Michael Giltz: American Idol Top 20: The Women http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/american-idol-to_b_88850.html [4/5/2009 7:40:16 PM] APRIL 5, 2009 HOME POLITICS MEDIA BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT LIVING STYLE GREEN WORLD CHICAGO COMEDY 23/6 VIDEO BLOGGER INDEX ARCHIVE Make HuffPost Your HomePage Get Email Alerts Twitter: Follow Us BIG NEWS : Angelina Jolie | Madonna | Chris Brown & Rihanna | Paul McCartney | More...</p><p> LOG IN | SIGN UP Michael Giltz BIO Become a Fan Get Email Alerts Similar Bloggers Email Print Be the First to Submit This Story to Digg American Idol Top 20: The Women Posted February 28, 2008 | 03:27 AM (EST) Read More: American Idol , David Archuleta , Paula Abdul , Pop Music , Randy Jackson , Reality TV, Ryan Seacrest , Simon Cowell , Breaking Entertainment News Well, since the first five guys were weak and the last five guys were strong, the women decided to mix it up.</p><p> The first five women were fine and the last five women were weak to awful.</p><p> But thejudges were in an especially nice mood.</p><p> When they weren't urging women to pigeonhole -- I mean,"define" -- themselves, they were ignoring awful vocal performances and accentuating the positive.Maybe they feel bad because they can see the steamroller that is David Archuleta getting ready toflatten any female contestants in his path? The theme tonight again was the '70s.</p><p> It sure would benice to get a peek at the list of songs the contestants get to choose from.</p><p> There's such a boringrepetition of artists and songs that I'd like to know whether to blame the singers or the producers.</p><p> Carly Smithson -- another so-so performance from Smithson.</p><p> In an earlier season, maybe she would have been dubbed as having that magical "studio" voice, which usually meant her appealwasn't singing live but she had something to offer on recordings.</p><p> Carly sang the Heart song "Crazyon You," the band's very first hit.</p><p> And she insisted, "I always wanted to perform it on AmericanIdol." Really, he said cattily? Even when you were 15 and signed to a major label and watching them spend millions on your first album? Surely you were dreaming of Madison Square Garden or Radio City and not a TV talent contest.</p><p> I like that she proudly displayer her ink.</p><p> But I still find her voice thin and sharp in the upper register.</p><p> OK, but the judges insist she's the gal to beat.</p><p> Syesha Mercado -- My biggest crush, Syesha 'fessed up about her pro past, which doesn't amountto more than regional TV commercials.</p><p> Her imitationof a baby crying was really good but an awful sequeinto her mellow rendition of the Billy Paul hit "Meand Mrs.</p><p> Jones." Simon said it was bizarre to change the gender of the song (she naturally sang "Me and Mr.</p><p> Jones") but that's a ridiculous comment.Gender changes on songs are done literally every day and there's nothing lyrically that stamps thissong as inappropriate or strange for a woman to sing to a man.</p><p> She looked just terrific with avaguely period '70s scarf that wasn't too retro so she looked like she was playing dress-up.</p><p> Clearly Popular Stories on HuffPost Fashion Face-Off! Michelle Obama And Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Finally Meet In France (VIDEO, PHOTOS, POLL) *Video, poll and slideshow Levi Johnston TalksSafe Sex With Tyra Banks (VIDEO) ***UPDATE*** 8:30pm: People.com is reporting that Sarah Palin has issued...</p><p> Oscar de la Renta Slams Michelle Obama's Buckingham Outfit As Major Designers FeelIgnored While Michelle Obamahas made lesser...</p><p> Verena von Pfetten 7 Lessons To BeLearned From Carla Bruni So here's the thing.There's no shortage of articles dedicated to thatcertain je ne...</p><p> Huff TV Arianna Discusses MichelleObama's "Fantastic" Style On CBS' Michael Giltz: American Idol Top 20: The Women http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/american-idol-to_b_88850.html [4/5/2009 7:40:16 PM]Syesha has great style.</p><p> The verses were a little boring but she broke out on the choruses with measured force and a palpable look of pleasure over performing.</p><p> Her final note was good if not great and I'm still waiting for a "I could win this sucker!" performance.</p><p> But I think she's great.</p><p> Brooke White -- the wholesome gal looked super cool playing an acoustic guitar and dove into Carly Simon's "You're So Vain," the classic number about James Taylor/Mick Jagger/Simon Cowell/take your pick.</p><p> It's funny but they've done Seventies night a ton and I rarely remember people hitting the singer-songwriter genre.</p><p> It was a breath of fresh air.</p><p> She was a little weak on the chorus when it got low and ran out of breath at the end of some lines but otherwise was confident and winning, like Castro on a really good day.