American Idol 4, March 22: Number 11 – Straight To Heaven

Ryan welcomes us. We quickly learn that this week’s theme will be "Billboard Number One Hits." Specifically, Fred Bronson from Billboard Magazine says the kids will be able to choose among the 938 number one songs in Billboard’s history.

The kids are appropriately excited. Intro the judges, and on with the show!

Anthony Fedorov, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)"

Randy - "That song is near and dear to my heart... good choice, and good job... Anthony’s back tonight!"

Paula - "I’m so proud you came back, you came back strong... you did George and Aretha proud, way to go!"

Simon - "It was an okay performance... (boos) the only problem I have is you trying to do a kind of sexy routine (Paula asks the girls if Anthony is sexy. They seem to think so)... it’s like Randy Jackson trying to do Baywatch!" (Randy challenges Simon to take his shirt off!)

Sting7 - Choosing a George Michael song was pretty smart for Anthony, because they have similar tones and phrasing. And it was definitely not a song Clay Aiken would have chosen. I mention that because Anthony needs to separate himself from that comparison as much as he can. That said, I am falling between judges here. Anthony did a better than average job, but it was not a great job.

Carrie Underwood, "Alone"

Randy - "Wow, man, wow... I think this was one of your best performances tonight, man, wow! Carrie has finally come alive! I like the hair too, man!"

Paula - "I had the honor of working with Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart on this video... talk about taking risks, this is what I’m talking about. To take on Ann Wilson, brilliantly, my hat is off to you. Bravo!"

Simon - "You are not just the girl to beat, you are the person to beat. I not only predict you will win, but you will sell more records than any other winner we’ve had on this show."

Sting7 - Whoa! Hey, Simon, take it easy, will ya? Here’s a napkin. Carrie’s stock was falling faster than Paris Hilton’s skirt in a Hollywood nightclub. Here comes the rebound! Nadia, don’t put on that tiara just yet! I don’t even know how to tell you what an enormous risk it is to take on Ann Wilson. The amount of vocal control you need for this song is unfathomable, and Carrie nailed every galldang note! That for me was the performance of the season. Oh, and the high ‘80s hair? She rocked that too!

Scott Savol, "Against All Odds"

Randy - "Yo, dawg, you worked it out tonight! Threw off the hat, the glasses! You had it on and popping up there!"

Paula - "I feel like you’re getting better, week after week. I don’t know, I think you’re in it to win it too!"

Simon - "Thank God it was only a minute song, we’d have a full striptease after three minutes! If I’m being honest, I don’t think that was a fantastic vocal. (Randy and Paula disagree.)"

Sting7 - Scott chose a familiar song for this show, but chose the less familiar, angst-ridden part where Phil is fairly shrieking, and Scott was amazing with it! Simon is right in that it was not the part to show off your fancy vocal range, but Scott definitely was singing it from an emotional place that only he knows. Grandma says, "nothing rings like the truth," and Scott was ringing loud and proud. Loved this performance, it may be my favorite of his.

Bo Bice, "Time In A Bottle"

Randy - "It was a very subdued thing from you, you didn’t show your range, but I still believe in you, man... it was a very sensitive kind of performance from you."

Paula - "I think that your fans will believe me when I say that you are a gift to the sixty million people who watch every week."

Simon - "The best compliment I can give you is when I see you perform in this competition, I don’t think of you as someone in a competition, if that makes sense. When I see you, you like someone who has already made it. My only downside (Paula kisses Simon’s cheek), and it’s a bad downside, is that hairdo is the same as Paula’s!"

Sting7 - Hmmm. This was not my favorite Bo moment, but one I understand. Bo wants to show he can do more than growl the rock growl. At some point, he would have to do this. Now is a good time, his momentum is still going, he must know he has a fan base that will support a lusty belch from him, show some versatility now. Good for him. Didn’t love the performance, but I definitely support the strategy. Smart.