AI Wrap

Back on April 17, I wrote this:

Lakisha. I think her star is falling. I don't know what it is, but where others have grown stronger through the weeks, she seems to be faltering somewhat. She was a tad on the boring side this week. I predict that she will be the surprise elimination ­ maybe not this week, but within the next 3-4.

Here it is, three weeks later and she's gone. But I was wrong about something. It wasn't a surprise elimination - certainly not the way Chris Daughtry was last year at this time. Most people had come to the conclusion that Lakisha's days were numbered, and she probably wouldn't win it all, unlike the general expectations of Daughtry.

In fact, if you look at this season overall, there really haven't been any big surprises. I thought that Sabrina left too early, as probably did Stephanie, but neither were going to make it to the top six, so it's rather irrelevant anyway.

I guess if there was anything that could remotely be labeled surprise-worthy, it would be the longevity of Sanjaya Malakar, Chris Richardson and Blake Lewis. Blake's tenure has to be from picking up the supporters of the former two contestants, you know, the little fawning, crying girls who loved Sanjaya, the myopic young teens who watched Chris and saw JT. They are all in Blake's camp now.

See, Blake isn 't much of a vocalist when you come down to it. He has the ability to arrange music and make funny noises with his mouth, but he can't sing. He can't match the voice of Melinda or Jordin, he isn't even as good a vocalist as Lakisha.

But as long as the raging hormones keep the calls coming his way, he'll remain. The big questions now become, who gets Lakisha's supporters, Jordin or Melinda? Or do they just go away, leaving the two little time to build upon the fanbase they already have?

A note about Daughtry: I've listened to selections from his CD.

Home is a decent song; the one AI uses to send the weekly loser home with (I like it far better than You Had a Bad Day from last year). The rest of the CD, however, is rather bland. Chris breaks no musical ground that hasn't already been broken. His sound is formulaic and really uninspired. I know it did well, going platinum, but that really just reflects the lack of defined taste these days.

Based on the first CD, I can't see Chris going far with his music career unless he figures out something that makes him stand out, something that makes him less like, oh say, Nickelback.

Bucky Covington released a new CD recently. I've heard it's doing well. It debuted on the Billboard 200 at #4 and #1 on the Top Country Albums chart. I liked Bucky last year, especially when he was in his element - an element we've seen very little of this year.

Taylor Hicks, however, has not done as well as expected, which just goes to show that being top dog on the show doesn't necessarily translate over to the market.

This is the first year I've watched it every week. I skipped a fair amount last year. The show seems to become rather boring with fewer and fewer people each week and more and more need for filler.

Jive Singin'

Bee Gees night, and we've seen better. It wasn't the best of nights for the contestants. The Bee Gees, like Queen, are a difficult group to cover. Consider the fact that in the early stages of the show, Chris Sligh, Blake Lewis, Rudy Cardenas and a fourth I can't remember did How Deep Is Your Love, did it very well, but as a group with tight harmonies. That is something that can't be replicated with these soloists. Here's how I heard it all:

Melinda Doolittle sang...

Love You Inside & Out: It was adequate good in her own consistent way. Nothing to bring out the goosebumps with, but that song wouldn't anyway.

How Can You Mend a Broken Heart: I was thinking she might do one of the older, ballad-type pieces - they really seem more her style. I thought maybe Gotta Get a Letter to You, or Massachusetts would have been better choices. This one was actually on the boring side for the first 1/2 to 2/3, then she picked it up into Doolittle land. Paula keeps telling Melinda that she should just let go, let go, and frankly, I have no idea what Paula means by that.

Blake Lewis sang...

You Should Be Dancing: Very weak start. Trying for the Eurotech sound I s'pose; he just came across as a Northwest metrosexual castrato. He really didn't need to put the vocal chitter effects into the chorus, though I could see how they went OK during the interlude.

This is Where I Came In: I found this to be wooden, almost like Blake doing a parody of himself. Barry Gibb was right - this song turned out not to be a hit after all, and Blake ain't gonna make it one either.

If Blake decided to become a porn star, I think he'd go by the name of Star Buck. He's really got to drop the sweater combos he wears.

Lakisha Jones sang...

Stayin' Alive: And she about killed it. Not a disco fan, however, I much preferred the original to whatever it was she did. Simon called Melinda's performance more like that of a background singer - I'd have to say that Lakisha's was even more so.

