Michael Lynche Turbo-Charges Idol
Just as Wednesday night’s “American Idol” threatened to become a major yawn, Michael “Big Mike” Lynche electrified the studio audience and lit-up satellites and fibre-optics with his poignant, moving, inspiring, heart-felt virtuoso performance of “This Woman’s Work.” Dedicating the song to his wife, who recently gave birth to their daughter while Lynche remained in Hollywood qualifying for and competing in the “Idol” finals.
Reminding long-time “Idol” fans of recently departed judge Paula Abdul, replacement Kara DioGuardi erupted in tears, exclaiming, “It’s amazing. You were amazing!” More self-controlled, the show’s resident curmudgeon and full-time bubble-buster, Simon Cowell was uncharacteristically generous in his praise, effusing, “You come out with an incredibly difficult song…, and you 100% nailed it.” Piling on the superlatives, Cowell continued, “Not just the best performance of the night, it was the best of these live shows so far.
Lynche, clearly inspired and fully in control of his considerable talent, began in a soft falsetto, pumping-up the volume and passion as he continued, pushing the crescendo through a big finish that brought the audience to its feet. Lynche emerged as the odds-on favourite to win the competition, raising the bar with his “masterful…vocal workout.” After the show, several newly converted Lynche fans commented, “Were there other guys on the show? Big Mike’s song wiped them completely from my mind.”
Commanding almost as many headlines for her response to Lynche’s performance, DioGuardi, tears and all, added to her growing reputation as “the new Paula.” Abdul, whose antics frequently crossed the line from emotional to bizarre, frequently gushed over and outrageously flirted with male contestants. Although television critics generally allowed her “Paula-ness was totally understandable,” they also expressed some disappointment in the record-industry powerhouse. In her relatively short but very distinguished career, the 39-year-old producer and record-company executive has worked with more than two-dozen headliners and million-sellers, including Christina Aguilera, Santana, and Carrie Underwood.
