<p>Well, it got people talking about the show - which is surely an outcome AI hoped for. Publicity is publicity!!! </p>
<p>This is what AI does every year. Riles us up! Makes us root for our favs and diss (sometimes) those that are not our favorites! Guess that is the success of the show! Time has shown that you don’t need to win to have success. The real success comes with how driven you are after AI to forge forward. I think many past non-winning Idols - Daughtery, Cook, Lambert, Hudson, etc. worked their you-know-what off to get a career that they could live off. Part of that success will be good guidance and realizing and sticking to who you are. </p>
<p>The ignorance of the judges annoys me. Is it really too much to ask that they know something about the musical selections each week? Jena was lavishly praised for the originality of her interpretation of Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, but the internet blew up in seconds with the information that she was singing the Ingrid Michaelson version. Surely someone–the musical director, Randy, one of the musicians–must have either known that or become aware of it during rehearsals and should have clued in the judges. And since the judges hear the songs during the dress rehearsal, you’d think they themselves might have bothered to check out that sort of thing (well, I don’t expect anything of J Lo, but the other two are real musicians). Jena did a nice job on the song, but she doesn’t deserve any credit for coming up with the arrangement. I guess with Sam out of the way (despite the producers’ best efforts), she’s now the chosen one and will get wild praise–and kisses.</p>
<p>I thought Alex won round 1, with Caleb the runner-up. </p>
<p>Caleb won round 2, with Alex runner-up.</p>
<p>Jessica finished strong in round 3, but had poor song choices in rounds 1 and 2, as Harry so correctly pointed out!</p>
<p>Thought Caleb won round 3 and Jena was smart to (finally!) get back behind the piano, however Alex was the runner-up in round 3.</p>
<p>I think both guys go to the finals, along with Jena. Even though Jessica is my favorite female, her poor song choices in rounds 1 and 2 knock her out of the finals.</p>
<p>I was completely riled up over the judges last night - mainly JLo!!! The dancing in the seats, the dancing behind the chairs, the standing O’s for their favs (continue to be proud of Harry for staying consistent and refusing to “stand” for anyone or any one performance) -and the topper, JLo walking on stage to kiss “her girl” Jena - gag!!! Clearly what they prefer are performances that are over the top visually, the louder the better, etc!!! (Caleb) I think they were also trying to pad Caleb’s votes to help out his effort that might have been thwarted by his rude interview comments this week. </p>
<p>So much at stake this week - they all want the hometown visit. I hope that Alex gets his. He seemed a little less confident last night - just a little breathy, nervous on the first two performances. (by the way, who thought it was a good idea to have each sing THREE songs tonight! I’d rather have a whole song than a shortened 1.30 minute shortened version). If Alex could have sang ALL of Yellow he would have killed it - that song needs the chance to build the momentum.</p>
<p>That said, I think that Jessica might be in trouble tonight. I actually have grown to like her a bit more even though her style of singing is not for me. Have to say though - what was a country girl doing singing Kelly Clarkston, Pink and Gaga??! That was interesting. </p>
<p>Two strikes. One about social media/fans and one about what he looks forward to on a home town visit if he gets there. See the video on the page above. </p>
<p>Could it be that karma from last weeks statements came back to bite Caleb??? A rough thing to have happen to him. But yeah, they sure went out of their way to remind us - several times! - that he was not well. He actually looked not good. Alex noted earlier in the week that he was sick too. Clearly not as severe a condition, but as Harry says, “the show must go on!”</p>
<p>I feel that Alex won the night. While it could have used a little more polishing, his first song, Pompeli gave the judges everything they have been asking for from him - more energy, more interaction, more upbeat and a drum solo to boot (loved that!) - this also happens to be one of my favorite current songs! “Stay” was STELLAR. Great decision by the judges. </p>
<p>Jena did pretty well - her last song her best IMO. Her annunciation in song 2 was terrible for me. But she sure hit the big notes! She sure was disappointed to see JLo disappointed in her first song! I believe Jena will DEFINITELY be in the final - and will likely win. </p>
<p>As for Caleb, he just could not have a good night with his voice. I guess he tried to make up for it by taking it out on the mic stand on that last song. Yikes. </p>
<p>I think they should have NOT sung their reprise song last - was kind of a letdown having the songs we had already heard before performed at the end of the show. </p>
<p>Finally, one of my favorite moments of the show - hearing that Sam will perform with Phillip Phillips on the finale! Score for Sam!!! (on the other hand, I can’t believe that Malaya gets to perform with John Legend…) </p>
<p>Wondering why specifically @jshain??? I’m fine with her - not in love, but fine. I like her voice best on her at the piano numbers - when she does the rocker songs there is a flavor to her voice that just sounds off to me - others like that I’m sure, but not me. Also, her annunciation can be bad. </p>
<p>abasket, In a word, inconsistency. She was excellent behind the piano with Creep, but didn’t think her first 2 songs were title-worthy performances. </p>
<p>Agree with jshain. Didn’t think the first two songs were good at all, though the last one was as good as the first time she sang it. Can’t understand most of what she sings, it’s weird. I think Caleb is going home, I don’t think he has that many sympathy votes for him to make the top two.</p>
<p>I really like Alex the best and see him as the most talented of the three, but I see him as more of a small club/more intimate venue type- he doesn’t have the flash and confidence for a huge venue. While I uusally love his songs, he always seem nervous and uncomfortable up there in front of a large audience. I’m not a fan of Jena- as jshain said, she if very inconsistent. However, I think she probably appeals very much to the young teen group. Caleb definitely appeals to a particular audience, and he absolutely feeds off of audiences reaction. Despite his voice issues, he was a crowd-pleaser on the last number. I see him blowing out his voice eventually as he is a yeller. Unfortunately for Alex, while I like him the best, I’m not sure he has the overall appeal to advance to the final round. </p>
<p>On Alex’s hometown visit he played in front of a crowd of 7,000 - all that the venue could hold. Typically, Idol Hometown visits include a concert of 3-4 songs in front of a crowd - Alex did a total of 9 songs some of them some of them 5+ minutes long - the “jamming” he talked about last night in answer to Harry’s question. He put together a full band on stage with him that included friends from home and the local high school. Dude is ready and NOT just for small crowds! </p>
Guess that is the success of the show! Time has shown that you don’t need to win to have success. The real success comes with how driven you are after AI to forge forward. I think many past non-winning Idols - Daughtery, Cook, Lambert, Hudson, etc. worked their you-know-what off to get a career that they could live off. Part of that success will be good guidance and realizing and sticking to who you are. </p>