The Next American Idol

Melinda Doolittle is hilarious - she talks about how her friends tell her she has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, but that she calls it "Equal opportunity" - like if she chews her food a certain number of times on one side of her mouth, she has to chew the same amount of times on the other or if she steps on a crack with one foot, she need to do it on the other foot, too. She says it's all about equality... I love how funny she is without even trying.

She sings "I'm a Woman" by I believe, Peggy Lee. The song has been sung by several people, including Reba McEntire and Bette Midler, but I'm pretty sure it's a Peggy Lee song. But please correct me if I'm wrong.

Either way, it should be known as a Melinda Doolittle song from now on. I think tonight, she managed to come out from underneath Lakisha's shadow and make this competition hers to lose. I mean, I have nothing negative to say, no critique, no opinion beyond knowing that she's the next American Idol. (and the fact that I loved her dress - she looked stunning in it)

Randy tells her she is a consummate pro - that she's ready to go in the studio and make a record. I sure wish she would... Paula gives her a standing ovation and tells her she is so likable and fantastic. Simon calls her a little tiger. He says he loves that she seems to be genuinely enjoying every moment of the Idol experience and that one million percent, she'd be there next week.



So my picks for this week are:
Guys: Sanjaya Malakar, Chris Richardson
Girls: Haley Scarnato, Antonella Barba (I've decided to go with principle - she just doesn't belong in the top 12, even if votefortheworst.com wants her there.)

The real Gina shows up

Lakisha Jones reveals to America that she is terrified of animals. Not just dogs or cats, but she says any kind of animal. She said that when she was younger she had a Doberman pinscher and a poodle and that her mom used to let them run through the house and she would hide behind doors to avoid them.

She takes on Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing" and if you ask me, she comes real close to outsinging Whitney herself. She has such control of her voice - she knows when to soften it up and when to belt it out. And this song was a great choice because it really gave her the opportunity to show how much voice she's got hiding in there.

And again, I need to note - the girls look beautiful tonight - all of them. Lakisha did something different with her hair - it looks smoother and more styled - her makeup looks great and her dress really flatters her figure.

Randy tells her it was another great performance by the great Lakisha. Paula adds some compliments to the mix and Simon tells her that she brought passion, talent, believability and of course the 'Yo!' factor. And how sweet - he tells that tonight, she looks beautiful.


Gina Glocksen shares a couple of her lucky charms - Troll, Pickle and a pillow with her nieces and nephews on it.

She sings "Call Me When You're Sober" by Evanescence. Wow - talk about ballsy. Evanescence has a very distinct sound - not sure Gina can pull it off, especially while wearing a hot pink bra that can be seen through her shirt. Yes, I realize she probably did it on purpose, but I still don't like it.

To be honest, I think Evanescence comes pretty close to the image that I think Gina is trying to portray, so I'm kind of hoping she can really knock this one out because I am actually a big fan of her voice.

You know, I really liked it - not as good as Amy Lee, Evanescence's lead singer, but still pretty good - I hope the judges appreciate the diversity she's bringing to the show, because without her, these girls would all be cut from the same mold.

Randy likes it!!! He tells her he's glad to see that Gina has finally shown up - and tells her to keep the edginess. Paula tells her to watch the pitch but that she should stick to this style because it's what she does best. Simon tells her it's the first time he's seen her look comfortable and he tells her that she's a breath of fresh air and he really, really hopes she makes it through to the top 12. So do I...

I think I may have my picks for bottom 2

I think Haley Scarnato moved up a few notches in my book, simply because her revelation is that she used to be a gymnast. When I was little, I used to dream of being a gymnast, but by the time my parents could afford to get me in a gymnastics class, I was like 11 years old, and it was just too late. But even now, as I inch my way into my 30s, I still think it's so cool and I love that Haley chooses to share this part of her past with America.

She sings Faith Hill's "If My Heart Had Wings" and it's so much better than last week. I'm not sure it's good enough to save her this week, but it's a solid effort, I think. Unfortunately, with Haley, I think the problem is that there's just not much to say about her. Even now, I'm struggling for something to write, something about her voice or performance that stands out enough to merit a comment, but there really isn't anything. She's not bad, but she's just not as great as her competition.

