American Idol 2007

[MJ4H]

Melinda Doolittle freaking rules. Unbelieveable.

[MJ4H]

dola i hate that song and that freaking owned

[MJ4H]

dola get on the melinda bandwagon bitches im dolaing this board into oblivion and you better not get in the way

[Poli]

I winced at least twice to out-of-tune notes. My memory tells me he was sharp both times, which can be overlooked by some people. When somone misses flat, it is much more noticeable.
What does a band director know about being in tune? :rolleyes:






:)

[MJ4H]

HAR!

[Drake]

When Antonella sings, I want to stab myself with a fork. Every time she opens her mouth, it is the longest ninety seconds of my life.

[Drake]

dola...

Now that I think about it, maybe I should just have sex every time she sings and put that ninety seconds of endless time to good use.

[MJ4H]

To be fair I listened back to Sunjaya when I got home today. Was actually better than I remember intonation wise, but there are definitely some wince-moments. Definitely not every note spot-on. That said the guy sang like a wet noodle.

REMINDER:
There isn't anyone else on this show like Melinda Doolittle. This season or otherwise. Good heavens that was amazing.

[Eaglesfan27]

Agreed with the praise for Melinda. She has been the best so far, tonight.

[Pumpy Tudors]

hay gina omg

[mtolson]

To be fair I listened back to Sunjaya when I got home today. Was actually better than I remember intonation wise, but there are definitely some wince-moments. Definitely not every note spot-on. That said the guy sang like a wet noodle.

REMINDER:
There isn't anyone else on this show like Melinda Doolittle. This season or otherwise. Good heavens that was amazing.

My favorite version of that song is Chaka Khan's. When she first started singing I knew she was going to do good. The song allows you to stretch your vocals a little. With that said, she KILLED THAT SONG. She sang the hell out of it. Chaka is sitting somewhere with a big ass smile on her face. I think Lakisha would have also done well with that song but she didn't select it so my vote goes to Melinda. She could have easily attempted to over sing it but she keep it right on the line of power versus yelling.

She is so mature and aware of her abilities I don't see her making a stupid mistake with song choice.

[wade moore]

On Melinda - I still think she's too "old" in so many ways for this competition and at this point I'd be shocked if she wins..

[Logan]

On Melinda - I still think she's too "old" in so many ways for this competition and at this point I'd be shocked if she wins..

Agreed. She has a nice voice, but her lack of a personality (and let's be honest, a neck) is going to finish her off. She's way too boring.

I didn't think Antonella was that bad for the second half of her song (when she apparently blended two verses together)...but the first half was a disaster of epic proportions. She didn't pause at all and was way ahead of the song.

[Arles]

Once again the girls steal the show. here's the abridged version of the women rankings:

1. Melinda Doolittle - She was the star tonight on both vocals and song selection. Even though she has no neck, she has one heck of a voice.
2. Jordin Sparks - I know some will think this is too high - but I can't help but think she will continue to evolve as the show mvoes on. She's like a Kevin Garnett type talent at her age and really sang a tough song well.
3. Lakisha - Great voice, not the best outfit though. Fabric is her friend.
4. Sabrina Sloan - Did get close to shouting like Simon said, but I thought she did a nice job.
5. Stephanie - Pretty tough song but she handled it well.
6. Gina - I like her, but tonight wasn't her best night. It also seemed like the background vocals really drowned her out (common theme on the weaker performances).
7. Leslie - Not a big fan of hers but she atleast tried to add a little spice to a song. Should stay around for one more week.
8. Haley - Not bad, but not great either and had the most forgettable performance. She could be gone if the 15-20 year old boys vote in masses for Barbarella.
9. Wet T-Shirt - She actually did do better but seems so overwhelmed on every song. Should be gone on talent/performance, but could stay another week for the novelty factor in voting.
10. Alaina - Ugh, yuck, just awful. The only thing that may save her is that she was so bad she may have unseated Waterfall girl for the "Vote for the Worst" title. Maybe Sanjaya will actually get voted off as a girl and that may help save her as well.

[MJ4H]

Close to agreeing with you Arles. Here's mine (I have to wait until there are fewer singers to do mine normally because they all run together to me).

1. Melinda - booya
2. Sabrina - weak in spots but a very good performance
3. Lakisha - not as big a fan of her as some
4. Jordin - wish I could've put her ahead of Lakisha but out-of-tune too often
5. Gina - almost decent. the song is awesome.
6. Haley - I liked this better than most, I think.
7. Stephanie - what a terrible song.
8. Leslie - I really want to like her
9. Alaina - not. good.
10. Antonella - don't make me comment. better than last week though, Simon was wrong about that.

[Solecismic]

Unlike the guys, the girls are divided into distinct camps this season: those who can sing and those who can't - there's maybe one or two in the middle here. The real question is whether it's fair to judge them on the same scale, and whether Melinda deserves an entirely different scale of her own.

For the 32nd time in the last three years, as I put these ratings together and try and collect my thoughts, I wonder if I'm actually changing the world for the better. Or if I'm just one oversized salmon-colored sweater away from a pitchy demise at the hands of thousands of rabid text-sim fans?

Hey, girls. On Celine, On Whitney, On Mariah, On Beyonce? On Janet, On Barbra, On Diana, On Christina? Just follow the salmon sweater to glory, and don't forget to dedicate a song or two to your grandmama along the way.

Here are the week 2, girls' night out rankings:

1. Melinda Doolittle. What do you say to someone who's already a polished, professional singer? Hey, nice job, Melinda. You knocked them out again, you know exactly what you're doing and you really don't need American Idol right now. It's quickly becoming a bit uncomfortable. I do get the feeling she won't win this, because she's not a screamer, she's not sexy in the slightest, she doesn't motivate rabid fans. But there she is at the top of the list again. Score of 93.

2. Lakisha Jones. Local girl stayed on formula again, stuck with the power, charmed the audience. I noticed she is very good at adjusting minor pitch flaws. That and her diva voice will carry her into the final three, no doubt. Score of 85.

3. Leslie Hunt. It goes almost without saying that it's gutsy to open a cappella. And it probably should be said that the Idol format rewards the more powerful voices. I don't know if she'll last long enough to grab any sort of fan base, but of the non-diva voices, I like hers the best. Score of 84.

4. Jordin Sparks. Her emotional reaction led to a very breathy performance of a song she should be singing in her sleep. She should concentrate less on showing off her range and more on featuring the melodic qualities of her voice, which are considerable and would help move her into the elite group this year. I agree with the judges, just scary talent for her age. Score of 83.

5. Sabrina Sloan. Okay, quite a bit of talent here, but I wonder when she's going to lower the volume and start singing for real. Who is Sabrina? Will she last long enough to find out? As one of the older contestants, I'm a little disappointed with her so far. Quite a gap between 4 and 5 this week. Score of 74.

6. Stephanie Edwards. Now is not the time to channel Beyonce. I'd like to be nicer to her, because there were some good qualities about the song, but she didn't sell it early and she wasn't trying to put her own stamp on the performance. A disappointment from someone I thought was a solid contender last week. Score of 72.

7. Gina Glocksen. The truest "tweener" in the group - I have no idea if she can sing right now. When Carrie Underwood did this song two years ago, there was no question it helped propel her to the top. Tonight, all I could think was, "hey, it's a tough song, don't hurt yourself." For all the hype, and the judges have it exactly right again, this tiger has no edge right now. Score of 71.

8. Haley Scarnato. Just close the mouth for a minute, and let us look at you. I have no idea where this was supposed to go. I don't think she did, either. I think she was trying to be fun, trying to work the system, but she lacked energy and damned near quit at the end. Score of 58.

9. Alaina Alexander. There's a lot to like about Alaina. Unfortunately, her singing prowess isn't really at the top of the list. I'm trying very hard to remember what she sung. I do remember her looking up toward the middle and fighting off tears, as if she knew it wasn't going well and was trying to get through it. No question she's gone. Score of 51.

10. Antonella Barba. There's guts, like Leslie showed. And then there's just blind ego. I have no idea why she tried a power diva song. Maybe it sounded really, really good in the shower. In the end, it was just karaoke. A note to all you teen boys who are voting for her in masses - she's never going to sleep with you. Really. Score of 49.

Who should go: Antonella and Alaina.

Who will go: Alaina and Haley.

[lordscarlet]

I was very surprised by Leslie's song and I think I liked it the best. I don't think it was done the best, but for me and my tastes it was the best last night.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Agh. Leslie's performance didn't work at all for me. Also, I can't tell Alaina and Haley apart. In my opinion, they're both rather forgettable as singers, so I guess it doesn't matter.

I have to admit that I didn't pay much attention to the dedications before the songs. What was Jordin so emotional about? Something to do with her brother? I didn't even realize she was breaking down until several seconds after the song had ended.

[Thomkal]

I think the girls seperated themselves last night. Leslie, Haley, Antonella, and Alaina either should or likely will be the next four voted off, unless Antonella's pictures keep her on again. I still like Haley and wish the judges had given her some praise for trying to change the image the judges didn't like with her first song.

[MJ4H]

Haley is a very pretty girl with a birth mark on her face the size of Saskatchewan.

[Ksyrup]

I agree on Melinda on all accounts. She's hands-down the best singer this show has ever had, period, and she has no shot at winning. That was a clinic last night. She sang a "standard" like Sanjaya and did everything right that he did wrong.

In fact, with her and Brandon being former backup singers, and recalling the discussion we had on this board about last season's Survivor (the one where they split them up by race) where it appeared the cast was California-based and included a number of people generally in the entertainment industry, I'm wondering if Melinda and Brandon aren't the recipients of that kind of pre-audition talent search by the AI people? Maybe we're seeing AI move toward the "professional singers who haven't yet made it" contestants, since the true undiscovered talent well is probably running a bit dry this many seasons in. even Chris Sligh, given his band's fairly polished sound, could fit that as well.

Just a thought...

[lordscarlet]

Not of the top female singers do anything for me. I recognize which ones are the best, but they all sound very similar (in style) and just really aren't for me.

On Melinda: There's a reason she's in the business but in the background. It's a tough break, but we as a race are not good people. Her "different" look and shy personality will keep her in the background.

[Eaglesfan27]

Not of the top female singers do anything for me. I recognize which ones are the best, but they all sound very similar (in style) and just really aren't for me.

On Melinda: There's a reason she's in the business but in the background. It's a tough break, but we as a race are not good people. Her "different" look and shy personality will keep her in the background.


Don't you think that this experience of being on American Idol and getting all of this praise could boost her confidence and help her become less shy. I don't think she'll ever become arrogant, but I could see her becoming much more confident as this competition progresses and making major strides in her career, even though she does look odd.

[Ksyrup]

It's a tough break, but we as a race are not good people.

Explain/clarify please.

[lordscarlet]

Don't you think that this experience of being on American Idol and getting all of this praise could boost her confidence and help her become less shy. I don't think she'll ever become arrogant, but I could see her becoming much more confident as this competition progresses and making major strides in her career, even though she does look odd.

It's possible, but I don't think so. Maybe short-term success, but I am far from a music expert. :)

Explain/clarify please.

The human race has a bias towards pretty/prettier people.

[Ksyrup]

So you're saying that you think black people are generally not good looking?

[Klinglerware]

That's not what he's saying...

[lordscarlet]

So you're saying that you think black people are generally not good looking?

By "race" I'm referring to humans, not skin color. Melinda Doolittle is someone who looks (even if slightly) different from most people. She is also meek, which doesn't play well as a celebrity. Someone outgoing (like Jordin or Lakisha) or someone attractive (like Stephanie or Sabrina) is far more likely to win even though they don't have the same talent level. I think the tweener, Gina, is also hurt by her lack of attractiveness (and her flaws in talent were exposed this week). Certainly someone like Antonella can't skate by on looks alone (although, look at Pickles), but I think everyone who has won idol has had some charismatic factor and that's not going to change even with as clear a talent difference as we're seeing here.

[Ksyrup]

I got you, I thought by race you were referring to yourself among black people (since I have no clue what most people on this board look like!). I thought you were commenting on her chances on the show because she's black. Sorry!

[lordscarlet]

I got you, I thought by race you were referring to yourself among black people (since I have no clue what most people on this board look like!). I thought you were commenting on her chances on the show because she's black. Sorry!

I can certainly see the confusion.

I'm about as white as they come, fyi. :)

[Swaggs]

I wonder if Haley cost herself votes by talking about her boyfriend or fiancee in the snippet before her song.

[Danny]

I wonder if Haley cost herself votes by talking about her boyfriend or fiancee in the snippet before her song.

she broke my heart and lost my vote!

