Competing Interests

I really don't quite know what to write about after watching last night's show. Frankly, there were too many things vying for my attention. As we've watched the tragedy unfold at Virginia Tech, my heart hurt. I also found myself somewhat angry after watching our dear leader show up on campus a scant few hours after this awful tragedy to lend his support and prayers. Anger you ask? Yes! Anger because he was so quick to respond to this tragedy that took the lives of 32 people. And yet when another tragedy in our recent history unfolded, he continued to enjoy a vacation as the lives of over 1,000 people were lost during that awful disaster in New Orleans. Perhaps I should cut him some slack, since I'm sure he learned a valuable lesson from his failures during Katrina. At least I hoped he did. But still...there was a little bit of anger.

But what does this all have to do with country night on American Idol. Nothing really! And yet everything! All of us have watched this awful tragedy unfold and it has, I believe, struck a cord with each of us. I think though that it was felt especially by the contestants. Most of the people who lost their lives in this tragedy were their age. College age kids! Some, like my boy Chris, are from the Commonwealth of Virginia. You could tell he was tore up at the end. Simon acknowledged that this was a difficult week for the guys. But more than just the contestants, this signal event weighed, I think, on the minds of all of us.

I guess I said all of that to say that my thoughts and prayers are with the families of all who died in this senseless tragedy. And perhaps it helps explain why I had a hard time sitting through the performances last night. Sure, I'm not the biggest fan of country music. Sure, I was trying to clean up the kitchen following some one's HUGE dinner cooking mess. Sure, I was also trying to chase down an 8 year old who found the candy stash and was hopped up on pure sugar. Yeah, I guess you could say there were a lot of competing interests going on last night and as such, nothing, I mean nothing, got the real attention it deserved.

Having said that, I did jot down a few thoughts regarding the performances (like you really thought I wouldn't...HA!). Are ya ready?

Phil Stacey
Where the Blacktop Ends

Ummmm...I would just as soon write "where the blacktop ends for creepy bald guy!" Ok, I will say that country music is probably his genre cuz he was pretty respectable...even causing a bit of a debate in my house. But, I still had to deal with the fact that to listen, really listen, I had to look at him. And when I did, I got creeped out all over again! He should go home for that reason alone!

Jordin Sparks
Broken Wing

HOT! HOT!! HOT!!! Dang the girl can sing! And she looked freakin' amazing (shocker...'er not). The 8 year old in my house decided that she should be the winner for always! He had all the cell phones ready to text in his vote as soon as the show was over. Thank Buddha (and all the other gods) that he had already found his way to his bed by the time it came to vote! Ain't nothin' broken 'bout this chick!

Sanjaya Malakar
Something to Talk About

My good friend, foxy coxy, decided that I must be taking whatever it is that Paula dips into after my comments last week about this guy. Look, he was decent last week...certainly we sent home a more deserving person. This week however was a true, true disaster...from start to finish...and including that rag on his head. Not the look for him! If he makes it through this week (the bigger shocker would be him not), I think I may cry! Frankly, enough air time has been devoted to him. Enough already!!!

LaKisha Jones
Jesus Take the Wheel

Ok, first let me say this song has a really nice message directed to all who believe in Christianity (being my background, that would have to include me). Having said that, I've never really liked the song. Former Idol winner (and recent CMT Music Award winner) Carrie Underwood did an admirable job on this song. But in the end, it's just not that great of a song...stylistically...so no matter who does it...we the audience will be bored! Last night was NO exception!

Chris Richardson
Mayberry

After listening to Chris perform Rascal Flat's song "Mayberry", I found myself missing Barney Fife as well. He could have provided a little bit o' "personality" to this performance. Y'all know I like Chris! And I understand that this had to have been an extremely difficult week for him given all that was going on in his home state. He gave me goose bumps for sure, but I sure wasn't feelin' the performance. I did vote for him last night though...just to make sure!

Melinda Doolittle
Trouble is a Woman

Ain't that the truth! Trouble is a woman named Melinda Doolittle! I wonder how many toes are ever so slightly left in her path as she heads out onto stage. I mean, if I was tryin' to win a competition like this, and was up against her, my little devious brain would be workin' overtime to get her bumped...ya heard?! By the way, foxy coxy and I decided that Ms. Doolittle had done more than a little to her locks since last week's performance. We give the extensions a thumbs up! She looked freakin' HOT last night!

Blake Lewis
When the Stars Go Blue

Even when he sucks he's good! Really, what else can you say about this guy! My dream finale would be Blake and Melinda. Two completely contrasting sounds! Two amazing singers! I honestly did NOT like his performance last night. But get real...even on his worst day he's better that 99% of the rest of us!

And that's it for me! Wishing all of you peace during these rather disturbing times!

j.