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'American Idol' - 'Five Finalists Compete' Recap
by Kona Gallagher, posted May 5th 2010 1:35AM
You guys, I love Sinatra and I love Harry Connick Jr., so I'm super-excited about this episode. I'm most interested in seeing what Crystal does with the theme; not only because she's my favorite, but because she's the one furthest away stylistically from this type of music. She's either going to flounder or knock it out of the park -- I really can't see her just handing in a so-so performance.The arrangements are also going to be worth paying attention to, since Connick has not only brought along his band to play with the contestants, but he's actually arranging the songs for them. I've always thought the whole "mentor" thing on 'Idol' has been more about promotion than actual help, but this could prove to be a little bit different.Aaron Kelly is singing 'Fly Me to the Moon,' and I immediately love the way Harry Connick Jr. gets all crazy-eyed intense with him during rehearsals. "It's my life!" Aaron looks good tonight -- almost adult, which is nice. I also like seeing him sing a classic song, as opposed to some mid-'90s soundtrack schlock, of which he seems to be so fond.
Aaron should still come in fifth place, but this was by far one of my favorite performances of his. Randy was worried about Aaron, but was really impressed. Ellen, meanwhile was impressed with the fact that she didn't hear any country. Kara thought it was good, but not as strong as last week. She also wants him to have more charisma. Simon's more with Kara, which is no big surprise. He thought Aaron was "a mouse," but that people like him after he performs.
Casey James is singing 'Blue Skies,' which is an interesting choice for him. I'm not sure how I feel about it while watching the rehearsals -- it seems a little weak, honestly. The performance, however, is a somewhat of a different story. He does some fascinating things with his voice that we haven't heard before, and it's overall a very different performance from what we usually see from him. I feel as though the judges are going to hate it, and while it certainly wasn't my favorite of his, it was intriguing.
Randy automatically calls it his worst performance and simply tells him that it didn't work. Ellen tells him that he felt very stiff to her, and that she agrees with Randy. Kara liked how he held notes, but tells him that he sounded like a lamb. Simon tells him he looks a little awkward and embarrassed. He makes a joke about Casey's booking for next week, and the whole thing gets a little awkward.
Crystal Bowersox is singing 'Summer Wind' for "personal reasons," which is intriguing. Harry Connick seems blown away by her in rehearsals, and as soon as she starts singing, it's easy to see why. She too is showing another side of herself, but it's certainly working much better for her than it did for the first two contestants. She effortlessly makes the jump from subway performer to sexy lounge act; it's really amazing to watch.
Randy, however, isn't in love with it. He says it was a little sleepy for him. Ellen wants her to loosen up more, but is really impressed with her different sides. Kara tells her that its out of her element, but that she liked her phrasing. Simon isn't sure he would have chosen this song for her, saying that the first half was too jazzy for him. He tells her that she's had two okay weeks, and now she has to be "in it to win it."
Michael Lynche is singing 'The Way You Look Tonight,' which is such an iconic song, that it worries me. It's been done a million times in a million different ways, and I'm not sure that Big Mike can really bring much that's new to it. In the end, my opinion doesn't change -- he really break any new ground, but he's so charming, that at the very least, he adds personality to it.
It's a nice performance; I'm just not sure it's going to win the competition for him. Randy, however, goes crazy over it. He tells Mike that he's "in it to win it." Ellen tells him that he "moves easier than anyone else," and has a lot of charisma. Kara tells him that he "found the drama in the song," but didn't lose himself. Simon tells him that the first three performances were okay, but with him, it's all changed.
Lee Dewyze is singing, and Harry Connick Jr. thinks that he's a "new and improved version" of him. This is one of those performances that makes 'Idol' really interesting for me. I know a lot of people love Lee, but he's always faded into the background for me. I literally forget he's on the show every single week.
This is honestly the very first time that not only did I notice him, but he gave the strongest performance of the night. He did an absolutely fantastic job. Randy loved that he kept his "rocker self," and Ellen tells him that if this were the last night of performances that he would have won the whole thing. Kara tells him that he needs to have the confidence, because he can win this thing. Simon tells him that he gave it 110 percent, and that it was, by far, the best performance of the night.
Sinatra and Harry Connick Jr. were sure to provide some interesting twists, and they did not disappoint. I never would have guessed in a million years that I would walk away from this episode thinking that Lee Dewyze gave the best performance, but here we are. For the first time, he's actually making me sit up and take notice -- could he really win this thing? Who do you have pegged to take the title home?
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