[Eaglesfan27]

I think that is the first time a contestant just lost it in singing his/her goodbye song.

[MJ4H]

did kellie always have those? good heavens

[Flasch186]

Stick Pickler?

Ryan Seacrest is on point lately.....as corny as he is and played out, he is sharp as a tack.

shoes. shoes. "anything else?" LOL

[MizzouRah]

Whoa Kelly.. where did those come from?

[Lathum]

Kelly looked awefull.

Who lost it, I always fast forward past the exit song.

[Lathum]

dola- and todays show was a travesty.

[LoneStarGirl]

I picked all four of those people to go home.... Sanjay wouldn't cuz he is young and Indian and the Antionella wouldn't cuz she is hot and hot.

[MJ4H]

votefortheworst.com

[MizzouRah]

After tonight, I really have lost all interest in AI.

[Eaglesfan27]

Kelly looked awefull.

Who lost it, I always fast forward past the exit song.


Alaina.

[Lathum]

I'll have to wait for it to hit youtube

[Thomkal]

Well I don't think any of the four who went today would have made it to the Final 2 or 4, so while I'm not too heartbroken over them leaving, I'm not too happy about who stayed. Votefortheworst is a real factor this season it seems.

I'm thinking no Idol contestant will ever sing that one song again after it eliminated two people. :)

And Kelly looked pretty awful, especially with the lighting when she was singing. Made it look like she had grey hair and was about 20 years older. Song wasn't too bad though.

[Logan]

Well I don't think any of the four who went today would have made it to the Final 2 or 4, so while I'm not too heartbroken over them leaving, I'm not too happy about who stayed. Votefortheworst is a real factor this season it seems.

That site's traffic is so low compared to the amount of people who actually vote, I'd say it's nearly impossible for it to have an effect.

[law90026]

That site's traffic is so low compared to the amount of people who actually vote, I'd say it's nearly impossible for it to have an effect.

Depends on how you look at it I guess. I don't think they ever announce how many people actually vote, just the number of votes received. If so, the traffic volume on the site may not be as relevant.

I have to admit, I started out with some scepticism towards VFTW but their faves do seem to get further than they should.

[cmp]

I don't see any problems with the 4 who were voted out. None of them had a chance to win so what's the big deal.

[Danny]

Indeed, the two worst contestants are still in the competition, but the four who went home were nothing special

[Ksyrup]

Sanjaya has officially become John Stevens - every time he's not voted out, he looks embarrassed as hell that he gets to stay while someone who performed better goes home. I don't think he'll last as long as Stevens, though.

And Antonella is now #2 and fast rising on my most-hated list. She's still got a ways to go before she tops Mikaylah Gordon, though.

Regarding Pickles...I'm glad I'm not the only one to wonder if those breasteses were there before or not. Even my wife mentioned it. And that hair...oof. She looked like a cross between Patsy Cline and Hilary Clinton. In other words - NOT GOOD!

[Ksyrup]

Dola.

I forgot to comment on Leslie being voted out. Her looks obviously scared away voters, but I have to say, after her couple of comments right as the show was going off the air, I would have granted her a reprieve. Right as she got to the scat section of the song, she started to do it like she had performed it the night before, then stopped, and yell/sung, "Why did I have to scat?" and "American hates jazz" or something like that as the show cut off. That was awesome!
<!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_326189--><!-- THE POST -->

[Eaglesfan27]

Right as she got to the scat section of the song, she started to do it like she had performed it the night before, then stopped, and yell/sung, "Why did I have to scat?" and "American hates jazz" or something like that as the show cut off. That was awesome!
<!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_326189--><!-- THE POST -->


Agreed, that was a great exit and I wonder if they cut off a bit earlier than planned because she might have said something else (I'm sure they have a time delay of at least a few seconds.)

[Ksyrup]

So apparently I missed this exchange between Ryan and Pickles after she sang:

“So Kellie - did you BUY anything since the tour ended?” Kellie: “Yes I bought shoes” Ryan: “Is that ALL you bought?”

I now have a newfound respect for Seacrest, even if he continues to wear some shade of purple on every freaking show.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I didn't see the show last night, and my wife will probably have it deleted from TiVo by the time I get home today, but I saw the new Pickles on YouTube.

Both of them.

Yowza.

[Ksyrup]

So I mentioned Mikaylah Gordon on another board and got this LOL response from one of the guys...


"oooh, that name brings back memories. I had the most oddest, biggest, lustful Love/Hate relationship w/ that girl.

She was pretty in a weird way, and when she talked, it made me want stick my head in the oven. And she had a great huge ass.

I fantasized often about being w/ her, having a miserable time, but enjoying the complaining i'd do to my friends. We would have incredible sex, where i would hate myself after, but do it again an hour later.

It would be terrible, i would come home late- she would bitch at me in that annoying voice and make me beat myself in the face w/ a stainless steel spoon, but hell.... it would be awesome in a very fucked up way."

[Lathum]

So I mentioned Mikaylah Gordon on another board and got this LOL response from one of the guys...


"oooh, that name brings back memories. I had the most oddest, biggest, lustful Love/Hate relationship w/ that girl.

She was pretty in a weird way, and when she talked, it made me want stick my head in the oven. And she had a great huge ass.

I fantasized often about being w/ her, having a miserable time, but enjoying the complaining i'd do to my friends. We would have incredible sex, where i would hate myself after, but do it again an hour later.

It would be terrible, i would come home late- she would bitch at me in that annoying voice and make me beat myself in the face w/ a stainless steel spoon, but hell.... it would be awesome in a very fucked up way."

Obviously Pumpy is on another board

[Pumpy Tudors]

Obviously Pumpy is on another board
Shit, that does look like something I'd say.

Fortunately, I couldn't even remember Mikalah Gordon. I had to look up who she was and what she looks like, and I don't really think she looks good enough for those comments. So it wasn't me. :)

[lordscarlet]

So apparently I missed this exchange between Ryan and Pickles after she sang:

“So Kellie - did you BUY anything since the tour ended?” Kellie: “Yes I bought shoes” Ryan: “Is that ALL you bought?”

I now have a newfound respect for Seacrest, even if he continues to wear some shade of purple on every freaking show.

It was actually befeore she sang. :)

[Ksyrup]

It was actually befeore she sang. :)

That would explain it, then. I was in the kitchen and came in half way through the song.

[kingfc22]

After tonight, I really have lost all interest in AI.

It took you 5 or 6 seasons or whatever it has been to figure this out.

[Ksyrup]

More bits and pieces of info:


It was American Idol night at the Museum of Television & Radio’s 24th annual William S. Paley TV festival on Thursday. The panel consisted of Ryan Seacrest; judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson; and executive producers Ken Warwick and Cecile Frot-Coutaz. Journalist, Lisa Morales, was there (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/02/AR2007030201833.html). Here are a few excerpts from her report:
The gang recalled how in the show’s first season, not so many people auditioned and stars stayed away from the guest-judging idea. Now the show is fighting them off — both auditioners and professional singers. Exec producer Warwick said Janet Jackson wanted to be on “Idol” this season but they couldn’t squeeze her in.

The Beatles night we’d been promised this season is a bust because Paul McCartney can’t make it. “Ringo was available,” Simon cracked. Instead, “Idol” is planning a British Invasion night.

As we were reminded by the gang onstage, whenever a singer appears on “Idol,” his or her catalogue sales go through the roof. “Except Neil Sedaka,” Simon said. “His went backwards.”

Simon also said he did not like the inclusion of Prince on last year’s finale because he declined to sing a duet with the finalists, insisting he perform alone.

[Ksyrup]

Alaina Alexander:
What’s your mood at the moment? You seemed pretty down last night.
I’m good. At one point I think I was delirious. But it stopped when I just got really good news and I’ m so excited.

Really good news? About your career?
I don’t think I can say, but yes, involving my career.

[wade moore]

As we were reminded by the gang onstage, whenever a singer appears on “Idol,” his or her catalogue sales go through the roof. “Except Neil Sedaka,” Simon said. “His went backwards.”


This is something that seems undersold to me when talking about "who they can get"... I think there are very few artists who could not benefit from AI at this point, even the ones that are currently hot.

Alaina Alexander:What’s your mood at the moment? You seemed pretty down last night.
I’m good. At one point I think I was delirious. But it stopped when I just got really good news and I’ m so excited.

Really good news? About your career?
I don’t think I can say, but yes, involving my career.


I almost have to wonder if this is a career option outside of singing based on her performances on idol.

[Ksyrup]

Ugh!



One last article: American Idol is, for the first time, aggressively launching off-air promotional programs (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i1df4dfd4706f9fc3809304b9ab5d32ae?imw=Y) with advertisers. Freemantle and 19E have recently signed deals with McDonald’s. The promotion involves “Happy Meals” but no specifics yet.
Pringles potato chips will be offering, “limited edition Idol-branded cans, an Idol-themed 15-second TV spot…and a national sweepstakes offering…a trip to Los Angeles for the Idol finale.”

Dreyer’s Ice cream is featuring American Idol themed flavors. Fans can vote for their favorite flavor and enter a contest. The winners will be treated to a surprise visit at their homes by Idol Ace Young who will perform a private mini-concert.

Dreyer’s parent company, Nestle, will offer specially marked packages of Nestle chocolate bars that will include one of eight letters. The five fans who collect the series of wrappers that spell the phrase “Go to Hollywood” will win a trip for two to Hollywood, including tickets to the American Idol performance and results finales.

[Ksyrup]

Edy's already has AI-themed ice cream flavors. The Take the Cake flavor - cake-flavored ice cream with swirls of frosting and sprinkles (low fat) is excellent. And the bonus with Edy's is that I can't win a private concert by Ace Young!

[wade moore]

Edy's already has AI-themed ice cream flavors. The Take the Cake flavor - cake-flavored ice cream with swirls of frosting and sprinkles (low fat) is excellent. And the bonus with Edy's is that I can't win a private concert by Ace Young!

My fiance loves the Take the Cake flavor - I hate it, but that's because it tastes like what it is supposed to (I'm not a fan of icing).

[wade moore]

Dola: Why do you and I always end up talking about ice cream?

[Ksyrup]

LOL

[Ksyrup]

Another point for how much pull AI has right now:

Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” re-entered the Hot Digital Tracks and Hot Digital Songs charts at #19 and #26 respectively. Blake Lewis performed the song on American Idol’s Top 12 Guys performance night.

[wade moore]

Another point for how much pull AI has right now:

Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” re-entered the Hot Digital Tracks and Hot Digital Songs charts at #19 and #26 respectively. Blake Lewis performed the song on American Idol’s Top 12 Guys performance night.

I like to go to iTunes and see stuff sky-rocket up the charts.

Hell, any success KT Tunstall has in her career now she should be giving a cut to Katharine McPhee.

[Ksyrup]

Is that the Black Cherry Tree chick? Yeah, even my wife fell in love with that song. Not enough to buy it, but still.

[wade moore]

Is that the Black Cherry Tree chick? Yeah, even my wife fell in love with that song. Not enough to buy it, but still.

Yes, it is... my fiance bought it off of iTunes and it was in the top like 20 or so for quite some time on there.. I think my brother (lordscarlet) may have even gone to a concert of hers with his fiance?

Anyway.. yeah - it's an example of an idol performance making an artist rather than bringing back an artist that i find very interesting - another element to the gameshow.

i think you can agree with an analogy I heard recently that basically compared AI to a sporting event... that's what it is for me now... I may buy a song here and there, but it's much more about the competition for me than the albums that follow - i know you've made similar comments before.

[Ksyrup]

Oh yeah. For me, it's not even so much the competition, per se, than just the entertainment value of it as a game show, really. As the show goes on, I get less and less interested because there are fewer and fewer contestants, and I really don't care who wins in the end.

I think this year is suffering some because of the lack of different genres being represented. Too many of them are interchangeable stylistically. Only Blake has really stood out as different among the top 24. Even Chris Sligh, who has some ability to be outside the box (just singing pop/rock is outside the box on this show!), hasn't really tried to be as original as he probably could be. This competition desperately needs a country singer (although I hate country), a true rock singer, that plain-looking, cab-driving, Janis Joplin chick they inexplicably cut with no explanation, the Jesus Castro guy, etc.

I'm still watching and enjoying it for what it is, and even if I'm not totally convinced the talent is as lacking this year as everyone says, I think what's really lacking is a handful of people who stand out because they aren't just a different shade of the same color.

[wade moore]

Oh yeah. For me, it's not even so much the competition, per se, than just the entertainment value of it as a game show, really. As the show goes on, I get less and less interested because there are fewer and fewer contestants, and I really don't care who wins in the end.

