Tonight's AI was teeming with surprises:
It started with the appearance in the audience of AI erotica star Antonella Barba. For those of you with short memories, Barba was voted off the show weeks after racy photos of her surfaced on the internet. Interesting factoid: some of the pix were taken at the fountain of DC's National World War II memorial, with Barba in a wet t-shirt. I've always wanted to ask Barba why she chose that monument. Was this her tribute to the Greatest Generation? Or was it a protest against what is undoubtedly the National Mall's ugliest monument?
Gina Glocksen, the season's "resident rocker" (an annoying label) was in the audience, though that was predictable.
LaKisha's performance of "This Ain't A Love Song" was a pleasant surprise, though I'm not sure it warranted a kiss from Simon. (If this were May it would have been Paula who kissed LaKisha. Lesbian kisses are a TV Sweeps Season staple.) I'm always glad when LaKisha has family in the audience. She needs all the support she can get. This time it was "LaKisha's Cousins."
I've never been a big Blake fan but his performance of "You Give Love A Bad Name" was a major surprise - bordering on inspirational. A reminder to us all of the importance of taking risks.
After Blake's performance, and before Chris' overpraised performance, came an interesting aside: mention of Simon's mother. Who is she? Why didn't the camera pan to her? Is she overly modest?
The second biggest surprise of the night was the startling taped message from President and Mrs. Bush to thank contributors to the vaguely defined "Idol Gives Back" charity.
President Bush looks nearly broken at this point. A husk of a man. As diminished, even dissipated, as fellow Texan LBJ looked at the end of his term. Bush can actually be funny but here his jokey "threat" to sing had no heart behind it. He's done. The war in Iraq is, of course, an unmitigated disaster (as was Vietnam for LBJ) and has destroyed Bush's reputation and legacy before he even leaves office. Appearing on television's most popular family show to thank viewers seems feeble, almost pathetic - but I get it. Where did Nixon go near the end of this time in office? The Grand Ol' Opry. There he received a warm welcome.
This raises an interesting question: Is AI more Republican than Democrat?
Finally, the big surprise of the night: Jordin's lousy performance. The hair was Whitney Houston from I Wanna Dance with Somebody, the outfit was '80s Madonna. And she didn't sound good.
But the BIGGEST surprise was the brilliant way she handled her criticism. She laughed that gloriously easy laugh. She called her own performance "rough," "tough," and wholeheartedly agreed when Simon called it "terrible." Her candor was exhilarating. THIS was the performance of the night. She acted the part of a carefree star to the hilt.
Did she overplay her hand and came off as too unconcerned? Even Simon seemed disarmed by her lack of distress.
Tomorrow will tell.
Mo Rocca has appeared on a bunch of shows, including 'The Daily Show,' 'I Love the 80s,'...
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Jordin Sparks: Livin' On A Prayer
Posted May 2nd 2007 1:05AM by Mo Rocca
Filed under: George Bush, Pop Culture, American Idol, Antonella Barba, Jordin Sparks, LaKisha Jones, Gina Glocksen, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Blake Lewis, Chris Richardson
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
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ulzjsiuzgl at 10:22AM on Jan 24th 2009
2. Man. And tomorrow is going to be rough dont forget two people will be going home.
1) Chris Richardson
2) as much as I hate to say this it may be Jordin.
I dont know what was up with the praise for chris' song, I thought he sounded horrible. And maybe Paula doesnt realize that someone is leaving. I thought the final 3 would be Jordin, Blake, and Melinda.....but it all depends on how people vote. And I loved Blake's performance.
MrsMoRocca at 3:07AM on May 2nd 2007
3. The only time I seen Simon's mom was when she did an interview with Terri(Simon's girlfriend) for E! I think it was.
MrsMoRocca at 3:09AM on May 2nd 2007
4. Odd decision of Jordin's to be flanked the entire time by those guitarists, too. I kept wondering, "When's she gonna ditch the band and levitate as usual?" Never happened, Mo.
