Are the girls...doomed?!

Bottom Three...

...and the lovely Pia goes home

Pia goes home?! Of the 9 contestants left, this lovely and talented girl generated the least amount of votes?!

Pia goes home before Stefano?!

Back in season 3, Jennifer Hudson's early exit (she placed 7th overall) got all the conspiracy-theorists talking. Why were all three of the "Duelling Divas" in the bottom 3 in the same week? Why was the country hating on the girls?!

In 10 seasons, we've had 4 girls win the title of American Idol - Kelly, Carrie, Fantasia, and Jordin. But the past three seasons have been boys - David, Kris, and Lee.

Pia's exit will inspire a lot of anger. Is the teen-girl voting block really the driving force behind the show? Are we always going to end up with the cute boy winning in the end, because that's who the prepubescent girls are voting for?!

In the end, I don't think there's a controversy here. I don't think our remaining girls - Haley and Lauren, are necessarily doomed. Think about it - last year's standouts were Lee and Crystal. Crystal made it to the finale, and although she didn't win, her talent drove her to the end. I think voters will vote for talent, whether it's male or female.

But how do you explain Pia? Whatever it is, I am bummed for her. Maybe she didn't connect with the audience. Maybe she was a little stiff, unapproachable, too perfect. Maybe her backstory isn't tragic enough... America loves a good, sad story to go with their Idols.  But she had the strongest voice in the competition. She is a classy, composed queen on the stage, and I felt that in her capable hands and voice, she'd only improve week after week. Maybe she lacked that stage-charisma that we wanted to see, but you definitely felt that she'd get there.

I wonder, do the judges regret using that one-and-only save on Casey?

(One last note: apparently, America looked at itself in the mirror and decided it didn't like its Idols to be preachy and self-righteous. We don't need another morality-barometer. We've got Fox News for that. Jacob, stick to singing, baby. It's what you do best.)

Until next week!

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fabulous...

What a great show!

Songs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Mentoring by Jimmy Iovine and Will.i.am. Styled by Gwen Stefani. Idol is bringing out the big guns this season!

In seasons past with 9 contestants left, there are usually still 1 or 2 that need to go. It's always obvious. But not this year. With our top 9, everyone can sing. Everyone can deliver a great performance. Who do you like the best? Because that's where we are. Lucky us!

Like everyone else, my feelings toward our remaining contestants are getting stronger and more clear, week after week. I have a clear idea of who is...and isn't...for me.

Reality check, please?

JACOB - last time I checked, you haven't sold any albums yet. So when you pronounced "if I end up in the Bottom Three this week, it's because America's not ready to look themselves in the mirror"....I'm thinking someone needs a reality check around here. Immediately. "Let's Get It On" was too sexual of a song choice for you, but with all that hip-swangin' you did during "Man in the Mirror", the difference was lost on me. Your self-righteousness and preachiness are really getting on my nerves.  And in your post-interview, when you said, "If you want to change the world, start with you and everyone else will follow"...gag. Maybe I'm old and jaded, but enough already. We don't need you to preach to us, we just want to be entertained. You're not a big star yet, Jacob. It's not even about the vocals now - we know you can sing with the best of 'em, but this is a personality contest, too, baby. I like my Idols with a dose of humility. I'm just sayin'.

Get your motor runnin'

HALEY - you revved your vocal engine through Janis' "Piece of My Heart" like you were in the pole position at the Daytona 500.  I swear, Steven was growling right back at you through the entire performance. Girl, you are a crazy-train-wreck of a performer, but I love it.  The big fuzzy hair, the bright red lips, that soulful voice, you make me...giggle. I don't think you're going to win, but I'm going to enjoy this ride while you're still on it. 

The Face of the Revolution

CASEY - I hate Freedom Rock. '70s music makes me itch. The Forrest Gump Soundtrack...blech. And I consider CCR to be in this category. But I've always loved "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" and thought your performance was flat-out great. Your screaming, growling, grunting, humming vocal, all while plucking away at that bass, made for one of my favorite performances of the night. Randy called you a "revolutionary". I just call you "awesome".

Our baby girl is all grown up!

LAUREN - did we know that Country + Soul = COUNTROL? Thankfully, we have Will.i.am. to teach us these valuable lessons.  Lauren, your look definitely got hit by the Gwen Stefani-stick this week, and your new, darker hair reminds me of Hillary Scott, the lead singer from Lady Antebellum. And your voice is just as lovely as always. "Natural Woman" coming from a 16-year old could have been a disaster (say, if Thia had tried to sing this), but coming from you, it was mature and controlled. This performance would have worked on the Country Music Awards - a great country artist doing a beautiful crossover performance. 