Randy says it was OK, but that there was no pizazz, no 'Wow', no 'Yo!' Paula says nothing, really, just reverts back to telling her she looks great. Simon says it was horrible, like a terrible, ghastly high school musical performance. And the worst part about it, he tells her that halfway through her performance, he turned to Paula and told her that he doesn't even know Haley's name. Ouch...

Stephanie Edwards is up next and reveals that she has been singing since she was 3 years old, but that she would only sing for her parents. She says that she used to run and cry when asked to sing for anyone else and that people might find it surprising given how comfortable she is on the stage now.

I really liked Stephanie the first week - she was the first one up and she was so good, I immediately loved her. But then last week, she sang that horrid Beyonce song that was all over the place and I think her song choice so turned me off that I find myself dreading her performance tonight.

She sings "Sweet Thing" by Chaka Khan. Chaka Khan has such a huge voice - I'm not sure anyone can compare to her, so I'm a little nervous about how this is going to turn out. It's actually not too bad. My only concern is that by taking on songs by people like Chaka Khan and Beyonce and Alicia Keys, she will eventually be found lacking. And maybe it's just me, but while I think her voice is lovely, I'm not sure she's been able to establish her own personality in this competition yet. Certainly not in the same way that Lakisha or Melinda have.

Randy gives her an A for a valiant effort, but brings out the comparison, and as expected, tells her that next to Chaka Khan, she was just OK. Paula says she was near flawless, but that she fell behind in the music a bit, but that she did a great job. Simon says she has a tendency to go a little bit copycat and that they're trying to find her own individuality. But he still tells her that he thinks she's done enough to make it to the top 12.

I don't know - I think Haley and Stephanie both run the risk of leaving tomorrow. Of course, this is assuming that votefortheworst.com still has Antonella as their pick, because it's no big secret I'd love to see her go before anyone else.

Antonella the train wreck

Sabrina Sloan's revelation is that when she was in high school, she wanted to be the next Katie Couric. She hosted the school's weekly television show and got to interview her fellow students on campus.

She sings "Don't Let Go" by En Vogue and it starts off OK, but then she goes flat right before the chorus. I'm also quickly reminded of last week when Simon told her not to confuse power with shouting, because I feel like she's got them confused again. It's really not her best performance.

Is this week the first time the stylists have gotten to the contestants? Because I feel like Sabrina looks extra nice tonight, too. Her dress is cute, her curls seem more under control and her makeup just a little more perfect.

Randy says he's not crazy about her song choice, but that it was a solid performance. Paula says she has a gorgeous voice and that she looks beautiful. Simon says the performance lacked emotion - he says it was robotic, that she needs to inject personality. But despite the tiny critiques, they all quickly say "Yes!" when Ryan asks them if she deserves to be in the top 12.


One thing we didn't know about Antonella Barba is that she has been playing the violin since she was 4 years old. She played all through high school and still gives lessons when she's home from college during the summer. I must admit, that little bit of trivia actually helped redeem her a bit in my eyes. Given all the Internet hoopla, it wasn't too hard to form an opinion of Antonella - and not a good one, so hearing that she's been dedicated to music for so long kind of helped shine a better light on her.

Unfortunately, it can't help her singing voice. She sings Corinne Bailey-Rae's "Put Your Records On" and it's embarrassing how bad it is.

Now, I just need to quickly clarify something about my musical tastes and experience. First off, I need to state as clearly as I can that I am in no way a musical expert - I like the songs that I like, the artists that I like and I have no scientific formula for determining what they will be. I also don't usually follow artists, meaning one great song won't make me go crazy for a singer and have me rushing for the store to buy the album. I usually take a song at face value - rarely caring who sings it. If I like it, I'll listen to it, but very few names stick in my head.

Corinne Bailey-Rae is a name that is slowly beginning to stick in my head - haven't bought the album yet - but I like the soothing tone of her voice and the songs I've heard, I've thoroughly enjoyed. So you can imagine my horror to have Antonella virtually slaughter this song. She's so out of tune, you can hear the clashing between her and the backup singers. Her beauty just can't save her this time - and I'm not even going to comment on the hooker boots she's wearing...ugh.

