MTV News’ ‘Idol’ experts share their choices for Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips and Hollie Cavanagh. By Gil Kaufman and James Montgomery Phillip Phillips, Hollie Cavanagh, Joshua Ledet and Jessica Sanchez on “American Idol” Photo: Michael Becker/ Fox For the most part, the themes on this season’s “American Idol” have been pretty straightforward: Queen, Whitney Houston, Personal Idols, Songs From the Year You Were Born, Songs From the 1980s, More Songs About Buildings and Food ( look it up ). But when the final four take the stage Wednesday night (May 9), they’ll be tasked with performing two songs in one of the most ambiguous, wide-open themes in the show’s history: California Dreamin’ (songs by Californians) and Songs I Wish I’d Written. Considering that the only singer left on the show who might reasonably write his own songs is Phillip Phillips (sample chorus: “Growwwwwl”) and that Joshua Ledet has proven time and again that he has a thin-at-best grasp on musical history, the second challenge is a big one. That leaves the California theme, which is equally amorphous since, well, half the hit songs of the past 50 years have been born on the Golden Coast. Maybe more. At least that leaves Adele out of the mix for once, not to mention Mariah and Whitney Houston — so, good luck, Jessica Sanchez and Hollie Cavanagh! Those and other conundrums have been placed in the very capable hands of MTV News’ resident “Idol” experts, Gil Kaufman and James Montgomery, who will once again post their secret ballots without peeking at the other’s picks (we swear) and let us know which songs the top four should tackle. Joshua Ledet He still hasn’t set off the charisma bomb that will turn him from a good singer with a bland personality into what the judges seem to think is one of the (allegedly) best “Idol” contestants of all time. We’re not expecting fireworks this week, but for his Cali song, he has to go with Detroit-to-L.A. transplant Marvin Gaye. Elise Testone already snagged “Let’s Get It On,” so I say hit up “Sexual Healing.” It’s hard to tell what genre Josh is most familiar with, but we’ll assume gospel or soul, in which case, let’s split the difference with preacher/shouter Al Green and go with “Love and Happiness” or Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come.” — Kaufman I’d just like to go on record as saying it would be awesome if Joshua covered that “Californians” sketch from “SNL” a few weeks back, since it’d be way more interesting than anything we’re actually gonna hear tonight. That’ll never happen, of course, so for his Cali tune, I think he’ll swing for the fences and do a simmering version of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game.” We know he’s talented, but it’s time for him to take a chance if he wants to win this thing. As for the song he wished he wrote, I think he goes big. Though he might think he’s nasty, I say Josh does R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly.” Bonus points if he sings it in a cornfield . — Montgomery Jessica Sanchez It’s safe to say that Katy Perry’s un-showy “California Gurls” will turn up in a girl medley at some point Wednesday, which means Bebe would be wise to go with something like No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak.” What song does the stiletto Barbie wish she’d written? That’s a tough one. Like Josh, Jessica hasn’t given us much insight into her musical taste, but considering she’s a 16-year-old girl, her repertoire has got to be pretty contemporary — and sappy. “Innocent” by Taylor Swift it is, then. — Kaufman Given that she’s actually from California, a couple weeks ago, J.Sanch probably would’ve just killed two birds with one stone and done a pair of her originals tonight. But, given that her confidence has taken a hit in recent weeks, she’ll go back to basics: namely, singing the bejeezus out of a ballad. Her Cali pick? The great Etta James’ “At Last.” With that out of the way, she’s free to let Bebe Chez do her thing, so for the song she wished she’d written, why not something from Beyonc
