Reality Ravings

The idea of the iconic Dolly Parton being on American Idol, was more exciting in thought then in practice.

Dolly does not look a day older then when she appeared on stage with Kenny Rogers singing "Islands in the Stream". Clearly her and Demi Moore share the same plastic surgeon.

She was completely endearing, but my knowledge of her songs was very limited.

Tonight there were no trainwreck performances, but also few memorable ones.

First up was Brooke White singing "Jolene".

Brook who was sitting down, this started the trend of the night, was surrounded by a violinist, a back up singer, and a "drummer" I use that term loosely.

I liked the arrangement, however not so much her singing tonight I thought she was a bit flat in parts. However I thought she looked gorgeous.

I just wish Brooke would shut up when the judges are critquing her I am finding it very annoying.

Randy Jackson said "This music suits you", and "Not a stellar performance."
Paula Abdul said "You have an emotional connection with every song you perform"
Simon said "Lacking emotion - thought you were busking through the song, and all performers looked weird together."

The front runner David Cook was next, and Ryan interviewed him about his song arrangements. Doxoligy will be pleased with the publicity they have been receiving for their Eleanor Rigby cover.

However tonight he was doing his own arrangement of "Little Sparrow". Not that I can compare it with Dolly's arrangement I had never heard of the song.

It was pleasant enough but unmemorable. David again played the guitar just to emphasise to the audience that he is not just a singer but a musician.

Randy said "Another hot, consistent performance."
Paula said "Never heard a guy do that song before - fantastic"
Simon said "If you can make a song about a sparrow good - which you did - congratulations."

Ramielle Malubay sang "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind". Can the phillipine contingent please stop voting for her as it was another dull performance. Also I thought she fluffed the lyrics at one point, or was she just running the words together?

She is going to need more then faux lesbian photos to get me interested in liking her.

Randy said "Pretty good performance 6 1/2 out of 10.
Paula said "Really connected with the audience."
Simon said " We are not going to remember that in 10 years time." and "Cruise ship".

Jason Castro sang "Travelling Through"

Being in the bottom three last week definitely gave him a jolt, as he looked more animated this week. Again I had never heard of the song so had nothing to compare him to. The arrangement was slighty poppy. Just not sure if he will escape bottom 3 this week.

Randy said "It was pretty good"
Paula said "One of your best performances."
Simon said "At this point I lose my season pass to Dollywood. I didn't like that at all. The music doesn't suit you."

Next up was Carly Smithson singing "Here You Come Again". Again the camera's flash to her husband, it is a wonder he doesn't frighten the little kiddies that view the show.

The tattoos everywhere are grotesque, and to me it is the equivalent of body mutilation. What do you do when you grow old and saggy and don't like them anymore? Or when you decide you don't want to own a tattoo parlour. I suspect his body art is career limiting.

Carly sang it beautifully and Dolly in the package was very impressed with Carly's singing.

Randy said " One of the better performances of the night"
Paula said "Glorious"
Simon said "I thought it was good, I didn't think it was great.", and "You have got to have a word with whoever is dressing you at the moment. You have got to start looking like a star."

I have to agree with Simon on the clothes issue. I think she has a hard time defining what type of singer she wants to be.

Ryan came out and said to Simon quite aggressively "What is your problem, don't you like country music?" Maybe Ryan's knee was hurting as it was rumoured he had ran into a wall with it.

David Archuleta sang "Smokey Mountain Memories"

He got the big thumbs up from Dolly she said he had the voice to become a great singer.

David is becoming a bit samey for me. He sings a similar type song every week. But tonight I was clearly in the minority.

Randy gushed " That was the best performance of the night"
Simon said "Absolutely on the money"

Kristy Lee Cook sang "Coat of Many Colours". In a weird way I am starting to look forward to her performances to see what sort of train wreck she was going to turn out.

This was ok as you would expect as it was in her genre, but it was no a standout performance. She too sat down for some of the song which I thought a bit strange as it was a boppy arrangement. But maybe she was sick of people slagging off her wide leg stance dance style.

Randy said "Gave nice performance"
Paula said "Best performance from her"
Simon said "Pleasant but forgettable"

Kristy-Lee sarcastically said to Simon "Thank you Simon - love you" Maybe she should "blow his socks off again" and this might help.

Syesha Mercardo sang "I Will Always Love You" made famous by the former crack addict Whitney Houston. Maybe Whitney should have a few words to Amy Whitehouse.

She sat on the piano but refrained from any Fabulous Baker Boys writhing. I thought her singing was quite pleasant.

Randy said "Took on the biggest tiger of the night." and "Did it alright"
Paula said "Growing and growing"
Simon said "First part good, second part paled in comparison to Whitney version."

Last was Michael Johns singing "It's All Wrong, It's Alright." Again I have heard of the song, and it was quite pleasant and he sang it well. The highlight for me was his purple cravatt.

Randy said "Blazing hot performance"
Paula said "You're a star"
Simon said "This is the best I have heard you sing".

Bottom 3 predictions - Ramielle, Jason Castro, and Kristy-Lee Cook.