All sweetness and light

JAMES - at first, I was distracted by the way your ears were so backlit, they looked like red beacons in the night.  But once I chose to ignore that, I loved this performance for what it was - sweet and lovely, but we could still feel the power surging underneath all that restraint. I love your obsession with The Beatles, and you've now performed songs by Paul and George. Your vulnerability during "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" was one of the most quiet, yet best moments in the show. 

All hat and no cattle? Don't think so.

SCOTTY -  Last night, we got the sneering, hip-shaking, shoulder-shrugging, Rockabilly-Gangsta version of Scotty! Who isn't charmed by you? Elvis' "That's All Right Mama" was straight up your lane, although you have the amazing ability to own every genre and put your Scotty-swag on it. No one is worried at this point if you're "all hat and no cattle." And that's all right with us.

Strike a pose

PIA - I don't want to say I'm disappointed. It's hard to say that about someone who has probably the strongest, biggest voice in the competition. But if you're going to sing "River Deep, Mountain High" by the ultimate Bad-Ass Tina Turner, then I want more. How about some leather pants, some wild hair shaking, some reckless abandonment? THAT'S what this song needed. Yes, you looked great, sounded strong, and hit every pose on stage. But for me, it was just that...posed. Composed. You gave us the pretty version of this song, which really didn't do it justice. But again, that's who you are. And if I don't like it, I don't have to vote for you. You have the voice, but this left me wondering if you have the performance and personality to match?

Cheese fondue

STEFANO- i need you to go because i hate to put you on BLAST every week. But for me, you are just a cute, earnest wedding singer. Those pleading eyes, burning into the camera...that mouth open so wide I can see your tonsils...blech. And again, I  just don't enjoy your phrasing choices. Every performance of yours, while strong, is just upping the cheese-factor to uncomfortable levels. I'm choking on cheddar. You need to go - not because you can't sing, but you're just not as good as everyone else. 

98 lbs, soaking wet

PAUL - sigh. A last, desperate attempt by a misunderstood would-be Idol to connect with us. In a way, this is the performance I've been waiting for from you. It was joyous, your guitar works wonders for your stage presence...yet it was frantic and frazzled at the same time. You are just too much of a lightweight for this competition. Your "Folsom Prison Blues" was more of the "I-did-shots-with-a-man-in-Reno" variety, than the man-in-black Johnny Cash variety. You're the Idol I'd most want to have a beer with, but I'm afraid you may be gone this week. Too little, too late.

Overall, a fantastic show. We have 9 great competitors, but someone has to go:

BOTTOM THREE: Paul, Stefano, and Jacob (cuz I'm mad at ya)

Who will go home: Paul

What did YOU hear last night?!

The Top 11...Part Deux.

Did anyone notice, Ryan is growing his hair out?

Overall, I thought Elton-John-Song-Night was very entertaining. Our Top 11 separated themselves into three clear talent buckets for this one night:

SUPER-HOT: Casey, Haley, Lauren
LUKEWARM: Scotty, Naima, Pia, James
WEAK: Paul, Stefano, Thia, Jacob

Shout out to Grandma

SCOTTY - The entire state of North Carolina is voting for you. I'm excited for your future in country radio. That last, low note of "Country Comfort" was a thrill. And I really enjoyed the performance, considering I've never heard this song in my life. But I'm putting you in the middle because we've seen this performance before; NOT that it isn't great, radio-ready, and charming. But we see it every week.

Givin' it that ol' reggae swag

NAIMA - I  know I'm supposed to love your individuality, your courage, your flava. But you are not my American Idol. Sorry. You looked great in your reggae-jumpsuit. And you are clearly not afraid to go home, given the way you put it all out there every week, whether we like it or not. (Not). But it's only a matter of time before you have to go. "I'm Still Standing", the reggae version...if I were in Jamaica and the bar-band kicked into this song...maybe. But for AI? Not so much.

Houston, we have a problem

PAUL - I'm going to say it out loud. This show is not for you. Your sweet, subtle, breathy, whispering-tone of a voice is not translating onscreen. I know what you are trying to do. I love the genre that you represent, my iTunes is filled it. But for American Idol, you are just getting lost in this deep talent pool of big voices. Every week, I wait for your voice to explode, to take off into outer space, for you to have your moment. It should have been this week with "Rocket Man.". But dude, you were stuck on the launch pad this week. Houston, we have a problem.

