Top 8 Performances: Melinda Doolittle

Like most viewers of American Idol (including Simon), I had started to believe that Melinda could do no wrong.

Unfortunately, Melinda shot that theory to hell with a tepid performance tonight that seemed miles away from the girl that blew me away with "I've Got Rythym" last week. Where was her musicality, her big voice, her sassiness? Of course she didn't hit a bum note, but at this point in the competition that just isn't enough.

Her biggest problem, though, was that she just didn't commit to the sexy persona that the song called for. She was about 60% there, but because she didn't believe that she was being sexy, I didn't believe that she was being sexy.

And laughing off Simon's criticism was cute, but is it possible Ms. Mindy Doo is getting a little cocky? Hopefully she'll be back on top of her game next week.

GRADE: B


1. Blake Lewis
2. Chris Richardson
3. Jordin Sparks
4. Phil
5. LaKisha Jones
6. Melinda Doolittle
7. Sanjaya Malakar
8. Haley