*pushes grit in the forehead*

*walks out of thread*

Casey is just so smiley. I wonder if he really feels the music. I kind of lost interest. He was better last week.

I'll go (momentarily-sane) Kara & Simon one worse: he didn't sing that, he spoke it. Decent guitar work, sure, but it didn't cover up his having decided to dictate the lyrics to a local stenographer. I'm sure he'll ride out the week, but his musical credibility just took a major hit.

I kept seeing Bucky Covington, til he started playing the guitar. Meh.

Ya see Whimsey, I always thought Bucky was just that one little "thing" away from hot. I could never figure it out.

While I can appreciate the comparison, Casey is all the hot that Bucky was missing.

Glowie calling glowie!

suffice it to say, I completely disagree. If we're comparing the two (which, why would we? because they both have blonde hair?), Bucky is the hot one. IMO, of course. I just do not get this Casey is good-looking thing that everybody keeps going on about.

Glow! Casey has it going on over Bucky...he isn't the best looking guy AI has ever had but he's the best of this year's over 21 bunch. How to explain? Bucky was...is...doofier than Casey. Casey's got more cool than Bucky.

Zackley!

Ryan says the guys have improved. Couch interview with Alex. He has a bit of stage fright. Playing his guitar this week. Threw up last week.

6th grade created his own language. Uses it to write melodies.

Everybody Knows--John Legend

He looks way too much like that bad kid from "The OC"

Seems to loosen up a bit for the chorus but started out weak. Better than last week, I think, I don't know if I remember last week.

Randy. I have my own language too. This is such an improvement. Love you with the guitar. Wasn't as sound alike. Found your own niche. Enjoyed that. Way Legit tonight.

E. Ripened the banana. Don't know how you did that so quickly. The confidence, that was a compliment. You don't have the experience. Gaining that quickly. Got such a great voice. Most unique style and I like it.

Kara. Everyone is rooting for you. You have a recordable voice. Great tone. You don't know what to do with it. You will learn. Great improvement.

Simon. That was a million times better than last week. The only time you should be nervous is if you useless and you are not. I don't get you are taking part to win. Have to get a killer instinct. I wish I was choosing your songs. I don't want to hear anymore about nerves, you are a good singer.

Don't know why, but he bothers me. Nice performance, though.

I'm with you whims

I didn't like this at all

Oh, so he's Bill Russell!

I don't know... it was an improvement over last week, but I'm not feeling the rocket launch which seemed to blow the panel over. He's still not all that emotionally invested, in the song or the competition -- and I really don't hear the tone Kara's rhapsodizing over.

And for the record: I do not need to hear Randy talking about how much he loves anyone's package.

I actually enjoyed that. Best performance so far tonight.

Very blah for me.

Notice Michael & Andrew hamming it up at the end of Alex's cell?

There's a total of twenty words in it. He's been speaking it in public every day for the last nine seasons.

I did not listen to him at all last night. I ff'ed to Kara. I'm pretty convinced they put them in order of relevance and that would be why Ellen was first last week and got bumped to second this week. It's not worth it to me to listen to him. He is so completely useless on this show. The only thing he should be doing is producing ABDC.

Couch interview. How did the heat from last week effect this week. Wasn't as harsh on the play back. Change it enough to make it my own. Figured wouldn't be compared to the original.

Dancing started at 9. First Fritz with color blind casting. Does push ups before performance. Wants to infuse dancing with singing.

What's Love Got To Do With It--Tina Turner

Hmmmmmm.

Well, he's hot. Clearly he doesn't let anything stand in his way when it comes to choosing parts in theatre or on stage.

But Tina Turner? Really? Really?

He needs to go back to the Disney stables.

Starts it off slow. Brings it up a bit in volume tempo for the chorus.

Randy. There is a reason you are here. At the end did the falsetto was hot. Doesn't need a wild different arrangement. Just sing a nice song. Don't change it just sing it. Just sing for once.

E. I wouldn't say just sing. Move and use your strength. Always go with your strength. I just think it is a hard song to sing. I want you here. I don't think that song helped you get votes.

Kara. We all like you. When you started moving it got better. You were stiff. The simple melody of that first song. Ever since that day all over the place. What happened to Todrick, that wasn't crazy all over the place.

Simon. Move but don't sing. This is not working for you. It was just one of those performance I see at a theme park. It was that caliber. Very corny bad version of a Tina Turner song. Don't know what is going through your head. Getting it utterly wrong.

