CU pointed out last night that I’m incredibly hard on the ladies of American Idol. I’m not sure why…but I expect considerably more out of them. Maybe I still use Kelly Clarkson as the proverbial gold standard…and if someone can’t measure up to her, then don’t bother. Now that I think about it, I think Kelly’s the only female competitor I ever wanted to win. I couldn’t stand Fantasia…Diana DeGarmo made my teeth hurt…Carrie Underwood wasn’t my style, and Katharine McPhee made me want to poke myself with thousands of needles.

Having said that, some of the ladies last night…well, rocked the house. Going in, the only one I really liked was Melinda Doolittle. For me, I have to be able to connect with the performer…they have to seem genuine and enthusiastic. Case in point: Stephanie Edwards. No doubt she’s a great singer, but …and CU’s actually the one who brought this up…she sang like someone just gave her band $600 to play at the prom. She was almost too polished…too professional. Who wants a pro to win American Idol? That’s half the appeal of the show…plucking someone out of relative obscurity and then shoving them into the public’s glaringly white-hot spotlight until they either crack in two or win a Grammy.

I also loved the performances of Jordin Sparks (who thankfully, didn’t go all pageant-queen like Paris Bennett of yesteryear) and…oh my God…Lakisha Jones. What a way to end the show with, “And I’m Telling You (I’m Not Going)”. I’d forgotten about her until they went through her audition montage, and CU and I remembered we were happy she was 27 with a 4-year old, as opposed to 19 with a 4-year old.

Remember yesterday when I was talking about AI moves that can help or hinder?

Mouth off to Simon about how even though you didn’t hit the note well, you did hit it >> hinder
Sing anything from the Celine Dion catalogue >> hinder
Sing a big song when you know you can hit it >> help

I’m now changing my predictions…and am hoping it’s Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones in the final two. Although, heaven help both of them when the inevitable “Grunge Night” comes. All of the guys could go home before Spring officially begins and I really wouldn’t be too crushed.

There’s supposed to be a “big announcement” on the show tonight…and no, it isn’t that Fantasia’s going to sing.