I'd have to go back and look, but it feels like making the call on which two "American Idol" finalists will make the cut for next week's finale is the hardest one yet. It seems like a lock for country hunk-in-the-making Scotty McCreery, who nailed it on Wednesday night, pretty much like he has almost every night of season 10.
Which leaves this year's two female finalists to battle it out for the other berth, which is where it gets a bit trickier. After a testy time last week, Haley Reinhart appears to have gotten back into the judges' good graces. And despite falling on her face during a solid Led Zeppelin cover, nailing Fleetwood Mac's "Rhiannon" and nearly getting thrown under the bus with the tricky judges' pick of Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know," the 20-year-old blues belter came out looking pretty good.
It was pretty much even-steven with 16-year-old Lauren Alaina, who charmed her way through Faith Hill and the Band Perry songs (during which she had a momentary lapse of concentration), and did a perfectly serviceable cover of Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance."
There's Scotty and there's everyone else, and both women made a strong case for keeping them on. But here's the reality: This isn't "Nashville Star." There's only room for one country cutie and Scotty has that race tied up like a 280-pound calf.
If only because he and Lauren will split the country/devotional crowd, I have to call the race for McCreery and say that Alaina will be sent packing. Village Voice Music Editor Maura Johnston went with Alaina as well, suggesting that "an onstage spill is more sympathy-inducing than a rip in the pantyhose," referring to Lauren's on-camera wardrobe malfunction.
MTV News' "Idol Party Live" host Jim Cantiello was torn, but said Haley's Zeppelin number was more than enough of a moment to outweigh the unfortunate Morissette cover, agreeing that Scotty and Lauren would probably end up splitting the vote.
The bottom line, though, according to "Idol" blogger MJ Santilli, is that despite an uneven performance slate on Wednesday, "Haley Reinhart is the only contestant left who brings a willingness to take risks to the 'American Idol' competition. Scotty had the most consistent set Wednesday, but Haley's astonishing cover of Led Zeppelin's 'What Is and What Should Never Be' is the moment we've been waiting for from her. Lauren's got the raw talent, but she's inexperienced and her lack of confidence is written all over her performances."
Santilli went so far as to speculate that Alaina's modulation flub during Band Perry's "If I Die Young" was a "form of subconscious self-sabotage. Lauren was neither consistent like Scotty, nor a standout like Haley ? reason enough to keep the young country singer from advancing to the finals."
She agreed with me, though, that what will really hold Lauren back is splitting the country vote with Scotty, leaving all the rock and pop fans to dial or text in for Haley.
To recap, here's our prediction for this weeks elimination. Agree with our picks? Let us know your list in the comments below.
? Gil Kaufman/MJ Santilli/Maura Johnston/Jim Cantiello: Lauren Alaina (out)
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Watch our experts debate Lauren's fate on "Idol Party Live!" And for all things "Idol," check out MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions."
Source: http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/05/19/american-idol-elimination-predictions-lauren-alaina/
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