American Idol top 7, the sequel: The saved, the suave, and the unshaven

Aired 4/21/09

Bunny: Well, it's disco night. I have to admit, I don't have high hopes. The disco theme has historically been problematic for Idol contestants. However, they could surprise us.

They don't have an introductory film clip this week, and there's no mentor. I don't know if that is a time-saving move (which is desperately needed this year for some reason) or part of the plan all along. But hopefully they'll finish in an hour tonight. So, with optimism that is a tad bit forced, let's get into the performances.

RATING SYSTEM

Litterbox Level

Paws-itively Purr-fect

Lil Rounds

“I'm Every Woman” by Chaka Khan
Bunny: Lil, Lil, Lil. What can I say without sounding like Meanie McMeanerson? This is just more of the same pitchy karaoke that keeps landing her a step or two from elimination. What did the guy in the audience yell while she was responding to Ryan's question? I missed it, but not her reaction. Anyway—Lil! My dear girl! If everyone keeps saying your performances are karaoke-level, there MUST BE SOME TRUTH in it! I fear she is just as deluded as some of the bad auditioners from the beginning of every season, although obviously at a higher talent level.

Burke: It was a rousing start, more energy than she's shown in previous weeks. Probably one of HER best, but I don't think it's enough to save her. But at least she had fun...and changed a couple of notes...

Kris Allen

“She Works Hard for the Money” by Donna Summer
Bunny: Okaaayyyy...will this be another “All She Wants to Do Is Dance”? Well, he's definitely smart not to try singing in a disco style, since it clearly could be an awkward theme for someone like him. In the end, it's much better than I expected after hearing the song choice. He is consistently excellent with only a couple minor missteps over the course of this competition.

Burke: He's using a guitar for disco night???? Verrrry interrresting. A Donna Summer song, a guitar, and bongos. But it works! Kind of reminded me of Jason Castro. I didn't foresee liking it. But I did.

Danny Gokey

“September” by Earth, Wind and Fire
Bunny: He's keeping the obnoxious dancing to a minimum, thank goodness. It's actually one of his better performances in my opinion, but that doesn't mean I'm over the moon. It's not bad. Just not good enough for the final.

Burke: Typical Danny—good but not great; solid, but not spectacular. He kind of looked like George Michael to me from certain angles.

Allison Iraheta

“Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer
Bunny: I like Allison, but this is the second week in a row that I haven't loved her performance. Like last week, it becomes too frenzied about halfway through and remains at that super-caffeinated level for the rest of the song.

Burke: She looks like an intergalactic waitress in a cat suit. I wasn't digging the slow parts. But it was okay.

Zinni: Someone's wearing a cat suit? Who would dare do such a...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Adam Lambert

“If I Can't Have You” by the Bee Gees and Yvonne Elliman
Bunny: Adam bathed in a blue spotlight is becoming a very familiar sight; every other week he breaks out the tender and his voice is a weeping violin, although he manages to throw one scream in the mix. I have to say I don't think the slower arrangement worked as well for that song as it did for “Mad World,” but the black suit is sharp. “Pool of Abdul”—good line, Ry.

Burke: Pros: Less screaming. Cons: Dude looked like he was going to cry, sounds like a woman, is faky.

Matt Giraud

“Stayin' Alive” by the Bee Gees
Bunny: He hits his stride about halfway through, and from that point on I quite enjoy it. In true Bee Gees style, his falsetto is used heavily and is on point. May I say Paula is surprisingly lucid tonight, despite Simon's claims to not understand her.

Burke: Not worth saving him for that performance. It was as much karaoke as Lil's to me.

Anoop Desai

“Dim All the Lights” by Donna Summer
Bunny: Predictable: That many of the song choices would be from Diva Donna. Not so predictable: Who's performing them. Will the anchor slot keep 'Noop out of the bottom three for once? I kind of hope so, just so the poor guy can have one more week on the safety couch after his B3 streak before he goes home. I'm very happy to see that he has finally dressed the part tonight, although apparently someone snuck into the Idol mansion and destroyed all the razors. Anyway, the performance is pretty decent except for the last line. Fortunately for him, the dress rehearsal clip is what's shown at the very end of the show.

Burke: I see he's trying to cover his sweaty lip. His eyebrows looked faky tonight; even Ryan mentioned them. I don't really have much else to say—didn't really enjoy it that much. I predict bottom three again.

PREDICTIONS

Bunny: Bunny's Bomb tonight is Lil. I honestly feel really bad that she just isn't getting it! I think Lil Rounds and Allison Iraheta will go home, leaving us with an all-male top 5, which would be truly historic, because there's never even been an all-male top 3. Best of the night: Kris Allen. I absolutely love it when contestants come out of nowhere, with essentially no camera time until the top 12 (or 13), and then week by week, climb the ranks until their status as a true contender is cemented. Love it!

Burke: That wasn't a bad show. I liked it way more than last week. Burke's Turkey is Anoop Desai. I believe Anoop Desai and Lil Rounds will get voted off. And Kris Allen was at the top of the heap tonight.

Prognosticats: Hairball performance is *hork*Adam Lambert*hork*. Ah, that feels much better. But Matt Giraud and Kris Allen are going home.

Bunny: See you tomorrow night for the results!

Tagged as: bee gees, disco theme, donna summer, performances, top 7