Randy says it was pitchy and that he think she's a better singer than she thinks she is - she just hasn't shown it. I agree - she was great in the auditions, then just lost it completely. Paula says the song choice was good, but that she should avoid singing the low notes because her magic is in the higher range. Simon is speechless for a minute and then tells her that she's gone as far as she can go - that she is surrounded by some amazing girl singers and that he doesn't know how much more she can do. But he does pat her on the back about how she's handled the Internet photos and whatever...

She's a heartbreaker

So the show starts off a bit risque tonight with a joke about Paula Abdul being under the desk because she was getting something for Randy. It was hilarious, but maybe not for family viewing.

Anyway, moving along to the singing, Jordin starts off tonight by revealing to America that she is a huge football fan and that she, at one time, wanted to play football herself.

She sings Pat Benatar's "Heartbreaker" and, like last week and the week before, this first female performance is better than all the guys combined last night.

But before we get into her singing, I just have to say that she looks gorgeous tonight. It looks like the show's stylists have softened up her curls and it looks so nice. She looks older, more sophisticated, and I love her sense of style - tonight, she keeps it simple, and probably comfortable, with a pair of jeans and a nice top.

Her choice of song is perfect - it fits her personality and the strength of her voice. I think the song may have been too rough, too raw for some of the other girls, but she rocked it out - it just suited her.

Wait... did any of you catch this??? Her voice kept going even after the mic left her face. I'm wondering, was one of the backup singers singing that huge note at the end or what? I don't know - could be a little shady - I've watched it like four times now and you can clearly see that she ends the song, throws her hand down, taking the mic away, but the high note can still be heard for like a second or two afterward. Very strange... any thoughts on what could have happened?

Randy tells her it wasn't her best performance but still better than all the boys. Paula talks about her energy, tells her she's exploding and coming into her own artistry. Simon says it was a bit shrieky and manic, but that she will 100% be there next week.

She lifts me up

Sabrina Sloan is given the last slot, so you have to assume that she's going to be fantastic. She dedicates her song to her grandmother. She says that her grandmother is glamorous and that she got her love of music from her. She talks about how her grandmother has been in and out of the hospital and how hard it is to think of her not being around, and I feel the tears coming - my own. I feel that way about my grandmother, too. She turned 87 this year and every year that passes feels like one less year I have left with her, so I'm moved by Sabrina's dedication - I'm sure her grandmother was touched to be honored in that way.

She sings "All the Man That I Need" by Whitney Houston and she is amazing. I will say that it wasn't as fantastic as I expected it would be - it wasn't a showstopper like Lakisha's closing song last week - but it was still really great. The tone of her voice is just crystal clear. She gets off key just a little on some of the high notes, but it still doesn't take away from her overall performance...

Randy tells her she's got a big old voice, but mentions the pitchy spots. Paula tells her she is fantastic and a big contender in the competition. Simon says it was good, but that she shouldn't confuse power with shouting and that she was right on the limit with that. But he assures her that she'll be back next week and I'm sure she will be - I think she's got tons more talent left to show us.


So these are my picks for tomorrow... For the guys, I think it's going to be Brandon Rogers and while it pains me to say it, I think it may be Nick Pedro's time to go, too. As for the girls, I still firmly believe that Antonella Barba should go home, but I don't think she will just yet. I think tomnorrow, it's going to be Alaina Alexander and Leslie Hunt.

Copycat

Leslie Hunt dedicates her song to her late grandfather because of his unconditional love and says that she hopes to keep his spirit alive by singing.

She sings "Feeling Good" by Michael Buble and I'm wondering why she would sing a song that we heard just yesterday. The least she could have done is sing it better than A.J. Tabaldo did, which I don't think she did.

First, I need to say that she's way better than last week. Her voice is kind of husky, so she needs to sing in a lower register for it sound good, so I think this song choice was pretty good for her - it showcased her voice way better than last week. But, it's not like there aren't other songs out there that could have done the same thing for her. She could have found something else, something that would have set her apart from the rest of the group. She had a real chance here to show her personality and instead, she put herself in a position to be compared to someone she is ultimately competing against... not a smart move.

And the scat thing at the end was just kind of weird - I hope she's feeling really, really good because I'm thinking she's in for some bad criticism.

Randy tells her it was not in tune, that it was just all right. Paula says she's back in her element and Simon says that she's getting lost in the competition because she's just followed some big, big voices and tells her that she's going to be forgotten.

