'Idol:' Better than 'Cats'

Bye Brooke!

Very good review. I am actually glad David Cook went in this direction for the night as I don't think he showcased his vocals very favorably over the last two weeks. I think it was a smart choice. No doubt he will be back to edgy next week.

I personally have issues with Carly's voice. It sounds so good until she pushes that upper register which she does so frequently. I just want to cover my ears and protect myself from that off-pitch wailing. She is a little bit Katharine McPhee-esque in that regard.

Archuleta sounds great but its all the same week after week. Yawn, Yawn. He might as well be singing the same song every week. I really can't tell them apart.

Syesha did a nice job. Sounds like Broadway would be a great niche for her. Jason had a bad night and Brooke looks and sounds like she is coming unglued over the last few weeks. Did you see her shaking last week. I think she will be voted off this week, or at least she should be. Poor girl needs to leave before she has a nervous breakdown.

Syesha....full of herself, and picked a song to exemplify it.
Jason...sadly misunderstood. ..nice rendition, but obviously reticent in the process.
Brooke....just not her best. capable of so much more.
David....love it when he does close his eyes. sang with usual wisdom. genuine.
Carly...song suits her...loud, boistrous, stuck on herself.
David Cook..riveting performance, but, having loved the original version to the point of it being eternally imprinted in my brain that way, found his rendition too disturbing....his singing broke the spell...twice.

I can say this...it's time to say bye bye to Brooke. She truly tanked on this one. "You Must Love Me" is being sung by a dying Eva Peron who knows her husband and the public have had their day with her, and Brooke made it seem pouty, and generic. David Cook rocks, thats all. Oh, and my nine year old daughter loves him (her Mom thinks she has taste on this one, at least it isn't one of the Jonas Brothers!)

Without a doubt Carly was #1 tonight, finally putting that huge voice to good use.
As far as bottom three, Castro and Brooke are givens, can there really be any arguement on that fact? It's hard to say, for sure, who'll be joining them in the bottom three, but in my opinion it's little David with yet another, as Joanna put it, pop-Bolton-ballad. Will someone please tell him to change it up already... anyone...please?
In the end Syesha, Carly and David C. just stood out over the other three, but then again, this is Idol, and who know's how many teenie-boppers stayed up all night voting for the wrong person.

A painful week. Inappropraite, in fact, given that the judge's criticize so heavily for sounding like a Broadway performer. Good for Syesha. This is where she belongs. A nightmare for everyone else. I think Brooke saved Jason's butt with her dreadful performance. This was a week they just needed to survive. Good riddance, Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Song choice, song choice, song choice! I am a theatre guy at heart and although I thought a few of the performances were pretty good, I could have thought of a million better song choices for those young singers! Don't they have someone guiding them on what to pick?

I hope brooke goes and not castro, I think this week was harshest on his style of music as power ballards from the stage are not castro's strong point and due to this the likes of smithson and mercado get the advantage

Alright, honestly, I thought Jason Castro was awesome! And no I'm not a teeny bopper (or stoned). My kids and I were just awed by it. I think you and the Idol judges were waiting to hear Barbara Streisand's voice coming out of him. Not gonna happen. I teared up. Loved it, thought it was beautiful and honest. Hope, hope, hope he gets a recording deal because I want his album of original music NOW! Thought David Cook, Syesha and Carly did great as well. Bored to death by Archie and, sad to say, bye bye Brooke.

I knew that song choice would be *huge* this week. Being a huge Webber fan, I was a little disappointed. Jason obviously did no research into any of the plays for him to have picked that song. I could totally have seen him singing "Love Changes Everything" Or "Any Dream Will Do" from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

I would've bet my life David C would sing from Jesus Christ Superstar, not Carly, however there I was not let down. She rocked. I still wish I could have heard David sing "Heaven on Their Minds". *g* I'm not sure I loved "Music of the Night". The money note was amazing though.

