Last night started with some controversy regarding the performance of "Won't Get Fooled Again" accompanied by Gilby Clarke. Tonight we see in the video package of the contestant reaction immediately following the show that the controversy had not yet died down. Jill was berating Storm for not having leapt at the chance to perform with Gilby. Presumably, Jill didn't opt for the chance since she had already performed with Gilby on week 4, although given Gilby's reaction that night, Jill could stand a second chance (that is, if Gilby didn't get a restraining order). Storm's excuse for not choosing to perform "Won't Get Fooled Again" could speak for everyone else: Because I wanted to sing "We Are the Champions." I think it's bad form for Jill to attack Storm or any other performer. I suspect she's just trying to make herself look good in the eyes of Supernova.
Jason Newsted announces that there are two encores tonight. The lucky two are Lukas, who reprises his performance of "Creep" and Magni who plugs in this time for "The Dolphin's Cry."
After the encores, Brooke Burke tells us what performers were in the bottom three at some point during the voting. They are: Jill, Josh, Zayra, Ryan, Patrice. When Ryan's name is announce, Josh shouts "I wanna see your face..!" (a line from Ryan's song the night before, "Paint It Black.") Is Josh mocking Ryan or showing him some respect? It's hard to tell. From this group, Dave Navarro observes that he's seeing a lot of the same people in the bottom week after week. From this batch, Brooke now announces the final bottom three.
Jill - "Respect"
Yes, "Respect". That "Respect". The Aretha Franklin song. Gilby laments that this is Jill's third time in the bottom three. No sh*t, Sherlock! Who's fault is that? Jill should have been gone after her second appearance in the bottom three. If you don't eliminate her tonight, she'll be back here next week, and every week after that until you finally bite the bullet. As for the song... Jill's performance is not particularly memorable. It's stripped of all soul and turned into a rock song, but not a very good rock song. And little Jill, twirling around on stage, looks more and more awkward every week. Her short stature and poor wardrobe just undermine her. Jill has achieved total meltdown.
Josh - "Shooting Star"
Josh repeatedly gets grief for not moving around stage enough and for being "held down" by his guitar. Tommy Lee's hope tonight is that Josh will leave the guitar behind and be a little more kinetic on stage. Of course, a guitar is no excuse for not moving around stage. Is Josh's amp cord really short or something? Regardless of what Supernova wants (and Josh is notorious for disregarding their advice), Josh picks up guitar and delivers a country-rock version of Bad Company's "Shooting Star". It's a good performance of a song (and style) that you would never expect to see Supernova perform. Josh knows this and he couldn't care less. Josh needs an attitude adjustment.
Ryan - "Enjoy the Silence"
In week 1, Matt Hoffer sank himself by covering a Duran Duran song during his bottom three performance. Is Ryan sinking himself like Matt did by choosing a Depeche Mode song? Given Ryan's arrangement, I don't think so. The cover album For the Masses proved that just about anyone could cover a Depeche Mode song in just about any style. Ryan's arrangement makes it sound like we're listening to a metal band. It's perfect. I could see Supernova recording this song with this arrangement.
The Cut
It's commendable - or perhaps insane (what's the definition of insanity? doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result?) - that performers who know they have no chance of winning this competition keep coming back week after week. Isn't it humiliating to find yourself constantly criticized by rock greats? Isn't it embarrassing to repeatedly be missing notes and flubbing lines on stage? How can this possibly help your career? Surely you'd make more of a splash if you came to be known as the contestant who realized his (or her) limits and walked off the show. On the other hand, you wouldn't get a free Gibson guitar, or a trip to Las Vegas, and you'd probably be violating your contract. So that's why Zayra will still be here next week.
There are two acts of mercy tonight. Firstly, Ryan is sent back to rejoin the other contestants. His appearance in the bottom three was clearly an anomaly prompted by his comically bad performance of "Paint It Black" the night before. Secondly, Tommy Lee announces what we've been begging for since week 1: a double elimination! Good-bye Jill and Josh! Previous Episode Recaps Week 6 Week 5 | Week 5 Results Week 4 | Week 4 Results Week 3 | Week 3 Results Week 2 | Week 2 Results Week 1 | Week 1 Results