Deja vu?

PIA - I might as well upload the same photo of you every week. And write the same review. I love you, your voice is a powerhouse, you look amazing. But your performances are feeling very...familiar. Man cannot live on ballads alone. Please, please, please...shake it up a bit. You promised us an uptempo number this week. You lied. And now you've promised the same thing again for next week. I'm sure America will give you a chance. But don't go lying to us again...we may get mad at ya.

"I don't need a makeover!"

STEFANO - sorry, but you DO need a makeover. This competition is more than a voice, it's how you choose to use it. And I've figured out what I don't like about you. Your phrasing choices on "Tiny Dancer" were downright awful. Cheesy. Painful. You took this incredible song and covered it in syrup. I hated it. Your voice is so gorgeous, but that's only part of the story. I think maybe you should have listened a little more to Jimmy Iovine. Maybe.

Let's hug it out.

LAUREN - I will say this now, with 11 people still standing (and NOT the reggae version): I want YOU in the finale. I love you. You do it for me. I didn't cry during this performance...but almost. Your voice is so pure, so rich, so strong...oh stop, I'm GUSHING. I need to search through my music catalog and figure out who you remind me of...because whoever it is, I'm LOVING it. I love how your eyes expressed the emotion of "Candle in the Wind" just as much as your voice. You are the country BOMB. As J Lo said, " that was IT, baby!"

Um, James...your piano is on fire

JAMES - a performance complete with pyrotechnics. Just another day at the office for James Durbin. I love your enthusiasm, you are a big kid onstage. Your antics and strut on and off the stage wouldn't work if you couldn't sing. But we know you can. You are the most consistent performer on the show, you rock it out hard every week.  So what if you don't know that Coke is paying for that mansion you're living in right now. Let Seacrest and his new bangs worry about that. You just keep being you.

I love my brother, damn it!

THIA - you are a baby girl in a competition of women. Your "Daniel" was not believable. I'm sure you do love and miss your brother. But your pathetic, literal translation of this classic song was just wrong on all levels. Let's remind ourselves, Lauren is also 16 years old. Hmm, makes you think. I know I'm being hard on you, you are so young. But you need to go. This has got to be anguish for you, trying to compete with the Big Kids. Bottom Three.

No, this is YOUR song

CASEY - You. Had. Your. Moment. Made. Me. Cry. Best. Of. The. Night. Or. Maybe. The. Season.

Drama-Rama

JACOB - "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word" for your performance last night. This was so overdone, so affected, so over-the-top...I HATED it. Like Stefano, it would have helped you to listened to Jimmy. Pick a different song that didn't require you to make that freakin' CRY-FACE through the entire performance. Ugh. Awful. I'm trying to forget this one ever happened.

Bennie and the Jetssssssssssss

HALEY - the judges called you the best of the night. Not for me. But I do feel that you came into your own with this performance. Finally. I almost expected to see you crawl across the piano a la Michelle Pfeiffer in "The Fabulous Baker Boys". And it would have fit your personality, because as Steven says, "You. Sing. Sexy." Good for you. Your version of "Bennie and the Jetssssssssss" was pretty darn entertaining.

My bottom three: Stefano, Thia, and Jacob

And remember...TWO GO HOME TONIGHT!!!! Bring on the drama!

What did YOU hear last night?!

It's a Motown Throwdown.

I stopped getting excited about Motown Night about 8 seasons ago. But last night's AI show was pure entertainment from beginning to end. Cheers to our Top 11! And it proved once again - this competition is wide open; it's impossible to pick a winner so soon.

Harnessing the Beast

CASEY -  you redeemed yourself after last week's train-wreck of a Nirvana song. You grunted and growled through Marvin Gaye's "Heard It Through the Grapevine" and made the song interesting again. You kept your "crazy-ass-out-of-control-ego" under control, and I loved the restraint. You're back on track. And I didn't think of Taylor Hicks even once during your performance.

Waking from the Dead

THIA - you are alive! You have a pulse! For that, I congratulate you. But here's my problem with you: every time I want to give you a compliment, I have to caveat it with, "...for a 16-year old." Your performance of "Heat Wave" was great...for a 16-year old. Your connection to the lyrics and music was admirable...for a 16-year old. I noticed you forgot the lyrics in the middle of the song - did anyone catch that? If you aren't in the bottom 3, you're dangerously close. In my opinion.

