Top Twelve American Idol Group Numbers

We all have our opinions on how to improve "American Idol" (and the list has been virtually endless this season), but one that always puzzles me is the suggestion that they do away with the group numbers at the result shows. To this I say: perish the thought! The group numbers have given us countless moments of fun, laughter and at times, brilliance. What kind of flint-hearted scoundrel would want to take them away? Are they sometimes clunky or unmemorable? Sure, but why dismiss the good ones because of a few bad ones?

Maybe it's just my escapist outlook on entertainment, but I think music should brighten up your life. Well-executed group performances can do that in many ways. If you like the song they're singing it can lift your spirits by the sheer power of the notes. If you watch the awkward contestants try to do choreography you can enjoy some unintentional comedy. If it's obvious that the contestants decided to forget their embarrassment and have fun out there we viewers have fun watching them. In all honesty, the group sing is sometimes the only thing worth watching on results night.

To celebrate the moments where they really click, I've compiled what are in my opinion the twelve best group performances. Since AI has had its best seasons with a Top 12, it's only appropriate that that number be used here.

12. Season 2, Top 11 - "Footloose"

The Idols got to sing the title song to Footloose for Movie Week and boy did they enjoy themselves! Just watch! They can't wait to run into the audience to meet their adoring fans, nor can they wipe the smiles off their faces! Is it possible to watch this without wishing you were there?

Cheesy But Fun: In further proof that life just isn't fair, Kimberly Caldwell and Carmen Rasmusen fight over married man Josh Gracin and Julia DeMato and Kimberley Locke grind with Clay Aiken. Some guys have all the luck even when they don't want it.

Unintentional Comedy Alert: During the second verse you can catch Corey Clark checkin' Carmen out!

Awkward Contestant to Watch: Ruben Studdard's limited mobility keeps him confined to stage right most of the time. It looks like he gets to go into the audience, but the camera doesn't follow him there.




11. Season 7, Top 20 - 1970's Medley

The music of the 1970's is often maligned, but this medley reminds us that there were some gems during the decade as well. They obviously went to a lot of trouble to choreograph this segment for 20 contestants as well as give most of them face time. Sometimes more participants means more to love.

Cheesy But Fun: Jason Castro and Danny Noriega pop up in front of the camera to sing the word "Yoooooooouuuuuuuuuuu."

Unintentional Comedy Alert: "Nothing But a Heartache" rolls along smoothly before it's suddenly interrupted by Amanda Overmyer's raspy vocals.

Awkward Contestant to Watch: Robbie Carrico likes to keep his hand in his pocket and give the choreography a halfhearted effort.

Best Part: "I Feel the Earth Move" may be the most fun part, but "The Things We Do For Love" is pretty good too, especially with my homeboy Chikezie getting featured twice. Of course, "I Saw the Light" also rocks because it's freaking Todd Rundgren!




10. Season 1, Top 5 - Burt Bacharach Medley

Let's just say you hate the cheesy choreography but love the singing. This one should be right up your alley. The contestants just stand in a row and sing, and all the songs are Burt Bacharach classics. Oh yeah, Hal David classics too! You don't want to forget about him! It's hard to go wrong with such good material, and the Top 5 here pull it off admirably. Sit back and enjoy the music.

Unintentional Comedy Alert: Perhaps "comedy" is too strong a word, but when Justin Guarini and RJ Helton are singing "This Guy's in Love With You" you can hear one of the girls off to the side say something like "I feel like it's just silly now that I'm doing this here."

Best Part: "Anyone Who Had a Heart," where Kelly Clarkson and Tamyra Gray get the spotlight.




9. Season 8, Group 3 - "Hot N' Cold"

Yep, this one we just saw a few weeks ago made the list. Was it unbelievably corny? Of course it was! That's what made it so great! It stands head and shoulders above the crappy other group sings we've been given this season. Yes, it was almost certainly lip-synched, but with choreography like that how can it not be a classic?

Cheesy But Fun: Where do I begin? Ryan standing right in the middle of the action when it starts? The women's permanent smiles? The synchronized leg-
crossing? Nathaniel Marshall really getting into the lyrics? The camera panning down to find the singers on the couch turned to face it? Ah, heck, they're all winners.

Unintentional Comedy Alert: Two words: Scott MacIntyre. OK, OK, I don't want to make fun of the visually impaired, but it's obvious he's at a disadvantage here. If I'm being serious, he does a pretty good job considering his handicap.

Awkward Contestant to Watch: Jorge Nunez. The guy can't even lip-sync properly. Alex Wagner-Trugman often looks lost too.

Best Part: I'd have to say the first chorus when we get to see the guys' entire leg-crossing, finger-snapping routine.




8. Season 6, Top 12 - Supremes Medley

It's hard to say what makes this one so appealing. Could it be another case of "the more the merrier"? Could it be that The Supremes had some great songs? Could it be that these contestants were such a fun bunch? Perhaps it's all of the above. All I know is that I've always loved the medley they did for Diana Ross Week.

Cheesy But Fun: During "Stop! (In the Name of Love)" the girls are paired up with guys whose job is to stand there and act aloof.

Awkward Contestant to Watch: Chris Sligh. Chris admitted that during the group numbers he was often trying hard to stay focused on the choreography, and it's pretty obvious that he's in a "zone" here. He misses a turn during Blake Lewis' solo line, and you can see him in the background with a blank look on his face during Jordin Sparks' solo in "Baby Love."

Best Part: Musically I'm partial to "Baby Love." Comedically I'm partial to Chris Sligh's standoffishness toward Stephanie Edwards.




