Judging the Judges' Save on American Idol: Did Justice Prevail?
Hooray! Not so much? This week, American Idol's voters grew a pair and almost eliminated a dude. But before that pig could fly, the judges whipped out a pocket veto and fired it square at the showstopping vest of Michael "Big Mike" Lynche, who sang a decent "Eleanor Rigby" this week and still scored the lowest number of votes. The new father Lynche, whose wife enjoyed a very famous cervix during Hollywood Week, lives to meet mentor Adam Lambert. Are we happy for Big Mike's triumph?
After being declared the lowest vote-getter, Lynche sang for his life with a rehashing of "This Woman's Work," which made Kara DioGuardi blubber like a Ted Bundy mistress during the semifinals. He bookended his performance with weird falsettos, and let me confirm: This man is not Minnie Riperton. Why does he go there? Why does he coo little "Dreamlover" squeals? It's cloying and phony and put on and insert your own DioGuardi parallel here.
For the rest of the performance, Michael kept the televangelist harrumphs to a minimum and crooned in tune. It was less a 30-second Cool Whip ad -- Michael's usual domain -- and more a minute-long Jell-O spot set in a film noir cabaret. A step up, in my estimation. Truth be told, Michael deserves to stay more than Tim Urban and Katie Stevens, and on those grounds his save is not unexpected. My issue with his comeback is the judges' fixation on Michael and his potential in the competition. Because that punchline's as glaring as Rihanna's laminated catsuit.
For all of the judges' hooting, hollering, and weeping, Michael is the least contemporary performer in the Top 9. Even Lacey Brown and her wretched "Landslide" rendition were more radio-ready in 2010 than Lynche, whose wheelhouse of über-dated soul (He's exhumed Percy Sledge and James Brown, plus a dud India.Arie ballad.) is even less in touch with the Billboard world than doomed semifinalist John Park. And he made John Mayer's "Gravity" sound like an Amy Grant deep cut! Hilarious! Also frustrating: Simon Cowell's continued harangues of contestants like Didi Benami and Andrew Garcia for "dated" song choices when their Hellman's Lite acoustics are far more saleable than Lynche's soul shtick. For those who may have forgotten, the three vocalists with soul chops to win American Idol are Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, and Taylor Hicks. Slow clap for those memories. We'd all be dears and magical idiots not to consider their careers foreshadowing for Michael's post-Idol trajectory.
Worst of all: Did you take a trip to the vomitroium when the judges hugged and kissed each other after saving Michael? It looked like Kara had dialed 1-800-GO-RICKI and finally reunited with estranged relatives after a will dispute. Maybe jilted nephew Randy called her a ho and they just moved to different parts of Wisconsin after that, you know? Anyway. Their self-congratulatory embraces uglied the episode for me. The judges were applauding their own willingness to save an underdog, not Michael himself. Disappointing -- especially from Kara, the hit-making brains of the group who understands how Pussycat Dolls work.
At this point, the show's actual underdog is a focus on who has an honest chance of winning airtime alongside the Ke$has, Ushers, and Taylor Swifts of our tightly choreographed radioland. But who knows. If Jason Derulo can moonwalk on American Idol and seem "current," maybe Michael's ancient tastes aren't as hopeless as this show's history implies.
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Comments
American Idol almost lost one of the best singers they have had. Michael sings just like Barry White. He is one of the most talented people on the show!
I found it interesting that Michael, who earlier seemed like he'd surely coast into the top 3, suddenly got voted off exactly one week after Ruben Studdard made his perennial appearance. Talk about the big elephant in the room! The moment Ruben stepped onstage, like a sobering slap across the audience's face, it instantly became vividly clear that Michael's career potential is identical to Ruben's - which, as we've seen, ain't really that much.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion...but the writer of this article in MY OPINION..is hating on soul singers!! Perhaps his racism has influenced his musical taste...whatever...Michael Lynch is great and according to the other contestants..has a great personality too. The writer should work on his.
Wow – what a night. Shocking doesn’t describe it. I definitely did not think that Michael would be eliminated – and I also don’t think the judges used the save properly. Michael’s now damaged goods – he’ll be going home next week or the week after anyway. The more interesting detail about last night? Katie & Tim’s avoiding the bottom 3 – could they possibly be dark horses this season? More analysis: http://thesmogger.com/2010/04/08/idol-hangover-and-then-there-were-9-again/
Michael Lynch is not good at all. The judges should of not saved him. He is not a good singer if you listen every song sounds the same. He changes nothing. He needs to go,,,,,,,,,,but as you know why he was saved. It sure wasn't because he could sing. And his smart attitude caused him to lose. He thought he had it all tied up. He needs to go home and sing to his baby and get another career.
nicolle - obviously you are racist, cuz you dare to not like the black guy..................just ask lois or obama, cuz you dare to critique a person of color, you have no right to live. yuk, yuk, yuk
Mike was great! Remember, he got good reviews from everyone but simon. He has been one of the best performers through out the season. Tim sounds the same and boring every week. He's still there because he looks good. Andrew should have went home because they have given him chance after chance and he is not consistant. He sounds the same with every song he sings and most of the time it doesn't fit his voice. Mike isn't the best singer, but he doesn't deserve to go home so soon. He should make the top 5 at lease. Go Big Mike!
