American Idol 6: Week 2 “Guys Night”

Ryan starts off the show by congratulating Jennifer Hudson for her Oscar, American Idol’s first! Jeff Foxworthy is in the audience tonight. Is it country night? After seeing Sanjaya Malakar’s outfit, I’m putting my money down on him singing a Michael Jackson song. We’re quickly reducing the field of contestants to 6. The lowest two vote getters will be going home, leaving us with eight. Tonight’s show has the contestants dedicating their song to the people that inspire them.

Phil Stacey: 29 from Jacksonville, FL
Phil Stacey sings “I Ain’t Missing You At All” by John Waite. I still think this guy is one of the top voices in the contest, still not sure about how far he’ll go, but I’d say he’s got at least 2 or 3 weeks left. He’s really doing a great performance of this song. He’s definitely got it together tonight, but he wasn’t too bad last week in my opinion.

• Randy - that was hot, showing everyond his power
• Paula - likes his tone and says she can hear him right now on the radio
• Simon - very popular, but completely “unoriginal” voice. He’s really looking for something unique, not a “very good karoake singer”

— Commercial Break — 

Interviewing in the “red” room, Sundance says his friends told him to be less “crappy”. I agree, he really needs to turn it on and show us what he did in the original auditions.

Jared Cotter: 25 from Long Island, NY
Singing a little Marvin Gaye and coming out strong with “Let’s Get It On”. I can’t hear this song without immediately thinking of an episode of “The King of Queens”. If you watch it, you’ll know what I mean. Jared’s taking a step up this week. It’s good to see the guys starting off stronger than last week. Not sure if Simon’s going to like it though, and he said to be a littler riskier from last week. He’s doing a good job though.

• Randy - little pitchy, but liked the face move
• Paula - good looking guy, Paula is losing it, too much innuendo
• Simon - appreciates the attempt, but reminded him of the “Love Boat”, as a cabaret singer (Jared follows it up with “That would have been a great love boat man”)

A.J. Tabaldo: 22 from Santa Maria, CA
Dedicating his song to his mom and dad and singing Michael Buble’s version of “Feeling Good”. I like Buble, and A.J. isn’t doing too badly of a version, but is cracking on a few areas moving across his range. We’ll see

• Randy - so much better than last week, proves he’s got skills
• Paula - real, real, real, real good voice. Like’s seeing the change
• Simon - actually “nearly, very good”. Tuning problems. Made himself different and stand-out with some personality

— Commercial Break —

Sanjaya Malakar: 17 from Seattle, WA
He’s dedicating his performance to his grandfather who died when he was five and wears his wedding ring on stage. Singing “Steppin’ Out” with a little jazz, swing kick. Not sure he’s doing enough. Still can’t believe he was won of the top guys in votes last week. Not sure what he’s going on. He’s not bad, just not in the same league with the majority of the other guys in the group this year. Strong voice, but Simon will say he’s “forgettable”.

• Randy - nice kid, really weird, bad high school talent show. Really didn’t work for him.
• Paula - sang on pitch, sounded good, old soul, but needs to pick songs that celebrate his youth
• Simon - some ghastly lunch where the parents asked the children to sing. Very weak. A little weird and absolutely no impact.  

He picked the song to dedicate it to his grandfather, just may not have been the best decision.

— Commercial Break —

Chris Sligh: 28 from Greenville, SC
Dedicates it to his wife who has supported him through all the times he’s wanted to give-up and quit. Singing “Trouble”, and I’m not sure who sings it (Lindsey Buckingham, remade by Coldplay?). He’s doing a great job. I just love his personality and attitude. We’ll see what the judges say though.

• Randy - even better than last week, big voice, he’s got skills, good song choice
• Paula - watch your pitch, getting ahead of the music
• Simon - tonight he was a “very good singer” which is why they put him through

Ryan reminded me that Taylor Hicks did that song last season. Definitely a song that would fit Taylor’s Soul Patrol style.