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'American Idol' Recap 03/07: Top Eight Women Perform [Mostly Melinda]
American Idol is all about equality. Even though the men all stink, for example, six of them are making it to the Top 12. Would it be so surprising, then, for the Idol producers to have secretly equipped each of the ladies with a Harrison Bergeron-style microchip designed to emit an electric shock if any of them became too exceptional?
I'm only asking because after two straight weeks of frequently dynamic and exciting performances the American Idol Top Eight Women caught just a touch of the Man Disease on Wednesday (March 7) night.
The ladies...
Singer: Jordin Sparks
Song: "Heartbreaker"
My Take: If any of the women were going to do Pat Benatar, wouldn't you have figured it would be Gina Glocksen? Anyway, the first note from the band is like a gunshot and Jordin's just racing along trying to keep up. Sometimes she's right on the beat and sounds fantastic, other times she's worried on the verge of getting lost, tentative and a bit shrill. She has just enough sass to sell the rough parts, but there are several bum notes.
Simon, Crackle and Pop Say: Randy points out that it's a different show when the girls perform (somebody should warn him that that won't be the case next week). Paula thinks Jordin is exploding into her own artistry. Simon found it a bit manic, but he's sure she'll still be around.
Singer: Sabrina Sloan
Song: "Don't Let Go"
My Take: The danger of doing a group song -- like this En Vogue track -- is that instead of feeding off of the energy of the people around you, you're forced to build off a few random background singers who aren't as invested in your success. Perhaps that's why Sabrina takes so long to lock in. She can't quite find the melody at first and she plods along. By the halfway point she starts shouting and eventually she moves into singing. In isolated moments, she's very good, but not overall.
Simon, Crackle and Pop Say: Randy thought it was solid, but not her best. Paula says Sabrina can sing, sing, sing. Simon insists it was robotic compared to Melinda, Lakisha and Stephanie. 
Singer: Antonella Barba
Song: "Put Your Records On"
My Take: In addition to being a mediocre singer, we now know that Antonella is a mediocre violinist. There's an inherent nostalgic sweetness to Corinne Bailey Rae's song that's completely at odds with Antonella's wannabe-brassy voice. The notes that should be lilting and soft are just loud and the lower notes get lost in a register Antonella doesn't possess.
Simon, Crackle and Pop Say: Randy thought it was pitchy in the beginning, but that she was only OK. Paula endorses the song choice. Simon lets out a deep sigh and announces, "You've gone as far as you can go, Antonella." He also becomes the first person to mention her dirty picture scandal on-air, praising Jersey's finest for keeping her chin up amidst the media coverage. He ends with, "I just wish you could sing better." This would be a good time for humility, Antonella doesn't have it in her. Instead, she says that she isn't trying to be like any of the other singers in the competition and they aren't trying to be like her. Oooh. Oooh. Who wants to be the one to explain to Antonella why the other girls aren't trying to be like her?
Singer: Haley Scarnato
Song: "If My Heart Had Wings"
My Take: Haley, apparently a former gymnast, should have come out on-stage in a leotard, done two or three flips and then yelled, "Superstar!" At least then people would have remembered who she is. Instead, she's just that really cute girl with the great shoulders who didn't realize that Faith Hill songs aren't so easy to sing.
Simon, Crackle and Pop Say: Randy wasn't jumping up and down. He wanted some "Wow!" and some "Pizzaz!" and some "Yo!" Paula says she sang it well and looked great. Simon says it was horrible, like "some terrible, ghastly high school musical" performance. Then Simon admits he doesn't remember Haley's name. Unlike Antonella, Haley is able to just nod and accept there's no point in fighting.
Singer: Stephanie Edwards
Song: "Sweet Thing"
My Take: Good. Now we can start the show. Stephanie puts the night's first four singers to shame with her stage presence and tone, but I still want to wave my fist in the air and yell, "Khan!!!" Stephanie sounds like she's working hard tonight and it's tough to tell in certain parts if she's out of tune or just getting into the bluesy, Chaka Khan-y-ness of it.
