American Idol Season 6 Elimination Round 2 - The Men 2/27

American Idol continues rolling along. Last night's episode was pretty good with most of the men raising the bar on their performances. Some of the cheesy dedication videos were way too over the top especially Sundance's. I have to agree with Simon this isn't a dedication competition. Fox knows how to get mileage out of their top rated show throwing in a plug for the premiere of "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader" and having Jeff Foxworthy as a host. Shameless.

It was also shameless to take credit for discovering Jennifer Hudson as well.

On with my comments:

Phil Stacey - "I Ain't Missing You At All"

Phil was a little boring last night. His outfit was boring and what was with the section of pirate like laces on one shoulder, was there a tear and that is how it got patched up, it was a wow me outfit. His performance didn't wow me either. He was okay, It didn't sound like he was using his natural voice during the number. It was at least on pitch for the song and he rallied for the big note at the end. It was a rather safe when he should have been taking risks.

Randy - hot, showing power

Paula - great tone, I can hear you on the radio

Simon - I was not jumping out of my chair, you are very popular, nice guy, there was nothing original, I liked the bit at the end, nothing unique, just good karaoke but you will be back here next week

Jared Cotter - "Let's Get It On"

First of all while I understand he was dedicating his performance to his parents, it is creepy to make that dedication and then sing this song. It was just a stupid choice to make. Second of all his simple black suit was appropriate but the white sneakers were not, I could have lived with the sneakers if they had been black but white, it just looked stupid and it irritated me so he lost me before he even got started. His performance was not too bad, he had some pitch problems and he was straining quite a bit to reach the power notes which is not a good for your voice or chances of carrying through to the end. Jared was clearing having fun and has a connection with the audience, his smile and charm will probably get him through to next week. Jared also needs some instruction in movement, his dance moves were stupid and annoying.

Randy - started rough, a little pitchy, but I liked it

Paula - good looking guy, you don't have to push that hard (no pun intended)

Simon - glad you made the attempt, it remind me of The Love Boat, a bit corny in parts, like cabaret

A.J. Tabaldo - "Feeling Good"

Finally someone who can dress and perform. I really liked the shirt and vest. I absolutely adore this song and A.J. did an excellent job. It started a bit rough for me and the band way over powered him but once he it the upbeat tempo the number rocked. A.J. has a great voice and definitely can sing. I only heard one sharp note. I am not sure about his dance movements either but he had command of the stage and the audience.

Randy - so much better than last week, showed some skills, kinda nice

Paula - real good voice

Simon - nearly very good, some tuning problems in the middle but you stood out, we saw some personality, you seemed strangely comfortable

Sanjaya Malaker - "Steppin Out with My Baby"

Poor Sanjaya, two bad performances but he has that infectious smile and good looks. First his chose of clothes compared to song was wrong, the fedora has to go - don't dress young and then perform an old song. Second his voice was weak, at one point I had to strain to understand him, it was almost a whisper, I think he was just talking to the music versus singing. He was stiff, looked uncomfortable, and what few dance moves he tried to pull off, fell flat. I am not feeling the love and did not vote for him at all last night. Sanjaya was totally off his game.

Randy - you are a nice kid, it was really weird, like a bad high school talent show, it didn't work, weak

Paula - you sang on pitch, you have an old soul, it was an odd choice of song, you need to celebrate your youth

Simon - I agree with Randy, it was like a ghastly lunch where the parents have the kids come out and sing, it was weak, made no impact, you whispered at the end

Chris Sligh - "Trouble"

I actually liked Chris's dedication to his wife, it worked for me, his wife is totally gorgeous and hot, his comment about "most people have no idea how I ever coerced her to marry me." He gives every geek and fat guy hope for themselves. It was totally cool and it was the absolute perfect song choice for him as well.

Chris looked good in his outfit, it worked for me. Chris's performance also totally rocked. He had great tone, his voice was clear, he enunciated every word and great range as well. There was true emotion coming from Chris, it is why the song worked, he was passionate about the message. Chris hit the power note at the end. It was an awesome performance and actually singing to his wife was a good move.

