Big happenings in the “Idol” world this week starting with the stage coming crashing down on everyones head. Ok, so maybe that was an exaggeration, but the way Ryan made it out to seem, it was like a 9.0 earthquake rocked everyone’s world and people were running around with their heads chopped off. Bottom line is one of the stage hands took a giant tumble down the stairs (something I’m shocked Ryan hasn’t done yet during the open), and then one of the fixtures almost fell over, so rehearsals were cancelled. Good thing they don’t spend a lot of money on creating that set, or else we really could’ve had some problems. The set is really tricked out more so than in years past, and I guess this was bound to happen at some point. I just wish it would’ve happened to Paula. Awwwww, c’mon Steve. Don’t be so cruel. Ok, I apologize. Yeah, probably wasn’t nice since we’ve come to find out Paula, in the latest ever-so-popular “Ladies Home Journal” magazine, admits she was addicted to pain killers. No, really?

According to the interview, she admits to taking “heavy duty pain killers, though she never shot an Idol episode under the influence.” That’s laughable. So if the wild ass behavior we’ve seen in the past on “Idol” WASN’T when she was under the influence, I can only imagine what she’s like when she is. Yikes. Hide the women and children, people. And sharp objects. The interview also states that Paula wore “a patch that delivered a pain medication about 80 times more potent than morphine”, and this past Thanksgiving pretty much decided to stop being a pill popper and “went into a self-created rehab after 12 years of addiction to medication.” And oh yeah, she still hasn’t signed her contract for next season of “Idol” yet. My God, I don’t know if this interview could be any better. The only thing its missing is that she’ll be performing her new single on tonights results show. How are they gonna incorporate MC Skat Kat into the performance. I’m dying to know, really. I hope she lip synchs better than Jamie Foxx did.

I was a little curious last week when they announced that Slash would be this weeks mentor. What exactly would he be mentoring them in? Drug use? How to handle four groupies at a time? Hygiene? Weird dynamic having a guy who’s not even know for his singing helping contestants out on a singing show. How about next week they bring in the one armed drummer from Def Leppard to mentor? And another thing, has anyone ever seen Slash and Gene Simmons in the same room at the same time? Didn’t think so. I was waiting for Slash to stick out his long tongue at the end of every video piece. Easily the most head scratching mentor they’ve ever had on this show. Him mentoring is like having Paula Abdul be a judge of a singing competition. Woops. On to the performances.

Adam Lambert, “Whole Lotta Love”: The judges loved it, the fans loved it, and I thought it was the best performance of the night. But only be default since I don’t think any of the other three performed all that well. Plus, maybe Adam changed up a few things here and there, but everyone has always loved him for his originality and spins he puts on songs, well, during Rock N Roll week, there really wasn’t much of a spin he could so it just seemed like any other performance he’s done. Got his Axl Rose scream in a couple times, did his winking, got his quick head jerks in. Pretty much what he does on a weekly basis, but, didn’t sing out of tune, did flub any lines, and had a stage presence unlike any of the other three. So I don’t think anything Adam did tonight should be too surprising considering it was HIS week, Rock N Roll week. Did we really expect him not to be any good? He was good, just not great. He’s had better performances I thought. Why was Kara so excited? Getting out of her seat, pumping her fist. It was like she wanted to fight someone. I half expected her to start going, “Whoop! Whoop! Whoop!” like she was in the Arsenio Hall audience.

Allison Iraheta, “Crybaby”: She told us before she went on that she went to Adam Lamberts hair stylist this week. Ummmm, I didn’t notice anything different. Did I miss something? It was still red and it looked like rocker chick hair. The song did nothing for me since all she did was pretty much sing the word “Crybaby” over and over. Although Paula got in a great one tonight when she told her if they ever filmed a Janis Joplin biopic, Allison should already have the part. Huh? I’m guessing Allison Iraheta has zero chance to play Janis Joplin in any future biopic. Go back to the meds, Paula. Put the patch on again and shoot up medicine 80 times more potent than morphine before you speak. Then we’ll REALLY hear some loopy shi** coming from your mouth.

Kris Allen & Danny Gokey duet, “Renegade”: About an awkward a duet as you’ll ever see. Especially during Rock N Roll week. These two couldn’t have been any more out of their element if they tried. Some genres fit some singers best. Uhhhh, I’m guessing when this is all said and done, when you ask Danny and Kris what was their least favorite week, they’ll say Rock N Roll week. Those two performing “Renegade” was painful to watch. First off, there’s nothing renegade about either of those two guys as both will be putting out albums geared towards chicks. Secondly, there’s nothing “rocker” about either of these guys, and they tried way too hard. I do applaud them for at least trying, but man, what an awkward performance.