I thought David A was just...ugh. I laughed and said to my family, "He 'Blaked Lewis'd it!"

Syesha had the best performance of the night for sure, and I hope she sticks around for it. Bottom two: Jason and Brooke. Brooke goes home because I bet Jason has a bigger fan base.

Oh, and Jason Castro: secret love child of John Travolta?

The name of the song is "Memory", not "Memories". Been listening to too much Streisand lately?

If American Idol were run like Hell's Kitchen, Brooke and Jason would have been kicked off the stage before they could finish their songs and their pictures would have been on fire before they got backstage.

Can we get Gordon Ramsay to replace Simon next year?

Yay Carly! Finally we see her talent... David Cook showed his versatility and was completely out of his element!! Both performances showed why they should be IDOLS! My husband watched for the first time last night and he really liked Brooke! Gorgeous helpless female - what man wouldn't like that...she'll get through another week! At least I wasn't bored to death last night...

I love you reviews, but make sure you get the song titles right! It's "Memory" and the original song Carly was going to sing was "All I Ask of You".

David Cook continues to blow me away. When he hit the money note, I jumped for joy! I think this is Brooke's last week, although I like the tone of her voice and if she makes a record (which we know she will) I will buy it. Same goes for Jason Castro. I feel like this year's batch has such unique qualities to their voices.

And can someone just give David Archuleta a stage at Disney already? I love the kid, but it's getting really monotonous. "What inspirational song will he sing this week?"

Can we now please get rid of Brooke? Enough already. She should be singing in a coffee house in New York somewhere, not on American Idol. She reminds me of Phoebee from the TV show Friends. I’m just waiting for to break out in a rendition of Smelly Cat. I know Jason was boring last night and probably needs to go also, but can we please get rid of Brooke first. AS for the rest of them, they were all great. David A, by far the best. Again, America will probably shock us tonight.

I agree that Lord Webber was the best mentor so far and actually gave some constructive criticism and questioned song choices. Yet I wonder why he didn't suggest I Don't Know How To Love Him for Brooke and for Jason, The Lady's Got Potential from the movie Evita and sung by Antonio Banderas and has a Jason-like feel to the song. Last night finally showed just how limited Jason's vocal range is and adorability factor aside, he doesn't have what it takes to last.
Syesha was among the best as was Carly. David Cooke was good but thought he should have chosen from Jesus Christ Superstar song since it was a rock musical. David A was being David A.. Odd song choice but he did give the song a more contemporary sound.
Brooke and Jason will definitely be in the bottom three but can't quite come up with a third since the remaining performances were fine. Think Jason should go before Brooke but still might be saved by the millions of girl crushes however if not tonight, she's probably next.

I for one loved David Cook's performance. I thought it was huge of him to take on Music of the Night and do so well with it - was just awesome. Hated what David A did with Think of Me. Actually liked Sayesha, which was a surprise as she runs hot and cold with me. I do think Jason or Brooke is going tonight - who's going to join them in the bottom 3 I don't know. Could very well be Carly or David A.

Nitpick first: The song is called Memory, not Memories. :)

I may be the only person in the world who thinks this, but I *hated* David Cook's performance. I may be spoiled on that song, but it needed....something. More emotion. His eyes looked dead to me. There's supposed to be longing... Anyway, it's probably just me.

I agree with your other comments. Brooke had the potential to do something *amazing* with You Must Love Me, but it didn't seem to get there. Syesha rocked her song. Jason was....not really there. Memory is tougher than it sounds. David A. was very blah. Yes, he turned "Think of Me" into a pop song, but he kinda floated along and didn't really give it anything. Carly was awesome. "Jesus Christ Superstar" is tough, even if she screwed up the words the first time through the chorus. :)

I loved Syesha's performance -- not just because she showed us a "Broadway" performance, but because of the song she chose. If I am not mistaken, it is from "Starlight Express," which did not do as well here in the states as it did in Great Britian and the continent. I guess the others -- while they may have heard of ALW -- are not all that familiar with Sir Andrew's work beyond the very most popular....

