more on curly

Have a great AI-free weekend. Not much new on the "Idol" front, but this morning I did come across this AP article, in which recently booted contestant Chris Sligh says he considered quitting AI two weeks before his elimination.

His incentive to stick around? A spot on the "Idol" summer tour, which reportedly pays its singers very nicely. Only the top 10 -- out of the 12 finalists -- get to tour, though. Had Chris been booted a week earlier, he would have been out of luck.

The article also references Chris' expulsion for the fundamentalist Bob Jones University, reportedly the result of his attendance at a contemporary Christian concert by the group 4Him.

Oh, and in case you were wondering about Chris' comment that Phil Stacey owes him $50...the two allegedly made a bet in which Phil said Chris was safe and Chris said he wasn't.

Chris won. But maybe he lost the game of talent.

stepping out?

Tony Bennett will mentor the contestants next week when they sing "classic American songs," according to this article.

It should be interesting, especially given Sanjaya's earlier Michael Jackson-esque take on Frank Sinatra. The theme should favor Melinda and LaKisha, maybe even Haley, but I can see Gina having a difficult time.

P.S. -- Tony Bennett is hot.

songs in the key of xxx?

Who says you have to be a good singer to make beautiful music? Finalist Chris Richardson is dating Alaina Alexander, who was eliminated in the Top 24 stage, according to this article.

The evidence? Alaina was spotted sitting with Chris' family during last week's elimination round, and she has a picture of the two of them together on her MySpace music page (he's the only AI contestant featured there).

It's not too much of a scandal, but I'm always interested in AI romances. And sad that Chris Richardson is out of the dating circuit. :(

hair today, here tomorrow?

Even non-AI viewers can't stop talking about Sanjaya's mohawk. But was it really a surprise that he survived another week? Especially with that hair?

Naturally, every week of Sanjaya safety makes for another week of speculation over a possible Sanjaya win. Yes, he has been endorsed by Vote for the Worst and Howard Stern. But no, I don't think he'll actually take this year's competition. There's a Sanjaya type every year. Two words: Scott Savol. Granted, I think Sanjaya is a couple notches above Scott, since he has the teen appeal, hair allure and a slightly stronger (while still weird) personality.

And people will continue to vote for Sanjaya. I can see him easily outlasting Haley, Phil and Gina...maybe even Chris Richardson. But eventually, I'd predict somewhere between the top five and final three, people will get into competition mode and start buckling down in favor of early pick Melinda Doolittle. And even if they don't, former non-voters will start dialing in simply to save the show's dignity.

It will all work out in AI's favor in the end. Imagine that.

Am I mad that Sanjaya's sticking around? Kind of. But think of it this way...if you were in some sort of competition and knew you were nowhere near hitting the top based on talent alone, wouldn't you do something out of the ordinary to set yourself apart? Like sporting a mohawk? And wouldn't you be happy if it worked?

sligh like a jungle cat

Surprisingly, even on the day after, there's not too much outcry about Chris Sligh's departure. My thoughts remain the same as well. At first, I saw Chris as this season's Taylor, and I think he got a pretty devoted following after he made his initial wisecrack about pursuing Idoldom solely for the purpose of making David Hasselhoff cry.

But it didn't take long for even the most avid Fro Patro supporters to learn Chris didn't have the wall-bouncing energy, or merely the crowd interaction, that drove Taylor's success last season. Moreover, perhaps in an effort to avoid another Taylor type at the top, producers simply didn't market Chris well. At first, his humor was everywhere...we could count on constant fat suit puns and jokes about having Paula in his chubby little palm. But, shortly after we hit the Top 12, that side of Chris was virtually extinct.

Personality issues aside, Chris to a large extent just wasn't talented. Make no mistake...he's notches above Sanjaya. But what Sanjaya has that Chris doesn't is energy. He sports mohawks and doesn't lose his breath on stage. Yeah, we know Sanjaya deserves to go home, but he's fun to watch. And unpredictable. Chris had those traits, lost them, and consequently went home.

At least he still has a really hot wife. Comments?

thoughts on the farewell fro

So my viewing partners are screaming in disbelief/disappointment at Chris Sligh's elimination, but I'm not too surprised. I'm not going to lie...I wanted Haley to go. I was SO CLOSE.
But Chris didn't match up vocally this week, and every little thing about his performance was far from magic. Sure, his departure might be slightly premature, but for the first couple weeks of the competition, Chris was gliding largely on personality. We didn't get a chance to see that in recent rounds. And the whole Christian music controversy didn't help, either.
Let's just say the voting public isn't kind to ugly people. Unless you have a mohawk.
Chris was quirky, but not quirky enough to generate the Taylor Hicks appeal that caught on last season. Lesson learned? Fat men finish last. Or 10th.
Can't wait to hear your comments.

peace out fat boy

Now it's do or die between Chris and Gina. Chris is in the bottom three.
But Phil's safe.
So it's Haley or Chris Sligh. And Chris Sligh is OUT.

smack dat

Time out for a Gwen/Akon performance. They sang "The Sweet Escape" in a performance that would probably garner mixed reviews from the judges. Her dancing was notches above Sanjaya's, though.
She did, however, sport a pretty killer pair of heels. Please buy those for me.

phil, haley and ??

OK, now we're getting somewhere. Phil's in the bottom three.
Melinda, Blake, LaKisha, Chris Richardson and Sanjaya are safe.
And Haley's in the bottom three.
Jordin's safe, so it's down to Chris Sligh and Gina.
I say Chris hits the elimination pool.

and the law won

So I arrived at my viewing party only to hear massive cries of alarm...which I learned was due to the fact that Seacrest opened the show by sporting a mohawk. Wow. Obviously, it was just a wig, unlike Sanjaya's 'do last night. Gross.
It's 9:07 and we have yet to get any results. We were, however, treated to a Ford commercial to "I Fought the Law." They're all such rugged outlaws.

is beauty a beast?

My elimination bet is still on Haley. I wavered a little bit this morning during my weekly radio appearance on Kissin' 99.3, when we discussed her role as this season's obligatory eye candy. But I don't think she's anywhere near as hot as other contestants from the past. I think she's at the same level of physical attractiveness as Kimberly Caldwell, who finished seventh in season two.

Side note: Looking at Kim's Web site (see link above), I just decided she is definitely WAY hotter than Haley. Which means Haley is perfectly positioned to go home tonight.

If it's not Haley, I predict Phil Stacey or Chris Sligh. Actually, make that group my new bottom three. Just don't add Sanjaya. Have you heard enough about his mohawk yet???

See you in a couple hours.

MY PICKS

So tonight was weird. And kind of boring. Before I get to my picks, let me say that I wish they would have worked the theme differently. A pop theme was a good idea, but when three of the 10 contestants pick Gwen Stefani/No Doubt songs, you should probably consider creating a strictly Gwen week. Just saying.
More importantly...my elimination forecast. My bottom three are Haley, Sanjaya and Chris Sligh. That by no means is what we should expect tomorrow. I don't even know if Seacrest is doing a bottom three anymore. Bottom line? I think Haley's going home. Her performance was OK vocally, but not especially memorable. And I still can't understand how she's getting a fan base.
Who SHOULD go home? Of course the answer is Sanjaya. His mohawk-ridden performance tonight annoyed me more than anything. He just seems to have gotten so cocky. I do think, somehow, he can really sing. He's just not even bothering to try anymore. He's opted to coast on a teen fan base and assume he's above actual talent.
FALSE.
Can't wait to hear your thoughts. And thanks, Lily and Morgan, for letting me watch the show at your house.

cure this

8. Blake Lewis
Song: "Love Song" by The Cure
Me: This is good, but not up to quality of what we saw last week. But I like Blake, and you can't deny the fact that he's the chief male contender. I just kind of wish he would have opted for something faster. Still, he's showing versatility, and you can't hate him for that. That versatility will carry him a long way in this competition.
Randy: "You made the most of it."
Paula: "I loved what you did with this song."
Simon: "Definitely the strongest guy in the competition."
Score: 7/10

9. Jordin Sparks
Song: "Hey Baby"
Me: I really like the fact that Jordin's trying to separate herself from the two other belters. She's not up to the vocal caliber of Melinda or LaKisha, so she picks off-guard, off-comfort songs to separate herself from the pack. It's a good strategy. I just wish she would have picked a song that offered more of a happy medium. Still, I give her points for risk taking and originality.
Randy: "That was a very, very risky thing to do."
Paula: "I love seeing you in this kind of mode."
Simon: "You are probably the most improved contestant we've seen in terms of the last few weeks."
Score: 8/10

10. Chris Richardson
Song: "Don't Speak" (I hate it when people pick No Doubt songs just to impress Gwen.)
Me: I like this, but I can see why Chris was in last week's bottom two. He needs to do more to avoid seeming like a cheap version of Justin Timberlake. Or Blake. And vocally, I think he could have handled a song much more challenging than this one. Still, it was notches above last week's performance and he could be safe.
Randy: "I like your flavor on it, man."
Paula: "You're good Chris, you're good."
Simon: "I wasn't crazy about the vocal."
Score: 6/10

phil & mel

6. Phil Stacey...he's lucky enough to get a viewer question. Something about newfound fame, which he totally skirts. Again, these people are really boring.
Song: "Every Breath You Take"
Me: It started off a bit rough, but it actually got better the song continued. As one of my lucky viewing partners said, "this sounds like the real thing." I'm not denying the fact that Phil's talented. I think he just needs to tone down the creepy factor. And reviving the cancer patient hat is not the way to do it. (Who called that one, by the way?)
Randy: "I actually kind of liked it, dawg."
Paula: "I think it was a real good performance."
Simon: "I actually thought that was very good."
Score: 7/10

