April 15, 2004 - A Night at the Movies

Unlike most celebrity judges, Quentin decided he was going to actually judge it, rather than just say everyone is good.

First up was George Huff, who performed the title track from Against All Odds. It just didn't seem inspired, although of course it was good.

Randy Jackson said it was the wrong choice for a song and advised him to "keep it real." Paula Abdul said, "You know I love you," but she also criticized the song choice. Quentin said, "You made me forget that I hate that song." And he noted George is one of the contestants who gets better every week. Simon Cowell said it was his weakest performance yet and that the song was a terrible choice.

Then Jennifer Hudson, who performed "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston. She actually looked glamorous this time, and she powered through her rendition.

Randy said it was "pitchy" but good. Paula said Jennifer is really coming into her own. Quentin had a headline: Hudson takes on Houston and wins. And he told her that now that she's come into her own, he expects her to stay at this level every week. Simon said that she could now be a serious contender and he joked there were at least two female contestants right now who had a voodoo doll of her, sticking pins into it.

Singing the title track from Jailhouse Rock, Jon Peter Lewis was back in stride. He definitely seemed more comfortable with that song and was back in the groove, dancing and having a good time.

"JPL is back," Randy said. Paula said this was what America loves about you. Quentin said, "You're the geekiest rock singer this side of Freddy and the Dreamers," but said that when he's in that "geek mode" he's untouchable. Simon said it was terrible and said that this was not Comedy Idol.

No surprise, Diana DeGarmo chose the most insipid song of the night, "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic. It was a strained performance, and some of her vocal swoops sounded a little country.

Randy said it was a tough song but that she'd done all right. Paula agreed and said it was a hard song to sing but that her voice stands the test. Quentin said she'd pulled off the song, "but so what?" He said it was a song we're sick of hearing anyway and that it felt as if there was glass between her and the audience. Simon said one of the problems is that you hear Titanic and think "sinking." And then he finally put his finger on it. He said the problem with Diana is that she's an overgrown child trying to be an adult. He called the performance "automatic" and "predictable."

Fantasia Barrino did "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess. She really showed range in this song, emotional as well as vocal, ending up on her knees on the floor.

Randy stood up and said he had to give her props because that was the best American Idol performance of any season. Paula called it Oscar-winning. Quentin said it was the bomb. But he gave her a little advice. He said she hadn't been funky in weeks and that he wanted to see her rock the house again. "This is the great lady tour. Enough of the great lady tour. Come back and rock next time." Simon said that she'd proved why they were critical of people who are just good singers. He called the performance magical.

Up next was Jasmine Trias who did, "When I Fall in Love" from Sleepless in Seattle. It seemed as if she went a little flat near the end.

Although he said it was good, he said she'd run out of gas at the end. Paula said she had nice tone. Quentin called her a "delicate power house" but said the song wasn't that great. Simon said that she, like Diana, was a child trying to be an adult and that it doesn't connect with the audience. He said you could see a singer like her at any resort.

Next was John Stevens, who did "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca, a perfect match to his crooner style.

Randy gave him props for picking a great song, giving a good performance and even wearing a great jacket. Paula said she was feeling him and that he looked great. Quentin said, "I'm not one of your fans, but this is your genre and you did well." And Simon said that he sang it very well but the problem is that he has no charisma and that he's beginning to look like host Ryan Seacrest, an allusion to his hair getting spikier.

Last was LaToya London, who sang "Somewhere" from West Side Story. The performance was a little showy. It showed a big range but didn't feel quite genuine.

Randy said he was happy to see her "playing for keeps." Paula said she was great. Quentin had two words: "power house." And Simon called it one of her best performances.

So who's going to wind up on the cutting room floor?

Despite a weak performance, I doubt it will be George Huff. One relatively weak performance won't undo all the magic he's done during the competition.

Jennifer Hudson gave a stellar performance, true. But considering that she seems to be on a roller-coaster with voters where one week they're into her and the next week they're not, she could be in trouble, given that last week they were into her.

JPL, of course, rescued himself by going back and doing what he needed to do: turning in a fun, high octane performance.

For Diana DeGarmo, sad to say, this could be her week to go. She's had no real connection with the audience since the beginning, and she's done nothing to change that. As Simon emphasized over and over, being a good singer is not good enough.

Fantasia Barrino is definitely one of the top contenders and is safe.

Jasmine Trias will probably find herself in the bottom three for the same reason Diana DeGarmo will be there.

John Stevens gave a solid enough performance to reinvigorate his fans and keep him in the game.

LaToya London also turned in a strong performance, so it's hard to guess who's going to be rounding out the bottom three. The final decision will depend on whether fans of JPL and John Stevens are numerous enough to outweigh fans of, say LaToya London or one of the other contestants.

As the weeks go by, it's only going to get harder. Everyone has favorites, and soon those favorites will be in danger.

But again, that's why Diana will be the next to go, because she probably has the least following at this point.

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And just a brief note about yesterday's musing, where I was talking about the plastic surgery makeover show The Swan. I said that my chin is too small and my nose disproportionate.

I wanted to clarify that that's according to what a plastic surgeon might think. I, on the other hand, am completely happy with my face and would never want to change it through surgical means.

After all, I'd probably end up looking like Joan Rivers.

Other Musings by Alyce on American Idol:

American Idol Index

Moral:
A movie with the right soundtrack is magic.