American Idol 2, February 11: Jive Talkin'!

Ruben Studdard "Superstar"

Randy - "(Standing ovation) Finally! Somebody bringing it, singing with passion, singing with conviction, in tune...the way singing is supposed to happen!"

Paula - "Can I have a hug?... amazing performance, amazing... you are real."

Simon - "You are what this competition is all about... you are a star... everything about that performance was sensational."

Sting7 - Wow! Ruben was mesmerizing, the voice was like silk, the stage presence polished and confident. Outstanding, no complaints. The best that has performed this season! Frenchie finally has some competition. [Editor's Note: Breaking News is that Frenchie has actually been kicked out of the competition - check Foxes On Idol soon for more information.] And he's one of my Picks To Click!

Kimberley Locke "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"

Randy - "(Standing O) Sang amazingly... amazing amazing performance... it was like a master class in singing... I feel like the competition just started."

Paula - "Blown away... mesmerizing... brilliant, gorgeous."

Simon - "Not the buzz I got from Ruben... technically, the best we've heard so far... you'll be judged for your singing, but also for your personality, and while I would say Ruben's personality is a 10, I would give you 4 1/2 for personality."

Kimberley takes great exception to low personality mark, Paula and Randy encourage her to defend herself. Randy says, "What do you give his personality?"

"A zero! A well-deserved zero!" Okay, he had that coming. But, she continues with that old axiom about those who criticize. Simon takes it good-naturedly, "After this, I'd give a 5 1/2, at least you've got some spunk!"

Kimberley still isn't satisfied, "5 1/2? I would say thank you, but I just can't find it back there!" Paula and Randy are fairly hooting now! Paula puts her hand up for a high five, as does Simon.

Kimberley slaps the five on Paula, but for Simon, there is a bit more to be said, "I thought you were sexy?" Slap! "You suck!"

Simon continues to smile, and as Kimberley struts away, triumphant, Simon mutters, "Now she's at 6!"

Sting7 - Kimberley does have a powerful voice, and she knows how to control it. That is a gift. Too many contemporary singers want to pummel you with power (Patti Labelle) or run the scales in every song (Mariah Carey). Kimberley will realize that he didn't really insult her either. We've seen Kimberley sing 'Rainbow' twice now and it's clearly like an old shoe for her. She's sung it a zillion times in the shower, and can probably sing it in a coma. The point he was making was that not much Kimberley came through the textbook technique. She's also a Pick To Click, but no more arguing. It will get you, in the end.

Jennifer Fuentes, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody"

Randy - "You were better when we first saw you... not really with it."

Paula - "A+ for picking a song that needed more than a piano."

Is that a compliment? Whatever it was, Jennifer cuts her off and defends herself with something lame about picking up-tempo songs getting her this far. What's with all of this talking to the judges this week?

Simon - "The sensible thing after hearing Ruben and Kimberley would have been to stay in the room!"

Paula slaps Simon's shoulder, she and Randy chide Simon for being mean, Randy says it wasn't good, but it wasn't terrible.

Sting7 - The one clunker of the night. Jennifer is cute as hell, and she's just oozing with personality. The song choice clearly did her in. We saw that she was struggling with deciding on a up-tempo song vs. the ballad. She chose wrong. It's too bad.

Who I think should advance:

1. Ruben Studdard

2. Clay Aiken

And, who I think will advance:

1. Ruben Studdard

2. Kimberley Locke

Making that call was tougher than last week! But Ruben, Kimberley, and Clay were the class of the field. If any of the three of them do not advance, I would surely expect to see them in the wildcard round! Last week, I was 0-2. Let's see how I do, and more importantly, who America chose, Wednesday!

Sting7 can be reached at stingseven@yahoo.com.

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