American Idol 11: Top 4
US Air Date:
Wednesday, May 9, 2012 (8-10pm)
UK Air Date:
Thursday, May 10, 2012 (8-10pm, ITV2)
Theme #1: California Dreamin’
1. Phillip Phillips: “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”
I believe Casey Abrams did this last year. P2 did a very competent and solid job, and it’s hard not to with how great this song is. He had fun with it, and it fit his genre. This is definitely an improvement over the past couple weeks. Hopefully it’s a sign of good things to come from him.
2. Hollie Cavanagh: “Faithfully”
The thing is Hollie does have a good voice. But this was just nice, and that’s the best I can give her, unfortunately. She’s most in danger, so she needed to come out and wow us, to make an impact. But that didn’t happen. Even the power notes didn’t pop like it should’ve. Let’s see about Round 2.
3. Joshua Ledet: “You Raise Me Up”
It’s rare to see a non-opera singer take on this epic Josh Groban hit. I was a little unsure at first, because he was a little tepid. But in the latter half, he really stepped it up when his voice got louder and higher and infused with more passion. I hope he can step it up more later.
4. Jessica Sanchez: “Steal Away”
When I heard she was doing Etta James, I thought it would be “At Last.” Even though I don’t know this one, I’m glad she didn’t do “At Last” — that would’ve been too predictable. And I can’t get enough of her growls. Because it’s a lesser known song (maybe?), that might not get as many votes, but she won Round 1.
Phillip Phillips & Joshua Ledet: “This Love”
This is the second week in a row that these two have done a duet together, but it actually worked this time around. And even though they have two very different musical styles, the song suited both equally. Each had their moments to shine, and the harmonies were fantastic.
Jessica Sanchez & Hollie Cavanagh: “Eternal Flame”
I agree with Randy — It wasn’t the best. They started off on swings, which was visually interesting but kinda cheesy. And it was all pleasant, but nothing to stand up for. Though I liked Hollie’s power notes at the end.
Top 4: “I’ve Been Waiting for a Girl Like You”
Nothing much to say here; it’s just for filler.
Theme #2: Songs I Wish I Had Written
1. Phillip Phillips: “Volcano”
After Round 1, I thought he should change it up and do something acoustically. And what do you know — Here it is! I’ve never heard this song, but I still loved it because he actually did change it up from what he usually does. It was intimate, just him and his guitar and one other musician on stage providing soft background vocals. Good job, P2!
2. Hollie Cavanagh: “I Can’t Make You Love Me”
We’re at the Top 4 and coming down to the wire, so this is not the time to be complacent and try to slide your way through on way too safe choices, but that’s what Hollie did. Her voice at times was really strong, but there were also off or shaky moments as well. So far, she’s the weakest of the night.
3. Joshua Ledet: “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World”
This is the song Josh was born to sing! This was not only one of his best performances, but one of the best ones this show has ever seen. There were a couple tense moments where he clenched his jaw, which made it all the more powerful. The power and feeling he gave off came out of the screens to us all, and enveloped us. He deserves to be here, so I hope he’s not booted in the historically shocking Top 4 results (something I’ll mention later on).
4. Jessica Sanchez: “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”
She has now matched her previous best of “I Will Always Love You.” I can’t say enough good things and almost shouldn’t try because I won’t do it justice. She has such a tiny body and the voice that comes out is magnificent. I’m surprised she stayed in the same spot, but it’s the voice that overtook that so it didn’t matter. She rightly got the pimp spot tonight and needs to be in the finals.
Favorite Performances: Joshua Ledet (“It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World”) / Jessica Sanchez (both songs) / Phillip Phillips (“Volcano”)
My Votes: Jessica Sanchez (40 votes) / Joshua Ledet (30 votes)
Bottom 2 Prediction (if they do it): Hollie Cavanagh / Joshua Ledet
Elimination Prediction: Hollie Cavanagh
Okay, here we go. There’s only four left. And you know what that means? There’s a chance we could be in for a shocker. The Top 4 curse goes back to season 1, when frontrunner Tamyra Gray was booted out in fourth place. Two years later, La Toya London went the same way. And then came the biggest shocker in the history of the show in season 5 when Chris Daughtry was eliminated. A rare exception was season 6 with Melinda Doolittle at the Top 3 instead of 4. And the most recent Top 4 curse happened just last year with James Durbin.
So will that happen again? In a way, I might be in denial so it could very well happen. But in reality, I am very much aware of this possibility. The most obvious outcome is that Hollie should be sent home. It’s been a long time coming and she was the weakest this week. And truth be told, it would be a shocker if anybody but Hollie was cut. That’s the hard situation we’re in here, that we do have a really strong group overall, so the shocker could happen because of that.
After Jessica got the pimp spot, I doubt she’s going anywhere. Phillip has never been in danger, and I don’t see that happening ever, though wouldn’t that be something if he was eliminated? I also can’t see Josh going either, but there’s always the chance he could be in the Bottom 2 with Hollie (though I would like to see Phillip there instead).
Speaking of the Bottom 2, I wonder if they’re even going to do that this time around. If for some reason Phillip received the second lowest number of votes, I doubt the producers would want America to know that. And the same might go for Jess and Josh; the producers might not want us to see that. So I could easily see Ryan spreading out the results on an individual basis throughout the hour (instead of in pairs like we’ve seen lately). If they go that route, then when it gets down to just two left, they could say this isn’t necessarily the Bottom 2, but that one of them does have the lowest votes.
Who was your favorite this week? And who should go home?
By the end of this week’s results show, we will have our Top 3 who will be able to go on their hometown visits. And David Cook and Jennifer Lopez will take to the stage to perform. See ya then…
