Top 4 - Killer Whales, Cougars and Caddyshack

Tonight is a double treat! Songs from the movies (a potentially good theme that usually doesn't deliver on its promise) and duets! Oh, and the mentor is Jamie Foxx. I remember when he was just some guy with a show on the WB (remember the WB?) that no one had ever heard of. Now he's an Oscar winner and a successful recording artist. In the words of the great M.L. Pogue: who knew? Jamie takes his mentoring very seriously, handing out "artist" and "contestant" t-shirts to signify whether they've transcended their current situation as a competitor on a TV show and taken their creative abilities to the next level. I guess I'd rather see a mentor who tries too hard than one who's only mentoring in exchange for a performance on the results show.

First up is Lee DeWyze with Seal's "Kiss From a Rose." Ummm, I guess that seems like a good song choice for him. There's something kind of robotic about this performance. He sings it OK, but it doesn't seem like he's bringing anything new to it. It's just OK. Randy echoes my sentiments almost word-for-word (shudder), and Simon calls it karaoke. Lee just sits there smiling. He's secure enough in his abilities that he doesn't mind the criticism anymore. Well, if confidence is no longer an issue for him, why are his performances of late been feeling more stale?

Michael Lynche is next with Michael Jackson's "Will You Be There." Ah, yes. Free Willy! Great song. I never got into the movie that much, though it was pretty much inescapable around 1992 or whenever it came out. The beginning feels a little clunky, and almost as soon as it's begun, the song's pace picks up. This is another case of a song with a dramatic build that loses something by being shortened. The backup singers get in on the fun by walking in sync down the steps behind him, apparently to simulate the feeling of a choir. The second half is better, when Michael starts doing more vocally, but overall it's no match for the distinctive soul of Michael Jackson. It also feels too short and too karaoke. The first three judges think he played it too safe, while Simon likes his effort.

Time for Lee and Crystal with our first duet of the night..."Falling Slowly"? Way to rip off Kris Allen! Male-female duets are generally better than the male-male or female-female variety, and this rocking version of a slow acoustic ballad is no exception. Guitars in hand, looking into each other's eyes, these two do everything right here. The judges eat it up, and it undoubtedly tastes good. After two mediocre performances this is a breath of fresh air.

Casey James picks a song that seems odd, Simon and Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson." He goes with a mandolin for this one and sits in the "mosh pit" area. Finally a non-karaoke solo performance! This thing's cool and laid-back, and I like the new feel he gives it. I've heard the original so many times that the song itself isn't going to excite me, but Casey seems like he's connected to it pretty well. Good on ya, Case. That may be the first time someone's stepped into the crowd and it actually worked. Randy thinks it was just OK, and Simon thinks it didn't make enough of an impact. Well, admittedly it wasn't the type of performance that sticks with you. At the moment though, it was enjoyable. There's also some discussion about whether Casey picked the song because the movie it's from, The Graduate, was about an older woman seducing a younger man, and Kara's been ogling him all season. Nobody likes Kara, guys. Stop giving her attention.

Crystal Bowersox gets the solo pimp spot with Kenny Loggins' "I'm Alright," from Caddyshack. Cool choice. I always love Crystal's sharing the spotlight with the backing musicians, and she has the drummer standing up front with her this time. This is definitely the best solo performance of the night. She makes it her own and gives another outstanding vocal. You want to talk about artists, Jamie? This girl could wear that t-shirt any day. Crystal's rebounded from last week's boring performance for sure. The judges are all happy, and Ellen says her version was better than the original. I might be inclined to agree. Simon tells her she's back in the game. I don't think she'd ever really left the game, but whatever (remember, I liked her Shania Twain song two weeks ago).

Finally, our second duet, Michael and Casey with Bryan Adams' "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman." Eh. I'm not a fan of this song. It's too boring. It's got an OK chorus, but everything else drags. Like Crystal and Lee, the men play acoustic guitars. Unlike Crystal and Lee, there's no special chemistry or much interaction. They sing it competently, but it's nothing special. The judges are blown away by it anyway (or at least they act as if they are). Go figure. Maybe my disinterest in the song kept me from enjoying it too much.

My performance ranking:

Lee and Crystal duet (8.5/10)
Crystal (8/10)
Casey (7/10)
Michael and Casey duet (5/10)
Michael (4.5/10)
Lee (4/10)

Predictions:

Bottom 2: Michael, Casey
Going home: Casey

Casey's fans voted extra hard last week, and this week Lee and Michael's fans will probably do the same. See you tomorrow!