I think people are using Taylor Hicks WAY too much as a way to dismiss "older" or "adult contempo" singers.

Hicks cd has been far more respectfully reviewed than Doughtry's. I just read a review of Daughtry's performance in NY that dismissed him as totally amateur, someone who should never be in a legit venue again. Karoake to the max.

Taylor's cd was taken seriously. The songs on it that got less than stellar reviews, as well as some of the performances, were all treated as offerings of a musician who deserves respect, who should most likely turn out a much stronger cd as his second cd. The difference between how industry "critics" treat Hicks and how they treat Doughtry is notable.

Katherine McPhee isn't selling anything, and yet nobody mentions her when they push Jordin or Hayley as "more marketable" than Melinda. McPhee is more "marketable" than either using the criteria some posters cite, but she's selling way less than Hicks!

Clarkson sold because she has a fabulous voice and she knows how to sing - including phrasing a song, modulating a song. She's in charge of her voice. Yet she didn't hit the jackpot til her second cd. She is still a star - and have you seen her lately? She's not looking polished and plastic like a barbie - she's looking rough and real and not skinny. Still a big big star.

Let's see how Hicks second cd sells, shall we? If Clarkson were judged on her first, she'd be considered a disappointment today. Her second cd made her a star.

If you have the right material, and you sing the hell out of it, you'll sell. True for Clarkson, will be true for Melinda, and despite Simon (who is being petty cause he was wrong), it may very well turn out to be true for Hicks.

I think Idol is losing the original purpose. It is not a popularity contest. It is who with a recording contract can sell records. I think Gina is one of the more marketable performers. She reminds me of Kelly Clarkson with the power voice. Sanjaya might actually sell a few records despite his lack of a strong sing voice. I don't like him personally but I think some people do. Being from Phoenix I want to back Jordin, she might be able to make it. I am tore like many viewers because some of the perfomers are fun to watch and we want them to win. I think Idol voters can learn from the Taylor Hick win. We have to think who can sell records, who will be played on the radio. I vote every week repeatedly but not always for my favorite. I vote for who sounds like they could be played on the radio. I am glad they are getting more modern mentors and letting them expand from just their songs. In my opinion I want the rocker chick because it is what I like to hear. I do agree with the reviews, just wanted to add a twist to this.

I agree entirely about LaKisha; I just don't get her. Her voice is terrific, but her performances do nothing for me, and it's not about looks. I think Blake is talented, but his "updating" every song seems to consist mostly of smoothing it out (that's clearly not an expert's term), so it sounds like electronica to me. Sometimes it adds punch, others not. Mack the Knife needed a low-key opener and a blast-the-house-out ending, and he didn't produce it. Chris Richardson is appealing; I enjoy listening to him, but I don't think he's one-of-a-kind. Phil: the judges are right about him; he doesn't convince me of an emotional connection to his songs, although I liked him last night more than usual Jordin is extraordinarily talented and I liked her performance last night. As my husband said, "It was Melinda-level good." Gina, I think, chose the wrong song for her--she sang it reasonably well, but it was too slow and somehow just weird coming from her. Haley makes me sigh, not in a good way. After Tony Bennett made a point of telling her the song was about waiting for one man, she came out in a tease dress and performed the whole thing with a coquettish air, doing everything except using the actual words (". . . and you and you and you . . .") that Tony had dissed. She didn't get the song at all. And Sanjaya. I wish I knew what kind of advice these contestants receive off-stage. He obviously has some singing talent, but he has zero life experience to give his voice one shred of nuance or depth or believability of any kind. He sings every single song with the same expression, the same sad dance moves. I have to believe that, given the national talk about him, he views this whole thing as a joke and that's why he isn't bothering to learn and/or improve week to week. It's bad enough that he got this far and therefore gets a piece of the tour/CD stuff. Melinda, as always for me, could go on tour today, play clubs instead of arenas, and I'd pay for a ticket any night of the week. She's phenomenal. She makes every word interesting, sells the emotion. If she doesn't win, I'll have to find comfort in acknowledging that what she sings isn't exactly "pop."

I think Melinda was very, very good. As my husband said, "Every word she sings is clear and has meaning. She conveys the message of the song completely." Blake was also very good -- really enjoyed his performance! And I am also bored silly by LaKisha. So I agree with your analysis --- except I don't think Jordin was that bad. I do agree with you that Phil did an unexpectedly good job-- loved his voice and phrasing on that song. And like you -- I was left cold by Chris and Haley. Gina did just okay, and poor Sanjaya's voice is just not strong enough -- nor is he able to put enough feeling or life into the lyrics he sings.

All in all, I'm surprised at how much we agreed! Almost uncanny!

Blake Lewis is TERRIBLE!!! He's nothing without his beatboxing. I hope he goes soon, because he does not deserve to be in this competition any more than Sanjaya does. And you thought that Jordin was terrible? Are you deaf?

VOTE FOR JORDIN ALL THE WAY!!

I agree with Swingout. I know that "Ain't no sunshine when he's gone" line matched with the song, but as much as I like him and Lakisha, why throw Bill withers in there? This was standards week, not soul week.

I think Gina's gonna get the boot tonight.

If sanjaya wins American Idol the show will have lost it's purpose. He is one of the least talented singers left and should go home. Haley pushes her image to the front because she doesn't have enough singing ability . Lakisha has the best by far vocals but will probably not win because of her looks. Very disappointing season for talented singers this year.

I'm afraid you've got the wrong name of the song LaKisha sang tonight. Unfortunately, she didn't listen to Tony Bennett, who told her to leave the "Ain't No Sunshine" tag off at the end. She sang "Stormy Weather" and I gotta admit, I was disappointed that she didn't listen to Tony Bennett. Melinda was wonderful, as always.