johnvano.com: Fearless Predictions, Fractious Debates

JOHN VANO: There are just 10 singers left on American Idol. Until his dying breath, Carp will swear that Kristy Lee Cook is going to be "the next one gone." Even after her performance last night--which redefined her--he's still picking her to go home. My contention going into Tuesday's broadcast (and I shared this with Carp) was that someone with a mouthful of letters in their first name would go long before KL Cook. We all know her story and we all know her name--but who is Ramiele, really? Small voice, and she hasn't caught the public interest.

CARP: Generally speaking, the kids kicked it up a notch last night with several great performances and a couple that would be better suited for the high school variety show. By the way, as a member of the vaunted and legendary "Uncultured Club," I once finished third in my high school's variety show in (1985). We sang a killer acapella version of "Happy Trails." The challenge for the contestants this week was to sing a song from the year they were born.

TOP IMPRESARIOS
David Cook (born 1982) & Michael Johns (1978)

Vano: David Cook made "Billie Jean" a completely new experience. He owned the night. Score him 4.8 out of 5.
Carp: Cook earns first place for the second straight week. He takes chances and succeeds. Last night it was an emo arrangement of "Billie Jean." If someone asked me to compare David to a natural resource I would say he is "molten lava." The boy was en fuego last night! Carp scores him #1 on the night.

Vano: By the time Michael Johns came to the stage, we needed excitement--and he delivered. Good vocal quality and energy. Nice finish. Score: 4.5
Carp: Michael is the enigma of this competition. One week he's horrible, the next week he soars. I was very skeptical when he announced he was singing the Queen classic "We Will Rock You/We are the Champions," but for the first time I saw him demonstrate his passion. Also, in analyzing Michael's performance, Paula delivered her stupidest line of the night: "Michael baby, I give you a tremendous amount of crap." She meant to say "credit." Carp scores him #3.

MIXED OPINIONS
Syesha Mercado (1987) & Carly Smithson (1983)

Vano: Syesha gave us a nice power ballad. She surprised me, but her voice was a little lost behind the music. Score: 4.1
Carp: Syesha scored second place for me two weeks in a row. Syesha demonstrated outstanding vocals on "If I Were Your Woman" and she had me believing that she was. I believe I felt her soul touching my heart. Carp scores her #2.

Vano: For Carly I say, "well played," but her voice felt stretched. Score: 4.2
Carp: Carly sang a duet with her tattoo called "Total Eclipse of the Heart." Tattoo: "Turn around bright eyes." Carly: "Every now and then I fall apart. And I need you now tonight. I need you more than ever." Tattoo: "Oooh." Seriously, I felt like Carly shouted her way through a song that demands an element of tenderness. If I were to really step out on a limb I would say she will be going home this week. But I'm not ready. Carp scores her #8.

VANO'S OTHER RATINGS

Kristy Lee Cook--Right on. Great choice to play to her base with "God Bless the U.S.A." A crowd pleaser. She reinvented and reinvigorated her candidacy. She's nowhere close to being good enough to win it all, but I think she can survive two to three more weeks. Score: 4.3
David Archuleta--Point on, but he moves like a little puppet. Score: 4.2
Brooke White--Rough open, but a unique rendition. She killed the energy of it. She showed good emotion, but somehow missed it. Score: 4.1
Chikeze--Not enough umph. Blah. "Star Search"-ish. Score: 3.7

UNIVERSAL OPINION ON THE DREGS
Jason Castro (1987) & Ramiele Mulabay (1987)

Vano: Jason's song seemed to be over and done before I could get attached to what he was doing. Simon's right, it was too laid back. Eh. Score: 3.8
Carp: It was Jason's birthday so I thought the producers were going to let him slide through by singing "Happy Birthday to Me." It didn't happen. Instead, Jason chose to sing one of my favorite songs of all time- "Fragile." Bad decision. He floated through a very emotional song in one vocal register. Carp scores him #9.

Vano: Ramiele gave us weak, undisciplined vocals, ineffective screaming. Score: 3.5
Carp: Ramiele butchered "Alone." The judges tried to soften the blow by saying she was sick. I don't care!! Great singers rise to the occasion no matter what. She was sharp, she was flat, she even screamed on occasion. To quote Randy, "Dawg, the song was too big for you."

FEARLESS PREDICTIONS
Vano: The bottom three will be: Chikeze, Carly, and Ramiele. The little squeaker goes home.
Carp: Ramiele should go home, but it will be Kristy Lee Cook who will end her journey tonight.