7. Melinda Doolittle...Gwen says she "blew her away." She so has a huge crush on her.
Song: "Heaven Knows"
Me: What a surprise. This song sounds like every other Melinda Doolittle performance. It's right on par, and we have the characteristic belting we've grown to expect out of Melinda. That said, I think this comparatively one of Melinda's weaker performances. I'm just waiting for her to do something totally out of her comfort zone. Or she could be in danger. And I hate her outfit. It looks like a cheap Halloween costume called "Disco Girl."
Randy: "You actually are living the words...That was the bomb again."
Paula: "You have charisma from the word go."
Simon: "Vocally, you were, however, outstanding."
Score: 7/10

sanjaya + bath = gross

4. Sanjaya...he's sporting a mohawk tonight. And he opts for a Gwen Stefani song to kiss up. Too bad it probably won't work.
Song: "Bathwater"
Me: Did I mention Sanjaya is sporting a mohawk? And singing a Gwen Stefani song with really hard lyrics? OK, if he wanted to a Gwen song, it should have been "Just a Girl." This song is boring, and might not even be enough to help Sanjaya skirt the bottom three. No energy, and even the hair isn't working for me. I think his sister might even be hiding in there.
Randy: "I'm speechless every time."
Paula: "You can do it." (Re: transforming into a good singer.) That's probably FALSE.
Simon: "I think you are in your own universe and if people like you, good luck."
Score: 3/10

5. Haley Scarnato...we see her session with Gwen briefly, and it's just enough time to see a serious catfight in the works. Meow.
Song: "True Colors"
Me: This is good. Slightly boring and predictable, but good. I kind of wish she would have put somewhat of a unique spin on it or something. Vocally, she was right on. But I just wish she would have inserted a bit of originality, or at least some pep. This performance needs to be youthed up in a serious way. She reminds me of Kathy Lee Gifford. Honestly, I think I'd be more amped up listening to the Phil Collins version right now.
Randy: "You didn't really grab me with that."
Paula: "It didn't stay younger."
Simon: "I think it was sweet, but forgettable, really."
Score: 5/10

pop it out

So it's Gwen Stefani night and we're off to an early start. And here we go.

1. LaKisha Jones...it's pop week, and she's opting for a Donna Summer classic. Wow. What a surprise.
Me: Here's the thing with LaKisha...we always know she's going to give a solid performance. I even missed part of her song and still jumped in in time to get the inevitable judges' comments. The song is nothing outside the genre we'd expect out of her, and she delivered in the manner we've grown to expect. I still worry about her ability to cross over into country week, for example. But luckily she doesn't have to worry about that yet.
Song: "Last Dance"
Randy: "You did that like a true fly diva there. That was hot."
Paula: "Excellent job."
Simon: "I love those boots."
Score: 7/10

2. Chris Sligh...he's lucky enough to get a viewer question: How much down time do you have and how do you spend it? Hahaha. Chris is such a trickster. He starts off by claiming he likes to knit...but then adds he's just joking. Actually he likes to sleep. And curl his hair. OK, now I'm joking.
Song: "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic"
Me: I had high expectations for this performance, but it's really slow and Chris seems a little ahead of the music. Or a lot ahead of the music. And he just looks uncomfortable on the stage. I'd like this a lot more if Chris actually worked with the band. Instead, he seems to be in his own world. A very slow, breathless, uncomfortable world. The highlight? We got another shot of his hot wife. Why didn't SHE try out?
Randy: "Rhythmically the band was at one tempo and you were always at another tempo."
Paula: "Vocally, it sat really nice...but man, you've got to hear that beat."
Simon: "I thought it was a mess, to be honest with you, Chris."
Score: 4/10

3. Gina Glocksen...she says she's "a mess" upon working with Gwen Stefani.
Song: "I'll Stand by You"
Me: This is good...definitely better than Gina's take on "Paint it Black" last week. Eww. Anyway, I like it. Make no mistake, though. It's nothing in the league of, say, Melinda Doolittle. But I like it. And I think Gina has a real chance in advancing in this competition. Like I always say, she's a guilty pleasure. And this performance, in all its emotionally charged vulnerability, should do nothing but help her momentum.
Randy: "I thought this was one of your best performances ever."
Paula: "You're coming into your own as an artist."
Simon: "It was your best performance."
Score: 7/10

remember her?

There's still another two hours until tonight's pop-themed episode of AI, but that doesn't mean the cyber universe isn't devoid of "Idol" gossip.

The biggest item of note concerns the photos booted contestant Alaina Alexander recently posted on her MySpace Music page. The one above is probably the tamest of the bunch, kind of. It'll cause a little bit of buzz, but I doubt the fiasco will do anything to help or hurt Alaina's struggling music career...even though her site does offer a vast collection of "greatest hits." This season has already had its obligatory photo scandal, and Alaina missed that boat. Looks like she might have to succumb to her worst fear and -- gasp! -- go to college after all. At any rate, if you want more on this one, click here.

Next...in a brush of good news for viewers who love extended product placement and group songs -- read: nobody -- AI producers have announced that the Wednesday night results show will expand to an hour beginning in April. Great. Throw in an extra cheesy Ford commercial or Coca-Cola reference and I'll be in heaven. Read more here.

Finally, everyone's wondering if tonight could be Sanjaya's time to go. Which, of course, is entirely different from the speculation that's surrounded previous weeks. I doubt Sanjaya will be leaving, though. If anything, last week's creepy performance only fueled his already inexplicable momentum.

My bet is still on Phil Stacey. I have a sneaking suspicion his cancer patient hat is ready for a serious comeback.

cry me a river

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I'm all rested up and ready for another week of AI, although Tuesday may be devoid of incessant criers like last week's Ashley Ferl.

Remember her? I've done some research since her on-air debacle last Tuesday, and I learned this morning she's not a producer plant or Make a Wish recipient. Instead, according to this article from the LA Times, 13-year-old Ashley, who lives in Riverside, Calif., appeared on the show as an afterthought to tickets she received to see the FOX game show "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?"

Apparently, the ticket deal included seats at an AI dress rehearsal. During that rehearsal, Ashley pulled the same crying gig. When producers saw her, they decided to invite her to the real deal. The rest, as they say, is history. Or just really good TV.

When the LA Times reporter interviewed Ashley, she said during the experience she was thinking "this was the coolest thing ever." She also named Sanjaya, Melinda, Gina and Jordin as her favorite AI contestants.

So there you go. Maybe, if we're really lucky, we'll get something equally exciting this week.

Happy Monday.

sanjaya = hollaback girl

I just found out that Gwen Stefani will mentor the singers next week, and she and Akon will perform "The Sweet Escape" during Wednesday's results show. Read more here.

At first I thought they'd actually have to sing Gwen Stefani songs, but the aforementioned article says they'll be working under a "pop" theme. That's too bad. I'd love to hear Sanjaya say he ain't no hollaback girl. Or better yet, that he's "Just a Girl."

sorry, stephanie

I think my comments last night pretty much covered all my feelings about Stephanie's elimination. I'm kind of annoyed by the fact that many blogs have dubbed the departure a "surprise." False. People don't want to only see belters. This season is already too female-heavy, and the one with the least amount of personality had to go.

But the personality issue brings up an interesting question. Stephanie's elimination reaffirms my belief in the fact that AI is rigged. Not because I think she didn't deserve to go, but more so because AI producers didn't market her well at all throughout the entire course of the season.

While we learned a lot about most contestants' personal lives -- hobbies, significant others, etc. -- Stephanie got limited air time. And while Jordin's youth (she's 17) was stressed heavily at this season's get-go, judges barely acknowledged 19-year-old Stephanie's young maturity.

That's not to say Stephanie should have stuck around. She had little charisma, and she spent more time imitating idol Beyonce than trying to be an idol of her own. Producers knew she wouldn't sell records, and so did I.

Thoughts?

hungry eyes?

As much as people say Stephanie's elimination was a surprise (more on that later), I think as usual there's more buzz about the fact that Sanjaya's sticking around for another week.

That means he's earned a spot on this summer's AI tour, which of course has caused inevitable speculation over a possible Sanjaya win.

For the record, I don't think that'll ever happen. There's always at least one contestant who sticks around longer than usual due to either a Vote for the Worst endorsement or merely viewer intrigue.

And personally, if one singer sticks around unneccessarily, I'd rather it be Sanjaya than Phil or even Gina. Sanjaya's the kind of guy you love to hate -- even if you don't like his performances, he offers an almost guaranteed creep factor and/or level of unpredictability. Whereas Phil and Gina are just blah.

That's why news of this woman's hunger strike amuses me. A 23-year-old AI fan from New York, she claims she won't eat until Sanjaya is voted off the show. Um, R.I.P.

What if Sanjaya wins? It'll probably have a minor impact on the show's credibility, but people will keep watching. If nothing else, they'll want to see if future seasons can ensure another loser.

