Ok, Bucky did not sing some old grunge song. It was "Simple Man" by Skynrd. Geez, I'm not saying he rocked or anything but is was not some old grunge song.

My other thoughts:
Mandisa- I have to give the girl credit for pulling off the Wilson sister's vocals. She rocked, I was impressed.
Kellie Pickler-It's impossible for me not to say her first name without saying her last name too. She's too cute, I hope she doesn't win though because she is clearly not the best singer. I hope something good happens to that poor girl.
Becky-Amateur. She turned a song about passion into "Look how hot I am and how husky my voice is." I'm glad she's gone
Ayla-Snob-bot strikes again. I didn't see any emotion and although I do applaud her for trying to take on Christina's vocals, she did not wow me.
Paris-Damn,girl, you go! Great vocals. My dad thought her cutesy moves were annoying. I found them endearing and age appropriate. Plus, I like to watch people who feel the music (unlike Snob-bot) instead of someone who just stands there, staring blankly, bored with their own singing..
which brings us to Stevie...boring song, boring vocals, boring girl. I was nodding my head with Randy when he said he was daydreaming during her performance. Glad she's out too.
Brenna-I'm all about good TV so I was excited about Brenna. I don't think she should win but I don't think she was the worst either. She'll be gone soon.
Heather-Sounded better when she was sick. She bored me.
Melissa-She impressed me and I wished we had seen more of her. She messed up a couple of times, but I thought she sounded great. I like HER husky voice.
Lisa-Freaking fantastic. She reminded me of Natalie Cole a little.
Kinnick-Side note as to why I want Brenna around: If any of you recorded this, look up to where the girls are standing when Kinnick is singing.Kinnick hits an off note, and I'm pretty sure that's an "Ew" face that Brenna is making.Yeah, she didn't impress me at all either. She did look great though (not to sound like stupid Paula.)
Katherine-WOW! She made me like a Barbra Streisand song and I do NOT like Babs. She was so sexy on stage too, but she was so goofy afterwards on stage which I found adorable. I think I have a crush on her.
The Dawg Pound gets on my nerves. I would rather be in Simon's posse.I like how Randy was critical and not all freaking butterflies and rainbows like batty Paula.
I want whatever she is on. She was so drugged up that night and had trouble speaking. She told someone they were the "fire in her heart." WTF? You crazy, Paula, you crazy.
I still can't stand Ryan and think it's hilarious when he tries to insult Simon. It always comes off as something my 14 year old niece would say.
My top 6 girls
Paris
Katherine
Lisa
Mandisa
Melissa
Kelly for sweetness or Brenna for bitchiness.

Guy's night
Ok, so I usually agree with Simon except that I have loved Taylor since the beginning. That said, I was surprised when Paula and Randy kept telling Simon he was having an off night, because I agreed with him. Personally, I think that Paula and Randy just say they like some people's performances to save their asses because they voted them in.

Patrick-I'm not sure how it is possible for a dude to sound more like a chick singing this song than the woman who sang it. Sure, Melissa has a deep voice, but it's not THAT deep. Hey, I like men in dresses. But, I cannot accept a straight man who sounds more feminine than I do.
David-I loved the redhead crooner from a couple years ago. This guy doesn't have it though. I hated the Elvis lip snarls he was trying to pull off. If he would have came out there Freddie Mercury style, I probably would have loved it.
Bucky-Sounds just like Boomhauer from King of the Hill when he's talking. He didn't impress me so much when he was singing though. Sounded like a good college band, but a college band nonetheless.
Will-This kid is freaking adorable. He wasn't the best singer by far, but he put on a good performance, I thought.
Sway-I hated it. He missed alot of notes and actually hurt my ears. My cats hated it too.
Chris-Yeah, I think he rocked. I hate that song, but thought he put on a good performance. I don't think that he is the best but I can't wait to hear more from him.
Kevin-Sorry to all you Kevin fans, but he bores me to tears. I feel like I'm in a white bred church listening to hymns when he sings.
Gideon-I hate the song "Shout" so I am a little biased. I was bored until half way through the song when I said to myself "He does have some soul." I'm ready to hear more from him.
Elliot-Honestly, I DO think that Elliot needs to get his teef fixed, but he is a great vocalist. He didn't wow me though.
Bobby-I have this man voice I do when I rub my boyfriend's back to freak him out. Bobby sounded like my man voice, which isn't good. I like his energy but his singing was NOT good. He might fare well as a Vegas lounge singer, though.
Ace-I wasn't an Ace fan and still will not go completely that way. But, he DID impress me tonight. I like the song choice and he didn't sound so damn feminine this time. I don't like the eye humping the camera. Some girls go gaga, but I found it gross.
Taylor-OMG! I about creamed my jeans when Taylor said he was going to sing "Levon." I love Taylor and I love "Levon." He had some rough spots, but for the most part, it was awesome. Dude has all kinds of soul.

