We start with the usual hype written for Ryan about the "best talent ever. " Randy says that the boys really did well. I wonder if he was watching a different show. Simon admitted he likes people that stand up to him. Then we get the montage that takes up time that could be used for more singing.

Kristy Lee Cook - This is the girl that trains horses to sell, sold one, then wants us to feel sorry that she did. She sang "Rescue Me" I would have, but she did not need it. No real pitch problems. Randy "rough around the edges" Paula made excuses for her. Simon - "performance robotic". It probably not a good song choice for her. Grade B

Joan Borgella - She was the last girl to make it. She had some attack problems on starting notes. Pitch problems. A bit late on some lyrics. Randy - "got it together towards the end". Simon had to ask Paula if she liked it. Paula "I liked it but I didn't love it" Simon - "substandard" Grade C

Alaina Whitaker - One of the youngest. Nice clean beginning on the slow part. Nice clean diction of the lyrics. Randy - "The season of the young ones" Paula - "You nailed it - best ending that I have heard on that song" Simon - "I think you were really good, I hated the song, you made it sound good." Grade A+

Amanda Overmyer - This is the Harley Riding Rocker nurse who totaled her car. She starts with a little scat (singing not potty mouth). She sang "Please Don't Go" She should not have to. Randy "the bluesy, rock scat thing" Paula "You are real" Simon "I really like you" Simon thought she forgot the words. He had never heard scat before. She really reminds me of Ryan Starr. Grade A -

Amy Davis - Really rough start. Searching for the right pitch. She slowed down another song. It is hard to sing slowly well. Randy "It was not great. When you scoop up to notes you have to hit the note" Paula "not the most engaging song" Simon "incredibly cabaret - you don't have the country twang needed." Simon does not think she will stay Grade C

Brooke White - Simon promised to bring her to the "Dark Side". Shaky at the start. She pulled it together. Randy "Started out rough but you pulled it together" Paula "You have your own thing" Simon - "I think you chose the right song" Grade A -

Alexandrea Lushington - She tried "Spinning Wheel". She was dizzy the whole time. She was searching for the proper pitch the whole song. I would not buy that recording. Randy - 'You blew the doors off" Paula "You took control of the performance" Simon - "I didn't get it. I did not think the vocals were great" Grade C -

Kady Malloy - She was anointed as the "best" by Simon. Very good tone support. Good itch control as well. A bit of trouble on a key change at the end. Randy - "This song was ok for me - restrained and controlled." Paula - "You can sound like anyone you want." Simon - "You have to lighten up - when you are someone else you are brilliant" Grade B -

Asia'h Epperson - Her father died just before her audition. She started a bit quietly for the song. She added a bit to the song as she sang. Randy "I was impressed" Paula "You had some really good moments." Simon - "It was the best of the night." Grade A

Ramiele Malubay - She had a much better arrangement that most of the others. She has the big voice in the little body and belted the song out. Randy "You saved your big voice until the end" Paula - "Really great performance" Simon "I didn't like you at first, you were the most consistent in Hollywood. Tonight you out sung them all." Grade A +

Syesha Mercado - She almost lost her voice in Hollywood. She is a bluesy singer and chose a very good song for her. She blew the doors off the competition. Randy " I really liked it - not my favorite" Simon "not your best performance but it does not matter it was good enough" Grade A

Carly Smithson - This is the Irish girl that had visa problems in Season 5. She owns a tattoo shop and had a contract with a label that disappeared. She has a strong voice and used it to nail the opening notes. She has a good vocal range and control and uses it to advantage. Randy - "That's what the show is all about" (She was sick but did not use it as an excuse) Paula "Fantastic" Simon "I did not get it - I thought the song was too old for you." (Simon thinks she can do better) Grade A

My candidates to leave - Joanne Borgella and Amy Davis. It would not surprise me if Alexandrea Lushington was gone though.

The best? Carly Smithson, Syesha Mercado, Ramiele Malubay, Asia'h Epperson. There are maybe 3 guys that can hang with these.

The MSNBC Poll has Chikezie Eze as the 'favorite' to go home - 25%. Danny Noriega is second at 23%. My picks are third and fourth. Garrett Haley - 17% and Luke Menard - 15% If they did not have the artificial arbitrary requirement to maintain the sex ratio, these four would likely be gone. Amy Davis might save one of them. I will be greatly surprised and disappointed if anyone other than these four get sent packing.

The early voting on the women bodes ill for Amy Davis - 34% thinks she goes. Joanne Borgella is next with 15% followed by Kristy Lee Cook with 11%.