I checked the TV schedule before going to class today, so I taped the whole two-hour show this week. Go me!
Anyway, they saved the best two performances for last this week, as LaToya and Amy were head and shoulders above the rest of the pack. A bit of a tough call between the two, because while LaToya unquestionably had the best overall performance, Amy's performance best exemplified the alleged country theme. (Indeed, it was one of the very few performances tonight that actually sounded like a country performance, although I should grant that LaToya was one of the others. But most of the singers took songs by country performers, and made 'em sound like other genres.) That said, because the show ran for two hours and I was able to fast-forward through the commercials and line-dancing, I actually got to vote this week, and I gave mine to LaToya.
Otherwise... I said last time that Diana could be a contender for the top spot "if she can keep this up"; as I halfway expected, she couldn't this week, although she did have one impressive note at the end. George was too laidback this week. In general, laidback performances are dangerous on this show; if you can't inject some personality and style into them, they come across as boring. Fantasia was Fantasia, but this time going the subdued route, perhaps to make a point, and almost certainly taking it too far, even hypercorrecting "often" to "off-ten." Perhaps that's why she snapped afterwards? After all, nothing screams class like an angry woman screaming "you don't know class!" [wry smile] People, you don't want to argue with the judges; it's not going to make you look better.
John demonstrated the good kind of laidback, I think, in what may have been his best performance yet. He brought a bit of the old ring-a-ding-ding to it, and he's totally safe for another week. Camile was shaky again, and isn't much longer for this competition. Jennifer definitely bounced back this week, turning in a pretty decent performance, at least until the last few notes. But, again, arguing with Simon is not a smart move. Jon was okay, but a bit pitchy, and a bit too generic. Also, I can't quite decide whether he reminds me more of a Monkee or the Hobbit Idol, just with better teeth.
Jasmine picked a great song, but her performance totally wasn't up to it. "Breathe" demands a passionate energy, which she didn't bring tonight. (I think she tried to talk back to Simon also, but, fortunately for her, the background music drowned her out. Was it something in the air tonight?) Methinks one of the Hawaiians is going home this week; the only question is whether it'll be her or Camile. Matt wasn't bad, but may have been a bit too controlled, especially towards the end. On the other hand, he serves as tonight's best example of how to deal with Simon's criticism. And that brings us back to LaToya and Amy. Thank goodness for LaToya and Amy.
Posted by Shmuel at March 24, 2004 12:24 AM