</p><p> Her excerpt at the end of the show did Brooke no favors: it came right from her weakest moment on the chorus.</p><p> But raves should keep her safe ahead of everyone else.</p><p> Ramiele Malubay -- Dressed exactly like a wholesome teen idol and I really do appreciate this season's emphasis on the singers dressing their age -- fun and stylish but not trying to look trampy or 20 years older than they are.</p><p> I know her performance of Thelma Houston's "Don't Leave Me This Way" wasn't groundbreaking.</p><p> But it's the first time I "got" her and saw Ramiele as a long- term threat.</p><p> Maybe she should have stuck to a mellow version since the quiet first lines were her best.</p><p> Of course, since I finally liked her the judges thought she was weak.</p><p> Huh.</p><p> Kristy Lee Cook -- just as I praise the singers for dressing fun, along comes Kristy in a shimmering silver top that is super-sexy and just this side of truly naughty.</p><p> She sang Linda Ronstadt's #1 hit "You're No Good," a deceptively mellow song that dragged just a tad for Kristy.The attempt at grittiness got away from her and the ending was roughish but I liked it prettymuch.</p><p> Simon urged Kristy to find an identity and figured country is her bag.</p><p> Obviously she avoidedcountry so as not to seem too much like a Carrie Underwood clone, but she'll break out the twangsoon. (By the way, Linda Ronstadt is ridiculously under-appreciated.</p><p> If you love Americana, checkout The Best Of Linda Ronstadt: The Best Of The Capitol Years , which contains four complete albums including one of her masterpieces Heart Like A Wheel all at a bargain price.</p><p> One of my absolute favorite albums.) Amanda Overmyer -- the night's first and worst trainwreck.</p><p> Glimpses of Amanda before the break showed she had gone crazy with the hair, looking like Bonnie Raitt's mad sister or a Halloween costume.</p><p> Really, her streaks absolutely took over and looked terrible with those jeans.She sang the Kansas breakthrough hit "Carry On Wayward Son" and it was just awful, with hervoice bottoming out right at the start to a cringe-worthy degree and then it got worse, withAmanda trying to regain control but losing the melody, yelping louder and louder -- screaming,really -- and then for a brief moment I thought she might at least end on a decent note but she wavered from a strong moment and tried to riff, ruining even the chance of a single decently sung line.</p><p> I expected the judges to suggest it might be over for her.</p><p> Instead, they treated her with extreme kid gloves, with Randy ignoring the actual singing and telling her to focus on blues-y stuff and Paula insisting against all evidence that she was "a brilliant, brilliant artist." Even Simon didn't drop the hammer.</p><p> I've rarely been so surprised.</p><p> But I don't care that she has the rock tip cornered among the gals, I think it's the end for Amanda.</p><p> Alaina Whitaker -- sang the Olivia Newton-John smash "Hopeless Devoted To You" and did the only thing more dangerous than a disaster like poor Amanda's performance -- be forgettable.Forgettable is the worst thing you can do because an awful performance can elicit sympathy (shewas better last week!) while a forgettable performance just...fades.</p><p> Ballads really expose yourweaknesses as a singer and Alaina has a lot, I'm afraid.</p><p> Again, the judges are bizarrely nice.</p><p> Alexandrea Lushington -- sang Chicago's "If You Leave Me Now," their first Number One hit after 18 Top 40 singles.</p><p> She had a rough low beginning and fiddled so much with the arrangement by the end I didn't even recognize the song and suspected she was working in a medley. (Is thatallowed? I doubt it.) It ended with a very weak attempt at a soulful vamp.</p><p> But again, the judgesremained inexplicably friendly.</p><p> Have they forgotten their job? Randy insisted the song was a "safe"choice but didn't mention that she sang the safe choice poorly which should be even a bigger sin,right? Simon made one very good point.</p><p> He said the song was of its era, but really it gets down tothe tune being a great record but not a great standard.</p><p> That is, they delivered a great tune but youdon't want to hear other people record versions of it.</p><p> Every year at the Grammys people ask thedifference between Record of the Year and Song of the Year.</p><p> Record f the Year is a great tune butnot one you expect a lot of people to cover.</p><p> Think of Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer." Great song, "Washington Unplugged" Arianna was on CBS' "Washington...