Or maybe there are a lot more people out there who aren't big Jesus Christ Superstar fans? I'll come back to this speculation, but, as this Tuesday's show had a special place for me, I'll first indulge in a recap of Tuesday with some commentary.
The theme: The music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Now, Lord Webber, while being one of the most well known musical theatre composers of all time, is not viewed in the musical theatre world as a genius. His melodies, compositions, and lyrics are often over-simplistic, even predictable. His best work, in my opinion, is some of his earliest stuff, like Evita or Superstar. He is respected, however, for making Broadway popular, and he can certainly boast some of the longest running shows EVER. (For example, Jason, there's this one show called Cats...)
I have to admit that I was a little prejudiced against him because he's so popular and yet so inferior to many of the greats. So, it was very humbling to see what a nice man he appears to be. Just darling! Maybe it was the Idol take on him and just kind media, but he certainly doesn't seem to have let his popularity go to his head...that much.
So, in Tuesday night's show, Syesha Mercardo opened the show with quite a bang. Am I surprised? No. I've been saying for weeks that since she's an actress (assuming she's a good actress), then she should go to Broadway. I hope that she does. She's absolutely darling. I have no idea what show "One Rock and Roll Too Many" is from, and, frankly, it wasn't much of a song, but she was in her element. I was happy for her and a bit sad that she made the bottom two.
Now Jason Castro seems like a nice boy. I think he's very good looking, even with the dreads. When he picks something that is in his groove, he's really on. I must say, however, that I don't think there is really any excuse for not knowing that "Memory" was sung by a cat. Hello?! I mean, it's only one of the longest running, most overrated shows ever. It's also one of Webber's greatest songs. (Thank you, Trevor Nunn!) Jason was so off when he picked that song. There are not enough words to describe how little justice he did to the song, so I'll just leave it at this - his performance really stunk.
The theme: The music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Now, Lord Webber, while being one of the most well known musical theatre composers of all time, is not viewed in the musical theatre world as a genius. His melodies, compositions, and lyrics are often over-simplistic, even predictable. His best work, in my opinion, is some of his earliest stuff, like Evita or Superstar. He is respected, however, for making Broadway popular, and he can certainly boast some of the longest running shows EVER. (For example, Jason, there's this one show called Cats...)
I have to admit that I was a little prejudiced against him because he's so popular and yet so inferior to many of the greats. So, it was very humbling to see what a nice man he appears to be. Just darling! Maybe it was the Idol take on him and just kind media, but he certainly doesn't seem to have let his popularity go to his head...that much.
So, in Tuesday night's show, Syesha Mercardo opened the show with quite a bang. Am I surprised? No. I've been saying for weeks that since she's an actress (assuming she's a good actress), then she should go to Broadway. I hope that she does. She's absolutely darling. I have no idea what show "One Rock and Roll Too Many" is from, and, frankly, it wasn't much of a song, but she was in her element. I was happy for her and a bit sad that she made the bottom two.
Now Jason Castro seems like a nice boy. I think he's very good looking, even with the dreads. When he picks something that is in his groove, he's really on. I must say, however, that I don't think there is really any excuse for not knowing that "Memory" was sung by a cat. Hello?! I mean, it's only one of the longest running, most overrated shows ever. It's also one of Webber's greatest songs. (Thank you, Trevor Nunn!) Jason was so off when he picked that song. There are not enough words to describe how little justice he did to the song, so I'll just leave it at this - his performance really stunk.
David Archuleta was 3rd in the line-up. So, what should I say about him? He's got such great pipes, and his song was just fine. It just seemed like a huge waste that he chose the song "Think of Me," a song that is pretty much irrelevant to the show it's in, and turned it into an upbeat pop song. The Stevie Wonder feel was fun, and it's kind of worked, but he couldn't try something more exciting, like "High Flying Adored" or something? I mean, the guy can sing anything, and he decided to popify a showtune? Oh well, he did fine, and he'll probably be in the finale.
Now, poor Brooke White inadvertently made Idol history on Tuesday by stopping and restarting a song after one line. It was an unfortunate choice, but it was probably the right choice. She could have babbled through the first half of her song, but she instead chose to restart it and sing it completely through without mistakes. In the context of an actual musical, it would've been a mortal sin; but in a concert setting like the American Idol stage, it's much more passable. It was human, and that's part of why we all like her so much. She's unique, a very good musician, a profoundly kind, sensitive human being, and she gives a lot of passion and vulnerability to her performing. Unlike Jason, she picked the perfect song ("You Must Love Me" from Evita the film), and she did a nice job with it. So, I hope that some time before she dies people will STOP RUBBING IT IN!
I'll come back to Carly, who was 5th in the line-up.
David Cook, who closed the show, sang "Music of the Night" from that one show everyone knows. Incidentally, I think he has watched the playback and has learned that when he smiles just a little during the song, it makes him more handsome. Also, he has let his beard fill out a little more, and it doesn't look as much like he's a slob who keeps forgetting to shave for a couple of days before the show. More importantly, he sang the song rather beautifully, excluding the last two notes. It was a little strange actually. He sang almost the entire song as written, give or take a tiny variation in the middle, and then he wimped out of the true ending of the song by ending it loudly instead of softly. It didn't work for me. Still, we all knew that wouldn't stop him from going on. He's still pretty fabulous, and I think he deserves to win.
So, why did Carly go home? This is a theory. She wasn't terribly likeable. Carly had a defensiveness about her that I think bothered people a little. She reminded me of some people I went to the Y with who were crazy talented (just like Carly), but a little tough and callous and, at times, mean. I just don't think she seem very genuine when she was trying to be vulnerable, and she didn't seem very secure when she was trying to appear so. Audience members pick up on facades like that.
Another theory: I think Carly may have shot herself in the foot with her song choice. Though she sounded great and strong, J.C. Superstar is pretty contraversial material. Even if you don't know the show well, it's pretty clear from the title song (which she chose) that the show is not exactly a respectful, reverent take on the Savior. I wouldn't be surprised if a huge percentage of AI viewers are Christians, practicing and non-practicing, who might've felt a little uncomfortable with a rock and roll song calling the title character a superstar and asking him why he let everything get "so out of hand." Just a theory.
Of course, the song choice could've been a bad one because it's obscure and dated. I dunno.
So, again I've ranted about the addiction that captivates me every Tuesday and Wednesday evening. And, assuming you've gotten this far, you've read the rant. Thank you. Sharing silly thoughts with friends is so much more fun then telling all of this to myself while I wash the dishes.
So, Carly, honey, you've got some great pipes. I personally think that Simon was wrong about your song choice about 80% of the time. You may be able to pull of the tough and callous rocker thing alright, but inside you're a softy just dying to sing Diva ballads.
I also think you should consider getting your tatoo removed as well, because it won't be very pretty when you are old lady. Again, just an opinion.
By the way, my husband made an interesting comment as I composed this rather long editorial. He said that, had he the time and inclination to blog about American Idol, he'd photoshop Jason into a cat costume. I'll just leave you with that image.