I think this year is suffering some because of the lack of different genres being represented. Too many of them are interchangeable stylistically. Only Blake has really stood out as different among the top 24. Even Chris Sligh, who has some ability to be outside the box (just singing pop/rock is outside the box on this show!), hasn't really tried to be as original as he probably could be. This competition desperately needs a country singer (although I hate country), a true rock singer, that plain-looking, cab-driving, Janis Joplin chick they inexplicably cut with no explanation, the Jesus Castro guy, etc.

I'm still watching and enjoying it for what it is, and even if I'm not totally convinced the talent is as lacking this year as everyone says, I think what's really lacking is a handful of people who stand out because they aren't just a different shade of the same color.

I am admittedly a sucker for covers - so that is part of it for me to in general. Hearing songs I know done differently. But this goes to what you were saying - they don't do them differently, it is all the same.

[lordscarlet]

Yes, it is... my fiance bought it off of iTunes and it was in the top like 20 or so for quite some time on there.. I think my brother (lordscarlet) may have even gone to a concert of hers with his fiance?


I absolutely did not. :) It's possible I pointed out that they she/they were performing at the 9:30 Club, but I did not go.

Oh yeah. For me, it's not even so much the competition, per se, than just the entertainment value of it as a game show, really. As the show goes on, I get less and less interested because there are fewer and fewer contestants, and I really don't care who wins in the end.

I think this year is suffering some because of the lack of different genres being represented. Too many of them are interchangeable stylistically. Only Blake has really stood out as different among the top 24. Even Chris Sligh, who has some ability to be outside the box (just singing pop/rock is outside the box on this show!), hasn't really tried to be as original as he probably could be. This competition desperately needs a country singer (although I hate country), a true rock singer, that plain-looking, cab-driving, Janis Joplin chick they inexplicably cut with no explanation, the Jesus Castro guy, etc.

I'm still watching and enjoying it for what it is, and even if I'm not totally convinced the talent is as lacking this year as everyone says, I think what's really lacking is a handful of people who stand out because they aren't just a different shade of the same color.

Agreed on all accounts. I don't know why there's not more talk about how one-dimensional this season is. There seems to have been a bell curve on this aspect..

I am admittedly a sucker for covers - so that is part of it for me to in general. Hearing songs I know done differently. But this goes to what you were saying - they don't do them differently, it is all the same.

Amen!

[Logan]

Sanjaya straightened his hair.

HOT!

And no shit...he can hula.

[Logan]

That's gotta be the first 311 (edit: and Pearl Jam!) appearance on Idol.

Am I the only one watching today?

[adubroff]

I'm watching, I'd believe you're right on both counts and I think Blake did the 311 better than Sundance did the Pearl Jam.

[Logan]

There's plenty of rock songs that you can turn somewhat into pop. "Jeremy" is in no way one of them.

[adubroff]

Agree on Jeremy...actually if somebody transformed it to a ballad I could see it working, it would add an ironic element. Also, the song suffers from being chopped.

I will be interested in the voting tonight, because they've all been C performances.

[adubroff]

I thought Chris was a lot better than the judges intimated. Maybe they are judging him on a curve. I think Svenjaya gets cut. Not sure of the second cut but there are 5 guys who you could argue could get it (everybody but Chris and Blake in my book).

[Easy Mac]

Is Sanjay or whatever his name is a girl?

[cuervo72]

ELAINE: He has this power over me, okay. He has this way of manipulating every little word I say. He's like a Svenjolly.

GEORGE: Svengali.

ELAINE: What did I say?

JERRY: Svenjolly.

ELAINE: Svenjolly? I did not say Svenjolly.

JERRY: George?

GEORGE: Svenjolly.

ELAINE: I don't see how I could have said Svenjolly.

JERRY: So maybe he's got like a cheerful mental hold on you.

[mtolson]

This has got to be one of the worst AI shows ever ! Very week performances across the board. Out of all the sucked the most, Brandon and Phil will be hitting the bricks. However, they all can go because they shouldn't even be up there with the girls. I don't see any of them cracking the top 6.

[Eaglesfan27]

That's gotta be the first 311 (edit: and Pearl Jam!) appearance on Idol.

Am I the only one watching today?


My wife loves 311 and she thought that was a barely passable performance. We watched and wouldn't be surprised if anyone goes home except for Blake.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dola -

I'm still hoping the big announcement is that they are keeping 8 girls, particularly after the closing comments. I'm also hoping they kick Antonella off and bring back someone who can sing.

[Thomkal]

Alas a downturn after last weeks performances. None of the performances were ones that I really enjoyed. Too many unfamiliar songs and too much shouting of the songs I did know.

I think Blake and the two Chris's are safe based more on an overall performance through the first three weeks. Sundance is probably safe because of his unique appearance and singing style. Any of the remaining four could go and I wouldn't be upset. I think the weakest two are Sanjaya and Phil though.

[Lathum]

I was surprised at how bad phil was this week.

[Swaggs]

Man... Sundance mutilated one of my favorite songs. I hope he gets booted. Not a song to be sing in an upbeat manner.

I think Cotter is definitely done for and possibly Sundance or Sanjay will surprisingly join him.

[wade moore]

Man... Sundance mutilated one of my favorite songs. I hope he gets booted. Not a song to be sing in an upbeat manner.

I think Cotter is definitely done for and possibly Sundance or Sanjay will surprisingly join him.

Sundance's performance was just way off for me in so many ways...

If you're going to do Jeremy, you'd better be able to do it without sounding liek a pathetic imitation of Eddie Veder.

[Ksyrup]

Man, that was brutal. I don't understand the bad comments Chris Sligh got, I thought he was clearly the best of the bunch - not that that's saying much. That Cotter guy has GOT to go - his constant mugging for the camera and his caterpillar brows are just too much. Phil was awful, the beginning of the song sounded like someone singing while taking their dying breath, I thought Chris Richardson was terribly off-key and nasally...just a bad night overall.

As far as the "big surprise," I have no clue what it is, but I'm sure it will be a big letdown. Here's what Nigel Lythgoe said about it last week:

"But it is something very special, and I did say it does involve “American Idol” and it also involves America. It involves the viewers, it involves a whole big issue here. It’s something that I know we’re all very proud of. We’re going to be the first program that will talk about this sort of thing and.well, it will have to wait until next time. But I can’t wait to tell you."

It almost sounds like they're talking about doing something with a charity...? Or perhaps the military? One of the rumors is that the Top 12 show is going on the road, but that doesn't really fit with his comments. Who knows.

[Ksyrup]

I thought it was funny no one on the show knew the 311 song. And Sundance destroyed (in a bad way) Jeremy. His performance underscores how desperately we need a real rock singer on this show. On the positive side, it was cool to hear a song like that on AI. Man, I'm already jonesing for another season of Rockstar. I hope they can con some has-been group into doing it.

[Solecismic]

I remember singing in the school choir in high school. It was a great way to get some alone time with the girls, because there were only a handful of guys who liked choir. It was a frustrating experience, though, because the guy singing parts had no melody whatsoever. We were the tubas of the proverbial orchestra.

I think American Idol has also run out of guys to cast. I'd be perfectly happy if all eight of the remaining male candidates just went away, and left everything to the black girls who can sing, because this is their year and no one else is stepping up to the plate.

Tonight was as bad as opening night, with pitch falling by the wayside and song choices as bizarre as Michael Jackson's sexual identity.

On to the ratings:

1. Chris Sligh. By the time he came up, the judges were just plain sick and tired of listening to this schlock. He was actually decent, except for a run in the middle when he got a bit loud. He has some versatility, and I think he'll do better when he stops choosing songs on his own. Score of 80.

2. Chris Richardson. As always, it's hard to judge him because the boy band slop is irriating. I think his range is impressive, and he did a good job with a weak song - not the kind of song that lends itself well to juried television productions. Score of 79.

3. Blake Lewis. It was interesting. Maybe a little too comfortable - he has this ease about him that seems very professional among a group of amateurs. The top three tonight were all very close tonight, kind of underwhelming for a top three. But I'd say these three are the only guys who deserve to be in the final 12. Score of 77.

4. Jared Cotter. The Young Republicans sweater and appearance were distracting. The problem I have with Jared is that he's easily one of the least memorable singers they've ever had on this show. He's capable, but not particularly talented or fun to listen to. A good wedding singer, as Simon always says about someone. Score of 66.

5. Brandon Rogers. I keep expecting Brandon to knock one out of the park, but his song choices are abysmal, like he just doesn't want to win. He needs confidence. I hope he squeaks through, but I doubt it. Three bad weeks in a row. Score of 63.

6. Sundance Head. He was braying off key, as usual. I don't have a clue as to why he is so popular. Well, some clue - his energy last week was nice. His rendition of Pearl Jam surely offended oysters throughout America, though. Even oysters would have found the beginning of that song completely off pitch. Score of 46.

7. Phil Stacey. Words cannot describe this disaster. Falsetto can be nice. This was forced and irrelevant. This wasn't even mediocre karaoke. Score of 38.

8. Sanjaya Malakar. As he's in transition to whatever sex and orientation he desires as an adult, he keeps picking the oddest songs to sing. It started out dreadfully boring, then fell apart at the end as he panicked and tried to get loud. Until that moment, at least he could say he was almost always in tune this season. He really shouldn't be in this competition. Score of 29.

Who should go: Sanjaya and Sundance, as usual.

Who will go: Brandon and Jared.

[Arles]

It was pretty weak. In fact, it was so weak I don't even want to use their real names in this week's abridged version:

1. Max Headroom - Really the only original performer on the men's side. Did a nice job adding a little excitement to the 311 song. Easily the best.
2. Timberlake wannabe - Chris did a solid job with a fairly bland song. It was good enough to be top 2 tonight- but that's almost by default (ie, singing on time and in tune).
3. John Popper Jr - Wasn't as consistent throughout the song but still in the top 3. He's safe, but he really should be doing better by now (by experience he seems close to where Daughtry was - but he's nowhere near him so far).
4. Guy Smiley - I've liked Travis (err, Brandon) from the start but this wasn't his best. Thankfully, there were many other underwhelming performances for him to make the final 6 guys.
5. Carlton from the Fresh Prince - He did an OK job with the Stevie song but he sings so "robot-like". He's very forgettable (outside of the garb reminding me of Wil Smith's former cohort).
6. Raindance - It was pretty rough but he lands outside the final two by atleast trying a somewhat difficult song and taking a risk. Still, it was a pretty stupid risk - and what's with all the eye makeup and Seacrest hairdoo? Serious identity crisis here.
7. Insane bald guy - Wow, that was interesting. Half the song was barely audible with non-existent low voice and then he started screaming like a banshee midway in. I actually could tolerate some of his earlier performances, but I think he should steer clear of Leanne if he stays on somehow.
8. Hula girl - You could make an argument that he/she should be 6th or 7th, but his horrible efforts in the past few weeks land him at the bottom. The more I listen to it, the more I realize that Sanjaya doesn't even have much vocal range. Which, I thought, was one of his/her biggest assets. Should go, but that was the same tune the past two weeks.

My guess on who gets voted off: Cartlon and Insane bald guy. Who would I choose: Hula girl and Raindance.

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, I was puzzled by Sundance's makeover into a kinda clean-cut makeup boy - he toned down the hair, trimmed the beard, looked much more "presentable" - and then sang an edgy rock song about a kid who shoots up his class. Very strange.

[Easy Mac]

Did American Dreamz fortell the rise of Sanjaya? I give you, Iqbal Riza

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Taz0FLSRKjI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Taz0FLSRKjI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

[Ksyrup]

Well, it looks like the Barba racy pics story still has legs (pardon the pun)...but this time, in the form of racism.



LOS ANGELES (AP) -- 0306xFrenchie Frenchie Davis, dumped by "American Idol (http://search.breitbart.com/q?s=%22American+Idol%22&sid=breitbart.com)" in 2003 for lingerie shots posted on a Web site, moved on to Broadway success and thought she had buried a humiliating chapter of her young life.


That changed in the last few days after contestant Antonella Barba was allowed to stay on the top-rated Fox series despite the emergence of acy online photos that purport to be of Barba, but with no verification.

http://www.breitbart.com/images/2007/3/6/D8NN27KG0/D8NN27KG0_preview.jpg
The first big controversy of the show's sixth season swelled Tuesday when fans and a civil-rights activist rallied to Davis' side, saying she was the victim of unfair and potentially biased treatment. Davis is black; Barba is white.

"We object to having one rule for black contestants and a different rule for white contestants who exhibit the same behavior," said Najee Ali, community activist and founder of Project Islamic H.O.P.E.

