American Idol's theme weeks this season have unevenly suited the contestants. Rolling Stones week is an obvious fit for Lee DeWyze, but a weak choice for then-eliminated Lacey Brown. Shania Twain week (tonight's episode) is the first theme to ever come close to suiting Aaron Kelly, while Michael Lynche is already preparing his "Goodbye, America" speech. It's time for a change. Here are five themes that don't skew towards one particular contestant -- and don't worry, I've done the heavy lifting and chosen songs for each singer. Caution: Kid Rock, Salt-N-Pepa, and major DioGuardi props ahead!
1. "Songs By Your Musical Heroes" Week
The weekly pre-performance clips haven't done much to make us adore these contestants. If they perform tracks by their favorite music icons, we may appreciate them with some depth. In case the warblers are short on musical icons, I've suggested one for each contestant.
Crystal: "Chuck E.'s in Love" by Rickie Lee Jones
Lee: "Alive" by Pearl Jam
Siobhan: "Brass in Pocket" by The Pretenders
Aaron: "Witchy Woman" by The Eagles
Michael: "(Untitled) How Does It Feel" by D'Angelo
Casey: "Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis
2. "Duet with Eliminated Contestant" Week
Pairing the remaining singers with eliminated contestants might show off a knack for stage dynamics that we haven't seen so far. Plus, it'd prepare everyone for some inevitable items on the Idol tour -- and re-instill hope in some of the unjustly evicted.
Crystal: "True Colors" (Cyndi Lauper) with Didi Benami
Lee: "Wanted Dead or Alive" (Bon Jovi) with Andrew Garcia
Siobhan: "Coat of Many Colors" (Dolly Parton) with Lilly Scott
Aaron: "Picture" (Kid Rock/Sheryl Crow) with Lacey Brown
Michael: "When Will I Be Loved" (Linda Ronstadt) with Michelle Delamor
Casey: "Big Yellow Taxi" (Joni Mitchell) with Katelyn Epperly
3. "Wild Card" Night
The best way to make the idols reach out of their comfort zone is to... ask them to reach out of their comfort zone. On "Wild Card" night, everyone would select a purposely ill-fitting genre of music and make it work with his/her personal style. The triumphs would titillate and the disasters would be even better.
Crystal: "Everything is Everything" by Lauryn Hill
Lee: "What's Love Got to Do With It" by Tina Turner
Siobhan: "Shoop" by Salt-N-Pepa
Aaron: "Tell It to My Heart" by Taylor Dayne
Michael: "Don't Speak" by No Doubt
Casey: "Hand on Your Heart" by Kylie Minogue
4. "Your High School Prom" Week
Whether you attended prom or not, the dance anthems and ballads that played at prom said something about your class, your pop culture landscape, and the generational zeitgeist. In a twist on the usual "Year You Were Born" theme, this would acquaint us with songs the contestants associate with coming of age.
Crystal: "I'm With You" by Avril Lavigne (2003)
Lee: "The Reason" by Hoobastank (2004)
Siobhan: "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis (2008)
Aaron: "Fearless"* by Taylor Swift (2010, the future)
Michael: "Gone" by *NSYNC (2001)
Casey: "Beautiful Day" by U2 (2001)
- There would be a slight alteration to the "wear my best dress" line -- or least I'd think so.
5. Kara DioGuardi Night
Nay-say though you will, the undervalued panelist has written an epic batch of pop hits. "A Kara Concert Special" (!) would give the contestants a renewed sense of relevance and Kara a renewed esteem in the eyes of the voting public.
Crystal: "Sober" by Pink
Lee: "Terrified" by Katharine McPhee (and Didi Benami)
Siobhan: "Ain't No Other Man" by Christina Aguilera
Aaron: "Taking Chances" by Celine Dion
Michael: "Pieces of Me" by Ashlee Simpson
Casey: "Good Girls Go Bad" by Cobra Starship