American Idol-Final 11 Recap

Two observations before I get to the individual notes....
1. I may be playing the result, but back to back Beatles weeks was a BIG mistake. Every contestant was born well after the Beatles broke up, and it's clear most of them weren't big fans/not familiar. So in a show in which all the judges talk about smart song choices and finding your niche, it's a Catch-22.
2. I'm on board with Simon 90 percent of the time, but every year he has one episode where he's a real ass......this fit the profile. And Paula as always, on queludes.

-Oh yeah, and in honor of Chikeze apparently not having a last name, I will now use just first names, or in the case of David's, have nicknames attached. Too bad Stripper David is finito already!

Amanda- "Back in the USSR"
Thoughts: What a shock, another manic, bluesy, half decent, half karaoke performance from Amanda. Actually this one was 100 percent karaoke, unlike last week where she at least infused her own spin on the Beatles. I've never been a huge Amanda proponent, but she needs to seriously branch out.
Standing: Safe as far as being eliminated this week(the on-deck hitter took care of that). However, her going first may lead to a foray into the Bottom 3. Either way, as I stated before, her time is running short unless she can show range, which I don't think she has.

Kristi Lee- "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away"
Thoughts: Ok, before I begin the slicing and dicing, it already should lead to a bottom 3 when you admit you've never heard of a popular Beatles Song. I mean, we're not talking about Octopus Garden or anything. That said, I actually thought this was WORSE than last week. Last week was horrendous because of the overblown country arrangement and the idea of butchering "Eight Days a Week", but at least she had fun. This week, Kristi Lee looked like a sick child in need of healing at some church. Wow, that was wrong!
Standing: She's been second to last what, 19 weeks in a row? Misery over. She's done. Finished! Finito! Out!

Now we know everyone is safe, but here we go....

Heartthrob David-"Long and Winding Road"
Thoughts: He's baaaaaack! And yet, is anyone surprised?? I'm not willing to annoit him the surefire winner again after last week's meltdown, but I think we all knew he would come back and, like John Goodman says in Big Lebowski, be in his element. Wouldn't concur with Simon calling it a master class, but it was probably the best performance of the night.
Standing: He's back to No. 1, altho there is a very slim margin between him and Carly. Still, I think David will need to show his youth in order to win.

Michael-"A Day in the Life"
Thoughts: The greatest Beatles song ever......and completely unperformable on Idol for so many reasons. I've thought Michael in weeks past was better than the judges, but he crapped all over himself this week.
Standing: He's gone from being in the middle of the pack with star potential to probably the next guy to go.

Brooke- "Here Comes the Sun"
Thoughts: I've been a huge Brooke fan-to the point of anointing her the favorite last week. But god, did she annoy me this week. The yellow dress, the dancing, the woo, the sunshine, and then the self-deprecating comments while Simon was ripping her....Yep, it's her first misstep.
Standing: That said, I don't think this really hurts her in the long run. She and Carly are the 2 best females, and number one will be decided in subsequent weeks.

Rocker David-"Day Tripper"
Thoughts: It's fair to say he's getting a bit predictable, but it was still a hell of a performance once again. And the talking guitar was awesome! I don't think it's fair to expect someone to totally change every single week, and David has shown with the Lionel Richie song that he can do other genre's and make them unique work.
Standing: Maybe Seacrest will grow some balls and use the talking guitar to say, "you're safe."

Carly-"Blackbird"
Thoughts: It's not the most challenging or best song choice, but Carly still did a hell of a job. And when Brooke stumbled, she certainly rose to the occasion.
Standing: In the long run, I think Carly is starting to acquire personality and likability points, which she will ABSOLUTELY need in order to have a shot at winning.

Jason-"Michelle"
Thoughts: I'll just turn it over to the sound effects machine...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Standing: I may have to rescind the Michael Johns will be the next guy offed here. Both are in trouble, after Kristi Lee goes.

Syesha-"Yesterday"
Thoughts: I thought she had the biggest week, going from Bottom 3 to now someone that could make Paris Bennett like waves and last a while. Her voice is outstanding, and if she can cross over from Diva material like she did here, watch out.
Standing: That said, Syesha's performance only guaranteed a one-week reprieve. There's not much wiggle room if she struggles again, or is mediocre like Week 1.

Chikeze-"I've Just Seen a Face"
Thoughts: I didn't really care for the performance, but in Mr. No Last Name's defense, it's not his fault the performance was gimmicky. Do any of the esteemed musical experts know the original song? It starts out slow, goes fast all of a sudden, and features a harmonica.
Standing: Either way, I actually think Chikeze is picking up more fans with this performance and unseating Amanda in the fun, original category.

Ramiele- "I Should Have Known Better"
Thoughts: Didn't notice the performance as much as her heels. Did you see those pumps?? My god, they make stilettos look like sandals. Maybe she was going for the hooker look. The song was so-so, better than last week, didn't pay off being the finale.
Standing: She was my pick to go last week, and stayed above the Bottom 3, so its obvious the Miramar Girl has a fan base. Therefore, she should be OK.