I was watching hockey and missed most of American Idol.

I saw Seyeshia and Casrly and David Cook. I thought Seyeshia did a great job but was totally blown away by David cook I really didn't think he had that in him. I saw part of brooke's mistake and then I flipped away

So, first off, Kristen's gym is the coolest place on the planet, and I would kill to take a class with Robin and some of the PCD (either in the group or from the clubs).

Now then, on to AI. I had to watch on delay because I worked until 9:30. Joy. But it made for interesting viewing. I FFed all the judges comments and Seacrest banter. But I found I missed it and will not do that again.

Syesha Mercado – One Rock and Roll Too Many

OMG! She sounded amazing. What has she done to herself? She’s gone and learned how to sing with conviction and restraint. Y’all, I think I am actually starting to . . . gulp . . . really like Syesha Mercado. Where did that come from? It was a great song choice for her. I’ve never seen Starlight Express so I was completely unfamiliar with the song, but I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed that. (What? It’s roller skates. I only want to see that if Olivia Newton-John and muses are involved. With neon auras and the whole kit and caboodle)

Jason Castro – Memory

Oh, I love this song. However, I fear this choice for him. Well, I think he didn’t sing the first couple of lines badly, but he really scraped the bottom of the barrel as he transitioned into the bridge. And once he got off pitch, he never got back on. Oh, my, that bridge was bad y’all. And then in the last verse his voice got very . . . hmmm, what am I looking for? Whiny. That’s it. It was like listening to Fran Drescher try to do Patty Lupone doing one of Marge’s sisters on the Simpsons. Wow, that was distinctly not good. I think my beautiful boy might be in trouble.

Brooke White – You Must Love Me

I do adore this song. Wait, she biffed it again! She did the start over again! That is insane. I just . . . don’t know what to do with that. Endearing or ridiculous? You make the call. So, starting again didn’t seem to help much because the low notes still got the better of her. And she’s doing the Madonna-ized version. Ok. But, you know, it’s not half bad. I mean, it’s very, well, Madonna-ized. But that’s what she’s going for, so. I thought it was ok. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it. And I really don’t know what to do with the do over.

David Archuleta – Think of Me

Well from the jump, it’s better than I expected because the song is not a dirge. He’s kinda poppin’ it up – well as much as he seems capable of. And as usual, his voice is just lovely. I guess this is what counts as rockin’ in Archie-land. Y’all, his lower register is really, really lookin’ shady. He just skates those low notes. So this was just as D’Archie himself is. Pleasant, beautifully sung, but, the EEEEE? She is no more. I am bored by D’Archie. Cute as button, but way too Disney Channel for my taste. Still and all glad to see that he at least kicked it up to three quarter time.

Carly Smithson – Jesus Christ, Superstar

Interesting choice. Don’t know if I agree with ALW on this one. I’m not sure this song really works outside the confines of the show. Also, she’s not singing it very well. Definitely some off notes, there. And at one point, was she just . . . talking over the backup singers? The backup kids are doing most of the heavy lifting. And they totally overpowered her there at the end. Her power notes really have not much power. Yeah, I didn’t like it. Think it was the wrong song choice. Again. Thanks for nothing, AWebb.

David Cook – Music of the Night

I’m already not going to be able to take it. Whenever I hear this song, all I can think of is this crappy skating spectacular that I watched as a kid. And so, on this skating spectacular, Brian Boitano, he of the Battle of the Brians from Calgary ’88, was the big hoohaa and it was his show, you know Skating with Brian Boitano or some shit. And anyway, the truth is that I loved me some Brian Boitano and was totally happy when he won the Battle of the Brians and won the gold in Calgary with that awesome arm over the head triple axle move? You know the one? So, loved (continued...)

( continues...) him, right? Until after he won the gold. And he turned into the most ginormous tool ever (pre-D.Cook). And he kept going onandonandonandon about his artistry and how he was such an artist, and I’m like, “Dude. You are a grown ass man who spends his life skating around a rink on knife thin metal blades. In tights. And sparkle shirts. To music. For a living. Can the artist crap.” So anyway, he did this skating spectacular, do y’all remember this? And in his skating spectacular, he did a number where he was dressed all in white and skating on this outdoor rink and everyone had a collective conniption about this routine and lost their ever-loving minds talking about how it was the most beautiful and creative and artistically perfect thing ever seen in the world of skating ever since time began. You know on account of how Brian Boitano was such an artist and stuff. And the song he used? Music of the Night. And there was Brian B., OG Tool, doing his patented spread eagles and arm over head triple axles on this white lake in his white costume with his receding hairline being god’s gift to skating and me hating every inch of his smug, white clad ass. And ever since then, I’ve despised this song. All of this as a way to not have to write about D.Cook, who (when I really think about it) is like the Brian Boitano of Idol for me. Oooh. I like that. And needless to say, I did not like this performance. As ever. I will say that he was in good voice (although the close of the song went completely off the rails. WTF?). Better than he’s been in weeks, IMHO. And in the pimp spot (which he needed after Mariah week) so he’s gravy.

