Episode Recap: American Idol - Season 6, Episode 13

Episode 13 Original Air Date: February 21, 2007 Is it just me, or does Simon's wardrobe choice seem rather limited? Does he even own a shirt with buttons? Tonight we see the initial results of the biggest, most shameless popularity contest on the planet. The top 12 men performed Tuesday. The women performed Wednesday. Tonight we get to see the results of America's vote, which will most likely have little to do with who is the most talented. The show opens, of course, with a review of the previous two episodes. This is important, because the last episode ended all of 23 hours ago. We could have forgotten something crucial, like what color long-sleeve sweater-shirt Simon wore. Next we find out the answer to the question, "What would happen if the Partridge Family and the Brady kids all sang the same song together?" The answer is, it would sound a lot like all 24 top contestants performing "Sowing the Seeds of Love" by Simply Red. Why the producers believe we are interested in these group sing-a-longs is beyond me. Maybe they're just trying to figure out how to fill up an hour of television. The first man eliminated is Barefoot Paul (who is wearing shoes tonight). "How do feel, buddy?" Ryan asks him. "It hurts, man. It hurts." "Great! Now sing for us!" I've never understood this part of the show. Why do they force these poor people to sing right after their dreams have been crushed? You've just been humiliated on national television and in front of your family and friends who are in the audience - now perform for us, you trained monkey! Furthermore, why would we want to watch an hour of television filled with performances by losers? Wouldn't make more sense to have encore performances from the most popular contestants? Amy is the first woman eliminated. Simon tells her the problem is that she just doesn't stand out. She sings another mediocre performance of "I Can't Make You Love Me," by Bonnie Raitt. What happens next may be described as possibly the only reason to tune in to this episode. Fantasia Barrino appears to perform "I'm Here" and does a great job. She also announces that she will be starring in the Broadway musical "Color Purple". Nicole is the next woman to be eliminated. She doesn't seem too bummed. In fact, she appears to be pretty jazzed. I wonder what she's like when something nice happens to her. She sings her goodbye song with gusto. Rudy is the second man eliminated. Randy, Paula, and Simon need something to do, so Ryan asks them for advice on Rudy's behalf. Simon says he "can't turn an ok singer into a good singer". Paula says she thinks Rudy was one of the better vocalists in the competition, it's just too bad "most people didn't get him". He goes out with a bang with a spirited performance of "Free Ride". Next week - More of the same!