My picks for top six guys:
Taylor
Chris
Elliot
Ace
Will
Gideon or Bucky

My dad pointed out to me that in the start of the show, no one applauds for Paula. LOL, it's true.
"Randy Jackson!!!"-applause-o-meter reaches an 8.
"Paula Abdul!!!" applause-o-meter drops suddenly and steadies at a 4.
"Simon Cowell!!!" raises to an 8.
I don't give a shit if Paula doesn't agree with Simon. She needs to learn to stop interrupting people because I would like to hear what Simon has to say. Ryan told Simon to give constructive criticism, shouldn't Paula have to give some criticism when it's needed?! Maybe she should stop drooling over Ace too because that Corey Clark fiasco isn't that far behind her.

Is there anyway we can vote Ryan Seacrest off? I would PAY to hear him say "Ryan Seacrest, out," and actually not have to see him again.

Uh...dude...Bucky sang Lynard Skynard which is definitely not grunge. Otherwise, this was funny! Thanks!

Does anyone think that Taylor might have Tourette's syndrome? Seriously. The way he flails his head sideways and yells spontaneously.

Did you see the lips on Patrick's friend?

Finally, why did Randy keep acting like this was the guys against the girls? He said things like the guys were going to have to bring it because the girls were so good.

I have to say this first, am I the only one who thinks Bobby looks like Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite? I wanted so badly to be able to post "Vote For Pedro!"

Anyway, good riddance to Becky, and bummer about Stevie, I really wanted to hear more of her. As for the boys no suprise about Bobby, and bummer about Patrick. I really wish the lounge singer would go, I can't understand why his following was more than Patrick.
I have so many favorites already, the boys more than girls, once it gets down to Chris, Ace, Elliott, and Taylor, I'll cry...Katharine is my fav girl, although Lisa, Mandisa, and Paris are high contenders.

Great Recap. I like your take on everybody and even agree for the most part.

I was a little put off with Seacrest for making Ace do the smolder a second time. Don't they understand you can't force something like that? You force it and it comes off stupid and a little creepy.

I think Taylor's rendition of "Levon" was good, not great. But easily good enough to whip the other guys.

I'm glad that the people who commented before me pointed out that Bucky sang Lynard Skynard and not some grung song that went out ten years ago, because that is the thing that bothered me about this recap. That, and saying that Sway was good when he was TERRIBLE! Ugh! I wasn't crazy about Patrick, but there were people who should have gone home before him.

I am surprised Becky got the lowest number of votes when Kinnick(sp?) and Heather were so bad.

I agree Taylor needs a different haircut. With the right haircut, he would look just like George Clooney. If you think I'm crazy, just look at his eyes. Whenever he stops spazzing.

"Since I Fell for You" is not an exclusively Barbra Streisand song - it is a standard that has been recorded by the likes of Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and even the immortal Kenny Rogers. I guess when you're 17 you think what you know is all that there is to know.

Oh, and I have never seen poor Paula look uglier than she did on the night the girls sang. She looked like a librarian at a women's college.

Well, you can call me 17 anytime you want, sweetheart. I'm glad I'm not so starstruck that I think someone who eats a bucket of fried chicken a day will live forever. Hey, you're the one who started to take things literal. I KNOW that Babs is not the only one who recorded the song, she is the one that stuck out in my mind though.

long live Tyler Hicks!

It is amazing to see a idol singer that really goes against the grain. i hope when he makes the top 10 and the stylists get a hold of him that he won't change too much...he's cool a different level. and rock on Mandisa!

Not trying to start an argument here but I think what Dan meant was that Bucky's style of singing was grunge not the song. He admitted he didn't know what the song was then said he didn't like what Bucky was doing with his voice- that it sounded like grunge. Anyway, that's how I read it.

