Jason Castro singing “I Shot the Sheriff” (yes, that’s right when you get to the phone numbers, you can clearly see Jason mouth “Don’t vote!”):

Brooke White singing “I’m a Believer”:

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Wow, that was possibly the weirdest night of American Idol I’ve ever watched. The conspiracy theorists who insist the show is rigged must have LOVED tonight! So, it was Neil Diamond night, which doesn’t sound like a wild evening, but little did we know… The performers were singing two songs each tonight, and originally it was announced that both songs would be judged after the second songs were performed, although a change in plans later led to madness. Madness, I tell you!

Jason Castro was up first and sixth, singing “Forever in Blue Jeans” and “September Morn”. I thought his voice sounded great on the first song and that it was a great song. The lyrics and the vocals suited him. The second song was not his most interesting. His voice sounded good, but it was a boring performance. Randy didn’t like either song and then repeated a phrase that I often hear of American Idol– this is the search for America’s best vocalist. Really?? No, it isn’t. It’s a search for a musical package (leaning heavily on a pop image). If it’s the search for America’s best vocalist, how did Amanda Overmeyer ever make it to the top 24? Why are all the opera people cut early on? Because it’s not about who’s the best vocalist. During Paula’s initial critique of Jason is when things went crazy. If you didn’t see it, it’s below:

Yes, that’s right! Paula critiqued a performance we hadn’t yet seen!! She tried to play this off as having read David Cook’s critique (but there’s no way it was). But let’s face it. What does this say? To me it says that the judges know ahead of time what they’re going to say. How do they know? There are a couple of possibilities. One, the responses are scripted. The judges don’t come up with anything they’re going to say. Two, the judges pre-write their responses based on the rehearsals that they see earlier. Three, knowing Paula’s love of rambling and knowing it was a short show, Paula was handed a script for tonight. (I’d love to hear other theories, as well.)

So, on to the rest of the judges’ critiques of Jason… Simon said he struggled in both songs. He pulled out his favorite word forgettable to refer to Jason.

David Cook sang “I’m Alive” and “All I Really Need Is You”. I’m pretty sure the first song was for David’s brother Adam, who is struggling with cancer and was able to attend a show a couple of weeks ago (the night David was so choked up). So, the “AC”on his jacket tonight was for his brother, as well. The second song was good, calmer than usual for David and not my favorite performance of his but still good. Randy said he rocked the house. Simon said the first song was okay but the second song was brilliant.

Brook White sang “I’m a Believer” and “I Am, I Said”. The first song was dreadful. Really. Dreadful. I almost couldn’t listen to the whole performance, but I just kept thinking “it’s got to get better, right?” No, not really. The song was too low for her, and she just could not have picked a worse song if she tried. The second song was much better than the first. In fact, it was quite good. Much better suited for her. Randy said she did a nice job, saying the first song was better than her performance last week– are you high? Simon said the first song was a nightmare (it was), and the second song was a million times better (it was).

David Archuleta sang “Sweet Caroline” and “America” (I was wrong on the “Heartlight” prediction– rats!) I’m just really tired of watching David Archuleta perform the same grinning, cheesey, overly sincere performance each and every week. All the songs are starting to blend together, which is never more apparent than when he has to sing two songs in one week. My opinion aside, he’ll probably be around until the finale. People who love him really love him– I just don’t happen to be one of them. Randy, as usual, raved about David Archuleta (or at least whoever writes his reviews did). Simon said the first song was amateurish but praised the second song choice as very smart (not unlike Kristy Lee Cook’s “God Bless the USA”).

Up last tonight was Syesha Mercado. Syesha sang “Hello Again” and “Thank the Lord for the Nighttime”. I thought Syesha performed miles better than usual. The first song was quite pretty, although it wasn’t terribly interesting. The second song actually had quite a bit of personality. Randy said she’s finally realized who she is as a singer– I think that’s partially right. Simon said she is a good singer/actress (I agree) but that she may be in trouble tonight. When asked why, he said because there are only five left. He’s right. Someone has to go home tomorrow night, and it won’t necessarily be the worst vocalist.

So, here’s my order for tonight, although it was difficult.

1. David Cook (this one wasn’t hard for me to figure out).
2. Syesha Mercado (at least she was consistent tonight)
3. David Archuleta (also consistent, even if I don’t like the consistency)
4. Jason Castro (I guess I thought his second performance wasn’t as bad as Brooke’s first performance)
5. Brooke White (That first song was horrific)

I could make an argument for pretty much any arrangement possible for places two through four. What’s your order?

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Jeanne was kind enough to let me know the band is “Our Lady Peace”. The video of the song is available on YouTube, but unfortunately can’t be embedded. So, if you’re interested in seeing or hearing the original version of the song, head on over to YouTube.

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I thought I’d include the Chris Cornell version of the song, in case anyone was interested, as well as the David Cook version. You can judge for yourself which you prefer (I think David Cook has a better voice, but props to Chris Cornell for coming up with the concept of the cover).

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In case you missed her performance, here is the video of Kellie Pickler performing “Red High Heels” on American Idol’s elimination show last week:

My husband and I both commented on how much better she’s gotten since American Idol.

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I’ve had some questions in the comments recently about the elimination song. The song is “Home” by Daughtry, and here are the lyrics:

Home lyrics

I’m staring out into the night,
Trying to hide the pain.
I’m going to the place where love
And feeling good don’t ever cost a thing.
And the pain you feel’s a different kind of pain.

Well I’m going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I’m not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don’t regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,
So I’m going home.
Well I’m going home.

The miles are getting longer, it seems,
The closer I get to you.
I’ve not always been the best man or friend for you.
But your love, it makes true.
And I don’t know why.
You always seem to give me another try.

