brooke: no longer a believer

Can't say Brooke's departure is a huge shocker, although it's hard not to become a little sad while watching her tearfully struggle through her departure song, "I Am, I Said."

Brooke started out with some promise, but her appeal diminished as the weeks progressed. From early on, she had her critics -- the ones who said her appeal was driven almost entirely by making acoustic versions of slow tunes.

She's a contestant, I think, who would have done much worse if instruments hadn't been allowed in the competition.

Then, of course, there was the infamous do-over last week. That alone was probably enough to secure her a solid block of pity votes. But without any concrete negative feedback from judges, as well as no extremely memorable performances, Brooke was bound to be in trouble this week.

I don't think she's entirely shut out of a future career as a recording artist, but she needs some confidence and a little more originality.

Thoughts?

brooke goes home

Elimination time!

Brooke's outta here!

diamond is a girl's best friend

Ford commercial! The kids are driving a car and singing "Catch the Wind." Very contemplative. Black and white turns to color, etc., etc.

And another performance. Neil Diamond this time, naturally. Neil Diamond is soo cute. And what did you guys think about his mom? Um, cute times two.

simon gets romantic

Time for a Natasha Bedingfield performance. Very random. Think we'll ever see another former Idol take the stage this season? I think it's interesting how the judges don't give comments after the guest stars' performances. That could make the results show significantly better.

And what is up with Archuleta's affair with Natasha?

Ugh. Question and answer session. Paula attempts to give a kid advice, but ends up looking drunk as usual. He'll be in therapy for years.

And another question for Paula: Will she do another music video with Randy? Wow. They totally skirted that one. No answer.

Some lady calls claiming to be Simon's first kiss. Soo romantic.

bottom 2 = syesha, brooke

Break for a preview of the upcoming season of "So You Think You Can Dance." Do you guys like this show?

And in an equally useless filler, Randy showcases the winning Coke cup design contest winner.

Back to business, fortunately.

Next up? David Cook. Safe!

Looks like it's down to the two girls. No surprises there.

jason, archuleta safe

Here's some quality time with former contestants Constantine and Gina Glocksen. Anyone else notice how Ace Young was sitting in front of them but somehow wasn't worthy of an introduction?

Obligatory recap of last night's show. Oh, and some damage control on Paula's mishap last night. In Seacrest's words, "She's part of our family and we love her."

Um...down to eliminations.

First up, Jason Castro. Seacrest awkwardly calls him J-Cas. Safe!

Next, David Archuleta. Safe! (Unsurprisingly.)

OK, who's going home?

no results yet

Here we go!

Whoa...Kristy Lee is in the audience. Forty-five million votes last night, Seacrest says.

Group song! Of course, it's a Neil Diamond medley. Which makes for yet another opportunity to showcase Brooke's awkward dancing. And the Brooke/Syesha singing combination? Not good at all. In fact, Syesha really sounds good with nobody. Jason Cook also seems to hate the whole ordeal, which might not necessarily be a bad thing.

Stay tuned.

who's going home?

Tonight's elimination show starts at 9 p.m. on Fox. I'll blog "live" as usual. Neil Diamond and Natasha Bedingfield perform.

DialIdol, the Web site that measures busy signals, has Brooke, Jason and Archuleta in trouble. I say it could be Brooke's time to go home.

Thoughts?

bad paula-tics?

So when my 60-year-old Dad asked me about Paula's Tuesday mess up, I knew it was kind of a big deal.

Refresher: After Jason Castro performed only one song last night, she proceeded to give him feedback for two performances.

Read an audience member's recap of the scene here.

Paula, naturally, has been busy doing recovery work today, including this radio show appearance. I think my favorite part is when she claims to have never been drunk in her entire life.

In her defense, last night's show was a bit too much rapid-fire and the judges DID reportedly watch a dress rehearsal shortly before the real thing.

But still...it's not like this kind of thing is a first for Paula.

What was your reaction to Paula's incoherent moment? Did it make you wonder if the show is rigged? Did it make you think that Paula needs to be replaced?

i am, i said...unimpressed

If anything proves the validity of recent articles attributing AI's ratings decline to antiquated song selections, it's tonight's show.

Contestants -- even the seemingly invincible David Cook, to some extent -- served up predictable versions of Neil Diamond tunes. The rapid-fire, two-songs-each setup made for relatively little extensive feedback from the judges. Aside from Paula's embarrassing moment of extreme lunacy, that is.

Still, it was clear the night didn't exactly meet expectations. And with a song catalog that was likely 95 percent unknown to the powerful younger viewer voting block, it seems like Brooke, Syesha and Jason are once again in almost equal danger of elimination.

My apologies again for missing the show's early moments. That said, here are my rankings:

1. David Cook

2. Syesha Mercado

3. David Archuleta

4. Jason Castro

5. Brooke White

syesha closes the show

Last but not least, it's Syesha's second effort of the night.

Song: "Thank the Lord for the Nighttime"

Me: Seems like she fares much better with fast songs. Why is this clear to everyone but Syesha? But doing well here might not be enough to save her. This performance, driven in part by theatrics, seems to remind fans again that we're watching a girl who's 98 percent best suited for Broadway. I'm fine with the song, though, despite the fact that it gets a bit shrieky at the end.

Randy: "I think you're finally realizing who you are."

Paula: "You've got that softness in your voice."

Simon: "You are a very good actress/singer...I think, however, you may be in trouble tonight."

brooke & archuleta, part 2

Here's Brooke White, who criticizes Simon (kind of) for calling her first performance a nightmare.

Song: "I Am, I Said"

Me: It's definitely outside the realm of nightmare. Brooke takes the stage with a piano, and gives us something that's actually pretty enjoyable. It's the first time in weeks I've actually seen some uniqueness in her vocal tone. A good performance, one that brings to mind those Carly Simon parallels that we were hearing in the competition's early stages.

Randy: "Nice job."

Paula: "Everyone loves who you are."

Simon: "This is the Brooke we like."

Next up? David Archuleta

Song: "America"

Me: Hmm. You guys can probably imagine how this went. Looks like SOMEBODY got some song choice guidance from Kristy Lee. Anyway, Archuleta could totally be in a fifth-grade talent show right now. It's another predictable performance, but much better than the first. I do have to say I like him better singing the fast stuff. He'll be safe.

Randy: "You are definitely in the zone right now."

Paula: "This was the absolutely perfect song for you to sing."

Simon: "That was a smart choice of song. That was clever."

jason & david cook, part 2

Time for the second performance from Jason Castro.

Song: "September Morn"

Me: Hmm. Jason takes the stage sans guitar and it hurts him. Badly. This guy could be in trouble. I think I'd rather watch "Memory." It's not even predictable. It's just bad. Seems like he's almost given up. Fans -- aside from those who want to hook up with him -- could hold this lack of creativity against him.

Randy: Didn't like it

Paula: Didn't like it

Simon: "This is not the Jason we put into the competition."

Here's David Cook.

Me: Unlike Jason, he DOES take the stage with an instrument. Naturally, he fares a little better. Since, um, he's David Cook. I'd never heard this song before, but he does a good job of making a contemporary rendition of it. I like it, and I imagine fans could place it near "Always Be My Baby" in their memories.

Song: "All I Really Need Is You"

Randy: "You rocked the house again tonight."

Paula: "I feel like I'm already looking at the American Idol."

Simon: "I thought the second song was brilliant."

here i go...finally

Blogging is starting late for factors beyond my control. Anyone want to be a guest blogger and recap the first 3 performances?

Anyway, I'm here right in time for David Archuleta.

Song: "Sweet Caroline"

Me: Whoa. Not the best performance to start my night with. It's like the Kidz Bop version of Neil Diamond. I am so over this guy. It's a very safe, predictable choice. This is like watching your 70-year-old uncle trying to rock out. Except David's, like, 16. Sadly, I would have rather watched a ballad.

Um, here's Syesha?

Song: "Hello Again"

Me: Decent, but your typical predictable Syesha ballad. Ugh. Nothing new to say.

OK, now judges' comments. I figured it out: We just wrapped up round 1 and get all the judges' comments at once. Randy loves Archuleta, but he's pretty hesitant about the rest. Paula is incoherent as usual. She thought Jason sang twice. Her favorite was David Cook. Simon calls Brooke a nightmare...actually, he hated everybody.

sweet symphonies?

Don't forget tonight's episode of AI, featuring mentor Neil Diamond, airs at 8 p.m. on Fox.

I will be blogging live as usual, and I will also be eating a veggie pizza from a brand-new restaurant. If you beg enough, I'll provide details on that experience, too.

Rumor is that each of the five contestants will sing TWO Neil Diamond songs.

See you tonight!

the more things change...

Could AI's ratings decline be a result of an antiquated selection of songs?

