Felicia Barton - "No One" by Alicia Keys

Felicia was #37 on this season, but eventually replaced ringer Joanna Pacitti.  She's a good looking girl, seemingly likable.  She's another one of those moms on this season.  She's wearing all black, looking like Joan Jett impersonator or something. She starts off well, showing off good pipes.  Ohp, nevermind - she butchers the first big note of the performance.  She's got a big voice, but lacks the subtlety needed for a song like this.  She's just powering everything, and it makes for a static performance.  God - Paula is standing and swaying like a drunken pirate wench in the background.

American Idol 8: Top 36, Final 12 - Episode in Review
American Idol 8: Top 36, Final 12 - Performance Rankings
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Paula muses on mysteries of universe.  Simon liked the first half much better than the second half, maybe a bit copycat.  Randy loves the voice, “thought it was hot.”  Kara likes the look, thought she had some problems with some of the notes. 

Scott McIntyre - “Mandolin Rain” by Bruce Hornsby

How is this going to work?  Will he be alone on stage?  I feel bad that Scott won't be able to use a piano for this performance.  He's sitting on a chair in the middle of the stage.  OK – this works just fine.  Scott's voice has a nice enough tone, but it's old-fashioned.  His voice isn't terribly powerful, but he sings in tune for the most part.  But, if you were to listen to it in a vacuum, not knowing about Scott's blindness, you wouldn't be very impressed.  He has some difficulty hitting the high notes, but what I'm really impressed by is his stage presence.  He's good, not awkward at all.  I kind of want him to advance, just to see what he can do on the piano. 

Randy had some problems in some parts, but enjoyed it overall.  America has no choice to vote for Scott.  Kara says Scott “moves mountains” with his singing.  Paula holding back tears.  Simon wasn't crazy about the song, but he says Scott is growing on him, and is starting to believe in himself.  Simon will remember Scott, and says he'll be amazed if he doesn't make it to the next round.

Kendall Beard - "This One's For the Girls" by Martina McBride

Kendall is a really cute blonde from Texas.  She'll be the token country singer.  The song begins, and she's definitely embracing the country thing.  Unfortunately, Kendall doesn't have a great voice.  Kind of weak, constantly out of tune.  She picks it up a little bit as the song goes on, but really - she keeps singing flat. Not good, not good at all.

Kara likes the personality, but didn't love the song  A lot of out of tune stuff..  Paula love yellow dress.  Simon thinks that Kendall did the right thing, but he couldn't wait for the song to end at the halfway point.  Simon says it wasn't his cup of tea.  Randy says he loves country music, but the issue for him was that it wasn't the best vocal performance.  I hope to god she doesn't make it through to Hollywood. 

Yes!  Beverly Hills Chihuahua is out on DVD!

Jorge Nunez - "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" by Elton John

Jorge is a native Spanish speaker, and I don't think he will be all that good.  I've not impressed by his voice thus far in the competition.  Jorge begins by staring into my soul through the TV camera.  THe accent is an issue - it sounds like he's mumbling.  He's over-dramatic with his performance, but his voice is actually quite good.  Strong and in tune.  Yet, the various parts don't equate to a very satisfying whole. Can't really put my finger on it.  On a pure singing level, I liked it. 

Paula proud of Puerto Rican friend.  Simon thinks it was wrong of them to tell him not to sing with an accent, then calls him a good singer.  There's some uncomfortable discussion regarding Jorge's accent.  Randy thought the vocal was really, really good.  Interesting race between the guys tonight.  And, once again, I'm willing to bet that two men go through to the Top 12 from this batch.  Jorge starts crying after getting all his praise – OK, that probably set him over the top.  How are the ladies going to resist this?  He says that when he gets emotional he stops being able to speak in English and the reels off some off-the-cuff Spanish.  He's in.

Lil Rounds - "Be Without You" by Mary J. Blige

Lil Rounds gets the very advantageous final slot tonight.  I believe John Kubicek and I predicted this last week.  If she gives a reasonably good performance she will be in the Top 12 easily.  Lil's got three kids.  Every girl this season has kids.  Lil is as she always has been - a solid singer, but nothing spectacular.  I've always believed Lil was overrated, and though I can admit that she is singing very well tonight, we've seen singers like her in bunches on every season of American Idol, a number of which were plain better than Lil.  That being said, she probably gave the best female performance tonight and will certainly make it into the Top 12. 

Simon calls it “brilliant.”  Simon loves Lil, as do the producers.  Randy loved it.  They all loved it. 

Stay tuned tonight for our episode in review slideshow, followed early this morning by Performance Rankings slideshow and then the John vs. Oscar podcast tomorrow mid-morning, in which we predict who will make it into the Top 12 from tonight's performance episode. 

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-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
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