Davis said she is bewildered over what's happened with Barba, 20, of Point Pleasant, N.J.

"I don't necessarily think that (it's racism), but I can certainly look at this and understand why people would draw that conclusion," Davis said Tuesday from New York, hours before going on stage in the musical "Rent."

"I'm not bashing `Idol' or Antonella. She's a beautiful girl and she's young. I think it's great that she didn't have to go through what I went through," said Davis, 27, who suggested that the show's producers might have learned from how they treated her.

Davis would welcome a public apology from them as "a great start." But she said she is owed more for "the manner in which I was humiliated and the manner in which Antonella was defended and protected by the same people who humiliated me."

"Now they need to come to the table and see what we can do to make up" for her treatment, Davis said. She declined to say if she would seek a financial settlement (http://search.breitbart.com/q?s=%22financial+settlement%22&sid=breitbart.com) or a record contract (http://search.breitbart.com/q?s=%22record+contract%22&sid=breitbart.com) or other deal.

Belinda Foster, Davis' manager, took part in a small protest Tuesday with Ali outside the Kodak Theatre (http://search.breitbart.com/q?s=%22Kodak+Theatre%22&sid=breitbart.com) in Los Angeles (http://search.breitbart.com/q?s=%22Los+Angeles%22&sid=breitbart.com) where "American Idol" tapes. She said there are stark differences in the treatment of the two contestants.

Foster noted the sympathetic comments of "American Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe, who was quoted on Entertainment Weekly's Web site recently saying he was aware of the photos associated with Barba, but adding: "It's sad, isn't it, that your best friends are the ones that come forward with information that will go to Smoking Gun or put your photographs on the Web?"

Fox and the producers have declined further comment on Barba, who was to perform again Wednesday as the contestants are narrowed down this week to the 12 finalists. All the singers, including Barba, have been unavailable for interviews.

A source close to the show, who asked not to be identified because of the lack of authorization to comment publicly, said Fox and the producers believe seminude photos of Barba were posted without her consent and that racier shots, showing a sex act, were of a woman other than Barba.

Whether Barba posted any photos or allowed them to be posted is immaterial, Ali said.

"`American Idol' has first and foremost proclaimed it is a family show. ...
No matter who made the photos public, it still speaks to her moral character and integrity, and certainly her silence speaks for itself," he said.

A fan group lead by Chris Tian, a singer-songwriter in Portsmouth, N.H., is calling on Fox to give Davis another shot at competing on "Idol."

Although she's wonderful in "Rent," Tian said, "a lot of Broadway artists don't get record deals. This could open up the path for her big record deal and big break."

The series has rarely managed a quiet year, with past issues ranging from voter complaints over overloaded phone systems to a contestant's allegation of an affair with judge Paula Abdul, which she denied.

The big-voiced Davis, on the verge of being voted a finalist by viewers in the year in which Ruben Studdard (http://search.breitbart.com/q?s=%22Ruben+Studdard%22&sid=breitbart.com) won, said she was honest with producers about posing for lingerie photos at age 19, five years before going on "American Idol."

In a statement Tuesday, Fox said, "We have never discussed the specifics of why Ms. Davis was eliminated, nor will we now."

The network said it had "no desire to revisit history and sully the reputation of Ms. Davis. She was removed from the show over four years ago and has gone on to a successful performing career."

That achievement has been a salve, of sorts, for Davis.
"I don't feel anything about the show. I haven't watched it. When `American Idol' comes on at 8 o'clock at night, I'm on stage," Davis said.

[Easy Mac]

I think it has more to do with people wanting to see Antonella naked.

[Swaggs]

I think there is a reasonably large difference between being paid to pose for softcore porn pictures (Frenchie) and having risque personal pictures posted on the web (Antonella).

I could care less about either adn I think Antonella sucks as a singer and do not find her remotely attractive, but I can pretty easily see the difference between the two.

[wade moore]

Agree with the overall ratings... The top 3 were clearly better than the rest.. maybe a group of 4...

The guys are clearly underwhelming, although I am a fan of Blake and Chris Richardson (again richardson is a local-boy, so that influences me).

[Danny]

Shitty overall, and I can do a better Jeremy than that.

[Ksyrup]

Did anyone notice that Sundance almost lost it (started laughing) when he replaced "harmless little fuck" with "harmless little punk"? He turned away and almost looked like he was trying not to laugh. For the rest of the performance, I was trying not to laugh/cringe.

[Toddzilla]

1. Max Headroom
2. Timberlake
3. John Popper Jr
4. Guy Smiley
5. Carlton from the Fresh Prince
6. Raindance
7. Insane bald guy
8. Hula girl .That's some funny stuff, right there.

[Ksyrup]

I'm sorry, but Guy Smiley is already taken:

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/6/6c/180px-GuySmiley.jpg

http://bryan-brown.com/emmy06news/candids/images/2174_1357_lr.jpg

[Ksyrup]

Given the couple of comments I cut-and-pasted yesterday about artists doing well after their songs are used on AI, it will be interesting to see if 311 gets a bump on downloads of the song Blake did, since it's so old.

[wade moore]

Given the couple of comments I cut-and-pasted yesterday about artists doing well after their songs are used on AI, it will be interesting to see if 311 gets a bump on downloads of the song Blake did, since it's so old.

I found it absurd, btw, that none of the judges knew that song.

[wade moore]

You sparked me to look at iTunes and see if there is any impact yet... A few things that jumped out..

A) Yamin has an album? I'll have to see if it is any good.
B) Waiting on The World to change is #30, but it may have been high already
C) Geek In The Pink is 46 (my fiance contributed to that), but it also may have been high already
D) 5 of the top 100 songs on iTunes are from idol contestants, and only 1 is a winner (1 for Underwood, 2 for Daughtry, 1 for Yamin, 1 for McPhee). That's pretty impressive.

[Logan]

Did anyone notice that Sundance almost lost it (started laughing) when he replaced "harmless little fuck" with "harmless little punk"? He turned away and almost looked like he was trying not to laugh. For the rest of the performance, I was trying not to laugh/cringe.

Looked more like he turned to the girls, who I'd guess were giving him shit on how he was gonna change the verse and if he would remember to. But I also only saw it once...

I found it absurd, btw, that none of the judges knew that song.

While it's still terrible, I could understand that they didn't know the name of the band, the name of the song, or even both. But to have never heard it before? Jesus.

[Ksyrup]

Considering none of the judges were aware last year that the RHCPs had covered Higher Ground (their backpeddling the night after Daughtry's performance notwithstanding), I didn't find it all that hard to believe they'd never heard that song before. In fact, it had been so long since I'd heard it, I immediately thought it was 311 then wasn't sure, because Blake's laid back version of it neutered the original so much I started having second thoughts. But then he went into the part of the song that is in virtually every other 311 song I've ever heard, and I knew it was them.

[Logan]

Wasn't that for Live's version of I Walk the Line?

[Pumpy Tudors]

I had never heard that 311 song before, so there.

[Ksyrup]

Probably for both. But I specifically remember the uproar about the RHCP's version, which the judges lauded for being unique and that "he made it his own, dawg."

Oh, and how about Randy throwing out Steve Perry's name in comparison to The Insane Bald Guy? I thought my wife was going to strangle Randy through the TV set.

[LoneStarGirl]

That was an awful show to watch. Good thing I had it tivo'd and I could fast forward through most of it.
Blake and Chris were the best of the night while I think Jared and Sanjaya will go home.

[cuervo72]

I had never heard that 311 song before, so there.

Oh yeah? I'd never heard of 311 before!

[mtolson]

I had never heard that 311 song before, so there.

I don't find it all that surprising that they didn't know the song. I haven't heard the song or group before either.

[Ksyrup]

Funny comment from a recap of last night:


"Sundance reveals that inside him there is a thin man trying to escape. As he performs "Jeremy", we learn that it's not Eddie Vedder."

[Ksyrup]

Ironic given the Captain America thread, but for the first time, I have found spoiler info about songs for tonight's show. How should this be handled? A link, no info, or post it after a big spoiler alert at the top of the post and a bunch of space?

This is info that I well understand is spoiler-worthy...

[wade moore]

Ironic given the Captain America thread, but for the first time, I have found spoiler info about songs for tonight's show. How should this be handled? A link, no info, or post it after a big spoiler alert at the top of the post and a bunch of space?

This is info that I well understand is spoiler-worthy...

first off - I'm baffled that this is obvious to you but the other thread is not, but I do understand your logic...

Anyways... I think a link is the right way to go.

[rkmsuf]

Ironic given the Captain America thread, but for the first time, I have found spoiler info about songs for tonight's show. How should this be handled? A link, no info, or post it after a big spoiler alert at the top of the post and a bunch of space?

This is info that I well understand is spoiler-worthy...

spill it spoiler boy

[Ksyrup]

first off - I'm baffled that this is obvious to you but the other thread is not, but I do understand your logic...

Anyways... I think a link is the right way to go.

It's simple, really - if there was even one real news article discussing it, I might feel differently. But this is all speculation that isn't being reported by anyone other than college kids with nothing better to do all day.

[wade moore]

It's simple, really - if there was even one real news article discussing it, I might feel differently. But this is all speculation that isn't being reported by anyone other than college kids with nothing better to do all day.

Like I said, I understand the logic, it just baffles me.

FWIW, I don't think the C.A. thing should be a news story.

[Ksyrup]

What the girls are singing tonight:


hxxp://mjsbigblog.com/2007/03/07/top-8-girls-spoilers/

[Drake]

Gina's rumored song choice terrifies me. That could be an unmitigated disaster.

[Ksyrup]

Great, now we're going to have a bunch of posts with veiled references to some characteristics of the song choices, and I'm going to end up the bad guy in YET ANOTHER THREAD over spoilers! ;)

[Drake]

You're a very bad man, K.

[Thomkal]

Meant to ask this when I posted last night. I was talking over what Ryan said to the judges when Sanjaya finished his song. The judges cracked up, so Ryan must have said something funny for once. What was it?

[Easy Mac]

Meant to ask this when I posted last night. I was talking over what Ryan said to the judges when Sanjaya finished his song. The judges cracked up, so Ryan must have said something funny for once. What was it?
Sanjaya looks like a less codeined Paula.

[jbmagic]

Meant to ask this when I posted last night. I was talking over what Ryan said to the judges when Sanjaya finished his song. The judges cracked up, so Ryan must have said something funny for once. What was it?


He was referring to Sanjaya hair. He said that Sanjaya has split ends like Paula.

[Thomkal]

Ah thanks JB. And Easy Mac for the humor. :)

[Danny]

Gina's rumored song choice terrifies me. That could be an unmitigated disaster.

Looks like a fun choice to me. Could be a disaster, but should be interesting either way

[MJ4H]

"I just wish you could sing better."

-Simon Cowell


hahaha

[mtolson]

Looks like a fun choice to me. Could be a disaster, but should be interesting either way

I really like Evanescence sound mainly because of Amy's vocals. Good try but way short to me.

[finkenst]

I really like Evanescence sound mainly because of Amy's vocals. Good try but way short to me.

it was good for me until the very end... seemed kinda odd...

Too extreme for the audience...

nice pink bra showing thorugh the grey dress.

[RedKingGold]

Doolittle > Everyone else

[MJ4H]

Doolittle > Everyone else

quite easily, too.

[wade moore]

This is what I was hoping for all along from Gina. Is her voice as good as several of the other singers? No. However, I enjoyed her performance more than any of the other contestants tonight.

Overall, Gina and Jordin are still my favorite. I conced that Stephanie, Lakisha, and definitely Melinda are better singers. However, they have all stuck to performances that don't do it for me. From the females I prefer more pop or rock sound than gospel/mo-town/R&B. Sabrina seems to be in the middle somewhere, but she just doesn't sing as well.

Anyway. I'm curious to see how this moves along. The reason I say this is Lakisha, Melinda, and Sabrina seem like they would be drawing from people who favor pure singing quality and the r&b sound - whereas some of the other contestants could benefit from votes being split amongst those 3...

[wade moore]

Dola: And I still am curious to see how the "top 3" do with theme nights. Because they ahven't shown any effort to move outside of a small comfort zone.

Again - I concede they are superior singers, so don't misinterpret what i'm saying to say that they are not ;).

[Drake]

1. I like Gina's voice, but she is no Amy Lee. Not quite a disaster, but I think it was bad enough that she loses out to the pro-Antonella crowd.

2. Melinda Doolittle just has a gear that no one else in this competition has.

[adubroff]

Doolittle > Everyone else

See tonight, I don't think you can say that. Lakeesha was easily as good or better. Melinda was good but she didn't have her usual Secretariat crush the field by 20 lengths performance.

