American Idol 5, March 9: The Final Countdown

Ryan shows us twelve empty seats that will soon be filled with the top twelve contestants on American Idol. As we hit the finals, we’ll have a bigger stage, a huge studio audience, a bigger band, and a team of stylists. 46 million votes were cast this week. Ryan quickly recaps the performances that America voted for.

Some of the contestants stuck to what they do best. Bucky sang country, Chris did a rock song, and “Mandisa belted it.” Taylor showed off his soulful singing. Other tried something different. Paris sang Gloria Estefan while Elliot tried Bryan Adams. Will divided the judges – while Paula loved him, Randy and Simon were not so impressed.

Age, Ryan says, played a part for other competitors. Simon questioned whether Lisa’s song was too old for her, then said that Kevin’s performance was “juvenile.” Ryan spoke back, saying that he had a dream in which Simon gave constructive criticism. Simon refused, and to be honest (as Simon would say), I think it’s because frankly he doesn’t have any. I think Kevin has a fine singing voice, but I also think that he’s outclassed by several of the other competitors. Simon can’t very well tell him that he just needs to have more talent. I also think that if Kevin had waited until he was, say, 20 instead of 16 before auditioning for American Idol, he’d be that much stronger of a singer and competitor and would have to rely so much on the “cute factor.” It’s not like Simon can tell him, at this point, to go away and come back in four years. I’m probably in for an inbox full of dissenting opinions from Kevin fans, so I’ll repeat- it’s not that he’s bad, it’s just that he’ll be a lot better in a few years. But I digress.

Katharine performed a tune made famous by queen of soul Aretha Franklin, while Ace sang a song by the king of pop, Michael Jackson. Kellie “broke her country ties and rocked out.” Melissa “tried to rock out,” and Simon predicted she’d be going home. He also predicted that Kinnik would be going home. Simon, of course, does not get to decide- the voters will.

Before the contestants learn their fate, it’s time to say hello to an old friend – last season’s runner-up Bo Bice. Ryan congratulates Bo both on the great sales of his album and on being a new dad. Bo says that he sings to his son every day- lots of Croce, James Taylor, and “of course,” Skynard. Bo says that he had to move because, after Idol showed his house on the air, people kept showing up looking for him.

Bo performs his new single “The Real Thing.” The song itself is just okay, but Bo is a great performer. He still rocks the microphone stand like a baton twirler at a Fourth of July parade.

Now, on to the tough part- Ryan is going to reveal which woman had the lowest number of votes. He starts with Lisa. Randy was not impressed by her song, but Paula said she was the whole package. Simon said she’d sail through. Lisa is safe. Next is Melissa. Randy loved her song, and Paula said she is “a force to be reckoned with.” Simon predicted she’d go home. He’s wrong- she’s still in it. Ryan reminds Ayla that Randy is a fan of hers, Paula gave her props, and Simon advised her to be younger. Ayla does not have the lowest number of votes. Next up is Kinnik, and Ryan makes it short and sweet. “You have the lowest number of votes and are leaving us tonight,” he tells her.

Kinnik joins him on stage, and she looks okay. I think she knew this might be coming. She says that she is proud to have made it as far as she did and feels like a winner. Randy tells her to keep working and believing. Paula thinks she’s great and suggests she sing better songs in the future. Ryan skips Simon, saying he wouldn’t have anything nice to say. Simon calls over that it was nice knowing her (which did not come across as mean as it sounds like it might have). Kinnik sings us out, then thanks her fans.

It’s time for the man with the lowest number of votes to go. Ace says that they should all be proud to have gotten so far. Kevin agrees and says he’s nervous. Gedeon is smiling, as always. We start with Kevin. Randy likes him, and Paula liked that he did a ballad. Simon, however, found his performance “juvenile.” Kevin is safe. Gedeon, Randy said, started off the show well. Paula thinks he’s a great showman, and Simon concedes that Gedeon is growing on him. Gedeon is still in it. Next we have Bucky. Randy liked the song, and Paula thinks he’s talented. Simon thought it was okay. Okay is good enough for now- Bucky is safe. We turn to Elliott. Randy liked the song, and Paula said it was phenomenal, though Simon called it a cop-out. Elliot does not have the lowest number of votes.

That leaves Will sitting next to Ace, Taylor, and Chris- not a good place to be. Ryan breaks the news- Will has the lowest number of votes. He’s fine with it, and is happy to have had such a great experience. He adds that it’s okay – he’s only 17. Like Kinnik, I think he suspected that this was it for him. Paula says that she’s proud of his growth. Randy tells him to try to discover who he is as a singer. Simon says that Will is a gentleman, and that his attitude will make him a success in whatever he does. Will sings his goodbye.

Now we need to find out who the second woman is to go home – and to find out who is in the top twelve. We start with Paris. Randy didn’t like her song choice, but Paula did. Simon loves Paris’s enthusiasm. Ryan tells Paris, who is sporting gigantic fake pigtails, to take her spot in the top twelve. Paris positively dances down to the chairs, then says she needs some company!