Australian Idol: 2nd Finals Week

This week was 80s Night and to add a little bit of 80s cred to proceedings the producers decided that a bit of cross-promotion for the new Cyndi Lauper album was in order and added her as a guest judge. While she did have a couple of good things to say, in the end she was as effectual as Marcia Hines, even telling Tom Williams that he did OK when he was and is clearly the worst Top 12 finalist on the show ever. Ricki-Lee did nothing again, but they did put a giant pic of her ample derrier on the big screen for a little while at one point, so the old pervs got their money's worth.

Now for the performances:

The Shearer ditched the longsleeve black tees and busted out "Jack and Diane" pretty damn well, shedding his shyness for a run around the stage. I thought he actually forgot the words for a second but no one said anything.

Sparkle Eyes looked like sex on a stick, which probably isn't something a guy my age should say about a 16 year old, but it's true. She was actually good for the first time and made "Bette Davis Eyes" sound like it was being sung by a woman.

Madam tried something a bit different tonight and didn't really quite pull it off as well as she has before. I think she forgot the words too but she looked good, and we all know how important that is.

Rock Guy pulled on his bravery pants to try "I Want to Know What Love Is" but is astute enough to realise that no one can sing quite like Lou Gramm, so he sang it like Rock Guy. If he doesn't win this thing, they should stop making this show.

The Kid is just embarrassingly bad. He's like some spoiled brat singing to a bunch of mums at a Westfields talent quest. I can't figure out how he got into the Top 12 instead of just about anyone else. Even that wrestler guy who cried.

The Big Girl showed her mettle tonight, showing a different side to her abilities with an excellent take on "True Colors". I'm not sure what a 17 year old has gone through to pull off that song that well, but she was inside those lyrics tonight.

Teale was OK this week. Better than last week, but nothing great. Nothing really grabs me about this dude. He's neither awful nor great. Just there.

The Blonde Bombshell actually sang tonight, instead of that breathy little gasp she normally does. When I found out she was doing "Sweet Dreams (are Made of This)" I almost choked on my lasagne, until she started singing it. As Marcia would say, "Well done".

Nilsson was awesome tonight. "Dancing in the Dark" was always going to be easy for someone who can actually sing, but he made it look like child's play. If he doesn't win this thing, they should stop making this show.

Sexual Chocolate took on the original Sexual Chocolate and didn't quite pull it off. She didn't flub lyrics or anything, she just isn't Tina Turner.

Vietnamese John Farnham didn't know "Every Breath You Take" is about stalking. He also still can't shake the front he puts up. He was better this week though.

Overall, the only one who sucked was The Kid, although a couple of the better ones from last week weren't as good. It's harder to split them though. Best 3: Rock Guy, Nilsson, The Big Girl. Worst 3: The Kid, Teale, Madam. The Kid should go, but probably won't because all the teenies want to bop him.