Simon, Crackle and Pop Say: Randy gives her an "A" for effort, but wasn't entirely down with the performance. Paula warns her about pacing, but calls her darn-near-flawless. Simon wants to see her individuality, but says she should be around next week.
Singer: Lakisha Jones
Song: "I Have Nothing"
My Take: Lakisha can do Whitney without embarrassing herself, which isn't at all the same thing as doing Whitney well enough to distinguish herself. I got the notes and the vocal proficiency from her, but I'm not sure I got the emotion.
Simon, Crackle and Pop Say: It wasn't her best for Randy, but he still calls it great. Paula awkwardly quotes several of the songs Lakisha had sung previously. She had passion, talent and believability for Simon, who even says that she looks beautiful.
Singer: Gina Glocksen
Song: "Call Me When You're Sober"
My Take: Imagine if you saw Stephen Hawking lecture and then he suddenly stood up and tap-danced. You'd go, "That physics stuff was cool, but from now on I want to see Stephen Hawking soft-shoe." Gina's been setting us up for this performance for the past couple weeks, shying away from her rocker-chick persona and trying to seem like a generic belter. Tonight, she gives the people what they want. She looks great, coming to life in way we haven't seen from her previously. But reality check: Could somebody who's been watching Rock Star the past two seasons tell me how long Gina would last on that show? I like Gina, but she's no Amy Lee (of Evanescence) and she's no Storm Large.
Simon, Crackle and Pop Say: This is who Randy always thought that Gina was. This is more or less who Paula believed Gina should be. This was the first time Simon has seen her look comfortable. He hopes Gina makes it through.
Singer: Melinda Doolittle
Song: "I'm a Woman"
My Take: Dear Producers: Might I please suggest a mulligan? Look, you blew it on the men. You did a bit better on the women. But Melinda Doolittle is, at this stage in the competition, light years ahead of everybody else. I'm confident that even when the themes get stupid, she'll be able to sing anything you ask her to. So sign her to a contract and start over again. FOX could air the extra episodes five nights a week. I'm sure nobody at the network would complain. I give you permission to bring back Jordin, Lakisha, Stephanie, Blake and maybe Sabrina if you're feeling generous. But this isn't a race.
Simon, Crackle and Pop Say: Randy says a bunch of stuff. Paula calls her likeable, loveable and brilliant. "You little tiger," Simon coos. "I thought we had a pussycat. I love that." Then he throws a barb at Jennifer Hudson for her repeated attempts to call Idol her "stepping stone."
TONIGHT'S BEST: Melinda. Putting anybody else in that top group with her would just be mean.
IN DANGER: Haley's going home. I'd bet on that. I'd also bet on Antonella being unsquishable. With that in mind, I'd be concerned for Sabrina and Jordin. They're going to need votes.
Agree? Disagree? Who do you think's going home?
Please, please, please....Vote that no-talent little exibitionist skank (aka Antonella) off the show and let the real competition begin. And oh, yeah, while you're at it can we please lose Marcia Brady (aka Haley) too?
idolfreek | Mar 7, 2007 7:39:46 PM | #can white people sing?
blake????!!!!:TOTALLY TONE DEAF FOR CHRISSAKES!!
I'm hoping LaKisha sits on Antonella by accident, and they don't realize she's dead for a good seven or eight weeks.
Frank Rook | Mar 7, 2007 8:34:25 PM | #Gina sang "Call Me When You're Sober", not "Don't Cry for Me". Just FYI.
yearight | Mar 7, 2007 8:40:10 PM | #I totally agree. Melinda is the only one worth watching. Usually every season there are some people I would enjoy waiting to watch sing. This season??? Not so much. The difference between the boys and girls is that the girls can actually sing (some of them) while few if any of the boys can carry a tune. Give it to Melinda (or four girls, 2? boys) and let's get on with American Idol 6.5
arob | Mar 7, 2007 8:51:11 PM | #Antonella Barba -- Groan. But she's beautiful.... Totally commonplace performance. Ending didn't make up for it. Score: 2.0.
