With Andrew Lloyd Webber as this week’s celebrity mentor, “American Idol” will be all about the drama tomorrow night. And that means if Carly Smithson doesn’t hit it out of the park, she’s probably done for since Webber’s music suits her best. (Sure, it’s a gimme-week for David Archuleta as well, but, let’s face it, unless he takes to smothering puppies or doing Jack Daniels shots onstage, he’s not going anywhere.)
The big, broad showtunes could spell disaster for Brooke White, who was already teetering with Mariah Carey songs, and Jason Castro, who will have to search hard for a Webber classic that works with his laid-back vibe.
Or, of course, he could just follow our advice.
What should the Top 6 be singing?
Madonna, "You Must Love Me" (what Carly Smithson should sing)
David Archuleta. It’s even money that he’s gonna pick “Memory” and bring the house down with a thunderous, Manilow-like version. Anything else will be a surprise.
Jason Castro. The simple, sweet love song “No Matter What,” especially in its sappy Boyzone version, seems tailor-made for simple, sweet Jason to serenade millions of tween girls with.
David Cook. I know people think the way he switches everything into a grunge rocker is starting to get predictable, but as long as it’s entertaining, does it really matter? It would be great for him to Nirvana-ize “Music of the Night.”
Syesha Mercado. In her ongoing quest to select songs that are too big for her, Syesha is likely to go for “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” and come up slightly short. The thing is, at some point, she’s gonna connect on one and set herself for weeks to come. Maybe this is it.
Carly Smithson. “You Must Love Me” would be a good fit for her Celine Dion-esque ways, though if she could figure out an arrangement of the duet “All I Ask of You,” she could make those big notes really work for her.
Brooke White. Can earth mama get it together enough to sell “I Don’t Know How To Love Him”? I’m not sure, but she should certainly try. Not only would the religious undertones resonate with her, but its soft-loud dynamics are right for her understated vocals.