Andrew Lloyd Webber Barbecue

Janet Keeler here, blogging for the lovely and talented Sean Daly who is doing the Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out at the Forum with the Boss tonight. I'm at home eating buffalo any'tizers, washing them down with a heaping helping of American Idol and wondering if Lloyd is Andrew's middle name or part of his last name. And if it's his last name, why isn't it hyphenated? I hope I can get to sleep tonight.

I'm qualified to be a guest blogger for Pop Life because:
1. I still have my original vinyl version of "Jesus Christ Superstar" and can sing all the songs.
2. I've watched Idol since the beginning and am not ashamed to say I voted for Justin Guarini a million times. I also voted for Ruben Studdard which redeems me at least a little. I still say his performance of the Bee Gees Nights on Broadway was one of the best of all time. Sexy. There, I said it.
3. I'm the only person in the features department not at the Springsteen concert.

I'd hoped no one would sing Memory, but alas it happened. The rest of the story of the night the final six met their match, musical theater:

Syesha Mercado: One Rock n' Roll Too Many from Starlight Express. The Lady in Red looked fabulous; very Eartha Kittish. She sounded great until those last few notes when my ears started bleeding. What's with all the screeching? By the end of the night, I'd forgotten her performance. Maybe she should have worn rollerskates. (Oh, and Sean, she wasn't wearing shoes.)

Jason Castro: Memory from Cats. The dreads freaked out Sir Andrew during the "master class." I can't imagine how he must have felt when he heard my old college boyfriend butcher the most lampooned-song in history. Now he's given us another reason to skewer it. Basically, the song just kicked his butt. See ya, Jason.

Brooke White: You Must Love Me from Evita. Did she really stop and start again? If Jason doesn't go, Goldilocks may be looking for a bear-hug tomorrow night. I actually liked it once she started up again but she smiled a few too many times for a women singing about dying. Maybe she was just dying inside.

David Archuleta: Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera. This guy is ready for his Disney soundtrack closeup. Very sweet, very measured. After this many weeks, can he actually be that surprised people like him? His Melissa Doolittle, aw-shucks thing is grating.

Carly Smithson: Jesus Christ Superstar from Jesus Christ Superstar. I wish more people had picked songs from this soundtrack. The '70s-vibe dress was cool but the amped up band and overactive backup singers made me feel like I was at Caesars Palace. She could have really iced it tonight but the arrangement got the best of her. Oh, lord.

David Cook: Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera. Sir Andrew has a big ole crush on David. Look into my eyes and pretend I'm a 17-year-old girl? Oh, behave. As usual, David was solid as a rock, but what was that big scarf hanging from his pocket? He's the one to beat, but tonight that wasn't saying much.

Comments

[Marissa]

The Best Performance of the Night goes to: JANET KEELER!! Well stated. Woo! ::glugging down Coke:: Yeah! The textures of your review were brilliant magenta. Truly glorious.
No, seriously. I dig it. Thanks for being here.

[Janet Keeler]

Thank you, Marissa. I'd thank the little people, too, but there just aren't any around here what with the any'tizers and all.

[Jeff in Cuba]

Janet,

I got the same vibe from Sir Andrew when he was flirting with DC.

He better butch it up or he's going to find himself married to Liza.

[SharonF]

Janet, you are spot on, as usual. My theory behind Brooke's smiling is that it conveys the real message of the song for her: "You MUST love me, people!!!! Seriously, you MUST love ME. See my tears! Feel my grasping hand! You MUST love me." And one thing that bothered me about David Cook: He had this vibe of the 17-year-old lead of his high school production of Phantom trying to seduce his Christine who morphed into the 55-year-old high school drama dept. director of Phantom trying to seduce his Christine. A little too creepy for me.

[Eric Deggans]

what I'm wondering: Can Brooke survive screwing up a song for the SECOND time on the show?

http://blogs.tampabay.com/media/2008/04/american-idol-2.html

[sparky]

That would be cool for Phoebe to restart Smelly Cat, but to restart a song by Andrew Lloyd Whatever is simply inexcusable.

"Smelly Cat oh Smelly Cat"

[Marissa]

Sparky, it was one of those "whaaaaa?" moments. I fully expected her to shatter before my very eyes. Run off stage like Napoleon Dynamite after the music halted.
I don't wish ill will on Ms. White. But, that would have been AWESOME!

[Robert]

I fully expected Brooke to take you up on your wish and perform "I Don't Know How To Love Him" from "Jesus Christ Superstar". Didn't happen. Young Mr. Castro is going home tonight.

And BTW: Go ahead and say it: David Archeulta will win this competition.