Yes, this MSNBC article maintains. It brings up some valid points. I agree, for example, that having decades-based theme nights during the competition's Top 24 stage helped no one. In fact, it's easy to say those themes actually hurt some of the younger contestants who were forced to opt for safe, generic song choices simply because they were unfamiliar with the decade as a whole.

I've never really understood the necessity having theme weeks on AI, even during the Top 12 phase.

It's not an accurate reflection of the recording industry. Someone's ability to adapt to back-to-back country and Broadway weeks hardly translates into success when he/she goes into a recording studio to make a career out of original material.

I'm talking to you, Taylor Hicks.

AI execs, meanwhile, are toying with changes to the show's format for next season. Via a viewer survey, they've hinted at presenting the audition phase as "flashbacks" during Hollywood Week. Get the full story here.

Thoughts?

idle news

The NY Times published this article following up on the idea that apparent blasphemy could have played a role in sending Carly Smithson home.

Other than that...no major AI news. Don't forget that Tuesday's mentor is Neil Diamond.

Song suggestions?

(bad) luck of the irish

One more nugget for Carly fans...here's her exit interview with Entertainment Weekly. Much like last night, she sounds pretty optimistic about the whole experience. She planned to sing "Sweet Caroline" for Neil Diamond week.

idol worship

Is it just me, or does it seem like religion has taken a more prominent spot than usual in this season of AI?

I started thinking about that when Internet commenters, this blog included, suggested that Carly's departure had something to do with the tattooed songstress' decision to sing "Jesus Christ Superstar."

Two weeks ago, there was controversy over the group song, "Shout to the Lord." Shortly before that, Dolly Parton on results night sang "Jesus & Gravity."

Then, of course, there's the issue of contestants' faiths -- namely, the fact that Brooke and David Archuleta are Mormons. (That's confirmed here.) Newspaper articles have also heavily emphasized Jason's religious background, including the many mission trips he's taken.

Sure, we've had traces of faith in years past. Carmen Rasmussen, a Mormon who appeared on Season 2, comes to mind. And last season's winner, Jordin Sparks, was very open about her decision to remain a virgin until marriage.

But no season -- at least in my memory -- has had this strong a focus on religion, whether or not it's intentional.

What do you guys think? Has AI gone too Jesus on you?

idle numbers

In the wake of Carly's departure, here's yet another article about AI's dip in ratings.

Ratings for the show are down 7 percent -- its "first significant year-to-year decline," the piece contends.

I've heard a lot about viewership numbers in recent weeks, and I think much of that is overblown. I mean, the show is still No. 1, after all. I imagine it lasting another 2-3 years.

That said, if AI producers could do any one thing to increase ratings, what do you think it should be?

A new judging panel? A new elimination process? A new approach to theme weeks?

Suggestions wanted.

carly leaves superstardom

Ironically, Carly's departure came on what was undoubtedly one of her most comfortable weeks of the season. In past weeks, she struggled with stage presence, as well as vocal tone, but the Broadway theme appeared to help her at least temporarily find her comfort zone.

So what sent her home? A variety of factors.

Of course, there's always the assumption that the performance night's stronger contestants are automatically at a disadvantage, since fans assume they're safe.

Then there's Carly's semi-pro background. Critics say Season 7 has plenty of "plants," but from the beginning Carly's brief honeymoon with MCA Records received the most scrutiny. It made many viewers naturally skeptical, especially given producers' reluctance to disclose more details.

Maybe viewers put too high of expectations on her and she never delivered. Maybe her at times robotic stage presence made seem more like a recording industry machine than a real person.

Either way, she's outta here -- well before her time, I say. Brooke's unprofessionalism should have made her the automatic choice to go home.

Thoughts?

carly goes home

Elimination time.

Carly's outta here!!!!

I am surprised.

filler, filler, filler

In a move to fill time, Seacrest has Carly and Syesha perform their songs again. Hmm...I really don't know what this accomplishes. Other than killing about six minutes. And I wonder if the eliminated contestantant will have to sing AGAIN upon getting the boot. That could be painful.

Carly performs again, sounds great and reminds us that she forgot the words last night. (But unlike SOME people, she kept singing.)

Did you guys catch that covert conversation between Carly and Seacrest during Syesha's performance?

Anyway, Syesha sounds great as well. This really is an unfortunate bottom 2.

bottom 2 = syesha, carly

Down to Castro and Carly. One goes in the bottom two.

I think Castro could be in trouble.

I'm wrong! Carly's in the bottom two!

OK...who's going home?

brooke's safe, syesha's in trouble

Back to business.

Now it's time for Syesha and Brooke.

WHOA!

Brooke is safe! I am so annoyed. Seriously. I hate pity votes.

Syesha is in trouble. Looks like they're just doing bottom two this week.

I hate Brooke sooo much right now.

Thoughts?

break for leona

Now, we're treated to a little refresher course on AI alums. Tamyra Gray and Clay Aiken tell us about their lives on Broadway. Wow, Clay Aiken is one strange ranger. Can't wait to hear what you guys think of his new look.

On a slightly more comfortable note, here's a performance by Leona Lewis. For those of you who don't know, she won the third season of the UK talent show "The X Factor." It's another show created by Simon Cowell. I really wish we got that show here.

What do you think of Leona? Is she better than, say, Kelly Clarkson? Carrie Underwood?

the davids are safe

Sigh. Ford commercial. The kids are singing "Tainted Love" while posing as action heroes in a comic drawn by Archuleta. Not pretty. Not pretty at all.

And from "Tainted Love," it's...George W. and Laura Bush. We agree that this could be the best speech President Bush has given. Ever. (PS = That's not a compliment.)

OK, down to business. First up, the two Davids. Easy. I say both are safe.

Wow...Archuleta is sooo incoherent. He must be sharing drugs with Paula.

Anyway, they're both safe. Big surprise.

quality time with alw

Obligatory recap. Hmm...what did you guys think of those "Phantom" masks superimposed on the judges' faces?

Seacrest gets some one-on-one time with ALW. Upon further reflection, I agree that he's been the best mentor of the season. Perhaps of the past two seasons. He was frank, helpful and didn't go absolutely ga-ga over every contestant -- a la J-Lo and Sanjaya. A day after the performance episode, he's still not afraid to admit he didn't see eye-to-eye with Castro.

Although I do still think they celebrated 4/20 together.

Oh, and can you guys believe ALW is 60 years old? SOME people -- Dawn -- thought he was 80.

ask & you shall not receive

Here we go!

Thirty-something million votes last night, Seacrest says. Oh no. Group song. It's a slow one this time, "All I Ask of You." ALW accompanies the gang on the piano. Uncomfortable.

And I think I just spotted Crying Girl in the audience.

Here's all I ask of AI tonight:

1. No question & answer session

2. Paula's sobriety

3. A five-contestant elimination

Thoughts?

idols live!

OK...which singer is going home tonight? Unfortunately, I have a sad suspicion that it will be Jason.

In other news, the dates for the "American Idols Live" tour have been announced. See them here. The singers will be in Atlanta Aug. 18.

I'm thinking about going to the concert, taking photos and blogging the experience. Is that something you guys would want to read?

Send me your thoughts.

(Tonight's elimination show starts at 9 p.m. I'll blog live as usual.)

phantom sounds

On the plus side, no song tonight was criticized as being too cabaret.

But that could be one of the only good things to come out of Andrew Lloyd Webber week on "American Idol." For a night when tunes could have been over the top, most singers went for the safe route, creating a sea of predictability.

In a reversal of what we we saw last week, the night's top spots went to women -- with one exception. Folksy crooner Brooke White began her song and, seconds in, opted for a do-over. Later, she attributed the move to forgotten lyrics, but it could be a serious enough stumble to send her home.

Or, it could be a vehicle for a deluge of sympathy votes.

Either way, here are my rankings:

1. Carly Smithson

2. David Cook

3. Syesha Mercado

4. David Archuleta

5. Jason Castro

6. Brooke White

david cook's night music

David Cook gets the money spot of the night. It's very creepy when he's staring longingly into ALW's eyes during rehearsal. Especially when ALW pretends to be a 17-year-old girl.

Song: "Music of the Night"

Me: Wow. No grunge version. I'm surprised. I'm still not a hardcore David Cook fan, but -- probably unlike 99 percent of the audience -- I like this side of him better than the rock stuff. I expected vocals to be a little shakier than what we got. All in all, the performance is OK. But comparatively, especially with what we've seen in recent weeks, it's a little forgettable. He'll be safe, though.

Randy: "That was an amazing vocal performance."

Paula: "You are so well-rounded as a performer and you have a beautiful instrument."

Simon: "You made the most of the song you were given."

carly is a superstar

Time for Carly Smithson, who we learn was originally gonna sing "All I Ask of You." Luckily, she averted that crisis. ALW also likes her tattoos.

