‘American Idol’ Top 11 Night: Qaasim Middleton Gets Lucky, Gets Saved

Some interesting things happened on American Idol this Thursday. Nile Rodgers, one of the most qualified mentors in Idol history (he’s worked with Madonna, Bowie, Daft Punk, even Idol alum Adam Lambert), made a very special appearance. Good times! Also Jax, the clever girl who wore "The Dress" onstage a couple weeks ago, eschewed the usual boring Movie Night staples (no "I Believe I Can Fly" for her!) and did… Adam Sandler’s "I Wanna Grow Old With You," from The Wedding Singer. This was the most awesome and unexpected Movie Night song choice since Crystal Bowersox did Kenny Loggins’s Caddyshack theme in Season 9. And even more awesome? Later on Thursday, the actual Kenny Logins showed up and sang “Footloose.” Let’s daaaaaaance!

But you know what some viewers might not think was so awesome? It was only top 11 week, and the Judges’ Save was already used… on Qaasim Middleton, arguably one of the weakest singers of the season.

However, Qaasim is one of the best performers of this season, so maybe the Idol powers-that-be wanted to save him so he could be part of this summer’s concert tour — assuming that there is a tour this year, of course. Qaasim is a fantastic showman and a potentially killer concert attraction — as his snarling “save me” performance of the Beatles’ “Come Together” (complete with props, wild hairography, literally in-your-face choreography, and one badass, Kanye-style mic drop) readily proved this Thursday. Harry Connick Jr. said it was the best performance of Thursday night, and I actually think it was the best “save me” performance since the Judges’ Save was instituted six seasons ago.

I’d honestly pay good money to see Qaasim do this in concert:

Please note, this wasn’t the first time the Save was used this early — in Season 10, Casey Abrams was also saved in the top 11 week. I have always believed that that was a good call on the judges’ part (that season, and that summer’s tour, would’ve been so much less fun without Casey). But many naysayers felt it was premature — especially when Pia Toscano was shockingly eliminated in ninth place just two weeks later, and there was nothing that could be done. After that controversy, I figured the judges would never use the Save so early again. And now that they have, I can only imagine the outrage that will ensue if Jax, Joey Cook, Clark Beckham, Nick Fradiani, Tyanna Jones — really almost anyone besides Daniel “Danjaya” Seavey — goes home in the next couple weeks.

And with next week featuring a double-elimination, I’m a little fearful. But, however you may feel about this Save decision, what’s done is done, and at least we’ll get another exciting, fierce ‘n’ fearless Qaasim performance next week. In the meantime, here’s my recap of this week’s other 10 Movie Night performances:

Adanna Duru – Adanna certainly looked like a dreamgirl (or, as Harry said, a movie star) singing the Dreamgirls hit “Love You I Do.” But her voice didn’t sound so dreamy during the verses of this song, which were in her less comfortable lower range. Once Adanna got to the high notes, she nailed it, and the onstage prowess she flaunted during last week’s Bruno Mars cover came shining through. This girl has real pop-star potential. But since she sang in the disadvantaged first spot, I think her Idol dreams may be crushed next week.

Daniel Seavey – Say what you will about Qaasim and whether or not he deserved the Save; the fact of the matter is, it was Daniel, not Qaasim, who should have been up for elimination this week. He’s just not ready, and his performance of the Begin Again song “Lost Stars” proved this yet again. Daniel’s vocal was downright unpleasant to the ear, and it was no better than the thousands of amateur videos by singing 15-year-olds currently clogging up YouTube. At least this week the judges finally mentioned the cute little baby elephant in the room and admitted that young Daniel’s performance was not up to par. Jennifer Lopez called it an “OK job,” which was actually kind. “It wasn’t strong tonight, man,” grumbled Harry. But the girlies in the studio audience ignored the judges and screamed declarations of love for Daniel anyway. Grrr. I swear to gawd, if Daniel stays next week and two other worthy singers go home, I will kick in my TV screen.

Rayvon Owen – Rayvon did the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive,” but he attempted to do what he said was a Prince-style version. Huh? Prince would never take one of the most popular disco songs of all time, remove all of the Travolta-strut swagger and attitude, slow it down to a crawl, and turn it into a funeral dirge. This dragging, plodding arrangement was hardly fit for a Prince. It was terrible. Harry liked the arrangement, bizarrely, but he and his fellow judges all agreed that Rayvon’s “Mr. Nice Guy” persona and safe, samey performances have zero wow factor. I love Rayvon’s silky voice, but I had to concur with the judges here. I have a feeling Rayvon won’t be stayin’ alive in this competition.

Nick Fradiani – I had such high hopes when I learned that Nick would be doing Kenny Loggins’s Top Gun theme “Danger Zone.” (Again with the Kenny Loggins!) But play-it-safe Nick never got out of the comfort zone. Yes, I know he thought his decision to ditch his guitar was a big risk, but it didn’t make much difference; I don’t think this stood out from any of Nick’s previous, guitar-assisted performances. Nick just is what he is and does what he does; he’s never bad, but he’s never amazing. J.Lo advised Nick to “own his hotness.” Harry agreed, saying, “Give yourself a song that you can be sexy on!” Apparently Nick isn’t really embracing his role as this season’s token heartthrob. Maybe this guy needs to take some performance pointers from rock star Qaasim.

