American Idol: The double agony of defeat
03/14/07 11:26 PM
By ED BARK
Life comes at you fast, never more so than when you're standing next to American Idol's biggest loser as one-half of the show's Bottom 2.
Brandon Rogers probably had that sinking feeling after a less than notable performance Tuesday night. Still, he only had Sanjaya Malakar to beat on the night after. And Sanjaya is to singing what Andy Dick is to tact.
No matter. Voters punched Brandon out, sending the former University of North Texas student on spring break as the first evictee from Idol's Final 12. He only had time to say, "I'm just glad to be here" before his goodbye song went down for the count, too. No sooner had Brandon grabbed the mike than Idol ran out of time. They really know how to hurt a guy.
Brandon's departure again underscored the perils of being the show's leadoff singer. After a while, viewers forget you were there unless you wow the judges with an opening round knockout punch. His performance of "You Can't Hurry Love" hardly did that. It didn't plumb the depths of Sanjaya's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." But it was disappointing nonetheless, a standard-issue vocal soured by botched lyrics.
The week's worst Idol performance wasn't by any of the contestants, though. "Miss" Diana Ross saw to that with her Wednesday night rendition of "More Today Than Yesterday."
Turning 63 on March 26, the onetime Motown diva showed she no longer can turn back the clock. The song's high notes eluded her like a kitty cat being chased by a tortoise. A showy entrance in a bright red, low-cut ball gown could only take Lady Di so far. It's something Sanjaya might want to consider, though.
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