TV Week Editor BRENT FURDYK blogs about what’s going on in the wide world of television.
American Idol 9: Harry Goes to Hollywood – Frank Sinatra Week
By CanuckGirl | May 4, 2010
Baby, get set for a clam-bake! It's Frank Sinatra Week on American Idol, and since The Chairman of the Board scrammed off to meet the Big G some 12 years ago, he was somewhat unavailable to mentor the contestants. Luckily, the kids got to hang with the next best thing in Harry Connick Jr. This gasser ain't no Clyde. He's the real deal. Not only did he write a supporting arrangement for each and every Idol, he brought along a big chunk of his own band, AND he played piano (or organ) on each performance! And with spectators as diverse as Hannibal Lecter and Meathead in the audience, not to mention Frankie's daughters Nancy and Tina Sinatra, the night was set to be a shindig of mass proportions.
Harry opened his arms wide and exclaimed "Big Mike!" when Aaron Kelly walked into the room. Turns out the cool cat's a comedian too! Our sweetheart kid, Aaron's interpretation of "Fly Me to the Moon" came off a bit boy-bandy though. It's too bad because I have a real soft spot for that number. On a birthday trip to Vegas five years ago, I won $150 on the Frank Sinatra slot machine at the Aladdin (and yes, I know it's not called the Aladdin anymore, pally!). It was the coolest thing. For every payout, a video would pop up featuring Frank singing this particular clip. How could anyone NOT love THAT? Back to Aaron, his take was a bit lacking. However, the band KICKED, though Ellen did think the piano was a bit pitchy.
Casey James was apparently missing a $50 gig and a free meal to be on TV. Sometimes, you just have to make the hard choices. "Blue Skies" was cool enough, but not exactly in his comfort zone. There was something really awkward and stiff about his delivery. But if we all think about this for a second, he's a blues guy, and this jazzy stuff probably couldn't stand any further way from that genre. Again, the band was SMOKIN'! Hopefully American won't get swayed by this strange sideline and keep the guy around for at least another week.
Crystal Bowersox claimed to have a very deep connection to "Summer Wind." She wouldn't disclose her reasons, which was totally cool by me, AND Harry. This girl can sing... ANYTHING! And did she LOOK beautiful too? Very much so. Randy accused her of being subdued. Well, yeah! So? It was subdued in the correct shades, as far as I'm concerned. I'm not entirely sure why the judges were so hard on her. She stood up for herself by saying she didn't think she should be forced sing the "big notes" just because she's on American Idol. You paying attention there, Siobhan Magnus?
Michael Lynche tried to "smoov" his way through "The Way You Look Tonight." I'm sorry, I'm bored. I find his dullness has increased over the passing episodes. Let's be honest, he took over the "bland" position after Andrew Garcia received his walking papers. Inexplicably, the judges couldn't stop slobbering at his feet. I'm still not sure why the panel "saved" him a few weeks back. In my estimation, he's done absolutely nothing to prove their decision to be the correct one. I guess America must be searching for the next shade of taupe.
Apparently, Harry's gorgeous wife, Jill Goodacre, thinks Lee DeWyze is really cute. Harry figures Lee is just a new and improved version of Harry himself. Nice. Lee finished off the show in fine style by blasting out "That's Life." He stayed true to himself by NOT trying to croon his way through it. He's still a rock guy, and now he's a confident rock guy. Best performance of the night, hands down.
Overall, it turned out to be one bizarro night with some cool takes and some crazy misses. But let's all give it up for Harry Connick Jr. and his SMASHING band! I'm sure Ol' Blue Eyes would agree.
Wednesday night, the American Idol executives will once again prove that they have no regard for the weekly theme. Instead of a performance by Harry, or possibly another crooner such as Michael Bublé or Matt Dusk, or even Michael Bublé's oboe-playing second cousin twice removed, Horace Bublé from Port Coquitlam, they're gonna throw us a performance by none other than Lady Gaga. "Yep, we're the Idol brass and we don't give a flying-fling-flang-jang about the stinking theme. Let's get Lady Gaga out there for the kids!"
