As much as I’d like to root for Team Guys, the women blew the gents out of the water last week. More than half the female field bettered the best performance the men could offer. If the sixth season of “American Idol” is the National Basketball Association, then the ladies are the Western Conference.
But just like the male singers, two women are going home tomorrow. Let’s have a look at who’s most likely to be given their walking papers:
LaKisha Jones, 27
» Fort Meade, Md.
OK, OK, LaKisha was surely the best last week. But I’m not all that impressed. Why? Because she seems familiar. Even her song choice was a Jennifer Hudson knockoff. It’s a long competition; Simon Cowell was premature in telling everyone else to pack their bags.
Turn up or tune out? Was his performance that much better than the rest? No. LaKisha has only one way to go: down. Turn up.
Stephanie Edwards, 19
» Savannah, Ga.
Stephanie opened the night with a spot-on performance that set a high bar for the night and shamed the boys right off the bat. Have you forgotten about it?
Turn up or tune out? Keep an eye on her. Turn up.
Sabrina Sloan, 27
» Studio City, Calif.
Sabrina was anything but forgettable in a vixenish performance of Aretha Franklin’s “Never Loved a Man the Way that I Loved You.” And here I expected Sabrina to be a dud. A professional singer, Sabrina demonstrated that a pro’s polish and experience will put amateurs to shame.
Turn up or tune out? This performance is the one I’m most looking forward to tonight. Turn up.
Leslie Hunt, 24
» Chicago, Ill.
Anyone who didn’t understand my “crazy eyes” comment about Leslie last week got a full dose that evening. But you know what? Crazy Leslie is fun. Awkward and uncomfortable, this Neurotic Nancy has halfway decent pipes, made all the more impressive by the fact they emanate from an unlikely source.
Turn up or tune out? While far from the best, this bubbling teapot is one of the most watchable performers. Turn up.
Jordin Sparks, 17
» Glendale, Ariz.
Jordin’s fine performance of “Gimme One Reason” may have earned high marks from the judges, but it was several miles short of phenomenal. She seems nice enough — but is that enough? Wanted: Pizzazz.
Turn up or tune out? Should get a couple more chances to step up her game. Turn up.
Melinda Doolittle, 29
» Brentwood, Tenn.
(Mean-spirited alert:)I find Melinda’s shy and innocent, ultra-naïve persona to be irksome, if not phony. There’s a reason why she was probably always a back-up singer — a reason that a little bit of talent just won’t fix.
Turn up or tune out? I hope that wishing for Melinda’s departure doesn’t make me a bad person. Tune out.
Alaina Alexander, 24
» West Hollywood, Calif.
While a little high on the weepy side — and not in the fun way — Alaina is actually kind of cute. The jury’s out here, but she seems likable … as long as she’s only sensitive and not an emotional bomb site.
Turn up or tune out? Alaina’s sweetness may temporarily allow her to make up for talent deficiencies. Tune out.
Haley Scarnato, 24
» San Antonio, Texas
Haley’s performance of “It’s All Coming Back to Me” was awful. She may not look old-fashioned, but Simon was right: She sure sang like it. I expected much more from this good-lookin’ Texan.
Turn up or tune out? Haley’s showing — due in large part to wretched song choice — seemed so odd and potentially out of character that it’s hard to know what’s coming. Expect better, but probably not a lot better. Tune out.
Antonella Barba, 20
» Point Pleasant, N.J.
Antonella graced gossip headlines this week because of the scandalous images of her that appeared on the Web, which fits nicely with the not-so-nice-girl image she and her witchy best friend Amanda painted during the Hollywood rounds. Suprisingly, this might even be good news for Antonella — anything to divert attention from how painful “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” was.
Turn up or tune out? At least she’s making a splash. But if she moves on (and she won’t), it won’t be for her singing. Tune out.
Gina Glocksen, 22
» Naperville, Ill.
Gina is lucky two women get eliminated this week; otherwise, her rendition of Celine Dion’s “All By Myself” would have written jokes and headlines for me. It was astonishing the judges had anything nice to say at all. Cream of the Crop egotism works if your name is a) Deion Sanders, b) Terrell Owens, or c) Puff Daddy. Gina Glocksen, go to your room.
Turn up or tune out? After being called out by Simon for not “hitting the note,” there seems little chance for recovery. Gina’s gothic attire is fitting — she’s doomed. Tune out.
Watch it
» American Idol
8 to 9:30 p.m., Fox
The 10 remaining ladies provide an encore to their strong showing last week. Tomorrow, two are sent home, along with two of the guys.
Each week, Scott Fuller breaks down the sinkers and swimmers on “American Idol.” Sound off: [email protected].
