Episode Recap: American Idol - Season 6, Episode 12

This is the second of three nights this week that American Idol is on. The network has decided on the strategy of "we have a really popular show, so let's air it so much that people get sick of it!" Tonight the women will be singing. One thing that stands out is that nearly all the women are taller than Ryan. I swear, he looks like Tatoo from Fantasy Island next to most of these girls. Stephanie Edwards Her voice is great tonight. But not only does she sing, she performs. She engages the audience through her entire song, dropping to her knees at one point. She receives lots of love from all three of the judges. Simon tells her that her performance was "a million times better" than any of the men's performances last night. Amy Krebs She does an adequate job with "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Amy Grant. Randy says it's "a middle-of-the road performance" and "too safe". Paula agrees. Simon says he still can't remember her from her original audition, and that she "has the personality of a candle" when she sings. According to Simon, even her hair and clothes are forgettable. "This from the fashion disaster himself," replies Ryan. Leslie Hunt Leslie chooses "You Make Me Feel" by Arethra Franklin. She doesn't have a naturally pleasant voice, but sings with a lot of spirt. Randy says her performance was "just ok". Paula says she did a "great performance", but she needs to be careful which songs she performs. Simon says she looks "embarassed and ungainly" when she performs. Sabrina Sloan She knocks it out of the park. Randy says Sabrina is "the one to beat". Simon says her performance is "the best one so far". Antonella Barba She sings an Aerosmith song, but doesn't sound like she belongs in the same competition with Stephanie and Sabrina. Randy says it was a bad performance. Paula says it wasn't great, but it wasn't bad. She's being generous. Simon says the song was "too big" for her, like "Ryan doing the news". Jordin Sparks She starts off a little weak performing a Tracy Chapman song, but ends up belting it out. Randy says she has a big voice, and needs to pick bigger songs. Paula tells her to "go for it". Simon tells her to push herself. But over all, the judges love her. Nicole Tranquillo Nicole is all over the place vocally with an Erykah Badu song. Randy says "it wasn't workin'" for him, and the choice of song was "too urban" (read:"black") for her. But Paula was impressed just because of the notes Nicole was able to hit. Simon said her performance looked "fake". Haley Scarnato She doesn't do too bad of a job with "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" by Celine Dion. Randy says it "was just ok" because she "didn't do anything special" with it. Paula said she did "a good job". Simon says the 24 year old sounded like she was 40. Melinda Doolittle Melinda would make Arethra Franklin proud with her rendition of "Since You Been Gone". Randy says she "blew it out the box", and evidently that's a good thing. Paula says she's "a firecracker" and a "frontrunner". Simon says he's seen a lot of people come out the past couple of nights with very little talent and a lot of confindence, but Melinda is just the opposite. Incidentally, Melinda is the only contestant so far tonight that isn't taller than Ryan. Alaina Alexander She sounds a little off-key. Randy says "the song was ok", but she didn't do anything special. Paula says she didn't make the song her own. Simon says the applause made her think she was better than she was, and that she's "pretty much relying" on her looks right now. Ryan innocently asks the judges what she needs to work on, since she was going to give up singing if she didn't get on American Idol. Simon accuses him of trying to date her. Gina Glocksen She does a great job. Randy loved it, and praises her "big voice". Paula loved it as well. Simon says she didn't quite hit the "big note". But the two judges who have actually sung professionally never mentioned that. Lakisha Jones Lakisha puts out a powerful performance. "I love you!" Randy says. Paula tells her, "This is where you belong." "That is the right note," Simon says, "I'm tempted to tell 23 other contestants to pack their bags right now." Pretty darn good for a bank teller. She also happens to be the only other contestant who is shorter than Ryan. Tomorrow night - Fantasia Barrino