Randy - it is good to see you return, big voice, great skill, good choice I liked it

Paula - I liked it too, watch your pitch and getting ahead of the the music

Simon - you are a good singer

Nick Pedro - "Fever"

Nick dressed appropriately but I definitely didn't hear what the judges did. Nick does know how to perform and connect with the audience but there were incredible pitch problems, his voice was overly raspy (maybe fighting a cold) but he had to strain because of it which isn't good as previously indicated and he couldn't quite reach the power notes. The arrangement was bizarre and the band was way overpowering. It was just an okay moment for me, no wow, no originality and dare I say, a little cabaret.

Randy - so much better then last week, you returned to your cool vibe, smoky voice, you were pitchy and rushing too much

Paula - great tone, just let go, go for it

Simon - I thought it was good, lacked charisma, good voice


Blake Lewis - "Virtual Insanity"

This was my absolute favorite performance of the evening. Blake looked cool and given the nature of the song he even pulled off the the usual stupid sideways baseball cap look, it was truly funky look for a great funky song. Blake was in command of the stage and what he was able to do with this song and his voice. The way he seamlessly through in his beat box and even some scatting was unbelievable. This is the number which got me on my feet dancing along with the beat. Absolutely top notch performance and way better than last week's.

Randy - great return to form, loved the falsetto and scatting at the end

Paula - smart choice, you are unique, way too go

Simon - I have to disagree, I was disappointed, the first part was just copycat, the second bit was great, and in the end, the tune went, didn't see any originality.

Brandon Rogers - "Time after Time"

Poor Brandon, I didn't like his outfit nor the performance. I thought he was totally off-key for the entire number, it was clearly a poor song choice and he brought nothing new or original to it. His total performance lacked energy and emotion. It wasn't even up to a good background singer performance let alone a headliner. I was bored.

Randy - didn't show off his vocals, it was kind of boring although he liked the sentiment of the dedication

Paula - I disagree, I felt it in my heart, you don't need to over sing, beautiful voice, the dedication was special

Simon - talented but you need to make a wow impact, you are a good singer

Chris Richardson - "Geek in the Pink"

Chris was totally dressed appropriately, liked the outfit. I have mixed emotions about the actual performance. The things that totally worked were he was having fun, had great energy, fantastic movement, was comfortable on stage, commanded the stage and the audience's attention and he had great enunciation. I could actually understand what he was saying which is difficult with a song like this. What didn't work was his vocals, he was totally off-pitch, sharp several times, he needs better breath control to tackle those long string of lyrics, as well as being able to control the transition between his lower and upper register. Although I didn't like the vocals, I like Chris and enjoyed the performance because he had so much joy in what he was doing.

Randy - you are in it to win tonight, hotter then the original

Paula - hilarious you dedicated this number to your grandmother, love it

Simon - you are someone to watch, best tonight by miles

Sundance Head - "Mustang Sally"

Sundance was better then last week but not my much. I hated the arrangement and the band was way too loud once again. Sundance totally needs to work on his showmanship (all that sweat, gross) but his vocals were fine. I didn't hear any flat or sharp notes and he definitely hit the power notes. The problem though is he didn't wow me (oh god I am sounding like Simon) and based on his audition he could do better. He clearly improved from last week but he hasn't won me over and really needs to step up next week.

Randy - wow, what a difference a week makes, you were da bomb

Paula - you need to do this every week, awesome, best vocal we have heard from you

Simon - I agree with Randy and Paula - we got the back the Sundance we like but you good still do better.


I managed to get in 150 votes last night using two phones. Last week the men were pretty bad and it was a little easier to predict. This week they were better and we have to start considering their fan base and all the other intangibles people use to vote.

Strictly on performance Sanjaya and Brandon should be walking out the door but given how Sanjaya was in the top 4 of vote getter's last week when he sang him worse I think the pre-teen set and their ability to text message will carry him through.

I am predicting that Brandon and Nick will get the heave ho this week with a possible upset with Jared.

The women are up tonight. Let's hope they step up their game even better then last week.

Until tomorrow.....