Wasn't this supposed to be the year that women ruled "American Idol"? By the end of Wednesday's show, the men could outnumber then 6-3. If Didi Benami goes, that will be OK; if Siobhan Magnus goes, it will be tragic. Here are my comments; please add yours:
1) On what was called "soul/R&B" night, many people chose songs that were neither soulful nor rhythm-and-blues. I guess anything that had been sung by an African-American individual counted.
2) Didi took that approach, singing the ballad "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?" She looked wonderful, sort of like an award trophy, but sang badly and blandly.
3) Ryan Seacrest tried to help her out, giving her a chance to tell why the song is so personal to her. She refused, possibly sealing her fate.
4) Siobhan is never bland, but people keep nudging her that way. She came to the show with great hair, then has had a series of bad makeovers. Her song was OK, but nothing more. And being first in a two-hour show is always dangerous.
5) Contestants keep being asked to take a chance. Siobhan did and was castigated; Casey James followed with a terribly safe and simple song (albeit one he did perfectly) and drew praise.
6) Andrew Garcia was praised for smiling; Tim Urban was criticized for smiling. He sang badly again, but "Teflon Tim" will survive. Smiling can get you far -- just ask Justin Guarini or Jimmy Carter -- and unlike Siohan, he's left his great hair untouched.
7) Katie Stevens was adequate, but the others were first-rate. Crystal Bowersox and Michael Lynche are brilliant each week. Lee Dewyze and Andrew sang well. Aaron Kelly started badly, then got better.
8) I especially enjoyed hearing Big Mike conquer "Ready For Love." It's a great song by India.Arie, who's sort of from my part of the world, in Lansing, Mich. Her mom grew up here; her dad (Ralph Simpson) played basketball here. She's been back often and she's a deeply gifted singer-songwriter.
9) The bottom three on Wednesday? I'll say Didi, Siobhan and Tim.
10) Leaving will be Didi. I'll miss her -- mostly because of the really-beautiful part; I'll only fume and fuss, however, if Siobhan goes.