Judging the Judges: American Classics Week

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SIMON

Simon sharply disagreed with Paula about Phil, proclaiming that his performance had ''all the joy of someone singing in a funeral parlor.''

Kimberley: There's no emotion. I say it every week. I don't why they're not taking hints from Melinda. Being able to connect with the music, it takes practice. The song is not going to sing itself.

Ace: Man, you never know what Simon's going to dish out. He said he loves to be able to rip on people. I think Phil did a good job. He's going through the Idol life right now; you miss your family even though they're out there in the crowd.

Anthony: Cowell expected a little bit more out of Phil, and Phil didn't give him exactly what he wanted. But I wouldn't take it so far as someone singing at a funeral.

Amy: It's weird; I do like Phil's voice, but it was a little bit dark and gloomy.

Simon's strongest praise for Haley: She's got great legs.

Kimberley: It's the Sanjaya thing. [He] doesn't understand why she's still there. When I saw [Haley] come out in that sequined dress, I thought, ''What year is this?'' She's a lounge singer, and she made that very clear from the very beginning. If that's what she wants to do, that's great, but I don't think American Idol is the competition for her.

Ace: You can't disagree there [about the legs]. [Laughs] He said the performance was a little pageant-y, but he really didn't dig in too hard, which is a good thing. It's hard enough just to pick the right song and get an outfit in time!

Anthony: I wish he would give her a little bit more credit than that. She's out there really trying and putting her heart and soul into it, but I just wish she would sing better, because I think that would take Cowell's focus off of her physical beauty.

Amy: If you're a singer and you're trying to take yourself seriously in a singing competition, you want to hear that you had a great vocal. You don't want to hear that you have great legs.