Women set the mark

Time for the top 12 women to take the stage--or, as Ryan insists on calling them, even after FOX changed its promos, girls. Um, yeah, I'd like to see him tell Lakisha she's a girl just like her 3-year-old.

He lies and says we had a pretty strong start to the competition last night, despite what the judges thought. They play some games with the editing to try and come up with some coherent themes; hmm, maybe media literacy classes should start using AI. Blake and Chris are painted as the big winners from last night, along with Phil.

The women, some of them looking a bit scared--but not Lakisha!--come out, Ryan plays up his host role, quizzes the judges. Keeps asking Simon if Chris got under his skin, it's dumb and just goes on for too long, at some point Simon tells him you're already being obnoxious. Ryan is getting very full of himself, he needs to realize he can be replaced by any of a large number of people. Like Ellen Degeneres--how has she not at least been a guest judge already?!

Stephanie Edwards up first, who really hasn't been shown at all. Looks put-together, has gotta do well tonight or else she's gonna be out early. Hmm, nice top and skirt, but seems nervous, voice shakes a bit--and continues that weird trend of doing old songs. Big voice, kindof a classic singer--it's a good performance, I'm not wowed by it, but that may be more because of the song than anything else, it fits her but just not great to my ears; nice big finish. Randy likes it, says already it's much better than the boys. Paula likes it; SImon says you were a million times better than anyone we saw last night, and it was the best you've done, and it seems like you came out to win. It's too bad--my guess is like all the other talented african american females who have great voices, she's gonna be off the show before her time. She's just not interesting or different enough.

Back, Ryan chatting with the ladies, it's a waste of time, he's not very good at this, is too strong a presence when he needs to draw them out and make them comfortable. Amy Krebs, who I think will be gone quickly; has an odd look on top of not being featured before. Hmm, but when she sings, she starts better than expected--classic dress, hair looks good. Eh, voice isn't very good though; ordinary, even if she's slow/controlled. I Can't Make You Love Me--just boring; cracks on the ending. Randy is like it was boring and middle of the road, Paula didn't like it either. Simon says you were like a candle, not memorable at all, you gotta stand out. Paula defends her a bit, says she will, she's capable of it. Odd, Amy totally agrees--eh, why didn't she do it then if she knows it. Simon rips on her again, everything is forgettable--hair, dress, all.

Leslie Hunt, who I also think will be out early. Seems a little odd; and quite possibly clueless. Seems to have a self-confidence problem in the tapes. Strides out in dress and high boots, doing Natural Woman. Very odd movements; and voice isn't that great. Totally like something you'd see in a bar--it's like she does the same 'dance' move over and over, on autopoilot. Nobody's gonna vote for her; she's just happy to be here. Randy says he was hoping for greatness, but the song was too big for you, stop taking on these powerhouse songs unless you can knock it out. Paula says you did a great job, but watch the songs that you pick; Simon says it wasn't great, you're nice girl--and you're a dogwalker--but you look embarrassed and ungainly when you're performing. I totally agree. Oddly, Randy appeals to Ryan to say something--he says I understand what Simon's saying, that she's out of her comfort zone.

Sabrina Sloan, who like everyone esle so far tonight hasn't been shown much if at all. Again, she'll need to totally stand out, else she'll be gone early. No coasting for these non-fan club contestants. Odd look, super-frizzy hair; white top and leggins. Lots of attitude, and a very bluesy, powerful voice. Kindof shrieky though; hard to understand some of the upper register. Plays a bit with the audience, she's definitely giving it her all. Best performance of the night, audience is really into it. Nicely done from a performance point of view. Randy likes it, says that's the way to do it, the one to beat so far. Paula likes it; Simon says you really have a desire to win, the best one so far. Tells Ryan she's watched the show for five years, so knew to go for something up-tempo.

Now, Antonella Barbra, probably the most anticipated performance of the night in terms of people wanting to see if they can legitimately hate on her. She comes across pretty well in the tape; red top, jeans, in a chair. Nice ballad--antithesis of Sabrina's strategy, but she has the voice and the look to pull it off I think. Mmm, a bit off-key. She's pretty--and her mom looks exactly like her; vocal quality isn't great, but she clearly belongs. I think she'll be around into the top 12; ugh, has some more pitch problems down the stretch. Randy asks her what she thinks, she says maybe you can see my nerves; Randy says it was pitchy, bland, not good. Paula says not bad, some pitch problems, look amazing; pick better songs. Antonella's polite at least, says thank you. Simon says the song was too big for you, seriously damaged your chances of sticking around. Simon historically likes to push down people when he knows they're not really at risk. She asks for advice after Ryan gives her a chance to yell; Simon says do pop songs. I like her; she has a good attitude, without her stupid friend.

Jordin Sparks, who I like--just 17, looks older. God, what's with Ryan--he's like grilling her before she goes on; she handles it really well, though, good poise. Total likeability, has a peppiness and happiness to her, startingly poised. Ah, a great song choice, Give Me One Reason, perfect for her husky voice; black/white top, jeans. Man, she's really smooth, a totally natural performer. A little sedate, maybe; but then kicks it up--totally takes off near the end, she plays to the crowd, and ends on a great note--I like her. Randy says you can sing even better, you've got a ton of talent; Paula likes it, echoes natural talent line. Simon says yeah, you have a great, great voice; push yourself, you may surprise a few people. She tells Ryan she likes it up here, a lot of spunk. They do a bunchof funny body mirroring things, Ryan is obsessed with size.

