American Idol: Back in Time Again

I was hoping when Idol got 'revamped' this season, we'd have more current theme weeks. I mean singing songs from The Rat Pack era or even the 50s, 60s and 70s really doesn't resonate with contestants who were born in the late 80s or 90s. Yet, here were were again, stuck with songs from Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.  They had their heyday in the 50's and 60's with songs like Stand by Me, Yakety Yak, Hounddog, Love Potion No. 9 and Jailhouse Rock. Tonight, the Idols had to sing these oldies but goodies while being mentored by Lady Gaga. What a way to mix the old and the new!

But first, the kids were asked to perform an inspirational song.

When I hear inspiration, I automatically think of Mariah, Whitney and Celine. I also think of dozing off. James kicked things off and woke me up with a cover of Journey's Don't Stop Believing. He missed a couple of notes but brought it home at the end.

Haley paid hommage to Michael Jackson with What About Us. I didn't like it at all and neither did Jennifer or Randy. It isn't one of Michael's more popular songs and I didn't feel it suited her voice at all. Next!

And next up was Scotty. He sang Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning by Alan Jackson. The song addresses the events of 9/11. He sang it well and it's definitely an inspirational song. Yet, he and Haley really reminded me of why I dread inspirational songs. I think the timing might have been perfect in light of the recent death of Osama Bin Laden.

Last up was Lauren who chose Anyway by Martina McBride. She dedicated it to the people who were surviving the devastation of the tornadoes and storms in the South. Again, she sang it well and had a timely message (like Scotty) that would probably get people to the phones to vote.

Haley was up with the first song of the second round. Working with Lady Gaga she chose I Who Have Nothing which Jordin Sparks nailed the season she won. Gaga asked Haley to 'get a little psycho' and indulge in a little drama. It made all the difference. Haley nailed it.

Scotty sang Youngblood and like with Gone  last week, got to have some fun with it. He and Gaga's interactions were funny. She definitely had the little Christian boy blushing! He came out and gave a solid Scotty performance. It wasn't a standout but one thing about Scotty is that he's consistent.

Gaga had her work cut out for her coaxing the bad girl out of Lauren who was having difficult with the word 'evil' in her song Trouble. At the end of the package, we weren't sure if Lauren was going to pull it off; but as soon as she stepped out onto that stage, we saw that she had it. I don't know if a 16-year old girl should be working the sexy but she definitely worked it.

James and Gaga worked on Love Potion No. 9. Gaga and her pantsless outfit helped James move his hips; but when it comes to performance, James is the best out of the four. When he stepped out on the stage, he proved it, killing on Love Potion No. 9. The decision to open and close with James was a good one.
Since there are just four people left, instead of predicting a Bottom 3, I'm going to pick a Top 3. If I have my way, the Top 3 in order would be:

1. James
2. Lauren
3. Scotty

with Haley going home.