So I’m going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I’m not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don’t regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,
So I’m going home.
I’m going home.

Be careful what you wish for,
‘Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all,
And then some you don’t want.
Be careful what you wish for,
‘Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all, yeah.

Oh, well I’m going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I’m not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don’t regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old.
I said these places and these faces are getting old,
So I’m going home.
I’m going home.

And here’s a You Tube video of Daughty performing the song.

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I’ve compiled a couple of versions of Imagine and put them up against David Archuleta’s performance last night.

Blake Lewis

Jordis Unga (from Rock Star INXS)

Neil Young

John Lennon

David Archuleta (an even more oversung version from 2006)

David Arculeta (American Idol 7 version)

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This is going to be a brief summary. There isn’t really all that much to say. If you just want the results, just scroll to the bottom.

Ryan Seacrest asked the judges about the “ringer” controversy. Paula pointed out that there have always been contestants who have had past ties in the industry. The judges didn’t think that should be held against the contestants. (What do you think, by the way? Do past industry deals make you less likely to vote for a contestant, or do you base your voting purely on how they performed? Do you tend to judge experienced singers, such as Michael Johns, differently than newcomers like Jason Castro?)

They ran a video of the Top 24 to Daughtry’s “What About Now”. You can watch it below, in case you missed it.

Then there was the obligatory sing along– this one in keeping with the 60s theme. I thought it was pretty boring. For such a hyped Top 24, there sure are some snoozers.

Then it was time for eliminations. Ryan called up Garrett Haley and promptly eliminated him. At least they didn’t torture the poor boy. I thought Garrett had a really great attitude about the whole thing– one of the reasons I had hoped he would hang around longer. Then Ryan called up Kristy Lee Cook and Amy Davis. Kristy was safe and Amy was headed home (not a big surprise).

Then we had to, er, um, I mean “got to” watch Paula and Randy’s new video “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow”.

More girls called up next. This time Joanne Borgella and Amanda Overmeyer. I don’t think it was any big surprise when Joanne was eliminated. Too bad, as I found her really interesting. Maybe she and Amy should both go try out for America’s Next Top Model.

And the final elimination of the night pitted Chikezie versus Colton Berry. I had listed these two right next to each other, but I actually liked Colton’s performance better than Chikezie’s. America clearly felt differently, as Colton was sent home.

In all, I wasn’t really surprised with last night’s results. I liked Colton better than about half of the guys who sang this week, partly because I thought he had more personality. I had rated Garrett third from the bottom, but mostly because there were two guys who BORED ME TO TEARS! I was pretty sure that the girls who went home were in trouble, not because they weren’t talented, but they didn’t have great performances, and they didn’t have enough buzz to keep them in it through a mediocre performance.

So, in summary here were the elimated contestants last night.

1. Garrett Haley
2. Amy Davis
3. Joanne Borgella
4. Colton Berry

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Here’s my favorite quote from Samantah Sidley.

What’s next? Not ”American Idol.” ”No,” she said. ”I’m not a pop singer. I’m a jazz singer. But my friend Katharine McPhee is one of the finalists, so I’m happy for her.”

Yes, she’s a good friend of Katharine McPhee but so much for no “American Idol”. I’ve heard she’s sung with Katharine onstage.

That quote came from this page, which has information about Samantha’s quartet and more.

This is the university Samantha attends.

Samantha also performs with a group called Alex and Sam. You can hear them sing and learn more about them on their My Space page.

I’ve included a few videos of her below, including her American Idol audition.

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First, I need to post a correction. I misspelled David’s name. It should be ArchuletA. I’m not the only one, since I’ve seen it spelled without the a on several sites. Sorry, David. I’ll try to write legibly from now on so that I can read my own writing.

Second, I wanted to share with you some places where you can find out more about David Archuleta.

You can check out the David Archuleta fans’ My Space page. There are several recordings of David singing on the site, so if you loved his audition and really want to hear more of him, head on over there.

There is a placeholder for www.davidarchuleta.com, so that MAY be an indication he made it through in Hollywood. It’s probably at least an indication that he (or someone) is hoping to profit from his American Idol appearance.

Here’s David on Star Search. I don’t know how old he was here. Eight? Nine? Well, it looks like he won when he was 12, so maybe he’s closer to 12.

Here’s a clip of him singing to the contestants waiting to audition for American Idol Season 1. Clearly, he was too young to audition at the time.

And here’s his Season 7 audition, in case you missed it:

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You don’t find a whole lot about Kyle Ensley’s singing when you look him up online. He did receive and impressive State Department Fellowship. You can check out his fraternity. Then there are a few more locations where you can find him listed for various positions he holds at OSU. You can see his audition below.

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Search for Drew Poppelreiter, and you’ll see that he’s a very popular topic of Idol chatter right now. But if you REALLY search, you can find him a couple of places that have nothing to do with Idol.

Here he is at the 2005 Dixie National Livestock Show.

Here’s a snippet about him performing a free concert at the Meridian Community Living Center.

Here’s information about him performing after winning the local March of Dimes talent competition.

You can read about him entertaining Mississippi Public Safety Communication Officials here.

There’s nothing major out there, but it does give you a better idea of what his singing background is. He’s clearly done more than sing on the tractor. But at least I haven’t recorded any previous record contracts.

In case you missed Drew’s audition, you can see it below.

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You can learn more about Jessica reading this article in her hometown paper.

And here’s Jessica’s audition, in case you missed it:

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Thank goodness for YouTube:

And an interview with Jordin:

Really, was there any way in the world that Blake was going to win singing THAT song for the finale?? They couldn’t have picked a song more likely to sabotage him if they’d intentionally tried. Not that I don’t like Jordin… But I loved Blake and even I didn’t want to hear him sing “This Is My Now” again. It was just plain painful.

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