posted February 28, 2008 at 13:22 EST in Other Articles

I was by no means a fan of the effort the women put forth last week regardless of the fact that a majority of them were suffering from bouts with the flu. Nevertheless, the ladies pressed on without Joanne Borgella and Amy Davis who didn’t survive the first elimination show last Thursday night. I was all set to enjoy the girl’s whale away to songs from the 70’s, but came away very unimpressed and question how a majority of them even got to this stage. Both Alaina Whitaker and Alexandra Lushington came in as the odds on favorites to get kicked off this Thursday. BetUS Sportsbook had Alaina installed as a –150 chalk and Alexandra a –200 chalk to get voted off tomorrow night, while Ramiele Malubay and Syesha Mercado were the favorites to move on to the next round at 15-1.

Without further ado….

Carly Smithson was first on the docket and she chose to tackle Heart’s “Crazy on You”. It showed on Carly’s face how much she enjoyed performing the song, but it sounded a bit erratic to me. Randy agreed stating she over hit her notes, but that it was very good at the end. Paula was happy to hear her back healthy. Simon opened up his comments by stating it was a much better performance than last week, but that he’s still not sure she’s connected with the right song. Then shockingly, he said she’s the best female vocalist. The judges seem to like Carly, so it’s a pretty safe bet to think she’ll survive Thursday night’s elimination round. A +1000 ticket looks nice on paper, but it only means something if the big dawg bites. This one isn’t just yet!!!

Next up was Syesha Mercado who chose to rearrange “Me and Mr. Jones”. A song suited for a deep male voice, and I just didn’t get the performance at all. Neither did any of the judges. Randy disagreed with the song choice and told her “You have to pick a song where you can use what you got”. Paula thought she fell off pitch with the softer notes, and Simon thought it was an indulgent and silly performance. He said, “the song wasn’t designed for your voice”. Syesha entered the week as one of the favorites to move onto the third round at +1500, and I still believe she will even though she stunk the joint up tonight.

The wonderfully pure Brooke White took the stage with guitar in hand next, and belted out what I thought to be a wonderful version of Carly Simon’s “You’re So vain”. It was a very good overall performance, but very predictable coming from the squeaky clean Ms. White. Randy thought it was a great song choice, and Paula seconded that motion. She also added that she brought a familiarity to it. Simon finally stayed away from picking on her and stated that he loved the performance and that it was by far the first genuine song choice of the Top 24. Brooke came into this weeks competition a +250 dawg to exit stage left Thursday night, but it’s not happening people. This breath of fresh air will be around for the long haul, so keep your money in your pockets and DON’T bet against her.

The Hula dancing Ramiele Malubay was up next, and I just felt very uncomfortable watching her tackle “Don’t Leave me this Way”. It came off very karaoke-ish, and it was terrible compared to last weeks effort. Randy said it was just an ok vocal, while Paula was upset she didn’t get to perform her magic. Simon labeled it a “forgettable performance, but closed by saying she’s still one of the top three female vocalists. Ramiele came in as one of the big dawgs to escape this weeks elimination round at +1500, but the more I think about it, the more it’s worth it to take a stab and lay a unit on her for a 15-1 return. She might be cute to some, but there’s money to be made here.

Self-proclaimed Tomboy Kristy Lee Cook was up next, and the first thing that caught my eye was her fantastic outfit. That said, her performance of Linda Ronstadt’s “You’re no good” was feisty but nothing special. Randy thought it was 100% better than last week and pretty in tune; he liked it. Paula thought it was a good song choice, but Simon came away still unsure of what type of singer she is. He then advised her to maybe take a country route next week. At +100 to get the axe, there’s just no value in backing KLC tomorrow night. Besides, sex sells and her getup last night certainly caught plenty of the boy’s attention. Look for her to advance by the skin of her teeth.

