'American Idol' Tracker: Mariah Carey night marks coming of age

Kristy Lee Cook sings her heart out on "American Idol" on Tuesday night.

Suddenly the Idoldome is a different place.

In the season’s opening weeks, the Final 12 first stepped onto a cold, hostile stage, one rife with history. They stepped onto the exact marks where Clarkson, Aiken, Underwood and Daughtry once burst forth into the national consciousness. In those opening weeks, the candidates battled to earn their places on the two-tiered couch -- to prove their presence here was not just a fluke. Each thrashed and flailed for his or her voice to be heard crying out into the blank and pitiless space where cranky judges, bad song choices, sore throats, nerves and a failure to connect with the audience can destroy a career before it has even begun.  And they must endure some brutal rites of passage before they can say they not just stood, but truly lived, on this storied stage.

Tuesday night in the Idoldome, the remaining seven finally became bigger than their stage.

Before the show even started, there was a feeling in the Idoldome of the normally near-hysterical pandemonium of the crowd having been lifted to new heights. And as the seven took the stage, lining up during the final countdown before the cold open, it suddenly struck that this was no longer a lineup of hopeful wannabes; these contestants have become icons. Lined up all together, they now seemed to bring something bigger then themselves, to represent the hopes, aspirations and shared experiences of the millions of fans who have seen them battle through to this point. There was suddenly the sense of watching not a group brought together for this occasion of unknowns hoping to break through, but a supergroup of established names coming together for one climactic explosion.

A good part of this newfound gravitas must be reckoned to have been built on the battles of yesterday. By now, every surviving contestant has had his or her bad nights and at least one good night. They have fought and lost and (almost) all have looked into the cold, remorseless eyes of Angel of Death Seacrest on elimination night. They have struggled to find their voices, fought back from defeat and learned to control whatever childish tendencies they brought to the stage. 

But more important, perhaps, was the effect of the Michael Johns elimination last week, which marks the critical sobering rite that each season's cast must endure.  Each year, when a dozen very young people are jointly thrown to the lions in the Idoldome, they respond by clinging together. For the first weeks on the big stage, the group can often seem like a bunch of college kids out on a field trip, animated by a “we’re all in this together” spirit -- an attempt to forge a community that ignores the fact that each week, one, and only one of them, must go.

With each season, however, there is a critical moment when, suddenly, sparked by an unexpected beheading, the survivors each realize that there is no longer a safety zone, that each misstep could be their last, and that as friendly as they may be with the others, when it comes time to sing the Goodbye Song, each candidate must sing it alone. After the shocking elimination of Johns, we face a remaining group that seems to have matured by years in the last seven days.

But ultimately, what has pushed this season into the final stage is a feeling that at last we have a story to tell. After all we have been through since the audition tour, after 17 have fallen since Hollywood Week, at last a champion has emerged to go up against David Archuleta, The Chosen One. Originally derided by Simon as having a complete absence of charisma, Tuesday night in the Idoldome all but became a coronation of David Cook (pictured at left).  Giving what has proved to be the greatest season in Idol history an extra power of authenticity that can only be gained from a surprise emergence such as Cook’s, the alt-rocker commanded a deafening ovation from the crowd, perhaps the greatest roar heard this season. After his song ended, Cook made an extremely rare post-song trip to into the crowd during the commercial break to greet his stricken brother. As he waded through the room, the ovation continued unabated with the judges coming over to hug and congratulate him -- an unprecedented action during the show.

But before the wrap-ups of this season can be written, one must remember there are still six weeks to go and plenty of time for surprises in a season that has already seen more than its share.  For Cook and The Chosen One, the bar is now ridiculously high. Will they be able to rise to it each week without stumbling, or worse, becoming predictably, dependably, uninterestingly great? 

And waiting just behind them remains the one contestant I still contend has the depth and power to earn a spot in the finals. Each time Carly Smithson (pictured at right) takes the stage, her intensity and range absolutely captivates the room in as ferocious a grip as anyone.  Her ability to connect emotionally with her songs and the crowd, I believe, is as electrifying as any singer in the show’s history.

The day grows late, but six weeks is ample time for a surge to the finish.  At this point last year, Blake Lewis was just beginning to reveal himself as a serious contender and a young woman named Jordin Sparks was only just stepping out of the shadows of Melinda Doolittle and LaKisha Jones.

How these final weeks play out remains uncertain, but for the moment, every singer who has made it to this point in the story can rest certain knowing that they have earned their slot on this historic stage.

NOTE:  Please join me for an online chat today, April 16, at noon PDT at chat.latimes.com.

-- Richard Rushfield

Photos courtesy of Fox

Comments

[Carol Pomeroy]

Bring back Ann Powers

[monica]

While Cook has my sympathy; that crowd enthusiasm was as much for his brother and the situation as it was for his perfomance. Cook is very talented, but it was well known that his sick brother was there (as noted by the 3x that the camera hit him).

[Bill]

I really do not understand why the judges do not seem to like Carly. She has bar none the best voice of any of the contestants. She is one of the best vocalists the show has ever had, in fact. Yet, Simon and even Randy can barely give her even a middling review. They constantly dismiss her as 'alright' and claims she is oversinging. Is there something I am missing - they seem to want her gone from the show.

[CornerJ]

This is by far the most diverse and most talented group ever on American Idol. As shocking as Michael Johns' departure was, each of the remaining contestants has such a distinct and entertaining style that one hates to see any of them leave. Each performer has had at least one truly memorable performance. I suspect more than one of them will have a good career, regardless of who wins.

