End Season Ten

Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina

Season Ten of American Idol is winding down. Pia Toscano is gone. Stefano: gone. Casey Abrams is gone. Haley (and the Jets): gone. James Durbin is gone!? I would have liked to see either Casey and/or James make it 2 The Finale, but neither made it. Either Scotty or Lauren will be the next American Idol. Thoughts? Predictions? Reactions?

GooGoo GaGa

Lady GaGa is really starting to blossom

American Idol is just two weeks away from the Big Finale. After this week we will be down to our Final Three. Here is how I called their performances on tonight's big show. Round 1 was inspirational songs followed by Round 2 with Lady GaGa dodo mentoring.

• Tied for First Place this week: Lauren Alaina and James Durbin.
• Third Place: Scotty McCreery
• Bottom: Haley Reinhart

Show notes:

• James got a pair of #9s for Don't Stop Believing by Journey, and Love Potion #9. Awesome singing with great performances.
• Lauren hit a pair of homeruns. She really sounds like she has improved a lot in a short period of time. Seems to be peaking at the perfect time. Her voice on that first song (Martina McBride) just flew away. Loved it.
• Scotty "The Cashier" will probably not be going home. He picked two perfect songs that showed his range of comfortability (is that a word?). But on the first song, he did not stand out from the backup singers, and that just ain't gunna cut it, dude. 
• Haley double dropped the ball and it landed on my ears. Steven Tyler positively proved he is incapable of any negative criticism. Chances are very good Haley will be joining Casey in American Idol statistics. Both of her choices magnified her weakness(es).

Crow Your Boat

Let me mentor you

Our final five American Idol contestants were mentored by Sheryl Crow. Each singer sang one current song and one from the 1960s. Who do you like? Who should get eliminated this week? Who is going to win?

I have a three-way tie for first place this week: James Durbin, Lauren Alaina, and Haley Reinhart. Scott McCreery is in fourth place. For me, Jacob Lusk is in last place.

• James: Sometimes pitchy but like when he sings normally with a softer voice.
• Lauren: Always on pitch and picks good songs.
• Haley: Started out last song acapella and really nailed it. She can do so many things with her voice.
• Scott: Hopefully will not win but certainly is going to get a lot of country music votes.
• Jacob: Who votes for this guy? This ain't a High Note Contest. He loses control and repels me.