Your assessments were pretty much right on Dan.

Mandisas very sweet, I just did not care for her song choice.

As for Kelli. I am tired of the sad, woe is me backstory already. She has had a crappy life. I GET IT! Use your talent to get the votes.

When I saw Ace playing to the cameras with that look, I started yelling at the TV.. NO, don't do it!
Granted he is much more attractive than Constantine. But it's still creepy regardless.

Bucky. Mush Mouth poor bumpkin.

After Simons comment about Elliot, I replayed his song, and listened with my eyes closed. It actually worked! He sounded amazing.

I am as creeped out by Gideon as Simon is. His smile reminds me of the Joker.

Kevin and his constant squinting, caused me to start squinting along with him, and I lost track of what he was singing.

I thought Lisa was okay. She impressed me when she was on Star Search long ago. Was shocked to see her on Idol.

Other than Chris the guys were disapointing.

Oh, when Bobby sang just two notes I spit Cranberry juice all over my new blouse. Hope to catch him in a lounge in Vegas. he's so going to pay for my dry cleaning.

Paula really does need to lay off of the Xanax Bars. Shes pathetic! Replace her with someone who has a pulse AI.

Oh, I have to agree with Suebee about Taylor.

Every time he performs. My nursing skills kick in and I want to remove any chairs or sharp objects away from him before his seizure begins, then pray that he doesn't choke on his own tongue. Poor talented mess that he is.

How do you not know Skynyrd?? Sounds NOTHING like grunge...GEEZ....

Good recap Dan! I base my favorites on who I'd like to hear sing their whole song not just the 2 verses Idol has time for. I would have loved to see Paris and Taylor finish their songs. Both of them are so entertaining to watch! I can't wait to see what they sing next!

Yikes, Miranda, I was referring to Katherine's description of the song, not yours. I prefer to make fun of the contestants and not my fellow humble posters.

When Elliot sings, he reminds me of Alf.

Ok, now that Becky's gone maybe instead of the "look how attractive these girls are" shots, they'll start giving Ace's brother more cameos....he's just as pretty as Ace! Where has he been hiding all this time?

I'm enjoying most of the high schoolers this time around. Paris and Lisa are two of my favs. And although he's a good 8 years younger than me, I'm a little in love with Will.

I'm not sure who the top 12 should be, but aside from the above mentioned, I'm all for Mandisa and Chris (who better take their suggestion of singing some matchbox twenty....I can see him kicking ass with "Disease"!)

The one thing that still annoys me every season is people saying they're singing songs "by" whoever sang them first. You would have thought by now the writers of Dreamgirls would call them up and say "btw, Jennifer Holiday did't write the show, she just starred in it!"

Great recap. I also disagree about Sway, but, hey, Paul and Randy liked him. But, I usually side with Simon on 99% of these things anyway - and Sway made himself into a joke. IMHO, he's lucky to still be with us.

I sooooo wish we could see the vote totals every week. I'd like to know just how many Taylor got. I look forward to this show now to see him sing. I almost wish he'd get kicked off now so we could get his album sooner. Honestly, he's a better Joe Cocker than Joe Cocker. Come on, admit it, you all can't wait to see what Taylor does with show tunes, country songs, standards, etc!

Kellie Pickler is going to make it to the final 6 just based on her looks. Sorry, but, I don't think she can win, but she's final 6 material.

As for Bobby, loved the comment on Jackie Gleason drunk. I think everyone in America was thinking, "Vegas!"

The lounge singer has got to go. Annoying! But, he's not even Vegas...Do I hear Branson, anyone!!!!

Anyway, for me, the final 12 will be:

Mandisa (wouldn't you find delicious irony in a Mandisa/Taylor final?)
Kellie
Lisa
Parris
Katherine
Ayla
Taylor
Ace
Chris
Elliot
Will
Gedeon

I'm so happy that other people noticed Paula's awful hair on girl's night! I honestly couldn't even listen to her talk, she looked like a freak!

Papi que te pasas, estas loco?
NO SWAY JOSE!!!
This is AI not Pimp My Idol.

I'm glad no one I cared about is gone. My next pretenders to go Heather Cox, Brenna, Kevin, and David. Just all go please and soon.
Alright I will admit since I'm from Jersey I am very biased to Chris singing Bon Jovi, but I created the Chris bandwagon, and I'm not jumping off. Who I was really surprised I enjoyed was Bucky, I actually rewound my DVR twice to listen to him.

