I’m just going to steal our discussion out of the comments thread of the last AI1 thread. I think Juan and I said it all there:

Juan started it:

I always assumed the public just plain screwed up in picking Nikki over Tamyra, but now, after seeing this show again, I can see there was a little more to it than that. First, Tamyra had her weakest showing of the entire season, while Nikki gave her strongest performance to this point (she would be even better the following week on “Black Velvet”). Never mind that I don’t think Nikki was better than Tamyra even this week — it just seemed that way. Second, the judges reinforced this idea by raving about both of Nikki’s performances, while not getting all that worked up about either of Tamyra’s numbers (particularly the first). Long story short: Tamyra’s dismissal doesn’t seem all that bizarre and/or conspiratorial this time around.

Finally, with her two excellent performances, Kelly left no doubt that she was Season 1’s best contestant. While the song itself means nothing to me (thereby not meriting consideration as an Idol Moment), I’d put her rendition of Celine Dion’s “Surrender” right up with the best anyone sang the entire season — including her own “Natural Woman.” And when you hear how hoarse she sounded in the interview right after that, you know she’s really something special.

And I carried on:

I had completely forgotten about “Surrender,” but I was blown away by it this weekend. It was obvious that both her voice and Tamyra’s were weakening badly by this point in the competition, but that performance still gave me goosebumps. Change the lighting a little — think Clay doing “Solitaire” — and you may have had a legitimate “Idol Moment” there.

I also enjoyed Justin’s cheesy “PYT” performance. Wow, that was bad.

And after watching five full seasons of Idol, I can see the weaknesses in Nikki’s song stylings that weren’t obvious to me then. Even on a good night like she had in the Round of Four, she still shouted a lot of stuff.

Juan replies:

Yep, Nikki wasn’t that good even on her best night(s). And I too liked Justin’s “PYT” a lot more than Randy and Simon did. I mean, is it possible to perform that song without imitating Michael?

Btw, I thought Justin was second best in the round of 4, and I still put Nikki last despite her improved performances.

And now I get to talk in my own voice again. =)

PYT is just not a great IDOL song. It’s almost impossible to do it without sounding like a pale imitation, unless you rearrange the hell out of the song. His dancing was ludicrous, though.

It’s also funny to watch Ryan in Season One acting like a wild and crazy companion to the almost-reserved Brian Dunkleman. He seems so much more mature today, and wearing suits that often fit a lot better, too.

In the long run, I can’t believe Tamyra hasn’t had more showbiz success than she’s had. She’s done very well for herself, particularly by comparison to the bomb that Justin has become and so many others, but I still think she’s better than she’s gotten so far. Maybe there’s more to come.

For a few giggles, check out this theory on how Sanjaya is the new Tamyra — “in some sort of alternative universe where pitch and tone are irrelevant.”

Also: I read in ROLLING STONE Magazine this week that Kelly’s next album is due out this summer, and that she wrote most of it herself. She promises that one is the most bitter man-hating song she’s ever done. Given how rough “Breakaway” was to anyone with a “Y” chromosome, I’m almost fearing this album now. ;-)

And: Lisa Tucker landed a FOX pilot. Cool!

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