That's the Elvis song you picked?

Rock-and-Roll seemed like a huge category, but I see they are picking from the "influential" list.

RANDOM THOUGHTS: I'm glad the judges will be giving comments after both songs, not just the second. That was a nightmare. I'm always a little surprised to see who the judges are trying to get into the final few weeks. For someone who usually thinks with dollar signs, Simon makes some dubious choices at times. More on that later. I'm glad Ryan didn't actually shake his hips after Syesha's performance. That would have been too much from which to recover. No mentor--so, a 30-minute results show tonight? Was Carly trying to reverse the effects of criticism toward Jason by giving him the standing O (and I don't mean Oprah on her feet), or was she applauding Simon's decision to trash Jason, thereby ensuring his place in the Top 3?

David Cook: This should have been his night, and it was to an extent, but he did not blow me away either time. Part of the problem is that we're so accustomed to his consistently solid performances that it's tough to wow us week in and week out. I'd agree his first offering was a good rendition, but nothing original. I really like the whole feel of the second performance and don't see any way he doesn't make it to the finale. Stranger things have happened, but there really is no way he's pulling a Daughtry in Week 4.

Syesha Mercado: The selections were quite predictable, which is what we've come to expect, but she did a nice job on both. The whole way through "Proud Mary" I thought it was a bit manic, and you could see her trying to channel Tina Turner. It was a gutsy choice that worked. I won't even try to compete with what Boquinha's already said, but yeah, her interview bit the big one. Even if you feel yourself in that song, do not ever, ever try to draw comparison between a talent competition and the Civil Rights Movement. And yes, that's with a capital C.R.M. Among the worst aspects of the second song experience: 1. The aforementioned parallels between a fluffy, call-in talent show and the beginning of a multiple decades-long struggle for equality; 2. The fact that she did not offer a single comment after her performance that was not already mentioned in the interview (as if it was scripted); 3. Paula's standing ovation--it was a good performance but I've seen a lot that were better; 4. Simon's insistence on getting Syesha to the next round, not even thinking that she is a mediocre recording talent at best, whatever her fantastic potential may be in musical theater. Is that enough? It's all I've got for now. Oh, did I mention that I actually think she deserves to get to the next round on the performances alone? It pains me to say so, but I can call a spade a spade.

Jason Castro: What the hell happened to him? In the group numbers he seems like he feels out of place, so maybe he's done now. Maybe the last weeks were tough enough that he's done. I don't know. All I know is he lost his edge completely. Bob Marley is not A.I. material, especially not a song about shooting law enforcement officers. Doesn't work on this stage. If he hadn't forgotten the lyrics the second song would have been a top 3 performance tonight, but alas, he blew it. He'll do well outside of the competition since he is one of the two unique contestants left. I'm fairly certain he will outsell anything Syesha records.

David Archuleta: On vocal talent alone he is the best in the group, but his performances are boring already. I'm so shocked he picked the songs he did. And why the seagulls and crickets a la "Mormon Miracle" in Salt Lake City? He'll probably get to the finale, but I'm not seeing any growth in the competition and I'm a bit tired of the Melinda Doolittle-ish humble act. He may actually be that uncomfortable with the praise, but at some point if he is going to be a huge star, he's got to accept it and show a bit more enthusiasm. Justice puts him in the finale, but he stands a good chance of coming in second.

MY TOPS: David Cook.
A SAD FAREWELL TO: Jason Castro

Can't wait to see how Clive Davis and Paula Abdul sabotage the future of some contestant with their crappy song choices next week.