[kevkrom]

We seem to have the reverse of last season, where we had to cut deserving guys to make room for undeserving girls. Other than Kinnik, who in my mind clearly has to go, the other seven have done well enough over the last three weeks to merit making the top 12. Only six will make it.

For the night, here's my breakdown:

• Mandisa - Was it perfect? No, despite the judge-gasm we were treated to... a little too forced and over the top at the end. She's a great performer, though, no doubt, and delivered a convincing performance. My Grade: A-
• Melissa - Simon, you know, was way too harsh on her. She sang the, you know, song exactly the way it is supposed to be sung, you know, and it compared very well, you know, to the original, with only a bit of a closed or, you know, pinched nature to her tone providing any negative distraction. My Grade: A-, you know
• Lisa - While considerably more restrained than the last two weeks, it still looks a bit theatrical, i.e., movements look rehearsed and slightly exaggerated. I was happy to see a bit more engagement with the audience from her. I'm not fond of the particular style of singing that she did, but appreciated that she did it well. My Grade: B+
• Paris - Who is the real Paris? Every week, we get a different "act", it's like watching a musical revue in stages. She did not provide a convincing Latin performance, though she was technically sound. On the whole, this may be the first time I could buy her as a pop singer. My Grade: B
• Kellie - A good stage performance, though like Lisa, it suffers from a small touch of mechanical over-rehearsing. I wasn't particularly thrilled with the vocals -- the lower register stuff was swallowed up by the background, and the fake "growl" in her voice was just that, fake. And, drop the "hick" act in your interviews, it is really getting annoying. My Grade: B
• Ayla - Try as I might, I just don't "get" this performance or song choice. Good interaction with the audience, but probably needed more energy in the singing. My Grade: B-
• Katherine - The beginning was painful, as she tried to force herself to relax and have fun. On the other hand, eventually she did, and it got much better as it went on. It really was a poor comparison to the original, in my mind, very much a karaoke type of performance, although it was nice to see her try something more up-beat and to let herself relax. While not a great mark from me, this should stop her free-fall in the overall rankings. My Grade: C+
• Kinnik - Bad song choice, major pitch issues, boring. The diction was a bit improved, but don't let the door hit you on the way out. My Grade: D

I see no need to make any changes right now to the girls' overall rankings:

• Lisa Tucker (NC)
• Ayla Brown (NC)
• Mandisa (NC)
• Paris Bennett (NC)
• Katherine McPhee (NC)
• Melissa McGhee (NC)
• Kellie Pickler (NC)
• Kinnik Sky (NC)

Now... to the question of who should go... one is easy: Kinnik. The other one is a bit tougher. As strange as it sounds, if it were up to me, I would choose Mandisa as the odd woman out. It's not that I think she's the worst of the seven - far from it - but I can see any of the other six putting it together to win the whole thing, but I don't believe Mandisa can -- between her look and her age (which starts working against the gals after they top 24 or 25).

So, call that my long-shot prediction. My hedge bet will be that Simon successfully sabotages Melissa, and she joins Kinnik on the AI exit ramp.

[Always Right]

Now... to the question of who should go... one is easy: Kinnik. The other one is a bit tougher. As strange as it sounds, if it were up to me, I would choose Mandisa as the odd woman out.

Mandisa and McPhee are the top 2 gals. Your top gal Lisa may very well be on the bubble on Thursday. I don't think she will go, but don't be surprised if she is one of the girls standing on stage when Ryan announces who is going home. She is not safe. Mandisa will be safe early.

[Always Right]

We seem to have the reverse of last season, where we had to cut deserving guys to make room for undeserving girls.

Probably the strongest selection of girls. There are some real babes in this group and they can sing. I really can't see any of the guys outside of Chris and Taylor even having a shot at the top 5. I thought maybe Ace, but he hasn't shown the vocals is coming across as too wimpy.

[silent_jonny]

judge-gasm

A new word--I like it!

As strange as it sounds, if it were up to me, I would choose Mandisa as the odd woman out.

???

Mandisa is exactly what the Top 12 needs. If it wasn't for her, the girl's competition would've been a total snooze.

[Palladin]

I love your reviews, and agree with most of your assessments. Melissa sings way better than Pickle, but Pickle has the "Minx Factor" (read Almost Legal).

Mandisa is powerful, but almost too overwhelming. Did she have to tell us that she sings in the shower?...bad mental image.

Lisa is sweet, but too Disneyesque. In fact, I'm surprised she isn't under contract to Disney already.

Paris is like a little windup doll, or a trained poodle. Definietely overprogrammed by the Stage Momma, Stage Grandma, and Stage Aunties. Poor kid...I wonder if she's ever made any decision on her own in all her 16 years.

Melissa is sexy and a great rocker. She should be in the top six.

McPhee is bland, and so is Ayla. They are both missing the "IT" factor.