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Tonight was the girls’ turn to see whether they could follow a vastly-improved mens’ show with a repeat of last week’s home run performance.

Going in, we had a few questions:

• Would they mention Antonella’s rough week on the internet?  Would it affect her performance?
• Would Lakisha, Melinda, Sabrina, or Stephanie deliver follow-ups to last week’s strong performances?
• Would Haley, Antonella, or Leslie be able to redeem themselves from a shaky week one?

Here they are.  Tonight’s Performances:

Gina Glockson- “Alone” by Heart.  (I like it when contestants sing songs that I know and like.)  Gina sang this one a bit weaker than the original.  I was kind of expecting her to “nail it”, so I was a little disappointed.  The chorus sounded a bit whiny for my taste.  GRADE: B-

I understand what Simon was saying when he said that she needed to establish an image for herself.  I was thinking that Gina would look good dressed up like Stevie Nicks.

Alaina Alexander- “Not ready to make nice” by (presumably) a country singer.  The very beginning was painful, it picked up after that, and then petered out near the end.  Somehow, I find myself rooting for Alaina.  She did much better than last week, but still not fantastic. I wonder whether she’ll be around next week. . .  GRADE: C

There was some obvious editing at the end of Alaina’s “judgment”.  I am curious as to what they cut.

Lakisha Jones- “Midnight Train to Georgia.”  I wonder whether Lakisha will show any weakness once she starts singing songs outside of her preferred genre.  I’d bet that the other contestants are hoping so.  (My guess is that she figures it out, and does awesome on everything.)  GRADE: A-

Melinda Doolittle- “My Funny Valentine”.  Good vignette for Melinda.  She is a very clear and articulate speaker.  She also comes across as being very kind.

Up to this point, Melinda’s look had been a little bit of a distraction.  She needs to find a way to dress that looks nice on her. Tonight her clothes, hair, and makeup converged into a fantastic whole.  She looked really good.

Her song was excellent.  Reminded me of any number of singers who were featured prominently on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.  Melinda is currently my favorite.  GRADE: A

(Remember when one of the crooner boys tried this song.  It may have been John Stevens, but I actually think it was the other one who was on the next year.  His name escapes me. . .)

Antonella Barba- “Because you love me” by Celine Dion.  I was really rooting for Antonella after a rough week of unnecessary bad pub related to some private photographs, followed by an internet hoax regarding pornographic photos.

The good news: hair commercial-like hair, and a pretty Goldie Hawn-esque dress.  It is hard to take one’s eyes off her when she’s on TV.  (Kind of like Cindy Crawford.)

The bad news: The song started rough, got a little better, and then was over.  Better than last week, but not overwhelmingly so.  The judges didn’t go for it either.

GRADE: C-

Jordin Sparks- “Reflection”.  I forgot about Jordin between last week and now.  I suppose that means that she may need to make more of an impression in subsequent weeks.

Her song was good, but I wonder whether people will have forgotten it by the time the show’s over.  (I already have. . .)  GRADE: B

Stephanie Edwards- “Dangerously in love”.  Hard to believe that this one is 19.  Pretty dress.

Stephanie sang this song really well, but it didn’t exactly come across as “catchy.”  I’d think that’s the song’s fault more than Stephanie’s  (My wife disagreed with me about the song’s “catchiness”.  She said it was great.)  GRADE: B+

Leslie Hunt- “Feeling Good”.  Leslie has a REALLY strong Chicago accent, doesn’t she? 

Leslie sang a different, jazzy, but not necessarily super-awesome song.  GRADE: C+

Haley Scarnato- “Queen of the Night”.  Haley had a cool shirt and spiffy high boots.  Her song was fun, and I’d bet that people at home enjoyed this one.  Before this song I thought that Haley was in serious trouble of being eliminated, but I feel that she may have saved herself tonight.  (Maybe not. . .) GRADE: C+

Sabrina Sloan- “All the man that I need”.  At this point, I see Sabrina being a quarter peg below either Lakisha or Melinda.  Sabrina’s eventual advantage will be that she’s exceptionally pretty.  Her song was sung well with a big voice.  Nice.  GRADE: B+

Tonight’s best:   1) Melinda     2) Lakisha    3) Stephanie

Tonight’s worst: 1) Alaina      2) Antonella   3) Leslie

Who I think will get booted:  Alaina and Leslie