Last night AT&T kept busy keeping their phone lines operational while one of the most-hyped elections since Bush-Gore 2000 occured - American Idol, 2006. Let's recap, shall we...
Round 1: The show opened with Kat's weird version of "Black Horse, Cherry Tree". Her crawling around the box drum players before was odd, and it was still strange the second time around. You expect the performance to improve, but that didn't happen. She should have sung "Someone to Watch Over Me", which was her second best performance ever. By far, nobody can pull off purple suede like Taylor. His revival of "Livin for the City" was outstanding. And, he reprised that Hicks 360 degree circle, sprinkler like dance that is one of his signature moves. Round 1 - hands down, Taylor.
Round 2 - I realized last week where Kat needs to focus her energy - Judy Garland tunes. The songs she shines on are songs from her era. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was superb, both times, and my second favorite performance of hers, "Someone to Watch Over Me" is a 50's throw back. Kat, quit trying to be Kelly Clarkspears or Brittney Underwood. Go with what you do best. If Hollywood ever does a remake of The Wizard of Oz, she should play Dorothy. She could play innocent farm girl pretty well. Simon could be the Tinman, Bucky the Scarecrow, Ryan the Cowardly Lion, Kevin Covais as Toto, and Taylor as the Great OZ. Taylor was ok his second performance, but he had it tough against Kat's best song. Round 2 - Kat's the winner.
Round 3 - I always am skeptical of what type of songs will be featured as the Idol's first single. Obviously "Inside Your Heaven" wasn't half the song "Jesus, Take the Wheel" was for Carrie Underwood (Side note: How cool was it that Carrie is winning a CMA award the same night as the Idol finals?..what a weird world) The song "My Destiny" was perfect for Kat since she thinks this whole thing is her destiny. And, she actually started the song out ok, but by the end, she couldn't keep up with the Kodak Theater Baptist Choir. It fell flat. Even Randy resorted to Paula's standard line, "You look stunning tonight." I was concerned that Taylor would have to sing the same song, but oh no, his song was "Do I Make You Proud?" Maybe those songs should have been switched...I can see Kat asking that question. But, Taylor nailed the coffin shut with that one. He showed off his vocal chops and we really saw that, yes, he can sing, even if you don't appreciate his fun dancing. Round 3, Taylor again, and according to Simon, who didn't want him to head to Hollywood, he's sealed his fate as the next American Idol.
Like Bush-Gore 2000, this "election" holds some similarities. Al Gore thought he invented the Internet - I think Kat thinks she invented music. And, Bush, this non-articulate guy from Texas folks never thought would win, now is serving his second term. Nobody thought Taylor would go this far either, but, you know what, America has known from the beginning he deserved it. So, it looks like that gray-haired, southern gentleman, Taylor Hicks, will be our next President, er, um, American Idol.
Blogger's Note: As I read through the articles online yesterday about predictions, I came across an article where the author used my former line "All you McPheever fans...Take a Tylenol." I suppose imitation is the highest form of flattery, but, I don't get paid to do it unfortunately.
1 comment:
I voted for Taylor last night. Kat just simply isn't that great. I'd so much rather listen to Taylor in concert than Kat, though he still looks a little freaky to me. I'm pulling for Taylor tonight.
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