Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Wow!

Now that’s what American Idol is supposed to be about. One strong performance after another. Leaving you wondering just who is the best of this bunch of talented female singers. Leaving you anticipating the next show to see what these ladies can pull off next.

The only problem is Idol’s format.

The way the competition is structured, six guys and six girls make it into the final 12. Unfortunately, the talent isn’t evenly distributed.

Based on the first two week’s performances, about eight women and four guys deserve to be in the final 12, which means some very talented female singers won’t make the cut and some very mediocre male singers will.

Same thing happened last year, which is what led to the Sanjiah disaster. You remember Sanjaya, right? Surely, you remember the ponyhawk?

Anyway, it’s time for Idol to switch to a free-for-all format. No preset quotas for the final 12. Let all the contestants perform together and may the best guys and gals win.

Of course, that might mean a four-hour show with two hours worth of commercials …

On to last night’s breakdown.

Best of the bunch:

Wholesome and pretty Brooke White delivered the perfect match of singer and song sitting behind the mike with her guitar and singing “You’re So Vain” while looking at Simon Cowell through much of the song. Kristy Lee Cook made monster strides from week one with a spirited rendition of “You’re No Good” and promised a country song next week. Can’t wait. Like I’ve said, this competition needs a country crooner.

Deserves to go home:

On a night of stellar performances, picking of this week’s stinkers is just too easy. Remember that melodic intro to the Kansas hit “Carry On My Wayward Son”? Rocker-nurse Amanda Overmyer tried it and failed miserably. I think Kady Malloy was trying to play sultry during “Magic Man.” I think. Problem is, the vocals were so all over the place, it was hard to tell. And Alexandrea Lushington might have won the all-time Idol award for worst match and singer and song with Chicago’s “If You Leave Me Now.” The difference is, she already knew it didn’t work when she turned to the judges.

Please keep them:

Ramiele Malubay, Syesha Mercado and Asia’h Epperson all slipped a notch from week one, but still displayed powerful vocals. I could still see any one of the three outshining all the other female contestants.

Please send her home:

In her pre-Idol days, Carly Smithson reportedly had a record deal that flopped, despite a $2 million marketing campaign. So what is she doing on a show that prides itself on discovering new talent? Wednesday night, Carly turned in a fine version of Heart’s “Crazy On You.” But there are so many talented female singers this year that the show doesn’t need the stigma of crowning a ringer as American’s next new Idol.

Early favorite among the gals:

Last week I put Syesha here. I still think she’ll make the final 12. This week, I’ll put Brooke White here, not because of a single shining moment, but because of consistency. But with eight very talented ladies vying for six spots in the finals … well, some surprises and disappointments are certain.