Four Finalists Compete

Okay, here's how it went down. . . I DVR'd the show last night and thought I'd try something different. I decided I'd watch all the performances once, then replay the show taking notes. Unfortunately, after watching the show I didn't have the heart to watch it again. This is the Final Four contestants!! The show should be getting exciting! And what we're seeing is nothing more than we've seen for the entire season.

So, I pretty much forced myself this evening, just about the time the results show started recording on this coast, to watch last night's show again and get this blog posted.

High point: the yummy Taye Diggs was spotted in the audience.

The theme: songs of the movies, the cinema, the silver screen. Jamie Foxx was slated to be the mentor (his second stint, as he mentored last year's contestants, too). Jamie brought each performer two T-shirts: one "contestant" and one "artist". Based on his review of their performance in their session with him, he would reward them with the T-shirt he thought they deserved. The point was to challenge each to do their best.

First off, I have to wonder what kind of crappy songs were on the list that they chose from because, honestly, none of them picked a decent song or even one that was anywhere near what they should have chosen.

Lee chose "Kiss From a Rose". Jamie said that Lee "has to take it from being here, to out here". I couldn't agree more. Jamie awarded Lee an "artist" shirt. Lee's performance was good, as always, but nothing special.

Michael, who revealed to us that last year he made it a goal to get to the Top 3 (a statement that Kara made sure the public would question) chose "Will You Be There". Jamies thought Michael was a "little worried about feeling like maybe, maybe I shouldn't be here" offerred Michael a "contestant" shirt after his run-through. Michael refused it and said he'd be back later for an "artist" shirt. Like Lee's, Michael's performance was good, but not unexpected.

Last night's shows featured duets by the finalists, which turned out to be the high point of the show. Crystal and Lee sang "Falling Slowly", which I've listened to Kris Allen sing, oh, maybe a billion times. They were amazing together, although I disagree with letting any of the performers sing songs that were performed during the season prior.

Casey sang "Mrs. Robinson". Jamie thought he "wasn't focused" and wanted Casey to seduce him. Jamie gave Casey an "artist" shirt, but, again, although there wasn't the excessive vibrato that Casey usually has, the performance was solid, but not exciting.

Crystal's choice was "I'm Alright". Jamie remarked that she should make the audience feel that it's "not just a song, it's a testimony". He gave Crystal an "artist" shirt, too. Her performance was classic Crystal and although she was the only performer that really changed up her song, it was still not an unexpected performance.

Michael and Casey ended the show singing "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman" from quite possibly the worst movie ever made: Don Juan DeMarco. I literally fell asleep during this movie. However, the duet was beautiful, the guitar playing lovely; they sounded really, really good together.

To be honest, based on the performances I don't really care who they send home tonight. I felt that none of the contestants pushed the envelope. They all know they're good and I feel like they're all coasting on their own popularity at this point. However, I feel like people may have taken Michael's comment about his goal to be in the Top 3 the wrong way (helped by Kara's inane remarks) and some of his fan base might desert him.

So, I'm predicting Casey and Michael are in the Bottom 2 and Michael goes home, although my PERSONAL choice is to send Casey home.