Ryan Star went on the attack and turned in his best performance yet this week, but the Supernova crew remained unimpressed.
The contestants on "Rock Star: Supernova" on CBS engaged in some verbal sparring, with Star and fellow Long Islander Jill Gioia in particular coming out swinging (though not at each other).
During Tuesday's song selection, Star squabbled with Josh Logan. Then Star turned his sights on Dana Andrews. "She should not be on the show," Star said at the mansion. He even backed up his comments on stage, telling guest judge Dave Navarro, "I get kind of embarrassed when I see that."
Meantime, Gioia wrangled with Patrice Pike over songs, grabbing the classic-rock chestnut "All Right Now" by Free and hissing, "I can sing this song and I can sing the other four songs."
She wound up belting it out with gusto and kicking down her mic stand at the end, which caught the Supernova judges by surprise.
"That's the first time I've seen you perform where I can imagine us behind you," guitarist Gilby Clarke told her.
As for Star, he delivered an intense, angry version of Creedence Clearwater Revival's politically-tinged "Fortunate Son." But drummer Tommy Lee thought the performance was too static. "I was wondering if you have duct-tape stuck to your shoes," he said. Guitarist Gilby Clarke disparaged Star's "tortured" persona and asked, "Are you even having any fun when you're up there?"
But Star got the last word. "People are always saying, 'You should smile more,'" he said, then obliged his critics by flashing a lady-killer's grin at the camera and holding it for several seconds.
Still, early voting results once again put Star in the bottom three, though after Wednesday's tally he was safe again.
In the end, the bottom three were Dana Andrews, Jenny Galt and Josh Logan; Galt got the boot. Lukas Rossi still appears to be the one to beat, with Toby Rand and Dilana nipping at his heels.
Win or lose, Star and Gioia have probably already achieved their objective: maximum exposure. So far, "Rock Star: Supernova" is averaging 5.2 million viewers according to Nielsen Media Research.