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
To all you guys who think that BIG MIKE should have been sent home, You are so wrong. They sent the one who can sing and keep the one who can't sing on the show. take for instance the young 16 yr old boy who can't sing for trying and also the young man that they like with the stupid smile he can't sing either these two should have been sent home. So what is wrong with this PICTURE. I will not watch American Idiol after this year. I think the winners will be Krystal or Michael I HOPE.....
Eh, stop hating. Everyone has their own favorite. If you can do any better, go audition and stop bitching.
Big Mike should have gone home, he cost two other people to go home and I hope that he knows that becuase of him someone elses dreams were shattered.
Why bring RACE into it??? This is getting TOOOO Old & everyone is soooo sick of hearing about it. Everyone has to move on. Please do!!!
Michael is an ok singer, just nothing special. Crystal has something going on & I think she will be our New AI. Oh and FYI I thought Jennifer Hudson was one of the greatest, but Fantasia, she was a screamer. Just sayin.
America idol is alomst lost one of the best but thanks to the judge he is save I hope the people is america learn how to vote becase yesterday they also lost one of the best girl Kate was really dessapoitte people vote for the talet no for owho ever you like
I think just the opposite. The judges give mixed signals & most of it sounds the same every week. They actually have trouble coming up with anything useful to say. They totally bore me. I say get rid of ALL the judges, keep Ryan Seacrest & have America vote each week.
Mike will never be the American Idol, so saving him was a stunt to make the show interesting. The judges no this year is terrible. Put it this way. Would any of you pay money to buy a cd by Mike Lynch, or pay to see him in concert. NO WAY!
True, he'll never be a best-selling recording artist.
But mark my words: Michael will be a Broadway musical actor/singer within 5 years. Sure, he'll begin as Pontius Pilate in an Orlando production of Jesus Christ Superstar and go through some minor gigs, but, in short order, he'll be appearing in The Lion King on Broadway. Give him a few more years and he'll play film bodygards and toughs.
Ruben, the poster-boy for bariatric surgery is, truth be told, an idiot. Hicks was a poseur. Fantasia is just not attractive enough, not a great face for the screen. (Just look at 4th-place, Season 3 loser Jennifer Hudson.) Michael has pizzazz and stage presence in abundance. He's good looking, smart, and has a good TV personality.
I'm a music professional. I know what I'm talking about. Mark my words.
I'man older white feamale, age 61, and yes, I watch American Idol. I was so happy when Michael was voted off and so unhappy when the judges saved him. I have not liked him from the start. The baby drama was the first thing that was getting boring. I'm sick of contestants that have children and this seems to be some big accomplishment that we should all take into consideration. After that sort of died down, it was week after week of the same old droning songs from him. The worst thing about "Big Mike" is that he thought he had it going on and I thought he acted very cocky as the weeks wore on. I think he wears that same jacket almost all the time, has a stupid Harley chain hanging off his hip, licks his lips all the time and is morbidly obese. He waddles when he walks and is a SWEATHOG. He is not my idea of an American Idol. One last note: all you people who post comments should really proofread your text. Either you can't spell, have only learned 3rd grade grammer or don't know how to talk. I'm embarrased for you.
He sucks like Ruben Studdard!! Hes there still because hes black and all the blacks will cry racism if there are no blacks left..he will be gone soon and thank god for that!
I believe they wasted a save Michael should of been gone last night he
just doesnt get it with me. Sure wish Kelly had another chance, the save would of been a better place in a week or 2. The panel jumped to quickly.
i was glad when the judges saved Big Mike,He has great pizazz and great singing voice,If anything they need to vote Tim off next before anyone else goes,he can go only so far with the voice he has which is not bad but not good enough,compared to the other talent.
It's "grammar," Marge. Grammar. And you're the typical Idol watcher: white spinster from the Midwest, eating Cheez-its by the boxload, getting teary-eyed for the likes of Adam Lambert. Typical.
I think Big Mike butchered the song Eleanor Rigby. Not too sure he did anything good for IN The Ghetto either. He should not have been saved in my opinion.
Im not going off of race but off talent and even thought i agree that Mike aint the best singer he definately should not have been the one who was almost gone cuz there are definately at least two contestance who shuda ben gone long time ago i really dont care what color rhe singers are just let them be able to sing
i do not believe they should have saved mike or anyone else this is american idol not judges idol so let the votes speak for themselves.
The judges shouldve saved the save for this up comming week for someone who would deserve it more. Mike is average at best and isnt going to be the idol this year. I was really surprised to even see him in the top 20. There was a lot of good talent let go for one reason or another. Mike thinks hes really something and isnt very humble. He comes off too pushy for someone with such a weak voice
Why would the show engage the judges to veto what an astute, observing audience was able to identify with. Lynche does not belong in the top 30, much less the top 12. He should have received the "boot" long ago. Not only is he the same ridiculous time & again pseudo-crooner, but as well exudes a looking down his nose at the audience & judges attitude. Get rid of this bozo.
I AGREE TOTALLY
Justice Prevails...I don't think so...The viewers voted...BIG MIKE should go....one way ticket back home!
Yes Micheal deserved the safe. If anone should have been picked it should have been Tim.
Thank God there are still people like you around to answer some of these absurd comments. I think Michael is a very talented guy and will probably do very well even if he doesn't win this competition, because people in the know recognize true talent. It may interest some of these critics in their living rooms that he is not the kind of person they perceive him to be. There are at least 4 or 5 others who should probably be boosted before Michael. He is my #1 choice...always gives a good performance, sometimes great..he is consistent. I like Mike. Go Michael!!!!
Mike should have been gone long time ago. The judges are idiot to save him. I'm tired of Ryan mentioned Mike's baby. PLease send him home this week!!!
Mike, as has been pointed out is current, he killed This Is A Man's World, and made it sound current. I've noticed that those people who make the most nasty comments about Mike aren't equal opportunity haters. For instance Tim Urban anyone who thinks this guy is going to be a big star is smoking their socks period! Katie is perfect for a Disney career, which could take her anywhere. Aaron like Paige has allowed the judges with their mixed messages to erode their confidence so they probably shouldn't be professional singers. Siobhan sings through her nose and loses the melody on her screaming big notes, she isn't soulful. Crystal is a star. Casey will front a band and do just fine. Lee is as exciting as paint drying, I thought he was coming out of the shell but he isn't comfortable performing, which is uncomfortable to watch.
Ultimately AI judges are music industry insiders and they determine what we want to hear not the other way around. That is how and why Mike who was hugely popular did an abrupt about face. Anyone who has watched this show from the start knows the drill they choose a contestant to hammer week after week until the audience turns on them. They did it to Jennifer Hudson and Daughtry who never looked back. Mike has the confidence and talent to be very successful too. As to former idols, Fantasia does just fine on urban radio, kind of like Kelly Pickler does on country stations it's called know your audience. You can count the artists with crossover appeal on both hands, meaning it's a very small club of which only Jordin Sparks and Carrie Underwood can be heard on both urban and pop stations or pop and country stations.
C'mon give me a break with that Mike. He is in love with himself.
Don't know why. He is not even in the same league as the remaining contestants. He should NOT have been saved. He should be GONE!!!
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