Elimination night on "Idol"

We start with the group sing, "One Sweet Day." Is David A. wearing a Members Only jacket?
Tonight we are forming groups to the left and right. David Cook is on one side and Jason is on the other side. Hmmm.... Carly joins Jason. Kristy joins David.
Eliot Yamin sings after the break. He's pretty good. I may be softening on this whole thing. Oh my God, his mother just died.
Syesha joins Jason and Carly. Brooke joins David and Kristy.
I don't understand how they act like they haven't read the question five minutes ago.
Mariah Carey sings for about five hours. I think I died in the middle there.
Now David has to be placed with a new family, no, group. Ryan asks him if he's happy. Wow, these guys really read the rumors. Now, David A. is told he is safe, David C. and Syesha are swapped, and Ryan tells David A. to join the group that is safe. Oh my God! He sits in the middle of the stage. Good for him. It turns out David C., Jason and Carly are safe.
Brooke, Kristy and Syesha are the bottom 3. Syesha is quickly moved to the safe zone. God, now the judges have to say if America got it right again. This is too much.

KRISTY is finally GONE! Thank God. She should have been gone weeks ago. How can she be crying?

"American Idol" top 7

Mariah Carey is the mentor tonight. She has sold more songs than Elvis, which is just so incredibly wrong. I have always said Mariah is the ultimate "American Idol" inspiration. She oversings everything and lives this fabulous life. She starts out telling the top 7 how she is not a diva. Nice try.

David Archuleta
Song: When You Believe
Gossip Girl says: Randy said "you can sing anything! That was the bomb, baby!" Paula said she thinks Mariah was proud of him. Simon said he would have bet a million dollars he would do that song, and he did a good job. He also said "I have a feeling there aren't going to be a lot of laughs tonight" (which I found hilarious).
I think: She tells him to use more range in his voice. Shocker. I think he sounds ridiculous.

Carly Smithson
Song: Without You
Gossip Girl says: Randy said he likes that she challenged herself, but he thought she sounded unsure of herself in the beginning. Paula liked that she showed some vocal restraint (hee!) and it made her sound good. Simon said he looked forward to her singing this song and he thought she didn't pull it off, and he pulled back too much in the end.
I think: Can I just say she looks great tonight? (She. Covered. Up. the. Tattoo.) She says how much everyone misses Michael. She sounds pretty good tonight, too. Oddly enough, to me she sounds a little restrained. Maybe the material suits her.

Syesha Mercado
Song: Vanishing
Gossip Girl says: Randy said she always sings the toughest song, and he thought she pulled it off. Paula said she has been extremely smart, she picked a song many people don't know, and she uses her voice well. Simon said technically it was very, very good indeed, but he questioned her choosing an unknown song.
I think: I gotta say she was the one I was dreading this week. She was aight, althought I don't care for the song, that appears to have three words, and one is "whoa-oa-oa-oa-oa."

Brooke White
Song: Hero
Gossip Girl says: Randy liked the "singer/songwriter look." Paula said she was authentic, and it was a brave thing to do. Both of them mentioned the off notes. Simon said she didn't have much choice, but it was like ordering a hamburger and just getting the bun. He said the vital ingredient was missing; she didn't have the voice to pull it off.
I think: She missed her own sister's wedding for this show. She is pretty restrained as well, which I have a feeling won't be popular with the judges. I, however, thought the song was as good as it could be this way.

Kristy Lee Cook
Song: Forever
Gossip Girl says: Randy didn't think it was amazing, but she definitely started stepping up toward the end. Paula said she is a very smart girl, and she was blown away. Simon said she was probably not happy it was Mariah week, and she didn't give him chills and it was whiny in parts.
I think: She can't believe she gave Mariah Carey goosebumps. I can't either. To me this is a big blank space in the evening, but it usually is.

David Cook
Song: Always Be My Baby
Gossip Girl says: Randy said he is the most ready to make an album, and he gave him a standing O. Paula said it could be to a movie soundtrack right now, and he's "it." Simon said it was like "coming out of karaoke hell and into the fresh air." He said it is the sign of a true artist.
I think: He sounds the most like a guy trying to sing Mariah Carey to me. He pulls it together by the end. And he seems the most like a real person this week, and he is overcome with emotion at hoe it went over.

Jason Castro
Song: I Don't Want to Cry
Gossip Girl says: Randy said he felt like he was at a weird beach luau (best comment of the night, although I disagree). Paula said she would love to be at that luau all night long (yow!). Simon said he agrees with Paula, it was unique and "the guys totally won the night."
I think: She said she hopes he uses the ideas she had for him. Wow, that is pretty cool. I thought he did great, because it was his version.

