I'm not sure what Simon means....but it’s probably folded around separating a ‘common’ performance, albeit a good one, from a ‘stellar’ performance which entails ‘bang on’ vocal delivery complete with reaching uncommon vocal heights and emphatic passion in delivery; emotional connection with the audience; uncontrived stage presence and movements; and total commitment to the song in terms of conveying the sentiment of the lyrics in a convincing manner…they’re looking for a star…a show stopper; a head turner, a world class entertainer, someone who has the vocal and charismatic skills, and the courage to push it to the limits….Kat has got that potential

The cabaret approach is more plastic and less genuine I suppose…effective interaction with an audience is sincere and compelling…I’m not sure Simon isn’t trying to nudge Kat away from the stylistic (and what he may regard as 'limiting') influences of her mother….he picked up on the ‘stage mother’ thing in the first 10 seconds of her audition…and probably has some unpleasant encounters with other well-intentioned ‘stage mothers’ that are running through the back of his mind  …I’m not suggesting that Kat’s mom falls in this category, but she might in Simon’s mind or in the minds of viewers….and when it gets down to the final 4, there will be very little separating the contestants….all have appeal…all can sing…and Kat doesn’t need any undecided voters to decide to support another contestant because they feel she has an 'unfair advantage' since her mother is a vocal coach…. I could sense the same aura around Paris – she has a professional pedigree and a perceived network of professional people helping her, and some people resent that, notwithstanding that she is a capable singer in her own right…

I notice they are always showing Kat’s father now during her performances…and he’s usually crying…that’s a nice touch and a good strategic move (to show him…I'm not suggesting his tears aren’t real) to take the focus off of Kat’s mom….some people may perceive Kat’s mom as an overbearing presence (I don’t agree, but some people do think that) so to show her father just shedding a few tears of pride and happiness is a very ‘human’ element….it adds another connection point with the viewing audience which ultimatley reflects favorably on Kat..   

It's funny...from the comments last night, the three judges are like something out a movie....'The Wizards of Odds' ...you got one judge that doesn't have a heart....one judge that clearly doesn't have a brain...and one judge that doesn't have the courage to use his 20 years of producing experience to be able to hear a great performance.... that’s all they have to do is listen with an open mind…and for all three sets of ears to miss Kat’s great performance is difficult to believe….

And yes…the dress did improve her demographic appeal…let’s hope Kat picks up some support from Pickler fans…we'll miss Pickles...

I'd like to hear Kat sing that...but Paula would probably have to stand up for three minutes to sing 'If I Only Had a Brain..'...I doubt she could do that....ha ha

I'm still mad that the judges messed up the only responsibility they are over paid to perform on the show...sit and listen...and yet they can't even get that right....it's irresponsible...

So, with Kellie gone, that opens up a new dynamic on the show....

Kat was smart to pull off that agressive performance last night...it woke some fans up...and despite the judges comments..she finished in the top two...she's just got to keep it going...two songs next week...should give her an opportunity to shine...

Taylor has weakened lately....I heard he changed his song again for yesterday's performance...that's probably why he wasn't too comfortable singing it...but he's still got 'Georgia' up his sleeve...and he will probably try to save that for the finals if he makes it...and I think he will...with Kat

Going forward....I think Paris is going home next and then it's a toss-up between Elliott and Chris for who leaves next...

I think Kat should do another aggressive song for her first one next week, and then go back to a ballad for her second song...there are still votes out there for the McPicking...reach out and grab them Kat...

I think I know what you're getting at... Kat does have a great rapport and interaction with the crowd…but I’d also like her try to connect in a different way too…she has mastered the physical interaction and connection with the audience … with her wonderful smile…‘Medusa gaze’ into the camera, and waving and pointing to the crowd…smiling etc…

But there’s another way to connect with the audience – that’s by disconnecting from them entirely….Id like Kat to try one song where she totally forgets about consciously trying to make the physical interaction with the audience; or playing to the camera; nobody to impress;  no external opinions to worry about; no fashion concerns; no predetermined choreography….and instead she just lets herself get totally absorbed by the song, the lyrics… the emotion…the sentiment…- and just let her intimacy and connection with the song be the thing that attracts, absorbs and holds the audience  - I‘m not explaining it well…but if you told Celine Dion or Barbara Streisand, or Liza Minelli that, despite being in a packed house or in front of millions of viewers, you wanted them to forget about all that…and just sing the song as if they were completely alone -  isolated from the rest of the world….no one can see you, or hear you…and yet it was desperately urgent that they project the intimacy of that song and connect to someone a million miles away…I'd like to see how they would approach the performance….and that’s how I would like to see Kat perform one song…if she could do that…and I think she can…it would be very effective…a dramatic contrast…another dimension of Kat.

I really…really liked that part too…I was cheering for her when she was singing and stomping and strutting…with all that attitude…’in your face’…awesome…she broke away from her comfort zone…it was brilliant…and I think her solid and risky performance was a large factor in putting her in the top two…it was distinctive….it separated her from some narrow interpretations of her depth, and distinguished her from the other contestants that night …and if it had been a poor performance I don’t think the outrage over the judges comments would have been as pronounced…and Kat ,and the voters, showed how wrong the judges were.