</p><p> Huff TV Arianna Appears on ABC's "This Week" Roundtable With George Stephanopoulos (VIDEO) Arianna was a guest this morning on... "BRUNO" TRAILER! Calamity, African Babies, Chase Scenes And More (NSFW VIDEO) IT'S HERE! The trailer for this July's Sacha BaronCohen...</p><p> NATO Leaders Focus On Afghanistan, But Most Reject Obama'sPlea For Troops (SLIDESHOW) STRASBOURG, France— On the eve of the NATO...</p><p> First Lady Fashion At Friday's NATO Concert (PHOTOS) Another night, another fashion opportunity for NATO leaders and their spouses! See...</p><p> Diana Palin, Sarah Palin's Sister-In-Law, Arrested For Breaking Into Home ANCHORAGE, Alaska —Police say Alaska Gov....</p><p> John Oliver Explains The Real Reason You Never Touch TheQueen (VIDEO) John Oliver was upsetenough to drop his monocle when he...</p><p> Jim Cramer Declares The Depression "Over" (VIDEO) On Thursday's episode of "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer declared that the depression...</p><p> New Jay Leno ShowRejected By NBCAffiliate In Boston BOSTON — Boston'sNBC affiliate says it will air a local newscast instead of...</p><p> Ice Bridge Ruptures In Antarctic (VIDEO) An ice bridge linking a shelf of ice the size of Jamaica to two islands in Antarctica has Scientists Find Rocket Fuel Chemical In Infant Formula ATLANTA — Traces of aMichael Giltz: American Idol Top 20: The Women http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/american-idol-to_b_88850.html [4/5/2009 7:40:16 PM] Michelle Obama's Clothing Has Sean Hannity All Out OfSorts Cenk Uygur: Have WeReached the Tipping Pointon Guns? RICHARD POPLAWSKI,Pittsburgh Gunman, Kills 3Police Officers Dr.</p><p> Rachel Ehrenfeld: DoesIran Harbor Osama binLaden?Like this story? Get Alerts of big news events.</p><p> Enter your email address SNL: Madonna And Angelina In Weekend Update...</p><p> Reality Star Jade Goody Buried In Lavish...</p><p> Robert De Niro Nanny Sues For $40,000 Alex Da Silva, Celebrity Choreographer Accused Of...but why would anyone record a version of it? Song of the Year? Think "River" by Joni Mitchell which has become a Christmas standard and deservedly so. "If You Leave Me Now" is a very good record but not a good song and thus not a good choice for delivering a cover on Idol.</p><p> Alexandrea was rescued a bit by a sweet interview with Ryan after her singing.</p><p> Kady Malloy -- another Heart song, this time "Magic Man." It really does seem tiresome how the same songs get chosen over and over again.</p><p> She had a cool dress and a great ring and was unmemorable.</p><p> Now the Carly Smithson Heart cover seems better by comparison.</p><p> Asia'h Epperson -- the final performance is Eric Carmen's hypermelodramatic "All By Myself" and it's another trainwreck.</p><p> Asia'h is in major trouble after just a few words but covers her stumble with a gentle little laugh.</p><p> Maybe she'll be okay? Nope.</p><p> When she staggers into the first chorus her voice drops out completely and she's practically whispering.</p><p> Terrible beginning, terrible middle and a screechy ending Ryan made a point of emphasizing Asia'h is very under the weather.</p><p> That would explain Randy and Paula being gentle but it doesn't explain their praise.</p><p> Her voice completely dropped out during the first chorus for heaven's sake and no one even mentioned it.</p><p> Surely just as bad as forgetting lines is being incapable of actually singing.</p><p> I'm completely confused by the judges tonight. (Though Simon brought a little reality by saying simply the song was too big for her and she made a mistake choosing it.</p><p> I'll say.) So many weak performances at the end, it's hard to know who will go home first.</p><p> I believe Brooke White, Carly Smithson and (please) Syesha Mercado are safe.</p><p> I have to assume Amanda Overmyeris going home.</p><p> If I balance out the worst performance of the evening with the most boring, thenshe'll be joined by Alaina Whitaker.</p><p> Presumably people will give Asia'h a pass because she was ill.So who did you like and who do you expect to go home? Email Print More in Entertainment...</p><p> HuffPost Stories Surging Right Now Ads by Google Watch Idol Performances Watch The Idol Performances Free! It's Easy w/the Free Videos Toolbar Videos.alottoolbars.com Computers India Barack Obama Michelle Obama Sports Olympics Housing Crisis Fox News Cars MORE BIG NEWS PAGES » Books by this author A cabin of one's own: New England's MacDowellColony celebrates 100years of artistic utopia.And the gay and lesbianartists who prosperedthere celebrate ... (Thenational gay & lesbiannewsmagazine) by Michael Giltz Affairs to remember:Farley Granger beddedAva Gardner, ShelleyWinters, and LeonardBernstein.</p><p> In hisautobiography, IncludeMe Out, Hitchcock's muse... (The national gay &lesbian newsmagazine) by Michael Giltzchemical used in rocket fuel were found insamples of...