Gina Glocksen -- Was not impressed at first, but, okay, it got better. She reminded me of Pat Benatar somewhat. I liked the middle part of her performance most; she showed some spunk there, some originality. Score: 3.5
Haley Scarnato -- Wow. Did not like the song. Agreed with Randy. Voice was okay. But, I'd actually pick Antonella over her to listen to (on this night, at least). Score: 1.5
Jordin Sparks - She got better as her performance went along. Started shaky, the bridge was good, but the end was really good, especially the last note. Score: 3.1
Lakisha Jones -- No doubt she's a great singer. Lakisha has originality, yet she reminds of Jennifer Hudson also. I like her. She's sexy too. She's a star. Score: 4.5
Melinda Doolittle -- Mmmm, yeah....uh huh. Ow! Show stopper. What else needs to be said? (But this:) She is the next American Idol. Score: 5.0
Sabrina Sloan -- She rocks, and she's beautiful; stunning, really. Great performance. Score: 3.0
Stephanie Edwards -- Silky smooth. Class performance. Nice. Excellent, actually. Randy is close-minded. "She done sung it." Please. She might sing it again. Score: 4.0
mehtel | Mar 7, 2007 8:57:31 PM | #I disagree. While I thought Melinda's performance was exceptional, I don't think she stands alone. I think that LaKisha was just as exceptional. Don't forget that Melinda has years of stage experience as a back up singer. As it stands, I think that both their futures have been changed. Good for them!
hmmm | Mar 7, 2007 10:25:46 PM | #I don't think that American Idol should just be handed over to Melinda, I think Lakisha needs to be in that catorgory, she was fantastic last night, not just anyone can sing Whitney, she did great, while Melinda was very good, she is picking songs for the wrong generation.
Nancy | Mar 8, 2007 3:56:33 AM | #Melinda has a great voice, but can we all pitch in and buy the girl a neck? I find Sabrina and Stephanie to be unattractive and slightly irritating. Antonella...what more to say about her? The girl has a bad attitude, and Simon was right that she's done all she's going to do. Gina was better last night and she has a nice chest, but needs to lose the tongue ring.
Rocko Jocko | Mar 8, 2007 5:04:57 AM | #Can we please tell the idiot guy performers to lose the earrings and chains? They really look stupid with them. They also need (Blake) to dress not like they're from the ghetto projects, but like they care about their appearance and what they're doing. Also, tell Chris R that jerking your body to one side repeatedly is NOT dancing.
Tonto | Mar 8, 2007 5:09:18 AM | #Let's face it, America is stupid - and will put Miss Barba through again to the Top 12 - let's pray that "middle american white boys" wake up and get rid of her, before she can go on Tour. If she gets further than next week, I am done with the Tour and probably the show. There are too many no-name-never-gonna-be-singers in this years competition! Sad!
Jason | Mar 8, 2007 5:38:34 AM | #on a serious note...this is no longer a competition. i love stephanie and lakisha, but steph can't sing beyonce nor can lakisha sing "and i am telling you" every week!! come on peeps, melinda is on another planet, compared to the rest of this group!! oh, and EVERY SINGLE dude is just HORRID!!
ci | Mar 8, 2007 6:03:48 AM | #Blake is a loser, and Sanjaya is THE single worst male performer out there right now.
Chinko | Mar 8, 2007 6:24:56 AM | #I agree that Melinda and Lakisha are the best, but I think Stephanie is right in there (and Rocko Jocko - why do you think she's unattractive? I think she has attractive features - but it really shouldn't matter anyway.) As far as Antonella Barba goes - she is a bad singer, and seems to be kind of a jerk, she's haughty and not very self-aware at all. And frankly, I don't find her beautiful either - I just don't see it. And - Her personality and bad singing just erase any bit of attraction she may possess.
