Searching for the top 10

American Idol's going from 11 to ten; Haley Scarnato singing first--as far as I'm concerned, just cut her and move on to next week. New Coke glasses, same old judging joshing; and the theme's British Invasion.

Hmm, should be interesting, 21st century Americans singing the songs of a bunch of white Brits. Good, music, though; Peter Noone (of Herman's Hermits) and Lulu are working with the contestants, ugh. What, Sir Paul was too busy?!

Haley doing Tell Him, she says she wants to be more aggressive, not so sweet--uh, she's been sweet? Lulu tells her even without a great voice, there's a place for you in this competition. In crazy short shorts; and baby doll top. Weird look; out in the audience but only looks at the camera. A weirdly aggressive, flat performance--the song's one of my faves, though; and she does show a little bit of fun. Kindof a mess, and she's dressed ridiculously, but also not totally unenjoyable. Randy loves it; good song choice echoes Paula; you naughty little thing says Simon. Fun, young, a bit shrieky, people will be talking about a lot more than your singing tonight. Yeah, like her fat thighs.

Chris Richardson, next. Ryan's in the audience, boss Nigel Lithgoe behind him. Doing Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying; good song choice for him, I think. He's potentially got a bit of Elliott Yamin in him; funny, Peter rips his voice and his phrasing. Odd. On a stool, with a guitarist right next to him. Hmm, sounds off to me--oddly sedate, with a sweater vest, like Mr. Rogers or something. Okay, not a good choice after all--totally boring, he's trying to get the chicks vote but there's something insincere about him. Nobody's really listening; song's not even that great, contrary to what Petey thinks. The audience sortof is into him; Randy, surprisingly, loves it, says everything in tune, great choice; Paula likes it all too, calls it sexy and charming. Simon says that was your best performance to date, excellent control and you didn't make it sound old-fashioned. Hmm, I don't agree.

Stephanie Edwards, in blue gown and high black boots. In answer to fan question says song choice key; everyone's more focused backstage she says. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, one of my favorite songs--great choice, Dusty Springfield actually has soul. Lulu likes her, says it'll be great. A bit off the beat to start; a little shaky. Selling it well, though; waaay too deliberate in the chorus, no sense of soaring. Not sure why she's enunciating so precisely; I don't like it that much, even if the song is great. Scary that Haley's my fave so far. Randy says not your best, pitchy; Paula pretty much the same, weird that they can't get the mikes right at this stage of the show, but have some fun. Simon asks how she thinks she did, she says, well. Losing your edge, your soul; very cabaret. There's an open mike somewhere that's screwing with the sound quality of their remarks. This might be it for Steph, blending in at this point.

Blake Richardson after a paid commercial by Ryan for AT&T; doing Time of the Season, with beat box. Audience is laughing during the intro; Pete is a bit of a jerk, makes these catty comments. In hipster duds; does have a pretty smooth voice, starts normal. Some interesting dance moves; does some beat box stuff halfway through; this is fun to watch, it's like a show within the show. Simon may make his radio comments again, but I like it--voice a bit thin, but interesting. Randy says cool, vibey, edgy; made the song current, brilliant baby. Paula says you've raised the bar, felt like I was at a concert. Simon says a lot better than last week; good song choice, kept the melody; strongest performance of the night. Ryan dances, pretends to be Blake; it's hilarious.

LaKisha Jones says this isn't her genre; she likes Diamonds Are Forever, which I think would be a good choice; Lulu pushes her to You're My World. So weird, it's like she's like living her dream through her; thankfully, LaKisha goes with her her choice. Man, in emerald dress--and sure enough, does well; a black woman, I think, sang it in the Bond film. Sultry, controlled; man, big part, big voice. A bit nasally at times; almost like she's talking. Not her greatest, but good. I really don't think she's gonna win this thing, though. Audience goes nuts; Randy is like good choice, not my favorite performance, not enough LaKisha in it. Gets booed; Paula says good song, then talks about the bling. Simon says not great, too old; like you in 50 years time. She cracks to Ryan if she sounds and looks like this 45 years from now she'll be happy.

Phil 'Alien' Stacey next, doing Tobacco Road. Peter likes the song, and his performance, says he's never heard it sung that well and that he should go far. Okay.... In jeans and white shirt, he's really rocking out--just going for it. Voice is thin compared to Chris Daughtry from last year; I mean, I don't like him, so think the performance is just okay. A lot of shouting for me, it's like he's just doing his thing, no eye contact or anything; really giving it his all, though. Ugh, just wailing at the end. Randy is like laid it all out, pretty good, pitchy spots, not bad. Paula says good choice, etc.; Simon says he wasn't crazy about it, like a bar band performance, not believable, no grit in your voice--you're being outsung by a lot of others, you may have a problem tomorrow. Phil's appealing to the audience at the end--he really cares, makes me like him a bit more.

