Last night on The X Factor, 13-year-old Rachel Crow performed as her “save-me song” the classic “I’d Rather Go Blind,” originally recorded by Etta James. The judges, however, were not able to muster the votes to save her against the talented Marcus Canty, who also was in the bottom two. Because the judges could not decide, the total call-in votes made the ultimate decision. Somewhat surprisingly, Crow was sent packing. When the host announced the news, Crow collapsed in tears. Judge Nicole Scherzinger, who cast the final judge vote that sent the decision to the call-in votes, broke down in tears too.
It was a sad ending on the show for Crow, who was one of the most talented performers on the show and had one of the more interesting back stories, having started out as a neglected crack baby before being adopted into a loving home. Seeing her break down and call out “mommy!” made me wonder whether it was fair that the show had such a low age for contestants, which is lower than the limit on American Idol. Is it fair to put a 13-year-old through this kind of pressure on national television? But I suspect that Crow will be fine and that she will benefit greatly from her experience on the show (a new rumor claims she is already talking to Disney). This morning is another day, and now she can look back on her experience on the show and realize she may be able to follow her dream. How many 13-year-olds get that?
And in the long run, music lovers may benefit from the fact that her appearances may lead to a long career. Crow’s voice and performances often reflected a much older soul. If you have not been following the show, check out her final performance of “I’d Rather Go Blind” below. Note how she channels her own sorrow about being in danger of leaving the show into the emotional lyrics of the song.
What did you think of the show and of Crow’s performance? Leave your two cents in the comments.
Seven years after the release of the excellent film Sideways director Alexander Payne released his follow-up film, The Descendants. I hear Oscar buzzing. . . .
Slate reconsidered Blue Velvet 25 years after the film’s release.
For Veterans Day, the Los Angeles Times chose the best war films from American cinema for each war.
The “Atlas Shrugged, Part 1″ producer is planning Part 2 despite the poor box office for the first movie.
Television Piers Morgan quit “America’s Got Talent” to focus on another talent show: the 2012 presidential election. In related news, Howard Stern might join “America’s Got Talent.”
The producer of next year’s Oscar telecast, Brett Ratner, stepped down after making a stupid gay slur. After Ratner’s announcement, the Oscar host, Eddie Murphy, announced he would no longer host the show, apparently because he had only agreed to do the show because he had worked with Ratner on Tower Heist. Vegas just announced that the payout on bets for “Eddie Murphy wins an Oscar in the next decade” went up 1000%.
Regis Philbin’s last week on Live! with Regis and Kelly will include guests Kathie Lee Gifford, David Letterman and Tony Bennett.
13-year-old “X Factor” singer Rachel Crow started out life in a crack house before she was adopted. Although I had been favoring Josh Krajcik to win, Crow’s performance this week was probably the best of the group.
Other News ‘Family Circus’ creator Bil Keane died at age 89.
Slate had an interesting discussion of “The New Classics,” enduring books, films, ideas, etc. since 2000.
“This is Nixon unplugged“is how Historian Stanley Kutler described new recordings of the former president available online for the first time, including Nixon’s grand jury testimony.
In honor of Joe Frazier, who passed away, Life magazine presented a slideshow of never-seen photos from “The Fight of the Century” of Ali vs. Frazier in 1971
Two new biographies about Charles Dickens are out. In related news, I have had a two-volume Dickens biography on my shelf for more than a decade that I have yet to read. Now, I do not know where to start. Maybe I will watch a movie. . .
What was your favorite pop culture story this week? Leave your two cents in the comments.
Last night on The X Factor, 13-year-old Rachel Crow performed as her “save-me song” the classic “I’d Rather Go Blind,” originally recorded by Etta James. The judges, however, were not able to muster the votes to save her against the talented Marcus Canty, who also was in the bottom two. Because the judges could not decide, the total call-in votes made the ultimate decision. Somewhat surprisingly, Crow was sent packing. When the host announced the news, Crow collapsed in tears. Judge Nicole Scherzinger, who cast the final judge vote that sent the decision to the call-in votes, broke down in tears too.
