Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Darn, just when I think I have the Idol ladies figured out, Amanda Overmyer turns in a smoldering rendition of Joan Jett’s “I Hate Myself for Loving You.”

Now I still don’t think Amanda is a threat to become the Season 7 Idol. She’s too one-dimensional. At some point, Idol will come up with a theme week where a Janis Joplin impersonation just won’t work (maybe songs of the big band era, for instance). And, sorry, but the whole rocker-nurse bit comes off as a made-for-Idol character.

But she just might have earned herself an unexpected spot in the top 12 Wednesday night after being on the verge of elimination the last two weeks.

The Wednesday night rundown …

Best of the Bunch:

Carly Smithson turned in the best performance of guys or gals this week with a scintillating version of “Drove All Night.” If she’s a ringer in this supposed amateur competition because of her past record contract, at least she’s a very talented one. Brooke White belongs here, too, because rather than simply imitating Pat Benetar’s “Love is a Battlefield,” she turned it into a folk song, then pulled it off. Way to go, Brooke. Then there’s Amanda.

Deserves to go home:

I’ve never heard the Queen song Kady Malloy sang. Or else I didn’t recognize it the way she sang it, which is also quite possible. Well, at least Kady lived up to her prior billing as one Idol contestant most deserving of a trip home. And Kristy Lee Cook promised us a country song this week. Instead, she did a country version of Journey’s “Faithfully.” And, yeah, it was as bad as that sounds.

Please keep her:

Ramiele Malubay was great in week one, OK in week two and lost her way and seemed to lose her confidence last night on a predictable rendition of “Take a Look at Me Now.” Give the gal a chance at the final 12, and I think she’ll be a surprise.

Please send her home:

Kady. Folks, her departure is overdue. Then Amanda or Kristy Lee, neither of whom are likely to be around for long, whether they make the final 12 or not.

Early favorite among the ladies:

Add Carly Smithson to the list. I’m not crazy about that tattoo down her arm. She shouldn’t even be in the competition because of the previous record deal, which is why I haven’t put her in this spot previousy. But for the second straight week, she outsang all the other ladies. Brooke stays here because of her consistently solid performances. Syesha hasn’t really built on her great week one effort, but belongs in the final 12.