American Idol 7: Ranking the Top 4 – Stayin’ Alive

What a week on Idol!

I would be remiss if I didn’t address what is becoming Paulagate II. In case you have just been rescued from being lost in a cave, this is what happened: on Neil Diamond night, the Idols were given the duty of singing two songs. Because squeezing in ten songs was going to be a challenge on an hour show (a challenge I hope they won’t take on again), the judges were only to make comments after the contestants had sung both their numbers.

But, after each contestant had sung one song, there was some extra time to fill, so Ryan asked the Idols to join him on stage and the judges to let them know what they thought so far. This threw Paula for a complete loop, and she starting critiquing Jason on both his songs… when he had only sung one. This sent the world into a tizzy. Speculation about whether Paula’s comments were pre-written, thus leading into the idea the entire show was rigged, ran rampant.

All it was, I believe, was yet another embarrassing moment for Paula. In the past, we have heard Paula say that she sits in on the rehearsals. She probably made some notes during rehearsal and, thrown off as she was, tried to make cohesive comments out of what she wrote. During rehearsal.

That is what I believe. Does it look bad? Yes, it does. Does it call into question the credibility of the show? I can see the argument, I personally just don’t subscribe to it. (Neither does David Bloomberg.)

In less heavy topics, I have said Brooke White annoyed the crap out of me, but her exit was classy, touching, and sweet. Maybe, in spite of myself, Brooke grew on me. I was sorry to see her go. Truly. But Idol karma will have its say. After the train wreck of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber week, Brooke had to know her days were numbered. And as I mentioned in my predictions with David Bloomberg, the bad performance might not get you eliminated the next night… it might be next week. Ryan Starr Syndrome.

Good luck, Brooke. I know we haven’t seen the last of you. If they will give Gina Glocksen a job on Idol Rewind, surely there is work for you out there.

On to the rankings! Remember that the number in parentheses is how each Idol was ranked last week:

1. (1) David Cook – Is it my imagination, or has David started to coast a bit? I think he senses that he has passed the Heir Apparent, and has shifted down. That is a mistake. There was nothing wrong with him during Diamond week, but he was kind of… dare I say ordinary? If I ranked both sets of performances, he would be in the middle both times. Stay hungry, Cook!



2. (3) Syesha Mercado – I know the prognosticators out there love to call for her demise, but somebody should convince Syesha her time is up. Every results show, she looks resigned to her fate, but knowing she went down swinging. And, week after week, she keeps surviving!

   I know there are some people who aren’t as impressed with her as I am, but even her naysayers have to admit she has a beautiful voice. The worst criticisms I’ve heard are “she smiles during sad songs,” (eye roll) and, “we’re tired of Whitney/Mariah wannabes.” One day, I want to really examine what that statement means. For now, let’s say those are folks who wouldn’t buy her album anyway, so who cares what they think? She’s not only surviving, she’s surging. DialIdol even had her beating David Cook during Neil Diamond week. Somebody is voting for her. She’s fighting!




3. (2) David Archuleta – David can’t help that he is an awkward, shy, 17-year old. But it’s starting to affect his performances. While David Cook and Syesha are showing polish and finesse in their performances, David’s awkwardness is showing during his performances.

   David always sounds like a dream, but he does have some staging ticks that will have to be worked out. However, I am really stretching to find something wrong with the kid. His demotion to #3 is not really because of anything he’s done wrong, but because of what Syesha is doing right. It’s not too late to turn things around. If he can find another “Imagine” for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame week, he could very well be number one next week.

4. (4) Jason Castro – Last week, I said I was so done with Jason. This week, I think Jason just may be done with us. I have been watching him… yawning during Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber week results, the glazed-over look in his eyes when he’s not singing in the group numbers, even his demeanor when he is getting his results – he’s tired of being there.

   It’s not easy to be an Idol. They work awfully hard just to be judged by people who have no idea what they go through to be told that they “smile during sad songs.” I don’t blame him for being kind of sick of the scrutiny, the judgments, the learning new songs each week – it’s all very tough. But this is what they signed on for. See it through. Castro clearly has fans who will support him. He owes it to them to give his level best out there, every time. He’s not doing that. As Paula saw when she visited the future, he’s not fighting hard enough.

That’s how I rank them. I think Syesha’s momentum could take her to finale. Yeah, call me crazy. When she was standing next to Chikezie six weeks ago, did you think she would still be here in the top four?

Is David Cook taking it easy? Is time running out for David Archuleta? Is Jason ready to go home and record his album?

Let’s see how it all shakes out next week!

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out these other recent articles on Foxes On Idol:

Sting7 has been a respected published writer for many years, as a music editor, entertainment critic, columnist, and interviewer. He currently lives in Europe, loves cold lemonade, ice cream and kittens! You can email Stinger at stingseven@yahoo.com.

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