Please everyone just shut you eyes and cover your ears when Ace and Pickler come on screen, they are evil, and cannot win. Ace contine the dreary-eyed I just finished and I think I may love you look, and you'll be gone in no time my friend.

Wasn't that Patrick's mother? And wasn't she Jocelyn Wildenstein? If you don't know who this is PLEASE don't google her. I'm not taking any responsibility for lost lunches or eyes jabbed with hot pokers, which seem to be quite popular.

Sorry Bauer's Sweetheart. I am embarrassed for being so defensive,if that helps. The fact that your comment wasn't even directed towards me is not helping the blushing in my face right now either.

Did anyone see Bucky's friends? Lord, if you think Patrick's mom is ugly,take a look Bucky's friends. Poor Bucky, at least Dan and his trailer park mammas think he's attractive. You can't take it back, Dan. You said so in your Final 24 recap!

Are we allowed to ask Dan Real World questions? I just want to know if Flora's tits are still as perky as they used to be, that's all. Oh yeah, and if Joe really did end up marrying that Amazon woman, Nic.

Damn people ease up - he said he had no clue what song Buckey was singing and that he "didn't like what he was doing with the whole throaty-voice thing." That's why he brought up grunge and I agree - the way he sang, it sounded more like Pearl Jam than Skynrd. I'm shocked he didn't get booted this week.

I like little Kevin with his squint and lispy voice. I don't think he's gonna be the next Idol, but I think he'll make the top 12. Plus- little dude can hit the high notes w/out his voice CRACKING (unlike some of the girls) and he sings on key! If they can make over Gayken, they can make him look a little more presentable too. Maybe the wardrobe people can subtract a little from Sway (who doesn't impress me), and give it to Kev. Ayla had a better voice than I expected to hear, but no one should ever attempt to cover a Christina song if they can't hit the high notes. If there's a God, Brenna goes this week.

Taylor and Katherine are it for me - he is original and talented albet a bit on the twitchy side and Katherine truly has a voice and a look that could make her a star.

Elliot has a wonderful voice but watching him sing makes my stomach clench - all i can think of when he is singing is Abe Lincoln with my brother-in-laws bad teeth. If anyone in the world needs their ears pinned back and some orthodontia, its him!!

Thank god Bobby was voted off, when they had him sing after being voted off, I had to fast forward through it, it was barely tolerable the first time and all I can say is that dude must really love his grandma!!

Kevin does not belong on that stage and it is only a matter of time - tick tock but until then, his lisp is fun and so is his giant head. We are sure he is special and the short bus misses him. Sway was horrible and needs to go home. I cant believe anyone liked him.

As for Brenna, can all of us agree not to NEVER EVER vote for her so we can make her go far away. Its not bad enough that she spent the entire night making faces from the catwalk at all the other singers but after seeing her transformation to super-fly chick on thursday I dont think I can stand another minute of her - the twins werent even as annoying as she is. And if Gideon smiles again, i think i might just panic. He resembles the little Sprite commercial guy and needs to have that mole (moley moley moley) removed off the tip of his nose.

Lastly, didnt anyone else see Paulas resemblence to any female character from Planet of the Apes. Her whole face was transformed into a cavewoman/chimp look with that babarella hairdo. I could not look at her the whole night - bad stylist - doesnt she have any friends? And the guys on the cat walk attempting to look cool dancing to the other contestants was troubling -taylor having a siezure has more rhythm than all of them put together!

I totally agree that Paula's hair was ridiculous. She needs to tone down the weaves or get a new wig.

Now as for the singing, I too was surprised that Becky O'Donahue got the lowest number of votes. There were others, like Kinnik, Brenna, or one of those other three girls that we'd never seen before, that deserved to go home before she did. I suspect Becky declined a date with the producer's son one too many times and therefore got her phone line shut down early, hence her premature ouster.

As for the guys, I think the right two are gone. Bobby's rendition of "Copacabana" was truly horrific. Barry Manilow will probably rescind AI's right to use his songs on the show.

I was actually relieved they didn't keep Becky solely for her looks, because her singing wasn't remotely enjoyable.

