Good-Bye Kellie Pickler...Week #7

Elimination Evening Wednesday 4/26/2006:

Not since the back to back poor performances by "Mandisa" have we seen American Idol producers let the voters send a popular contestant packing...(a court has ruled that Idol is no more obligated to televise the truth than is Professional Wrestling) hence, I was very surprised to see Kellie Pickler go...even though her efforts and abilities the past two weeks were terrible.

However, I still don't trust the American Idol producers and it would not have been "politcally correct" to have let Paris go this early.

Casting that aside, Kellie stunk a week ago and stunk almost as badly last night. This is a singing competition. She needed to go and it was becoming quite obvious that she was not going to win. Good-Bye Kellie. You were refreshing and fun and best of all...You didn't boo hoo and cry like a baby when you left...Bravo!

The top vote getters were Katharine and Chris...The three stooges, who trashed Katharine, ended up with mud all over their faces. The audience which used to hang on Simon's every word has begun to ignore the egomaniac...Time and again this season his opinions have done nothing to influence the voters. Last week he liked Ace's performance and commented "charming". Ace was promptly voted off.

Tuesday he clobbered Katharine as did Randy and Paula and once they were told that Katharine was a top vote recipient. All of the judges apologized to her just as the show began this evening. Now you know why.

Of course, no one pays attention to Randy and Paula and we watch Paula to determine the "Just Say No" quotient for the evening...Paula is always "tripping" on something.

My prediction is that Chris Daughtry and Katharine McPhee will be competing on the final evening to become the next American Idol. Taylor may be the last one eliminated before it comes down to those two. The winner will be whoever Idol producers want to win...They can and may fix the votes...The loser will still be a winner.

In fact, Chris Daughtry won a long time ago.

The good news for me from now on is that I only have to pick a bottom two...therefore I will only get two wrong each week.

A member of our group, Trey, a local and state Republican political consultant, predicted with certainty that Kellie Pickler would be leaving.

Roger Wahl
Augusta, GA

American Idol Week #7

April 25th Week #7:

Here we are listening to "love songs" and there are only six contestants left. Last week Kellie Pickler was really terrible and Paris had her best week since the new season began and yet Kellie was "safe" and Paris, as I predicted, was in the bottom 3. Also, Paris was safe and Ace finally received the least votes and went home.

The big surprise last week was that Chris Daughtry, the favorite, received the second least amount of votes, and if it weren't for Ace Bandage, barely remained in the competition.

This week we have to say Good-Bye to someone we like and the bottom 3 will undoubtedly include more than one person that we think should stay.

David Foster, composer and song writer...and the famous opera singer, Andrea Bocelli, were the artists in residence this week.

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#1...Katharine McPhee...She sung a Whitney Houston song. I don't remember the name. Maybe "Just as I am"...The writer of the song, David Foster, was impressed with her.

I don't remember much about the song. because Katharine looked spectacular this evening...Boobs everywhere and her dress slit up about as far as it could go and this show not be the halftime of an NFL Superbowl...No stage presence necessary tonight. The three stooges hated it. Jealous! I voted for her 45 times...This is not good news for Katharine. Her phone line should have been busier...but she looked fantastic and sexy.

Who cares that she doesn't sing as well as Whitney Houston?...Anyone ever heard the expression "Just Say No!"?...I bet Katharine sings it better today than Whitney could sing it today...

"Just say No" to Randy, Paula, and Simon! I say "YES" to her outfit or lack thereof.

#2...Elliott Yamin sung "A song for you" and Randy said "Very Good" and Paula cried real tears and Simon said "Superb" and that the vocal was in a "Master Class". Eliott's telephone line was the only line that was busy for me the entire evening...both numbers. I know we always expect that Elliott will be in the bottom 3 every week and with only six places left, the possibility is certainly there for him to be in the bottom 3 again. "Just Say No"!

#3...Kellie Pickler sung "Unchained Melody" and for the second week in a row she was the worst singer of the evening. Last week I predicted that she could not be in the bottom 3, but I really think she is not "bringing it" and is going down hill. I know you "Yankees" feel we "crackers" are a bit dumb, but hopefully we are not so dumb that we will continue to reward Kellie's mediocrity. She certainly deserved to be in the bottom 3 last week. This week she also deserves to be in the bottom 3. Maybe she will get there. Simon summed it up "No heart, No warmth". Her telephone lines were not as busy as usual. Kellie is in trouble. She is not as cute when she performs badly.