In reality, though, Sanjaya will likely just hang around another couple weeks. I see him placing sixth or fifth. And sure, that's not entirely fair, but AI -- and Hollywood in general -- isn't solely about talent. It's about making a fan connection, and if singers aren't aware of that fact, they don't deserve to stick around.

thoughts on stephanie

So Stephanie's departure isn't a surprise. She wasn't a bad singer, but there's only room for so many belters, and Stephanie was the weakest of the pack. Plus, her I knew her Beyonce imitations would only last so long.
Lesson learned? This competition is about uniqueness and consistency. Stephanie didn't have either of those. Her energy was on a continued decline and she didn't do anything to separate herself from the unrivaled talent of Melinda and LaKisha. While Jordin learned to distance herself from the competition quickly, Stephanie did nothing to build her own fan niche.
Enough said.
OK, not really. I can't wait to hear your thoughts.

peace out stephanie

Stephanie is gone. I should have changed my pick.
Luckily, Chris Richardson is safe. Did anyone else notice Alaina Alexander with his family? Or a serious Alaina Alexander lookalike?
And Stephanie didn't even get to sing a farewell song. That's sad.

not yet

OK, time out for a Lulu performance. It was actually kind of hot, which is good since Lulu will probably not perform in public for a very, very long time. But at least she looks like a hot mom.
Stay tuned for results.

it's chris richardson and stephanie

Wow. Now it's time for another Ford commercial. This time the kids are all in a Laundromat and singing "Another Saturday Night." This is what happens when foam parties go very, very bad.
And now, for comic relief, Brad Garrett sat with the contestants and then was eliminated by Seacrest. Hahaha.
Wow...Phil, Melinda and Blake are all safe. And I'm wrong. This should be interesting.
OK, now Chris Sligh, LaKisha and Jordan are standing up. And they're all safe.
Now it's Sanjaya, Haley and Gina. All safe.
Which brings us to Chris Richardson and Stephanie. They're the bottom two.
Why no bottom three this week?
I say Stephanie goes. Let's hope so.

hush...please

Well...the results show has finally started, minus any actual results. We started off with a Peter Noone performance of "Hush," which Simon would definitely call cabaret. Imagine Sanjaya's Sinatra week, minus the creepy hat but with the addition of clown gestures. I would assume Paula cried through the entire thing and was fully braced to tell Peter Noone he had a "pure heart." And Randy? Toto, we're not in Journey anymore. Stay tuned.

battle of the bald?

After heavy contemplation, I'm sticking with my original assertion that Phil Stacey is going home tonight. It just makes sense. Vocally, I think he was on the same plane as, say, Haley, but Haley's hot. Although she might be nixed over Phil because of her spot as the show's first singer Tuesday.

That's why I'm sticking to a bottom three of Phil, Haley and Stephanie. Stephanie could easily go home, too, but I'm assuming hotness will save her as well. At least for one more week. But I'm not entirely confident. I still haven't gotten a full handle on who's voting for her. And honestly, it would hurt me to see any of those three go.

Just five more hours until the results show, though. Tonight is extra special since AI viewing coincides with a birthday party for my good friend and co-worker Lisa. You guys probably know her strictly as "viewing partner," but I always appreciate her witty insights and, as of recently, her very candid comments about the romantic allure of Blake Lewis.

Happy birthday, Lisa. You'll get Sanjaya's singing telegram soon.

separated at birth?

My co-worker Brad Barnes just reminded me Elliot Yamin's CD came out this week, and that resurrected all sorts of memories from last season. I liked Elliot, bad teeth and all, and from the beginning I wanted him to earn a spot in the final two. And honestly, I'd rather watch Elliot and Taylor than Katharine and Taylor.

The best thing about Elliot? His resemblance to Mr. Tumnus from "Narnia." Check out the pics above. I thought of that zinger while I was baby-sitting last year, and I'm still pretty proud of myself.

We wish you the best, Elliot. Maybe you would have won AI if you upped your flute-playing skills. (Thanks for the joke, Brad.)

god patrol?

More on Wednesday night's episode later, but I wanted to start the morning by addressing the Chris Sligh controversy (?) that broke this week.
For those of you who don't know, Chris is reportedly a devout Christian and some members of his faith community are alleging his appearance on the show will undermine some of his religious values. While Chris' pastor has defended him, the criticism has come mainly from Bob Jones University, a fundamentalist school in South Carolina that the singer reportedly attended for several years.
In this article, a spokesperson for the university notes, "We really are somewhat disappointed with the direction he has gone musically."
After leaving Bob Jones, Chris reportedly attended South Carolina's Baptist-rooted North Greenville University, where he's also gained AI support. But a professor from the school still is concerned about the singer's "long-term spiritual journey," the article says.
I don't think this issue will ignite a fire anywhere near as strong as the Antonella Barba fiasco, but I still am interested in hearing your comments. Is this issue relevant?
I'd especially like to hear from a certain someone who is close personal friends with Chris Sligh.

MY PICKS

First...the night's highlight was definitely Sanjaya's performance. If you didn't see it, hit up YouTube now. It was probably one of the most bizarre things I've seen in my entire life. Enough said. Second-best highlight? The crying girl. What was that?!?
So my picks for elimination: Phil, Stephanie and Haley. And I think Phil's going home.
Stephanie's there for a reason...her performance was boring and her Beyonce obsession is annoying me. Haley was a more difficult choice, though, and I worry I may have gotten her wrong. It might be Gina instead.
Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Bring it.

we need melinda

11. Melinda Doolittle...she's apparently singing a song outside her comfort zone. We'll see about that. Lulu really likes her.
Song: "As Long As He Needs Me"
Me: I want Melinda's fan base to be called Troll Patrol. Sorry, that's mean. Whoa, she just hawked a major spit rocket while singing. Zoom in on the little girl crying again. Is somebody punching her? That comment was courtesy of a viewing partner again. But back to the vocals...this is excellent as usual. By now, we know what to expect. However, in the words of a viewing partner of mine, she better watch out for Merle Haggard week.
Randy: "Tonight we probably saved the best vocal for last."
Paula: "You are in your own league, my dear."
Simon: "You made the second part of the song absolutely sensational."
Score: 9/10

chris is so there

10. Chris Sligh...he did a bunch of research before approaching Peter Noone, and even impressed him by showing off awareness of Peter's award as the sexiest musician. Um, yeah.
Song: "She's Not There"
Me: Probably the coolest part of this performance is an audience member's sign that reads, "Bringing Chubby Back." Right. Anyway, it's an OK vocal, but Chris seems short-winded at some points, especially at the end. It's way better than last week, though, and I'm glad Chris has resurrected his signature thick-framed glasses look. And, um, that whole Fro Patrol slogan thing is never going to catch on. It doesn't even rhyme.
Randy: "You wound up good, man."
Paula: "Feel free to be more personable with the audience."
Simon: "I think you did your thing."
Score: 6/10

color gina sad

9. Gina Glocksen...another fan question. Do you think being on AI has made you stronger? What a creative question. Of course the answer is yes. Lulu recommends she change the key up a step. Gina thinks they "really connected." Hot.
Song: "Paint it Black"
Me: Cool. Techno music. Kind of. I like it when Gina rocks out, and she gets bonus points for being this season's token grunge chick, but Gina's not my favorite. She tends to slur her words a bit, and this performance is almost overwhelming at some points. I wish I could see her do a power ballad or something, because the faster songs really do nothing to make her unique vocally.
Randy: "It was just all right for me."
Paula: "I think it was miles better than last week."
Simon: "It was so off melody at moments, it was just horrible."
Score: 5/10

um, yeah...

8. Sanjaya...we learn he was "on the fence" between songs when he first approached Peter Noone.
Song: "You Really Got Me"
Me: Whoa. Zoom into a girl crying in the audience. It's not that bad, sweetheart. That comment was courtesy of another one of my viewing partners. Whoa again. This performance is even scarier than usual. I don't even know how to put my feelings into words. For once in my life, I'm speechless. I really don't know what to say. My only conclusion? There are no longer any doubts that Sanjaya is Michael Jackson's protege.
Randy: "I've gotta tell you...you shocked me tonight."
Paula: "You went for it. It was a lot of fun to see you like this."
Simon: "I think the little girl's face says it all."
Score: Can you score something like this??

jordin is excited

7. Jordin Sparks...she's lucky enough to get a viewer question. What song describes you best? Answer: "I'm So Excited," because -- you guessed it -- she always says she's excited. Lulu seems to like her, and this performance should be interesting.
Song: "I Who Have Nothing"
Me: I like this performance. I was never a big Jordin fan until recently, but her uniqueness has really become evident. Sure, I think they often overplay her youth...however, she's been consistently good. I can't see her winning, but she should be safe this week.
Randy: "Great, great performance."
Paula: "You're also a wonderful performer."
Simon: "You sang it beautifully, but I feel like jumping off a bridge."
Score: 7/10

end of the road?

