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April 21, 2010 American Idol Recap – uninspiring inspirationPosted: 04:02 AM ET
*Note: the "American Idol" recaps are a series of blog posts from "Morning Express with Robin Meade" Technical Director, Keri. Keri knows what every button on that giant panel (above) in the control room does, and she presses most of them while putting "Morning Express" on your TV every day. Keri is also a long-time Idol fan and provides the Morning Express writers and producers (who typically go to bed way too early to watch "Idol" live) with a recap. We get a kick out of Keri's "take" on the show, and thought you might as well. The opinions below are Keri's alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the staff of "Morning Express with Robin Meade" or HLN. Here are her impressions of last night: It is “Idol Gives Back” week, and tonight (Wednesday) we will be treated to a 2-hour star-studded event that will tug on our heartstrings (and purse strings) like no other night of “American Idol.” But first, in keeping with that vibe, the Top 7 sang inspirational songs last night.
I am still reeling from last week’s swirly vortex of light (probably the coolest looking thing I’ve seen on Idol) that left me wishing I could get sucked into that wormhole and deposited in some alternate time or universe where it was still Season 8. But I must get over my nostalgia. And in honor this inspirational week on Idol, I’m going to wipe the slate clean. Start fresh. Forget the past (or try to at least… since I can picture the eye roll of disbelief from my friends & family caused by that last comment). Top 7… I am ready to be inspired! THE INSPIRED (in order of appearance): CRYSTAL: Alicia thinks Crystal is very special. For the first time this season, Crystal was sans instrument. On top of that, she started off “People Get Ready” a cappella. And then she inspired herself into tears and choked up for her ending notes (you could hear how she meant to end it on the rehearsal footage used during the phone numbers montage). Standing ‘O’ from Randy. Kara said they call her MommaSox because she “just schooled all those contestants!” Simon thinks she is “in a completely different class.” Crystal explains she was emotional because her dad was in the audience for the first time. Then she tries to pull the hanky from Ryan’s pocket to dab her tears only to find that it was taped in. “Oh Hollywood,” she exclaims. THE UNINSPIRED (in order of appearance): TIM: He chose “Better Days.” Love the song, but I so wish someone else (anyone else) sang it. Tim always sounds out of breath and never quite finishes the notes. Ellen compared him to the soup of the day… sometimes you like it, sometimes you don’t. Today, she “didn’t like the soup.” Simon feels that Tim has shown improvement over the weeks, but this was “a little bit of a letdown.” AARON: Aaron has been singing “I Believe I Can Fly” since pre-school (not that long ago). Alicia wants him to connect so deeply with the song that it almost makes him cry. Not even close! The vocals were clean, but I think even he fell asleep part of the way through. Really strong ending though. Ellen said there was a brief time in the 70s when she thought she could fly, but thought Aaron was “real good” on a tough song. Kara thought he had trouble taking off but was finally flying by the end. Simon said, in the real world, he would have turned off the radio “within 10 seconds.” SIOBHAN: Alicia advises Siobhan to milk her money notes. Looking like she just exited a butterfly garden with a few stragglers hanging on, Siobhan sang “When You Believe.” It was pretty, but it seems like it takes so much effort to control her voice that I feel uncomfortable watching her. Randy thinks she did “just OK” on the toughest song of the night. Kara felt it was technically well sung but too dramatic. Simon was distracted by the butterflies (which he mistook for leaves), and thought it was “old-fashioned” and “all over the place.” MICHAEL: Alicia wants Mike to take people on a ride. Mike hopes to soar on “Hero.” I was more inspired last week. Ellen thought he did a great job. Kara thinks he made the song “unrecognizable.” Simon thinks he sang it well but felt it was “artificial.” Inspirational songs? I’m not inspired. I tried, really I did. Thank goodness for MommaSox! If the rumors are true that she was thinking of leaving the show, I’m glad she changed her mind. Season 9 without Crystal would be like grilled cheese without the cheese… TOAST! Oh no, did I really just say that? Sorry! On second thought, no lack of cheese here. The “Idol Gives Back” charity event is tonight (Wednesday 4/21). This is the night when Idol reminds us, that after taking our Tuesday and Wednesday nights away, they do actually give back something other than corny coronation songs (thankfully none of which were used to inspire us this week). Lots of stars on tap to perform, though strangely, none of them were mentioned tonight. Ryan has already warned they will go long so set your DVRs accordingly (wish he warned us about going 5 minutes long tonight). Maybe Idol will be too busy giving back and triggering our tear ducts to have a Top 7 group performance. After last week’s Elvis medley agony, I could use a week off. However, they will still have to find time somewhere during the star-studded event to end the journey for one more person when the Top 7 will become the Top 6. Who didn’t inspire you? Posted by: Morning Express Technical Director Keri
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We were introduced to their guest mentor – Alicia Keys. In harmony with this week’s theme, she helps children and families devastated by HIV/AIDS in Africa. Music can make you feel, and after 12 Grammys and 30 million records sold, she wants to help the contestants “bring out that emotion and bring out that truth in a song.” I hope she can.
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