And then there were three.
And three is a crowd.
This week, during the famed talent competition’s 300th episode, “American Idol” trims the fat and rounds out its dance card for next week’s season finale.
So let’s not beat around the bush: Who is it going to be?
Adam Lambert, 26 (Los Angeles)
Should he advance? YES. Adam remains the man to beat in this competition. He took to last week’s rock ‘n’ roll theme like a pig to mud, slaying his way through Led Zeppelin — Led Zeppelin! (for the first time ever on “Idol”) — with his black eye shadow, skintight leather jeans and careening vocal chords ever eager to the task. Adam was in his element, and he giddily admitted to it.
Will he advance? YES. Adam’s elimination would be simply shocking, one of the show’s biggest upsets. Though Adam has found his way into the bottom group before, he should and will earn a chance to perform on “Idol’s”
biggest night.
Danny Gokey, 28 (Milwaukee)
Should he advance? YES. Especially given the elimination of the big-voiced Allison, Danny is the only singer who can hope to keep pace with Adam. Danny is an incredible singer, but in the race to keep up with Adam he has lost his boyish charm and is straining to reach the top spot. Case in point: Last week, Danny tackled Aerosmith’s classic rock anthem “Dream On.” While Danny has major league pipes, only Adam dare accept the challenge of squaring off with the manic shrieks of Steven Tyler. Danny’s unfortunate attempt at “Dream On’s” mirror-shattering cry at the end of the song was at best foolishly brave and at worst horrifically embarrassing. Hounds everywhere were baying.
Will he advance? YES. For the sake of a true sing-off, let’s hope Danny makes it. He needs to reconnect with the good guy we remember from the show’s early stages (and “Idol” producers wouldn’t let viewers forget). You remember: The guy who looked heartbroken when his best buddy was eliminated from the show; the guy who grew up singing every day with his large and loving family; the guy who courageously trudged on despite the sad death of his wife weeks before the show’s auditions. Danny’s early performance of Mariah Carey’s “Hero” remains one of the season’s best. He can do it — but he needs to find the juice.
Kris Allen, 23 (Conway, Ark.)
Should he advance? NO. If Adam was a pig in mud during rock week, Kris was a fish out of water. Kris taking on hard rock is like my grandma having a go as a rapper. Give it up, Nickelodeon. Kris’ astonished face when Ryan Seacrest announced he was safe said it all: Kris was out-performed last week and everyone knew it. When Allison played her way out Wednesday night with a killer, soulful rendition of “Cry, Baby” — a song choice and performance I rather liked, by the way — Kris had to know he dodged a bullet. And another is coming his way.
Will he advance? NO. Here’s the thing, though: If Kris can survive last week — and by all measures he should not have — this indicates the sheer size and power of his fan base. A lot of people really love Kris (which doesn’t include this critic, as this space has revealed before, but no matter). He is not to be overlooked. With a strong performance and a misstep by Danny, Kris can slide into the finale against Adam (and what a lopsided finale that would be). I don’t predict this will happen, but crazier things have happened. Like Paula Abdul thinking she is still a pop star, for example.
Scott Fuller’s Idol Chatter runs every Tuesday. E-mail [email protected].
OnTV
“American Idol”
» 8 to 9 p.m. today, Fox
The three remaining singers perform during the show’s 300th episode.
» 9 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Fox
One of the top three finalists will be eliminated in a results episode.
