'American Idol's sixth season Top 6 take the stage and perform (again)

American Idol's sixth season Top 6 took the stage for a second time last night and performed songs from 1980s rock group Bon Jovi while being mentored by its famous frontman Jon Bon Jovi.


The fates of two of the six remaining finalists are at stake, as the "over 70 million" votes cast by viewers based on last Tuesday night's Idol Gives Back performances will be combined with viewer votes from last night, and the two finalists who received the least votes during the two voting periods will be eliminated.  As was the case last week, viewers had double the time to vote -- four hours -- following the performance episode.  In addition, each finalist was also assigned two toll-free viewer voting phone numbers instead of the usual one.

One of the female finalists found herself living on a prayer following a not-so-stellar performance; another returned to the stage in full force and received a kiss from one of the judges; and one of the male finalists gave as unique a performance as Idol fans have ever seen.  Idol host Ryan Seacrest also said the Idol Gives Back charity event -- which was launched last week -- has raised "almost $70 million" to benefit organizations that provide relief to children and young people living in poverty in Africa and America.  President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush also thanked Idol viewers for their contributions via a video message.

The following is Reality TV World's recap of the performance broadcast in the order which the six finalists sang.  Also included are comments from each of the three judges -- Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell -- as well as additional information about each performance.

Wednesday night at 9PM ET, two of the Idol 6 finalists will be eliminated from the reality competition series during a one-hour live results show, in which Bon Jovi is also scheduled to perform.



Phil Stacey, a 29-year-old from Jacksonville, FL

Song:  "Blaze of Glory"
Randy said:  "Yo man.  You know what?  I'm happy for you for a lot of reasons tonight.  I actually recorded that song for Jon Bon Jovi, which is cool, there's a great base on that and it's cool to hear it again (Simon interjects, 'That was the problem with the song.')  I think other than country week, this is your best performance ever on this show (wild cheers from the audience).  That was the bomb!  You know what I caught some [former Journey frontman] Steve Perry on a Bon Jovi song... I love it!  I love it!"
Paula said:  "You know what Phil, this is a year out of your life that you will never forget... never forget.  And you look like you were just living your inner-kid up there.  But you want to know something?  This is the best opening I think we've had all season long (more cheers)."
Simon said:  "I thought it was okay.  I didn't hear... (a shower of boos) Give me five seconds and then you can boo!  At least let me talk first! (the audience quiets down after some brief laughter)  Thank you.  I didn't hear any authenticity.  I thought in the middle, you were like a bad actor playing a role.  I did.  I did.  Kind of like this is how rock singers are supposed to be.  If this was an audition for a rock singer I don't think you'd pass the audition.  And I don't think you've done enough to last next week. (Commented Randy, 'We tell the truth,' speaking about he and Paula)  It's not the truth.  You don't tell the truth.  It's not the truth."
Additional Info:  Jon originally wrote "Blaze of Glory" for the movie Young Guns... Phil commented "Holy Moly!" when he realized he was "jamming" with Bon Jovi... Jon thought Phil "knocked this one out of the ballpark"... As a kid, Phil said he used to sing "Blaze of Glory" to a mirror using a comb as a microphone, adding "I practiced this song for 15 years."... Phil started his performance in the audience, and walked by a sign that read "Stacey Stays"...Another sign read, "Bald is Sexy/Vote for Phil"... Following Simon's comments, Phil said to him, "I still love you man."  Ryan asked, "Why? Why?  You don't have to say that."  Phil responded, "I appreciate these guys, but they're not the ones keeping me here either."... Prior to Phil's performance, former Idol 6 semifinalist Antonella Barba as well as former Idol 6 Top 10 finalist Gina Glocksen could be seen in the audience.