Song: "Jesus Christ Superstar"

Me: I'm ecstatic that Carly opts for a fast tune this week. That in itself should give her an edge. I'm impressed, though, and I think it's a good balance as far as vocal range goes. No major complaints. Seems like Carly got some of her footing back from last week. Maybe my favorite of the night. Love her dress, too.

Randy: "It was definitely good."

Paula: "I love what you did in the chorus."

Simon: "It was actually one of my favorite performances of the night."

thinking of david. or not.

Next up, David Archuleta, who is treated to a group hug from a bunch of adolescent girls. He also sings a song designed for a woman. Think his dad picked it?

Song: "Think of Me"

Me: Yes, another slow inspirational ballad from David. You can imagine it. Boring. But in his defense, I guess, he's not really over-doing it. But it's a safe choice, and one that does nothing to change my opinion of Archuleta. Either way.

Randy: "You're exactly what this show's about...This boy's the one to beat."

Paula: "I think it was absolutely perfect."

Simon: "I thought it was pleasant, one of your weakest performances over the live shows."

i don't love brooke

Here's Brooke White, who does some weird performance with ALW that involves walking around a piano. She calls it one of the most powerful moments she's had on the show so far.

Song: "You Must Love Me"

Me: Hmm. A song from the "Evita" movie. Kind of cheating, if you ask me. Whoa! False start! Brooke apologizes, and then starts over. That's it. I am so over this girl. Two false starts in one season? A first in AI history. Anyway, that puts a negative cloud over the performance immediately, and once she starts again, it's still forgettable. Vocally, it's safe and predictable. The song alone does nothing for me, and the setback makes me hate her even more.

Randy: "This wasn't great."

Paula: "You must never start and stop."

Simon: "It actually became quite uncomfortable...I think you're going to be very disappointed when you watch this back."

fond memories of jason?

Speaking of high...here's Castro. Of his song choice, "Memory," Castro says, "I didn't know a cat was singing it." Awkward. Even more awkward, it seems like there's some serious mentor/singer tension here. Who thinks they celebrated 4/20 together in Vegas?

Song: "Memory"

Me: Very weird song choice. You understand why I entered this performance with a serious level of apprehension, right? But it's a lot better than I expected, and that's not a nice way of saying I hated it. I really liked it, and I appreciate the fact that he took on the tune sans guitar. It's nice, very humble and unpretentious. And vocally, it's pretty on, despite some struggles with the low notes. Sure, he'll have some critics based on song choice, but really...can you think of a Broadway song that would be RIGHT for him?

Randy: "It was a little bit of a train wreck."

Paula: "I think it was a very wise choice for you to do this song."

Simon: "It came over as a young guy being forced by your mom and dad to sing a song at a wedding that you didn't want to sing."

syesha takes the high road

First up, Syesha Mercado, who uses her pre-performance segment as an opportunity to show off her theatrical skills. Fortunately, we were spared of another repeat of the baby cry.

Song: "One Rock & Roll Too Many"

Me: Surprisingly, I don't hate this. We see some real personality from Syesha for the first time, and vocally, I like it because it's not too over-the-top when it comes to belting. I could be my favorite from Syesha so far, but in my praise I do have one reservation. Syesha seems so confident with the Broadway genre that it almost makes it appear even more unlikely that she'd ever see success as a pop star. But not bad overall, though.

Randy: "Not only is this your element, I think you could be a huge Broadway star."

Paula: "This is your happy place and you're real good at it."

Simon: "That was very sexy....I think this was one of your strongest performances so far."

show time!

Ryan kicks things off by telling us the finale will be all-green...referring to being environmentally friendly, not Michael Johns' inevitable jealousy. Seacrest also does a REALLY bad job of trying to conduct an orchestra. I'll leave that one alone.

Then, of course, we get a reminder that Andrew Lloyd Webber is this week's mentor. And the kids got to fly out to Vegas to work with him. Wish we could leave it at "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," but we get a good 3 minutes of filler time.

Whoa! Did you see ALW in the audience? As one of my viewing partners put it, "looking a tad bit creepy."

the music of the night?

Yes! It's Idol night, with an Andrew Lloyd Webber theme. The show starts at 8 p.m. and I'll blog live as usual.

Here are today's AI links...

*Ever wonder why there are so many hot people in the AI audience? Well, it could have something to do with the fact that producers recruit sorority girls to watch the tapings. Read more here.

*Mentor Andrew Lloyd Webber says he was especially impressed by Brooke White. Hmm. A result of the VFTW endorsement? Here's the full story.

*Season 2 finalist Carmen Rasmussen says that despite her recent column claiming that Clay Aiken got more coaching than she did, she still thinks of him "like a brother." Check out the damage control here.

*And finally...a personal concern: Can Simon Cowell still call songs too "cabaret" when the theme essentially is Broadway?

Just a thought.

predictions for the top 6

So here's what I think the remaining six contestants will sing for Andrew Lloyd Webber week. Get more info on the composer here, and please weigh in with your own predictions, too.

Carly Smithson: "Memory"

Brooke White: "All I Ask of You"

Syesha Mercado: "I Don't Know How to Love Him"

Jason Castro: "Edelweiss"

David Cook: "The Music of the Night"

David Archuleta: "Any Dream Will Do"

white or wrong?

Happy Monday!

Reminder: Tuesday's episode of AI will feature the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. The show starts at 8 p.m., and I'll blog live as usual. In the meantime, here's your rundown of AI gossip:

*Vote for the Worst is now endorsing...Brooke White!!

*A throat injury caused Jordin Sparks to cancel her first month of appearances on the Alicia Keys tour. She's expected to return in May. Get the full story here.

*This LA Times article reiterates some points about AI's ratings drop. An excerpt:

The more fundamental problem, though, is probably show fatigue. The conventional wisdom among TV producers and their accountants is that hit shows, no matter how popular, usually start delivering diminished ratings somewhere from Season 5 to Season 7. Seen that way, "Idol's" apparent decline is adhering to form. Some fans are seeing the program as less essential than it was a year or two ago. How many times can Americans see Seacrest insult Simon Cowell, and vice versa, before they say, "Enough already"?

*And finally: Is the contestant who sings first really at a disadvantage? USA Today tackles that question here.

idle links

Happy Friday! A few AI-related tidbits to keep you busy over the weekend...

*Season 2 finalist Carmen Rasmussen says AI contestants don't get equal amounts of coaching time. Read more here.

*How much money do AI finalists get for their daily meals? Not as much as you think -- $30, one former contestant says. Get the full story here.

*Looks like Archuleta's dad is facing an uphill battle. Former "Star Search" judge Naomi Judd doesn't do much to help his case in this video.

And finally...

*This week, AI suffered its worst Tuesday rating since 2003, Reuters reports. Some are calling it the "Sanjaya curse," since the show saw a ratings drop on the same week last year -- the first Top 12 week without Sanjaya. Make no mistake, the show's still at the top of the ratings list.

But still...

Are you having a hard time staying interested? Do you think it's something about this season in particular, or is AI as a whole losing its appeal?

klc-ya later

Still mourning Kristy Lee Cook's departure. I'm actually surprised by how distraught I am about this.

Looking for one last dose of KLC? Check out her exit interview with EW, where she talks about serenading Simon, consoling Brooke and -- brace yourself -- how she would've performed "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" next week.

Shudder.

I guess maybe I won't miss her that much.

Next week, by the way, is Andrew Lloyd Webber week.

KLC's departure -- ironically, she placed 7th, just like Sanjaya -- also means Vote for the Worst needs a new singer to endorse.

Suggestions?

kristy lee: forever isn't good enough

Kristy takes us out with another performance of "Forever," which seems more ironic than ever since she definitely won't be around forever. At least when it comes to AI. The song also sounds significantly worse than last night's version.

That aside, I loved how she spent the beginning of the song serenading Simon.

At least the girl has attitude, right?

Sure, she was iffy for the first couple weeks, but in her defense Kristy did show some genuine improvement as the weeks progressed. And there is a desire among many fans to watch an underdog advance, rather than see a sure thing win. That might be what kept her around.

And in spite of all her critics, Kristy Lee was never at the level of Sanjaya or Haley Scarnato. She's a good singer, but she just has limited range.

Her elimination tonight isn't a total shocker, but I do think she was more on top of her game than ever Tuesday. Yet she was bound to go eventually. I wouldn't have liked to see her in the top 3. Or even the top 5.

Oh well. Nothing lasts forever.

(Note: What a bad song to sing on the week you're eliminated. Let the puns begin.)

kristy lee goes home!

Back to business.

Syesha is safe! Seriously. Who votes for her?

Down to Brooke and Kristy Lee. The judges skirt Ryan's question of who should go home. Expect Simon, who says Kristy's time is up.

He's right!

