Are The Final 8 Ready For Freddie?

Ryan demonstrates his idea of constructive criticism

We may, we may not, rock you!
I was somewhat peeved that the show’s producers' penchant for theme shows has repeatedly taken American Idol to unhappy places, with tonight’s Queen theme a case in point. I have nothing categorically against the music of Queen; it just seemed an unneccessary trevail for all concerned. The good news is that it didn’t completely suck. There’s been much talk about who may or may not be drinking on the show lately — tonight, it was apparently the make-up artist. Ryan & Simon decided to keep a lid on the feud tonight [i.e. Seacrest can dish but he can't take it].


Let’s Get Queeny:

Bucky Covington - The Rockinghammer was granted the enviable show-opener slot, and surprisingly, had one of his better nights. Mind you, his Marshall Tucker-ized arrangement of Fat-Bottomed Girls was not a major vocal challenge, but Bucky woke up and mustered an actual stage performance this time around. If you’re a Bucky fan, holler “whoo-hoo!” If not, you at least have to admit that he might be around for another week.

Ace Young - Chest-scar-boy made the musical declaration “We Will Rock You,” a statement which [suspciously] is in the future tense. Perhaps he can make good on that someday, but first he must survive this week. I’m actually disappointed Ace didn’t make the obvious song selection - You’re My Best Friend, the sweetest, breathiest Queen song of all, which he therefore could have righteously nailed. Freddie Mercury might even have wanted to get behind Ace on that. Or on something. Well, at least Freddie might have had more of an appreciation for the incessant falsetto than the rest of us do.

Kellie Pickler - I’m going to have to part with our illustrious judges tonight, who were bewitched and enraptured by Miss Albemarle’s "bravery" in taking on Bohemian Rhapsody, as well as the by the flattering lighting and the Melissa McGhee-esque mascara work. I’ll give KP some credit for tackling the song as well as some sympathy for being made to sing Queen in the first place — but come on, that was off-key, weak, and pretty lackluster. I actually would have loved to have seen her really pull it off; but nope, she didn’t, even on paper. She is in desparate need of a country song, ya’ll.

Chris Daughtry - Chris is still not my cup of axle grease, though he is apparently America’s. But then, wasn't it America that elected George W. Bush, thereby initiating the Apocalypse? But I digress. Chris will probably be one of the last 3 contestants standing this season, so what I think doesn’t matter anyway. I was less familiar with this song than any of the others, but the vocal was very strong, the song choice was well-suited to his powerful voice, and I think this was basically a solid night for him. Okay, Daughtryites? Are you happy now?

Katharine McPhee - Katharine is a contestant that I have consistent faith in to deliver, week after week. And this show was no different — her vocal on Who Wants To Live Forever was stellar, but I do worry that she may be generally a bigger victim of tonight’s theme than the other contestants — a ballad in the middle of so much energetic rock, even if sung beautifully, may be a hard sell to tonight’s voters. But I suppose it’s enough for me that she was the unofficial namesake for tonight’s theme.

Elliott Yamin - The only singer tonight who didn’t merely survive the challenge of singing Freddie Mercury, he completely lived up to it. Elliott chose the difficult Somebody to Love and wailed on it with appropriate Mercury-esque passion and vocal mastery. If that weren’t good enough, El wrapped it all up with his personal funky touch. You gotta love it. And if you don’t, then just go to your room and vote for Ace or something.

Taylor Hicks - As with Chris D, the oddsmakers see Taylor hanging in this race for the long haul. Does he deserve to? Judged on actual vocal skill and versatility, perhaps not so much. But he has that ridiculously fearless quality on stage that sometimes just happens to work for him. Simon did not think so tonight. I think under the circumstances (this damned Queen theme), Hicks fared OK with Crazy Little Thing Called Love; it could have been worse. One man’s ridiculous is another man’s infectuous, I guess.

Paris Bennett - I think what impressed me the most about Princess P’s performance of The Show Must Go On was the sheer power of it. Surprisingly, she was not only not intimidated by the material, she downright owned it. Her 4th win in a row, in my book. She is an inspiration and testament to singing 16-year-olds everywhere.