5. LaKisha Jones...Lulu helps her choose her song at the last minute, which is basically an excuse for us to watch her show off. But she ignores Lulu's advice in the end, so it looks like she wasn't that useful after all.
Song: "Diamonds are Forever"
Me: I don't like this. I'm so over LaKisha. I really think she picked the wrong song. It's stupid, according to my viewing partner Lisa. And I agree. Awful song choice and no energy. All in all, it's just a very weird and trippy
Randy: "I don't know if it was my favorite performance."
Paula: "You picked the right song."
Simon: "This was LaKisha in 50 years time in my opinion...It wasn't my favorite performance, it really wasn't."
Score: 5/10

6. Phil Stacey...Peter Noone has a serious crush on him. Cool.
Song: "Tobacco Road"
Me: I'm sticking to my assertion that Phil is one of this season's strongest vocalists, and this week is no exception. He's just still really creepy. Maybe he'd get more votes if he wasn't so pale. I think his alien-like appearance really will hurt him in the end. This performance isn't awful, but it's a relatively unknown song performed by a singer who's lacking charisma. He's going to be in trouble tomorrow.
Randy: "I always like your upper register because it's really strong."
Paula: "The emotion of the song...you were right there having fun."
Simon: "I wasn't crazy about it."
Score: 5.5/10

who's your daddy, blake?

4. Blake Lewis...he's doing another Blaze-ized version. Hope this goes well.
Song: "Time of the Season"
Me: Whoa. Creepy shot of Paula dancing (aka: hallucinating) to this song. Blake is basically sexing it up tonight. And I like it. He's sporting some really sweet pajama pants. This is awesome, though. I'd by this record in a second. From the beginning, I've said Blake will win this competition, and this is exactly why. He's not a belter. He's not an imitator. America wants something new. We can buy Whitney Houston CDs anywhere. Wade is what being an Idol is all about. Enough said.
Randy: "You made the song really current, man."
Paula: "You could put that on a record."
Simon: "A million times better than last week."
Score: 10/10

P.S. I never want to hear Ryan Seacrest say "Who's your daddy?" again. Seriously.

i don't love stephanie

Note: I forgot to mention that tonight's guest mentors are British artists Lulu (mentoring the girls) and Peter Noone (mentoring the guys). You probably don't know who they are, and it doesn't really matter. Carry on.

3. Stephanie Edwards...wow, she's lucky enough to get a viewer question. What's the hardest part about getting ready each week? Answer: Choosing a song. Or trying not to imitate Beyonce. What a shocker. During the coaching session, Lulu said she reminds her of Beyonce. And this is why Stephanie Edwards will not win this competition.
Song: "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me"
Me: This reminds me of when Nadia Turner sang this song in season four. And I liked that version a lot better. I'm really bored. Sure, she sounds OK, but she's way too much of a Beyonce wannabe. Stephanie Edwards is probably the most boring person in the entire world. I remember when she came out on the first round of girls' semifinals and wowed me with her take on Alicia Keyes. Now, she's just playing it safe and imitating up the wazoo.
Randy: "It was a little pitchy for me."
Paula: She starts out by complimenting the outfit. Uh-oh. "The only thing I want you to do is go back to having that fun."
Simon: "I think you are losing your edge...It was a cabaret performance, that was the problem."
Score: 5/10

chris ain't crying

2. Chris Richardson...while being coached by Peter Noone, he said his goal is to "finally nail a song." Good idea. Basically Peter Noone dissed him hardcore, arguing that he never showed the song's melody. Then again, Peter Noone probably has no idea who Justin Timberlake is, so he probably didn't catch Chris Richardson's vibe.
Song: "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying"
Me: OK, I'm a Chris fan, but even this performance is a bit dry for me. And I'm getting a little tired of the whole Justin Timberlake imitation. That said, Chris is a strong vocalist...when he's not being nasal. Plus, he consistently strikes a happy medium between modernizing a song and adhering to tradition. He takes risks without being pretentious, and I like that. And I have a huge crush on him.
Randy: "It was beautiful."
Paula: "The whole thing was very sexy and charming."
Simon: "I think that was your best performance ever."
Score: 8/10

haley tells 'em

So tonight's episode has officially started, and just three minutes into the show we already got the obligatory sexual banter between Paula and Simon. Paula told contestants to imagine Simon without clothes on to ease their nerves. Yeah. Insert own joke here.

1. Haley Scarnato...while being coached by Lulu, she claims she wants to be more "aggressive." Lulu tells her to "be proud...and strong...and grounded."
Song: "Tell Him"
Me: In spite of my weeks of Haley bashing, I like this performance. Vocally, it's nothing to write home about, but Haley's flirty, which is something we haven't gotten out of anyone else so far. She is getting better, though, and I think the energy that comes with this performance might be enough to save her. And by "energy," I mean a taped-on shirt. She looks hot. I give her serious props for navigating those stairs in a killer pair of heels.
Randy: "America, Haley's back in the competition."
Paula: "You performed it tonight. Good for you."
Simon: "You naughty little thing...It was fun, young, a bit shrieky in the middle."
Score: 6/10

is it time?

Can you believe I actually had a dream about "Idol" last night? Don't answer that. Anyway, the dream was about tonight's episode, which will reportedly have a "British Invasion" theme. I dreamt that instead of opting for traditional British acts -- say, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones -- every contestant chose contemporary British singers. At one particular point in the dream, there were like seven contestants who did variations of Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten." Scary.

I really don't know what it all means, other than the fact that I'm an AI addict and my dream story would have been much cooler had I cooked up some cool scenario involving my many Chris Richardson fantasies.

Still, song choice tonight should be interesting. I think the contestants most in need of a good performance are Stephanie Edwards and Phil Stacey. Phil just can't afford to go two consecutive weeks in the bottom three, and while I think he was fine vocally last week, he needs to sport some serious charisma. Or else.

Stephanie, meanwhile, needs to stop the Beyonce imitations and somehow separate herself from the pack of belters. Also...I think he'll be hanging around a bit, but I'd love to see Chris Sligh resurrect the quirky personality that originally made him shine. A good performance would also be helpful.

Who's in jeopardy? Haley, as usual. I think last week's success was largely a fluke generated by the pity vote accompanying her tears. But I have this serious hunch the American public might finally be over Sanjaya. Maybe.

Send me your thoughts and don't forget to weigh in throughout the show.

singing in the dark?

I'm sure everyone had a great weekend, in spite of the lack of AI. Don't worry, there's almost 24 hours until the next new episode. Thank God.
Judge Simon Cowell appeared on "60 Minutes" Sunday night, during which he said he's bigger than rocker Bruce Springsteen. He said the impact of 'Idol' is of more monetary worth to recording company Sony BMG than Springsteen alone. The full story, which you can read here, says Springsteen reportedly signed a contract worth approximately $100 million.
Think Simon's right? And if so, is the show's dominance permanent?

TGIF & BFF

Hope everyone has a great weekend. No major news to report on the AI front, except you might want to check out this article courtesy of the Detroit Free Press. It claims LaKisha has taken a (platonic) liking to 17-year-old Sanjaya Malakar, a freak-haired contestant who for weeks has been struggling in the competition.
Apparently LaKisha's taking Sanjaya under her wing...and hopefully sharing a straightening iron with him in the process.
TGIF.

attack of the brits?

Next week's mentors will be Lulu and Peter Noone, according to this blog.

Peter Noone = Herman's Hermits guy. Score. I can't wait to tell Brog when he gets back from Taco Bell. I'd give a brief history of the band, but I figure Brog will take of that in an upcoming post. I will, however, note that the band's appearance reminds me of my prior job at the Mountain Democrat, a small newspaper in Placerville, Calif.

Herman's Hermits came to our county fair during my one of my summers at the paper, and the image of certain local authorities rocking out to "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" remains priceless -- and kind of creepy -- in my mind.

Lulu, meanwhile, is a Scottish singer and actress. She's known mainly for her song "To Sir, With Love."

Next week's theme is allegedly "British Invasion."

later, dude

I'm still recovering from Thursday night's AI hangover, and usually a good night of sleep gives me a whole new set of insights about the prior night's elimination. Brandon, however, remains not too much of a surprise. He really didn't have that much going for him, and I highly doubt the television viewing community will miss his spastic R. Kelly-meets-Elvis hip gyrations.

Am I upset Sanjaya didn't go? Not really. Vocally, he obviously offers nothing special. So he'll be sticking around another week. Big deal. There's nothing to worry about. Each season, there's always at least one contestant who slips through the cracks. Remember Jasmine Trias? What about Scott Savol? Enough said. These people advance -- sometimes to even the top three -- but they don't win. They do, however, give viewers something to talk about, something AI producers should be thankful for, especially in the absence of attention-getters like Antonella Barba.

