American Idol: Three's a Crowd

Maybe it’s my own fault.

Maybe I’ve mentally and emotionally checked out of this season of “American Idol” to the point that it’s simply not possible for me to enjoy any episode this season.

This wouldn’t be the first time this has happened with one of my favored shows. It wouldn’t even be the first time it’s happened lately. For example, things were pretty touch-and-go for a while in the eighth (and final) season of “24”, before a whiplash-like turnaround in excitement and quality (if not believability). More shockingly, the latest cycle of “America’s Top Model” was absolutely horrendous, yet somehow managed to produce a season finale that was shockingly compelling.

Who knows? Maybe next week’s “Idol” finale will produce a similar turnaround and absolutely blow all our minds. However, I just don’t see it. A year or two from now, I just can’t imagine skimming YouTube (or whatever we’ll be using by that time) for clips of “American Idol” season 9 performances. (And, no — “Pants on the Ground” does NOT count!)

What I’m taking a really long time to say is that I do NOT approve of a season where Lee DeWyze is the apparent front-runner/inevitable winner.

No offense to the guy, who I’ve been assured (by Simon) is a “fantastic singer and a great person.” (Huh?!) I also hate to hate on Lee because he was the undisputable star of Top 3 week. (Although with the pimp slot and elaborate production numbers featuring gospel choirs, it was kinda hard NOT to be.)

Lee very well may be the best this season has to offer. The problem is that calling oneself “American Idol Season 9 champion” is akin to being the tallest guy at a midget convention. (There’s a Ryan Seacrest joke in there somewhere.)

Although his vocals have been somewhat up and down all season (and his stage presence has mostly been down) Lee actually delivered on both fronts last night in each performance.

His “Simple Man” was a terrific choice for him (Lee’s underrated skill — “Kiss from a Rose” notwithstanding — has been picking songs that he likes and are good for his voice) and he sang it pretty well. I wouldn’t call it a wow, but it was a solid B+.

However, his performance of “Hallelujah” (which Simon handpicked for him) was destined to be wildly overhyped from the beginning. The judges have been straining to create a capital-M “Moment” this season, and it all (not really) came together in this performance. The beatific horn was there. The dramatic lighting was there. The gospel choir was there (and partly drowning Lee out). The only thing missing was an angel descending from atop the stage and releasing a dove with Lee’s 866-number tied to its tiny talon. All kidding aside, it would’ve been nice to see at least one of the judges take a break from basking in Lee’s glow and point out that he totally pulled out early on that last note.

That being said, Lee WAS the clear winner of the night. I just think that says more about his competition than it does about Lee.

Crystal picked “Come to My Window”, and at first I thought that was a strong choice. That was before I realized Crystal wouldn’t really be bringing anything new to the arrangement besides unnecessarily changing up the melody. (Stripping it down to its acoustic bones, as Kara suggested, would’ve been better.) Hands down the most disappointing performance of the evening.

Fortunately, she somewhat redeemed herself with her performance of “Maybe I’m Amazed”, which was selected by Ellen DeGeneres. It was nice to see her ditch the guitar and it was REALLY good to see her deliver a thoroughly ferocious vocal. However, the way she meandered from one part of the stage to the area behind the judges’ table was Katie Stevens-esque. I also have no idea why she decided to dress up as some sort of post-apocalyptic goth to sing the Paul McCartney ditty.

Finally, there’s Casey “Shoot Me Now” James. The guy seemed barely ready to start singing when Ryan threw it to him during the evening’s first performance, a cover of Eric Hutchinson’s “Ok, It’s Alright With Me.” It was a cool song choice from the Cool, Texas native, but it couldn’t possibly help Casey deliver the earth-shattering performance he needed to usurp Crystal or Lee for a spot in the finals. (Then again, it’s been established that Casey isn’t really trying anymore, so it doesn’t matter.)

After that, he took on John Mayer’s “Daughters” because, apparently, Randy and Kara think he should only target female listeners. (I don’t have the music industry cred those two do, but is it really smart to chop your potential audience in half like that?!) Casey’s vocal started out a bit rough (par for the course), but he recovered enough to deliver a decent vocal. Unfortunately, his guitar playing once again overshadowed his voice. I mean, as Simon pointed out, that song’s climax is a guitar solo. I also don’t know that Casey should even go the John Mayer route — he seems like an older (musical) soul than that.

While Casey is almost certainly done on “Idol” this year, but he’d be a shoo-in for the finals of “Guitar Hero Idol.”

So what’d you think of this episode? Did you enjoy the contestants or the judges’ choices more? What would happen if Casey James makes it to next week? Finally, is Lee the front-runner in your mind? (And does he WANT to be the front-runner, given that the front-runner the last few years has lost.)