Disappointed

... in my favorites and in myself as well. This week the Idol Machine actually decided to see how current this crop of contestants are and set them loose on the most recent music there is, anything from 2010 to 2012. This theme had some real potential to be awesome or a really awful trainwreck. It would, however, show if this batch has what it takes to be able to sell NOW and compete with the likes of Kelly, Carrie, Beyonce, Lady Gaga et al. Some did very well, some not so much. One actually fell to the wolves of a rabid fan base and even though I thought she did very well, I think the original artist's fans voted against her just because she attempted the song. That group is absolutely super possessive of their artist's work. If it wasn't them then it was the fans of the contestant from last year. Possibly both.

Three of the kids were in the green this week, but two of them were still listed with a B3 in the ranking.

Three of them lost states with one of these three losing 2.

VFTW has a new poster child and although I really hate the fact this choice was made, I will agree that according to last night's performance he deserves to be there. ~sigh~

I actually had to listen back this week to make absolutely certain I heard it the way I did because I didn't wanna believe my toes were tapping to the one.....

Author now recommends that the reader sit on the floor with a glass of alcohol and prop themselves up with a few pillows because it's gonna be a rough ride this week.

Styx Picks for the week: (and God help me, I cannot BELIEVE I'm typing some of these)

Joshua:  I'll wait for you to pick your jaw up off of the floor. Go ahead, I can wait. Honestly, this was one of his better performances. I actually (you ARE sitting down, right???) listened to it more than once. I had to, just to be sure I heard it right the first few times. I was beginning to think I was overly pickled last night (only one glass, HONEST!) when I found (to my great dismay) that my feet were tapping to this one. For once he didn't overly Joshua-ize it. Yeah, he added a touch of flavor on the end, but it wasn't all the way through like usual. The Chart has him at a 1-4 GREEN, first place listing. His odds dropped this last week in Vegas, but I suspect they'll be on the rise coming out of this week's show.  He won 4 states on the Maps. SUTA blast notwithstanding, I have to admit this is one of the better performances of the night and he deserved the praise he got.

Jessica: Although a bit more dramatic than my tastes generally care for, this was my second favorite of the night. I also hate to admit that this one performance was enough to convince me that she has the star power to keep up with the divas of this day and age. Props for not going clear out of character and giggling when she nearly fell. The look on her face was enough to say that she almost did just that. She's probably thanking someone up there for that long hair right now because it gave her just that split moment to compose herself before she looked up. All this said, I still don't much like her and she annoys the crap outta me. Based upon past experience with this show, if this is any indication, she's going to go clear to the Top 4 at least or higher. I still say if the finale comes down between her and Joshua, I won't be watching the final showdown, just the results so I can see my favs sing again. Her's was the first big SUTA blast of the night and it was pretty much deserved *this week*. Her odds have crept up a bit since her last performance. The Chart rates her at a 2-7/B3, listed in 5th. She lost one state but won 5 so the Maps give her a 4 for the week. This may be enough to see her in the B3 this week. If she is, it's just because VFTW has a new poster child and/or she did so well that people forgot to vote for her figuring that she'd be safe.

Elise: She's slowly becoming a favorite of mine. Kinda growing on me, like Haley has. This was a great choice for her and I can't wait to at least hear the studio version. Even though she was in the pimp spot AGAIN this week (she was there just 2 weeks ago!), she had a few things working against her. First, VFTW has a new poster child and it ain't her. They're a bit miffed DeAndre was sent packing last week and I feel that they've decided to knuckle-down and really put the press down on the votes to make sure Idol gets what they got the last few years. They're looking to pick off everyone else in the field, which makes her fodder in their eyes. Second, she had Mother Monster's little monsters to contend with. They're a very vicious bunch and are overly protective of Momma's music. So you can be sure they didn't enjoy that and any that WERE voting for her didn't last night, just to make a point. Third, you can damned well bet she got compared to Haley's performance from last year and that's another group that's fiercely loyal to their gal. I'm really not certain that the pimp spot did her any favors this week. Usually, the one in the pimp spot has really high numbers in all the places I normally look and can be deemed safe. However, we HAVE had the occasional odd year where that hasn't been the case and I'm afraid it might be one of those years. Her odds fell quite a bit this last week, by more than 2000 points. This poor gal simply cannot catch a break and get her footing in regards to her odds. The Chart rates her at a 4-7/B3, with a listing in dead LAST. Not to put any stock in that, but it's been right more often than not this year. She won 4 states but lost 2 this week giving her a 2 on the Maps. Sadly, I won't be surprised to see her in the bottom again and if she is, I doubt they'll use the save because she's been down there far too often to  be worth keeping around.

