Idol Musing: Flaming Motown

First things first: You cannot call a night a 'Motown tribute' unless it contains a Four Tops song. This is a fact and it is indisputable. (props to Kevin Bacon's courtroom summation in 'A Few Good Men'.)

Last night was the most entertaining episode of the season so far. For reasons few of which were musical.

Steven Tyler became the first 'Idol' judge ever to bum rush the stage (to hug Jacob Lusk). And as Ryan Seacrest pointed out, it was the first time in a decade that Randy Jackson did not use 'pitchy' to describe a performance.

But the most astonishing moment was seeing Seacrest spooning up food from a Tupperware container. I didn't know that he needed to or even could eat. He's a very advanced android, indeed.

Grizzly Adams, I mean Casey Abrams, lead things off with his unruly hair slicked down. Whoa, bud. Unless your name is Sanjaya, it's never a good idea to change your look from one week to the next.

Tyler praised Casey's 'perfect pitch,' which was odd because he missed more notes than he hit.

Is it just me, or are the judges way over the top in complimenting these kids? Thia Megia, in a squash blossom prom dress, took a perfunctory run at 'Heat Wave' and Randy enthused that 'the public is really resounding with' her talent.

Jacob Lusk was showered with hosannas for his 'You're All I Need to Get By'. Sorry, but his singing  reminds me of the guy in the elevator who is wearing way, way too much cologne.

After Lauren Alaina missed the boat on 'You Keep Me Hanging On,' Tyler declared that 'You ripped that song a new beauty mark.' Sounds painful.

Stefano Langone sounded like he was singing phonetically in a second language. That tends to happen when you cover Lionel Richie.

Scott McCreery brought a 'country vibe' to 'For Once in My Life' which turned out to be like flavoring applesauce with mustard. Tyler compared him to Glen Campbell. Wait, is that a compliment?

Pia Toscano killed as usual, but bear in mind, the best female singer has a nasty habit of getting picked off early. Remember Melinda Doolittle in Season 6? Or Carly Smithson in Season 7?

The best original cover, for my money, was Paul McDonald's earnest 'Tracks of My Tears' (see video, below). For once he didn't remind me of Leo Sayer.

I understand why Seacrest acknowledged Gordon Ramsey and Jennifer Beals in the audience. They both have series on Fox. But how do you single out Aerosmith rhythm guitarist Brad Whitford, who looked like something the cat hesitated to drag in, and totally ignore Kirsten Dunst?

It's a tough call for tonight because the results this year are apparently not tied to merit, but I'm going with Thia, Stefano and Haley as your bottom three.

Seacrest out!

Read more Dave on Demand or follow him on Twitter @DaveOnDemand_TV