Big mike is sooooooo mulktitalented and should have been saved. He probably wont win but that is a good thing most non-winners have been become more famous than the winners. All he wants is a contract and I believe he will get one and become another rich entertainer.Go Mike you are in my prayers
I think Big Mike's shoulders are broad enough to take the flack Ha HA
i disagree. mike is comp. he is neosoul. it is not motown, ruben, or old school. the artists he choses are very compt, india arie, maxwell. please stop labeling him.
I could nto agree with you more. You are right on the money. Lynch is so bad I actuall have to mute or fast forward. Horrible, awful, nothing but bad vibrato all the way through a song, with no tune. And his DANCING or writhing or waddling, or whatever is like a whale on dry land. Oh well , he should be gone this week at the latest, no more saves....
I think Michael is just an average singer and I would never buy any of his records.I think he should have not been saved.
I DONT LIKE IT WHEN THE AUDIENCE CALL IN. LET THE JUDGES PICK. BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF GOOD TALENT GOT VOTED OFF. IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. TO LET MICHAL CONTINUE, BUT YOU GUYS NEED TO CHANGE THIS THING OF HOW YOU ALLOW THE AUDEIENCE GET IN THE VOTING. I WILL NOT WATCH AMERICAN IDOL AS LONG AS THEY DO THIS NONE SENSE. THATS WHY YOU HAVE JUDGES. NOW USE THEM/
the problem with saving Michael ( besides the fact he wasnt worth it) is that when a REAL talent gets voted off, like siobhan or crystal, there will be no chance to save them. and lets be real here- the judges saved him in large part because the show did not want to lose its last black contestant so early in the process. go siobhan, the only real artist on the show thats interesting
I am sorry to say Lynche should not have been saved by the judges. He has a "Platters" kind of voice, more suited do Doo Wop rather than mashing Beatles numbers beyond appreciation. Kudos to him for lasting so long; I think he should be done this week. My humble opinion stretches to Siobhan being the outright winner. She is the only singer with "star" glitter, quirky, different and blessed with a passionate voice capable of rendering most songs. Her nearest rival is Crystal if you like Joplin and retro protest warblers.
The judges got it wrong. This chunky donkey was NOT worth saving - they needed to save that "save" for my favorite... the wierd quirky chick in case she gets in trouble later. I was unpleasantly surprised by the save. Shame on you Simon...u knew he wasn't worth it!
I was very happy about the judges decision to keep Michael.
this guy was pounding his chest like a gorilla in the zoo. any respect for that crap is over for me. hope he gets booted. lousy ass attitude from this guy. what the hell was he pounding his chest for anyway.
Big Mike would be fine if it was 1960 but it's not!! It's 2010 and he either needs to get current or he needs outta there. Hopefully, that'll happen this week and the judges will be stuck with a wasted save. In my opinion, after seeing this since Season 4, I firmly believe that it doesn't matter what happens, what the voting numbers are or anything else. The idol is picked and now it's just a matter of entertaining the audience by building suspense, having big surprise vote offs, bringing one back.. awww the suspense! Who have they picked this year... haha like we haven't guessed.. right!!
The judges were right in saving Mike. He is a good singer, probably will not win but definitely better than Tim, Andrew or Katie. As for Siobahn, she has the best voice but is a big baby! She cannot take criticism and immediately gets stone faced when anyone gives her any negative feedback. If she keeps up her attitude, she should not win either.
Ole' Mike should have gone. The idiot judges, as some have stated, wanted to keep the last black from leaving. And you idiots who are playing the race card continue to do it when a black is considered unworthy. I think everyone knows the 2 best singers are Crystal and Sioban. We are looking for an idol here, Mike hardly fits the spot.
Speaking as a white female in america,,i feel so sorry for peoples who can't be true to their own feelings as well as other human beings. Mike is by far one of the best singers i seen on american idol is a long time,,,and to me,,it would have been unjust to not have saved him. For all you peoples who are not of colors like me,,,,do this,,,,,close your eyes,,,,hear him sing,,,and then ask if he deserves to have been save,,,if you come up with anything other yes,,,,then you my friend needs to ask God to give you a new heart,,,becuse the you have is defected.
Sorry, but Michael can't touch Barry White. For such a big guy, Michael's voice is surprisingly weak, high, nasal, and reedy. His treatment of Eleanor Rigby however, was brilliant. He did not deserve to go that week.
I have to put *mute* on when this guy starts. I cannot deal with him and he is not going to win. Why they saved him last week is beyond me.
American Idol is not about being BLACK, WHITE, or what ever race ! It is about talent. It seems who ever wrote this commet has the problem with race not the judges!!!!!!!!!!!!
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