Another Tuesday night American Idol competition. This weeks guest judge was award winning composer Diane Warren, whose vast music portfolio gave the remaining Idol contestants much to choose from. As Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and not Paula Abdul have pointed out repeatedly, "proper song choices are critical". This week Clay Aiken, the popular North Carolina product, listened to the judges, and may have pulled away from the pack.
Aiken sang Warren's "I Could Not Ask For More", made popular by Edwin McCain and Sarah Evans, but "Made it his own (Dawg)". Besides doing justice to the song in the Aiken style, he actually LISTENED to the advice given to him in the previous weeks, and made several subtle changes that only emphasize the fact that Clay is...moldable.
He made a concerted effort to stop the "weird faces and eye flutters" that Cowell mentioned in the previous week's competition, changed his wardrobe to reflect the gradual change that he has made from Geek to Chic. He continues to master dramatic stage presence, and knows he owns the stage, without coming off as arrogant. Plus, Aiken shows that his sense of humor, even if it's self deprecating, only bonds his current legion of fans, and may recruit new ones whose prior American Idol favorite has been eliminated.
Which brings up the competition from the remaining AI contestants. Ruben Studdard, while garnering a large section of the American Idol viewers, does not change. Yes, he's given the infamous 205 jerseys a break here and there, but hasn't taken Cowell's advice about mixing it up a bit. He will have success in the R&B world, has a great personality at times, but also doesn't seem able to interact with the audience when given the opportunity. Perhaps he's shy, or needs some help with the public speaking aspect of his persona, but that can be helped in the future. He sang "Music of the Heart", which was a slight change from the same old, same old, but not as dramatic a change as the AI judges proclaimed. But has he "hit the wall", reached the apex of this competition? Or could he bring more to the table, and outdo himself in the few weeks to come? I have my doubts because I think he's still comfortable in the Barry White/Luther Vandross/Velvet Teddybear mold, and may enjoy those safe places.
Kim Locke is chameleon-like, and changes week to week. Her song choices stay in that Celine mode, yet "The Powers That Be" seem to want her in the Clay/Ruben mix. Some of her performances are awesome, some not. But she has a sense of phoniness I usually spot a mile away, a little too precious for my taste. Her stylists must dress her according to their moods. One week, she looks great, clothes are figure flattering, other weeks, they dress her like she went diva on them, and this is their revenge. Or is SHE the one dressing herself?!
Carmen? A Debacle. Josh? Frightening. Trenyce? Is she still there? Get thee to the county fair...
It's obvious that Simon Cowell is great at reverse psychology. "Clay, You're Broadway...not pop", (as the Clay lovers throw things at their televisions..), viewers getting the message, rebelling with an "I'll show Simon, Clay IS more than Broadway!"...making Cowell happy by keeping Clay in the mix another week. The Ruben love is obvious all over the show, no Psych needed. And Simon's warning to Clay/Ruben about Kim Locke's movin' on up only shows that Simon's no longer trying to push his beloved Carmen along any further. Even Simon's not that deaf or blind, dumb he is not, so the lead in "TOMMY" is not in his future!
The next crucial weeks will prove whether Clay Aiken continues his progress toward becoming the next American Idol. His odds are great, since he takes all the constructive criticism and makes it work for him. It should make for interesting viewing in the weeks ahead.
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