Joey Cook – Joey did the Donnie Darko version of “Mad World,” and I am sure the Glamberts will come after me for this, but it was practically on the same level as Adam Lambert’s rendition from Season 8. Eschewing her usual goofiness — no accordion, no ukulele, no wacky dancing or Postmodern Jukebox hyperstylization — Joey gave a simple and stripped performance, totally in the moment, totally connected to the audience and the song. And she thrilled without even getting up out of her chair. J.Lo loved seeing this different side of Joey and compared her to Sia. Harry loved how Joey “chewed on those lyrics.” Keith Urban mused, “You’re such an artist.” I have really enjoyed seeing this once-gimmicky girl blossom, in such a short time, into such a fascinating and multi-faceted performer. Joey Cook is the real deal.

Tyanna Jones – “Tyanna hasn’t had a bad performance yet. The question is, can she keep the streak going?” Harry asked. Sigh. Sadly, the answer to Harry’s question was no. This was so disappointing. “Circle of Life” from The Lion King was the absolute wrong song choice for this normally effervescent pop performer, who shines when singing upbeat, fun material. Her usual lovable personality was gone, her vocal sounded strained and forced, and for the first time this season, Tyanna didn’t seem totally comfortable onstage. “It looked to me like you were trying really, really hard, and I think you may have overshot the mark just a little bit… It sort of seemed like it was yelled the whole way through,” Harry said. Keith noted Tyanna’s “serious pitch issues.” The judges seemed confident that Tyanna will still make it through next week. I hope they’re right, but I’m a bit concerned for her.

Quentin Alexander – Quentin proves week after week that he is willing to take actual risks (unlike Nick) and really change up a song. Nile Rodgers loved the way Quentin fearlessly “flipped” the usually frivolous, cheesy Grease hit “You’re the One That I Want” and turned it into something serious, spooky, and sexy. Here is a man unafraid to own his hotness! Jennifer called this performance “haunting and beautiful” and “very Quentin,” even though she seemed to have mixed feelings about such a radical remake of one of her favorite childhood songs. Harry’s feelings were less mixed: He was oddly harsh, calling this “horribly out of tune” and blasting Quentin for focusing more on theatrics than pitch. I just found this performance electrifying (fying, fying, fying). I had chills, and they were multiplying. Quentin’s the one that I want.

Maddie Walker – When Maddie sings country (especially country ballads), she excels. But whenever she veers out of that lane, it’s a disaster. So Deniece Williams’s lightweight Footloose track “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” was a horrible song pick. I’ll cut Maddie a little slack for missing her rehearsal and mentoring session due to illness, but that can’t entirely excuse her amateurish and clunky performance or embarrassingly weak vocal. Harry called this number “pageanty,” but really, it wasn’t even at a pageant level; this was total high school talent show fare. Harry also called out Maddie’s lack of identity due to her genre flip-flopping, barking, “I don’t know who you are.” Keith suggested Maddie do a ballad next time. We’ll see if there even is a next time.

Clark Beckham – Clark really upped his game this week. Keith said if Clark showed his more sensitive side, it would be the “missing link,” and Keith was right. Everything linked up for Clark tonight. Doing Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning” (from Cheaper By the Dozen 2) without the house band — just Clark, a guitar, and his amazing voice — was a genius move. It was also Clark’s first current song choice of the season, and for the first time this season, he seemed like an actually relevant artist. This was such a welcome 180 from last week’s growly, manic Doobie Brothers cover. “You just did a whole different thing that I really loved,” said J.Lo. Harry said Clark “knocked it out of the park.” If Clark keeps giving performances as stunning as this one, and then adds that “little bit of smile” that Keith recommended, he will WIN.

Jax – After last week’s “Blank Space” debacle, the delightful, original Jax we all know and love was back this Thursday, charming America with her sweet Adam Sandler cover. This was friggin’ adorable, but aside from the expected cuteness, Jax actually gave this novelty song some grit and depth. Harry called Jax a “high-risk, high-reward performer” and said this time, her risk paid off. J.Lo said the song “played to all the quirkiness in [Jax’s] voice.” I loved this. I want to grow old with Jax… meaning, at least until the top three week.

And now, it is prediction time. Which two singers will go home next week? Quentin, Qaasim, Joey, Jax, and Clark were my favorites of the night, and I am pretty sure America will vote them through. As for the other six, my picks for elimination are Maddie and Daniel, but I think Adanna and Rayvon better have their bags packed, too. But really, no one is truly safe.

Tune in next week to find out what happens… and to see Boy George mentor ’80s Night, which is going to be totally rad/bitchen/insert-your-favorite-’80s-superlative-here. Until then, Parker out.

On Thursday at 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET, Yahoo Live will live stream the Chic featuring Nile Rodgers: I’ll Be There Tour from the Roundhouse in London. Tune in HERE to watch!

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