Tom at 10:42AM on May 2nd 2007
5. I wasn't too impressed with Jordin's performance. However, I think America still likes her. I think its going to be tough because last week no one was kicked off and all we remember is that Jordin was not on her game last night. I am hoping Chris or Phil both go tonight. Why is Phil still on??
Becky at 12:11PM on May 3rd 2007
6. This article was RIGHT ON TARGET.
im suprised there was no mention of phil's performance. i was pretty suprised by the judges' reactions and praise because, quite frankly, i thought it sucked.
jordin had a bad night but she's definitly my favorite and is way too good to go home.
who i think is going home tonight:::
chris and phil.
o yea, and why is blake so popular??? he is an awesome beat boxer... but just an OK singer.
Mdnight T0ker at 2:47PM on May 2nd 2007
7. I was shocked last night! I have always been a big fan of Jordin's and then last night she just sank to the bottom of the group. It will break my heart if she goes home, but sadly after this weeks performance it is deserved.
Kate at 2:47PM on May 2nd 2007
8. I didnt see american idol last night but i saw the video of jordan. so offence to the people who like her but she kinda sucked.
and tonight..chris and phil are GONE
Maria at 6:57PM on May 2nd 2007
9. Let's face it, the only three individuals in the performance are the three undeniably good ladies. Keep it real--compared to previous years (Daughtry, Hicks, Guarini)...the guys bring nothing to the table. As for this season--Doolittle and Sparks will be competing May 23 for this years title.
ress1679 at 4:12PM on May 2nd 2007
10. I think Jordin is a really good singer with good potential, but I think she isn't that good with the song choises. Maybe she needs to be more careful with what she choses next time!
Pooh at 7:14PM on May 2nd 2007
11. First, Jordin may have looked unconcerned but was she?
Frankly, if you replay the part where the judges critiqued her, she couldn't shut up while they were doing it - she kept horning in with comments. Totally about nerves, if you ask me.
She should be nervous - it was a completely horrendous performance. I know a lot of Jordin fans want to give her a pass because:
A) She's YOUNG - is there anyone unaware of this by now?
B) She has had mostly good performances.
C) She's YOUNG and can attract young cd buyers
D) Did I mention that, at 17, she's YOUNG?
Ugh - enough already.
While she seems to be a nice kid, I've never been on the Jordin-as-the-next-coming-of-Jesus bandwagon.
Her voice needs to mature - she is not the best singer - that's Melinda. She's not the most original - that's Blake.
And, for all those who think she should get a pass and stay beacuse most of the performers have had bad nights, yes, that may be true. But the only reason a lot of those singers weren't sent home is because, when they had an off night, there was always another singer, like Brandon or Antonella Barba, who were worse.
Sorry, but as the competition tightens, bad nights send you home because everyone else who's left is either good or great.
So, two go home tonight. Other than Chris, if Jordin sucked, which she did, who would you think it would be fair to boot since the rest of them did well?
Dawn at 7:26PM on May 2nd 2007
12. You didn't even bother to mention Melinda...who did a great job last night. Why mention everyone but Melinda? It's not like there are that many contestants left :) Just thought I'd point that out.
Julian at 8:24PM on May 2nd 2007
13. Yes, I think it will come down to Jordin and Blake. Yes, Melinda is the best singer, but she just sings to old things and to me isn't an 'American Idol'. She's not that pretty or cute like Jordin and Blake. Will she get a record deal? Yes, but she won't win. As for Jordin, one performance isn't going to just mess her up. All of her other ones, are really good. Blake is just the all around favorite definetely. Who SHOULD leave tonight? Phil and Chris. Who WILL leave tonight? Phil and LaKisha. LaKisha is a pretty good singer, she isn't an American Idol. Hey, she was in the bottom 2 with Sanjaya! That's bad. She is also not pretty and a little overweight.
Erin at 7:43PM on May 2nd 2007
14. Hi! I love American Idol it rocks!!! The Judges rock but, Simon can be harsh at times.
ana at 7:50PM on May 2nd 2007
15. I don't think Jordon did that bad, but then again i don't listen to rock music.
Rotellie at 7:59PM on May 2nd 2007