American Idol 5, February 23: The First Cut is the Deepest

It’s time for another episode of American Idol, and the top 24 contestants will become the top 20 as the two men and the two women with the lowest number of votes are sent home. Ryan tells us that 40 million votes were cast.

Ryan then talks to the judges. Randy says that likeability is very important. Simon, he says, is somewhat right about there being an “it factor” that makes a star. He thinks, though, that when the contestants get to the top twelve, it’s all about singing. Wow, that’s obviously not true, but we’ll let that go. Paula thinks the show is gaining in audience across all demographics. She thinks each contestant can “pierce the heartsrings of America.” Simon disagrees, and she tells him to shut up. Ryan then teases Simon about his “baby blue sweater.” Simon counters that Ryan has become disturbingly obsessed with his wardrobe, and that it is “verging on creepy.” He offers to send Ryan a photograph or statue. Ryan counters with a classic “Simon is old joke.” Then, they’re back to the point. Simon thinks it’s obvious who will be leaving because “they were terrible.” He thinks Idol has trained the public to be good critics.

The top 24 then perform the classic rock song “Take It Easy.” The arrangement features the guys. Elliott, Chris, and Taylor sound especially great. David seems a little off. I wonder if he’s worried about the results.

We’ve still got plenty of time in this hour-long show to burn, so Ryan shows recaps of the two performance shows. He reminds us again that soon, four of these singers will be leaving us.

The women face the music first, sitting on the bleachers on the stage. Ryan says that contestants tend to be very nervous on results show night, but thinks Brenna isn’t like that. She responds that she is “like a duck.” That is, she seems calm, but is paddling furiously beneath the surface. She is probably very worried. Paris says she had a dream about the results show. All of the confetti fell from the ceiling, but she couldn’t tell who won. And she woke up before she could find out. I hate it when that happens! She says she hopes to be in there somewhere. Ryan asks Heather what conversation has been like at the breakfast table. Heather says they always have muffins to eat, and that everyone is nervous. Becky admits to being the most nervous. No one is safe.

Ryan announces that it’s time to reveal who had the fewest votes. He has the back row stand up. That would be Mandisa, Kelly, Paris, Ayla (who is surely over a foot taller than Paris), Lisa, and Katharine. They are all safe. Ryan turns to the bottom row. Heather, Stevie, and Melissa are all safe. That leaves Kinnik, Becky, and Brenna. They go to the center stage and await their fate… after the break.

Ryan reminds the three women of what the judges said. Kinnik is first. Randy gave her a six out of 10. Paula liked her showmanship. And Simon thought she was elegant, but cabaret. Randy was surprised by how well Becky did, Paula found her charming, and Simon gave her a six out of 10. Finally, Randy missed Brenna’s attitude, Paula loved her softer side, and Simon said her performance was “horrible.”

Ryan breaks the tension a bit- Kinnik is safe. Brenna and Becky say that they’re friends and give each other a hug. Becky has the lowest number of votes. “It’s okay,” she says. Lisa and Katharine look upset. Randy tells her to keep working, and find songs that are a good fit for her voice. Paula is teary eyed and tells her that the camera loves her. Simon thinks she could be a great model, and better to be great at something than just good. Becky thanks American Idol for such a great opportunity. She is a class act. She performs “Because the Night” a final time.

After the break, the men sit on the bleachers of doom. Elliott admits that the judges’ words of encouragement boosted his confidence, but adds that they said he had good “potential.” He figures that means he can always improve. Kevin says that the highlight of this experience so far was having his cheeks pinched by the ladies in Paula’s Kitty Pound. He hopes for kisses next time. Ryan laughs and calls him smooth.

The back row - Gedeon, David, Taylor, Will, Bucky, and Patrick - are all safe. Ryan then tells Ace and Elliot that they are safe, as are Kevin and Chris. That leaves Bobby and Sway, who move to center stage.

Randy found Bobby entertaining, but thought his vocals were weak. Paula thought his song choice was risky, and Simon thought it was a nightmare that Barry Manilow would hate. “Blah, blah, blah,” says Bobby, with a smile on his face. As for Sway, Randy loved his originality, Paula gave him a standing ovation, but Simon thought he was a third rate copycat. Ryan tells Sway and Bobby that they’ll find out the results… not after the break, but right now. Bobby is going home.

Bobby says he’s not surprised. He tells us that he sang the song in honor of his grandmother. Sure, Simon was hard on him, but he respects Simon. He adds that he is proud to have made it as far as he did. Again, a truly classy departure. Bobby and Simon agree that there are no hard feelings. Paula tells him that he would be great in musical comedies, and Randy and Simon agree. Bobby sings us out with a smile on his face.

The women return to the hot seats, and that back row is once again safe. Was there ever any doubt? Kellie actually looks really relieved. I hope she can get past the nerves that are obviously haunting her. Ryan tells Brenna that she’s safe, and actually has to remind everyone to clap for Brenna. Kinnik is safe as well. Melissa is next. Randy, Ryan reminds us, thought she was a bit rocky, but good. Paula thinks this was a shining moment for her, but Simon found her lifeless. No matter- Melissa is safe.

That leaves Stevie and Heather. Randy found Steve’s performance boring, but Paula liked the ethereal quality of it. Simon, however, said she “messed up.” Randy thought Heather needed to take a chance. Paula said it wasn’t a great performance, and Simon called it “forgettable.” Ryan sends the two women to center stage, then at the last minute, tells Heather to sit down – Stevie is going home.

Stevie doesn’t look surprised and shrugs that “the show must go on.” Paula tells her that she chose the wrong song, and Randy and Simon agree. She sings her final song.

Now it’s time to get rid of the next guy. This time, the front row is safe. Ryan directs the men in the back row to come center stage and form two single file lines flanking him. Alas, he does not direct them to do a kick-line. Patrick and Bucky are first. Randy told Patrick his performance was not his best, Paula thought he was amazing, but Simon thought it was average. Randy liked Bucky, Paula was sure we’d see him next week, but Simon, once again, was the contrary vote. He thought Bucky sounded like any rocker in a bar. Ryan directs the two guys to either side of the stage.

Taylor and Will are up next, and Ryan wastes no time in telling them they are safe. Gedeon and David are also safe. Ryan directs Bucky and Patrick to stand next to him again. I was sure it would be Bucky, but Patrick is headed home. Paula is very said, saying, “I saw him perform magic in the auditions.” I immediately get a mental image of him shooting pennies out of his wrists like Gob in Arrested Development. Now that I would have voted for. Randy thinks he has a bright career ahead of him and suggests that he focus on playing and singing. Simon says it’s a lesson learned – you must stand out. Patrick agrees that it was a lesson learned and asks his fans to keep an eye out for him, because he’s not finished yet. Patrick sings us out, and that’s it for another week of American Idol.

There weren’t too many surprises tonight. I thought Bobby and Stevie would go, and I was right about that. I would have guessed that Becky and Patrick had another few weeks in them, but really didn’t expect them to make the top twelve. That said, we can be confident that there will be some shockers in the weeks ahead. See you next week!

Betsy Wasser is the Associate Editor of Reality News Online. She can be reached with any comments at betsywasser@gmail.com

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