So it'll be interesting to see what next week holds. I'm doing my best to find out next week's guest judge and I'll be sure to post as soon as I get any leads. Hopefully, it'll be the guy from Herman's Hermits, in which case you can look forward to some stellar insights from my colleague, Brog.

supremely obvious

I'd like to gloat a little bit, but predicting tonight's elimination really wasn't that difficult. Still, I'm happy I was right. Brandon really served up nothing special Tuesday. Combine forgetting the lyrics to his song with a lack of uniqueness and you have a pretty lethal equation. Plus, his spot as the first singer Tuesday didn't help matters, either. As I've said before, if you're first, you better bring it...because people WILL forget you if you don't. Here's another case study to add to the bunch.
He didn't even get to sing the opening bars of "Can't Hurry Love" before being cut off by the credits.
Sure, I was off on the other two members of the bottom three, but I'm taking that lightly. Sanjaya could have gone either way, and I say it's a miracle he's still sustaining any sort of fan base. And I think Phil Stacey's position was based on factors other than his vocal performance Tuesday. Like I said, he really does need to work on his image, because right now he's in serious jeopardy of being likened to some weird alien species with an ability to sing and destroy.
Comment away.

i totally called it

OK, Sanjaya's in the bottom three.
Now we're getting somewhere. Seacrest just informed us Phil Stacey's safe. So it's between Brandon and Sanjaya. And Sanjaya's safe.
Peace out, Brandon.

not as much as tomorrow

Break for a filler Diana Ross performance. She sang "More Today than Yesterday," complete with an incredibly strange wardrobe selection that left me wondering if she was going to trip on the stage or strangle Chris Sligh with the silky scarf thing she held awkwardly before finally dropping on the stage.
Is it just me, or did anyone else think it was wierd that Diana singled out Melinda as a singing partner? Does this season seem rigged in Melinda's favor?
Just a thought.
Stay tuned for more results.

one right, one wrong

We just got two-thirds of the bottom three: Brandon Rogers and Phil Stacey.
The remaining slot is between Haley and Sanjaya, as all the other contestants have been declared safe.
Brandon's no surprise, but Phil did shock me a bit. I really do think he delivered vocally Tuesday, notches above Chris Sligh and even some of the women. Maybe the bulk of his fan base has been deployed to Iraq. Seriously, though, I think he's downfall is going to be image. With his shaved head and bugged-out eyes, he quite frankly creeps people out sometimes. But if he survived the hat mishap -- shudder -- he should be OK tonight.
I still say Brandon's going home.

float on...and off key

So it's results time. First, however, we're treated to a group rendition of a "Dian Ross tribute," also known as songs contestants should have sung last night. The medley was cluttered in the usual combination of cheesy goo, and in a very strategic move was undoubtedly dominated by the women.
Whoa. Time out for the first Ford music video of the season. This time it's a decade-themed performance of Modest Mouse's "Float On." While a new Ford will set you back a couple grand, seeing Chris Sligh in an afro wig is priceless. Or not.

it's almost time

It's almost time for the top 12 to be narrowed to 11, and my mind is already buzzing with comments. So consider the following:

First, my picks for elimination. Tonight's bottom three? Brandon Rogers, Haley Scarnato and Stephanie Edwards. Brandon, I maintain, will go home. You might be surprised by the inclusion of Stephanie Edwards, but I really do think her performance last night left a lot to be desired. In fact, her entire stint on season six has done absolutely nothing for me. She's pretty much a Beyonce wannabe who can't hold her own among the show's other divas. I want her gone.

But she won't go home. And neither will Haley Scarnato, my original pick for elimination. I think her crying garnered her enough sympathy votes. In retrospect, I see Simon tried to curb that likelihood by giving her the panel's sole compliment, urging sympathy voters to not vote for her since "Simon thinks she's OK." It'll probably work this week.

And Sanjaya. I'm expecting him to appear in an Herbal Essences commercial by the end of the month. He earned another Vote for the Worst endorsement this week, and will likely be sticking around for many, many, many more follicle failures.

More thoughts on the Chris Sligh/Blake Lewis question regarding "revamping" last night. Sure, their arrangements didn't quite work out for the best, but I appreciate the effort. I think that it's a bit hypocritical for the judges to criticize predictability, but also criticize attempts at customization. Additional insights will follow.

Is anyone else over LaKisha? To me, she seems like one of the most overrated contestants in AI history. Seriously. She doesn't sound "bad" or anything, but I just don't think she offers anything that isn't already available on either: a) a Whitney Houston CD, or, b) videotapes of Mandisa's performances from last season. I seriously think a majority of her fan base consists of viewers who feel obligated to like her since the judges compliment her so much every week.

And finally, I really, really, really don't think Chris Richardson was that bad last night. Really.

Can't wait for the results.

MY PICKS

I think my early forecast of Haley's departure might be incorrect. Yes, she forgot her words and served up another lackluster performance. Still, I think the candid emotion -- tears and all -- she showed during the judging process gave her a sense of humanness that she lacked in earlier stages of this competition. And that might just be enough to save her. Tonight, at least.
So who's going home? I think there's a good likelihood it'll be Brandon Rogers. Not only did he forget his words, but he also made it visibly clear that he was out of his league. Plus, his mediocre showing as the night's first singer makes him a prime candidate for the infamous curse of the first.
Agree? Disagree? Can't wait to hear your thoughts.

hold on...it's almost over

12. Jordin Sparks
Song: "If We Hold on Together"
Me: This song apparently was featured in "The Land Before Time." Awesome. That aside, I actually kind of like this performance. I've never been a huge Jordin fan, but I do appreciate the fact that she's done more and more in recent weeks to separate herself from the pack. Sure, she shouts a bit on the high notes, but I'm really starting to like her.
Randy: "I'm just so, so very impressed with you."
Paula: "You are a natural gift."
Simon: "It was a little bit gooey, I thought...I thought it was a very, very good vocal."
Score: 8.5/10

hungover boss

10. Stephanie Edwards
Song: "Love Hangover"
Me: Weird song choice. It might even hurt her in the end. I really wish she would have done more to showcase her vocals throughout the song. Stephanie
Randy: "It was a good vocal, I don't think it was your best vocal."
Paula: "Strive for better."
Simon: "It was a very strange arrangement of the song...basically what you sang was an intro...You chose in my opinion the wrong song."
Score: 7/10

11. Chris Richardson
Song: "The Boss"
Me: Another really strange song selection. But unlike Stephanie, Chris is making me love is song with the usual Timberlake-inspired vocals. And I'm really, really glad we got the first audience walk-through of the season. He has a great stage presence and this isn't solely a talent competition. He picked an awkward song, but redeemed it with his ability to connect with the crowd.
Randy: "I think you overdid it a little bit."
Paula: "You did a great job."
Simon: "I thought it was dreadful."
Score: 8/10

blake-izing = bad?

9. Blake Lewis...he's another one lucky enough to get a viewer question. What kind of music does he listen to? Underground hip-hop. Who's his favorite artist? MJ. That means Michael Jackson.
Song: A "re-vamped" version of "You Keep Me Hanging On"
Me: This is pretty good. Sure, it's not a top-notch performance, but I appreciate Blake's attempt to customize a motown song by giving it a J-Tim vibe. It didn't work out entirely to his benefit, but at least the performance wasn't boring.
Randy: "You don't have to worry about Blake-izing every song."
Paula: "I think that you could have a hit with that, I really do."
Simon: "I didn't get that. I didn't get it at all."
Score: 7/10

*side note: I have to say I'm a little mad at the judges for being so harsh on contestants (like Chris Sligh and Blake Lewis) who attempt to put their own spin on the oldies. They say the songs are strong enough to stand on their own, but clearly that's not the case when the three-judge panel inevitably criticizes anyone who doesn't add uniqueness to his or her song choice. Any thoughts?

god bless lakisha

8. LaKisha Jones...aka: Kiki. Awkward.
Song: "God Bless the Child"
Me: This is a great performance, but it's nothing different from the trademark belting we've seen from LaKisha all season. More than Melinda, I worry about her ability to sing, say, a country classic. That aside, tonight's performance is great. Make no mistake. It's nowhere near what we've seen from the other hopefuls, excluding Melinda.
Randy: "Unbelievable vocal from you...That was sensational."
Paula: "Your heart comes through when you sing and that's the most important thing you can possess as an artist."
Simon: "You've got it...You two (LaKisha and Melinda) are in a different league."
Score: 9/10

phil made me love him

Time out...Ryan just introduced us to his "Nana." Anyway, back to the show...

7. Phil Stacey
Song: "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"
Me: Sure, it started off pretty roughly, but I maintain that Phil is still in this competition simply because his upper register rocks. He's good. His vocals remind me of a mix of Clay Aiken and Elliot Yamin. Or maybe I'm just happy he's not sporting a cancer patient hat and singing another Leann Rimes song. Eww.
Randy: "You get the voice award for the night, dude."
Paula: "You have strong vocals, you really do."
Simon: "It was OK...It was outstanding, it wasn't awful. Again, it was somewhere in the middle."
Score: 7.5/10

missing uniqueness

6. Haley Scarnato...wow, Haley's cool enough to get a viewer question. Brace yourself. Here it goes: "Where's the craziest place you ever.......sang?" The answer? The AI stage. Again...I'd never play truth or dare with these people.
Song: "Missing You"
Me: You know how I feel about Haley. I don't think she offers anything special that's worthy of securing her a spot anywhere in the finals. Still -- don't hate me for saying this -- something actually kind of made me like her a little bit tonight. Sure, she forgot her words, and made her nerves more than obvious, but it was a stark departure from the conceited vibe she gave off during the semifinals.
Randy: "You gave it a valiant effort."
Paula: "Forgetting the words is never a great thing to do."
Simon: "I didn't think it was that bad...I think you have real presence up there...There were moments of your vocals I liked."
Score: 6.5/10

climb away, sanjaya

5. Sanjaya...Diana Ross called him "love." Whoa. Diana has the biggest crush on him ever. It's a serious case of hair envy.
Song: "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
Me: Right now I am craving Sundance's chest hair. Badly. This is yet another creepy Sanjaya performance, only this time he's sporting two shiny earrings instead of a Michael Jackson hat. Very scary, nonetheless. Anyway, he may be "love" in Diana Ross' eyes, but this performance is generating nothing but images of musical hatred. And very, very bad curls.
Randy: "Dude, it wasn't very good...Thank God for the background singers."
Paula: "You gotta explode with your vocals now."
Simon: "When you hear a wail in Beverly Hills, that is where Diana Ross is watching this show...The only similarity is the hairstyle."
Score: 4/10

rocking kid-style

4. Gina Glocksen...she's super smitten by Diana, who told her she must "pronunciate" every word.
Song: "Love Child"
Me: I have mixed feelings about this performance. I really like it when Gina showcases her cutting-edge rocker side, but we saw that only sporadically tonight. The rest of the performance was pretty erratic and uneventful. I literally was sitting here staring at the TV with absolutely nothing to type. Just very mediocre all around.
Randy: "It was pitchy in spots."
Paula: "I feel that you're much better than how you did tonight."
Simon: "It wasn't terrible. It wasn't fantastic...I think it was a middle-pack performance."
Score: 6.5/10

close encounters of the paula kind

Wow. Seacrest is now showcasing a new feature on the Web site in which viewers can ask AI candidates questions.
I thought this would be really anticlimactic, but Melinda's candid response that high heels are what she considers the toughest part of the competition gave way to a pretty funny banter between Ryan and Simon about coming out of the closet. As if that didn't already happen with the black turtleneck Ryan sported last week.