</p><p> HUFFPOST'S BIG NEWS PAGES Bloggers Index Read All Posts by Michael Giltz Related News Politics Levi Johnston Talks Safe Sex With Tyra Banks (VIDEO) Style Michelle Obama Hugs Queen Elizabeth, Stirs Controversy (PHOTOS, POLL, VIDEO) World Obama Breaks Up 'Heated' Spat Between Sarkozy, HuJintao Related Blog Posts This Blogger's Books from Michael Giltz: American Idol Top 20: The Women http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/american-idol-to_b_88850.html [4/5/2009 7:40:16 PM]Comments 5 Pending Comments 0 Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to View Comments: Newest First Expand All LeeLoosMultiPass See Profile I'm a Fan of LeeLoosMultiPass permalink I missed the women sing, but saw the wrap up tonight.</p><p> Why oh why do they keep that nannie blond with the guitar? And by the way, that's Warren Beatty Carly sang about.</p><p> MIck sang back up on therecord.</p><p> And James Taylor didn't have a Lear Jet.</p><p> IMHO.</p><p> Sorry to see that Amanda did so poorly because I had high hopes for her.</p><p> But geesh, she looked like a fright.</p><p> Sang that way too.</p><p> I'm liking Syesha and Ramiele very much.</p><p> Syesha has much personality too and showmanship.</p><p> And Ramiele has a lot of voice for such a little girl (sorry, but she's tiny!) mch755 See Profile I'm a Fan of mch755 permalink Great recap of the ladies.</p><p> Boy, this was a rough week, esp for one of my favorites Asia'h.</p><p> I think shehas enough of a fan base to stay in the competition, I hope.</p><p> I like Amanda, since she's so different from the other singers, but whoa...her performance was just awful.</p><p> Plus she looked pretty scary with the hair and her outfit, not going to play well to Middle America.</p><p> I think she's out.</p><p> I also think Kady is out too, though she seems fun with the imitations of Britny Spears, her performance was not that great.</p><p> So these two along with Jason Yeager and Luke Menard are out. 67bug See Profile I'm a Fan of 67bug permalink I hope Moon River guy and Killer Queen guy get the boot.</p><p> As far as the girls, we need to get rid of a few of the blondes! auramac See Profile I'm a Fan of auramac permalink As a huge John Lennon fan, I heard the buzz about "Imagine," and sought out the clip on YouTube.</p><p> Ibecame ill watching Paula Abdul in tears.</p><p> He wasn't bad, but Lennon half-intoxicated singing a demoon a cassette player in the 70's would've blown him away.</p><p> I find pretty much every single contestantthis year to be unoriginal, inauthentic, and quite mediocre, if not downright weak.</p><p> Watching Paula cryorgasmically or hearing the audience boo Simon for telling the truth does not reflect well on today's ortomorrow's music scene. devilyousay See Profile I'm a Fan of devilyousay permalink I agree on who should go home but would prefer Amanda stays only because she isn't another blondclone.</p><p> None of the blonds stand out for me.</p><p> Sad, but true and I hate giving them that label but it justseems to work out that way.</p><p> And the Archuleta train? Hate it.</p><p> I find him as phoney as a two dollar bill in his "aw shucks" cuteness.</p><p> He gives me a raging tooth ache.</p><p> Too bad teens are so fast at text voting.</p><p> We're stuck with him.</p><p> American Idol David ArchuletaPaula AbdulPop MusicRandy JacksonReality TVRyan SeacrestSimon Cowell Style : Bonnie Fuller Michelle Obama's Lost Her Mind! 3 Reasons She's Suddenly A Fashion Disaster Style : Verena von Pfetten 7 Lessons To Be Learned From Carla Bruni Style : Verena von Pfetten Brow-O-Wow: Bushy Eyebrows Make AComeback (PHOTOS, POLL) Related Tags Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:49 PM on 02/28/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:09 PM on 02/28/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:09 PM on 02/28/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:03 PM on 02/28/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:17 PM on 02/28/2008Michael Giltz: American Idol Top 20: The Women http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/american-idol-to_b_88850.html [4/5/2009 7:40:16 PM] HOME POLITICS MEDIA BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT LIVING GREEN STYLE WORLD CHICAGO COMEDY FUNDRACE ARCHIVE Advertise | Login | Make HuffPost your Home Page | RSS | Jobs | FAQ: Comments & Moderation | FAQ: Huffpost Accounts | Contact Us Copyright © 2009 HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. | Archive | User Agreement | Privacy | Comment Policy | About Us | Powered by Movable Type Comments are closed for this entry You must be logged in to reply to this comment.</p><p> Log in or Ads by Google Watch Idol Performances Watch The Idol Performances Free! 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