#4...Paris Bennett sung "The Way We Were" by Barbra Streisand (political idiot who promised us that she would leave the United States if George W. Bush won the election...and she is still here...Why?)...I like Paris and so did Randy "You can sing" and Paula "Best Female Vocal Tonight" (she didn't like Katharine and Kellie stunk); however Simon never likes Paris' song choices except he loved last weeks choice and she still ended up in the bottom 3. Her phone lines were busy much of the night. I still think she is doomed...her age and her demographics are working against her.

#5...Taylor Hicks sung "Just Once" and Randy thought it was a "very bad song choice" for Taylor and Simon thought it was "not a winning performance". Paula said blah, blah, blah.
I still think that Taylor has "it" but sings lousy and his performances get worse each week, but the fans like him better than Kellie. His performances are better than Kellie's also.
His phone lines were busier than Kellie's too.

#6. Chris Daughtry...He sung "Have you ever really loved a woman" and he did great. Randy loved him and Paula jumped up like the "groupie" that she is and Simon said "Great song choice" while the audience gave him a standing ovation and cheered wildly. He should be safe this week and his telephone line was busy almost all evening.

Bottom 3....WOW...This is tougher each week.

This week I am going to put Kellie Pickler in the bottom 3...She earned it the old fashioned way...She STUNK!

I am going to put the sexiest gal in the competition in the bottom 3...Katharine McPhee. I hate to do this. She looked the best she has ever looked and the sexy look probably cost her a bunch of women's votes this evening. Men don't vote. I really didn't vote 45 times...I lied. However, I did check her number and it wasn't busy as often as it should have been and she needed it to be busier than it was.

Finally, and unfairly...Paris is always in the bottom 3...and this evening may be her last, but I hope it isn't.

I can't see Kellie leaving this early, although I think she may be leaving earlier than I had predicted. Her performances are just not getting any better. Two terrible weeks in a row.

My prediction is that Katharine is leaving. The sexy look may have doomed her and the judges turned vicious this evening. Last week they loved her, but tonight Paula saw her showing off those legs and those boobs and WHAM! Katharine was black balled. My guess is that Katharine was purposely sabataged by the judges because of her sexy dress.

I didn't think her performance was that bad. "Just Say No" was meant as an anti drug message with Whitney Houston as the poster child, but methinks that Randy, Paula, and Simon saw that dress and made sure that the voters "Just Say No" to Katharine.

This is the second time I have predicted that Katharine is leaving...If I am wrong, then I think Paris is gone. Rarely am I correct on the person leaving. Secretly, I am hoping that Katharine is staying...Who knows what she will take off next?

Roger Wahl
Augusta, GA

American Idol Week #6

There will be no elimination post tomorrow evening (Wed 4/19/06 Week #6); however, anyone please feel free to post one if you like.
I will be on the road from Augusta to San Antonio to visit my aunt and of course, the Alamo. As my relatives are well aware, I have been on a genealogy quest for the past 18 months and my aunt has 10 extra large scrapbooks that include pictures of my grandfather, a famous brewer and bread production expert...Arnold Spencer Wahl's accolades, patents, and stories will require their own separate blog...and some day...he shall have one.

American Idol Week #6: The constestants sung "classics" tonight and in general, they sung them well.

For the guys out there, we are down to Yul Brenner and his Magnificent Seven (girls...its a western from 1960, that we guys have seen a hundred times...but it is still a "CLASSIC"!!! Yul Brenner, Steve McQueen, James Coburn, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn...and Eli Wallach as the bad guy...Poor Mexican's being bullied (current events?) and they hire some interesting characters to teach them to fight...one of them brings a "knife to a gunfight" and WINS!...And some great lines...almost Simon Cowellesk..."Do you have an older, grateful sister at home?"...The way he was gushing over Katharine this evening, I was was beginning to wonder!

Of course, Paula was starry eyed and slurring a bit herself...My audience guessed it was pills and booze all afternoon and possibly the make-up people had snooted a bit too much themselves...Paula had a bit of the Michael Jackson look this evening...YIKES!