After five not so mind blowing performance, I was a bit stoked to see the sassy Amanda Overmyer take the stage. Then I saw what she was wearing and that god- awful hairdo she sported. It was like the Bride of Frankenstein meet’s one of the latest zombies from a George Romero flick. That being said, Kansas’ “Carry on my Wayward Son” was way to big a song for her. Randy agreed 100% stating it was the wrong song choice for her and her bluesy voice. Paula seemed lost for words and stated, “you have to do what feels right”. Simon felt nothing in the performance felt real, and he said “you won’t get the popular vote by doing that”. This performance was a real downer for me, and I have a bad feeling Amanda will be up on stage next to Ryan Seacrest once again come Thursday night. Only this time, I think she’s gone. At 4-1 odds to leave the AI premises, Amanda looks to be a good bet even though it’s not a popular one.

Next up was the “Hopelessly Devoted” Alaina Whitaker with her Olivia Newton John impression. The performance did nothing for me vocally, but Alaina’s youth is a breath of fresh air. Randy felt it was the wrong song choice again, and stated “It was restrained even when you belted it out”. Paula thought she did a great job, as did Simon, but he also felt she came off a bit too “grandmaesque” with her overall portrayal. He then followed that comment up by stating she’s the dark horse of the competition. That’s all I need to hear right there to stay away from buying myself a Whitaker ticket for tomorrow night. If you hear anything remotely praising your effort by Simon, you’re in like Flynn….

The spunky Alexandrea Lushington took the stage next, and I was hoping for something to change my perception of her after last weeks confusing performance. Unfortunately, I was too busy looking at her wild getup once again as she covered a Chicago tune. Randy thought it was a safe song for her that didn’t allow her to show her range. Paula thought she made it her own and stated that she’s a key cog in this competition. Simon is struggling to understand her and feels she’s struggling as well. Her look after the performance said it all, and then stating, “at least it’s over”, (meaning the performance) sealed the deal in my eyes. I didn’t get her last week, and I once again didn’t this week either. However, at –200 there’s no real value in backing her but it’s almost a certainty that she’ll be eliminated come Thursday night.

Britney impersonator Kady Malloy was up next, and I had the feeling many were pulling for this cutie to put forth a better semblance of herself than last week. Her cover of Heart’s “Magic Man” was much better than last week’s effort, but she clearly doesn’t have the goods to become the next American idol. Randy didn’t think she ever found the pitch, while Paula thought she nailed the power notes. Simon has a thing for her bits before the performances, but he’s confused as to why they haven’t translated on stage. He thought this performance went nowhere. At +130, oddsmakers don’t think much of young Kady but I’ve got a feeling her outgoing persona offstage and her looks will carry her through to the next round.

Finally closing out the show was Asia’h Epperson doing her best to belt out “All By Myself”. The beginning of the song had me shaking my head, but the latter stages were almost excellent. This short statured 19-year old sure can pack a punch, and I foresee her breezing into the next round. Randy said it was the night’s highest degree of difficulty, while Paula thought the ending brought it home. Simon said she almost got away with it, but the song ended up being to big for her. Regardless, this +700 dynamo will be competing for 80’s week.

All in all, it was a very disappointing night for the ladies. I wasn’t blown away by any of the performances, which makes it very hard to predict who’ll be exiting stage left tomorrow night. Unfortunately, I think we’re going to have to say goodbye to rocker chick Amanda Overmyer and her bluesy voice. I also expect to see Alexandrea Lushington hit the bricks. That said, the only ladies I feel are 100% safe are Carly Smithson, Brooke White, Syesha Mercado, Alaina Whitaker, and Asia’h Epperson. That leaves five girls American Idol dreams up in the air, and I would take a flyer on all five of them tomorrow night.

I honestly have to say I wasn’t very impressed with the 20 contestants this past week. There were some notable performances, but the majority of them had me shaking my head in dismay. Hopefully the 16 that get their tickets punched into Week 3 turns it up a couple of notches or else I might fall asleep during the broadcast. Until then, enjoy the elimination show and I’ll see you next week…..

Additional sports and entertainment odds can be found in the BetUS.com Sportsbook, in Futures/props, under Entertainment Props.