Greater than ever

Ah, the familiar joy of American Idol. First look at the twelve female finalists, singing live. Lots of annoying hand gestures from Ryan Seacrest. They all parade in front of the camera, it's funny, at this point we don't really know them, over the next few weeks we'll totally get to know them.

Over the next three weeks, each week they cut the bottom two, until they're left with six of each and merge and go to the big show at the Kodak Eastman theater in Hollywood.

Starts with Ryan asking Simon how he reacts to the criticism; little back and take between the two, goes nowhere. Seacrest then goes on to 'grill' Paula, this is just a waste of time. Back to the panel bickering. Randy Jackson says he thinks it's the boys' year to lose. Maybe; I think it's a good year, period.

Clip of how the women got here; whoah, someone--somme girl?--throws a perfect spiral to Kelie Pickler. Lots of tears upon finding they made it. Ryan keeps calling them girls.

Mandisa, 29, of Nashville, who Simon says she might be too fat. She seems to have a good attitude. I like her. She's gonna sing 'Never' by Heart. Wow, no stage fright, just acts like she belongs, very confident. In red, ok look; powerful voice. Not a great voice though, although a polished performance. Don't really like the song, either. They sing like a one-minute version; also no audience, really. Randy likes it, bit sharp, some overdoing, but good. Paula says she was phenomenal, tough song; gushes, you 'broke the record for magnificence.' Simon says it wasn't perfect vocally, but she has an unbelievable personality, says she'll be in the finals. Ryan, who's like trying to be tougher, asks her about her and Simon. Ugh.

Kellie Pickler, Albermarle, North Carolina, blonde who says it was hard sharing her story with America. 'How far' by Martina McBride, says she doesn't really have a love life so it makes her think about her struggles with her dad. Very earnest sounding, a bit low, nervous. Brown blouse and jeans. You know, I just like her--she's a good person, voice is true, makes you want her to do well. Song choice is gonna be key for her; pretty good voice, just a little thin at times. Randy, it was good, but voice a bit pitchy. Paula starts by listing her good qualities, says don't lose your personality. Simon says she definitely has the likeability factor, it felt heartfelt and sincere; Simon says she has a potentially great voice, thought she actually did very well. She tells Ryan she's really nervous, just happy to be here. She likes telling stories, tells one about her grandfather; she has funny little facial expressions, kindof cheesy but totally good.

Ah, a totally made-for-tv contestant, Becky O'Donohue of New York, brunette with lotsof make-up. 'Because the Night' is her song, one of her favorites from childhood. She can be a bit much. But has a nice husky voice, and definitely the Hollywood look, almost like these surroundings are too small for her--such an age disparity, 17 to 28. Bit pitchy though; also just out of tune on some parts. Not sure she'll last. Randy says she doesn't have the best voice, but has good overall. Paula talks about her charm, stage presence; but realistically, there were notes that were off throughout the song. Reminds everyone don't worry about overperforming, oversinging. Simon says better than he would've expected. Visually you are a 10, but voice is 6.5. He doesn't think quite good is good enough anymore, you have to be great--like the 5-6 girls who are great. Odd moment, Ryan clutches her arm, mimicking her sister. Simon says find your comfort zone and be great within it, better than being second-best somewhere else.

So weird, Ryan keeps emphasizing 'girl'. Ayla Brown of Massachusetts, the basketball player. Singing 'Reflection' by Christina Aguilera, from Mulan, which she likes. Played boy's football? Very chic, all black, pants and top, like a model. Pretty dramatic voice. Wow, it's pretty good, she sings well and emotes well too. Crowd likes it, is into it. A little too perfected, not quite natural and flowing--but good, I like her. Randy says he didn't think it'd be that good, an ambitious choice. A bit cracked at times, but good. Paula liked it too, also pleasantly surprised. Simon likes it, says she's a hard worker but probably a limit where your voice can go; and likes that she shows emotion.

Next, Paris Bennett, 17 from Georgia. My favorite! Hope she doesn't wear on America. Going to sing Midnight Train to Georgia. Perfect song, very cute intro. My gosh, she has stage presence. Not sure I like the look, it's a little odd, denim and hair. But wow, what a voice. Man, she can perform too, just so confident. And a good dancer, cute too, like a little jumping bean. Randy and Paul totally into it on the side. And she does great facial expressions and little movements, my gosh, she's heads and shoulders above everyone else! Like Fantasia, but a better voice and sweeter persona. Yay, what fun. Randy says wow, blown away, says it was amazing. Paula says she's her idol. Simon likes her too, she went for it and performed--says she was great. Yeah, she's gonna win. I'm watching it again, it was so fun and cute and good.

She has this funny big-eyed expression, and a cute hop, and she does the train whistle thing, and she stands on one leg at the end, and she does the Aresnio Hall whoo-whoo thing. What fun.

Next, Stevie Scott, 19, of California, who doesn't come across as super-likeable in her chat with Ryan, may be a bit too happy with herself. 'To Where You Are', an opera song by Josh Groban. It's like something by Andrew Lloyd Webber... she has a deep, strong voice, very lyrical. Not sure what the audience thinks, may be a bit too froo-froo for kids today, I fear she may be out. Yeah, not enough energy, also a bit thin in parts. Beautiful voice, though. Randy says it was very different, mainly in falsetto, but wasn't grabbed by it. Paula says it was brave of her, not the most popular choice, but it was the right thing. Simon says she totally messed it up. Compares it to a kid getting up to sing out of tune at a horrible Sunday lunch. Complete and utter mess, oh-oh. She starts to almost cry, gotta be tough; nothing to say back to Simon, just stumbles over her words, I feel bad for her. Maybe opera buffs will unite around her.

