With the determination of a lynch mob, and the single-mindedness of a presidential candidate, the judges were this week determined to bring order back to American Idol. The unlucky recipients of their judicial retribution was previously fortunate Jasmine Trias, and thrown in for good luck, Diana Degarmo. After the near collapse of all credibility and popularity of American Idol last week, it seems our judges were given their twelfth-hour orders to save the day – before it is too late.
Dramatic you might say? Well, that is how the show played out for me this Tuesday night – and guess what? I was with them all the way. This week proved that without LaToya London facing off against Fantasia Barrino, there is NO competition. The only thing left is to ensure the most talented person remaining becomes the next American Idol. That person, after tonight’s show, is undoubtedly Fantasia Barrino.
Diana Degarmo will put up a good fight with her powerhouse vocals – providing she is in the final with Fantasia. If by a stroke of luck (or another phone-jamming phenomenon) Jasmine is the one to enter the final with Fantasia, it will be a slaughter. Let’s not discount the possibility of the final two being Diana and Jasmine! Time to tune out folks, is all I would say.
Tuesday’s “Final Three” show was surprisingly entertaining. Clive Davis the music mogul was guest judge. Here’s a man who you need to impress and get to know – previous Idols have all benefited from his direction under the RCA music group. He and our three resident judges went all-out to ensure that Fantasia Barrino would be identified as the young woman to vote for this week.
Our contestants sang three songs each, in rotation. Jasmine Trias was in the number one slot and sang “Saving All My Love For You” first. Jasmine was shaky and sounded very nervous on this one. She preordained the demise of her performance with a poor start and finished it with one awful high-note near the end. To sing a Whitney Houston song you have to be better than good. Song two was “Mr. Melody” chosen by Paula. I was plain bored with it. She sang the song reasonably well, but there was nothing to cheer about. It suited Jasmine’s midrange abilities, and was her best performance of the night.
Clive Davis chose “All By Myself” for Jasmine. Interesting choice I thought. Was it coincidental that LaToya London sang this song to perfection the first time we saw her all those weeks ago? A performance which blew away all three judges – and me! Was this a test for Jasmine? “If all those fans think you have what it takes, let’s see if you can match the performance that LaToya gave with this song”, was what I could hear going through mine and other minds. Unfortunately Jasmine proved she is no match for LaToya London. Jasmine did a good job with the high-note, but sounded off-key and flat across much of the song.
The judges handed out their sentence, ending with Simon who commented on the tremendous support she has received (which has kept her in the competition longer than she should have been), and summarizing by saying that for him, tonight it has to end for Jasmine. I think we should all agree – even if we do feel sorry for her.
Fantasia Barrino came out ready to wage war and have fun. For the first time, I thoroughly enjoyed ALL of Fantasia’s performances. She was singing not only for her survival, but perhaps to prove that she is the one remaining diva who will win the crown of American Idol. Singing “Chain of Fools” first, Fantasia rocked. I even forgave her “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah’s” tonight. She sounded and looked awesome – using the stage as an accompaniment to her charged vocals, she looked very much the “star”. All four judges had nothing but kudos and flattering remarks for Fantasia. The second song, chosen by Simon, was “A Fool In Love”. Simon was quite amusing tonight. He commented that, the combination of the song and Fantasia would be, because he chose it, “magic”. Simon parodying himself for once! Fantasia did a great job. She danced among and involved the audience, serenaded around the judges, and finished the song with emotion and feeling. Obviously the judges loved her. Paula felt that Fantasia no longer needs the competition – Clive Davis said he would sign her. In a moment of comedic insight, Simon said he would be “tactical” and tell Fantasia that it was the worst thing he had ever heard – that way she would get the “sympathy” vote. Point driven home! Let’s hope America gets the message.
Fantasia’s final song was “Greatest Love of All”. I liked her rendition even though it was not nearly as good as Whitney's version. She sang this in a slightly different voice which sounded softer. Vocally not perfect, but all the same a very entertaining performance. Using judge speak – I felt Fantasia in this song. Again the judges had nothing but admiration. Simon ended by asking Fantasia what was behind her. Of course, he was referring to the “American Idol” logo.
