Goodbye, Siobhan!

I realized that people who liked Siobhan when she was dark and moody and screeching would not like Siobhan when she was "punk country" or whatever Randy called her. This will really throw off a lot of brackets because when we posted our entries she was on a streak and we expected it to continue. Oh well.

Did anyone notice the dirty looks that Michael was shooting when he was hanging out in the crows nest with the bottom three? He is a bad sport if I ever saw one.

Un Jin was the only one who got any points this week (3 for having Siobhan in position 6). So here are our standings:

1. Dan (13 points)
1. Susan (13 points)
1. Composite (13 points)
4. Janet (7 points)
4. Kayla (7 points)
6. Jennie (5 points)
6. Don (5 points)
8. Un Jin (3 points)
9. Donnie (2 points)
10. Ida/Linda (0 points)
11. Patrice (-3 points)
12. Brad (-5 points)

This is going to get interesting in about two weeks because the people who did not include Siobhan in their top three are Ida/Linda, Un Jin, Patrice, and Brad. And the top three is where you can earn the most points.

The Top Six Sing

A paint Salesman: Classy Lee. I loved it. He let it build at the intro and at the end he kind of slowed down. It was an arrangement with some trajectory. And Ellen’s right, he couldn’t have looked cuter. Donnie has recently modeled his facial hair after Lee, and I think he’s on the right track.

A Father: Not a fan. He just seems very rehearsed. Plus he had a bad attitude when he almost got eliminated, which was inappropriate. Sorry.

A Construction Worker: Wow. He really is singing tonight. For some reason Casey sounds better when he’s sitting on a stool. But I kind of disagree with the judges--I think he is still removed and sort of aloof.

A Mother: She sounds like Jewel! I didn’t realize it until tonight, especially in her little yodel-ish high notes. She hit some good ones. It wasn’t powerful, but it was cute.

A High School Student: Aaron’s voice is really made for songs like this. This is my favorite Shania song so far tonight, and Aaron pulled it off. Simon is right, Aaron was sincere and believable for the first time in weeks. That doesn’t mean I like him, though.

A Glassblower: I changed my mind, this is my favorite Shania song. Who knew I liked so many Shania songs? Anyway, this was really a confusing performance for me. Was she trying to make it country or not country? I kept going back and forth. Finally, I realized she was singing it too close to the original and just not able to compete with Shania. Then it felt like she realized she needed to get a scream in there or else she was going home, and so she threw it in at the end.

Best: Lee
Worst: Michael or Siobhan (Donnie thinks Crystal is at risk of going home. If so, the judges are really going to regret using their save on Michael!!!)

Standings Week 4

The only points that anyone received this week were for reverse streaks. Dan, Susan, Janet and our composite each got 2 reverse streaks for putting Tim, Andrew, and Katie all in sequence. Patrice, Don, Jennie, Un Jin, and myself each got one reverse streak for putting Tim next to Andrew or Tim next to Katie. Things got a little hairy because of last week's double elimination--Andrew and Katie could swing up or down one place in the sequence and it would still count. If you want to see my spreadsheet, let me know.

1. Dan (13 points)
1. Susan (13 points)
1. Composite (13 points)
4. Janet (7 points)
4. Kayla (7 points)
6. Jennie (5 points)
6. Don (5 points)
8. Donnie (2 points)
9. Linda/Ida (0 points)
9. Un Jin (0 points)
11. Patrice (-3 points)
12. Brad (-5 points)

The Top Seven Sing

Casey: I thought it was pretty flat. He didn’t do a whole lot to shake it up. One of the judges said that no one would be talking about that performance tomorrow and they are absolutely right—nothing special. Casey sure has pretty eyes. Who is voting for him? I don’t really understand his target audience.

Lee: Lee’s tone is just beautiful. And he’s feeling some emotion tonight for the first time, which I think may have thrown off his pitch. Look at me pretending like I know what tone and pitch mean. I think Simon’s word “sincere” captured it best. FYI, Donnie was cringing, but I think the judges proved him wrong.

Awww, Captain Sully!

Tim: Eeeeccchhhh!!!!!!! He basically threw in the towel. Why was Simon so sweet? Out of all the judges, only Ellen really told it like it was. Go E.

Aaron: A-Hole is still around? Once I read this book called “Not Buying It” about a woman who tried not to spend any money for a whole year. Afterwards D and I went around saying NBI for anything sort of ridiculous. NBI, Aaron.

Siobhan: Wow, that was a tough song. Her pitch was way off. I think she was trying to hit some notes that were too high—she sounds better in her lower register (haha did that make sense?). I think her responses to the judges’ comments are helping to keeping her in this show.

