high rollin'

Or maybe Lesson No. 3 was something about respecting (re: lying to) the judges. Because we inexplicably got a power sequence about auditioners' passion for Paula. Topping that flattery pyramid was Edward, who bombed his performance but expressed his undying love without qualms. Straight up. Sadly, it didn't even earn him a yes vote from her.
Looks like MC Scat Cat doesn't have anything to worry about after all.
But back to AI's lesson. Lesson No. 4? Audition on your own, as illustrated by three Pickler-esque roller girls who auditioned in their waitress getups. Not everyone had Kellie Pickler's success, though. And by "not everyone," I mean not one.
So Hollywood gets Ebony and Ashley, while Heather -- was that her name? -- is back to low rolling and flipping burgers.
Take a break from lessons to remember the song-writing competition that's new this season. OK, the details are still scarce, but we definitely know WES -- yes, that is name that's an acronym -- won't be there. His self-penned song, "Don't Worry, Don't Hurry," earned a unanimous thumbs-down from the judges.
And no...they didn't hurry.
Lesson No. 5? "Shake Your Moneymaker?" As in...don't shake your moneymaker. Insert bad Taylor Hicks imitations here. But I will humor you by mentioning Alexander, a flexible Latin stallion who was unanimously canned as well.
We'll know who to call if we need a human pretzel to sing "Greatest Love of All," though.
Last lesson? Clarity. In summary, some people are so bad that the judges can't understand their song lyrics. Or some judges are so chemically altered that the contestants can't understand their comments.
That means you, Paula.
Luckily, the show ended on a quasi-promising note, with Lakisha's audition. This mom aced an Aretha classic with some hardcore belting. Needless to say, she's off to Hollywood.
No need to "Think" about that.