Seeking their groove

Watching week two's women's show, on tape. Ryan starts by bragging about Idol's ratings--which are indeed impressive. Simon claims he watched last week's show again on tape, that he was right and Paula and Randy were wrong about everyone.

Katharine McPhee first, they each talk about their favorite idol moments. She talks about her and Kelie Pickler having a fun time being girls together. They don't say what she sings--something slow, in a filmy gray top and odd skort thing, not very becoming, makes her look dowdy. It's okay; boring, though, also she almost screeches a part at the end. Randy says it was okay, song choice okay; Paula agrees, first praising her before saying the song choice didn't connect. Simon says you can't be in your own world and hope to interest the American audience, they'll forget you. Right on.

Next, Kinnik Sky, a black woman wearing a cowboy hat, brownish outfit with cami pants and cream bustier, singing Gretchen Wilson Here for the Party. Says she didn't expect how seeing the stage made her cry, it's something she's wanted for so long. It's an up-tempo song, she sings it okay, not very distinct--bit growly--but good energy. One of those performances you think you'd like more. Randy says it doesn't quite fit, not enough melody, but entertaining. Paula says ya gotta pick a better song that shows off your range. Simon says you attempted to stand out, but on the downside, it's like something you'd see at Disneyland. He has a bottomless bucket of these examples. Paula says she'd like to see Simon on a roller coaster, asks if he'd smile--he says yes, then adds, if you'd fall off. Hitting ensues.

Lisa Tucker, in yellowish tank topish, and jeans; she's very composed. Talks about how as a kid was comfortable performing on Broadway in the Lion King, but surprisingly found Hollywood week overwhelming. Wow, she is good, sings a Jackson Five song, Who's Loving You, grabs you right away with long first note. It's not as good as last week--somehow there's something missing so far this week--but it's a polished, professional performance. Shows off her range, power. Randy says he wishes she'd chosen something different, it was just allright. Paula disagrees, says she's an amazing performer, not sure why she hasn't been signed already. Simon gives her advice, you've gotta be smart, don't just be a girl singing grown-up song. Says she'll sail through.

Melissa McGhee, singing Reba McEntire's Hearing From You. She talks about her clothes, sounds like she has a permanent cold; wore white flip-flops she says to some press day. Outfit highlights her belly, with jeans. It's a good song choice for her voice, but to me she's just not that good compared to everyone else. Voice is flat, no inflection. Where's Paris to inject some star power?! Randy says perfect song choice, Paula says she's coming out of her shell. Simon says you're not connecting with the audience for some reason, tells Paula to shut up but in a non-mean way. McGhee sticks in why she wanted to sing a fun song to show off her personality. Well, sometimes what you got ain't good enough. Paula changes seats with Randy.

Back, Ryan plugs American Idol community. Heather Cox, singing Mariah Carey's Hero, which she says has never been done on the show before. She explains as a stalker of the show--who tapes every episode and rewatches it--she knows the song's never been done. Talks about a boa constrictor around her neck in Hollywood. Oh gosh, she starts off thin, almost tinny. In black spray-on top/pantsuit. Bad song choice, very karaoke, plus everyone knows how this song sounds done well. Almost hoarse voice; boring. Oh well, she should've lost last week anyway. Paula says she looks nice--and she does--and got better from last week, but big problem is you can't compare against an icon. Randy mentions he works with Mariah, Simon says really, never heard that before, bad song choice. Simon says P/R are right, no point to singing if you're not gonna do something different. She's kindof dumb to sing the song, but says she enjoyed herself.

Brenna Gether is next, looking very Diana Rossish in a spangly green dress, big hair, a good look for her. And she's singing Donna Summers' Last Dance, good choice! I'm beginning to like her more, she's like made-for-tv. Says craziest experience has been the red carpet. Hand on hip to start, but odd, somehow restrained, almost like she's nervous or something. Hmm, totally thought I'd like this, but find it just okay. Bit disjointed too. No energy, so odd. Paula says she didn't see the magic, is almost stunned. Brenna shoots back she thinks she did wonderful, and America liked it. Randy says she's quite like Simon in her bountiful self-confidence. And it was vocally pitchy, not quite there for some reason. Simon says she's not his girl, after Randy's hand-off; and that the whole thing essentially was forgettable. Brenna sticks up for herself, but Simon says America has good hearing, hopefully this isn't the end of the road for her. Ryan gives her kindof a tough time, she is her usual saucy self, but could be one step from tears.