Kristy's outta here!

bottom 3 = kristy, syesha, brooke

Back to eliminations. The last group-less contestant, David Archuleta, takes the stage.

I sure hope Seacrest doesn't make him choose a group!

Nope, we learn right away that he's safe.

Uh-oh. David and Syesha switch places.

So it's Kristy Lee, Syesha, Brooke.

And...

David Cook, Carly, Jason.

Archuleta is asked to choose which group is safe. He's having none of that.

Luckily, we're spared of any excessive awkwardness when Seacrest states the obvious by saying Kristy Lee, Syesha and Brooke are in the bottom 3.

hello, mariah!

Here's the highly anticipated Mariah Carey performance. She looks great, and I especially like the glittery microphone. I can't say I totally loved the song, "Bye Bye," but I kept telling myself it would sound 100 times worse if performed by any of the 7 finalists. Yes, even David Cook.

Also, I like how she wasted absolutely no time plugging her album.

Can you guys believe she's 38 years old?

ladies, start your engines!

Groan. Question and answer session.

Kristy Lee is asked if she got to buy her horse back. She says the guy she sold it to refused. I still don't believe that whole horse debacle really happened.

Then, we get some useless information about the judges' musical collections. Paula mumbles incoherently when asked which of her songs describes her relationship with Simon.

Oh, and is David Cook single?

He gives a very enthusiastic "yes."

You can have him. I don't think he's hot.

archuleta waits in the wings

Very awkward Ford commercial tonight. The kids are all marionettes singing "Time to Break Free." A little too strong a metaphor for the whole AI experience, if you ask me. Anyway, they do finally cut their strings, but yet in real life are still ironically puppets of Lythgoe and company.

OK, that was way too deep for a live blog entry. My bad.

Anyway, brief break for a performance by Elliott Yamin, whose mom died recently. I can't say I love the song, but I'm still an Elliott fan. He is basically twin brother of Mr. Tumnus from Narnia. But was it really necessary to copy David Cook's idea to write inspirational messages on your palm?

Back to eliminations.

Next up Syesha. She joins Jason and Carly. OK, I see where this is going.

Now it's Brooke White. I really hate her long, babbling answers. She joins David and Kristy.

So it's Syesha, Carly, Jason...

versus

David C., Kristy Lee, Brooke

And Archuleta is still in the wings.

Thoughts?

it's a group thing

Obligatory recap. We get the awkward metaphors -- hamburgers and luaus, anyone? -- as well as Brooke's pouty face. And yes, in retrospect I do think the judges were a bit too excessive in their praise of David Cook. Go ahead and hate me.

OK, down to business. Kind of.

First up: Jason Castro. Wow. He is so high right now.

Seacrest spices things up by pulling the "I'll divide you into groups to extend stalling" routine. Fine, play that way. So Jason starts group No. 1.

Next, David Cook, who dodges any mention of his cancer-striken brother while answering a question about being emotional last night. Anyway, he ends up in group No. 2.

Now, it's Carly, who accuses Simon of being too hard on her this season. She joins Jason in group 1.

OK, here's Kirsty Lee, sporting some major boob padding tonight. And there is also some major tension between her and Simon. Maybe of a sexual nature. Who knows? Anyway, she ends up in group 2 with David C.

How confusing is this?!?

Recap:

Group 1 = Jason, Carly

Group 2 = David C., Kristy Lee

Predictions?

no sweet escape, unfortunately

Here we go!

Phew. The show opens a group rendition of "One Sweet Day." Do I really need to point out the fact that I'd rather be watching Boyz II Men perform this song?

Anyway, there are a few noteworthy moments, but I definitely could have done without this one, especially given Tuesday's deluge of ballads.

Oh well. Results will come any time, right?

who's going home?

Hmm...I say tonight's bottom three is Brooke, Syesha and Carly. Seems pretty straightforward, right?

I guess I'll stick to my usual vote and say Syesha's going home.

The show starts at 9 p.m. on Fox. I'll blog live as usual.

In the meantime, check out this account from an Entertainment Weekly writer who watched last night's show from the audience.

all 'glitter' on mariah night?

Well, I guess Mariah night could have been worse. With the exception of Syesha, nobody channeled their inner belter, although we did get a night composed almost entirely of ballads.

The exception? David Cook's innovative rock take on "Always Be My Baby." It was consistent with the other surprises he's pulled in recent weeks, and it's worthy of the night's No. 1 slot. I still have some reservations -- cockiness, a lack of a full vocal range -- but I'll give him that spot.

Here are the rest of my rankings:

1. David Cook

2. Jason Castro

3. Carly Smithson

4. Kristy Lee Cook

5. David Archuleta

6. Brooke White

7. Syesha Mercado

Thoughts?

jason: tears of success

Last up, it's Jason Castro.

Song: "I Don't Wanna Cry."

Me: Guitar in hand, he opts for a much slower, acoustic-type version. I'm a little hesitant at first -- especially given the weird facial expressions he makes while singing -- but I'm increasingly sold as the song progresses. It's nice, with bonus points for originality, and while it doesn't have the intense crowd-pleasing power of a David Cook tune, I don't have too many complaints. Although I definitely could have used one more upbeat tune.

Randy: "It was weird for me, I didn't get it."

Paula: "I'd love to be at that luau listening all night long."

Simon: "It was a cool version...The guys completely won the night."

david cook: whoa, baby!

Ramiele's in the audience! Anyway...time for David Cook, who's doing "something different" with his song. Mariah calls it pretty and haunting. Umm...

Song: "Always Be My Baby"

Me: Surprise song choice, but David redeems himself quickly by giving the song an original hard rock vibe. It's one of the most original moves of the season, and it's hard NOT to like him at least a little bit after this. He'll likely secure the night's No. 1 spot. And even as an only quasi David Cook fan, I'll agree with that.

Randy: "You're ready to make an album. You're a hot recording artist."

Paula: "That's pretty awesome."

Simon: "It was original, it was daring, it stood out by a mile."

kristy lee: around forever?

Here's Kristy Lee, who Paula seems to actually like.

Song: "Forever"

Me: Surprisingly, this isn't totally awful. She doesn't go for a full-fledged country feel, but she does add a little bit of originality in there. Vocally, it's not entirely impressive -- way better at the end than at the beginning. Yeah, I'm not fully converted, but you have to admit she's come a long way. I'd rather see her hang around for another week than Syesha.

Randy: "You definitely started to step up toward the end."

Paula: "I'm like blown away."

Simon: "You didn't give me chills. I think you managed with what you could...It just wasn't great."

heroic proportions for brooke?

Time for Brooke White, who reminds us of her sister's wedding. Turns out the plan with the cardboard cutout didn't work out that well after all.

Song: "Hero"

Me: Looks like she stole this one from Archuleta. Do you think there was a fist fight? Anyway, Brooke takes the stage with a piano and we basically just get a slower, less screechy, more boring version of the original. I don't know...it seems to lack Brooke's traditional uniqueness. I'm not entirely entertained, and I think she could have gone for a stronger song choice.

Randy: "I thought it was pretty good."

Paula: "Every ounce of you is totally authentic...I think that this unplugged version was a very brave thing to do."

Simon: "It was a bit like ordering a hamburger and only getting the bun."

will syesha vanish tomorrow?

Here's Syesha, who really needs to pull off a good performance tonight.

Song: "Vanishing"

Me: First song of the night I've never heard before. No surprise -- it's a slow one dominated by lots of belting. I guess things could be worse -- say, if she chose a song that elicited a more direct Mariah comparison -- but this really doesn't do to much for me. I think she's looong overdue for a fast song, too. She hasn't done one of those since the first week of the Top 12.

Randy: "You did a good job on it, all things considered."

Paula: "You're smart because you picked a song that not many people know."

Simon: "Technically, it was very, very good indeed...I think at this stage in the competition, I wouldn't have picked a song that not many people know about."

(Note: Simon just commented that so far in the night, David seems to be the one to beat. I REALLY hope things get better.)

can u live without carly?

Time for Carly Smithson, who goes on and on about how much she misses Michael Johns. Oh, she also reportedly worked with Mariah Carey before she appeared on AI, but doesn't acknowledge that fact tonight.

Song: "Without You"

Me: Risky song choice...I still remember Kelly's stellar rendition of this one in Season 1. Carly gives us an OK rendition, but she seems to struggle a bit on the lower notes. Even the higher notes seem pretty forced. That said, she still opted for a challenging song, and didn't butcher it entirely. So points for difficulty, but not necessarily performance value.

Randy: "It was pretty good."

Paula: "I liked that you showed some vocal restraint."

Simon: "Could you pull this off or not? I don't think you did."

believe in david?

