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In nearly every year of “American Idol,” the elite eight comprises four or five strong performers, one or two genre specialists and two singers who need to be voted out promptly. This year’s eight were given the theme of “inspirational,” which one fears may produce a healthy dose of schmaltz, yet instead nearly every singer took the instruction to mean a song or sentiment that inspired them. How misunderstood was the assignment? Michael Johns, who chose Aerosmith’s sing-or-die anthem “Dream On,” must have heard them say “perspirational.”
Misguided song choices revealed the singers’ ignorance of history, interpretation skills and the do’s ‘n’ dont’s of the telecast. Syesha made a major blunder singing not just a former champ’s tune, but doing perhaps the most famous song to ever be sung in a finale, Fantasia’s “I Believe.” She said Fantasia is her idol, which I hope does not translate to ”I have a baby and cannot read,” but it’s no excuse. Fantasia won because she invested herself in songs and that appeal was visceral in American living rooms; Syesha is an attractive woman with a nice voice and telegenic qualities, but week after week her stock goes down for not revealing an inner-self.
Carly Smithson is in the same boat. Her delivery is based on big fat notes followed by a piercing wail - regardless of melody or lyrical intent, and she relies on the same vocal tricks weekly. Queen’s “The Show Must Go On” borders on the absurd as a song selection and she did absolutely nothing with it.
Perhaps the saddest aspect of the elite eight was that the high points were found in the covers of the covers. Brooke White performed James Taylor’s emotionally manicured, arm-around-the-shoulder version of Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend,” failing to bring out the anguish found in King’s version. And Jason Castro sweetly played Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s uke-’n'-juke rendition of Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which discards rhyme schemes in the name of cuteness.

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No surprise this week. Brooke White, who had been skirting elimination all month, was shown the door and then was nearly inconsolable as she sang herself off American Idol to Neil Diamond’s “I Am, I Said.” And speaking of skirting, Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson circled the wagons in defense of Paula Abdul, not specifically addressing her Tuesday-night gaffe but declaring that Paula is “part of our family” and that the rumors out there are not true. Earlier, Paula defended herself on Ryan’s radio program. Most rumors emerged from conspiracy-theory bloggers and tabloid media.
Who knows? Meanwhile, Jason Castro of Rockwall, along with David Archuleta, David Cook and Syesha Mercado, rock on for another week. If Jason makes it another week, American Idol will visit Rockwall.
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Stk was the hot spot for dinner last night in Hollywood. The night brought out Oscar winners, ex models and Reality show rejects. Reese Witherspoon made it a night out for a good dinner along with ex-supermodel turned trophy wife Cindy Crawford.
Other stars spotted at this location included attention seekers Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt along with Brittany Gastineau and Paula Abdul.
Tennis ace Maria Sharapova celebrated her 21st Birthday at Tenjune nightclub last night with special guests Anna Wintour, Vera Wang and Dave Annable, among others.
Tuesday night at TAO Las Vegas saw actress Mena Suvari having dinner with two male guests including her new boyfriend Simone Sestito.
Okay for starters Spencer and Heidi are not stars, they are not celebrities. They are just to people that SUCK BALLS.
I was at Tao Restaurant having dinner when Mena Suvari was there. She looked awesome!
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