#1...Chris Daughtry (playing Yul) sung a slow song "Wonderful World" and did very well. Randy said "The Bomb". Paula was pleased to see him "out of the mold" (methinks she was pleased to see him and wants to take him "out") and Simon patted himself on the back and told Randy and Paula that Chris had followed his advice and "changed his style" and Simon was very pleased. The "Entertainment Weekly" magazine had a huge article this week on Idol and has picked Chris the favorite (2-1) (projected winner). He did nothing tonight to diminish those chances.

#2...Paris Bennett...sung "Foolish Things"...This music is Paris' genre and she hit it perfectly. Randy said it was her greatest night ever...He dropped another "Bomb"...Paula said it reminded her of her audition (which we all know made her the favorite way back when) and Simon also made some comments about her talking voice versus her singing voice, but he was very pleased with her performance. The "Entertainment Weekly" magazine had Paris at 10-1. (5th place)

#3...Taylor Hicks sung Nat King Cole "You Send Me" and Randy said "That would be Hot" and Paula said she loved blah, blah, blah...but his ending was good...and Simon said "Magic"...."Entertainment Weekly has Taylor at 4-1 (4th place)

#4...Elliott Yamin..He sung "It Had To Be You" Randy and Paula said "Good song choice, and Paula said blah, blah, blah. Simon was worried that he lacked personality, but he said "good vocal". "Entertainment Weekly" 12-1 (6th place).

#5...Kellie Pickler...She sung "Bewitched, Bothered, & Bewildered"...and Simon said she should have skipped the first two words in the title and left it at "Bewildered". Kellie agreed and admitted that she did a poor job...My opinion...Good move. She sung badly and out of tune, but she looked good and had on a nice looking dress. This is where my theory on Carrie, last year...and Kellie, this year...will be tested. My theory...nothing she does will put her in the bottom 3 at this juncture of the competition...(later yes...but not with 7 to go)....

She was terrible and certainly deserves to be in the bottom 3...I don't think she'll be there. We'll see if my theory is correct.

Her Mom ran away and deserted her. Dad's in jail. She was raised by her granddaddy. She is sweet. She is genuine. America likes her. She should be safe from the bottom 3 and definitely not going home until near the end, if at all.

Is she the American Idol...Who knows? She is definitely Top 3.

"Entertainment Weekly"...3-1 (second place)...Methinks that Katharine is charging with Simon beginning to push her, but this genre was not Kellie's genre and it was Katharine's genre. Kellie did great on Country Night. Katharine did great tonight.

Katharine is a trained professional singer. Kellie is not.

Katharine is pretty...and possibly prettier than Kellie.

Kellie has "IT"...Katharine does not. Katharine just sings, which is O.K., but is it American Idol?

Katharine has no stage presence...Kellie exudes personality and stage presence. We'll see.

#6...Ace Bandage...Ace sung "That's All" (Appropriate song choice)...He dressed up in a suit and slicked his hair back and Randy and Paula and Simon loved him. Simon actually said he was "charming". Paula said blah, blah, blah and Randy advised Ace to sing entire songs in falsetto "False is your money"...I say True or False...Ace is Young... True or False...Ace is a Bandage.

I don't care what the three stooges say...Ace has got to be gone pretty soon. "Entertainment Weekly" 100-1 (last place...should have been gone before Bucky 50-1). Don't get me wrong. I like Ace, just not as the next Idol. He needs to go.

#7...Katharine McPhee looked great and sung great. This is not unusual for Katharine. Simon was drooling all over himself and rightfully said that Katharine made all the contestants look like "good amatuers" compared to her (as a singer). The girl is gorgeous and sings beautifully, but she lacks "IT" and no matter how hard Simom pushes...she better develop some "IT" or she'll be gone before this thing ends...and I like the girl. "Entertainment Weekly" 7-2 predicts final placement (third place).

Final prediction...and tonight is tougher than normal:

Ace, Elliott, (Paris or Taylor)I know...we all love Taylor, don't throw rocks at me. I love Taylor too. He's probably safe, but he's an entertainer and Idol wants record deals and songs and Taylor is 3 people (Michael McDonald, Joe Cocker, and ???).

