here’s the rundown with my thoughts:

Syesha Mercado - One Rock & Roll Too Many, Starlight Express. At least ALW is making her show some personality. It was pretty good, but I have to say that I didn’t think her voice showed to its best advantage. She kept getting lost in the music on the low parts. But it was very cabaret. My husband isn’t here to comment, but I bet he’d have liked it. The judges also really liked it, but that just fits in with my take that they want Syesha in the Top 5. So even though she’s in the first, forgettable spot, she’s probably gonna be safe.

Jason Castro - Memory, Cats. I admit, I’m a little worried about this choice, cause it’s such a well known song and it’s such a specific genre. But hopefully he’ll be really good. So he’s nervous, too. That doesn’t make me feel better. Wow, it doesn’t sound Broadway at all. I feel so much better. He has such a smooth, smoky sound and it really went with that song. The judges are throwing him under the bus, but at least they acknowledge that he is beautiful. But what are they saying, are they telling people not to vote for Jason????? What’s wrong with these people.

Brooke White - You Must Love Me, Evita (film adaptation). Oh my! Forgot the words. How many times do you get to start over and not get slapped by the judges? I guess VFTW did pick the right person to back. Admittedly, she does have a better connection to the song this week than she has in a while, but it just sounds like a Broadway show tune. I thought they wanted contemporary. I’d like to think this is her last week, but probably not.

Can I just say that I hate this show? Brooke did something wrong and didn’t sing well. But they make it all OK. Poor thing, what else could she have done, etc., etc. But for Jason it wasn’t good, so don’t vote for him. Could they be any more obvious in the pimping and trying to get people to vote the way they want? Grrrrrrr arghhhhh. It makes me so mad. My mother, sitting beside me on the couch, says “I felt more when Jason was singing than in what she just sang.”

David Archuleta - Think of Me, Phantom of the Opera. Well, he must be pretty embarrassed after all the hugs. That was just uncomfortable for everyone. Well, it definitely didn’t sound Broadway. It wasn’t bad, but not a complete stand out. I just wish he wasn’t so pimped, cause I want to like this kid. But who am I kidding, he doesn’t need me, he has millions of screaming tweenies voting for him.

Carly Smithson - Superstar, Jesus Christ Superstar. I wish ALW had let Carly sing All I Ask of You. I think Superstar can be a kind of offensive song and I already find Carly pretty offensive. The song sounds like it’s way too high for her in the chorus, too, kinda screamy. I’d like to think this will cost her votes. But let’s see what the judges say. Of course, they thought that was good. Can they not hear from where they sit? I’m so sad tonight. Clearly, they want her in the Top 3. She’s so annoying, I wish I could vote her off.

David Cook - Music of the Night, Phantom of the Opera. Is his hair darker? Oh, wait, he’s singing. Wow, he was really good. He deserves to be in the Top 2, for the sure. Good job! I think he was the best tonight, actually.

It’s so completely obvious that they want Jason gone this week. I don’t know why I should be so surprised or angered, since I called this at least a couple of weeks ago. But still it’s annoying that they don’t even try to hide the pimping.

I went back and figured out that over the last 7 weeks, David A. has only sung in the first four positions twice, David C. and Carly, only once. On the other hand, Jason and Syesha have only not sung in the first four spots twice. Brooke has been first once, last once and then pretty much in the middle every other week. Syesha has actually been in the first spot twice and has never been in the last spot. OK, OK, I have too much time on my hands, but I just wanted to see.

My bottom 3: Brooke, Carly, David A. Best of the night: David Cook. However, I’d say the actual bottom three will have Jason in it instead of David A. *sigh*

My husband just came upstairs, apparently having been watching the show downstairs, and says, “Brooke is gone. Syesha was amazing.” I guess that sums up the night for him.