7. Season 4, Top 5 - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Sometimes a great song is all that's needed to make a great group performance. While I love the larger group performances, there's a special charm to the smaller ones too. They allow you to hear the individual voices better and usually represent the best of the season's talent. You can argue that Anthony Fedorov and Scott Savol here don't deserve to be mentioned as such, but regardless of what you think of those two, this quintet sounds incredible together. Bo Bice in particular owns.




6. Season 2, Top 3 - Love Songs Medley

Speaking of smaller group numbers, I've always liked this one too. While it may seem like little more than a medley of three adult contemporary hits, it reminds you of the old days when "Idol" was a more innocent show. Back then these three aspiring singers didn't realize what big stars they already were. Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken and Kimberley Locke were certainly one of the most memorable Top 3's ever, and this was the moment they had the stage all to themselves.

Best Part: The Peaches & Herb classic "Reunited." I'm not sure what, but Clay and Ruben seem to be laughing about something when Kimberley starts singing the verse. This display of camaraderie only adds to the enjoyability.




5. Season 2, Top 5 - 1960's Medley

Let's just be honest here: music was better in the 1960's. The decade seemingly offers something for everyone stylistically. This fact wasn't lost on the arrangers of this medley, as it runs the gamut of '60s pop from Stevie Wonder to Gary Puckett to The Mamas and The Papas to Aretha Franklin to Lulu to Little Anthony and The Imperials. Overall, it's five and a half minutes o' pure gold.

Cheesy But Fun: Kimberley Locke and Trenyce do symmetrical arm choreography on "You'll Never Get to Heaven."

Unintentional Comedy Alert: Poor Josh Gracin. He just couldn't stay on pitch anymore at this point. He hangs in there on his solo as best he can though.

Best Part: Just because it's my favorite song of the bunch, "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" with Ruben Studdard leading the way is pretty dang cool.




4. Season 5, Top 4 - Elvis Presley Medley

Within an hour America would be shocked to learn that Chris Daughtry was going home, but for the time being the King needed a tribute medley. Elvis Presley was many things, among them a sex symbol, a pop culture icon and an American legend. Most importantly though, he was an artist whose hits still hold up well 30 years after his death. Season 5 didn't have very many group sings, and the ones it did have were mostly lackluster and overchoreographed. On this one our Top 4's leashes are given some slack and they turn a simple medley into a celebration.

Cheesy But Fun: The guys all quickly turn toward Katharine McPhee on the line "Go cat (Kat) go!" in "Blue Suede Shoes." She obliges with a sexy dance.

Unintentional Comedy Alert: Seriously, Katharine? Melismafying "Burnin' Love"?

Awkward Contestant to Watch: The house backup singers are obviously participating on this one, and Taylor Hicks doesn't seem all too enthusiastic about his pantomimed role as a Jordanaire.

Best Part: Taylor tears it up at the end on "Burnin' Love." I don't care what anyone says, America got it right with him.




3. Season 6 Finale, Top 6 Girls - Gladys Knight Medley

I'm not a big fan of group sings that include a "special guest," since I think "American Idol" should be about the contestants. After all, they're getting perhaps their only moment in the limelight. This is a rare case where the guest actually works. In a year where the soulful divas ruled, it was only fitting that they brought in one of their musical ancestors. Gladys Knight's voice clearly has some wear and tear on it, but she can still muster up the passion.

Cheesy But Fun: The girls all pull an imaginary train whistle rope and go "whoo-whoo!" Jordin Sparks in particular seems to get a kick out of it.

Awkward Contestant to Watch: Gina Glocksen. The Celine Dion rocker chick got no rhythm!

Best Part: "Midnight Train to Georgia" is still a great song after all these years, and this medley wouldn't have been complete without it. Melinda Doolittle and LaKisha Jones get to sing with Gladys on her signature song, and you can see the admiration on their faces. They're sharing the stage with a legend and they're loving it. Isn't that the true beauty of this show? That we're watching dreams come true? Man, I miss Melinda. She had a way of brightening up any stage she set foot on.




2. Season 3, Top 12 - Soul Medley

This thing is so saturated with fun that it almost spills off your monitor and messes up your keyboard. Seriously, you can even hear them laughing at parts. These kids are truly having a blast out there. I always want to watch this one over and over because it's so irresistible. Try not to tap your feet when you watch it. Ha! You can't do it, can you?

Intentional Comedy Alert: One of the guys (I think Matt Rogers) yells "oh, play it Steve!" in the middle of "Soul Man," just like in the Sam and Dave original.

Awkward Contestant to Watch: John Stevens gives it his best effort, but it's obvious this stuff doesn't come naturally to him.

Best Part: Hard to pick, but the highlight may be the end when everyone gets in on "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love."




1. Season 6, Top 7 - "I'm Alright"

There's no unintentional comedy or awkwardness to smile at in this one. The fact of the matter is that this is the only group sing that's ever deeply moved me with its beauty. Yeah, I'm a sap, but so what? This performance is perfect in every way. I realize this is the third item from the oft-hated-on Season 6, but I love Season 6 and this is my list. The contestants were much more likable then than they have been since, and this performance only confirms that ever more in my mind. Just watch it and take it all in. It's fantastic.




If you're still in favor of eliminating the group numbers after seeing all that, you officially have no soul. On an otherwise sad night where we have to say goodbye to someone the group sing lets us see the contestants together one final time doing what they dream of. There's a lot we could dispose of on "Idol" (like that new Judges' Save rule), but the group numbers don't belong anywhere near the dumpster.