'American Idol 6' - Seven Men and a Boy Singing

Oh, I'm not feeling the excitement from these guys for the most part. I enjoy a few and I certainly think some are talented. But, will any make it to the top two? I doubt it. I think we're going to see a showdown with the women this season.

Tonight was the night for the guys to put out their best to make it in the final 12. After all, the final 12 are the ones who go on tour, get the huge exposure and more. I just don't think the guys really brought it tonight... once again. At least I enjoyed the "one thing folks don't know about me" bits more than last week's teary dedications.

Blake Lewis showed his improv skills. Um, let him stick to beatbox and singing, please. He sang "All Mixed Up" by 311. I thought he did it well although I'm not familiar with the song. I think he's a given for the final 12. The judges agree with me (as they should). This guy has a lot of talent and he's different.

Sanjaya Malakar knows how to do the hula. I know how to distort photos. He knows how to distort this competition and stay in the running. I want him to go away. He seems like a nice kid and all. And, yes, he has a pleasant enough voice. But when compared to the others, he's a kid playing amongst adults.

He sang John Mayer's "Waiting for the World to Change." Now, I'm not a huge John Mayer fan, but that's one of his songs I like. Sanjaya did okay if it were a school performance. Simon said it wasn't as ghastly as last week. Well, yeah... there's that. He should leave, but I bet we're stuck with him in the finals. Hey, don't blame me.

Sundance Head's secret is that he's thin in real life. I give him credit for making me smile. He sang Pearl Jam's "Jeremy." I thought he did well with it, but it's not the song I would have chosen for him for tonight. Randy liked it, as did Paula. Simon said it was a "generic bar singer" performance and an indulgent song. I'd have to go with Simon on this one. It didn't do much for me. Is Sundance on thin ice? I think he could very well be. This guy runs too hot and cold in addition to not making good song choices every other week.

Chris Richardson shared that he used to be chunky and played college football. He sang Keith Urban's "Tonight I Wanna Cry." I enjoyed the performance and the change from him. How un-Justin Timberlake of the guy! The judges were favorable and I'm sure we'll see him next week.

Jared Cotter told us he was a college basketball player. I'm not surprised. He sang Stevie Wonder's "If You Really Love Me." He did it well enough, but I'm getting tired of his same moves, his same dancing, his same mugging to the camera and acting like he's the sexiest man alive. Randy liked it, Paula thought he needs to "color up" the way he sings. (I believe she means along the lines of "make it your own" and add something to the song.) Simon said it wasn't very original and he was slightly disappointed. He said there was no "wow factor." Wow, he got that right. I don't think Jared is a shoe-in to make the cut.

Brandon Rogers was next up. His secret is that he plays classical piano. Cool, I say. Now, maybe I'm biased, but I enjoy this guy. He sang Rare Earth's "I Just Want to Celebrate." I don't think it was an earth-shattering performance, but he did it well. Randy thought it was good, Paula said it was solid. Simon said he needed more memorable songs. I hope Brandon makes the cut. I don't think this was his best performance.

Phil Stacey, looking much better in a hat, explained he used to have long hair. He then had to cut it short for a group he was in, then decided to shave his head. I think he should grow his hair back, but that could just be me. He sang LeAnn Rimes' "I Need You." I thought the start was horrible. He redeemed himself some through the song, but I didn't care for it.

Randy said it was an interesting song choice and his lower notes are "weird." Paula said it had a "chancy start" and was an odd choice. Simon didn't get it at all. Now that I think of it, neither did I.

Chris Sligh's secret was about the opposite of Phil's. He used to always have very short hair and decided to grow it to see what it did. It curled. He's never had a perm and it's all natural.

Chris sang D.C. Talk's "Wanna Be Loved." I still think his voice is one of the best amongst the guys. I'm not familiar with the song, but enjoyed the performance. I personally thought it to be the best vocal of the night. Randy agreed with me. Paula thought he should take more risks and Simon said he'll make it through to the finals. I surely hope so.

So, who's going home on Thursday? I definitely want Sanjaya out of there, but I think he'll have votes. I think Blake, Chris R. and Chris S. are going to be in the Top 6 guys. That leaves Phil, Jared, Sundance, and Brandon on the possibly may go list. Of those, I'd like to see Brandon stay... I'm ambivalent about the rest.

Your thoughts?