Last night was so boring...it was just a horrible snooze fest!!

D. Cook was pretty off key on a lot of notes.. didn't like it. It sounded like Axl Rose trying to sing Bach...

If I had to rank them last night:

1A. Carly (song suited her)
1B. Syesha (finally had fun)
2. David C. (respectable, but not great)
3. David A. (Agree with Simon - good, NOT memorable)
4. Jason (only because Brooke was again, unprepared)
5. Brooke (please, please send her home)

Hi Joanna - as usual, I think you're spot on! The best performances (I think) were from Syesha and Carly. Syesha really became a "star" last night. She commanded the stage - she had charisma and presence, and she really came into her own. Good for her! Likewise with Carly - she really looked like she was having fun with the song. It was great advice from ALW to choose "Jesus Christ Superstar" - it fit her perfectly. Ho-hum (but competent) performances from David Cook and David A. They weren't bad - they weren't stellar. My poor little Brooke - time to go. She is in over her head, and it is becoming more painfully obvious as the weeks continue. I love her - she is authentic, true, and really talented - but she doesn't deliver like some of the others do more consistently. Jason should have been sent home months ago. The tweens can only carry him for so long - he was completely lost last night. He should have never chosen such a power ballad, that everyone knows, that has been sung by some of the greatest singers of our time (although, with the dreadlocks and large nose, he did resemble Barbara Streisand last night - so maybe he thought he could pull it off in drag).

The top Idols this year are David, David, Carly and Seysha.

'Memory' is corrected, thanks. I attribute the error to midnight blogging, as opposed to listening to Barbra Streisand. (Also, I always preferred Les Miz to Phantom/Cats. Just me.)

You can flog me for it more in the chat. See you there.

David Cook off key???? What performance were you watching? He was far from "off key". Speaking as a vocal coach, I can assure you that was not the case. I listened to it more than once. His rendition of 'Music of the Night' was great. Carly was also great and Syesha. As far as the rest of the contestants, though good vocalist, are not even close David C, Carly & Syesha as far as vocal abilities.

a little off-topic, but during one shot of the audience, camera stopped on a long-haired guy. looked like a clean Tommy Lee at first, but then I thought about it, and I think it was Russel Brand (Brit from Forgetting Sarah Marshall). anybody notice/know the answer? also saw Coco Arquette, who seems young to be an Idol fan!

Bye Brook,Bye Castro.....

It's time for Brooke to go...Talk about someone whose best performances were in the earlier stages of this competition, and who has become increasingly annoying and unlikeable as the weeks have progressed...

Please go Brooke. Just go. You are not good. Pouty, no emotion and truly, just not good. I wouldn't pay to see her in a coffeehouse either. All the coffee in the world couldn't keep me awake through one of her renditions of ANYTHING. It's the talent that's lacking with her. Not song choice, or forgetting lyrics or any other excuse to pout and stick out her lower lip. JUST GO HOME!
Syesha was awesome last night. I agree with a post that said she wasn't trying to be Whitney. She was herself and she sang the heck out of her song. She was smiling, moving and she looked beautiful.
Jason has talent. With him, it is song choice. Let's face it, Sir Andrew has written a lot of songs! Carly was good- she does scream too much. The Davids were good also.
I must say, it is time for Brooke to go.

Hello friends!

I promise, I'll try to keep this as short, clean, and simple as possible- only harping on the downers of the night:

Let's talk about David Archuleta's other hobbies, shall we? He enjoys doing the tubesteak boogie, puffing pickles, polishing doorknobs, playing 'catcher' and 'pitcher', although Seacrest tells us he prefers 'catcher'... (Tell Simon to try to forget THAT!)

Point being, David Archleta- well, besides really boring the hell out of us, he just-plain-blows.