Back with Jordin Sparks, who I think is great; in black dress. Says I'm So Excited is the song that describes her best, says it all the time. I Know Nothing, which Lulu loves, seems to be giving Jordin good advice, says she's amazing and a perfect song. Ha, totally excited to hear this now; Jordin says after Lulu's comments oh my gosh that was so exciting--and I don't even have a boyfriend. To which Lulu says you will now. Wow, so dramatic--she's gonna really perform this. Man, she is good--controlled and calm and totally believable. My gosh, this has got to be one of my favorite performances ever, the audience is totally caught up in the tension her voice is creating, the starts and stops and pacing. So powerful--and real. She could sing opera; audience is just shrieking, everyone stands for her at the end. It's total mayhem, Randy can't talk. Says a tall order, very difficult--great performance. Paula good, wonderful; Simon says you sang it beautifully, but I feel like jumping off a bridge, so gloomy, want the sun to shine. Well, that's the point of the song Simon. Ryan zings him, to get it you have to experience love with someone other than yourself.

Sanjaya Malakar next, first they spend a while letting Peter chatter on. Sanjaya says he didn't know what he was going to sing; Peter says not a lot of experience, but cool guy. Sanjaya says he's not the best singer in the competition, but will just keep working. You Really Got Me is Peter's suggestion, just go out and nail it. Wow, this is his best performance to date; there are actually girls in the audience crying for him--wow, he's just belting it out, a bit thin of a voice and some funny flouncing in the audience--goes up on and dances around, messes with Paula, and his crying fan. He's pretty dreamy, goes soft; I'm totally enjoying this, they show that crying girl like a billion times. I mean, it's not melodic, but at least he goes for it; the audience is a bit lukewarm. Randy's already laughing--his sis and family are totally excited. Randy says he was shocked, you came out of your shell, best performance to date. Paula says great, just go for it, a lot of fun. Simon's gonna rain on the parade; just makes a crack about how it made people cry. He goes over and hugs his little fan, it's very sweet.

Gina Glockson, in black; Ryan asks if they pay attention to what the media says, she says she tries not to. Paint it Black, Lulu says perfect choice, but raise it half a step in key. Excited to see this; very dramatic start, not totally believable for me, I really like the song but not so much her version, it's too deliberate, not natural enough--as Lulu said, she needed to really lose herself in it, I don't think she did. Randy not my favorite vocal, just ok, a bit pitchy; Paula says way better than last week, good; Simon says moments of complete torture, off-melody at moments, just horrible; not very good--style over content, will need to sing a heck of a lot better than that. A weird chat with Ryan, she seems to be about to breakdown, it's like Ryan's trying to save her from being kicked off. You've got to sing well, says Simon, that's what this should be about. Ryan keeps prolonging it, probably to fill time; Gina fights back, it's all so weird.

Chris 'Bob Jones University' Sligh next. Chatting up Peter; She's Not There. Uh, okay... in a weird falsetto. He starts out in the audience, in weird paisley outfit. Pretty nice vocals, actually. Locked in on the camera like a tractor beam. Walks past a 'Bringing Chubby Back' sign. I'm liking this; he's having fun with it, a bit out of breath and shouty, but enjoyable. Randy liked the performance, rough start, but wound up good, great song for you; Paula echoes, likes his clothes. Chris jumps in, starts talking to defend Paula from Simon; Simon is like fun, not the best vocal, showed personality, better than last week.

Hmm, Sanjaya's line is constantly busy. He gets votes when he does poorly, so I guess it's not surprising he's getting even more tonight. Melinda Doolittle last, says she was freaked out at first; As Long As He Needs Me. She says totally out of her comfort zone. Lulu likes it, likes her. In shiny silver top, sultry start--sitting on the edge of the stage. Slow and controlled; such odd facial expressions though; also an old vibe to it all. I like her and she's good--but in my opinion nobody is anywhere near as good as Jordin tonight. Funny, Sanjaya's crying girl is at it again for Melinda. Lots of spit for Melinda; it'd be bizarre to me if she winds up as the Idol. Audience likes her; Randy is like best vocal for last, you're a pro. Paula says you're in your own league. Simon asks if you're really as nice as you seem; started boring, but second half sensational. They got time to fill, so Ryan chats up Melinda.

They bring crying girl up on stage at the end, she hugs everyone, still bawling. It's more weird than cute, I think.

Jordin Sparks
Blake Richardson
Melinda Doolittle
LaKisha Jones
Sanjaya Malakar
Chris Sligh
Haley Scarnato
Stephanie Edwards
Gina Glockson
Chris Richardson
Phil Stacey