Waiting to Exhale

JACOB - you were in your zone last night. "You're All I Need" was incredible. You had the groupies jumping out of their seats to touch you. You had J Lo begging for more. Steven Tyler got out of his seat to hug you! That's a good night. You're a natural, you were feelin' it. And I loved it.

Honky Tonk Badonkadonk

LAUREN - "You Keep Me Hanging' On" was a great song for your sass and swagger. A crisis of confidence? I certainly hope not. You've got it going ON, girl!

Coming to a Cruise Ship Near You

STEFANO - sorry dude, this wasn't good.  Do we all remember when David Cook performed this song and killed it? Not so for you, Stefano. I'm pretty sure that if Simon were still around, he'd be encouraging you to fill out your application for Carnival Cruise Lines. Yes, I'm glad you kept your eyes open. But I'd rather have you shut them...and sing a great song. Oh and PS, my mom still loves you. She's a cougar.

We're getting warmer

HALEY - I want you to stay. But you'll be in the bottom three this week. Again. As much as I love your smoky rasp, you just get lost in the shuffle with these eh performances. You did better this week, "You Really Got a Hold on Me" sounded perfect for your voice. Steven intoned, "You don't look a day over fabulous." But honey, we all know your days are numbered. The competition is just too fierce this year.

George W does Motown

SCOTTY - what's that saying? You could sell ice to an eskimo? That's you. Everyone has bought in to you, you can do no wrong. Your vocal wasn't that strong this week, we all heard some seriously off-notes, but guess what? No one cares. That deep, soulful stare into the camera at the end of "For Once in My Life" was pure genius. You've got the girls lovin' you.

DAMN!!!!

PIA - "All in Love is Fair". All in this competition is NOT fair, however. Because your voice is just superior and no one else can do a damned. thing. about. it. So what if you sang another ballad? When it sounds that good, when you look that good, I could care less. As Steven says, you are "the closest star in the AI universe." Beauty. Grace. Talent. Humility.

Motown. Is. Good. Times.

PAUL - thank god you finally strapped on that guitar and got yourself contained behind a microphone stand. This was your best performance yet. "Tracks of My Tears" is a song that no one can get sick of, it's just too good. Seacrest says you are going for the Cougar vote. That's ok with me. You looked great, sounded great. I HATE to bring this up, but my only criticism: when Adam Lambert performed this song, it was a watershed moment - both for him AND American Idol. No one will ever do it better. So while I really liked the Paul version...you'll never own this one.

Naima wants us dancing in the streets, damn it!

NAIMA - try as you might, I think you're still in the bottom 3 with this one. I liked your energy, your personality, showing your flava, as J Lo would say. But it just doesn't work for me. Your African dancing was quite beautiful, but this is a singing competition. And although this song showed off your voice to its best ability, you can't compete with Pia. Or James. Or Jacob. Sorry girl, you may be going home.

I see a Finale in your Future

JAMES - your "Livin' for the City" was so entertaining to hear and watch. You are getting quite comfortable up there, aren't you? It bugs me when you bask in your post-performance glory a little too long onstage, but I'll forgive you. Awesome.

My bottom three: Naima, Haley, and Thia.
Who goes home? Haley.

What did YOU hear last night?

Lusky Stank. Shrek. Aliens from Mars. That's our Top 12, America.

Every season, the contestants participate in the "Year You Were Born" theme week. And every season, it's awful. Uninspired. Boring. Total snooze-fest.

And this year was no different.

Lucky for us, we have the heavy-lidded, irreverent, glamorous STEVEN TYLER to rescue us from complete and utter boredom. Even if I didn't enjoy most of the performances, I enjoyed the juicy sound bites that our beloved Steven threw out for all to savor.

Our Rock Savior

What the hell happened?!

NAIMA - What's love got to do with it? What's TALENT got to do with it? You wouldn't know, because you got the short-end of the talent stick in this particular competition. Your version of Tina Turner's classic wins for most awful arrangement of the night. You are in the bottom 3. Again.

PAUL - you are starting to wear me out, my pretty boy. Steven called you "a cool dude in a loose mood." Ok. You'll skate by this week by the skin of those beautiful teeth, because your song choices are NOT what is keeping you on the show. I really hated your arrangement of "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues," by Elton John. I give you one more week to prove why you're on the show. After that, I have to break up with you.

THIA - you sang the theme song to Disney's "Pocahontas". My 6 and 4 year old daughters love "Colors of the Wind" and if they had seen you perform it, they would have loved that you stole a dress from Pocahontas's closet for your performance. "Is this really who you want to be?" asks Steven Tyler. And honestly, I don't care enough to know the answer. You bore me to death and I think you'll be lucky to avoid the Bottom Three tonight.