Jeepers. Listening to Sway was just painful...he sounded like Horatio Sans doing that guy who loves cocoa butter on SNL.

Bucky seems kinda white trash, but sweet white trash, not like, KKK white trash. He sounded very Dave Grohl to me and he seems very kind and gentle. I hope he gets to stick around.

I don't know why, but Gideon just screams douchebag. He "knows" he's a good performer? There is a difference between being confident and just being an ass. And he's an ass. Plus, like Simond said, there is something about his smile that creeps me out.

Ace. Stop it. You aren't sexy, you look just as oddly pervy as Constantine did last time only you look less like a woman. The "sexy" gazing only masks a mediocre voice.

This is my last afterthought, I promise.

Copacobana was AWESOME. So awesome, in fact, that I had my first really big laugh in awhile. This was an "I-can't-breathe" I'm laughing so hard type laugh. I think Bobby Bennett is positively the most entertaining guy ever. I would sooo see him in concert.

One more thing about Ace. He's very cute; I would totally spoon with the dude. I love his hair; it doesn't have the weird, ratty, greasy look Constantine's had, plus he doesn't look generally greasy like Constantine and can actually sing unlike Constantine. Anyway, GEORGE MICHEAL???? Is he trying to let the world know he's a 'mo? (not that that is a bad thing, but if he's going for the whole smouldering sexy straight man thing, he is sorely mistaken if he's choosing George Micheal songs).

And Will Makar...so adorable. Like Paula said, he looks like Bobby Brady and I was just entertained throughout his performance. He'll be around just because people will get rid of Sway and Bobby Bennett first, but I adore him.

Please, please, please, for my sanity, stop comparing Ace to Constantine. Now that it has been pointed out to me, I can see what you are all talking about. The playing to the camera, the hair flipping, I get it. The problem is I have an embarrassing, preteen type crush on Ace and I violently hate Constantine. I hated everything about Constantine and the day he was kicked off, I actually called my friend and we went out for a celebratory drink. I think the big difference between the two of them is that Ace is insanely good looking and when he plays to the camera, it actually is hot and Constantine has a butt chin.

Ease up on the mean "white trash" comments. Some people don't have a lot of money and material things aren't important to others. Why are you so "down with poor people"? Geez . . .

Anyone that badmouths Bucky for NOT being wealthy is probably badmouthing Ayla for that same reason. Hypocrites flock to American Idol. What has Ayla said or done that has made her appear to be a snob? "I drive a BMW so I guess I should vote for her." Come on . . . She is proper, articulate, respectful, poised etc. She didn't pout when Simon told her he wasn't impressed during the auditions. She took his criticism and worked with it. We need more teenagers like her in this country. I am sick to death of Friday and Saturday nights at the movies overrun with today's disrespectful teenagers. Cell phones, bubble gum and dented cars . . .

This is a talent competition but many are making it a social commentary.

I think this was a great recap and I agreed on most. I did not care for Sway's song; I don't think Patrick should have gone home yet; Elliott does have a great voice and is very humble; Ace picked the PERFECT song; Katherine is great and she made perfect use of the camera (why can she make lovey-eyes at the camera but Ace cannot?). Love Paris; Chris is good; and Lisa does need to stretch. I was glad that Brenna chose to show some humility . . . but she still needs to go home. Gidion's trying not to smile after Simon told him his smile was creepy was hilarious.

And why is Ryan so obsessed with Simon's clothes? Seriously.

I see that it was the same person who made fun of Bucky's lack of wealth and smeared Ayla because of her abundance of it. Go figure.

I believe you will find that the meaning of "white trash" is not a person without means. "White trash" is someone who has no proper social etiquette or has low moral standards or is lacking in education. As an example: Paris Hilton, though worth a great deal of money, is "white trash" through and through. She's just not "poor white trash".

About Bucky's performance, whil I didn't think he did the greates job singing that song in the end I think the band screwed him because if you know Simple Man you know that that song is all about the guitar and it just wasn't there backing him up.

I was SOOO not going to watch or care about this season, since the last 2 have sucked so hard...but I am totally sucked in. Mandisa is awesome, I hate, hate, HATE Brenna!!!! Ace is so incredibly hot, Elliot and Chris can really sing, and I am madly in love with Taylor. There, I said it. I feel better now....Oh, and I am going to miss Bobby...yes, it WAS like Jackie Gleason got drunk and sang Manilow (one of the funniest things I have ever read, and you guys come up with a lot of funny shit) but he is such a hoot to watch.

