Blunderbuss

Saturday, March 18, 2006

American Idol: "All I Want" - Ford Video Review

(crossposted at flaring muzzle)

Watch the video here.

This is a fun and really quite ingenious video that makes the most of its kitch campfire theme. Sure, it's insipid and almost painfully inoffensive, but what I love about it is the way it plays with the personas of the various idol contestants, and also how it positions certain contestants as frontrunners while marginalizing others.

For example, even though nearly everyone is shown singing, the video begins with Chris and his guitar--he is clearly leading this campfire sing-along, just as he is clearly leading the the entire show both in popularity and accomplishment. (I'm a Bucky fan, but even I must acknowledge that Chris deserves to take the grand prize.)

Having Bucky pop his head out of the back of the truck while reclining is pretty funny--something tells me that some fans would very much enjoy finding themselves in the back of that truck, and the producers of AI certainly certainly aren't above cultivating Bucky's good-old-boy image!

Lisa is the ingenue of the piece and she appears appropriately sweet and innocent. The camera loves her and her warm smile is clearly meant to embody the innocent fun of the campfire in the woods with one's friends.

There are two trios of contestants that serve as sort of generic "friends" of Lisa's who aren't given much to do and don't recieve much screen time.

First there is Melissa, Kellie, and Paris popping out from behind some plastic trees. They are barely there and all but disappear into the crowd in the campfire scene that follows. (If this were a slasher film these three would be the first victims--in fact, poor Melissa really was the first to go from the Top Twelve.)

Then there is Mandissa, Elliott, and Talyor, apparently returning from a fishing trip. It's interesting that the video casts three of the strongest voices in the competition in such minor roles. All three are unquestionably excellent singers, but (how to put this delicately?) they do not have the same pin-up star looks as some of the contestants. (Though, personally, I think Mandissa is gorgeous.) Could it be that the producers are subtly distancing themselves from these three here?

In between the presentation of these two groups, Kevin shows up, alone in the woods except for a faithful bunny rabbit that follows him. This is hilarious on so many levels it's hard to know where to begin. Kevin fans, pay attention: you are being mocked by that little bunny rabbit! This is also, no doubt, a joke about Kevin's status as "sex symbol"--the bunny being a rather obvious nod to his would-be "playboy" status. His silly hat and stand-alone status mark him as basically the mascot of the Idol gang, which, at this point, he has clearly become.

The real drama begins with the appearance of Ace's "Bigfoot" character (who seems to have more than his fair share of marshmallows) and the appearance of sexy State-Trooper Katharine. The video hints at what really goes on between teenagers at midnight campfires in the woods with this pairing--and the cute play between the "naughty" (and sweaty) "monster" Ace and "stern" Katharine flirts with turning this innocent campfire into something a little more PG. It doesn't completely go there, though, because in the end, Ace's "bigfoot" is unmasked and Katharine's stern park ranger is integrated into the circle and it's all innocent fun.

The interplay between Ace and Katharine is also a cute play on the Beauty and the Beast story on several levels: Katharine's character is presented as the Beauty who "tames" the Beast (turning Bigfoot into Ace), but Ace's unmasking is also a sort of Beauty and the Beast joke because the "Beast" turns out to be "beautiful" after all. Also, notice how Katharine only smiles after a now-revealed Ace smiles at her--as if she were the "beast" who needed to be tamed all along!

There's something highly appropriate about the roles this pair is cast in--especially Katharine who (despite ocasional giggling fits) comes across as a bit of a snob, even though she's no doubt a very nice girl. (And of course, Ace has been working the cuddly-bear angle pretty intensely since his earliest appearance.)

All-in-all, a very entertaining (and revealing) commercial.

Some final thoughts:

The constentants who get significant individual screen-time are: Chris, Bucky, Lisa, Kevin, Katharine, and Ace.

The rest of the constestants are put in two groups, presented (more or less) in increasing degrees of talent: Melissa-Kellie-Paris and Mandissa, Elliott, Taylor.