I thought Gina was a revelation tonight. She brought her game and has a good chance to hang around a long time if she sticks to her game. She should go back and watch Chris from last year. Almost every week, Chris took whatever the theme was, picked a song from the theme and proceeded to Daughtrify it. Gina can do the same thing, she can hang around a long time doing so. She sang powerfully (as opposed to a couple of the guys last night who chose to sing loud).

I thought Antonella improved a lot too. She can still go home for me based on back performance. Haley can go based on whatever criteria.

[MJ4H]

Lakeesha was easily as good or better.

guh. no. out of tune (again).

[mtolson]

[QUOTE=adubroff;1412971]See tonight, I don't think you can say that. Lakeesha was easily as good or better. Melinda was good but she didn't have her usual Secretariat crush the field by 20 lengths performance.
QUOTE]

What? She is not in not even in the same league as Lakisha anymore. She is completely in a different league, buy far. Lakisha struggled with the lower range of her song. And Melinda blew through another song with a high degree of difficultly as if it was nothing. She really has no business on this show. I can't imagine how she could possible lose this season.

[adubroff]

What? She is not in not even in the same league as Lakisha anymore. She is completely in a different league, buy far. Lakisha struggled with the lower range of her song. And Melinda blew through another song with a high degree of difficultly as if it was nothing. She really has no business on this show. I can't imagine how she could possible lose this season.


I'll bet you even money if you wanna give me field.

[mtolson]

Dola: And I still am curious to see how the "top 3" do with theme nights. Because they ahven't shown any effort to move outside of a small comfort zone.

Again - I concede they are superior singers, so don't misinterpret what i'm saying to say that they are not ;).

I don't think Melinda will have a problem with theme weeks at all. However, I do agree the the others may struggle unless they choose songs that have been previously rearranged to sound like R & B songs.

[RedKingGold]

I'll bet you even money if you wanna give me field.

The problem is that just because Doolittle is by far and away the best singer on AI does not mean that she'll win. Why? Because there are enough Antonella-like idiots who will vote for less talented people. However, even if Doolittle does not win, it does not change the fact that she is the best and most polished singer of all in this year's competition.

[MJ4H]

1. Melinda - clean and polished, with all kinds of personality.
2. Lakisha - my first listen she sounded out of tune several times and the interpretation was odd, second listen while the son was screaming and my wife was watching it after getting home on DVR was much better.
3. Gina - only because of the song. It freakin ruled. She struggled with pitch and sustaining some of the longer notes, but what the hell is that song? It was badass.
5. Jordin - on merit basically. Was that Pat Benatar? okie dokie.
6. umm. the others start to run together. I think one of the Beyonce clones was a little better than the other, though.
7. Haley - She is pretty. Also she sang in tune except about twice. Beyond that, meh.
8. Oh are you still here?

[Drake]

Honestly, I don't think Melinda will win because she doesn't have quite the back story tug that Lakeesha has.

[Drake]

3. Gina - only because of the song. It freakin ruled. She struggled with pitch and sustaining some of the longer notes, but what the hell is that song? It was badass.


"Call me when you're sober" - Evanescence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izYIO9VtjUs

I wouldn't recommend that you listen to it if you liked Gina's performance, though. It will ruin it for you, 'cuz Gina is definitely no Amy Lee.

[RedKingGold]

Honestly, I don't think Melinda will win because she doesn't have quite the back story tug that Lakeesha has.

Oooooo baby! Give me some of that tug!

[Lathum]

Oooooo baby! Give me some of that tug!

why would you want any kind of "tug" from either of them?

[MJ4H]

"Call me when you're sober" - Evanescence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izYIO9VtjUs

I wouldn't recommend that you listen to it if you liked Gina's performance, though. It will ruin it for you, 'cuz Gina is definitely no Amy Lee.

You know what, that song just freaking rules. I may have to listen to more "Evanescence." I have heard the name, but not really the music, I guess.

[Ksyrup]

MJ4H, you and I need to have a discussion about symphonic/gothic metal. If you think that Evanescence song ruled, you ain't heard nothing yet. They might be the most popular of the genre, but the American bands have nothing on the Europeans. I'm currently listening to the new Within Temptation and it kills anything Amy Lee could hope to do.

[Ksyrup]

Here, check this out. The first single from the new album:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WcwO0VS9FVo

EDIT: And apparently it's tied to a video game. Huh!

[Drake]

Don't knock video game songs too hard. I discovered the band Rise Against as a result of one of the Need for Speed games. :)

[Ksyrup]

I wasn't knocking it, I was surprised. I didn't know that until I did a search for the song on youtube. The song kicks ass.

[MJ4H]

Honestly "gothic metal" doesn't sound like my cup of tea. I just bought this song and My Immortal from iTunes (the latter I have definitely heard and liked before). Toss me a few names I can sample on iTunes and I will check them out, though.

[Ksyrup]

Damn, I also found the second song on the album, which is a killer duet with Keith Caputo of Life of Agony:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=EFbqmKcXq84

[Ksyrup]

The best are Within Temptation and Nightwish, IMO, although there are quite a few. If you like true symphonic music, then you should at least hear Therion, which is a metal band backed by opera singers and a 175 piece symphony orchestra.

[adubroff]

You know what, that song just freaking rules. I may have to listen to more "Evanescence." I have heard the name, but not really the music, I guess.


I think this is a more apples to apples comparison, cause it's live. And I'd freely admit that it's still not close. The louder sections on both are good but when you listen to this or the studio version above, you really notice the melodic points in the song relative to Gina's lower volume softer points:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA6qs7YvAyk

It's an interesting idol strategy....the judges frequently make the point that you shouldn't tackle one of the heavyweights for fear of comparison. If you take an A+ vocal performance from history and perform it at the B+ level, everybody says you're not as good. If you take a B- vocal from history and perform it at a B+ level, you're going to look good. Now the trick is, if the song was a B-, it might not be because of bad vocals, it just might stink and you might end up singing it very well and still only do a B- performance. In these earlier rounds, that works ok cause you only gotta beat a couple people and there's always a couple who are awful.

Now, the deeper we get in the competition, I think the smart move starts becoming taking a very familiar song and singing it in your style...unless you can blow it out of the park in its original style. I think Gina can make some hay doing this provided she survives (and I think she will because I think a lot of people will love/hate tonights performance, being hated is no worse than being disliked in American Idol...either way you don't get positive votes). If she comes out on Barry Manilow week and sings Mandee (ok this might be stretching a bit too far) in a loud/raucous style. I also think Gina will get a lot of points in the middle stretches of the show because she'll be the odd one out stylistically. If the girls break out: Melinda, Stephanie, Lakisha, Jordan, Sabrina and Gina, then Gina is going to be the odd one out stylistically...but for a long time that will play well for her. I would not be suprised to see her last to the top 4 or 5, if she stays smart.

[Ksyrup]

Anyway, back to the original topic, they should just stop this season, award the title to Melinda, and go back to the drawing board to pick another handful of diverse, talented singers, and maybe give 6-8 of the current folks a second shot at it. I have absolutely no interest in her stylistically, but she has nothing left to prove from a vocal and performance standpoint. She's ready now. The only thing that could stop her is having o do different genres, peaking too soon, and getting bored with being the frontrunner for another 2 1/2 months.

[Solecismic]

Welcome to the last of the semi-final rankings for this season. The girls sent the semi-finals into oblivion tonight in grand fashion, proving once and for all that every single one of the six who makes it past this week deserves to be in the final six (assuming, of course, that the right six remain, which is probably not going to be the case because of some hormonal adolescents who will dial the ever-loving plastic out of their telephones tonight).

Some of the girls tackled the divas tonight, and some went with more conventional fare. Song choices were generally solid, with a couple of exceptions that might mean an early demise. But overall, an exceptional night for this early in the competition. They were as good as the boys were mediocre last night.

On to the rankings...

1. Melinda Doolittle. I fear for her, because she did such a fantastic job that it's almost hard to rally behind her. Again, just stop the show, sign her to a recording deal and let her put out records. The fear really is at this point that she will somehow not win this competition, and American Idol will forever be tarnished. This was perhaps the best performance ever on the show, spanning all those seasons. Score of 99.

2. LaKisha Jones. Local girl took on Whitney. Local girl didn't really make it her own, but to do a very passable Whitney and still show some flair reveals unusual talent. Score of 86.

3. Jordin Sparks. For me, Pat Benatar is the paragon of lost singing souls. I grew up with the story of a trained opera singer who made the transition into rocker. I wore out those vinyl albums before little Jordin was born. So that comparison is difficult. I like that she tried to R&B it up a little, but she did struggle with the notes that made Benatar the unquestioned talent of her rock generation, someone who could sing the hell out of songs no one else could sing. Score of 82.

4. Gina Glocksen. I love that song, and she tackled the hardest pieces of it unusually well. She was not as good with the less energetic pieces and had some pitch problems. Still, I compare it to everything the boys have done since day one, and this was a lot better. I hope she does get a chance to try songs more up her alley, now that she has rocked out a bit. Score of 81.

5. Sabrina Sloan. Impressive, but not outstanding. I don't like her voice at all when she's building up for the big runs. She has considerable ability, but I don't think she works hard enough at the transitions and I don't find her terribly memorable. She deserves to stay, but I wouldn't be crushed if she left. Score of 75.

6. Stephanie Edwards. She's very young, and, more than anyone else in this entire competition, really hasn't figured out who she is as a singer. She made a poor song choice. It had a little of absolutely everything, and she was competent with it, but not particularly good with it, and it made for uncomfortable listening. I think she's in trouble this week, though overall she certainly deserves to continue. Score of 73.

7. Haley Scarnato. I used to watch the Miss America pageant when I was a kid, and this would have fit in perfectly with the talent segment. It just wasn't good enough for Idol tonight. Score of 57.

8. Antonella Barba. It says something that this was her best peformance. She had some bad pitch problems, and she's in way over her head right now. I will be very annoyed if she continues in the competition. Score of 53.

Who should go: Antonella and Haley.

Who will go: Haley and Sabrina.

[Swaggs]

I think Gina has not been the best singer, but has had a good strategy in the competition and, as such, has positioned herself very well to be the "rocker" on the show. With Sundance crapping his pants and Chris Sligh being a little more soulful than I had originally though, I think Gina might be able to carve herself out a little niche and be able to carry a solid bloc of votes each week, while the other girls will be fighting it out with one another over the best R&B performances each week.

If she can continue to improve and peak at the right time, I can see her getting near the finals.

[Ksyrup]

I agree. She would fill a void that the show has usually cast the past few seasons. Same with country - if someone could pull it off, it would the smart move to make.

[Fouts]

I agree with Jim's rankings this week.

Melinda is great, but she is a ringer. How is somebody who works in the business, with that voice, not already signed to a record deal? If I had to pick the winner, I'd pick Lakisha over the ringer at this point.

[Swaggs]

Am I the only one that will be surprised if Melinda wins?

I think she and Lakisha are clearly the best singers, but I just cannot see fans getting excited enough over her to keep her in for 11 weeks.

[Schmidty]

MJ4H, you and I need to have a discussion about symphonic/gothic metal. If you think that Evanescence song ruled, you ain't heard nothing yet. They might be the most popular of the genre, but the American bands have nothing on the Europeans. I'm currently listening to the new Within Temptation and it kills anything Amy Lee could hope to do.

For a layman, you are so cocky about your own preferences. I don't even know if you're right about that genre, but I know that you've been silly in my eyes many times.

No, I have no idea where that vitriol came from. I actually like you.

[Fouts]

For a layman, you are so cocky about your own preferences. I don't even know if you're right about that genre, but I know that you've been silly in my eyes many times.

No, I have no idea where that vitriol came from. I actually like you.

Schmidty = Simon Cowell? ;)

[Schmidty]

By the way, Jim got it right this week.

NICE JOB JIM!!!!!! :D

[ShaqFu]

I agree with Jim's rankings this week.

Melinda is great, but she is a ringer. How is somebody who works in the business, with that voice, not already signed to a record deal? If I had to pick the winner, I'd pick Lakisha over the ringer at this point.

If you are a front singer, are you going to praise your background singer? If you are a record executive, are you going to pay any attention to the background singer? If she is a ringer, she is putting on quite the show. She probably has learned a lot just watching and figured Idol was her best shot.

