Reality Check: Alex and Sierra's 'X Factor' Supremacy, Saving James Wolpert
Credit: TVLine.com
TVLine.com's Michael Slezak returns with American Idol Season 6 finalist Melinda Doolittle for an all-new episode of Reality Check, dissecting the week in reality singing competitions.
The duo discusses the Instant Save and why Matthew Schuler pretty much had to go home on The Voice. They also question the direction of James Wolpert and whether his Voice run can be saved as we go into the semifinals. Also, who was the best of The Voice Top 6 week? Meanwhile, Michael and Melinda get into the incredible X Factor USA by Alex and Sierra, as well as Paulina Rubio's continued uselessness as a judge. It's a fun episode, as always. You can watch the full episode below via TVLine:
Thoughts
Much like Michael and Melinda, I'm completely and utterly dumbfounded by Adam's direction for James Wolpert. He needs to get back to the Joni Mitchell roots before it's too late, because this rocker approach just is not working. Although it came closer to working than it ever has with "Fell In Love With A Girl," and that has to count for something. But I still don't think it's going to be enough to get James all the way to the end, and Adam needs to keep his team uniformly strong if he's to have any hope of preventing a fourth win for Blake Shelton, particularly now that CeeLo is backing Cole Vosbury for the win.
In essence, Cole has two mentors now, while Adam remains stretched thin over three acts. I actually love Cole and wouldn't mind seeing him make the final, since he's one of my favorite voices in the entire series. But from a purely selfish perspective, I'd love to see James and Will go all the way, so this week was a bit disconcerting where song choice was concerned. I desperately miss the James who sang "A Case of You" back in the first live show (and who, subsequently, hasn't been seen since).
As for The X Factor USA, Michael and Melinda's assessment of Alex and Sierra's take on "Say My Name" gave me a whole new appreciation for that performance, which I only thought was "okay" at the time. When the series first started, a lot of people were calling this pairing a "showmance," arguing that the relationship was strictly for the cameras. But if that's the case, they deserve to be signed to some kind of acting talent agency, because that kind of chemistry is nearly impossible to fake. In fact, I'd argue their insane chemistry is what makes them as compelling an act as they are. It's one thing to just be a boyfriend/girlfriend duo. That'll get people interested, sure, but it won't keep them hooked. Not even talent will necessarily keep people invested in the journey. But if you have all of those things and bind it together with the holiday wrapping paper of white-hot chemistry? Then you have an act that could very easily catch the pop culture zeitgeist and (perhaps?) save The X Factor USA.
So what do you think of the episode? Do you agree or disagree with Michael and Melinda? Sound off in the comments!