Run to Me: Dull, dull, dull.

Jordin Sparks sang...

To Love Somebody: It was OK. I kept waiting to be blown away, but it never happened. I didn't much care for her outfit either, though I thought she looked quite cute.

Woman in Love: I don't like Barbara Streisand, but this song takes me back to a very seminal point in my life. For that I hold a place of favored memory of it. I thought Jordin could potentially put it out of the park. She didn't do badly BUT she seemed more like a child on this than previous performances. I mean, her rendition really lacked a certain maturity to make it work the way it should. Not her fault, she should be able to pull it off in 10-15 years.

Jordin's outfits tonight were questionable IMO. I liked her hair and makeup, but her clothes were a little dumfounding.

So Bee Gees night has come and gone, and I don't think we are necessarily the better for it. I think Blake or Lakisha will go - probably Lakisha this week, which would fit into previous statements I've made. You realize, of course, that Phil never would have stood a chance with a Bee Gees song. :-)

Of course, I'll probably be wrong and we'll see Mindy Doo get the boot in a surprise move. That would certainly be a Tragedy, eh?

It's In the Song

Phil is gone, and I should have seen it coming. Everyone should have seen it coming. In the year when many of the song choices have been seemingly prescient, Phil's choice was right there. Here are some lyrics to Blaze of Glory:

I'm going down in a blaze of glory
Take me now but know the truth
I'm going down in a blaze of glory

And he did. And he did.

Perhaps the most touching 'seeya' performance I've seen, Phil managed to hug and kiss almost everyone in the studio. I liked Phil. I'm sad to see him go, but he wasn't going to win. Best wishes to him, his wife and his new baby, who is what - almost 6 months now?

From another piece elsewhere we read: Blake Lewis (5/1 odds), whose best-friends-forever admission while standing alongside Richardson was quite the womanly gesture.

Boyfriends Blake and Chris had to separate, and I can't imagine anyone having said the BFF thing about Chris Daughtry last year. Maybe Taylor Hicks, certainly Clay Aiken, but not Daughtry. I found it a fairly awkward moment, though the metrosexuals Lewis and Richardson seemed to feed from it as did the women (but you always expect stuff like that from women).

Down to the final four, and if Dial Idol is at all near accurate, then Melinda Doolittle may be on the cusp. Shocker, eh? Have a look:

www.dialidol.com

Now I can mail in my Nielsons. What a week!

Bon Joviality in Idol

Fun night tonight.

I wondered how some of the contestants would pull off the songs by Bon Jovi. Here's how I heard it:

Phil - I disagree with Simon. Phil did a really good job with Blaze of Glory, singing and performance-wise. He did seem a tad awkward with some of the rocker moves, but I wouldn't hold that against him. It was a strong vocal, and the crowd was solidly behind him.

Jordin - Living on a Prayer. Ohhhh, Jordin. Started off weak, hit the big chorus well, then slid back to difficulty in the verse again. She overcompensated somewhat with the chorus, which brought it to almost the level of screeching, as Simon likes to say. Not surprising and very common - hit the stuff you do well hard to try and mask the rest. If her sustainability was based on tonight alone, I'd say she could be going.

Blake - I have been a Blake detractor for a while. I absolutely hated Imagine (don't really like the song anyway; I think it's fatuous), but this week, I was really impressed with Shot Through the Heart. He took the risk of morphing the song and in turn was able to pull off something that was actually quite interesting. The beginning was atmospheric, leading into the mainline, then the rhythms and beat playoff with the drummer. It was a pleasure and I tip my hat to him.

Lakisha - It was good. I don't know if it's enough to keep her going, but it was good. Definitely much better than....

Chris - Dead or Alive. His performance was tedious, boring. I just wanted it to be over. Chris has outlived his ability I think. He should have gone a long time ago, JT notwithstanding. Look, Chris Daughtry did Dead or Alive far better than Chris Richardson, and Daughtry's version still doesn't match up to the original Bon Jovi version.

Melinda - Yeah, I saw the Tina Turner in the performance too. Wondered how she would adapt, or make the song adapt to her. She's a professional, though, and can usually figure something out. I also happen to think that tonight she looked the hottest she ever has on the show.

That's it for the wrapup and my view of it. Who will go? Tough call. Two are leaving, and I don't know if they are taking the lowest vote getter from last week plus the lowest from this week, or combining the vote tallies from both weeks and choosing the lowest two from that.

