American Idol: Harry Situation

I’m a bit more forgiving when it comes to Frank Sinatra Week (or Rat Pack Week or Big Band Week or whatever euphemism the show’s producers want to use to cover up for the fact that they ran out of ideas for theme nights four years ago) on “American Idol.”

I’ve been swing dancing for the better part of eight years, so the music from that era pretty much gets me moving involuntarily.

Even with the deck stacked in the show’s favor, and despite the presence of an energetic, charismatic and truly involved (maybe TOO involved) guest mentor, I still feel like “American Idol” came up short last night.

I’m guessing the big reason is that I just don’t feel all the love for Lee DeWyze.

Yes, he seems like a nice enough/humble guy. Yes, he’s noticeably improved his stage presence. (Before, it was more of a “stage absence.”) And, yes, I can objectively see that he has the most distinctive, radio-friendly tone out of all the remaining finalists. (Even if I’m not personally a fan of his constipated/strained singing.)

Still, for whatever reason, I just can’t shake the feeling that the judges are going out of their way to prop this guy up to be more than what he really is. (It’s pretty much the exact opposite of how they treated Kris Allen — I’m betting Simon is still trying to figure out how Kris won.)

I mean, I liked mini-Connick Jr’s take on “That’s Life” just fine. I REALLY liked that (although he still appears nervous), he was visibly feeling the song on stage. I just wish the judges would call him out on his occasional pitch problems or the fact that much of his first verse was unintelligible or, you know, ANYTHING. Again, Lee is a nice guy and he’s a good singer, but he’s not the do-no-wrong superstar the judges seem to be treating him like.

Of course, there’s a realistic chance that Lee can win – I can’t say the same for the likes of Aaron Kelly and Casey James.

I wouldn’t have included Casey James in that sentence before last night, but his cover of “Blue Skies” was absolutely brutal. (Not quite Paige Miles-brutal, but still…) His first note was off, he looked lost without his guitar (dude needed a mic stand to anchor him) and the judges (or at least Kara) finally noticed his goat-like tone when he holds out a note. Just not a good night for Mr. James, though judging from how Simon’s joke about him having a gig ready next Tuesday bombed, I’m not surprised he was able to avoid the bottom two.

Instead, it was Aaron who went home after a particularly lifeless take on “Fly Me to the Moon.” Besides not at all adapting his style to the night’s musical theme (other than ditching the tragically “edgy” hairstyle he usually sports), he seemed completely disconnected from the lyrics. More annoyingly, his movements on stage seem to be completely on autopilot. He reminds me of a videogame avatar in the Karaoke Revolution videogame I used to play. Ok, that’s not true – I still play that game.

That means former ninth place finisher Michael Lynche will likely live to see another week. There’s not much to say about his cover of “The Way You Look Tonight.” The week’s theme was, indeed, in his “wheelhouse” (as, I’m sure, Randy reminded himself to point out hours before the telecast) and he was solid. Unfortunately, that also means he didn’t do anything particularly surprising or exciting. Still, in a season with this many ups and downs, being safe and steady isn’t the worst thing in the world. (In fact, it appears to be encouraged.)

At least it certainly seems like the judges aren’t enjoying (and are even resenting) The Crystal Bowersox Show.

Sure, it’s a bit presumptuous of someone on an amateur singing competition to try to bend said competition to their will instead of “playing the game.” (Kind of the same way it was obnoxious for Emilio to put his “E.Sosa” print on his own fabric this past season on “Project Runway.”) However, I actually dig the fact that last week she was the leader of a country quartet, and this week she was a jazz singer. (And did both just as credibly.)

The problem last night (other than her first verse sounding shaky and nervous) is that Crystal continues to put herself in the no-win situation of looking like a know-it-all. Granted, it’s incredibly tempting to talk back to this group of judges (since they have no idea what they’re talking about), but as ridiculous as they are, they DO have credibility in the music industry. They have credibility that Crystal doesn’t have. What I’m saying is that – despite her relatively even-tempered and thoughtful rebuttals and her refreshing refusal to submit to the big-note status quo – it would probably be better for her voting prospects if she just shushed while the judges were talking. (All bets are off during the post-performance interview with Seacrest.)

So what’d you think of this episode? Was there too much Harry Connick Jr., not enough or just the right amount? (This crop of finalists is so boring, I’ll take as much Connick as I can get.) Why was Anthony Hopkins there? Finally, where do you think is Simon going to keep that monogrammed Sinatra hankie? (In his V-neck t-shirt pocket?)