Something bothers me about him, and I know exactly what it is. He is too manufactured for me. Just too much.

He wants you to know he can change that if you just send him fifty dollars.

Hence the Disney stables.

At this point, I feel they're shoving him out the door before the scandal finishes breaking. Once again, he did what they tell everyone else to do: tried to take ownership -- and got blasted for it. Not I think he succeeded: this was weaker than his first effort. But so far, the pattern is 'The rest of the pack, do this. Todrick, don't.'

If only we could care.

He seemed to be all over with that. Some good notes and some painful ones.

I just don't like this guy. Or his under performing of a big voice song. It's like he's trying to con his audience into believing that he can do more than just carry a tune, and the con ain't working.

An easy ticket to the showers, IMO.

...oh, the places he could have gone with that.

...oh, the lawsuits still pending...

He rocks the onesies.
He steams his voice. Judges cut throat first show.

What's Going On--Marvin Gaye

I can safely say what's not going on - Jermaine ain't going on.

Starts really slow with lots of melisma, then goes up tempo, with a lot of melisma.

Why is the a knob on his head?

Randy. Better than last week. Like uh. So close but so far. First time with the falsetto. Just wasn't a great performance. Tough song to sing. Needed to pull it back even more. More simple.

E. Doesn't feel good. I love your style. I would like to see, I don't know. Didn't work. Just off a little bit, pushed too hard.

Kara. You can do all these things, crazy runs. The problem is you are always doing too much. Look at the meaning, lyrics. It just feels forced, just trying to show us every trick. One trick that means something.

Simon. we are frustrated and disappointed. Water down the songs. That is one of the great songs. Play around so much no one can take you seriously.

Says come to church with me.

I don't think that is church singing. that was just kind of a caberet, make you old fashioned.

Wants to ask a question. What should I sing next week.

Simon. not sure you will be here next week.

I kept screaming at the TV, "Stop it, stop singing. stop talking, just stop"!

The perfect ending to the exchange was Simon's offer to go to church. Should have stopped there.

DH thinks he should be on Project Runway rather than AI.

As a model or a designer?

Not sure. Maybe both.

-- wardrobe.

In his case, the rut ends at the bottom of the cliff. The only way he survives is if VFTW changes their pick.

Been a break dancers since middle school.

You Gave Me Something--James Morrison

I'm only liking him because without the glasses and a couple more years on him, he'd look just like my bud, Bullzeye.

That's his only pass for me tonight.

Half on the stool. Stands up part way though. Beats on chest when singing the word heart.

Meh for me.

Randy. I love James Morrison. That wasn't the vibe for you. Pitchy all over the place. you are way better than that. More unique quirky things. This guy is a soul singer, you aren't a soul singer.

E. Couple of pitch problems. Set the bar so high with that Paula song. Want to get your name tattooed on my neck. You gotta top that somehow.

Kara. It has been going down since the Paula. You are a rhythmic singer. Played it too safe. Need to surprise us.

Simon. You haven't chosen the right song is beginning to become a problem. Do something original, stand out. You will never look back on this and say it was incredible. It was OK and you are better than OK.

He can definitely do better than that. And don't.dance.again. ever.

Didn't like it at all.

I don't know what's annoying me more: the performance, the tongue, the hair, or the fact that he's completely safe this week no matter what he does. There's a lot of nights when that would have been a Bottom Three performance, but we're stuck with him through the Top 12 and beyond...

I love photography. Can do it his way. The camera doesn't lie.

My Girl--The Temptations.

At what point did people stop singing through their mouths and start pushing it through the noseholes?

Or hasn't his voice changed yet?

A bit too much melisma. Kinda better than last week. Oh that was off at the end I think.

Randy. I didn't know if I would like that. This is that young dude that I love. The end with the break down thing was strange. That was 200% better than last week.

E. A lot more confidence, used the stage. Sing well, but a little forgettable, did a lot with it. Wish there was a different song. Have a great voice.

Kara. I really liked it, I like you. You are consistent, you got twang, I don't get confused. Big statement for someone your age.

Simon. How old are you. I didn't like the song. All over the place. Went backwards. What you need to work out what kind of artist you want to be. Too old fashioned. You gotta come on and tell us the kind of artist you want to be.

I cannot believe they are asking him to follow in the footsteps of Justin Bieber. Incredibly stupid. Bieber is a flash in the pan.