My theory: the judges want either Chris, Bucky, Lisa, Katharine, or Ace as the next American Idol. And they want Kevin to stick around for awhile on the show because he is entertaining as a foil for the others and in no danger of actually winning. They want to acknowledge the greatness of Mandissa, Elliott, and Taylor, but don't want to be stuck trying to market them. And they want Melissa, Kellie, and Paris to quietly fade away.

American Idol: Top 11

(crossposted at flaring muzzle)

It's too bad Melissa left so soon. She wasn't the very best, but she was a very good and certainly much better than some of the remaining contestants. Still, this was probably an easier way to go than it could have been. The lyric flub and the sore throat allow her the dignity of having an excuse for going home this early.

The big news of the results show last week for me was that Bucky not only survived but survived in fine style--not even in the bottom three! GO BUCKY!!! And not only that, but we were treated to what can only be described as the most hilarious face-off in Idol Results Show History: Prettyboy Ace versus ubergeek Kevin. Oh, the look on Ace's face when Ryan told him that he was in the bottom three. The ranking was preposterous, of course. Ace is a far superior candidate to fill the role of "Idol" than Kevin. But I would be lying if I said that there wasn't a petty, sadistic part of me that didn't thoroughly relish this primetime "revenge of the nerds." Clearly the Idol producers were delighted as well, orchestrating things so that poor Ace had to squirm at center-stage for nearly the entire show. Classic.

Also interesting was Lisa's presence in the bottom three. This was a surprise to me at first, but in retrospect I can see why she hasn't connected with viewers. Her performance last week was the first performance of hers that I actually didn't enjoy that much--I didn't feel the confidence from her performance that I usually do. Hopefully she'll be able to return to her comfort zone next week.

One final point: this was one of the most fascinating and enjoyable results-shows I can ever remember seeing on AI because, aside from Melissa's departure, its results were truly surprising and yet felt like they were a perceptive reflection of the performances. Simon was right when he said that he'd done a good job of training US audiences to be good judges. (Of course, many no doubt didn't need Simon's training!)

Friday, March 10, 2006

American Idol: Top Twelve - Almost Perfect

(crossposted at flaring muzzle)

I missed the results show last night, but when I found out who got turfed, well... All I can say is: I'm very pleasantly surprised by the results.

After the perfomances on Tuesday and Wednesday, I was certain that Melissa, Kinnik, Will, and Kevin were headed home. I didn't even dare to hope that the two most unwatchable contestants -- Ayla Brown and Gedeon McKinney -- would be going home instead of Melissa and Kevin. Melissa gave a dull performance this week, and though she is actually very good, I expected that America may have been looking for an excuse to ditch the girl-next-door. I also thought that Kevin's painful Il Divo Jr. charm had (finally) worn out everyone's patience, not just mine. But, hey, if it means saying goodbye to "robotic" Ayla and "odd little thing" Gedeon, it's a fair trade-off in my book.

The remaining Top Twelve match up almost exactly with my own wish-list, which, after this week's performances remains topped by Bucky Covington and Mandissa. The more I hear of the contestants, the more confident I am that these two are the ONLY two that I would spend money to listen to. (My wife and I were BOTH wandering around the house on Thursday singing Mandissa's "I'm Every Woman," and Bucky's song was a gem of scratchy-melodic grace, as usual.) Yes, yes, Lisa Tucker and Elliott Yamin have beautiful voices, Chris Daughtry is a consummate rocker, and Kellie Pickler is a perfect country "minx," but I find Bucky and Mandissa more appealing than the best of the rest by a longshot.

The performances this week also sealed my opinion of several other popular performers. Talented nut Taylor Hicks is now officially unbearable. I actually have to look away from the TV. And goggle-eyed Betty Boop Katharine McPhee is almost as bad. She has a beautiful voice but geez, simmer-down already. Oh yes, and let's not forget Ace Young. On second-thought, let's.

