Coming off of a fairly predictable week of eliminations, the Top 20 saw itself dwindle by four last night. Two boots were obvious and warranted, one was just warranted, the other was none of the above. If there is a quote to wrap up '70s week it is "Song choice! Song choice! Song choice!"
Jason "Single Dad" Yeager and Alexandrea "Say My Name!" Lushington were the first two go, and it came as no surprise to viewers. Yeager bought himself an extra week only because there were two weaker guys last week, but his forgettable rendition of "Long Train Runnin'" was enough to do him in. Lushington picked a song about leaving, Chicago's "If You Leave me Now," which was probably enough to earn her a ticket back to the dirty south on its own, but coupled with her overall limited camera time and boring delivery Wednesday night, it was all but a guarantee.
Things got more interesting as the night progressed. When Ryan had Kady "Opera Singer" Malloy and Alaina "Carrie Clone" Whitaker join him center stage, 80% of America thought they knew what was coming. In fact, Kady's reaction upon hearing the news of her safety suggested she was among that 80%. But Alaina was shocked. Shocked! Although looking back it is easy to see that "Hopelessly Devoted to You" is not a good Idol song, and Alaina's shaky vocals did not help matters. At 16, she still has a long way to go with her career, whereas Kady has a long way to go in proving she should still be in this competition.
And then there's Robbie "Faux Rawk" Carrico. Although the "Hot Blooded" wannabe rocker was above average last week, the '70s were not as kind to him, and he lost out to Luke "Dawson's Creek" Menard, who miracuously gets a shot at taking on the '80s ("Safety Dance," anyone?).
USAToday.com's Ken Barnes got it right when he brought up the mind-boggling song choices this week:
Apparently the viewing public deserves more credit than it gets. But putting Amanda "Rock 'n Roll Nurse" Overmyer through pretty much negates that.
I think both Alexandrea and Alaina had potential, but I guess I'm not the only one who passes judgment at least partially based on song choice, because together they went a dismal 0-for-4 in that department.
