American Idol: Top 8 Boys Perform

(S07E17) This is it, folks! After these next two weeks, we'll have our Top 12. Which two of those smiling faces doesn't deserve to be there? Well, I had a pretty good idea going into tonight's episode and after it, I'm even more certain. I hope you all get it right. The boys were more comfortable this week and it showed in their performances. I think a lot of it had to do with the theme: '80s songs. Finally, songs they may actually be familiar with and possibly even have a personal connection to.

Theme: Songs from the '80s
Question: What is one of your most embarrassing moments?

Luke Menard - "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go," Wham!
When he was eight-years-old, his sister dressed him up as a ballerina. Luke came out all smiles with an up-tempo song, but both his performance and his pitch seemed to miss more often than they hit. The song seemed like it might be a good fit for him vocally, but maybe George Michael is just too good a singer, because it came across as a drunken karaoke performance. Ultimately, if it is remembered by the end it won't be for good reasons.
Randy: "It started off a little rough for me ... You couldn't quite find the pitch and you were like rushing; a little ahead of the band timing-wise ... A surprising song choice for me for you ... A little bit corny for me but it was alright."
Paula: "I was kind of surprised you picked that song ... I choreographed George Michael's tour ... What I loved about you Luke is you have such a great instrument. Your musical and I loved, loved, loved your interpretation of it ... I loved the choices you took on the upper notes.
Simon: "I'll make this very quick. I didn't like it. I though it was weak, a bit girly ... There's no chance you're going to make it through, I don't even think to the final twelve ... Not after this performance ... It wasn't very good Luke."
Jason: "Well, I don't know if I can come right out and say you won't make the Top 12 because honestly I think some better singers than you have already been eliminated, so America's in a weird place. And that comment alone could net some sympathy votes. But that performance was just not good. Your pitch was all over the place when that began and you only barely pulled it together for a few good notes toward the end. You needed to hit it out of the park to stay viable here based on your prior performances, and instead you bunted it foul."

David Archuleta - "Another Day in Paradise," Phil Collins
Went down to Honduras for a fund raiser and sang a Spanish song. His voice gave out in the middle of the song and his mother had to come up and finish the song. For some reason that "embarrassing moment" rang as extremely pretentious to me. And the "aw shucks" giggling school boy routine has grown beyond tired for me. Melinda Doolittle was amazing last year, but her shy surprise at getting praise grew old, too, as Simon even told her she needed to knock it off. Before this performance, Ryan reveals that David's thirsty and has to pee, but he didn't want us to know. He sings one of my all time favorite songs playing piano for the first verse, but then has to get up and finish the rest of it standing up. He looks at the camera during the song and tries to look all deep and serious. He's rearranged the song and continues to have an amazing voice but it seems like everything he does is starting to annoy me. Maybe he's starting to buy into all the hype about himself. That's a deep and powerful song and he didn't ring authentic on it for me. he explained that he picked the song because it brought attention to people who had nothing. Everything he says is like he's in a pageant or something and it's starting to drive me crazy. That and the constant giggle/smile. We get it. Now knock it off.
Randy: "It's like watching one of your concerts, man. I liked that ... I thought it was good. It was an interesting song choice for me. It didn't show of all your vocal prowess and what you can do. It was nice. There were a couple little pitch problems here or there but it was nice."
Paula: "I love that there were a couple notes that were off because it proved me that you're not this make-believe person, this hologram that can do everything perfect. In that imperfection, you still are prefect. You're perfectly wonderful for this competition. You have a wonderful sensibility to pick songs that you can really shine on. Keep going for it."
Simon: "It wasn't as good as last week. I think you should have (A) stayed at the piano and I think you've gotta be careful. You're seventeen years old. It's all getting a little bit gloomy here. You haven't gotta keep singing sad songs ... I just think you've got to lighten up a little bit. There's no question you're going to make it through to the finals next week. You're probably going to be in the final two, but I think now we've got to see a slightly different, more fun side occasionally. Otherwise, it might get a bit depressing."
Jason: "That's an incredibly bold statement and one that I don't necessarily agree with. I agree that the show seems to want you in the finals, but I think that song and the song last week were too big for you. There's a passion and meaning to those songs that you don't seem to get or convey in your performances. You technically sing brilliantly, no one can deny that you have one of the purest and most beautiful voices in the competition, but emotionally, for me, I didn't get much out of that performance. I do agree you should have stayed at the piano because it was just to cliche to get up in the middle like that and move to the stage to sing."

