American Idol 5: Top Twelve Contestants on the Big Stage.

March 14, 2006

Published on March 15, 2006 By Jamie Burnside In Entertainment

The theme of tonight's show was "Stevie Wonder Songs". Hearing that, I knew that a few of the contestants would have a rather difficult time with the theme.

Tonight's performances:

1. Ace Young sang "Do I Do". This one was pretty below-average. Although Ace had a few good spots, it didn't really seem like he could handle the song. Grade: C

2. Kellie Pickler sang "Blame it on the sun". Kellie wasn't enthusiastic about singing the song, and it all ended up being really unnatural. Kellie's saving grace was that she's so disarming on camera, that people will forgive a bad performance or two. (I find myself smiling while she's talking on TV.) Grade: C-

3. Elliot Yamin sang "Knocks me off my feet". Knowing the way that Elliot sings, I expected a really good performance. The song turned out to be a reasonably good Stevie sound-alike. Elliot could have chosen a better song, but his voice was good.

The best news for Elliot is that they've found a way to make him more handsome than he was before. He'll need that. I am surprised that they haven't put him back in sunglasses yet. That's a good look for him. Grade: B

4. Mandisa sang "Don't you worry 'bout a thing". Mandisa dressed smartly tonight. She went back to a dress (but wasn't that mu-mu/shawl that she wore during "practice with Stevie" nice on her?) **Mandisa's voice sounded really good, but the song wasn't super-exciting. Grade: B

5. Bucky Covington sang "Superstition". As I was driving into work this morning, I was thinking, "What will Bucky sing?" Bucky made a good choice, and ended up creating a fun, country/funk song. Bucky is always surprisingly good. Grade: B+

6. Melissa McGhee sang "Lately". Just a little bit into it, I could feel Melissa's pain as she lost track of the words. In the end the whole thing turned out okay, thanks in part to that lovely tone of her voice. Grade: B+

7. Lisa Tucker sang "Signed, Sealed, Delivered". Lisa went away from ballads. The director didn't do her many favors, as she was off of my TV screen for much of the middle of the performance. Grade: B

8. Kevin Covais sang "Part-time Lover". Surprisingly, I like Kevin's personality when they let him talk. He seems like a likable, fun-loving young man. Kevin put in a good performance. (My favorite part of all of Kevin's part was when "Little Stevie" called Kevin: "Little Kevin") Grade: B

9. Katharine McPhee sang "Until you come back to me". Katharine had a weird dress: It was nice from the waist-up. She sang her song well, and the judges loved it. Grade: B+

10. Taylor Hicks sang "Livin' for the city". Taylor did a really good job with this one. I had a fun time watching and listening. His voice had a super sound, and this may have been his best performance so far. Grade: A

11. Paris Bennett sang "All I do". This was a good, 1970s disco diva-type performance. I enjoyed Paris' voice in this flawless performance. Grade: A

12. Chris Daughtry sang "Higher Ground". Nice Choice! Grade: A

Tonight's best: 1) Chris 2) Taylor 3) Paris

Rough outings: 1) Kellie (no doubt safe from elimination) 2) Ace

Comments

JillUser

on Mar 15, 2006

I missed Kellie and Ace's performances but am sure they will get by on looks and personality. I simply couldn't disagree more about Kevin and Bucky. Every time I have seen either of them perform I can't help wondering how the heck they got there. But apparently a lot of people must agree with you Jamie

I love Elliot's voice but he doesn't have the look and he is incredibly boring to watch on stage. I LOVED Taylor's performance! Chris totally rocked too. Katherine McPhee is still one of my favorites.

Stevie Wonder songs just don't thrill me for the most part so I didn't enjoy that show as much as some of the previous ones. I will be surprised if votefortheworst.com prevents Kevin from getting eliminated this time.

I love your AI posts Jamie!

Jamie Burnside

on Mar 15, 2006

I don't know whether I'd consider myself a Kevin "fan"... I am just acknowledging his strengths.

Bucky does well on account of "low expectations".

KarmaGirl

on Mar 15, 2006

I simply couldn't disagree more about Kevin and Bucky.

I agree. Kevin is starting to really get on my nerves, and he is *so* unnatural on stage. Bucky is better- he's at least comfortable with himself, but he seems very generic sounding to me.

Chris and Taylor are the only two in the competition that stand out as "original" to me. They take songs and put their own twist on them. Chris is the only one who I could see buying an album from.

LYNN27

on Mar 15, 2006

I think that Taylor should win it all. Of course he doesn't have the greatest voice, but he has so much charisma to make up for it. I love his gray hair. I love his dance moves. I think that he is very humble, down to earth and that the money would not change him. I don't think that his winning should not be controversial because he deserves it as much as anyone else, and if America votes him in, then I'll be trilled and more trilled than I've been with past winners.

InBloom

on Mar 15, 2006

Taylor, Chris, Katharine, and Paris definitely had the best performances of the night. Elliot, Lisa, Mandissa, Melissa, and Bucky didn't do too bad...and in my opinion, Kellie, Ace, and Kevin were the weakest.

Kevin probably should go home...but I think too many people are pulling for him right now (they might end up sending Melissa home even if she doesn't deserve to go yet).

Dynosoar

on Mar 15, 2006

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