It’s Time to Vote for Your American Idol

The top 12 ladies kicked off the first real night of American Idol. The first night YOU get to vote. There were some decent performances, and one or two great performances. But before I get into my review, I have a few things to discuss.

(1) What the H-E-double hockey sticks are the producers are doing with these pre-performance interviews? Maybe it’s just that these kids are newbies, but the interviews are painful to watch. I don’t care about Kellie’s jailbird Daddy, nor that Brenna didn’t have enough food to eat as a child. Come on…I came to listen to their voices, not their sob stories.

(2) Um, is it me or did Seacrest get some work done? I think Ryan might have had a little ‘tox around the eyes. Ryan, you are YOUNG and a guy…please tell me it ain’t so.

Now here’s my two cents on what really matters – the performances.

Mandisa: What a way to start off the show! Mandisa was a powerhouse tonight singing Heart’s Never. I thought her voice was strong and she had a great stage presence. One of the stronger women tonight.

Kellie Pickler: The 2006 version of Carrie Underwood was ok, but not great. She was one of my favorites during the audition process, but tonight she didn’t bring it. I thought she pushed the vocals a bit too hard and came off mostly flat while singing How Far by Martina McBride. She’s cute and adorable so that’s going to help her.

Becky O’Donohue: A perfect example of how looks can help you make it in this competition is Becky O’Donohue. I’ve heard her sing a few times and never have been impressed. She’s gorgeous, no doubt, but she doesn’t have the voice. He performance of Because the Night was nothing better than what you get from a local cover band. She’s hot so I’m sure she’ll be around for a few more weeks.

Ayla Brown: I was really split on Ayla’s performance of My Reflection, one of my favorite songs ever! She was better than I expected, and really ran with a few of the riffs, but she didn’t blow me over. But since she’s from around here, and I wake up to her mom Gayle Huff on the news every morning, I’ll go easy this week.

Paris Bennett: This little spitfire has a great voice, and had a ton of energy. I’ll be honest, I was a little distracted by her dancing and jumping all over the stage, but no one else seemed to mind. All three judges loved her rendition of Midnight Train to Georgia. She was definitely one of the best of the whole night.

Stevie Scott: Yeah, I forgot this girl even existed, and I just watched her perform about 15 minutes ago. How does one sing To Where You Are by Josh Groban and not feel the need to put your full voice behind it? She started off sounding sweet but lost every opportunity to show her vocal range. I’m thinking she’s the one to go. And by Simon’s vocal hissing, I think he’s ready to say goodbye to Stevie as well.

Brenna Gethers: The “I hate her and it’s only the first night of voting” award goes to Brenna Gethers. Listen, she has made it this far because Simon likes her attitude. The producers thinks she makes good TV. But let’s be real – she doesn’t have the pipes. She’s been all bad ass from day one, and them performs You are the Sunshine of My Life? C’mon. She wasn’t the worst singer, but close to it, and I just don’t like her. So there!!

Heather Cox: I heard at least 4 or 5 girls outsing this chic during Hollywood week. But those girls didn’t have pretty blond hair and nice eyes, so they are at home watching this on TV. Heather has a nice voice, but she’s no American Idol. And I thought it was a bit cheesy to sing When You Tell Me That You Love Me, an American Idol ’05 cast song, during your first week. Pick something original people.

Melissa McGhee: I kind of liked Melissa. She told us that this was her first on-screen performance, which is probably why I didn’t recognize her at first. She warbled a bit performing Faith Hill’s When the Lights Go Down, but she had a strong voice, and a good stage presence. I hope to see her again next week.

Lisa Tucker: Lisa really stuck out tonight, and in a good way. She was definitely flat in certain sections, but I could forgive that because her song selection was so tight (Changing, by Jennifer Holliday), and she really brought it. She has a killer voice and I can see her going far in this competition.

Kinnik Sky: It’s not a good sign that while someone is performing all I can think is “I hope Simon doesn’t tell her she looks like a drag queen”. But she does…sorry. Her rendition of Get Here by Oleta Adams was weak, and I shuttered a few times when she failed to make some of the notes. Plus, I’ll be honest, I loved Justin Guarini’s version of that song so much, I hate it when anyone else sings it. (Stop laughing…Justin was god). Kinnik will make it past tonight, but I don’t think she’ll go much further.

Katherine McPhee: Simon was right on when he said she was the strongest vocalist tonight. I was slightly distracted by her lack of stage presence, but that could have been nerves. Katherine rocked it tonight while performing Barbara Streisand’s Since I Fell For You. She has a great control over her voice and knows how to sell the subtleties of a song. Katherine was my favorite singer tonight. And man, she so looks like Amanda Bynes.

So my picks for best and worst this week…

Best: Katherine McPhee (1-866-IDOLS-12)

Worst: Stevie Scott
Who I want to go home: Brenna Gethers

The boys are up tomorrow night. I hope Chris Daughtry and Taylor Hicks live up to the hype…um, I’ve created. Now get to the phones and VOTE!!! I already did!!

GMMR OUT!

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