Top 4 Minus 1 - Maroon 5 and Bo Bice Perform!

David A. is first on the spot, and is safe, of course.

David C. is next. No mystery here. He's safe.

Jason and Syesha take the stage.

Now let's see just how strong Jason's fanbase really is.

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The phone calls are entertaining, as usual. I love that the girl from Pittsburgh asked out David C.

And Simon as the next James Bond. LOL!

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Bo Bice is sounding good!

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Okay, Jason and Syesha. Somebody stole my joke about Jason shooting the tambourine man. Jason's fans are not enough, which restores my faith in the voting system somewhat. Syesha makes it to the top three, and I think she's earned it.

See you next week!

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.

Are you freaking kidding me??

This isn't a review of what they sang. This is simply a review. Or rather a missive to each of them.

David Cook,

You are a solid rocker, a fantastic performer, and whatever you do, you'll do fine because you, sir, are phenomenal. And your hair looks better than when you started, so that's a big bonus. I think you're great.

*****

Jason Castro,

My dear boy, I've loved your voice from the start and even your look has grown on me as simultaneously beautiful and handsome (and that is saying a lot since at first you reminded me of a girl friend of mine from years ago). Your "Hallelujah" and your "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" have been show stoppers in their own poignant way. Sigh, Jason, sadly I think your time is up, but your album is still the first I'd buy. Your style, your lovable and charming quirkiness, your pure and tender voice. You are the heart of this competition and I love that. So, yes, pack your bags (those stupid judges could've grilled you a little less before your second song, eh?), but be ready to sell albums, because there are many of us who are so buying them.

*****

David Archuleta,

You are vocally wonderful and your tone is beautiful. However, if I'm being honest, I'm a bit bored and have been for some time. I seriously sometimes consider fast forwarding on our TiVo. And if I hadn't seen old YouTube videos of you as a Star Search child, I would've rooted harder for you, but alas, your story is not one of those endearing ones of a humble, sweet young diabetic kid who is deaf in one ear and doesn't even know he's good yet gets discovered by his boss when that boss overhears him singing while he stocks shelves at the local drug store. Yours is a story of a rather intense father who has primed you as a singer and groomed you for television cameras. It seems all so contrived. Too bad really. You otherwise seem totally adorable and lovable. I worry for you and what you've already been through--you have an almost-comatose look as if you're already on some sort of antidepressant drug. I hope you're not. So, that being said, The Powers That Be will have you in the finale because they know the teeny-boppers adore you. And hey, you can sing to boot. So, see you in two weeks. As for your seagull T-shirt, I'll let my husband comment on that one.

*****

Syesha Mercado,

Are you freaking kidding me?! You know, I don't really like you. I haven't liked you for a long time. And I'm astounded that you are the last girl standing. That honor should've gone quite deservedly to Carly. Or Danny Noriega (I miss him). And even though I find you pretentious, full of yourself, closed and defensive to criticism, and a big time diva, I've been able to say when you've done well, which you have the past couple of weeks. And even tonight, it pained me to admit that I thought your first performance was pretty darn good. I was actually starting to give you props.

But then. But then! I'm almost speechless. And again I ask, are you freaking kidding me?? Did you really just compare the pivotal and sad time in our country's history of the civil right's movement to your own experience of not getting eliminated on a reality TV talent show? Did I seriously hear that correctly? I tried to give you the benefit of the doubt that no you did not just do that. But then. But then! You did it again! You said it again!! And this time with tears! You, on live television, sobbed overcome not by the emotion of the great Sam Cook or his posthumous and moving protest song which most regard as his greatest composition. No, you cried because you almost got kicked off American Idol! You didn't cry because of the injustices of your own race and the changes that have come much too slowly (and still so very wrongly delayed) through the years. You cried because you think *you've* been changing. Heaven help us all.

Any iota of respect I've had flew out the window with tonight's interviews. When you were crying, I thought you'd been moved by the meaning of the song. But you were moved by your own pretty reflection in the mirror! And I am . . . speechless. I cannot believe that The Powers That Be have helped orchestrate the fiasco that is possibly you in the top 3. Do you deserve it vocally based on tonight? Sure, because Jason sucked big time and even flubbed the lyrics like a cherry on top. But if, by some miracle, you make it into the finale itself, or worse yet, actually win this thing, I'll know that you were inspired. By you. How the voters haven't LaToya Londoned your behind off the show, I do not know.

*****

Tops for me tonight--personal preference: David Cook
Bottom: Jason (love him, but I think he'd like to be done now)
A bit bored by: David Archuleta
Are you freaking kidding me??: Syesha

Top 4 - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

David C. - 'Hungry Like A Wolf' - A Steppenwolf joint that suits his voice, but it lacks the fireworks one might expect at this stage. Decent, not great. Randy agrees. Paula's appetite is piqued. Simon calls it "good enough to get you through."

Syesha - 'Proud Mary' - A good song for her dramatic flair. Her performance is a little better than her singing, but that ain't bad, either. Randy and Paula love it. Simon thought it a bad impersonation of Tina Turner. There's some truth to that.

Jason - 'I Shot The Sheriff' - The song matches his dreads. He gives it quite a twist in his stylings, but I don't think they worked, rhythmically, as well as the original arrangement. Randy didn't "get it." Paula gives props for his performing to the audience well. Simon calls his arrangement "atrocious." This makes about four mediocre performances in a row, by my count, and his fan base may not be enough to save him, at this point.

David A. - 'Stand By Me' - A good song choice, if somewhat safe. He does well at putting his personal twist on it. Good, as always, and better than David C.'s first effort tonight. The judges like it unanimously. Simon thought he struggled toward the end, but still calls it "best of the night" so far, which it was.

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David C. - 'Baba O'Reilly' - A Who song which fits his range, and he does well by it, though it could have been much better if he had more time. Still, it is now the best song of the night. Randy loved it. Paula wants more. Simon welcomes him back.

Syesha - 'A Change Is Going To Come' - Her beautiful, buxom dress is only a mild distraction. She does very well with the song. Randy didn't love it. Paula makes her cry with recognition of her own changes over the weeks, which is exactly why she chose that song. Simon seconds Paula's opinion. Call it over dramatic if you will, but I think she was being totally genuine.

Jason - 'Tambourine Man' - Forgetting the lyrics puts the lid on his coffin. Aside from that, his performance was mediocre, at best. There's really nothing the judges can say, so Randy puts it to him to judge himself. Paula clarifies that she likes him for having gotten this far. Simon suggests he pack. The feeling I got from this kid is someone who has always been relying on his cuteness-loving fanbase, and has somehow thought that to be enough to get by without really working on things. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that he'd been out partying and doing drugs for the last several weeks instead of rehearsing. True or not, that's the kind of vibe I get from him.

David A. - 'Love Me Tender' - An Elvis song that he makes his own as a ballad. I like this best of all tonight. The strength and innocence of his voice is just amazing. The judges loved it.


Top: David A.

Middle: David C. and Syesha - your choice for second place tonight.

Leaving: Jason, who shot both the sheriff and the tambourine man.