The Brooke White Dilemna (American Idol Review)

John Vano: What to do about Brooke? Clearly, she is the most fractured, broken performer remaining. She has become shaky and unreliable and has been in the bottom two for at least two weeks running. All signs point to her having an exit tonight. But then we must consider her popularity: Has she been splitting her votes with Kristy Lee? Will her fan votes double this week with KLC out of the competition? What kind of sympathy votes will she receive because of her start/stop mess last night? All things to consider.

1. Carly Smithson--I knew she had it in her. She finally had an unquestionable hit last night. It may have been the performance of the year. She nailed it, and a star is born. Too bad it was on that terrible song. Rate her 4.9 out of 5.
2. David Cook--He's a chameleon. Unlike Archie, he sounds different depending on the song. Great dramatics. Why can he sing a ballad and be so infinitely more interesting than snoozy Archuleta? Rate him 4.8.
3. David Archuleta--The song was right in his wheelhouse. I'd like to see them force him to sing punk or rap or country for once. His sameness is killing me. Well done, and I enjoyed him a bit more than usual. Score him 4.6.
4. Syesha Mercado--She keeps getting better. She could easily finish third in this thing, but I'm not sure she has the fan support. This was a well-rounded performance for her. Score her 4.5.
5. Brooke White--A nice job handling the tenderness of the song, and gave it a strong finish. Listening to her you realize her stuff just isn't major league... more like Triple-A. Call her Crash Davis. Rating this week 4.2.
6. Jason Castro--Did he sound like a dolt in his pre-performance videos, or what? He's riding on pure fan power now... how far will it take him? I didn't feel like the message of the song came forth from this performance. Score him 4.0.

Gentle reader, I want you to be aware of how many pitfalls there are in handicapping this race. I could easily follow my personal opinion and tell you that Jason is gone while Brooke and Syesha are in the bottom three, but I'm committed to telling you in advance what America thinks, so here goes. PREDICTION: Brooke goes home. Syesha and Jason are in the bottom three.

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Carp is on tour this week with Petra and a George W. Bush impersonator. He phoned in his picks after watching YouTube. Here's how he ranks them:

1. Syesha Mercado
2. David Cook
3. Carly Smithson
4. Archie the Puppet Boy
5. Brooke White
6. Jason Castro

CARP'S PREDICTIONS: Should Go Home: Brooke White; Will Go Home: Brooke White

Comments

[Susan]

I think Jason should go.

[johnvano]

You see what I did? I talked myself out of sticking with Brooke as safe. My mind knew she'd be safe, but I was swayed. Nuts. Give me one point for getting Syesha in the bottom. After five weeks, I've still only got one exit right.

Carp didn't score, missing both Carly and Syesha's place in the bottom 2.

Total scores: Vano 10, Carp 10