Haley Scarnato sings next and dedicates her song to her fiance, Bobby. She talks about how hard it is to be away from him and how she can't wait to marry him.

She speeds up the tempo this week and sings Whitney Houston's "Queen of the Night." It's OK, but it seems a little forced - like she's trying too hard to be sexy. Plus, the song doesn't have much of an actual melody, so it sounded like a lot of yelling to me. I don't know - I'm not really sure what to say about it - it wasn't terrible, but much like Leslie, she may be swallowed up by the women who can really belt it out.

Randy says it perfectly - he says that what he doesn't like about the song is that there seem to be more background parts than there are lead vocal parts. He says it wasn't great for him - that vocally, it wasn't on point. Paula says it was better than last week and that her personality came through. Simon gives her an A for effort, but that it was a little bit manic, verging on insane. He says she's vulnerable tonight, and I think he may be right.

But still, I feel bad for her - she doesn't take the news well and starts crying before she can get off the stage. How terrible to be blasted like that in front of her fiance.

More tears on "Idol"

Jordin Sparks dedicates her song to her younger brother, P.J. She says that he's always been there for her and he supports her unconditionally - he calls him her "other rock," besides her parents.

She sings "Reflection," the song Christina Aguilera sang for "Mulan," and it starts off a little shaky, but then she hits those big notes and the shakiness is forgotten. The song may be a bit too big for her - she struggles through the big high note and seems a little out of breath in parts. But overall, it's pretty good. Not really on par with some of the other girls, but still better than Antonella.

Is she crying? It's sweet coming from her, but it's possible that her emotion may have gotten the best of her. She should have just powered through - but who am I to say? It's probably tough being in the spotlight while still so young and feeling the words may be too hard to get past.

Randy mentions the pitchy moments, but still tells her that where she is at her age is unbelievable. He tells her he's impressed with her, even though it wasn't her best performance. Paula tells her she's infectious and that she's brilliant and talented. Simon says it wasn't her best, but compared to the others, it was excellent. He tells her she has massive potential.

Stephanie Edwards is up next - she dedicates her song to her parents. She talks about how she didn't want to audition, that her parents forced her to go.

She sings "Dangerously in Love 2" by Beyonce and I can't say I like it. I like Stephanie Edwards and her voice, but I think the song choice wasn't good for her. I think Beyonce is overrated and this song is a perfect example of why I think so. There was no clear rhythm to it - I couldn't get into it.

Plus she didn't seem comfortable singing it - she was kind of tentative and unsure of herself, which made it easier to detect the shakiness in her voice. I think she did way better last week.

Randy actually tells her she was better tonight than last week - I totally disagree - but he he also says it was a little too Beyonce-like, that he wanted to hear more of her in the song. Paula thinks the audience is silent because they disagree with Randy, but I think she's got it backwards. Surprisingly, Simon agrees with Paula and says that it was terrific.

Is she crazy? I mean, really?

Is it very mean of me that I'm kind of looking forward to watching Antonella Barba completely bomb? She's planning to sing Celine Dion - she could barely get through Aerosmith last week. This should be hilarious.

Let me break for a kind word - I love her dress. OK - done with that now.

She dedicates her song to her brother, Vincenzo, because she says he's always supported her. It seemed more like a free plug for him than anything else, but let's give her the benefit of the doubt. She says she misses him and loves him.

I KNEW IT!!!! I knew she was going to sing "Because You Loved Me." It's a very sweet sentiment - it's the song I plan to dance to with my Dad if I ever get married, but does she really believe she can pull it off?

For a second week, she's terrible. She's flat, she's sharp, she's everywhere but in key. I want to know what happened to the girl who completely outsang her best friend during the auditions. Are the nerves really getting to her that much? Oh... please be over soon.

Well, Randy begins by telling her that she's drop dead gorgeous. She is - can't be denied... But then he goes on to say that the song was totally wrong - way too big for her - her pitch was all over the place and he even makes some of the same noises I was making while watching - just ugh... Paula tells her that she improved from last week, and Simon says she was worse than last week.