Elliott Leaving and I hope I am wrong and Ace take his place.

(I predict the safe 4 are Chris, Kellie, Katharine, Taylor) in that order...Taylor is likeable and fun, but he does not sing well enough to be the American Idol. American Entertainer...but not Idol! I think he may be the first one in the Bottom 3 of Chris and Kellie and Taylor.

Based on tonights performance, I think Paris should be safe and Kellie or Taylor should be in the Bottom 3 (still safe) and Taylor would probably be in the bottom 3...Paris safe; however, I really don't know. Paris sung so well, I don't think she belongs in the bottom 3, but the demographics have not been voting for her as expected. Possibly because the country music winner last year and the runner up being a rocker.

I think with Bucky gone, the country crowd will gravitate more towards Kellie than Taylor. So my final third runner up...Paris or Taylor...Too close to call...I will be in the car and won't find out until I call my daughter from the road and she tells me...Paris doesn't deserve to be in the bottom 3...but my theory on demographics has been holding up pretty well this year. I think Paris is one of the most improved over the past several weeks...but I don't tabulate the telephone calls...and Idol Producers want to continue being "politically correct"...may put Paris in the bottom 3...to hype the audience rating for next week...

I don't trust any of them.

Roger Wahl
Augusta, GA

Good-Bye Bucky...Week #5

Here we go again...Because my chosen loser (Ace) could not perform his duties...He wasn't voted off...the 1st runner up, Bucky, must step in and say "Good-Bye"...and to make matters worse, we had to endure "Ace" howl through "We Will Rock You"...My teeth are still aching, and my stomach is very queezy.

I thought the show this evening was entirely too long, but I did enjoy learning a bit more about the families of the contestants.

Paula and Randy obviously knew the results in advance because they each told us that "Ace was Safe"...and everyone knew that Paris was staying, so naturally Paula and Randy must have known that Bucky was going back to Rockingham, NC where they don't race Nascar any longer. The wonderful thing about Bucky and the southern man is that whether he is a redneck (like Bucky) or a high class gentleman like the Civil War gunrunner, Rhett Butler ("Gone With the Wind")...he is capable of handling himself with dignity in most situations and certainly Bucky did the south proud this evening with his exit...an exit that was inevitable, but in my opinion, should not have come before Ace.

Elliott is still in jeoprody even though Randy, Paula and Simon adore him. Now that we got to see him shed some tears and show some emotion, we may feel more kindness towards his appearance than we did before. He needs to connect with the voters and quit trying to impress the three stooges. He seems to be very kind and likeable.

I still have a hard time understanding why Katharine, the wonderful singer, and perfect statute, continues to be safe.

Kellie Pickler, Chris Daughtry, and Taylor Hicks continue to be the top three with little Miss Paris and her great family story shown tonight a close fourth.

Ace has to be next out...I haven't had much luck lately for my bottom pick.

Roger Wahl
Augusta, GA

American Idol Week #5

Tonights viewing audience at dinner included my two mentors, Peggy and Michele, as well as three other guys besides myself and an Emergency Room Physician...called in just in case I had another severe bout of barfing. She also cooked a scruptious dinner for our enjoyment.

This evenings song theme was primarily "ROCK" and my only experience with "Rock" was a man I sat next to on a "Special Bus" one time and his name was "Rock". He had four gold teeth with the intials that spelled "R-O-C-K" engraved on them. I shared my lunch with him (all of it). He looked hungry. He returned the favor by advising me of some friends of his that I could borrow a book from when I got to Atlanta.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Thankfully, I had a room full of "Rock Music" experts who would comment and I could glean their opinions for my report. Randy, Paula, and Simon have not been too reliable lately.

However, like gambling point spreads in the NFL and the NBA...these telephone votes can and have been fixed in the past (Clay Aiken beat Reuben by 60% to 40%) and although I feel it is too early for Idol Producers to fix the votes again...one of these days it may occur.

Our chief cook and ER Physician said that the outfits tonight were especially well chosen and quite appropriate for the occasion. I agree. However, as Simon so often reminds us, this is a singing competition...so why did he spend so much time complimenting Katharine on her looks this evening?