2. Melinda Doolittle
Song: "Home"
Me: By now, we know what to expect out of Melinda. Unless it's country night, which should be interesting. Still, she served up another phenomenal, seemingly effortless performance of what I thought was a fairly boring song. In short, we got nothing less than the excellence we've seen from Mel all season. I still wonder if it can translate across genres, though.
Randy: "That was hot, baby."
Paula: (Crying and incoherent) "This is it for you."
Simon: "You made a very boring song fantastic."
Score: 9/10

3. Chris Sligh...took my joke and told Diana they shared a hairstyle. I really think Diana is jealous of him, though. He's the only one so far she's said anything remotely negative about.
Song: "Endless Love"
Me: Yikes. What a weird arrangement. It's like Loveboat meets motown. And why isn't Chris wearing his glasses anymore? He transformed from a Jack Osbourne wannabe to just a male Diana Ross impersonator. Which is maybe what he was going for. Still, I don't really like this. The only redeeming factor is that it makes me think he's singing to his really hot wife.
Randy: "That was a mess for me."
Paula: "Sometimes I worry that you're trying ultra-hard to be ultra-hip and cool."
Simon: "I think you murdered the arrangement, personally...And I would keep your glasses on."
Score: 6/10 (But this brings up a good point, though. Even though it backfired, does Chris deserve extra points for taking a risk with an untraditional arrangement? Or, do those points only come when the risk works to his benefit?)

can't hurry talent

Wow. It's already Top 12 time. Sorry for my failure to offer my take on the order of eliminations Monday, but I'll state right now that my first pick to go home is Haley Scarnato. There you go.
Anyway, with the obligatory Seacrest fanfare, we've learned it's Diana Ross night. We just got a shot of her mentoring the Top 12 while sporting her signature curly fro earlier this week. Apparently both Sanjaya and Chris Sligh decided to imitate that style tonight. Not good. Not good at all.
Finally...it's 8:10 on the dot and we just got our first contestant, Brandon Rogers, who allegedly grew up on "Can't Hurry Love." Um, yeah...maybe the Dixie Chicks and Phil Collins versions. That song was so 1966.

1. Brandon Rogers
Song: "Can't Hurry Love"
Me: Wow. What a surprise. This performance is like everything else of Brandon's we've seen this season. Boring and predictable. He's not a "bad" singer, he's just nothing different from any other Brian McKnight wannabe. WHOA. News flash...he just seriously forgot the words. We're talking long hesitation and the obligatory chuckle. I miss Sundance Head already.
Randy: "The last two notes of the song you sounded like you wanted to be in front."
Paula: "There are many things that you do right."
Simon: "That was a complete let down...The dancing was terrible...You came over as a background singer for a background singer."
Score: 4/10

more antonella

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start. Ready for the first round of AI finals tomorrow? So am I. As promised, my picks for this season's 12 eliminations will follow later today, but first I want to offer a tangential item of interest.

Remember Antonella Barba? Friday, I asked if her 15 minutes of fame were up, and it seems like much of America is asking the same question. This article in the Houston Chronicle is actually pretty interesting, as it gives some excerpts from a recent media conference call in which Antonella maintains she won't be posing for Playboy (or any publications of the like) but she does hope to advance her career by quitting school and hanging around in Los Angeles for a bit. I feel a future appearance on "The Surreal Life" coming on.

Any thoughts?

and then there were 12

So I wanted to offer a few more thoughts/questions on AI before beginning my weekend. First, I remain somewhat miffed by the outcome of last night's eliminations. Anyone have a guess as to where Antonella will end up in other six months? Think her 15 minutes of fame are over?

On the topic of eliminations, a friend just sent me this nugget of gossip courtesy of E! Online:

"In a KIIS-FM radio interview with Ryan Seacrest Friday, both Sabrina Sloan and Sundance Head alluding to a male contestant who has been rubbing the group the wrong way by making it clear he believes he'll win the whole shebang. Sadly, neither was willing to name names, so your guess is as good as ours."

Any guesses? My first instinct was Blake Lewis, even though any mention of cockiness seriously undermines my infatuation with his beat-boxing talents.

At any rate, we go into the finals Tuesday -- with a two-hour episode, I believe. Monday, I'll release my predictions about how the 12 eliminations will fall this season. I'd greatly appreciate any insights in the meantime.

Have a great weekend and get ready for some Diana Ross on Tuesday.

insights

My thoughts? Jared's no real shocker. Everybody else is. I figured Antonella would stay in simply for shock value, but apparently even that wasn't a strong enough draw. I'll miss her, though.
As for Stephanie...sure, she succumbed to membership in the belter clique and was bound to be voted off eventually. But over Haley? That surprises me. Still, in retrospect I have to agree with a recent poster and say Haley might have slipped through just because she represents something different. And also in retrospect, I'm glad the belter pool has narrowed.
Finally, Sundance didn't deserve to go. I guess I'm now resigned to the fact that Sanjaya is sticking around solely because of his impact on the junior high crowd. Is anyone else voting for him?
I'm anxious to hear your thoughts and impressions. And yes, for the record, I'm zero for four on my picks for elimination.
Ouch.

sundown for sundance

Sundance is gone. And he needs a job.
This is really disappointing. I don't even like the whole massive chest hair thing. But really...why is Sanjaya still here?
I have nothing else to say.

african idol...kinda

Now for the serious side of AI. We learned about a special project called "Idol Gives Back," a very complicated altruism effort that involves a bunch of stars appearing on the final six episode.
And Ryan and Simon went to Africa together. Cool.
Still no verdict on Sanjaya or Sundance. Stay tuned.

bye antonella and sabrina

OK, now we have Antonella and Stephanie on stage. And Antonella is gone. Shocker.
Ryan told her she was forced to "grow up a lot" on AI. So true. And I am still shocked. I actually feel pretty bad for her. You give the show its sole scandal of the season and you don't even crack the Top 12. Girls Gone Wild, here she comes.
Wait. Another clincher. We have Haley and Sabrina on stage. And Haley's safe!!! Can you believe it?? Sabrina's gone. As Randy noted, "America got that one wrong."
How is Haley hanging around? Who are her fans?
Anyway, now just one elimination remains: Sundance of Sanjaya?

wasted votes

Wow. Melinda and Brandon are in the Top 12. Gross. I hate Brandon Rogers. Does this mean it's Sundance's time to go?
Also safe? Chris Richardson and Gina Glocksen. No shock there.
Can I say I'm still irate about Brandon?? Hate him.
Brief interruption for a Carrie Underwood performance. She sang "Wasted," her new single, but I wish she would have sang "Before He Cheats." She looks great, as usual. Hasn't she lost a lot of weight since AI? I think Carrie's my favorite Idol so far. She has genuine talent and never went through any kind of identity crisis following her AI win. I love her.
Good job, Carrie. Bo Bice most be cringing in his van down by the river.

don't come back cotter

Also safe? Phil, Chris Sligh and Jordin Sparks.
Our first elimination of the night, however, came in the form of Jared Cotter. No major surprise here. Just like Randy said, he demonstrated no originality.
So we're treated to an encore performance of his rendition of "If You Really Love Me," prefaced by the obligatory "C'mon guys, let's do this."
And why does the camera keep zooming in on Antonella bawling? Um, they were probably hooking up. That's what happens when you put two attractive mediocre singers in a room together.
Peace out, Jared.

just stuck

OK, we're 15 minutes into the show with no eliminations to report. We do, however know LaKisha and Blake are in the Top 12. Big surprise. Not really.
Meanwhile, Chris Sligh is left at the stage in anticipation after Seacrest's first utterance of the infamous "after the break." I'm totally on the edge of my seat.
Also of note was a group performance of "Stuck in the Middle," which hopefully didn't remind Antonella of any photos that may or may not have shown up on the Internet.
Keep watching.

AI & GGW

Just over three hours remain until tonight's elimination ceremony, and I'm already on pins and needles. Luckily, I've found enough breaking AI news to temporarily fill my appetite.

As if you haven't already heard enough about Antonella Barba -- a contestant one of my co-workers called this season's "token slut"

-- I found out today that she's been offered $250,000 to join the "Girls Gone Wild" family. Read the full story here. Think she'll do it?

