‘Idol’ finalists tackle Beatles songs

Michael Johns went with “Across the Universe” and did not do a good job of “making the song his own,” as the frequent “Idol” cliché goes. Everyone expected better from one of the more experienced finalists.

“Carly (Smithson) did something brilliant with her song — that’s what you should have done. You’ve got to let yourself go,” Simon said. “I’m still a big, big fan of yours, and I’m still a little bit frustrated that we haven’t seen that come through.”

David Archuleta is in no danger whatsoever of being voted off, since he’s been the star of the series so far this season. Anyone tuning in for the first time on Tuesday, however, had wonder what all the fuss was about. He closed the show with “We Can Work it Out,” but misfired on the lyrics early in the song and generally lacked the swagger he’d shown in earlier weeks.

“This kind of vibe is not your vibe,” Randy said. “It felt very forced and it didn’t quite work.” Ironic, since he did so well a few weeks ago singing John Lennon’s “Imagine.”

Trio has a hard day’s night
While nearly anyone could find themselves in the bottom three, three singers in particular have reason to worry.

Ramiele Malubay sang “In My Life” for “my close friends who have left the show already.” Her vocals were fine, but she sang right after Chikezie’s series of sprints around the stage and her performance looked dull by comparison.

“I was bored to tears throughout the entire song,” Simon said. “I expect a lot better from you, because you’re a lot better than that.” Randy also expressed skepticism. She might get to see those close friends sooner than expected.

The other two got themselves in trouble by overdoing their performances. David Hernandez sang “I Saw Her Standing There” and tried to make the song more complicated than it was, a move that left nobody happy. Even Paula thought he overdid things.

“David … no, no no,” Simon said. “I thought it was corny verging on desperate, to be honest with you. It was all a little bit rabbit in the headlights,” Simon said.

Kristy Lee Cook heard what the judges said last week about becoming more of a country singer, and tried to change “Eight Days a Week” into a country song. It didn’t work, and nobody even gave her credit for trying.

It may help her that she sang late in the program, and that the judges were mean enough to earn her some sympathy votes. But she’s the contestant most likely to go home on Wednesday.

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