After watching the two performance shows this week, it's hands down in my book that the girls kicked some serious butt. Maybe it's due in part to the fact that they had a chance to watch the boys perform first and saw what worked and what didn't. Or it could be that at this stage of the game they are just a stronger group of singers altogether.

My theory is that it's a bit of both. It's one thing to be a fan of the show and watch what is put forward to us by the powers that be. It's another to be on the show, getting to know your fellow contestants in person, realizing what they have to offer and how that translates into each one's weekly performance. The smart contender will not only take into account what the judges say about their own performance, but critiques of the others also. Of course, having a great set of pipes helps, but that ultimately means nothing if one chokes on stage.

So... what does it take to be my American Idol? Ask the judges and the top of their list is bound to be song choice. I agree with them that it's an important issue. The wrong selection can overpower a singer's talent or, perhaps even worse, not utilize it to maximum capacity. But sometimes it's not the selection but the arrangement used that will make a difference. Too far from the original and it puts people off. Too close and that performer has now bought themselves a one-way ticket to Karaokeland.

Look at Melinda Doolittle's showing this week. A great song presented in a fairly straight forward rendition that could have been a sure ticket home, yet Ms. Doolittle made it come alive. She has a great vibe and voice. She moved well on stage and connected with the live audience. Melinda looked like she was having a blast up there and with that, I feel personally invested in her future.

What about the elusive "It" factor? Hard to define, yes, but easily recognized when it's right there in your face. Jordin Sparks — I think her name says it all. She's got that certain something that makes her stand out in a crowd. Cute and vivacious though she may be, it isn't enough to win the big prize and she knows it. She took a song that was originally sung by Tracy Chapman in a rather dry manner, and spiced it up. Couple that with a strong stage presence, both with the audience and the camera, and you have a talented young woman on her way to bigger things.

Another key aspect is one that is probably as difficult to achieve is what my husband and I call "The Chills", that goose-pimply feeling that a totally right on, "in the now" performance brings. This is a definite physical response that can't be readily explained — a performer can either make that connection or not. Stephanie Edwards put herself out there and made it happen for us. She was smooth and sassy and obviously enjoyed being on stage. She also used the lyrics and her physicality to do exactly what they were meant to do — tell a story.