Idol-Talk: Season 9 Top 6

American Idol Season 9: Top 6
Airdate: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 [8-9pm]


Theme: Shania Twain


Ryan Seacrest announced that Idol Gives Back has raised over $45 million. Later in the show, he announced the American Idols Live! Tour 2010 that will occur this summer, with tickets going on sale the weekend of May 14.


Shania Twain was one of the guest judges during the auditions, and she was one of the better ones. And after seeing her during this week's show as a mentor and audience member, I'd like to see her involved in the show more often. What do you think?

1. Lee Dewyze [You're Still the One]: When I heard he was doing this song, I had a feeling he could have the potential to do well, and he definitely did. I'm glad he sang something slower, because it allows us to hear how much his voice has improved. He smiled at times, improving in the personality department. And overall, this was one of his better performances.
2. Michael Lynche [It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing]: He seems to do well sitting down when he's performing (like he did two weeks ago, and at the start here). I found nothing wrong with his voice (soulful as usual). He connected to the song completely, showing vulnerability and emotion.
3. Casey James [Don't]: Casey has been so generic and forgettable lately. But he finally provided a performance worthy of staying on the show. Like Lee, it was a slower song, and he wasn't just singing the song; he was connecting to it and actually taking part in the competition.
4. Crystal Bowersox [No One Needs To Know]: I'm not sure what the original arrangement is like, but I really like the style that she and the band brought to the song. I agree with the judges, though, that it wasn't her best, but that doesn't mean it was bad either, because she is still always good. Plus, she nailed the falsetto.
5. Aaron Kelly [You Got A Way]: I expected him to do well during country week, and while his vocals weren't as perfect as the four that came before him, he still pulled it off really well. I applaud him for not choosing a song that is overwhelmingly well-known, as he is known to do (which is what I usually criticize him for).
6. Siobhan Magnus [Any Man Of Mine]: With the arrangement so overwhelmingly country, her voice didn't mesh well with it. The judges may have loved it, but her voice was off at times. But I liked the ending, though; she hasn't brought out "the note" in a while, and she pulled that off, fortunately.

Favorite Performances: Lee Dewyze / Michael Lynche / Casey James

My Vote(s): Lee Dewyze [20 votes] / Crystal Bowersox [50 votes]

Bottom 3 Predictions: Michael Lynche / Casey James / Aaron Kelly

Elimination Prediction: Michael Lynche

My Season 9 Vote Tracker:

Crystal Bowersox: 285 votes

Lee Dewyze: 65 votes

Siobhan Magnus: 30 votes

Michael Lynche: 15 votes

Total: 395 votes cast so far this season

Right after the show ended, my gut reaction was to choose Aaron as this week's eliminated contestant. But after taking more time to think about it and after reading what the online community had to say, I am choosing Big Bike, even though I do so warily. Even though Siobhan was the worst of the night, she performed last, so the next logical choice would be Aaron (the second worst). There are two factors, though, that I feel may save him. The first is Tim Urban: once Tim left, who did his fans and voters turn to? The most logical choice is Aaron. Who knows if that is enough votes to save him, but I think it does have an impact. The second factor is what he said after his performance. He mentioned that he was performing this for his mother. I'm sure that got a reaction from all the mothers watching the show to vote for him. He may still be in the Bottom 3 (as I predict), but those two factors may save him.

Even though Casey James improved compared to the past couple of weeks, he performed in the middle of the show, which doesn't help him. That is why I believe he will also be in the Bottom 3, but not eliminated.

And that leaves Michael Lynche (I leave out Lee and Crystal for obvious reasons, but this is American Idol; there have been shockers before, as we are all aware of). He gave such a heartfelt, sincere, and vocally perfect performance. But he performed second, which is one of those positions that is near enough to the beginning that could warrant the forgettability factor. Like I said, I don't want to choose him to leave, but it seems very likely. But no matter, it will be either Mike or Aaron.

End Time: 9:01pm - One minute past scheduled end time.

If you want to buy any of the audio or video performances, head on over to TV Watch Online's American Idol on iTunes page. If you don't see this week's links up when viewing that page, they may not be released on iTunes yet. If that is the case, keep checking back.

Tonight, there are four guest performers (four!): Sons of Sylvia, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts and Shakira. Okay, now, I get why the first three are performing (since this is country week), but why Shakira? That seems so odd. Maybe the producers didn't want another group song, so they stuck in a last-minute performer. Also, one more contestant will be eliminated in what is sure to be another episode that runs past its scheduled ending time (with four guest performers, that is sure to happen). See ya then...