AI - prelude to the finals

I'm proud to say that I'm a BIG fan of American Idol. I have been ever since the second season when Justin and Anne forced me to watch in order to be friends with them. Now I'm hooked and completely unapologetic. Thus, the critique begins, mostly because I can't think of anything else to regularly post on this thing...


Thoughts on this week as we prepare for the finals to begin...

Women, performance order:
1. Paris - she's great, but i think she peaked a little early. not impressive this week. It shows she can keep up with a fast, energetic song, but that's not her strength. I want to see the jazz voice that came out in her original auditions!
2. Lisa - she and Paris are the same to me right now, in that they immediately went to the top and now struggle to stay there. love her. can't wait to hear some Whitney Houston
3. Melissa - i like her voice, the lower alto range is hot.
4. Katharine McPhee - possibly my favorite. still loved her first performance of this round best. love her personality, particularly maybe two weeks ago when she apologized to the audience behind her for having to stare at her butt!
5. Kinnik - she's nice, but is past her prime
6. Ayla - i'm surprised every week at her voice. hate that she's stuck in the role of the hard working athlete who tries really hard every week and gives it 110%....yeah! It's like Jerry Rice on the danding with stars...all he could ever say -- i'm a hard worker. i gave it my best. i'm a winner. Sorry Ayla has to be forced into that role. I'm still impressed by her. And it's hilarious when she stands next to Ryan.
7. Mandisa - GREAT GREAT GREAT. loved her from the beginning. such a powerful voice. i always look forward to her.
8. Kellie - SO CUTE. sucks to have to follow Mandisa, but at least she was last. she's just adorable, and i laugh all the time at her little stage stance - feet spread, knees bent as if beginning a squat. it's like Carrie Underwood's hip shake last year. and the way she pronounced SALmon!

BOTTOM THREE:
(should be) Melissa, Kinnik, Ayla with Melissa staying

Men (can't remember the exact order):
1. Gedeon - he's growing on me, though his pre-taped pieces sound way too robotic (like steiner in our hofo video). he finally started to sound normal when talking to Ryan after the performance. he's still odd, but can sing. though i can't envision his constituency...
2. Kevin - "the sky is falling, the sky is falling." i can't stop thinking of the chicken little picture they put next to him. poor kid. i like him. he's the JPL of the year.
3. Will - eh...not impressive anymore
4. Taylor - i like this kid. his love of the music shows. plus, he reminds me of a co-worker here (welcome to the list, Peter) who is a soul/blues music fan to the core...harmonica player, the whole bit.
5. Elliott - the boy can sing. i REALLY like him. and i'm finally getting over the under bite. he'll be around for a while. agree with Simon that it wasn't as passionate, but he's right on pitch all the time.
6. Bucky - has a twin!?! That was crazy. think of the great photo shoots that could have been done with they and the O'Donohue sisters!!! oh well. He does well with the country stuff, but i don't know what to make of his constituency. has there every been a stong male country singer to pull in some odd new round of votes? they could carry him like they probably carried Carrie last yr.
7. Chris - he'll definitely get a recording contract. they love him, as they should. and surely there's a band that would want him out front. but i did agree with Simon this week that he wasn't super impressive. like Paris and Lisa, he was put at the top immediately and has to find a way to continuously stand out.
8. Ace - hot enough to overcome his average voice. he'll last a while. J, don't you know him?

BOTTOM THREE:
(should be) Kevin, Will and ?? Gideon/Bucky. With the little kids leaving.

Paula - how funny was it when she switched seats with Randy and had to come up with her own thoughts. i laugh every time she opens her mouth to say the SAME THING RANDY SAYS. I want to see clips only of what she says. I think she often says the same thing about each person from week to week.

all for now...