Smallscreen News
Anoop and Lil sent packing on American Idol VIDEO
By April MacIntyre Apr 23, 2009, 15:27 GMT
Chapel Hill fan, grad student Anoop Desai had his fanbase for sure, but they did not mobilize enough to save the soulful singer who joined Lil in the swan song for the season. Courtesy of FOX
The top four "American Idol" finalists will be revealed on Wednesday, April 29
Last night, “American Idol” field was reduced to five as both Lil and Anoop were sent packing.
Lil Rounds blew it on Motown Week with an uninspiring cover of Chaka Khan. She began the series with high hopes from the judges but progressively flattened in her stage performances week by week.
Chapel Hill fan, grad student Anoop Desai had his fanbase for sure, but they did not mobilize enough to call in to save the soulful singer, who joined Lil in the swan song for the season.
The elimination show had host Ryan Seacrest give big strokes to Lil and her background and work ethic on the show, praising her personality, outspokenness and noted that she was the mother of three (3!!) small children.
Simon Cowell offered a small olive branch after berating her from week to week to step up her game. “I was and still am...a big fan of you,” he said. “I’m actually going to miss your family screaming at us every week.”
Anoop Desai put a brave face on his dismissal. “I’m still really disappointed,” the University of North Carolina student said, “but now I have to look at the bright side — I’m going back to Chapel Hill.”
This week Idol producers wheeled out some disco oldies; Freda Payne, who nearly passed out from her energetic stage moves, Thelma Houston and K.C. of the Sunshine Band who each did a turn of their signature disco ball days hits. K.C. looks like my C.P.A. now, and Houston's voice was solid and she did a great job, though her yellow costume barely contained her bulging breasts and the hemline on her dress failed to hide her...ahem...dance moves.
Last season's runner-up David Archuleta returned to the stage to sing “Touch My Hand” before heading out to tour the United Kingdom. “Just know that it’s not over even after this,” he bolstered the losing contestants.
Disco week also inspired Paula Abdul to choreograph a group dance number. Once again, Lambert is a natural on stage, and they all did a pretty good job collectively considering the short time allotted to master the moves.
Next week, the Top 5 finalists – Kris Allen, Matt Giraud, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta and Adam Lambert – take the stage again Tuesday, April 28 (8:00-9:01 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) to perform standards made famous by members of the original Rat Pack, a group of legendary performers that included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.
Tune in the following night Wednesday, April 29 to find out which finalist will be sent home.
Also, Taylor Hicks returns to the stage to perform “Seven Mile Breakdown,” the latest single from his album, “The Distance.”
