Freda Payne, Thelma Houston, K.C. Casey Embarass Themselves on American Idol

I liked Freda Payne's song "Band of Gold," but I am sad to say her performance on American Idol last night was a total disgrace. Her performance was sub par and she wasn't in sync with the band. She seemed out of breath for most of her rendition as well. Freda, what happened girl? Back in the day you could sing that song with your eyes closed and not miss a beat!

But, the drama wasn't over. Next up was Thelma Houston, another singer I liked. I don't want to diss her, but her yellow dress was too small. She sang "Don't Leave Me This Way," another old-school hit. But Thelma, what happened? When Jennifer Hudson and Kanye West performed, they hit the right notes and exceeded expectations. You two women have been in the business for way too long than to befuddle your songs on national television. You could have resurrected your careers, but you essentially killed any chances of making a good impression on the younger generation.

Henry Wayne "KC" Casey took the crown. He sorely needed his Sunshine Band. He wore a ridiculously loud red shirt. He looked like a relic of an age long gone and gave a vocally-weak rendition of "Get Down Tonight," a song I jammed to in high school. What record company actually backs these three people? There were far better singers American Idol could have booked -- Patti Labelle, Anita Baker, Stephanie Mills, James Ingram and I could go on and on.

American Idol is heading for a sure death as the show has become boring and predictable. It pulled in its lowest ratings ever on Tuesday. I guess Simon Cowell's Midas touch is wearing thin. I would give anything to hear his critique of the train wreck tag team's performance last night. Scathing would be an understatement.