"Week Five": August 7-10, 2005

Welcome back. Forty-eight hours ago, Jessica was hung over, Marty was taking control, and Suzie was changing for change's sake. How will all of this affect the competition?

Before any performances, we learn that the final nine hold eight of the top ten music downloads at MSN.com (C-Note: It should be noted, although it isn't, that MSN is a sponsor of the show, and if you were to go to, say, iTunes, they wouldn't give two craps about any of them).

Brooke also points out a slight wrinkle. Voting begins at the end of the final performance, meaning that by the time you read the ending credits, we'll have some WAY early returns. If I may get on my soapbox for a moment...

This has to be the absolute WORST move ever made on a competition like this. By divulging said information, you are influencing the voting and, in essence, rigging the competition. Sure INXS has the final say, but reasoning like this is precisely why voting on "Idol" does not begin until the very end of the show. Because you want as fair a process as possible. Again... worst move ever. Way to take a good thing and (^_^) it up, Burnett.

So to kick it off (and I'm worried about Brooke kicking anything off in that skirt, which, in essence, is a pair of Daisy Dukes with several keys attached), we go with a serious rearrangement of REM's "Losing My Religion" from Suzie McNeil. Here we go.

What they say: Dave says "Game on." He got a little nervous, but called it a brilliant move. Garry thought it was her best. Kirk just said "That was just a dream, and I don't want to wake up."

What we say: I've always been a fan of harmony. I didn't think the rearrangement would work, but I thought it matched Suzie's range, her abilities as a singer. Good job.

He's rolling the dice with tonight's song choice... again. Singing "All Right Now" by Free, here's Mig Ayesa.

What they say: Dave says the song suited him perfectly. "You give up your first choice quite a bit, but I want to see you fight for your first pick next time." Kirk and Tim liked it, but Tim wanted to see some more soul. Dave ends it by wanting to see Mig make them week.

What we say: Another risk pays off in spades, and the ladies will phone in with their votes simply because, and I'm saying this as a straight male, he's a hottie.

Next is a person who wanted to be the frontman of INXS and hasn't been ashamed to say so. Here with Seal's "Crazy", it's the newly-shaved JD Fortune.

What they say: Dave calls it a good job. "I like the fact that you change up your song selection a week." Tim thought it was a good performance despite pitching.

What we say: It's nothing we haven't seen before, and JD isn't really feeling the song. You can tell that he was pretty much backed into doing this. He has no problem with it, but I wanted to see some more.

His opponent in song choosing is next as we see "Come As You Are" with Jessica Robinson.

What they say: Dave thought she looked great, but didn't feel passionate about the performance. Garry thought he was left cold. Jessica says she felt it. Jon doesn't know how to make that change.

What we say: Still sounds hung over, if you ask me. Sure it matches this song, but it won't work all the time. Definitely no stage presence.

The youngest person is next, at a just-turned-23 with Eric Clapton's "Layla", here's Jordis Unga!

What they say: Dave points out the house band are "the bomb, son". It wasn't Jordis' strongest, but she takes risks. Kirk says it's not her best, but it'll be a while before we see an INXS song from her.

What we say: Yeah, what the judges said. Incredible, but not your best. And kudos for risk-taking.

Brandon Calhoon needs to find Brandon Calhoon before it's too late. He's going to try out "It's All Over Now" by the Stones.

What they say: Dave says that he excels at a southern beat. "I would like to see you excel with something else." Garry wasn't thinking INXS when he saw that performance. Kirk calls him awesome, but isn't hearing that diversity.

What we say: Way to get the audience pumped. But it seemed like Brandon didn't even know what Brandon was doing at times. I think that'll cost him. It just seemed like he was trying to out-Mick Mick.

Now it's time for Marty Casey, who lived and died on "Mr. Brightside" this week. Will his hard work pay off? Let's see... Ten minutes ago, he went unplugged.

What they say: Dave says "Awesome, great choice. You don't always hit the note, but it's not about hitting notes. It's about having the intangible magnetism you already have. In my mind, you are already a rock star." Tim agrees. Jon: "YOU are on the right track."

What we say: Absolutely stellar, one man, one guitar. Probably one of the best Marty performances, probably one of the best performances of the night.

Deanna Johnston broke the stage/judge barrier for the first time last week, and it gave her a newfound respect. Will it translate over to "Long Train Running" by the Doobie Brothers? Here she is.

What they say: Dave notes great chemistry with the band and the audience. "It was a killer performance. Next week, I want to see you completely different." Tim thinks she oversings a bit. Jon thought she brought it. Kirk wants to see less belting.

What we say: I'm still not a fan of her voice, but I love what she did with the song. And it looks like she has no problem with her confidence now. But I do agree that she has to be less belting.

One more performance, and we saved one of the worst from last week for last. After a subpar performance, Ty Taylor is looking for redemption with Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry". It talks about not feeling defeated.

What they say: Dave calls redemption. Sometimes you need last week to put you where you are. Tim says he can really sing. Garry calls it the most soulful. Great closer.

What we say: Ladies and gentlemen... Ty Taylor is back. Nuff said.

Okay, voting is now open. Here's what we think...

ROCK STARS: Suzie, Mig, Jordis, Marty, Ty
ROCK SOLID: Deanna
ROCK BOTTOM: JD, Jessica, Mic... err, Brandon.

And here what the voting says... Bottom three are Jessica, Brandon, & Deanna THUS FAR. Will one of them be saved by this information? Will all three be saved by this information? Well, I don't know. That's what the results are for.

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