My revised Top Twelve (Categorized):

The Best

1. Bucky Covington

2. Mandissa

The Great

3. Elliott Yamin

4. Chris Daughtry

5. Lisa Tucker

The Good But Potentially Forgettable

6. Kellie Pickler

7. Paris Bennett

8. Melissa McGhee

The Talented But Insufferable (and Often Excruciating)

9. Katharine McPhee

10. Ace Young

11. Taylor Hicks

Misplaced

12. Kevin Covais

Saturday, March 04, 2006

American Idol: My Top Twelve (In Order)

(crossposted at Flaring Muzzle)

How to rank them? I'm basing this not strictly on the talent of the performers, but on the likelihood that I would actually shell out $$ for one of their albums (something I have yet to do for any Idol winner).

1. Bucky Covington - he might not technically be the best singer in the competition, but I love his voice. If he were packaged correctly (alt rock/country), I would buy.

2. Mandissa - I don't care whether she was "a bit pitchy" during her "Cry" performance or not. That song was a knockout and so's Mandissa. I would buy.

3. Elliott Yamin - unbelievable voice, but could Idol package him in a way that wouldn't nauseate me? Unlikely. He won't win, but he will have a career, so here's my advice for Elliott: don't let them strangle you with horrible Disney songs. They may win Academy Awards, but they suck hard. If his material is as amazing as his voice, I probably would buy.

4. Lisa Tucker - The Next Natalie Cole. She will sell records, and she should. I've really enjoyed her performances. Chances are, I'd probably buy.

5. Chris Daughtry - the favorite to win, and I'm impressed by his performances, but he's a front man for a band, not a solo artist. Also, I'm not much of a straight-up rock fan. I wish him well, but probably wouldn't shell out.

6. Melissa McGhee - smokey, sexy voice, but lacking a bit in the charisma department. I've enjoyed all of her performances, but I'm not sure they've convinced me that I'd actually shell out for an album.

7. Ace Young - Umm, what to say about Ace? He's a marketing dream, he has an okay voice, and his doe-eyed, carefully rehearsed, "confessional" spots about his "beanie" and other personal trivia make me want to vomit. Still, once he gives the family-friendly act-a-thon a rest and with an interesting set of producers behind him, he might almost be bearable. If he wins, though, we'll all have to live through at least a couple of years of excruciating schlock before really getting to know this cat.

8. Paris Bennett - what's not to like? Not sure I'd buy, though.

9. Kellie Pickler - talented, adorable, and sexy--but enough with the Southern Country girls already!

10. Katharine McPhee - great voice, could be a hot pop artist. I might buy her album if she went in a Kelly Clarkson direction. But, then again, I didn't buy Kelly's album. If they make her a chanteuse, however, there's no chance at all. There's something that bugs me about this girl--and I don't just mean her mother.

11. Taylor Hicks - the man is undeniably talented, but... Dissing Taylor is sort of like kicking a puppy, but I just cannot STAND his euphoric whoops, grins, and autoerotic hugging. The Rain Man has his fans and will do just fine. He certainly deserves to be in the top 12. I wish him well--just...somewhere far away from my TV screen.

12. Kinnik Sky - barely hanging on, but potentially more watchable (and listenable) than any of the other holdouts: Ayla Brown, Will Makar, Kevin Covais, and Gedeon McKinney. The rest of this lot just don't do it for me.

Top Twelve

It has been proposed to me that it is not too early to produce a wish list for the unfolding of the American Idol competition proper. In that spirit, I advance the following top twelve, culled out of the remining sixteen contestants, and ranked for their degree of desired staying power: (Note: this is NOT a prediction)

To be dispensed with next week:

Ayla. She's amazingly and irritatingly self-satisfied. Who wouldn't be, if beautiful, tall, multi-talented, and from an aristocratic family? Yet, apart from her magnificent self-esteem--which Simon commented on last week--there is nothing especially going for her.

