Adam Lambert and Danny Gokey Dominate American Idol Final 13

It was Michael Jackson night on American Idol Tuesday evening and, after watching the performances, one is glad the King of Pop has decided to tour again. Why? Because nobody does Michael Jackson quite as well as Michael Jackson. Truthfully, I would rather Michael Jackson put out a new album -- and he may -- but we will have to wait and see. But I digress... Back to the Michael Jackson musical onslaught that occurred on American Idol as the Final 13 took the stage.

Lil Rounds started things off. She's no Michael Jackson. Her voice was far too powerful for the song she choose, but the judges gave her enthusiastic reviews. She didn't deserve them, but her performance "The Way You Make Me Feel" wasn't bad -- it just wasn't as good as the judges wanted everyone to think it was.

The Scott MacIntyre sang "Keep The Faith," a song that was nearly unrecognizable as a Michael Jackson song -- and that's exactly the way it should have been done. The judges had mixed reviews. Simon Cowell told him it was a bad song choice because no one had ever heard the song before. Scott MacIntyre said he was attempting to be different and Simon told him that was alright but not on American Idol. Now, haven't I heard him constantly saying things about originality, personal slants and twists, being oneself, etc. (Yes, we all have.)

Then Danny Gokey surprised this writer and the judges with his version of "PYT (Pretty Young Thing)." Simon told him the singing was fine but the dancing was hideous. For a nerdy-looking guy, he seemed to do alright (this coming from a guy who can't line-dance). But this is a singing competition...

Michael Sarver sang "You Are Not Alone." Good vocals. Strong. And good enough to make it to the next round.

Jasmine Murray then did "I'll Be There," which is a difficult song to perform now after Mariah Carey did it. Simon said she seemed liked "a little girl trying to be a grown-up." Personally, I think it was the dress. Too cutesy.

Kris Allen came out with his acoustic guitar and did a really nice job with "Do You Remember The Time." Simon Cowell told him the guitar made him look clumsy. Cowell also said Allen made a mistake revealing that he had a wife so early in the competition. And Simon could be right, but Kris Allen didn't make a mistake if he chose for looks. The woman is beautiful.

Allison Iraheta performed "Give In To Me," which was original enough to make it her own, especially with her unique vocal stylings. The judges complimented her stage presence. They mentioned that it was difficult to remember that she was only 16 when she performs. It's the voice...

Then Anoop Desai walked out, all high-collared, and channeled his inner Michael. But Paula Abdul was first to tell him that "Beat It" was the one Michael Jackson song that seemed to be off-limits to everyone, simply because nobody seemed to be able to do it like him or better than he did it. Simon called it "karaoke." Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi agreed that it was a poor choice for him. But this sit-at-home critic liked it. It was smooth, well sung, and didn't sound like MJ. He gave an energetic performanace. It wasn't anywhere near his best, but it wasn't as bad as the judges said it was.

Little Jorge Nunez performed "Never Can Say Good-bye" and the judges panned it, saying it just seemed too old-fashioned. But it wasn't all that bad. Not bad enough to get kicked off the show...

And speaking of getting kicked off the show... That brings us to contestant number ten out of the Final 13. Megan Joy Corkrey's version of "Rockin' Robin" (didn't know Michael Jackson sung that, did ya?) was probably the worst all-around performance the writer has seen on American Idol since Sanjaya was on the show. Not only was her voice flat through much of the performance, her little cutesy-butt-twisty thing she was doing was simply annoying and distracting. Megan Corkrey's problem, besides not being able to sing better than a burlesque understudy, is that she doesn't seem to be able to decide whether she wants to sing or smile. The judges loved her, which only makes you wonder if they're all on drugs, weren't paying attention, or the acoustics at the Kodak Theatre are actually that bad.

Adam Lambert did what Adam Lambert has been doing since he auditioned for American Idol. He blew his competition away. The judges praised his performance. His version of "Black Or White" was so over-the-top, Simon Cowell said, that it worked, that it was in a "different league" than the rest of the night's performances. Paula Abdual said, "Never in the history of American Idol have we ever seen someone so comfortable on that stage." And she just might be right.

Matt Giraud performed some soft Michael Jackson: "Human Nature." Perhaps one of the more quiet Michael Jackson songs, it proved to be the perfect counterpoint for Adam Lambert's rousing performance. Matt Giraud is comfortable and has great control.

The last of the Final 13 stepped out sexy and in control. Alexis Grace belted out "Dirty Diana" like the song was written about her. She seemed to lose a little of her vocal control near the end, but it was still a powerful performance. Simon told her she probably didn't do as well as she thought she did. And he's probably right. But she did well enough to make it into the Final 12.

So the Michael Jackson- themed show ended with an overall round of mediocre performances and no groin injuries. There were two notalbe exceptions: the performances of Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, and Danny Gokey. There were several passable ones, the best of which were Matt Giraud, Lil Rounds, Scott MacIntyre and Kris Allen. The poorest by far was the godawful vocals and little-girl-performing-for-granny performance by Megan Corkrey. She should be the one going home, but if there is one thing a regular viewer of American Idol has learned in eight seasons, there is really no telling who the voting public will abandon.

If you need proof, just go back to Season 6 and ask yourself how someone as awful as Sanjaya Malakar did not get abandoned until he had made it into the Final 7...

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Source:

"American Idol," Fox Television