Wait... did she really just compare herself to Jennifer Hudson??? Now I don't know too much about Jennifer Hudson, but I do know that she just won herself an Oscar and has been blowing people's minds with her singing in "Dreamgirls," so I doubt I'm the only one who just choked on her dinner and spit out some food at that comment...

If only Voteforetheworst.com didn't exist. Unfortunately, they've chosen her as their worst, so she will be around for a little bit longer, I'm afraid.

So bittersweet

Melinda Doolittle changes things up a bit and dedicates her song to two of her closest friends, her Gayles. The name comes from the fact that they told her she could be Oprah and they'd be her Gayle Kings - cute. She says they've helped through this whole process - one being her vocal coach, the other her stylist. It was actually a really sweet interview and way more entertaining than most of these dedications have been.

Anyway, she sings "My Funny Valentine," which I believe is originally from "Babes in Arms," but I could be wrong, so please feel free to correct me. Now, I personally hate this song, probably more than any other song ever written. My band teacher in elementary school made me play it because he said it was his song with his wife since they got married on Valentine's Day. As sweet as that is, please note that I still remember that story - that's how traumatizing the experience was for me to have to practice this song over and over again, even though I so hated it.

I'm not sure what Melinda can do to make this song bearable for me. She sings it beautifully, her voice is just bigger than any song out there. There's really nothing to criticize - it sounded like it came right off an album - she's a star. But it's still boring for me, and I hope it's just the song. I'm going to have to rely on the judges on this one.

Randy says she came out there to win it - that she's the one to beat. Paula says it was astounding, out of this world. Simon says it was incredible and again talks about how she doesn't realize how good she is.

Glad to know it was just the song, because I just love Melinda. Glad they loved her, too.

Lakisha delivers, but not like last week

Lakisha Jones dedicates her song to her grandmother, who at 89 years old traveled from Michigan to New York just to hear Lakisha sing. She talks about how her grandmother is full of life and how she has always supported her.

She sings "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight and the Pips. As expected, she killed it... but I have to say, having started so big last week, it was inevitable that tonight would be a slight letdown. It was fantastic - not a bad note to be found anywhere, but it just didn't live up to last week's performance.

Still, though, she's not going anywhere anytime soon - I'm sure she still tops most people's list - her voice is amazing.

Randy likes that she changed it up, that it was hot. Paula loved it and says that she loves Lakisha. Simon tells her that she is a phenomenally good singer, but that it wasn't as good as last week because she didn't come out with that "I'm going to prove a point" attitude. He also tells her he doesn't like her outfit and I'm kind of glad because I couldn't agree more. I definitely did not like the leopard-print shoes.

Alaina's on her way out, I think

Gina Glocksen goes first tonight, dedicating her song to her boyfriend, Joe. She says he has been her rock and he's the one who encouraged her to try out again this year after being rejected last season.

She sings Heart's "Alone," the song that most would say was Carrie Underwood's best performance two season ago. I wonder if the judges will make a comparison, considering the fact that Taylor Hicks was mentioned last night.

Well, I really like Gina's voice - I like that her range is lower than the rest of the women - I get tired of listening to soprano voices over and over again. But her voice gets all nasal when she sings the higher notes - it loses some of its depth. It was a good performance, but nowhere near what Carrie did.

Randy says it was a good song choice for her. Paula brings up Carrie Underwood and tries to somehow say that Gina surprised them in the same way Carrie did. I don't buy it. Simon says her vocals were forced at the end and that she'll never outsing some of the other girls and that he's confused about who she is.


Alaina Alexander dedicates her song to her mom. She talks about how strong her mom is and what an influence she's been in her life. She sings "Not Ready to Make Nice" by the Dixie Chicks and while the first few notes seem promising, she blows it by the chorus. She doesn't stay in tune - her voice is shaky and just all over the place.

I'm almost embarrassed for her, it's that bad. I feel a little like Paula Abdul because I'm kind of resorting to thoughts like, "Well, she looks really good - I like her dress... her hair looks pretty." But her voice was just bad.

Randy says it started out OK, but that by the chorus, she was out of tune - I guess everyone heard it... he says it was a mess. Paula says it was pitchy and Simon says she ran out of steam.