Kevin. I like geeky boys, but he's unfortunately not terribly attractive at his age. There's hope, though, that he might ripen with years.

Kinnick. In a competition with such charismatic African-American women singers, she's unfortunately a little forgettable.

Gideon. Though he is an entertaining performer, I have to agree with Simon that he's creepy, both in his smile and in his religiously-fueled egotism.

"The Idols":
Number 12 - Melissa McGhee. She's cute and talented but is a little too girl-next-door and has poor posture, as albatross pointed out to me.

Number 11 - Will Makar. He impressed me this week with his sonorous choirboy voice, and I'm a little curious to see more, but ultimately uninterested. Peter Brady was always my favourite.

Number 10 - Ace Young. The dreamy, pothead, skiing Colorado boy is not a type I find especially appealing. Can't you just see him going to Burning Man, and impressing the girls by touting some book by Carlos Castaneda and talking about how he's really getting to understand himself/the cosmos? Sorry, but it's such a cliche.

Number 9 - Mandisa. This is getting harder. I like Mandisa's power and warmth, but she doesn't give me the shivers.

Number 8 - Taylor Hicks. Buddy let me down last week, with that rendition of Easy, which was desperately artless with all of its out of place woo-hoos. And then, he didn't even seem to be listening to the judges telling him he had to raise his game. I think he's getting smug.

Number 7 - Kelli Pickler. Her high profile here rests solely on her performance last week of "Give 'Em Something to Talk About," particularly the moment in that clip they keep showing where she throws her hair in front of her face. It was a revelation of unabashed and genuine female abandonment that is rare on camera--absent, indeed, in this culture of managed and fetishized female sexuality. But I doubt she's going to be able to reproduce the effect on demand ad infinitum. It's too fragile and precious to survive the camera, I suspect.

Number 6 - Lisa Tucker. I think she's really great, but too young and "wholesome" to be a really sexy and saucy American Idol. And I guess that's how I like my pop stars.

Number 5 - Chris Daughtry. Yes, he's talented, charismatic, and essentially a lovely person (the clips with the step-children warm my heart, as they would any woman's.) But as someone said, he sounds the same as every rock singer of his type and class.

Number 4 - Bucky Covington. The boy revealed last week a really beautiful intensity and vulnerability--though I don't know the song, his Garth Brooks had to be better than Garth Brooks's. But I suspect he won't be able to reproduce that effect every week, and Southern Rock isn't really my thing anyways.

Number 3 - Paris Bennett. I'm convinced the girl is a real talent; still, I'm unsure of how much genuine soul she can dredge up at her age.

Number 2 - Elliot Yamin. Almost every week he reveals some really intense and poweful new vocal talent. But I fear that he's ultimately an underdog, not really capable of throwing off sufficient "star quality" radiance to make use of the American Idol platform. Essentially, I think he might be an "Indie" artist, who needs a more subtle and sophisticated vehicle.

Number 1 - Katherine McPhee. I am a (primarily) straight woman, but this girl makes me quiver a little with her bottomless sultriness and her confidence in her gift. I like someone who can focus so much on the moments of her performance, because she's so fundamentally sure of her control over the whole of it. How far can she go?

Friday, March 03, 2006

Anti-Ad #1: Evil Empire of Starbucks

So, I'm trying to chill out at Starbucks when I glance down and encounter this on my cup:

The Way I See It #53

Be exceptional. Make tremendous efforts to be extraordinary. What a privilege to be here on the planet to contribute your unique donation to humankind. Just make sure you do so...

I'm sorry...OR WHAT? Maybe I don't FEEL extraordinary today. Or how 'bout this, Mr. Coffee Cup: maybe my contribution - my unique donation to humankind - will be to launch a crusade to oust Starbucks from smug middle-class neighbourhoods everywhere. You're part of the problem, Starbucks, not the solution!! You and your fuck-wit homilies for twelve-year-olds and brain dead homeowners. Damn you and your tasty coffee and your damn comfy chairs. If it weren't for those chairs, I'd find somewhere else to buy my coffee...I would!

