American Idol
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
Scrawling a capital C in leather seats is a lot of work.
You shouldve fled by that point!
A pretty little souped-up four-wheel drive wouldve been ideal.
And not just because Calebs solemn backwoods vibe has shades ofFargoseason two.
Hes sticking to this general-store manager charm and you cant pry him away from it.
I picture him on local TV commercials yelling, You always know what yer gettin at Calebs!
with finger guns blazing.
I appreciate his wryness during interviews, but he lets none of that subversive fun show onstage.
Stars in AlabamaIt was duringIdols second hour that I realized Caleb should play young Pat Sajak in a biopic.
As for this performance, sigh.
I mean, sigh!
He kept it calm and light and cuddled the whole stadium in his bourbon-stained sleeping bag of a voice.
Hes got one trick and its a countrified scalp massage.
Of course thats right.
But thats also the problem.
This is another of Gabbys admirable, rambunctious performances and youd swear you already saw her do it before.
I Have NothingI remember loving I Have Nothing.
It was when Whitney Houston handled it.
Its an uninspired song choice treated with good vocals and nothing more.
There was no introspection, no fight, no lightning in her performance.
This was competence masquerading as a moment and the judges fell for it.
But this Daughtryville take was forgettable, arguably Cades least momentous performance of the season.
Undo It is lacking in dynamics, and Cades booming guitar crunch only underscored that.
How hasnt he performed Are You Gonna Be My Girl yet?
Or Dig In by Lenny Kravitz?
Simple ManWell, dammit, I cried at Cades letter to his mother.
Points, Simon Fuller.
Heres an additional head-fake: I thought Simple Man was Cades best performance of the season.
His delivery was adorable!
It had charm and diction.
I dont exactlybelievein his depths as a confessional artist, but his performance was mature and thoughtful.
I muttered, Wow, good for him!
Do Never Going Back Again by Fleetwood Mac next!
Michael J. Woodard
Flat on the FloorI spend most weeks barking, Give me ebullience!
at these contestants like a raspy cheerleading coach played by Eileen Brennan.
You cant deny his sauciness and charisma.
Bonus points for staying on top of those lyrics, which went on and on andon.
Still I RiseOh, Yolanda Adams?
So many balladeers onIdolthink they have to giveA Star Is Borntype performances full of humorless bluster to win votes.
What they really need is commitment, a sense of fun, and an ideal song choice.
I Told You So is the pop in of sad belter Maddie nails.
Did I mention shes the only remaining contestant whose repertoire is stylistically unified without being repetitive?
Far and away the best Carrie cover of the night.
It was a valiant effort for Emmy-nominated game-show host Carnie Wilson but it did not stick.
It was a feat.
And it would sound lovely in the background on an early episode ofThe Wonder Years.
And now for your results.
Just as the prophecy declared!?
But Maddie is fabulous, and Im glad we still have her.
Caleb and Gabby have had powerful moments, but theyve given up on ever shocking us.
Its Michael J. Woodards exit that stings the most.