Kris Allen, “Come Together”: You knew it was gonna go bad for Kris when Randy’s critique was how much he was impressed with Kris’ guitar playing. Good. We’re glad Randy. However, this isn’t “Americas Got Talent” this is a singing competition and Kris didn’t look comfortable all night. Definitely in trouble tonight. Then again, he’s been in the bottom three a few times now and survived. Maybe he gets one more week. But since the Danny/Adam final seems like a foregone conclusion, I guess he doesn’t have much longer regardless.

Danny Gokey, “Dream On”: Completely not his style, tried way too hard, and the last note was so over-the-top and out of character for him, it was hard to watch. Of course, for all the Gokey haters out there who think he does the same thing every week, you have to give him credit for doing something different. But I think even Danny will see when he watches it back that the screaming at the end sounded awful. Like to the point where Maddie’s ears popped up and she started howling. Well, not really. She doesn’t howl. Or bark. She can lay down and sleep with the best of them though.

Adam Lambert & Allison Iraheta, “Slow Ride”: Well, not like it was going to take much to outperform the Danny/Kris duo, but they easily did. And of course, the judges gushed that they should do a duo together on their albums. Has that ever happened before? I can’t remember. I know a couple former “Idols” have collaborated on songs where one writes it and the other sings it, but have they actually sung a duet that was put on to one of their albums? Michael Johns and Carly Smithson did that duet earlier this season, but I don’t know if that was on his album or just released as a single. Either way, I guess that’s one that we can consider. Were there any others?

I want to mention something about Kara. She’s taken a lot of heat this season and there’s rumors floating around she won’t be back next season. I can assure you that decision has not been made yet, and according to Simon, he wants her back. Simon’s got a ton of pull obviously, so if he wants her back, I’m guessing she will be. Anyway, I thought she made a good point about Adam in a recent interview, and it’s pretty much what I’ve been trying to say about him all along. She just happened to express it better. I think this is the best way anyone has described Adam thus far. Here’s what she said:

“I really want to see him do something where his visual is also included. A lot of his star comes out when he is performing and he is looking at the audience. I am almost nervous that the medium of a record won’t be big enough for him.”

No one has ever doubted Adam’s star quality, but I think he is one performer who’s appeal is much more appreciated in person. Not that he won’t produce an album, but I said it a couple weeks ago, I think he’ll have a much longer career on Broadway or in theater than he will selling albums. Try not looking at the TV when Adam sings. You probably can’t because you actually want the visual of him singing too. If you turn away and don’t watch him, I think he’s good, but not great. His theatrics and performance kind of add to his voice. If its just his voice and Axl screaming, it just becomes a different performance overall.

Reality Steve’s Top Performance:

1. Adam Lambert

Reality Steve’s Bottom 3 Performances:

1. The rest of the group

Reality Steve’s Prediction of Who Will Get Eliminated: I’ll go with Kris this week since I think Simon was right when he said Allison might get saved by her duet with Adam. But then again, does it really matter? If Kris doesn’t go this week, he’s most likely gone next week. Now of course there are those who think since Danny butchered “Dream On” he’s leaving, but I highly doubt it. His fan base is too strong, as evidenced by never having been in the bottom three, to send him home on one bad performance. We’ve been saying it since the beginning of the season we’re headed for a Danny/Adam final and it looks like we’re only a couple weeks away.

A final note about a Danny/Adam final: In the same interview where Simon said he’d like Kara back for another season, he also stated that in a Danny/Adam final, he sees it right now as 55/45 in favor of Danny. This coming from a guy who basically has sung Adam’s praises since Day 1, continuously says he’s the top performer on a weekly basis, and knows that Adam is the most original contestant they’ve ever had. Simon has never once said a negative thing about Adam I don’t think. Yet, he’s saying that Danny would win in a final. I said it week 1, and I’ll say it again: Remember who votes on this show. Would I be shocked if Adam won? No. But I don’t think he will. Remember last years final where all three judges said Archuleta outsang Cook on all 3 songs? Yet who ended up winning? Simon even went as far as to say it was a “knockout” and wasn’t even close that Archuleta blew Cook away in the finals. Doesn’t mean anything though obviously since Cook won. I have a feeling the same thing will happen again in this years finals. I’m expecting Adam to blow everyone away, probably out sing Danny on at least two of the three songs, if not all of them, yet I think Danny will win.

Back Friday again with another “Reality Roundup.” I totally forgot to mention the “Jon & Kate Plus 8″ story last week, and now with the latest on these two, I will definitely not forget this week. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire and I’m not surprised in the least bit that Jon has a wandering eye. But jeez Jon, sunbathing in your front lawn with her? Might want to be a little less subtle. Once again, any questions, comments, emails, praises, criticisms, questions/concerns/queries for the next mailbag, send them all to steve@realitysteve.com. See you Friday.

Administrator American Idol 8