I’ll go ahead and admit it: American Idol, while it’s my primary television obsession, has truly disappointed me. For weeks I listened to promos and comments that this was the best season ever, the most talented performers to date, blah blah blah. Then, I saw the Top 12 men perform. I was not blown away. Not even close.

So it was with great trepidation that I sat down to watch the women take the stage, fully expecting that Wednesday night’s performances surely would not disappoint. It started out pretty rocky, but the girls pulled it together at the end.

Cowgirl Kristy Lee Cook took to the stage first. Her pretty face and sweet voice is perfect for gospel, but no one knows what she was thinking when she picked the huge song “Rescue Me” and strutted on stage to deliver an incredibly tame, spark-less version of this hit. She became the first victim of TSS - Terrible Song Selection. Randy Jackson said the performance was “rough around the edges,” but Paula quickly jumped to Kristy’s defense. Simon called her performance “robotic,” and said he didn’t think she “made an impression.” I was into the story about the horse, though; it’s the most interesting thing about Kristy so far.

Gorgeous plus-sized model Joanne Borgella came out next, and I fully expected to be given a singing treat. She got off to a slow start on “I Say a Little Prayer for You” with the chorus “forever and ever,” and somehow made the song last forever and ever…and ever. Paula Abdul praised her confidence, while Simon gave it to her straight. He said he “didn’t like it a’tall,” called the performance an “average, cabaret version” and even said it was “sub-standard.” I fully agree. This girl can do a lot more.

Rarely-seen Alaina Whitaker, who is celebrating her birthday Thursday, was next. She sang the same song as a male contestant, “More Today Than Yesterday.”  But unlike Chikezie’s slow-paced version of the song, Alaina made the tune upbeat and totally fun. The weird ending did kind of ruin it for me, though. Randy was impressed with the performance, Paula loved the ending and said Alaina “nailed it.” Simon Cowell likes the girl, hates the song, and told her she’ll sail through the next round. Alaina could have gone up there and stood staring at the camera for two minutes; blonde, cute, and expecting a birthday - America’s not going to vote her off…not just yet.

My favorite female contestant so far, Amanda Overmyer, took to the stage next. Before she performed, I just knew she was going to do something amazing. She looked great when she came out to sing “Baby, Please Don’t Go,” a completely odd song choice I just can’t wrap my mind around. She mumbled, she scatted, she repeated the chorus fifty times…she even did some scary screeching. But Randy loved it, liked the scatting, and seems to be on board with her. Paula said she loves everything Amanda does. Simon said he likes that Amanda stands out, thinks she’s very authentic and wants her to stay around - but he thought the song was “all over the place.” Ryan Seacrest then wondered aloud if Simon is really in the music business. Isn’t that funny - for seven years, I’ve been wondering if Seacrest is really in the entertainment business.

Amy Davis came out next to completely butcher one of my favorite all-time songs - “Where the Boys Are.” Girl, I do not know. The big song didn’t suit Amy’s mild voice, and the judges agreed. Randy didn’t think it was great, Paula actually called it “lackluster,” and Simon kindly told Amy she looked great up there - but she didn’t sound that way. He also said the song seemed to go on for 10 minutes. Not when Connie Francis sang it.

The good girl with the gorgeous hair, Brooke White, was next. She, too, sang a song we were treated to the night before - “So Happy Together.” When David Cook sang it, he made it rock. When Brooke sang it, she predictably made it sweet. Randy said he liked some of the performance, while Paula told her she has originality. Simon said he felt like he was in a commercial for “washing up liquid” but said “it was very you,” at the same time.

Alexandrea Lushington of the name that’s too confusing to properly pronounce next came on stage. She first caught my attention at her audition, but her weird penchant for wearing ball caps and Army clothes just doesn’t do it for me. She started at the stairs for her performance, exploding onto the stage with tons of energy to sing “Spinning Wheel.” Randy loved it, Paula thought her performance showed who Alexandrea is (whatever that means), and Simon said he just didn’t get it. He likened the performance to “an awful musical.” Funny…I never met a musical I didn’t fall in love with.

There was a break in the action as Seacrest and Cowell lit into each other. Simon said he’s still looking for an “outstandingly good vocal,” Ryan pointed out that Simon’s selections helped to put these people on stage, and then Alexandrea did the oddest thing - she mouthed the words along with Seacrest as he gave the cameras her information. Listen, honey, the man’s trying to get you some votes - don’t be a brat on national TV.

Kady Malloy (I know, who) was next. This is the blonde whom Simon said was the absolute best of them all at her audition. Kady’s greatest claim to fame is her - in her own words - “unhealthy” obsession with Britney Spears. In the most bizarre song selection of the entire Top 24, Kady sat down on stage to turn “Groovy Kind of Love” into the most boring ballad ever sung before a television audience. It was, quite honestly, one of the stranger things I’ve seen. Randy said the performance was “okay,” and reminded Kady to keep her concentration. Paula told Kady she looked quite pretty and reminded her to have fun up there. Simon didn’t pull any punches. He told Kady her performance was “like Night of the Living Dead,” that she was more like 80 than 18 and asked her to please “lighten up.” He did, however, like her Spears impression. Kady pointed out she was trying to be “serious.” Paula advised her to just be.

Asia’h Epperson, who has received a ton of camera time, came out next to deliver Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart” in a thoroughly convincing fashion. She sang with tons of feeling, impressing Randy. Even Simon loves Asia’h, saying hers was his favorite performance of the night.

Next came petite Ramiele Malubay singing Dusty Springfield’s “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me.” The song was beautifully sung, just a little slow on the tempo, and I personally thought she didn’t get as big as she needed to. Randy called the performance “hot” and “classy.” Paula said Ramiele is a force to be reckoned with and even gave her a 1970s “right on.” Simon admitted he didn’t like Ramiele when he first saw her (Really? How is that possible?) but that she “out-sung every single person” that night.

Syesha Mercado, this time with her voice in top form, came out to blow everyone else out of the water with “Tobacco Road.” Randy liked it, Paula climbed the ladder of superlatives and called it “joyful, fun, big,” and even Simon said it was “terrific.” He even called Syesha “one of the most talented girls” in the contest. I concur.

Irish-born, raven-haired lass Carly Smithson was next. Because it’s all over the Internet, Carly’s footage included information (albeit precious little) about her former recording contract. Carly belted out the ballad “Shadow of Your Smile” very convincingly, so much so that Randy dubbed hers the best opening performance of the entire Top 24. Paula called her “reliable,” a back-handed compliment if ever there was one. Simon said he didn’t get it, didn’t think she lived up to the huge hype abut her, and even said it was “old-fashioned.” He called her microphone technique “cabaret” and did not think the performance was fantastic. I lost interest midway through, myself, and I really like Carly.

Now that the performing is all over, all any of them can think about is Thursday night’s eliminations. I’ve already got a list as long as my arm of people I want to stay - and, those I wish would just go. Will I get my way? I’ll have to wait, just like everyone else, until Thursday evening to find out.

(You can find all the American Idol 7 posts here.)