The Big Big Stage

We finally made it to the really big stage, and a lot of the contestants looked like they wanted to run back to Little Big Stage. Lackluster is the word I'd use for tonight, with a few notable exceptions.

RANDOM THOUGHTS: So, Taylor, Ruben, Clay, and a few others weren't good enough to warrant inclusion in the opening montage. Thanks for the memories guys. You've had your day in the sun. The Dog tried to use every cliche he knows . . . in the first 30 seconds! My new "favorite" may be "in it to win it." Maybe because it rhymes. I'm easily amused sometimes. Randy was asking a lot of questions like "how do you think you did" tonight. Not a good sign at all. I was glad to see the cast of "Bones" in the audience tonight. They've gotta find some way to get around us fast forwarding the Tivo during commercials. This may be Diana Ross night, but any Marvin Gaye connection seemed to be worth a few compliments. There goes that crazy Brit giving us lessons in English again in the form of near homophone pair whale and wail. Diana Ross should be in the same class as Stevie Wonder as far as songs that must not be sung on A.I. I think the judges were waiting for a Diana-like performance, but then no one can sing like her, no one. So, Catch-22, here we come. At least she was very kind to the contestants. I was glad to see that.

BRANDON ROGERS ("Can't Hurry Love" but please hurry the song): This guy just blends into the background. He has talent, but for whatever reason he looks ill at ease in the forefront. He did seem very nervous tonight, and it's tough to be first in a new venue. I don't like the song in the first place, and he didn't make me love it any more tonight.

MELINDA DOOLITTLE ("Home," from The Wiz, not the good one by Michael Buble or the other good one by Chris Daughtry): I'm with Simon--I think the song is boring but Melinda made me like it. She is incredible. She seems like she shocks herself each week. At some point she needs to realize that she is IT and can win this thing if she keeps things fresh. Ricky Minor sure was digging the performance! And all the guys are wearing sneakers, so she should, too! And Simon, that feeling you were trying to shrug off with poor humor and juvenile antics? You were being moved!

CHRIS SLIGH ("Endless Love" with a loveless end): I'm a bit upset. Chris did a very cool arrangement and got no love for it. Even if the judges didn't like the arrangement because it's a Diana joint and sing it like it is and don't touch the arrangement, blah, blah, blah, they have to give him props for originality. "Be original" they say. "Hey, stick with the original" they say next week. Boo! Most of Chris's fans probably know this as the song being lip synced by the Zamboni driver on Happy Gilmore, so this version will top whatever impression they've had up until now. Regardless of the judges' comments, Chris's fans will love it!

GINA GLOCKSEN (The children's classic "Love Child"): She was edgy, and good enough, but a bit boring for my liking. It was the right song for her, and she didn't do anything to deserve being booted this week. I was a bit disappointed that she didn't pronunciate very well. She didn't really enunciate either for that matter. But it's not like Diana Ross has the best diction in the world!

SANJAYA MALAKAR ("Ain't No Mountain High Enough" to project his voice): Sanjaya gets drowned out by the backgrounds and band each week. He's a sweet kid, and he has a great voice, and this week was actually his best. I was disappointed in the way Randy treated him. He can be so condescending, and this does nothing to improve any performer's skills. And even if his hair is the dopest, don't mention it after raking him through the coals and laughing at him. Low class all around.

HALEY SCARNATO ("Missing You" kind Randy): Haley was so nervous our television was actually shaking before, during, and after her performance. But all in all she did a pretty good job. I'll admit that it was better than I expected. Less Belle, more good. I was glad to see Simon give her some praise, and after the negativity from the other stooges Haley looked a bit shocked. I'm also glad we didn't have a Brittney Spears moment with that dress. Yikes, that was close!

PHIL STACEY ("Love and Affection" and something else nice): Phil started out better than he usually does, sang the low notes more in tune, and screamed less. Notice I didn't say "not at all?" Overall it was a nice performance from him and he should be safe another week. I feel like I'm playing "She loves me, she loves me not" with Phil each week. This week, "I liked it."

LAKISHA JONES ("God Bless the Child" and Kiki, too): Wow! This is a two-woman contest right now. It's early, and crazy things happen, but Lakisher and Melinder are in a different class by themselves. The trick is to keep improving and keep it fresh. I was worried in the early weeks that Lakisha might end up being like Mandisa: a lot of power and screaming. But Kiki has proven herself as of late.

BLAKE LEWIS ("You Keep Me Hanging On" wishing no one ever sang this song): Now, I'm a Blake fan, and I'm glad he went original on us. But why did he get praise for the attempt while Paula took a second shot at Sligh? I don't see a huge enough difference in the two tries to do that. It was an okay performance tonight, but Blake definitely did not put out one of his best efforts tonight. And I would rather see Blake go out early, but hang on to his originality than see him conform for the judges. I don't see that being a problem, really.

STEPHANIE EDWARDS ("Love Hangover," but I wish I had the real thing right now): So she looked mad again. Stephanie, don't get mad, just sing well. She was pitch all over the place, and the song is boring. Don't blame the arrangement, because that's you, too. On the one hand I cringe when contestants say things like "I really forgot my lyrics" or "I sang like Randy on Xanax" or "Why do you keep voting me through when I stink like this," but I liked how many people sincerely took credit or blame for what happened tonight. Stephanie will win more supporters if she knocks the chip off her own shoulder before someone does it to her.

CHRIS RICHARDSON ("The Boss," but not Springsteen): If you had "Chris Richardson in the first week" in your office "first person on the risers behind the jugdes" pool, you collect the pot tonight. Well, Diana told him to work the audience. Can I just tell you how I hate that little stage behind the judges. So few people make it work, and so many more just lose their breath trying to smile, sing, mug for the camera, shake hands, kiss Paula, climb the steps, remember your lyrics and not to fall, sing a bit, run down the stairs, climb back up on the stage 4 beats too late, and then almost pass out at the end. Chris did maintain his style, and didn't embarrass himself. That's it.

JORDIN SPARKS ("If We Hold On Together" little dinosaurs will have a happy ending): I'm not ready to put her with Melinda and Lakisha, but Jordin was really good tonight. The performance was a bit "young," but I suppose that's okay since Jordin is a teen-ager. One thing is for sure--she can sing! I can see her being a major factor in this year's competition as long as she keeps improving with each week. It will be interesting to see how she progresses through this season.

MY QUICK HITS
BRANDON: Slow start, quick exit.
MELINDA: Whaddya say to skipping this whole thing and cutting an album now?!
CHRIS S.: Your fans will love tonight, but you need your glasses back.
GINA: Congratulations! You've survived Diana Ross week!
SANJAYA: Would somebody please turn up the volume on this guy?!
HALEY: Simon loves me! He really loves me!
PHIL: Cue him up for another week.
LAKISHA: You can skip this thing, too if you want.
BLAKE: I think I'm suffering from BBDS (Beatbox Deficiency Syndrome).
STEPHANIE: Want some dip with that chip?
CHRIS R.: Less "working" next week, more singing.
JORDIN: And you're only 17?

MY TOP THREE: Lakisha, Melinda, Chris S.
MY BOTTOM THREE: Stephanie, Sanjaya, Chris R.
FINDING STRENGTH IN ADVERSITY: Sanjaya

I'm interested to see how voting goes now that the guys and girls are consolidated. I also hope this week cures the judges of their "Girls vs. Guys" mentality. It's everyone for his or herself from now on. It's on now!