One thing I gotta say – James Durbin is fearless! And he’s definitely an “original”. He decides what he wants to sing and how he wants it sung and I certainly agree with him that he’s the best judge to decide that – not Jimmy Iovine, not the judges and certainly not the public. He’s on “American Idol” not only to win but to let us know that he’s not playing “music politics” which is pretty evident this season.

Just look at all the other contestants – completely confused with what is expected of them. With all the garbage dumped on them week after week, it’s no wonder that they can’t perform to their best. Everyone else is apparently making decisions for them. Song choices were being critiqued and we see Jimmy Iovine and will.i.am. of the Black Eyed Peas giving their so-called “professional” advice. Are they really thinking about these poor naïve contestants or are they looking at a different scenario altogether?

Being successful in the music industry does not necessarily make them “experts” in bringing out the best in the “AI” contestants as evident in the performances after some of their ill-advised remarks. I think these 2 are going way overboard in pressuring the contestants to do it their way. The result? Performances that are both unsatisfactory and unsuited to the raw talents that are still embedded within each and every one of the remaining contestants.

And what about the judges? I think I’m growing more and more weary from hearing all the senseless high praises dished out by all 3. J.Lo is becoming such a disappointment as a judge. What happened to the old J.Lo who started off this season with accurate critiques and genuine compliments. Now it’s like a clone in her place – one that looks like she’s reading from a script. And Steven Tyler – where’s all the earlier catchy phrases and creative liners? And don’t let me get started on Randy Jackson. I’m getting so tired of his repeated phrases. I think he’s been on this show far too long – he seems to be running out of new words.

Next year, the powers-that-be should seriously re-vamp the show, notably the judging panel. Again, I have to say: I miss dear ol’ Simon Cowell and his sharp tongue!! But most of all, I miss his honesty, his smartness and his wit.

Tonight’s theme being “Movies Night” is once again a mega flop! Only my man James Durbin and surprisingly Haley Reinhart made my day.

Let’s start with James. Yes, my man is at it again – bringing on another surprise. This time, he “rocks” with the sound of heavy metal. Much against Jimmy’s advice, he went ahead and selected “Heavy Metal” after telling the audience to “Give Metal a chance”. Although I’m no heavy metal fan, I can certainly “groove” to the night when James took to the stage with Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist) accompanying him on the guitar. And what a show it was!! A rollicking performance on par with the best of them.

Yes, James Durbin is here to win – not only the “American Idol” title, but the American hearts and those outside the U S of A as well!! This is a guy worth rooting for – he has the heart and soul of a
fighter. He sings for the sheer joy of singing and he performs for the sheer pleasure of entertainment. Once again, he owns the night!!

After Haley Reinhart finished her song, I was agitated with the judges because they slaughtered her take on “Call Me”. Tonight was the second time that I actually loved this girl’s performance and for the judges to put her down was totally unfair. All this while, she looks uncomfortable with employing her sexy, sassy, jazzy, husky voice whenever she puts on a performance. But tonight, everything seems to come together as she effortlessly moved about the stage. She was natural for the first time ever and she slayed the song! And what did she get for her trouble? She was the ONLY contestant to be critiqued by the judges.

Shame on you J.Lo! Shame on you Steven Tyler!! And especially shame on you Randy Jackson!!! You had the most years on this reality show and yet you suck tonight!!! In fact, all of the judges did! Giving nauseating praises when the performances were just “okay” and putting down a contestant who had been bravely struggling under the spotlight of being in the bottom 3 for the past few weeks. What’s going on here? I smell a “conspiracy theory”. Will the American voters be fooled?? I certainly hope not.

Anyway, here’s how the rest of the remaining contestants did. Paul McDonald’s glittering suit “stood out” more than his singing. What more can I say? Although his rendition of “Old Time Rock ‘N’ Roll” was alright, it was by no means great and I personally feel that he’s getting a little stale and boring although I still enjoy him prancing about the stage.

Lauren Alaina singing better than Miley Cyrus on “The Climb”? Are you kidding me? Even though I’m no fan of Miley, she at least could make her voice sound heartfelt or upbeat depending on which songs she’s belting. For a kid, Lauren is certainly not behaving like one. She does not exude “innocence” which might “connect” to the audience. Thank God she’s now sporting a straight hair look. When she had curls, she looked years older and most inappropriate for a young girl her age.

Someone should tell Stefano Langone that his hairstyle doesn’t bring out the best in him. Although I’m no stylist, I feel that if he sported a longer mop of hair, he might look a little more boyish and appealing. As it is, he’s looking and sounding more desperate whenever he comes on stage as well as on his commentaries. His delivery of “End Of The Road” was not pleasant to my ears. Sorry dude!!

Scotty McCreery had actually selected “Everybody’s Talkin’” for this week’s performance. However, he ended up singing a boring number “Cross My Heart” and although he sang it well, I wish he had taken on his first choice.

Casey Abrams went a little over-the-top with “Nature Boy” – not exactly my “cup of tea” but what can we do with a guy like Casey?

Jacob Lusk murdered Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and yet the judges were singing high praises for one of their favorites. It’s just so unfair, don’t you think?

I am inserting Hayley’s videoclip because I feel that my readers should “judge” for themselves if she had done a good job this week or you’d rather agree with the judges? Huh, huh??