American Idol Season 7 ~ Episode 36 – May 6, 2008

By: Mary Cavaliere

On Monday Ellen DeGeneres had Brooke White on her show.  Today Ellen was filming in Chicago and she featured Michael Johns singing with Carly Smithson.  It didn’t sound great, the problem was the outside acoustics not the vocals.  Ellen made a joke about Michael and Carly being the next Captain and Tennille.  Michael echoed “You mean Captain and McNille”.   Actually, I think these two would do well recording and touring together.  Michael would appeal to the younger audience and Carly would appeal to the older audience.

So tonight we got a history lesson on Rock and Roll.  The contestants had quite a catalogue to choose from.  Some chose well, others did not.  Each of the final four sang two songs each.  

JASON CASTRO:  Round 1 ~ I Shot The Sheriff by Bob Marley.   Round 2 ~ Mr. Tambourine Man by Bob Dillon.  The first song was probably a good choice for Jason but in my opinion he just pales in comparison to the other three remaining contestants.  He really proved that point in the second round when he forgot the lyrics.  Yikes!  It’s almost the end of the competition!  I agree with Simon.  Jason should pack his bags because he really doesn’t deserve to stay any longer than he already has.

SYESHA MERCADO:  Round 2 ~ Proud Mary by Tina Turner.   Round 2 ~ Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cook.   Granted Syesha did not do Proud Mary as raunchy as Tina Turner did, but she’s a lady every step of the way, and she made it her own.  I thought did a good job with the song.  Oh my God that gold dress she wore in Round 2 was absolutely fabulous!  She looked like a Greek Goddess!   I thought the song showed her true vocal ability.  I don’t think her tears were really about Randy’s comments.  I think it was more about the song and how much it touched her.   But it was funny to watch Simon try and make Randy feel like the bad guy this week! 

DAVID COOK:  Round 1 ~ Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran.  Round 2 ~ Baba O’Riley by The Who.   I thought the first number was o.k. just as Randy said.  I felt he “sang” it and didn’t really “perform” it.  There is a difference you know.  It’s why people like Tony Orlando and Wayne Newton have done so great in Vegas.  They’re not just singers (people you like to hear) they are performers (people you like to watch).  The second song I thought started a little weak for David, but it definitely got better as the number went on and as the judges noted, the real David Cook emerged. 

DAVID ARCHULETA:  Round 1 ~ Stand By Me by Ben E. King.  Round 2 ~ Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley.  This kid is unbelievable.  I was moved to tears during Stand By Me and I contributed it to the fact that this was my ex-husband’s and my song when we were married.  But then when he sang Love Me Tender and I cried through most of it I realized my tears were because David just touches my soul when he sings and it has nothing to do with my ex-husband or anyone else. The first number was fabulous and the second number was just as brilliant.  I cannot wait to buy David’s CD’s, and I’m guessing there will be MANY of them!

As far as I’m concerned there is only one real winner and that is David Archuleta.  If he doesn’t win I’ll be as disappointed as I was in Season 2 when Ruben Studdard won over Clay Aiken.  But what the hey, who’s selling more records now????

You can read more of Mary’s television blogs at www.myspace.com/italiangirl57


Find additional American Idol links on sirlinksalot.net