The American Idol 11 Top 7 Redux performed songs from Now and Then. Read my Recap. Now, read what the rest of the blogosphere had to say about the performances.
‘American Idol’ recap: Throw Your Soul Through Every Open Door – We began with some tender footage of Jessica Sanchez watching herself on TV in the mansion and a slow motion reprise of last week’s “dramatic” judges’ save. “The end is where we start from,” read a quote from everyone’s favorite musician, T.S. Eliot. American Idol, please. Save the drama for Wilmer Valderrama. – Entertainment Weekly
Recap: ‘American Idol’ Top 7 Performances – Take Two – It’s a night of Doubt Deja Vu on FOX’s “American Idol.” For the second straight week, we’re getting performances from this season’s Top 7, following last week’s shocking elimination and not-so-shocking save of Jessica Sanchez. And after we hear performances from the Top 7, we’re gonna turn right around and hear another set of performances from the Top 7. – Hitfix
7 Finalists Compete Again – The show begins with Steven and Jennifer strutting onto the stage in Major League Celebrity Gear, Steven with the indoor sunglasses and Jennifer in a dress that bares her midriff and pretends to bare her boobs, but I don’t care, because Kris Allen is in the audience, and he’s one of my favorite alums of the show. Ryan emerges with his Official Sad Face on, and we all know why. He makes a point of saying that Dick Clark was a dear friend of his and then speculates about what ol’ Dick would want for tonight: to get the show moving (as opposed to one more New Year’s Eve). I wonder what Brian Dunkleman is thinking right now. Something like, “You cock.” – AVClub
‘American Idol’ Recap: The Top 7 (Again) Perform Songs From Now and Then – The theme seemed to suit some performers more than others, and not necessarily those you’d expect. Hollie Cavanagh finally managed to get a compliment (or three) from the judges, while Joshua Ledet’s confidence seemed a little shaken after last week’s trip to the bottom three. Colton Dixon had one of his weakest weeks to date, and while Jessica Sanchez was once again in top form, is that enough to bring the voters back to her after last week’s surprising results? Read on for our rundown of the Top 7’s performances, which featured two Lady Gaga renditions, two from Alicia Keys, and, depending on who you ask, two picks by Marvin Gaye. – Huffington Post
‘American Idol’ Recap: Mantasia Arrives; Phillip Phillips Shines; Jessica Sanchez Fizzles on Top 7 Night – Wednesday night, American Idol paid tribute to both, with the top 7 performing the theme of “Now and Then,” Billboard hits from 2000-2012, and “soul” songs of the past. It was a lot to squeeze into two hours-a grand total of 14 songs were performed, so there was no time for antics or Tommy Hilfiger-just the music, with a healthy dose of drama. – Hollywood Reporter
‘American Idol,’ Season 11, ‘Finalists Compete’: TV Recap – After a brief tribute to Dick Clark, who passed away today at age 82, Ryan introduced, for the second week in a row, the final seven on “American Idol.” And then they got right down to it, billing the show as the most music ever played in one two-hour show. That’s because contestants sang two songs tonight as they fought for votes: one from the year 2000 until now and one soul song from “back in the day.” Jimmy was the only mentor of the night. – Wall Street Journal
‘American Idol’ 2012: Final 7 Idolettes sing songs from now – “American Idol” sets sail for uncharted waters tonight: The Idolettes will sing songs from the last few years. Enter the judges: Steven Tyler, wearing a shower curtain. Jennifer Lopez in a gorgeous black dress made of horizontal slabs of fabric, bringing back happy memories of last week’s brisket. Randy Jackson is in a coat which, for older viewers, will bring back happy memories of Captain Kangaroo. Can you believe “the finale is just over a month away?” asks host Ryan Seacrest. – Washtington Post
‘Idol’ Top 7 Redux Recap: Once More, With Feeling – Last week on “American Idol,” judges’ pet Jessica Sanchez shockingly received the fewest votes, but of course the judges saved her. They in fact bumrushed the stage and wrestled the microphone out of Jessica’s hand before she’d even made it through the first verse of her (apparently unnecessary) Judges’ Save song. It was a dramatic moment, for sure, so naturally producers milked it for all it was worth, opening this Wednesday’s “Idol” top seven redux show with what felt like 10 minutes of ominously scored, grainy, slow-motion footage replaying last week’s events. Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler’s slo-mo expressions of shock-horror. J.Lo’s slo-mo high-heeled sprint across the stage. Slo-mo scenes of Jessica lying shell-shocked on a backstage fainting couch, watching a rebroadcast of her near-elimination through frightened Keane-painting eyes. It was all a little much, really. – Reality Rocks