[dawn]

I think that witout a doubt David Cook should win this years Idol
He has a Powerful Voice is creative as far as song choices are concerned
His Intepretations of the Songs are something to behold,
And since Michael Johns who was also one of my favorites has
been so stupidly sent home.I wonder about why the Pulic is allowed to make
the ultimate choice of who stays or goes.I think it should be divided just
like dancing with the stars, half by the Judges & half by the general public
and that there should be a limit to the amount of calls allowed per #
because as far as Im concerned most of the calls are made for guys or
Girls who look Good and cant sing worth a lick.

[Ann]

I thought Mariah Carey did a great job as mentor. She usually irritates me, but I really liked her personality on the show. Brooke and Syesha really need to go next, while KLC is stepping up to the plate. (Does anyone else find that Brooke is getting more and more annoying? What's with that girl?) Of course, David Cook knocked it out of the park again, but it's unfortunate that the Disneyland boy with no charisma (The Chosen One) will win. Every time I tell my friends that TCO will win, they look at me like I have two heads. I don't personally know any one who likes him, or thinks he will win, but I am basing my opinion on reading this blog and judging by the way the little girls in the audience scream whenever his name is mentioned. Ah well, like Simon said, this is more of a personality contest than a singing competition.

[bob]

I just don't get it. What is the deal with David Archuleta. I'm sure he's a great kid, but that's all he is. His vocals seem better made for a junior high musical than for superstardom and seems lost on stage. Everyone keeps calling him the chosen on but the chosen one to do what work at Disney land. The producers need to give the judges a note, "we already have the ratings we can now stop acting like he is so great just to keep the 13 year old girls happy".

[Brett]

"Bring back Ann Powers"...Carol...oh you're preaching to the Choir. I miss her too...we had a few emails going and even though she was tough on David A. she was really really fair! I can tell you that's how the family felt too!!! Go Big "D"

Sorry to be too critical because I'm not...but there's 5 weeks left...6 contestants...am i right?

Nice Article Richard...

[Em]

I am relieved that I am not the only person who wonders why the judges seem to have it in for Carly. When she finished last night, I said aloud, well, let's see what negative thing will come from Simon. And it did. My husband says it's her tatoos for him, but I don't get the judges, almost like they are wishing her gone, and with that voice and stage presence. Maybe she and Michael Johns are just too something for the likes of AI, I'm almost over it this season.

[melissa black]

I agree with so many comments that the other readers are posting! I am a vocal coach/voice teacher here in the Phoenix area and just want to say congrats to the remaining contestants! Everyone is doing a great job - BUT i have to say that Kristi Lee Cook is getting better and better each week - LOVE watching her and listening to her - my other favorite - David Cook continues to do a great job. good luck to all singers - thanks guys!

[dlg]

Carly can sing but comes across as desperate - this lack of confidence is sinking her with the audience. I've noticed the boos for negative comments from the judges are pretty half-hearted and this is why she keeps landing in the bottom three.

TCO can sing and has the perfect teen pop appeal. I have a feeling he might fall short just because he's getting boring. Can't he sing something people know the words to even once?

Kristi Lee Cook has improved but hasn't shown a personality.

Syesha can sing but has no emotional connection to the songs and comes off as practiced.

Brooke had a good night but I don't know man...

Jason Castro - no one likes him on this blog, but the guy is cougarific and will probably make the top four.

David Lee Cook is the one I have chosen to be the chosen one - as long as he doesn't sing any of his favorite songs anymore.

[ExSinger]

Brooke is out tonight
Next week KLC
Then Carly
Then Syesha
Then Jason
Then David C
Archuleta will win. He can thank Sanjaya Malakar for really ratcheting up the tweenie bopper factor last season. If you look back, the obvious tweeny choices usually didn't win. Season 1 it would've been Justin, Season 2 it would've been Clay, Season 3 it was the tweeny choice with Fantasia, Season 4 it would've been Constantine and Carrie in the final with Carrie winning, Season 5 it would've been Katherine as the winner with Elliott the runner-up, Season 6 was a toss-up with Blake and Jordin. Sanjaya's finish and the frenzy around his presence in the top 10 was testament to the little girls (ah, The Knack knew it!).

[Frank]

It's sad that Cook's brother has cancer, but they shouldn't use that for simphathy for Cook. We all know for a fact that David has the best voice then all other previous Idol wannabes. Face it peopel, David has consistent talent that other Idol's vary from show to show. The Idol show knows this and knows that it's already over and David's gonna win, but they will drag the dumb show along to make it interisting.

[Dean]

I really think David C should win,but those tweens with limited discerning tastes will vote for David A is droves making him the next American Idol.This is the time the voting system should limit votes to one per household number.The adults need to get more involved with the current flawed voting system,and go for the talent.Not a Disney level performer.

[becky silva]

TO ALL YOU HATERS TALKING SMACK ON DAVID A. WELL HOLD ON TO YOUR DRAWERS BECAUSE HE IS GOING ALL THE WAY!!! THEY NEED TO GET RID OF DAVID COOK, BROOKE WHITE, AND SYESA. IT WAS ABOUT TIME KRISTY LEE COOK GOT VOTED OFF!!!

[TLS]

I find Carly's voice sounding like she's on helium when she goes to the high notes. Much like I find with most female country singers........it's not a good thing. lol