What About Bob

I was a little surprised by Carly Smithson getting voted off last week. We are down to the top 5, so every week from now on could produce a surprise. At the beginning of the season, FOX boasted that the talent was better this year. As much as I like the 3 boys left, these top 5 are not better than any of the previous years. In fact, I might put them at the bottom.

Tonight was Neil Diamond night! Every year, half of us decide that tonight would be a good night to turn off the TV and go out. The other half of us gets really excited with anticipation.
In 1991 there was a movie called "What About Bob?" In the movie Bob claims that his marriage failed due to his wife's love of Neil Diamond. There are two types of people in the world: those that love Neil Diamond and those that hate him.

Diamond has been performing longer than most of us have been alive. I'm not sure that the Idols even know who he is. Diamond is third behind Elton John (why can't we have another Elton night?) and Barbara Streisand on the Billboard chart for worldwide record sales. I wonder why they still call them records? I guess it's like us still calling it dialing a phone.

Not only was Neil Diamond the mentor, but the Idols sang two of his songs. Except for the two Davids, it's a good thing they did, because the other 3 just sucked on their first song. This was probably the worst show of the entire season. Here's how I rated them:

1. David Cook's "I'm Alive" easily could have been recorded tonight and put on a CD or a record. He sang his second song "All I Really Need Is You", directly to me personally.

2. David Archuleta's second song "America" was brilliant. He knows how to play the game and he knows how to sing a song like it's supposed to be sung. He tells the story, and he had the emotion it needed. His first song "Sweet Caroline" was only that, sweet.

3. Seyesha Mercado, showed that she has grown more than any of the Idols, her spiritual and rock rendition of "Thank the Lord for the Nightime", was great. "Hello Again", was boring but face it, it's a boring song. Simon is wrong tonight, Seyesha will move on.

4. Brooke White's "I Am I Said", was the best I have ever heard from her. This is the highest I have ever rated Brooke. She might be in trouble tonight, though. Her "I'm A Believer" made me wish the Monkees would have made a guest appearance. Are they still alive?

5. Jason Castro. This is sad, I have never rated him this low. "Forever In Blue Jeans" made me think he will never be successful enough to afford anything but jeans. "September Morn" felt just like that, cold and emotionless. He was boring just like the entire show, but he certainly was the most boring. Not sure if his eyes and sex appeal will move him past the week.

After sitting through an hour of Young Cute People doing Neil Diamond, I hope your relationship doesn't end. Of course if it included David Cook and/or (preferably and) Jason, then I might be tempted.

Until Next Week - Wise OUT