I think you’re right about Kat’s demographic boost last week…clearly her ‘bread and butter’ is ballad/intimate singing, but I also think she can add some ‘jam’ to her overall demographic impact by ‘powering up’, and taking a few more risks, as she did with her ‘harder-edge …chalked-full-of-attitude’ performance last week ….and the voters responded to her performance; more so because of the added dimension she showed – because I think Kat’s risky and solid performance had more to do with her top 2 finish than a ‘sympathy surge’ in votes due to a backlash from the judges comments.

Strategically, last week was interesting on a number of levels….it validated that a large fan base alone will not automatically sustain a contestant’s position (Kellie, Taylor), and that there appears to be enough ‘swing’ voters who are willing to direct their support based on the quality of performances…those are huge factors, in my estimation…and suggests that the outcome is not necessarily ‘preordained’, and that resident sage and narcissistic guru, Simon (Lagree) Cowel, might be the one that is ‘too perfect’ for the show…and his pompous predictions (Kellie top 3) and jaded judgments (Kat) suggest that he may be of ‘mortal lineage’ after all… There seems to be a more ‘level playing field’ than I feared several weeks ago.

Also, by virtue of their unfair criticism and subsequent retractions (except for poor ‘dazed and confused’ Paula…‘Apologize?!….Was I even here last night…?!!’), the credibility of the judges opinions has been undermined and it demonstrated that the judges can be wrong, both from the public’s viewpoint - as evidenced by voters putting Kat in the ‘top 2’ -  and in the judges own eyes - by the judges admissions that they did not give Kat a fair evaluation …therefore, at least for next week, the judges opinions, of Kat in particular -  especially if it’s negative -  will carry less weight, and people will make more independent assessments of the performances.

In terms of the contestants, Kat vaulted to the top 2 with Chris…seemingly displacing Taylor from the top spot he has ‘owned’ to date…and Taylor has delivered several shaky performance over the last three weeks suggesting there may be a ‘chink in the armor’ of one of the acknowledged favorites…and that his huge support base can be overcome as well…Taylor hasn’t seemed ‘comfortable in his own skin’ recently…but I wouldn’t discount him yet…I expect he will bounce back.

Chris continues to deliver a reliable level of performance and has effectively answered questions as to the depth of style and versatility he brings to the table, giving good ‘cross-over’ ballad/love song performances….and Kat kept pace with Chris by her performance last week as she showed similar depth of style and versatility…again, in my humble ‘I don’t really know anything’ opinion.

Elliott has slowly built a credible challenge as well…he is definitely gifted, and, whereas he hasn’t necessarily blown people away with an overwhelming personality or dynamic charisma, he hasn’t alienated a lot of people either, and he just keeps delivering quality performances…however, ultimately I think his lack of the ‘X’ factor will prevent him from advancing beyond the next few rounds. And Paris is an unquestionably talented singer, but I think she also lacks the ‘X’ factor, primarily due to her age.

So now it’s down to 2 performances each, and a real opportunity to showcase versatility and contrasting styles….and I agree with you b...I hope Kat delivers one aggressive performance and one of her signature ‘softer-touch’ performances. If the dominate thinking is accurate, in that Paris is probably next in line to leave, this is a good opportunity for Kat to take another risk...hopefully her confidence was restored by the voter reaction and the judges apology to her great performance last week…and, human nature being what it is, I think the judges will give Kat more ‘benefit of the doubt’ in their judging next week, in order to avoid a similar embarrassment to what they caused last week…not a ‘free ticket’ for Kat next week by any means…but a smart time to do something bold to continue to expand her fan base….we’ll see.

I agree b...without the benefit of actually knowing the size of each dedicated and unwavering 'army' supporting the top 3 (now Kat, Chris, Taylor)...I would estimate that when it gets down to the final 3, the 'armies' will be fairly close in total numbers and, therefore, they may essentially cancel each other out when it comes to the overall effect on the voting results (which is not to minimize the crucial impact the Kat army has - we must continue to augment the size of Kat's army and continue to exert fanatical voting activity!)  ...but the 'independent' voters who may, for arguments sake, represent 15% ? of the total votes available, will be pivotal in deciding the outcome...and we must continue to do our part as fans...and Kat has to keep doing her part as well...by doing everything she can to prove herself - to the 'independent' voters (our army doesn't need convincing) that she is THE American Idol....

I still think it would be beneficial to Kat if we (host) could embed a portion of Kat's 'God Bless...' audition clip - specifically targeted at, and accessible to, all site visitors - fixed in place at the top of the forums, so that the thousands of curious daily visitors - that represent probably 95% of the daily site traffic - could see Kat at her vulnerable best...I understand that there may be some 'bandwidth' issues but hopefully our enterprising host can come up with a solution

I agree McPhly...that 'one-two punch' of intimacy and power is exactly what the next few weeks are about...and it's what I think will give Kat the comparative edge over the other contestants, if she delivers the way she can.

And you're right..I think we are seeing the next superstar...there have been a number of talented performers over the past Idol shows, but none that combines all of the attributes to the extent that Kat does.