For your central Jersey real estate needs: JudyNJHomes.com
Welcome to the 6th week of Katharine's journey to the final 2 of last season's "American Idol". Katharine McPhee's incredible performance of "Come Rain Or Come Shine", kept her safe for another week.
This is week 3 of the finals, and this week's theme is: "Music Of The 21st Century", music from 2000 thru now.
Katharine McPhee has chosen "The Voice Within" by Christina Aguilera.
"The Voice Within" was a very difficult song to do, and she struggled, litterally.
Katharine made her first of two trips to the bottom 2 along with Lisa Tucker, and Lisa was sent home, after a poor performance of "Because Of You, " by "American Idol" season 1 winner, Kelly Clarkson.
What do you think of that performance?
As I've said before the difficulty on this song is off the charts IMO, so taking that into consideration I have to give this performance an 8. It seems most people weren't too keen on this performance, but I still like it. I remember going to watch this on my DVR and the recording had gotten screwed up to the point it wasn't even watchable. Because of this it gave me the chance to read about it on the boards before I saw it, and the reviews worried me a bit. But when I finally got the chance to see it (in HQ thanks to Vinman) I was pleasantly suprised. It was much better than I was expecting. Perhaps not having high expectations contributed to that, who knows. Not one of Katharine's best, but still quite good.
HQ streaming: http://stage6.divx.com/content/show/1138620?user_id=536478
Youtube:
It was not her strongest performance, but she did not deserve to be in the bottom 2. I think there were alot of weaker singers that night, but for some reason, she wasn't as popular as she was earlier or would become later.....maybe that all has to do with song choice and "copying" a well-known singer (since that was also the reason Lisa was booted, for singing Kelly Clarkson)....
Kat had been sooooo good the prior two weeks that I think the audience was expecting ALOT and it wasn't anything 'special' like the CROS or UYCBTM were. Although, if I remeber correctly, I think the judges didn't hate it and Simon might have even liked it okay......
Anyway - Kat looked shocked and mad that she was in the bottom 2 (just as I was sitting at home) - but maybe it was a good thing overall - because she really stepped up her game in the coming weeks and we wound up seeing even BETTER performances from her. It also taught me that I would no longer be able to go out to dinner with friends and watch the show later - but that I had to be glued to the phone for the full 2 hrs from this day forward voting for her!!
Her look, also, in this performance was good - but not as gorgeous as she was in CROS or what she came to look like in the coming weeks and I also think this has an effect on the audience, in particular for the girls.
This was my least favorite performance of the season. And I hated the outfit. Kind of took a little steam out of the triple shot of greatness she'd given with Think, Until You Come Back To Me and Come Rain Or Come Shine in the prior weeks.
Anyway...here's this weeks transcript. I'll include the results show since she was in the bottom two (ugh, I just read through the results show. Makes me queasy remembering her standing there all that time waiting to find out she was safe).
KATHARINE’S TOP 10 PERFORMANCE (2000’S WEEK)
Song: “The Voice Within”
Performed: March 28, 2006
Original Performer: Christina Aguilera
Written By: Christina Aguilera and Glen Ballard
Year: 2004
PRE-PERFORMANCE
Katharine: I’m going to be singing Christina Aguilera’s, “The Voice Within”. And I’m singing it because, one, I love Christina Aguilera. I’m a huge fan. But also, the other reason is…I, throughout this entire process I’ve learned that the only person you can really trust is yourself and so that’s my week’s message is trust the voice within.
KATHARINE’S LYRICS
When there’s no one else, look inside yourself If you’ll learn to begin to just trust the voice within Life is a journey It can take you where you choose to go As long as you’re learning You’ll find all you’ll ever need to know (be strong) Take it (hold on) You’ll make it Just don’t forsake it because No one can stop you, you know that I’m talking to you When there’s no one else, look inside yourself Like your oldest friend, trust the voice within Then you’ll find the strength that will guide your way If you’ll learn to begin to trust the voice within
POST-PERFORMANCE
Randy: Yo, yo. Alright, so you know by now that I’m definitely one of your biggest fans in this. Although, I mean it was a good song choice, I guess. But you sang it kind of just like the record. But it was good, but you didn’t bring anything new to it. You know what I mean? But at least I know the kind of records you would make. That was a good song choice, I think.
Katharine: Thank you.
Paula: We always stress that. We stress all the time if you are going to sing a song or take a song like Celine or Christina, you know change it up. But you know what? Katharine, I wouldn’t have changed a thing. You were I think your best, on point, you look the best.
Paula: You know what? I think, I think Christina would feel very honored that you sang it.
Katharine: Aw, I hope so.
Simon: Um, I think it was the best tonight.
Paula: Yeah. (claps)
Simon: And it was almost, almost as good as Christina.
Katharine: (giggle) Thank you.
Ryan: Katharine McPhee, some credit for song selection tonight. I think you’ll take it. 1-866-IDOLS-07, 1-866-436-5707 or you can text the word vote to 5707.