Brooke reminds me of that little bi-otchy spoiled neighbor's kid who gets everything she wants, and if she doesn't get it, you see what we saw last night.

Jason Castro was freakin' STONED, man! He doesn't give a rat's white fat butt if he's voted off or not. Seriously, honestly, and truly. He's just excited to be able to afford that 6-foot bong he was eyeing at that head shop on Sunset Strip. I got the 411 for ya!

Peace, Brooke's OUT!

I didn't recognize anyone in the audience, even though they kept cutting away to them. Annoying! (As usual.)

I was so happy that ALW suggested Carly change her song. I liked it a lot, and I bet it sounds better on the studio version. Was it deliberate that they left out the second line of the second verse, where Judas says, "Could Mohammed move a mountain or was that just PR?"

Still, she seemed to be smiling during this song, which is only odd because this is the one song she's done that might call for anger.

Jason - terrible.

Carly, Syesha and David C were all great! David A was a yawn fest again. He has a lovely voice, but noone would be able to stay awake for a whole concert of his. Jason obviously did no research into all of the other songs he could have sang. He had his worst performance. And Brooke.....uugghhh! She is a train wreck. I can't stand how the judges always excuse her mess ups. She pouts and makes her chin quiver and next thing you know they are being nice to her. Go home smelly cat...go home.

David A blew an entire line of his song and NO ONE called him on it. It is quite clear that the judges desperately want him in the Final when they continue to wax poetic over what are mediocre performances. Paula calling last night "perfect" was beyond absurd.

It seems that every week there are a few Simon Cowell wannabe's who claim David C is singing off key, funny thing is, I don't hear it.
Every week we hear a different side of David and this week was no different. I have to admit,to being a little nervous about how he would hold up against the bigger voices of Carly, Li'l David and diva Syesha this week. In the end, though, not only did he hold up, he was second to Carly in overall performance.
Will we be hearing more of David singing Broadway anytime soon, I doubt it, but there is no doubt he will be safe again for next weeks final five.

Great revue, except I liked Jason. I know it was a paradoxical performance, but, I love him and his song resonated with that fondness of his voice and him. I HATE BROOKE WHITE!!!!! I have hated her for weeks! I hate her pout. I hate her corny aw-shucks phoniness and new age Earth mother goddess, aren't I divine phony act. I WANT HER TO GO HOME! If this show is for real, she'll pack her bags today. If they send Jason home, the show is ruled by management, not FANS. Then, it will PROVE that this show only pretends to engage viewers. There's no way that Brooke can live past this week other than judge malfeasance.

They had freaking Sir Andrew on the show and it was mostly LOST on all of the contestants and I bet most of the viewers. I was watching the show with my ten year old daughter and was singing (badly) along to MEMORY and she turns to me and says, “Mommy how do you even know this song!?” Sir Andrew could have drawn a diagram and used action figures to illustrate the meaning behind his awesome lyrics and they STILL wouldn't have got them.