Crazy Town

JAMES - thank you for at least trying to put on a show last night. Steven appreciates your "rich vein of inner crazy" and has promised to perform with you at the Finale. I will certainly keep voting for you. Bon Jovi's "I'll Be There for You" isn't my favorite song, but YOU are my favorite contestant right now. Keep it up, Crazy Town.

Get this girl a Kleenex

HALEY - Hot pants. Lipstick-smeared teeth. You've got that whole cute 'n trashy thing down. But what you don't have down is song choice. I wish you could take that soulful, blues-y voice and do something great with it, but you're too busy shopping for Maybelling at the drug store. You'll be in the dreaded Bottom Three, too. "I'm Your Baby Tonight" isn't going to work for you this time.

STEFANO - you have a super-cute dad. I enjoyed your sarcasm as you described the process of choosing a song this week. You have a beautiful voice. Simply Red's "If You Don't Know Me By Now" was one of the best song choices of the night. So for that alone, I applaud you. You'll be sticking around.

I forgot to attach the doughnuts to my head

PIA - again, you are a smart girl. You choose songs that show off your big voice. You aren't afraid to tackle Whitney's "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" and pull it off. You've now stuck a fork in Celine AND Whitney. What will you do next? Except for the Princess Leia outfit, you were great. Again.

Recognize me?

SCOTTY - has anyone noticed that you look like the love child of Alfred E. Neuman...and George W. Bush? I'm just sayin'. You crushed Travis Tritt's "Can I Trust You With My Heart." Someone, please just put you on country radio now. You don't even need American Idol.

E. T. Phone Home

KAREN - no no no. You represent what was WORST about last night. Boring. Uninspired. Steven may love it when you "break into your ethnic what-it-is-ness", but that Spanish you were singing last night? It translates to, "I'm in the Bottom Three and I'm going home." Sorry, Karen. I hope you left the tags on that Star Trek outfit you had on last night. As my mom says, "Send her back to Mars."

Yep, that's the GOOP alright

CASEY - that crazy green-and-yellow ADD Shrek lighting didn't help your performance. But your performance couldn't be helped. I may just be an uncool soccer mom who's not down with the kids these days, but I'm not afraid to say that your performance of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was NOT. COOL. I like risk takers, contestants who are fearless, but only when the performance WORKS. This one came across as screechy and psychotic. Steven says you are "the goop good stuff is made of" but last night, you were just plain GOOP. You better make it up to us next week.

LAUREN - I still love you. Even with the flu, your voice is strong and lovely to listen to - even when you are singing an angry song like Melissa Etheridge's "I'm the Only One." Good job, girl. Now go get better, so you can crush it again next week.

Gospel had a baby...

JACOB - every performance of yours is like an outer-body experience, and we are just along for the ride. And you did threaten to put your "Lusky Stank" on it. But I have to say, I didn't love your version of "Alone" by Heart. I remember when Carrie Underwood did this song and it was incredible. You are an incredible singer, but I was so distracted by your swinging and swaying on the stage, your awkwardness, I couldn't completely enjoy it. But you are amazing, and apparently, you are GOSPEL'S BABY, according to Steven. Can't mess with that.

My bottom three: Karen, Haley, and Naima
Who's going home: Karen

What did YOU hear last night?!

Crazy talent...and a few duds.

I am left with a few burning questions after last night's performance of the top 13:

1) Is American Idol a promotional tool for J Lo's singing career?
2) Was anyone else distracted by her red lipstick?
3) Do we like the idea of exit interviews after each performance?
4) Where did they find such crazy talent this year?!

I loved last night's episode and its parade of big-time producers - Don Was, Rodney Jerkins, Jimmy Iovine, to name a few. The bad-asses of the music industry. So how did our kids do?

Toughen up, Peaches

LAUREN - our budding country diva, you know I love you. But Shania's "Any Man of Mine" did nothing for your voice, it was rushed, I could barely hear you. I agree with Steven, I just wanted the whole thing to be "more kick ass." Please pick a better song next week. And please don't cry at your next exit interview. I realize you are only 16, but you can't tear up at the first spot of criticism from the judges. But I think you're safe for next week.