Let us begin:

#1...Bucky was the final singer last week so he got to start tonight. He sung "Flat Bottom Girls". Randy said "Check it Out"..."It was nice". Paula said "Great job...Good song choice"...and I didn't hear what Simon said, but the audience groaned. You know that I think that Bucky is about done, but I thought he did O.K. tonight, which was a surprise for me. He also has quite a following when he sings O.K. He is not going to be here much longer, but he is friendly and nice...just not the next American Idol.

#2...Ace Young sung "We Will Rock You" and he told the judges that "He thought he rocked!" He told them this while he was being chastised by all three of them. Randy said "I didn't get it" and "he would give him a 5 or a 6." Paula said it was "pitchy and that he took a risk" and Simon said "it was an utter mess" and "that Randy was trying to be gentle" (to which Randy piped in that he was trying to be gentle). Simon finished with "I HATED IT!" By the way, Ace changed the song a bit...to sing it his way...Barf!

You'll never guess who I think will be voted off...whether I know "Rock" or not...GOOD-BYE ACE!...Take your good looks somewhere else...and your beenie on those long locks also.

#3...Kellie Pickler sung a rock song and she surprised everyone. She looked exceptional and she sung it pretty well...for a country girl. She was cute and made some cute comments at the end when Simon said "on paper" you shouldn't have done well....and he was trying to say that as a compliment and Kellie interrupted him "What do you mean, on paper?"...Randy said "check it out" "that's entertaining" and Paula smiling said "Rocker Country" and Simon said "Good" and was well pleased with her performance.

#4...Chris Daughtry...Sung an obscure rock song that had never been sung publicly by Queen and Randy said "you delivered" and obviously loved it and Paula said "loved it" and Simon said it was the Best vocal and best believable vocal but was not a very good song and did not entertain the audience. I agree with Simon...It certainly did not entertain me, but I could sort of tell that the guy could sing well; however, methinks that the general audience is more like me than like Paula and Randy...I loved his song choice last week. He won't win this thing if he continues to "Rock" with songs like this. However, as a rocker, he has already won.

#5...Katharine McPhee sung "Who Wants to Live Forever"...Randy said "Good song choice" and Paula said "Glorious and Great Job" and Simon said she "looked amazing and (I think he said)stood out tonight." He said good things. Call me negative...She did look good, but just stood there and sung...blah, boring. I know the woman can sing...American Idol? Come on...No way...I say bottom 3, but safe because Ace is a sure thing out tonight. Of course Randy, Paula and Simon would disagree. They continue to tout her and promote her.

#6...Elliott Yamin...Still very unattractive. He sung "Somebody to Love"...Degree of difficulty "10"...This isn't diving. However, based on the "degree of difficulty"...Randy said "Hard song to sing...I love you" and Paula said "Best vocal tonight" and Simon said "Tough song...pulled it off".
Roger says...Yuk. My audience was looking at each other and then after the three stooges said what they said, they agreed that it was a very tough song to sing..."Degree of difficulty"...10...Whoopty do...Are we singing or diving?

#7...Taylor Hicks...Sung "A Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and danced too. Randy said "Taylor's back...It was hot" and Paula said "A breath of fresh air" and Simon said "Are you drunk?"...."Ridiculous" I saw Taylor have fun and sing and dance and show the old personality that we've come to love. Will he win this and become the American Idol...I doubt it. Will he make the final 3 with Kellie Pickler and Chris and possibly Paris...probably.

#8...Paris Bennett...She sung "The Show Must Go On" and my audience liked it a lot.
Randy said "Yes...worked it out" Paula said "Powerhouse" and Simon, who obviously does not care for Paris (we think he thinks she is too young for the songs she chooses and he never seems to like any song she sings)...in any case, Simon said "Weird". My group thought Paris did very, very well and she looked good. She is in no danger of making the bottom 3 this evening.

In conclusion:

2nd Runner up (tie) too close to call: Katharine McPhee
Bucky
Elliott Yamin

I think all of the above are safe...I think that Bucky should be safe, but he went first tonight and voters usually don't remember the first performer and voters know that Bucky has been safe for two weeks in a row...This trend cannot continue.

The judges seemed to attempt to force Elliott down our throats tonight. I hated the song so I am putting him in the bottom 3. I have a call into "Rock" (teeth), but he still has 5 years to go. He and Elliott have something in common...Teeth...But I won't tell "Rock" I didn't like his teeth.