Looks like we are in for a great season!

My favorite preformance of the night was Ayla's. When you try to sing a Christina song you better be good. And she so was. I get the feeling she's sung that song before and it'll be interesting to see how she does with a song she's not polished and perfected. I don't want her to win because I kept thinking during her whole background story- "what in the world are you doing here?" Her basketball team members are probably asking themselves the same.

Paris was too bouncy bouncy jumpy jumpy for me. I appreciated how she livened things up a big but if she woulda turned it down just one notch. Just one...

Stevie... oh Honey... you and your opera training an American Idol does not automatically make. Now go eat a sandwich already!

Brenna- her "clawe's" might be coming out but the drama needs to go back in. I'd hate to see her in the top 6 just because she's "good tv" vs. someone else with real talent and a better attitude.

The Dawg Pound thing is bad. Paula's Pussycats (complete with gestures) was really really bad. I am embarrassed for all of them.

Patrick- dude, I knew you were gone when you sung a chick song (ok, a lesbian chick, but a chick nevertheless) and sounded more like a girl than she did. Too bad, I liked ya though.

David- Didn't like the redhead, don't like you.

Sway- I am not swayed. He was probably wearing his tighty whities too tight.

Gideon- LOVED the wedding singer comment! His dancing was just too cheesy for words.

Elliot- I don't think there has been anyone to do a Stevie Wonder song well. Until Elliot. He was awesome!

Ace- You are good looking. We get that.

Taylor- most in need for an AI makeover. Start with his twitching and move his head straight. Then maybe you could do something with the hair. I think the only way I am gonna get thru the season with him is to close my eyes during his performances.

Bobby- please please please find yourself a gay bar, a yellow turban with some fruit in it and a flashy dress. That performance would of rocked in drag!

Thank God we don't have to ever watch Stevie make those grotesque lip contortions ever again! When Simon was opining about her performance she kept screwing her mouth up in the most hideous fashion. Maybe it was to hold back tears, but it was awful.

Um.....all I have to say is Dawg Pound??? more like Geek Squad. And did anyone else think that Bobby was almost too gay to function?

I hope that Sway and Brenna are the next man and woman cut. They are both like nails on a chalkboard to me.

MrsC, great image of Bobby, and a bit of a relief that they at least let one of the female impersonators through . . . rare to be entertained in that way on this show . . .are they thinking william Hung!? Not a talent . . . but fun, none the less.

I really like Ayla too, and I like her hard work esthetics, if she's privledged, at least she's not riding it. Best song choice for me, and if you've heard Christina's version, gotta love her, but so, so, so overdone--I felt the film version was better, and Ayla sounded more like that--pure melody, beautiful song!!!!

Can't stand Gedeon, I just can't, and I try to not hate, but man he's pushing my limit--so, so, so full of himself, w/ nothing but averageness to show for it.

I don't like sway, but I liked hearing EWF on AI . . great song!

Elliot, despite the teef, and personally, hate the lincoln beard on anyone, but he's the one I'll vote for and I can't wait to hear him sing more. I also liked his ease performing, nothing showy or overdone, just a light groove and also great texture on parts of that song!!!!

Paris is the bomb, lisa and Mandisa great, Ace is tolerable, I dig Chris and I actually think Kevin is adorable!!!!! If you close your eyes on him, he's not that bad.

Oh, and Kellie, so sweet . . . I'm chucking it up to nerves why she sounded so tight, but she'll need serious help to compete, but so sweet!

Am I the only one who thinks that Taylor could use a good cock punch?

woo-hoo for juddfan , who agrees with me about Kevin. He doesn't even have a potbelly!

Hmm, first post, where to begin? Umm, I hate everyone except Taylor. Especially Chris. I think I'm the only person alive that hates Chris, but I'm sorry. He sounds like a god damn goat when he sings. He needs to stop bleating to mask the fact that he can't really sing anything that wasn't written by a guy with feathered hair and white leather pants. As much as I hate him, though, I hope he wins the whole thing. Why? Because, as soon as he becomes famous enough, he will leave his older wife and another man's kids for Paris Hilton. Then 5 weeks later, Paris Hilton will leave him for Kevin. And I am SOOOO looking forward to that.