Do you realize that if they do it the first way... Blake could go, even after his performance tonight? Interesting thought, isn't it?

Songs of Bon Jovi

This ought to be good. Tonight's AI mentor is Jon Bon Jovi and the contestants will be performing his songs.

I would love to see Sanjaya do Shot Through the Heart. Seriously.
Too bad it'll never happen.

Hope Phil does I'll Be There for You - could be a good fit for his voice.

Be interesting to see what Melinda chooses, for this is not her style. I can't imagine her choice being Living in Sin.

Maybe Lakisha will do Living on a Prayer Or maybe she SHOULD do it.

Whadaya think? A little Burning for Love for Jordin? I still think she's Born to be My Baby!

Guess the biggest question is, who will be the Last Man Standing?

Chris or Blake?

Cheers, Jeff

Gone, But Not Forgotten - For Now

Let's see.

As of Thursday, April 26...

Scott's gone.
Aubrey's gone.
Phil's gone, and
None of the top 6 are gone.

My son, Scott, has gone to a tournament in Maryland. He'll be back Sunday.

My friend, Aubrey, is gone, heading for Seattle to try out a career in marriage.

Phil left last Friday - tried to kill himself.

Jordin, Melinda, Lakisha, Phil, Chris and Blake are still around, but two will be gone next week.

Every time Scott goes to one of these tournaments, he comes back with a trophy, and they don't hand out "participation awards" at these tournaments. So I expect he will come back with another this year, perhaps the top spot. Go Scott!

I worked with Aubrey for a couple years. His workstation was next to mine, but at a perpendicular angle, so I mostly looked at his back. We work in an advertising office - he did web, I do print. He's the one who got me to start a blog, and I guess I owe him one for it. I haven't decided yet if that "one" is a favor or revenge. :-) Congrats Aubs; best of luck and wishes to you.

I also worked with Phil for a few years - different department though. He went to a Walmart with loaded guns and proceeded to clear the store, so to speak. He shot no one. He didn't steal merchandise. In all appearances, he looked as if he wanted to commit suicide by shootout. Apparently, his wife phoned him at work and told him she was leaving him. About six hours later he was in the empty store with the police talking him down. I don't know what to think of Phil. I can understand the emotional duress behind his action, but when I consider what I would say if I saw him today, the only thing I can think of is: "Are you freakin' stupid??!"

I have read reader's comments to articles about the standoff, and many of them are so typical to the political "debate" which is really no debate at all. "If guns were banned, this wouldn't happen", "Why aren't current laws enforced to keep this from happening?" and so on. There is a lot of anger towards Phil in the posts. Not surprising and well merited. I have fought the temptation to post a comment myself because what I would say would assuage no one. I'll say it here though, "Phil is a decent guy, really he is. He reacted strongly to his wife leaving him and did a dumb thing. He hurt no one, just caused some fear. He actually told people to get out of the store. He took no hostages; he was just doing what he told police he was going to do: "scare some people." This doesn't excuse Phil from his behavior, and he should pay the price. But he's really an OK chap."

I can hear the incredulity already.

If Phil is a real man, he won't claim temporary insanity at his trial.

So American Idol gave back Wednesday night.

$30+ million dollars raised, AND it gave back the top 6 as well. My friend, Micah, told me before the show that he thought no one would be voted off because it was charity night. Guess he was right.

I have to say that for a mainstream show, it was pretty well put together. The production strategy was two-fold: elicit excitement and tears. I think they did both pretty well... maybe even to the point of being overdone. But hey, they only had two hours for this particular telethon. The most prominent thought that hit me last night while watching it was how wonderfully manipulative it was.

Unfortunately, I am too cynical to believe that the entire amount will be used for its described purposes. Maybe only 25%?? 50%?? Don't know. There are some good charities out there who only scalp off a small percentage for administrative costs. They are the ones I prefer to support.

I predict it will become standard yearly fare for the show. jmho.

Last word:

Sanjaya: how can we miss you if you won't go away?

The Weakly Weekly

Thought about not watchng Idol (again) this evening. I was fairly busy on my computer downstairs when it came on, but I made the trip to the TV after all.

I arrived for the last third of Phil's performance. What I saw and heard seemed fairly strong, and I'm thinking that he should have been doing something like this during the whole competition. If he had stayed upbeat with all his song choices, I think maybe he wouldn't have spent so much time in the bottom three.