Going home tomorrow has got to be Ace...Clearly the worst of the bunch this week and it is his time...Good-Bye pretty boy. He is also very nice and seems kind and genuine. I will not miss his falsetto notes and I'm sure I will not miss him as much as Paula...One less pair of pants for Paula to drool over.

Roger Wahl
Augusta, GA

Good-Bye Mandisa...Week #4

I honestly thought we were losing Katharine McPhee this evening and took several tablespoons of Pepto Bismol to protect me from Barfing while she serenaded everyone with "Bring Out the Elvis in Me" as she said good-bye.

To my surprise, Paris, who masacred Trisha Yearwood's "How Do I Live", was thrown into the bottom three while Katharine was NOT this week...and Katharine was "safe"!

My other two predictions...Elliott (Honorable Mention) and Mandisa (First Runner Up...which in the event of the winner not being able to fulfill her roll, she will take her place (Katharine failed to fulfill her roll)...Mandisa moved up to "GOOD-BYE"!

Now comes the really bad news...Mandisa sung her rendition of Shania Twain's "Any Man of Mine"...

Not enough Pepto Bismol for that....BARF! BARF! BARF!

American Idol Week #4

American Idol 4/4/06

I must begin tonights summary by vomiting...I apologize...but Barf! Barf! Barf!

At the bottom of the barrel this evening has got to be Kenny Rogers, or whomever was occupying that body of his...with the pulled up "ironed out" and "wrinkle free" face. GEE GOLLY and HOLY COW!!!! I know that was his voice, but was that really Kenny Rogers behind the mask? Pardon me again...Barf! Barf! Barf!

Next in line is Simon Cowell...This is the 5th year of American Idol isn't it? If you are going to have a Country Music Night, don't you think you might learn one or two Country songs and some current popular artists?

Chris Daughtry sung a Keith Urban song that was voted "song of the year" last year..."boring song " was your quote. Paris Bennett butchered the Trisha Yearwood classic "How Do I Live" so badly that even Randy and Paula, the bobble head, noticed.

You, on the other hand, thought it was very good and an excellent song choice. Thankfully, you admitted to Katharine that you "hated" country music. You heard poor singing this evening, but commenting on song choices was the same as bobbling like Paula.

Finally, ...only one word fits most of the performances this evening...BARF!

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On with the show:

1. Taylor Hicks...He sung the words "Country road take me home...West Virginia" You know I really like Taylor. I also liked his outfit tonight. The end.
Coal Miners in West Virginia were lined up to go back into the mines after hearing Taylor sing this song...Absolutely Awful. Although Simon does not know country or understand country, Taylor set the tone this evening. Simon got this one right...."Safe, Boring, Lazy"! Taylor has been going down in his performances lately.

2. Mandisa...She sung a Shania Twain song "Any Man of Mine"...I hated it and I really couldn't tell if it was worse than Taylor or not. Both were terrible. I think Mandisa caused me to Barf more than Taylor...She wins. Again, Simon, who has no clue about Country Music, started out by saying that it was "HORRIBLE" and then backed off and said the song was "horrible". My opinion...Mandisa was bad tonight...She screamed last week "Mary, Mary" (not good) and tonight she really stunk...time for Mandisa to worry.

3. Elliott Yamin...He sung "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks...Randy loved it and Paula loved him and reminded us that Elliott is humble and very understated. Simon liked the song choice but told Elliott that it was not great; however, it was the best so far. Whoopty do...Better than Taylor and Mandisa...Don't get too excited. It was not that great!

4. Paris Bennett...She sung "How Do I Live"...the Academy Award nominated song from the movie "Con Air"...those of you who know me know that I have a double affinity for this movie. I tell my girlfriend that it is a "Love Story" so she will watch it when in fact it is a brutal movie about escaped convicts; however in the end of the movie this song is sung as the hero (Nicolas Cage) finally is reunited with his wife and child...(love story) (smile).

Paris struggles through the song and sings most of it too low and off key...basically masacres it. A horrible song choice for her although many people on the plane were "black" and she could have been making a political statement (smile, I am just kidding).

