Mar 26 2009
No Surprise in “Idol” Elimination
Like last week’s bottom scorer Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver will be returning home to his family now that his American Idol time has expired. He will be on the road this summer, though, with the other nine finalists. (picture courtesy of AP)
Oil rigger Michael Sarver bid adieu to American Idol this evening, following an almost-but-not-so save from the judges.
After he sang “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” one last time (and doing it better than he did the prior evening), the judges still hadn’t decided if they were going to use their one and only save for the season. Kara DioGuardi thought his performance was hot, and was good enough, but, when it looked like they were at a stalemate, Simon Cowell took matters into his own hands and told Sarver that he was going home. Hardly a shocker, as last week when Sarver was facing elimination, Cowell inadvertently said the judges would not have saved him had he been the one singing for survival.
Occupying the other two spots in the bottom three this week were Scott MacIntrye, who turned out a mediocre performance of The Supremes’ “You Can’t Hurry Love” on Tuesday, and- surprisingly- Matt Giraud, who wowed the judges with his take on Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get it On.” Why more viewers did not dial in for Giraud, who knows- but he did not deserve to be among the three lowest-scoring hopefuls.
Missing from the bottom trio following a rather disastrous outing Tuesday night was Megan Joy Corkrey. Luckily for her, she will have another week to prove that she belongs in the competition, and, hopefully, chooses a song to showcase her unique style.
MacIntyre also will need to do dazzle the judges (and viewers) the next time he takes the stage. He remains adamant about sticking to his piano (despite Paula Abdul’s suggestion that he step away from it from time to time), so, like Corkrey, his viability in the race will come down to song selection.
Meanwhile, Motown legend Stevie Wonder delighted with a rousing medley: “My Cherie Amour,” Superstition,” “Overjoyed” and “All About the Love Again.” No exaggeration- I had chills running upand down my arm during his performance. Mr. Wonder clearly is in a league all by his lonesome; I had not been a major fan until I purchased his four-CD At the Close of a Century- upon listen, I had fallen in love with the man’s beautiful and poignant catalog of song.
Call me loony, but as strong as some of this season’s Idol contestants may be, I doubt any of them- during the remainder of season eight or post-Idol career- ever will approach Mr. Wonder’s brilliance, and cause stirring emotions with such ease. Truth be told, if they possessed that kind of remarkable gift, they would not need the American Idol machine to help jump-start a career.
Sure, a few quality acts have emerged from the Idol ranks, but as much as I enjoy watching and critiquing, it’s still Karaoke Idol to me.
