AI3. Three Left. Three Songs Each.

See Three Do Three: Three Song Night

Last week, four young women allegedly took on Disco.  I never pictured “Holding On For a Hero” as a disco song. I suppose “Le Freak” wasn’t high on anyone’s list. More trauma ensued as the Results caused Jasmine to join Diana in the safe two while Fantasia and La Toya formed the “at risk” two.

The funniest thing about the situation was Paula “I Have the Attention Span of a Flea” Abdul telling Jasmine that “America would forgive” her awful performances and then boohooing that “America got it wrong” when they kept her in. Clearly Paula has gone beyond anyone’s help. You see now why I report so little of what she says.  It isn’t usually even this entertaining.

Surprise! Over-Exposure!! Before I tackle our official Tuesday evening performances, let’s pause for a quick review of the goodies thrown our way on Monday evening.

Ryan interviewed everybody. Obviously ratings for his personal show aren’t reaching the heights he had hoped, so he figured (incorrectly) that we needed an aperitif to make us all go running over to check it out. He brought each judge out one by one for a good deal of pointless repetitive blah blah. The only thing Randy said that I consider worth reporting is that he grades Fantasia’s performance of “Summertime” as the most awesome to date.

Paula’s interview time was as usual full of inanity. She showed Ryan how to make sitting down for the interview into “schtick” - tuck one leg underneath and sit on it while folding oneself gracefully yet seamlessly into the chair. She “revealed” more about what goes on under the table between her and Simon.  She prattled about why she wants to give performers something positive to take away from the experience, even when all the other judges (including the guest judge) are heaping scorn.

Simon’s interview was quite interesting. The unpredictability and shocks are what make the show like real life, he figures. He defines a diva as difficult, egotistical (think Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey) oops, they also have to be talented as well as difficult, so I guess we should scratch those examples?  Kidding. Sort of. At least in Whitney’s case. Carey’s glass-breaking high notes get on my nerves. What is personally satisfying to Simon is the right person winning and having a long career. So he’s got to be pretty unsatisfied, since he has no way of knowing if Kelly, Ruben and whoever wins this year will have long careers.

After that, Ryan spent time chatting with each of the final 3 ladies. Then they sang a song each. Stupid me thought I’d be hearing something new. But the philosophy here is why sing new stuff if it’s not “official”? Jasmine was all in black to sing “I Know I’ll Never Love This Way Again.” It started out quite pleasant, but I was on tenterhooks, waiting for her to hit those horrible notes she seems incapable of avoiding. She went a little screechy toward the end, but it wasn’t one of her absolute worst performances. It’s really sad that at the Final 3 stage, there is a performer who has had so many bad performances that it’s easier to compare a mediocre performance to the array of terrible ones and call it “better.”

Fantasia was amusing and entertaining in her Ryanterview but I didn’t really note down every word uttered. The yellow jacket she had on over a black top and flowered print skirt was a little on the bright side. She looked like a chickadee. She reprised “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” It’s great, as expected, but not as much of a “wow” factor as the first time I heard it, but it sets a toe to tapping.

Diana was in a silvery over top of jeans. She allegedly did a lot of giggling in her Ryanterview, but I was immersed in discovering some Helpful Hints for Castlevania – woo we finally found our Sword Familiar! And Mr. AMAI worked out how to return to the Inverted Castle. I mean, once I realized we weren’t going to have new songs performed, I kinda lost interest in this Monday night show. I’m only reporting it to help bulk up the recap for Tonight’s Main Show.

Diana reprised “Turn The Beat Around,” her Salsa selection. It was almost as good as before, not quite as electric without the Big Band Back-up. I think that knowing it WOWed me before, I was expecting too much.

I sensed a little tension from Diana, a nervousness.  It’s almost as if she’s become cognizant of how close she is to winning, and it’s inhibiting her from being as comfortable as she’s capable of being. On the other hand, Fantasia was at ease, the way she’s always been. She’s got some cockiness and yet not as much as she had at the outset of the competition. Being in the bottom 3 helped her realize that it’s not won yet. She has improved a good deal over the weeks.  