Simon thought it was "very good" "an excellent song choice" and that she reminded him of a "young Dionne Warwick"...Usually it is Paula that is taking the pills and/or is drunk...tonight Simon was dillusional and/or Paris' family paid him off. She is safe whether she sang badly or not, but for those of you that don't follow country music...She was pretty bad, but certainly better than Mandisa and Taylor.

5. Ace young...Ace sung a Keith Urban song. Randy thought it was boring, but Paula thought it was nice and she also liked his falsetto at the end. Simon thought it was his best song choice in the past several weeks. So did I. I think that Ace may be safe tomorrow. We'll see.

6. Kellie Pickler...She sung "Fancy", a song that Reba made famous and Kellie hit it perfectly. Country Music is her genre and she better hit it out of the park and she did. Randy and Paula said "Great" and Simon said it was a "good performance". I think this was her best performance so far and her interview before she sung was also very good.

7. Chris Daughtry...Sung "Memories of Us"...a Keith Urban song and he sung it well and did not change it to a "rock" song. Randy said "good job". Paula was pleased by his "versatility" and Simon said "Great to see a different side" (meaning non rocker), but also said that Chris chose a "boring song" (possibly meaning safe song).

8. Katharine McPhee..."Bring Out the Elvis In Me"...Whatever? They don't play this song on the Country Music stations I listen to; however, Randy thought it was "Bluesy Country and a good job" and Paula said "Sexy, Hot, Cool" (and this was said to a woman...and Paula usually reserves these comments to anyone "male" with pants on...That's it! Katharine had pants on and Paula may have been confused?)

PREDICTION: I realize that the general audience is non country...but Katharine almost got booted last week and it is my opinion that Katharine chose a terrible song and will be in the bottom 3 this evening and....drum roll...rat...ta...tat...tat...SHE'S GONE!!!!!

9. Bucky...He sung "The Best I Ever Had" by Carey Allen. He sung the song very well and we all know that Bucky has a following. Randy said "Good song choice"...Paula said "this is your element" and Simon said "Sounded O.K."

Bucky appears to be safe for another week and may not get into the bottom 3.

SUMMARY: So many did so badly this evening that I really can't pick 3 with much confidence, although I never get all three correct anyway.

I think that Ace and Bucky are safe...just a hunch. However, both are gone pretty soon.

So, I will go out on a limb...as if it matters.

Mandisa was terrible and you know I think that Katharine McPhee is gone. I think Elliott is going to the bottom 3 tonight...not out and Ace and Bucky will take his place soon enough, but it is time to reward Mandisa for her bad performances. The bad news is that we will have to endure Katharine singing "Bring Out the Elvis in Me" one more time...Barf!

Honorable Mention #3 Elliott Yamin
1st Runner Up #2 Mandisa
Good-Bye #8 Katharine McPhee


Roger Wahl
Augusta, GA

Good-Bye Lisa Tucker...Week #3

Idol Elimination Week #3...March 29, 2006

Good-Bye Lisa...Nice girl...Classy girl...I like you.

1. The public voting told us what we already suspected about Ace. His sexy looks are not getting the bimbo's to dial his number. They may be dreaming of you, but they are not dialing your number.

This is his second time in the bottom 3. The first time he performed really, really badly. This time...????? Things are tightening up and Ace, like the bandage, is feeling the pressure. I don't think it's a sprain. I think it's broken.

2. Katharine...Only Lisa's inevitable farewell saved Katharine, the best femaile voice competing. I apologize to Peggy and Michele, who I watched Idol with on Tuesday. foolishly, I listened to the judges comments before writing my synopsis rather than trusting Peggy and Michele, who both thought Katharine did poorly. I won't make that mistake again. These girls have been my guides for three years so far...Why did I even consider that Paula and Simon had a clue?

What this tell us is that Katharine is nearing the end of the game. Again, no stage presence...too bad. She is pretty, has a dynamite voice...but the people have spoken even after Simon loved her performance...She's toast.

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Finally, next week is devoted to Country Music...Bucky seems to have a following whether he sings poor, poorly, or poorest. And "Country" is his genre. I give up!

I thought I knew country since I listen to it "all the time" (if I am not listening to Tony Kornheiser or Dan Patrick...sports talk radio), but with Carrie Underwood winning last year, I think the rednecks (like me) have come out of the woodwork and they certainly know how to dial their telephones.

