A first for American Idol this week: The “Judges Song Contest” is a new thing. And I have mixed feelings about it. Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan each chose a song for each of the contestants. The contestants, presented with three songs, had to choose one of the songs and then guess which judge picked it. The judge who had the most songs picked “won” (Read our Recap)
Most of the contestants are better off choosing their own songs. Jay Copeland is the one singer that truly benefited from the assist. The format put TOO MUCH focus on the judges. And it also gave them an excuse to choose another Wildcard. By the Top 11, judges should no longer be choosing wildcards.
Speaking of that twist, obviously something was up when American Idol played cagey about the number of contestants going home at the end of the night. The canned social media posts from the contestants went from “Help me advance to the Top 11!” To “Help me get to the next round!” Confusing matters further: Leah Marlane told her fans on Instagram late last week that two singers would leave the competition on Monday. An early promo from ABC said that “A Top 10 would be revealed.” Luke Bryan and a few contestants promoted a Top 9 hours before the show.
As it turned out, the judge who “won” the song contest got to save a contestant from the bottom 2. That turned out to be Katy Perry and Luke Bryan who tied with 4 songs a piece. Idol should have just promoted the Top 9 from the start and then announced the song contest “prize” as a surprise twist, instead of acting hella confusing.
Judges Song Contest was annoying, but not as irritating as The Comeback
As “twists” go, I’d be fine with the show never doing it again, but wouldn’t be too upset if it returned next season. It wasn’t nearly as irritating and annoying as last year’s “Comeback” which had Idol inviting singers from season 18 back to compete AGAIN for a spot in the Top 10. As if the singer that came in 2nd place needed another chance (Arthur Gunn won the spot, and then made a mess of it). NEVER DO THAT AGAIN IDOL.
Aside from the gimmick, “Judges Song Contest” featured great performances. Jay Copeland ended the show with his best performance of the season–a cover of Jeff Buckley’s “Lilac Wine” that finally lived up to “Platinum Ticket” status. Both Leah Marlene and Fritz Hager performed superb arrangements of “Make You Feel My Love” and “Wonderwall” respectively. Lady K’s rendition of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Traitor” should NOT have landed her in the bottom 2! The judges made the correct decision sending Tristen Gressett home. Emyrson Flora and Noah Thompson also turned in solid performances.
OK. Now it’s time to VOTE for your favorites below. Who was robbed?
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