by Kimberly Grams
Haven’t caught Season 7? It’s not too late. Let me catch you up. Read on!
3/18/08, 6 p.m.
Can’t. Stop. Watching. Must. Vote. American-Idol-is-on-from-7-to-9-and-Dancing-With-theStars-is-on-from-8:30-to-9:30-and-I-don’t-know-how-I’ll-be-able-to-watch-it-all-and-vote-tonight!!!
OK, last two weeks (end of Top 24 rounds AND 1st week on the big stage with Top 12) . . .
Biggest change: David Cook and Brooke White came out of NOWHERE. I thought they were mediocre for the group this year. I take it back. David C. rocked up two really dated songs: Lionel Richie’s “Hello” and the Beatles, “Eleanor Rigby”. Brooke did emotional renditions of Pat Benetar’s rock anthem, “Love is a Battlefield” and the Beatles “Let it Be”. A-mazing.
Another surprise: Chikezie, all not boring. Who knew?
Not as good as I thought: Michael Johns (bring it!); David Archuleta (big stage – big nerves).
Still holding: Jason Castro, Amanda Overmyer
Still Rockin’: Carly Smithson
Could care less: Syesha (personality-disappearance disorder), Ramiele (Zzzzz), Kristy Lee Cook (Two weeks of “country on crack” got more votes than Danny Noriega or David Hernandez? Journey is NOT country!)
Still depressed over: Danny Noriega. Sniffle.
My NEW final four: David Cook, Brooke White, Carly Smithson, David Archuleta
3/19/08 – The Day After (Top 11), before the Results Show
Anti-climactic. Two weeks of Beatles? Bad idea.
Best Performances: David Cook’s “Day-tripper”, Amanda Overmyer’s “Back in the USSR” (and her “ballads are boring” statement), Carly’s “Blackbird” (I love her rock vibe, but if you’re doing a ballad, THIS is how you do it), Syesha’s “Yesterday” (I was prepared not to like it, but did).
Still holding: David Archuleta (“Long and Winding Road”).
Two people who NEED their instruments or they’re TOTALLY awkward: Brooke White (“Here Comes the Sun”), Jason Castro (“Michelle”).
Can’t these people go home already: KRISTY LEE COOK (Queen of the bottom 2), Chikezie, Ramiele.
Sometime in March, the week after the 3/19 results show:
CARLY SMITHSON IN THE BOTTOM 3!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! I’m disappointed that Kristy Lee Cook got more votes than Amanda and, once again, squeaked by at number 2 (and Amanda would’ve rocked the tour), but CARLY? But I’m so mad that I can’t even discuss it.
3/25/08 – Top 10
I’m leaving to go out of town and was REALLY short on time, so I skipped ahead a lot. Since the vote lines for my faves are busy . . .
Snoozefest: First four performers – Ramiele, Jason, Syesha, Chikezie.
Hey, the show’s finally worth watching: Brooke White’s take on “Every Breathe You Take”. Should be “Every Note You Sing”. Even with a slight mistake at the start, she feels everything she sings, and it shows.
Amazing moment of the Night: Michael Johns and his blend of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions”. Finally lived up to his hype and made me like him again.
Holding: Carly Smithson. She’s brilliant and her “Total Eclipse of the Heart” was OK, but I think being in the bottom three rattled her. Chillax, Carly. Your vote line is SO busy – your fans will save you.
Getting bored of: David Archuleta. He’s not going anywhere anytime soon, but I like other people better.
I actually liked: For the first time, Kristy Lee Cook wasn’t terrible! She picked the right song (God Bless the USA) and sang it well. As Simon said, “Best song choice in years.” She won’t be bottom 3 this week.
I want an MP3 player because: I need my David Cook fix. I want to download everything he’s done since “Hello” a few weeks back. Tonight’s “Billy Jean” seemed fresh and like something I’d buy. I like him more each week, and he is now my official favorite.
Are you listening? DAVID COOK SHOULD WIN. VOTE FOR HIM.
3/26/08
Leaving at 5 a.m. tomorrow for sister’s baby shower in Ohio. Will have to catch the results and write later.
3/26/08, later that night
Finished packing early and I had to know. But I skipped to the end to find out bottom 3 (Jason Castro, Syesha, Chikezie). Chikezie, rightly, went home. Syesha is better vocally, and Jason is more interesting, even though it wasn’t his best week.
4/2/08, The day after Dolly Parton night
Best performances: David Cook’s “Sparrow” was a smart choice –his own arrangement (after the “that’s someone else’s cover” brou-ha-ha; hel-LO, that’s what you DO on AI). Plus it reminded everyone of his vocal range. Michael Johns (“It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right”). THIS is the guy we’ve been watching for all season. Syesha, who did a split between the Dolly Parton and Whitney Houston’s versions of “I Will Always Love You”. I thought BOTH parts were brilliant, not just the Dolly part (judges).
Rising: Jason Castro’s “Travelin’ Through” was his best in week’s, and Carly was back to form with “Here We Come Again”.
Holding: Brooke White (“Jolene”) – she’s done better, but it was OK.
Still bored: David Archuleta . . . some song about mountains. Zzzzz.
For the love of Idol, why are they still here: Ramiele and Kristy Lee Cook. I refuse to write more, except that ONE of them better be going home tomorrow!
4/3/08, Post results
Ramiele goes home! How many times did she wrinkle her nose or pout? Kristy Lee Cook was bottom 2 (I think that’s a record for most times in bottom two, but the other person leaves). Brooke was bottom 3, but safe.
My next problem – after Kristi Lee leaves, I pretty much like everyone who’s left! (Except for little David – but I have 2 kids and a Musical this month – I can’t out-vote that many tweens).
I’d love to see David Cook, Michael Johns, and Carly Smithson duke it out in the final 3 (David Cook has to win though).
4/8/08, before the show
Tonight: Top 8 and it’s “Idol Gives Back”. The song-choice dilemma – don’t be boring (or schmaltzy), and still pick something that’s sensitive to the theme. It will be interesting to see what happens next!
So why do Christians even care? For one thing, God gives us the blessing of talent and entertainment. We gratefully receive these gifts and use them as stewards. Secondly, as with Sanjaya, Kristy Lee is giving us an object lesson in grace; she does NOT deserve to remain on the show, but the compassion and mercy of voters keep her there. Thirdly, “Idol Gives Back” provides opportunity to be agents of mercy, helping the less fortunate.
You might or might not appreciate Idol as much as others. Even if you are not a “junkie,” it can be helpful to know what many others are talking about at their lockers or in the cafeteria.
Kim Grams is a writer and pastor’s wife who lives in Scottsbluff, NE. A dancer and an avid reality TV viewer, she has also written Diary of An American Idol Junkie.