Kellie Pickler and Bucky are safe next week and Kellie seems to be leading all voting thus far. We southerners also like Taylor Hicks.

Next week...Since Bucky may be safe, Ace is in big trouble. Katharine and Mandisa better learn how to sing Country. I am still trying to picture Elliott and Chris Daughtry in that arena.

It will be Masters Week here in Augusta, GA...My girls will be in Myrtle Beach so I will be watching Idol by myself. No home cooking Tuesday. On Wednesday, I may not even be able to see any of the elimination show. This is our busiest week of the year. Temperatures will be in the 80's, everything is in bloom, visitors come to town, and our gorgeous Clark Hill Lake and Strom Thurmond Dam is only 45 miles from here.

American Idol Week #3

1. Lisa Tucker...Young Lisa dug a big hole for herself. She sung a Kelly Clarkson song that all three of the judges felt was too big of a song for her to tackle. Lisa said "No guts, No glory"...Guts everywhere. Bottom 3 and possibly out.

2. Kellie Pickler...I think she looked bad again and sung terribly. Randy and Paula told her that she chose a song that was beneath her and I thought Simon was going to make her cry, but she didn't and perked right back up. Her telephone lines were the busiest again tonight, but if she doesn't get hopping soon, she may fall out of favor. Blonde yes. Stupid, maybe. Great singer...probably not. Safe...Count on it.

3. Ace Young...He showed us a big scar on his chest. Army wound...No... Knife wound...No... Basketball scar from falling onto a stake of some kind...Yes... Very manly? He should be bottom 3?

4. Taylor Hicks...He sung tonight instead of danced, but his outfit was not "him"! His telephone line was busy until 10:20 and then busy off and on until 10:40 P.M. until I stopped trying. Definitely safe.

5. Mandisa...Sung well or should I say screamed loud. I think she finally got a chink in her armor this evening...Randy and Simon were not frothing at the mouth with praise. Paula was her customary bobble head. Mandisa could possibly end up in the bottom 3...not really, but possibly?

6. Chris Daughtry...Rocker...Screamed his way through a "rock" song. In the past, he has been singing and not screaming as much. Simon warned him to "change" it up. I agree. There is no personality in screaming. I don't think the fans will "warn" him into the bottom 3...but he deserves to be there tonight.

7. Katharine McPhee...I wasn't thrilled with her performance. I thought she looked better than usual, but Randy didn't like many singers tonight and Simon loved her and Paula bobbled and bobbled, as usual. She's safe. She is truly the best female vocalist by far with not much stage presence to go along with her looks and her voice.

8. Bucky...Poor guy. He finally got to sing a country song. Ouch, my aching ears...and I love country and I love Tim McGraw. Bottom 3...and as usual I will pick Bucky to be at the bottom of the barrel. Eventually, this likeable young man will be voted off and can rejoin his band and his identical twin brother.

9. Paris Bennett...She danced well and much older than her age (nothing wrong with that...she's an entertainer and 17 is old enough!) and she sung pretty well, if you like that style. Her telephone lines were also busy until 10:20 P.M....I think she passed Mandisa tonight and possibly Kellie Pickler if Kellie continues to blah us and bore us.

10. Elliott Yamin...He sung very well and wowed Randy and bobble head woman. Simon liked his voice and nothing else. I am certain he won't get to the final four.

You basketball fans will like the way I worked in the Final 4 to this weeks program! GO LSU or FLORIDA and if an SEC team cannot win it all, then I'll take George Mason. UCLA has won enough.

In Summary: Bottom 3:

3. Ace will have another scare...he earned it with that scar bullcrap.
2. Lisa should be safe, but all three judges hated her this evening. She could be gone.
1. Bucky needs to go, but his fans keep him in each week. My logic is that he almost went last week and I predicted last week he would be gone this week. He didn't do anything to change my mind.

Surprises: Mandisa or Chris could be thrown into the bottom 3 as a warning to do better or be gone. In Mandisa's case, I think they are more correct than not.

As I predicted a few weeks ago, we like most of the remaining contestants and except for the discards left in our hands, it will get tough pretty soon.