[Thomkal]

Pretty much agree with Jim's ratings as well. Should be Antonella and Haley going tonight with an outside chance of Gina, Stephanie, and Sabrina. I think Stephanie is going to struggle the most outside of her comfort zone on theme nights. Too bad about Haley, I thought this was her best performance and a good song choice for her. She would probably rank near the top of the boys performances so it's a shame she's up against more talented women.

It was pretty awkward when no one booed when the judges raked her and Antonella over the coals. Instead dead silence. Probably a sign that those two will go this week. Like how both stood up to the judges though. Please please let Antonella and Sanjaya go home this week America. :)

[wade moore]

1. Melinda Doolittle. I fear for her, because she did such a fantastic job that it's almost hard to rally behind her. Again, just stop the show, sign her to a recording deal and let her put out records. The fear really is at this point that she will somehow not win this competition, and American Idol will forever be tarnished. This was perhaps the best performance ever on the show, spanning all those seasons. Score of 99.

This I do agree with and think is likely. Unless Melinda somehow completely stumbles on a theme night, then when (and yes I think there's a good chance it is when) she goes home - doens't it expose Idol for what we all know it truely is? Does it become less "valid"? of course, in my mind, that happened last year with Hicks/McPhee - but this would be even more obvious.

Am I the only one that will be surprised if Melinda wins?

I think she and Lakisha are clearly the best singers, but I just cannot see fans getting excited enough over her to keep her in for 11 weeks.

Like I have said multiple times, I personally think it is pretty unlikely Melinda wins.

[Ksyrup]

For a layman, you are so cocky about your own preferences. I don't even know if you're right about that genre, but I know that you've been silly in my eyes many times.

No, I have no idea where that vitriol came from. I actually like you.

I have strong opinions about the music I am passionate about. In this case, there's no question Amy Lee gets big props for Americanizing and popularizing this particular style, but it's been around for 15-20 years in Europe, which is something a lot of people don't know, and IMO, done much better by the originators. That's all I was trying to say. Just because I like it better doesn't mean anyone else will or should. *shurg*

[Ksyrup]

I don't know if Melinda will win or not, but honestly, who else is going to win? Lakisha? I'm already getting a bit bored by her, despite the fact that she's a competent singer. I think, like Mandisa, she's going to run out of steam toward the middle/end of the competition. If she didn't have Doolittle to compete with, maybe she would be this year's Fantasia. As it stands, I think she's more like this year's Jennifer Hudson. Especially because, just like the year Fantasia, Jennifer, and that other R&B singer were in it together, they were all too similar stylistically to keep moving on. We have the same problem this year. Stephanie probably won't last as long as she should/could, either. The only thing to distinguish them is performance/vocal ability, and right now the group of them should be ranked:

Melinda
Lakisha
Jordin
Stephanie
Sabrina

Haley's kinda in her own Disney soundtrack/Marie Osmond look-alike world, Gina's now been given the Ann Wilson mantle, and Barba should go back to teaching violin to 13 year old boys who want to sneak a peek down her dress.

[wade moore]

I don't know if Melinda will win or not, but honestly, who else is going to win? Lakisha? I'm already getting a bit bored by her, despite the fact that she's a competent singer. I think, like Mandisa, she's going to run out of steam toward the middle/end of the competition. If she didn't have Doolittle to compete with, maybe she would be this year's Fantasia. As it stands, I think she's more like this year's Jennifer Hudson. Especially because, just like the year Fantasia, Jennifer, and that other R&B singer were in it together, they were all too similar stylistically to keep moving on. We have the same problem this year. Stephanie probably won't last as long as she should/could, either. The only thing to distinguish them is performance/vocal ability, and right now the group of them should be ranked:

Melinda
Lakisha
Jordin
Stephanie
Sabrina

Haley's kinda in her own Disney soundtrack/Marie Osmond look-alike world, Gina's now been given the Ann Wilson mantle, and Barba should go back to teaching violin to 13 year old boys who want to sneak a peek down her dress.

I don't think it is wise to count out the boys at this stage.

If nothing else a few of them have one thing going for them:

Who do you think votes more than horny teenage girls?

This has been a theory I've always gone on (maybe it's wrong) that much of what happens on AI is driven by the like.. 12-18 group... I personally don't know anyone in my age range (20's) that votes... and I can't see a lot of people in say their 40's staying up late pounding the phone...

So anyway... Ace Young was an example last year of someone that was able to use this to go further than I think he "deserved".. I certainly thing Richardson, Blake, and maybe even Jared Cotter have this working in their advantage.... In addition, Chris Sligh has that extra factor...

I mean.. seriously.. what business did Taylor Hicks have in the top 4, let alone winning?

[wade moore]

I just realized you were talking about the girls... this was more to address your first sentence than anything else.

[Ksyrup]

In some warped way, I would love to see Sanjaya and Barba make the finals. Then every week when Simon and the others talk about how this is a singing competition only, we can ask why they chose to put 2 people through who honestly were there more for their story/demographic quality than vocals. Barba was terrible from the beginning, and Sanjaya, although he showed a good voice during his initial audition, had to have come off as inexperienced and meek during Hollywood Week as he does now. I don't recall really seeing anything about him during Hollywood Week...maybe they were hiding his performances.

Just admit you make choices based on things other than singing ability and quit chastising America for falling for the stories/personalities the show highlights. You can't have it both ways.

[Ksyrup]

I just realized you were talking about the girls... this was more to address your first sentence than anything else.

There's clearly time for a guy or two to step up. I think Blake probably has the best shot. I think Sligh is too off-center in his song choices (and too Christian rock, now that I've read more about him) to make it far, Chris R., I'm hoping, will finally be exposed like Ace Young was...I'm having trouble recalling any of the other guys except Head. Oh yeah, Cotter...please be gone tonight. If he stays, someone needs to hire that dude from Top Chef to wrestle him to the ground while someone shaves his eyebrows off.

[wade moore]

In some warped way, I would love to see Sanjaya and Barba make the finals. Then every week when Simon and the others talk about how this is a singing competition only, we can ask why they chose to put 2 people through who honestly were there more for their story/demographic quality than vocals. Barba was terrible from the beginning, and Sanjaya, although he showed a good voice during his initial audition, had to have come off as inexperienced and meek during Hollywood Week as he does now. I don't recall really seeing anything about him during Hollywood Week...maybe they were hiding his performances.

Just admit you make choices based on things other than singing ability and quit chastising America for falling for the stories/personalities the show highlights. You can't have it both ways.

I really have come to realize that I think I feel sorry for Sanjaya.

They could have done him a huge favor. He's young and obviously not trained/practiced as a performer. They've set the precedent with Gina and others that you can go to Hollywood, take your lashings, and come back in the future. It would have done him a TON of good for them to give him feedback that he needs to work on the performance element, but has a good voice. Instead he got pushed through for whatever reason (young male? add diversity?) when they knew there was no way he'd go through.

Anyway - I agree with you. But in Simon's defense, my perception is that some of these folks are in despite his best efforts. It does make me wonder even more about some of the people that did not get through that really seemed to me to clearly be better than some of those not only gone, but still there right now.

[wade moore]

There's clearly time for a guy or two to step up. I think Blake probably has the best shot. I think Sligh is too off-center in his song choices (and too Christian rock, now that I've read more about him) to make it far, Chris R., I'm hoping, will finally be exposed like Ace Young was...I'm having trouble recalling any of the other guys except Head. Oh yeah, Cotter...please be gone tonight. If he stays, someone needs to hire that dude from Top Chef to wrestle him to the ground while someone shaves his eyebrows off.

As I said earlier, I like Blake and Richardson. I personally feel like Richardson right now has shown far more talent than Ace Young did. Don't get me wrong again, I know he's got issues, but I think he's clearly a better singer than Young was. And I think he and Blake are ones that right now I can see you put them in the studio, and they make a pop album that would sell well to the masses. Anyway, I'll always be biased about Richardson for him being a local boy - but even without that he'd probably be in my top two guys.

[Ksyrup]

That would make an really interesting reality episode or two - wathcing them discuss how people were chosen at each stage. I'm sure there were obviously more people involved than just the 3 of them in making the choices, and they'd never allow the "guts" of the show to be exposed, but it would be interesting to hear who pushed for which people and why they chose to leave certain demographics off, like country/rock this year. And if Sanjaya or Rudy/AJ were there as diversity choices only (seems fairly obvious to me, at least re Rudy and Sanjaya).

[Ksyrup]

I'll admit that I don't like or get the whole Timberlake scene, so he's got that working against him (both in style and the obvious copycat look), but vocally, I think he's getting way too much credit. His voice is tinny and nasally and really isn't holding up well. What's working in his advantage is that no one around him makes him look bad by comparison. That should change next week when he'll have good female singers performing right before and after him. All the guys are going to have to step up, or as bad as they've looked until now, they're going to look even worse.

[Ksyrup]

I won't post it here - although I'm not sure if it's accurate enough to be considered a spoiler, I won't take the chance ;) - but as of midnight, I have the two names that Dial Idol supposedly have in the bottom two. I'll be interested to see if those two end up getting voted off tonight. They claim an 87% success rate.

[wade moore]

I won't post it here - although I'm not sure if it's accurate enough to be considered a spoiler, I won't take the chance ;) - but as of midnight, I have the two names that Dial Idol supposedly have in the bottom two. I'll be interested to see if those two end up getting voted off tonight. They claim an 87% success rate.

I don't mind this being spoiled because I often don't even watch the results show and just look it up after the fact - and I find this concept intrigueing to see before and after.

If this is accurate, it's pretty interesting. Looking at the geographic map is especially intrigueing, particularly the East Coast for the women.

[Ksyrup]

I don't mind this being spoiled because I often don't even watch the results show and just look it up after the fact - and I find this concept intrigueing to see before and after.

If this is accurate, it's pretty interesting. Looking at the geographic map is especially intrigueing, particularly the East Coast for the women.


I understand the logic, but it baffles me. :D

[Eaglesfan27]

I really like Evanescence sound mainly because of Amy's vocals. Good try but way short to me.

Ditto on both points.

[Raiders Army]

I was calling tech support last night, and this Indian dude told me that he had to put me on hold to call in his vote for American Idol.

[wade moore]

I understand the logic, but it baffles me. :D

Ditto. I just looked at the men graphic, and it is just as baffling - again, the East Coast intrigues me.

[Ksyrup]

On the graphs, do you know what the multi-colors mean? Not the colors of the contestant's names, but the graphs themselves? All of the guys are blue, while some of the girls are green, Gina is red, and a couple are blue. Are those the trends?

[wade moore]

On the graphs, do you know what the multi-colors mean? Not the colors of the contestant's names, but the graphs themselves? All of the guys are blue, while some of the girls are green, Gina is red, and a couple are blue. Are those the trends?

I think this ties into the "Dial Idol Rank"...

Hmm.. trying to explain this without giving too much away... The graphs from last week don't seem to be showing up for me to use that...

Ok..

Go to Season 5, Week w/20 Idols.

Look at the guys.

You'll see Taylor Hicks is just 1, Ace Young 2, etc and they have different colors. Then you get down lower and you have people that are closer grouped. Daughtry and Makar are 3-4 and 3-5... So they are closer, but not WAY close (therefore the -4 and -5)... Then you get to the bottom 5 and they're all 6-10 and the same color.

So it seems to be a prediction of range. They're saying Hicks was a clear #1, but that Daughtry could be anywhere from 3rd to 4th. Makar from 3rd to 5th. But that the bottom 5 guys all could finish from 6-10.

The people with the same "range" appear to be the same color bar.

[wade moore]

Interesting...

If I look at the "Raw Numbers" screen for this week it makes me wonder about their methodology.

This site intrigues me, I've never been to it before.

[MJ4H]

To be clear I'm not so much interested in a particular genre of music as I am interesting melodies and harmonies. The Evanescence tune from last night had some great stuff (in terms of pop music) for me. It was a nice mix of that and power (and I loved the actual Evanescence performance, I pretty much knew I would: I was overlooking Gina's flaws and talking about the song itself).

I listened to Nightwish. Not for me. Within Temptation didn't turn up anything on iTunes, so no idea. I honestly don't think I'm going to like more stuff from this genre than most others, I just like interesting songs from any genre. Evanescence might just have a few songs that catch my ear and none of the other bands in the genre do. So far, not too encouraged with the others.

I dig Amy Lee, too.

[Ksyrup]

To be clear I'm not so much interested in a particular genre of music as I am interesting melodies and harmonies. The Evanescence tune from last night had some great stuff (in terms of pop music) for me. It was a nice mix of that and power (and I loved the actual Evanescence performance, I pretty much knew I would: I was overlooking Gina's flaws and talking about the song itself).

