Fancast: Inside TV

By Jennifer Smith
Fancast.com

American Idol is finally reaching out to a more sophisticated audience tonight, leaving many teenaged girls scratching their heads in confusion. It’s Broadway, baby! Andrew Lloyd Webber shows up in some fetching maroon velvet trousers to offer advice.

Syesha Mercado: "One Rock & Roll Too Many" from Starlight Express
Syesha shows off her amazing eyebrow acting this week by being “animated.” She begins her song by channeling her inner Jessica Rabbit on top of the grand piano. She’s got a good voice, but it’s all a little cheesy. Randy says she would make a good Broadway star. She says she’s OK with that (so the point of you being on this show is…?).

Jason Castro: "Memory" from Cats
Webber seems to think Jason made a brave choice. You think? Aside from the annoying arms-waving-back-and-forth from the mosh pit, it wasn’t too bad of a performance.*snicker* The judges reamed him. They all agreed the song was too big for him. He’s so over this show that he can’t even muster a look of worry.

Brooke White: "You Must Love Me" from the movie "Evita"
I was gearing up for another “deep” performance from Brooke this week. The music begins, she starts to sing—and then apparently loses her shiznit. She stopped and asked to start again! Wow, do the other contestants know this is allowed? Any correlation to Madonna makes me shudder, but this song was just awful. The judges agree. Paula especially flips a lid about Brooke stopping.

David Archuleta: "Think of Me" from Phantom of the Opera
My nickname for little David is Muppet, since he reminds me of the entire cast of the Muppet Babies. Muppet rearranged Think of Me into some kind of mid-nineties boy-band pop ballad. Nick Lachey wishes he thought of it first. The tiny fists in the front row were pumping, so I knew the judges would love it, too. Randy and Paula that it was da bomb, while Simon that it was forgettable and weak. Back to the nursery with the rest of the Muppets you go.

Carly Smithson: "Jesus Christ Superstar"
Carly channels her inner Judas this week, and Webber seems to think she’ll rock it out because of her tattoos. She looks like she had a lot of fun. Randy’s not surprised the singers with the big voices are doing better tonight. Um yeah, it’s Broadway, Randy. That’s kind of a requirement. I digress. Paula and Simon liked her too.

David Cook: "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera
I was all a twitter when I heard that my favorite singer was singing my favorite song from my favorite musical. But I’m not biased… except to say that he rocked my socks off. The note(s) he hit at the end gave me the goose bumps. I’m glad I have TIVO. My rewind button was in full force after that song. To quote Randy, he gave another “hot molten hot lava bomb!” I don’t know what that means, but I totally agree.

Bottom three prediction: Syesha, Jason, Brooke

Sent packing prediction: Brooke. Go home and watch something Rated R.

[See Idol in photos.]