Yeah, let’s just get this out of the way. No one is eliminated. Shocker.
But, before we talk about all that…because I pay 25 dollars a year to have my own website domain, I think I have the right to put in my two cents over “producer manipulation.” This is something I’ve discussed at length before. I’ve made the point that this isn’t the first season that TPTB have manipulated results so their “favorite” will win. But, I also admitted that this year the manipulation has bugged me less because we ended up with a really strong top 5 (and we’ll finally break the WGWG chain).
If you’ve been reading my recaps, you know how much of a sweet spot I have for Amber. I think she’s a very talented “underdog”…and I think she’s had her fair share of moments (“She’s Leaving Home,” “Lately”). She was even my number 1 pick at one point before I slapped myself straight and turned my support towards Candice. Nonetheless, I always look forward to her performances. But…I have to agree that the pimping from the judges have gone too far. Last night, she received two “Standing ovations”…but she didn’t really deserve them. They were very good performances (well, at least “Power Of Love” was). But…the judges have not given her the same constructive criticism that the other 3 have gotten. And it worries me because 1.) it prevents Amber from truly growing. And 2.) because people start to turn on her.
After I finished my blog post last night, I was shocked at all the venom thrown towards Amber (directly and indirectly). And here I thought we were all on the same page. I thought we were excited over this top 4 and it wouldn’t matter who won at this point. But, after last night, it seems like people have made it clear that Amber doesn’t belong in this “top group” that’s already being inhabited by the other ladies. “She’s clearly the worst and she needs to go home immediately” is what I read. I’m not going to lie…it made me sad. I guess you never truly know how much you care about a contestant until it seems like you’re the only person who still likes the contestant.
With Candice and Kree getting the shaft last night, and Angie and Amber elevated, there’s a theory going around that the producers want the “skinny girls” to win and the big girls to go home because the skinny girls are potentially more marketable. These are valid theories and I’m not going to say they’re wrong…but I’m also not going to say their right. I just don’t fully believe it. And, yes, maybe this is my way of defending Amber…but I’m going to speak my mind anyway.
First of all, Angie was clearly the best last night. The ONLY performance that truly SHINED and excited me last night was Angie’s “Who You Are.” That was the only performance that deserved a standing O (and she didn’t even get a full one because Mariah only saves her standing O’s for Amber apparently). On top of that, she had a strong duet with Candice. Angie has gotten better and better in this competition…and, on top of her great vocals, does a good job of picking current songs that people under the age of 20 would recognize. Good for her. So let’s keep Angie out of it. She deserved the praise she got last night…and she’s certainly has gotten her fair share of criticism (remember “Shop Around”?)
Not let’s pretend that Amber doesn’t exist for a second…I stand by what I wrote about Kree last night. She was weak. She has a painfully consistent voice and always stays on key. I appreciate her calmness and her maturity throughout this competition. After the last episode, she even took her criticism well…something her fans could learn from. BUT…her first performance was confusing and weird and lacked any emotion. She was just strutting around the stage singing aimlessly to the audience. Her second performance was better…but sure as heck not memorable. Kree has gotten lazy these past few weeks and you wanna know why? Because the judges have been loving her and offering her nothing but praise the weeks prior . This was literally the first week where their comments were even a little critical. And the same goes for Candice.
Are we forgetting “Lovesong”? Are we forgetting what happened after that performance? How the judges literally jumped and started bowing to her like she was a god. How Mariah threw glitter in her face. How Keith Urban swallowed his pride and admitted he made a mistake by not putting her in his top 3 the week earlier? Even Amber hasn’t gotten that amount of cheers.
I just don’t understand how a week of lukewarm praise suddenly means that the producers are out to get Candice and Kree. Am I missing something here? I really do believe that this was the top 4 the producers wanted all along and that they would be fine with any of them winning (and that includes a Kree/Candice finale). So why the Amber pimping?
I think it really started when Amber was in the bottom three after Beatles week. I think the judges were afraid that Amber would be eliminated before one of the guys (particularly, gasp, Lazaro!) Amber, for some reason or other, was underrated by the public early on and I guess the judges were trying to make up for it. But now that we’re down to the top 4…I think the judges have forgotten how far Amber has gone and are still trying to give her praise when she doesn’t need it anymore. What she needs is a judge to tell to her choose better songs to perform.
Look…I agree that Amber is overpraised compared to the other girls…but I also believe that some of the angry reactions this week in regards to her and Kree are going overboard IMHO. And some of the gripes towards Amber has been uncalled for. I don’t don’t understand why people suddenly hate her…but I think those people need to think again. (And I say this as a big bellied 21 year old who would 100% LOVE a Candice/Kree finale…someone who has stood up for Kree since the beginning of the season and Candice since the previous season.)
Since I took so much time to write that mini rant, lemme just quickly go over some highlights from this results show and then, finally what I think of the actual result.
1. The top 4 sang “Girl on Fire” and it was good, but not extraordinary, performance. Another reason why I’ve disliked this anger during the last 24 hours is that it simply takes away from how great this top 4 is and how well they seem to get along. I liked when Kree gave Amber a small smile during the performance, silently saying “We got this, gurl!”
2. Stefano Langone performed his newest single “Yes to Love.” During season 10, Stefano was interesting character. I really liked him in the beginning of the season and saw him as a worthy finalist…but after his sleepy performance of “Hello,” my interest in him waned. Still, I do enjoy “I’m On A Roll” from time to time. This newest song is OK, but a little too generic (and not in fun way like his first single). But…he’s looking good. I liked the glasses during his video package. And, obviously, he still has a very nice voice.
3. My favorite moment of the night was definitely having Drake surprise Candice. She looked SO STOKED. It was great. The other girls were also nuts, particularly Amber and Angie. See? This is what happens when you sing songs from artists who are still famous. They can possibly take the time to visit you during the results show. So…this is the second time Candice has met an artist she covered on the show. But, yeah, the producers TOTALLY hate Candice.
Degrassi fans unite!
4. Ugh…Lee DeWyze…the one win that STILL irritates me. I’m sorry…but I’m not sorry. Anyway, he performed “Silving Lining”[s Playbook?]. Wait…so the judges stand for Stefano, but not this? Sometimes I feel like the judges should just be glued to their seats at all times. This is what’s causing all the problems in the world. Anyway…very “Mumford and Sons”…I loved it. I can’t believe I’m actually going to download a Lee DeWyze single. Help me, Sir. In all serious, I enjoyed that very much. Now, can we invite Crystal to perform next?
And so…finally we got to the results. Kree and Angie were in the top 2 (I’m guessing Angie got the most votes) while Candice and Amber were in the bottom 2 (I’m guessing Amber got the fewest). And, unsurprisingly, no one was sent home because, again, the producers can’t get enough of this top 4 and they felt like this was the best time to not have an elimination. I still think they should have done this last week when Janelle was still on just for the sake of female empowerment…but this was a nice moment for the 4 girls. Angie and Kree seemed genuinely happy. Amber looked relieved and composed (although a little p’ed off when Ryan announced that the votes from this week would be carried over to the votes next week) while Candice was a crying wreck by the end. So…that’s all I need to say about that.
Next week the top 4 perform “then and now.”If you ask me, we’ve had enough “then,” we need more “now.” If got through this long post, thank you so much for reading! I encourage you to, y’know, comment and rate. Man’s gotta eat.
’til next week!