I liked Chris better until I saw him in the group number, where he outrageously belted out his solo. Where's the nuance, Chris? Do you have to power sing everything? I guess we shall see.

I'm not sure what's up with the Sway haters, but I do know you know little or nothing about singing. Phillip Bailey doesn't even try Reasons when EWF tours these days, and I wouldn't be surprised if it took him a ton of takes when they originally recorded it. Falsetto is frickin' hard, and when Sway dropped into his normal register he rocked the house. It'll all make sense this week, don't worry.

And to Papi: Elliot was performing "If you really love me" by Stevie Wonder. Kind of a classic, and a GREAT song, check it out.

You are right Uncle Mikey, I don't know much about singing. I do know when someone sings and it sounds terrible though.

I'm not a Sway hater, I am a falsetto hater. I do hope this week he sticks to his regular voice.

LQ, I forgot to pick up on your notice of "the Lips" I was aghast myself!!! We occasionally review the show here in the office, and it was noted that they were friends and not his parents . . . but yes, "the cat woman" definitely applies!!!!

Woohoo to you too, zoobabe--we'll see how the little guy does this time!

Ps. I do like Chris, but hearing him in the group number he really stuck out. It seems he should have done "come to my window" as he and Melissa both sing from the throat--I'm not dissing on either of them, but it's much harder that way, and I hope the coaches can help him breath better and not push so hard. I heard Melissa on "Fresh Air" I think, and she was discussing how futile lessons were for her as her style was too ingrained.

My faves are Taylor, Paris, Lisa, Mandissa and Katharine. I'm still not sure about Kellie and Melissa. Kellie has been telling a couple of lies lately.

1) She cries on tv whinning about her dad. On interviews, she doesn't mention her dad. She just mentions "family problems." Er...why would she do that? Sympathy votes? Maybe.

2) She said she cannot dance, yet she has said on interviews that one of her greatest talents is dancing.

3) She said she didn't know whether she sang good or whether or not she'd become the next AI. Now she says she WILL.

4)When cameras are rolling on her, she acts crazy. When they aren't she acts okay.

5)Nobody has talked to her until now. She acted in the hollywood auditions like a know-it-all.

Don't get me wrong, I love her singing, but apparently she's Carrie Underwood 2. Carrie acted all humble, but her claws came out in the middle of the last season. Now she thinks she deserves a Grammy! So I don't know what to believe anymore. I say, finish publishing those background checks, like they did with Becky and the twin brothers, and let the public see them, then decide. We never know, we might pick up the next serious killer, or the next stuck up singer or hey we might pick the best male singer in history! Or the next best female singer or the next America's Sweetheart! Before voting, I suggest reading the contestants' interviews.

By the way, Kellie said she has never had singing trainning and she had.

What really goes down at 'A.I.' hotel
By TMZ.COM STAFF

(Feb. 23, 2:00AM ET) -- 'American Idol' contestant Melissa McGhee is upset because she feels she's gotten less face time than her peers. But she's making up for that shortcoming by using her cell phone incessantly to vote for herself.

Almost every female contestant is disgruntled over what they believe is a double standard -- that Becky O'Donohue has been criticized for her sexy pose in 'Maxim,' yet 'A.I.' hunk Ace Young can strike sexy poses on the show but he's viewed as "cool."

TMZ knows exactly where 'American Idol' contestants have been staying while in LA. It's a luxury hotel in Beverly Hills, though we won't say which one. We are privy to exactly what went on as contestants watched 'A.I.' together, hung out in the hotel's restaurant/bar and the VIP lounge, and even what they did in elevators. To say the least, it's amusing.

-- Kellie Pickler started out very nice, but the lowdown is that she's getting downright arrogant. Pickler told the chef, "You're lucky to be cooking for me." In fact, Pickler is so taken with herself that she belts out tunes in the hotel elevator.

-- On Monday night, Taylor Hicks hibernated in his room, ordering steak and milk for dinner.

-- Gedeon McKinney can not believe his good fortune. On Tuesday night he was on his cell phone telling someone: "I can't believe the rooms are $219 a night. Can you believe they pay that?" McKinney added: "I guess they're moving us to an 'American Idol' mansion cause it's so expensive here."