Also worth mentioning:
Skylar: She did well, but it was a rather predictable choice. If she gets through the week, she needs to shake it up a bit. Working against her is that stinkin first spot singing position. Although she's a bit more memorable than a couple of the others, singing first on a 2 hour show definitely didn't do her any favors. Vegas has her odds falling from last week and the Maps only gave her a 2 this week. The Chart rated her 1-4 GREEN/B3, listed in 3rd. As much as I want to call her safe simply for the position she's in the Chart, I have to also acknowledge that there's a B3 mixed in there. DI thinks she's safe but they're hedging their bets.

Who may make a trip to the B3?
Colton: I won't harp that he's at the piano again because my fav's been dragging out his guitar every friggin week now. I will complain about the arrangement. Yes, it's a slow song but damned if this didn't feel like it was dragging. Then there are those high notes that he really doesn't have. Everytime he attempts them, they come off nasally and down right whiny. A second singing position on a night that had Jessica and Joshua following him didn't help matters either. Bland, whiny and just about forgotten by the time the 2nd hour ended. The only thing that would have helped is if VFTW had chosen him as their poster child, but they didn't, they went with the other Caucasian dude. His odds have risen over the week, but I doubt by enough to call him safe. The Maps weren't generous either, only giving him a 1 for the week. On the Chart he was rated a 3-7/B3, listed in 6th. A trip to the B3 would be the kick in the pants he needs to get him to see that he actually NEEDS to be working at this and he really isn't God's gift to the show.

Hollie: She's no P!nk, that's for damned sure (and no, I didn't mistype that, it's how she spells her stage name). Stripped down does not mean to slow the tempo even farther. The judges didn't like her. Listening back, they're right. I'm really surprised her numbers were as good as they were, to be honest. The Chart places her at 1-7/B3 with a 4th place listing.  Her odds have dropped (again or still, I can't remember) and with a 5 state win/1 state loss, the Maps have her with a 4. This might be enough to keep her out of the B3, but considering one of the polls I've seen.... it might not.

Skylar, Elise & Jessica: Skylar's only really listed because of that B3 on her rating. I really don't think she'll make an appearance there, but there is that possibility. Both Jessica's and Elise's numbers both dictate that either or both could make that trip to the stools this week. With Elise, this seems to be a common thing and I don't really see the judges using the save. If it's Jessica, it's possible they will. I mean after the SUTA of nuclear proportions last night it wouldn't surprise me at all.

Phillip: I really didn't much like this one. Nope, not at all. It's not his best, by far. Certainly not even close to his performance of Still Rainin' (which still has me going me into fits of SQUWEEE! when I hear it). I have a bad feeling that since his good buddy Heejun was booted off on the results show right after  that particular performance,  Phillip's just not been feelin it there in the competition. It's kinda like his sunshine is gone and he's just going through the motions. These last 2 performances definitely feel phoned in, that's for sure. I hope he gets out of this funk because he's got a real shot at this. His odds have slipped a bit in Vegas. The Chart rates him with a 1-5/GREEN/B3, 2nd place listing. He can send his thank you letter to the fine folks at VFTW who are determined to get another WGWG winner and really screw over the Idol Machine. Although listed fairly high on the Chart, we can't ignore that it neither was his best nor that B3 that's hanging out in the green dot. The Maps gave him a generous 5 state win. Maybe that's where the bulk of the Worsters live? A visit to the B3 will give him the kick in the khakis he needs to decide whether he wants to be here in the show or not.

So who makes a trip to the Stools of Shame?

According to the Poll on Rickey.org : Hollie (with 52.31% of the vote), Elise, and a tie between Skylar and Joshua with Hollie leaving.

Chart: Elise, Colton, Jessica and Hollie (all are in the yellow and the latter 2 are pretty close in rating) with Elise in LAST place.

Maps: Colton, Elise and Skylar. Colton had the least amount of states with a 1, while Skylar and Elise squeaked out 2 states each (although Elsie lost states). All the other kids had 4 states or better.

