Thanks for voting for contestant...

And so another week is done, another show is in the can, and another phenominal night of female singers has been showcased. Randy hit the nail on the head tonight: The women present a totally different show, a completely higher level of competition and a much more mature quality than the men.

I was duly impressed with several of the contestants tonight, not the least of which was Gina Glocksen, who has finally emerged as the rocker that she obviously is and can be. She doesn't come off as a "bad girl" but I never thought that one needed that persona to pull it off. Gina may actually be able to do that!

Stephanie has definately got some class and I like the quality of her voice. Jordin and Sabrina also did pretty well tonight.

LaKisha has got the raw talent. And that she took on one of Whitney's biggest hits is pretty bawlzy of her, but she fell just a tad bit short tonight by not hitting the big note near the end that makes the song nearly unacheivable for most female singers (I think she actually could have done it, but she chose not to make the attempt -- I almost feel like those commentators at the Olympics critiquing the figure skaters, noting how one skater chose a double-axil over a triple-axil -- but this is the level of the competition we are in. We are talking about a multi-million dollar contract at the end of this rainbow!

Once again, though, the shining star was Melinda. There is no doubt that her years as a backup singer, whether on the stage or in the studio, has truly honed her craft to almost sheer perfection and like Paula said tonight, I get anxious to hear her every week, not knowing what new morsel of delight that I will be privvy to hear!

"Thanks for voting for contestant EIGHT!"

Thank goodness I have a redial button!