This Is American Idol - Finale Week

1 month ago 14th May 12:36

"American Idol" entered its final week as Ryan Seacrest revealed that there had been only a million votes between each of the contestants last week, so it was there to be won

Each contestant sang three songs, one they chose, one chosen for them by the judges, and one the producers chose. So the judges choice returned the most favourable comments while it seemed the contestants knew very little as their choices pulled the most damning comments.

Syesha Mercado got the worst of the feedback, with even Paula gently questioning the song she chose for herself and the one the producers picked for her.

Archuleta and Cook received kinder comments from the judges, which could prove influential when things are this close. If nothing else, Randy told both David's that they could sing the phone book.

Its there to be wonRyan Seacrest

Ryan's presentation contained a biopic of each of the three finalists, "a high school student, an actress and a bartender" a rocker a vocalist a performer....

David Cook

The rocker not the archetypical hotel trasher heavy metal singer but in "Idol" context he’s a rock star, and he used his time onstage wisely this week to keep his momentum going.

The judges choice by from Simon Cowell was "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," by Roberta Flack. He followed that up with "Dare You to Move" by Switchfoot, and the producers picked "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith to close the show.

All three allowed Cook to showcase his undoubted talent performing an unpredictable song conventionally for the first dozen or so chords before putting the David Cook stamp on it.

Simon was his biggest fan. "This may sound a little bit biased, but I thought it was one of your best performances," he said following Cowells choice the Roberta Flack number. "This is what makes you brilliant, because you take risks and are original." Simon also reaffirmed the opinion after Cook’s Aerosmith cover, saying, "One of these great songs of all time, and I have to tell you, David Cook wins the night."

Even though nobody was crazy about his song selection on the Switchfoot number, Cook got the biggest raves of the night. He’s the most polished of the finalists ready to both record a hit single and perform it onstage, and should have confirmed his final spot.

David Archuleta

The vocalist David has been the judges’ favourite all season, and every week he gets complimented for the quality of his voice. What lets him down to some extent is his lack of stage presence and his refusal to sing with his eyes open, added to his inability to connect to his audience. This said its nothing that couldn't be coached out of him. as he can hit the notes he has to, and he’s shown the power to sing both ballads and rock songs.

This week wasn't his best and his song choice conspired to add to his woes.Paula had Archuleta singing Billy Joel’s "And So It Goes," which mostly went over the heads of the audience even his teenage girl fans looked somewhat bemused, but hey Paula loved it anyway, calling it, "A pure and stunning performance. Tonight I felt you were a storyteller."

"With You" by Chris Brown was neither pure nor stunning, and Archuleta choice showed poor judgement Simon commented "a little bit like a Chihuahua trying to be a tiger, insomuch as it’s not really you."

The producers’ choice was "Longer" by Dan Fogelberg, which the judges were unanimous in their hatred of this pick, though they did commend his vocals given that Archuleta hasn't been in danger of being voted off all season, the performances could have placed him in trouble.

Syesha Mercado

The performer with a voice that isn't as technically proficient as either of the David's, but she’s the most comfortable moving around onstage, one every occasion she takes control and owns her stage space.. Syesha is an entertainer who always connects with her audience.

All three of her songs showed off her abilities as an entertainer, but the judges were more concerned about her voice than her moves.

Of course, she got good reviews for "If I Ain’t Got You" by Alicia Keys because Randy picked it. He even offered the vote of confidence, justifying the choice by saying, "I know that she’s young, hot, unbelievably talented, in charge - and I think this is the kind of record she could make and be successful with." He wasn't short with the praise afterward either. "You did an amazing job on it. I'm so happy that you are peaking at the right time in this competition."

Her own choice, was "Fever" by Peggy Lee it was a great pick and she even managed to use a chair as a prop without looking like she was working in a strip club. That said it’s not the most challenging vocal in the world, and it’s a song that’s hard to make work as a signature performance because so many have covered it.

The producers pick "Hit Me Up," by Gia Farrell, from "Happy Feet." could be only described as farcical, supposed to challenge her, but instead it just allowed her to use her strength as a performer without extending her voice. Even Paula had something negative to say, noting that "as much as I liked it, I don't know if it was the type of song that defines you as an artist". "I don't know that it will be enough to get into the finals of ‘American Idol.’"

Mercado has avoided more eliminations than any finalist in "Idol" history, so she’s no stranger to danger. The judges all seemed to think she'd be the unlucky singer sent home this week, but on reflection she out performed and out sang Archuleta on the night if it comes down to who they'd rather see onstage, she could still make the finale.