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Fox producers must have been nervous when they saw what was transpiring. They clearly went out and got the best vocal coaches for this group, which has audibly improved over the last two weeks. Here's the order of how the 10 finalists performed last night, with the odds of winning it all in May:
1. Melinda Doolittle
Excellent. Polished. Wonderful power and range. The only potential problem is that she represents "Old Idol," fitting the mold of the big vocalists (Fantasia, LaToya, Jennifer) with her approach and song selection. There are some unique talents here, and America could be ready for a change.
Odds of winning: 3-1
2. Jordin Sparks
Another pristine effort, but the Pizza Hut blouse didn't propel her image. Thought she relied too much on background vocals. Tough song to fit into a short arrangement. Thought she was a little breathy but overall very good. One of the front-runners.
Odds of winning: 5-1
3. LaKisha Jones
Ho hum. The problem with LaKisha is what do you do night after night when you're so good? She's going to be rock-solid each time out, but it would help her to reveal more of her personality. Melinda and Jordin have her beat in this department.
Odds of winning: 3-1
4. Gina Glockson
Loved everything about this performance from the vocal to the song choice to the fish-net stockings and Black Sabbath knee socks. Showed confidence and simply nailed this. Not as talented as the Top 3, but earned some major points.
Odds of winning: 40-1
5. Blake Lewis
He could have fronted one of the psychedelic bands of the '60s with his nonchalant "so what" stage presence and spacey, trippy vocals. Clearly does his own thing and is comfortable with his approach. Kind of neat how he slowed down a Cure classic.
Odds of winning: 10-1
6. Phil Stacey
One of his best performances yet. "Every Breath You Take" was on the radio every 15 minutes in the summer of '83 and Phil took us back with a version that was true to the original and even had some Sting-like qualities. Simply enjoyable.
Odds of winning: 50-1
7. Chris Sligh
He wasn't as bad as the judges led the audience to believe. Actually liked this vocal. Thought it was smooth and, like Phil, had a Sting-like vibe. He's one of those singers who draws a fan base, but judges' comments may hurt him.
Odds of winning: 35-1
8. Haley Scarnato (bottom 3)
Tough to cover Cyndi Lauper, especially "True Colors," which is an emotional, heartfelt song. Thought she did OK, but had a few pitch problems. Did her own thing with it, but this is a song that doesn't lend itself to improvisation.
Odds of winning: 75-1
9. Chris Richardson (bye, bye)
Actually wasn't that bad, but this was nothing memorable. Thought he struggled vocally at times and hit some sour, weak notes. Hard to get by the tired boy-band sound. Top 10 is way more than you can expect and his days are dwindling.
Odds of winning: 75-1
10. Sanjaya Malakar (bottom 3)
What can you say? He's not William Hung, but the freak factor is similar. Flock of Seagulls haircut adds mystery and intrigue to the train wreck. He half-talked, half-sang this and the only reason he'll be back is because voters want to know what he'll do next.
Odds of winning: 75-1
The first kiss in a movie was William Heise's silent film "The Kiss," released in 1896.
When May Irwin and John C. Rice locked lips, Chicago publisher Herbert S. Stone called the 47-second film "absolutely disgusting," and called for "police interference."
And slowly through the 1900s, America normalized through, what social scientists call, "the creeping cycle of desensitization."
In other words, little by little, we "get over it."
This story is a few weeks old, but it's worth mentioning.
New Zealand fisherman "reeled in" the largest squid on record in Antarctic waters, weighing in at 1,089 pounds or a little more than half a ton.
The monster squid has eyes as large as dinner plates and would yield calamari rings the size of tractor tires.
The squid is 429 pounds heavier than the previous largest squid on record, which was also landed off Antarctica in 2003.
Freaky.
Fellow blogger Basic Juice, who writes a wonderful wine blog, isn't doing a lot of swirling these days.
Photo courtesy of Basic Juice.
Amazing how a great theme can lift the performances. One of the better nights this season. Lots of good vocals, even from some of the lesser talents. The star-struck Beatle-mania girl was classic. What happens when the best night of your life occurs before you're 13? Here's the order of how the 11 finalists performed last night, with the odds of winning it all in May:
1. Jordin Sparks
Finally, the breakthrough performance we've been waiting for. She put a lot of emotion into the vocal, which was easily her best yet. This was so good it elicited the chill factor. Momentous and memorable. Well done.
Odds of winning: 5-1
2. LaKisha Jones
Not crazy about the song choice ("Diamonds are Forever"). Just seemed kind of old-fashioned and tired. The vocal was pitch perfect, as usual, but the song didn't showcase her power and range. Still think she's the one to beat, but it wasn't her best.
Odds of winning: 3-1
3. Melinda Doolittle
Like LaKisha, the song choice was weak. With a theme like British Invasion, there's so much classic material from which to choose and she picks "As Long As He Needs Me" from "Oliver!" Yikes. Great vocal, as usual, but effort did not advance her.
Odds of winning: 3-1
4. Stephanie Edwards (bottom 3)
Week after week this girl belts it out but week after week she is overshadowed by the three girls ahead of her. She's clearly a great singer, better than any of the boys, but she's lost in the shuffle. Good effort, nice vocal, but danger is lurking.
Odds of winning: 20-1
5. Chris Richardson
Can't believe he's at No. 5 this week, but props are due. Best of the boys on this night. Thought his vocal was crystal clear, on pitch and very listenable. Showed a softer side, which gives his personality another dimension. Maybe he should stick to ballads.
Odds of winning: 35-1
6. Chris Sligh
Took a big risk by walking through the crowd, giving high-fives. This approach always affects your breathing and as a big kid even more so. Handled himself well though and kept the vocal in tune. Not one of his better efforts. Great song choice ("She's Not There").
Odds of winning: 15-1
7. Blake Lewis
Disagree with the judges, who loved this. Thought it was off-key and droning. "Time of the Season" is a great song and he just didn't do it justice. Has a great stage presence and looks very natural and comfortable, but this was one of his weaker vocals.
Odds of winning: 10-1
8. Haley Scarnato
Sexy outfit was a nice way to open the show. Cute girl who has a lot of confidence and seems to have fun in the spotlight. Thought the vocals were just OK. Clearly, she's got talent, but is no where near the elite at this point. She'll stick around another week.
Odds of winning: 50-1
9. Gina Glockson (bottom 3)
Great song choice ("Paint it Black") but she somehow made a dark song even darker. Nice to see the Stones in the mix (where were the Beatles, the Who or Led Zep?), but the group's rocker doesn't have the talent to make an impression. Could be in trouble.
Odds of winning: 50-1
10. Phil Stacey (bye, bye)
"Tobacco Road" is one of the all-time great rock songs (Edgar Winter's version is the best), so the bar is already high. Thought he did a good job with this but agree with Simon that his performance was not believable. Needed grit, dirt and some spittle. We may have seen the last of him.
Odds of winning: 75-1
11. Sanjaya Malakar
Came out with guns blazing, knowing this may be his last chance. Song ("You Really Got Me") was forced and a bit crazy, but he had more fun with this than anyone last night. With the crying girl getting tons of camera time during this, voters soften up. "Sanjaya, you're safe."
Odds of winning: 75-1