Forgot to post this last night, since I was distracted by the penultimate Top Chef. Here’s my take on the Final Ten as we continue to count down. I was a bit surprised that there was no mention of the tour. Usually this is the last cut and it’s a big deal (though not really a big deal since it’s my understanding that the tour doesn’t pay well.) As usual, this is done on my iPad while I’m watching (via TiVo, so live-ish) so ignore the grammatical and typographic oddities, please:

Casey, heard it through the grapevine. Putting him first is a tough slot. Immediately he’s a bit screechy and looks crazy again, like zack galafinakis’ little brother. He’s just too manic on stage, which distracts from his voice. He showcased that much better through the tryout process. My wife said there were some Taylor hicks moments and I can’t disagree. Better than last week, but I don’t think america is going to latch on to him unless he has a clarkson/cook moment. 

Thia, heat wave. Ok, not a ballad. That’s good. The performance was even better. The song isn’t current and dates her a bit, but you can’t say she didn’t do it well. Better, she was confident on stage, which worries me about most of the younger contestants. If this doesn’t get her out of the bottom three, she’s doomed. 

Jacob, you’re all I need to get by. Iovine nailed his issues. I’ve wondered if Jacob could handle a show where he sings more than one song. Wuld he wear himself out? I like that he leaves it all out there,but we’ve seen people wear themselves down in this competition. He’s no Marvin Gaye and I’m still unsure how heartland and southern america will read him, but he’s damn good. In Casey and Jacob, this season has two guys who aren’t clones. He’s still just not compelling to me. 

Lauren, you keep me hanging on. There’s more and more of the clarkson side coming out in her. Calculated? Maybe. It was good, but a long way from a defining performance. Good enough? Sure. She’s not going to be in the bottom three for a while absent a meltdown. And jlo went with the Paula “you look great!”

Stefano, hello. Ok I don’t think of this as Motown and David cook owns this one anyway. Doing it straight is going to be a tough sell. the tone of his voice that sounded so nice last week with the simply red song came off as pure cheese this time. It was a poor choice for him and I don’t think it worked on any level. He’s likable enough to avoid being voted off for it. And damn it, open your eyes kid. Simon would have pulled the karaoke card on this one. 

Haley, you really got a hold on me. She’s needy in her open and hasn’t been likable so far, so she has to nail it. The stylists didn’t do her any favors with the nine inch heels an hot pants. Even Jenn Sterger thought those were a bit high. Funny thing is, shes colbie caillat. She could kill in that segment and she never went near it during the competition. I don’t think this will keep her out of the bottom, forcing her to hope someone else screws up. 

Scotty, for once in my life. I can see him twisting this to country, so I like the choice. Motown is broad enough and it’s early enough not to theme bleep him. He reads powerfully arrogant on stage, but I’m noticing that a lot of that is Elvis imitation, not the worst thing in the world for someone his age. It’s not great, but it probably plays pretty well in Branson. I do like the glen Campbell comp that Tyler threw out. If Barry white gets teed up for him at some point, I want to hear it. 

Pia, all in love is fair. Not the most well known song, but she picks as well as anyone I can remember on the show. There was a lot of idina menzel in this performance, which is a big compliment for anyone. It’s hard to fault her voice, so how far she goes depends on her connection and likability. I think it might help her if she struggles a week. Right now she’s making it look too easy. Even her answer backstage seemed rehearsed and pageant like. 

Paul, tracks of my tears. I like him, I like the originality, but Americas not going to respond to him finding his inner Dylan this week. It’s doable. Rod Stewart has reinvented himself with standards over the last decade, but that’s a recognizable voice doing recognizable songs in a recognizable way. This isn’t that. I like it, but I don’t think the voters will. 

Naima, dancing in the streets. She’s got to not me crazy or manic but still have fun. African dance is … Well, it’s a risk. Shes singing it straight, so I don’t see where she’s working in something that leads me to a dance break. Nope, it doesn’t fit. It just comes off as indulgent at best, weird at worst. I get that she can dance and sing, but she’s not doing well enough with the singing part to get the benefit of having something extra. I don’t see what the judges saw here. 

James, living for the city. There was more lambert in this performance over last week. I’m not sure if his dancing and mugging works with these lyrics. I wanted him so bad to mix in one line from “livin after midnight” but he didn’t. It was good, not great„ and I don’t think playing to the crowd will help his likability much. He’s in no danger again, but he’s not banking much either.

There were no terrible performances, so this could be a close one. Haley, naima, and Paul are the likely bottom three based off past performances more than this weeks. 

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