Danny Noriega - "Tainted Love," Gloria Jones ('80s hit by Soft Cell)
He was tripped on the stairs at the movies. This was in front of one of his crushes and "I turned as red as a cute little tomato. And then I ran. That was TMTH (too much to handle)." Wow, Danny may be more annoying than David A. When the performance started I confirmed that he is definitely more annoying than David A.
His performance was sassy and overwrought and I really wanted it to just stop so he would get off my screen. I think America may be reaching the end of their patience with Danny, like I am, but it's hard to say. Afterwards, even Ryan seemed to be a bit annoyed with the constant "sassitude."
Randy: "There's some good stuff and some bad stuff ... It started out a little rough; it was a little pitchy ... I love the arrangement, especially after Rihanna had the whole sample in her joint; it was a big record. I liked the way you did it in the end, you know. Have that confidence ... Let me see that conviction ... Come on, you can do this. When you came out you were a little shy ... vocally."

Need more American Idol? Get an inside look at Season 7's contestants and think back to these scathing (and hilarious) Simon Cowell quotes. Also: Who do you love? Rank the contestants!

Paula: "I love that you're like this bright light in the competition. You've got a sensitive side to you ... a total spicy side to you ... you're the real deal. The most important thing is you've got great vocals, and you've ... got to keep going. I love the fact that you're true to yourself. I like it. You look fabulous."
Simon: "I thought it was horrible, the whole thing. Absolutely useless. Sorry, I didn't like it. Hated the arrangement ... hated the performance, hated the vocal, didn't like anything about it." Danny gave him a 'whatever' with the arm up hand gesture they showed Simon doing last week. He's pushing it with the attitude, turning it into a parody of itself.
Jason: "I think I'm done with you, Danny. It was fun for awhile but I've had enough of all the attitude. You didn't bring a flawless and amazing performance so sometimes it's worth toning it down a little bit and listening to some criticism. As soon as you're perfect you can go back to doing what you do now, which is to ignore anything negative and wallow in your own self-absorbed fabulousness."

David Hernandez - "It's All Coming Back to Me Now," Pandora's Box
He had a pea-sized booger in his nose during some photo shoot he did back in the day. Was that a photo shoot from his time as a male stripper in gay clubs. He sang a song made famous by Celine Dion, which is almost never a good idea. Nevertheless, he has a good voice and for the most part he did a good job with it now, despite some weird faces, pronunciations and vocal affectations throughout the performance.
Randy: "Nice song choice for you because you got that big old voice ... I thought it was really good except there were some little pitch problems. Sometimes you just overshoot the notes and you get a little sharp."
Paula: "I'm so glad the first week's over because I really feel like you're getting into your groove here and you're finding your niche here. You're really becoming a very good performer and I think you have some of the best vocals in this whole group here."
Simon: "It wasn't as good as last week. I prefer it when you're doing more of the soul songs, but ... you've 100% secured a place as a finalist for next week on that."
Jason: "You've got a good voice, but I think you should watch your face a bit. Practice in front of a mirror so you can see, because I don't think you'll want some of those expressions going out across the nation. It's nothing terrible, but something you can improve. Also, work on enunciation a bit while you sing. I know these are weird criticisms, but that's only because the voice itself was in fine form this week. Good job."

David Cook was supposed to go next, but due to technical difficulties with his guitar, they switched it up and we got Michael Johns instead.

Michael Johns - "Don't You (Forget About Me)," Simple Minds
He was dressed as a kangaroo doing mascot work for a rugby match. He got mauled by four guys in front of 20,000 people. I have to say that I thought Michael did a much better job on the verses than he did on the chorus, but for the most part this may be the best performance we've had out of him yet. He did yell a bit toward the end of the song, but he has a perfect voice for '80s synth-rock.
Randy: "The Aussie boy goes home for '80s week. It's so you. It kind of reminded me of Michael Hutchens (INXS). You've got that big old range, that big old voice. Very nicely done. Good song choice, I loved it dude."
Paula: "I am so glad that you are the type of artist who really is defining who you are ... You picked the perfect song and I loved hearing the strength in your low range. It allows you to really go somewhere and wail on the highs ... You have this presence that's different and unique; the way you hold the microphone and you've got like a hopping thing going on."
Simon: "I liked it. I didn't love it. I still think with you, rather like one of the girls in the competition ... huge talent but haven't quite connected with the right song and had your moment yet. I actually prefer you when you singing more like a soul singer than a ... "wannabe" rock singer ... I really, really like you and I think you're going to do very, very well in this competition."
Jason: "Tonight you finally got me on board what the rest of the judges have been saying. I knew from early rounds that you could be really good, but I think this is the first time you've really shown it since we hit the Top 24. That right there was an authentic performance. I could absolutely see you up on a real stage out in the real world performing that song just like that and the crowd goes crazy. Excellent job this week."