I was very entertained and impressed with most of the Idols last night. This was a night for them to show versitility and step completely out of their comfort zones. I was happy that Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber was a real coach to them, actually giving them constructive criticism and even expressing trepidation at some of the song choices. Syesha was amazing; vocally impressive as well as having a command of the stage which we have YET to see from her. I thought the sections after the key change were a little more challenging for her but she pulled it through with confidence. Good for her! Been waiting for her to show this side of her ability.
Carly was excellent and seemed to have a blast with "Jesus Christ Superstar". I hope she stays...she should.
Jason was out of his league here with "Memory"...just a BAD choice for him. This song truly showed how limited his range is; although my husband thought he
was wonderful. It was uncomfortable for him and for the viewer.
Little David was excellent once again and I really liked the pop ballad version
of "Think of Me". It has a beautiful melody and David has a purity of tone with is unriveled amongst this pack. That may not be all that is needed, of course, but he
did a lovely job.
Brooke was a TRAIN WRECK (to borrow Randy's phrase...although he used it
for Jason!). To start and stop the song (and the second time this season) is NOT
good! I think that Paula hit it RIGHT on the head...when you are performing, you
just KEEP GOING,whether you forget the words or anything else that has gone
wrong in your performance...you KEEP GOING...make UP the words and come
back stronger. Unfortunately for Brooke that isn't possible. I'd like to be charitable and say that she was rattled with the false start and that is what caused the
problems with her performance...but NAH! I've heard an entire season of Brooke's
warble and that wasn't just pouting tension,she doesn't have the voice to hold up
to the others and she SHOULD be going home tonight!
I thought David Cook was amazing last night. I was nervous about the song choice but he was just AMAZING. He proved that he is NOT a one trick pony (no matter how great that one trick happens to be), he can truly sing and I didn't hear pitch problems with him: I agree with the vocal coach from earlier on the blog. Just a great performance from the next American Idol! I was jumping out of my chair for him last night...I've done it before. Little David has a beautiful voice...but truly David Cook has it all...and Andrew LLoyd Webber night has sealed it.

THE LONG HAIRED GUY WAS PAUL STANLEY FROM KISS. OMG HE LOOKED LIKE AN OLD DRAG QUEEN

I think the long-haired guy in question is actually a member of the band KISS. Paul Stanley might be his name (that sounds right, at least).

Carly was The Best last night for sure and I think for the first time since Come Together She had fun on stage... Hopefully it will be enough to keep her out of the bottom three tonight

I think that Archuleta was boring once again

I thought that Syesha was one of the better contestants last night , but part of me wants to see her go home because i hate her fake attitude

Jason and Brooke were Horrible last night

bottom three prediction
Jason Brooke Carly ( although she should be safe)

Jason eliminated

"Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, who looks disturbingly like a puppet..."

Does anybody have class any more? I just don't get it.

As for last night's performances, Syesha (haven't been a fan at all) clearly was top of the heap (the first time she had clarity in her voice throughout the song), along with Carly (who did not over sing her selection as she normally does into those overly scratching ranges of the so called "money notes") and David Cook's performance (except for the out of place belting transition he ventured into at the end). David A. is adorable I'm sure to the legions of teeny-boppers, but I don't understand the utter fascination with his vocal ability. His voice is really great when he opens up, but during the verses, his "sound" doesn't display crystal clear vocal tones. But I recognize his appeal goes beyond his limitations of voice clarity.

FINALLY, Carly looked like she was having fun and she did a good job, it was my favorite performance of the night. I find it interesting though that Carly needed ALW to guide her for song choice. The fact that she chose another song and almost seemed reticent to sing JCS during her pre-video just goes to show that she doesn't have a good grasp on what kind of artist she should be. Too bad, because she does have some talent.

I felt awful for Jason (he will be okay, he will just go do another bong) and Brooke. While originally a fan, then she began to annoy me, I truly felt badly for her last night.

I agree with your comments about ALW. A freaky looking/acting guy but a very good mentor with some good constructive criticism.

i only see this show through Youtube recaps. I think carly, david a and david c did a great job with the song choices.
I still have not seen syesha or jason's performance.
And Brooke is not Madonna....she failed and needs to go.

As for children knowing this composer....I have 7 kids ranging in age from 11 to 24 and they all know this guy, his music, and the shows. they were brought up on the soundtracks of many great muscials including the named ones in the performances.

It's never too late to educate children in musical theatre. Just listening will give them an appriciation for the music.

Joanna,
Aren't you concerned that your reviews are going to be a lot less entertaining when you can't take pot shots at Brooke every week?

True, she's had some rough weeks, but sometimes your reviews come dangerously close to 'pretty, tall, thin, blonde' envy.

