American Idol Fight to Make the Final Two

The Top 3 American Idol contestants of Season Nine got to sing two songs tonight, one of their own choice and one picked by the judges. They started off the show right away with ROUND ONE

Casey James, Okay It's Alright With Me: This was a sort of well, we could almost rock to it number. We knew what was coming: too safe of a song choice. Randy said the Eric Hutchinson song was kind of just all right with him. Ellen did not think he really brought it. Kara thought he should have picked a song that was more well-known. Simon said he was lucky he has two song choices: "If you were having dinner, that was the salad.," but Simon said he sounded good. Ryan said he was coming back for a two-course meal. For once this season, I do agree with the judges, especially in view of the song the judges picked for him, which is pretty slow. He should have went with something that was fast and really rocked out, but even a love ballad would have played up his stronger points and been better than this. However he came up with this particular song choice, he shot himself in one foot. We'll see if he can stand on one leg now with "Daughters."

Crystal Bowersox, Come to My Window: Crystal started this Melissa Etheridge song off playing the harmonica, and delivered a wonderful performance, as far as I was concerned. Randy said he didn't like the arrangement, but he loved Crystal's vocal, and it all worked in the end. But I mean, when you are sitting in a club having a drink, as long as it sounds that good, who even pays attention to the arrangement? Ellen said Melissa Etheridge would have been proud. (What? No gay jokes?) Kara thought that she was capable of a "moment" and hoped she has one tonight, indicating that certainly wasn't it. Simon said that he agreed with the others but he has a lot of respect for Crystal because she hasn't compromised herself and he congratulated her.

Lee DeWyze, Simple Man: Lee gave this Lynyrd Skynyrd number 100% effort, and Randy thought he could see him recording the song. Preferring not to notice that Lee was a little pitchy on the ending, he noticed instead that Lee's attitude showed he thinks he can win. Ellen and Kara gave Lee all kinds of compliments on his performance and on his growth throughout the show. Kara said the first round went to him. Simon thought the song choice was absolutely brilliant and said Lee didn't just get the round, he crushed the other two . Well, I don't know about all that. I really liked Crystal's performance better, but they are pimping Lee big time. (You'll find out why in Round Two). Before he sang, Lee even sat with Ryan longer than the other two. Don't think I don't notice these little maneuvers. And, like Randy, I also noticed that Lee's head had swelled up like he was hitting the helium pump on the homecoming trip. Somebody is counting their chickens all right.

ROUND TWO

Casey James, Daughters: Randy said that they picked this song for Casey because it's a direction he can go in as he leaves the show. He didn't say "if" he leaves. He said "as." Told you I'm scoping out all these little hints and indications. Was Randy confirming the "Casey sabotage" the judges have been accused of for some time? I don't know and I really don't know many people who like this song either. I don't. But it was a decent performance. Randy said it fit Casey like a glove. Yeah, sure, he picked it. Ellen agreed that she liked it too. "That was really good," our clever comedian allowed cautiously. Kara claimed it showed the more artistic side of Casey, while Simon snickered for some unknown reason. Casey asked him what he was laughing at, but Simon only said "sorry." He said he felt the arrangement was lazy but the fault was with Randy and Kara -- they should have sat with Casey and helped him with an ending where he could have a vocal moment, more of a climax. Kara defended her choice, saying it wasn't supposed to have that kind of ending. No songs with vocal moments for Casey tonight, but Simon did say Casey sounded good on "Daughters" and sounded good the whole night, even though the songs just didn't have the wow factor. Ryan said all that "sounded like approval."

Crystal Bowersox, Maybe I'm Amazed: Ellen chose this Paul McCartney song for Crystal because she loves the song. Weirdly enough, Crystal didn't change the lyrics to fit her gender. "Maybe I'm a man, maybe I'm a lonely man who's in the middle of something, that he doesn't really understand." I thought it was terrible myself. I love the song too, and was expecting a much better performance from her. Randy thought her vocals were great though, and said she was "in it to win it." Ellen echoed Randy -- great. Kara thought she really pushed and it paid off. Simon said she showed she had soul. Crystal told Ryan she thought she looked good just when my 16 year old walked by the TV, took a look and said "You don't." See, I even notice what the random passerby has to say.

Lee DeWyze, Hallelujah: Simon said he chose the song for Lee because he thought it would give him a "moment." No doubt in response to all the negativity over the song choice -- it's been done earlier by Tim Urban and in another season by Jason Castro -- Simon said even though others have done it, he thought Lee could do it better. The response to Lee's performance was off the hook. Randy said it was unbelievable and it was his "moment." Lee thanked Simon for giving him the song. Ellen said it was stunning. Kara said Lee is what this show is all about, and Lee owned the entire night. Simon said he was very very very proud of Lee.

Good Lord.

If it wasn't Top 3 night, I wonder what they would have really said. Of course, Simon wants Lee to record it. Look what happened when his protege, Alexandra Burke recorded it: lots and lots of pounds in Simon's pockets. Maybe Lee could sing "Whole lotta manipulating goin' on."

Lee was clearly given the nod as winner of both rounds.

So according to the judges, it will be Casey who goes home tomorrow night. Maybe the experts will finally get that right. Tune in tomorrow night to find out and see some Justin Bieber.

Sources: Embedded and American Idol on Fox 5/18/2010
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