Yaaay, Paris Bennett next, oddly enough wearing--pearls?! Classic white top, kindof a jump suit. Interview wearing huge beads, funny. Says she likes all the different looks/dressing up. Sings a heart-breaking Wind Beneath My Wings. My gosh, they should just end the competition right now. So slow, controlled, powerful. You can't stop watching her. Not as magical as last week, true--but by far the best tonight. Audience bursts out hollering halfway through, standing O at the end. Paula likes her outfit, says she's an amazing performer; wants to remind her to be fun and youthful. Randy likes her, says don't play it safe, ever, or sing something that old, not as great as last week but still good. Simon says don't try to sound 50, everything tonight was like you're an old lady. They're right, but she needs to try different things, not just stay young. She says her great-grandmother liked the song, takes critiques well.

Ayla Brown next, I Want You to Need Me by Celine. They show here working out at home, she says now it's like she's wearing all these cute outfits and learned how to put on makeup. Wearing normal black dress. Good, controlled performance, with interesting vocal inflections and good emotions. Judges will like her best, I think. Paula jumps in, says she thinks she wants this really bad, pleasantly surprised, good song choice, says she's enjoying how this is turning out for her. I like Ayla, she's down to earth, just a driven, good person. Randy echoes Paula, says she knows what her vocal limitations were, says he 'actually' liked it. Simon says she seems like the kind of girl who always got As, she says nope, worked her way up; Simon says that's the kind of good work ethic you have, then nails it--sometimes you want some rawness, but you always perfect yourself, and it's a little mechanical always. That you'll do better within your own comfort zone than you ever thought you could, but he wonders if it'll be good enough. He's exactly right, could really be a shrink.

Kelie Pickler, says she's tried a lot of new things in LA--like squid, they call that calamari. Never seen so many dogs in clothes, they got more than she does. In pink top, jeans. People Are Talking. It's a little flat, she injects some personality halfway through, but there's definitely something missing. Odd night for everyone. Hmmm, she may have topped out her talents, but I still really like her. Paula says can you get any cuter, you're adorable, unpretentious, good song, made us smile and dance, really enjoyed it. Randy says we got a hot one, loved it all. Simon says I don't know what it is, but you just cannot help but like you. Her song was rough, but he says her interview was worth a lot of votes, she's cute and likeable, thinks America will fall in love with her if they haven't already.

Finally, Mandisa, in brown gown, singing Cry by Faith Hill. Says she loves playing practical jokes, they show her playing dog jaw joke on Ryan. Hmm, a good, controlled, powerful performance. She has a good voice. Wow, the performance of the night, she brings it--a great song choice, she just takes over, and performs the song perfectly. My gosh, what a way to end. My second-favorite of all time this year among the women, afer Paris last week. Paula says she's one-of-a-kind, likes her vocal range; odd, thought she'd be blown away a little more, does says she's wowing us. Randy liked it, but a bit shaky at the beginning, pitchy; also a bit sharp, but overall good although he didn't like song choice. Oh well, also says he didn't think she left it all out there. Simon doesn't like her look, says it wasn't the right song, she hasn't yet totally nailed something, but says he doesn't think there's a better female singer when she's on.

Funny, the two I liked least tonight are clustered at Ryan's side at the end, maybe they know they need all the air time they can get.

Mandisa, 10
Paris Bennett, 7
Ayla Brown, 8
Kelie Pickler, 9
Lisa Tucker, 3
Kinnik Sky, 2
Katharine McPhee, 1
Melissa McGhee, 4
Brenna Gether, 6
Heather Cox, 5

Frame grab of Mandisa by C. Gomez via Flickr.