This Is American Idol!

American Idol Rewind. First things first. Why is Kristy Lee Cook smiling?



Because she had a secret that nobody else knew about. Her boyfriend ended up proposing to her that night but that wasn't the first time. He first popped the question a month ago but they had kept the news quiet so she could focus on the show. "He actually got down on his knee this time. He owed it to me." Best wishes, Kristy. She says if she were singing tonight, she would have chosen the song 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina'. I like that song. It would have been interesting to hear your "country" version of that song.

And now......This is American Idol!

We are down to the top six. We are halfway home, people.

Ryan says in honor of Earth Day they will be using green power for the finale. They have also expanded the band section. Tonight's theme is the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Can I just say I am totally excited for tonight. I love his music but it seems there are others that don't feel the same way I do. I heard one complaint that the music was too limiting and they should have expanded it to all Broadway music. Are they crazy? Look at this:

Andrew Lloyd Webber has won seven Tonys, three Grammys, seven Oliviers, a Golden Glove, an Oscar, two International Emmys, the Praemium Imperiale, the Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre and the Kennedy Center Honor. Some of his best known composing work includes “The Likes of Us,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “By Jeeves,” “Evita,” “Variations” and “Tell Me On A Sunday,” “Cats,” “Starlight Express,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Aspects of Love,” “Sunset Boulevard,” “Whistle Down the Wind,” “The Beautiful Game” and “The Woman in White.”

If they can't find something to sing in all of those choices then they don't deserve to be there. He also is going to be mentoring them tonight. Let's just hope they listen because I have a feeling he knows what he is talking about.



Tonight will be extra special for you readers because D is watching with me and I am sure he will have something to say. Ryan is introducing the judges and when he gets to Paula, D says, "She's stoned again". D doesn't beat around the bush, he calls it like he sees it. Both Randy and Simon say it will be the toughest night of the season. Simon says they need to make it memorable but contemporary. Well, let's see how they take the judges advice. First up,

1. Syesha Mercado - One Rock & Roll Too Many (Starlight Express)
This isn't a good start. I have never seen this play and I don't know the song. I believe S saw this in London and from what I remember she loved the play. Hopefully, Syesha doesn't disappoint and she makes me like a song I don't know. I may not like the song but I sure like the dress she is wearing. She looks like a star tonight. Hey, who is that guy? Is this turning into Dancing With the Stars? I thought she was excellent and D, "That was really good. Wow!". Randy thought it was her best to date and she could be a Broadway star. Paula says she "brought the house down". D says, "Nice hairdo, Paula". Simon thought she showed masses of personality. I agree, I think the stage may be her niche. Nice job, Syesha.

2. Jason Castro - Memory (Cats)
I know everyone loves this song but it is one of my least favorite songs of this show. Jason says he has never seen any of ALW's musicals and that he didn't know a cat sang this song. Can I just say I think he is already in trouble and he hasn't even begun to sing yet. I think ALW feels the same way I do. He seems really nervous, I see disaster written all over this performance. Wow, this is really bad. D says, "Turn it off". Randy calls it a train wreck. Paula is saying, I have no idea what she is saying. But then again, does anything she says make sense? Simon says it was probably the longest two minutes of this life. I think he is in trouble after this performance.

3. Brooke White - You Must Love Me (Evita)
I know this musical but don't remember this song. ALW says she doesn't have a clue what she is singing about. He works with her and likes the result. Wow! She just stopped and started over. But she has done this before and it ended up alright. I don't think this song is working for her. Uh oh, she may be joining Jason in the bottom three. Randy says she listened to ALW and it looked like she believed what she was singing. Paula is silent! She's not saying anything!! Finally, she has something to say and it isn't good. She says she should never stop and restart a song like that. The audience is silent. Simon says she looks tense and her voice was straining. She looks so scared and nervous to me. D says, "Just get her out of there". I agree, poor Brooke. I am afraid she is going to have a breakdown before this is all over.

We are halfway through and only Syesha has done well so far. I didn't think this music was going to be so hard for them to sing.

4. David Archuleta - Think of Me (Phantom of the Opera)
I love, love, love this song. ALW thinks it is a weird song choice, it's a girl's song. He can't imagine how he will sing this song. Me either, Andrew, me either.
Oh, wow! That was incredible! He took a Broadway song and made it sound like a pop song you would hear on the radio. I loved it! So did Randy, it was "the bomb"! Paula called it the perfect pop ballad. Simon thought it was pleasant but one of this weakest performances. People won't remember it, sorry! D to me, "You thought it was good? Better than Syesha? No way!". Best performance of the night so far for me.

5. Carly Smithson - Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus Christ Superstar)
She wants to sing 'All I Ask of You'. ALW says that is not the song for her. She is a rocker and thinks the other song she is thinking of is a much better choice. She listened to him and is singing JCS. She made the right choice, I like it. D, "I like it. Look at her husband, omg". lol. He leads such a sheltered life. Randy thought it was good and might be her best performance. Paula loved the chorus. Simon says it is one of his favorite performances of the night. Even though I am not a fan of hers, I have to give her props tonight. And because this is one of my favorite songs of ALW's, I am going to let Carly sing it again.





I also thought this was funny. It is nice to see she really does have a sense of humor. I wonder sometimes about the dark and brooding lass.

D, "Dreadlocks is going home". He may be right about that.


And now for my most eagerly awaited performance of the night.


David Cook - Music of the Night (Phantom of the Opera)
ALW says it is the sexiest song he has ever written. I don't know about this choice. Maybe it will work. I see him as a rocker not a ballad singer. Well, I thought it was good but he didn't bring anything new to the song. Let's see what the judges think. Randy thought it was an amazing vocal performance. Paula says well-rounded and it was fantastic. Simon thinks grittier music suits him better but he made the most of the song he was given. D says he didn't like the ending of the song.

Well, what did you think tonight? Who's going home? My bottom three: Jason and Brooke are the easy choices. The third is much harder. I think I will make my third choice Carly. I'm not really sure why. I think Jason may be going home. If he doesn't it is only because his fan base is large enough to keep him in. He was dreadful tonight. D says Syesha was the best and Jason is toast. From his lips to God's ear is all I can say.

HaHa, this is funny. The judges are wearing masks!

And now on to my performance of the night. That honor goes to David A. He took a song and not only sang it perfectly but put a new spin on it that was still likeable. Incredible!