Odds: Hollie, Elise, and either Joshua or Skylar. Hollie's got the worst odds of the bunch (although DeAndre sat just fine for a few weeks with the worst numbers). These numbers all reflect Rickey's poll.

Personal opinion:
Who should be: Phillip, Hollie and Colton with Hollie gone.
Who won't surprise me: Elise, Hollie and Colton with Hollie gone.

Could be any of the others for the reasons stated.

Will they use the save? Only if it's Joshua, Jessica or possibly Phillip. Maybe even Elise. But for anyone else, nah.

Reminder that this week is typically a Shocker vote. Rickey's already spazzing out about this. So... it's going to be an interesting night.

Can we vote on the duets instead?

I'm unexcited, and I just can't hide it.

It's a sad contest night when the Duets were more memorable than all of the performances. ALL of them. You heard me correctly.... ALL. Liked the Colton/Skylar pairing as well as Phillip/Elise. The performance with DeAndre/Hollie was meh with the latter looking so very uncomfortable with the song that was chosen. The Joshua/Jessica pairing was really predictable and only okay at best.

Gag moment of the night:
JLo (said after the SUTA twins duet): It's a dream pairing. I'm lookin' there and I'm lookin' like... final?

All I can say in response is that there isn't enough alcohol in the past, present and future that would make that particular finale even CLOSE to enjoyable to me. Infact, if that prediction comes true, I'll be skipping the last 2 shows entirely.

We only had 2 in the GREEN this week, all others are in  YELLOW and listed as B3 on the Chart.

The Loser Map had 2 contestants listed. Although the one had been considered in the running in previous weeks, however the spot on this particular Map was well deserved considering the performance that was given (even the Duet performance, which isn't voted on, was really weak).

On a minor note: JLo has gotten so she's just one seal clap away from becoming Paula 2.0; while Steven just needs a tight black T-shirt and a squared off haircut to be Simon 2.0.

This week's Styx Picks:
Skylar: Although I really didn't much like the way she presented her song this week (or maybe it was the song in general), I won't deny that she had an amazing night. Her duet with Colton was beautifully done, her solo was comparatively the best of the night, and she had the pimp spot. With all that going for her, there really isn't much chance of her being in danger this week. The Chart has her rated 1-6/GREEN and listed in 1st. The Maps gave her a 10 state win. Coming out of last weeks performance and going into this week's saw her odds drop due to poor performance in the Top 9.

Who else is more than likely safe but might actually be in danger:
Joshua: I really don't like this guy.... sorry. This week started out nicely enough but by the end it was like someone added a fleet of 18 wheelers packed to the hilt with pecks of ghost chilis into a broth that was meant for a person that needed mild foods. If the SUTA didn't kill me, the resulting heartburn would. Ryan said that Joshua really felt that song. Shoot... he didn't just FEEL it, that sucker got it drunk, copped a feel and then french-kissed it until it suffocated. A restraining order needs to be taken out against him for the protection of all music. He's the only other listed in the GREEN this week with a 1-7 rating and a listing in 2nd, BUT he had only a 2 state win so to say that he absolutely is safe is kinda iffy. He came out of last week's performance with some decent odds but they slipped a bit coming into this week.

Who's in danger this week:
Colton: This one is a hard one to figure. Either you really like him or you don't. Parts of his performance were almost squwee-worthy, but not quite. It was pointed out in one of the other blogs I follow that he'd either have to take a huge dump or kill a puppy on the stage in order to fail at this with as pimped as the Idol Machine has gotten him. He's on the Chart as a 1-8, listed in 6th. His odds coming out of last week have risen a bit over the course of the week. There was only a 3 state win though. Word of advice to him, learn to finish your words. It's not "Ti after time", just sayin'. He'll only be here because America felt he's so good and other favorites had such poor showings that they voted for those others instead in an effort to save them.

Hollie: Props for attempting to go uptempo. This was a rough one for her though. We all know she would have been dinked if she'd picked yet another ballad, but she was so very obviously NOT comfortable with this performance. She was pitchy and kind of all over the place with this one and then she lost track of where she was at the end. She had a 4 state win and a 1 state loss for a total of 3 states on the Maps. The Charts listed her 2-8 in 7th. Even the judges didn't much care for her and tossed her under the bus this week. With two other youngsters in the group, they can afford to lose one of them right about now. Coming out of last week's show and headed into this week, her odds have slipped quite a bit. A bet on her to win at this point (and assuming she wins) would afford me winnings enough to go on a fairly decent vacation somewhere within the continental 48. She'll be here because she peaked too early and isn't as versatile as some of the others. Either that or her fans are playing the "she's so YOUNG" shots game and were too drunk to vote.

