I loved LaToya's voice. The only two performers in the top 32 that I've liked thus far are LaToya and Fantasia. They're both extremely talented. And I never listen to the judges (thanks to tivo) so I have no idea what was said about their performances.

Every Simon criticism means "I don't like your voice" or "Your voice isn't an Idol voice". Simon telling him that he has no personality still means that Simon doesn't like the way he sings.

I'm sorry, but I couldn't disagree more. I felt it fit like a glove. And it clearly wasn't jarring to the people in that audience. And when I said her performance built, I didn't necessarily mean gradual. I was more or less talking about her range. And so what if she started off low key and that shifted to her belting one out? The bottom line is....can she sing? And my answer is, hell yes.

Spinal Tap reference!!!!

Finally, someone gets it.

Speaking of the Tap, somebody should do a real vocally-challenging song, like "Sex Farm".

PEN SALESMEN RULE!!!!!!!!!!

LaToya has 32.3% of the votes... now it's between Cyndi Lauper and the Pen Salesman.

My guess is that Jon Peter Lewis will go through... just like Matt did last week. Oops...

It's the Screamer and Pinky!... let's just skip to next week!

I am pleased for Amy...

John Peter Stevens was stunned when he got to the last 3

Anyone count the shots Fox gave us of the crying and bitter Leah? I counted at least three!

I knew America wasn't going to vote for her very average performance...no matter how much the judges fawned over her.

I guess I missed something, but George Huff was booted before the final 32. Anyone know how he made it into next week's 8?

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/cctimes/news/8029860.htm

Nevermind. Donnie Williams was arrested for suspicion of DUI.

George must be taking his spot.

Loved it when Leah didn't make it to the final 3. I'll bet Leah will be Simon's "wildcard pick", though. Who the hell was voting for the Pen Salesman?

After listening to Latoya again, I still think she's weak in anything but the wailing parts of that song. But so many people think that's all there is to singing these days. Sad.

Amy was nervous and a little pitchy, but her voice still sends shivers down my spine (in a good way).

I thought the pen salesman did a good job. I agree that his phrasing was odd, but it wasn't unpleasant. And he (along with Amy) appear to be the most relaxed on camera. Of all the contestants so far, he and Fantasia have had the most "interesting" voices ... the difference being that I think I could actually listen to his voice for more than 5 minutes without poking out my own ear drums.

Amy did great but I agree -- NO MORE CELINE!!

Latoya was ok. I thought it was a little over the top, but she did well and I can't deny that she deserves to advance at this stage.

Some of this week's contestants have to be bummed about not getting put in week 2's group!

as a new comer how do the wild cards work?

and how many are there

is it a wild card show?

There is a wildcard show, the week after Round 4 (next week). They bring in 8-10 former contestants from any stage of the competition (meaning they don't necessarily have to come from the top 32), and the single highest vote-getter gets one wildcard slot.

Then each judge gets to nominate their own wildcard contestant (for a total of 3). So that's 4 contestants including the top vote-getter, and that brings the finalist total to 12.

2 from each of the four rounds, makes 8.

The three judges can call back anyone who auditioned as a Wild Card, that adds 3 more.

The last Wild Card is voted on by America. They bring 8-10 people back and America picks 1.

That makes 12.

thanks. my eh wife was curious... that's it my wife.

Yeah, they shot Leah several times being obviously upset about not making it. Afterall, her mother was some foreign pop star instructor. Simon didn't really give her the thumbs up. He said something about potential and then it looked like he was ready for a BUT but Seacrest cut him off and she went backstage all aflutter because all she heard was what she thought was a compliment from Cowell.

Me. I voted for him twice and still think he was the best.

Cool, I always thought George should've made it to the finals anyway.

I stated this same thing in last week's thread about Buckethead the football player, and this week I'll say it about Pink Hair. She looks like she's freakin 40 years old.

If by sing, you mean she can hit the notes, then yes...she can sing. Her pipes are quite strong. But singing means more than hittting the notes. In fact, you can have a mediocre, or even what some consider a terrible voice, and still be a great singer.

Somewhere along the lines, you have to consider what the song is about. Interpretation and passion are just as important as tonal quality. It's the reason why so many have covered Dylan but only a handful have come close to hitting the highs of the originals. It's why Tony Bennett, with his voice waning more and more each year, is still one of the best performers out there. And yet, a million lounge room lizards can hit the notes but will never leave the lounge room. You have to give some deference to the song. You have to understand and become the song. Just hitting the notes is not enough. Even within a limited time span.

To me, the jump was untrue to what LaToya was singing. Even Celene Dion (ugh), whose cover LaToya was riffing off of and sometimes lifting straight from, understood the limits of the song. Instead of getting louder, Dion actually brought it back in and made it quieter at the end. IMHO, LaToya's performance would have been better served by such an approach

To you, it fit like like a glove. To me, it was a ten inch hole in the wall to fit a 3/8" piece of copper tubing. It was easier to just cut a bigger hole than to measure things out.

BTW, as for the audience. That to me is on the same level as the judges comments as to quality. This is the same group that applauded when Jon Peter Lewis hit a falsetto in "Tiny Dancer." Ooooohhh!

I wonder what William Hong's chances of getting back are? It would be hysterical but I think that it would end AI for Simon.

I hope "Soldier Girl" from the very first show gets another shot...alas, Fox has probably forgotten all about her!

I think Soldier Girl may be back for the wild card. I said that a long time ago, and I'm going out on a limb so I can be mocked for being wrong if I am.

Besides, after Group #2, isn't she looking a lot better?