Alaina's not all that special...sorry

Alaina Alexander is very pretty, has the look that might sell records, and in my opinion, that's the only thing that would do it - because her voice is nothing impressive. She sings "Brass in Pocket (I'm Special)" by the Pretenders and it's really out of tune most of the way through. She was out of breath in some spots and it just sounded very choppy.

Simon said it perfectly I think. He tells her, "Well, the irony was, you kept singing that line 'I'm special' and it wasn't." He tells her it was a mess, which it was, and says that she'll be relying on her looks right now, not her voice. I have a feeling she'll be crying backstage after this performance.

Gina Glocksen, another risk-taker, sings Celine Dion's "All By Myself" and I actually like it. She's got a pretty deep voice and it sounds all husky - definitely different from the other girls. Then she hits the high note and just blows it away. YEAH!! I have to say, I'm totally shocked by her. I just never saw it coming. Her auditions before were good, but I never thought she could take a song like this and really make it her own. She was terrific.

Randy says he's surprised by her voice, too. Paula says nothing really, and Simon says she didn't hit the right note, comparing her to Celine Dion. I knew that would happen - it's just inevitable to be found lacking when singing a Celine Dion song. But I thought she was great and I liked that she has some spunk. After being told that she didn't hit the high note, she says she feels way more confident now because even if she didn't hit it perfect, she knows she hit it. Good for her.

No more background for Melinda

Haley Scarnato starts out really good, then goes a little sharp, but why, oh why, is she singing Celine Dion??? I don't think the judges have ever praised anyone who attempted to sing Celine Dion - she just can't be outsung. Anyway, Haley takes on "It's All Coming Back to Me" and it's OK - certainly not at Celine's level, though. It's kind of ironic, given that Haley is a wedding singer, but that's what she sounds like - a wedding singer. Not disgusted, not impressed.

Randy says it was just OK, that she didn't do anything special with it. Paula says she was hoping she'd pick a different song since Haley sang it during Hollywood week - finally, someone is called out for using the same song - it's such a cop-out to repeat a song, but whatever, I've already said my piece on that. Simon says she sounded 40 - that everything about her tonight was old. Blah, blah, blah...

OK - I'm ready to be knocked off my chair... I've been waiting almost two hours for this - Melinda Doolittle is up. I'm a little disappointed that this is now the third Aretha Franklin song we've heard tonight - how about some variety?? But she sings "Since You've Been Gone" and as expected, is wonderful.

Her voice is just so huge - it's like she didn't even need the microphone. There's just so much talent in her body and I think we've only just begun to see it - I mean, if this is her first performance, imagine what she will sound like in another two months. For me, she was the best one tonight - and I don't even have to listen to the rest of the girls to know that I'll still feel the same way at the end of the show. Perfection.

I have no opinion

Nicole Tranquillo is a strange one. She sings Chaka Khan's "Stay" and she starts off really, really bad, in my opinion. Her voice is in her nose - very nasal, very odd. I was just getting ready to pause the TiVo and start writing about how I thought she may be worse than Antonella Barba when she hit some crazy high note and it was kind of cool and funky. So I decided to keep listening before writing anything at all.

I don't know - the song isn't my favorite - that could be it. But I think she was just a little too all over the place. It's like she couldn't decide what octave to sing in - she was high, then low, then high again and it just sounded odd. But again, it had a weird vibe to it that I didn't totally dislike.

I think I'm going to hold off on her - not give any opinion just yet. I think I need to hear her sing something else first, I wouldn't put her in the bottom two just yet - especially when Leslie Hunt and Antonella fill those spots so perfectly - but I can't say I'm a fan either... what do the judges think?

Randy seems kind of torn too - tells her he doesn't think this song was really her vibe. Paula - who by the way is she wearing a wig? - talks about that crazy high note that caught my attention. Yeah, see... it's confusing. Still don't know what to say about it. Simon says it was indulgent, aggressive, unnatural, fake, and all kinds of other things. What do you think? Does she have a future or did she blow it with her song choice?

Jordin's got my vote

Antonella Barba, the New Jersey girl whose pictures have been all over the Internet this past week, decides to sing Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing."

Not good. Don't really know what to say about it - it was just not good - she couldn't keep her voice in tune and she tried to get all fancy with runs and stuff and it was just embarrassing, really. Ugh... and I can't believe she tried to use her nerves as a crutch - they're all nervous - just admit it was horrible. I think we'd all appreciate th honesty.