I listened to Nightwish. Not for me. Within Temptation didn't turn up anything on iTunes, so no idea. I honestly don't think I'm going to like more stuff from this genre than most others, I just like interesting songs from any genre. Evanescence might just have a few songs that catch my ear and none of the other bands in the genre do. So far, not too encouraged with the others.

I dig Amy Lee, too.

Interesting. I was thinking about this during the drive to work this morning, about how strange it is to me that people think in terms of individual songs, or even in your case, certain meoldies/harmonies. I don't think in terms less than by artist, and in some cases, even genre. I don't think I've ever consciously segregated a song from an artist/genre as something I like out of a "whole" that I don't really enjoy. I don't buy downloads all that often, but when I have, I have never bought less than an entire album.

So it was with that mindset that I jumped from the Evanescence thing to the genre as a whole. With digital music taking hold and the ease with with people can buy single tracks these days, I suppose my mindset is becoming less and less a frequent occurrence among music listeners.

[wade moore]

Interesting. I was thinking about this during the drive to work this morning, about how strange it is to me that people think in terms of individual songs, or even in your case, certain meoldies/harmonies. I don't think in terms less than by artist, and in some cases, even genre. I don't think I've ever consciously segregated a song from an artist/genre as something I like out of a "whole" that I don't really enjoy. I don't buy downloads all that often, but when I have, I have never bought less than an entire album.

So it was with that mindset that I jumped from the Evanescence thing to the genre as a whole. With digital music taking hold and the ease with with people can buy single tracks these days, I suppose my mindset is becoming less and less a frequent occurrence among music listeners.

I've turned almost completely to single song purchsaes off of iTunes for the most part. I buy an album from tehre now and then when it is an artist I know I generally like their whole body of work.

Now, for full disclosure, I lean much more "mainstream" than you in my music tastes.

[Ksyrup]

The mainstream thing isn't really that important, though. I could buy single tracks of underground/indie bands if I was so inclined. I think we've discussed this elsewhere, but even when I use my MP3 players, I never listen to anything but by album. Occasionally, to mix it up, I might shuffle the songs within the album, but even that's very rare. I've never created a mix or playlist or anything like that.

[Ksyrup]

Dola.

BTW, Within Temptation is the band that I posted the 2 youtube videos for if you're still interested to at least hear them (which I gather you're probably not!).

[Solecismic]

I'll admit that I don't like or get the whole Timberlake scene, so he's got that working against him (both in style and the obvious copycat look), but vocally, I think he's getting way too much credit. His voice is tinny and nasally and really isn't holding up well. What's working in his advantage is that no one around him makes him look bad by comparison. That should change next week when he'll have good female singers performing right before and after him. All the guys are going to have to step up, or as bad as they've looked until now, they're going to look even worse.

I think you're right. They've done a bad job casting the boys, and that has a lot to do with the Idol format (rewarding the big voices ahead of any other talent).

Sanjaya is a prodigy of sorts. The problem with him is that he has no style, no real personality and has never been taught to perform. If everyone just sat in a room, received the same unfamiliar sheet music, had an hour to learn it and then record it (no video), Sanjaya could do very well.

...

Going back to Melinda. Ringer is a good description. I don't know how someone learns those subtleties that separate great singer from great performer without a producer noticing.

Maybe Idol refrained from casting these people in the past out of fear. There are stories of singers who blow the roof off the initial audition, but don't even get in to see the producers, let alone Simon. The fear being America just won't get it, and the show will quickly lose credibility.

The trick of Idol is getting singers good enough that a handful will stand out together on the level of a Daughtry or an Underwood, and the judges can lead the public in the right direction to that handful - and the final selection is something everyone can get behind.

Casting Melinda was a stretch of hubris. They are placing a lot of faith in the public. If she goes out fourth or fifth, the show becomes a joke (unless somehow she forgets everything she can do and is hopeless in theme weeks).

...

DialIdol is an evolving program. Some guy with a decent knowledge of statistics attempting to measure busy signals over a range of time spanning two open voting periods. Busy signals in the first few minutes are different from busy signals at the end. He has to factor in when each call was placed, as well as the fact that the demographics of people using his software are very different from the demographics of the viewers themselves.

There are two other problems - one, there's no easy way to tell a successful vote from an "all circuits are busy" error message. It only measures busy signals and counts everything else. And two, there's some indication that Idol is trying to make this measurement more difficult, possibly figuring out a way to route some busy signals into a different type of error message.

We'll know more later, when the call volume increases.

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, I brought up the comparison a few pages back between AI (Melinda specifically, and at the time, Brandon, before he showed why he is probably a lifetime backup singer) and Survivor, where it seemed they were going less for the ordinary guy/girl and more towards those inclined to already be in the entertainment field. Melinda might not have had the "fresh off the bus" feel to her a few years back, which would have kept her from being on the show. The reason it's so noticeable now is because she is head and shoulders above everyone else.

And it's likely to continue, since there seems to be a trend toward raising the age limit. One of the Nigel's mentioned possibly raising the limit to 30 for next year.

[lordscarlet]

OK.. too much stuff to read, I faded out about 10 posts in. :)

Don't knock video game songs too hard. I discovered the band Rise Against as a result of one of the Need for Speed games. :)

I discovered a few bands from the Tony Hawk series.

I agree with Jim's rankings this week.

Melinda is great, but she is a ringer. How is somebody who works in the business, with that voice, not already signed to a record deal? If I had to pick the winner, I'd pick Lakisha over the ringer at this point.

Simple as this: look at her. We've talked about it before, and it's mean as hell, but that's why. And she's very meek.

[MJ4H]

Dola.

BTW, Within Temptation is the band that I posted the 2 youtube videos for if you're still interested to at least hear them (which I gather you're probably not!).

If it is quality music, of course I am. Where did you post them?

[Arles]

A day late, but not a dollar short. Here's the femm's abridged rankings (they were good enough to get real names):

1. Melinda - She can make just about anything sound polished. She's in it for a while but I agree with the many that doubt she will win. I think it's because of her high bar. At some point she won't meet it and it will give one of the "low bar" men a chance to steal the crown.

2. LaKisha - Nice performance but not much originality. That said, Whitney is a good choice if you can nail it and don't want to add anything.

3. Gina - Her and Blake are the dark horses. They are somewhat unique and always seem to be entertaining. While all the divas will be fighting for the "technically tops" vote each week, she'll keep flying under the radar with her crew of fans.

4. Jordin - Liked her energy but it wasn't as good as other weeks. She's safe though.

5. Sabrina - Not as bubbly as Jordin, not as good as Melinda or Lakisha and will rely on knocking it out of the park each week to survive. She will make the top 12, but probably will be one of the first girls to go.

6. Stephanie - Stuggled in her Bubble performance. Hoping the tournament committee focuses more on her high RPI instead of her quick exit at the conference tourney.

7. Haley - Will almost certainly be gone.

8. Antonella Barba - She's like the 7th or 8th place Big East team. Not really good enough for the tourney but there are enough east coast fans that may end up getting her in as an 11 seed over a more deserving mid-major (ie, Stephanie).

Haley and Barba should go. I'm going to guess (hope) that is the actual result as well.

[Ksyrup]

At or near the top of this page. They got lost in the flurry of posts, I imagine.

Here they are again:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WcwO0VS9FVo

http://youtube.com/watch?v=EFbqmKcXq84

Another pretty good band is After Forever. These European bands may not show up on the standard downloading services, I don't know.

[wade moore]

And it's likely to continue, since there seems to be a trend toward raising the age limit. One of the Nigel's mentioned possibly raising the limit to 30 for next year.
Isn't it 30 now? Melinda is 29, Sundance 28, Brandon 28, Chris Sligh 28...

[Ksyrup]

No, it's 28. THey were all 28 when they auditioned and have since turned 29.

[wade moore]

No, it's 28. THey were all 28 when they auditioned and have since turned 29.

Ah, gotcha. I think regardless of specific age, the dramatic groupings of age are bigger to me.. Most of the contestants are mid to late 20's, where last year it seemed like around half were not even 18 yet.

[wade moore]

DialIdol is an evolving program. Some guy with a decent knowledge of statistics attempting to measure busy signals over a range of time spanning two open voting periods. Busy signals in the first few minutes are different from busy signals at the end. He has to factor in when each call was placed, as well as the fact that the demographics of people using his software are very different from the demographics of the viewers themselves.

There are two other problems - one, there's no easy way to tell a successful vote from an "all circuits are busy" error message. It only measures busy signals and counts everything else. And two, there's some indication that Idol is trying to make this measurement more difficult, possibly figuring out a way to route some busy signals into a different type of error message.

We'll know more later, when the call volume increases.

I'm going to start following. It I find it interesting from a statistical perspective. I think it's a cool intellectual exercise - even to the point of how Idol tries to counteract it.

Hell, I'd consider downloading it and trying to use it to vote - when I have never voted before.

[Ksyrup]

Ah, gotcha. I think regardless of specific age, the dramatic groupings of age are bigger to me.. Most of the contestants are mid to late 20's, where last year it seemed like around half were not even 18 yet.

I think it's in the best interests of most contestants that they be older. I think they should raise the minimum age to 18 or 19 from 16. Let them get some exposure on the show, but don't put them through to the point that they are disqualified from future shows (like they handled that pretty Texas girl who was under 18). Builds some continuity in the AI storyline from season to season, and gives them some time to mature and become better singers/performers.

[wade moore]

I think it's in the best interests of most contestants that they be older. I think they should raise the minimum age to 18 or 19 from 16. Let them get some exposure on the show, but don't put them through to the point that they are disqualified from future shows (like they handled that pretty Texas girl who was under 18). Builds some continuity in the AI storyline from season to season, and gives them some time to mature and become better singers/performers.

Totally agreed. Like I said, I think this would have benefitted Sanjaya big time.

If you know they won't make top 12, lean towards the 25 year old so that he can get it out of his system and move on, rather than the 17 year old that can grow and come back in a year or two.

[LoneStarGirl]

I loved yesterday's show. I really think that it is Antonella's time to go.

She is not that pretty, but will stay if vote for the worst backs her up again.

Antonella and haley will go tonight

[lordscarlet]

I loved yesterday's show. I really think that it is Antonella's time to go.

She is not that pretty, but will stay if vote for the worst backs her up again.

Antonella and haley will go tonight

I will probably catch flack for this here, but we shall see.

She is far better looking than Pickler and she made it to the top 6 or so. Pickler could sing better, but was still far worse than people that went before her.

[Ksyrup]

Pickler had several things going for her: (1) decent looking; (2) charming personality/shtick; and (3) decent singer. Barba, arguably, has one of those (although I personally hate the NY look/attitude). her vocals are even worse because she's being compared to better singers than Pickler was last year. And there's nothing charming about her. She comes off as a bitch, a lot of people think she's also a slut, and she's demonstrated that glorious NYattitude when given bad reviews.

All that said, I'll be shocked if she goes home tonight.

[lordscarlet]

Pickler had several things going for her: (1) decent looking; (2) charming personality/shtick; and (3) decent singer. Barba, arguably, has one of those (although I personally hate the NY look/attitude). her vocals are even worse because she's being compared to better singers than Pickler was last year. And there's nothing charming about her. She comes off as a bitch, a lot of people think she's also a slut, and she's demonstrated that glorious NYattitude when given bad reviews.

All that said, I'll be shocked if she goes home tonight.

I'm only addressing the attractiveness issue. :) I agree with the rest. And I think Antonella comes off as less of an idiot than Pickler but instead comes off as a bitch.

[Ksyrup]

But the idiot thing was a plus for Pickler, given where she was from. Calamari practically put her in the finals.

[rkmsuf]

But the idiot thing was a plus for Pickler, given where she was from. Calamari practically put her in the finals.

It was charming in a way. This Barbarella ho impresses me as nothing but an asshole.

[Mustang]

I do not expect Antonella to be kicked off the show any soon than week 7. That seems to be about the time that the people voting seriously will overcome the VFTW crowd.

And she will become more and more of a raging bitch over that time period because I don't think she realizes she is just continuing on because she is a joke not becase people think she is talented.

[adubroff]

That would make an really interesting reality episode or two - wathcing them discuss how people were chosen at each stage. I'm sure there were obviously more people involved than just the 3 of them in making the choices, and they'd never allow the "guts" of the show to be exposed, but it would be interesting to hear who pushed for which people and why they chose to leave certain demographics off, like country/rock this year. And if Sanjaya or Rudy/AJ were there as diversity choices only (seems fairly obvious to me, at least re Rudy and Sanjaya).


Where's John Feinstein when you need him? I think he's about run out of sports prefaces and hasn't released a book since I started typing....