Chris' piece was a train wreck in my opinion. He has kind of a mousy voice anyway, and it was fairly nasal in spots. In the chorus, he broke free of that sound, but it wasn't enough to save the song. I have to say that it was an utterly boring performance, and I was just waiting for it to be done.

Sanjaya has come back down to earth this week. The hair thing notwithstanding, he gets very pitchy during his runs. And what's up with the runs anyway? I can't imagine Bonnie Raitt doing that with her own music. I think they tend to be overdone and unnecessary most of the time. It wasn't the San-man's most terrible performance, but no way was it good either. I think he peaked with Latino week.

Lakisha. I think her star is falling. I don't know what it is, but where others have grown stronger through the weeks, she seems to be faltering somewhat. She was a tad on the boring side this week. I predict that she will be the surprise elimination ­ maybe not this week, but within the next 3-4.

Blake's performance seemed a bit pitchy in places, actually kind of jarringly so. I tried to get into his song, and I think I could with someone else singing it, but Blake left me flat on it. That wasn't a winning performance from him, everyone can have an off week. But with the fewer numbers of contestants, tt's growing more imperative that everyone brings the A side each week. This was definitely Blakes B side.

Melinda. During the session with Martina I kept thinking that here's another Melinda jazz ­ Broadway type performance. So I was pleasantly surprised with the end result. She phrases very well, hardly misses a note and has the ability weave a story every time she's on stage.

Jordin, Jordin Jordin. Though she went second I saved the best for last. It was an incredible performance. When she has the ability to reach through the TV screen and stir something deep inside the viewer ­ that says it all. Her singing, her facial expressions and gestures, I am still in awe. I also like her look for this week as well. She could have wardrobed silly with the country genre, but she went high class, and she was absolutely drop dead gorgeous.. Kudos, girl!!

Who to go? Hard to say. If it was based on performance alone, I'd say this week's bottom three will be Blake, Chris and Sanjaya with Sanjaya getting the pink slip. But Phil has been in the bottom three for too long that it will be difficult to overcome the inertia.

Idol Recapitulation

This is only my 2nd year watching American Idol. Late to the game, it's always the same. I jump in during the middle of a run, often in the middle of the season.

Having said that, there seems to be an inordinate amount of waterworks going on this year, though all I have is last year to which to compare it. I know television loves its crying games, but these warbling contestants have had way more than their 15 minutes of fame. Imagine yourself being talked about in office buildings across the land every Wednesday and Thursday morning. They say fame is fleeting, and after May who will really get that kind of buzz any more?

None of them.

Even if they go on tour, sell millions of records (it's not like I own any records, but it's still tough saying millions of CDs), ride the American Top 40 for weeks and all that hoopla, they won't get the kind of attention they did on American Idol.

I try to put myself into their shoes during the competition, and all I can come up with is, gee it would be nice to go home. I gotta give Chris Sligh kudos for echoing that thought when he was ousted.

Parties have to end some time.

Anywho.... who the heck is Michael Buble? And did he ever wear long gold chains, an open collar white shirt and have a steady gig at the Holiday Inn lounge out on the interstate? Seriously, this guy really stunk, in my opinion. He has a record, excuse me, CD, coming out. Guess America is just proving that its lack of taste in music can make anyone a star.

Idle thought: Can anyone really see any of the Idols becoming timeless classic superstars, like, say, the Rolling Stones? Or Pink Floyd? Beatles? Who?

Neither can I.

So I called it wrong in my last post. I said either Phil or Haley. Never saw the Glock getting cold cocked this time.

On the other hand, I'm not surprised.

She had no legs. (psst, that's a metaphor for she didn't have staying power).

Or is it?



PS. Next week's Idol mentor is supposed to be J. Lo with a latino theme. Think maybe I'll skip it.

Night of the Las Vegas Lounge Lizards

Tony Bennett.

Is the desire for the spotlight so strong that he has to still be out there strutting his swing? C'mon Tony, move to Florida and play some shuffleboard man. You've earned it.

At 80, he's in pretty darn good shape, especially when I compare him to my inlaws who are in their early 80s. I guess we all age differently.

Idol contestants.

Guys: You know that they were doing songs that, for the most part, were originally recorded by baritones. As Blake and Chris are tenors, there was a fit issue with me. I like Bobby Darin doing Mack the Knife. Blake did OK with it, but I'm still not sure I liked it much. His voice had a large part to do with that. Same with Chris. Torme, Sinatra, Bennett, Martin, et al, their voices were like warm syrup. The only guy who could come close tonally to that would be....

