Signs point to Bice

Attention, current and former contestants! The judges have heard your excuses, and they would like you to get over it.

Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell spent the first few minutes of Monday's show lambasting those that blamed lack of airtime or subpar songs for their premature ouster. Simon called the airtime thing "a ridiculous excuse. The audience isn't stupid at home. They vote for people who they think can sing."

Randy did the same for the song choice argument, reminding contestants that "you didn't hear Kelly, Ruben, Clay or Fantasia complain about their song choices." Maybe, but that also sounds like something every younger sibling hears once the older child has left home: "Your brother never complained about taking out the garbage!"

But that was about the only real complaining to be had all night, as most of the eight performers came through under the pressure.

For whatever reason, the theme for the day was astrology. Each contestant said a little something about his sign and how it affected them, or at least as good a story about that as they could concoct. As a public service to astrologers everywhere, the signs are provided below.

Scott Savol, 28, Shaker Heights, Ohio: Savol started the day with the song made famous by the Four Tops, "I Can't Help Myself." It was the best he's done so far, and the first time he's really looked like he's having fun out there. On the other hand, it probably didn't do a lot to get the audience to favor him over everyone else.
Sign: Taurus
Grade: B
Stay or go? Savol sang very well, but so did everybody else and the intangibles are all against him. He's not one of Simon's favorites, and he got outshone by some of the singers that followed. Going first did him no favors. Two of the men have to go home Wednesday, and it would not be surprising if he were one of them.

Bo Bice, 29, Helena, Ala.: Bice went for something different and sang Edwin McCain's "I'll Be." It was an odd choice, but then again every long-haired singer needs a signature ballad. The judges, per usual loved him. Paula said McCain would be proud, and Simon anointed him as the early favorite.
Sign: Scorpio
Quote: The generally cranky Simon Cowell interrupted his night of criticisms with, "I think it's your competition to lose."
Grade: A
Stay or go? The judges love Bo Bice. Love him! It's hard to imagine what they would do if the American people voted him off, but it would probably involve outsourcing future votes to other countries. He'll stay.

Anthony Fedorov, 19, Trevose, Pa.: First, he reminded us in the intro that he came to the United States when he was nine years old without knowing English. Then he went with the lyrics of Mark Anthony and "I've Got You." The daring choice was a nice break from the ballads he's sung thus far, and was the best he's done thus far.
Sign: Taurus
Quote: "You have as much Latin flair as a polar bear." – Simon Cowell
Grade: A-
Stay or go? Despite Simon not buying the whole Anthony-Fedorov-as-a-Latin-heartthrob thing, the other judges were effusive with their praise and he really seemed to nail the performance. He'll make the final 12.

Nikko Smith, 22, Town & Country, Mo.: Smith went with Ray Charles' "Georgia On My Mind." It was a rough start, and looked like he wasn't going to be able to pull it off, but he came through and nailed the finish. He certainly pleased his biggest fan, Paula Abdul who gave him a standing ovation.
Sign: Taurus
Quote: "I can't imagine the final 12 without you in it." – Paula Abdul.
Grade: B+
Stay or go? Smith is a question mark only because everyone else also sang very well. But if Paula has any pull at the phone banks, Smith will last a long time.

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