Top 10 Girls

Anyone else notice the fine Paula banter we're getting this season? She is quick and witty with the British cynic this year and I like it! Let's get right to it.

GINA GLOCKSEN- "Alone" by Heart
I love that song! Honestly? Chills, great control. She hit the lower notes better than Carrie Underwhere. I think her image and the song are edgy, but she could've been a bit "edgier," I suppose, in her delivery. Still, not bad. I like her.

Stupid Finger Tricks: Did she?

ALAINA ALEXANDER- "Ready To Make Nice" by The Dixie Chicks
Aw, her mom was crying! She looks beautiful. She was WAY drowned out by the background and seemed to run out of breath (Simon agrees). It was a bit off. And UGH, do NOT ask the judges for advice! That doesn't ever help. It results in you looking needy and them engaging in more stupid banter. I know it's a competition and in a perfect world, they'd provide more constructive criticism than "Dawg, that was a'ight," but it IS technically a reality TV show.

Stupid Finger Tricks: A study in the number 2. A peace sign. Frontwards. Backwards. "2." "2." *kiss the number 2* "1. 2." Wow, she was over compensating.

LAKISHA- "Midnight Train" by Gladys Knight
I'm forgetting her last name. That's a positive "Diva" sign, eh? Excellent! More reigned in, very good. She's VERY enjoyable and relaxing to watch, because you don't get nervous for her. She gets unfairly compared to Mandisa. She's MUCH better than Mandisa and more consistently on. Simon's full of fashion advice tonight. You say Salmon. I say Orange. Potato. Potata.

Stupid Finger Tricks: Again, none necessary and she knows it

MELINDA DOOLITTLE- "My Funny Valentine"
What's to say? She's phenomenal and has really, REALLY good control. I LOVE watching her perform because she constantly amazes herself with her own abilities. She's adorable and so so good. I REALLY like her. Very, very much.

Stupid Finger Tricks: Nope. Just shock.

ANTONELLA BARBA- Does it matter what song by Celine?
Celine?! CELINE?! You've GOT to be kidding me. Nope.

Stupid Finger Tricks: Forward. Backward.

JORDIN SPARKS- "Reflection" by Christina Aguilera
Shaky start and some spots (she started out crying--gotta love that kind of sibling closeness), but overall, WOW! She's 17?! She's adorable and amazing. She was so sincerely and sweetly emotional.

Stupid Finger Tricks: 3+3 =7? No wait. 3+3=6.

STEPHANIE EDWARDS- "Dangerously in Love" by Beyonce
She's sort of a mix of Fantasia (who I like a lot) and LaToya London (who I do not like). She has quite a range. Fantastic dynamics. She doesn't have that refreshing humility that Melinda does. She's too cocky and I think that's a dangerous thing, especially at this stage.

Stupid Finger Tricks: A Fantasia-like "7"

LESLIE HUNT- "Feelin' Good" by Nina Simone
Less oddly manic moves, but some weird scatting that didn't even come close to comparing with Blake's impressive delivery.

Stupid Finger Tricks: Kind of a psycho "8"

HALEY "Marie Osmond" SCARNATO- "Queen of the Night" by Whitney Houston
What the HECK are people thinking?! If you *don't* do well the first week and all the while you hear constant criticism from the judges to your competitors saying things such as, "That song was way too big for you" and "If you're going to take on Mariah or Whitney or Celine, you've got to be able to back it up in a big way" and the like, hey, I know. Maybe don't do Whitney or Celine. Especially if it's way too big for you. And especially when you can't back it up.

Stupid Finger Tricks: None. She was crying. But hey, she did get an "A for Effort."

SABRINA SLOAN- Something I don't know or remember
I know who she reminds me of! Gloria Estefan! She has a beautiful tone to her voice and she is a powerhouse!

Stupid Finger Tricks: 10 fingers WHILE holding the mic. Impressive.

Tops: Melinda and Lakisha
Bottom 2: Antonella and Alaina and Leslie
Going Home: Leslie and Haley. But if Haley gets sympathy votes crying after the judges' harsh criticism (which seems especially rough to take after you clearly think you've done better and have worked so hard), Leslie and Alaina