If The Voice were alive today, surely he'd shout, "Hey Charley! Who's the ditzy dame and why isn't she wearing any pants?" See ya later, pally.
Want more Idol chatter? Check out Talkin' TV with Brent & Patrick >
CANUCKGIRL delivers the thrills and spills of America’s favourite singing competition direct to your monitor. CanuckGirl is NOT a professional journalist, nor does she play one on television.
Comments
Ring a ding ding!
I concur, some excellent performances. The substitution of Harry Connick Jr and his amazing band, instead of Ricky Minor and his collection of studio hacks made such a difference. Those cats were swingin'! Although I gotta disagree with Big Mike - I thought it was his best ever. I was a little scared at first, when e started off all soft and slow, but once the bassline started going and the band kicked in, he hit a groove. Casey was totally off his game, though, the night's worst, but he still deserves to stay.
BTW, didja love how The Sinatras gave Simon one of Frank's old hankies (I suspect they've got boxes of them stashed somewhere) and gave the other judges nothing? A little rude, and you could see Ellen was kinda choked. Just in case she needed a reminder of who the show's REAL star is.
Frankie's Hankie
Yep, loved THAT! It's 'cause those OTHER judges have never publicly stated that Frank Sinatra was the greatest singer to ever grace the planet. Simon is one clever cat. I just had to check twice though to make sure Nancy Sinatra wasn't actually Laverne DeFazio. I was wondering if she was having some sort of clandestine reunion with Meathead or something.
They Did it Harry's Way
Harry Connick Jr. was so refreshing (and funny) - he made the whole show for me last night. Amazing what can happen with some real mentoring!
Aaron is too 'pre-teen hearthrob' flash in the pan for this genre - ok but can't quite carry it off. Casey... maybe he can't sing the phonebook after all (and isn't that a prerequisite). Maybe he can play the phonebook on his guitar and has a great blues voice when he's playing but yowza! Last night his second note was the first of many off key and it was pretty uncomfortable. Crystal has such a wonderful original voice and she's true to herself and Canuck Girl I agree - what did the judges not like?? And I'm with you on Big Mike - he's more like Chairman of the Boring. I've just heard that voice a lot of places before - it's a good voice but it's just nothing new. But Lee - he was true to himself and amazing...again. I love Lee - love his voice. If last night was their last performance I would say Lee has to win.
I didn't see any predictions for tonight. If Casey was bottom three the last two weeks I think he might just go home tonight. I still think he's got way more talent than Mike or Aaron and I would rather see either of those two go home. I'll check in at the end of the show.
In Praise of Harry
Yeah, can they make him come back every week? After all, Rickey Minor is jumping ship to join "Leno's House of Beige." I know, I know, Harry's too big a star and WAY to good for this show, but wouldn't it be just fab?
I love what you said about Big Mike – Chairman of the Boring! Brilliant!
Yeah, I'm with you regarding a prediction on who might be going home. Based on last night's performance, Casey was the dead-last loser. But WE all know he's better than that, even if he CAN'T sing the phone book (good one!). Mike should go home based on his underwhelming generica.
harry connick jr. was just effortlessly brilliant, funny
Me and my husband watch Idol every week with our young children. Nothing much moves my husband at all!!! He was busting at the gut over Harry Connick JR. and just absolutely loved him! He is a REAL mentor with enough experience (yet still young enough to mix it with the younger crowd) he was so brilliant and so spot on and so frickin funny we just LOVED HIM to pieces. I have always loved his talent, but he was just the funniest guy, stating the truth, yet making it funny.. Cannot go on enough about this guy. Week after week idol will havee some mentor that is 17 years old, and we just roll our eyes..... But Harry, oh Harry, you were the best part of idol ever!!!
Reply
Login here or register to post your comment now. Anonymous comments are welcome, but they must first go to an approval queue.
TVWeek Online reserves the right to discard or unpublish any comments deemed inappropriate or incongruent to our editorial policy. Accounts through which such comments are repeatedly posted may be suspended.