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Rock Star: Supernova: Only the Strong Have Survived

Band Photo: Rock Star Supernova (?)

As predicted, “Rock Star: Supernova” contestants Zayra and Patrice have met their doom after bringing very little to the table in previous shows. While it is still a mystery how so many unfit rockers made it so close to fronting a band of Supernova’s magnitude, it now appears as though six strong contenders are left vying for the gig. Unlike many of these types of competitions, it appears that Supernova has precisely weeded out all of the lesser talent, with no undeserving contestants making their way to the final rounds.

Despite the expectations of a strong week, this week’s “Rock Star” shows started off with a whimper, as Patrice kicked things off with a decisively non-rocking original song. Dave Navarro again brought out the “start a solo career” blast—this time in reference to Patrice—both times Navarro’s words have seemed all to fitting. On Wednesday’s show, Patrice again fell into the bottom three. This time, the writing on the wall couldn’t have been any bolder, and Patrice was sent home.

All was not bad in the “original song” department, however. Ryan, the second to perform an original song on Tuesday’s show, hit a homerun with his homebrewed rock. With “Back of Your Car,” Ryan showed that his voice can be a real rock instrument. Ryan’s original was so well done that it actually outshined all of Supernova’s own original material, as well as much of the fluffy song selection witnessed to this point. Ryan has now delivered the two of the three greatest performances of the season (search Magni’s acoustic version of “Dolphins Cry” and Ryan’s rendition of “Losing My Religion” for the other two). “Rock Star: Supernova” might have a new frontrunner.

Ryan, though, has apparently taken on another battle, as Wednesday’s show began by spotlighting his new feud with Dilana. Dilana was put on the spot by Navarro, who wanted to get to the bottom of the beef. During some down time at the house, Dilana contended that she’s had the fans since day one and later told Ryan that she’d shoot herself before sharing duties with Ryan while fronting Supernova. Ryan mostly kept his cool, but it isn’t the first argument he’s had with a female contestant, either. In the end, Navarro questioned Dilana for not only being abrasive, but also for throwing her fans under the bus (it was her fan who suggested she share duties with Ryan in the first place). There’s nothing like a little rock star dramatics to spice things up.

Later in Wednesday’s show, the contestants got their first taste of media pressure, and Dilana again was critical of another contestant. Lukas, this time, drew Dilana’s ire, apparently for not being as “real” as Dilana claims to be. Hmmm, Ryan and Lukas…could it be that Dilana, the show darling, is a little intimidated by Ryan, the newly labeled “Darkhorse” of the competition, and Lukas, who dodges the bottom three just as adroitly as Dilana?

Disappointingly, the rest of the week wasn’t quite as dramatic, with a lot of so-so performances from contestants who have proven they can do better. Storm’s “Crying,” by Aerosmith, Toby’s performance with full Supernova backing, Magni’s “Fire,” by Jimi Hendrix, and Toby’s “Plush,” by Stone Temple Pilots, all should have been much more inspired than the blasé recitals that they became. In an attempt to liven things up for next week’s show, fans can vote, via internet, on the songs they want the contestants to sing during next week’s show. Unfortunately, rather than new material, each rocker only has four available songs to chose from—three of the four would be encores of songs they’ve already done, and the other is a “wildcard” already performed by another contestant. How about some variety for a change? This rather lame ploy, combined with the lack of suggested guest appearances (Rob Zombie, for instance), might keep the show from reaching its potential, but “Rock Star” can at least rely on the legitimate talent of the remaining contestants from now on.