You made me eat my presuppositions, America!
It feels like opening with the contestants singing Carrie Underwood is just mean, you know?
Like, itsCarrie Underwood.
Credit: Eric McCandless/ABC
Also, while were talking about it, Carrie Underwood looks 100 percent fine.
Like, whatever happened to her face must have been remedied by a miracle.
But, back to the show, the opening number of See You Again is actually pretty solid.
It does make me miss Carrie Underwood and that time whenIdolchurned her out.
But tonight is about Carries songbook and songs dedicated to the final fives moms.
Michael J Woodard, Flat on the Floor
Girl, WHAT?
I am, wait for it…flooredat the idea of Michael singing Flat on the Floor.
To date, this is easily the best performance Michael has given, which is surprising.
Who would have thought that Carrie Underwood would have been this kids wheelhouse?
There was no rocking or big showstopper notes: It was just a really surprisingly good performance.
Surprisingly, it feels a little bit like neither.
It was a good performance, but no better or worse than second or third place tonight.
Gabby is likely the winner of this season, if her being a woman doesnt get in her way.
Cade and Caleb Lee are her biggest obstacles.
Cade Foehner, Undo It
This version of Undo It is actually a pretty solid rendition.
A little half-baked at times, but I like the idea that Cade had behind it.
Caleb Lee Hutchinson, So Small
Baby boy.
Its like begging for a power note to smack you in the face.
He takes the safer route, saving his energy for his biggest note.
Would I say that its ever going to come close toIdolcanon?
They bounced around the stage while Caleb stuck safely behind the mic.
Maddie Poppe, I Told You SoHoo boy, this is the song choice I was hoping for.
I write these recaps as a viewer, not a musician.
Shes able to communicate so much in a single glance, and the biggest notes were still incredibly sincere.
~Interlude~ Carrie Underwood sang Cry Pretty
This was just fine.
JK, it was stunning, because Carrie Underwood is perfect.
Gabby Barrett, I Have Nothing
This.
On certain notes, it was flawless.
On other notes it was…well.
I have a theory.
You just dont take on Whitney, kind of like how you dont take on Celine.
Michael J Woodard, Still I Rise
Michael J Woodard is such an angel.
But his mom is an even bigger one.
If Michael doesnt win this, I need them to have their own little show together.
Him taking her out on the stage where he performs is whatreallydid me in.
But for his song, he chooses a Yolanda Adams song, which is honestly such a power move.
Honestly, it feels a bit like a coronation song.
The finishing line of And still I rise.
The standing ovation at the end.
Michael deserves to be in that final three, just like Gabby.
Question is, who else?
Caleb Lee Hutchinson, Stars in Alabama
These letters are ruining me tonight!
Sweet Caleb is a precious boy.
Let it be said that I dont think Caleb Lee is a bad singer.
Im just using critical judgment the judges refuse to.
But even my cold heart is melted watching Piper Hutchinson singing to him from the audience.
Caleb Lees choice for tonights finale is perfect.
Its perfectly within his range, and you could just tell how much the performance means to him.
He just loves to sing, whether or not someone is listening, and that?
That makes him worthy of being here.
Maddie Poppe, God Only Knows
Final performance of the night, and Im shook to my core.
God Only Knows is the performance of the season by simply existing and allowing itself to breathe.
Maddies performance feels like something so personal that we shouldnt have seen it.
And when she comes to the end and chokes up at her own emotion?
Theres no joke to be made because what Maddie did is…its a treat.
Maddie is just one of those performers that I think has the ability to transcend time.
Cade Foehner: ELIMINATEDCaleb Lee Hutchinson: SAFEGabby Barrett: SAFEMaddie Poppe: SAFEMichael J Woodard: ELIMINATED