David Cook - "Hello," Lionel Richie
He sang in a talent show as a little kid and halfway through the song he realized he didn't know the second verse and froze. That's not embarrassing so much, that's what little kids do. Technical difficulties surpassed, David with guitar in hand. It was a little disconcerting to hear a gentle electric guitar during the opening lines, but he put together an excellent arrangement and performance on that show. He was confident and strong. For two weeks now, he's shown us the David Cook we first fell in love with. And with his arrangement he was able to show the tender side of his voice as well as the thicker rock vocal.
Randy: "You made a slightly emo version out of an extremely pop Lionel Richie song. Great arrangement, man. I think that could be a single and be a hit, dude. I thought it was brilliant."
Paula: "I totally love it when you come on that strange because I know I'm in for a great surprise and great talent. That was fabulous and it would be a hit today ... You changed things up and ... made perfect choices. I believe that you're going to be a great shining star."
Simon: "That was a very brave thing to do and I loved it ... I like people who go out there and take a few risks. It was unpredictable and I thought it worked. I think Lionel Richie will be very happy when he hears that ... and I really , really hope we're going to see you next week."
Jason: "I'll say it as simply as I can. That was the performance of the night. You made the song something that spoke to you as an artist and you simply blew us away with it. Excellent!"
DOUBLEPLAY - It doesn't happen at all some weeks and sometimes it happens multiple times, but for the most part, it is rare that a performance is so good that I want to go back immediately (the joys of DVR) and watch it again.

Jason Castro - "Hallelujah," Leonard Cohen
On a date he tried to be cool, tying his dreds back and one ripped out, so there he was holding a dred in his hand when the food arrived. He got a second date, though. Jason C. toned it way down and performed for the first time without an instrument. His subtle performance was a beautiful thing. This was the best Jason has been so far that we've been able to see, despite faltering just a hair on the final word. A nice arrangement with the acoustic guitar accompaniment only.
Randy: "Great degree of difficulty ... You did a pretty good job of it, because it's a tall order because they ... worked it out. I give you props for it and ... for coming out without the guitar ... showing a different side."
Paula: "You made it sound so effortless with ease .. I am so glad you showed a beautiful vulnerability ... You are great in front of the guitar ... leaving it down ... You are unique and definitely recognizable in your technique ... Your phrasing is what makes you great."
Simon: "I thought it was absolutely brilliant what you just did ... loved it. Arguably one of my favorite performances of the whole night, definitely your strongest so far ... You are getting better and better and better. I'm very happy."
Jason: "I hate to have to say this to you, David Cook, but that right there was the performance of the night. There was so much beauty in what you just did, Jason, that I think you may have just raised the bar for the whole competition. I can guarantee you people will remember and be talking about that performance tomorrow. Fantastic!"
DOUBLEPLAY - It doesn't happen at all some weeks and sometimes it happens multiple times, but for the most part, it is rare that a performance is so good that I want to go back immediately (the joys of DVR) and watch it again.

Chikezie - "All the Man That I Need," Whitney Houston
He had a favorite bathroom when he first started high school that he used until one day the door was closed and he saw that it was a women's bathroom. Chikezie did the Luther Vandross arrangement from the '90s of this. Chikezie has obviously become more confident as a performer on the stage as he just laid down his performance of the season. His voice was bold and right-on pitch throughout, even nailing the falsetto notes toward the end. The redemption of Chikezie's snips back at the judges continues each time he gets better and better as a singer.
Randy: "Interesting song choice, once again ... You did a good job of it, man. I was really impressed. The last note kind of looked like it surprised you and me, too ... I thought it was really good, though."
Paula: "I was waiting for this upbeat thing and you switched it up on me, but your vocals sound really good tonight ... I'm very proud of you."
Simon: "Did Whitney do it?" Yes. "Then no, I don't think that worked at all. I thought ... you were okay in bits. But I thought it was much more cabaret than last week ... I don't think that was a very smart move personally."
Jason: "I'm going to have to disagree completely with Simon as I thought that worked great. You definitely channeled the Luther arrangement, but more importantly you showed us why you're here. You sounded strong and confident on a very daunting song. I think you've secured yourself a spot in the Top 12, or at least I hope you have, with that performance."

THE BEST OF THE NIGHT
Michael Johns, David Cook, Jason Castro

SHOULD BE WORRIED
Luke Menard, Danny Noriega