I would call it A Season on the Brink II just to drive Bob Knight crazy.

[JSB]

http://www.shotsports.com/idol.jpg

[Logan]

I hope Gina goes home tonight. She thinks she's much better than she actually is.

[LoneStarGirl]

Gina is awesome. She already made top 12.... who was the first person they kicked off? I didn't watch

[Easy Mac]

and suddenly, millions of internet accounts were cancelled.

[Easy Mac]

Now I'll never hear the Set it Off soundtrack quite the same way again.

[LoneStarGirl]

I love that in Antionella's good bye song she screwed up about 4 times. She was awful.

[Swaggs]

Watching the basketball game....who got sent home?

[JSB]

Antonella
Sabrina
Jared
Sundance

[adubroff]

Antonella
Sabrina
Jared
Sundance


I thought it was gonna take a Presidential Edict to get Antonella off so I am happy. Sabrina wouldn't have been my second choice, but she's not too far from it. Jared I thought was talented but rarely delivered. Sundance suprises me some, but I had lost a lot of faith in him post audition.

[Mustang]

I thought it was gonna take a Presidential Edict to get Antonella off so I am happy.

You and me both. Although..... I believe there is a little blurb at the end of the show that says that the show reserves the right to disregard the vote. I wouldn't be surprised if she was just axed regardless.

[Buccaneer]

You and me both. Although..... I believe there is a little blurb at the end of the show that says that the show reserves the right to disregard the vote. I wouldn't be surprised if she was just axed regardless.

I'm surprised most fans conveniently ignore that, which I believe has been on there since the early days. Every year, I and others mention that but fans get too enamored with VFTW and busy signals to realize that the show does come down to ratings and producers' discretion in considering the fan voting.

[adubroff]

You and me both. Although..... I believe there is a little blurb at the end of the show that says that the show reserves the right to disregard the vote. I wouldn't be surprised if she was just axed regardless.


I would think that's for the case if somebody is proven to be cheating vote wise. I think they actually would rather Antonella advance, she's probably good for ratings.

[MJ4H]

I'm surprised most fans conveniently ignore that, which I believe has been on there since the early days. Every year, I and others mention that but fans get too enamored with VFTW and busy signals to realize that the show does come down to ratings and producers' discretion in considering the fan voting.

Or most just don't subscribe to your theory that just because they can, they do, with no evidence at all.

[Buccaneer]

Or most just don't subscribe to your theory that just because they can, they do, with no evidence at all.

So you want to believe that it is all pure democracy? Wow.

[MJ4H]

You'll have to do better than pure incredulity.

[Solecismic]

Average score of 12 finalists through the semi-final rounds:

Melinda Doolittle: 95
LaKisha Jones: 85
Jordin Sparks: 84
Chris Richardson: 83
Blake Lewis: 81
Stephanie Edwards: 78
Gina Glocksen: 77
Chris Sligh: 67
Haley Scarnato: 60
Brandon Rogers: 58
Phil Stacey: 54
Sanjaya Malakar: 49

Coming up: Diana Ross week... I don't think the guys are going to enjoy this.

[Flasch186]

I wonder if doolittle isnt the best voice ive ever heard on this show. I know Undewoood's Heart song was good, but all the rest I dont remember being as good as Doolittle. Certainly not as consistent this early, no?

[Fouts]

I was sad but not surprised to see Sundance lose out to Sanjaya. As I told me kids, Sanjaya can just show up and not sing and still get more votes than Sundance. It still sucks. I don't like Sanjaya's personality, and I can hardly hear the guy over the music.

Haley getting in sucked, too. We'll see if those two (Sanjaya and Haley) keep stealing votes from people who actually belong there.

[Thomkal]

Well at least we got one of the two worst out of there. Just wish it had been Sanjaya instead of Antonella. Haley advancing over Sabrina was the real shocker, as it seemed nobody particularly liked her. (I do, but she's up against a lot of talent). Thought Sundance would make it too. I just don't understand this fascination over Sanjaya. I think perhaps he is the worst finalist in Idol history, though he has some heavy competition there.

[wade moore]

Coming up: Diana Ross week... I don't think the guys are going to enjoy this.
And on the flip side - good news for the Divas.

Well at least we got one of the two worst out of there. Just wish it had been Sanjaya instead of Antonella. Haley advancing over Sabrina was the real shocker, as it seemed nobody particularly liked her. (I do, but she's up against a lot of talent). Thought Sundance would make it too. I just don't understand this fascination over Sanjaya. I think perhaps he is the worst finalist in Idol history, though he has some heavy competition there.

I think Sabrina suffered from being the 4th best Diva which just really put her in a void for votes.

[Mustang]

I think perhaps he is the worst finalist in Idol history, though he has some heavy competition there.

I think John Stephens easily still holds that title.

[Pumpy Tudors]

You know, I think it's great what the show is doing for impoverished people in America and in Africa, but I admit that I was disappointed that the big announcement had nothing to do with the competition.

[Ksyrup]

Wade OTM about why Sabrina went home. She was 4th among the 4 divas and they split the R&B vote, which obviously isn't big enough to sustain them all. That's what happened when LaToya and Jennifer Hudson went home the same week the year Fantasia won it all.

I'm shocked Antonella went home, but in the end, it boiled down to people having a reason to hate her in addition to her sucking which lead her to be voted off, while Sanjaya just plain sucks but seems like a nice kid to most people. I bet he's around for quite a while. He certainly deserved to go before Sunfire, but that dude was really overrated, so I'm not crying for him.

[Ksyrup]

You know, I think it's great what the show is doing for impoverished people in America and in Africa, but I admit that I was disappointed that the big announcement had nothing to do with the competition.

If you go back and look at the Nigel quote I pasted last week, it seemed fairly obvious the announcement would have something to do with charity or the military. "We're the first show to talk about this" and "it involves American Idol and America"... stuff like that.

[Pumpy Tudors]

If you go back and look at the Nigel quote I pasted last week, it seemed fairly obvious the announcement would have something to do with charity or the military. "We're the first show to talk about this" and "it involves American Idol and America"... stuff like that.
I admit that I missed the quote. Even if I had seen it, though, I would have expected some revolutionary way for voters to get involved with the competition. I'm not really sure exactly what that would be, but I still wouldn't expect what we got.

It's a good thing they're doing, though, so more power to 'em... except for Ryan Seacrest chasing African kids around. No good can come from that.

[Easy Mac]

I thought it was extremely pretentious.

[Ksyrup]

I'm sorry, but Guy Smiley is already taken:

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/6/6c/180px-GuySmiley.jpg

http://bryan-brown.com/emmy06news/candids/images/2174_1357_lr.jpg


So I'm in NYC this weekend, and guess which of these stuffed shirts I saw in the lobby of my hotel yesterday? Pretty odd coincidence, seeing as though I just posted these pics.

[kurtism]

Seriously? "You gotta pronunciate"? Yeesh...

[MJ4H]

Hehe yeah that one got me too.

[Mustang]

The judges bitch about making a song your own and then 2 guys try to make a song their own and they bitch about just singing it.

Who the F thought a Diana Ross week was a good idea?

[MJ4H]

that make it your own line makes me throw up in my mouth a little bit everytime i hear it.

[lordscarlet]

The judges bitch about making a song your own and then 2 guys try to make a song their own and they bitch about just singing it.

Who the F thought a Diana Ross week was a good idea?

The people who want to see a Diva win?

[adubroff]

Tough week...theme is blatantly in favor of the big voiced divas...I'd say Melinda was still the best this week, followed by a chalk trifecta of Lakeesha and Jordin. I was least impressed by Brandon this week, he really bores me. Svenjaya could go home on any given week but this wasn't his worst performance. Haley and Stephanie blew the lyrics but they at least sung well.

Hard week for most of the guys and Gina theme wise. I was hoping Gina would find a way to Ginafy a Ross song and she didn't. Chris had similar issues. Blake and Phil I think were the best guys but they weren't near the level of Melinda, Lakeesha and Jordin.

[Thomkal]

I'm with you Mustang. Drives me crazy when they say you have to be original, then totally slam them for being it. Earlier they slammed Brandon for not being original. You can't have it both ways. It's fine if you say you don't like their take on Diana Ross songs but give them credit at least for trying to modernize them.

This was bound to be a tough night for the guys anyway with them singing songs from a female vocalist, so I'm glad some of them changed the arrangements.

Hard for me to judge these performances because I'm not a Diana Ross fan and don't know and/or like many of her songs. It was nice though to see Haley come alive tonight...well until she forgot the words. I did like Chris Sligh's take on Endless Love but that arrangement didn't match the vocals. I think I will go with him as my favorite guy performance and Jordin as favorite girl performance.

Sanjaya will remain as my worst performance until he gets voted off. Although that was the best he's done I think, put a little passion into it instead of just standing there and singing softly.

[Rizon]

You and me both. Although..... I believe there is a little blurb at the end of the show that says that the show reserves the right to disregard the vote. I wouldn't be surprised if she was just axed regardless.


I took a picture of it last year.

http://home.comcast.net/~rizon1976/Disclamer.jpg

[cuervo72]

The people who want to see a Diva win?

Could also be that there are only so many artists who have twelve songs recognizable by a large cross-section of the audience.

[Solecismic]

Do you know, where you're going to? Do you like the things that life is showing you? Where are you going to? Do you know?

Do you sing? Inspired like a star? Or do you trip on lyrics from afar? Or are you precious like a Malakar? Do you know?

It was Diana Ross week, and no one went with the Theme from Mahogany. Un believable. Like having a Knack week without anyone singing My Sharona. There was some Endless Love, which thankfullly ended after 90 seconds. Someone had a very brief Love Hangover. Someone tried to Hurry Love. But no one sang the song that separated Diana Ross from all the other talented singers of the '60s, '70s and '80s. Not even the hard to parallel Doolittle.

Next week is probably Knack week for all I know, because this week was awkward, especially for the overwhelmed male contingent.

On to the rankings for week 4, the first of the finals:

1. Melinda Doolittle. She wasn't perfect this week, which comes as a bit of a shock. I think she realized she could pick just about anything and do a pretty good job. That was enough to lead the pack on a fair night. Score of 89.

2. Jordin Sparks. Vocally, I thought she tried a lot and she was very nervous. She made some mistakes, especially near the beginning. But she also brought out qualities in her voice that reminded me of what Idol is really about - discovering new talent. Perhaps she should have waited a year or two, maybe she would be a Doolittle in a crowd of amateurs. She's more than good enough now, and if she grows up quickly, she could be a contender. Score of 87.

3. LaKisha Jones. Another solid performance from the steadiest contender this side of Doolittle. Score of 85.

4. Phil Stacey. And now we drop into the realm of the mediocre. This was by far his best performance of the season, I did see for the first time that he really can sing. He did indulge himself with a couple of off-key screaming notes, far less than his usual dozen. He was okay. He bought himself another week or two. Score of 74.

5. Gina Glocksen. I want to like her more. She has the same problem Phil has - the louder she gets the more I forget she can sing. She has to fight, more than anyone, the line between singer and performer. Performers do not do well in this format. Score of 73.

6. Chris Sligh. Yeah, the arrangement just murdered a great song. That aside, he wasn't too bad. He does have a nice, melodic voice. Score of 70.

7. Blake Lewis. It's a lot to expect a white beat-boxer who seems to prefer electronica to do a passable Diana Ross. He did a passable something, but it paled in comparison to the original. A whiter shade of pale. I look forward to his take on themes that aren't as powerful. Score of 66.

8. Haley Scarnato. She cried. She's even pretty when she cries. Score of 65.

9. Stephanie Edwards. All the talent in the world and she has no idea how to present it. If she were singing The Star Spangled Banner, it would go on for ten minutes and finish with a trill that would have Frances Scott Key ducking and covering. She needs to stop oversinging every single bar. I thought she had more pitch problems than usual. I'm not liking her as much as I did earlier in the competition. Score of 58.

10. Chris Richardson. With his stiff dancing and his pained expressions, I wonder if someone might have jammed a long stick up his rear end prior to his performance. This was a very tough theme for his style, and he was dreadful tonight. He deserves a mulligan. Score of 47.

11. Brandon Rogers. There really is only Brandon, and he does sound the same every week. The question with him is only about song choice and theme, and he failed to make the necessary adjustments for this type of song. His time is limited. Score of 45.

12. Sanjaya Malakar. It's really pointless to criticize him now. He chose a bland song and made it blander. He blandunciated. He needs to go home to his sister. Score of 38.

Who will be bottom three: Sanjaya, Stephanie and Brandon.

Who will go: Brandon.

Who should go: Sanjaya.