I actually thought David A. was the best.

"Idol" inspiration night

Michael Johns
Song: Dream On
Judge, jury and executioner: Randy said he had pitch problems and it was all right. Paula said she couldn't disagree more, because it was a perfect song, and he sounds as good as he looks. Simon said it was a very good performance, but he didn't like that he was impersonating a rock star.
I think: He didn't bring anything to it, but he handled the vocal, which isn't an easy one. And he's so pretty.

Syesha Mercado
Song: I Believe
Judge, jury and executioner: Randy said it was OK. Fantasia has a better connection to the audience. Paula said she flipped it and made it her own, and this is one of her shining nights. Simon said technically she sang it very well but it didn't have a wave of emotion.
I think: I hate her song choices.

Jason Castro
Song: Over the Rainbow
Judge, jury and executioner: Randy said "Jason Castro is back in the hunt! That was blazin' hot!" Paula said he has the most definitive sound, and it was the perfect. Simon said it was "fantastic!"
I think: I LOVE this version, and actually squealed like a little girl when he started. I love his song choices.

Kristy Lee Cook
Song: Anyway
Judge, jury and executioner: Randy said it was a little pitchy, but it was really good. Paula said she outdid herself tonight and was excellent. Simon said with a choice this broad you have an opportunity to prove yourself, and she did it.
I think: She looks really pretty, and sang well. Still, she bores me to death.

When they came back from commercial, a man was sitting on Simon's lap. Ohhhkaaayyy...

David Cook
Song: Innocent
Judge, jury and executioner: Randy said it wasn't his strongest week, and he didn't get it. Paula said he was still really good tonight, and she believes in him. Simon said he didn't like the performance at all and it was teensy bit pompous.
I think: This is the first time I can remember not liking him at all. He could be in trouble.

Carly Smithson
Song: The Show Must Go On
Judge, jury and executioner: Randy said it was just OK. Paula said she wasn't feeling the connection tonight. Simon said she looks good but it was an unusual choice of song and she lost control of it.
I think: Here she goes again with the over-singing. And Put. Some. Sleeves. On.

David Archuleta
Song: Angels
Judge, jury and executioner: Randy said "this was David Archuleta's hottest moment" tonight. Paula agreed with Randy. Simon said it was the best song choice of the night, but it wasn't his best vocal. He admitted he was nitpicking, though.
I think: He sounded great tonight. Beautiful song, too.

Brooke White
Song: You've Got a Friend
Judge, jury and executioner: Randy said he liked it, but it wasn't her best performance. Paula said it's one of her favorite songs growing up, and she was "definitive." Simon said it was "a pleasant walk in the park" and it was "nice."
I think: She is not bringing anything to this song, plus she's kind of holding back.

Best of the night: JASON!

Elimination night on "Idol"

Ryan reveals this season's mentors: Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Neil Diamond.
Then the group sing, which is less awful than last week, and last night, in a lot of ways.
Brooke first goes the top 10. Carly is the first person put in the bottom three. Randy and Paula are mad at you, America.
David A. is the next one to go to the top 10. Michael defends his singing of "A Day in the Life" before he makes it to the top 10. Kristy is gone, then?
The filler is showing the making of ... the Ford commercial. Blast you, filler! Still, David C. appears to be having the time of his life playing the director. Ramiele describes it as "a fun day off!" Oh girl, you need a life. Still, the commercial is kinda cute.
David C. makes the top 10. Kristy makes the bottom three, again. Jason makes the top 10. Ramiele makes the top 10.
Commercial time. Actually Fox, NO "Unhitcheds" are more than enough.
Tonight the questioner wants to know why Simon doesn't spend any money on clothes. Simon responds it was a rude question. Apparently Simon has a million-dollar car. And he would kiss Paula again. Ramiele likes R. Kelly. Oh, the things we are learning. Michael says "Idol" has been much more stressful than he was expecting.
Next we catch up with Kellie Pickler, who has a really good life now. She performs her song "Red High Heels." It's a little pitchy, dawg. She sings to Simon, who grins at her.
Next Fantasia and Eliot go to Angola to show how the money from last year's "Idol Gives Back " was used. They distribute nets there. Eliot learns that a baby in town was named after him, and he cries. It's sweet.
Syesha makes the top 10. Next, Amanda and Chikezie come out. Chikezie is safe. Amanda is in the bottom three.
Carly makes the top 10. Kristy is the last one in the top 10.
So I guess we won't get that version of "Free Bird" after all.

