‘American Idol’ men continue to struggle

This is the biggest week of the season for the “American Idol” semifinalists. A lot of times, there’s not a tremendous difference in future potential between the winner and some of the runners-up, but contestants eliminated in the semifinals are rarely heard from again.

Jennifer Hudson got enough exposure on the third season of “Idol” to land the “Dreamgirls” role that won her an Oscar. It’s doubtful that she would have even been called to audition had she not been a wild-card pick into the final 12. Taylor Hicks may have won last year, but Chris Daughtry will likely have the better career. Had either bowed out early, their lives might be very different today.

With all that on the line, the men shrank from the challenge instead of rising to the occasion. None of the eight performances were particularly memorable on a night when the opportunity to advance was there. This week, each contestant was asked to reveal something about themselves that might surprise people; not surprisingly, few said anything that implied an ability to perform under pressure.

When host Ryan Seacrest closed the show by asking the judges how many of the men actually deserved to be among the 12 finalists, Randy and Paula said only four fit that description, and Simon said three and a half. Because of the quota system, six will actually move on, but that doesn’t bode well for when they have to compete against the stronger women finalists.

Slide show   Season 6 of ‘Idol’ The votes — and the surprises — are adding up and the 'American Idol' hopefuls now number 6.

Blake Lewis, 25, Bothell , Wash.: Lewis claimed that he loves to perform improv comedy, which is the least shocking trait ever for the first beatboxer ever to make it out of Hollywood. He’s advanced this far because he can sing and perform as well, and he did both tolerably well to open the show. Neither Randy or Paula said they’d heard of 311’s  hit “All Mixed Up” until Lewis sang it, and Simon didn’t understand a word he sang. But though none of the judges showed any indication that they’d turned on a rock station in the past 10 years, all liked his individuality.
Grade: B
Stay or go? The performance wasn’t his best, but on a night like this, it should be good enough to keep him around.

Sanjaya Malakar, 17, Federal Way, Wash.: Malakar lived in Hawaii for four years and therefore knows how to hula, arguably better than he can sing. His version of John Mayer’s “Waiting on the World to Change” was better than last week’s effort, but showed that he’s not ready for a competition like this one. He doesn’t have that extra vocal gear that his rivals can surge towards at a critical moment of the song, and so once again he sounded more like a talent-show contestant than an “Idol” semifinalist.
Grade: C
Stay or go? If he hasn’t been voted off the show yet, who knows? He should go this week, but he should have gone last week, the week before, and in the Hollywood round. He’s already had more unwanted sequels than “Rocky.”

Sundance Head, 28, Porter, Texas : A big part of Head’s appeal is his genial personality, and this week he claimed he’s really a skinny guy wearing a fat suit for the competition. Sounds silly, but not as silly as being a bluesy rocker singing ballads, which he did in Hollywood and in the first week of the semifinals before finally returning to his strengths last week. His version of Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy” won’t get him any guest slots subbing for Eddie Vedder, but will probably get him into the final 12. Simon criticized him for shouting, which may indicate that the judge thinks Pearl Jam is one of Grandma's canning recipes.
Grade: B
Stay or go?: If Head hasn’t gone by now, odds are small he’ll go this week. But he’s really close to being on the bubble.

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