And I also love Brooke. There is just something about her that just grabs hold of you.

While Syesha can sing, I also don’t get her.

And David Archuleta…NEXT! That kid just drives me nuts, particularly with his whole licking the lips thing.

I will disagree with you on Jason. While he might be predictable, I do still like him.

As for my bottom three, I am picking Carly, Syesha and Kristy. As much as it pains me to say it, I think Carly might go in a shocker. (My backup is Syesha though).

Also, I don’t get Michael’s cravat, either. It’s quite the running theme this year, too. Did I miss a fashion magazine article somewhere? (It’s quite likely, since all I read is Go Fug Yourself.)

And agreed on Archuleta. I think he peaked a long time ago. Just don’t tell that to the marauding gangs of teenage girls with their cell phones and unlimited text messaging accounts. . .

Chris – Yeah, it sounded like Carly gave up on that last note. Either it didn’t start where she wanted it to, or she felt a tickle in her throat and bailed. Or something. I don’t know, but I heard it, too.

Juan – The Country vote will keep Kristy in a little bit longer, I’d guess, but I honestly don’t think she has a chance of winning, short of having two unbelievable Idol Momentesque weeks where America suddenly discovers her from out of nowhere. She is a good singer, though.

Thought that the best performances were by Syesha and Kristy, really.

I didn’t really like David Cook’s performance and I’ve been such a huge fan if him for so long.

Michael’s song just wasn’t “him”. I think that it’s going to be hard for him to do anything different style-wise since he had such a great performance with “It’s All Wrong”. That was SO him.

It was really a tough week, it seemed. What was up with Carly? She just ended the song abruptly.

Who thinks that Kristy may become the “dark horse” of the competition?

First, was I the only one who found Randy particularly obnoxious last night? He didn’t like anyone besides Archuleta and Castro (more on them momentarily). Plus, I’m getting a bit annoyed with his new “I’m not sure that’s who you are” bit. The show is so big on pigeonholing people, for marketing purposes, that unless someone never deviates from that mold, they’re not being true to “who they are.” Carly rocks out for several weeks in a row, and then suddenly he doesn’t “buy” her as a rocker? Confusing.

As for the performances:

- Michael Johns – far too handsome, thought he did well, but dear Lord that neck cravat needs to GO. And again with the “I don’t buy you as a rocker” bit from Randy, when two weeks ago Michael pulled himself out of danger with the Queen medley.

- Syesha – Fabulous voice, can’t stand her for some reason. And yes, the show has now become an oroborus.

- Kristy Lee – She has a strong clear voice, and you’re right, she doesn’t seem to connect with the material. I thought the choice of “Anyways” was good.

- Carly – I thought her choice of song was gutsy – too often, inspirational means (on this show) things like puppies and rainbows through the storm and angels. “Show Must go On” is much more a “rage against the dying of the light” sort of inspiration. And no, she didn’t compare Idol Gives Back to Live Aid – just said she heard Freddy Mercury sing the song at Live Aid. Having said all that, it wasn’t her best performance ever, but still thought she nailed it.

David Cook – of the male contestants, I’m most likely to buy his CD (along with Michael Johns), but last night was not his best.

David Archuleta – yawn. I just don’t care, and don’t think he’s as good as the judges keep telling us he is. Yes, GOOD voice, but he’s too young to connect with the messages of half the things he sings. And it certainly wasn’t better than “Imagine.”

Brooke – I love Brooke. I just can’t help it. But she might be in trouble after last night – not that she did anything wrong, everything was great, but it wasn’t even remotely interesting.

Jason Castro – Yawn yawn yawn yawn. He does the exact same thing every week, and every week we get told how unique he is. And maybe he is, compared against everyone else. Maybe it’s that whole they like him because he’s staying in his preordained little niche. Although last night I kept expecting Kermit the frog to be next to him, playing his own banjo. :)

Just my thoughts. ;)