American Juniors, July 23: Do You Love Me?

Last night, with the spectre of the Thompson sisters out of the way, the eight remaining contestants were visibly pushing themselves to their best performances to date!

Last night, I said Top Three should be:

1. Chauncey Matthews

2. Chantel Kohl

3. A. J. Melendez

And, the Top Three would be:

1. Lucy Hale

2. Chantel Kohl

3. Chauncey Matthews

And the third member of the band would be... Chauncey Matthews.

Ryan welcomes us and tells us Kelly Clarkson will be performing!

He introduces Taylor and Tori Thompson, warning that there could be catfights once they are superstars. I bet there already are. Intro this week’s judges: Deborah Gibson, Jordan Knight, and Gladys Knight. .

We get a recap of last nights performances, which you can read in detail here.

The kids perform “Do You Love Me.” The males voices are particularly striking together.

Ryan calls the top three vote getters up.

Now for the results:

Morgan Burke - not in the top 3

Lucy Hale - in the Top 3!!

Katelyn Tarver - not in the Top 3

Jordan McCoy - not in the Top 3

Danielle White - not in the Top 3

Chauncey Matthews - in the Top 3!

That leaves A.J. and Chantel... both were good, each are worthy of the top three. It is... Chantel in the Top 3! (Stinger is 3 for 3! Earned my paycheck again!)

Taylor and Tori Thompson are tortured, er, featured in a “video” for “Bring The House Down” with pirouetting construction workers. No sign of the Indian or the cop. Not quite as bad as being eaten by a hamburger, but hideous just the same.

Next, Kelly Clarkson sings “Miss Independent” with a cute shorter hairdo. Taylor Thompson leapt about four feet in the air, in full squeal, when Kelly was introduced. “Miss Independent” has cracked the Top Ten finally, so all the snickering about one-hit wonderdom should be effectively silenced. Ryan says it’s in sixth week at number one. I don’t know what chart he’s looking at because Beyonce is ruling the world on Billboard’s (the only chart that matters). Kelly sounded a bit rough tonight, and she kept reaching for her earpiece, I think she was having trouble hearing the track.

She hugs Ryan, as ebullient as usual, and scoots off to count her money.

Ryan says it’s time for the bad news. Someone is headed back to the “couch.” It is... Lucy Hale.

It’s down to Chauncey and Chantel. I liked Chantel last night, but I loved Chauncey! Chantel has a whole town voting for her, and with the Thompsons out of the way, she may be tough to beat! Oh Chauncey. Not again, bro!

Ryan says... the third member of the band... is... BOMP BOMP (oops, that’s Fame)... CHAUNCEY!!! YEAH BABY! His mouth opens wide, he can’t contain his excitement! He looks shocked! Gladys Knight leaps to her feet with joy! His Mom points a jaunty finger at her baby!

Chauncey sings an uncontrolled “Moon River,” but he’s excited, give him a break. Then he hits that high register, which made his Mom well up, and my heart tug.

And, so it is. America, I have faith in you again. Chauncey was the best of last night and he deserved his spot, excuse me, he DESERVED his spot! I am happy again! Now, if we could only get Danielle over the hump...

Sting7 can be reached at stingseven@yahoo.com.

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