With only seven days left in Season 7, we took a giant step tonight toward naming the newest American Idol, but first we had to eliminate one of the three remaining finalists. Who didn’t receive enough of your votes to sing next week?
Would it be this year’s fan favorite, David Archuleta? If so, that would be two years in a row where America has selected a teenager as their Idol.
Or perhaps America went with the only person who challenged KLC for supremacy of the bottom three, Syesha Mercado. Would America ignore the judge’s comments from last night and vote for the multi-talented actress/singer from Florida?
Did America go with the rocker in the group? Is David Cook going to have the opportunity to do what Bo Bice and Chris Daughtry couldn’t?—wear the Idol crown while staying true to his rock roots.
Wait no longer to find out whose dreams were dashed tonight and who still has the opportunity to sing at the Kodak Theatre for the title of THE American Idol.
Group Sing
The last three Idols started off the big show with a rousing rendition of the MacFadden and Whitehead disco-era classic, “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now”—a clever song choice by the show’s producers. But unfortunately the Idols didn’t get the message that they were supposed to sound good because they all suffered a bit; probably from nerves or maybe it’s just that we’re looking for a solo artist and the producers insist on having them sing as a group every elimination night—note to the producers, it’s a lame way to treat your Idol finalists, so eliminate it starting next season.
Product Placement
It would also be nice if they would get rid of the always annoying Ford commercial on Elimination Night. This week’s edition involved the Idols clowning around and lip syncing to Los Lonely Boys’ “How Far is Heaven”—I’m not sure, but these commercials sure make me feel as though I am in HELL!
Former Idol Takes the Stage
Before Ryan could reveal who didn’t get enough of the more than 56 million votes cast last night for the final three Idols, he introduced former American Idol winner, Fantasia who hit the stage looking like a cross between Ronald McDonald, Carrot Top, and Bozo the Clown. As for her singing, I’m not exactly sure how she won Idol. She screamed whatever the song was that she was supposed to sing. The only good thing about it was the three backup singers/dancers that accompanied her on stage. They sounded good, had some hot moves, and looked great doing it.
As Fantasia was wrapping up her scream fest, the Idol cameras caught a shot of Simon who had a look of utter disbelief on his face and when the song mercifully ended, he looked over at Randy and Paula and said what I can only imagine was something to the effect: “What the bloody hell was THAT?!”
David Archuleta Takes a Trip Home to Utah
Ryan asked David Archuleta to join him on stage first. But before he could learn his fate (like there is any mystery!), we had the opportunity to check out a video package of David’s trip back home in Murray, UT. His first stop was a pep rally where the cheerleaders from his high school greeted him—I’m sure before Idol they didn’t even know his name. Then it was on to a TV interview with the local Fox affiliate—lame questions by the Fox anchors was followed by a visit to David’s current high school where he performed “Imagine” for his adoring public, the mayor of Murray proclaimed the day David Archuleta Day, and then he sang the National Anthem at a Utah Jazz playoff game.
With all of the fun behind him, did he make it to the finals? We weren’t told because the producers decided to roll another video of David chronicling his Idol journey.
And when the video ended, instead of telling David A. if he made the finals or not, Ryan sent him to the couches and invited Syesha out to take a look back on her week in Sarasota, FL.
Syesha Gets the Rock Star Treatment in FLA
Syesha’s trip to the Sunshine State pretty much mirrored David’s trip to Utah—she visited her old high school stomping grounds, met local dignitaries, was mobbed by crazed fans, spent some time with the family and the as an added bonus, she rode in a helicopter which looked pretty cool. And then she bawled like a baby—which might come in handy in her career on Broadway.
We were then treated to a recap of Syesha’s time on Idol which reminded us that despite her regular visits to the bottom three, she actually is a very talented singer and deserving of a place in the final three—the final two? That is up to the voters.
David Cook is Shown the Time of His Life in Missouri
Prior to heading back to the greater Kansas City, MO area, David Cook informed us that he didn’t intend on auditioning for Idol this year. He actually went to Omaha to lend moral support to his brother, Andrew, who was there to sing for the judges and a chance to go to Hollywood—instead the Idol producers told David that he would be auditioning as well and the rest is history.
When David got to KC it was pouring rain so he did what any Idol would do, he delivered the weather forecast on the KC Fox affiliate. Then he rushed off to sing for a huge crowd at "KC Live" in the new Kansas City Power and Light District (thanks, Bouk for the tip), took a limo ride to his hometown of Blue Springs, MO, surprised his former elementary music teacher (who got him started in music), marched in a huge parade with his brother, and threw out the first pitch at a KC Royals game. All in all, David was ecstatic to do all of the things he grew up dreaming about doing.
Dreams Come True for Two and Die for…
With the Final 3 holding hands on center stage, Ryan added even more stress and pressure to the situation by asking the judges for some final thoughts…which was a waste of time until we got to Simon who admitted to liking all three, but saying if the final turns out like he hopes, we’re in for a “humdinger”.
Then Ryan read the names of the two finalists: David Archuleta and David Cook.
No one was surprised by the results—neither of these guys ever visited the bottom three (until last night) and it would have been a shame to watch one of them leave after they built such strong followings over the course of Season 7.
Syesha, for her part, took the news very well—she didn’t shed a tear, thanked everyone for their support, and grabbed the mic from Ryan so she could sing “If I Ain’t Got You” for America one more time.
Humdinger Ahead!
The finals are set and it’s David vs. David; mano a mano; the young vs. the mature; the crooner vs. the rock innovator…it should be a great final. I am looking forward to seeing both of these guys sing one more time for your votes and the opportunity of becoming YOUR American Idol.
BTW: If you go back and read my Idol preview from March 11th, you’ll note that I correctly predicted that David A. would be in the finals, Syesha would be the darkhorse in the Final 12 with a good chance at making the finals, and that David Cook had a good shot at being the last man standing provided he continued working his special magic on what initially look like odd song choices.
Tune in next week to see what the Davids sing, the comments they receive from the judges, and my interpretation of the events of the night.
Until then, I will continue watching TV so you don’t have to…
Charlie
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