American Idol 3, April 27: Chocolate Ice Cream and Onions

Ryan welcomes us and thanks us for all the cards and calls about Jennifer Hudson. Another warning to vote or your favorite singer could be gone for good.

Intro the judges, and say hello to Gloria Estefan, our guest judge tonight. Gloria Package ensues. The contestants all says she is very nice. I’m sure she is.

Intro the contestants, meaningless patter. Yes, I’m kind of cross tonight. I don’t have a problem with Gloria Estefan, I just don’t know the point of having her and the Miami Sound Machine on. We’re more than halfway through the competition and someone will go home because they couldn’t handle latin pop? Seems unfair. And, let’s face it. I’m still stinging (no pun) over last week.

On with the show.

Fantasia Barrino, “Get On Your Feet”

Randy - “Great performance, vocally, I don’t if I was feeling you, hearing you… I wasn’t really feeling it.”

Gloria - “You haven’t sung a bad note this whole competition.”

Paula - “We know it’s not always about singing the notes right, it’s about the performance… you take on these themes and you consume them… you were great.”

Simon - “You sound like a cartoon character tonight, like Donald Duck on helium… you’re a great performer, but you’re going to see the playback and think ‘that wasn’t great.’”

Sting7 - And there you have it. Fantasia is a fantastic performer and even better vocalist. “Get On Your Feet” was a mediocre song that came when Gloria was starting to wilt around the edges for the general public, and Fantasia did what she could with it. It all ended up being just an okay offering. Fantasia wakes up bigger than this song can give her. Lots of shout-outs to her buddy, Jennifer Hudson, but there are people who have a problem with even that. She can’t buy a break. She’ll probably go home.

George Huff, “Live For Loving You”

Randy - “I’ve got to give you props, at least you found yourself in the song.”

Gloria - “I love the personality things you threw in there… great job!”

Paula - “That was great, you did a great job. Congratulations.”

Simon - “Good news is: Gloria, you have a great band! If this was the first time I’d seen you, I’d be amazed that you were in the final six. It was amateurish. (Ryan asks what was amateurish about it to help George.) It was as good as your presenting skills.”

Sting7 - Here we go again. George’s voice is not at all meant for latin pop, and George needed a good one tonight, if only for his own confidence. This wasn’t it. He’ll probably be going home.

LaToya London, “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You”

Randy - “First of all you look amazing… you seemed able to settle in with the band… I’m still not wowed, I don’t know if I’m going to be wowed tonight.”

Gloria - “When I was at the auditions, I didn’t know I was going to be here, but I knew you would be there.”

Paula - “I wish there was more than a minute and a half… I think we need more of you.”

Simon - “I think you needed to do what you did because you were running the risk of being boring. It worked because you showed you could do more than stand there and be boring… it wasn’t your best performance, but it worked.”

Sting7 - I think LaToya had aspirations of this being better than it was. Ultimately, forgettable because she can’t do latin pop either. She’ll probably be going home.

Now for the glorified (no pun) Subway commercial. The pimping continues. Swell.

John Stevens, “Music of My Heart”

Randy - “Love the shoes, you know I like you, you’re the best guy I know… the vocals were horrendous, I think there were three notes you hit in tune… I’m just being honest.”

Gloria - “I think you did your grandma proud, regardless. My grandma was very important to me. Yes you did.”

Paula - “I agree, you gave it a valiant effort, I’m proud of you. You did your best. (Yet there was that look on her face, like the call from the doctor said ‘terminal.’) “

Simon - “I going to start off by paying you a compliment. One of the reasons you are doing so well in this competition is you are – how old are you? – 16, and you are taking every bullet thrown at you like a man, no complaining (I so agree!)… I wish every ex-contestant on this show could take it your way. (Guess he saw PrimeTime Live!) But, seriously, you and latin music go together like chocolate ice cream and an onion. But, you’re popular, you’re staying on this show, you have nothing to feel guilty about, good luck to you.