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'American Idol' Recap: Beatles songs, let it be

By M&C Smallscreen Mar 19, 2008, 15:15 GMT

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

Undoubtedly, the Beatles wrote some amazing popular songs. The "American Idol" contestants knocked some of them out of the park last week, but history did not repeat last night.  The 11 remaining "Idols" hacked up and lamely offered us more from the songbooks of Paul, George, John and Ringo.

It was rather depressing to hear most of them say, "I heard this song for the first time this week."

The night kicked off with buff and brawny Amanda Overmyer who sang  "Back in the USSR."  

The judges - beginning with Randy, were all of the mind that she did okay, but she needs to stretch a bit.  Amanda got a bit mouthy on stage, as Simon came up to bat and told her she was bordering on being boring.   She is destined to be a touring  bar singer.  Standing next to Seacrest, her manly physique was evident, her frame was more muscular than his. Perhaps she will come out with a "ripped biceps in 5 minutes" workout tape, too.

Next, animal lover Kristy Lee Cook sang "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away." 

This was a weird, weird rendition of that song.  The country-fied version of the Beatles is not working for me. Randy was not loving it, he told her it was flat for him, Paula tells her it's the best she ever looked, that's all, Simon tells her she's like wallpaper, he wasn't impressed.  She did zing him at the end with a cute "you know I can blow your socks off," which had Seacrest tittering.

"Aw shucks" David Archuleta sang "The Long and Winding Road." 

Harvey Levin has been running these "David's dad's a monster" promos for his website tabloid TV TMZ show.  I would hate to think this kid has an abusive stage parent.  He did a great job, very mature, this kid is just a baby!  Randy was positive in his comments and said he was safe by leaving out some runs, but that he brought the hotness back.  Paula was over the moon and Simon said it was brilliant.

Handsome Michael Johns is one of the few contestants that is familiar with the Beatles.  He sang "A Day in the Life." 

It was an okay performance, not great, not a disaster.  The judges all are like, you need to step it up, we like you but come on dude.   Simon especially tells him its time to join the competition and kick it out.

Girl of a thousand hairstyles, Brooke White sang "Here Comes the Sun." 

Another so so performance and the girl is so uncomfortable moving on stage.  They put her in a get up that was all wrong too.  It bordered on goofy.  

The judges again were like, step it up, this was safe but a tad boring. Simon hated it and Brooke yammered too much at the end.  She needs to listen more and talk less.

Johnny Confidence David Cook rocked out "Daytripper."

He is the rock guy this season. The waa waah Peter Frampton thingy he sang into was a mistake. The performance was okay, but he seemed pleased as punch with it.  The Judges were so-so, except for Simon who took him down a notch, saying he came off smug.  Simon always nails the problem and finds the kernel of truth with these performers.

Irish lass Carly Smithson sang "Blackbird." 

What a voice this one has.  I curse that tattoo husband of hers that marked this beautiful girl up with those rotten tatts all over her hands now, and the ginormous one on her arm.  Blight, blight, blight. The judges were positive, except Simon who felt the song was a bad choice for her.  She explains it summed up the feelings of the contestants all struggling to make into the business and now she's flying.

Minnie Driver's long lost son Jason Castro sang "Michelle." 

He should never be interviewed - he giggles and has no poise on camera which some feel is a plus.  He dd a good performance.  The Judges like him and were positive but Simon comments that Jason "sold" the song with his stage performance.

Syesha Mercado sang "Yesterday."

Boring, overwrought, she was smart to wear a dress that had her cleavage hanging out so the Judges would be nice to her.  The guitar player Paul accompanying her was BRILLIANT.  Randy cautioned about some pitch issues and flat moments but overall the judges love it.

Chikezie sang "I've Just Seen a Face."

Very "O Brother Where Art Thou," he is the Bluegrass Beatles man; it was a move which worked fantastically last week.  He is playing the harmonica for the first time in his whole life. Bad decision. I liked his performance (save for the harmonica) but the Judges felt it was like five different performances on stage.  Simon was less kind than the others, and said it wasn't his best.

Ramiele Malubay sang "I Should Have Known Better." 

I was watching her performance and I had a total "Twin Peaks" little dancing midget guy flashback when she was moving back and forth on stage, kind of like a Mario Brothers video game character.  Bizarre! I was too thrown by these strange visual throwbacks to even notice what she sang.

The Judges were so-so.

Were there any winners last night? I wasn't knocked out by anyone.  I hope they move on to other songs and let it be for the Beatles.

See you after the bloodletting.