'American Idol' 2014 Review: Top 11 Sings 'Songs from the Cinema' -- MK Nobilette, Jena Asciutto, Malaya Watson Ready for Comeback?
"American Idol" 2014 Top 11 performances tackle "Songs from the Cinema." Will the stars line up and allow the past bottom dwellers to recover? Fans and loved ones of MK Nobilette, Jena Asciutto and Malaya Watson are hoping they are ready to make a comeback on Mar. 12 on FOX.
American Idol 2014 has not been particularly exciting since the live performances kicked off on Feb. 18 on FOX. Idol executive producer Per Blankens is under a lot of pressure from the show's critics. But ultimately, the reality show can only be as good as its contestants (which the Idol judges filtered supposedly well).
Two weeks ago, MK and Malaya landed in the bottom three. The following week, MK revisits the bottom, this time with Idol Top 13 wildcard Jena. American Idol 2014 judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr have been fond of these three. Unfortunately, the Idol voters have not been as supportive.
MK, Malaya and Jena could pick a lesson or two from what happened to Kristen O'Connor and Emily Piriz, who left the competition at No. 13 and No. 12, respectively. Kristen took on a pop hit by Adele ("Turning Tables"), got booted out. Emily went for one of JLo's biggest charters ("Let's Get Loud), got voted off the show. What are American Idol 2014 viewers looking for?
Here are some of the (paraphrased) clichés that viewers have heard from American Idol judges through the years: 1. If you're going to take on a big song, you've got to nail it. 2. Connect to the audience. 3. Get lost in the song instead of looking lost on stage. 4. Have fun, but don't forget you're in a competition. 5. You've got to stand out.
American Idol 2014 has a number of WGWG (White Guys With Guitars). If votefortheworst.com had not shut itself down, the site would probably have a lot to say about this year's batch of WGWG, and how the voters are favouring them again. But none of those could prove that neither Kristen nor Emily failed to observe the abovementioned clichés.
MK, Malaya and Jena have to be (another cliché, thanks to Mr Randy Jackson) "in it to win it." During the American Idol 2014 pre-live shows, Malaya Watson was one of the biggest contenders. She has a lot of potential that has been left untapped.
Fans are hoping there will be no more karaoke showcases, no more self-indulgent choices on American Idol. Idol EP Per Blankens and the team have got to help the contestants give their best. If the in-ear monitors are not working, do something about it.
According to TV ratings reports, over 10 million viewers watched the American Idol 2014 Top 12 performances a week ago. Considering that over 30 million viewers used to follow this show, now is a great time to show some significant improvement.
Joining MK Nobilette, Malaya Watson and Jena Asciutto on American Idol Top 11 are (everyone who has not been in the bottom three): Alex Preston, Ben Briley, Caleb Johnson, CJ Harris (also a wildcard), Dexter Roberts, Jessica Meuse, Majesty Rose, and the teen crowd favourite, Sam Woolf. Viewers could only hope for them to pick the right song from Idol's 'Songs from the Cinema' playlist.
WATCH: M.K. Nobilette Sings John Legend's "All Of Me" (@AmericanIdol on YouTube)
Here is a video of MK singing a John Legend hit before the AI2014 semifinals - before she sang "Satisfaction" by Allen Stone (Top 13) and "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" by Train (Top 12).
American Idol 2014 Top 11 Live Performances, 'Songs from the Cinema,' airs on Mar. 12 on FOX.
More American Idol Scoop and TV Guide Features
'American Idol' 2014 Spoilers: AI Season 13 'Finals Week 3 - Songs from the Cinema" Airs on Mar. 12, 2014 [READ]
'American Idol' 2014 Results Show Update: Judges Bored on No-Wow; Malaya Watson, MK Nobilette Again in Bottom 3? [REVIEW, VIDEOS]