"Idol" meets the Beatles, part two

Hey, you know what had something to do with the Beatles and was GOOD? "Across the Universe." Seriously, see it, it rocks.
Now, for this.

Amanda Overmyer
Song: Back in the U.S.S.R.
The peanut gallery: Randy says it was the perfect song for her, but it was pitchy at the beginning. "7 out of 10!" Paula said she was ahead of the beat some, but she was unique. She said she wants to see her do a ballad. Simon said it was predictable, a bit of a mess in parts and she is doing the same thing week after week. He thinks she's in trouble.
I think: I still say this woman has one move, and I am getting tired of it. (Simon and I are together again.)

Kristy Lee Cook
Song: You've Got to Hide Your Love Away
The peanut gallery: Randy said it was an interesting arrangement and it was kind of boring and safe. Paula said it's best to stick with the usual arrangements, and it was too safe. Simon said she needs hypnosis because she's not a good performer, and she's like musical wallpaper. Ugh! She said "the whole Beatles thing" is new to her. Shut up, Kristy.
I think: I don't like the arrangement at all. It's a simple song and she and the band are overdoing it.

David Archuleta
Song: The Long and Winding Road
The peanut gallery: Randy said they audience was right to go crazy because the hotness is back. Still, he said he needs to make it his own. Paula said it was the most exciting performance and it reveals his character to come back from a bad week. Simon said this week he was amazing.
I think: Kind of a boring song, but he's back on his game.

Now, we have live commercials for iPhone and Coke. Sheesh.

Michael Johns
Song: A Day in the Life
The peanut gallery: Randy said it isn't one of his best performances. He has to let his voice take over. Paula said she caught dress rehearsal and it was phenomenal. She thinks the monitors are hurting his performance (but he wasn't wearing it! so she said their is no excuse). Simon said it was a mess, he didn't hit the right notes, and it didn't work as a minute and a half.
I think: He is doing the "woke up, got out of bed" part! I wondered how he'd pull this song together for 90 seconds. He is making a big ol' mess out of it. (Simon and I are in sync again.)

Brooke White
Song: Here Comes the Sun
The peanut gallery: Randy said the performance was awkward, and the "whoo!" kind of slipped out and it didn't gel together. Paula said you can't help but smile when you listen to her, and it showed off her low notes. But she should not play it so safe. Simon said he just knew she'd be wearing yellow, and said the performance was horrible. (She tells the audience not to give the judges a hard time, which is awesome.)
I think: She is not doing much different with the song, but it suits her. I never thought I'd like her so much.

David Cook
Song: Day Tripper
The peanut gallery: Randy said he keeps it interesting, and he's throwing picks in the crowd. He said it was "another solid look for David Cook." Paula said there's nothing else to say, he's ready to go sell records. Simon said it's not as good as David thought it was, the voice box was stupid, and he's lost his element of surprise a little.
I think: He is another surprising person to me. I never thought I'd like him as much as I do, but ever since "Hello" he's been knocking them out of the park (with a voice box no less!). This is the best performance of the night.

Carly Smithson
Song: Blackbird
The peanut gallery: Randy said it was very nice and controlled. He loved it and said it was cool. Paula said the arrangement was beautiful and everyone is challenging each other. Simon said the song choice was not very smart, it was indulgent, and she just totally interrupted him! I don't believe it!
I think: She needs to keep her overwrought voice reined in and do something nice. Now, if she only had kept it up the whole song, and covered up the ugly tattoo. And she really lays on the Irish accent when she's on stage.

Jason Castro
Song: Michelle
The peanut gallery: Randy said it was a good choice, but kind of subdued, and he didn't really connect with it. Paula said he has a distinct charm, and he gets a little disconnected without his guitar. Simon said tonight is a weird show, and it's getting a bit strange. He also said Jason's face sold that, that he's "very charming and not obnoxious."
I think: This is very solid. I loved it.

Syesha Mercado
Song: Yesterday
The peanut gallery: Randy said it was a very good performance and she took some liberties. Paula said she let herself be vulnerable and it sets her apart. Simon said it was her best performance so far, because she chose the best song and arrangement.
I think: This is such an easy song to make boring, and she did it here.

Chikezie
Song: I've Just Seen a Face
The peanut gallery: Randy said it was a weird arrangement (agreed!) and he didn't like the slow part (disagreed!). Paula said it showed all sides of Chikezie. Simon said it started OK but the harmonica was "literally atrocious" and it turns into "Achy Breaky Heart" at the end! Hee! He said it was gimmicky.
I think: I liked it better slow, because the fast version is just like last week's "She's a Woman," which was really great.