Jessica: Another one that typically picks some boring ballad to blast at us that chose to attempt an uptempo song. This one worked out a bit better than Hollie. Still doesn't mean that I liked it. Word of advice for her, control that finger bopping on the mic please because at this rate my tv viewing buddy of a sister in Chicago is going to need a couple years in a dry county to get sober again. Oh, and while you're at it? Lose the stupid BBChez act... or at least get a better name for your alter. You also don't need to keep bringing her up either. We got a blast of SUTA for her performance... yet again. She won only 1 state on the Maps this week. The Chart rated her with a 1-8/ 4th listing. Vegas saw her odds slip a bit from last week to this one. She'll only be here if America is sick and tired of having her crammed down their throats. Either that, or they were too drunk from taking shots at every finger bop and  playing the "she's so YOUNG" shots game that they got pickled and drunk dialed Joshua's line instead.

Joshua: see above. If he goes this week, it's because America is tired of the histrionics. I know I am. He seriously deserves to be in the B3. We've already had a Fantasia, we don't really need another.

Elise: Hallelujah that they convinced her not to do that over done Leonard Cohen song. Her second pick was the one they suggested she perform instead. It was actually the better choice and should have been so much better than it was. The judges weren't overly happy with her either. My biggest worry is her singing position. She'll be a hard one to figure out. Although the judges weren't overly complementary to her, she did well on the Maps garnering a 5 state win (second highest of the night). Her odds from last performance and going into this week's have risen a bit. They're still not great , but they're going in the right direction. The Chart rated her as a 1-8 with a 5th listing. There were much worse during the night, but she was singing in one of the 2 death spots in a competition (which is worse yet on a 2 hour show). If she goes, it'll be mostly because of the singing position.... unless my buddy's theory of AI not liking tall girls this season is correct. Then it'll be because she's the last tall girl around and Ryan complained that he was getting neck strain from interviewing her.

Phillip: Color me disappointed this week. Definitely wasn't feeling the arrangement and the background instrumentalists were over powering him. Very disappointed this week, young man. No squwee for you. He only had a 2 state win on the Maps and the Chart rated him at 1-8 with a 3rd placing on the list. Vegas still has his odds creeping up, but I won't be surprised if they slip a bit after this one. Word of advice, if you don't feel comfortable with the song... maybe that's a hint to not sing it and choose something else instead. While you're at it, figure how to deal with yourself when you're not allowed your guitar. That duet with Elise was definitely his better performance of the night but it was very uncomfortable because he had no clue what to do without his instrument. I won't be surprised if there's a B3 trip for him this week because he really did deserve it. The only disappointment for tonight will be if he gets voted off because there were at least 2 that were worse than him.

DeAndre: A falsetto needs to be used sparingly, like a spice. A little bit to enhance the performance is fine but when it's used every time, and in many cases the whole damned song, it becomes annoying. I'm beginning to think that the producers at Idol are ready to get rid of him (no matter how well the judges love him) because this is the second time in less than a month (try only 2 weeks ago during Billy Joel week) that he's had to sing in the first spot for the night. Certainly he's not that good to be able to last in that position, right? The VFTW poster child  saw an increase in his odds from last week's performance and going into this week's. However, the Chart has him rated at 3-8 and listed dead last. This isn't the first time he's been listed there though. The Maps registered a 1 state win and a 2 state loss for a total of -1 this week.


So who goes home?

According to the poll on Rickey's site: DeAndre, Elise and Hollie have the most votes to go. Speculation is that Elise is there for either singing position or maybe the song. DeAndre has the most votes to go.

Chart: Colton, Hollie and DeAndre are at the bottom with DeAndre in the last spot.

Maps: DeAndre, Jessica and the third spot being taken by Phil or Joshua with DeAndre leaving.

BUT DeAndre is the VFTW poster child right now. Yeah I know, they couldn't get Heejun that far but they did get him farther than he should have been.

My choices, personal likes aside: Hollie, DeAndre and the 3rd spot with Phillip or Elise (although any up there are possible and for the reasons stated).

Phillip, Jessica or Colton could be a "shocker" in the B3 in an effort to shake them up a bit to make them fight harder for the prize.