Fantasia has grown on me over the last few weeks. I initially felt she was too confident and wore an attitude. But recently I’ve seen a more humble side to her. She obviously cares about the other contestants, but she also has to be applauded in her endeavor to make every performance exciting. Fantasia and LaToya in the final would have been a great finale. Alas, it is not to be.
Diana DeGarmo sang “Ain't No Mountain High Enough” first. Diana appeared very nervous and it sounded like she was trying too hard. I agreed with Simon, Diana shouted the song. Diana has the strongest voice of the remaining three, but she does not always use it effectively. Next she sang “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion. Tough song to deliver. It sounded too fast for me. It was almost like Diana was rushing to get through the song, wanting to move on to the next. She gave a good performance, but not the best I’ve seen from Diana. Maybe the pressure is getting to her.
Lastly, Diana sings “Don't Cry Out Loud” and nails it down to the last note. By far her best performance of the night. I love this song, and when Diana started with the first few notes I was expecting her to over-sing again. But she didn’t. She sang the song to us instead of singing just because she can, as she often does. Simon suggests that Diana should write a thank you note to Clive Davis for putting her in the final with that choice of song. Maybe, but Diana did enough tonight overall to win a place in the final herself.
The big question is, will Hawaii continue the controversy and push their flower through? Will Fantasia’s fans rally together to ensure she does not end bottom! Can Diana’s followers overcome the “Jasmates” inevitable dialing marathon? The results show will either be a formality or another shocker. Tonight’s score is undoubtedly Jasmine 0, Fantasia 2, Diana 1. The final song was really a tie between Fantasia and Diana, but I’m giving it to Diana because she needs it.
If we think about the results show, we can only imagine what might happen. Hawaii voters, for the most part, will probably vote for Jasmine. LaToya’s fans will join forces with Fantasia’s fans and ensure her place in the final. Diana’s fans will either secure her final spot, or be beaten because of complacency. The worst scenario? Fantasia going home!
The Results Show:
Realizing that we would have to wait approximately 55 minutes to find out who would be the final two, I decided to watch with one eye on the TV and one eye on the computer, writing the American Idol obituary should the worst happen.
Then entered Tamyra Gray. Her song “Star” which she wrote herself has been used as a backing track for Idol audition video-clips. Tamyra executed delivery of the song with class, style, and astounding vocals that proved that she is a star! – I was no longer interested in my computer.
We were then entertained by Australia’s Idol winner Guy Sebastian, singing “Angels Brought Me Here”. While I thought he had a unique voice, and had a great vocal range, I was not that impressed with this performance. He sounded warbled and had a falsetto which wasn’t quite there. I wondered how he would have done on American Idol.
Witnessing the homecoming videos for the three remaining girls, it seemed each enjoyed having celebrity status forced upon them by ecstatic fans, friends, family and media – confirming the fact that even if you do not win, at home you are a star. Which leads us back to Tamyra Gray. Not only is Tamyra releasing her new CD next week, she has written the song for the new “American Idol” to release as their first CD – a song called “I Believe”.
I wonder if all of this has anything to do with Simon Fuller (the shows creator) establishing a new record label called 19 Recordings, with Tamyra Gray as his first signing? Of course it does! All the same, Tamyra proves she is a winner and I for one will be in line to buy her CD.
Finally down to the results. As the three contestants stand center-stage, Ryan asks the judges for opinions and advice. “I hope the right two make it to the final”, smiles Randy. “Continue to live your dream”, assures Paula, after reprimanding Simon for his rudeness at trying to interrupt her. “I have to congratulate all three … for one of the best shows last night” Simon surprisingly says.
So who goes home? Jasmine Trias. It just had to be. For everyone’s sake. I think Jasmine was not surprised, but relieved; the three girls hugged, laughed and each one knew that justice had been done tonight. There was no reason to be ashamed; Jasmine knew she had done exceptionally well. Miss Trias is certainly a sweet, attractive, talented young woman. Give her a few years to improve her voice and I’m sure we will be seeing her in a different light.
Next week the final battle will be between Fantasia’s uniqueness and style, and Diana’s cutesiness and powerhouse vocals. The odds are on Fantasia. I would have to agree. But who knows what will happen on that stage next week. One thing is for sure, we will have a new American Idol.
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