Speaking of Antonella, I'm sticking to my assertion that she's safe tonight. Not based on performance value (obviously), but because this season would be absolutely nothing without her scandal. And since when has anybody used talent as a factor to determine Idol suitability?

Which brings us to tonight's booted singers. This is probably my toughest decision yet. And I'll probably still be wrong.

But as for the men...I'm going to name Brandon Rogers as a shoe-in for departure. The second eliminated contestant? We're going to hope wishful thinking transforms into reality. I'm sticking with Sanjaya. However, I'm teetering on the edge of choosing Jared Cotter instead.

Now, the women. Antonella will not go home. I repeat, Antonella will not go home. Don't hate the messenger.

Who's going home? The most obvious choice is Haley Scarnato. I don't know how she mustered such a strong fan base in weeks past, but hopefully they forgot to vote last night. For my second pick, I'll stick with Jordin. Although Stephanie seems like a very, very strong contender as well.

As usual, check in regularly for live updates throughout the show.

MY PICKS. AGAIN.

Question of the night: Will Antonella go home? I'm not Miss Cleo or anything, but I say a big, scantily clad NO.
She'll secure another Vote for the Worst endorsement, and a pity vote. Or maybe I'm wrong. Nonetheless, here are my picks for elimination: Haley Scarnato and Jordin Sparks. Simply because of a lack of memorability, positive or negative.
Agree? Disagree? Let me know what you think.

really good

8. Melinda...she's kind of OCD. Or crazy.
Song: "I'm a Woman"
Me: Great as usual. Melinda seems to just get better and better. And I'll leave all my comments about predictability and belters out the door.
Randy: "The hottest one of the night. You are a punch in the throat."
Paula: "You are so phenomenal."
Simon: "It is very, very nice that you're actually enjoying every second you have on this show."
Score: 9/10

just call me

7. Gina Glocksen...she has a bunch of lucky charms, including a troll. And by "troll," she doesn't mean Melinda Doolittle. Sorry.
Song: "Call Me When You're Sober"
Me: Sure, it's a random song choice, but I think it works for her. Like I always say, Gina is my guilty pleasure. This is good, and -- in spite of this performance's flaws -- Gina just restored my faith in securing a rock element in this year's competition. She's the first real rocker we've seen so far. Sorry, Sundance. And Sanjaya.
Randy: "Finally the real Gina comes out tonight."
Paula: "This is the style that suits you best."
Simon: "This was the girl we wanted in this stage of the competition."
Score: 7/10

grrr...lakisha

6. LaKisha...she's terrified of animals. Fortunately, she doesn't share much stage time with Sundance Head.
Song: "Don't Walk Away," Whitney Houston
Me: Wow. Big surprise LaKisha's singing Whitney Houston. I'm not shocked, and I don't think anybody else is. LaKisha's good and all, but she doesn't take risks. And that's what bugs me about her. She stepped on the stage, and I knew almost instantly that she would either sing Whitney or Aretha. And she sounded great doing it. She's a fantastic singer...I still just don't think she represents anything unique.
Randy: "Another great performance by the great LaKisha."
Paula: "You're going to stay right here."
Simon: "You brought passion, talent, believability."
Score: 8/10

nothing new

4. Haley...was a gymnast until her body gave out. Hot.
Song: "If My Heart Had Wings"
Me: What's with the country song? Seriously...do we need to celebrate the fact that Carrie Underwood's performing tomorrow? This is OK, but I'm not a Haley fan. At all. And it didn't showcase her vocal abilities at all. It was a safe, straightforward song choice for a performance that didn't showcase any energy or personality.
Randy: "It's OK...I wasn't jumping up and down."
Paula: "It may not have been our favorite song, but you sang it well."
Simon: "Just horrible."
Score: 4/10 (one point less than Antonella because of lack of personality)

5. Stephanie...she's been singing for a really long time. And used to be shy. Wow...I would never play Truth or Dare with these people. Talk about boring.
Song: "Sweet Baby" (OK, that's probably not what it's called. Sorry.)
Me: This is probably my least favorite performance of Stephanie's so far. This song doesn't really have much of a melody. And, while she didn't sound "bad," she most definitely didn't make me want to get up and sing. Mainly because I didn't know the words. Enough said.
Randy: "I give you an 'A' for a valiant effort."
Paula: "I thought you were darn near flawless."
Simon: "You have a tendency to go a little bit copycat."
Score: 6/10

two girls with good hair

2. Sabrina...she wanted to be a TV news anchor in high school. Cool. So did I. And my hair looked better. Just saying.
Song: "What's It Gonna Be"
Me: Thank you Sabrina, for reminding me to resurrect my En Vogue CD when I get home. This is OK...it started off pretty strong, hit a slump in the middle and recovered at the end. Still, this wasn't my favorite Sabrina performance. Two words (don't hate me for this): song choice.
Randy: "I wish that song had a little more melody for me."
Paula: Very impressed. I couldn't get exact comments because people around me were talking.
Simon: "It actually reminded me of a hotel resort performance."
Score: 8/10

3. Antonella...she plays the violin. And has a bunch of provocative photos on the Internet. Just kidding...she didn't really say that.
Song: "Put Your Records On"
Me: This is awful, but it's still my favorite performance of Antonella's so far. And really...she isn't that bad of a singer. Just not amazing, comparatively. But she's still hot. Totally.
Randy: "It was still a little pitchy in the middle there."
Paula: "I think you picked the right song."
Simon: "You've gone as far as you can go, Antonella...I just wish you could sing better."
Score: 5/10

you're a heartbreaker, jordin

So the show just began...with Seacrest giving some weird comment about Paula's temporary absence. But luckily she's here, and Simon informed us that Paula "was under the desk." Wow.

1. Jordin Sparks...apparently football is "huge" to her. Which isn't a total shocker, but better than the stupid hair/weight jokes we got last night.
Song: "Heartbreaker"
Me: Wow. This song is definitely out of Jordin's typical element, and at first I was shocked to hear Pat Benetar come on. But actually, I like this. It seemed like Jordin was getting into the predictable R&B, Aretha mode, and I'm glad to see her break out of her shell. Sure, it wasn't her best performance, but I can't hate her for giving us something different. With energy.
Randy: "That was hot."
Paula: "I just think each week you're getting better and better and better."
Simon: "I think you will 100 percent be here next week."
Score: 7/10

where is It?

Not even 24 hours after the eight remaining male contestants offered up another night of lackluster performances, the Web is already overflowing with comments suggesting this season lacks evidence of the elusive "It" factor.

"It" is a factor that extends far beyond the realm of talent..."It" pertains to something that make audience members -- a lot of them -- connect with a certain contestant, whether or not he or she goes on to win.

I don't think we've seen that this season, either.

Did Taylor Hicks set the bar too high? By his current album sales, no. But his seizure-inspired dance moves and honest, yet quirky, personality were enough to ignite "Soul Patrol" fever. No singer has demonstrated that sort of appeal in the show's sixth season.

Instead, we have a female group composed primarily of R&B, Aretha-inspired belters, some of whom are even quite talented. They just don't offer anything new. Or even exciting. And as for the guys, I'm sticking to my assertion that Blake Lewis is the only one worth watching. But by virtue of his risk taking and creativity, not his vocal talents.

Speaking of the guys...Sundance Head managed last night to garner another endorsement from Vote for the Worst, so it'll be interesting to see if he manages to stick around. The site, which encourages visitors to vote for bad performances in hopes of sabotaging the show's outcome, is billing Sundance as a reincarnation of Season 4's Scott Savol.

God help us.

I'm interested in hearing your comments. Is there an "It" I'm missing?

MY PICKS

So this week is tough. Honestly...in spite of my rampant obsession with Blake Lewis and Chris Richardson...nobody really impressed me. I could see anyone going home.
But I'm submitting my picks anyway. Please don't hate me if I'm wrong, but I'm betting on Sunjaya and Brandon. I think it's Sunjaya's time to go, barring an endorsement from Vote for the Worst, in which case I will substitute Phil Stacey in his place.
But like I said...anyone can go. And that wouldn't upset me. Maybe I'm just suffering from a bad case of AI overdose, but I thought tonight was one of the worst nights in the show's history. You'd think each guy would bring his "A" game on the last night of men's semifinals, but we ended up getting the exact opposite.
The highlight of the night was Blake's beat-boxing, and only because it represented an actual risk amid a bunch of contestants willing to settle for predictability and safety.
Was anyone else disappointed? Do you think the guys are just resigned to the fact that this is going to be a season for female belters?

curly chris

8. Chris Sligh: He used to have short hair. And he's Jack Osbourne. Just kidding on that second one.
Song: "We All Want to be Loved"
Me: I like Chris, and I love his voice. But here's my thing -- aspiring Chris lovefest members, don't be mad -- I think Chris is riding mainly on personality. Take the personality away and you have a voice that's really just a small, small notch above mediocre. But, as I've repeated many times, AI isn't about talent. So what am I complaining about?
Randy: "I think you get the vocal prize of the night."
Paula: "It wasn't my favorite performance."
Simon: "It's probably not one of your strongest."
Score: 7/10

mediocre, mediocre, mediocre

6. Brandon Rogers...wow. He's a classical piano player. Is that really the most interesting thing you could think of? Come on, guy.
Song: "I Just Want to Celebrate"
Me: This is OK, my favorite performance of Brandon's so far. But you guys know how I feel about him. I'm just not impressed, and tonight is really no different. It was a fun, disco-ridden disco-inspired performance, but again...nothing amazing. I could never see him as the winner, and he's not even bad enough to get a pity vote.
Randy: "It was a solid performance, I'm not jumping up and down, though."
Paula: "I think you're going to do great."
Simon: "I don't think you've represented yourself well in this stage of the competition."
Score: 5/10

