Cook, 25, overcome by emotion, momentarily turned away from a Nokia Theatre crowd of more than 7,000, as surprise changed to tears upon the announcement Wednesday night. The self-proclaimed “word nerd” was overwhelmed. Cook admitted, “I can’t find words to describe this” and simply, gracefully said “thank you.”
Just one Read the rest of this entry »
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It was part “Rocky” and part American Idol when contestants David Cook and David Archuleta squared off for the reality singing show’s championship match at the Nokia Theatre L.A. on Tuesday.
The pair entering the stage to the four-sequel boxing anthem blaring, shining boxing robes and red leather gloves and pugilist emcee Michael Buffer’s trademark catchphrase “Let’s get ready to ruuuuuumble!”
It was a clash that many, including lead judge Simon Cowell, had expected since mid-season.
Archuleta won the coin toss and strategically chose for Cook to start each round.
Cook and Archuleta bumped mitts and then took turns banging out three tunes each; a selection by mega-record executive Clive Davis, a selection from the top 10 from the song writing contest and contestant song choice.
From the start, there was Read the rest of this entry »
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American Idol sent home its last female Wednesday night, trimming the field to two for next week’s Season Seven finale.
Syesha Mercado of Sarasota, Fla. was left to sing an exit solo after being the lowest vote getter from Tuesday’s three-song performance round.
During the weekend, Mercado’s efforts were good enough for one local mom to insist the 21-year-old singer hold her baby while town mayor Lou Ann Parker flipped, literally, for the burgeoning singer/actress visited her hometown this weekend.
One person who didn’t was panelist Paula Abdul, who usually is sweet on American Idol contestant performances. Abdul soured on Mercado’s cover of “Hit Me Up,” and said it “wasn’t good enough to get into the finals.”
More than 56 million votes felt likewise, as American Idol hopefuls David Cook and David Archuleta will vie for the show’s overall title and a one-year record contract with lead panelist-affiliated X19 Entertainment. Read the rest of this entry »
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Three remaining hopeful singers did battle Tuesday night for a berth in the finals of reality television’s premiere contest, American Idol.
The trio of David Cook, Syesha Mercado and David Archuleta covered selections by an American Idol judge, the show’s producers and a personal choice. Each faced challenges during the evening’s three-song format.
Archuleta, 17, contended with a polarizing reputation as the American Idol Muzak dispenser, a high class vanilla performer and singer who is struggling to find an identity. Panelist Paula Abdul’s choice, Billy Joel’s “And So It Goes” and producer selection Dan Fogelberg’s “Longer” positioned the cherubic Utah native as a melodic crooner for the middle-aged.
“With You” by Chris Brown was Archuleta’s try to give the voting public hipper, more youthful content. Despite characteristically accurate vocals, (”you could sing the phone book” has practically become panelist Randy Jackson’s mantra) it seemed an unnatural fit for the Murray High School junior. Read the rest of this entry »
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The pressure builds as reality television singing contest American Idol rapidly approaches its final showdown on May 20. But contestant Jason Castro of Rockwall, Texas will no longer need to worry after being voted off of American Idol during tonight’s Results Show.
Moments before the dismissal announcement, an impish Castro had resolved himself to a fourth-place exit, confessed the growing show workload had gotten the best of him.
“It’s three songs next week,” Castro said with a wide-eyed blank look that broke into a trademark impish grin. “I don’t know what I would’ve done.”
The ever-candid Castro who continued to nervously flipped a stack of shoulder-length dreadlocks over his shoulder had known for awhile that “my inexperience is starting to show this late in the competition.” But after stumbling Tuesday night over Bob Marley and Bob Dylan classics followed by - someone told him last night that he shot the tambourine man,” Castro realized the jig was up.
Syesha Mercado, 21, who had narrowly escaped banishment in six of the previous eight rounds, joined Castro on death’s doorstep after a screechy “Proud Mary” and mixed reviews after “A Change Is Gonna Come” on Tuesday.
David Cook (”Hungry like the Wolf”, “Baba O’Reilly”) and David Archuleta (”Stand By Me,” “Love Me Tender”) were put straight through to the May 13 semifinal round. Mercado will accompany the pair of Davids.
Castro’s quarterfinal effort during Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame Week included the singer’s most experimental tune of the season. A spliced-down 90 second version of reggae-rooted “I Shot the Sheriff” needed for airing and a questionable arrangement was deemed a misfire by panelists Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell, while wiping out three measures of lyrics in “Mr. Tambourine Man” was a self-inflicted wound that Castro would not overcome.
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When a contestant is told “pack your suitcase” by the lead panelist, it’s an odds-on favorite that America will see that singer’s exit montage on Wednesday.
That’s exactly what happened to pretty boy Jason Castro after butchering two songs Tuesday during Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame Week on American Idol. Dreadlock-adorned Castro, 20, of Rockwall, Texas, botched Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff” and Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” on consecutive attempts. The closest to positive feedback that panelists could offer was a dim, “it didn’t blow us away” from the usually-sunny Paula Abdul.
The words of head judge Simon Cowell resonated more clearly, “That was utterly atrocious.” After Castro admittedly “lost a few lines” of lyrics of the Dylan hit, Cowell landed a heavy parting shot. “Jason, I’d pack your suitcase.”
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A pair of adolescent hookups and some “family” forgiveness were precursors to the wet-eyed finish of American Idol’s top four results show Tuesday night.
After more than 45 million call-in votes were tabulated, Brooke White was dismissed from American Idol competition during Neil Diamond Week.
White’s hollow try Tuesday at spirited Monkeys tune “I’m a Believer” and modest keyboard/vocal reprisal of “I Am I Said” were a last gasp for the Mesa, Ariz. native. The first selection offered limited range and power periodically muffled by accompanying instrumentation and vocals, while the latter was a shaky-but-serviceable delivery that had flashes of the White audiences saw in qualifying rounds.
It was too little, too late.
Show host Ryan Seacrest’s contribution to figuratively kick the struggling White while she was down, by exposing a stage secret was out of character and unnerving. White had penned key lyrics on her hand and Seacrest gloatingly finked on the struggling blonde in front of the viewing public. It may be the low blow that sent White home.
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The American Idol top five hopefuls may have been mentored by 70s great Neil Diamond but the performances, arrangements, show formatting and judging boofs turned a potentially shiny rock into a dusty, hard piece of coal.
Make those two pieces, literally. Each contestant sang two selections Tuesday evening.
If the readership finds this review a knock off of sometimes-surly lead panelist Simon Cowell, then let’s look at the facts:
Pretty boy Jason Castro put himself on cruise control during “Forever in Blue Jeans” and “September Morn,” a soulful piece and a heartfelt retrospective that the dreadlock-clad lad from Rockwall, Texas appeared to Cadillac his way through. Trying to create a hipper, more casual sound by trimming the legato was a flop - it deflated the tension and passion that made Diamond’s songs classics.
Panelist Paula Abdul said Castro took “the same liberty with each song.” She’s right. Castro took the liberty of being lazy. Considering Castro is only three nights from the show final round, there’s no excuse.
Syesha Mercado seldom gets audience love, despite her more-than-capable stage maneuverings (unlike many who create a bare spot in a three-foot square section of the floor) and exceptional vocal range - only to have the camera crew film the seated Mercado during “Hello Again” from behind an arm-waving mosh pit at the song’s onset.
Zero props to the production personnel. Getting the details right is part of what’s made American Idol the gold standard.
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