Ramiele Malubay
Song: I Should Have Known Better
The peanut gallery: Randy said he liked it and it showed her confidence. Paula said definitely better than last week, but the ballads show her range. Simon said it sounded like Chikezie was on harmonica. He said it was a mediocre song (oh, snap!) and didn't show the best of her ability so "it is what it is."
I think: I love this song, and it's really fun, and she is not ruining it. She's doing better than the last couple of weeks.

I think Michael is out and Jason and David Cook were the best of the night.

Top 12 Girls on "Idol"

The Hell of '60s Night continues

Kristy Lee Cook
Song: Rescue Me
Survey says: Randy thinks it wasn't her best performance. Pitchy. Paula said she shouldn't let them see her sweat. She has the flu and went first, but she has to make sure to hide that. Simon said she was robotic, and that Paula has performed while sick, so Kristy should be able to.
I think: Bor-ing!

Joanne Borgella
Song: I Say a Little Prayer
Survey says: Randy said it was pretty good, she got it together at the end. She seemed unsure. Paula said she was not as confident. Simon didn't like it at all. He said she has to come out and nail it, and her parents give him the death stare.
I think: I like her. Not her best moment, but she won't be the worst tonight.

Alaina Whitaker
Song: More Today than Yesterday
Survey says: Randy said it's the year of the young ones and it was like "what?!" Paula said she was very joyful. Simon said he hated the song but she was really good, and she'll sail through to the next round.
I think: To me she is a dead ringer for Carrie Underwood, which seems bad. She performed well though.

Amanda Overmyer
Song: Baby, Please Don't Go
Survey says: Randy loved it, and the trousers. Paula said she loves everything she does. Simon said he really likes her, too. He does wonder if she forgot the lyrics, and said it wasn't her best.
I think: I can't understand her half the time. The band is louder than her. She has stage presence though, and is totally unique.

Amy Davis
Song: Where the Boys Are
Survey says: Randy said she didn't scoop up the notes properly. Whatever. Paula said the camera loves her (hell yeah), but it was lackluster. Simon said the song was boring and cabaret.
I think: She is all over the place, and seems out of tune to me. Too bad, she's gorgeous. Worst of the night so far.

Brooke White
Song: Happy Together
Survey says: Randy said it started a little rough and it came together at the end. She "slayed" it by the end. Paula said it's about originality and she has her own thing. She said she picked the right song. Simon said he feels like he's in a commercial for "washing up liquid" from the '60s. He said he presumes she is going to be nice and Brooke asks "is that OK?" and he said "not really."
I think: She sounds solid to me.

Alexandrea Lushington
Song: Spinning Wheels
Survey says: Randy said she blew the doors off that and it was hot. Paula said she controlled the whole performance and she was very confident. Simon didn't get it, the vocals weren't great and it was like one of those horrible little '60s musicals.
I think: She's off key. Love the dancing and the peace-sign earring is to die for. though.

Kady Malloy
Song: A Groovy Kind of Love
Survey says: Randy said the song was OK, too restrained and controlled, and she got lost a little in the song. Paula said she looks really pretty, but she wants to see the fun Kady. Simon agrees with Paula and said it was "like 'Night of the Living Dead.'" He said she has to lighten up.
I think: She has weird, dead eyes, and she's boring.

Asia'h Epperson
Song: Piece of My Heart
Survey says: Randy said she made the song her own. Paula said she had some really good moments. Simon said it was his favorite of the night, because she let go.
I think: She is kicking ass. She made the song original.

Ramiele Malubay
Song: You Don't Have to Say You Love Me
Survey says: Randy said she took her time, and built it up to the end. Very classy, almost like a pro. Paula said she is a force to be reckoned with, and performed well. Simon said he didn't like her when he first saw her, but tonight she outsung (sic) everyone.
I think: Best of the night so far.

Syesha Mercado
Song: Tobacco Road
Survey says: Randy said it's not his favorite performance, but it was consistent. Paula said she was definitely consistent. Simon agrees not the best performance, but it doesn't matter because she is probably one of the most talented girls. She tried hard, which was lacking in some of the others.
I think: She and Ramiele are my favorites of the women. Syesha is so kick ass, she has a great look, and she's powerful but not annoying, like some "big" singers.

Carly Smithson
Song: The Shadow of Your Smile
Survey says: Randy said that's what the show is all about, and she is the best vocal of the top 24. Paula said she is the lucky coin in the pocket, she is reliable. Simon said he didn't get it, and there's so much hype about her, but it was a letdown.
I think: I think she's too much, personally, but the judges love her.

Best of the night: Brooke, Asia'h, Ramiele, Syesha