Finally, An “American Idol” Episode With (Just A Little) More Singing Than Drama

Last night’s American Idol was the third in the suite of Hollywood Week episodes, and it was filled with rapidfire montages of the remaining contestants singing new standards like “Bubbly,” “Since I Ain’t Got You,” and, “Tattoo.” (Really? “Tattoo”?) At the end of the episode there were 54 contestants left, and that pool will apparently be winnowed down to 36 on tomorrow night’s show. People who made it through: the oil rigger, the major-label refugee, the guy with a split personality, and the guy with the really big mouth. More music, less chatter, after the jump!

BEST SONG CHOICE: Jorge Nuñez sang Ne-Yo’s “Closer” and got like five seconds of screen time.

SECOND-BEST SONG CHOICE: We got to see Anoop Desai, who seems to be getting minimal screen time, sing about half the chorus from “My Prerogative.” I suspect there will be a lot more opportunities to hear his muscular voice over the coming weeks, but these pre-competition episodes tend to make me impatient with their endless dragging on and spotlighting of people who are annoying and not really all that great as far as their voices go (cough cough, Tatiana).

BALLSIEST SONG CHOICE: Adam Lambert led off the show with Cher’s “Believe,” and maybe Simon calling it “cabaret” got cut out of the episode’s final edit, because as much as I love the guy, it seriously was veering over into piano-bar-land a bit.

WORST SONG CHOICE: “Hey There Delilah.” Seriously? Jamar Rogers tried to turn it into some sort of rollicking romp, while Ju’Not Joyner went the painstaking-ballad route. Both made it through to the round of 54, perhaps out of pity for being saddled with such crappy material.

MOST MONTAGE-READY: Nate Marshall, the drama-soaked 18-year-old from upstate New York, grabbed his guitar and laid down an unplugged version of Rihanna’s “Disturbia,” which the producers licked up; they matched his freak-outs and crying with his repeating “disturbia” over… and over… and over… again. Sometimes, you just think that the kids in the next generation are a little too media-savvy, you know?

MOST PEAKY: It seemed like Danny Gokey got a ton of screen time for his very overwrought version of Lee Ann Womack’s schmaltzfest “I Hope You Dance,” even though it was totally overwrought and causing the microphone to pop out. All of you readers who said he’s a lock for the top two at least: I think you might be right on this one.

SAD FACE: The “free Leneshe Young” movement might have to move on to a new cause, as she got cut after singing “Love Song.” No, not the Cure song, but the Sara Bareilles one, which she accompanied with a few robot-like dance moves and a Ne-Yo-angled hat.

SADDER FACE: Meanwhile, the ever-annoying Tatiana Del Toro, and her laugh, live to see another day. Just remember, kids: Cajoling and constantly asking for do-overs and crying and generally being a pain in the ass works!

Tonight: 54 become 36! Will Tatiana live to see another day? If she doesn’t, will her cries break the Idol sound rigs? Tune in to find out!

Hollywood Week Part 3: VIDEO [MJ’s Big Blog] The Top 54? Of American Idol 8 [Joe’s Place]