This amused me, at least:

American Idol: 4 for 4, plus a bonus!

(crossposted at flaring muzzle)

Brenna Gethers

Heather Cox

David Radford

Jose "Sway" Penala

Good job, America. My sentiments exactly.

It's a good thing, too, that poor Kevin Covais got the heads-up that he may, in fact, NOT be America's next great sex symbol, much less its next singing sensation. It'll make the bad news next week a little easier to weather.

Thursday, March 02, 2006

American Idol: Who Goes Home Tonight??

This week, ottoline and I agree:

Bye-bye:

David Radford
Jose "Sway" Penala

Heather Cox
Brenna Gethers

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

American Idol: New Bucky Fan

(crossposted at Flaring Muzzle)

Like, HUH?!? I enjoyed Bucky Covington's top twelve performance a week ago, but I loved his Garth Brooks song tonight--and I'm speaking as someone who normally doesn't even like Country. What a fantastic voice: alternately smooth, rough, and deep. He seems to have listened to the judges suggestions last week to sing more and not make-with-the-scratchy quite so much--though I love the scratchy too. GO BUCKY!

Honorable mentions: Elliott Yamin (his song also blew me away--sensational) and Chris Daughtry (Simon, Randy, and Paula said it all--the man's a professional; his songs just aren't quite my thing; still, amazing performer; confidence and talent like that is always easy to watch). I also have to give Gedeon McKinney credit for a great performance.

Slipping: Ace Young (not good tonight, despite the finessing that Randy and Paula attempted in their comments; painful falsetto--Simon spoke the truth); Tayor Hicks (I had to acknoweldge his talent last week, but I can barely stand to watch him perform, and this was not a good song tonight).

Barely Hanging On: Will Makar

Done: Kevin Covais, Jose "Sway" Panala, David Radford

Thursday, February 23, 2006

American Idol: Results Show Roundup

(crossposted at Flaring Muzzle)

Things went both better and worse that I had hoped tonight.

The departures of Bobby Bennett and Becky O'Donohue were both appropriate. Simon was right (as usual) -- the judges do seem to have trained America pretty well. I had thought, cynically, that Becky would be able to coast longer on her looks. I'm glad she's gone though, and I don't feel bad for saying so as she clearly has a lucrative future with her sister. In fact, probably better for the twin-act that she didn't go on to become an American Idol winner.

I wasn't sad to see Stevie Scott go either, sweet though she seems. I just didn't enjoy her performance. The thing that usually turns me against contestants is any hint that they're trying too hard, and Stevie looked like she was trying very hard indeed (though this may have been because she was under the weather--a tough break, if true). There are a lot of contestants this year who have the confidence to the audience at ease with their performance, so those who are self-conscious really stand out.

My only disappointment with the voting was the premature expulsion of Patrick Hall. I'm not sure that he was my absolute favorite performer, but I really wish he'd had more of a chance to show his stuff. I'm glad that Bucky escaped the axe though!

American Idol: Who Goes Home Tonight?

ottoline's predictions

Bobby Bennett
Kevin Covais

Becky O'Donohue
Kinnik Sky

albatross's predictions

Bobby Bennett
Jose "Sway" Penala

Stevie Scott
Kinnik Sky

My American Idol thoughts

I have to admit the judges puzzled me last night with their reactions. Their ultimate goal is (or should be) transparent--they need to find and promote someone at once good looking, talented, multi-dimensional, and flexible enough in his or her identity to add depth to whatever kind of pop drivel they can afford to dredge up for that opening album.

