AI9 Str8 To DVD

This recap was originally written for Rickey.Org.

Last night, they did their thing, performing the songs from the silver screen. Crusty tells us 37 million votes were placed, the highest of the season. There will be performances by Bon Jovi, Fantasia, and Daughtry. Chris Daughtry was eliminated in fourth, so he knows the pressure the contestants are feeling now.

We jump right into Fantasia's performance of Bittersweet, a nice R & B ballad. There is a side of Fantasia I haven't seen before, a hint of Diana Ross coming out here, a certain grace we haven't always seen from her. Very nice!

Crusty reminds us that tonight, four become three. And the Ford Music Video happens, featuring the Ford Fiesta and funny costumes. Yikes. Crusty then mentions about the homecoming celebrations, and we see the previous ones featuring all the prior contestants. They all just wanna visit home.

The results are fast. First he talks to Casey and Mike, and it seems Mike picked the duet. Then on to Crystal and Lee. They loved the song. First we find out Casey is safe, the first member of the top 3. He looks shocked, and hard to process as he walks to the couch to sit with family there waiting for him.

Next up we have Daughtry performing. Four years ago, he was eliminated this very night, in fourth place. He sings September, and sounds fantastic. After the song, the crowd goes wild. Chris tells the contestants to stay hungry, to remember the dream.

That leaves Big Mike, Lee and Crystal watching their family/friends on the couch, waiting and wondering who will get the final two seats and a parade, and who is going home to tears.

Next Ryan talks to Big Mike, asking him about the song. Then he talks to Lee. He doesn't think it was karaoke, but understands the criticism. Now we have Crystal, and Simon talks about how the artist he loved is back.

He tells Mike to sit tight a second, and then Lee is safe and in the Top 3, leaving Big Mike and Crystal to fend for the last slot. Wisdom tells us Crystal should be safe, but in the past, people like Chris Daughtry were thought to be safe, frontrunners even, and went home in fourth. But before we hear the results, Bon Jovi will perform.

Crusty introduces another stadium band, Bon Jovi, performing Superman Tonight. They sound great, and look good, too. But I can't help but remember Jon Bon Jovi didn't do electrolysis on his chest.

Time for a commercial break, and results when they return. They are back, and pointing out Casey and Lee are safe on the couch. Both are overwhelmed, still adjusting to being in the top 3. Joining them is Crystal, and Big Mike is going home for the second time this season. We see the going away package, with Leave Right Now playing in the background, by Will Young. Before he sings, Kara tells him to keep on performing, he has it in him. He sings about Free Willy again, and gets a hugs from the judges.

Jim Cantiello - Instant Idol Reaction

MTv's intrepid reporter posted his instant reaction to the Top 4 performances, and we had somewhat similar reactions, so I thought I would share it with you.

MTV Shows

To check out Jim on the web, visit the MTv site here.

AI From Silver Screen to Small Screen

It is time for the top 4 to perform, what could be seen as a tricky week. In the first season, one of the favorites, Tamyra Gray took an unexpected early exit, leaving little competition for Kelly Clarkson. Season 3 saw eventual winner Fantasia Barrino in the bottom with LaToya London, before LaToya was excused. In Season 5, front-runner Chris Daughter was knocked out in 4th, and went on to be far more successful than anyone else from the season. Jason Castro was eliminated in 4th during Season 7, many fans stunned Syesha Mercado made it through. Seems as though on the odd years, this is a contentious week. Should Crystal and Lee be worried, since it is Season 9?

Tonight we will be entertained by Music from the Movies. This leaves the selection wide open, allowing the remaining four to pick from just about any genre possible, from any period of music they would like. Jamie Foxx is stepping up as the mentor, with success as a recording artist, actor, and entertainer. They are doing a solo and a duet, yet to be determined

Lee is up first, singing Kiss From A Rose, from the film Batman Forever. Jamie got into Lee's face during rehearsal, forcing him to focus and bring the performance out instead of inward. I am sure Lee's fans will love that, but I thought it was just OK. Wow, Randy agreed with me. He even acknowledged the pitchy part. Ellen, apparently, doesn't mind the pitchy. Kara was on board with Randy, but still thinks he is great. Simon thought it was karaoke.

Big Mike is up next, and in his rehearsal with Jamie, he struggles with the song and lyrics. He is singing Will You Be There from Free Willy. He takes it to the gospel level, and does an okay job, but lacks something. The judges are less than impressed. It is unanimous, and they are disappointed. Thus far it is Judges 2, Contestants 0. Before the break, we are teased with Lee and Crystal singing a duet from an Oscar-winning film.

The first duet is Lee and Crystal, singing Falling Slowly from the movie Once, sung last year by winner Kris Allen. Wow, this isn't working for me at all. It was such a delicate and sweet song, and they are running over it with a steam roller, and taking the love out of it. Randy, on the other hand, completely disagrees, as does Ellen and Kara. In fact, Kara thinks it was her favorite moment in the season. And Simon loved it. I call this damage control. After the break, Casey will be singing a Simon & Garfunkel song from The Graduate.

Casey sings Mrs Robinson, an interesting choice. He again pulled out 'seduce me, boy' schtick, and it kinda worked. Casey is having a really good performance. Changed up the song nicely, and sounded good. Randy liked it, but didn't love it. Ellen liked it, and Kara liked it, too. Simon didn't like it, thought it lazy, which I don't understand at all. Frankly, that was the best performance so far, though I would suspect Crystal will top it shortly.

Crystal gets a sit-down interview, and announces she will be doing a song form Caddyshack, Kenny Loggins' I'm Alright. Crystal messes, and says she is starstruck with Jamie. This is right up her alley, though I would have liked her to sing something from the last decade. She does a nice job with it. It is the solo performance of the night. Randy thinks she is the real artist, and Ellen called it 'Crystal-ized.' Kara agrees, and Simon thinks she is back in the game. Crusty takes a moment to make fun the dancing of Crystal's boyfriend. Really? Up next there is the duet of Casey and Big Mike, singing a Bryan Adams song.

Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman from Don Juan DeMarco is the song choice, and Casey opens it nicely, and Big Mike does a nice job, though he does occasionally flat. Wow, that wasn't bad at all, in fact, almost good. Randy liked it, Ellen has loved a woman, Kara thought the duets were great, and Simon agreed.

In my opinion, Crystal clearly won the night, giving the best solo performance and surviving the duet. Casey was next for me, doing a nice job on the solo. I think he and Mike had the better duet. On the strength of the duet, I think Big Mike was third, and Lee was fourth. However, I fully expect the bottom 2 to be Casey and Big Mike, with maybe Mike going home. For the results show, Fantasia, Bon Jovi and Daughtry will be performing. Interesting...