First up: David Archuleta

Song: "When You Believe"

Me: Well, at least he didn't sing "Hero," right? But this performance is still typical Archuleta. A slow, inspirational ballad. Big surprise. It's OK, and I guess it's not too over the top, but to me it doesn't do anything to change my perception of David. The falsetto seems random and out of place, and the backup singers seem to overpower him at times. Decent, but I can't see myself ranking him too highly.

Randy: "You can sing anything. That was the bomb, baby."

Paula: "You made her (Mariah) proud."

Simon: "I thought it was very, very good."

mariah's on fire

Here we go! Ryan begins by reminding us of Michael's departure. No apology for being unneccessarily cruel, though.

Anyway, we get a brief bio of Mariah Carey. I'll emphasize again how random her mentorship is, especially since the judges spend 90 percent of the season telling contestants NOT to sound like her.

Conveniently...Ryan just addressed that point. Through Randy, who only used the opportunity to drop some names.

OK, show time.

almost time...

Don't forget tonight's show, featuring mentor Mariah Carey, starts at 8 p.m. on Fox. The 7 contestants will sing Carey's songs. I'll blog live as usual.

In other AI news...

*AI alum Kellie Pickler was the big winner at the CMA Awards. Read more here.

*Spoiler sites are already reporting tonight's song choices for Carly, Archuleta and Jason. See them here.

*Don't forget David Cook's cancer-striken brother will be in the audience tonight, according to this article.

mariah carey week predictions

The 7 finalists are performing Mariah Carey songs Tuesday. So far, this is the only week when I might actually have a shot of guessing their song choices correctly.

So I'm seizing the opportunity to make some predictions that in the end will likely only diminish my credibility as an AI blogger. But whatever.

Here goes:

Syesha: "My All"

Carly: "Without You"

Jason: "I'll Be There"

Archuleta: "Hero"

David Cook: "Through the Rain"

Kristy Lee: "Always Be My Baby"

Brooke: "Butterfly"

Slight disclaimer...spoiler sites have already revealed Carly is singing this.

david cook's visitor

Another week of AI begins!

Tuesday's episode airs at 8 p.m. David Cook's cancer-striken brother Adam will reportedly be in the audience. He's already flown in to Los Angeles from Terre Haute, Ind., this article reports. Here's a summary, according to the Terre Haute Tribune-Star:

...Adam, leaning on a cane, waved to friends and family before embarking on the improbable trip, which almost didn't happen when doctors grounded the lawyer's flight earlier in the week after determining that he could not fly commercially due to his condition. He is undergoing chemotherapy for his second diagnosis of brain cancer, which has spread to his spine. Luckily for Adam, who practiced law in Terre Haute until his condition worsened, his friends and a local councilman rallied behind him and arranged for an all-expenses-paid flight on a chartered medical jet, with a flight medic and flight nurse onboard to make sure he is stable. A local radio station also threw in a paid stay in a hotel just across the street from the Los Angeles studio where the "Idol" finalists perform.

The total cost of the flight and medical assistance is nearly $80,000.

In other news, the AI songwriting contest is happening again. Check out the finalists here.

adios, thunder down under

Recovered yet?

My personal mourning process aside, I'm wondering how Michael Johns' exit will affect the rest of the season. I'm guessing David Cook will be blessed with an even greater surge in support, since he'll be the only remaining male hard rocker.

Some bloggers are suggesting Michael Johns' Australian roots may have hurt him. I'm interested in what you guys think. Are people sick enough to be that obsessed with the "American" part of Idol?

Anyway, here's an exit interview Michael Johns did with Entertainment Weekly. He calls Seacrest's antics "pretty cruel." I agree!

Some more links to keep you busy:

*Next week is Mariah Carey week, this press release reports. I REALLY hope Archuleta doesn't sing "Hero."

*Britney Spears donated $25,000 to "Idol Gives Back," according to this article.

*National Review discusses McCain's taped message that aired Tuesday.

*And now info on some AI paraphernalia: The Idol stamps and the new Happy Meal toys.

Have a good weekend!

michael leaves: is this a dream?

Sadly, the answer is no. I'm still pretty amazed -- I wasn't too surprised he ended up in the bottom 3, but getting fewer votes than Syesha...that's crazy!

What did him in? Largely, I think, the infamous curse of the first. And also...to some extent, I agree with Simon's criticisms of his song choice. While I don't think he sounded bad with Aerosmith's "Dream On," I do think the screamy nature of the song didn't do much to showcase his vocals.

I think Michael's biggest problem, though, was the relative lull he faced between Hollywood Week and, well, Dolly Parton Week. Of all his performances, I most vividly remember "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right."

That said, I still don't think those forces are strong enough to warrant fewer votes than what Syesha got.

Who is voting for that girl??

I am so sad right now. And don't you guys think it was kind of mean of Seacrest to tease him with the possibility of staying around another week?

michael goes home

OK, we're getting to it.

MICHAEL'S GOING HOME!!!

I am stunned!!!

question

Just curious: Does anyone out there think it's gonna be a non-elimination night?

I don't, but there's always a chance of a surprise.

Let me know what you think.

idol goes political

Yes! We finally get the presidential messages. Clinton, Obama and McCain. Strangely, McCain was the funniest of the bunch. For example, he said AI is just like a presidential election...

"Except for people who live in Michigan and Florida -- their votes actually count."

Oh, and he said he's going back to working on his deportation policy, so...

"Watch your back, Simon."

Funny, right? Kind of?

bottom 3 = syesha, carly, michael

Ford commercial. The kids are singing "I Just Want to Celebrate" and they're throwing paint all over the place. This performance does not make me want to celebrate another day of living.

OK, back to results.

Next: Jason Castro. He's gotta be safe. I'm right.

Wow, we're down to the last 4 and nobody's in the bottom 3.

Now it's Kristy Lee. Safe!

So bottom 3 = Syesha, Carly, Michael

jordin returns

Break for more footage of Forest Whittaker in Africa. Touching.

Now another (less powerful) stall. Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown perform "No Air." This performance was actually filmed last Wednesday. You can thank me for that information later.

Do you guys think Jordin looks fat?

Her album has gone Gold, we learn. And both of her singles have been downloaded 1 million times each.

both davids, brooke safe

Groan. Time for B-roll "Idol Gives Back" footage of celebs dancing to "I'm a Believer." How random is it that Kim Kardashian is included among these people?

Time to start the elimination process.

First, Brooke White. Safe.

David Cook. Safe.

Archuleta. Safe.

Stay tuned...

business as usual

That's what Seacrest says as tonight's episode starts. And wow...Mandisa's in the audience. Random.

Do we really need a recap of "Idol Gives Back"? Apparently, the answer is yes. Ugh. But we did NOT need to see Teri Hatcher sing again. And what's up with that AI staffer who touched Brad Pitt? Does she really deserve to be called "an unlikely star"?

Oh, and we get a repeat performance of "Shout to the Lord." Wow. Carly sounds pretty good. Could that end duet between Carly and Syesha foreshadow tonight's bottom 2?

We'll find out soon. (Probably not soon enough, though.)

elimination time: 8 p.m.

Don't forget...it's elimination night, and the show starts at 8 p.m. I'll be blogging "live" as usual.

I'm still predicting Syesha will go home, a prediction that's supported by sites like TMZ that refer to TiVo numbers indicating she'll be the one to go.

DialIdol, the site that measures AI's busy signals, has Carly, Syesha and David Cook in the bottom 3.

On another note...check out this blogger's post, "David Archuleta is a sneaky little S.O.B." He takes issue with the fact that David Archuleta had already performed his inspirational tune, "Angels," in some kind of talent show or something.

What do you think? Does that bother you?

See you at 8!

giving my final thoughts

So "Idol Gives Back" actually flew by kind of quickly, and I don't have too many criticisms. (It's hard to be snarky when people are trying to save the world.)

I am, however, wondering what happened to the presidential candidates. Did I miss their taped appearances? Sources like ABC News, Fox News and the Associated Press all reported they would appear.

I thought the night's highlights were Annie Lennox and Carrie Underwood. How about you?

Sure, I guess you can criticize "Idol Gives Back" as hypocritical or cheesy, but in the end the show does seem to do some good. Or at least make people realize that the hours they spend watching glorified karaoke could be better spent.

I could waver back and forth on this one.

What do you think? Did you watch the whole thing?

altruism achieved!

Well, we're already two minutes overtime and Mariah Carey just took the stage. Randy Jackson's on stage backing her up on bass, so I guess they really do know each other after all. That aside, the performance is kind of screamy, but I'm digging the gospel singers.

"Idol Gives Back" is a wrap, Seacrest says.

But wait...who's sending us out? It's the 8 finalists again, singing "Shout to the Lord." With the backup gospel singers, of course. Actually, it's kind of a good performance.

And with that, we've saved the world.

Wait again...Ben Stiller is back for something that is not funny.

