American Idol Commentary - The Gap Growing Between Belonging and Not

The guys really needed to knock it out of the park tonight to counteract the greatness of the women's group last week. And after ten performers, some of them definitely got it, and some are left still scratching their heads.

One guy that I'm so happy finally got it is Sundance Head. He admitted he had people telling him all week that he needed to be much less crappy. And he knew he'd been lost since Hollywood, or as he said, stuck in a box. He listened to what the judges told him, and that was to go back to what they liked the most out of him. He did Mustang Sally, and while it's not exactly a challenging song, he made it challenging. He pulled out range no one knew he had, and really did well with it. Now he needs to move up from there, like Simon suggested. Simon was honest, saying it was good, but he knows Sundance can do better. I think so too.

Chris Sligh continued to wow, showing great vocals that we didn't know were hiding in there. He showed great control with his voice on Trouble. Even more, after he gave Simon a little crap last week, he was criticized by many, saying that many fans don't like the 'tude. This week, making a dedication to his wife, he showed his heart, and we now see what this guy is all about. He's not just a smart-mouthed guy. He's a guy with a great instrument, a dream, a wit, and a big heart. He's just not going to put his heart out there all the time, so enjoy it while it's there. Sundance showed his heart, too, with the love for his son.

Blake Lewis made a very smart choice. Everyone expected the beat boxing last week, but he didn't do it, showing a range in his voice instead. This week, before we forgot about what we liked best about him, Blake kept the falsetto, went back to the beat boxing, and added something new in as well with a little scatting. This guy has talent. The song, Virtual Insanity, wasn't the type of thing I normally listen to, but there is no denying he has some great talent. And what's more, I think there's more hiding in there somewhere, that he is just letting out a little at a time.

Chris Richardson made a good change-up as well, leaving the rock songs behind, and going to his strength, singing some Jason Mraz with Geek in the Pink. Again, it's not the type of thing I would normally listen to, but what made it great was that it was his style, and he was so fitting to it. He's not a rocker, but excels in the Justin Timberlake/Jason Mraz type of stuff. He's got the hair and everything that Timberlake has, and maybe now that Timberlake has moved on from Cameron Diaz, maybe Chris can move in there. I'm sure he wouldn't complain too loudly about it. Big Mama might even give him some props.

Those that are still struggling to get it for sure include Brandon Rogers, a front runner before the performance shows started. This former backup singer shows that's what the problem is, that he doesn't know how to be in the front and entertain. He knows he has a good voice, as do we, so for dedications week, he decided to sing something for his grandma. The problem is, he spent way too much time thinking about it and second-guessing himself, and continued while singing, making us not see the heart he was trying to show here as he sang Time After Time. He would have been better off with a song that he was strong on and could show his vocals, and dedicating that to his grandma, even though the words weren't particularly meaningful. Hopefully his fellow backup singer Melinda Doolittle won't fall in the same trap this week, but after last week, I don't think she will.

Sanjaya Malakar, I really want to like him, I really do. He's a great kid, and has a sweet voice, but like with John Stevens a few years back, he seems a little out of his league. He doesn't get it. He's getting votes from the young girls, but doesn't do anything to sing something they'd appreciate and he'd be more fitted to. It was great to sing a classic this week and dedicate it to his grandpa, but it was ill-fitting, and he had no idea how to sing something like that. Like Brandon, he needs to worry more about entertaining, and less about picking fitting songs.

The rest? Well, there really isn't too much to say about them. They weren't great and weren't terrible, meaning the ones leaving tonight will be somewhere in that group. Although Brandon could be leaving as well. Sanjaya won't, though. He'll stay with the younger vote. Phil Stacy's performance was nothing too exciting, but he'll stay because people remember him with his look, the new dad thing, and now adding his military status to the mix.

I don't see the girls failing this week. Just like the guys, I think that distinction between who belongs there and who doesn't is going to become more pronounced. I personally can't wait to see how Lakisha Jones tops her amazing performance last week. Although, she ought to be flying high, knowing she was compared to Jennifer Hudson that just won an Oscar. Read about the win and all else Jennifer HERE.

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