More surprising than “Idol”’s best singer being shooed away at least two weeks too early?
The show itself running a full two minutes short. Gee, that was awkward, wasn’t it, Ryan?
But as much as it twisted my gut to see Carly Smithson sent back to tending bar in San Diego – and falling short of an “Idol” dream for the second time – I can’t say I was shocked.
In fact, in my recap from Tuesday’s Andrew Lloyd Webber show, I suggested that as potent a singer Carly is, she doesn’t have an obvious fan base, like Jason Castro apparently does.
So what did we learn last night?
Never underestimate the texting power of 14-year-old girls, who seem to be the only ones buying Jason’s one-note, albeit smooth, deliveries and finding his vapidity attractive.
But, before we knew that the Irish powerhouse would soon give her final, tearful smile (was that surprise or relief on her face?), she and her fellow bottom-two dweller, Syesha Mercado, ripped through their Tuesday night songs once again.
Carly’s “Superstar” from “Jesus Christ Superstar” smoked even more than the previous night (and, as she grinned to Simon at the end, she remembered the words) and Syesha may have earned herself an audition for Broadway’s “Xanadu” with another saucy run through “One Rock & Roll Too Many.”
And, by the way, nice tie-in to the ALW empire by showcasing the success that former “Idol”’s have found on the Great White Way, even if it meant a quick sound bite and album plug from a waxy-looking Clay Aiken.
Also padding out the show was the current love of Simon’s life, Leona Lewis, a recent winner of Britain’s “The X Factor” whose debut album (shepherded by Simon and the mighty Clive Davis) splashed in at No. 1 last week.
Ironic that she was knocked off that perch this week by Mariah Carey’s latest, since Leona is a Mariah aspirant, right down to the multi-octave voice and exotic beauty. Lewis’ performance
of her own hit, “Bleeding Love,” had Simon’s flat-top bobbing along, and aside from the mechanical backing tracks, sounded impressively live.
But it wasn’t Leona who provided the “wow” moment of the night. It was the second that Brooke White was pronounced safe for another week, despite her colossal goof on Tuesday.
As I suspected, the tenderhearted weeper obviously nabbed a ton of sympathy votes after forgetting the words to “You Must Love Me” and restarting the song.
Even a proud cynic (that would be me) could tell that Brooke’s gape-mouthed, frozen reaction to Ryan’s news was real. But with those teenyboppers sticking around to keep Jason from the Scare Zone, Brooke’s weeks are numbered, though next week for Neil Diamond night, she could surely knock out a beauty with a little “Heartlight” or “Hello Again,” something to turn everyone’s eyes dewy.
I’ll miss Carly potentially growling out “Love on the Rocks,” but how about moppet Davey Archuletta? Can he continue his string of bland, inspirational mid-tempo performances that prompts swooning from kiddies and grandmas alike? Betcha he goes for a Diamond-penned Monkees hit …”I’m a Believer,” anyone?
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