OK, now we're really done.

eye candy and poverty

Here's Brad Pitt. He's in a pre-taped segment talking about his Make It Right campaign to help rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. It's one of the organizations "Idol Gives Back" benefits.

Oh, and he's here in person, too! I kind of wish he wasn't wearing the hat, but he's still really hot. But he's only on the stage briefly, just to introduce Daughtry.

In a performance filmed in Uganda, the band performs "What About Now." This song, apparently, is this season's "I'll Stand by You." I'm convinced. Pretty touching stuff.

we see miley again

Miley's back! She performs "See You Again," with some dance moves I think are a little provocative for a 15-year-old. Where's Billy Ray when you need him?

Oh, here he is. In Clay County, Kentucky. We get a video of him and Miley traveling there to learn about poverty.

On an even MORE disappointing note...here's Robin Williams pretending to be the Russian Idol. Naturally, the routine outstays its welcome. And he sings, too.

Just 15 more minutes...

top 8 perform again

Reese Witherspoon looks good. Oh, and she travels to New Orleans to learn about poverty.

And THEN...the 8 finalists take the stage to perform "Seasons of Love." The get backing from gospel singers and everything. It sounds pretty good, actually. They have totally made a difference in the world.

Footage from Alicia Keys' trip to Africa. Again, pretty powerful stuff.

i'm on my feet

So random. Gloria Estefan takes the stage and sings "Get On Your Feet." My viewing parter, Dawn, used to do step aerobics to this song. I'm guessing she's not alone.

Sarah Silverman's pretty funny. Also nice to see Elliott Yamin in the audience.

Announcement from the prime minister of Great Britain. His country is donating $200 million dollars.

It's 9:13 and so far they've raised almost $22 million, Seacrest says.

one hour to go

Jimmy Kimmel's monologue is pretty funny. I love how he says Simon's nipples are the size of peppermills. And it looks like he's smuggling the Olsen twins under his shirt.

Aww...in response, we get footage of Simon showing his softer side.

OK, whatever. Time for Carrie Underwood! She looks hot and sings a version of George Michael's "Praying For Time." Sounds good. But she loses serious coolness points for letting Teri Hatcher cover one of her songs.

solemn

Footage of Annie Lennox in Africa is pretty touching. And she follows it up with a nice performance of "Many Rivers To Cross." Wow, I really can't make fun of this. I am touched.

I will become a better person. I will! I will!

hmm...

Eli and Peyton Manning learn about Hurricane Katrina. And Bono saves the world again. That's all.

finally...it's heart

Fergie's up. She sings her new song, "Finally," while accompanied by John Legend. Here's my thing with this song...I like the beat and everything but I hate the fact that it's all about meeting a guy and the chorus is, "Finally, now my destiny can begin." That is so, like, 1950.

Now Heart takes the stage, singing "Barracuda." They are rocking out. And now they are joined by Fergie. How much do you think Carly would pay to switch places with her?

Omg...Fergie just did the cartwheels. Do you think she peed while in the air?

miley reaches out

Aah! We see both the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus in a two-minute span. I am in Disney Channel heaven.

Rapport between Miley and Billy Crystal is weird. Miley sings like she's a hardcore AI fan, but I'm on to her. Articles like this one point out that she's been quoted as saying she's never even seen the show before.

Here are the AI finalists -- all 12 of 'em -- answering phones. Do you think that's real? I say phone sex hot line.

Wow...Bono is saving so many lives right now.

teri hatcher: worse than desperate

Paula and Randy travel to Goshen, California. Learn more about that city here.

Uh-oh. Teri Hatcher is singing. I don't really know how to explain this, but if she was a contestant Kristy Lee Cook would sound like fruity vocal goodness right now. Please judge comments, please judge comments, please judge comments.

None, sadly.

OK, question for the blogosphere:

What would Simon have said about Teri's singing?

still saving lives

Maria Shriver takes the stage. She make service fun and rewarding, Seacrest says.

Best Maria Shriver quote: "We can all be American Idols in someone's life. It doesn't matter if you can't sing."

So true.

Wow. Here's Ben Stiller. Wasn't his hair, like, grey recently? Anyway, it's back to normal now.

Fav Ben Stiller quote: "Isn't that what 'American Idol' is all about? Convincing crazy people that they belong on television?"

Jennifer Connelly in a PSA. Wow. That brown water totally looks like I drink in the Bibb.

And finally, what did you think of the Snoop Dogg performance? Does appearing on the same stage as Archuleta detract from your street cred?

saving lives, one jazz hand at a time

Here we go!

Secrest promises that together, we're going to save some lives.

Beginning, naturally, with a group performance to Rihanna's "Please Don't Stop the Music." With an added appearance by the kids from "So You Think You Can Dance." I guess it's better than watching Brooke try to gyrate to this music.

And speaking of Brooke...did you catch her outfit? Is she doubling as an extra on "ER" or something?

And how much do you think Jason Castro hated that whole ordeal? I can only hope it inspired him to do an acoustic rendition of "Umbrella." Eventually.

give back, get bored

If you're brave enough to endure tonight's "Idol Gives Back" madness, commiserate with me.

I'll be blogging "live" beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Anyone else nervous about rumors that Fergie turns cartwheels on stage?

See you soon!

feeling inspired?

So tonight's collection of inspirational songs didn't exactly leave me ready to go out and change the world. Instead, it was kind of like chicken soup for the soul, spiked with Boone's Farm. Get it? Mmm.

The night strangely challenged my perception of some of the supposed "front runners" (Carly, David Cook) while helping some of the struggling contestants gain ground. Yes, those aforementioned ones include Kristy Lee.

Jason emerged as the night's No. 1 singer, gaining some "Hallelujah"-like momentum with his performance of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." (A take on a performance by a man with a last name I still can't spell. But thanks for the info, Lisa.)

And let's talk about the judges. What was Randy's deal tonight? Serious bad mood. It's like he just looked in the mirror and found out his gastric bypass surgery isn't working. Then there's Paula. Sigh. I still don't know what's more disturbing: the fact that her boobs were practically touching her chin tonight, or repeated mention of her chihuahuas.

Anyway, here's how I'd rank 'em:

1. Jason

2. Michael

3. David A.

4. Kristy Lee

5. Carly

6. Brooke

7. David C.

8. Syesha

brooke needs friends

Last up, Brooke White, who also talks in her interview about achieving dreams.

Song: "You've Got a Friend"

Me: Kind of a cliche song choice. She takes the stage accompanied by the piano, a contrast to the many weeks she's spent playing instruments. It's OK, classic Brooke happiness, but doesn't do much for her vocally. I actually got kind of bored toward the end. Nothing wrong with the song overall, but it lacked the classic Brooke originality. It's forgettable enough to put her in trouble.

Randy: "I don't think it was your best performance. It was OK for me."

Paula: "I think once again, you're definitive."

Simon: "Was it pleasant? Yes."

david gets judges' blessing

Now it's David Archuleta, who joins the trend of mumbling incoherently about dreams in his interview. Man, he always looks so awkward on stage. He's like Mary Catherine Gallagher or something.

Song: "Angels"

Me: First of all, I'd like to thank David for ruining this song enough to make me hate it every time it plays at the end of my Saturday kick-boxing class. Anyway, he spices things up (kind of) by playing the piano, but in the end this is just typical David A. -- a slow, emotional ballad. But I guess I like it better than what we've seen from him in the past because it's not over the top. Tolerable overall, maybe even likable?

Randy: "That was your hottest moment the whole season."

Paula: "Fantastic."

Simon: "Best song choice of the night so far...You are going to sail through to the next round."

carly gives us a show

Time for Carly Smithson, who says stuff I can't really understand. I'm guessing it's about dreams, though.

Song: "The Show Must Go On"

Me: Wow, hard rock on inspirational night. Kind of random. But on a positive note, she clearly heeded Simon's advice about physical appearance. Looking good. Anyway, the performance is a bit too rough for me at times, and I'm not convinced she was ever inspired by this song. Maybe things are different in Ireland, though. Still, it's vocally solid, and I like it overall. I would have liked it better if the theme was "Queen" or "rock," though.

Randy: "It was just OK for me...it didn't quite hit the mark."

Paula: "I didn't feel engaged with you."

Simon: "You look good...I thought it was an unusual choice of song for you tonight...It actually came off, strangely, as an angry performance."

david cook: guilty of awfulness

Here's David Cook, who says "everyone's got a good heart at the end of the day." Um, clearly he hasn't seen what I've written about him on this blog.

Song: "Innocent"

Me: OK, I've been trying really, really hard to love David Cook lately. "He's not cocky after all," I tell myself, "you're just reading too much into things." OK, FALSE. This performance proves I was right all along. Seriously. I really don't like this. I hate all the different voices he's using, I hate how he goes up and sings to the judges and MOST OF ALL I hate how his palm says "give back." Poser. I'm not impressed.

