'American Idol' rocks it out with Gwen Stefani

By Stone Martindale Mar 28, 2007, 4:46 GMT

Gwen Stefani - © Glenn Harris / Photorazzi

American Idol was back on tonight, and since we have a bona fide hunger striker out there in crazy town not eating over Sanjaya Malakar, it has become the most sideshow Idol ever. 

If Sanjaya just showed up and claimed laryngitis he would probably be voted through another week.  Every scenario is possible at this point.

Gwen Stefani rocks it still.  She is beautiful, a new mom, and married to Gavin Rossdale.  Stefani recorded her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004.

The album contains pop and dance tracks and influence from hip hop and R&B.  Its third single "Hollaback Girl" became the first U.S. digital download to exceed sales of one million, despite the fact it sounds like she was saying “Hollenbeck,” a dodgy LA neighborhood. I still don't understand what the song means.

Stefani is also known as a fashionista and created her clothing line L.A.M.B. in 2003. It includes many accessories as well as jackets and jeans and she is producing new material set for an early 2007 release.   She was very nice to all the contestants, and the music choices will be interesting to watch.

Let’s discuss:

LaKisha Jones sings “Last Dance”  - Randy Jackson said it was “hot” and liked seeing her do an up-tempo song and dug her boots, now that dress-boot combo worked.  Paula Abdul said she would make Donna Summer proud.  Simon Cowell also loved the boots, and that LaKisha “was 30 years younger” this week.   She’s a contender.

Chris Sligh “Everything Little Thing She Does is Magic”.  He is getting better vocally.  Randy thought the song choice was good but the biggest problem was the tempo as he was on a different pace than the band, Paula thought that Sligh needs to “feel” the beat. Simon said he didn't think the song suited him and it was a “mess.”  He is a fierce singer, hopefully he will get to come back and redeem himself.

Gina Glocksen sings “I’ll stand by you” by the Pretenders. Her best performance yet, vocally and emotionally. Randy digs the boots again, and said it was one of her best ever. He told her to believe and choose wise songs. Paula loves that she is improving and Simon told her it wasn't one of her best, it WAS her best.  I like Gina, and am rooting for her.

Sanjaya Malakar sings No Doubt’s “Bathwater” Randy was left speechless again, and then he said that Sanjaya can sing but he needs to “put it out there.” Paula told him to just go for it. Simon presumed there was no mirror in the dressing room.  That was a good one.  Sanjaya, donner of the seven upright ponytails (not a faux hawk) fired a fiesty comeback to Brit McMoneybags that "Simon was jealous that he couldn't pull it off." Simon told Sanjaya that it doesn't really matter what they say, Sanjaya’s in his own little universe and if people like him then good luck. 

I think that woman hunger striker will starve to death, and thanks to AI producers for sparing us little scrunched faced, Pigtail McTeary. 

Haley Scarnato sings Cyndi Lauper's “True Colors” - one of Gwen's favorite songs. She was pitchy. Randy told her it was alright as it was pitchy and it started rough. Paula told her that it was a beautiful song and requires nothing other than singing the melody and being vulnerable. Simon told her it was sweet and forgettable.  No hot pants this time.

Phil Stacey sings The Police's “Every Breath You Take”.  He has a nice voice, which finally seemed to come back to him on this performance. Randy liked it saying it was 'kind of nice' because he didn't push it. Paula told him it was a good choice as it showed off the “color and personality” in his voice. Simon said it was very good, and a great song choice. It was the first time Simon felt Phil was taking the show seriously. Phil covered up his noggin; he must be reading my Klaus Kinski comments and taking them to heart. 

Melinda Doolittle sings “Heaven Knows” by Donna Summer.   She is the Queen, lets all be honest about the real winner of this show here.  Her rendition was up-tempo and fun. Randy told her that she looks at the words of the song and sings with feeling. Paula says she has charisma from the word go, and is fun and joyful. Simon didn't think this was the performance where she was the best, but it was still vocally outstanding.

Blake Lewis sings "Love Song" by the Cure. Thank the Lord there was no beat boxing or moon walking. Randy told him that he wasn't wild about the song choice, but Blake made the best of it. Paula loved that he was taking risks and being original. Simon told him he is the strongest guy in the competition, He told him to not do his own thing all the time, as it gets “boring.”

Jordin Sparks sings "Hey Baby." It wasn't her best vocal, but it was fun and cool. I loved her and her song choice. Randy thought it was risky, but she could sing anything. He told her she could be a recording artist. Paula told her to celebrate the fact that she is young, hip, and adorable. Simon told her she is the most improved over the last few weeks, but that it was a “bit copycat-ish”.   Shut up Simon, you know she is going to be a shooting star, somewhere.

Chris Richardson sings No Doubt’s "Don't Speak." The performance was good.  Randy thought it was interesting and liked his flavor on the song. Paula told him he was good, Simon wasn't crazy about the vocal, telling Chris he needs to pay more attention to the vocal.  He is a good singer, but Sligh out vocals him.