Phil just didn't bring it this week. He should have sang Just a Gigolo or some good party song like that, or maybe Minnie the Moocher. The scat might have been too much though. I'm afraid his song choice did him in. Yet I have to agree with Paula in that he DID sound a lot like Sinatra.

Sanjaya. He's got it figured out. No need to be able to sing like a diva. Just put on a good show - and he's getting better at it. He'll be around for another go next week.

Haley, love the look. As the token hottie, she has been really trying to play up the role with her vamping and come hither looks (not to mention legs and cleavage). But she has to be going soon, there's only so much she can bare on stage to keep the interest levels up.

Gina. Sigh. I just didn't care much for her performance tonight, the judges notwithstanding. I figured it would be tough for her and this genre. She's a bit of a mystery as well with her longevity. She needs to get back to rock anthems.

Lakisha? Nah. I think she has fallen into third, behind....

Melinda and Jordin. Props to them for their performances. Jordin is really impressing me with her stage presence, her ability to control the song and not let it get out of hand. As for Melinda, I don't think there is anyone this year, or last year even, who can touch her.

To go tomorrow night: either Phil or Haley. I don't look for any surprising upsets for a couple weeks yet.

The judges all seemed a bit pitchy tonight, mostly flat.

Some Chalk and Cheese

Here's how it came down for me:

Chris Sligh could go after tonight. Sorry, he just didn't get it done.

Sanjaya's hair left me speechless. He'll stay.

Lakisha and Melinda, standard good, but neither excited me.

Missed Jordin due to a phone call. Did see her outfit, though, and I thought it made her look dumpy.

Haley and Chris R. were adequate, nothing spectacular. Of the two, I thought Haley's rendition of Cindy Lauper's True Colors was the better.

Blake does a good job contemporizing, however, I wasn't crazy about what he did with the Cure's Love Song despite what the Fab 3 said.

Phil and Gina are my faves for the night.

Gwen Stefani. OK, I get it. But she wasn't anywhere near the coach that Lulu, Noone or Ross were.

Anyone else notice that the Police were covered twice?

Cheers!

It's All Good

Bye bye Stephanie.

Now you have the opportunity of moving onward with a musical career since you have shaken the bonds of the dadaistic American Idol. It provided what you needed to make a go of it: face time. You should be thankful for that.

On to other matters....

I see websites this morning talking about the little girl groupie support for Sanjaya keeping him bolstered in the competition. Ahem, I think I already mentioned that back around Feb 28?? Bandwagons take a while to fill.

The bottom anything, 2, 3 or 4 or whatever doesn't really matter week to week unless it becomes a pattern. Trends take place over time, not in just one showing. Chris R. may not be in the bottom group next week. He will again eventually, though, especially when it's time to go.

I like to go to Google, click on News and type in American Idol. You can see hundreds of links to click on, including betting sites and blogs. Every week there are gambling sites offering odds on which participant will be leaving.

You know you've made it big in this country when you are the focus of gambling sites.

Is it me, or does pop culture just seem to get sillier and sillier year over year??

Another thought just occurred to me. I wonder how many of the 30 million plus American Idol voters every week refuse to go to the November polls claiming that their one vote doesn't make any difference. Hmmm?

Idol Up to the Bar

Not going to go into a person by person review this time.

So many are doing it in blogs and articles, how many do we really need, en?

Thought the show last night, overall, was quite good. I'm not a big fan of narrowly themed shows - like last week's Diana Ross theme. But being able to choose from the entire 60s, now that makes for good opportunities.

Just a few thoughts.

Blake Lewis doesn't do anything for me. Sorry about that. My youngest son (11) is a big fan; maybe it's a generational thing. I thought his Time of the Season was strange. Actually I thought the song was strange when it came out in the late 60s. Hearing it refurbbed with a beatbox replacing the odd rhythmic bump it had with the sigh sound, I dunno, seemed kind of like an acid trip. Judges loved it, and I'm in the same age range as them, so maybe I'm out of tune.

Jordin drives me nuts. I have to keep reminding myself she's only 17, she's only 17, and there are laws. I see nothing but upside for her as goes a singing career. She has a 'spark' now that's slowly becoming a flame in the competition. From a looks standpoint, she is hot and getting hotter. She sort of reminds me of Gloria Estefan for some reason, even though she is quite different vocally.