Obnoxious and fake Brenna Gethers, 25, of New York; Ryan does a hilarious impression of her posing right as they cut from her. 'You Are the Sunshine of My Life' by Stevie Wonder, talks about her middle name of Mema, her and her mom, kindof sweet actually, she's definitely tough. Cream top and jeans; voice is swallowed up, not big enough at the start, an oddly mellow song for such a hyper girl. You'd think she'd belt something out, poor song choice, voice just isn't that great. Randy says it was a safe song, doesn't fit all the attitude. Paula says her sensitive side was nice to see. Simon says you are who you are... but that was horrible, like a wild cat who someone has put gloves, hat and a coat on.... Then she fake claws Simon, she's actually pretty funny, has a good sense of humor. I like her; she goes through funny poses while they announce her number.

Next, Heather Cox, 22, from North Carolina in red top and jeans. Uh, she's not up to par, just based on the way she comes across. 'When You Tell Me that You Love Me' by the AI finalists (?!), says she loves the show, watches it like a stalker. Her voice is thin, gets lost, not good enough for this year. The competition really has kicked it up into another level. She sings flat, too; even her look isn't that great; this may be the worst performance of the night. Ugh, last notes are painful. Bye-bye. Randy expected a better song, says it was boring, wanted her to go for it. She's very quick to say okay to his comments. Hmmm, Paula agrees with Randy. Simon says it was forgettable, everything was overly emphasized, just got it wrong, played it safe. She shows some personality when Ryan talks to her; funny back and forth with Simon and Ryan, who's just feeling his oats this year.

Melissa McGhee, 21 from Tampa, who Ryan says has competed in beauty pageants--she's ok, don't really have a strong feeling for her, doesn't seem like she's anything special. Singing 'When the Lights Go Down' by Faith Hill. It's a good song choice for her, fits her smokey voice. Wearing paisleyish top and jeans; think it's okay, the other contestents are just standing, watching. Hmm, a bit pitchy and off-key, she's trying too hard maybe. Voice may not be big enough. Randy says it was okay. Paula says it was really good for her... okay. She blends in with lots of the other white girls in my opinion. Paula likes how she made the song her own, says she was amazing. Simon says he's in the middle, beforehand would never have remembered her--she says she hasn't been shown on the show at all, good for her for bringing that up!--but Simon says she's a bit lifeless. I like her, she's spunky.

Next is Lisa Tucker, 16, from Anaheim. I like her, the one Simon says may be the best 16-year-old they've ever had. 'I'm Changing' by Jennifer Holiday. Hmm, curious to see what it's like. Wow, what a pure voice; in black dress. She has a good sense of timing, and good stage presence, and is going for it. My gosh, she's definitely good; big voice, belts it out with passion and power, audience likes it. Wow, what a nice voice. And a good performance; great job, little bit of Broadway in there too, amazingly long last note, she is a real singer. Big hand from the crowd, standing ovation from the boys, whoops and hollers keep going on. Randy says it started rough, but she worked it out. Paula says there's nothing dudeish about you, you're just a precious little gift, you light a fire inside my heart and you are poised, and you are a star. Simon says she made lots of others look ordinary, says she has the potential to have a great career.

Kinnik Sky, 28, from Georgia, singing 'Get Here' by Alita Adams. Hope she doesn't get lost. All black dress. Very gospelish voice, slow and deliberate movements. A big voice, but not that melodic actually. It's technically a good performance I guess, but somehow I just don't care that much about her, odd; maybe just because I didn't like the song that much. Randy says she was rough in the middle, but just like a 6 overall. Paula says she looks stunning, liked her performance. Hmm, Sky is very polite and a bit soft-spoken. Simon says her problem is there have been some stunning performances that will just overshadow her, no wow factor. She says she's willing to learn, even from the babies. That'll be her strength, she'll get better.

Final performance from Katharine McPhee, 21, of California. Singing 'Since I Fell for You' from Barbara Streisand, her idol. Ugh. Brown top, jeans. Very silky voice; and does a good job of emoting, nice sense of timing. Looks a bit nervous though, too aware of the cameras. Good, not great. Nothing particular one way or the other for me. Randy loved it, great, amazing. Paula was up dancing during it, says it was a great performance. I disagree with both of them so far. She says she thinks she'll go all the way. I don't get why they like her so much. Wow, Simon says she was the best vocalist tonight, with three other really good too. I think there's some odd counter-programming going on, like they've seized upon her for some reason. She's a little too much for me, too affected and aware and purposeful.

My final ratings; I think Stevie and Heather will be cut.

Paris Bennett, 5
Lisa Tucker, 10
Ayla Brown, 4
Kellie Pickler, 2
Katharine McPhee, 12
Stevie Scott, 6
Mandisa, 1
Kinnik Sky, 11
Brenna Gethers, 7
Melissa McGhee, 9
Becky O'Donohue, 3
Heather Cox, 8

Photo of twelve female Idol finalists from Fox via MSNBC.com