Randy: "I'm not sure this was one of your strongest weeks."

Paula: "You are so well defined as being the whole package...You are it."

Simon: "I didn't like this performance much at all."

love kristy lee anyway?

Next up: Kristy Lee Cook, who in her interview sports a T-shirt with a big cross on it. Way to go for your fan base.

Song: "Anyway"

Me: Actually, I don't hate this performance. I think it's kind of a weird arrangement, and the vocals aren't entirely spot-on, but it's still a pretty strong effort. She knows her fan base, clearly, and I'm more accepting of this song because it's not pandering like what we got from "God Bless the USA." In the end, it's more than watchable. I'm not sold entirely, but she's still miles ahead of Syesha.

Randy: "I loved that, actually."

Paula: "I think you outdid yourself tonight. This was your best by far."

Simon: "I thought you were very, very good indeed."

pot of gold for jason

Time for Jason Castro, who again talks about achieving dreams. What a surprise.

Song: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Me: He bravely takes on the Hawaiian guy's version of this song, ukulele and all. When I read on the spoilers he'd be performing this, I knew he'd nail it, and I'm right. It's a solid performance, and Jason's back to the laid-back, contemplative vibe we all (Lisa) fell in love with. I love it, and I'm suddenly 100 percent more confident in my original prediction that we'll have a stoner victory this year.

Randy: "That was the hottest so far tonight."

Paula: "You have the most definitive sound...You did a great job."

Simon: "Fantastic."

i believe syesha's outta here

Time for Syesha Mercado, who gives a brief shout-out to her former roommate, Ramiele. "She's the only one who really got me," she says. Yeah, Ramiele better be voting hardcore tonight, especially given Syesha's choice...

Song: "I Believe"

Me: Groan. Not a good idea to sing a song by a former Idol. Seriously. Note: LaKisha sang this song on inspirational week last year, and was ousted on the double-elimination round a week later. Bad idea all around. She does nothing to make it original, and it ends up being a cheap Fantasia knockoff. Seriously...of all the songs, why would you choose one that will make you inevitably compared to an AI champ? Can you tell I'm not a fan?

Randy: "It was OK."

Paula: "I just think hands down this is one of your most shining nights."

Simon: "Technically, I thought you sang it very well. However, what it lacked for me was that big, big wave of emotion."

dreaming of michael?

Phew. Made it just in time. Almost didn't get here due to a redneck picnic in the middle of my street. Sometimes I hate the Bibb.

Anyway, down to business. It's inspirational songs as planned, and first up is Michael Johns, who talks about the power of a dream. If only he knew the thoughts that run through my mind under the covers. Mmm.

Song: "Dream On"

Me: Michael's going a little crazy tonight. He pulls a full-fledged Aerosmith cover, and I'm pretty satisfied with it. The screaming is a bit too exaggerated at times, but this performance is enough, I think, to prove he's gaining some ground. In the end, it's more than merely memorable. Not as solid and original as what we got last week, but I'm happy.

Randy: "It had some pitch problems for me...I don't buy that you are in any way like an Aerosmith."

Paula: "I think it was a perfect song for you to pick. You sound as good as you look."

Simon: "I thought it was a very good performance...I thought it was a little bit wannabe-ish."

almost time

See you guys at 8 p.m.

Want spoilers of tonight's song choices? Click here.

Again, don't say I didn't warn you.

And trust me...this is going to be an interesting night.

ready, set, idol

A marathon week of AI starts with the performance episode tonight at 8 p.m. on Fox. Singers reportedly will perform inspirational songs, so get your Kleenex ready.

(Even if you're only crying over the fact that a lack of social life has made you resort to cheesy reality TV.)

Wednesday, it's "Idol Gives Back" and Thursday, it's elimination night.

I'll blog tonight's episode as usual. Here are some links to keep you busy in the meantime:

*Rodney Ho from the AJC wrote this article reminding us of Michael Johns' Atlanta ties.

*Do you think it's weird that Carrie Underwood and her ex, Chace Crawford, mutually broke up via text message? I do. Get the full story here.

*Here's an article with a few more details about David Cook's brother's battle with cancer. It also raises some questions about what would happen if an AI contestant was faced with some extreme personal tragedy while competing on the show. What do you think? Would America look unfavorably on, say, a singer who kept competing after the death of an immediate family member?

See you tonight!

ready to save the world?

Don't forget...it's a marathon AI week. Tuesday, Wednesday AND Thursday.

I'll blog every episode live as usual.

The majority of Wednesday's "Idol Gives Back" special was filmed Sunday. You can get recaps, which include some inconsequential spoilers, here and here.

In Tuesday's L-E, I'll have a story explaining the basics of the philanthropy extravaganza. It'll be interesting to see what kind of ratings it gets standing on its own this year.

Are you planning to watch "Idol Gives Back"? Do you think the show is a genuine attempt at altruism, or simply a ratings ploy?

vital idol

I've yet to experience any major grief over Ramiele's departure, but if you're one of her fans, you can check out this exit interview from Entertainment Weekly. The site also has this piece in which Season 6 finalist Chris Sligh (aka: Jack Osbourne) tells about what happens in the hours after a contestant gets the boot.

Yes, grief counseling is involved.

Still no official word on next week's theme, although rumors suggest it'll be inspirational songs consistent with the return of "Idol Gives Back."

Remember, this year "Idol Gives Back" will get its own night so it won't coincide with eliminations. Presumably, that means we won't get the "surprise" of an elimination-free week again, but you never know what those crazy producers could cook up.

Anyway, here's how next week's AI lineup will go down:

Tuesday, contestants will perform beginning at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, it's the "Idol Gives Back" extravaganza from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Thursday, elimination night starts at 8 p.m.

Got it?

Scared of the prospect of three consecutive nights of AI? Here's something that'll increase your fears: Teri Hatcher will sing at "Idol Gives Back," this article reports. Eww.

And finally, USA Today has this report card grading some contestants' post-AI accomplishments. Does Ruben Studdard deserve a "C"? You be the judge.

Have a great weekend!

ramiele didn't cross our minds

Ramiele sings her farewell song in a performance that's significantly less weepy than I expected. Actually, the song also sounds much better than what we got last night.

This was an easy elimination to predict, and one that in many fans' minds was long overdue. I wouldn't agree with that, but I do think Ramiele peaked much too early in the competition. Honestly, the only song of hers I can remember vividly is her take on Dusty Springfield's "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me."

And that was the first week of the top 24 stage.

Among Ramiele's biggest weaknesses, I think, were poor song choices that often did nothing to showcase her strengths. She was in a tough position, though, since she wasn't a full-fledged belter but still did better on the more powerful notes.

Then, most importantly, was the lack of personality. She had no banter with the judges, no quirky personal traits, no memorable anecdotes. When you're on the verge vocally, that will hurt you.

What do you think? Did the right person go home?

ramiele goes home!

OK, back to the bottom 3: Ramiele, Kristy Lee, Brooke.

Randy predicts Ramiele will go home. Simon says it'll be either Kristy or Ramiele.

Paula isn't asked the question.

Brooke babbles quasi-incoherently about the deeper meanings of life, and is sent to safety.

Down to Kristy and Ramiele.

Ramiele is out!

Wow, there are going to be some major tears.

dolly gets spiritual

Awkward. Is anyone else creeped out by Simon's quasi-apology to Carly? Or his decision to call her "very cute"?

Hmm. Another "Idol Gives Back" promo. I can't believe I'm going to have to sit through that show next week. OK, I got a little emotional about that little girl looking for her sister, though.

Dolly Parton performance. She actually sounds kind of weird. I thing something's off with the sound. Maybe.

And more importantly, what is up with her outfit?

This song -- "Jesus and Gravity" -- was way too much of a religious experience for me. Can we please go back to hurting peoples' feelings?

Just caught Jordin Sparks in the audience. After last week's show, she and Chris Brown reportedly recorded a performance that will air on AI next week.

bottom 3 = kristy, ramiele, brooke

Promotional recap of former contestants who live in Nashville: Bucky Covington, Phil Stacey, Bo Bice.

Which one of those three would you most want to hook up with?

My answer: Phil Stacey. Should I be embarrassed?

OK, back to eliminations. Syesha's up. Safe, surprisingly.

Down to Jason and Brooke.

Brooke's in the bottom 3!

ramiele, kristy enter bottom 3

Back to results.

David Cook is up. We get a recap of his trip to the hospital. Damage control again. He claims the whole thing got blown out of proportion. But he's safe, predictably, again this week.

Here's Ramiele. I say she's in trouble. Correct!

She's in the bottom 3.

Next up: Kristy Lee. She's holding a sign that says "Kristy's seat" for her chair in the bottom 3. Wow. That's annoying. And very fatalistic. But she's right!