Jordin Sparks, a 17-year-old from Glendale, AZ

Song:  "Living on a Prayer"
Randy said:  "This is very interesting... you are not definitely the rock girl.  When you hit the big notes in the choruses it was cool, but those verses were a little rough. (Interjected Jordin, 'Yes.  They were.')  But you know what?  I could tell by the first note -- that first little note you hit -- that you knew.  I was like, 'Okay.  At least she knows.' (Commented Jordin, 'I recognize.')  It wasn't your best."
Paula said:  "None of us know what it's like for you to be in the workshop process and that's what it's... It's hard when you have a band... a hot guys band.  But you know what?  I give credit because you went for it even knowing it was a little bit out of your range.  You know what?  You're hot Jordin.  You're out there."
Simon said:  "Okay, let's just cue the boos in advance because (laughter from the audience) it was like... First of all, the look.  It was like something out of The Addams Family.  That hair... (Randy commented, 'I like the look.')  As for the singing Jordin, I mean it was just out of control.  It was verging on shrieking at times.  You know, you absolutely completely lost control (boos).  Although I do agree with Paula, you know, you've been given guys' rock songs to sing so you're at a massive disadvantage.  But it was terrible to be honest with you."
Additional Info: Prior to Jordin's performance, Ryan revealed dates and locations for this summer's Idol 6 tour will be available via the show's website on Saturday, May 19... "Oh my gosh!  My mom is going to flip out!" said Jordin upon meeting Jon... Jordin explained her mom put Bon Jovi "in her face from birth"... Jon described "Living on a Prayer" as a "very difficult one to sing," and added "we need to work a little bit on the melodies for her"... Jon commented he couldn't sing "half that good" at 17-years-old... Following Simon's comments, Ryan said, "Thank you Herman Munster," a reference to The Munsters, not The Addams Family... Jordin revealed when she learned it would be a rock-themed week, she felt "really excited" but also unsure of how her performance would go... Trying to explain how her less-than-stellar vocal performance was a one-time deal, Jordin said, "This was my week.  I will say, this was my week."  Ryan commented, "We like your honesty and your candor on this program Jordin."


Lakisha Jones, a 27-year-old from Fort Meade, MD


Song:  "This Ain't a Love Story"
Randy said:  "Lakisha man... I got to tell you something guys, Lakisha's back this week.  I saw you singing that at Simon man, this ain't a love song, like you got something to prove to him!  Listen, you proved one thing tonight.  You started out a little rough -- it was a little pitchy in the beginning -- but guess what?  By the middle of the song, you sung me and I think sung everybody here in this audience... You blew that out the box. (cheers from the audience)  You proved you can sing tonight!  Lakisha's back!"
Paula said:  "That low, bottom-tone of your voice is like, that's your money in your pocket.  And you did give everyone a little something-something."
Simon said:  "Lakisha, I actually could kiss you after that.  (Ryan then proceeded to walk Lakisha down to the judges' table, where she gave Simon a kiss on the lips to wild applause and cheers from the audience.  'Oh the image of your lipstick on his lips is priceless,' said Ryan.)  Lakisha you know what I loved is that you rose to the challenge.  I didn't know what the song was.  You absolutely nailed it, and I'm so glad that you are back!  Nice lips... nice lips.  Love them."
Additional Info:  A sign in the audience read "Kick-it Lakisha"... Lakisha was the first to answer a fan's question this week, and revealed she had no training prior to her Idol journey, describing herself as "just a church girl singing in church."  When Ryan asked if she was going to "take us to church tonight," Lakisha answered, "I'm gonna give you a little something-something"... Prior to answering the fan's question, Ryan asked Lakisha if she was going to sit on the stool, and she answered, "No.  I want the camera to get my slim side."... Lakisha said "she'd heard of Bon Jovi and seen him on Oprah"... Jon described "This Ain't a Love Story" as a "soul-singer's song" so he was "glad she found this track"... Jon commented, "I'm not a betting man.  But I would bet money this week she's not going home singing this song."