"I want you to feel me"

CASEY - it seems the entire world has fallen in love with you. But can I please offer a contrary opinion? What am I watching when I'm watching you, Casey? A gimmick? Taylor Hicks (gasp!), Part Deux? I'm not going to fall for it. Maybe it's going to take pulling out that bass again, but you are 80% show and 20% singing for me right now. I know everyone is going to howl in disagreement. Your flirtatious, yet growling performance of Joe Cocker's "With a Little Help from My Friends" just didn't impress me. You are charming and funny, but I'm not buying it...especially when there are so many amazing singers in the competition this year.

At least you LOOK hot

ASHTON - do we need another second-rate R&B diva in this world? That's what Brandy is for, so please, spare us. Worst performance of the night for me. You channeled Diana Ross in your hair and dress, but that's where the comparisons have to end. All I could thing was, too bad Jennifer Hudson isn't up there, CRUSHING this song right now. Girlfriend, I think you may be in big trouble tonight. 

Love the Sgt. Pepper get-up

PAUL - I love you. I think you may be my musical soul mate. Wilco, Whiskeytown, Ryan Adams - I get it, they are my faves, too. "Come Pick Me Up" is one of the best Ryan Adams songs, but NOT for American Idol. You somehow made that song lose its entire melody. All I could think of was those legions of teenage girls watching you and thinking, "I've never heard this Bryan Adams song before! Doesn't he sing "Summer of '69"? My mom loves that song!' " Paul, you may be in trouble tonight. I hope you get to stay another week, to show that you can learn from your mistakes and choose better songs. 

Celine-Dion-Dragon-Slayer

PIA - classy, beautiful Pia. It was so great to see someone tackle one of the "big three" - Celine Dion - and nail it. All I could say was "DAMN!" All Michael could say was, "She's HOT!" You are 2 for 2, baby. Keep it up.

James sings Sir Paul

JAMES - "Maybe I'm Amazed" at this smooth, understated, beautiful performance. The best of the night. Or maybe the season to this point.

Another diva-in-training

HALEY - how you manage to be sexy and silly at the same time, I just don't know. But to quote Randy Jackson, "I kinda liked it." Your performance of "Blue" was all over the place, but I give you props for yodeling in front of the entire country. You don't take yourself too seriously. I like it.

Hot and fresh out the kitchen

JACOB - when we heard you were singing R. Kelly, I was like, "Yes! He's going to get dirty and sing IGNITION: REMIX on American Idol!" But no, it was "I Believe I Can Fly." A great performance, you are an amazing singer. I'm just over this song.  It seemed a little early in the season to bring out the back-up gospel singers onstage, but for you, Jacob, I guess we'll break all the rules.

Smile, though your heart is breaking

THIA - Do you have a pulse? I'm so glad we saw you cry in your exit interview, otherwise, I'd be convinced you were a robot. The judges could tell you that your performance was awful and I think you'd still just stand there and smile blankly. It's Charlie Chaplin, not Charlie Chapman. All you did last night was reinforce that while you are a great singer, you are not an artist yet. That's asking for a lot at 15 years old. And that's why you won't win.

Reminiscent of J Timberlake

STEFANO - I want to say your dance remix of "Lately" by Stevie Wonder was awful...but it wasn't. You sold it to me, showed me what kind of artist you want to be, and I bought it. You are brave for this performance, and you're just so stinkin' cute, I can't help but root for you. And oh yeah, your voice is gorgeous. The chicks are digging you.

Nap time

KAREN - I'm pretty sure I fell asleep during the 01:40 that you were onstage for this one. Lucky for you, Ashton stunk. I like your Latin "flavor", but you may want to move beyond Selena for next week.

It's just humble 'ol me again

SCOTTY - here's my theory on you. As long as there are country music fans watching the show, you'll do fine. It's still early in the season, so the fact that you are performing these songs verbatim to how they were originally recorded isn't bothering anyone. Yet. But if the judges DO their jobs, they will tell you that eventually, you're going to have to stick some of your own originality into these songs, otherwise, we're going to get bored. "The River" was another great choice for you. But are you an artist? Or a great karaoke singer? Only time will tell.

No, Naima, No

NAIMA - the judges can keep telling us how great you are, what an amazing singer you are, but until you show us, I'm not believing it. That five seconds of reggae that you inserted into the middle of Rihanna's "Umbrella" did not convince me. This is NOT "So You Think You Can Dance." I don't care about your dance moves. I care about the fact that you've been NOT GOOD for two weeks now. It's a race between you and Ashton to see who goes home first, honey.

Who's going home tonight? For me, it's Ashton or Naima. And I think Paul will round out the bottom three.

What did YOU hear last night?!