Tuesday Night Performances. Special guest judge is Clive Davis. While Alicia Keys’ “Falling” plays, Ryan babbles the history of the Clive.

Fantasia gets to be the one to tell us each girl will perform three songs, one they chose, one that one of the judges chose for them and one Clive chose.

We begin with the contestants’ own choices.  Jasmine does “Saving All My Love for You.” She has her hair up in a rather elaborate bun with ponytail concoction. Outfit comprised of aqua halter top and short black pleated skirt with uneven hem is on the ho-ish side. Is it me or is this song about the “other woman” waiting for her two-timing man? Funny, I thought she sounded good on this song. But good for her, rather than good compared to the best we’ve seen in the competition.

Randy says she pales to Whitney’s version. Um, Whitney did that song? I’m not up to speed on my pop divas. Paula piles on, using the phraseology Randy used. Clive thinks she captured the tenderness and came thru. Simon says it’s like dinner with Paula –sweet but forgettable. Ha ha ho ho. At least Paula laughs too. She’s kind of dopey.

I don’t know how they’re going to have time to do 3 songs each – it’s already 8:15 and there’s only been one song.

Fantasia has selected Aretha’s “Chain of Fools.” She’s in a black dress with a silver necklace. She makes the song her own. There’s no comparing her to other versions and I’ve heard a few I like. Huge cheers from the crowd.

Randy loves her, “You are a winner, I don’t care about 1, 2, 3.” Paula says it’s about being unique and applauds with her little child’s hand-clapping. “You pick the right songs.” Clive says she took on the Queen of Soul, and nailed it. Simon says Fantasia demonstrated “what we’re looking for – someone who brings originality, not someone who copies someone else badly.” Oh ow – sounds like a burn for just about everyone else who was in the competition.

Diana has chosen “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Black top, red pants. It’s okay, but it doesn’t top Fantasia’s. I mean the performance is okay – the outfit hasn’t been universally lauded but at least it didn’t strike me as overly intrusive or unflattering. The singing doesn’t top her own best performances. Hearing the praise for Fantasia perhaps made Diana try too hard to ‘make the song her own.’ Diana has been hit & miss – some of her “best-loved” songs haven’t translated into marvelous performances.

I think the problem now for Diana is she’s doubting her ability to make songs her own. I didn’t see her presentation of this song as unique. And a unique presentation is prepared way ahead of time. Hearing kudos and praise of the kind lavished on Fantasia would not have bothered her if she’d rehearsed the song and felt confident about it. And I think Diana knew she hadn’t really succeeded in making this song “hers” in rehearsal. Her doubts produced a less than stellar performance onstage.

Randy: Not your best, that song is a little bigger than you. Paula flaps her gums, “Great job.” Clive says it was agreeable, good cabaret but not unique. Simon agrees with Clive. “You shouted you didn’t sing.”

Judges’ Choice Songs.I don’t know why, but I thought that the judges would have conferred and agreed on a song for each of them. Rather, the choices were said to have been made, one judge for each girl.

Paula, the worst judge, got to choose for Jasmine, the worst of those left. That’s my opinion and I’m not alone, although I know there are some actual fans. And she’s not unpleasant, she’s just not as “Wow” as someone like Jennifer. Even George produced a “wow” performance or two. To help shoot Jasmine out of the competition, Paula has found the lamest song from someone else’s discography. She wasn’t going to have Jasmine butcher one of her horrific little numbers, after all. Jasmine “gets” to do one from Natalie Cole’s catalogue. It’s a horrible upbeat little bit of fluff, called “Mr Melody.”

I see the girls aren’t going to be changing outfits; perhaps it was deemed too distracting. Tonight is all about the singing, so Jasmine is still in her ho-fit. Extremely lame song. “This is horrible,” offers Mr. AMAI. Randy gives props for the song choice, because his little honey bunny Paula chose it. It sucks Randy. :lol None of the other comments are even worth reporting.