That was unfortunate.

I still think he has potential, a good voice, and -- this is subjective, but he just comes across as real. Archie was a fully artificial creation: this is a normal teenager slightly out of his depth learning to tread water in a hurry.

Besides, if he gets sent back now, the other kids are going to beat him up.

Glad he didn't sing a ballad again. I was afraid he was David A the 2nd.

We don't know his family. 4 brothers and 5 sisters. Calm self down with a prayer.

Last week was a great confidence booster, going to take that forward.

Come on Get Higher--Matt Nathanson

Ellen was absolutely right. Glee would be his niche.

Gosh, interesting. Just interesting.

they are having a contest/reality show for new Gleeks....like You're the one that I want for new Bway Grease... I dorkily loved that show

Playing Guitar.

Much better than last week.
Don't like how they ended it with the backup singers.

Randy. Yo, how was that for you. He had fun. I didn't get it. Kind of very karaoke. Nothing special that made it unique. Pitch problems.

E. Keep booing for me. Do you like to act, you should act. If you were on Glee girls would love you. There is no charisma, not stage presence, you are adorable. Singing isn't the strong point.

Kara. I liked the song choice, but wait. I see you more in that lane. But you didn't make it your own. Frustrating with you. You look the part, play the part, but not all there yet. Could be all there.

Simon. I am going to disagree. Marked improvement from last week. You listened and chose a young song. Went back to what we liked about you. More relevant than a lot of the other singers tonight. Impressed by your attitude and work ethic.

I think Simon was trying to talk VFTW out of their chosen one.

I think he failed.

yep and taking the "pity" vote away...VFTW sent a call out to the Tweeners yesterday with shirtless pics of Tim

Jermaine (or Todrick) is in the wings if Tim goes...

Just sad.

High School was rough. Went into an alternative school. One teacher helped him.

I am a nice guy who made bad decisions.

Lips of an Angel--Hinder

I love that song and I had involuntary chills.

He'd kill Blue October too.

Using Mic Stand. Lots of growl.

Randy. Missed the guitar. He says he was nervous about playing it. It was a bold move, I liked you trying to take chances. I'm a huge fan of yours, couple of pitch problems but I liked it.

E. You didn't move around but so much passion and intensity. Came out as a great performance. Really in that song. It was great.

Kara. I thought it was a big improvement. Some pitch problems last week, but I could hear you on the radio right now. It is very commercial. Gotta own your stance a little.

Simon. Vocally you are head and shoulder above the other guys. Best singer. Self belief, you look terrified. If you are a front person you gotta take the center. Waiting for you to connect and lose the nerves. You may be the one to beat.

That was great! Pulling up the pants made it even better.

Some of us skip the commercials.

Big bland generic 'could hear any day a thousand times from every wanna-be in the state' meh.

Lee has become my early fave.

What up with lips showing up in Simon's frame? And all over the place. Pucker, pucker, pucker.

Casey wakens early in the morning. The dew hasn’t burned off the grass yet.

MC asks him why he’s up so early.

Casey replies. “Well, I gotta git ready for tonight.”

MC wonders if this has anything to do with that box he loaded into the trunk.

Casey runs out to the car to grab the box from the trunk. He rifles through it as if his mojo is buried in there.

MC carries out a glass of OJ to cool down his throat. He has a big night tonight and she doesn’t want to be blamed for anything. MC smiles with the memory of the night before.
Good thing he doesn’t play the sax.

The fog begins to lift and the dew begins to dry. The day breaks into what may be most beauteous. Might need to plan a picnic for later in the morning.

MC wanders back into the Shoppe and puts on the water for coffee. Once it’s ready she carries a tray out to Casey with some fresh strawberries, cream and homemade baked goods.

He devours the offering as if he had been starved for days. With the food left in nothing but crumbs, MC and Casey sit on the swing, her head on his shoulder, watching a bluebird flitting from branch to branch on the big oak tree. It’s the perfect morning.

MC offers to drive Casey into the city for his performance tonight. He tells her to stay behind and get some rest.

He’ll be back later. Oh yes, he will.

Good thing he doesn’t play the sax.

Bwahahahaha!

Lee 21.2
Tim 8.6
Casey 4.0
Andrew 3.1
Alex 2.4
Michael 2.0
Aaron 1.8

Everyone else zero

You can probably pencil him in for next week. And once you're finishing doing that, the eraser will make a decent earplug.

Nicely done.