Glitz and getai

Idol got boring again. The judges got it wrong again with their top 24, except this time the errors lie more with the guys than the girls. Usually the problem with the choices of girls (and this applies to the sister dance competition) is the prevalence of insipid blonde Barbies. This year, the judges went for different, and while different is good, I think their good intentions backfired, because among the guys, there are just far too many crazy singers! And by crazy, I mean loony! And by loony, I mean Loewenstern, Abrams, Lusk, and Durbin. And what is up with the inclusion of insipid Latin lovers Barreto and Langone, and pushing them into the wild card round for a second chance even after the public has obviously said no thanks? I blame J. Lo.

I liked McDonald. I liked Adedapo. I liked Alaina. Such an effortless pro. Alaina-McDonald final, please! I liked Zevita, but she suffered from having too many heavy-handed theatrics. My thoughts were with the mic stand as she shoved it mercilessly to the ground. Great song choice, except it was reworked beyond recognition, and I only realized it could be Fiona Apple's Criminal when I heard a familiar lyric (When a girl will break a boy just because she can). Okay, her execution was full of problems, but I think Zevita has artist potential, although probably something more organic like Regina Spektor and less glitz and getai.* Alas, eliminated already.

A few words on marketing strategy. Rodriguez was shameless! But hey, it worked. She appeared in a pagaent gown, switched to Spanish in the middle of Hero (ohp! Latin vote!), and finished with "I love you mom". She left out the glistening eyes and queenly wave, but I guess she needs the tiara and bouquet for those. Megia went the route of a smart arrangement. While your competitors dance and dazzle to their doom, keep your own performance pure, simple, easy to digest. Leave an impression, even and especially if it's a false, positive one. Problem is you probably can't do this more than once. Toscano didn't deserve a standing ovation, come on. She benefited from the hype this round, but subsequently I think Nicole Scherzinger syndrome will catch up. Superstar quality aside, she lacks likeability, i.e. she's seems like a bitch.

* I've just about had enough of ten years of Idol's red/blue/green/ purple/orange/white wash lighting designs. Singers need to be less karaoke but staging needs to be less disco!