AMERICAN IDOL 9 - WEEK #5

~ THE STAKES ARE HIGH TONIGHT~

March 23, 2010

8:00 - 10:00 PM - FOX

Ryan announced that tonight's performances are perhaps the most important performances thus far in the competition. This week will determine the Idols for the Idol Tour.

The music theme for tonight was Top 100 Billboard. The music mentor is Miley Cyrus.

Each contestant was shown at their rehearsal with Miley Cyrus and she gave each a few words of encouragement.

#1 Lee DeWyze - performed The Letter by the Box Tops. He was accompanied by a brass quintet and three back-up singers. Randy commented that his performance was a soul and blues version and he felt that Lee had knocked it out of the box. Ellen said "fantastic" while Kara expressed that he had raised the bar; had owned the stage and has shown tremendous progress. Simon was surprised at the song choice and felt that it was "corny" and not defining him.

#2 Paige Miles sang the 1084 Phil Collins' song Against All Odds. She was met with negative remarks, for the most part. Randy said it was "terrible, pitchie and all over the place. Ellen felt that Paige looked good but she'd pass on to Kara for comments about the performance. Kara felt that Paige has stopped competing and has stopped taking advice. Simon said he struggled with the pitch. It was as if there were 5 "yous" singing and it got worse as it went along.

#3 Tim Urban performed Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Randy felt that the vocals were boring and he did not like Tim's slide across the stage. Ellen felt as if it was a high school audition and ended by adding " I just didn't get it" Kara advised him that he has a lot of work to do despite the fact that she felt that he had acted like he was already there. Simon expounded on his "just singing and dancing", telling him that he is NOT a winner. Furthermore, this was the second week with a "silly" song choice.

#4 Aaron Kelly performed I Don't Want to Miss A Thing an Arrow Smith song. Randy thought it was high pitched and wasn't perfect but was good, stating "I'm a fan". Kara complimented him as having the best song choice of the night thus far. She said that it wasn't perfect and that he needs to develop his stage presence. Simon admonished him for making himself "old" fashioned but at the same time said that he has zero change of going home this week.

#5 Crystal Bowersox performed the Janice Joplin - Me and Bobby McGee. Randy with delight in his voice exclaimed " That's what it's all about" Ellen simply commented - "Amazing voice". Kara was glad to see Crystal smile and questioned: What can you do without the guitar to which Crystal responded... I told you there was a surprise coming next week. Simon told her that she shouldn't change anything and that he had seen her progress.

#6 Michael Lynche, with back up of string quartet and piano performed When A Man Loves A Woman. Randy commented that it was not the best vocal and perhaps it was the song but that "you know who you are". Kara said that the performance was technically good but boring and "loungie". Simon, referring to his back-up, felt that it was almost too much- a piano would have been plenty. Complimented him on his good voice and charisma.

#7 Andrew Garcia performed Heard It From The Grapevine a Marvin Gay song. He had three back-up singers and two guitar players; leaving his own guitar behind. Randy and Ellen felt that it was not a good song choice and that in general the performance was not good. Kara and Simon seemed to have the same concerns for his performance. Kara said " I don't know what to do while Simon said maybe he had been overrated. Furthermore, Simon felt that the arrangement was "horrendous" and that "You don't know who you are as an artist".

#8 Katie Stevens performed a Fergie song Big Girls Don't Cry. Randy said it was sharp, pitchie but that he liked her clothes and that she had picked a "younger" song. Ellen said that it was the best performance thus far in the night.Kara said that she is experiencing pitch issues but that she saw her as a pop singer with rhythm and blues leanings. Simon said that he thought that Katie's meeting Miley Cyrus was a good thing for Katie. As for her performance he questions the believability and that she is "not in her head "as to where she is.

#9 Casey James - backed-up by a brass quintet and guitars performed The Power of Love. Randy complimented him stating that he is probably the best musician but was not sure that it was the best song choice. Ellen said that she was not too fond of his song choice but that she felt he was the best vocal of the night. Kara offered" it's all there, you are in the zone now". Simon felt that it was too old fashioned

#10 Didi Benami sang You're No Good, a Linda Rhondstad song and was accompanied by a big bass and guitar. Randy loved the idea of it but thought it was pitchie all over the place. Ellen had concerns for the song choice while Kara felt like Didi was playing a character and that it was not like her. Simon said "What an irony" Furthermore he said that she was not good... didn't sound "like you" and that the song "sucked the life" out of her.

#11 Siobhan Magnus performed the 1972 Stevie Wonder song Superstition. Randy said he was excited to see her and loved her song and her conviction to the performance. Ellen simple said "more please" while Kara told her that she expressed herself but it was not her best. Simon said that she would probably have split votes and that she needs to start pushing herself and that he was concerned for her "screaming at the end".

TUNE IN WEDNESDAY FOR THE ELIMINATION

WHO DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE ELIMINATED? WHY?

WEDNESDAY NIGHT RESULTS: - PAIGE MILES was eliminated.