-- On Tuesday night, 10 of the contestants, including Brenna Gethers, gathered in the restaurant/bar to watch the show. When Gethers saw herself on TV, she jumped out of her seat and began dancing to her performance. When Simon panned her, Brenna began ranting at the screen. After that, she asked the chef to sprinkle some sugar on her dessert, commenting: "I need some sugar on here after all the remarks Simon gave me." She was also lobbying people in the bar (not contestants) for votes.

-- Hotel staff says they're fed up with the stage parents. One staffer says Will Makar's mom demanded that she wanted her dinner "in seven minutes."

When the group first arrived, they ate like there was no tomorrow. But they've suddenly become health-conscious -- the most conspicuous changes are that tuna has replaced steak as a favorite entree and asparagus has become the new french fry. Becky O'Donohue's new favorite slogan: "Do it right, do it light."

-- All of the contestants have Simon on the brain. No one talks about Randy or Paula.

tmz.aol.com/article2?id=2...0809990001

http://tmz.aol.com/article2?id=20060222190809990001

that's the link to the article above

Is it just me or is the whole "I'm kelly pickler and im the cutest person ever" thing getting really annoying?? She is trying way too hard to be cute now and its making me dislike her more and more everytime i see her. And this is all with the fact that she cant sing well at all aside. Does anyone else agree with me??

I like the guys much better than the girls this year. I agree 100% with whomever said that Pickler is annoying. I don't fall for her pretending to be naive shtick for a second, and that crying business about her father in jail early on (an obvious ploy for America's sympathy) was completely innappropriate and has nothing at all to do with whether or not the girl can sing (she can't).

Brenna is fun in a campy way but her talent is just not at the level of American Idol so she will go soon, probably tonight.
Katharine was my fave female early on but this week her song dragged a bit and she should step it up. She won't go home just yet though and I still like her.

Mandisa is my fave female now. She is a diva through and through and has the best qualities of Jennifer Hudson, another favorite of mine from the lpast who left the show much too soon.

I am also rooting for jock-ette Ayla because she seems very genuine and is not putting on any airs ala Pickler. Can sing the roof off too which is a big plus.

Paris I thought was parrotting Fantasia in a very obvious way early on in the competition but not at all with "Wind Beneath My WIngs" this week. I liked it and I think she is great. The other black teen (can't remmeber name but sang Donna Summer) I am not impressed with at all. Thought she is always overly loud and off key.

Kinnick has a great rich voice and I wish she would cut the phony showy stuff and come out and sing BLACK music before it's too late for her. Could easily become my favorite if she gets her act together, like Kim Locke did, another singer I loved from the past. The other gals I think are just average and I have nothing much to say about them.

The guys are great, with a few exceptions. David needs to go away soon. I love the old standards singers but his Sinatra impersonation was overly mannered and embarrassing and lounge-lizzard-like but as with John Stevens I fear he may get enough votes to hang around for a while.
Love Will and what he did with his ballad performance but the judges did not so his chances may be dwindling.
Taylor I thought was terrific at the first stages of the competition but not as much anymore, last night his yelping of "woo" both during the song and when he was talking, over and over and over, really got on my nerves. Plus he runs the risk of sounding the same on every song as the competition goes on, in the same way Bo Bice did last year (then again look where it got Bo!)

Elliott is my fave of the males. Outstanding voice and style of singing (and I even like his vibratto) and the teeth don't bother me at all! Not nearly as much as that black kid, who just goves me the creeps. He is weird when he talks and his huge teeth are distracting when he smiles. Can sing well but who wants to listen to old Motown? Yuck.
Bucky is wonderful and I hope he does well, does not seem to be getting noticed, not much personality happening there unfortunately.
Ace is my least favorite. Much too pretty and primped. He massacred his song last night (a good thing) so maybe we will be rid of him early on.
Sway has a nice voice but doesn't have the skills to pull off the songs he is attempting and his pitch is off. Same thing for the little nerdy guy, the oddball teen. Very cute but the talent just doesn't live up to the likability factor.
Chris is outstanding but his yelling may get to some people as the competition goes on.
My prediction is that Brenna and Heather will go tonight, although I would rather it be Pickler. Of the guys it should be David and Ace (or Sway) based on their poor performances but I am not sure it will be, David and Ace may sneak by because of their looks and youth or sex appeal.

DJRick