All About

American Idol

Diana DeGarmo

Hairspray is still the same toe-tapping, funny, good-intentioned hit that it's always been, but season 3 runner-up Diana DeGarmo brings some much-needed strut and style. Unlike star Shannon Durig (as bouffanted big-boned girl Tracy Turnblad), who has big, break-out numbers from the get-go, DeGarmo — as bespectacled sidekick Penny Pingleton — toils in nerdville for most of the show, contributing mostly giggles, audience-loving one-liners (''My mom's punishing me for going to jail without her permission!''), and a hunched-over, gum-smacking, Urkel-esque demeanor. Though she's a tad squeaky, it's perfectly Penny-appropriate, and DeGarmo takes it home during the final number, ''You Can't Stop the Beat.'' Reveling in Penny's glam new look — a massive curly hairdo and spangly violet minidress — DeGarmo takes viewers back to her gospel-style Idol finale, channeling that same deep-throated roar and a generous helping of Aguilera-style hand waving. Paula, Simon, Randy, and Ryan: She's still got my vote. A