Katharine (mouthing the words): VOTE!
Ryan: Remember please don’t vote until the end of the show. Thank you Katharine.
Katharine: Thank you Ryan. Thank you! (waves to audience)
KATHARINE DURING THE TOP 10 RESULTS SHOW
Aired On: March 29, 2006
Group Song (Ford Commercial): “Give A Little Love”
Special Appearance: Shakira (with Wyclef Jean) sings, “Hips Don’t Lie”
Katharine’s Song: “The Voice Within”
Eliminated Idol: Lisa Tucker
Others In Danger: Katharine McPhee, Ace Young
HOW KATHARINE FINDS OUT HER FATE
(Ace & Lisa have already been announced as in the bottom three)
Ryan: That brings us to Katharine and Bucky. (Katharine looks over at Bucky with a nervous smile, Bucky smiles back). One of you is in the bottom three. Katharine. You sang “The Voice Within”. The judges were impressed that you took on a Christina Aguilera song. Bucky. You sang “Real Good Man”. The judges didn’t think the vocals were up to par. America voted. Katharine…you are in the bottom three tonight.
Katharine (as she walks to the stage): It’s OK. (Giggles nervously).
Ryan: Bucky, you’re safe.
Katharine’s reaction: Outwardly, takes it well. Smiles, gets up and joins Ace and Lisa on stage. When she gets to Ace to Lisa. Ace greets her with a mini-hug. Katharine faces the crowd and looks very surprised at where she’s standing.
General reaction: Shock and dismay. Crowd boos loudly. Lisa looks stunned. Mandisa’s jaw drops in surprise. Kellie is visibly shaken. Camera goes to the crowd where we see Adriana and Peisha booing loudly at the news.
Ryan: These are your votes talking, America. Look at this bottom three. Lisa, Ace and Katharine McPhee. Judging by the sounds here in the studio, there’s unhappiness, there’s shock. (Crowd boos again) Remember, two are safe, one is out. We’ll let you know who heads home…next.
(Commercial Break)
Ryan: Welcome back to American Idol, live. Lisa Tucker, Ace Young, Katharine McPhee. You’re bottom three, tonight. (Crowd boos again) But who is leaving us? These are the votes that came in. I’m going to send one of you back to safety right now. The person coming back competing again next week is Ace. You are safe. Congratulations.
Katharine’s reaction: As Ace collects himself for a second and walks by Katharine. You can see the reality of going home hits her. It looks like the disbelief of being in the bottom three is turning into anger from her facial expressions.
Ryan: That means either Lisa leaves us or Katharine leaves Idol tonight. Let me go to the judges for their reaction. Simon, your thoughts looking at the bottom two here.
Simon: I’ve got to tell you Ryan, you know I watched the show back last night, Katharine, it was nowhere near as good watching it back and to be honest with you any of this lot could have been in the bottom three. I wouldn’t have been surprised at anyone. It was a really poor performance.
Ryan: You’ve given Katharine a lot of praise this season. Does she deserve to be standing right here after one week that wasn’t right on point?
Simon: You know look, we’ve always said the public knows best and that’s what we’ve allowed them to do. So I have absolutely no problems with this bottom three at all.
Katharine’s reaction: Clearly angered and upset. She’s got the most serious and stern face you can imagine while Simon’s talking.
Ryan: Paula? Why do you think Lisa and Katharine are standing here? Especially Katharine.
Paula: America votes. You’ve got to remember to keep voting for all of the ones that you love. That means keep that finger dialing for two hours.
Katharine: (looks at Ryan and nervously giggles)
Ryan: Randy, how do you think this will affect the votes as we move on week to week, looking at these results.
Randy: I think whoever goes home tonight, those votes go to somebody and you guys should all want those votes to go to you but…you’re never really safe and that’s the thing. You’ve got to be great every single time. And be smart about it. Pick better songs.
Paula: And the show’s unpredictable.
Randy: Yeah, it’s very unpredictable. So you just never know.
Katharine: (looks over at Ryan and smiles)
Ryan: Ladies. Lisa, always smiling. What does it feel like to be standing here right now, again?
Lisa: You know, it’s OK. I’m…whatever happens, happens. I’m happy with the decision.
Ryan: And Katharine. Butterflies? Nerves? Are you surprised?
Katharine: Yeah, I mean this is a new place for me but you know…I…it’s…whatever God’s plan is for me that’s all I have in my mind right now so...(smiles and nods as crowd cheers her response).
Ryan: Good luck to both of you. The person with the lowest number of votes, leaving us tonight on American Idol is…Lisa Tucker. Katharine, you are safe.
Katharine (to Lisa): I love you.
Ryan: Congratulations.
Overall reaction: Crowd sounds relieved that Katharine is staying more than sad Lisa is going.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8ceFRV09KLw
Can you say underrated?