I actually liked Chris Richardson for the first time last night. His voice grates on me, but last night I found it quite smooth, and the performance was well staged.

Haley was a minx, and I can't really remember the song she sang. Just those shorts.

Sanjaya. SANJAYA!! Ha. What fun! If the kid goes out tonight, at least he will on a high note, and he should be proud of himself for it.

I remember seeing Peter Noone performing in the Pirates of Penzance in Boston back in the early 80s. I think it was at the Shubert Theater. Took my eye off him for 25 years and darn, look how he's aged. lol. I'm glad I'm not 25 years older since then.

I am thankful that we started the top 12 last week. Watching Idol three nights a week was getting a bit much. Till next time..... Cheers, Jeff

More On (moron?) Idol

Do you know what a blog is?

In all actuality, it is a form of self-aggrandizement.

The blogger assumes that he/she is interesting enough to read, that folks will read, so the blogger continues to.. ahhh, blog. (I know it's a shortened version of weblog, but it's still an odd word).

Blogs are for people who like to hear themselves talk. The bloggers that is.

American Idol this week. Down to 12.

Brandon sang "You Can't Hurry Love." He forgot some of the words in a fairly obvious manner. The judges panned it. I didn't think it was as bad as they made it out to be, but I don't think he stands a chance of making it to the end.

Melinda. Whew! She gave me chills listening to and watching her. Her start wasn't particularly strong - she seemed tentative with it. But she built on it and got into the performer role quickly. She emotes as well if not better than anyone else in the show and she knows how to phrase. I didn't know the song she sang, probably wouldn't even like it in its original incarnation. As an artist, however, Melinda was able to create something grand with it.

Chris Sligh sang "Endless Love." He contemporized it, and I think Randy was right when he compared it to a Coldplay sound. The judges hated it, thought he should have stayed traditional with it. I find it odd that they continually harp on people to make a song stand out, to make it their own, but when it happens, they aren't so supportive. I disagree with them. I thought it added an interest factor that the original couldn't create. Gotta remember, it was a duet with Lionel Ritchie back in the early 80s and typical, sort of sappy love song, in my opinion. Speaking of contemporizing, Blake Lewis did the same with "You Keep Me Hanging On." Judges said pretty much the same thing as with Chris. I was glad to see Blake didn't beatbox this one. I don't think it was a performance worthy of the top spot, but still strong enough to keep him around for a while longer.

It occurs to me that Blake's and Chris' renditions of their songs probably make good concert fare, but maybe not good CD listening. I liked the light visuals that went along with their performances. Had I simply heard just the audios, I may have wondered who butchered the songs.

Gina did "Love Child." Good song choice. I just don't think she commands a stage well and seemed rather small during the performance. It was difficult to differentiate her from the background music at times.

Sanjaya, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Randy said it was unlistenable. That about sums it up.

Haley sang "Missing You." She looked hot hot hot tonight. Unfortunately, her singing was not not not. Her vocals were just ok and she forgot some words.

Phil sang "Yes, I Will." His delivery is good; he has a strong voice. I thought he was much better tonight than last week. But he's a bit scary to look at.

Lakisha, strong performance with "God Bless the Child." Her advancing is a given, though I have to say I didn't particularly like the song she did. However, it seemed like a good choice for her, especially since it was a Billie Holiday piece. Very fitting.

Stephanie sang "Love Hangover." She does well, has stage presence. I don't think she belonged in the category of Melinda this week, but she'll hang for a while. She has a Beyonce thing going for her which is utterly foreign to me, but seems to connect well with a younger crowd.

Chris Richardson did "The Boss." Do you know who Chris is? He is this seasons' Elliot Yamin. He does an above average job, seems quite likable. I don't care for the tonal quality of his voice as I didnt' much care for Elliot's as well. I would find it torturous to try and listen to an entire CD of his music.

Jordin Sparks capped it all off with "If We Hold On Together." Fantastic voice, great presentation and all from a 17 year old. I think Randy was quite right when he said she moved into the Melinda/Lakisha category tonight.

I won't predict who will be booted this week, though the following have to be susceptible: Sanjaya, Haley, Brandon, possibly Gina, except she's the token rocker this year, so she'll probably stick around a while longer. Phil and Chris Richardson can't be far behind those.