Another bottom 3 seat filled.

Note: I thought Paula was a little mean when she said, "I thought that Ramiele had a good night for Ramiele."

results still dim

Groan. Question and answer session.

We learn Syesha misses hanging out with her family and friends, David Cook is disorganized and Randy wants to work with the winner of AI.

Oh, and Simon apologizes to never, ever apologize again after giving a negative critique.

Cue performance by the still-unknown Clark Brothers. They sing "This Little Light of Mine," and I think I performed a better rendition at third-grade Vacation Bible School. That banjo playing is pretty sweet, though.

Ford commercial. The gang plays basketball to "It's Tricky." At least Brooke isn't dancing.

safe: michael, archuleta, carly

Obligatory recap.

OK, judgment time. First up: Michael Johns. Safe.

Archuleta. Safe. Carly. Safe.

No surprises yet.

That's all for now.

all in a day's work

Here we go!

Things kick off with an especially uncomfortable group rendition of "9 to 5." Chikezie was supposed to sing this had he not been eliminated last week. Awkward. Something tells me he's laughing, crying or cursing right now. Or all of the above.

Anyway, this performance is awkward. Especially when the finalists decide to flank the judges. So glad it's over.

Thoughts?

almost results time!

Tonight's show starts at 9 p.m. on Fox. Dolly Parton, as well as The Clark Brothers, will perform. The Clark Brothers won the Fox reality competition "The Next Great American Band."

I'll be blogging live as usual.

I say bottom three is Syesha, Ramiele and Kristy Lee. Ramiele should go home.

Need to kill some time before the show? Check out this collection of Dolly Parton jokes. A sample:

How can you spot Dolly's children in a crowd?

They're the ones with stretch marks around their mouths.

Wow. How much do you want to bet that that joke will be funnier than tonight's Ford commercial?

get well soon!

Rocker David Cook was rushed to the hospital after last night's episode of AI, articles like this one report.

It was reportedly a result of heart palpitations induced by high blood pressure.

Sources attribute the health problems largely to stress. Cook's brother is battling cancer, sources report.

Cook has been released from the hospital and was "doing fine" as of this posting, according to People magazine.

gone country

What a night. Honestly, I was expecting country night to be more of a disaster, but most of the contestants delivered.

The majority of odd moments came courtesy of the judges, rather than the contstants. What did you think of Simon's criticism of Carly's wardrobe? Paula's repeated use of "glorious"? Kristy Lee's decision to talk back to Simon?

Awkwardness aside, here are my rankings:

1. Michael Johns

2. David Cook

3. Carly Smithson

4. David Archuleta

5. Jason Castro

6. Brooke White

7. Syesha Mercado

8. Kristy Lee Cook

9. Ramiele Malubay

michael: so wrong, so right

Michael Johns gets the coveted last spot of the night. Dolly really loves him.

Song: "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right"

Me: Wow. I love this guy. This is a really good one, definitely his best of the top 12 portion of the show. It's even better than his Queen tunes last week, and this heartfelt, unpretentious performance has me sold almost immediately. One of the night's standouts, and I love the bluesy guitar in the background. Mmm.

Randy: "That was a blazing hot performance."

Paula: "You're a star, a rock star, a blues star."

Simon: "I think this is the best I have heard you sing."

will you love syesha?

Next, Syesha Mercado, who for some reason is crying when she explains her song choice. Also, I'm not exactly sure that Dolly liked her.

Song: "I Will Always Love You"

Me: Groan. I did NOT want her to sing this song. On the plus side, though, she didn't go overboard on the belting as I predicted. The beginning was good, and even a little original. And I did like the (self-indulgent) high note at the end. But it still wasn't Whitney Houston caliber, and that will hurt her.

Randy: "I think you did pretty good. It was all right."

Paula: "You're connecting with the audience so much more."

Simon: "It was a good, it was a fantastic, version of the song."

kristy lee's true colors

Here's Kristy Lee Cook. Dolly Parton says she'll make her mom proud. Hmm.

Song: "Coat of Many Colors"

Me: On a week that was supposed to be Kristy's genre of choice, she sure picked a pretty safe song. It's good, but for the majority of the performance I found myself waiting for something big to happen -- a high note, a dramatic change in tempo -- and it never did. She could have earned more fans, but she'll probably just teeter on the edge of elimination again.

Randy: "I think you gave a very nice performance."

Paula: "I think this is your best performance."

Simon: "I think last week was your best performance. I think this week was pleasant, but forgettable."

memories of david a.

OK, brace yourself for David Archuleta, who says his song this week gave him chills. Um, because his dad picked it?

Song: "Smoky Mountain Memories"

Me: Wow. Another slow inspirational song from David. At least he picked something good this week, and it does sound better than other songs he's done during the top 12 stage. Nice, on par vocally, but predictable. That's all.

Randy: "David Archuleta is back tonight."

Paula: "You're just glorious"

Simon: "This week, absolutely on the money."

here comes carly

Time for Carly Smithson, who still kinda looks like she's preggers.

Song: "Here You Come Again"

Me: It's a performance that starts well and ends VERY well, but the melody to me got lost a bit in the middle. Yeah, I understand this was supposed to show off Carly's incredible range and everything, but I still like her better when she's rocking out and not being as showy. But at least it seems genuinely heartfelt and better than last week.

Randy: "That will probably be one of the better performances of the night."

Paula: "That was glorious."

Simon: "I thought it was good, I didn't think it was great...I also think you need to have a word, Carly, with whoever's dressing you at this point."

jason travels through

Next up: Jason Castro, who's received a bunch of postcards from the same girl. Um, Lisa?

Song: "Travelin' Through"

Me: Jason needed to redeem himself in my rankings this week, and this performance helps. It's nice, not "Hallelujah" caliber, but a good departure from the slow kinda weepy stuff he's been leaning on. Pretty good as a whole. Though nondescript at times, it's at least enough to put me back on the Jason bandwagon.

Randy: "It was pretty good."

Paula: "This was one of your strongest performances."

Simon: "I didn't like that at all."

ramiele crosses our minds

Here's Ramiele, who seems nervous to be working with Dolly.

Song: "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind"

Me: It's better energy than what we've gotten out of Ramiele in past weeks, but at least for the first half of the song, the background music seems to overpower her voice. I like that it's not a cheesy ballad, but at the same time this song doesn't do enough to showcase perhaps Ramiele's greatest strength -- her belting. Mediocre, but not a totally worthless effort.

Randy: "I thought it was a pretty good performance."

Paula: "You really connected with the audience."

Simon: "We're not going to remember this in 10 years time, are we?" Cruise ship reference, too.

david c. spreads his wings

Time for David Cook, who does some damage control by admitting he's been performing covers of covers. But he'll be doing his own arrangement tonight. Interesting.

Song: "Little Sparrow"

Me: OK, I do not like him on those high notes. That aside, the performance is good overall, but not exactly the quality of things we've seen from him in the past. Can't say I'm entirely sold on it. It has David Cook's rocker edge, but I don't know...something kind of seems missing for me. Like he's trying too hard or something. Anyway, he'll be safe. And probably in the night's top 3.

Randy: "Another hot performance."

Paula: "It was fantastic."

Simon: "If you can make a song about sparrows good, which actually you did, congratulations."

brooke takes on jolene

It's on!

What did you guys think of Seacrest's April Fool's joke?

Wow...Dolly Parton is sooo cute. I love her, plastic surgery and all.

Anyway, straight into the music. First up, Brooke White who calls Dolly Parton "huge." Dolly seems to like her.

Song: "Jolene"

Me: Good song choice, and I'm glad to see her take the stage with the guitar instead of the piano this week. It's pretty much classic Brooke, although maybe a bit more up tempo than what we've seen in recent weeks -- "Here Comes the Sun" aside. I guess I'm satisfied overall, though I could have used a few more surprises and things got a bit predictable toward the end. Slightly a bit too dominated by the chorus. But decent.

Randy: "It was all right."

Paula: "You're consistent. You are who you are."

Simon: "Actually, I think what was lacking on that song was any emotion."

spoilers!

Click here to get tonight's spoiler song choices.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

See you soon...get those comments ready!

will dolly blow up?

Don't forget that tonight's show, featuring mentor Dolly Parton, starts at 8 p.m. on Fox. I'll blog live as usual.

I don't have too many predictions for the show, but I do really hope that Syesha sings something other than "I Will Always Love You." ANYTHING. In fact, maybe I will even vote for her simply for NOT performing it.

Logically, it seems as if the chosen genre -- country -- would make this the week for Kristy Lee to totally impress us. That probably won't happen. I say she delivers a mediocre performance, just enough to secure her lukewarm reviews from the judges and safety for another week.

(On a sadder note, Season 5 finalist Elliott Yamin's mother has died. Read the full story here.)