It was Michael Jackson week on 'X Factor,' and, for reasons probably known only to Simon Cowell, another excuse for a double elimination.Thankfully, the poor Jackson clan weren't subjected to the results show as well as the performances (Blanket thanks you, Fox) and we're not about to prevaricate either. The remaining contestants sang 'Man in the Mirror,' with Marcus and Melanie acquitting themselves well while Chris Rene missed more notes than he hit.
Despite Steve Jones' hyperbole, only Melanie turned in a performance really worthy of the artist they were celebrating, meaning that many of the acts should've been in danger of elimination. The two artists who were sent home were ...
Astro and Drew.
Joining them in the bottom three was Marcus Canty, who was a pro about being in such a tenuous position after last week. Drew was on the verge of a meltdown when she found herself on the stage with Astro and Marcus. I guess she did admit that she didn't take criticism well a couple of weeks back (or was it a week? God, it feels like we've been doing this forever, doesn't it?).
Astro received the lowest number of votes in total and didn't seem shocked by the decision, but he took it with far more grace than his last experience in the bottom two, thanking his fans and telling them that he'd be back on the West Coast soon. L.A. stood by his man, telling Steve Jones, "this is one of the most fascinating guys I've ever met ... his career is promising to be amazing."
Drew chose Roxette's 'Listen To Your Heart' as her save me song, and it was every bit as passionate and raw as her other performances. She lost the note in the final chorus, but in terms of vocal ability, she's far more consistent than Marcus -- although some might say too consistent.
Marcus tackled Gladys Knight's 'Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye),' and it was one of his most solid performances to date, starting slow and controlled, although he lost control of his pitch as he progressed and was kind of a mess by the end. But who needs strong vocals in a singing contest? That unpolished emotion was apparently enough to sway Paula and Nicole, who chose to save Marcus over Drew, as did L.A., with only Simon voting to save his contestant, and taking full responsibility for Drew being in the bottom two while he was at it. He begged Paula and Nicole to give Drew another chance, buttering them up by insisting that he should've listened to the other mentors and chosen a more upbeat song choice last night, but apparently it was too little, too late. He's probably regretting that double-elimination decision now, huh?
Simon was so livid over his fellow judges' decision that he refused to speak when Drew was eliminated, finally being coaxed into saying, "I don't think she deserved to go home, I think she's a little star." She'll undoubtedly get a record deal (and probably years of therapy) out of the experience, but she seemed utterly disconsolate over the decision.
Personally, it seemed like entirely the wrong decision if we're basing the votes purely on talent, since Marcus, as charismatic as he might be, doesn't have the range or control that Drew has. Still, these shows will always remain popularity contests first and foremost -- just ask Chris Rene, who looked just as shocked as the rest of us when he was put through. I think my favorite moment was Steve Jones' exasperation when Simon refused to speak to him; he looked more defeated than Drew in that moment, wandering off like he might walk right off stage. And congrats on making a young girl cry, Paula!
'The X Factor' airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8PM ET on Fox.
Do you think that Drew and Astro deserved to go home? Were you shocked by the judges' decisions? Weigh in below.
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'The X Factor' Sneak Peek
- 'The X Factor' Cast
- 'The X Factor' Cast
- 'The X Factor' Judges
- Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell
- Host Steve Jones Backstage
- 'The X Factor' Judges
- Simon Cowell, Judge
- Steve Jones, Host of 'The X Factor'
- L.A. Reid, Judge
- Paula Abdul, Judge
- Nicole Scherzinger, Judge
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