I have to say that I have been a fan of American idol from the beginning, especially a fan of Simon. As he always's says "it's American Idol", which basically means that all of America has an opportunity to vote...probably the same reason why Bush is President! My favorites from the beginning have been Jason and Brooke. Why? Not because they have the greatest voices but probably a little different style. I'm tired of the loud and typical. Kelly Clarkson, Rubban Stoddard, Fantasia Burino, and Carrie Underwood represent America in many different versions, Brooke and Jason are just two more. They are mine. I know the contest will come down to David and David. David A. will probably win in the American majority and David Cook will become a star. Sadly, David A looks like he's about to have a nervous dad breakdown and will probably fizzle out like Ruben...re-emerging 10 years later with a book, a new cd, and his coming out.

My predictions:
This week Bye Brooke
Next Bye Syeshia
Next Bye Jason
Next Bye Carly

Joanna Weiss, I love your comments. You are right on with my thinking, which is why I love your comments. :) But you expressed them much better in writing. I can't wait to read more of your work.

Well, what we didn't get to hear is that Jason apparently has a bacterial infection in his throat and is quite sick. That doesn't excuse the terrible song choice, but it does help explain the 'landed fish gasping for breath' aspect of the performance.

Brooke is no Madonna. she's much better than that. Madonna did Evita better, though. Brooke should be voted off this week, not Jason. Another false start and another week visibly shaking as a result of her error. She's just not ready.

I thought we'd hear more from JC Superstar. I think the rockier songs would translate better. "Heaven on Their Minds" would have worked for someone.

I loved David Cook, Carly and Syesha.

David A. was good as usual, but it is getting a little redundant... it's almost become a bad thing that he's got such a great voice for ballads. We know you can sing a pop ballad, but can you do anything else? Have to give him credit for putting his own spin on it.

Brooke was a complete disaster, no one is denying that. I'd love to see her go this week.

Jason Castro made me cringe. I felt soo bad for him, watching that train wreck happen on national tv. Bad song choice, out of all the Andrew Lloyd Webber songs to pick from, he picks the one song that needs to be belted and honestly sang by a female. Soooo bad. Wouldn't mind seeing him leave this week either.

As a professional music director, I would say that David Cook's performance last night wouldn't even pass an audition. And while I agree with Lloyd Webber's comment to Archuleta about keeping his eyes open, go back and look at Cook's face on his high notes--his eyes are closed and he looks like he's about to pass a kidney stone. Your critique is not very consistent.

David A. is just flat out boring, people. And I am very pleased to see more and more comments to that effect here.

I simply don't get why the judges - especially RANDY - have such the hots for him. His voice is 'technically' good, but he is completely uninteresting - Michael Bolton et al is the perfect analogy.

Thankfully, Simon was at least moderately critical after last night exceptionally boring performance.

If I had to listen to one of these 6 for 1 hour, I would listen to ANYONE but David A.--- unless, of course, I needed a nap!.

David Cook stole the show. This kid can not only rock, it appears he can fit right in with musical theater, as well. if anyone doubted this kid's chops, thinking he might be a one trick pony, I think last night's performance of "Music Of The Night" should put an end to the questions. He was more than good...he stole the night, and there were a couple of pretty good performances last night (Syesha's surprisingly strong opening segment, David A's "Think Of Me," and Carly's exuberant and fun turn on "Jesus Christ Superstar").

I even liked Jason's understated take on "Memory." He turned a "BIG" song into a much smaller, lighter one...but, in a good way. I don't even think HE knew how good he was doing it, as he seemed a bit perplexed and bewildered by the world of Musical Theater, and the Andrew Lloyd Webber songbook.

Only Brooke was unimpressive...and apparantly under-rehearsed. She's got to go tonight. There are four powerhouse voices (Carly, Syesha, and the two Davids) and a likeable and unique one (Jason) left.

Brooke's voice is neither powerful, unique or likeable.

So, of course, Carly or Syesha will get the axe. It's American Idol, folks! You think this show is FAIR?

Wow Matt, you called that one! I was shocked by last nights outcome, but it had to happen some time.