READ MORE | View all of our Project “Idol” recaps from each episode this season and last
Call it cold comfort? Starting a column with the dreaded “I told you so” is never a good idea—particularly when you’ve already had to put up with so much “American Idol” schlock on Thursday.
“Idol’s” agonizing newest Ford music video, bad Top 13 lip syncing and an odd contestant elimination process all made their rounds last night, and you could probably hear the groaning all the way from my house. Love that fast-forward button on the DVR.
But yes, dear readers, it turns out that there was a fly in the audio ointment after all: the singers couldn’t find their notes or range because they couldn’t hear themselves. Karen Rodriguez (top photo) was the only contestant—whom I accurately predicted would land in the bottom three—who honestly quipped, “I couldn’t hear myself last night.”
That’s because whatever they were using for monitors wasn’t working–and, even though Diddy and Adam Lambert had sufficient devices helping them in their guest performances on Thursday–the contestants weren’t so lucky on Wednesday. Believe me when I tell you: If they don’t fix this issue, it’s gonna be a very long season.
Two of my three predictions ended up in the bottom three, and I still think Lauren deserved it more than Haley (second photo). Agreed, we’re splitting hairs; they both sounded like bad wedding singers on Wednesday night. Lauren seemed befuddled by the whole thing, as if she’s not used to criticism coming back to her. I’m hoping she steps up with a tougher skin in the coming weeks.
Choosing a sleepy, obscure Diana Ross song, while certainly calling for a glam outfit, does not guarantee a shining vocal, and Ashton Jones, like Lauren, faltered on her uninspired song choice.
After an attempt to sing for the one and only judges save this season, Ashthon was sent home by both America and the judges—proof that song choice either gives you the keys to the castle or a shove over the wall and into the moat. It doesn’t guarantee you anything, but at least you get a shot at playing with the big boys.
Now that we’ve got a week of finalist competition under our belts, we’ll see how this allows the remaining Top 12 to shine just a bit more and step out of their comfort zones a bit more, too.
Will Pollock is an Atlanta-based freelance writer, photographer, musician and artist. He is founder and director of ARTvision Atlanta and writes “Emo.Intel” for EquallyWed. Pollock is also working on a number of books, including one on emotional intelligence in men. He blogs about politics, pop-culture and other nonsense, and you can follow him on Twitter.