Blake Lewis, a 25-year-old from Bothell, WA

Song:  "You Give Love a Bad Name"
Randy said:  "I'll give you the award for the most original version of a song ever on American Idol, and you took a leap of faith.  And guess what dog?  You won.  That was hot baby."
Paula said:  "Blake this was the biggest leap of faith.  You really put yourself out there and I've got to tell you something.  An artist like the band Bon Jovi, they endured monumental success.  There was a twinkle in [Jon's] eye and he had a flush face.  He was really digging what you were doing.  We all did.  This was amazing.  This was your night."
Simon said:  "You know what, there will be half the audience who absolutely hated it and half the audience will love it.  (The entire audience booed.)  And I think that was absolutely the right thing to do.  You're a very brave young man. (Wild cheers from the audience)  You took a massive risk and this is what's going to keep you in the competition next week."
Additional Info:  A sign in the audience read "Blake You Make My Heart Ache"... Blake said the "game plan" for his performance was, "I kind of don't even want to say because it will give it away."... Jon described it as an "adventurous rendition" and asked if Blake was "ready to the roll the dice with this one."... Commented Jon, "He has to sell his interpretation of a song that a lot of people know and don't want messed with."... Blake realized the "risk," but said it was "fine" because, "If you don't take risks, you'll never see anything new."  As if you hadn't guessed by now, Blake beat-boxed and scatted throughout the performance... Blake performed standing next to a percussionist... Paula noticed that Simon's mom -- who was a member of the studio audience -- was "rocking" with Blake.


Chris Richardson, a 22-year-old from Chesapeake, VA

Song:  "Wanted Dead or Alive"
Randy said:  "Check it out, check it out.  You know what man, tonight I was worried about the Bon Jovi songs because it's hard to sing rock and none of you are really rock singers.  But guess what man?  You did your thing up there, you made it your own, you put little R&B twists and turns on it... That was nice baby, I liked that."
Paula said:  "You don't have anything to worry about taking the rap for.  You did your thing.  And you know what, this is turning out to be a great night.  Great night.  Good job."
Simon said:  "I think you did as much as you could possibly do with that song because this is not your style of music.  Whether it's good enough to stay another week, I'm not sure."
Additional Info:  A sign in the audience read "Rock on Chris"... Ryan introduced Chris as Justin Timberlake... Chris also answered a fan's question -- or at least attempted to -- when he struggled to describe how he feels before going onstage, the best he could muster was "Just have fun."... Jon said Chris had a "daunting task" because "Wanted Dead or Alive" is one of Bon Jovi's "best known songs"... While performing for Jon, Chris forgot some of the lyrics, which he described as "embarrassing"... Chris was aware former finalist Chris Daughtry performed "Wanted Dead or Alive' during Idol's fifth season, but commented, "You can't go without doing 'Wanted Dead or Alive' on Bon Jovi night, so if I have to take the rap for it, I'm down."... Jon instructed Chris to "find the blue note" to make the song "more sad than glorious."



Melinda Doolittle, a 29-year-old from Brentwood, TN

Song:  "Have a Nice Day"
Randy said:  "I don't know if it's your best performance but it's definitely a great performance again from Melinda Doolittle.  I like that you had a little Tina Turner attitude in there.  That was hot baby, that was hot."
Paula said:  "From the first note, we knew the game was on.  It was a great workout. You girl, were singing your butt off.  How does it feel to be a rock star?  (Melinda sighed)  You know, you give it up to rock stars don't you.  You're a rock star.  You're a rock star.  She's a rock star.  Yeah.  You're a rock star."
Simon said:  "Melinda I totally endorse what Randy just said, I thought it was like a young Tina Turner.  I don't know the song that well, but I thought vocally, in a different league than everyone else tonight."
Additional Info:  Right off the bat, Melinda confided in Jon that she's "so bad at rock."  He assured her, "I can teach you how to rock."... Jon thought Melinda brought soul to the song and told her to "Just testify.  It's church!"  Melinda seemed to understand this, commenting, "I was like, 'Okay.  I like church.'"... Melinda flashed the metal-sign several times before and after her performance in an effort to show her rock side... Ryan commented Melinda "put her foot down on that one."






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