American Boxing Idol

I loved the boxing theme to this week's American Idol performance show. It was slightly cheesy, but with all the energy from the massive Nokia theater - which amazingly carried over onto television - it felt just like a entertaining arena show.

Five minutes into the show and no one is singing.

Ten minutes. No one is singing. Oh no, this hasn't become a boxing show, has it? Is it still American Idol?

Clive Davis chose a song that would really "connect" with people today for David Cook. And for Archuleta, he chose a song called "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me." So already Archuleta's song sounds desperate.

Production values are high for this episode, though. It almost feels like a modern reality show!

You know how everyone hated Andrew Lloyd Webber week? Yes, ALW is back to coach the contestants! Please tell the producers how to interpret fan feedback?

8:14 and we get our first song. We've just about burned through one-fourth of a singing show without any singing at all. Oh no, David Cook's song has him pleading "let me be with you." All this whining... However, it was a predictably good song by Cook. I didn't even have to listen to it to know how it sounded!

Archuleta is singing his first song with... two voices? He has some trouble slipping into his voice at first, but once he got there, he was great. If I ever need a sleepy CD mix, I'll download some of his MP3's.

If ever there was a justification for Paula Abdul's super enthusiasm, tonight is it. Live at the Nokia Theater, with thousands of people, in one of the biggest telecast for the year, for one of the most contested contest in recent history. (Democratic candidate contest excluded.) These kids are nervous. It doesn't matter how much training, how much coaching you get. You step out onto that stage, facing off against your friend, you are going to be scared inside. So having one of the judges giving them reassurance? Tonight I am totally cool with it. This week is nothing like they have ever experienced in their lives. Not even a regular concert will be watched by 50 million people.

I love the Nokia Theater set design. Very cool. ROUND TWO: Songwriting Contest. It's not the last song? Terrific!
- "Dream Big," David Cook. Stage lights are set to "random." I can see this song selling well, being played on commercials, at weddings, proms, and so forth. It is not the worst coronation song ever. And Cook 'sang' it well! Ooh... I'll agree with Simon, though. That didn't sound like a winning moment, did it? I never even thought of that while watching the performance.
"In This Moment," David Archuleta. A song about him making his own decisions? Ha! Kid, we all know you are a stage child. We feel sorry for you, okay? "I want to stay in this moment/No one can take it from me." Well, kid, the voters can. And your dad. Goodness, this may be the most insipid, dreadful coronation song yet. It was more of a "I won, I won!" song. But it is a song that he will probably hate to sing all the time on the summer tour, so, in the end, he loses.

ROUND THREE: Personal Choice
- David Cook: "The World I Know" - Technically great. A good song choice, IMHO. But goodness, if it isn't sleepy! Aw, Cookie is crying. He's taking lessons from Archie!
Randy is just Mr. Optimism tonight. I actually understand and appreciate Paula tonight - am I that tired? And Simon's unfair to Cook, or WAS, until he said that Cook was one of the nicest people on the show. Oh good, Simon agreed that the song was done. Simon has his own "personal choice," and, I know he's a judge, but, back off Simon! And OH NO, COOK LOOKS DEFEATED. NOOOOO!!!!!
- David Archuleta: "Imagine" - Archie is singing about this magical world he wants people to know more about. Big words coming from someone still on his probationary driver's licence! (Okay, he has a great voice, and my personal Idol fav, Paris Bennett, was his age. But she didn't look like she was 8!! These things look more unbelievable coming from someone who looks like Archie.) Again, technically great, but BORING. Just like this whole season. ARGH. Archie is crying now. He must be taking lessons from Brooke.
Randy gives the competition to Archuleta. Paula is stunned. Cowell, well, gives the entire season to him as well. All rounds, he claims, go to David A.

I hope both David's get to cry, run, punch, or do whatever it takes to relax their nerves after this show. I feel terrible for them just looking at them on stage. Even the producers seem to realize they look terrible; after the numbers are given, we barely see the two contestants before they are whisked backstage. You know, the contestants we are voting for.

Oh, hi, Rueben. He is singing to a video montage, which we don't get to see a whole lot of. It's probably all the b-roll that airs in the studio during commercial breaks, and showrunners are probably sick to death of it all, but it's the end of the year! Let me see the unfortunate auditions. Stir up those memories

Oh, Carly Smithson. I missed you more than I ever thought I would. And Brooke. This season belonged to you, gals!

I still want Cook to win, but I think the judges may get their way and have an Archuleta win. Which may be better, so Manager Daddy won't beat his kid up for failing him. I'll accept Archie winning if it means less parental abuse. Deal?