Big Mike: Whoa. Mike’s white jacket is HUGE. When he said he was singing “Hero” I was really hoping it would be Mariah Carey’s “Hero.” I was disappointed that it wasn’t, but I liked the intro anyway. The guitar was neat. After that, eh, but better than Tim, Aaron, and Casey.

Crystal: Ohhh, I’m excited that she’s not going to use an instrument. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! Her voice is gorgeous. She just put herself WAY on the other side of Siobhan. WOW. I think this was the best performance of ANYONE ALL SEASON! I don’t know what Kara and Simon said because the recording stopped after Ellen but in my book she just demonstrated that she will win.

Worst: Tim (Siobhan was pretty bad, too)
Best: Crystal (followed by Lee, but it wasn’t even close tonight)

Rankings After Elimination

I didn't think much of this week. Except for Lee, it was pretty lackluster.

Here are our standings (welcome Un Jin and Brad!)

1. Dan (9 points)
1. Susan (9 points)
1. Composite Ranking (9 points)
2. Kayla (5 points)
3. Janet (3 points)
3. Jennie (3 points)
3. Don (3 points)
4. Donnie (2 points)
5. Linda and Ida (0 points)
6. Un Jin (-2 points after handicap)
7. Patrice (-5 points after handicap)
7. Brad (-5 points after handicap)

Lots of us put Katie and Andrew in positions #8 or 9, which could swing up or down either way on a 2 person elimination night. Dan, Susan, and our composite get 3 additional points for having both Katie and Andrew in those positions (streak of 2). Donnie and I each got a reverse streak for putting Didi in the bottom 3 with Andrew.

Using Google Trends to Predict the Winner

So open a new window and copy and paste this into your browser:

http://www.google.com/trends?q=crystal+bowersox%2C+siobhan+magnus%2C+michael+lynche%2C+lee+dewyze&ctab=0&geo=all&date=2010&sort=0

(how do I make that a hyperlink???)

As you can clearly see from the graph, Crystal Bowersox will likely win this competition and Michael Lynche has little to no chance. It appears that Lee is overtaking Siobhan, which is good news for Jennie.

Standings after Elimination--Week 2

Big Mike has no chance of winning this competition, and I really can't believe the judges used their one save to keep him on the show. What if Crystal needs it? Siobhan? Lee???? Mike was good this week, and he's had a few good moments throughout the season, but he's not going to win. The save should be reserved for someone who has a real shot. So here are our standings after Week 2:

1. Kayla
1. Don
1. Donnie
1. Dan
1. Jennie
1. Susan
1. Janet
1. Linda/Ida
2. Patrice

Patrice joined late, and I had to handicap her 5 points. Sorry, Patrice! :-)

The Top Nine Sing

Aaron: Snooze. I almost like his outfit this week. The black wrist band seems a little out of character, but it helps. Nice last note.

Katie: I think she kind of nailed it.

Andrew: I want to be his friend so bad, but his performance reminded me of Elvis for some reason. What’s with the shirt buttoned up to his Adam’s apple?

Big Mike: I remember learning to sing Eleanor Rigby in 7th grade chorus. Mike’s version was way better than mine. I kept expecting him to start rapping the verses. And for once the band worked with the performance instead of against it. Friggin awesome.

Crystal: Predictable.

Tim: He looks like an original Beatle without his band mates. I’m not really into it. His song keeps going on and on and on and on.

Casey: For me, Casey’s best performance was the one where he sat on the stool and sang right to Kara. He has yet to recreate that. This one was dull. The judges liked it though, so maybe I’m wrong.

Siobhan: I love this song, but she kind of made it feel like Christmas. Eh. She’s so interesting. Ryan was right about Siobhan having sensory overload.

Lee: I love Lee. I love the bagpipe. I love his skinny black tie. I would be so happy if he won.

Best: Michael, Lee, Katie
Worst: Tim, Andrew, Aaron

Rankings after elimination

Didi's gone and none of us saw that coming.

We're all tied for first place (or is it last place?):

1. Kayla
1. Don
1. Donnie
1. Dan
1. Jennie
1. Susan
1. Janet
1. Linda and Ida

Our composite prediction is:

10. Tim (average ranking 9.00)
9. Andrew (8.25)
8. Katie (7.88)
7. Didi (6.75)
6. Aaron (5.50)
5. Casey (5.00)
4. Lee (4.88)
3. Michael (4.00)
2 and 1. Crystal and Siobhan tied (1.88)