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'American Idol' Recap: Twelve sing songs of John and Paul

By M&C Smallscreen Mar 12, 2008, 16:15 GMT

03/06/2008 - Michael Johns - 2008 American Idol Top 12 Party - Arrivals - Astra West, Pacific Design Center - West Hollywood, CA, USA © Tina Gill / PR Photos

American Idol had the final twelve compete against each other singing songs from the Lennon/McCartney catalog.  Reportedly producer Nigel Lythgoe said the contestants got a list of only 25 Beatles songs to choose from.

After the show has been rocked this season by embarrassment and exposed risque vocations, the twelve all know it is time to step up and sing for the gold.

The night had an array of great, good, fair and awful performances; so without further ado, here we go:

Syesha Mercado sang "Got To Get You Into My Life."

Randy was so-so on her performance, Paula said it was great from halfway through onward and Simon was positive and expressed her singing gave her a boost to get her through to next round.

Chikezie sang (growled) "She's A Woman"

He nailed this one, the accompanying banjo was BRILLIANT! I loved his version of the song, he redeemed himself to me in this performance.  All the snarky things I said about him in the past I am totally taking back and eating.

The judges were over the moon for him, and Ryan Seacrest needs to stop touching him on his head, and dancing onstage for that matter.

Ramiele Malubay sang "In My Life."

I hated this boring rendition, she was oatmeal.  Judges Randy and Simon were bored too and Paula was waiting for some "vocal gymnastics" that never came. Simon even noted that the John Lennon song was boring.  No one had the love for the little Miramar boob grabber.

Dready McRastaman Jason Castro, sang "If I Fell"

Another flat performance, (and you all know I love the Minnie Driver / Bob Marley doppelgänger to no end) and note we were the first to say he looked like Minnie  BTW!  Paula can feel his heart,  Randy was not feeling it but Simon was sort of positive. Simon labeled this song dull too.

Carly Smithson sang (growled) "Come Together"

Best singer in the show tonight.  All the judges are over the moon for her, and Simon loves her and says that she reminds him of Kelly Clarkson, which would have made me a bit nervous if I were Carly but you can see Simon wants to be in the Carly Smithson business big-time.

David Cook sang "Eleanor Rigby"

Fantastic performance; he is a confident stage performer that can sing.  The judges all loved his set and Simon said he was "brilliant" and said that if this were a talent contest instead of a singing contest then Cook would take it. 

Brooke White sat at the piano and sang "Let It Be"

I like this one; she isn't the powerhouse that Carly is, but there is something there. The judges agree with me and were full of praise for her.

Lappy McPole dancer David Hernandez sang "I Saw Her Standing There"

That is a hilarious song choice for a guy who makes his living grinding himself in the laps of other men.  Sorry-he could have changed up the lyrics or picked another song.  The judges 'no likey' and even Paula hemmed and hawed and had no real love.

Amanda Overmyer growled "You Can't Do That"

This girl is awesome.  She sang it just the way she should have and did not change up the lyrics.  Randy dug it, and he likes her bluesy southern rock bar voice too. Paula praised her looks and was overall positive and Simon said last week was better but he did like it, and he is intrigued a bit by her.

Pretty boy Michael Johns sang "Across the Universe"

He is a really good singer, he looks great on camera, but he needs to bring it home during one of these performances.  He seems like a hardworking guy, I hope he makes it through to the end.  The judges echoed this by saying he was good (Paula), but Simon made the point he needs to bring his "A" game, as he and Randy were bored by the performance.

Kristy Lee Cook butchered "Eight Days a Week"

What to say about this.  This song as a country twang jig is my worst audio nightmare, and I am not a hater of the genre.  

There is great country and then there is fairground meth-addict yee-haw boot stomp, which this was.  The judges looked as if someone had barfed on the stage; Randy understood what she was trying to do but still hated it, Paula hated it, and Simon said it was horrible. 

Those jeans she wore never need to see the light of day again either.

David Archuleta botched "We Can Work It Out"

All his wheels came off his cart last night: He forgot the lyrics, he faded out in key notes, he looked uncomfortable on stage.  Wow.  Front-runner to hanging on by a thread.  His vocals when they WORK are magical but his age and inexperience got the better of him last night.

The judges all called him on his mistakes and lectured him to come to the stage prepared and pick better songs, and to remember he is competing with talented people who are in it to win it and that he is not safe.

The performers who nailed it last night were Chikezie, Carly Smithson, David Cook and Brooke White hands down. The worst was Kristy Lee Cook with the two David's on her heels. 

Even accurate "Idol" sage celebrity blogger Michael K of DListed.com noted that Cook "did illicit and terrible things to "8 Days A Week." You know what Kristy, '8 days a week I haaaaaaate you!' This girl is a mass murderess of songs and must be put out of her misery! She is offending America and it must stop already."  We agree.

Your thoughts?

See you after the bloodletting.