Thought I'd try something a bit new this week. I am going to do some predictions just before I see the contestant's perform, and then sum up. Before I begin, a bit of a rant is in order. Rat Pack Week? This is the single stupidest theme yet. Don't get me wrong, I love the pack and am a huge fan of the Chairman of the Board, but this theme for the next American Idol? Craziness. I'm reminded of that Duets album - an homage to Frank - that had the likes Bono singing standards. What a train wreck. Bono is one of the premier rock singers of all time, but he couldn't sing a bar of a standard. If I recall correctly, he sang the worst rendition of I've Got You Under My Skin of all time, which is precisely what I expect tonight. Don't believe it's a train wreck? Check it out, dog.The producers of Idol should be dismissed. How about letting the contestants sing current songs? I wonder who is going to be the worst at this. It could be anyone. Gokey? Allison? Matt? I bet that Adam steals the show again. Thank goodness the blind guy isn't still here to Broadway-ize Fly Me to the Moon - although I'd pay big money to see the tattoo sleeve chick totally butcher a classic. Anyway, I digress.
Kris: Thought captain yo-yo won last week. Since this should be his wheel house, I predict a mediocre, out of key disaster. I can't imagine he'd bust out his one chord on the guitar this week, so I'll predict he plays two chords on the piano. Prediction: Grade C-.
The truth: Well I was right on one thing. Captain Yo-Yo struck again, although he yo-yo'ed way up tonight. I agree with Randy dog, he sang the crap out of that joint. He sounded a bit like a young Michael Feinstein tonight. Grade: A-
Allison: As might as I like Allison, I think the producers and the panel's seemingly season-long conspiracy against her culminates tonight with the worst possible theme for the young rocker. She is completely out of her element and will be exposed as someone who can't sing when she is not screaming. Prediction: Grade: D-.
The truth: As Yoda might say, dead wrong was I. Dead wrong. This was BY FAR Allison's best performance of the season. By far. She blew that song right out of the box. She can sing, she really can. I take it back. But I don't take back the conspiracy. What the HELL was Simon Cowell smoking? In trouble with THAT performance? Just for that, I am going to vote for the first time this season. Screw Simon. Grade: A
Matt: I am not going to go 0 for 3. I'm not. Matt is going to butcher a classic. He is going to put WAY to much R&B in and ruin a great song. Prediction: Grade F.
The truth: It's true. Simon is on Paula's meds. Matt was absolutely brilliant? I have to laugh. Matt was absolutely out of key for half the song and absolutely mediocre in general. Simon must be sleeping with Matt or maybe his mother. Remember, this is the guy that Simon inexplicably saved a couple of week's back. But, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Grade: C-.
Gokey: Not sure what to expect. He certainly is no crooner and he's been dropping week after week. He is never utterly horrible, but this is way out of his area (if he has an area). Prediction: Grade: Solid C.
The truth: Well, 1 for 4 makes me a tomato can in baseball (aka the best sport) and probably worse here. While I am starting to dislike Danny's style, I have to admit that he sang the heck out of that song tonight (even though he did not sound anything like a rat packer). And I think he's edged out Allison for the best of the night. Go figure. With the exception of Matt, maybe this was not so bad a choice of themes after all. I stand corrected. Grade: A.
Adam: I never know what to expect from him, but I'm sure he'll be rock solid and in the 90s. Thanks buddy for raising me up to 2 out of 5 - .400. Prediction: Grade: A
The truth: I don't what to say. Was he good. Certainly. Is he the only unique talent in the competition. Absolutely. Did he win tonight? I don't think so. I agree again with Randy that he did well, but that the song was way too theatrical. I think Adam needs to guard against going too over the top each week. Was he good enough to keep me sub-.500? Yes. Was it an A? Nope. Grade: B.
Rankings: Gokey, Allison, Kris, Adam, and Matt.
Prediction for who is going to go? Thanks to Simon - either Allison or Kris, when it should be Matt - big time. This will be a good week to see how much sway Cowell has over the sheep. If it's a lot - Kris or Allison will be gone. If it is less than I expect, then Matt.
