American Idol 6: The American Idol Top 8

American Idol 6: It was Latin week on 'American Idol,' season six, and, being Latin week, the coach was Jennifer Lopez. Tiff: To me, she seemed a lot nicer and friendlier than I expected she might be. I like her as an actress most of the time, but I didn't think she would be that friendly outside of movies.

Seems I might've been wrong.
Kim: A lot of people thought having Jennifer as a coach was a bit of a joke, but I thought she had a lot of good input for the contestants. I can't think of any other artist who could've coached this theme!

Tiff: First up tonight was Melinda with "Sway." She looked pretty. As always, she was a really good singer and performer.

Did her song seem really long, or was it just me? I liked her ending. Simon actually finally said something mean, saying her performance was "too old, lounge/cabaret, lazy, and wooden.

" I really didn't think that about it, it wasn't that bad, but wow, alright then.
Kim: If it seemed long that means only one thing..

.you were bored! I didn't think Melinda was that bad, but my mind did start to wander a few times and that's not a good sign either.

And her hair...

.sheesh, did we learn nothing from Kellie Pickler's appearance on the show earlier this season?
Tiff: Second was LaKisha with "Conga.

" I thought it was a good performance, and it showed a little more personality than usual. I also thought her make-up looked really pretty. Paula seemed to think it was safe, I thought it was a little different than usual LaKisha.

Kim: I agree with Paula 100% on this one. I found out someone was going to sing "Conga" earlier today and I knew it would be Lakisha. Why?

Because it's a safe, obvious, cliche song choice (like everything else Lakisha sings). But if Lakisha doesn't listen to Diana Ross when she tells her to use a mic stand, or Tony Bennett when he tells her to take the hook of the end of a song, she sure as heck isn't going to take any criticism from Paula.
Tiff: Following LaKisha was Chris Richardson with Rob Thomas' "Smooth.

" Well, he dressed like Rob. I prefer Rob's version, but Chris' wasn't bad at all really. I liked the verses better than the chorus.

I didn't think it was a great song for him, but, I'm not sure any songs in this genre would have really worked for him. I thought
Kim: I liked what Chris was wearing, and that's about it. It has to be apparent to most people that this guy is ridiculously overhyped.

He got up there, he sang the song, it didn't suck. So what? His rendition had NOTHING on the original.