How did  the music of Bryan Adams become the beacon for season 7 of "American Idol"? Does "Canadian Idol" just do one Bryan night after another, interrupted only b Celine tributes? And considering Mr. Adams' newfound popularity, one would think  "Summer of '69," his one tolerable tune, would make i t into the mix just once.
But no, its all about treacly ballads.
The wise move was to eliminate the group sing. It had no relevance to the outcome or intentions of the contest here. Yet letting the contestants bring in their own instruments made the room feel like a Holiday Inn lounge circa 1975 when hits from Carole King, the Edison Lighthouse, B.J. Thomas and the Doors could all be part of the same set. Kid-in-the-car Josiah Lemming had the right idea by playing Mika's "Grace Kelly"; he completely erred in believing he knows more than Mssrs. Leiber, Stoller, Spector and Lennon in performing "Stand By Me." He's lucky he's not sleeping in the parking lot of Genghis Cohen and begging for a Monday night slot.
Now down to 50 from 164, they'll be whittling away tonight to get to the final 24. Based on what we've seen, that 24 should include: Danny Noeriega, Michael Johns, David Archuleta, Asia'h Epperson  and my fave, Syesha Mercado. David Hernandez, Carly Smithson  and Josiah are probably in the 24; my guess is that David Cook and his unnerving blue tongue was one of the contestants the judges were arguing abut at the end of Tuesday's program.
Sorry to see Jeffrey Lampkins depart, but in how many songs  can one rhyme "chocolate swirl" and "boy"?  Disney ballads are a no-no in this contest and he learned the hard way. There are "Biggest Loser" auditions coming up later this month.
And whatever happened to rocker nurse Amanda Overmyer? She sang well and disappeared. Hmmm....waiting in limbo on her fate. Grab a hankie and prepare to share the tears with the singers who come soclose and don't make the cut.