Down to Eight

I need to start this entry with former Idol winner Just Sam. It wasn’t until two days ago that she was announced as a guest performer. It was not a coincidence to me that this last-minute invitation was offered in the wake of the most recent voting results, which saw two talented black performers being voted off the show. It was a result that influential music writer Lyndsey Parker called “not a good look” for Idol.

The Evil Genius Producers (EGPs) and the Suits at ABC (sABCs) have had plenty of time to invite Just Sam back to get the flowers she didn’t get by winning in the COVID season. I won’t speculate what point they were trying to make, but how are those results and the rushed invite to Just Sam not connected?

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Sunday’s theme was songs from the year the Idolists were born. The Idolists got coached up by Shania Twain who knows a thing or two about singing and performing. What Shania gets is that singing is about more than just having a nice voice. Her advice to many Idolists about doing their songs in the right key was particularly insightful. It’s fascinating how even a half-step up or down can make such a dramatic difference to the impact on the listener.

Her other advice theme is one I’ve been on a lot this season – dynamics. Knowing where to sing quietly in a song matters, even if it’s just one note at the right time. It makes the big notes stand out more.

And finally, she said something else that too often gets lost on Idol with its propensity to cast young contestants: “(At 25), I didn’t even have a record deal yet. You have lots of time.” It makes me nuts when the judges refer to the Idolists as stars. It’s more correct to see them as apprentices learning a craft.

On to the grades.

Mia (Shania Twain No One Needs to Know) Low energy. Awkward. Pitchy. Forgot some of the lyrics. She has some talent, but it’s raw and needs time to develop. D

Jack (Cher Believe) Lovely, believable interpretation. A-

McKenna (Goo Goo Dolls Iris) She’s really good. I love her smoky, raspy voice, and she uses it well. Professional performance. A-

Kayko (Wheatus Teenage Dirtbag) Much better song choice than Oops I Did It Again á la Bohemian Rhapsody, which is unthinkable. But Dirtbag was kind of all over the place. Once again, I hear the derisive and dismissive voice of Simon Cowell saying, “That wasn’t as good as you thought it was.” C+

Emmy (Blink-182 All The Small Things) Sorry (not sorry), there’s no there there. And this was probably her best performance. C

Triston (Jason Aldean She’s Country) That was high-energy fun! He’s very talented. I still think he’s too young to be something right now, but he could be an Idolist we’ll hear about in the future. B+

Abi (Coldplay Clocks) Sometimes she’s really good, sometimes not. This performance was both. There were some wonky notes and some that gave me chills. I could have done without the requisite Idol Big Note at the End. She could have had a moment if she had taken it down and ended softly. B

Julia (Bryan Adams Here I Am) Fantastic! Finally, she put together a great performance. I agree with Katy about the Kelly Clarkson vibes. Great advice from Shania on how to get more by doing less. A-

Will (Travis Tritt Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde) Never once did I think I was listening to someone competing on American Idol. He sounds like somebody who has a record deal and is making music. How did he not get in The Glory Spot? I’m fine with him winning. A

Kaibrienne (Three Doors Down Here Without You) She gets The Glory Spot. It was just above meh. The things she does well (rasp, power) other Idolists do better. B-

Top Eight (“Tom Dim the Lights! And here we go!”)

• Triston
• Kaibrienne
• Jack
• Julia
• Abi
• McKenna
• Will
• Emmy

Not Top Eight

• Kayko
• Mia

I’m okay with the result.

See you sometime after Monday night.