American Idol on FOX - April 18, 2006

This week was a blast from the past as Rod Stewart worked with the American Idols giving them advice. The American Idols all performed songs from the past, and the majority of them done a great job. As a matter of fact, American Idol was a spectacular show this week - they made up for the bad night they had a few weeks prior. It's getting down to the nitty gritty now, and the Idols know they have to perform at their very best.

Chris was the show starter this week, and he sang "What a Wonderful World." Randy told Chris "it was the bomb!" Paula thought he did a fantastic job, and Simon told Chris it was a GREAT performance.

Chris changed his style from the hard stuff to the more relaxed stuff this week. I have to admit, I didn't know what to expect when Chris changed his style, but he did an exceptional job with "What a Wonderful World." I wouldn't mind hearing more of this style from Chris.

Paris received wonderful feedback from the judges as well this week. Randy told her, "I think this was your greatest night ever." Paula said, "If you make an album in this Jonra it would blow-up." Even Simon thought Paris did a good job; his exact words were "You bewilder me. You talk like Minnie Mouse, and yet you sing in this very grown-up voice."

It was Taylor's turn to take the stage and he sang "You Send Me" by Sam Cook. Paula told Taylor that his ending was "superb," and she said, "I applaud you." Randy said Taylor's performance was "hot, hot, hot," and Simon said to Taylor, "it started out and I thought, okay, 'lame cabaret' and then … magic."

Taylor started "You Send Me" off leisurely and without his goofy dance moves, but when the beat picked up so did Taylor's goofiness. As always, I enjoyed watching his goofy dance moves, and I think he done a wonderful job with the song too. Rod Stewart also stated that he disagreed with Simon saying "this is not a dance competition."

Elliott sang "It Had to Be You," and Randy and Paula thought it was an excellent song choice for him, but Simon said even though his vocals were good, he thought Elliott's performance "lacked a degree of personality."

Kellie seemed to be the only one who had the most trouble this week. She sang "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered." Before Randy gave Kellie his feedback he said to her, "you look like you know what I'm going to say." Kelly responded to Randy, in her sweet voice, by saying, "I know. I butchered it." Randy tried to be gentle I think by telling her it was very pitchy in spots. Paula said she loved the beginning, but she got ahead of the song in the end. Simon told Kellie it wasn't great, and Kellie agreed with Simon.

I thought it was charming when Ace came on stage this week…he was "dressed to kill" to say the least. His hair was all slicked back, and he was dressed in a suit and tie. As a matter of fact, it looked like he was going to prom. His new appearance made him look like a totally different person - I almost didn't recognize him. I thought he looked great though, and I think he should clean up more often.

Aside from his attire, Ace sang "That's All." Randy told Ace, "you pulled it off." Paula said she saw a whole new ace, and she thought it was a "magical" night. Simon told Ace his performance wasn't bad, and that he thought it was charming.

Katharine ended the show this week. She admitted that she had a couple of song choices for this week, but she wanted to know Rod's opinion first. The song she chose to sing was "Someone to Watch Over Me." Her performance this week earned Katharine high admiration from the judges. Randy said, "this is your element. It was excellent." Paula, sounding a little like a teenager, told Katharine, "you picked the most perfect song that is so you." Simon said, "you made the others look like amateurs." Katharine did give a TERRIFIC ending to this week's show, and I honestly don't think she's in any danger of being in the bottom three this week. If she does end up in the bottom three it will be a shocker, but she certainly doesn't deserve to be there this week, and I'll make sure to get my vote in for her tonight.

That's it for this week's performances, and I can't wait until next week, I hope next week is just as good as this week was. Even Simon was in a good mood this week! Until next time, keeping watching American Idol on FOX, and keep voting, because your votes do count!