American Idol 10: Top 4

Randy: "I think it's a tie between James, Scotty and Lauren."
Haley: "Oh thanks, that was really nice of you!"
Snap!

Today, American Idol crossed a line with me. Somehow, the whole thing just became too heavy handed. The judges - or producers, for that matter - were obviously pimping for their preferred Top 3 and bussing Haley Reinhart to no end!

I'd say, DOUBLE STANDARDS!! James Durbin can scream and be off key, but Haley can't? Haley can't be boring, but Scotty McCreery can? Seriously. Can you imagine what it is like for Haley to come out every week and be criticized no matter how good she is. The insincerity in Jennifer Lopez´ voice and Randy Jackson is a man with a mission. I'm hoping that the public sees through this ploy. It is plain and simple bias! Sigh.

Oh, and what's with the performance order change? Right! To make Haley Reinhart in DEAD MIDDLE so people would actually forget about her. Nicely played, American Idol! Good job!

DISCLAIMER: I am no expert, but this is my opinion - to each his own - and yours will be in the comments below! Haha.

ROUND 1: Song that Inspire them

04. Scotty McCreery

Where Were You
.. and his back to his old vocal dynamics! I thought his performance was boring, vocally underwhelming and virtually identical to 95% of his other performances. Heck, he actually started the song sounding exactly like his performance of The River. Haha. The only thing that worked in his favor was the fact that he went with a patriotic song that mentioned God, so I guess he knew exactly how to play the Idol game! 6/10

03. James Durbin

Don't Stop Believing
Tell me, what's so special about James' version of Don't Stop Believing? I'm sorry, but this was pure karaoke. No, he didn't sound bad - though he did miss a couple of notes - but this was just a straight up cover. Nothing special. I'll even go there and say that Glee's version was better. I know, this was a hard song to sing considering the range of it, but I expected him to do something different with the song. Oh, and Randy, try to calm the heck down! Why do you keep on shouting? Saying something once is enough, you fool! 7/10

02. Earth Song

Haley Reinhart
Let me say something first about her performance before I rant with expletives about the judges - except for shockingly, Steven Tyler. Haha.I thought it was a brave song choice for Haley and I give her high marks for that. I admit, her vocals became a bit shouty at the end, but I couldn't fault her verses just because her voice was dripping with sadness. Yes, she was emotionally connected with the song. Now, let me hit the capslock for the next part of this review. THE JUDGES WERE BEYOND INFURIATING! WHY DO THEY HATE HER SO MUCH? NO, JAMES DIDN'T EXACTLY "SET THE BAR"! HE WAS GOOD, BUT WAS HE THAT GREAT? AND WHERE'S THE SORT OF "EMOTIONALLY PERFECT" THING YOU WERE SAYING LAST WEEK? THAT DOESN'T APPLY TO HALEY NOW? AS FOR YOU RANDY, YOU CALLED HALEY OUT FOR "SCREAMING", BUT YOU PRACTICALLY WET YOURSELF WHEN HAMES SCREAMS OFF KEY EVERY WEEK? CAN'T EVEN. I HAVE NEVER  SEEN A BUS ACCIDENT SO HORRIBLE. I have to say, I've been rooting for Haley more by her sheer moxie. Yes, contestants should not talk back to the judges, but the way they talked to her was kind of over the top. No, it wasn't completely unwarranted, but it was still over the line. I laughed when Haley told Randy, "Do you have to say it again?" Haha. Snap! That is all! 7.5/10

01. Lauren Alaina

Anyway
One of her better performances. Quite frankly, there were a couple of notes early on that were just a touch flat, but when she really hit the power, her vocals soared. I was glad that somehow she didn't hold back on that note. That said, I didn't like the fact that she broke up the last big note and didn't push for it further. It would've been phenomenal, I think. I mean, if Kristy Lee Cook pulled that note pretty nicely, I don't see why Lauren can't. Oh, and didn't you judges say the exact same thing about "being back" to Lauren every week? She's been BACK IN IT TO WIN IT like 4 times now. Haha. Can't. Even. 8.5/10


Sidenote: Randy just hit another jab at Haley Reinhart! Was that really necessary? It was ridiculous!

ROUND 2: Songbook of Lieber and Stoller

04. Scotty McCreery

Young Blood
The Lady GaGa and Scotty McCreery interaction was awkwardly hilarious! Haha. Ok. This performance, to me, was painfully awkward, lazy and a pure corn covered in smirky cheese, but somehow I just couldn't look away. Maybe because it was partly amusing? That little hip gyration cracked me up a bit and the arm was, umm, strange. Haha. Seriously though, this type of performance isn't going to cut it - especially for a Top 4 week. But then again, Danny Gokey pulled out Dream On this week two years ago. So, whatever. 6/10

03. Lauren Alaina

Trouble
On paper, this SHOULD be a perfect song choice for her - not just because Carrie Underwood performed this as well. Unfortunately, this was a little underwhelming. I mean, you need to be uber confident and sassy to sell this song. And while, she exuded a surprising amount of sass at the beginning, it somehow died down and the whole performance went downhill. Her vocals became all breathy - especially when she started running around the stage. Sigh. How I wish she did the Elliott Yamin arrangement instead of this.. One more thing: Lauren, if you don't want to sing the lyric "I'm Evil", then you should've picked another song!! Gawd. 7/10

02. James Durbin

Love Potion No. 9
Why did I have this overwhelming fear that they changed the order because James was getting prosthetic horns applied to his face? Haha. It's silly, I know. To me, this performance was such a showboat with nothing behind it. It was more style than substance. Yes, his vocals were relatively intact compared to last week, but somehow this - personally!! - didn't excite me one bit. Plus, that long pause before the last note dragged like forever. He held it as long as he possibly could milk the audience - and the judges - for all it's worth. 7.5/10

01. Haley Reinhart

I (Who Have Nothing)
This performance just proved the fact that out of the remaining contestants, she's the only person capable of actually having a "moment" on this show every single week! Thank you Haley for saving this season for me. I loved the look she had in her eyes. If only eyes could kill, Randy is dead now! HAHA. I admit, it was a little theatrical, but who am I to complain. This was incredible! So. Much. Emotion. Nevermind Jordin Sparks' equally brilliant version. Haley brought another side to it. Talk about a comeback! Wait, but didn't the judges do the same thing last week? They criticized her on her first performance for the "song choice" - not on her actual singing - and then they gave her a standing ovation for the second one. Oh judges, you confuse the hell out of me. You're all so bipolar! 9/10