Simon chose a song for Fantasia’s personality and tells us that it will be magic because he chose it. It is “Fool In Love.”  I’ve never heard this song before, but it is magic. It is kind of a silly song, but she takes and makes it work. She doesn’t rush through, and allows time for the song to happen. She even manages to walk around in the audience and make that work.

Randy goes nuts, “You da bomb.” (Mr. Amai doesn’t think this guy has a clue.) Paula says she doesn’t think Fantasia needs this competition. Clive would sign her if he saw her in a basement in Kansas. Simon goes, “I think you need a sympathy vote here – that was the worst ever.” But he’s smiling and she smiles and laughs. He’s pleased with the magic. It was great. And that’s the awesomeness of Fantasia – when she’s on, she is ON!

Diana performs “Because You Loved Me,” chosen for her by Randy. She’s going too fast – slow down, Diana. She’s seated on a chair. She hits some nice high notes and holds some notes nicely in the middle of the song. It was nice, but just too fast. Simon gives 7 out of 10.

Clive Davis’ Choices. Clive has chosen for Jasmine “All By Myself” the Eric Carmen’s classic. Randy felt no connection of emotion. Yeah I agree. The performance was so forgettable that as each note was finished I had already forgotten it. Simon does the “Paula” – handing out compliments where he can, but in spite of her loveliness, “The reality is you’re young sweet, and the unbelievable support from Hawaii is why you are still in the competition. Has to end tonight.”  In all honesty, it’s not just the support from Hawaii – there are folks all over the U.S. who are voting for her. In spite of the judges’ dissing, Ryan has to give her numbers anyway, and pimp her some more.

For Fantasia Clive chose a Whitney Houston song, “The Greatest Love of All.” Fantasia dials it down and makes it a very quiet song. It’s a very nice performance but not her best. She is in my opinion better suited to more emotional songs. This is one of the few Whitney songs that I really enjoyed when Whitney did it, and I didn’t see that Fantasia had as good a connection with the song as she has had with many other, more emotionally packed songs.

Huge cheers from the crowd nevertheless. Randy has accolades. PaulaBot blathers mechanically.  Clive: “Wow.” Simon asks, “What does it say behind you?” She turns and says, “American Idol.” She gets a little tearful because the praise tonight has been incredible. It’s like she is already the winner in the panels’ eyes.

Clive chose “Don’t Cry Out Loud” for Diana and it’s a showcase for her ability to reach the high notes. Randy thinks it’s the perfect song for her. Really? Paula is happy with the song choice too. Clive says that showed why she’s still in the competition. Simon reckons that that song just booked her a place in the final.

The 9 songs are reviewed, with each performer having her set strung together. Jas sounds the same in every song. Fantasia’s first two were awesome, the third just okay. Diana didn’t have her best night, but she is much more talented than Jasmine.

Final Remarks.  Out of these three, I obviously want to see a final 2 of Fantasia vs. Diana. I’m now rooting for Fantasia to win it all. If the incredible pile of accolades and judges’ praise results in Fantasia not receiving enough votes to advance to the end, I just might have to have an emoticon fit.

I have enjoyed Fantasia’s performances throughout this competition, from the first time I saw her, up to last night. She has had her share of “off” nights, but I think of everyone in the Top 12, she is the brightest star on the Pop Horizon.  I look forward to hearing what she does with each new song. I’ve enjoyed hearing her performances and she has tackled some of my favorite songs and made them come alive.

I’ve also enjoyed many of Diana’s performances, although she didn’t look like worthy competition last night. I still hope she makes it through to the final 2 and is able to forget about Fantasia and do her own thing. 

Results. Well, I decided to wait to post this until the results were known, just to add in the official decision. And it is – Jasmine is finally sent home. She leaves with a smile. What is Fantasia wearing? A giant handkerchief?

Ah well, it should be a good final, next week. I wasn’t worried a bit.

Thanks for reading.