Season 7 ~ Episode 35 – April 30, 2008

By: Mary Cavaliere

Did someone on Idol read my blog?  After several weeks of complaining, the opening number was a Neil Diamond medley and the contestants for the most part sang pieces of it one at a time.  It was much better than past ensemble numbers (or maybe it was just that they were doing Neil Diamond’s music and there’s no way to not enjoy that)!

Natasha Bedingfield performed.  I’m actually not that familiar with her music although my daughter and some of my friends are. 

The Idols did another Ford commercial but honestly I didn’t get it.

Neil Diamond performed a song from his new album which will be released May 6th.  A lot of performers like Neil Diamond that are still performing after 40 years usually lose some of their vocal ability (like Barry Manilow and even Diana Ross).  But then there are those like Tom Jones and Neil Diamond who still deliver what they delivered 40 years ago.  Sure they’re a little grayer and have a few more wrinkles but they are still enjoyable to watch and hear.  Neil Diamond I think YOU’RE the one who is PRETTY AMAZING.

Questions from the viewers are always fun.  The first one was directed at Paula.  The viewer wanted to know why Paula always gives the contestants a break.  Paula’s reply was “Somebody has to.”  She further explained how hard it is to do what these kids are doing and she wants to be able to provide positive feedback to keep the dream alive.  The second question was also for Paula.  Was she going to do any more videos with Randy?   The answer was yes.  But the best was saved for last.  It was directed to Simon.  A girl by the name of Tara Miler called for Simon and wanted to know which was more memorable – his first kiss at the age of nine with her, or his kiss with Paula Abdul.  What a great question!!!  Simon actually remembered who Tara was since it was his FIRST kiss and crush. 

So all of the boys were safe!  It wasn’t a big surprise to me that the two girls were in the bottom two.  What did surprise me though was that Brooke was finally chosen to go home and not Syesha.  Even more so, although Brooke hadn’t done well in the past few weeks I still feel Jason should have gone long before her.  But it doesn’t matter.  This young lady will have a recording career no matter what.  She’s the next Carol King / Sheryl Crow and I’ll be one of the first to buy her CD!

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


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