A List Of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago

ON THE '866': I've got very little to say about American Idol's tribute to the lesser-challenging works of Miami Sound Machine and Carlos Santana -- Beatbox Blake was probably the best on Marc Anthony's "I Need To Know," and, no, Sanjaya wasn't hideous, and the only real highlight was the Phil's-voice-breaking lowlight at the end of "Maria Maria". The women all did their things, and not that excitingly -- the rhythm did not get Jordin Sparks, Haley did not turn the beat around (but loves to hear percussion and wear short-shorts), and LaKisha can still control herself very much longer and did not, in fact, do that conga.

Fienberg weighs in: "Melinda's voice is, as always, flawless, but J-Lo told us that this week's theme is all about passion, which is where Melinda goes a little flat. She seems to confuse 'Squinting' with 'Being Sexy,' which is a fairly common mistake, particularly on Idol."

And I agree with him: LaKisha's in trouble this week. This may have been her "New Attitude".