7. Phil Stacey...again, huge shocker. He used to have hair. It looks like somebody got some wit and wisdom from Sundance Head.
Song: "I Need You"
Me: Compared to Phil's earlier showings, this is disappointing. Really disappointing. And he looks like a total cancer patient with that hat on. His low notes are just off, and I can't connect with him while singing this song. Did I mention how disappointed I am?
Randy: "I don't know if this was your best performance."
Paula: "Odd choice of song for me."
Simon: "I genuinely didn't get that."
Score: 5/10

jared is a baller

5. Jared Cotter...another huge shocker. Wow. Jared used to play basketball. Big deal. Can I have another story about being fat?
Song: "If You Really Love Me (Won't You Tell Me)"
Me: Does anyone else remember when Ryan Starr sang this in season one? This performance is OK, but I'm sticking to my original assertion that Jared really is pretty mediocre compared to the rest of the crowd. He doesn't do much to make his songs unique or take any risks. I could never see him winning in the long run.
Randy: "It actually was good, man."
Paula: "I think you need to work on coloring up the way you sing."
Simon: "It wasn't very original."
Score: 5/10

big momma's house

4. Chris Richardson...so guess what? He used to be fat. Which is true. Unlike Sundance Head, who said he used to be fat, but really still is fat. Looks like somebody isn't really that funny after all.
Song: "I'm Not Gonna Cry"
Me: I actually love this song. It reminds me of when Chris Daughtry and/or Ace Young sang it last season on country night. Remember that? I like this performance, but it's boring in comparison to last week's "Geek in Pink." Still, I have to give Chris props for always making his song choices unique. This week is no exception. We got an urban, Timberlake-inspired take on Keith Urban. Sweet.
Randy: "This kid is in it to win it."
Paula: "You just adapted well."
Simon: "I still don't think we've heard what you're capable of doing yet."
Score: 7/10
*During the judge banter, we learned that this song was once again devoted to his Grandma, aka Big Momma. Um, no do-overs, dude. You missed your chance last week.

what you don't know can hurt you

Whoa...we're off to a really, really quick start. The first performer just hit the stage at 8:02 p.m. Oh, and this week each contestant has to share something we don't know about him or her. Yikes. Believe me, sometimes it's better to operate on a don't ask, don't tell policy. Really.

1. Blake Lewis...apparently we don't know that he makes up characters and transforms his identity. Cool.
Song: "All Mixed Up," by 311
Me: I love Blake. He always takes risks, and tonight is no exception. Gotta love the beat boxing. And thanks for taking me back to my seventh-grade ska phase, Blake.
Randy: "That was hot, dude. I loved it."
Paula: "This was really cool. Good job."
Simon: "You kind of stand out in the crowd...you will 100 percent be here next week."
Score: 8/10

2. Sanjaya...OK, total shocker here. We're supposed to be surprised to find out that he's a hula dancer. I would have never guessed. What's the next surprise...he has a second residence at Neverland Ranch?
Song: "Waiting on the World to Change"
Me: Yikes. This is a performance that could actually make Jessica Simpson break up with John Mayer merely for recording a song used on AI. Sanjaya isn't even really singing. He's just talking. And sporting straightened hair and a really creepy earring.
Randy: "That wasn't really that great."
Paula: "I really don't know what else to say other than to just keep trying."
Simon: "It wasn't a very good vocal, but maybe it's your hair that's keeping you in."
Score: 4/10

3. Sundance...what a trickster. Sundance twisted the question to make a joke telling us that we don't know he's actually skinny in real life. Amazing. If singing doesn't work out, he can always be a stand-up comic.
Song: "Jeremy"
Me: Whoa. Sundance suddenly got good. What's up with this transformation? If Eddie Vedder was dead, he'd be rolling over in his grave right now. (That comment was courtesy of one of my viewing partners. Thanks, Lisa.) But really...I can't get over his transformation. We didn't even get any chest hair tonight.
Randy: "That was kind of hot right there."
Paula: "Midway through you really kicked into your Sundance groove."
Simon: "I think you lost your charm this week."
Score: 6/10

happy monday

So is everybody ready for the last week of semifinals? Who do you think will be the last four contestants to go?
I'm going to go out on an early limb and guess this week will be especially interesting. I already have some pretty high expectations given last week's weirdness. I mean, between Sundance's relentless crying and Ryan's refusal to even address the Antonella Barba scandal, things can only get weirder, right?
No major AI news transpired over the weekend, although the Web is still buzzing with talk over the Antonella pics. In fact, some site even called it a "phenomenon" this morning. Honestly, I think a lot of people are overstating its impact. This is nothing new. Every season has had a contestant whose criminal history was exposed mid-season.
Does anyone remember the Frenchie Davis scandal? Do you think Antonella Barba is any different? Some people don't. In fact, supporters of Frenchie (who was eliminated from AI four years ago because of purported involvement with an adult Web site) are organizing a protest Tuesday at Hollywood's Kodak Theater. Read more here.
In other AI-related developments, there's allegedly a feud brewing between judge Simon Cowell and recent Oscar winner (and AI reject) Jennifer Hudson. Hudson, who was voted off the show after entering the elusive Top 12, didn't thank "Idol" when accepting her supporting actress honor at last Sunday's Academy Awards.
Simon was allegedly disappointed, and reportedly said in response, "Singers like her deliberately turn against the show that made them successful. The reason (people) come on the show is because all the doors had been slammed in their face." Read more here.
What do you guys think? Do you think anyone other than the show's ultimate winner has responsibility to thank AI, or AI fans, for their subsequent successes? Send me your thoughts.

half right...and bitter

So tonight I'm two for four. My two correct guesses, Nick Pedro and Alaina Alexander, were no-brainers.
But I can't say I'm happy about the "Feeling Good" duo -- AJ Tabaldo and Leslie Hunt -- who got the boot. Sure, they probably wouldn't have advanced that far in the competition in the end, but by no means did they warrant elimination based on this week's performances.
I'm chalking it up to a lack of memorability, which I think applies more to AJ than Leslie. I figured Leslie's zany personality would at least earn her a semi-loyal following. I guess not.
However, I'm not backing down from the contestants I originally slated for elimination. Brandon Rogers and Haley Scarnato each carry a lack of charisma, or even likeability, and their performances didn't impress me. They didn't even make me feel sorry for them.
So I hope you learned your lesson, America. Who's feeling good now?
Can't wait to hear your comments.

later, leslie

Note to contestants: Never sing a song that even remotely suggests you are happy to be in this competition and secure in your future.
Such was the case with Leslie tonight, who got the boot after much inferior singers (say, um, Antonella) received the OK. Concidentially, she, like eliminated singer AJ Tabaldo also sang "Feeling Good" this week.
It was narrowed to her and Jordin Sparks, and Jordin started bawling once Leslie got news of her elimination. This info, of course, is courtesy of an insider watching the show in Atlanta, as my TV remains full of static in the weather alerts' aftermath.
So Leslie performed "Feeling Good" one more time -- without a doubt the last time we'll hear it this season -- and bid us farewell, inserting a brief quasi-monologue in the part of the song where she originally scatted.
And that was that. Feeling sad. :(

c-ya AJ

Phew. The t-storm warnings ceased just in time for me to see another male elimination. We hit the bottom row, and long story short saw things narrowed to Sanjaya and AJ Tabaldo. Wow. Sanjaya's in the remaining two again. How predictable.
But Sanjaya's safe. Which means AJ's gone. Could it have at all been due to that burlesque vest he wore Tuesday? Farewell, AJ. You may not be America's favorite, but you still left me feeling good. Very, very good.
And Sundance is crying again. Please stop doing that and wax your back instead.

alaina alert

Since when are weather updates important enough to surpass bad karaoke? Never. Let's just say tornado warnings interrupting the show are really cramping my style.
Fortunately, I'm basing the remainder of my updates -- at least temporarily -- on info gained through one of my sister blogs, Idol Chatter. And that's how I found out Alaina just got the boot. Yes! Not only is my least-favorite contestant gone, but I am also now officially two for four in my picks for elimination.
I don't have too much else to say, seeing as my broadcast is still being interrupted by weather alerts, but I am happy. Please comment with more details on Alaina's elimination. Assuming you're not in a tornado shelter.

peace out pedro

So I skirted a tornado, got stuck in traffic and arrived at my alternate blogging location just in time to see the first elimination begin. At 8:17.
Inevitably, Seacrest did the obligatory back-line thing, this time channeling his inner trickster and choosing a back line in which all contestants were safe. He's such a wild and crazy guy.
But once we hit the front line, Seacrest was all business. We immediately learned the first singer, Nick Pedro, was going home. No surprise. And let me note I am now officially one for four in my predictions.
Anyway, we were forced to endure another performance of "Fever." Which my viewing parner mistook for a cheap commercial. Accurately, I might add.
The most exciting thing about Pedro's sendoff? Seeing Sundance Head cry. Wimp.