TV: American Idol (songs of the 21st century)

Hello, back from Vegas, and just watched last night's show. Not a good night on the whole, and not an interesting song in the bunch. Mandisa and Chris get a pedantic scold for choosing songs from 2000, which was the last year of the 20th century, not the first year of the 21st.

Lisa, "Because of You" -- I don't know where Simon's description of this as "painful" comes from. The ending was a bit off-pitch, but the big notes sounded good, and there were hints that there might actually be a personality beneath that animatronic surface.

Kellie, "Suds in the Bucket" -- She's got the voice for country, but after hearing this (and last week's "Walking After Midnight") I wonder if she has any comprehension of what she's singing. She might just as well have learned the lyrics phonetically, with the lack of emotional connection to anything she says.

Ace, "Drops of Jupiter" -- It's so blah a performance that I'm forgetting it even as it happens; Ace looks uncomfortable, and that "let me pull my shirt open for you, girls" moment was really tacky.

Taylor, "Trouble" -- nice to see him physically calm down. It's a solid performance, though not his best. I'd be willing to bet that the original version (which I don't know) is a lot grittier and bluesier, and doesn't have all those polished strings and brass.

Mandisa, "Wanna Praise You" -- Simon's right; this is a very self-indulgent performance. I mean, it's Mandisa, so it sounds good and it's stylish and polished, but it's the most boring song of the night.

Chris, "What If" -- It's one thing for Simon to question your range, but when even Ryan is wondering whether you've got any versatility in you, you're really in trouble. But as long as he can find a piece of thumping rock to scream through every week, Chris will continue to do that very well, as he does here.

Katharine, "The Voice Within" -- Finally, we've found something I don't want to hear Katharine sing; melismatic diva-pop does not suit her at all. I'm perplexed by the judges' admiration and praise for this one.

Bucky, "Real Good Man" -- Every great singer is an actor, and that's what Bucky is missing. There's no flirtatiousness, no sense of play here, and as Paula notes, his enunciation continues to be poor. But the song does suit his voice, and there's nothing hideously wrong with the singing.

Paris, "Work It Out" -- Lots of energy and fun to watch; this look is so much better for her than the Lil' Billie Holiday thing from last week. Again, the song is crap, but the performance is fine.

Elliott, "I Don't Want to Be" -- Simon nails it: good song choice, crappy arrangement, reasonably good performance.

For the night: Paris, Chris, Mandisa, Taylor, Elliott, Katharine, Bucky, Lisa, Kellie, Ace.

For the season: Mandisa, Katharine, Paris, Chris, Taylor, Elliott, Bucky, Lisa, Kellie, Ace.

Deserving the boot: Ace or Kellie.