Tonight was the easiest to judge for who won, who came in second and who goes home tomorrow night.
Casey started the season with the looks, excellent guitar playing, a decent voice and so-so song choices. He was on a plateau high above most of the other contestants and got to the top 3 on that plateau. But he has not risen from that plateau.
Crystal began with the rough looks, decent guitar playing, unique and powerful vocals and excellent song choices. She has always sung her songs to entertain us and show her style. She rose steadily to the top 3 at a comfortable pace, not deviating from her own style regardless of what the judges or voters said. She is where she needs to be to record an album this summer.
Lee started the season down with all the singers who fell by the wayside. But he listened to the criticism, got over his shyness for the most part, quit mumbling, and has zoomed from down in the dregs of contestants to become the idol contestant to beat. His song choices tonight were so much better than the other contestants' choices. I started off the season not liking Lee. But I am impressed now, so much so that I think he will win it all next week.
It's like the stars aligned tonight, and for the best for all three contestants.
Casey can already front a band as the lead singer and lead guitarist. He's ready to move on the recording studio and the tours. He'll be smiling all the way to the bank as the #3 contestant who goes home tomorrow.
Crystal will be the better for not winning it all. She, like Casey, has it made already in the recording studio and on tour. It will be easier for her if she does not have to put up with all the crap Idol throws in the mix for the winner. She'll be happy to let Lee win it all.
Lee will win it all, if tonight is any indication. And he will be the better for it. All the hooplah that goes along with winning will only make him a better artist. He is now believing that people like what he does and how he sings. His confidence will grow and he'll be the perfect American Idol this season.
Bye Bye Casey, tomorrow night, and thanks.
I think next week will be a no-brainer (Lee wins). But it will be fun to watch and listen to. Lee and Crystal have fun entertaining us next week. And if we're lucky, another duet. How about "Leather and Lace"?
Comments?
Jerry
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I can't disagree but I must say that even though the stars may have aligned tonight for these three contestants, as a viewer, I'm still left wanting more. This will cap probably one of the more lackluster seasons for AI. I can't think of many instances where I said "Wow" after anyone's performance. There weren't any of those moments tonight, unfortunately, and I'm disappointed, but sadly, not surprised.
ReplyDeleteNow, if you remember my earlier comments about Lee I did not like him much. Granted, I have come to like him more and have begun to see that he appears like a genuinely humble and nice guy. No question there. And it has been interesting to see this paint salesman's transformation from a bland "Desert Beige" to a "Fiesta Red" (thank you Glidden). Perhaps this is what AI is all about, in a perfect sense. Remove the corporate sponsors, the judges' catty remarks, and the producer's desperation to sell their soul to keep the Nielson ratings high and you have the kind of platform that makes an average talented guy like Lee realize his dreams. I wholeheartedly agree with your comment that winning will make him a better artist.
But soon after this feel-good moment ends, AI will be in serious trouble next year if it doesn't make some major changes. That discussion is better left for future blog comments, but suffice it to say that this may be the end of the AI as we have been used to it for 8 seasons. Without Simon's acerbic and usually right-on comments the show is going to suffer from Care Bear syndrome: "you were great" "that was wonderful" "you're a star" "let's all hug".
My prediction: Lee will win, unless there is a huge nationwide surge of votes for Casey. Crystal will be fine either way (2nd place is almost better than winning, yes?) The judges did everything in their power tonight to make it come down to a Lee/Crystal showdown. I'm still not as excited as I was two years ago when it came down to David Cook and Archuleta because I honestly didn't know who would win. (Glad Cook did...it was hands down my favorite AI moment.)
I'll watch Justin Bieber tomorrow and probably shake my head at why this kid's so popular (ok, yes 25 million teenage girls, got it). At least he wasn't a mentor!
So, Bye Casey and, yes thanks for the eye candy and some good songs.
T