Retrospectively, it's clear that Kelly Clarkson has been successful because she fits this bill. It doesn't matter what pap the girl sings, you feel the sincerity. Also, she came to the competition displaying innocence and later revealed a personal edge, producing an exciting combination of effects. I'm just guessing, but suspect the later idols have suffered for not being able to augment their initial image in this way. Fantasia and Reuben, I think, couldn't (or wouldn't) add a little requisite modern shallow sexiness to their classic soul approaches, and thus they never came off as young enough to be really "pop." Carrie Underwood and Clay Aiken are just too purely Christian wholesome--you have to like that sort of thing. (Sorry, but Clay's superimposed edginess never seemed authentic to me, only a little creepy, especially in that stalker song they gave him).

So who could grow into a real pop idol, this year, combining looks, chops, and that kind of paradoxically complex shallowness? Here's my formula: who among the contestants could be what they first seem to be, but then a bit of the opposite too? Catherine McPhee, I think, fits that bill, hence the judge's obvious delight with her. She's a sweet girl, but potentially a little raunchy.

Among the boys, (who I have to admit interest me more by nature) I'm going to go out on a limb. The country boys didn't appeal--I see them at the front of bands. Taylor Hicks could sell records, but not concert tickets. And I'm sorry, Ace Young is perfectly talentless, and I will never find him interesting, even if he has a nice face.

So who?

I think David Radford could be moldable into a very stunning little Divo. Unlike the judges, who saw his performance as pure camp, I saw an irony in it that was sexy--a little wink wink to the audience, of don't you and I both know how irresistable I am?

And then, I'm interested in Patrick Hall, who by adopting his punky hair and gently acidic attitude showed a goth quality, as if to assure us that he would emerge as more mature and dangerous than Clay Aiken in the end (thank goodness!) even if he's bound to give us the saccharine choir boy treatment for the now. What I really want to see someday in a boy idol is a sign of some latent wit and brooding charisma behind the generic display--some David Bowie androgyny, or Elvis Costello brilliance.

But then, the judges did not seem to see it that way at all, indicating they're confident they'll sell more albums by Teen-Beat softies or generic scowling country-rockers...

American Idol: The Top 24

(crossposted at Flaring Muzzle)

This is going to be a GREAT season. Even the contestants who don't do much for me are at least, for the most part, entertaining and interesting to watch.

THE GUYS

Chris Daughtry is great fun to watch and I dug his song (a favorite at the pool hall I once frequented). He just knows what he's doing up there so it's easy for the audience to get into it. Still, I think Simon might be right that he'd be better as part of a band than as a solo act.

Patrick Hall is the darkhorse, largely an unknown quantity right now. He seems edgy and a bit cynical--no wonder I like him. I don't get the Clay Aiken comparison at all--the two couldn't be more different. And as Simon says, that's a good thing. I hope he picks a better song next week, if there is a next week for him.

Oh, Taylor Hicks. I don't know. I cringe every time the Rainman walks on stage and does his Stevie-thing, and yet he is crazy-talented. Great voice and interesting to watch--but he wears me out. I'm on the fence.

Elliott Yamin was a surprise to me and apparently everyone else tonight. I missed him on the Hollywood week shows, so this was the first time I'd ever heard him. Didn't care for his song, but he IS good. Besides, I love it when Randy gets all excited about someone. And then there was Simon's benefaction. How can one not be swayed by such praise?

A pretty-boy like Ace Young is going to take awhile to warm up to. (I loved Patrick's sour comment on this topic a few episodes back.) He's obviously there for his "personality" first and his voice second. He was surprisingly good tonight though, and as Simon said, brilliant song-choice. (All across America, teenaged girls and boys are dialing madly thinking: I want you to be my daddy...I want you to be my daddy!) He seems likely to go all the way and would obviously be a marketing dream for Idol, but he's going to have to deliver some pretty incredible performances to convince me that there's real substance there.

My wife loathed Bucky Covington and I do take Simon's point about there being hundreds of Buckys in bars all over America, but I actually really enjoyed his performance. His voice (dare I make the comparison) sounds vaguely Kurt Cobain-ish, and it's just plain fun hearing a gravelley singer like him alongside the more "polished" voices. I hope he sticks around.

