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This Week in American Idol History: The Dreaded Round of Fourby Donna Reynolds -- 05/05/2008
View Printable version of this article Historically, the top four round has been the one that has produced the most real shockers on the show! Looking back, what’s interesting is this phenomenon has occurred every other year. And guess what? This is one of those years! Another pattern that we’ve seen in Idol’s six seasons is that when the top four consists of three guys and one girl, a guy is always the one to go that week. While we’ve had an all-female top three (season three), there’s never been an all-male top three and only one year where two guys competed for the title. If this pattern continues, Jason would be the obvious man out, but that would not be shocking, now, would it? If both of these trends hold true this year, a guy will get the boot and it won’t be Jason! I think this year’s shocker could be the elimination of David Archuleta. Impossible, you say? Not really. David Archuleta started out strong, earning praise from the judges week after week. But I think he peaked too early. His strongest performances were in the early rounds and it’s as though we’ve already seen the best he has to offer. 
Meanwhile, David Cook keeps changing things up and evolving. People keep “discovering” him, while David A’s fans have been with him since the beginning. Then there’s Jason. I think his fans are determined to keep him in the competition no matter what. Are they strong enough to get him through this week? Now, I’ll admit all this is highly unlikely. However, no one expected to see Chris Daughtry or Tamyra Gray eliminated at this stage of the game, but that’s exactly what happened. But there’s another pattern that may ensure the safety of all three guys. In three of the past six seasons’ top four rounds, the person eliminated has been an African-American woman. Will this pattern continue? And could Syesha’s elimination over Jason be considered somewhat of a shocker? Enough conjecture. Let’s take a look at the past and relive those shockers we won’t soon forget! Season Six – Bee Gees It was the second time the Bee Gees were the theme for the top four, and this time Barry Gibb served as the group’s mentor. Melinda started the evening with “Love You Inside and Out.” She brought a gospel vibe to the song, but the judges weren’t overwhelmed. Randy said it wasn’t exciting, while Paula wanted to see something that would wow her. Simon called the performance more like that of a background vocalist. For his first performance, Blake Lewis picked “You Should Be Dancing.” As usual, he injected some beat boxing into the song, and the results were mixed. Randy said it was corny, and Paula pointed out Blake’s pitch problems. Simon hated it.
LaKisha was next and chose “Stayin’ Alive.” She slowed it down a bit, and while the performance was good, she shied away from attempting the money note, a fact that may have hurt her. Randy called it weird and didn’t understand why they were changing up the arrangements. Paula wondered why she took the tempo down. “Well, LaKisha, no kiss tonight, baby,” Simon said. “It was verging on scary tonight.” Jordin sang “To Love Somebody.” She stuck to the standard arrangement, but intensified it just a little. Her delivery was straight-forward and she let her voice sell the performance. Randy said it had been a rough night for him so far, but Jordin's was the best of the night, and Paula agreed. Simon also agreed and said it was good to be back in the competition. For her second song, Melinda sang “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.” She sang it with passion and received solid feedback from the judges. Randy called her “our resident pro,” and Simon said the second half of that song put Melinda into the semi-finals
Blake chose “This is Where I Came in,” a rather obscure song that Barry said had been “waiting for its time.” But the beat boxing didn’t quite work and it seemed he was trying a bit too hard. Randy advised Blake that he didn’t have to “beat box on every joint.” Simon called the performance completely tuneless, and said Blake had not had a good night. For her second song, LaKisha picked “Run to Me.” She sang it well, but her voice broke on the last note, spoiling an otherwise solid performance. Randy liked it and Paula told her not to beat herself up about the hoarse note. Simon was less supportive, and said the she and Blake could be vulnerable. Jordin closed out the night with “Woman in Love.” Again, she left the arrangement alone, but oversang it a little, and ran flat here and there. Randy said she was pitchy, and Simon called the performance old-fashioned and very “pageanty.” 
Jordin, Melinda, and LaKisha each had one very good performance and one not so good. Blake didn't do well at all, and it appeared his time might just be up. It was, after all, the dreaded round of four where shockers were the norm. On results night, Ryan read the judges' comments, first for LaKisha and then for Melinda. He turned next to Blake, and finally Jordin. Jordin was declared safe. After several breaks and a performance of “To Love Somebody” by Barry Gibb, we returned to the business at hand. Blake, Melinda and LaKisha were center stage. Ryan said, “One of you will be going home, but it won't be you, Melinda.” She was safe. After soliciting the judges’ reactions, Ryan finally cut to the chase, telling Blake that he was safe and LaKisha Jones was eliminated. In December 2007, LaKisha joined the Broadway cast of The Color Purple as the church soloist, a role she held until the show closed in late February 2008. She is currently working on tracks for her upcoming album. Season Five – Elvis Presley Season 5’s top four traveled to Graceland where they met Pricilla and Lisa Marie Presley, toured the grounds of Elvis’ home, and worked with record producer Tommy Mottola. Taylor sang “Jailhouse Rock,” starting out in the audience and pulling out all the stops. Simon hated it. Chris’ “Suspicious Minds” was hot, and Simon called Elliott’s “If I Can Dream” the best of the night. But Katharine stumbled, dropping a lyric on her medley of “Hound Dog” / “All Shook Up,” which Simon called “manic and desperate.” For his second performance, Taylor chose “In the Ghetto.” He really felt the lyrics, and his vocals were right on point. Chris’ “A Little Less Conversation” was not as well-received as his first performance, but Elliott’s “Trouble” really hit the mark. Katharine ended the night with “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.” Simon felt this was not a good night for Katharine and that she chose the wrong songs. 1 2 3 Next-->View Printable version of this article
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