Sue | Mar 8, 2007 6:25:05 AM | #I CANNOT stand Melinda. I think she oversings everything. If I was like 75, I might like her, but I'm not and I don't. And that video clip last night? She is an absolute wacko! Her personality, which I think is totally fake, is too annoying to deal with. I hope she is this season's Chris...voted off early!
kaycee | Mar 8, 2007 6:37:20 AM | #i agree Melinda is not the prettiest knife in the drawer and would doubt she could sell many records based on that fact. she can sing yes, but tonites performance is vastly overrated.
The World | Mar 8, 2007 6:45:14 AM | #Rankings according to DIALIDOL.COM
1-Melinda Doolittle
2-Lakisha Jones
3-Gina Glockson
4-Antonella Barba
5-Jordin Sparks
6-Sabrina Sloan
7-Haley Scarnato
8-Stephanie Edwards
My ranking is:
1-Melinda
2-Lakisha
3-Gina
4-Jordin
5-Sabrina
6-Stephanie
7-Haley
8-Antonella
Antonella Barba cannot sing. The only think she is good for is the topless pictures. But let's tell the truth here, the girls are so much better than the guys. And next week they will be all together.
I think it will be Sabrina and Hayley are going home, assuming that the surprise tonight isn't a complete shake-up of the contestants. Jordin might have been in danger but she has the cute factor going on and while Sabrina is the better singer I just don't feel that she's connecting to the audience. Haley is doomed, which is a shame as she's so darned likable, and Antonella...well, FMBs and a minidress will do wonders. Sue, I'm sorry, you're wrong, the girl is great looking -- her personality, though, certainly puts her in the class of girls that will eventually be dumped by any man with the comment, "Girl was crazy!" Which will be followed by all his friends stating that they knew that, tried to warn him, they hated her all along, but, damn, at least you got to sleep with her, man, what's she like?
:-)
In a related note, kudos to Simon for both addressing the undiscussed issues surrounding Antonella and also for what I thought was an honest assessment of both her talent and composure. He was right on and went a long way to saving this season for me.
Chris C | Mar 8, 2007 7:48:20 AM | #I hate Stephanie's hair and her chest isn't big enough. Sabrina would be hot if she'd get a nose-job. Right now I'm completely turned off by her looks and her pitchy attempts at hitting the right notes.
Crink | Mar 8, 2007 7:51:51 AM | #Let's not forget this is not a beauty contest. This is a singing contest and Antonella should go home. She does not compaire to the other girls in voice quality. But what is the deal with Paula??? Late and looks like she is spaced out...what's up with that???
Batman | Mar 8, 2007 7:58:49 AM | #Maybe we should look at the people who chose these contestants in the first place. If they weren't so worried about controversial exploitation to get ratings then they would have chosen at least the boys differently. Remember the last two boys that were chosen forgot their words and were not the better singer? What would the show be like with the other two male contestants? Is Fox making the judges choose borderline singers for ratings? Do we need a Chicken Little and John Steves and Antonella each year for controversy? Fox and Idol won't keep me as a viewer if we have to put up with that!!! I just want those who can truly sing and perform and not those who Fox thinks we want to see. The judges and Fox are at fault here. We should let them know that.
GT | Mar 8, 2007 8:05:20 AM | #I pray god that Antonella Barba gets kicked off. whose voting for her? Why are they? She horrible. I'll give it to her for not running away and crying like haley did. AB is strong. but she cant sing and this isnt a personality contest. and why do people think lakisha is like better than jennifer hudson. She sang And i'm telling you wrong and she put no emotion in the whitney houston song. Shes not that great....I've seen better. This season basically sucks tho. The only good one is Melinda. I wated to throw a bible at her and start shouting. GO MELINDA!!!!
Shaka Zulu | Mar 8, 2007 8:44:53 AM | #Shaka, learn how to spell.
Kunta | Mar 8, 2007 8:50:40 AM | #I've watched several seasons, but never voted for anyone until last night. I voted for Gina a few times. I like her personality and she's got a good voice. I know she probably won't win, but I want to see her make it into at least the top five, so she stands a chance of getting a contract.
Julian | Mar 8, 2007 8:58:00 AM | #
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