Nicole Tranquillo, another of the rarely-seen. She says she thrives on being really busy and getting no sleep; comes across as sincere. In crazy silvery shirt, jeans. Weird song choice... and very odd facial expressions. Like a white girl trying to be soulful, it just seems herky-jerky and is a bit painful to listen to. She's obviously trying to bring it, but it's freaky and odd, seems angry and screechy. Randy is laughing, didn't like it, not your vibe, too rough. Paula asks the guys what they thought, they're all yelling, she's like you hit some tough notes--maybe not the right song, but you can sing. Simon calls it indulgent, aggressive, unnatural, looked fake, over-rehearsed. Too urban, says Randy at the end.

Haley Scarnato, another barely-seen, in a classic black pantsuit outfit, even jewelry. She could either be totally normal, or smart. I don't think her voice is that great, from the tapes. Hmm, Celine, It's All Coming Back to Me; it's totally normal. She can hit some notes, but just seems okay. Although she sells it pretty well; a bit flat or too husky. Why do people insist on doing these songs? Randy gets totally booed by someone as he starts saying it was okay; Broadwayish voice, just nothing special with the song. Paula's like it was nice, already heard during Hollywood week. Simon says you sounded 40, a bit like being at a reasonably good hotel--you should sound younger, you actually have a good voice. She's gracious at the end, but then says will stay true to myself, I love that song, it's my style. Ugh... this show is not about indulging yourself--it's about becoming the best singer you can be.

So tomorrow--Fantasia's performing. Cool; next, Melinda Doolittle, who's now 29; another one I've liked from the get-go, is like a real adult living her dream. In leather jacket, jeans--is into it right away, messes with the audience. Seems a little nervous, big eyes; not crazy about song choice, Since You've Been Gone, in that I don't think it's that pleasing. But fits her style to a T. If this is what she's like, she isn't a contender to win. I mean, it's good, but I'm not moved. Randy likes it, you blew it out the box, that was the bomb. Paula of course gushes; Simon is like you have a lot of talent, no arrogance, unlike some of the others--you're a fantastic person and singer, really hope you do well. I do too, but fear she won't--unless, of course, some of the adults out there start voting.

Alaina Alexander, another one I liked right away, jeans and a black vestish-thing; again, Ryan's like asking if she's nervous. She comes across well, works at a pizzeria; apparently crys easily. Mmm, a good performer, is totally flirty and confident and just giving it her all; audience is really into--husky voice, lots of energy. Actually sounds a bit flat, like she may have a cold; but good personality. Randy's like it was just okay, Paula says you didn't make it your own or go for it. Simon says it wasn't special, tough to make this song your own, you're gonna be reliant on your looks at the moment, not your voice. Ryan is like her advocate, this is odd; Simon asks Ryan if he's trying to date this girl, it's pretty funny actually. God, the advice segment just goes on forever--okay, move on.

Gina Glocksen, who I possibly don't like--odd look to her, may have been one of the mean girls in Hollywood. She has no chance, but oh well. Black top/jeans; she has a very different voice, I kindof like it so far--nice, slow start to All By Myself, then really swells out the chorus. I'd say a pretty good song choice, people are quiet and listening, it's like she's sharing something with us. And then she nails the high note, holds onto it, and shows a lot of passion down the close. Okay, I have to like her based on this. Randy says big girl, big voice, big song; surprised by her, nice quality. Paula says good choice, shows off the voice. Simon says unexpected, didn't quite nail the big note--gets booed, and ugh, Gina's a bit chippy with him. She tells Ryan she was a 6 confidence-wise, and now is a 12... hmm, her personality is gonna get in the way, too caustic and negative for Idol.

Last up is one of my absolute faves, LaKisha Jones, doing Jennifer Hudson's song. A bank teller from Michigan, just a straight-forward adult who's looking to make it; years of singing in church, never being able to make a living off what she loves to do she says. Yeah, some people need this competition more than others. Wow, huuuuge voice; big red dress too; it's kindof a risky choice to compete against Hollywood, but she totally puts her all into it. A bit too nuts for me maybe, but you gotta admire her passion, and crowd respects her for it. Man, an amaaaaazing finish; just nails it out of the park. Definitely the best single moment of the night, and of the round of 24 so far; Paula gives her a standing O, as does the audience; prolonged applause. Randy says that was great, another standing O from the crowd. Paula this is where you belong; LaKisha is just looking humble. Simon says he's very tempted to tell everyone else to just get their plane tickets and go home, that was in a different league. Yeah, LaKisha! Best singer doesn't always win, though--maybe churches can band together and vote for her. And her daughter turns 4 today.

Chatter at the end to fill time; they have quite a bit of it to fill, actually. Simon says LaKisha's thrown down the gauntlet, a few others also above everyone else.

Ah, Idol. There are two kinds of competitors--those who watched LaKisha and hated her for making them look second rate; and those who loved just the musical experience of listening to her. It'll be interesting to see how everyone reacts to LaKisha from here on out.

LaKisha Jones
Jordin Sparks
Sabrina Sloan
Gina Glocksen
Stephanie Edwards
Antonella Barbra
Melinda Doolittle
Alaina Alexander
Haley Scarnato
Nicole Tranquillo
Leslie Hunt
Amy Krebs