American Idol – The misstep after a fantastic show

What in the world was that?

Did the American Idol Powers That Be surmise they needed to follow up the best show of the season with its exact opposite in craptastickness?  Talk about awkward.  There was awkward written all over this show — from good ‘ole Seacrest’s opening Idol shout out right down to the very end of the program.

From the get go, the opening number by the ‘Idols’ was goofy.  It’s our little weekly visit to Lip Sync City once more.  Why, why, why?  This perplexes me to no end.

Which led into the dippy, dopey Ford commercial.  I was still stewing over the group song when, at the end of it, I confessed to my wife I didn’t understand the entire segment in the least.  “What the hell was that?” I asked her.  “You need to watch it and listen.”  I then “got it”; It was as plain as day: Lee was crooning to the Ford Fiesta behind Crystal … not at Crystal herself.  See what I mean?  I get wrapped up and all hot and bothered at the group song and it causes me to lose my concentration. Sigh.

Then, after the “safeness” of Lee DeWyze was announced, it was time for Lady Gaga.  Wow.  I don’t have words.  Between the set and her get up (was she channeling Bauhaus or something?) to the Tweedledum and Tweedledee outfits of the dancers, her segment was … well … I don’t know what it was.  I do know the director did his best at keeping the cameramen hopping and in avoidance of gratuitous Gaga Glutes shots.  Hey, Alejandro?  Let Gaga go, already … ‘kay?  (Video below for your dining and dancing pleasure.)

The best part of the program were the outtakes of Harry Connick, Jr. and his monkey business with the ‘Idols’.  From the highwire circus music Harry offered at Casey’s stumbling entrance … to his “We’ll work on colors and shapes next!” reply to Aaron’s “What note?” … to his faux pax of Crystal’s insulin pump, this segment was nothing but a smile inducer.  If not for this side segment, this episode of Idol would have been bottom of the basement bad.  Unfortunately, there is no video of this … but, fear not!  There is video of Harry’s (not to my liking in the least) “I Love Her” stint on the show (video below).  It goes without saying Harry’s got a silky smooth voice perfect for what he does, but this rendition was kinda choppy to me … again, awkward … and it made my face screw up in puzzlement.  And it was just as puzzling as the misstep with the ‘Idols’ taking the stage directly afterward to sing with Harry accompanying on piano.  And (you guessed it) lip syncing once more. Groan.

Oh … there is more.  Seacrest later paired up Crystal and Casey in one group on the Idol stage, Big Mike and Aaron in another.  Then he uncomfortably asked Lee, who was all by his lonesome safe and sound, if he had to choose, what group was the “safe” group?  It was sad to see him shake his head in response to Seacrest’s query, then drop in defeat of knowing he had to come up with an answer.  Awk. Ward.

Ultimately, with Big Mike and Aaron at the mercy of Ryan’s announcement, it was Aaron who was ousted.

The Kid did good, though, ending on a high note, singing “Fly Me to the Moon” with Mr. Connick’s keyboard accompaniment … waverly vocals, notwithstanding.  We’ll forgive you for those this one last time, Aaron. Hasta, kiddo.

I give you credit:  You made it farther than others who should have been up there in your place.

Clacked by Michael Noble
on May 06, 2010 @ 13:09 EST5EDT