David Radford falls into the category of talented and fun, but too young. My toes were tapping during his Elvis impersonation, but Simon nailed it when he said it felt like a high school musical. He has to go, but not too soon: my wife has a crush on him.

I'll admit that I just don't "get" Jose "Sway" Penala. I'll take Randy's word for it that he's an amazing singer, but I just can't stand the falsetto. Simon's "pimp" comment was out of line though.

The sixteen year olds, Will Makar and Kevin Covais have to go. They have to go right now. It isn't that they're no good; they just aren't in the same league as the older performers and the sooner they're cut loose the better for everyone.

Finally, there's Gedeon McKinney and Bobby Bennett. I felt bad for Gedeon after Simon dissed the poor guy's smile, but I'm sorry: "Shout"? Sure, it was entertaining, but I dunno... I didn't dig that very uncool "it"-speech he gave during Hollywood week, and he came across as a bit of a Cliff Claven in the clip where he described his song. He's a good singer, but irritating. About Bobby Bennett's goofball performance, the less said the better.

THE GIRLS

What did we learn on Tuesday night? That the black women can SING, and that the white girls (with a couple of exceptions) are trying very hard to keep up. That was my take on things last night, anyway.

Lisa Tucker is the standout. She reminds me of Natalie Cole and her song blew me away. She seems more like 30 than 16. Unbelievably mature. I could actually imagine buying her album.

Mandisa is a joy to listen to. One of those performers who just puts you instantly at ease because she is so comfortable performing. Cool, cool lady. A great way to start yesterday's show.

Paris Bennett is adorable (there's no other word for it) and gave a rousing performance, though I found myself wishing that it had been just a little less energetic. I'm looking forward to hearing her sing something more subdued.

Kinnik Sky gave a good but unmemorable performance. She has a beautiful voice, though, and is, to say the least, stunning.

As for the rest, I really like Melissa McGhee, even though she didn't deliver the most solid performance. I hope she doesn't get booted tomorrow night. She won't win, but I would like to hear more from her.

My wife really liked Katharine McPhee, and there's no question that she's incredibly talented, but I haven't really taken to her--not yet, anyway. It may be just that she makes too many faces when she sings.

I'm having a little trouble distinguishing Kellie Pickler and Heather Cox--also having trouble recalling their performances. Not a good sign.

The weakest performances were probably by shamelessly amusing self-promoter Brenna Gethers and "ethereal" opera singer Stevie Scott.

Brenna is clearly very smart and made a canny song-choice as a gesture of contrition to the moralistic portion of the audience that doesn't like sisters who talk back. (I agree with Simon that she doesn't need to "apologize" for who she is--he clearly knows a kindred spirit when he sees one!--but both he and Brenna no doubt also know that in a sense her song was a necessary, if hollow, strategic gesture.) Unfortunately, it was still a lousy peformance.

Stevie's performance was also weak--or maybe it just didn't come across well on TV. It was unfortunate that she boasted about her "special qualities" (opera training) in the segment with Ryan just before she went on, because the performance itself, although pretty, was underwhelming, particularly when she had inadvertently built up the impression that it was going to be a power-vocal. (For future reference: Ignoramuses like me associate opera with VOLUME.) She seemed to be trying to do a Sarah McLaughlin kind of thing, but her voice sounded pinched or like it was on mute. A puzzling performance.

As weak as these two performances were, however, I have to say that the two contestants that appeal to me the least are sexpot Becky O'Donohue and superachiever Ayla Brown. I'm sure they're both nice girls, but Becky's snarling performance was hard to watch and Ayla's unbelievably priviledged background makes her on-air persona almost impossibe to like. Even though American Idol's quasi-democratic meritocracy is largely an illusion, the PLEASURE of the show involves sustaining that illusion as fully as possible. (That's why Chris Daughtry is such a perfect Idol contestant--who doesn't want this guy to succeed?) No matter how good Ayla is (and she IS talented, "robotic" or not) she does not please. I'm sure we'll be stuck with both of them for awhile yet, though.