Two weeks ago, it was Mariah Carey. Last week, it was Andrew Lloyd Webber. This week, it’s Neil Diamond. “American Idol” has really turned up its A-list juice as the show’s popularity has cooked ever hotter. This season, “Idol’s” big-name bake is practically steaming with star power.
(Side note: Wasn’t Webber the class of the “Idol” judges? He brought legitimate musical criticism — and laid waste to wannabes when he deemed it necessary. A.L.W. speaks the truth, dogg!)
The bigger the songs, the harder they fell, though, and Webber’s humongous power ballads chewed up and spit out a couple of the contestants. (Exhibit A: Brooke White; Exhibit B: Jason Castro — both of whom had previously held high spots on the Scott Fuller Charts. These overmatched saps looked like children at the adults’ table.)
There’s time for lollygagging no longer. It’s time to separate the wheat from the chaff.
DAVID ARCHULETA, 17
» Murray, Utah
David is an elite singer, and he’s proving it every week. We’re running out of things to talk about in this space, so let’s briefly dish about David’s father, Jeff, who was slammed by Naomi Judd for being the “worst stage dad” following his inappropriate behavior on the set of “Star Search.” According to Judd, Jeff was banned from backstage for repeatedly trying to psyche out David’s “Star Search” opponents — even calling one in the middle of the night. “Idol” has wisely steered Jeff clear of the spotlight, but it couldn’t steer him clear of the ridiculous, too-funky-for-his-age hat he wore on the show last week. Keep an eye on all this.
Fuller Power Rank: 1
Vegas odds: 5/6
Turn up or tune out: Singing Neil Diamond may expose David for being as cool as David Schwimmer. But talent demands respect. Turn up.
DAVID COOK, 25
» Blue Springs, Mo.
When David announced his intention to sing “Music of the Night” from “Phantom of the Opera” last week, I expected this pseudo-rocker to really crash and burn (to crash like, say, a falling chandelier from the opera house rafters?). But hold my horses: David took (upper-medium-altitude) flight! I truly enjoyed his performance of a beautiful, classic song. (Uh-oh, I’m starting to feel the chorus rising in my soul. … I better go before I get all Placido Domingo up in here.)
Fuller Power Rank: 2
Vegas odds: 5/4
Turn up or tune out: For a week at least, I found myself in Camp David (ba-dum-bum) and am more comfortable with a one-two Archuleta-Cook ranking. Cook would seem to be the front-runner on Neil Diamond Night, too. Turn up.
JASON CASTRO, 20
» Rockwall, Texas
What goes up must come down. Was it only a few weeks ago when Jason’s “Over the Rainbow” brought down the house? Well, last week Jason cleared the house with the stink bomb that was “Memory.” I could practically hear the whooshing sound as any momentum Jason had built up was sucked right out of him. Moreover, this “Bill & Ted” space cadet impression doesn’t win as many laughs when he’s underperforming.
Fuller Power Rank: 3
Vegas odds: 20/1
Turn up or tune out: Maybe it’s because I know Jason is capable of a big showing; maybe it’s because he’s still a Fuller Favorite. Either way, I hope Jason’s poor showings haven’t detonated his potential. Turn up.
BROOKE WHITE, 24
Brooke dodged a bullet last week when she bungled her way through her performance — actually stopping a few bars in and starting over! Back in Hollywood week, that would be an indication of instant elimination. Now, apparently, it’s an indication of sympathetic human error. I am still a Brooke fan (but growing less so by the week). Even so, that was bush league, man. “Idol” contestants are like lion tamers — when you screw up, you don’t get a second chance.
Fuller Power Rank: 4
Vegas odds: 30/1
Turn up or tune out: Brooke has three things going for her: No. 1: a genuine
friendliness; No. 2: a solid fan base; and No. 3: the proven ability to perform a true gem. Sounds like three strikes and she’s in. (For now.) Tune out.
SYESHA MERCADO, 21
Syesha was clearly in her musical theater element last week — and I still wasn’t wowed. Even as she advances deep into this competition and improves every week, she has yet to set the night on fire with one sweltering song. (Speaking of sweltering: I didn’t love last week’s song choice but definitely loved the slinky red dress Syesha was wearing. Ay caramba!)
Fuller Power Rank: 5
Vegas odds: 30/1
Turn up or tune out: Syesha’s constant improvement could lead one to infer that she’s due like a California quake: The Big One is coming. Or, more likely, she just doesn’t have it in her. Tune out.
Each week, Scott Fuller breaks down the sinkers and swimmers on
“American Idol.” Sound off: sfuller@