You know it's bad when Randy asks, "What do you think I'm going to say about that?" And you know it's worse when all Paula can think to say is, "You're an amazingly beautiful girl." But you've really hit rock bottom when Simon says the song has seriously, seriously damaged your chances of remaining another week...

Jordin Sparks is still cute. And she can still sing. I really can't stand the song she chose - Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason" - but I tell you what... it wasn't so bad the way she did it - she sped it up and made it fun and fresh.

I'm not really sure why she's wearing a dress over a pair of pants, but that's neither here nor there. The thing I like about her is that she's so young and fresh-faced, and she doesn't try to be anything else. She's sweet and likable and she made me like a song I've hated for a long time, so just for that, she's got my vote tonight.

Sabrina sets the bar

Sabrina Sloan is the next one to take on Aretha Franklin - she sings "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You."

Incredible.

It was fantastic, really awesome - great choice of song for her voice, and a great risk that, in my opinion, totally paid off. She worked the runs and really got into the song. What was really great about her is that she went out there and just gave it her all - she was all confidence. Her voice didn't crack or shake and she was on pitch from beginning to end. This girl is in it to win it, and based on this performance, she could totally do it.

Randy says she put it down and predicts that she's the one to beat. Paula gives her another standing ovation and Simon says her perforamnce was the best one so far out of everything they've seen.

Again, just incredible.

Couple of cases of the blahs

Amy Krebs sings Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" and all I can say is that she didn't. Her voice was real nasal and she managed to make a great song pretty dull. I'll cut her some slack, simply because it's her first night out there singing live, but for me, it wasn't great. I mean it wasn't terrible, but really, it was just blah.

Glad to see the judges feel the same way. Randy said it was boring and too safe. Paula agrees and Simon tells her again that he can't remember her - tells her she has a personality of a candle... and it's sad to say, but I agree. She was just OK, but even in her interview, there was nothing about her that jumped out - nothing America can really associate with her. Simon, of course, is just a smidgen too mean, but what he's saying is true, so what can you really say about it?

Leslie Hunt is up next and the little I do remember about her, I don't like. I didn't like her voice at all - it was too masculine and didn't fit her appearance at all. But I'm trying to open-minded about her.

I like the little dress she's wearing - but again, her voice just doesn't fit. She sings Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" and it's really not very good. She's off key here and there, and she doesn't have the depth needed to sing the song the way it should be sung. The song is just way too big for her - it actually made her voice seem smaller to me, flatter. I mean, if you're going to take on an Aretha Franklin song, you have to really deliver, and in my opinion, she just didn't - she didn't put any feeling into it - she just kind of sang the words, without thinking about the meaning behind them. But that's just my opinion.

Randy nails it and says the songs was too big for her...exactly!!! Paula, of course, tells her it was great and then adds on that she needs to choose the song wisely. Simon's criticism was a little out there, something about walking her dog and looking embarrassed and whatever. I think he's trying to say that she seemed uncomfortable, which is true. I just didn't like her - so far, she's in my bottom two.

All I can say is WOW!!!

I have to start by saying that the only woman I have been really impressed with so far is Melinda Doolittle, so I'm kind of watching tonight with no expectations. Many of these women blend into one in my head - none is incredibly memorable. Most of my early favorites didn't make it to the semifinals, so while I know we've seen the auditions of most of these girls, I can't remember any of them, really.

Stephanie Edwards is up first and she's crying before she even starts to sing. What's that about? I guess it's nice that her parents supported her and everything, but do you really want to be known as the cry baby so early on?

Anyway, she chooses to sing "How Come You Don't Call Me," an Alicia Keys song, which has proven disastrous for some in the past. Even if you're not a fan of Keys, which I am not, you have to acknowledge that her voice is amazing and very difficult to duplicate, let alone surpass. But Stephanie seems to be holding her own.

The tone of her voice is really clear and soulful and she really gets into the song. I have to say... just this first performance is way better than all the guys were last night... If this is any indication of what the rest of the show is going to be like tonight, then all I can say is WOW!!!

Randy is impressed with her and Paula calls her a star. Simon tells her that she chose a great song and that it was best performance so far. Not a bad start for Stephanie