How bad is it when American Idol can’t even find a current or has-been recording star to mentor the contestants?  They just grabbed one of the ushers?  I don’t get that.

I’m just messin’.  I saw the clip.  Apparently Usher is some Grammy winning artist with only one name.  Like Cher or Prince.  I’m not familiar with his music, but at least he was articulate and didn’t chomp his gum with his mouth open.  Recognizing that the contestants should already have decent vocals since they made it to the top 10 (“should” being the operative word), he focused on getting them to “connect” with their audience.  It’s all about entertainment.  He’s got that right.  Too bad some of the contestants didn’t.

Siobhan – Some sort of black top with giant lips on the front, a goofie white skirt and Missy Elliot boots.  Looked and sounded worse than last week, but I wouldn’t call it a crash-and-burn.  More of a spin-out.  Judges all like her but pretty much acknowledged that she sucked this week.  She will make it Through the Fire.

Casey – Black jacket over red shirt with a red guitar.  I hate to say it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t bad.  It was a good song choice for him and he did well with it.  Hold on I’m Comin’ to the “but”… Probably one of his better weeks but it was a “safe” choice for him and I ’m guessing he’s peaked.  He’s still just an opening act – not a headliner.

Michael – Brown leather jacket with black tee and his back to the judges – going for that intimacy with the audience.  All the judges loved it, but I’m not Ready for Love.  I accept that he’s got a good voice and that he will do well, but I don’t like his song choices and I’m starting to question how far he will get.  He’s safe this week because it didn’t completely suck, but it was really boring.

Didi – Black and gold Jessica Rabbit style dress.  Judges were hard on her again, but this time I agreed with them.  I don’t know What Becomes of the Broken Hearted, but if she doesn’t shape up she’ll be joining them soon.

Tim – Black blazer, white shirt, black tie with white dots.  He is the most consistently bad member of the top 10.  Another bad song choice that was painful to listen too.  Even Ellen didn’t like it and she’s been an advocate.  Apparently there is a drinking game that hinges on Ellen calling Tim “adorable.”  I think she hinted that he’s done this week when she said “those people may never drink again.”  The Sweet Love may not be so sweet for him when this week’s results are announced.

Andrew – Grey suit with white and purple checked shirt.   It wasn’t my favorite song choice, but I do like his vocals and I still say he’s going to surprise a lot of people.  Judges all loved him this week, but will they love him Forever?  A couple good song choices over the next few weeks and he could fill the blank spot in my final 4 prediction.

Katie – Olive green outfit with black plastic pants.  I love the scene in the movie Michael when John Travolta dances to Chain of Fools. I do NOT love it when Katie sings it.  Her vocals were ok.  Not as good as the judges made them sound, but ok.  I think it was another bad song choice for her and I’m still not a Katie fan.  She’s running out of people to save her.  This week I think her dad owes Tim a drink.

Lee – Light grey leather jacket and black 3-button tee.  Without question the best performance of the night.  Great song choice and great vocals.  All the judges loved it and it was one of the few worth listening to more than once this week.  He had a very commercial sound and he performed for the audience.  (The Usher influence.)  Ellen (and Simon) thought it was the best of the night, but he didn’t just Treat Her Like a Lady, he treated everyone well.  Has he peaked or will he strong arm Andrew for that open spot in my final 4 prediction?

Crystal – Red dress, black belt and hose, stilettos.  Cleans up well, showed more personality and connected better with the audience.  Still one of the best this season and she consistently performs well, but this week wasn’t her best vocal performance.  She won’t be on that Midnight Train to Georgia because she’ll be busy preparing for next week’s performance on American Idol.

Aaron – Black faux leather hoodie over blue and white plaid shirt.  Terrible start and it was barely ok overall.  Judges were far too nice to him.  I’m sure he’s safe again this week because of the tweenie vote, but there Ain’t No Sunshine in that performance as far as I was concerned.

No one was surprised by Paige’s departure last week and I think the choice is equally clear this week.  Didi sucked and a few others had a bad week, but it’s time for Tim to go.

– Christopher

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