Good things come to those who rock
Can we just make every week "Rock Week" on American Idol? For those who’ve suffered through Sanjaya and some of the most mediocre weeks since Season 3, Tuesday night was a reward. We got to see: local contestant Phil Stacey make his dream come true next to Jon Bon Jovi; the First Lady make fun of her husband on a reality show; a candid celebrity mentor who knew what the heck he was doing; Jordin Sparks auger in; LaKisha Jones redeem herself; and Blake Lewis go way, waaaay out on a limb – with a performance that will provoke water cooler chatter all morning.
Let’s start with….: Stacey opened the show with "Blaze of Glory," a song he said he’s been practicing for 15 years. He had to pinch himself ("Holy moley, I’m jammin’ with Bon Jovi"), and the mentor was almost as impressed: "Phil just knocked this one out of the park." Stacey hit the notes with relish, worked the crowd and camera, fist-bumped Randy, and showed big teeth on a big last note. Then he saluted fellow sailors and appealed to voters by saying of the judges: "They’re not the ones keeping me here."
And they made him a judge: Randy said of Stacey: "Other than Country Week, this is your best performance." Paula said, "This is the best opening we’ve had all season long." Then Simon awoke from hibernating in his cave. "I don’t think you’ve done enough to last next week." Of course, this is the same man who said he had trouble recognizing two popular Bon Jovi songs.
Did he or didn’t he? Lewis threw a Hail Mary, converting "You Give Love a Bad Name" into a mix of cow bell, beat box, the Robot, rap echo, sound effects and, finally, a pouty, edgy chorus. Bon Jovi wasn’t sure it would work, but he became a believer. The judges loved it, with Simon saying it would keep Lewis alive and polarize fans. The show’s message boards were split 50-50 after the show.
Want to see Phil live? The Idol tour will stop here at the Arena on July 8, according to the show’s Web site. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. May 19.
Shoot the stylist: Sparks gamely tried "Livin’ on a Prayer" and admitted that she butchered it. What was worse was the hairstyle inspired by "Clash of the Titans." And the stylists weren’t done yet; Jones’ dress looked like an innertube sponsored by Red Stripe.
Hail to the cheese: Nice feat getting the sitting president to congratulate the show for raising $70 million during "Idol Gives Back." Bush kicked off a little Sonny-and-Cher banter by offering to sing. Laura replied, "I don’t know darlin’, they’ve already seen you dance." Nice one.
Cowellism of the night: "Nice lips." Simon was so impressed with Jones’ return to her soulful strength on "This Ain’t a Love Song," he said he could kiss her. She obliged, leading to his quote above. Oooo, he’s going to hear about it when he gets home.
Rollin’: On a theme night when she had no business even being in the running, Melinda Doolittle proved again that it’s her title to lose. She got in touch with her inner Tina Turner and growled through "Have a Nice Day." Her attitude on the chorus was priceless.
Most likely to go home: We have to pick two this week, and although Bon Jovi said Jones wouldn’t go home this week, she’s in danger. The other pick’s easy. Chris Richardson had to do much better than last week, and Tuesday he sang "Wanted Dead or Alive." I’m opting for the former.
John Timpe/The Times-Union
Let’s start with….: Stacey opened the show with "Blaze of Glory," a song he said he’s been practicing for 15 years. He had to pinch himself ("Holy moley, I’m jammin’ with Bon Jovi"), and the mentor was almost as impressed: "Phil just knocked this one out of the park." Stacey hit the notes with relish, worked the crowd and camera, fist-bumped Randy, and showed big teeth on a big last note. Then he saluted fellow sailors and appealed to voters by saying of the judges: "They’re not the ones keeping me here."
And they made him a judge: Randy said of Stacey: "Other than Country Week, this is your best performance." Paula said, "This is the best opening we’ve had all season long." Then Simon awoke from hibernating in his cave. "I don’t think you’ve done enough to last next week." Of course, this is the same man who said he had trouble recognizing two popular Bon Jovi songs.
Did he or didn’t he? Lewis threw a Hail Mary, converting "You Give Love a Bad Name" into a mix of cow bell, beat box, the Robot, rap echo, sound effects and, finally, a pouty, edgy chorus. Bon Jovi wasn’t sure it would work, but he became a believer. The judges loved it, with Simon saying it would keep Lewis alive and polarize fans. The show’s message boards were split 50-50 after the show.
Want to see Phil live? The Idol tour will stop here at the Arena on July 8, according to the show’s Web site. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. May 19.
Shoot the stylist: Sparks gamely tried "Livin’ on a Prayer" and admitted that she butchered it. What was worse was the hairstyle inspired by "Clash of the Titans." And the stylists weren’t done yet; Jones’ dress looked like an innertube sponsored by Red Stripe.
Hail to the cheese: Nice feat getting the sitting president to congratulate the show for raising $70 million during "Idol Gives Back." Bush kicked off a little Sonny-and-Cher banter by offering to sing. Laura replied, "I don’t know darlin’, they’ve already seen you dance." Nice one.
Cowellism of the night: "Nice lips." Simon was so impressed with Jones’ return to her soulful strength on "This Ain’t a Love Song," he said he could kiss her. She obliged, leading to his quote above. Oooo, he’s going to hear about it when he gets home.
Rollin’: On a theme night when she had no business even being in the running, Melinda Doolittle proved again that it’s her title to lose. She got in touch with her inner Tina Turner and growled through "Have a Nice Day." Her attitude on the chorus was priceless.
Most likely to go home: We have to pick two this week, and although Bon Jovi said Jones wouldn’t go home this week, she’s in danger. The other pick’s easy. Chris Richardson had to do much better than last week, and Tuesday he sang "Wanted Dead or Alive." I’m opting for the former.
John Timpe/The Times-Union
posted by John Timpe at
11:32 PM
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