American Idol March 13 Diana Ross Night

This is Carrie Stroup with your live American Idol updates.  Who will be eliminated after Diana Ross night?  We will find out which of the 12 leaves us Wednesday night.

Heading into tonight, Melinda Doolittle was the 3/2 favorite to win American Idol.  Lakisha Jones came in with great value of 5/2.  Chris Sligh and Blake Lewis were the favorite men, both at 6/1 odds.

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Brandon Rogers kicked off the show with "You Can't Hurry Love".  I could not get into it.  He came across as bland.  Randy Jackson felt it was boring.  "It's got to be a lot better than that for me, Man."  Simon said it was a complete letdown and predictable arrangement.  He forgot the words.  No originality and Simon let him have it.

Favorite Melinda Doolittle came out next.  She is fantastic.  What a performer.  Someone to look forward to with each show.  She got a standing ovation.  Randy said it was hot.  Paula looked like she was going to cry and was holding back her tears.  "You made a very boring song fantastic," said Simon, who felt she reminded him of a young Gladys Knight.

Chris Sligh was next with a different rendition of "Endless Love".  It sounded like Cold Play a bit.  He changed it around so much I had no idea what the song was, but he has a nice voice.  Randy did not like it nor did Paula.  "I think you murdered the arrangement," said Simon.   

Gina Glocksen followed up with "Love Child".  It didn't blow me away.  Randy said it felt boring to him.  Simon felt it was just okay but nothing fantastic.  "It is a little bit forgetable," Simon said, and I tend to agree.

Uh oh....next was Sanjaya.  Singing "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".  He even had his Diana Ross hairdo.  It wasn't very good.  Randy said "Thank God for the background singers."  The other judges agreed. 

Haley Scarnato came out with a painful rendition of "Missing You".  She forgot a lot of the words and was pitchy.  The judges were not happy.  Oh this is a bad night.  Simon actually didn't think it was that bad and felt her nerves got the best of her.  He was impressed with her presence on stage.

Next up, Phil Stacey.  "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" was his song.  The vocals were really good, performance needed to be more up tempo.  Simon felt it was somewhere in the middle and better than last week.  I agree with the vocals....nice vocals...one of the better performances so I can't see him going anywhere this week.

Lakisha was up next.  Was looking forward to her performance.  "God Bless the Child" and she sounded fantastic.  "Unbelievable vocals by you," said Randy, who appreciated that she did not overdo the song.  Simon loved it also.  Lakisha and Melinda are in a different league, according to Simon.

Blake Lewis was up next with his own unique version of "Hanging On".  It was kinda weird and Simon agreed.  Paula and Randy liked his style but felt he could sing better.

Stephanie Edwards was singing "Love Hangover" next.  And I enjoyed it.  She forgot the words even though I didn't notice.  Randy and Paula were expecting the up tempo.  She has strong vocals.  Simon felt what she sang was an intro and a tease that she didn't deliver. 

Chris Richardson was up next.  Randy felt it was interesting, down the middle type of performance.  Paula felt he nailed the blend of bringing the contemporary and thought he did a great job.  Simon thought the vocals were dreadful.  If you heard that record on the radio in isolation you would change to the next channel, Simon said.

Jordin Sparks closed with a sweet ballad, "If We Hold On".  She is starting to really grow on me.  Loved the soft finish.  Randy felt she made it a three girl race with Lakisha and Melinda.  She really came into her own tonight.  Simon said a "very, very good vocal" and she has put herself into being in the finals. 

Whose going home Wednesday night?

It should be Sanjaya.  It will probably be Brandon, who was pretty bad.  Haley is probably saved by Simon's comments.  And again, my concern is that Stephanie is just appealing to the same crowd that wants Lakisha and Melinda to win. 

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Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com

Originally published March 13, 2007 9:54 pm ET