American Idol: Week Eight; The Top 5 Compete

Can all of you see it?

It's nearing the end of the competition, and though one contestant is clearly in the finale, the other is not as clear as I think most people assume. YES, Adam is most likely a shoe-in for the finale, but Danny is not a sure thing. Danny's performance last night was the first time I've actually enjoyed it, but that doesn't mean he has the chops to win. (more on that later)

Last night, Idol celebrated "Rat Pack night", which truly made the Top Five stand out as the best of the best. Honestly, no one really did horrible, despite what Simon said about a couple of them. I don't know what Simon was drinking last night, or maybe he was in a very pissy mood, but it was one of the rare times I found myself disagreeing with him on several counts. I don't know if he's being influenced by the producers or not, but I truly did not understand the reasoning behind some of the comments he made last night.

I wasn't sure that Jamie Foxx was the appropriate choice as a mentor. I'm not saying Foxx isn't talented, I'm just saying considering the genre, I think they could have found someone more appropriate. (Harry Connick, Jr) That aside, however, I thought he was giving sound advice, even more so then some actual singer mentors gave in past seasons.

This week's review will seem a little short, but that's mostly because we are coming down to the wire. With only five people left, the stars are starting to shine, and the end is near.

As a side note, like every year, towards the end of American Idol, I ask you all, my readers, if you would like me to review another show during the summer. The obvious choice is So You Think You Can Dance, but I'm open to anything. With enough people suggesting a particular show in the comments, I'll keep blogging! (that is until Project Runway comes back on the air, since that is the only other show my readers have asked me to blog!)As you guessed, I am nothing without my readers.

I talked enough, it's time to break down the performances, starting with "the dark horse" to win the competition:

1) Kris Allen – sung "The Way You Look Tonight” – When one of the judges last night (I think it was Kara) said that Kris was a dark horse to win the competition, you could actually believe it. Instead of being a forerunner from the get go like Adam or Danny, Kris slowly built himself up week after week, impressing the judges and fans with his versatility and originality. This week was no exception, because Kris took one of my most favorite Sinatra tunes and made it sound new. Not only is this song one of my favorites, but it's also two of my closest friends' wedding song, so I'm curious what they thought. I thought Kris' pitch was completely on target, and his voice had a natural, passionate sound. The original song is a bit upbeat, but Kris turned this into a ballad that had me swooning. He's learned how to work the audience, and this performance proved it to me. I really have to 100% disagree with Simon when he said that Kris lacked the drive to win, and that he was wet. (?) This isn't me playing favorites, because if any of my readers know, I'm unbiased when I'm accessing a performance, and my favorites do not get special treatment. If they did a bad job, I will speak up. Based on talent, I truly think Kris has a solid shot at the being Number 2 in the finale, but the only thing keeping him from getting there is not enough fans. But who knows, that may change after this week. It's too close to call this week, but I'm going to predict we'll see Kris next week. Prediction: SAFE

2) Allison Iraheta - sung "Someone to Watch Over Me” - Allison just turned 17 this past week, but close your eyes and you'd think this kid was much older. This is another song which I love, and I can truly say, I've never heard it sung with such passion and inflection. The way she worded every phrase, the way she poured her heart into every note made Allison stand out. Again, me and Simon were on two different wavelengths last night, because what I heard was a girl who was hungry for the win. Allison's version was soft and haunting, and worth a second listen. She has "matured" in a sense over the course of the competition, and it truly made her stand out last night. I think she has grown the most out of all the competitors, so I hope she sticks around a bit longer. I don't think she has the chops to win, but I think she can get to the Top Four(next week). That said, she might be in trouble tonight, based on Simon's critique and the fact she was in the bottom three last week. Hopefully not. Prediction: IN THE BOTTOM

3) Matt Giraud – sung "My Funny Valentine” – Matt is hanging on by a thread. I will agree with Simon on one point he made about Matt: you can see how much he loved this type of music. I have never seen Matt so passionate and enthused as I did with his performance last night. At this stage in the competition though, he didn't wow me enough to make me think he can be safe again this week. I think his pitch was perfect, and his performance was smooth and heartfelt. I liked the way he sung this classic, and though he changed the note on the song as Jamie Foxx suggested, I don't think it made too much of an impact in the end. I wasn't floored, I wasn't impressed...it was pretty much "aight" for me, if I may borrow a phrase from thespian Randy Jackson. Matt should definitely be worried. The split comments made by the judges, in addition to his appearance in the bottom three previous weeks will contribute to Matt being in trouble tonight.
Prediction: IN THE BOTTOM

4) Danny Gokey – sung "Come Rain or Come Shine” – I may not like him, but I will give credit where credit is due; this is the first time I walked away from a Danny Gokey performance saying, "that was pretty good". I think, unbelievable as it may sound, Jamie Foxx's advice actually made Danny a better performer. For once, I didn't see "wedding singer", but I saw "classic standards" performer. I agree with what Kara said, that I can see Danny making an entire album of music like this. Maybe it's because he just stumbled into his niche this week, but I finally can say I liked Danny's performance. He sounded classic, edgy, with a touch of that old time class. And like some of the judges pointed out, he had that swagger, that confidence. I saw the "quiet arrogance" I kept talking about start to diminish, and just humble confidence start to shine through. There may be hope for Danny yet, and this performance proved to me that he can get better. I'm not even going to question it, he's definitely around next week. Prediction: SAFE

5) Adam Lambert - sung "Feeling Good” – Everyone loves Adam. Week after week, I'm told Adam is the best in the season, that he will win, etc. I have to say, for the first time, I think I can see what people are talking about. Based on Adam's performance last night, I can finally see what the "big deal" is about Adam. Last night's performance was original (but that's no surprise when it comes to Adam's performances), but most of all, it was restrained. It was just "rock" enough to make it edgy, yet it still hearkened back to the original song. This is what I was waiting for; a song where some of the lyrics aren't screeched, and he delivered. It was a performance filled with passion and heart, and I can see why people like Adam. All the praise that is given to Adam is well deserved, but what I'm really starting to enjoy is Adam's humility. He's humble about the judges' comments, and almost always give credit to the band. I may not like his screeching, but Adam proved to me last night he deserves to be on top. No question or doubt, we'll see him next week, and most likely in the final. Prediction: SAFE

And that wraps it up for another week of Idol!

How did all of you like "Rat Pack week"? Who can you see in the finales? I want to see predictions people! Every reader should comment! With only three weeks left this season (thankfully, no "Idol Gives Back" this year), we can clearly see the finale coming, but who's in it? Is Adam the winner this season? Is Danny?

My predictions this week only get a bottom two, but Ryan may still have a bottom three:

IN THE BOTTOM: Matt Giraud and Allison Iraheta. (with possibly Kris Allen joining them if Ryan goes with a bottom three, even though he doesn't deserve to be there).

My pick to go home tonight: I choose Matt Giraud. It's just his time to go. He didn't deserve to go home before Anoop and Lil, but this is his exact week to go home. His performance just wasn't as good as everyone else's. (However, though she doesn't deserve to go before Matt, I wouldn't be surprised if Allison is sent packing.)

If you disagree, or even agree with me, let me know in the comments! Let’s chat it up! (and don't forget to suggest what you might want me to blog after Idol comes to an end! Suggestions people!)

Don't forget to take the poll below! Until next week, faithful readers, I’m out for now!