The Bad

This week, only my pretty, pretty stoner boy was really egregiously bad. Lots of good voices left in this top 6. I really think they are one of the strongest Top 6 groups ever.

The Perplexing

Carly’s poor song choices continue and while she wasn’t bad, she didn’t impress at all. Brooke was a puzzle to me tonight. Not great by any means, but competent. The do-over thing is still gnawing at me.

The Grudging Props

Given to D.Cook. It’s the least I’ve hated you in . . . well, ever. Kudos, sir.

The Good but I’m starting to not care a lot

D’Archie, here is a mini-filk just for you in honor of ALW week set to the tune of Evita's dying lament. Don't let it happen to you:

The choice is yours (well, no not really)
You can have the tweener votes if you desire
You can sing crappy ballads ‘til your face turns blue
Or else, pick up the pace so you’ll get mine

I remember that you are very young yet
And the show doesn’t feed you very much
So what use would a little Usher Raymond be
When your dad threatens you with the bad touch?

Will you win? I don’t know.
If you just keep singing ballads, don’t think so.

The good but I’m starting to care a little

Syesha. Get down, girl, go head get down. She has really been a comer these past few weeks and I have never liked this girl dating way back to Hollywood week when she and her laryngitis and her idiotic mini writing board were too cute by half. If she keeps singing like this, I’ma have to reconsider

Who do I want to go home? Don’t ask anymore. Who do I think will go home? Well, by giving her the number one spot, it seems like they’re trying to get Syesha out next, but I think she might’ve done enough to foil their plans. I’m really scared that it might be Jason. Would not be surprised at all with both Jason (‘cause he was really bad this week) and Syesha (because she doesn’t have much of a fan base to withstand the sucktacular placememt) in the B3, joined by either Brooke or Carly. I still think it’s Syesha’s week to go, which would be sad because she seems to be just hitting her stride. Or, I could actually see Carly going this week as well. Mid-pack and an underwhelming performance do not a good results show night make.

Has that sort of do-over thing happened before on AI? Also,

I’ve never seen Starlight Express so I was completely unfamiliar with the song, but I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed that.

I really loved Starlight Express. We went to see it on my birthday one year, despite my mother's fears that someone was going to fly off the stage and hit us in the head with a roller skate.

although the close of the song went completely off the rails. WTF?

I had been pretty impressed with how well he was pulling off the song until the very end. (I kind of held my breath leading up to the big BEEEEE because, yo, I've seen many a dude crash and burn on that moment.) But yes. The end was totally WTF.

Has that sort of do-over thing happened before on AI?

Yes, by Brooke. Although it was much less intrusive the first time.

Once again I am less than impressed with the songs they chose. And I'm not a huge Webber fan. But I would have loved to see someone do "Take That Look Off Your Face." And I would have settled for "Close Every Door", "Tell Me on a Sunday", or even "Another Suitcase in Another Hall."

Well, at least we were spared three Phantom songs.

Yes, a do over was done earlier in the season by...Brooke.

Thanks for the recap, kat! I missed Idol last night. Completely forgot about even though I was home in time. I got caught up on LJ, instead.

I did turn it on for a few minutes this morning with breakfast and caught Syesha singing for ALW. She sounded very good so I'm looking forward to hearing her actual stage version. The gals at my Starbuck's are gaga over the DCook. They thought he was awesome. So, while I trust kat's analysis to a large degree, I also get the "OMG, he is such a tool" part, too, and how that affects it. I just don't think he can have the vocal range and power for Music of the Night, but he could surprise me. The rest of them, don't. Surprise me. I think any of them could go home. Whether I like it or not (and I don't hate the idea, but I wish we had some stronger contenders to give him a run for his money), DCook has this one wrapped. Still, I'm curious to see who America thinks is the next one who should go.

I had to grudgingly give it up to D.Cook last night, Sail. He was solid vocally for most of Music of the Night. The last note was a travesty but the big money note in the middle (. . .soul take you where you want to BEEEEEEE) was lovely. I just flat out dislike him, though, so . . .

I do think he'll win. And I'll be sad. But, I've been sad before with the winner and yet, I keep coming back. Unca Nigel's really got me hooked.