I actually predicted the entire bottom three to my family before the show started tonight, and predicted that Casey would be the one voted off, AND that they’d save him.
This is the way I saw it -
Stefano was going to the bottom three because he sucked. His phrasing was all wrong, and it looked like he was trying to kill the audience with that song. It was just bad all around, even though he hit the notes.
Thia was going to the bottom three because, even though she’s a good singer, she’s one of those singers that doesn’t inspire anyone to really love her. She’s bland, she’s forgettable, and she’s not a sex symbol. She was better than a couple of the other girls, but they were more memorable because of their looks or attitude.
Casey was going to the bottom three because honestly it was a mediocre performance, and I think the way he growls everything is getting old. He’s starting to look like a one-trick pony with a not-very-good voice. That, and his aggressive mannerisms and constant mugging for the camera made him fodder for elimination tonight.
Furthermore, I don’t think they should have saved him, because I don’t think he’s going to last much longer anyway. I predict he brings out the upright bass again next week, because the only ‘moments’ he’s had on this show were those performances where he stripped back the song and performed with his bass. That’ll get him through a week or two, but in the end I don’t think he’s got the versatility to make it to the end.
I wonder if he’s got more musical chops hidden away that we haven’t seen yet. I was baffled by Randy’s comment a few weeks ago about how he was the best pure musician the show has ever had - Casey James showed a lot of musicianship last year - a lot more than what we’ve seen from this Casey so far. So maybe he’s got more in reserve that he was holding back for later rounds and just blew his timing on when to bring out the big guns. If he doesn’t, then Randy needs to get some perspective.
As for last night, I thought James was the best, followed by Pia on sheer vocal ability and Jacob. And honestly, I think that’s your final 3 for American Idol this year unless someone else really steps it up.
The rest of them are increasingly becoming forgettable. Paul was better last night than he was the week before, and if he keeps performing like that he should last a few more rounds. I think Haley and Stefano are real wild cards - both of them have the ability to drag out a really good performance with the right material, but they both have the ability to fall flat on their faces, too.
Naima was saved tonight by the fact that the theme was right in her wheelhouse. But I predict another trainwreck from her in the coming week or two. Lauren is probably the weakest of all the female singers, and isn’t long for this show. Scotty will probably stick around because he stays right in his comfort zone and that’s a zone that a lot of middle America likes, even if it gives me heartburn.
Next week I think two have to be voted off because of the save this week. That’s really dangerous, because it’s easy for a great singer to land in the bottom three in a week when the votes are close. Casey’s save could wind up killing someone like Pia or James if they have a bad week.
Anyway, the show was pretty entertaining tonight. Lots of twists and cameos. And that thing with Casey at the end was really weird. If that wasn’t an act on his part, then he’s a pretty unstable little dude. After hearing that he’s been hospitalized twice already during the show (once requiring a full blood transfusion), I had images of blood rushing out of his nose and mouth there for a minute when he kept putting his hands to his mouth and then looking at them, like he was checking to see if he was bleeding. Very strange. And it looked like he came close to passing out.